Pestel Analysis Russian Federation free essay sample

This part of the dissertation will analyze main political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal issues within the Russian Federation. All of the Interviewees outlined the political aspect as the most important when investing into Russia, however the Author would like to acknowledge that the economical and legal factors have a critical weight in the issues of FDI, therefore their analysis will play a comprehensive role in the thesis, assuming that the initial reader has no background knowledge of the environment. Low awareness of ecological issues (global warming, recycling) ? Nuclear waste deposits in Siberia ?History of environmental accidents – Chernobyl ?Harsh climate conditions ?Vast territory is hard to manage Coastal access is vast but strategically more costlyLegal ?The legal system is new ?Bodies of conflicting and intertwining laws ?Federal government system makes the legal co-ordination complicated ? Poor human rights (e. g. freedom of speech) ?Corruption affects law enforcement Political Through historical analysis (please refer to Appendix A), it is evident that authoritative rule has played an important part in Russian political culture, irrespective of the government type. We will write a custom essay sample on Pestel Analysis Russian Federation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The democracy is relatively young, but the system has been stable for a long period of time to ensure economic progress (i. . there have not been any radical changes in government structure since 1991. The elections were conducted according to international standards and without any major complaints from the International Supervisors. There are internal problems with terrorism in the South Caucasus region and small military conflicts in the region (Chechnya, South Ossetia) have been unpopular with the EU and USA and are still causing tension in the geopolitical arena. Internally the corporatism does not ensure a fair business environment to everyone. Structurally speaking, ‘the decisions are not made on business; they are made on other things†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢it’s more about who’s got a bigger pistol. ’ (Question no. 12, Deputy CEO, 2010). Since most academics tend to associate Russian democracy with oligarchy, such favouritism can be seen to diminish the business environment within Russia, as there is no basis for fair competition. The Deputy CEO outlined that in Russia it is extremely important to know who is ‘boss’, this can be seen as a side effect from the historically prominent forms of leadership. Comparatively, fellow members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) (former Soviet Republics such as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan) that are also command economies where the hierarchy is clear, are progressing much faster in national and international stages (Question no. 12, Deputy CEO, 2010). The relationship with Europe is unclear. Europe is the largest destination of Russian exports. Despite the mutual dependence; there is still enough a lot of diplomatic conflict between both parties, predominately due to international balance of power (European Union is a close ally of the United States). According to the Deputy CEO (Question no. 20, 2010), there international opinion of Russia is that it uses energy as a ‘political instrument’. President Medvedev is seen to be keen on a much more open environment. Russia has currently been attempting to diversify its exports to Asia and has close links with China, which is recognized internationally as a potentially leading economy in the future (Anker Aronsen, 2010). Corruption index in Russia is one of the highest in the world. According to the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (2009) Russia ranks 147th out of 179 countries. Corruption levels are comparable to Niger and the Democratic Republic of Congo, considering the economic power of the Russian Federation (7th in the world in terms of Purchasing Power Parity), the amount and size of bribes is soaring, despite government’s policies on anti-corruption (new legislation requires government officials to register their income) (Index of Economic Freedom, 2010). Risk Exposure: The political analysis leaves foreign investors subject to cultural and systematic legal risks as the corruption makes administration process longer. Economic When making a decision to make a Direct Investment into a country economic analysis is crucial as the economy of the country is a foundation for all aspects of the business environment. The analysis will focus the key areas of the Russian economy: the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Inflation, Exchange Rate and Debt. The factors will be compared internationally acceptable standards of the United States of America. Gross Domestic Product: Alan C. Shapiro (Multinational Financial Management, 2010) states that the lasting levels of FDI have a direct impact on GDP, the evaluation of the degree to which political factors (such as corruption) have had an inverse effect on the levels of FDI as clearly seen within the Russian economy. The Gross Domestic Product of the Russian Federation is split into the following sectors: Chart 2 Overall since Putin’s presidency has seen a stabilized trend in economic development through the increase in energy prices, nevertheless the dependence on energy exports is proving to have a negative impact on future economic progress. Majority of the revenues come from the export of natural resources, which according to Abelsky account for about 70% of the GDP (‘Russia Sees Oil’, Bloomberg, 2010). Table 4 GDP Growth Rate in % GDP Growth20052006200720082009 GDP growth USA3. 12. 71. 90-2. 6 GDP growth Russia6. 48. 28. 55. 6-7. 9 The issue of dependency on oil and gas exports questions the sustainability in the development of economic indicators overall (Havlik, 2010). The correlation between GDP and energy prices (Table 10) can be clearly verified through the years 2008-2009, when the global credit crisis lowered the demand for oil (and the price fell by $35. /barrel) and Russian GDP contracted by 7. 9%. Even though the government responded quite quickly to the crisis, by supporting the currency and the financial system, international ratings agencies remained sceptical and have recently down graded their outlook from ‘positive’ to ‘neutral’ (‘Russia Sees Oil’, Abe lsky, Bloomberg, 2010). Risk Exposure: The correlation between the oil price and GDP revenue gives rise to location risk as Russia is subject to spillover effects from other countries. Table 5 Inflation Rate in % Inflation Rate20052006200720082009 Inflation USA %3. 393. 242. 853. 85-0. 34 Inflation rate11. 512. 79. 8914. 1 Inflation Rate: Russia has been experiencing persistent double digit inflation. High inflation is known to decrease the Purchasing Power Parity of a country (Zhou, 1997), this is important to the Russian government as its geopolitical power is largely linked to the indicator. When investigating the source of this historically persistent problem, naturally the first aspect the Author analyzed was the increase in money supply (see Appendix E). However, despite the fact that there was relatively little (1. 7%) increase in 2007, inflation still remained close to 10%. Through further research, according to the Keynesian view (Trevithick, 1975), characteristics of the built-in inflation can be found in Russia, in which people have a consistent expectation that inflation will remain high and therefore increase the prices of their products and demand for higher wages. The problem is instigated by corruption, under which government is ineffective or reluctant to control fair estimation of prices, i. . prices continue to increase regardless of economic conditions. This can be easily illustrated by the recent financial crisis and the price of oil. According to The Russian Federal Anti-Monopoly Service, in respect to the decline in price by almost $36, the petrol prices in Russia rose by 30-60% (‘Russian Anti-Monopoly Probes’, RT, 2009). Exposure to Risk: The high inflation rate shows that the economy as a whole is slow ing down and that the investment climate might be unhealthy. This can be categorized as general economic risk. Exchange Rate: The Russian Rouble is a volatile currency (the coefficient of variation Russian Rouble standard deviation is 9. 8% compared to the standard deviation of 5. 8% for dollar as both were evaluated against the Euro); although it is termed as ‘free-floating’, in fact it is monitored and controlled by the Central Bank of Russia. In respect to the energy prices it is sometimes comically referred to by analysts as an ‘oil derivative’ (Clover, 2010). Table 6 Foreign Exchange Rates Average for Euro, Rouble and US Dollar FX Rate Mean20052006200720082009Standard Deviation RUB/EUR35. 2634. 1135. 0136. 4344. 143. 651 RUB/USD28. 327. 225. 624. 931. 75. 646 USD/EUR1. 3011. 2541. 3711. 4881. 3930. 080 Russia has the fourth highest number of Foreign Exchange reserves; this is largely needed for the currency manipulations in order to decrease the volatility of the Rouble. Given the strength of Russia’s balance of payments until the Credit Crisis (2008), taut management of the nominal exchange rate resulted in considerable interventions which were only partially sterilized (‘Towards a Flexible Exchange Rate Policy, OECD, 2009). As a result, inflation jumped from 9% to 14%. Large amounts of foreign reserves demonstrates that Russia has sufficient means of dealing with the imbalances in the economy and it can protect the Rouble against speculative attack and volatile energy prices; however it also exposes the weakness of its monetary system in the failure to sterilize the results of the interventions which intensify the incessant inflation predicament. Exposure to Risk: Internationally all investments are subject to exchange rate risk. As Rouble is considered to be a volatile currency, the exchange rate risk is also higher, however it can be managed easily through hedging. Public Debt: Since the credit crisis internationally the importance of public debt management has been acknowledged (‘Principles of Managing Public Debt’, IMF, 2010). Up to 2008, a decreasing trend could be seen in the level of Public Debt and even despite the small increase in 2009, Russia is ranked 122nd out of 126 countries in 2009 (‘Country Comparison: Public Debt’, CIA Factbook, 2009). Table 7 Total Public Debt as % of GDP Total public debt20052006200720082009 Russia16. 410. 18. 25. 69 USA37. 537. 136. 940. 854. 6 Despite these figures External Debt (total private and public debt owed to non-residents) is high due to high real exchange rate of the Rouble (Russia is ranked 20th out of 198 countries(‘Country Comparison: External Debt’, CIA Factbook, 2009). In comparison to the US, which has the highest debt levels of any country in the worlds, a relatively healthy approach to public debt can qualitatively be traced to Russian culture. The ‘credit lifestyle’ in Russia is not as popular as in Europe and the US. Debt in Russian culture is a very powerful negative connotation which is easily illustrated by a famous Russian proverb – â€Å"If you don’t have it, don’t spend it† (MacDonald Gastmann, p. 274, 2004). This is can be proven by the historical approach to the debt inherited from the U. S. S. R. , Putin’s government repaid the remainder of debt to the London Club in 2010 (‘Russia Pays off Creditor’, RIA Novosti, 2010). Summary: This kind of political restriction in uncommon, for example the US continues to increase its debts, both public and external (‘US Public Debt Hits Tipping Point’, Pozen, The Boston Globe, 2010), which through its recent ardent exposure in global media has been causing derision in the American society, manifested in the Barack Obama’s mid-term government elections in 2010 (‘Republican Tsunami’, Leonard Gardner, Daily Telegraph, 2010). Exposure to Risk: As Russia has comparatively low levels of Public Debt investors are not exposed to risk as such, however current economic regression brought on by the financial crisis may lead the public debt levels to rise. Social The society is very diverse which poses a lot of tribulations not only politically, but also economically. The society is very well educated (literacy rate is one of the highest in the world) and the size of the population is the largest in the geographic parameters of the European continent, however the conditions and the level of life is despicable if compared to countries in the European Economic Area. Around 16% of the population lives below the poverty line. The GINI index (measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income in a country (‘Country Comparison’, CIA Factbook, 2010). The GINI Index value of 100 expresses maximal inequality (one person has all the income) and a value of 0 (expresses that everyone has the same income) (UN Legislative Council Secretariat, 2005). In the years 2004-2009 GINI index has been around 40%, which suggests that income distribution is uneven and although the situation is better than in America (see table 8 below), compared to European ountries like Sweden (GINI average of around 24) there are development benchmarks to adhere to. Table 8 GINI Index of Income Distribution GINI Index20052006200720082009 Russia40. 54141. 342. 341. 5 USA46. 94746. 346. 746. 8 In respect to the GDP per capita (just below 6000$) it is evident that the internal market is not as attractive as other economic figures say. Per se Russia is no thing more than a ‘rich country of poor people’ (Putin, Sakwa p. 76, 2008). In the interview conducted by the Author, Deputy CEO (Question 11, 2010) outlined sharp class divisions in Russia which although were not mentioned directly signified strong culture shock. In respect to the demographics poor health support, issues with alcohol, high abortion rate, emigration and etc, all contribute to the decrease in population and low life expectancy for men (who make up a larger proportion of the economically active population)(Political Risk Services, 2009). The oligarchic environment supported by corruption and oppression of minority groups (Chechens and so on) within the Federation, uneven income distribution and average GDP per capita increase the possibility of conflict (please refer to section (2. 1. 2) Social Aspects). Unstable conditions are easily illustrated by the re-birth of National Socialism and it’s slogans of ‘Russia for Russians! ’(Von Hoffmeister, 2005). Exposure to Risk: The turbulent social factors and uneven income distribution may potentially lead to conflict within the country. Such diversity in ‘social fabric’ also produces operational risks as culture between regions differs greatly and can be classified as political risk Technological In order to maintain military supremacy, the Soviet government invested heavily into the military, science and space. Due to the fact that education in Soviet Union and subsequently in Russia is free, the importance of using technological progress as a means of development and protection was and still is of great importance. Number of scientific and technological graduates in Russia has always been high. Currently Russia is producing 200,000 science and technology graduates per year (just as much as India and it has a considerably larger population) (‘From Russia with Technology? ’, Bloomberg, 2006). Military spending increased from 19. 7 bln USD to 50 bln USD by 2009, a large proportion of which is going to the research and development of new technology (Global Securities, 2010). With the dissolution of USSR, the low wages and poor societal conditions led for the ‘best minds’ to move abroad. This, as well as declining governmental investment into sciences, contributed to a decrease in technological competency, especially in the regions outside the federal cities. Recent attempts of the Russian government to attract back scientist that have once left Russia (‘Russia wants its brains back! ’, RBTH, 2009) signify that it is pursuing policies of scientific development and wants to support technology further. According to Alexander Allakhverdyan (2009), most talented individuals prefer to graduate with economics or business degrees, because the prospects for employment are better. Based on the PwC report (2. 5), Russia needs to become a ‘technology power house’ in order to ensure economic progress. Although the government has been addressing this issue the main problem that exists is the underdeveloped communications systems outside of federal cities, investment in which is costly due to the vast geographic span of the country. Exposure to Risk: The technological capacity of the country and academic aptitude of the Russian population towards technology could potentially make it easier for foreign investors who are engaged in highly technological businesses to transfer their operations to Russia. However, the issues of knowledge transfer arise as the legal system is not developed enough to ensure full protection of intellectual property rights. Environmental (For more information on Geographic conditions please refer to Appendix C). The abundance in natural resources has been more of a curse than a blessing for Russia. It is this abundance that is largely unappreciated by the population. Compare to Europe, there are no trends towards the development of environmentally friendly fuels or alternative energy sources. In the future gaps in development between Europe and Russia can lead to legal conflicts as the approach to the environment is different (Boldyrev, 2009). The vast geographical span of the country and harsh climate conditions have always been a feature of Russian life. The territory is also hard to manage, military wise. The coastal access is not favourable and transportation is costly. Despite that, the amount of arable land is only sufficient to satisfy domestic consumption (Dyomkin, 2009). Corruption has been a danger to the environment – large numbers of animals are hunted and fished illegally disturbing the ecosystem. In the future there is a chance that with climate change and deteriorating ecological environment will cause environmental catastrophes. The current ecological debates in the Russian Duma (parliament) may lead to a conflict between Medvedev and Putin; however they also signify a growing awareness for the ecological issues. According to the Deputy CEO (Question 12, 2010) the government closely monitors environmental issues that are industry related. Previously ecological factors have been used as a tool for political manipulation. Exposure to Risk: As the environment is a sensitive issue within can potentially give grounds for conflict. If the investor is operating in different parts of the Russian Federation, the operational and logistics costs can be high due to the geographic span and poor infrastructure. Legal It is understandable that the Russian judiciary system is not as developed compared to the European or American system because the democracy is young. The Deputy CEO (Question 8, 2010) outlined that most issues within Russia are manageable, apart from the quality of the legal system, as the Russian leadership style means that nobody takes into consideration documents that were signed by predecessors. Federative form of government makes the legal communication more complicated as different regions sometimes have conflicting laws. Effectively, between 84 different administrative units, the management and cooperation of the judiciary is principal and ineffective. An inherent problem seems to have socio-cultural roots as most of the judges have been employed during the Soviet era. Low GDP per capita and uneven income distribution affects government employees (teachers, doctors, military and judiciary) (Survey of the Employment of Population, ROSSTAT, 2009) the hardest and entices corruption through bribes. Corruption ensures that the legal instruments are not functioning properly and are unjust. Furthermore, Russia has a poor record of human rights (consult Appendix D for further details) and the Press is considerably monitored, compared to the Western Countries, yet it is still an improvement from the Soviet Era. The overall legal environment is weak, corrupted and ineffective (Index of Economic Freedom, 2010). Exposure to Risk: Due to the fact that the Russian government cannot provide a strong enough grounds for enforcement of law, the legal system can be risky for foreign investors as they do not have an opportunity to defend themselves within Russia and may be forced to act through international courts.

Cultural and Rhetorical Analysis of Presidential Debates

Cultural and Rhetorical Analysis of Presidential Debates Obama presidential debates are highly discussed in the United States because it is an important event for each U.S. citizen who has the right to vote and attend the elections. The debate between candidatures – Obama and Romney – underlines specific rhetorical and cultural approaches to engaging into discussion and introducing their viewpoints on specific issues related to politics, economics, and social organization.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Cultural and Rhetorical Analysis of Presidential Debates specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In order to define cultural underpinnings and issues of the debate, I will focus on the analysis of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in which Barack Obama is invited as a guest. The program relies on both humorous and political issues, as well as unveils certain important cultural dimensions of the presidential elections. The critical examination will allow to d efine the modern attitudes to gender and sexuality, as well as how they are treated at the threshold of the presidential election campaign. In particular, although the program is dedicated a variety of issues, including social vision, cultural background, traditions and celebrations, and religious views, Barack Obama still manages to interpret all these topics in the light of the upcoming elections. Although the show does not cover fully the essence of political situation, as well as the content of presidential debates, it still focuses on the Obama’s attitude toward cultural, economic, and social issues. Specific attention requires his position concerning the gender roles distributed in American society. His religious and social beliefs, therefore, reflect his general opinion on the role of women and men. While tracing the interview, both Leno and Obama focus on very interesting issues that are beyond politics. This is of particular concern to their discussion of womenâ€⠄¢s capability of doing decisions, and Obama’s views on health care and military system that are directly associated with discussion of gender and social role. While discussing Obama’s attitude to rape, specific emphasis is placed on the role of male politicians in making decisions about women’s health care issues. I plan to discuss all these issues in much detail to define what cultural and national undercurrents are highlighted in Obama’s speech. The TV program is associated with discussing various issues that are not confined to any political and religious outlooks. Nevertheless, because Obama was invited to the show during the election campaign, the most of the topics covered strongly correlate with this situation.Advertising Looking for critical writing on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More With regard to the above, the target audience is the U.S. citizens who are interested in voting and participating in presidential races. Regardless what topics have been discussed, should it be family issues, economic situation, Obama’s personal life, all these topics were centered on attracting more audience who is concerned with the election campaign. Within the context of gender stereotypes analysis, Ott and Mack state, â€Å"the competing interpretations of gender in contemporary society give rise to confusing, often contradictory message about various roles of men and women† (p. 193). However, despite the presence of patriarchal system of power ensuring restricted representation of women, Obama still emphasizes the right of women to decide on the type of treatment, as well as other decisions that concern their health. Judging from the President’s position, the equality between men and women is a serious problem for politicians. I have also noticed that most of the issues related to over discussion of gender are concealed by general political statements related to such urgent problems as tax rates, unemployment, and security welfare in the United States. Social interaction is closely associated with gender stereotypes, even though they are veiled with general discussions about social structures attributed to contemporary life. Making connection of the importance of women’s decision with the politics of the current government, Obama recognizes that most of politicians releasing reforms, acts, and other regulations are males. Therefore, in order to intrude into issues related to female health, the president strives to solve this problem at legislative and political levels. The availability of basic health is important and, therefore, the Supreme Court should have a direct impact on the analysis of the issue. While discussing the capability of women to make important choices about their health, Obama stresses that this aspect should also relate to family issues, which once again refers to the presidents conservative outlook on women’s place in society. The very recognition and emphasis already testifies to the president’s constantly changing patterns of considering women and their limited access to politics. Therefore, it is purposeful to judge that Obama has concealed views on gender that are confined to the conservative position of roles of women as housewives, but not as feminine activists taking part in various social, cultural and political measures.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Cultural and Rhetorical Analysis of Presidential Debates specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The influence of media on representation of gender is tangible. I agree with Gill’s statement about media coverage: â€Å"rather than reflecting reality†¦the media are involved in producing or constructing particular versions of reality in order to make them ‘real’ and persuasive† (44). The focus on distortion and bias challenges the accuracy of comprehending the real state of affairs, as well as leads to a deviated form of political action that refers to ‘bad’ stereotypes. Finally, the media approach provides no distinction between degrees of meaning. In fact, it only addresses the content representation ignoring the fact that woman can symbolize a range of meanings, such as comfort, sexuality, stability, and conservatism. All these aspects could be highlighted in the television program episode. Specifically, Obama does recognize the existing distribution of gender role due to the actual emphasis on the male politicians and women’s capability to make decisions. The place of women’s in politics is heavily argued because there exist evidence stereotypic framework that is imposed on Obama’s speech in the show. Certainly, media has a potent impact on the President’s elaborations on this issue. Because he realizes that has great responsibili ty because he exposes his family as an example that other Americans should follow. For instance, when he talks about family related issues, Obama mentions his wife’s contributions constantly and refers to her role as a wife. Therefore, this is an additional media stereotypes affecting Obama’s ideology. Although the attitude to gender and sexuality in contemporary society is represented in various contexts, the Presidents still adheres to a heteronormative, objective perspective. I believe that Obama articulates ideas in a reserved, unemotional way, which allows him to maintain an image of an ordinary man that most voters believe he is. Such a position, therefore, is premised on standardized assessments of functions performed by males. Due to the fact that the contemporary society recognizes the masculinity and femininity are different aspects that should be considered as opposites, Obama takes the role of a heteronormative position as the one opposed to homosexual ster eotypes, which once again signifies Obama’s negative rather than neutral attitude to homosexuals.Advertising Looking for critical writing on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There is also an assumption that male’s heterosexual orientation should be associated with unemotional, restrained, and objective evaluation of various issues (Fourie 306). In contrast, homosexuality is more connected with greater emotionality, which is attributed to a negative connotation. The connection between gender and sexuality is evident, but little consideration is done concerning its representation in political sphere. In fact, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno produces new perspectives which allow to uncover Obama’s actual view on sexuality and gender. Although the speech did not specifically relate to the discussion of gender issues, there are still contextual and rhetorical signs uncovering certain angles of the aspect. It should be stressed, however, that gender and sexuality are constructed through the prism of identities. The changing patterns also testify to the shifts in perceiving and evaluating the role of gender and sexuality. This is of particular con cern to role models, as well as to how they are covered in media. The media reflects on the relationships and situations from various social angles, specifically when it comes to the discussion of gender equality. In this respect, I agree with the point that â€Å"women have the formal right to most things that a man can do, and vice versa: situation where this is not the case become wellpublicised courtroom battles† (Gauntlett 4). Due to the fact hat even personal relationships has undergone democratic influence, marriage is analyzed beyond social, cultural, and political environments. In the television program under analysis, there is a kind of devaluation of such values because the anchor employs humorous approach to treating both marriage and politics. Therefore, discussing issues relating to gender seems to be as natural and as discussing such common aspects as tax payment and employment rates. Overall, because the television program episode does not overtly discuss gend er issues, its format allows to address the contemporary problems and introduce a handful of opinion on it (Ross n. p.). Although Obama is considered here as president whose view on gender should be neutral, its attitude to gender issues could be explained from the position of male gaze. This is of particular concern to his obligations with regard to the roles and responsibilities he takes in life. Although his position in political life is identified, Obama still recognizes the existence of opposition between masculinity and femininity. At the very beginning of the show, I have noticed that Obama talks about his family from the perspective of the American Dream stereotypes that restrict his view on society in general. Further considerations taken by the guest of the show are connected with the discussion of women’s capabilities and rights. From this viewpoint, Obama is more interested in representing the feminist view on the problem of women’s health and security. In conclusion, the analysis of the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno proves that media employs powerful rhetoric tools to influence public opinion. Media coverage also creates new stereotypes concerning the role of gender and its connection to sexuality. Although, the episode at issue does not address directly the issues of gender and sexuality, the speakers are concerned with the problem of gender equality. Their personal views on family issues and the place of women in society are also uncovered during the discussion. Fourie, Pieter J. Media Studies: Media History, Media and Society. US: Juta and Company Ltd, 2010. Print. Gill, Rosalind. Gender and the Media. US: Polity, 2006. Print. Guantlett, David. Media, Gender, and Identity: An Introduction. London: Routledge, 2008. Print. Ott, Brian, and Robert Mack. Critical Media Studies: An Introduction. US: John Wiley Sons. 2009. Print. Ross, Karen. The Handbook of Gender, Sex, and Media. US: John Wiley Sons. 2011. Print.

Biography of Genghis Khan, Founder of the Mongol Empire

Biography of Genghis Khan, Founder of the Mongol Empire Genghis Khan (c. 1162–August 18, 1227) was the legendary founder and leader of the Mongol Empire. In a span of just 25 years, his horsemen conquered a larger area and greater population than the Romans did in four centuries. To the millions of people conquered by his hordes, Genghis Khan was evil incarnate; in Mongolia and Central Asia, however, he was widely revered. Fast Facts: Genghis Khan Known For: Khan was the founder and leader of the Mongol Empire.Also Known As: TemujinBorn: c. 1162 in Delun-Boldog, MongoliaDied: August 18, 1227, in Yinchuan,  Western XiaSpouse(s): Borje, Khulan, Yesugen, Yesulun (plus others)Children: Jochi, Chagatai, Ogedei, Tolui (plus others) Early Life Records of the Great Khans early life are sparse and contradictory. He was likely born in 1162, though some sources say 1155 or 1165. We know that the boy was given the name Temujin. His father Yesukhei was the chief of the minor Borijin clan of nomadic Mongols, who lived by hunting rather than herding or farming. Yesukhei had kidnapped Temujins young mother, Hoelun, as she and her first husband were riding home from their wedding. She became Yesukheis second wife; Temujin was his second son by just a few months. Mongol legend claims that the baby was born with a blood clot in his fist, a sign that he would be a great warrior. Hardship and Captivity When Temujin was nine, his father took him to a neighboring tribe to work for several years and earn a bride. His intended wife was a slightly older girl named Borje. On the way home, Yesukhei was poisoned by rivals and died. Temujin returned to his mother, but the clan expelled Yesukheis two widows and seven children, leaving them to die. The family survived by eating roots, rodents, and fish. Young Temujin and his full brother Khasar grew to resent their eldest half-brother Begter. They killed him and as punishment for the crime, Temujin was seized as a slave. His captivity may have lasted for more than five years. Youth Set free at age 16, Temujin went to find Borje again. She was still waiting for him and they soon married. The couple used her dowry, a fine sable-fur coat, to make an alliance with Ong Khan of the powerful Kereyid clan. Ong Khan accepted Temujin as a foster son. This alliance proved key, as Hoeluns Merkid clan decided to avenge her long-ago kidnapping by stealing Borje. With the Kereyid army, Temujin raided the Merkids, looting their camp and reclaiming Borje.  Temujin also had help in the raid from his childhood blood-brother Jamuka, who would later become a rival. Borjes first son Jochi was born nine months later. Consolidation of Power After rescuing Borje, Temujins small band stayed with Jamukas group for several years. Jamuka soon asserted his authority, rather than treating Temujin as a brother, which started a two-decade feud between the 19-year-olds. Temujin left the camp, along with many of Jamukas followers and livestock. At the age of 27, Temujin held a kurultai (tribal council) among the Mongols, who elected him khan. The Mongols were only a Kereyid sub-clan, however, and Ong Khan played Jamuka and Temujin off one another. As Khan, Temujin awarded high office not just to his relatives, but to those followers who were most loyal to him. Unification of the Mongols In 1190, Jamuka raided Temujins camp, cruelly horse-dragging and even boiling alive his captives, which turned many of his followers against him.  The united Mongols soon defeated the neighboring Tatars and Jurchens, and Temujin Khan assimilated their people rather than follow the steppe custom of looting them and leaving. Jamuka attacked Ong Khan and Temujin in 1201. Despite suffering an arrow shot to the neck, Temujin defeated and assimilated Jamukas remaining warriors. Ong Khan then treacherously tried to ambush Temujin at a wedding ceremony for Ongs daughter and Jochi, but the Mongols escaped and returned to conquer the Kereyids. Early Conquests The unification of Mongolia ended in 1204 when Temujin defeated the powerful Naiman clan. Two years later, another kurultai confirmed him as Genghis Khan or universal leader of all Mongolia.  Within five years, the Mongols had annexed much of Siberia and what is today the modern Chinese Xinjiang province. The Jurched Dynasty, ruling northern China from Zhongdu (Beijing), noticed the upstart Mongol khan and demanded that he kowtow to its Golden Khan. In reply, Genghis Khan spat on the ground.  He then defeated their tributaries, the Tangut, and in 1214 he conquered the Jurchens and their 50 million citizens. The Mongol army numbered just 100,000. Conquests of Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Caucasus Tribes as far away as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan heard about the Great Khan and overthrew their Buddhist rulers in order to join his growing empire. By 1219, Genghis Khan ruled from northern China to the Afghan border  and from Siberia to the border of Tibet. He sought a trade alliance with the powerful Khwarizm Empire, which controlled Central Asia from Afghanistan to the Black Sea. Sultan Muhammad II agreed, but then murdered the first Mongol trade convoy of 450 merchants, stealing their goods. Before the end of that year, the wrathful Khan had captured every Khwarizm city, adding lands from Turkey to Russia to his realm. Death In 1222, the 61-year-old Khan called a family kurultai to discuss the matter of succession. His four sons disagreed over which should become the Great Khan. Jochi, the eldest, was born soon after Borjes kidnapping and might not have been Genghis Khans son, so the second son Chagatai challenged his right to the title. As a compromise, the third son Ogodei became the successor. Jochi died in February 1227, six months before his father, who passed away on August 18, 1227. Ogodei took East Asia, which would become Yuan China. Chagatai claimed Central Asia. Tolui, the youngest, took Mongolia proper. Jochis sons controlled Russia and Eastern Europe. Legacy After Genghis Khans secret burial on the steppes of Mongolia, his sons and grandsons continued to expand the Mongol Empire. Ogodeis son Kublai Khan defeated the Song rulers of China in 1279 and established the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan would rule all of China until 1368. Meanwhile, Chagatai pushed south from his Central Asian holdings, conquering Persia. Within Mongolia, Genghis Khan revolutionized the social structure and reformed traditional law. His was an egalitarian society, in which the humblest slave could rise to be an army commander if he showed skill or bravery. War booty was divided evenly among all warriors, regardless of social status. Unlike most rulers of the time, Genghis Khan trusted loyal followers above his own family members- which contributed to the difficult succession as he aged. The Great Khan forbade the kidnapping of women, probably due in part to his wifes experience, but also because it led to warfare among different Mongol groups. He outlawed livestock rustling for the same reason and established a winter-only hunting season to preserve game for the hardest of times. Contrary to his ruthless and barbaric reputation in the west, Genghis Khan promulgated several enlightened policies that would not become common practice in Europe until centuries later. He guaranteed freedom of religion, protecting the rights of Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, and Hindus alike. Genghis Khan himself worshiped the sky, but he forbade the killing of priests, monks, nuns, mullahs, and other holy people. A 2003 DNA study revealed that about 16 million men in the former Mongol Empire, about 8% of the male population, carry a genetic marker that developed in one family in Mongolia about 1,000 years ago. The most likely explanation is that they are descended from Genghis Khan or his brothers. Sources Craughwell, Thomas. The Rise and Fall of the Second Largest Empire in History: How Genghis Khans Mongols Almost Conquered the World. Fair Winds Press, 2010.Djang, Sam. Genghis Khan: World Conqueror, Vols. I and II. New Horizon Books, 2011.Weatherford, Jack. Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World. Three Rivers Press, 2004.

Race and Your Community Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Race and Your Community - Research Paper Example The basic reason for this is that racial diversity in many parts of the world is becoming commonplace including my own neighborhood. Racial diversity and tolerance has become increasingly essential for ones growth in the society we live in. This paper looks into various influences of race in my community in Atlanta, GA. Discussion Living in America as an African American is not easy and the case is not any different in Atlanta. I am currently employed at South Fulton Medical Center where people of all races converge for their medical needs. I therefore have a deep understanding of all the aspects that surround people of different races. It is however important to appreciate that people of all races, African Americans, Caucasians, Hispanic etc seem to have similar values and beliefs (Sanjek & Gregory, 1994). My family values were that all people are equal in the eyes of God and we should see all as equal. Racism in my community is not a big problem but it is a cause for concern. When I was a small child I remember that all children played games together irrespective of ones race. We even played video games, went out together and even had sleepovers. I remember also with delight how we used to be punished by our friends’ parents who were of different race and my parents would take it as a normal act of instilling discipline in all of us. The basic discipline revolved around respecting elders, one another and oneself. The level of insecurity at our neighborhood was at par with some of the best of the affluent communities but there were still some racial differences. The media in Atlanta is one that tries to capture all issues as they are irrespective of characters involved. What matters to them is the story at the end of the day and to keep all people irrespective of race, glued to the various stations. College games are at the forefront in media coverage together with many other activities. The media has for a long time tried to identify with people of all races by capturing all that is in the offing without being biased (Hartmann & Cornell, 2007). The media in Atlanta therefore offers a good platform for Black Americans like me, Caucasians, Hispanic and others to be showcased in whatever they do. Leadership in Atlanta especially in my community represents the racial diversity in the city and its environs. People have come here from all parts of United States and abroad and it is surprising to see that even people who were immigrants are leading in various departments and areas in the city (Solomos & Goldberg, 2002). Examples are the department heads in my workplace; they are 20% Black Americans, 45% Caucasians and the rest take 35%. Many of these posts are not elected but appointed which indicates that the level of racial segregation is low in my neighborhood and workplace as compared to other states in the US. This was however not the case when my parents were young as almost all the posts of leadership, political or otherwise, wer e occupied by Caucasians. It is therefore the wishes of leaders to ensure that this outfit is abolished by treating all people as equals. Minority groups to a large extent are appreciated in my community. There has been a growing trend of Atlanta picking liberalism and becoming an all-rounded city. According to Bagby (May 2010), examples are the gay community in the city who are mostly found in Midtown, black Americans, Hispanic and Asians. For one to appreciate that these people’

Karl Marx's Estranged Labor vs. Adam Smith's Division of Labor Research Paper

Karl Marx's Estranged Labor vs. Adam Smith's Division of Labor - Research Paper Example While Marx sought to minimalize the effects of capitalism, Smith sought to emphasize the brilliance of the free market economy. Naturally, these two individuals’ ideologies clash, but there is value in both perspectives, as one shall soon see. Karl Marx’s ideas about estranged labor, Smith’s ideas about the division of labor, and a comparison of the two ideologies will be herein attempted. II. Karl Marx’s Estranged Labor Karl Marx identifies estranged labor as labor alien to man. Marx explains the condition of estranged labor as the result of man participating in an alien to his nature. It my interpretation that man is alienated from his labor because he is not the reaper of what he sows. Because he is never the recipient of his efforts, the laborer lacks identity with what he creates. For Marx then labor is alien to the worker and does not belong to his essential being. Marx identifies two explanations of why man’s lack of identity with labor leads him to be estranged from labor. The explanation that the laborer does not develop freely his physical and mental energy, but instead mortifies his mind, may extol the virtue of communism. In other words, labor fails to nurture man’s physical and mental capacities, and instead, drains them. Because the worker is denied any nurturing in his work, no intimacy between the worker and his work develops. Although, it’s very hard to see how working in a sweat shop in Communist China, for example, is creating intimacy with one’s work to the point that one is able to develop one’s energy freely. Thus, this quote â€Å"lack† of an intimate relation with what he creates, man is summarily estranged from his labor. Furthermore, labor estranges man from himself. Marx argues that the labor the worker produces does not belong to him, but to someone else. Given this condition, the laborer belongs to someone else and is therefore enslaved. As a result of being ensla ved the worker is reduced to a â€Å"subsisting animal,† a condition alien to him. As an end result man is estranged from himself and is, in his words, mortified. Marx points to these situations as the reason man is essentially estranged from his labor. The incongruence between the world of things the worker creates and the world the worker lives in is the estrangement. As the worker gives up his or her contribution to the work, he or she begins to lose importance to the work and the work becomes more superior to the worker. As this happens, the owner of the company or organization accumulates more wealth and power and is able to overcome competition and have more power over the worker. ? I find this to be true based on my personal experience when I worked for a logistics company as a shipping lead. The harder I worked, the more powerful the department became, hence the more powerful the company became—and the less important I became to the company and its superiors. T he department improved a lot under my leadership whereby it generated more revenue. The result was that the company became more important than the person—as stated by Marx in the above paragraphs. ? The worker becomes all the poorer the more wealth he produces, the more his production increases in power and range. The worker becomes an ever-cheaper commodity the more commodities he creates. According to Marx in Calhoun and Gerteis (2007), â€Å"On the basis of political economy itself, in its own words, we have shown that the worker sinks to the level of a commodity and becomes indeed the most wretched of

Dickens’ Victorian Critique of Church and State Essay Example for Free

Dickens’ Victorian Critique of Church and State Essay There is not much question in a look at his career’s work, that Charles Dickens was by his nature a harsh social critic. He would often make his characters morally objectionable in order to demonstrate the ills of society and would take an especially great interest in showing the iniquities of Church and State. In the deeply unequal England of the Victorian era, Dickens felt that he saw a lot of suffering, a great many people in need and a visible disgust of the rich toward the poor. The fact that these conditions had associated so closely with the premise of God and Crown had drawn out in critics such as Dickens as sharp distaste for the British institution girding both. That is why so many of his works centered on the relationship of the rich and poor, separated as such by the unwelcome permeation of authority of the former over the latter. The labor conditions Dickens explores in Hard Times through such figures as Stephen are contrasted sharply by the life of decadence and sanctimony denoting the figure of Josiah Bounderby. Clearly the figure through who Dickens channels the greatest pitch of protest, there is a clear hostility toward the hypocrisy and meanness which allows Bounderby to prevail over the poor of Coketown with a divinely entitled and self-declared superiority. It is here that Dickens captures the Victorian era’s undercurrent of resentment of the exploitation of God and Church for the interests of rendering selective such universal entitlements as faith and justice. In Bounderby, we are given the opportunity to view the justice system in Dickens’ time as something principally founded on inequality, determining a process which is governed by an aristocratic jurisdiction over that which deemed righteous, just and moral. All of these concepts emerge in Bounderby, and especially in a notable encounter with Stephen, suggest the most demonstrably inappropriate misuse of religious principles. In Hard Times, published in 1854, Dickens shows that he is specifically interested in dealing with a current problem of labor abuse. He draws a deeply negative picture of the rationalist political movement with which Bounderby may be identified. This was a powerful movement at the time in England. Rationality was focused on facts, which Dickens believed were used to give strict control over education, values and even creativity. This would impact the making of religion and justice too. The chief characterization of Bounderby captures this points exceedingly well, remarking that â€Å"there was a moral infection of claptrap in him. Strangers, modest enough elsewhere, started up at dinners in Coketown, and boasted in quite a rampant way, of Bounderby. They made him out to be the Royal arms, the Union-Jack, Magna Charta, John Bull, Habeas Corpus, the Bill of Rights, an Englishman’s house is his castle, Church and State, and God Save the Queen, all put together. † (52) The declaration, clearly satirical in its delivery, is nonetheless a premise upon which we will find Bounderby behaving in the most repugnant of ways. When the aforementioned Stephen, an honest laborer detained in a marriage with an abusive and alcoholic wife, goes to Bounderby, the wealthy mill owner and a public judge, he is denied a request for divorce. Bounderby denies him because poor laborers like him are not expected to have the money to have a divorce. In the scene between Stephen and Bounderby, we can see how the justice system is deeply imbalanced, as are the attitudes of the people in the justice system. When Stephen argues that the legal system wouldn’t let him get a divorce was a ‘muddle,’ Bounderby disciplines him, â€Å"Don’t you talk nonsense, my good fellow,. . . about things you don’t understand; and don’t you call the Institutions of your country a muddle , or you’ll get yourself into a real muddle one of these find mornings. The institutional of your country are not your piece-work, and the only thing you have got to do, is, to mind your piece-work. You didn’t take your wife for fast and for loose; but for better for worse. If she has turned out worse—why, all we have got to say is, she might have turned out better† (Hard Times, 84) The response, which only makes Stephen more angry, shows how Dickens’ really likes to use the writing device of irony. As Bounderby and Mrs. Sparsit, who is a rich, high-class woman with a divorce, together call Stephen guilty of ‘impiety,’ we know that the two are having some sort of inappropriate relationship with one another. This casts a blaring spotlight on the hypocrisy at the root of his cruel religiosity. Bounderby takes on the mantle of Dickens’ twinned reproach for the system and church which had conspired to make England so deeply unequal a place. That God had come to overwhelm the senses of justice and humanism seems a clear justification to Dickens that the core morality of religion had by the Victorian age been exposed for the bastard-child of human conceit which it had come to embody. Indeed, in the above claim by Bounderby against Stephen, was can see that Dickens is be very sarcastic when he uses the word ‘impiety. ’ Particularly, the statement is delivered at the expense of a poor man, demonstrating a perceived relationship between righteousness and social class. The cruel and empowered judge would characterize himself as the man of God, so noted for his chosen rank and certainly not, from the reader’s (or Dickens’) perspective, because of his admirable moral disposition.. The outcome of Stephen’s visit to Bounderby and Sparsit is that his poor, labor-class status renders him morally, and thus legally, forbidden from divorce. A clear symptom of the Victorian era, we can see Dickens taking particular pains demonstrate that manner in which religion and justice had come to falsely associate. The vitriol which Bounderby aims at Stephen is powerfully representative of the purpose in this association, allowing the wealthy to prevail over fundamental personal institutions such as the faith, family and welfare of the poor. Works Cited Dickens, C. (1870). Hard Times. Barnes Noble Classics.

The Lure of Evil in Shakespeares Macbeth Essay -- Literary Analysis

Everyone knows that evil can be devastating, especially to someone who foolishly embraces it. Most people would wonder why anyone would embrace evil. The answer is simple though; sometimes, evil does not appear as what it really is. Often, it actually appears enchanting, showing you the alluring side while hiding the darker side. The Tragedy of Macbeth, by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), is an ideal example of people falling victim to evil. In fact, the entire downfall of the main characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, is due to them being lured to evil by three witches. The play is a perfect illustration of how evil can lure someone in then lead to their downfall. In the play, Macbeth started out as an extremely brave and loyal solider. However, after the three witches told him he was to be king one day, he changed completely, being wholly consumed by his greed. He turned his back on his friends, betrayed them, and murdered innocent people. All of this can be linked back to the predictions made by the witches. The witches first come to Macbeth after a battle and call him thane of Glamis (which he already is), thane of Cawdor, and King (Macbeth 1.3. 48-50). Shortly after this, while Macbeth is still trying to understand what they were talking about, he is informed that he is now thane of Cawdor, just as the witches said. This is the beginning of his downward spiral into evil. The more Macbeth thinks about the witches calling him king, the more the idea interests him. Soon, all he can think about is becoming king. He is so tempted by their prophecy that he determines he must murder the king. Since the king is staying with him this is easily done. Lady Macbeth, eager to become queen, comes up with a plan to kill King Dun... ...973-1988. Boston: G. K. Hall & Company, 1990. Plath, Sylvia. The Collected Poems. Ed. Ted Hughes. New York: Harper & Row, 1981. Plath, Sylvia. The Journals of Sylvia Plath. Ed. Ted Hughes and Frances McCullough. New York: Ballantine Books, 1982. Pollitt, Katha. "A Note of Triumph [The Collected Poems]". Critical Essays on Sylvia Plath. Ed. Linda W. Wagner. Boston: G. K. Hall & Company, 1984. 67 - 72. Rosenthal, Lucy. Modern American Literature: A Library of Literary Criticism. Ed. Elaine Fialka Kramer, Maurice Kramer, and Dorothy Nyren. Rev. ed. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1976. Wagner, Linda W., ed. Critical Essays on Sylvia Plath. Boston: G. K. Hall & Company, 1984. Wagner-Martin, Linda. The Oxford Companion to Women's Writing in the United States. Ed. Cathy N. Davidson and Linda Wagner-Martin. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.