Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Scrivener, By Herman Melville - 1722 Words

Bartleby the Scrivener was written in 1853 by Herman Melville. The plot revolves around a man’s issues with a strange employee who has a severe case of passive resistance â€Å"all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener the strangest I ever saw or heard of†(p1483). Civil Disobedience was written by Henry David Thoreau in 1849. â€Å"Thoreau presented himself in Walden as an exemplary figure who by virtue of his philosophical questionings, economic good sense, nonconformity, and appreciative observation of the natural world-could serve as a model for others (p 961).† Both Thoreau and Melville were seen as excellent writers of their time. While looking at each character, as depicted in their writings, the key moments of why they were imprisoned, and what their experience was while in prison, will be explained. Thoreau is the book s storyteller and its primary character. In 1845, at the age of twenty-eight, he assembled a cabin at Walden Pond in the forested areas of Concord, Massachusetts, and resided there for a few years while trying to live deliberately and find the essentials of life far from the preoccupation of town life. He discovers camaraderie and motivation in nature, investigating the relationship between people, nature, and heavenliness. Despite the fact that its winter, he tests his spirits, the changing of spring and revives his conviction that he is a piece of the continuous life of nature. Following two years, he leavesShow MoreRelatedBartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville597 Words   |  3 Pages â€Å"Bartleby, the Scrivener† is an interesting short story written by Herman Melville for Putnams magazine at a time when Melville was in need for money (Davis 183). The narrator opens with a description of himself, his employees, and the fact that his business has recently grown. Soon after, the narrator, who is a lawyer, hires an additional employee by the name of Bartleby, the namesake of the story. He then proceeds to tell the reader all he knows of Bartleby: how he started off copying as desired;Read MoreBartleby, The Scrivener, By Herman Melville1291 Words   |  6 PagesIn sh ort, Herman Melville’s story â€Å"Bartleby, the scrivener†, tells the tale of a successful lawyer hiring a new copyist and the challenges he faced with his new hire. Initially, the new hire, Bartleby, was extremely driven and very efficient. He had a great work ethic, and had an extraordinary output of writing for the head lawyer. On the third day Bartleby stunned his boss by preferring not to comply with his boss’s request. Bartleby’s refusal to comply was at first directed at anything outsideRead MoreBartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville Essay661 Words   |  3 PagesBartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville Herman Melville, an American novelist and major literary figure explored psychological themes in many of his works. Herman Melville was born in 1819 in New York City into an established merchant family. The familys fortune had taken a decline that led to bankruptcy and caused insanity to enter into his fathers Life. Through his writing, Melville recreated a part of life that existed then, and is prevalent in our society today. Low selfRead MoreHerman Melville s Bartleby, The Scrivener1305 Words   |  6 PagesHerman Melville’s Bartleby, the Scrivener Born in New York City on August 1st, 1819, Herman Melville led a life that commenced in partial fame and success, but ended in poverty and despair. Although unjustly criticized for the â€Å"purposeless extravagance† and â€Å"disorderliness† of his writing, due to his digressions into many different topics while discussing a single one, especially in his most celebrated novel today, though most criticized and unappreciated in his time, Moby Dick, Herman MelvilleRead MoreHerman Melville s Bartleby The Scrivener1455 Words   |  6 Pagesto make the commands and orders pertaining to the employee, however in Herman Melville’s Bartleby the Scrivener, this situation is not the case, and in fact opposite. Blatantly about the passive resistance the main character, or employee, Bartleby achieves with the famous, â€Å"I prefer not to,† quote, this basic idea of passive resistance only skims the surface of the underlying themes and lessons presented in the book. Melville adds certain aspects into the story that raise questions about Bartleby’sRead MoreHerman Melville s Bartleby The Scrivener938 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Bartleby the Scrivener† delves into the life of a worker at a New York City Law firm. Herman Melville provides a drab and bleak outlook on the conditions of labor and mental state of the workers at the firm. Though the story can be seen as a depiction of the isolation and lack of passion found in big city labor, I believe that Melville provides much more in his writing. Within the details provided in the story, he manages to forge a metaphor for the power of transcendental ideals such as self relianceRead MoreHerman Melville s Bartleby The Scrivener1402 Words   |  6 PagesMen and women are faced with inevitable walls as they go through their daily lives, the strength of their character is derived by how they tackle these walls. Herman Melville gives us a glimpse at how walls can eventually destroy us if we give into them. In his short story, Bartleby the Scrivener, the narrator tells the story of a clerk he once employed, Bartleby. At first, Bartleby seemed to be the perfect employee, but he eventually began to shirk his work and depart into himself. Through the narrativeRead MoreThe Lawyer and the Pandhandler in Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville540 Words   |  3 PagesIn the story of Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville, there is a lawyer who narrates the entire story. He owns his own law practice and also has an assortment of scribes who work for him. The first scrivener, named Turkey, was a hard worker until 12 o’ clock noon daily. Following that time, his work begins to diminish. The second, who they called Nippers, was the complete opposite. He worked best during the afternoon and evening hours. Lastly, Bartleby didn’t do much work at all. He was lazyRead MoreAllusions in Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville Essay546 Words   |  3 PagesIn â⠂¬Å"Bartleby, the Scrivener† the author, Herman Melville, uses indirect references to hint to many historical, literary, and biblical events. â€Å"Bartleby, the Scrivener† contains many allusions about important events that help connect this fictional story to actual events in Melville’s time period, before, and beyond. Melville uses allusions frequently throughout â€Å"Bartleby, the Scrivener† to help build connections with the real world and the fictitious world of this short story. One of the biggestRead MoreBartleby, The Scrivener, By Herman Melville And The Fall Of The House Of Usher Essay1754 Words   |  8 Pages â€Å"Bartleby, the Scrivener† by Herman Melville and â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher† by Edgar Allen Poe both use isolated characters in a main role. These stories deal with how the isolation of man leads to the death of humanity. In a historical reference, the isolation of mentally ill men and women led to gruesome and inhumane practices while in the care of other people. Through the Middle Ages and until the establishment of asylums, treatments for mental illness were offered by â€Å"humanistic physicians

Managing the Entourage Club Free Essays

The entourage club is a company by the students and for the students. The basic aim of establishing this club is to provide the students various forms of entertainment under one roof. This club is different from other service providers in the industry in a manner that it does not have the conventional services like health gyms and sports facilities. We will write a custom essay sample on Managing the Entourage Club or any similar topic only for you Order Now But this club is formed to help reduce the stress levels of all the students. The membership will be entitled to people under the age of 30. This club will have various segments catering to the needs of all. The membership fees would be very affordable to attract large crowds. Students of various universities will be hired as managers and will be offered handsome salaries to run the club. Each manager will be appointed based on experience and ability to attract fellow students to the club. The club would have the following entertainment facilities. The entourage club would consist of more than 50 employees that will be working in 6 departments. The hierarchy would be a horizontal one so as to improve communication between the departments. Because the company belongs to the services sector where customer satisfaction is the top most priority. The company’s departments include marketing, finance, customer care, maintenance, creative and human resource department. As mentioned above all the managers and coordinators will be students that would be studying in universities. This would be an on job experience for them and would also help them earn money. However a professional human resource officer would manage the human resource department so that quality recruitment is ensured. Managing the Entourage Club Management in earlier times was described as an art. But as people started developing various theories of effective management it soon became a scientific study. Successful managers who share their experience mainly contribute most of the theories in management. Since through practical it has gained universal acceptance and recognition therefore they are now available to students studying management and is indeed a great benefit. But many a mangers still believe that management is an art. Successful managers are those who have mastered the art and had capabilities. No one gentleman can become a successful manager by reading and memorizing the theories given in the book (Chandler, 2004). As management is a practical filed. But according to me management is a blend of both an art and a science. Since it requires skills to be a manager and the scientific methodology help polish the skills of person. Rather than him learning the skills in the practical field. As today’s world is a competitive one where there is no time to waste. For e.g. In my club if I appoint managers that are new to the field it will take a lot of time for them to gain experience in managing their employees and being productive at their task. But if, they are aware of the various forms and applications of management that they have came across in the theory of management. They indeed will achieve the desired goals in a much small time span as compare to others who have the talent but no prior knowledge. But also if the individual doesn’t possess qualities required for being a manager, then in that case even if he was aware of the theory he would never be successful at taking the company forward. There are four major components of management. They include planning, leading, organizing and controlling PLANNING Organizational planning occurs all the time and in all manners. A top-level manager in a manufacturing plant will have different plans as compare to the supervisor who is responsible for assembling modular homes on an assembly line. Planning could include setting organizational goals. In general, planning can be strategic planning, tactical planning, or contingency planning. Planning is the most important step in any organization. It is the backbone of the company on which future goals are based. It is essential to design a strategy in order to make the planning successful. The grand strategy of my company would be attain customer satisfaction and to achieve the faith and loyalties of my customer. To implement this strategy there will be a need of affective marketing and to provide services in the manner they were described to the customers. In that way only the company will be able to achieve their goodwill. For our company a problem is basically defined as any situation that proves to be a hindrance or obstruction in providing the customers with the services they have paid for. Decisions would be made on the spot with the consultation of all the managers of the department to involve them all in company’s decision making. All employees should be active contributors on the company’s affairs and should provide some value addition. The three types of plans that the company uses in its operations include strategic, tactical and operational plans. Â   How to cite Managing the Entourage Club, Papers

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Minuet in G by J.S. Bach Essay Example

Minuet in G by J.S. Bach Essay This familiar minuet by J.S. Bach is in the key of G major as we can obviously see by the title: Minuet in G. The time signature, also known as the metre is 3 crotchet beats in a bar. As it is a Minuet, the speed of the piece is quite steady- andante (at a walking pace). J.S. Bach wrote this piece especially for the harpsichord and for his wife who played the harpsichord. I believe that it wasnt written for the piano especially as pianos were just being invented and therefore were not as popular as the harpsichord.This Minuet is in two sections; A and B. The piece is in Binary as the piece is played like this: A:|| B:||. Both A and B sections are equal in length and are quite similar, with both having simple rhythms although in the B section, new things are introduced and many A section rhythms have been modified.The texture of this piece is contrapuntal although in a few places the texture becomes monophonic but then changes back to polyphonic. Throughout the piece there is rhythmic repetition and the right hand melody is a mixture of disjunct motion and conjunct motion. The left hand has longer rhythms, which creates a contrast between the two hands.In the A section, there are not as many distinct comments as the B section but there are some things to say about it. To begin with, in bar 5 and 6, there is a sequence as the first note in bar 6 is a semitone lower than the first note in bar 5. Also the rest of the notes from bar 6 follow bar 5 with the same rhythm going down in steps like a scale but starting a tone below. In bar 10, the texture becomes monophonic as the right and left hand are playing in unison. But then goes back to polyphonic in the next bar. During the A section the left hand swaps the melody with the right hand; and they are: bars 8 and 12.In section B, the first 3 bars are modified sequences of bars 5 and 6 in section A as they use the same rhythms and each first note of the 3 bars begins a tone lower than the one before. The next thing th at happens in the B section is that in bar 19, it is a pivot as there is an E minor chord, which is the 6th degree and 2nd chord of G major, which then leads into bar 20 where there is modulation as the key changes and becomes D major when the first note (being a C) has an accident making it C#. This is the dominant of G major. By changing the key, this gives the piece variety and makes it more intriguing. We also see that the 3 bars before the key change takes place, J.S. Bach uses notes from both G major and D major. At the end of bar 24, the key changes back to G major, the tonic where there is a C right at the last minute. Additionally in bars 25 and 26, a new feature is introduced and that this 2 part playing in the left hand.This gives the feeling of a 3-part texture, which has not happened in the piece before so it new and a sort of surprise as you dont really expect that to happen after listening to previous bars of the piece. In bars 29 and 21, there is a whole bar of quave rs going up in steps like a scale but there is one difference apart from the note each scale starts on and that difference is that the scale in bar 21 is in the key in D major with the C# and the scale in bar 29 is in the key of G major. This gives contrast between the two scales. Additionally if we look at the next bar, bar 22 and 30, we can see that they same rhythm and sequence but because the notes are different, it is a modified sequence. Finally, in bar 31, we also experience something but its not to do with the texture but to do with rhythms. We are given a new rhythm that is similar to bars 20, 25, 26 where the rhythm is: ta ta-te ta whereas in bar 31, the rhythm is: ta-te ta ta. This is also unexpected but fits in nicely to join and lead up to the last chord as the notes get longer; from quavers, to crotchets and then in the last bar: a dotted minim.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Diplomacy in Washington, DC

Diplomacy in Washington, DC Introduction Diplomacy as a tool of community diversification is a major ingredient that can be used to build amazing human relationships in a multi-cultural environment. The use of diplomacy dates back to the very olden days and it is presumed to be as old as the development of the human race (Freeman ix).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Diplomacy in Washington, DC specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The term diplomacy is generally used to describe the efforts undertaken by a government to carry out its foreign operations and enhance its national interests to the advantage of its citizens. This is largely accomplished through communication with the foreign countries. Others define it as the profession of persuasion while for some c using art, musical performances, exchange programs, educational programs among to mention but a few. A dynamic working relationship with other states is very important to the develo pment of any nation whether socially or economically. No single nation is able to progress well in isolation. For most nations, the easiest thing to do is apply violence to influence decisions of other states or people to their favor. Common sense dictates that this only brings about poor associations with others. A good use of diplomatic tactics will play a major role in alleviating any challenges being faced by the society today. The core of any diplomatic assignment is to perpetuate peace and not war. Numerous benefits arise from the use of convincing power rather than engaging in war. This is what is strongly advocated the diplomatic community. For a very long time, the U.S. government has used diplomacy to meet its obligations both at home and internationally. The use of peaceful engagements has been greatly favored over war or the application of any form of force. This explains why President Barrack Hussein Obama is stopping at nothing to reach out to those assumed to enemies of development. The way diplomatic skills are used will determine whether or not a nation will advance economically. For any nation, diplomats are their voice in the foreign lands. They are a resource at the center of any peace making missions between the states they serve and others. They would use any approach but war while dealing with any conflicts that arise. Diplomats with a wide range of skills and knowledge certainly give a state a very competitive advantage. At times, diplomats will work alongside spies and warriors to give advice and safeguard the interests of their states and help contain any rivalry by replacing it with cooperation. Besides doing their best to protect the interests of fellow citizens abroad they will also assist to support international trade, investments and cultural exchange programs that are geared towards improving the economy. Relations nurtured by diplomats become very relevant when all that is left is for states to opt for war. Clearly, the work o f diplomats is very critical to the wealth, power and growth of any nation throughout the world.Advertising Looking for research paper on diplomacy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Background on Diplomacy Official recognition of the use of public diplomacy by the U.S. government happened during the starting years of the 20th century. It was around this time, during World War I, that President Woodrow Wilson formed the Committee on Public Information to go ahead and circulate information overseas. This was later to be followed by a series of restructuring of foreign policies (Epsten 5). As a result of the terrorist attacks, the U.S. government increased funding of its diplomacy activities. Many people, however, still want to see the U.S. government further increase their spending on diplomatic missions. Others have argued that as the world becomes more and more of a global village, it is important to really get alarme d about the attitudes of foreign populations towards America rather waste valuable time solidifying the U.S. military strength. Public diplomacy activities of the U.S. government influenced the outcome of World War I and II, and helped to bring to an end the Cold War. Currently, the U.S. administration is employing the use of public diplomacy to fight terrorism acts by persuade the Muslim and Arab communities to think differently. Despite all that has so far been done to strengthen foreign ties, there is a strong feeling that nations can do much better. According to the 9/11 Commission, to reach a deeper understanding between societies and to build long-term relationships and trust between the government officials, public diplomacy must be made a dialogue and not a monologue. Washington DC’s Diplomatic Community Diplomats in Washington DC highly value the benefits that result from networking and are doing their best they can, to create links that can later be used by fellow c ountry men to advance their operations whether business or otherwise. Diplomatic Connections, is news network that exists to facilitate the operations of the diplomats in Washington, DC. Business people have been able to grow their business by tapping on to the strengths of the diplomatic community and this is thanks to Diplomatic Connections (Diplomatic Connections LLC 1). Diplomats and the business community within Washington, DC believe that diplomacy is a very precious marketing tool for themselves, businesses and fellow country men. The work of Diplomatic Connections in Washington DC is highly praised. Feedback received from the public shows that a lot has been done by the organization to help bring the business and diplomatic communities together. Individuals have been able to discover business opportunities and even gone ahead to venture into new grounds.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Diplomacy in Washington, DC specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Social events have proved very helpful in as far as adapting to a new way of life is concerned. One can get to know who to approach when in need of help. The events have also served as marketing point for business making them known to the diplomatic community. Service providers also get a chance to interact with diplomats and international organizations and trough these forums; they are able to discuss and come up with solutions for any challenges faced. Cultural Adaptation to Work and Community A major challenge when moving to live in a foreign land is settling down and becoming part of the local community. Many times it is quite difficult for one to figure out the starting point in the journey to understanding the new setup. It is for this very reason that reliable diplomatic relations become a necessity. With the help of diplomats, settling into a foreign land should happen with little or no stress at all. When it comes to working i n a foreign land, many nations want to ensure that visitors have all the necessary documents before they can allow them to live and work in their land. Advice and guidance from the embassies should come in quite handy at this time in one’s life abroad. Culture shock is a very common occurrence in a case where one enters foreign soil without prior preparations of what to expect. Thorough initiation into the sometimes strange culture is therefore a mandatory thing to do as one takes a move to a foreign state; one completely unfamiliar to them. Time should be taken to gather as much information as can be practically possible about where they are going. Most embassies will request that any citizens from their countries be formally registered and stay in constant communication with the embassy. This is to ensure that incase of anything happening, contacts can be used to get in touch and offer help where needed. Embassies are also better placed to organize social events that bringi ng different people together with the aim of facilitating exchange of ideas and information. One can take advantage of such opportunities to gather valuable information that can later help them fit in well. Influence on Local Community Common to all states is the responsibility to take care of its citizens. Governments therefore have a major task of ensuring that its citizens live in a healthy and peaceful environment and that they are able to realize their dreams. Poor relationships with other states are thus considered to be hindrances to the achievement of goals set by a nation. Without strong relationships with foreign states, a state and its people remain enclosed in their territory and end up missing opportunities to prosper. Good diplomatic tactics will create an enabling environment to meet the needs of citizens both at home and away from home.Advertising Looking for research paper on diplomacy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Diplomacy at the local level will to a great extent help to nurture not only the need, but also the appreciation of inter-personal and inter-cultural dealings that later act as avenues of promoting socio-economic progression, conflict prevention, and a greater desire to be inclusive. It also helps to enlighten citizens on the need to be part of the diplomatic process locally. Warm interactions in the end encourage the sharing of ideas leading to enhanced economic development. People are able to move between groups, exchange ideas and get exposed to opportunities to learn new ideas that later help to improve life, work and even the entire community. The local community will also gain knowledge on co-existing with those they perceive to be different from them. Some diplomats living and working in the U.S. have involved themselves in diverse engagements so as to popularize their countries to the U.S. Part of what has been done by diplomats to market their respective countries and cultu re to the foreign missions include; show casing their culture through well organized events, establishing educational centers and organizing exchange visits. To a large extent, all these are meant to expose the American citizens to foreign countries and their way of life. The local people get a chance to learn more about these nations. The expected result of such undertakings is to lure the local population into wanting to visit and probably do a further discovery on their own. The main idea is to bring their nations closer to the Americans citizens have a rich interaction with their cultures. With this in mind, you will find a good number of diplomats in Washington, DC trying out different options that will lead to them having a strong presence in the U.S. Counter Balances, Racism / Stereotyping Stereotyping has to do with the presentation of messages that associate people with character and values that are often held as undesirable, inferior or even risky. With these kind of behav iors one can expect a discouragement to the development of powerful diplomatic relationships. Those affected by such acts are mostly looked down upon and even worse, they get separated from the rest of the community. Fitting into the local community becomes a real challenge as they have to often try to prove that they are not what the majority think they are. Colored people have in many occasions been on the receiving end just because they are different from the rest. They are thought of as being inferior to others and at times due to their color; they have been identified with crime while others have been considered to be perpetrators of violence. Another terrible association that affects the black race is poverty. The black community is often viewed as poorer. This, more than anything else, only creates negative mind-set and creates animosity among different groups of people. Counter balances on the other hand require that the statesman clearly determines the kind of being dealt w ith opponent and the people’s national concerns before looking for ways of advancing his or her own state. The balance of national concerns is a key concern in measuring the importance of each of the matters in contention. Among other things, it assists in measuring the probable resistance from each side to make any compromise. It regulates willingness to negotiate and also defines the threshold of defiance (Freeman 14). A major task of the diplomat will then be to try and harmonize the competing national interests without applying any force. It requires coming up with a solution that will favor the diplomat’s state but at the same time, be acceptable to the other party. These arrangements are also meant to be tolerable to other states that may not party to any agreements reached. The diplomats will have to apply a wide range of knowledge and skills while relying on the full backing of their nations to come up with the best solution to the issues at hand. Another thing to probably think about here is the presence of counterintelligence. It is always prudent for a state to protect itself against any spying while spying on other foreign states. Conclusion From alleviation of the possibilities of war to the establishment of a strong financial base for the country, the importance of the role played by the diplomatic community cannot be overemphasized. Every nation would like to create an enabling environment to encourage its citizens to work hard for the benefit of the country. A sound knowledge of the art of diplomacy will certainly go a long way to create a very healthy environment in which men and women from different nations and backgrounds will manage to explore their full potential. A nation’s good reputation will be a major boost for the different dealings of its people that involve neighbors. Investment in diplomatic relations is therefore very significant to the growth of every nation. Diplomatic Connections LLC. Washington, DC: Dipl omatic Connections LLC. 2010 Web. diplomaticconnections.com/r5/home.asp Epsten, Susan B. â€Å"U.S. Public Diplomacy: Background and the 9/11 Commission Recommendations†. CSR Report for Congress. 2010. Web. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32607.pdf Freeman, Charles W. â€Å"Arts of Power: Statecraft and Diplomacy†. Wasington, DC: United States Institute of Peace, 2007. Print.

Sunday, March 1, 2020

The Growth of Government in the United States

The Growth of Government in the United States The U.S. government grew substantially beginning with President Franklin Roosevelts administration. In an attempt to end the unemployment and misery of the Great Depression, Roosevelts New Deal created many new federal programs and expanded many existing ones. The rise of the United States as the worlds major military power during and after World War II also fueled government growth. The growth of urban and suburban areas in the postwar period made expanded public services more feasible. Greater educational expectations led to significant government investment in schools and colleges. An enormous national push for scientific and technological advances spawned new agencies and substantial public investment in fields ranging from space exploration to health care in the 1960s. And the growing dependence of many Americans on medical and retirement programs that had not existed at the dawn of the 20th century swelled federal spending further. How Government Has Affected Employment While many Americans think that the federal government in Washington has ballooned out of hand, employment figures indicate that this has not been the case. There has been significant growth in government employment, but most of this has been at the state and local levels. From 1960 to 1990, the number of state and local government employees increased from 6.4 million to 15.2 million, while the number of civilian federal employees rose only slightly, from 2.4 million to 3 million. Cutbacks at the federal level saw the federal labor force drop to 2.7 million by 1998, but employment by state and local governments more than offset that decline, reaching almost 16 million in 1998. (The number of Americans in the military declined from almost 3.6 million in 1968, when the United States was embroiled in the war in Vietnam, to 1.4 million in 1998.) The Privatization of Services The rising costs of taxes to pay for expanded government services, as well as the general American distaste for big government and increasingly powerful public employee unions, led many policy-makers in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s to question whether government is the most efficient provider of needed services. A new word - privatization - was coined and quickly gained acceptance worldwide to describe the practice of turning certain government functions over to the private sector. In the United States, privatization has occurred primarily at the municipal and regional levels. Major U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Phoenix began to employ private companies or nonprofit organizations to perform a wide variety of activities previously performed by the municipalities themselves, ranging from streetlight repair to solid-waste disposal and from data processing to management of prisons. Some federal agencies, meanwhile, sought to operate more like private enterprises; the United States Postal Service, for instance, largely supports itself from its own revenues rather than relying on general tax dollars. Privatization of public services remains controversial, however. While advocates insist that it reduces costs and increases productivity, others argue the opposite, noting that private contractors need to make a profit and asserting that they are not necessarily being more productive. Public sector unions, not surprisingly, adamantly oppose most privatization proposals. They contend that private contractors in some cases have submitted very low bids in order to win contracts, but later raised prices substantially. Advocates counter that privatization can be effective if it introduces competition. Sometimes the spur of threatened privatization may even encourage local government workers to become more efficient. As debates over regulation, government spending, and welfare reform all demonstrate, the proper role of government in the nations economy remains a hot topic for debate more than 200 years after the United States became an independent nation. - This article is adapted from the book Outline of the U.S. Economy by Conte and Carr and has been adapted with permission from the U.S. Department of State.

Friday, February 14, 2020

Organizational Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Organizational Communication - Essay Example About Toyota Motors Inc Toyota Motors Inc. is one of the top-selling automobile manufacturing companies in the United States providing breakthrough products that cater to a wide range of consumers, and promoting quality, dependability and reliability for over fifty years (Toyota Inc., 2013). A significant proportion of the company's success can be attributed to its almost flawless communication strategies. The company has successfully managed to communicate its visions and ideas concerning its environmental approach, its emphasis on recycling, and providing top quality products to its customers. The effectiveness of the communication strategies adopted by the company is apparent from the unprecedented success of its green environmentally friendly products such as the Prius, which managed to become a revolutionary product idea and a leader in the automobile industry. For the purpose of this study, the concept of organizational communication will be probed with respect to the following management theories: Classical Scientific Management, Human Resources, Systems and Contingency, and Culture with reference to Toyota Inc. Theoretical analysis: Classical Scientific Management: The classical theories of management primarily focus on establishing the most effective job performance functions. The key aim of scientific management is to ensure enhanced job efficiency by developing technical skills, implementing strict rules for compliance, and effectively managing the organizational structure. The Scientific management theory also alternatively referred to as Taylorism, was pioneered by Fredrick Winslow Taylor, for scientifically analyzing jobs and redesigning them in order to improve their efficiency (Daft, 2009). The key elements of this theory include (Lussier, 2011: 40): Development of a systematic procedure that entailed a detailed description of each specific job assigned to the workers Promote job specialization Implement scientific methods of training and develo pment across the organization to improve worker efficiency Establish a systematic work schedule Introduce standardized methods and times for accomplishing each task Offer piece rates and bonuses to employees as positive incentives to encourage improved performance. The production management system employed by Japanese firms such Toyota, for instance, which introduced the just-in-time systems, can be classified as scientific management method. Since this system was introduced by engineers it is most aptly effective in manufacturing industries (Besser, 1996; Price, 2011). The large scale production processes implemented by Toyota were highly scientific in approach and focused on detailed planning. Key emphasis was given on division of labor, effective allocation of jobs, and introducing innovative techniques to enhance worker coordination to minimize the risk of errors and avoid wastage. Such scientific management approach adopted by Toyota ultimately helped the company in catapulting to instant fame, making them the industry leaders in automobile manufacturing, customer service, and product innovation. The key

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Education by Computer - a Better Way Research Paper

Education by Computer - a Better Way - Research Paper Example Education together with learning is essential to everybody, as the  principal  techniques of ensuring a  productive  and sustainable  society. Because of globalization, which leads to increase in the  scope  of jobs, it is  essential  to provide quality education to ensure  production  of  knowledgeable  and well-informed employees. Currently,  emergence  of  expertise  and  information  as the main features for development and economic growth are among issues widening the gap between the rich and the poor. Among the poor people, they  claim  that  learning  using a computer is expensive and at times may not be affordable to them. On the other hand, the rich  argue  that computerized  learning  is  crucial, and it is affordable. Therefore, the gap among the poor and the rich becomes  wide. In addition, some individuals may not be able to access the modern facilities due to their financial statures, place of residence, and age. However, despite the challenges that may  exist, most of the individuals advocate for education using the computer system. Some of the effects associated with computer  system  of education include their ability to  accelerate  learning. ... The learning conditions while using computers is favorable as one has the  opportunity  of choosing a friendly environment to  study  especially while using  private  computers. It is by using computers that the desired changes in pedagogy will be possible (Postman 15). The use of computers in  education  over time raised debates as many people began to  criticize  its use by adolescents and children. This regarded the use of computers in high school and primary schools. However, some individuals supported computer use in schools and at home. Those in support of education by computer  state  that, with computers, it will  enhance  achievement  by students. In addition, they  claim  that it is  essential  to use computer in teaching students at an early age to avoid the possibility of lagging behind. This is possible because, schools  get  computers from business communities trying to  facilitate  corporate social responsibility. This mean s that tuition fees  get  some  subsidy, hence affordable to a majority. Parents also claim that, because of incorporation of  education  by computers at an early age, it helps ensure that  creation  of high tech world for a better tomorrow work force. The use of the internet enables students to be close to teachers, students from other schools, and  be  connected with other professionals globally (Ortega and Bravo 9). In addition, it will ensure that students are up to-date regarding issues happening. The idea of  education  by computer, when analyzed critically, is a noble idea. This will help to speed up  education  and  learning. At the same time, use of the internet will make the users up to  date  regarding issues happening globally. Despite all the positive results associated with  education  by computers, there