An Informal Letter

Lot 6579, Gong Kepas Dalam Village, Alor Lintang,22200, Besut Terengganu,Malaysia. Dear Rowan Love, I'm so pleased to see your purple coloured letter in my mailbox this morning. (You put some raspberry shaped stickers on it! It smells great! ) So,you've been asking on how to take are of orphaned kittens right? Okay,this is based on my previous experience when I found a three week year old kitten in my school,I named her Gabby. (She is all grown up! ) Basically,you need KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) or lactose free milk,a towel,tray,litter sand a syringe or cat milk bottle and wetfood. You may use dryfood but be sure to mix it with water if the kitten is below 2 months old. If the kitten shivers,wrap the kitten,not too tight or too loose and put it in your shirt as it cannot generate it's own heat. Next,feed the kitten with KMR and wetfood. Remember,never feed the kitten wiith cow milk or lactose containing drink because cats are lactose intolerant,If you insist,the kitten may suffering diarrhea which eventually leads to death. Second,create a kitten box,Just put a tray and litter sand and two layers of towels in a very big box or a medium-sized cage. Be sure to check the kitten's stool. It should'nt be too hard,too watery or with mucus. If it is consult to the veterinar immediately as the kitten may suffering a diarrhea. Okay,here's a few handy tips. If the kitten's medication is syrup,use a syringe to give t to the kitten. If it is in a pill form,crush it inside a plastic bag and mix it with wetfood. Do not force feed unless you need to. Alright,that's all for now,I hope that answers your doubt. Refer to the net if my information is not sufficient for you. From your BFF, Syakeera.

Disinvestment: Capitalism and Public Sector

DISINVESTMENT – BOON OR BANE INTRODUCTION 1. Public enterprises are neither new nor unique to India. In good old days, Kautilya in his ‘Arthasastra’ talked of a public sector. A person was made incharge of salt manufacture and fixing its price. Similarily there were people made responsible for mining, coinage and gold, all in public sector. Nowadays there is hardly any country that is not engaged actively and directly in the management of economic and industrial enterprises. Various names given to these enterprises are ‘Public Sector Undertakings’ or PSUs, ‘Public Sector Enterprise’ or PSEs, ‘Trading Corporations’, State Owned Enterprise or SOEs, Government Owned Enterprise or GOE etc. 2. The role of government in businesses and otherwise has been questioned in the past. Thoreau said , â€Å"That government is best which governs least†. The only purpose of government would be to protect its citizens from force or fraud. The protection from force, that is, the protection of individual rights, would be achieved through the use of a police force to protect the rights of citizens at home; a military, to protect the rights of citizens from foreign aggression; and a court system to enforce contracts and settle disputes between citizens. It is not government business to do business. The poor performance of government owned enterprises around the world led to a world wide withdrawal of government from businesses and coining of a new term called ‘Privatisation’. Privatisation process in India is euphemistically called ‘Disinvestment’ to make it palatable to those who consider privatisation a dirty word. Disinvestment or privatisation in India was initiated in 1991-92 by the Chandrashekhar government and carried forward by subsequent governments. AIM 3. The aim of this paper is to study various aspects of Disinvestment so as to conclude whether it is a boon or bane for India. SCOPE 4. The paper would be covered under the following heads:- (a)What is Disinvestment? (b)Capitalism, Socialism, Communism and Market economy. c)Genesis of Government Participation In business. (d)Performance of Government Controlled Enterprises. (e)Objectives of Disinvestment. (f)Genesis of Disinvestment process. (g)The Disinvestment process in India. (h)Advantages of Disinvestment. (j)Disadvantages of Disinvestment. (k)Disinvestment-Boon or Bane. WHAT IS DISINVESTMENT 5. Disinvestment can be defined as withdrawal of state from production of goods and se rvices or transfer of ownership from the public sector to the private sector. CAPITALISM, SOCIALISM, COMMUNISM AND MARKET ECONOMY 6. Before we proceed further it would be worth our time to understand the concepts of Capitalism, Socialism, Communism and Market Economy. CAPITALISM 7. Capitalism is a political system in which factories, companies, land, etc. are owned privately in order to create profit for the owners. Prices of goods and services fluctuate depending on the desire of the consumer and the availability of the goods (the law of supply and demand). In a capitalist society their will be significant differences in wealth and power between those who have capital (machines, factories, ships, land, etc. and those who do not. 8. No one can say when capitalism first began. Clearly the development of capitalism was not revolutionary like that of communism. Instead it emerged gradually without anyone making a plan of what it should become. However, aspects of modern capitalism such as the stock exchange, banks and great disparity in wealth came about during the industrial revolution. 9. In 1776 Adam Smith, a Scot tish university professor, produced a book which described the workings of a capitalist society. He believed that a country's wealth depends on all people pursuing their own interests. If a person promotes his own interest he or she is unintentionally promoting his country's interest. Smith thought that governments should promote free trade and not interfere by protecting certain industries from competition. The only duty of governments, Smith wrote, was to provide services that couldn't be profitable like the building of roads, schools etc. 10. Capitalism means the complete separation of economy and state, just like the separation of church and state. Capitalism is the social system based upon private ownership of the means of production which entails a completely uncontrolled and unregulated economy where all land is privately owned. But the separation of the state and the economy is not primary, it is only an aspect of the premise that capitalism is based upon: individual rights. Capitalism is the only politico-economic system based on the doctrine of individual rights. This means that capitalism recognizes that each and every person is the owner of his own life, and has the right to live his life in any manner he chooses as long as he does not violate the rights of others. The essential nature of capitalism is social harmony through the pursuit of self-interest. Under capitalism, the individual's pursuit of his own economic self-interest simultaneously benefits the economic self-interests of all others. In allowing each individual to act unhampered by government regulations, capitalism causes wealth to be created in the most efficient manner possible which ultimately raises the standard of living, increases economic opportunities, and makes available an ever growing supply of products for everyone. The free-market operates in such a way so that as one man creates more wealth for himself, he simultaneously creates more wealth and opportunities for everyone else, which means that as the rich become richer, the poor become richer. It must be understood that capitalism serves the economic self-interests of all, including the non-capitalists. SOCIALISM 11. Socialism believes that the inequalities that exist in our society are unjust and that the minority of the population should not own the vast majority of the wealth. Socialists do, nevertheless, differ on ways by which this change should be achieved. Some believe that the change should be gradual, achieved through parliament, and others believe that the change should be rapid, brought about through revolution. 12. Karl Marx became the prophet and teacher of socialism whose writings transformed socialist thinking all over the world. Marx was a philosopher and an idealist Marx believed that man should labor not only for himself as an individual but for society as well. Implied in Marxist philosophy is the notion that man, being a social animal, has his destiny and his reality inextricably linked with his society. His analysis describes capitalism as the first stage followed by socialism and finally communism. Marx believed that socialism is an unrealised potential in capitalism and once most workers recognized their interests and became â€Å"class conscious,† the overthrow of capitalism would proceed as quickly as capitalist opposition allowed. The socialist society that would emerge out of the revolution would have all the productive potential of capitalism. People would be aided on the basis of social needs. COMMUNISM 13. The final goal, communism, toward which socialist society would constantly strive, is the abolition of alienation. A class-less society would be advantageous for the vast majority of the population. Communism, a form of government, inspires some people with the zeal of a religion. Communism in theory stands for total public ownership and rejects private property and personal profit. In practice, however, the state determines how strictly the doctrine is applied in any particular country. MARKET ECONOMY 14. The market economy idea is based on, or at least explained by, Darwin's theory of evolution. Companies are viewed as organisms in an ecosystem. A company with a successful formula will prosper and grow, spread its formula and ideas, while a company with a bad formula will wither and disappear. A profitable company can grow, or at least survive, while an unprofitable company will wither and die out. 15. Post Karl Marx, The fight against inequality was viewed as a fight by the collective worker class vs the individual entrepreneur. The individual who complements the group was seen as a contradiction. Some states evolved on this contradiction, wherein an individual was supposed to surrender his individuality and entrepreneurship for the state and the social security provided by it. On the other side of the world this fad for collectivism was viewed as a threat to its existing capitalist system which not only proved successful in the past, but also held promise for the future. It is this clash in ideologies which gave as a bi polar world of communism and capitalism. 16. Contrary to widely held beliefs, capitalism is not a system which exploits a large portion of society for the sake of a small minority of wealthy capitalists. Ironically, it is actually socialism that causes the systematic exploitation of labor. Since the socialist state holds a universal monopoly on labor and production, no economic incentive exists for the socialist state to provide anything more than minimum physical subsistence for the workers except to perhaps prevent riots or revolutions. Exploitation is inherent in the nature of socialism because individuals cannot live for their own sake, rather, they exist merely as means to whatever ends the socialist rulers — the self-proclaimed spokesman of â€Å"society† — may have in mind. Inequality is and progress are directly linked and progress always causes inequality. To reach for something high, we would have to stand on one another and not together on the same platform. GENESIS OF GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN BUSINESS GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN BUSINESS WORLDOVER 17. Before considering the need for disinvestment and why disinvestment, it is relevant to consider the main reasons for rise of state power world over. The following are few reasons for state power:- (a)Great depression of 1930s, unemployment and hardship. b)Rebuilding war-torn economies. (c)Redistribution of income, protection to the needy for ethical reasons. (d)Developing countries do not have markets in which individuals can operate and ill-developed private enterprise. (e)Rise of non-economic objectives (sanctions against apartheid policies, or restraining ethnic minorities dominating an economy). (f)Protect employment or ensure good working conditions. (g)Total lack of faith in markets and priva te ownership. (h)Cold war, wars among developing countries and border disputes. j)State investment in and the control of the strategic sectors of the economy was necessary for the economic development of those sectors and the security of the country. (k)Government stepping in to rescue certain enterprises, whose closure could result in significant loss of jobs. (l)An economic consensus around the world accepting public enterprises as an integral part of the economy, particularly to manage natural monopolies as also the core industries, like infrastructure, which in turn would promote rapid economic growth and the pace of industrialisation. GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN INDIA 18. Before independence, there was almost no â€Å"Public sector† in Indian economy. The only industries worthy of mention were Railways, The Post & Telegraph. The Port Trust, The Ordnance and the Aircraft factories and few Government controlled undertakings. 19. In the 1948 Industrial Policy Resolution, the manufacture of arms and ammunition, production and control of atomic energy, ownership and management of railways became the State monopoly. Six basic industries viz. iron & steel, coal, aircraft manufacture, ship building, mineral oils, manufacture of telephone, telegraph and wireless apparatus were to be developed by the State. All other areas were left open to private initiatives. 20. Within a decade of laying down the policy parameters in 1948, another policy statement was issued in April 1956 by the Government to give a new orientation to the â€Å"mixed economy† concept. The passage of Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956 and adoption of socialist pattern of society as the national economic goal of the country built the foundation of the dominant public sector as we see it today. It was believed that a dominant public sector would reduce the inequality of income and wealth and advance the general prosperity of the nation. 21. The main objectives of setting up the Public Sector enterprises as stated in Industrial policy Resolution of 1956 were:- (a)To help in the rapid economic growth and Industrialisation of the country and create necessary infrastructure for economic development. (b) To earn return on investment and utilise generate resources for development. (c)To promote redistribution of income and wealth. (d)To create employment opportunities. e)To promote balanced regional development. (f)To promote import substitutions, save and earn foreign exchanges for the economy. 22. The 2nd Five year Plan document clearly stated that â€Å"all industries of basic and strategic importance, or in the nature of public utility services should be in the public sector. Other industries, which are essential and require investment on a scale, which only the state, in th e present circumstances, could provide have also to be in the public sector†. If further emphasized that, â€Å"the public sector has to expand rapidly. It has not only to initiate developments which the private sector is either unwilling or unable to undertake, it has to play the dominant role in shaping the entire pattern of investment in the economy†. The investment in public sector enterprises has grown from Rs. 29 Crore in 5 PSU on 01Apr 51 to Rs. 2,52,554 Crore in 240 PSU on 31Mar 2000. PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED ENTERPRISES 23. What was the outcome of government investment in business. Over a period of time, the States failed in achieving the goals and results for which State Owned Enterprises had been created. The following are some of the reasons for the same:- (a)Politicians govern the state and they serve group interest and not public interests. (b)Bureaucracy operates to maximise budget of individual departments, their own prospects and perks. (c)Expansions of state control resulting in the loss of economic and freedom and thereof-political freedom as well. (d)Regulation by state tends to serve the interest of regulated. (who capture regulators) rather than public. (e)Costs of regulation tend to exceed benefits of regulation. f)Supply by public authorities is inherently costly, inefficient usually in over supply, with less choice for consumers. (g)Developing countries have weak institutional structures for governments to operate services efficiently. (h)Public enterprises or state owned enterprises tend to be monopolistic, have no risk of closure and are liable to political and bureaucratic manipulation. (j)Property rights and transferability with gains or losses are important if owner s were to demand information and make the enterprise really accountable and efficient. 4. During the last ten years, the Tax-payer has had to give about Rs. 80,000 crore directly or indirectly to the public sector, so that it could survive. During 1999-2000 alone, the CAGs report on PSUs for 1999-2000 indicates that the tax-payer has taken a huge burden in one year alone which amounted to Rs. 23,140 crore for supporting PSUs. OBJECTIVES OF DISINVESTMENT 25. ‘Is the business of government business? ’- Easily the million-dollar question that plauged the minds of policy makers, intelligentsia and the public alike. The performance of PSUs world over led to introspection and a need for privatisation/disinvestments was felt. Technology and W. T. O. commitments have made the world a global village and unless industries, including public industries do not quickly restructure, they would not be able to survive. Public enterprises, because of the nature of their ownership, can restructure slowly and hence the logic of privatisation got stronger. Besides, techniques are now available to control public monopolies like Power and Telecom, where consumer interests can be better protected by egulation / competition. Therefore, investment of public money to ensure protection of consumer interests is no longer a convincing argument. Disinvestment aimed to achieve the following: – (a)Promote economic efficiency by fostering well functioning markets and competition. (b)Redefine role of the State in order to allow it to concentrate on the essential task of governing and to withdraw from activities, which are better suited to private enterprise. (c )Reduce fiscal burden of loss-making public enterprises, in order to help regain fiscal control and macroeconomic stability. d)Reduce the public debt. (e)Release limited State resources for financing or other demands, for example in the field of education and social health. (f)Generate new investment including foreign investment. (g)Mobilise domestic investments and deepen domestic financial development (h)Spread and democratise share ownership by encouraging it among individuals, making employees share-owners and by rising productivity through incentives for holding stock. GENESIS OF DISINVESTMENT PROCESS GENESIS OF DISINVESTMENT PROCESS – WORLDWIDE U. K (Post 1979) 26. Although the idea of privatisation has been around for a long time (Adam Smith wrote about it as long as 1762), privatisation has been tried widely since the mid 1970s. Privatisation first attracted world-wide attention in 1979 when the Conservative Government of Prime Minister Margaret Thacher began transforming the ailing U. K. economy by selling public holdings in industry, communications and other service sector areas. Since 1979, over 105 countries all over the world have initiated their own privatisation programmes. Following are the salient features of the privatisation programme in the UK:- a)Privatisation carried out in three phases (i)Phase I: Commercial enterprises (e. g. , British Aerospace) (ii)Phase II: Utilities (involved more complicated structural & regulatory issues) (iii)Phase III: Less commercial industries, mainly those performing socially desirable services and dependant on subsidies (e. g. , the railways). (b)Around 60 major businesses, representing 10% of GDP, transferred to private sector. (c)Fundamental issues addressed were:- (i) Ensuring commitment to the policy from the top of the Government. (ii) Setting clear objectives. iii) Careful planning. (iv) Engaging intermediaries-financial, technical and legal advisers. (d)Regulation & competition effectively used while privatising services and infrastructure. (e)Initially resisted both by consumers and employees. (f)However, consumers benefited from lower prices, greater choice & better service and productivity improved. (g)Employees too benefited in the medium term due to increase in economic activity, though some loss of jobs in the short run as productivity increased rapidly. Offered liberal opportunities to invest in divested shares. France 27. 8 large groups and 3 medium size banks were privatised. Shares divested to domestic public (about 50%), large shareholders (about 25%), employees (about 10%) & foreign investors (about 15%). 21 companies privatised, including 2 of the largest banks and 3 largest insurance companies. Shares divested to domestic public, large shareholders, employees & foreign investors in. China 28. Market reforms first started in 1978. Corporatisation and then listing on both domestic and foreign stock exchanges favoured for efficient large and medium size SOEs. Foreign investors permitted to invest in various infrastructure and utility businesses, including railways, toll roads, ports and power plants. In 1978, over three-quarters of industrial output was produced by the state sector. This fell to 34% by 1995. The collective sector increased from 32% to 37%, individual sector (small capitalist businesses) jumped from 1. 8% to 13% and others (including all other capitalist enterprises – local and foreign) leaped from 1. 2% to 16. 6%. Thus, the private sector grew at the expense of the state sector. Gradual stage-by-stage approach followed for reforming State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). According to the World Investment Report 1997, foreign direct inflows to China amounted to US $42. 3 billion in 1996. Some Other Countries 29. Some other countries which have undergone privatisation are :- (a)Eastern EuropeBulgaria, Czech. , Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania (b)Latin AmericaArgentina, Brazil (c)Far EastKorea, China, Philippines (d)S. E. Asia Malaysia, Thailand (e)South Asia Pakistan, Sri Lanka (f)Middle East & AfricaEgypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria THE DISINVESTMENT PROCESS IN INDIA Genesis 30. A decade ago, the concept of privatisation as a catalyst was hardly acknowledged in India. Not long ago, it was nationalisation that was in vogue. Even international aid-donors such as the IMF and the World Bank had recommended a larger role for the public sector during the 1950s and 1960s and they refused to grant loans to those countries which did not have government-sponsored development programmes. Now, it is just the other way round. The prescription of privatisation is being sold, rather over-sold, as a panacea to cure our economic ills. India, for almost four decades was pursuing a path of development in which public sector was expected to be the engine of growth. But by mid-eighties their short comings and weaknesses started manifesting in the form of low capacity utilisation, low efficiency, lack of motivation, over-manning, huge time and cost overrun, inability to innovate and take quick decision, large scale political and bureaucratic interference in decision making, etc. But instead of trying to remove these defects and to increase the rate of growth of national economy, gradually the concept of self-reliant growth was given a quiet burial. The Government started to deregulate the imports by reducing or withdrawing import duty in phases. This resulted in dwindling of precious foreign exchange reserve to abysmally low level. The foreign debt repayment crisis compelled Government of India to raise loan from IMF against physical deposit of RBI gold reserve, on conditions harmful to the interest of the country. 31. Thus started the reversal of policies towards PSU. The Industrial policy of 1991 started the process of delicensing and except 18 industries, Industrial licensing was withdrawn. The market was opened up to domestic private capital and foreign capital was provided free entry upto 51% equity in high technology areas. The aim of economic liberalisation was to enlarge competition and allowing new firms to enter the market. Thus the emphasis shifted from PSEs to liberalisation, of economy and gradual disinvestment of PSEs. A paradigm shift of Government's economic policy orientation originated in 1991 from a foreign debt servicing crisis. Disinvestment Process 32. The Industrial Policy of 1991 limited the priority areas for the public sector to : (a)Essential infrastructure goods and services. (b)Exploration and exploitation of oil and mineral resources. c)Technology development and building of manufacturing capabilities in areas which are crucial in the long term development of the economy and where private sector investment is inadequate. (d)Manufacture of products where strategic considerations predominate such as defence equipment. 33. Congress Government in 1991-92 offered up to 20% of Govt. equity in selected PSUs to mutual funds and investment institutions in the public sector, as also to wor kers in these firms. The objective was to raise resources, encourage wider public participation and promote greater accountability. 4. As per Rangarajan Committee recommendations in Apr 93, there were only six Schedule ‘A’ industries where the Government might consider holding 51% or more equity, namely (a) Coal and lignite. (b) Mineral oils. (c) Arms, ammunition and defence equipment. (d) Atomic energy. (e) Radioactive minerals. (f) Railway transport. 35. The Common Minimum Programme of the United Front Govt in 1996 aimed for the following:- (a)To carefully examine withdrawal from non-core strategic areas. (b)To set up a Disinvestment Commission for advising on disinvestments issues. c)To take and implement decisions to disinvest in a transparent manner. (d)Job security, opportunities for retraining and redeployment to be assured. 36. Disinvestment Commission Recommendationsin Feb 97- Oct 99 aimed for the following:- (a)72 PSEs were referred to the Disinvestment Commis sion during 1996-99. The Disinvestment Commission gave its recommendations on 58 PSEs. (b)The Disinvestment Commission recommendations gave priority to strategic / trade sales, with transfer of management, instead of public offerings, as was recommended by the Rangarajan Committee in 1993. 37. In 1998-99, the govt aimed to bring down Government shareholding in the PSUs to 26% in the most of cases, (thus facilitating ownership changes, as was recommended by the Disinvestment Commission). 38. In 1999-2000, the Govt. aimed To strengthen the strategic PSUs, privatise non-strategic PSUs through gradual disinvestment or strategic sale and devise viable rehabilitation strategies for weak units. 39. On 16th March 1999, the cabinet approved classification of PSUs into Strategic and Non strategic. (a)Strategic PSUs: (i)Defence related (ii)Atomic energy related (iii)Railway transport b)Non-strategic PSUs: All other 40. Strategy for Non-strategic Public Sector Enterprises wasReduction of Government stake to 26%to be worked out on a case to case basis,on the following considerations: (a)Whether the Industrial sector requires the presence of the public sector as a countering force to prevent concentration of power in private hands. (b)Whether the Industrial sector requires a proper regu latory mechanism to protect the consumer interests before Public Sector Enterprises are Privatised. 41. In 2000 – 2001, the main elements Policy were:- (a)To restructure and revive potentially viable PSUs. b) To close down PSUs which cannot be revived. (c) To bring down Government equity in all non-strategic PSUs to 26% or lower, if necessary. (d)To fully protect the interests of workers. (e)To put in place mechanisms to raise resources from the market against the security of PSUs’ assets for providing an adequate safety-net to workers and employees. (f)To establish a systematic policy approach to disinvestment and privatisation and to give a fresh impetus to this programme, by setting up a new Department of Disinvestment. (g)To emphasize increasingly on strategic sales of identified PSUs. h)To use the entire receipt from disinvestment and privatisation for meeting expenditure in social sectors, restructuring of PSUs and retiring public debt. Utilisation of Proceeds 42 . In the Budget of 2000-2001 the Govt. outlined its aim for utilisation of the disinvestments proceeds as enumerated below. (a) Restructuring assistance to PSUs. (b) Safety net to workers. (c) Reduction of debt burden. (d) Additional budgetary support for the Plan, primarily in the social and infrastructure sectors (contingent upon realisation of the anticipated receipt). ADVANTAGES OF DISINVESTMENT 43. After disinvestments the following would be achieved: – (a)Releasing of huge amounts of scarce public resources locked up in non-strategic PSUs, for deployment in areas much higher on social priority, such as, public health, family welfare, education and social and essential infrastructure; (b)Stemming further outflow of public resources for sustaining the unviable non-strategic PSUs. (c)Reducing the public debt that is threatening to assume unmanageable proportions. d)Transferring the commercial risk, to which the tax-payers’ money locked up in the public sector is exposed, to the private sector wherever the private sector is willing and able to step in. The money that is deployed in the PSUs is really the public money; and, is exposed to an entirely avoidable and needless risk, in most cases. (e)Release of other tangible and intangible resources, such as, large manpower currently locked up in managing the PSUs, and their time and energy , for redeployment in areas that are much higher on the social priority but are short of such resources. f)Disinvestment would expose the privatised companies to market discipline, thereby forcing them to become more efficient and survive or cease on their own financial and economic strength. They would be able to respond to the market forces much faster and cater to their business needs in a more professional manner. It would also facilitate in freeing the PSUs from the Government control and introduction of corporate governance in the privatised companies. (e)Disinvestment would result in wider distribution of wealth through offering of shares of privatised companies to small investors and employees. f)Disinvestment would have a beneficial effect on the capital market; the increase in floating stock would give the market more depth and liquidity, give investors easier exit options, help in establishing more accurate benchmarks for valuation and pricing, and facilitate raising of f unds by the privatised companies for their projects or expansion, in future. (g)Opening up the erstwhile public sectors to appropriate private investors would increase economic activity and have an overall beneficial effect on the economy, employment and tax revenues in the medium to long term. h)In many areas, e. g. , the telecom sector, the end of public sector monopoly would bring relief to consumers by way of more choices, and cheaper and better quality of products and services. DISADVANTAGES OF DISINVESTMENT 44. Having seen so many advantages, what do we have on the flip side? Is disinvestments without any disadvantages? Some of the likely disadvantages could be:- (a)Non realisation of actual value of the PSU as the realisation would on unit potential and not assets held. The logic is similar to an old Fiat car in Delhi selling for less than what it would fetch as scrap. (b)Short term retrenchment occurs in order to increase efficiency. However, It is offset in the longterm by a profitable organisation creating more employment. (c)It is the wealthy who would buy the PSUs making them wealthier. Therefore, they inequality in society increases. (d)Creation of monopolies may take place. DISINVESTMENT-BOON OR BANE 45. After having seen the advantages and disadvantages of disinvestments, the ast performance of our PSUs, the non accountability of the Public sector to the Tax payer and the consumer we are sure that there is no doubt about the Disinvestment process being a boon for the nation. As the world changed in this era of globalisation, a country living in the past is doomed and economic slavery is not far behind. Proponents of anti-disinvestment campaign have a past record of pushing conglomerate like Coca-Cola out of the country, little realising that it all about creation of wealth by production and not about transfer of wealth to another country. For the poor to get rich, the rich must get richer and conversely for the rich to get richer the poor must get rich. It this is understood by one and all then the inequalities in the society become acceptable and progress becomes the norm of the day. Going slow on the disinvestments process would be to delay the progress of the country and turning around from it would only prove catastrophic for the economy and the industry. Effecieny is the keyword in the present day world and any thing produced inefficiently is at a cost that the nation has to pay one way or the other. It is better to give dole than to hire extra people and breed inefficiency. Let the government improve governance before it even thinks of Business. Let not the Pseudo profits earned by monopolistic mineral oil selling agencies like Indian Oil, HPCL etc cloud our vision. We have the example of BSNL, which when faced with private competition is coming out with innovative ideas to lure the customer, while in the past it was sleeping. CONCLUSION 46. Every time utopia is discovered in a system, utopia redefines itself. The process of corruption and correction is continuous. Same may happen with the concept of privatisation in the future. In retrospect, it is easy to fault the vision our leaders of yesteryears. If we need to fault them, it should not be for creating public owned enterprises but for killing the private enterprise by means of license raj, red tapism, lack of infrastructure, rules and rules for rules, corruption and capacity control. It remind me of a statement made by JRD Tata in one of his last interview and I quote â€Å" It is in this country that I was penalised for producing more†. I had not heard a sadder statement that day and stayed the saddest statement for a long time to come. Entrepreneur and the worker complement each other and need to co-exist. Today, government as an entrepreneur is passe. Yet, the indiscriminate pursuit of the policy, unmindful of the social setting is not without its failings. For in the interregnum, when the benefits of privatisation have not yet completely trickled down, we need sufficient social security mechanisms to ensure the poor do not turn poorer. We further need strong regulatory regimes and stronger competition laws concomitant with privatization in order to install the ‘consumer as king’, and prevent distortions in the functioning of the market by the big monopolistic players. A fine balance of these competing interests, with the ultimate goal of ‘public good’, which is essentially what the business of government is all about, should be the primary focus of any privatisation agenda.

Kayte Clark (case) Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Kayte Clark ( ) - Case Study Example To successfully bring a case of discrimination against her employer under ADEA, there are certain things that Kayte Clarke must prove. In the case of Palasota v Haggar Clothing Co., 342 F.3d 569 (5th Cir. 2003), the Court outlined what the plaintiff must prove to show that indeed there was discrimination that is actionable under ADEA. Citing the earlier case of Bodenheimer v PPG Indus., Inc., 5 F.3d 955, 957 (5th Cir. 1993), the Court enumerated the following: the plaintiff was discharged; he was qualified for the position; he belongs to the protected class at the time of the termination; the employer did any of the following to him (a) replaced him with another who is not within the protected class, or (b) replaced him with a younger person, or (c) simply discharged on account of his age. Applying the aforesaid in Kayte’s case, she must provide proof that she is 40 years old or above at the time of her termination and therefore within the protected class under s. 631(a) of th e 29 USC Chapter 14 (or ADEA), proof of her termination and her qualifications to the position and the fact that she was discharged on account of her age. Moreover, ADEA requires that the employer must have at least 20 employees to bring the case within its ambit under s. 630(b). An act of employment discrimination may be proved either directly or indirectly. Indirect proof is conducted using the â€Å"pretext† method prescribed in the case of McDonnell Douglas Corp. v Green, 411 US 792 (1973). In that case, which involves discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Court held that prima facie evidence from which it can be inferred that there was discrimination may be offered in lieu of direct proof. The employer is then given an opportunity to rebut it with contrary evidence, to which the plaintiff must counter-prove as a mere â€Å"pretext,† because the real reason was actually discrimination-based. On the other hand, if Kayte is to bring a suit under the ADA, she must prove the threshold requirements of the law, which are: she has a disability within the ADA context; she is a qualified individual under ADA, and; she has suffered an adverse employment action because of such disability (Huber 267). Section 12102(1) of Title 42 of the USC (known as ADA) defines disability as: physical or mental impairment significant enough to interfere with major life activities; is recorded, and; seen or regarded by others as such. Legal blindness is defined by the American Medical Association as an eye condition in which a person can see details only at a distance of 20 feet or less using the best conventional correction as opposed to the normal 200 feet vision reach of persons with 20/20 vision or can detect objects only at a field of 20 ° degrees or less (Corn & Koenig 6). In the case of Sutton v United Airlines 527 US 471 (1999), the Court ruled that a person who is legally blind, but whose vision impairment is correctable, is not disabled under the ADA. Under the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the mitigating factor established in Sutton and similar cases was specifically rejected under s. b(2) thereof, but not the use of eyeglasses or contacts that â€Å"correct visual acuity or eliminate refractive error† which is now incorporated as s 12102(4)(E)(ii) and (iii)(I) of ADA. The implication of this is that Kayte may not qualify if her vision impairment is correctable by eyeglasses or contacts, but may qualify if instead of eyeglasses and contacts, the impairment is cor

Describe elements of power and quote work from Weber, Bachrach & Essay

Describe elements of power and quote work from Weber, Bachrach & Baratz & Lukes - Essay Example Power and control are two concepts highly analysed by theorists and researchers. The works that are most known in this field are those of Weber, Bachrach & Baratz and Lukes. Their views on power and control have certain similarities; still, differences exist at the level that each one of these theorists uses different criteria for evaluating human behaviour. In any case, it has been proved that the relationship between power and control is strong at such level that each of these concepts cannot be fully explained without referring to the other. However, there are also cases where the above concepts can be independent, but these cases are rather the exception and not the rule. In order to understand the relationship between power and control, it would be necessary to check the elements of these two concepts, as explained by theorists who studied the particular subject. The view of Weber of power is quite important for understanding the relationship between power and control. In accord ance with Goverde et al. ... The above description of power has been derived by the view of Weber on the specific concept, meaning that the elements of power, as perceived by Weber, could be slightly differentiated from the description given above. In other words, the interpretation of the view of Weber of power cannot be considered as standardized, reflecting the personal view of the theorist who has tried to explain the concept of power using the work of Weber. The definition of power, as given by Weber, is the following one: ‘power is the possibility of imposing one’s will upon the behaviour of other persons’ (Weber 1954, p.323 in Vahabi, 2004, p.2). The approaches used by Weber for interpreting power are analysed in the study of Breiner (1996). The above study helps to understand also the relationship between power and control, as perceived by Weber. Breiner (1996) notes that the view of Weber on power seems to have the following form: power is considered as an advantage of political auth orities; in other words, power is not so much a right of all individuals, but primarily, a right of governors to decide on critical issues of their state. From this point of view, power is depended on control in the following way: the control on the social/ political and economic affairs of a particular state reflects the power of its governor to rule (Breiner 1996(. In other words, control is a means of governors – or politicians – in order to show their power to govern. This power is related not just to various political issues, but it can be expanded on all aspects of citizens’ daily life, including culture, sciences and business activity. In accordance with Vahabi (2004) the above description of power is quite effective, reflecting the characteristics of power when being

Same-Sex Marriages Should be Legally Recognized Essay

Same-Sex Marriages Should be Legally Recognized - Essay Example Those people have to be given the possibility to legalize their relationships. As the relationship between gays and lesbians don't have any legal definition, and they aren't regulated by the government, those couples are left to se the parameters of their partnership by themselves, which sometimes has negative consequences, as Dorothy Pomerantz notes in her article about the legalization of the same-sex marriages published in The Advocate in 2000.1 Marriage has always been an important institution in the American society, as after tying the knot two people became able to make important decisions for each other, and the share the common responsibilities. For the U.S citizens marriage means that two people decided to share their money, resources, and responsibilities as well as their bed, a legal commitment made to the society. Almost any man and any woman in our country can register a marriage, despite of their age, social status, or their feelings towards each other. The few things that are needed to register an official union is being the representatives of the different genders, and being more or less mentally healthy. In the same time, two people who love each other, and want to share their lives, and, maybe, raise children together, are deprived of the possibility to legalize those intentions just because they are of the same gender. Eric Stoltz, the author of the article about Proposition 22, a law project that banned recognition of the same sex marriages in California, writes: I could, for example, fly to Las Vegas tonight, wed a prostitute in a drunken stupor, and return to Los Angeles tomorrow morning to have my marriage fully recognized by the law and society. Fifty women can vie on national television to marry a man they've never met for his money, and that union would be recognized by the state. Any man can marry a woman for her looks in a cynical but legally sanctioned form of concubinage, and that union would enjoy all the rights and privileges of marriage. But if two people of the same sex want to establish rights of inheritance or become legally empowered to make health-care decisions for one another, we are now told that the entire structure of Western civilization will come crashing down. (Commonweal, 2000).2 And, in fact, the situation indeed looks like it. The persuasion that marriage should be a union, which only the representatives of two different genders can enter, is a social norm that was established thousands of years ago, when people created families as they needed to unite in order to survive, and bring their children up. The social roles in the primitive society were very well-defined - men had to bring food, and women were to raise kids and maintain fire, thus such a union was perfectly justified (Sullivan, 2004). 3 As thousands of years passed after people left the caves, the distribution of social roles has changed. Today both men and women can be the breadwinners in the family, the same as both members of the family can stay home to care for the kids. The necessity in the different-gender unity nowadays is much weaker than it had been when this social norm was first formed.

Managing organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Managing organization - Essay Example Employees’ needs are an essential internal element in bringing effectiveness, and high performance in an organization, whereas organizational technology, size, political/ regulatory changes, ethics and environmental changes are the external conditions that could influence performance (Daft, & Armstrong, 2009). Talents and skills of the workforce are indispensable if a firm is to become a high performing. Organizational performance is bound to suffer when organizational members are insufficiently trained or skilled. Managers have to change the nature of workers tasks from being routine jobs to empowered roles. Traditionally, employees were assigned tasks from the top management, where information and control of tasks were centered. Nevertheless, the modern context requires workers to perform roles that are part of the dynamic social system. A role has discretion and responsibility, permitting an individual to utilize his or her ability, talent, skills and judgment to accomplish an organizational outcome or goal. Employees and their knowledge are weighty than the means of production or the means of service delivery in relation to organizational prosperity (Daft, & Armstrong, 2009). ... The contemporary workplace contains numerous employees who execute most of their work through computers, and may also work in virtual teams that are electronically linked around the globe. Diversity is another aspect that modern organizations cannot afford to overlook. As globalization continues to be part of organizations’ playing field, the human resource and customers’ base change dramatically. Managing diversity effectively results in increased organizational performance. An example of a corporation that registered organizational success and performance by embracing diversity is the Avon Corporation and the McKinsey & Co. (Daft, & Armstrong, 2009). An organization’s culture that forms the key values, beliefs and comprehensions and norms shared by workers may influence organizational performance. Values and beliefs are essential in helping an organization execute its corporate strategy and attain its mission. Well established values are the deep drivers of wor ker behavior and are well understood by employees. Thus, beliefs and values that are embedded in the organization and are congruent with the company’s approach to leadership enhance organizational performance. An organization’s processes and structure determine how an organization arranges its work policies, processes and procedures to sustain and execute corporate strategy. Processes and structure of an organization influences the level of organizational performance. Organizations that experience high performance put processes that reinforce strategy and tasks to most effectively allow human (Daft, & Armstrong, 2009). The influence of ethics in the contemporary world of business is a development in organizations that constrains the freedom of organizational members.

King Lear #1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

King Lear #1 - Essay Example The cad! My heart went out to the beautiful girl. So little, so young, standing there; dishonored only for having been honest, it was just too unfair! I could not stand to see her insulted that way. After all, even the most poor of my people was more gallant than this knave. When Lear asked me my opinion on the matter, going so far as to suggest my refusing her: I spoke my mind. I told him that now that Cordelia was alone, penniless and wronged, I found myself loving her, wanting to protect her even more. I told him that it mattered not to me if Lear disowned her, she was more than enough dower all by herself. These men astound me. Are they no better than cattle, to be bought and sold like this? And what of the King himself? Blinded by flattery? Well, â€Å"No fool like an old fool†, as they say in France. I shall turn in for the night now, but my heart is glad. From now, my nights and days shall be shared with a maiden as fair as she is virtuous. This evening at King Lear’s court I was amazed to find the love of my life Cordelia silently weeping in a corner while the King berated her. As he began to explain his reason for calling me and Burgundy there, I understood that it was because he had decided to disinherit his youngest daughter. The news verily made me reel. Was she not his most precious? Did he not only yesterday speak to me about how dearly he loved the girl? And yet today, only because she refused to flatter him, he was banishing her. Burgundy, that dishonorable excuse of a Duke, turned down her hand. Now that she was without a dower, he said he could not accept her to be his bride. Well, too bad for him! I could not have been gladder. Now that they were insulting the girl and she was left all alone, I felt even more tenderly toward her. And I made my opinion quite clear too! I said to Lear that I should be honored to have his daughter for my bride. It was not important to me whether she had a fat sum of mon ey following her or whether it was

For-profit organization Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

For-profit organization - Research Paper Example It is illustrative to examine the difficulties behind adopting this particular accounting procedure. The Volvo Group has a number of divisions: Volvo Trucks, Volvo Buses, Volvo Construction, Volvo Penta, Volvo Aero and Volvo Financial Services. Volvo is primarily a vehicle and automobile manufacturer, but its finance website offers leases and finance solutions, meaning that accounting is doubly important for the firm (Volvo AB, 2011). Volvo had an excellent year across all departments: â€Å"During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Volvo Group continued to grow at a good pace with higher sales in all regions, improved profitability and a very strong cash flow. Year-on-year sales were up 23% to SEK 73.4 billion. Operating income improved to SEK 5.5 billion and the operating cash flow from Industrial operations amounted to SEK 15.1 billion. As a result of improved profitability and strong cash flow, net debt in the Industrial operations is now down to 37% of shareholders’ equity, which is in accordance with our objective†.

Social Work Reflection Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Social Work Reflection Paper - Essay Example The objective of the project was to determine if the social workers could draw a distinction between personal values and those of patients and their families. Another objective was to determine how the role of social work could change in the midst of a treatment. Finally, the last objective was to allow social workers to identify their comfort levels regarding the end of life discussions. The evaluation was divided into three activities. This paper presents a reflection on how my group responded to the activities, how the objectives were met, and implications of this exercise for my practice as a social worker. Activity 1, Activity 2, and Activity 3 were end of life care, comfortable and dignified death, and completing the five wishes respectively. Activity 1 involved a scenario of Mr. Cortez, who is connected to ventilator 24 hours following gunshot wounds. Additionally, Mr. Cortez cannot feed on his, so he is given food through tubes. Moreover, the patient is sore and cannot make any purposeful movement. The group responded to the scenario guided by a number of issues including personal values, factors that bar families from making healthcare decisions, and application of social work expertise in the situation. As the discussion went on, I noted a number of important factors. For instance, the main barriers to decision making by families include culture, religion, the inability of the patient to air his opinion, and language/comprehension. Additionally, from the activity, it emerged that not everyone is comfortable with discussing end of life issues and initiating end of life with the fa mily of the patient. For example, Sarah Welsh and Roy found it hard to talk about death and initiate the end of life conversation with the family. Nevertheless, the group responded well to the activity, and one of the strengths demonstrated was the ability to convince and encourage one another to uphold the duties of a social worker. For instance,

The Golden Mean Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Golden Mean - Essay Example May sound surprising, yet it is true that the Golden Mean have always been an essential element of the natural world (Lamb 2011). The appearance of Fibonacci numbers on which the concept of Golden Mean is based, on a regular basis in the works of nature do corroborates the ancient conclusion and belief that nature is based on some predetermined and reoccurring patterns (Lamb 2011). Many ancient monuments like the Pyramids of Giza, the Greek temple in the Acropolis in Athens and many medieval churches had been designed in conformation with the Golden Mean (Knott 2010). In a contemporary context, the United Nations Headquarters building located at New York had been designed in consonance with the concept of Golden Mean (Knott 2010). It was an international committee of architects comprising of influential and renowned architects like Wallace K Harrison, Oscar Niemeyer and Le Corbusier that finalized the design of the United Nations Headquarters building at New York (A View on Cities 20 11). Eventually it was a plan laid out by Le Corbusier, called 23A that was chosen to be the basis for the new building (A View on Cities 2011). In 1950, Le Corbussier published a book named Le modulator, in which he recognized the relevance of the Golden Mean in the contemporary architecture (Knott 2010).

Tube set to come to Croydon Essay Example for Free

Tube set to come to Croydon Essay Assess the costs and benefits of an extension of the tube line to Croydon Private costs can be defined as costs internal to an exchange, which are paid by an individual economic unit (i.e. producers and consumers). Examples include the price paid by the consumer and the costs facing the producer. In extending the tube line to Croydon, it is evident that there would be a huge cost to the government (e.g. capital, maintenance and operation costs). Furthermore, the cost of the research and development required to successfully engineer such a tube system in Croydon would also incur a hefty cost for the government. Private benefits can be defined as benefits internal to an exchange, which are received by an individual economic unit (i.e. producers and consumers). Examples include the gain felt by the consumer by consuming the good/service and the revenue/profit of the producer. The introduction of a tube line to Croydon would certainly benefit the government in that the sales of tickets and renting of space for shops in stations would generate huge levels of revenue, which could become profit over time. Another way in which this scheme could benefit the government is through the increased scope for advertising an extension in the tube system would create, meaning even more revenue would be generated for the government. External costs (or negative externalities) can be defined as costs from production or consumption that the price mechanism fails to take into account. They have a negative effect on a third party not involved in the economic decision and are shown by the difference between social costs and private costs. Possible negative externalities of this development include disruption to the public during construction time (i.e. sections of roads may have to be closed off while digging occurs underneath) and the pollution generated during the construction process. In the case of disruption to the public during construction, the marginal private costs faced by the producers (i.e. the construction firm and the government who commissions them) are clearly far lower than the marginal social costs (costs faced by society as a whole as a result of the pollution) where the price is P1 and the quantity is Q1 on Diagram 1, resulting in losses for the community (as shown by the divergence between marginal social benefit and marginal social cost, represented by the difference between P1 and P2. At price P2 and quantity Q2, the level (quantity) of disruption has been decreased by increasing the cost of disruption (most likely through some form of financial penalty enforced by the government). It is at this point that marginal social cost and marginal social benefit meet (i.e. are equal), as there are lower levels of disruption, and more money for the government to spend on the public. In the case of pollution, the marginal private costs faced by the producers while polluting is lower than the marginal social costs where the price is P1 and the quantity is Q1 on Diagram 2. This is clearly not a good outcome for society, as there is a difference between marginal social benefit and marginal social cost (i.e. the social cost is greater than the social benefit, represented by the difference between P1 and P2). At price P2 and quantity Q2, the quantity of pollution produced has been decreased by increasing the cost of polluting (most probably through some form of pigovian tax or financial penalty enforced by the government). It is at this point that marginal social cost and marginal social benefit meet (i.e. are equal), as there are lower levels of pollution, and more money for the government to spend on the public. External benefits (or positive externalities) can be defined as benefits from production or consumption that the price mechanism fails to take into account. They have a positive effect on a third party not involved in the economic decision and are shown by the difference between social benefits and private benefits. Possible external benefits of this development include the alleviation of congestion on existing modes of public transport (e.g. buses and trains) and the creation of employment opportunities (both short-term and long-term). In the case of the reduction in congestion, the marginal private benefits gained by producers (i.e. the private construction and maintenance firms and he government who regulates and commissions them) are met at Q1 on Diagram 3. In order to reach the social optimum in terms of reduction in congestion, the level of congestion reduction (quantity) would have to increase to Q2, which would represent the full marginal benefit that the community gains. The government would ensure congestion reduction up to Q1, where their marginal private benefit is balanced by the marginal cost of the development, construction and maintenance of the tube line. However, if the full social benefits received are taken into account, Q2 would be the optimum choice point: to get to this point, the government could possibly subsidise the use of public transport, the tube in particular. However, the government do not provide enough congestion reduction for the community to reach this social optimum at Q1. In the case of employment, the marginal private benefits gained by producers are met at Q1 on Diagram 4. In order to reach the social optimum in terms of employment, the quantity of jobs available would have to increase to Q2, which would represent the full marginal benefit that the community gains. The government would provide employment up to Q1, where their marginal private benefit is balanced by the marginal cost of the development, construction and maintenance of the tube line. However, if the full social benefits received are taken into account, Q2 would be the optimum choice point: the government do not provide enough employment opportunities for the community to reach this social optimum at Q1, as this would incur a higher marginal cost. Disruption to the public during construction may not be massive, as the majority of the construction would occur underground. However, depending on how far underground, it may not be safe for large vehicles to cross certain areas during construction. This may prevent lorries transporting goods from taking direct routes to their destinations, resulting in delays and financial losses, and mean workers find it harder to travel to work, make them more tired as they must travel for longer and thereby decreasing productivity and output. Disruption is nigh impossible to quantify and measure the cost of: the best one could do is a survey of commuters, and even this is susceptible to inaccuracies and unreliability. Pollution is a very serious problem, especially given that the world has become so environmentally aware in the face of global warming and rising sea levels, and the amount of machinery and resources such a development as the extension of the tube line would consume is substantial, meaning a great deal of pollution would be produced. As afore mentioned, the long term effects of the pollution could be the rising of the sea level, the creation of acid rain which could ruin crops and could also pollute river systems and a vast array of the bad consequences that come with pollution. The short term effects include more polluted air after the construction and development stage, which would create a lower general quality of life. However, it is also quite hard to judge successfully the extent of the cost to society that pollution produced during the construction of the tube line brings. The reduction in congestion on roads and in public transport (i.e. crowding of people on buses and trains) caused by the introduction of a tube line in Croydon would be highly noticeable, as long as the tube is seen as a viable alternative to buses, trams and trains in terms of cost and time: as long as the tube system complements the existing public transport infrastructure, the easing in congestion will be dramatic. Short term effects of this greater flow of transport would include greater commuter satisfaction and quicker transportation of goods on the roads. Long term effects would include reduction in overall pollution and greater appeal to tourists (which would in turn boost the local economy and community through the multiplier effect). The overall benefit of a reduction in pollution would also have to be measured using some sort of survey: it could be said that the larger the percentage of people who recognised and appreciated that there was a noticeable reduction in traffic, the greater the public benefit. There would certainly be a large increase in employment opportunities as a result of the development of a tube line in Croydon. Labour would be required for the construction, maintenance and operation of the tube line, meaning many people would need to be employed. The short term and long term effects of an increase in employment include more money being spent in the local area (by the new influx of workers), less government spending on benefits and more government revenue from taxes (if it is assumed the jobs spaces are filled by unemployed). However, it would be rather hard to measure the overall (not just monetary) benefit brought about by higher employment. In conclusion, the costs are outweighed by the benefits, as disruption would cease with the completion of the construction and pollution could be kept to the minimum with government intervention, and the reduction in congestion and higher employment would make Croydon as more pleasant and prosperous place to be. Therefore, the tube line should be extended to Croydon.

The Recruit Essay Example for Free

The Recruit Essay The book The Recruit by Robert Muchamore is an adventure packed story about a boy called James Choke who makes some bad decisions and is sent to prison where he spends the night in a cell and wakes up in the morning in a completely different location. James has been relocated to the campus of Cherub. Something that interested me in the story was how Cherub used teenagers to spy. Agents were used to find evidence and stop terrorist plots to kill people. Cherub used the agents because people wouldn’t be suspicious that a child would be a spy. Think about it if your child brought a friend home and he acted like a normal child and appeared to be normal would you expect him/her to be spying on your each and every phone call, email, and movement? Quote: â€Å"although there have been many technical advantages in intelligence operations since cherub was founded, the reason for its existence remains the same: adults never suspect that children are spying on them. † An important character in the novel the recruit is James Choke. James Choke or agent James Adams is important because he is the newest recruit at the cherub campus and he joins an exciting mission to stop a terrorist group called â€Å"Help Earth† from releasing anthrax bacteria into the air at a conference centre. The story follows James from when he was a normal teenager to when he is a member of the Cherubs team. An exciting piece of the story is when James Adams goes on his first mission. James first mission takes place in a hippy camp called Fort Harmony. James and Amy Collins must befriend the hippies and find out more about the potential attack at Petrocon (where world leaders are meeting for an oil conference) by the terrorist group Help Earth. The two discover a plot to release anthrax bacteria into the air at the conference centre. They discover this when James discovers a secret hide out underground. They find a container filled with the bacteria and James is admitted to hospital because of suspicions that he may have the bacteria in his body. James finds a storage tray in Fire and World Dunn’s remote control cars. The trays were going to be used to transport the bacteria to the air conditioning units. They were caught before they could launce their attack at Petrocon. I was pleased to find out that in turn James was rewarded for outstanding effort with a navy shirt (the shirt represents the level they are at), the satisfaction of completing his first mission, and the knowledge that he had saved 200 people’s lives.

Research on Bilingual Language Behaviour

Research on Bilingual Language Behaviour The aims of this qualitative study are threefold: To observe the language behaviour, in the formal register of religious services, of bilingual members of a sample East African Sikh speech community; To identify and examine the broad patterns of the bilingual language behaviour observed; and To attempt to explain those patterns from the perspectives of language policy (specifically, religious language policy), audience design and communication accommodation. The structure of this dissertation is as follows: Chapter 1 offers a brief history of Sikhism; a discussion of the double migration of the East African Sikhs to the United Kingdom; and the linguistic ramifications of the same for the sample speech community today. Chapter 2 contains a critical examination and review of the literature and central notions relevant to the study. Chapter 3 discusses the hypothesis and methodological aspects of this study; Chapter 4 contains observations made over the course of the data collection period, with the results and analysis of that data. Chapter 5 draws preliminary conclusions on the basis of the data analysis in the preceding chapter. Sikhism, the worlds fifth largest religion, originated in the Punjab (Northern India) as an off-shoot of Hinduism in the 15th century. Its emergence and development as one of the three main religions in India are closely tied to, influenced by and reflect the political, economic and socio-cultural changes that swept across the region over the course of nearly three centuries, shaping the role of Sikhs thereafter. Sikhism would only take on its à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾modern and most immediately recognisable form in 1699 (see below). The faith was founded by the first of the Sikhs ten gurus, Guru Nanak (1469-1538). He began preaching a new belief system founded on principles of monotheism, gender equality and egalitarianism at a time when the Muslim Mughal conquerors of India were forcing conversions to Islam, while the caste system reduced thousands of people to living, starving and dying in poverty. Guru Nanaks disciple and appointed successor, Guru Angad (1504-1552), is credited with creating the Gurmukhi script (which is still in use today) and popularising the practice of Guru ka Langar, whereby congregants eat together at the end of each service. Guru Angad was succeeded by Guru Amar Das (14791574), who made Guru ka Langar compulsory. He also instituted new ceremonies for birth, marriage and death; raised the status of women; and established three main gurpurbs (festivals), one of which is Vaisakhi (see below). The fourth guru, Guru Ram Das (1534-1581), is credited in turn with composing the Laava (the hymns recited during Sikh marriage ceremonies) and, perhaps more significantly, designing the Harimandir Sahib (also known as the Golden Temple) in Amritsar, Punjab. Guru Nanaks teachings, saloks (verses) and shabads (hymns) together with those of his successors were compiled by the fifth guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606), into the Adi Granth. This would eventually be known as the Guru Granth Sahib, the contents of which are known as gurbani (literally, the utterances of the Gurus). The sixth Guru, Har Gobind (1595-1644), instituted the role of the Sikhs as a martial race of saint soldiers a role which was maintained and expanded by his successor, Guru Har Rai (1630-1661). The eighth Guru, Har Krishan (1656-1664), died of smallpox aged 7 and appointed Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675) as his successor. Tegh Bahadur further reinforced the Sikhs role as a warrior class before his execution by Emperor Aurangzeb. Prior to his death, he appointed his son, Gobind, as his successor. Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), the tenth and final human guru, is widely regarded as having laid the foundations for modern Sikhism on Vaisakhi in 1699. In establishing the Khalsa[1] Panth, Gobind Singh gave tangible shape to Sikh identity. He instituted the taking of amrit (literally nectar) as a new baptism ceremony, together with the five Ks, symbols to be worn by Sikhs as outward identifiers. New names were also to be taken by the newly unified community of Sikhs: Singh (literally, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾lion-hearted) for men and Kaur (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾princess) for women. Guru Gobind took part in the first baptism, thus becoming Guru Gobind Singh. Equally significantly, Guru Gobind Singh elevated the Adi Granth (see above), to which he had made significant contributions, to a new status as the Guru Granth Sahib, and effectively appointed the sacred text as his successor[2]. In doing so, he vested it with full spiritual authority, with temporal authority laying with the Khalsa Panth. The Guru Granth Sahib continues to be worshipped and venerated by Sikhs as a living Guru, with various rites and rules governing how it is handled and treated. The Guru Granth Sahib is unusual in that it is a religious text compiled within the lifetime of its authors and contributors. Furthermore, whilst it is written exclusively in Gurmukhi script, the text itself is actually a mixture of different languages, including inter alia Punjabi, Persian, Hindi-Urdu, and Sanskrit. Gurmukhi has therefore been used as a transliterative device, a means of unifying and harmonising a disparate collection of verses and hymns written, collected and compiled by the Gurus and their devotees. In an informal chat during one of my visits, the president of the gurdwara informed me that, stylistically, the language used in the Guru Granth Sahib can be equated with Shakespearean English: spiritual, poetic and inspiring, but with a meaning that is not readily grasped by congregants without an explanation or interpretation provided by a giani. Gurmukhi (literally from the mouth of the Gurus[3]) is central to Sikh worship and religious practices. The general view held is that true understanding of the spiritual significance of the sacred texts cannot be achieved without knowledge of Gurmukhi, and a Sikh cannot fully experience the Guru Granth Sahib until he or she can read its contents. English translations are not frowned upon per se, and Romanised publications (in which the original Gurmukhi text is rendered in Romanised script[4]) abound, but these are rather viewed as little more than an introduction to worship and prayer rituals practices for which only Gurmukhi can and must be used in order to be correct or acceptable[5]. Two further points are implicit within such a requirement: First is the need for congregants to speak the heritage language in order to understand the text in terms of its spiritual content (as stated above) and, by extension, participate completely as fully-fledged and acknowledged congregants in a given service. Following that line of reasoning, it would seem futile to be able to read Gurmukhi script without the requisite understanding of the Punjabi language necessary to grasp the meaning of the text. Secondly, proficiency in reading Gurmukhi would appear to establish a form of hierarchy amongst congregants: the greater the proficiency, the greater the understanding of Sikh spirituality, and the more likely any such members are to be able to participate fully in services particularly the Akhand Path, in which proficient ability to read Gurmukhi is central. It may be said that Gurmukhi script acts here as a source of religious mysticism[6], in that a full understanding of the spiritual message contained in the Guru Granth Sahib remains inaccessible and, therefore, a source of mystery to anyone who cannot read it. Congregants who are unable to read Gurmukhi are consequently dependent on the giani or fellow congregants who are fully proficient in reading Gurmukhi script. Taken together, it may be argued that Gurmukhi script and, therefore, Punjabi more generally could have an exclusionary or prohibitive effect, imposing additional criteria for full membership of a group on the basis of a shared language and social and cultural identity, creating a religious hierarchy within a group that also serves social and cultural ends. According to the 2001 Census, there are 329,000 Sikhs in England and Wales[7]. It should be noted that the census data makes no distinction between Indian Sikhs and East African Sikhs, who in fact constitute two very separate groups within a wider religious community. The establishment of the Sikh community taken as a whole as a bilingual speech community in the United Kingdom can by and large be described in terms of the chain migration model detailed, for example, by Dabà ¨ne and Moore (1995)[8]. It is, however, important to bear in mind that the history and development of the East African Sikh community present in the United Kingdom followed a distinct trajectory, one in which a sense of separateness has heightened the groups awareness of and desire to preserve it social, cultural and religious (and, by extension, linguistic) identity. [1] à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾Khalsa is derived from Arabic khalis (literally meaning pure or unsullied). Khalsa Panth means community of the pure. [2] Partridge, C. H. (2005). Introduction to World Religions. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, p. 223. [3] See Appendix VI. [4] See Appendix VI for examples. [5] This is further confirmed when one looks at the communities of non-Asian Sikh converts in the United States: they learn Punjabi particularly how to read Gurmukhi script and conduct their services in that language Their conversion is not only religious, but also linguistic. [6] Wirtz (2005) offers fascinating insight, from an anthropological perspective, on the use of language as a source of religious mysticism in Santerà ­a ceremonies held in Cuba. [7] See Appendix V for relevant data drawn from the 2001 UK Census. [8] See below Chapter 3: Literature Review.

The Debate on Whether Alcoholism is a Disease or Not Essay -- Alcoholi

The Debate on Whether Alcoholism is a Disease or Not Many specialists today are in a debate on whether alcoholism is a disease or not. I looked up the word disease in the new American Webster dictionary. It stated that a disease is a condition ill health, or malady. Malady is defined as any disordered state or condition. Alcoholism causes illness and disorder. Someone who is an alcoholic has a dependency on the drug alcohol. If you are dependent on alcohol, you can acquire many illnesses both physical and mental. Physical illness from alcoholism can include stomach problems, digestive problems, headaches, kidney problems, liver disease, problems with nervous system and trouble with immune system, just to name a few. Mental illness can include depression, anger, irritability, lack of concentration, and low self-esteem. Some alcoholics believe that in order to have a good time doing something they have to be under the influence of alcohol. Therefor if they do not have alcohol then they think life sucks and is no fun. This can also limit what a person can do because you may not be able to do some things under the influence of alcohol with out getting a punishment. For instance if you wanted to go somewhere in a car and you're an alcoholic then you will be breaking the law if you are drunk driving. Some people do not know why they have to drink in order to have fun. Maybe its because their friends drink and they do not have friends who do not drink. You can ask people, why do you drink. Many answers can come from this question. Because I like to drink, because it makes me feel good and sometimes it's, I do not know. So, let us look at the reason for alcoholism. Alcoholism usually comes from years of the use of alcohol but you can become an alcoholic at a young age. You may not be physically dependent at a young age but you can definitely become mentally dependent. Many specialists say that alcoholism is hereditary. In alcoholics anonymous, it is said that if you have an inherited alcoholic gene then you are at high risk of being an alcoholic. One sign that you might have this gene is if you have a black out while over consuming alcohol. It is said that if you black out then you are an alcoholic. A black out is a period while drinking that you can vaguely remember or not recall whatsoever. I do not believe this because there can be... ...it can definitely be defined as a disease. It is a disease that is brought on by influences of society, family and pressure. In my mind, alcoholism is a man made disease. Of course man tries to fix it but I think alcoholism is unstoppable. It may be stopped in one case but it just keeps coming. As one alcoholic recovers, there is ten new alcoholics being born. Not in the sense of a newborn baby, but in the sense as a person being defined as an alcoholic. There will always be alcoholism as long as there is alcohol. I think if society would focus more on alcohol as being negative, it would help stop some cases of alcoholism. I think any beer company sponsoring a sport event is ridiculous. This type of advertisement should be banned. I think this would make alcohol less acceptable by the public. I really do not understand why America accepts alcohol and not one other drug. I think alcohol is the number one gateway drug out there. People do things when they are drunk that they would not regularly do sober. Someone may try doing and illegal drugs because they are drunk. So, in order to stop this disease we need to kill it at its roots and that would mean get rid of alcohol altogether.

The Central Question of Hamlet Essay -- Essays on Shakespeare Hamlet

The Central Question of Hamlet  Ã‚      Hamlet's tragedy is a tragedy of failure-the failure of a man placed in critical circumstances to deal successfully with those circumstances. In some ways, Hamlet reminds us of Brutus in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar." Hamlet and Brutus are both good men who live in trying times; both are intellectual, even philosophical; both men want to do the right thing; both men intellectualize over what the right thing is; neither man yields to passion. But here the comparison ends, for though both Brutus and Hamlet reflect at length over the need to act, Brutus is able immediately to act while Hamlet is not. Hamlet is stuck "thinking too precisely on th' event-". Hamlet's father, the king of Denmark, has died suddenly. The dead king's brother,Claudius, marries Hamlet's mother and swiftly assumes the throne, a throne that Hamlet fully expected would be his upon the death of his father. Hamlet's father's ghost confronts Hamlet and tells him that his death was not natural, as reported, but instead was murder. Hamlet swears revenge. But rather than swoop instantly to that revenge, Hamlet pretends to be insane in order to mask an investigation of the accusation brought by his father's ghost. Why Hamlet puts on this "antic disposition" and delays in killing Claudius is the central question of the play. But Hamlet did not swear to his dead father that he, detective-like, would investigate. Hamlet swore revenge. And he has more than enough motivation to exact revenge. Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon- He that hath killed my king, and whored my mother; Popped in between th' election and my hopes, Thrown out his angle for my proper life, And with such cozenage-is't not perfect cons... ...play that is flawed, not our understanding of it. The central question of the play is, then, a question without an answer if one is seeking the answer within the play. Shakespeare was supposed to supply us with an answer, or at least with a reason why there is no answer. He offers us neither. Instead, this most celebrated of Shakespeare's plays offers us a literary mystery which has captured the attention of all who have come into contact with it. It's time to file the question under "Unsolved Mysteries." But for those who persist in analyzing the plot of the drama, or Hamlet's psychology, or both in order to explain this particular enigma, I suggest that you're looking in the wrong place. Try history.    Works Cited    *A. C. Bradley, "Shakespeare's Tragic Period-Hamlet," Shakespearean Tragedy, MacMillan and Company Limited, 1904, pp. 70-101   

Congressmen And Their Influences :: essays research papers

Congressmen and Their Influences The notion that a Congressman ran for office for unselfish goals and went away to Washington to serve his country and represent his neighbors seems quaint and luaghable compared to the way that we currently regard members of congress. Recent views have suggested that most people felt that while the institution on the whole was corrupt, but that their representative was a good person and servant of the electorate. More and more each member is scrutinized and judged harsher by their constituencies, the media, their own party and the numerous interest groups and cuacuses that make it possible for them to act as Senators and Representatives. The Congress and President work together through their own institutions in the common goal of running the worlds most powerful nation. The legilative powers were divided this way to ensure that all new laws would be debated and decided not by a few but through a heirarchy that gives every citizen a part to play in our collective decision making. Each of the individuals in the House has an equitable voting relationship with the others, 1=1=1, when it come to passing legislation, but in the earlier phases of formulating policy some relationships are dominant over others. The only ones that would be lower than a freshman Democrat in the 105th Congress from a rural, low industry district are probably those that represent our protectorates Guam, Puerto Rico, etc. Many levels within the parties and the institution afford some members leadership roles and positions that they can use to sway the other members. The Whips, Majority and Minority leaders and the Speaker of the House are looking for party cohesion and also bi-partisan support for a bill. Coalitions are forged or broken depending on the issue at hand. Individual committee positions are another point were some are more powerful than others. The committees are major superintendents of some agencies and members not on that particular committee may be ignored or relegated to other tasks while the major decisions are being made. Since much of policy direction is dominated by the two party system they are able to use the majority selected rules and procedures of the House to their advantage. In the more collegial and congenial Senate power is more diffused and shared between the members and minority rights are protected. In the parties the leaders are able to use their personalities and power to influence the agenda that is agreed upon. The way the House is run leaves a great deal of discretion to the leaders of the parties and committee members

Group Project Essay

Introduction This assignment will allow for the practical application of concepts, language and terminology covered in Modules 1-4. Students will work together to evaluate and analyze the compositional elements of a work of art that they are not familiar with. The class will be divided into teams consisting of 4-5 members. You have been automatically assigned to a group (A, B C or D). Please email the instructor if you have questions. Teams are assigned an artwork to evaluate and analyze according to the following: (1) visual literacy, (2) structural components, and (3) psychological qualities that have been covered in the modules so far. Members of the group are responsible for applying as many of the terms as possible while analyzing and evaluating their work of art. Each group will base its study on one of the following works of art: †¢Group A (Carla, Ana, Katlyn, Maribel): Francisco Goya, Third of May, 1808 †¢Group B (Brenda, Cynthia, Della, Guiliana): Georges Seurat, Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte †¢Group C (Kelsey, Iva, Courtney, Triana): Jacques Louis David, The Oath of the Horatii †¢Group D (Jonathan, Kisherra, Rosalinda, Gabrielle) : Edgar Degas, The Dance Class Note: All the above works can be viewed at Mark Harden’s Artchive. The Assignment Use the following three series of questions to guide your analysis: Identify the following qualities that apply to the artwork: †¢The art is 2-D (flat or two dimensional). †¢The art is 3-D (has mass and occupies space). †¢The art is naturalistic (has recognizable objects that imitate nature and 3-D space). †¢The art is narrative (illustrates a story such as history, mythology, religion) or it features animals, people, or landscape elements about which one can invent a story. †¢The art has social or political content, such as protest art or propaganda. †¢If the art is narrative or political, describe it as briefly as possible. †¢The art is ritualistic or shamanistic. It seems to have a magic or spirit function. †¢The art is abstract (seems to have some human, animal, or landscape elements). †¢The art is non-objective (uses shapes and colors that do not seem to come from any recognizable source, such as circles, squares and squiggles). †¢If the art is abstract or non-objective, what feelings do you get from the piece? (ex. energy, motion, calm, agitation, warmth, etc.). Most art design or composition relies upon repeating elements such as lines, shapes, or colors to tie the composition together, to make it coherent or give it unity. You can think of this as establishing a visual theme. Repetition is the strategy. †¢Lines – Are there straight or curving line segments that are echoed throughout the composition? Remember to look at implied or suggested lines formed by the edges of objects such as people. Do groups of people, animals and trees clump together to suggest direction or linear elements? What is the dominant line theme? Is there a minor or contrasting line theme? †¢Shapes – Shapes are closely related to lines. The edges of shapes suggest line elements (the sides of a rectangle also provide vertical line segments). Shadows or sky may form important shapes in landscapes; or a tree’s boughs may form a circle. Look at the negative space (background) as well as the positive objects. Are there any hidden or implied shapes? Do any repeat themselves? What is the dominant shape theme? Is there a subordinate or contrasting shape theme? †¢Color – What is the most important family of colors, colors that are dominant throughout the entire composition instead of isolated? Some colors work well together (red, orange, yellow) and establish a theme of warm or cool dominance. What is the dominant color theme? What is the accent range? †¢Emphasis – Where do your eyes tend to go? What object seems to be most important to your eyes? This is the point of emphasis. The artist may have organized the shapes, lines, and colors to lead you to a point of emphasis. Is there a point of emphasis? How does the art make you feel? The following characteristics can be grouped together: †¢Active, energetic, moving, angry, aggressive, dynamic, hot, advancing, static †¢Calm, flowing, restful, inviting, cool, receding †¢Curved lines, round shapes, nesting shapes †¢Analogous, related, blue, violet, aqua, deep green †¢Orange, yellow, pink and red †¢Contrast, angular shapes, colliding opposites, contrast 1.Visual Literacy. 2.Structural Components. Discuss the use of lines, shapes, color, and emphasis in the work of art you have been assigned. 3.Psychological Qualities. Describe your emotional response to the work of art: Group Work Specifications Groups are set up according to the artwork being evaluated. To participate in your group’s discussion forum and share information use the discussion forum assigned to your group. Product Specifications As a group, please write and turn in your 2-3 page essay single spaced 12pt Times or Times New Roman font. Please upload this to the Dropbox. Grading Specifications You will be graded as a group for this assignment.

From dependence to independence Essay

A examine Of making write place is a twentieth blow comprise set in the 1950s. It is hump as a kitchen-sink drama and was write by Shelagh Delaney at the age of 18 and was first performed in May 1958. A kitchen-sink drama originated in the literature in the 1950s and 1960s. Its aim is to create a trustworthy picture of the hard smell and troubles of the running(a) relegate behavior.In A look atk Of H maveny the two main characters are forever go bring out with severally some other and the people roughly them. The conditions they live in are fasten and poor in bedsits or unconditionalbedcars. An display case of a kitchen-sink drama is in square offm Back In Anger by John Osborne and Saturday Night And Sunday dayspring by Alan Sillitoe. Plays and dramas in the fifties were performed for the oculus and upper classes yet thus came the institution kitchen-sink drama Look Back In Anger, which was aimed at the working class. A kitchen-sink drama play uses e realday e rattlingday language to reflect the lives of the working class people portrayed.A Taste Of beloved is set in Salford, Manchester. It is slightly the life and descent between a unsalted girl, Jo, and her eng closureer, Helen. They move around a rope, and perplex conscionable moved into a garish one-bed agencyed matted in Salford. Helen is a semi-whore who lives strike specie which has been inclined to her by her manpower chums. Helen in addition drinks a pack. Jo is fifteen years old and she is in truth talented in an artistic way and enjoys drawing, tho she blames her pay take, who she refers to as Helen, for disrupting her education.Helen and Jo move into a shabby rented flat in Salford and its very(prenominal) cramp and small. Jo isnt happy but Helen doesnt mind. Jo tries to make the flat look and line up much liveable in by deciding to plant or so bulbs. Helens not bothitherd though, and is happy that at least(prenominal) they collapse a hood over their heads. She has a what you see is what you reward positioning towards life and lives by a day-to-day basis.Helen also uses a lot of sarcasm, for example, when Jo is complaining intimately the flat, Helen replies,Everything in it is falling a break dance, its true, and weve no heating- but in that respects a lovely great deal of the gasworks.Helen is a single parent and theres no mention of every relatives end-to-end the play. Single parent families were not accepted in the 1950s and if a couple wasnt married, it was seen as sustenance in sin and fr ingested upon.A Taste Of Honey is aimed at adults and older teenagers as there is a lot of bare-assed and rude humour and bad language, reflecting their working class lives for example, Helen Take your bloody money and energise out. bastard Thank you.Helen You repelling bastard.Also, teenage pregnancies, race and sexuality were largish issues in the fifties. Homosexuality was a crook completeence, even if the couple were of a harmonize age. more homosexuals were locked up, and underage sex was powerfully fr featureed upon, and abortions were very difficult to obtain. Women had to resort to back-street abortions, which were very dangerous and could be fatal, so thats why there were a lot of teenage pregnancies.In the fifties, there were very some black people and they were given low paid jobs in the wait on industries and hospitals. These three issues are all part of the story. Jo has a teenage pregnancy, Jimmie is black, and Geof is homosexual. in that location were no equal opportunities, for example, men got paid more than women in exactly the same jobs. accommodate conditions in Salford were poor. Most houses were small, cramped and dirty. Many rented bedsits or flats often shared creature comforts standardized bath elbow rooms and toilets, and this is the case in A Taste Of Honey.We share a bathroom with the community and this wallpapers contemporary. What more do you want?I n A Taste Of Honey, Jo doesnt call her vex flummox. She calls her Helen. This shows that she doesnt experience much respect for her father and wishes to live her own life, and not to be ruled over by someone who is not a good mother figure. I commend Jo is lonely, as she hasnt settled down in a condition yet so she hasnt had the chance to make any friends. Helen also treats Jo as if she is sound something thats there. She refers to Jo as she and her.Wouldnt she get on your jumpiness?Helen also drinks a lot, and even though Jo isnt treated as a real person, she still wishes her mother would stop.Drink, drink, drink, thats all youre fit for.With Jo lacking(p) Helen to stop alcohol addiction, I find this shows that Jo is scared, that if the drinking carries on and Helen gets ill or something happens to her, past Jo allow for be alone.Helens favored past- durations, which Jo disapproves of, are her drinking habits and sleeping around. Helen is not a good mother and she kno ws this herself, baffle I ever laid pack to being a proper mother?Helen hardly knows her daughter. This is made obvious when Jo decides to waste a bath in the break of the day because its dark outside, and Helen replies, Are you aquaphobic of the dark? whereas in any usual family, the parent would know if their child was horrified of anything with living with them for fifteen years.Jo hates direct. She has been moved from school to school and never settled in any of them, so she toilett be bothered with it, but she is very talented in drawing. When Helen finds some of Jos drawings, her merely reply is, I judgment you werent good at anything. Helen starts to countenance Jo by saying its very good, but then her sarcasm returns when she says, I view Ill hang this on the wall somewhere. Now, where will it be least noticeable?When we meet Peter, he enters with a cigar in his mouth. He seems very cocky and seems the sort of person who doesnt genuinely care for other people, as he is self-centred. He keeps singing Jo to go away, and tells Helen to get rid of her, because he just wants Helen for sex.Jo doesnt want to leave the two alone, and keeps interrupting because she is algophobic that Peter will get the concern off Helen that Jo has unceasingly wanted. Also, Jo knows that Helen will retract her and go off with new men she meets, as she has gaine it before.When Helen goes out the room and Jo is left alone with Peter, she starts to question him. Jo sees some photographs in Peters wallet and demands to know who they are of.Can I see the other photos?She then starts to choose why hes marrying Helen and asks if he fancies her. Do you fancy me? I bring forward she asks this because she knows that her mother is beautiful, and she gets lots of aid off men, so Jo wants to see if she could be just care her. Helen is somewhat an idol to Jo, because she eternally asks people if they ideate Helen is beautiful, and she wants to be just like her alwa ys getting attention from men. Jo, in a way, is jealous of Helen.I think Jo is fairly case-by-case for her age, as she is certain round what she wants to do. She wants to leave school and start working as soon as she brush off. This shows that she acts older than she in reality is and is vaned for her age.In scene 2, we are introduced to Jos boyfriend. In this part of the play, we know him as male child, but later on we find out his name is Jimmie. He is a black sailor in the navy and he asks Jo to marry him. male child is twenty-two, and Jo lies round her age and tells him she is eighteen. He questions her to the highest degree what Helen will think about him because hes a coloured boy. male child She hasnt seen me.Jo And when she does? male child Shell see a coloured boy.I think boy is worried about meeting Jos mother, as racial prejudice was a big issue in the fifties. Jo tells him, though, that her mother is not prejudice and will not mind, but at the end of the play when Helen finds out that the ball up will be black, she starts to get mad. When she finds out, she says, Oh dont be silly Jo. Youll be giving yourself nightmares.She thinks Jo is twist her leg but she is honest. When she finally realises that it is true, she doesnt care what people will think of Jo, but what people will think of herself.Can you see me wheeling a pram with a Oh my God, Ill have to have a drink.Boy has to go away for six months, and he reassures her hell be back. I think Jo thinks she loves Boy, but doesnt expect him to return, because when he says he is going, Jo says her Hearts broke. Boy offers comfort by saying You fanny lie in bed at night and hear my ship leaving down the old passelal. But when Boy starts to flirt with her in a robust way, she says,I may as nearly be naughty while Ive got the chance. Ill probably never see you again. I know it.I dont think that its true love between Jo and Boy, as Jo is unfledged and every era they say they love each other, their replies to one another is always how, and why.Boy I love you.Jo How do you know?Whereas if they really did love each other, they wouldnt ask for reasons why.Jos friend Geof, is very considerate and caring. We meet Geof in Act 2, Scene 1 by and by him and Jo have been to the fairground. Geof is a homosexual and he has been kicked out of his flat by the landlady because of this, so hes been spending time at Jos. By this time, it is summer and Jos pregnancy is obvious. Helen has moved out after(prenominal) marrying Peter and left Jo alone.Geof comes into Jos flat after the fair and is about to go but Jo literally begs him to stay.Geof, dont go. Dont go. GeofI think Jo is scared to be alone, that she doesnt know what she would do alone with the ances show getting nearer.Geof starts tone through Jos drawings and criticises them by saying he doesnt like charcoal and that the drawings are exactly like Jo, with no design, rhythm or purpose.When Geof starts telling Jo that a lot of money will be needed for the baby, she tries to ignore the position that shes pregnant and tells Geof to shut up, but Geof isnt saying this to vex her, but to get her prepared and case reality. He cares for her and because Helen doesnt know about the pregnancy, Geof thinks she has a right to know that shes going to be a grannie but Jo objects.Jos relationship with Geof is a love similar to that of a sidekick and sister, as he is more into looking after her. I think Jo really cares for him too, as she begs him to stay over and she has a laugh with him as well as being flirty at the same time.Jo Do you like beer?Geof Yes.Jo Gin?Geof Yes. Have you got some?Jo No, but if I had, Id give it all to you. Id give everything I had to you.When Jo and Geof go to bed, Geof questions Jo about Jimmie.Geof A black boy?Jo From darkest Africa A Prince. She exaggerates as though it was a dream, or a fairytale. Just before they go to bed, Jo laughs and tells Geof, Youre just like a big sist er to me.A few months later, Jo and Geof are getting ready for the arrival of the baby and Geofs making a baby gown while Jo wanders about the room. It is not something that the audience would expect a man or brother to be doing. It would more likely be a sister. I think Jo is nervous because the birth is very near and she is restless. She is very unhinged when the baby kicks, and tells Geof. Jo always seems to flirt with Geof, playfully putting her arms around him, but when Geof is serious about him and Jo, she backs off.Geof Let me buss you.Jo Let go of me. Leave me alone.I think this is where Jo becomes more mature and independent, as she knows what she wants.I think Ive had enough. Im sick of love.But then Jo realises that she cant really cope, that the baby is perhaps more than she can palm and her hormones are getting the better of her.Ill bash its brains out. Ill kill it. I dont want this baby, Geof. I dont want to be a mother.She realises that she wants Jimmie back, she m isses him so much, and she wants the real induce to her baby. Every Christmas Helen used to go off with some boyfriend or other and leave me all on my own in some sordid digs, but last Christmas I had him.Geof thinks he is only welcome in Jos flat until she finds her next Prince and in my opinion, Geof is hurt.When Helen comes to see Jo with Peter, Peter is prejudiced against Geof and calls him a fruit cake parcel. He is drunk and wants to go to the ginmill with Helen, and so he starts making his own drama by calling the flat Jo lives in, and calling Jo a slut.Jos attitude towards Geof towards the end of the play changes for the better. From the way they both talk to each other you can see they have both adult up. Jo is more open to Geof about her relationship with Helen.You know I used to try and hold my mothers hands but she always used to pull them away from me. She had so much love for everyone else but none for me.When Jo says that, it actually makes the audience opinion spoiled for her, and disgusted with Helen, because Jo didnt have a genuine mother figure. She also tells Geof about how Helen got pregnant with her. She tells him about how she was married to a Puritan, but wanted some fun so she had a frolic in a hay loft one afternoon with a daft man.This shows that she feels restrain with Geof and more confident with him as she tells him everything that happened and wants him to feel sorry for her and to understand her because she didnt have a good childhood.Jo starts to value Geof, as she realises he cares more than Helen. At the end of the play, Helen tries to hint that she wants Geof to leave so she can move back in. she thinks she could look after Jo better than Geof, even after the months she has missed.There wouldnt be much room for two of us on the couch, would there?The only hint of love from Helen for Jo throughout the play is when Jo is having contractions and Helen strokes her hair, saying everything will be all right. This is the on ly time in the play when Helen is shown to be supportive of Jo.It shows Jo is independent and has matured, because when Helen doesnt know how to use the stove, Jo tells her, whereas this time last year, it was the other way around.When Geof leaves, and Helen finds out about the baby being black, she says shes going for a drink. This part reflects the beginning, when Helen abandons Jo at Christmas. Unfortunately just when Jo needs her mother the most, she leaves her yet again. When shes out the door, Jo leans against the doorpost, memory the good times with Geof and smiling to herself, as she recites a rhyme that Geof taught her.This shows that she is now conditional on herself, and knows she can cope by herself, because she was left alone the year before, and knows she can do it again.Jos Taste Of Honey was when she met Jimmie, but in my opinion, I think her Taste Of Honey was the time she dog-tired with Geof, because he taught her a lot of things in life, and throughout the play you can see how she has matured, and adopted a more serious attitude towards life.