Chapter study guide quiz

Articles of confederation These were documents that basically made the 13 colonies separated from KGB and established the US as a confederation Northwest ordinances This was an act of the confederation of the US that stated that the US would continue expansion towards the west Nationalist They preferred strong central government Goals of nationalists: To have their country united under THEIR nation's rule – not to be ruled by some foreign king, Like In many cases.To be able to maintain their own culture, with their win unique national values and customs and not have other cultures forced upon them. To speak their national language. To celebrate and honor their national artists and heroes, their special traditions and holidays, to show the pride of being (whatever nation they are). Instead of saying, â€Å"Oh, I'm from this and that kingdom of this and that king† people would say â€Å"l am French/Hungarian/lateral/whatever†, and be proud of who they are and Ident ify with their nationality, not allowing other nations to press on them and control them at least not without a fight and an attempt of resistance. ; A of yahoo answers Shays rebellion Farmers got mad at government for not passing stay laws Virginia plan Proposed by Randolph and made more open by James Madison Made the three branches of government to keep checks within the republican government to make sure no one had to fear that tyranny or abuse of power was possible 3/5 compromise The three fifths compromise made 3/5 slaves in to every states head count It was later added with this that slave trade would continue for 20 years This was very important to people in the southGeorge mason, a slave owner, spoke passionately about not keeping slaves Electoral college Electoral college were people ho voted on behalf of the state for the new president Came with rules for ties and other situation Constitution Was changed because it supported the rich and more high society people Revolution ary leaders apposed It too so It was changed Nationalists changed to the name federalists Which made the state governments strong The Judiciary act Tariff Bill of rights Hamilton' economic plan Whiskey rebellion The battle of fallen timbers George Washington's farewell address John Jays treaty James Madison

Critically Discuss the Claim That Education Is a Social Determinant of Health, and That It Is Closely Related to Other Determinants of Health. Locate Your Discussion Within an Australian Context.

The social determinants of health are the environments in which people born, live, grow up, work and age. The social factors in that place deal with all types of health illness. Health . The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines ‘health’ as A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health has to do with bodily, mental and social quality of life of people as determined in particular by psychological, societal, and cultural and policy dimensions Education plays a vital role for long term health and quality of life.Education is the essential processes of socioeconomic status and important determinant of health, employment and income. The higher education provides better opportunities in employment for higher income and it also provide knowledge and skills to access health care services for daily healthy life. Good education leads to longer health and well health. Education is an essential component of hea lth that closely related to promote health and prevent diseases. Inadequate education includes poor knowledge which mainly affects the ability to gain information about proper nutrition and preparation of healthy food.Inadequate education reduces the ability of person in occupation and can’t find the well-paying jobs. Education helps to provide the future life capability for selections of occupation and levels of income for healthy and long life. Education helps to develop the skills to manage with daily life problems and the main purpose of health education is too focused on the goals to promote the good health and prevention of disease. The factors of social determinants are healthy living conditions, Education, stress, social exclusion, occupation, age, sex, culture and racism.

The Iliad Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Iliad - Essay Example In many scenes, the warriors or the narrator declare that this is what they are fighting for, not victory but personal honor (VII, 290; XVI, 731). There is often an oddly subtle tone in Homer’s words, implying that while the war is terrible and ugly, it is the only way for this honor to be won, and therefore it is regrettably necessary. Perhaps the clearest single example of this is Priam’s famous declaration to his son Hector that the spear-mangled corpse of a young man, certainly an unpleasant image, is nonetheless by their lights â€Å"seemly† (XXII, 71). A closely-related concept is the honor of obligation, what it is right and proper to do in a given situation. One of the most obvious examples of this is the central falling-out between Achilles and Agamemnon that leads Achilles to go on strike in the first place. Achilles feels that he is entitled to claim Briseis as spoils of war, but Agamemnon says that if he is to be deprived of Chryseis, as king he has t he right to claim another woman lest he not have any spoils at all (I, 120). To modern eyes, questions of protocol over who gets to rape whom don’t seem honorable at all, but at the time, it was a vital enough question that Achilles is ready to kill Agamemnon on the spot over it (I, 191) until Athena intervenes. Fifteen books later, Achilles is still maintaining that Agamemnon’s crime was failure to respect Achilles’ proper rights, and thus he is justified in continuing to sit out the war (XVI, 59). Similarly, there are very strict protocols for the handling of death, the punctilious observance of which is vital at many points in the story. Hector prefigures his eventual fate when he makes his challenge to the Achaeans, making them swear that whoever slays him can keep his armor, but must convey his body back to his family (VII, 80). He repeats this principle as his dying words to Achilles (XXII, 338). Book XXIII is given over entirely to the funerary rites and games for Patroclus, who at that point has been dead since the end of book XVI. It might seem odd, from a standpoint of dramatic structure, to devote nine hundred lines to what amounts to sports commentary when one is nearly at the end of the story. What the inclusion of book XXIII shows us, though, is the pious and correct observance of full funerary rites. Those nine hundred lines of racing and archery and so on are meant as a demonstration of the Achaeans doing the right and proper thing. The two moral wrongs of Achilles, as presented by Homer, are his abandonment of the pursuit of glory (Books I-XVII) and his failure to do the right and honorable thing, particularly in regard to Hector’s body. When Hector begged with his dying breath for decent and honorable treatment of his corpse, Achilles instead spends quite a long time mangling the corpse. This is directly contrary to the will of the gods, as demonstrated by Apollo’s keeping the corpse intact and inviolate (XI V, 20). This makes it both dishonorable and impious, two sins that ensure that Achilles is on the downhill slope to his long-prophesied death. At the juncture of time and the death observances we encounter the concept of kleos, or the glory after death. This is what is promised to Achilles if he chooses a short but glorious life, it is what Hector offers the man who will face him in battle (VII, 90), it is what every Greek hero hopes to win. To be esteemed not only by

Creativity in the classroom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Creativity in the classroom - Essay Example Some teachers may take hands off attitude in terms of not caring whether students concentrate on the subject taught in the classroom. With such an attitude, teachers may engage in ignoring difficult topics they feel may not attract the attention of students. Students on their part, may engage in shifting blame on their teachers for failing or losing interest on a course or subject (Boyer 82). Professors need to come up with creative measures that will enhance the student interest on a subject or course. How one teaches, impacts on the students concentration in the classroom. Teachers need to make the subjects or topics they teach in the classroom more interesting and rewarding for both the teacher and the student. In addition, the teachers need to relate with students in a manner that is informal, prior to beginning a lesson in a classroom setting. This helps in creating a working alliance between the teacher and student in the classroom setting and ease up tensions while teaching su bjects’ students regard as tough to understand. I concur with Boyer on his suggestion that teachers should focus on caring for their students since, it allows students to interact positively with their teachers and concentrate more on what is taught in the classroom. ... s, students lack interest in studying and engage in practices such as cheating in their assignments, they buy term papers and this impacts negatively on the education system (Boyer 85). Professors need to develop personal interest in their student’s progress and related to courses they teach in the classroom. As part of enhancing creativity in the classroom, teachers need to encourage student participation where, the students have the opportunity to speak or reflect their views on the subject being taught. This way, students develop interest to learn more and gain understanding of the subject being taught. It is true that the class size matters in terms of improving student concentration in a class. The moment a class is packed, the teachers are not able to keep track with the student’s performance in class. The only students who benefit in such an environment are the bright students while those struggling in class continue to lose and underperform (Boyer 86). In additi on, a controlled class size provides the teachers with ample time to check on each student’s effort and performance in the class. Quality education require lecturers to focus their concentration on both lower and upper courses. In most colleges, it is a common trend for lecturers not to focus their attention on lower courses and give more attention to the upper division courses. Small class enhance discussions compared to a large size class where the attention span for student is affected by engaging on other distracting activities because the lecturer is unable to keep track of every student in the classroom. As reiterated by Boyer, freshmen need to be taught by finest teachers and small size classes that promotes lively participation in class discussion and improve student interest in their

The Social Basis of Sexuality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Social Basis of Sexuality - Essay Example Human sexual attitudes and behavior vary in different cultural contexts. Adolescents' concept of sex and pregnancy are nurtured by family and society, and different societies give various notions and attitudes toward these topics. Developed countries raise their children - their teenaged women - differently from those in the developing countries. How these young women are informed by their respective societies and media will shape their concept on sexuality and pregnancy. Culture plays a key role. Sexual orientation, attitudes and behavior vary in different cultural contexts. Man's behavior and perception over his physical existence change over time. Family values, training and education vary too as time goes on. What was perceived years ago as immoral maybe generally accepted now in society. Over the years, man's perception of sex also changed. In the media for example, in some societies, women wearing bikinis or showing their cleavages were not shown on television. It's different now. There's wide freedom, the young population are more exposed to sex videos in public. The media is very much "brutal" when sex - and violence - are portrayed. The big responsibility lies on society who must educate their adolescents who are sexually active, at this period of their physical existence. There is not enough education or information campaign, especially in less developed countries. Young girls are much exposed to early sex, hence early pregnancy, much more on sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV transmission.The web site on Advocates For Youth has a portion kno wn as â€Å"Peer Education† which is their effective way addressing the problem on the youth’s sexual health. ... LEARNED IDENTITY The web site on Advocates For Youth has a portion known as "Peer Education" which is their effective way addressing the problem on the youth's sexual health. The young learn much from their peers, or co-students or friends. Since childhood to teenage life to adulthood, man learns from peers. The peers make their influence much and this affects much on a person's concept on sexuality. Peer influence is even more powerful than school, because of the time spent on them, from home to school, to other socialization. Friends and classmates give their influence in a wide arena. Sexual identity is determined in socialization and relationships. Peer influence can determine a person's sexual orientation, more especially on young men and women. Role playing in childhood also gives much influence on the young. In school or at play time, the young is molded of a sexual orientation, or that which he prefers and becomes "at home with." SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS Religion, education, and the family are some of the social institutions that influence much or shape the sexuality of the young, even until adulthood. The textbook, in fact, expresses it more profoundly: they define the sexual expression. Same sex marriages are not allowed in most societies, although some, a few, are already introducing it. "Married couples", that is, gays or lesbians, are then able to live normal lives: enjoy health care benefits or file joint income tax returns. However, elsewhere they can not be simply introduced outright because of the cultural orientation of peoples. There is always the stigma accompanying the sexual preference (of being gay or lesbian). ECONOMIC FORCES As we examine the

THE BEHAVIOUR OF YOUNGSTERS TOWARDS LUXURY PRODUCTS Essay

THE BEHAVIOUR OF YOUNGSTERS TOWARDS LUXURY PRODUCTS - Essay Example Increasing disposable income, information explosion and changing lifestyles have put personal grooming high on the priority list for youngsters worldwide. The present paper discusses what motivates youngsters to purchase luxurious products. The paper takes a literature review approach where the major theories of buyer behavior are discussed in the context of youngsters buying decisions. Consumer buying behavior refers to the buying behavior of the ultimate consumer. A firm needs to study the consumer buying behavior because the buyer's reactions to a firm's marketing strategy have a great impact on the firm's success. Consumer behavior is interdisciplinary in nature, since it is based on the concepts and theories about people that have been developed by scientists in such diverse disciplines as psychology, sociology, social psychology, cultural anthropology, and economics. According to Schiffman and Kanuk (2003), "the process of consumer decision-making can be viewed as three distinct but interlocking stages: the input stage, the process stage, and the output stage". Brands are never cheap and treated as by-word of luxury for many, especially among youngsters. Many feel that brands are image creators and they enhance buyers' prestige and social status. This is one the belief that only the rich and upper-class can afford them as brands have become part of their lifestyle. The basic difference between a brand and a non-brand is a feeling of "trust" that consumers derive when they buy a product. A brand is generally a wholesome approach-it reveals the price, quality, origin, technology and so on. In a wholesome approach, consumers not only trust the brand but also associate lot of things with it like price, image, quality, origin, durability, etc. It has been observed by researchers that the awareness of brands will also have effects on the decisions to purchase certain products within a group of youngsters (Keller, 1993; Hoyer and Brown, 1990). However, well-established brands are purchased using heuristic principle (decision rule) as remarked by Roselius (1971) and Jacoby et al (1977). It is not necessary always that customer spends a lot of time for purchasing in their day-to-day busy schedule. This has been proved in a research by Hoyer (1984). He observed that the average number of item examination (search) is made in a store was only 1.2 before the final decision is made, a study on pre-purchase of laundry powder. But, for items such as toothpastes, coffee etc, consumers take only 12 seconds on an average to take a decision after they have been searched for in the shelf Dickson and Sawyer (1986). It has also been researched that consumers apply 'buy the brand I have heard of' rule of thumb to purchase certain brands to m inimize their cost of purchasing such as time, effort etc. This behavior is apparent in case of brands which are very popular and that needs less efforts to purchase the items (Hoyer and Brown 1990; and Mackay, 1990). 3.0 The role of changing life styles Consumers often choose products, services and activities over others because they are associated with a certain lifestyle. For this reason, lifestyle marketing strategies attempt to position a product by fitting it into an existing pattern of consumption. The relationship of the product used by the consumers has been extensively studied in the past. According to

Differences in Insurance Policies Between American Airlines, Delta Research Paper

Differences in Insurance Policies Between American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines - Research Paper Example In reciprocation, the insurance companies are expected to compensate for damages to the insured. The insurance policies are for meeting certain well defined purposes and have very complicated features and conditions which should be well understood by the person taking insurance cover. In airline transportation, there are various insurance policies which are available to protect the travelers as well as their properties. Nevertheless, difference airline companies have different policies to their customers. Differences in Insurance Policies between American Airline, Delta Airline and United Airline Introduction The airline insurance policies are also referred to as aviation insurance policies. They are insurance policies or insurance covers aimed at enhancing operations in the aircraft as well as protection of the possible risks that accompanies the aviation activities (Lesley and Karl, 2007). There are laws which govern and regulate the policies in the airline operations. The airline policies are always distinct from other protection policies. They are enriched with airline and aviation ideologies, limitation, clauses, and terminologies. The airline companies have several insurance covers to their customers. The policies are identified and defined depending on the frequency of risk in the past. The cost depends on the departure and destination terminals of the customer, the implication of the insured risk, and the distance to be covered by the customer (Lesley and Karl, 2007). The time of travel is also another factor which is important in deciding on the premium to the policy. The luggage’s commuted through airlines are also insured against destruction or loss. Various airline companies have different insurance policies to their customers and also differences protocol for claiming the compensation. The differences are as a result of competition in the airline transportation sector (Lesley and Karl, 2007). The essay below will address various insurance po licies to the customer among American airline, Delta airline and United America airline and the liabilities covered. American Airline insurance cover The company insures the customers who are traveling through the policy called the travel insurance policy. It’s a unique combination of insurance benefits that insures the customer when they are away from home (Lesley and Karl, 2007). The cost of the policy varies depending on the cost and the length of the trip, the customer’s age, and health. The company charges between 5% and 10% of the total vacation cost. The company responsible of granting the insurance policies on behalf of the American airline company is Allianz global assistance (Lesley and Karl, 2007). The travel insurance policy also ensures that, the America airline customers’ valuable products are protected from unexpected circumstances through the liability of baggage protection. Some of the unpredicted situation that the insurances policy covers enta ils; bad weather which can destroy the good in transit, job loss before the return journey, and illness within the vocational period. The liabilities covered by the America airline for its customer under the following insurance policy include strip cancellation liability, trip interruption, baggage’s liabilities, emergency medical transportation, emergency medical and dental liabilities, and loss and damages liabilities (Lesley and Karl,

Impact of school funding on student achievement Essay

Impact of school funding on student achievement - Essay Example In fact, more than $66 billion is said to have been invested in school technology (QED, 2004). This unprecedented level of investment in educational technology has raised expectations of legislators and the public who have been looking for returns on this investment (Benton, 2002; CEO Forum, 1999, 2000), and therefore are calling for evidence regarding the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of technology especially in K-12 schools (Ringstaff & Kelley, 2002; Panel on Educational Technology, 1997; Melmed, 1995). No child left behind (NCLB) requires states to demonstrate that "every student is technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade, regardless of the student's race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, or disability" (U.S. Department of Education, 2001). While NCLB has established an eighth-grade technology literacy requirement, the requirement is not a full statement of knowledge and skills students need nor does it include a mechanism for ensuring accountability (Kay & Honey, in press). Educational funding has been found to be associated with student achievement (Lance (2001), Miller (2002), Siminitus (2002), and Whitington (2002). Generally, that would mean more funding may be able to enhance student achievement. The RAND study findings (Grissmer, et al. 2000) found that when other characteristics, like socio-economic status and family background, are equal, NAEP test scores are higher in states that have: 1) higher per-pupil expenditures, 2) lower pupil-teacher ratio in lower grades, 3) higher percentage of teachers who feel they have adequate resources for teaching, 4) more children in public pre-kindergarten programs, and 5) lower teacher turnover. In the Burke County, North Carolina Research (Pritchard 2000), the Burke County schools in 1995-96 reduced class sizes in first- and second-grade to 15 students per teacher. The study found: 1) increased achievement in both reading and math, and 2) More teacher time devoted to instruction due to fewer discipline problems. The Ohio Education Association in a member survey stated that new educational policies have done more harm than good, while Ohio political leaders have continued to neglect severe funding problems of Ohio public schools (Ohio Education News). The highlights of the 4000 Member Survey include - Only 5% of respondents feel Ohio's school funding system gives every school district equal resources for a quality education for all students. Eighty-seven percent indicated Ohio's system of funding education is fundamentally flawed. Two-thirds feel that their school districts are under-funded, and 93% feel that Ohio schools overall are under-funded. Eighty-nine percent feel the state legislature has failed to solve the state's education funding crisis. Between 85% and 95% of those surveyed feel initiatives like No Child Left Behind, tuition vouchers, and some aspects of high-stakes testing have done more harm than good. Two of other popular researches include the Tennessee STAR Project (Prichard 2000a) which tested the effect of class size on student achievement, where smaller classes outperformed regular classes, and HEROS (Health and Education Research Operative Services) Research (Prichard

Food Culture of Hong Kong Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Food Culture of Hong Kong - Essay Example Other than a short period when the island was under the hands of the Japanese, it has been under the British rule and has grown from its first state to become a great industrial and manufacturing center with many foreign firms relocating to the island. The people of Hong Kong attach great importance to food and express these in many places, including websites and even on Facebook and Twitter. The city has been aptly referred to as the culinary capital of Asia due to the diversities of foods and dishes that are found on restaurant and family tables of Hong Kong. The food culture is one that they attach great importance to what they eat, and take great care in picking it (Anderson, 2005). For example, iced lemon tea is a very common drink in restaurants and it comes in different prices pertaining to the amount of ice or sugar the customer would like, many taking into consideration that a great amount of sugar will make one fat or that more ice will have the customer drinking more water than the lemon tea. The people of Hong Kong are very meticulous in their food display and arrangement, attaching great detail to each food category. A certain type of food arrangement can even be some smaller divisions derived from the main division but have some changes in the ingredients. A type of dish called the ‘Shao Mai’, for example, is made of pork and shrimp wrapped in a thin white layer of flour and displayed in a steamer basket, but however, there are smaller dishes of the same made of purple rice or a very traditional dish of ‘Shao Mai’ made of quail’s eggs as the wrappings (DeWolf et al, 2010). This latter dish has existed through the ages but is becoming outdated, becoming replaced by the other two. The people of Hong Kong generally have no fixed time for eating and, thus, will be found eating very early or very late. The working culture due to industrialization and manufacturing makes them very hard working people who put in

IP1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

IP1 - Essay Example Anderson (n.d.) defines scope of practice as the actions, activities, and procedures permitted by law for a specific profession. Practitioners’ organizations are the ones that usually recommend the contents of the scope of practice. In particular, the scope of practice of certain practitioners in a hospital may also vary from those in another hospital in consideration of the scope of practice established in general. In the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) determines the scope of practice of obstetricians-gynecologists. In its Web site, ACOG (2005) defines the scope of practice of ob-gyn, thus: a discipline dedicated to the broad, integrated medical and surgical care of women's health throughout their lifespan. The combined discipline of obstetrics and gynecology requires extensive study and understanding of reproductive physiology, including the physiologic, social, cultural, environmental and genetic factors t hat influence disease in women. This study and understanding of the reproductive physiology of women gives obstetricians and gynecologists a unique perspective in addressing gender-specific health care issues. Preventive counseling and health education are essential and integral parts of the practice of obstetricians and gynecologists as they advance the individual and community-based health of women of all ages.

Managing and Preserving Electronic Health Records Essay Example for Free

Managing and Preserving Electronic Health Records Essay This proposal discusses how to apply standard and interoperable solutions to manage and preserve electronic health records (lab test results, physician notes, etc.) and migrate, distribute, replicate, and access these records from legacy formats and platforms. Another important thing the proposal discusses is incorporating a technological system that will allow better time management and increase profitability at CorpHealth. Business Problem Statement The business problem to be solved is how to improve time management by improving strategic planning and incorporating new technology that will allow better time management and planning. Also the company currently does not have a system that preserves electronic health records. It is important for the company to start working to create a standard preservation infrastructure to support a wide variety of electronic health records, data formats, and delivery mechanisms as well as identify, evaluate, and integrate standard and best practices in the long-term preservation and management tools to migrate, replicate, and distribute electronic health records. Currently the only technological advance the company uses is the Cholestest LDX system that provides efficient and economical point of care testing for cholesterol and related lipids, and blood glucose serve as diagnostic tools that provide information for immediate risk assessment and therapeutic monitoring of heart disease, inflammatory disorders and  diabetes.allows and improve insight into the financial management aspects of the company for improved strategic planning and performance monitoring. Name of the Company or Organization CORPHEALTH Medical and Wellness Solutions, Inc. Brief Description of Proposed Solution Incorporating new technology at CorpHealth will allow the business to reach out to new customer increase profit and grow technologically. Looking at these issues will help decrease major challenges the Company faces in IT, operations, strategic planning while diminishing the risk on non-compliance regulatory fees. CorpHealth should develop business tailored solutions to incorporate a better strategy that overall will bring growth and stability to the company. General Benefits it will provide the Organization General benefits to the company will mean growth and advancement. The company need to stay ahead of the competition and implementing new marketing strategy in different ways is a great way to attract different clients or new demographics. Implementing new technology will improve the speed and accuracy of diagnoses. Implementing a new system that will allow health information to be safe and secure will allow the current clients and future clients to have peace of mind. Also this will give the Company better access to the information if needed by the Doctor allowing better time management to the Staff. Audience to whom you are presenting the recommendation(s) The audience of this proposal is presented for all CorpHealth personnel. After recommendations are implemented and agreed on who will benefit from it will be the Staff, client and future clients.

Coca Cola Situational Analysis

Coca Cola Situational Analysis We can all proudly say for a beverage brand like Coca-Cola that nobody is unaware of it in the entire globe as it has surely become a household name for all of us. It would be interesting for us to know about its origin prior to know its critical marketing strategies and companys belief to make it up to this stage. Coca-Cola was discovered, we would rather say invented in 1886, just out of curiosity to know what the mixture of certain ingredients does. It was John Pemberton, an Atlanta based pharmacist, who created this amazing mixture of fragrant and caramel coloured liquid. He then took that mixture to the nearest pharmacy to get it carbonated and the thing that came up is now has become a greatest known brand in this world. In the initial stage, Coca-Cola had sold just 9 glasses a day for an entire year. But, a century later it has produced nearly 10 billion gallons of syrup. After just three years of this invention, an Atlanta based businessman Asa Griggs Candler acquired rights of the business and brand in just  £1500. He then became the first official president of Coca-Cola enterprise. As a natural salesperson Asa Candler started marketing the brand in 1893. He found out various brilliant and innovative ideas of promoting the brand. He started distributing promotional coupons for complimentary taste of the beverage, and outfitted distributing pharmacists with clocks, urns, calendars and apothecary scales bearing the Coca-Cola brand. People saw Coca-Cola everywhere, and the aggressive promotion worked. That was the start it needed and successfully achieved. Further the company grown after its expansion to the other parts of US territories and of the world. During its journey from 9 glasses a day to over 9 billion servings a day around the world, Coca-Cola Company has struggled hard over time to safeguard the company and the brand. It has mainly focussed on advertising as their main strategy for expansion. Many brand tags have changed from time to time like Demand the genuine and Accept no Substitute. It was to make customers aware of brands value and keep them away from buying substitute products of Coca-Cola. Market Share Being the biggest company in the soft drink industry, Coca Cola enjoys the largest market share. This company controls about 59% of the world market. Global Market Share The market of the company is geographically vast and it is controlling it with great success. In 2002, the company grew their carbonated soft-drink business by nearly 250 million unit cases and generated record volumes. Because carbonated soft drinks are the largest growth segment within the non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverage category measured by volume, that is why they are focusing more on this and they are continually increasing the pace because they know that accelerating this pace is crucial to their future success. Thus they are increasing their market day by day. The operation income earned by Coca Cola Company can be illustrated by the following pie chart. This strategy has worked a lot and it has helped them to become the Worlds leading Soft Drink Company. The global unit sale of the Coca Cola Company is increasing from the last ten years. The data of the global unit sale of the Coca Cola Company can be represented by following chart. So there is positive growth in the market of the Coca Cola Company. There is a worldwide volume increase by 4% with strong international growth of 5%. This is only due to the innovative marketing programmers, which has deepened the relationship of the customers and Coca Cola. The financial health and success of their bottling partners is a critical component of The Coca-Cola Companys ability to build and deliver leading brands.In 2002, the company had worked with their bottlers to turn good intentions into reality by improving the system economics. The results in 2002 reflect this steadily improving and mutually constructive relationship between the Company and their bottling partners. The main reason behind this relationship is to continue realizing shared opportunities for growth, with closer coordination of operations including customer relationships, logistics and production. Market Share by Area: Coca Cola is the world-renowned soft drink and the company is currently operating throughout the world. The worldwide total is about 17.8 billion. The operation review according to the segments is as follows. Operation Review The volume is least in the Africa and most in the North America. The data about the market share of this company area wise is given in the following table. The above table shows the geographical earning of the Coca Cola Company and from this data; we can find out that the customers of Coca Cola are increasing which is shown by the companys per capita income. Unit case equals 24 eight-ounce servings.  The column, which shows the non-alcoholic beverages consist of commercially, sold beverages, as estimated by the Company based on available industry sources. The country column is derived from The Companys unit case volume while the industry column includes non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages only, as estimated by the Company based on available industry sources. In Asian population, which is the satisfied customer of Coca Cola, is approximately 3.2 billion and the average consumer enjoys close to two servings of our products each month. Through an intense focus on Coca-Cola, innovation and new beverages, the company has achieved volume growth of 10 per cent in 2002. With developing economies and populations, this region has strong long-term potential, and the company is building an exciting family of beverage brands in addition to expanding the popularity of our core brands, led by Coca-Cola. In China, for example, sales of Coca-Cola increased 6 per cent. The total unit case sale of Coca Cola in Asia can be shown by the following pie chart. So the company is emphasizing more in this area and is trying to develop a strategy, which can increase the growth of the consumption of Coca Cola by the people of Asia. Among the countries of Asia, Japan has the highest percentage, which is about 29%. Among others, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are those countries where the average consumption is increasing day by day. PRODUCTS: There are different brands of the Coca Cola Company, which are currently in use through out the world. This company not only deals in the carbonated drinks but also other drinks. While launching its product, the marketing team considers the culture of the country. Major brands of coca cola Coke Sprite Fanta Diet coke Coke classic The overall volume of this company is as follows. The commitment of the company is to devote resources to water only in markets where it expects profitable growth. This strategy has paid dividends. The company has successfully applied its approach to brands in several key markets, including Ciel in Mexico, Mori No Mizudayori in Japan, Bonaqua in Russia and Kinley in India. Backed by a strong network of bottling partners through out the United States, Dasani became the nations fastest-growing water brand. In Eurasia, the entire Turkuaz brand team worked together to launch Turkeys first purified water brand. This year, Coca-Cola Company also successfully energized a major piece of its beverage strategy-water. By the end of 2001, its bottled water volume exceeded 570 million unit cases, making it the second biggest contributor to the growth of the company after carbonated soft drinks. Three of the water brands, Dasani, Ciel and Bonaqua each achieved sales of over 100 million unit cases for the year. In 2001and 2002, the company has also made good progress in coffees and teas. Beverage Partners Worldwide, the renewed and strengthened marketing partnership with Nestlà © S.A., began operations in 2001. This partnership combines Nestlà ©s knowledge in life science, research and development with the expertise of Coca Cola Company in brand building and distribution. At the same time, the company grew Georgia coffee in Japan by 3 percent through award-winning marketing in a category that was flat for the year. Also in Japan-where The Coca-Cola Company is the leader in the total tea category, the second-largest category in the non-alcoholic ready-to-drink segment-it launched Marocha Green Tea. With sales of 46 million unit cases for the year, Marocha Green Tea is the fastest-growing product in the fastest-growing category: green tea. The popularity of Marocha is also recognized by the industry with a leading trade journal naming Marocha the most popular new food and beverage product of the year. STRATEGIC PLANNING In the year 2002, the company had a great success, as the strategy worked which resulted in making Coca Cola Company the worlds leading company. In 2001, company accomplished the crust of its strategy as Worldwide volume increased by 4 percent with strong international growth of 5 percent and clear signs that our North American business is growing solidly and predictable. Earnings per share grew by 82 percent, as we delivered on our commitment to create volume growth while aggressively Return on common equity grew from 23 percent in 2000 to 38 percent this year. Return on capital increased from 16 percent in 2000 to 27 percent in 2001. The company has generated free cash flow of $3.1 billion, up from $2.8 billion in 2000, a clear indication of its underlying financial strength. The strategy for the future of the company is very straightforward. The marketing strategy for the year 2002 is as follows, Accelerate carbonated soft-drink growth, led by Coca-Cola. Selectively broaden the family of beverage brands to drive profitable growth. Grow system profitability and capability together with our bottling partners. Serve customers with creativity and consistency to generate growth across all channels. Direct investments to highest potential areas across markets. Drive efficiency and cost-effectiveness everywhere. MAJOR COMPETITOR PEPSI INTERNATIONAL HISTORY PepsiCo is a world leader in convenient foods and beverages, with revenues of about $27 billion and over 143,000 employees. The company consists of the snack businesses of Frito-Lay North America and Frito-Lay International; the beverage businesses of Pepsi-Cola North America, Gatorade/Tropicana North America and PepsiCo Beverages International; and Quaker Foods North America, manufacturer and marketer of ready-to-eat cereals and other food products. PepsiCo brands are available in nearly 200 countries and territories. Many of PepsiCos brand names are over 100-years-old, but the corporation is relatively young. PepsiCo was founded in 1965 through the merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay. Tropicana was acquired in 1998 and PepsiCo merged with The Quaker Oats Company, including Gatorade, in 2001.would entertain the listener with the latest musical selections rendered by violin or piano or both. The new name, Pepsi Cola, is derived from the two of the principle ingredients, Pepsin and Kola Nuts. It was first used on the August 28. At that time, Bradhams advertising praises his drink as Exhilarating, invigorating, aids digestion. 1990-2002 The advertisement of the Pepsi changes to, You got the right choice baby, Uh-Huh! .With the extensive usage of the stars in the ads, the popularity of Pepsi increase. In 1992 Pepsi-Cola formed a partnership with Thomas J. Lipton Co. Today Lipton is the biggest selling ready-to-drink tea brand in the United States. Outside the United States, Pepsi-Cola Companys soft drink operations include the business of Seven-Up International. Pepsi-Cola beverages are available in more than 190 countries and territories. In Asia, they selected Lahore to make their regional office. This was done in 1970. This regional office is monitoring all the operations carried out in South West Asia. As in Pakistan, they only entered beverage industry. They have eleven bottlers covering whole Pakistan. The plant operating here is Riaz Bottlers (Pvt) LTD. This plant was established at Lahore in 1974. The total capacity of the plant is 30,000 cases per day. They have four filling lines in the plant operating on the three shift bases. Each shift is of eight hours. They have permanent work force of 750 people and them employee approximately 1000 people more on temporary basis during summer season. Pepsis Products Pepsi Teem Mirinda Pepsi Max Pepsi Lemon Pepsi Blue Mountain Dew 7up PROMISE OF COKE The basic proposition of our business is simple, solid and timeless. When we bring refreshment, value, joy and fun to our stakeholders, then we successfully nurture and protect our brands, particularly Coca-Cola. That is the key to fulfilling our ultimate obligation to provide consistently attractive returns to the owners of our business. TARGET MARKET Cokes commercials basically based on young generations, So, the young generation is the target market of Coke because they want to represent Coke with the youth and energy but they also consider about the old people they take then as a co-target market. MAJOR SEGMENTS Major segments are basically those people who take this drink daily and those areas where the demands is higher then the other areas. There are so many people who take this drink daily and those people who take weekly and those who take less often are always there as well. So, their basic segments are those people who take this drink regularly. FACTORS AFFECTING SALES There are so many factors, which affects the sale of coke. Here we are discussing three major factors which effects coke. Per capita income Competitors Weather Per Capita Income First we will discuss about Per capita income. This is major factor that affects the sale of this soft drink. Because which every passing year budgets are becoming very strict and tight in order to purchase things. So the disposable incomes of the people are coming down. They spend heavily on rents, utilities, and education and basic necessities and after that when they get extra money they think about this soft drink .So the decreasing per capita income effects badly in selling and production of this soft drink. And to get through with this difficulty there is need to increase the level of per capita income of Pakistan because it is much lesser than the rest of the countries. Competitors Cokes major competitor is PEPSI and there is no hesitation to say this because everyone knows that and all the other cold drinks and water, coffee, tea is the competitors. Weather Weather is the third major factor in effecting the Cokes selling. This is underdeveloped market so the cokes consumption in summers is 60% and in winters is 40%. MAJOR CUSTOMERS NEED First of all the majority dont care that what they are going to have. In other words, they dont care before drinking that whether it is Pepsi or coke. They dont actually differentiate between these two brands in order to their tastes. Consumers basically drink what they get. They believe on WHAT COLD THEY SOLD Consumers availability in brands is basically works like: Push availability Pull consumers demand. For this reason, Coca-Cola has provided their coolers and freezers in the market. They have maximum number of coolers and freezers in the market. They provide this infrastructure free of cost just to provide child coke to their customer, which they want to be purchase. Their salesman and mechanics regularly visit all the shops where coke has its infrastructure to check that either it is in proper condition or not, if not then they immediately change or repair it. STRATEGIES OF QUALITY After Micro and macro analysis Brand coke is primarily role Enhance competition moments When people watch cricket Through commercialization Fun time Though these strategies, there could be better understanding and better connection with the public. These are the key consumption. THREATS FROM COMPETITORS Threats are well planned. Price is the major threat. When price goes certain beyond the exact price whether come down or go higher its effects the consumption of soft drink. Because when the price goes higher people go for the substitute of coke i.e. Pepsi. And when price goes down they think that there is must be something wrong in it. In short it all depends on customers perception. TARGETS THAT WOULD LIKE TO ATTAIN Every organization runs on the bases of profit maximization so Coke is also looking for a high profit margin. There are three major ways of making money Overnight profit Windfall profit Ethical and un-ethical ways Over Night Profits They could be overnight profit that is for the number 1 brand for the year. This could be got my increasing sales volume Windfall Profit There can be windfall profit. They are the extras profit. When the consumption is on boom. So, there is different kind of profits. Ethical and Unethical Ways Profit can also get through ethical and unethical ways. They believe on this quote Everything is fare in love and war. Some profits stays for some time like overnight profits and some just come and go like wind fall profits. And they can also get profit through different approaches. EXPANDING TARGET MARKET In last 2 years Coke has come back in aggressive manner. Consumer has choice Attractive brand name Brand differentiating Consumer Has Got Choice Now the consumer has got choice. Because now they know the name of another big brand, though coke is the 2nd best name but it can get a better position after some time Attractive Brand Name Now the consumers know the Name of Coke, because Coke is the name, which is the most popular after the word ok. So people can better differentiate brands with each other. Brand Differentiation Now different companies have got different brand names. So, people can distinguish between brands. Two major brands coke and Pepsi also have brand names. Coca Colas Brand Coca cola is US brand. Because they believe in the togetherness, being people together and friends are being together. Coca Cola strongly believes that Pakistani temperament is US not ME Pepsis Brand Pepsis brand is basically is basically ME branded. They use the temperament of ME. In contrast to Coke they believe on individual struggle. THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRICE Opportunities If Coke is considered a luxury product. Then there is the tax rate system 15% sales tax 20% excise duty 27% goes to government 03% In making Budget After paying all these taxes coke has to pay electricity charges. We have to spend on distributions. After paying all these expenses Cokes margin squeezed and consumers have to pay for increasing tariffs. These are the opportunities through which we can increase the price and can get profits. Threats There are much more threats in increasing prices. Because same problem of substitute. If Coke increase the price lets say 1 rupee. Then people definitely wont go for coke. They have the best substitute of Coke that is Pepsi. So these are the threats in increasing prices. Coke will lose the margin of its profit and can face loss. STRATEGIES OF GETTING GOALS I.E. HIGH PROFITS To increase the price is the least thing, which Coke can adopt. There are so many ways through which Coke can increase the profits. Some major ways are as follows. Volume can be increased Interest level of consumers To take part in energetic festivals How to increase the volume of consumers? Coke can increase the volume by expanding the industry of coke. Through advertisements, offering different interesting things to attract people towards this product. How to increase the interest level of consumers? Coke is increasing the interest level of consumers by offering different flavors. For example Coke is increasing the number of flavors in Fanta, this is one of the product of coke. Through offering different flavors Coke can increase the Level of consumers and through this profits can be gained. How to take part in energetic festivals? Coke is already taking part in the festival like Basant since last 3 years. Coke offers different attractive things in their festival and through this Coke gained high profit and consumption of coke increased on these occasions. And this year in this year 2002 people were anxiously waiting that what interesting thing coke is going to offer. MARKETING STRATEGY Our local marketing strategy enables Coke to listen to all the voices around the world asking for beverages that span the entire spectrum of tastes and occasions. What people want in a beverage is a reflection of who they are, where they live, how they work and play, and how they relax and recharge. Whether youre a student in the United States enjoying a refreshing Coca-Cola, a woman in Italy taking a tea break, a child in Peru asking for a juice drink, or a couple in Korea buying bottled water after a run together, were there for you. We are determined not only to make great drinks, but also to contribute to communities around the world through our commitments to education, health, wellness, and diversity. Coke strives to be a good neighbor, consistently shaping our business decisions to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we do business. Its a special thing to have billions of friends around the world, and we never forget it. MARKET POSITIONING Product Range The total range of Coca Cola company in Pakistan includes: Coke. Sprite. Fanta. Diet Coke. And company offers their products in different bottle sizes these includes: SSRB (standers size returnable bottle) LRB (litter returnable bottle) NRB (no return bottle) or disposable bottle PET 1.5 (1.5 litter plastic bottle) CANS (tin pack 330 ml) Packing Coca cola products are available in different packing 24 regular bottle shell 6 bottle pack for 1.5 pets 12 bottles in a pack for disposable bottle 24 cans in one pack. PRICE STRATEGY Trade Promotion Coca cola company gives incentives to middle men or retailers in way a that they offer them free samples and free empty bottles, by this these retailers and middle man push their product in the market. And thats why coca cola seen more in the market. And they have a good sale in the market because according to the expert which product seen more in the market that sells more. Seen as sold They do agreements with a shop keepers and stores to exclusive sale in that stores. These stores are called as KEY accounts in their local language. And coke also invest heavy budget on these stores and offers them free samples and free bottles and some time cash incentives. Different Price In Different Seasons Some times Coca Cola Company change their product prices according to the season. Summer is supposed to be a good season for beverage industry in Pakistan. So in winter they reduce their prices to maintain their sales and profit. But normally they reduce the prices of their pet bottles or 1 litter glass bottle. PROMOTION STRATEGIES Getting shelves They gets or purchase shelves in big departmental stores and display their products in that shelves in that style which show their product more clear and more attractive for the consumers. Eye Catching Position Salesman of the coca cola company positions their freezers and their products in eye-catching positions. Normally they keep their freezers near the entrance of the stores. Sale Promotion Company also do sponsorships with different college and schools cafes and sponsors their sports events and other extra curriculum activities for getting market share. UTC Scheme UTC mean under the crown scheme, coca cola often do this type of scheme and they offer very handy prizes in it. Like once they offer bicycles, caps, tv sets, cash prizes etc. This scheme is very much popular among children. DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS Coca Cola Company makes two types of selling Direct selling Indirect selling Direct Selling In direct selling they supply their products in shops by using their own transports. They have almost 450 vehicles to supply their bottles. In this type of selling company have more profit margin. Indirect Selling They have their whole sellers and agencies to cover all area. Because it is very difficult for them to cover all area of Pakistan by their own so they have so many whole sellers and agencies to assure their customers for availability of coca cola products. FACILITATING THE PRODUCT BY INFRASTRUCTURE For providing their product in good manner company has provided infrastructure these includes: Vizi cooler Freezers Display racks Free empty bottles and shells for bottles ADVERTISEMENT Coca cola company use different mediums Print media Pos material Tv commercial Billboards and holdings Print Media They often use print media for advertisement. They have a separate department for print media. POS Material Pos material mean point of sale material this includes: posters and stickers display in the stores and in different areas. TV Commercials As everybody know that TV is a most common entertaining medium so TV commercials is one of the most attractive way of doing advertisement. So Coca Cola Company does regular TV commercials on different channels. Billboards And Holdings Coca cola is very much conscious about their billboards and holdings. They have so many sites in different locations for their billboards. EXPECTATIONS FOR THE COMING YEAR Every thing starts from the attitude of consumers behavior. And the basic key to attract the consumers is to throw the money away. And positive feeling felling with the brand, which they used to have Coke wants to advertise their products heavily in the coming year. And it will take the 10% of their profits. And when we take it as a global level it is $ I billion. Coming year is the challenging year for the industry of Coke. They have to take lots of decisions that how to increase the production and where they have to spend money. For gaining success in coming year they have to have some important things like: Loyal consumers are important for companys success. Workers should be the brand centric not the promotion centric. They should know how much to for the brand activities. They should also know that how much to do with the promotion activities for brand. HOW COKE DETERMINE THE YEARLY BUDGET Coke determines its yearly budget by the Sales volume Profitability Target volume Sales Volume Coke determines its yearly budget through the sales volume. They first concentrate on the thing is what is the condition of their sales? if the condition is good of their sales then they definitely increase their production and sales volume. Otherwise they concentrate on their old strategies. Profitability: The second thing through which they determines budget is the profit .if they r getting profits with the high margin, then they definitely want to increase their profits in the next coming year. Every organization runs on the basis of getting high profits. No organization wants to face Loss in their business. To get profit is the first priority of the Coke. Target Volume: To run the business every industry has some targets, which they want to achieve in a specific time period. If industry achieves those goals in that period then for the coming year it increases the volume of the target. So Coke Follow the same thing it has also some goals and targets to achieve in the given time period. When they succeed to achieve that target then they increase their target volume in the next year.

Individual Behaviour And Influence On Society

Individual Behaviour And Influence On Society Sociology is defined as the study of social life of human beings. It helps social analysts to understand the working of human beings and society (Moore Kelly, 2008). Relationship between the individual and society has formed the major basis of sociological principles. George Ritzers Integration model: Ritzers model is a good example of sociological theory based on integrationist approach. It combines both macro and micro level theories in it. According to him, there are four highly interdependent elements in the society which are a macro objective component, a micro objective component, a macro subjective component, a micro subjective component. This theory is beneficial in understanding the society in both objective and subjective levels. It also aims at understanding the society norms and individual benefits from the society (Ritzer et al., 2003). Adapted from (Ritzer et al., 2003) According to this theory, all the four components are distinct and interdependent to influence the society. It emphasizes that individuals can change cultural norms and society according to their behaviour. Behaviour of the individual doesnt essentially influence the society. However certain habits may create positive or negative effect on the society. When a individual tries and modifies their bodies away from the knowledge of the society, it makes no difference. However, when individual tries to modify the society by habits and behaviour, it creates a social impact. According to Ann swindler, ideology is a determining factor for influencing empowerment in the society and body modification is one such ideology. Body modification increased rapidly in the western countries over the years and slowly spreading to other countries as a trend of fashion. Body modification refers to changes to the external appearance of the body by using devices or fashion to change the body rapidly or gradually. Some of the body modifications include tattooing, piercing, cutting, branding, inserting rings or studs to ears, navel, nose, eye brows (Featherstone, 1999). Body modification can also be extended to the practices such as gymnastics, dieting and physical exercising techniques to alter the existing body structure. These modifications are gradually occurring and take a period of time to get noticeable (Featherstone, 1999). Use of technology in body modifications is another additional practice, and this includes wearing spectacles for clear vision, using hearing aids and various body implants at heart, kidney and skin surfaces. Use of these modifications is necessary in normal functioning of a body in absence of regular controlled physiological process. When the body tends to become weak or unable to resist changes, these technological devices and nano technological products are used within or over the body to improve health condition and reduce pain in human beings (Featherstone, 1999). Science and fiction influence body modification procedures indirectly by fascination and intention to follow or copy. Films are the major sources of science fiction and some of them include Robocop (Paul Verhoeven, 1987), Blade runner (Michael Deeley and Ridley Scott, 1982). Some of the films also emphasized on cyberspace and its influences which markedly improved fashion sense of human beings (William Gibson, 1986). Media and magazines are alternatively cheaper resources to human beings which influence fashion. These resources create a cultural impact on human beings to adapt very commonly to makeovers and changeovers. Cultural aspects of the society have been gradually changing through media (Featherstone, 1982, 1991). Society tends to copy the fashion culture and adapts to it rapidly. Clothing is one such example, which changed over the years from extensive heavy clothing to lighter loose clothing exposing the skin (Bourdieu, 1978; Featherstone, 1987). However, these changes could create a wrong social and cultural impact on the society when wrongly used and interpreted in certain circumstances (Lloyd, 1996). One of the major body modifications noticed almost everywhere is body building in men and dieting practices in women to change their body pattern to an entirely different look. According to Lee Monaghan, Males tend to in habitat the culture of musculature increasingly and depend on gym and training centres to shape out the body. They tend to adapt these changes to gain the attention of women and society. Females, on the other hand are in a trend of zero-size and slim versions and depend drastically on gym and dieting centres to shred the extra fat away (Featherstone, 1999). These attempts by the society although improves the heath and physique of an individual, it also brings some deleterious changes in the human body. Some of the changes include unimaginable body shapes after rigorous work outs and change in the feminine body structure in females. According to Roberta, not every body reacts in the similar manner to technology and exercise. Some bodies tend to improve and some tend t o become abnormal in look and sense. In certain women, changeovers and makeovers could lead to deleterious effects such as change in feminine features (Doug Aaoki, 1996). She describes the use of lipsticks and feminine aids to restore the lost feminity. Regardless of all these attempts, it appears as gender crossing dressing to the society (St Matin and Gavey, 1996). Many of the body modifications are irreversible and hence care should be taken in order to adapt to them. Many of the body modifications are based on changing culture and fashion. Improving with fashion is different from complete transformation. Many of the body modifications cannot be reversed and irreversible body modifications are a risk to try (Paul sweetman). Sweetman describes that fashion trends vary from person to person and permanence of fashion depends on the type of body modifications he is willing to adapt. According to Polhemus and Procter (1978), body modifications are anti-fashion trend followed in modern days and is a means of escapism to avoid the traditional attire. Giddens (1991) supports the context by description of body project whereby tradition is dissolved in modern times with relevant excuse of fashion trends. Positive influence of body modifications on the society: Body modifications are seen as positive phenomenon by various sociologists. Many of them describe it as growing modern with the changing world. Shildrick describes that society tends to change rapidly and body modification is an enhancement procedure to individualise and identify ones own self separately and uniquely. The positive aspect of modifying body according to the latest trends to inculcate modernity in the system is appreciated by many modern sociologists. In addition, Society has gained a lot from using certain body modifications to ease their lifestyle (Featherstone, 1999). Use of spectacles and hearing aids has improved style of living with betterment. Adventures in surgical and clinical field by body implants of heart, kidney and artificial limbs have created a milestone. Use of these clinical modifications reduced mortality rate and improved longetivity of life (Featherstone, 1999). Use of artificial limbs has paved an ease of lifestyle for the physically challenged people. This improved their lifestyle and increased chances of competition and survival in complex modern life. Body project as described by Giddens (1991) is complex and scrutinising the body projects by individuals for their own benefit has become a common practice in modern times. Use of clinical, scientific body modifications for the individual benefit is encouraged by many socialists and has become a common practice in all the places of the world. According to Virilio, body modifications are part of third technological revolution (Armitage, 1999). Negative influence of body modifications on the society: Some sociologists have rightly said that great inventions or developments are always followed by potential risk to the society. The modern society has incorporated many body modifications as a part of their lifestyle. Many sociologists discuss that although human beings neglect the fast pace of time, time is always reflected in the body change (Featherstone, 1999). Society has imbibed the craze of fashion and body modifications to the maximum and these changes tend to be irreversible and deleterious in certain conditions. One of the most objectionable body modifications is cutting and piercing. Insertion of studs and rings to various parts of the body has become a common practice in modern days. Victoria Pitts argues that body modification is seen as factor of mutilation by the media and severely leads to certain mental disorders. Irvine Walsch (1993) describes the body modification as a craze and addiction to the society. Conclusion: In the modern era, body modification and fashion have become a common trend. Society has reacted to the new change increasing over the period of time. Although there is a positive impact of the new change in the society, the negative phenomenon is also associated along with it. Sociologists have mixed reactions to the change. The positive factor considered is reformation in medicine and improvement of human beings. The negative impact associated with it is craze, addiction and racism associated with the new fashion trend.

National Defense: A Political Perspective Essay -- essays research pap

National Defense: A Political Perspective   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The defense of our nation has always been a strong issue throughout America’s political history. Although our nation has not existed a long period of time, our country has had to take up arms to make the world safe for democracy many times. Liberals and conservatives are also constantly up in arms over the issue of the best way to defend the country.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the foremost issues in the ongoing debate is that of a Ballistic Missile Defense program. The idea was first pitched during the tense period of the Cold War. Colin Powell, a prominent conservative, saw Missile Defense â€Å"at the time the time not as a Utopian dream but as a useful way of throwing a scare into the war planners of the Soviet Union†(Keller, 1). Typically, Republicans as far back as Ronald Reagan have embraced the idea of a â€Å"Shield† against the hostile intentions of any nation with ballistic missiles, but many remain skeptical of a technological dependence that such a system would incur. George W. Bush believes in a limited Missile Defense program, but in order to institute advanced testing of the technology, a way around the A.B.M. treaty would have to be found. This treaty was made in order to reduce the nuclear arsenal of both Russia and the United States. Conservatives generally embrace the program as a viable solution to one of the nation’s top priority’s in homeland defense.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ...

fahrenheit 9/11 :: essays research papers

1. Although most journalists would state that their main objective in reporting on a story is to maintain impartial, this with the onset of cable news stations as well as the internet has become increasingly rare. Cable news stations such as CNN and FOX news are increasingly influenced by the politicians and corporations which control most of their funding. As Michael Moore states in his documentary â€Å" Fahrenheit 9/11†, which ironically is another good example of bias in the media, the man in charge of Fox News’ decision desk on election night was none other then George Bush’s first cousin. I would seem impartially may be compromised in this situation. To say that the media worked together with the media to promote the Iraq war may be an exaggeration, however the media in know way held the government responsible for the fraud that they committed in invading Iraq. The media, whether knowingly or not, promoted the Bush Administrations agenda in Iraq by arousin g overwhelming feelings of nationalism in the American people. It then became unpopular, or un-american to oppose the war. In the case of the Iraq war the media failed to properly fulfill its responsibility of maintaining accountability in government as well as most importantly reporting in an impartial style. Saddam Hussein was a dictator, who through intimidation and force maintained his grasp on power. These are tactics used by many governments throughout the world, ironically including the Amercian government. Saddam had a history of human rights violations and corruption, although compared to other international leaders his transgressions can be considered moderate. For example, in countries such as Rwanda and Sudan far more extreme measures have been taken by leaders, while the international community did little. The Iraq war is based far more upon oil and power then it is freedom. Seemingly, the Bush Administration and their corporate allies saw an opportunity to control the world’s second largest supply of oil and thus, like any savvy businessman would do, exploited it.

United States Men’s National Soccer Team

While rival drug cartels warred in the streets and the country’s murder rate climbed to highest in the world, the Colombian national soccer team set out to blaze a new image for their country. What followed was a mysteriously rapid rise to glory, as the team catapulted out of decades of obscurity to become one of the best teams in the world. Central to this success were two men named Escobar: Andrà ©s, the captain and poster child of the National Team, and Pablo, the infamous drug baron who pioneered the phenomenon known in the underworld as â€Å"Narco-soccer.† But just when Colombia was expected to win the 1994 World Cup and transform its international image, the shocking murder of Andres Escobar dashed the hopes of a nation. Through the glory and the tragedy, The Two Escobars daringly investigates the secret marriage of crime and sport, and uncovers the surprising connections between the murders of Andres and Pablo. Personal Statement Our films tend to focus on disenfranchised communities in the process of rising up and transforming their political and economic circumstances. We choose these stories due to the scale of their historic importance—this is where societies are shaped. By comparison, sports have often felt like mere diversion, games limited to the playing field. At times, we have both drifted from the passion for sports we shared as young athletes and fans, engaging ourselves in other endeavors as seasons of professional competition passed by. Then, invariably, definitive moments in sports history would grab our attention and turn our logic upside down. Like in 1994, when an athlete named Andres Escobar was murdered for accidentally scoring an own goal that cost the Colombian National Team a chance at winning the World Cup and transforming its negative image on the international stage. Here was a country with a national identity so integrally connected to the success of its soccer team that one mistake on a playing field dashed the pride of an entire nation and cost a man his life. Looking into the incident, we learned that the dramatic rise and fall of Colombian soccer was inextricably tied to the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar’s Medellà ­n Drug Cartel, considered by many the ‘ruling party’ of Colombia at the time. Sport in Colombia was not only mirroring the personality and politics of society, but also an inseparable part of that society – the playing field an extension of the streets and offices where influential decisions are made. On our journey through diverse walks of Colombian society during production, it became clear that this was far from a classic â€Å"deal-with-the-devil† narrative. Rather, this was the story of the passions and dreams of a people intrinsically tied to the rise and fall of a team. Stories such as this revive our childhood fascination with sports and confirm the fundamental role they play in shaping our world.

John Locke”S Social Contract Theory Essay

This paper analyzes the social contract theory of John Locke and how his values are consistent with the criminal justice system and private security settings of today. It will further discuss whether or not Locke’s’ values and principles apply to both criminal justice and private security venues. I will also summarize the major differences of the social contract theories; identify the key principles associated with Locke’s social contract theory; identify how these principles are inculcated in the U. S. Bill of Rights; identify how these principles play out in the criminal justice system and security settings of today and finally describe freedom in relationship to personal rights and ethical standards and obligations. To begin with, Locke’s theory is one in which he felt that man should have individual freedom and rights, which for all intense purposes equates to what democracy is in modern times. He believed in the concept of individual freedoms and government, also known as liberalism. He had a great respect for man’s moral judgment and thought that men were all â€Å"pleasant chaps†. Locke’s’ ideals were that of a capitalist mentality, and exercised perfect freedom in relation to fulfilling financial interests. He believed in an orderly society in which we should leave the state of affairs in every man’s hands within that orderly society. And last but certainly not least, he believed in separation of powers and in the system of checks and balances. How is liberalism in the criminal justice system today? We are very fortunate to live in a time where we can exercise our own individual thoughts. As I Iook at the criminal justice system of today, I believe that our right to have freedom of speech goes a long way in helping to make decisions based on who we should follow and what we feel is right and wrong. In order to see the major differences of the social contract theories, we must take a look at the major theories as a whole. Well to begin with, Hobbes believed in the absolute power of kings. He also believed in the â€Å"state of nature† which said that all individuals were naturally equal. He thought that they should do whatever they needed to do to survive. As a result, everyone suffered from continued fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man was solidary; poor; nasty; poor; brutish, and short. He believed that the government was a leviathan that would swallow up the people. His government was headed by the king and that king was better than a group. He warned against the church meddling in the king’s affairs and felt that the king was more powerful than God. He felt that the people should obey the king or choose to die. The other schools of thought came from what are called the enlightenment group which is comprised of Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. They wanted to improve human conditions on earth. They generally valued natural rights as well as reason, religious tolerance, and science. We’ll begin with Locke. Locke agreed with Hobbs about the state of brutality and the natural law, but disagreed with other points. First, he felt that man by nature was a social animal. He believed that the natural right of an individual could never be taken away or even voluntarily given away. In the state of nature, men mostly kept their promises and honored their obligations, and though insecure, they were mostly peaceful, good, and pleasant. According to Locke, the natural rights of individuals limited the power of the king thus he did not have absolute power as Hobbes said, but acted only to enforce and protect the natural rights of the people. Although Locke spoke out for freedom of thought, speech and religion, he believed property to be the most important natural right. Rousseau felt that man was essentially good – â€Å"a noble savage† in the state of nature. This goes back to when there were mainly animals roaming around and the condition of man was uncivilized. Once societal standards came along, he felt that man became unhappy because society was artificial and corrupt. He felt that furthering society would be the cause of more unhappiness. He believed that the advancement of the arts and sciences did not benefit mankind. On the other hand, progress of knowledge made government more powerful and crushed individual liberty. He felt that the material progress had actually undermined the possibility of sincere friendship, replacing it with jealousy, fear and suspicion. He felt that we could secure freedom regardless of the will of the majority. In some respects he agreed with Locke, but he also felt that the community should be in charge. He was an idealistic thinker who derived the â€Å"We the People† in the constitution. He felt that religion divided and weakened the state. Montesquieu believed that all things were made up of rules and laws that never changed. He believed that there were three types of government: monarchy, ruled by a king, a republic, ruled by an elected leader and a despotism, ruled by a dictator. Of these, he believed that a government elected by the people was the best form of government. Along this line, he believed that the success of a democracy (a government in which the people have the power) depended upon maintaining the right balance of power. He further believed that all people were not equal and he approved of slavery. He felt that women were the weaker sex and should obey their husbands but also felt that women had the ability to function in government feeling that they had a calm gentleness that were helpful qualities in the decision making processes in government. Thomas Hobbes (1651), John Locke (1689), and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1762) are the most famous social contract thinkers. Each drew quite different conclusions about the nature of political authority. Hobbes advocated absolute monarchy, Locke advocated natural rights, and Rousseau advocated collective sovereignty in the name of the general will. The Lockean concept of the social contract was invoked in the United States Declaration of Independence, which clearly states, â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the Governed†¦. â€Å",. The key principles associated with Locke’s theory are that in their natural state humans are drawn to doing good over evil; that they naturally know right from wrong, and that naturally humans prefer peace over chaos. His views are justly stated as (1) that all men are created equal; (2) that our rights are given divinely by our creator; (3) that government exists to secure and protect those rights, and (4) government exists by the consent of the governed, namely you and I. These principles play out with relation to the criminal justice system and private security setting of today by attempting to maintain peace and justice over chaos, and by helping society to live in its natural state. It is also within our realm to be fair and just with our response to crimes. One such specification is that we should be swift, balanced and just in our reaction to crimes and criminal behavior. Along these lines, it is essentially important that, for example, we decide on an appropriate punishment for the exercise of a capital punishment such as murder and rape. Locke set forth the view that the state exists to preserve the natural rights of its citizens. When governments fail in that task, citizens have the right and sometimes the duty to withdraw their support and even to rebel. Locke’s social contract theory inculcated in The U. S. Bill of Rights by his argument that governments, by virtue of the ‘social contract,’ are responsible for protecting the natural rights (life, liberty, and ownership of property) of citizens and he was in favor of participation of the people in government affairs, and their input is clearly embedded in the Declaration of Independence of 1776. We know that the Bill of Rights stipulated freedom of speech and prohibited cruel and unusual punishment. And finally freedom in relationship to personal rights and ethical standards and obligations has to do with our long list of personal freedoms and the ability to carry them out. We have the right to speak, to go where and when we want; we can go to work; go to church, we have the right to worship a God of our choosing; and we have the right to pursue happiness as stated in the U. S. Constitution. References Wikipedia: Thomas Hobbs Wikipedia: John Locke Wikipedia: Charles Montesquieu Wikipedia: Jean-Jacques Rousseau www. billofrightsinstitute. org www. lampstandfoundation,org/criminaljusticeprinciples www. rjgeib. com/thoughts/montesqui.

Disembowelment In Japanese History

Honor was defined in Dr Johnson’s Dictionary in several senses. The first sense described honor as â€Å"nobility of soul, magnanimity, and a scorn of meanness. † This sort of honor derives from the perceived virtuous conduct and personal integrity of the person endowed with it. On the other hand, Johnson also defined honor in relationship to â€Å"reputation† and â€Å"fame†; to â€Å"privileges of rank or birth†, and as â€Å"respect† of the kind which â€Å"places an individual socially and determines his right to precedence.†This sort of honor is not so much a function of moral or ethical excellence, as it is a consequence of power. Finally, for women, according to Dr Johnson, honor is synonymous with â€Å"chastity†. On the other hand, dishonor means loss of honor, respect, or reputation; the condition of having lost honor or good repute. Many Japanese heroes choose to engage in disembowelment because it forms the way of gr aceful suicide by a samurai in Japan. By this method, samurais are deemed to be free from the dishonor. A samurai is a professional warrior belonging to the Japanese feudal military aristocracy.Disembowelment or evisceration is the removing of some or all of vital organs, usually from the abdomen. The results are, in virtually all cases, fatal. It has historically been used as a severe form of capital punishment. The last organs to be removed were invariably the heart and lungs so as to preserve the victim's life force for the full procedure. In Japan, disembowelment also formed part of the method of execution of or graceful suicide by a samurai. In killing themselves by this method, they were deemed to be free from the dishonor resulting from their crimes.The most common form of disembowelment was referred to in Japanese as seppuku (where the term â€Å"hara-kiri,† literally â€Å"stomach cutting,† is regarded as vulgar), involving two cuts across the abdomen, sometim es followed by pulling out one's own innards. The act of beheading, in most cases by one's best servant, was added to this ritual suicide in later times in order to shorten the suffering of the samurai or leader, an attempt at rendering the ritual more humane. In the English language, hara-kiri and seppuku are often treated as synonyms.Seppuku was a key part of bushido, the code of the samurai warriors; it was used by warriors to avoid falling into enemy hands, and to attenuate shame. Samurai could also be ordered by their daimyo (feudal lords) to commit seppuku. Later disgraced warriors were sometimes allowed to commit seppuku rather than be executed in the normal manner. Since the main point of the act was to restore or protect one's honor as a warrior, those who did not belong to the samurai caste were never ordered or expected to commit seppuku. Samurai women could only commit the act with permission.In his book The Samurai Way of Death, Samurai: The World of the Warrior (ch. 4) , Dr. Stephen Turnbull states: Seppuku was commonly performed using a tanto. It could take place with preparation and ritual in the privacy of one's home, or speedily in a quiet corner of a battlefield while one’s comrades kept the enemy at bay. In the world of the warrior, seppuku was a deed of bravery that was admirable in a samurai who knew he was defeated, disgraced, or mortally wounded. It meant that he could end his days with his transgressions wiped away and with his reputation not merely intact but actually enhanced.The cutting of the abdomen released the samurai’s spirit in the most dramatic fashion, but it was an extremely painful and unpleasant way to die, and sometimes the samurai who was performing the act asked a loyal comrade to cut off his head at the moment of agony. Sometimes a daimyo was called upon to perform seppuku as the basis of a peace agreement. This would weaken the defeated clan so that resistance would effectively cease. Toyotomi Hideyoshi used an enemy's suicide in this way on several occasions, the most dramatic of which effectively ended a dynasty of daimyo forever, when the Hojo were defeated at Odawara in 1590.Hideyoshi insisted on the suicide of the retired daimyo Hojo Ujimasa, and the exile of his son Ujinao. With one sweep of a sword, the most powerful daimyo family in eastern Japan was put to an end. In time, committing seppuku came to involve a detailed ritual. A Samurai was bathed, dressed in white robes, fed his favorite meal, and when he was finished, his instrument was placed on his plate. Dressed ceremonially, with his sword placed in front of him and sometimes seated on special cloths, the warrior would prepare for death by writing a death poem.With his selected attendant (kaishakunin, his second) standing by, he would open his kimono (clothing), take up his wakizashi (short sword) or a tanto (knife) and plunge it into his abdomen, making a left-to-right cut. The kaishakunin would then perform daki-kub i, a cut in which the warrior was all but decapitated (a slight band of flesh is left attaching the head to the body). Because of the precision necessary for such a maneuver, the second was often a skilled swordsman. The principal agreed in advance when the kaishaku made his cut, usually as soon as the dagger was plunged into the abdomen.This elaborate ritual evolved after seppuku had ceased being mainly a battlefield or wartime practice and become a para judicial institution. The second was usually, but not always, a friend. If a defeated warrior had fought honorably and well, an opponent who wanted to salute his bravery would volunteer to act as his second. In the Hagakure, Yamamoto Tsunetomo wrote: From ages past it has been considered ill-omened by samurai to be requested as kaishaku. The reason for this is that one gains no fame even if the job is well done.And if by chance one should blunder, it becomes a lifetime disgrace. In the practice of past times, there were instances w hen the head flew off. It was said that it was best to cut leaving a little skin remaining so that it did not fly off in the direction of the verifying officials. However, at present it is best to cut clean through. Some samurai chose to perform a considerably more taxing form of seppuku known as jumonji-giri (. â€Å"cross-shaped cut†) in which there is no kaishakunin to put a quick end to the samurai's suffering.It involves a second and more painful vertical cut across the belly. A samurai performing jumonji-giri was expected to bear his suffering quietly until perishing from loss of blood, passing away with his hands over his face. While the voluntary seppuku described above is the best known form and has been widely admired and idealized, in practice the most common form of seppuku was obligatory seppuku, used as a form of capital punishment for disgraced samurai, especially for those who committed a serious offense such as unprovoked murder, robbery, corruption, or treas on.The samurai were generally told of their offense in full and given a set time to commit seppuku, usually before sunset on a given day. If the sentenced was uncooperative, it was not unheard of for them to be restrained, or for the actual execution to be carried out by decapitation while retaining only the trappings of seppuku; even the short sword laid out in front of the victim could be replaced with a fan. Unlike voluntary seppuku, seppuku carried out as capital punishment did not necessarily absolve the victim's family of the crime.Depending on the severity of the crime, half or all of the deceased's property could be confiscated, and the family stripped of rank. Seppuku as judicial punishment was officially abolished in 1873, shortly after the Meiji Restoration, but voluntary seppuku did not completely die out. Dozens of people are known to have committed seppuku since then, including some military men who committed suicide in 1895 as a protest against the return of a conquer ed territory to China by General Nogi and his wife on the death of Emperor Meiji in 1912; and by numerous soldiers and civilians who chose to die rather than surrender at the end of World War II.In 1970, famed author Yukio Mishima and one of his followers committed public seppuku at the Japan Self-Defense Forces headquarters after an unsuccessful attempt to incite the armed forces to stage a coup d'à ©tat. Mishima committed seppuku in the office of General Kanetoshi Mashita. His second, a 25-year-old named Masakatsu Morita, tried three times to ritually behead Mishima but failed; his head was finally severed by Hiroyasu Koga. Morita then attempted to commit seppuku himself.Although his own cuts were too shallow to be fatal, he gave the signal and he too was beheaded by Koga. In 1999, Masaharu Nonaka, a 58-year-old employee of Bridgestone in Japan, slashed his belly with a sashimi knife to protest his forced retirement. He died later in the hospital. This suicide, which became widel y known as ‘risutora seppuku', was said to represent the difficulties in Japan following the collapse of the bubble economy. Well-known people who committed seppuku: Disembowelment in Japanese History Seppuku or ritual disembowelment is often considered by those of us in the western world to be a common form of institutionalized (by ritual) suicide: an ancient custom dating back to the age of Samurai under the code of bushido. However, in Japanese culture, it escapes this easy stereotype and is considered something much more complex and meaningful than mere suicide. T. Harada, writes: ‘It was not mere suicide. It was an institution, legal and ceremonial†¦by which warriors could expiate their friends or prove their sincerity'.From historical evidence as well as by contemposrary Japanese cultural identification with seppuku we can ascertain that â€Å"it is at least questionable whether thinking of seppuku as a variety of suicide is justified† (Fairbairn 144). Seppuku, in its original form as practiced by the bushi, involved slicing open the abdomen normally with a cross-cut from left to right and then slicing upward to the navel. The method might result in the vic tim living on for hours before death. For a bushi who was accused of a crime, whether innocent or guilty, seppuku was often the only honorable death.One central reason for the form of seppuku was the fact that the Japanese believed the soul or spirit of a person resided in the abdomen. By cutting open his abdomen the bushi could ‘lay bare his soul' and show his firmness to atone for his crime, or demonstrate innocence and earnestness. For a bushi who actually committed crimes seppuku was considered a lenient punishment, which preserved his honor and property. â€Å"A samurai might commit seppuku after having felt duty- bound to give his lord sensible but unwelcome advice, as a means of demonstrating his absolute sincerity† (Blomberg 75).Disembowelment in Japanese History Page -2- The sensational nature of seppuku as a painful and self-punishing act, as it is most commonly viewed by Western eyes is founded on a number of divergences in philosophy and spirituality that di vide the East and West culturally. Foremost among these divergences is the perception of death. In Western society death is viewed in linear terms, with little or no expectation that the â€Å"soul†would be reborn into earthly life.Japanese culture regarded death as cyclical and based in reincarnation; therefore to die honorably was more important than to live at all costs. â€Å"The connection with death is another part of the image we have of the samurai. The way of the samurai is found in death. aspects of the samurai connection with death figured prominently in Shogun† (Hurst 520). The belief in honor, coupled with the belief in reincarnation and in the cyclical, ever-present force of death, allowed the Japanese to regard seppuku as an act of preservation rather than an act of suicide.To Western eyes, the samurai willingly commits suicide, but to the Samurai, death and disembowelment is a much preferable remedy to shame or disgrace than living on past the point of moral or martial defeat. To atone for a crime or to accept responsibility for some error, by seppuku, or to gain glory and honor by the sword in battle: these concepts are one and the same to the Eastern mind. The samurai were conditioned to slaying others, especially peasants, with calm.â€Å"Although the bushi alone were entitled to be executed by decapitation with a sword, zanzai, a public execution was regarded as a disgrace† (Hurst). Disembowelment in Japanese History Page -3- â€Å"The convicted criminal was paraded through the streets to the common execution ground, with placards recording his crime carried before him. He had to kneel on the ground in order to be dispatched by the public headsman, and his severed head was then gibbeted for a certain period,with a wooden sign proclaiming his name and the nature of the crime† This disgraceful type of public ridicule disgusted the bushi; â€Å"only samurai proper could be sentenced to commit seppuku as punishment for a crime† (Hurst 521). So, far from an appalling and self-despising act, seppuku evolved out of a Japanese sense of honor and integrity, which, in its formality and tradition becomes rigidly different from contemporary Western standards for moral, ethical or legal punishment. For the Samurai the punishment lay in living, not dying.Because the seat of the soul was in the abdomen, the naked â€Å"exposure† of one’ soul also confirmed that the act of seppuku was not so much rooted in suicide or self-abnegation, but in revelation and in a (final) demonstration of personal will and moral fortitude. Over the centuries, common citizens sought to copy the ethical system of the leading elite, widening the practice of seppuku far beyond its original elitist conception. In fact, the tradition persisted well into the twentieth century: â€Å"Especially among military men of bushi stock the custom of seppuku lingered on [†¦] Many of the conspirators behind the attemp ted military coup of 1936 killed themselves in this manner when the coup failed† (Blomberg 191). In due time a non-lethal, symbolic variant of seppuku penetrated Japanese culture: â€Å"Imagine that the ritual of seppuku was further attenuated so that it involved nothing more than reaching out to a ceremonial dagger after which the seppuku's aide whirled a ceremonial sword round his head Disembowelment in Japanese History Page -4- three times, then shook the seppuku's hand.In this case, seppuku could not be suicide because the individual engaging in it would be aware that by doing so he could not arrange his death. And yet he would have done seppuku†(Fairbairn 145). If there is a widely understood Western parallel to the Japanese practice of seppuku, it may lie in the famous death of Socrates which has been much discussed by historians and philosophers. Socrates' death as recorded by Plato noted that he had been accused, among other things, of introducing unusual religi ous practices and of corrupting young people. At his trial he defended himself but was found guilty and sentenced to death.In the month leading up to his execution by means of a self administered cup of hemlock, Socrates did not accept the possibility for escape arranged by friends because it would have gone against his sense of duty to avoid the punishment decreed by Athens. Then on the appointed day, he drank the hemlock before the hour stipulated for his death. (Holland, 1969, p. 74) Though Socrates drank the cup of hemlock (and so could technically be said to have died by his own hand) â€Å"yet even this cannot make a man a suicide, given the fact that his death was not decreed by him [†¦]. Suicide would have to have been the case that by acting as he did Socrates intended not only to do that which he ought to do or had to do, but that he wanted to be dead and intended to bring about his death† (Fairbairn 148). The ritual of seppuku is, then, far from being a desper ate act of a suicidal nature, an act of self and soul preservation that, viewed through the prism of Japanese history and culture, emerges as a strong symbol of national and racial orientation, particularly impacting views of ethics, honor, and personal responsibility.