Formal analysis of a work of art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Formal analysis of a work of art - Essay Example Dressing Room is remarkable and representative of his mature work. Dressing Room is one of the Kuhn’s impressive and eye-catching realistic images of a theater performer in a quiet moment backstage. Fascinated by such persons who existed on the borders of society, Kuhn dedicated this image with an unselfconscious sexuality that was still uncommon in American art of the period1. In Dressing Room painting, a sparkling female stage performer who looks like a dancer stands in her dressing room and looks like she is ready to go on stage. She looks like a pensive female performer still in her costume with heavy 1920’s makeup. Behind her on the right side, there is a chair/sofa with a cushion. The left side composition of the painting shows a dresser and a clothing stand topped with hats. A partly obscured sign on the wall reveals that this is not a private room 1. This painting strikes the classic pose of the body conscious young female. She is standing with arms raised and hands behind her head and exposing her upper body. She is wearing a small and entertaining costume. Her short and dark hair is made folded with a bulky red bow. Her makeup is heavy and bold with dark blushes on the chick and deep red lipstick reveals that she has just finished her dress-up and now she is ready to go to stage to perform her task. It looks very clear from girl’s seductive extended pose that she has prepared for stage show but there is no emotion on her face and her eyes are empty and show her deep sadness and unwilling feelings which gives the idea that she is not so far involved in the job of performing for the enjoyment of men. The dressing room is a place for performers for the staging of character. The performer enters in the dressing room as its whole self and exits as a prescribed character that is intended to perform in front of audience. In this

Business Strategy and SWOT Analysis of Nike

Business Strategy and SWOT Analysis of Nike Executive Summary. Nike is a One of the leading company in the world which generally activated in design, development and global market with high quality of equipment, footwear and accessory products. Nike is one the biggest seller of athletic footwear and apparel in the world. The Nike is got the best position in the market to go with the approach of athletic market. The company is excavate into any niche in relates with sports market as well as technical breakthroughs, retailing, management of sports and sports promotions. Nike is now going into the particular market of the Pakistan. This is the best time for Nike to introduce its womens footwear, apparel and equipment for the womens of Pakistan because the womens are getting freedom in Pakistan. Pakistan is already one of the biggest supplier for the Nikes soccer. History of Nikes. In 1962, two people from the University of Oregon created a undersized company with the name of Blue Ribbon.In the 1972, the company transformed his name and became in to the market with the name of Nike. In the current situation, Nike owns amenities in Oregon, Tennessee, Netherlands and the North Carolina. It also working in leased services for 15 Nike-towns, more than 80 Nike Factory Stores, 2 NIKE goddess boutiques and more than 100 sales and administrative offices. There are just about 23,000 people engaged by the Nike, wide-reaching. The companys first year sales did not cross $ 10,000 however, its present revenues exceed well over$10billion. Nike research lab is frequently pursuing modernization in the field of sports. The research work in the lab is circulated into three categories including biomechanics, physiology and sensory/perceptual attributes. The researches main purpose is to focuses on differentiating factors like geography, sexual category, age and skill level. Products of Nike can largely be scattered into two categories as footwear and equipment. The footwear has been sub characterized into various product lines including sports culture, running, basketball and soccer. Nike is doing their business in a very customer slanting market. This means that the requirement for the Nikes goods seriously depends on the attractiveness of the different fitness actions. The company adjusts incessantly their product mix in direct to meet demands. It manages its business cautiously, leading in hostile marketing styles and pioneering products. Nike Mission statement. our mission is to bring inspiration and and innovation to every athlete in the world if u have body, u are an athlete (My strategic plan,2008) Nike as Innovative Company. According to (S. Parkash Sethi,2003) Nike is one of the highly enterprunual and innovative company that is running on more than one ways it took all the relevancy and utilitarian in all purposes its aims to one type fits all Nike has the high tech and high quality footwear and athletic sports equipment for all seasons. Business Plan. Pakistan is the most passionate country in the world in terms of sports. It is the time for Nike to introduce his footwear and apparel for womens because womens of the Pakistan are now participating shoulder to shoulder with men in all fields of life. Most important challenges confronted women in Pakistan in the start of 1990s: rousingly  practical literacy, attainment access to service opportunities at all levels in the  economic, promoting revolutionize in the sensitivity of womens roles and status, and  getting hold of a public vote both inside and outside of the political process. Kiran khan and Robab Naz are considering role module for Pakistani womens. After the getting ranking in international ranking now Pakistani womens cricket is also very popular in the Pakistan. SWOT analysis. According to (Bohim,2008) Examining a company internal and external environmental is essential in the process of strategic planning the swot analysis which includes the analysis strength , weakness, opportunities and threats investigates both internal and external as well as positive and negative factors of a corporation on the basis of swot analysis a marketing strategy can be deverlped using corporate strengths as well as avoiding corporate weaknesses to enable a company to benefits from future opportunities with regards of future risk. Strengths Weaknesses Brand Name Dependent on footwear sale. Innovation. Dont have Nikes own retailers. Famous Spokespersons. Doesnt able to capture the local market like international market. Gradually growth Strong Research and development department. Opportunities Threats Jumped into recycling. Currency fluctuation Sunglasses and jewellery By the competitors alternative brands Maintaing e-co friendly envirement Companies financial status Market Segmentation. Market Segmentation is the process of identifying different group of users with in a market who could possibly be targeted with a separate products or marketing programs.(Michael j croft n.d ) Market Size. Pakistan with population of over 140 million has a demand of 220 million pairs of shoes annually. (Daily times, 2003) Pakistan have the population of 140 million and the Womens in that are 47.5% of the total. Location. Nikes targeted location is the Pakistani market particularly womens markets so they need to design the product according to the needs and of the Pakistani womens. Gender. Nikes targeted gender are the womens in the Pakistan that are the 47.5% of the total population that is the niche market for the Nikes and the Pakistani womens are not very much use to of exercise so they need to be very focused. Age Group. Nikes targeted customers are from all the group fellows. The products must be varied from every group the mostly used customers are the teenagers between 13 to 25. Religion. In Pakistan the majority of the Muslims and the other religions like Christians and Hindus are also have the customers in Pakistan. So the company needs to be care full the norms and values of the religion. Buying Power. The economy of the Pakistan is not so strong so the company needs to set their prices at that level where majority of people are willing to accept that product. Education. The education level is not fully up to standard but now a days Pakistan sloly and gradually going towards the bitterness and people are now able to under to understand the importance of health and safety. Cultural Influence and Business. Culture is the part of human action that is socially as opposed to gentacally transmitted. It comprises the idea through which we perceive and interpret the world, symbols we use to communicate thsese idieas, and institution which enable individuals to become socialised and satisfy their needs(David Needle 1994 ) The culture of the Pakistan is very rich and the company needs to look at the culture of Pakistan where womens are not mostly allowed to wear tide dress and so the company needs to understand the pros and norms of the particular culture and design the product according to the needs of that culture. PEST Analysis. http://www.learnmarketing.net/pestmarketing.jpg (Source,; website) According to (Management Bluffers 2000) Now a days environmental is changing day by day and its reached there where it wasnt before constantly changing the environmental make mangers job is so tough now a days. Thats why the PEST analysis is useful and simple tool for the manager where they can track the environmental changes impacts on the business it includes the social, Political , Economical ,and technological. It is difficult for others to resist comparison with (a) an inept user and (b) vermin to be eliminated. Political. Countries have both market and non-market environment. The market environment involves the interaction between households( or individuals ) and companies to allocate resources, free from governmental ownership or control. The non-market government agencies and government owned business ).(Johan D,Daniel , lee 1998) According to the current political situation of the Pakistan is trying to stable the economy of the country and if Nikes introduce new products into the market the market condition will be more better because the Nikes has the brand name in the footwear industry. Economical. Economics factors are affect the purchasing power of potential customer and firms cost of capital(John William, Curtis,2006) Nikes needs to consider the economic factor as a main role in Pakistan. During the year of 2008 Pak rupee value is decreased and Pakistan is facing the Bank crisis as well so company needs to have a very strong capital to face these situation. The company needs to consider the following steps. Current economic system in the Pakistan. Exchange rate and stability. Business cycle. Economic rate of growth Rate of unemployment Rate of Inflation. Social Factor. Social factors includes the demography of the people. How the people behave to towards the products and What are the norms and value of respective countries. In Pakistan womens are not allowed to go out for exercise so company needs to give the awareness and provide the facilities to the womens of Pakistan. Technological Factor. According to blab bulb is needs to be consider New purchasing mechanism New production technology New distribution mechanism New method of working Opportunities for new products to sell The Pakistan is developing country so the trend of online shopping is not so much popular in Pakistan still people go to the market for shopping so and distribution method is also same like people would like to by through suppliers chain. Competitors. No firm can exists in vacuum(Lay young Man,1998) It is really very important for the company to know who are their potential competitors and what the strategies they are using to capture the market as the CEO Philip kotler says a quite that business is a war without bullets. Nikes main competitors are in the Pakistan market are Addidas Puma Reebok And local Firms http://www.psfk.com/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/1ac79b884a0c8da1796d12e024fce542.jpg Although Nike is one of the biggest company in the world in soccer and footwear with a high brand name but its rival company Addidas giving really very tough time in china addidas take over china with 60% shares and Nikes is 2% behind the addidas but in Pakistan culture people are mostly brand oriented and Nike is already working in soccer industry in Pakistan so Nike has competitive advantage that Nike is contributing in the economy of the Pakistan. To introduce the new product into the market the company needs to analyse the the porter five forces as well to compete with rivals the company needs to understand and make a good strategy for these forces. Marketing Mix . The set of tools that management can use to influence sales(Philip Kotler) Every targeted market needs to be a exceptional marketing mix to convince the needs of the beleaguered consumer to achieve the firms goal the strategy must be followed by the each of the every single 4p and Because these four ps are the basics of the strategies that to achieve the firms goals. Nike also must follows this strategy to enter into the Market of Pakistan. Product. Nikes Product in respect of Pakistan market is the womens footwear and apparel Nikes needs to design the product as the demand of the market in Pakistan and needs to keep in mind the cultural barriers that are faced by the womens of Pakistan. Price. According to(Stafanie Hoffmen 2005) Price is a potential marketing mix because it has the direct impact on the consumer , economy and the company as well. The price is major indicator about the quality of the product. Due to depressed economy and like other developing countries people of Pakistan buying power is not so strong 98% people are living average level life so Nikes needs to set that price for the products that are acceptable by the majority of the population . Place or Distribution. Place or distribution strategies are concern with making product available when and where customer want them(Charlas W lamb,2009 ) In Pakistan the areas of capturing where the more output the company get is the main cities of Pakistan like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad. These are the main markets for the Nikes to be captured. And needs to be the access able for the customers. Promotion. Promotion or Marketing communication is the component of marketing mix used to inform and persuade the targeted audience to buy or use and organization products promotion is the element in the marketing mix that communicates the key message to targeted audience(Richard barker, Gorge,nd ) In Pakistan Nikes has the best opportunity for promotion to use the Pakistani womens heros like Robab and Kiran khan and the Pakistani womens cricket team players to promote and products and the brand name in the country. The best method of advertising and promotion in Pakistan is electronic media. Recommendations. In current situation Pakistan market is niche for women footwear and apparel. According to the research. It is recommended that Nikes needs a very strong and tactical strategy for Pakistan because in Pakistan womens are getting rights but still that is a conservative country. Pakistan is an Islamic state where womens are not allowed to wear tides and bikinis and also in Pakistan only in big cities there are separate exercise clubs for the womens so Nikes also needs to develop health clubs and take a part in spreading the awareness of health issues. Pakistan market is good market but more than 80% population is under the poverty level so price needs to consider most in this.

Siddhartha: The Journey for Inner Peace and Happiness Essay -- Hermann

     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is about a man's journey to find inner peace and happiness.   He first decides to try to seek peace by following the Samanas, holy men.   Then he seeks happiness through material things and pleasures of the body.   After this path fails to provide him with the peace for which he searches, he follows Buddha but soon realizes that Buddha's teaching will not lead him to his goal.   Siddhartha finally finds peace when Vasudeva, the ferryman, teaches him to listen to the river.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hermann Hesse was a German author and poet born in 1877.   Both his parents and grandparents were missionaries.   His Grandparents were missionaries in China and India-thus began his fascination with the Oriental and Indian culture.   "From the time I was a child, I breathed in and absorbed the spiritual side of India just as deeply as Christianity" (Ziolkowski 147).   His parents' piety had a great impact on him as well as his exposure to oriental culture (Baumer 23).   This fascination led to his study of oriental philosophies and literature.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From 1911 until 1912 he traveled in India "in search of peace and timelessness beyond the world of western man" (Archie 5).  Ã‚   He experienced disappointment, however, because the India that had for so long fascinated him was now "too much profaned by commercial efficiency" (Baumer 44).   Soon he realized that "the peace he was seeking and the India he was seeking were not to be reached by ship or train" (Baumer 44).   There was some benefit that came from his journey to India, though-he had the inspiration for Siddhartha on this journey.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hesse uses triadic rhythm to tell the story of Siddhartha (Ziolsowski 54).   Siddhartha goes through three stages.   The first is the... ...ies the path of the Buddha, but this path also fails to lead him to the secret of   inner peace.   In one last attempt to reach the third level and achieve peace, Siddhartha   goes to the river to learn its secrets.   By learning the secrets that the river holds within its   depths, Siddhartha finally reaches the level of totality (Ziolkowski 58).    Works Cited Archie, John G.   "Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha: An Open Source Reader" January, 2006. Web 27 April 2025. http://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/siddhartha-1.pdf Baumer, Franz.   Hermann Hesse.   New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1970. Field, G.W.   Hermann Hesse.   Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1970. Hesse, Herman. Siddhartha. Dover Publications, 1998. Ziolkowski, Theodore.   The Novels of Hermann Hesse: A Study in Theme and Structure. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1965.   

Levering Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

This article sheds light on how some companies approach diversity and inclusion training from a standpoint that may be doing more harm than good. The article speaks to what not to do or say as it relates to diverse groups of employees. Mainly to ensure no lawsuits occur or any laws are broken. However, a recent study by researchers from Harvard University, University of California at Berkeley and the University of Minnesota showed that diversity training that emphasizes the threat of lawsuits actually had a negative effect on diversity. In addition, attitudes about diversity showed no measurable changes after such training. The research showed that the problem with negatively directed diversity training was that it emphasized differences rather than similarities. The training tended to group people according to characteristics, such as color and religion, rather than individual preferences. Noting that race and religion, being such a â€Å"touchy† subject, put managers in a position where they felt they were being intrusive or encroaching on employees freedoms. Getting one step closer to breaking laws or having impending lawsuits. This article was written to suggest an alternate way of presenting diversity and inclusion as it relates to the work place. They suggest that training should focus more on similarities of diverse group members and non-diverse group members. This creates an open line of communication and appreciation that although a difference exists among them they still share common ground. They suggest that the key to successful training and in breaking down stereotypes is to focus on exercises that allow people to relate as individuals. Instead of using words like â€Å"diversity† or even â€Å"similarity,† turn the employee’s thoughts to â€Å"individuality. † At even the basic level all people can relate to being an individual. This individuality is generally more widely accepted than thinking of someone being a part of a â€Å"diverse† group. The major goal in addressing diversity from this stand point also shifts management’s mindset from what not to do to what they can do as it relates to positive diversity and inclusion training.

Social Support and Physical Activity Corroborating

Running head: HEALTHY AGING IN THE ELDERLY 1 Social Support and Physical Activity Corroborating Healthy Aging and Quality of Life in the Elderly Karen Cauthen Counseling 502-B21 Liberty University Abstract Can morbidity be deterred in the elderly or is disease and illness a fact of life for the aged? Does social support and physical activity play a part in preventing secondary aging processes? This paper will modestly explore and discuss the effects of social interactions and routine activity of the elderly upon healthy aging and quality of life. Successful healthy ageing is impacted by a healthy lifestyle and is positively related to a reduced mortality risk and a delay in health deterioration† (Merrill, Myklebust, Myklebust, Reynolds, & Duthie, 2008). It is not the absence of disease or disability that qualifies healthy aging, but response to the aging process that defines quality of life (Gilbert, Hagerty, & Taggert, 2012). According to Erik Erikson it is the eighth stage of development: integrity vs. espair (Erikson, Erikson, & Kivnick, 1986); the point in life where the reality of death becomes imminent and a review of life determines meaning (Elhman & Ligon, 2012). Social participation and an active lifestyle are good at any age but for the elderly it is the cover over the deep dark hole of despair and loneliness. Keywords: integrity, despair, activity, social, healthy aging, aging process, support Social Support and Physical Activity Corroborating Healthy Aging and Quality of Life in the ElderlyAs we grow older our bodies change, our thoughts are more reflective, and our friendships more selective. Growing old is not a cookie cutter process. For each individual it is different. Some stay very busy, while others quit. They gradually halt participation in day-to-day events, or they take up yoga, run a marathon even go back to school. Successful aging is determined more by mental attitude than physical ability; how past life is perceived and future li fe accomplished.It is how change is managed that determines healthy aging and quality of life in the aged. Growing old is a process gerontologist divide in two categories, â€Å"primary aging† and â€Å"secondary aging† (Berger, 2011). Primary aging is defined as the universal changes occurring with age that are not caused by diseases or environmental influences. Secondary aging is defined as changes involving interactions of primary aging processes with environmental influences and disease processes (Masoro & Austad, 2006).According to Berger (Berger, 2011) there are three stages of old: â€Å"young-old,† â€Å"healthy, active, financially secure and independent;† â€Å"old-old,† although still independent suffer from â€Å"reductions in physical or mental ability or social support;† and last, â€Å"oldest-old,† â€Å"infirm, at risk for illness and injury. † Not preferring to use the word old, some gerontologist describe four stages of aging as: â€Å"optimal aging,† â€Å"usual aging,† â€Å"impaired or pathological aging,† and the fourth, â€Å"successful aging,† (Rowe & Kahn, 1998) â€Å"signifying extensive social interaction and activity† (Berger, 2011).The elderly tend to measure functional capacity by â€Å"their ability to carry out, independently, their routine activities, also called the activities of daily living† (Brito & Pavarini, 2012). After years of independent living, dependency on someone to carry out normal everyday functions can be emotionally and socially debilitating, even more so than the illnesses that made them dependent. â€Å"Loss, in instrumental activities of daily living contributes to greater estrangement from one’s social surroundings and consequently to a tendency to be isolated in one’s residence† (Brito & Pavarini, 2012).Erik Erikson provided an in-depth philosophy in his final eighth stage of development: integrity vs. despair. This is a time in which the elderly desire to unite their vast experiences with their ideas of humanity (Erikson, et al, 1986). While despair stands for a complete loss of hope, integrity does not only mean honesty, but also â€Å"a feeling of being whole, not scattered, comfortable with oneself† (Berger, 2011). Yet it is in Erikson’s seventh stage, generativity vs. tagnation, we find that â€Å"in older adults, generativity may be the single most important factor in achieving ego integrity (James & Zarrett, 2006) and positively impacts well-being (Yuen, Huang, Burik, & Smith, 2008)† (Elhman & Ligon, 2012). Therefore, as Erikson (Erikson & Erikson, 1997) put it, â€Å"indeed, old people can and need to maintain a grand-generative function† (p. 63), and that â€Å"vital involvement†¦is necessary for staying really alive (p. 63)† (Elhman & Ligon, 2012). TheoriesPeople are multi-dimensional, multi-faceted creatures. To lump us all under one roof would be a crime. Numerous theories, through research and study, try to describe human behavior but no one such study is sufficient. There are four main theories concerning the activities and social life of the elderly. Each theory holds truth but not the whole truth. The first, activity theory, views â€Å"older people as psychologically unchanged† holding â€Å"social and physical obstacles responsible for declining rates of social interaction† (Carstensen L.L. , 1992). Activity theorists blame age-related health and social burdens for cause of change in social participation and activities (Carstensen L. L. , 1992). The second, disengagement theory, suggest â€Å"that old age instigates a mutual withdrawal between society and aging people† (Carstensen L. L. , 1992). Elaine Cumming and William Earl Henry (Cumming & Henry, 1961) suggest that in preparation for death withdrawal is manifested in a distancing in social relationships.As death creeps ever closer what is important and what is not is more relevant. What we do, where we do it, and whom we do it with are choices that continue the idea of independence. A third theory proposed by Dr. Laura Carstensen (Carstensen L. L. , 1992), socioemotional selective theory, counters the assumption by the other two theories, that these changes in social activity are strictly late-life phenomena, with the proposition that these changes actually start earlier in life. Reduced rates of interaction in late life are viewed as the result of lifelong selection processes by which people strategically and adaptively cultivate their social networks to maximize social and emotional gains and minimize social and emotional risks† (Carstensen L. L. , 1992). Because so much is derived from social interaction; information, assistance, self-identity, selection of a mate, knowledge of culture and history, discriminate and careful examination of social partners is a must (Carstensen L. L. , 1992).The fourth, gerotranscendence theory, was developed by Lars Tornstam to address a â€Å"perpetual mismatch between present theories in social gerontology and existing empirical data† (Tornstam, 2010). Gerotranscendence claims successful aging results from frequent contemplative thought, a decrease in materialism, and transcendence of primary aging processes (Adams & Sanders, 2010). In support of this theory a Change in Activities and Interest Index (CAII) was created to â€Å"examine empirically the perceived changes that occur in the lives of older adults† (Adams & Sanders, 2010).The CAII is a 30-item questioner optimized to examine â€Å"self-perceived change in investment in and attitudes about social and leisure pastimes among older adults† (Adams & Sanders, 2010). As a result of the research by Drs. Kathryn Adams and Sara Sanders (Adams & Sanders, 2010) using the CAII, providers of health care to the elderly can better design ways to elevate direct engagement in valuable, desired activities and social relations as they advance within the aging process. As stated earlier, all four theories hold truth, but none the whole truth.Each theory describes certain individuals but leaves out others. Because we are an ever changing species and constantly growing population more studies are needed in understanding the causes of healthy aging and defining quality of life. Gender Studies have shown that in later life numerous physical benefits, as well as, psychological benefits are a result of participation in social activity, â€Å"such as the promotion of happiness (Menec, 2003), reduction of the risk of depression (Hong, Hasche, & Bowland, 2009), reduction of the decline of motor function (Buchman, et al. 2009), and even reductions in mortality (Lennartsson & Silverstein, 2001)† (Li, Lin, & Chen, 2011). â€Å"Research to date indicates that participation in social activity exerts positive and psychological health effects among th e elderly and that the pattern of activity participation differs by gender† (Li, et al, 2011). Numerous studies and literature report general differences in the social activities of men and women, but only one study â€Å"considered gender issues and social activity among the elderly (Arber, Perren, & Davidson, 2002).When exploring the outcomes of healthy aging and quality of life in regards to social support and physical activity, gender cannot be overlooked. Changes take place throughout the lifespan and gender affects social and cultural relations to these changes. In the expansion of associations and community contacts the distinct social settings that men and women live in lead to dissimilar behaviors (Barer, 1994; Carstensen L. L. , 1991). Dr. Kate Bennett (Bennett K. M. 1998) did an 8-year longitudinal study on physical activity in the elderly. The results showed that women were more likely to occupy themselves with indoor activities (e. g. , housework) and men with ou tdoor activities (e. g. , walking or cycling) (Bennett K. M. , 1998). Involvement in activities, whether readily available or not, is also gender specific. Elderly women are more likely to attend or be involved with religious services and activities than elderly men (Arber, et al, 2002).For men, staying in touch with what is going on through formal and informal associations or engaging in social activities such as volunteer work helps them maintain self-identity within their society (Arber, et al, 2002). Cultural context also plays a part in the construct of gender roles. In most societies, Western and non-Western, the male role is that of bread winner and the female role is that of homemaker (Li, et al, 2011). Western society mindset has changed over the years to the point where these roles are often reversed or completely annihilated.In Asia, however, a study done between 1988 and 1997 of people aged 60 or older found that women were more likely to rely on their family for financi al support and men were more likely to have their own source of income (Ofstedal, Reidy, & Knodel, 2004). However, a study of â€Å"5,294 noninstitutionalized elderly adults†¦concluded that working for a living was associated with high rates of depression among the elderly† (Hong, et al, 2009), most likely due to Asian traditional social value (xiao) which reflects bad on the family of children who cannot support their parents (Li, et al, 2011).Facilitators and Barriers The earth’s populace of 60+ year olds has doubled since 1980 and will achieve the 2 billion mark by 2050 according to the World Health Organization (World Health Organization, n. d. ; Gilbert, et al, 2012). Catherine Gilbert, Debra Hagerty and Helen Taggert generated a study â€Å"to explore the factors associated with healthy ageing through personal interviews†¦giving voice to the elders regarding their impression of facilitators and barriers to healthy ageing† (Gilbert, et al, 2012).T he results found the elderly perceive three main facilitators to healthy ageing: â€Å"taking care of self; meaningful activity; and positive attitude,† and three main barriers to healthy ageing: â€Å"giving up or giving in; environmental limitations; and the ageing process† (Gilbert, et al, 2012). Empathy is a facilitator and plays an important role in healthy ageing and quality of life through social interaction and is a requirement for enduring social commitments (Bailey, Henry, & Von Hippel, 2008). Empathy has been described as the; ‘capacity to understand others and experience their feelings in relation to oneself’ (Decety & Jackson, 2004). Few studies have been done to reveal whether empathic capacity diminishes with age (Bailey, et al, 2008). Phoebe Bailey, Julie Henry and William Von Hippel researched the â€Å"possibility that age-related reductions in social functioning might be mediated by declining cognitive empathy† with results testif ying â€Å"cognitive empathy was significantly reduced related to younger adults,† but â€Å"there were no age-related differences in affective empathy† (Bailey, et al, 2008).Thus empathy as a facilitator to healthy aging and quality of life bares much weight in functional relationships. A social network also facilitates healthy aging and quality of life. Social support, created by relationships, both formal and informal, provides one with emotional, affective and material help, with information, and with positive social interaction (Ostergren, Hanson, Isacsson, & Tejler, 1991). It has been proven by studies that adequate social support is a efensive aspect in functional disability and cognitive compromise in the elderly (Golden, Conroy, & Lawlor, 2009; Bennett, Schneider, Tang, Arnold, & Wilson, 2006; Stuck, Walhert, Nikolaus, Bula, Hohmann, & Beck, 1999). Autonomy and independence within family and social circles is maintained through social supports and is essential to cognitive functions and psychological well-being (Golden, et al, 2009; Bennett, et al, 2006; Stuck, et al, 1999). On the other hand, barriers to healthy ageing and quality of life include physical ability and cognitive alterations.Barriers â€Å"reported by older adults are physical health problems and frailty, resultant injury and falling, lack of motivation, feeling low, time constraints, social barriers, past seentary lifestyle, feeling too tired, and environmental restrictions such as transportation, weather, neighborhood safety, fatigue and having no one to exercise with† (Belza, et al. , 2004; Bird, et al. , 2009; Chen, 2010; Conn, 1998; Lees, Clark, Nigg, & Newman, 2005; Newson & Kemps, 2007; Prohaska, et al. , 2006).Yet fear of disease and becoming dependent is a great motivator to be physically active (Welmer, Morck, & Dahlin-Ivanoff, 2012). Another barrier to healthy ageing and quality of life in the elderly is cognitive alterations. Primary aging results in a s low steady decline of mental functions. Loss of words, ability to understand and perceive, to move efficiently and smoothly, and ability to manage, control, and regulate cognitive processes all deteriorate as we get older, allbeit some faster than others (Brito & Pavarini, 2012). †¦with memory loss standing out most in the population in general.Maintenance of cognition is an important determinant for quality of life and life expectancy in old age, as cognitive decline is associated with personal discomfort, loss of autonomy and increase of social costs (Brito & Pavarini, 2012). Research and Results The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CDC Healthy Ageing Research Network (CDC-HAN) and the European Union Active and Healthy Ageing partnership (ND) all agree healthy ageing is important and pursue educating the public through studies and research (Gilbert, et al, 2012).The mission of the CDC Healthy Ageing Research Network is: â€Å"To better understand the dete rminants of healthy ageing in diverse populations and settings; to identify, develop, and evaluate programs and policies that promote healthy ageing; and to translate and disseminate research into effective and sustainable public health programs and policies throughout the nation (CDC, 2012). By using research from these agencies, communities throughout the world can develop programs that enhance and promote healthy aging and quality of life for the elderly (Gilbert, et al, 2012).The World Health Organization is aware of the challenges in healthcare faced in the 21st century, as well as, the need for the contributions the elderly make (Gilbert, et al, 2012). In support of healthy ageing and quality of life we need â€Å"training for health professionals on old-age care; preventing and managing age-associated chronic diseases; designing sustainable policies on long-term and palliative care; and developing age-friendly services and settings† (WHO, n. d. ) Along with national re search, colligate, institutional, private, and organizational studies continue the quest for positive healthy aging and quality of life.Many studies extol the benefits of social support and physical activity upon the health and well-being, both mentally and physically, of the elderly. A study by Anna-Karin Welmer, Annika Morck, and Synneve Dahlin-Ivanoff; â€Å"Physical Activity in People Age 80 Years and Older as a Means to Counteracting Disability, Balanced in Relation to Frailty,† declares: †¦results suggest that physical activity was not seen as a separate activity but rather as a part of activities often rated as more important than the physical activity itself.Thus, when designing physical activity interventions for elderly people, health care providers should consider including time for social interaction and possibilities to be outdoors (Welmer, et al, 2012). In another study exploring â€Å"Empathy and Social Functioning in Late Adulthood,† Bailey, Henry, and Von Hippel report: †¦aging may differentially impact cognitive and affective empathy, and that the former may be of particular importance for social functioning.Given the negative consequences that loneliness and social isolation have for physical and mental well-being (House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988), particularly among older adults (for whom reduced social participation has been linked to increased mortality; (Bath & Deeg, 2005; Fry & Debats, 2006), these findings seem a worthwhile topic for further investigation (Bailey, et al, 2008). Yet another study by Gilbert, Hagerty and Taggert, â€Å"Exploring Factors Related to Healthy Ageing,† reveals the importance of environment in facilitating a healthy social and physically active lifestyle.Tom, an interviewee and participant in the study â€Å"was very articulate about the need for environmental modifications that support the lifestyles of the elderly (Gilbert, et al, 2012). â€Å"To be active, means to be able t o travel and do things. Unfortunately, when we travel, the people who claim to have handicap rooms have had the worst advice in the world. Numerous times I have been placed in situations where you can’t sit down in the shower or if you get in the tub, you can’t get out† (Gilbert, et al, 2012).In a study, â€Å"Gender Differences in the Relationship of Social Activity and Quality of Life in Community- Dwelling Taiwanese Elders,† Li, Lin, and Chen find to some degree that gender does play a role in what activities are pursued and measured as resulting in quality of life by the elderly. For the men in this study, engaging in contact with friends, informal group activity, formal group activity, and voluntary work were significantly associated with the total quality of life. Among women, our data show that fewer types of social activity are associated with quality of life domains (Li, et al, 2011).Men seemed to derive quality of life through formal groups where status and title were bestowed, whereas, women found quality of life sustained in religious activities (Li, et al, 2011). A study by Brito and Pavarini, â€Å"The Relationship Between Social Support and Functional Capacity in Elderly Persons with Cognitive Alterations,† corroborates the importance of social support in regards to healthy aging and quality of life, especially among the elderly with cognitive inpairment.Social support may protect individuals from the pathogenic effects of stressing events, as much as it may positively affect people’s health by providing resources (economic and material help and information), better access to health care and regulation of living habits (Ramos, 2002). Research and study in gerontology promote understanding of the needs of the elderly in establishing adequate structuring and implantation of pathways that contribute to social support and physical activities, which in turn corroborates healthy aging and quality of life (Brito & Pavarini, 2012).Conclusion Getting old is a fact of life and with advances in medicine and the world’s population living longer (WHO, n. d. ), coping successfully with getting older requires selective optimization with compensation; setting goals, assessing abilities, and making plans to achieve regardless of hindrances and limitations (Berger, 2011). A positive outlook, family and friends, and an active lifestyle are all deterrents of morbidity (Gilbert, Hagerty, & Taggert, 2012).Influenced by a healthy lifestyle, successful healthy ageing is clearly related to a decreased mortality risk and a postponement in, and in some cases suspension of, health deterioration (Merrill, et al, 2008). Maintaining a social calendar and routine physical activity clearly supports healthy aging and quality of life in the elderly. Bibliography Adams, K. B. , & Sanders, S. (2010). Measurement of developmental change in late life: a validation study of the change in activities and interests in dex. Clinical Gerontologist, 92-108. Arber, S. , Perren, K. , & Davidson, K. (2002).Involvement in social organizations in later life: Variations by gender and class. In L. Andersson (Ed. ), Cultural gerontology (pp. 77-93). Westport, CT: Auborn House. Bailey, P. E. , Henry, J. D. , & Von Hippel, W. (2008, July). Empathy and social functioning in late adulthood. Aging & Mental Health, Vol. 12, No. 4, 499-503. Barer, B. M. (1994). Men and women aging differently. International Journal of Aging and Hua Development, 38(1), 29-40. Bath, P. A. , & Deeg, D. (2005). Social engagement and health outcomes among older people: Introduction to a special section. European Journal of Aging, 2, 24-30.Belza, B. , Walwick, J. , Shiu-Thornton, S. , Schwartz, S. , Taylor, M. , & LoGerfo, J. (2004). Older adult perspectives on physical activity and exercise: Voices from multiple cultures. Preventing Chronic Disease, 1, A09. Bennett, D. A. , Schneider, J. A. , Tang, Y. , Arnold, S. E. , & Wilson, R. S. (2006). The effect of social networks on the relation between Alzheimer's disease pathology and level of cognitive function in old people: a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet Neurol, 5(1), 406-412. Bennett, K. M. (1998). Gender and longitudinal changes in physical activities in later life. Age and Ageing, 27(suppl. ), 24-28. Berger, K. (2011). The Developing Person Through the Life Span. New York: Worth Publishers. Bird, S. , Kurowski, W. , Feldman, S. , Browning, C. , Lau, R. , Radermacher, H. , ; Thomas, S. (2009). The insluence of the built environment and other factors on the physical activity of older women from different ethnic communities. Journal of Women and Aging, 21, 33-47. Brito, T. , ; Pavarini, S. (2012). The relationship between social support and functional capacity in elderly persons with cognitive alterations. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 677-684. Buchman, A. S. , Boyle, P. A. Wilson, R. S. , Fleischman, D. A. , Leurgans, S. , ; Bennett, D. A. (2009). As sociation between late life social activity and motor decline in older adults. Archives of International Medicine, 169(12), 1139-1146. Carstensen, L. L. (1991). Selctivity theory: Social activity in life-span context. Annual Tview of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 11, 195-213. Carstensen, L. L. (1992). Social and Emotional Patterns in Adulthood: Support for Socioemotional Selectivity Theory. Psychology and Aging, 7(3), 331-338. CDC. (2012, April 12). CDC's Prevention Research Centers Healthyy Aging Research Network (CDC-HAN).Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www. cdc. gov/aging/han/ Chen, Y. M. (2010). Perceived barriers to physical activity among older adults residing in long-term care institutions. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19, 432-439. Conn, V. S. (1998). Older women's beliefs avout physical activity. Public Health Nursing (Boston, Mass. ), 15, 370-378. Cumming, E. , ; Henry, W. E. (1961). Growing old: the process of disengagement. New York: Basic Books. Decety, J. , ; Jackson, P. L. (2004). The functional architecture of human empathy. Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, 3, 71-100.Elhman, K. , ; Ligon, M. (2012). The Application of a Generativity Model for Older Adults. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 331-344. Erikson, E. H. , ; Erikson, J. M. (1997). The life cyclecompleted (Extended version ed. ). New York: W. W. Norton ; Company, Inc. Erikson, E. H. , Erikson, J. M. , ; Kivnick, H. Q. (1986). Vital involvement in old age. New York: Norton. Fry, P. S. , ; Debats, D. L. (2006). Sources of life strengths as predictors of late-life mortality and survivorship. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 62, 303-334. Gilbert, C. , Hagerty, D. ; Taggert, H. (2012). Exploring Factors Related to Healthy Ageing. Self-Care, Dependent-Care ; Nursing, 20-25. Golden, J. , Conroy, R. M. , ; Lawlor, B. A. (2009). Social support network structure in older people: Underlying dimensions and associ ation with psychological and phsical health. Psychological Health ; Medicine, 14(3), 280-290. Havighurst, R. , ; Albrecht, R. (1953). Older people. New York: Longmans, Green. Hong, S. I. , Hasche, L. , ; Bowland, S. (2009). Structural relationships between social activities and logitudinal trajectories of depression among older adults.The Gerontologist, 49(1), 1-11. House, J. S. , Landis, K. R. , ; Umberson, D. (1988). Social relationships and health. Science, 241, 540-545. James, J. , ; Zarrett, N. (2006). Ego integrity in the lives of older women. Journal of Adult Development, 13(2), 61-75. Lees, F. D. , Clark, P. G. , Nigg, C. R. , ; Newman, P. (2005). Barriers to exercise behavior among older adults: A focus-group study. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 13, 23-33. Lennartsson, C. , ; Silverstein, M. (2001). Does engagement with life enhance survival of elderly people in Sweden? The role of social and leisure activities.Journal of Gerontology, 56B(6), S335-342. Li, Y. , Li n, S. , ; Chen, C. (2011). Gender Differences in the Relationship of Social Activity and Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Taiwanese Elders. Journal of Women ; Aging, 305-320. Masoro, E. J. , ; Austad, S. N. (2006). Handbook of the Biology of Aging (6th ed. ). Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press. Menec, V. H. (2003). The relation between everyday activities and successful aging: A 6-year longitudinal study. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 58B(2), S74-82. Merrill, S. J. , Myklebust, B. , Myklebust, J. , Reynolds, N. ; Duthie, E. (2008). A poisson-like model of sub-clinical signs from the examination of healthy aging subjects. Aging Clinical ; Experimental Research, 20(4), 368-375. Newson, R. S. , ; Kemps, E. B. (2007). Factors that promote and prevent exercise engagement in older adults. Journal of Aging and Health, 19, 470-481. Ofstedal, M. B. , Reidy, E. , ; Knodel, J. (2004). Gender differences in economic support and well-being of older Asians. Journal of Cross-Cultur al Gerontology, 19, 165-201. Ostergren, P. O. , Hanson, B. S. , Isacsson, S. O. , ; Tejler, L. (1991).Social network, social support and acute chest complaints among young and middle-aged patients in an emergency department: A case control study. Social Science ; Medicine, 33(3), 257-267. Prohaska, T. , Belansky, E. , Belza, B. , Buchner, D. , Marshall, V. , McTigue, K. , ; Wilcox, S. (2006). Physical activity, public health, and aging: Critical issues and research priorities. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 61(5), S267-S273. Ramos, M. P. (2002). Apoio social e saude entre os idosos. Sociologias, 4(7), 156-175. Rowe, J. W. , ; Kahn, R.L. (1998). Successful aging. New York: Pantheon. Stuck, A. E. , Walthert, J. M. , Nikolaus, T. , Bula, C. J. , Hohmann, C. , ; Beck, J. C. (1999). Risk factors for functional status decline in community-living elderly people: A systematic review. Social Science and Medicine, 48(1), 445-469. Tornstam, L . (2010). The theory of gerotranscendence. Retrieved 03 2013, from Department of Sociology Uppsala Universitet: http://www. soc. uu. se/en/research/research-fields/the-social-gerontology-group/research/the-theory-of-gerotranscendence/ Welmer, A. , Morck, A. , ; Dahlin-Ivanoff, S. (2012).Physical Activity in People Age 80 Years and Older as a Means of Counteracting Disability, Balanced in Relation to Frailty. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 317-331. WHO. (n. d. ). Aging and Life-Course. Retrieved from World Health Organization: http://www. sho. int/ageing/en/ World Health Organization. (n. d. ). Aging and Life-Course. Retrieved February 24, 2012, from http://www. sho. int/ageing/en/ Yuen, H. K. , Huang, P. , Burik, J. K. , ; Smith, T. G. (2008). Impact of participating in volunteer activities for residents living in long-term-care facilities. The Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(1), 71-77.

Before Writing Your Résumé, Read This

Before Writing Your Rà ©sumà ©, Read This If youre in need of a new rà ©sumà © (or maybe even a first rà ©sumà ©), the challenge can be overwhelming. For every ten articles you read online about how to write a rà ©sumà ©, you might run across ten different opinions on the best way to do it. However, there are a few basic concepts to keep in mind as you are working on your rà ©sumà ©, and thats what we want to cover here.Rà ©sumà © typeFirst, lets cover the type of rà ©sumà © you need to focus on writing. The traditional, chronological rà ©sumà © details the jobs youve had, from the most recent backward. Alternately, the skills-based rà ©sumà © focuses on skills picked up from schooling, jobs, and other areas of life. Knowing which one to use is important when writing your first rà ©sumà ©. Since the traditional and skills-based rà ©sumà ©s are the most common, well focus on these in this article.Deciding which to useA traditional rà ©sumà © is best used when there has been consistent, long-term employme nt. What that means is that youve had no gaps in employment of more than a month and the jobs were held for more than six months or at least a year. Otherwise, it is better to use a skills-based rà ©sumà © if your employment history is sporadic and youve had many different jobs lasting less than a year. When your skills are the focus of your rà ©sumà ©, youll write it based on a certain line of work, such as customer service or production.Getting startedFor both traditional and skills-based rà ©sumà ©s, start making a list of your employment history. This should be kept as a separate document to make writing other rà ©sumà ©s easier and it should be updated when a new job or skill is added to your experience. What should be included in the employment history is the name of the company, address (at least the city and state), employment dates (at least the month and year for start and end date), the position held, and a list of four to six tasks completed at the job. If youre unsure of how to word the tasks, O*Net is a great resource to look through tasks based on positions.Its also good to have the supervisors name, a phone number for the company, and even the supervisors email address or the name and email address of the HR rep. It makes it easier when completing applications and employment verification.Personal information sectionAlthough some rà ©sumà © templates put the personal information on other parts of the page, most rà ©sumà © templates place it front and center, at the very top of the paper. For this section, you need to start with your full, legal first and last name. This should be the most prominent portion of your rà ©sumà ©. You can bold it and increase the font size, but dont make it over 16-point font. (A word on fonts: Keep the fonts neutral in most cases. Use easy to read fonts like Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial.)Under your name should be your address, including the city and state, in a smaller font (10 to 12-point). If y oure looking for a job in a new city or state, use that location. Employers are more likely to contact you if your rà ©sumà © and application information is listed in the city where the job is located. Finally, list your email and phone number next. They can be on the same line and have a symbol included before them.Example: ââ€"  email@email.com ââ€"  (555) 555-5555Keep in mind that your email should be professional (Stoner6969@email.com doesnt meet that criteria). The best way to make a professional email is a combination of your first and last name. If it needs numbers, keep them in an odd set like one or three. Two or four makes the employer think that is the year you were born and dates you in their mind. A good email is j.smith111@email.com or john.smith111@email.com.Your voicemail should be set up and professional, as well. Do not have a joke voicemail, swearing, or an automated voice stating the phone number. At the very least, state your first and last name.Summary st atementIn the older days of rà ©sumà © writing, this was called the objective statement. It usually began something like this: Seeking job with advancement opportunities, or Looking for a job in customer service. Those are not used anymore and dont highlight what you offer the company.Instead, you want to stand out and hook the employer with a summary, which should be about two to four sentences long. In this summary, you want to state your occupation and the years of experience you have in it. Next, you want to state what you offer the company to which youre applying regarding verifiable skills and knowledge of the industry. If youve won awards that highlight your professionalism or knowledge, put those here to bring them to the forefront of your potential employers attention.Example:Customer Service Representative with 1+ years of high-volume call center experience. Skilled in navigating multiple windows, customer satisfaction, and relationship building with customers. Always me t monthly sales goals and given an award for top customer service quality scores above 98%.EducationWith education, it depends on what you want to emphasize. If you have a solid set of degrees and want them as the focus, then list them after your personal information. If you dont have higher education or your degrees are older and it would give away your age, then you can list them later in the rà ©sumà ©. If you dont have a diploma or GED, you can exclude this section. If youre listing a degree you are in the process of completing, only list it if you are within three months of completing the program.Experience/Work historyTraditional/Chronological rà ©sumà ©For a traditional rà ©sumà ©, the jobs listed under your experience section should be targeted to the job for which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for a production job, you would list production-related jobs or jobs that prepared you for various soft skills like teamwork or customer service. If you are applying for IT jobs, you would list IT-related jobs. Otherwise, use a skills-based rà ©sumà ©.The typical response with a rà ©sumà © is to write long descriptions of your tasks from former/current jobs. That is not the best route. Employers spend about ten seconds skimming rà ©sumà ©s. Make a bulleted list of about four to six tasks you performed in the job. With each related job, use new but related tasks to show that you know the field or job type. As I mentioned earlier, O*Net is helpful with this because they have lists of typical tasks related to your field.It is also good to list numbers if you can. This can be like sales jobs where you mention specific sales goals you met or passed, or call centers where youd list their quality scores. In production or other jobs, this might mean listing how long it takes you to pack a pallet, the number of pallets you pack in an hour, or your quality scores. In other jobs, you can list tasks like accounts managed, dollar amounts hand led, employees managed, and so on. Adding in verifiable and specific numbers are something employers focus on and can see as potentially benefiting their company.Skills-based rà ©sumà ©In a skills-based rà ©sumà ©, the focus is on the skills. A job history is listed, but in a different format and at the end of the section. The experience is split into targeted areas for the job for which youre applying. An example would be a customer service position at a call center. The first jobs you would list would be those related to Customer Service, along with a total of your years of experience. List specific skills/tasks that relate to your experience with customer service like a traditional rà ©sumà ©. You can then list other fields, but keep that section of your rà ©sumà © targeted toward customer service.However, lets say you worked construction but are now applying for the call center. There are aspects of construction that relate to customer service. List tasks/skills such as effective communication with co-workers, following policies and instructions from your supervisor, and meeting deadlines and goals. Doing so allows you to use a job not directly related to the job you are applying for, while pointing out the skills and tasks from that experience that do transfer into the job you want.Additional skillsYou will likely want to focus on several major skills to list your experience under, but in both traditional and skills-based rà ©sumà ©s, you can also include a section listing your hard and soft skills in table format (without additional information). Most people use skills like leadership or customer service as their primary skills, but you should also consider skills related to finding solutions to problems and organizing your workflow. There should be a mixture of skills included in this section. Try to find a list of skills online of soft skills and other skills needed for the work you seek and pick out about 10 total.Other sections to includeTh e other sections you choose to include should be based on your experience. These could be volunteering, internships, publications, and so on, based on your personal and career history.Make it a living documentRà ©sumà ©s are a lot of trial and error. If you send out your rà ©sumà © and no one calls, then change it. Rà ©sumà ©s are living documents, and everyone has an opinion of what a rà ©sumà © should be. It should also be a document that is targeted to your personal experience and the job to which youre applying. What works for one position might not work for another. However, once you have the basic information, you can build on it (or take away from it) however you need.

Huntington †Clash of Civilizations

Huntington – Clash of Civilizations Free Online Research Papers In his famous article Clash of Civilizations?, which was published in the summer of 1993 issue of Foreign Affairs, Huntington proclaims that with the end of the Cold War, a new basis of division has emerged in the world; the ideological conflicts of the past will be replaced by inter-cultural conflicts involving civilizations. Huntington identifies seven or eight major, contemporary civilizations: the Western, Latin American and Orthodox (these two possibly being derivations of Western civilization but with an own cultural identity), Islamic, Sinic, Hindu and Japanese, with the possibility of an African civilization completing the list. Furthermore, the conflict is unavoidable and will take place across civilizational borders or fault-lines. The clash will almost inevitably affect Australia as well, since it is part of Western civilization as shown in 2.1 – and due to the intensity of the clash Western vs. Islamic civilizations, Australia could face challenges due to its Muslim neighbours. Furthermore, Australia is also affected, not only by such fault-line conflicts, but also by the possibility of a loss of cultural identity due to its attempts to integrate in economic regional institutions such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Another example for the special case that Australia offers is the aspect of the torn countries. These are nations that have their own homogeneous culture and can’t be affiliated to a civilization as understood by Huntington, which would leave Australia as an independent entity. To what extent Huntington is right with his affirmations, and if they can really steer the system of modern international politics, will be discussed by applying his thoughts to Australia as a showcase scenario. For a better understanding of the underlying problems, we will firstly depict Huntington’s statements and later apply his thoughts to the situation of Australia in the international system. By doing so, we will prove Huntingtons paradigm wrong in various ways. 2. What are Civilizations and why will they clash For Huntington the grouping of countries into the first, second or third world is no longer of importance. The only thing that matters is their cultural and ethnic, in short, civilizational allegiance. But what are civilizations, in which ways do they differ from one another and why will they clash? 2.1 Civilizations, Culture and Religion Culture is the highest level of identity for Huntington, it is the broadest level of identification an individual can have with a collective (i.e. ethnic or religious groups). It is what all Arabs or Hindus have in common and at the same time, differentiates them from Westerners or Africans. It is, in a sense, the smallest common noun in a group itself defined by culture. And this cultural entity is what takes the form of a civilization. The criteria by which he differs civilizations from one another are origin, religion, language, history, values, customs and traditions, institutions. According to this, Huntington divides the world into eight civilizations: the Western, Latin American, Orthodox, Islamic, Sinic, Hindu, Japanese and African. Five of these have their respective core state (leading country) or states: for Western civilization it is the European Union (EU) and the United States; for the Orthodox civilization it is Russia; for the Sinic civilization, China; for the Hindu civilization, India; and for the Japanese civilization, Japan. There is no such core state for the Islamic civilization (being so widespread Huntington prefers to point out three subdivisions: the Arabic, Turkish and Malaysian ), nor for Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. The division of countries into civilizations seems random since Greece is not part of Western civilization but of the Slavic-orthodox, even though it is a member of the European Union and NATO and Western civilization is based on the classic-Greek civilization. Furthermore, even though they both form part of the Islamic civilization, there is little in common between Tunisia and Indonesia apart from religion. Thus, the central aspect in Huntington’s differentiation between civilizations is of religious nature even if he prefers to call it cultural. In der modernen Welt ist Religion eine zentrale, vielleicht sogar die zentrale Kraft, welche die Menschen motiviert und mobilisiert.â€Å" â€Å"()Menschen kmpfen und sterben fà ¼r ihren Glauben.â€Å" To the six major civilizations Huntington has depicted, we can assign one world religion or subordinate branch (the catholic/protestant and the orthodox are all Christians) to each Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Christianit y, and Islam – or to put it in his own words: †die grossen Religionen sind () in einem sehr realen Sinn die Grundlagen, auf denen die grossen Zivilisationen ruhen.â€Å" 2.2 Why Civilizations will Clash Huntington exposes six reasons why it will come to a clash between civilizations. First, the differences between civilizations are basic. They are â€Å"the product of centuriesâ€Å" and „far more fundamental than differences among political ideologies and political regimesâ€Å" Since man is born into them, they play a substantial part in the kind of education received. This implies that differing views in subjects such as God and man or family values of a socio-political kind will inevitably lead to conflict. Second, the increasing interactions between civilizations make the differences and commonalities between them clearer, sharpening predilections or prejudices and thus intensifying cultural consciousness. Third, the global economic modernization estranges people from their traditional identities, weakening the nation state as source of identity and fostering the revival of religion and religious movements. â€Å"Global has no roots and people want roots.â€Å" Only through globalization do people notice their cultural belonging. Fourth, the West, with its dominating role in the international stage, can either motivate to join or create the opposite †back to the rootsâ€Å" phenomenon. Other civilizations won’t let their values be felt as inferior to those of the West, and they †increasingly have the desire, the will and the resources to shape the world in non-Western ways.† Fifth, the impossibility to change cultural differences makes it very difficult to overcome them since †they are less easily compromised and resolved than political and economic onesâ€Å". So the question asked by Huntington is †what are you?â€Å", since †a person can be half-French and half-Arab and simultaneously even a citizen of two countries. It is more difficult to be half-Catholic and half-Muslim. â€Å" Again, the religious belief is the biggest defining element when finding out the alignment of the individual. Finally, the increase in economic regionalism will reinforce civilization-consciousness and at the same time can only succeed based on a common culture. NAFTA (Mexico became member in 1996), ASEAN or Mercosur serve as examples, as do the difficulties Japan faces in creating a similar economic institution. 2.3 The Conflicts along the Faultlines and the Kin-country Syndrome The faultlines are the borders between civilizations, which is where the cultural battles will take place. It seems that Western and Islamic civilizations have been in conflict for the past thirteen-hundred years culminating in the Iraqi and Yugoslavian wars, †(t)his centuries old military interaction between the West and Islam is unlikely to decline. It could become more virulent.† The next idea worthy of comment is the kin-country syndrome which holds for a self-evident truth, that the rallying of allies is easiest and almost exclusive to countries of the same civilization 2.4 The West versus the Rest The West dominates every aspect of international relations, be it of political, security or economic kind since it plays the leading and founding role in the major international institutions (i.e. U.N., IMF, WTO). For instance, it has three seats out of five in the U.N. Security Council and â€Å"(t)hrough the IMF the West promotes its economic interests and imposes on other nations the economic policies it thinks appropriate.† Huntington sees the actions taken by the West as assuring and maintaining of Western predominance in the globe, which he finds necessary. But at the same time, other states, like China, will not accept a world in which its values are regarded as inferior to those of the West and will not accept global socio-economic institutions which limit its possibilities. â€Å"The values that are most important in the West are least important worldwide† and trying to affirm or impose them on an international institution or maybe even on another culture ca n cause misunderstandings and will lead to a re-indigenization or reaffirmation of traditional values. Huntington sees three possible reactions to Western hegemony from other states. The first option is to follow a course of isolation from the West and western policies as North Korea does. Unluckily though, this can only be achieved through massive public-control by the state so as to avoid the cultural Westoxication of the nation in question. This is not only costly but also proves to be a Herculean task, since ranging from the internet to the purchase of the simplest necessity, the West is almost always involved and present (for example the free market, freedom of speech, etc). The second possibility is â€Å"band-wagoningâ€Å" which means to try and join a country on the rise instead of looking for the classical balance of power. It involves accepting the leading country’s values and institutions. Turkey would be a good example since it is trying to join the EU. It is also what Huntington denominates a torn country, which will be explained in the following chapter. The third and last possibility is for a country or group of them to try and build a counter-balance to the West. To work though, they need a more or less equal military capacity as well as economic power, and while cooperating with each other (either intra- or inter-civilizational) to â€Å"[preserve] indigenous values and institutions; in short, to modernize but not to Westernize.â€Å" So Huntington acknowledges that the existing structure of international institutions is indeed a product of Western hegemony and reflects Western values. Only by adopting a policy of coexistence and recognizing the legitimacy of the values the other civilizations hold as sacred, can a violent conflict between civilizations be avoided. 2.5 The Torn Countries A torn country has a homogenial culture (i.e. customs, history, religion, etc.) Normally its history, culture and traditions are mostly non-Western but their leaders, according to Huntington , usually seek a bandwagoning strategy to join the West but they also have to heed the wishes of the antagonistic, traditionalist forces. For a torn country to be accepted into a new civilization, there are three requirements it must meet: First, the intellectual elite of the country must be willing to and support the change, since they are the ones to make the future changes. Second, the citizens of the country must be willing to adopt their new identity as well, since they are the bearers of the burden. Third, the civilization the country in question wants to join must be willing â€Å"to embrace the convert†. 3. Making the Case for Australia 3.1 Australias Place in the World According to Huntingtons own explanation, Australia is part of Western civilization. About 95% of Australians are of European descent (mostly British and Irish), with a minority of its population being of Asian (1,5%) or indigenous (2.2%) descent. Around 70% of its population has Christian beliefs, and its form of government is a Parliamentary Monarchy (i. e. Democratic form of government); which undoubtedly situates Australia in the midst of western countries. 3.2 Conflicts and Faultlines Now that the question of Australias civilizational affiliation is cleared, the question of intercultural conflicts arises. First, the most obvious faultline that affects Australia emerges from the border with Indonesia, a Islamic country. Since the 1970s the greatest priority of Australian foreign policy had been to have good diplomatic ties with Indonesia. So it came, that PMs Whitlam, Hawke and Keating kept supporting Indonesia in a show of Chamberlainesque appeasement, even after they had invaded East-Timor (a predominantly Catholic country) in 1975 . When John Howard was elected in 1996, he immediately sent peacekeeping forces into East Timor and advocated Australias support for their independence. The role of this support of an essentially Christian country against a Muslim nation was detrimental to Australias reputation with other Muslim countries. One could also argue, that the political cost of mobilization to help East Timor was lower, since East Timor is also a Christian country. This would prove Huntingtons idea of the kin-country syndrome. This is supported as well by various other decisions made on foreign policy. John Howards foreign policy initiatives during his administration where mainly directed at strengthening the link between Australia and the USA, culminating in a belligerent engagement in Afghanistan and Iraq . Clearly a political course of bandwagoning with the stronger power. Thus, the combination of supporting the US and the Timorese against the Muslim World has had detrimental effects on Australias relationship with Middle Eastern countries and some Asian countries, which has only been improved through the generous relief given to the victims of the Tsunami of 2004. 3.3 Australia, a Torn Country? Australia has undertaken important steps towards economic integration in the South-East Pacific region. It has joined APEC and shown true commitment to its cause by enlarging its annual budget allowance for APEC in 2007 up to AU14.5$ According to Huntington, this shows that Australian leaders are aiming at making a torn country in reverse out of Australia. This means, that they seek to defect from western civilization and to redefine themselves as an Asian country. According to Huntington, Australian leaders argued that their countries future lay within the dynamic economies of East Asia. Yet as Huntington poses, close economic cooperation normally requires a cultural base (like in the EU, Mercosur or NAFTA). Taking the thought even further, even if the Australian elites where willing to go that far, the Australian population would have to give their consent (a very improbable thing to happen) and the new hosting Civilization would have to accept the newcomer (Australia), which is about as improbable . As of now, not a single country has succesfully realigned itself within a new civilizational community, and the chances of it happening look rather bleak. To support the idea of the problematic realignment – in terms of financial interests – it suffices to check the proposals for an All- Asian Free Trade Zone presented by Malaysia in 1990 called the East Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC) or East Asia Economic Group (EAEG), which encompassed member states of ASEAN The initiative was presented due to the dissatisfaction of joining ASEAN (an Asian-states-only institution) with APEC (which has member states from the western civilization as well- i.e. USA, Australia) and was aimed at leaving out any western powers. In the end little was done to materialize any final agreements on implementation of EAEC . Still, this serves as an example to clarify to what extent Australia would have faced difficulties in trying to align itself in a new Civilization. The core countries would have left them out. 4. Conclusion All in all, Huntington presents his thoughts clearly and finds some strong arguments to back his different thesis. After having applied parts of his work to Australia the credit one must give him seems to rise. Yet one should beware taking his work as the new paradigm for international relations since some of his ideas are still unproven. In Australias case, economic cooperation with its neighbours can ensure a rise in the living standards of the nations involved, which in itself has the gracious side effect of improving conditions for democracies to foster. According to the modernization theory, richer populations usually expect more freedom from their governing elite, which in the end usually results in a turn towards a more democratic environment. The better news is that democracies have the tendency to sort problems with other democratic countries in non-violent ways, making a peaceful coexistence easier. That way, Australia could very well forfeit belligerent stands on its diver se neighbours along its faultlines, and instead focus on economic development and free trade. The rise in the budget made for APEC shows that it is willing to invest in means of fighting corruption and empowering free trade in its neighbouring countries which according to Huntingtons Hobbesian view of international relations would seem imposible. List of â€Å"Australia.† Der Fischer Weltalmanach: 2006. Frankfurt a. M. 2006 Huntington, Samuel P.: Kampf der Kulturen, Die Neugestaltung der Weltpolitik im 21. Jahrhundert. Mà ¼nchen: 1996 Huntington, Samuel P.: â€Å"The Clash of Civilizations?† Foreign Affairs, Volume 72 Nr.3, Summer 1993 Fickling, David: â€Å"Australia to send troops to Afghanistan† The Guardian Wednsday July 13, 2005 Hopkins, Andrea: â€Å"Australia let Indonesia invade East Timor in 1975† The Guardian Wednesday September 13, 2000 Information on ASEANs decision regarding EAEC, in: aseansec.org/9269.htm Lubbers, R.F.M: â€Å"A response to Samuel Huntington.† September 1997. December 20th 2007 â€Å"Australia Increases Contribution to APEC.† News Release Issued by the 19th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting Sydney: September 6, 2007 REUTERS: â€Å"Our alliance with the US remains pivotal† The Guardian, Saturday October 9 2004 Rushdie, Salman: â€Å"Yes, this is about Islam.† New York Times, November 2, 2001, January 24, 2008 Triandis, Harry C.: â€Å"Cross-Cultural Studies of Individualism and Collectivism. Nebraska Symposium on Motivation.† New York Times, Dec. 25, 1990 â€Å"Und dann die Atombombe. Gesprch mit Professor Samuel Huntington† Der Spiegel, Nr. 48, 25.11.1996 Research Papers on Huntington - Clash of CivilizationsCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeBringing Democracy to AfricaAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andPETSTEL analysis of IndiaEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaHip-Hop is Art