Democratic Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Democratic Theory - Essay Example It takes care of subjects related with political pluralism, equality in the wake of law and the right to submit petition for the elected officials. (Young, 2000) It also brings to light different matters pertaining to human rights, civil liberties, a number of varied elements of the civil society and the different institutions working under the auspices of the government of the state. The origin of democracy has come about from the Ancient Greek times. The Ancient Greek political and philosophical thoughts made use of democracy and its different undertakings in their day to day affairs and practice. Plato called democracy as the system of rule by the governed, which summed the whole essence of democracy in its truest sense. The Republics of Ancient India had some instances and traces of civilizations of democracy within their ranks. This was way before the birth of the Buddha. Thus the origins of democracy stretch quite back in time and a number of nations can hold themselves in line with the original basis that was brought forward by this system of government, ruling and indeed legislation. (Przeworski) In its truest meaning, democratic theory is a political philosophy more than anything else. It is a form of government which exists for the people and brought in essence by the people. Democracy calls for competitive elections which are mandatory within such a form of government. What this does is to elect people or office bearers who get the most votes in such an election exercise. These elections bring to light the aspects of freedom of speech, freedom for the press and television and radio as well as a general exercise of law within the very state in which elections are being carried out. (Gabardi, 2001) In the name of democracy, it is significant that the civilian control of the military is kept away as much as possible since this gives rise to military dictatorship regimes and thus intervenes in the smooth political affairs and their

Maritime Manegement 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Maritime Manegement 2 - Essay Example The strength of the economy, its location, resources, population size and political influence contribute to its power. During the establishment of the China’s economy that is in 1949, the economy was modeled on Soviet model as suggested by Wang and Chin-Keong (2004). This was after the communist revolution. As a result, China ended up its connection with the capitalist world. China’s economic model involved the formation of state controlled heavy industries which were financed by capital acquired from agriculture. China substituted its imports with domestic goods so as to acquire foreign exchange to buy goods and technology. China’s economy has contributed a lot to the development of the shipping operations which are part of their economy. China is one of the countries with the most ample shipping resources. The China’s coastal areas offer the highest percentage of the countries imports and exports value. This is an advantage as it creates a good environme nt for fast and healthy development of the countries maritime industry. With the development of the maritime industries, the economy of China has experienced continuous and strong growth momentum. This has led to an increase in both trans-regional and multinational trading systems. China’s maritime industry has been growing rapidly to meet the expanding requirements for foreign exchange. Since the adoption of its reforms and the open policies, the international shipping industry is now increasing while promoting healthy development of the industry. China’s economy has steadily grown since 1990. The steady growth in economic demands has brought a great opportunity for Chinese shipping industry development. China is currently one of the world’s largest countries capable of offering comprehensive package of shipping activities in the ocean. It fleets cover a greater range including traditional bulk and more value added tonnages. The China’s growing economy h as effects on transport routes between China and Europe. The economy has also contributed to the opening of the Arctic Ocean summer route for both countries according to Liu (2009). To provide healthy transportation of containers, there are number of challenges shipping industry should deal with. One of the challenges is how to survive the Arctic’s harsh climate. The development strategy behind this is enhancing the coordination between the two countries towards improving the condition of the Arctic Ocean. Secondly is the issue of occurring changes in the Arctic Ocean and its commercial implications. The growing Chinese economy is partnering with the Europe to counter the challenge. In Europe, china is the second major partner in trading activities after the US. For both countries that is China and Europe, maritime transport makes a vital contribution to their energy strategies. This has been through establishing more shipping routes and energy diversification. China and Euro pe have economic interest aimed at developing their routes of transport along the coast of northern Russia. To ensure safety in the Arctic region, Europe and China should improve their corporation in research activities. Should also enhance information exchange and add on the formation of reliable systems of monitoring and forecasting. Both countries should also provide safe and effective maritime operations in the Arctic Ocean. China’s political activities have developed with the expansion on the countries

Explain Marx's general law of capitalist accumulation and discuss it's Essay

Explain Marx's general law of capitalist accumulation and discuss it's contemporary relevance - Essay Example Though Marx does not agree with the means by which capital accumulation takes place, the identifiers that he exhibits with regards to how such a system takes place and is perpetuated is difficult to argue against regardless of the political/economic ideology that the individual may have. As a function of understanding Marx’s identification and theory of capital accumulation, this analysis will approach this topic from a historical and economic standpoint. Moreover, after seeking to define and understand the nuances of capital accumulation, as Marx describes it, the analysis will then move on to attempting to define whether or not this particular definition and understanding is applicable currently or has any contemporary relevance whatsoever. Finally, it is the hope of this author that such a discussion will not only integrate a further understanding with regards to Marx’s original intent and the means by which the Communist definition of capital accumulation was theori zed/enunciated but that this realization an understanding will seek to elaborate upon the means by which such a definition/theory continues to be relevant or is entirely irrelevant within the current era. As with so many of Karl Marx’s economic theories, it is of course first necessary to integrate with an interpretation and understanding of how Marx defined human psychology and base nature as a means of better understanding this theory and definition of capitalist accumulation. Ultimately, the writings and philosophy of Karl Marx were concentric upon an understanding that human nature as necessarily developed as a means of ensuring that humans are able to derive all of the necessary requirements for life that they may have. Not distinct from the evolutionary standpoint, Marx theory of human nature specifies that the individual, and the group for that matter, will likely seek to enrich themselves in all manners possible at all times possible (Hein, 2012). According to Marx, t his is something of an innate drive that is engaged from the moment that an individual self-actualizes until the time that they die. This primary interpretation of the motivation degree provides is a primal means by which the capital accumulation theory is defined within the Marxist worldview. Delving directly into the definition itself, Marx understood capitalism to be locked in something of a self induced death spiral. This was ultimately the result of the fact that Marx understanding of capital was a situation in which humans invariably seek after wealth and self-enrichment as a means to define their own reality. Although this in and of itself represents and unethical approach, far more unethical, according to Marx, is the reality of fact this reality invariably takes place on the backs of others. This enrichment at the expense of others has profound and severe consequences due to the fact that brutal treatment of the producers is oftentimes affected as a means of capital accrual /accumulation. In short, Marx’s concept of capital accumulation can be understood with regards to the illustration and so many economists oftentimes make with regards to t

Analysis and Application of Clinical Practice Guidelines & Scoring Essay

Analysis and Application of Clinical Practice Guidelines & Scoring Rubric - Essay Example lines are a sequence of recommendations on clinical care aided by the best present indication in a clinical literature (Castellani, Girlanda, & Barbu, 2014). For a long time, Clinical Practice Guidelines on several occasions have been used and abused. Although position statements on the best care were meant to be unbiased, the documents were problematic. The process of development did not meet transparency requirements, and the experts involved in the development made the material beneficial to themselves. Patients and practicing physicians usually felt cheated in cases where decisions on health care were focused on guidelines concerned with economic and not quality goals. Through application of evidence-based medicine techniques in development of guidelines, opinion and biases are remarkably minimized and the elevation of rich scientific literature is witnessed and assessed in a systematic fashion to offer transparency and reduce imbalance in evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines are greater than non-evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines and are right tools of better quality patient care. The structured, transparent process used in developing Clinical Practice Procedures makes them difficult to abuse and easy to use. Evidence-based Clinical Practice Procedures are being used to create quality measures as well as used to aid referrals when insurance companies question them. In addition to that Clinical Practice Procedures act as patient’s education tools. Evidence-based Clinical Practice Procedures on a national level are a direct means of improvement of quality and play a big role in the making of measures of performance for pay-for-performance repayment programs. Practicing orthopedists are given a voice by the evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Society based Clinical Practice Guidelines on a local level are used to influence and inform hospital guidelines in order to enhance best practices.

Stock Market efficiency (Marks and Spencer) Essay

Stock Market efficiency (Marks and Spencer) - Essay Example Proponents of the efficient market hypothesis suggest that the market has a large number of players out to maximize profits. Each of these players logically analyzes the market information available so as to make an informed investment decision. This ensures that the market quickly and fairly represents all the available market in the prices of securities. There are three types of market efficiency; allocation efficiency, operation efficiency and pricing efficiency (Kraakman, 2003, p.11). Operational efficiency refers to the transactional costs involved in the selling and buying of securities. The operation of the London stock exchange is streamlined and well aligned to ensure operational efficiency. Allocation efficiency follows the premise that there are limited financial resources and therefore the existing resources are invested in the most productive way (Cassedy, 2004, p.6). This suggests that the investors are rational and that available capital is directed to the most profitable stock. Pricing efficiency is based on the premise that the stock fairly and instantly reflects information available in the stock market. Most of the theories developed in the area of market efficiency revolve around pricing efficiency. Pricing efficiency suggests that a security’s price reflects all the available information. Market efficiency can be said to exist in three distinct levels. These are Weak-form efficiency, Semi-strong efficiency and Strong-form efficiency (Banks, 2011, p.3).   The weak-form efficiency suggests a market that reflects all the past market information. The past information is fully and instantly reflected in the price of securities. This view therefore suggests that the past market information cannot be used to predict future prices of securities. This is because listed financial securities already reflect all past market data. Semi strong

Project management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Project management - Essay Example There will also be constraints if sponsor has not described all the details required for the development of the system. It will therefore mean that more rework will be done which will cause further delay to the project. Constraints will be experienced if key-decision makers will be difficult to contact when issues arise in the project. This will cause time wastage in the project execution. It is expected that these decision-makers will be reachable at any time and in all the development phases of the project. Another constraint that might arise is if the project members will be new to the environment and may take time to learn the new developing environment. This will cause the delay to be experienced in the project execution. Project management services. (2009). Project management process inputs, tools and techniques, amd outputs organized by process groups. Retrieved Febuaryr 25, 2012, from Project management services:

Technology in Hotels Essay Example for Free

Technology in Hotels Essay With the rapid pace of technological advancements and the fast rate of implementing it into everyday life, people need the latest IT facilities. They demand this from hotels as well. But the industry has always been lagging behind the needs, not being able to offer the latest advances in technology. Now management has started to take note of the guest’s needs and is aware that technology is a very competitive advantage and is starting to adjust their strategies in consequence. Boutique hotels offering sci-fi levels of technology are starting to emerge and may be prefiguring the future of hospitality as a whole. I Introduction With technology advancing now faster than ever before, everyone needs and demands using the latest technological means just to survive. Such is the case in the hotel industry too, especially in the upper-class and boutiques hotels area of the market. With hotels always lagging behind other sectors in adopting new IT systems ( PLUGGED IN, 2009; Buick, 2003), keeping the pace with customers’ demands becomes a pressing issue to hospitality providers. This problem is acknowledged by the players in the industry, being debated in trade-specific publications, conferences and academic literature. There are two sides of the use of technology in hotels: â€Å"back of house† systems (property management systems, revenue management systems, internal control instruments etc.) and technology that is used directly and mainly by the consumers. The following review aims to put the current technological state, future trends and most pressing issues of the hotel and hospitality industry i nto perspective. II Literature review The newest trends in the hospitality industry show an emphasis on the experience delivered to the customer and not so much on the tangible aspect of the product. With the service sector beginning to dominate the world’s economies, there is a growing concern on delivering meaningful, memorable customer experiences (Meyer and Schwager, 2007). This can be seen from a practitioner’s point of view with The Ritz-Carlton Hotels Company, which prides its self with becoming an â€Å"experience and memory creator† (Nixon and Rieple, 2010). The next generation of clients demands continual technological updates for every business and personal user and hotels often can’t keep up the pace. Property owners are understandably reluctant to renovate as often as needed to support the latest technology, meaning major renovations never happen often enough to keep the tech-crazy guests satisfied (Russ, 2008). No longer are people going to hotels to experience something new, but hoteliers are looking at guests as technology consumers and supply little more than the average customer demands (Freed, 2010). The use of modern technology can help hotel employees deliver a service of better quality and also enhance the stay for guests by satisfying their needs, thus creating a better all-round experience. This view, however, is not unanimous across the whole of the industry. Even though 82.4% of managers believe that IT is important for increasing customer satisfaction (Brewer et al, 2008), they also worry that the benefits provided by investments in technology are not as high as expected (ITGI, 2007). Research shows that companies around the world are losing out on their investments because they can’t derive sufficient value from these investments in IT (Bowen, Cheung and Rhode, 2007; ITGI, 2007). Value from IT can be defined as a function whose primary focus is delivering the promised benefits (Mathe, 2009) and as a provider of strategic, informational and transactional benefits (Gregor et al, 2006). Therefore, all definitions show that value added by IT leads to successfully achieving business goals and strategies. So a contradiction appears between managers’ beliefs and actions. The majority is certain IT helps their organization but has failed to fully take its benefits yet. Customer satisfaction with the hotel begins shaping before the service is provided, with the process of making the reservation preceding it. The new trends using of mobile platforms such as smart phones, tablets and laptops for shopping (Gupta, 2012) dictate that these means of communication should be targeted by hoteliers. The number of mobile users researching travel options on their mobile devices is expected to grow by 51% in 2012 and another 15% by 2013 (Saio, 2012). A market study by Reuters Synovate Global (plugged in) shows that 47% of potential clients demand the latest technology from the hotels they choose. Also, one third of guests assess a hotel by its website and 50% do research and comparisons online, before making their choice. The same report found that seven out of ten consumers would rather stay in a less expensive hotel and that hi-tech facilities are the top criteria in choosing a hotel. The latest study conducted by Motorola Solution, Inc. (2011) concludes that information technology (IT) spending in the hospitality industry is expected to have increased in 2011, with guest experience being the primary driver for investments. And yet, 57% of the industry’s leaders admit they don’t know how to launch, track and achieve mobile platform success (Eyefortravel, 2012), proving the same contradicting views towards technology. This proves one of the critical challenges for hotel technology managers is convincing upper management to approve investing in the latest technology (Petiza, 2011). According to Gregor et, al. (2006) the failure to measure the value added by IT is due to measurement errors, management practices and time lags between the investment and ROI. The alignment of IT with business strategy and its use may allow competitive advantage to be achieved (Levy and Powell, 2005; Peppard and Ward, 2004). The same opinion is presented in a study conducted by Amadeus (2011), which states that if hotels are to secure growth in the next three years they must align strategy and IT priorities. Peppard and Ward (2004) suggest that IT has become pivotal to the existence of most organisations and that should the technology used by organisations come to a halt, they would cease to function. Now that the importance of using technology is recognized unanimously there are two schools of thought emerging: the first believes that IT should be present to aid the guests inconspicuously from the shadows and the other approach that puts technology in the forefront of the operations and makes it the core theme. Choosing one or the other dictates the whole strategy of the hotel or company. Some guests are not comfortable with technological changes in the lobby, in the room or when trying to make a booking (Withiam, 2007). Others, as shown above, need and demand hi-tech facilities from their hotels. After choosing the market you target, the strategy should be adjusted in consequence. A tool for creating market segments based on consumers’ opinion on technology is a so-called Techno logy Readiness Index (TRI) (Verma et al., 2007). This is a 10 question survey that guests should fill in (Appendix 1). This measures their view of technology on four dimensions: optimism, innovativeness, discomfort and insecurity. Tech-focused individuals are usually thought of in terms of their willingness to innovate, but the research behind TRI measures the extent to which people think IT helps improve their life (optimism), or if they feel overwhelmed by technology (discomfort) or whether they don’t trust devices to operate correctly (insecurity). The over-technologic approach can be best seen in boutique hotels. Taking the forefront in this arms race is somewhat easier with smaller, non-chain, exclusive hotels because they don’t have to maintain the same standards in thousands of rooms across hundreds of hotels around the world. An article by Myers (2011) showcases the latest boutique hotels that offer now desk-free check-in aided by tablet PCs, hybrid cars with Wi-Fi for the guest, 42 inch LCD TVs (The Upper House Hotel, Hong Kong), retina scans just to enter the room (Nine Zero Hotel, New York), touch-screen room controls and bedside iPads (Establishment Hotel, Sydney) or Wii exercise rooms where guest can play virtual tennis (Le Parker Meridian, New York). The latest trends in hotel technological development include converging technologies that complement each other to reach the common goal of customer satisfaction. The hotel room would automatically set itself up to the guest’s unique tastes, based on the pervious information provided through guest profile forms. When the front desk clerk checks-in the guest or the guest checks-in using the self service kiosk in the lobby, the lights in the room automatically turn on and the thermostat sets itself to the users preferred temperature. The entertainment system turns on, playing the guest’s favorite music, TV program or radio station. These services would please the guest but also reduce energy costs by keeping everything turned off when the guest is not using the room. The list of computer operated can include such luxurious services like automatically drawing a bath to be ready at a certain time or automatically open the drapes in the morning in order to wake the guest with natural light and not the old fashioned wakeup call. (Russ, 2008) In order to offer a variety of payment options, some hotel managers have adopted cashless payment systems via the use of radio frequency identification (RFID). RFID utilizes computer chips and antennas, allowing the chips to wirelessly communicate with a receiver. In the hotel industry RFID systems are being integrated with POS systems to process credit card and debit account transactions (Kasavana, 2005). Some hospitality companies even accept biometrics, such as fingerprints, iris scans, facial scans or hand geometry analysis systems to increase physical or data security. III Conclusion Customers are more demanding from hotels in terms of technology than ever. They need it for entertainment, business, communication and socialization. And with technology advancing in a rampant pace, people more aware of the latest gadgets and devices and techno-fear decreasing as new generations come along using technology from infancy, hotels are being pressed into making monumental investments more often just to cater to the technological needs of the guests. Added to these there are the other investments to be made in â€Å"old fashioned† hotel operation, property management systems etc. Studies show that even though customers demand it and managers recognize its importance the hotel industry is still lagging behind in offering the latest IT facilities. However, there are innovative boutique hotels that have reached an almost sci-fi level of technology. These hotels are shaking the position of the big hotel chains and are attracting more tech-crazy guests. On the other side there are hotels that focus more on the environment, nature with a more traditional approach. Both have their own well established market segments that usually don’t overlap because of being on different ends of the spectrum. Only the future can say of this arms race to demand and provide more and more technological means will prove effective. It is commonly known that too much of something can become harmful.