Should regional actors play a greater role in international peace Essay

Should regional actors play a greater role in international peace operations - Essay Example As Hettne and Soderbaum argue, the UN is built on a Westphalian nation-state model in which the UN sits at the top with regional actors participating with the authority and support of the UN. At the same time however, regional organizations such as the EU, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have become legitimate institutions quite capable of managing conflicts on their own.3 The UNSC has at times appointed regional peace keeping operations that were either under-resourced or ineffective or simply chose not to intervene.4 While Coleman’s global legitimacy pyramid suggests that regional actors require UNSC mandates in order to achieve legitimacy and therefore to be effective,5 the rise of regional organizations suggest that a post-Westphalian reality exists and the UNSC may need regional actors in order to achieve greater legitimacy. Moreover, Article 52 of the UN Charter calls for regional initiatives in peace keeping.6 The UNSC however, has failed to forge comprehensive relationships with regional organizations despite regional actors’ significant role in managing conflicts.7 Given the rise of regional powers8 and the soft power associated with the UNSC’s peace keeping practices9, this paper uses the theory of neoliberal institutionalism and social constructivism to consider whether or not regional actors should play a greater role in international peace operations. Traditional theories of international relations focuses too narrowly on materialism and state actors whereas neoliberalism looks more narrowly at how politics at the international level is institutionalized at either formal or informal levels.10 Social constructivism provides a theoretical framework which explains international relations in terms of security as a collective endeavor rather than self-help ambitions and thus allows a more

Theory of Gravity Essay Example for Free

Theory of Gravity Essay Of all the current nuclear fusion reactor experiments JET and ITER are the largest. JET, Joint European Torus, based in Culham Science Centre in the UK, is the centre of Europes fusion research. JET is currently the worlds largest tokomak capable of delivering up to 30 MW of power, it is used by more than 20 European Countries and also used by international scientists. It is used to test the conditions that will be in use by commercial fusion power plants. JET began in 1978, in operation since 1983 and in November of 1991 became the first experiment to produce controlled nuclear fusion power. It has been a stepping stone for ITER, producing parameters that have been vital in its production. In 1997 a record of 16 MW of energy were produced by JET using the mixed deuterium-tritium fuel with an input of 24 MW; a 65% ratio. ITER, originally standing for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor but dropped due to negative connotations of thermonuclear especially combined with the word experimental. ITER began in 1985, but it was only until 2005 that the south of France was decided on as a location for the reactor. ITER is supported by many countries worldwide including the USA, the EU, the Russian Federation, India, China, Korea and Japan. In November 2006, and agreement was signed which formed the international ITER organisation who owns the device and all aspects of the project. ITER was formulated because it was agreed that a larger and more powerful reactor was needed to emulate conditions in a commercial reactor and demonstrate its feasibility. ITER is built from the collective research made by all the many fusion experiments worldwide; a collaborative effort to provide cheap, clean fuel for many future generations. The first plasma is predicted to be produced by 2016. Nuclear Fusion is entirely feasible as a future energy source though it will be a long time before they will overtake traditional natural resources in terms of percentage of the Earths energy provided. Estimated put it around 2050 until fusion power plants are in full commercial use. It is proven that fusion is the most efficient energy source we have to date; 4 times more than that of nuclear fission. It is inherently safe, and there is no hazardous waste except some radioactive materials from free neutrons, though in future designs this could be eradicated. Research is currently going well; all that remains is for bigger more powerful models and with ITER on the horizon it will not be long before a self sustaining fusion reaction with a positive output is achieved. This means well into the future 100% waste free fusion plants could provide nearly all of the worlds electricity, resulting in a clean safe environment with a massively reduced threat of global warming. Bibliography C. R. Nave, 2006, HyperPhysics, viewed 13 September 2008 http://hyperphysics. phy-astr. gsu. edu/hbase/hframe. html David Sang, 1995, Nuclear and Particle Physic, 2nd Ed. Thomas Nelson and Sons ltd.  https://www.euro-fusion.org/

Patriarchy In Twilight Saga English Literature Essay

Patriarchy In Twilight Saga English Literature Essay Its easy to observe the expansive reach of the Twilight saga. For starters, it is a cash-cow. To date, the four book series has sold approximately 85 million copies (Grossman) and has claimed the top four spots on USA Todays year-end bestseller list for the years 2008 and 2009 (Minzesheimer and DeBarros, Sellers;Twilight Sweeps). Twilight saga merchandise though sold in multiple retail outlets single-handedly brought retailer Hot Topic back from the depths of economic gloom and doom in 2008 (Odell).  [1]  The film adaptation of Twilight grossed $380 million at the box office (more than 10 times what it cost to produce) before earning over $3 million in DVD sales on its first day of release (Armstrong) while New Moon performed even better earning more than $700 million worldwide before its DVD release in March 2010 (The Twilight Saga: New Moon). Beyond the economic impact, the series inspires Beatlemania-type fanaticism among its growing, primarily female, fan-base. Conduct a G oogle search for Twilight fansite, and youll get almost 1.2 million returns. Furthermore, a November 10, 2008 scheduled appearance in San Francisco by Robert Pattinson (the actor portraying Edward Cullen in the film adaptation of Twilight) was cancelled after he was swarmed by fans. The melee also resulted in a broken nose for one fan, while another lost consciousness (News from WENN). Pattinson made the following remarks about the impassioned Twilight fandom: People know my name, ambush me in public, try to figure out what hotel Im staying at, ask me to bite them and want to touch my hair. It feels surreal (Bell). These are but a few examples that demonstrate the massive impact the Twilight saga has on audiences. The widespread audience response might cause some to wonder just what it is about Twilight that appeals so much to fans. There are others, like myself, who have chosen to question the impact the Twilight narrative may have on readers specifically female readers perceptions of culture. While there are many aspects of the Twilight narrative being debated by fans and critics alike, themes of patriarchy and misogyny are of particular interest (Mann; Myers; McClimans and Wisnewski; Housel). The Twilight Saga is Just Entertainment, Right? Why Should We Care? Before we can enter into a proper analysis about the impact of patriarchal and misogynistic themes in Twilight, its first important to understand why wed want to analyze an artifact of popular culture at all. An older academic view situates popular texts like the Twilight saga as low art, or mass produced schlock meant to dupe unsophisticated audiences, like us, into passivity (Horkheimer and Adorno; Benjamin). Postmodern cultural studies scholars, however, see popular culture as an aspect of mass culture (Storey, Cultural Theory), or the values and ideas that members of a society form from common exposure to the same cultural activities, communications media, music and art, etc.  Thus, examining popular culture texts exposes how they are used assert social values upon others (Barthes). Female-targeted popular culture artifacts like the Twilight saga are sites that are especially worthy of examination since they place the female/feminine experience at the forefront of media criti que (McRobbie and McCabe; Modleski; Radway; Ang; Mellencamp). The central concern of feminist media analyses is to examine patriarchal ideology as it relates to power and agency in society (Baumgardner and Richards; Durham; Storey, An Introduction; van Zoonen). Analyzing texts through a feminist lens can serve as a means of exposing and critiquing patriarchy in popular media and, in the process, help to liberate audiences from traditional, stereotypical representations (Durham). It is also a way to understand the concept of gender as a social construction, and posits media texts as critical sites for the negotiation of gender roles. If we read the Twilight saga closely, we might conclude that it promotes what Cynthia Enloe calls a Culture of Imminent Danger, which she defines as a culture sustained by the classical patriarchal caveat that women are in the sort of danger from which only rational men can protect them (234). One way in which the Twilight saga reinforces a Culture of Imminent Danger is seen in the roles of the adult male and female characters in the series. For example, male characters are written into roles or occupations that reflect the role of protector. Charlie, Bellas father, is the police chief in Forks; Carlisle Cullen, Edwards father, is the most prominent doctor in town; and Billy Black, Jacobs father, is a Quileute tribe elder. Meanwhile, the female characters in Twilight, are symbolically annihilated that is they are largely trivialized and either symbolized as child-like adornments who need to be protected or they are dismissed to the protective confines of the home (Tuchman 8). The ro le of Bellas mother, Renee, is muted throughout the story we know only that she has decided to follow her new husband to spring training camp in Florida and that she is childlike and harebrained (Meyer, Twilight 4). Before Renee remarried, Bella saw herself as her mothers caretaker. Esme, Edwards mother is also superficially presented. As the matriarch of the Cullen clan, she is characterized only by her ability to love passionately and her strong mothering instincts (Meyer, Twilight 307, 368). Bella, too, has been seen by some as falling victim to symbolic annihilation. In the discussion topic Bella, is she a bad influence for teens? on the TwilightMoms.com fan site, for example, fans express concern that Bella is a weak character because she sees herself less beautiful than Edward, less intelligent, and clumsier than everyone else. Bella, because she is the weak and vulnerable one, is in constant need of care and protection she is dependent upon Edward for survival. Indeed, we see what happens to Bella when she is abandoned by the protective influence of Edward she becomes a lost moon (Meyer, New Moon, 201). Later, when Bella and Edward visit Renee in Eclipse, Renee remarks to Bella that her role in her relationship to Edward is that of a satellite, or something (Meyer, Eclipse, 68). A satellite can be understood as any object that moves around a larger object. The comparisons of Bella to a moon or other satellite are significant since they symbolically place Edward at the center and Bella in the periphery. This scenario illustrates Edwards role as the actor and Bellas role as the reactor in the Twilight saga. When Edward moves, so does Bella. When Edward leaves, Bella, too, checks out. Likewise, it implies that the orbiter is the least valuable one in the relationship. Take, for example, the Earths relationship to the Sun. The Earth as a support system for human life is important in its own right, but the Sun has far more importance. Without the Sun, the Earth is annihilated. Without Edward, Bella is annihilated. Because the symbolic annihilation of women in media fails to address the full range of womens real-life goals and potential, it plays an important role in establishing and normalizing ideology that helps those in power (read: men) stay in power. But, Bella exists in a world much different than ours. How much potential can we expect Bella to posses in a situation where she is forced to battle super-human forces? Meyer acknowledges this when responding to critics. She says: There are those who think Bella is a wuss. There are those who think my stories are misogynistic-the damsel in distress must be rescued by strong heroà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I am not anti-female, I am anti-human. I wrote this story from the perspective of a female human because that came most naturally, as you might imagine. But if the narrator had been a male human, it would not have changed the events. When a human being is totally surrounded by creatures with supernatural strength, speed, senses, and various other uncanny powers, he or she is not going to be able to hold his or her own. Sorry. Thats just the way it is. We cant all be slayers. Bella does pretty well I think, all things considered (Meyer, The Story). Im willing to buy Meyers explanation to an extent. But, just because the Twilight saga narrative is set against a backdrop of fantasy does not mean its capabilities for reinforcing the oppressive ideology that exists in our real-world go unrealized. For example, Bella only becomes strong by conforming to the masculine standard put forth by Edward (that is, by becoming a vampire). Of course, Edward cannot reverse himself to his human form, but when Bella changes for Edward, it legitimizes a longstanding cultural norm of women adjusting their desires to accommodate those of her male partner.  [2]  As with the satellite analogy, this aspect of the Twilight saga highlights Edwards superiority over Bella. Edward Is The Worlds Best Predator, Isnt He? Everything About Him Invites You In. When readers buy a romance novel, they are being sold more than just the book. The ideology of romance exemplified by lessons of gender subjectivities and sexual difference in a patriarchal structure embedded in the patriarchal and misogynistic themes present in romance genre is also being sold (Brown; Cooper). The romance narrative of the Twilight saga teaches us that if social order is to be successful and maintained, then the most notable compromises will have to be made by women. This lesson establishes, then, that if women wish for patriarchy to be neutralized in society they will have to be the ones to do it. We see this perspective manifested in the online comments of several readers comments that largely are critical of Bella for failing to overcome the patriarchal constraints present in the Twilight saga (see for example beka; Jost; North; Seltzer; or any of the myriad of fan posts on TwilightMoms, Twilight Lexicon, and other fansites). However, men and women exist togeth er in society and, as such, any fair reading of the Twilight saga would also be looking at Edwards responsibility in perpetuating oppressive ideas about gender roles in human society. Perhaps the most profound way that Edward Cullen reinscribes an oppressive patriarchal ideology is that he demonstrates the classic signs of a batterer. Many readers might disagree with my assessment by pointing out that Edward is motivated by his intense desire to protect Bella and he only has her best interests in mind. The framing of Edwards actions as being in Bellas best interests is precisely what makes them so dangerous. This viewpoint normalizes and legitimizes masculine power over females for the reader. As for how Edward demonstrates signs of a batterer, one need only refer to the criteria established by nationally known domestic violence trainer and consultant Lydia Walker. As part of her Getting a Firm Foundation training, Walker has developed a list of seventeen behaviors seen in people who abuse their partners. Walker warns that if the person has several (three or more) of these behaviors, a strong potential exists for physical violence the more signs a person has, the more likely the person is a batterer. Edward exhibits at least seven of these behaviors (in varying degrees) at different points in the Twilight saga.  [3]  These are: Jealousy Of course, the tension between Edward and Jacob is at the forefront of the story, but Edward expresses his displeasure in many of Bellas potential suitors, In Twilight, for example we are most acutely aware of his dislike for Mike Newton. Edward tells Bella that when Mike asked her to the school dance, he was surprised by the flare of resentment, almost fury that he felt (Meyer, Twilight 303). Edward is surprised by his feelings, remarking that jealousy is so much more powerful that I would have thought. And irrational! (304). Controlling behavior Walker defines controlling behavior as those actions that are attributed to a concern for a womans safety and well being. We see one example of Edwards controlling behavior in Twilight when he follows Bella and her friends to Port Angeles. Walker also warns that controlling behaviors are frequently manifested in the abusers lack of willingness to let a woman make personal decisions. We see Edwards controlling behavior reappear later in the same chapter when he tells Bella when she needs to eat (even when she insists that she isnt hungry), and again when Bella is recovering in the hospital in the last chapter Edward calls for the nurse to administer pain medication to Bella even though she is clear that she does not need them (Meyer, Twilight 477). In Eclipse, Edwards attempts to control Bella are particularly disturbing as he continuously attempts to prevent Bella from visiting Jacob. First, he disconnects the cables to her car battery. Later, he manipulates Al ice into participating in a kidnapping plot designed to keep Bella away from La Push. When he finally agrees to let her go, he does so only if he can take her there and pick her up himself. Perhaps the most appalling example, though, is in Breaking Dawn when Edward attempts to arrange for an abortion for Bella without any discussion from her or her permission. Quick involvement Most battered women dated or knew the abuser for less than six months (many for less than three months) before they were married, living together, or engaged. An abuser comes on like a whirlwind (Walker). Chapter one of Twilight tells the reader that Bella moves to Forks in January. It is not until March that Bella and Edward decide to become a couple (Twilight Chapter 10). By Prom in May, shes ready to give up her mortality for Edward (Twilight Epilogue). In fact, the entire story only spans two years. Unrealistic expectations Walker characterizes unrealistic expectations in terms of possessiveness and states that abusive people will expect their partner to meet all of their needs. At one point, Edward tells Bella that he is anxious à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ to be away from [her], and that he gets distracted à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ worrying about [her] (Meyer Twilight 188-9). Edward is relentless in keeping Bella close to him, unrealistically worried that some great harm will come to her. Edward tells Bella: You are my life now (314). Blames others for feelings The abuser will tell the woman you make me mad, youre hurting me by not doing what I tell you, I cant help being angry' (Walker).  The abuser is, of course, responsible for what he thinks and feels, but will use his feelings to manipulate his partner. One example of Edward acting in this way can be found in the meadow scene in Twilight. Prior to this point, Edward has made his desire for Bella known, but it is not until they are in the meadow that he drops his mask to show Bella the true extent of the danger he poses to her. Hes frenzied as he explains all the ways in which he could easily destroy her, and then blames Bella when he feels he has lost control (Meyer, Twilight 263-5). Later, when Bella and Edward kiss before meeting the rest of the Cullens for a game of baseball, he forcefully pulls himself off of her when he loses control and proclaims: Damn it, Bella! à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Youll be the death of me, I swear you will (363). Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Walker warns women to look out for sudden mood changes in which one minute the abuser is really nice and the next minute hes exploding.   She explains that explosiveness and moodiness are typical of people who abuse their partners since these behaviors can intimidate and frighten the victim and are reflections of the abusers use of threats and manipulation to establish and maintain power and control. The entire first part of Twilight (certainly until Bella is rescued in Port Angeles by Edward in Chapters eight and nine) is focused on Edwards odd behavior towards Bella that vacillates between amusement and pure contempt. At one point, his behavior causes Bella to say to Edward, I cant keep up with you, and question him as to whether he has a multiple personality disorder (Meyer, Twilight 84, 82). Even after Edward makes his true feelings for Bella known and while he continues to keep his emotions in-check around Bella, hes prone to the occasional swing. Any force during a conflict This may involve a batterer holding a woman down, physically restraining her from leaving a room, or pushing/shoving her (Walker). In Chapter five of Twilight, Bella faints during a blood-typing exercise in her Biology class. Edward convinces the school secretary to excuse them from class so that he can escort her safely home. Bella relents, happy to get out of class, but is fully intent on seeing herself home. When Bella moves to the drivers seat of her truck, Edward physically restrains her by pulling the back of her jacket, telling her, Where do you think youre going? (Meyer, Twilight 103). Later, Bella is restrained again, this time by Edwards brother Emmett (under Edwards direction) as they rush to flee James after the baseball game. While trying to decide how to counter James inevitable attack, Edward decides to take Bella away from Forks. When she protests, Edward orders Emmett to secure her by her wrists and forcibly strap her into the harness of the Jeep they are using to escape (381). Of course, not everyone will see it this way. Some will see Edward as he is presented as the ideal, romantic, doting boyfriend and rationalize that his actions are justified because they were enacted with Bellas best interests in mind and because Edward, as a vampire, has physical and mental capabilities that Bella, as a mortal, does not possess. But, we cannot let Edward off the hook just because he is a vampire and not a living, breathing person. While personhood is certainly linked to humanity, Nicolas Michaud suggests that one does not necessarily need to be human to be a person: Personhood should be granted to those who demonstrate certain qualities such as consciousness and self motivated activity; those who demonstrate certain capabilities such a practical reason and affiliation should also not be denied the ability to flourish if they so choose (45). Edwards respect for the human soul, his choice to drink animal blood instead of human blood, and his attempt to assimilate in to Forks society demonstrate his desire to pass and be accepted as a person and not a vampire. Therefore, if Edward wants to enjoy the benefits of personhood in our society, we have to demand of him the same standards that we would expect from any other male in it regardless of any supernatural power he may possess. There are those that will argue that even though Edward exhibits these tendencies, he does not cross the line to become a full-fledged physical abuser. However, while physical violence is one method by which men control women and maintain their supremacy, patriarchy does not need to be enforced by using violence alone. In this case, Edwards actions create an environment where Bella cannot love Edward without loathing herself. He demonstrates that, despite the claim to the contrary, he is actually very far from perfect. Yet, Bella still sees herself as subordinate to him. She consistently reminds the reader and herself that she is not good enough for Edward. Because the Bella/Edward relationship is presented as fated and Edwards actions are justified as being for the benefit of Bellas safety, we permit Bella to respond in ways that would concern us if we saw it manifested in others close to us. We condone her continued disregard for her own personal safety. We allow her to isolate h erself from her family and friends. We accept her explanations for her repeated injuries. Bella literally gives up her life for love. Edwards controlling behavior coupled with Bellas justification of it creates a situation in which the females subordination becomes not only acceptable to readers, but rational as well. Can Romance Narratives be Anything But Oppressive? The abuse narrative present in the Twilight saga becomes especially problematic when viewed with an understanding of the romance genre. Romance as a genre is frequently characterized by the quest for an ideal heterosexual love relationship between a strong, dashingly handsome, young man and a beautiful, vulnerable, self-sacrificing young woman (Burnett and Beto). These qualities of romance stories are at the forefront of the Twilight saga. While these aspects of romance can be read as contributing to the perpetuation of patriarchal ideas about gender roles, romance can also be interpreted as the ultimate feminist genre. Catherine Asaro reminds us that the plots of most romance stories are centered on the desires of the heroine; her values are given priority and she always ends up getting what she wants. Bella spends four books telling us, the readers, that she wants to achieve immortality as a vampire and spend eternity with Edward while still being able to keep her best friend and Edwards rival suitor Jacob around. Breaking Dawn sees Bella fighting for her right to bear a child. She ultimately achieves all of this. Asaro also asserts that romance novels are unique in that they adhere to the female gaze. Laura Mulveys concept of the male gaze rests in the assumption that the audience is forced to view the action and characters of a filmic text through the perspective of a heterosexual man. Examples of its manifestation in filmic texts are seen in camera shots focusing on the curves of the female body, cleavage, or other sexualized positioning of women. In romance novels, however, the male form is the one under the heaviest scrutiny its features extolled upon in great detail. In fact, the female heroine is frequently described with just enough detail to humanize her, while leaving enough information out of the picture so that the reader might insert herself into it. In Twilight, Bella frequently compares Edward to the mythical Greek god Adonis. Her description of his facial features is specific. We see Edward, through her eyes as perfect and angular with high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and a straight nose and full lips. His hair, which is always messy, is an unusual, eye-catching shade of bronze while his eyes are topaz. Bella, on the other hand, is described to the reader far more simply she has long brown hair and brown eyes. Texts presented through the female gaze are significant in two distinct ways. For one, that the heroine is presented as an everywoman can be seen as empowering to female readers who are often only presented with representations of female characters that fade into the background unless they have qualities deemed important' (Asaro). Readers are able to recognize aspects of themselves in the narrative. Also, it legitimizes female sexuality and debunks the myth that women dont notice men in that way. Physical attractiveness is just as important for females as it is for males. Female sexuality is further legitimized in romance in that the heroine is rarely punished for engaging in sexual acts and can frequently be seen as the initiator of such acts. In Twilight, it is Bella who is eager to consummate the relationship she has with Edward and Edward who is resistant to give in without being married. Still, there is plenty in the saga to support the charges that the Twilight narrative is potentially harmful. Even though Edward never crosses the line into domestic violence, his behavior is still troublesome since the heavy consumption of romance narratives can, over time, influence readers interpretations of appropriate behavior for men and women in romantic relationships. In The Killing Screens, George Gerbner discusses his cultivation theory, which was developed to help explain the cumulative and overarching impact repeated media exposure has on the way we see the world in which we live. It emphasizes the effects of media consumption on the attitudes rather than the behavior of audiences. In short, heavy exposure is seen as cultivating attitudes which are more consistent with the world of media than with the everyday world. Gerbner argues that media cultivates attitudes and values which are already present in a culture, normalizing and reinforcing more dominant values, while mak ing other, more underlying ideas more salient. In a society such as ours where masculine ideology is already privileged; where we already have historical struggles with creating safe, egalitarian spaces for women; and where we already struggle with violence and intimidation, Gerbners theory tells us that extended consumption of the over-representation of patriarchy in the Twilight saga can normalize and legitimize acts of oppression that we might witness or experience in our own lives. When abuse is made to be fun and entertaining, we run the risk rationalizing and justifying it and fail to see the tragedy in it when we come across it in our real lives. Viewing the Twilight saga through this lens moves the conversation from the question of, What are romance narratives like those in Twilight doing to women? to What are women doing with them? Romance has been, perhaps, one of the most denigrated popular culture genres (Asaro; Wethington; Holmes). Common complaints include the lack of diversity and scope of romance narratives (typically seen as a result of the demands of powerful commercial forces and publishers looking to quickly churn out formulaic narratives that have previously proven to be profitable); and the genres consistent reliance on conservatively rigid messages about race, gender and male-female relationships; and the objectification of human bodies in explicit, almost pornographic, sexual representations (Wethington). Not everyone buys into these criticisms. Feminist media scholar Janice Radway was one of the first to take seriously the pleasure that women readers consistently seem to find in romance. According to her inf luential text Reading the Romance, women use romance as a way to set up a quiet space for themselves. They not only vicariously enjoy status positions and spaces of nurturing through the books that they do not enjoy in the real world, but romance stories also provide a fictional space in which readers can rehearse and make sense of their individual identity and role in society (Radway; Burnett and Beto). The role romance plays in preparing individuals how to behave in their public lives is even greater for young readers than what it may be for adults. Girls will use romances as an alternative to a romantic relationship when one has not yet presented itself. Romance novels act as safe spaces to gain insight on how to meet boys, what kinds of things they might say to them, and what dating is like. For them, romance novels act as beginners manual for adolescence (Cherland and Edelsky; Christian-Smith; Willinsky and Hunniford) Audiences appear to carry the lessons and desires cultivated through repeated exposure to romance narratives in their youth with them throughout their lives. For example, a generation ago, at the height of the coming-of-age teen romance flick, there emerged two archetypes for the ideal boyfriend Jake Ryan and Lloyd Dobler. Jake Ryan, of course, was the cool, super-popular, super-rich, Porsche-driving, way-too-hot-to-be-in-high-school hunk who caught the Plain Jane Samantha Bakers eye in the film Sixteen Candles. Lloyd Dobler, on the other hand, was an unpretentious, earnest, boombox-hoisting everyman who was thoroughly devoted to the super-smart Diane Court in the film Say Anything. Its been more than 25 years since Sixteen Candles was in theaters and 20 years since Say Anything was released, yet women coming of age in the 1980s still find themselves longing for their Jake or their Lloyd but, not finding him. (Stuever, Real Men; Steuver, What I Did). There is evidence that the same desire audiences have for a relationship with Jake and Lloyd also exists for Edward Cullen, regardless of the age of the audience member. For example, on the discussion forum for the TwilightTeens.com fansite, for example, one can find a multitude of discussion threads in which young fans deliberate questions like On a scale of 1 to 10, how lucky is Bella Swan [to be with Edward Cullen]?; Could you see yourself dating a guy like Edward?; or What do you like about Edward? Additionally, Emily Reynolds interviews and surveys with female adult readers of the Twilight saga revealed that it was Bella with whom readers most frequently identified and whose behaviors they most saw in themselves, making it easy for the reader to slip into Bellas shoes. This identification most frequently manifests itself in a desire to be romantically linked with Edward. According to one of Reynolds participants: I would leave my husband for someone like that (30). The difference, of course, is that seeking out a Jake Ryan or a Lloyd Dobler though destined to end in disappointment is not likely to meet with a violent end, though seeking out an Edward Cullen might. Is it all bad? It is not my goal to vilify the Twilight saga. It is okay to enjoy things that are entertaining and fun, but we should not dupe ourselves into believing that our entertainment media does not also assist in formulating our ideas about our culture. Popular media help shape a worldview in audiences that re-inscribes dominant positions of power and authority (Althusser; Gitlin; Hall), which in Eurocentric cultures like ours is white, patriarchal capitalism (Fiske qtd. in Meyers 7). Patriarchy is the primary oppressor of females in a society (Firestone; Greer; Millett). Since patriarchy does not necessarily operate as an explicit, perceivable reality (meaning, we dont always recognize it when we see it), we must review the aspects of our culture pop culture included that perpetuate patriarchal ideology and cause it to be normalized. What are, in fact, dangerous ideas that devalue the female in society are too frequently seen as legitimate choices in the Twilight saga choices made in th e name of true love or in the face of supernatural forces. When presented through these lenses, Bella and Edwards relationship is seen as romantic and desirable when in any other world it would be destructive. We have to remember that patriarchy, while notable for marginalizing females, does not operate free from feminine influence (Enloe). Social systems are not made solely of men; women are also contributing members. As such, a patriarchal society relies on the participation of all members men and women to endure. Therefore, as destructive as Edward is in the Twilight narrative, the real danger exists when we fail to confront patriarchy and oppression when we encounter it. It is advantageous that Twilight appeals to readers across several generations because it can be used as a framework for encouraging discourse between adults and youth about how female oppression occurs in society. Only future analysis will tell if these conversations are happening. Lets hope that they are.

Masters, Slaves, and Subjects Essay -- Robert Olwell Charles Towne Ess

Masters, Slaves, and Subjects In his book â€Å"Masters, Slaves, and Subjects†, Robert Olwell examines the complex relationships and power structures of colonial-era Charles Towne. Charles Towne, as Charleston was known in the years between its founding and its independence from the British Empire, is portrayed by Olwell as dominated by a rigid agrarian slave society which served as an intermediary in a more complex power structure that extended from the royal halls of London to the plantation fields of the Lowcountry. In examining the complicated web of relationships between London and the colony, and Masters and Slaves, Olwell argues that the economic and political structure of Charles Towne was based upon a successive series of carefully-maintained power-based relationships. CHARLES TOWNE: A GATEWAY TO POWER Power in Charles Towne was centralized at what became known as the Four Corners of Law, at Broad and Meeting Streets, and radiated outward across the Lowcountry. The Four Corners were home to the State House, where the Colonial Assembly met, St. Michael’s Church, the heart of the Church of England in the colony, the Town Watch House, which kept the slave population in check, and the public marketplace, where the commerce that was vital to the colony’s economy took place (19). One could easily see power was centralized within Charleston, not just over the local area, but also statewide. Of the forty-eight members of the colonial Assembly, twenty-eight lived within a day’s horse ride of the city. Half of the justices of the colony, who took an oath to defend â€Å"King and Country†, were either sitting or former members of the Assembly, and all of the justices were slave owners (... ...constitution officially separated church and state, ending the power of the Anglican Church forever (282). With this, the last ties to Mother England were cast off, and the elite were secure as Masters of their world, and Subjects to none. CONCLUSION Colonial Charles Towne had evolved into a sort of fuedal city-state governed by power-based relationships, which established roles for everyone from the lowest slave to the economic and political elite who ruled the colony. These relationships were vital to the success and stability of the city and the lands and the people over which it held power. In his book, Robert Olwell clearly identified defines the roles of Master, Slave, and Subject, and made a strong argument that, right or wrong, this system of power-based relationships was the key to the success, prosperity, and security of the colony.

Organisations External Relationships And Its Internal Capabilities Commerce Essay

Schemes are formulated and driven by senior direction to whom we expect to put Strategic way. Such schemes are so adopted by concerns in order to enable them to accomplish their concern aims. By looking at the external and internal capablenesss of the concern a new degree of sustainability have to be considered and ‘businesses are implanting sustainability to their schemes. ‘ ( Mertins 2012 ) We will research concerns schemes like Porter ‘s ( 1985 ) generic competitory schemes which provide a sustainable industry. Barney ‘s ( 1980 ) resource base position looks how this has improved the concerns sustainability. I will be using this theory to existent life administrations looking at Physical ; Human ; Technological and Organisational facet of the concern. Finally I will research the external parts of the administration with this theory and seeing what is valuable ; rare and what makes them ‘Imperfectly Imitable ‘ ( Barney 1980 ) as a concern. Busine ss Strategies that I will analyze are ; Cost leading ( Porter, 1985 ) and Differentiation ( Bowman and Faulkner, 1996 ) . Therefore integrating Cost Leadership and distinction and explicating how this affects the internal capablenesss and external relationships within an administration. Following on from this I will look at Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR ) is a concern scheme which involves the full concern, whereas the Porter ( 1985 ) and Bowman and Faulkner ( 1996 ) concern scheme which merely involves a subdivision of a concern. I have selected Microsoft as a taking illustration of Carroll ( 1991 ) theory on the ‘the pyramid of corporate societal duty, analyzing how they have succeeded by carry throughing the four degrees of the pyramid utilizing this scheme. I will look how CSR affects ‘Triple Bottom Line ‘ ( Elkington 2004 ) and the external relationships and the internal capablenesss of Microsoft. Other schemes concerns can follow are ‘differentiation by trade name ; distinction by design: distinction by positioning ; distinction by engineering and eventually distinction by invention ‘ ( Baroto, 2012 ) . I will concentrate on Apple ‘s concern scheme to put themselves apart from other rivals through engineering. Furthermore Apple scheme to distinguish themselves you can reason that they are concentrating on â€Å" Luxury good † market section and peculiar types of audience. Apple created a new selling niche by puting capital in research, which allowed them to hold a alone engineering advantage against rivals which is sustainable for the hereafter. Firstly internal capablenesss have improved and the technological progresss have meant that Apple is able to hold an automated production line to better efficiency, which so improves the overall quality of the merchandise. However the upfront cost in execution is highly high and the cost of puting quality cont rol can be clip devouring. This could impact the internal and external relationships with Apple employees and providers as the production is chiefly automated this means that labor costs will be reduced and could ensue in occupation cuts for the concerns. One of Apples Core competences is the alone engineering that they adapt to their merchandises this competency is good protected by patents which stop rivals utilizing the engineering that Apple has. Apple does take a cost leading ( Porter 1985 ) attack. Buyer Power ( Porter ‘s Five Forces 1985 ) there is merely two different providers of memory french friess and the microprocessors and OS french friess nevertheless for keyboards ; disc drivers there are many different providers this means that providers will better the quality of their merchandises and lower their monetary values for Apple hence go forthing the provider in a low provider place. By maintaining the providers cost down through Buyer power this means that Net income borders are maximised doing Apple providers sustainable for the hereafter. Second the environment is a immense issue set uping Apple externally and focused on happening energy that is renewable. Apple is continually ‘working towards the end of accomplishing net zero energy plans for our corporate installations worldwide ‘ . ( Apple Environment Report 2012 ) Apple is besides working with the authorities to run into environment marks bettering their External relationships. Apple has a demand that all supplier s have to be environmentally friendly when bring forthing natural stuffs. Apple utilises purchaser power ( Porter, 1985 ) to guarantee that their providers are utilizing eco-friendly processing processs and in the transit of the merchandises to Apple. The provider adheres to petitions by Apple as they are major client. I am now traveling to use Barney ‘s ( 1980 ) resource based position to look further in the internal and external facets of the concern. Apple is really financially stable and booming in their current market as net incomes twelvemonth in and twelvemonth out seem to increase. Apple is world-wide company and has mills that are based in Asia the donees of this is are ; works out cheaper to transport the goods so base the mill in USA due to chiefly of revenue enhancement rates and labor costs are higher in USA than Asia. Apple ‘s human resource was Steve Jobs who innovated many of Apples finest thought ‘s and made Apple successful. Steve Jobs was a invaluable plus to the concern. Furthermore Steve Jobs thoughts boasted the Technological facets of the concern with new technological thoughts in their merchandises which helped them distinguish themselves against their rivals both in bend helped the internal capablenesss of the concern. Apple ‘s most valuable plus is the iconic engineering which they possess and they protect their promotions against their competition through patents. These engineerings allowed them to implement their scheme which is to stand out in the luxury good market and making a new selling niche which helps them stand out against their rivals. By standing out it brings high returns to their stockholders bettering the external relationships and Apple has done this through engineering promotion doing this rare ( Barney 1980 ) facet of the concern. Branding of Apple is alone as they still see themselves as frontier in the engineering industry. Apple brands themselves as a luxury good this is apparent when recession occurred in 2008 and they did n't drop the monetary values as a consequence they would bare the loss nevertheless this did n't impact their trade name image. I would see Apple ‘s trade name image to be amiss imitable which makes Apple sustainable for the hereafter. Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR ) scheme like Carroll ( 1991 ) identifies ‘the pyramid of corporate societal duty ‘ . There are 4 different degrees which a concern should travel through to go a successful company. Microsoft is an illustration of a company that has completed the four degrees of pyramids of societal duty. Economic duty to extent stockholders should see a return on their investing like providers ; clients and employees. Carroll ( 1991 ) believes that this is required in order to do a concern a success on the other manus we have the Friedman ‘s attack which some companies take as the neoclassical attack ‘The concern of concern is concern ‘ ( Friendman YEAR ) and would merely make any degrees of the Carroll ‘s ( 1991 ) Pyramid if it was to increase the company value with that peculiar company. Elkington ( 2004 ) theory on ‘Triple Bottom Line ‘ on sustainability an facet being Economic growing which Microsoft has to see . Microsoft with the new invention of Windows 8 has improved the external facet of the concern and helps excite economic growing more significantly this new invention has helped Microsoft internally as investors are more likely to put because of the possible output in market portion. This is good hazard direction in that they have lowered hazards for investors and will hopefully convey value for stockholders. Rubenstein stated ( 1994 ) ‘If your rate of invention likely to be competitory in the longer term ‘ in short ‘Are your net income borders sustainable ‘ for Microsoft to be successful they will hold adopt new wider constructs like Social capital and natural capital to turn as a concern. Microsoft does so when they create successful merchandises and dainty employees reasonably. The following degree in the pyramid is known as legal duty where they take note and accept the different Torahs around the universe. Microsoft is a great illustration as a planetary house they have to reconsider the different degrees of rewards in different states every bit good as the jurisprudence and statute law in different states. Microsoft are expected to follow jurisprudence and statute law about maintaining environment clean with Elkington ( 2004 ) theory about Triple Bottom Line it looks how Environment stewardship of a concern and how this contributes to sustainability for the hereafter. Microsoft has given clients information of what makers do when clients want to trash their old laptop and what schemes the maker offers. Furthermore Microsoft has updates Windows 7 so that it designed to cut down power ingestion which in bend improves the environment. Environment is a turning external factor that administrations have to see with judicial proceeding and ordinances. ( Microsoft – hypertext transfer protocol: //www.microsoft.com/environment/ ) The 3rd degree to this pyramid is being ethically responsible significance that beyond the jurisprudence it should be ‘expected ‘ by a concern. ( Carroll, 1991 ) By being an ethical concern this enables Microsoft to hold repeated gross revenues from their clients. Branding is another manner in which Microsoft usage and trade name themselves as Socially Responsible or an ethical concern and derive good public dealingss which could take to increased gross revenues and increased net incomes. Mintel ( 1994 ) ‘demonstrates that clients are willing to pay more for ethical merchandises. ‘ Wilson ( 1997 ) says ‘even during the recession there are clients who seek goods and services which have both been environmentally friendly and have been produced ethically. ‘ This demonstrates that clients who know that the point has been branded ethically that they are more likely to buy the merchandise which Microsoft adopts within their policies. Finally the concluding degree of the pyramid is Philanthropy duty. Carroll ( 1991 ) deems this to be desirable which frequently leads to better quality of life of employees, it besides includes contribution such as charities and instruction causes. Microsoft laminitis Bill Gates has set up a foundation for Philanthropic causes ; The returns of one have been used to help Ghanaian farming engineering in order to do a sustainable resource. ( Greene, 2009 ) Microsoft has fulfilled the Carroll ( 1991 ) Pyramid which scheme has been successful for Microsoft. Elkington ( 2004 ) in ternary bottom line negotiations about the Social advancement of a company Microsoft has demonstrated that they are invariably working with people an illustration of this Bill Gates did take clip to make Philanthropic activities to better quality life and to give more chances to employees. Last I am traveling to reflect on Corporate Social Responsibility scheme where the whole concern is driven to success ; the generic schemes that a concern could set about are cost leading and distinction where they focus on a concern section like production and doing their concern a success. In decision a concern should concentrate on a section of their company or concentrating on the whole concern to do the concern a success. From the Porter ( 1995 ) generic schemes I have found that a concern that has adopted any of the schemes have been successful provided the scheme has been implemented right which all these concern illustrations did. It is of import for a concern to do a pick between the cost leading scheme ; distinction or scheme as a concern that is â€Å" stuck in the center † is normally unsuccessful. ( Baroto, 2012 ) The resource base position ( Barney 1980 ) looks at a concern external and internal facets of the concern and to follow on Apple is truly is successful as resource based position has revealed that Apple has some rare and Imperfectly imitable which allows them to be successful and sustainable. Elkington ( 2004 ) theories incorporates ternary bottom line to place facets of the concern. I have to reason that utilizing this on Microsoft has brought out some cardinal external relationships and internal capablenesss more significantly shows that Microsoft is highly sustainable and therefore why Microsoft has been a successful concern because their high sustainability. Using the CSR scheme can do a concern successful by utilizing the whole concern to accomplish their concern purposes which in bend improves the internal and external capablenesss of the company. Carroll ‘s ( 1991 ) attack states that the ‘Pyramid of societal duty ‘ means a concern should take for Philanthropy duty as it is deemed to be desirable nevertheless some concerns will take the Friedman attack ‘the concern of concern is concern ‘ REFERE NCE and a concern would merely pattern philanthropic gift duty if it were to better their net incomes. All of these schemes have their advantages and disadvantages and all have improved facets of internal and externals relationships of a concern.

Definition and Illustrations of Example in Writing

Definition and Illustrations of Example in Writing In composition, example (or exemplification) is a  method of paragraph or essay development by which a writer clarifies, explains, or justifies a point through narrative or informative details. The best way to reveal a problem, phenomenon, or social circumstance, says William Ruehlmann, is to illustrate it with a single, specific instance. (Stalking the Feature Story, 1978). The etymology comes from the Latin, to take out. Examples and Observations I argue that there is a sense of belonging, a sense of national/cultural identity that differentiates one people from others. Let me look at Vietnamese students studying in Australia as an example. . . .(Le Ha Phan, Teaching English as an International Language: Identity, Resistance, and Negotiation. Multilingual Matters, 2008)Illustrations affected me more strongly  than reality; a picture of falling snow, for example, whether in black-and-white line drawing or blurry four-color reproduction, moves me more than any actual storm.(John Updike,  Self-Consciousness, 1989)Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.(Dave Barry)There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance, is a very slight interference.(Henry David Thoreau, Paradise (to Be) Regained. Democ ratic Review, Nov. 1843) Before long I came to regard all kinds of activities - asking for more toast in a hotel, buying wool-rich socks at Marks Spencer, getting two pairs of pants when I really needed only one - as something daring, very nearly illicit. My life became immensely richer.(Bill Bryson, Notes From a Small Island. Doubleday, 1995)ensure that you use specific and relevant examples;include multiple examples to make your point; andprovide an effective argument Functions and MethodsBecause examples are so important for clarification, adding interest, and persuasion, writers rely on them all the time, even when they use other patterns of development. Thus, you will see examples in essays developed largely with cause-and-effect analysis, process analysis, comparison-contrast, and other patterns or combinations of patterns. Say, for instance, that you are using cause-and-effect analysis to explain why sexually active teenagers often do not use birth control. Once you note that teenagers may not always understand when and how pregnancy can occur, you can illustrate with an example you read of a 15-year-old who became pregnant because she thought she was safe since it was her first sexual experience.Regardless of your purpose for using exemplification, your examples will support, clarify, or explain a generalization, which is a statement of something that is typically true in your own life or in a broader context.(Barbara Fine Clouse, Patterns f or a Purpose. McGraw-Hill, 2003)Whether example is a supporting mode or the dominant technique, you need to(W.J. Kelly, Strategy and Structure. Allyn Bacon, 1999) Examples of SuperstitionsMany superstitions are so widespread and so old that they must have risen from a depth of the human mind that is indifferent to race or creed. Orthodox Jews place a charm on their door-posts; so do (or did) the Chinese. Some peoples of Middle Europe believe that when a man sneezes, his soul, for that moment, is absent from his body, and they hasten to bless him, lest the soul should be seized by the Devil. How did the Melanesians come by the same idea? Superstition seems to have a link with somebody of belief that far antedates the religions we know - religions which have no place for such comforting little ceremonies and charities.(Robertson Davies, A Few Kind Words for Superstition. Newsweek, Nov. 20, 1978) MementosIn the small, shabby apartment there were mementos of other places, other things. There was, for example, a childs day bed folded up in a corner of the living room. Toys - if you opened the closet door too quickly - fell on your head. Tiny scuffed white shoes were still hiding - one of them, anyhow - under the headboard of the bed. Small worn dresses, ripped, faded or in good repair, hung on nails in a small back room.(Alice Walker, Meridian. Harcourt Brace, 1976) Memories of Autumn in EnglandSoon it will be the endless evenings, fraught with old, thin memories of Bovril and Sooty, wet streets, lighting-up time, tentative girlfriends gone away to university, beer and colds, waiting outside Halfords for the number 29 bus, melancholy nights with headlights making patterns on the bedroom wall. Autumn is a Sunday evening indefinitely expended. It is the season of the provinces, bedsits in Sheffield, Cardiff sea-mists, raincoats and station platforms, desolation and loss.(Michael Bywater, The Chronicles of Bargepole. Jonathan Cape, 1992) The Lighter Side of ExamplesIt is an important and popular fact that things are not always what they seem. For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much - the wheel, New York, wars and so on - whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man - for precisely the same reasons.(Douglas Adams, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Pan, 1979)

The Debra Lafave Case

The Debra Lafave Case Debra Lafave, a 24-year-old married middle school teacher in the Tampa, Florida, area was arrested in June 2004 and accused of having sex numerous times with one of her 14-year-old students. She was charged with four felony counts of lewd and lascivious battery and one count of lewd and lascivious exhibition. Here are the latest developments in the Debra Lefave case: Court Rules in Favor of Lafave Oct. 16, 2014 - The Florida Supreme Court has ruled in favor of former middle school teacher Debra Lafave in her appeal to end her probation early. The court ruled that a circuit judge was in his rights to reduce her original sentence. An appellate court had overturned Judge Wayne Timmermans ruling to end Lafaves probation early calling his decision an abuse of judicial power resulting in gross miscarriage of justice. After a year of being off probation, Lafave was again placed under supervision. The Supreme Court did not address the merits of the judges ruling, the panel wrote, Although we recognize the perceived inequality that the Second District sought to remedy, the district court lacked jurisdiction. Although Lafave is no longer on probation, she is still a registered sex offender who must check in with the sheriffs office twice a year or face felony charges. Previous Developments Court Hears Lafave AppealSept. 16, 2013The Florida Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in the case of a teacher convicted of having sex with a student who now wants her probation to be cut short. Debra Lafave is asking the states highest court to reinstate a 2011 ruling by a judge to end her probation four years early. Judge Reinstates LaFaves ProbationJan. 25, 2013Probation has officially been reinstated by a Florida judge for a former Tampa teacher who was convicted of having sex with one of her students. Debra Lafave must now finish the final four years and two months left on her sentence. Debra Lafave Ordered Back on ProbationAug. 15, 2012A former Florida middle-school teacher whose affair with a 14-year-old student shocked the nation, not to mention her then husband, has been ordered back on probation by a state appeals court. Debra Lafave was released early from probation last year by Judge Wayne S. Timmerman over the objections of the prosecution. Debra Lafave Probation Ends EarlySept. 22, 2011A former Florida middle school teacher who made national headlines by admitting she had sex with a 14-year-old student has been released from probation four years early. Debra Lafave, who is now a mother of twins, requested that Judge Wayne S. Timmerman terminate her probation early. Debra Lafave to Be Released From House ArrestApril 8, 2008Over the objections of prosecutors, a Florida judge has ruled that former teacher Debra Lafave, who confessed to having sex with a 14-year-old student, will spend her final three months of house arrest on probation instead. No Jail Time Ordered for Debra LafaveJan. 10, 2008It took a Florida judge 11 seconds to rule that conversations former teacher Debra Lafave had with co-workers at the restaurant where she worked was not a willful nor substantial violation of her probation. Debra Lafave Arrested for Probation ViolationDec. 4, 2007On the day her attorney was planning to file a motion asking that her home confinement sentence be reduced, Debra Lafave was arrested at the restaurant where she works for talking with a 17-year-old female co-worker. Debra Lafave Off the HookMar. 21, 2006Hours after a Marion County judge rejected a plea deal for Debra Lafave, the Florida middle school teacher accused of having sex with one of her 14-year-old students, state prosecutors dropped all charges against her to protect the victim in the case. Judge Reconsiders Debra Lafave Plea DealMar. 9, 2006Prosecutors joined Debra Lafaves attorneys in asking a Florida judge to reconsider their plea deal that will allow her to avoid jail time for having sex with one of her 14-year-old middle school students. Judge Rejects Debra Lafaves Plea DealDec. 9, 2005A Florida judge has rejected a plea bargain that would have allowed former teacher Debra Lafave to avoid any jail time for charges that she had sex with one of her 14-year-old students. Florida Child Molester Gets ProbationNov. 22, 2005In a blatant example of a double-standard in dealing with child molesters, a Florida judge has sentence former middle school teacher Debra LeFave to probation for having sex repeatedly with a 14-year-old male student. Debra Lafave Turns Down Plea DealJuly 18, 2005The middle-school teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student has decided to turn down a plea bargain deal and opt instead of going to trial when she plans to use an insanity defense, according to her attorney. Teacher Who Had Sex With Teen Says Shes InsaneDec. 2, 2004Debra Lafave, the suspended Florida middle school teacher facing four felony counts of lewd and lascivious behavior for having sex with a 14-year-old student, will plead not guilty by reason of insanity, according to her attorney.