Sunday, November 24, 2019

An Overview of the Book Democracy in America

An Overview of the Book Democracy in America Democracy in America, written by Alexis de Tocqueville between 1835 and 1840, is considered one of the most comprehensive and insightful books ever written about the U.S. Having seen the failed attempts at a democratic government in his native France, Tocqueville set out to study a stable and prosperous democracy in order to gain insight into how it worked. Democracy in America is the result of his studies. The book was and still remains, so popular because it deals with issues such as religion, the press, money, class structure, racism, the role of government, and the judicial system – issues that are just as relevant today as they were then. ​Many colleges in the U.S. continue to use Democracy in America in political science and history courses. There are two volumes to Democracy in America. Volume one was published in 1835 and is more optimistic of the two. It focuses mainly on the structure of government and the institutions that help maintain freedom in the United States. Volume two, published in 1840, focuses more on individuals and the effects that the democratic mentality has on the norms and thoughts that exist in society. Tocqueville’s main purpose in writing Democracy in America was to analyze the functioning of political society and the various forms of political associations, although he also had some reflections on civil society as well as the relations between political and civil society. He ultimately seeks to understand the true nature of American political life and why it was so different from Europe. Topics Covered Democracy in America covers a vast array of topics. In Volume I, Tocqueville discusses things such as: the social condition of Anglo-Americans; judicial power in the United States and its influence on political society; the United States Constitution; freedom of press; political associations; the advantages of a democratic government; the consequences of democracy; and the future of the races in the United States. In Volume II of the book, Tocqueville covers topics such as: How religion in the United States avails itself to democratic tendencies; Roman Catholicism in the United States; pantheism; equality and the perfectibility of man; science; literature; art; how democracy has modified the English language; spiritual fanaticism; education; and equality of the sexes. Features of American Democracy Tocqueville’s studies of democracy in the United States led him to the conclusion that American society is characterized by five key features: 1. Love of equality: Americans love equality even more than we love individual liberty or freedom (Volume 2, Part 2, Chapter 1). 2. Absence of tradition: Americans inhabit a landscape largely without inherited institutions and traditions (family, class, religion) that define their relations to one another (Volume 2, Part 1, Chapter 1). 3. Individualism: Because no person is intrinsically better than another, Americans begin to seek all reasons in themselves, looking not to tradition nor to the wisdom of singular individuals, but to their own opinion for guidance (Volume 2, Part 2, Chapter 2). 4. Tyranny of the majority: At the same time, Americans give great weight to, and feel great pressure from, the opinion of the majority. Precisely because they are all equal, they feel insignificant and weak in contrast to the greater number (Volume 1, Part 2, Chapter 7). 5. Importance of free association: Americans have a happy impulse to work together to improve their common life, most obviously by forming voluntary associations. This uniquely American art of association tempers their tendencies towards individualism and gives them a habit and taste for serving others (Volume 2, Part 2, Chapters 4 and 5). Predictions for America Tocqueville is often acclaimed for making a number of correct predictions in Democracy in America. First, he anticipated that the debate over the abolition of slavery could potentially tear apart the United States, which it did during the American Civil War. Second, he predicted that the United States and Russia would rise as rival superpowers, and they did after World War II. Some scholars also argue that Tocqueville, in his discussion of the rise of the industrial sector in the American economy, correctly predicted that an industrial aristocracy would rise from the ownership of labor. In the book, he warned that â€Å"friends of democracy must keep an anxious eye peeled in this direction at all times† and went on to say that a new found wealthy class may potentially dominate society. According to Tocqueville, democracy would also have some unfavorable consequences, including the tyranny of the majority over thought, a preoccupation with material goods, and isolating individuals from each other and society. Source: Tocqueville, Democracy in America (Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop, trans., ed.; Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000)

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Risk Factors and Challenges in the Technology Industry Essay

Risk Factors and Challenges in the Technology Industry - Essay Example Moreover, business enterprises are very concerned about "outsider" company having access to the sensitive commercial information. Escalating complexity of the products and solutions: It is hard to test all the scenarios for the applications involving extremely lengthy and complex code, which sometimes leads to "bugs" and malfunctioning. Growth of in-house IT: Many non-computer firms joined the industry by adding divisions or by acquiring computer services companies. Banks, publishers, airlines, and telecommunications companies were among those whose information technology divisions were involved in this industry (SIC Computer Related Services n/p). Dependability on the readiness of the customers to engage in electronic interactions or networking: Value of network grows in line with the number of participants. If the market does not successfully adopt the new technology on a wide scale, it will not exist long. The wave of year-2000-related new equipment purchases that took place at the end of the 1990s, as well as the availability of quality used equipment from bankrupt Internet companies in the early 2000s, had a negative impact on the corporate market for new electronic devices and computers. (Electronic Computers n/p) From 1998 to 2000, reported IDC, ave... 2. Communications and Networking Changes in the industry-related regulations: For example, adoption of the Telecommunications Reform Act of 1996 greatly influenced operations of the telecommunication industry players. Standardization and adoption of new protocols. Emergence of many competing formats, offering lower costs and improved services to the customers: for example emergence of PCS systems as strong competition to wireless phone systems. Integration of different services (e.g. mobile phones with PDA -functions, text and multimedia messages services, WAP-internet access). Transformation of the industry structure: mergers and acquisitions in the industry (for example, recently approved acquisition of Skype VoIP-operator by the EBay Corporation). Reaching saturation in the developed-countries markets and challenges of global expansion. Dependability on the readiness of the customers to engage in electronic interactions or networking: Value of network grows in line with the number of participants. If the market does not successfully adopt the new technology on a wide scale, it will not exist long. 3. Electronics and Computer Hardware: Temporary slowdown of early 2000s in the technology spending in both corporate and private sectors caused by economic conditions and changes in the consumer behavior: The wave of year-2000-related new equipment purchases that took place at the end of the 1990s, as well as the availability of quality used equipment from bankrupt Internet companies in the early 2000s, had a negative impact on the corporate market for new electronic devices and computers. (Electronic Computers n/p) High R&D costs and consequently high break-even volumes. Increasing competition of low-cost Asian electronic

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

HW Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

HW - Essay Example For example, will you limit your clientele, or be neutral? The quiz highlighted only some minor areas that may be uncomfortable, such as discovering sexual orientation of people, who was initially believed to be traditionally heterosexual. As such, in my professional life, I plan to manage seemingly uncomfortable situations by being holistically prepared to handle them. This means that I should have enough theoretical background on addressing sensitive issues and be emotionally, or even physically and mentally adept to respond and react accordingly. As such, I could assume a more neutral stance if I am well-equipped and prepared to handle unexpected uncomfortable situations. 3. What is your opinion on intersex and transgender athletes competing despite their differences from the norms of athletics? Is it cheating for a female with naturally very high levels of testosterone to compete with females? Is it fair to have a transgendered male to female individual compete against other females? In terms of intersex and transgender athletes competing despite their differences from the norms of athletics, I strongly believe that the law of equality and fair play should preside. This means that as long as these athletes perform and have shown competencies in their sports endeavors, the gender or sexual orientation should not be an issue. Thus, a female with naturally high levels of testosterone could compete with females, unless this factor would give unfair advantage. As such, if she has prior knowledge of this, I affirm that it should be disclosed to the sports committee prior to joining. In terms of having a transgendered male to female individual compete against other females, again, I believe that unless some factors inherent to them (transgendered male or female) would give unfair advantage, they could actually compete with other females. The sports

Monday, November 18, 2019

Equity and trusts assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Equity and trusts assignment - Essay Example His decision as to who are my old friends is to be final†; c. â€Å"I give  £20,000 to my executors to hold on trust for a period of 21 years and to be distributed in their discretion among such of the first 300 people to have crossed the Victoria Bridge on 24th October 2008 (the date of my deceased husband’s birthday) as they consider most deserving.† In order to advise Edward and Sandra of their duties in relation to the above it is necessary to examine the contents of the will to determine which elements can be regarded as valid bequests. For an express private trust to be created certain formalities must be adhered to. An express trust requires the person making the bequest to have the necessary capacity as well as adhering to the formalities. This involves consideration of the three certainties since a bequest can only be valid if the three certainties are satisfied. To be regarded as fully constituted a trust must contain all the above elements. When considering capacity the court will refer to the Family Law Reform Act 1969 s1(1) which stipulates that the person making the will must be over 18 and must be of a sound mind. In this situation there is nothing to suggest that the testatrix was not of a sound mind which would mean that the capacity requirement would be fulfilled. In addressing the formalities the court will consider whether the trust has been created inter vivos or by the will. In this case the trust comes into affect upon execution of the will and therefore the will would be regarded as creating the trust. In determining whether statutory provisions apply the court will examine the way the trust was created as well as whether the property subject to the trust relates to land or other property and whether the interest is a legal or an equitable interest. In this case it is not necessary to discuss equitable interests since an equitable interest is created where the testator does

Friday, November 15, 2019

Biography of Abraham Lincoln

Biography of Abraham Lincoln Note about ABRAHAM LINCOLN: A Giant among presidents Who was Abraham Lincoln? Abraham Lincoln was a great president of United States. Abraham Lincoln was known by the 16th president of America. Many people think he was the greatest president the United State has ever had. Early Life and Family Ancestry. Abraham Lincoln was born in rural Kentucky on February 12th, 1809. Their parents were having petite schooling and low community standing. At his very young age, his mother Nancy Hanks was no more in this world. For Lincolns better future Thomas (his father) married for the second time with Sarah Johnston. Sarah Johnston takes care of Lincoln like he was her own blood. She raises up Lincoln. Lincoln started his life in New Orleans after some time he migrated to New Salem, Illinois and he worked as a store clerk in their own general store. Career and His Steps Towards Successful Life. Abraham Lincoln become the caption of his volunteer company at the age of 23 years, after the Black Hawk War was broken in 1832. Mainly, he at the same year, Lincolns got his first offer from election office. But, at that time he failed for Illinois state government. He never loses hope and tried for the second time after two years of waiting and at that time he won election to the state legislature. He became a feature to the Whig party in the General Assembly. At that time, Lincolns law career started to flourish. He migrated to Springfield when he was confessed to bar in 1837. During cross-examination, he became a successful lawyer. In 1842, Lincoln get married to Mary Todd Owens. In 1846, Abraham Lincoln was elected to U.S. Congress. After that, he moved to Washington to serve his terms. Later in 1849, Lincoln go back to Springfield for moving further in their lawyer career. The another reason about going to Springfield was to give more time to his wife and their sons. In middle of the 1850s, many questions about slavery started to rise up. Lincoln was unsuccessful about Senate in 1854 and 1858. Notwithstanding these losses, Lincoln received national expose owing to his fair for speech. Political Career. In 1860 Lincoln was nominated for president by his talent, luck and, management. Out of 4 candidates, he was victorious. He got less than 40% of the vote and it creates a fact. Beginning of The War. The Civil War begins when Lincoln goes to argue Fort Sumter in Charleston. Confederate forces opened fire and thats the reason the Civil War began. Abraham Lincoln instead that Civil War was started for the safety of the Union. Also, the fortune of slavery played a major role. The overpowering role of commander-in-chief was taken by Lincoln at the wartime. The rights that as define by Constitution was suspended by him and he had expanded the power of federal government. The significant pieces like homesteaders, taxes, etc., was signed by Lincoln. On 1stJanuary1863, Lincoln took his most significant action to be his Emancipation Proclamation, which flagged the way of 13th Amendment and the abolishment of slavery in America. The Civil War lasted long and it was very expensive for both the side. After Civil War. After the war, Lincoln started charity reconstruction plan to help the nation for uniting once again. ÂÂ   Lincoln maintain support from people and he stands again for the election and he gets avictory in 1864. After few days Lincoln was killed by John Booth in Washington theater. Still, people remember him for his work towards people and feeling proud. Memory and Memorials. Lincoln leave his mark by both preserving the United States as we know it and freeing millions of slaves. Today, people of United States love and remembrance of the sixteenth president can be seen all around the United States. Lincolns face, sixty feet high, is carved into Mount Rushmore. Both the penny and five-dollar-bill feature Lincoln. There are 38 towns and 6 mountains named Lincoln. Moreover, in Washington D.C., the towering Lincoln Memorial is the greatest tribute to the man known as Honest Abe.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Global Marketing :: essays research papers

New and improved products are developed almost daily, they are launched in the marketplace in hopes that the product will be accepted and purchased, the fate of any product is determined by consumers through their acceptance and purchase or rejection of the product. New product introductions are becoming more and more expensive and the product success rate is less than in previous years. The number of promotion methods to choose from can be overwhelming, and finding the best method which will allow the Palm Mercury to flourish in the market is a very challenging step to overcome. PalmOne has developed a new product and we want to tell a large number of people about it very quickly. Mass selling is our intention. Several of the approaches that will allow PalmOne to determine the potential success of the Mercury is to initiate a small, cost effective mass selling campaign that can easily grow to a much larger campaign in the coming months. We can put together a short campaign very cost effectively to quickly establish if this kind of promotion will work. One of the most effective approaches to reach people on the go is to advertise the product on the radio. Radio reaches tens of thousands of people each day while driving in their car, or listening at the beaches and the intended advertisements will reach our target listeners with our message. We will plan an advertisement campaign over a single week or multiple weeks in order maximize the impact. Advertisements will be run several ways through the radio stations. Radio stations love prizes and free products. PalmOne can provide a small number of the Palm Mercury’s for give-a-aways and contests. Contests have a high audience participation and retention rate giving PalmOne some much desired publicity. Picking the correct prize, the correct approach and the correct target audience will allow the Palm Mercury to receive desirable exposure for a minimal cost.