The Socio-economic Consequences of Landmines

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Introduction:

Landmines have profound social and economic consequences to civilians. Although landmines are meant to curb enemy access to terrain, they affect the local civilian populations quite severely. They depopulate entire regions of the country, get in the way of agricultural production and interfere with transportation. They also bring down the economic infrastructure and kill/maim several innocent civilians. Landmines are at times deployed as a means of sabotage – they make useless strategic commercial structures and cripple the economy (Giannou 1997). Also, when surface transportation is hampered, farmers can no longer transit their produce to marketplaces. This results in inflation and soaring of commodity prices. Mined roads make the effects of famine and drought more severe by hampering food relief and restricting movement of supplies.

Disastrous results follow when mines are . . . Read More

The Negative Effects of Music Videos on our Youth

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Abstract:

Several studies indicate a correlation between music videos and violent behavior of adolescents. The findings also show a connection between the imagery displayed in the videos and inappropriate sexual attitudes and conduct. The lyrics tend to have a significant corrupting influence on the youth. Particular genres such as hip-hop, gangsta rap and heavy metal are found to be more damaging to youth than the rest. The racial attitudes and interpersonal relations of teenagers can be influenced by the music they watch.

Introduction:

Music Videos have defined contemporary culture the last 50 years. The mass appeal of the art form brings with it both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, it inspires, entertains and stimulates, . . . Read More

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The Nature of Tragedy in Antigone is Unique and Profound

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The Antigone has been one of the most enduring as well as popular of Greek tragedies. Though the series of events on which the plot is founded — the determination of Antigone to submit her life rather than neglect her customary duties — appeals less forcibly to contemporary than to ancient sentiment, yet the general thrust of the play, the conflict between human law and the ethic of the . . . Read More

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Airline Re-regulation

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The last two decades of de-regulation in the air transport industry had both good and bad consequences. Many in the industry strongly believe that the pros have out-weighed the cons. The rationale behind their beliefs is constructed below, as a way of justifying the status quo. Areas where the present rules do not apply are also elucidated.

There are some analysts who believe that the flying experience was much better 20 years back, before the industry was de-regulated. The higher ticket prices ensured that companies did not go broke and consequently the employees were well paid. Also, back then, ticket prices did not depend on the time of purchase (Whitaker 7). If a flight was missed for any reason, the ticket is still valid for the next available flight and on any alternate airline flying the same route; all this without any additional cost for the passenger. Reservations too were much simpler – all it . . . Read More

Traditional Dating versus Online Dating

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The Internet had radically changed the way social customs as dating are conducted. Innumerable innovative ideas for dating have sprung up in the cyberspace. But the important question is whether such developments have beneficial or detrimental effects on the society in general and the youth in particular. In this essay I have tried to answer that question.

What is deplorable with online dating services is the ease with which people can be deceived. It is difficult to know the truth of the data in personal profiles. People with intentions of malice and perversion create nice and attractive impressions of themselves and go on a hunting spree in the Internet. The susceptible and the vulnerable, especially the unwary teenagers, can be easily taken for a ride and sometimes even to fatal results. So, this is an obvious drawback of the cyber dating scene. On this issue of credibility traditional method of dating . . . Read More

Comparative Perspective on Organized Crime Groups

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Abstract:

The Sicilian Mafia and the Medellin Cartel are both born out of political unrest. They both operate internationally and their actions can have significant impact on the related countries. Though usually illegitimate, the groups have had popular support and some of their leaders were revered and looked up to. The groups have intricate links with the political establishment of the day and can affect the results of elections. Both the organized crime groups plunder the very people whom they protect. The Sicilian Mafia is, interestingly, quite structured and its members bound to honor and a code of conduct.

Comparative Perspective on Organized Crime Groups

The Medellin Cartel of Columbia and the Sicilian Mafia are the two groups chosen for a comparative analysis. In what aspects do they differ? . . . Read More

Critique of a journal article on Maslow’s concept of self-actualization

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The journal article I have chosen to perform a critical analysis on is titled “An HRD refresher. (human resource development) (list of social science scholars contributing to the foundation on which occupational training theories are based)”. It appeared in the May 1991 edition of Training & Development. The article discusses a list of sociology scholars and their most important contribution to the field. They are Chris Argyris, for his work on the Immaturity-Maturity theory; Kurt Lewin, who is regarded by some as the father of group dynamics; . . . Read More

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How are the terms ‘margin’ and ‘centre’ used to define cultural groups in the Postmodern age?

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There is a widely held consensus that postmodernism is a reaction to modernism and hence concerns itself only with “otherness”, “difference” and “identity”. High modernism is rarely occupied with the experiences of the cultural minorities and nor does it involve critical analyses of their experiences. People in the margin regard the links between their sense of community and postmodernism as very feeble. It is impossible for the group in the margin to consciously associate its discourse with the other dominating group that does not seem keen to associate. Though postmodernism still has the potential to be an effective liberating space for the subjugated, it is seldom used for this end (McGuigan 98).

One key aspect of the visual aesthetic of the black community is that of the body. The notions surrounding black hair and its style provide us a contextual framework for analyzing its relation to . . . Read More

Differences between free-market and interventionist approaches to employee relations in the UK

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The recognition that the free trade system needs to be balanced by a legislative framework came from Tony Blair in a recent World Bank meeting in Prague. The prime minister emphasized the raising of labour and animal welfare standards. He also expressed concerns for employer’s attitude towards worker and environmental health. The fact that around tens of thousands of people from around the world participated in protests against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund during this meeting suggests that the free market approaches to trade had not been totally fair to workers and their communities (Webster, Allan. & Gilroy, Michael. P.329).

The report released on the occasion, titled “Rights of Exchange: Social, Health, Environmental and Trade Objectives on the Global Stage”, is one among the many steps taken by politicians in trying to strike a balance between free and . . . Read More

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Against Spanking a Child : An outline of key points

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Repeated spanking of a child will lead him/her to develop social and mental problems as an adult, irrespective of the frequency and intensity of the spanking.  The following points will support this contention.

I. Punishing may make the undesirable behavior look more attractive and thus add value to it. (McCord, 832)

a. It is also logically deducible that using punishment to control children’s behavior will lead to undesirable consequences.

b. In the end, punishment may just teach a child how not to get caught. (McCord, 833)

1. When parents or other adults inflict painful punishment, the children who receive them would learn that administering pain to others is also alright.

2. When children mould their behavior as ways to avoid pain, they are likely to end up as self-centered and selfish adults. (McCord, 832)

a. It . . . Read More