Behavior Contracts and Management Documents

The Strength to Change the World in A Lesson Before Dying...

What if you were sentenced to death for a crime you did not commit? What if you were then proclaimed to be a hog by a jury of your peers? What if you had 5 months to learn to grow from the hog you are said to be, to a man so that you are able to stand tall and walk to your death on your own two legs with your head held high? What would you learn? These questions are the central conflict of the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines. This book takes place on a plantation in the deeply racist state of Louisiana in the 1940s, where a black man named Jefferson is sentenced to death by means of the electric chair by an all-white jury for a murder that he did not commit. Jefferson’s white lawyer’s only defense is that Jefferson, being a†¦show more content†¦In this quote, he shows all the things he has gained from his acceptance, demonstrating strength (when he says I’m strong), manhood (when he says and truly believes â€Å"im a man mr wigin,† ) and the maturity to keep his composure when saying goodbye. All of these inner changes were only brought around and realized by Jefferson after he learned to take acceptance of responsibility for his actions. Jefferson also learned to sacrifice himself for others. Early in the book, Grant defines heroism. He says, â€Å"Do you know what a hero is Jefferson? A hero is someone who does something for other people. He does something other men don’t and can’t do. He is different from other men. He is above other men†¦. A hero does for others. He would do anything for the people he loves, because he knows it will make their lives better,† (Gaines 191). Grant’s definition of heroism says that heroes are people who sacrifice themselves for others, and that heroes are above other men. In the book, Jefferson does become a hero by sacrificing himself for others. After Grant has his talk, Jefferson sits down at the table with his nannan and eats the cold gumbo that she puts out for him, not because he wants it, for he had previously said he wasn’t hungry, but because he knows it will make her happy. This is Jefferson’s small sacrifice, but for the fact t hat he is upon death’s edge, it took real courageShow MoreRelatedA Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines1122 Words   |  5 PagesThe Power of a Strong Character In the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, racism and prejudice are clearly evident and talked about throughout the novel. The novel expresses the oppression of the blacks under a white-ruled society through the narrator, Grant. Grant is a well-educated black man who struggles to free himself from the oppression he has felt from the white community. Despite the fact that he is educated and a teacher, he initially lacks the vigor needed to take the firstRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesPower and Politics 411 Conflict and Negotiation 445 Foundations of Organization Structure 479 v vi BRIEF CONTENTS 4 The Organization System 16 Organizational Culture 511 17 Human Resource Policies and Practices 543 18 Organizational Change and Stress Management 577 Appendix A Research in Organizational Behavior Comprehensive Cases Indexes Glindex 637 663 616 623 Contents Preface xxii 1 1 Introduction What Is Organizational Behavior? 3 The Importance

Traveling by Plane Is Better Than Driving free essay sample

Plane is better than Driving It is better to travel by plane then driving while on vacation. It is more convenient in many ways. By fling there is a higher chance of getting to your destination faster. There is no need to worry about falling asleep on the weal so it is easier to stay relaxed. While fling a person has all the entertainment they need because there are normally a lot of shows playing and if one ever gets tired of sitting they can Just walk round and still get to their destination without having to stop. If were to be driving it would take longer to get to destination because then one would have to stop at a break area. Also there would be no need to stop for food because the air hostess would bring it to the passenger. While driving it would be another stop and add more time to the destination. We will write a custom essay sample on Traveling by Plane Is Better Than Driving or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page By traveling by plane a person can have more fun on their trip and not be tiered because of the long drive. By traveling by plane it has been said to be safer. Sources have said it is one in eleven million chance of being involved in an airplane crash while there is only one in five thousand chance of getting killed in an automobile accident. (Fury, Chris) By driving a person has a huge chance of falling asleep while driving. When on the other hand while on a plane there is no driving so if anyone were to fall asleep it wouldnt be a problem and stay warm with the big comfy blanket that was given at the beginning of traveling. Traveling on the plane has the benefits of keeping a person entertained. If a passenger were to drive they more than likely would bored because they have nothing to do but drive. They might have some company but how long would they talk for. For the people who are accompanying the driver can watch videos on the car TV. But those are real expensive so about one out of five people will have it. So if they were to go on the plane everyone would be entertained because every passenger has their own little TV to watch movies or listen to music. Also there are some airlines that have games to be played on the TV. Another reason for traveling on a plane is that there is room to walk around if tiered of sitting in one place. If driving to walk around a person cant stand up in the car they would have to stop the car and waist time in the waiting area and add more time to traveling. One other major part about flying is no stops for food meaning no spending money on food. On the plane while sitting an airhostess bring food and drinks for the passengers. Throughout the plane ride the passenger can ask for anything to eat or drink throughout the ride. Normally the airhostesses are really nice. The plane ride to the destination of choice is a smooth ride. One thing that is really great about traveling by plane is not stopping for gas. Now a days gas prices are really high. Travelers literally end up spending hundreds of dollars on gas. When on a plane there is worrying about that. On a plane ride the plane companies deals with the gas. The passenger doesnt have to even move when gas is being filled. But they do have a choice to walk around in the airport. But normally there is no gas breaks only for the really long flights. Traveling by plane has become an advance hoice for a lot of people. It can be expensive but it thinks about the big picture it a good one. To travel around the world the best way is flying. Driving has become very expensive and dangers. No less it takes a lot longer. By driving there is a lot of is a great way to travel. By traveling on plane the passenger takes away a lot of risks that would be taken during driving. They get everything need Just in one spot not having to make stops and not enjoy their trip because they were tiered. Traveling by plane is foremost the best choice.

The Portrayal of Women in the Odyssey Essay Example

The Portrayal of Women in the Odyssey Paper Women play an important role in the epic, The Odyssey, written by Homer. Set in a period subsequent to the Trojan War, the accounts of Odysseus and his trials and tribulations feature four main types of women: the goddess, the seductress, the witch and the good wife. Each of these portrays the role of women in a different way, some in complete contrast to the actual civilization of the period. Ancient Greece was very much a patriarchal society. Men were regarded as of higher status than women, and were seen as the stronger gender. Sports were reserved purely for men, as were literature, politics and philosophy. Typically, a woman was judged, not by her own achievements, but by the wealth and status of her father or husband. A woman would be forced to be married at a young age, keep the house for her husband and have children. Usually, ancient Greek women were not educated, although in Athens, women were taught to read, at school or at home, simple facts on mythology, religion and occasionally musical instruments and as with most other places in ancient Greece, they learnt the basics of the household; spinning, weaving, sewing, cooking and other household jobs. The immortal goddesses contrast with the distinctive characteristics of an ancient Greek woman in the Odyssey. Athena, goddess of wisdom, for example, addresses the Gods, including her father, despite the traditions of status. By ignoring these traditions, Athena shows her strength and confidence. It seems she is outspoken, and is more a typical representation of a modern day woman than that of ancient Greece. Throughout the book, Athena shows considerable pity for Odysseus, despite the fact that men were supposedly the stronger gender: she used her persuasion to encourage the gods to reconsider their destiny for him, and set him free from Calypsos island, and she inspired thoughts for Odysseus when he is enduring the wrath of Poseidon on his journey to the island of the Phaeacians. At this point, Athena interrupts Odysseus negative thoughts of being colliding with rough rocks, to give him the idea of holding onto one of the rocks as the waves crashed against them. We will write a custom essay sample on The Portrayal of Women in the Odyssey specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Portrayal of Women in the Odyssey specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Portrayal of Women in the Odyssey specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Not only does she stir notions within Odysseus, but Athena aids him more subtly by promoting thoughts in other people. For example, when Odysseus is washed up on Scherie, Athena appears in Nausicaas dream as one of her friends. She persuades her that she should go and wash her clothes in the river, which is where she first encounters Odysseus, and aids him in his ongoing quest by taking him to her parents for hospitality. The second of woman is the seductress. The Nymph Calypso saves Odysseus when he is washed upon the shore of her island, and keeps him as a sexual prisoner for 7 years, offering immortality in return for him staying with her. She is a perfect example of how women could be powerful against man, yet still be overruled. This is because when she keeps Odysseus captive on Ogygia, Odysseus has no power to do any different. However, it is Zeus final decision that he should be released from her island, and Hermes, messenger to the gods, who tells her. These are both men making her do something she doesnt want to, but she has to obey them, which is a reflection of the ancient Greek traditions. Additionally, Calypso is also seen as the model hostess, offering her guest ambrosia, nectar and clothes. She does this with ease and pleasure, as she even offers Hermes these things before asking why he had come to see her. She is seen to be immoral by sleeping with a married man, yet to simultaneously have good manners, portraying the complexity of women which wasnt recognised in ancient Greek society. Also a seductress, but concurrently a witch, Circe is firstly portrayed as deceitful and cunning. She lures Odysseus men into her house before turning them into pigs. Her trickery shows her to be independent and strong-minded, although she is then proven to be weaker than men when Odysseus arrives. Contrasted against his bravery in Book 10, Circe displays cowardice when confronted by Odysseus after he has eaten the drug of real virtue from Hermes to protect him from the witches black magic. Circe then tries to seduce Odysseus, but he abstains until he can secure an oath between himself and the witch. She, however, shows a complete disregard for men by turning them all into pigs, then putting her own desires before their freedom, and this shows that Circe also possesses completely contradictory characteristics from the ancient Greek women. On the other hand, when Odysseus demonstrates his power by pulling out his sword, Circe collapses to her knees and bursts into tears, proving that it is Odysseus who holds the authority at this point. Daughter of King Alcinous, Nausicaa, is presented as a mature person, as she is unmarried, therefore young, and yet she doesnt run away when she sees Odysseus naked by the river. She instructs her maids to give him clothes, and he responds to this by not hugging her knees and begging for help, like he first thought of doing. This shows that Nausicaa is well-respected. She also cares about her image as a virtuous woman, because when Odysseus travels to the palace with her, he has to walk behind her, so that people didnt think they were together. Also, when Nausicaa takes Odysseus to meet her parents so that he can receive help from them, she insists he meet her mother first as opposed to her father. This demonstrates her respect for her mother, and her understanding of the way in which the system should work, but the knowledge of how it actually does. Finally, the good hostess and wife are portrayed by Penelope. Even after 20 years, she has stayed loyal to Odysseus by stalling the suitors. This is also quite devious, as she leads them into thinking that once she finishes her weaving, shell marry one of them, except every night she undoes all that she achieved that day. This is the side of her which seems unlike that of the women of ancient Greece. However, parallel to the ancient Greek traditions of statuses between genders, Penelope is reprimanded by her own son. She is told to go to her room and stop making decisions because that was his concern as he was the man of t he house. Without any confrontation, she resigned as returned to her room. This shows that Penelope is contrasted with the other women portrayed in The Odyssey, because she is comparable to the ancient Greek society, whereas Athena, Calypso, Circe and Nausicaa are dissimilar. In conclusion, women in The Odysseus are mostly portrayed as strong-willed and open-minded people with their own thoughts and opinions. Although some are immortal, and supposedly free of human emotion, they feel loss, anger and fear, and can make love to mortal men. Their strength of character is displayed with their ability and willingness to differentiate from the periodic stereotypes of women, although in the end, they almost always surrender to the ancient Greek patriarchal culture. If these charcters were to be placed in the ancient Greek society, I think that they would be discarded from the civilization, except for Penelope who would integrate into the culture with her conceded attitude towards the men around her.

Owned Enterprise under China as a Centrally Planned Economy

China is a global contender for superpower status. The position China occupies in the second decade of the twenty first century is remarkable. Less than a century ago, China was emerging from a feudal past. The country lacked economic and political stability. In its history, the transition of one dynasty to another was Darwinian.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Owned Enterprise under China as a Centrally Planned Economy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Whenever the ruling dynasty became weak, a rebellion took place and a new dynasty rose power. Throughout its history, China has gone through periods of unification and periods of disintegration. The current socioeconomic profile of the country is a reflection of its rich cultural heritage. It is a consequence of the decisions taken by various leaders of the country across time. The study of the First Lathe Factory of Beijing took place during the reign of Mao. The study, which took place in 1961 by Ma Hong, became public in 1980. It is a very insightful view into the working of the centrally planned economy at the time in history. This is because no scientific literature exists regarding the actual outcomes of the management initiatives undertaken by the Chinese government in the period. The information available refers to plans and self-reported results from the operations of industries. The report by Ma Hong gives a unique view to the dynamics that governed the operations of the First Lathe Factory of Beijing. Since the rules the factory operated under were the same for the entire economy, the findings are valid as a generalized review of the Chinese economy at the time. This paper explores the operations of a centrally planned economy based on the report provided by Ma Hong concerning the First Lathe Factory of Beijing. The paper will put the operations of the factory in historical context in view of Mao’s economic policies. It will also explore the general nature of centrally planned economies, as a basis for the analysis of the operations of the First Lathe Factory of Beijing. Historical Context To understand the importance of the analysis provided in this paper, it is essential to put into historical context the First Lathe Factory of Beijing. The actual factors at play in the factory’s operations reflected the unique cultural history of the Chinese people and political realities of the time. Philosophically, the most influential thinker in Chinese history is Confucius. Confucianism is still predominant in the thinking of modern day China. His enduring legacy is the codification of Chinese ethics. This thinker still serves a unifying personality in the Chinese society.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The events of the first half of the twentieth century also provided context for the operation s of the factory. China did not have an effective central government during this period. Warlords led the country, with a few personalities trying to unify it. The result was persistent war and vulnerability to attacks by foreigners. Mao rose to power in 1949 as the leader of the People’s Republic of China. For almost fifty years prior to Mao’s rule, China went through internal wars and international conflicts. No leader had found success in unifying China. When Mao rose to power, he succeeded in quelling all internal rebellion and ending most external wars. Thereafter, he only fought in wars which China had a realistic chance of winning. Mao’s rise to power came at a time when the Chinese people needed a unifying leader. They wanted someone with the capacity to bring together the entire Chinese people. No leader had succeeded in this effort in almost one century. Therefore, when Mao started establishing communist rule in China, he did not find credible resistan ce. After all, other leaders had had the opportunity to resolve China’s internal problems to no avail. The Chinese people were willing to risk a socialist approach to government. Mao became very powerful because of his popularity as a politician, and his reputation as a strong military leader. The Great Leap Forward Mao attempted to industrialize China rapidly starting in 1958 to 1961 in a program known as the Great Leap Forward. The basis for the Great Leap Forward was to exert greater control over production in China in order to have rapid and coordinated economic growth. Mao believed that this would increase the productivity of the Chinese economy. If Mao was right in theory, he was wrong in practice. However, literature suggests that he was also wrong in theory. At the time, China was not yet a communist state. Therefore, China had a mixed system of capitalist operations with socialist undertones. When Mao started implementing the Great Leap Forward, he upset the traditio nal economy of China. For instance, Mao’s government outlawed private farming. While the intention of this move was to aggregate Chinese agricultural production to allow for greater control, the result was that the country’s food production fell. In fact, the entire Chinese economy faltered during the three years of the Great Leap Forward. The country experienced negative growth in its economy.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Owned Enterprise under China as a Centrally Planned Economy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the industrial sector, the government started institution controls relating to the flow of goods and services. Initially, factories sought their own raw materials and found markets for their finished products. During the Great Leap Forward, the government started controlling the flow of raw materials and the rate of production. Government statisticians calculated the required levels of growth and implemented measures aimed at delivering the products needed to support the required levels of growth. The assumption was that if China can sustain a certain level of production, then it would be able to grow economically in order to catch up with the developed world. This large-scale control of raw materials and labor led to serious inefficiencies in the Chinese economy. Raw materials did not move freely. The controls also usurped market forces leading to supply and demand distortions. The Nature of Centrally Planned Economies Centrally planned economies such as the one in operation in China in 1961 have several characteristics. The main feature of centrally planned economies is the control of the flow of raw materials, labor, and markets. The central authorities allocate raw materials to all manufacturers and monitor the distribution of the materials. The allocation of raw material is in tandem with the production quota given to each manufacturer. The central author ity also determines how many people the manufacturer can employ. This way, the authority controls the movement of labor across various sectors. If there is excess production, the central authority approves the exportation of the surplus products. The quantity of products manufactured in a centrally planned economy is not demand driven. The central authority uses historical data and trend analysis to determine the optimum level of production to meet the demand. However, meeting the demand here does not connote a reliance of the forces of demand and supply. The production quotas reflect the desired level of economic productivity. For instance, if the central authority wants the economy to grow by 5%, it makes projections regarding the required levels of productivity to meet this demand. It then passes on these quotas to manufactures.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One problem associated with centrally planned economies is that the policies developed do not conform to demand and supply patterns. This can lead to overproduction or underproduction of goods and services. Secondly, planned economies tend to stifle entrepreneurship. There is no incentive to improve products because there is no reward for quality. Control also affects profit margins and kills initiative in the part of manufacturers. A benefit that can accrue from a planned economy is that it can help a country to overcome specific challenges such as food production. It is also a good approach to use in the establishment of an industry. The risks of establishing a new industry are usually very high. Therefore, central control can ensure that the outcomes are more predictable. The third advantage of central planning is that it can help in the rapid development of an industry. When left on their own, industries grow slowly based on economic realities, competitive advantage, and the tim e it takes to establishment a market. Central control can help to create the requisite conditions for the success of an industry much faster than organic growth. The First Lathe Factory of Beijing The First Lathe Factory of Beijing was the amalgamation of three companies. The three companies combined to form one of the largest factories in Beijing. It produced industrial machines. From its name, it is clear that its main products were lathe machines. However, the company had a long list of industrial machines it its product catalogues. In addition, it provided repair and maintenance services for its clients in various parts of China. The company mass-produced many machines, but it also handled individual orders. At its peak, the company was one of the largest employers in Beijing. The administrative structure of the company evolved to reflect the changes in the Chinese political landscape. The administration of the factory during the Great Leap Forward consisted of the factory admin istrators running the operations of the factory and power brokers in the power structure of the communist party. In fact, as the government increased its control over the affairs of industries in China, the company experienced power struggles. The management was not sure how much of its administrative duties were in violation of the edicts of the communist party. As such, there was tension at all times between the industry administrators and party leaders. The factory was initially under the First Ministry of Machine Building, but it ceded control to the Government of the Municipality of Beijing. The managers of the factory were generally in charge of administrative decisions such as scheduling of work, allocating houses for the workers and ordering of materials. The political leaders of the communist party developed the production quotas needed to meet the economic objectives of the country. Party officials had a lot of say on matters like the people who would hold offices in the f actory and the overall economic objectives the factory needed to fulfill. Government officials on the other hand implemented the policies developed by the party. The operations of the factory before the rise of Mao were capitalist in nature. The three companies that eventually became the First Lathe Factory of Beijing had international investors in their shareholders list. One of the companies received start up funds from American investors. The financing for the second firm came from Chinese investors, while the third one was a government project. The tumultuous period that ended in 1949 also happens to be the time when the country made the most effort towards achieving a political democracy. As such, the country’s economy as at 1949 had strong elements of capitalism. After the rise of Mao, the Chinese government started tightening controls over many sectors. The Great Leap Forward came with an increase in the controls exerted over companies operating in China. The First Lat he Factory of Beijing was no exception. During the Great Leap Forward, the factory received production quotas from the party. There were controls relating to the raw materials it could use the number of people it could employ and the markets it could sell its products. Getting raw materials became difficult with time. Irons smelters sold iron directly to the government. The government warehouses distributed the iron to factories. In theory, this was supposed to help to optimize the resources of the country. The result was that factories did not receive the raw materials they needed in time. The companies started sending several people to the government warehouses to negotiate for raw materials. Things worsened because of government red tape that made the process of acquiring raw materials very lengthy. The inefficiencies introduced by the restriction of raw materials led to huge economic losses. Lack of access to markets also made Chinese manufacturers uncompetitive because it was i mpossible for them to determine what the customers wanted. One of the fundamental problems associated with the quota system is that because of the reliance on the factories to provide production data, the factory officials had no option but to lie about their production patterns and capacity to cover for the poor decisions made by government officials. After the failure of the Great Leap Forward, Mao orchestrated the Cultural Revolution that lasted from 1966 to 1976. During this period, Mao institutionalized government control over all factors of production, in the direction of a pure communist state. The main problems that are of interest to business management in the operations of the First Lathe Factory of Beijing during the Great Leap Forward are the role of government in business, and the choice between supply-driven and demand-driven management models. The case of the First Lathe Factory of Beijing demonstrated that the successful involvement of government in the running of bu sinesses depends on the level of autonomy given to the factory administrator. The involvement of the government in the affairs of the factory took away its capacity to negotiate with suppliers and to respond to consumer demand. The government ought to remain as a regulator. The pursuit of policy for development should encourage industries to innovate and to become competitive because this guarantees long-term stability. China is still fighting to redeem its image because of the reputation it acquired as a manufacturer of poor quality products. Japan on the other hand is a respected producer of high quality products. The Japanese manufacturing industry developed the Kaizen systems to increase the operational efficiency of manufacturing facilities, and to improve the quality of the products sent to the market. Such a philosophy could not emerge if the Japanese government made the same decisions as the Chinese rulers in 1961. The second fundamental issue to business management is that the forces of demand and supply are more reliable than policy pronouncements regarding demand. Demand cannot emanate from policy pronouncements. Manufacturing lathes for a country that does not need them will not create a demand for lathe machines. Rather, demand for lathe machines should guide the production quotas of lathe machines. In all businesses, demand ought to be the guide and not supply. Demand is dynamic, and it is best to leave individual factories to gauge demand and to respond to consumer needs. It is impossible to control resources and labor at factory level from the level of the central government. Conclusions The creation of state owned enterprises took place by nationalization of existing industries, and merging of small entities into larger ones. When Mao took power, he sought to reform the Chinese economy. He relied on Marxist philosophies and decided against open capitalism. He merged smaller industries to create larger ones, and in the process nationalized indu stries. The government started demanding that factories conform to the party position in economic matters, and went as far as deciding on the levels of labor for use in a factory. The government also decided on the appropriate production quotas of each factory based in party economic goals and not based on market conditions. Thirdly, the government controlled the distribution of products manufactured in the country. The Organization and operation of Chinas state owned enterprises led to the disastrous consequences of the Great Leap Forward. China lost its competitive edge because of the party’s focus on production as opposed to the financial performance of companies. Presently, the country is struggling to overcome the consequences of the poor reputation it developed in the international market as a producer of low quality products. Governments should never micromanage any industry because of lack of expertise, and the emergence of unintended consequences. The experts in the operations of a factory are the workers in that factory. Making decisions regarding the level of staffing and production on behalf of the factory cannot lead to growth. It robs the factory of the opportunity to innovate, to find new markets for its products, and to remain competitive in the international market. Finally, the organizational structure used to manage the Chinese economy show that bureaucratic approaches to economic issues can stifle growth. There were three levels of management of the industries in China. First, the party developed laws and economic policies. Secondly, government official enforces these policies according to the guidance of the party. Thirdly, the management teams from the factories exercised operational control over the factories. These managers had very little space to make strategic decisions because of the policy declarations of the party. Works Cited Bartlett, Christopher A and Arar Han. Levendary Cafe: The China Challenge. Boston, MA: Havard Busi ness School Publishing, 2011. Print. Bramall, C. Chinese Economic Development. New York: Routledge, 2009.Print. Chow, Gregory C. China’s Economic Transformation. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Print. —. Chinese Economy. Teaneck, NJ: World Scientific, 1987.Print Dube, Line, Carmen Berner and Vital Roy. â€Å"Taking on the Challenge of IT Management in a Global Business Context: The Alcan Case – Part A.† International Journal of Case Studies in Management 7.2 (2009): 1-13. Print. East Asia Quarterly. â€Å"Are China’s Multinational Corporations Really Multinational?† East Asia Quarterly April-June 2012. Print Goldman, Geoff and Celile Nieuwenhuizen. Strategy: Sustaining Competitive Advantage in a Globalised Context. Cape Town: Juta and Co Ltd, 2006. Print. Lavigne, M. The Economics of Transition: From Socialist Economy to Market Economy. New York: St. Martin Press, 1999. Print Mongay, Jorge. Business and Investments in Asia. Madrid: ESIC Editorial, 2011. Print Zhu, Zhiqun. China’s New Diplomacy: Rationale, Strategies and Significance. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing, 2010. Print This essay on Owned Enterprise under China as a Centrally Planned Economy was written and submitted by user Nancy Lindsay to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Understanding Critical Theory

Understanding Critical Theory Critical theory is a social theory oriented toward critiquing and changing society as a whole, in contrast to traditional theory oriented only to understanding or explaining it.  Critical theories  aim to dig beneath the surface of social life and uncover the assumptions that keep us from a full and true understanding of how the world works. Critical  theory emerged out of the Marxist tradition and it was developed by a group of sociologists at the University of Frankfurt in Germany who referred to themselves as  The Frankfurt School. History and Overview Critical theory as it is known today can be traced to Marxs critique of the economy and society put forth in his many works. It is inspired greatly by Marxs theoretical formulation of the relationship between economic base and ideological superstructure and tends to focus on how power and domination operate, in particular, in the realm of the superstructure. Following in Marxs critical footsteps, Hungarian Gyà ¶rgy Lukcs and Italian Antonio Gramsci developed theories that explored the cultural and ideological sides of power and domination. Both  Lukcs and Gramsci focused their critique on the social forces that prevent people from seeing and understanding the forms of power and domination that exist in society and affect their lives. Shortly following the period when  Lukcs and Gramsci developed and published their ideas, The Institute for Social Research was founded at the University of Frankfurt, and the Frankfurt School of critical theorists took shape. It is the work of those associated with the Frankfurt School, including Max Horkheimer, Theodor Adorno,  Erich Fromm, Walter Benjamin, Jà ¼rgen Habermas,  and Herbert Marcuse, that is considered the definition and heart of critical theory. Like  Lukcs and Gramsci, these theorists focused on ideology and cultural forces as facilitators of domination and barriers to true freedom. The contemporary politics and economic structures of the time greatly influenced their thought and writing, as they existed within the rise of national socialism, including the rise of the Nazi regime, state capitalism, and the rise and spread of mass-produced culture. Max Horkheimer defined critical theory  in the book  Traditional and Critical Theory.  In this work, Horkheimer asserted that a critical theory must do two important things: it must account for the whole of society within a historical context, and it should seek to offer a robust and holistic critique by incorporating insights from all social sciences. Further, Horkheimer stated that a theory can only be considered a true critical theory if it is explanatory, practical, and normative, meaning that the theory must adequately explain the social problems that exist, it must offer practical solutions for how to respond to them and make change, and it must clearly abide by the norms of criticism established by the field. With this formulation Horkheimer condemned traditional theorists for producing works that fail to question power, domination, and the status quo, thus building on Gramscis critique of the role of intellectuals in processes of domination. Key Texts Texts associated with the Frankfurt School focused their critique on the centralization of  economic, social, and political control that was transpiring around them. Key texts from this period include: Critical and Traditional Theory  (Horkheimer)Dialectic of the Enlightenment  (Adorno and Horkheimer)Knowledge and Human Interests  (Habermas)The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere  (Habermas)One-Dimensional Man  (Marcuse)The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction  (Benjamin) Critical Theory Today Over the years, the goals and tenets of critical theory have been adopted by many social scientists and philosophers who have come after the Frankfurt School. We can recognize critical theory today in many feminist theories  and feminist approaches to conducting social science, in critical race theory, cultural theory, in gender and queer theory, and in media theory and media studies. Updated by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

Compare and contrast Confucius and Zhuangzi Essay

Compare and contrast Confucius and Zhuangzi - Essay Example The Confucian school of thought in the 5th century B.C. laid the groundwork for the codification and compression of the various strands of Chinese thought into a coherent and accessible whole. Confucius also paved the way for the proper codification of the culture prevalent during his time. The Ethics taught by Confucius is considered by many as a kind of virtue ethics, where the behavior of people are procured by witnessing living examples instead of just following rules that teach behavior. Confucius was born in 521 B.C. into an aristocratic family of a lower order of impoverished knights. He lived during the second half of the Zhou dynasty (1027-256 B.C.) a period of constant civil strife, when feudalism had broken down, and there was a breakdown of government machinery and moral standards had become lax. Confucius was determined to remedy the situation and believed that the only way of doing it, was to go back to the days of antiquity and follow the principles and precepts set out by the wise men of the time. Armed with this determination and backed by the knowledge of the wise of yore, Confucius set up a school. Confucius’ philosophy was centered on humanism and he stressed upon the free will of individuals. Zhuangzhi, also known as Chuang Tzu, is another great Chinese thinker whose writing has a more philosophical tone, albeit it also stresses on what Confucius taught. Both thinkers laid great emphasis on the idea of Dao and De. Dao is the monistic theory that is responsible for the spontaneity that is found in all phenomena, while De or the â€Å"Inner Power† is the manifestation of these phenomena. It is the inherent power in an individual that can be built by practice and lead to a better life. As humans engage in cultivating their inner selves, it creates a ripple effect, and soon the results of the enlightened human are felt by the social and political system. Thomas Berry says