Motorola Mobility Holdings

Table of Contents Primary stakeholders Secondary stakeholders Motivation plan Challenges to the motivation plan Overcoming these challenges Conclusion References Motorola Mobility Holdings is a company that is based in the United States of America. The company deals in mobile phones and mobile devices, as well as data delivery and end-to-end video. The company is listed in the NYSE market. The parent company for Motorola Mobility Holdings is Motorola, but the two separated in the year 2011.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Motorola Mobility Holdings specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is important to note that the Motorola Mobility Holdings is currently owned by Google Inc. A new logo for the company was unveiled in June 2013 following its acquisition by Google Inc. Since then, the company can simply be referred to as Motorola-a Google Company. Motorola Mobility Holdings has shareholders who contribute to its investment capital and making major decisions for the company. Its stakeholders have either direct or indirect effect on the performance of the company. This term paper will focus on the primary and secondary stakeholders of the company and evaluate how they can help the company’s CEO in implementing changes and improving the performance of the company. Primary stakeholders These are stakeholders who are internal to the company and they have a direct effect on its operations. They are stakeholders who are directly involved in the economic transactions of the company. They include employees, customers, stockholders, creditors, as well as suppliers. The stockholders of an organization can also be referred to as the shareholders. They contribute the investment capital for the organization. In other words, they are the legal owners of the company. Therefore, they are specially privileged depending on their shareholding capacity (Lawrence Weber, 2011). The main aim of any co mpany’s shareholders is to maximize their wealth. Therefore, they play any role that can help the organization improve its performance and profitability simultaneously. Shareholders are involved in the decision making process of the organization. The decision making capacity depends on the number of shares held by each individual. For instance, the person with the highest number of shares has the highest say when it comes to voting and decision making. Shareholders are also involved in the communication process of the organization. This is done through an elected communication agent. In addition, shareholders of Motorola Mobility Holdings are also involved in corporate social responsibility of the company.Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This is important in that it improves the company’s image in the community, in addition to improving customer loyalty (B ustin, 2004).  The other class of stakeholders is the employees. These are involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization (Lawrence Weber, 2011). Employees of Motorola Mobility Holdings facilitate innovation and use of technology in the organization. Customers are also an important part of the company’s stakeholders. Customers determine the profitability of any organization. When an organization has a high number of customers, its possibility of making high profits is also high. Creditors are the stakeholders who give credit to the organization. They finance the organization’s operations. Creditors are important since they boost the money available for investment. Finally, the suppliers of Motorola Mobility Holdings are the people or parties that supply the company’s goods and services in its supply chain. Suppliers avail goods for sale to the organization. They are important since the quality of goods and services they supply determine the loyalty and trust that customers have on the organization. Secondary stakeholders These are usually external to the organization and they are not involved directly in the company’s transactions. However, they may have an effect on the firm’s performance. These stakeholders are also affected by the organizational actions (Lawrence Weber, 2011). Secondary stakeholders of Motorola Mobility Holdings include the general public, media, as well as business support groups. The actions of secondary stakeholders may affect the organization in that they can improve its profitability or reduce it. For instance, more people will be willing to buy the products if the general public has trust on the company’s products and services. In addition, chances are that many people are likely to trust the organization if the media are positive about the company. The actions of the organization can also affect the secondary stakeholders. For instance, production of quality products, corporate social responsibility and satisfactory services will improve stakeholders’ loyalty to the organization. Motivation plan Topic Timeline Purpose Rationale Message CSR adaptation decision The company should first inform the market of its intention to adopt CSR approach through an official speech or in its website To create awareness among the company’s stakeholders about the intended change and find an appropriate way of executing the modification. This is important since it will ensure that all the concerned parties are involved in the process and that they fully participate, thus the process will be smooth. The company should communicate its intention to implement change, and the benefits associated with the change. There should be a discussion with the stakeholders on how the modification is to be implemented. Experts in the company who have knowledge regarding the intended change should give the best period to make viable proposal. To expand the innovation pla tform and bring more members on board. To establish genuine costs, as well as make decisions in a timely manner This will communicate to the stakeholders of the approach and the intention for the actual change process. Communicating to the public the intended change This should be done after the stakeholders accept the change. To create awareness to the public about the change. An accurate report and plan about the change should be presented. Explain why the company decided to make the changes and the rationale behind the decision. Challenges to the motivation plan Implementation of a change in the organization does not come without challenges. For instance, there are some stakeholders who may oppose the implementation. Such a process is likely to reduce profitability in the short run, and shareholders are likely to oppose the move.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Motorola Mobility Holdings specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition, the process may be costly, further reducing profitability and stimulating resistance from shareholders. Some employees may feel insecure in that they see as if they might lose their positions following the changes since a change might completely alter the way business is done at Motorola Mobility Holdings. Overcoming these challenges One of the major ways in which challenges can be overcome is through effective communication about the intention to make changes and the impact of the change (Devito, 2006). This will ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the changes and that they are in agreement. The other way that the challenges can be addressed is by involving all stakeholders in the process. This makes them feel part of the change and support it. Conclusion Stakeholders are an important organ of an organization. Therefore, it is important for the CEO to involve the stakeholders for an organization to make any effective changes in the bid to im prove its performance. Any change to be implemented at Motorola Mobility Holdings should involve all stakeholders. References Bustin, G. (2004). Take charge: how leaders profit from change. Reading, PA: Tapestry Press. Devito, L. (2006). Human communication: New Zealand edition. Auckland, New Zealand: Addison Wesley. Lawrence, T. A., Weber, J. (2011). Business and society stakeholders, ethics, public policy. New York, NY: Wiley and Sons. This term paper on Motorola Mobility Holdings was written and submitted by user Amber F. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

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To What Extent Were Gorbachevs Reforms A Failure Politics Essay

To What Extent Were Gorbachevs Reforms A Failure Politics Essay The second half of the 1980s was marked as the fundamental change in the Soviet era. The era of reconstruction, Perestroika had gone into history, with the main purpose of introducing the new Soviet Union, which was the creation of the legal social state and democratisation of a new country. It is considered the most dramatic event in political economy to happen since the Great Depression of the 1930s  [1]   The research question: To what extent could the political and socio-economic consequences of Gorbachevs reforms be considered a failure? adopts a critical and evaluative approach of the Soviet reforms such as, perestroika, new political thinking and glasnost, during the mid 1980s, assessing negative as well as positive consequences of the reform. This investigation explores the question of whether the socio-economic and political changes caused by Gorbachevs reforms can be either justified as a complete failure, contributing to decline in socio-economic development and political factors, or on the other side viewed as a successful policy, that brought freedom to East Europe. For answering the question it is essential to examine the political and socio-economic conditions and address the necessity of such changes that was caused by a profound crisis in the of the Soviet-Union pre-Gorbachev era prevailing in late 1970s. Regardless of the conclusion, this topic will remain under controversy causing different judgments among the historians, as an Emeritus Professor of politics at Oxford University said: The extent to which he [Gorbachev] is regarded a success or a failure will long remain a matter of controversy. There seems no doubt, though, that both in Russia and outside he will be regarded as a figure of decisive importance, regardless of whether his activities are viewed positively or highly negatively.  [2]   During the investigation a wide range of sources was used, representing polar opposite perspectives of the West and the East, from both the time of Perestroika and in hindsight. The sources used can be separated into three groups. The first group were those who believed that the initiative and perseverance of Mikhail Gorbachevs reforms made the first step to ensure the transformation of the country to a civilised state of the Western world. The second group- evaluates Gorbachevs reforms more negatively, believing that his imperialistic policy has led to serious irreversible consequences of the country. Finally, the third group includes political scientists and economists like Marshall I. Goldman and who combine their studies in both approaches, considering both positive and negative aspects of Perestroika. Therefore, the essay will be divided into Political and Socio-Economic reforms of Perestroika during 1985 and 1991 according to these identified groups. 2. Conditions in the Soviet Union prior to Perestroika The necessity of Perestroika and such radical changes were caused by the profound crisis of the Soviet system that were formed in the late 70s including the fall of Soviet authority in the eyes of public opinion in the Soviet Russian and in the Eastern Europe, a so-called socialist camp, where new democratic ideas were forming and demanding more human and political rights, as well as a rejection of the totalitarian regime. Therefore, for Mikhail Gorbachev, his reforms were seen as the best solution to the urgent political and socio-economic problems, which were aimed to strengthen and develop the Soviet Union. Furthermore, he was not anticipating that Perestroika would lead to a complete collapse of the system and USSR. a) Political Between 1980 and 1984, the changes in leadership have had a great impact on destabilising the government. Moreover, USA USSR relations were getting worse every day. After the Yalta Conference and Churchills Iron Curtain speech all contributed to the growing fear of the Soviet Union  [3]  and the beginning of the Cold War. The rivalry of two sides, has increased the military budget of the country, while not helping its economy. Additionally, in the mid 1980s, the Soviet Union was demonstrating its military might in the Afghan war that has also turned against it.  [4]   b) Socio-Economic Prior to perestroika, the Soviet economy was marked by the extensive economic growth in the late 1960s that began to pull to the economical development backwards. In the consequent 20 years USSR has experienced a rapid decline in growth of industry from 8.5% to 3.5%. There was also a problematic situation in consumers market which was also linked to the drop of oil prices. According to the economists, the prices of raw materials were comparatively cheap to other products, which caused inefficient and wasteful usage of these raw materials.  [5]  Between 1970 and 1980 USSR has earned 170 billion US dollars from the petroleum export. However, again, this money was invested into the military expansion and purchase of new machinery which was inefficiently used and did not enrich the country in the long run.  [6]   The agricultural situation in the Soviet Union was also rather complex. The money earned from petroleum exports was used for food imports, instead of introducing new efficient agricultural reforms substituting the old collective system. The economic problems reflected on production in both agrarian and industrial sectors of the country. The harvest fell from 237 million tons from 1978 to 158 million tons in 1981, depicting a very radical change. Similarly, the production of steel fell from 151 million in the 1978 to 147 million in 1982, which is particularly surprising as it always has been constant apart from the World War II period.  [7]   The economic and political constraints in the country such as economic stagnation and corruption, contributed to the rapid decline in the social sphere. Budgets proportion that went to people was not simply enough. This has lead to various social problems such as low standards of living, health care and high levels of alcoholism. These three main factors have affected the ideological and moral values of the people in the country causing demoralisation of the society. That also affected the quality and efficiency of work, such as poor working habits and incentives. As a result, in the early 80s the income per capita has decreased three fold compared to mid 60s. Additionally, there were issues with income distribution, resulting in high inequality between the lower and higher classes. This, of course, all went against the communist ideology. People were deprived of the civil rights and as a result various dissident movements broke in USSR and Eastern Europe. 3. Analysis of Political Reforms a) Glasnost Glasnost was the main political reform introduced in 1986 by Gorbachev. After 50 years of silence and fear the society was finally allowed to speak and express its opinions. With the policy of Glasnost, which Gorbachev has referred to as the other side of the Perestroikas coin, the system became less strict in many aspects of the society. This has included media, reduction in censorship and freedom of speech, opening up USSR to the rest of the world. Only in the year 1986 more than 14 million new newspapers were printed. After Olympic boycotts, the 1986 Goodwill games were seen live from both sides of the Iron Curtain. In the period of two years Gorbachev has made the fear disappear, bringing pop-culture to the USSR, creating a new breed of young people.  [8]   The policy of glasnost was responsible for drastically changing the spiritual life for people. The government ceased prosecution of many key figures that were exiled under Stalins rule, like Andrei Sakharov, who was in  internal exile for seven years.  [9]  Gorbachev said that they need glasnost in order to ensure fulfillment of tasks of the Party Congress  [10]  or in other words Perestroika was used as the base for his reforms. Primarily it was aimed to criticise and expose the corrupt leadership and was an instrument to improve political activity. In his speech to the January 1987 CC Plenum, Gorbachev has said: there can  be no person beyond criticism or people with no right to criticise.  [11]   b) Intellectual Elite Natan Edelman, a well-known historian, wrote in 1989: that the intellectuals support for Perestroika  is virtually unanimous.  [12]  All the great minds that were deprived during the Soviet Regime, has benefited from Gorbachevs reforms. Gorbachevs reforms have assured intellectuals of the right to free speech, unprecedented artistic freedom, wide access to the mass media, and a chance to be elected to the Soviet legislature and to serve in government.  [13]  These were the kind of thinkers who were essential for countrys future growth. c) Democratisation With the reform of Perestroika a general democratisation of life began in the country. Gorbachev publicly stated that Democratisation will not weaken our society but on the contrary, it will strengthen it.  [14]  Even though many were against the political reforms, the supreme Council has adopted two new laws changing and altering the Constitution of the USSR, and introducing voting system for peoples deputies. The final stage of the political reform which was the Congress of public Deputies of the USSR, has elected Gorbachev as the president of the USSR. Despite the numerous mistakes in the reforms, this was still a significant step towards liberation from the previous one-party system. d) US-Soviet Relations The slogan of the new political thinking, was a big change for the USSR and the world. The main idea of the concept was that any military conflict, is wrong. During the 1987 Washington Summit meeting between leaders of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev and the U.S. President Ronald Reagan, a disarmament treaty was finally agreed and signed.  [15]  Gorbachevs new thinking and non-aggressive policy improved the US-Soviet relations as well as the international situation in general. Weapons of mass destruction were reduced by 2000 warheads. USSR has refused to further confront the West and wished for an end of the Cold War, for which Gorbachev received a Nobel Prize. This breakthrough has not only brought relief to the American-Soviet tensions, but has also allowed Gorbachev to cut the military budget that was essential to reduce the inflationary pressure and improve the living standards.  [16]   e) Afghan War and The Brezhnev Doctrine During 27th Party Congress in February/March 1986 after confirming the Brezhnev Doctrine,  [17]  the failed operation in maintaining Afghanistan gave Gorbachev no other choice in than to abandon the Doctrine and follow the policy of Perestroika. By 1989 Gorbachev withdrew almost all combat personnel from Afghanistan.  [18]   After the free elections in Poland which were marked by Communist Partys defeat by Solidarity in 1989, Gorbachev has renounced the Brezhnev Doctrine.  [19]  His speech at the UN on Dec. 7, 1989 represents the abandonment of communism from the Eastern Europe. In the next two years, their  numerical strength will be reduced by 500,000 persons, and the volume  of conventional arms will also be cut considerably. [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦]. By agreement with our allies in the  Warsaw Pact, we have made the decision to withdraw six tank divisions  from the GDR, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary, and to disband them by 1991.  [20]   f) Conclusion of political reforms The results of Perestroika in terms of foreign policy and political freedom cannot be considered a failure. Due to the policy of glasnost, the media and formation of independent press could now criticise anyone they wanted. People were finally free to speak. Perestroika was a big step towards liberalism with multyparty system and elections.  [21]   Now, almost 20 years after Perestroika, Gorbachev himself, who has lost the political power to Yeltsin after Perestroika, does not regret his actions and marks the results of his reforms as success . Gorbachev claims: it was such a success as it launched the democratic process in the Soviet Union. After the break-up of  USSR, Russia today is continuing to develop the market economy as well as pluralism in several domains such as politics, ideologies, religion, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ã‚  [22]   Collapse of the Soviet totalitarian empire and the formation of the 15 new states, some of which later became the members of NATO and a part of new Europe; destruction of the socialist camp and the Warsaw Pact with democratic changes in the political system can all be seen as examples of positive sides of Gorbachevs reform. It also had a further positive effect on economic reforms, that in the long-run has resulted in growth in Eastern Europe and Russia. Moreover, according to Gorbachev, another positive side was that they have managed to avoid a real bloodbath  [23]  in achieving these changes. On contrary, the radical changes were not welcomed by most of the older generation Soviet party members. They believed that the perfect Soviet regime has started to lose its totalitarian control and its isolationist character. For example, the control over media that resulted in a weaker censorship, has then opened many negative aspects of USSR that has been previously presented to be flawless. Gen. Valentin Varennikov, Chief of Soviet Ground Forces has stated that the social and military situation of the country was becoming worse  [24]  and Nina Anderyeva, a historian, saw the younger generations negative attitude towards the Soviet past as a moral degradation and a negative result of Glasnost.  [25]  The society has started to hear the problems in the Soviet Union such as poor living conditions, alcoholism etc. The nationalistic feeling and the strive to independence from the East European countries has increased. Many ethical problems which were previously sealed, have now opened into various riots, demanding for greater independence and stabilisation of the economy. 4. Analysis of Socio-economic Reforms a) Economic reforms The crisis in the economic development was a significant reason for the Soviet leadership in changing the structure of the economy. In July 1987, the  Supreme Soviet  has passed the Law on State Enterprise. It was seen as the key in conversion to a market economy  [26]  . The core of reform included the abandonment of the old planned economy and transition of the decision-making from state to private businesses. This has resulted in abolition of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the GKES, which were involved in foreign economic operations before.  [27]   However, the initial process of privatisation was much slower than planned. A small number of vendors was the main reason for high prices on the market, and the prices of goods in cooperatives were always higher than the prices in state stores. By 1989, only after one year of Perestroikas inception there were 133,000 private ownerships. However, in comparison to Chinas ten million private enterprises in 1980,  [28]  it is only demonstrating the Soviet delay in the privatisation. Due to mistakes in reforms and social elements in the system, the transformation of the Soviet planned system into a free market economy has failed. The third economic change, was the Venture Law, that went into effect in June 1987 after Gorbachev and his leadership have decided to open the doors of the Soviet market to foreign firms. This was completely against the Marxist ideology and was viewed as an economic and political espionage by the Soviet party members, fearing that the capitalists would gain control over the Soviet market, exploiting their workers as well as stealing their ideas.  [29]  However, it was more the Soviet government and the newly bred mafia that took advantage of this, rather than the foreign companies which instead have brought advances to the Russian market. b) Agricultural reforms A similar situation was in the agrarian sector. In May 1, 1987 Gorbachev has authorised the establishment of individual farming and has introduced decollectivisation. However, again, this process was very slow. By 1990 there were only 20  000 private farms in the Soviet Union, from that only 240 were registered in Russia and only 4 in Ukraine!  [30]  Many who did set up the private farms were subject to attacks and were classified as kulaks. In contrast, to compare with contemporary dynamics, the Chinese process of decollectivisation went at a much faster pace. By 1980 in China all farms were decollectivised.  [31]   c) Anti-alcohol campaign Perestroika has also introduced socio-economic reforms to tackle serious problems like alcoholism that also affected the economical growth. Gorbachevs anti-alcohol campaign was aimed to decrease the consumption of alcohol, improve health and increase the efficiency of the work force and production. However, the anti-alcohol campaign had a rather negative impact on the Soviet economy. As this was a great hit for the state monopolies, including the disappearance of vineyards in Georgia and other republics. It has decreased the tax income by 13% and was said to cost the Soviet Union 200 billion Rubles. It did not stop people from drinking, instead the policy encouraged black markets and increased the production of moonshine,  [32]  that were usually low-quality and harmful for health. Additionally, it had a side effect on the consumption of sugar as home-made vodka required large quantities of sugar for production. The increase in consumption was 10 kilograms per capita in only 5 ye ars, effecting the market and the prices. Both sugar shortage and the reduction in imports of consumer goods combined with inflation caused a buyers panic.  [33]  Moreover, the situation got worse as not only sugar disappeared from the markets but normal goods from sugar to furniture. As a result consumer behavior was to buy as many goods as possible to avoid future shortages, spending hours in queues for nearly everything.  [34]  . d) Conclusion of socio-economic reforms During the years of Perestroika nothing significant was actually done to reform the economic methods. There were many laws adopted that allowed small businesses and private corporations, however, none had any fundamental effect on the principles of the Soviet economy. The political reforms have lead to governments losing of control over the national economy that they had planned out for many years. Gorbachevs indecisiveness in his reforms might explain the fact that he did not know what he was doing. A rapid decline in production has resulted in 20% decline in national income. The consumption of new machinery and lower tax revenues contributed to a rapid increase of the budget deficit. Table 1 shows the estimate budget deficit of the country between 1978 and 1990. CIA states that in 10 years the deficit had increased from 16 billion rubles to 68 billion rubles and later on increased even further reaching three digit values. Although different sources have different values and estimations, it is a fact that the situation catastrophically affected the people. As a result, to decrease the deficit more money was printed which has additionally increased the inflation. As Gorbachev has stated in his speech in the 1990 We have lost control over the financial situation in the country. By late 1990 the inflationary prices of goods were increasing at a 20% rate per annum and few years later this value has increased to 70%.  [35]  There were shortages of various consumer goods and a rat ioning system was introduced. This resulted in a drop of living standards, the Soviet Union fell to 82nd place in the world in terms of living standards. Another problem that has elevated during the economical crisis, was a serious debt as the expenditures were 20-30 % higher than the income (GDP)  [36]  . The debt of the Soviet Union was estimated to be about 60 billion dollars. The Soviet Union had to sell its gold reserves to purchase the foreign currency. This is a very bright illustration that Perestroika has not only failed to improve the old system, instead it disturbed the old system and further deteriorated the situation. 5. Conclusion According to the existing evidence, it is clear that Perestroika has suffered a defeat in the form it was originally conceived  [37]  from a socio-economic side and failed in achieving its main aims in improving the economic situation, instead had rather negative results and consequences. Gorbachevs reconstruction has weakend the social and economic conditions in the country. A further phrase by Aleksandr Zaychenko further proves this statement: Russians today [in 1989] eat worse than did Russians in 1913 under the Czars.  [38]   Even though elimination of the state monopoly in foreign trade was a positive sign in transformation to the market economy, as foreign corporations were able to show the Soviet system new and more advanced ways of doing business. This was a sign that He [Gorbachev] knew where he wanted to end up, with a more productive, consumer-oriented economy, but he did not know how to get there.  [39]  Between 1985 and 1991, ten new economic reforms have been introduced, and not a single one was ever implemented  [40]  no one went down that road before. As a result this half-measure in the economy has lead to an economic crisis. After the reconstruction of the old approaches to the economy there were no new methods that would replace the old ways, the Soviet economy was stuck in the middle between the planned and private economies, which are considered as an economic failure. As stated by Marshall I. Goldman, an expert on the Soviet economy, his book Went Wrong with Perestroika, clearly shows the fundamental problems in socio-economic sphere that were formed as result of Gorbachevs indecisive maneuvers and highlights their contribution to result in a total failure and the collapse of the whole system. On equilibrium, however, political factors seem to be more successful. Reforms like: Glasnost and New Political Thinking, played a crucial role in improving the U.S.-Soviet relations breaking the tensions and diminishing the possibility of a military conflict between the two military blocks, NATO and the Warsaw Pact, as well as finally opening the iron curtain and breaking the Berlin wall. Additionally, Mikhail Gorbachevs new thinkingduring Perestroika was the key in ending the Cold War. After 5 decades of hostilities, In the last few years, throughout the world  people were able to heave a sigh of relief, thanks to the changes for  the better in the substance and atmosphere of the relations between  Moscow and Washington.  [41]  Additionally, after three decades of confrontation USSR became friends with China. This all was doubtlessly one of Gorbachevs successful achievements of his reforms. People take Gorbachev as a hero, others accuse him of causing a disaster  [42]  . Similarly Perestroika is considered as a failure because it has given way to the totalitarian control of the country and, on the other side, can be considered a success for giving freedom to people. Peoples conclusions are linked to their understanding of things.  [43]  These understandings will change with time and therefore change their whole idea towards the event. 7. Bibliography Books Charles Bukowski, and J. Richard Walsh, eds.,  Glasnost, Perestroika, and the Socialist Community  (New York: Praeger Publishers, 1990) Peter J. Boettke,  Why Perestroika Failed: The Politics and Economics of Socialist Transformation  (New York: Routledge, 1993) Mikhail S. Gorbachev, 39 Address at the Forty-Third Un General Assembly Session, December 7, 1988,  The Soviet System: From Crisis to Collapse, ed. Alexander Dallin andGail W. Lapidus (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1995) Marshall I. Goldman,  What Went Wrong with Perestroika  (New York: W. W. Norton, 1992) Ronald E. Powaski,  The Cold War The United States and the Soviet Union, 1917-1991,   (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998) Dmitri N. Shalin, ed.,  Russian Culture at the Crossroads: Paradoxes of Postcommunist Consciousness  (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1996) Joanne Wright, 3: The End of the Cold War: The Brezhnev Doctrine,  Why the Cold War Ended: A Range of Interpretations, ed. Ralph Summy andMichael E. Salla (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995) William E. Watson,  The Collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union  (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998) Thomas C. Owen,  Russian Corporate Capitalism from Peter the Great to Perestroika  (New York: Oxford University Press, 1995) Hunt, Lynn: The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures. (Bedford/St. Martins, Boston and London, 2009) Magazine Peter Hylarides, Mikhail Gorbachev and Perestroika,  Contemporary ReviewAutumn 2008,  Questia, Web, 1 Jan. 2011. Journal Vanden Heuvel, Perestroika and After: Comrade Ligachev Tells His Side,  The Nation  2 Dec. 1991,  Questia, Web, 1 Jan. 2011. Websites Structural Reforms, 1986 to Mid-1988 http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-12788.html Communist Party of the Soviet Union. CENTRAL COMMITTEE. MINUTES Of Meeting No. 2 of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU September 20, 1990, http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/soviet.exhibit/o2gorby.html Mikhail Gorbachev, former USSR President  :Perestroika won, but politically I lost. Euronews Inerview 05/11/09 17:31 CET http://www.euronews.net/2009/11/05/mikhail-gorbachev-former-ussr-president-perestroika-won-but-politically-i-lost/ 1985: Anti- Alcohol Campaign http://www.soviethistory.org/index.php?page=subjectSubjectID=1985drylawYear=1985navi=byYear 1987 | Nuclear Disarmament http://www.austria1989.org/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=66Itemid=96 1988 | Gorbachev Ends the Cold War http://www.austria1989.org/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=67Itemid=97 Video Gorbachev, Glasnost, Perestroika, Arms Agreement , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=595W4JJHa2U

Cabin in the woods :: essays research papers

Being invited to a friend’s house the other day, I began to get excited about the journey through the woods to their cabin. The cabin, nestled back in the woods overlooking a pond, is something that you would dream about. There is a winding trail that takes you back in the woods were their cabin sits. The cabin sits on top of a mountain raised up above everything, as if it was sitting on the clouds. As I began to walk this trail, I began to recollect the days of when I was a kid playing in the woods, the birds chirping and the squirrels running free. The trees interlocking each other as if I am walking through a tunnel with the smell of fresh pine and a hint of oak all around me; a hint of sunshine every now and then is gleaming down on the beat path. This path is not like your ordinary path, it has been used quite some time, as if hundreds of soldiers have marched this very path. As I walk even farther down the winding trail, I can see the cabin in the distance. It appears as if the sun is only shining on the cabin itself. As I get closer, I get the redolence of home made apple pie. This is the exact moment that I forgot about everything else that existed and began to wonder, â€Å"Am I still on Earth?† I finally arrive at the cabin, in amazement; something this beautiful sits so far back in the woods. After admiring the cabins for several minutes, I walk up to the door and gave it a light knock. The door opens and to my surprise, a beautiful brown hair, blue eyed girl was there to greet me. Her hair glistens in the sun, like fresh silk. Staring into her magnificent blues eyes, reminded me of the ocean. Smiling as she told me to come in, I entered the cabin. As I walk into the cabin to my astonishment not only was their one beautiful brown hair, blue eyed girl but there are two, both girls appearance closely resembling the other’s. The second girl a little younger than the first but as beautiful, she is quieter but continues to smile, the kind of smile that melts your heart. I began to walk around the inside of the cabin and began to wonder if these two exquisite girls are here all by themselves.

Shale Gas

Shale gas is natural gas formed from being trapped within shale formations. Shale gas has become an increasingly important source of natural gas in the United States over the past decade, and interest has spread to potential gas shale's in the rest of the world. In 2000 shale gas provided only 1% of U. S. natural gas production; due to rising oil prices gas prices have also been affected by the rise therefore there was big demand for gas in the US which in 2010 it was over 20% and the U.S. government's Energy Information Administration predicts that by 2035 46% of the United States' natural gas supply will come from shale gas. I would like to mention that Chesapeake energy is the leading US company in producing Shale gas with a market cap of 13. 6 Billion US $ (which I think it’s a good choice of adding it to your investment portfolio). Starting as early as 2017 the USA will start to export LNG to other world markets.Recently a company called Freeport LNG Development LP, which opened a facility on the Gulf Coast to import liquefied natural gas four years ago, signed a 20-year contract with two large Japanese power companies (Osaka Gas Co. ; Chubu Electric Power) to export natural gas from it instead. Freeport LNG is in advanced talks with Royal Dutch Shell PLC for a similar export deal that would allow the energy giant to ship out natural gas to foreign end customers. The emergence of vast new supplies of natural gas from dense shale rocks has upended expectations that the U.S. would become a major importer of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, from overseas. Now, many industry officials believe the U. S. could emerge as a major exporter, a development that could have a significant impact on the U. S. trade deficit. Drilling Shale Gas wells is not an easy task thanks to introducing new technologies like the Horizontal drilling technology which is used to drill the shale gas wells, with lateral lengths up to (5,000 m) within the shale, to create maximum boreh ole surface area in contact with the shale.

Attitudes of women from the mid-nineteenth century essays

Attitudes of women from the mid-nineteenth century essays There are several factors that influenced the change in the behaviors and attitudes of women from the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. Among these reasons is the economy escalating, Hollywood was created, and women began working and becoming more educated. During the Victorian era, people in the United States were very conservative in all aspects of life. The key element of the Victorian formula was moral autonomy, which is the control over one's instincts. The man would go out and work to support his family. While the wife would stay home and take care of the house and raise the children. Sexual activity was not performed for pleasure, only for pro-creation. They were also very involved with their community progress as well as national. They were not concerned with materialistic ideals or individual consumption. In fact, they combined religion, politics, work and home into one whole ideal. As the nineteenth century came to a close, the economy was growing due to corporations forming everywhere. As a direct result of corporate order, people received better wages and more free time. Incomes per capita rose from $231 to $793 annually between 1897 and 1921. With the extra income, people began to consume more personal goods. Husbands began to purchase more clothes, furniture, personal care items, cars, and applications as well as recreational services for themselves as well as their wives. In fact, personal consumption nearly tripled between 1901 and 1929. Another correlation to the increase in consumption was less time with the community and more time enjoying the personal goods that they purchased. People were indulging themselves into personal goods. Private life was now separated from personal concerns. Hollywood was created in the early 1900's. This changed the views of marriage and relationships of the U.S. citizens forever. Couples would see movies of beautiful people who were never arguing and always h ...

28 Serious Quotes From British Comedian Charlie Chaplin

28 Serious Quotes From British Comedian Charlie Chaplin Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) became a star well before movies had sound. But his talent to turn the tragedies of everyday people into epic comedies has made him immortal on the silver screen as he played everything from a tramp to a buffoon dictator. The following quotes consist of Chaplins observations on his life, career, and the study of human nature. Charlie Chaplin on Laughter and a Positive Outlook A day without laughter is a day wasted.To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it!Youll never find a rainbow if youre looking down.Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself. On Despair and Tragedy Despair is a narcotic. It lulls the mind into indifference.I always like walking in the rain, so no one can see me crying.Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.Nothing is permanent in this wicked world, not even our troubles.The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.We might as well die as to go on living like this. Chaplins Comedy and Career All I need to make a comedy is a park, a  policeman, and a pretty girl.I dont believe that the public knows what it wants; this is the conclusion that I have drawn from my career.I went into the business for the money, and the art grew out of it. If people are disillusioned by that remark, I cant help it. Its the truth.The basic essential of a great actor is that he loves himself in acting.Imagination means nothing without doing.Why should poetry have to make sense? On Human Nature A mans true character comes out when hes drunk.I am at peace with God. My conflict is with Man.I am for people. I cant help it.We think too much and feel too little.What do you want a meaning for? Life is a desire, not a meaning.We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each others happiness, not by each others misery. On Beauty and Understanding I do not have much patience with a thing of beauty that must be explained to be understood.If it does need additional interpretation by someone other than the creator, then I question whether it has fulfilled its purpose. On Politics I remain just one thing, and one thing only, and that is a clown. It places me on a far higher plane than any politician.The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.Dictators free themselves, but they enslave the people.Id sooner be called a successful crook than a destitute monarch.

Database Information Systems Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Database Information Systems Management - Essay Example It is good practice during this phase of development to endure that the IS progressed to endure the desired benefits and it is bad practice to progress with the development if these desired benefits have not been realized.1 Fortunately in our project the benefits of the stakeholders had been define and benefits realized. These are important aspects of application development because they determine actions of business and IT management. An example of bad practice in developing such a system is to neglect to define who owns the IS Development. This means the individuals who are or will be responsible for all of the factors encompassing the development of the IS. These individuals include the sponsor, the IT project manager and the users. In retrospect of our project, there was some ambiguity in dedicating ownership of the IS Development. However, after defining the stakeholders the ownership and benefits objectives became clear. This is why it is good practice to set forth who owns the IS Development before progressing. It is bad practice not to define the stakeholder's role and intended benefits. e IS. A stakeholder is an individual who has an interest in the IS development and the future outcomes it. Our project the intended outcome was that SM is then able to view this Data in information format through computer-generated reports. In analysis of the outcome of the project I found that our current IS was inaccurate and did not go into much depth at all to benefit the end user Senior Management, due to lack of quality and quantity input by students. I also found that the IS itself had great potential, if the recommendations suggested were put in place. This is a good example why it is bad practice not to clearly define the benefits to all of the users, including the end users. In order to avoid these kind of mistakes and bad practices when developing an IS it is important to think of the development as a process. It is good practice to break the stakeholders down into context when developing the IS. The process includes technology, task, people and the structure or culture. These are all related to one another and it is good practice to think of stakeholder in the context of each of these steps being dependant upon each other. The technology that will be involved in the change is relative to the task to be performed. These components of the system or process depend on the stakeholders in the activity and Organisation and the structure and culture of the Organisation is important to all of the previous steps. It s bad practice to leave out any of these components and not to recognize that one has to do with the other. If any of these steps are overlooked important benefits to the stakeholders will be neglected and it will result in a faulted IS. It is good practice to think ahead and include everyone and everything you can. As the development progresses these factors can be cut down or omitted. These good practices for approaches to use when discovering stakeholders could be implemented in an IS for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The approach that should be used would base its primary concern on patient satisfaction. An approach to

Problem Organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Problem Organization - Essay Example This paper hereby describes the historical context of CBHF referring to its vision and mission along with various other factors to assess the actual problem inherent to its discontinuation suggesting remedial measures which could have assisted in neglecting such a consequence. Introduction Clinton Bush Haiti Fund (CBHF), which was established as a non-profit organization to rescue the victims of 2010 earthquake in Haiti, was on a verge of closing down its operations on December 31, 2012. The reason behind closing the organization of CBHF Bush Haiti Fund was reported to be the insufficiency of adequate funds for the development of individuals in the socio-demographic region of Haiti. It has also been observed that there is further requirement of nation building in the regions of Haiti; however, an insignificant numbers of members are observed to be interested in providing hard work for the organization. In addition, the inadequacy of funds that had been raised for the development of t he region and to execute other necessary operations of the non-profit organization can also be regarded as a threat to the sustenance of CBHF. Owing to its deteriorating financial stance, the organization also had to face bankruptcy risks which again caused severe threat to its existence and effectiveness or success in delivering the intended facilities to the community people in Haiti (Daniel, 2012). To make the matter worse, the organization has been disregarded to be eligible to acquire funds in terms of donations from its stakeholders since 31st December, 2012 thus contributing towards its financially deteriorating health (Foundation Center, 2013). Moreover, the organizational members were heavily criticized for inefficiency in providing effective decisions for the betterment of Haiti people in the society along with lacking any report for substantial progress which accumulatively caused the problems for CBHF (Weisbrot, 2013). With reference to this case example, the paper inten ds to discuss on the history, outcomes, law in practice, and solutions for the problems witnessed by CBHF. The paper also discusses on ethical issues of the organization providing rational recommendations for future avoidance of such problems. History CBHF is a non-profit organization established in the year 2010, with a vision and mission to assist the population in Haiti and therefore contributing towards building the country in a better way. As per its norms being a non-profit organization, CBHF has been utilizing the donation gathered through grants, loans and investments in equity for promotion of growth of job along with sustainable development of the entire economy. On its establishment, the organization envisioned towards fostering diversity and competitiveness of the economy of Haiti with the support of prevalent nonprofit organizations and focusing on partnering with profit entities (Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, 2010). Mission The mission of the organization had been to delive r consistent assistance to the people living in the society of Haiti in deprivation of adequate basic amenities. Moreover, promotion of economic opportunities was also considered as an important mission of the organization (Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, 2010). Key Individuals The key individuals, associated with the organization since its establishment, were reported to be the two former US Presidents, Mr. Bill