Grapes of Wrath: Book and Film Comparison Essay

John Steinbeck was an American author of twenty-seven books, including sixteen novels, six non-fiction books, and numerous short stories. Steinbeck is widely known for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden and the novella Of Mice and Men. Born in Salinas, California in 1902, Steinbeck spent most of his life in Monterey County, the setting of much of his fiction such as the novel Cannery Row, a novel depicting the canning Co in Monterey at the time. He attended Stanford University between 1920-1926. Steinbeck did not graduate from Stanford, but instead chose to support himself through manual labor while writing. Being part of the labor force during this time greatly influence many of his novels. Steinbeck’s first novel, Cup of Gold, was published in 1929, and was followed by The Pastures of Heaven and, in 1933, To a God Unknown. Steinbeck married Carol Henning in 1930 and lived with her in Pacific Grove, California. He spent much of his time in Mont erey. Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1962, and died in New York City in 1968. The Grapes of Wrath, is written by Steinbeck and published in 1939. Steinbeck does an excellent job in this novel by capturing a significant event in history, the Dust Bowl, which displaced millions of Americans. The agricultural industry changes and bank foreclosures forced tenant farmers of the land they’ve live on for generations as depicted in the novel with the Joad Family. As the novel opens, Tom has returned home after serving a jail sentence. The Dust Bowl has decimated the region; foreclosures have forced the farmers off the land. Tom and the a retired preacher Jim Casy decide to accompany Tom’s family to the promise land of California where work is plentiful and wages are high. Things however are not the way they’ve been told. The constant inflow of displace tenant farmers has dramatically increased the demand for work while also deflating wages. Upon arrival, the Joad family are purposefully made to feel unwelcome. Desperate for work, they submit themselves to the abuse from the Californian employers. The Grapes of Wrath exhibits several American themes such as of hard work and self-determination. This realist novel is really the first literature to shed light on life during the Dust Bowl. The book won the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize for fiction. In 1940, a film adaptation is made.  Its directed by John Ford. The screenplay was written by Nunnally Johnson and the executive producer was Darryl F. Zanuck. This film is loosely based on the movie with countless differences, including an entirely different ending. As the film progresses, it veers further and further away from staying true to the novel. Overall the film brought an interesting interpretation to the novel and even introduced some of its own ideas and themes. The movie won Oscars for best director and best actress (Jane Darwell as Ma Joad) and was nominated for five others, including best actor for Henry Fonda and best picture. The book and film of Grapes of Wrath contrast in numerous ways. Since that book is so long, dozens of scenes have been excluded from the film so that it keeps the audience’s attention. The film excludes all of the inner chapters, short stories that depict what it was like during the great depression. Some inner chapters are merely stories that represent something much bigger. The lack of inner chapters removes Steinbeck’s political references to events occurring during the time. Both book and movie fulfill the title’s symbol. At first the grapes represent promise: the fertile valleys of California, but then, they represent the wrath of the migrants as they realize that they have been lured unjustly to the West. Survival now becomes a challenge. One thing that the film did that the novel didn’t is it used flashbacks as scene in the scene where Muley Graves is explaining to Tommy and the Reverend how him and his family helplessly watch their house destroyed by a tractor. This is displayed in an obvious manner when looking at the John Ford’s movie made for the classic book The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck. Although both texts follow a similar story line, a stronger rhetorical message is delivered to the audience in the book compared to the movie. Both the book and the movie portray parallel themes, however, specific illustrations in the book both strengthen and sensitize the meaning derived from the text, making it easier for the audience to fully grasp the emotion of the story. These specific illustrations found in the book include the diction used in dialogue, the apparent division between the rich and the poor, the importance of unification as a family, and the benefits of being resilient. While these ideas are touched upon in the movie, they are included in a more passive fashion, taking away from the dominance of the  message.

5.1. Critical Discussion of Findings in Relation to Literature and Theory Essay

5. 1. 1. Over Restrictive Regulatory Environment The respondents to the question of whether the environment of overly restrictive regulations was a challenge indicated almost without exception that indeed the restrictive aspect was stifling to at least some extent. This indicates that the regulatory environment currently being experienced in the Kuwaiti banks surveyed is in keeping with the general view of Islamic banks as reported in the literature reviewed. The banking environment created has proved to be unsound, and it accords with the ideas of Windy (2003) demonstrating that it has not been conducive to the effectiveness and efficiency of nine of the ten financial institutions surveyed. The current state of the Kuwaiti banking system, though improving, demonstrates that reporting and the monitoring of capital and risk have suffered due to the heavier restrictions placed on the Shariah compliant banks. See more: Old Age Problem essay Since the restrictions are greater for these banks in comparison with the conventional banks, the Islamic banks have indeed been placed at a disadvantage within the market and this has caused them to be less efficient and therefore less attractive to prospective customers. This lack of attractiveness makes it even more likely that these banks will remain niche focused and relatively small in comparison with the competition. 5. 1. 2. Uniform Regulatory and Legal Framework The respondents to the survey indicated unanimously that the lack of a uniform regulatory and legal framework poses a challenge to the current Islamic financial state. The response to this question might seem enigmatic in light of the previous one. However, though the Shariah imposes restrictions on the types of transactions that might be performed in Islamic financial institutions, it is the regulation of these restrictions that have proven to be without uniformity. This lack of uniformity has been shown to have crippling effects on the Kuwaiti institutions surveyed. The fact is that once regulations become uniform, this serves as a support mechanism to the institutions that follow the regulations (Dudley, 1998). The problem with this lack of regulation is that Islamic institutions have been trying to conduct business according to Shariah, yet this has to be done within the conventional Western financial framework which does not lend the proper type of support to Shariah banking policies. This has been especially problematic in Kuwait since so many of its banks are Islamic and yet the uniform regulations that govern are often at odds with the Shariah principles by which these banks are run. There apparently still continues to be problems despite the 2005/06 regulation attempts by the Central Bank of Kuwait, and it makes it clear that the mere addition of a separate Shariah section to the regulatory laws is insufficient. What is needed, apparently, is full and complete integration of the Shariah into the regulatory system at every pertinent level so that financial institutions will know how to act in a wide array of situations. 5. 1. 3. Underdeveloped Regulatory and Supervisory Regime. Akin to the aforementioned problem, and perhaps stemming directly from it, is the fact that all respondents agree that the supervisory system of regulations is underdeveloped in their financial institutions. When no systematic regulatory doctrines have been formulated, the difficulty arises because supervisory activity has no clear knowledge of what to supervise or guard against. Because of the underdeveloped nature of the supervisory elements, Islamic financial institutions in Kuwait continue to fumble as it regards the attainment of success and customer satisfaction. Customers in these institutions cannot be secure in receiving fair treatment from institutions that have no active and systematic supervision. The respondents did not consider the current state of regulation supervision to be completely inadequate, as their responses hint toward the acknowledgement that the IFSB’s efforts at establishing co-operation among standard-setting bodies have had some favourable impact on the Kuwaiti situation. However, capital adequacy and risk management represent only two of the many areas in which supervision is necessary to the health of Kuwait’s Islamic financial institutions. The responses also indicate that the IFSB’s intentions of extending supervisory cooperation to the areas market transparency and discipline as well as corporate governance are warranted. 5. 1. 4. Capital and Liquidity Requirements The requirements of capital and liquidity within the financial market sector have been theorized as having the potential to be damaging to the Islamic financial institutions around the world. However, the reasons given for this potentially problematic effect reflect a division among theoreticians and those employed within the financial sector. This existence of controversy is confirmed within this research of the Kuwaiti institutions, as three respondents considered liquidity and capital issues to be of medium to high importance, while the others considered the issue to be of very little importance. One side of the controversy identifies the issue of capital and liquidity as stemming from the Basel Committee’s over-estimation of the risks that might accrue to (or as a result of) the assets of Islamic institutions. These theorists indicate that they believe the risks are not as great as others might believe, and it is with this view that those respondents agree—who indicated that liquidity and capital were not an issue. The alternate theoretical view, with which the survey shows three respondents agreeing, is that Islamic financial institutions present more risk than other banks do. The fact that these banks are generally smaller and carry a narrower capital base seems to reflect a large part of what these respondents refer to when they consider liquidity and capital to be a risk in such institutions. The respondents do not, however, indicate any aversion to the establishment of a capital market that would trade in Sukuk and other instruments, and even deepen the market so that additional liquidity might be created. 5. 1. 5. Accounting Standards Harmonization According to the responses given, the issue regarding the standardization and harmonisation of accounting practices ranks highly on the list of things that need to be dealt with within the Islamic financial institutions of Kuwait. The importance of this harmonization has made itself clear within the institutions being studied, as the lack thereof has contributed to the existence of a shallow capital market that lacks fairness, efficiency, and transparency (IOSCO, 2004). The credibility granted Islamic financial institutions as a result of recent work by AAOIFI has improved operations enough to emphasise the importance of accounting harmonisation. As it now stands, the harmonisation initiative has improved the ability for Kuwaiti financial institutions to communicate with other non-Islamic banks as accounting standards have been expressed in harmony to a greater degree. This appears to have also accorded the banking system a reasonable amount of credibility in the estimation of other institutions and accorded to Islamic bank workers a higher level of respect among their peers. Yet more needs to be done, as has been indicated by the interviewees’ responses. Continued efforts to broaden the scope of harmonisation promise to improve the status of Kuwaiti banks within a financial situation in which the majority of institutions do work according to international accounting standards. 5. 1. 6. Standardization of Shariah The respondents were universally agreed that the proper standardization of Shariah was necessary not only to the proper understanding of the Islamic banking principles, but ultimately to the proper governing of all financial institutions in Kuwait. The survey highlights the confusion that currently exists within the market and the formation of a common platform, as suggested by Kahf, does have the potential to improve the existing problem. The standardization of the Shariah would have the added benefit of making it easier for non-Islamic bankers to understand the provisions and requirements of the Shariah as it regards banking. The facilitation of Halal transactions might then be put into effect between such banks and Islamic institutions in Kuwait. Such standards will help non-Islamic members of the banking community understand such ideas as the necessity that an underlying asset exist as the subject of any financing contract, so that institutions will be better prepared to provide more than just a debt paper when conducting Shariah transactions . Therefore, any transaction that resembles Riba, Maisir or any other action prohibited by Shariah may be avoided. Halal practices might be set up even within non-Islamic banking institutions, and this may facilitate increased competition and better practice all round. 5. 1. 7. Competition from Conventional Institutions Competition is itself considered by theoreticians to be a problem for Islamic financial institution as these businesses are usually small and possess a smaller capital base than their competitor institutions. The respondents themselves have also indicated that competition is an important consideration for the Islamic banks of Kuwait. However, the degree of importance to which these respondents have admitted have varied across the spectrum from low to high. The Islamic institutions of Kuwait appear also to have gained a vast amount of capital (via Sukuk and other methods) by appealing on religious grounds and the establishment of a capital market through those means (Iqbal, Ahmad and Khan, 1998). This would indicate why some respondents consider the threat of competition to be low, especially since the Islamic institutions have a religious claim to customer loyalty that competitor institutions may not possess. However, the importance of competition between Islamic institutions appears not to be overlooked by those respondents who considered the threat of competition to be high. Still, though competition may be high, the actual threat it poses may still be low as competition has the advantage of presenting a barrier to the entry of further banking institutions. Furthermore, the existence of non-Islamic financial institutions within the Islamic sector may have been considered favourable by those persons who responded that the threat is low. This may be because the presence of these institutions validates the viability of the Islamic banking sector (Al Omar & Abdel-Haq, 1996). 5. 1. 8. Availability of Data The issue of data availability rates highly within the Kuwaiti Islamic financial sector according to the respondents. These interviewees appear to understand and have had problems arising from the difficulty with which data and statistics are obtained regarding the Islamic capital markets (IOSCO, 2004). The necessity of scientific research and the indispensability of such statistical market data are also addressed in this response by the interviewees; such research has rarely been undertaken by Islamic banks. The unavailability of data is a major reason for this lack of valuable research, and it appears that respondents realize that this has prevented Kuwaiti banks from reaching their fullest potential. The current information possessed for banks on a broad Islamic scale is lacking, inadequate and subject to qualifications. This appears also to be the case for the banks in question represented by the respondents. 5. 2 Micro Level Changes 5. 2. 1. Liquidity Management All respondents considered liquidity management to be of high importance, and this is in direct contrast to the controversial nature of the issue regarding liquidity and capital requirements. This is in keeping with the literature and theory prevailing within the Islamic banking community, which identifies this to be of major importance, especially in light of Islamic banks’ bid for global expansion. In Kuwait too this proves to be of interest to the Islamic bankers, and the many challenges which face the market are likely to be the reason respondents invariably indicated it to be of high concern. Certainly ideas abound regarding how to manage the liquidity within the Islamic market. Methods as have already been identified such as the shuffling (unbundling and repackaging) of assets in order to make them more marketable and liquefiable (Iqbal, 1997). These methods, along with the identification of potentials for inter-bank market development (El Qorchi, 2005), are ones that would doubtless prove valuable within the Islamic financial market represented by these respondents. The depth of the market would be increased in such a situation, and this would prove to be beneficial in the Kuwaiti market that is expanding both within the country and on a global scale. However, these measures would depend on further developments that may present difficulties materializing, and the gravity of this is also reflected in the response to the questionnaire. Such developments would include the installation of a facility that provides a lender of last resort. It would also involve securitization for the purposes of managing the spectrum of risk as well as maturity issues (El Qorchi, 2005). 5. 2. 2. Maturity Mismatch The maturity mismatch issue appears to have contributed to a division among the respondents regarding their responses. While some considered this problem to be of high importance, these opinions were balanced by those who considered the issue to be of medium or low importance. Those respondents who identify maturity mismatch as a low-ranking problem gain assurance from the possibility of using Tawarroq (debt rollover) as a method of financing maturities. The fact that the Kuwaiti Islamic banks they represent have the ability to finance the debt of the ultimate creditor using customer money allows these respondents to feel secure (Al-Suwailem, 2006). However, those who consider maturity mismatch to be a high-ranking issue do so likely because, as has been indicated in the literature, questions do exist concerning the extent to which debt-rollover can be used to finance or match maturity. Other problems, too, lie in the fact that in order for these policies to perform freely, other things previously mentioned would have to be put into place—such as accounting harmonization (for the smooth running of the capital market). Since these systems are not fully up and running in the Kuwaiti market, then this might explain the apprehension that some of the respondents have concerning the maturity matching issue (IOSCO, 2004). 5. 2. 3. Personnel Competence, Qualifications and Training The issue surrounding personnel competence and training in the area of Islamic and Shariah institutional banking has been determined to be of high importance by all but one of the respondents—who still considered it to be quite relevant within the Kuwaiti situation. In order to continue its expansion within the local and global markets, the banking system within Kuwait needs to facilitate the training of its personnel in all areas—including the areas concerned with Shariah banking (Iqbal, Ahmad & Khan, 1998). This necessity has been reflected in the responses, as incompetence has no doubt been the issue within the banks they represent—judging from the fact that most consider it to be of high priority. The problem arises because (among other things) customers are generally more accustomed to the conventional style of banking. Where, as in Kuwait, the majority of banks are westernized and traditional, it becomes absolutely imperative that the personnel be thoroughly familiar not just with the practices pertaining to Islamic banking but also with the Shariah doctrines that govern them. Without this knowledge, it is likely that employees do not possess the expertise necessary to explain to customers the meanings and Islamic implications of certain banking or investment practices. The respondents to the questionnaire, being banking personnel themselves, have first-hand knowledge of the problems that may arise when personnel are untrained or unqualified. Their response also points toward the need for more scholars who specialize in both finance and Shariah, as well as the need for focussed development of courses in Shariah designed specifically for the economist (IOSCO, 2004). 5. 2. 4. Financial Products and Innovation Innovation and the development of financial products appear to rank highly in the estimation of Kuwaiti bankers and investors, as is indicated by the responses to the questionnaire regarding this issue. The idea behind this wide-spread adoption of the innovative process by these Kuwaiti respondents stems from the theory that the viability of these Islamic institutions as an alternative to conventional banking rests on the ability of the bankers to provide a wide variety of new methods of investment for potential investors. The respondents, being high-level investment personnel working in Kuwait, are at least aware of the plethora of ways that Islamic and Shariah banking methods differ from the conventional methods of banking. These differences offer a variety of ways in which innovation might be brought to bear upon the Kuwaiti financial market and be made to attract newer investors. Such ideas as Mudarabah and Musharakah are likely to draw prospective investors previously deterred by the prospect of bearing the entire losses of their ventures. Furthermore, such persons as the respondents represent are in touch with the needs that customers have, and this knowledge allows them to realise the necessity of developing financial products that cater to these needs (Al-Suweilem, 2006; Bacha, 1999). As a result, supply will work toward creating an equilibrium with the demand that exists. Concerns may arise from the fact that these persons are also aware of the need for an in-depth understanding of the array financial instruments in order to put into effect many of the innovations necessary within Kuwait’s Islamic financial institutions (1999). 5. 2. 5. Products and Services’ Marketing The imperative nature of the marketing of products and services is reflected to some extent within the responses to the questionnaire. Though most consider this to be of importance, one person did offer a dissenting voice. Those who did agree were also divided as to the extent to which product marketing is necessary. It is likely that the dissenting person places the innovative development of products in a more prominent place, arguing that until products are developed no marketing will be necessary. This is certainly true. However, the fact that so many of the respondents acknowledge the necessity of marketing makes it clear that they understand one of the major issues facing Islamic financial institutions: customers are largely unaware of the services that are offered and the ways that these services could be of benefit to them. Clearly this is as much the case in Kuwait as anywhere else since so many respondents in the affirmative concerning the issue. 5. 2. 6. Size of Institutions Institution size is an issue on which most respondents again agreed. These Kuwaiti investment professionals appear also to face challenges which are similar to those faced by all banks—that of garnering a sufficiently wide investment base in order to ensure security and to maximize their competitive strength within the market. Since the questionnaire specifically asked whether size posed a challenge, the answers indicate that even in Kuwait, smaller banks tend to suffer from a higher level of risk on the financial market. What is also probable is that these smaller banks are represented mainly by the Islamic and Shariah compliant banks within the country. The earlier replies concerning the need for marketing and innovation therefore apply to this question of size, as development of strategies along these lines would enable growth and deepening of the institution as well as the market. It is likely, therefore, that (regarding the question of the challenging nature of institution size) the concurring responses demonstrate the need for expansion of Kuwaiti Islamic financial institutions. 5. 2. 7. Institution Rating and Instruments Theory, literature, and this survey concur on the question of the importance of institution rating. Though the matter is brought up as a subject of relevance within the Islamic banking community, it has not been treated as a major issue. This is seen especially in the fact that it remains a question whether or not such ratings should be made obligatory for financial institutions. The respondents to this question gauged the importance of ratings to be of low or medium range, indicating that in the Kuwaiti Islamic banking system, though ratings are also relevant, it is not the question of utmost importance to anyone concerned. The importance of ratings has however been established by the respondents within the Kuwaiti market. Despite the fact that they consider it of low importance, they do indicate that it is considered a pertinent issue. One reason for this would be that the IIRA does exist as a body to assess (among other things) the Shariah compliance of Kuwaiti financial institutions. This may have a bearing on the consumer loyalty that might be considered important to the continued operation or wellbeing of many of these institutions, especially in light of the fact that many Kuwaitis choose Islamic banks (over the competition) precisely for reasons having to do with Shariah compliance. 5. 2. 8. Inadequate Sensitivity to Customer Satisfaction While almost all respondents identified inadequate sensitivity to customer satisfaction as a challenge, of some concern is the fact that only a few Kuwaiti banking personnel identified it as a highly important one. It is evident that Kuwaiti bankers understand the situation of competition that exists within that nation’s financial market, especially since in Kuwait only three of its 15 banks are Islamic. It becomes imperative that consumers are satisfied within such a market where (with 76 other investment companies) alternative banking institutions about. What the Kuwaitis may be counting on is the fact that consumers who use Islamic financial institutions already have their primary needs met in a bank that is Shariah compliant. Still, as represented earlier, Kuwaiti’s banking personnel recognize the need for creating innovative banking products that cater to the desires of the consumer. They also recognise that in order to cater to these needs, sensitivity to customer satisfaction is indispensable. 5. 2. 9. Inability to Communicate Uniqueness The challenge faced in identifying the unique attributes of Islamic financial institutions is admitted by the majority of banking professionals surveyed. However, the importance of this issue seems to be only minimally appreciated in Kuwait—according to the data collected. This idea goes back to the question of marketing, and in which it was also evident that Kuwait felt no major compulsion toward pushing the Islamic banking product to consumers. Concerns about the future of Kuwaiti Islamic banking might here be expressed as it has been shown through the theory and literature reviewed that the ability of these institutions to become strong, viable, and known alternatives to traditional banking depends on its differentiation within the market (Khan & Ahmed, 2001). 5. 3. Critical Engagement with Areas of Convergence 5. 3. 1. Convergence on Shariah Compliance Issues In some very critical areas, it was found that the responses made by these Kuwaiti financial professionals strongly support the theories found in the literature. The strength of this support points in many cases toward not only the importance of the question but also the extent to which changes are necessary within the Kuwaiti finance environment. The unanimity with which the respondents answered the question of uniform regulation challenges leaves no doubt that the lack or inadequacy of regulation dealing specifically with Shariah compliance has a crippling effect on the Kuwaiti banking system. Since the Shariah’s restrictions and requirements may often be intricate, the lack of uniformity within the Kuwaiti market (as has been predicted by literature) has led to problems. Such problems have the potential of ranging from simply an inability to properly execute in the Shariah-compliant areas of banking, or the inability to detect and prevent the inappropriate actions of institutions that claim Shariah compliance. What the Kuwaiti banks have demonstrated is a convergence between theory and practice in that without a proper regulation system, the Shariah support mechanism for the institutions has also proven to be substandard (Dudley, 1998). Islamic institutions in Kuwait, while trying to conduct Shariah compliant business, have the added problem of working within the sometimes contradictory framework of conventional Western banking. Furthermore, the problem proves more crippling in the Kuwaiti finance environment as the Islamic banks are many, yet are lost in a world of regulations that prove more hospitable to the competition. The fact that problems still exist despite the 2005/06 attempts at regulation by the Kuwait’s central bank (CBK) only points to the magnitude of the problem as represented by Shariah regulation and the necessity of uniformity within these regulations/. It also demonstrates the inadequacy of simply tacking on a Shariah amendment to existing law. What this research has shown to be truly necessary is a thorough review of current regulations that culminates in the full integration of Shariah. This will facilitate the continued running of Islamic (as well as conventional) banking institutions within the financial environment. 5. 3. 2. Convergence on Competence and Training in Shariah The importance of personnel competence and training in Shariah banking is also an area that demonstrates convergence of practice in Kuwait with the theory. It highlights the immense need for scholarship and training in both Shariah and banking (IOSCO, 2004; Iqbal, Ahmad & Khan, 1998). The lack of thorough understanding of the key Shariah concepts (as introduced earlier on in this research) is shown to be a deterrent to optimal practice in the Kuwaiti financial environment. Since consumers are more used to conventional banking, this makes it all the more necessary for banking personnel to be fully equipped with knowledge and expertise in Shariah financial management so that all consumer queries might be dealt with thoroughly and professionally. 5. 4. Critical Engagement with Areas of Divergence 5. 4. 1. Divergence on Marketing and Innovation Issues Despite the concurrence of the responses with the theories presented in the literature, there were also some areas where responses disagreed with theory or amongst themselves. The areas represented are product/service marketing, inadequate sensitivity to customer satisfaction, and inability to communicate uniqueness. As regards the imperative nature of product and service marketing, the disagreement was occasioned in the area of the extent to which product and service marketing is necessary within the Kuwaiti Islamic banking environment. The connection that this question of product marketing has with innovation is undeniable, and it is likely that disagreement stems from the fact that persons place a higher priority on innovation. Products must be created before they can be marketed after all. However, it appears to be problematic that even some institutions within the Kuwaiti Islamic banking sector do not place importance upon marketing, as this strategy is precisely the method through which customers become aware of the services that any bank has to offer. Those who consider marketing to be of high importance understand that customer ignorance can have a damaging effect on the viability of a financial institution. Lack of knowledge prompts potential consumers to ignore the services available, and business that might otherwise be gained is lost. Marketing allows customers to become aware of these services, and it is consumer centred as it promotes the benefits that might accrue to the customer as a result of using that service. 5. 4. 2. Divergence on the Question of Sensitivity to Customer Satisfaction The other area of divergence deals with inadequate sensitivity to customer satisfaction. While the theory explored highlights this as an important area, it was surprising to note that some of the respondents considered the challenge to be of high importance. Evidently, the Kuwaiti banking personnel do comprehend the gravity of the competition that exists between Shariah and non-Shariah financial institutions. The fact that non-Shariah banks are set up so that losses to the institution are minimized at the expense of the customer leaves such banks in a relatively more secure position. The necessity of being sensitive to the satisfaction of clients becomes that more important, as the relationship with the customer is possibly the area that offers an Islamic bank the greatest amount of competitive advantage. In order that consumers who may not be completely loyal to Shariah be induced to work with the institution (or to continue as a customer), the satisfaction of these persons (on whom the institution rests) must be ascertained and guaranteed. Marketing plays a big role in this, but before marketing can take place banking professionals must become aware of the areas that would most satisfy these consumers. It must also be aware of areas in which satisfaction is not being granted (whether within Islamic banks or the alternative banking system) and changes made promptly to improve these conditions. 5. 4. 3. Divergence on the Issue of Communicating Uniqueness By far, the divergence of opinions between theory and practice as it regards the inability to communicate uniqueness is most surprising. The reason for this is that it is precisely the uniqueness of the Islamic bank that defines the necessity for all other areas of this research. Its compliance with Shariah principles is what sets it apart from the competition, and it is this that also contributes to the difficulties as well as the advantages of the Islamic bank. Though challenges of identifying the Islamic banks’ uniqueness is acknowledged by the majority of banking professionals surveyed, the minimal appreciation of its importance within Kuwait is of great concern for aforementioned reasons. The idea of uniqueness also reverts to the question of marketing. Though it does make sense that institutions that disregard marketing somewhat would also disregard the importance of product differentiation, this lack of interest on the part of so many managers gives cause for alarm. It gives cause for the expression of concerns about the future of Islamic financial institutions in Kuwait if no effort is made at demonstrating how their services differ from the traditional services of the competition (Khan & Ahmed, 2001). 5. 5. Reflection on personal learning As a student who is relatively new at empirical research, I found the experience of collecting and ordering data very intriguing. It was very interesting to find that the research carried out during the literature review demonstrated that though different researchers had essentially been studying the same phenomenon in different countries, the ideas extracted were able to come together to form a cohesive body of knowledge. This became even more evident when the empirical data collected within this research began finding support in the literature and theoretical concepts identified within the literature review. As it regards Islamic and Kuwaiti banking, I learned that the Shariah system of banking in many ways embodied ideas that exist for the improvement of the financial condition of the country which it serves. It caters to the needs of the institution, yet appears to be much more client centred than traditional banking. It also seems to favour the growth of the economy in its determination that financial transactions be done expressly in conjunction with the creation of real and tangible wealth. Finance is therefore not divorced from real work and real investment or enterprise. I also learned that Islamic banking does face many challenges, however.

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International OB Managing Across Cultures - Essay Example A Japanese businessman will always consult within his group before making a decision. Because of their intense loyalty, one's identity is subsumed into the group. It is important to never single out a Japanese counterpart, even for praise or encouragement. Contrarily, the Spaniards have a hierarchy style of management and it is best to deal with "el jefe" or "el pardon"-the one who will be making the decision. Spaniards also will expect whomever they are dealing with to have decisions-making authority. When dealing with Spain or most Asian cultures, it is also critical to understand the concept of "saving face". Any loss of control of emotions or embarrassment is considered disastrous in business negotiations in these cultures. Honor and personal pride mean everything and they must not be insulted. Because of this attitude it is very important to carefully prepare presentations so that they are easy for the audience to understand. Paying close attention to determine if anything is misunderstood during the presentation is also a must. Because of this concept of "saving face" the presenter will not know if they are having difficulties. Close attention must be paid to conversations in order to discern the sincerity of what is being said. In Japan, a deal is never refused directly, and any dealings with Japanese business culture should remain indirect. In Business Cards In nearly all countries, it is important that business cards be printed one side in English, and the other in their language. When presenting the card, it should be presented with their language facing the recipient. In Japan, the exchange of business cards is not to be taken lightly. When you receive the card of a Japanese businessman, be sure to make a show of examining it carefully and then making a remark about the card. Ask any questions about anything on the card which is difficult to pronounce or understand. The card should then be placed in a case or on a near by table. A card shouldn't be shoved into a pocket or be written on. Concepts of Time Time orientation is an important cultural difference that Americans must pay close attention to. In America, time is viewed as a precious commodity. Time is related with productivity, efficiency, and money. Many other countries have a much more relaxed perception of time. They take their time, and enjoy it. In Mexico you can ask if a scheduled appointment is "en punto" (the precise time), or "mas o menos". "Mas o menos" appointments are often scheduled a half an hour to an hour before the actual time. With both Mexican and Japanese cultures it is also important not to expect instant results. Plenty of time should be allowed for contemplation and decision making. In Mexico it is important to adjust any expectations regarding deadlines and efficiency. Doing business over borders and through time zones has become commonplace in the twenty-first century. Technological advancements in communication and travel make it possible to do business across the globe almost instantaneously. Doing business with multiple cultures can be a challenging venture. International communication skills of an organization can determine success or failure. In order to interact with different cultures, it is necessary to understand the basic characteristics of the culture. This type of understanding helps to make

Enterprise in action Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Enterprise in action - Essay Example Effectual logic takes advantage of unexpected events in the market. On the other hand, causal logic entrepreneurs engage actively in exploring existing opportunities and are capable of building their future upon them. These investors are able to correlate between one variable and the other and interpret the future depending on the consequence that one variable has over the other. When it comes to basis for taking action, effectual logic investors do not make goals at the beginning but the goals tend to emerge in the course of action. In contrast, causal logic is goal oriented, their means of achievement is determined by a set of goals, and objectives that they strive to satisfy. Causal logic entrepreneurs are driven into investment by the fact of maximizing on risk adjusted to the returns. Effectual logic entrepreneurs will limit their investment to a certain level of their acceptance in order to give them a chance to participate again next time. Effectual logic is more flexible but less secure while causal logic is not flexible but secure to some extent (Stuart Reed,

Answering Questions #2 (Anthropology) Assignment

Answering Questions #2 (Anthropology) - Assignment Example Sociocultural Anthropology, in focusing on patterns of socialization and culture across nations, has enabled us to understand different societies with regards to cultural differences in philosophical problems such as truth and justice, as well as practical concerns such as environmental studies and social changes to societies (American Anthropological Association, 2012). Biological Anthropology, in studying how people have adapted to different environments, has contributed to human relations through their study of evolutionary theories and how people have taken their place as a whole throughout the world (American Anthropological Association, 2012). Archaeology, due to its study of the past, has helped societies not only understand their individual histories, but how each culture has come to affect other cultures (American Anthropological Association, 2012). Finally, Linguistic Anthropology has contributed to human relations by assisting in understanding areas such as social identity , large-scale cultural beliefs, and group membership through their focus on languages and the ways in which they have helped and affected different societies and cultures (American Anthropological Association, 2012). 2. Describe the typological and population models. Both the typological model and the population model are methods of classifying the human race as a whole. Both methods have been found to possess several flaws, albeit for different reasons (O’Neil, 2011). The typological model classifies people into groups based on traits that can be observed from a distance, and assumes that people can be classified based on this reason alone, which is an inherent flaw in its logic (O’Neil, 2011). The typological model is also flawed due to the fact that it assumes that all races have the same inherent traits, which is simply untrue, as humans cannot be classified as â€Å"homogenous† by any sense of the word (O’Neil, 2011). Due to these flaws, the populati on model was developed, which was based on the idea that certain groups of people were the product of ancestors who had mated more or less only with each other for the previous time period (O’Neil, 2011). It works in almost a completely opposite manner of the typological model, as instead of classifying traits and then determining who has them, instead mating patterns are discerned first, and then considers the traits that make them unique (O’Neil, 2011). However, this too has an inherent flaw; humans do not stay in one place long enough to form concrete classifications for using this method (O’Neil, 2011). Thus both of these models, while serving their uses for classification purposes, have flaws that make them unusable as one type of classification alone. 3. Describe the impact of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution on studies of divisions of humans. Charles Darwin had a rather dramatic impact on studies of divisions of humans due to his theory of evol ution, and literally caused everything to change with his views. The former classifications of humans, both from Aristotle and Carolus Linnaeus, had used principles that, while logical, were at their core quite arbitrary and had no grounded basis at all (Blamire, 1998). Darwin made the point that humans evolved from something else, and likewise anything could therefore evolve, and change (Blamire, 1998). It soon became obvious that new divisions were needed for humans, because traits that resided as a part of humans could be both seen and unseen, and classifying them

Database Inventory Computer Sciences Research Paper

Database Inventory Computer Sciences - Research Paper Example The types of interactions can be categorized into four main groups. These are; data maintenance, data definition, data retrieval, as well as data control. So many factors are at play when choosing which type of database system to use when developing a system. The article we look at highlights some of these factors; which will form the basis for the discussion on database systems of this paper. EXPLANATION OF PAPER Database Buyer's Guide Conclusion: Which Database Is Best for You? (2011, October 27). Retrieved March 4, 2012, from Database Journal: http://www.databasejournal.com/features/which-database-is-best-for-you.html This article is a form of guide to be used by customers looking to find the best database to use or to implement a system on; it highlights the pros as well as the cons of the different types of relational database management systems. From the pros and the cons, the customers are able o gauge which relational database management system best suits their needs as well as preferences as far as database management system is concerned. It lists a complete range of database management systems; from web enabled database management systems, desktop DBMSs, cloud DBaaS, and other open source database management options. There are server options as well. ... It then went on to provide a summary of the pros and cons; the advantages and the disadvantages of having or opting for the certain types of the given types of database systems in the market today. The beginning of the article highlights desktop databases and the people who use them. As indicated in the article, this type of databases are mainly popular with small enterprise businesses. This is because they are cheaper than the other types of database systems and are also suitable for the non-interactive, and also the single user batch processes for web applications. The main players in this niche of the databases market are Lotus Approach, FileMaker Pro, and lastly, Microsoft Access. The advantages of these types of database systems is that they are not expensive; they are estimated to cost somewhere in the hundreds of dollars. This is much unlike the other types of database systems which go for as much as thousands of dollars. Additionally, they have graphical user interfaces for e asy interaction with the users. They are also easy to scale in the future; if the need ever arises. As for the cons, they are said to be lacking in security, they do not also work well when users become many; they are easily overloaded and crash under this kind of pressure. Next, the article looks at the pros and cons of server databases. These are the heavy-duty type of servers. These work well with applications like electronic commerce sites. These are multi-user applications. Microsoft and Oracle databases companies mainly sell these types of database systems. They are Oracle databases, and Microsoft SQL Server. The main advantage for this category of databases is that they store a huge chunk of data; as much as millions of terabytes of data. They

Rhetorical Analysis of My Dropout Boyfriend Kept Dropping In Essay

Rhetorical Analysis of My Dropout Boyfriend Kept Dropping In - Essay Example Now it was the â€Å"living outdoors† phase. The narrator-girlfriend defended her boyfriend by telling everyone that his act is a rebellious one, telling everyone that this is the boyfriend’s way of rebelling to the establishment. The â€Å"living outdoors† experiment of the boyfriend failed in the end. The narrator was partly happy because the boyfriend would finally return indoors, making everything â€Å"normal† again but then again, it is sad because the romance of living far from the reaches of technology and modern life failed as well. The text is actually a bit humoresque as it paints a picture of a college kid who is on the path to self-discovery. The lines â€Å"An  Oprah-esque voice in my head said: It doesn’t matter what people think as long as he feels fulfilled. But another voice in my head, the one that avoided self-help books and talk shows, was less convinced† saw through that. It is also very touching as it shows the persona also confused: will she support the boyfriend or not. Ultimately, she does because of her duty as a girlfriend but we know that she only does so because it’s her duty, and not because she passionately believes on the causes of the boyfriend. She is the practical one in the relationship, opting to stick to college. Her practicality even reaches up to the point that she knows what will happen to her after college, and the implications of being in college: â€Å"but over all once you attended college, you were on the straight-and-narrow path. Or at least, if the economy didn’t sink, you were on the non-homeless path.† The boyfriend is quite a compelling character. He is a typical â€Å"rebellious† kid, trying everything: being a â€Å"Goth, punk, anarchist, Marxist and Zen†. The girlfriend was so used to this lifestyle changes that she was not surprised when the boyfriend brought it up one day. This time, the reason was to be an ascetic, and he wants to follow the footsteps of Chris McCandless, the man who

Cooperating and Communicating Across Cultures Essay Example for Free

Cooperating and Communicating Across Cultures Essay Case Study: Cooperating and Communicating Across Cultures The article Cooperation and communication between cultures, points out the key components in this case study. In the scenario each one of the team members had their own preconceived notions of the right way they should interact with the team in order for the team to move forward. The viewpoints of the team members, in my opinion, were influenced in part by their own cultures in addition to their own corporate backgrounds. Jim upon entering the team considered himself well prepared. He had knowledge of German culture and language, due to the fact that his wife was German and he visited Germany often, however, he was amazed at the detail in which the planning session went. Jim soon lost patience and interest, and the respect of his fellow team members because he was hardly paying attention anymore to the process. The German team used a three-day planning session as a way to lay the foundation for the structure of the entire product launch. Jim never really understands the importance of the initial meetings in the process because he unes out most of what was being said. Because of this, Jim never really understands the way the team is working in that the first analyze the problem, all possible eventualities, and addressing issues, then dividing the work and moving forward, with the team leader checking and controlling the outcome. The German team leader demonstrates that the team had worked together for at several years and so each knew the procedures very well but Jim clearly did not. An important organizational issue Jim exhibited is not showing respect for the Germans methods nd failing to align himself with the culture more rather than removing himself from the process and complaining. Fundamentally, Jim wanted to outline the problem, jump in, adjust and confer during the process but the Germans had different ideas, and a different culture for doing things. Each side saw the others method of operating as wrong, rather than as a possible new and different way to address a product launch. In the scenario concerning Klaus, Klaus had the same issues arriving in America and learning that the project would be put together as a work in progress rather than carefully thought out prior to execution of a plan. This is a cultural difference both sides experienced that could have been addressed by an introduction to work methods before Jim/Klaus started with their new team, which could have avoided the sense of frustration all on the project felt. Outlining the process and the roles each person would play would help the visitor better learn the corporate/national culture.

A comparison of three front pages of national daily newspapers Essay Example for Free

A comparison of three front pages of national daily newspapers Essay As I flick through different newspapers, I come across all sorts of different articles and I notice that each newspaper does not contain completely different stories from the next. When comparing these stories, I discover that perhaps some of the information differs, the perspective will change and the style in which each story is written can make the reader think about all sorts of different aspects of the event. Having been given the task of comparing three tabloid newspapers front covers, I bought The Sun, Daily Mail, and the Daily Star all covering an event, which took place on Monday November 12 2001. A jet crashed in New York, America, causing the death of 255 civilians Each of the newspapers are national daily tabloid newspapers, therefore the target audience of all three papers are all quite similar tabloid newspapers tend to target people that are fairly young, perhaps 20-40, people that dont want to know each story in a tremendous amount of detail, but tend to flick through newspapers, picking out and reading sections of articles that interest them. Gossip columns, problem pages, stars lives, television listings etc are usually included in tabloids to interest the target audience. I will now discuss the three newspapers and how they differ from one another. The first newspaper I will be describing the journalistic style of, is The Sun. Reading through the first few paragraphs of this newspaper, descriptive words are used to create the scene in your mind, however, the journalist, Brian Flynn, also cleverly incorporates the most important details of the story, without destroying the image of the incident: Terrified passengers on the jet that crashed in New York yesterday were seen screaming at its windows seconds before they died. This is the opening paragraph of the story. Within the first 21 words, the readers are automatically informed of the event itself, the whereabouts of the crash and also when it took place, and still Flynn is managing to create a picture of the screaming, terrified passengers. It is difficult to discuss how the paragraph lengths fluctuate due to the fact that there are only 4 short paragraphs on the front cover. Each one of them is about the same size, the first summarising the events of November 12th, the second creates a link between the events and those of September 11th, the third giving a little more detail about the airlines and finally the looks at a specific aspect of the event and talks to a witness. The Daily Mail, a middle market paper, on the other hand, takes a very different approach. The most vital facts of the incident were not even discussed until the fifth paragraph, instead the journalist, Daniel Jeffreys, focuses on the impact that the event had on the American people: The shock hit New York like a sudden ice storm, freezing people where they stood. This opening paragraph, in my opinion, is a lot more effective than The Suns. When a person would read the first three paragraphs of this story, a great deal more interest and concern will be created. This is because this is an unusual way of starting, the most important details of the event are usually thrown into the first paragraph, when a person reads this they realise that this article is written like all the others find themselves wanting to read on. Due to the fact a lot of the readers tend to scan read the articles and not probably read every single story, the journalist deliberately uses emotive language to slow the reader down and get them to properly read the article and take in everything the journalist writes. This effect would not be achieved if the events were summarised into short concise sentences. Some of the journalists words are powerful and moving: Their faces, drained of colour It is not typical of a newspaper journalist to write such a thing, but this skilfully forms an image, an image that the audience could easily relate to, therefore I think the use of emotive language makes the readers understand the full impact of the atrocities. When the more important information is mentioned, it is steadily and subtly fed into the story. By the ninth paragraph, all the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, why) and the H (how) had all been explained. I think the journalist has deliberately done this to sustain the readers interest. If all the most information was in the first paragraph the reader would simply skip to the next story because they would be satisfied with what they know. The first three paragraphs are kept short, averaging 16 words in each. After that, the paragraphs get gradually longer, peaking at 43 words towards the end of the article. The readers concentration span will gradually expand during the story, therefore if the longest sentences were used at the very beginning of the story, the reader would loose interest and stop reading straight away, but because the sentence length gradually expand as the story develops, the reader can cope with the information they are receiving. My third source is the Daily Star. This storys beginning is concise and very brief, informing readers of the vital points within the first paragraph. The first four paragraphs, which appear on the front page of the Daily Star, are bullet pointed, each makes a different point, giving us a little more information on the event. This allows the readers to know the main details and gives them the choice to read on. Each of the paragraphs that appear on the front cover, are on average 25 words long. The sentences are kept fairly long; neither the sentence or paragraph lengths dramatically change throughout the part of the story that is on the front cover. On this particular paper, the headline is about 4 times as big as the story, therefore the headline would have to be extremely attention-grabbing, because this is the first thing the purchaser of the newspaper will read. The Stars headline is Terror Returns. I think this is very appropriate, because after the terrorist attacks on America, everyone compared the events of November 12th to those of September 11th. Because the headline is large and bold it is very eye-catching, this means the headline will have to be very effective. The headline is short and simple, but because of this, the two words emphasise the severity and importance of the event.

Hong Kong Society and Social Stratification

Hong Kong Society and Social Stratification The Concept of Social Stratification Stratification is the geological concept of strata rock layers in natural processes. While in sociology, the concept of stratification turns to refer to the different strata of social groups and their arrangements. Social stratification is a particular form of social inequality which involves power, prestige and wealth. We can find in our lives that one group may own and enjoy more economic resources than another, or it may be held in high esteem, or it may be in a position to order other groups around. The study of social stratification is to explore how is the hierarchy formed within the society, how are social resources unequally distributed and how these different groups relate to one another. Obviously, the arrangement of different social groups within a society is not really like the arrangements of rock in the earths crust as there are frequent and various interactions between the higher and lower social groups. Moreover, contrary to solid rock layers, rises and falls take place both by group and by individuals in social system. One group may rise in power and status while another group may fall. Individuals also move up and down to change their group belongings. So when we study social stratification, we should pay attention to its characteristic of interaction and mobility. Any neglect would lead to a false conclusion. Theories of Social Stratification Social stratification is not a new born concept. Long ago in ancient China, Li was considered a special subject on institutions and manners which gave a strict division and rules of social classes. In Han Shu-Monograph on Food and Currency , people were stratified in a descending order of scholars, peasants, workers and businessmen. In the west, the earliest discussion on social stratification can be dated back to ancient Greece. Plato illustrated an ideal state in Republic with three stable classes of freemen-Rulers or Philosopher Kings, Warriors or Guardians, and Workers, while Aristotle argued with an idea of the rich, the poor and the middle. When talking about social stratification, we can always find these two names: Karl Marx and Max Weber. The classic statements on both social class and stratification provide the foundation from which we can fully appreciate current social dynamics and new directions in the study of social inequality. The Marxist Perspective Karl Marx was born in the aftermath of the European Revolution. By witnessing the end of the old era and the emergence of a new age, he found a similarity in all societies-the ever existence of two social classes. He inherited Hegels account of the conflict between master and slave, then took the idea of two opposed forces to analyze the form of the conflict. Marx was the first to develop a systematic theory on social class. A class is a social group whose members share the same relationship to the means of production. Individuals in a class not only act in much the same way but also tend to think in much the same way. There are two major social groups in all societies, a ruling one and a subject one. The relationship between the two major classes is conflict-exploiter and exploited, oppressor and oppressed. Marx conceived the society as a system of production based on the existence of these two opposite social classes. The ruling class (the bourgeoisie) own the means of production (land, capital, labour power, buildings and machinery) while subject class (the proletariat) has no choice but to work for the capitalists. Wage labourers produce goods and services but get only subsisted rewards. Employers take the products away to sell them at a value greater than their cost of production. By accumulating this surplus value, capitalists get m ore wealth and means of production to sustain the system. Capital is a social power. Political power comes from economic power, from the control of means of production. The ruling class build up the superstructure of society-the major institutions, values and belief systems, according to the common interests of the group. They seek protection for their ownership of means of production through laws and mechanisms which are favorable to them. In addition, a distorted picture of reality (ideology) was invented to justify and legitimate the domination of the ruling class and to inculcate the mass oppressed working class a false consciousness of the nature of relationship between social classes. Marx pointed out that there is a polarization of the classes through which the society would more and more split into the two great hostile camps. Although he did not deny the individual mobility between the social groups, the possibility is little because each group is relatively closed. Individual movement up and down does nothing to change the system. Only by thorough revolutions can social orders be reconstructed, can means of production be used by everyone and can social equality be achieved. Despite the great contribution to the study of social stratification, people raised problems in Marxist approach as listed below: Not all societies are class societies Class may not be the most basic social division The rise of the middle class and the fragmentary class structure Working class consciousness and intellectual wishful thinking To solve these problems, Neo Marxist scholars have made many efforts. Succeeding Marxs basic view of social stratification, the primary concern of modern Marxian theorists has been to apply this Marxian view of society to industrial societies that have experienced change since Marxs time, while also using new methods of social science research to validate some of the principal Marxian concepts. For instance, Gramsci accused dehumanizing aspects of modern capitalism and advocated more education on working class to develop intellectuals among them. Poulantzas thought the fragmentation of class structure was a defining characteristic of late capitalism, so any analysis must tackle the new constellation of interests and power. Structural Marxist, Wright, did some empirical research on social stratification. Inspired by others works, he borrowed the concept of skills and defined class in relation to the productive system: Capitalists, managers, workers and the petty bourgeoisie. The Weberian Alternative Max Weber contributed the most to development of stratification theory since Marx. He was said to have had a dialogue with Marx but got different conclusions. Marx saw classes in economic terms, while man does not strive for power only in order to enrich himself economically. He expanded Marxs standard of class division to a multidimensional view. People forming the same class roughly share common life chances which are reflected into class situation. In Webers point of view, ownership of property will directly give an individual more life chances in market, however, the skills and education the individual has had is also playing an important role in defining social classes. Under this assumption, Weber was able to explain the emergence of middle class while Marxism failed to do so. He identified as social class according to the economic rewards in labour market- the working class as a whole, the petty bourgeoisie, technicians, specialists and lower-level management and the classes privileged through property and education. Moreover, social stratification is not only decided by class(economic rewards), status is another significant perspective. Whereas class refers to the unequal distribution of economic rewards, status refers to the unequal distribution of social honor, which refers to how a person or a group is regarded by others. Individuals from a similar status group are likely to share similar status situation including lifestyle, sense of belonging and restriction on interaction with outsiders etc. This dimension managed to solve the doubt about the role of gender, ethnicity and religion in stratification theory. The last dimension in Webers three-component theory of stratification is party or power. To achieve whatever goals, people form organizations in rational orders to influence and dominate others. The most typical organizations of this kind are political parties and bureaucratic institutions. Where is one stand and how is one placed within the organization decide ones position in this dimension of stratification. Weber concluded that the three dimensions of hierarchies lead to the ranking of individual and group in human society. Nevertheless, the importance of each dimension differs in different societies. Webers theory of social stratification has relativity and mobility, which enlightened his successors like Anthony Giddens, Frank Parkin and John Goldthorpe, etc., to continue promoting the development of multidimensional theory of stratification. The Former Study on Hong Kong s Social Stratification Boggs, C. (1984). The two revolutions : Antonio Gramsci and the dilemmas of western Marxism (1st ed.). Boston, MA: South End Press. Crompton, R. (1993). Class and stratification : an introduction to current debates. Cambridge, UK ; Cambridge, MA, USA: Polity Press. Haralambos, M., Holborn, M. (2008). Sociology : themes and perspectives (7 ed.). London: HarperCollins Publishers. Hess, A. (2001). Concepts of social stratification : European and American models. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire ; New York: Palgrave. Kerbo, H. R. (1996). Social stratification and inequality : class conflict in historical and comparative perspective (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Levine, R. F. (1998). Social class and stratification : classic statements and theoretical debates. Lanham: Rowman Littlefield Publishers. Li, P. (2004). Social stratification in Chinas today(Zhongguo she hui fen ceng) (1 ed.). Beijing: She hui ke xue wen xian chu ban she. Li, X. (2008). Dream and reality : stratification and social mobility in Hong Kong(Meng Xiang Yu Xian SHI: Xiang Gang De She Hui Fen Ceng Yu She Hui Liu Dong) ( 1 ed.). Beijing: Publisher of Peking University. Marx, K., Engels, F. (1888). Manifesto of the Communist party ([5th ed.). London,: W. Reeves. Poulantzas, N. A. (1982). Political power and social classes. London: Verso. Saunders, P. (1990). Social class and stratification. London: Routledge. Weber, M., Gerth, H. H., Mills, C. W. (2009). From Max Weber : essays in sociology. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon ; New York: Routledge. Wright, E. O. (1997). Class counts : comparative studies in class analysis. Cambridge ; New York Paris: Cambridge University Press ;Maison des sciences de lhomme.

Essay example --

Since 1899, when the first juvenile court was created in Cook County, Illinois there has been a debate on whether or not the juvenile court system is effective and a useful tool in dealing with juvenile delinquents. After the first juvenile court was established, there was a rapid accepting across the United States which eventually led to the juvenile justice system. Since then, every state has accepted the idea and now has a juvenile court system. While every state has a juvenile court system, many states are now looking at the alternative of rehabilitation for juveniles rather than incarceration. Rehabilitation is shown to be more effective as a policy towards juveniles than incarceration, and because of that, the United States should focus their attention on rehabilitation over incarceration (ABA Division). During the late 1700s and early 1800s, the way of punishing juveniles was to confine them in prison because there were really no other options. During this time, adult criminals were housed with juveniles as well as the mentally ill inside overcrowded facilities. In response to this problem, Thomas Eddy and John Griscom led the way for the creation for the first Houses of Refuge in 1825 in New York. This facility house vagrant and poor children who were on the path to becoming delinquents. By 1840, there were approximately twenty five similar facilities in states all across the United States. While these facilities became popular, the same issues began to happen that were happening with the prison system. Overcrowding and horrible conditions within the facilities began to get worse. Reformers called for new facilities to put more of an emphasis on education. This shift led to the use if r... ... juveniles. From this, states began to pass law for stricter conditions, including mandatory sentences as well as adult court transfers for certain crimes that were committed by juveniles. Because of these new laws, more juveniles were being sentenced to jail time and were being tried within the adult criminal justice system and being incarcerated in juvenile corrections facilities. By the mid to late 1990s, more and more juveniles were being incarcerated and overcrowding became to occur. With this, conditions within these facilities began to worsen. Since then, states have begun to reduce to number of juveniles that are being sent to correctional facilities. States are now looking to the idea of the training and reform schools that were originally used and looking to move back to a system of rehabilitation rather than incarceration (ABA Division).

Hesters Letter :: essays papers

Hester's Letter There are numerous characters in The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, that play noteworthy roles. The character that stands out the most is Hester Prynne. Hester changes significantly during the course of the novel. In the beginning of the novel she is conceived as an extreme sinner through the eyes of the Puritans; she has gone against Puritan ways, committing adultery (Chuck). For this irrevocably harsh sin, she must wear a symbol of shame for the rest of her life. However, the Romantic philosophies of Hawthorne put down the Puritanical beliefs (Chuck). She is a beautiful, young woman who has sinned, but is forgiven. Hawthorne portrays Hester as a "divine maternity" and she can do no wrong. Not only Hester, but also the physical scarlet letter, a Puritanical sign of disownment, is shown through the author's style and rhetoric as a beautiful, gold and colorful piece (Chuck). Hawthorne uses Hester Prynne in the novel to convey many different meanings. Hawthorne is more inter ested in uncovering the flaws of puritan society and the hypocrisy of their reactions to Hester’s sin, than to analyze adultery. Hawthorne uses Hester to scrutinize the Puritan way indirectly, and show the role women should play in society. The Puritan culture is one that recognizes Protestantism, a sect of Christianity. Though a staple of Christianity is forgiveness for one’s sins, this has long been forgotten amongst the women of Boston: â€Å"Morally, as well as materially, there was a coarser fiber in those wives and maidens of old English birth and breeding, than in their fair descendants† (Marcus). When Hester is first brought out of her prison cell, it is the gossiping goodwives who keep recommending much harsher punishments, from a brand on her forehead to death. Hester, who had done nothing wrong prior to this sin of adultery, is no longer seen as a human being, but merely as a symbol of evil and shame upon the town. Hester is forced to stand on the scaffold with everyone in town ridiculing her until she confesses who her partner was in the sin, but instead she stands there for three hours, when she was allowed to come down. Her subjection for the Puritan onlookers was excoriating to bear , and Hester holds the child to her heart, a symbolic comparison between the child and the scarlet letter, implying that they are truly both intertwined (Chuck).

Social Constructionism

Social constructionism focuses on meaning and power. It maintains that, as humans, we respond to the meaning of events and objects rather than the actual objects and events themselves. This meaning is actually a construction, a product of social interaction between individuals. Our behaviour is regulated by guidelines, which make everyday life predictable and understandable. These guidelines set boundaries as to what is acceptable behaviour, and are themselves a product of social interaction. They cause us to behave in a certain way – the way that is seen as the norm. It is through social interaction that people â€Å"act and react in relation to others.†Ã‚   Through this social interaction, we learn what is acceptable and what is not. Over time these ‘rules’ become internalised within us, and eventually become a somewhat unconscious part of our lives. We end up just taking them for granted, as we begin to see that what we do is just normal (e.g. habit). Burr (1985) identifies four assumptions that the social constructionist perspective follows: The first is that, as social constructionists, we should â€Å"take a critical stance towards our taken-for-granted ways of understanding the world.†Ã‚   Whereas traditional science assumes that observation can be used to explain the nature of the world, social constructionism is wary of this opinion. It argues that just because we divide people and things in the world into categories, they may not actually be real divisions. Burr uses the example of music – there is nothing in the nature of music that denotes that it should be divided into such categories as ‘pop’ or ‘classical’. The other point Burr raises is that of ‘historical and cultural specificity’. This is the idea that the understanding we have of the world, and concepts in it, are specific to particular cultures and time periods. Burr also insists that these concepts are products of, and dependent on, the culture and the economic arrangements of the culture at that time. Consequently, all medical belief systems operate within a culture with norms, values and expectations that make sense of illness for people in that culture and set the criteria for what, locally, can count as illness. The variation in ways of understanding illness that exists across cultures and across the range of alternative medicines in our own society can also be seen historically. Foucault (1973, 1980) has persuasively argued that such ordering and classifying, with respect to human beings, has played and continues to play a key role in controlling the populace. By classifying people as normal or abnormal, mad or sane and healthy or sick, it became possible to control society by regulating work, domestic and political behaviours. For example, the certified mentally ill may not vote and may be forcibly confined, those who cannot obtain a sick note from their doctor may have no choice but to work and those whose sexuality is deemed unhealthy or abnormal may be denied access to family life. The next point Burr mentions is that people construct their own understanding of the nature of the world through social interaction. Social constructionists are especially interested in how individuals interact, particularly the idea of language. Through communication, we distinguish shared meanings. These shared meanings would be impossible without communication. The interaction that takes place between individuals never ends. Like socialisation, it exists throughout one’s life. It leads to a collective understanding of meanings. Institutions are formed, and rules and policies are put into place. This brings us on to the last of Burr’s assumptions; the idea that knowledge and social action go hand in hand. Each social construction differs, and â€Å"brings with it†¦. a different kind of action from human beings.† It is not only our behaviour that is ‘learnt’. Society affects our thoughts and emotions. Social constructionists believe that our identities in particular are shaped by society (Berger, 1963, p.140). Berger describes identity as being something that is not ‘given’, but something â€Å"bestowed in acts of social recognition.†Ã‚   Through the process of socialisation, we internalise the rules of society, and are compelled to stay loyal to these rules. Various forms of social control exist to keep us ‘in line’ and prevent us from breaking the rules. More formal types of control include law enforcement, whereas there are more subtle forms such as disapproval of deviant acts, followed by guilt and shame. Berger maintains that no society can exist without social control. (Berger, 1963, P.83) Burr argues that personalities do not necessarily exist within a person, but rather between people.   Common words used to describe people’s personalities would be somewhat meaningless if the person being described lived alone (Burr uses the example of living on a desert island). Without other people around them, how can someone be described as having a shy personality? The point Burr is trying to make is that such descriptive words often refer to our behaviour towards other people, and don’t have much meaning if you take other people away from an individual. Similarly, our personalities may change depending on whom we are with. Burr argues that although our personalities may change slightly when we are with different people, it is still ‘us’ in all of them, but each ‘you’ is affected, and socially constructed by the relationships we have with those people. The empirical study showed that managers enact a managerial role that involves portraying themselves as managers, maintaining the visual faà §ade of management, controlling themselves strictly to prevent the mask slipping, and so carrying out the symbolic role of manager. However, to be a manager also requires that there be a managerial Other, and a managerialized order requires the denigration of other participants in the organization and the arrogation of others' rights to self-determination. Managers, who are the materialized metaphysics, so to speak, of capitalist power, are in this perspective a social construction in that they belong in a social world wherein lies the possibility for thinking, and thus practising, things differently. In order to bring about change we have to understand- the mechanisms by which current pillars of power are maintained. Marxism had too simplistic an assumption about how change could be achieved and, indeed, about how the new utopia could be built. Market managerial utopianism sadly has been more successful in imposing its own vision of utopia (Parker, 2002). Postmodernism/post-structuralism, while it has not yet helped us dream the design of the utopia we desire and has, indeed, in a peculiar reverse brought pragmatism to the discussion about utopias, helps us discern and understand those mechanisms. As Laclau (1990) has pointed out, it helps us open the possibilities repressed in the taken-for-granted and seemingly ‘objective' social relations and identities. One of these mechanisms is a language of management which is now so dominant that it crowds out alternative ways of thinking of, speaking about and working in organizations. The language of management is materialized in and through managers. But it is too simple to think of the language of management as nothing more than a language of rationality, autonomy, entrepreneurship, etc. Foucault have taught to explore more deeply into any language, to discover the languages which make possible that language, and thus not to presume that the ideology spoken through the language is all that informs and sustains that power/knowledge formulation signified in writing and speech. In other words, social constructionism, as a study of how power, first, impregnates the language of management that is found in textbooks, of how readers interact with the textbook and, seduced by the language, absorb it to some extent into their identities and thus come into being as managers. Second, it is a study of how managers' identity is permeated through and through with and by the organizations in which they work. It is thus a study of how management is a social construction. All in all, the social constructionist perspective maintains that social interaction and socialisation are incredibly important, as they are the backbone for building individuals. Language is of particular importance to this perspective, and it’s argued that â€Å"language provides the basis for all our thought.†Ã‚   In this sense, it is through language that we can give our experiences meaning. In conclusion, the social constructionist perspective offers a lot of insight into the human world, especially with regards to the construction of society and individuals within it. References Berger, P, 1963, Invitation to sociology, Harmondsworth, Pelican. Burr, V, 1995, An introduction to social constructionism, London, Routledge. De Swaan, A, 2001, Human societies, Cambridge, Polity. Foucault, M., 1979, The Birth of the Clinic, London: Routledge. Foucault, M., 1980, Power/Knowledge, London: Harvester Wheatsheaf. Jenkins, R, 1996, Social identity, London, Routledge. Laclau, E., 1990, New Reflections on the Revolution of Our Time, London: Verso. Macionis, J., and Plummer, K, 2002, Sociology: a global introduction, Harlow, Prentice Hall. Oakley, A., 1985, Sex, gender and society, London, Gower. Parker, Martin, 2002, Utopia and the Organizational Imagination: Outopia. In Parker, Martin (ed.) Utopia and Organization, Oxford: Blackwell, pp. 1-8. Taylor, S., 1999, Sociology: issues and debates, Basingstoke, Palgrave. What is social constructionism? http://www.psy.dmu.ac.uk Sociology online www.sociologyonline.co.uk

Census Tract 78.09

Census Tract 78. 09 In the middle of the Pacific Ocean lays the biggest chain of islands, the Hawaiian Islands, and on the Island of Oahu within census tract number 78. 07 (figure 1) is my home. This tract is in the southern part of the island and its east boundary is Aiea. This tract is also between two main roads: on the north there is the H-1 freeway, and from the south Moanalua Rd. , which is also bordered with Pearl Ridge Shopping Center. This tract, even though it may not seem like it, is somehow in the middle of the island. It is located off the freeway which makes it convenient to reach other parts of the island. It is about a fifteen minute drive to down town, Waikiki, Kaneohe (east side), and Waipahu. A 25-30 minute drive will bring you to the North Shore or Ko Olina, which is located on the western end of the island. This tract appears to be a high-order central place that includes one of the four major malls on the island. In addition, Straub Clinic & Hospital is less than a mile away, and there are many restaurants, car repair shops, gas stations and schools nearby. The residents of this tract and other tracts nearby can find answers to almost all their needs and wants at a walking distance. With the help of the U. S. Census Bureau I am able to analyze and understand better the nature and characteristics of this tract. Census tract number 78. 07 is more than just a street and road map; it is a map that states the boundaries of different social demographic and economic components. With the updated information and data the U. S Census Bureau provides and with the field survey I have performed, I am able to analyze and describe the environment and people I live around. In this tract there are 5,351 people and the number of males and females is relatively even with 47. 1% female and 52. % male. The majority of people are between the ages of 25-44: 23% are 25 to 34 years old and 20. 5% are 35 to 44 years old, which makes a total of 2,309 people at this age group. It is obvious this area is home to younger adults with children than older people (the median age is 34. 5). There are 304 children under the age of 5 (5. 7%) while there are only 132 who are 75 years old and older. Indeed, when walking around the area you notice more young children with their parents, or groups of teenagers, than people in their older years. It seems that this tract is more appealing for younger families (45. % are married compared to 12. 9% who are divorced) with children under the age of 18 (490), than a household with individuals 65 years and over (96). Big portions of the people in this tract (4,562) are 16 and over, which makes them eligible to hold a job and become part of the labor force. 79. 5% of this group is part of the labor force. Within this number, 4. 5% are unemployed (204 people), and 10. 8% are in the armed forces. Women over sixteen represent almost half of the total population with 2,145 in number. The female labor force is smaller with only 72. 8% participant, and only 63% employed. With today’s economic rollercoaster these numbers are relatively very good. The data on the average income supports and corresponds to the information mentioned above. 63% of working people are private wage and salary workers mainly in the management, professional, and other related occupational fields (34. 8%) or in sales and office occupations (32. 7%). Since this area is urban, there are only a few (only 5 people) who practice farming, fishing, or forestry occupations. In deed most of the people I meet in the elevator or see in that area are dressed up with suits, briefcases, and laptops on their shoulders. As for 1999, the median income for households was $41, 696 when 22. 1% earned $50,000 to $74,999, 18. 6% made $35,000 to $49,999, and only 5. 6% made less than $10,000 a year. According to the make, model, and shape of cars and the people’s appearances, those numbers seem to be fairly accurate. Income and employment rates are often times an indicator of the educational level and number of graduate and degree holders. In this tract the percentage of educated people is quite high. Out off all children age of 3-4 years 52. 6% are enrolled in school, in the 5 to 14 years group 95. % are in school, and more encouraging information is that all kids ages 15-17 years are attending school. The busy traffic and crowded sidewalks with kids and their parents around eight in the morning and between 2:00-3:00 p. m. is living proof of accurate statistics. Out of the 613 people between the ages of 18-24 there are 520 (84. 8%) high school graduates and 191 who are enrolled in college or gradua te school. The overall education of that section is somehow similar to the number of the younger generation. 90. 5% of people over 25 have graduated from high school or higher, and 31. % hold a bachelor degrees or higher. Most people in this tract hold American citizenships (81. 9%) and the rest are mainly from Asia. 43. 1% of those with American citizenships were born in Hawaii, 34. 9% were born in the continental United States, and 3. 8% were born outside of the US in Porto Rico, US Island areas and born abroad to American parents. The majority of the foreign born population is from Asia (86. 7%), especially from Eastern and South Eastern Asia. From Eastern Asia (58. 8%) there are mainly 7. 1%from China, 11. 2%from Japan and 40. 5% from Korea. South Eastern Asia (26. %): 22. 1% from the Philippines, 3% from Vietnam, and 1. 8% from Thailand. This information appears to be correct. Even though it is sometimes hard to distinguish where a person is from, it is obvious they are somewhe re from Asia. The rest of the foreign born people are from different countries from around the world, but they represent a smaller number, and are barely noticeable. On the other hand there are only 252 (4. 7%) who are native Hawaiian or from other South Pacific islands. Surprising information indicates that there are 7. 9% Hispanic or Latino people. I have been living in this area for about a year now, and have worked here for over three years, and I do not recall recognizing or interacting with Hispanic or Latino people. All the White, Asian, Hawaiian, Latino, and any other race seem to live together in harmony. There are no visual signs (like graffiti or fights) of any cultural or race issues. When walking in my neighborhood taking my dog for a walk, I often times notice couples that are not from the same ethnic background. The same observation is true for the groups of kids hanging out in parks, the mall, and the bus stations. Hawaii in general is a huge collection of cultures, ethnicities and religions. While sometimes local people like to make fun of â€Å"white† people, they are a welcoming society who accepts cultural differences with open hearts. I can say from my own experience that whenever my neighbors or other people nearby hear that I am from Israel, they show no sign of rejection, but of acceptance. I believe that this attitude among people is what helps the crime level. We are no different than other places in the world; we have our own casualties and problems. Every once in a while I hear about a car that was broken into or stolen, or I hear about suspicious rumors of drug dealing going on in the area. But the overall feeling is that this is a considerably safe, low crime area (especially compared to other areas on Oahu). This tract may seem small, but it is in the center of Aiea. There are two elementary schools within walking distance and few more located less than a mile away. The mall is just a cross the street which provides a variety of stores, services (banking, medical, post office, etc. ) and restaurants. Even though it appears to by a busy urban locale, the people in this area do not neglect their religious practices. There are four different churches in less than a half mile radius of that tract. I am usually not awake and outside on Sunday mornings, but every once in a while my shift starts early and I get to watch my community on their way to the different churches. Due to the area the tract is located in, one would expect to see a concentration of high rise buildings. This tract is no exception, there are high rise buildings but at the same time there are also low rise units. This tract is a combination of high rise building (like the one I live in) and some town houses on the other side of the road. This gives people the ability to live in an urban area with the opportunity to choose to live in a smaller more affordable apartment, or in a bigger more suburban style home, all within the city. 87. 7% of the units are in 20 or more units structure, 5. 1 in 5-9 units per structure, and 4% 3-4 units in a structure. Most of the units were built more than thirty years ago. 59. 3% were built in the seventies and the majority of the rest in the eighties. The data may indicate that the buildings in the area are quite old, but have been well taken care of. As part of the board of directors of my building, I know that the residents and the association are doing a good job to maintain our property, and make it look as new and as attractive as they can. The outside of the units in the tract are always clean and painted. Each association has its own landscaping that contributes to the warm friendly environment of the neighborhood. At Christmas time, the entire track is glowing with Christmas lights and colorful decorations. Out of the 2,666 occupied units, more than half (64. 3%) are renters and are usually a one person household (43%). It seems like the renters are younger people (36% are between the ages of 25-34), perhaps students, people at their beginning of their careers, or soldiers. The location of the tract is centralized to military bases. On the east end is Marine Corps Base Hawaii which is about 18 miles away. On northwest end is Schofield Barracks with a 13 mile distance, and on the south end there are Pearl Harbor Navel Station and Hickam Air Force Base about 5 miles away. There are a few smaller military facilities that are even closer to the tract. Many people who are part of the armed forces find this location very convenient. More so, most roads in that area are not as congested as other main roads in other parts of the island (H-1 for example). Even in rush hour traffic there is no heavy traffic unless there is an unusual event (car accidents, event in the stadium, etc. ), cars are moving smoothly and traffic in general is open. Over the past year I have attended Windward Community College, which is on the other side of the island (about 14 miles from my house). I leave for school at 7:45 A. M. and come back at 3:00 P. M and I experience no typical rush hour bumper to bumper traffic. In general, it is easy to navigate in and out of the tract. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the average gross rent is between $500-$1500 when the majority 50. 7% falls in $750-&999 ranges. This may have been accurate for 2000, but it is undoubtedly not the price range today in 2009. A two bedroom one bathroom apartment in my building can start from $1400 a month. Other data that in my opinion does not match today is the occupants per room. In 2000, both renters and owner occupied units was mostly between 0. 5-1 per room. With increasing rent and decreasing resources, like the situation in the past year, people cannot afford to splurge and enjoy the connivance of each having his/her own room. More and more I hear about families moving in together, young couples seeking for a roommate to help with the monthly payment, and single parents looking for one bedroom for them and their child. It is obvious from the information above that census tract number 78. 07 is located in a central urban area. It is a mix of cultures, people of different races and ages. Although the data suggests that the population is relatively young, there are still many older people who probably moved to this area many years ago when it was not as developed and commercialized as it is now. When it comes to analyzing an island, it is a bit more difficult than if analyzing a state on the mainland. On Oahu there is the main and only city Honolulu, and the other areas are considered to be more like a town due to its size and number of people. If Hawaii was just like any other state, Aiea which is where the tract is will be considered a city. Other than Waikiki, there is no other area on the island that provides as many services and goods as Aiea do. The tract is being transformed into a more modern area that in few years from now will contain mostly young small families and individuals who want to live in a more centralized location. This area may not offer new luxurious homes, but it will offer the fast paced and energetic life style a city creates.