Concept of Competitive Advantage | Literature Review

Concept of Competitive Advantage | Literature Review Abstract:- This article addresses the issues of the development of the concept of competitive advantages. It is based on theories of different writers, their explanation and a literature review of these theories. Competitive advantages arises from different firms attributes and characteristics that allow one firm to create better customer value than do others. Competitive advantage includes ownership of assets and their positions. To achieve and sustain competitive advantage, a firm or industry need to create creativity. Strategic management theories give the concept of competitive advantage and explain the performance and ability of the firm and describe how we can run the firm in the right direction. Introduction :- The concept of competitive advantage are quiet same in different industries or firms and writers are explain in different ways but they rotate on same point for example superior performance of the firm in a decent manner. There are various theoretical framework are used to explain competitive advantage. Competitive advantage arises from the differential among firms along any dimensions of firm to create better customer value against the competitors. The basic purpose of this coursework to indicate how firm can gain their position in the market. This coursework can help to analyse different theories of management and give an integrative framework that helps management practitioners systematically analyse the nature and cause of competitive advantage in a different manner. LITERATURE REVIEW:- There are basically five forces to develop basic foundations include competitors, threat of new entrants substitute products, bargaining power of suppliers and bargaining power of buyers. Companies are fighting with each other and some of them are defend itself against these competitive forces (Porter 1998). The resources and capabilities of a firm are the central consideration in formulating its strategy. The resource based theory approach to strategy formulated understands the relationship between resources, capabilities, competitive advantage and profitability. According to writer there are four factors which are useful for the firm to increase their depth i.e. strategy, competitive advantage, capabilities and resources (Grant 1991). According to writer he relates the competitive advantage with a theory of comparative advantage. According to his theory he say that the comparative advantage theory suffer from the same weakness as a neoclassical theory of the firm. So according to writer the idea of competitive advantage gives explanatory power of strategy and organization. The success of firm in the market depends upon the organisation work of firm, sector and their interrelationship. They sought where a competitive advantage could be established by devolving organizational superiority (Bagnoli. et. al; 2003). There can be a heterogeneity or firm level differences among firms that allow some of them to sustain competitive advantage. The main concept of theory are based on four points i.e. valuable, rare imperfectly unite able, without strategically equivalent substitutes (Barney 1991). The ability of the firm is stay ahead of competition with the help of their superior performance and leaderships. So competitive advantage is directly proportional to competition either it is in different departments or in different firm throughout the world. Manager could understand the current position of the firm. In short porter argues that strategy is a race to get an ideal position in the market and differentiate itself for targeting customer (Porter 1998). Scholars in the strategy field are concerned fundamentally with explaining differential firm performance. As strategy scholars have searched for sources of competitive advantage. Two prominent views have emerged regarding the source of supernormal returns. Primarily a function of a firm membership in an industry with favourable structural characteristics and secondly is that differential firm performance is fundamentally due to firm heterogeneity rather than industry structure (Rumlet et.al; 1994). Competition in any industry does not stem only for competitors and it also influenced by the underlying structure of the industry. Additionally author stresses competitive advantage, which is created and hence can be controlled by individual firms and not comparative advantage (access to factors of production like cheap or natural resources), which is mainly inherited (Porter 1985). The purpose of the industrial organization was the internal competition of the industry. This aim was inverted to produce models aim at helping firms realize supernormal returns by surreptitious way of competition (Barney 1986). The development and implementation of new ideas by people who overtime engage in transactions with other within an institutional context (Van 1989). The generation, acceptance and implementations of new ideas, processes, products and services to create a market and competition against the competitors (Kanter 1983). Different researchers attempt to explain the superior performance of the firm. They explain how firm can gain their better position in the market. Some of them say, the leading hypothesis is that sustained superior performance coming from sustained competitive advantage Barney (1997). But on the other hand Grant (1998) can relate the superior performance of the firm with competitive advantage. According to them competitive advantage and superior performance of the firm are different unit to each other. Theories are different as the source of competitive advantage. Because some time firm gain their superior performance by using different tactics like monopoly, because they want to maintain their position or protect their position against the compotators. This is the best point according to the big firms, because they create monopoly in the market and try to protect their position (Caves et. al; 1977) Sometimes the superior performance of the firm depends on the level of the firm, business unit, corporation or industry. Because in big firms the power of gaining is more as compare with small firms. So small firms cannot compete the large firms (Powell et. al; 1997). Better explanation for superior performance may exist, it has specifiable causes and these causes are tied to perform distributors may be fellow simple heuristics or stem for a single process such as problem solving Popper (1972). According to Powell (1996), strategic management has not told us the significant debate on the competitive advantage. According to writer there are two proportions are important to increase the performance of the firm. First one is the dependent variable (superior performance) of the firm and secondly independent variables include competitive advantage. He separates these two proportions and gives the relationship between them. On the other hand if we examine this theory with other theories like Porter (1998) theory. His attention toward the firm and how much firm create competition in the market and how much effort put by firm to stay ahead against the competitors. But according to Robert (1999) sustainable competitive advantage is not necessary or important for the superior performance of the firm. But on the other hand Barney (1996) can relate sustainable competitive advantage with the performance of the firm. There is substantial agreement with in the literature on the price, cost and differentiation definition of competitive advantage. But according to Reed (1990) competitive advantage does not play a vital role for making the firms strategy. He creates a link between competitive advantage and competence. He says competitive advantage can be derived from numerous sources and advantage can come from competence and this competence can control by firm and can be manipulated with in the strategy to generate advantage for performance. On the other hand Porter (1998) says superior performance of the firm is due to the competitive advantage. He relates competitive advantage directly with the competition, so the ability of the firm to stay ahead of competition with help of their superior performance. But the major development comes when Hofer (1978) described competitive advantage the unique position of an organization developed against the competitors through its patterns of resources deploymen ts. He suggesting that competitive advantage ensues from competencies. They also say that competitive advantage as something can be used with the firm strategy. As such competencies and competitive advantage are independent variables while a firm performance is the dependant variables. (Mahoney et. al; 1992) suggests in his article about the special issue in his article. He says firm physical resources and its capabilities interact to create competitive advantage. He seeks to reconcile the resources and capabilities based theories of competitive advantage through the theory of invisible assets. This theory was proposed by (Itami et. al; 1987) holds that experience and constitute the principle source of sustainable competitive advantage. If we talk about the competitive advantage then we cannot neglect the overall progress of the country. Some governments can support their industrial sector because industrial sector is directly proportional to the economy of the country especially we can see in china and in of United States of America. So according to Porter (1998) specific elements condition the international success of an enterprise in a certain segments. He figures out that the enterprises of an inferior cost or differentiated product to assert them worldwide. According to them through the globalization of the economic game enterprise to improve their competitive advantage. The same thing can explain by other writers. To create a competitive advantage, the enterprise is required to progress to innovate and to discover the best competitive opportunities and exploit them. So create an opportunity against the competitors Robert (1999). According too many writers and their theories, why a country is more competitive than others. The national competitiveness comes from macro-economic phenomena directed by change rate, interest rate, deficit of the national budget. On the other hand some of them Robert (1999) says some companies or industrial sector are try to compete with cheap work force of with cheap raw material. The big example of this point is China. In china the work force is very cheap and there is no tax on any import and export. Chines government are support their industrial sector and improve their economy. According to the writer, the creation and capture of private and social value by firm that adopt corporate social responsibility strategies. So to achieve a competitive advantage is a responsibility of a manager to accomplish their objective. He relates this theory with the economics such as hedonic pricing, contingent valuation and the new literature on the economics of industrial organization. The same kind of things was discuss by Barney (1986) in his journal and also by porter (1998) in his book. Sometime researchers are not depending on the same point. Because in every case they have a different task and every case of superior performance is unique, extreme and non-generalization Starbucks (1992). But according to (Bowen et. al; 1999), competitive advantage has generated a large volume of scholarly output, both theoretical and empirical. So strategic management researchers has not produced a same effect on the competitive advantage. Most empirical studies infer the existence of competitive advantages. Examples of competitive advantage:- The most powerful example of achieving competitive advantage against the competitors is an Apple company. First this company based on computers but after that Apple has established a stellar reputation for developing products that there customer needs and want. The iPhones, iPods and iPads each combine functionally, ease of use, which not merely satisfy but delight the customers. They promote their products in a different manner like music for iPods and application software for iPhones. The competitors of Apple Company try to compete by using different hardware features, sometime same features like touchscreen and applications but they cannot compete the Apple Company. The main reason of this happening because Apples instance secrecy about its product development makes it hard for imitation to begin before the product is launched, thats why Apples Company takes advantage over others. Secondly Apple Company gives useful applications like iTunes by being first on attractive fixed charg es. So finally prove itself all over the world with their outstanding performance and services. Chinas is the second most powerful country economically now a days, because of their industrial sector. Chines government support their industry in a decent way and help to improve their strength. In textile sector China play a vital role throughout the world. In 2005 china controlled one third markets of garments in Europe and one fourth markets in United States of America. More than 50% of the market capture by China all over the world in textile sector. There are few reasons why china is dominant in the market. Firstly the inflation rate is increased all over the world and due to this reason the prices are going up. Secondly low labour cost as compare with Europe and United States of America. In china the utility cost is very low due to the support of their government to their industrial sector. On the other hand Pakistan, India and honking are try to give some competition but they are given so much competition and the market are increased very dramatically. The same thing was dis cuss by Robert (1999) in his article. He says how much cheap labour and material are affected the overall progress of the company (Brambilla. et. al; 2007). In 2004, when Danish maker of interconnecting brick toys had lost money each of the previous six years, its survival as an independent company was in jeopardy. Lego had been harmed by falling birth-rates in many developed countries, by low-cost imitations, and by their many boy customers switching from traditional toys to video games and personal computers. This is very interesting thing when your business will decrease due to birth rate. Because the A poorly-conceived attempt at diversification followed. When Jordan Knudstorp was appointed CEO, in addition to divesting noncore businesses and cutting costs, he worked to enhance Legos competitive advantages. Because of its philosophy of learning through play, Lego had avoided toys about fighting or violence, despite the interest of boys in both. By leveraging Legos strong brand name, design capability and quality reputation into products based on Star Wars, Batman, and Ferrari race cars, Legos turnaround gained traction. Knudstorp als o grew Legos Mindstorms buildable, programmable robot line to the point that it and other non-interlocking-brick products exceed 33 percent of sales. Sometimes when your strategy maker or upper level management was unclear about the strategy then sometimes the firms are clash. The same thing happening with the Teco Bell company. The CEO John Martin strategy was unclear and performance was medicore. Understanding with his customer thing and their needs and desires was outstanding; he commissioned a major study employing conjoint analysis. On his first attempt he changes the customer services value with fast service, accurate order filling. But more surprising was that the customer considered the condition captured in the fact formula to be more important than having an authentic ethnic food experience. Taco Bell wasnt competing with Tex-Mex restaurants because competitors are fast food provider but Taco Bell is not. Now John Martin develops a value base strategy and tries to give a better service in low cost. Now he cut down the prices and reducing store size with better facilities. He upgraded the restaurants by using new data ent ry equipment; improve store layout and the job profile for store managers and for manager assistants emphasized customer service. Due to these changing in his strategy now Teco Bell has 5000 restaurants. So we can easily analyse for this example, if we increase the customer value and give good services with the help of competitive advantage theories then we improve our input in a decent manner. Conclusion:- In this assignment I studied different types of competitive advantage theories and write a literature review on these theories with the help of different journals and papers. From all of these theories I develop my idea about firms performance and conclude how firm are ahead against the competitors. Firstly a firm has to look deeply into what it has, what it can do, what it can get. Secondly the competition is not between or within the industry or firm but sometimes the competition is all over the world where firm need to support about nationally (government) as well as internationally (suitable polices for international companies). For internationally success it is required to be able to transform a domestic position into a global one. Finally to create a competitive advantage the company required a continuous progress to innovate and to discover the competitive opportunities and exploit them. Firm should not stop improving the quality of its products and its methods. History of Art: From Middle Ages to Modern Times History of Art: From Middle Ages to Modern Times   Yodaniz Rodriguez Style: Early Renaissance Title: Madonna with Child Artist: Giovanni Bellini Date: 1450 1455 Material: oil on wood Location: Civico Museo Malaspina, Pavia Reference: (Madonna with Child 1450-55, n.d.) The Madonna and Child images introduces one of the most amazing characteristic subjects in Bellinis art. However, this kind of work was not only used by Bellini. (Stokstad Cothren, 2013) Minor and medium to small holy images designed for isolated and domestic ownership were unique features of art during the beginning 15th-century. Bellinis depictions are famous due to a gentle pressure that unceasingly stalemates the mother and child in an association of thoughtful bleakness. (Madonna with Child 1450-55, n.d.) The replicas for these depictions of a Madonna were frequently done by Byzantine and Graeco-Cretans and were distributed in Venice. The unmoving, severe-looking Madonna and Child is comparable to Bartolomeo Vivarinis work. The slender limbs and motionlessness reveal the effect of Jacopo as well. However, the positively defined line of the Child and his transparent clothing conceivably originates from Squarcione, who was definitely an inspiration to Bellini during the creations of his work. (Madonna with Child 1450-55, n.d.) The presence of light and shadow are evident in this particular work of art. The artist used color to contrast against a dark base showing composition of the figures. Facial features are not sharp yet there are shadows present on the face and limbs implying that there is light coming from their right side, illuminating them. Style: High Renaissance Title: Madonna of Belvedere Artist: Raffaello Sanzio Raphael Date: 1505 1506 Material: oil on wood Location: Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna Reference: (Madonna of Belvedere, n.d.) The three individuals demonstrating immobility are depicted in an olive green field. These figures are accompanied by gentle facial expressions and impassioned hands. The Virgin Mary is depicted in a contrapposto posture. The artist seems to have used colors to signify specific details of the painting. The blue on Marys robes indicates the ecclesiastical and the red represents Christs passing. The Madonna stands still as the Mother Church with Christs martyr. Her eyes are fixed on the young Christ that sits on her lap while John the Baptists attention is also on the boy. I believe this is signifying his importance. The crown that sits upon her head seems to be curved to the left and slightly inclined as she holds up Christ while he rests tracing the small cross held by John. (Madonna of Belvedere, n.d.) Raphael truly congests the reality of Mother Nature in this work and also in many of his other works. His style consisted of more real and natural figures. (Stokstad Cothren, 2013) Distinct from previous depictions created during the Renaissance, this Madonna is illustrated within nature where most were illustrated sitting on a chair during this period. This painting provides a beautiful and impressive perspective in the contextual aspect as if to imply that the countryside itself is her chair. (Madonna of Belvedere, n.d.) Although the figures are depicted as immobile, shadows exist under the figures and also within the hands of the Madonna as she holds Christ. Unlike Bellini, Raphael gave his subjects some more realistic and natural facial expressions. The use of light and color really brings out the joy of the characters. Style: Baroque Title: Madonna with Child Artist: Simon Vouet Date: First half of the 17th century Material: oil on canvas Location: Crozat de Tierra, Paris Reference: (Madonna with Child, n.d.) This preparation by Vouet was appropriately recognized and widespread. It was a recurrent style used by him during this period. The facial expressions of the Virgin consist of the outline of the artists wife, who had unfortunately expired before. It could be that Vouet created this illustration during a nostalgic and emotional period. (Madonna with Child, n.d.) Nevertheless, the image generates the proof of a massive effort due to the amount of natural detail presented. The character of the Madonna seems to be chiseled from a large rock, she is smooth and angular. It seems this painter struggled to highlight the spiritual tenderness of the Madonna and the Child. The child is displayed with the creases of the Madonnas clothing as his mother gazes upon him with affection and allows him to explore her face and clothing. (Madonna with Child, n.d.) The color used in this painting provides a contract to its dark background. The composition of the figures are evident through their position and color. This image inspires deep emotions of sadness and joy as they are depicted in a dark environment but are somewhat lively. The details of the lines of the characters are extraordinary. The childs body consists of natural bodily features as he sits upon the Madonna. The shadows used on the body of the child and the clothing of the mother are so realistic and imply more movement than the previous images discussed in this paper. The commencement Renaissance provided the emergence of more realistic portrayals of nature and human figures by artists who were stimulated by ancient Greek and Roman art and culture. (Stokstad Cothren, 2013) The works illustrated during the Early Renaissance (14th and 15th century) demonstrate some of the severe medieval features, whereas masterpieces created during the High Renaissance period (late 15th and early 16th century) expose the wonderful scopes and balanced configurations related to the standards of the Classical world. (Stokstad Cothren, 2013) The art created during the Baroque period (17th century) personified a lively energy that reflected the edgy essence of its era. In paintings, theatrical descriptions of faith motivated by the Catholic Churchs Counter-Reformation contrasted with animated demonstrations of the secular world normally created in the Protestant north. (Stokstad Cothren, 2013) This was a period that consisted of more emotional and detailed works of the natural world. During this period, it seems that medieval influence was completely eradicated unlike the previous creations of the renaissance age. References Madonna of Belvedere. (n.d.). Retrieved from Khunts Historisches Museum Wien: https://www.khm.at/en/korean/ Madonna with Child. (n.d.). Retrieved from Arthermitage: http://www.arthermitage.org/Simon-Vouet/Madonna-with-Child.html Madonna with Child 1450-55. (n.d.). Retrieved from Religious Art: http://www.religious-art.org/Madonna-with-Child-1450-55.html Stokstad, M., Cothren, M. (2013). Art History Volume 2, 5th Edition. [South University]. Retrieved from https://digitalbookshelf.southuniversity.edu/#/books/9781256992356/

Child Refugees

Child Refugees Backdrop Half of the worlds refugees are children but their voices are amongst the least heard. Amidst the debate and conflict around refugees and border protection, the rights of refugee children have been neglected. â€Å"We come to a country we heard has human rights and freedoms. We cant believe whats happening to us†¦.We havent any human rights. We are just like animals. We do not have a normal life like a human. Our feeling is dead. Our thinking is dead. We are very sad about everything. We cant smile.† (Ibrahim Ishreti-refugee living on a bridging visa) Australia is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and has a proud tradition of sheltering refugees but the current mandatory detention (an essential component) for on-shore arrivals including the children of asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors has enormously damaged its international reputation. Whilst these might be legitimate policy concerns they have led to an approach to asylum seekers that has caused wide community debate and division in Australia. The writer is a Pakistani origin immigrant in Australia. Pakistan considers a poorest country of the world host over a million Afghan refugees enjoying ample freedoms, however in Australia where the number of unauthorized arrivals has never been much more than 4000 in any one year are placed indefinitely in detention camps with limited access to services, hence the motive for selecting this topic. Key Aspects of the Policy The major policy objectives of mandatory detention have been to have â€Å"ordered† approach to immigration and to ensure that Australian borders are secure. But little or no consideration has been given to the impact of these polices on the children who are caught up in them. That policy ââ€"  Denies internationally recognised fundamental human rights to all the children of particular social group;ââ€"  Locks up, behind razor wire, children who have committed no crime;ââ€"  And fails to recognises the vulnerability and special needs of these children. The fundamental purpose of childrens rights is to identify children as human beings who because of their vulnerability and special needs require special protection. To address this special status the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was developed. The UNCRC to which Australia is a party (1990), decrees that a child seeking refugee status is to receive appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance. Refugee children share certain universal rights with all other people; have additional rights as children and particular rights as refugees. It provides a comprehensive framework to guide the development of policy and practices that relate to children. Irrespective of where people stand on the Australian Governments broad asylum seekers policy it is an undeniable fact that any form of detention applying to children is a breach of their rights. In the terms of UNCRC the imprisonment of these children is either â€Å"cruel and inhuman treatment† or at the very least â€Å"harsh treatment†. Both of which are unacceptable under the terms of the convention. Detention compounds the effect of previous trauma and exacerbates the grief and loss that these children have already suffered whether they are accompanied or unaccompanied in their flight to Australia. UNCRC The UNCRC articulate that holding children in detention shall be used as a measure of last resort and only for the shortest possible time. But in Australia, detention is the first and only resort and for an indefinite period of time. We are letting these children down by neglecting this provision of the UNCRC. The difficult lives these children have suffered at the hands of their won governments or fellow beings are beyond the comprehension of most Australians. Yet we compound that damage by allowing children to spend their formative years in detention . Keeping children in mandatory detention is denial of their internationally recognised basic human rights. Childrens developmental needs which are a fundamental reality often not considered in relief efforts. In order to grow and develop normally, a child has certain age-specific requirements that must be satisfied. Basic health care, nutrition and education are generally recognised as necessary for the physical and intellectual developmental of children. Beyond these, however, healthy psychosocial development depends in large measure on the nurturing and stimulation that children receive as they grow, and on the opportunities that they have to learn and master new skills. For refugee children, healthy psychosocial development also requires coping effectively with the multiple trauma of loss, uprooting and often more damaging experiences. Hence, tragic long-term consequences may result where childrens developmental needs are not adequately met. Challenges and/or Controversies The Australian public is not generally informed about international obligations towards refugees and the many false perceptions that migrants are a major cause of economic and social problems remain largely unchallenged. In many instances, the government has demonized asylum seekers in emotive language and as a result many people consider that refugees are lairs, criminals, ‘forum shoppers, welfare cheats and queue jumpers . The terminology of ‘queue jumper does not exist in international law nor does it exist in other countries. Australia has adopted it simply because it prefers to offer refugee status to a carefully selected number of people from overseas countries and it does not like being forced to consider applications from those it had not already selected. Australia, in comparison with most other western societies, has a small number of children arriving, nevertheless, in relation to the total number of asylum seekers arriving, children remain a significant percentage. Some travel with parents or guardians and other often travel alone (identified as unaccompanied). Regardless of the motive, children have no choice in the decision that has led them to be vulnerable to the notions of a new authority. The overriding principle, contained in Article 3 of UNCRC the Best Interests of the Child: In all actions concerning children, weather undertakenby public or private social welfare institutions, courtsof law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies,the best interest of the child shall be a primary consideration. Various laws in Australia mention the Bets Interest of the Child and propose to support this principle. The law that relates to onshore asylum seekers is not one of these laws. The Migration Amendment Act of 1992 identifies asylum seekers as designated persons. Section 189 states that a designated person must be detained during the processing of their refugee status and Section 192 goes on to identify two options for release obtaining a Temporary Protection Visa or being deported. Under this section everyone is detained until they are either accepted or rejected as refugees, regardless of age or infirmity. This is where politics becomes involved in childrens rights and immigration detention of children where the Act does not make any distinction between the immigration status of adults and children and therefore there is no legal status between adults and their children and no difference in their treatment. This is of course dismisses the idea of the ‘best interests of the ch ild. Childrens needs cannot be met in isolation. They are normally met most effectively within the context of family and community. Moreover a childs welfare is closely linked to the health and security of the primary caregiver. It is therefore, necessary to strengthen the capacities of refugee families to meet their own needs and improve the participation and situation of adult refugees particularly women, thereby contributing significantly to the welfare of their children. Selection of one challenge and its reflection on policy based solution Best Interest In relation to the refugee children whether accompanied or unaccompanied the primary goals of any action or program must be: †¢ To ensure the protection and healthy development of all children†¢ To achieve durable solutions which are appropriate to the immediate and long term developmental needs of children.While there is no one definition of what will be in the best interests of each and every child, a childs ability to enjoy all of his or her rights in a given environment is a good indication of whether the childs best interests are being met. Furthermore, the UNCRC also doesnt explicitly define ‘best interest it is clear that in the case of actions and decisions affecting a child; it is the best interests of that individual child which must be taken into account rather than children generally. The childs best interests†¦..must be the subject of active consideration. It needs to be demonstrated that childrens interests have been explored and taken into account as a primary consideration. The ‘best interests principle is reiterated in article 9(1) of the UNCRC states that children should never be separated from their parents against their will except when ‘necessary for the best interests of the child. The interaction between the ‘best interests principle, family unity and immigration can be enlightened by referring preamble of the UNCRC providing a reference point by recognizing that: â€Å"[T]he child, for the full and harmonious development ofhis of her personality, should grow up in a family environment,in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding†. In order to support the best interests of the refugee children many of the obligations under the UNCRC are relevant for instance, protection from violence, the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health, special care for children with disabilities, education, keeping confidentiality of their personal information, non-discrimination, recreation and the right to full cultural life (including language) are all factors that create a nurturing environment. Incorporating Children voices into policy debate The idea of childrens participation gained currency due to UNCRC. This legal instrument grants children civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights. Articles 12-15 are interpreted as conferring on children the right to participate in their societies. This includes the right to have their views heard in matters affecting them; the right to freedom of expression, information, religion and conscience; and the right to form associations. The UNCRC marks a change from understanding children as objects of adult interventions designed to meet their developmental needs, towards a construction of children as rights holders with the ability to participate in defining their own requirements for well being . Refugees children being most vulnerable members of Australian society, they should have the right to have their fundamental need for shelter, food, physical and emotional care and education met, and to live freely and securely within a society that values and protects them. It is the responsibility of Government and communities to ensure these needs are met if a childs family/caregiver cannot or will not protect their rights. But due to their protracted legal status refugee children have spoken loud and clear. The welfare of kids in immigration detention is jeopardized because the three agencies supposedly caring for them the federal government, the private correctional firm that runs the detention centres and the state government wont consider childrens interests before their own. Where are the kids in this picture while the adults are fighting with each other over jurisdictional and policy issues? They are unheard and ignored. It proves that these children have worries, distress and concern for their unresolved legal situation and their inability to move towards an integration into the Australian community. Many children describe themselves as happy, good, but detailed their depression and distress that accompanied being in a limbo situation. The non-resolution of their migration or refugee situation was their paramount concern. The current manifestations of distress, while particularly concerning are equalled by the knowledge of the long term impact of ‘not belonging; to a community; to a state and to a nation If a child cannot access normal citizenship, then their ability to grow emotionally and integrate themselves into their new country is diminished. These children have the possibility of becoming adults with a sense of frustration and anger that will impact on their lives and will impact on our lives in the Australian community in the forthcoming years. [NOTE: the writer considers the points of this paragraph as specifics impacting her local area of residence surrounded by refugee children] Conclusion Refugee children, just like our won children, need access to education and health care, and have the right to live with their families and be reunited with them when separated. They are entitled to a safe environment, free from fear and intimidation. Why do we recognize this for our won children but deny it for Iraqi, Afghan and Iranian children? We must take them into the community where they can play, learn and grow. At least when our children look back on this time and ask us what we did to stand up for refugee kids, we can say we gave them their childhood .

Life in the Hands of Natue The Pefect Storm :: Essays Papers

Life in the Hands of Natue The Pefect Storm The perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger presents the perception of risking one’s life, to earn money in order to survive everyday living; through the men who take that risk, their families who endure great emotional distress while they await for their arrival home, which is not guaranteed, and the men of the Coast Guard and the Air National Guard who anticipate disaster. In this book the risk taken by the fishing men baffled me. Yes, the money was good, but the risk seemed to out weigh the money. The men of The Andrea Gail all had their doubts of their last trip into the Atlantic, which would cost them their lives. Such tragedy can be a useful learning experience for those who survive. The perfect Storm also brought to my attention the mental state of one who is on the edge of life and death. I learned a great deal about the fishing industry lifestyle from The Perfect Storm. The men of the Andrea Gail risked their lives on every trip they set out on. They took this risk to support them selves and their families. One thing I would have accepted as a justification of this risk is if every catch resulted in a plentiful amount of money. There was no guarantee of how much one would bring home proving to me that the money was out weighed by the risk. It seems that those who take part in swordfishing have a sense of denial. They put aside the risks of the business and go on with their work. When disaster does strike out at sea man is in the hands of nature, the most powerful force. There is only so much one can do to prevent a natural disaster. When one’s life is on the line the natural instincts of the body take over. When one is drowning they voluntarily hold their breath to prevent their lungs from filling with water. As they hold their breath the body is starting to feel the effect of too much carbon dioxide in the blood. At this moment it is said to be the â€Å"break point†. The body knows that as the carbon dioxide builds, time is running out, resulting in an involuntary breath in most cases flooding the lungs with water ending any chance of survival. Life in the Hands of Natue The Pefect Storm :: Essays Papers Life in the Hands of Natue The Pefect Storm The perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger presents the perception of risking one’s life, to earn money in order to survive everyday living; through the men who take that risk, their families who endure great emotional distress while they await for their arrival home, which is not guaranteed, and the men of the Coast Guard and the Air National Guard who anticipate disaster. In this book the risk taken by the fishing men baffled me. Yes, the money was good, but the risk seemed to out weigh the money. The men of The Andrea Gail all had their doubts of their last trip into the Atlantic, which would cost them their lives. Such tragedy can be a useful learning experience for those who survive. The perfect Storm also brought to my attention the mental state of one who is on the edge of life and death. I learned a great deal about the fishing industry lifestyle from The Perfect Storm. The men of the Andrea Gail risked their lives on every trip they set out on. They took this risk to support them selves and their families. One thing I would have accepted as a justification of this risk is if every catch resulted in a plentiful amount of money. There was no guarantee of how much one would bring home proving to me that the money was out weighed by the risk. It seems that those who take part in swordfishing have a sense of denial. They put aside the risks of the business and go on with their work. When disaster does strike out at sea man is in the hands of nature, the most powerful force. There is only so much one can do to prevent a natural disaster. When one’s life is on the line the natural instincts of the body take over. When one is drowning they voluntarily hold their breath to prevent their lungs from filling with water. As they hold their breath the body is starting to feel the effect of too much carbon dioxide in the blood. At this moment it is said to be the â€Å"break point†. The body knows that as the carbon dioxide builds, time is running out, resulting in an involuntary breath in most cases flooding the lungs with water ending any chance of survival.

The Effects of The Black Death on the Economic and Social Life of Europe :: European Europe History

The Effects of The Black Death on the Economic and Social Life of Europe The Black Death is the name later given to the epidemic of plague that ravaged Europe between 1347 and 1351. The disaster affected all aspects of life. Depopulation and shortage of labor hastened changes already inherent in the rural economy; the substitution of wages for labor services was accelerated, and social stratification became less rigid. Psychological morbidity affected the arts; in religion, the lack of educated personnel among the clergy gravely reduced the intellectual vigor of the church. "In less than four years the disease carved a path of death through Asia, Italy, France, North Africa, Spain and Normandy, made its way over the Alps into Switzerland, and continued eastward into Hungary" (Microsoft Bookshelf, page 1). After a brief respite, the plague resumed, crossing the channel into England, Scotland, and Ireland, and eventually made its way into the northern countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and even as far north as Greenland. In other words, the plague touched almost the entire known world. So much death could not help but tear economic and social structures apart. Lack of peasants and laborers sent wages soaring, and the value of land plummeted. For the first time in history the scales tipped against wealthy landlords as peasants and serfs gained more bargaining power. Without architects, masons and artisans, great cathedrals and castles remained unfinished for hundreds of years. Governments, lacking officials, floundered in their attempts to create order out of chaos. The living lost all sense of morality and justice, and a new attitude toward the church emerged. Medieval people could find no Divine reason for the four-year nightmare, and dissatisfaction with the church gave impetus to reform movements that eventually broke apart the unity of the Catholic Church. The plague itself was disastrous enough, especially in the appearance of more than one form during the same epidemic. But coming when it did was as catastrophic as its form. The middle 14th century was not a good time for Europe. The European economy was already in difficulties. It was approaching the limits of expansion, both on its frontiers and in reclaiming land from forest and swamp. The arrival of the Mongols and the Ottomans had disrupted trade routes, and certain areas of Europe were edging into depression. "The Church was in poor shape as well. The popes resided at Avignon, not at Rome, to the scandal of many.

Jean-Paul Sartre: On the Other Side of Despair Essay examples -- Biogr

Jean-Paul Sartre: On the Other Side of Despair    In an age of modern pessimism and inauthentic, insignificant existence, Jean-Paul Sartre clearly stands out amongst the masses as a leading intellectual, a bastion of hope in the twentieth century. Confronting anguish and despair, absurdity and freedom, nihilism and transcendence, "Sartre totalized the twentieth century... in the sense that he was responsive with theories to each of the great events he lived through" as Arthur C. Danto commented (Marowski and Matuz 371). As a philosopher, dramatist, novelist, essayist, biographer, short story writer, journalist, editor, scriptwriter, and autobiographer, his impact is simply undeniable. Between his expansive body of literary work and the philosophical ideas expressed within his words, Jean-Paul Sartre was one of the leading minds of recent times and perhaps the father of existentialism as we know it. Jean-Paul Sartre was born in Paris on June 21, 1905. Due to his father’s early death, he and his mother lived with his grandfather, Charles Schweitzer. As Sartre notes in his 1964 autobiography Les mots (The Words), Schweitzer was a professor of German and instilled in him a great passion for literature in his early years (Marowski and Matuz 371). Growing up as the only child in a household where the adults doted on him, historians explain that, "Sartre perceived hypocrisy in his middle-class environment as manifested in his family’s penchant for self-indulgence and role-playing" and he therefore "held anti-bourgeois sentiments throughout his life" (Marowski and Matuz 371). While attending the Écà ´le Normale Supà ©riuere in Paris, Sartre met fellow philosophy student Simone de Beauvoir and then formed what was to be a lifelong per... ...d Other Stories. By Jean-Paul Sartre. New York: MJF Books, 1975. v-xiv. Crosby, Donald A. "Nihilism." Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Ed. Edward Craig. 8 vols. London and New York: Routledge, 1998. Howells, Christina. "Sartre, Jean-Paul." Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Ed. Edward Craig. 8 vols. London and New York: Routledge, 1998. "Jean-Paul Sartre". Connect.net Home Page. 2000 Online. Internet. Available http://www.connect.net/ron/sartre.html 19 July 2000. Marowski, Daniel G. and Roger Matuz, eds. "Jean-Paul (Charles Aymard) Sartre." Contemporary Literary Criticism. Vol. 52. Detroit: Gale Research Inc., 1989. "Sartre Cortege Plus Thousands End in Crush at the Cemetery." The Boston Globe April  1980.  Ã‚  The   Boston Globe Online. Internet. 19 July 2000. Turnbull, Neil. Get a Grip on Philosophy. Essex, UK: Ivy Press/Time Life Books, 1998.

Isolation in Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, is set in the detached Yorkshire moors during the early nineteenth century and depicts the lives of two contrasting families. Because Wuthering Heights was written during the Romanticism movement, many characteristics of the movement are reflected by the novel. The characters' reasons for becoming isolated are universal and can be connected to situations found in modern music. Bronte reveals universal aspects of the human condition by highlighting the manner in which the characters become isolated- either by their own choice or unintentionally.Catherine has made herself ill by refusing food and drink for days. Believing she is on the verge of death, Catherine becomes hysterical and remembers her childhood with Heathcliff. During this episode, Catherine reveals her true feelings about her marriage to Edgar and her longing to be a child again. â€Å"I had been wrenched from the Heights, and every early association†¦ at that time, had been conve rted at a stroke into Mrs. Linton†¦ : an exile, an outcast† (pg. 118). Catherine has unintentionally isolated herself from where she belongs and is miserable in the high-society culture of Thrushcross Grange.Although Catherine believed raising her social status and obtaining material objects would make her happy, it is not the case. Catherine does not fit in with the mannered and refined society at the Grange and realizes she truly belongs with Heathcliff. Catherine longs to be a child again because she had freedom in nature with Heathcliff, her true love. A similar situation occurs in A Billion Ernies' â€Å"Hermit Crab†. In this song, the anonymous speaker feels tortured and alone although they have all the material objects one could wish for. This is torture at its finest state/ My blankets are warm and there's too much on my plate/ †¦ but I think I'll sleep under the stars tonight/†¦ I feel content†¦ lying on a rock, sleeping in a tent/†¦ I' ve got everything I need right here/ I thought I had it all† (A Billion Ernies). Warm blankets, a plate of food and a glowing fireplace do not satisfy the speaker. The speaker feels isolated in her/his current situation and longs to be free. Having freedom in nature fulfills the speaker more than having materialistic wealth. The speaker in â€Å"Hermit Crab† and Catherine were isolated in their situations although they had material riches.Both realize where they truly fit in, where they could be free from isolation, and no longer believe material objects and riches lead to happiness Catherine Linton has recently given birth to a child and passed away. Shortly thereafter, Isabella unexpectedly arrives at the Grange flustered and upset. Isabella tells Nelly of a violent fight between Hindley and Heathcliff, which has caused her to run away. These evens cause Edgar Linton much grief and he to chooses to isolate himself from society. â€Å"He refrained from going anywhere where he was likely to see or hear of Heathcliff.Grief, and that together, transformed him into a complete hermit† (pg. 173). Edgar Linton experiences intense grief as a result of the death of Catherine Linton and the fleeing of Isabella and isolated himself at the Grange. These events cause Edgar to question where he belongs and his purpose in the world, which he contemplates while isolated. Similarly in â€Å"What Hurts the Most†, by Rascal Flats, the anonymous speaker is lamenting the loss of a loved one. The speaker's loved one passes away before he has a chance to say everything he wants to her, which is what hurts him the most. It's hard to deal with the pain of loosin' you everywhere I go†¦ / It's hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I'm alone/ Still harder gettin' up, gettin' dressed† (Rascal Flats). The speaker finds it difficult to live without his loved one and see the friends of his loved one. Simply getting up in the morning is difficult for the speaker because he is now questioning the world. After the death of a significant person, facing society is difficult and sorrow causes isolation and confusion. Many of the universal, everlasting truths of the Romantic movement are still present in prose today.Even in today's society, people feel isolated when they do not belong in a place, no matter what the reasons. Worldly objects do not bring happiness and only a sense of belonging brings freedom from isolation and peace of mind. Also, even in modern times, the loss of someone close causes mixed emotions about life and a person's sense of belonging. The death of a loved one continues to cause such intense lamentation that a person may choose to isolate himself/herself from society. The human condition is timeless.

Against the Odds, and Against the Common Good Essay

In her essay, â€Å"Against the Odds, and Against the Common Good,† Gloria Jimenez evaluates the debate for state-run lotteries and surmises that state representatives, having citizens’ welfare in mind, should not pass bills urging them to gamble. In today’s society, state-run lotteries are common establishments considering the majority of our country has one. Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia all have lotteries justified as necessary state funds beneficial to the common good. But with state lotteries no one wins—not schools, not the government and not the American public. (1) The lottery system does not contribute notable funds to the state or schools (2) it is a regressive form of taxation (3) it creates limited jobs (4) it is harmful to American values and society (5)but they claim to be fair and honest. Overall, lotteries are neither practical nor fair, and they are harmful to the common good. First, let me point out that lotteries do not achieve their first goal of contributing notable funds to the state or schools. The most valid defense for lotteries is that they will increase Educational funding, when, in fact, contributes very little. In her research, Jimenez briefly explains her findings and deducts â€Å"the lotteries have been paying out roughly 4 percent to the businesses while taking in almost $20 billion in 2002.† (New York Times, May 18, 2003, sec. 4, p. 1). If states raised income tax by a fraction of a percent, they could generate just as much revenue as state lotteries. That is how insignificant they are. As well as being an ineffective money raising scheme, the lottery is also a regressive form of taxation. The attraction of the lottery is to strike it rich instantaneously and never have to work again. The message is most evident to the poor, undereducated, and compulsive gamblers. As a result, these citizens participate in the lottery spending an average of three times as much of their income on lottery tickets than the wealthy would. This is, in effect, due to false and misleading advertising aimed specifically at this market. Furthermore, the only new jobs that are created unless, by chance a new casino goes in, are the vacancies for advertising executives and accounting clerks. The positions for clerks that actually sell the tickets do not need filling because they are previously filled at convenience and grocery stores. In addition, state run lotteries are unwholesome and dangerous for the common good. They send out a message that opposes the ethics of hard work, sacrifice, and integrity—everything Americans believe in. The lottery is deceptive and encourages people to believe that they will win something for nothing. Still, government allows lotteries and actually promotes them, encouraging citizens to participate. One of the greatest problems associated with the lottery is that it can lead to addiction. So although people are buying the tickets of their own free will and free will to participate is one of the pro’s of the lottery. Exactly how much free will really is there when all of the manipulation is being done by the ad executives targeting prime citizens, the government strong-arming the constituents into their lottery schemes, and the gambling addicts cannot really help themselves? Government has no business enticing people to gamble their hard earned money for an against the odds chance of winning a big cash prize. It is irresponsible, immoral and far from fair and honest. Works Cited Jimenez, Gloria. â€Å"Against the Odds, and Against the Common Good.† Pg. 112-114. Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing. Barnett & Bedau. New York. Bedford/St. Martin.2008. Print