Top Gear Reviwe

As Jeremy Clarkson explained on Twitter, â€Å"fat people singing† has been in Top Gear’s way for the past year. So it’s ironic that the programs return opened with the overweight presenter screeching â€Å"we’re back! † with all the keenness of a desperate X Factor finalist. This is where comparison between padded-out talent contestants and Top Gear end; however the free-wheeling motoring show was very nearly a full hour of fun, witty entertainment. Top gear was officially complained about by the Indian High Commission on its recent trip to India.Jokes about terrorism, the Nazi regime and incest in tonight’s episode suggest Top Gear’s tone remained unchanged by critics and complainers. The banter between Top Gear trio Richard Hammond, May and Clarkson just great, May was old; Hammond’s choice of clothes was laughable, Clarkson moaned about motorway signs in his usual comic way. The Homeland’s star Damian Lewis was the â €˜Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’, who dropped names and great story’s (playing at Old Trafford, surviving a motorcycle accident) with genuine humour, which was much needed, because a few jokes seem a bit manufactured. Top Gear thrived outside of its dull studio.We saw Hammond yell theatrically inside a â€Å"savage† supercar: the Pagani Huayra is worth ? 800,000 and now takes its place at the top of the Power Lap Board – which set the bar high for the rest of the series. Eagle-eyed fans will have seen September’s leaked footage of May co-driving a Bentley continental GT Speed on a WRC rally stage. Tonight’s full feature was one of dramatic skies, dark forests and a tough lesson for him in rally driving (rally pace notes: directions given in hasty anticipation to the driver). â€Å"Either get it right or shut up†, growled May’s quietly, terrifyingly soiled professional driver.Pleasingly, the Bentley’s four-wheel driv e dealt well with a proper thrashing. Enthusiastically, Clarkson showed us his self created ‘P45’. The vehicle (it can hardly be called a car) aims to be smaller than the Peel P50 – a 1960s micro mobile invented for city driving. Clarkson, just shy of two metres tall, was transformed into a grumpy toy robot in the weird contraption, driving along country lanes, bombing down dual carriageways and sneaking into shopping centres with pleasant hilarity. Add in some comical humour, serious cool cars and it’s like top gear never went away.

Arthur Miller ‘Good’ Theatre Essay

A View from the Bridge is a post war play centred on longshoreman Eddie Carbonne. Eddie lives with wife Beatrice, and niece Catherine. The play depicts the conflict that occurs when, Italian immigrants and relatives of Beatrice, Marco and Rudolpho, come to stay with them and Rudolpho forms a romantic relationship with Catherine, eventually marrying her. It ends in a violent confrontation between Marco and Eddie. Eddie confronts Marco with a knife, but it backfires and he is stabbed to death. I am going to answer the question, â€Å"what makes â€Å"A View from the Bridge† ‘good’ theatre† by firstly analysing four main components: the characters, themes, stage directions and dramatic devices. I am going to begin with the characters. The three most important characters are Eddie, Beatrice and Alfieri. Firstly, Eddie has the leading role and the complexities of his character add many intriguing dimensions. For instance, there are his deep feelings for Catherine and their incestuous connotations. Throughout the play, Eddie’s feelings towards Catherine are made known to the audience and many of the other characters. However Eddie still seems oblivious and even though his actions strongly suggest he loves her as more than a niece, he never verbalises his feelings or wilfully admits to them. â€Å"EDDIE: What can I do? †¦ I gotta sit in my own house and look at a son-of-a-bitch punk like that – which he came out of nowhere! I give him my house to sleep! I take the blankets off my bed for him, and he takes and puts his dirty filthy hands on her like a god dam thief! Here, Eddie is getting increasingly angry, because he feels that by marrying Catherine, Rudolpho is somehow stealing from him. Miller shows this by using expletives and exclamation marks. This shows that he is protective of her in a slightly more than paternal way. When Alfieri makes the comment about Eddie marrying Catherine, it is on the surface an offhand retort to ridicule Eddie’s incredulity at Catherine marrying Rudolpho, but Eddie reacts very badly to it, because Alfieri has actually pinpointed the true nature of his feelings. However instead of acknowledging this, he shouts at Alfieri in an attempt. Here, the audience is made aware of the fact that in his own mind, Eddie is just being protective of his niece, and that any improper feelings from Catherine are deeply suppressed. Therefore, the audience is always in anticipation of the moment when Eddie vents all that suppressed emotion, which creates increasing tension. Miller puts a pause at the end of Eddie’s angry outburst because the moment of silence would allow the audience to realise the true meaning of the conversation. â€Å"ALFIERI: You know sometimes God mixes up the people. We all love someone†¦ but sometimes†¦ there’s too much†¦ and it goes where it mustn’t†¦ there is too much love for the niece. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?

The company structure of Ford and Toyota Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The company structure of Ford and Toyota - Essay Example Each center was self-sustaining with its own functional staff, planning group, etc" (Multi-Project Management 2005). Ford has poorer teamwork which influences productivity and efficiency of work. In Ford, leadership is centralized with one person while in Toyota leadership is potentially shared among members (Toyota Home Page, 2007). In Ford, the group's purpose is set in response to organizational directives; also, the group measures its effectiveness by individually meeting the stated objectives. In Toyota, the group's purpose is set in response to both organizational directives and a shared group mission, and the group produces one collective work product (LaFasto and Larsen, 2001). The structure of both companies is defined as a 'lean enterprise system'. Mass production is organized around smaller units and subgroups. Both Toyota and Ford have matrix organizational structure. The decentralized decision-making that exists is likely to be more rapid, more efficient in the choice and pricing of new products and processes, more perceptive in the recognition of opportunities emerging from technological and market trends, and more accurate in its assessment of the competence of specific firms to explore these opportunities. In both companies, it is possible to distinguish functional and product departmentalization. Product departmentalization is organized around product lines. Functional departmentalization is organized around such unites as finance and marketing, technology and HRM (human resources management). In both Toyota and Ford, the product is the result of a large measure of collective effort (LaFasto and Larsen, 2001). In addition to each member's individu al accountability, the group also has mutual accountability. In Ford, the small group is a subsystem within the larger organization. As such, it is subject to the same forces as the larger system. The behavior of one group member affects all of the others. Influencing behavior carries beyond the face-to-face meeting. Individual members interact "off-line" in settings other than meeting rooms (Stacey, 1996). The main forms of work coordination include informal and formal communication, and standardization. There are no great differences between Toyota and Ford, because of the nature of business and production processes. Standardization is achieved through rules and procedures, work requirements and production standards (Goris et al 2000). The systems approach to organization and management also gives recognition to the importance of groups in influencing behavior at work. Span of control is a vital part of both organizations. In Ford, a manager supervises about 8-10 employees while in Toyota a manager controls 7-8 employees. As professional decision-making is decentralized, the centre keeps control through a new regime of regulation, performance management and quality control. Tactics and organizational politics depend upon corporate and national culture (Gleason, 1997). In Toyota, Japanese management style and national traditions have a major impact on politic and tactics. The tactics a nd organizational politics are based on ideas of strict codes of values and collective will of the groups. Direct cooperation and support from the top are the main tactics utilized by Toyota's management. Ford follows American management style based on

Is the U.S. Winning the Drug War in Latin America Research Paper - 1

Is the U.S. Winning the Drug War in Latin America - Research Paper Example CON: No, the US is not winning the drug war in Latin America 1. Latin American nations are moving towards drug legalization 2. Drugs have become important in balancing international trade in Peru by earning the nation a huge foreign income 3. US anti-drug operations in some nations like Guatemala and Mexico are accused of victimization in their war on drugs 4. Venezuelan government is aiding drug traffickers by making the nation a key launching pad for US and Europe-bound cocaine 5. Latin America has marked a huge rise in coca production over the past few years despite the US efforts of discouraging its production Amidst the narcotics decriminalizing calls by some leading Latin American leaders, Janet Napolitano, the US Homeland Security Secretary defended the drug war strategy of the US. In her tour of Central America and Mexico to strengthen the security cooperation with the nations, Napolitano claimed that the US would continue assisting the Latin American efforts of going after t he regional producers and traffickers of drugs despite persistent drug-related violence.1 She claims that drug war has not failed but is rather a continuous effort of keeping the regional population from addiction to the dangerous drugs. Felipe Calderon, the Mexican President, supports the war and his target is the leading kingpins, capturing and/or killing several key cartel figures with the help of the US. The two nations are also united in the search for Joaquin Guzman, after he escaped in 2001 from prison.2 Alvaro Uribe, Columbia’s President, started meeting the other regional nations’ leaders on 4 August 2009 in support of the US anti-drug campaign. During the trip, Uribe’s aim was attempting to appease the other leaders from Latin America’s concerns regarding a deal that he expected to sign to allow the United States to relocate its recommendable drug-interdiction flight activities to Colombia following the dismissal of such operations from Ecuador. The plan could raise the number of the American troops within Colombia to facilitate war on drugs.3 This effort by President Uribe shows that the US war on drugs has impact on the Latin American countries and this support implies the war is not that badly off. The nation is under so much international pressure as the international community assumes that the US should deal with the whole situation with finality. This pressure may in turn make the US appear as if it is doing so little in this drugs war, which is not entirely the case.4 However, most Latin American nations consider this war as an overwhelming failure. Jose de Cordoba argues that drug violence has spiraled beyond control in Mexico with a commission headed by 3 former heads of Latin American states blasting the war on drug as a failed effort, which is pushing the societies in Latin America to their breaking point.5 Consequently, the first Latin American Conference attendees favored decriminalization of possession of dru gs for personal use.6 Moreover, the attendees claimed that legislative reforms were underway to facilitate smaller sentences are given to the small traffickers, and set up policies, which minimize harm via encouraging the addicts to seek help from the health system. Such a hemispheric summit could spark open revolt against US-led drug war. Actually, Latin Americans are determined to gain their independence from the ‘disastrous’ US anti-drug policy.7 In an article dated 7 August 2009, Romulo Pizarro, Peru’s drug czar, estimates that the earnings of the foreign

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Anterior Cruciate Ligament - Essay Example The tearing of the ACL usually occurs due to a sudden direction change, or when a deceleration force crosses the knee. "The patient often feels or hears a popping sensation, has the rapid onset of swelling, and develops a buckling sensation in the knee when attempting to change direction." (The Center for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 2003).In order to properly diagnose an ACL injury, there must be a thorough examination, which would include: determining the mechanism of injury, examining the knee, determining the presence or absence of blood within the joint, and performing diagnostic studies. Once a tear of the ACL has been confirmed through clinical evaluation and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), the unstable knee can now be repaired. "This is only possible if the ACL is of good quality and if the ligament can be passed posterior to the PCL, both of which are determined in surgeryacutely (recently) torn ligaments are typically of better quality and therefore have a greater chan ce of being repaired as opposed to the chronically torn ligaments." (Stone, Walgenbach, and Mullin, n.d.).There are many methods which are used to reconstruct an ACL, the most common one of which in the past some have referred to as the 'Gold Standard'.

The Great Cat Massacre by Robert Darnton Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Great Cat Massacre by Robert Darnton - Essay Example The cat massacre served as a clever and afflictive attack on the print master and his wife. By killing the cats, the laborers get back at the master of the shop. The workers hated the cats because their masters love those animals and nurture them more than the workers. By first killing the mistress' beloved cat "la grise," the workers emblematically raped the bourgeoisie. It is a clear display of insult and threat as the workers assured her that no one would be capable of such a crime because they have too much respect for the house. Simultaneously, they caused the sovereign insult to their master-his wife being his most precious possession just as her cat was hers. The workers amused themselves with Lveill skillfully reenacting the horrible scene over and over during the following days. The mime was an atrocious and humiliating attack at the expense of the master's entire household. It provided entertainment for the men. It must be taken into account the unity of the workers against the masters. By executing the cats with such elaborate ceremony, they condemned master guilty-guilty of the unjust management of the shop towards apprentices. The cats were a representation of the masters, who were declared guilty of poor labor practices. In trying, confessing, and hanging a collection of half-dead cats, the workers meant to ridicule their master.

Why did TV spread so fast around the world Essay

Why did TV spread so fast around the world - Essay Example This has seen the rise in demand of the television. Apart from major towns with good transmission signals, it has also made its mark in small towns and villages in Africa. All television is educative television; the question is its ability to educate (Todorovic pp.117). In recent years television has proved to have a great impact on the modern generation both positively and negatively. Curbing this, many television channels operators have come up with a viewer discretion options to give options of choices depending mostly on age. The reason behind this decision is that only modification of the television is the only lasting solution (Webb, pp.170). The fact that the license to air television can be accessed by a myriad of individuals, a massive global rise has been recorded. In many nations globally, individuals can own a television channel. This gives room for individual or organizations to venture business wise. The establishments of many channels play a major role in growing the television community. This is because every persons taste is represented. In addition to that, nations globally have given the freedom of ownership of televisions: one household can own more than one television set as long they can afford it. This makes television easily accessible. Statistics indicate that, more than 50% households globally own more than one set of television (Williams, pp.30). This promotes the growing culture of TVs. Another major reason behind the global widespread of the television is the development of lifestyle and business. In regard to lifestyle, this proves that the world is turning to an ignorant free society. TV is the new source of life skills, opportunities and services. An upgrade in lifestyle definitely needs the access of a television set. The urge of acquiring a modern lifestyle, and keeping in contact in the contemporary trends drives many people to acquire a set and this grows the culture even bigger. Business development

Critical Examination of the change management implications the Essay

Critical Examination of the change management implications the retirement of Terry Leahy's (Chief Executive) will have on Tesco - Essay Example Since its conception, Tesco has taken advantage and tackled major changes which have contributed to its success. Many changes facing the organization involve entrance of more women in the workplace, big disposable income, advent of weekly shop and the cheap food policy which was adopted in Britain after Second World War. The Origins and Development of Change in Financial Management The change in the financial growth of Tesco originates from e-commerce business activities which started in 2000 according to Finch (p184). Tesco concentrated more on its non-food business including the e-commerce business. Since then the company’s market shares have rapidly and impressively improved in the twenty first century. The management of Tesco since in history has been using technology for effective change. Tesco came up with a project known as Prospect to establish the areas in which technology could improve operational performance. The supermarket has indulged in a store-opening programme r for maintaining its position as the leading supermarket in the UK. The departure of a chief executive from any company attracts huge expectations in as far as changes in management are concerned as suggested by Toni and Tonchia (p947). The change can positive or even unsetting one depending on the leaving chief executive influence. The retired chief executive officer of Tesco spent his career developing the organization to be the biggest grocer in Britain. However his successor Phillip Clarke, will face the challenge of either maintaining the position or braking the company. The retailer has a wide range of products ranging from food to furniture as well mortgages and motor scooters. It has several outlets including its headquarters in Cheshunt and its branches in china. Tesco customers include buyers of high-quality goods and of low-cost goods while stores range from mega-stores to corner shops. One of the major changes that have been encountered by the retailer since the retirem ent of Leahy is the financial management. Since the set up of a joint venture with Royal bank which was done Leahy’s predecessor, Tesco has been offering financial services. According to Anon (69), this section has rapidly grown offering services such as loans, insurance and credit cards. One of the financial changes includes the now fully owned Tesco Bank which is aiming at becoming a great competitor to other banks. So far Tesco is selling its financial products to almost six million customers. Last year, the retailer launched a range of mortgages and savings account while in the current year Tesco is planning to launch a current account. The retail organization also intends to capitalize the discontent of customers through their current jobs. A focus by Liz Hartley who is principle consultant indicates that Tesco Bank will be among the top ten best banks in the country within the next five years. However the growth of the bank is likely to cause more changes in the organiz ation since banks are valued in a very different way compared to retailer. Key Implications of the Change to the Organization The change in financial management of Tesco has brought with it different implications. These implications include: The implication of balancing the current cost of managerial time with the new suppliers benefits as well as how to cope with the existing suppliers. With the retirement of Leahy, Tesco financial managem

Finance assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Finance - Assignment Example "business mandate." This provision would require most firms to offer employees health insurance about $1,680 per worker annually into a new Health Security Trust Fund created to provide the coverage. Even though implementation of the law has been slower than planned, few want to take away health insurance from the more than 76,000 Massachusetts citizens who have gained coverage since its inception. "We wouldnt have insurance otherwise," said one of those enrollees, Mary Robbins, who had repeatedly tried without success to buy coverage for the small Saugus heating and air conditioning firm she owns and operates with her husband. New estimates from the Department of Medical Security, the agency struggling to implement the program, challenge the prevailing assumption that full implementation of universal health insurance will require additional state funding. A decision to fall back on the old mechanism of paying for care of the uninsured, the states Uncompensated Care Pool, would incur major costs and political liabilities. The costs, covered by a surcharge on all insured citizens hospital bills, have hit $405 million this year and will balloon even more rapidly if ways are not found to chip away at the number of uninsured. The question is where the money will come from: the beleaguered state budget, or businesses and their employees already burdened by high health insurance premiums. For these reasons and more, those who understand the intricacies of health-care financing say there is no way for the state simply to walk away from the problem of finding a way to pay the health costs of the uninsured. Although the 1988 universal health care law, now known as Chapter 23, was closely linked with Gov. Dukakis and his shattered presidential ambitions, the concept has a history that transcends parties and ideologies. While the Governor has yet to detail his health policy plans, he has designated the lieutenant governor-elect as his spokesman on those issues. At the

The initial stages of big business Essay Example for Free

The initial stages of big business Essay While the initial stages of big business trace back to pre-Civil War America, it was not until the post-Civil War time period that large corporations effected on American society. From Rockefeller to Vanderbilt to Carnegie and all in between, these men and their businesses had unprecedented influence on American life. John Rockefeller created the Standard Oil Trust, with the intention of his business, Standard Oil Company, becoming the oil monopoly; short after, The Homestead Strike against Carnegie Steel aroused massive public support for unions. Likewise, big businesses’ growth and influences brought about a decline in the cost of living and the birth of a new political party. As a whole, the rise of big business in post-Civil War America caused a downward economic spiral while simultaneously increasing American hostility toward government and corporations, ultimately leading to the birth of new political and philosophical movements. The growth of corporations in post-Civil War America led to economic deflation which subsequently widened the gap between the rich and the poor, paving the way for a change in labor and the relationships between social classes. The chart form Historical Statistics of the United States depicts the connection of the increase in big business with the improved innovations of mass production in agriculture. While improved farming equipment increased the crop production, the demand for produce declined, creating economic deflation. In response to the farmer’s plight, Charles Macune came up with the idea of the subtreasury plan, a plan that would allow farmers to store their nonperishable commodities in government warehouses until the market prices rose. Also, as a response to the farmer’s struggle the Farmer’s Alliance was created with the intention of alleviating farming hardships. Similar to agricultural mass production, Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie demonstrates how the rise in big business contributed to the mass production that spurred department stores. Department stores like Macy’s and Wanamaker’s sold mass amounts of the same product for rock-bottom prices. As opposed to the few that could afford the pricey handmade garments in years prior, these prices allowed the masses to engage in commercial activity. The growth of big businesses clearly goes hand-in-hand with consolidation, where there is an increase availability of consumer goods for society. In order for there to be department stores and an increase in agricultural innovations, there need to be a transition from specialized labor to mass production. David Well’s, Recent Economic Changes†¦ asserts the opinions of a corporation leader on the switch to mass production by comparing its effectiveness and necessity to that of a military. While Wells believes specialization of labor left workers unskilled and useless, mass production stripped the worker of his independence and decreased the worker’s pride in his craft. The economic demands for mass production created sweatshops as opposed to the one-man-owned small businesses that operated prior. The rise of big business changed labor production and impacted the economy with mass production; it also changed the labor force, allowing more opportunity for employment. Prior to this time, women generally were not active in the work force, yet the picture of female typists depicts a slew of women preforming the same task. Mass production allows for more labor opportunities because unspecialized labor entails little skill. By requiring more workers, big businesses have opened the doors for women in the workplace. Andrew Carnegie’s, â€Å"Wealth† displays how the general population felt the impact of big business through the theories of â€Å"Social Darwinism† and â€Å"Social Gospel. † Carnegie believed that the wealthy were fit for success and money which is why they should handle the finances as opposed to the poor, who were subject to elites’ decisions. However, the rich needed to use their surplus funds to better the community and the lives of the less fortunate because, â€Å"He who dies rich dies in disgrace. Carnegie was a model of â€Å"Social Gospel,† considering munificent donations to parks, universities, and museums. Due to these theories, the poor experienced a new financial relationship with the wealthy, where they received generous luxuries. The impacts of big business influenced the economy and lead to deflation, a larger economic gap between the rich and the poor, a change in labor, alterations in relationships between social classes , and ultimately contributed to shifts in government that spawned new political ideals. Similar to the economic alterations brought about by the growth of corporations, big businesses contributed to a corrupt government and a wave of unprecedented political movements. The cartoon, â€Å"Big Bosses of the Senate illustrates the public’s view of government being run by the leaders of large corporations and senators aligned with trusts. The issue with the senate was that senators were not directly elected by the people and the senate was close to less powerful citizens. This allowed men with their own financial goals ahead of the welfare of the people to be elected. Cartoonist Thomas Nast earned fame with a portrayal of senator â€Å"Boss† Tweed, New York City’s wealthy convicted fraud and extortionist, as a vulture devouring the city’s bones. In 1869, Tweed proved he was a corrupt politician when used his power to ensure his protege, John Hoffman won governor, bribed Republicans, and was convicted of forgery and larceny. Due to the corruption in government, the Sherman Anti-Trust act was created; this legislation outlawed trusts and monopolies that fixed prices. In response to the corruption the Congress passed the Pendleton Civil Service, where candidates for federal positions were thoroughly examined, and the Interstate Commerce Act, where the Interstate Commerce Commission oversaw the interstate practices of the railroad industry. Another issue with government that was directly related to big business was the lack of organized labor. George McNeil’s, The Labor Movement, explains how helpless laborers felt about the excess power of those in charge of large companies. To challenge the unrestrained power, Oliver Kelley founded the Grange, an organization intended to help farmers, â€Å"buy less and produce more, in order to make famers more self-sustaining. † The Grange focused their wrath on attacking railroads which charged higher rates for short runs as opposed to long hauls. In 1877, the Grange brought the court case Munn V. S. Illinois to the Supreme Court; the Supreme Court declared the â€Å"Granger Laws† (there appeals to the railroads) as constitutional and upheld the law that set a maximum rate for the storage of grain. While the Grange targeted some of the public’s issues with leader’s unrestrained power, most people felt like they were being exploited by large firms and wanted a way to stand up to the leaders. Samuel Gomper’s, What Does Labor Want addresses the public’s desire for unions that will ensure adequate wages and compensation for company’s negligence. Since so many American’s desired the right to directly elect senators and have the right to organize, the political party, the Populist Party, was formed with a platform containing the direct election of senators, civil service reform, and an eight-hour workday. The document, â€Å"People’s Party Platform,† discusses how the Populist Party was dedicated to returning the government to the people, ending oppression, injustice, and poverty, and strengthening central government. The Populist Party supported referendum, the policy where voters could enact a law or express their views a proposed measure, and the subtreasury plan. Major advocates of the Populist Party included James Weaver who was the president of the party and a presidential candidate in 1892, galvanized supporters, and forefront speaker Mary Lease who spoke about big businesses making Americans â€Å"wage slaves. Henceforth, the growth of big businesses’ contributions to a corrupt unrestrained government and newfound political movements consequently produced a plethora of sentiments from the American people. The effects of big business in post-Civil war America roused avid opinions from citizens in response to the third-class population and corporation leader’s excessive power. Carnegie’s â€Å"Wealth† exhibits the prominent turn-of-the-century philosophy of â€Å"Social Gospel,† the belief that great wealth comes with great responsibilities. The belief came about in response to the unprecedented surplus of wealth the wealthy acquired through their profitable business endeavors. Carnegie warned the public the, â€Å"The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced,† because men have the duty to regard their surplus fortunes as a trust to be administered for the benefit of the community. Despite the fact that Carnegie responded positively to the impacts of growing corporations, many people found themselves dissatisfied with their new working conditions. McNeil’s, Labor Movement, demonstrates the laborer’s belief that the leaders of big business obtain too much power and control over the workers. The leaders placed unfair monopolies on the food and fuel industries, corrupted the government, withheld lawful wages, and discharged and employee without cause. If employers tried to organize, corporation leaders could resort to blacklisting, a method in which he would close a factory to break a labor movement before a union could form. The majority of citizens did not respond well to the unrestrained power; Gomper’s, What Does Labor Want, documents labor’s demands for the right to organize, adequate wages, and compensation for company’s negligence. In response to the people’s demands, Terrence Powderly founded the Knights of Labor, an organization which attempted to unify all working men and women. The Knights of Labor denounced â€Å"wage-slavery† and encouraged workers to combine their wages so that they could collectively purchase mines, factories, and stores. After declining in national importance, the American Federation of Labor (AFL), an alliance of skilled workers in craft unions, began to grow. The AFL opposed political activity not directly related to the union and advocated its â€Å"bread and butter† goals such as higher wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions. Over time, the AFL grew to be America’s most powerful labor union and in 1904, Samuel Gompers was recognized as the national spokesman for American laborers. While many people’s plights were alleviated by these organizations, some people still were devastated by the expansion of big business. George Rice’s â€Å"How I was ruined by Rockefeller,† demonstrates how Rockefeller’s monopoly on oil poked major holes in Rice’s wallet. Rice could only by the Standard Oil Company’s oil, as opposed his prior oil that was not only the same quality oil, but also, it was three cents cheaper. This practice exemplified the â€Å"American Rose Theory,† where in order for a gardener to have the best rose, he needs to cut all the other roses; in order for a company to be the best, it needed to eliminate all of its competition. This theory also plays into vertical integration, where a company buys out its competitors in order to ensure that it is the greatest. As a whole, the growth of corporations’ effects on the economy and politics were the main reasons for new philosophies pertaining to the social classes and new political demands and ideals. From the severe economic deflation, to the increased political tensions, to the birth of new political and philosophical movements, the impacts of growing big business on all aspects of post-Civil War American life are truly evident. Had mass production not contributed to agricultural innovations, then the economic deflation would not have had such a profound effect on farmer’s livelihoods. If the government was not controlled by large corporation leaders and senators aligned with trusts, then there is a large possibility that the Populist Party would have never been born. If the people were not perturbed by leader’s power, then labor movements such as the American Federation of Labor would not have occurred. Overall, the rise of big business completely changed the face and functions of American society.

Developmental Issues in Identity Formation and Self Esteem

Developmental Issues in Identity Formation and Self Esteem Critically discuss the significance of understanding the developmental issues of identity formation and self-esteem as a guidance counsellor with reference to the work of at least 3 theorists covered on the module. Early adolescence is a period of obvious human development and growth which occurs between childhood and adolescence. Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood, its when the form of attachment with their parents change as the child begins to seek autonomy from their parents and at the same time they need to keep their sense of relatedness to them. At the beginning of the adolescence the parent-child conflict approaches its peak. (Boyd Bee, 2014) During this significant stage of the life cycle, young adolescents, 10 15 year olds, experience rapid and momentous developmental change. During this phase of young adolescents education, to understand and respond to the distinct developmental characteristics is crucial. A person is not a composite of isolated attributes, but instead resembles a system of characteristics. (Schoon, I. 2006, p. xv) Identity formation, also known as individuation, is defined as the development of the distinct personality of an individual charac teristics that are possessed by one, by which one is recognised or known. Such traits include a sense of uniqueness from others and a sense of identity within society. From research we see that development is physical, cognitive or psychosocial is unique for every child. Some young people develop in certain areas faster than others but that does not mean that a slower or a faster development than the average is not uncommon. The assumption that the potential for development continues throughout life raises the question of what we mean by development. Are we to say that change and development are synonymous? (Sugarman, L. 1996, p. 3) In this essay I will be discussing developmental issues of identity formation and self-esteem as guidance counsellor, for this I am mostly going to concentrate on Erikson, Marcia and Kohlberg and their theories. Eric Erikson (1902-1994) was a German born, American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst well known for his theory on psychosocial development of humans. The intrinsic affirmation affiliated with Eriksons theory of psycho-social development is that the personality is tenacious over the lifespan as the individual matures biologically and cognitively. Bee Boyd refer to lifespan perspective as the current view of developmentalists that changes happen throughout the entire human lifespan and that changes must be interpreted in light of the culture, and context in which they occur (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.14). The life-span perspective . Sees both the individual and the environment as potentially influencing and being influenced by each other (Sugarman, L. 1996, p. 3). At each stage of development there is an associated set of developmental tasks. The fundamental element to a successful route through lifes stages is the distinction of the social environment. Erikson referred to this development in terms of the Epigenetic Principle, an organic perspective. He referred to this in his book Identity, youth and crisis (1968), and used it to encompass the notion that we develop through an unfolding of our personality in predetermined stages, and that our environment and surrounding culture influence, how we progress. Erikson explained the factors which have been linked with healthy identity development, these include: security, trust, safety with having the freedom to explore their environment. According to Erikson, to a achieve a healthy personality, an individual must successfully resolve a crisis at each of the eight stages of development in, as summarized in the table below: (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.28). Figure 1: Eriksons Epigenetic Principle and Middle Childhood, 8 Psychosocial Stages: Stage Age Stages of Development Developmental Characteristics 1 Birth to 1 year Trust versus mistrust (hope) Attachment Bonding 2 1 to 3 Autonomy versus shame and doubt Potty training self-maintenance 3 3 to 6 Initiative versus guilt Academic success, adding, abcs, making friends 4 6 12 Industry versus inferiority Social competence, friendship network 5 12 18 Identity versus role confusion Loyalty friendship 6 18 30 Intimacy versus isolation Falling in love, maintaining a relationship 7 30 to old age Generativity versus stagnation Having nurturing children 8 Old age Integrity versus despair Imparting wisdom to others (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.29). Erikson believed the behaviour of the main caregiver (usually the mother) is critical to the childs resolve of this crisis, the caregiver must be consistently loving, and must respond to the child predictably and reliably. He goes on to state that infants whose early care has been eratic or harsh may develop mistrust. (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.29). It was Eriksons belief that throughout ones lifetime, they experience different conflicts or crisis. Each of the conflicts can arise at a certain point in life and needs to be successfully resolved before progression to the next of the eight stages. Failure to successful complete a stage can result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and therefore a more unhealthy personality and sense of self. These stages can be resolved successfully at a later time. Eriksons theory has not been without its critics. At times, he overemphasizes the symbiotic relationship between individual development and societal progress and, .. has been criticized for having a conformist theory (Sugarman, L. 1996, p. 93) Socially competent adolescents can strike a balance between their identity as individuals and as part of groups, the ability of maintaining equality, and their own wants, needs, desires and their ability to meet the needs of others. Identity is the major personality target that a child needs to achieve during this phase in order to become a content, productive and satisfied adult. The particular stage which is relevant to identity formation takes place during adolescence, known as Identity versus Role Confusion. Identity is influenced by how the adolescent sees him/herself and is also based on their relationships with others and their perception of how others see them. (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.151). In development stage five, adolescents need to decide who they are, which are their strengths and weaknesses and what their path in life is. Erikson considered Identity Formation as personality and role experimentation, with the number of choices it can be overwhelming so adolescents may se em to appear to go through a period of moratorium. Moratorium is defined as A crisis in progress, but no commitment has yet been made (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.312). Many teenagers during this period can try out roles to see if they right, for example a teenage girl trying to be glamorous and flirty (her sexuality maybe blossoming), or a teenage boy who is experimenting with the tough guy image. Erikson never saw identity as static or unchangeable but believed identity formation was a life-long process, across the life span. Also pressurising someone into an identity can result in rebellion in the form of chartering feelings of unhappiness and a negative identity. Erikson also referred to identity crisis which is period by which the adolescent is troubled by their lack of identity, which can result in the inability to continue responsibilities as adults or entering into isolation, or loosing ones identity in the crowd. This change in adolescence is usually an indication of an ind ividuals development of multiple perspectives in social relationships. adolescent adjustment predicted changes in authoritative and neglectful parenting styles more robustly than these styles predicted changes in adolescent adjustment. (Eccles, J., 2012, p.2) Marcia is another significant theorist who elaborated upon Eriksons perception of identity crisis and identify confusion. James Marcia (1937 ) a Canadian clinical and developmental psychologist took Eriksons theory further. He described the process as having four basic, main steps on the continuation of identity development, the structure is designed to classify adolescents into one of four main stages of identity. The identity statuses are used to pinpoint the progression of an adolescents identity formation. In Marcias theory, he states that identity is whether an individual has explored various alternatives and made firm commitments to: an occupation, religion, sexual orientation and political values. **REFERENCE Marcias four identity statuses are in the table below: Figure 2 : Marcias identity statuses Experienced crisis Not in Crisis Degree of commitment to a particular role or values HIGH LOW HIGH Identity achievement status (crisis is past) Foreclosure status Committed LOW Moratorium status (in midst of crisis) Identity diffusion status Not Committed Degree of crisis (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.153) Marcias theory does not conclude that each adolescent will go through and encounter all four identity statuses. Some may experience only one or two identity statuses throughout their adolescence. Furthermore unlike Eriksons, Marcias theory takes into account multidirectional movement between and among the various identity statuses. For example, an adolescent may experience a traumatic event such as their parents separating, or an assault, which may cause them to re-assess their perception of the world and its value system. The type of crisis may result in them reverting to a previous enacted identity status as to adjust to this new situation. These are four identity statuses proposed by Marcia, furthering Eriksons theory. Marcia described the process as having four main, reoccurring steps. Identity formation has two key parts: Crisis and Commitment. For fully achieved identity, young people must have both examined value/gaols and reached firm commitment. For Identity achievement: Marcia suggests that adolescents who have experienced crisis and reached an undertaking to ideological, occupational or other objectives. Moratorium: is when a crisis is in progress, but no commitment has yet been made. With foreclosure: adolescents who have made a commitment without having gone through a crisis. Then identity diffusion: this represents either an early stage before the crisis, or a failure to reach a commitment after a crisis. Marcia suggested that identity involves the adoption of ideals and values, sexual orientation and work possibilities. He formulated the idea of status which allowed for a more fluid conception of identity f ormation. (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.168) According to Schlossberg the best way to cope with a crisis or transition in life, is to adapt the 4 Ss System: Situation, Self, Supports and Strategies. (Schlossberg, N. K., 2011) Minority teenagers, especially those of colour in a predominantly white culture, face the task of creating two identities in adolescence. (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.316) Boyd and Bee define Ethnic Identity as a sense of belonging to an ethnic group. American developmental psychologist Jean Phinney, proposed in 1990 that in adolescence, the development of a complete ethnic identity moves through three stages: Unexamined ethnic identity: which is very similar to Marcias identity status called foreclosure. Ethnic identity search: parallel to crisis in Marcias analysis of ego identity. Resolution: Of conflicts and contradictions similar to Marcias status of identity. Young people of colour often develop two identities, a psychological sense of self and an ethnic identity. (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.317) In addition to establishing a sense of personal identity minority teens must also develop an ethnic identity. Some resolve this developmental task by creating a bicultural identity for themselves, one that allows them to interact comfortably with members of the majority group, individuals who belong to other minority groups and members of their own group. . (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2007, p.284) An ethnic identity is identification with definite ethnicity, usually on the basis of a presumed shared ethnic descent. Ethnic groups are often also united by common cultural, behavioural, linguistic or religious traits. They must also develop an ethnic or racial identity, including self-identification as a member of some specific group, commitment to that group and its values and attitudes. (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2007, p.284). Phinneys stage model is a useful general description of the process of ethnic identity formation. While others resolve the dilemma by consciously choosing their own ethnic groups patterns and values, yet this choice could limit their access to a larger culture but they make this as an informed decision. Also adolescents from different cultural backgrounds who try to compete and succeed in the most dominant culture might be shunned by their own peers. Based on the studies which have derived from Eriksons Marcias Theories there is a need to examine the pros and cons of both theories. Eriksons can be ambiguous about the causes of development and his theory does not have a universal structure for crisis resolution. Eriksons theory is more a depictive overview of human social and emotional progression that does not comprehensively explain why or how this advancement occurs. Furthermore Erikson does not clearly explain how the outcome of one psychosocial stage influence personalities at a later stage. Then on the more positive side of Eriksons theory is, its ability to bring together important psychosocial developments across the entire lifespan. Also Erikson was more positive than Freud as he believed that negative outcomes in a stage could be resolved at a later date. (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.22) Unlike Ericksons stage theory, Marcias theory accounts for multi-directional movement among and between the various identity statuses. Final ly Marcia formulated the idea of status, which allowed for a more fluid conception of identity formation. (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.168) Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987), an American psychologist best known for his work on the Theory of stages of moral development, also known as a stage theorist. Kohlbergs theory was developed from the research and principles of Jean Piagets identity development. Previously, Piaget (1932) suggested a two-way theory of moral development (moral realism and moral relativism). (Hearne, L., 2017, p. 11). Kohlbergs moral development is focused on the cognitive process rather than the actual moral actions of a person. Continually people who are able to cognitively discuss appropriate moral choices do not always exhibit moral behaviour. Furthermore, persons can know the right moral decisions to make and decide to respond in the opposite manner. However, the theorist whose work has had the most powerful impact has been Kohlberg (Bergman, 2002; Colby et al., 1976, 1981). Moreover, theories of moral reasoning have been important in explanations of adolescent antisocial behaviour. (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2006, p.335). Kohlbergs moral judgement development seems to have a parallel relationship between age and stage. Before the age of ten years of age a child believes rules are fixed, handed down by a higher authority (such a parent or adult) and subject to change. After the age of ten, the child realises that rules are flexible and can be modified, with the agreement of others. (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.120) Kohlberg based his theory on interviews he conducted with children and adolescents regarding moral reasoning. He then devised moral dilemmas, the answers to which were used to categorise moral development, one of example of this is the Heinz dilemma. Where a woman was near death from a specific cancer but there was one drug which doctors thought might save her. But the drug was very expensive to make it was made in her same town, it was $2,000 for a small dose of the drug so her husband became desperate and broke into the laboratory to steal the drug for his wife. Kohlberg then suggested 6 responses for this moral dilemma to assess peoples reasoning on their decision. Listed below are the six stages of Kohlbergs moral development: Level 3 POSTCONVENTIONAL Shared standards, rights and duties Stage 6: Self-selection of universal values and principles Stage 5: -Sense of democracy and relativity of rules Level 2 CONVENTIONAL Performing right roles Stage 4: Fulfilling duties and upholding laws Stage 3: Meeting expectations of others Level 1 PRECONVENTIONAL Values in external events Stage 2: Getting what you want by trade-off or in exchange for behaving Stage 1: Punishment avoidance Figure 2: Kohlbergs Theory of Moral Development Various theorists have criticized Kohlbergs theory, by those who placed more emphasis on learning moral behaviour and by those who believe moral reasoning is based mostly on emotional factors rather than on their ideas of fairness and justice. Carol Gilligan claims Kohlbergs theory is flawed because his research was based on male responses and represents a male perspective of moral development and reasoning. . (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.138) From Gilligans work with women she deduced that women apply an ethic of care in the judgements rather than a male ethic of justice. Eisenberg has defined empathy as an affective response that stems from the apprehension or comprehension of anothers emotional state However .an empathic response usually turns into either sympathy or personal distress (Eisenberg, 2000, p.671) In conclusion young adolescents warrant educational experiences and schools try to care for their physical, intellectual, emotional/psychological, moral/ethical, social developmental and spiritual, characteristics. Parents, practitioners and others who work with young adolescents need to be aware of both obvious and subtle changes in their developmental characteristics. Changes like these can give adults intuitive into the demands facing young adolescents and emphasise possible logic for transference in their capabilities and behaviour. Educators and career guidance counsellors and policymakers today need to persevere with their support of initiatives that allow young adolescents with developmentally appropriate environment and learning experiences. Teenage aspirations, especially educational, in combination with academic attainment are an important predictor of adult social status. (Schoon, I. 2006, p. 138). Bibliography Schoon, I. (2006) Risk and Resilience; Adaptations in changing times, 1st ed., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Boyd, D and Bee, H. (2003) Lifespan development, 3rd ed., Allyn and Bacon, Pearson Boyd, D and Bee, H. (2006) Lifespan development, 4th ed., Allyn and Bacon, Pearson Boyd, D and Bee, H. (2007) The Developing Child, 11th ed.,Pearson, International Edition. Allyn and Bacon. OBrien, E. Z., (2013) Human Growth Development, 2nd ed., Gill and MacMillan Sugarman, L. (1986) Life-Span Development, Concepts, Theories and Interventions, 1st ed., Methuen Co. Ltd. Eisenberg, 2000 .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_formation Hearne, L., (2017). Session 5: Theories of Social and Personality Development, Lecture Notes, University of Limerick. Eccles, J., (2012) Developmental Psychology, Vol 48(6), Nov 2012, 1540-1553. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0027720 Schlossberg, N. K., (2011). The Challenge of change: The transition model and its applications. Journal of employment counselling, Vol 48