Evaluating Strategic Management Essay Example for Free

Evaluating Strategic Management Essay The strategic management process result in decision that can have significant, long lasting consequences. In many organizations, strategy evaluation is simply an appraisal of how well an organization has performed. Strategy evaluation includes three basic activities: 1. Examining the underlying bases of firm strategy 2. Comparing expected result with actual result 3. Taking corrective action to ensure that performance conform to plan. Strategy evaluation is becoming increasingly difficult with the passage of time, for many reasons. domestic And world economies were more stable in years past, product life cycles were longer, product development cycles were longer, technological advancement was slower, change occurred less frequently, there were fewer competitors, foreign companies were weak, and there were more regulated industries. Other reasons why strategy evaluation is more difficult today include the following trends: 1. A dramatic increase in the environment ‘s complexity 2. The increasing difficulty of predicting the future with accuracy 3. The increasing number of variables 4. The rapid rate of obsolescence of even the best plans 5. The increase in the number of both domestic and world events affecting organizations 6. The decreasing time span for which planning can be done with any degree of certainty Four Criteria (Richard Rummelt in evaluating strategic management: †¢ Consistency Strategy should not present inconsistent goals and policies. Conflict and interdepartmental bickering symptomatic of managerial disorder and strategic inconsistency †¢ Consonance Need for strategies to examine sets of trends †¢ Adaptive response to external environment †¢ Trends are results of interactions among other trends †¢ Feasibility Neither overtax resources or create unsolvable sub problems †¢ Organizations must demonstrate the abilities, competencies, skills and talents to carry out a given strategy †¢ Advantage Creation or maintenance of competitive advantage †¢ Superiority in resources, skills, or position Nowadays, the strategy evaluation is become difficult because adjusting with the trends happened. There are some reasons for it: 1. Increase in environment’s complexity 2. Difficulty predicting future with accuracy 3. Increasing number of variables 4. Rate of obsolescence of plans 5. Domestic and global events 6. Decreasing time span for planning certainty a.Reviewing Bases of Strategy – Develop revised EFE Matrix – Develop revised IFE Matrix Review effectiveness of strategy is important to evaluate how far these strategy matches with our goals, the way are: 1. Competitors’ reaction to strategy 2. Competitors’ change in strategy 3. Competitors’ changes in strengths and weaknesses 4. Reasons for competitors’ strategic change 5. Reasons for competitors’ successful strategies 6. Competitors’ present market positions and profitability 7. Potential for competitor retaliation 8. Potential for cooperation with competitors b.Measuring Organizational Performance †¢ Comparing expected to actual results †¢ Investigating deviations from plan †¢ Evaluating individual performance †¢ Progress toward stated objectives

Tactics And Targets Of Revolutionary Terrorism Politics Essay

Tactics And Targets Of Revolutionary Terrorism Politics Essay Revolutionary terrorism is a phenomenon that has affected much of the world since the beginning of the 20th century. This essay will argue that revolutionary terrorism has its roots in revolutionary socialist theory. It is this framework that provides the justifications and rationales for revolutionary terrorist activity. I will begin with an outline of the key concepts of revolutionary thought, as described in the writings of Marx and Engels. Furthermore it will be shown that other key figures, including Vladimir Lenin, Mao Tse-Tung and Marighella have influenced the evolution of revolutionary terrorism in the 20th Century. Secondly, I will outline the tactics employed by revolutionary terrorist groups and the groups and individuals that constitute their targets. They argue that the use of terrorist tactics with the aim of replacing exploitive capitalist governments with an equitable socialist society is in keeping with the fundamental aims of revolutionary socialism. In order to il lustrate the influence of the theory discussed, I will examine the cases of the Italian Red Brigade and the Japanese Red Army. These groups underwent a campaing of terror to facilitate this change. By opting to use terrorism they sought to undermine the legitimacy of their respective governments and agitate for a popular uprising. In order to understand the justficications that revolutionary terrorists have had for the use of terrorist activity, it is necessary to look at a series of events that took place in the 20th century. The writings of Marx and Engels are key. Marxist thought holds that the great inequalities that exist in the world in terms of the uneven distribution of wealth, power and land are due to the oppression of the working classes by the wealthy bourgeoise. Marx contends that a fundamental change of government must occur to achieve social, economic and political equality. His vision of an equitable socialist society will take place only after the advent of revolution, the overthrow of the bourgeoise by the proletariat. Central to Marxist thought is a call to arms of the masses. It is this call to arms that is central in revolutionary terrorists rationales for the use of political violence. Although Marx was personally opposed to terrorist violence as a means of achieving his socialist vison, further developments of the 20th century can be seen as instrumental in the evolution of revolutionary terrorist rationale. 1917 saw the Russian revolution and the succesful creation of a communist government. The progression of the socialist cause in other countries around the world however stagnated. This was partly due to the repression of leftist movements in liberal states around the world. Soviet Leader of the time Vladimir Lenin criticised socialist leadership for their passivity and their lack of militancy in bringing about revolution. Lenins solution to the problem came in the form of the concept of the Vanguard. He proposed the creation of an elite militant group to create the circumstances in which a popular uprising could occur. Mao Tse-Tungs use of guerilla warfare in his fight against the Chinese nationalists was inspired greatly by Leninist thought. The Chinese Red Army acted as the vanguard of the socialist cause and succesfully radicalised the population, which was key to their eventual victory and ascent to power. By the 1960s The lack of success once again in bringing about the revolution led to leftist thinkers turning to even more violent and militant means to achieve their political aims. The contribution of Brazilian marxist and writer at this point in time was undeniable. In his most famous work the Minimanual of the Urban Guerrilla of 1969, he provides advice on how to overthrow an authoritarian regime to bring about revolution. Among the key messages of his writings is that of armed propoganda. He argues that the use of violence and terrorism is an important tool for those seeking to achieve socialism. In his book he describes terrorism as a weapon the revolutionary can never relinquish. The use of terrorist tactics in conflicts in South America became a source of inspiration for leftist groups in Europe and other parts of the world. During the 1960s and 1970s the vast majority of developed countries experienced attacks from revolutio nary terrorists. Thus, the inherent inequality that exists in a capitalist society can be seen as the primary justification that revolutionary terrorists have for the use of terrorist acts to achieve their goal of a socialist society. Among the most well known and most fatal revolutionary terrorist groups was that of the Italian Red Brigade. Founded in 1970 by far left-wing students, the Red Brigades considered the Italian government of the 1960s and 1970s to be a contemporary version of the Fascist Italy of the 1940s. The members were particularly critical of the political and economic institutions of the Italian state. In their 1975 manifesto they state their goal as a concentrated strike against the heart of the state, becasuse the state is an imperialist collection of multinational corporations. The Red Brigades aimed to replicate the socialism of Lenins Soviet Union. They justified their violent acts arguing that they operated within a coherent intellectual tradition and considered themselves the vanguard of the Italian proletariat. The militant leftist group of the Japanese Red Army were established in 1969 and advocated imminent socialist revolution. They differed from their Italian counterparts in their en gaging in terrorist activity primarily on foreign soil. This was due mainly to the fact that the autocratic Japanese regime was very effective in stamping out leftist dissidence. The stated aims of the JRA were to overthrow the Japanese government and monarch and start a world revoloution. Often cooperating with other international leftists groups, the JRA were a well organised and methodical terrorist group. Tactics The tactics utilised by revolutionary terrorist groups are in keeping with the fundamental aims of revolutionary socialist theory. Among the tactics adopted by such groups include; armed robbery to gain resources and weapons for their cause, kidnappings, assasinations, indiscriminate attacks of civilians in public places, hijacking and the taking of hostages. Revolutionary terroists have two key aims that they wish to achieve through their use of terrorist tactics. The first of these is to undermine the legitimacy of the existing regime. By undertaking a series of terrorist acts against both civilian and official targets, revolutionary terrorist groups hope to upset the societal framework on which civilans depend and trust. A successful campaign of terrorist acts will call into question the competence of the government which fails to complete its fundamental responsibility of protecting its people. It is hoped that the resulting decrease of legitimacy in the eyes of the people will b ring about popular discontent and a desire for political change. In this situation the dissidents would have the opportunity to inherit power and implement political, social and economic changes. The second main aim of dissidents is to provoke governments to be repressive. This approach is rooted in the concepts developed by Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci. Gramsci contendeds that capitalist states engage in deliberate deception of their working classes in order to preserve the status quo. His concept of hegemonic false consciousness holds that states deliberately hide their repressive and authoritarian nature and distract the population to prevent it from taking part in revolutionary activity. In the process of attempting to deal with the threat of terrorist activity and counter the destabalising effects on society, a government will tend to decrease the rights of the population. In doing so the true nature of the state would be revealed and would be opposed by the people. This str ategy of agitational terror was utilised to great effect by the Italian Red Brigades. The Red Brigades also performed a number of bank robberies, which served both to fund their cause. Undertook kidnappings of key political and business leaders. Another method they employed to attack the system was that of kneecapping, which involved shooting both knees of a target in order to cripple them. In the 1977 trial of captured Red Brigade members disrupted proceedings by assasinating a judge and members of Given the Japanese Red Armys inability to operate within Japan, the group Hopes of terrorists is that they will provoke the government to be repressive. In its attempts to deal with the threat of terrorists, government will become more repressive, they will restrict the rights of the population. this repression will make the masses see the true colours of the regime, this will then spark a popular revolt, or at least undermine popular support for the regime. This provocation of hope to destabilise the state, because if the government is unable to deal with the threat of terrorists and support its people, the support for the government will dissappear. The competence of the government is called into question, and thus its legitimacy. Popular discontent could then bring about change, and in this situation the dissidents would have the opportunity to gain power and then implement changes. The intended effect of terrorist strategies include armed robbery: to gain weapons and resources for the cause. kidnapping, assasinations, indiscriminate attacks in public places. kidnapping for the purpose of coercive bargaining. hijacking of aeroplanes, taking hostages. revolutionary terrorists advertise their cause. Carlos Marighella: concept of coercive bargaining. kidnapping of businessmen or prominent figures, demand the settlement of labour disputes or distribution of goods to the poor, or demanding release of political prisoners. Assassinaton: by snipers, letter bombs, car bombs etc. undertake campaigns of assassinations. sometimes also coordinate this with industrial action.. Indiscriminate attacks in public places: Firing randomly of machine guns into crowds of Israeli civilians in 1972 at Lydda Airport by Japanese group sponsored by Palestinian radical exiles. Targets Distinction between audience and the targets of the attacks themselves. The value of terrorism to revolutionary groups lies in its pyschological effectiveness. The intention is to generate a psychological response among the people, which varies from fear to sympathy or admiration of the cause. It is the hope that these emotional responses will influence political behaviour and further the chances of success for the revolution. The main audience is therefore the civilian population. targets are selected often as they are symbols, or represent something. Terrorism affects the social structure as well as the individual; it upsets the framework of precepts and images which members of society depend on and trust. Since no one longer knows what sort of behaviour to expect from other members of society, the system is disoriented. hopes to destabilise the ruling power as its people dont have faith in its ability to protect them, thus diminishing their legitimacy in the eyes of the people. (Thornton, revolutionary terrorism expert) Revolutionary terrorists are not pshychopaths, they are dedicated individuals operating within a coherent intellectual tradition. They do not have the capability to meet established military forces head on in battle, use terrorist tactics The red brigades -Drew on Marxist/Leninist writings. What are the elements/features of socialist thought which have provided terrorists with justifications for terrorist action? What are the ethical justifications for terrorism within revolutionary socialist thought? terrorism as a means/vehicle to overcoming exploitive, repressive capitalist societies. The appeal of marxism in the past is clear. Class inequality, vision of the creation of a communist utopia. Seeking a more equitable distribution of power and wealth. concept of armed propoganda by Carlos Marighella. The terrorists were to bring about the circumstances in which the popular uprising would occur catalysts for change agitational terror. premeditated political strategy. Brainstorming/ notes. In order to understand the justifications of revolutionary terrorism it is necessary to investigate the Marxist ideas in which revolutionary violence is based. Social and political change. Marxist concept of class inequality needs to be rectified. Marxist vision of a communist state/ society, in which there is social, economic and political equality. (economic inequality, inequitable access of resources) Struggle between classes Struggle driven by ownership of means of production End point of history/ goal is communism The generator of this social change is class struggle (tyranny of bourgeoise). The bourgeoise (the owners of means of production) and the proletariat (workers). Marx predicts the eventual clash of these classes, with the prediction that the proletariat will be the victors. An appealing/ utopian political vision, something worth fighting for. The communist manifesto (conveys basic ideas of communism, simply written to appeal to proletariat). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. So who is going to bring about this change? Who is going to be the vehicle for change? Communists openly declare their aims: The communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their aims can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a communist revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Proletarians of all countries, unite! (Marx and Engels 1848). Key message is that in order to make this transition happen, proletariat needs to fight. Lenin: wrote pamphlet What is to be done, as overthrow of bourgeoise had not yet been achieved as predicted by Marx. Came up with concept of the Vanguard. Aimed to accelerate revolution. Blamed the lack of change on the passivity of the leadership, that socialist leaders had been to compromising in their dealings with liberal states. He criticised the passivity of the masses. Solution: the vanguard. the creation of a committed and militant group, who would forge ahead, even if the conditions arent yet perfect for revolution, accelerating history to bring about the dictatorship of the proletariat and an eventual communist society. (from lecture slides). Because of the success of the Russian revolution of 1917, liberal democracies were able to prevent this happening again in their own countries. Different tactic had to be adopted in order for communism to be realised. Must be a more militant approach, an army needs to be built to liberate the proletariat. (good example of maoist china. Utilised guerrilla warfare to bring about revolution. Maos book on guerrilla warfare. For mao, guerrilla warfare is means of radicalising the population. Won hearts and minds of people. A move from a political vanguard to a guerrilla vanguard. Eventually to terrorist vanguard. Concept of the vanguard was central to the thinking of revolutionary terrorists of the 1960s and 1970s. Problem of the 1960s was that revolution seemed to stall againà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ explanation for this was false consciousness. The reason that the proletariat had not yet risen up to bring about the revolution. Antonio Gramsci, Italian Marxist. False consciousness argument is that through media, advertising, books, novels etc.. the bourgeoisie class convince the oppressed proletariat that their life is not so bad. They distract the people from realising that their real place is in revolution. Introduces concept of hegemonic false consciousness, makes people desire what is not really in their interests. The way to educate the masses, to neutralise the hegemonic discourses which seduced and distracted the people, is to shock them. Arguments of Carlos Marighellas: (wrote The minimanual of the urban guerrilla). That terrorism is an important tool for revolutionaries. Armed propaganda, using violence to gain attention to the cause. A way of cutting through false consciousness. Provokes the liberal state to be repressive and thus expose its true face as a fascist dictator. Terrorism is used as a means of mobilising the masses to act. Armed propaganda. Role is to fight, to keep up the cause, to remind people that communism is still a realisable dream. Keeping alive the revolutionary dream. (marighellas argument). Examples: Japanese Red Army, pro Palestinian Red Army Faction. Italian Red Brigades: Antonio Negri. Definition revolutionary terrorism: Revolutionary terrorism is a part of insurgent strategy in the context of internal warfare or revolution: the attempt to seize political power from the established regime of a state, if successful causing fundamental political and social change.

The Contrast of Character Between Cleopatra and Octavia Essay -- Compa

Abstract Between the characters of Octavia and Cleopatra there exists a "moral contrast" (Bree 110) -a conflict of Roman ideals and Cleopatra's foreignness. Throughout the tradition of Cleopatra, authors, including Plutarch, Shakespeare, Dryden, and Fielding, as well as filmmakers such as Mankiewicz, have separated Cleopatra from Rome and Octavia because of her combination of political power and sexuality: "The notion of Cleopatra that we have inherited identifies her primarily as being the adversary, the Other. Her otherness is twofold. She is an Oriental, and she is a woman†¦" (Hughes-Hallett 4). If Cleopatra represents the 'Other', then Octavia exemplifies Rome itself. She embodies all of the characteristics of a proper Roman wife: beauty, grace, wisdom, and above all obedience to her husband. Octavia is Antony's celebrated wife throughout the literature although their relationship is dispassionate, while Cleopatra's "otherness" prevents her from attaining the respectable title of Ant ony's wife despite their love. Octavia acts as a character foil for Cleopatra, highlighting Cleopatra's foreign nature and her sexuality, which the Romans find unattractive and unacceptable in the character of a woman. Plutarch: The Life of Marcus Antonius I begin my study of the comparison of Cleopatra and Octavia with Plutarch's The Life of Marcus Antonius, a so-called "historical text." Although Plutarch's writing is perhaps our most trusted source on Cleopatra, his "factual" manuscript is by no means unbiased. Plutarch, as we will see with Shakespeare, Mankiewicz, Dryden, and Fielding in the ensuing pages, presents Cleopatra as the opposite of Octavia. While Octavia represents the Roman ideal of a woman, Cleopatra is a self-seeking Egyp... ...2013. Web. 26 June 2015. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2062 Fielding, Sarah. The Lives of Cleopatra and Octavia. Kessinger Publishing, LLC, 2010. Web. 19 June 2015. https://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/studies_in_english_literature/v039/39.3gadeken.html Hughes-Hallett, Lucy. Cleopatra: histories, dreams, and distortions. New York: Harpercollins, 1991. Loomba, Ania. Gender, race, Renaissance drama. Oxford University Press, 1992. Web. 9 June 2015. http://www.jstor.org/stable/438273?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Plutarch. The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans. Excerpts from "The Life of Marcus Antonius." Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994. Gutenberg.org Web. 14 June 2015. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/674 Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat, and Ed. Paul Werstine. Simon & Schuster, 2005 The Contrast of Character Between Cleopatra and Octavia Essay -- Compa Abstract Between the characters of Octavia and Cleopatra there exists a "moral contrast" (Bree 110) -a conflict of Roman ideals and Cleopatra's foreignness. Throughout the tradition of Cleopatra, authors, including Plutarch, Shakespeare, Dryden, and Fielding, as well as filmmakers such as Mankiewicz, have separated Cleopatra from Rome and Octavia because of her combination of political power and sexuality: "The notion of Cleopatra that we have inherited identifies her primarily as being the adversary, the Other. Her otherness is twofold. She is an Oriental, and she is a woman†¦" (Hughes-Hallett 4). If Cleopatra represents the 'Other', then Octavia exemplifies Rome itself. She embodies all of the characteristics of a proper Roman wife: beauty, grace, wisdom, and above all obedience to her husband. Octavia is Antony's celebrated wife throughout the literature although their relationship is dispassionate, while Cleopatra's "otherness" prevents her from attaining the respectable title of Ant ony's wife despite their love. Octavia acts as a character foil for Cleopatra, highlighting Cleopatra's foreign nature and her sexuality, which the Romans find unattractive and unacceptable in the character of a woman. Plutarch: The Life of Marcus Antonius I begin my study of the comparison of Cleopatra and Octavia with Plutarch's The Life of Marcus Antonius, a so-called "historical text." Although Plutarch's writing is perhaps our most trusted source on Cleopatra, his "factual" manuscript is by no means unbiased. Plutarch, as we will see with Shakespeare, Mankiewicz, Dryden, and Fielding in the ensuing pages, presents Cleopatra as the opposite of Octavia. While Octavia represents the Roman ideal of a woman, Cleopatra is a self-seeking Egyp... ...2013. Web. 26 June 2015. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2062 Fielding, Sarah. The Lives of Cleopatra and Octavia. Kessinger Publishing, LLC, 2010. Web. 19 June 2015. https://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/studies_in_english_literature/v039/39.3gadeken.html Hughes-Hallett, Lucy. Cleopatra: histories, dreams, and distortions. New York: Harpercollins, 1991. Loomba, Ania. Gender, race, Renaissance drama. Oxford University Press, 1992. Web. 9 June 2015. http://www.jstor.org/stable/438273?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Plutarch. The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans. Excerpts from "The Life of Marcus Antonius." Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994. Gutenberg.org Web. 14 June 2015. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/674 Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat, and Ed. Paul Werstine. Simon & Schuster, 2005

Rosalind and the Masks in Shakespeares As You Like It :: Shakespeare As You Like It Essays

Rosalind and the Masks In this essay I would like to focus on Rosalind's - or rather Ganymede's - preoccupation with the outward show of things. Whether this is a result of her cross-dressing, the reason for the same, or the playwright's way of revealing his presence is not as yet clear to me, but Rosalind's constant insistence on the truth of masks and on the other hand her readiness to doubt this same truth fascinates me. When she decides to dress up as a boy, Rosalind seems to think a mannish outside sufficient to convince the world at large (I.iii.111-118). She is "more than common tall" and therefore all she needs is a "gallant curtle-axe", a "boar spear" and a "swashing and a martial outside" to hide her feminine anxiousness. Taking it for granted that noone will have the hunch to look beyond her male costume, she reasons that since cowardly men are able to hide these feminine qualities, she should be able to pass off as a man, simply by behaving mannishly. Being so totally dependent on her own disguise not being found out, it is funny how she proceeds to doubt anyone who does not put on an outward show fitting to their claims to feeling. The first to be put on the stand in this fashion is Orlando. As Ganymede Rosalind refuses to accept Orlando's claim to being the desperate author of the love-verses (s)he has found hanging on the trees on the grounds that he has no visible marks of love upon him. A lean cheek, which you have not; a blue eye and sunken, which you have not; an unquestionable spirit, which you have not; a beard neglected, which you have not (...) Then your hose should be ungartered, your bonnet unbanded, your sleeve unbuttoned, your shoe untied, and everything about you demonstrating careless desolation. (III.ii.363-371) He is, in other words, not exactly the picture of the despairing suitor. Neither does Jaques measure up to Rosalind's expectations of the melancholy traveller. She greets him with a "they say you are" (IV.i.3), and sends him off with the order of: Look you lisp, and wear strange suits; disable all the benefits of your own country; be out of love with your nativity, and almost chide God for making that countenance you are; or I will scarce think you have swam in a gondola.

Definition of Command Economy :: essays research papers

THE COMMAND ECONOMY A command economy is one in which a central authority has control of the resources of the economy and makes most of the economic decisions. TODAY : DICTATORSHIPS OR CUBA OR CHINA IN THE PAST: NEW FRANCE & THE WARTIME ECONOMY OF THE 1940'S NEW FRANCE New France was discovered by accident while explorers were searching for shorter trade routes to India and China, where they hoped to find rich sources of gold and spices. By accidentally discovering central and South America they did discover gold and silver produced by the Aztec civilization. In Canada the first resources to be exploited were - FISH & FURS. New France, as a colony, was to serve 2 purposes. 1. a source of NATURAL RESOURCES for the people of France. 2. A place where the FINISHED MANUFACTURED GOODS could be sold. The King had ABSOLUTE POWER until 1663, then he appointed officials. The main one was the INTENDANT, who ran the economy of the colony the way the King wanted it. The industry was AGRICULTURE & FUR TRADING. Furs, fish and other raw materials were sent back to France. In New France, LAND = WEALTH. Land was given to the Lords (Seigneurs) of the King in return for Taxes and a promise to settle the land. The Lords got farmers (habitants) who paid the Lord taxes and if the farmer didn't pay the taxes the Lord would take his land. GOODS PRODUCED = WHEAT, TOBACCO, OATS, HEMP (a plant used for making sails). THE BRITISH COLONIES OF THE TIME WERE RUN IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER. WHAT WAS THIS TYPE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY CALLED? CANADA'S WARTIME ECONOMY OF THE 1940's. The entire economy of Canada was involved in the WAR EFFORT. North America became a very important resource area for the Allies. 1941 - The WARTIME PRICES AND TRADE BOARD set maximum prices that goods could be sold for in Canada. 1942 - Goods were rationed such as food and fuel. THE GOVERNMENT HAD ABSOLUTE POWER There was an increased demand for resources to supply the war effort such as materials for PLANES, SHIPS, TANKS, BOMBS. The war was destroying economic resources in Europe. 1. soldiers, as well as others were killed 2. factories, roads and rail lines were being destroyed 3. dams and oil tanks were bombed 4. bridges were destroyed 5. land and crops were burnt or otherwise destroyed

Agatha Christie Essay

â€Å"Agatha Christie, a woman who is recognized as one of the best female crime & mystery novel writers of all time†. This introduction provides reasoning to prove that this is true through the explanation of her strong characters, her interesting settings, and her strong display of morality. The writer does a good job in avoiding facts, keeping the thesis mainly opinionated. In the body of the essay, I believe it could have been rearranged in order to have more of an effect on the reader. in body paragraph one, the writer gives a brief explanation of the strong characters Agatha Christie created. I believe this paragraph should have been in the middle and switched with body paragraph number two. In body paragraph number two the essay writer goes into great depth and detail about the interesting and diverse cultural settings she portrays her stories in. This paragraph portrays an in-depth insight in the settings of Agatha Christie novels. If placed first among her body paragraphs, its effectiveness would captivate its reader. The last body paragraph on Agatha Christie’s morality is an effective way to end this essays argument. This gives the reader a look at the â€Å"Why’s and how’s† of Agatha Christie’s world and her passion behind writing these types of novels. The essay writer avoids just reusing her major arguments in her essay; by simply paraphrasing she effectively includes the important ideas of her essay into her conclusion. Although this essay could be slightly proved upon, it was a effective example of highlighting stylistic writings of the great female novelist Agatha Christie. The Enduring Appeal of Agatha Christie Who does not enjoy a good mystery story? Popular literature abounds with examples, ranging from the controversial work of Dan Brown to the horrific work of Stephen King. This genre, rooted in the Victorian tradition of Edgar Allen Poe, Wilkie Collins, and Arthur Conan Doyles, certainly has a wide following. On the beach, on the subway, people escape into the world of these authors. Although many female writers claim to be the â€Å"Queen of Crime Fiction†, it is really Agatha Christie against whom all others are measured. Even many years after her death, readers appreciate Agatha Christie’s novels ecause of her strong characters, her interesting settings, and her strong morality. Next to Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple are two of the most recognizable detectives in fiction because of their distinctive attributes. Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective, is noted for moustaches and his â€Å"egg-shaped head†. From the rather violent village of St. Mary Mead, Miss Jane Marple is known for knitting needles. A third detective, Ariadne Oliver, is an author with a fondness for apples. Interestingly, the last character is also thought to be Christie’s alter ego. Through her characters, Christie is able to express her own views on the social issues of her time. Ariadne Oliver, Poirot, and Miss Marple live in time and a world that has changed drastically and perhaps that is why the world of Agatha Christie is so interesting to us till: nostalgia. Although she is from a small village, Miss Marple seems to get around a great deal. In one adventure, she is convalescing in the Barbados when a murderer strikes in the resort where she is staying. Poirot and Ariadne Oliver can be found in small villages, London, and exotic settings in the Middle East. Despite their varied locales, the common element that runs through Christie’s novel is the â€Å"closed† society. These worlds are cut off culturally, economically, or physically, as in the case of Ten Little Indians, which is set on an island off the Devon coast. Poirot’s world is largely that of the upper classes, but considering the number of bodies found in stately country homes, they can be rather dangerous group to cross! The time is never specified, but a vague period between World War I and World War II is often favoured. Indeed, when in some of Christie’s later novels like Passenger to Frankfurt or Toward Zero, Christie uses the time period of the 60’s, the novels do not quite ring true. Vintage Agatha Christie harkens back to a more innocent time, although perhaps a more murderous one! Time and fashion may change in Christie’s world, but Christie’s moral stance stays firm. Through Christie’s novels, we can gain insight into the morality of the early 20th century, which still might have some resonance. In Christie’s world, murderers are punished by hanging. Even the gentle Miss Marple states in one novel that she feels it only right that a cold-blooded murder should be executed. Poirot favours capital punishment as well, expressing the view that it is more humane than putting a person in a small jail cell for life. Divorce is frowned on in Christie’s novels. After Christie’s first marriage to an RAF officer ended in divorce when he left her for another woman, Christie’s wrote several novels in which retired air force officers tended to be the villains! Christie’s morality, along with her setting and characters, give her novels a staying power that has certainly not been matched by anyone writing in the genre today. In practically any bookshop, airport newsstand or train station, it is possible to buy a Christie novel. Hers is a world of moral certainty: the victim will be avenged, the guilty will be punished, and in the end, the natural order of world, upset by murder, will be restored. Perhaps it is this restoration of order that gives the modern such comfort in these uncertain times.

Consumer Awareness

Definition Consumer awareness is making the consumer aware of His/Her rights. Consumer awareness it a marketing term. It means that  consumers note or are aware of  Ã‚  products or services, its characteristics and the other marketing P's (place  to buy, price,and promotion). Usually commercials and ads increase consumer awareness, as well  as â€Å"word of mouth†(a comment from someone you know about a product or service). 1 Need : we need it so we  will not be misled by producers,it explains if what we  buy is worth toour money.. nd not harmful to us and to environment . Many people are ignorant of  their rights to get protected against the exploitation by somany others. So when there is a  forum for such redress of grievances there seems to beno such exploitation by many; and becomes a rare one. So in order to get a clear pictureof the level of exploitation of  consumers, the awareness is required.2. Role of producers proper labeling, full information, hea lth warnings, handling information, expiration date,etc. eep to requirements, norms, standards label  products according requirements,  providing true facts They have to produce  and deliver the goods/services of right qualityat right price at right time at right place  at right quantity with right faceIf they are providing a service they should carry it out with due skill and care. They mustalso make sure that any materials they provide as part of this service are fit for the purpose. It is also illegal for a supplier to cut off, or threaten to cut off, supply to areseller (wholesale or retail) because they have been  discounting goods or advertisingdiscounts below prices set  by the supplier.Some of the common methods of exploitation are 1. Under weight and under  measurements –not measured or weighed correctly2. Substandard Quality  Ã¢â‚¬â€œdefective home  appliances and medicines beyond expirydate3. High prices—charging above the retail price4. Du plicate  Articles—selling fake items in the name of the original5. Adulteration and Impurity—is done  to get  higher  profits6. Lack of safety  Devices—absence of inbuilt  safe guards in appliances7. Artificial  Scarcity—hoarding and black  marketing8. False and  Incomplete Information—misleading information on quality, durability,and safety. . Unsatisfactory after sales Service—high cost items like electronics and carsrequire constant and regular service. 10. Rough behavior and Undue conditions—harassment in getting LPG connection or  a telephone connection.. Factors causing exploitation of Consumers. 1. Limited Information—providing full and correct information will help in thechoice2. Limited Supplies—when goods and services are in short supply then price shootsup3. Limited Competition. —single producer may manipulate the market in terms of  Ã‚  price and stocks. 4. Low Literacy. —i lliteracy leads to exploitation.Hence Consumer Awareness isessential. Rise  of  consumer Awareness Kautilya was one of the earliest to write in  his Arthashastra about the need for Consumer  awareness and protection. With the growth of private sector there is a greater need  for  discipline and regulation of the market. Consumers must be aware of the sale and  purchase of goods, the health and security aspects also. Ensuring the safety of food itemssold in the market is essential these days. Legal measures for consumer safety and consumer awareness must be uniform, andtransparent in terms of prices, quality of goods, and  stocks.Consumers must have thetools to combat malpractices and protect their rights. Rights and Duties of Consumers As codified under the Indian Laws the  Consumers have the following Rights 1. Right  to  Safety—to  protect against  hazardous goods2. Right  to be  Informed—about price,  quality, purity3. Right to Choose —access to a variety  of goods and services at competitive prices. 4. Right to be Heard—consumers interest and welfare  must be taken care of  5. Right to seek Redressal—protection against unfair trade practicesand settlinggenuine grievances. 6. Right to Consumer Education. Kowledge about goods  and issues related toconsumers. Duties 1. Get a bill  for every important purchase and also the  Warranty card2. Check the ISI mark or  Agmark on the goods3. Form  consumer awareness groups4. Make a complaint on genuine grievances. 5. Consumers must know to exercise their rights. Consumer protection Measure 1. Legislation concerning Consumer Rights. The Consumer Protection Act 1986 provides for consumer disputes redressal at the stateand national level. With the help of this law the agencies  can solve grievances in aspeedy, simple  and inexpensive  manner.A separate department of  consumer affairs wasset up at the state and  central government. A  three tier system of consumer courts at the  National, State and District levels were set up. These agencies have done good work byhandling lakhs of cases. 2. Public Distribution System .To protect the poor from price  rise and black marketing the government  food security tothe poor by supplying essentials through the ration or Fair price shops. 3. Standardisation of Products .These are done to assure the  quality of products.The ISI stamp on goods is placed  by theBureau of Indian standards. This caters to industrial and consumer goods. These goodscan be  trusted to confirm to  specific standards. Agmark is meant for Agricultural  products. At the International level the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) locatedin Geneva sets common standards. The FAO and WHO provide food standards. 4. Legal formalities for filing a complaint .The complaint can be  written on plain paper. The supporting documents like the warrantycard must be  attached. A lawyer is not required. We can argue our case