Fidel Castro Is Alive - 1443 Words

Upon his release, Castro went to Mexico where he spent the next year organizing the 26th of July Movement, which was based on the date of the failed Santiago de Cuba barracks attack. On December 2, 1956, Castro and the rest his fellow rebels of the 26th of July Movement landed on Cuban soil with the intention of starting a revolution. They were only met with the welcome of heavy Batista defenses, causing nearly everyone in the Movement to be killed. Barely anyone escaped, and those who did which included Castro and his brother Raà ºl fled the scene to avoid being jailed. For the next two years, Castro continued guerrilla attacks and succeeded in gaining large numbers radical followers. Using guerrilla warfare tactics, Castro became known†¦show more content†¦Fidel and the Soviet Union then saw that their relationship could be very beneficial and this incident helped lead to their decision to place nuclear missiles in Cuba. Only a few months after the United States’ sponsored Cuban invasion at the Bay of Pigs, Fidel Castro had declared himself to be Marxist-Leninist, obligating the Soviet Union to protect his vulnerable communist nation. After Fidel asked the Soviet Union for weapons, trade alliances, and even Soviet soldiers, the Soviets suggested a different approach - medium-range ballistic missiles. Castro agreed, and in 1962, Cuba was the center of world focus when the United States discovered the construction sites of Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuban soil. Posing an obvious threat to American safety, the Cuban Missile Crisis, brought the world the closest it ever came to nuclear war. As the tensions of the Missile Crisis grew, Castro wrote Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev urging him to use the missiles and to sacrifice Cuba if necessary. Being only 90 miles from the US mainland, President Kennedy urged a need for the missiles to be dismantled. The Soviet Union finally agreed to remove the mi ssiles on the condition that the United States dismantles its nuclear weapons deployed in Turkey and that they sign a pledge not to invade Cuba. Significantly,Show MoreRelatedFidel Castros Impact on Cuba, America, and the World1359 Words   |  6 Pages Fidel Castro, resigned now, and still living, was the dictator of the Cuban nation. He has had an big impact on America, and he an impact on our world. Fidel Castro was a Cuban dictator for a long time coming. Fidel Castro becoming a dictator not only affected the United States, but his arrival affected the world around us. Fidel Castro was a man who had a target on his head. Lots of people from all over the world wanted him dead. Fidel Castro wasn’t a capitalist person, he was a CommunistRead MoreEssay on Fidel Castro1274 Words   |  6 PagesFidel Castro The first journey for Christopher Columbus to the New World landed him in what we know as present day Cuba. The Spaniards occupied the island because of the great location and marketable importance that came about in the eighteenth century. Throughout time, Cuba has been under the control of dominant countries, such as Spain and the United States. The colonization process has been the consistent factor in Latin American countries, leaving the colonized without a senseRead Morespanish paper1135 Words   |  5 Pages reign of Fidel Castro. To live under his rule must of have been terrifying and a childhood testimony of it is a in depth view of the dictatorship. The author of a piece of art whose name is Bernardo Navarro Tomas. He made 3 paintings of fidel castro. The first one was a picture of four images of fidel castro and he is speaking through microphones. The next painting was a few collages of different facial expressions of fidel as his age progressed. The last painting was fidel speaking throughRead MoreEssay about Cubas Government and Ernesto Guevara1461 Words   |  6 PagesArgentine born Marxist guerrilla who helped oust the corrupt Cuban government and set up a communist system 90 miles from the US. Che under the leadership of Fidel Castro helped lead a small guerrilla band of soldiers to take over the country. After the old government was out Che helped Castro decide communism as the way to go for Cuba. He helped Castro try to quickly industrialize the country, set up social reforms to try, and make Cuba a better place for its citizens. Che supported the struggle againstRead MoreMilitary Industrial Complex During The Farewell Speech1710 Words   |  7 PagesCentral Intelligence Agency on assassination attempts against Cuban leader Fidel Castro. In the summer of 1960, the CIA recruited ex-FBI agent Robert Maheu to approach the West Coast representative of the Chicago mob, Johnny Roselli. When Maheu contacted Roselli, Maheu hid the fact that he was sent by the CIA, instead portraying himself an advocate for international corporations. He offered to pay $150,000 to have Castro killed, but Roselli declined any pay. Roselli introduced Maheu to two men heRead More The Cuban Revolution Essay3088 Words   |  13 PagesAfter year of recruiting, training, plotting, Fidel was ready to launch his revolutionary offensive. â€Å"His rebel ‘army’ consisted of less than 200 men, and two women;† (Huberman 1960: 28) the group consisted of students or graduates, and nearly all of them were young people like himself and his brother, Raà ºl. Most of them were â€Å"politically active, articulate and impatient young men who had been drawn to the radical movements or to the ardently reformist Orthodox Party of Eduardo Chibas.† (MacgaffeyRead MoreTwo Weeks before John F. Kennedy Died917 Words   |  4 Pagesespecially with the Cold War to think about; and, more specifically, Cuba. Tension with Cuba had been building immensely ever since the Bay of Pigs Incident. This plan, authorized by Kennedy in February of 1961, had the overarching goal of overthrowing Fidel Castro, a man that came to power in Cuba in 1959. The way he came to power, by conquering former Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista, and his friendliness with the leader of the Soviet Union worried the United States a great deal. The CIA would train CubanRead MoreWho is Fidel Castro?2567 Words   |  10 PagesFidel Castro is arguably one of the most famous political leaders to ever live. He is internationally recognized for being a revolutionary, a supporter of communism, and an opposition of imperialism. Eugenia Charles is just as influential and recognizable around the World. She was the first female lawyer and Prime Minister of Dominica, and only the second female Prime Minister in Caribbean History. The contributions these two individuals have had on their respective nations ha ve led to massive improvementsRead More Marxism Revolutionaries1981 Words   |  8 Pagespractice of capitalism has been praised for centuries and is still alive today, prominently in Cuba. The idea of Marxism brought out social change throughout the world and has caused a lot of turbulence worldwide. The views of Capitalism and Marxism sparked controversy and wars between people and countries that shared the opposing view. One of many people, who praised Marxism for its authenticity and change, was Fidel Castro. Fidel was the President of Cuba, from 1959, until 2008; when he decidedRead MoreChe Guevara: Iconic Hero or Failed Revolutionary? Essay2365 Words   |  10 Pagesto change the world but without a stage to make the change on—Fidel Castro provided him that stage. Ernesto Guevara and Fidel Castro Fidel Castro is another man born into wealth turned revolutionary. He graduated the University of Havana with a law degree and began practicing law but had a strong interest in politics. He â€Å"became a candidate for a seat in Cuba’s House of Representatives† (Rosenberg, n.d., Castro vs. Batista section, para. 1.) for the June 1952 elections. But

Evolution Of Health Care Info Systems. Physician’S Offices

Evolution of Health Care info Systems Physician’s offices and different facilities have modified considerably over the last twenty years. Technology has influenced everything in health care. it s influenced the means info is unbroken, stored, shared and analyzed. within the future, we will expect technology to still modification and improve the means health care is delivered. it s the expectation that technology can improve the general public health and reduce the overwhelming price of health supply. Over the past twenty years info technology has been slowly introduced to the health care business. Documents inside home facilities were either through with a character-at-a-time printer or written. There was perpetually a necessity to†¦show more content†¦Prescriptions area unit currently sent directly the pharmacy minimizing errors and mechanically checking for attainable complications with different medications or allergies (Ortiz Clancy, 2003). the flexibility to quickly and simply share medical info has considerably improved health supply and attenuate prices. EMR s conjointly offer a medico with reminders and proposals for patient care that assists with the treatment and bar of chronic sicknesses. redoubled use of health care info systems provides a a lot of complete and correct image of a patients history. information isn t duplicated, and errors area unit quickly found and corrected. Electronic information provides a method for analysis that has improved care and ass isted within the analysis for cures and coverings. Technology has conjointly modified the means folks communicate. a briefing will currently be created on-line, and knowledge will currently be shared through email. Before these advancements medical records, prescription info, and appointments were unbroken via a paper record. The use of health care info systems has conjointly considerably assisted with compensation from suppliers. within the past inaccurate medical charting might simply lead to inaccurate committal to writing which might lead to denial or delay of compensation for services. the utilization of EMR’s considerably decreases committal to writing errors.Show MoreRelatedComputerize Medical Insurance System10020 Words   |  41 Pagesregards to health care has emerged to play a prominent role in the delivery of healthcare. The application and use of machines and computer-based technologies in health care have undergone an evolutionary process. Advance in information, telecommunication, and network technologies have led to the emergence of a revolutionary new way of health care delivery leading to new experience and knowledge that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries in the fields of information technology and health care, alongRead MoreManaging Information Technology (7th Edition)239873 Words   |  960 PagesMidsouth Chamber of Commerce (A): The Role of the Operating Manager in Information Systems CASE STUDY I-1 IMT Custom Machine Company, Inc.: Selection of an Information Technology Platform CASE STUDY I-2 VoIP2.biz, Inc.: Deciding on the Next Steps for a VoIP Supplier CASE STUDY I-3 The VoIP Adoption at Butler University CASE STUDY I-4 Supporting Mobile Health Clinics: The Children’s Health Fund of New York City CASE STUDY I-5 Data Governance at InsuraCorp CASE STUDYRead MoreStrategic Human Resource Management View.Pdf Uploaded Successfully133347 Words   |  534 Pagesii Permission to reprint these has been obtained by Pearson Custom Publishing for this edition only. Further reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, must be arranged with the individual copyright holders noted. This special edition published in cooperation with Pearson Custom Publishing. Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Please visit our web site at www.pearsoncustom

Social Network and Dangerous New Form Free Essays

Instagram can be a dangerous new form of social networking. Smart phone users now have an option to download an app called Instagram. Although it is the new, trendy thing to do, it can be an issue. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Network and Dangerous New Form or any similar topic only for you Order Now The basics of Instagram are to post only pictures. Users can put a small bio about themselves, but it is nothing like the other social networks where users will post all sorts of pointless information. When a picture is posted, users can put a caption for it and the caption is often followed by things called ‘hashtags’. Examples of these include #pretty, #somuchfun #beach, or whatever it is pertaining to the photo. In the search section, users can search for words or phrases that have been hashtagged. There are choices to â€Å"follow† other Instagram users, but the main issue is that of the user doesn’t want to be followed by somebody, they have no choice. On other social networks, there is an option to accept or decline followers, but on Instagram there is not. Instagram is generally used by people between the ages of 14 and 25, which makes it a lot worse that there is no way to keep away potentially dangerous users. When somebody searches for a hashtag, every use of that hashtag by every Instagram user pops up. There is no need to be following a person to look and â€Å"like† their pictures. Although there is an option to set your Instagram profile as private, only a minority of people actually do it. I have and use my Instagram every day. I love it. I think it is great to be able to only post pictures and to only be able to see pictures that others have posted. My main stream of pictures doesn’t get all crowded up with people posting pointless statuses about their life and annoying political references. I do have negative thoughts about it though. I hate it when strangers like or comment on pictures that I post. I am being followed by people I have never met and no nothing about and I cannot do anything about it. I am sure to only post pictures that don’t show where my location is or put any captions about there I live. I would hate to see some horrendous things happen to users of Instagram because of ignorant mistakes like that. How to cite Social Network and Dangerous New Form, Essay examples

Economic Growth and Development free essay sample

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Introduction Economies grow and develop, they expand and advance, and they progress and prosper. There are phases when they decline too, and there are economies that experience continuous decay. If one considers long stretches of human history, one knows that economies (civilizations) disappeared altogether. We will not take into account such long stretches of time. We shall not consider too distant a past either. We will leave them to historians, may be, economic historians. Let us take a normal view. We shall then accept decline as an occasional, temporary phenomenon. We shall, therefore, use positive terms only. Of the positive terms, which have been used to describe changes as well as to prescribe changes, two have survived. They are growth and development. Because we shall primarily look at nations and countries as economies, and use terms such as ‘economic growth’ and ‘economic development’. We shall often try to distinguish ‘economic’ from ‘noneconomic’ though there are cases where it becomes difficult to do so. In order to accommodate decline in level, we use phrase ‘negative growth’ and to describe perverse tendencies, we may use words ‘de-development’ or ‘mal development’ though; we will not have occasions to use them. You may find that, sometimes in many scientific treatises and very often in colloquy, words ‘growth’ and ‘development’ are used in interchangeable fashion. But, normally a distinction is made between the two, particularly in economics literature. It is maintained along the following lines. You might have noticed that the word ‘growth’ is used to describe increase in stature or size. It is used to describe a uni-dimensional change, as in the case of stature of a child or a uniform expansion in all directions, as in the case of size of a balloon. Even when we refer to development of a child, we refer to various dimensions of its personality. When we do not refer to dimensional aspects we use the word ‘growth’. Even schools and institutes, colleges and universities, hotels and hospitals grow. But, we are often quick to point out certain features that are not captured by word ‘growth’. It is rare, if ever, that growth takes place without development or development takes place without growth. In most cases, they would accompany each other. There may be cases when one is dominant and the other is dormant. In such cases, people talk of growth without development or development without growth. It is, therefore, good to make an analytical distinction between the two. Economic Growth Comprehensive views of the economy, taking all activities together, and call its growth as economic growth. Let us look at it from the view point of production. The total quantum of goods and services produced in an economy in a given year is referred to as Gross Domestic Product. Let us measure it at factor cost and write it in its abbreviated form GDPFC. The GDPFC in 2000-01 was around Rs 17,00,000 crore. This is a flow of goods and services produced during the year 2000-01, measured in value terms. We may be interested in knowing whether the flow this year is larger than the flow last year. If so, we should know the measure of the flow last year. In order to see that we measure the ‘real’ change in flow, we should compute the magnitude of flows in both the years in the same prices. The prices may belong to 2000-01 or 1999-2000 or to 1993-94; the point is that the prices should relate to only one common year so that we measure only the change in flow of output, not a mix of change in output and change in prices. Such GDPs are said to be measured at constant prices. Suppose you look into a recent issue of the National Accounts Statistics published by the Central Statistical Organization and find that at 1993-94 prices, the GDPFC for 1999-2000 and 2000-01 are Rs. 10,00,000 crore and Rs. 10,60,000 crore respectively. The growth in flow called GDPFC in absolute terms is Rs. 60,000 crore. In relative terms it is 6 per cent and it is called growth rate. If we prepare a whole series for 10, 20 or 50 years then we often add words ‘per annum’ or ‘per year’ to growth rate. The growth rate is often expressed in terms of per cent per annum. This is a positive change; there could be a negative change also. Suppose, we look at a twenty-year period and use yearly figures for flow of output of goods, which is measured in terms of GDPFC at constant prices. The growth rates calculated on yearly basis would differ from year to year. Shall we use nineteen year-to-year figures of growth rate, some of which may be negative, to describe the change? Or, should we just compare the initial figure with the final figure? If we adopt the former, how to summarise the nineteen figures? If we adopt the latter, it is possible that one of these (initial or final) figures is just ‘abnormal’ as it does not fall in line. Would it not be a good idea to speak of general tendency and ignore abnormal fluctuations around the general tendency of increase? Economic growth should, therefore, be taken as a long-term tendency reflected by increase in flow of final goods and services produced by the economy. If there is a general tendency of growth but there are occurrences of decline, the rates of growth will be negative in certain years. Shall we then say that, while the potential of economy to produce is continuously increasing, the potential is sometimes not realised? There could be various reasons for occasional decline. In economies that depend to a large extent on external trade conditions in other countries may affect the realisation. Monsoon may widely fail in certain years and economy may get derailed for a while. Internal demand may for a variety of reasons fail to make full use of the potential. Some economists put too much emphasis on supply potential and ignore demand conditions. They define economic growth as long-term increase in production potential of the economy. Some economists feel that it is growth of per capita GDPFC, not GDPFC, that should be used to gauge the growth of an economy. But the point to be noted is that economic growth is a long-term phenomenon about the change in total economic activity of an economy. Economic Development Some economists hold a view that the economic development is not much different from economic growth. For them, both are processes of long-term increase in per capita income. Some other economists believe that evelopment is distinctly different process than growth and covers other dimensions of change besides growth. Still others hold that, development is nothing but the level of per capita income achieved in a particular year. Whole human history may be thought of as a succession of developments or changes, largely in positive direction. Looking from a distance, we find that production structure of the economy has cha nged: from hunting-gathering to settled agriculture, from agriculture to manufacturing, from manufacturing to automatic production, from production of goods to production of services. It does not mean services were not produced, say thousand years ago; it only means that its relative importance has changed and that this might have occurred with increase in all activities in a broad sense. However, economics takes most of its lues from the economic history of the West during the last two centuries or so. During this period, a variety of sweeping changes took place in Europe, which may broadly be categorized as technological and institutional. Early economists working in the field of development economics took notice of change in the composition of output and deployment of labour in activities. They called it structural change. Structural change meant relative increase in terms of proportion of non-agriculture/nonprimary output and concomitant changes in proportion of employment of labour in non-agricultural activities (and also in that of allocation of capital and land). However, this structural change has to take place along with increase in output of all (or majority of) goods, not with decrease. They defined economic development as economic growth with structural change in favour of nonagricultural activities. And structural change was understood in terms of composition of GDP and industrial distribution of labour. This was a reflection of changing demand for goods and services on the one hand and changing demand for labour by production technology in different sectors on the other. Most of the mainstream economists believed that all economies in the West traversed the same path and believed that other economies would also follow the same path. When they did not find it happening they pointed out that institutional changes are equally important. Institutional changes could mean emergence of new institutions in governance, as also in capital market and money market. Some pointed out necessity of attitudinal changes in people – a leap from traditional value system to modern value system. In order to accommodate this thought, economic development could be defined as economic growth plus, that is, something more than economic growth. There were attempts to emphasize technological dimension of development. It was pointed out that economic growth should be accompanied by rise in productivity. Then, we could define economic development as economic growth accompanied by rise in productivity. Development is, however, just not concerned with description of economic history. It is to be pursued as a deliberate mechanism of deliverance of the masses from poverty and idleness in a relatively short period of time. Developments in the fifties and sixties did not perceptibly change the scene in these crucial areas. Many economists felt disillusioned and started showing their anguish. One such Western economist who had been dealing with problems of development asserted in a World Conference in Delhi: â€Å"The questions to ask about a country’s development are: What has been happening to poverty? What has been happening to unemployment? What has been happening to inequality? If all three of these have declined from high levels, then beyond doubt this has been a period of development for the country concerned. If one or two of these central problems have been growing worse, especially if all the three, it would be strange to call the result ‘development’ even if per capita income doubled. Indeed, here is a reference to conscious attempts made to develop an economy by adopting a strategy. If the strategy brings in growth in capacity to produce more and in actual output, transformation in structure of economy in terms of composition of output of goods and services or even in deployment of labour force, emergence of institutions in terms of variet y of banks, and technology making use of machines and power instead of men and cattle, but makes no significant dent on basic problems of underdeveloped countries, what use are the efforts or the strategy? This implies that development has to be related to welfare of people. It was suggested much earlier that welfare of people depends on the size of the cake as well as its distribution. One is entitled to one’s wages when one is employed. One should get adequate wages, if employed or should get remunerative prices for what one produces, if self-employed. Mass poverty was one particular problem we attributed to the colonial rule and wanted to secure self-governance in order to eradicate it. If that scourge still persists on a large scale, we have a cause to worry about. In short, the suggestion is that the income should get redistributed in favour of relatively worse-off. Keeping this in view, some economists prefer to define economic development as economic growth with redistribution of resources in favour of the relatively worse off. In this concept, it is believed that reduction in inequality will reduce poverty and will lead to reduction in unemployment too.

Assess the Reasons of the 1905 Revolution in Russia Essays

Assess the Reasons of the 1905 Revolution in Russia Essays Assess the Reasons of the 1905 Revolution in Russia Essay Assess the Reasons of the 1905 Revolution in Russia Essay Assess the reasons of the 1905 revolution in Russia The build up to 1905 The failure of Tsarâ„ ¢s character- Tsar meant an autocratic country- led by one. Nicholas IIâ„ ¢s character was not built for this- shy man. Little training of the job. Avoided change even though Russia needed it. EXAMPLE: 1896 1300 people killed in the Tsarâ„ ¢s coronation- the Tsar did nothing about it and carried on with the ceremony- out of touch with the people. PEOPLE DENIED BASIC FREEDOMS, for example freedom of press, speech. All linked to the Tsarâ„ ¢s autocratic state. Opposition groups Middle classed liberals wanted more of a say in the way that Russia was run- wanted an elected assembly- felt they were being treated the same as everyone else. They also asked for this because of the way the government had acted with the war and economy- felt it was unnecessary and appalling. The main liberal party was the Kadets- supported by people like lawyers and doctors. Octobrists found support amongst industrialists, businessmen and larger landowners. Called for the assembly, eventually to be the DUMA! The soviets- Started striking on behalf of the industrial workers- wanted better working conditions, pay etc., maybe following suit, having seen the others doing it. The SRâ„ ¢s- Founded in 1901, and believed that the future of Russia was in agrarian socialism- adopted violence into their schemes, such as murdering officials and ministers- The Srâ„ ¢s gained considerable support and outnumbered the SDâ„ ¢s, but didnâ„ ¢t pose a serious threat, however did contribute greatly to the growing unrest between 1901-1904. Behind the peasants. Social Democrats (SDâ„ ¢s)- Influenced heavily by Marxism. Split into two: Bolsheviks Lenin believed that a revolutionary party should be made up of: Small numbers Operate under a central leadership Have a system of small cells (3 people) to make it less easy for the police to infiltrate Job of the party to bring socialist consciousness to the workers and lead them through a revolution. Critics warned this would lead to a dictatorship. Support came mainly from the working class. Attracted more younger, more militant peasant workers who like discipline, firm leadership and simple slogans. MENSHEVIKS They believed: The party should be broad and anybody should be able to join. Be more democratic and allow its members to have a say in policy making Encourage the trade unions to help the working class and improve conditions. Believed that there would be a long period of Bourgeois democratic government during which the workers would develop a class and revolutionary consciousness until they were ready to take over in a socialist revolution. The Mensheviks tended to attract different types of workers and members of the intelligentsia and a broader range of people- more non Russians, especially Jews and Georgians. Peasants- Problems: 1) Poverty, need for more land, high taxes, redemption payments on land. 2) Suffered famines. 3) Increased peasant population- putting more pressure on the land. (LINKED TO THE SOCIAL REVOLUTIONARIES) Workers- 1) Long working hours, terrible working and living conditions. 2) Wanted more political power. (LINKED TO THE SOVIETS) THE WAR WITH JAPAN- The motives behind the war in Japan: 1) Expand in the Far East as they didnâ„ ¢t have much influence in Russia. 2) Obtain an ice free port as most were iced over at some point of the year 3) Distract attention away from Russiaâ„ ¢s own problems- patriotic struggle. Misjudged that Plehve (Interior Minister) was behind the driving force for the War- but Witte played a major part also- he wanted the economy to grow. Russian government deliberately rejected Japanese proposals for the settlement of Korean question hoping that it would provoke a military response. RUSSIA SEVERLY UNDERESTIMATED JAPAN- thought that it was still a backwards country, whereas it had turned itself around. Had reformed and was trying to modernise like the West.Japanese army were FAR BETTER EQUIPPED and BETTER PREPARED than the Russians and won a series of battles: 1) Port Arthur to Japan , Jan 1905. 2) Russian surrender of Mukden, Feb 1905. 3) Russian fleet destroyed at Tsushima, May 1905. Reasons for defeat: UNDERSTIMATION OF JAPANESE STRENGTH. INADEQUATE MILITARY PLANNING POOR STRATEGY AND JAPANS READINESS, STRENGTH AND SKILL This then linked back to the riots and protests that were occurring, as many saw the Russians as WEAK even though they had one of the largest armies. Failure for RUSSIA. People of Russia did not like it. THE ECONOMY- Sergei Witte played a huge part in the economic side of Russia, however there were still some problems: 1) The peasants- Emancipation of the Serfs in 1861- amount of land owned by peasants trebled. This was partly funded by the Peasant Land Bank, which was set up in 1883 but mostly by peasants themselves. This meant: Most plots of land owned were smaller than before- few villagers could afford to expand because of the huge redemption payments which were crippling. Those who could afford were reluctant to take on new land as this then made them responsible for redemption payments; increased profits meant you would have to have a greater share of repayments. Apparent that freed serfs could not afford repayments. By 1875 arrears had reached 22% of the annual payments. However Witte was very successful in getting the industrial revolution alive. He did many things to improve: Witte adopted the gold standard for the rouble in 1897 which meant a fixed exchange rate with currencies for both paper and gold- led to a vast increase in flow of foreign capital in Russia. State spenditure on railways rose to 275 million roubles- much went on the Trans- Siberian Railway- was needed to improve the trade system- Industry etc ( 25 factories were involved with making the track- state loans were available to start factories to provide materials) = BIG BOOST in helping businesses grow etc. BIG GOOD CIRCLE ( From 1892 to 1914 50% of the investment in Russian industry came from foreign investment- largely from FRENCH, BRITISH, GERMAN AND BELGIAN banks= foreign interest and investment and technological expertise. OVERALL VERY IMPRESSIVE- from 1891 to 1900 russian industrial capacity increased by 80% Petrol increased by 450% and railways by 70% IN AN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION. HOWEVER PROBLEMS AS WELL AS GOOD: 1) Private banks in Russia were weak- 2) State income was very unpredictable- direct taxes accounted for 7.5% in the 1890s 3) Made Russia too dependant on foreign investment and loans. 4) Paid no attention to Russiaâ„ ¢s agricultural needs- (80% of the people were peasants) 5) Under Witteâ„ ¢s policies, urban workers and peasants were taxed heavily and were paid low wages. 6) Economic slump after 1902 led to high unemployment and social tension in towns. 7) Poor harvests in 1900 and 1902 led to starvation and violence in the countryside. However it was very hard for Witte to succeed as he was a very hard man to get along with and made many enemies easily. In 1906, shortly after having managed to gain a big loan from France Witte was forced to resign from government. Witte was never fully recognised for his talents, and he could have been the saviour in modernising Russia. STRIKES ETC, Father Gapon, Bloody Sunday, 1905. Lead up to the 1905 revolution: REASONS FOR IN BRIEF Poor govt: repression, taxation, imcompetent leader. Social unrest- Economic Recession- Bad Harvests Peasants angry over the mortgage repayments- Emanicpation of the Serfs- 1861.# Workerâ„ ¢s angry over unemployment and falling wage- Witte to blame Heavy taxes due to the loans from foreign investment, however he was trying to improve the economic situation- Industrial revolution Fail of a performance against Japan! Fall of Port Arthur, Jan 1905, taking over of town of Mukden, Feb 1905, Russian fleet destroyed, Tshushima, May 1905. TRIGGER CAUSES â€Å" WHAT HAPPENED ETC Bloody Sunday- Father Georgi Gaopn attempted to lead a peaceful march of workers and their families to the winter palace in St Petersburg- intention was to present a petition to the Tsar begging him to use his powerful authority to relieve them of their suffering. HOWEVER, the marches induced panic in the police force and the marchers were charged on by cavalry- no exact figures but around 200 people were killed with many more injured. Even though the Tsar was not at the Winter Palace at the time, he was no longer seen as the protector of the Russian people the little father. Immediate effects: Strikes spreading everywhere- The defeat by Japan made situations worse and the SRâ„ ¢s assassinated Phleve. Public buildings in towns and large private estates in the country were attacked. Land and properties were seized by peasants who squatted in the landlordâ„ ¢s houses. THE PEASANTS FEARED THAT THE GOVT WERE ABOUT TO REPOSSESS THE HOMES OF THOSE WHO WERE UNABLE TO PAY OFF THEIR MORTGAGES IN THE POST-EMANCIAPTION STAGE. This essentially encouraged the non-russian minorities to assert themselves. Georgia declared itself and independant state. Poles demanded a national self-govt. Jews pressed for equal rights. Terrorism against govt officials and landlords KEY DATES January 1905- Revolution BEGINS- Bloody Sunday- Father Gapon- around 200 people killed with many more injured- including women and children. May 1905- Union of Unions formed. June 1905- The Potemkin mutiny- Summer of 1905 the crew of the battleship Prince Potemkin mutinied whilst at sea. The incident started as a protest by the sailors for having to live in such grim conditions- eating rotting food etc. The sailors elected a representative Peter Vakulenchuk to approach the captain- he ordered the man be shot instantaneously. This left the crew to retaliate essentially killing the officers and taking over the ship. However they were on there own with no-one to help them. To try and get support from land they sailed to Odessa where an anti-govt strike was taking place- strikers welcomed the sailors as if they were heroes and placed Vakulenchuks body on a platform to praise him. DEFIANT GESTURE OF SOLIDATRITY. Yet angered the authorities. Troops were ordered to disperse the crowds at the harbour- bayonets fixed the soldiers marched down the steps trampling on those who fell and driving hundreds into the sea- DEATH TOLL RAN INTO THOUSANDS. This then forced th e crews to flee Odessa and they abandoned their ship at a Romanian port, hoping to find sanctuary in a deeper part of Russia. VERY UNSTABLE TIMES- could the Tsar rely on his troops/armed forces, especially as they were coming back from the Japanese War which had been a failure. Witte was needed to try and put all the pieces back together, peace terms with Japan etc. Autumn 1905- Industrial unrest had grown into a strike. In most cities mosly recognised St Petersburg and Moscow workers formed themselves into an elected soviet. The Soviets began as organisations to represent the workerâ„ ¢s demands for better conditions- their potential as bases for political agitation was immediately recognised by revolutionaries. Leon Trotsky (leading Menshevik) became chairmen of the St Petersburg Soviet and organiser of several strikes in the capita The groups that led the revolution The industrial workers The peasantry The reformist middle classes Essentially the revolt was very broad-based that most revolutionaries had been awaiting. Yet, when it came to it it was more accidental than planned. Despite the efforts to make it poilitcal most of the strikes and demonstrations were economically based- been a reaction to industrial recession and bad harvests. It was the tsarists regimeâ„ ¢s ill-judged policies that turned the disturbances of 1905 into a direct challenge to its own authority. SO THE REASONS FOR THE 1905 REVOLUTION IN RUSSIA WERE: THE INADEQUATE LEADERSHIP SKILLS SHOWN BY THE TSAR. THE FAILURE OF THE JAPANESE-RUSSIAN WAR PEASANTS AND THE EMANCIPATION-MORTGAGE PROBLEMS- SUPPORTED BY THE SOCIAL REVOLUTIONARIES- THE PEOPLEâ„ ¢S WILL-TERRORISM. BAD HARVESTS 1900 AND 1902. THE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS WANTING BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS- SOVIETS SET UP AUTUMN 1905. ECONOMIC SLUMP 1902-HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT- HOWEVER WITTE WAS TRYING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. TRIGGER FROM BLOODY SUNDAY- CAUSED EVEN MORE STRIKES- 200 PEOPLE KILLED ETC. THE POTEMKIN MUNITY- THOUSANDS KILLED. RISING OF THE SOVIET STRIKES FOR MORE FOOD- HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT! OVERCROWDING IN THE CITIES DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE MIGRATING FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE! HAVING TO PAY HEAVY TAXES DUE TO THE POLICIES MADE BY WITTE- LOANS AND INVESTMENT FROM ABROAD BOUGHT INVALUABLE PRIVILEDGES, BUT MEANT THE PEASANTS AND WORKERS WOULD HAVE TO SUFFER WITH HIGH TAXES!! EQUALS A REVOLUTION!!! What did the Tsar do to try and stop the revolutions The October Manifesto: the following concessions were granted: 1. The creation of a legislative Duma- (a parliament with law making powers) 2. Freedom of speech, assembly and worship. 3. The right of political parties to exist. 4. The legalising of trade unions. EQUALS very satisfied liberals- gained what they wanted- were going to be given more power via the DUMA! November an announcement was made that mortgage payments were to be reduced progressively and eventually abolished altogether= an IMMEDIATE stop in land seizures by peasants and a decline in the lawlessness in the countryside. Industrial workers- the government felt strong enough to crush the Soviets, with the loyal backing from the soldiers returning from Japan. After a five day siege the headquarters of St Petersburg Soviet were stormed and the ringleaders captured (including Trotsky) and arrested. Significance The revolutionaries played a minor part in the revolution- Trotsky the only SD present. The Tsardom came out of the revolution stronger than weaker. The peasants and liberals quickly accepted the Tsars bribes. None of the parties were ready for a revolution. MEANT THAT.. As long as the Tsarist govt was able to keep its nerve and the army remain loyal then protesters would find it very hard to be a serious threat. The Russian economy- 1903-1914 Peter Stolypin appointed president of the council of ministers- july 1906. He was dedicated to strengthen the Tsardom- needed to sort out the peasants. Decided on the wager on the strong. Farmers were encouraged to replace their land with fenced fields, as the strip system was proving to be inefficient- was done in western Europe and proven very successful- so a special land bank was set up to provide funds so that the peasant could buy the land- Stolypins intentions were to create a layer of prosperous, productive peasants whose wealth would turn them into natural supporters of the TSARIST SYSTEM. Why was the Tsar able to survive the 1905 revolution The aim of the revolutionaries- didnâ„ ¢t plan to overthrow the tsar or his government. The rebels were politically and socially divided and the liberals and peasants readily accepted government bribes. Nicholas lost none of his power and came out stronger after the revolution. Mutinies in the armed forces failed to spread (the Potemkin) and forces rallied in defence of the Tsar. Counter argument Events of 1905 were very violent and threatening. Nicholas made concessions such as letting the liberals have power in the sense of the duma and the fundamental laws and the October manifestoooo! Nicholas image was DAMAGED. Plehve assassinated and Witte fell from office. Uh oh ( So Nicholas was able to keep power because he had the armed forces behind him, revolution was not yet ready/needed, everyones needs were different, liberals more power, peasants- emancipation of serfs- 1861- mortgages, and then they even accepted bribes. Nicholas was able to recover himself quickly too- October manifesto listed that the Duma could be set up, free rights and speech for people etc. He was also quick to publish the Fundamental Laws, which declared that he still had ultimate power. SO HE CAME OUT STRONGER THAN EVER! War 1917 Bloody Sunday Causes of 1905 Tsar survive 1917- was the war the main cause The Dumas- had been made up of four main ones- first by reformist parties, second by revolutionaries and right-wing parties-clash, third duma- elections were rigged by Stolypin to produce more co-operative deputies from moderate parties, finally FOURTH DUMA- DOMINATED BY RIGHT RING PARTIES- SOCIAL REFORM CONTINUED, BUT WOULD CRITICISE GOVT The War Inflation- value of money sharply declined, creating instability and high prices- government spending rose from 4 million to 30 million roubles and heavy taxation took place at home. The gold standard was abandoned meaning more notes could be put into circulation- long term it made money practically worthless- resulted in severe inflation which meant that wages doubled put the price of fuel and food quadrupled 1916! Food supplies were evidently short- horses were called up to be used by the army making it harder for food to be produced on the farms- not until 1916 when it began to fall apart- was increased by the fact the army had unlimited usage of the roads- food supplies could not be easily supplied to everyone especially in remote areas. Petrograd suffered particularly badly because they were in such a remote place and because of the population growth. Transport system broke down due to the stresses of war- the attempt to transport millions of troops and masses of supplies to the war fronts created unbearable pressures- by 1916 575 stations were no longer capable of handling freight. The army- fought well but were undermined by the lack of supplies and and poor organisation- lack of equipment for soldiers- lack of liason and administration between the govt and departments responsible for supplies. Role of the tsar- Nicholas IIâ„ ¢s fateful decision to become commander in chief made survival of tsardom dependant on military success. Morale- was high to begin with but gradually began to decline- loads of casualties on the front line and declining supplies at home. Strikes were imminent: began on the 18th February by the workers of the putilov steel works- strikes due to the rumours that there were to be bread ration cuts. Many flocked to the streets including women supporting the rights for women on international womenâ„ ¢s day- only significant because it shows the weakness at the heart of the government- no authorities were able to bring the strikes to an end- even those in the police force were quick to join in with the protests leaving no-one to defend the country- Tsar by himself unlike that of 1905- Tsar being turned on by those who were once closest supporters of himself. ANOTHER FACTOR- lost support from the soliders authorities- as seen before- lots of soldiers had started to desert due to the lack of morale and the little equipment they had been supplied with- General Khabalov called on the garrison to retain order in in Petrograd but were only met with the opposite reaction- 26th February 150,000 people had deserted the army- showed the support was really not there for the tsar- vulnerable position- most were away fighting for the tsar in the war, and those left were leaving him- no-one to help crush the revolts- were imminent for the Tsarâ„ ¢s surivial- therefore waar was most important without the war- troops would be at home- would still be morale etc. THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR MAYBE THE ROLE OF THE TSAR- promised change in the 1905 october manifesto- quickly backed up by the fundamental laws which stated that he would always have ultimate power- little change did actually occur even though he promised it- his image was truly damaged from 1905- The tsar went off to war- made himself the general- poor organisational skills etc- and went to Mugilov- 400 miles away! Left Rasputin and the Tsarina in charge- 1915- very unpopular with the Russian public- tsarina was german- wasnâ„ ¢t seen as the leader of a RUSSIAN nation! Rasputin- ladys man- wasnâ„ ¢t one to run a country! Tsar and the dissolution of the Duma- thought it best to get rid of it because the Tsar said it was best to focus on the war- met with resistance by the members, who came to form the progressive bloc.- Alexander Kerensky- a member of the progressive bloc called for the Tsar to stand out- ultimate action if defiance! People were standing up against him! Therefore the tsar was seen to be very stubborn and disregarded people- ignored peoples views- dissolution of the Duma- left the country in charge with hugely unpopular people- went ahead with the fundamental laws- really wasnâ„ ¢t interested in the state of the country but his own affairs- Fact was he was hugely imcompetent with everything he did- how could he run a country War was a shambles, policies were shambles, wife was ashambles, he was a shambles! Ahhhh! Petrograd- one small place yet had a huge impact, where all the strikes were held- one little place could hold such a big difference, No other places were rebelling- could so have easily joined! THEREFORE, the war was probably the main factor because: Heavy inflation- this led to the risings in the towns, because they thought their bread supplies were going to be cut off- 18th February- followed by women wanting to help- international womenâ„ ¢s day Morale was extremely low- led to soldiers deserting- around 150,000 had deserted by June- didnâ„ ¢t want to support the Tsar. General Khabalov ordered for the garrison to hold back Petrograd ( but the police force were on their side! No-one was confident!- the tsar relied so heavily on them to squash any defiance! The provisional bloc- duma was disollutionised- called for it during the war- everyone to work together= ministers refused so formed the provisional bloc- Alexander Kerensky asked for him to stand down- BIG SHOW OF POWER! â€Å" 2nd most important! Bolsheviks werenâ„ ¢t involved- most in hiding- Lenin returned in 1917! Petrograd!

How To Ditch Your Boring Brand With Ken Moskowitz From Ad Zombies

How To Ditch Your Boring Brand With Ken Moskowitz From Ad Zombies Who’s on your short list of marketing influencers for thought leadership and mentorship? Which company brands do you gravitate toward because of their unique value propositions and authentic connection with customers? Today, my guest is Ken Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Ad Zombies. Ken shares insights on brand creation and challenges marketers to bring entertainment, humor, and storytelling into their content. Passion for Production: From creating commercials as a child and dreaming of being the best disc jockey to turning into a zombie Conversions and Reconstruction: Ad Zombies came to life by accident after discovering need to rewrite ad copy to connect with specific customers Origin and Evolution: Ad Zombies’ brand positioning of world’s best flat-fee ad copywriting service changes to writing words that sell anything More than 103,000 Ad Zombies followers on Facebook attributed to mix of wordsmithing skills and engaging audience to evoke emotional responses Missing mark to make memorable ads: Stories and visual noise connect and convert consumers through brand awareness Where to start: Consistent messaging peppered through channels; view consumer’s perspective, and take the plunge to try something new Links: Ad Zombies Ad Zombies on Facebook Howard Stern Bob Ross The Lion King Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men The Walking Dead Game of Thrones If you liked today’s show, please subscribe on iTunes to The Actionable Content Marketing Podcast! The podcast is also available on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Quotes by Ken Moskowitz: â€Å"I was probably the AV-Squad King. I was definitely a nerd. I spent my free time making my own commercials and storytelling. It was fun for me.† â€Å"Strategically, you want to always think about what your business is: What do you do for a living? What does your business really do? What business should you be in?† â€Å"We are not afraid to take chances and to put stuff out there. Ad Zombies is a brand that at its corewe write ads. What we really do is entertain and we engage our audience.† Don’t ever be afraid to try new things and don’t go with, â€Å"I don’t like this ad.† How do you know 100 million people won’t?

Relationship Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Relationship Management - Essay Example Their son, William Henry Smith took over the business and was joined by his son, William Henry Jr. and WH Smith and Son was born. The firm based its growth on the railway boom and capitalized on it by its presence in the railway stations and using the railroads as a means of distribution. For many years, the main rival to both W H Smith's railway station and news distribution business was John Menzies. WH Smith addressed this competition by buying out all retail outlets of Menzies in 1988. This has resulted in an amazing presence for WH Smith in every single railway station in Britain. In the year to 31 August 2004, W H Smith plc had a turnover of 2,834 million, on which it made a pre-tax loss of 130 million, due to significant "exceptional items" and losses on the sales of subsidiaries. Disposals during the year reduced the group's net assets from 409 million to 256 million. At its December 2004 share price of around 323p, the company's market capitalization was just under 600 million. (wikipedia.org) The company had been having a series of problems including the retail where it has faced tough competition on diverse fronts, significant fall in pension funds that has caused internal tensions and from the threat from its distribution side that all contributed to its financial downfall. There is no doubt that the company has to try to revamp on all fronts to recap its former glory. The main The main disadvantage of WH Smith is that it lacks a distinct retail identity and that shoppers no longer have a real reason to visit its stores. It has lost its niche and needs to re-find it in order that it builds itself a solid identity. It has suffered the onslaught of specialised competitors and its sales have declined due to it losing customers. Specialist retailers such as HMV, Waterstone's and Ottakar's offer a far wider range of music and books. Amazon burst on the scene as an online retailer and built its base so quickly and this has influenced WH Smith's sales. It has also been squeezed by Asda and Tesco, which sell basic stationery and magazines more cheaply. In addition, shoppers seeking DVDs and compact discs are just as likely to pick them up at their local Tesco too, along with their envelopes and greetings cards, other traditional WH Smith staples. Attempts at diversification such as publishing have not been as successful as expected. Kate Swann, WH Smith's chief executive, said the company aimed to "reinvigorate" itself. "We aim to return the UK High Street Retail business to its role as Britain's most popular stationer, bookseller and newsagent," she said. Ms Swann admitted the firm had lost out to competition from supermarkets and had not helped itself by providing "an inconsistent product offer and an inadequate strategic response to competition". However, she said the stores still had great potential. "The business has unique strengths through its extensive store portfolio, strong market shares and high customer footfall. "Our plans encompass improved efficiency through cost savings and margin enhancement, while rebuilding the competitiveness and depth of our product ranges." Relationship management Relationship Marketing is a marketing method in which businesses consistently maintain two-way communication with their prospective, current and inactive customers in order to gain a deeper understanding of their needs while delivering personal and compelling marketing

Article Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5

Review - Article Example For all those abroad and at home made uncomfortable by the far-reaching assertions of American power, it was a time of predictable aggravation (Brennan 1). Without shock, they heard an overconfident Republican president swearing to make his nation’s attackers pay, and appearing to pay no more attention to legal facts instead of a cowboy bent on an execution. Behind all these endeavors lie two solid questions left answered by Mr. Bush’s rallying call of 2001: whether the United States can lay claim to the lawful powers of a country waging war, or whether it is more just, wiser or more useful to murder or capture terrorists and militants bent on causing harm to the country. Such an article, if gone through by business leaders, would persuade them to invest in the United States since the article informs people how the nation has improved technologically (Brennan 1). The article supports Obama’s use of technology to bring prosperity to the United States, which is a good way of attracting investors to the

Loius XIV Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Loius XIV - Essay Example for the reconstruction of the whole apparatus. Furthermore, the influence of church was also weakening, so the crown was losing its allies and had to adjust to the new circumstances. The saddening experience of three-wave Fronde played its role during Louis's reign, and his first steps and goals were gaining control over French financial lifeblood and restricting alleged freedom of aristocracy. 2) Louis XIV dealt wisely with aristocracy. First of all, he waged numerous wars, in which noble classes were to participate (in order to demonstrate loyalty and obedience) - otherwise they wouldn't receive promotion and new government offices. Louis refused to distribute power among less significant feudalists, but he attempted to win their devotion he brought them to his court for a kind of probation term and then rewarded aristocrats with titles or pensions. Nevertheless, Louis never stopped controlling the number of aristocrats at highest hierarchical positions, so their number was always limited. Another Louis's direction was the establishment of strong sustainable military apparatus headed by the most loyal and industrious aristocrats.

A Message Of Peace And Reconciliation Mercy Religion Essay

A Message Of Peace And Reconciliation Mercy Religion Essay 1. Approximately fourteen hundred years ago, Prophet Muhammad, the last in the line of the prophets of Islam, received revelation from God known as the Quran, which is the Final Testament. He came with a message of peace and reconciliation, mercy and compassion. Yet, ever since the beginning of the call of Islam, its image and that of Muslims has been subject to distortion, misconceptions, and misinterpretations. This chapter aims at establishing the link between Quran and the distortions in its interpretation which has manifested itself in the form of jihad or the holy-war. Quran and Sanction of Violence 2. The Quran permits violence as an act of defence waged to protect the Shariat in an Islamic community. The Shariat can be explained as a system of ordinances outlined in the Quran and Hadis  [1]  through which God lays down for mankind the rules of conduct  [2]  . The Shariat is the guidance for all walks of life individual and social, material and moral, economic and political, legal and cultural, national and international  [3]  . 3. Muslims are advised to closely follow the Shariat to acquire the well being that God has envisioned for the Islamic community. Preservation of the Shariat is an obligation of every able-bodied individual  [4]  . Oppression, despotism, injustice and criminal abuse of power  [5]   of the Shariat by Muslims or non-Muslims  [6]  , must be punished. Quran and Jihad 4. The Quran identifies three main kinds of Jihad that can be used for the punishment of oppression and injustice. These are: internal  [7]  , external  [8]  and inter-communal  [9]  . The Quran permits the use of violence as an optional method for all three forms of Jihad but it limits the use of violence in internal  [10]   and external Jihad. It expands on its doctrine of Jihad and violence, mainly in the context of inter-communal conflicts. In these cases, Muslims can individually determine the nature and extent of Jihad based on the freedom of interpretations, and the geopolitical conditions in which the conflict arises. However the most essential prerequisite in the Qurans discourse on violence is that, force should be used only when the Shariat has been violated and needs to be persevered as the very work of God Himself  [11]  . 5. In Inter communal Jihad, Martial Jihad  [12]  should be used to protect and to promote the integrity of Islam and to defend the umma [community] against hostile unbelievers whether they are invading armies or un-Islamic internal despots  [13]  . The use of forces in all other instances is forbidden by God  [14]  . Once cause for violent Jihad has been established on the basis of geopolitical circumstances and religious understandings of the same, the Quran advises Muslims to:- Fight for the sake of God those that fight against you but do not attack them first. God does not love aggressors. Slay them wherever you find them  [15]  . It encourages violent Jihadis to muster all the men and cavalry at your disposalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ [and]à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies  [16]  until Gods religion  [17]  reigns supreme  [18]  . Jihadis should use violence to ward of external aggression, maintain internal orde and establish absolute justice for all citizens  [19]  . Jihadis should employ all means and media for the establishment of all that is right and the elimination of all that is wrong  [20]  . If they do so then they will dwell amidst garden and fountains and shall receive what their Lord will give themà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦for they have done good works  [21]  . 6. Thus as seen above, through its affirmative discourse on the use of violence and its association with the Divine and martyrdom, the Quran encourages the popularity of violent Jihad as a legitimate tool for Muslims to overpower their adversaries. Through this association the Quran also projects the use of violence as a religious duty that demonstrates the utmost submission to God and deserves the highest rewards. This becomes more compelling because the Quran permits violence, in any instance where the Shariat has been violated. 7. A Muslim who foresees this violation as important is allowed by the Quran to adopt violent Jihad. The manner in which this process applies to each Muslim depends on individual interpretations of the Quran which extend themselves to the social realm as well. If adopted on the basis of individual will and sense of religious duty, then violent Jihad can be considered as an act of great patriotism in Islam. Conversely an act of violence that is not directed towards preserving the Shariat and the will of God is categorized as terrorism in Islam. Such acts are a deviation from the path of God and the Quran states that those that deny Gods revelations shall be sternly punished; God is mighty and capable of revenge. Nothing on earth or in heaven is hidden from God  [22]  . The Quran is extremely categorical in outlining the premise and course for Islamic violence so that it can deter nonreligious violence from occurring. 8. Quran implies that Muslims can apply their Quranic understandings to geopolitical conditions and present religious premise for violent Jihad. Once this is done, the intent and act of violence meets Quranic requirements consequently making violent Jihad a legitimate religious reaction. Most often, acts categorized as terrorism in the non-Muslim world represent religious rather than non-religious violence executed within the Qurans discourse on violence. This is because the non-Muslim worlds categorization of violence is not related to the Quran. In the non-Muslim world, the use of legitimate violence is defined as a state-oriented concept which must find just cause in domestic or international precepts.  [23]  However, in the Islamic world the Quran itself determines political, economic and social perceptions. 9. Violence in Islamic nations almost always has an essential religious rather than a purely political bias. The Quran states that any Muslim can be a warrior of God rather than the state based on his religious interpretations. The extent to which violence can be used in Islam for this purpose remains unstipulated by the Quran. It simply states that Jihadis should engage all means required to ensure that the enemy is defeated or accepts defeat. Thus even though violent Jihad can create aggression that amounts to terrorism in the non-Muslim world, in Islam this is not perceived as such as long as it occurs within the guidelines on the use of violence, stipulated in the Quran. Contrary perceptions of violent Jihad persist in the non-Muslim world mainly because of the divergent perspectives from which the use of violence is defined. 10. Bin-Laden and some other extremists in the Islamic world contend that the 11 September 2001 attacks were a reaction to the hegemonic status that the United States (US) has established in the Middle-East, especially after the Afghan-Soviet War. This had political and economic implications that often violate the Shariat on governance and trade. These Muslims oppose power-politics played by the US in countries such as Iraq, Iran and Libya. They contend that these politics mainly further US economic interests in the Middle-East. The Quran states that Islamic resources should be used mainly for Islamic benefits and can be exchanged with non-Muslims through negotiations and agreements. However, it strongly condemns unsolicited involvement of non-Muslims in Muslim affairs. Thus, some Muslims also emphasize US oil-trade in the Middle East from this perspective. They also condemn power hungry leaders in the Islamic world who facilitate such economics and politics and prevent the downward filtration effects of these engagements, as recommended by the Quran. Thus, Bin-Laden and these Muslims believe that, despite their intensity, the 11 September 2001 attacks were a legitimate Quranic reaction to preserve the sanctity of Islamic values in the Middle East. 11. Extreme interpretations of the Qurans discourse on violence would legitimize this belief. Contrarily, perceptions of state oriented violence and war in the non-Muslim world would reject it. However, it is important to remember that in Islam, extreme as they maybe, acts of violence are legitimized by the Quran, as long as they are enacted to reserve the Shariat and executed within its discourse on violence. Role of Quranic Interpretations in Justifying and Integrating Terrorism 12. Even though the various terrorists groups intone various ideologies of the Islamic religion, there are no set universal agendas for these groups. In the contemporary world the goal for groups like Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Chechen rebels is a nation of their own with tactics reminiscent of the ethnic violence erupting after abandoned colonialism. On the other end of the spectrum are groups like Jemaah Islamiya (JI) and Al-Qaeda with its various offshoots, who indeed are looking to rearrange the global order, instigate the now-infamous clash of civilizations and create a Muslim caliphate that spans continents, all the while bringing the West to its knees. Their goals are vast and global. Somewhere in the middle of all this are groups at risk, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET) in Pakistan and the separatist movements in the Philippines and Thailand. These groups are primarily motivated by state-centric goals, but all rest on the cusp of pan-territorial and far more dangerous age ndas. Terrorist groups can largely be conceived as having two working parts: an identity and an ideology. When it comes to Islamic  terrorism, that identity is based in religion, but sometimes the ideology is based in nationalism, while at other times in a more transient, pan-territorial agenda. This difference is most stark between more traditional ethno-terrorist movements and the far more globally oriented groups like Al-Qaeda  [24]  . 13. Since nationalist movements are focused on creating a state or political freedoms for one group, their strategies are focused on the nation-state from which they hope to gain concessions. Their violence is directed at those inside the state. Whether or not Islam provides the identity, their goals are not apocalyptic. In contrast,  religious  terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda engage in almost no domestic targeting. Their goals cross continents. They want to destroy corrupt regimes in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, purge the Western presence in their lands and change the global power order  [25]  . 14. After having seen how the terrorists interpret the Quran in justifying their actions, we can surmise that the popularity of this kind of radical reaction in the Muslim world can be explained as a  religious  counter reaction to the rapid progress of modernization, which has often included a move away from traditional  religious  beliefs in societies. In some parts of the less-developed world, fundamentalists are counterattacking against the perceived threats to their societies posed by secularism and modernity, and some are blaming their societies failures on the godless West. Political Islam calls for a renewal of Islamic values in the personal and public life of Muslims. Its manifestations include strict  religious  observances, the rapid growth of  religious  publications and readings from the Koran on radio and in television programming, and demands for the implementation of Islamic law. Political Islam often includes growing numbers of Islamic schools, organi zations, and activist movements and expressions of resentment against the Western world for exporting a secular Coca-Cola culture to the Islamic world  [26]  . Throughout the Arab world, Muslim militants and terrorists are often recruited from the legions of unemployed and dispirited young men in both urban and rural settings in seriously underdeveloped countries. In many nations in the Middle East, there is never a shortage of those who are willing to find attractive the idea of launching a holy war against the enemy.

Why Are Gasoline Prices Going Up So High? Essay examples -- essays res

Why Are Gasoline Prices Going Up So High? If everyone else in the world is paying a lot more for gas, why shouldn't Americans? Take your average spoiled American who blames the Arabs for raising the gas prices unfairly in order to make a bigger profit. It's true, gas prices have gone up by a lot in the last few months, but is that unfair? Prices still are a lot higher in Canada, Europe and just about any other developed nation, according to Mike Royko in the May 2, 1996 issue of the Chicago Tribune. Ted Z. Manuel in a letter entitled "Voice of the People" of the Chicago Tribune, said "Most anywhere in Europe, gas costs are from $3.00 to $5.00 per gallon. We scream when it hits a $1.35 to $1.75 a gallon, which if adjusted for inflation actually is cheaper than 25 years ago." It seems that Americans just think the world owes them a favor. Maybe it's time that they start playing fairly and stop feeling so sorry for themselves!!! According to many articles, Americans have a lot more to be thankful for than they do to complain about. For one, cars use gas a lot more efficiently than they did in the past. According to Royko, "even today's luxury cars give you better gas mileage than the cheapest Chevies, Fords and Plymouths did not that long ago." What does this mean? This means that gas prices should logically go up. It's the basic law of supply and demand. It's true that more Americans are driving, but the gasoline suppliers still deserve to get p...