Flanner Oconners A Good Man Is Hard To Find Essays -

Flanner O'conner's A Good Man Is Hard To Find Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man is Hard to Find A Good Man is Hard to Find presents a masterful portrait of a woman who creates a self and a world through language. (Shenck 220) At least that is what Mary Jane Shenck thinks of the Flannery O'Connor story. Several different people have several different views of this controversial and climatic work of O'Connor's. In this paper I will take a look at these different views of different situations and characters in this book. First we will take a look at grandmother. She is made to look like the saint in this story. Her, in contrast to the rest, is the good person, always looking out for the best of others. She is not going on vacation, she is going to visit her connections in Tennessee. While on the drive, to their destination, she sits and admires the scenery as the others are more interested in the funny papers or the sports section. She brings the cat along on the trip for the good of the cat. She didn't want the cat to accidently kill himself by turning on the gas on the stove or something. She is the Christ-like figure of this story, and this is more relevant at the end of the story when she confronts the Misfit. Just like in so many other O'Connor stories the grandmother, the good character, is going to take the hardest fall. The Misfit appears many different ways in this story. His first appearance in the story he seems to be a scholar. Wearing his silver-rimmed glasses and a black hat. This description would also fit a description of a rabbi. This image comes just by looking at his head. His shirtless torso and blue jeans, which didn't quite fit right, and gun in hand, kind of veer us away from thinking of him as being a good man. Of course the limitations of his character don't stop at his appearance. He also is a record keeper. He writes down everything he does and signs it. This way he knows what he has done and what he hasn't. He tells the grandmother this before killing her. The reason for doing this, in the Misfit's mind, is so that he can match up the crime with the punishment and see if they are right for each other. If they are not then you know that the system hasn't done their job correctly. He knows that his punishment is no mistake because he wrote down his actions. He respects the power of the words because they define what he does. The other identity mask that the Misfit puts on is the mask of the Lone Ranger. He, though, is not looked upon as a white Lone Ranger, but a black Lone Ranger. The mixture of good and evil inside of him is a meanness in whole. He feels that he has saved the grandmother by shooting her. He even turns to one of his two henchmen, Bobby Lee, and tells him something along the line of that she would have been a good woman if she would have had someone there to shoot her all the time. The only pleasure that the Misfit got out of killing grandmother is the meanness behind the action.. (Schaub 233) Now we take a look at the ending. The family had an accident on a back road, flipping their car. This occurred all because of grandmother. She told Bailey that the old plantation was along this way, and that the mansion had a secret panel in it. The kids went nuts to see this passage, and Bailey, the father, gave in and took them down this road to see it. The cat got uncomfortable from the whole situation and jumped on Bailey's shoulder, causing the accident. If grandmother would have left the cat at home, like Bailey wanted her to, or even had not made up this story of the secret panel, then this accident would not have happened. When the Misfit and his gang show up the Misfit has his two henchmen, Bobby Lee and Hiram, kill the family. First taking Bailey and John Wesley,

Teen Pegnancy

Teen Pegnancy Free Online Research Papers Teen pregnancy is one of the most difficult experiences a young person might ever face when it interrupts school or other plans. It can create an emotional crisis resulting in feelings of shame and fear, and it may appear that you will crumble under pressures in your environment. The stress of how you are going to break this news to your parents might be even greater, and finding help may seem an impossible task.You might think no one can help you, or you might be too embarrassed to search for help. However, denying the pregnancy or ignoring it can only make things worse for you and your baby. Denial will not take the pregnancy away; instead, you will lose the time you could have invested in prenatal care and counseling. You have options, and making a choice may be simple or difficult, depending on your situation. Check resources carefully and try to give yourself the opportunity to make the best informed decision possible. Research Papers on Teen PegnancyPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesStandardized TestingHip-Hop is ArtTrailblazing by Eric AndersonEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenTwilight of the UAWAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaRelationship between Media Coverage and Social and19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided Era

IKEAs business model and sources of competitive advantage Essay

IKEAs business model and sources of competitive advantage - Essay Example What is best about IKEA’s furniture is that although it is cheap, yet it is stylish and durable. IKEA’s business model is based on maintaining low cost structure so that it can continue to deliver its promise of low price and good quality lifestyle to its customers. IKEA has very carefully managed to keep its cost structure low by practicing a few strategies. For instance, it has chosen suppliers from different parts of the world and maintained strong and long term relationship with them by offering them office facilities and technologies to carry out their business smoothly. IKEA focuses on efficiency though long production runs so as to entice investors and bring down the cost structure. The raw material needed for the manufacturing of furniture is chosen carefully without any interference of third party; expensive wood is replaced by less expensive and good quality raw material. To further reduce its cost structure, IKEA’s furniture arrives at the stores in disassembled parts in flat packaging along with instruction manuals; this not only lowers the transportation costs but offers ease of handling to the customers. Unlike other stores in the category, IKEA’s stores are located in the outskirts and only few are owned by the company. Franchising is a good option for lowering the cost structure and IKEA has taken it up religiously. Moreover, IKEA ensures that it does not rely on one supplier for the manufacture of a single product. Take an example, for an IKEA chair, the seat is supplied by a manufacturer who is in one corner of the world, legs come from a supplier from another corner and nuts and screws are supplied from totally different regions. IKEA’s furniture designs are basically Scandinavian with little or no modifications. These designs are considered outclass and accepted widely in non Scandinavian countries equally. However in some regions the customers’ exhibit displeasure towards Scandinavian designs because the items do not fulfill their cultural and personal needs. Apart from all the good steps taken by IKEA to maintain cost leadership, there is still room for weaknesses which must be addressed to as to strengthen the brand image. Although IKEA has expanded its operations in major territories of the world for earning more revenues but it has failed to understand is that every country has different culture, demand, taste and most of all, legislations which it has to abide by. Since these factors vary from country to country, it has come to IKEA as a big challenge to meet the customer and co untry’s requirements while maintaining cost leadership. Because IKEA promises low priced furniture to its customers, innovation is not seen much because bringing in new designs can disturb the cost structure. Sometimes IKEA fails to understand that one size fits all cannot hold in the line of furniture. Scandinavian designs might be appealing to countries in the Europe and nearby but cannot please the Americans in the same manner. The stores of IKEA are located outside the cities as per the low cost strategy. This causes the customers to travel long distances so they prefer to make purchases from nearby stores. We have learned from the given case study that IKEA has chosen cost leadership to be its core aim and strategy but only this one factor is not enough for its survival. It has to have more points of differentiation because when other competitors in the industry bring their prices down and offer quality and superior customer service, then chances are likely that customer loyalty and brand image of IKEA will drop

American Community Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

American Community - Essay Example Indeed, and as the case of example of the Asian American immigrants establishes, not only are groups divided between themselves but, within themselves. Affirmative action, primarily targeting the African American community, is alternately viewed as a means of leveling the playing ground and as a discriminatory practice. Insofar as its proponents are concerned, affirmative action effectively ensures that colleges and universities, among other institutions, maintain a quota for African American candidates/students. In this way, African Americans are assured a place in institutions which would have otherwise been closed to them, largely because of their socio-economic circumstances and, as such given an invaluable opportunity for mobility. It is important to note here that proponents regard affirmative action as society's responsibility towards the African American community and, the least of that which is owed them. Opponents, on the other hand, inclusive amongst which are some members of the African American community, maintain that affirmative action is inherently discriminatory and racist. ... rican American community does suffer from a more restricted range of opportunities than does the majority and in light of the fact that latent racism may further constrain these opportunities, affirmative action is necessary. Indeed, rather than consider it a negative remark on the abilities of African Americans, it could be more properly understood as a policy predicated on a lack of faith in society's own ability to judge African Americans on their own merit, rather than their skin color. Further fortifying the importance of affirmative action is the status of African Americans on all of the socio-economic indicators versus that of a comparatively recent immigrant group, the Asians. In direct comparison to the African American's close to four centuries of history in the United States, the Asian American's history in the United States is short, with the first immigration wave dating to the mid-nineteenth century. This first influx of Asian immigrants was almost wholly comprised of Chinese manual laborers. Before this ethnic population could swell in numbers, Chinese immigration exclusionary measures were instigated in 1882, effectively halting Chinese immigration while encouraging Japanese Asian immigration. Eventually, however, discriminatory policies, halted Asian immigration to America from the 1920s to the 1960s. Anti-Asian sentiments, as which instigated the implementation of discriminatory and exclusionary immigration policies, reached its peak during World War II. Japan's alliance with Nazi Germany and most especially its attack on Pearl Harbor, led to widespread violence against Asian Americans. Indeed, following the said attack, Japanese Americans were interned in camps, unthinkingly classified as enemies despite the fact that many had been born in

Nintendo Reviving a Company Transforming a Market Case Study

Nintendo Reviving a Company Transforming a Market - Case Study Example Yes. Nintendo has tried its best to keep the game appealing for long. Nintendo put in vast sums of money to make sure Wii’s accomplishment does not disappear like many of the games consoles developed prior to this period. Nintendo created many games, for example, Zelda and Super Mario. Nintendo merged with two other corporations to guarantee new games string and launched games, for example, Capcom for the Wii gaming Console and Final Fantasy. The Wii is here to stay because the release of these games will go beyond appealing to gamers and raise the Wii’s impression to one dominating the industry. It is in the conclusion of the evolution stage and the start of the maturity stage. Nintendo is utilizing a superb marketing mix technique. This is because they have developed a famous product and are experiencing an immense growth. When the company’s growth started to stagnate, they started developing additional, innovative and creative product enhancements and features to keep clients fascinated. For example, it has introduced the steering wheel, balanced board, and competitors’ video games such as Monster Hunter and Final Fantasy series. The company is making correct decisions by innovating, inventing and intensifying the product. This will extend the deterioration of the product. Nintendo should look into the future before the Wii product finishes the maturity phase and moves into the waning phase. Nintendo will have to either add other dimensions of interactivity or contest with other superior products from other companies. The Wii should concentrate on targeting young children and hard core gamers. Nintendo should build on the motion-sensing control technology and basic graphics; this will fascinate any client. Nintendo should also concentrate on promotion, product, placement and price. The next product should provide different customizations and features and be a development on the previous product. The price should

English Has Become A Global Language

English Has Become A Global Language There are numerous different languages are being used throughout the world. Since there are too many different languages, a global language is produced. A language can achieve this status only when it is important to the world activities such as communication between countries, trading between different countries across the world and culture. It plays an important role and it is recognized by every country (Crystal, 2003). Crystal (2003) reports that English has already reached this stage and there are nearly a quarter of the worlds population around 1.2 to 1.5 billion people is already know and use English. Nowadays, English is the most widely spoken language in the world. English has become a global language not because of it is both easy to learn and is superior to other language but it has strong power base. The thesis of this essay is divided into a few parts, first look at what is a global language and what makes a language global then why English become a global language. Global language means a language which is using around the world and it is important to the world operation and influencing the domains of the human activity in the world. For example, global language is usually uses to write songs, use to trading throughout the world and communication between countries in the world. Global language is important to the world operation and a global language is needed in the world. A language has two mains ways to become global. It can be an official language and foreign language of countries. Official language means a language which wildly used as medium of communication, such as media, the domains as government and the education system (Crystal, 2003). It also can be the first language of few countries. Crystal (2003) claims that a language can have a global status when it is used by other countries around the world. Since a language cannot become global only use by itself. Foreign language means a language teaching in school which has no official status. A mother-tongue language becomes the foreign language and the official language is the step to make the language become global since a language cannot have a global status when it is not taken by the other countries. And English has finished the step to become an international language. English has become an international language not because it is easy to learn. There is no language is easy to learn and better, the difficulty of a language is depend on different learner and Lutz (2010) points that it depends on which level of the learner want to achieve, the higher level, the more difficult. Ellis (1985) says that age, aptitude, cognitive style, motivation and personalities are the five main aspects which separate individual learner differences in a different level. This means the difficulty of language are depends on learner. Ellis (1985) reports that aptitude is a main factor to divides the language learner to different level. If a learner has a good aptitude and a effective way to study a second language, the language will become easier. Learner motivation also is a important factor that make a learner learn a second language success. A learner can likely learn a second language to be success when the motivation is high. Crystal (2003) reports that the intrinsic structural properties, the size of its vocabulary or it has been a vehicle of a great literature in the past or it was once associated with a great culture or religion are the motivation of some learner to learn a language but not the reasons make the language become global. English has become an international language also not because it is superior to other language. Crystal (2003) says that there are many people claim that a language can become global because its sense beauty, clear expression or religious standing and these are the misleading beliefs. Language can become a global language not because the beauty of the language and the number of people who speak it but who speak the language. There are some properties of English makes it become global appealing but the characteristics of the language are not the main reason to be worth to learn but the relative importance between the language characteristics and the internationally value. This make a language be more appealing but not superior to the other languages. English may be more appealing than other languages but not superior to languages. Crystal (2003) says that language can become a global language not because the beauty of the language and the number of people who speak it but who speak the language. English can become a world language mainly because of the strong military power and economic power. Crystal (2003) shows that a language cannot become global without strong power-bases, such as political power, military power and economic power. These are the dominance of the language which makes a language become global. The military power is the main reason to make a language become a global language. When a country has a strong military power, the others need to listen to the language spoken by the people in that country. Which means it makes that language is used in many countries. Between the world war two, Britain set up a lot of colonies. English became the official language and foreign language of the colonies. This is very important to be the official language and foreign language of the colonies because it is a important step to make a language become global. English must be taken by others countries to become global because a language cannot become global when it is only use by the countries which English is the mother-tongue. So English become the official language and foreign language of the colonies becomes the base of English to become a global language. an economic power is still needed to maintain and expand the status of the language. Economically power became a main aspect which maintain and expand the status in the start of twentieth century. The economic start to growth and develop around the world and there are many new markets were born. There were many new technology are invent. Communication between countries is needed to develop the economic and market. Country has a stronger economically power, the first language of that country will become more important and it can maintain it longer and expand it to larger through the economy. Crystal (2003) claims that Britain had be come the worlds headmost industrial and trading country at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The growth of economy of the English is the fastest in the world. These built the foundation of English in the world through the colonies and the economy. These are the two mains reasons to give English a global status. In conclusion, English has become an international language is not because it is both easy to learn and is superior to other language because there is no language is superior to other language and the difficultly of a language is depend on the individual learner differences. The reasons why English can become a global language because the military and the economic power of the countries which speak English And English was in the right place at the right time. (Crystal, 2003:7-10) English set up the base to the world through out the world by Britain colonies. English is also maintained and expended by the economically power and military power of Britain and USA. That the reason why English can become the global language and why English can still be the global language until now.

Huckleberry Finn: A Good Role Model :: essays research papers

Huckleberry Finn: A Good Role Model "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" gives a visual look at the time in which the author Samuel Clemens lived. He explains how he felt about his life through the eyes of a young boy named Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn has many adventures that teach him life lessons we can learn from today. Although there are differing opinions on whether Huck Finn is a good role model for today's young people, I will explain why I think he is. Huck is a good role model for several reasons. First, he believes that slavery is wrong. He believes in treating people equally regardless of color. When Huck sees the widow's runaway slave Jim on Jackson's Island, he has mixed emotions about what he should say and do. He feels badly that the widow is going to sell Jim and separate him from his family. Huck decides against better reasoning to help Jim escape down the Mississippi River to Cairo. Another example of good role modeling is Huck's faithfulness to those he loves and cares for. Huck lies to protect Jim on several occasions. Lying is not the best thing, but to Huckleberry, the truth is not always a black and white issue. He is faithful to his friends and chooses friendship instead. He knows that Jim's family needs him. In today's language, Huckleberry's reaction to Jim's situation would reflect what Spock of Star Trek says, â€Å"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.† An illustration of another positive side of Huck shows us that he has a good and true heart, and the best intentions even though they may not turn out right. For example, the widow tells Huck to pray for the dinner they are having. Huck's interpretation is, â€Å"God thank you for the meal and if you get the chance, please let me catch a big catfish.† The widow tells Huck that he shouldn't pray for material things. Huck disagrees because his Sunday School teacher teaches him to pray to God for what you want, and it will be granted. The widow tells him that the teacher is talking about spiritual things. He still disagrees, and is sent to his room. Even though his intentions are the best, he still comes up short; but he keeps on trying. Finally, Huckleberry Finn thinks life is precious and shouldn't be wasted. This is the most important lesson he can teach today's young people. He and Jim find themselves in a situation as they are floating down the Mississippi River in the fog.

Ontology in Anselm, Descartes and Kant Essay

Ontology is a purported proof that God exists. The ontology provided by St. Anselm in the eleventh century set the standard in Western thought, and on which all subsequent ontology attempted to measure itself. Before the renaissance and the age of reason it was generally agreed that only a fool would deny the existence of God. Accordingly the ontology of St. Anselm employs the attitude of a fool – meaning some one without any of the higher concepts of philosophy – as the crux of the argument. The argument commences with a definition of God: â€Å"Now we believe that [the Lord] is something than which nothing greater can be thought† (81). The association made is to perfection, for only in perfection can we conceive nothing beyond. In traditional attempts at ontology the strategy was to find God amongst the splendor of his creation. Anselm, however, eschewed the evidence of experience and tried to affect a proof from pure thought. It is placed in the head of a simpleton, and in this way is made to appear as stemming from the innate mind, and not clouded by the errors of perceptual understanding. Anselm’s fool wants to cling to the idea that â€Å"God is not!† But such atheism does not strangle the thought processes inside the head. It necessarily searches for perfection, that being the natural inclination of man, which is to seek happiness, comfort, order, and so on. Can the fool imagine perfection, asks Anselm. The answer is that he cannot. For whatever ideal it fixes on, the mind surges past it for something even better. However, this relentless ascendancy within the mind presages the existence of perfection therein, for otherwise the mind chases after nothing. Now, since we have already identified perfection with God, the mind imagines God, and indeed strives towards it. Existence in the mind will not suffice as ontology. Therefore, as the next step in the argument, Anselm attempts to measure the idea with reality. We must next consider whether that which has been imagined as perfect has a corresponding reality beyond the mind. If it does not then we have a contradiction. For being in the mind alone we are then able to imagine something even greater than it. That which was imagined as perfect now turns out have something that is more perfect than it. Anselm is sure that he has found a contradiction here. So he proceeds to conclude:   â€Å"Therefore, there is no doubt that something than which a greater cannot be thought exists both in the understanding and in reality† (82). Descartes, though largely accepting this ontology, doesn’t accept the contradiction derived in the final step. He argues that reality has not been introduced at all, but only an idea if reality. In the final analysis the entire ontology is taking place in the head. It is an imagined God that Anselm proves, says, Descartes, not a real one. His correction, therefore, was to consider the phenomenal world after all. In this manner he laid out what has famously come to be known as â€Å"Cartesian doubt†. The world of sensory experience, when examined philosophically, naturally induces doubt, for all perspectives are subjective. It is impossible to construe an objective form subjective sensory experience. But instead of holding back doubt Descartes allows it full reign. He starts to explore what else can be doubted. Soon it is found that not only material reality, but also all the perceptions and ideas of the mind must also be doubted, for they all stem from the same faculty of understanding. But his doubting reach must come to and end eventually, when he comes to consider consciousness itself. Descartes discovers that he is unable to doubt the â€Å"I†, for it is the â€Å"I† itself that is doubting, i.e. thinking. Thus his famous conclusion, â€Å"Cogito, ergo sum† – I think, therefore I am (68). From the proof of self-existence to the proof of God is a simple step. A self that is subject to doubt is imperfect, and therefore implies the existence of Creator who is perfect. Kant, in turn, comes to dismiss both these attempts at ontology on the simple premise that existence is not a predicate. In other words, it is meaningless to say simply â€Å"God is.† Our concepts of understanding allow us to apply reason in the form of sentences that contain both subject and predicate. So that we can say that ‘God is good’, or that ‘God is merciful’. But simply ‘God is’ is not meaningful, and human understanding does not allow such speculation. In effect, Kant is saying that ontology is not possible. This is in concord with the rest of Kant’s philosophy, which emphasizes that we are not able to pronounce on the noumenal world, i.e. on â€Å"things in themselves†. He describes three categories of noumena – the soul, the material world, and God, the last being the source of the first two. Therefore God is definitely part of Kant’s philosophical scheme, only that he remains beyond human understanding, and we cannot even pronounce on God is the simplest form – ‘God is.† Just as we cannot know anything about the soul, or the material world, as things in themselves, but only come to know the consequences of them. Our understanding is limited to the phenomenal world, where practical reason applies. Kant also speculates on the existence of a transcendental â€Å"pure reason†, that which overcomes the anomalies of practical reason. Pure reason is identified as an end in itself, and is thus identified with perfection. He stipulates it as a moral imperative that we pursue â€Å"pure reason† as the highest goal. Yet he refuses to identify this perfection with God, and differs with Anselm on this point. He also differs with Descartes’ ‘cogito, ego sum’, and complains that logic is being applied to derive existence, the rationale being that the part cannot be used to explain the whole. The least objectionable ontology, in my opinion, is that of St. Anselm’s. To make this point I will show that the refutations put forward by Descartes and Kant are not appropriate. Descartes’ complaint was that the proof given by Anselm is wholly ideal, without reference to the phenomenal world to give it substance. But Anselm does indeed refer to the phenomenal world, when he introduces the postulate that the ideal of perfection has no corresponding existence in the real world. In fact on this postulate the entire argument hinges, for it is used to derive the contradiction, from whence the ontology ensues. â€Å"Cartesian doubt† a merely a long-winded way of coming to the same conclusion. Kant’s complaint, on the other hand, is not really an argument at all, but rather a boast that he has not has to use the words â€Å"God exists† anywhere in his philosophy. For to pick on the grammar of â€Å"God exists† on the justification that the noumenal world is unknowable is taking matters too strictly. Even accepting Kant’s theory, it is not right that we desist from pronouncing the existence of God. He may not have done so explicitly, but Kant does indeed pronounce of the existence of God in the implicit sense. As a moral precept to action he gives us the categorical imperative: â€Å"I am never to act otherwise than so that I could also will that my maxim should become a universal law† (13). The universal law is pertaining to the moral law, which is described as an end itself, and therefore is no different from the idea of perfection. An imperative is only categorical when it works universally, without contingency. To paraphrase Kant, the rationale of human existence is to pursue the moral life in order to attain to perfection, in other words, God. Other than the fastidious insistence of grammar, Kant does not really object to Anselm’s ontology. With both Descartes’ and Kant’s objections discredited, Anselm’s ontology must stand as the best, being the simplest and most intuitive. Works Cited Anselm. Basic Writings. Translated by Thomas Williams. Boston: Hackett Publishing, 2007. Descartes, Rene. Meditations on First Philosophy: With Selections from the Objections and Replies. Translated by John Cottingham. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. Kant, Immanuel. Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals. Whitefish, MT: Kessinger Publishing, 2004.   

Development and how to make a world a better place

Development and how to make a world a better place Define development and how it is measuredDevelopment is the process where something has advanced or progressed into a more advanced stage. International Development has the goal that poverty should be reduced. International Development rebuilds an economy that has been ruined or impacts all sort of important factors needed for a nation's well being. This is not a short-term process instead it tries to solve several problems over several decades or more. International Development is usually measured in two different ways. Most people prefer GNP or known as gross national product because it is easier to understand. HDI is another of these measurements of developments and is viewed as more accurate to experts.GNP is more inaccurate because it only gives the average of how much each person has in the nation. It is only an average and extremes like billionaires can overwhelm the poorest people in the country. It is generally known that half the world lives on 2 US dollars everyday.English : 2010 HDI (Very High) nations graph by pop...Perhaps there might be a rich country in GNP merely by the fact that some people are extremely rich and can easily increase the GNP even though the poverty stricken people outnumber the rich.The human development index contains three indexes that partly measure the countries development. Life Expectancy Index, Education Index and GDP Index. Life Expectancy Index shows an average of the maximum amount of years a person can live in the country. Education Index shows how many people are literate and another complicated factor of GEI. GEI is the Gross Enrolment Index. The Gross Enrolment Index combines primary, second and tertiary gross enrolment ratio. According to the Human Development Report Website that is part of the UNDP explained,' The number of students enrolled in a level of education, regardless of age, as a...

Importance of an EU Regional Policy

Importance of an EU Regional Policy Introduction The European Union was created with the aim of contributing economic growth and development of European countries through establishing a common currency and a single market. According to economics, breaking down existing barriers will cause the escalation of positive economic effects through efficiency and redirection of resources to cost-effective investments.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Importance of an EU Regional Policy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, equal distribution of profits among the members in freely competing markets is not possible. Newly entering member states having different conditions received different end results from the integration. This uneven distribution within the integration may be hindered by cohesion thus a need for regional policy. The European Union regional policy covers all European regions and consists of three objectives: employment and regional competitiv eness, convergence as well as territorial cooperation (Cini, 2003). The regional policy environment has however become very complex and regional policy makers at the national and EU levels are facing the key challenge of globalization. The increasing internalization of economy, the removal of trade barriers within the EU, technological change and the shift towards knowledge-based economy has been actively restructuring the competitive advantage of regions and countries (Boldrin Canova, 2001). Arguments for EU regional Policy The main argument for the EU regional policy is the presence of large income disparities within the EU. In the Treaty of Rome signed in 1957, the goal of the EU regional policy was aimed at strengthening the economic units of the community as well as ensuring their harmonic development according to Steinen (1991). In any economic unit, there will always be stronger and weaker territorial units in terms of dynamism and economic performance. It has been seen that regions in relative ascendancy and decline can be found in all member states. These disparities are not temporary aberrations but have persisted over long periods. National policies have been under heavy pressure from the effects of globalizations and have mainly focused on increasing competitiveness in areas where different countries can afford and handle.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the EU, uneven economic performance can be limited through a top-down approach in which the EU policy takes responsibility (Krugman Venables, 1999). Justification of a common EU policy has been provided on the grounds of solidarity. EU regional policy seeks to find spatial balance in economic development so as to ensure that all economies achieve their full potential. The EU regional policy also presses for cohesion within the member states and in the community as a whole. Ci ties such as London and Paris can be able to deal with any problems of deprivation in their worst affected territories while others such as Portugal and Greece have for a long time been unable to deal with regional disparities. Argument for a common EU policy can thus be made on an institutional capacity as well as in a political capacity. Some member states have been unable to institute internal cohesion policy or to develop proper priorities for such a policy. The EU on the other hand has developed a cohesion policy that relies on two basic measures: unemployment rates which is social cohesion and GDP per head that is economic cohesion (Midelfart-Knarvik Overman, 2002). Policy development and spending in the EU is based on a well researched model that seeks to improve weak areas so as they conform to the whole EU requirements. Regional policy at the national level has also been unable to adapt sufficiently to the ever changing economic environment. International competitive press ures have been slowly increasing with some countries unable to keep up. In many EU member states, the past few years have been described by rising numbers of unemployment, public expenditure constraints, structural change and productivity as well as concerns on international competitiveness (Wallace Wallace, 2000). Antagonism towards movement intervention has supported a market-led approach to economic development. Internalization of the economic environment has resulted in countries being unable to make sustainable long term planning and has rendered more regions susceptible to the rapid changes resulting from global market shifts. The EU structural funds have mainly concentrated on solving most of these issues according to Ehlermann (1995). Traditional policy instruments have been overhauled and a new direction has been developed. The focus on large-scale business aid and infrastructural aid has been abandoned in favor of softer policy measures. Financial aid has however proven t o be a more durable policy instrument capable of bringing policy makers and developing industries together in a positive policy environment.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Importance of an EU Regional Policy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Another main problem is that spatial problems have become more complex and localized. Regions of urban decline described by social exclusion dominate parts of many cities in the member states. Focus on interpersonal and interregional disparities in prosperity is not always straight forward. At a spatial level, national policies have proven ineffective and EU regional policy instruments have proven to be better equipped in dealing with this issue (Cini, 2003). Regional policy objectives were created in terms of minimizing spatial disparities in economic growth, infrastructural provision and employment issues. Over the past 20 years, regional policy goals have been increasingly di rected towards optimizing the contribution of regional resources to the establishment of economic growth through promoting entrepreneurship and competitiveness. Spatial problems have been seen to be best solved through education, welfare and social measures. The EU policy focus is on wealth creation at the local level through Small Market Enterprises (SME) formation, skills formation, employment and innovation (Wilson, 2002). National regional problems have always been an obstacle to the cohesion of the community. There are wide disparities between the individual members of the community each having its own set of policies. In order to enable cohesion and reduce disparities, the Structural Funds were put in place and designed in a manner that those different classes of regions and member states were treated appropriately. Most of the money in the fund is targeted at low GDP regions matching the convergence objective. Fewer fiscal resources are available domestically for the low GDP countries in the region (Cini, 2003). These regions also have lesser institutional capacity and while it can be assumed that low GDP member states can profit from rapid growth while they strive to catch-up with the other richer states, this process has resulted in regional inequalities in GDP per head. Although the cohesion policy was created to ensure that economic development is balanced within the member states, there is a need for an EU regional policy that curbs the widening disparities (Ehlermann, 1995). The total Hungarian or Polish growth that attains the optimum catch-up path may be best supported by concentration of activity in the more developed parts of those countries with trickle down being expected to influence the other parts of the country. Such an approach however, may result in an enduring special imbalance that is evident in Italy (Wilson, 2000).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The growing interest in decentralization of government is changing attitudes to regional disparities and problems. National policies have been unable to keep up with the pressures of devolution and deconcentration in many member countries. These pressures resulted from a mix of social political, economic and cultural factors, and from reshaping the structure of governance (Cini, 2003). Due to the EU, there has been a significant shift of powers to lower government levels. However, this shift often takes place without the corresponding allocation of additional resources and devolution of revenue-raising powers. Intervention was required in economic development both in respect to the instruments required to address regional problems as well as the broader issues related to fiscal transfer systems. The EU policy debates have been dominated by changes in modes of governance (Boldrin Canova, 2001). The EU policy has been able to foster balance and ensure equity in economic development. In the UK, Italy and France, recent decisions reveal a more decentralized approach to regional policy making. A more coordinated approach to the EU policy both within the regions and centrally can be witnessed. The growing concern with political and economic consequences of regional inequality is also an issue that necessitates an EU regional policy. Due to the community, some countries feel that national political stability is under threat. In the 1990s, most countries sidelined questions about regional development (Krugman Venables, 1999). The relationship between sectoral and regional issues has not been fully established resulting in several problems. Member countries face pressures from major problems, such as dynamics of growth, external economic relations, macro-economic stability, and balance of payment. In most member states, concerns of regional differences and the marginalization of certain territories are still considered minor problems. The EU competition policy has ho wever introduced a new powerful shift between EU regional policies and national policies. The original treaty documents developed provisions for control of the state aid policies of member countries under the competition policies. The EU began to have an impact on the use of state aids as instruments of the regional policy in the early 60s, as soon as the treaty was developed (Steinen, 1991). Many scholars have argued that an effective cohesion policy can only result from a strict control of state aid. The EU competition policy has thus not only created a means to prevent the growth of regional inequality but has helped in shaping the coverage of other policies especially those under the realm of the structural funds. The EU community has been plagued by political squabbles and bureaucracy problems (Cini, 2003). A driver for change from reliance of national policies to EU regional policy has been the bureaucracy associated with Structural Fund implementation. It has been generally a ccepted that the implementation of funds carries with it a heavy administrative burden and substantial investment in institutional capacities at different levels. The negotiation of the Structural Funds regulation has made it clear the power of precedent in the European Community regional policymaking. According to different objectives, the EU regional policy has been able to quell differences in Structural Funds allocation and cut down on the bureaucracy involved in the process (Midelfart-Knarvik Overman, 2002). The EU policy has also influenced the allocation of EU funding within the national policy delivery system in most member countries. Some countries such as Spain, Germany and Austria have effectively included EU structural funding within their own national funding mechanisms while others such as UK and Sweden have set up different delivery systems for administering the funds and delivering programmes. Despite the mode of delivery, considerable policy transfers from the EU t o the national regional policies can be seen. Conclusion The EU is an integration initiative that has proven to be very effective and structured. There are however many different national policies that can affect the overall effectiveness of the EU cohesion objectives. It can be seen that national territorial policies can hinder the effectiveness of the EU regional policy. The thrust to achieve cohesion can lead to internal disparities as countries neglect some areas in order to succeed in others. The EU regional policy is concerned with overall development, reduction of poverty and increase in the GDP of member countries. Some urban policies in member states can steer resources to favored regions neglecting other areas. Another problem is the employment measures taken by member states that fail to contribute to the regional convergence of the community. The EU strives for the promotion of entrepreneurship and creation of SME’s within the member states in order to improve int ernational competitiveness and economic stability. Apart from this, national policies have been unable to deal with the decentralization of power required for the EU to prosper and the promotion of convergence. National policies have been unable to meet the main objectives set out during the formation of the EU. The main problem however has been that national policies hinder cohesion within the EU. There is a greater need for a comprehensive policy that understands and conforms to the needs of the EU and fosters convergences of the member states without fostering regional disparities. References Boldrin, M. Canova, F. 2001. Inequality and convergence in Europe’s regions: Reconsidering European regional policies. Economic Policy, 32, 207-245. Cini, M. 2003. European Union Politics. London: Oxford University Press. Ehlermann, C. 1995. State Aid Control in the European Union: Success or Failure?  Fordham International Law Journal 184, 1212-1229. Krugman, P.R., Venables, A. 1 999. The Spatial Economy: Cities. Regions and  International Trade. Cambridge MA: MIT Press. Midelfart-Knarvik, K. Overman, H. G. 2002. Delocation and European Integration: is Structural Spending Justified? Economic Policy, 35(10):323-359. Steinen, M. 1991. State Aid, Regional Policy and Locational Competition in the European Union. European Urban and Regional Studies, 41(1):19-31. Wallace, H. Wallace, W. 2000. Policy Making in the European Union. London: Oxford University Press. Wilson, T. 2000. Obstacles to European Union regional policy in the Northern Ireland borderlands. Human Organization, 122, 33-38.

Funding report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Funding report - Essay Example Funding for music comes in various shades and forms. It could be in the form of grants, education scholarships, competitions, free music promotion, recording contracts, and instrument and equipment funding. We could categorise the different types of music business funding based on by source of funds, geographical region where fund can be used and so on. In this paper we shall restrict the discussion to the different sources of funding for music businesses available to persons living within the UK. Towards the end of the paper we shall place an emphasis on funding for pop and rock music. Starting with sources of public funding, there are three main government funded bodies that offer funding for music in England. These are the Arts Council England, the British Council and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). Local counties also offer funding in form of small grants to artists who reside within those counties. With internationalism and globalisation being the drivers of modern economy the three bodies have also taken steps to strengthen the British music brand internationally. Arts Council England provides grants to a diverse genre of music therefore competition is definitely high and success is generally determined by the artistic quality of the applicant’s work (Artistic Assessment n.d.). The Arts Council’s Grants for the Arts is open to any UK citizen or EU citizen so long as the majority of the funded activity takes place within England. However, up to 15% of any grant given could be spent on activities outside England (Artistic Assessment n.d.). The Arts Council also has an investment portfolio for music that includes more than 134 regularly funded organisations. The total financial support given to these organisations in 2008/09 was  £98 million, an amount that was to rise to  £104 million by 2010/11. This portfolio

What are the implications for the implementation of justice of the Essay

What are the implications for the implementation of justice of the unintended impact of the criminal justice process on ethnic minority people - Essay Example There are several issues that arise in coping with this problem. On the one hand, faith in the criminal justice system can be only restored if the members of the public achieve a level of confidence in the law enforcement process and its results. However, this confidence is being undermined, which has resulted in increased insecurity and sterner measures which are even more ineffective. Part of the reason for this may be seen in the imbalances that exist within the current judicial and law enforcement system as it exists in the UK today. The current composition of the common public has changed drastically from the way it was in the post World War II era. There has been a steady influx of immigrants from Asian and Afro-Caribbean countries as a result of which minority representation in the population is higher and the society has become multi cultural and multi ethnic. There is also a higher representation of female members of the community in the work force and in the criminal justice system. However, to counter balance this, there has been no corresponding rise in representation of these minorities and women in the law enforcement field and in the judicial arena which is still predominantly white and male. As a result, racism and prejudice have been noted within the criminal justice process which have proved detrimental to the interests of the minority communities and created imbalances by pushing a larger proportion of minority community members behind bars. The result of such increased incarceration is that members of the minority public lose their faith in the law enforcement system. An individual who has not been treated fairly by police officers nor given a fair verdict in the Courts as compared to his white contemporaries is likely to emerge bitter and mistrusting. Thus, while a prison sentence is intended to reform an individual and ensure that he or he does not slip back into a life of crime,