King Lear is a play without any hope. Do you agree with this statement Essay Example

King Lear is a play without any hope. Do you agree with this statement? Essay Shakespeares King Lear is a play that focuses on the close relationships of certain characters. Some of these characters are good, while some of them are evil. These characters raise and sink the audiences hope throughout the play. In King Lear, there are some aspects of the play that appear to have no hope. This is shown through families being destroyed, madness, and the death of certain characters. However, some characters, including Lear, Kent, Edgar and Cordelia show there are signs of hope, through their realisations of their mistakes and their loyalty. As soon as the play begins, Shakespeare immediately gives the impression that this is a play without hope. In the first scene an unstable Lear abdicates his throne, leaving the country to his daughters. Two of the sisters speak in prose at the end of the first scene. Speaking in prose usually means a character is not very well educated. However, in this occasion Shakespeare probably used the prose to show the audience not that they were low in society, but they are of low character, which highlights their character faults. The sisters only speak in prose though when they are alone, which is where they reveal their true selves. Shakespeare uses language throughout the play to help the audience distinguish between characters qualities and their true intentions. Another example of this is when Shakespeare highlights the honourable characters by making them speak in rhyming couplets. We will write a custom essay sample on King Lear is a play without any hope. Do you agree with this statement? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on King Lear is a play without any hope. Do you agree with this statement? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on King Lear is a play without any hope. Do you agree with this statement? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer When Goneril and Regan were asked to make a speech they said what Lear wanted them to say not what they really thought. This meant the sisters words were exaggerated and very insincere, though they still manage to fool Lear. In the first scene though, the most important thing that shows the play has no hope, is when Lear banishes Cordelia and Kent, probably the two most loyal people in the country. In this scene Lear is also displaying sign of blindness, which suggests that worse is yet to come. The hints of blindness are shown on lines 153 when it says The true blank of thine eye. Also on line 119 Lear says Hence, and avoid my sight! Blindness plays a huge part in the play and is one of the things that make King Lear a play without hope. Though it is Gloucesters blindness and Lears madness that makes them realize their tremendous errors. The audience may also see the premature abdication of the king as hopeless, as during that period of time they believed God chose the king and abdicating would be interfering with the natural forces. Therefore no good can come of Goneril and Regan gaining control of the country. Through the events of scene one, the audience sees an example of a close family being torn apart. Not only is an example of close families being torn apart shown when King Lear banishes Cordelia but also when Edmund manipulates his father and brother to gain power. At the same time the families were being torn apart, so was the nation. This is because the sisters were more concerned about increasing their power hold, which descends the kingdom into civil strife. This was probably because the sisters, who were running the country, were fighting against each other, which eventually lead the country to be divided and the country going into a state of war. I feel there is no sign of hope as families were consumed by power, which led them to destroy each other. Edmund and the sisters betray their families, which break up the families beyond repair. It is true that Regan, Goneril and Edmund join forces for a short while before letting jealousy and hatred get the better of them, but this un ion is not a sign of hope, as the sisters and Edmund unite to become an unholy trinity, which is worrying for their enemies, as there seemed no possible way to defeat them. While the sisters are sidetracked by their own problems the stable and peaceful country falls apart as disorder engulfs the realm. On the other hand, near the end of the play there is a small sign of hope, when Lear meets up with Cordelia and she forgives him. Even after all that Lear has done to Cordelia; she still shows forgiveness by praying for him, to restore her fathers senses. When Lear awakes, he humbles himself before Cordelia, which makes the audience realise that Lear has learnt his lesson and become a better person because of it. During the storm Lear had to confront his failings and while witnessing the powerful forces of the natural world, Lear realised how insignificant he is in the grand scheme of things. This led Lear to reprioritise his values. Lear shows how much he regrets what he did to Cordelia by falling on his knees, which is very humbling for Lear. Lear shows how humble he has become by saying When though dost ask me blessing, Ill kneel down And ask of thee forgiveness. So well live This is the point that shows hope as Lear has got what he most wants; to be reunited with his daughter. This leads to Lear being treated like he was king again, as the words that are addressed to him were respectful. The audiences feeling of hope is heightened when the characters kneel before Lear and he is treated as a powerful monarch. However, news of the battle at the end of the scene, suggests the harmony that is achieved here is already under threat. This could have shattered the audiences hope once again. One of the strongest signs of hope in the play is shown in Cordelia. She is true and honest, which is shown when she refuses to take part in the competition to gain her part of the country. She believes that falsely flattering Lear is wrong, which shows that she loves her father with more depth and sincerity than her self absorbed sisters. Instead, Cordelia says Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I love your majesty According to my bond; nor more nor less This shows that even though she wants to obey her father, she cannot, as she wants to stay true to her beliefs. Unfortunately, staying true to her beliefs led her to be banished from the kingdom, as Lear could not read between the lines. Even though Cordelia has been banished, there is still hope for her, as Shakespeare rewards her with the king of France. He still accepts her as his bride, as he can see how good she is. This is a glimmer of hope for the audience as Shakespeare has introduced a character that is good hearted, which is well needed, as there is plenty of morally deprived members of society in the same scene. On the other hand Cordelia being banished is also a sign of no hope as it has disrupted the societal order, which inevitably will result in the country being in chaos. Characters similar to Cordelia are inserted in the play to give the audience hope that the evil characters will eventually get what they deserve. I feel though that throughout the play the loyal char acters are often undermined by those evil characters, which have the most power. Shakespeare painted in Cordelia as an image of light in the darkness for the audience. The fact that Cordelia dies in the last scene, seems to take away any of the hope the audience may have begun to feel. Therefore, this play can be considered a play without hope. However, towards the end of the play, there were some positive signs of hope. This is because the characters that have schemed and manipulated throughout the play, come face to face with Frances army. The outcome of this is that the sisters and Edmund get their just desserts, as all three of them end up dead. The jealously and rivalry between the two sisters eventually led to their downfall, as Goneril poisons Regan when she finds out Regan plans to marry Edmund. Regans poisoning comes as a shock, as the first clue the readers get that there is anything wrong is when Regan says Lady, I am not well; else I should answer From a full-flowing stomach. The fact that it ends up with evil fighting evil gives hope to the audience that evil can never triumph forever, as unlike good infighting is always their undoing. This proves to the audience that eventually good will prevail, as good can work together in harmony. In my opinion Goneril, Regan and Edmunds deaths seems to be richly deserved and is only suitable punishment for all harm they have done. This is a sign of hope, because after those three characters die, order can now be restored in the country and all the trouble they caused can be mended. This is also a sign of hope as all the people that have sinned have certainly been rightfully punished. All the hope that is accomplished throughout the play is shortly dissolved after Shakespeare kills off both good and bad characters. Though it is a sign of hope when the sisters die, any hope raised is demolished when Cordelia, Lear and Gloucester die. This is because Lear and Gloucester have learnt the error of their way and learnt from their mistakes. Therefore it could be argued the play has not achieved anything. Lear and Gloucester are also willing to make up for their wrong doing and becoming better people on the whole. However, what is the point in them learning all of this, if in the end they never get to live to become better people? This also shows a lack of hope for the country. If Lear had lived he would have gone back on the throne and had become a better king because of what he experienced throughout the end of the play. At the beginning of the play he was spoilt and used to no one disagreeing with him. However he would have probably been more considerate to the poor pe ople of the country. This is shown when Lear has been reduced to madness and has later been reunited with Cordelia as he says I am a very foolish fond old man Yet I am doubtful; for I am mainly ignorant This to the audience shows that he is humble and that he honestly regrets his past decisions. When Lear dies however so does the hope for the audience of the country being reunited. The only hope at the end of the play is that Edgar is still alive. Hope is heightened when at the end of the play Edgar becomes king. This is a sign of true hope as the audience already consider him to be a good person, as he remained loyal to his father throughout the time he was living as poor Tom. Edgar has also experienced life on both sides of society. He has also proved himself to be a worthy king, by suffering such hardships and remaining strong throughout. Edgar would also be able to help out the poor of the country, which would be an improvement on the previous monarchs as they lived a pampered life, which did not make them great monarchs. With this new monarch the audience can finally feel that the problems that occurred in the play can be put in the past and the country can be finally united once again. In conclusion, King Lear is infused with notions of hope, though they were often short lived and other times were only illusions. However justice seems to have been served at the end. There was plenty of evidence of King Lear being a play with no hope, but the ending manages to give the audience hope for the future. Shakespeare has shown in the play that evil will always be present and there is no hope of that changing, but eventually good will be dominant in the world of King Lear. So to sum up King Lear is a great tragedy that is full of injustice at the beginning and the restoring of justice towards the end.

Zhong Kui, the Keeper of Hearth and Home Japanese Myth with Buddhist Philosophy

Zhong Kui, the Keeper of Hearth and Home Japanese Myth with Buddhist Philosophy Introduction: The Mystery of Zhong Kui Mystery is what the entire Japanese culture is veiled with for a European or American gaze. Intertwining with the peculiar philosophy, the local mythology can make one’s head spin – this is true even for connoisseurs of Japanese mythology and culture.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Zhong Kui, the Keeper of Hearth and Home: Japanese Myth with Buddhist Philosophy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Due to the religion reigning in the Land of the Rising Sun, namely, Buddhism, the local beliefs and superstitions take the most curious shapes, giving birth to the most mysterious and unusual creatures. Zhong Kui, the Demon Queller, or Shoki, as foreigners call this creature, is the keeper of the hearth and home in Japan and one of the most picturesque characters of Japanese legends. Casting a glance at the work by Gong Kai, Zhong Kui Traveling, one can see the peculiar way the ancient legend is intertwined with just as old philosophy and religion of Japan, Buddhism. Due to the specific Buddhist settings in the background, the picture looks ever more expressive and filled with the spirit of mystery and magic. However, these two elements are not as incompatible as it might seem. The character taken from the ancient Japanese legends, Zhong Kui can be labeled as a mythological creature, yet he is an element of the Japanese beliefs as well. What is the most incredible is that the fairy-tale character does not come into conflict with the Buddhist ideas – it turns out that the two elements of the Japanese culture can peacefully coexist. Gong Kai’s Demon Queller: Getting Acquainted with Zhong Kui One of the most intriguing and mysterious in its Japanese way artwork depicting the Demon Queller, Zhong Kui Traveling by Gong Kai creates one of the most peculiar visions of the mythological character, intertwining Zhong Kui with Buddhist religion . Though these two elements might seem somewhat incompatible, it turns out that the philosophy underlying the both creates completely incredible mixture, all shot through with the Japanese folklore vision of the world: ShÃ… ki typically appears as a portly bewhiskered man. He wears scholars robes, a hat, and heavy knee-high boots and carries a large sword. His large eyes, bulbous nose, and fierce expression are also characteristic features. In this print ShÃ… ki rounds a corner in hot pursuit of a demon. His eyes bulge out as he spies his prey.[1] Advertising Looking for term paper on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Fig. 1. Kochoro Kunisada, n.d. Shoki, the Demon Queller, available from: onmarkproductions.com/html/shoki.shtml Zhong Kui seems to be quite popular among other scholars – there have been a number of studies devoted to this specimen of Japanese mythology. Treated rather like a spirit with a character of its own, Shoki, or Zhong Kui, has gained great popularity with those admiring Chinese culture. As Richard Von Glahn explained, â€Å"Zhong Kui was a popular motif in literati painting during the Song and subsequent dynasties†[2]. However, Von Glahn also mentions that the common idea of Zhong Kui’s image is quite different from the one depicted in the numerous paintings. Thus, h warns, it would be a mistake to consider Zhong Kui as â€Å"an alter ego of the neglected and despised scholar†[3]. On the contrary, Con Glahn claims that the image of Zhong Kui must have been more imposing, and even threatening, since he was the hunter for evil spirits. However, the spirit was not considered to be a boo for the Japanese, since the latter used to honor this creature as the protector of their home. Defending the place from all kinds of evil spirits and guarding the peace in Japanese houses, this was rather a talisman for the local people: The use of ima ges of Zhong Kui as protective talismans to guard the home against demonic invasion recalls the legend that Huangdi had portraits made of his fearsome lieutenant Chiyou in order to intimidate criminals and instill a proper fear of the law.[4] It is also worth noticing that the image of Shoki is closely connected to the ideas of Buddhism, which a number of scholars have already proved. Zhong Kui Framed by Buddhist Setting: Mystique and Care Because of the interconnection between the Japanese mythology and belief system, their art is filled with spirituality and all kinds of religious allusions. Gong Kai’s piece of art is no exception – Zhong Kui’s image and the ideas of Buddhism merge in the picture; in fact, Zhong Kui becomes Buddhism itself, embodying the spiritual values of the Japanese people and filling the picture with the sacred sense.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Zhong Kui, the Keeper of Hearth and Home: Japanese Myth wit h Buddhist Philosophy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Buddhism as a belief takes its roots so deep that even the wisest cannot trace its origins. However, the core idea of Buddhist religion is as mystic as its origins. Embodying the very essence of Buddhist, Zhong Kui can be the path to cognizing the complicated yet filled with wisdom Japanese religion. It is peculiar that even the way he sits is close to Buddha’s pose taken to reach the state of nirvana: Fig. 2. Gong Kai, Zhong Kui Traveling. https://www.wikipedia.org/ Taking a closer look at what the philosophy of Buddhism is for the Japanese people, one realizes that the picture of Gong Kai is breathing with the ideas of Buddhism and that Zhong Kui impersonates the essence of Buddhism – in fact, in the given picture he can be even compared to Buddha himself. Thus, Eliot claims that the shapes that the religion took in Japan could be called rather patriarchal. With help of religion, the Japanese managed to maintain the existing structure of society for an endless number of decades! According to Eliot, this was rather natural process in Japan: In Japan, there has survived the old pagan spirit (pagan for want of a better word and in no sense a reproach) which identifies religion with Government, with law, with family duties and festivities. They are identified in the strictest sense: religion does not regulate them: they are religion.[5] Taking a closer look at the picture, one can see the typically patriarchal features in it, with the caste system which has obviously come from India into the Japanese culture. Thus, it can be concluded that the picture also provides another missing link between the Indian and Japanese cultures. Indeed, the crowd that surrounds Zhong Kui and carries him towards the light of cognition reminds of the Indian processions led by the rajah.Advertising Looking for term paper on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Another trait that connects the image of Zhong Kui to Buddhism and the Buddhist theories is the calm and peaceful atmosphere that surrounds the procession. Despite the agitation caused by the presence of the Demon Queller, there is certain air of Buddhist meditations. According to Alldritt, â€Å"he performs a Taoist dance to chase off ghosts who are hesitant to go back to the world of darkness†[6]. What also must be noted is the specific way in which Shoki and the demons around him are depicted. In spite if the fact that one might be surprised with the lack of palette tints, the cast of colors which the painter used can be explained rather easily. Because of the fact that the Japanese art was subject to the influence from the other countries, the Japanese artists were trying to preserve their national identity as far as they could, which resulted in the typical Japanese palette, the tints of yellowish with the strokes of black on the sandy surface. Famous for their minimalis m in art, namely in painting, the Japanese artists could maintain the balance between the valuable ideas which the West brought to them and the national identity which they were so eager to preserve. This predetermined the use of such palette which could reprint the Buddhist idea of the world, with the careful observation of the world and thoughtful and fruitful meditations. With help of the peculiar philosophy of theirs, the Japanese people managed to keep the most peculiar features of their philosophy intact and safe from the influence of Europe. Shoki as a Part of Philosophy: The Lucky Charm of Japan All shot through with the idea of caste differentiation, the picture of Shoki speaks of the Japanese society with its huge number of social ranks and layers. Explaining the core idea of the Japanese caste differentiation, Gillman helps to clarify the details of the picture by Gong Kai: â€Å"Nonetheless, as in China, Japan wasn’t immune from attacks by the native on the forei gnâ€Å"[7]. It is worth noticing that the paintings depicting the Demon Queller and his miraculous work gained most popularity during the reign of the Yuan Dynasty, as Little claims: The Yuan dynasty (I279-I368) has been described as the greatest epoch of Zhong Kui representation,147 and while this might be disputed were there more surviving examples of Zhong Kui paintings from the Tang, Five Dynasties, and Song periods, it is true that some of the finest known depictions of the Demon Queller are from the Yuan period.[8] It is quite peculiar to see the way culture changes under the influence of the adopted religious beliefs. Being Chinese religion, Buddhism, intertwining with the Japanese vision of the world, gained the traditional Japanese minimalism shade. As Jordan emphasizes, it was namely the Chinese influence that affected the Japanese manner of depicting religious issues: Throughout Japan’s medieval era, many family-centered schools, such as the Takuma, altered their styles under the influence of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Began to paint in the fashionable monochrome ink style.[9] Another aspect which is worth paying attention to is the opposition â€Å"man vs. nature† which the Japanese philosophy has always been engaged with. Considered as â€Å"a magical control of and defense against evil†[10], this spirit is the child of the Japanese Buddhism. It is worth noticing that Zhong Kui is positioned neither by the painter, nor by the mythology as the creature attacking the evil spirits – on the contrary, the Devil Queller remains calm until demons start playing their tricks. What Zhong Kui does is protecting, not attack, which is truly Buddhist concept. In the picture, the Demon Queller bends the demons to his will, yet he does not harm them. Conclusion Filled with the air of Japanese refinement and the ancient myths, the picture makes one plunge into the depth of the mythology and philosophy of Japan, the country of mys tery and legends. With help of the peculiar Buddhism setting the picture becomes even more expressive and at the same time mysterious. Creating the cultural and mythological background for the character, the Buddhist ideas add specific flair of safety, grandeur and solemnity to the picture. There is no doubt that Gong Kai created a piece which reprints the peculiarities of Japanese culture like no picture ever did. Bibliography Aldritt, Leslie D. 2005. Buddhism. New York, NY: Infobase Publishing Eliot, Sir Charles. 1935. Japanese Buddhism. New York, NY: Routledge. Guilliman, Derek. 2010. The Idea of Cultural Heritage. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Jordan, Brenda and Victoria Louise Weston. 2003. Copying the Master and Stealing  His Secrets: Talent and Training in Japanese Painting. Honolulu, HI: The University of Hawaii Press. Lee, Sherman. 1993. â€Å"Yan Hui, Zhong Kui, Demons and the New Year.† Artibus  Asiae 53, No  ½: 211-227 Little, Stephen. 1985. The Demon Queller and the Art of Qui Ying (Ch’iu Ying).  Artibus Asuiae 46, No  ½: 5-128  Shoki é  ¾Ã© ¦â€"  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ the Demon Queller. 2010 A to Z Photo Dictionary,  onmarkproductions.com/html/shoki.shtml . Von Glahn, Richard, 2004. The Sinister Way: The Divine and the Demonic in Chinese Religious Culture. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. Footnotes . Shoki é  ¾Ã© ¦â€"   – the Demon Queller. A to Z Photo Dictionary, 2010 . . Richard Von Glahn. The Sinister Way: The Divine and the Demonic in Chinese Religious Culture. (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2004), 125 . Richard Von Glahn. The Sinister Way: The Divine and the Demonic in Chinese Religious Culture. (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2004), 125 . Richard Von Glahn. The Sinister Way: The Divine and the Demonic in Chinese Religious Culture. (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2004), 125 . Sir Charles Eliot. 1935. Japanese Buddhism (New York, NY: Routle dge), 189 . Leslie D. Aldritt. 2005. Buddhism. (New York, NY: Infobase Publishing), 136 . Derek Guilliman. The Idea of Cultural Heritage (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2010), 137 . Stephen Little. The Demon Queller and the Art of Qui Ying (Ch’iu Ying) (Artibus Asuiae 46, No  ½: 5-128, 1985), 33 . Brenda Jordan and Victoria Louise Weston. Copying the Master and Stealing His Secrets: Talent and Training in Japanese Painting (Honolulu, HI: The University of Hawaii Press, 2003), 10 . Sherman Lee. 1993. Yan Hui, Zhong Kui, Demons and the New Year. (Artibus Asiae 53, No  ½), 213

Analysing Economic Growth In Malaysia

Analysing Economic Growth In Malaysia Malaysia is a growing and relatively open economy. Three years ago, according to the World Bank (2007), the economy of Malaysia was the 29th largest economy in the world by purchasing power parity with gross domestic product estimated to be $357.9 billion for the particular year. By referring to the economy of the country, we can evoke that during the following long and severe period of recession, the Malaysian economy has started to grow through the interference of a relaxed monetary and fiscal policies and a high export demand in the electronics sector in particular. Despite the fact that the world economic slowdown was more accentuated than expected and the unprecedented events of September 11 in the US had affected all economies, Malaysia on the other hand was able to maneuver itself in a particular way from a major economic contraction and GDP growth for the year remained in positive territory. Nonethless, Rani (2007) stated that Malaysia has a coherent economic growth record i n GDP over the period 1970-2005. The author added that the economic growth record in GDP was in average 7 per cent at an annual rate. Such rate is characterized by the externalities which influence from time to time such as the oil crises of the 1970s, the downturn in the electronics industry in the mid 1980s, and definitely the Asian financial crisis of 1997. In addition, though given the openness of its economy, Malaysia was not spared from the negative effects of the United States economic slowdown. These effects were in the form of declining manufacturing production and negative export growth. In order to remedy the situation, the Malaysian government’s initiation of strong monetary and fiscal policies to stimulate economic growth through increasing activities related to domestic economy and decreasing the over-dependence on exports helped the nation to sustain a positive real GDP growth. Despite this, the MMoF (Malaysian Ministry of Finance) (2006) revealed that the stan dards of living of the majority of the population were transformed over the 30-year period with the level of GDP per capita in 2000 being about four times that of 1970. In other words, it can be quoted from the ministry that the boom in the economy went uninterrupted for almost a decade (1988-1996 with respective growths of 7 and 10 percent per annum). The ministry added that the main source of growth was the manufacturing sector whose share of GDP increased to 31.4 percent in 2005. One emmerging point highlighted Barlow (2001) is that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been a key driver underlying the strong growth performance experienced by the Malaysian economy. Overview of the Malaysian Economic Growth and Developemnt Malasyia four almost forty years and through the World Bank’s countryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ classification system was as a middleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ income country. From then, the country had carried oenjoying a relative prosperity translated initially as a commodity ex porter of rubber, tin, then palm oil and petroleum which generated a total income of between 6 to 7 percent each year from 1970 until 2000. Athukorala, (2001) portrayed that the number of poor persons known as those consuming less than the purchasing power parity US$1 per day metric has fallen to fewer than a million, or 3.9 percent of the population of 26.2 million people (compared to about half of the population in 1970).

Machiavelli and the novelty of its political though Essay

Machiavelli and the novelty of its political though - Essay Example Machiavelli returned back to Florence where he observed how the Medici family was expelled, the oligarchic tyrants who had been in power for decades. He also witnessed the rise of Savanorola Girolamo, a firm religious believer who took over the power in Florence for a short period after the Medici Family. At that period, Italy was under severe political clashes. States were in a scramble for power over Italy, and so did Spain, France, and the Holy Roman Empire. Each state engaged in a battle of outdoing the powers of their opponents which amounted to less worthy activities as violence and blackmail (Herbert, 2007). That same year of the return of Machiavelli, the French attacked under the leadership of Charles VIII. This flow of events during Machiavelli’s time pressured Machiavelli’s thoughts about governance. This formed the basis of his later heartfelt appeal for the Italians to unite. Machiavelli in his farm wrote a controversial book called The Prince which is term ed as a realistic guide for ruling. Machiavelli uses this book to expose his thought on political power. However, this piece of art and Machiavelli’s tool of conveying his thought on politics has received criticism from various scholars that it only guides on how not to rule and not how to rule. Machiavelli uses a simple style and logic for the reader to understand, and this is due to his bid to provide political advice (Ryan, 2013). He evidently exposes his purpose of writing the book from the beginning of the book where he devotes the book to the ruler of Florence, Lorenzo de’ Medici. In his beginning two chapters of the book, The Prince, Machiavelli less talks about republican regimes and puts more of his concern on the autocratic regimes. He sets up the outline of the entire book in the first chapter by delineating the different princes’ and categories of principalities. According to Machiavelli’s book, he talks about warcraft and statesmanship where he considers that superior laws are track naturally from a superior military. He demonstrates this when he says â€Å"the presence of sound military forces indicates the presence of sound laws†. He tries to elaborate how a sound military system is related to the formulation of sound laws for the state. Machiavelli has a rather contradicting perspective on the war; he believes that triumphant states are built after a war has been won. This is contrary to the conventional understanding that successful states are those without war. His thought about war is fundamentally on how to make a city or state much stronger, how to handle citizens on newly acquired regions, and how to avoid internal rebellions that may be a hindrance in overcoming external adversaries. Machiavelli in his political thought gives emphasis not only on making use of the military but he also includes global diplomacy, calculated strategy, understanding geographical regions, understanding history, and domestic politics. This kind of political thinking be Machiavelli was timely novelty at the period when Italy was facing attacks from principalities neighboring them. Machiavelli also highlights how the human nature has impacts on politics. He says â€Å"|Love endures by a bond which men, being scoundrels, may break whenever it serves their advantage to do so; but fear is supported by the dread of pain, which is ever present†. He believes that various political traits are intrinsic in individuals’

Needs Assessment for Quality Improvement Assignment

Needs Assessment for Quality Improvement - Assignment Example However, school board's authority is limited to official meetings. Before discussing the quality and need for improving it in Tulsa Public School District, it is important to see its significant strategic plan factors. "We will provide quality learning experiences for every student, every day, without exception with the essential skills needed for academic growth, lifelong learning and personal character." (Official Website) Vision of this school system is very simple and clear. "The District of Choice, by providing quality education through high expectations for ALL"; this clearly shows that the top level management of this organization strives hard and makes policies which may make this school as everyone's only choice in the coming future. School makes appropriate policies to achieve its above stated vision for the future in order to gain a distinct advantage over its competitive forces. Each school community will demonstrate exceptional parent/guardian involvement and support through 100% membership in its parent/guardian association, and the District will triple its Partner-In-Education agreement with community, businesses, institutions, organizations and agencies. For Tulsa Public School District, values govern th... Each school will have 100% membership in its parent/guardian association, and the district will have 1,350 Partners-In-Education agreements. Each school community will demonstrate exceptional parent/guardian involvement and support through 100% membership in its parent/guardian association, and the District will triple its Partner-In-Education agreement with community, businesses, institutions, organizations and agencies. All employees will be highly qualified and choose to work for TPS. All employees will be highly qualified in their positions and CHOOSE to remain with Tulsa Public Schools. TPS will win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. These above stated goals have been defined by the top level management i.e. board members of the school system to successfully address their vision of 2010. Strategic Objectives: Build a connected learning community& broaden productive partnerships, services, & student outreach in order to meet the needs of existing & incoming students Integrate key learning programs across curriculum Empower & affirm staff as they provide dedicated service & enhance teaching & learning opportunities for the 21st century student Maintain & deploy quality management system, campus upgrades, safety requirements & aligned structure Develop new or expanded funding opportunities, including endowments, in order to meet fiscal responsibilities and budget goals Values: For Tulsa Public School District, values govern the function of its dealing and its demeanor or associations with Oklahoma's society at great level, internal and external customers, employees, local community and other stakeholders. Management by Fact: "within a

Modern Britain Essay Example for Free

Modern Britain Essay Being able to come to a believable conclusion about this statement could be quite hard due to the many definitions of religion and secularisation in the first place. There are so many different definitions for these that defining it correctly once arent the case. However secularisation is overall seen to be the decline in importance given to religion. Wilson put forward the idea that religion has declined and is now less important / influential in society than it was in the past. This was known as the secularisation thesis. Wilson focuses on statistical evidence relating to religious institutions and their activity. Church attendance statistics are used for evidence of secularisation in the UK and these vary and show big differences. The fall and rise of statistics in different areas show that religion has little influence today. Interpretive sociologists say that these statistics should be treated with caution as statistics for previous centuries may be inaccurate as data wasnt collected as well as it is today, the golden myth is not accurate and it could be misleading. On the other hand present statistics may not either be reliable as different religious organisations could have different counting methods to one another and also previous centuries. Bellah questions the validity of statistics, as they dont show the full picture e. g. a person attending church doesnt have to mean that they are religious. He says that religion is a private experience and cannot be measured for most people. Statistical evidence only tells us about participation in certain institutionalised religions, not religious belief / practice as a whole. Wilson suggests that rational thinking in the shape of science has replaced religious influence in our lives because scientific progress has resulted in higher living standards. Science has also come up with convincing explanations for phenomena which were once given by religious organisations e. g. how the world was created. People have therefore become increasingly disenchanted with religion. However people say that Wilson maybe overemphasising the influence of rationality, evidence tells us that people at times prefer religious explanations to scientific explanations. Social attitude surveys tell us that 70% of the UK population profess a string belief in god. Many people subscribe to quasi religious concepts such as luck or fate. There has been a decline in commitment to beliefs. Membership of high commitment organisations has generally decreased and low commitment organisations membership has increased. The popularity of some cults may be explained by the fact that they do not demand a great deal of commitment. Wilson argues that the church is no longer involved in important areas of social life such as politics. He says that politicians have no interest in making sure their policies meet with the approval of religious leaders. The media is more likely to have an impact and direct people rather than the church. Wilson says that the church has become disengaged from the wider society and only plays a marginal role in modern society. However critics say that religion is still a major provider of education and welfare in society today. The media still shows a great interest in religious issues such as women priests or the Church of Englands attitudes to homosexuality. National religious ceremonies such as the funeral of Princess Diana suggest that the sacred might still be important.

Free Essays - I Havent Got a Dime for College :: College Admissions Essays

I Haven't Got a Dime for College Growing up I've met the best of people and I've met the worst of people. My father has always been my hero. He loved, provided for and took care of two children and a sick wife everyday for twenty years. I look at his picture in my wallet each day and wonder if I can ever measure up to him. I thought my cousin had agreed to lend me $15,000 so that I could attend a decent college. I agreed to sign a promissory note. I showed up at the New City Brewery to sign the papers and pick up the check. I read the paper. It said for $30,000 I was selling him my interest in a vacation cabin our grandmother bought fifty years ago. The check however was only for $15,000. "I don't understand." I pushed back his Mount Blanc pen and the unsigned contract. Bill folded his arms. "In 1956 your father borrowed $6,000 from my father and I want it back." He flashed a mean smile that I hadn't seen since 1957 when the bank took away my family's house. My father took me to my cousin's house to ask for his outgrown clothing for me. That day my cousin handed me a book along with some clothes from his hamper and gave me this same vicious smile. The book was "The Prince and The Pauper". My father worked sixty hours a week for the next fifteen years paying off debts and sending his children to college. He stopped paying old debts when my mother's medical bills made that impossible. He died a few years later. I've missed him every day. I hadn't used that small cabin at the lake in a decade.