Foreign Policy Issues Faced by UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Foreign Policy Issues Faced by UK - Essay Example The three issues of international concern to the U.K. are discussed in greater depth below. Discussion The United Kingdom has been in the forefront of international news lately and these three foreign policy issues are the fight against terrorism, the economic crisis in Europe and the on-going war in Libya of which Great Britain and France took the lead roles for all NATO members in cooperation with the United States of America. The three international issues are important to the United Kingdom because it is leading member of the European Union as well as a major player in the international arena of politics, economy and the oil industry. On the whole, an evaluation of the newspaper's approach to presenting the news will show it tries to present a balanced view of the news, without any sensationalism, slant or any personal opinion either of the reporter or the newspaper's news editors. This is as it should be as the task of any newspaper is to inform its readers and any views on the news should always be properly relegated to the opinion-editorial page (op-ed section). If ever, the personal views of the reporter are largely muted or very subtle an ordinary reader would hardly notice it. The fight against Islamist terrorism is of great interest to the United Kingdom. It is a primary concern to the country as it itself had once been a victim of these terrorists attacks. It was not too long ago when four suicide bombers detonated themselves in a well-coordinated attack by riding on London's trains and set off the bombs back in July 07, 2005 that targeted civilian train passengers. The four bombers declared themselves as jihadists and had links to the terror network of Al Qaeda. The recent successes of the American's anti-terrorism efforts should be of good cheer to the English people as well because it implies a safer environment for every British citizen. The killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan back in May this year is a great victory against international ter rorism. The recent news about the assassination of Mr. Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen should be reason enough for a celebration (Hider 1) as this guy in a way had assumed the ideological leadership of Al Qaeda after Osama bin Laden was killed. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States which is the lead agency tasked to fight terrorism overseas had targeted him despite Mr. Awlaki being an American citizen. He is a native American of sorts, having been born in New Mexico but he took up jihad (Dozier and Apuzzo 1) and was responsible for several failed bombing attempts using airplanes also. The second news item of international significance for the United Kingdom is the on-going financial and economic crisis in Europe caused by the risk of default by Greece. The country is one of the strongest economies in Europe, besides Germany and France, It is only expected that it will also play a leading role in resolving this latest debt crisis by contributing to a bailout fund and st amping a seal of approval for any loans to be given out to Greece. But is it also in a quandary of sorts, as the country itself has not yet fully recovered from an earlier financial crisis brought about by the bursting of the American housing sub-mortgage bubble in 2007 and is also suffering from a large budget deficit that has necessitated big cutbacks. Great Britain had seemed headed for a mild economic recovery just six months ago but the situation today has completely deteriorated due

The Future of Airline Operators amidst the Oil Crisis Essay

The Future of Airline Operators amidst the Oil Crisis - Essay Example Theories abound the origin of oil, and like other forms of fossil fuel, is believed to have come from ancient animal and plant remains that was buried under soil and mud through a very long period of time and settled down into the Earth's crusts. The buried ancient animal and plant matter piled upon the Earth's crust and eventually compressed and heated by the Earth's immense internal pressure and temperature. The oil then seeped through the rock layers forming reservoirs, most of which are found in desserts, ocean bottoms, ice layers and many other external terrain formations (Wikipedia, 2006a). These oil reservoirs are being harvested right now by countries that were fortunate enough to have an oil reserve in their midsts, particularly in the Middle East where the most abundant oil reserves are found. These countries now form the organisation known as OPEC (Oil Producing and Exporting Countries) which controls most of the world's oil supply and prices. While it seems like the suppl y of oil is unlimited it is not, the supply of oil is beginning to dwindle. ... d was way cheaper back in the period of the World Wars it was at these period that oil was still abundant and conflicts on the price and supply of oil were non-existent. The OPEC was not founded yet and inflation was not too much prevalent back then. Brandly (2004) the current oil crisis is predicted by Hubbert's Peak (or Hubbert's model or theory as some authors put it) which states and assumes that oil is non-renewable and that even though organic matter is currently added to the Earth's crust and that the rate of decomposition and conversion of this organic matter into crude oil will not catch up with the world's demand for oil. The 'peak' in Hubbert's Peak refers to the highest point of oil production at a certain area which will be soon followed by a sudden drop leading to a crisis. According to those who believe in Hubbert's theory, the world is now at its peak and is nearing another major oil crisis not because of political conflict but mainly due to a real short in oil supply . In a National Geographic article written by Appenzeller (2004), oil companies are now putting more human and financial resources in finding new oil sources. It only means that the actual crisis is happening not after the 1st drop of oil has been extracted but rather in the present when oil production is at its peak. The world is predicted to run out of oil in about 5 to 30 years from now. The oil shortage will not only affect transport and power generation, but also other factors as Amos (2004) reported, stating that oil process will affect birth rates, food prices and other commodities. This is especially true with Third World countries where the price of oil on the world market affects the basic commodities. Amos (200) points out that the economic depression will force people

Examining Whole Life Costing Construction Essay

Examining Whole Life Costing Construction Essay Whole life costing (WLC) can contribute significantly to control the financial and non-financial risks objectives of many construction, and construction organisations. This is especially relevant in terms of customer service, internal business processes, and financial performance. WLC is changing the approach to design, procurement, construction and facilities management and delivering major benefits. Many public and private sector clients now procure on cost of ownership, not capital cost. (Your development, 2008) There is a growing awareness that unplanned and unexpected maintenance and refurbishment costs may amount to half of all money spent on existing buildings, according to the Building Research Establishment. Estimates of the value of the unplanned portion in UK construction output range from  £8bn to a staggering  £20bn a year. This is why whole-life costing (WLC) is beginning to play a crucial role in project management (Bourke, 2005). This time, however, lifecycle cost ing/Whole life cycle costing is here to stay, for two reasons PFI and global warming. PFI has made it the basis of the commercial agreement between the client and the provider and global warming has made everybody think about the future impact of decisions to build. (Martin, 2008) Some of the ideas behind the justification for whole life-cycle costing (WLCC) are synonymous with key issues in todays construction industry. (Boussabaine, A., Kirkham, R.2004) Meeting clients expectations Clients now require buildings that are efficient during and after construction. WLCC techniques can demonstrate real cost savings in design solutions. Sustainability Achieving sustainable design solutions relies on the consideration of long term operational costs and performance of building components. Monitoring performance of constructed assets For example, are PFI/PPP (Private Finance Initiative / Public Private Partnerships) projects really cost effective? Only by considering the whole life costs can this be assessed. Using WLLC also supports benchmarking and key performance indicators. Monitoring cost effectiveness of constructed assets WLCC provides the means by which to constantly review this and base future capital investment on this information. Lean construction By considering long term cost and physical performance, waste is minimised both during construction and through the life of the building. The UK government has challenged the way its organisations deliver services, and has placed on them a duty to continuously improve in order to provide the services that people require economically, efficiently and effectively. This concept of best value has dominated public sector capital investment policy in the UK since the 1990s. (Boussabaine, A., Kirkham, R.2004) As a result of the fundamental revisions in public procurement policy that have subsequently taken place, interest in and demand for the use of WLCC techniques have risen to unprecedented levels. These policy changes are clearly demonstrated in recent government publications such as Construction Procurement Guidance, No 7 Whole Life Costs (Office of Government Commerce), which states that all procurement must be made solely on the basis of value for money in terms of the optimum combination of whole life costs and quality to meet the users requirements. This view is fully endorsed by National Audit Office (NAO) policy an d reinforced in their joint guide Getting value for money from procurement. How auditors can help. Consequently the award of public construction contracts based on simply the lowest capital cost bid is no longer recognised as good practice; best value must be taken into account and thereby WLCC should be fully appraised as part of the decision making process. (Boussabaine, A., Kirkham, R.2004) 2.2 HISTORY OF WHOLE LIFE COSTING Figure 2.1 History of whole life costing, Source (Boussabaine, A., Kirkham, R.2004) According to Ashworth (2008) during the 1960s it was often referred to as costs-in-use, although strictly speaking this term excluded anything to do with initial construction costs. In the 1970s, life cycle costing became the commonly accepted terminology but by the end of the century this had been replaced with whole life costing and this is the description under which it is now most commonly referred. 2.3 DEFINITION OF WHOLE LIFE COSTING The New construction research and innovation Strategy Panel (nCRISP) defines WLC as the systematic consideration of all relevant costs and revenues associated with the acquisition and ownership of an asset. (Constructing Excellence in the building environment, 2009) At its most basic, WLC includes the systematic consideration of all costs and revenues associated with the acquisition, use and maintenance and disposal of an asset. Ashworth (2004), Seely (1997), Ashworth and Hogg (2007), Cartlidge (2008) and Ferry and Flanagan (1991); according to BS ISO 15686, WLC can be defined as: a tool to assist in assessing the cost performance of construction work, aimed at facilitating choices where there are alternative means of achieving the clients objectives and where those alternatives differ, not only in their initial costs but also in their subsequent operational costs. Whole life appraisal (costing) is not the universal panacea for the construction sector, but properly understood and used it is a useful and powerful tool. (Flanagan, R., Jewell, C., 2005) Figure 2.2 The hidden costs, Source (Ellingham, I., and Fawcett, W.,2006) While initial costs are clear and visible at an early stage, longer-term costs are not see Figure 2.2. Nevertheless, these longer-term costs can far outweigh initial capital costs, and should have a much stronger influence on decisions with respect to facilities and individual elements Figure 2.3 Whole life cost, Source (Calford seaden, 2009) The sequence of the seven phases of a buildings life is described appropriately in British Standard 3811. Whole life phases Description Associated costs Specification The formulation of the clients Initial costsassociated with land purchase, professional fees and construction. Requirements at inception and briefing. Feasibility and viability of different proposals Design Translating ideas into working drawings Cost planning including whole life costing of alternative design solutions from outline proposals scheme and detail Deign Associated contract procurement documentation Installation The construction process Interim payments and financial statements Commissioning Handover of the project to the client Final accounts Maintenance The project in use Recurring costs associated with repairs, running and replacement items Modification Alterations and modifications necessary to keep the project to a good standard Costs associated with major refurbishment items Replacement Evaluation of the project for major changes or the site for redevelopment Redevelopment costs Table 2.1 Whole life phases (Ashworth.A, 2008) 2.4 WHY RISK ASSESSMENT IN WHOLE LIFE COSTING Combined with WLCC, risk assessment should from a major element in the strategic decision making process during project procurement and also in value analysis. Project cost, design and operational decision parameters are often established very early in the life of a given building project. Often, these parameters are chosen based on owners and project teams personal experiences. While these approaches are common, they do not provide a robust framework for dealing with the risks and decisions that are taken in the evaluation process. Nor do they allow for a systematic evaluation of all the parameters that are considered important in the examination of the WLCC aspect of a project. Capital costs and future costs must be quantified, analysed and presented as part of the strategic decision making process in todays business environment. Cost analysis and value analysis techniques are used to quantify and assess the economic implications of investment in building facilities in general. Whi le these techniques do provide a basis for making project cost decisions, they most often do not account for many of the parameters which may affect the actual project value or cost (Plenty et al.1999). Risk assessment should be an integral part of the WLCC process. A framework that uses formal decision making processes and risk assessment of each aspect of the decision to be taken in performing WLCC life cycle analysis can help owners, design teams and cost planners in marking strategic decisions based on analysis results that truly the inherent risks and costs related to the project. 2.5 DATA REQUIREMENTS IN WHOLE LIFE CYCLE COSTING AND RISK ASSESSMENT Flanagan and Norman (1983) highlighted three fundamental requirements in successfully implementing a life cycle costing methodology. A system by which the technologies can be used: a set of rule and procedures. Data for the proposed project under consideration: estimates of initial and running costs of elemental life cycles, discount rates, inflation indices, periods of occupancy, energy consumption, cleaning and the like. The data required to carry out WLCC analysis can be derived from a range of possible source Direct estimation from know costs and components Historical data from typical applications Models based on expected performance, average, etc. Best guesses of the future trends in technology, marking application Professional skill and judgement. All these factors have some bearing on the quality of data that is collected and how it is used in modelling and decision making processes. Whilst WLCC is now becoming widely used as a valuable tool in the design process, probably two key factors have undersized its potential impact A suspicion that life cycle cost estimates are in some sense inaccurate or based merely on guesswork The absence of sufficient and appropriate cost and performance data. 2.5.1 Data sources It has been highlighted how important the data and its composition are to WLCC, but where can this data be obtained? Ferry and Brandon (1991) highlighted six main outputs: Technical press Builders price books Information services such as the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) Government research literature such as from the National Economic Development Office (NEDO) University research Technical information services. Flanagan and Norman (1983) defined these into four subgroups: Manufacturers data Suppliers and contractors Modelling techniques Historical data Manufacturers data These specialists as a rule will have detailed breakdowns of the life cycle of the product, its material components and its performance characteristics. This data can also be obtained from other authorities that are responsible for testing the integrity and material for construction. The British Board of Agreement is a UK government testing body which carries out independent testing of materials used in the industry. Materials that meet a set specification and performance are issued with agreement certificates, which give details on service lives and other critical information. The Building Research Establishment also carries out testing on materials and can be a useful source of information. 2.5.3 Forecasts from models In the absence of any historical or suppliers data / feedback, models can be used as a way to analyse the WLCC implications of particular design decisions or choices of materials. The concept behind modelling is to facilitate and introduce a higher degree of accuracy in the estimates made by cost analysts when drawing up life cycle cost profiles. Historical data Historical data can be obtained from a variety of sources such as the BMCIS, clients and building occupies and in some cases the design team themselves. The value of historical data is relevant in that the values of initial capital cost and subsequent running cost can be categorised for certain groups of element in the building and this comparison can then be used to identify the elements which will benefit from a life cycle cost approach. 2.6 COMPONENTS OF A WHOLE LIFE COST ANALYSIS Figure 2.4 Components of a whole life cost analysis, Source (Boussabaine, A., Kirkham, R.2004) 2.6.1 Service life The prediction of component service life is a very important aspect in WLCC assessment. One such methodology currently in use is the factor method. The ISO/CD 15686-1 factor method for the estimation of the service life of components or assembly under specific conditions treats the service life as a deterministic value. In reality the service life has a big scatter and should be treated as a stochastic quantity. 2.6.2 Capital costs Returns on invested capital costs are essential in marking decisions on investment scenarios. Minimum capital commitment would be required if the client wanted to bear most of the cost until the building was handed over. In the event of limited capital budget is the prime consideration of the client, quality, in the form of a reduced specification, is like to be restricted. (Ashworth and Hogg, 2002, p.192).Further the cost of the project is a combination of land ,construction ,fees and finance and the employer will need to balance these against the various procurement systems available (Ashworth,1997,p.107). The capital cost objectives that need to be assessed include. Land acquisition cost. The location, and land viability may have a direct effect on the whole life cost and life expectancy of a facility. Predesign costs. The amounts of time and quality of information generated at this stage have great consequences on the quality and operation of a facility. The investors have a good opportunity to optimise the whole life cost of a facility through the selection of component and functional flexibility. Ideally, the issues relating to obsolescence should be investigated, accounted for as costs at this stage. Design costs. The quality of design in terms of error, detailing and buildability will have a direct effect on the cost of production and operation. A high quality building might also require higher costs in use in order to maintain its high aesthetic quality in use (Ashworth and Hogg, 2000) Development and production costs. The quality of workmanship is directly related to the level of maintenance. It is important to ensure that quality control is in place to ensure sound construction practices are used. Fees Risk costs Financial costs, tax, interest, etc. 2.6.3 Operational costs Operational costs are less certain as the time span increases due to uncertainties in energy costs, maintenance, fees, staff and regulatory changes. It is important to view operational cost estimates in their holistic state; several qualitative factors will have an important effect on the total operational costs. The operational cost objectives that need to be assessed include; Factors which contribute significantly to the total operational costs Optimum balance between capital and operational costs Operational risk management systems Optimum asset cleaning procedures Optimum waste management procedures Optimum utilities management procedures Optimum staffing level Minimum disruption due to denial use of the asset. 2.6.4 Maintenance costs The costs and priority of required maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement can be obtained from historical data but base cost estimates have to be supplemented with expert opinions in order to perform whole life cycle analysis and risk assessment. The maintenance cost objectives that need to be assessed include. Performance indicators for the assessment of maintenance costs Remaining service life of facility components Frequency and replacement costs In house or subcontracted maintenance Selection of exterior and interior materials and surfaces Selection of light fixtures with minimum routine repair and replacement requirements. Type of preventive maintenance programme. 2.6.5 Financing costs and revenues The objective here is to deal with WLCC input parameters of discount, inflation rates, taxes, expenses, etc. Critical analysis of investments must include both initial and ongoing costs and returns over the period of the investment. This will allow stakeholders to compare different options and decide which offers the best return for the investment. Usually discount rate is used for computing the value of future revenues. This includes a large degree of risk return. For example, if the discount rate is set too high or too low then future costs may appear insignificant; this could result in high operational costs and capital costs, which will discourage investment. Also, if inflation is different from the selected rates this may lead to inappropriate investment choices. The financing cost objectives that need to be assessed include assumptions about: Inflation rates, interest and taxes Level of returns and risks Optimum discount rate Economic activity. This has a direct on the economic obsolescence of facilities. Level of risk financing Cash inflow versus outflows Different rates, time periods and cash flows. The characteristics of new or existing facilities are very important aspect of WLCC computation. For the example a relationship may exist between building function and mechanical service costs, a particularly important feature of modern facilities. Little research has been published with regard to the impact of building characteristics on WLCC. 2.6.6 Asset characteristics The characteristics of new or existing facilities are very important aspect of WLCC computation. For the example a relationship may exist between building function and mechanical service costs, a particularly important feature of modern facilities. Little research has been published with regard to the impact of building characteristics on WLCC. Experience shows that an indirect link exists through many aspects, including energy, thus increasing WLCC and possible downtime costs in maintenance. The characteristics that should be assessed and included in the computation of WLCC include. Layout and location Functionality Construction technology Gross floor area Number of storeys and storeys height Glazing area Occupancy (m2/person) Shape of the facility Aesthetics Energy saving measures Quality of components Type and quality of public health system Type and quality of superstructure building fabric Type and quality of internal fabric Type and quality of electrical and mechanical services Extent of site works 2.6.6 Economic performance measures The procurement of building facilities involves a variety of decision making who decide on alternatives that generate capital and ongoing costs during a projects life. These capital costs generative value for different stakeholders and potential for returns to the project owner which should be durable over the life cycle of the asset. Therefore ,economic performance measurement in WLCC is very important for decision making to evaluate and allocate identifiable value from capital cost and continuing costs to relevant stakeholders in the life cycle of a facility. The objective that should be assessed under this heading should include. What type of performance indicators should be used to aid in the selection of alternatives The boundaries of these indicators, i.e. minimum and maximum values that the stakeholders are prepared to work to The best measures of performance in terms of WLCC outputs Mechanisms for WLCC benchmarking Measures for mitigating economic risks. 2.7 USE OF WHOLE LIFE COSTING Ferry and Flanagan (1991) argue that application of WLC, in any environment, exists on two levels. The lower level of life cycle costing is represented as a Management Tool to aid the decision making process. The higher level of life cycle costing is termed the Management System whose continuous operation dictates that responsibility for asset management should be retained. In general terms, they argue that during the management of a typical project, all stages, except project initiation, have a potential use for WLC. Whole life costing as a decision-making tool The primary use of WLC is to be used in the effective choice between a number of competing project alternatives. Although this can be done at any stage of the project, the potential of its effective use is Maximum during early design stages. In addition, the ability to influence cost decreases continually as the project progresses, from 100% at project sanction to typically 20% or less by the time construction starts. Furthermore, once the building is delivered, there is a very slim chance to change the total cost of ownership because the decision to own or to purchase a building normally commits users to most of the total cost of ownership. According to Kirk Al-Hajj ( 2004), 80-90% percent of the cost of running, maintaining and repairing a building is determined at the design stage. Figure 2.5 the relationship between whole life cost savings and time of implementation (Source- Al-Hajj,A.,Pollock,R.,Kishk,M.,Aouad,G.,Sun,M.andBakis,N,2004) Whole life costing as a management tool WLC can also be used as a management tool to identify the actual costs incurred in operating assets. The primary objective is to relate running costs and performance data. Thus, it could be useful for clients who want to estimate the actual running costs of the building and also for budgeting purposes. In addition, it can be a valuable feedback device to assist in the design (Al-Hajj,A.,Pollock,R.,Kishk,M.,Aouad,G.,Sun,M.andBakis,N,2004) BARRIERS TO SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF WHOLE LIFE COSTING TECHNIQUES 2.8.1 Industry barriers The capital cost of construction is almost always separated from the running cost. It is normal practice to accept the cheapest initial cost and then hand over the building to others to maintain. In addition, there is no clear definition of the buyer, seller, and their responsibilities towards the operating and maintenance costs (Bull 1993). Furthermore, there is a lack of motivation in cost optimisation because the design and cost estimating fees are usually a percentage of the total project cost. However, the expansion of new project delivery systems such as private finance initiative (PFI) and build operate and transfer (BOT) seems to overcome these obstacles 2.8.2 Client barriers Bull (1993) pointed out that there is also a lack of understanding on the part of the client. This may increase the possibility of subjective decision making. In addition, there are usually multiple aspects of needs desired by clients. Most of these aspects cannot be assessed in a strict WLC framework. This is mainly because either they are in conflict with the main WLC objective or because they are mostly non-financial. Some of these factors are even intangible such as aesthetics. In many cases, these intangibles are also in conflict with results of WLC (Picken 1989; Wilkinson 1996). Analysis difficulties The major obstacle facing the analyst is the difficulty of obtaining the proper level of information upon which to base a WLC analysis. This is because of the lack of appropriate, relevant and reliable historical information and data (Bull 1993). In addition, costs of data collection are enormous (Ferry and Flanagan 1991). Furthermore, the time needed for data collection and the analysis process may leave inadequate time for the essential dialogue with the decision-maker and the re-run of alternative options. This is one of the reasons why computerised models are valuable. Another difficulty is the need to be able to forecast, a long way ahead in time, many factors such as life cycles, future operating and maintenance costs, and discount and inflation rates (Ferry and Flanagan 1991). Besides, the uncertainty surrounding the variables in any WLC exercise should be properly assessed (Al-Hajj,A.,Pollock,R.,Kishk,M.,Aouad,G.,Sun,M.andBakis,N,2004) PRODUCING COSTS WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED? Before any evaluation of the projects whole life cycle costs can be made, the following factors need careful identification. Overall time scale of the building or element i.e. the life cycle; Statement of all costs and revenues attributable by disposal time; The design lives of the various components and equipment so that any calculation can include for replacements and repairs at appropriate times; Obsolescence where changes in technology, land values, working styles make the economic life of the building shorter than the planned design use; Tax implications allowances for certain items of plant and equipment can be offset against tax, thereby reducing their costs to the building owner; The time value of money (discounting) which incorporates allowances for interest and can consider inflation (iii) are relatively easy to calculate; (iv) (vi) are much more unpredictable as they tend to be guesses. From these elements come the typical WLC/LCC approach; STEP 1 establish the objective of the calculation STEP 2 choice of costing method STEP 3 formulate assumptions from list above STEP 4 identify the costs and the life cycle STEP 5 compare alternative solutions and rank STEP 6 sensitivity analysis (technique whereby costs revisited to identify items likely to change and the impact of those changes) STEP 7 report costs to client WHOLE LIFE COST / SUSTAINABILITY Contractors, particularly those involved with public private partnerships are recognising the importance of sustainability issues and the early consideration of whole life cost. The process of getting the minimum whole life cost and environmental impact is so complex, being a three dimensional problem as indicated below. Figure 2.6 Whole life cost considerations, Source (Cartidge, 2006) Each design option will have associated impacts and costs, and trade-offs have to be made between apparently unrelated entities Environmental value. This focuses on environmental aspects of development such as pollution, waste and CO2 emissions. These issues involve the initial manufacture of construction materials, the construction of the project, its use and eventual replacement. In this context value is maximised when environmental pressures are minimised to the level of the carrying capacity of ecological systems while using natural resources effectively and safeguarding natural capital and its productivity.

Animal Liberation and Their Moral Status Essay

Peter Singer, author of the highly revered book entitled ‘Animal Liberation’, caused quite a stir when he released this book in 1975. Considered by some as the Bible of animal rights, the book aimed to halt the abuse that a lot of nonhuman animals were experiencing at the expense of human beings. This would include the use of animals for experimentation, as well as the consumption of animals as part of our everyday meals. The book made it a point to emphasize the fact that majority of the humans are taking advantage of animals, and treating them with disregard and without any form of consideration whatsoever. Many people credited the effectiveness of Singer’s book for the sudden burst of animal rights into the mainstream of issues surrounding society. No doubt, his views on animal rights has had a significant influence in the past. Alex Pacheco helped found People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA), after reading Singer’s book. And many people still use his book as a reference when discussing the rights of animals (Internal Vegetation Union, 2006). Even so, Singer’s skills as a messenger can’t alone explain how concern about the status and treatment of animals has moved into the mainstream of public policy discussions. Master communicator though he be, the culture had to be ready for his message. It had been prepared by several factors, among them the civil rights, peace and women’s movements and the apparent failure of science and technology to deliver fully on all their promises. Chernobyl, holes in the ozone layer, pesticides in the food chain, and the possibility of a brave new world created by cloning and genetic engineering have put the suspicion and fear of scientists into our collective hearts. Singer’s Animal Rights Still, Singer proceeds to emphasize a lot of his points in his book, as to why animal cruelty should be abolished from society. For one thing, animals and humans, despite some similarities, are still so relatively different that it would be pointless to apply the results that one would acquire from animal testing, and apply it to humans. Aside from that, both animal pain and its relief by means of anesthesia not only interferes with the experimental results, but invalidates it as well. Also, there are now numerous alternatives to animal research, that wouldn’t involve hurting them in any way or form. By doing animal research, whether it is needed or could be beneficial, it is still morally wrong to inflict injury upon animals, as they too have the tendency to feel pain. Singer’s main point of concern is that nonhuman animals should not be subjected to being treated so harshly and without compassion. It is not to say that animals should be treated as equals; rather, humans should not do to them what we wouldn’t do to our fellow species. If a scientist would consider it immoral to experiment on another human being, the same sentiment should be shared to animals. If it would be morally unacceptable to use human beings as a source of food, then why is eating animals any different? Just as it is wrong to kill a fellow human being, so should be the case with animals as well. Singer believed that animals should not be â€Å"a means towards our end†, and treat them as mere commodities which only exist to satisfy our own needs, and should be treated as fellow living things (Lim, 2008). Singer’s philosophical views hold a lot of truth, as the abuse that some animals face due to the work of human beings should be considered as morally wrong. Animals should not be subjected to all sorts of scientific experiments, even if these scientists claim that this for the greater good. Some scientists would argue that the studies they make on animals would benefit us, as their discoveries could pave the way for a better understanding of life in general. But using animals as test subjects should not be condoned, especially if the animals’s health and life is in parrel. Animals should not be harmed, period, no matter what the circumstances are. In terms of preserving their lives, their rights should be just as a high as any human’s. Contradicting Singer’s Arguments Though some of Singer’s arguments may be valid, I cannot say that I agree with some of his beliefs. For instance, in the animal kingdom, when a dominant animal kills one of its prey and feeds it to its family, is that animal considered a murderer? Would it also be considered as, ironically, inhuman? Some would say that animals kill other animals as part of their primal insticts, as a need to feed themselves in order to survive. But if humans eat other animals, shouldn’t it also be considered as the same primal needs? Singer might consider the thought of eating meat to be unruly and wrong, but I beg to differ. Since the beginning of time, the earliest of humans, being not as intelligent as we are now, had the same primal instincts as any other animal. Humans, for the most part, are born as omnivores (Best, 1991). We cannot help it if we crave to eat meat rather than just fruits, vegetables and other natural produce. So for someone to dispute that humans should not eat animals is to go against our own human nature and instincts. Of course, its wrong to eat a fellow human being. But how often have you seen any other animal eating its own kind, too? In that case, it’s not even about being a species of higher intelligence. Not even animals of lower intellect would do such a thing. The point is,   eating another species is part of our natural instincts; not as humans, but as natural-born omnivores. And to say that we are morally wrong to eat anything other than what grows on the ground would be to contradict the nature of not only humans, but the entire animal kingdom as well. We may be more intelligent than animals, but have the same primal needs as animals do, and to deprive us of following that need would also be considered wrong. How then, do we come to a compromise? I believe that Singer had it right when he pointed out the abuse that animals endure when being used as test subjects for scientific experiments. This method is not only unnecessary, but it should be considered as morally wrong. The same goes for sports hunting. The killing of animals should not be done as a leisurely activity, as we would not do it against our fellow man. In terms of consuming other animals as food, while I personally believe there should be limits in terms of choosing what animals can be considered, it should not be taken against those who prefer to eat meat. We as omnivores have our own needs. though not to say that we can’t survive without eating meat, it is still part of our nature to crave for it. In terms of morals, humans should not be held accountable for consuming other animals, as it is what binds us with them. To conclude, animal rights have long ways to go before any permanet laws could be issued that would be fair on both sides. Though Singer stresses a lot of important points, one still cannot deny our own rights, not as humans but as part of the circle of living creatures.   References Best, Steven. Philosophy Under Fire: The Peter Singer Controversy (1991). Retrieved 18 June    2008 from http://www.animalliberationfront.com/Saints/Authors/Interviews/Peter  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   %20Singer—summary.htm Lim, Alvin. On Peter Singer’s Ethics of Animal Liberation (2008). Retrieved 18 June 2008   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   from http://chlim01.googlepages.com/singer.htm Professor Peter Singer (2006). International Vegetation Union. Retrieved 18 June 2008 from

Gender Stereotypes And The Socialization Process - 1257 Words

Gender Stereotypes and the Socialization Process The pursuit of gender equality is a central element of a vision of sustainability in which every Member of Society respects others and plays a role that allows you to take advantage of their potential to the fullest. The broad goal of gender equality is a social goal that education and other social institutions should contribute. Gender discrimination is embed in the fabric of societies. In many societies, women bear the main burden of food production and child rearing. Also, women are often excluded from the family or Community decisions that affect their lives and well-being. The Parents stereotyped by the gender Classified by gender expectations can occur regarding personality traits (for example, children are aggressive), skills (for example, girls are good for reading), activities, and roles (for example, men are scientists). While gender equality has increased in many cultures over the past decades, there has been a parallel growth in adults regarding the adoption of attitudes that reflect gender equality. Now there is more variation among parents; some have traditional expectations and others expressing expectations equal to their daughters and sons. Similarly, some parents can support egalitarian views on certain fields (e.g. occupations) but are still more traditional concerning other areas (for example, family roles). Finally, parents (especially men) tend to be more rigid in their expectations for theShow MoreRelatedGender Roles In Modern Society728 Words   |  3 PagesGender is an integral part of social practices of human interaction. It infl uences on all aspects of a persons life such as self-assertion and self-development, family, work, school, etc. Through the gender lens a person perceives any kind of information and passes it to the surrounding world by using a gender display. The process of gender socialization and the content of gender stereotypes has great importance not only for the life of an individual, but also for the progressive development ofRead MoreGender Socialization And Gender Roles998 Words   |  4 Pagesto the gender equality issues many societies face. Is this increased awareness helping towards a neutral gendered socialization process which will inevitably eliminate the inequality? Gender socialization is the process where an individual is impacted by agents of socialization through their life stages which consequently creates the gender roles we see in today’s society. The only way to start working towards a gender equal world is by making changes towards the gender socialization proces s. GenderRead MoreGender Socialization And Social Control1508 Words   |  7 Pageslarge, gender socialization is a major contributor to identity and self- concept. Gender therefore becomes a characteristic that defines other’s perceptions and evaluations of us. People come to manage gender along with aspects of other aspects of the self by making sure that we are acting in gender-appropriate way (Goffman, 1959, Libby). In itself, the self is a product of social forces and it emerges through socialization. Being that gender is a major function of one’s identity, stereotypes aboutRead MoreAnalyzing the Themes in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry1105 Words   |  5 Pagesmovie I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, I felt enthralled to dive deeper into the topics associated within the movie. So I begin by researching and conducting sociological analysis of the characters’ genders and sexualities. In addition, I will be examining the movie based on gender, socializa tion, media and evaluating the acceptance and portrayal of gay people in this particular movie. To further increase the depth and validity of the paper, I will be using terminology that directly applies toRead MoreGender Roles Of Early Childhood Development932 Words   |  4 PagesGender Roles in Early Childhood Development In a society filled with gender stereotypes, children often adopt gender roles as they move from childhood to adolescence because of the many factors that influence their views to the point they will deny certain roles because it does not fit the gender bias. During the early years, boys and girls will usually be drawn towards gender specific activities. Playing house for example, they little boy will imitate going to work, while the little girl will imitateRead MoreSex, Gender And Sexuality966 Words   |  4 PagesThe chapter includes definitions about sex, gender and sexuality. Additionally, it describes a process of gender socialization, gender stratification, and supports these processes by social theories. Each of the provided videos and the article relates to this chapter in many ways. According to the chapter, people learn their roles of males and females through the process of socialization. There are certain guidelines established by society that people follow in acceptable manner. Each personRead MoreCycle of Socialization Essay examples982 Words   |  4 PagesThe cycle of socialization is a process through which social identities are created, and in effect, each individual represents and is affected by their social identity. According to the cycle of socialization, the first stop in the socialization process is outside of one’s control—one is socialized even before they are born. Our social identities are predetermined, and we are born in a world with roles, rules, and assumptions already in place. Our family and role models teach these rules and rolesRead MoreGender, Gender And Gender Roles1437 Words   |  6 Pages Gender roles play an important role in society whether it is for good or for bad. These roles have been placed in societ y since the beginning of time. The term gender is socially created and it therefore categorizes men from women. How is gender defined, and what makes it different from the term sex? â€Å"†¦sex refers to the biological characteristics that distinguish women and men: sex chromosomes, reproductive organs, sex-specific hormones, and physical characteristics†¦Gender†¦ refers to the socialRead MoreGender Socialization And Gender Roles1452 Words   |  6 Pages120 Professor Lessor 5/14/2016 Gender role in socialization Gender socialization and gender roles have always existed in society. Gender roles are playing major part in our way of living. As we grow, we learn how to behave and respect from those surrounding us as well as children learn at a young age what it means to be a boy or a girl in our society . there are certain roles placed on boys and girls in accordance with their gender. These gender roles are set on children from birth andRead MoreGender Socialization : Gender And Gender1040 Words   |  5 PagesStudies 9 online Oct 8, 2015 Gender Socialization Gender, according to Lorber, is the product of a range of social forces that influence our gender construction through a system of reward and punishment. throughout my life, I have been taught to be a women by family and through society, all that at some point supported the goals I had for myself or created obstacles by challenging my own ideas of what meant to be a strong women. Gender socialization is the process by which individuals are taught

Why Do You Buy An Apple - 1302 Words

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a commodity is defined as something that is bought and sold. There are many obvious examples of commodities in our world today. Silver, gold, wheat, oil, apples and beef are bought and sold everyday in the American markets. A price or value is placed on a commodity based on factors of supply and demand for the buyer intended purchase. Although prices may vary slightly due to such things as state taxes or shipping costs, it is understood that in a the marketplace a commodity has a determined value no matter where or how it is purchased. There are typically few differences between the commodities. Whether you buy an apple in Pittsburgh or Tuscaloosa, you are buying the apple expecting the†¦show more content†¦Every college is different and unique. There are large universities with tens of thousands of students and there are small colleges with only hundreds of students. Every college curriculum is different. They may offer the same core courses such as English or Math, but the vast majority of courses differ significantly from college to college. These courses can range from fine arts to pre med with hundreds of classes in between. Every campus is different. Large universities are big enough to warrant their own zip code with amenities such as stadiums, libraries, dining halls, and exercise facilities. While, on the other hand, small community colleges operate in one building with only classrooms and a cafeteria. Another reason that colleges are not commodities is because of the cost of tuition. The â€Å"cost of the service†, varies from school to school. Tuition can range anywhere from $4,000 to $50,000 and all costs in between. Because of the differences in tuition, it is difficult to determine a common marketplace worth or value of a college degree. This is expressed in the article when he says, â€Å"First, most everyone now evaluates college in purely economic terms, thus reducing it to a commodity like a car or a house.† (The Washington Post) Is it more valuable to go to an expensive college because it costs more and therefore is â€Å"worth† more? Or should the value of a college degree be based on the starting salary of

A Research Study At Hand Aimed - 1737 Words

Reviving Hope Ruben Rojas University of California, Irvine Discussion The study at hand aimed to investigate the aspects that lead individuals to join a gang, the reasons as to why they decided to part ways with it, and the consequences that resulted from their affiliation. Through the analysis of interviews and observations, several themes were noticeable such as the initiation to the gang, desistance, consequences, and services offered to help reintegrate into society. Former gang members expressed and constantly mentioned their childhood having a major part in the decisions they made which ultimately lead to them being â€Å"jumped â€Å"into a gang. Some of the reasons this occurred so frequently among so many individuals was partly due to constant profiling, problematic relationships with many of them being at home, or the social environment they found themselves being surrounded by. On the other hand, desistance occurred after they [gang members] were imprisoned and realized no one was there to help cope with their segregation from the public. After realizing they were alone, they were able to take a step back and take a deeper look at the situation they were in and decided that they needed a change. Along with growing out of it, or following an unexpected family emergency, such as a loved one being diagnosed with cancer, it was clear change was necessary. A majority of former gang members said the ultimate consequences from gang affiliation wereShow MoreRelatedResearch Methods Of Quantitative Research1087 Words   |  5 Pages Week 2 Assignment Adam Morrison PSY 326 Research Methods Jessica Lee Qualitative researchers are focused on interpreting and making sense out of what they observe rather than trying to simplify and quantify these observations by collecting and observing people, places and things in their natural setting. In doing this, researchers are able to investigate hypothesis with more freedom and rigidity while accepting the fact that they relinquish their ability to control direct and indirectRead MoreFactors That Caused By Chinese Tourists1445 Words   |  6 Pagescollecting and analyzing the data of this research will be described. The secondary data were collected to guide and support the study, and the primary data were collected to meet the objectives. Moreover, research and sample design, pilot test, data analysis methods will be described in the following. 2.2 Secondary Data Collection The study specifically investigates the problems caused by Chinese tourists. Both exploratory research and descriptive research were applied. The former one was done throughRead MoreMethods And Approaches For The Collection And Interpretation Of Data1266 Words   |  6 PagesRESEARCH METHODOLOGY This chapter of the research intends to provide basic understanding of the adopted research design, methods and approaches for the collection and interpretation of data (Kumar Phrommathed, 2005). The methodology does not only offers the fundamentals of adopted research methods, but also intends to present the rationale for the selected research i.e. specific research methods and techniques. In addition, it provides a description of the research instruments through which theRead MoreCA-MRSA : A Research Study808 Words   |  4 Pagessports teams. Studies have shown that the rates among athletes tend to be higher in contact sports like football and wrestling (Buss, 2014). The rates also seem to be higher than in the past due to the lack of policy regarding the infections and lack of people following through on the policies in place (Fritz, 2012). MRSA can be prevented for student athletes, especially if those around them are committed to doing what they can to protect the health of t he students. Research Study #1 Research Question:Read MoreCompare the Lib vs Google Article959 Words   |  4 Pagesevidence for oral health promotion effectiveness,† which is from the Health Education Journal. The other article is titled, â€Å"A systemic review of the effectiveness of health promotion aimed at improving oral health† which I Google and found in Community Dental Health. Both articles have the same objectives in promoting research, understanding and assessing evidence for effectiveness of oral health. The difference is that the article from Community Dental Health used a clinical setting whereas the HealthRead MoreGeneral Movements Assessment ( An Annotated Bibliography1587 Words   |  7 Pagesand Clinic). †¢ Interactive Metronome (Summer 2014) o As an innovative teaching practice aimed to bridge didactic learning with clinical experience, this special topic elective was created in collaboration with a clinician at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation. The student was jointly supervised the clinician and me, with student outcomes that included learning about the research process as well as gaining clinical observation experiences in pediatrics, which are otherwiseRead MoreGroup Research Study1306 Words   |  6 PagesAim of study The primary aim of this study is to explore the extent to which female-to-male (FTM) transgender individuals experience less discrimination in the workplace than male-to-female (MTF) transgender individuals. The secondary aim of this study is to get an understanding as to why the differences in treatment of female-to-male (FTM) transgender individuals in comparison to male-to-female transgender individuals (MTF) occur, so that further research may be done to minimize the discriminationRead MoreWatson and Rayner’s Classical Study with Llittle Albert Essay1726 Words   |  7 PagesIn the following essay I will be looking into the study conducted by Watson and Rayner (1920) on a small child known as ‘Little Albert’. The experiment was an adaptation of earlier studies on classical conditioning of stimulus response, one most common by Ivan Pavlov, depicting the conditioning of stimulus response in dogs. Watson and Rayner aimed to teach Albert to become fearful of a pl acid white rat, via the use of stimulus associations, testing Pavlov’s earlier theory of classical conditioningRead MoreThe Scientist Hypothesis: An Analysis1449 Words   |  6 PagesWritten report THE SCIENTIST HYPOTHESIS The article on the subject of potential communicable disease coercion to Europe was written by scientists who carried out research to identify these diseases and come up with measure to mitigate the catastrophe in future. The scientist hypothesis states that current trends of Europeans from three perspectives that are social and demographic change, globalization and environmental change and health system capacity are driving factors for identified plausibleRead MoreThe Importance Of Quantitative And Qualitative Research1012 Words   |  5 Pagessince time immemorial in providing relevance to data. By description, a quantitative research employs numerical data to quantify the adversity of a situation; thus, it addresses effect (Jonassen, 2008). The quantitative analysis involves the use of scientific methods and statistical computations to transform data into a format that is easy to interpret (Polit, Beck, 2017). On the other hand, a qualitative study seeks to identify explanati ons for a given situation under review; so, it answers the