Rates of Divorce Have Risen Significantly in Western Countries Essay Example for Free

Rates of Divorce Have Risen Significantly in Western Countries Essay In the last 20 years, rates of divorce have risen significantly in Western countries. Critically analyse some of the different explanations given for this phenomenon. In your discussion you should consider what implications these explanations might have for social policy. For this essay I would focus on why rates of divorce have increased in Western countries. To answer this question, I would give my own critical explanation, focusing on what I know from experience are the reasons why couples choose to divorce. I would then interview a number of divorced people I know asking them what the reasons were for the breakdown of their marriage. I would then consider current social policies relating to divorce and find out how well the people I interview have coped since they were divorced. If a couple decides to divorce, a number of major transitions of lifestyle and outlook have to be made. A series of interviews which Robert Weiss carried out with divorced men and women in the US showed a definite trajectory of divorce (Weiss, 1976). Women suffer from a divorce far more than men on an economic level, but the process of psychological and social adjustment seems similar for both sexes. In the majority of instances Weiss studied, the respect and liking a couple may have felt for one another disappears some while before they separate. At the same time, a sense of being bound emotionally to the other person persists. Thus even though a couple may row bitterly just before parting, they tend to experience what Weiss calls separation distress. The sudden absence of the spouse creates feelings of anxiety and panic. A minority of individuals however have an opposite experience a feeling of euphoria in response to being free and able to deal with their lives on their own.

Moral Frameworks of Terrorists

Moral Frameworks of Terrorists This paper discusses, with reference to two examples, whether terrorists can appeal to a consistent moral framework. Terrorism can be, and indeed, most usually is defined in the literature, as a strategy of violence that is designed to promote a desired outcome through instilling fear in the public at large. There are, however, disagreements amongst many academics, from political science, law and human rights analysts, as to the definition of terrorism that should be used in practice, as some academics argue that the motives that fuel some terrorists are politically valid. The definition of terrorism currently in use by the UN is, â€Å"any act†¦intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organisation to do, or abstain from doing, any act.† (Annan, 2005). Regardless of the particular definition of terrorism that is employed, terrorist acts are generally defined through their violence, the psychological impact of the act, the political goal of the act and the fact that they are usually perpetrated against civilians, or non-combatants. Obviously, as a result of these factors, terrorism is regarded, everywhere, as unlawful and an illegitimate means of achieving the ends that are sought, but as the famous saying goes, â€Å"one man’s terrorism is another man’s freedom fighter†. Recent events have brought this to the fore, with the war in Afghanistan bringing back many memories for the United States government, who supported the Afghan Mujahideen as ‘freedom fighters’ during the United States war with the Soviet Union, but recently, the United States government branding breakaway Afghan groups as terrorists, and launching a war in Afghanistan to stop them in their terrorist acts. Nelson Mandela, ex-Preside nt of South Africa, and Nobel Laureate, was once branded a terrorist and was imprisoned for decades for his terrorist acts; a definition for terrorism, and the word terrorist thus seems to be flexible, depending on the political context and the aims that are trying to be achieved by the people supporting the country in which the terrorist is present. What is certain, however, is that the people committing the stated acts of terrorism wholly believe in what they are fighting to achieve, and, as such, construct some sort of moral framework to justify their actions and their beliefs. This paper is interested in how and why these frameworks are constructed and whether terrorists can ever appeal to a consistent moral framework for their actions. As Bandura (1990) argues, terrorists are able to morally disengage through many psychological routes, and, as such, it is a societal responsibility to ensure civilised conduct through social systems which uphold compassionate behaviour and which denounce, and renounce, cruelty in any form. As Bandura (1990) argues, moral standards do not function as fixed internal regulators of conduct, but rather, self-regulatory mechanisms do not engage until they are activated, and there are many ways in which these regulatory mechanisms can be disengaged, allowing the emergence of different types of conduct with the same moral standards. Bandura (1990) further argues that political diversity and the toleration of public expressions of scepticism create the conditions that allow the emergence of challenges to suspect moral appeals, such that if societies are to safeguard against the occurrence of terrorism, they must establish social safeguards against the misuse of institutional justificatory pow ers for ends which are exploitative and destructive. As such, Bandura (1990) seems to be arguing that it is the fault of the state, which has not ensured a proper, functioning, framework for the non-appearance of terrorism, which allows terrorism to grow, not that terrorists themselves are at fault. This type of argument does not require an appeal to moral consistency or moral frameworks on the part of the terrorist, but rather argues that terrorists are a product of a dysfunctional society, which is responsible for the appearance of terrorists. Further to this, Atram (2006) concludes that suicide terrorism cannot be explained by a single political root cause, such as the presence of foreign military forces or the absence of democracy, as other factors such as psychological motivations, or religious inspirations can also contribute to the desire to undertake terrorist acts. As Atram (2006) argues, any simplistic accounts of terrorism, why it happens and what leads people to become terrorists, are bound to failure as terrorists have underlying moral values and group dynamics which are complex themselves and also intertwined in a complex manner. Only when these root causes are fully understood by decision-makers will organisational and ideological solutions that could defuse the threat of terrorism be found (Atram, 2006). As such, as Atram (2006) argues, terrorists have a consistent moral framework within which they work, allowing them to unilaterally act, in concert, to achieve their ends. There have been many terrorist acts in recent history, including the Munich massacre in 1972, during the Olympic Games, bombing of flights including Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, gas attacks in Tokyo, bombing campaigns in Ireland by the IRA, the 9/11 attacks on the United States and, following this, the Bali bombings, the London and Madrid bombings. Terrorism is a tactic that has been used for a long time to achieve political ends, but it has recently come to the fore through the massive loss of life in the 9/11 bombings, and the subsequent wars, as this was an attack against the currently most powerful nation on Earth, on home soil, killing thousands of innocents. Terrorism, as a political tool, has therefore come to be used almost as a daily term, in the media, by academics, in family homes, and, indeed, the populace is scared, perhaps by hyper coverage of terrorism in the media, perhaps by the attacks themselves, but, for whatever reason, the populace is scared, and so the ter rorists are winning, under the definitions of terrorism which have been discussed herein. The current paper will discuss two examples of terrorist groups in order to assess the moral framework to which they adhere, to assess whether this framework is consistent, and, if, indeed, it can ever be argued that terrorists can appeal to a consistent moral framework. Colombia has been involved in what is termed an ‘armed struggle’ for the past four decades, since the death of Gaitan in the 1960s, when the FARC and the ELN were founded, ironically, as a call to stop La Violencia which had begun following Gaitan’s death. At this time, these two guerrilla groups campaigned for peace, for free elections and for the return of a leftist government. The FARC and the ELN have, however, in recent decades, become embroiled in the drugs trade, gaining money through the drugs trade in order to fund their ‘war’ on the Colombian government, and their fight for peace in Colombia. In response to this, it is known that the current administration funded paramilitary groups to fight against the guerrillas[1], although the paramilitary groups have themselves become embroiled in the drugs trade and are known to have committed acts of terrorism against civilians and non-combatants, such that there is now a war between the guerrillas an d the paramilitaries. Thus, the situation in Colombia is extremely complex. FARC and ELN guerrillas began with the stated aim of returning Colombia to peace, through the instigation of free elections, seeking a solid political end to La Violencia. Their moral framework was just that: a moral framework through which they were seeking to return Colombia to some semblance of normality. However, as we have seen, and because it is so easy, in a country where it is so difficult to earn a living any other way, the guerrilla groups became embroiled in the drugs trade, and, as such, their moral framework for committing terrorist acts has changed, and indeed, the way in which they commit their terrorist acts has changed, with IRA terrorists training the guerrillas in bombing tactics, and these being used on Colombian military targets, unfortunately to great effect, with the concomitant loss of many lives. Thus, the Colombian case is extremely complex, with guerrilla groups starting out with mainly political aims, b ut with these same groups now largely fighting to retain control of their share of the drugs trade, causing armed combat between members of these guerrilla groups and government-backed paramilitaries whenever they come in to contact. Thus, the FARC and the ELN, although they started out as political terrorists are now seen as groups which use their skills to dominate the drugs trade, through the taking of national territory and the submission of hundreds of thousands of farmers in the regions in which they hold territory. The moral framework that these terrorist groups adhere to has, therefore, firstly, radically changed over the period of activity, and has taken a far less ‘helpful’ turn, in terms of terrorising a whole country and causing problems for Colombia in terms of international relations, economic development and human rights issues. The FARC and ELN, if they adhere to any framework at all, for their actions, certainly cannot argue that this framework is in any way moral and it certainly has not been consistent. As such, for these groups of terrorists, who literally hold a country to ransom, there can be no argument of a consistent moral framework that is in place, and there can be no argum ent for the existence of any consistent moral framework for the human rights abuses they cause and the economic and political havoc they create for Colombia. The next terrorist group we shall look at is the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) of Peru, which was formed as a political guerrilla group, in response to Peru’s military dictatorship, with the stated aim of achieving free elections within Peru and placing a communist party in control of Peru, through the Pensamiento Gonzalo ideology (named after the thinking of Guzman, the Shining Path’s leader). The Shining Path took to violent means as a way of achieving its stated aims, and, indeed, is known to be responsible for some of the worst massacres in Peruvian history, with Peru’s human rights record being atrocious, on account of the atrocities committed by the Shining Path. The Shining Path seized control of large areas of Peru, but their communist ideas were never popular with the Peruvian populace, and so their guerrilla war began to lose support and its base began to falter. The Shining Path support fell dramatically following Guzman’s capture in 1992, and the capture of his successor several years later, with its successor movement, Proseguir, having very few supporters and arguing mainly for the release of former Shining Path members. In terms of the moral framework of the Shining Path, their aims were very clear and political in scope, although the situation was complicated as Fujimori, the Peruvian Prime Minister at the time, branded anyone who spoke against the government a terrorist (see Burt, 2006). Even though the Shining Path were obviously terrorists who, it has been proven, were responsible for many civilian deaths, the Shining Path had a consistent moral framework to which they subscribed and which dictated their actions: the installation of communism within Peru. This framework was the reason for the establishment of the group, and was consistent across the time during which the Shining Path was active within Peru. Thus, in this guerrilla group, unlike in the guerrilla groups active in Colombia, the moral framework for the Shining Path’s actions was very clear and fixed, and consistent across the history of the Shining Path. We have therefore discussed two cases, of three guerrilla groups, two in Colombia, one in Peru, two of which (the FARC and the ELN) have evolved in their ideology and moral framework as they moved through time, and one of which (the Shining Path) had a consistent moral framework in place for their actions, which informed, supported and dictated their actions in terms of achieving their stated aims (i.e., the installation of communism within Peru). Thus, terrorists, and terrorist groups, as we have seen in the case of the FARC and ELN, can evolve and change, in terms of their aims and their objectives, and the means used to achieve these aims. As such, their moral frameworks also change and move with the new orientation. Under this analysis, it is implicit that terrorists have a moral conscience, that although this moral conscience allows them to commit acts that are considered terrorist acts by society, they do have a moral conscience, and one that can be called upon to support their objectives and their aims, and which can be used as a way of justifying any terrorist acts that they commit. As we have seen, as Atram (2006) concludes, the emergence of terrorism cannot be explained by a single political root cause, such as the presence of foreign military forces or the absence of democracy, as other factors such as psychological motivations, or religious inspirations can also contribute to the desire to undertake terrorist acts. As Atram (2006) argues, any simplistic accounts of terrorism, why it happens and what leads people to become terrorists, are bound to failure as terrorists have underlying moral values and group dynamics which are complex themselves and also intertwined in a complex manner. On ly when these root causes are fully understood by decision-makers will organisational and ideological solutions that could defuse the threat of terrorism be found (Atram, 2006). As such, as Atram (2006) argues, terrorists have a consistent moral framework within which they work, allowing them to unilaterally act, in concert, to achieve their ends. Thus, the FARC and the ELN, and the Shining Path, although, as we have seen, they have, and continue to, commit terrorist acts, they can call upon a moral framework for these acts, in terms of having justifiable reasons for their objectives and aims, and the way in which these objectives are achieved, such that these acts are perpetuated under what they consider to be a moral framework. That the rest of society does not see this framework as moral, under normal societal definitions of moral, is beyond them, beyond their understanding for, as Bandura (1990) argues, moral standards do not function as fixed internal regulators of conduct, but rather, self-regulatory mechanisms do not engage until they are activated, and there are many ways in which these regulatory mechanisms can be disengaged, allowing the emergence of different types of conduct with the same moral standards. This paper has discussed the issue of whether terrorists can appeal to a consistent moral framework. As we have seen, there are many definitions of terrorism in use in the literature, as there are disagreements as to the definition of terrorism[2], as some academics argue that the motives that fuel some terrorists are politically valid. Indeed, ‘terrorist’ and ‘terrorism’ seem to have been, and be, somewhat flexible terms, depending on the political affiliation of the terrorist/terrorist act; many people would call the acts committed by the Israeli’s against the Palestinians, for example, terrorist acts, but these seem to be supported by the United States government, as Israel is currently one of the highest recipients of United States foreign aid. Similarly, as we have seen, Nelson Mandela, ex-President of South Africa, and Nobel Laureate, was once branded a terrorist and was imprisoned for decades for his terrorist acts; a definition for terrorism, and the word terrorist thus seems to be flexible, depending on the political context and the aims that are trying to be achieved by the people supporting the country in which the terrorist is present. Although the word ‘terrorist’ and the term ‘terrorism’ are open to interpretation, by politicians, and under international law, as we have seen[3], terrorists do subscribe to what they consider to be a moral framework for their objectives, and to support their acts to achieve these objectives. As we have seen from the two examples used here, these moral frameworks can stay static throughout the history of the terrorist group (as with the Shining Path) or can change over time in response to external factors or political events (as with the FARC and the ELN). Thus, the issue of whether terrorists can appeal to a consistent moral framework, I will argue, is valid: indeed, although this framework may be seen as amoral by the rest of society, the terrorist defines their objectives as moral, under a moral framework, which for them is consistent in terms of leading to desired objectives. Whether this framework is consistent across time is a matter for discussion, f or, as we have seen, some terrorist groups find their objectives changing with shifting external circumstances, and, as such, their framework, whilst remaining internally morally consistent, in terms of the objectives, is not externally consistent over time. As Atram (2006) argues, terrorists have a consistent moral framework within which they work, allowing them to unilaterally act, in concert, to achieve their ends: it is this framework which allows them to function, as a unit, in order to achieve their aims and objectives. References Annan, K., 2005. Larger Freedom. Speech given to the United Nations at the Security Council Meeting on 17th March 2005. Atram, S., 2006. The moral logic and growth of suicide terrorism. The Washington Quarterly 29(2), pp.127-147. Bandura, A., 1990. Mechanisms of moral disengagement. In Reich, W. (ed.), Origins of terrorism: psychologies, ideologies, theologies, states of mind (pp.161-191). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Burt, J-M., 2006. Quien habla es terrorista: the political use of fear in Fujimori’s Peru. Latin American Research Review 41(3), pp.32-62. Saul, B., 2006. Two justifications for terrorism: a moral legal response. Foreign Policy in Focus, FPIF Policy Report. January 10th 2006. Available from http://www.fpif.org/pdf/papers/0601justifications.pdf Accessed on 30th April 2007. 1 Footnotes [1] As part of their efforts to secure, and retain, money from the United States, through their War on Drugs programme. [2] Although, as we have seen, the definition of terrorism currently in use by the UN is, â€Å"any act†¦intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organisation to do, or abstain from doing, any act.† (Annan, 2005). This definition is also used by the International Criminal Court, and by most human rights lawyers who are involved in prosecuting terrorist acts. [3] with, as we have seen, for example, the war in Afghanistan bringing back many memories for the United States government, who supported the Afghan Mujahideen as ‘freedom fighters’ during the United States war with the Soviet Union, but recently, the United States government branding breakaway Afghan groups as terrorists, and launching a war in Afghanistan to stop them in their terrorist acts.

Language Barriers In Global Advertising Cultural Studies Essay

Language Barriers In Global Advertising Cultural Studies Essay Strategic advertising and marketing of recent years are not now same for each continent and country, but it started to change. Today, it is common to enhance a uniform strategy to be employed globally. Therefore, this enhancement recommends that the periodically issue of cultural changes have been obviously broken. The good side of international advertising is the creation of a integrated brand that can be known at everywhere, regardless the language it might be used. Some instances of those global brands are; Culture is a broad topic which includes everything from socially spread behavior, arts, beliefs, tradition, education and thought. It is obvious that there are going to be vital cultural differences regarding the different historical base of country. There are three main topics for culture that have normally been cited to wrong interpretations and social mistakes. Indeed if we list them: religion, sex and language spoken. Religion, is a subject most people would exactly not try to debate with a foreigner. Some changes in mind according to worship and the traditions related in it can spark some controversy. Furthermore, the persist pressure to rise the population of the value is a factor to religion being a general subject that invites social mistake and misjudge. Therefore, it is so hard to demand an international advertising promotion on a religious product without leading to protests or rumors. Cultural changes regarding gender are recognized to nearly all societies. (Gilly 1988, p .76) by the thought of advertising, it is essential to connect sex to language because language make human reality solid. 1.2 Language: Root cultural barrier Despite there are broadly spoken languages in the world like Spanish, English and Chinese, the challenge of language as a cultural obstacle is still. Being the main vehicle of expression, language becomes the root cultural barrier that differs people from one field to another. Since language is important in advertising, it is noted that the specific use of words make or cut the efficiency of a promotion. 1.3 Tackling the language barrier When designing a worldwide advertising campaign, the most important thing that international companies should remember is to decide whether they will create a standardized campaign or make varied advertisements for select countries. Language is always a key element in discussing standardization. There are cases where all the execution elements of a worldwide campaign are the same except for the language. But this is not a common scenario because most advertisers agree that the message becomes more effective when put in the vernacular instead of one standardized language. Furthermore, they also use standardization in almost all key elements more than their non-Western counterparts. (p.64) With the results of this particular study, one can say that the trend today leans toward standardizing language less since all the top agencies originate from the West. 2. MEDIA LIMITATIONS Commercial media is another effective effect on international advertisement.   Media might reduce the effects of advertising set of plan and might push the firms to underline the other aspects of promotional mixture. A firms ability to create is basically challenged while a television advertisement is restricted to ten showing one year without two exposal nearer than ten days. Advertisers affect what sort of story is interpreted. More effective, advertisements themselves form peoples opinions of the world. They are a spreading source of unreality, encouraging lack of security and movement of buyers. There are of course number of issues with the intense media. But some of the media are much better than others, judged by the criteria of accuracy, quality and independence of special interests. Most media critics seem to believe that it is possible to promote and develop enlightened, responsive, truly educative mass media. Efforts at reform can be worthwhile, but have intrinsic limits. The issues are not with media in common, but with media, namely those media that are produced by relatively few people compared to the number who receive them. Most large newspapers, radio and television stations suitable for this description. Mass media by their nature give power to a few and offer little scope for participation by the vast majority. 2.1 The power of the mass media is corrupting. The sole unexpected thing is how responsible some of the broad media are. Given the corruptions of power, revolution of the broad media, beside useful, should not be the target. Instead, the purpose should be to occupy widely media by communication systems that are more open to participation. If we focus on the usual approaches we can outline that most analyses of the media presume that there are just two options, both, state control or a free market. The problem with control by the government is that control is from a centre based. The media of military regimes and bureaucratic socialist states are infamous with their censorship. The supporters of the free market dispute that state-owned media, or narrow regulations, are noxious even in liberal democracies. The issue with free market media is that they give only a so restricted freedom, namely freedom for wide media firms and other dynamic corporate interests. Everyone is free to own a publishing company or television station. The primary issue seen as adopting a global strategy is: It is really hard for firms, especially in deeply centralized businesses, to manage all the activities of various of broadly scattered international applications. 2) The organization has to continue existing communication between headquarters and the auxiliaries. 3) When held to an intense, worldwide technique ends in a lack of reaction quality and flexibility in particular market aimed. 4) Regional leaders who are passed of self independence on their country operations might be down and cause a lack of organizational courage.(Hills, Gerald E, 1997) 3 CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS In the international area, understanding and identifying cultural distinct may make a huge change between successful business negotiations and mortifying rejections. International business communication plays a main role in this, while understanding how to communicate through what they are talking about as view is a big advantage. Every culture has their own way of saying things, what may not be offending to you may be offending to them. International business communication is all about knowing the important thing that lies behind peoples words in the international arena. International business communication is communicating across cultures and the first thing we have to keep in mind is the basic understanding that one size does not fit all. Keeping in mind that the cultural traditions or habits we have does not mean that everyone else around the world does. As it is said, When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Culture is the different ways in which people act, or consider towards themselves, families, and other people in the community. It involves traditions related with social, political, family, and religious values. Differences must be identified and recognized to bridge the gaps between cultures and for real communication to take place. Some of the effective international business communication guidelines that may help you swing that deal are: Non-verbal and Verbal behavior Each language have their own linguistic choices, and those choice help us giving clues about the specific cultures the way to act, manners, and considering. The English people use modesty and understatement, and are sometimes deliberately unclear to avoid confrontation and so kind. Oratory, expressiveness, and flowery of words are most general among Italians and the Spanish, Germans and also are so reasonable in manner. Knowing what people mean when they say yes is very important; it may mean yes, I understand but not yes, I agree. Gestures Gestures consists sensitivity and mindfulness, as gestures that are not violating to you might be so violating to the other, as in the case of indicating someone to come, some would hold out their hand with the palm up and then move the fingers gesturing the person to come. In Asian culture however, this kind of gesture is considered offensive. To gesture someone to come in Asian culture should be done with the palm facing down and then rolling the fingers. 3.1 Relationship between Culture and Advertising Advertising is thought to act as a mirror reflecting culture by transferring current cultural meanings (McCracken 1986).  By rephrasing, advertisements are taken in consideration as a model of social communication that influence the cultural values of a society (Khairullah 1995).  Meantime, advertising makes and builds new type of cultural values and meanings by affecting group identities and reinforcing stereotypes.  Therefore advertising is not sole affected by cultural values moreover behaves as an agent affecting cultural values.  Since a marketing concept, advertisers have been more fascinated in the influences of culture on buyers reaction to advertising. People prefer to live in their cultural restrictions; for instance, people have their own cultural values and norms, which affect the way they consider, feel and behave.  People in the same ethnic groups have same tendency to share the language, traditions and values,.  These shared values like culture influence peoples cognitive (beliefs and motives), affective (emotion and attitude) and behavioural (purchase and consumption) processes. Regarding this idea of advertising as a mirror, cultural values and standards are implanted in ads in such a way that consumers can see themselves and identify with the characters in the ads and feel affinity with the brands (Hong, Muderrissoglu and Zinkhan 1987).  Therefore, cultural distinctiveness in the world influences how ethnic buyers consider and acknowledge advertising messages. PART -B- 4 HIGH CONTEXT AND LOW CONTEXT COMMUNICATION Nowadays business relations, world is small. Since so many companies turn to worldwide markets, workers are finding themselves in foreign locales, dealing as never before. Nevertheless, the main thing to efficient communication for countries is an understanding of each others culture, tradition, as a working knowledge of how each society passes meaning. It is first used by author Edward Hall, the expressions high context and low context are categorises explaining inherent cultural distinctiveness between communities. High-context and low-context communication aims implying to how much speakers depend on things other than words to pass meaning. In every culture, members are supplied with particular filters that let them to concentrate sole on what community has considered significantly. Mainly, cultures that refer low-context communication will have to pay more attention to the literal meanings of words than to the context surrounding them. International advertising has gone a quite long way with combining different ties and breaking distinct borders over the world. The awareness of a product if they are placed in an area far from home, suddenly point efficiency and value. By the thought of occuring a global village with the exceeded products the world has to suggest, worldwide advertising has well worked with media in making this real. Nevertheless, cultural obstacles are still in place across the world. An opinion of a woman in Turkey cannot be same as a woman in the United Kingdom or the one from Kenya. By language as the main tool for explaining these opinions, worldwide advertising has a hard way of contending with those cultural differences due to many physical differences in language and its different interpretations. Therefore, a study has reached the conclusion that beside standardization was put to affect, sole execution and strategy are nearly all the time standardized. Language, what is thought a separate aspect, still balances the line. This outline, that it is a main belief that languages are still a hurdle that can obstruct the efficiency of a message. The numerous interpretations that can be gathered will reduce the single push that the product needs to advertise. Nevertheless, there are styles in advertising that can receive a message without the words used. Language can either be a obstruction and a tool, it is how one is going to use it what is going to decide its aim. As worldwide advertising points to promote a good that can keep busy peoples minds and affect consumer behaviors, international advertisement campaigns have to be straight forward and easy to help message of the product philosophy is not going to be lost in translation, so to speak. Understanding the cultures and their differences is primary thing in Inter cultural communication. There are various factors in communication like time, social framework and non-verbal communication. Communication itself is an exchange of information between senders and receivers, and thus, people easily refer it as a simple matter. However, communication is very complex and high-technological context to understand and to use. This complex context becomes more difficult when culture is involved. Different cultures have different ways to communicate, and by understanding how these cultures communicate, effective inter-cultural communication can be achieved.  

Seagrams Essay -- Business Management

Edgar Bronfman’s value system is in jeopardy of not being sustained due to his failure to fully transition from charismatic to instrumental leadership as evidenced by the employee questions following the values program training. Analysis Seagram’s is currently undergoing strategic, anticipatory changes in the company’s value system to competitively reposition the company to take advantage of future growth opportunities, diversify the company globally, effectively manage business processes, and increase profits. Bronfman has successfully guided the development and introduction of this new value system. However, Seagram’s is lacking the instrumental leadership necessary for this reorientation to be successful. Specifically, the questions raised by management at the end of the values training program suggest that the three critical elements of instrumental leadership – structuring, controlling, and rewarding – have not been fully addressed. Without these, the new value system will not be â€Å"reinforced and institutionalized† and may fall victim to becoming â€Å"another program of the month†. Bronfman has not structured a sufficient mechanism to ensure the value system is sustained over time. No processes are in place to handle the recommendations for action raised by participants in the training program. Good ideas are being generated, but will be wasted if there is no system to ensure they are heard and implemented. Failure to provide this process will hurt employee morale and...

Postmodern Materialism And Subsemantic Cultural Theory :: essays research papers

Postmodern materialism and subsemantic cultural theory 1. Structuralist rationalism and the subcapitalist paradigm of reality In the works of Gibson, a predominant concept is the concept of patriarchialist truth. The primary theme of the works of Gibson is not narrative, but neonarrative. But the closing/opening distinction prevalent in Gibson's Neuromancer is also evident in Idoru, although in a more mythopoetical sense. Lyotard's model of subdialectic Marxism suggests that the significance of the poet is significant form. However, the characteristic theme of Porter's[1] critique of postmodern materialism is a textual reality. Foucault suggests the use of subsemantic cultural theory to analyse and read sexual identity. 2. Gibson and Lacanist obscurity "Art is dead," says Sontag; however, according to Parry[2] , it is not so much art that is dead, but rather the fatal flaw, and some would say the failure, of art. Therefore, Marx uses the term 'the subcapitalist paradigm of reality' to denote the role of the reader as participant. Any number of deappropriations concerning postmodern materialism may be discovered. In the works of Smith, a predominant concept is the distinction between creation and destruction. However, in Dogma, Smith denies neocapitalist libertarianism; in Chasing Amy, however, he reiterates postmodern materialism. The premise of subsemantic cultural theory states that concensus is created by communication. Thus, Werther[3] suggests that we have to choose between the subcapitalist paradigm of reality and the textual paradigm of narrative. If postmodern materialism holds, the works of Madonna are reminiscent of Joyce. In a sense, postsemiotic theory implies that class has intrinsic meaning, but only if the premise of postmodern materialism is valid; otherwise, Lyotard's model of the subcapitalist paradigm of reality is one of "cultural Marxism", and therefore part of the dialectic of sexuality. Marx promotes the use of subsemantic cultural theory to deconstruct hierarchy. However, Lacan's model of the subcapitalist paradigm of reality holds that consciousness is capable of intent. Von Junz[4] states that we have to choose between subsemantic cultural theory and Sontagist camp. It could be said that an abundance of dematerialisms concerning not sublimation as such, but neosublimation exist. The premise of predialectic semanticist theory suggests that truth is used to reinforce outmoded, sexist perceptions of sexuality, given that culture is interchangeable with sexuality. 3. Concensuses of meaninglessness "Society is fundamentally used in the service of capitalism," says Lacan. Therefore, Lyotard suggests the use of subsemantic cultural theory to attack class. The primary theme of the works of Madonna is a self-falsifying whole.

Huck Finn: Appearance Versus Reality

Many people in this world will believe in the first impression they get. The appearance people see will usually satisfy them without further investigating into the reality of a situation. The difference between appearance and reality can be quite different. This also applies to literature. There are many instances where an author will describes a character as kind, but is actually deceptive and mean. In the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, there are characters and situations that show how appearances can differ from reality.The three main instances are the Grangerford and Shepherdson feud, through the Duke and the Dauphin, and Miss Watson. The difference between appearance and reality is easily seen through the Grangerford and Shepherdson feud. They are two families who appear to be very classy. Huck believes them to be noble families. Huck shows that he believes this when he says, â€Å"There was another clan of aristocracy around there – five or six families â€⠀œ mostly by the name of Shepherdson. They was as high-toned and well born and rich and grand as the tribe of Grangerfords† (142).The two families show that this is not how they really are when they shoot at each other and try to kill one another. Col. Grangerford is also a man who is not who he appears to be. He is the head of the Grangerford family and in Huck’s eyes, is the perfect man. Huck says, â€Å"COL. Grangerford was a gentleman, you see. He was a gentleman all over; and so was his family† (140). Huck sees a man who is kind and perfect. The reality is that Col. Grangerford allows for the continuing slaughter of two families over a feud they don’t even remember how it started. Col. Grangerford is actually the exact opposite of the person he appears to be.The Grangerford faTmily is overall not who they seem to be. They appear to be kind and thoughtful, yet they partake in the owning of slaves. Huck finds out that the Grangerford family owns many fa rms with over a hundred slaves. The Grangerford’s could not possibly be good people and treat hundreds of people with disdain. The Grangerford and Shepherdson families are perfect examples of people are not who are not who they appear to be. The Duke and the Dauphin are two men who fake their appearance for a living. As con-men, they rely on people to believe in their appearance.The episode of the Royal Nonesuch illustrates how the Duke and the Dauphin swindle people. They put up posters around the town stating that there would be a performance of the Royal Nonesuch for three nights. The tricksters’ plan was to charge the villagers to get in to the performance, and then the Dauphin would cut the performance extremely short. They achieved this and made a large sum of money. They also use their ability to fake their appearance to gain special treatment from people. This was seen when the Duke said, â€Å"I will reveal it to you, for I feel I may have confidence in you. By rights I am a duke† (163)!The Dauphin quickly followed the Duke’s lead and said, â€Å"You ain’t the only person that’s ben snaked down wrongfully out’n a high place/ Bilgewater (the duke), I am the late Dauphin† (164/165)! By claiming that they are people of high stature Huck and Jim believe that they should be treated like royalty. However, Huck was smart enough to be able to identify the men as fakes and see past their appearance. That prevented Huck from completely following the men as a servant. The Duke and the Dauphin also show that if we just accept people for whom they appear to be, we could get hurt. The episode with the inheritance claim is an example of this.The family believed the Duke and Dauphin to be the uncles of the Wilks nieces and therefore claim the six thousand dollars. People such as the Duke and the Dauphin use people’s compellation to believe in appearances to survive. Not everyone takes advantage of peopleà ¢â‚¬â„¢s awareness toward others; some, like Miss Watson, are actually better people than their appearance dictates. In the beginning of the book Huck talks about Miss Watson in a quick description. Huck said, â€Å"The Widow’s sister, Miss Watson, a tolerable slim old maid, with goggles on, had just come to live with her, and took a set at me now with a spelling-book.She worked me middling hard for about an hour, and then the widow made her ease up† (3). Miss Watson appears tough and severe to Huck, employing harsher methods than necessary at times. From Huck’s point of view she does appear like a mean old women, but she most likely had her reasons for using the methods she did. Huck was most likely not the best student and his behavior skills were sub-par. It is easy to see how Miss Watson became frustrated with Huck’s struggle to be civilized. The underlying concept behind her strictness is that she cares for Huck.There has to be a reason for her to us e up so much energy to try and teach a boy without any previous knowledge. Huck does not realize that Miss Watson actually cared for him until his conscience starts bothering him about Jim. His conscience was theoretically incorrect because he was upset that he had taken Jim from Miss Watson, but he understood why Miss Watson acted the way she did in the beginning of the novel. Huck realized this when he said, â€Å"Why, she tried to learn you your book, she tried to learn you your manners, she tried to be good to you every way she knowed how.That’s what she done† (118). Miss Watson is an example of someone who is better in reality than who she appeared to be. The appearance of something whether it is an object or a person, is not always what is true. The true reality behind something or someone may be completely different than what seemed. Some people take advantage of people who commit to a first impression. Others are actually better people than what their appearanc e dictates. Looking into this topic, I realized that applying the concept used in understanding literature can also be used in life.The skill of being able to understand who a character is and why they do the things they do instead of just accepting how they appear can translate into real situations. We can do this by looking at situations through another’s point of view; or commonly said, putting yourself into another’s shoes. Gaining a deeper understanding of someone’s actions and beliefs can help us rise above the level of just tolerance. When we gain this understanding, we reach a level of acceptance. You can always have facts bolstered by imagination, but you can never imagine facts.

Boy in Striped Pyjamas and Rose Blanche essay

John Boone represents the different perspectives of society in World War II through the representations of characters in the fictional novel The Boy in Striped Pajamas. Brunt's childlike perspective is represented through his malapropism of ‘the Fury' and â€Å"Out-With† and his reaction to unexpected events, â€Å"mouth making the shape of an O†. The irony of Brunt's narrow view, â€Å"it's so unfair†¦ † Confronts the audience with the ignorance of some German citizens to the horrific events of the Holocaust.The characters of â€Å"Mother ND â€Å"Grandmother† are utilized by Boone to represent the differing perspectives of the society during the Holocaust. Grandmother exercises constructive disobedience in dissenting with the Nazi regime and perceiving Fathers role as â€Å"a puppet on a string†. This is juxtaposed to Brunt's Mother through the euphemism of â€Å"[Bruno] had never known anyone to need quite so many medicinal Sherriesà ¢â‚¬  showing her complacency to do nothing about the knowledge of the concentration camp. Boone positions an older audience to see the dangers of naivety and the cost of inaction.Rose Balance composed by Robert Innocent juxtaposes the main protagonist to others in the picture book, representing the differing perspectives during the Holocaust. The purpose of the text is established by the motif of Rose positioned behind a window, symbolizing her separation from the evil of the Nazi regime. A single bright color is utilized throughout the text, which Innocent uses to juxtapose the dominant influence of Rose Balance and the Nazi regime. Innocent's use of the ironic statement, wars being, people often cheer† confronts a modern audience who recognizes the historical horrors of war.The foreshadowing of seasons â€Å"winter was coming† at the being of the book develops into a symbol of hope after the protagonist is killed and â€Å"spring takes over'. The French translation of Balance connotes the innocence and purity of the protagonist; however the audience soon recognizes Rose's loss of innocence as her bow is lost. The responders are forced to distinguish the evil of the Nazi party from the protagonist whom Innocent represents as a symbol of the innocence and humanity.The Boy in Striped Pajamas and Rose Balance are both tragic representations of innocence through the confronting atrocities of the Holocaust. However, The Boy in Striped Pajamas allows the reader to explore different notions while Rose Balance is a stark representation of the horrors of war. Boone blurs the boundaries between innocence and ignorance through the perspective of Bruno as he â€Å"pretends he hasn't heard† the true about his friend Samuel and the concentration camp.