Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Casual Analysis of a Superhero Movie Trend Essay

Casual Analysis of a Superhero Movie Trend - Essay Example All the movie makers want a piece of the share of the market, thus resulting in a large number of feature films about a superhero of all forms. As the mass development of superhero films progresses, this raises the query of how many superheroes are required in the lives of human beings. It is also intriguing that the identical movie characters have existed throughout the days, with no decrease in the movie market supply or demand (King 67). This paper will analyze the origin, causes and probable consequences of superhero movies. The classic superhero model stemmed from comic books, but their eminence in widespread culture has enlarged to film and television. These superheroes were initially merely narrative means employed to mirror the present-day need for a guardian of public justice. Since that period, the superhero has developed into a versatile and timeless entertainment symbol. Just as the television industry, the movie sector has made a large number of remakes of superhero movi es. Spiderman is one of the utmost glaring films of all-time (King 46). In addition, the regard behind the superhero movies lies in their reliability and their predictability. For example, the superhero trope is without doubt identified with moviegoers. Moviegoers go to the movie theaters with a reasonably proper comprehension of the common story line; have an encounter with the superhero, observe their flamboyant powers; have an encounter with the baddies, dread their menacing strategies of evil. The plot frequently entails a rescue operation, which in due course finishes to the culmination of a heroic battle between virtuous versus wicked. There may be differences between the varying narratives, but the expectation of the viewers will always remain consistent (King 33). People are aware of what they are receiving from the superhero films. Nonetheless, the model is also varied enough to give numerous varying explanations in its characterization. Superhero characters are adaptable a nd may be categorized under different areas of ethical scale from a morally confusing antihero, for example, Catwoman to a straight-laced protector of justice, for example, Captain America. Consequently, the storytelling capacity could have infinite probabilities. While the plots may be the same, the dissimilarities in the directorial techniques, the cinematography, and in the characters differentiate one film from the other. Prior to Spiderman, superhero movies tended to lie in between different categories with regard to urban staging. They characteristically also failed or did not try to extensively deconstruct the goal of the comic-book superhero, and it still may be argued that, to a large degree, both of these concerns are still prevalent to the genre. But the puzzle trailer for Spiderman suggested both a new form of superhero city and also a prolonged unsettled take on urban slump that had been moderately absent from action cinema (DeScioli and Kurzban 248). Roland Emmerichâ⠂¬â„¢s work had and still continues to teach viewers that the CGI’s epiphany is the absolute annihilation of the urban surrounding. With Spiderman, there was not only the World Trade Center, but also a sign of the urban literally intertwined with the superheroic. Even

Monday, October 28, 2019

The Dnepropetrovsk Maniacs Essay Example for Free

The Dnepropetrovsk Maniacs Essay One of the two friends were killed, the other managed to escape† (Versii). Thirteen more murders followed, often with multiple bodies found in the same day. Two victims were found every day from July 14 through the 16 (â€Å"Lowlifes planned 40 murders†) The three suspects were arrested on July 23, 2007. Igor Suprunyuck attempted to sell a mobile phone they had stolen from one of their victims at the local pawn shop. When that phone was turned on to show that it worked, its location was tracked by law enforcement agents. Igor Suprunyuck and Viktor Sayenko were arrested in the pawn shop (Katsman). Alexander Hanzha was arrested at home, reportedly managing to flush other stolen phones down the toilet. The phones were recovered, but all the information on them was lost (GlavRed). They were charged with 29 separate incidents, including 21 murders and 8 more attacks where the victims survived. Suprunyuck was charged with 27 of the cases, Sayenko was charged with 25, and Hanzha with counts of armed robbery (Kommersant). Ally three confessed quickly, Suprunyuck later withdrew his confession. Suprunyuck’s original defense awyer dropped out of the case after reportedly being disappointed at failing to have a plea of insanity accepted by his client (Segodyna). â€Å"On February 11, 2009, the court in Dnepropetrovsk found Igor Suprunyuck and Viktor Sayenko guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Alexander Hanzha, who was found guilty of robbery and sentenced to nine years in prison (Olinikova). Hanzha said of Suprunyuck and Sayenko: â€Å"If I had know n the atrocities that they were capable of commiting, I would have not gone near them at gunpoint (â€Å"Dnepropetrovsk serial killers sentenced to life imprisonment†). The parents of Igor Suprunyuck and Viktor Sayenko repeated their belief in the innocence of their sons. The parents of Suprunyuck and Sayenko also argued that the sentence of Alexander Hanzha had been too lenient (Segondnya). From what i’ve read, the murderers didn’t have a specific motive. â€Å"Local media reported that the killers had a plan to get rich from the murder videos that they recorded. One of the suspects’ girlfriends reported that they were planning to make forty videos of separate murders. This was corroborated by the suspects’ former classmates, who claimed that he often heard Suprunyuck was in contact with an unknown â€Å"rich foreign website creator† who ordered forty snuff videos, and would pay a large sum of money once they were made† (â€Å"Lowlifes planned 40 murders†). Regional security chief, Ivan Stupak, rejected the claim that the murders had been committed to make internet snuff videos, saying that no evidence had come to the light during the investigation that supported the claim (Segodnya). Detective Bogdan Vlasenko stated: â€Å"We think they were doing it as a hobby, to have a collection of memories when they get old (Segodnya). Deputy interior minister, Nikolay Kupyanskiy, commented â€Å"For these young men, murder was like entertainment or hunting (â€Å"Dnepropetrovsk Maniacs captured! †). â€Å"At the trial, it emerged that Suprunyuck had collected newspaper cuttings about the case† (Segodnya). â€Å"Some of the photographs of the crimes had captions added, including â€Å"The weak must die. The strongest will conquer (Segodnya). The suspects’ mobile phones and personal computers contained multiple video recordings of the murders taking place. One full video was leaked on the internet, showing the murder of 48-year-old Sergei Yatzenko. He is seen lying on his back in a wooded area, and is struck repeatedly in the face with a hammer held inside a plastic bag. One of the attackers stabs Yatzenko in the eye with a screwdriver, and also stabs him in the abdomen with the screwdriver. Yatzenko is then struck with the hammer in order to ensure that he is dead. The attack lasts over four minutes, during which the victim lapses in and out of consciousness. One of the murderers can be smiling towards the camera during the video† (â€Å"Shocking Murder Video Makes Rounds on the Internet†). Personally i’ve seen the video and I wish I could take back every minute of it. The suspects were also found in possession of multiple photographs showing them attending funerals of the victims. They can be seen smiling and â€Å"flipping off† the coffins and gravestones (â€Å"Killers captured death of victims on video (with television news video)†). The photographic and video evidence was shown in court on October 29, 2008, as part of a larger presentation of over 300 photographs and two videos (Leontieva). In conclusion, my opinion on the murders is that they were horrible. There had to be something mentally wrong with them. No one can do something like that and not have any kind of sympathy, without something being wrong with them. The Dnepropetrovsk Maniac murders were definitely some of the worst killings in the last 100 years.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Tinnitus - Have You Experienced It Yet? Essay -- Biology Essays Resear

Tinnitus - Have You Experienced It Yet? Can you ever recall hearing a strange annoying noise in your ears that remained constant for days or seemed recurrent? If you answered yes to this question then you may be one of the 50,000,000 individuals in the U.S. who suffer from tinnitus. Almost everyone at one time or another has experienced brief periods of mild ringing or other sounds in the ear and it is estimated that one out of every five people experience some degree of tinnitus (1). The presence of tinnitus is a very common and annoying occurrence that affects about 17% of the general population and 33% of the elderly (2). With such statistics, could it be that we are all most likely destined to become a victim of tinnitus? Tinnitus is the internal perception of sound when there actually is no external sound present. It is a symptom that can occur in either or both ears or can seem as if it is coming from somewhere in the head. Tinnitus can sound like a bell, whistle, roar, screech, hum, crickets, tone, something else, or any combination of the above. It can be continuous, pulsatile, or can fluctuate in character or loudness (3). Tinnitus is classified into two forms: objective and subjective. Objective tinnitus, the rarer form, consists of a sound that may be audible to people other than the sufferer. The noises are usually caused by vascular diseases or abnomalies, repetitive muscle contractions, or inner ear structural defects. The sounds are heard by the sufferer and are generally external to the auditory system. Benign causes, such as noise from the jaw joint, openings of the Eustachian tubes, or repetitive muscle contractions may be the cause of objective tinnitus. It can be an early sign of increased intracrania... ...on sufferers are so seriously debilitated that they cannot function on a day-to-day basis. The upsetting notion of tinnitus is that it can strike people of all ages and, for most, it does not go away. Tinnitus is just a nuisance for some, but for others it is a stressful, life-altering condition (7). WWW Sources 1) Tinnitus FAQ- Discovering and Understanding http://www.cccd.edu/faq/tinnitus/discover.html 2) Tinnitus Information Network http://members.aol.com/MyTinnitus/English/definition.html 3) Tinnitus & Loudness Sensitivity Center http://www.earaces.com/tinnitus.htm 4)Tinnitus Relief Center: FAQ http://www.tinnitusrelief.com/faq3.html 5) Tinnitus Relief Center: About Tinnitus http://www.tinnitusrelief.com/abouttinnitus.html 6) ASHA Brochure - Tinnitus 7) American Tinnitus Association http://home.teleport.com/~ata/FAQS~RC.HTM

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Blue Nile Essay

The spreadsheet I did presents a summary of Blue Nile financial results from 2005 to 2009. From 2005 to 2007 revenues and net income both increased. The deep recession which began in late 2007 seriously affected the revenue in 2008. And then in 2009 the revenue recovered and increased slightly. I am going to analysis the financial performance in three parts. First, profitability ratios. Blue Nile had steady return on asset ratios around . 1. The company utilized its assets very efficiently and outperformed their competitors. By doing research on Yahoo Finance, we know the industry return on equity is 0. 18. Blue Nile’s return on equity ratio was much higher. It created better return to investors. Net profit margins were mostly lower than the industry average level. For example in 2009, Blue Nile only had net income of 4 cents for each dollar sale. Its low margins can be explained by its low pricing of products. As Rita said, Blue Nile had a much lower markup than Tiffany. Blue Nile’s number for liquidity ratios are impressive. Such high ratios from 2005 through 2009 show the company’s great ability to pay short-term debt. One of the company’s strategies is that suppliers finance Blue Nile’s sales growth. ( ) The business model contributed to higher sales volumes with minimal additional capital investment. With respect to leverage ratios, Blue Nile had really low long-term debt to equity ratios compared to the industry. Tiffany’s long-term debt to equity was as high as . 39. Because Blue Nile offered a balance between the debt to equity range and firm’s cost of capital, its capital structure was optimal. The company had low capital investment financed by creditors and bondholders. Its debt to assets ratios are over . 5, which means it, had a lot of debt obligations. However, most of the company’s debt was current and it was able to pay off creditors in a timely manner. Creditors did not need to worry about getting paid. Blue Nile’s strong financial performance intuitively indicated the company’s strategies were pretty well-conceived and well-executed.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Human Generosity Essay

The Ghost of Christmas Past goes on to show Scrooge an incident that is obviously very painful for Scrooge to watch, for by the end he is crying, â€Å"Spirit! Show me no more! Conduct me home. Why do you delight to torture me? † The vision is of a time when Scrooge is beginning to shut other people out of his life, and start a new life in the lonely world of earning money obsessively with no one to share it with. He is shown his â€Å"release† from his fianci for the reason that she has seen his, â€Å"nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until one master passion, Gain, engrosses you. † On the arrival of the second Spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge is prepared. Dickens presents the spirit as a large, jolly fellow who shares most people’s merry feelings about Christmas. When Scrooge encounters him initially, piles of food surround the Spirit, â€Å"Heaped up on the floor, to form a kind of throne, were turkeys, geese, game, poultry, brawn, great joints of meat, sucking pigs, long wreaths of sausage, mince pies†¦ † These lists are typical of Dickens’ style, emphasising the richness of it all. The Spirit shows Scrooge more images of how much others, rich and poor, enjoy Christmas. He sprinkles his own â€Å"flavour†, his own form of generosity, upon the shoppers’ food, especially that of the poor, before taking Scrooge to the Cratchits’ home. The Cratchits have little in the way of a Christmas dinner, but appreciate every last mouthful. Each and every one of them is in high spirits, Tiny Tim included. Tiny Tim is a young, crippled boy, with an iron frame supporting his limbs and a tiny crutch. Yet he too joins in the festivities with joy and love in his heart. â€Å"‘Spirit’ said Scrooge with an interest he had never felt before, ‘tell me if Tiny Tim will live. ‘† We can see him beginning to redevelop the caring attitude that he had buried so long ago. The Ghost tells him that if the future remains unchanged then no; Tiny Tim will not survive. The change in Scrooge is again apparent when he cries, â€Å"Oh no, kind Spirit! say he will be spared. † The Spirit quotes Scrooges words, â€Å"If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. † Scrooge is deeply ashamed by the words of his former self and hangs his head, quite overcome by â€Å"penitence and grief†. As he visits more and more homes, full of people enjoying Christmas, he hears their unkind words about him. They laugh at his ways and, for the first time, he realises what he has been missing out on for all these years and discovers deep feelings of remorse that he never dreamt he would possess. It is the final Spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come that has the most profound effect on Scrooge. The Phantom’s silent, deadly way terrifies him, as do the scenes of death he is about to see. He is shown views of various people discussing a death, but with no compassion in their voices. It is clear to him that the person they talk of was not liked and will not be missed. â€Å"It’s likely to be a cheap funeral, for, upon my life, I don’t know of anybody who will go to it. † The people ask only of what he did with his money, illustrating how money was the only thing of importance in this man’s life. Scrooge is agonized that no one appears to have any emotion for someone whose life had seemed so similar to his, â€Å"The case of this unhappy man might be my own. My life tends that way now. † By now Scrooge is fully aware of how his lack of generosity will lead; he will die alone and unloved. He is deeply traumatized, â€Å"Let me see some tenderness connected with a death, or that dark chamber, Spirit, which we left just now, will be for ever present to me. † The Spirit obeys but Scrooge is surprised to find himself back at the Cratchits’ home. On further investigation, Scrooge discovers that it is not the same death for which he is being shown the grieving. He realises the sad, but true fact that Tiny Tim has died. The comparisons between the unbearable sadness felt for a small boy who, despite being poor and crippled, had love and joy in his heart, and the complete lack of emotion felt for a money obsessed old man could not be further apart. Before the final Ghost departs Scrooge begs him to reveal who they saw lying dead, although it is quite possible that he already knows but refuses to believe it. He hesitates before going to look at the gravestone to which he has been conveyed, for he has something he needs to know, â€Å"Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they the shadows of the things that May be only? † Scrooge is desperate for a chance to change and live a life that could not only prevent Tiny Tim form dying, but also prevent his own life from ending in the way he had seen the other man’s to have done. Although the Ghost does not reply, Scrooge does not pursue the matter, for he knows already that he can change the future by letting others into his life and bringing more joy to theirs with just a little human generosity. He advances towards the grave and uncovers the tangled weeds of neglect to reveal the name: â€Å"EBENEZER SCROOGE† Falling to his knees he cries promises of change, claiming he will â€Å"honour Christmas† and live in the â€Å"Past, the Present and the Future†. And so he does. The story ends with Dickens describing Scrooges joy that he has not missed Christmas, â€Å"A happy merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world! Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo! † He pays a poor carol singer to order the largest turkey in the shop to be delivered to the Cratchits. He offers Bob a pay rise. He goes to his nephew’s home and joins in the celebrations that he has missed out on for so many years. And what is more, he continues to live like this, resulting in him indirectly saving Tiny Tim’s life. There are many themes running through the story of A Christmas Carol, but in the end they all come back to the same simple idea of Human Generosity. Scrooge’s story demonstrates that having money is not at all important if there is no one with which to share it. In his final gestures, he brings great happiness not only into the lives of others, but also his own. And then we come to the Cratchits who, despite having very little of material value to share, are some of the most generous people that can be found. For it is love that they share among them and, without that, there is nothing to life.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Comparison of the three CMS’s Essays

Comparison of the three CMS’s Essays Comparison of the three CMS’s Essay Comparison of the three CMS’s Essay Since the usage of Moodle is free, majority of the respondents considered using it as course management system software than the other two which require fee upon subscription. However, a relatively large number, eight (8) out of 40 respondents choose not to utilize any of the CMS’s software. Comparison of the three CMS’s based on the survey criteria presented Moodle. Based on the criteria presented, majority of the respondents prefers Moodle because of its many features and efficiency of usage.Moodle offers basic communication tools for the ease of interaction between the students and the instructors, students and the students and the class as the whole. Using email under Moodle, messages can also be sent to offline users and can be read once they log in their respective accounts. Chatting is also possible, using instant messaging; online users may talk through the internet. Discussion Forums are also available in Moodle which are of three types, according to Product Comparison (2006).First, the instructors may choose to rate the post of their students on a particular topic; students, nevertheless, can also rate the response of their colleagues. Second, the posts in the forum will be mailed automatically to the class participants. Third, unread posting will always remain visible for viewing and also, any member of the class can create the forum. In terms of grading schemes, the instructors can create their own scale such as Poor, Fair, Good and Excellent, and use it in all graded activities.The instructors can also receive and get reports indicating the frequency of the visit of a certain student, including the time and date. A report that sums up each student’s performance on assignments can also be received. The instructors can also keep a secure place where private notes about each student can be kept and monitor who are currently logged in to the course (Product Comparison, 2006) In terms of giving assignments, Moodle provides three types of assignments that either the instructor or the student can choose from, depending on the needs- Offline Activity, Online Text and Upload a Single File Assignment.Also, in Moodle, a lesson workbook is also available wherein the lessons are delivered in a flexible and interesting manner. In Moodle, the course calendar is always updated, where upcoming events and activities –including quiz or assignment- will be shown in Activities Block. WebCT. WebCT also provides communication tool features. The instructors can send email message to all students or those in a subset of workgroup. Unlike Moodle, as assessed in the article, Product Comparison (2006), chatting or the instant messaging can only be utilized if the other user is online.Discussion forums are also invited though only one type of forum is allowed, where the students can reply to the discussions without making or creating his/her own topics. The special communication tool that makes WebCT different from the other two is the use of Whiteboard where students can share and show, in real time, their drawings and images. For the benefit of the instructors, the students’ activities online can also be tracked using WebCT.The instructors can get reports regarding the frequency of visit of the students, including the time and date. A report showing the time duration spent by a student on particular settings on the website, including the course content, course units and the discussion forums. Also, the tracking information received by the instructors can also be shared with the students. In giving assignments, WebCT only allows the use of one type of assignment where a student submits files in connection to this specific assignment.WebCT does not also provide programs for the lesson workbook of the instructors. In an article, A Brief Overview of the WebCT, WebCT has set of tools that can help instructors assess the students’ performance and also to evaluate the effectiveness of the course. This system has assessment engine that facilitates in the scoring of tests and other surveys. It also provides very flexible scoring methods in different types of questions whether multiple choice, essay, short answer, matching type and calculated results.All these question types are being graded automatically except the essay, which is left uncheck for the instructor’s own evaluations. In accomplishing this type of grading scheme, security coding through password keeping is applied so to ensure the dependability of the results. Student files, messages, reports and course access data are also part of WebCT systems. Thus, the performance of the students can be kept as long as the instructors want to (2001).

Monday, October 21, 2019

Greasy lake analysis Essays

Greasy lake analysis Essays Greasy lake analysis Paper Greasy lake analysis Paper Essay Topic: Easy Scaly In the first paragraph of the story the narrator describes what is means to be bad, does his voice through out the story suggest he thinks of himself as a bad guy how does the narrators description of events support or refute his idea of himself as a bad guy? Three teenagers that perceived themselves as being the bad characters Every teenage boy thinks they are as bad as the next one, doing rebellious things to boost up there confidence and uphold their images. In the short story Greasy Lake, T. Shortchanges Bayle talks about three teenagers that perceived themselves as being the bad characters. The narrator appears to be the ultimate rebel upon first glimpse describing his appearance, actions, and attitude as someone trying to be more than they really are, but by the end of the story the narrator has changed his bad boy image to more wholesome realizing there not as bad as they thought they were. In the story the narrator describes what the meaning of what bad Is but throughout the Tory the voice and description of him being a bad guy changes. The first change of the narrators voice was when he realized he had mistaken another car which he thought was a his friends car ends up fighting a man and almost raping a girl you can tell he was scared but being the bad guy he Is he had to do ha the had to do The second change of the narrators voice was when he found a dead body In the lake The third change of his voice was when he ran Into two girls who were trying to party and he turned them down. :

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Thulium Facts

Thulium Facts Thulium is one of the rarest of the rare earth metals. This silver-gray metals share many common properties with other lanthanides but also displays some unique characteristics. Here is a look at some interesting thulium facts: Although the rare earth elements arent all that rare, they are so-named because they are difficult to extract from their ores and purify. Thulium actually is the least abundant of the rare earths.Thulium metal is soft enough that it can be cut with a knife. Like other rare earths, it is malleable and ductile.Thulium has a silvery appearance. It is fairly stable in air. It reacts slowly in water and more quickly in acids.Swedish chemist Per Teodor Cleve discovered thulium in 1879 from an analysis of the mineral erbia, a source of several rare earth elements.Thulium is named for the early name for Scandinavia- Thule.The principal source of thulium is the mineral monazite, which contains thulium at a concentration of  about 20 parts per million.Thulium is not toxic, although it has no known biological function.Natural thulium consists of one stable isotope, Tm-169. 32 radioactive isotopes of thulium have been produced, with atomic masses ranging from 146 to 177.The most common oxidati on state of thulium is Tm3. This trivalent ion most commonly forms green compounds. When excited, Tm3 emits a strong blue fluorescence. One interesting fact is that this fluorescence, along with red from europium Eu3  and green from terbium Tb3, is used as security markers in Euro banknotes. The fluorescence appears when the notes are held under black or ultraviolet light. Because of its rarity and expense, there are not many uses for thulium and its compounds. However, it is used to dope YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers, in ceramic magnetic materials, and as a radiation source (after bombardment in a reactor) for portable x-ray equipment. Thulium Chemical and Physical Properties Element Name: Thulium Atomic Number: 69 Symbol: Tm Atomic Weight: 168.93421 Discovery: Per Theodor Cleve 1879 (Sweden) Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f13 6s2 Element Classification: Rare Earth (Lanthanide) Word Origin: Thule, the ancient name of Scandinavia. Density (g/cc): 9.321 Melting Point (K): 1818 Boiling Point (K): 2220 Appearance: soft, malleable, ductile, silvery metal Atomic Radius (pm): 177 Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 18.1 Covalent Radius (pm): 156 Ionic Radius: 87 (3e) Specific Heat (20 °C J/g mol): 0.160 Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol): 232 Pauling Negativity Number: 1.25 First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): 589 Oxidation States: 3, 2 Lattice Structure: Hexagonal Lattice Constant (Ã…): 3.540 Lattice C/A Ratio: 1.570 References: Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001), Crescent Chemical Company (2001), Langes Handbook of Chemistry (1952), CRC Handbook of Chemistry Physics (18th Ed.) Return to the Periodic Table

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Emotionally intelligent leaders and their impact on followers' Essay - 1

Emotionally intelligent leaders and their impact on followers' performance and well-being A critical review of the literature - Essay Example These have become increasingly important elements of Emotional Intelligence in every organization. It plays a vital role in leadership and management and has an influence on the employees working in an organization. In the first part of the paper, we will focus on critical review of emotional intelligence in leadership and how they have an influence on employees. In the second part, a reflection for practice will be presented with evidences from literature and evaluation of EI scores. Critical Review of Literature Leadership & Emotional Intelligence at Workplace Research indicates that leaders who constitute high level of emotional intelligence in the workplace are getting better outcomes and increased work performances by the employees. Building and sustaining relationships is an important aspect of management and the recognition of these emotions through self management and relationship management enhances the emotional intelligence of leading bodies. These may also help leaders re spond better in various difficult situations and be able to understand the complexities in situations. An increased amount of self awareness through emotional intelligence causes empathy and understanding among the leaders and the subordinates as stated by Collins(2011). Even though it has been believed that personality and psychological traits may appear to be somewhat stable (Costa, 1992) but in reality this may not be the case, managers can improve their leadership skills by understanding their strengths and weaknesses through self-awareness and self-regulation and understand and enhance a leadership style, Jennings(2012)which may have a profound impact on the environment. However, there can be few unanswered questions which need to be examined like determining a natural style for an appropriate situations and ways to achieve the desired impact of that leadership style. It is also necessary to measure and see if these levels of emotional intelligence will have a positive impact o n employees or not. Some scholars argue to that emotional intelligence may not perceived as too important for senior managerial positions Crandall(2007)while some claim it is difficult to attain intelligence as it is a part of an individual’s personality. Some scholars believe that emotional skills can be developed and enhanced through learning and experience (David R. Caruso, 2004). Higher levels of emotional intelligence in leadership give rise to higher productivity in the organization in the following areas; Participative Management When a leader shows empathy in building relationships with the employees then they welcome and acknowledge feedback from employees relating to any task. They also value interdependency between work groups. Leaders executing emotional intelligence in the workplace are always seen as good listeners and always implement change by getting input from employees and subordinates, cooperate with the workforce to understand their emotions and foster go od working relationships in the workplace (Lorne & Robert, 1991). Self Awareness, Straightforwardness & Composure As cited by Gallagher(2012), when emotional intelligence supersedes, the leader or the manager has a clear understanding of their strength, weaknesses and they are able to control their expressions and responses in stressful situations. In return, the employees may feel at ease during work and

Propaganda Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Propaganda - Essay Example Propaganda is simply the information spread deliberately in order to harm an individual, an institution, a group of people, or even a government. The cultural dictionary defines propaganda as legal and official communications of the government to the public in order to influence them politically. The images associated to propaganda found in this course highlight some of the instances of practice of propaganda. This images include, the image displayed in the third lesson about the young imitating Hitler’s steps and actions, what the Chinese postage stamp implicated in relation to propaganda and finally, the jobs. Looking at how best the practice of propaganda has taken root in the areas of jobs, studied in lesson six and the Chinese postage stamp, studied in lesson five. The post agency of china released stamps with six different designs during the National Tourism Day. The designs showed the picture of the islands of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa, which Chinese occupied illegally (Chong, 2002). The post agency also released postcards and envelops with the same pictures. This is propaganda and the china post agency accepted that was a mistake and thus Vietnam has legal claims for the act. It also follows that in the Postal Service Department, china Postal Agency has trivialized the law. Therefore, Vietnam protested against china and demanded for removal of the images of the island. Vietnam claimed that china used propaganda to prosper their tourism industry by posting the images of the islands of Hoang Sa.... It is absurd to think that the people who quit their jobs in this sector got promotions. Therefore, the government continues propaganda in this sector to restore its self-image. Both in china and the United States, the issue about the stamp and the quitting of jobs by the employees in the two countries respectively, are forms of propaganda. These are similar in that both are deceptive. In china, the China Postal Agency deceives the tourists about the ownership of beautiful sites such as the Vietnam Hoang Sa islands published as a design of stamp and posted on envelops and post cards. On the other hand, the government of the United States gives a false statement on the employment sector. The reporters got instructions that instead of reporting that the economy of America is unhealthy, they report the opposite, the economy of America is very healthy (George, 2008). In real sense, the quitting of jobs of citizens is due to the low payments on high wage jobs. These two countries want to achieve good self-images for their governments, illegally. The extent of the propaganda practiced in the two countries differs in the intensity. In China, the postage stamps affected the country in general. The Vietnam had legal allegations towards China Postal Agency; it did not cause many adverse effects to the citizens and the economy of China. On the other hand, the propaganda practiced in the United States causes adverse effects to both the economy of the country and the citizens (Chong, 2002). Citizens quit the jobs because of low payments with high wage jobs, low living standards thus tempering with the economy, they cannot afford school fees, and basic needs of their families and this in turn affects greatly the economy of the country. Another difference

Friday, October 18, 2019

Reflective summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Reflective summary - Essay Example This is obviously important not only professionally, but practically (Zala 2007). When examining evidence, there might be only one opportunity to insure that every facet of the material is properly analysed in order to get accurate readings on a whole host of foreign bodies that might be present (Gonzalez 2013). With that in mind, I also now realise that I need to be more analytical in my observation skills as it is essential that I visualise what might have happened, or infer the significance of a particular piece of evidence, even it at first my eyes might not catch on. In performing that practical experiments, I did notice that I have difficult discerning the relevance of particular bits of evidence at first and that it took more discussion before I caught on as to what I was actually observing. Naturally, this will likely come with more practice and I look forward to competing many more practicals in order to become more skilled at being to observe every facet of the evidence tha t is placed under

Organizational Justice and Human Resource Management Case Study

Organizational Justice and Human Resource Management - Case Study Example David gets attached to a larger group of 10 people and has difficulty in making his presence felt. Kate does a brief ethics blunder by wearing revealing and improper clothes to the workplace. This gives her instant attention from everyone. She is also reprimanded by the human resource representative on the advice of a senior male partner. On the other hand, David is trying to pull attention to him by putting in extra hours but feels that only the team leader is getting the credit for the entire job done. Both Kate and John share the same counselor, Tom, who is a senior manager in the company. While Tom discusses job problems and other work-related details with Kate, he only discusses sports and other unrelated topics with David. David finds it confusing but shows off his knowledge of sports in the hopes of impressing Tom and getting more interesting projects. Five years later both Kate and David have progressed in their jobs. After completing their CA they are engaged in other activities. Kate is interested in a charitable institution run by the company and devotes most of her free time in making contacts. She is reproved by her seniors for this who think that she could utilize her time in a more fruitful manner. But, Kate finds that her growing network of contacts due to the charity work is actually helping her with her job. She is getting insights and suggestions into areas in which she had no previous expertise. Hence, she is able to serve her clients in a better manner. On the other hand, one of David’s tasks includes training the new recruits. This is a job of responsibility. David fulfills his new role with pleasure. The only drawback is that the job cuts him off from everyone leaving his clients bewildered about his whereabouts. For his only selfish needs, David does not assign his client-oriented jobs to his colleagues thinking that they will receive the credit for something on which he had worked. Thus, he remai ns highly unreachable to everyone while on these training periods.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Responsibility Accounting and Transfer Pricing Math Problem

Responsibility Accounting and Transfer Pricing - Math Problem Example Required: a. Calculate depreciation expense and book value of the metal press under both historical cost and price-level-adjusted historical cost. For the historical cost, the metal fabrication press would depreciate $43,500 per year ($522,000/12). In terms of the book value of the metal fabrication press under historical cost, the net book value would be $217,500 ($522,000-($43,500*7)). In comparison, the price-level-adjusted historical cost would give a new cost of $621,180 (Increase of 19% on the original cost. If this is so, the new book value would amount to $316,680 ($621,180-$304,500). Because this value would depreciate over the remaining five years of its life, the depreciation expense would be$63,336 ($316,680/5). b. In general, what is the effect on ROA of changing valuation bases from historical cost to current values? Because assets are generally higher, the return on assets would be lower because a fraction always becomes less when the denominator is increased. This wou ld result in the managers having more motivation to change the equipment because the return on the equipment would not be as great. c. The manager of the investment center with the metal press is considering replacing it because it is becoming obsolete. Will the manager's incentives to replace the metal press change if the firm shifts from historical cost valuation to the proposed price-level-adjusted historical cost valuation? It would not be advisable to do this because the company would need to alter the value of its asset each year. This change would result in giving the actual return at that point of time. However, it would mean that an extra cost would be incurred to fulfil with the accounting standards of the government. This would be too complicated to carry out so it is best to not replace the metal press. Problem 5-15 "U.S Pump Systems" US Pumps is a multidivisional firm that manufactures and installs chemical piping and pump systems. Its valve division makes a single stan dardized valve. The valve division and installation division currently are involved in a transfer-pricing dispute. Last year, half of the valve division's output was sold to the installation division for $40 and the remaining half was sold to outsiders for $60. The existing transfer price of $40 per pump has been set through a negotiation process between the two divisions and with the involvement of senior management. The installation division has received a bid from an outside value manufacturer to supply it with an equivalent valve for $35 each. The manager of the valve division manager has argued that if it is forced to meet the external price of $35 it will lose money on internal sales. The operating data for the last year for the valve division follow: Valve Division Operating Statement-Last year To Installation Division To Outside Sales 20,000 @ $40 $800,000 20,000 @ $60 $1,200,000 Variable cost 20,000 @ $30 (600,000) (600,000) Allocated fixed cost (135,000) (135,000) Gross ma rgin $ 65,000 $465,000 Analyze the situation and recommend a course of action. What should the installation division managers do? What should the valve division managers do? What should the US Pumps senior manager do? From this situation, we can see that the installation division managers are able to achieve the necessary valve division output at a lower price. Also, the valve divisio

Print Ad Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Print Ad - Case Study Example Being a high-fashion, elite brand, the print ad's target market leans toward relatively young men and women belonging to an upper-class social demographic. Those in its target market have above-average incomes, are brand-conscious, and are generally in touch with the prevailing fashion trends of the day. The brand is all about youth, sexiness, and the brashness that comes with it. Those who wish to portray this sort of image through their fashion style are those targeted by the print ad, and this definitely was definitely illustrated in the edgy, albeit inappropriate theme presented. In developing a new print ad for Dolce and Gabbana, several elements will be modified as the product line will be repositioned completely. From being a high-end, relatively young fashion brand, it is proposed that the new line be packaged as a casual line appealing to an older, more sophisticated demographic comprised of middle-aged, successful professionals . The prevailing theme would be "Sunday Best", and would be presented in such a way that the brand would be their top-of-mind choice for laid- back "country club" weekend wear. The newly repositioned line would be appealing to a target audience that closely mirrors those of Ralph Lauren and Lacoste. The new concept of the reworked print ad will be intrinsically different from the original. The ad is set on what appears to be a country club golf course, and will feature a beautiful, casually dressed woman around her mid-30's as the central character. She appears to be a newcomer to the greens, and is being taught how to swing by a smiling, laid back male, presumably late 30's to early 40's. The man gives off the impression that he is a hard-working professional during the week, say a stockbroker, and he is enjoying the fruits of his labor on the weekend with his beautiful wife. In the background, another affluent-looking couple (presumably friends of the central couple) look on, smiling and apparently amused at the woman's first-time follies at the tee. The tone and mood of the ad is very upbeat and positive, conveying an unspoken vibe of class and sophistication. The Dolce & Gabbana logo will still be superimposed over the print as in the original ad. Consumers will use the product ideally as their primary choice for weekend wear, for light social functions and weekend club meetings. It is a means to identify with the relaxed affluence that is typical of high-income neighborhoods in New York and California. The target market was chosen first and foremost to tone down the controversy generated by the previous print ad. By choosing an older, more affluent target comprised of high net- worth professionals which project much more conservative values, it is hoped that the negative connotation associated with the brand would be eased out of the public's eye. Also, the new target market was also chosen because the company can be sure that there is already an existing market to tap, and that their prices would still seem palatable within the chosen demographic. If the repositioning campaign is rendered properly, Dolce &

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Responsibility Accounting and Transfer Pricing Math Problem

Responsibility Accounting and Transfer Pricing - Math Problem Example Required: a. Calculate depreciation expense and book value of the metal press under both historical cost and price-level-adjusted historical cost. For the historical cost, the metal fabrication press would depreciate $43,500 per year ($522,000/12). In terms of the book value of the metal fabrication press under historical cost, the net book value would be $217,500 ($522,000-($43,500*7)). In comparison, the price-level-adjusted historical cost would give a new cost of $621,180 (Increase of 19% on the original cost. If this is so, the new book value would amount to $316,680 ($621,180-$304,500). Because this value would depreciate over the remaining five years of its life, the depreciation expense would be$63,336 ($316,680/5). b. In general, what is the effect on ROA of changing valuation bases from historical cost to current values? Because assets are generally higher, the return on assets would be lower because a fraction always becomes less when the denominator is increased. This wou ld result in the managers having more motivation to change the equipment because the return on the equipment would not be as great. c. The manager of the investment center with the metal press is considering replacing it because it is becoming obsolete. Will the manager's incentives to replace the metal press change if the firm shifts from historical cost valuation to the proposed price-level-adjusted historical cost valuation? It would not be advisable to do this because the company would need to alter the value of its asset each year. This change would result in giving the actual return at that point of time. However, it would mean that an extra cost would be incurred to fulfil with the accounting standards of the government. This would be too complicated to carry out so it is best to not replace the metal press. Problem 5-15 "U.S Pump Systems" US Pumps is a multidivisional firm that manufactures and installs chemical piping and pump systems. Its valve division makes a single stan dardized valve. The valve division and installation division currently are involved in a transfer-pricing dispute. Last year, half of the valve division's output was sold to the installation division for $40 and the remaining half was sold to outsiders for $60. The existing transfer price of $40 per pump has been set through a negotiation process between the two divisions and with the involvement of senior management. The installation division has received a bid from an outside value manufacturer to supply it with an equivalent valve for $35 each. The manager of the valve division manager has argued that if it is forced to meet the external price of $35 it will lose money on internal sales. The operating data for the last year for the valve division follow: Valve Division Operating Statement-Last year To Installation Division To Outside Sales 20,000 @ $40 $800,000 20,000 @ $60 $1,200,000 Variable cost 20,000 @ $30 (600,000) (600,000) Allocated fixed cost (135,000) (135,000) Gross ma rgin $ 65,000 $465,000 Analyze the situation and recommend a course of action. What should the installation division managers do? What should the valve division managers do? What should the US Pumps senior manager do? From this situation, we can see that the installation division managers are able to achieve the necessary valve division output at a lower price. Also, the valve divisio

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

The hedge fund and private equity capital raising environment in EU Essay

The hedge fund and private equity capital raising environment in EU - Essay Example Most hedge funds establish and organize themselves as limited partnerships because of the flexibility that it allows them. In order to withdraw funds investors have to give notice of 30 days or more. There are approximately 7,000 hedge funds with market values of US$1 trillion. According to McCaherty and Vermeulen (n.d.) hedge funds take a variety of forms and are characteristic of the pursuit of high returns and the use of leverage to enhance the return on their investment. In recent times hedge funds and private equity have come to represent a significant part of financial activities in the financial markets in Europe, USA and Asia. The sizes of these investments are large as they continue to grow. Fund managers use a number of strategies, traditional techniques and a number of instruments such as equity, debt, options, futures and foreign currencies. In recent times hedge fund managers have engaged in high risk investment strategies including currency trading, credit derivatives a nd restructurings in order to obtain above normal returns on their investments Private Equity Private equity fund managers invest mainly in unregistered securities. However, in recent times they have been engaged in taking private a number of publicly listed companies. They use a number of different investment strategies with varying levels of liquidity. Private Equity Firms are not only involved in providing funds for new and developing companies but they are also engaged in the provision of funds for corporate restructuring, management buy-out and leveraged buy-outs. One Writer attributes the emergence of the buyout fund as the dominant style of investment to favorable credit market conditions, a large supply of loan funds and low interest rates, changes in the preferences of investors, a large number of publicly listed private equity vehicles and the increase in the demand for alternative assets by institutional investors such as pension funds. Brigham and Ehrhardt (2005, p. 664) indicates that â€Å"in a going private transaction the entire equity of a publicly held firm is purchased by a small group of investors that usually includes the firms current senior management.† There are usually two ways in which this transaction is carried out. In one instance the managers acquire all the equity of the company and in the other it does so with a small group of investors who set the previous managers to manage. These are referred to as management buy-out (MBO) and management buy-in (MBI) respectively. This process normally involves substantial borrowings and is therefore described as Leveraged buyouts (LBO). Another term which is normally used is â€Å"taken private† which relates to a buyout of a public company and in the process removing it from the stock exchange listing, and therefore transforming it into a private firm (Fraser-Sampson, 2007). Public companies are normally taken private because they have the potential of providing substantial ca sh flows to investors as the shares are currently undervalued on the stock market. The managers see the potential of â€Å"significantly boosting the firm’s value under private ownership† (Brigham and Ehrhardt 2005, p. 664). This means that companies taken private have the potential of enriching not only the managers who take part in the buyout but the public shareholders who are often offered prices higher than the going market

Monday, October 14, 2019

Contributions of Science in Maintaining World Peace Essay Example for Free

Contributions of Science in Maintaining World Peace Essay Science has made great progress in recent times. Through science man has been able to conquer nature. He has acquired control over land, air and water. Time and distance have no meaning in this sputnik Age. Some people think that science is responsible for wars. It has placed in the hands of the man extremely destructive weapons. They may ruin the world completely. It may be true to some extent. But science has also contributed a lot towards world peace. Today very fast means of transport and communications are available. Armies can be moved from one place to another in no times. These forces check the advance of an enemy. Thus war is prevented. Big wars break out due to certain causes. Poverty, disease, hunger, etc. , are enemies of mankind. Some countries are rich while others are poor. Scientific inventions have given us valuable machines. With their help production has been increased manifold. Even the backward and poor countries have now begun to enjoy a better standard of living. The contribution of science to medical science is well known to everyone. Wonderful drops like penicillin, streptomycin, Chloromycetin, etc. , have been discovered. They have ensured long and healthy life to the people of the world. By removing such causes of war, science has helped in reducing the chances of a world war to the minimum. Small sparks lead to big conflagrations. Similarly minor internal disturbances within a country sometimes lead to big wars, but now-a-days the police and military can be sent to the spots of trouble within no time. Thus, internal peace is far more secure today than it ever was. Science has given very effective means of propaganda. The Radio, the Television, the News paper and the cinema are very powerful means of propaganda. Through them, the people of the world can easily know the horrible effects of modern warfare. Through cinema, pictures of horrors of war are shown to the people. Thus public opinion is created against war. This also helps in preventing war. Science has not reached the limits of its inventions even now. It is making even more starting inventions. It is now busy in acquiring control over outer space. Furthermore, man is today more conscious of necessity of world peace than ever before. He has begun to use his knowledge of science for peaceful purposes. Let us be optimistic that science enables us to banish war completely in the near future.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Religion Essay -- Catechism, Catholic Church

In 1999, police officers killed a man who they were chasing for three-consecutive hours. While he was being chased, five California TV helicopters broadcasted the event live, and the entire public, including his family, saw his death. The Church’s teaching reveals whether the live broadcasting of violent acts is ethical or unethical. Throughout the years the media has increased the reporting of real violent acts, but they are not beneficial to the common good due to the negative effects it has on human dignity. Firstly, the Catechism Of The Catholic Church teaches that all media is limited to what the common good requires. To illustrate, Pope Paul VI says that, â€Å"The information provided by the media is at the service of the common good† (CCC 2494). This shows that all information disclosed by the media must be beneficial to the common good. Secondly, the Catechism states that all media that is broadcasted to the public must never oppose the common good. For example Pope Paul VI says the, â€Å"[the media] must adjust their economic, political or artistic and technical aspects so as never to oppose the common good† (Inter Mirifica 11). Revealing that the media must not disclose any information that may â€Å"oppose the common good†. Thirdly, the media releases wanton violent acts, which u ndermine the value of human dignity. For instance, the Catechism Of The Catholic Church teaches that, â€Å"Social justice can be obtained only in respecting the transcendent dignity of man† (CCC 1929). This means that â€Å"real† news reports can only be beneficial to the common good if they respect the dignity of man. Lastly, The Catechism Of The Catholic Church teaches that no matter what physical or mental state the person(s) are in the media must still respect ... ...s and dignity of† the person(s) must be always respected. Thus, the media must take into consideration the harm they may cause to the public and the loss of respect for human dignity. To conclude, the media's coverage of real violent acts in the news does not benefit the common good. The media uses the human right to information as a tool to broadcast as much news as possible for profit. They do not censor any of the gratuitous violence. The journalists are left to blame due to the responsibility they hold when disclosing the information they have learned to the public. Also, the uncensored violence can harm the public and it disrespects the dignity of the person(s). Over the years the media’s perspective of what â€Å"news† is has changed drastically, from information to entertainment. No matter where you go or what you watch, for some reason there is always violence.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Sir Walter Raleigh Essay examples -- Biography

Sir Walter Raleigh was born in Hays Barton England in 1552, and died in London England on October 29 (Miguel 918). He was a soldier, a courtier, an entrepreneur, and an explorer. These phases of his life lead to poetic works, and to a rounded view of the English court (Sauer 130). Sir Walter Raleigh not only gathered his experiences from life but he also analyzed every aspect of life as he wrote his poetry. Raleigh’s poems are sites of struggles and attempts to write him into the world (Miguel 922). He considered his life to be a poem, as a bold gesture, and his poems were the events of his political role and his political ambitions (Miguel 919). One of the interesting things about Raleigh’s verse is the number of times he seems to be writing under pressure of strong emotion, with the feeling of abandonment (Kilvert 148). His sentences are repetitive, but he is the master of telling the phrase and gives a very strong sense of participation in the event he is describing (Kilvert 150). Raleigh’s poems are the combination of the ruthless and sometimes obvious struggle for power that created and held together the court of Elizabeth (Ebsco). â€Å"Most of his poems look like delicate, even trivial, songs, complaints, and compliments typical of Petrarchanism (Miguel 918).† Usually, Raleigh has control of mood, movement, and voice modulation, some of the poems are, however, very revealing about their cultural source (Miguel 920). â€Å"The surface of his poetry presents the typical personality of the Petrarchan lyric – hope and despair, pleasure and fortune, fake love, frail beauty, fond shepherds, coy mistresses, deceitful time (Miguel 920).† Raleigh’s poems are those of a gifted young poet – seemingly casual compliment, occasional verse typica... ... Raleigh never reproaches the Indians for their religion nor congratulates himself upon the prospect of saving souls (Kilvert 152). Nobody denied his imagination, but it is perhaps true that he lacked judgment (Kilvert 145). â€Å"There is a sense in which we should speak of â€Å"Raleigh† as the symptomatic court poet, rather than Raleigh the poet – or, perhaps, of â€Å"Raleigh† and â€Å"his† poems alike as texts, requiring always to be read against what they seem to articulate, often speaking out in their silences, in what they cannot or dare not say but nevertheless manage to express (Ebsco).† Throughout Sir Walter Raleigh’s life, he expressed the major events of his life and the feelings he had towards those events in his poetry. He was a soldier, a courtier, an entrepreneur, and an explorer. These major events or occupations led to the inspiration of his interest in writing.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Nurse Anesthetists Essay

In a career in nursing, one must possess a need to help people, as well as the scientific and educational knowledge to perform the duties required. As I complete the final years of my high school education, I realize that I must focus on my goals and interests in order to make intelligent college curriculum decisions. I have always been considering a career in health, but the opportunities and diversification in the health field have perplexed me. I have always thought the job of a nurse anesthetist was extremely interesting, and it would be a great way to contribute to helping the lives of others. In the United States, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is simply an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has acquired graduate-level education and board certification in anesthesia and they are the oldest nurse specialty group in the U. S. However, their job isn’t that simple. Anesthesia describes drugs and gases that help to block sensation, and they keep patients unconscious while in surgery. The main goal of the CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), which is extremely important, is to have the patient awake free of pain. CRNAs, or Nurse Anesthetists, are responsible for administering, supervising, and monitoring anesthesia related care for those patients undergoing surgical procedures. Before the surgery, the CRNA obtains information regarding the patient’s medical history, evaluates the patient’s anesthesia needs, and develops a treatment plan with the goal of a risk-free and uncomplicated surgery. CRNA then explains the planned procedure to the patient, and answers any question that they may have. However, there are big steps that you have to take to become a CRNA. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), here is what you need to do to become a nurse anesthetist. All would-be nurse anesthetists must have an active registered nurse (RN) license, which requires a minimum of two years of study. Applicants to nurse anesthetist programs should have at least one year of work experience as an RN working in acute care, such as an intensive care unit. Once admitted to the Anesthesia program, the registered nurse must complete twenty-four to thirty-six months of classroom and clinical experience. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum required educational credential for certification as a nurse anesthetist. Many training programs are structured as master’s degree programs, which always require a bachelor’s degree. Accredited Training Programs is the most important requirement to become a nurse anesthetist. Different programs have different specific requirements for application. Upon completion of the training program, prospective nurse anesthetists need to pass the certification examination offered by the Counsel on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, and then maintain certification by regularly taking continuing educational units. Nurse anesthetists must obtain the appropriate licenses to practice in their state by contacting the state board of nursing for more information.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Differentiating Between Market Structures Essay

Kudler Fine Foods is the brain child of Kathy Kudler. She envisioned a one stop gourmet food store and has grown to three locations to date. She continues to maintain direct control over large bulk purchase order items, stringent customer service policies, and hiring. This paper discusses how the organization competes in the marketplace and the strengths and weaknesses of the company according to the marketing surveys their customers completed. The following also discusses which market structure best applies to the organization and how that structure positively and negatively affects the firm, how the effectiveness of the competitive strategies in the market structure affect the organization’s long-term profitability, and what competitive strategy recommendations may be made. How Kudler Competes Kudler Foods competes on a differentiation strategy. While the advertising is similar to the average grocery stores in the area, the advertising is not built on a â€Å"loss leader† criteria. Kudler Foods is one of only a few competitors in Orange County that offers a complete gourmet shopping opportunity. The company considered the greatest competition is the Cardiff Seaside Market and is in direct competition to the Encinitas and Del Mar locations. If left unchecked and depending on how effective the new managers are at strategic combinations, the competing store could negatively impact Kudler Foods market share. Something like this could decimate Kudler Foods’ customer base. Active assessment of strategy strengths and weaknesses is necessary to mitigate the challenges of this possibility. Strengths and Weaknesses Kudler Fine Foods marketing surveys were a clear indication of their strengths and weaknesses. Customers were happy with the displays and lay-out of the store. Customers were happy with the merchandise they purchased, even though they were not happy with the value they received for their money. Customers were practically split down the middle about how they felt about the customer service they received. That sentiment is not a reflection on how knowledgeable the customer service person was since customers overwhelmingly voted positively when asked that question. Overall, the customers felt good about the organization, how the company is branding itself as a premier gourmet market, the quality of the products and the knowledge level of the service representative. Best Market Structure The best market structure for Kudler Foods is oligopoly. Oligopoly, as defined by Colander (2010), â€Å"A market structure in which there are only a few firms and firms explicitly take other firms’ likely response into account; there are often significant barriers to entry.† Oligopoly requires strategic thinking. A real life company that has the same market structure as Kudler Foods is Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods Market carries specialty, gourmet food items, meats, wines, cheeses, and bulk food stuffs. Whole Foods Market also offers food and wine tastings, and attracts a wealthier clientele who fancy themselves as â€Å"gourmet foodies.† A large portion of their inventory is organically produced. Their customer service levels are a point of great pride as they know it is not just the food but the service that keep customers coming back. (Whole Foods Market, 2013) There are however, positive and negative effects of this market structure. Positive and Negative Effects A negative effect of oligopoly is that it is largely inefficient – economically and in productivity. What this means is that oligopolies do not produce in the most inexpensive manner nor do they produce the right amount of products according to demand. A positive effect of this market structure is the overall profits. These profits, for the growth purposes of Kudler Foods, could be used for technological advances so they may offer improved products, costs, prices, and allow them to stay ahead of the competition now and in the future to maintain long term profitability. Recommendations A firm recommendation is further train employees to enrich operations and increase customer service. Employees are certainly knowledgeable, as per the marketing survey results, but could use some additional training in increasing customer service skills. This could be accomplished by hiring an expert in the field to come in and teach service skills to the employees. To ensure the skills are used, Kudler Foods could tie a small part of the employee’s compensation to good reports from customers. In addition, Kathy Kudler is making plans to introduce new e-commerce capabilities as well as a catering link on the new website slated for launch in June 2004. These steps will add automation to inventory ordering and reach potential customers outside of the geographical area they currently service (â€Å"Kudler Fine Foods | Administration: Strategic Plan 2003†, 2013). The use of e-commerce will showcase strengths and perhaps give sustained competitive advantage. This new automation will also allow cash flows to go to the geographical expansion Mrs. Kudler wishes to achieve rather than operations functions. Conclusion The main point of this paper was to offer a market analysis for Kudler Foods and offer recommendations based on that analysis. Commitment to strategic plan, both in formulation and implementation are vital. â€Å"As with any plan, simply formulating a good strategy is not enough. Managers also must ensure that the new strategies are implemented effectively and efficiently (Bateman & Snell, p. 150, 2011).† Given the current circumstances, Kudler Foods has an excellent opportunity to maintain the positive cash flow it has been earning. If Kudler Foods will accept that strategy formulation, implementation, and technological advances are essential to securing future significant returns, Kudler Foods will ensure continued success by creating a connection between increased customer service, an internet presence, automated ordering, customer buying habit tracking, and customers’ lives. The sustainable competitive strategic advantage that Kulder Foods wishes to maintain and elo ngate will most certainly be realized. References Colander, D.C. (2010). Economics (8th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database. Bateman, T. S., & Snell, S. A. (2011). Management: Leading & Collaborating in a Competitive World (9th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database Whole Foods Market, Mission & Values (2013) Retrieved from http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/mission-values Kudler Fine Foods | Administration: Strategic Plan 2003 (2013). Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/CIST/VOP/Business/Kudler2/intranet/strategic-plan.asp

Story of My Life

I began as a droplet of water, high above the earth, fluffy white clouds drifted through the atmosphere at that time. In the clouds, I lived as a little Droplet of water, round and content with life. For as long as I could remember, I spent my days lying on my back, relaxing and soaking up the sun's warm rays. One day, I took my usual place in the sun but the light didn't seem to be as bright. In fact, as the day went on, it grew darker and darker, loud claps of thunder shook the cloud, and I felt as if I were getting really heavy and I could hardly move.Suddenly, I felt myself falling from the cloud. Down, down, down I fell, farther and farther from home. As I was falling, I saw myself shivering and getting a white flaky color. I didn’t know what was happening at all, and at that same moment I realized what my friend had told me about how I would turn into a solid form. At last I landed on the earth, in the dark green foliage of the rainforest. Around me as far as I could see , were tall trees, dense green leaves, red mushrooms and variously colored insects of every shape and size.Strange creatures surrounded me. The sounds and sights were like nothing I had ever seen or heard before. All I wanted to do was go back home safely. And all of a sudden, the sun came up and the warm rays hit me like I was on a beach tanning. For a moment it felt good, and then suddenly I started turning into liquid, and it felt good to be in motion again. I began seeping through this soft, brown material called soil. I moved slowly through the roots placed in this soil. I began to move around, shifting side to side. Something was coming.It was digging deeper. I was jiggling! I saw teeth and a lot of pink! I waited a bit and saw the sun again, and there it was, what made me jiggle! An animal, a cow! Moooooooooo! It began to eat the grass, just jabbing at it, chewing it, nom, nom, nom! I began to jiggle even more. I thought I might break a sweat! A water droplet and break a swea t? It came closer, and GULP!! I was down its mooing throat! The cow began to sweat, and it was getting hot. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening but then my friends’ words came back to me.The process of respiration was taking place. I was the cow’s source of breathing. I was taken in as oxygen present in water and released as something else. I went from energy to carbon dioxide, lifting back into the air. I saw town’s people along the way; they breathed in oxygen and let out me? I mean carbon dioxide. I was going back up, and from there I went back to my normal life after my little water cycle, and then evaporated with a sigh of relief. I was back to my life of soaking in the sun’s rays!

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Critical Thinking and Nursing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Critical Thinking and Nursing - Assignment Example The patient is evidently emotionally distressed, and this becomes the priority nursing diagnosis. Teaching infection control at this moment would not be effective. The priority at the moment is either to provide the client with psychological counselling. If it is not possible to offer both emotional and psychological support that the client is presently in need of, I will refer the patient to a psychologist for professional counselling, which is a step in to collaborative healthcare management. The privacy rule in HIPPA’s provision governs the handling and disclosure of client’s Protected Health Information by health-care providers. According to the American Psychology Association (2003), protected health information is defined as personal identifiable medical information that relates to the payment of care, provision of healthcare or the patient’s condition and all states have privacy laws already in place for such information. An individual’s right for health records privacy is recognized and such records remain a property of the health facility maintaining them. It is only when required or permitted by the state laws or other provisions that health information can be disclosed (e.g. following a subpoena). However, the broad standard applies that the law of the state takes precedence over HIPAA if it offers more protection to the patient and conversely, HIPPA take over when the state law is less stringent (American Psychology Association, 2003 ). Under the guidelines of HIPAA, the longest time one should wait before getting medical coverage for a pre-existing condition should not exceed twelve months and eighteen months for late enrollees. However, HIPAA also makes another provision for individuals switching from one group insurance job to another without interruption.  

Monday, October 7, 2019

Triage protocol Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Triage protocol - Dissertation Example The protocol is defined in such a manner that its implementation depends on the definition of the treatment to be offered; this is because it contains both inclusion and exclusion criteria, which appropriately informs the triage nurses about the exact time to request X-Rays to avoid subjecting patients to excessive radiation. Constant review of the protocol will be conducted quarterly to ensure its appropriateness. 2. Outline the rationale for selecting the change The triage protocol suggested for implementation will help provide rapid health care services for patients in critical conditions within the emergency rooms in hospitals. Request of X-rays by triage nurses through the protocol reduces the waiting time by about 18 minutes, which leads to satisfaction of both the patients and the hospital staff (Crinson, 1999). This process entails the involvement of triage nurses, who must possess the ability to make quick decisions. In addition, triage nurses must have a high level of liste ning and communication skills and extensive knowledge of warning signs and symptoms. It is important to note that these field nurses must have vast experience in emergency medicine to be able to become triage nurses (Ward, 1999). According to the Department of Health (1997), triage is critically important since it is the foremost assessment in patient care. The surest way to save resources is to identify and separate the critically injured from the patients with less severe conditions. The new triage protocol is ready for implementation to ensure that patients’ safety is taken care of and that patients are identified accurately (Davies, 1994b). 3. Discuss the organisational impact you hope the change will have and the expected outcome(s) According to the Department of Health (1997), the new triage protocol has diverse impacts in terms of how hospitals operate. The protocol is expected to bring quality in health care provision through effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare delivery. The program will also boost the employee welfare in terms of the learning and education of the nurses. Triage is, therefore, very important in hospitals, most so in emergency departments worldwide, as it helps prevent overcrowding. Therefore, it improves emergency care through prioritization during clinical emergencies. Despite resource consumption variations in patients, triage nurses are urged through ESI resource and through prediction thinking to solve the presented emergencies (Cutts, 1999). It is also in addition that resources in emergency departments consume general resources. For instance, a provider seeing a very old patient with an in dwelling urinary catheter and complaints of fever and cough will call for blood order and urine test with chest X-Ray. The triage nurse can, therefore, accurately predict the patients’ needs for two or more resources and thus be able to classify the patient as ESI level 3 through triage protocol. According to the Department of Health (2000), the outcomes of this change will be the ability for the future advancement of the same protocol; it will also ensure that there is ease in distinguishing between the responder and the

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Garnet lake in Prescott Arizona Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Garnet lake in Prescott Arizona - Essay Example The geology is quite breathtaking with the banner peak, which stands at 3,943 meters, being Ritter Range’s second tallest peak in the Sierra Nevada region (Siragusa 46). The lake is surrounded by a mountainous landscape whose slopes are adorned by a few glaciers. The lake and the surrounding mountain peaks are to be found within the Ansel Adams Wilderness and is part of several lakes that lie within this area. The other lakes include Lake Ediza, Shadow Lake, Lake Catherine, and the Thousand Island Lake (Siragusa 50). Banner peak was the most striking geological feature around the lake. During the observation period, I was able to witness the formation of banner clouds at the top of the adjacent Banner Peak. Garnett Lake is best known for the work that was done by Ansel Adams, an American film maker and photographer, as well as environmentalist, whose black and white pictures photographs of the surrounding area became famous around the same time that Americans began to get envi ronmentally conscious (Siragusa 61). It was at this site that Ansel Adams, together with Fred Archer, developed the zone system so as to make a determination of proper exposure, as well as the improve the, final print’s contrast. In conjunction with Willard van Dyke, Adams Ansel, founded Group f/64 and the pictures, films that they reproduced as a group are famous and have been reproduced in books, on posters, and calendars, making photographs of the region, and especially Garnet Lake, distributed widely around the world. On my trip to garnet Lake, I was so enchanted by the lake and surrounding scenery that I could not stop taking photographs. I had seen the lake on numerous geographically themed shows, calendars, and postcards, but seeing the lake first hand was just breathtaking. I found solace in its solace, artistic inspiration, and its pure sense of adventure, which I found in plenty among the brooding and cloud-laden skies, snow swept passes, and jagged granite peaks. I was inspired to visit the lake in the hope of seeing what had inspired Ansel Adam in essence I was not disappointed. Approaching the lake from the River Trail from the trees at 9,833 feet, I truly admired the splendid prospect set against strong and slanting sunlight. The lake, strewn with boulders, was surrounded by alpine meadows and anchored by Mount Ritter and especially Banner Peak. Suddenly, everything seemed to fall into place in an unbelievably agreeable manner with the mountain, clouds, and rock providing magic of unity that was simply unprecedented in my book. I wandered around the lake carefully, balancing, sometimes precariously, on large boulders, and scrutinizing the scene. The sun, peeking intermittently through the clouds, was roasting at times. I attempted to locate a scene from one of Ansel Adams’ famous photographs and found one of them that captured Banner Peak, the clouds, and the glimmering lake. The scene was more enchanting than I expected, except for the lack of pine to its right and feathery clouds that hugged the mountain peaks in the photograph. This was my only disappointment since the many photographs that I had seen of this beautiful lake had

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Palm INC case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Palm INC - Case Study Example the company, the market of the company, the industry structure of the company, the innovation of the company, the technology of the company, and the marketing strategies of the company so as to be able to further understand how the company was able to make innovations with very little cash flow. Palm, Inc. is headquartered in California, Sunnyvale. It was founded in January 1992 by Jeff Hawkins who was the former vice president of a company called Grid Systems Corporation. He was responsible for the famous pen computers that the company designed. The first product that was developed by Palm, Inc. was sponsored by Tandy Corporation and was called the Zoomer. The handheld device was marketed under the names of Tandy Z-PDA and Casio Z-7000. The products did not do so well commercially. An acquisition was made in 1995 by U.S Robotics Corp. By the year 1998, the founders of Palm, Inc. were not happy and left the company (Zheng and Lionel 229). Palm, Inc. is a company that is known mostly for the handheld devices that it produces and therefore the technology used must be up to par. The company uses computer technology that is referred to as Palm platform. The Palm platform has its own operating system that runs the application software of palm and also runs the application software of a developer who happens to be the third party. There is software that exists that enables the user to use their handwriting using what is called a pen-based interface to write. The software is referred to as the Palm’s handwriting recognition Graffiti ® (Powers 37). Synchronizing of information is something that has made everyone’s life today much easier. Software called HotSync ® has the ability to link hand computing devices with computers or databases and synchronizing the data that one wishes to synchronize. These devices also have memory storage capacity that comes in the form of Random Access Memory software which is computer based memory storage. Software exists that enables

Friday, October 4, 2019

CULTURAL STUDIES & DIVERSITY Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

CULTURAL STUDIES & DIVERSITY - Assignment Example On the other hand, increase in the birthrate also impacts the organizations in the United States. Increase in birth rates will lead to an increase in population growth. Rapid population growth is accompanied by a proportionate increase in the supply of the labor force. This implies that the rate of job creation should match the rate of labor supply in United States. However, the rate of labor supply has outstripped that of job creation. This shows that the quantity of individuals looking for employment opportunities increases more rapidly than the number of jobs being created. This kind of problem possesses menace to the organization and the employees since there arises conflicts. Change in marital and family arrangements also is a demographic change in the organizations. Change in marital status of people will be reflected by an organization by changing is target market for products. Organizations that keep with the trend in changes in marital status are at a competitive advantage b ecause they can segment their market accordingly. The more data about the change in conjugal status that business leaders have, the more important the information will be on account of it can yield extra experiences on the patterns in change in conjugal status. Diversification in the organization is always viewed as a risk but of late, organizations are getting diversified because of the advantage, it gives them. Diversification of organizations is that aspect of taking risk by investing in many businesses. One of the advantages that this strengthen an organization is in terms of leadership competence. Organization leaders who conduct many businesses for the organization learn new skills of leadership and management hence strengthening the organization. Elsewhere, diversification puts an organization at a competitive advantage. This is because diversification leads to the organization benefiting from its vast operations, unlike its competitors. Another advantage that an

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Development of a Web-Based Student Information System for Secondary Schools in Nigeria Essay Example for Free

Development of a Web-Based Student Information System for Secondary Schools in Nigeria Essay School Management System In most Nigeria secondary schools, the storage, access and management of information is very poor. Information regarding students, their respective classes, and subjects taught in these classes, performance assessment records, grade entry and other forms of data manipulation are generally carried out manually using pen and booklets, in rare cases Microsoft Excel. Access to information can be cumbersome, irritating and frustrating due to poor storage and inaccessibility. Parents, officials and staff of these schools find it very difficult to get certain information that could enhance their decision-making and completion of an assigned task. I was asked by my instructor to analyze, design, develop and implement a practical solution that will alleviate these problems in a typical secondary school. The purpose of this report is to: 1) Provide details on the functional requirements and design specification of a typical solution. 2) Demonstrate that the requirement that will be stated in (1) above have been satisfied by implementing the solution. ) Provide details of the development process and critically appraise the solution. The objective of this project is to design, develop and implement a computerized system that will enhance access, storage, processing and management of information regarding E-Student Management System student, their studies, teachers and subjects including student performance assessment records. I have designed, developed and implemented a web-based system using technologies in Microsoft . Net framework 4. 0 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 software. A brief detail description of theories and techniques of the design and development of this solution is appraised in this report. Furthermore, an attached appendix explains the models, workflow and the architecture of the application. Users will be able to have access from any computer that has a browser and is connected to the internet. With a graphical user interface, this system is simple, user friendly and intuitive to use. It is not uncommon to find that many learning institutions in Nigeria, including secondary schools, still keep records in files and tucked them away in filling cabinets where they accumulate dust. Many of these files are often eaten up by rodents and cockroaches thus rendering them irretrievable. A great deal of routine administrative work in schools is still done manually with the state and the Federal government, including the administrators of this institutions showing little or no interest in embracing ICT. The administrative drudgery in secondary school institutions an be better managed through ICT. Secondary education administrative functions include a wide variety of activities such as educational governance, supervision, support services, infrastructure, 5 E-School Management System finance, budgeting, accounting, personnel selection and training system monitoring and evaluation, facilities procurement and management, equipment maintenance, and so on (Thomas, 1987). In most N igerian schools, officials and staff still go through the laborious exercise of manually registering students, maintaining records of students? erformance, keeping inventory list of supplies, doing cost accounting, paying bills and printing reports. The huge man-hour spent on these exercises can be drastically reduced with IT technologies to enhance overall management procedure. Thomas (1987), said that â€Å"Computers bring great speed and accuracy to each of these tasks, along with the convenience of storing large quantities of information on „small disks or tapes? (P. 5). For the purpose of this project, problems related to the management of information regarding student and their academic work, including teachers and subjects is the matter of concern.

Dynamics of Nuclear Disarmament Multilateral Negotiations

Dynamics of Nuclear Disarmament Multilateral Negotiations I. Introduction In 1957, Henry Kissinger aptly wrote that ‘ever since the end of the Second World War brought us not the peace we sought so earnestly, but an uneasy armistice, we have responded by what can best be described as a flight into technology: by devising ever more fearful weapons. The more powerful the weapons, however, the greater become the reluctance to use them. [1] He referred to the nuclear weapons as a powerful device that deters superpowers from major conflicts. His vision proved to be true, albeit difficult process of negotiations on nuclear disarmament throughout the Cold War period and beyond. Henceforth, common reluctance to use these deadly arsenals does not necessarily stop powerful states from acquiring them up to a certain deterrent level. Instead, nuclear weapons are even proliferated and technically perfected, and this, in my view, is the most striking dilemma and serves as the paradox of nuclear weapons. The year 2010 will be a very critical year for multilateral negotiation and talks on nuclear arms control and nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), [2] since the future of NPT and the progress and implementation of each of its article will be assessed through its five-yearly Review mechanism.[3] In particular, what it makes more crucial and fascinating is the promise made by US President Barack Obama on potential reduction of nuclear weapons. In his policy statement delivered in Prague, April 5th, 2009, President Barack Obama has made it very clear that he envisioned ‘a world that is free from nuclear weapons.'[4] Five months later, pouring all influence, persuasion and personal charms, President Obama chaired a meeting of the UN Security Council, which unanimously supported his vision. President Obamas initiative and political will his administration is willing to invest to build a critical mass and new thrust needed to move the troubled NPT in the next Review Conference in 2010. Yet, one must be well aware that reviving the NPT requires more than just rhetoric. One of the main articles of NPT, Article VI, clearly stipulates that the nuclear weapons states parties to the Treaty are under obligation to negotiate in good faith a nuclear weapons disarmament treaty under strict and effective international control at the earliest possible date.[5] Unfortunately, the sole multilateral negotiating forum entrusted to negotiate nuclear disarmament treaty, the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, has failed to start the negotiations ever since it managed to conclude painstakingly the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). At this point, one important question to ask is whether or not the international community should see President Obamas recent drive to revive the negotiation of the reduction of US Russia nuclear arsenals as an integral part of this long-term vision—a world that is free of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, what strategy are now being devised to ensure the success of negotiation on both bilateral and more importantly multilateral fronts, provided that attempts to any reduction—particularly as dramatic and steep as it was contained in recent Obamas initiative—will encounter serious hurdles and challenges. It therefore surely remains to be seen whether this bilateral negotiation is driven by President Obamas long-term vision to totally get rid of these weapons of mass-destruction or by other ulterior motives. As mandated by Article VI of the NPT, negotiations on nuclear disarmament should be conducted multilaterally. Besides, if nuclear weapons were fought the whole world would suffer. It is therefore unfair to sideline the non-nuclear-weapons possessing states in the negotiation. The study therefore discusses the dynamics of nuclear disarmament proliferation treaty, by analyzing the policy of the U.S.—as one of the major nuclear weapon states (NWS)—on nuclear proliferation, and its interaction towards other nuclear states. It tries to answer one key question: ‘Why are the nuclear-weapons-possessing states, as parties to the NPT, so reluctant to negotiate a comprehensive nuclear weapons disarmament treaty under strict and effective international control? As the study carries the task to provide a clear understanding on the hesitation of nuclear weapon states in negotiating a comprehensive disarmament, it is therefore considered important for us to look at the theoretical as well as policy contexts. Hence, discussion presented in the study is threefold, namely: (1) the conceptual framework and theoretical foundations; (2) policy development surrounding nuclear disarmament; and; (3) the recent dynamics of NPT in conjunction with the attitude of the U.S. as one of the major nuclear weapons states. II. Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Foundations: Imagining Security, Survival and National Interests This study argues that the nuclear weapons states are so reluctant to negotiate the treaty for they firmly believed that their security and indeed existence (survival) critically hinges upon these weapons of mass-destruction, retaining and perfecting them thereby are mandatory. That above argument also underpins the departing point of our journey to understand the extent to which sense of insecurity and need for survival reinforce nuclear weapons states reluctance to conduct nuclear disarmament negotiations. The concepts of security and survival are essentially parts of the national interests of any state, including the nuclear weapon states. The two key concepts along with its national interest maximization are also core concepts of realism in the study of international relations. Under the logic and circumstances of anarchy, states are assumed to always rely on its own capability for survival. It is therefore a self-help system of international relations within which states and nations are living. Furthermore, a state, especially the smaller or less-powerful one, does have limited options or strategies for its survival. In a rather simplistic illustration, states can either compete or cooperate in advancing its respective national interests. Henceforth, to the realists, state of anarchy makes it more difficult for any state to cooperate with one another. In pursuing this, states often find themselves at odd to build alliance(s) with other states, yet, without any solid assurances concerning full commitments of each member of these cooperative and/or non-cooperative situations. There are a number of theories to explain that, widely stemming from the sense of insecurity to creating absolute gains (neo-liberal tradition) to building a complex of security identity (as proposed by a more recent constructivist tradition of international relations). Robert Jervis (1978) posed a valid question of why states would cooperate, provided that anarchy and the security dilemma make cooperation seemingly impossible. In other words, presumably, there must be some mechanisms which would allow states to bind themselves (and other members of the alliance) not to defect, or a mechanism by which to detect defection at the earliest possible stage, which enable an appropriate early response.[6] In so doing, states often find themselves under a dilemma—security dilemma. Despite of the many definitions and understanding on what constitute security dilemma, the essence of the dilemma is that â€Å"security seeking states more often than not get too much and too little, by assuming military posture that resembles that of an aggressor, which in turn causes states to assume the worst, and these attempts to increase security are consequently self-defeating.†[7] The more a state increases its security, the more it is likely for other state(s) to become insecure. In order to understand the situation under which security policies and strategies are formulated and thus executed, Jervis examines the conflicting situations by providing two basic models for situations of tension and conflict, based on the intentions of the adversary: spiral and deterrence. In the spiral model, intentions of both actors are objectively benign, whereas in the deterrence model, intentions of the adversary are malign.[8] Furthermore, in his deterrence model, Jervis (1976) ‘introduces a concept of malign power-seeking adversary, whereby actors in this situation are pursuing incompatible goals thus, making the strategy of deterrence the best possible option. In contrast, in the spiral model—often referred to as the true or ‘purest security dilemma situation, both actors are security-seekers, thus their interests are compatible.'[9] Yet, as analyzed by Andrej Nosko (2005), ‘the problem remains the inability of actors to distinguish which game they are playing, and what are the intentions of their adversaries.'[10] Although, according to Jervis it may not be possible to overcome the dilemma completely, it still may be possible to ‘break out of the security dilemma.'[11] He therefore suggests two major solutions to overcome the situation: Firstly, ‘to check the cognitive processes, when the adversarys intention is being perceived, so that the adversary is understood correctly. His second suggestion is ‘to employ specific military posture consisting of procurement of weapons that are useful for deterrence without simultaneously being as effective for aggression.'[12] Those practical suggestions form a powerful tool of analysis in what is referred to as ‘offense-defense balance variables, which are significant extension to the security dilemma further expanded by Jervis (and also by Glaser and Kaufmann, among others), as shown in the matrix below.[13] Source: , Strategy, Security Dilemma, and the Offense-Defense Balance, lecture material, accessed from http://ocw.tufts.edu/data/58/726832.pdf. In regard with the logic of nuclear weapons capability, it surely remain unclear whether or not the nuclear warheads installed in various Inter-Continental or Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs/SLBMs) constitute offensive or defensive, since the defense against ICBMs is ICBMs (deterrence) and SLBMs, on the other hand, are less accurate hence defensive. Therefore, security dilemma can be removed accordingly through the significant reduction of the number of nuclear warheads. As actors are striving to attain security while they are driven to acquire more and more power in order to escape the impact of the power of others, thus the intentions and motives of the actors are important primarily for any realists. In the U.S. case, while intentions for major reduction in its nuclear capability seemed to be imminent, yet, one looming question is whether other ‘adversarial nuclear weapons states such as North Korea would immediately follow the suit to reduce or eliminate its nuclear capabilities. Critics and pessimists were quick to answer that such a possibility for others to bandwagon and support the U.S. initiatives are too far-fetched, for a number of reasons such as the national aspiration to obtain nuclear capabilities, sense of insecurity, and the need to â€Å"hedge† its national security from possible nuclear outbreak in the future as part and parcel of their national threat perception. At this point, it is important to add other major concepts in the study of security from the lenses of (neo-)realism, as presented by Waltz (in his systemic self-help and survival theories) or Buzan in his concepts of threats and vulnerability. The links of these various concepts are quite clear: within a convoluted and uncertain international environment, it is postulated that ‘the mere uncertainty of international life creates a threatening environment for a state.'[14] While threats are normally coming from outside the country, vulnerabilities are, on the other, internal in nature, which demonstrate a ‘deficiency in the capability of a state to manage its security affairs.'[15] As argued further by Buzan, vulnerability can be reduced primarily by increasing self-reliance, or by countervailing forces to deal with specific threats.[16] Hypothetically speaking, obtaining or maintaining the level of nuclear warheads to hedge its security interests vis-a-vis other states is a ‘double-edged sword that can be used to minimize both threats and reduce vulnerability at the same time. The theoretical approach of this study suggests that there is a strong interlink between domestic/national considerations (i.e. political alignments in domestic politics and other domestic factors) on what constitute national vulnerability (which may derived from different sources of insecurity, widely stemming from economic, political, as well as the level of military capability relative to others, and vice versa) and threatening international system and environment (including not only the emerging and continued threats from its adversaries, but also the uncertainty of international regimes). This, for instance, has been quite evident in the case of Post-9/11 U.S. security policy in which strong bipartisanship on the Hill on what constitute major threat to security and how it should be overcome was built. Arguably, political dynamics will always affect a decision made by the Executive, and even more so in the national security domain. And a policy maker would eventually take all the se into his or her consideration. Presumably, President Obamas decision on the steep reduction—even elimination of nuclear warheads—was the result of these various considerations e.g. shared concerns amongst the elites over the possible illegal and illicit spread of nuclear warheads. III. Relative Peace amidst Constant Threats of Nuclear Annihilation: Deterrence, Negotiations, and Idiosyncrasy Indeed, in reality, questions and discourses surrounding nuclear weapons and its delivery systems remain as elusive and fascinating as ever, both in its theoretical and practical terms. One of the difficult puzzles that the epistemic community of international relations and strategic studies has been trying to understand and explain is the fact that despite its imminent threats of destruction within the context of intense Cold War, no single nuclear weapon has been used since Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. While this is surely a surprising, yet, welcomed situation, especially amongst non-nuclear weapons states, yet, it does not mean that the world is totally free from the fear and threats of global destruction caused by nuclear war. Arguably, this relative peaceful situation can be understood at least through three different prisms: first, the role of deterrence; second, diplomatic measures and negotiations; and, third, idiosyncrasy. Deterrence. In essence, a number of scholars and practitioners are convinced that nuclear capability has been playing an important role in deterring (external) threats.[17] Furthermore, nuclear deterrence provides strategic blanket in three specific terms: first, protection against attacks with nuclear weapons; second, protection against attacks with conventional forces; and, third, indefinable additional diplomatic clout.[18] Theoretically, some analysts of international relations and strategic studies believe that the relative peace is attainable mostly through effective deterrence, coercion, and all its derivative concepts such as Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) and Balance of Terror.[19] In his robust argument, Robert Jervis (1989) reiterated ‘the significance of the theory of the nuclear revolution: in a world of mutual second-strike nuclear capability (where an adversarys first strike cannot prevent a states retaliation), military victory in a total war is impossible.'[20] The handling of strategic nuclear weapons policy is also not without any idealistic consideration. In the hands of policy handlers, apart from the need to deter, another major consideration surrounding strategic nuclear policy is the moral and ethical dilemma that entail. For the US as a major nuclear weapons state, for instance, the dilemma is aptly captured by Robert E. Osgood (1988), who clearly stated the following: In the period since World War II, the United States has encountered moral and strategic issues concerning the management of force in peacetime that are unique in its historical experience and novel in the history of international politics. At the core of these issues lies a dilemma—namely, the moral (as well as ethical) and strategic predicament of being unable to pursue one course of action without incurring the disadvantage of another. It arises from the dependence of military security on nuclear weapons. This nuclear dilemma lurks in the background of every major military strategic choice and suffuses all major strategic debates. The history of US strategic thought can be largely be comprehended as the story of how Americans have tried to cope with this dilemma by rejecting, abolishing, or mitigating it.[21] Furthermore, he continued by defining precisely the dilemma the US (as arguably other nuclear weapons states) is facing in regard with its nuclear arsenal depository, as follows: The nuclear dilemma is simply an expression of the momentous fact that the security and peace of the United States and its major allies depend heavily on the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons, and on the fact that this deterrent, if used, would very probably lead to self-defeating destruction and, possibly, an ecological catastrophe for much of civilization.[22] In his critical analysis, Wilson (2008) however seriously questioned the role of deterrence in preventing the outbreak of nuclear war. His arguments rest on the assumption that the policy makers have so far misunderstood the true concept of deterrence. He maintained that that the logics of nuclear deterrence, as widely perceived by the policy-makers, were unwarranted simply because they either built on a fallacy of assumptions or were based on disproven facts.[23] Countering Kissingers arguments that nuclear attacks would likely to happen on major populous cities, as happened on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Wilson asserted that there has been no single solid evidence on the intention of the former USSR to attack U.S. major cities even at the height of nuclear tension during the Cold War. As he argued further, An examination of the practical record of nuclear deterrence shows doubtful successes and proven failures. If the conventional wisdom is wrong—if nuclear weapons might not deter nuclear attacks, do not deter conventional attacks, and do not reliably provide diplomatic leverage—then the case for disarmament, nonproliferation and banning nuclear weapons is immeasurably strengthened.[24] In the post 9/11 tragedy, the nature and logic of asymmetric wars has added more complexity to the already difficult policy options.[25] Fear from the possibility of illicit transfer and/or nuclear acquisitions by the so-called ‘terrorist groups, it is very clear that the US and its allies have been undertaking all possible diplomatic initiatives and even military actions to deny these groups access to any nuclear materials.[26] Negotiations and Diplomatic Measure. It is also worth to mention the role of diplomacy and diplomatic efforts in ensuring countries do not resort to their nuclear arsenal to settle whatever disputes they may have with one another. In this regard, the role of negotiators in ensuring the commitments and compliance of all states—both nuclear and non-nuclear ones—to international code of conducts and norms of non-proliferation is also significant. To date, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) remains at the very helm of global endeavor to keep the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and at the same time, restraining states from diverting its peaceful nuclear program towards provocative and militaristic uses. Corollary to this is the most authoritative nuclear weapons non-proliferation regime—the NPT- which was concluded in 1968 and has entered into force since 5 March 1974. Consisting of a Preamble and 11 articles,[27] more often than not that the treaty is widely interpreted as â€Å"a three pillar system†, namely: non-proliferation; disarmament ; and the right to peacefully use nuclear technology. [28] In operation, a safeguards system to verify compliance with the NPT is established under the auspices of the IAEA one of which is conducted through site inspections. As outlined in the Treaty, NPT seeks to promote cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear technology, including the use of nuclear energy and equal access to this technology for all States parties, and provide safeguards that prevent the diversion of fissile material for the development of nuclear weapons.[29] Idiosyncrasy. In contrast with the above analysis on the role of deterrence and diplomatic measures, a more recent study by Nina Tannenwald (2007) revealed a striking fact concerning the idiosyncratic factor of U.S. leaders regarding the use of nuclear weapons. Drawing on newly released archival sources, Tannenwald was able to dispute the widely accepted theory of deterrence as primary inhibitor to an open and global-scale nuclear war. Instead, she was in favor of what she calls a nuclear taboo, a widespread inhibition on using nuclear arsenals—which has arguably arisen in global politics. By analyzing four critical instances of wars where U.S. leaders considered using nuclear weapons (namely Japan 1945, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War 1991), Tannenwald produced a rich and convincing explanation on how the nuclear taboo has successfully helped prevent the U.S. and other world leaders from resorting to these ultimate weapons of mass-destruction. [30] In other words, Tannenwald believed that there has been some moral ingredient within the policy makers in regard with the use of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, from the leadership perspective and beliefs, Jacques E.C. Hymans (2006) convincingly demonstrates that leaders do play significant role in achieving nuclear capabilities.[31] Based on his findings on contending interests of leaders in the attainment of nuclear capabilities, he suggests three possible responses: first, a stricter international non-proliferation regime—controlling supply-demand side; second, nuclear abolition, in which the nuclear weapons states make much ‘more serious efforts towards disarmament and ‘resist the temptation to threaten nuclear attacks against non-nuclear weapons states, as they promised to do in Article VI and again at the NPT Review Conference in 2000; and, third, preventive military action/intervention against regimes whose leaders harbor nuclear weapons ambitions.[32] Apparently, those three responses are in combination taking place in todays world politics and international security. Despite their differences in mode of operation, all three prescriptions above do tell us common assumption that: nuclear weapons are highly attractive to many states; that nuclear weapons tend to proliferate. As argued by Hymans, ‘the ultimate solution to the proliferation puzzle lies in some sort of fundamental change to the international system, be it sovereignty-crashing inspections, universal disarmament, or a wholesale revision on the laws of war.'[33]This entails the need to change the way international law operates, which so far is seen as rather ineffective to ensure compliance. As radical it may sound, yet, it is surely rather difficult to be implemented on the ground. IV. Recent Major Development: A Fresher Outlook of Multilateral Negotiation? As one of the key nuclear weapons states, The U.S. has sheer diplomatic and military clout over the future of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons at the global scale. In this regard, it is important to note that any debate concerning the future of the U.S. nuclear arsenal is strategically important and critical. This has been truer especially since the new Obama Administration has expressed its commitments to pursue a deep and steep cut in its nuclear force, and to launch a major review of U.S. nuclear policy, which will hopefully be submitted to the Congress in February 2010. With its 2,200 operational strategic warheads (while the overall U.S. force to date is merely a fraction of one-fourth of its size a decade ago), yet, it is more capable to destroy an adversarys nuclear weapons before they can be used. In the realm of nuclear disarmament negotiations, the weight the U.S. diplomacy can throw to the success or failure of the negotiations is also visible. This was clearly shown, for instance, in President Obamas success to round commitments from the P-5 countries during last UNSC Summit on NPT on 24 September 2009, which unanimously adopted UNSC Resolution 1887 (2009). Resolution 1887 itself spells out, inter-alia, the â€Å"calls upon States Parties to the NPT to comply fully with all their obligations and fulfil their commitments under the Treaty† as well as refrain themselves from nuclear test explosion and sign the CTBT, and also exercise stricter measures to sensitive materials†[34]—as means to avoid nuclear warheads from falling into the terrorist group. The expected band-wagonning effect of the U.S. commitments, especially on the part of non-nuclear weapons states that are parties to NPT, will be prominent, thus, making the study of the Obama Administrations nuclear policy becomes more critical in our attempts to understand the dynamics of nuclear disarmament multilateral negotiations. But, what is the real impact of President Obamas initiatives on the future nuclear disarmament multilateral negotiations? To begin with, the U.S.—like any other country, has its own strategic sense of security—and even vulnerability, as reflected in the contours of its proliferation policies of the past decade or so. Sense of Insecurity. The threat of terrorism is one that is getting more prominence since 9/11. But deep beneath its psyche, the U.S. Government(s) continue to assert the US nuclear strategy does not hinge any longer on being able to deter a single, comparably powerful, nuclear rival. It goes even further beyond that. For instance, the Bush administrations 2002 National Security Strategy embraced ‘pre-emptive attacks, against certain potential adversaries, rather than a strategy of deterrence, under the assumption that terrorist groups and even certain ‘rogue states cannot be deterred.'[35] Furthermore, the same Administration stated in its 2006 National Security Strategy that despite its recognition to address the issues of proliferation through diplomacy and in concert with its allies and partners, the ‘the place of pre-emption in our national security strategy remains the same.'[36] Departing from his predecessors position, in his illuminating speech in Prague, President Obama introduced a (new) calculus of US nuclear strategy. He outlined the intention of the U.S. to, among others, ‘aggressively pursue U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), ‘seek a new treaty that verifiably ends the production of fissile materials intended for use in state nuclear weapons as means to cut off the building blocks needed for a bomb, and ‘strengthen the NPT as basis for cooperation.'[37] He further shared some initiatives for international cooperation. These include the efforts to strengthen the treaty and to need put resources and authority to strengthen international inspections, as well as the need to build a new framework for civil nuclear cooperation including an international fuel bank. He also called for â€Å"real and immediate consequences† for countries caught breaking the rules or trying to leave the treaty without cause—referring to the North Korea and Iran specifically.[38] President Obamas promise to fulfill his ‘world-that-is-free-from-nuclear-weapons vision indeed sparked optimism. Analyst like Tom Sauer (2009) even predicts that â€Å"the nuclear weapon states may opt sooner for nuclear elimination than generally expected, due to five factors: first, the danger of nuclear proliferation; second, the risk of nuclear terrorism; third, the nuclear taboo—as outlined earlier; fourth, the technological advancement of missile defense against nuclear arsenals, which reduced the ‘shock and awe capability of nuclear weapons; fifth, the increased importance of international laws.[39] While the optimism seems to be warranted, yet, it might be too little too soon for us to conclude that the age of nuclear proliferation is practically over. President Obamas promise will face a number of hurdles, from within and outside the U.S. Nuclear Rivalries. It will be immediately tested this year when the US and Russia resume haggling on an arms reduction pact and again meet at the crucial UN nuclear arms conference in May. Whether or not the American and Russian negotiators could agree on a successor pact to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-1) to cut nuclear weapons would serve as the litmus test on the feasibility of President Obamas calls. START-1 was an initiative proposed by the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1982, and completed under the administrations of U.S. President George H. W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991. As stipulated by the treaty, each country could deploy no more than 6,000 nuclear warheads and 1,600 strategic delivery vehicles — the single largest bilateral reductions in history.†[40] The concerns—and indeed stakes are now getting much heightened particularly since both Washington and Moscow missed their deadline in December to agree to ‘a new arms control treaty, which would have cut the worlds two largest nuclear arsenals by up to a third, though they vowed to generally abide by the old one while continuing negotiations. The good news is that the overall outline of the new treaty is apparent. At a meeting in Moscow in July 2009, Presidents Obama and Dmitry Medvedev narrowed the range for a cap on warheads to between 1,500 and 1,675, down from about 2,200, which each side now has. They are also expected to lower the ceiling on delivery vehicles intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-based missiles and strategic bombers to below 800, from 1,600. [41] It is widely believed that ‘a successor to START-1 would help restore relations between Moscow and Washington, which recently sank to a post-Cold War low due to many political and diplomatic upheavals as shown in the rift between the two countries over problems in Chechnya, Russian attacks on Georgia in August 2008, and so forth. In that sense, the new treaty should become ‘another milestone in disarmament and non-proliferation, taking the interaction between the US and Russia to a higher level and reaffirming their common goal of promoting mutual as well as global security.'[42] While the US and Russia are now still grappling over a few key differences (e.g. verification procedures) in their respective position concerning the common policy of nuclear weapons/warheads reduction, there are no guarantees that talks would yield a provisional accord. More fundamentally, the problems between these two largest and most important nuclear weapon states are more deeply rooted. Some within the U.S. strategic elites, particularly from the â€Å"republican camp,† argued that U.S. policymakers need to critically examine Russias views on nuclear weapons and doctrine. While successive U.S. Administrations have announced that Russia is no longer the enemy, Russia still considers the United States its â€Å"principal adversary,† despite President Barack Obamas attempts to â€Å"reset† bilateral relations. U.S. national leadership and arms control negotiators need to understand Russias nuclear doctrine and negotiating style as they are, not as the U.S. wants them to be.[43] In addition, Russia is not the only nuclear rival that the U.S. is facing. In the longer term, China, as dubbed by many analysts and observers, is likely to pose serious â€Å"challenges† to the status of the U.S. as the worlds dominant hyper-power. The rise of China as prominent nuclear power would eventually Dynamics of Nuclear Disarmament Multilateral Negotiations Dynamics of Nuclear Disarmament Multilateral Negotiations I. Introduction In 1957, Henry Kissinger aptly wrote that ‘ever since the end of the Second World War brought us not the peace we sought so earnestly, but an uneasy armistice, we have responded by what can best be described as a flight into technology: by devising ever more fearful weapons. The more powerful the weapons, however, the greater become the reluctance to use them. [1] He referred to the nuclear weapons as a powerful device that deters superpowers from major conflicts. His vision proved to be true, albeit difficult process of negotiations on nuclear disarmament throughout the Cold War period and beyond. Henceforth, common reluctance to use these deadly arsenals does not necessarily stop powerful states from acquiring them up to a certain deterrent level. Instead, nuclear weapons are even proliferated and technically perfected, and this, in my view, is the most striking dilemma and serves as the paradox of nuclear weapons. The year 2010 will be a very critical year for multilateral negotiation and talks on nuclear arms control and nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), [2] since the future of NPT and the progress and implementation of each of its article will be assessed through its five-yearly Review mechanism.[3] In particular, what it makes more crucial and fascinating is the promise made by US President Barack Obama on potential reduction of nuclear weapons. In his policy statement delivered in Prague, April 5th, 2009, President Barack Obama has made it very clear that he envisioned ‘a world that is free from nuclear weapons.'[4] Five months later, pouring all influence, persuasion and personal charms, President Obama chaired a meeting of the UN Security Council, which unanimously supported his vision. President Obamas initiative and political will his administration is willing to invest to build a critical mass and new thrust needed to move the troubled NPT in the next Review Conference in 2010. Yet, one must be well aware that reviving the NPT requires more than just rhetoric. One of the main articles of NPT, Article VI, clearly stipulates that the nuclear weapons states parties to the Treaty are under obligation to negotiate in good faith a nuclear weapons disarmament treaty under strict and effective international control at the earliest possible date.[5] Unfortunately, the sole multilateral negotiating forum entrusted to negotiate nuclear disarmament treaty, the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, has failed to start the negotiations ever since it managed to conclude painstakingly the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). At this point, one important question to ask is whether or not the international community should see President Obamas recent drive to revive the negotiation of the reduction of US Russia nuclear arsenals as an integral part of this long-term vision—a world that is free of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, what strategy are now being devised to ensure the success of negotiation on both bilateral and more importantly multilateral fronts, provided that attempts to any reduction—particularly as dramatic and steep as it was contained in recent Obamas initiative—will encounter serious hurdles and challenges. It therefore surely remains to be seen whether this bilateral negotiation is driven by President Obamas long-term vision to totally get rid of these weapons of mass-destruction or by other ulterior motives. As mandated by Article VI of the NPT, negotiations on nuclear disarmament should be conducted multilaterally. Besides, if nuclear weapons were fought the whole world would suffer. It is therefore unfair to sideline the non-nuclear-weapons possessing states in the negotiation. The study therefore discusses the dynamics of nuclear disarmament proliferation treaty, by analyzing the policy of the U.S.—as one of the major nuclear weapon states (NWS)—on nuclear proliferation, and its interaction towards other nuclear states. It tries to answer one key question: ‘Why are the nuclear-weapons-possessing states, as parties to the NPT, so reluctant to negotiate a comprehensive nuclear weapons disarmament treaty under strict and effective international control? As the study carries the task to provide a clear understanding on the hesitation of nuclear weapon states in negotiating a comprehensive disarmament, it is therefore considered important for us to look at the theoretical as well as policy contexts. Hence, discussion presented in the study is threefold, namely: (1) the conceptual framework and theoretical foundations; (2) policy development surrounding nuclear disarmament; and; (3) the recent dynamics of NPT in conjunction with the attitude of the U.S. as one of the major nuclear weapons states. II. Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Foundations: Imagining Security, Survival and National Interests This study argues that the nuclear weapons states are so reluctant to negotiate the treaty for they firmly believed that their security and indeed existence (survival) critically hinges upon these weapons of mass-destruction, retaining and perfecting them thereby are mandatory. That above argument also underpins the departing point of our journey to understand the extent to which sense of insecurity and need for survival reinforce nuclear weapons states reluctance to conduct nuclear disarmament negotiations. The concepts of security and survival are essentially parts of the national interests of any state, including the nuclear weapon states. The two key concepts along with its national interest maximization are also core concepts of realism in the study of international relations. Under the logic and circumstances of anarchy, states are assumed to always rely on its own capability for survival. It is therefore a self-help system of international relations within which states and nations are living. Furthermore, a state, especially the smaller or less-powerful one, does have limited options or strategies for its survival. In a rather simplistic illustration, states can either compete or cooperate in advancing its respective national interests. Henceforth, to the realists, state of anarchy makes it more difficult for any state to cooperate with one another. In pursuing this, states often find themselves at odd to build alliance(s) with other states, yet, without any solid assurances concerning full commitments of each member of these cooperative and/or non-cooperative situations. There are a number of theories to explain that, widely stemming from the sense of insecurity to creating absolute gains (neo-liberal tradition) to building a complex of security identity (as proposed by a more recent constructivist tradition of international relations). Robert Jervis (1978) posed a valid question of why states would cooperate, provided that anarchy and the security dilemma make cooperation seemingly impossible. In other words, presumably, there must be some mechanisms which would allow states to bind themselves (and other members of the alliance) not to defect, or a mechanism by which to detect defection at the earliest possible stage, which enable an appropriate early response.[6] In so doing, states often find themselves under a dilemma—security dilemma. Despite of the many definitions and understanding on what constitute security dilemma, the essence of the dilemma is that â€Å"security seeking states more often than not get too much and too little, by assuming military posture that resembles that of an aggressor, which in turn causes states to assume the worst, and these attempts to increase security are consequently self-defeating.†[7] The more a state increases its security, the more it is likely for other state(s) to become insecure. In order to understand the situation under which security policies and strategies are formulated and thus executed, Jervis examines the conflicting situations by providing two basic models for situations of tension and conflict, based on the intentions of the adversary: spiral and deterrence. In the spiral model, intentions of both actors are objectively benign, whereas in the deterrence model, intentions of the adversary are malign.[8] Furthermore, in his deterrence model, Jervis (1976) ‘introduces a concept of malign power-seeking adversary, whereby actors in this situation are pursuing incompatible goals thus, making the strategy of deterrence the best possible option. In contrast, in the spiral model—often referred to as the true or ‘purest security dilemma situation, both actors are security-seekers, thus their interests are compatible.'[9] Yet, as analyzed by Andrej Nosko (2005), ‘the problem remains the inability of actors to distinguish which game they are playing, and what are the intentions of their adversaries.'[10] Although, according to Jervis it may not be possible to overcome the dilemma completely, it still may be possible to ‘break out of the security dilemma.'[11] He therefore suggests two major solutions to overcome the situation: Firstly, ‘to check the cognitive processes, when the adversarys intention is being perceived, so that the adversary is understood correctly. His second suggestion is ‘to employ specific military posture consisting of procurement of weapons that are useful for deterrence without simultaneously being as effective for aggression.'[12] Those practical suggestions form a powerful tool of analysis in what is referred to as ‘offense-defense balance variables, which are significant extension to the security dilemma further expanded by Jervis (and also by Glaser and Kaufmann, among others), as shown in the matrix below.[13] Source: , Strategy, Security Dilemma, and the Offense-Defense Balance, lecture material, accessed from http://ocw.tufts.edu/data/58/726832.pdf. In regard with the logic of nuclear weapons capability, it surely remain unclear whether or not the nuclear warheads installed in various Inter-Continental or Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs/SLBMs) constitute offensive or defensive, since the defense against ICBMs is ICBMs (deterrence) and SLBMs, on the other hand, are less accurate hence defensive. Therefore, security dilemma can be removed accordingly through the significant reduction of the number of nuclear warheads. As actors are striving to attain security while they are driven to acquire more and more power in order to escape the impact of the power of others, thus the intentions and motives of the actors are important primarily for any realists. In the U.S. case, while intentions for major reduction in its nuclear capability seemed to be imminent, yet, one looming question is whether other ‘adversarial nuclear weapons states such as North Korea would immediately follow the suit to reduce or eliminate its nuclear capabilities. Critics and pessimists were quick to answer that such a possibility for others to bandwagon and support the U.S. initiatives are too far-fetched, for a number of reasons such as the national aspiration to obtain nuclear capabilities, sense of insecurity, and the need to â€Å"hedge† its national security from possible nuclear outbreak in the future as part and parcel of their national threat perception. At this point, it is important to add other major concepts in the study of security from the lenses of (neo-)realism, as presented by Waltz (in his systemic self-help and survival theories) or Buzan in his concepts of threats and vulnerability. The links of these various concepts are quite clear: within a convoluted and uncertain international environment, it is postulated that ‘the mere uncertainty of international life creates a threatening environment for a state.'[14] While threats are normally coming from outside the country, vulnerabilities are, on the other, internal in nature, which demonstrate a ‘deficiency in the capability of a state to manage its security affairs.'[15] As argued further by Buzan, vulnerability can be reduced primarily by increasing self-reliance, or by countervailing forces to deal with specific threats.[16] Hypothetically speaking, obtaining or maintaining the level of nuclear warheads to hedge its security interests vis-a-vis other states is a ‘double-edged sword that can be used to minimize both threats and reduce vulnerability at the same time. The theoretical approach of this study suggests that there is a strong interlink between domestic/national considerations (i.e. political alignments in domestic politics and other domestic factors) on what constitute national vulnerability (which may derived from different sources of insecurity, widely stemming from economic, political, as well as the level of military capability relative to others, and vice versa) and threatening international system and environment (including not only the emerging and continued threats from its adversaries, but also the uncertainty of international regimes). This, for instance, has been quite evident in the case of Post-9/11 U.S. security policy in which strong bipartisanship on the Hill on what constitute major threat to security and how it should be overcome was built. Arguably, political dynamics will always affect a decision made by the Executive, and even more so in the national security domain. And a policy maker would eventually take all the se into his or her consideration. Presumably, President Obamas decision on the steep reduction—even elimination of nuclear warheads—was the result of these various considerations e.g. shared concerns amongst the elites over the possible illegal and illicit spread of nuclear warheads. III. Relative Peace amidst Constant Threats of Nuclear Annihilation: Deterrence, Negotiations, and Idiosyncrasy Indeed, in reality, questions and discourses surrounding nuclear weapons and its delivery systems remain as elusive and fascinating as ever, both in its theoretical and practical terms. One of the difficult puzzles that the epistemic community of international relations and strategic studies has been trying to understand and explain is the fact that despite its imminent threats of destruction within the context of intense Cold War, no single nuclear weapon has been used since Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. While this is surely a surprising, yet, welcomed situation, especially amongst non-nuclear weapons states, yet, it does not mean that the world is totally free from the fear and threats of global destruction caused by nuclear war. Arguably, this relative peaceful situation can be understood at least through three different prisms: first, the role of deterrence; second, diplomatic measures and negotiations; and, third, idiosyncrasy. Deterrence. In essence, a number of scholars and practitioners are convinced that nuclear capability has been playing an important role in deterring (external) threats.[17] Furthermore, nuclear deterrence provides strategic blanket in three specific terms: first, protection against attacks with nuclear weapons; second, protection against attacks with conventional forces; and, third, indefinable additional diplomatic clout.[18] Theoretically, some analysts of international relations and strategic studies believe that the relative peace is attainable mostly through effective deterrence, coercion, and all its derivative concepts such as Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) and Balance of Terror.[19] In his robust argument, Robert Jervis (1989) reiterated ‘the significance of the theory of the nuclear revolution: in a world of mutual second-strike nuclear capability (where an adversarys first strike cannot prevent a states retaliation), military victory in a total war is impossible.'[20] The handling of strategic nuclear weapons policy is also not without any idealistic consideration. In the hands of policy handlers, apart from the need to deter, another major consideration surrounding strategic nuclear policy is the moral and ethical dilemma that entail. For the US as a major nuclear weapons state, for instance, the dilemma is aptly captured by Robert E. Osgood (1988), who clearly stated the following: In the period since World War II, the United States has encountered moral and strategic issues concerning the management of force in peacetime that are unique in its historical experience and novel in the history of international politics. At the core of these issues lies a dilemma—namely, the moral (as well as ethical) and strategic predicament of being unable to pursue one course of action without incurring the disadvantage of another. It arises from the dependence of military security on nuclear weapons. This nuclear dilemma lurks in the background of every major military strategic choice and suffuses all major strategic debates. The history of US strategic thought can be largely be comprehended as the story of how Americans have tried to cope with this dilemma by rejecting, abolishing, or mitigating it.[21] Furthermore, he continued by defining precisely the dilemma the US (as arguably other nuclear weapons states) is facing in regard with its nuclear arsenal depository, as follows: The nuclear dilemma is simply an expression of the momentous fact that the security and peace of the United States and its major allies depend heavily on the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons, and on the fact that this deterrent, if used, would very probably lead to self-defeating destruction and, possibly, an ecological catastrophe for much of civilization.[22] In his critical analysis, Wilson (2008) however seriously questioned the role of deterrence in preventing the outbreak of nuclear war. His arguments rest on the assumption that the policy makers have so far misunderstood the true concept of deterrence. He maintained that that the logics of nuclear deterrence, as widely perceived by the policy-makers, were unwarranted simply because they either built on a fallacy of assumptions or were based on disproven facts.[23] Countering Kissingers arguments that nuclear attacks would likely to happen on major populous cities, as happened on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Wilson asserted that there has been no single solid evidence on the intention of the former USSR to attack U.S. major cities even at the height of nuclear tension during the Cold War. As he argued further, An examination of the practical record of nuclear deterrence shows doubtful successes and proven failures. If the conventional wisdom is wrong—if nuclear weapons might not deter nuclear attacks, do not deter conventional attacks, and do not reliably provide diplomatic leverage—then the case for disarmament, nonproliferation and banning nuclear weapons is immeasurably strengthened.[24] In the post 9/11 tragedy, the nature and logic of asymmetric wars has added more complexity to the already difficult policy options.[25] Fear from the possibility of illicit transfer and/or nuclear acquisitions by the so-called ‘terrorist groups, it is very clear that the US and its allies have been undertaking all possible diplomatic initiatives and even military actions to deny these groups access to any nuclear materials.[26] Negotiations and Diplomatic Measure. It is also worth to mention the role of diplomacy and diplomatic efforts in ensuring countries do not resort to their nuclear arsenal to settle whatever disputes they may have with one another. In this regard, the role of negotiators in ensuring the commitments and compliance of all states—both nuclear and non-nuclear ones—to international code of conducts and norms of non-proliferation is also significant. To date, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) remains at the very helm of global endeavor to keep the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and at the same time, restraining states from diverting its peaceful nuclear program towards provocative and militaristic uses. Corollary to this is the most authoritative nuclear weapons non-proliferation regime—the NPT- which was concluded in 1968 and has entered into force since 5 March 1974. Consisting of a Preamble and 11 articles,[27] more often than not that the treaty is widely interpreted as â€Å"a three pillar system†, namely: non-proliferation; disarmament ; and the right to peacefully use nuclear technology. [28] In operation, a safeguards system to verify compliance with the NPT is established under the auspices of the IAEA one of which is conducted through site inspections. As outlined in the Treaty, NPT seeks to promote cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear technology, including the use of nuclear energy and equal access to this technology for all States parties, and provide safeguards that prevent the diversion of fissile material for the development of nuclear weapons.[29] Idiosyncrasy. In contrast with the above analysis on the role of deterrence and diplomatic measures, a more recent study by Nina Tannenwald (2007) revealed a striking fact concerning the idiosyncratic factor of U.S. leaders regarding the use of nuclear weapons. Drawing on newly released archival sources, Tannenwald was able to dispute the widely accepted theory of deterrence as primary inhibitor to an open and global-scale nuclear war. Instead, she was in favor of what she calls a nuclear taboo, a widespread inhibition on using nuclear arsenals—which has arguably arisen in global politics. By analyzing four critical instances of wars where U.S. leaders considered using nuclear weapons (namely Japan 1945, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War 1991), Tannenwald produced a rich and convincing explanation on how the nuclear taboo has successfully helped prevent the U.S. and other world leaders from resorting to these ultimate weapons of mass-destruction. [30] In other words, Tannenwald believed that there has been some moral ingredient within the policy makers in regard with the use of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, from the leadership perspective and beliefs, Jacques E.C. Hymans (2006) convincingly demonstrates that leaders do play significant role in achieving nuclear capabilities.[31] Based on his findings on contending interests of leaders in the attainment of nuclear capabilities, he suggests three possible responses: first, a stricter international non-proliferation regime—controlling supply-demand side; second, nuclear abolition, in which the nuclear weapons states make much ‘more serious efforts towards disarmament and ‘resist the temptation to threaten nuclear attacks against non-nuclear weapons states, as they promised to do in Article VI and again at the NPT Review Conference in 2000; and, third, preventive military action/intervention against regimes whose leaders harbor nuclear weapons ambitions.[32] Apparently, those three responses are in combination taking place in todays world politics and international security. Despite their differences in mode of operation, all three prescriptions above do tell us common assumption that: nuclear weapons are highly attractive to many states; that nuclear weapons tend to proliferate. As argued by Hymans, ‘the ultimate solution to the proliferation puzzle lies in some sort of fundamental change to the international system, be it sovereignty-crashing inspections, universal disarmament, or a wholesale revision on the laws of war.'[33]This entails the need to change the way international law operates, which so far is seen as rather ineffective to ensure compliance. As radical it may sound, yet, it is surely rather difficult to be implemented on the ground. IV. Recent Major Development: A Fresher Outlook of Multilateral Negotiation? As one of the key nuclear weapons states, The U.S. has sheer diplomatic and military clout over the future of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons at the global scale. In this regard, it is important to note that any debate concerning the future of the U.S. nuclear arsenal is strategically important and critical. This has been truer especially since the new Obama Administration has expressed its commitments to pursue a deep and steep cut in its nuclear force, and to launch a major review of U.S. nuclear policy, which will hopefully be submitted to the Congress in February 2010. With its 2,200 operational strategic warheads (while the overall U.S. force to date is merely a fraction of one-fourth of its size a decade ago), yet, it is more capable to destroy an adversarys nuclear weapons before they can be used. In the realm of nuclear disarmament negotiations, the weight the U.S. diplomacy can throw to the success or failure of the negotiations is also visible. This was clearly shown, for instance, in President Obamas success to round commitments from the P-5 countries during last UNSC Summit on NPT on 24 September 2009, which unanimously adopted UNSC Resolution 1887 (2009). Resolution 1887 itself spells out, inter-alia, the â€Å"calls upon States Parties to the NPT to comply fully with all their obligations and fulfil their commitments under the Treaty† as well as refrain themselves from nuclear test explosion and sign the CTBT, and also exercise stricter measures to sensitive materials†[34]—as means to avoid nuclear warheads from falling into the terrorist group. The expected band-wagonning effect of the U.S. commitments, especially on the part of non-nuclear weapons states that are parties to NPT, will be prominent, thus, making the study of the Obama Administrations nuclear policy becomes more critical in our attempts to understand the dynamics of nuclear disarmament multilateral negotiations. But, what is the real impact of President Obamas initiatives on the future nuclear disarmament multilateral negotiations? To begin with, the U.S.—like any other country, has its own strategic sense of security—and even vulnerability, as reflected in the contours of its proliferation policies of the past decade or so. Sense of Insecurity. The threat of terrorism is one that is getting more prominence since 9/11. But deep beneath its psyche, the U.S. Government(s) continue to assert the US nuclear strategy does not hinge any longer on being able to deter a single, comparably powerful, nuclear rival. It goes even further beyond that. For instance, the Bush administrations 2002 National Security Strategy embraced ‘pre-emptive attacks, against certain potential adversaries, rather than a strategy of deterrence, under the assumption that terrorist groups and even certain ‘rogue states cannot be deterred.'[35] Furthermore, the same Administration stated in its 2006 National Security Strategy that despite its recognition to address the issues of proliferation through diplomacy and in concert with its allies and partners, the ‘the place of pre-emption in our national security strategy remains the same.'[36] Departing from his predecessors position, in his illuminating speech in Prague, President Obama introduced a (new) calculus of US nuclear strategy. He outlined the intention of the U.S. to, among others, ‘aggressively pursue U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), ‘seek a new treaty that verifiably ends the production of fissile materials intended for use in state nuclear weapons as means to cut off the building blocks needed for a bomb, and ‘strengthen the NPT as basis for cooperation.'[37] He further shared some initiatives for international cooperation. These include the efforts to strengthen the treaty and to need put resources and authority to strengthen international inspections, as well as the need to build a new framework for civil nuclear cooperation including an international fuel bank. He also called for â€Å"real and immediate consequences† for countries caught breaking the rules or trying to leave the treaty without cause—referring to the North Korea and Iran specifically.[38] President Obamas promise to fulfill his ‘world-that-is-free-from-nuclear-weapons vision indeed sparked optimism. Analyst like Tom Sauer (2009) even predicts that â€Å"the nuclear weapon states may opt sooner for nuclear elimination than generally expected, due to five factors: first, the danger of nuclear proliferation; second, the risk of nuclear terrorism; third, the nuclear taboo—as outlined earlier; fourth, the technological advancement of missile defense against nuclear arsenals, which reduced the ‘shock and awe capability of nuclear weapons; fifth, the increased importance of international laws.[39] While the optimism seems to be warranted, yet, it might be too little too soon for us to conclude that the age of nuclear proliferation is practically over. President Obamas promise will face a number of hurdles, from within and outside the U.S. Nuclear Rivalries. It will be immediately tested this year when the US and Russia resume haggling on an arms reduction pact and again meet at the crucial UN nuclear arms conference in May. Whether or not the American and Russian negotiators could agree on a successor pact to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-1) to cut nuclear weapons would serve as the litmus test on the feasibility of President Obamas calls. START-1 was an initiative proposed by the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1982, and completed under the administrations of U.S. President George H. W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991. As stipulated by the treaty, each country could deploy no more than 6,000 nuclear warheads and 1,600 strategic delivery vehicles — the single largest bilateral reductions in history.†[40] The concerns—and indeed stakes are now getting much heightened particularly since both Washington and Moscow missed their deadline in December to agree to ‘a new arms control treaty, which would have cut the worlds two largest nuclear arsenals by up to a third, though they vowed to generally abide by the old one while continuing negotiations. The good news is that the overall outline of the new treaty is apparent. At a meeting in Moscow in July 2009, Presidents Obama and Dmitry Medvedev narrowed the range for a cap on warheads to between 1,500 and 1,675, down from about 2,200, which each side now has. They are also expected to lower the ceiling on delivery vehicles intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-based missiles and strategic bombers to below 800, from 1,600. [41] It is widely believed that ‘a successor to START-1 would help restore relations between Moscow and Washington, which recently sank to a post-Cold War low due to many political and diplomatic upheavals as shown in the rift between the two countries over problems in Chechnya, Russian attacks on Georgia in August 2008, and so forth. In that sense, the new treaty should become ‘another milestone in disarmament and non-proliferation, taking the interaction between the US and Russia to a higher level and reaffirming their common goal of promoting mutual as well as global security.'[42] While the US and Russia are now still grappling over a few key differences (e.g. verification procedures) in their respective position concerning the common policy of nuclear weapons/warheads reduction, there are no guarantees that talks would yield a provisional accord. More fundamentally, the problems between these two largest and most important nuclear weapon states are more deeply rooted. Some within the U.S. strategic elites, particularly from the â€Å"republican camp,† argued that U.S. policymakers need to critically examine Russias views on nuclear weapons and doctrine. While successive U.S. Administrations have announced that Russia is no longer the enemy, Russia still considers the United States its â€Å"principal adversary,† despite President Barack Obamas attempts to â€Å"reset† bilateral relations. U.S. national leadership and arms control negotiators need to understand Russias nuclear doctrine and negotiating style as they are, not as the U.S. wants them to be.[43] In addition, Russia is not the only nuclear rival that the U.S. is facing. In the longer term, China, as dubbed by many analysts and observers, is likely to pose serious â€Å"challenges† to the status of the U.S. as the worlds dominant hyper-power. The rise of China as prominent nuclear power would eventually