About Traditional Hispanic Food Essay

Hispanic American: â€Å"Heritage† is defined as the customs and traditions that are handed down from generation to generation of families and society. A person with Latino heritage is a descendant of a family from Mexico, Central America, or South America. Peeps who are Hispanic are from a country where Spanish is spoken. Let’s check out some of their traditions. Hispanic Food Hispanic foods have many different characteristics, but one of the main things that make it distinctive is that it tends to be spicy! Here are some traditional Hispanic dishes: * Moles: Pronounced Mo-lay, the name of this dish comes from the Aztec word for â€Å"mixture.† Mole Poblano de Guajolote, is a mixture of dried chiles, nuts, seeds, vegetables, spices and chocolate. * Tortillas: This flat bread is made of wheat flour or masa and forms the base of tons of tasty Mexican dishes like enchiladas, burritos and fajitas. * Ceviche: A Mexican dish of raw fish marinated in limejuice, often in a chopped salad. * Poc Chuc: A Yucatecan specialty made with pork fillet cooked with tomatoes, onions and spices. About Traditional Hispanic Food Traditional Hispanic food is full of flavor and a variety of textures: crunchy; chewy; gooey; and stringy. The most popular Hispanic foods are derived from rice and vegetables and use a flavor base called sofrito to season their dishes and soups. Sofrito is a mild tomato base that is a staple in traditional Hispanic food cooking methods. Many restaurants carry some form of Hispanic food on their menus, such as rice-filled enchiladas, tacos, nachos or flan. History The word â€Å"Hispanic† describes someone who comes from Spain or Spanish-speaking Latin America. The Spanish colonial period took place between 1492 and 1898, when Spaniards migrated from Spain and brought with them traditional Hispanic foods. Hispanic food stems from the traditional cooking methods of ancestors from the countries of Spain, Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar; it is from here that Hispanic people draw their heritage and roots as well as their primary methods of cooking and developing recipes. The history of Hispanic food dates to when the Hispanic population began to learn how to cook off the land by growing rice, chilies, beans, tomatoes in the rich, moist climate of Spain. The population added meat and dairy into the recipes, providing meat for tacos and cheeses for garnishing. Hispanic food has transitioned over the years and taken on slight variations of the original corn tortilla that is now cooked in oil, as well as spicier forms of rice implemented with cheese and peppers to include foods that are found in many fast-food restaurants, chain restaurants and supermarkets. Types Tortillas are served plain, warm or fried and can be used as the base for many Hispanic food dishes. Corn tortillas can be made into tacos or corn chips that can be used as an accompaniment to salsa or bean dip. Flour tortillas are also popular and provide a substitution when necessary for tacos and other Hispanic food dishes. Rice and beans make up a huge part of traditional Hispanic food recipes. Rice and beans can be used as a side dish that goes well with tacos and enchiladas as well as a filler for burritos, tacos and chimichangas. Meats, such as shredded or crumbled beef, shredded chicken and pork, make up the majority of Hispanic food’s main dishes, some of the most popular being parrilladas, tampiquenas and fajitas. Variations of vegetables can found throughout traditional Hispanic food, such as varieties of chiles, potatoes, jicama, yucca, nopales, tomatillos and some types of squash. Significance Traditional Hispanic food is eaten every day in Hispanic households, with foods such as quesadillas, tacos, nachos, Mexican pizzas, taco salads and burritos being the most popular. The celebration of Hispanic holidays, such as Cinco de Mayo, brings out the full tradition of traditional Hispanic food across many areas around the world. Many traditional Hispanic drinks are also served for this celebration of Hispanic heritage and pride, such as tequila, margaritas and Mexican beer. Some of the most popular Hispanic dishes that are prepared during Cinco de Mayo are carnitas, barbocoa, moles and menudo. Identification Traditional Hispanic food can be identified by the appearance of the tortillas and the thick, rich enchilada sauces that can be green, brown or red and resemble a thick gravy. Rice and refried beans typically are served inside of the tortillas or on the side, and this dish can be referred to as an enchilada or as a chimichanga if it is deep fried on the outside. Melted cheese over the top of the dish is also a good indication of Hispanic food. Function The function of Hispanic food is to fulfill the traditional ways of growing, eating and serving Hispanic food. Hispanic food is high in carbohydrates, making it a filling meal because of the beans and cheese that are served along with it. The combination of the beans and cheese with the spicy seasonings and salsa give the food added flavor and traditional Hispanic flair. Hispanic food can be made into meals for large groups of people and large families quickly, cheaply and easily. Most Hispanic food keeps for a long time and does not spoil if stored in a cool, dry location. Reference: http://www.ehow.com/about_4578072_traditional-hispanic-food.html CUBA : Cuban Cuisine Cuban cuisine has been influenced by Spanish, French, African, Arabic, Chinese, and Portuguese cultures. Traditional Cuban cooking is primarily peasant cuisine that has little concern with measurements, order and timing. Most of the food is sauteed or slow-cooked over a low flame. Very little is deep-fried and there are no heavy or creamy sauces. Most Cuban cooking relies on a few basic spices, such as garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay laurel leaves. Many dishes use a sofrito as their basis. The sofrito consists of onion, green pepper, garlic, oregano, and ground pepper quick-fried in olive oil. The sofrito is what gives the food its flavor. It is used when cooking black beans, stews, many meat dishes, and tomato-based sauces. Meats and poultry are usually marinated in citrus juices, such as lime or sour orange juices, and then roasted over low heat until the meat is tender and literally falling off the bone. Another common staple to the Cuban diet are root vegetables such as yuca,malanga, and boniato, which are found in most Latin markets. These vegetables are flavored with a marinade, called mojo, which includes hot olive oil, lemon juice, sliced raw onions, garlic, cumin, and little water. A typical Cuban breakfast consists of a tostada and cafe con leche. The tostada is a portion of Cuban bread which is buttered then toasted on an electric grill. The cafe con leche is a combination of strong, espresso coffee with warm milk. Cubans break the tostada into pieces, then dunk them into the cafe con leche, as Americans would dunk their doughnuts into their coffee. Additionally, some may eat ham croquetas, smoky creamed ham shaped in finger rolls, lightly breaded, and then fried. For those on the run, with no time or desire to eat, a shot of cafe cubano, Cuban coffee, will revive the dead. Lunch consists of empanadas, chicken or meat turnovers, or cuban sandwiches. The sandwich could be a media noche (midnight sandwich), consisting of a slice of pork, ham, and swiss cheese and then topped with pickles and mustard on sweetened egg bread. The pan con bistec is a thin slice of palomilla steak on Cuban bread garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, and fried potato sticks. One may also order a side ofmariquitas, thinly sliced plantain chips, to accompany their hearty sandwich. For snack time, Cuban bakeries are famous for their finger foods, such aspastelitos, croquetas, bocaditos, and empanadas. Pastelitos are small flaky turnovers in various shapes filled with either meat, cheese, guava, or a combination of guava and cream cheese. Bocaditos are small bi te size sandwiches layered with a ham spread. Dinner will usually consist of a meat, chicken, or fish dish as the entree accompanied by white rice, black beans, and maduros, sweet fried plantains. At times, a small salad of sliced tomatos and onions or avocados might be added to the meal. The meal is followed by dessert, such as the typical flan, a Cuban caramel-flavored custard, and another shot of cafe cubano. Other equally popular alternatives for dessert are bread or rice puddings. For holidays or special occasions, the one dish that typifies Cuban cuisine would be a small pig, marinated with salt, garlic, and sour orange juice, and then roasted over an open fire, and slowly cooked for several hours. The accompaniments for such a dish could consist of congri, a white rice and black bean mixture also known as Moors and Christians, boniato in a garlic dressing, and maduros. For refreshments, the most typical drinks are the daiquiri and the mojito. Both are made with lime juice and pure cane rum. Reference: http://www.education.miami.edu/ep/littlehavana/Cuban_Food/Cuban_Cuisine/cuban_cuisine.html Puerto Rican cuisine has its roots in the cooking traditions and practices of Europe (Spain), Africa and the Amerindian Taà ­nos. In the latter part of the 19th century, the cuisine of Puerto Ricowas greatly influenced by the United States in the ingredients used in its preparation. Puerto Rican cuisine has transcended the boundaries of the island, and can be found in several countries outside the archipelago. The cuisines of Spain, Taà ­no and Arawaks Amerindians, and parts of the African continent have had an impact on how food is prepared in Puerto Rico. Although Puerto Rican cooking is somewhat similar to both Spanish and Latin American cuisine, it is a unique tasty blend of influences, using indigenous seasonings and ingredients. Locals call their cuisine cocina criolla. The traditional Puerto Rican cuisine was well established by the end of the nineteenth century. By 1848 the first restaurant, La Mallorquina, opened in Old San Juan. El Cocinero Puertorriqueà ±o, the island’s first cookbook was published in 1849. Puerto Rican dishes are well seasoned with combinations of flavorful spices. The base of many Puerto Rican main dishes involves sofrito, similar to the mirepoix of French cooking, or the â€Å"trinity† ofCreole cooking. A proper sofrito is a sautà © of freshly ground garlic, tomatoes, onions, recao/culantro, cilantro, red peppers, cachucha and cubanelle peppers. Sofrito is traditionally cooked with olive oil or annatto oil, tocino (bacon), salted pork and cured ham. A mix of stuffed olives and capers called alcaparrado are usually added with spices such as bay leaf, cumin, sazà ³n and adobo. List There are plenty of recipes. Here are just a few: * Albondigà ³n – Puerto Rican meatloaf. * Alcapurrias – made from a mixture of mainly yautà ­a and may contain ground squash, plantains, green banana and other starchy tropical tubers filled with ground meat or seafood and deep fried in oil. * Almojà ¡banas – cheese-flavored rice fritters. * Araà ±itas – a combination of fried ripe and unripe shredded plantain, seasoned with salt, garlic and spices. Squash and other tubers can also be added. * Arepas / Domplines – Puerto Rican dumplings; fried rounds of flour-based dough. Sometimes they can contain coconut (known as arepas de coco). They are sometimes stuffed with seafood. This dish is particular to the Eastern and Southern parts of Puerto Rico. * Arroz con habichuelas – Rice and beans, a staple. Pink and red beans are the most common. The beans are cooked together with recaito base, stock, chunks of ham, potatoes and/or calabaza(tropical pumpkin), alcaparrado, tomato sauce to thicken stew, and flavored with spices. When done, the beans are then ladled over a mound of rice. Sticky medium-grained rice is more popular in Puerto Rico than long grain rice. * Arroz con pollo – Chicken and rice cooked in the same pot. Traditionally, chicken is seasoned with adobo, then placed in a pot with rice, annatto oil, sofrito, stock, beer, olives, and capers. * Bacalaà ­tos – These are fritters made from a pancake-like batter containing codfish, flour, and seasoning. * Buà ±uelos – Yam fritters. * Tortilla – Puerto Rican style omelette. * Tostones – twice-fried plantains. * Trifongo – similar to mofongo, but made with fried cassava, green plantains, and ripe plantains. * Tripleta – A sandwich made with a combination of three meats, such as beef, roast pork, chicken, and ham * Quesitos – cheese pastries Holiday dishes Pasteles / similar to the Mexican â€Å"tamales† * Arroz con dulce – Puerto Rican rice pudding, made with coconut milk and coconut cream, as opposed to only bovine milk or cream used elsewhere. Other flavors added into Arroz con Dulce include cloves, ginger, raisins soaked in rum, vanilla, cinnamon, brown or white sugar, heavy cream or milk and sometimes lemon zest. * Arroz con gandules – a yellow-rice-and-pigeon-pea dish with alcaparrado (capers and olives stuffed with red peppers), and pieces of meat (bacon, smoked ham, smocked turkey orchorizo). The spices and seasoning usually include cumin, bay leaf, annatto oil, sofrito, banana leaf, dry oregano, thyme, and stock. It is part of Puerto Rico’s national dish, along with pig roast. * Coquito – A popular Christmastime drink is coquito, an eggnog-like rum and coconut milk-based homemade beverage. The holiday season is also a time that many pià ±as coladas are prepared, underscoring the combination of pineapples and coconuts seen in Puerto Rican cuisine. [7] * Ensalada de pulpo – Octopus salad * Pasteles – For many Puerto Rican families, the quintessential holiday season dish is pasteles (â€Å"pies†), usually not a sweet pastry or cake, but a soft dough-like mass wrapped in a banana or plantain leaf and boiled, and in the center chopped meat, shellfish, chicken, raisins, spices, capers, olives, sofrito, and often garbanzo beans. Puerto Rican pasteles are similar in shape, size, and cooking technique to Latin American tamales. The dough in a tamal is made from cornmeal; while in a Puerto Rican pastel it is made from either green bananas and/or starchy tropical roots. The wrapper in atamal is a corn shuck or a banana leaf; the wrapper in a Puerto Rican pastel is a banana leaf. * Pig roast – Pork is central to Puerto Rican holiday cooking, especially the lechà ³n (spit-roasted piglet). Holiday feasts might include several pork dishes, such as pernil (a baked fresh pork shoulder seasoned in adobo mojado), morcilla (a black blood sausage), tripa (tripe), jamà ³n con pià ±a (ham and pineapple), gandinga (stewed pork innards) and chuletas ahumadas (smoked cutlets). * Stuffed turkey – Popular from November to January. The Thanksgiving turkey is often seasoned with adobo mojado and stuffed with mofongo or ground beef or pork mixture containing almonds,raisins, olives, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, and garlic. Instead of the thin slices seen in the North, a baked turkey in Puerto Rico is often cut into large blocks or chunks to be served on a plate. Riceis a mandatory course in dishes such as Arroz con Gandules (rice with pigeon peas), Arroz con Tocino (rice with bacon), Arroz Mampostea’o, and the sweet dessert Arroz con Dulce (rice pudding). * Sweets – Sweets are common in Puerto Rican cuisine. During the holidays, the most popular are desserts such as Arroz con Dulce (sweet rice pudding), Budà ­n de Pan (bread pudding),Bienmesabe (little yellow cakes soaked in coconut cream), Brazo Gitano – Puerto Rican style sponge cake with cream and / or fruit filling), Buà ±uelos de viento – Puerto Rican wind puffs soaked in a vanilla, lemon and sugar syrup), Barriguitas de Vieja (deep-fried sweet pumpkin fritters), Natilla, Tembleque (coconut pudding), Flan (egg custard), Bizcocho de Ron (rum cake), Mantecaditos (Puerto Rican shortbread cookies), Polvorones (a crunchy cookie with a dusty sweet cinnamon exterior), Turrà ³n de Ajà ³njolà ­ (a toasted sesame seed bar, bound together by caramelized brown sugar),Mampostiales (a very thick, gooey candy bar of caramelized brown sugar and coconut chips, challenging to chew and with a strong, almost molasses-like flavor), Dulce de Leche (milk and key lime peelingsà ¢â‚¬â„¢ caramel pudding), pastelillos de guayaba (guava pastries), Besitos de Coco (coconut kisses), Tarta de Guayaba (guava tarts), and Tortitas de Calabaza (pumpkin tarts). Haiti: Haitian cuisine originates from several culinary styles from the various historical ethnic groups that populated the western portion of the island of Hispaniola, namely the French, African, and the Taà ­no Amerindians. Haiti is similar to the rest of the Latin-Caribbean (the French and the Spanish-speaking countries of the Antilles), however it differs in several ways from its regional counterparts. Its primary influence derives from French and African cuisine, with notable derivatives from native Taà ­no and Spanish culinary techniques. Though similar to other cooking styles in the region, it carries a uniqueness native only to the country and an appeal to many visitors to the island. Haitians use vegetables and meats extensively and peppers and similar herbs are often used for strengthening flavor. Dishes tend to be seasoned liberally and consequently. Haitian cuisine tends to be moderately spicy, not mild and not too hot. In the country, however, many businesses of foreign origin have been established introducing several foreign cuisines into the mainstream culture. Years of adaptation have led to these cuisines (e.g.: Levantine from Arab Migration to Haiti) merging with Haitian cuisine.  "Manje Kreyà ²l† (Haitian food) is the equivalent of criollo cooking (criollo meaning â€Å"creole†) in other countries. This encompasses most of what is regularly cooked in Haiti, involving the extensive use of herbs, and somewhat unlike Cubancooking, the liberal use of peppers. A typical dish would probably be a plate of diri kole ak pwa (rice and beans), which is brown rice with red kidney or pinto beans glazed with a marinade as a sauce and topped off with red snapper, tomatoes and onions. The dish can be accompanied by bouillon (bouyon), known as sancocho in some neighboring countries. Bouillon is a hearty stew consisting of various spices, potatoes, tomatoes, and meats such as goat or beef. Rice is occasionally eaten with beans alone, but more often than not, some sort of meat completes the dish. Chicken (poul) is frequently eaten, the same goes for goat meat (kabrit) and beef (bà ¨f). Chicken is often boiled in a marinade consisting of lemon juice, sour orange, scotch bonnet pepper, garlic and other seasonings and subsequently fried until crispy. Legim is a thick vegetable stew consisting of a mashed mixture of eggplant, cabbage, chayote, spinach, watercress and other vegetables depending on availability and the cook’s preference. It is flavore d with epis, onions, garlic, and tomato paste, and generally cooked with beef and/or crab. Legim is most often served with rice, but may also be served with other starches, including mayi moulen (a savory cornmeal porridge similar to polenta or grits), pitimi (cookedmillet), or ble (wheat groats). Other starches commonly eaten include yam, patat (neither of which should be confused with the North American sweet potato), potato, and breadfruit. These are frequently eaten with a thin sauce consisting of tomato paste, onions, spices, and dried fish. Tchaka is a hearty stew consisting of hominy, beans, joumou (pumpkin), and meat (often pork). Tchaka is eaten by people and also used as an offering to the lwa in Vodou. Spaghetti is most often served in Haiti as a breakfast dish and is cooked with hot dog, dried herring, and spices, served with ketchup and sometimes raw watercress. One of the country’s best known appetizers are Pate, which are meat or salted cod patties surrounded by a crispy or flaky crust. Other snacks include akra (crispy, spicy fried malanga fritters), banann pese, and marinad (fried savory dough balls). For a complete meal, they may be served with griyo (fried pork) or other fried meat. These foods are served with a spicy slaw called pikliz which consists of cabbage, carrot, vinegar, scotch bonnet pepper, and spices. Fried foods, collectively known as fritay, are sold widely on the streets. Regional dishes also exist throughout Haiti. In the area around Jà ©rà ©mie, on Haiti’s southwest tip, people eat a dish called tonmtonm, which is steamed breadfruit (lam veritab) mashed in a pilon, and is very similar to West African Fufu. Tonmtonm is swallowed without chewing, using a slippery sauce made of okra (kalalou in Haitian Creole), cooked with meat, fish, crab, and savory spices. Another regional dish is poul ak nwa (chicken with cashew nuts), which is from the north of the country, in the area around Cap-Haà ¯tien. Waves of migration have also influenced Haitian cuisine. For example, immigrants from Lebanon and Syria brought kibbeh, which has been adopted into Haitian cuisine. The flavor base of much Haitian cooking is epis, a combination sauce made from cooked peppers, garlic, and herbs, particularly green onions, thyme, and parsley. It is used as a basic condiment for rice and beans and is also used in stews and soups. Increasingly, imported Maggi bouillon cubes are used by Haitian cooks. This is indicative of the growing availability of imported, often artificial and inexpensive, foods, such as Tampico beverages. Beer Beer is one of several common alcoholic beverages consumed in Haiti, often drank at festivals, parties, and occasionally downed with a meal. The most widely drank brand of beer in Haiti is Prestige, a nationally popular mild lager with a taste similar to many commercialized beers such as Budweiser and Miller Light. The beer has a light and crisp yet mildly sweet taste with a vague yet strong flavor reminiscent of several American-style beers. Prestige is brewed byBrasserie Nationale d’Haiti (owned by Heineken). Rum Haiti’s rum is extremely popular among its inhabitants , in addition to those in other societies. The most known company in the country is the world-renowned Rhum Barbancourt; one of the nation’s most famous exports and by international standards, the country’s most popular alcoholic beverage. It is unique in that the distilleries use sugarcane juice directly instead of molasses like other types of rum. The rum is marketed in approximately 20 countries and uses a process of distillation similar to the process used to produce cognac. The liquory creamed drink called crà ©mas is also drunk in Haiti. It is a popular beverage usually consumed as part of dessert or simply by itself. It has a sweet like flavor that you can taste. Clairin Clairin or kleren is another popular drink; it is equivalent to moonshine and is distilled from molasses, it is distilled twice sometimes to have a higher proof of alcohol. It is widely popular and small distilleries can be found throughout the countryside. Clairin is at least 100 to 120 proof. Double distilled, it can easily be 150 to 190 proof. Clairin may be more popular than rum, because it is much cheaper and less labour intensive to make. Cremas Cremas, also spelled Cremasse (Kremas in Haitian Creole), is a sweet and creamy alcoholic beverage native to Haiti. The beverage is made primarily from creamed coconut, sweetened condensed and/or evaporated milk, and rum. The rum used is usually dark; however, white rum is used frequently as well. Various other spices are added for additional flavoring such as cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, as well as miscellaneous ingredients such as the widely used vanilla extract or raisins. Recipes vary from person to person with a few differences in ingredients here and there. However the overall look and taste is the same. The beverage possesses a creamy consistency similar to a thick milkshake and varies from off-white to beige in color. The drink is popular in Haiti and is served regularly at social events and during the holidays. It is usually consumed along with a sweet pastry of some sort. The drink is often served cold however it can be served at room temperature. The beverage has become recent ly marketed in Haiti as well as the United States. One of the popular brands is Dorobe. It is similar to Puerto Rican Coquito. Non-alcoholic Due to its tropical climate, juice is a mainstay in Haiti. Juices from many fruits are commonly made and can be found everywhere. Guava juice, grapefruit juice, mango juice, along with the juices of many citrus fruits (orange, granadilla,passion fruit, etc.) are popular. Juice is the de facto beverage because of its variety of flavors, easy production, and widespread accessibility. Malta is also a popular non-alcoholic drink consisting of unfermented barley with molassesadded for flavor. In more urban areas of the nation, the people enjoy Americanized drinks such as an array of soft drinks, in which Coca-Cola dominates all other local soft drinks. Milkshakes are also drunk regularly. Desserts Many types of desserts are eaten in Haiti ranging from the mild to sweet. Sugarcane is used frequently in the making of these desserts however granulated sugar is also used often. One very popular dessert is fresco which can be whipped up quickly. Fresco is similar to an Italian Ice, however it consists primarily of fruit syrup. The syrup is moderately thick and very sweet. It is frequently sold by street vendors. The sweet smell of this candy-like snack often attracts honeybees and a common sight on the streets is a hurried vendor handing out frescos surrounded by swirls of bees. Pen Patat is a soft sweet bread made using cinnamon, evaporated milk, and sweet potato. It is usually served cold from the refrigerator but it can also be eaten at room temperature. Akasan is a thick corn milkshake with a consistency similar to that of labouille (in Creole, â€Å"labouyi†) (a popular porridge made from corn). It is made using many of the same ingredients as Pen patat consisting of ev aporated milk, sugar, and corn flour.

Dominican Republic: From a Colony to the Caribbean’s Largest Tourist Destination

After three centuries of Spanish rule, with French and Haitian interludes, the country became independent in 1821 under the rule of a former colonial judge who maintained the system of slavery and limited rights for the mostly mulatto and black population. The ruler, Jose Nunez de Caceres, intended that the Dominican Republic be part of the nation of Gran Colombia, but he was quickly removed by the Haitian government and â€Å"Dominican† slave revolts. Victorious in the Dominican War of Independence in 1844, Dominicans experienced mostly internal strife, and also a brief return to Spanish rule, over the next 72 years. The United States occupation of 1916–1924, and a subsequent, calm and prosperous six-year period under Horacio Vasquez Lajara, were followed by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina until 1961. The civil war of 1965, the country's last, was ended by a U. S. -led intervention, and was followed by the authoritarian rule of Joaquin Balaguer, 1966–1978. Since then, the Dominican Republic has moved toward representative democracy,[4] and has been led by Leonel Fernandez for most of the time after 1996. The Dominican Republic has the second largest economy in the Caribbean and Central American region. [10][11] Though long known for sugar production, the economy is now dominated by services. [4] The country's economic progress is exemplified by its advanced telecommunication system. [12] Nevertheless, unemployment,[4] government corruption, and inconsistent electric service remain major Dominican problems. The country also has â€Å"marked income inequality†. [4] International migration affects the Dominican Republic greatly, as it receives and sends large flows of migrants. Haitian immigration and the integration of Dominicans of Haitian descent are major issues; the total population of Haitian origin is estimated at 800,000. [13] A large Dominican diaspora exists, most of it in the United States, where it numbers 1. 3 million. [14] They aid national development as they send billions of dollars to their families, accounting for one-tenth of the Dominican GDP. [4][15] The Dominican Republic has become the Caribbean's largest tourist destination; the country's year-round golf courses are among the top attractions. [12] In this mountainous land is located the Caribbean's highest mountain, Pico Duarte, as is Lake Enriquillo, the Caribbean's largest lake and lowest elevation. [16] Quisqueya, as Dominicans often call their country, has an average temperature of 26  °C (78. 8  °F) and great biological diversity. [12] Music and sport are of the highest importance in Dominican culture, with merengue as the national dance and song and baseball the favorite sport. [5]

Analysing the traditional approach to quality management

Analysing the traditional approach to quality management Quality in its simple terms mean activities designed in a manner to improve organisation and its services. Quality also means to learn what you are doing and how to do it better. It also means to find out ways you need to change for improving services to the ultimate users. Consumer–Quality–Producer Quality : From the consumer’s point of view is price. From the producer’s point is cost. But remember always the Customer’s view must reign supreme. Dimensions of quality : Products. 1} Performance : Basic operating characteristics of D a product. Example; A car : how good are the brakes, body, mileage, etc of a car. 2} Features : Any special characteristics added to the product. e.g; special interiors added in the Car. 3} Reliability : The expected time limit for the product to deliver its best. E.g; approximate mileage of the car before it needs service. 4} Durability : Will the product last long enough up to expected time limit. 5} Conformance : Does the product meets pre established standards. 6} Serviceability : How easy is to get the service repairs, speed of repairs and the cost incurred in providing service. 7} Safety : Is the product safe enough to meet all the safety requirements as prescribed. 8} Perceptions : Perceptions based on branding, advertising etc; Does the product meets the quality standard set by a particular brand name. 9} Appearance : The human senses of sight, taste and smell is met to the well established standard. Other more Dimension of Quality : Quality of design : The design of the product must be such satisfying the needs of the customers. Quality of production process : The customers needs and wants must be met by the product. Quality of conformance : All the legal requirements and the specifications are met by the product or service. Quality of customer service : Company and customer relation must be met by with highest level of accuracy. Customers must be satisfied with the services provided and m ust feel are taken care of. Organisational quality culture : One of the most important attributes towards quality is that the seriousness of the whole organisation in achieving quality. Quality management can be considered to have three main components: quality control, quality assurance and quality improvement. Quality management is focused not only on product quality, but also the means to achieve it. Quality management therefore uses quality assurance and control of processes as well as products to achieve more consistent quality. The Traditional approach to quality management : TRADITIONAL APPROACH As defined by Fetter, and quoted in Johnson, Kast and Rosenzweig [11] as the function of ensuring the attributes of the product conform to prescribed standards and that their relationships are maintained. The emphasis laid in traditional approach was on product inspection and rejection and the most crucial decision of time for when and what to inspect and what quantity to inspect. For this purpose, the features of the product and the cost involved needed to be considered. The process of inspecting the product might have been a random selection or a 100% check. The responsibility of assuring the product quality lied with the quality control department but generally the quality managers used to report directly to production managers or the plant manager. The managers on the contrary were in immense pressure to meet the production targets and therefore many times to meet the production targets used to let go the faulty goods. This resulted in increased customer complaints or even if the customer did not complain they never came resulting in rise in warranty cost. The managers were generally tolerant of high work scrap levels and rework inefficiencies.

National Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

National Management - Essay Example The probability is high, that most governmental institutions will have to know how their reasons declined over policies implemented, in industrialized or non-industrialized country, at some time in their leadership operations. In the United States of America, the current economic downturn obliged the Federal Government to somehow appear to decline in its reasons in an attempt to financially sustain vulnerable corporate institutions. For example, many automotive corporate companies sought financial loans as bailout to continue operations. Most companies were ordered by the Federal Government to formulate a restructuring plan in 2008, but, the government expects them to deal with their financial shortfalls (KTBS3). Also, big companies are considered to have irreversibly huge assets and capitalizations, but, recent reports showed that most of it became marketably insoluble. An even worst scenario was the official declarations of bankruptcies. Estimates are that in the next months more and more gigantic companies will declare the need to be bailed out by government before they would declare they are broke and cease operations. These marks show that government reason to help people rather than companies cope w ith the natural law of supply and demand of resources have declined. One easy way to tell that the rationale for government help on people to cope with the natural law of supply and demand of resources is downhill is its corporate financial rescue measures. For example, in 2008, the administration of Mr. George W. Bush bailed out General Motors Corporation to the tune of US$17.4 billion (KTBS3) when Gross Domestic Product from 1998 to 2007 were: 8694.6, 9216.2, 9764.8, 10075.9, 10417.6, 10908, 11630.9, 12364.1, 13116.5, and 13741.6 respectively (OCCD 2009). These consistently accelerating total market value of all final goods and services produced within the borders (Schiller G-3) of the United States of America in the given period obviously benchmarked liquidity and highly sound economy contravening any claims of economic difficulty or recession. Also, this GDP figures grounds the truth that industries within the economy must have achieved economies of scale. "This level exists when the cost of producing a unit of a good falls as its output rate inc reases" (Parkin 207). For example, General Motors enjoy economies of scale, as the company employs highly skilled labor by division and cost-saving technology enhanced equipment, thus, raising production level (Parkin 207). Subsequent to knowledge of this information, most people find that bailout decisions are rather weak responses synonymous to declined national management reasons. The perspective that people gained from the national management responses to claims of bankruptcy and financial bailouts despite high GDP, and economies of scale, strengthened their belief that there exists socialism. Nonetheless, many hypothesized that there is no such thing as National Socialism. It is only that the move or the administrative response was distasteful. Yet, at the other end of the stick, it is an obvious revelation of a weakened national manag

Human Recourse Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Human Recourse Management - Essay Example The external environment of the company, the organisation’s monitoring system of the external environment and how these contribute to its success and occasional hiccups have also been looked into in this paper. To do this, this paper has used several analytical models. Particularly, this paper has used SWOT, PESTEL and the Porter Five forces model as analytical models to look into British Airways adjustment to the external environment. Finally, this paper has made several recommendations regarding how the chosen organisation can respond better to environmental forces. Analysing the External Environment of British Airways Introduction and Background British Airways is among the leading airlines in the global scene and the principle carrier in the United Kingdom. Statistics reveal that the company plays a key role in the worldwide economic landscape. In the financial year 2009/ 2010 it served approximately thirty two million customers and links over three hundred destinations (B ritish Airways Plc., 2010). Their financial statements are impressive since their revenue in the same financial year amounted to 8 billion dollars as stated by British Airways Plc. (2010). ... The present situation in the company is an interesting area of study since an analysis of how it deals with variations in the external environment affect business operations conclusions can be drawn and recommendations can be made. Company’s Profile British Airways has been proficient player in the airline industry since its incorporation in 1924 according to British Airways Plc. (2010). The company engages its activities both at the local and global level. It provides several services including cargo freight, passenger flight services, and mail services among other auxiliary services. Its business is mainly spread across the United States and Europe and serves over five hundred destinations worldwide (British Airways Plc. 2010). The company’s works towards expanding its customer base by offering world class services. There has been increasing competition in the airline business caused by the introduction of modern technology. British Airways has continuously updated it s policies to keep up with changes in the external environment and this is why the company has maintained leadership in business over the years. This business report involves a detailed analysis of the environment of British Airways by focusing on various issues. It will start by analysing the organisation’s external environment, by applying analytical models and ensuring an international focus. Secondly, it will give a critical review organisation’s monitoring system of the external environment. Finally, it will make recommendations detailing how the chosen organisation can respond better to environmental forces. The analytical models used in the report to evaluate the external

Article Review on General Moters Debacle Research Paper

Article Review on General Moters Debacle - Research Paper Example General Motors had to call back approximately 1.6 million cars in order to fix their switches which were causing sudden shut down in cars while in motion. The faulty ignition switches are reported to be linked with dangerous driving situations which resulted in 31 crashes and 13 victims in America since 2004 (Young, 2014). As more and more details are revealing about the faults identified in ignition switches it has become clear that the management of General Motors acted extremely irresponsible. On the other hand analysts have also indicated that the corporate bureaucracy of General Motors is significantly slow in responding to the customers’ safety and security issues (Young, 2014). This actually leads to the non-consideration of business ethics and morals while ignoring the fundamental needs of customers. For instance, in the book ‘Business Essentials’ Ebert and Griffin have stated that it is the prime responsibility of corporation to abide by the law and ethics which basically requires them to develop quality products. Moreover, the management must be able to positively contribute to the society (Ebert, 2014). However, if we see the role of General Motor’s management then it is clearly reflected that they did not act ethically which also compromising the greater social c oncerns and corporate social responsibilities of the organization. The CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra said that she came to know about the problem of ignition switches in January. On the other side Robert Lutz who is the global product development’s Vice Chair denied to have any information about ignition switch issues until recently (Young, 2014). When CEO was asked about why she wasn’t informed about the ignition switch faults then she responded that her being unaware of the incident should not be shocking for the prosecutors because General Motors has approximately 219,000 employees (Muller, 2014). The organization is involved in very complex business operations

In what ways would you characterize Las Vegas as a 'western' city Essay

In what ways would you characterize Las Vegas as a 'western' city - Essay Example We can also look at the world â€Å"western† as it refers to the locations of Las Vegas as in the western portion of the United States and referring to the western part of Nevada. Finally, we can characterize the word â€Å"western† as linked to the Old West, with a rich history of how Las Vegas began. This essay will attempt to characterize all three concepts of the word â€Å"western† and how it applies to the city of Las Vegas both now and linked to its broad history. The term â€Å"western culture† is used as a reference to a background of social normality’s, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, accepted political systems, and identified artifacts and technologies. The term has generally come to apply to countries whose history is strongly marked by Western European immigration or settlement, such as the settlement of the Americas. This can be applied to and characterized to Las Vegas as the settlers moved West in the Americas to settle new lands. The first settlers to enter the land now called Las Vegas were the Mormons. They traveled from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas mainly to protect the Los Angeles to Salt Lake City mail route in 1855. The first settlement consisted of a square building of sun-dried bricks, clay and grass called adobe. The Mormons planted fruit trees, planted gardens and mined lead for bullets from the mountains. Unfortunately, the settlement was abandoned in 1858 mainly due to Indian raids. A portion of the Mormon Fort still stands in Las Vegas near Las Vegas Boulevard North and Washington Avenue. Members of the Church of Christ of the Later Day Saints dedicated a Mormon Temple in Las Vegas in 1989, which is visible to the east of the city. The Mormon religion has been a very big influence in the historic roots of Las Vegas and its early beginnings. This characterizes the religious western influences that still remain. Las Vegas was discovered by accident by Rafael Rivera and the exa ct date is unknown. Rivera was a very experienced scout who rode west in search of water. He ventured into the unexplored desert, and by accident discovered Las Vegas Spring. Given the name â€Å"the Meadows† in Spanish, it was an abundant area of marshlands and vegetation. This discovery was able to shorten the trail from Los Angeles, and lent a positive aspect to hasten the rush west for California gold. Just 14 short years after Rivera’s discovery, John C. Fremont led an overland expedition to Las Vegas Springs in 1844. His name is present today in the city of Las Vegas with the Fremont Hotel-Casino and Fremont Street; the main thoroughfare in the heart of the city, another link to the western influences that began in Las Vegas. Any connection to the western world started with the mail routes and the pony express. In 1863 an Ohian named Octavius Decatur Gass began buying land and ranching it. He fell into financial disaster and mortgaged his land to Archibald Stewar t. The ranch did really well for around five years, but Stewart died and his widow Helen was left to run the ranch. She worked the ranch with hired hands and provided a stopping point for travelers and provided postal services for the area. And today the name Gass is honored with a street name in Las Vegas. Railroad developers determined that the water-rich

Hyundai Motor Companys global performance with regards to fulfilling Essay

Hyundai Motor Companys global performance with regards to fulfilling its corporate social responsibility - Essay Example To illustrate, Hyundai Motor’s Chinese subsidiary won the ‘2011 Most Responsible Corporate Citizen’ award for the firm’s efforts in various social welfare fields. The Hyundai greatly supports the Chinese government in poverty reduction, traffic safety, sand prevention and control, and several other areas4. It is estimated that the company’s investments in the field of environmental sustainability in China would reach nearly 4.1 trillion and those investments may account for clean diesel vehicles, electric vehicles, and Blue Drive development plan5. In India, the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) has made investments worth more than 20 million rupees in different social welfare programs6. The organization has begun its â€Å"Go Green† village based project in Tamil Nadu (an Indian State) in 2011 with intent to improve living standards of the region’s villages7. Considering the Hyundai’s contributions to the State, the company has been given the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ and ‘Best Commercial and Industrial Institution’ award by the Tamil Nadu State government8. According to Biwalkar, the Brand Trust Report study conducted in India in 2011, Hyundai was selected as the country’s 43rd most trusted brand9. Hyundai’s corporate responsibility programs benefit Chinese and Indian societies. To illustrate, these economies are still at developing phase and therefore they struggle to meet increasing infrastructure facilities and other living condition requirements arising out of a high level population growth. Evidently, the emerging economies greatly support Hyundai’s business and arrange improved operational facilities for the... This essay discusses that modern society is highly concerned about environmental sustainability more than ever before. Consumers today tend to discourage businesses which are likely to cause toxic emissions or other forms of pollution. While analyzing the industrial world, it seems that majority of the organizations raises some sorts of challenges to ecological balance. For a multinational corporation like Hyundai Motor Company, the world’s fourth largest automobile manufacturer, the potential for environmental damage is higher. Since combustion of fossil fuels constitutes a huge portion of greenhouse gas emissions, modern consumers are increasingly switching their demand to eco-friendly vehicles. The most noticeable achievement of Hyundai is that the company could markedly reduce CO2 emissions on the strength of technological innovations. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2011 Trends Report, Hyundai Motor America was ranked as the top automobile manufacturer in terms of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. Through its quality innovations, Hyundai developed green cars that are capable of reducing CO2 emissions and thereby promoting environmental sustainability. Reports indicate that such innovations assisted Hyundai to lower the CO2 emission volumes of its new models including i10, i20, and i30 blue to the range of 100g/km. Although the company has been successful in designing and executing social welfare programs as compared to other automobile manufactures, it still contributes to environmental and other social issues.

Tactical Intelligence Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tactical Intelligence Issues - Essay Example In military intelligence, information is always susceptible to many interpretations thus it needs conscious manipulation for proper notions of precognition1. The S-2s do not show thoroughness in disseminating information. This implies that information does not reach the intelligence requirement. Thoroughness though does not entail certainty and completeness of the final details. Relating it to Major Gustafson, he took into consideration information thoroughness before attempting to save the other Major whose plane was going down. Major Gustafson knew that his aircraft would be in danger while attempting to save the friend; hence he was able to give thorough information to those who were down such that when the aircraft with the other pilot got down, measures to take the pilot to a hospital were in place. Thoroughness includes what is unknown and what the officers know. Thus, risk taking evaluation is easy to do2. Most S-2s do not give accurate information such that, they give an estimation rather than concrete information. This makes decision making for the other party hard. Considering the situation Major Gerald was in, he has to give the most accurate information concerning the whereabouts of the other pilot, thus by flying over the enemy land; he made the best decision on the best route to follow. Thus, Major Gustafson was able to rescue the other pilot. In that effect, the facts that the major had, were to coincide with the capabilities of the enemy. Assessment of intelligent comes from the reliability of the information given. Most ignore the timeliness of information they give out. Such that the information that they give out does not reach the right people that require the information in time, this implies that decision making of tactical decisions is at the right time. S-2s should note that being punctual in giving the information is crucial to avoid the acute angle. Thus, information that is late is unnecessary.

The Media Impact on the Arab Revolutions Research Proposal

The Media Impact on the Arab Revolutions - Research Proposal Example Therefore, the media has been a versatile tool in ensuring the success of the revolts; while on the other hand, the same media has been an accomplice in committing large scale atrocities to innocent people in cover up campaigns. A report by an anonymous reporter in BBC (2011) argues that in Bahrain, the dramatic events have occurred as the government tries to ban coverage of demonstrations and other media in pretence that such black coverage would reduce the demonstrations as there would be no information being passed to the public. The government would also use such avenues to crush demonstrators with massive causalities occurring in such cases. The result has been that though the government has banned the coverage, more and more people feel that their independence was threatened and this leads them to the streets to demonstrate against the government. This has also been reported in Syria, Jordan and other Middle East regions. The increasing number of reporters and journalist being killed in the Middle east win a bid to cover up the government brutality has increased the rage and criticism to these regimes globally, a situation that has seen more and more people in the Diaspora supporting the revolution against these regimes (Anonymous, 2011). Silencing the media is observed as silencing the voice of people or their rights to know, and this result to increased demonstrations against the government especially in Bahrain and Syria. In Bahrain however there are massive cover-up of the tortures and shedding the blood of popular majority that dare air their voice on reforms. The lack of convergence of interests in this case as Al-Amin (2011) argues means that since the western countries in most cases have no interests in Bahrain, the atrocities in this country goes unreported and the dismal regime along with an elite that has been robbing the country provide editorials and other cover-ups that do not reflect the truth. On the same note as Al-Amin argues, in Syria d ue to the convergence of interests has also been able to continue with the atrocities against the citizens as nations watch. According to Al –Amin (2011) though Arab Gulf states have no qualified basis to give any lesson related to democracy, freedom and equality, they have been of late trying to hold many meetings in the media, to air their support in this country, as convergence of interests in the country mainly in the Oil industry persist.. This means that the media though used in other revolutions positively, has been used in Bahrain and Syria to cover up the atrocities, offering the regimes the life they need to expound their atrocities and ensure their survival. The case of Libya was however different in that there were more interests from the western countries, a move that saw the western-lead NATO invading the country in pretest of ensuring democracy and freedom for the Libya regime. This we as viewed as convergence of interests among the NATO members as many of them had been robbing

John LockEs View on Innate Knowledge Essay Example for Free

John LockEs View on Innate Knowledge Essay John Locke, a renowned English philosopher in the seventeenth century, argued against the pre-existing prevalent belief of innate knowledge, such as those led by Descartes. Many of Locke’s arguments begin with criticisms on philosophers’ opinion on innate knowledge, notably Descartes. Therefore, many of Locke’s arguments are direct rebuttals of Descartes and other philosophers’ beliefs about the existence of innate knowledge. To arrive at the conclusion that innate knowledge is impossible, Locke comes with various premises and rebuttals that add weight to his arguments. First, Locke emphasizes that knowledge and ideas are learned through experience, not innately. He argues that people’s minds at birth are ‘blank slate’ that is later filled through experience. Here, the ‘senses’ play an important role because ‘the knowledge of some truths, as Locke confesses, is very in the mind; but in a way that shows them not to be innate’. By this, Locke argues that some ideas are actually in the mind from an early age but these ideas are furnished by the senses starting in the womb. For example, the color blue and the  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœblueness’ of something is not that which is learned innately but is some is learned through exposures to a blue object or thing. So if we do have a universal understanding of ‘blueness’, it is because we are exposed to blue objects ever since we were young. The blue sky is what many would acquaint with blue easily and at a young age. Second, Locke argues that people have no innate principles. Locke contended that innate principles rely upon innate ideas within people but such innate ideas do not exist. He says this on the basis that there is no ‘universal consent’ that everyone agrees upon. Locke quotes that ‘There is nothing more commonly taken for granted that there are certain principles universally agreed upon by all mankind, but there are none to which all mankind give a universal assent’. This argues against the very foundation of the idea of innate knowledge because principles that garner universal assent are thought to be known innately, simply because it is the best explanation available. However, it cannot even be an explanation for such belief because no ‘universal consent’ exists. Rationalists argue that there are in fact some principles that are universally agreed upon, such as the principle of identity. But it is far-fetched to claim that everyone knows this principle of identity because for the least, children and idiots, the less-intelligent ones are not acquainted with it. There are several objections to these premises and arguments that are outlined above. The argument by Locke that there are some ideas that are in the mind at an early age gives credence to argument for the innate ideas. For ideas to be furnished by the senses later on there has to be ideas that are laid as foundations. If such ideas are innate, as acknowledged by Locke, no matter how trivial or less significant these ideas may be as one may argue, such claim could give weight to the idea of innate knowledge. Innate knowledge or ideas, after all, doesn’t imply that all ideas are innate because as one can see, there are things that we learn through our experiences and encounters in life as well. So as long as there is even the basic principle that is innate early in life, then innate knowledge can be known to exist. The validity behind the claim that there is no ‘universal consent’ is also questionable. Locke argues that no principle that all mankind agrees upon exists because there are those who are not acquainted with such principle, notably children and idiots. However, the terms children and idiots are somewhat misguided. How are children and especially the idiots categorized? Is there a specific criteria used for those who are classified as idiots? It is hard to generalize that idiots or those who are deemed less intelligent are not acquainted with certain principles because at times, intelligence is not the best indicator of someone’s knowledge or ideas. There are many intelligent people out there who take their status for granted and do not think, contemplate or make an effort to their best extent. The objections that are made against the initial arguments can be defended in certain ways. Regarding the objection that since there are innate ideas in the mind at an early age, innate knowledge exists, the term ‘innate’ should be thought of again in greater detail. Innate knowledge has to be significant enough for us to recount to be considered such. Thus, there comes a risk with considering the ideas within our minds early on as innate. For example, the knowledge of our hands and feet maybe imbedded to us at a very early stage. The knowledge of using our hands and feet are not so significant. The knowledge that we gain through our use of hands and feet could be vital knowledge that we may recount throughout. Throwing a baseball properly under a coach’s instructions is an example. Also, there is the claim that intelligence cannot be the sole indicator of one’s acquisition of ‘universal consent’ and that there isn’t a clear distinction of those who can understand universal principles to those who cannot. However, the important focus here should not be on defining ‘idiots’ and intelligence but on that universal consent is hard to be assembled by every single mankind. Therefore, more should be considered than just innate knowledge that could garner universal consent. Empirical principles that are derived from experience could garner universal assent too. For example, the fear of ‘dying’ or ‘getting seriously injured’ could mean that people would not jump out the roof from tall buildings. And this belief could be universal among all.

School As Organizations Essay Example for Free

School As Organizations Essay 1. Primary schools: Primary Schools are for children aged 4 to 11 years. The subjects to be taught at primary schools are specified by the National Curriculum, the pupils tested on SAT’s at year 2(age 7) which is known KS1 and year 6(age 11) which is known as KS2. The subjects to be taught are English, Mathematics and Science. Other subjects, including History, Geography, Technology, Music, Art and Physical Education (PE) are also taught. The first class in primary school is called the Reception class which is known as Foundation Stage (F2). 2. Secondary Schools: Secondary Schools are for children aged 11 to 16. State secondary schools must follow the National Curriculum and they assessed the children at Key Stage 3 (age 14) and Key Stage 4 (age 16) which is known as (GCSE). 3. Private (Independent Schools): which is also known as Public Schools, they don’t have to follow the national curriculum. They need to pay the school fees as there is no funded from the government. All private schools must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly. There is a private school which is specialist in teaching (special education needs). 4. Community Schools: is a type of state-funded school in which the local education authority (LEA) employs the schools staff. The LEA employs the staffs, own the land and buildings as well as put the rules for admission. 5. Trust or Foundation Schools: Foundation schools are run by a governing body which employs the staff and sets the entrance criteria. Land and buildings are owned either by the governing body or by a charitable foundation. Trust schools are similar, but are run together with an outside body, usually a business or charity, which has formed an educational trust. 1.

The Transaction Processing Systems

The Transaction Processing Systems It has been widely established lately that how important information system has become for business processes. According to authors, information system is a field that merges business management with computer applications to smoothen the process for business in more efficient a way. In simpler terms, information system bridges in data, people, procedures and computer software and hardware to analyse and gather information digitally. This typically helps in assimilating information in an organised way for better functionality and operations of organisations. Traditionally information system was considered as design meant to be carried out principally from a technical viewpoint. But with growing awareness and acceptance towards the system has made people realise that it represents various other and broadened viewpoints that culminates stakeholders in order to attend to their economical, institutional, political and other interests. Hence, it would not be wrong to say that a systematic and practical framework or information system is most likely to tend to the aim of reaching an integrated information model for an organisation. Information System Silver et al. (1995) defines Information Systems as one which is implemented within an organization for the purpose of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of that organization. Capabilities of the information system and characteristics of the organization, its work systems, its people, and its development and implementation methodologies together determine the extent to which that purpose is achieved. Where a group of scholars believe that information connects with hardware, software, data, procedures and people; another school of thought advocates Information system to include people, business processes and Information Systems. Four conventional Classes of Information System Classification of Information system differs as per the business needs and the structure and level of organisations. The needs of information system vary as per the levels and decision structure needed at every level. Primarily, information need ranges in following management capacity- Strategic control, managerial aspects and operational functions. The following pyramids describe the functions of organisation and the levels of decision authority along with the associated classes of Information System. TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEMS The pyramid from bottom starts with lower management which deals with day to day operations of the organisation. This class of information system is handled by lower management who represents an organisation in daily routine and business such as attendance of employees, posting of entries in bank, processing of orders, evaluating overdue purchaser orders airline booking function etc. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS The second category of information required by the middle management is known as managerial information. The information required at this level is used for making short term decisions and plans for the organization. Information like sales analysis for the past quarter or yearly production details etc. fall under this category. Management information system (MIS) caters to such information needs of the organization. Due to its capabilities to fulfil the managerial information needs of the organization, Management Information Systems have become a necessity for all big organizations. And due to its vastness, most of the big organizations have separate MIS departments to look into the related issues and proper functioning of the system. DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS In simpler words, it is an interactive channel that integrates and collets information from varied source to enhance the non-routine decisions. The information generated here is not made available to lower level staff nor do they need it. For example, trends and figures of revenue generation which helps in deciding policies etc. These types of decisive data supported by information system are required by senior management only and are called as Decision Support Systems. EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS The top level of this hierarchical classification of information system concerns only topmost management and the data integrated by information system is here is handy for executives only. Executive Information Systems involves at strategic management level which is coordinated and handled by top management in an organisation. This category facilitates the management with relevant data and information in convenient format required for strategic planning that aims at developing plans and construct major decisions towards the organisational goals Banking Structure Implementation of Information System Banking is a vibrant sector which deals in with enormous data on daily basis. Technically speaking a bank caters to the money related transaction with customers. Generally it involves following services- Customers saving and Current account management Cheque services- collections and payments Credit and debit cards Handling of Loans, insurance, fixed deposits and other policies In competitive environment, any bank strives to provide best of services facilitating convenience factor and ease of use to customer to gain on competitive advantage. Banking structure has evolved tremendously since its inception. Where banking was started with manual maintenance of records on papers; now the sector has been computerised and IT have been playing quite a revolutionary role to bring transformation in banking. The different platforms that a bank extends nowadays are conventional retail bank outlet, ATM, online banking, Mobile Banking etc. In this versatile scenario of functions and services, information takes a centric position and a strategic handling and available of information gets very pertinent. Lately information system has been hotly debated for being a contributory tool to amalgamate all these functions by integrating all the information and data for required authority in right time and place. Information system and banking As has been explained above information system involves people, data and procedure. For any given bank or financial institution accuracy and timely availability of information is quite challenging. Inculcation of information system and technology tend to solve the maximum of related issues and bring in efficiency in the system and added benefits to ease the line of operations. For bank, an information system execute three basic functions- It receive data from different sources as input It generates information by processing the collected data It transfers the output to the concerned authority viz. Managers, sales executive, accountant, cashier etc. Functions of Information System in Bank A few typical business processes in bank that information system coordinates are- Bank account transactions Bank loans and insurance management Business forecasts Customer credits approval and credit terms Property tax evaluation Stock transactions Financial cash flow reports The following section will elaborate application of different information system in bank operations. TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEMS Every bank tends to rely on a system that can manage and integrate its routine operations in organised manner with accuracy. Bank in its operation involves encountering with numerous customers to deal in with their payment or deposit demands. As per Ralph (2008) in absence of such systems, recording and processing of such business transaction would consume plenty of time and absorb huge amounts of organisational resources. Data thus collected through these systems also end up making valuable repositories which can later also be used in decision making. However, primary use is to satisfy customers and provide a competitive advantage by improving services and reducing costs. For the same line of functions, banks deploy many type of transaction process system in order to capture and process the data necessary to update records regarding basic functions of the bank. For instance, bank TPS systems standardise the routine work linked with general banking transactions for the handling of deposits and withdraws, cashing of cheques, ATM online banking functions and other processes. TPS can be divided in two categories based on its way to process data- Batch Processing- It suggests processing of data within the preset limits for certain period of time such as daily, weekly or monthly. A conceptual figure of Batch Processing System The above conceptual figure illustrates how the batch processes system work for a bank in processing of cheques which are collected and then processed usually over specific period of time. It incorporates following 4 steps- Gathering information of business transactions in batches which in this case is cheques Recording the information on specific files and discs in input medium Processing of transactions (cheques for this case) as per defined process i.e. after verification, checking accounts etc and updating master file, reports and a variety of documents, for example customer paycheques or invoices. Capturing and storing batches of transactions data at remote sites, and then transmitting it periodically to central computers for processing. Real-time Processing- This involves instant transaction needs such as money withdrawal from ATM or cash counter or online banking transactions. It provides a direct interface between user and TPS allowing one transaction at time with immediate results. Following figure explains how transaction process works on real-time basis. A Typical Example of Banking Transaction Process System Customer Activity System Activity Enter A/c number Verify a/c no.- acceptable or not Enter password (****) Verify the password Enter withdrawal amount Verify if the amount is within the withdrawal limits Ledger Updates the transaction in bank records Remove Receipt Money Dispense Money Issue transaction Receipt Ready for next transaction To sum up, TPS in bank incorporates 5 activities- Data entry- accounts and customers entry Transactions- bank transactions- cheques, accounts and ATM transactions etc Report and Documents processing Database and Files processing Inquiry processing- Checking balance MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS MIS helps middle level managers with reports and information that further assists them in taking unstructured decisions. TPS takes into account data entry and usual transactions but MIS generates report on how transactions are done over a period of time such as monthly or quarterly reports. This data helps business assess the performance of bank and how much business they have done. Based on the data generated, sales policy can be framed to target for next quarter. For example, a quarterly report can reflect how many new accounts have been opened and how many have been closed. If any major discrepancy is observed in these figures as compared to previous quarters reports than a manager needs to pay attention. He will have to see if this is happening due to service offered by bank or if customers are dissatisfied and displeased with bank or due to competitors or its just like that. Based on the analysis and the resulting reason, a line of action can be planned by manager to improve the performance of bank in order to attract and retain new customers. DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS Roping in around the definition given by authors like Alter (1980), Bonczek et al.( 1981), Keen and Scott-Morton (1978), DSS can be defined to be a system which- Enhances decision with data for decision makers rather than replacing them Utilises information, documents, and reports Solves problem with varying structure degrees- semi structure, unstructured Facilitates effectiveness and not efficiency in decision making process Velmurugan (2008) defines DSS as, an interactive information system that enables decisions making in unstructured or semi structured situations by facilitating information, models and data manipulation. Authors further argues that DSS method generally influences upper level management decision making with a reasonably low frequency and high potential consequences in which the time taken for thinking through and modelling the problem pays off generously in the long run. It can be differentiated with MIS on accounts that it requires a macro approach and not a target based decisions that are usually taken through MIS. As explained above that through MIS, manager can draft a sales plan to cover up falling customers for next quarter. However, with Decision Support system case is not so. It takes a broader view. If this decline in customers is observed for long term than senior management takes a note and based on reports takes a decision. It can be anything based upon the situation. For i nstance- hiring new staff or training the existing one if management thinks its due to employees inefficiency. Installation of new ATM machines if customers are withdrawing for not able to find out bank outlets. New software installation for online banking channel in case of painstaking effort that customer is facing while doing online transactions and so on. There can be number of other decisions that can be reached but everything depends on managers ability to think and to infer a decision based on the data drawn from DSS. In bank typically DSS can help in decision related to following areas- Cash management and debt planning Planning in mergers and acquisitions Capital budgeting Selecting RD project Evaluating financial risks Structuring optimal lease Financial analysis and diagnosis Real estate appraisal and investment Funding strategic product development Setting interest rates for money market deposit accounts Locating banks Managing portfolio Small business financial planning EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS Executive Information System was first introduced in 1982 (Rockart and Treacy, 1982) to illustrate the kind of systems a few senior corporate officers were using on a regular basis to access information they needed. Watson et al (1991) characterises that EIS is an information system that equips topmost management with internal and external data that contributes towards the success factors of organisation without the need of intermediaries. This data is considered as very confidential and is made available to the topmost managers only who are capable to take major decisions for business process and structure of an organisation. In a bank EIS can assist executives with financial ratios and cash flow analysis that further enhance them to plan out capital investment decision based on trends drawn from EIS reports. It involves both internal and external data that gives a large picture of scenario before executive really think to bring in a major decision in the bank. Executive information system is a responsibility-oriented medium that blends budgeting and planning with control of performance reporting, and it can be considerably helpful to finance executives. EIS aids topmost management to focus on the long term goals by curbing in current year and beyond. This allows executives to monetize and plan with a visionary approach for years to come to expand business based on current operations and future projections generated from EIS reports. It would hence not be wrong to say that EIS is a significant tool for executives to analyse financial trends, ratios and review banks performance, its competitors and market trends. . Conclusion It has been widely accepted that information system is increasingly being adopted by more and more companies to streamline their business process in systematic way. Factors such as efficiency and cost cut and time saving are being mentioned as top advantages of information system. Broadly information system is accrued with following advantages- It enables company to keep a track of strength and weaknesses with the 360 degrees assessment of reports generated for revenue, employees performance etc Trackback of customers data and their feedback is useful for organisations to reach decisions for business Streamlining of information and availability to it whenever needed helps organisation to work efficiently The above discussion clearly reflected that how information system can be implemented in an organisation (particularly bank) and how that organisation can reap in benefits out of it. The four different classes of the system were defined and their implementation in banking operations has been illustrated in detail. A bank is a place with certain predefined standards and hence accuracy to them is very pertinent. Any failure in those on behalf of employees or any other reason can cost bank heaps not only on monetary terms but on brand image also. A customer deals with bank out of trust factor only. Henceforth, a flawless technology and apt use of these different information systems at different level is very promising for bank. This paper didnt discuss the limitations which might arise but an organisation should keep a vouch upon them as ongoing process. Cultural and technological concerns are cited as most typical limitations to the information system. Despite of this bottleneck that may arise in the process of acceptance of information system, it holds tremendous potential to automate the process in business and improve the overall functionality of organisations. References Bonczek, R.H., Holsapple, C. Whinston, A.B., 1981. Foundations of Decision Support Systems, Academic Press, New York. Keen, P. G. Scott Morton, M.S., 1978. Decision support Systems: An organisational Perspective. Addison- Welson Inc. MA. Mentzas, G. (nd). Towards Intelligent Organisational Information Systems. International Journal of Information Management. 14 (6), pp. 397-410. Narayanasamy, K. Velmurugan, M.S., 2008. Application of Decision Support System in E-commerce. Communications of the IBIMA Volume 5. Ralph, M.S. Reynolds, G., 2008. Fundamentals of Information Systems. Cengage Learning. Rockart J. F. Treacy M.,1982. The CEO Goes On-line. Harvard Business Review, 60 (1) Watson, H.J. and M.M. Hill (1983) Decision Support Systems or what didnt happen with MIS, Interfaces, 13(5), pp. 81-88.

America, a Democracy? Essay -- essays research papers

America, a Democracy?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  America. What’s the first thought to come to your mind after hearing this? Democracy? Land of Rights? That would make sense. America, the land of the free. The land of opportunity. But is America really a democracy? A country for the people, by the people? To an extent, but not exactly. The people of this great country do not have unlimited rights and the freedom to do what they please. Many of the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution are being limited and slowly being taken away.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since America is such a powerful country, it follows that the United States President is one of the most powerful figures in the world. Considering the United States is a democracy, it would seem obvious that the people directly elect their leader. Wrong. The popular vote has nothing to do with the election of the president. Instead, the way the president is decided is by whichever candidate wins the most electoral votes. Each state has a certain amount of electoral votes based on the number of people in that state’s House of Representatives. In most cases, the winner of the electoral vote is also the winner of the popular vote. In a few rare cases though the winner of the popular vote lost the election. This shouldn’t be. The U.S. should have the people directly elect the president. A most recent case was the last election of 2000, Bush vs. Gore. Gore had the popular vote won by a margin...

The Plight of the Late Nineteenth Century American Farmer Essay

The Plight of the Late Nineteenth Century American Farmer From the early beginnings of America to well into the nineteenth century, America has been dominantly an agricultural country. Farming and the country life have always been a great part of the American culture. Thomas Jefferson even expressed his gratitude for the farming class by saying Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God, if ever He had a chosen people, whose breasts He, has made His peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue. The American culture was built upon farming and agriculture but since the end of the civil war and the abolition of slaves, things have changed dramatically to the American lifestyle. This time brought on the Industrial Revolution which sparked many factories and new ways of transportation across America. There were many acts passed to encourage the agricultural lifestyle still such as the Homestead Act of 1862, the Timber Culture Act of 1873, the Desert Land Act of 1877, and the Timber and Stone Act passed in 1878. As a result of these acts, farm income dropped and new machines and methods or systems to farm such as sharecropping and tenant farming became available and made it much easier to increase crop yields. The people who had the smaller farms, uncultivated land, or limited resources could not compete against the farms who were bigger, better, and more modernized with the new technology. After many people failed on the farms, they were seen heading to t...

Drugs :: essays research papers

The first time I did acid isn't the most interesting time I've done it, nor the most scary, but I guess it would still be a good read. I was going down to a friend's house on a Friday night. Everyone was planning to get majorly fucked up. A lot of people were going to do Dramamine. I read an FAQ on it, and it said if you have Asthma you shouldn't do Dramamine...and to be honest, Dramamine seemed pretty nightmarish after reading a few trip reports. So I decided to stick with something I knew: ROBO! I picked up this girl I promised to give a ride to my friend's house, and we stopped at the drug store, where I shopped for a nice bottle of Robotussin. I finally settled on generic CVS brand Robo. We hopped in the car, picked up an acquaintance of mine, Zack, and headed down to my friend's apartment. It was about an hour drive. We were all psyched because we knew we were going to be getting all fucked up that night. We listened to this local ska/punk band, Heft, and even though I felt like a dork, some Blink-182. I used to like them a lot, then they became famous, and I started feeling like a dork listening to them...I told myself that it's stupid to just not listen to things because of what other people would think though, and let myself enjoy the music. Besides, it was my tape. :) We saw this weird green lightning bolt while we were driving down. We started thinking maybe they're be a thunderstorm that night while we were all fucked up, and it would be awesome. After a little while, and a wrong turn or two, we ended up at my friend's (we'll call him Jo) apartment. Some of my friends were there already. There was P, who never does any sort of drugs...W, who always tried to get me to take acid, but i was too chicken...Jo, who owned the apartment...two girls who we'll call M and Fatty. Z was my acquaintance from the car, and H is the girl who I gave a ride down to the apartment. W told me that P was going to do Dramamine that night. That sort of worried me. P never did drugs, and I wondered if he would be ok, since the Dramamine trip reports I read seemed very disturbing.

Argumentative essay Essay

The notion of marriage as an institution which necessarily preserves the vital social values of stability, continuity and propriety, only at the cost of brutally suppressing equally powerful individual needs, naturally comes under scrutiny. During the XX century, there have been heated discussions concerning romantic love and its impact on long-lasting relations. Some people suppose that pre-arranged marriage ensures long-lasting relations based on trust and financial gain, but it is also profoundly dangerous precisely because it can release and feed as many urges as it satisfies. They state that romantic love is not a good basis for marriage. Thesis Romantic love is a good basis for marriage because it ensures warm and friendly relations between spouses; it has a positive impact on human relations and their development, and ensures loving and friendly relations with children as â€Å"product† of love. Help with Argumentative Essay. â€Å"Romantic love is not a good basis for marriage† Help with Argumentative essay. â€Å"Romantic love is not a good basis for marriage† Warm and friendly relations between spouses are the core of successful marriage and trust. When people meet an â€Å"ideal person† their mind has perceived that the situation calls for some emotional reaction. From the psychological point of view love is caused by the feeling of personal freedom and self-realization. Sexual attractiveness is closely connected with an ideal image created by a person, while the desire to have children reflects sexual affection. It is possible to say that fools fall in love because they need sexual satisfaction with an ideal person to give birth to their offspring. Marriage â€Å"is about staying in love and staying together for a lifetime despite the fact that both partners are individuals who change over time† (Marriage is Forever, 2006). The common ground between the sexes, therefore, is getting smaller, and the institution of marriage is beginning to fall to pieces if people do not understand and value each other. A woman when she marries ‘is cut off from men’s society in all but the most formal and intermittent ways. For this reason, love and friendly relations are crucial for successful marriage and happiness. Romantic love has a positive impact on human relations and their further development when love disappears. It is not a secret that many couples. Some researchers underline that love therapy is a useful tool to create or restore positive relations and family happiness. Jennifer Chalmers comments that â€Å"The topic of creating and sustaining the feeling of love was  never discussed in any of the marriage-related workshops that I attended, but the issues [discussed] were not intended to help couples create the feeling of love† (Chalmers, 2006). The author gives special detailed attention to the difficulty which can follow elderly couples, but she underlines that love can be recreated in order to save marriage. In this case, love comes from overcoming the barrier by sharing feelings and comforts. Also, when love disappears, people still bond to each other leaving no space for anger and despair (Wilding, 2003). Divorce is the institution, the ‘custom’, which enables private life to adjust to the pressures of the market, and divorce is the ideal solution for pre-arranged couples without love (Knapp, Stearns, 1993). On the hand, there is little research which could help to indicate that love actually produce real, live marriages among the poor. Romantic love is the main power which forces people to have a family and give birth. To give birth and to become a parent is a natural wish of nearly every person. For this reason, a male or female chooses a healthy and strong, beautiful and successful person for reproduc ­tion. It is an instruct feeling to choose a partner, but it causes falling in love. Every person wants to have good children, and for this reason he/she chooses a â€Å"special† person. Bonding comes with the shared activity afterward, in which people learn about each other through co-operation. Trust emerges not just with sex, but also with shared activity through which people bond by learning to trust each other. Romantic love is a good basis for marriage because it supports an instinct or desire to give birth. It is based on the evolutionary success of pair bonding as a reproduc ­tive strategy. This cause is closely connected with sexual attractiveness, but it has different stimuli (Sternberg, Barnes, 1989). Love as care does not refer to an emotion or a state of mind so much as to a human faculty of identification with others, sympathy with all beings. Also, love is a basis for intimate relations and sexuality. Following O’Sullivan love â€Å"enhances our well-being, improves the quality of our lives, and helps us to prevail over difficult times. Those living without intimate relationships are at risk† (O’Sullivan, 2004, p. 71). In addition, for most couples, sympathetic and compassionate relations help to overcome life grievances and troubles they face. The most appealing feature of romantic love is firm personal standards applied to everything around people. Love is  eternal value which can lead to sufferings, but it does not influence the essence of human existence.

Smoking Speech

Hi, the topic that I have chosen for my speech is â€Å"that smoking causes death† well that’s a pretty boring topic right . I’m going to be talking about the main effects, how many people die each year things like that. So do you want to die before reaching the age of 30? 1. Smoking has a massive effect on health; smoking causes around 5000 deaths in New Zealand each year. 1. 3 billion people smoke around the world. Smoking causes 1 in 4 cancer deaths in New Zealand including cancers in the lung, mouth and throat which is where the smokes goes.When you breathe smoke, the smoke goes into your lungs and stars putting black tar into your lungs. This means it is harder to breath and your heart has to pump harder to get the oxygen around your body. That is bad for your heart. 2. Smoking is so dangerous why don't people stop? Stopping is more difficult than starting. Nicotine is addictive this means that the nicotine in the cigarettes makes you want more and more and you can't stop you keep wanting cigarettes. So you keep on buying more smokes and waste a lot of money.Even people who don't smoke may be killed by other people's smoking. Around 350 New Zealanders are killed each year because of second hand smoking. 3. Everyday in Britain about 450 children start smoking, 1 in 4 who turn into regular smokers by the age of 15. Would you want your child to become addicted to smoking? Cigarettes smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals and 69 are known to cause cancer. Why is smoking so harmful? 1. Nicotine: is a highly addictive drug, which stimulates the nervous system. 2.Tar: is a Sticky substance contains many toxic chemicals and causes cancer. The number of smoke related deaths is also equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing everyday of the year! That is about 330 people each day, 120 thousand people every year. In 1994 over 1154 million cigarettes were smoked by 11 to 15 year olds. 30% of all cancer deaths are because of smoking. In conclusion I think tha t smoking does cause death and I hope you agreed with me. So be wise and don’t chose to walk the smokers path, thank you for listening and hoped you enjoyed my speech.

My place: My space

This world is definitely made up of mild illusions that we are still living harmoniously with each other and with our environment. We have come to this age where society is not reaching to people in human forms anymore. Human interaction emerges over the net’s immense capacity. We are in dire need of a fulfilling social interaction. What we have are lots of electronic chat and message board’s trash with no honest emotional interconnections to serve feelings and sharing real experiences itself be it pain or joy. We all have the compassion to share what we feel and radiate inner happiness to other people who are in search for even one friend to understand their world, this world and them. Living in a fast paced society, in a fast paced world, makes adults and youth evolve to unlimitedly cope up the pressures of work, environment, social interaction stratification, family, and technology. Sadly, adult’s priority listing serves to cope up on everything where they can gain advantage especially monetary ones living family relationships concept behind. The idea might be challenging but simply exhilarating! I feel the need to do my thing amidst the complexities of my environment and human nature. There is something I have to catch on in this world – a need to catch me. Dare ask the question of meaning: Are people losing themselves to the black hole of their own creativity? We perform what we seek and in the process of achieving lose a part of ourselves and buried a lot of relationships therein, but to whose gain? My bedroom is the only place in this world where I can express myself be it art, poetry, speech writing, and reading. My computer is in my bedroom and it does a lot of things for me to serve my personal interest of relaxation, my music, my DVD’s, and my passion work at home academic writing and research. My bedroom is my place giving me my space from an infinite battle of articulating progress and pace. The place to spend one’s time to regenerate youth and vigor does not only mean costly trips to beauty spas and saloons. It also mandates comfort and convenience in experiencing freedom of doing the things you love thus making it your very own passion and inspiration to be the person you really wanted to be without catering illusions. Just plain me and my unique characteristic of enjoying the art of being alone without the presence of friends and other people engaging me into general discussions and afterwards ends up telling me what to do. This is rather a contrary to the kind of empathy and intellectual responses I expect out of human interactions. Replenishing my energy and recovering my perspective in life through music and meditations makes me feel whole and refresh upon completion of the task. My bedroom is the only place in the world that respects my privacy and guess I can say I am in-charge here without unwanted interference. Reflections of the day’s events will start to show dramatically in a series of replays in my mind. This is a kind of a rain check that serves to gauge how well we perform as a person. We do not need to check work performance in our quiet moments, we have our company’s performance appraisal forms for that. We practically needed moral updates to determine if the world has not influence us as it pushes to affect our views and inner perspectives. Sometimes when we need to cry and reach out to our inner self out of sorrow and deep frustrations, we can easily bump our head on our soft pillows without letting others see off poised drama performance. People could be so disappointing when no matter how hard you try to explain things and discuss the subject eye-to-eye still their heads are in parallel run on to something that is clamoring to their own thoughts and conclusion. It is an amazing art of listening that’s not really hearing what they listened since they weren’t able to get the meaning of what you have been telling them. It is a kind of a frustratingly off course discussion. They convincingly believed themselves to be authorities on any topic which make them tend to talk more and give advices that form as a pressing order rather than consoling. My frustrations would make me want to let that voice in me get out and be heard, but on what form? I write and reach out to myself in my bedroom. When everything else is still and quiet, it is easier to reach to the supernatural in us and feel the beating of our hearts while meditating. I seek my strength in my inner world because if I seek my strength from the support of other people then I will have no strength at all. Only faith can continuously support to carry us with our burden. Our constant fellowship with God must never be taken for granted in the entirety of human evolution. It seems that the world has been so busy and so filled with science that they forget the genesis of life. Witnessing further how science, social stratification, position and wealth accumulation has lead man far from the candor of God. It seems to deliberately change a person to another form of being yet filled with emptiness in his entirety. We forget the meaning and we find ourselves empty and continuously making a detour with our concept on life ideologies. People could frantically worry about on a lot of things and work. They can be a member of any group or belong to any aspired circle of friends. One could be so successful but still lonely and devoid of happiness like our super action heroes and blatantly blonde actresses. It is because each of us needed to find time for ourselves, to find ourselves, to find God, and regain a better perspective in life. My bedroom gives it all, creativeness, wholeness, authority, comfort, and satisfaction to my passion in writing. Â   Â  

Tsar Nicholas Ii

Nicholas II abdicated the throne in 1917 up until then, the Russian Royal family had ruled for over three hundred years. Throughout this period, they faced many problems and uneasy predicaments, a lot of these centering on Nicholas II as Tsar. A combination of long and short-term problems led to the decline and eventual fall of the Romanov dynasty. Tsar Nicholas II ignored these issues, staying true to his coronation vow to uphold Autocracy, and therefore played a critical role in the plummet of the Empire. A flaw in Tsar Nicholas II Autocratic style of ruling was his conflicting personality.He was a family orientated man, and they often took priority over ruling and looking after his country especially his son, Alexei who suffered severely from Hemophilia which consumed most of him, and his wife, Tsarina Alexandra’s time caring for him. Another flaw in his personality was that he required absolute power and that all decisions were to be made by The Tsar himself. He was blind to the political and social realities of his expansive and diverse empire. These aspects were key components in Nicholas II role in the fall of The Romanov Dynasty.Due to Tsar Nicholas II failure to address economic and social grievances, Russia was in a state of unease, regularly holding strikes to express their grievances. One of their main concerns was the effect of industrialization. Even though Russia ranked fifth among the industrial nations of the world in terms of industrial productions, the conditions of the workers were bad. Their wages were low, their working hours were long and their living conditions were intolerable – crowded together in barrack with no healthy and sanitary facilities.As well as enduring poor living conditions at home, the conditions in the factories were not of higher quality. Due to the many years of oppression, the workers demanded change from the Tsar and became crucial elements in the downfall of the Empire. Many critical events occurred in 1905 including the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) caused by territorial disputes, due to this war, Russia suffered a series of humiliating defeats and a large number of casualties. In addition to this things on the home front weren’t too pleasant either, trade with ther countries slowed, food prices climbed, and many people were at the point of starvation. Russia was forced to surrender to Japan. Another turning event in 1905 was intentionally peaceful rally led by George Gapon in order to settle disputes, which turned into the massacre of over 100 workers and wounded over 300. In August of 1905 Nicholas II pledged to introduce basic civil liberties, which provided the State Duma with Legislative powers, however this did not last long as Nicholas II was determined to retain his autocratic rule, and so he issued â€Å"Fundamental Laws† denying the Duma Responsible Government.These incidents signaled the start of the 1905 revolution and thus, the fall of the Romanov Dynas ty. On August 1st 1914 Germany declared war on Russia. On this announcement Russia swiftly advanced into Germany through East Prussia. Early military disasters such as the defeats at Masurian Lakes and Tannebugurg weakened the Russian Army considerably in these initial stages of War. These losses were large in military and money, putting great strain in its already crumbling system.In September 1915, Tsar Nicholas II assumed the foremost role in the military – The commander-in-chief, this was an ill-judged decision on Nicholas II part, as he had no military training whatsoever and his departure from St Petersburg leaving his wife, Tsarina Alexandra essentially in control of Russia. And increasingly unpopular decision, on account of Alexandra being of German heritage, and as a result of the war, the Russian people detested everything German, and believed Alexandra was a spy for Germany.The Russian people also resented the influence Gregory Rasputin had over Alexandra, The peop le viewed him as immoral and he brought huge disrepute on the Romanov family. The impacts of The War placed an unbearable on Russia’s weak government and economy, the improper handling of these affairs turned the people against the Tsar and the growth of political opposition to the Tsar – a direct link in the downfall of the empire. The effects of World War One on Russia were profound.Russia’s once remarkable financial stability was demolished by the War, the disruption of their transport system, the shortage in food supplies and the rapidly rising price in supplies created a foundation for a revolution, and also, a considerable loss in confidence of the Tsar. On the 23rd February, International Women’s Day, the women of Petrograd led a riot through the workers districts. They were fed up with waiting for bread, often waiting outside bakeries overnight to be first in line.This chaotic riot turned into a revolution when chief of the military district, Gene ral Khabalov when he ordered his troops to fire on the unarmed crowds â€Å"The chief of the military district, General Khabalov, could not cope with the situation. † The turning point of this situation was after the General issued his orders, his army refused to fire upon the thousands of protestors. Nicholas the II knew he had no choice but to abdicate the throne – and he did.On the 15th March 1917 Tsar Nicholas II abdicated his throne. In conclusion, the decline and fall of the Romanov Dynasty was a culmination of numerous events, flaws and disputed opinions, Tsar Nicholas II being the focal point in the vast majority of these problems. Nicholas Romanov was the last Tsar of Russia, his inability to attend to his country’s need and fully carryout his obligations, lead to political and unrest and the growth of revolutionary ideas resulting in the fall of the Romanov family.