Comparing Imperial Presidency by Arthur Schlesinger and Presidental Power by Richard Neustadt :: Arthur Schlesinger Imperial Presidency

Comparing Imperial Presidency by Arthur Schlesinger and Presidental Power by Richard NeustadtIn his book, The Imperial Presidency, Arthur Schlesinger recounts therise of the g all overnment activity as it grew into the imperial, powerful prepare that itis today. His writing reflects a belief that the presidency is becoming toopowerful and that very few people are making a real causal agency to stop it. Heanalyzes the back and forth struggle for power between Congress and thePresidency. Schlesinger breaks up the first half of the book chronologically. Hebegins by discussing the areas concerning the presidency where the foundingfathers agreed and also the areas where they disagreed. He then goes on toanalyze the rise of the imperial presidency through war and recovery, withemphasis on the events of the ordinal century. After the war in Vietnam,Schlesinger divides the book based on the specific nature of the events that hadan impact on presidential power. He divides it based on dom esticated policy, foreignpolicy, and the affairs that go on in secrecy.Schlesinger provides an incredible amount of evidence to recount the upsand downs of the imperial presidency. He provides a base for his argument withan in-depth moot of what the framers intended and how they set the stage fordevelopment over the next two centuries. An issue that Schlesinger focuses on isthe presidents ability to make war. The decisions of the founders in this areawould have a huge impact on the power contained in the office of the president.The consensus amongst the framers was that the president, as Commander in Chief,had the ability to defend the unify States and its interests, but the abilityto halt war was vested in the Congress. This decision set the stage for thestruggles between the president and congress. He also discussed the debate overthe power institutionalized in the presidency. At the time, there were twoschools of thought on the subject. Hamilton supported an active president, whileJefferson argued in favor of a passive president. The final draft included acompromise of the two theories. There was also some debate over the power of thepresident versus the power of congress. Additionally, there was a compromisemade over this issue when writing the final draft. The spirit of compromiseamongst the founders was what provided a viable and secure base for the futureof the presidency.After his discussion of the founders, Schlesinger shifts to thepresidents powers of war. He analyzes every war, excluding the Revolution, thatthe United States has participated in up to and including the war in Vietnam.

The World Needs More Nuclear Power Essay -- Argumentative Essays, Pers

Opponents of the nuclear indus get a line conjure up frightful images of nuclear accidents to spread dismay to those who could benefit from its awesome bounty. A misguided desire to protect the environment blinds people to the reliableity that nuclear power is a green energy source. atomic power is superior to traditionalistic power generation in al closely every way whether it is looked at from an environmental, economic or technical point of view.Currently, most consumer power generation is achieved through the burning of fossil fuels. Skeptics of nuclear energys potential have long contended that fossil fuels are safer to process, are get out for the environment and pose less of a long term hazard than nuclear power. Concerns over safety also dominate the issue since the often lamented institution of nuclear weapons has demonstrated that the awesome force of nuclear power can be dangerous indeed. atomic power is also tagged as macrocosm expensive, not only for po wer generation but for the environmental detriments that must be mitigated after processing. None of these arguments against nuclear power has any real factual basis as research has shown that nuclear power has less of a negative impact on the environment, has the potential to be safer and ultimately cheaper than traditional power generating methods.The mainstays of traditional power generation involve the burning of fossil fuels, such as innate(p) gas and coal. Environmentalists use scare tactics to try to convince people that nuclear power is a dirty energy. The truth however, is that as far as damage to the environment goes, nuclear power is a much greener source of energy than either coal or natural gas. The first advantage of nuclear power over coal or natural gas is ob... ...ands in the way of nuclear power becoming the energy of the future is fear and rhetoric. As the famous philosopher Heraclitus said Dogs bark at a person whom they do not know (Heraclitus, para 97), which means that people will always attack that which they do not understand. This makes education the greatest measuring rod towards making one of mans greatest technological triumphs into a blessing for this generation.Works CitedHeraclitus. The Complete Philosophical Fragments. Middlebury College Website.Middlebury College. 07/14/10 http//community.middlebury.edu/harris/Philosophy/Heraclitus.htmlHill, Patrice. Nuclear Power Is the Energy of the Future. Insight April 2001McGregor, Douglas S. The Use of Nuclear Power Should be Increased. The New AmericanApril 2001 12-19Robinson, Mark, A. 100 Grams of Uranium Equal 200 Tons of Coal. Kelso, WA, 1987

Essay --

DiabetesThis is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by disturbances in carbohydrates, lipid and protein imbalances leading to increased blood glucose levels. There are 3 main types of diabetes mellitus type unity, type two and gestational diabetes. Type one is common among children under the age of twenty years, while type two is associated with adults. separate types of diabetes are congenital diabetes, steroid diabetes and monogenic diabetes. However, these other forms are less prevalent compared to the three main types of diabetes. Diabetes is one of the leading cases of blindness, amputations and kidney failure (American Diabetes Association, 2008).Type one occurs due to lack of insulin in the body. In this type of diabetes the body is unable to produce enough levels of insulin hormone which regulates the absorption of blood glucose. The immune system attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas resulting into hormone deficit. This means that individuals with type on e diabetes mellitus have to be supplemented with insulin as failure to supplement may lead to death. Type two is characterized by lofty levels of blood glucose which is referred to as hyperglycemia. It is the most common type of diabetes accounting for 90 to 95 % of diabetic cases. Gestational diabetes affects pregnant mothers and is known to disappear after birth. It affects round 2% of pregnant women and 50% of the affected mothers may result to type two diabetes if the condition is not well managed (CDC, 2011).Symptoms Symptoms depend on the type of the complaint and the stage of disease. However some symptoms are common in the three types of the disease. The main symptoms are polyuria, loss of weight, increased hunger and excessive thirst.... ... acquiring the diseases as it can be passed from one generation to another (American Diabetes Association, 2008).TreatmentDiabetes can be managed by the use of diabetic medications like metformin, chlorpropamide among others. However , dietary management, regular wield and weight management are the best ways of managing diabetes mellitus. Type one is managed by administration of insulin and dietary management. Type two is managed mainly through ingest healthy, physical activity and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels. Conventional medication coupled with dietary management has improved the outcomes of the patients with diabetes. Studies have shown that use of probiotics can withal help in the treatment of the disease. Patients should monitor their glucose and cholesterol levels as the basic tools for managing diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2008).

Othello :: essays research papers

The Significance of Othellos Ethnicity.In William E. Cains essay, The Triumph of Will, he clearly states, as is represented by James that Othellos race is not an issue in the play. I strongly agree with James and believe that if Othellos skin was white it would not affect the outcome of the play at all. Desdemonas marriage to any other man, black or white, would have been just as upsetting to Barbantio and Roderigo, and in this paper I will advance discuss my reasoning.As I have mentioned in the introduction, the outcome of the play would have been exactly the same whether or not Desdemonas husband in the play happened to be black or white. One of the reasons is the fact that Barbantio was not necessarily mad at Desdemona for marrying Othello. Although this might have made him a myopic upset he got over that very quick, but what made him really mad was that Desdemona married Othello secretly behind his back without his approval. Basically Barbantio felt betrayed by his own girl. This made Barbantio feel that he wasnt able to do his part as a father, and play that major role in his daughters life anymore. Since Othello is now Desdemonas new husband it is his responsibility to take over those important roles. Barbantio would feel this way regardless of who his daughter married. understandingly and respectively enough Barbantio knows that Desdemona loves Othello, and that Othello loves Desdemona just as much as he loves his daughter. In the end, Barbantio easily accepts the marriage. If the racial issue was the initial root of all malevolent here he would not have accepted the marriage as easily. In his acceptance to the marriage he joins the hands of Othello and Desdemona and gives them his blessings. I here do give thee that with all my heart which, but thou hast already, with all my heart I would keep from thee for your sake, Jewel, I am glad at soul I have no other child, for thy escape would teach me tyranny, to hang clogs on them. (Shakespeare, 31) As for Roderigo, his main conflict is the simple fact that Desdemona has married a man whom is not himself, as he would rather love to have it. Although Iago is supposed to be a friend if Othellos he sides with Roderigo and secretly is against Othello.

The Dust Bowl :: American History

The Dust BowlThe early 1900s were a time of turmoil for farmers in the United States, especially in the corking Plains region. After the end of World War I, overproduction by farmers resulted in low prices for crops. When farmers first came to the Midwest, they farmed as much wheat as they could because of the high prices and demand. Of the 97 acres, al almost thirty-two million acres were being cultivated. The farmers were careless in their planting of the crop, caring only about profit, and they started plowing grasslands that were not made for planting. Because of their continuous plowing year after year and the lack of rainfall, the soil was quickly losing its fertility. With unfertile, dry land, the wheat crop started dying, and then blowing away with wind. Due to the improper agribusiness, on with a long drought, junk storms made life in the Dust Bowl very burdensome. During the 1930s, the Great Plains was plagued with a drought, a long period of dryness, which brought ex piry to many of the farmers in the region. This horrible drought started in 1930, a year that saw heavy rains in a very short time, which cause flooding in many areas of the Oklahoma Panhandle. The year continued to with horrible blizzards in the winter and a drought into the late summer. Many of the farms in the Great Plains, losing most of the crop, were greatly affected by the first droughts of the 1930s. The months of July and August saw about a forty-percent decrease of precipitation compared to previous years. From 1934 to 1936, A record drought dash the southwestern region. In 1934 the temperature was excruciatingly hot, causing many to die as a result of the heat. 1935 was a year where rainfall was very, very scarce. The heat began to bear at fast rates in the summer of 1936, with many days reaching above 120 degrees. The drought, along with the dust storms, were major reasons for poor farming in the Great Plains during the early to mid-1930s. Because of the drought, the g round became very dry in the Great Plains. This area, known as the Dust Bowl, was a region of horrible dust storms during most of the 1930s. The storms accompanied the drought and intensified the problems of the farmers. With the drought, many fields were not in a situation to grow crops.

The Dust Bowl :: American History

The Dust BowlThe early 1900s were a time of turmoil for farmers in the United States, oddly in the Great Plains part. After the end of World War I, overproduction by farmers resulted in low prices for crops. When farmers first came to the Midwest, they farmed as much wheat as they could because of the high prices and demand. Of the ninety-seven acres, almost thirty-two million acres were being cultivated. The farmers were careless in their planting of the crop, caring only about profit, and they started plowing grasslands that were not made for planting. Because of their constant plowing year after year and the lack of rainfall, the soil was quickly losing its fertility. With unfertile, dry land, the wheat crop started dying, and then blowing away with wind. due(p) to the improper farming, a yearn with a long drought, dust storms made life in the Dust Bowl genuinely burdensome. During the 1930s, the Great Plains was plagued with a drought, a long period of dryness, which brought demise to many of the farmers in the region. This horrible drought started in 1930, a year that saw heavy rains in a very perfectly time, which cause flooding in many areas of the Oklahoma Panhandle. The year continued to with horrible blizzards in the winter and a drought into the late summer. Many of the farms in the Great Plains, losing most of the crop, were greatly affected by the first droughts of the 1930s. The months of July and August saw about a forty-percent decrease of precipitation compared to previous years. From 1934 to 1936, A put down drought hit the southwestern region. In 1934 the temperature was excruciatingly hot, causing many to die as a result of the heat. 1935 was a year where rainfall was very, very scarce. The heat began to rise at fast rates in the summer of 1936, with many days reaching above 120 degrees. The drought, along with the dust storms, were study reasons for poor farming in the Great Plains during the early to mid-1930s. Because of the drough t, the ground became very dry in the Great Plains. This area, known as the Dust Bowl, was a region of horrible dust storms during most of the 1930s. The storms accompanied the drought and intensified the problems of the farmers. With the drought, many fields were not in a situation to grow crops.

India as a Land of Infinite Variety Essay

So far as I am able to judge, nothing has been left undone, either by man or nature, to make India the almost extraordinary country that the sun vi poses on his rounds. Nothing seems to have been forgotten, nothing overlooked. India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. Mark Twain, the writer of this quotation, was obviously impressed by the subcontinent. Travel agents say its nearly impossible not to be impressed, astonished and amazed by Indiaall within the first hour off the planefor this nation is blessed with sacred sites and ancient ruins, each with a mesmerizing story to tell, creating a treasure-filled world of travel opportunities. Towering Mountains, Vast Deserts and Lush RainforestsNestled between Pakistan, China and Nepal, India is bordered in the north by the worlds highest mountain chain, while further south, tropical rain forests mingle with windswept deserts. To complete the geographic smorgasbord, palm-fringed beaches trim the peninsula like ribbon on a large Christmas gift. The only thing missing is a glacier, but no one seems to mind. Visitors and locals alike do not complain about Indias astonishing ethnical diversity either, for the nation boasts an inspired, imaginative burst of religions and cultures, races and tongues, resulting from 5,000 age of history. Indias long, historical significance and great natural wealth have lured a long successiveness of foreign influences, traders and craftsmen, each having left their distinctive imprint on the country.Whether you come to rejuvenate apparitionally, relax on the countless beaches or live like a queen in the land of princes, Indias amazing diversity offers everything you could ever want in a holiday. With so much to choose from, its sage to enlist the aid of a trusted travel agent. Paragons of advice, travel agents suggest that, because of Indias size and diversity, its best to focus your journey around a particular tour or theme. This allows you to experience in depth one tantalizing aspect of the country while still enjoying the variety that makes India a snarf travel destination. The Golden Triangle New Delhi, Agra, JaipurOf Indias many tours, the Golden Triangle is one of the most popular, for the three cities that form the triangleNew Delhi, Agra and Jaipur take in the images that epitomize India. Inside this triangle youll see a panorama of majestic architectural creations that feed the areas rich traditions, like the symphony of marble that is the Taj Mahal (arguably the worlds most perfect structure), the imperial elegance of New Delhi and the desert city of Jaipur. Taj MahalJaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, one of the largest of Indias 28 states and host to the foreign Desert Adventure tour. Rajasthan is known as the Land of Kings, where sumptuous palaces dot the desert landscape and battle-scarred fortresses stand tall atop hills like sentinels. Youll beget your adventure at Jodhpur, an ancient stronghold on the edge of the Thar Desert, before traveling along trade routes to the unforgettable golden fortress at Jaisalmer and beyond. beyond Indias present-day heritage is a past steeped in spiritual lore, enlightening travelers who tour the Buddhist Circuit. Walk in the footsteps of Siddhartha Gautamathe gentle sage who became the Buddhaand sit beneath the Holy Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, under which he gained enlightenment in 528 BC. Visit Sarnath, where the Buddha gave the world his first sermon, and Kushinagar, the site of his death. This tour is a spiritual journey that will stay with you for a lifetime. The Land of CoconutsAnother Indian journey that will surely stick with you for a lifetime is a cruise through the Backwaters of Kerala. Kerala, on the southwestern tip of the peninsula, is called the land of coconuts, where palm trees shade nearly the entire state from the tropical sun. All along its coast, exot ic backwaters, canals, lagoons and inlets get an intricate maze stretching nearly 1,200 miles throughout the land. Traveling by boat along the emerald-tinted backwaters is a magical experience.Any trip you make to marvellous India will be a magical experience, especially if you book your journey through your friendly, neighborhood travel agent. Travel agents can combine any of the to a higher place tours or extend them to include exciting nights in bustling cities like Calcutta, New Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay). They can send you along other fabulous tours of India, to the Temple chase after of the south, across the Seven Sisters of the northeast or through the jungles that inspired Kipling in the Heart of Heritage. Always warm and inviting, India is a land of timeless beauty with 5,000 years of life under its ornate belt.Contact a trusted travel agent today and start exploring the infinite variety of this magical land.

Groups and Teams Essay

Many organizations require their employees to put to charm in squads b arly carry them no limited training. Research who get rid ofers much(prenominal) training in s bring outheasterly Africa and what it aims to achieve. Use at least 3 sources and explain what they offer.15 Planning and competency is decision making the tasks that admit to be done, determining how to do them, allocating resources to those tasks, and then monitoring fall out to ensure that they be done. The three sources which offer squad up up construction in South Africa are High Africa, Dream Team atom smasher and Movers and Shakers. These three sources aim to improve parley, co-operation, tameership skills and motivation. High Africa which is situated in Worcester, Cape Town. They offer corporal aggroup mental synthesis activities, packed with activities to increase confidence and trust within a assemblage as well as a venue for conferences to be held. Participants learn to cypher in a thr ong and improve communication and co-operation.These butt be improved through a variety of stimulating activities that participants are businessatic in. all(a) the activities that are done at High Africa ensure that participants squander to communicate and depend on severally separate in separate to succeed in the activity. As companies started demanding to a greater extent value and measure adapted results the group up building organisation, Dream Team Catalyst saw an prospect to meet these companies demands and partnered up with Catalyst orbiculate and Hercules Trophy to ensure that they are able to offer their clients the best team building out sums available worldwide.The approach of Dream Team is to offer building interventions that address specific needs and achieve measurable outcomes as well as high energy heretoforets that lead simply delight and astound even the close jaded participants. DreamTeam believes it is all about the people, the facilitators and participants. Their events accept a unique style. Teambuilding Events, Conferences, Training Programmes, Incentives, Celebrations & Fun Days all orchestrate on a scented look and feel when we are involved. Movers and Shakers have more(prenominal)(prenominal) than 15 years experience in organizational development teambuilding interventions and the training arena.Their motivational activities & exercises and team building programs & events make an unbelievable difference to your company or organization. Movers and Shakers are the international non-stop shop found in South Africa for motivation and team building. They are choleric about raising people to new heights in performance and motivation through our team building events, motivational activities and corporate team building exercises. A company relies immensely on people, they should be focexercisingd on continuously grown and empowered, and have the appropriate team building strategies in straddle for them to excel. The key function of any leader is to rise up other leaders. Any teambuilding ideas have to be telling, diametric and stimulating.2) There is a trend to put in teams into the failplace. pardon why this is the case. Describe the skills required in individuals to be effective in teams. Do you think all communication channels should be forgeed around teams? 10 strategical action competency is, pinch the overall mission and values of the company and ensuring that your actions and those of the people you manage are aligned with the companys mission and values. It is a key managerial skill for top level and middle level management. A managerial competency in general is a set of knowl limit, skills and behaviors that vacates a manager to perform his duties effectively and at low costs. Strategic action competency is one of six core competencies necessary to be a trade frank manager.The other five are communication competency, planning and administration competency, team turn compet ency, multi cultural competency and self-management competency. Teams have become increasingly popular in the elaborateplace. A team-oriented organisational structure means companies rely on venial buy the farm throngs or teams to manage miscellaneous products or tasks. Work teams offer some benefits because of the cooperation of several employees, but challenges to a fault exist when lock teams replace more individualized work. Some of the few things which team work encourage are better solutions and betterproduction.Better solutions are the principal(prenominal) reason why companies opt for team work. Team work alike results in better theatrical role work and a more thorough and more originative solutions to riddles or situations. People in a stem that are from different spurgrounds and perspectives running(a)(a) together, they tend to derive the best solution possible. Team members work together enhance benefits of the best solution by continuing to work together to enact it. Better production along with better quality, well-managed workplace teams a great deal produce more results as well. Members in a team dismiss hold each other accountable and drive each other to more efficient work. By setting individual goals to go along with team goals, the employees within work teams rout out create some friendly competition and use the peer-pressure influence to keep each other motivated to reach goals.Effective team members need the following basic skills* Communication and Negotiation Team members need the ability to state ideas or questions clearly, listen to others attentively, and to resolve disagreements in a non-confrontational manner. * Analytic and Creative Skills Team members need to evaluate breeding and propose creative solutions. * Organisation The team needs to be able to track and complete all its tasks on time. Tensions can often arise if deadlines are missed * earshot Employees need to listen to each others ideas. * Questio ning Employees need to ask each other questions, to ensure clear lines of communication. * Persuading Employees leave try convincing each other which alternative to choose. * Respecting Employees will respect each others opinions.* Helping The employees will help each other n work as a team. * Sharing Employees need to share their ideas with each other, in do to choose the best idea. * Participating Employees need to participate in activities and discussions. Jobs should be aimed around teams because sort outs are the ideal building blocking for an organisation. There are at least six reasons for designing all jobs around groups. First, small groups are good for people. They can satisfy social needs and they can allow substitute for employees in time of stress and crisis. Second, groups are good problem solving tools. They are better than individuals at creativity and innovation. Third, in a wide variety of decision situations, groups make better decisions than indivi duals do.Fourth, groups are very effective tools for implementationGroups gain commitment from their members so that group decisions are likely to be successfully carried out. Fifth, groups can control and discipline individual members in slipway that are often extremely difficult. Group norms are powerful control devices. Sixth, groups are a means by which large organisations can fend off many a nonher(prenominal) of the negative effects of increased size. Groups help to prevent communication lines from growing too long, the hierarchy from growing too steep, and the individual from getting wooly in the crowd.3) Think about whether you prefer to work on a problem or task individually or as part of a team. Motivate your preferences by appealing to your personality and character. Describe the experience (if any) you should now obtain to develop your teamwork competency and have evidence to convince potential employees that you have developed this competency. 10 I would say I do pre fer to work in a team, as the team can always solve problems more efficiently and effectively than working individually. My personality is suitable to be part of a team, as my leadership qualities can be enforced and I can also take part in discussions and feel free to give my opinion when it is needed. A team needed committed team members who are able to work through any challenge and is still able to think logically.It alpha to not give up even if the group might be struggling or not communicating and it is important to be committed to any task that the team has to execute. My ability to work well with people will give me edge when working in a group, I will be able to listen to their opinions and also give my opinion. A high border level will be of a benefit to the group as there are many group members from different backgrounds and personalities working together, personality clashes travel by often in teams and members need to tolerate each others personalities and work with people from different backgrounds. I have had many opportunities to work in a team, which all were not pleasant.When working with team members you not familiar with it could be more difficult to get to know them and find common ground. starting on the externalise and discussing ideas could be difficult because personalities would start to show and team members have to learn to tolerate each otherspersonalities. Team work can also be very pleasant, working with team members you familiar with can make an immense difference to the outcome of the project.As team members have antecedently worked together it would be easier for everyone to work together and execute the project. Team members gain team work competency if they worked in a number of teams. Team work competency would be creativity, communication, negotiating skills, helping each other, sharing and listening. Working in a number of teams I would say I have acquired those skills, and I would be able to work in most teams. I a lso believe that every project needs to be consulted with other person in order to achieve the best results. The team leader needs to consult with his team and gather information, their ideas and point of view of the project. I would have to say that team work is more efficiently and effectively than individual work. Team work allows you to be more creative and it can achieve better results than working on your own.4) Explain how your teamwork competency is likely to effect employees evaluations of your candidacy for a job irrespective of where you work. Visit http//www.pmforum.org. Using the site as a starting point, research the resources available to project managers. If you were to become a professional project manager, how could you use the resource available to improve your ability to manage a global practical(prenominal) project management team? List the steps that you could take to prepare for serving as a leader of a realistic global project. 15 Global Awareness Compete ncy is when an organisation carries out its managerial work by drawing on humans, financial, information and material resources from multiple countries.My teamwork competency will collide with the employers evaluation by looking at he wants from the employee. If he wants someone that will be able to work in a group and is able to work with others then a teamwork competency will be in my favour. Your team competency will greatly affect the type of job you will have to do, if you work well in teams you will be working in teams a lot. If the organisation merely works in teams, it makes you a good candidate.Your team competency can also lead to many other perplexs. Employers value an employee that is motivated, innovative and creative, they must also be able to lead and work well with others. Good communication skills are also a very important skill to have when your employer evaluates you as a candid, it will allow work to run smoothly and the lines of communication will always be liberal. The ability to listen to others and take instruction is key factors to working in a team, you have to listen to everyones ideas and be able to understand what they want you to do when you given a task. Guidelines which apply to virtual work teams* Whenever possible, use a variety of communication technologies * Pay attention to the quality of the communication transmission keep the team as small as possible preferably no more than seven to eight people * To the extent possible, take similarities and differences in time zones into account when assembling the team * Encourage the team members to discuss cultural differences * Be sure that someone is responsible for facilitating the communication process * Encourage team members to interact one on one, without feeling obligated to copy every email message to the accurate team * Train team members to match their choice of technology to their task * Hold an initial face to face encounter to discuss the teams purpose and clari fy the roles and responsibilities of each team member * Whenever possible, individual team members should visit each other * Schedule semimonthly face to face meetingsManaging Global Virtual Teams is a one of a kind, action-based programme that will show you how to manage geographically scattered and culturally assorted teams and achieve maximum results. Through the use of simulations, frameworks, video-taped exercises, and group coaching you will develop the ability to design and manage a global team in a way that encourages collaboration, improves intra- team communication, builds cohesion and leverages your teams cultural diversity. Every employee must have work team competency, it will give them that edge when employers evaluate them. It also makes working in a group so much easier and great communication skills are an important aspect.5) In your small group of two members that did this assignment, what were your experiences? Using the model of teamwork functioning, analyze wh at helped you and what hindered you in doing this assignment. Identify what you need to do differently next time. 15 We expected this assignment to gosmoothly, and we would be working well together. This assignment would be very lengthy and we had to meet a lot. We expected each other to do what we were supposed to do and meet the callable date. We both worked well together and executed the assignment as planned.The model of work team functioning is a general model of team functioning. The quaternity key components are the external support ashes, team design, internal team processes and criteria for assessing teams effectiveness. These four components work interrelated, and considered they provide a full understanding of how well a particular work team functions. The model helps identify work team problems, key contingency factors and provides guidance to managers interested in assessing whether a work team is achieving all of the various outcomes that are possible. 6) External c ontext7) Societal market-gardeningOrganisational cultureOrganisation designHuman resources management musical arrangement8)Effectiveness criteria* Team* IndividualInternal process* Stages of team development* Feelings* NormsTeam design* Team size* Team proximity9)10)External systemThe external system comprises outside organisational conditions and an influence exists before and after the team is formed. These influences may consist of societal and organisational culture, organisational design, and the human resources management system. CultureThe societal culture in which the work team operates is one of the major external factors. All team members have different cultures and the team needs to be able to work with all the team members and they need to work well together. In collective cultures people are very comfortable working in teams. Organisational designOrganisational design also directly influences the formation and functioning of the work team. A lot of the work our group did was from own, on our own time, which could either be a good or bad thing, as there was no one to watch over them. The work also had to be done at different locations where the group was able to meet up for a meeting or to discuss the progress of the assignment. The amount of work the each of us had to do was more than a bigger group, because of this we had to allow for extra time and had to do majority of the work on our own time. Human resources management systemOrganisations have quickly recognize that practices designed to enhance individual performance can be detrimental to teamwork and have established that new performance management systems are needed. Team based organisations may also change their basic procedures used to assign people to jobs. Some self management work teams have to make their own decisions, in this case employees must be trained to make valid human resources decisions and adhere to legal constraints. In our group there were no major decisions that had to be do, as group worked very well together and there was no member that we needed to take action against. Team designThe design choices involved in creating a team are numerous. Factors that need to be taken into consideration are team duration, team goals, and team membership. Two additional design choices are time size and team location. Team sizeAs the number of team members increases, the internal decision making process changes. We are only two in a group so the workload would be more and we would have to make decisions that would the suite a group with two members. If we had another group member our workload would be less and our decisions would have been different. The size of a also affect the quality of work a team produces, the optimum amount of members per group is 12 depending on the task at hand. It is known that smaller groups always seem to outdo the bigger groups.Members in larger groups have difficulty communicating directly to each other, as in a smaller group t here is more face to face interaction. As a result of this smaller groups have less trouble with getting their message across and there are less communication barriers or miscommunication. If the task at hand is one that needs creativity and innovation it is best that the team is smaller, this allows for not too many opinions getting in the way and clear cerebration can take place. Team location (team proximity)Team proximity refers to the location of a teams members. Two aspects of proximity are relevant when designing a team are the teams proximity to other work teams and the members of the organisation, and team members proximity to each other. When many teams are working on a single project, team members benefit from creation near to each other. This helps team members if they need advice on a specific part and it allows for the competition to be tighter among the members. Members from different teams can meet and discuss their developments with each other.Problem solving occ urs when it is readily needed members can ask each other for ideas, tips, or hints on a specific problem. We worked very soakedly with the other groups and consulted with them regular(a)ly, this allowed us to ensure that we on the right track with the project. Is also helped to clear any, misunderstandings were dealt with immediately and we also got to take heed how other groups went about doing their project. Virtual work teamsA virtual work team is simply one that meets and does its tasks without everyone being physically present in the same(p) place or at the same time. Virtual work teams can be functional, problem solving, multidisciplinary or self managing. New communications are allowing virtual workplaces to extendthe reach of organisations fare beyond their traditional physical and cultural barriers. Our team has become a virtual work team at times where we cannot physically be at the same place at the same time. Technology helped us to finish our project when we acted at a virtual work team. We could learn a lot from this project and how to deal with a team, the project did however meet our expectations but the leadership could have been better. On our next project we will have to make a few changes in the way we went about doing the assignments. We would have to assign work to the team members more effectively, have regular meetings and, motivate each other to meet deadlines.6) How was the level of communication of your group members? Were instructions clearly given and understood? Was there any form of miscommunication amid you and your group members and your lecturer? Were individual tasks given and completed on time? 10 Communication is a very important aspect of a team, good communication is the key to your team members working well together and projects getting the results your hopes you would achieve.Our level of communication in the group was very good, we understood what we had to do and all work was executed as per planned. If there we re any problems that needed to be handled they were dealt with, without delay, team members gave their opinion on certain issues and everyone had a fair chance to say what they cute to, if something was not understood it was brought to the team members attention and questions were asked if team members were not clear about instructions. Each team member was given work that needed to be completed and when the work was assigned to them, they were given clear instruction on what needs to be done. Team members made sure that there was no miscommunication amongst each other.The lecturer thoroughly explained the assignment which was easy enough for all team members to understand. Work was assigned to each team member and they were given a deadline, not all deadlines were met as we still had to do last minute finalising. The project was done at a later date than expected and it put back the whole schedule. Team members who did not meet the deadline, were given a final deadline that had to be met, which was the final cut off date. In the end the project met the overall collectable date and the team worked well together. Our team worked very well together there were no communication problems and everyone completed their tasks. The lines of communication were always open which made it a very pleasant team to work with and the assignment was executed successful.* SECTION B1) What are the advantages and disadvantages of organizing employees into work teams? Explain these advantages and disadvantages. 9 It is proven that perform a task in teams can achieve outcomes that could not be achieved by the same number of individuals working in isolation. There is that nose out of support from your team members which encourage others to work more effectively and efficiently.The reason for organizations having employees work in teams are as follows * To improve on-time delivery of results* To improve customer-employee relations* To embolden improvement on products and services* Essential for career and management-employee suppuration* Improve understanding of the organization* Reduce costs and improve efficiency* Improve quality* Increase the commitment, ownership and motivation of employeeThe advantages of working in teams are as follows* Creativity increases Each individual has their own knowledge, personal attributes and skill. By using these different traits of each individual team member, more ideas for a task can be generated making more solutions available for better results. * Speed Team work allows a task to be completed quicker and more effectively as well as efficiently work can move former in parallel with the ultimate goal being achieved much faster than the task being done by one individual. As the saying goes many hands, make light work.* Effect on worker esprit de corps Being able to work in a team allows for a close relationship betwixt individuals, increasing good relationships in the working surroundings. It also helps peoples se lf-esteem, having the knowledge that they contributed towards the task and achieving self- happiness. * Effect on individual and share responsibility All team members should always feel obliged to deliver to their best ability. Each member knows that they have a responsibility for a specific task and that the team depends on them to deliver work of good quality. * Self-awareness to reach full potential Your profile is developed and gives you a better understanding of the strengths you can contribute to a team. * Balance Each member may have a specific area in which they excel and by utilizing these strengths, the team will be able to cover the key team role functions, the team will remain effective and there will be no clank of role duplication. * Increased productivity* Improved service* Shared vision There is a common goal, so team members will thrive in achieving it. It keeps everyone moving forward. The disadvantages thereof are* Struggling with teams Some people prefer w orking in teams while others loathe even the thought of it. If your team members guerilla in respecting your authority or any effort to form cooperative working units, team work will not be an effective solution for your organization. Therefore, it is important to assess your employees feelings towards teamwork before dividing them into teams. * Decrease in creativity The Group Think tendency may occur. If one team member voices their opinion, while the other has another opinion in mind but opts to go with the majority of the other members to avoid conflict or tension.Novel ideas could be missed out on. * Free-riding This is a very frequent term not only used in primary or tertiary education but it occurs in organizations as well. Team member refuse to be productive, flying under the radar to avoid work. This also leads to a decrease in productivity within the entire team. * Conflict may develop In most teams, there are likely to be dominating overbearing or reluctant participan ts, resulting in disagreements between members therefore it is vital to monitor the performance of teams. * Present evaluation and reward challenges It is rather difficult to assess the team effort of each individual group member therefore workers are usually asked to complete group member evaluations which assesses each members helpfulness and productivity in the task being completed. Though this method is not as reliable, as some members may demote others for reasons which arenot related to the task.2) Describe the items of group development. Which stage is the most of import? 15 The development of work teams is illustrated belowThis development of work teams model shows the maturity on the vertical axis ranging from low to high, also known as ineffective and inefficient, versus the continuum of time together on the horizontal axis ranging from start (first encounter) to end (adjournment).There is no specific time period in which a team progresses from stage one to the followin g. The team can be discontinued at any time by the authority that created it, however the speed of team development reflects the teams deadlines. If there is a deadline for a task, the team will feel more pressure to perform, setting aside their personal differences and working together in order to complete that task.This model also shows how a team can move back to a previous stage if the disaster of the teams end arises this is called recycling. This may result from a loss in members, rotations, promotions or retirements, thus the repetition of the previous stage to be surpassed erst again. There are 5 stages, namely* The Forming Stage This stage focuses on orientation of the teams goals and procedures as each team member is burning about what each member is supposed to do while others may be excited. During this stage team members are usually positive and polite, some bear on about who will dominate team discussions others may feel intimidated and not participate as freely a s the others. This stage is fairly compendious and may only last until after the first meeting or discussion. Leadership roles need to be discussed and getting acquainted with fellow member will facilitate team development. If team members still feel uncomfortable within the group, team-building exercises would be recommended to ease the tension and establish a comfort zone, allowing the team to progress to the next stage.* The Storming Stage Competitiveness and strained behaviours bring down to emerge during this phase. This stage may involve resistance and impatience if progress is not made with a task the authority of one team member may be challenged as others jockey for their position. As a leader, they have to take the pressure that their team members are under into consideration they may even be uncomfortable with the approach being used for the task. A few members will even begin to force an agenda without regard for the needs of other members, or isolate themselves from group discussions. During this stage, conflict may arise but it is the groups business to resolve it through conflict resolutions. This is the stage where many teams fail.* The Norming Stage Team members become positive about the team as well as the position of the team leader during this stage where a hierarchy is established. Others may show leadership in other areas while respecting the leaders authority. The mindset during this stage is We are in this together, like it or not. Lets make the most of it. A sense of belonging and commitment starts to develop within the group members communicating freely, cooperating, and accepting mutual respect. Rules of behaviour are enforced by team members and one will notice how towards the end of this stage, there is a sense of enjoyment about being involved. At the end of this stage the oneness syndrome may emerge, which results in needed task-related conflict not being optimally resolved, in turn causing the quality or touchstone of perf ormance to slip.* The Performing Stage Hard work leads directly to progress towards the shared vision of the teams goal but some teams never reach their full potential, regardless of how long they have been together. By this stage, team members have usually come to trust and accept one another, where diversity, opinions and viewpoints are encouraged and supported making room for wild ideas without the feeling of being inferior to others. Feedback and listening adds to the team members being focused on and reinforce a sense of clear and shared goals. Leadership can also be shifted from member to member depending on the problem which needs to be resolved. The team now accepts each others differences and disagreements and works on them cooperatively and willingly, where internal politics is avoided when tryingto solve an important issue. The following characteristics will lead to a high level of team performance* Energy is spent on completing tasks and building interpersonal ties * de veloping procedures for making decisions (including leadership) * Trust and openness among one another* Ask and offer help from one another* Sense of belonging and freedom within the team* Accept and deal with conflict* Members know how to assess and deal with their own functioning If one or more of these characteristics are absent, the team will be likely to prevail ineffective.The forming stage of any team is important as the team members get to acquaint them therein, exchange personal information with others and it is also an opportunity to observe how each member works individually and how they respond to pressure. The most crucial stage of Tuckmans stages of development however, is the storming stage as it is necessary for the growth of the team. For team members who are averse to conflict may find this stage unpleasant, contentious and painful. Tolerance is a must and should be emphasized, because without it the team will fail. This phase can be destructive to the team and low er motivation if things get out of control and some teams do not even pass this stage.* The dissolving Stage Teams usually assembled for a long period of time, go through the adjournment stage. This stage involves the termination of task behaviours and disengaging from work relationships. A planned windup usually includes recognition for participation, achievement and an opportunity for team members to say their farewells. This can also create some apprehension. The termination of a team is a regressive movement from giving up control to the team to giving up inclusion in the team. It focuses on wrapping up activities and can happen at any time as it is not planned and could even be abrupt. However, change in members could result in recycling instead of adjournment.The most crucial stage of group development is the storming stage. Most people understand this stage as thestage where conflict arises and how to avoid it. Conflict is impossible to avoid but team members should handle and channel that conflict into effective individual and team development. The approach to conflict is crucial in successful team building and it would be wise to enlighten the team about everyone not always going to agree all the time it is normal, necessary and part of team development. During this stage, most members will stand up and even leave the team due to these misunderstandings and this is the mostly likely stage that most teams to do not progress through.3) Raj Kashdish describes his workplace as friendly, just great. All the people get along together, and we play bowls and action cricket after work. Quality records show that Kashdishs team produces high-quality results but the teams cost are high and the output of work is low. Is this an effective work team? Explain your response. 10 There are specific criteria called effectiveness criteria which measures the outcomes achieved by team members and the team as a whole. Some teams may be effective in some aspects but inef fective in others. If a team takes longer than expected to make a decision, on speed and cost criteria, they may seem ineffective but if the decision is creative and achieves customer satisfaction the team will regarded as effective.This can be an effective work team with regard to individual effectiveness as relationships between individuals are heightened due to Kashdishs team doing other activities other than work together but it could also be regarded as team building. Their decisions and work are costly in terms of speed but effective in terms of customer satisfaction.Even though this team produces high-quality results, their costs and outputs are still low. They are not effective in terms of team effectiveness but more so individual effectiveness.4) What are the primary differences between functional work teams and multi-disciplinary jn work teams? Outline these differences. 8 * Functional Work Teams This type of team includes members from a singledepartment, such as marketin g, finance or human resources, who in cooperation solve issues pertaining to their area of expertise and responsibility. Their goals could be to minimize costs or to ensure continuous supplies. For goals to be achieved, team members need to constantly coordinate activities, sharing information on price changes and products.* Multi-disciplinary Work Teams Depending on its goals or tasks, this type of work team can be temporary or permanent and consists of 5 to 30 employees from various functional areas and organizational levels with the same goal-oriented tasks, such as designing and introducing process reforms and technology. For example, your team consists of a civil engineer, an architect, a mechanical engineer and a quantity surveyor for the planning of the construction of a pump house on a major irrigation scheme.A caesarean section to deliver a baby also requires a multi-disciplinary team. A product development team will exist for the period of time which is required for the p roduct to be brought to the market, varying from months to years. For example, Microsoft brings together multi-disciplinary teams consisting of experts with a variety of knowledge and backgrounds to generate ideas, which may include representatives from marketing and eventual end-users in order for the products to appeal to the customers. This type of work team provides competitive advantages such as speed aand creativity, if properly formed and managed.5) What are the differences between problem-solving work teams and self-managing work teams? Describe these differences. 10 * Problem-solving Work Teams This type of work team is usually made up of 5 to 20 employees, all from different areas of a department who consider how something would or can be done better. A meeting would take place for one or two hours every week on a continuous basis for discussion of ways which can improve quality, safety, productivity, morale or they might meet intensively for the first week or so and dis band thereafter. There are two forms of problem-solving work teams, namely parturiency forces and quality circles. Task forces are the most common type of this work team. For example, a marketing group conducting a feasibility study of a product. Aquality circle is a team which meets regularly to identify and analyze the different types of workplace problems and propose solutions.* Self-managing Work Teams It consists of 5-15 employees who work together on a daily basis to make an entire product or render an entire service. They may all be from a single functional area, but more so they are multi-disciplinary. Various managerial tasks are performed by these teams such as rotating job tasks and assignments, ordering materials or deciding on team leadership. To sum things up, what needs to be done and how to do it are decided by them. They are sometimes called high performance teams as they are smooth of highly skilled individuals fully capable of accomplishing major tasks, such as an emergency trauma unit. These individuals submerge their egos and fully commit to the team and its goals.6) You have an opportunity to take a job as new team leader in an organization. Before you accept the offer, you want to assess whether the organization is likely to provide a supportive environment for the team. What are the questions you would ask about the organization to determine whether the environment is supportive? 15 * Can you tell me about the executives management style? * Can you describe the work environment in the workplace? * What do you consider to be your organizations strengths and weaknesses? * What is the state of the equipment being used within the workplace? * What is the particular ambience the employees exude when at work? * Is there any prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination in the workplace? * If any, what are your conflict resolutions which are used when there is conflict between employees? * Are the organizations supervisors and managers equipped with leadership and diversity training? * Is the working environment safe?* What are the incentives being offered to the employees, if there are any? * Are there processes and procedures used for violations of the employment acts? * Do employees have access to rich information and resources? * Are there appropriate procedures for safety, operation and security?

Obama’s Speech rhetorical analysis Essay

In his awaited response to Chicago pastor, Jeremiah Wrights uncivil exposeburst, Barrack Obama puts to shame the hasteful denunciations from Americans. He creates redemption for Wrights actions which produces an emotional appeal with his citizens. Ushered forward by Obama is the back story of Reverend Wright,- something Obamas audience had been comfortably oblivious to until now- his hardships, victories, and benevolent whole kit that reveal his true nature non the one of ill nature or ignorance that one might think otherwise. But, before chairwo opus Obama can do this, he must give himself a sense of credibility through sharing a portion of his own backstory.In the 6th paragraph of Obamas speech, he introduces a small yet personal synopsis of his familys story. He acknowledges the role that the United States has played in Obamas kin, and his own, journey And for as long as I live my story is even possible. (paragraph 6, lines 7-8) Although, he says my story, Obama is rhetorically telling his audience the United States of America is the sole place where almost anything can be accomplished, no matter how unfeasible the quest many grown Americans are able to connect to this one statement because America, the land of the withstand and free, is the reason they have their own my story. He confirms this notion in lines 9 and 10 of the same paragraph,this nation is more we are truly one. Obamas mixed race that he identifies in this paragraph(6) sets up as an tale used 15 paragraphs later.I can no more disown him than stereotypes that made me cringe. (paragraph 21, lines 1-5) hot seat Obama makes the point of acquainting with the black community before introducing his white grandmother. His verbal gesture emphasizes neither is above the other and reinforces his racial credibility. The president qualifies his beloved grandma as an illustration that demonstrates how even though loved ones have the occasional slip-ups, they should not be grounds to break ties.Obam a captures his audience in a thought belch where they decide if a loved one has more rights than other humans. These people are part of me. And this country that I love. (paragraph 22) This succeeding line to his grandmother anecdote continuesthe flow and thoughts ga thered from paragraph 6 that says Americans are independently One with each other if they overcome simplistic prejudices. At the time Obama makes his speech he fights two battles a battle of the polls and one of morality, but not just Reverends ethics, all Americans for the past 221 years are included.The public press has scoured black and brown as well. (paragraph 7, lines 7-9) The President draws a parallel that indicates ideas of racial inequality is something that will exist no matter the society. Obama seeks to change this. He looks to the young and new generations to fulfill Americas true purpose- freedom. what gives me the most hope is the next generation (paragraph 43, line 4) President Obama looks to youth be cause they carry not the burdens of their ancestors as they are born into a more accepting world. American young are Obamas (peaceful) Aryan race(s). Their appearance does not blend. They stand out from one another.Yettheir minds blend more or less. And that is why they are perfect. Obamas Aryan race is already on the move Ashley Baia is one of his soldiers. President Obama shares Baias story from paragraph 44-47 and how she saw not in hues, but in virtue. She sought out allies in her fight against injustice. (paragraph 46, line 3) The relevance of Baias story presents itself when she asks her group members why they had joined her. All but one elderly black man has a specific reason. Obama shares the old mans reason in antimetabole And he doesnt Barack Obama. (paragraph 47, lines 4&5)The use of antimetabole in this context lowers the importance of the presented reasons enough to grasp all listeners attention. I am here because of Ashley. said the old man Im here because of Ashley. said Obama. He repeats the same phrase but changes I am to Im. The subtle change in punctuation makes his words feel like a whole different statement is being made-and there is. Obama is saying that Baia is an inspiration that has influenced him to this road of candidacy, and therefore has changed all of our lives.Ashley Baia ate mustard and relish sandwiches for a year. That was her ease up to injustice. Obamas silent inquiry then establishes itself Whatsacrifice have you made to combat injustice? America answered eight months later when Barack Obama became the first African American President of the United States.

Same-sex Marriage in the Philippines

to the highest degree senatorial bets against same-sex trade union Enrile is lone supporter ANDREO CALONZO, GMA intelligence operationMarch 18, 2013 1248pm 145 6 838 (Updated 1117 p. m. ) Most senatorial bets for the May 2013 polls rejected the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the Philippines, with Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile the only candidate expressing support for gay union, interviews conducted by GMA sores Online revealed. Twenty-four of the 33 senatorial hopefuls express they ar non keen on giving same-sex couples the chance to get married in the country, where over 80 percent of the citizens are Roman Catholics.Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Eddie Villanueva, a religious leader who founded the Jesus is Lord church service, said he is against same-sex marriage because it is against Biblical teachings. Sabi ng Good Book, huwag gayahin yung nangyari sa Sodom and Gomorrah dahil darating ang paggunaw sa isang bansa pag yun ay ginawa, Villanueva said in an interview . Ang Kapatiran Party senatorial bet Rizalito David, meanwhile, said same-sex marriage is against natural right. Ang lalaki, ang mapapangasawa niya ay babae, at silay mag-aanak at dadami ang sangkatauhan. Yan ang naturang batas at hindi kailanman nagkaroon sa natural law na pwede ang parehong babae o parehong lalaki, David said in a separate interview. Davids party lists in its political platform a spiritual dimension to seek graduation exercise the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The issue on same-sex marriage recently came back to public attention with the election of a new head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis. As a cardinal, the new pontiff openly opposed a bill to legalize same-sex unions in Argentina. He even described sister adoption by couples of the same-sex as a form of discrimination to the child. A chance for happiness Only one senatorial hopeful, Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile, said he supports the legalization of gay unions in the Philippines. lets give everybody a chance for happiness. Let us not discriminate. If it is your inclination to be happy with a man, why discriminate against that? Enrile said in a separate interview. He said his view on same-sex marriage was influenced by the years he spent living in the united States. I pack seen in other countries couples of the same sex who have have intercoursed very upright lives and raised children, he explained. licit recognition Makabayan senatorial hopeful and Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casino, who did not have a categorical stand on the issue, said he is open to giving some sort of legal recognition to couples of the same sex. Its something I still have to study and learn. Im willing to hear both sides, what the benefits and disadvantages are. I have an open mind, Casino said. Liberal Party senatorial bet Paolo Benigno Bam Aquino IV, who rejected same-sex marriage, meanwhile said he is open to giving some rights to long-term same-sex couples.Former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontivero s, who is also running chthonic the administration slate, for her part said she upholds the rights of same-sex couples to form families, neverthe little added that passing an anti-discrimination bill in the country may be the proper first step towards allowing gay unions in the Philippines. DVM/RSJ, GMA News foolt appear Obamas endorsement of same-sex marriage to have an impact here. It was a historical and an inspiring gesture, one that would galvanize a changing cultural perspective on same-sex relationships inside and outside America.Here, it would spark debates on our readiness for same-sex marriage, unless dont hold your breath it wont alter anything here fundamentally. Dont even think that this would suddenly lead President Aquino to push his allies in Congress to enact a law legalizing same-sex marriage. It just wont happen. This is not to say that the affectionate attitudes and behavior of Filipinos toward homosexuality and same-sex marriage are not changing. They are , and social media has triggered a shift in how we digest polemical topics that in the past have been filtered and overtopled by traditional institutions, such as the Church and our schools.Im not verbalise that Filipinos are now more pro-LGBT, but the overall mood is changing, and theres more openness to engage in an issue that is still otherwise considered taboo. Social media has democratized access to a wider hightail it of narratives and stories on LGBTs and made them part of our common experiences, creating a climate that could help dismantle oppressive stereotypes active homosexuality. The bullying of LGBT kids in American schools, for instance, a Canadian transgender joining the Miss Universe, the coming out of Hollywood celebrities these have all catalyzed conversations here.And while we know that these happened elsewhere, we have embraced the universal elements of these stories. More importantly, social media has given us access to participate in these conversations. To respond to a homophobic slur in the past meant writing press releases or letters to the editors, the fate of which would opine on the mood of the editors. Today, Facebook and Twitter could help anyone the in-your-face LGBT activist, the closeted bakla, and their fag hags push alternative perspectives on LGBTs, and influence how opinion gatekeepers and icons see the issue. Why the difficulty?If social attitudes are gradually shifting, why then is it hard to push for LGBT rights and same-sex marriage here in the Philippines? Many would automatically blame the Catholic taliban, and how it has been trying to potency our political institutions. I think it is a wrong framing of the problem, and it grants the Catholic hierarchy a degree of influence that doesnt exist. The Church has no control over public opinion, as proven by the continuing popularity of the RH Bill despite the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippiness opposition to it and by the failure of the Catholic Churc h to mobilize the so-called Catholic vote. What we perceive to be the Churchs political influence in fact indicates a fundamental helplessness in our political institutions, a democratic flaw that makes our system beholden to interest groups like the Catholic taliban. The Church is powerful the problem is that the state is weak. Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, whether through marriage or civil unions, would not happen by engaging or reforming the Catholic hierarchy. It is after all the business of the Church hierarchy to be dogmatic, and we should just let it collapse under the weight of its internal contradictions.We should be engaging and reforming the state and make it modern, inclusive, and truly representative. Strategic sphere For the LGBT community, that would require a change in strategy. One, it means that LGBTs must reframe the debate on homosexuality along secular and non-religious terms. While I understand why Catholic LGBTs want to carve a more tolerant spa ce within the Catholic faith, the more strategic battleground is in the Constitution, not the Bible.Same-sex marriage is understandably a sensitive religious issue, but it is above all about our sectarian values about basic fairness and our constitutional rights, about human dignity regardless of the sex of the people we love. Two, we need to be more forthright about gay love and gay sex. For many years, LGBT activists have skirted the issue of same-sex partnerships and gay marriage as a non-priority, relegating it under more crucial issues, like discrimination in schools and the workplace.This sends the wrong signal that same-sex partnerships are secondary and unimportant, when ironically the root of discrimination against LGBTs is the rejection of same-sex partnerships, both the sexual and romantic sides of it. We need to embrace gay sex and gay love and feel less guilty about them. A modern state, embracing gay sex and gay love. Who said that marriage is easy? Rappler. com (Th e author is coordinator of Akbayans LGBT Collective and a section of the Philippine National AIDS Council. ) BY JONAS BAGAS POSTED ON 05/11/2012 404 PM UPDATED 05/13/2012 1045 PMUpdated March 2013 Quick facts on key comestible State law and/or constitutional provision limits marriage to relationships surrounded by a man and a woman Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California*, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, northernmost Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming California voters adopted a constitutional provision limiting marriage to relationships between a man and a woman in November 2008. This provision was challenged in federal court and ruled unconstitutional. Enforcement of this finale has been delayed pending a U. S. Supreme Court decision on the case. Supreme Court hearings are scheduled for March 2013 and a decision is expected by June 2013. State issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington and the regulate of capital of South CarolinaStates allows civil unions, providing state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island Three of these states (Delaware, Hawaii and Illinois) also have laws limiting marriage to relationships between a man and a woman. Note In Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire, same-sex marriage has replaced civil unions. State grants nearly all state-level spousal rights to unmarried couples (domestic partnerships)* California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington** **Effective June 30, 2014 domestic partnerships in Washington will be limited to couples who are 62 years of age or older.State provides some state-level spousal rights t o unmarried couples (domestic partnerships)* Hawaii, Maine, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia State legislatures have been deeply entangled in the public debates about how to define marriage and whether the official recognition of marriage should be limited to relationships involving one man and one woman or that same-sex couples should also be entitled to marriage. State legislatures have gone both ways in this debate either enacting defense of marriage laws and constitutional provisions or, going the opposite direction, adopting laws allowing same sex marriage.Five states have adopted civil unions for same-sex couples that provide the same legal rights as marriage. Most states have adopted prohibitions of same-sex marriage. Most states do so by adopting defense of marriage lyric poem that defines marriage in their state constitution and/or state law in a way similar to the language in the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) the word marriage means only a legal union bet ween one man and one woman as husband and wife. Other states prohibit same sex marriages or marriages between persons of the same sex or gender.Thirty states have placed that language in their state constitutions (26 of these states also have statutory provisions adopting this language). A further eight states have statutory language adopting the restrictive language. Note that this count does include California, where federal courts have invalidated a 2008 initiative that added constitutional language defining marriage as limited to unions involving one man and one woman. The challenge to that constitutional provision is to be heard by the U. S. Supreme Court in 2013. Nine states and the District of Columbia currently allow same-sex marriages.In Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa, the states highest courts ruled that the state constitution required that same-sex couples be accorded the same marriage rights as opposite-sex couples. In Vermont, New Hampshire, the District of Colum bia and New York, Maryland and Washington, legislative bodies have passed statutory changes that allow same-sex marriages. In Maine, the legislature passed a same-sex marriage law in 2009, which was repealed in a voter referendum. In 2012, Maine voteres reversed course and approved a same-sex marriage statute. Same-sex marriages are currently being performed in those states.Several states have also expanded the legal rights available to spouses in same-sex relationships while also limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples with civil unions and domestic partnerships. Same Sex Marriages in the Philippines (Affrmative) Resolved Same sex marriages should be legalized in the Philippines. Let me start with a quote. If homosexuality is a disease, lets all call in queer to work Hello. Cant work today, still queer. That was by Robin Tyler. Instead of saying hey, Im pulling off a sickie today, you say hey, sorry if I cant go to workIm still gay. Can you imagine that kind of situation?If so, lets start asking ourselves today. Why do homosexuals have to be discriminated anyway? Do they scathe you or anyone in the society you live in? Same sex marriages have been an issue in the Philippines for a long time now, but since we live in a predominantly Christian country, people simply avoid further discussion of such. According to the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of Philippines, Article 2, Section 6 the separation of the church and state shall be inviolable. Meaning, no matter how grave the social issue may be, the church can never contradict the decision of the government and vice versa.It has been widely understood that the Roman Catholic church will always be against same sex marriages considering the fact that their beliefs and principles are establish from the sacred scripture. However, citizens who do not opt to engage into religious ceremonies have the option to be conjugated by means of civil wedding. It has been said under Article 7 of The Family Code of the Phi lippines, that marriage may be officiated by a person other than a priest, rabbi, imam or minister. Included are any incumbent members of the judiciary within the courts jurisdiction.

Relationship Between Public and Private Policing Essay

AbstractThis paper will explore the historical relationship between public and one-on-one policing. It will also talk over how the relationship has changed in recent years.Relationship Between Public and Private PolicingSince the terrorist attacks that struck inside the heart of our country on 11 September 2001, civilian law enforcement agencies know been busy performing not only their regular duties of crime prevention and response, save also taking on a greathearted number of homeland auspices functions and all of this during a time when local, pass on and federal budgets atomic number 18 ever tightening. Similarly, close certification institutions are under comparable to(predicate) pressure to carry out their traditional duties to provide protection of information, property and people, as well as sharing the additional duties of homeland security. Despite the concomitant that public and buck private natural law organizations share the same ultimate goal of protecting t he public, they do not have a long history of operative well together.Security military officers have historically been looked down upon by law enforcement staff office. Some police feel that there is a definite lack of pre-employment screening, certification, training, standards, and ruler of security officers. Other police officers feel that security personnel birth insufficient training, especially those who carry weapons. Anformer(a) perception that nearly police have is the see to it that security officers are those who couldnt make it as law enforcement officers so they settled for a career in security. Meanwhile, some security officers view police as snobs who do not have an understanding of the range of capabilities, functions and resources offered by the private security field and thus fail to appreciate the business office they can play.Private policing really got its start in the U.S. in the mid-1800s with thefoundation of the Pinkerton study Detective Agency in Chicago Illinois by Allan Pinkerton, the first troops to be appointed as a detective in the Chicago Police Department. Since the federal government did not have personnel that could follow criminals crossways state lines, and local police personnel were ill equipped to traveling bag the job, the Pinkerton Agency was hired to deal with criminal gangs (BSIS, n.d.). The company also performed many duties that are now handled by federal and state law enforcement agencies much(prenominal) as guarding railroads, conducting criminal investigations, and providing security advice to banks and other businesses. Policing is not necessarily the exclusive dominion of government, but rather a service that could be assumed either by public or private agencies (Elizabeth Joh, 2004). According to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2000 there were 797,000 law enforcement officers employed in the United States by local, state and federal agencies. In comparison, private se curity organizations throughout the country employed rough two million security officers (National Policy Summit, 2004).With these numbers it only makes sense for there to be a cooperative relationship between public and private police agencies. Joining the capabilities of the two sides would do good each profession and greatly enhance the protection level that could be afforded to the citizens of this country. For example, the public police agencies usually receive more current threat information, while the private police agencies tend to maintain control over the knowledge domains or facilities that are considered vulnerable to attack. It has been estimated that 85 pct of the countrys critical infrastructure is protected by private security organizations (National Policy Summit, 2004). One factor that I believe has had a prescribed impact on improving relations between public and private police agencies is the crossover of personnel. Many times when law enforcement personnel a t the local, state or federal level retire from their agencies, they tend to take on positions of employment within the private police field as Directors or other higher level positions due to the degree of their experience. These personnel maintain their contacts from within the law enforcement realm which can facilitate opportunities for much needed training and reproduction of security officers, as well as increased probabilities for the sharing of information between agencies. Another aspect which is closely related is the hiring ofoff-duty police officers to perform private security functions and details. Many companies feel that hiring an off-duty police officer to perform private security functions can be an effective crime deterrent when there is a visible police officer presence. Most public police agencies allow their officers, with advanced permission from the department, to work security duties or details while exhausting their police uniform and even operating their d epartment issued police vehicle.Another advantage of hiring off-duty police officers is that they maintain the power of arrest and use of force at all times, whether on or off-duty. So when a crime occurs, you already have a police presence on scene that can handle the matter. There are even some police agencies which are actually commercializing their services. According to Massimiliano Mulone, police organizations are selling the services they provide to private individuals/organizations, from letting off-duty police officers to offering training for the private security workforce (2012). There are some negative aspects to hiring off-duty police personnel to perform private security duties. First of all, the average police officer will charge at least twice as much as the hourly wage a typical security officer will be paid. Another issue to consider is the fact that some police officers will not perform some of the more menial tasks that a regular security officer would be require d to perform as part of their normal duties. Additionally, since the police officer is not depending on this part time job as a primary source of income, they may not put the same level of devotion into complemental the tasks of the position as a security officer that is performing this job as their primary source of employment. Furthermore, recent research finds that that fatigue associated with overtime and outdoors employment may contribute to accident and injuries involving police officers and may lead to more citizen complaints (James Brunet, 2008). Another issue of concern is that while a police officer is performing in an off-duty capacity as a security officer, they can be called away from these duties to assist on-duty officers with incidents that occur nearby. Lastly, a company that hires off-duty police personnel to work in a private security capacity must be aware that there are unique legal issues to be considered, such as when Miranda warnings should be used and unde r what circumstances searches may be authorized.In almost every major city throughout the country, shopping malls, hospitals, flatbed complexes, university campuses and housing associations depend on various private police organizations for security. Evidence shows that private policing has considerably decreased crime rates in neighborhoods across the country. afterwards the Grand Central Partnership, an organization of over 6,000 businesses, hired a private security force to guard a 70 block area in the midtown Manhattan area, crime rates dropped by 20 portion after two years, by 36 percent after three years and 53 percent after five years (Kai Jaeger and Edward Stringham, 2011). Another example of this statement is the introduction of private policing by Critical Intervention Services in a low-income area of Florida that reduced crime rates an average of 50 percent (Jaeger and Stringham, 2011). The greater the number of private property establishments that can be covered by pr ivate police agencies will allow the public police officers to concentrate their efforts on responding to the more significant crimes.The reality is that government agencies are being required to do more with less, cut budgets and ultimately cut the number of public police officers that are needed to protect the public. On the other side of the issue, private security organizations are constantly growing and providing more professional and better trained security officers in order to stay competitive in the private policing field. In many instances it is getting harder to distinguish between the public and private police officers and the overall duties they can perform. By combining the efforts of the two spheres of responsibility it would greatly benefit both sides, as well as provide a higher level of protection for the citizens of this country.ReferencesBrunet, J. A., PhD. (2008). Blurring the line between public and private sectors The case of police officers off-duty employment . Public Personnel Management, 37(2), 161-174. Retrieved from http//ezproxy.bellevue.edu80/login?url=http//search.proquest.com/docview/215949642?accountid=28125 Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. (n.d.) A Brief History. Retrieved from http//www.bsis.ca.gov/about_us/history.shtmlJaeger, K. and Stringham, E. (2011). National Center for Policy Analysis. Private policing options for the poor. Retrieved from http//www.ncpa.org/pub/ba763 Joh, E. E. (2004). The riddle of Private Policing. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 95(1), 49-131. Retrieved from http//ezproxy.bellevue.edu80/login?url=http//search.proquest.com/docview/218388345?accountid=28125 Mulone, M. (2012). When private and public policing merge Thoughts on commercial policing. Social Justice, 38(1), 165-183. Retrieved from http//ezproxy.bellevue.edu80/login?url=http//search.proquest.com/docview/1022716230?accountid=28125 National Policy Summit. (2004). Building Private Security/Public Policing Partnerships to Pr event and Respond to Terrorism and Public Disorder. Retrieved from https//www.theiacp.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=LNLjjcfSktQ%3D&tabid=432

Black Panthers

Black Panther Ten Point Plan Response During the 1960s, the portentous civil rights movement was at its peak and the c wholly for social and racial par was spreading throughout America. To promote these ideas, different groups rose up and protested against the current white dominant edict in the United States. Among these groups, the Black Panthers were founded to demand an end to racism and social oppression in order to create a global socialist club (Ten Point Plan). Their tactics were very controversial because of the amount of violence their members caused.They were known for fighting and even killing police when provoked. But although their style of protest was firmly looked down upon in todays society, the principles of their cause were just. The Black Panthers overarching goal of their federation is for freedom and the power to determine the destiny of their suppress communities. The Black Panthers were based upon ten founding goals that would pushed for more rights and freedoms of the black community. The first point was mentioned above and calls for Blacks to basically have the same rights as white stack do.After this point, they specified exactly what they wanted to change. These included full employment of their people, fairness in payment for their labor, decent housing, and an education that is not racist and tells the black history as it echtly happened and not as a censored version. It also includes free and extensive health care to all, the end of police and political scienceal brutality, stopping the expansionism of America, fairness in justice and freedom, and finally an overarching demand of property, liberty, peace, education, and modern technology for all peoples (Ten Points Plan).The goals were printed with captions underneath that explained where the current establishment has faltered and some have travel to correct the situation. The Ten Points Plan calls upon the government to provide full rights to the black population by ei ther aiding them in their goals or backing off and great(p) them more freedom in their lives. The Black Panthers generally want the government take on more roles in the education and basic needs of their people.In their Ten Points, the Black Panthers demand the government to employ or guarantee money to every person of employment, help the black people create cooperatives for funding in, payment for past wrongs, and payment for nailly free health care for all African Americans. In addition, general statements such as an end to all wars of aggression and an end to police brutality are included (Ten Points Plan). They dont necessarily say how the government will get this money or be able to continue payment on the items, but rather just demanding the help.This isnt very conducive for government intervention or for actual results because it isnt a realistic goal being presented. If the points included a way to get the money or labor, then the points would be more complete and taken more seriously. The reasons these goals were presented to the United States was because of the oppression the black community had been under for centuries. Specifically the points were pointed toward the end of slavery and the unfairness in treatment by government programs.The black community was lumped into poor areas for living, creating the modern day ghettos and a place where overall racial success and equality could not be accomplished. The Black community was also seen as subservient to the white community in the pre-1960s and so the general population did not help the struggling community. To further demoralize the community, the government treated them as a lesser people and didnt respect them, which caused tension between the groups.The Ten Points Plan came out of a tumultuous duration in Americas history where civil liberties were under investigation and the tides of change were slowly coming into the popular American culture. The goals expressed in the platform have led to positive changes for Black Americans today and the furthering of their community. Although the Panthers have not continue on, their goals of freedom for the average black American are seen in the equality of black Americans today. Works Cited Ten Point Plan . Acts of Inquiry. Ed. University of Washington. Boston, MA Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. 389-392. Print.

Product and Service Marketing Analysis Essay

Product and service merchandise argon highly related. Take the success of a company like apple, for example. The technology giant operates close 400 retail incloses, employs more than 42,000 people and hosts more than a million visitors each day. In 2012, orchard apple trees retail operations generated nearly $19 billion. Furthermore, its estimated that orchard apple trees Fifth highroad store generates more than $35,000 per square off foot, making it the highest grossing retailer in New York ever. Those statistics reinforce the companys crossing and service strategies of those of a highly successful company. apple continues to hold a number iodineness spot on a list of the worlds most admirable companies. However, the success of apple hasnt always been so great. It wasnt until the company combined good products with good services, that profits increase exponentially.Slide 12-12 Service Differentiationorchard apple tree actually had a point in business in which it struggl ed. That was in the 1990s when the company was selling products through larger retailers such as CompUSA and Sears. It was then, that Apple computers were shoved to the side, place of the main view of customers, as just another computer brand available on store shelves.Apple employees didnt invent enough attention to the installation of the product in the big boxful stores in which it was being sold, so in that location wasnt a true selling point for buyers. Also, the product delivery took a major hit. In fact, the brand became so weakened when retailers did not market the products properly, that the record wasnt fully stocked. While Apple products plummeted in gross r stillue, the Gateway company was nominateing direct sales to consumers in its own stores, and Apple had to reinvent its business model, and quickly register how to operate in a different manner.Less than two years after Apple launched its retail stores, Gateway shut reduce all of its shops and laid off 2,500 w orkers. Only three years later, CompUSA closed its chain of 23-year-old stores as well. Apple went against much of the advice it had received, and clearly the company was doing something am curio. Apple created retail stores that offer more than just a product. The stores offer a shopping experience that consumers often give raving reviews on. That includes ordering ease, smooth delivery, clear installation, the right customer training and consulting, and simplified maintenance and repair.Slide 12-11 Product DifferentiationApple Stores are at one time the highest performing stores in retail history. This isnt due to just good in-store and online service. The products typically set the run among all other technology products offered in the industry. Many Apple products come with customizable features based on a customers wants and needs. That includes hard drive and disk space, all the way down to the detail of an optional custom engrave on a product. In addition to the features, Apple products are known to hold superior mental process quality. Sure, the products arent cheap, nevertheless typically when a customer buys an Apple product, they know that product will pay for itself over time.Slide 13-5 Categories of Service MixWhen youre dealing with a product that Apple designs and sells, its typically a highly technological device. That tangible good brings on accompanying services. The more advanced the product, the greater the need for those high-quality supporting services. When a customer goes into an Apple store looking for a young computer or an iPad, theres a chance they dont know how to maximize its use to its full capability. Apple found a way to assist costumers, so they can learn about the devices theyre purchasing for justify. Employees at each Apple retail shop hold free workshops for consumers to teach the basics. In addition to workshops, customers can sign up for one-on-one training sessions to dig even deeper into their products capabil ities.Slide 13-6 Service DistinctionsThese services offered by Apple require the clients presence therefore employees need to be considerate of the consumers needs. That is why Apple is known for hiring customer-obsessed, sympathetic employees. Apple cofounder Steve Jobs offered a unique insight about how consumers interact with technology. Jobs said often the problem was that consumers are limited to thinking in terms of only what they know, instead of what is possible. Jobs once said that one of the keys to Apple is that the company builds products that turn the employees on. That is certainly to the benefit of the customers, that it often means products are exactly what they want because Apple employees are so deeply entrenched in and committed to the customers experience.Slide 13-8 classifiable Characteristics of ServiceWhile many consumers know the physical products Apple offers are those of high quality, the company has do it a point to manage the evidence, and tangibilize t he intangible. In doing so, Apple had to create stores that arrive a clean layout, in which traffic flows steadily, have employees that are busy, but they can still manage the workload, have equipment that is state of the art, have a symbol that suggests quality in both product and service, and finally, has a reasonable price for service. We already know that Apple services are offered for free, the companys logo is iconic, and that the equipment is top notch.So, Apples stores had the main focus of a clean layout and employees readily available, yet still busy. When a customer walks into an Apple store, the aesthetics are clean and well thought out. Each product is on display for interrogation use, and the floors, walls, and counter spaces are clean and tidy. In addition to that, carefully recruited and trained sales associates are further to take customers on a ride. They give each willing customer a short, informative circumference of the space to be able to have a conversatio n and connect with each and every visitor. Then, of course, theres the offering of support for each customer, which is just another delight to those who shop at Apple.The end result of Apples mix of product and service marketing combined is certainly one of success. Apple has the highest retail sales per square foot than any other U.S. retailer. The stores average more than $6,000 per square foot, which is more than twice the former gold standard Tiffany & Company. That success did not come with quality products alone, but quality product marketing coupled with quality service marketing. The companys marketing dodge is unique, but the company figured out how to attract and retain customers, generate an extremely large sum total of word-of-mouth and brand appeal to give it a huge competitive advantage.Works CitedChazin, S. (2013). The Retail Secrets of Apple. Retrieved from http//www.marketingapple.com/marketing_apple/2013/01/the-retail-secrets-of-apple.html on 07/23/2013.DuBois, S. (2011). Worlds Most Admired Companies. Retrieved from http//money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2011/snapshots/670.html on 07/23/2013.Kotler, P Keller, L (2011). Marketing Management (14th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ Prentice Hall.Moorman, C. (2012). Why Apple is a neat Marketer. Retrieved from http//www.forbes.com/sites/christinemoorman/2012/07/10/why-apple-is-a-great-marketer/ on 07/23/2013.

Emergence of Malls in India

Malls as we understand, is a form of organized retailing. They lend an ideal shopping experience with an amalgamation of product, service and entertainment, all under a common roof. Before going into the details of emergence of malls, lets see how the Indian retail sector has evolved over the years and how the concepts of malls came into being. The era of rural retail industry could be categorized into two formats every week marketsandvillage fairs.Primarily, weekly formats catered to the daily necessities of villagers. Village fairs were larger in size with a wide mutation of goods sold from food, clo intimacy, cosmetics and excellent consumer durables. The traditional era saw the emergence of the neighborhood Kirana store to cater to the thingumabob of the Indian consumers. The era of government support saw indigenous franchise model of store bonds run by Khadi Village Industries Commission. The KVIC has a countrywide chain of 7000 plus stores in India.This breaker point al so witnessed the emergence of shopping centers with car parking facility. The modern era has a host of small and large formats with exclusive outlets showcasing a terminated range of products. The department stores and shopping malls targeting to provide a complete destination experience for all segments of the society. The hyper and super markets be consistently trying to provide the customer with the 3 Vs (Value, Variety Volume).Over the last three years, this sector has witnessed an exorbitant growth collectable to the establishment of numerous transnational quality formats to suit the Indian purchase behavior, the improvement in retail processes, the development of retail limited properties and the emergence of both domestic and international organizations has witnessed the emergence of malls. it is not just the north of the country that is seeing a furious construction of malls. Visakhapatnam, a fast-growing city in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, is witnessing a h uge demand for shopping malls.The biggest of them, CMR Shopping Mall, occupies 60,000 second power feet over five floors. The throngs of buyers who visit the mall are working class and office employees of the numerous public and private sector outfits that are based in Visakhapatnam. Similarly, Ahmedabad in western India is slowly becoming a magnet for shopping malls. More than half a dozen malls have sprung up in Ahmedabad, known as a fading city of dying textile mills until a few years back. The biggest of them, aptly called Super Mall, occupies a gargantuan 90,000 square feet and has 200 shops in its folds.But the biggest mall-construction use in India is taking place, as expected, in Mumbai, the countrys financial and business capital. In all, 25 malls are under construction, each measuring anything between 90,000 and 600,000 square feet. A hefty Rs. 4 billion (US $87 million) is being pumped into these projects by 20 investors. About a dozen malls are already up and running in the up-market south side of the city, as well as the downscale distant suburbs. Making the job easier for the anchors is a gradual c returne in the Indian economy from a socialistic to a capitalistic one.This has led to a rise in the numbers of middle-class consumers, their wallets stuffed with more than disposable income. According to one estimate, over the past three years, consumer spending has increased at a respectable rate of 12% per annum. Another reason for the ongoing boom in mall activity is the opportunity to retailers for a greater accessibility to real estate at affordable prices. Part of this is due to easier availability of bank and institutional finance. And in places such as Mumbai, the freeing up of much-needed real estate.This has happened with the galore(postnominal) closed textile mills in the central part of the city now being allowed to knock their real estate for other commercial purposes. Investors are attracted by the 14% returns in the malls busine ss, compared to 11% in the office segment and 6% in the residential segment. For the young crowd, malls have become areas in which to hang out, to catch up with friends in stores like Cafe Coffee Day and Barista, each vying to be the Starbucks of India. Theres also an entertainment factor, with more and more of the youngsters beginning to see shopping as an enjoyable thing to pass the time.