Quantitative Easing

Evan Schrager 11/14/2011 Quantitative Easing Research Paper The term  quantitative easing  (QE) describes a process in which the Federal Reserve expands its balance sheet through purchasing back government bonds from financial institutions with electronically created funds. The government purchases, by way of account deposits, give banks the excess reserves required for them to create new money by the process of  deposit multiplication  from increased lending in the fractional reserve banking system. As the supply of medium and long-term government bonds decreases, their prices increase. This leads to a decrease in their yield; yields are often a determinant of long-term interest rates, mortgages and most business lending. Since it is easier for individuals to borrow money, consumer wealth increases, which leads to investment and consumption increases as well. Risks include the policy being more effective than intended, spurring  hyperinflation, or the risk of not being effective enough, if banks opt simply to pocket the additional cash in order to increase their capital reserves in a climate of increasing defaults in their present loan portfolio. In the quantitative easing process, the Fed goes to a network of dealers, in search of Treasury bonds. The Fed buys the bonds in a competitive bidding process between the approved bond dealers. The Fed takes a bond certificate and gives the dealers freshly printed US dollars. The transactions are done electronically, but it is still referred to as printed money. The US  Federal Reserve  held between $700 billion and $800 billion of Treasury notes on its balance sheet before the current recession. In late November 2008, the Fed started buying $600 billion in  Mortgage-backed securities. By March 2009, it held $1. 75 trillion of bank debt, MBS, and Treasury notes, and reached a peak of $2. 1 trillion in June 2010. The primary dealers can offer to sell the Fed bonds held by their clients. The newly printed money moves from the Fed, to the dealer, to the client’s brokerage account. Cash is moving directly into the real economy. The customer can buy another bond, buy stocks, use it at the grocery store, or simply keep the cash. Right now, however, cash is earning next to nothing, so investors are motivated to find alternative stores of value. They are motivated to spend or invest their cash. With an ongoing battle taking place between inflationary and deflationary forces in the economy and financial markets, it is extremely important for investors to understand how â€Å"quantitave easing† programs will impact their investments and their long term purchasing power. Since quantitative easing represents a threat to our wealth based on its potential adverse impact, this topic warrants serious attention above and beyond a boilerplate analysis. Common references to â€Å"cash sitting at banks† will give investors a poor read on what quantitative easing is and the possible ramifications for our portfolios and the economy. In order to put QE in context, I will discuss the Japanese deflationary spiral of the ‘90s. Japan suffered from stagflation throughout the 1990’s, so the Bank of Japan instituted a quantitative easing program of its own, referred to as QEP. The QEP consisted of three key elements: â€Å"(1) The BOJ changed its main operating target from the uncollateralized overnight call rate to the outstanding current account balances (CABs) held by financial institutions at the BOJ (i. e. , bank reserves), and ultimately boosted the CAB well in excess of required reserves. 2) The BOJ boosted its purchases of government bonds, including long-term JGBs, and some other assets, in order to help achieve the targeted increases in CABs. (3) The BOJ committed to maintain the QEP until the core CPI (which in Japan is defined to exclude perishables but not energy) stopped declining. † The effect of the Bank of Japan’s liquidity injections on bank lending was muted by the substitut ion of central bank liquidity for interbank liquidity. Second, despite the dampening of the stimulus from the liquidity injections due to this substitution, there was a positive and significant effect of liquidity on bank lending. This implies that quantitative easing can affect the supply of credit, particularly during periods of financial stress. However, the overall effect was fairly small, so that huge amounts of liquidity would have been needed to achieve noticeable effects. Third, weak banks benefited more from QEP than stronger banks. However, â€Å"the rapid unwinding of liquidity infusions observed at the conclusion of QEP had little impact on lending growth once bank health and confidence in the banking system had been restored. † It is possible that QEP exerted ositive effects, but that these were simply overwhelmed by the drag on total spending coming from weakness in the banking sector and balance sheet problems among households and firms. Since there are a number of ways that QEP may have stimulated spending, we can infer that the QE programs in the United States will stimulate some spending as well, but perhaps we will overestimate the effects just like Japan did years ago. When you consi der some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds may participate in QE, you can understand the potentially broad impact of the Fed’s actions. The largest ones control billions of dollars. With the currency risk involved when foreigners hold treasury bonds, it is not a stretch to believe that some sovereign wealth funds will be interested in selling some of their treasuries to the Fed in exchange for newly printed US dollars. They may also quickly exchange the cash for gold, silver, copper, oil or stocks to reduce their currency risk. Fears of future inflation can make cash unattractive in the eyes of investors and consumers. A big part of the Fed’s approach is to increase the expectations of future inflation since it can change the investing and buying habits of businesses and consumers. Since there are many unknowns, and many moving parts, listen with skepticism to anyone who claims to know the long term impacts of QE programs on both the financial markets and the economy. † We need to better understand the QE process, and monitor and assess the market’s reaction to details as they are released by the Fed. We must be willing to make inflationary a nd deflationary adjustments based on market internals and economic data. Adopting a â€Å"QE will work or won’t work† approach in advance would be highly speculative. Flexibility is always important in the markets, but maybe more so when it comes to the possible long term impacts of QE. This newly printed money will find its way around the globe, impacting currencies, commodities, and foreign stock markets. According to Brian P. Sack of the NYFRB, â€Å"The effect of asset purchases on the economy remains a point of ongoing debate, with some uncertainty about the channels through which such purchases operate and the magnitude of those effects†¦ In particular, by purchasing longer term securities, the Federal Reserve removes duration risk form the market, which should help reduce the term premium that investors demand for holding longer term securities. That effect should, in turn, oost other asset prices, as those investors displaced by the Fed’s purchases would likely seek to hold alternative types of securities. † â€Å"Nevertheless, balance sheet policy can still lower longer-term borrowing costs for many households and businesses, and it adds to household wealth by keeping asset prices higher than they otherwise would be. It seems highly unli kely that the economy is completely insensitive to borrowing costs and wealth, or to other changes in broad financial conditions. † Notice the references to â€Å"boosting asset prices,† and â€Å"lowering borrowing costs,† and â€Å"adding to household wealth by keeping asset prices higher. From Mr. Sack’s perspective, the Fed buys intermediate term treasuries, which drives down the yield for new investors. Mr. Sack hypothesizes that those new investors will decide to purchase other bonds, perhaps with longer maturities as they search for higher yields. As the Fed pushes demand to other areas of the bond market, longer term interest rates would fall. As new investors look at their options, they may decide to purchase other high yielding assets since the Fed’s actions have made yields on more conservative investments unattractive. Since the Fed promises to remain in the market with QE for an extended period, the risk associated with holding stocks, higher yielding bonds, commodities, precious metals and real estate are reduced. If you think in extremes, if the Fed stated that all treasuries would pay no interest for the next 5 years, investors would move into investments with more risk in search of higher yields. A good way to summarize QE is as follows: QE attempts to lower long term interest rates, keep them low for a pre-defined period of time, while pouring cash into the economy in an effort to boost consumption and investment. Like gold, US dollars have value only to the extent that they are strictly limited in supply. The government has technology that allows it to produce as many US dollars as it wishes at essentially no cost. By increasing the number of US dollars in circulation, or by threatening to do so, the US government can reduce the value of a dollar in terms of goods and services, which is the same as raising the price in dollars of those goods and services. Thus, we can conclude that, under a paper money system, a determined government can always generate higher spending and hence, positive inflation. The important takeaway is the concept, which is to print money, and devalue the purchasing power of US dollars in your wallet/bank account. Based on the government and Fed’s extreme actions during the financial crisis, it is safe to say that we have a determined government. Investors cannot underestimate how determined our government will be, in terms of â€Å"how much money are they willing to print? † and â€Å"what assets are they willing to buy? † For example, if buying T-bonds doesn’t work, what prevents them from moving to corporate bonds, stocks, residential housing, or commercial real estate? That sounds extreme, but five or six years ago, having the Fed buy treasury bonds or having the government take over AIG seemed extreme. But that happened right before our eyes. A problem around the globe is weak balance sheets from consumers to corporations to municipalities all the way up to the United States’ assets and liabilities ledger. There are two ways to address weak balance sheets. You can attack the asset side or the liability side. During recessions, bad debt is removed from the system when entities go out of business, defaulting on their debts. This is a painful part of a recession, but is necessary to allow capital to reform, which eventually leads to new investment and sustainable economic growth. The hard way to address our problems with balance sheets is to let those who deserve to fail go out of business. Unfortunately for the country’s long term outlook, the hard way, or short term pain, does not sit well with those in positions of power—especially politicians, who are always concerned about the next election. This is a huge flaw: we need to think in terms of what is best for the future of our country instead of thinking in the short term. If we need to reduce our standard of living in order to combat the national deficit, then so be it. Americans need to stop complaining about the recessionary conditions and must make sacrifices now in order to guarantee future standards of living. In order to understand all of the bailouts, government takeovers, and money printing, you basically need to think about powerful people in business and government who are simply trying to stay in power, regardless of whether or not their actions are in the best long term interest of shareholders, taxpayers, and ordinary hard working citizens. These comments do not apply to the select few in positions of power who still make decisions based upon sound principles and integrity, but most politicians do not. I’ll stay away from this topic because it is a political issue, but quite relevant so I felt it was worth mentioning. In a healthy credit market, banks lend while consumers and businesses borrow to invest and consume. Demand, based upon available credit, boosts asset prices and profits. As asset prices rise, balance sheets strengthen. With healthy balance sheets, businesses and consumers feel wealthy, and borrow more, invest more, and consume more. This is known as the wealth effect. As asset prices rise, the collateral backing the loans remains sound, allowing the banks to lend even more, and around and around we go, until credit causes the creation of too much supply. A good example is the recent overbuilding in the housing market. Then asset prices begin to fall. Now the wealth effect becomes the reverse wealth effect, as consumers, businesses, and banks begin to see their net worth deteriorate. When the Fed lowers interest rates, they attempt to spur borrowing and lending. This, in turn, can get the wealth effect back into gear, as borrowed money creates demand for goods, services, and assets. In the present day, traditional banks are reluctant to lend, and many consumers either don’t want a loan, or cannot get a loan. In this environment, the Fed, via QE, is trying to spark the wealth effect by attempting to re-inflate asset prices. QE II refers to the decision in November 2010 in which the FOMC announced the purchases of 600 billion longer-term treasury debt. A fair question to ask is, â€Å"Why did we pursue QEII? There are several reasons the government went through with another round of QE. Firstly, the Japanese experience with mild deflation and a near-zero nominal interest rate has been poor. Second, inflation in the US was close to the implicit FOMC inflation target during the first part of 2010. However, during 2010, a renewed disinflation trend developed and the recovery slowed down in the summer of ’10. These developments leav e the US at risk of a Japanese-style outcome. Was QEII effective? The financial markets effects of QEII looked the same as if the FOMC had reduced the policy rate substantially. Specifically, real interest rates declined, the dollar depreciated, and equity prices rose. These are the classic financial market effects one might observe when the Fed eases monetary policy in ordinary times (in an interest rate targeting environment). The QEII experience shows that monetary policy can be eased aggressively even when the policy rate is near zero. However, it is difficult to observe the overall effects of QE and QEII because of the lags involved. Effects on the real economy would be expected to lag by six to twelve months. Real effects are difficult to disentangle because other shocks hit the economy in the meantime. This happened, apparently, during the first half of 2011, and is a standard problem in evaluating monetary policy. Overall, QE2 has shown that the Fed can conduct an effective monetary stabilization policy even when policy rates are near zero. Now I will discuss investment strategies for inflationary and deflationary outcomes of quantitative easing. Inflationary and deflationary forces coupled with possible Fed intervention require a flexible approach to financial markets. Common sense tells us that money printing is probably not the path to long term prosperity, but I do believe QE can impact asset prices in a manner not fully understood by many individual investors as well as many financial advisors. If the Fed is successful for a period of time, I would invest in inflation friendly and weak-dollar assets such as gold, silver, copper, oil, and emerging market stocks. If the Fed fails in the long run, then a deflationary spiral may be the outcome, making cash, gold, dividend payers, conservative bonds, and CDs attractive. Middle of the road choices include utilities, consumer staples stocks, and other dividend payers. Financial markets tend to anticipate Fed announcements. We always have to be on our toes for information/news relevant to QE. If you read the writings of Ben Bernanke and more recently writings by James Bullard, you know the Federal Reserve is willing to use every tool and printing press in their arsenal in attempt to re-inflate asset prices and restore some semblance of the wealth effect. However, we must understand that the Fed faces high hurdles, in the form of mountains of global debt and fragile asset prices. So far, the U. S. has been able to get away with massive debts and unsustainable deficits for one simple reason. The U. S. dollar is still the world’s reserve currency, as it has been effectively since World War II and literally since the early 1970? s. Because all governments and banks in the world accept and hold U. S. dollars as the majority of their reserves, the United States is able to simply print more money whenever it cannot afford to pay for things that it needs. Besides this, the country can borrow money in its own currency at incredibly low interest rates that we have seen approach almost zero. US citizens personally benefit in another critical way every time that they stop to get gas. With the U. S. dollar as the international reserve currency, oil and almost all  commodities  are all priced in dollars. As a result, you see an enormous amount of inexpensive goods available. Food items and other items that use oil/gas as inputs are extremely cheap. This makes restaurants and other attractions affordable in America. The level of wealth seen in the United States is simply unprecedented, and most of this results from the benefits of the dollar as universal reserve currency. There will be dramatic consequences difficult to imagine if the dollar finally ceases to be the reserve currency of the world. Should this happen, then the value of the dollar will plummet. The immediate painful effects will be that commodities prices skyrocket. These would no longer be priced in U. S. dollars, and you would see the falling value of the dollar buy fewer and fewer commodities. Gasoline at five to ten dollars a gallon is not only possible, but highly likely. Along with higher gas prices, we could see higher prices for anything that uses oil to ship goods around the world. This means practically everything that you buy would all cost dramatically more. As prices skyrocket, your lifestyle would sustain a punishing drop overnight. This is a very scary succession of possible events. Unfortunately, this is not the only consequence that you would see of a dollar that is no longer the reserve currency of the world. Interest rates would rise dramatically. They could easily reach ten to fifteen percent. This would wreck the housing market far worse than it is today. It would also cause the stock market to crash by almost half in a number of weeks. As the costs of supplies and materials go up with the falling currency value, businesses would be forced to cut back on  employees  because of their falling sales. Unemployment could reach twenty to thirty percent or more as a result of this. As if this is not bad enough,  inflation  would be sky high along with the rising prices and disappearing jobs. It is important to remember that the only thing that has to occur for all of these terrible things to happen is for other countries to prefer to be paid in anything besides U. S. Dollars. In the event that non-United States holders of dollar-denominated assets decided to shift holdings to assets denominated in other currencies, there could be serious consequences for the US economy. The possibility of QE3 has some serious implications, although Bernanke has denied that there will be another round easing. The dollar has plunged nearly 20% against the euro over the last year and a half, a period that includes the run-up to and aftermath of the last round of quantitative easing, the Fed's $600 billion bond-buying program known as QE2. But a QE3 may not pack the same dollar-slamming punch. If there is a QE3, the dollar's fall could easily approach 10% on a trade-weighted basis against rival currencies, said David Woo, head of G-10 global rates and currencies research at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in New York. But â€Å"the market is now more skeptical of the benefits of QE for the economy,† Mr. Woo said. â€Å"It is possible that by extension this means any short-term [dollar] decline on the back of QE3 will be also more limited. † Instead of QE3, Bernanke and the Fed decided to implement â€Å"Operation Twist,† a widely expected stimulus move reviving a policy from the 1960s. The policy involves selling $400 billion in short-term Treasuries in exchange for the same amount of longer-term bonds, starting in October and ending in June 2012. While the move does not mean the Fed will pump additional money into the economy, it is designed to lower yields on long-term bonds, while keeping short-term rates little changed. The intent is to thereby push down interest rates on everything from mortgages to business loans, giving consumers and companies an additional incentive to borrow and spend money. Some reputable names believe the dollar is going to depreciate in value over the next decade or two. Bestselling authors Robert Wiedemer of â€Å"Aftershock† and David Skarica of â€Å"The Great Super Cycle† both forecasted the housing collapse, financial crisis, and stock market collapse years ahead of them happening. They are calling for a collapse of the dollar. This could lead to many unsophisticated investors to â€Å"hop on the train†, causing a swing in technical expectations. QE attempts to lower long term interest rates, keep them low for a fairly well-understood period of time, while flooding the economy with cash in an effort to boost consumption and investment. In my opinion, quantitative easing in the US was a mild success. The markets were in a state of flux and we needed to do something. QE2 was necessary because we needed to increase the scale to which the LSAPs (large scale asset purchases) affected the economy. As for QE3, I don’t believe it is in our country’s best interest, because it would show even greater weakness, leading many foreign investors to flee from the dollar. Somewhere down the line, I predict that the IMF will attempt to overtake the dollar as the world reserve currency, but it certainly won’t happen overnight. If this happens, Americans will have to downgrade their wealthy standard of living due to increased commodity prices. However, I don’t believe the US Dollar will lose its currency reserve status anytime soon, nor do I believe that QE3 will happen. My recommendation is to continue QE in small amounts, unwinding it under Bernanke’s plan from his September speech in Minneapolis. Bernanke has stated that there will be no more easing, but you never know with the â€Å"Bernanke, Obama, Geithner brain trust. † Thus, our best option is to remain flexible in our policy schemes and monitor and react to relevant news as best as we can. Ben Bernanke concludes his Minneapolis speech in an attempt to reassure us that our country will be okay. â€Å"The Federal Reserve will certainly do all that it can to help restore high rates of growth and employment in a context of price stability. † Let us hope they act with rationality and in the best interest of the long term growth and stability of our economy. If America is ever going to dig itself out of the enormous debts it has taken, we must not devalue the dollar to the point that it is phased out as the world reserve currency. Perhaps a downgrade in American’s standard of living is necessary to reduce the deficit by a significant enough margin. There is some hope for a return to prosperity and consistent growth, but Americans need to be aware of the implications of QE on their portfolios and their long term purchasing power. Works Cited 1. United States. Richmond Federal Reserve. By Thomas M. Humphrey. The Theory of Multiple Expansion of Deposits: What It Is and Whence It Came. Mar. -Apr. 1987. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. . 2. A QE1 Timeline. † Calculated Risk, 03 Oct. 2010. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. . 3. Ciovacco, Chris. â€Å"Video Series: Quantitative Easing. † Ciovacco Capital Management. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. . 4. Sack, Brian P. â€Å"Managing the Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet – Federal Reserve Bank of New York. â€Å"Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 04 Oct. 2010. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. . 5. Bowman, David, Fang Cai, Sally Davies, and Steven Kamin. Quantitative Easing and Bank Lending: Evidenc e from Japan. †Ã‚  Www. federalreserve. gov. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, June 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. ;http://www. federalreserve. gov/pubs/ifdp/2011/1018/ifdp1018. pdf;. 6. Eichengreen, Barry. â€Å"Dollar's Reign as World's Main Reserve Currency Is Near an End. â€Å"Foreign Exchange Report. The Wall Street Journal, 02 Mar. 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. 7. Herold, Thomas. â€Å"What If The U. S. Dollar Loses Reserve Currency Status? † Wealth Building Course, 14 Jan. 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. ;http://www. wealthbuildingcourse. om/dollar-loses-reserve-currency-status. html;. 8. Bullard, James. â€Å"QE2: An Assessment. † Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, 30 June 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. ;http://research. stlouisfed. org/econ/bullard/pdf/Bullard_QE_Conference_June_30_2011_Final. pdf;. 9. Wieland, Volker. â€Å"Quantitative Easing: A Rationale and Some Evidence from Japan†, in  NBER International Seminar on Macroeconomics 2009  (2010), Univ ersity of Chicago Press   http://www. nber. org/papers/w15565 10. Cronin, Brenda. â€Å"Slow-Paced Recovery Feels Like a Recession. † The Wall Street Journal, 10 Oct. 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 011. ;http://online. wsj. com/article/SB10001424052970203499704576623053674426690. html;. 11. Fontevecchia, Agustino. â€Å"Central Banks Dump Treasuries As Dollar's Reserve Currency Status Fades. † Forbes, 03 Mar. 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. ;http://www. forbes. com/sites/afontevecchia/2011/03/16/central-banks-dump-treasuries-as-dollars-reserve-currency-status-fades/;. 12. Case, Karl E. , John M. Quigley, and Robert J. Shiller. Wealth Effects Revisited. Yale University, Feb. 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. ;http://cowles. econ. yale. edu/P/cd/d17b/d1784. pdf;. 13. Rooney, Ben. IMF Discusses Plan to Replace Dollar as Reserve Currency. † CNNMoney, 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. . 14. Weisenthal, Joe. â€Å"This Is How The Dollar Could Lose Its Reserve Currency Status. † Business Insider, 15 Nov. 2010. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. . 15. Bernanke, Ben. â€Å"The U. S. Economic Outlook–September 8, 2011. † Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 08 Sept. 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. . 16. Hamilton, James. â€Å"5 Key Arguments Against Quantitative Easing. † Business Insider, 20 Oct. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. . 17. Johnson, Andrew J. â€Å"Sizing Up Dollar's Pain From a QE3. † The Wall Street Journal, 05 Sept. 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. . 18. Censky, Annalyn. â€Å"Federal Reserve Launches Operation Twist. † CNNMoney, 21 Sept. 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 011. . ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Richmond Federal Reserve. By Thomas M. Humphrey. The Theory of Multiple Expansion of Deposits: What It Is and Whence It Came. [ 2 ]. Wieland, Volker. â€Å"Quantitative Easing: A Rationale and Some Evidence from Japan† [ 3 ]. Calculated Risk. â€Å"A Q E1 Timeline. † [ 4 ]. Videos: Quantitative Easing, Chris Ciovacco [ 5 ]. Videos: Quantitative Easing. Chris Ciovacco [ 6 ]. Bowman, â€Å"Quantitative Easing and Bank Lending: Evidence from Japan. [ 7 ]. Bowman, â€Å"Quantitative Easing and Bank Lending: Evidence from Japan. †Ã‚   [ 8 ]. Hamilton, James. â€Å"5 Key Arguments Against Quantitative Easing. † [ 9 ]. Hamilton, James. â€Å"5 Key Arguments Against Quantitative Easing. † [ 10 ]. Sack, Brian P. â€Å"Managing the Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet [ 11 ]. Wieland, Volker. â€Å"Quantitative Easing: A Rationale and Some Evidence from Japan† [ 12 ]. Wieland, Volker. â€Å"Quantitative Easing: A Rationale and Some Evidence from Japan† [ 13 ]. Cronin, Brenda. â€Å"Slow-Paced Recovery Feels Like a Recession. † [ 14 ]. Case, Karl E. , John M. Quigley, and Robert J. Shiller. Wealth Effects Revisited. [ 15 ]. Bullard, James. â€Å"QE2: An Assessment. † [ 16 ]. Bullard, James. â€Å"QE2: An Assessment. † [ 17 ]. Videos: Quantitative Easing, Chris Ciovacco [ 18 ]. Eichengreen, Barry. â€Å"Dollar's Reign as World's Main Reserve Currency Is Near an End. † [ 19 ]. Fontevecchia, Agustino. â€Å"Central Banks Dump Treasuries As Dollar's Reserve Currency Status Fades. † [ 20 ]. Eichengreen, Barry. â€Å"Dollar's Reign as World's Main Reserve Currency Is Near an End. † [ 21 ]. Weisenthal, Joe. â€Å"This Is How The Dollar Could Lose Its Reserve Currency Status. † [ 22 ]. Rooney, Ben. â€Å"IMF

The Beginning of the Israeli Palestinian Conflict

The beginning of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Sebastien Steigmeier ESL071 Professor Waldrop April 23, 2011 Everybody saw it on television, in the newspaper or maybe heard it on the radio, the last century held many different conflicts in Gaza Strip. Basically, people know that Israel and Palestine are fighting for that land, each one pretending that they deserve it. A survey, done on CBU students, shows that most of them don’t know anything about the conflict. The only ones who knew a little bit about it were sure that Israel wanted the land to build a Jewish state after the tragedy of the World War II.I asked a few students some questions before doing my survey to get a basic idea of their knowledge. Then I realized that I would probably have to ask different questions considering their lack of knowledge on the topic. Out of the nine students taking time to answer my questions, six had no idea what to answer and two said that Israel wanted the land as â€Å"compensationà ¢â‚¬  after the Holocaust. Let’s take a look at the history, and consider facts that will help us understanding what are the reasons why Zionists (it’s important not to confuse Zionists and Jews) and Palestinian Arabs are fighting.Emerging a long time ago, this idea of having a land to bring Jewish people together came out in 1897. From August 29 to August 31 of that year, occurred in Basel, Switzerland (I swear I didn’t know that) the first Zionist Congress, held by the World Zionist Organization. Theodor Herzl who was named as the first President and who also was the author of â€Å"Der Judenstaat† (â€Å"the Jewish State†) was the initiator of that congress. The Zionist Congress travelled through many different European cities, and was held every two years from 1897 to 1946, except during the two World Wars.As an answer to the question â€Å"why do Zionists want to take that land? † most people answer that they want a land because they w ant to build a Jewish State to stay together in peace after the Holocaust. History proves them wrong by showing that Zionists are trying to steal that land for more than a century, and the Holocaust happened only seventy years ago. Even though Arabs were killed by Zionists attacks during the 1940’s, in 1947, the United Nations decided to split the land and to give half of it to the Jews.We can say that the seven millions of Jews who were killed during the World War II didn’t die for nothing, as compassion made the United Nations allow them to steal half of a country. Sure, what happened during the Holocaust was terrible, but I don’t think that Zionists should use it to claim â€Å"their† land. There is no land on earth that belongs to a religious group. A lot of religious groups are gathered together in the same area which is fine, but no religious group tries to make an independent country for a religion.What would you think if all the atheist Mexicans c ome together and say: â€Å"We are going to take the Southern California and make it a Atheist State† It makes no sense. But the United Nations decided to agree with the Zionists and gave them a part of the Arab Palestinian territory. This was called the â€Å"partition plan† and was voted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 29, 1947. Palestinian Arabs felt violated of course, and the day after, on November 30th they reacted violently. It led to what experts call â€Å"The Civil War in Mandatory Palestine†.The Civil War lasted until May 14, 1948 with the Jewish victory. On that day, Israel declared its independence. The British army, who was supposed to maintain order in Palestine, was preparing its withdrawal and didn’t really have a finger in the pie. Great-Britain’s mandate over the Palestinian territory was expiring on May 15; Israel declared its independence on May 14 because May 15 was Shabbat, as the story says. The day after, another important war started, the â€Å"1948 Arab-Israeli War† also known as the â€Å"War of independence† or the â€Å"War of Liberation†.With Israel declaring its independence, the Arab neighbors of â€Å"the State of Israel† started to invade on May 15, showing their disagreement with the decisions that were made by the United Nations. The 1948 Arab-Israeli War happened in three phases, each phase being separated by some truce agreement. As the Soviet Union, Iran and the United States recognized Israel as a free State, the League of Arab States sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary General, to proclaim its idea of building what they called the â€Å"United State of Palestine† instead of splitting the country in a Jewish and Arab two states â€Å"country†.That letter, also known as the Cablegram from the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Folke Bernadotte, contained wha t was at that time a great idea, and maybe a good opportunity to try to solve the problem. Basically, they wanted to establish a single and democratically ruled state. This cablegram contained ten points that were asked to be presented in front of the General Assembly and the Security Council.Each point was reminding facts and history, to explain how that territory belonged to Arabs, but also points that showed how Arabs were ready to share it in a democratic way with the Jews living in the same area. The Israelis said that the plan was not even considerable because Jews were a majority in the areas that were given to the Jewish State. At that time, China supported the Arabs, while the United States, Iran and the Soviet Union considered that the Arabs were entering the Israeli territory illegally.Egypt, who was on the Arabs’ side of course enter the conflict by bombing Tel-Aviv in response to previous provocation. The whole all around Arab world followed, and Israel was attac ked almost simultaneously by Lebanese, Iraqi, Egyptian and Syrian troops. But as Israel was a freshly new established state, Jews from all around the world were joining, making the average number of immigrant reaching 10,300 by month! That was really helpful to Israel who could increase its military forces amazingly.By the day of the declaration of Independence, the Israeli strength was just above 29,000. At the end of the year, on December 30, the military forces counted more than 108,000 soldiers. Israel increased in number, but also found ways to get some more military equipment such as planes, weapons and armed vehicles. The war was on; both sides were bombing and fighting each other. The conflict lasted for a little bit more than three weeks. The United Nations called for a truce on May 29, but both sides kept on fighting till June 11.That truce lasted for 28 days and was ending the first phase of the 1948 war. The ceasefire was overviewed by military officers from different co untries, such as France, Belgium, United States or Sweden, all picked by the United Nations. This ceasefire had no other goal than just getting ready to fight again for both sides. The Arabs used it to reinforce their positions with new and fresh soldiers while the Israeli were buying new weapons from Czechoslovakia, and sending new soldiers on the field too.There were around 30,000 Israeli soldiers when the truce was announced and a little bit more than 65,000 when the truce ended. Still during the truce, Folke Bernadotte was trying to find a way to settle the land politically. He was facing what he described as his obstacles: â€Å"the Arab world's continued rejection of the existence of a Jewish state, whatever its borders; Israel's new ‘philosophy', based on its increasing military strength, of ignoring the partition boundaries and conquering what additional territory it could; and the emerging Palestinian Arab refugee problem† (Morris, Benny. 948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War) Bernadotte also presented his idea of a new plan of partition as following, that a union â€Å"be established between the two sovereign states of Israel and Jordan (which now included the West Bank); that the Negev, or part of it, be included in the Arab state and that Western Galilee, or part of it, be included in Israel; that the whole of Jerusalem be part of the Arab state, with the Jewish areas enjoying municipal autonomy and that Lydda Airport and Haifa be ‘free ports'—presumably free of Israeli or Arab sovereignty† (same source).Israel didn’t agree with that plan because they wanted Jerusalem, but they agreed to lengthen the truce for one more month. The Arabs rejected both the plan and the truce and on July 8 Egypt bombed Negba, which was an Israeli position. (Alfred A. Knopf. A History of Israel from the Rise of Zionism to Our Time. New York. 1976. p. 330. ) This attack on the â€Å"Israeli territory† launched the sec ond phase of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The second phase lasted only ten days but it was sufficient for the Israeli soldiers to perform a lot of operations, with the most famous one, Operation Danny.It had for goal to secure two of the most important cities (Jerusalem and Tel Aviv) and also the roads linking both those cities. The Jewish military forces launched a few other operations during those ten days conquering more territory and more dominance. The United Nations succeeded in calling another truce on July 18, which led to an almost two months break. Bernadotte again proposed a new partition plan on September 16 with a fair â€Å"distribution† of the territories and the internationalization of Jerusalem.A militant Zionist group, Lehi, was scared that the Jewish Government would accept the plan so they assassinated Bernadotte in Jerusalem the day after. What Lehi didn’t know is that meanwhile they were planning their operation both the Arab and Israeli Government already rejected the plan and were preparing to fight again the next month. This was the end of the second truce. On October 15, the war started again, and both sides were conquering and losing some territories, and clue cities.The British army, who said that they were agreeing with the United Nations when it was time to make decisions finally realized that Israeli positions were going maybe a little bit too far in Egypt as they were approaching the Suez Canal, which was controlled by Great Britain and pretty useful. On November 20, the Israeli shot down a photo-taking-plane sent by the British. The day after, four British routine reconnaissance planes were also shot down by the Israeli, killing one of the four pilots and taking the three other ones as hostages.The rest of the squadron realizing that the four planes were not coming back went to look for them and also was attacked by the Israeli. Maybe that if Great Britain had decided earlier to seriously care about what was happeni ng in Gaza Strip before it messed with their personal profits, they wouldn’t have lost those pilots. People don’t care about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict until they might lose something. The British army was supposed to maintain order over the Palestinian territory before the war started. As said earlier, they were preparing their withdrawal and they let the Jews attack the Arabs while they still were there.It didn’t matter to them because they were leaving. But years later, when they realized that Israeli Forces were about to take control on the Suez Canal, they understood that if they wanted to keep it they would have to do something (or maybe should have done something by the past). The Jews were not only firing the planes but also finding the planes on the ground after shooting them, removing the usable pieces and then burning the rest to make sure that it would be useless. Tired of being shot down by the Israeli, who were saying that they could not diff erence them from the Arabs (really? , the British painted their planes’ wings to be more recognizable. The Jews started to understand that they were in a dangerous position and that fighting in Egypt was maybe a stupid idea, so they retired from Egypt and stopped fighting. At the end of the year 1948, the United Nations General Assembly voted for the â€Å"Resolution 194† which said that â€Å"refugees wishing to return to their homes and live in peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so† and that â€Å"compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return. (Efraim Karsh, The Palestinians and The ‘Right of Return' Commentary Magazine, May 2001. ) In the beginning of 1949, Israel started signing armistices with Egypt first, and with Lebanon, Jordan and Syria later. But this wasn’t fair. According to Leon Carl Brown â€Å"†¦ when the war ended in 1949, Israel was in control of about one-third more territory (some 2,500 square miles) than it had been allocated by the United Nations partition plan† (Leon Carl Brown (2004).Diplomacy in the Middle East: the international relations of regional and outside powers. I. B. Tauris. pp. 126) letting the Arabs with only Gaza Strip and the West Bank under control. After having its territory secured, Israel evicted the Arabs that were remaining on the new Jewish State. More than 700,000 Arabs were forced to leave their home and were told that they would never be allowed to come back in Israel or in any neighboring Arab country but Transjordan. Those Arabs were known as the Palestinian Refugees. â€Å"Arab-Israel Conflict. † The Continuum Political Encyclopedia of the Middle East. Ed. Avraham Sela. New York: Continuum, 2002. pp. 58-121. ) The conflict never really stopped, and by the Jordanian border there were always some kind of operations launched by both sides. In 1955, Israel killed 37 Egyptian soldiers in Gaza on a raid. After this attack, Egypt started to build a more serious army, by training the volunteers remaining in Gaza and making them â€Å"Fedayeen† (â€Å"those who sacrifice†) forces.Years later, in 1967, Israel attacked the Egyptian forces in Gaza Strip and the Jordanian forces in the West Bank, annexing both the lands and taking control over Jerusalem. This conflict is known as the Six-Day War. To summarize quickly: as if receiving half of a land was not enough, Israel started a conflict with the real owners, after having more than what they should have got, they fight again because they want it entirely. What else could they do to mock the Arabs a little bit more? They named the freshly acquired Jerusalem as the Capital city of the Jewish state.When you become aware of what happened since 1897, it is hard not to feel compassion for the Palestinian Arabs who were stolen and killed because Zionists decided that they deserved a land. Of course the Arabs were not white as snow after the conflict began and they also killed some of the Israeli forces soldiers. But with the Great Britain just watching instead of acting as they should have done, I feel like the Arabs did the right thing fighting back. Who could say with integrity that they should not have fought back and let the Jews steel their land?In my opinion, no one. References A history of Conflict. BBC News http://news. bbc. co. uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/v3_ip_timeline/html/default. stm Benny, Morris. 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War Karsh, Efraim. (2001). The Palestinians and The ‘Right of Return Commentary Magazine. Knopf, Alfred A. (1976). A History of Israel from the Rise of Zionism to Our Time. New York. Kurtzer, Daniel. Lasensky, Scott. Negotiating Arab-Israeli peace: American leadership in the Middle East, United States Institute of Peace (readable on Google books) Palestine Refugees.The UN agency for Palestine Refugees. http://www. unrwa. org/etemplate. php? id=86 Pappe, Ilan . The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. The Middle East Quarterly (2006) http://www. meforum. org/1886/the-ethnic-cleansing-of-palestine Frequently Asked Questions About Israel. Israel Ministry Of Foreign Affairs. (2001) http://www. mfa. gov. il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2001/11/Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20About%20Israel#refugee Green, Peter. ISRAEL and the Palestine right of return. (2003) http://wais. stanford. du/Israel/israel_andthepalestinerightofreturn51603. html Arnett, Peter. Palesinian-Israeli Conflict. http://www. azdema. gov/museum/famousbattles/pdf/Palestinian-Israeli%20Conflict-072809. pdf Survey from April 22, 2011 (see next page) Oral communication, April 22nd, 2011, California Baptist University Have you ever heard of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Do you know why Israeli and Palestinian are fighting? Do you know since when they are fighting? If you answered the previous questions, who do you think is right?

Virtual Team Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Virtual Team - Essay Example 1)." As a group, they have complementary skills and are committed to a common purpose, have interdependent performance goals, and share an approach to work for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. The emergence of virtual teams has undoubtedly brought a huge impact in business organizations. According to IBM (2006), virtual team brings together various expertises in company disciplines such as product design, manufacturing, supply chain management and logistics. As GDT works together they can share ideas, experience and technical information to create better solutions which leads to the improvement of the organization's internal operations. Taking the aforementioned information into consideration, this paper will look at the positive effects of having a virtual team in the operation of a warehouse distribution center. This will be done by utilizing Michael Porters famous business tools-value chain and competitive forces. In the value chain model, Michael Porter classified business activities as either primary or support activities. Primary activities include: inbound logistics, production, outbound logistics, sales and marketing, maintenance. Meanwhile administrative infrastructure management, human resources management, R&D, and procurement comprise the support activities. Appendix 1 shows the primary and support activiti... All these activities in the value chain are designed to add value that the customer derived from the company's products or services (Value Based Management 2006). Virtual teaming in the value chain of a warehouse distribution center can bring about more efficiency in the functioning of the entire firm. Locating the warehouse distribution center in the value chain, we can see that it is after the production and before marketing and sales. Establishing a virtual team within the company can integrate the processes within the company. Due to technological innovation, communication within the value chain is more capable of transmitting information to different departments. For instance, the warehouse distribution center can closely collaborate with the other team members in the other departments through the company's intranet. Thus, from the procurement of inputs to the after-sales service, a virtual team can be organized to regulate each process in the value chain. The presence of virtual team makes it easy to monitor the inventory level in the warehouse distribution center and regulate production. It also becomes relatively easier to track inventory levels and replenish stocks to maintain them at the optimum level. Also, delivery from the warehouse distribution center to the customers can be best facilitated if there is a virtual team which oversees the transaction from the warehouse to the customers' doorstep. Of course, some of the functions mentioned above can be carried out by a physical team. However, it should be noted that the presence of virtual team is not hampered by geographic boundaries. It is most important for warehouse distribution centers which are located in two different continents. As information can now be

Bottling it Through Not ''Bottling it '' Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Bottling it Through Not ''Bottling it '' - Essay Example Through the analysis of the case study of Ecobot, this paper will highlight how a negative culture can affect an organization adversely. Moreover, it will analyze the steps that an organization can adopt in changing culture, and enumerate the effects of adopting a positive culture. Four Main Types of Culture Charles Handy described four types of culture that are common in many organizations. A culture is an important aspect in determining the efficiency of an organization. Culture denotes all the norms, beliefs, practices, rules, values and ideals that an organization esteems and holds. A culture helps an organization get its activities going. Each organization has a unique culture that works best for it. Some organizations may have multiple sets of cultures evident in their behavior. Cultures may exert positive or negative effects on an organization depending on the practices, belief systems, and behavioral patterns of the culture. One of the main types that Handy described is the r ole culture (Bhattacharyya, 2010:58). In this culture, each employee in an organization has a title that describes his or her job. The basis of this culture is the fact that an organization comprises a set of various roles that must exhibit logic and ascertain that the activities of the organization run efficiently. Each individual in the organization has a set of job responsibilities and requirements that define the company’s expectations from the individual. It is worth noting that these responsibilities match the field of expertise of the individual. Within the role culture, communication occurs via memoranda that address each of the job titles. Role cultures require effective management and clear-cut definitions of what the organization expects from a job title and job evaluation. Moreover, this culture presents a situation whereby the level of authority depends on the current job titles. The second type of culture is the task culture. This involves the formation of focus groups that comprises members with certain talents and resources. The organization assigns a task or project to each of the focus groups. This type of culture requires that the team function closely, handling the problems in their project and easing the difficulties that are beyond individual scope (Bhattacharyya, 2010:58). The focus groups often have team leaders rather than managers. Although it proves quite expensive, it can produce remarkable results if there is cooperation in each team. In this culture, the organization pays a high level of attention to its tasks. The third main culture that Handy described is the person culture. In this culture, organizational terms may not come into use. On the contrary, this culture comprises professionals working as individuals. These individuals have a lot of experience and expertise and the organization addresses them in accordance with the level of expertise. An administration team serves the professionals making their work easier. For these professionals to take up a certain task, persuasion, bargaining and influencing are the key approaches used as opposed to management in other cultures. The fourth type of the culture described by Handy is the power culture that operates in a centralized mechanism. Its metaphorical representation is in the form of a spider’s web. This translates to the fact that those closest to the core of the culture have a higher level of influence. Moreover, the boss of the organization finds a way of influencing the views of the workers

Global corporate marketing strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Global corporate marketing strategies - Essay Example RBS has taken this formidable step as many international banks are focusing on Chinese security market for growth. RBS’ is entering the Chinese banking sector with a vision to bring European, US and British companies to China, and allow the investors to gain access to equities and debt of the foreign companies (ICFAI. 2011). China’s entry into World Trade Organization (WTO) in the year 2001 has raised the entry barrier of the overseas investors leading to a flow of investment in the securities and financial market of the country. The banks in China have to operate using the global operating standard in terms of accounting and corporate governance reforms. The large commercial banks like RBS need to follow an increased disclosure requirement in the auditing standard in order to be able to list in public. Recently, riots in China have created an unstable political condition. This has led to foreign companies becoming apprehensive about investing. However, strict measures have been adopted by Chinese Government to restore a safe environment for the investors in the country. The Chinese economy which was reformed and was transformed into a market oriented one since 1978. This economic reform has helped in promoting an environment which has positively affected the individual initiatives and entrepreneurship. The economic condition of China has reduced poverty and has boosted the per capita income of the people to the highest level (Kuijs, 2012). In 2010 China was ranked as the country having second largest economy in the world. For the past 26 years the average economic growth has been sustained at the rate of 9.5% indicating the economy of the country is on rise (Davila, n.d.). The higher economic growth and the national income reflect the feasibility which RBS is seeking in the country for expansion. The country’s present banking industry is worth 14 thousand billion in assets. The following graphs show the GDP growth in China and how the

What Are Human Rights and How Far are States Concerned to Promote or Essay

What Are Human Rights and How Far are States Concerned to Promote or Protect Them - Essay Example Democracy is the ideology whose main basis is ensuring equality for all and since many countries exercise democracy or its many variations, it means that many attempt to protect the human rights for the people under their protection. There is a direct correlation between the level of human rights protection and democracy, such that the closer to an ideal democracy a country is, the higher its likelihood of upholding high standards of human rights.1 This essay defines human rights, states the role of the state in upholding high human rights standards, and analyses Iceland and Pakistan and their levels of human rights protection. Definition of Human Rights By virtue of being human beings, people are entitled to rights and freedoms that should be universally accepted and available for everyone. In national and international laws, human rights exist as natural or legal rights; if they are not stated in the constitution, they are natural rights; otherwise, they are known as legal rights.2 Most public policies are based on the doctrine of human rights, including international and regional institutions, state policies, and activities of non-governmental organizations. However, due to the strong claims made for ideal human rights, they are hard to implement in they entirety, especially considering that many countries are just emerging from dictatorial and colonial rule. Moreover, it is not even clear what the term right means, mainly because in order to adhere to some of these rights, some people have to be favored over others. For instance, everyone has the right to a decent life; this means that states have to favor the unemployed people in an attempt to give them a life that is comparable to those who are employed. In any case, people believe they are entitled to some rights and privileges by virtue of their age, gender and economic status among other factors. Role of the State The state is responsible for enforcing the human rights of the people within its jurisdic tion, and punishing offenders. It does this mainly by ensuring that people enjoy their human rights without interfering with those of others; laws, policies and Acts are the main tools used for this purpose. However, it does not mean that human rights have to be written; since they are basic rights, it means that if someone infringes into the rights of others, it is clear, though there may be some complications where religion and culture are involved. The level at which a government can enforce human rights is dependent on the structure of the government, with ideal democracies and dictatorships having the most and least respect for human rights respectively. Nowadays many countries lie between these two extremes, and their level of human rights enforcement varies depending on how much they share a characteristic with these two opposite ends.3 Most constitutional republics have a clause of human rights in their supreme law, which is uniform across all states. The level of implementa tion of these rights varies from time to time as governments change, changes in political stability, social factors and other environmental factors. The state ensures that all its people’s rights are protected at all times as conditions may permit. For instance, the basic rights of the people are limited if the country is in a state of emergency or undergoing a military coup. Moreover, the state is charged with ensuring that all local or international individuals, corporates, and other entities respect the human rights of its citizens wherever they may be.4 State Analysis As mentioned above, various states have varied levels of implementation

Review of the movie full metal jacket and relate it to the book The Essay

Review of the movie full metal jacket and relate it to the book The Vietnam war 1945 - 1990 by marilyn young - Essay Example The film is set in the 1967 Vietnamese war. It is structured in two parts. The first part of the movie is in a boot camp at Parris Island. A group of new US marine corps arrive at the boot camp for basic training. When they arrive at the camp, they are first made to shave their heads before they proceed to meeting Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, who is their senior drill instructor. The main agenda of sending the new recruits to the boot camp is to prepare them for the war. Hartman therefore uses extremely harsh tactics to train the marine corps. The draconian, or harsh tactics are aimed at turning the marines in to hardened soldiers that are ready and fit for combat. The three main marines from the new recruits group are privates â€Å"Cowboy†, â€Å"Joker†, and â€Å"Gomer Pyle†. Private ‘Gomer Pyle† earns the nickname after the wrath of sergeant Hartman befalls on him. Hartman’s continued efforts to discipline Pyle are not fruitful. He therefore o pts for pairing the private with Joker. After the two are paired, Pyle’s performance at the boot camp begins to improve. However, Hartman finds a contraband jelly doughnut in Pyle’s foot locker. It is against the rules of the camp to have such paraphernalia. What happens next is that Hartman advances his punishment towards Pyle because he believes that his peers are not helping him reform as much as the Sergeant would want. From that particular moment, the whole platoon is punished for the mistakes that Pyle does. The drill master makes it worse by passing that Pyle himself will not be punished for his mistakes. The platoon realizes that they will be constantly punished if they do not help in reforming their fellow marine. They throw a blanket party for the lad; they restrain him to his bunk,and give him a beating using bars of soap that have been wrapped up with towels. The torture is their way of retaliating to the suggestion of Hartman. This torture tactic works and Pyle reforms to a model marine. However, he exemplifies withdrawal symptoms as a result of the beating that he receives because he begins to make conversation with his riffle. The marine corps finally graduate and are given their Military Occupational Specialty. During their last night at the camp, Joker finds Pyle in the bathroom loading his riffle and reciting the Rifleman’s creed. Joker tries to calm him down but the commotion wakes up the whole platoon together with Hartman. Unfortunately, Pyle kills Hartman after he tries to confront him to surrender and then commits suicide. In the first part of the movie, Kubrick puts the viewer in the place where they feel like they are part of the whole training process. He highlights how the naive marines are slowly transformed through the rigorous training process. Kubrick also maintains a certain athleticism in the film through the obstacle courses and the chants the sergeant makes the marines to repeat. It also highlights the ps ychological effects that the whole training process can have on a marine, as exemplified by the eventualities of Pyle’s discipline from both Hartman and the other marines. The second part of the movie is in the rubble that was Hue. The Marine Corps kids-turned-killers are now in the battle ground. It is in January of 1968; Joker is now a sergeant and is a marine war correspondent for stars and stripes. At the base where Joker is a correspondent, there is a Private first class marine, Rafterman, who is a combat

Behavioural Program Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Behavioural Program - Essay Example Operant conditioning is founded on the premise that behavior can either be reinforced or eliminated by introducing or removing a certain commodity or thing that the subject is used to. Operant conditioning among children is usually done by eliminating the thing that they love the most such as attention. Many people have asserted that this is an authoritarian approach to raising children. However, what most of them do not realize is that the method actually works. Operant conditioning has caused behavioral transformations among various cases and the same can occur to Claire. (Dennis & Pennce, 2008) This behavioral program will be created by manipulation of Claire’s consequences so as to attain the desired result; in this case it will be to deal with Claire’s tantrum issues and her behavior which is verbally and socially inappropriate. The method will combine the efforts of Claires parents and external behavioral experts such as a child psychotherapist. The reason for choosing an external party is that Claire will have time away from her parents where she can learn appropriate behavior without interruptions from her parents. The program is a combination of extinction and mild punishment where extinction refers to the complete elimination of temper tantrums; an issuer that is very possible as asserted by some behavioral experts. Claire will be taken into a room where she will stay there for a certain amounts of weeks. Consequently, this program will involve some kind of social contact that may eventually lead to positive reinforcements at the beginning of the session. However, with the continual application of the program, social contacts will be reduced to a bear minimum where Claire will not get a chance to interact with other persons after she begins exhibiting undesirable behavior. The program will also allow differential reinforcement in that when Claire

Harry Potter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Harry Potter - Essay Example The present concept of psychology states that nature and nurture combine to influence our actions, thoughts, and feelings (p.316). In other words, if someone has the blood or the genes for such a personality to develop, he must be brought up or nurtured for that kind of personality, so there can be a combination of nature and nurture for the personality to effectively come out. According to the book, Harry Potter has roots in the Wizarding world that is composed of wizards and witches, both good and evil. This world also thinks that Harry will be a wizard someday. Or, to put it clearly, because of this blood that he inherited from his parents and from generations before, he is already a wizard (nature). But when the time comes, or when he's ripe of age, he has to be trained how to handle the traits to be a wizard (nurture), just like an ordinary human being, where one has to be trained and nurtured into what he or she wants to be. He has to be accustomed to the different techniques in the art of wizardry, learn magic and brew potions, etc. There have been mixed reviews on the Harry Potter fantasy series with respect to the main character of the boy Harry who has grown to be a young lad with a great following. He is a victim of circumstances, but in this situation he becomes a part of a whole plot to destroy evil. He inherited from his parents power - in the form of magic and wizardry - and prestige. How he is built up and how he uses this, are the subject for this paper. Introduction What forces cause Harry Potter to change as he passes through life What factors determine whether he grows up to be a wizard: nature or nurture The personality of Harry is clear in the minds of his millions of fans. But to a few skeptics and reviewers, Harry's personality is quite hidden and questionable. Harry Potter may be hiding behind a closet, as what is shown in the early part of the story - he was kept by his uncle in a closet under the stairs. Could this be the thing the author JK Rowling have in mind regarding the boy's sexuality Is Harry Potter a hero or heroine A sexual deviant or a bisexual Or is he just a normal boy who fought through the hard times and here becomes a hero seeking revenge against the evil that killed his parents These things have to be asked in the light of how Harry is being brought up in such a difficult and sacrificing environment. The situations that Harry is in are not ordinary situations. Day in and day out, he is in constant danger. The family that pretends to be a family is not supportive, and continues to push him to the limit. This essay will give an analysis on the many aspects surrounding the Harry Potter character, on how he became to be who he is in the story. Since this is a fictional character, we'll try to picture him as real or living - and not imaginary - as what the millions of Harry Potter fans regard of him. "The Harry Potter books are one of the only things I have not grown out of because they have grown with me, they have seen me through my different stages, my ups and downs and it is with a heavy heart that I am now forced to leave them behind," says Mimi Newman, 17, an avid Harry Potter fan (Telegraph.co.uk). Since he is supposed to be real in this essay, we'll try to delve on the

Introduction to the Hypothesis Testing Research Paper

Introduction to the Hypothesis Testing - Research Paper Example A hypothesis is a claim that is made about a population parameter such as the mean ( µ), proportion (?), or standard deviation (?) (Triola, p. 392). Hypothesis testing therefore involves testing claims, statements or assumptions about various properties of a population which is developed for testing purposes. It is one of the two main activities of inferential statistics (Triola, p. 392). During the process of hypothesis testing systematic procedures are utilized. These procedures involve the use of standard terms such as null hypothesis, alternative hypothesis, level of significance, test statistic; and conditions such as accept the null hypothesis if the statement is true or reject the null hypothesis if the statement is not true. When the rare event rule is used to test a hypothesis, an attempt is made to make a distinction between those results that happen by chance and those which are very unlikely to happen by chance. The explanation for a very unlikely result is that the fun damental assumption is incorrect or that a rare event has taken place. This type of reasoning can be applied to various statements or claims made about a population such as the proportion of males and females. The stages involved in hypothesis testing are shown in the diagram labeled - below. .. Five Step Hypothesis Testing Procedure (Extracted from: Mason and Lind 1996) The diagram shows the steps involved in carrying out a hypothesis test. NULL AND ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS Morgan State University School of Engineering (Morgan.edu) indicates that in order to test a hypothesis data from a sample of a population is taken in order to form a conclusion about the population parameter or about its probability distribution. It involves making a claim about the parameter or distribution. This is a tentative assumption which is dependent on the results obtained from tests carried out on the sample. This assumption is described as the null hypothesis. In the book Elementary Statistics Triola i ndicates that the term null is an indication that there is no change, effect or difference (p. 395). It is a statement that the value of the population parameter is equal to a specific value.  

Remembering a Life Essay Example for Free

Remembering a Life Essay I remember him in the misted vision of toddler years and again in girlhood, the booming voice on TV, someone grown-ups talked about, eyelids flapped wide. Elders huddled round the screen enraptured, in fear for him, in awe. In her â€Å"Remembering a Life,† Nordette Adams describes the black pioneer, heartthrob, charming, charismatic and inspirational leader; Martin Luther King. Although the main purpose of this paper is to speak about the immense power of the audio/visual media as well as identify its tools and spots of power, and according to essay writing rules, the introductory sentence should include the formal goal exposed; the writer finds it more appropriate and even attracting to start by the most important tool in visual media; the presenter. In the globalization era, media is the number one intercontinental tool. It has different types; starting with the written media represented in newspapers and journals, audio media represented in the radio, and finally and most influential the audio/visual media represented in speeches and TV shows. Obviously, the audio/visual media attracts the highest number of audience for its wide-spread and easy access features. â€Å"Sound and visual ‘illustrations’ are no longer mere minor complements to thought but they directly influence the thoughts and the very conduct of millions of individuals. It was therefore inevitable that a desire should spring up to master such a powerful instrument, to discipline it for better (education) or for worse (advertising, for example). † (pp. 1) Thence, the important elements that constitute any powerful piece of news item are: the effective words, charismatic presenter, as well as the use of intonation, gestures and above all the strong meaningful cause. A close look into the successful speech â€Å"I have a dream† presented by Martin Luther King can show the effective and successful elements of a media news item. As well-known to everyone, Martin Luther King is a revolutionary man who devoted himself to pursuing the case of the black, and defending their rights against oppression and discrimination. He is such a charismatic leader and talented speech presenter whose characteristics are essential to any media man. He was such an eloquent man who inspired many people. In this regard, Oprah Winfrey says: Nothing that has happened in my life since I was 16 years old wouldve been possible. I wouldnt have been in radio, I wouldnt have been on television, I would have been have been who I am I just wouldnt have the life that I have without Martin Luther King Jr. , To have been a living witness to the changes his vision and his dream have brought – not just for me personally but for me personally – it really is amazing grace. He possessed wisdom of thought and strength of cause; and for his beliefs he said many philosophical quotes that can inspire any person wherever he is. To exemplify, he pleaded for work until the final breath â€Å"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree,† he even cared for schools â€Å"When schools flourish, all flourishes,† and above all, he detested war â€Å"War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity, it destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. † In fact, it is no wonder he became the nowadays well-known Martin Luther King. In his speech â€Å"I have a dream,† Martin Luther King speaks it all loud in fluent, strong and coherent chosen words. He speaks the cause, history, acknowledgment, union, and requests. At the very beginning, he exposes the cause and history for the march and his speech; Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so weve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. From the very beginning, the listener can highly sense the strong articulation of every word, as if Martin Luther King does not want the listener to escape a letter denoting the gravity of his cause. The brilliance is not merely in the choice of the eloquent words, or in the smooth flow of sentences, but it is clearly shown also in his mild intonation; for he uses a stable tone rising at certain points of needed assertion. For example, he emphasized the injustice done to the Negro by straining his vocal cords reflecting his pain and strong belief in his cause. Upon this pattern, he continues to unfold his reasons. Actually, Martin Luther King uses variable styles incorporating even ironic and literary images that enriche his speech turning it into a beautiful piece of art achieving amusement for any listener. He believes that God is just and that a discrimination free atmosphere is urgently needed for both Blacks and Whites. He states in rather an ironic image that â€Å"we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt† moving the crowds to laugh at his simple, yet, powerfully righteous note. One more time, his intonation rises, but this time while talking about the present; Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand’s of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of Gods children. He speaks about the urgency of having real democratic and free country. However, he is also very reasonable. He refuses the black to obtain their freedom on the bodies of the white. He refuses violence thoroughly. Therefore, he gives credit to the white who support him in his cause; The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. Briefly, Martin Luther King exposes calmly his stance and asserts his beliefs before he reaches his climax. The climax of the speech exposes the ultimate strength of the words and performance. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today! Without taking a course in presentation skills, and without having training for an interview, Martin Luther King manages to use a firm and strong voice, in addition to his gestures that make the audience soar with his words. Watching this speech is indeed a pleasure because it bears within the meaningful message of a leader transmitted through media. The injustice done to any person in this life, and the discrimination against any person, all echo in this speech. The cause is so clear in the words, the presenter’s belief, and the crowds aggregated around him believing in his cause. In a nutshell, today’s democracy, freedom, peace and coexistence were built upon the shoulders of inspirational leaders such as Ghandi and Martin Luther King. ? Works Consulted: Adams, Nordette. Remembering A Life: A Poem Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Retrieved on March 30, 2010 from: http://www. authorsden. com/categories/poetry_top. asp? catid=69id=109389 King, Martin Luther. (1963). I have a Dream Speech. Retrieved on March 30, 2010 from: http://www. mlkonline. net/video-i-have-a-dream-speech. html King, Martin Luther. Martin Luther Quotes. Retrieved on March 30, 2010 from: http://www. brainyquote. com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_3. html Lestage, Andre. (1959). The Use of Audio-visual Aids in Education. UNESCO Chronicle. Retrieved on March 30, 2010 from: http://www. unesco. org/education/nfsunesco/pdf/LESTAG_E. PDF Winfrey, Oprah. (2008). Oprah Winfrey: How Martin Luther King Changed My Life. Retrieved on March 30, 2010 from: http://www. people. com/people/article/0,,20172797,00. html

Project Timeline and Minutes of Meeting Essay Example for Free

Project Timeline and Minutes of Meeting Essay No ContentRemark Week 2 Planning the project 5 % Preliminary model selection 5 % Week 3Brainstorm and Gathering information20 % Week 4Final model section 10 % Week 5Implementation 35 % Week 6Writing the report 25 % Minutes of meeting 1 Date: Wednesday 12th September 2012 Time 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm Venue: Cafeteria North-wing Campus UCSI University Chaired by: Group leader â€Å" Samir â€Å" Attendance: †¢Samir Mohamoud â€Å"Group leader†. †¢Ahmed Abakar Ahmed Ibrahim †¢Abdul-Salam Bakar †¢Omer Mohammed †¢Khalid Matter discussed: 1-Getting to know each other: Everyone introduced himself ?Providing means of communication (phone number, email and Facebook) 2-Project: ?Rough reading through the project ?Define project objective ?Project time frame ?Estimate project completion â€Å"15th October 2012† 3-Next Meeting: ?Saturday 15th September 12 pm at Ahmed’s apartment. Prepared by Ahmed Minutes of meeting 2: Date: Saturday 15th September 2012 Time12:00 pm – 2:30 pm Venue: Ahmed’s Apartment Chaired by: Group leader â€Å" Samir â€Å" Attendance: †¢Samir Mohamoud â€Å"Group leader†. †¢Ahmed Abakar Ahmed Ibrahim †¢Abdul-Salam Bakar Omer Mohammed †¢Khalid Matter discussed: 1-Project: ?Break down the project into smaller tasks ?Assign each member for specific task ?Discussed each task in detail 2-Model: ?Brainstorm a design for the model ?Hand draw the design ?Identify the model component 3-Next Meeting: ?Saturday 22nd September 1 pm – 2 pm at Sameer’s apartment Prepared by Ahmed Minutes of meeting 3: Postponed to 26th September due to tests Minute of meeting 4: Date: 26th September 2012 Time4:20 pm – 5:55 pm Venue: K207 North-wing Camps UCSI university Chaired by: Group leader â€Å" Samir â€Å" Attendance: †¢Samir Mohamoud â€Å"Group leader†. †¢Ahmed Abakar Ahmed Ibrahim †¢Abdul-Salam Bakar †¢Omer Mohammed †¢Khalid Matter discussed: 1-Project ?Each member discussed and showed progress on assigned task 2-Model ?Members brought new design for the model ?Estimate the components cost ?Set the model implementation date â€Å" Saturday 29th September† 3-Next meeting ?Saturday 29th September 11:00 am at Samir’s apartment Prepared by Ahmed Minute of meeting 5: Date: 29th September 2012 Time11:00 am – 4:00 pm Venue: Samir’s Apartment Chaired by: Group leader â€Å" Samir â€Å" Attendance: †¢Samir Mohamoud â€Å"Group leader†. †¢Ahmed Abakar Ahmed Ibrahim †¢Abdul-Salam Bakar †¢Omer Mohammed †¢Khalid Matter discussed: 1-Model ?Update and adjust the model design â€Å"add remove some features†. ?Sketch the new model ?Re-estimate the cost of the new model 2-Implementation: ?Purchased the desired components. ?Few components were not available in market â€Å"Wooden Mousetrap†. ?Decision made on the spot and agreed by all members to change the wooden mousetrap with a metal one to keep the project flow. ?Started fixing the component together 90% completion of model 3-Next meeting ?Sunday 7th October11:00 pm at Samir’s apartment Prepared by Ahmed Minute of meeting 6: Date: 7th October 8, 2012 Time2:00 am – 5:00 pm Venue: Samir’s Apartment Chaired by: Group leader â€Å" Samir â€Å" Attendance: †¢Samir Mohamoud â€Å"Group leader†. †¢Ahmed Abakar Ahmed Ibrahim †¢Abdul-Salam Bakar †¢Omer Mohammed †¢Khalid Matter discussed: 1-Implementation ?Complete the implementation ?Run the model for its first time. ?Rerun the model to make sure is working properly. ?Test the model for the specified purposes ?The model showed success

Impact of Dementia on Quality of Life | Intervations

Impact of Dementia on Quality of Life | Intervations Dementia and Incontinence An exploration of the impact that these conditions have on quality of life and a discussion of strategies that may be employed to manage the problem and/or enable the sufferer and carers to cope. Based on the 2001 census, it is estimated that the total number of people living with dementia in the United Kingdom (UK) is 775,200 and that this figure will rise to 870,000 by the year 2010 and to 1.8 million by 2050 (Alzheimer’s Society 2004). Dementia affects about one person in 20 over the age of 65 years. This figure rises to one person in three for people over the age of 90 years (Gow and Gilhooly 2003). Studies have estimated that 18,000 people with dementia are under the age of 65, and that the number of people in the UK with dementia in minority ethnic communities could be as high as 14,000 (Alzheimer’s Society 2004). Dementia is described as â€Å"a syndrome due to disease of the brain, usually of a chronic or progressive nature† (World Health Organization 2001). Dementia is associated with a range of symptoms including impaired memory, disorientation, poor concentration and difficulty in naming and use of language. Patients with dementia have an impaired ability to learn or recall learned information, difficulty in using motor skills and co-ordination, difficulty thinking in a clear and coherent way and in understanding or following a sequence (Jacques and Jackson 1999). The significant disabilities associated with dementia can be accompanied by personality and mood changes, and changes in judgement. The term â€Å"dementia† is an umbrella term used to describe a number of conditions in which these symptoms occur, and where a differential diagnosis has been undertaken to rule out other causes for these symptoms (Cheston and Bender 1999). These include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. It is proposed that dementia commonly leads to incontinence of urine, faeces, or both. Urinary incontinence us up to four times more common in individuals with dementia than in people without dementia. Loss of continence may be more prevalent in Alzheimer’s disease than in vascular dementia, and becomes more common with increasing dementia severity (Skelly and Flint 1995). Men are more at risk than women, possibly because of associated prostatic problems. Faecal incontinence is less common than urinary incontinence, however both urinary and faecal incontinence are strongly associated with caregiver stress and possible premature entry to nursing and residential homes (Armstrong 1999). In fact, the rates of incontinence are particularly high among patients in hospitals, nursing homes and residential homes, where it is debated that approximately half might be affected (Irwin 2001). This essay will briefly discuss the pathophysiology of the different types of dementia and incontinence with a view to investigating how these linked conditions affect quality of life. There will also be a discussion about various strategies that may be employed to manage the problem and/or enable the sufferer and carers to cope. It is proposed that approximately 55 percent of patients diagnosed with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease, also known as Alzheimer’s dementia (Killeen 2000). It is a degenerative disease affecting the brain. This is a result of changes in the structure and function of two proteins, beta-amyloid and tau that cause the formation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangle form in areas of brain tissue, which destroy them (Burns et al 1997). The cause of this process is not yet fully understood. The temporal and parietal lobes of the brain are generally affected in Alzheimer’s disease, which can result in significant memory loss and an inability to recognise people and places. This can be extremely distressing, particularly if the person no longer recognises his or her image or that of friends and family (Kitwood 1997). As the condition progresses, basic skills and capabilities can be lost. Visual-spatial skills can become impaired, resulting in the patient becoming unabl e to put sequences of an activity or movement together (Jenkins 1998). The frontal lobe can also be affected and this can result in difficulties in communication and judgement resulting in disinhibited behaviour (Jacques and Jackson 1999). In Alzheimer’s disease the symptoms progress gradually but persistently over time (Burns et al 1997). Vascular dementia, also referred to as multi-infarct dementia, is another common type of dementia. It is caused by problems in the circulation of blood to the brain, which results in multiple strokes to brain tissue resulting in significant cognitive impairment (Sander 2002). These strokes can cause damage to areas of the brain responsible for speech or language and can produce generalised symptoms of dementia. As a result, vascular dementia may appear similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Vascular dementia can progress in an irregular manner with episodes of sudden loss. It can also take the pattern of gradual change, as in Alzheimer’s disease. The rate of memory loss and impairment of insight appear to progress at a slower rate than in Alzheimer’s dementia. Vascular dementia has been identified as a distinct condition in up to 20 percent of people with dementia (Miller and Morris 1993); however, as with all types of dementia it can co-exist with other forms of the co ndition. Vascular dementia is considered the second most common form of dementia in the western world (Nor et al 2005). Another common form of dementia is Lewy body dementia. Lewy body dementia is characterised by fluctuations of cognitive impairment, which are defined by episodic confusion and lucid intervals. These fluctuations in cognition can occur over minutes, hours or days. They can occur in as many as 50-70 percent of patients and are associated with shifting levels of attention and alertness (Archibald 2003). Patients with Lewy body dementia can experience visual and auditory hallucinations, secondary delusions and falls. These symptoms can result in the person presenting with behaviours that are challenging. Lewy bodies are tiny spots containing deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein. These are found in the hippocampus, temporal lobe and neocortex in addition to the classic sites in the substantia nigra and other subcortical regions (Del Ser et al 2000). Lewy body dementia is ranked as the third major type of dementia. It is estimated that around 20 per cent of people with dementia wil l have the Lewy body form of the disease (McKeith et al 1995). However, this figure could be much higher, and it is estimated that up to 36 percent of people with dementia could have this type (Del Ser et al 2000). It is posited that continence is a basic function that should be maintained in healthy elderly people, regardless of age. Loss of continence can be interpreted as a dysfunction of either the lower urinary tract or bowel, or of some other system that participates in the maintenance of continence, in particular the nervous system (Crome et al 2001). Loss of continence in the patient with dementia is related most commonly to alteration in basic factors necessary for its maintenance or to use of medication (Ouslander 2000). People with dementia are also more prone to suffer delirium which is associated often with incontinence. Immobility can soon lead to loss of continence and the frequency, and severity of incontinence is strongly associated with dementia severity and incapacity to walk or make transfers (Skelly and Flint 1995). Resnick (1995) analysed the relationship between incontinence and a series of factors outside the lower urinary tract. He found that if patients maintained inde pendence to make transfers and to dress, even though their dementia was severe, they could maintain continence. The influence of sedative drugs, physical restrictions and other environmental or social factors must not be forgotten. Furthermore, the attitude of professionals, with over-use of absorbent or palliative products for incontinence, can itself lead to loss of continence. Since the aetiology of incontinence in the older person with dementia may be multifactorial, it is suggested that a multidimensional assessment is required to identify the pathogenic mechanisms involved. The diagnostic assessment should be individualised, depending on the characteristics of each patient (clinical, functional, life expectancy) as well as the impact of incontinence (Khoury 2001). Generally, it is accepted that the basic assessment should include several components such as a medical history, clinical type of incontinence, the severity of incontinence, and the timing of leakages. A functional assessment focusing on mobility (transfers, walking, and skill grade) and mental function should be undertaken and a formal assessment should be made of the severity and nature of the cognitive impairment and of any depression or behavioural disorders that could influence presentation, as well as management of incontinence. Finally, an environmental assessment would prove useful to detect the existence of barriers that could limit access to the lavatory (Alzheimer’s Society 2004). It is posited that incontinence has an adverse effect on the quality of life. Quality of life can be defined as the awareness of the capacity to meet personal, psychological and social needs on a daily basis. It is proposed that incontinence is very distressing and it can affect an individual’s sense of dignity and self-esteem especially if the person needs personal help from a carer or relative as a result of incontinence (DuBeau et al 2006). Treatment of urinary incontinence is based on various approaches, which should be used in a complementary way to obtain the best results. It is fundamental to establish realistic therapeutic objectives. However, it is argued that it will not be easy to obtain positive results in all patients, because of immobility and lack of co-operation. Trying to reduce the severity of incontinence and maintenance of patient well-being, good perineal hygiene and â€Å"social continence† may be a more realistic goal. Thus, an individual approach is essential, adapted to the characteristics and situation of each patient (Irwin 2001). It is proposed that treatment measures should include the identification and treatment of concurrent medical conditions, active management of constipation, hygienic-dietary recommendations (reduction of stimulant substances e.g. caffeinated drinks, modification of timing of fluid intake). An improvement in mobility, a review of usual treatment and change of drugs that are potentially involved in incontinence recommendations should be included in treatment measures. The type of clothes worn such as clothes with simple opening and closing systems can help with toileting and incontinence. Utilising environmental interventions such as; enhanced visibility by painting toilet doors bright  colours, signposting and good lighting, ensuring easy access to toilets, providing grab-rails and raised toilet seats, and ready availability of mobility aids, commodes and urinals, preferably with nonspill adapters, will be of immense help. Debatably, these measures might assist the dementia patient w ith any possible confusion as to where the toilet is (Alzheimer’s Society, 2004). Other strategies for the management of incontinence in the dementia sufferer could include behavioural techniques. These techniques attempt to promote a change in the patient’s (or caregiver’s) behaviour, trying to re-establish a normal pattern of bladder-emptying or to prevent the patient from being wet. Simple, non-invasive, behavioural techniques are relevant for almost all types of patients and incontinence, and can be used jointly with other therapeutic options, especially drug treatment (Khoury 2001). Two groups of techniques are differentiated: those performed by the patient (pelvic floor exercises, bladder-retraining, biofeedback) and those by the caregiver (micturitiontraining, scheduled voiding, prompted voiding). It is argued however, that the patient-dependent techniques require previous instruction as well as understanding and collaboration by the patient, so they may be impracticable  for people with advanced dementia. The most used behavioural techniques are prompted voiding, micturition training and scheduled voiding. Prompted voiding has the greatest scientific support. The objective  of this technique is to stimulate the patient to be continent through periodic assessments by the caregivers and positive reward systems. Several studies demonstrate the effectiveness of behavioural techniques in institutionalised elderly subjects with dementia, especially in reduction of incontinence episodes. However, most data report its effectiveness only in the short term (Eustice et al 2002, Durrant and Snape 2003). Dementia is a distressing long-term condition that affects both sufferers and their carer’s quality of life. Coupled with that incontinence can be humiliating for the individual with dementia and upsetting for their significant others around them. It is important to assess the person’s individual needs as incontinence in dementia is multifactorial. There are various strategies and treatments that can be put into place that will assist both the sufferer and their carer. Behavioural techniques such as prompted voiding, micturition training and scheduled voiding have been found useful as a treatment alongside environmental and current review of medical history. It is important to note that incontinence should always be viewed as associated with, rather than caused by dementia and therefore potentially treatable. References Alzheimer’s Society (2004) Policy Positions: Demography, www.alzheimers.org.uk/News_and_Campaigns/Policy_Watch/demography.htm,  (Last accessed: August 2006) Archibald C (2003) People with Dementia in Acute Hospital Settings: A Practice Guide for Registered Nurses, Stirling, The Dementia Services Development Centre Armstrong M (1999) Factors affecting the decision to place a relative with dementia into residential care, Nursing Standard, 14, 16, 33-37 Burns A, Howard R, Pettit W (1997) Alzheimer’s disease: A Medical Companion, Oxford, Blackwell Science Cheston R, Bender M (1999) Understanding Dementia: The Man with the Worried Eyes, London, Jessica Kingsley Crome P, Smith AE, Withnell A (2001) Urinary and faecal incontinence: prevalence and health status, Reviews in Clinical Gerontology, 11, 109-113 Del Ser T, McKeith I, Anand R, Cicin-Sain A, Ferrara R, Spiegel R (2000) Dementia with Lewy bodies: findings from an international multicentre study, International  Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15, 11, 1034-1045 Durrant J, Snape J (2003) Urinary incontinence in nursing home for older people, Age Ageing, 32, 12-18 Eustice S, Roe B, Paterson J (2002) Prompted voiding for the management of urinary incontinence in adults, Cochrane Database Systemic Review Gow J, Gilhooly M (2003) Risk Factors for Dementia and Cognitive Failure in Old Age, NHS Health Scotland, Glasgow Irwin B (2001) Management of urinary incontinence in a UK trust, Nursing Standard, 16, 13, 15, 33-37 Jacques A, Jackson G (1999) Understanding Dementia, (3e) Churchill Livingstone,  Edinburgh Jenkins DAL (1998) Bathing People with Dementia: The Bathroom and Beyond, Stirling, The Dementia Services Development Centre Khoury JM (2001) Urinary incontinence: No need to be wet and upset, North Carolina Medical Journal, 62, 74-77 Killeen J (2000) Planning Signposts for Dementia Care Services, Edinburgh, Alzheimer Scotland Kitwood T (1997) Dementia Reconsidered: The Person Comes First, Milton Keynes, Open University Press McKeith IG, Galasko D, Wilcock GK, Byrne EJ (1995) Lewy body dementia: diagnosis and treatment, British Journal of Psychiatry, 167, 6, 709-717 Miller E, Morris R (1993) The Psychology of Dementia, Chichester, John Wiley  and Sons Nor K, McIntosh IB, Jackson GA (2005) Vascular Dementia: Series for Clinicians, Stirling, The Dementia Services Development Centre Ouslander J (2000) Intractable incontinence in the elderly, British Journal of Urology International, 85, 3, 72-78 Resnick NM (1995) Urinary incontinence, Lancet, 346, 94-100 Sander R (2002) Standing and moving: helping people with vascular dementia, Nursing Older People, 14, 1, 20-26 Skelly J, Flint AJ (1995) Urinary incontinence associated with dementia, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 43, 286-94 World Health Organization (2001) Alzheimer’s disease: The Brain Killer, Geneva, WHO Leadership and Management Case Study: Selfridges Leadership and Management Case Study: Selfridges Introduction 1.1 Company and Organizational Culture Selfridges is a well reputed department store chain in the UK which is targeting the high end customers. In the 1856 the company was founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge. They have opened the second largest flagship stores in London on 1909 and another prominent three stores opened recently. The company could be managed to come to the current position due to the perfect directions and leadership shown by the top management. This practice is already added in to the corporate cuture and values. (en/StaticPage/Our+Heritage/?msg=, 2010) The fashion retail industry is extremely competitive due to the highly saturated marketplace. It is therefore vital for retailers to develop a competitive strategy so they can position themselves in the market to attain a sustainable competitive advantage and increase revenue. Attaining competitive advantage is dependent on the careful construction of a clear vision and mission with perfect leadership that reflects and utilizes the competitive strategy and indicates the intended positioning while incorporating the values, culture and competencies of the company. By making the strategic direction of the company explicit with a set mission and values, all internal operations will have a clear foresight allowing them to position the company in a synergistic manner, achieving stated goals and objectives. Aligning an organizations leadership to achieve the mission and position is therefore fundamental in remaining strategically fit, and this report will assess the extent to which Selfridges stated mission, values and objectives reflect their intended positioning in the fashion retail market. 1.2 The Vision, Mission and Values of Selfridges As the initial step of the leadership, should have given perfect direction to the organization. Therefore it is necessary to have clearly defined vision, mission and values to achieve and adopt. Vision Statement To be the most innovative and fashion forward department store in Europe, offering the most exclusive brands to customers of all ages in an environment that is entertaining and inspiring. Mission Statement To operate stores filled with brands and events that inspire customers and staff, to deliver profitability. Values Selfridges have four stated values, which they uphold as a priority to maintain; Customers: Our challenge to fulfill the high expectations that customers have of Selfridges makes our stores unique, entertaining and fashionable. We house the best designer wear products in the world and offer our customers exclusive access to highly seek after collections. Employees: We recognize the importance of our employees, and how significant they are to the success of Selfridges. We strive to motivate, encourage and inspire our employees as they work to deliver objectives and push the boundaries of what Selfridges is capable of. Responsibility: We are one of the UKs top ten ethically responsible companys and we endeavor to continue looking after the environment and society. Innovation: We are an iconic brand because of our constant crusade to break boundaries, start trends and provide innovative in-store and online experiences for our customers. 1.3 How the Leadership Operates in the Selfridge Vision The vision statement is explanatory in what Selfridges want to achieve in the future, and this future vision will be useful to employees, as they will be aware of how the company plan to develop, and the direction they are pursuing. The language is clear and concise, and instills a sense of motivation for employees. The vision is available through a few internal distribution channels; intranet, notice boards, contracts, monthly departmental meetings and team meetings. That the vision is so easily accessible will make its clear aims resonate throughout the company, and will ensure that all operations are working with that ultimate goal in mind. Mission The mission statement is not extensive enough in its scope regarding their competitors, their geographical scope and their specified target customer groups for it to satisfy employees want for knowledge of the company. Despite this, it is very accessible. Like the vision, the mission is available via the intranet, notice boards, contracts, monthly departmental and weekly team meetings. The easy accessibility to the statement is certainly strength, however, the lack of clarity in what the companys mission is regarding such vital aspects like competitors and customers, makes its existence like a brief summary of the vision. Values Most employees at Selfridges, being among the best in the industry, will have most likely worked for a large company before settling at Selfridges. They will therefore know that a company, who addresses employees in their values, is a good company to work for as they consider their staff at the heart of their operations. This is what Selfridges are communicating in their values and their use of language such as importance if our employees and significance to the success of Selfridges are key words that will resonate well. The values are available via the intranet, contracts and staff guidebooks, yet they are not posted on notice boards in the same way the vision and mission are. Leadership Managing the Change 2.1 Leadership Style There are number of leadership styles identified based on the reactions, objectives and practical applications with their leadership qualities. 1. Autocratic leadership These types of leaders have higher powers compared to their subordinates and dominating the team. Other team members not propose their opinion and will not accept other suggestions. Due to this type of leadership employee turnover will increase and there is lots of absenteeism. This leadership is suitable for unskilled workforce to fore and get the task done. Anyhow this is not an acceptable method in the management. 2. Bureaucratic leadership Bureaucratic leaders mostly consider the systems and procedures and use the recorded style. They will direct to be conducting the whole process as per the stick process. It is very important in the high risk areas in the factories and serious safety areas. 3. Charismatic leadership This leader is very enthusiastic and energetic to bring their team to the established target. This person should have self confident about the leadership as well as the group achievements. They believe their team members and perfectly give directions to the target. There is a personal rapport between the leader and subordinates. If the leader left the company will affect to the organization. This type of leadership shows bigger responsibility compared to others and the leader has to spend more time and give the maximum commitment to the team. 4. Democratic or participative leadership Get the decision contribution from the other members and leader will take the final accurate decision. This style will increase the soft skills and talents of the team members and creating enthusiasm. Team members feel as they are important people to the organization as giving personal views and decision making involvement. To take a decision will take long time, but the decision accuracy is perfect. As the result will be a common idea it will be a quality decision. 5. Laissez-faire leadership Give the individual responsibilities and take decision to team members and leader will monitor the progress. Leader should maintain effective communication with each member as he is responsible to each decision made by team members. These types of leadership required, when the team members are well qualified and experienced of their job responsibilities. The manager / leader should apply sufficient controls and closely monitor the decisions and routine work of the each team member. 6. People-oriented leadership or relations-oriented leadership The leader will not drive task oriented controls. They consider the people oriented achievements without forcing to the task. Some task oriented leaders are give directions to achieve the responsibilities without concern the major activities. People oriented leaders try to maintain their goodwill and not pressurized on team members. 7. Servant leadership If the leader ready work on requirements of the team named as a servant leader. The entire team will participate in the decision making. Team members prefer to the leader as the person represent the whole team requirements. But the leader should maintain the gap between normal team member and the leader. 8. Task-Oriented leadership Leader required achieving the task only. Mainly force all member to go for given targets and closely follow-up and monitor the progress. Task oriented leaders not care about the well-being of the team members and consider only the achievements. This leadership is similar to the autocratic leadership and members will be not satisfied. Leader is trying to show his / her achievements to the top management and not bothering to think about the fellows. 9. Transactional leadership All the members should obey to the leader and do their jobs properly. They cannot comment on the given responsibilities and leader is having authority to punish who fails to achieve the targets. Also the leader can give incentives and rewards to the successful members of the team. Mainly should be awarded the members who could achieve the management expectation and not the actual achievement. This is purely a management style and cannot accept as the leadership method. 10. Transformational leadership Leaders are encouraging team members to go to the target and achieve the organizational expectation. Always the leader giving advices to each team member and solve minor issues will arise. Always the leader will look after the initiatives and add values. (pages/article/newLDR_84.htm, 2010) 2.2 Feedback from Employees (3600) This is a well accepted human resource management measurements to measure the actual attitude, talents, strengths and weaknesses of the any stage of the employee. Let the employee to set in to a circle / disclose all information and get feedback from manager, supervisors, peers, subordinates and top management. Also get the feedback from external parties such as customers, suppliers, and other stake holders who are the people deal with this person. Self assessment gives to do a self evaluation and find key aspects personally. Managers will give their feedback in traditional report format and other stake holders will just explain their comments in an email or telephone call to the relevant evaluator. 360 feedback methods shows the adequate areas of the person and easily advise and give proper training to develop his / her attitudes, talents and skills. If the result is very satisfied management can give promotions, financial as well as non financial rewards for the excellent performance and it will be a motivational factor to job satisfaction. This approach is mainly focusing to get personal development and add value to the organization. As this is a open policy can clearly identify adequate areas of the each person without considering the rank or the level of the employee. It is necessary to conduct this methodology once per annum to get the maximum result. Also should not de-motivate single employee and show the importance of this application. 2.3 Tuckmans model Under the Tuckmans method there are main four areas realized and Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing in the team development stage. This is the well reputed team building methodology. Forming Stage This is the initial stage of the task and team members are not clear about the objectives and time limitations. Therefore the leader should clearly explain the team objectives, the way of planned approach, available resources and limitation. Team members will have several problems about the target and will raise lot of questions and tolerance. The leader should perfectly and specifically explain the team goals and the requirement to each employee. Storming Stage Even the objectives received team not aware that how to achieve them. There is some confusion in this stage as uncertainties. Team members are having issues about the individual responsibilities and how to arrange the process orderly. There are lots of negotiations, discussions and ideas will come in this stage. Supervisors and team leaders are required to negotiate this situation and minimize confusion. Most of the time tem leaders and managers should avoid this sage as time consuming and create personal issues with team members. Under a clear direction will be possible to neglect the confusion and achieve the target. Norming Stage In this stage team members should be clear about the target and the task. Team functions should be created by giving single responsibilities to the each person. As specifically nominate team members to the responsibilities can clearly identify the role they have to play in the team. After that team managers should link the all tasks together and make specified individual responsibilities to each member. All team members should give their maximum support to achieve the final objective. Performing Stage The all team members will be clear about themselves and others job responsibilities and tasks. Under the clear supervision the team will goes to the target maintaining a shared supervision. If is there any problem the team members will solve the issue inside the team as they are having mutual understanding and clear about the target. At this stage team members no need help / assistance in instructions and guidelines. The leader has to set team objectives and the way of the achievement. Team members need help only in their personal and interpersonal developments. (tuckmanformingstormingnormingperforming.htm, 2010) Work Delegation Managers can get more effective team performance by work delegation. But this task should be conducted in proper way. As he lack of knowledge number of managers are reluctant to give work delegation to team members. The disorganized and inflexible management may be the major cause of not delegating work effectively. The insecurity in the work place and confusion about who is ultimately responsible are the other barriers for effective delegation of work. Managers cannot avoid their responsibility by delegating their difficult tasks to subordinates. They are always accountable for the allocated responsibilities for their designation. Accordingly, managers are responsible for the actions of their subordinates. This may results some managers reluctant to delegate their works. There are different types of subordinates that can be experience by the managers. While some work hard to complete their task effectively, there are some people who would like to avoid their responsibilities and let their managers to make all decisions. Through effective delegation, these barriers can be overcome. Guidelines for effective Delegation: In order to practice effective delegation it is important to keep working relationships alive. Rather than completing a task solely, delegation has a better chance of succeeding. The following are some situations where ethics comes to bear in day-to-day organizational activities. Prerequisites: The basic prerequisite for effective delegation is the willingness of the managers to give freedom to their subordinates to accomplish delegated tasks. This means let them to choose methods and solutions to complete their tasks. This allows employees to make mistakes and learn from their mistakes. Mistaken should not discourage the delegation. Mistakes should be identified as the requirement for training support. The second prerequisite for delegation is open communication between managers and employees. In order to delegate tasks effectively, managers should know the capabilities of each employee. Some employees are prefer to accept many responsibilities if their managers are willing to appreciate and reward them. The third and last prerequisite for delegation is in the managers ability in some specific areas such as corporate objectives, the way to achieve the target, employee capabilities and etc. Tasks of effective Delegation: Clearly define the exact delegation areas specifically based on the requirement, delegating person and the time requirement. Should careful the secrecy and the importance on the particular task before the delegation. Delegate the correct person will be easier and perfect. Have to consider that the task required any special competencies or developmental experience. Also better to check the previous records of the person to identify the special competencies available. Provide required resources and special instructions accordingly. Organisation should have contingency arrangements and financial budget to give resources and trainings immediately. Managers should provide all required date efficiently and effectively. Also necessary to maintain good communication with the delegated person and make further arrangements to get cleared sufficient details. Feedback system reacquired to monitor the progress of the accuracy of the delegation. (4760-barriers-to-delegation/, 2010)