History Of Arabic Music Essays - Middle Eastern Music, Musicology

History of Arabic Music History of Arabic Music Arabic music is my favorite musical styling. Although I have come to enjoy classical and contemporary styling as well, Arabic music has almost an innate quality of enjoyment for me. Its songs speak of the life and culture of Arabic countries and its melody is not commonly heard on American radio stations. Its songs tell the story of the Arabic people, people who are similar to Americans but also different in many ways. The songs are a romantic and wonderful inspiration to me while living and studying in America. The tradition of Arabic music has been cultivated throughout Arab regions for thousands of years. Although it has undergone many changes over the centuries, it has retained certain distinctive traits. The Arabic music tradition developed in the courts of dynasties in the Islamic empire from the 7th century to the 13th century. It flourished during the Umayyad dynasty in the 7th century and 8th century in Syria. Great performers were drawn to Baghdad, now the capital of Iraq, under such rulers as Harun ar-Rashid, who was a patron of the musical arts during the late 700s.3 The cities of the Islamic empire, from Spain across North Africa and throughout the Middle East, boasted many fine musicians. These early musicians were often composers and poets as well as performers. Although the major writings on Arab music appeared after the spread of Islam in the beginning of the 7th century, the music tradition had already begun. Before the spread of Islam, Arab music incorporated music traditions of the Sassanid dynasty (224-641) in Persia and the early Byzantine empire (4th century to 6th century) and of sung poetry from the Arabian Peninsula.3 Arabic-speaking scholars also studied the treatises of ancient Greek philosophers on music. Music theorists of the 10th century and 11th century, such as al-Farabi and Avicenna, produced their own theories of music based on what they had learned from the Greeks and on the music of their own times. Greek works translated by the Arab scholars were later studied by European scientists and philosophers. Melody and Rhythm Arabic music is created using unharmonized melodic and rhythmic systems. Arabic melodies draw from a vast array of models, or melodic modes, known as maqamat. Arabic books on music include as many as 52 melodic modes, of which at least 12 are commonly used.3 These modes feature more tones than are present in the Western musical system, including notably smaller intervals that are sometimes called microtones, or half-flats and half-sharps. Arabic melodies frequently use the augmented second interval, an interval larger than those of most Western melodies.3 The sound of Arabic music is richly melodic and offers opportunity for subtle nuance and creative variation. The rhythmic structure of Arabic music is similarly complex. Rhythmic patterns have up to 48 beats and typically include several downbeats (called dums) as well as upbeats (called taks) and silences, or rests.3 To grasp a rhythmic mode, the listener must hear a relatively long pattern. Moreover, the performers do not simply play the pattern; they elaborate upon and ornament it. Often the pattern is recognizable by the arrangement of downbeats. In Arab tradition, good musicians offer something new in each performance by varying and improvising on known pieces or models in a fashion similar to that of jazz musicians. The inventions of musicians can be lengthy, extending ten-minute compositions into hour-long performances that bear only a skeletal resemblance to the models. The inventions of the musician traditionally depend upon the response of the audience. Listeners are expected to react during the performance, either verbally or with applause. Quiet is interpreted as disinterest or dislike. The audience members, in this tradition, are active participants in determining the length of the performance and in shaping the piece of music by encouraging musicians to either repeat a section of the piece or to move to the next section. Modern Era Born of the cultures of the Arab World stretching from Morocco in the west to Iraq in the east, Arabic music is becoming popular world-wide. It is made up of an astonishing variety of folk, classical, and popular musical traditions. Many of these have survived for centuries, reflecting the musical sensibilities of the ancient world as well as the Middle Ages. While each region within the Arab World has its distinctive styles, commonalities of instrumentation, modal structure, rhythmic patterns, performance techniques, and lyric content extend across the area, forming a fascinating weaving of artistic tradition that changes and evolves while remaining true to its ancient heritage. In the last decades a growing global audience has come to appreciate the richness of this music. The global

Common Muslim and Arab Stereotypes in TV and Film

Common Muslim and Arab Stereotypes in TV and Film Even before the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Arab-Americans, Middle Easterners, and Muslims faced sweeping cultural and religious stereotypes. Hollywood films and television shows frequently depicted Arabs as villains, if not outright terrorists, and misogynistic brutes with backward and mysterious customs. Hollywood has largely portrayed Arabs as Muslims, overlooking the significant number of Christian Arabs in the United States and the Middle East. The media’s racial stereotyping of Middle Eastern people has allegedly produced unfortunate consequences, including hate crimes, racial profiling, discrimination, and bullying. Arabs in the Desert When Coca-Cola debuted a commercial during Super Bowl 2013 featuring Arabs riding camels in the desert, Arab-American groups werent pleased. This representation is largely outdated, much like Hollywood’s common portrayal of Native Americans as people in loincloths and war paint running through the plains. Camels and the desert can be found in the Middle East, but this portrayal has become stereotypical. In the Coca-Cola commercial, Arabs appear backward as they compete with Vegas showgirls and cowboys using more convenient forms of transportation to reach a giant bottle of Coke in the desert. â€Å"Why is it that Arabs are always shown as either oil-rich sheiks, terrorists, or belly dancers?† asked Warren David, president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, during a Reuters interview about the commercial. Arabs as Villains and Terrorists There is no shortage of Arab villains and terrorists in Hollywood films and television programs. When the blockbuster â€Å"True Lies† debuted in 1994, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a spy for a secret government agency, Arab-American advocacy groups staged protests in major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, because the film featured a fictional terrorist group called the â€Å"Crimson Jihad,† whose members, Arab-Americans complained, were portrayed as one-dimensionally sinister and anti-American. Ibrahim Hooper, then a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told The New York Times: â€Å"There is no clear motivation for their planting nuclear weapons. They are irrational, have an intense hatred for everything American, and that’s the stereotype you have for Muslims.† Arabs as Barbaric When Disney released its 1992 film â€Å"Aladdin,† Arab-American groups voiced outrage over the depiction of Arab characters. In the first minute, for example, the theme song declared that Aladdin hailed â€Å"from a faraway place, where the caravan camels roam, where they cut off your ear if they don’t like your face. Its barbaric, but hey, it’s home.† Disney changed the lyrics in the home video release after Arab-American groups blasted the original as stereotypical. But the song wasn’t the only problem advocacy groups had with the film. There was also a scene in which an Arab merchant intended to hack off the hand of a woman for stealing food for her starving child. Arab-American groups also took issue with the rendering of Middle Easterners in the film; many were drawn â€Å"with huge noses and sinister eyes,† The Seattle Times noted in 1993. Charles E. Butterworth, then a visiting professor of Middle East politics at Harvard University, told The Times that Westerners have stereotyped Arabs as barbaric since the Crusades. â€Å"These are the terrible people who captured Jerusalem and who had to be thrown out of the Holy City,† he said, adding that the stereotype seeped into Western culture over centuries and is found in Shakespeares works. Arab Women: Veils, Hijabs, and Belly Dancers Hollywood also has represented Arab women narrowly. For decades, women of Middle Eastern descent have been portrayed as scantily clad belly dancers and harem girls or as silent women shrouded in veils, similar to how Hollywood has portrayed Native American women as Indian princesses or squaws. The belly dancer and veiled female sexualize Arab women, according to the website Arab Stereotypes: â€Å"Veiled women and belly dancers are two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, belly dancers code Arab culture as exotic and sexually available. ... On the other hand, the veil has figured both as a site of intrigue and as the ultimate symbol of oppression.† Films such as Aladdin (2019), â€Å"Arabian Nights† (1942), and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) are among a host of movies featuring Arab women as veiled dancers. Arabs as Muslims and Foreigners The media nearly always portray Arabs and Arab-Americans as Muslims, although most Arab-Americans identify as Christian and just 12 percent of the world’s Muslims are Arabs, according to PBS. In addition to being sweepingly identified as Muslims in film and television, Arabs are often presented as foreigners. The 2000 census (the latest for which data on the Arab-American population is available) found that nearly half of Arab-Americans were born in the U.S. and 75 percent speak English well, but Hollywood repeatedly portrays Arabs as heavily accented foreigners with strange customs. When not terrorists, Arab characters in films and television often are oil sheiks. Portrayals of Arabs born in the United States and working in mainstream professions, such as banking or teaching, remain rare. Resources and Further Reading: â€Å"Arab-Americans Protest True Lies.† New York Times, 16 July 1994. Scheinin, Richard. â€Å"‘Aladdin’ Politically Correct? Arabs, Muslims Say No Way ⠁  - Criticisms That Kid Movie Is Racist Takes Disney by Surprise.† Entertainment the Arts, Seattle Times, 14 Feb. 1994, 12:00 a.m. â€Å"Veils, Harems Belly Dancers.† Reclaiming Our Identity: Dismantling Arab Stereotypes, Arab American National Museum, 2011.

CRITICAL MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

CRITICAL MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVES - Essay Example It is also important to have human skills in order to incorporate the views of other people and manage them well; this will also ensure that the people work towards a common goal within the organization (Alvesson et al., 2009, p. 200). Therefore, critical management is determined to harmonize the workplace, through ensuring that the employees and facilities are managed well and working conditions improved. In order to ascertain this, managers need to rely on management theory and practice in order to deal with the complexities and ambiguity of organizations. These management theories and practices deal with construction of models based on observations, to try and manage business activities (Carr, 2000, pp. 210). In addition, the practices of management also deals real life experiences of the manager within an organization. This paper therefore seeks to critically evaluate the impact of ambiguity, complexity, and uncertainty on how the organization is managed. Additionally, the paper will demonstrate a critical understanding of management practice and theory, ability to identify and evaluate vital assumptions in the ideology of management, and analyze and evaluate organization and management theory and appraise the application of management theory in organizational contemporary contexts. Management is a process of working with and through people. Organizations need effective management in order to maximize their production under the prevailing conditions of scarce resources. Managers need to shift their focus to the contemporary issues of organizations such as the ambiguity, uncertainty, and complexity of organizations. It is also important for upcoming managers to exhibit a critical understanding of management practice and theory. In addition, ability to identify and evaluate the major assumptions of management ideology and evaluating the theories of organization and management in its application to the wide range of contemporary contexts; will enable managers maximize the potential of their organizations in working under the uncertainties and complexities of organizations.. It is in this regard that this paper is written. Management and organization theory and practice concept Several theories of management and organization can be used in ascertaining effective management of organizations. These will help in solving the recurring issues, challenges and problems within the organization. According to Aven & Renn (2010, p. 190 100) among the effective management theories for effective management of organization’s uncertainties, ambiguity and complexity is the scientific management theory that was founded by Taylor; this theory states that management needs to ensure proper planning of organizational activities in order to achieve optimum productivity and efficiency. This productivity and efficiency can be realized when the management relates well with the employees who form major part of the organization. The theory also asserts that employees be trained using scientific methods in order to avoid conflict with the management. The graduate manager may also employ the bureaucratic approach as described by Max Weber in managing the mentioned uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity of the organization. According to Alvesson et al., (2009) the bureaucratic approach by Max Weber, is vital in centralizing the structure of management. According to the theory, democracy should spearhead the practices within the organ

Trends in the workplace Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Trends in the workplace - Assignment Example It achieves this objective through career mapping, trainings, and performance management. The aim of this process is to impart the necessary skills to employees, for purposes of achieving efficiency in their work. Furthermore, the development of the human resource staff is a motivating factor that can improve the quality of work an individual does (Mondy and Noe, 2005). Evaluation, designing and implementation of compensation benefits is another important function of human resource management. This includes salaries and bonuses that employees get for their services to the organization. A fair and good remuneration package will most likely attract workers to the organization (Chandler, 2006). The organization will therefore have an opportunity to choose the best talents, from the high number of people who have applied in it (Mondy and Noe, 2005). Companies that do not pay their employees according to the living standards of the region will experience a high labor turnover. This in turn is expensive to the company, mainly because it will have to recruit employees again, which is an expensive process. Retention of workers is therefore an important strategy for an organization, and it cannot achieve this, with poor pay, and bonus system (Chandler, 2006). The employee-employer relationship is very important for the success of the organization. This is because the organization will manage to communicate its goals, aspirations, and mission to the employee. Furthermore, the employee will feel as if he or she is part of the organization, and hence work hard to achieve the objectives of the organization. Through compliance, collective bargaining, and a number of initiatives, human resource management is able to create a positive relationship between employees and the employer. Finally, risk management is another important function of human resource management. The HR

International Students challenges in the US Essay

International Students challenges in the US - Essay Example Most of the students especially those from Middle East can rarely spell even an English single sentence without faltering, becoming very difficult to communicate and relate with other students in class. They therefore ends forming the groups according to the language they understands promoting the negative art of discrimination. It even becomes more difficult for them to ask or even answer a question in class for fear of misunderstanding from their fellow students. â€Å"Jumping into these conversations is a challenge for some international students. They might be uncomfortable speaking English† (Lipson 31).Most of them got very funny accent such that whenever they say something the class busts into a laughter making them feel inferior in anything they do. Language barrier also creates a wall between those students and the Professor who they also fear speaking with considering he or she is the master. These students are forced to learn English as an additional unit so as to en hance their communication skills, and therefore ending up wasting time. This is the only solution in order to write and express their view points in term papers, class work and research. Others who have studied English before are always in a better position although some have to master English in order to learn the academic rules understood in USA (Lisbon 36). Getting used to the culture and beliefs in the new environment an issue affecting them. Religious and cultural beliefs differ from one country to another and an international student in US may encounter difficulties in the process of accepting the change. Take for example a Libyan male student who believes that women are tools of house chores forced to accept that the ratio of professionals’ jobs from men to women is 53:47.There are even other cultures which do not believe friendship between male and females yet in US it their culture. International student must couple with this new style so as to be on the

Behaviour Modification and Cognitive Processes of Learning

Behaviour Modification and Cognitive Processes of Learning Pillay Sheryl Amanda Ballen I will be discussing some important procedures which enable learning. Each and every human being learns any kind of behavior during their life span. There is no human being on earth who does not undergo the process of learning. There are various learning methods through which we obtain beliefs, approaches and skills (Skinner, 1971, cited in Ryckman,2013, p. 361) Here we shall discuss the principles of learning and their uses in daily life. I would like to also demonstrate how behavior modification compares with cognitive processes of learning. Learning What we mean when we say the word â€Å"learning†, we normally mean â€Å"thinking using the brain†. These concepts of learning are the central perspective in the Cognitive Learning Theory (CLT). Mental processes can be explained, as they are predisposed by both internal and external factors, which gradually bring about learning. Cognitive Learning Theory suggests that the different procedures regarding learning can be described by examining the mental processes first. It suggests that with actual cognitive processes, learning is simpler and new material can be placed in the memory for a long time. However, ineffective cognitive processes affect learning complications which can be seen in a person. Social Cognitive Theory (SLT) There are three variables in social cognitive theory, which are interconnected with each other, for learning to happen, which consist of: Personal factors Environmental factors Behavior factors An individual’s environmental interaction, beliefs, ideas and mental skills are influenced by outside factors such as a caring or uncaring parent, disturbing or healthy environment or a very hot or humid climate. The mental process in a person is affected by his behavior, and environmental interaction, which can also alter the way he thinks. One’s behavior can disturb and change the environment in which he or she lives in. Basic concepts of social learning are: Observational Learning Is a form of learning from other people, by means of observing their behavior in an effective way in order to gain knowledge and change behavior. Reproduction Is the method wherein there is a goal to successfully escalate the repeating of a behavior by means of changing the environment to a safer and more comfortable on , within reachable proximate, and to encourage him to remember the new information and behavior learned and to exercise them. Self-efficacy Is the way a person uses the newly learnt knowledge or behavior which he has learnt. Emotional coping is a good coping devices used against demanding environments and negative personal appearances can lead to operational learning, especially in adults Self – regulatory capability is the capability to regulator the behavior even within a negative environment. Classical and operant conditioning are two vital perceptions significant to behavioral psychology. While both result in learning, the procedure is quite different. To understand how each of these behavior modification methods can be used, it is also important to understand how classic conditioning and operant conditioning differ from one another. Classic Conditioning Was developed by the Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov, classic conditioning is the first type of learning wherein an organism responds to an environmental stimulus. Pavlov (1927) observed that in classic conditioning, the stimulus (S) triggers the response (R) of an organism. Within the exposure of the organism to the stimulus, reflex(Hermans et.al., 2006, cited in Weiten, 2014, p. 232). The unconditioned stimulus (US) is the stimulus which leads to an observable response without training. The unconditioned response (UR) is the response brought about by the unconditioned stimulus. It is an automatic and normal behavior. The conditioned stimulus (CR) is a stimulus that is original and has no meaning to the subject. Through learning it is paired with the unconditioned stimulus (US) and brings about the conditioned response. The conditioned response (CR) is the behavior caused by the condition stimulus in response to the (CS). It is usually anticipation of the (US). General Observation My brother was in matric and my little sister was two years old when I observed my brother’s behavior. He would often get very frustrated with my little sister when he tried to study (US) in order for him to study he use to give her a chocolate (UR) and she would smile and leave him to study. The chocolate is a positive reinforcement. Now six months later he has completed his matric and when she goes into his room she expects chocolate (CR). Now that my brother do not give her chocolate, when she goes into his room she begins to cry, and mom would get angry at my brother for making her cry. Mom do not realize that my brother has created a (CR) in my little sister behavior, since mom does not allow her to eat chocolate. Operant Conditioning known as Instrumental Conditioning: Was established by B.F.Skinner . However Skinner was also greatly influenced by the works of Ivan Pavlov on the conditioning reflux. (Skinner, 1970, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 360). Operant conditioning tries to contradict the belief that internal thoughts and mere inspirations which brings about learning in a behavior. Skinner thought that only exterior causes of behavior must be considered (Skinner, 1953, p. 65)) The term â€Å"operant† was used by Skinner in order to give us a good suggestion of his theory and how he used it: (Skinner, 1953, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 365). Reinforcement: Is a procedure of increasing the frequency rate of a behavior by means of awarding a stimulus soon after the demonstration of the behavior. The event that strengthens the probability of the behavior to be recurring is called a reinforcer. According to Skinner, reinforcement can take two forms, which are called positive and negative reinforcement (Skinner, 1953, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 367). Positive Reinforcement: When my mom wanted me to do the dishes, she would say to me â€Å"if you do the dishes for me, for the week than I will take you out shopping on Saturday†. Naturally we would spend the day shopping and she would spoil me, but eventually without her asking me to do the dishes for her. I realized that she was tired after work and the least I could do was help her with the dishes. Negative reinforcement occurs when a reply is reinforced because it is followed by the elimination of an unfriendly stimulus. Example cleaning the house to get rid of the mess or wearing a safety belt whist driving to prevent an annoying sound (Skinner, 1953, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 367). Negative Reinforcement: I hated the fact that I needed to drive with my safety belt on, and I found that the annoying noise of the seatbelt would not stop until I buckled up which is an aversive stimulus since it encourage me to fasten my seat belt. Until I fasten the seatbelt, the annoying sound persisted I could not get rid of the aversive stimuli. Now days when I get into the car, the first thing I do is put my safety belt on. In both positive and negative reinforcement, behavior is increased, however negative reinforcement plays a key role in both escaping learning and avoidance learning (Skinner, 1953, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 367). In escape learning, a being obtain a response that decrease or ends some aversive stimulation example: my little sister wearing her shoes before going outside to play, this leads to: Avoidance learning in which an entity obtains a response that stops some aversive stimulation from happening example putting on shoes before you get an ammonia. Avoidance learning is a good way to see how classical conditioning and operant conditioning work together to regulate behavior. An example, shoes my sister needs to put on before she goes outside and play might become a classical conditioning (CS) that elicits a fear of wearing shoes in her. However the response of putting on her shoes is an operant behavior. This response is strengthened through negative reinforcement, because it reduces the person’s fear of getting sick. Thus in avoidance learning a fear response is acquired through classical conditioning and an avoidance response is maintained by operant conditioning. Punishment Is a process whereby a stimulus is used after the presentation of behavior and cause the decline in the possibility of the behavior to reoccur. In contrast to reinforcement there are also consequences that decrease a being’s leaning to make a specific response. Positive punishment: Is the accumulation of something which affects the decrease in repeating the behavior that was displayed? Negative punishment, also known as punishment by removal, occurs when a favorable event or outcome is removed after a behavior occurs (Skinner, 1953, cited inRyckman, 2013, p. 368). When I was younger my sister and I slept in the same room and we often fought with each other about who slept on the top of the double bunk. Until my father got angry one day and sent us both to the naughty corner for two whole hours, and whilst sitting alone it decreased our behavior and we never fought again with each other about sleeping arrangements. Negative Punishment: Decreases the behavior from occurring, it is removing pleasant stimulus when someone is not doing the appropriate behavior. Eating food was one of my difficulties, since I rather looked forward to the deserts during super time, so I use to waste my food. Dad took away my spending and said I needed to learn to appreciate and feel what poor kids are going through. He even took me to the orphanage and I felt so bad, now I know not to waste food since there are so many kids out there who do not have food. My view on wasting food has changed. OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING Is based on the work of Albert Bandura (1977). Bandura and his associates were able to exhibit through a variation of experimentations that the request of concerns was not necessary for learning to take place. Instead learning could happen through the simple procedure of observing someone else’s actions or behavior. This effort provided the basis for Bandura’s future work in social cognition ( Ohman Mineka, 2001, cited in Weiten, 2014, p. 252). Bandura expressed his findings in a four step design which includes a cognitive and an operant view of learning. Attention- to learn observation, you must pay attention to another person’s behavior and its environment. Retention- you may not have times to observe response for a long time. Hence the individual remembers what was noticed and must store a mental image of what he has witnessed in his memory. Reproduction- the action that the individual produces that is a replica of what was noticed. Motivation your motivation depends on whether you encounter the situation in which you believe that the response is likely to pay off for you (Weiten, 2013, p. 252). My eldest brother (fifteen years old) use to skip school and smoke cigarettes. Whilst my younger brother who was (twelve years old) at the time observed what he was doing. When my younger brother turned (fourteen) he stated smoking cigarettes too. Thereafter he started modelling my eldest brother’s behavior and he too started skipping school. Now both of them are addicted to smoking. I often hear both my brother’s saying that smoking is not good, yet they keep smoking. And when their friends come over, they smoke even worst. I cannot fully understand the need for their smoking. However I do know that it is not good for their health, it clogs their lungs and some people also dies of lung cancer, besides I hate the bad odor in there breathe. My eldest brother was a good athlete at college but these days he complains that he cannot run like he used to, because he suffers of short breath and he coughs a lot to. I constantly tell him to quit smoking and he would stop for a day or two, and he would become very frustrated and annoying to be around. Eventually I would say to him â€Å"you know, you should rather smoke because you are so annoying, your attitude really stinks† And he would say you know I cannot function without cigarettes it feels like my nerves are finished, I cannot even concentrate, I am trying to leave this addiction but it is not easy. Behavior Modification Is a therapeutic technique created by Skinner, a psychologist who is the â€Å"Father of Behaviorism.† Skinner established a theory of operant conditioning, whereby he states that all behavior is ruled by reinforcing and punishing stimuli. Behavior modification practices a planned approach that rewards wanted behavior and â€Å"punishes† unwanted behavior. This technique is used in therapy and is used in psychological settings. Behavior modification is now known as Applied behavior analysis (ABA) which is more logical (Kransner, 1970, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 375). How Behavior Modification is applied: Psychologists use behavior modification to treat disorders such as attention deficit disorder, autism etc. The basics of behavior modification are used to increase the desired behaviors in any specific person, regardless of functional level (Tanaka- Matsumi et al., 2002 cited in Corey2014, p. 254). For example, a person wants to quit smoking cigarettes; he may use behavioral methods to help attain those goals. Another example is, an individual who sees a shark and swims for his life, and he is not swimming fast because he is â€Å"scared.† Instead, he is swimming fast because he saw what happened to other’s who did not swim and who was eaten by the shark. The impulse to swim fast is a result of those that swam and did not live. In addition, the particular feeling of being â€Å"scared† is measured as a flight reflex, not a feeling. The heart races and adrenaline rises as the nervous system responds to the situation at hand. Hence, anything a person does can be directed to behavior modification. Reinforcement and Punishment The idea of reinforcement and punishment is often used in different ways, in behavior modification than in everyday linguistic. Whatever increases a behavior is a reflected reinforcement and whatever decreases the behavior is punishment. The complex part is that both reinforcement and punishment can have either a positive or negative outcome. Positive refers to whatever is added to the situation and negative is whatever is taken away from the situation (Watson Tharp, 1997, cited in Weiten, 2014, p. 260). Positive Reinforcement: When I was in school my mom would give me a huge hug and when I got really good marks she would reward me with presents for passing. Negative Reinforcement: My brother often did not do well at school, and he did not get any praises from my parents, instead my parents were disappointment and would often ground him. This is a negative reinforcement, because although he was not an academic student I feel my parents would still praise him and motivated him in whatever field he is good at. Punishment: Often my brother had to do the gardening for the duration of the school term in order for his grades to go up. This was dad’s way of punishing him positively. Mom use to take away his play station and his bicycle until his grades picked up. This was mom’s way of punishing him negatively (Weiten, 2014, p. 260). Behavior Modification in Everyday Life: According to Lazaras (1989) behavior modification may seem complicated, but in fact it is actually quite simple. If an individual is reinforced every single time he or she does something good, sooner or later the reinforcement will lose its power. When using this technique with general people, one should reinforce the desired outcome, with a consistency. Then as they start to respond, change your schedule of reinforcement to every third time, and they will do what you want. After a while, change it again to every fifth time until they do it automatically (Lazaras 1989 cited in Corey, 2014). Mom wanted dad to open the car door for her. When they went out shopping she carried all the bags and when she got to the car, dad noticed that her hands were filled and he opened the door for her. Once he opened the door, she looked at him in the eye and told him what an amazing person he is. After several times of her encouraging him to open the door, eventually he started opening the car door for her regularly. And once she noticed that he was opening the door for her she did not compliment him every time. However once in a while she would complement him. Conclusion Both cognitive processes and behavior modification has been used with good outcomes to help people with a wide variety of problems. These approaches makes use of tangible, involvements, because of the way problems are recognized .The major methods are logical and straightforward. References Corey, G. (2014). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (SA ed.). USA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, Inc. Ryckman,R. M. (2013). Theories of Personality (10th, ed.). USA: International Edition, Cengage Learning. Corey, G. (1986).Theory and practice of group counselling and psychotherapy(3rd ed.). Monterey, CA Brooks/Cole. Weiten, W. (2014). Psychology Themes and Variations (SA. Ed.). Las Vegas, USA: Cengage Learning.

a farewell to arms Essay -- essays research papers

â€Å"A writer’s job is to tell the truth† – Ernest Hemingway. This quote means that it is a writer’s job to convey some sort of truth or accuracy to the reader. I agree. This is shown in the novel, A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway through the setting and characterization in the novel. It is also shown in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee through the themes and setting of the novel.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the war novel, A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway demonstrates that it is a writer’s job to convey some sort of truth to the reader through the setting of the novel. This novel takes place during a time of war and shows what war is like, realistically. For a war novel, there is not a lot of fighting but instead more of getting from one place to another and the situations that occur in the interim. This portrays a truth to the reader because it shows how war is in reality and that it is not all death and destruction. Hemingway expresses the emotions of the characters accurately for time of war and conditions or situations the characters are put into. The author shows us the characters interact with each other and how they deal with the war surrounding them. For example, in Book III of the novel, the priest says that people that summer finally realized the war and that people were gentler because they had been beaten. This, truthfully, shows how war affe cts people and their emotions because it shows how they are disappointed. Through the setting of...

Influence to Hong Kong as an International Logistics Hub

[pic] Influence to Hong Kong as an international logistics hub – under the â€Å"Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation† | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Influence to Hong Kong as an international logistics hub – under the â€Å"Framework Agreement on Hong Kong nd Guangdong Co-operation† cvnru1ulicenen6. iewst4d)0/su18. 4h06k244-055322175 (on ABSTRACT On 7 April 2010, The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Huahua, signed the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation. The Framework Agreement builds on years of closely co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong. This report reviews the development of Co-operation Agreement between Guangdong and Hong Kong and the implementation of Hong Kong’s logistics industry based on the agreement.To fully understand this Framework Agreement, we explore the challenges confronting Hong Kong as an international logistic hub and event ually acquire some benefits through the co-operation of Hong Kong and Guangdong. REVIEW THE DEVELOPMENT OF CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN PEARL RIVER DELTA AND HONG KONG The Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement – CEPA (signed on June 2003) CEPA introduced liberalization measures for various â€Å"Hong Kong service suppliers†.Logistics industry is one of the â€Å"Hong Kong service suppliers† and recognized to set up wholly-owned enterprises in mainland to provide logistics, international freight forwarding, storage, warehousing, road transport and shipping services. This arrangement not only provided opportunities to Hong Kong logistics companies to access mainland market but also liberated trade in goods and trade in services between mainland and Hong Kong.Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation Framework Agreement (signed on June 2004) The Pearl River Delta region(PRD), as known as â€Å"9+2†, which includes Guangdong, Fuji an, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hong Kong and Macau. Under this agreement, the Pearl River Delta region cooperated closely and intensively in infrastructure, trade, industry, investment and other areas. Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau have entered a new stage of economic integration. Pan-Pearl River Delta Logistics Development Co-operation Agreement (signed on July 2005) Logistics industry acts as an important role in economic development.This agreement aimed to strengthen the coordination on logistics planning; logistics and transport system; logistics information system and human resources development and technological innovation. It was a remarkable stage of model logistics development in PRD. Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation (signed on July 2010) To continue the implementation of CEPA, the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation clearly defined the social economic development between Hong Kong and Guang dong.It enhanced Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre and expedited the development of financial services industries in Guangdong; it also facilitated the flow of key factors such as people, goods, information and capital across the boundary to build an international aviation, shipping and logistics hub and a world-class modern economic circulation sphere. A series of environmental protection plans have been carried out to create a high quality living area among the PRD.CO-OPERATION INITIATIVES ON CUSTOMS CLEARANCE OF GOODS The Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation has included infrastructure projects to enhance logistics development and communication and cross-boundary development. To achieve the facilitation of the flow of goods across the boundary, Hong Kong and Guangdong have put forward a number of specific policies and measures. Hong Kong Government advocated the standardization of the information and data required by the custo ms of the mainland.Hong Kong first launched the electronic Road Cargo System (ROCARS) in May 2010 to enable seamless clearance of road cargoes. With this new electronic information platform and building on the foundation of mutual co-operation and benefit, Hong Kong and Mainland Customs are able to make further contribution to enhance customs clearance efficiency and facilitate cross-boundary movement of goods. Road Cargo System (ROCARS) The present customs clearance arrangement at land boundary control points (LBCP), a truck driver has to stop first at an Immigration kiosk and then a Customs kiosk.He delivers a paper manifest which contains relevant cargo information at the latter to a Customs officer who determines on the spot whether physical inspection is necessary. It needs to wait for a moment until it is approved by the Customs. ROCARS allows Customs Officers to perform risk profiling before a truck arrives at LBCP. A shipper or agent needs to provide cargo data in eight fiel ds to the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) electronically before the cargo enters or exits Hong Kong by truck. Meanwhile, the shipper or agent receives a customs reference number for his consignment.The driver of a laden truck needs to report to C&ED within 30 minutes before his truck arriving LBCP, together with the customs reference number of the consignment concerned received from the shipper and his vehicle registration number. If it is not selected by the Customs, no physical inspection is required. Benefits of ROCARS ROCARS allows the Customs officers conduct risk profiling on every cargo consignment in advance and determine whether a truck needs to be inspected. All cross-boundary trucks, except those are selected for inspection, they enjoy seamless customs clearance at the land boundary.It increases the efficiency and shortens the time for customs clearance of road cargoes; it also ensures a smooth flow of land boundary traffic. For the transportation and logistics indus try, many truck drivers deliver a loaded container from China factory via Hong Kong and the goods are to be transshipped overseas by liner vessel. ROCARS can enhance speedy and secure movement of cargoes between Hong Kong and China. As a result, cargoes can be delivered on time to liner vessel stably and reliable. It encourages the development of Hong Kong as an international logistics hub.COLLABORATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY To facilitate information flow and service integration towards Hong Kong and Mainland, Hong Kong started to develop and operate the Digital Trade and Transportation Network (DTTN) on 2005. The aim of DTTN is to lower the barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enjoy e-commerce; it provides Hong Kong and the PRD with an e-infrastructure to secure the region’s place as a leading international logistics hub. Digital Trade and Transportation Network (DTTN)DTTN is an e-platform to connect the organizations in trading , logistics and financial industries and to enable them to exchange business documents electronically with their trading partners. It supports the whole supply chains, including Sellers and Buyers, Carriers, Freight Forwarders, Terminals, Government and Agencies, Inspection Agencies, Insurance Institutions and Banking Institutions; it provides a wide range of services on message routing and transformation, data inheritance, statistical and analytical reporting.Over 80 major documents such as Purchase or Sales order, Packing list, Shipping order, House waybill, Customs clearance or Letter of Credit†¦etc can be supported by DTTN service which facilitates the information flow and service integration on trading, logistics, finance, import and export businesses. Benefits of DTTN DTTN enables new business opportunities for logistic service providers to provide value-add services; Hong Kong logistics industry can compete as premium service leader on high quality value-added services r ather than merely competing on cost.Logistics information flow is one of the key factors for the companies to achieve success. DTTN help to maximize the benefits of e-logistics by utilizing a cost effective infrastructure. It is a neutral, secure and reliable e-platform for trading and logistics communities which can smooth the whole international logistics operation and improve our competitiveness. It further promotes regional integration and enhances the supply-chain efficiency. IMPLEMENTATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTSWith an excellent infrastructure and telecommunications facilities, a well established financial and legal system, a good international connections and a free market for trading. Hong Kong enjoys a number of competitive advantages in developing logistic industry. Facing the rapid growth of logistics development in Guangdong province, to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international logistic hub, HKSAR Government is urged to develop a closer corporation between Hong Kong and PRD.The Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation which specified several policies on expediting the construction of cross-boundary highway, rail links and ancillary works; building a high class navigation network in PRD; improving the mechanism of the five major airports in the PDR; proactively seeking national support for enlarging the air space in the PDR; supporting the aviation status of each airport, building a network of short-haul helicopter services in the PRD. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB)The HMZB project connects Hong Kong, Macau and the major cities in PRD, there will be a loop of high speed linkage among Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Guangxi, Hainan and other south western part of mainland. (Figure 1. ) [pic] Figure 1: Retrieved from Highway Department http://www. nzcchk. com/IBC%202009%2014%20-%20Hong%20Kong%20Zuhai%20Macau%20Bridge%20Project. pdf It consists of three sections (Figure 2). The western section is a link road within Zhuhai and the Zhuhai-Macao Boundary Crossing Facilities (ZMBCF). TheZhuhai Link Road will connect ZMBCF to the inland area of Zhuhai. The middle section is the HZMB Main Bridge. [pic] Figure 2: Retrieved from Highway Department http://www. nzcchk. com/IBC%202009%2014%20-%20Hong%20Kong%20Zuhai%20Macau%20Bridge%20Project. pdf The eastern section is within Hong Kong, there will be a Hong Kong Link Road (HKLR) to connect the HZMB Main Bridge to the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF). Meanwhile, the tunnel of HKLR will also connect Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to the HKBCF.HKBCF will serve as a strategic multi-model transportation hub, HKBCF will include construction cargo and passenger related facilities, public transport interchange, open road tolling system and some Government buildings will be set up in there. It is believed that the HMZB will bring more road haulage service between Hong Kong and mainland, in connection with the bridge, a highway is to b e built to connect Tuen Mun and Chek Lap Lok( TMCLK Link and the Tuen Mun Western Bypass) in order to meet the traffic demand between Northwest New Territories (NWNT) and North Lantau via HKBCF. (Figure 3) [pic]Figure 3: Retrieved from Highway Department http://www. nzcchk. com/IBC%202009%2014%20-%20Hong%20Kong%20Zuhai%20Macau%20Bridge%20Project. pdf Impacts of the HZMB The journey between Hong Kong and the Western PRD can be shortened to within three hours, it will take around 30mins from Zhuhai to Hong Kong International Airport which will significantly reduce the cost and time for passenger and good flow between Hong Kong and the Western PRD. In addition, the HZMB will bring tremendous benefit to Hong Kong, the Mainland and Macao in the areas of economic development, tourism, finance, logistics and ultural exchange. Hong Kong’s logistics industry will not only be able to get more business in the PRD but also extend their services into the inland area of the Mainland includ ing the resource-rich Sichuan Province. Hence, it further enhances Hong Kong’s status as an international transportation and aviation hub. Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Express Line (WEL) To promote the development of Qianhai and NWNT and enhance the co-operation between the two airports in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, there will be a cross boundary railway, WEL, to connect the western part of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, including the two airports.From now the mainland destinations of HKIA mainly are the mainland cities far away from Hong Kong such as Shanghai and Beijing. Facing the rapid economic development in Mainland, the demand for domestic flights will continue to increase; there will be the same demand of international flights of international transit flight via Hong Kong. It is believed that WEL helps to connect the two airports between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, it will help the two cities in achieving a win-win situation by complementing each other and enhancing competitiveness. Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL)To expedite the construction of various cross-boundary transport infrastructures between Hong Kong and Mainland, XRL will connect Hong Kong with the Mainland’s national high-speed railway network which will significantly reduce the journey time. XRL is an express rail to link up Hong Kong with Guangzhou via Futian and Longhua in Shenzhen and Humen in Dongguan. The terminus in Guangzhou will be located at Shibi, which is the centre of the Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan area. The Mainland section of XRL will start from Shibi and enter Hong Kong via Huanggang. (figure 4) [pic] Figure 4: Retrieved from Legislative Council brief http://legco. gov. k/yr09-10/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp1022-thb200910a-e. pdf The Hong Kong Section is started from Huangguan, there will be an underground railway running from Huanggang to West Kowloon Terminus at the West Kowloon District, and between the Airport Express Kowloon Station and t he West Rail Austin Station. [pic] Figure 5: Retrieved from Legislative Council brief http://legco. gov. hk/yr07-08/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp-thbtcr11658199-e. pdf Impacts of the XRL XRL is vitally important to Hong Kong. It will connect Hong Kong with the Mainland's national high-speed railway network and significantly reduce the journey time.A trip between Hong Kong and Shibi on the XRL will only take 48 minutes, to Wuhan in five hours, and to Shanghai and Beijing in about eight and 10 hours respectively. The XRL will terminate at the New Guangzhou Passenger Terminus at Shibi in Guangzhou. Shibi, together with the stations at Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan, are designated as the four major national railway passenger hubs of the Mainland. The Terminus is planned to become a mega transport hub. Hence, XRL will help reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a transport, financial and commercial hub of China.It will support the sustained growth of our four traditional economic pillars – Financial services, tourism, logistics, business support and professional services. CONSOLIDATING HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AS AN INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AND LOGISTICS CENTRE Positioning of Hong Kong International Airport(HKIA) HKIA is the word’s busiest cargo airport, it has handled a record high of 4. 13 million tonnes of cargo in 2010. To meet the anticipated growth in demand, a new air cargo terminal is being constructed and is expected to commence operation in early 2013; the cargo-handling capacity will be increased.In long term, building a third runway is necessary to meet the forecast growth of passenger and cargo handling up to 2030. It will maintain the competitive edge of Hong Kong as an international and regional aviation centre. In view of increasing aircraft movements in PRD region, air routes and airspace open for civil aviation are insufficient, flights on many air routes have to make an additional detour or fly to a certain flight level t o ensure safety, it increased the flight time and flight delay in Mainland is always happened from time to time.To meet the aviation development needs and strengthen the economies between Hong Kong and Mainland, HKSAR government has to formulate a development plan for future air spaces capacity of the HKIA as well as the positioning of HKIA in accordance with its function as mentioned in the Framework Agreement to avoid the traffic congestion in the airspace over the PRD region. Measures to enhance the maritime port’s competitiveness To reinforce Hong Kong's position as a renowned international maritime centre and it is believed that a well established international business and maritime network is necessary.With regard to port expansion, HKSAR Government is looking for the right location for Container Terminal 10, which may be required as early as 2015. It will be other local transportation projects to shorten the travelling time of goods and commuters within the territory. The Hong Kong Shipping Register is the first-rate service offered by the Hong Kong maritime cluster. To maintain the reputation of the Hong Kong Shipping Register, the Hong Kong Marine Department will work closely with the industry to enhance the standards of Hong Kong ships and increase the competitiveness of the Register.Such as providing e-services for expanding one-stop shop services for ship registration, strengthening pre-registration quality control and enhancing coordination with the relevant Mainland authorities to offer better protection for Hong Kong ships. Hong Kong can also provide higher value-added services like maritime insurance, ship financing, international arbitration and logistic management to form a stronger industrial cluster.POSITIONING HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG AS A MODERN ECONIMIC CIRCULATION SPHERE To reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a logistics and maritime centre, Hong Kong needs to have first-class infrastructure facilities in parallel with hard i nfrastructure development. Banking and Bond Business The Framework Agreement deepens the Hong Kong’s RMB trade settlement and finance businesses at local level. It provides a best platform for Mainland authorities and Hong Kong Monetary Authority to jointly discuss and investigate how to expedite the application of RMB outside the China and continuously improve the RMB trade settlement services.It also facilitates the bond services, the qualified Guangdong financial organizations and companies can issue RMB bonds in Hong Kong. This approach creates many different financial channels to both sides and supports the development of Hong Kong’s RMB bond services simultaneously. Securities Services For securities business, the Framework Agreement pushes forward connection and mutual co-operation in respect of talents, knowledge, products, and institutions between both sides.In addition, more Guangdong financial organizations and companies are encouraged to raise funds in Hong Kong and to be Hong Kong listed companies. In order to strengthen the collaboration of securities services between Hong Kong and Guangdong, the supplement VI of Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) was signed in 2009 which permitted securities organizations in Mainland and Hong Kong to establish securities investment consultancies in joint venture mode. Insurance ServicesWith the support of Framework Agreement, the qualified Hong Kong financial organizations can set up legal institutions with insurance services in Guangdong and this facilitates Hong Kong insurance organizations to develop business in Mainland by lowering the entry requirements of Mainland insurance market. The supplement IV of CEPA helps Hong Kong insurance agents to set up wholly-owned companies in Mainland. The collaboration of China Insurance Regulatory Commission and Office of the Commissioner of Insurance in Hong Kong can continuously be increased.Developing international logis tics hub in Hong Kong and PRD region The Framework Agreement helps the development of financial logistics service in Hong Kong by integrating supply, production and sales and formed the financial supply chain system. It was the revolution of third-party logistics services in Hong Kong. Financial logistics service has became gradually popular that combined with logistics and financial products. The ability of third-party logistics services and operating profit has been improved; logistic companies can expand financing channels, reduce financing costs and improve capital management efficiency.The new third-party logistics service definitely drives toward the goal of win-win supply chain. Logistics companies can activate occupied costs of idle raw materials and finished products for optimizing companies’ resources. The provision of financial logistics service can enhance companies’ integrated logistics services and competitiveness; it further increases the business scale as well as the value-added services. The enhanced financial costing and broad financing channels reduce the capital utilization of raw materials and semi-finished products.Moreover, the optimal capital allocation can reduce the procurement costs, expand sales volume and increase the companies’ sales profits. For further support, financial logistics services help companies to expand the size of loans for smoothing the cash flow, reduce credit risk and support the disposal of bad assets. The combination of logistics services and financial services which provides an integrated supply chain financial plan, it also increases the competitive advantage and profits.Through the financial logistic services, the warehouse logistic companies can achieve multilateral success; enhance customers’ capital capability and responsiveness to market risk. It encourages customers to deal with the warehouse goods processing and facilitates the interactive information sharing of goods, large amount of goods storage and high goods turnover rate. The diversified payment methods can maximize customers’ capital settlement. Therefore, customers’ pressure on accounts receivable can be reduced.With the connection of logistics and insurance industries, it provides a comprehensive logistics insurance service for all supply chain activities and items. It includes equipment damage, goods delivery, property and facilities, operation safety of trucks and other means of transport, and employee insurance, etc. Through the enhanced financial services, increased financial channels and the supports of Mainland banks and insurance companies, the logistics industry in Hong Kong obtains abundant resources to develop the financial logistics services, logistics routes and business in Mainland.Foreign enterprises also can take Hong Kong and Guangdong as a platform to invest in mainland market, in returns, Hong Kong acts as a bridgehead for Mainland enterprises to â€Å"go global † and establishes their head office in Hong Kong and promotes their business to global markets. CONCLUSION Hong Kong is the gateway of China and positioned in the heart of Asia; we can reach all major Asian countries within four hours and half of the world's population within five hours by plane.However, facing the changes of global economic structure and the worldwide trend of forming a regional economic co-operation and competition, it is difficult for an individual city to compete at its own. As such Hong Kong has to strengthen itself by co-operating with Mainland, particularly PRD region in Guangdong, to search for larger market hinterland so as to maintain its long term competitiveness. Under the outline of the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong Guangdong Co-operation, Hong Kong has to work towards betterment by consolidating innovation into its existing pillar industries, including finance, trading, shipping and logistics.To enhance our competitiveness, Hong Kong has conti nued investing in key infrastructure projects to maintain an efficient multi-modal transport network which covering air, land and sea to meet the different needs. Major infrastructure projects like HZMB, XRL and WEL, which materialize the â€Å"one-hour intercity circle† for people in PRD region and enforce a sound regional system of marine, land and air transport integration within this region. To facilitate the logistic flow and customs procedures, ROCARS has been introduced on the customs clearance.Some other recommendations on customs procedures can be considered in future, for instance, a mutual recognition of the examination results of cross-boundary vehicles, relaxation of the restrictions on Hong Kong trucks with valid licenses to travel in Mainland, as well as a centralized electronic communication platform on other control points to shorten the customs clearance time. In parallel with hard infrastructure development, Hong Kong should continue to develop the required software, particularly in the expansion of our aviation network, nurturing fresh talent and IT development.Hong Kong should make use the advantage of legal system and professional service, an extensive shipping and aviation network so as to provide a high value-added logistic services like pick-and pack and inventory management services. We believe that maintaining a closely correlation between Hong Kong’s hard and soft infrastructure is one of the factors to sustain our economic growth and prosperity. To further reinforce Hong Kong’s position as an international logistic hub and a gateway for Asia to access global markets, we have to tie with the co-operation and development of mainland.Last but not lease, we do believe we shall always empower ourselves to meet the great challenges and proactively identify new engines of economic growth of Hong Kong. References Trade and Industry Department â€Å"Supplement to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership A rrangement† Retrieved 27 Sept, 2011 from http://www. tid. gov. hk/english/cepa/legaltext/cepa2. html Trade and Industry Department â€Å"The CEPA benefits Hong Kong economy, January 5, 2006† Retrieved 27 Sept, 2011 from http://www. tid. gov. hk/english/aboutus/presspeech/press/2006/20060105. htmlCustoms and Excise Department – Road Cargo System (ROCARS) https://www. rocars. gov. hk/en/landing_page. html Digital Trade and Transportation Network http://www. hk-dttn. com/home/english/home. html Digital Trade and Transportation Network (2005) †Tradelink announces agreements with the HKSAR Government on the Digital Trade & Transportation Network (DTTN)† Retrieved 26 Sept, 2011 from http://www. hk-dttn. com/events/english/050901_Agreements_DTTN_E. pdf Digital Trade and Transportation Network (2006) â€Å"Microsoft and DTTNCo Join Hands to Enhance Supply Chain Efficiency in Hong Kong† Retrieved 26 Sept 2011 from http://www. k-dttn. com/events/english/ Microsoft-DTTNCo%20Press%20Release_Eng. pdf Digital Trade and Transportation Network (Nov 2004) â€Å"Approach for Digital Trade and Transportation Network (DTTN) Document Structure Development† Retrieved on 26 Sept 2011 from http://www. hk-dttn. com/advisory/english/doc_dev_v0. 2. pdf Hong Kong's Information Service Department (April 2010), Press Release of â€Å"Signing ceremony of Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation held in Beijing† Retrieved on 27 Sept 2011 from http://www. info. gov. hk/gia/general/201004/07/P201004070113. tm Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in New York(2010) â€Å"Hong Kong, Guangdong sign cooperation pact† Retrieved on 27 Sept 2011 from http://www. hketony. gov. hk/ny/e-newsletter/10mar/CoopPact. htm Transport and Housing Bureau of HKSAR http://www. thb. gov. hk/eng/policy/transport/issues/cbt_3. htm Transport and Housing Bureau (2011), Hon Jeffrey Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng at the Legislative Council meeting, â€Å"Logistic industry in Hong Kongâ€Å" Retrieved on 28 Sept 2011 from http://www. hb. gov. hk/eng/psp/pressreleases/transport/logistics/2011/201102161. pdf Highways Department (Oct 2009) International Business Committee â€Å"Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge† Retrieved on 28 Sept 2011 from http://www. nzcchk. com/IBC%202009%2014%20-%20Hong%20Kong%20Zuhai%20Macau%20Bridge%20Project. pdf Legislative council brief (2010) â€Å"Hong Kong Section of Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong Express Rail Link ( XRL )† Retrieved on 1 Oct 2011 from http://www. legco. gov. hk/yr09-10/chinese/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp1022cb1-166-1-ec. pdfLegislative council brief (Oct 2009), â€Å"Hong Kong section of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express rail link funding arrangement and Special rehousing package† Retrieved on 1 Oct 2011 from http://legco. gov. hk/yr09-10/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp10 22-thb200910a-e. pdf Legislative council brief (April 2008) â€Å"Hong Kong section of Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong Express rail link† Retrieved on 1 Oct 2011 from http://legco. gov. hk/yr07-08/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp-thbtcr11658199-e. pdf Transport and Housing Bureau of HKSAR – XRL ttp://www. thb. gov. hk/eng/policy/transport/issues/cbt_4. htm MTR Corporation Limited http://www. expressraillink. hk/en/database/xrl-in-hk. html Transport and Housing Bureau (May 2011) Speech of the Secretary for Transport and Housing at a shipping community luncheon in Korea. Retrieved on 1 Oct 2011 from http://www. thb. gov. hk/eng/psp/speeches/transport/maritime/2011/201105311. pdf Transport and Housing Bureau (Mar 2011) Secretary for Transport and Housing's opening remarks (transport policy areas) at LegCo Special Finance Committee Meeting.Retrieved on 1 Oct 2011 from http://www. thb. gov. hk/eng/psp/speeches/transport/land/2011/201103221. pdf Constitu tional and Mainland Affairs Bureau http://www. cmab. gov. hk/en/issues/council. htm Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (2010) â€Å"Highlights of the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation† Retrieved on 6 October 2011 from http://www. hkecic. com/compass/eng/201006/Compass201006_2_RoadtoChina3. pdf Kee, P. & Yoshimatsu, H. (2010), Global movements in the Asia Pacific, 1st edn. World Scientific Publishing Company, US. Luo, Z. (2010), Service Science and Logistics Informatics: Innovative Perspectives, 1st edn. , IGI Global snippet, US. Waters, D. (2010), Global Logistics: New Directions in Supply Chain Management, 6th edn. , Kogan Page Publishers, UK. Legislative Council (2010) †Legislative Council Panel on Commerce and Industry Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation† Retrieved on 6 October 2011 from http://www. legco. gov. hk/yr09-10/english/panels/ci/papers/cicb1-1559-1-e. pdf

Legalization of Drugs Research Paper

Legalization of Drugs Research Paper Legalization of Drugs Research Paper Research Paper on Legalization of Drugs has more benefits than harm: Introduction A drug is any substance that alters the normal biological functions of the body. Production of Illegal drugs is normally prohibited and their use is strictly controlled because they can lead to addiction or habituation. Drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana can be extremely dangerous if wrongly used and beneficial if put into correct use. The issue of drug use and misuse has posed a serious real problem. Prohibition of drug use has been at the center of discussion in various countries across the globe. Since this drugs are now on the hands of the nastiest criminals all over the world, control and regulations are necessary. The only remedy to this menace is full legalization accompanied by appropriate controls. I fully support the motion that drugs should be legalized since prohibition will deny the authorities the chance to educate the children on proper use of the drugs (Gargaro). The ongoing debate on legalization of drugs is asking the government whether it will help in solving drug problems appropriately. If I were asked a similar question, I would say yes. This is because the current prohibitions on drugs are just mopping up the problem and not providing real solutions. Legalization and taxations are the only ways through which real solutions can be achieved. Just think of this situation; at least every year in Britain, criminals control billions of pounds in the drug industry instead of the government and traders through the black market. This kind of business has encouraged global terrorism, illegal munitions trade, control on prostitution, and sexual slavery. Almost half of all the criminal offenses committed in the country are drug related. Couldn’t reducing these crimes free our legal services and prisons at least for a moment? Unnecessary prohibitions on drug use has led our children into committing drug related crimes, and this has denied the m the much needed advice on drugs, besides undermining our respect for the law. The government should therefore take the obvious step, put all the drugs state control, and impose legislation and taxes on their sale. This will relieve our country the burden of staggering under unnecessary prohibitions (Gray). Prohibitions on drug and substance abuse such as alcohol have been in place since the 1920s in the US and other developed countries. It has made people believe that taking it is a criminal activity, which can land someone in jail. The ill effects of the drugs and alcohol are so adverse such that no sane person could like to be associated with them by using the drug. So many people are convinced that these effects are harmful, and have successfully restrained from the habit. It is good to establish such a law in the society, and most government has effectively controlled drug abuse since time immemorial through prohibitions. For example, the alcohol prohibition act of the 1920s proved effective because cases of alcohol consumption greatly dropped even though it did not succeed in eliminating the alcohol. The rate of crime and drunkenness dropped and taxes were reduced by putting the offenders in jail. Minor crimes such as vagrancy, public indecency, and disorderliness have been succes sfully eliminated use to these prohibitions. This is enough prove that this method really works (C.S). Prohibition of drug use in countries such as the United States, Britain, and other parts of the larger Europe has proved to be futile and the war on drugs in these societies has caused multiple harms to the users. Since prohibition is aimed at increasing price and penalty of a serious drug habit, it makes it unaffordable for most individuals. Penalizing the use of the drugs drives the law-abiding individuals into the criminal market economy. Criminalizing users and prohibitions exposes them to health risks that could have otherwise been avoided. In addition, it doesn’t make sense to criminalize some drugs while providing a free market to others. This distracts attention from legal to those that are harmful but legal, such as alcohol. The prohibition on drugs has never and will never work. This attempt of trying to deny people their right of doing what they want with their bodies is doomed to fail as long as the person using the drug does not harm his or her neighbor. The curre nt method that has long been used to fight the drug war is very expensive and has not yielded any meaningful results. It is a simplistic solution that has all along failed to recognize the complexity surrounding the problem. It has also been oblivious of the dangers a drug has on the individual. Full scale legalization of the drug act will enable the state to educate the public on risks associated with drug use, and how such problems can be taken care of. While there is a possibility that the act of legalization of drugs will attract more users, their lives will be much healthier and safer. Let us not get speculative here, since we are aware of people who used to take drugs but still leading healthy lives. For instance Barrack Obama to have taken Cocaine (Hope). The common myth surrounding the whole idea of legalizing drugs is that it will make people law abiding citizens, and enable the government to tax the industry. However, I am not sure whether the cartels will be naà ¯ve enough to allow the government takes over such a lucrative business. If the cigarette market has been able to evade the government’s taxing system, what about this industry that has an elaborate network of producers and illegal suppliers in the market? Legalizing and taxing drugs as some argue is not a solution to the drug menace in the world today. The reason is that the black market will be given an easy path to groove is because the act will be made socially acceptable. It will be much easier to take these substances to the market under the legalization act as opposed to government regulated outlets. This would also increase funding for the crime because the drugs will be easily accessed by users who can in turn lure non-users since there are no laws prohibi ting the act. What are the results? The drugs will circulate in the society, destroy more lives, tear families, and cause people to be violent. Even if the current war on drugs is not effective, legalizing drugs is much worse and should not be passed into law (James). Conclusion The war on drug has brought more harm than good, and the policy on drug use has failed to protect the people it is intended to. In Mexico alone, the war on drug policy has claimed close to 14,000 lives since 2006. This figure does not however include those people who have been traumatized, maimed or displaced. Prohibitions on drug use have resulted in wars between the authority and the users in most cities across the world, and this battle seems not to be coming to an end any time soon. The war on drug should therefore, be stopped and pave way for the government to impose control measures and legalize the whole business. I support this motion because I believe that the outcomes of such a move would be beneficial, both for the state itself and in the fight against global drugs crime. At you can buy research papers on Legalization of Drugs. All custom research papers are written from scratch. High quality and timely delivery guarantee!

Research Quality, Depth, and Credit

Research Quality, Depth, and Credit Quality The Newbery-winning  Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison   The librarians at Patterson Library in Westfield, New York, took my ten-year-old quest seriously and gave me access to the closed-off balcony with its stacks of dusty archived books. I spent weeks filling hundreds of three While I dropped the project, I had unconsciously absorbed the difference in primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. Those accounts written When using a written source, the primary is the original document. If you find something quoted in a resource, that resource should be saying where it came from – follow that back to the original document. If there’s no attribution, I’ve found the quickest way to find an original source is to search the person or quote + searchable manuscripts. There are usually multiple hits. Look for websites from governments, libraries, universities, or other solid sources. Some examples:   Ã‚     Gutenberg Project  over 58,000 free eBooks, including Victor Hugo’s memoirs.   Ã‚     The Library of Congress Manuscript Reading Room  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ digital images or searchable text.   Ã‚     The British Library’s digitized collections.   Ã‚     Cambridge Digital Library   Ã‚     This page at Harvard Library  also tells you how to do more detailed research with them. Depth At Amazon’s  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Look Inside† for Lenski’s book, you can read the foreword, in which she describes how she researched the story and adapted it for fiction. She researched Jemison’s entire life and the Iroquois (of whom the Seneca are a part) in depth. She talks about the fact it was a transitional time for the Iroquois and how she tried to address that. Her illustrations are modeled after traditional Seneca artwork. It is clear she knew as much as possible about Mary Jemison and the world in which she lived. However, while Lenski’s writing was undoubtedly informed Credit Lenski mentions various specific resources throughout the foreword and ends with two paragraphs of thanks. As you do your research, keep track of key source information you’ll need for citations and bibliographies. The online writing lab at Purdue can help you give credit professionally if you’re writing nonfiction. If you’re writing fiction, share your sources with the reader and say thank you.

Singer and Regan's Approaches to Animal Liberation Assignment

Singer and Regan's Approaches to Animal Liberation - Assignment Example Singer makes use of the rights language as shorthand for how we might want to treat other people in his arguments. Instead, singer argues that, when we put the consequences of an act into consideration when judging acts, it will be in order to put the interest of animals, primarily their interested to prevent any suffering, to have the same consideration to the same interest put on humans. That is to say, where one individual suffering either human or non-human is considered equal to that of any other, there is no reason that can justify one to put more weight to one of them. On the other hand, Regan’s approaches concerning animal rights are not driven by the ultimate consequences of the actions. Regan firmly holds the belief that animals are what he is referring as the â€Å"subjects of a life†, for that reason who has the moral rights, and for that reason, their moral rights should not be ignored as such. He argues that animals do have one moral right and even a legal one, and they should not be as anyone’s property. Singers approach of utilitarian means that he is judging the "rightest" of any act by the consequences it attracts. Specifically by the extent that the act tries to bring satisfaction to the things that are affected, maximizing on the pleasures developed and pain minimization. Other forms of utilitarianism do exist such as rule utilitarianism. This rule tries to judge the rightness of any action basing on the usual consequences of whichever the moral rule the act has been practiced. According to Singer’s grounds, he clearly states that there exists no moral ground when an individual fails to give equal consideration of rights that hang to the interests of both non-humans and humans.  

Critically evalute the legacy of the Chicago School of Criminology Essay

Critically evalute the legacy of the Chicago School of Criminology - Essay Example Before the dominant theories in Criminology emerged, the leading theories were classical criminology and positivist theories of crime. The emergence of classical school of criminology can be traced in the early 18th century lead by philosopher Jeremy Bentham who focused on criminal justice and penology. He opined that crime results from a product of human nature and since humans posses free will, they have therefore the ability to control their own actions (Carrabine, Iganski, Lee, Plummer, and South, 2004). Bentham suggested that a criminal justice system is more reasonable as compared to the classic barbaric system of capital punishment. According to him, there should be more focus on the enforcement of the law and the legal processes instead on the different causes of crime (Bentham, 1789). For Beccaria (1764), in his famous book On Crimes and Punishments , crimes do not exist by reason of bad individuals but from bad laws. He suggested new perspective based on justice. This became major foundation of the modern criminal justice system. As asserted by the early positivist theorists, free will is out of the question in studying crime. These theorists used empirical research methods by which they theorized that the causes of crimes are biological, psychological and environmental factors (Carrabine et al, 2004). This is different from the classical approach which has its sight on legal issues and crime prevention. According to the positivist criminologists, as shared by Cesare Lombroso, the causes and effects of criminal behavior can be directly observed. Lombroso opposed that crimes are due to human free will as criminal behavior can be inherited; that there are people who are â€Å"criminal type† of persons; that criminals are physiologically different if compared to the non-criminals; that these criminals have observable physical