Which theory best explains the development of EU environmental policy?

The successful development of EU international environmental policy has been the subject of much recent study within various disciplines. One promising theory for cross-disciplinary researches of EU environmental policy invokes the concept of international regime. Regime theory might expect to explain a great deal about the development of EU environmental policy in global environmental affairs. It is insightful to consider the EU environmental policy as a regime given that the regime definition most frequently cited is so broad as to certainly include the EU where ‘norms, rules and decision-making procedures in a given area of international relations' (Krasner, 1983, p. 2) are said to be in existence. This sort of theory would enable one to consider the connections between the institutions of the EU and the member states. It may explain the inter-state relationship that lies behind the formation and development of EU international environmental policy. Te positions the EU projects in international affairs are evidently themselves the product of interest mediation and agreed bargaining directed by institutions. This paper will consider the work of both international relations (IR) and international law (IL) scholars to evaluate regime theory as instrument of EU environmental policy, using ozone layer depletion case study as specific example. Main Body International Regime Theory Although international regimes were used much earlier by IL as a means of giving an account of legal regulation in unregulated areas (Connelly and Smith 2002, p. 190), the regime theory has gained significance originally within the discipline of IR. The regime theory was developed to explain stability in the international system despite the absence or decline of domination (Connelly and Smith 2002, p. 202). It is only in the 1990th that regime theory has again become the focal point of legal scholars searching for ways to stimulate international cooperation (Connelly and Smith 2002, p. 10). This requires the organization into a unified pattern of the disciplines of IR and IL, the relationships between them having been one of mutual neglect, as explained by Hurrell and Kingsbury: Regime theorists have tended to neglect the particular status of legal rules, to downplay the links between specific sets of rules and the broader structure of the international legal system, and to underrate the complexity and variety of legal rules, processes, and procedures. On the other hand, theoretical accounts of international . . . law have often paid rather little explicit attention to the political bargaining processes that underpin the emergence of new norms of international . . . law, to the role of power and interest in inter-state negotiations, and to the range of political factors that explain whether states will or will not comply with rules. (1992, p. 12) There is no absolute agreement on what precisely forms an international regime. Goldie, in one of his works in this area, described regimes as: (1) the acceptance, amongst a group of States, of a community of laws and of legal ideas; (2) the mutual respect and recognition accorded by certain States to the unilateral policies of others acting in substantial conformity with their own, enmeshing all the States concerned in a regime with respect to those policies; (3) a common loyalty, among a group of States, to the principle of abstention regarding a common resource. 1962, p. 698) Thomas Gehring (1990) presents a more integrated work in this area, in particular as it better addresses the role of IL in international regime theory. He identifies international regimes as the regulations, developed within the context of a consultation of parties to the regime, governing a specific area of IR. Within this structure, IL is the search for unanimity and agreement on the priorities and plans for international action. Once these are made clear, norms will develop as to how to carry out these priorities and plans, resulting in accepted norms or â€Å"shared expectations† concerning the behaviour of states (Gehring, 1990, p. 37). Certainly, this progress from priority setting to norm gradual development takes time, but it is the regime structure that allows for the process to take place at all. Thus, regimes create the building blocks for the development of norms and rules. Development of EU Environmental Policy and Regime Theory. The influence of EU within environmental affairs cannot be disregarded as the environment in general has to a great extent become a matter of international concern. Of the many international organisations and specialised bodies dealing with environmental issues, the one mostly associated with such work is the European Union. Among other bodies and specialized agencies, the EU is most closely involved in environmental affairs. Regime theory is the most commonly employed theoretical paradigm in the study of EU international environmental politics. The study of the EU focuses upon how the EU affects the prospects of regime-building and how it may create the path of international cooperation. By signing up to agreements on behalf of its member states, the EU increases the scope of a regime by increasing the obligations of states that may in a different way have adopted lower standards. The EU pulls states into commitments. Often, however, the ‘convoy' analogy (Bretherton and Vogler 1997, p. 22) more precisely describes the process, whereby action is delayed by the slowest part of the train. This effect is seen during the ozone negotiations. Despite the attempts of Denmark and Germany to push things forward, the precluding tactics of France and the UK were able to ensure that on many occasions the EU was ‘condemned to immobility' (Jachtenfuchs, 1990, p. 265). Yet, by coordinating the position of (currently) 27 member nations in environmental negotiations, the Commission makes smaller the complexity of negotiations and decreases pressures upon international organisations to perform that function. Approaches informed by regime theory would also help to see the leadership role of the EU as an effort to originate cooperation conditional on the involvement of other parties. Hence the statement of a greenhouse gas decrease target as early as 1990 was planned as a first move in the ‘nice, reciprocate, retaliate' strategy that Connelly and Smith (2002, p. 269 indicated is the necessary to cooperation. Paterson (1996, p. 105) notes, for example, that â€Å"The announcement of the EU target in October 1990 was explicitly designed to influence the outcome of the Second World Climate Conference and to precipitate international negotiations†. Usually, however, IR perspectives tend to overlook the significance of intra-country dynamics to the creation of positions in international agreements. This factor severely restricts their applicability to EU decision-making development. In spite of that, in the ozone case it could be argued a combination of ‘domestic' and international pressures best explain the role of the EU in creating and supporting the regime in question. The EU is as one unit in this case. The four relationships are: one between member states and the EU; between the EU organisations in their internal power efforts; among the boards of directors and eventually between the various boards of directors and interest groups (Matlary, 1997, p. 146). With the EU environmental policy one clearly has a regime within a regime. Models of multi-level governance used to explain the policy development within Europe may be extended to include the international dimension. Viewed from this perspective, EU international environmental negotiations become a site of debate between transnational networks of environment departments from government and regional economic institutions working together with NGOs and sympathetic international organisations (such as UNEP), set against networks including Trade and Industry departments, business lobbies and international organisations which promote the interests of industry (such as UNIDO ( United Nations Industrial Development Organisation)) (Connelly and Smith 2002, p. 36). The interconnected groups operate horizontally and vertically and across national, regional and international levels including state and non-state players alike in strategic unions established on particular issues. Cooperation in Environmental Problems Collaboration is represented by the game, wherein each state follows a dominant strategy that leads to suboptimal payoffs for both. Regime theory presents the EU primarily as a tool. The EU deliberately seeks to change the system, design strategies to do so, and attempts to implement the strategies. To assess the development of EU environmental policy in environmental cooperation, then, two potential roles of the EU must be examined: the EU as tool and the EU as independent advocate. The EU helps states overcome the complexity of issues to arrive at coordination equilibrium. States usually remain concerned that others will exploit them, and the EU is needed to increase confidence in compliance. As independent actor, the EU is expected to play a significant role in environmental cooperation. Increased autonomy of the EU on some environmental issues and the increased needs of states to rely on them for collaboration and coordination allow those organizations with unified leadership and significant resources to have independent effects. Ozone: The First Global Challenge The development of the regime intended to limit the release into the atmosphere of ozone-depleting chemicals is in many ways a case of EU-US relations. The key turning points in the development of the process of negotiating from a framework convention at Vienna through to legally imposing an obligation protocol commitments at Montreal, London and Copenhagen reflect changes in the negotiating position of the EU and the US (Connelly and Smith 2002, p. 230). The development of ozone polices can be traced back to 1977. The ‘can ban' established in the US put the US in conditions to push for a global ban on CFCs. Process of negotiating moved very gradually at first against strong European opposition to cuts in CFCs, despite a Council resolution in March 1980 restricting the use of CFCs, reacting to American pressure and increasing public concern over the ozone problems. The supporters of controls (the US, Canada, the Nordic states, Austria and Switzerland), met together in 1984 to create the ‘ Toronto group'. The EU initially indicated that no controls were necessary. However, eventually it admitted that a production capacity cap may be required and presented a draft protocol that included their 1980 measures. The offered 30 per cent reduction was without difficulty achievable because use was already declining (Connelly and Smith 2002, p. 200) and in essence served to fix the status quo (Jachtenfuchs, 1990). The deadlock that resulted between the EU and the Toronto group made certain that only a framework convention could be made at Vienna. This promised intercommunion in research and monitoring and promotion of information-sharing. At the March 1986 assemblyof the EU Council of Ministers, the EU took a position of a 20 per cent CFC production cut. This was partly impelled by the threat of unilateral action by the US to impose trade sanctions against the EU (Connelly and Smith 2002, p. 261). The Montreal Protocol later agreed in September 1987 required cuts of 50 per cent from 1986 levels of production and use of the five principal CFCs by 1999. The figure of a 50 per cent cut was established as a settlement of a dispute by concessions on both sides between the EU's proposed freeze and the US's proposal for a 95 per cent cut. The Protocol contained an interval for the implementation of the Protocol by less developed countries, restrictive measures on trade with non-members and an ozone fund for technology transport. This latter element of the agreement is especially important for the EU for, as Jachtenfuchs (1990, p. 272) states, ‘The success of the EU's environmental diplomacy in this important field will to a large extent depend on how far it is able to provide technical and financial assistance to developing countries'. As a regional economic integration organisation, the EU was granted permission to meet consumption limits together rather than country by country. This was planned to assure some transfers of national CFC production quotas among EU member-states in order to allow commercial producers in Europe to improve production processes cost-effectively. Despite this concession, some European members in the Protocol process believed that they were ‘bullied' into an agreement favourable to US industry, dubbing the Montreal agreement ‘The DuPont Protocol' (Parsons, 1993, p. 61). In spite of that, on 14 October 1988 the Council adopted a law, transforming every aspect of the Protocol into EU legislation. The law came into force instantly in order to emphasise the importance of the issue and to prevent trade distortions which might emerge from non-simultaneous use of the new legislation (Connelly and Smith 2002, p. 269). At the March assembly of the EU Environment Council which took place in 1989, the UK after a long delay joined the rest of the EU in agreeing to phase-out all CFCs ‘as soon as possible but not later than 2000' (Parsons, 1993, p. 47). At the same time France submitted to external pressure to drop its uncompromising position. The London assembly of the members in June 1990 was consequently able to agree that all entirely halogenated CFCs would be phased-out by the year 2000, with successive lessening of 85 per cent in 1997 and 50 per cent in 1995. Some member states have gone beyond the restrictions stated in the international agreements, however. Germany, for instance, has passed legislation stating that CFCs be removed by 1993, halons by 1996, HCFC 22 by 2000 and CT (carbon tetrachloride) and MC (methyl chloroform) by 1992 (Parsons, 1993). On another hand, behind the diplomacy of the negotiations between the states, the case is in a fundamental way one of the competing positions of the chemical companies, chiefly, ICI (in the UK), Du Pont (in the US) and Atochem (in France). Industry agents served formally on European national delegations through the whole of the process. EU industrialists ‘believed that American companies had endorsed CFC controls in order to enter the profitable EU export markets with substitute products that they had secretly developed' (Benedick, 1991, p. 23). The EU followed the industry line and reflected the views of France, Italy and the United Kingdom in its policy. The significance of these commercial considerations is easily noticed in the persistent efforts to define cuts in HFCs and HCFCs (perceived to be the best alternative to CFCs). The EU has found it problematic to come to an agreeable position on reducing the production and consumption of these chemicals because substitute chem icals were not yet easily available. Indecision could also be explained by the fact that some European producers wanted to establish export markets for HCFCs in the less developed ‘south'. The differing commercial interests regarding the ozone issue presented the difficulty the EU faced in its effort to formulate common policy positions in international environmental process of negotiating. This case demonstrates that ozone depletion was one of the first global environmental issues to create a coordinated and consentient international response. Despite remaining weakness in the ozone regime it is regarded to be one of the few tangible successes of EU international environmental policy taking into account that governments took action before certain proof of environmental disaster had occurred. The EU has explicit rules, agreed upon by governments, and provides a framework for the facilitation of ongoing negotiations for the development of rules of law. Regime theory regards EU international environmental policy as a means by which states solve collective environment problems. Regime theory, as well as most current studies of cooperation in international politics, treats the EU as means to an end – as intermediate variables between states' interests and international cooperation. The EU is an independent actor which plays an independent role in changing states' interests – and especially in promoting cooperation. Conclusion The consideration in this paper of the ozone depletion regimes reveals that there is prospect for development in the international legal order. The picture that emerges of EU international environmental policy and politics is a complex and relating to the study of several subject disciplines. It should be noted that there is none predominant theoretical perspectives in international environmental politics adequate to explain this rich complexity. Given the complex reality of environmental cooperation between states and the context within which it develops, explaining policy processes and developments by a single theoretical perspective is an uncertain prospect. Still better understanding of the developments of EU environmental policy in these processes may be fostered by relying on a regime theory.

Constitutionality of Stop and Frisk Essay

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution guards against unreasonable searches and seizures. It also states that no warrants shall be issued without a probable cause. Modern jurisprudence has afforded police officers an incentive to respect the amendment. The Stop and Frisk law allows police officers to stop someone and do a quick search of their outer clothes for weapons if the officer has a reasonable suspicion that a crime has or is about to take place and the person stopped is armed or dangerous. The reasonable suspicion must be based with specific articulable facts and not on just an officer’s hunch. The Stop and Frisk law balances crime control, protects an individual’s right, and prevents unreasonable searches. The Fourth Amendment states, â€Å"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be seized (Lehman 471-476). This amendment can be broken into 2 distinct parts the reasonableness clause and the warrant clause. In the beginning, the U. S. Supreme Court adopted the conventional Fourth Amendment approach, which says the warrant and reasonableness clauses are firmly connected. The reasonableness clause protects the people’s right against unreasonable searches and seizures. The reasonable clause has to pass the reasonableness test, which consists of two elements that the government has to prove; balancing element and objective basis. The balancing element is the need to search and/or seize outweighs the invasion of liberty and privacy rights of the individuals. The objective basis is when there are enough facts to back up the search and/or seizure. The warrant clauses states that only warrants and probable cause are reasonable. It was not until the 1960’s when the Supreme Court shifted from the conventional approach to the reasonableness Fourth Amendment approach. It states that the 2 clauses are separate, and address separate problems. The warrant clause tells us what the Fourth Amendment requires only when law nforcement officers want to obtain warrants. Since a small percentage of searches and seizures are made with warrants and many searches and seizures don’t require probable cause either, the warrant clause isn’t very important. Today’s stop and frisk law grow out of the practical problems police officers face in preventing and investigating crime on the streets and other public places in our largest cities. In investigations, officers are usually dealing with people they don’t know or probably won’t ever see again. Usually these stranger’s suspicious behavior doesn’t add up to the probable cause needed to arrest them. An example would be that officers don’t have enough facts and circumstances viewed through their professional experience and training to arrest two men, who peer into a store window, look around to see if anyone’s watching them and pace up and down repeating the pattern for 10 minutes. What should the officers do at this point? Keep watching? Do nothing about the situation? Detain the men and pat the down for weapons? Take them to the police station? These issues were raised in the famous Terry v. Ohio, 392 U. S. 1 (1968) case. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U. S. 1 (1968), was a decision by the United States Supreme Court which ruled that the Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures on unreasonable searches and seizures was not violated when a police officer stopped a suspect on the street and search him without probable cause. On October 31, 1963, a Cleveland police detective named Martin McFadden saw two men, John W.  Terry and Richard Chilton, standing on a street corner looking suspicious. One would walk by a certain store window, stare in, and walk back to the other to confer. This was repeated several times, and the detective believed that they were plotting to do a store robbery. The officer approached the men and addressed himself as a policeman, and asked their names. When the men appeared suspicious in their answers, Officer McFadden patted them down and discovered that both men were armed. He proceeded to remove their guns and arrested them for carrying concealed weapons. Terry was sentenced to three years in prison. Terry appealed the case, claiming that the guns found should be inadmissible as evidence since his Fourth Amendment rights were violated. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court, where it was it was ruled that his rights had not been violated. In an 8-to-1 decision, the Court held that the search undertaken by the officer was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment and that the weapons seized could be introduced into evidence against Terry. The Court found that the officer acted on more than a â€Å"hunch† and that â€Å"a reasonably prudent man would have been warranted in believing Terry was armed and thus presented a threat to the officer’s safety while he was investigating his suspicious behavior. † The Court found that the searches undertaken were limited in scope and designed to protect the officer’s safety incident to the investigation. In reference to the Fourth Amendment searches and seizures, officers need to prove fewer suspicions facts and circumstances to back up stops and frisks than they do arrests and full-blown searches. Stops and frisks represents the beginning of a chronological path through the criminal process from more frequent and more visible searches and seizures in public to more intrusive searches and seizures out of sight in police stations. Stop and frisks aren’t just fine points for constitutional lawyers and courts to debate. They also reflect broad public policies aimed at balancing the values of crime control and individual liberty and privacy. Since stop and frisks take place in public, the display of police power is there for everybody to see. Because of this visibility, stops and frisks probably shape public opinion of police power more than the greater invasions of arrest and searches that we never see. Deciding which is more important in a constitutional democracy – crime control by means of less intrusive public stops and frisks affecting more people or often invisible arrests and searches affecting fewer people – is both a constitutional and public policy question. The key facts are: 1) Officers are going to stop many people who haven’t done anything wrong; and they’ll frisk lots of people who aren’t armed. 2) Most of the same people want police protection and (at least in high-crime neighborhoods) need it more than people who live in safe neighborhoods. 3) Both lawbreakers and law abiders in high-street-crime neighborhoods from lasting opinions about the police from street encounters they’ve watched or experienced.

Absurdity Of Existence Illustrated In Dumb Waiter

Absurdity Of Existence Illustrated In Dumb Waiter ‘There are no hard distinctions between what is real and what is unreal, nor between what is true and what is false. A thing is not necessarily either true or false; it can be both true and false’. I believe that these assertions still make sense and do still apply to the exploration of reality through art. So as a writer I stand by them but as a citizen I cannot. As a citizen I must ask: What is true? What is false?’ ( Harold Pinter ) The theme of nothingness is one of the major themes discussed in existentialism, which, while pervading the movement, shows a common affinity between the Absurd and Existentialism rejecting all of the philosophies, sciences, political theories, and religions which fail to mirror manà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s essence as a conscious being. Existentialism discovers and discusses the themes and topics which present a living crueler, darker, and more hopeless than a naturalistic or modern one. Existentialism had a great influence on the thinkers and artists of the time, an influence which led them to the revision of their insight concerning man and his position in the universe. Pinter, like existentialists is involved in the discord of living. His characterization reveals the same anguish apparent in Existentialism. Almost all of the writers who had influenced Pinterà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s dramaturgy (concerning Dumb Waiter, Pinterà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s work is heavily influenced by Samuel Beckett) were either founders or forerunners of the avant-garde Theatre of the Absurd. Pinter sees the funny side of the absurd. Since there is nothing for Pinter that is not funny, he employs a comic way of expression to laugh at everything, even at the tragic parts of existence. In a Pinter play, the apparently funny scene (considering Dumb Waiter, the scene in which Ben rushes toward Gus in a very threatening way) is simultaneously frightening and inhumane in terms of what the characters are experiencing. The Dumb Waiter, like many other Pinter pla ys, follows the relationship by which the nature of the man-to-man connection is analyzed. In it nothing is ever accomplished through dialogue. Most human interaction in day-to-day life accomplishes nothing more than passing time. Therefore when reading, or indeed watching the play we are overwhelmed by the futility of existence. Most conversation that occurs between Ben and Gus are pointless, and each character has trouble dealing with each other, and therefore, society. The characters are situated in a world where dream and the real are mixed up, tragic and comic are interwoven, the choice becomes a real catastrophe, and disconnected situations are what determine the individualsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸ prospect of the future life. The two killers in The Dumb Waiter are locked up in a room before they carry out their killing. Pinter contrasts the violence of their jobs with their commonplace language and concerns; on the surface we have a bare plot accompanying with a complex implication un derneath it. It reveals a more complex reality that is not comprehensible when observed superficially; such themes as loneliness, lack of communication, fear of the world outside, and the terror of future become the major concern of the absurdist writer. It probes into the essence of manà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s position in the universe and his inquiry for knowledge. The two characters on the stage, though apparently limited and undeveloped, examine a deeper and wider extent of human existence in which man is a play-thing employed by some superior beings (here someone called Wilson whose identity is unclear) to play their roles on the stage like puppets of no importance. Unaware Gus asks many questions, inquiring for knowledge, attempting to step beyond oneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s limitations, an attempt which is futile in existentialism. Gus is the one who commits the crime and wants to transcend and find the cause-and-effect relationship in the course of the events, while, since the effect in exis tentialism precedes the cause, reasoning is an absurd thing. However, Gusà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s desire for knowledge is discernible from the very beginning of the play: Ben. Kaw! What about this? Listen to this! He refers to the paper A man of eighty-seven wanted to cross the road. But there was a lot of traffic, see? He couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸t see how he was going to squeeze through. So he crawled under a lorry. Gus. He what? Ben. He crawled under a lorry. A stationary lorry. Gus. No? Ben. The lorry started and ran over him. Gus. Go on! Ben. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s what it says here. Gus. Get away. Ben. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s enough to make you want to puke, isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸t it? Gus. Who advised him to do a thing like that? Ben. A man of eighty-seven crawling under a lorry! Gus. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s unbelievable. Ben. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s down here in black and white. Gus. Incredible. Or considering another part of the play: GUS I asked you a question. BEN Enough! GUS (with growing agitation). I asked you before. Who moved in? You said the people who had it before moved out. Well, who moved in? BEN (hunched). Shut up GUS I told you, didn’t I? BEN (standing). Shut up! GUS (feverishly). I told you before who owned this place, didn’t I? I told you BEN hits him viciously on the shoulder. I told you who ran this place, didn’t I? BEN hits him viciously on the shoulder As it is seen in this opening conversation, It is clear here that Gus is no longer the uncertain and subservient partner. Gus questions the possibility of that event in the society. He is looking for the cause, the origin or motivation by asking, â€Å"Who advised him to do a thing like that?† Meanwhile, Ben accepts it as it is without questioning its possibility. â€Å"Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s down here in black and white†, he simply states. Gus wants to know more about his job, about the disorders he sees in the basement or those who are on the upper floor. It is this perpetual questio ning that entrants him as the victim of the final scene. He is Benà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s Labrador, doing exactly as told as if he were unable to think for himself. Gus questions everything: Oh, I wanted to ask you something? . . . Gus. What time is he getting in touch? Ben reads. What time is he getting in touch? Ben. Whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s the matter with you? It could be any time. Any time . . à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Gus (moves to the foot of Ben’s bed).Well, I was going to ask you a question. Ben. What? Gus. Have you noticed the time that tank takes to fill? Ben. What tank? Gus. In the lavatory. Here Gus is after knowledge so as to decrease the fear of unknown in himself while, Ben by preventing the thought of danger, does not allow the fear to imprison his mind. This, of course, makes the whole difference. Thus, the desire for knowledge itself causes the final catastrophe (the murder of Gus). If Be n had the knowledge to respond to Gusà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s questions, there would be no conflict at all, and Gus could act more freely, or die knowingly. But life in Pinterà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s view, like all other absurdist-existentialist writers, is a big game in which everything happens arbitrarily, and the gun that you have aimed at the other, may suddenly turn back at yourself.

Who is jack the ripper Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Who is jack the ripper - Research Paper Example This fear was further aggravated due to social and economic conditions of the-then London. With over two hundred individual considered as suspects, this serial murderer mystery remained unresolved even after a century which has given it an outlook of most fearful murders of all times. The murders begin in 1888 in East London which was flooded with Jews and Russian migrants trying hard to make a better living. The place was even a hub of many brothels and sex-rental houses, where reaching a woman was not an issue. Murders of prostitutes and sex-servers was not an astonishing news for many at that time since these prostitutes were at the mercy of clients, owners of the brothels and even the gangsters. Constant tortures, physical attacks, and murders were part and parcel of prostitution industry. Even discussing these subjects was considered inappropriate in the civilized part of London. However, a wave of fear captivated London where a similar pattern accompanied by threatening and rather mocking letters was identified by London Police and Scotland Yard. These methods of conducting murders bear striking resemblance giving it a profile of serial killing and the letters received further assured that there is a murderer in town, with notorious intentions for women. Although Jack the Ripper only committed five murders which only lasted for three months, the question arises what makes him stand out when the history is full of serial killers with much brutal methods of murdering. Careful analysis would reveal that there are various elements that added to the mystery and made it eternal. Historical analysis of the print media would show that it was mainly the newspaper which added fury to the living conditions of East London. East London, itself was full of low-life residents with economic depravity, living in violent neighborhoods where disease was common. What gave Ripper a menacing outlook was the intensive reporting by

U.S. Constitution Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

U.S. Constitution - Assignment Example However, one’s actions ought to exhibit humanity coupled with astuteness (Doug, 2012). Conversely, congress appropriates funding that ought not to persist beyond two years after ascertaining action for war is necessary (Doug, 2012). This process entails holding the culprit in custody where the ICE tables his or her case before the immigration judge who gives the final verdict (Whalen, 2009). This regards whether an individual will face deportation or excused due to some extenuating circumstances as stated by the law (Whalen, 2009). The immigrant may concede or contest besides having a chance to make an appeal. These extenuating circumstances may comprise; one having young children who may suffer once the parent faces deportation (Whalen, 2009). Therefore, the court excuses the acquitted to apply for a green card, which is also similar to those who may win their cases based on other lawful reasons (Whalen, 2009). The act avails adequate and comprehensive security measures meant to shun terrorism in U.S (McWhirter, 2006). This is via its diverse organs where some focus on deporting aliens whom the authorities deem they are threat to the natives’ security after meticulous investigation (McWhirter, 2006). Lawful enemy combatants are militia groups of any state or party waging hostilities anti the US’ regime (Linnan, 2008). Mostly, this may be due to diversities based on political ideologies or other disagreements that prompt the states under one command engage the US (Linnan, 2008). Conversely, unlawful enemy combatants lack any recognizable command even in their regions, whereby they are out to defend their interests by inflicting suffering and fear to the natives besides the entire world, for illustration, Taliban (Linnan, 2008). Whalen, J. (2009). ICE: Illegal immigrants allowed due process. The Standard Speaker. Retrieved on 9Th January 2013 from

Book review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Book review - Essay Example Utilitarianism is a philosophical movement essentially defined by what pleases the most people. Morality is defined by the majority. The trend that follows is one of hedonistic pursuits with the avoidance of pain. Initially, this philosophy was delineated by Jeremy Bentham and later expounded on by John Stuart Mills. Utilitarian proponents view all things as measured by the amount of happiness they can elicit rather than the intrinsic value. The moral compass of any individual is gained from actual experiences, rather than any set of core values instilled in the individual by a higher power. Utilitarianism has largely been successful amongst the English, who consider all experiences derived from the five senses. This doctrine is contrary necessitates a physical experience as a means of understanding right from wrong, morality from immorality. The lineage of such a concept can be traced back to Hobbes’ code of ethics as measured by what best serves the individual while disregarding others. However, the utilitarian ideals are more carefully crafted, taking consideration of the greater good for the greater number of individuals. It is true that a perfect society in which all can be perfectly content is impossible. Therefore the only possible recourse is to try to please the majority. That is the fundamental premise of a democracy which holds to a standard of majority rule. As exemplified in various democracies around the world, a rule by the people has tremendous success while political regimes that are totalitarian in nature are not as successful socioeconomically. In Albert Camus’s The Stranger, Mersault is indifferent to his morally reprehensible acts. He represents the universe in his detachment to the events in his life. Even Camus’s style of of using first person to convey the story of his protagonist Mersault gives the impression of his conscience and the adopted morality that guides his thoughts

Written statement about educational psychology (Human Development) Personal

Written about educational psychology (Human Development) - Personal Statement Example My interest in human psychology and educational background make me a suitable candidate to get admission in the University of Colorado’s master degree program. I believe that a master degree in this field will definitely help me achieve my personal and professional goals. One main reason for applying in this program is related to my professional life. I want to establish my career in the field of educational psychology, and that is only possible if I get an opportunity to get a master degree from a prestigious university. University of Colorado is known for its highly qualified faculty not only in field of educational psychology (human development) but also in all other courses being offered by the university. It is due to the well-experienced faculty of the University of Colorado, that I have taken my decision to do masters from this great university. I want to complete my education under the guidance of well-experienced faculty of the University of Colorado, as it will help me become a professional in the field of educational psychology. After completing my education, I want to use my knowledge and skills to ensure proper child development, to bring productive changes in the lives of children, and to make children come out of educational stress. I want to be skilled in using educational and psychological assessment techniques to help children who face difficulties in learning and social adjustment. I believe that a country can progress only if its citizens get high quality education from the top universities of the world. I have collected facts about the universities, which offer Master in Education Psychology (Human Development) program and after analyzing all facts and issues, I have made up my mind to pursue the master degree from the University of Colorado because it provides highest quality education in all fields of study. I believe that the

Cultural Activity Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cultural Activity Report - Essay Example Inside the book, there were different directions to various sections within the museum. In addition, it had a brief history of the museum. As I was walking, I noticed that the people who were attending the museum, were people from different ethnic background. Although, most of them were Americans and Chinese. Just like any other museum, they were dressed in casual clothes. The Museum has different sections: anthropology, archaeology, arms gallery, art, numistics, educational activities, botany, zoology, geology, children museum, and various laboratories. However, after visiting all the sections within the museum, there were two sections which caught my attention. This were the archaeology and the anthropology sections. The anthropology section, is basically concerned with preserving data about evolution of man and the activities that they were involved with. It is in this section that I managed to see the first computer that was built in 1930. The computer was about a half tonne and 10 meters long. The curator told me that it was slow, and it could not store information for more than twenty four hours. I also realised that up to today the way the Egypt pyramids were built, have not been understood. In fact, most researchers believe that the technique that the Egyptians used to build the pyramid is very advanced, and this therefore means that in terms of building technology, the earlier man may have been advanced than us. While, the archaeology section contained ancient Egypt pieces of arts, the protestant reformation arts, the ancient Chinese culture arts etc. Some of the ancient Egypt pieces of art which I saw were, the lion hunting cup, drachma, cow nursing its calf, and horse shaped drinking vessel; as well as images of kings. While, some of the ancient Chinese pieces of art I saw were, the travellers among mountains and streams by Fan Ku’an, and the three coloured ceramics (Tang Dynasty) by San Cai. Out of these arts, the

Discuss what skills might be required from managers to cultivate and Essay

Discuss what skills might be required from managers to cultivate and foster creativity and innovation in workforce - Essay Example The objective of this paper is to determine the skills that leaders and managers should possess in order to foster creativity and innovation in their teams so that organizational success is achieved. With the age of globalization upon us, change and development have been launched on a faster pace. This resulted in the need for creativity in innovation, especially in the business world, if one wants to jump ahead of the competition. Companies seek the best candidates who possess dynamism and fresh ideas to contribute to their businesses. Employers prefer people who are creative, open to learning and can think ‘out of the box’ so their imaginative ideas can inject new blood into their products and services. Nicola Bell, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, New Zealand heralded creativity as the new lever of change necessary to â€Å"re-imagine different futures for businesses†. She claims that â€Å"creative leadership† is essential to successful businesses, acknowledging the fact that an IBM study recognized creativity as the â€Å"single most important leadership quality†. (Shipley, 2011, p. 6). A perfect example of a creative leader who was able to save his company from ruin during the global economic crisis is Richard Branson of the Virgin group of companies. Faced with a dire economic low in 2009 with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) collapsing 55% from 2007 to 2009 and the banking system on the verge of a breakdown, Branson’s company was down 40%. How he successfully navigated the company and steered it back to the top was the greatest challenge he had in his decades of creative leadership. He used his innovative ideas to take advantage of the opportunities he found during this low time and determined the strategies with his team to grow from the chaos their company was in (Finkle, 2011). The concepts of creativity and innovation, often intertwined, should be differentiated. Creativity is mostly

The Taming of the Shrew Essay Example for Free

The Taming of the Shrew Essay Michael Billington, theatre critic for the Guardian, asked whether there is any reason to revive a play which seems totally offensive to our age and society (6 May 1978). With particular reference to the final scenes of the play, explore the ways in which a modern audience can respond to Shakespeares presentation of the relationship between Kate and Petruchio  To many desultory observers The Taming of the Shrew may be conjectured as being profoundly misogynistic, an intolerable illustration of female subjugation in 16TH Century England. However in my opinion this is a far too superficial and perfunctory observation. The Taming of the Shrew displays enough ambiguity in its readings to support differing interpretations of its meaning and demonstrates its relevance to modern society. It is clear that ones own evaluation of the plight of Kate is an integral part of whether one finds the play offensive or not. On face value the shrewish Kate is tamed by the cruel, exploitative Petruchio who uses her fathers wealth as his only reason to embark on their marriage; a marriage she despairingly tries and fails to resist. He embarrasses and degrades her, culminating in the final scene where Kate openly relinquishes her independence; grovellingly placing her hand under Petruchios foot and lectures the other women about what should be their traditional servant role within marriage. However such superficial interpretations fail to consider the strong possibility of the presence of dramatic irony in Shakespeares writing, that their marriage is in fact one of partnership. Fiona Shaw, a contemporary Shakespearean actor, offers this interpretation by commenting her vision coincides with his Kate and Petruchio were rebels and would remain rebels forever1. Indeed it has been argued that Kate actually tames Petruchio by seemingly bowing to his requests: Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper,  Thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee (ACT V SCENE II 145-6) Superficially this may seem a submission, but it is possible to see the irony in Kates words. After all, at the time of writing, the head of state or the sovereign was Elizabeth I, therefore the aforementioned quotation symbolises a direct ironic attack against the patriarchal concept that Kate seems to be urging. Kates final speech could be categorised as a capitulation if its reader was without any idea or contextual knowledge about Kates complex character because much of its content is derived from sources used in the Elizabethan Church such as the Book of Homilies and The Instruction of Christian Women. However, it is certainly conceivable that it could be interpreted as a subversive manifesto. Kates flattering of Petruchio through her references to his brave naval background seems to appease him, yet it is she with the soft and smooth body. Petruchio maybe stronger in the physical sense, but it is he who has had to work harder in life and will work harder in marriage if Kate has her way. H.G. Goddards comment that everyone knows that the woman can lord it over the man as long as she allows him to think hes lording it over her supports this view, even if this comment is as equally facile as Kates taming a tribute to the ambiguity of the play. Textual evidence also configures with the doubt over whether Kates plight parallels with the doctrines of the Renaissance writers who fundamentally endorsed a patriarchal social hierarchy with the female subject to the orders of their husband or father. Lucentios final line Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tamed so emphasises the notion of scepticism over her sudden changed behaviour and that indeed she may have colluded with Petruchio in order to win the wager. The short time-scale of the play casts doubt over whether such a character as strong as Kate could really be tamed so emphatically. Indeed the feminist critic Germaine Greer has argued that the play is not a knockabout farce of wife-battering, but the cunning adaptation of a folk-motif to show the forging of a partnership between equals2, emphasised by Petruchio in the final scene finally acknowledging their alliance -well be to bed we thee are married, but you two are sped. It is Kate who is indeed shrewd enough to realise that she must appease Petruchio if she is to be able to forge a happy marriage with him. This is after Hortensio reminds Kate say as he says, or we shall never go a clue about the possible consequences if she continues her resistance. This is not a submission, but a clever ploy by Kate who realises that if her marriage is to progress from a state of extreme discomfort she must forge a partnership.

Criminal Profiling vs Racial Profiling

Criminal Profiling vs Racial Profiling Racial profiling is a social problem that has erupted throughout the country. Many provinces, cities, social groups, and academics have studied racial profiling and how race and ethnicity may play a part in police investigations. Allegations of racial profiling have been around for years, and still is a subject that creates a lot on media hype and controversy surrounding police and their interaction with minorities. In Toronto, there have been numerous newspaper and television articles accusing the Toronto Police Service of systematic racism (Canadian Race Relations Foundations, 2005). Racial profiling should not be confused with criminal profiling, because they are two different things (Mucchetti, 2006, pp. 1-32). Racial profiling is not specific to one race or one country. Actually being racially profiled can happen to anyone at any time no matter what race or sex or country they live in. This paper will examine racial profiling and criminal profiling by police and explaining how the different sociological perspectives; functionalist, conflict, interactionist, and feminist perspectives view it. The paper will also attempt to argue if there is systematic racial profiling by the Toronto Police. My thesis is the Toronto Police does not systematically racially profile, instead they systematically criminally profile. In order to examine racial profiling and criminally profiling one must understand the differences between the two. Although there is no clear or universal definition of racial profiling, there is a common component in all of the definitions (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2009). This paper defines racial profiling as the practice of targeting racial minorities for criminal investigation solely or, in part, on the basis of their skin colour (Court of Appeal for Ontario, 1999). According to the Harvard Latino Law Review, criminal profiling involves: The use of racial or ethnic characteristics by police departments in stopping an individual because his or her description matches that of an actual suspect. In this sense, race functions as the equivalent of hair color or height, which can then be used in combination with other factors to paint a more accurate portrait of a suspected criminal. As a result, generalized notions of criminal propensity are not projected onto an individual because of that persons membership in a particular racial or ethnic group (Mucchetti, 2006, pp. 1-32). The term racial profiling began in the 1980s, when the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in the United States developed and used common characteristics to profile drug couriers as part of the agencies war on drugs (Harris, 2006, pp. 213-239). When community members began to complain about police investigations and their actions towards minorities the uses of the profiling technique emerged to be labelled as racial profiling (Ibid). Functionalist, conflict, interactionist, and feminist perspectives all believe racial profiling is one of discrimination, pressure and manipulation of subordinate groups so that the dominant group can exercise their social class, race, and sexual superiority over others (Banks, Eberhardt, Ross, 2006, pp. 1169-1190). Prejudice in racial profiling is caused by psychological and socially constructed influences, where individuals are influenced by their surroundings to hate another solemnly based on their race (Guimond, Dambrun, Michinov, Duarte, 2003, pp. 697-721). The functionalist perspective believes society is divided into two groups, the dominant and subordinate. And, that these groups are a natural part of society (Kendall, Nygaard, Thompson, 2011). Functionalist also believe society is not balanced in terms of race, because it is natural for one group of people to be superior over the other and that racial equality will reduce the dominate group power on subordinate group (Kimberle Williams Crenshaw, 1988, pp. 1331-1387). Therefore, functionalist view racial profiling as being formed by dominate groups to cause the subordinate groups to feel inferior, so they can have their own roles in society because it is how society intended it to be. Conflict perspective believe that all groups in society are engaged in a continuous power struggle because the dominant groups who have social, political and economical power, struggle to maintain their privileged position over the subordinate groups (Kendall, Nygaard, Thompson, 2011). Conflict theorists also believe everyone is equal, despite his or her race, sex or employment, opposed to the functionalist theory (Ibid). They also believe racialized and ethnic inequality is caused due to economic stratification (Ibid). The dominate group determines what laws should be enforced and what penalties are to be administered. They also determine what subordinate group will be targeted, arrested and punished unfairly in order to maintain their positions in a capitalist society. The police are used as a tool by the dominate group to maintain their position in society. Racial profiling by police is only one of the methods used by police to enforce the rules of the dominate class. Symbolic interactionist perspective can be used to explain officers behaviour which is based in social psychology (Kendall, Nygaard, Thompson, 2011). The social dynamics involving the interaction between officer and citizen may influence officers behaviour and cause them to racially profile. The interactionist approach emphasizes how racialized socialization contributes to feelings of solidarity with ones own racialized or ethnic group and hostility towards others (Ibid) which could cause citizens to challenge officers authority if they felt their identities were being challenged, their civil liberties were being restricted, or the officer was acting in a rude behaviour. Although symbolic interactionist perspective does not directly explain why police initially stop minorities, it does explain the social interaction between the officer and citizen and how it could result in the citizen feeling of being racially profiled if the officers interaction was professional. Feminist perspective is based on critical-conflict perspective (Kendall, Nygaard, Thompson, 2011). A feminist view on racial profiling is about gender and race differences, and the limitations associated with traditional male-dominance in society. There is no one feminist perspective that can explain a social problem such as racial profiling because all are theories of oppression, differences, and inequality (Ibid). Social activist groups along with minority groups claims of systematic racial profiling by the Toronto Police Service exists and refer to published articles to support their claims, such as the 2002 series of newspaper articles written by the Toronto Star, and the lack of racial statistics compiled by the Toronto Police Service. In these articles, the Toronto Star articles used empirical data collected from the Toronto Police Services Criminal Information Processing System (CIPS) database. According to the newspaper articles that examined 480,000 files contained within the database, relating to arrest and traffic stops, claim Blacks arrested by Toronto Police are treated more harshly than white, and a disproportionate number of black motorists are ticketed for violations that only surface following a traffic stop. According to civil libertarians, community leaders and criminologists, the difference could suggest that police use racial profiling in deciding whom to pull over (Toronto Star Newspaper, 2009, p. A01). Social and minority groups also support their claims of systematic racial profiling by the Toronto Police Service, as the Service does not collect or release race base statistics. They argue One fears that the only reason the Police Board refuses to release this data is to ensure that the public does not get updated information on racial profiling (Toronto Police Accountability Coalition, 2008). This paper concedes that racial profiling may exist on an individual basis (micro-level) within the Toronto Police Service. This was confirmed by Chief Blair of the Toronto Police Service who was speaking a diversity conference and said: Racism is a human failing. Racial profiling can occur. Weve acknowledged that right up front (Doolittle, 2009). As a police officer, it is obvious that there are errors in the Toronto Stars conclusions. The Toronto Star compiled its data using the files contained in the CIPS database, which only contained files relating to arrest and tickets issued to persons. The problem using only this database is that it does not take into account the number of people the police actually investigate where there were no arrest or tickets issued, or the fact that the CIPS system excludes information on part 1 Provincial Offences tickets; i.e. seatbelt, speeding etc. as it only includes part 3 Provincial offences tickets (more serious offences). By only selecting the CIPS database and not the true number of persons stopped by police skewed the final results. Professor Edward B. Harvey, a PhD, from the University of Toronto confirmed this fact that the Toronto Police database, which was not designed for research purposes, contains so many flaws that its uses in research is limited (Harvey, 2003). The data-collection by the Toronto Star was also disputed by Allan Gold based on the distinction between reactive and proactive policing (2003, pp. 391-399). Gold argues reactive policing could attribute to claims of racial profiling while proactive policing will not. When it comes to the collection of data, the Toronto Start uses both styles of policing which flawed their conclusion (Ibid). It is very well known that any and every methodology in the social sciences is open to criticism and attack (May, 2001). Max Weber a pioneering sociologist and social researcher stresses the importance of proper methodology in social research in examining any social problem, and how crucial it is to understanding the problem (Alasuutari, 2010, pp. 139-155). The Toronto Stars article and how they used the data and the omission of vital data has skewed the final results. These errors have created false evidence of systematic racial profiling by the Toronto Police Service, which has been proven. The argument of race based crime statistics date back to 1929 (Johnston, 1994, p. 166). Social activist groups along with minorities groups have argued that the reason Toronto Police Service is not releasing race based crime statistics is due to the that the Service in fact racially profiling, which would be proven by the statistics (Toronto Police Accountability Coalition, 2008). In fact in 1989 the opposite argument was used by community groups when then Inspector Julian Fantino released crime based statistics, claiming them to be inherently racist calling for their abolishment (Johnston, 1994, p. 166). According to Robin S. Engel an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati and Director of the University of Cincinnati Policing Institute, Data will never prove or disprove racially biased policing, we contend that vehicle stop data collection and analysis should never be viewed-either by police or resident stakeholders-as a pass fail test. Rather, it should be viewed as a diagnostic tool to help pinpoint the decisions, geographic areas, and procedures that should get priority attention when the agency, in concert with concerned residents, identifies its next steps for addressing the problem or perception of racial profiling (2008, pp. 1-36). Institutional racism consists of the day-to-day practices of an organization that have a harmful impact on members of a subordinate group (Kendall, Nygaard, Thompson, 2011) and delivered at the macro-level. In order for the argument of systematic racial profiling by the Toronto Police Service to be true, the Service would have to have policies or procedures in place that sanctioned it. In fact, the Toronto Police Service does not sanction any form of racial profiling by its members. The Service has numerous rules and procedures that prohibit racial profiling along with a Diversity Management Unit that monitors all human rights complaints and ensures that all members provide a bias-free service to the community (2009). Members of the Toronto Police Service are also being constantly reminded their responsibility in providing a bias-free service to the community. These reminders are done through training and education, the Services Core Values and letters to the members of the Service, such as a letter written in 2003 by then Chief Juilian Fantino who wrote; we must be aware that social and institutional pressures can lead to unacceptable instances of racial bias in policing. Police officers must make their decisions to engage the public based on the actions or conduct that they observe, on actual witness information and/or on hand evidence. Police officers must have articulable cause or reasonable grounds in order to pursue legitimate law enforcement activities with a member of the public. We must not make any decision to stop, question and/or search citizens based solely on a persons race. All of us, at all times, must provide equitable and respectful service to all persons regardless of race. I believe that the best way to deal with this and all other issues is simply by always treating people, all people, professionally. Lets continue to treat all people and each other with dignity and respect. Professional conduct means that we will never go wrong or be found wanting in our dealings with all components of our diverse society (Toronto Police Service, 2003). To ensure that members of the Toronto Police Service are not racially profiling the Toronto Police Service is working in partnership with the Ontario Human Rights Commission to ensure the Services hiring practices reflect the diversity of the City of Toronto, training officers in ethics, and diversity and how to recognize racial bias policing (2009) Although the Toronto Police Service does not systematically racially profile, they do systematically criminally profile. Criminal profiling also known as Criminal Investigative Analysis (CIA) is an effective tool enabling law enforcement agencies to enforce the law more effectively (Royal Canadian Mounted Police). The origins of criminal profiling can be traced back to 1800s when it was first used in case to identify Jack to Ripper (Winerman, 2004, p. 66). The current use of criminal profiling by law enforcement was developed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in the United States by their Behaviour Science Unit (Ibid). The uses of this technique has also with stood the threshold of law and been recognized as a valid investigative technique. Criminal profiling involves a multidisciplinary approach that examines and understands criminal behaviour using many sociological perspectives. Functionalist perspective view crime as a result of the lack moral order within a society which is necessary to hold society together (Kendall, Nygaard, Thompson, 2011). Conflict perspective suggests that disadvantage groups are more likely to become criminals than those who are privileged. It also sees higher-income citizens being able to hide their criminal acts better and punished differently then disadvantage groups, if caught. Symbolic interactionist perspective helps us understand how people learn to become criminals and how being labelled a criminals can increase the probability that the person will engage in criminal behaviour (Ibid). Each perspective traces criminal behaviour to social conditions rather than to the individuals race, sex, ethnicity or disability. Criminal profiling can be broken into two stages; the first could be described as general profiling and the second as specific profiling (Palermo, 2002, pp. 383-385). General profiling is part of an officers everyday duties and investigations of any crime, such as traffic stops, while specific profiling is more refined in the officers approach to evidence and crime scene investigations (Ibid). Criminal profiling can also take on several forms. The first form of criminal profiling can be institutional, which is where the organization develops the profile of the offender, while the second for can be formed by the individual officer. This form of criminal profiling is developed by the officer from his or her own experiences (Higgins Gabbidon, 2009, pp. 77-88). In todays policing, Toronto Police Service front-line officers incorporated the general profiling aspect of criminal profiling when performing their general duties but will on occasion incorporate specific profiling aspects when responding to a serious radio call. The officers will also use both institutional and individual forms of criminal profiling as well. A basic form of institutional criminal profiling is taught to members of the Toronto Police Service when he or she attends the Ontario Police College as a basic recruit. The recruits are provided the necessary knowledge of laws, procedures and skills that will help them perform their duties as frontline officers. With emphasis on the core function of police services found in the Ontario Police Service Act section 4(2) which focuses on Crime Prevention, Law Enforcement, Assistance to Victims of Crime, Public Order Maintenance, and Emergency Response (2009). The officers are also provided training a variety of subjects including, ethics, anti-racism and community policing (Ibid). The training does not stop when a officer leave the Ontario Police College, the officers are further trained at the Toronto Police College in the Services Rule and Procedures, Core Values and Mission Statement of the Service along with officer safety training. Officers develop individual criminal profiling skills when they start patrolling the streets of Toronto. The officer will respond to thousands of calls varying from thefts, domestics, fights, to vehicle stops. Each time the officer interacts with the individuals, he or she develops their own brand of policing and individual criminal profiling techniques. In community policing, officers work closely with problem communities, in developing strategies to help the community combat crime. Working with the community, officers receive information from residences on potential criminal activities and individuals within the community, so that they can develop strategies to reduce crime. Officers will incorporate all aspects of criminal profiling to either be reactive or proactive in an attempt to reduce criminality. Being reactive, officers focus their attention on direct information that is received from the community to reduce the current problem within the community, while proactive policing allows the officers to profile activities and individuals within the community to prevent further victimization. Officers also use criminal profiling when they perform traffic stops. The officer use individual criminal profiling when he or she selects an area to monitor the traffic flow, which is based on the officers personal experience. The officer might select an area where there is a high rate of incidences of failing to stop at a sign or a section or roadway where vehicle speed. When the officer decides to stop the vehicle for a violation of the Highway Traffic Act, he or she again criminally profiles the vehicle and occupants for officer safety reasons. The officer will conduct registration checks on the vehicle and the registered owner, all the time observing the occupants of the vehicle before stopping the vehicle, in order identify any criminal activity. This part of criminal profiling it taught to the officers by the Ontario Police College and the Toronto Police College (institutional criminal profiling) as part of the Officers Safety Section within both colleges, in order to keep the officer safe. There are those who argue that criminal profiling is not supported by scientific evidence and should be dismisses as rhetoric and never be used. This paper agrees that criminal profiling is limited in empirical data but is still a useful tool to combat crime. According to a research study which states, criminal profiling will persist as a pseudoscientific technique until such time as empirical and reproducible studies are conducted on the abilities of large groups of active profilers to predict, with more precision and greater magnitude, the characteristics of offenders (Snook, Eastwood, Gendreau, Goggin Cullen, 2007, pp. 437-453). In conclusion, it is important to rethink racial profiling through the lens of criminal profiling and to reduce race to the role that it is purportedly playing in racial profiling, namely a predictive factor; to treat race no differently than we would gender, class, age, or any other profile that works; to take the focus away from race and place it on criminal profiling more generally. Rethinking racial profiling through the lens of criminal profiling actually sheds light on police practices. The Toronto Police Service does not systematically racially profile as the media, social and minority groups would have us believe. In order for the Toronto Police Service to be blamed for systematically racially profiling, the Service would have to be a plan or procedure in place to support it. The Toronto Police Service does not support any form of racial profiling by it members Criminal profiling plays a crucial and significant role in deterring and combating criminal behaviour and activity. Criminal profiling provides a valuable tool for police in which they can assess and analyze the patterns of criminal behaviour (Turvey, 2008, pp. 1-43). The Toronto Police Service systematically criminally profiles and treats the race component of criminal profiling no differently than they would gender, class, age, or any other profile that works.

George Washington-Founding Father? Essay -- essays research papers

George Washington became President in 1789 and since then has been regarded as America’s â€Å"Founding Father†(10). This grand and hero-like status is said to have â€Å"began gravitating to Washington six months before the Declaration of Independence, when one Levi Allen addressed him in a letter as ‘our political Father.’†(10). The preservation of Washington’s role as a national hero has been allowed by authors and the media omitting his many flaws as if they had either been forgotten or were no longer important. Yet by excluding these human faults, they have projected an almost god-like hero and inflicted him upon the nation as their Father, somebody whose â€Å"life still has the power to inspire anyone†(10). When in reality, how can a slave-owning President be a hero to Black Americans today? Similarly, Americans of native descent today could not worship Washington, if they knew explicitly how he had treated their ancestors. However textbooks do not explicitly reveal these faults, and even if they give some indication the authors make sure to justify Washington to the best of their ability. Many Americans fail to know very little about the claims of Washington’s greed for wealth, his inability as a politician and President to speak before the Senate and Congress, and the debate to whether he was as good a General as is commonly believed. In addition to these forgotten flaws and human frailties; are the purely fabricated tales of Washington’s childhood, which are still retold to children today. As a boy George Washington allegedly accidentally chopped down a cherry tree, which he confessed to his father’s delight. There is also the tale where his father planted some seeds in the garden which grew up to spell ‘GEORGE WASHINGTON’ so as to† demonstrate by analogy God’s design in the universe†(10). However these anecdotes are the pure invention of Parson Weems (10) as very little is known about Washington’s early childhood or his relationship with his father. These invented tales, no matter how ridiculous, are less offensive than the authors who brush over or omit Washington’s involvement in slavery. In the ‘moral autobiography’ of George Washington called Founding Father; Richard Brookhiser justifies Washington’s actions by stating â€Å"slavery was sanctioned by the Bible and by Aristotle†. Although Brookhiser underlines the hypocrisy that Washington used the â€Å"rhetori... ...the senate. He suffered from stage fright and often â€Å"blushed and faltered†, (18) even at his inauguration as President, â€Å"he trembled and several times could scarce make out to read his speech† (18) This weakness of his is often glossed over as it doesn’t seem to fit in with his image as the towering, imposing â€Å"founding father†. Yet today, it is essential for a President to be able to deliver impressive and clear speeches to the whole country. Finally there are some criticisms that he was not as effective General as is often believed. Thomas Paine claimed that he was a bad general whose strategy consisted of â€Å"doing nothing† (19). Although Paine had a personal agenda in condemning George Washington as he resented not being appointed Postmaster-General, and then later by not being rescued from French persecution by the government, it is true that George Washington did lose more battles than he won (20) and often did seem to do nothing for long periods of time. There is also the issue of his harsh treatment towards his own soldiers, any who were caught deserting or plundering were â€Å"flogged† (21) and he even a â€Å"Gallows near forty feet high erected† to terrify the rest into obedience.

Free Essays - Holy Feast and Holy Fast and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: Sir Gawain Green Knight Essays

Forbidden Fruit in Holy Feast and Holy Fast and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight  Ã‚  Ã‚   The forbidden fruit, its properties, and its affects, has vast ramifications within the ethics of the women in Holy Feast and Holy Fast. as well as those of the characters portrayed in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 2. Perhaps the connection is less obvious with Gawain. It must be realized that this story contains multi-leveled metaphors which approach modern literature in their complexity. Argument will be made that Gawain betrays an isomorphism with Eden's tale. The author's attitude toward the fruit and perhaps toward fasting will become evident. Bynum's incisive argument has been extremely helpful in this analysis of Gawain; but, with respect to medieval women she has surprisingly little to say about Eve and the Tree. Although this neglect is regrettable, it is not fatal. This paper will tend to support the major theses of Holy Fast. The people described by these authors did not dwell inordinately on any essential weakness of women. It is hoped that this refocusing on the forbid den fruit will help us to see more clearly their perspectives. The isomorphism of Gawain with the story of Eden can be demonstrated only after the stage is set. It may be helpful to think of this isomorphism as a kind of image or reflection. This puts it squarely within the realm of neoplatonic forms. Medieval nobility, often well versed in neoplatonic thought, would be quick to point out that Arthur, the king is a lesser image of God and that his court is a reflection of the heavenly host. This assertion is not without textual support. Happiest of mortal kind King noblest famed of will You would now go far to find So hardy a host on a hill. (2) Presently, the Green Knight rides in. He mirrors Lucifer in God's court, and more; He is full of slander (7:315). He is described in titanic imagery (4:140, 9:390), which was commonly attributed to the anti-christ. The Round Table cannot abide this affront to the King so Gawain, with Guenevere's permission, steps in to intercede. Here Gawain is like Christ or Michael, going out to battle the dragon. He severs his head. Gawain is full of reversals and inversions. This is consistent with the neoplatonic model since Arthur's court is a lesser image. Later, we will present Bynum's views on this point.

Religious Women in Medieval Time Essays -- History Females Religion Es

Religious Women in Medieval Time The Middle Ages did not offer women many options of lifestyles. During these times women could either be virgin martyrs and sacrifice themselves in religious rituals, or become wives and mother. None of these options offered women a real chance to live, to create, to enjoy. New options emerged, these options allowed them not only to live free of male dominance, but also to be educated and to use their creativity in areas like music, theater, science, and philosophy. These options were monastic life, mysticism and life among the Beguines. Among the women who opted one of these ways of life, were: Hrotswitha, Hildegard and Teresa of Avila, whose work was among the most famous and recognized in the Middle Ages. Monasteries and convents in the Middle Age were like a ray of light in the dark for women in the Middle Ages. Women who found their future in a nunnery, either by their own choosing or otherwise, had the opportunity to be educated and in many occasions to develop their creativity without the pressure of a male figure. This freedom that nuns enjoyed allowed them to work and use their creativity in many different ways. In the monasteries besides getting educated, women also had the option to be trained as illuminators. Since in these time the production and storage of sacred books and secular classics was confined to monasteries and convents, women got a chance to use their training as painters in the production of these sacred books. The production of sacred books, allowed women of this time more than one choice at the kind of creative work they wanted to do. One of these options was to work as an illuminator. There are many illuminations from these times, but none o... ... sacred music functioned as a bridge for humanity to life before the Fall because it was the sacred breath that God breathed into humans when he created them the one used to sing. Teresa the Avila is the last of the most accomplished women of the Middle Age. She was a Spanish nun, like Hildegard, who had mystic visions. She viewed Jesus as a spouse. After a while in her convent she decided to go all through Spain sharing her religious faith. On this quest she was able to create 25 more monasteries throughout Spain. She suffered considerably because of her visions because her confessor told her to ignore them since they came from the devil. She did not challenge this in a direct confrontation, but instead decided to choose a different priest to be her confessor. Her vision, were finally given authority by the church when she got help from Peter de Alcantara.

Process control Essay

Process control is a major factor in ensuring that a process is working to its maximum potential. Sometimes process control means that one must conduct research to see how a process improvement can be implemented. Process improvement normally results in adjusting and modifying particular tasks or steps in a process to make them run more efficiently and smoothly. According to Chase, Jacobs, and Aquilliano, it is very important to put metrics in place so that you can determine if improvements are needed for a particular process (Chase, Jacobs, and Aquilliano, 2006). Over the last five weeks, I have observed the task of getting ready for work. After collecting data for analysis, I have enough information to develop a process improvement plan. In this paper, the control limits will be reviewed and any applicable seasonal factors that could impact the historical data will be discussed. Control Limits In an article in the Journal of Science and Technology, a control chart is described as â€Å"a statistical devise used for the study and control of a repetitive process† (Radhakrishnan and Balamurugan, 2010, p 1052). The control chart is a tool used with 6 sigma to look at ways to improve the performance of a particular process. They basically let management know when they should adjust a process or when we should leave it alone. It has upper specification limits (USL) that are used to identify the maximum amount of that could give acceptable performance. Also there is the lower specification limit (LSL), which identifies the lowest amount that could give acceptable performance of the process. The USL and LSL are also known as the control limits that are either 3 deviations above the mean or 3 deviations below it (Chase, Jacobs, and Aquilliano, 2006). In developing a control chart for the process for getting ready for work, one must first look at the sampling plan. For weeks, data has been collected during business days to indicate how long it takes to get ready for work. This data is reviewed to find the mean, median, standard deviation, and mode. The results are as follows: mean is 74. 70588, median is 74, mode is 71, and standard deviation is 3. 981792. This information tells us that the average time it takes to get ready is 74 minutes, whereas the time occurring the most is 71 minutes. The standard deviation in this indicates that we can go either 3. 98 to the right or left of the zero probability distribution. The chapter readings advise that in looking at the control chart, one can assume that the process is working properly when the samples stay within the control limits (Chase, Jacobs, and Aquilliano, 2006). The next indicator to look at is the capability index, which in this case shows us how well we are doing in getting ready for work in a timely manner. The readings indicates that the more off-center the capability index, the higher the chance to of defective products. Because we are not discussing products in this process, it would be the greater the chance to get off schedule (Chase, Jacobs, and Aquilliano, 2006). The data indicates that there is a capability index of -8. 6. According to Landauer, the capability index is interpreted as: â€Å"1) if the capability index is less than one, the process is outside the control limits 2) if it is greater than one; the process is within the control limits. The results from my data at first was a little puzzling because the index of -8. 6 would indicate that the process is outside of the control limit and would need to be adjusted. However, because the process improvement plan is to decrease the time it takes to get ready for work, the negative number is a good factor. In having this information handy, one must also consider how seasonal factors impact the process. Seasonal Factors It is a little difficult to determine seasonal factors that could impact the time it takes to get ready for work. After thinking about this a while I think the biggest impact could be daylight saving time. When an hour of sleep is lost in the Spring, it takes a while to adjust to the change in the daylight saving time. In fact, research indicates that when one transitions into and out of daylight saving time, there could be negative impacts (Lahti, Leppamaki, Lonnqvist, and Partonen, 2008). These impacts could result in a loss of sleep, restlessness, and lack of sleep quality which could result in crankiness and negatively impact a two year old. If my son does not wake with a positive attitude, I know it will be a challenge getting ready for work on time as I would need to devote more time calming him down. During the seasonal periods, it may be better to implement process improvements like adding a resource to assist with the process. In my process this would mean getting my husband to help out more in getting the baby ready for daycare. With the added resource, one can shorten the time that it takes to complete the process and does not run the risk of deviating off course. Applying this same format to a production process could mean adding more employees, equipment, or even outsourcing to ensure that a project or process is completed timely. Conclusion Overall, control charts are visual measures that assist with determining if a process is in control or not. When backed by statistical data like the mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and capability index, one could gather enough data so that a process improvement decisions necessary for keeping the process in control can be made.

Disaster Management in Pakistan

On 26th October this year, thirty six trapped Chilean mine workers were rescued by drilling a deep hole into the mine. A month later, twenty nine mine workers in Newzeland died after remaining trapped for days in a mine. Poor disaster management cost precious lives. In Pakistan, too, Disaster management is not up to the mark. Be it the devastating earthquake, the catastrophic floods, the outbreak of fires or the aftermath of bomb blasts, the management was very poor.Certain measures like National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and Rescue 1122 were taken but none has borne fruit yet. Lack of funds, scarcity of men and machinery, lack of awareness and preparedness of general public, hard demography, negative role of media, and delocalization of disaster management centers has added to the calamity of disasters. A realistic approach, proper training to workers and public, localization of disaster management centers, public awarenes s programs and positive role of media must be ensured for the proper disaster management in Pakistan.Until now almost every disaster has hit Pakistan but the required response is given to none. The October, 2008 earthquake in Northern areas of Pakistan is a grim reminder of the scale of disaster. Almost eighty thousand people died and many towns devastated. Though, no single government with limited resources can cope with such a calamity, yet our government’s response was much late in the hard hit areas. Timely and efficient response could have saved many lives.The recent floods of July-August have also seen the demonstration of poor disaster management in our country. Though, no country is prepared for such devastating floods, our government’s response could be much better. Instead of helping the people in the affected areas, our government set all their attention in appealing for aids to other countries and arranging conferences for the donor countries. The fire mana gement is also much poor. Few months ago when fire broke out in a female hostel in Rawalpindi, the management did not have the ecessary tools to bring the situation under control. Moreover, the aftermath of bomb blasts also shows that our country is not prepared to cope with the disaster-like situation. One of the main cause of this pathetic situation of our disaster management is that the workers are not properly trained to cope with any disasters. In other countries, proper training is provided to the workers in one field to cope with that particular disaster. Unfortunately in Pakistan, the same workers are hired for every disaster to cope with.Most of our disaster management organizations are not provided with sufficient staff and machinery. The workers are much less as compared to the scale of the disaster. Also, the workers do not have all the necessary equipments to deal a disaster. Moreover, the facilities like fast transport to the disaster point are also lacking. Our uneven demography also plays a big hurdle in efficient disaster management. Sometimes, the areas hit by a disaster are out of reach, thus, badly affecting the rescue activities. Hard demography also adds to the scale of a disaster.Even a minor disaster results into a bigger loss of life and property because of the demography of our country. This was observed in the recent floods whose originating point was the northern areas and brought devastations in other parts of the country. Delocalization of disaster management units is another cause of poor disaster management in Pakistan. All the units are controlled from the federal or provincial capitals which may become a hurdle in dealing with a disaster in time. Unawareness and unpreparedness of the general public is also one of the reason for poor disaster management.Our people do not know how to deal with a disaster when they are caught with. People, sometimes, use methods which may increase the scale of a disaster instead of controlling it . Also, most of the people are unprepared to deal with a sudden disaster which results into many losses. Lack of funds with the disaster management units is also a case of poor dealing with a disaster. The disaster management organizations do not have sufficient funds to buy the machinery necessary to deal with a disaster.In order to deal effectively with any disaster in Pakistan, the government must provide proper training to workers. This is how they can deal with a disaster professionally. Moreover, the government should confer proper funds to disaster management units. All the disaster management units must be delocalized. Disaster management unit in Chitral must not be monitored from Islamabad or Peshawar. A local management body can effectively deal with a local disaster. Public training programs must be initiated so that the general public is aware how to deal with a disaster.The youths must be trained in particular areas of disasters, like fire, flood, so that that can be ca lled whenever such disaster emerges. Moreover, special television programs should be aired to aware the people how to deal with a disaster effectively. Disaster management plays a big role in a country like Pakistan where disasters are most frequent. Though, in the past much attention was not given to disaster management in the country, the government must implement the above mentioned suggestions in latter and spirit to cope well with any disaster in future.

A Modest Proposal: Cannibalism

I feel that Jonathan Swift’s piece of work could be used and interpreted different with each and all audiences alike. There is a whole bunch of information to interpret. How Swift, looks at children not as individuals, but as animals used to be sold to the rich as food. Swift’s work is very dark in this piece, with regard to selling of children for food. And with regards to Ireland’s economic advancements actually depend on it. He urges all other people to think that children could be sold in different styles and makes mention of how they could be prepared as a fine food dish. Swift’s states, â€Å"A young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragoust. † Now normally if I can’t pronounce it I don’t use it or order it to eat, but these last two ways of preparing the children as food sounds as if a dish the rich would order. To me it sounds like Swift has rather expensive taste for lavish habits and tendencies. I think we can almost compare life in Ireland back then to today. All though there aren’t people selling their children to have the rich feast on their bones, or do I think it will come to that but it is close to our nation’s economic struggle. Our economy wouldn’t allow the selling of children of children to feed the rich. I do believe Ireland was in a lot worse shape than we currently are. They had no renewable resources such as fruits and vegetables to fall back on the way we do. They also didn’t have the amount of import and export trade that we have on our side. Swift constantly throughout his story states that selling the children to the rich is the only solution to the countries hard economic times. He even talks that all the families should consider fattening up the smaller children. Also Swift also makes mention of overpopulation and well makes a suggested solution to this crisis. He proclaims that children at the age of one can be sold to meat markets, thus helping the crisis of over population and in turn saving the parents of the children the cost of raising and providing for that child. Parents, who participated in this crazy idea, would pull the nation out of its current economic struggle. And that’s not all he then talks about how parents who helped out with his proposal how it would affect home life. Husbands would grow to respect wives better. What? I don’t know at all how this could possibly be something that could have a positive impact on a family what so ever. I think that Swift tries to persuade his readers that this is the only option for Ireland and its survival, in a dog eat dog world. He then starts stating statistics, he mentions of 120,000 some Irish children born in a year, that 20,000 should be kept for breeding and the continuance of the Irish legacy. And what’s even better is that a quarter of these choosing few, are to be males, are you serious 5,000 boys and the rest girls. This brings a question to my mind, what was the deciding factor that kept the child to be raised or sold. What tops the cake once more is that he says one boy for a total of four girls. I believe this contradicts his husband respecting the whole wife thing early in the paper. Swift goes on later to explain the idea of cannibalism should not stop at children, but instead its countries enemies, or even political figures. The idea of a nation such as Ireland cannibalizing its own population and natural resources sickens me. I would bat an eye at the thought of eating my son, or selling him off to the butcher to be slaughtered and sold. Swift goes on in this story to talk of common practices and courtesies. He talks that if Irish poor are to be married, and have a family, the family should refrain from domestic violence in and throughout the family, and love and cherish family. I serious think that this guy had dual personalities, he so many different stories to each situation. Possibly he was bi-polar or maybe he used some opium or something of that nature. I don’t think Swift had financial problems what so ever. Swift goes on in his work and states that he admits that this will drastically reduce the Irish population, but other nations should not practice this idea in their cultures. He considers it a â€Å"healthy patriotism†, and goes on to say that the children that are to be butchered should stay domestically and not be exported. This would keep other nations from wanting to overtake the Irish population and decimate the whole society and Irish culture. In Jonathan Swift’s work you can tell he is rather upset with Ireland’s politicians and the wealthy. You can also see that he is upset at the general population of the poor. He is angry at the poor population because they have made no plans or have no intentions to get out of the downward spiral their country is in. I wonder if he wrote this piece as a way of making the general population consider in participating in cannibalization, as an act to blow the whistle in a sense to make the politicians act on the current situation at hand in their times.

Environmental analysis Essay

Rivalry Competition in the US video rental industry is fierce. There are actually several different segments of players within the industry, like rentals who establish physical store locations and rentals who serve mail-orders, but these different segments are competing to gain the same market share. Blockbuster reveled that the business actually has a small profit margin, due to the high cost of building and equipment maintenance. Furthermore, the movie rental industry has a stagnant market condition, or in simple words, the market does not reveal any meaningful growth within the years. This means the only way to grow is by taking away a piece of competitors’ market share. Thus, competition is s serious issue for Blockbuster because in one hand, the company cannot afford to loose more market share due to its minimum profit margin, and in the other hand, Blockbuster would also need to experience some kind of revenue growth. Ironically, competitors of Blockbuster also possess the same obsession. As a result, price war is the only way to determine which player would lead the market. Unfortunately, most of the players in the industry has already sustain heavy operational and maintenance that they cannot afford to reduce rental prices. In addition, most of these players have also minimum promotion budget because of the small profit margin. Today, competition industry enters a stage where all the players are stagnant in most of its departments (Brem, 2002). Not all movie rental industry can survive in a long term, especially if the industry is online. With the recent tightening in the market, some executive and investor are challenging Blockbuster.com to show some results: higher revenues, more customers, perhaps even a profit. This is should become tough news for Blockbuster. com who have spent most of their money on expensive advertisements, PR campaigns, or websites that look attractive. The full integration of Blockbuster. com online and in-store programs planned for next year will enable them to provide their customers, young and old, with unmatched convenience, service, selection and value. If a customer is in their store and wants to return a movie they rented online, Blockbuster.com will be able to accommodate them. If a member rents primarily in-store, but wants a hard-to-find title Blockbuster. com does not typically carry in store, they will be able to go online and get it. It is a matter of maximizing convenience and choice (â€Å"About Blockbuster. com†, 2006). Blockbuster has not been watching these developments lazily. It has launched its own online rental service in response to the competition, despite the set-up costs and the fact that it could take revenue away from its retail operation. It has also introduced a number of initiatives, such as a part-exchange deal on VHS tapes, and is currently exploring offering an in-store download service. †¢ Buyer Power Due to the stagnant market and the need for huge economies of scale to reach profit, buyers of the video rental industry has quite an influential power. In a nutshell, by choosing to go to which rentals, buyers will determine which one will reach profit within the financial period and which one will fall below targets. The increasing use of Internet becomes the power of buyers that soon force Blockbuster to provide online services. To change itself from a zone of movie rental store into an â€Å"anywhere-anytime† entertainment destination that eventually will enable customers to rent, buy or trade movies and games, new or used, in-store and online, Blockbuster initiatives to continues their accomplishment as the online rental service company (â€Å"Blockbuster goes broadband, streams movies to TV†, 2001). Blockbuster. com becomes the business through information technology (I. T. ) marketing. Because of the online marketing Blockbuster can live and breathe. They can get more competitive, lower their costs, and provide better service through continuous improvement of the I. T. marketing (â€Å"BBI: Profile for BLOCKBUSTER INC. †, 2006). However, as online retail, marketing efforts of Blockbuster. com could be even more effective if they asked the consumer for a dash of personal information. So far, businesses were hoping that personalization technology would serve as the equivalent of a best friend who just happened to have all the same tastes in products and services. More consumers are choosing to rent online, which has no late fees and have the movies mailed to them. It makes Blockbuster. com has increased their membership (â€Å"Blockbuster goes broadband, streams movies to TV†, 2001). The only way for movie-rental stores to continue operations is to rise to the challenge and shift their business model to stay practical. To develop a substantial share of the online rental business by the end of next year, Blockbuster. com is providing rental plan and their practical understanding marketing. It should help Blockbuster. com to be more successful in the next period. Movie distributors and the large chains, such as Blockbuster, Inc.directly negotiate revenue-sharing agreements covering most titles distributed by the upstream (â€Å"BBI: Profile for BLOCKBUSTER INC. †, 2006). Personalization and community features are very important. Blockbuster. com should allow film fans to rate films and write reviews to help inform other users. In addition, Blockbuster. com need to have a management team with bags of expertise, which they believe differentiates us from the competition. †¢ Supplier Power Suppliers of the industry generally have little power over the Blockbuster. The prices of inputs are nearly identical for most suppliers and there is no price discrimination because of the widely available substitutes. †¢ Threats of Substitutes The video rental industry is actually facing quite significant threats from various substitutes. Examples of substitutes are: pay-per-view, video-on-demand, streaming on-line videos, etc. All of these alternatives are delivering the same product in a quite similar quality, which means that they contribute notably to the tension within the video rental industry (‘Videotape Rental’, 2004). Barriers of EntryAnalysis of the industry indicated that Blockbuster is actually enjoying significant level of entry barriers. First, as mentioned earlier, the industry generally has a small profit margin, which means that a huge economic of scale is required to create a profitable business. This is caused by the high operational and maintenance costs, profit sharing agreement with studios, etc. Second, Blockbuster enjoyed a positive image due to its long-time presence and its popularity within the US market. Both of these factors ensured the triumph of Blockbuster against any newcomer. Most of these conditions however, are now becoming obsolete. This is true partly due to the presence of internet. As internet shopping becomes more popular, mail-order rentals like Netflix gain notable attention from the market. In addition, Blockbuster made the mistake of not providing enough copies of popular and recent movies, which ultimately get customers to think of going to alternative rentals. Another factor that reduces the entry barrier is the popularity of DCDs over the old VHS which no longer require negotiating revenue gain agreements with studios (Brem, 2002; Wagner, 2003).