The United Nations Global Compact platform Essay Example for Free

The United Nations Global Compact platform Essay The United Nations Global Compact platform has ten principles of which three are environmental principles. This submission describes lessons learnt from businesses practices by Honda Motors, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi companies that can be used to achieve compliance of two of the environmental principles. The two principles are (a) promoting greater environmental responsibility, which the eighth principle and (b) development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies, which is the ninth principle (UN Global Compact and Duke University, 2010; 11). Promoting Greater Environmental Responsibility This principle intends to help companies to adhere to a more environmental consciousness. Despite Honda not being a member of the of the United Nations Global Compact initiative, it has established different platforms within the company to ensure that it is promoting greater environmental responsibility. It does this through its Honda’s Global Compact Platform and Earth Dreams Technology (Honda, 2014a). The company has established environmental e-learning campaigns aimed at educating the public about different ways of preserving the environment. Likewise, Hitachi has established environmental management strategies and initiatives that are aimed at improving its environmental impact. In addition, the company is involved in ecosystem preservation initiatives aimed at educating the public about the different ways of preserving the environment. It also encourages customers to buy products that are manufactured using eco-friendly procedures. An analysis of Mitsubishi Company reveals that the company promotes greater environmental responsibility by investing in eco-friendly designs and processes. In addition, just like Honda and Hitachi, it offers information about preservation of the environment to the public (Mitsubishi 2014). Development and Diffusion of Environmentally Friendly Technologies Honda Motors Ltd is at the forefront in developing new technologies that seek to ensure environmental preservation. It has development motor vehicle engines that consume less fuel through its hybrid technology. Further, the company has produced such cars as Honda Jazz which is efficient and environmental friendly. The company has also produced hybrid engines that use electricity as well as gasoline hence reducing gasoline consumption (Honda, 2014a). Hitachi is also developing efficient engines and cars. However in addition to such efforts, the company as a UN Global Compact member ensures that environmentally friendly policies are kept within the company. It has numerous products that are environmentally friendly and it ensures that where it cannot reduce environmental pollution, it does so through other corporate social responsibility events such as planting trees and providing clean water to society. Mitsubishi ensures the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies through the manufacture of such products that preserve the environment. Further, it is involved in construction of more efficient aero engines as a way of reducing pollution to the environment caused by aeroplanes. Positive Lessons Learnt From Businesses Practices Honda uses the Global Compact Platform despite its non-member status in the UN Global Compact initiatives. This shows that any company, regardless, of its membership in the UN Global Compact can participate and ensure the adoption of Global Compact principles. Honda’s success in motor vehicle industry shows that it is possible for a company to be profitable through the use of environmentally friendly strategies in manufacturing and distribution of products. In addition, Honda markets its Honda Jazz series as the best environmentally friendly SUV cars in the market. Mitsubishi and Hitachi also use the UN Global Compact strategies to ensure that all its products and company processes adhere to the principles. Unlike Honda, these companies do not use platforms such as â€Å"Global Compact Platform† used by Honda. Negative Lessons Learnt From Businesses Practices Mitsubishi and Hitachi as members of United Nations Global Compact ensure that they embed, balance, diffuse, and translate the two environmental stewardship principles in their company. The companies have ensured that they provide communication of their procedures and new technologies to the public and Global compact platform as a commitment to the two principles. Unlike Honda, these two companies are accountable to an outside entity. Another lesson from Mitsubishi and Hitachi is that they have worked and invested in developing decision-making strategies that enforce the two principles. Through their development of energy efficient products and services and the commitment to events and CSR programs that are aimed at educating the public about eco-friendly practices, the two companies are able to enhance environmental responsibility and development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. Further, Mitsubishi can track their success through the laid out procedure in the environmental stewardship strategy developed by UN Global Compact and Duke University (2010). The strategy ensures that there is accountability and it is result oriented unlike Honda which is not accountable to the UN Global Compact. Business Practice Recommendations Since companies joining the UNGC platform wish to benefit from their association and compliance with the principles, it is important that such benefits are protected. In order to encourage compliance, it must be made difficult and expensive to get accreditations of eco-friendliness from other institutions. As such, the UNGC should liaise with other institutions to ensure compliance of the two principles. The companies seeking such recognition must show investments and commitment to environmental friendly procedure and processes. This will prevent companies from seeking recognitions from institutions with lesser strict requirements hence allowing companies that have genuinely investment and committed to environment to be recognized and benefit from such recognition. The following can be done to ensure that business practices conform to the two principles Principle 8: Promoting Greater Environmental Responsibility To enhance compliance with the eighth UN Global Compact principle, it is important for the companies to ensure that they have decision-making strategies that ensure compliance. This helps in assessing the level of compliance within a company. By having membership in the UN Global Compact, companies can remain committed to the principle unlike those that try to enhance compliance without being members of the Global Compact. This ensures accountability as well as encouraging self-assessment. Principle 9: Development and Diffusion of Environmentally Friendly Technologies Companies that comply with the ninth principle should ensure that throughout their supply chain, manufacturing and distribution processes, environmentally friendly technologies are used. This can be ensured by following the environmental stewardship strategies proposed by UN Global Compact and Duke University (2010). Secondly, compliance can be enhanced through benefits such as publicity for technology that is eco-friendly. The UN Global Compact should establish and award that recognizes efforts done by companies. Challenges and Implications to Shareholders The UN Global Compact fraternity will be required to limit the use of phrases such as Global Compact, which may be a difficult process. Further, the UN Global Compact will be required to partner with numerous institutions that give accreditations. The companies involved will also be affected. For instances, companies will now be required to show their commitment to UNGC before getting accreditation from other institutions. Thirdly, customers and the public may find it hard to get information about eco-friendly companies and technologies if UN Global Compact does not provide information of legitimate technologies. References UN Global Compact and Duke University, (2010). Environmental Stewardship Strategy: Overview and Resource for Corporate Leaders. Retrieved from https://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/issues_doc/Environment/Environmental_Stewardship_Strategy.pdfHonda, (2014a). News Releases 2014: Paris Motor Show 2014. Retrieved from http://world.honda.com/news/2014/4141002Paris-Motor-Show/Honda, (2014b). Key Indicators of Honda’s Environmental Performance. Retrieved from http://world.honda.com/environment/report/act_val/indicator/Hitachi, (2014a). Sustainability report 2014: Environmental Report. Retrieved from http://www.hitachi.com/environment/activities/index.html Hitachi, (2014b). Hitachi Recognized as World Leader for Corporate Action on Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.hitachi.com/environment/newsr/2014/1028.htmlMitsubishi (2014). Progress Towards Sustainable Society. Retrieved from http://www.mhi-global.com/company/csr/policy/releaseandrecognition/sustainable-society.html Source document

Existential Anxiety And Neurotic Anxiety

Existential Anxiety And Neurotic Anxiety Many theorists distinguish between anxiety and fear. While fear is a response to a specific, objective and defined threat, anxiety is internal and objectless. It is a free-floating feeling of unease and apprehension that something bad is going to happen. It is accompanied with physical sensations such as choking and tightness, warning the person of a potential danger (Cohn, 1997; Spinelli, 2007). However, this distinction does not clarify the concept of anxiety since it takes many forms and receives different emphases by a variety of approaches. A central term in the psychoanalytic theory is neurotic anxiety, while existentialists talk about existential anxiety. I will clarify the difference between the two and its implications for therapy. In doing so, I will consider Freuds outlook on anxiety and its origin, as well that of various existential philosophers and psychotherapists. Anxiety a. Neurotic Anxiety According to Freud Psychoanalysis emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior. Freud believed that the human psych is composed of the id, the ego and the superego, which work together to create complex human behaviors. According to this topographical model, the id seeks to fulfill all wants, needs and impulses while the superego plays the critical and moralizing role. The ego is the aspect of personality which deals with reality, having to cope with the conflicting demands of the id and the superego (Hall, 1954). Freud used the term ego strength to refer to the egos ability to function despite these dueling forces. A person with good ego strength is able to effectively manage these pressures. When the ego cannot deal with the demands of our desires, the constraints of reality and our own moral standards, we experience anxiety. Neurotic anxiety is the unconscious worry that we will lose control of the ids urges, resulting in punishment for inappropriate behavior. Moral anxiety involves a fear of violating our own moral principles. Whatever the anxiety, the ego seeks to reduce it. Operating at the unconscious level, it employs defense mechanisms to distort or deny reality. While all defense mechanisms can be adaptive and allow us to function normally, they can also be unhealthy. The defenses keep the threatening contents outside conscious awareness, restricting direct expression of drives. However, they provide indirect expression of these in displaced, sublimated, or symbolic form. Dreams, Freudian slips and even symptoms, are a compromise between a forbidden impulse or thought, and the defense against it. When defense mechanisms are extremely overused or distort reality too much, this will result in symptoms such as OCD or phobias, an active expression of the conflict (Mitchell and black, 1995). Existential Anxiety Existentialists consider anxiety ontologically and not a result of an individual ontic development. It is an inseparable, inevitable aspect of existence, and a potentially positive phenomenon. (Kirby, 2004; Cohn, 1997). According to the existential approach, the individuals anxiety-provoking basic conflict is not with repressed instinctual impulses, but with his confrontation with the givens of existence that cannot be avoided. These pose the human with certain ultimate concerns that are an inescapable part of the human beings existence in the world (May and Yalom, 1995). Several complementary models aim to reflect the structure of existence. One of the most known ones is Yaloms (1981), which identifies four ultimate concerns: death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness. The individuals confrontation with each of these provokes anxiety. Freedom refers to the fact that the human being is the author of his own life, and responsible for his own choices and actions. This responsibility and ability to choose freely, evokes feelings of dread and angst, since the outcome of our choices are never certain and always imply the rejection of alternatives (Cohn, 1997). According to Sartre (1956), people are condemned, rather than blessed to be free. Kierkegaard (cited in Cohn, 1997, p.71) describes anxiety as the giddiness of freedom. This dizziness is the price we pay for freedom, while making us aware of our possibilities under the limitations of the world we are thrown into. Anxiety is further intensified since we have no given meaning to guide us in our choices and to base our decisions on. Like a person lost in the jungle, we are forced to cut our own path through life, with no directing signs or maps to point us in the right direction (Cooper, 2003, p.22). Spinelli (2007) accentuates the human need to create a reality with meaning, an interpreted world. If there is no preordained design in life, then we must construct our own meaning in life. We are torn between contradicting forces- between our deep wish for ground and structure on one hand, and our awareness of freedom on the other hand, as well as our need to find meaning in a meaningless universe (May and Yalom, 1995). The most obvious ultimate concern is death (Tillich, 2000). While we wish to continue to live, we are aware of the terrifying truth of inevitable death. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦it is not only freedom and nothingness that brings with it anxiety, but also the fact that our existence runs up against unavoidable boundaries, such as death and chance. Indeed, it is only because of these boundaries that our choices are infused with angst (cooper, 2003, p.23). This idea is well illustrated in the title of Heideggers work Being and Time- Daseins being is in time, it is finite (Steiner, 1987). Deaths inevitability makes life seem meaningless, reminds us of our existential isolation, and defines our choices as excluding one another due to the time limit (Yalom, 2008). Whether it is presented in terms of life versus death, meaning versus meaningless or certainty versus uncertainty, this internal tension expresses itself as anxiety, which is unavoidable and non-pathological, but a basic given of the individuals life. Considered in this way, the dilemma of existential anxiety is not so much that it is, but rather how each of us lives with it (Spinelli, 2007, p.27). How Do We Live with it? Van-Deurzen (2002) suggests that in our attempt to escape existential anxiety, we either withdraw from living, or accept life like there is no choice, living automatically under the self illusion that freedom and responsibility do not exist. This self deception that Sartre (1956) calls bad faith leaves no room for anxiety, but also no room for life itself. Heidegger describes the adoption of conventions as submitting to the they and the absorption in the day-to-day distractions, as fallenness- Dasein falls into the ontic world, into inauthenticity. The fallenness is positive because feeling emptiness and alienation, one becomes aware of the loss of himself, and can aspire to return to his authentic being (Kirby, 2004; Steiner, 1987). Anxiety throws Dasein back to that he is most anxious from- his authentic potentiality to being-in-the-world (Heidegger cited in Spinelli, 2007, p.29). Every attempt to escape or deny anxiety will only result in intensified anxiety, reminding us of our limitations. Life[à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦]will persecute those who attempt to play by their own rules until they too submit and bear their fate with courage rather than trying to escape (Van-Deurzen, 2002, p.39). An encounter with death, for instance, is often a critical turning point in our attitude to life, an awakening experience. Though the physicality of death destroys us, the idea of death can save us. (Yalom, 2008, p.33). Anxiety is indicative of ones awareness level to his freedom. The more one recognizes and acts on his basic freedom, the more angst he will feel, which is a sign of authenticity (Cooper, 2003; Steiner, 1987). When life is not taken for granted, existential anxiety is experienced (Van-Deurzen, 2002, p.35). We need to embrace and explore anxiety as part of our life experience. We are all torn between the polarities of the existential questions. By facing the polarities and finding the balance, we find meaning. Anxiety Comes in Different Disguises The source of neurosis is held by Tillich to be the refusal to accept anxiety. Furthermore, Yalom and May (1995) emphasize failed death transcendence as the source of many pathologies. It is the way of avoiding nonbeing by avoiding being (Tillich, 2000 p.66). In our attempts to escape anxiety, we adopt restrictive patterns of thought and behavior, which are expressed through structures of what can be identified as symptoms or disorders (Spinelli, 2007). The dread is disguised and concealed in various forms, which provide the illusion of safety, but also restrict growth (Van-Deurzen, 2002; Yalom, 2008). Pathologizing certain categories of anxiety is clearly incompatible with the existential-phenomenological approach. It seems more fitting to acknowledge a continuum where on one end are courageous and authentic ways to respond to anxiety, and at the other, avoidant, despairing and inauthentic ways (Kirby, 2004). Case Study Dave came to therapy feeling stuck and unsuccessful in all life areas. He married and quickly divorced and succeeded financially but lost everything. He even became religious and then secular again, after religion turned from love to awe. He followed the rules of Judaism obsessively, and also today, he fears he will be punished for various thoughts and acts. For over a year, he felt compelled to give charity in the first kiosk he saw that day, or else he would die. Freud might see this compulsive behavior as an expression of moral anxiety. There is an intra-psychic struggle between Daves ids drives (that made him sleep around and get involved in delinquency), and his super-ego, according to which he should not be doing and thinking such things, making him feel guilt. In his maladaptive efforts to settle the conflict, he tries to undo his acts and please the super-ego by giving charity that will save him from punishment. Treatment will aim to free the repressed conflict and allow it to enter consciousness and become integrated. Another aim might be strengthening his ego, allowing the development of healthier defense mechanisms in order to rid of anxiety (Hall, 1954). An existential approach will conceive this neurotic behavior as an expression of trying to escape death awareness. Daves fear is not from dueling inner forces, but from non-being. In his attempts to avoid the dreadful recognition that he too will die, he adopted a rigid and restricting behavior that gives him a sense of security from this threat. A behavior that says if I will donate, I will not die; it even says so on the box  [1]  Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ In therapy, Dave should be encouraged to face anxiety and awaken from this illusion. We are all going to die, and acknowledging that enables living. An existential approach does not try to eliminate anxiety, it sees it as an important source of information that motivates and guides us to a full authentic life. According to Van-Deurzen (2002), in the first phase the therapist shows the client the various ways in which he escapes anxiety and chooses not to live. After that, the aim is to help him face anxiety and understand its meaning. The final stage includes exploration of creative ways to rise above the challenges presented by existence, and finding the courage to live with anxiety constructively. Dave and I are at the first stage, investigating ways in which he avoids living. He neglects many aspects of life and escapes thoughts and coping by concentrating on career and money, which give him the illusion of security. He found temporary refuge from anxiety in further frames, such as marrying despite a terrible relationship and becoming religious. Religion gave him meaning and a set of rules to live by, freeing him from the burden of freedom. He followed the Halacha  [2]   strictly, with no room to maneuver. Dave also described always feeling distant from his family. When I asked for a specific memory of feeling that way, we started to touch upon the second stage- the meaning of anxiety. At the age of 7 he witnessed his father get electrocuted and fall off a ladder. This evoked thoughts of life without him, and since then, he kept distant. Dave was exposed to death and the loneliness that accompanies it at a young age, with no one to talk to and process his feelings with. My role as a therapist is to help Dave cope with the complexity of reality and accept the risks and anxieties involved in active living. Dave will hopefully find the courage to give up some sense of security and control for more freedom, and find further compromises between extremes. Hopefully, from the expansion of perspective and learning to deal resolutely with life and death, he will abandon his limiting symptom that resembles the security of prison. Conclusion According to a Freudian perspective, neurotic anxiety is disproportionate to the situation and should be eliminated. It involves repression and distortion of reality that allows temporary security, but eventually tends to paralyze the individual. The source of anxiety is unconscious intra-psychic conflicts and drives, and Freud sees it as a sign of pathology, a psychological mechanism explicable in terms of cause and effect (Kirby, 2004, p.76). It is an abnormal state of mind and a result of a weak ego. Existentialists understand anxiety ontologically, as an unavoidable part of our being-in-the-world. It does not require repression, but rather should be embraced since it teaches us to open up to possibilities and find our own inner-voice. The human-being is not perceived mostly as driven, but as suffering and fearful, anxious in the face of awareness. The anxiety takes place not in ones inner-psychic world, but in his encounter with the external world. Hence, the therapeutic aim is not working on defense mechanisms and inner forces, but expanding the clients perspective and relatedness to the world. It may seem tempting for both therapist and client to concentrate on eliminating the symptom and supposedly getting rid of anxiety. However, Existentialists see this so called neurotic anxiety or pathological symptoms as trying to avoid existential anxiety. Since anxiety is a valuable source of information, we should encourage the client to learn what it can teach him, and not eagerly attempt to get rid of it with medication for example. Out of recognizing and accepting the anxiety, the disturbing symptoms will hopefully stop. Tillich (2000) recognized that we should understand anxiety ontologically before we can help our clients deal with it on an ontic level. The aim is living as much as possible without neurotic anxiety, but with the ability to tolerate existential anxiety.

Deviance In Society Essay -- essays research papers

What does it mean to say, â€Å"deviance is socially defined?†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Deviance is defined as, â€Å"The recognized violation of cultural norms.† Deviance is an act of rebellion against set of rules, and expected behavior established by a certain society. Deviance is defined in many different ways. It is depended on the norms of the society, and region. Individuals become deviant when people label their actions as deviance. It depends on how that certain society defines deviance on individuals. The establishment of rules, and breaking rules in society is determined by strong social powers. This event leads to social inequality in society. â€Å"The Saints and the roughnecks†, are an example to labeling individuals as deviants, and it shows how social power causes inequality. Deviance appears in all likes of society. Deviance has many meanings to unconformity on a cultural norm. It depends on that the state of society, and its region. Prostitution is a profession that has existed since the beginning of society. Prostitution is viewed as a sleazy way of making money. The United States outlaws this profession, because it degrades females. Yet it is legal, and accepted in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Residents in Nevada view prostitution, as any other job.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Individuals become deviants when society decides to call the acts deviance. It is a labeling process put on the person. An example of deviant behavior would be the teen youth wearing ba...

The Transgenic Tomato Essay examples -- Science Genetics Papers

The Transgenic Tomato The Need for Genetic Engineering of Crops For most Americans, fresh vegetables come from the supermarket. One only has to walk down an aisle loaded with gleaming red tomatoes, juicy melons, fresh potatoes, and a plethora of other vegetables and fruits and gather whatever captures one's fancy or appetite. A person living in a Westernized culture often takes for granted the hard work, resource usage, and waste that occurs to bring food to him. Tomatoes, for example, currently follow a long and difficult route to the supermarket. To begin with, field workers must pick the tomatoes by hand while they are still green. The unripe tomatoes are then trucked to facilities where they are gassed with ethylene to artificially induce ripening (Engel 108). Treating green tomatoes with gas to make the red color appear before the tomato ripens allows them to be shipped with less bruising and spoilage because they are still hard, but this practice detracts from their flavor and makes them taste, as some like to say, like cardboard! After the tomatoes are gassed, the red (but tough) tomatoes are distributed to the supermarkets. The "cardboard" tomato problem illustrates a larger problem in agriculture - crop spoilage associated with the predations of insects and fungi and with shipping. We saw that picking fruits such as tomatoes while they are green and chemically ripening them is a solution to some of the spoilage problem in crops, while using other chemicals can prevent some damage by pests. However, these chemicals often create environmental hazards in areas where they are used, and pests can often develop resistance to chemicals used to destroy them, making the release of even more pesticides and fungicides int... ...ill form a string, and the tRNA molecules will be released into the cell. When this string of amino acids is completed, it is called a protein. Some proteins provide structure in living things (such as the protein in muscle tissue), while others can promote certain chemical reactions in cells (such as the breakdown of pectin in tomato cell walls). The above information was taken from Biology, Neil Campbell, et. al., New York: Addison Wesley, 1999, p.316. Works Cited Campbell, Neil et. al. (1999). Biology. New York: Addison Wesley Engel, Karl-Heinz et al., editors. (1995). Genetically Modified Foods: Safety Aspects, Washington, DC: American Chemical Society. Nettleton, Joyce. (1999, January). Wedging Science into Public Policy, Food Technology, p. 20. Wilson, Edward O. (1999). The Diversity of Life. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.

My University Education Essay -- Education School Learning Essays

My University Education Finding a metaphor that accurately describes my university education was a challenging experience for me because it required me to thoroughly reexamine my attitude towards the whole of my educational experiences--both prior to and in college. In the end, what I discovered was the metaphor I feel describes my education at Bemidji State University is one that is universal to my entire education. My education has been a journey that started the minute I was born and will continue throughout my life. Initially, my journey began on one road which stretched before me--along this road were intersections, road signs, accidents, bumps, and mile markers. What I have learned as a student in college, has added many more "miles" to my learning odometer. Mile One O.K., so let's get back to the beginning. As I mentioned before, my education began the minute I was born and peered curiously into the world around me. Each of the elements of the environment in which I lived contributed to my growth and interest in new things. The most important part of this environment was my parents who encouraged me, through example, to value my experiences and to constantly learn from them. As a result of their support, I learned to become an independent and critical thinker. First and foremost, I learned that I could be responsible for my own learning. In essence, it was my choice to learn as much or as little as I wanted from my experiences. Mile Two How did this impact my education? In the realm of elementary and secondary education where learning often meant regurgitating the ideas our teachers "imparted" to us, it meant that I was not merely there to "absorb" what was going on around me. I was an active member of class w... ... Similarly, I have learned the importance of proceeding with caution and obeying the speed limit along the way. I now realize that sometimes I need to slow down to think things through before reacting or overreacting. The people that I have met and learned from on my journey have become the bumps and road signs on my educational highway. The bumps have sometimes hindered my progress, whereas the road signs have sent me moving onward and in the right direction. Mile Four What does all of this mean to me? It means I am adaptable. I am able to go ten miles an hour or eighty miles an hour should the situation arise. I can hit the bumps, adjust the steering, and travel onward with little loss of time. I can choose the uncharted course and find a new road to where I want to go. It means that I am ready for the adventure that lies ahead. The odometer's running...

Democracy vs Dictatorship Essay

Dictatorship and democracy are two concepts with numerous views and differences. The first is not ideal for a society which seeks free press, human rights and equality. The second is, even though many facets have to be taken into account. Throughout history, scholars have laid out a range of arguments regarding the advantages and disadvantages of both systems in terms of development. Here, we will try to enumerate some of them. An authoritarian government is a form of government in which the power is centralized (single person or a group). Dictatorship have ruled in many countries and region of the world for years; Latin America, Africa, Caribbean and Asia (especially the Middle East). In all cases, it was not all evil, where genocide, assassination or corruption were common like with Saddam Hussein. Scholars agreed that some countries have seen a boost in socioeconomic development under authoritarian governments. It was the case for Dominican Republic under Trujillo, Argentina in the 60’s, Chile in the 70’s under Pinochet, Singapore or Turkey. For these leaders, their countries were not ready for democracy because â€Å" dictatorial governments could better impose rational, long-term development plans† (Handelman, 2011, 35). The father of Singapore’s authoritarian political system, Lee Kuan Yew, declared that discipline is more essential for a developed country than democracy. Lee also stated that â€Å"Democracy leads to indiscipline and disorderly conduct, which are inimical to development† (Handelman, 2011, 35). His strong statement was somewhat carried out by many LDC’s around the globe, especially in Africa where ethnic issues are common. In a dictatorship, there are no riots against the government or its affiliates, a single party is more likely in power, the ruler has unlimited power, plans are executed efficiently and in a fashion manner, most efficient during emergencies, and less room for corruption. Dictatorship also promotes obedience to the ruler, strict discipline is a MUST. There are also some advantages for an authoritarian government. The negative side of a dictatorship relates to absence of freedom of speech (the people has no say in how the system works, follow the leader blindly), no fair elections, oppression of people or member of the opposition, power to a small group, no civil rights (violation of human rights), poor governance, lack social welfare, social inequalities and the gap between rich and poor is very significant. Also, when it comes to ruthless dictatorship like Syria, atrocities and spread of war prevail. In short, dictatorship does not agree with international peace and even advocates of authoritarian governments admitted that most dictatorships have caused great damage to many countries education, economy and infrastructure systems (Handelman, 2011, 35). Dictatorship can be a burden for a country’s socioeconomic development. Democracy is the promotion of fairness, social equality, transparency, freedom and speech. Today, it is perceived the best form of government. A full definition from our book (Handelman, 2011, 31) pointed out that democracy is obvious when: most of the country’s leading government officials are elected; there is universal or near universal suffrage; elections are largely free of fraud and outside manipulation; opposition-party candidates have a realistic chance of being elected to important national offices; and civil liberties—including minority rights—are respected, with guarantees of free speech, free assembly, free press (media), and freedom of religion. Others define it in regard to fair election and governance. A democratic government will make sure that its people grasp the importance of its policies, promote fundamental rights and support a stronger middle class (Handelman, 2011, 30). Unlike dictatorship, a democracy does not use fear or force to govern its people. It is a free society where the civil society is empowered not weakened and where the rule of law prevail, not the rule of a person or a group (Geddes, 2004, 5). History has shown that most industrialize countries are democratic, perhaps because â€Å"industrialization leads to increases in wealth, education, communication and equality† (Handelman, 2011, 30). However, like dictatorship, democracy has some shortcomings. Scholars underlined that democracy can be as bad as dictatorship; unstable, promotes party interest and it can also be a waste of time and resources (enacting laws like the ban on gun currently for example). Revolt is less likely to happen in a free society because the people elected their representatives via fair elections. Some critics emphasized that democracy will not be efficient in the LDC’s if these states do not have a literacy rate of at least 50% as well as a socioeconomic modernization, which would narrow the gap between rich and the middle class (Handelman 2011, 34). Other critics insisted on the fact that democracy encourage corruption, and industrialization/globalization are western strategies to better exploit Third World countries (Handelman, 2011, 30). The paragraphs above showed several advantages of having a democratic society than an authoritarian one. They also have similarities and in some circumstances, they have to work together. Democracy is ideal because it promotes an equal society where everyone has a fair shot at success. Dictatorship does not. Thus, it might be fair to say that it is better for a society to experience another type of government (like a single-party) to consolidate a democratic development.

Database Design P1, M1 & D1 Essay

Database is a place to store lots of data, imagine it as a giant virtual filling cabinet that can be organized in many ways. There’s software called (DBMS) which stands for database management system which allows the user to manage data in database such as; create, delete or update. Entities Entities are objects with significant mass and purpose, in database entities are tables. Every table contains many fields/attributes. The user must create a table before inputting any data. When creating a table you need to define a few things, data type, fields name & a description. Fields Name This is a column heading, this will display the title for the column etc first name, last name, address. Data Type This is the content of the data & the data type decides what content can be inputted & the file size. Description This is used to explain the content & shows a list of ‘limitations’ the user can change to get a more accurate reading etc. input mask. Attributes A characteristic, for example; a field has many attributes such as data like numbers or letters. Attributes can be used as a synonym for a â€Å"field†. In DOS systems, each files has an attribute, each file has many properties that shows if the file is â€Å"read only†, visible or encrypted. Queries A query is use for searching some specific record. It allow user to set conditions and then search the record which match the conditions. User also is able to make the search mix up with other table and sort the order of the result. Reports A Report is a summary of record. Everything you plain to print should put inside. Its purpose is for user to view information quickly and easily so display the result simply and efficiently is the main point. Forms Form is used for collect and edits information and transfers them to table. It is similar to application forms that allow user to fill in or delete their data easily and it also able to let user design own user interface. User can insert as much control as they like to build the user interface beautifully. Relationships Relationship types Database relationships are very similar in that they’re associations between tables. There are three types of relationships: One-to-one: both tables of the relationship have one field that matches up, for example; a married couple that both have a child that has no relation to the other partner. This rarely ever happens in a business organization One-to-many: one-to-many is where one table has none/one or many relations with the other table’s fields but the other table has only none/one field. For example, you have only one mother, but your mother may have several children. Many-to-many: Both tables have one/many relations to each other’s fields. Usually in this instance there are usually 3 tables. Benefits The benefits of having databases online are that it’s easier & quicker to do. The amount of paper saved & room is very beneficial. Its quicker & easier for the user to find important data in the database. The user can make forms to find & read information easier. The user can set rules to make the data input more accurate & legit. You can save the information on multiple storage units (hard drives) So if the information has been tampered with, there’s always a spare copy somewhere safe. Task 2 Primary key The primary key of a relational table uniquely identifies each attribute in the table. Primary keys could be a unique attribute such as â€Å"social security number† for a person or student etc. Primary keys may consist of a single attribute or multiple attributes in combination. Primary keys connect tables together in relationships Referential integrity There is a feature with databases called relational database management systems (RDBMS’s) that prevents users or applications from entering inconsistent data. Most RDBMS’s have referential integrity rules that you can apply when you create a relationship between two entities. For example, suppose Table B has a foreign key that points to a field in Table A. Referential integrity would prevent you from adding a record to Table B that cannot be linked to Table A. In addition, if I deleted a attribute in table A, if it is linked to table B, the data that is connecting both attributes will be deleted. This is called cascading delete. Finally, the referential integrity rules could specify that whenever you modify the value of a linked field in Table A, all records in Table B that are linked to it will also be modified accordingly. This is called cascading update. D1: Analyse Potential Errors in the Design & Construction of a Database and explain how these can be avoided There are many common errors that could occur while using database, it’s important to understand how these common error happen & what causes them. Deletion of records & fields Deleting important records & fields happen quite commonly, it’s caused by the user or by accident. If this does happen its always safe to know there is a copy of the data saved somewhere else in case this happens. It’s good to have a refresh back up time for 1 hour so every hour, the data renews itself. Human error leads to corruption or loss of fields so to ensure this doesn’t happen it would be best to set administrative rights to the right users so only the right people can edit or delete fields, if the wrong people try to use the database, an error or password will be shown. Making more than 1 copy of the data is wise just in case something happens to the first copy. Incorrect data types To decrease the chances of getting incorrect data types in database, its best to put input masks on the fields. This stops incorrect data being imputed on data forms like sign-up sheets. It’s also wise to have multiple choice questions & drop down menus; this makes it more accurate to get correct data. Using drop down menus makes it easier & quicker for the user to get a positive & effective data results. By using the drop down menus & multiple choice questions, it ensures correct spelling & grammar of important information. Validation To ensure the data is imputed clean & correct you need to use validation rules. This is done by setting rules in the design view where the user can set what data can be imputed & what is invalid. An effective tool is the â€Å"limit checker† where the user can set a limit to the amount of characters that can be imputed into the database. Range checks are effective to ensure etc. birthdays, it sets the month from 1-12 & has a set range to when the  person was born etc. 1950-2014 (we are currently on 2014 so I don’t need to extend the range). Grammar checks are there to make sure the data isn’t misspelt, it also makes personal information & letters easier to produce. There’s a rule that can be set up on database that checks the inputted data for any incorrect information, if it finds something wrong, an error message will pop up & notify the user. Null Values Null values is similar to validation in where the user needs to input data & there are a set of rules to ensure the user inputs the correct/legitimate data however null values are shown when no data has been inputted into a specific textbox. An error message will pop up if no data is put into a specific field, this rule is usually put on by the user as when starting database, you get a lot of blank fields. This rule is useful for fields that need data in them such as â€Å"personal details†, â€Å"bank details† etc. If the user doesn’t type in anything into the textbox & clicks â€Å"accept† or â€Å"enter† an error message will pop up notifying the user about the null values. The boxes with errors are marked differently to the textboxes without errors, this is to clearly identify where the error is & makes its easier & quicker for the user to resolve.