Essay on The African-American Odyssey

Article on The African-American Odyssey Article on The African-American Odyssey Article on The African-American OdysseyThe 1920-1930s were the hour of steady changes in the life of the US society and African Americans specifically. This was the hour of the quick urbanization that added to the development of the urban populace and development of the African American populace in American urban areas. The 1920s †1930s were joined by the developing persecution of African Americans by methods for Jim Crow’s laws which constrained privileges of African Americans and added to their isolation. Because of the abuse, African Americans moved to enormous urban communities and settled in their networks making huge African American people group (Hine 114). The urbanization and arrangement of huge African American people group added to the ascent of their job as the network that can take a functioning part in the political, social and monetary life. The huge urban networks became significant on-screen characters in the life of huge American urban areas and white Am ericans couldn't simply abuse them since African Americans became mindful of their capacity in their solidarity (Weiner Knopf 169). What's more, the ascent of the sorted out battle of African Americans for their privileges added to the improvement of their situation as another force that approach producers need to think about. Therefore, regardless of Jim Crow’s laws, Africans despite everything figured out how to arrange their locale and lead the fruitful battle for their privileges. In reality, this experience is as yet important in light of the fact that issues of the downtown are self-evident (Hine, 201). Their goals should begin from African Americans since strategy producers won't transform them, except if African Americans dispatch a huge scope social liberties development or some other type of the sorted out yet legitimate battle just like the instance of 50 years back.

Proxemics - Understanding Personal Space

Proxemics - Understanding Personal Space Proxemics are the investigation of individual space.â First presented in 1963 by Edward Hall who was keen on considering the effect of individual space on non-verbal communication.â In the years since, it has brought the consideration of social anthropologists and others in the sociologies to the contrasts between various social gatherings and its effect on populace density.â Promexics are additionally significant for social association between people yet are regularly hard for people with handicaps to see, particularly individual with mental imbalance range disorders.â Since how we feel about close to home space is incompletely social (instructed through steady cooperations) and organic, since people will react instinctively, it is frequently hard for people with incapacities to comprehend this significant piece of the Hidden Curriculum, the arrangement of social principles that are implicit and regularly under-trained however commonly acknowledged as the standard of worthy conduct. Regularly creating people will really encounter tension in amygdala, a segment of the cerebrum which produces delight and anxiety.â Children with disabilitieis, particularly mental imbalance range issue, frequently dont experience that nervousness, or their degree of uneasiness is high over any strange or unforeseen experience.â Those understudies need to realize when it is fitting to feel on edge in another people individual space. Showing Proxemics or Personal Space Unequivocal Teaching:â Children with incapacities regularly should be educated expressly what individual space is.â You can do that by building up an analogy, similar to the Magic Bubble or you can utilize a genuine hula loop to characterize the space which we call individual space. Social stories and pictures can likewise help comprehend proper individual space.â You may stage and take photos of your understudies in suitable and unseemly good ways from another.â You may likewise ask the head, another instructor and even a grounds police officers to show instances of fitting individual space, in light of connections and social jobs (i.e., one doesn't enter the individual space of a position figure.) Â You can show and model moving toward individual space by having understudies approach you and utilize a commotion creator (clicker, ringer, claxon) to flag when an understudy enters your own space.â Then give them a similar chance to be approached.â Model, too, suitable approaches to enter anothers individual space, either with a handshake, a high five, or a solicitation for a hug.â Practice:â Create games that will enable your understudies to comprehend individual space.â Individual Bubble Game:â Give every understudy a hula loop, and get some information about without covering anothers individual space.â Award each understudy 10 focuses, and have an adjudicator remove focuses each time they enter anothers individual space without permission.â You can likewise grant focuses to understudies who enter anothers individual space by asking appropriately.â Security Tag: Put a few hula bands on the floor and have one understudy be it.â If a youngster can get into an individual air pocket without being labeled, they are safe.â In request to turn into the following individual to be it they have to get to opposite side of the room (or a divider in the play area) first.â This way, they are focusing on close to home space just as being eager to leave that safe place to be the following individual who is it.â Mother May I:â Take this old customary game and make an individual space game out of it:â for example Mother, May I enter Johns individual space?â and so on.

Reflecting on 10 Years and Lessons Learned

Reflecting on 10 Years and Lessons Learned Happy 10th birthday, blogs!!! I made you a cake! (With help from  Random Halls 40th Birthday Hack.) Birthdays are special times. Times for cakes, celebrations, and sometimes songs. They are also a natural point to look back and reflect. This year is not only the blogs 10th birthday, but also the 10th anniversay of my MIT journey. 10 years ago today, I was just about to start my senior year of high school, and everything that came with it classes, activities, tests, applications, decisions If I look back and remember where I thought my life would go, I wasnt even close. I wouldve guessed that I would attend UW Madison (wrong), triple major (typical MIT frosh ambitions), become a lawyer (wrong), and be married with kids within 5-10 years (not yet). I had no idea that I would bike halfway across the country, build robots, or do work in five countries. I also had no idea that I could ever fail a test, accidentally set myself on fire while trying to cook, or contract histoplasmosis while exploring a cave. Looking back at these 10 years, several lessons stand out to me. Some of them, I figured out quickly; others were difficult and painful to learn. I’ve described the lessons that I learned in the order I learned them, but there’s no reason that you need to take 10 years to learn them! I hope that these lessons can be guideposts that allow you to learn, enjoy yourself, and have success in college and beyond. 1. Senior Year of High School: Its About the Match College is about much more than books and classes its about the people, teams, trips, parties, and late-night study sessions. When you choose a school, youre choosing the professors youll listen to, but youre also choosing the atmosphere you will live in and the people youll be friends with. Look for communities that youre excited to be a part of. Then, when you apply, let your passion come through so that the school can see why someone like you would be great to have on campus. I didn’t understand this when I started to look at colleges and to apply. I started off applying to the places that seemed to have easier application processes â€" this is about the worst thing you can do when applying to schools. I eventually realized that MIT was the community I wanted to be a part of, and I have never regretted the decision. 2. Freshman Year: Find Your Home When youre starting out in college, the most important thing to do is to get your bearings. Whether its your dorm, the softball team, or a sorority, find the group of people (or place or activity) that makes you feel comfortable and grounded keep looking until you find them! School will inevitably become busy, and difficult, and overwhelming. When you get to that point, you need the place that you can go to where you can vent, cry, or just take a break. For me, Home was BMF Floor in Random Hall, and it saved my sanity many, many times. The chocolate Disney loving floor of a closeknit nerdy dorm may not be the place for everyone, but it was the place that I always felt absolutely comfortable being my chocolate-scarfing, Disney-song-singing, nerdy self. 3. Sophomore Year: When You’re Going Through Hell, Keep Going (But Not Always in the Same Direction) If you’re challenging yourself, there will be times when you have more work than you know how to handle â€" yet. When that happens, you have to grit your teeth, consume some caffeine, and power through. Then, it’s also important to look closely at the situation, figure out what skills you need, and work on building them, however hard that may seem. To the left is a representative picture from Sophomore Year. Can you tell that I didn’t sleep much? I had already learned Freshman Year that I didn’t know how to study. I’d never needed to in High School, and now that I needed those skills I wasn’t sure where to start. I would stay up the nights before tests, stressing about not knowing how to prepare, tiring myself out, and occasionally reviewing some material. If I had taken time between tests to learn more about how to better plan and study, I could have saved myself many sleepless nights. 4. Junior Year: Explore, Explore, Explore! Once you’ve found that community, that Home of yours â€" leave it! Find ways to go explore and to find out how other cultures compare to yours. College is set up to allow you to do this easily and cheaply â€" look for your chances to volunteer, study, or intern abroad. Take classes that involve field work. Buy cheap tickets to Europe over winter or summer break, rent a car with friends, and see what’s out there to see. You’ll never again have such easy access to vacation time, you’re still easily able to adapt to less than luxurious accommodations, and you probably don’t have responsibilities to a family of your own yet. Go, go, go. Try new foods, follow an unknown path, talk to strangers, visit a local museum, and take a few pictures along the way. I wove these opportunities into my experience, and the experiences were amazing. I was able to take the TGV between Frankfurt and Paris, eat crepes with chocolate in Switzerland and fries with spiced mayo in Belgium, ride around Honduras in the bed of a pickup truck, climb Mount Hua in China, and explore the Deutsches Muesum with friends. Keep an eye out for opportunities to travel, and they will appear. 5. Senior Year: Focus There is so much to explore in college. Topics, groups, events… You need to explore, but once you have explored it’s time to focus in. Master your major, and focus on the extracurricular that you’re most passionate about. This lesson was a hard one for me â€" from MIT Marching Band to my service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, I was interested in and involved in a lot of activities. Finding the right balance is still something that I work on, but I know now that it’s possible to get more enjoyment and better results when you’re not spread too thin. 6. MEng Year: Research is What I’m Doing When I Don’t Know What I’m Doing Become okay with not having all the answers. Sometimes you just need to have an idea, a plan, and a timeline. I completed a Master’s my 5th year, combining my Thesis work and additional classes with other courses that I had taken in previous years. Research is much more open-ended than even a project-based class, and that aspect was hard for me. I didn’t know which directions would be the most fruitful to investigate or how long I would need to trace down different routes. My advisor gave me a bookmark with a quote by Wernher von Braun: Research is What I’m Doing When I Don’t Know What I’m Doing. That attitude, of confidently approaching a problem and forming a hypothesis and a plan, turns out to be a powerful one to take. It applies not only to research, but also to many other fields of work. 7. The Real World, Year 1: Value People Skills as well as Technical Skills At MIT (or in school in general), it can be easy to focus on specific knowledge and technical skills and tasks. The real world is not so simple. No one is going to give you a numbered problem set, and no one is going to implement your solution just because you wrote it down. Out of school, I joined Stroud Consulting, an Operations and Management Consulting Firm. I knew that I’d be helping clients solve technical challenges â€" and I focused on the “technical” aspect. It turned out that the technical work was the easier portion. I needed to learn to build alignment to a plan, coach constructive mindsets and working routines, and drive goal-oriented actions. I had never thought of these as skills I needed, but I now realize that it’s nearly impossible to work without them. 8. The Real World, Year 2: You Can Always Learn and Improve This is a tricky lesson to learn: even if you’re smart, your intelligence and your knowledge is not your best asset. Over time, motivation and the willingness to learn from past experience is key. Everyone will have challenges, and everyone will fail. If you’re afraid to expose your weaknesses, you’ll never strengthen them. All of the above sounds logical and straightforward. In practice though, it’s easy to fall into the routine of thinking of yourself as smart. If other people routinely refer to you as smart, if you occasionally reason yourself out of scrapes or tests you forgot to study for, or if you score well on standard tests that measure IQ and Aptitude, then you too can fall into the trap of thinking that your success is due solely to a fixed intelligence as opposed to the will to learn and improve. I did, for a long time, and it held me back without me being aware. I finally read Mindset by Carol Dweck (nearly 2 years after I was originally assigned to read it.) Id recommend this book to anyone heres an  Amazon link  to get you started.  The ability to see my Fixed mindset and take steps towards a Growth mindset was truly powerful. It’s continued to serve me since I left consulting and moved on to a fast-growing furniture startup in Connecticut. Currently at Lovesac, I work to improve our technical systems and business processes to support 40% year-over-year growth while also improving the customer experience. Given our rapid growth, the ability to learn and quickly adapt is essential. 9. The Real World, Year 3: Learn to Make Yourself Happy Pay attention to the little things you can do to increase your own happiness. Sometimes, you really need it, during a stressful time in your professional or personal life. Other times, it’s just nice to be happy. :-) I’m partial to Dodie Smith’s maxim: “Noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression.” There are a few other things I’ve added to the list over time â€" mostly simple things like exercise and massage. 10. The Real World, Year 4: Remember Where You Came From Finally, make time to go back to your roots. Talk to old friends, read the books you read in high school, and make time for family. I realized that I’d changed â€" a lot â€" in the past 10 years. Some changes are good, but others are neutral or negative. Many of them just happened as I adjusted to new situations I encountered. This year, my focus is on remembering the best of who I’ve been and bringing my favorite elements back into my life. To the joys and the learning from the past 10 years, and to 10 great years to come!

Alcohol vs. Marijuana Essay - 701 Words

Alcohol vs. Marijuana Alcohol and marijuana are two drugs commonly used and abused in the United States. Alcohol is the number one abused drug, while marijuana is number one among illegal drugs. While alcohol remains legal, and marijuana illegal, this does not necessarily mean that alcohol is better for you. There have been many arguments where people suggest that marijuana should be legal because alcohol is more deadly. On the other hand, there are alcoholics who would tell a pothead that smoking weed is bad for you. Both substances are very bad for your health and should not be heavily used by anyone. Marijuana has an immediate effect during and for about 2 hours after smoking. With alcohol, users feel slight effects†¦show more content†¦Alcohol impairs judgment and vision, and causes speeding and reckless driving. On the other hand, there has been debate over the effect of marijuana on driving. One study by a computer software company reported that people who smoked a small amount of marijuana drove faster and with fewer collisions in a driving computer game. Another study said that marijuana causes abnormally slow driving, proneness to distraction, and increases the time it takes to react, therefore greatly impairs your ability to drive. Long-term effects of alcohol are liver cirrhosis, stomach ailments, impotence, vitamin deficiency, increased stroke risk, decreased mental performance, heart disease, peptic ulcers, hepatitis, and various forms of cancer. Alcohols effects on the brain are loss of coordination, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses, and even blackouts. Long-term effects of marijuana are mouth, throat, and lung cancer, increased heart rate, decrease in testosterone levels for men, increased testosterone levels for women, diminished sexual pleasure, increased blood pressure, increased stress, decreased motivation, and respiratory problems. The THC in marijuana damages the nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed, making it hard to remember things. Both substances can lead to dependence, especially alcohol. If one abuses alcohol for to long and becomes dependent, they areShow MoreRelatedEssay on Alcohol vs Marijuana1537 Words   |  7 PagesAlcohol vs Marijuana There is no culture in the history of mankind that did not ever use some kind (kinds) of drugs. Despite the well-known consequences of drug addiction, millions of people constantly consume different legal and illegal drugs. Affecting peoples mind and changing their behavior, drugs become one of the most threatening factors of social risk, resulting in increasing rates of mortality, aggressive and criminal behavior, and dissolution of social ties. This paper is devoted toRead MoreMarijuana vs Alcohol Essay1664 Words   |  7 Pagestwenties, alcohol was sipped cautiously behind the walls of speakeasies; glasses clinking under the flashing lights of entertainment signs. The hippies of the sixties and seventies passed pipes of burning marijuana, promoting peace while protesting for the rights of millions of Americans. No doubt, both drugs have had a major influence on the country, both have had their â€Å"glory† days. After a time of prohibition, the once thought sinful substanc e of alcohol was re-legalized. Marijuana, on the otherRead MoreAlcohol vs. Marijuana Essay699 Words   |  3 PagesAlcohol Vs. Marijuana Alcohol and marijuana are two drugs commonly used and abused in the United States. Alcohol is the number one abused drug, while marijuana is number one among illegal drugs. While alcohol remains legal, and marijuana illegal, this does not necessarily mean that the alcohol is better for you. There have been many arguments where people suggest that marijuana should be legal because alcohol is more deadly. On the other hand, there are alcoholics who would tell a potheadRead MoreMarijuana vs. Alcohol in the United States Essay843 Words   |  4 PagesMarijuana vs. Alcohol In The United States Marijuana and alcohol are the two most threatening drugs used in America today. Marijuana is the most illicit drug while alcohol is the most abused. Both were illegal during the prohibition but when the constitution was ratified in 1933 alcohol was made legal while marijuana remained illegal. It does not mean that because alcohol is still legal it’s less dangerous than marijuana. Both drugs lead to serious risks and should be taken with caution if usedRead MoreMarijuana vs. Alcohol People are often quick to judge those that use marijuana, but do not judge900 Words   |  4 PagesMarijuana vs. Alcohol People are often quick to judge those that use marijuana, but do not judge those who use alcohol. With medical marijuana on the rise, people are using marijuana almost as much as people using alcohol. People argue the health risk of both marijuana and alcohol, but do people really know what the health risks and benefits are? Excessive use of alcohol is accountable for 88,000 U.S. fatalities each year from 2006 to 2010. The fatalities cost the budget $224 billion according toRead MoreThe History and Possible Legalization of Marijuana Essay1165 Words   |  5 PagesDrug Laws There has never been a death from marijuana overdose. â€Å"A person would have to smoke 20,000 to 40,000 times the amount of THC in a joint to overdose† (Wing). Marijuana was classified as an illegal drug in 1970, because it can be abused very easily (â€Å"infoplease†). Marijuana was then grown indoors. Marijuana is illegally used by many people daily. Marijuana should be legalized because it is naturally grown and can be used to help cancer patients, relieve stress, and be used daily. CannabisRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized? Essay1714 Words   |  7 Pagesboth free and drug free. 79 years ago, marijuana became prohibited in the United States (PBS). Today, we find the topic of marijuana’s legality in all forms of media and every level of politics. It is now a never ending topic of public debates. The goal is to answer the question that refuses to die: should marijuana be legalized? Marijuana may not be for you, it may make you paranoid or uncomfortable, and no one should be forced to use it; but, legalizing marijuana in the United States would be beneficialRead MoreWhy Marijuana Should Be Legalized Essay1605 Words   |  7 PagesTable of Contents I. Introduction to Cannabis II. The History of Marijuana III. The Prohibition IV. Economic Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana V. The Medical Benefits of Marijuana VI. Marijuana vs. Alcohol and Tobacco VII. Marijuana Stimulates Creativity and Brain Cell Growth VIII. Conclusion Should marijuana be legalized for recreational and medical purposes? Thesis: Since marijuana is not harshly dangerous to one’s health nor is it a hard narcotic, it should beRead MoreThe Debate Over The Legalization Of Marijuana952 Words   |  4 Pagesconcern over the legalization of marijuana. The debate over the issue of marijuana and its legalization has been an immensely prevalent one in the nation over several years now. The issue of legalizing marijuana is truly a controversial one, and certainly one that requires a plethora of considerations at the top levels of the legislative branch. Legalizing marijuana would not only make it easily accessible to patients for treatment in states in which medicinal marijuana is currently not legal but wouldRead MoreMarijuana Addiction1162 Words   |  5 PagesBecoming Addicted to Marijuana â€Å"Marijuana is the most commonly used drug illegal drug in the world.† (â€Å"What is Marijuana†, 2013). It has recently become legal in a couple states, and more states are sure to follow their lead in the upcoming months. People can make the argument that marijuana does not have any negative effects, but they are wrong. Becoming addicted to marijuana is easy, and it only opens up the door for you to try other harmful drugs once marijuana quits getting you high. You need

Describe a Personal Experience Where Your Race or...

Race and ethnicity has influenced my life in many ways and up until now I am living with the discriminations that comes with not belonging to a certain group of people. Worldwide racial discrimination race is common and even more common here in the United States. People make choices subconsciously based on the racial group they belong to. Individuals have preference of people of their own ethnicity over people of a different ethnic group. I personally have experienced some sort of racial discrimination and am sure every one else is a victim of racial discrimination just as much as I am. I believe if every student, staff or faculty that will be asked their opinions about racial inequality, they will gladly oppose racism. But some of us†¦show more content†¦I went back to the library to study for my next exam and I made sure I was back at exactly 1pm. She still wasn’t back; I decided to wait a little while at the door. While waiting, she came and I requested for the application and she told me she didn’t have the application and she gave me her card to make an appointment with her to come in for the application and that she cannot meet up until after the 29th which is suppose to be the dead line of the application. Believe it or not, I stupidly left the office thinking that is the same procedure everyone is going to have to go through. An hour later, my friend who is not the same race as the coord inator but looks like she is of her race, went in and was given the application. Some times it is just too heart breaking to know after meeting all the requirements of something, you still do not really meet the requirement just because of your skin color. We talk about how racial discrimination is inappropriate, but we still practice racial favoritism anyways. Like in the case of this scholarship, they could have just written on the requirements, you have to belong to a certain race to qualify, but it is not right to do that. I felt so depressed realizing in the very end that I wasted all my time and energy for nothing because I do not actually meet the real requirements. I do not belong to the ideal racial group. I believe day in and day out; other students just like me have to deal with situations likeShow MoreRelatedDifferences Between Race And Ethnicity960 Words   |  4 PagesDiscuss the similarities and differences between race and ethnicity and give and give an example of each. James M. Henslin defines race as â€Å"a group of people with inherited physical characteristics that distinguish it from another group† (2014). Meanwhile, ethnicity â€Å"refers to cultural characteristics† (Henslin, 2014). The difference mostly relies in a similar argument to the classic nature versus nurture argument. Race is what a person genetically inherits. Whether it may be skin tone or anatomicalRead MoreThe Major Reasons For Your Interest On The Profession Of Social Work906 Words   |  4 Pages1. Discuss the major reasons for your interest in the profession of social work. Whether positive or negative - what inspired or moved you to choose this direction? I made the decision prior to graduating with my bachelor’s degree in 2013 that I wanted to become a social worker. I have always enjoyed working with people and becoming a social worker would enable me to have a positive impact in individual’s lives. I waited until 2015 to start this journey as my husband had been in the military andRead MoreNegative Essay On Racial Profiling1325 Words   |  6 PagesRacial Profiling is known to be a serious issue of social importance over here in the United States. The U.S. is made up of many different cultures, ethnicities, races and faces. With our diversity, comes stereotypes, which in most cases, is not always the best. Which is sad, knowing that our racial differences is what truly defines America. It is important to take a close look at it because, this comes with serious consequences and amounts of political/social controversy. I believe that racial profilingRead MoreThe Importance of Working Equally with a Culturally Diverse C lassroom1665 Words   |  7 Pagessuccessfully teach students who come from cultures other than your own. Diversity can be different types of race, religions, gender, languages, customs, and culture. Teachers need to see all their students equal regardless of their diversity and culture background. This course helped shape my character and broaden my views toward other cultures. I had many memorable experiences due to taking this course. The most valuable learning experience in the class discussions was on the discussion regarding howRead MoreInterview With A Interview Project On Was Antonia1373 Words   |  6 Pagesof the person I decided to do the ethnographic interview project on was Antonia, I chose Antonia to be the interviewee because I wanted to get to know her better. We’ve known each other since high school but never had the opportunity to speak on a personal level prior to the interview. She appeared to be open and comfortable to talk about her culture and seemed to have plenty of knowledge about her culture. The interview took place on December 01 2015 at 1:00 P.M. in her apartment in Clovis, I askedRead MoreCharacteristics Of A Social Location1669 Words   |  7 Pagesoccupies† (Henslin), such as simultaneously being a mother or father, son or daughter, a worker, or a student. These concepts relate because these sets of statuses are bound to change as particular statuses change, such as occ upation or marital status. Ethnicity, sex/gender, citizenship, place of birth/residence and occupation are all influencers when it comes to our status because they all play a role in who we are and what position we entitle. These different characteristics form a framework for livingRead MoreDiversity And Inclusion For Diversity1920 Words   |  8 Pagesbe used to differentiate groups and people from one another. This can be anything from life experiences, learning styles, personality types to race, gender, sexual orientation or even county of origin. These differences can be used to achieve quality teaching, learning and support services. Inclusion is used to describe a state of being valued, respected and also supported. The term is also used to describe the active, intentional and ongoing engagement with diversity. This also focuses on the needRead MoreThe Application Of Communication Theories1509 Words   |  7 Pagescomes to international students on Western Kentucky Universit y’s campus, ignorance is the best word to describe my prior knowledge concerning them. Taking it a step further, this term can extend to my awareness about race in general on campus. However, I am pleased to say that I am now somewhat more knowledgeable concerning the diversity at WKU. This is due to my recent participation in the Race Intergroup Dialogue Discussions over the past few months. When we first began this group discussion, weRead MoreAlcoholics Anonymous An Open Meeting1188 Words   |  5 PagesAlcoholics Anonymous an Open Meeting Dominique Steinburg describes mutual aid as a process through which people develop collaborative, supportive, and trustworthy relationships; identify and use existing strengths and/or to develop new ones; and work together toward individual and/or collective psychosocial goals. (Steinburg, 2010) Alcoholics Anonymous is mutual aid group that supports individuals in their recovery from alcohol dependence. Established in the mid 1930’s, Alcoholics Anonymous wasRead MoreMasculinity in the Trinidadian Diaspora in Sections of an Orange by Anton Nimblett696 Words   |  3 Pages Sections of an Orange dives into the personal stories of men and women living in Trinidad and Tobago and the Trinidadian diaspora in New York. Anton Nimblett allows the reader to experience the struggles with the characters, and there are feelings of isolation, longing, deception, and most commonly—love. Caribbean conceptions of gender and sexuality are usually geared towards the traditional type s. In other words, boys are to playing football, and not helping their aunts sew and cook. Men are

Franklin D. Roosevelt Creative Leadership in a Lifetime of Public Service Free Essays

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Creative Leadership in a Lifetime of Public Service Leading the United States of America through an economic crisis and a world war, Franklin Delano Roosevelt demonstrated the traits of a creative leader not only in his policy-making, but also in the way he carried his image. From State Senator of New York to 32nd President of the United States, Roosevelt epitomised resourcefulness in his steady ascent of the political ladder, culminating with taking charge of the country during one of the toughest times it had ever experienced. We will write a custom essay sample on Franklin D. Roosevelt: Creative Leadership in a Lifetime of Public Service or any similar topic only for you Order Now Over the course of his leadership, Roosevelt certainly gained – if not already possessed – the domain knowledge required to generate creativity in his field of politics. In fact, he was primed for a career in public service even since his early education Roosevelt first entered the face of American politics in the State Election of 1910, running for the New York State Senate. In his second term, he served as chairman of the Agriculture Committee, passing effective farm and labour bills. This success was to some extent a precursor of his New Deal policies (to be discussed in greater detail later), which despite imperfections were reflective of creative leadership in the aspect of Dr Ronald Heifetz’s â€Å"adaptive work†. Following this, in 1913, Roosevelt was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy – a role from which he gained experience that would prove relevant in his later years as Commander-in-Chief during World War II. Although traditionally the prerogative of the Secretary rather than the Assistant Secretary, he worked on the general development of U. S. naval policy, and his advocacy for a â€Å"big navy† earned him support from Navy personnel. As State Senator, Roosevelt openly opposed the Tammany Hall political machine; as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, he opposed Frederick Taylor’s â€Å"stopwatch† system towards industrial efficiency. In both positions, his stand inevitably favoured certain stakeholders and incensed others. Although this meant losing support from some people, it represented creating the â€Å"disequilibrium† that Heifetz describes as necessary for mobilising adaptive work. Roosevelt was hence able to effectively â€Å"orchestrate conflict and create disorder† in order to achieve greater overall progress. Roosevelt was a leader who avoided letting his personal life affect his political career. In the summer of 1921, he contracted poliomyelitis, which resulted in permanent paralysis from the waist down. However, Roosevelt was adamant about preserving his image of health to the people, which he believed was necessary to run for public office again. He made sure that the press presented him in a manner which did not highlight his disability, and refrained from being seen in his wheelchair in public. In doing this, he protected his status as a leader in the eyes of the people, rather than allowing his illness to undermine his ability to serve in public office. Roosevelt went further to establish the March of Dimes, a non-profit organisation seeking to combat polio. He was hence able to turn an adversity on its head and generate even greater public support from it instead. In the 1920s, Roosevelt mended fences with the Democratic Party, and moderated his stance against the Tammany Hall machine. He went on to be elected as Governor of New York in 1928, and re-elected for a second term in 1930. While in that position, he instated several social programmes such as the New York State Emergency Relief Commission. In line with the importance of working with partners that Heifetz emphasises in his book, Leadership Without Easy Answers, Roosevelt worked closely with Frances Perkins and Harry Hopkins, particularly in the aspect of solving America’s economic problems during the period. Roosevelt also made the key statement that â€Å"progressive government by its very terms, must be a living and growing thing†, presenting governance as a conceptual space that could be explored and transformed, and once again relating to Heifetz’s â€Å"adaptive challenge†. When Roosevelt was elected President in 1932, the United States was struggling under the Great Depression, which began even while he was Governor and involved a stock market crash and soaring unemployment. It was on this backdrop that Roosevelt introduced the New Deal, a series of economic programmes to tackle the problems during this difficult period. Within his â€Å"First 100 Days†, he passed various programmes through Congress, setting up the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Emergency Banking Act among many others. Roosevelt made his mark on the history of American politics in this record number of bills passed during the initial months of his Presidency; since then, U. S. Presidents have been judged by what they achieve in their first hundred days. Roosevelt entered the Presidency with immense political capital due to the urgency of the economy’s state, and effectively capitalised on this to implement creative policies. In the â€Å"Second New Deal† (1935-1936), he went on to propose bolder and even more initiatives, such as the Works Progress Administration and the Social Security Act. The latter, in fact, set the foundation for the framework of the U. S. welfare system which exists till today. Roosevelt was willing to take risks; he implemented policies which involved significant government intervention at the expense of a budget deficit, even though he knew this would be unpopular. He was aware that leadership was not merely about appeasing the people, but required tough measures in response to the situation at times. Although his New Deal policies met criticism as being a haphazard collection of schemes, Roosevelt himself insisted that they were â€Å"the orderly component parts of a connected and logical whole†. Either way, we must recognise that the economic climate at that time was extremely volatile, and in reacting spontaneously to unfolding events rather than strictly adhering to a set plan, Roosevelt was doing exactly what Heifetz describes of creative leaders – bringing adaptive work to the people, and mobilising it towards solutions. Roosevelt also found a novel way of addressing the people through a series of radio talks called â€Å"fireside chats†. Through these, he introduced and explained the policies to the people as they were being implemented. He knew that transparency was important, and even as he passed acts which allowed greater state intervention in the country’s social and economic affairs, he made clear to the people what he was intending to achieve with these initiatives. His policies were met with mixed reviews, but ultimately, most agree that this era was an important milestone in the progress of the U. S. political and economic systems. In 1940, Roosevelt became the first President to run for a third term, going against the unwritten rule of a two-term tradition. By this time, World War II had broken out. Roosevelt, as President, gave covert support to Britain and France in the form of arms provision despite officially stating neutrality. Eventually, while still remaining detached from actual military participation, he passed the Lend-Lease Act, essentially providing supplies to the other Allied nations at war. This was an innovative measure on Roosevelt’s part to support the Allied Powers against the Axis Powers without putting his own country in direct harm. Unfortunately, such a position can only remain temporarily, as the U. S. was clearly demonstrating its alliance. Unsurprisingly, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, drawing the U. S. inescapably into the war. Not having fully recovered from its economic woes, being forced into combat was a heavy blow to the U. S.. Even in the throes of war, however, Roosevelt was successful in â€Å"externalising the conflict†, focusing on the Axis Powers as the enemy and keeping himself out of a position of blame. The situation also drove Roosevelt to establish the United Nations – originally the 26 countries opposing the Tripartite Pact represented by the â€Å"Declaration by United Nations†. Although not entirely a case of historical creativity, the coalition of governments across this large a number of nations was certainly a visionary initiative by Roosevelt. The UN has since grown into one of the most prominent international organisations. Roosevelt was definitely a man who saw purpose in his public service. Just before his death in 1945, he entered an unprecedented fourth term as President. His commitment was reflected in his continuous political presence and effort to evoke positive change in systems, even in times when support for him was low. Roosevelt incorporated wit when he was addressing the people, and maintained his dignity till the very end. Although it is impossible for all of his policies to have succeeded, especially considering the sheer multitude of new programmes and magnitude of fundamental change instigated during his time, Roosevelt did display fluency and flexibility – in that he generated a large number policies in a wide range of categories – as well as originality and the capacity for elaboration in his intricate plans. As one of the most influential figures in American history, Franklin D. Roosevelt definitely embodied the essence of a creative leader. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. â€Å"Groton School. † Theodore Roosevelt Center. Web. 27 Sept 2012. . [ 2 ]. Burns, James MacGregor. Roosevelt. Vol 1. New York: Easton Press, 1956. Print. [ 3 ]. â€Å"American President: Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Life Before the Presidency. † Miller Center. Web. 27 Sept 2012. . [ 4 ]. LaCerra, Charles. Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Tammany Hall of New York. Lanham, MD: University of America, 1997. Print. [ 5 ]. Heifetz, Ronald. Leadership Without Easy Answers. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1994. [ 6 ]. Chen, Deborah. â€Å"The Embodiment of an Illness: Franklin Roosevelt’s Public Representation of Polio. † Deliberations. (2001) Web. 26 Sep 2012. . [ 7 ]. Rose, David. â€Å"A History of the March of Dimes. † March of Dimes. 26 Aug. 2010. Web. 27 Sept 2012. . [ 8 ]. Pederson , William. A Companion to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Web. [ 9 ]. Theinl, Kevin. America’s Great Depression and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s attempt to reorganize the market with his New Deal. GRIN Verlag, 2011. Web. [ 10 ]. Boden, Margaret A. â€Å"What Is Creativity. † Dimensions of Creativity. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 1996. Print. [ 11 ]. â€Å"The First Hundred Days. † US Government Info. Web. 27 Sept 2012. . [ 12 ]. â€Å"The New Deal. † 123HelpMe. com. 27 Sep 2012. . [ 13 ]. Burns, James MacGregor. Roosevelt. Vol 1. New York: Easton Press, 1956. Print. [ 14 ]. Heifetz, Ronald. Leadership Without Easy Answers. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1994. [ 15 ]. Boden, Margaret A. â€Å"What Is Creativity. † Dimensions of Creativity. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 1996. Print. How to cite Franklin D. Roosevelt: Creative Leadership in a Lifetime of Public Service, Essays

The real Arthur Essay Example For Students

The real Arthur Essay Arthur had been identified as the son of British king Uther Pendragon, who was the son of Constantine. Whatever else Arthur is, he is a composite figure of many different legends and beliefs. Some have even related his adventures to Greek mythology. Through the centuries the concept of Arthur did not stay the same-there is no standard Arthurian legend as this legend is the result of Arthur attracting himself both the deeds and characteristics of other tales and characters, such as Beowulf. There is proof that there was a real Arthur Pendragon but as for the fighting with monsters and dragons that has yet to be proven. We will write a custom essay on The real Arthur specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The real Camelot could have been the Cadbury hill fort. The attractive little village of North Cadbury and South Cadbury are noted for the massive earthwork known as Cadbury Castle, which stands on a steep hill west of South Cadbury. The castle believed to be the site of King Arthurs Camelot is undoubtedly the finest prehistoric camp in Somerset. According to legend, the hill of Cadbury is the place from which King Arthur set out to find his sword Excalibur. This important Iron-Age hill fort was reoccupied and refortified in the late 5th- or 6th- century, which was the supposed time of Arthur. Excavations have proved that this was a very high status site, as was Camelot. Bibliography:none

Free Essays on Black Rage

The word Rage can be simply defined as: violent, explosive anger. As we study the Civil Rights Movement, rage used by many Negro leaders as a catalyst of rhetorical achievement are valued even today. The writings of Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael, and Martin Luther King exemplify the ideology behind the meaning of rage by either emphasizing its importance to the movement or its relevance as an end result. During the sixties we see examples of this and as a result many discrete audiences are influenced in a tornado-like effect where they are surrounded by the rhetoric. It is highly important to understand the idea of where Black Power and Black Pride originated from, and the ideology that blacks as human beings must demand unconditional equality. Nevertheless, this demand for equality produces a channel of rage. In his 1967 speech â€Å"The Meaning of Black Power†, Franklin Florence defines Black Power as â€Å"an active attitude†¦.† And I say tonight, freedom and justice are not gifts you must take them rise up, you mighty black people organize and take power.† It is true that Black Power was developed by a variety rhetorical rage during the Civil Rights Movement, but the question we must ask is where did it come from? Leroi Jones (Amari Baraka) states that is stems from the separatist philosophy of Garveyism. â€Å"Black Power cannot exist WITHIN white power. One or the other, there can only be one or the other. They might exist side by side as separate entities, but never in the same space. Never! They are mut ually exclusive.† The decision, according to some, has to be made as to which one will prevail. Rage, as is evident, has neither subsided nor been appeased. Nor has the momentum to overcome ceased from pressing upward against white dominance. One organization that aims to channel black rage militantly beyond the efforts of others is the Black Panther Party, whose rhetoric was generated from the ideology that ... Free Essays on Black Rage Free Essays on Black Rage The word Rage can be simply defined as: violent, explosive anger. As we study the Civil Rights Movement, rage used by many Negro leaders as a catalyst of rhetorical achievement are valued even today. The writings of Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael, and Martin Luther King exemplify the ideology behind the meaning of rage by either emphasizing its importance to the movement or its relevance as an end result. During the sixties we see examples of this and as a result many discrete audiences are influenced in a tornado-like effect where they are surrounded by the rhetoric. It is highly important to understand the idea of where Black Power and Black Pride originated from, and the ideology that blacks as human beings must demand unconditional equality. Nevertheless, this demand for equality produces a channel of rage. In his 1967 speech â€Å"The Meaning of Black Power†, Franklin Florence defines Black Power as â€Å"an active attitude†¦.† And I say tonight, freedom and justice are not gifts you must take them rise up, you mighty black people organize and take power.† It is true that Black Power was developed by a variety rhetorical rage during the Civil Rights Movement, but the question we must ask is where did it come from? Leroi Jones (Amari Baraka) states that is stems from the separatist philosophy of Garveyism. â€Å"Black Power cannot exist WITHIN white power. One or the other, there can only be one or the other. They might exist side by side as separate entities, but never in the same space. Never! They are mut ually exclusive.† The decision, according to some, has to be made as to which one will prevail. Rage, as is evident, has neither subsided nor been appeased. Nor has the momentum to overcome ceased from pressing upward against white dominance. One organization that aims to channel black rage militantly beyond the efforts of others is the Black Panther Party, whose rhetoric was generated from the ideology that ...

Illustration Essay Examples

Illustration Essay Examples Examples of an Illustration Essay What is an Illustration Essay? Purpose of an Illustrative Essay Differences between Narrative and Illustrative Essays Structure of an Illustrative Essay and Examples to Use Example of an Illustration Essay What is an Illustration Essay? Examples of an illustration essay are usually expressly chosen or written to show people how to write an illustration essay, and what these types of essays normally entail. Because of this, they are normally quite well-written and show the different parts of the essay clearly. An illustration essay is one which depends on examples with which to prove the thesis being made. To use one particular example, if the thesis statement of your illustrative essay is that the winter months cause most residents to hibernate, then the essay itself must contain several samples of proof of why the residents hibernate in winter. Writers could use facts such as the social events in any towns being poorly attended during this time, or the sheer volume of cars on the road during warmer months versus the colder ones. Illustrative essay examples do run the risk of seeming like narrative essays because they are known for being less formal and less rigid in structure than other essays. However, the informal nature of the essay means that people who are writing them have much more freedom when it comes to how they present their facts than if they had to write in another essay structure. Purpose of an Illustrative Essay Great examples of an illustration essay show one specific characteristic of the illustration essay itself. This special characteristic is providing a number of vivid illustration examples throughout the essay itself. Giving a number of illustrations is actually helping to keep the readers interested and involved. Good illustrative essay samples should show the aspect it is designed to show thoroughly – if it is the thesis statement, then the statement should be paramount to the illustrative essay example; the statement should be readily recognizable in both the introduction and the conclusion, and the sample should make it clear how every example given relates back to the thesis statement. Similarly, if the focus of the sample is to show the samples and proof more than anything else, then the focus should be entirely on them – how do they answer the thesis statement? Where did they come from? And so on. This can also lead to a sample paper which shows how the paper is best structured. While it will primarily focus on the proof that a student can gather for their essay, the focus is on showing how these proofs can be arranged in the most logical manner, and how they fit together to create an essay which illustrates things clearly. Differences between Narrative and Illustrative Essays If you think about narrative essay type of writing, you will find that writing an illustration essay is a lot like it, yet is should present many instances and visual examples. They are both the same in that they have more informal styles than the other essays which students are normally encouraged and asked to write, and they are both slightly freer about the structure that can be used. However, there are some fundamental differences which need to be discussed. Narrative essays tell a story, primarily – they are not there to prove or disprove a thesis. As such, they can be told in the past or present tense, and they can involve characters, people who don’t exist, and all manner of things which would not be found in another essay. Illustration essay samples, and by extension illustration essays themselves, have informal language and a more relaxed sentence structure, but they are always concerned with real and concrete ideas, which does limit what the essays themselves can be about. The main difference is that where narrative essays can be completely free in how they are structured, illustrative essays still need to make sense to anybody who is reading them; they need to connect in a way which helps people to understand the central issue, so there does need to be some semblance of structure. Structure of an Illustrative Essay and Examples to Use Another important aspect of any illustration essay is providing the most appealing, bright, mostly related to the topic illustration essay examples to win over your audience. Some features which are present in illustration paper examples are: Thesis statement – this is the most important part of the essay, as it is what the entire essay revolves around proving. It should appear first in the introduction, and then again in the conclusion, and be referred to at least once in each paragraph. Body paragraphs – these are where the meat of the essay comes in. Each paragraph should have one specific proof of why the thesis is true or false and explain it in detail while linking itself to the paragraph that came before, and the one that came after. Introduction/conclusion – these function as the opening and closing of the paper. They both sum up what is happening in the essay, and they both have the thesis statement in them. These paragraphs are what brings additional information to the essay, and what brings everything together, so they are important to have in the essays as a whole. Hypothetical examples illustrate a specific and typical type of examples yet they remain weak in showing a major illustration essay point. Typical examples are able to provide an instance of a common experience that many people had. Another type of instances that is being used is a specific type of examples. A specific example of illustration uses a personal experience or other people experience that is found to be dominant to present a key illustration essay example. Example of an Illustration Essay Illustration essay topic: How Can Students Develop Good Study Habits? Students need to develop good study habits if they are to reach their full potential in any course or degree. Good study habits are very useful for people in education, and they can be learned with enough repetition. These study habits can be learned through finding out what works for the individual student, getting into a routine, and making sure to change habits if the situation calls for it. There are a number of different study habits, so it is important for people to figure out which one works for them. While people can have to-do lists, or set deadlines, or use apps which block the time-consuming sites on our computers, it takes time to figure out what works for them individually, and what works for their education. Once people have found out what works best for them, they can practice these things until they become easier. Getting into a routine can take time, but the time is worth it. Making something into a habit can take some time, and that time can be difficult. It is difficult to take something new and make it into an established part of your day, especially if you need to use time which was spent on other things to do it. Habits are hard to form, but also hard to break, which can be useful for the future. Sometimes your needs change, and that can mean that your study habits need to change as well. If your workload increases or you take on extra shifts at work, or you move to somewhere further away from your classes, this can mean there is less time to study. If that is the case, you might find that you need to adapt your study habits to fit with the new routine you have. Sometimes our circumstances change, and we need to change with them. Good study habits are very useful for people in education, and they can be learned with enough repetition. Forming habits, finding what works for you as an individual, and making sure that you are flexible enough to change with your circumstances, are all part of what helps us to form good study habits. Ultimately, being flexible enough to find what works under different circumstances is what makes us better at studying, no matter what habits we pick up along the way.

Case of United States vs. Microsoft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case of United States vs. Microsoft - Essay Example The second defense presented by Microsoft was that it was just competing hard against Netscape, and that such competition was welfare-enhancing, and that it did not commit any anti-competitive acts. The third defense given by Microsoft was that it did not have monopoly power in the operating systems market. The fourth defense presented by Microsoft was that competition in the software sector was intense and that its leadership position could be replaced at any time by a new competitor or entrant. Microsoft further argued in its fifth defense, that it is a leader in software innovation and as such intensified and not restrained the innovation process. Lastly, Microsoft reasoned that consumers have benefited from its low pricing of the operating system, the zero pricing of its Internet browser and from its enhancement and acceleration of the innovation process, rather than been harmed by them. Microsoft also argued that consumers benefit from the de facto standardization that its large market share brought to the operating systems market (Economides, 2011). Moreover, Microsoft contended that an anti-trust action against them will dampen incentives for competition and slowdown software innovation. On April 3, 2000, in a two-part decision, Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ruled in Washington, D.C. that Microsoft's dominance of the personal computer operating systems market constituted a monopoly, and that it used its power against competitors in ways that stifled innovation and harmed consumers. Judge Jackson ordered the breakup of Microsoft into two separate units, one to produce the operating system, and one to produce other software components. This ruling however was overturned by the Court of Appeals on June 28, 2001, acting on the appeal of Microsoft. I think that the DOJ, perceived Microsoft as a bully who would eat their competitors or anybody for that matter, who will be a threat to their market leadership. Microsoft was viewed as a company who would halt inn ovations if it threatened its Windows monopoly. I view the DOJ’s accusations as trying to control the market process and at the same time belittling the ability of the market to correct itself. In my view, the antitrust case against Microsoft is an attempt by the government to control the industry which might eventually have an adverse effect on future technological advancements in the field. I do not think that it is fair for the DOJ to dictate or interfere what should go to the Windows operating system. Microsoft has every right to offer the web browser for free if it does so to gain dominance in the market and government cannot take that away from them. It is clearly a marketing move on their part. From the defense presented by Microsoft, I can see that the point they are driving at is that they are not a monopoly but rather a market leader. Their claim that their

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Theory - Essay Example An organization has to satisfy these needs if it wants to achieve efficiency from its customers (Bateman and Snell, 2013). It is important to denote that the satisfaction of these needs must be done in a hierarchical order. Starting with the most important need, that is need for survival; up to the least important need that is the need of self-actualization. Another theory is the ERG theory by Aldefer. According to this theory, an individual has three important needs that an organization must satisfy in order to motivate them. These needs are the desire to exist, relate and grow. According to this theory, these needs change as the position of an employee progresses (Tracy, 2013). Existence encompasses the desire to satisfy basic human needs such as food, shelter and clothing. Relatedness is the desire of an employee to form associations with employers, co-workers, and family members (Dessler, 2013). Growth is the desire of an employee to achieve his or her ambitions. McClelland needs theory is another theory of motivation. According to this theory, the needs of an individual are acquired over time, and it is their experiences that shape these needs. McClelland identifies three needs, which are achievement, affiliation and power. This theory is often referred to as the three needs theory. Under achievement, an individual takes a calculated risk to accomplish their goals. They tend to avoid high risks situations, because success there comes as a chance. They also tend to avoid low risk situations because there is no guarantee of success (Fa?bregas and Scalise, 2012). With affiliation, comes the desire of an individual to create relationships. On this basis, an individual favors collaborations, as opposed to competition. The individual also desires power. Under this need, two types of power exists, institutional and personal (Walters, 2010). Personal power involves the need to control friends, and family members. While institutional is the need to control organiza tions. The motivator-hygiene model theory is also another example of a motivational theory. According to this theory, an organization needs to understand the factors that cause an employee to be motivated, and ones that cause the same employee to be de-motivated. This theory denotes that factors that motivate an employee can change over a period of time, and settings of work (Ryan, 2012). However, the need of respect cannot change. It is the most motivating factor at any given point of an individual’s life. This theory further denotes that in an organization, there is an aspect of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Managers must put all this in consideration while formulating policies. The final theory is the equity theory of motivation. This theory explains that the motivation of employees come as a result of perceptions in relation to the fairness in which an organization treats its various employees (Schunk, 2012). This theory denotes that individuals value fairness, and th is makes them to have motivation. Of these theories, the most important theory of motivation is the Herzberg’s Motivator-Hygiene Model. This is because the theory is practical and identifies two factors that an organizations needs to consider while developing human resource policies.

Beta Thalassemia: Causes and Treatments

Beta Thalassemia: Causes and Treatments Thalassemia is an inherited autosomal recessive blood disease that affects the bodys ability to produce haemoglobin, the protein that red blood cells use to carry oxygen. It reduces the rate of production of globin chains that make up haemoglobin, which are either alpha (ÃŽÂ ±) chain or beta(ÃŽÂ ²) chain. Beta-Thalassemia Major disorder occurs when both the beta globin chain are affected by mutation or deletion, resulting in the abnormalities in the formation, size and shape of red blood cell. Patients suffering from beta-thalassemia have to endure the pain from severe anemia, fatigue, enlarged spleen, and also bone problems besides jaundice. Thalassemia is found in almost every country worldwide, however it is more commonly found in Mediterranean and Asians. The data from the National Thalassemia Registry shows that currently there are 4,768 thalassemia patients registered in Malaysia. Based on the screening conducted by Ministry of Health, the carrier rate averages at about 5 %, which means about one in 20 Malaysians carry the thalassemia gene. The diagram attached in the next page shows an overview of the pathogenesis of ÃŽÂ ² thalassemia. Thalassemia can be treated and prevented by many different screening test and treatments. However, thalassemia is not curable yet. So, what are the current available treatments to help relieve the disorder symptoms? A POSSIBLE SOLUTION The treatment for thalassemia depends on the severity of the conditions. For example, people who are carriers or have a mild ÃŽÂ ± or ÃŽÂ ² thalassemia trait which usually does not have any symptoms, need little or no treatment. People with moderate and severe condition of thalassemia need treatments as soon as possible or else they are under dangerous situation that can cause fatal. BLOOD TRANSFUSION As the red blood cells of thalassemic patients are little and not healthy, it couldnt carry out its normal function of carrying oxygen efficiently which may cause the patient to have difficulties in breathing and other related problems. Therefore, the most effective treatment for these patients is blood transfusion therapy. Blood transfusion therapy is the main treatment for thalassemic patient. It is given through a needle into the vein, which gives healthy red blood cells with normal haemoglobin. Since the lifespan of the red blood cell for thalassemic patient is less than 120 days, the patient requires a regular blood transfusion. A person with moderate thalassemia needs blood transfusion when the body is under stress such as during infections. However, people with major thalassemia, Cooleys anemia, need more regular blood transfusion which is every 2 to 4 weeks.9 Basically, there are reasons why thalassemic patients need regular red blood cells transfusion. First of all, it is to correct anemia and make sure that tissues get normal amount of oxygen and carry out body functions. It is proven by research done by the scientists and doctors, where a thalassemic patient who receives a regular transfusion could live up to 50years compared to the one not receiving any treatment whom could survive only unti l childhood. Regular transfusion also helps to keep the haemoglobin level near normal and the production of ineffective haemoglobin could be stopped.7,12 This treatment helps to improve childs growth and well-being and usually prevents heart failure. 1 The blood transfusion in thalassemic patients is not the same as normal blood transfusion. As we know, blood contains different types of components and this component has its advantage that the components are in small volumes with higher concentrations of a particular product for specific indications. Therefore, thalassemic patients are given packed red blood cells instead of whole blood to improve the oxygen carrying capacity.13 However, regular blood transfusion leads to another medical problem known as iron overload. Regular blood transfusion creates an excess of iron in the body because the haemoglobin in red blood cell is an iron rich protein. As there is no natural way of eliminating it from the body, it is stored primarily in spleen, liver, endocrine organs, and heart, and becomes toxic in tissues and organ. Iron overload can cause these organs to malfunction and damages it if untreated.14,15,16 In order to remove the iron overload, a therapy known as iron chelation is done. A test called serum ferritin test is carried out to determine the amount of iron in the body as it is an important iron-storage protein. Injections of Desferrioxamine (Desferal) is given to the patient 5-7 nights per week with 8-12 hours supply which is done during sleeping time. It is injected under the skin from a small pump. Desferal works by carrying out excess iron through urine.22 Thus, iron level in the body can be reduced. So, in conclusion, the main treatment for thalassemic patients is regular blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy as blood transfusion makes the iron stored in the body overloaded. However, one sad thing about what thalassemic patients undergoes is that they started doing this since they are infant and continues this painful treatment for the rest of their lives and endure the side effects of both treatment. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS People suffering from thalassemia seem to have some emotional and psychological problems that disturb their routine lives. As we know, the people suffering from thalassemia have certain physical symptoms such as enlarged spleen which makes the stomach looks big and the head of the patient would be slightly in oval shape as the diploetic fibres in skull extend from the internal lamina. This makes them feel awkward and shy to meet people and other people also might look at them in different way. Based on the experience of Noor Hafiza Noor Hamdan, 33 a thalassemic patient interviewed for The Star newspaper, she said that : Before this, I was shy and solemn, and I did not like to smileà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. When people smile at me, I would ask myself, why? Maybe its because I have a sickness this lines are quoted from what she said in the interview. This shows that thalassemic patients lack of confidence and ashamed of themselves being in that condition, so they interact less with the public. This makes them feel lonely and leads to depression, another psychological disorder. Some people outside even discriminate them. Many thalassemic patients suffer in getting jobs besides being neglected by the parents and also the public. According to Pn. Noor Hafiza, she was not lucky with several other employers before working in a fast food outlet as she was not given the job opportunity after she showed her medical check-up which states that she has thalassemia.17 Some patients even tend to commit suicide as they couldnt cope with the pain and treatments that gives them more pain. Patients who couldnt cope with the treatment which requires not only money but also almost half of their hours in a day makes them think that its better to die rather than suffer and being a burden to the family. Besides that, they feel embarrassed by their limited ability to do things by their own. 4,19 On the other hand, economic implications also give a big impact to the patients life. Beta- thalassemia major patients require a regular blood transfusion of every 2 weeks, which cost them a lot of money. Not only transfusion, patients have to undergo many blood test and to be forgotten, the iron chelation therapy. Desferal is a controlled medicine that is very expensive medicine. This is one of the reasons why thalassemic patient couldnt continue their treatment. 1997 1998 (as from February) Thalassaemia association RM138.90 RM153.00 Goverment purchase (via Remedi) RM157.20 RM157.20 Pharmacy/clinic RM190.00 RM209.00 HUKM non-formulary purchase RM194.00 Customer purchase RM211.00 RM261.00 This research done by Prof. Elizabeth George shows the Desferals price increase from year 1997 to 1998, by 2009, the price had increased in the range of from RM500 to over RM1000 which is definitely not affordable for low class and middle class families. Thus, it becomes a financial burden to the family. As the patient gets older, the blood requirement increases as well as the Desferal. This directly increases the cost of living for a thalassemic patient. 20 There is no other way for the patients besides taking Desferal as without it, they have an average lifespan of only 20years only.5 WORD COUNT: 1463words BENEFITS AND RISK Benefits of blood transfusion are that it helps the body to have new and healthy red blood cell with normal haemoglobin. As we knew, thalassemic patients suffer from abnormal red blood cells with mutated or deleted haemoglobin, hence their red blood cells couldnt carry out its function and creates health problems such as the most severe ones is anemia. With this blood transfusion, a person could live longer to an average lifespan of 50years besides growing normally. Blood transfusion also helps the patients bones to form normally. As blood is given externally, the bone marrow does not have to work hard to produce red blood cell so it can concentrate on the formation of proper and normal bones. On the other hand, iron chelation helps to remove iron and prevents the organs like endocrine organs and liver from being damaged. 21 However, there are risks in both treatments. The most common risk of blood transfusion is infections and rejection. The patient has to get the same blood group in order to avoid rejection. There are chances of infection during transfusion either due to the blood itself or improper handling of the needle and syringe. Although a person receives regular Desferal, over time, the iron will be deposited in the spleen and liver and causes it to be damaged. Besides that, the patient has to cope with the side effects of both blood transfusion and Desferal which includes nausea, dizziness, and problems in hearing.22 ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION SPLENECTOMY Splenectomy is a surgical way of removing spleen. Old and damaged red blood cells are removed in the spleen. Since the red blood cells in a thalassemic patient are weakened, it is destroyed when passed through spleen. This makes the body to have fewer red blood cells. Removing spleen can help to lower the number of red blood cells that are lost, besides being removed due to the enlargement which causes pain to the patient. Splenectomy is done to patient above 11years old and after the removal, patient might need antibiotics to prevent infections as without spleen a person is more prone to infections. Patients can also get pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax) before the surgery to prevent infections.2 BONE MARROW STEM CELLTRANSPLANT Bone marrow transplant is another possible solution for thalassemia patient. The first successful transplant was performed in 1981 to a six-month baby from Italy.23 Bone marrow transplant involves the replacement of healthy stem cells as the patients stem cells are not producing healthy blood cells. The transplant procedure is similar to blood transfusion where it is infused through central nervous catheter. The stem cells migrate to the bones from the blood stream to stimulate the production of new bone marrow that migrates to the large cavities of bones and produce new blood cells.24 The most commonly used stem cell is the embryonic stem cell because it is easier to extract and have more advantage compared to adult stem cell as it is totipotent and not yet undergo differentiation and determination. 25 However, there are risks in getting stem cell transplant. First of all, risk of getting a suitable stem cell that matches the body to prevent rejections. Besides that, risk of infection is another problem during the process. According to Dr. Revathy Raj, Consultant Paediatric Haemato Oncologist, Apollo Speciality Hospital, Chennai, as the immune system will be lowered by immunosuppressant drug to reduce the risk of rejection, the body is now more prone to other infections.6,26 EVALUATION http://www.penthal.org/thalassaemia.htm is the website from a non-profit organization that aimed to give information about thalassemia not only to the patients but also to those who wants to know about it. In my opinion, this website is trustable and reliable as the information is factual and valid. This organization is an active group and always updated with latest new. Besides that, they are reviewed by some doctors and also origins from Penang, which means the information is more specific to Malaysians. It is also trustable as the basic informations on thalassemia given are the same as other resources used in this report such as http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Thalassemia.htm , http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php?topic=1571.0 Information are also obtained from a paper cut : The Star Online, My blood is Different which is based on the personal experience of Noor Hafiza Noor Hamdan and some information from Ministry of Healths Thalassemia website, www.mytalasemia.net.my. The experience shared by the patient gives a lot of reliable information on treatments and their risks. The Ministry of Healths website is also very helpful in providing all kind of information by using videos and slides shows which makes it more clear and understandable. However, it gives only a brief and limited input regarding thalassemia as its main purpose is to provide brief information about this disease. It is hard to find any specific book related to thalassemia as the disease is still considered as new and unpopular in Malaysia. Most of the book sources that I referred are books related to genetics and pathology as thalassemia is related to both. However, the book, Robbins Basic Pathology, 7th Edition by Vinay Kumar and others as stated in bibliography is the most reliable and useful among all. The diagram taken from the book is very useful in explaining the pathogenesis of ÃŽÂ ²-thalassemia as it couldnt be found in any website I explored. Besides that, the explanations given in the book are also simple, clear and understandable. For example this sentence that describes about ÃŽÂ ² thalassemia: Î’-thalassemia, associated with total absence of ÃŽÂ ²-globin chain, and characterized by reduced synthesis of the chain in homozygous state. Genes obtained from thalassemic patients has revealed more than 100 different mutations responsible for it. Controlling Operative and Postoperative Pain | Literature Controlling Operative and Postoperative Pain | Literature Review of literature is a key step in research process. The literature review is to discover what has previously been done about the problem to be studied what remains to be done, what methods have been employed in other research and how the result of other research in the area can be combined to develop knowledge. It is essential step; it can be done before and after selecting the problem. It can help to determine what is already known about the topic (A.P.Jai, 2005). This chapter attempts to present a review of studies done methodology adopted and conclusion attained by earlier investigators which helps in this study. The sources are internet search, textbook, published journal, editorials published and unpublished thesis. In this chapter, the researcher presents the review of the literature under the following headings, Section-I: Studies related to importance of postoperative pain management. Section-II: Studies related to Using Numeric Rating Scale for pain Assessment. Section-III: Studies related to effectiveness of music therapy among General Surgical Patients. Section-IV: Studies related to Effectiveness of Music Therapy among Post Caesarean Mothers. Section-V: Studies related to Gate Control Theory of Pain (Melzack and Wall (1965). Section-VI: Conceptual Framework Based on Gate Control Theory of Pain (Melzack and Wall (1965). SECTION-I: STUDIES RELATED TO IMPORTANCE OF POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT. Kolawole and Fawole, (2003) conducted a study on Postoperative pain management following caesarean section in University of llorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).llorin, Nigeria. Prospective descriptive design was used to assess the effectiveness of various common methods of analgesia used in hospital following caesarean section. This study was conducted over a period of 18 months. Pain assessment was carried out by 4-point Verbal Rating Scale of None, Mild, Moderate, and severe. The first 24hrs postoperatively was particularly painful for the patient with 79.6% and 54.6% reporting moderate to severe pain in the recovery room and day 1 respectively. They concluded that the pain remains a significant problem following surgical operation in our environment. (PMID.15008293) Seers and Carroll, (1998) conducted a study on Relaxation techniques for acute pain management. They were used a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and seven studies involving 362 patients were included. Three of the seven studies demonstrated significantly less pain sensation or pain distress in those who had relaxation, four studies did not detect any difference. It was concluded that the well designed and executed randomized controlled trials are needed before the clinical use of relaxation in acute pain management can be firmly underpinned by good quality research evidence. So we can recommend that the relaxation in acute pain settings is carefully evaluated and not used as the main treatment for the pain management. SECTION-II: STUDIES RELATED TO USING NUMERIC RATING SCALE FOR PAIN ASSESSMENT. Yaakov Beilin, Jabera Hossain, and Carol, (2009) conducted a study on Numeric Rating Scale and Labor Epidural Analgesia, in this study a Numeric Rating Scale(NRS) used to evaluate pain in research studies, they define desire for additional analgesic medication as a clinically relevant outcome in research studies about pain and compare it with the results of the NRS. A post hoc analysis of three studies that conducted previously in concerning labor epidural analgesia was performed. In all three studies, score was obtained before and 15 min after analgesia. They found that the very few patients (2%) with a score of 0-1 wanted more medication. When the score was 2 or 3, 51% of the patients wanted more medication, and score was >3, almost all patients (93%) wanted more medication. Grouping the final NRS scores into 3 categories (0 or 1, 2 or 3, and >3) is more useful to the clinician than using individual NRS scores. Cinzia Brunelli, (2009) did a study on Comparison of Numerical and Verbal Rating Scales to measure pain exacerbations in patients with chronic Cancer pain. Crosses sectional multicentre study conducted on a sample of 240 advanced cancer patients with pain, background pain and BP were measured by 6-point VRS and 11 point NRS. In order to evaluate the reproducibility of the two scales, a subsample of 60 patients was randomly selected and the questionnaire was administered for a second time three to four hours later. The proportion of inconsistent evaluations was calculated to compare the two scales capability in discriminating between background and peak pain intensity and Cohens K was calculated to compare their reproducibility. It concludes that NRS revealed higher discriminatory capability than VRS in distinguishing between background and peak pain intensity with a lower proportion of patients giving inconsistent evaluations (14% vs. 25%) (Cohens K of 0.86 for NRS vs 0.53 for VRS) while the reproducibility of the two scales in evaluating background pain was similar (Cohens K of 0.80 vs. 0.77). Nathalie Dieudonne, Alexandra Gomola, Philippe Bonnichon, and Yves M.Ozier, (2008) conducted a study on Prevention of postoperative pain after thyroid surgery. In this study double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial used to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of bilateral superficial cervical plexus blocks performed at the end of surgery. Ninety patients were randomized to receive 20 mL isotonic sodium chloride or 20 mL bupivacaine 0.25% with 1:200,000 epinephrines. Postoperative pain was assessed every 4 h using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS-11). All patients received acetaminophen every 6 h. In addition, morphine was administered following a standardized protocol if the NRS-11 score was à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥4. The main outcome variables were pain scores (NRS-11), the proportion of patients given morphine at any time during the 24-h period, and the amount of morphine administered. The Bupivacaine group had a smaller proportion of patients given morphine (66.0% vs 90.0%; P = 0.016), and lower initial median pain scores (P = 0.002). SECTION-III: STUDIES RELATED TO EFFECTIVENESS OF MUSIC THERAPY AMONG GENERAL SURGICAL PATIENTS. Sigma Theta Tau International, (2009) conducted a study to assess and compare the effect of music therapy on postoperative pain of patient undergone elective abdominal surgery. A quasi-experimental design was used and convenient samples of 30 (15 in each expcontrol group). Pain was measured by Verbal Rating Scale. Music therapy was given as per patients wish to experimental group and intensity of pain was monitored before and immediately after recovery from anesthesia, during the 1st and 2nd postoperative day for both the groups. Results revealed that those patients who listened to self selected music tapes had significant differences (p Tse MM.Chan Me. Benzie, (2005) conducted a study to find the effectiveness of music therapy on postoperative pain and analgesic use following nasal surgery. Sample size was 57 patients (24females33 males) who were matched for age and sex and then non-selectively assigned to either an experimental or a control group. Music was played intermittently to members of the experimental group during the first 24hrs postoperative period and pain intensity was measured by Verbal Rating Scales. It shows the significant decrease in pain intensity over time were found in the experimental group compared to the control group (p Nilsson, Unosson and Rawal, (2005) conducted a study on Stress reduction and analgesia in patients exposed to calming music postoperatively. The randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy. Seventy-five patients undergoing hernia repair in day care surgery were allocated to three groups: intraoperative music, postoperative music and silence (control group). Patients postoperative pain, anxiety, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation were studied. The postoperative music group had less anxiety and pain and required less morphine after 1hr compared with the control group. The result concluded that intraoperative music may decrease postoperative pain, and that postoperative music therapy may reduce anxiety, pain and morphine consumption. SECTION- IV: STUDIES RELATED TO EFFECTIVENESS OF MUSIC THERAPY AMONG POST CAESAREAN MOTHERS. Arastirma TAF pre Med Bull, (2009) conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy on postoperative pain after Caesarean section. The sample size was 100 and randomly allocated into two groups (50 in each group).Group 1, patients listened to music through a headphone for 1hour immediately before surgery where as in group-2, not listen to any music during the same period. In the postanaesthesia care unit patients were connected to I.V. PCA device when they were able to respond to commands. The patients level of satisfaction with perioperative care was assessed by a 10cm Visual Analogue Scale and the severity of postoperative pain was assessed by VAS. The results shows that the postoperative tramadol consumption, total amount of tramadol consumption, additional analgesic use and all VAS values were lower in group-1(p Amin Ebneshahidi, and Masood Mohseni, (2008) conducted a study to evaluate the effect of patient selected music on early postoperative pain, anxiety and Hemodynamic profile in Caesarean section. The sample size was 80 who were undergoing elective C.S.surgery enrolled randomly to listen 30 minutes of music or silence by head phones postoperatively. Pain and Anxiety were measured with visual Analogue Scale. Results says that the pain score and postoperative cumulative opioid consumption were significantly lower among patients in the music group (p SECTION-V: STUDIES RELATED TO GATE CONTROL THEORY OF PAIN Marial, (2007) did a study to assess the effectiveness of back massage on pain during first stage of labour among mothers in selected maternity centre at tirupur. 60 samples were selected by using convenient sampling method for the study (experimental group-30 and control group-30). Experimental group received massage were as the control group did not. She used Melzack pain gate control theory for conceptual frame work. Data was collected using behavioral intensity and visual analogue scale. The statistical calculation done was frequency mean, SD, chi-square andt test. The result of the study shows that massage is a cost effective nursing intervention that can decreases the pain perception during labour. Jacintha, (1995) did a study on the effect of back massage during the first stage of labour. She divided the samples in to two groups of 30 each. The experimental group received back massage for 10 minutes per hour. She used non participatory observation technique to observe the maternal behavioral every hour. She used Melzack pain gate control theory for conceptual frame work. The experimental group was interviewed regarding their experience and feelings of back massage before shifting them to the post natal ward. 100% of mothers remembered massage given to them during labour, with feeling of comfortable in 76.66% and relaxed in 43.33%. All the mothers were of the opinion that all mothers in labour should be given back massage. Locsin, (1981) did a study to assess the effectiveness of music on the pain of selected postoperative patients during first 48 hrs. The 24 female gynecology and/ obstetric patients were assign to two groups (control and experimental). The measurement of the experimental variable was done by an Overt Pain Reduction Rating Scale (OPRRS) which is devised by the writer. Significant differences were found between the groups of postoperative patients in their muscular-skeletal and verbal reactions during the first 58hr at the 0.05 level. The conceptual framework of the study was based on the concept of distraction following the Gate Control Theory of Pain by Melzack Wall (1965). The finding says that the music can be used as a nursing measure for postoperative patients. SECTION-VI: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK BASED ON GATECONTROL THEORY OF PAIN (MELZACK AND WALL (1965) The conceptual frame work for the present study was derived from Gate Control Theory of Pain (Melzack and Wall, 1995) Application of Gate Control Theory of Pain Polit and Hungler, (1965) state that a conceptual framework is inter related concept on abstraction that is assembled together in some rational scheme by virtue of their relevance to a common scheme. It is a device that helps to stimulate research and the extension of knowledge by providing both direction and impetus. The present study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of music therapy on intensity of post operative pain among primipara mothers who had Caesarean Section. The conceptual frame work of this study was derived from gate control theory of pain. Gate Control Theory of Pain: Many theories of pain have been presented in the literature. These include specificity, pattern, affect and psychological/behavioral theory (Mander 1998). The most widely used and accepted theory is that of Melzack Wall (1965). These researchers have established that gentle stimulation actually inhibits the sensation of pain. Their gate control theory states that a neural or spinal gating mechanism occurs in the substantiate gelatinosa of the dorsal horns of the spinal cord. The nerve impulses received by nociceptors, the receptors for pain in the skin and tissue of the body, are affected by the gating mechanism. It is the position of the gate that determines whether or not the nerve impulses travel freely to the medulla and the thalamus, thereby transmitting the sensory impulse or message, to the sensory cortex. The pain impulses will be carried out by the small diameter slow conducting A-delta and C fibers. Impulses traveled through small diameter fibers will open the pain gate and the person feels pain. Pain gate is also receiving impulses produced by stimulation of thermo receptors or mechanoreceptors transmitted via large diameter; myellindated A-delta fibers inhibit superimpose the small diameter impulses. (Myles -2003) If the gate is closed, there is little or no conduction, for example distraction, counseling and massage techniques are ways to release endorphins, which close the gate. This prevents or reduces the clients perception of pain (Freeman and Lawlis, 2001) If the gate is open, the impulses and messages pass and are transmitted freely. Therefore, when the gate is open, pain and sensation is experienced. (Potter and Perry, 2009) Many non pharmacological procedures such as hydrotherapy, music therapy (distraction), application of heat or ice, massage, vibration, TENS and movement stimulate the nerve endings connected with large diameter fibres which can produce a reduction of pain by closing the pain gate. Based on the principle of gate control theory, the following conceptual framework was developed. Method used to reduce intensity of postoperative pain is instrumental music which is composed by violin among Primipara mothers who had Caesarean Section. Stimulation of Pain Receptors: Surgical trauma of the uterus due to Caesarean Section stimulates pain receptors in lower abdomen and lumbar area of the back. In the control group there was more stimulation of pain receptors in these areas due to the close contact between the contracting uterus and abdominal and lower back structures. In case of experimental group(Music therapy), there was less stimulation of free nerve ending in the lower abdomen and lumbar area of back compared to the control group due to the distraction caused by music therapy. Travelling of Pain Impulses: Normally pain impulses are traveling through small short conducting A-delta and C fibres. Impulses from stimulation will be distracted by instrumental music and decrease in pain perception produce a reduction of pain by closing the pain gate in experimental group. Gating Mechanism: Pain impulses after the Caesarean Section are transmitted through the spinal nerve segment of T11-12 and accessory lower thoracic and upper lower sympathetic nerves, which are traveled through (A-delta and C) small diameter and slow conducting amyelinated fibres and reach the pain gate and open the gate thus the mother perceives pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. Impulses reduced by music due to decreased in pain perception to travel through fast conducting myelinated A-delta fibres which impose small fibres and close the pain gate. SUMMARY This chapter dealt with the studies related to importance of postoperative pain management, application of music therapy and conceptual frame work based on gate control theory of pain.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the responsive regulation model with reference to the regulatory powers and responses available under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Introduction Regulating consumer and commercial law has proven extremely difficult, especially in the new digital age where online trading has advanced significantly over the years.[1] There is now more likelihood that consumers will be subjected to unfair and unlawful trading practices and so it is vital that all corporations are being regulated effectively. This will enhance consumer confidence and will have a beneficial effect upon the market in general. It has been said that markets work best when consumers have confidence in the corporations they are dealing with, yet the increase in rogue traders has significantly diluted such confidence. At present much confusion exists as to how regulators should control corporations in order to ensure that they are complying with the obligations that have been imposed upon them. Consequently, the powers that have been provided to regulators under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 appear somewhat ineffective on the basis that th ey still do not provide sufficient protection to consumers. This study will therefore consider whether the influential model of ‘responsive regulation’ that was proposed by Ayers and Braithwaite will be more effective in ensuring compliance of all corporations. This will be reviewed in light of the 2008 Regulations and consideration as to whether consumers will be better protected under the new model will be made. In doing so, an overview of consumer protection will first be provided, followed by a review as to how effective the 2008 Regulations. Once this has been done, the responsive regulation model will then be analysed and consideration of its effectiveness will be made. Consumer Protection A consumer has been described in Lloyd Shuhfabrik Meyer & Co GmbH v Klijsen Handel BV[2] as an individual or group of individuals that consumes goods and services generated within a social system. Concerns have been raised in recent years as to whether consumers are being adequately protected from unfair and illegal trading practices.[3] Hence, it has been argued that the current regime dealing with consumer protection is ineffective in that regulators do not deal with wrongful or fraudulent traders in an appropriate manner. As shown in Macaulay v Scroeder Publishing Co Ltd[4] and Esso Petroleum Co Ltd v Harper’s Garage (Stourport) Ltd[5] parties to an agreement often have unequal bargaining power, which highlights the importance of being able to provide protection to vulnerable consumers. Companies will have greater knowledge of the industry than private consumers and so it is integral that regulators are capable of provided appropriate protection to consumers in the event of unfairness. As noted by Lord Denning in Lloyds Bank v Bundy;[6] â€Å"many of the traditional defences to contract enforcement were properly seen as merely exemplary of a general doctrine of ‘inequality of bargaining power’ and all provided testimony to the fact that the age of laissez faire was outwearing its judicial welcome.†[7] This demonstrates how a free market economy no longer exists as there is often an ‘inequality of bargaining power’ resulting in the need for vulnerable parties to be provided with more protection than they have required in the past. Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 was established in order to act as a safeguard for consumers against unfair trading practices. These Regulations implemented the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC (UCPD) which intended to provide regulators with the power to impose obligations upon corporations to trade fairly. Various consumer protection laws were replaced by these Regulations as the consumer protection regime prior to 2008 was deemed unsatisfactory in protecting consumers.[8] As put by the Office of Fair Trading: â€Å"The Regulations introduced a general duty not to trade unfairly and seek to ensure that traders act honestly and fairly towards their customers.†[9] Although the Regulations address business to business practices, the primary focus was on the protection of private consumers as identified in Office of Fair Trading v Purely Creative Ltd and Others.[10] Corporations found to be in breach of the Regulations may have crimin al sanctions imposed upon them by regulators and, as noted by Worthington and Britton, these â€Å"extend criminal liability beyond simply misleading practices to include, in part, aggressive practices such as coercion and harassment.†[11] The regulatory powers and responses of regulators are therefore considered more effective under these Regulations as corporations will now be more likely found liable for adopting unfair and unlawful practices than they would have in the past. This provides greater protection to consumers who will be a lot more confident when entering into commercial transactions. These Regulations were thereby said to â€Å"herald a new era in consumer regulation,†[12] especially where online transactions are concerned as there was a great reluctance to purchase goods or services on the internet for fear of unfairness being created.[13] In Tiscali UK Ltd v British Telecommunications Plc[14] it was noted that the Regulations â€Å"make it easier for traders based in one Member State to market and sell their products to consumers in other Member States.†[15] This is economically beneficial in that it contributes to the growth of the internal market. Conversely, not all agree that the Regulations are effective and instead believe that online trading still poses many risks.[16] This is mainly due to the fact that not all e-traders are a signatory to the Regulations and as such regulators will be unable to control many cross-border transactions. As a result, it is imperative that consumers are aware of the risks when purchasing goods or services onli ne and should only purchase from those traders who are a signatory to the Regulations. This should be easy to identify because traders will be prohibited from claiming that they are a signatory to the Regulations if they are not.[17] Regardless of this it seems as though the Regulations are not as effective when it comes to the protection of consumers as it was hoped. Furthermore, even if protection is acquired under the Regulations, there is no guarantee that consumers will be compensated. This is because there is no direct right to claim compensation and instead consumers have to rely on existing civil law. [18] Responsive Regulation Model The current law therefore appears out of date, complicated and too extremely restrictive[19] and therefore highlights the need for further changes to be made. A number of proposals have been put forward to rectify the current problems that exist, yet the extent to which these are viable is a debatable subject. Differing views as to how Regulators should deal with corporations to ensure compliance exist between â€Å"those who think that corporations will comply with the law only when confronted with tough sanctions and those who believe that gentle persuasion works in securing business compliance with the law.†[20] A model of ‘responsive regulation’ was thereby proposed by Ayers and Braithwaite which adopts a responsive approach by enforcing compliance strategies at first and then applying more punitive deterrent responses later on if the regulated corporation fails to comply with their obligations. They believed that corporations would be more likely to comply i f an explicit enforcement pyramid was in place. An enforcement pyramid would thus include a range of enforcement sanctions ranging from persuasion, warnings and civil penalties to criminal sanctions, licence suspensions and licence revocations.[21] Consequently, it would be presumed under this model that regulators would always start at the bottom of the pyramid and then work their way up for more serious compliance failures. This model appears to replace blanket commitments with deterrence and compliance models and has been viewed as â€Å"hugely influential worldwide.†[22] This model is currently being employed by many different governments and regulators and has since been expanded upon by Braithwaite into a comprehensive regulatory and democratic ideal, which incorporates notions of deliberative democracy and restorative justice.[23] This responsive regulation model does appear to be more effective than the approach that is currently being taken under the 2008 Regulations since there is no guarantee that consumers are being provided with appropriate protection. This is due to the fact that there is a lack of compensation being provided to consumers and regulators are likely to be a lot more lenient when it comes to sanctioning corporations.[24] Under the pyramid model, corporations will be most likely to adopt a self-regulatory approach to ensure compliance. This is because corporations will be aware of the consequences that will be imposed if they do not comply with their obligations and will have been given a number of chances to change any unfair practices that have been assumed. The Australian Law Reform Commission believes that this is the ideal approach since regulators have access to severe punishments if needed and are able to persuade corporations to undertake appropriate behaviours to ensure compliance.[25] This approach promotes self-regulation and provides corporations with the ability to change, through effective persuasion, before the use of penalties arises. Only those who ignore the persuasive practices of regulators will be penalised, which ensures that only corporations who deserve to be punished will be.[26] On the other hand, it has been argued that voluntary compliance at the bottom of the pyramid may prove impossible as a result of the constant threats of more punitive sanctions at the top.[27] Furthermore, it cannot be said that corporations will actually respond to the pressures imposed by regulators since it has been said that corporate behaviour is not driven by regulatory pressure but rather cultural or competitive pressures.[28] In accordance with this, it could be suggested that the responsive regulation model will be appropriate for many corporations, though there will be some corporations where this approach will be ineffective. It would therefore be better for corporations to be analysed individually in order to consider what the best approach would be to ensure compliance since there will be certain circumstances whereby the pyramid approach will not be appropriate.[29] An example would be where there are potentially catastrophic risks that are being controlled. Here, it wo uld not be appropriate to use a step by step approach to regulation since the regulator would need to go straight to the top of the pyramid when choosing an appropriate sanction. Conversely, there may be a situation whereby the risk is minimal and so mere persuasion would be needed. This situation is ideal for the responsive regulation model, though the former is not. Arguably, whilst the responsive regulation model may be better at ensuring compliance with consumer protection laws than the current 2008 Regulations are in some situations, this will not be the case for every situation. Nevertheless, given the criticisms for both approaches, it appears as though some reform to this area is needed if the regulatory approaches that are currently being adopted are improved. Conclusion The current consumer protection regime is extremely complex when it comes to ensuring that corporations are complying with their obligations. As a result, consumers are still being put at risk when entering into commercial transactions. Although the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 attempted to act as a safeguard for consumers against unfair trading practices, it cannot be said that these are being fully realised. This is because of the limited powers that are provided to regulators when imposing sanctions upon corporations. Consequently, it seems as though further changes need to be made to the existing regime in order to guarantee the protection of consumers. Ayers and Braithwaite model of responsive regulation does provide regulators with appropriate powers to imposes relevant sanctions upon corporations, whilst at the same time providing them with the ability to make necessary changes. This step-by-step approach does appear fair in that corporations are in itially given the chance to rectify their non-compliance activities. Nevertheless, because this model will not be applicable to all corporations, it has been considered largely ineffective in making sure that corporations actually respond to regulatory pressure. Corporations should therefore be analysed individually in order to consider what the best approach to take would be. This will prevent unfairness and will enable consumers to have greater confidence when entering into commercial transactions. This will be a lot more beneficial for the economy overall and online trading will be likely to increase even further. Bibliography Books F Sudweeks and C T Romm., Doing Business on the Internet Opportunities and Pitfalls with 39 Figures (United States: Springer, Business & Economics). I Ayres and J Braithwaite. Responsive Regulation (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992). I Worthington and C Britton., Business Environment, (6th edn Pearson Education, 2009). R Baldwin, M Cave and M Lodge., Understanding Regulation: Theory, Strategy and Practice (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011). R Kagan and J Scholz., ‘The Criminology of the Corporation’ in K Hawkins and J Thomas., Enforcing Regulation (Boston: Kluwer, 1984). Journal Articles D Hertzell., ‘Time to Redress the Balance’ (2011) 161 New Law Journal 683, Issue 7466. F Haines., Corporate Regulation: Beyond Punish or Persuade (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997). H Thorpe., ‘Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading’ (2008) 32 Company’s Secretary Review 2. J Braithwaite., ‘Responsive Regulation and Developing Economies’ (2006) 34 World Development 884. L Timmermann., ‘Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, Part 2’ (2009) Trusted Shops, [Accessed 13 April 2014]. M J Trebilcock., ‘The Doctrine of Inequality of Bargaining Power: Post-Benthamite Economics in the House of Lords’ (1976) 26 University of Toronto Law Journal 4. Office of Fair Trading., ‘Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008’ (2008) Information for Businesses on the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, [Accessed 13 April, 2014]. P Stokes., ‘New OFT Powers in the Credit Clamp-Down’ (2005) 155 New Law Journal 236, Issue 7164. R Baldwin and J Black., ‘Really Responsive Regulation’ Law Society Economy, Working Papers, 5 [Accessed 12 April 2014]. S Brown., Protection of the Small Business as Credit Consumer: Paying Lip Service to Protection of the Vulnerable or Providing a Real Service to the Struggling Entrepreneur?’ (2012), 41 Common Law World Review 1. Case Law Esso Petroleum Co Ltd v Harper’s Garage (Stourport) Ltd [1968] AC 269 Lloyd Shuhfabrik Meyer & Co GmbH v Klijsen Handel BV [1999] ETMR 690 Lloyds Bank v Bundy [1974] 3 WLR 501 Macaulay v Scroeder Publishing Co Ltd [1974] 1 WLR 1308 (HL) Office of Fair Trading v Purely Creative Ltd and Others [2011] EWHC 106 (Ch) Tiscali UK Ltd v British Telecommunications Plc [2008] EWHC 3129 (QB) [1] F Sudweeks and C T Romm., Doing Business on the Internet Opportunities and Pitfalls with 39 Figures (United States: Springer, Business & Economics) 9. [2] [1999] ETMR 690 [3] P Stokes., ‘New OFT Powers in the Credit Clamp-Down’ (2005) 155 New Law Journal 236, Issue 7164. [4] [1974] 1 WLR 1308 (HL) [5] [1968] AC 269 [6] [1974] 3 WLR 501 [7] M J Trebilcock., ‘The Doctrine of Inequality of Bargaining Power: Post-Benthamite Economics in the House of Lords’ (1976) 26 University of Toronto Law Journal 4, 359. [8] S Brown., Protection of the Small Business as Credit Consumer: Paying Lip Service to Protection of the Vulnerable or Providing a Real Service to the Struggling Entrepreneur?’ (2012), 41 Common Law World Review 1, 59. [9] Office of Fair Trading., ‘Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008’ (2008) Information for Businesses on the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, [Accessed 13 April, 2014].