Imperialism Dialogue (see instructions) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Imperialism Dialogue (see instructions) - Essay Example You can see that minority populations face at the hands of our government on the basis of imperialism and they have endured for centuries (Zwick 59). We can become a support for them by enabling them to gain freedom. The people of Philippines and black Americans should not be subjugated; they must have their own lives (Zwick 56). I am against President McKinley’s policies that are imperialist. As far as I am concerned, I do not feel at all that I am anti-imperialist, as I believe that people can be controlled by the help of some governance that is strict. We are responsible for the minorities and it is our duty to give them protection whether it is possible with imperialism or any other way (Bartleby.com 2010). We have conquered the land of Philippines and its people have come under our control. Now, they require our support for their defense. Our national strength lies in the fact that United States of America is an imperialist state (Bartleby.com 2010). United States can become a better state if it handles the islands that surround it as the people that live there are in need of our assistance and support. We as world power have a natural right over controlling the minorities according to our own interest. Mark Twain: Well, I believe that every person in this world has a natural right to live his own life with his own will and with full freedom. We conquered Philippines but we have no right to redeem its people (Titta 1997). Theodore Roosevelt: Mr. Twain, you are highly mistaken my dear. Ruling over the world is not an easy task and countries cannot gain world power if we give freedom to everyone (Bartleby.com 2010). As a nationalist, we have to see the interests of our own state and land. Mark Twain: But, this is colonialism and we are subjugating people only for our own interest. As human beings, we are not authorized to allocate people as superior or inferior. I do not say that we should not fight these people

Systems of Power, Expertise and Their Relation to Listening in The Essay

Systems of Power, Expertise and Their Relation to Listening in The 1991 Film The Doctor - Essay Example The opening scene of the movie provides a case study for one extreme form of listening – that in the operating room, which has definite needs and interesting power imbalances which stem from several distinct sources of responsibility and power which operate in the room. A close examination of the opening scene of The Doctor can demonstrate an extreme setting and system of listening, which creates a significant power imbalance and could be rectified through small changes in environment and participation. One of the most commonly analyzed listening environments is the listener-focused on. This kind of listening environment focuses heavily on the listener’s perspective and opinion of the interaction (Brownell 40). This kind of environment features such things as school presentations, speeches, business presentations or marriage proposals. The opening scene of The Doctor features the polar opposite of this listening environment – rather than focusing on what the list ener hears, this scene nearly entirely concentrates on what the speaker says significantly discounting other voices or perceptions. The opening scene takes place in an operating room, where there is essentially only one speaker who completely dominates the speaking and listening environment. The main surgeon controls everything about the environment – frequently changing what kind of ambient noise is occurring (telling others to turn music on and off, for instance) and communicating based solely on his own perceptions of need. The listeners in this environment are supposed to be completely passive in terms of communication, and simply react silently to orders barked by the main surgeon – in the only instance when someone tries to make him the listener, by telling him that he has a time limit, the doctor fails to respond, or acknowledge that he has heard what is being said. This pattern continues in doctor-everyone else relations throughout the entire course of the movi e, and one of the most interesting aspects of the film is the shift the main character, Jack MacKee, experiences the shift from being solely a doctor to also being a patient with cancer.  

The use of videos in FL teaching and learning Assignment

The use of videos in FL teaching and learning - Assignment Example The paper provides the possible constraints of using the method to facilitate teaching and learning and the paper also provides the assessment of the use f the method in teaching. The paper concludes with recommendations and summarization of the main points discussed in the paper. Video refers to anything that relates to or the use transmitted images or the whole process or receiving images through a television or a computer. A video can involve images which are normally displayed on television sets or n computers. Videos can be exploited in various ways in order to make sure that there is creation of motivation, memorable instance and involvement of all the learners. On the other side, watching a video can sometimes be passive and therefore, other teaching methods should be used together with the use of video in the teaching and learning of a foreign language (Brian 2008 p. 77-79). Before any teacher uses the video in class, it is important for him or her to check it or go through i t to make sure that it only contains the relevant materials to be taught in class. Such a teacher should also compare his or her lesson plans from other institutions which use videos in the teaching and learning of a foreign language to make sure that it is effective and how such a lesson plan can be improved. The teacher should also make sure that the chosen video demonstrates the specific topic that it was meant for. With so doing, the teaching and learning of a foreign language through the use of a video can be effective and the same time successful (Hadley 1993 p. 16-21). Benefits of using Videos The use of video materials in the classroom environment can give a big favor to the learners through providing them with motivation to learn the foreign language. The learners are motivated to learn the foreign language since they are presented the real language and this provides the learners with a positive look and perception at the culture. Video clips give a representation of the au thentic environment of the foreign culture and also provides the learners with practical examples of how the foreign language operates and functions. The use of video clips presents the learners with authentic language interaction and also it shows both the verbal and nonverbal components of the language. In the non verbal components of the language, the videos materials provide the eye movements and facial expressions, body language, and space language of the native speakers of the language (Joseph 1999 p. 206- 209). One of the benefits of using videos in the teaching and learning of foreign language is that it creates experience in learners. With creating the experience, the video clips provide sensory experience which makes the ideas and the concepts in the video to be like real life experiences thus guiding the learners in the adventure. The other benefit of using video is that it turns a classroom to an interactive place throughout the learning process. This makes all the learn ers to enjoy the learning session and at the same time retain most f the information and knowledge they get from the videos. The other benefit is that the use of video in the teaching and learning complements traditional approaches which are used in the learning process. Effective use of the videos connects the knowledge already with the learners with the learning objectives contained in

Discuss how The Heart of Darkness reflects the paradoxes of Essay

Discuss how The Heart of Darkness reflects the paradoxes of imperialism in the late 19th century - Essay Example The first paradox of Heart of Darkness refers to how the civilising mission of imperialism resulted to the dehumanisation of the colonisers. When waging imperialism, Europeans asserted their moral, social, and intellectual ascendancy, as they aimed to civilise all that is brute and different from their culture. Conrad shows, however, that the Western imperialist man has lost his heart to the darkness of imperialism. Maritime Hennard Dutcheil De La Rochere argues that Conrad uses the body of Africa as a trope for the ironic effects of European civilisation on colonised countries. De La Rochere asserts: â€Å"†¦[the] central idea†¦ the civilising mission [is] a spiritual and moral cure, is radically undermined through an ironic literalisation of the trope†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (186). Imperialism sees itself as a cure, which must be directly applied to the heart of Africa to cure it of its backwardness. The paradox is that the cure harmed the â€Å"doctors† too. In the case of Kurtz, he became consumed of his desire for wealth, so that he would be worthy of his Intended. Imperialism, nevertheless, does not cure the uncivilised, but destroys the civilised and their notion of morality. Kurtz engages in immoral acts of waging wars with other tribes to acquire their ivories. Ivories are expensive; they are the symbols of wealth and power. The concept of a new life whets Marlow’s appetite for adventure and fortune too. Despite the skirmish with the natives, he desires to see Kurtz to find out the truth. When he learns the truth, he regrets it. Imperialism stains people’s very core, their very soul. William Atkinson argues the horror of imperialism (374) that Conrad criticises. Wealth and power consumes Kurtz’s humanity. He is sick, not only because of living in a strange land, but more so because of the sickness of being an imperialist tool for human exploitation. The horror that captivates his last moments on earth is his horror and the horror of every European who sets foot on foreign lands to abuse the natives and their resources. The second paradox is that imperialism do not truly civilise the natives, but produces the counter-effect of large-scale dehumanisation that mars both native and Western civilisations. Dehumanisation occurs because of racial prejudice. Hunt Hawkins believes that Conrad criticises imperialism’s goals and means. When Marlow gets the first glimpse of the company's chief accountant’s clean appearance, he appreciates it as a â€Å"miracle† (Conrad 15). The miracle is an unsound image because miracles are holy. Later, as the accountant makes â€Å"correct entries of perfectly correct transactions† (Conrad 16), with the sick agent on his bed and a few feet away, Africans suffer in â€Å"grove of death† (Conrad 16), Conrad is disgusted. A clean outer experience does not have meaning when inside it is a cold soul. Another form of dehumanisation can be seen in t he effects of imperialism. Instead of curing people, Europeans impregnated them with capitalist ideas that destroyed their collectivist way of life. De La Rochere underscores that the â€Å"†¦embodiment of the jungle emphasises the human suffering this ‘civilising mission’ inflicts† (186). Instead of developing the minds and virtues of the natives, the whites only corrupted them with their materialistic and individualistic concerns

The Influence of Japonism in Van Gogh's Works Essay

The Influence of Japonism in Van Gogh's Works - Essay Example Van Gogh was an enthusiastic buyer of Japanese prints, most of which he acquired from the shop of a man named Bing, a Paris-based dealer who specialised in Japanese art. Later, in the South of France, Van Gogh wrote his brother Theo (who was in Holland) to describe the reasons for his love for the art of Japan. He told Theo that Japanese art makes us â€Å"happier and more cheerful.† It is an art of great simplicity, for the Japanese artist can find beauty in â€Å"a single blade of grass† and can create pictures rapidly, â€Å"with a few confident strokes.† Van Gogh particularly admired the prints: â€Å"Japanese prints, coloured in flat tones, are admirable†. Many of Van Gogh’s own paintings contain allusions to Japan. For example, Japanese prints are depicted in the background of his portraits of Pà ©re Tanguy and Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear. Some of his paintings are very â€Å"Japanesey† in their subject matter, for example Branches of an Almond Tree in Blossom. But more important was influence which the Japanese prints had on the actual style of Van Gogh’s work. At first sight, his painting Emperor Moth has no obvious connection to the art of Japan, but if we examine it more closely we can see how deeply Van Gogh had absorbed Japanese aesthetic principles. He told Theo that he had encountered â€Å"a rather rare night moth called the ‘death’s head’, its coloration astonishingly distinguished: black, grey, white, shaded, and with glints of carmine or vaguely tending towards olive green†.... What also strikes us about the painting is its bold design and draughtsman-like qualities. The forms are edged with hard outlines, like the forms in a Japanese print. The painting has a decorative and semi-abstract quality, possibly reminding us of Japanese textile patterns, while the wings of the moth could almost make us think of the patterns on a kimono. The earlier letter to Theo had praised the â€Å"flat tones† of Japanese prints, and the painting is basically a flat design, without much perspective depth. The letter to Theo praised the rapid, calligraphic brushwork of Japanese painting, seen here in the rapid delineation of the grasses and the leaves. Van Gogh had also written to Theo about the Japanese love of nature and simplicity, seen here in his own painting of a single moth, set against a background of plants. Hokusai – most famous for his print of The Great Wave at Kanagawa - was a Japanese printmaker whom Van Gogh much admired, and we could compare Van Go gh’s Emperor Moth with prints like Hokusai’s Irises and Meadow Cicada and Hibiscus and Sparrow, which depict details of nature (illustrated in Fahr-Becker 154-155). Hokusai wrote that he wanted to understand â€Å"the nature of birds, animals, insects, fishes – the vital nature of grasses and trees† (Stanley-Baker 192), which reminds us of Van Gogh’s paintings of butterflies, clumps of grass, lilacs and irises, all of which he painted around the same time as his moth picture (McQuillan184). It is important that Hokusai devoted a great deal of attention not just to flowers but also to their stems and their leaves. This can be seen in Van Gogh’s Emperor Moth painting,

Barclays Bank PLC Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Barclays Bank PLC - Case Study Example Barclays' four centuries of growth and provision of services in retail banking such as current accounts, savings and investments, mortgages and other loans, credit cards and online banking were surprisingly responsive to the instability present within international financial investment and services corporations across the board (Hoovers 2010). The company also holds majority apportionment of Absa Group insurance (i.e. 59% stockholder). Representation of the Barclaycard in the Spring 2010: Investors Presentation Post Q1 IMS indicated that despite the retraction of revenues from revolving credit within this sector, Barclays saw 'strong income growth largely offset by increased impairment' and 'international diversification of business' with over 50% of the card's customers outside the UK (Barclays 2010). Credit market exposures reduced by 22BN, with protium loans at 7.9BN as of December 31, 2009. Dating to the 17th century, Barclays Bank is the flagship subsidiary of Barclays PLC financial services group, with retail and commercial operations in 50 countries throughout Africa, Europe and the Middle East. In 2010, Barclays acquired the Italian credit card business of Citibank International Bank; a deal that absorbed 197,000 credit card accounts and approximately 234 million ($320 million) worth of assets globally. Integration of the Citibank acquisition, and including business assets and employees, will be incorporated into the existing Barclays Western Europe division, with conversion of the credit card accounts to Barclaycards (Hoovers 2010). In 2008, the bank had made a more limited purchase of Goldfish, the UK credit card unit of Discover Financial Services for a sum of 46 million ($70 million). Emerging market expansion has also defied the climate of default within the international financial services sector, and the company has moved forward with strategic agreements made in Asia and Russia between 2007 and 2009. The agreements also include mergers that combine liability through sale of assets with retention of administration, as in the 2007 Barclays sale of its trust administration and custody business in Japan to Sumitomo Trust and Bank for some 21 million ($32 million). In 2008 the Bank acquired Russia's Expobank at 690 million ($750 million), and began negotiations to confirm agreement on 19.5% of New China Trust - just under the maximum 20% investment cap allowed to foreign companies. Finally, in 2009 the group moved to acquire a 99% stake in Bank Akita, Indonesia at 65 million ($100 million). The acquisition includes a rebranding of the company as 'Barclays Bank of Indonesia' which will further the corporation's interests in the region through integration with its gl obal retail and commercial banking services administered by its emerging markets business division. While many people blame the 2008/09 'credit crunch' on a lack of risk management and unreliable financial reporting by banks, Barclays has shown significant leverage in planning and in critical change management decision making. Although much fiscal risk management looks to the audit process toward implementing strategic measures of mitigation, Barclays strategic model incorporates restructuring of the internal organizational

The differences in business systems in Asia and the West Essay Example for Free

The differences in business systems in Asia and the West Essay When researching the differences in business systems between Asia and the West it is very difficult to find any material that does not attribute many of these disparities to cultural influences (Davidson, 1987; Ferguson, 1993 and Blackman, 1997). This is due to the fact that it is generally believed that intercultural awareness does contribute to successfully doing business in another culture. However, establishing how and where culture affects business systems is by no means an easy question to answer and many western businesses are in fact currently trying to answer this question in order to successfully integrate into the Chinese marketplace (Dayton, 2006 and Journal of Intercultural Learning, 2006). Therefore, in this essay I will analyse exactly what role culture has in explaining the distinctions between business systems in the West and China and argue that in many cases these discrepancies are incorrectly attributed to cultural reasons when in fact these variations can be explained by using far more obvious economic causes. Harris (2006) notes the eagerness of business journalists to attribute the differences in Western and Asian business systems to cultural factors by stating: the airport newsstand best-sellers and glossy news weeklies are packed with admonishments to preserve face and build relationships and local Chinese writers have jumped on the bandwagon, poking fun at the clueless westerners blundering towards failure in China because they dont understand the local culture. Graham and Lam (2003) concur stating that Western and Chinese approaches to business often appear incompatible. Graham and Lam (2003) also believe that these differences in business systems and attitudes stem from deep cultural origins and in order for western business to successfully interact with their Chinese counterparts they must understand the cause of these differences is in fact their cultural differences. However, Maidment (2006) argues that western Multi-National Companies (MNCs) are succeeding in China because they place little value on the role of culture when conducting business in China, but rather focus solely on business issues when conducting business. Maidment (2006) states that MNCs succeed because they hire the best local talent, pay the highest salaries, and invest the most. They have no culture, no beliefs, and no  predispositions. They are machines. It does seem that too many western businesses are too concerned with recognising cultural differences in China, which often provide no explanation to the difference in business systems. Instead they should just focus on implementing successful business strategies in China, rather than becoming fixated on cultural differences (Harris, 2006 and Dayton, 2006). Recognising that China has a different culture to that of western countries is not a universal explanation to explain the differences in business systems (Baird et al, 1990). In fact, Maidment (2006) argues that traditional Chinese culture is changing so fast that no one understands it. It is therefore debatable whether or not culture plays any part in the difference in business systems, this is due to the fact that the current generation of Chinese professionals has very little in common with the previous one (Maidment, 2006). One could therefore argue that analysing cultural differences to explain the business ones carries very little weight in China (Asian Business Law, 2006). However, Maidment (2006), Harris (2006) and Dayton (2006) all concede that knowing Chinese history and culture is a benefit to conducting business in China but also state that cultural knowledge should not be solely relied upon in order to understand these differences. Given the rapid changes that are occurring in both the Chinese marketplace and Western economies it would seem that understanding the economic forces of the here and now would provide far greater insight into understanding the differences between China and the West, rather than mulling over traditional cultural influences. In contrast the Journal of Intercultural Learning (2006) when contrasting Chinese and Western businesses argues that culture shapes our values, attitudes and our behaviour. It affects the way we communicate with each other, the way we expect to lead and to follow, the way we negotiate, the way we buy and sell, and the way we work together in teams. Nevertheless such a broad statement provides little insight into which specific aspects of culture affects business systems in both Asia and the West. In order to better understand this, a contextual background is needed rather that just  providing stereotypical cultural tips, such as those that are regularly found in many business magazines. Anyone who thinks reading a few books on Chinese culture gives them the measure of the individual Chinese person with whom they are dealing is mistaken (Maidment, 2006). When examining the current differences in business systems between the West and China, differences in educational systems and levels in different localities, the rate of change, the intricacy of different systems in different locations, geographical factors and the widening gap in economic development between Chinas rich and poor provinces all affect business developments to a greater extent than any cultural factors would (Harris, 2006, Dayton, 2006, Ferguson, 1993 and Maidment, 2006). Burton and Scott (2008) do not however share such reservations when glorifying the role of culture in explaining the differences in business systems. Burton and Scott (2008) argue that the Chinese have been conducting business for thousands of years, and their system of business ethics has been shaped by the culture in which it developed — as was the business system in the West. At the centre of these differences is the fact that Chinese culture is far more relational than Western culture, and this difference is especially pronounced in business culture (Burton and Scott, 2008). Indeed, Miles (1999) also recognizes the stark differences in business relationships between the West and China and maintains that this is at the heart of potential differences between the two systems. The type of relationship and networking structure that is referred to by Burton and Scott (2008) and that is such a crucial part of conducting business in China is of course, guanxi. Despite the various definitions relating to guanxi, there appears to be a common consensus that guanxi has its own cultural base and meaning in Chinese culture (Lee, 2006 and Yang, 1994). In order for guanxi to be established between two or more people there needs to be a cultural base and many candidates for guanxi bases are unique to the Chinese culture (Chen, 2004: 308). Therefore, while social networking is important when conducting business in any country throughout the world, the type of networking referred to as guanxi appears to be  exclusively Chinese as it can not be separated from the intricacies of Chinese culture. In fact, Burton and Scott (2008) argue that because of Chinese culture, guanxi defines not only relationships but also how business is done in China. Given these circumstances an d the importance that many scholars place on the role of guanxi in explaining the difference in business systems between the West and China, it would appear that culture is the dominant factor to explain these discrepancies (Backman, 2001 and Chen, 2004). Therein however lies the problem in establishing exactly what role culture plays in explaining the difference in business systems between the West and China. While Backman (2001), Chen (2004), Burton and Scott (2008), Yang (1994) and Lee (2006) all argue that guanxi is inextricably linked to Chinese culture and that culture is the root of the differences in business systems between the West and China, Dayton (2006), Harris (2006) and Maidment (2006) contend that these universal business tips such as guanxi and preserving face are in fact not cultural specific. This is best summarized by Harris (2006) who states there is just hardwork and guanxi, which is good networking, a pretty universal essential to doing business anywhere. Good networking therefore is an interpersonal skill that needs to be used to cross many cultural divides, not just those between the West and Asia. Simply defining the different ways that Chinese businessmen interact as guanxi and attributing this to culture is far too simple, as there are many other factors rather than just culture that are the source of these differences in business systems. Furthermore, Maidment (2006) argues that understanding Chinese culture is is a lot like learning chess. The basic rules are easily memorized; responding to every situation that can arise is very, very difficult. Given the speed that the Chinese economy is moving at, businesses are often searching for answers to explain the differences in business systems and are increasingly falling back on the broad generalization that it can be explained because China simply has a different culture. The truth of the matter however is that these so called predetermined  cultural differences that are so often spouted by western business magazines have huge variations in many Asian countries, particularly China where business and cultural philosophies vary greatly among the rich and poor provinces, the educated and the uneducated and the young and old business generations (Harris, 2006, Maidment, 2006 and Dayton, 2006). Understanding Chinese history and culture is beneficial for understanding Chinas business system, however because circumstances in China change so quickly, staying abreast of Chinas current situation is far more important than knowing its past (Maidment, 2006). There is no doubting that culture does play a role in determining the differences between the business systems of the West and Asia, but all too often these cultural influences are over-exaggerated, and current regional and international economic influences more often than not dictate the differences betwee n Asia and the West. Bibliography Asian Business Law. (2006) Do The Top Ten Cultural Tips For Doing Business In China Really Help? (Online) http://asiabizlaw.blogspot.com/2006/04/do-top-ten-cultural-tips-for-doing.html Accessed [30th April 2008]. Backman, Michael (2001). Asian Eclipse: Exposing the Dark Side of Business in Asia. Singapore: John Wiley and Sons Inc. Baird, I.S., Lyles, M.A. and Wharton, R. (1990). Attitudinal differences between American and Chinese managers regarding joint venture management. Management International Review, Volume 30. Blackman, Carolyn (1997). Negotiating China: case studies and strategies. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen and Unwin. Burton, F and Scott, S. (2008). China: Guanxi and Corporate Security (Online) http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/china_guanxi_and_corporate_security [Accessed 3rd May 2008]. Chen, Xiao-Ping (2004). On the intricacies of Chinese Guanxi: A process model ofGuanxi development. (Online) http://www.iacmr.org/XP_APJM_2004_3.pdf [Accessed29th April 2008]. Daniels, Jack (2007) China is a great place to do business if you know the rules (Online) http://www.chinasuccessstories.com/2007/08/28/tips-for-doing-business-in-china [Accessed 30th April 2008]. Davidson, W.H. (1987). Creating and managing joint ventures in China. California Management Review, Volume 29. Dayton, David. (2006) Culture Wars China Law Blog (Online) http://www.chinalawblog.com/2006/05/chinese_culture_wars_truce_dec.html [Accessed 27th April 2008]. Ferguson, T. C. (1993). Joint ventures in China: when West meets East and encounters the great wall of differing management thought. Journal of Management Inquiry, Volume 2. Graham, John and Lam, Mark. (2003) Negotiating in China Harvard Business Review, Vol 81, No. 10, October, 2003. Harris, Dan. (2006) To Succeed in China Know the Now China Law Blog (Online) http://www.chinalawblog.com/2006/04/to_succeed_in_china_know_the_n.html [Accessed 27th April 2008]. Journal of Intercultural Learning. (2006) Cultural Knowledge is a Plus to Business Success (Online) http://www.interculturallearning.net/2006/05/21/cultural-knowledge-is-a-plus-to-business-success [Accessed 26th April 2008]. Lee, Joseph (2006) The Importance Of Guanxi (Relationship) When Doing Business InChina (Online) http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Lee [Accessed 29th April2008]. Maidment, Paul. (2006) The Real Deal on China Forbes Magazine (Online) http://www.forbes.com/columnists/2006/04/20/china-yuan-hu_cx_pm_0420notes.html [Accessed 29th April 2008]. Miles, Michael (1999) Power and Relationship: Two Elements of the Chinese/Western Divide (Online) http://www.lib.unb.ca/Texts/JCIM/bin/get.cgi?director y=vol3_1/filename=miles.htm [Accessed 2nd May 2008]. Yang, M. M. (1994). Gifts, Favors And Banquets: The Art Of Social Relationship inChina Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.