Gender-role in Advertisement Essay Example for Free

Gender-role in Advertisement Essay This paper explores gender-role in modern advertisement. Sample modern-day advertisements will be analyzed in relation to gender-roles. Gender-role refers to a person’s way of actions and thinking that is identified as either related to male or female characteristics (Haig, 2004). It is a set of expectations on how females or males should think, behave, and feel. It is in the adolescence stage that male and females start to define their roles while their gender is intensified by conformity to transitional gender-roles in during puberty (Hill Lynch, 1983), which indirectly signals that they begin to act in ways that resemble the stereotypic female or male of their culture (Huston Alvarez, 1990). In addition to the demands of work and changing trends in the society and the increased number of employed mothers in the mid twentieth century, adolescents exposure to the media is considered to have a possible impact on their attitudes and perceptions about gender relationships, identity formation, and gender-roles (ODonnell ODonnell, 1978; Durkin, 1986; Lovdal, 1989; Richards Duckett, 1994; Dietz, 1998; Hovland et al. , 2005). The effects of advertisements to the perpetuation of gender-role stereotypes have received considerable importance in research and it has been debated whether it stereotyped advertisements have long term or short term impact on people’ own gender-role and whether advertisements with stereotypic portrayals gain more profit or does not have significant influence in people’s buying behavior at all. Effects of media in gender-role There are many factors that that affect gender-role development and the media is considered to be one (Golombok Fivush, 1994; Durkin, 1995). Dietz (1998) asserted that the media, in addition to environmental or social factors, affects people’s perception of gender-roles. The impact of advertising on audiences is often explained by social learning theory or by theories that are based on it. The argument is that, as people are repeatedly exposed to advertising images, they tend to internalize the advertisers views of themselves and others. The more ubiquitous the images are in advertisements, and the more frequently they see the advertisements, the deeper the audience identifies with the images. In addition to social learning theory (Bandura, 1977), framing research or frame analysis, introduced Goffman (1974), was used to obtain empirical evidence regarding the effects of media portrayals in people’s thoughts and consciousness. Framing assumes that the media frame reality is used to explain how people perceive and think about gender-roles because of the things they see and experience. Framing is used as a remedy sort in selecting a particular aspect of a perceived reality in order to emphasize, convey, or interpret something. However, framing may directly or indirectly influence people’s judgments on recognizing ideas presented in advertisements (Entman, 1993). Another issue on the effects of media is identified by Mead (1962) in his theory, arguing that individuals’ characterizations in the media affect children’s attitudes, relationships with other people, and behavior expectations. When traditional feminine or masculine roles become distinctive and children starts to identify with a particular gender-role, they are likely to expect specific characteristics and behaviors from females and males. Gender-role stereotyping negatively affects young individuals’ attitudes towards males and females since traditional portrayals of women are usually portrayed as dependent, obtaining approval from family and males, weak, victims, supportive of mens roles, sex objects, and adornment rather than individuals (Hall, Iijima Crum 1994; Artz, Munger, Purdy, 1999). As a result, these negative or substandard characteristics of women adversely affect children’s perception that women may ever find it difficult to attain gender equality and function as effective as men do in the society. This female portrayal restricts young females to think of achieving beyond their potential because many attributes, activities and traits are being designated as inappropriate for their gender (Dietz, 1998). Traditional stereotyped gender-role portrayals in advertisements Most advertisements portrayed both males and females stereotypically. Since 1950s, significant changes in gender-roles have occurred as the division of labor has become less distinctive and the entry of increased number of women into the workforce where professional positions, which were used to be exclusively for men, have opened opportunity for them to progress. Images of men and women in advertising in the early times have been heavily stereotyped. Men were depicted as independent, active, assertive, work-oriented while women were portrayed as dependent, passive, and domestic. Advertisements in the 1970s to 1980s continued to portray gender-stereotyping due to the difficulty of presenting people without specific gender-roles, especially when advertising specific products of particular gender. The strategies of advertisers in attracting people’s intentions and behaviors were more likely to favor gender-stereotyped representation since the public was more familiar and comfortable with gender-stereotyped advertisements (Morrison Shaffer, 2003). Gender portrayals in the context of advertisements were found to be predominantly stereotypic with dominant males and nurturing females in the mass media, music, film, as well as the print media. Although changes in the society and culture have been apparent, advertisements still rely upon women’s roles as subordinate. Women’s subordination was a useful tool in selling a wide variety of products such as alcohol, medicine, cigarettes, perfume, and vehicles. Constant exposure to derogatory portrayals of females in advertisements may result to socially induced depression and lowered levels of aspirations in achieving ones goals. Women portrayal as subordinates has been consistently practiced and presented in advertising until today although some changes and reversions have been observed (Mclaughlin Goulet, 1999). Advertisements usually portray men as being strong who are expected to have jobs that require much physical strength. They are portrayed as being the authority, dominant, having higher intelligence, becoming public figures, belonging to upper-middle class, being able to take medicine, law or business courses, aggressive, and sometimes gentlemen or bad guys. At home, men are portrayed to use car wax, auto parts, carpentry tools, motor oil, and lawn mowers. Women are rarely depicted as professionals in advertisements (Dietz, 1998). When women in advertisements are presented as professionals or experts in the products they advertise, they are often backed up by male figure or an authoritative male voice-over to strengthen the efficiency of convincing the audience since males were viewed as the authority (Lovdal, 1989). In traditional male magazines (e. g. , Esquire and Field Stream), gender-role stereotyped advertisements that portrayed men with masculine or manly activities have not decreased as much as the traditional female and general interest magazines. Although there have been some trends toward less stereotypic portrayals of masculine images in some print media advertisements, the traditional stereotype of the male gender still provides cultural representation (Furnham Thomson, 1999) Women are stereotypicly depicted in relation to beauty, physical attraction, family, domestic responsibilities, parenting, occupations such as teacher, waitress, masseur, bride, actress, secretary, vendor, household cleaners, maid, model, guest relations officer, and the like, as well as negative representation like evil, witch, possessions of men, passive, deferent, object for men’s pleasure. At home, women are portrayed to take care of every member, do all the chores, and maintaining relationships. They are often portrayed as supportive wives, mothers, sex objects, dependents, lack exploration, skills, knowledge, credibility, self-expression, and sense of mastery. Advertisers market products in magazines, like in television, using young, professional women as a product of beauty techniques and methods in order to attract and keep handsome, lucrative, and sophisticated men. Comic strips and children’s books also continued to adopt and support traditional portrayals of women in the society. For instance, illustrations show traditional female activities or a situation in which there is a dutiful wife in the bathroom or kitchen wearing an apron to model cleaning products, kitchen wares and appliances or food (Dietz, 1998; Peirce, 2001).

In ashort essay Essay Example for Free

In ashort essay Essay The world is now a global village. As such, there is an existing symbiotic relationship between the population and countries of differing traditions, beliefs and cultures. The importance of realizing how to deal with these differences is further enhanced by the way business is done these days. The Internet has made it possible for businesses to be run on an international scale even from the comfort of your mother country. This is the main reason why any businessman must be familiar with international laws or laws governing businesses run in countries overseas. A businessman who bothers to research and understand the laws governing business ventures in foreign lands will come to the realization that world wide business laws, although seemingly senseless when first read, is actually a law that has an important impact on the way business is done in that country. Therefore, similar business laws of various lands may be implemented in various ways with the same outcome. Understanding the different legal systems of the world that govern businesses will help an international business person understand how to accomplish tasks relating to his ventures in his specific country of transaction. It is a known fact among businessmen and lawyers alike that laws governing business vary from country to country and have a different outcome each time that law or laws are applied to the specific business settings. Therefore, no two-business laws of two countries are ever alike in implementation and meaning. In short, international businessmen need this knowledge and understanding in order to make sure that they understand exactly what rules are governing their overseas ventures and that they have not violated any legal or religious laws of the land in the running of their business. This is the only way to insure the smooth running and success of international business ventures. Work Cited Williams, David Russell 1998. Cross- Cultural Currents in International Law. Global Business Languages. Retrieved March 2, 2007 from http://www. mgmt. purdue. edu/centers/ciber/publications/gbl/GBL%20-%201998/c3. Russell%20David%20Williams. doc.

Country PESTEL Analysis of Nigeria

Country PESTEL Analysis of Nigeria METHODOLOGY Most scholars in various fields have pointed out several factors that they believe are responsible for why certain students chose certain career choice other than their preferred choice of career. Parental factor, peer group influence, financial status of their parents and guardian among other factors could be arguably said as the perceived factors that influence career choice of most under graduates of Nigerian origin. Hence, this work seeks to unveil and ascertain the level of influence on the aforementioned factors, putting into perspective the Nigerian factor. Contrary to the above assertion, some scholars believed that other factors could also be responsible in exerting influence on the individual in deciding which career to pursue knowing that student of Nigerian origin are collectivist in nature whilst others argue based on the job prospect and bad governmental institution set up by the Nigerian government. It is upon these arguments that the methodological chapter seeks to highlight the manner and ways in which the investigator gathered the relevant information and how the information gathered was used to answer the research question. This chapter focused on the discussion of the methods used in the cause of the investigation of this thesis. In other to determine the validity and reliability of this work, the researcher’s methodology is very crucial (Gilham, 2000; Fink, 2005; Brockopp, 2003). The word methodology is been used differently by different scholars in relationship to their chosen profession and areas of specialisation. Methodology in the area of research and investigation simply refers to those procedures employed by a researcher or investigator to uncover or reveal a set of problems; the procedures taken could be theoretical in some cases, and in other cases can also involve systematical collection and analysing of raw data. As a result, this methodological chapter will discuss its findings under the following sub headings, research design, population of the study, sampling pattern, research instrument, administration of the instrument, interviews and ethical issues as relates to the collection and use of data. RESEARCH DESIGN In the course of this research, the descriptive survey design was employed in the study. According to Amaid (2002), the descriptive survey design method of research is about collecting the ideas and data of a sample of the population targeted in the course of the investigation, so as to deduce and draw a conclusion on the population to which the sample is drawn. Surveys are often used in analysing real and concise information how it happen and when it happen. The survey design according to Cobb(2001) states that, the survey design gives the researcher the free will to other range of option within his or he disposal either through interviews, questionnaire or even through observation. The survey method can also use structured, semi structured and even unstructured questionnaire. However, it is believed that it gives the researcher a variety of options in arriving at a given solution that is called Triangulation (Descombe, 2012). This method of research allows the researcher to gather large number of information from respondent in order to infer into the population that is the main target of the study. Invariably, this method is the most suitable for this research. POPULATION OF THE STUDY The population sample involves students both male and female of the University of Bedfordshire, in the United Kingdom who are of Nigerian descent. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE The word stratified means in categories or placing items or people in various categories according to where they belong. Whilst random means a process of selection in which items of a set or population has equal probability of being chosen. In that, the stratified random technique chosen for this investigation reveals that each item selected ranging from male to female, post graduate to undergraduate and even the MBA’s all have equal probably chance of representation. Stratified random sampling technique was used for the study. The stratification was based on gender of the student (male and female) socio economic status of the parents (high and low) and age of the student. The stratified sampling technique according to Descombe (2010), has to do with equal representation according to their proportion in relationship to the number of respondent involved in the research, taking into account such vital information like the demography of the participant. AREA OF STUDY This investigation is carried out in the University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. The essence of this investigation is to ascertain the perceived factor’s that influences the career choice of Nigerian university student study in the university. SAMPLE According to Descombe (2012) sample simply means a small proportion of the entire population mapped out for study or investigation. It is believed by the researcher that, information about a field of study cannot be gotten from all the people and not everyone can be reached. Consequently, a selected few from the entire population is relied upon to infer into the remaining, hoping that what it found in that selected few can be qualitative and quantitative enough to be generalised. The total sample for this study consist of 200 students drawn from among the general population of the university of Bedfordshire that are of Nigeria origin and who are currently doing their undergraduate, post graduate and the MBA programmes respectively. RESEARCH INSTRUMENT A designed instrument titled perceived factors influencing career choice of university students was used to collect data for the study. The instrument has two sections 1 and 2. Section 1 of the instrument was designed to elicit respondent demographic data such as age, name, and state of origin. It also contains ethical statements concerning the use of data, confidentiality, and anonymity, the right to withdraw from the research and data security. Whilst section 2; of the instrument was designed to contain the perceived factors influencing career choice of university students of Nigerian origin. Also the section 2 contains a Yes or No based response and a comment box if student thinks otherwise. A follow up interview was also carried out in order to give the research both qualitative and a quantitative base, which was also described by Descombe as Triangulation or mix method (Descombe, 2010). INTERVIEWS According to Descombe (2012), this is a planned talk between two or more respondents that take place in such a way that the respondent is willing to answer questions directly from the person carrying out the interview. Notably, interviews are carried out to illicit response on certain issues of investigation. There are basically three types of pattern an interview follows and they are: Structured interview Semi structure interview Unstructured interview But for the sake of this study and investigation, the semi-structured interview was employed in order to follow up the responses given in the cause of carrying out the pilot questionnaire. SEMI STRUCTURED QUESTIONNAIRE This is a situation where the order of questions varies according to the responses given by the respondent as the conversation flows between them. This type of interview is called semi structure because there may be some intended question the interviewer had in mind to ask but keeps his options open depending on the responses of the person being interviewed. Therefore, this piece of research seeks to carry out its interview with ten (10) participants in order to give a different view from the once answered in the questionnaire with a full recording of the excerpt. QUESIONNAIRE The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines questionnaire as a set of question printed and submitted either manually or electronically to a set of audience in order to elicit their perception on the topic of investigation. Questionnaires can be delivered on a face-to-face value or by post. According to Descombe (2010), it also involves a set of designed sheet prepared specifically to gather information that could be used in due time for analytical purposes. Therefore, the purpose of using a questionnaire in the research is to find out those perceived factors influencing career choice of Nigerian students here in the University of Bedfordshire United Kingdom. The type of questionnaire employed is a YES or NO type THE DESIGN OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE The design of the questionnaire was motivated and influenced by the topic of investigation that is geared toward investigating the perceived factors that influences career choice of University students of Nigeria. As a result, issues like what questions to ask, pattern to follow in asking the questions and the sequence to which those questions should follow were of primary concern to the researcher. Furthermore, the design seeks to meet the aim and objective toward which it is been carried out and how to possibly collate the information therein. Going by that, the questionnaire was designed to illicit the responses of the participants on the subject of investigation and to see if the designed meets and answers the hypothesis of this investigation by the use of the questionnaire. PILOTING OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE The questionnaire was piloted with a small number of participants in order to know whether the questionnaire designed would meet the targeted aim. The reason is to underscore the shortcoming and strength of the questionnaire in order to give room for amendment where necessary. The process involved in this piloting was carried out through survey monkey where participant respond online through social networks such as the Facebook and Whatsapp and through the e-mails. ETHICAL ISSUES Just like every research and investigation, the researcher faces a lot of issues as relate to been professional and they are Informed consent Data protection and security Confidentiality and privacy Anonymity Brief overview of Nigeria: PESTEL Analysis Nigeria is regarded as one of the most populous countries in the world. It is situated on the western part of Africa with a population of 173.6 million people. Owing to that, there is a prospect for Nigeria to develop in all spheres of life both human and material wise. This work will base its explanation of all the factors mentioned above using the PESTLE analysis. Although, different theories could be used in relation to career and choice but the PESTLE embraces the entire dimension explained so far. The word PESTEL stand for political, economic, sociological, technical, environmental and legal factor of both the macro and the micro society that the students find themselves, which in one way or the other affects the decision of students in pursuit of their careers. (P)OLITICAL SYSTEM This mostly has to do with the governmental decisions of a country. The political culture of a country can influence the decision of career choices of students in that particular country. Over the years governments in most African countries own all higher places of learning and therefore, control the tuition fees and the appointment of lecturers and staffs. Thus, the decisions of government directly or indirectly affect how a student thinks and acts because most students will for the sake of convenience want to attend a university where the tuition fees is quite affordable. The Nigerian constitution of 1999 places the direct control of all public schools in the hand of the government (the constitution of Nigeria, 1999). The educational value index is 0.457 when compared to the US which is 0.939. School leaving age of Nigerian is 9.0 while the mean year for adult is averaged at 25 years thus making it 6334 educational system. The graph above shows the structure of Education in Nigeria; the 6-3-3-4 Educational System. Six years in primary school, three years in junior secondary, three years in senior secondary and four years in the University or polytechnics. (E)CONOMIC SYSTEM The living condition of the people also accounts for why students choose one career over the other. In a country like Nigeria where the social stratification places more gap between the poor and the rich and the average living condition of the people is below one dollar per day, it is believed that the poor will send their children to schools, which they can afford the tuition fees and the rich will do the same (Ekins, 2003; Lizt and Quij, 2004). Human capital development is a key factor in the growth and development of a country Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Nigeria has been improving her Human Development Index (HDI) since its inception to civil rule in 1999. The HDI is regarded as an important element for a nations wealth because it influences all round development of the country especially in areas such as, technology, skilled labored, computer expertise and machines. These developments are seen as important especially if the quality of life and production needs to be improved. Nigeria is ranked at the bottom among 187 countries which 0.487(156 values). Nigeria has a low level of HDI as compared to other countries in the sub region. They are branding of the Nigeria Economy leads to the Gross Domestic Product increase over the years and this has led to the diversification of the economy thereby making Nigeria the largest Africa economy surpassing South Africa. This trend has given rise to students seeking for employment and taking up career choice that they do not have the right aptitude and desire for. The improvement could be seen in the non oil sector of the economy given a GDP of 5.4 percent and 7.8 percent for the year 2011 to 2014. The graph above shows the GDP of Nigeria from 2004 up to the year 2015 showing the projected increase in the gross domestic product of the country. The graph above shows the GDP of Nigeria from 2004 up to the year 2015 showing the projected increase in the gross domestic product of the country. (S)OCIAL SYSTEM This involves all the interactions in the environment putting more emphasis on factors such as the demographic conditions of the actor in the system, their cultural orientation, choice of career and even the dynamism of the population. According to Hofstede (2010), every society has five cultural effect and these issues affect most decision we make depending on our societal values. The following are what he used to describe every society and they are: Power distance. Individuality vs Collectivism. Uncertainty avoidance. Masculinity vs Feminism. Pragmatic vs Normatic These are the five dimension of hofstede(2010). Figure 4. The diagram above shows a comparative view of Nigerian and the United Kingdom cultural setups. As discussed above, it shows the level at which those factors influence the individual in that society. POWER DISTANCE Nigeria scores very high (80%) in power distance as compared to the United Kingdom (35%). This shows that, there is a flow of power from the top to the bottom and people (students) take directive right from the top. It is expected that most students in such countries like Nigeria will pay attention to their parents, guardians, teachers, and even their boss in the office; therefore they tend to influence them positively or negatively in regards to their choice of career. Whilst in the United Kingdom there is a level play ground between parents, guardian, teachers, and even at place of work, such that students are free to make career decisions. LONG TERM ORIENTATION In Nigeria, most people take up careers that have the immediate benefit to their needs due to the poverty level of people in the country; thus they pursue those jobs with big packages so as to be able to fend for their immediate and extended family. Arguably, the Nigerian society is a collectivist society and that makes one to look after the large family; such responsibility influences the choice of career of most students from Nigeria. On the other hand, the students from the United Kingdom take up courses because they have the right aptitude and motivation for that particular course and profession and this is due to the fact that they are individualist in nature meaning that, they do not have pressure from family and friends. (T)ECHNOLOGICAL FACTOR The advent of technology in the country has brought about many hopes and aspirations for most students in the country. The social media has really added flavor to how things are done in the universities. Firstly, most of the students from low socio economic background and students that are engaged in one form of business or the other can key into online universities. Many institutions abroad have enlarged the prospect of students seeking admission into place of higher learning without adequate funds to finance their studies, in that, students from Nigeria are now benefiting from such opportunities because students are mostly influences by their aptitude and belief. Secondly, the advent of technology creates room for ideas to be shared across the world with ease. They tap into things happening in other institutions and universities in the world knowing that they are the future leaders. During General Olusegun Obasanjo’s led government; he encouraged and gave the private sector green light to grow economically in other to ease the burden on the government. This led to various reforms in the country including the Economic reform. Year 2000 saw the government privatisation program showing great sign of real progress thereby making fresh graduates from Universities benefit from the diversification of the economy. With Government having key control of most affairs of the states, the Telecommunication sector has proven a success especially with the introduction of GSM telecommunication in 2001 thus encouraging investments. (E)NVIRONMENTAL FACTOR Most students are kin about what the environment hold for them and with many universities keying into vision 2020. Students tend to pursue careers that will enhance their productivity in the environment. With hundreds of ethnic nationalities holding stakes and wanting clarity on what the Nigerian state holds for them, especially when given the predominance of the three major ethnic groups. This is always a big challenge to students who intend to take up certain choice of careers; thus, it is difficult identifying common goal and aspiration of students based on their career preference either as a group, individual or even sectional interest. Nigerian environment is distinctly divided into two, while the majority of population in the northern Nigerian is Muslims, those in the southern part of Nigeria are Christians with religious and traditional barrier hindering the choice of career of students from these areas, in that, they are mostly influenced by those environmental factors within and outside the society.(kuku,2012). (L)EGAL FACTOR The kind of laws operating in a particular country can hinder the prospect of students. Legislations and policies of government can also influence the effectiveness of students. For instance, in a country where Islamic laws prohibit students from taking some sets of professional job or career, it might not only affect the growth of that country but it will as well influence their choice of career.

Hemophilia Essay -- essays research papers

Hemophilia is a sex-linked hereditary bleeding disorder in which it takes a long time for the blood to clot and abnormal bleeding occurs. It is a hereditary blood coagulation disorder caused by a deficient activity of plasma protein factor thirteen and nine, which affects the clotting property of blood. A coagulation disorder is a disorder associated with platelets- blood cells essential for blood clotting. The platelets don't function properly in the body of hemophiliacs. There are two types of hemophilia: hemophilia A and hemophilia B. This disease affects mostly males.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hemophilia A is the most common. Other names for it are classical hemophilia, and factor thirteen deficiency hemophilia. The bleeding disorder is caused by an inherited sex-linked recessive trait with the defective gene located on the X chromosome. The X chromosome refers to sex-linked. The recessive inheritance refers to the fact that the trait, hemophilia, is expressed only when the defective form of the gene alone is present. Females have two X chromosomes for their sex chromosomes. They must carry the defective gene on both to have hemophilia. They must have it on one to carry it, and are then able to pass it on to their offspring. Males have X and Y chromosomes for their sex chromosomes. They only have one X chromosome, therefore only require a single dose of the defective gene to express the deficiency. Fifty percent of the male offspring of female carriers have the dise...

Affordable Health Care: A Review of the 2010 HealthCare Reform Bill Es

After months of substantial and aggressive deliberation around the United States, particularly in Washington, the HealthCare Reform of 2010 also known as the Affordable Care Act, was passed with a filibuster favorable to Democrats and signed into office on March 23rd by President Barrack Obama. Though it is intricately detailed, the ideal purposes as promised by those who promoted it are to provide inexpensive and uncomplicated health insurance to citizens along with enhanced coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, beneficial prescription drug provisions and changes to tax credits. Essentially, the law incorporates the positive aspects of today’s health care system and repairs the areas due for improvements. Over the first ten years of its enforcement in office, this reform is intended to expand coverage to over 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured and estimates a 130 billion dollar reduction in nationwide deficit. Each provision of the law was proposed to occur over a four year period with some of its ten titles such as the FDA’s authorization to approve generic versions of certain drugs ensuing immediately while others including the expansion of Medicaid eligibility for the poverty stricken taking effect in early 2014. Many are concerned it is futile and will only further damage a fragile American economy but to many the introduction of the Affordable Care Act is perfectly timed to mend a broken health system in a struggling society. Conceivably the industry most affected by the passage of the bill is insurance agencies. As of September 23rd 2010, according to the government’s website, whitehouse.gov, all insurers are required to pay the entire fees of advised precautionary medical services such as mammogra... ...g News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News - CBS News. 23 Mar. 2010. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. . 2. "Preventive Care under the Affordable Care Act | HealthCare.gov." Home | HealthCare.gov. 23 Sept. 2010. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. . 3. "Top 10 Pros & Cons - Health Care Reform - ProCon.org." Health Care Reform ProCon.org. 01 Sept. 2010. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. . 4. "Health Bill a Milestone -- or a Mistake? - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. .

Decentralized system of government Essay

Since the advent of government and the rise of the new world, there has been debates on the best ways of political governance. The debates have been echoed in even higher institutions in the land, such World Bank and the United Nations. There are those who have been advocating for the centralized system of government, arguing that it easier to manage security and there is only one chain of communication. However, advocates of the decentralized government argue that it promotes and presence to the citizenry. Both the supporters of centralized and decentralized system governments have each pointed to their model states. These are the facts, but a decentralized form of government have proved more beneficial and effective to the centralized system of government. While decentralization may cause duplication of roles,  the decentralized government brings more to the people who now have a say in their governance because it improves service delivery, helps people participate more in their governance, and it is very efficient and easily accessible. A decentralized system of government reduces the concentration of power by the national government. In recent times, there has been instances where a centralized government has abused its powers to either deny citizens their rights and excessive dominance. This usually happens the power lies only with the central government and nobody can check its excess therefore easily abused. According to Lipson (1993), when the power is devolved to smaller units it creates self regulation as the smaller units check for excessive use of power between them. For example, in the United States, which is a model of decentralization of power, no state can exercise, excessive power as there are limitations and regulation from other states. Therefore, decentralization will go a long way in ensuring that power lies with the people and smaller units and not wholly with the government. Moreover, decentralization of government provides an opportunity and facilitation of sustainable local development. In his report Manzer (1974) notes that, devolution enhances local economies through retention and utilization of local resources in local development unlike in a centralized system of government whereby all the resources are concentrated in the capital from where they are now shared to the country. This inconveniences local economies which produce more, but cannot utilize the resources as the central government does not allow that. Therefore, the decentralized system of government not only protects the local resources, but also utilizes them in the development of the local governments. This facilitates the local economies, thereby creating more employment in the local areas. Additionally, efficiency is another key aspect that the decentralized form of government has unlike the centralized form of government. Due to smaller and manageable populations covered by the local governments, the issues to be addressed are also fewer unlike in a centralized government. As a result the local governments are affordable and easy to maintain due to their smaller nature. The small nature of the local governments reduces bureaucracy and ensure quick passing of laws unlike in the centralized government. Local governments are also may respond quickly to any problem as there are fewer people involved in passing a resolution and hence they are able to adapt more easily to emerging issues.Oneil (2010) According to the United Nations Human Development Report People and Governance (1993), decentralized governments make it easier for the citizens to access the government for services. This gives citizens an opportunity to participate in the political processes of their local area. In doing so, the citizens are able to voice their concerns easily and participate in the running of their local area. It’s very difficult or almost impossible for the common citizenry which is the majority to voice their concerns or access the national government bodies. This signifies that a concern may take a lot of time in order to reach the concerned parties or not reach at all due the inaccessibility of a centralized government.In addition, decentralization improves service delivery in the local governments as the citizens can easily participate and suggest on how they receive their services,and how they would wish to be served. This further gives the local government a platform of rating and im proving its service delivery mechanisms to the society. Devolved system of governance ensures that there are transparency and openness in service delivery and governance of the respective local area government. This is highlighted in the United Nations Human Development Report People in Community Organizations(1993) which deduces that, due to the localized and small structure of the local governments, there is a high likelihood of proper ethical standards as it is easy to find those engaging in corruption and other unethical malpractices. Decentralization also offers the opportunity for a member of the civil societies in the respective areas to play a watchdog role of examining transactions and also questioning on the use of public resources but more importantly on all matters that are of great interest to the citizenry. Lastly, it is clearly evident that decentralized or devolved government is a driver of sustainable development as it gives more power to the citizens rather than the national government. This devolution of power encourages citizens to participate more in the politics and governance of the local governments. Moreover, decentralization improves efficiency of the government as the local governments are small and deals with smaller populations. Despite the centralized government having some advantages, the devolved form of government out weighs it in almost every aspect. Therefore, it is wise to say that devolution empowers and benefits more people as compared to the centralized system of government and should therefore be embraced in order to serve the citizens better and in a more better way. References Human Development Report, (2013). The Rise of the South. New York: United Nations Publications. Lipson, L. (1993). Concentration of Power versus Dispersion of Powers: the Great Issues of Politics (9th ed.). Prentice Hall, New York. Manzer, R. (1974). Human Needs and Political Good: A Social political Report. Toronto: McGraw Hill Ryerson. Oneil, P.H. (2010). Essentials of Comparative Politics (3rd ed.). Norton, New York United Nations Human Development Report. (1993). People in Community Organizations. New York. United Nations Human Development Report. (1993). People and Governance. New York. Source document

Explore the role of nature Essay

In the first three opening sections of â€Å"Tess of the D’Urbervilles†, nature plays many a significant role. It acts as a storytelling device, helping the plot of the story to move and develop; it acts as a mirror for Tess’ feelings and the feelings of others; it adds atmosphere to the plot itself. Most importantly, it plays a major role in Tess’ wellbeing, but this role is often thwarted by the actions of man and the actions of man’s Church – the two are often in conflict, and these sections often explore this. We first see Tess taking part in an activity, â€Å"clubwalking†, with many of her friends and surrounding neighbours. All the people taking part are women, and it is a very simple activity; it is only them and the surrounding nature. This suggests that they share a harmony with their surroundings, and also that it is very feminine and pure, much like Tess at the beginning of the novel. As Tess emerges from this, we associate nature with her almost immediately. Angel also appears from this setting, with his two brothers, and he seems more connected with nature than he does with their religion. His brothers seem uptight and stuffy – â€Å"dancing with a troop of country hoydens! † being an indication of this – whilst he seems more carefree and willing to interact. In this way, Tess and Angel are instantly connected for the reader, and nature appears to shelter and protect them. However, Angel chooses another girl to dance with, marring the experience and implying that there is more to the situation; perhaps they are not so perfect. It implys that where nature creates a situation, man can often disrupt it, through their actions and religion. It therefore acts as a device for dramatic irony and foreshadows further events in the book. The death of the family horse, one of the more important contributors to Tess’ decision to work for the d’Urbervilles, is caused by both nature and man. Tess falls asleep during her coach ride, and nature fails to keep her awake. It could be argued that it was enticing her to go to sleep, and therefore was a main conspirator against her. However, a man kills her horse (â€Å"the morning mailcart†¦ had driven into her slow and unlighted equipage†). The death of her horse is a combination of the two, and it seems as though nature is working with man to contribute to her ruin, although it may also be looked on as nature trying to protect her and, again, man disrupting it – the two forces work against each other. Tess’ family had already raised the idea of her going to work for an old family (although Tess was against this – when her younger brother questioned her on it she burst out â€Å"never mind that now! â€Å") but this new factor makes Tess think that she is responsible and must therefore help her family in their time of need. She has no choice in the matter; nature and fate, it seems has decided it for her – â€Å"she had hoped to become a teacher at the school, but the fates seemed to decide otherwise. † It suggests that nature has carved out its own path for Tess. Due to the death of the horse, and at the persuasion of her family, Tess leaves for Trantridge. She plans to gain work from the D’Urbervilles that live there. As readers, we are informed that they are not real D’Urbervilles like Tess and her family; the father in the family, Simon Stoke, bought the name once he had made his money from being a merchant, in order to appear more grand to the rest of society – they are not natural D’Urbervilles, and Tess has been tricked. This is an example of man meddling with nature – nature did not give them that name and they are therefore imposters. Trantridge itself, the house where the Stoke-D’Urbevilles like, seems out of place with the surrounding nature; it is described as â€Å"of recent erection†¦ of the†¦ rich red colour that formed such a contrast with the evergreens†¦ â€Å". It is far more modern and different from its surrounding and therefore appears almost sinister – Nature did not intend for it to be there. Tess is assigned to work on the â€Å"fancy farm† belonging to the D’Urbervilles. This small poultry farm seems unnecessary and frivolous, and is not needed in nature’s scheme – it is merely the whim of man, much as Tess is for Alec in the novel. In this way, nature and its parts act as a mimic for the story. When Alec D’Urberville first meets Tess, he immediately begins to seduce her. He feeds her strawberries – one of nature’s most seductive fruits, due to its rich red colour – and is riveted by the form that nature has given her. In this way, nature unwittingly works against Tess; by making her â€Å"appear more of a woman than she already was†, it has caused Alec to be immensely attracted to her. However, during the cart ride from her family home to his, when he has attempted to kiss her and she has dismounted under the pretences of saving her hat, he tries to use nature against her by hemming her in with his cart against the fence. She, however, uses nature to save her and talks to him â€Å"from the top of the hedge into which she had scrambled† – nature assists her here. Just before Tess’ rape, the descriptions of wood are dark and unforgiving, with â€Å"webs of vapour† forming â€Å"veils against the trees†. Nature shows its darker side, and indicates what is about to happen. What happens to Tess, however, is a vital part of Nature – perhaps nature assumes it is helping her in this way. It could be argued that nature here is working against Tess to set the next events in motion, or that nature is giving her a form of gift – sex and pregnancy is widely regarded as nature’s highest privelege. Human religion and attitudes, however, view it as a sin. The Church is in conflict with nature’s ideas here that these acts are a vital part of life and therefore later outcasts Tess – the slogans painted on the fences around Marlott such as the beginning of â€Å"thou shalt not commit adultery† emphasise this in our minds. Alec’s attitude towards Tess after, when she leaves, suggest that he feels that it was Tess’ fault, for being so beautiful and irresistible to him; in reality, that is the fault of nature. Once she has left Alec’s house, Tess feels she has discovered the true meaning of nature to her; â€Å"the serpent hisses where the sweet bird sings†. This phallic imagery shares a link to Troy’s sword in Far From the Madding Crowd, another popular book by Thomas Hardy – for them both, nature leads them to men, men lead to their heartaches. To Tess, nature has exposed its dark underbelly and she feels robbed of natural beauty; what has happened to her, however, is a natural act, but in the eyes of man and the church, it is an unforgivable sin. This is empahasised in â€Å"She had been made to break an accepted social law, but no law known to the environmet in which she fancied herself such an anomaly. † When we meet Tess again, after a period of time has passed, we see her working in the local fields. The women working are described as â€Å"assimilated† with the fields – nature wishes to protect them. However, when Tess works, she â€Å"bleeds† from the â€Å"stubble† on the corn; nature appears to be punishing her, or she punishes herself by working herself too hard. It is then revealed that Tess has a newborn baby, which is widely regarded as the greatest gift Nature offers. For Tess, and for man, however, this separates her from them – she has sinned in their eyes; she still cannot resist pull of motherhood though, and her feelings for her baby are mixed and confused. Once she has decided she loves her child, nature takes it back when it dies from illness. The Church adds suffering for Tess when they refuse to bury it on concecrated ground; nature and the Church work together to upset Tess. Nature, at least, takes it from its suffering that it would have faced from mankind; the baby would never have been properly accepted. When Tess goes to work in Richard Crick’s dairy, we see the idyllic side of nature once more. Here, nature mirrors Tess’ feelings and attitude – there is a â€Å"change in the quality of air from heavy to light†, and we feel that the nature in the Valley of Great Dairies is far lighter and carefree for Tess; it will become her salvation for a time being, as nobody knows of her past here. She feels a connection with nature, and we have a sense that Tess is nature’s child – she belongs to it far more than she does to man’s Church. Nature saves her from herself, and the hard work with nature grants her peace. It also serves as an escape from Church, and has granted her this opportunity either as an apology or to set her up for more heartache. At the dairy, she is reunited with Angel Clare, a figure we haven’t seen since the opening chapters of the book. His description as a â€Å"figure rising out of the past†¦ and a mobility of mouth†¦ with an unexpectedly firm close of the lower lip† gives us an idea of his character – nature has given him a look with compliments his personality. His mouth gives an indication that, although he is open to ideas, he can be â€Å"unexpectedly firm† in his ideals, a slightly chilling prediction of the events to come. Tess’ mouth, by contrast, is described firstly as a â€Å"mobile peony mouth†; like her, it is full and beautiful, and also everchanging. Nature presents Tess to Angel as a â€Å"fresh and virginal daughter of Nature† -although her past contradicts this ideal, Angel regards her image as perfect in every way. Nature could be seen as tricking him or trying to make amends and improve Tess’ life. However, with the latter, the Church seems to oppose these ideas, and this is the cause of her heartache – man’s inability to work with nature. In the romance of Angel Clare and Tess, nature tries to help them come together, with romantic settings such as a â€Å"violet and pink dawn†. There is the incident with the butter tasting like garlic, forcing Angel and Tess to work together on the mead, and the butter not churning properly (which, according to the dairyman, happens only when love is affecting it, although the story he tells is far more similar to that of Tess and Alec than that of Tess and Angel.) There is, too, the rising rain before church that seems to force them to come together, and although Angel has to carry â€Å"Three Leahs to get one Rachel†, he feels as though the trial was worth it for a moment with Tess. However, when they finally embrace while Tess is milking, the cow reacts unfavourably – perhaps nature has realised what the consequences of its actions may be and is therefore trying to stop the romance. In this way, nature still tries to look out for Tess – it is very much a mother figure to her.