Chuck Close Essay Example Essay Example

Chuck Close Essay Example Paper Chuck Close Essay Introduction Chuck Close’s Self-Portrait(1967-1968) In this paper I will explore critically on Chuck Close’s Self-Portrait(1967-1968). I will begin by describing and display the significance of this piece. I chose Chuck Close’s Self-Portrait(1967-1968), as my thesis image, this work is an example of the excellent superealism and photorealism that Chuck Close is capable of and known for. In the first stage of his painting career, he did a lot of abstract paintings and later he focused on new ways to portray the human figure, since 1964. His work was superealistic and gigantic in size featuring atypical art subjects with empty facial expressions. In this huge self portrait he catches every tiny detail of his face, the mussy hair, the shadow that hair created on his forehead, the cigarette, the smog of the cigarette, the mole on his neck, and the reflection on his glassed. He highlights details even a camera would not capture. This self-portrait is 263? 213cm, almost 10 times bigger than his body. I think mostly people don’t see themselves in this size, and more important that they don’t face them self through painting, this unique way and let other people define your identity. The sheer scale and meticulous attention to his body has a profound impact on the viewer, the viewer is under his watching, covered by him. We will write a custom essay sample on Chuck Close Essay Example specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Chuck Close Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Chuck Close Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer His facial features are removed from the familiar and made into something to be confronted by. Through this paper I attempt to conceive and illustrate a compelling interpretation of Chuck Close’s self-portrait through the lens of body art. Chuck Close Essay Body Paragraphs I will define the idea of body art while considering the writings of Ewa Lajer-Burcharth’s article. I will also examine and compare the Chuck Close’s self-portrait with Gary Hill’s video Inasmuch as it is always already taking place , Cindy Sherman’s photography , and Mona Hatoum’s Corps Etrange from the view of body art. In this paragraph I will present the basic characters and artful differences between super realism and body art. As the traditional realism art, viewers suppose to understand and read from the narrative realistic drawing, no matter from the landscape or human portrait, artists suppose to lay out a particular type of emotion or atmosphere for viewer to trace the clue, or more directly reveal the whole story. When it comes to super realism, artists refuse to reveal any subjective and emotional from the highly resemblance painting that viewers barely trace any clues from the piece. hen I stood in front of Chuck Close’s painting in the Milwaukee At museum, I felt very oppressive and even a little scary, the reason why is because despite through all realistic physical displaying, the lack of emotion and the coldness of the huge portrait still merely present the flesh body, I don’t think I will define the human figure is Chuck Close, but more likely to be a body. For as much as when we discuss the term of â€Å"person†, we will mainly cover not only the biological body feature, more important are personality, character. Meanwhile, as a development or continue during the period of postmodernism, body art emerge as a particular uncanny anti-me defamiliarize of human body to force us to â€Å"scan† ourselves in a whole new way and confront ourselves on a totally different position, instead of just using mirror as the medium, body art provide a more various and imaginative stage for us, to step out from the â€Å"illusion† or â€Å" inveracious me† through diverse method, postion relation and spacial connection. The reason why I interpreted Chuck Close’s hyper realism painting through the lens of body art, is I consider they share the same quality and feature on avoiding personal emotion and defamiliarize person’s body, meanwhile, disorientating and rediscover ourselves. I will articulate this idea from the aspect of composition (the inner relation and recreation), media (format technique), and stylization. Rosalind Krauss once said that, â€Å"the structure of video installation as based on a psychological situation of â€Å"self-encapsulation†, which turned both the body and psyche into its own surround, cutting it off from any external object. A sense of spatial enclosure was accompanied in external practices by temporal collapsing of both past and future into a sandwich of present moment. †1 I can’t deny that the method of Chuck Close’s portrait is different from the video installation that Rosalind Krauss discussed above, at the same time as I address and interpreted his hyper realism portrait into body art, the painting to me is no longer just a painting. In other words, Chuck Close normally spend 4~14 months on each painting, but how long will take for a person normally look into the mirror? 1 minute? Or even just seconds? The painting and even the whole processes of painting rendering constructing to me, have already become a continues activity and tr ansformation. Most figures that he draws are his close friends who are familiar with; he knows their personality, and their behavior even their psychological features. At the same time, through his painting, he not only empty model’s emotion and defamiliarlize their body, but also cutting off his who feeling, there is no sign, no preference, the painting is not about beauty or any purposes. I consider this is the situation that Krauss called â€Å"self-encapsulation†. During this long time recreation, he deconstructs and converts himself into numbers of details; working on the body he should be very familiar with parts by parts, even reconsider different part of his face rather shapes and color, than organ (nose, mouth, eyes. . The simple copy and mimicry interminable process stretches the body, finally cause the whole piece loses the meaning of â€Å"portrayal real people†. Gary Hill: In as Much as It Is Always Already Taking Place 1990 At the same time, considering Gary Hill’s Inasmuch as it is always already taking place, according to Hill’s vision of the body, â€Å"a presence unformed by an absence† 2, Hill framed â€Å"separate, almost abstract shapes and textures† 3 of body into different fragment and display them in a limit space. Comparing to Hill’s video, Chuck relays on the particular method –painting to confront and block himself, this stable, unchangeable and also massive portrait seems block the past and prevent future, forcing you to step yourself out from the daily life, from the imagination that you create by yourself and even your logical thinking, emotional feeling, personal experience, Ultimately exposal the reality of the flesh body. Mona Hatoum: Corps Etranger (Foreign Body)1994 Furthermore, I will define and disorienting and reconfiguration by the example of Mona Hatoum’s Corps Etranger. As Ewa Ljer-Burcharth mentioned in his article, â€Å"Hatoum make you step inside of† 4. Mona Hatoum does not only change the way we survey ourselves (from the exterior facial appearance to anatomical aspect), but also the perspective to perceive. We seem like floating on ourselves, jumping out from the illusion, like what Ewa Ljer-Burcharth said, â€Å"it is a disturbing work, diffi cult to watch.the â€Å"Corps Etranger† sets up an unsettling dialogue between one’s sense of one’s own body and one’s sense of the self.inviting one to come to terms with the otherness within oneself. † Talking to Chuck Close’s portrait, I would define he disorienting and confusion reduce to the size and the over realistic technique. The regular portrait normally should be the same size as human figure, for Close, he suddenly maximum and extend the â€Å"normal people† the normal image we perceive and construct every day into a giant object, we become different person and stand on the â€Å"viewer’s† position to confront ourselves, in other words , more likely observe an object. We are enlarged and exposure every blemish by the size and hyper realism style truly and impassively, all facts become over realistic, even to the extent of fakeness. Till now, I can’t stop wondering, when we try so hard to express and attempt the highly resemblances, for instance Chuck close used almost all the techniques, (acrylic, oil, pencil, spray painting, photo projector and various ways to draw,) as such Cindy Sherman (Cindy Sherman: Untitled 1983), she leav e no stone unturned to dress up like somebody else, set up particular background or circumstance to set off the identity of the figure, turns out just one and another died, flesh body, empty object. Yet I do think, to some extent both Chuck Close and Cindy Sherman provide and led us into a condition, which make us to examine â€Å"is that still the same me? † Through the lens of body art, the interpretation indeed illuminate my cognition on Chuck Close’s hyper realism painting, I understand deeper and more profoundly engaging with the media (format technique), composition (the inner relation and recreation), and stylization of Chuck Close. To me, this piece reveals a totally new and fresh meaning to me. B I B L I O G R A P H Y 1. Ewa Lajer-Burcharth, â€Å"Real Bodies: Video in the 1990s,† in Art History, vol. 20, no. 2 (June 1997) Page-186 2. amp; 3. Ewa Lajer-Burcharth, â€Å"Real Bodies: Video in the 1990s,† in Art History, vol. 20, no. 2 (June 1997) page 191 4. Ewa Lajer-Burcharth, â€Å"Real Bodies: Video in the 1990s,† in Art History, vol. 20, no. 2 (June 1997) page 200-201

Assess the Success of Augustus as a General and a Politician During This Period Essays

Assess the Success of Augustus as a General and a Politician During This Period Essays Assess the Success of Augustus as a General and a Politician During This Period Essay Assess the Success of Augustus as a General and a Politician During This Period Essay Assess the success of Augustus as a general and a politician during this period. (2007) Many consider Augustus to be Romes greatest emperor; his policies extended the Empires life span and initiated the celebrated Pax Romana. As a politician, he was intelligent, decisive and shrewd, and had a positive impact on the Roman government with his successful political reforms, such as his increase in the role and responsibility of the senate and his judicial changes. In addition, his reforms of the armed forces, changes to administration of the provinces and successful frontier policy helped him create a permanent, standing, professional army and thus achieve the reputation as a successful military general. Augustusâ„ ¢ success as a politician and general left a long-term legacy of Roman peace and prosperity that the Empire enjoyed for the next two centuries under the system he initiated. Augustusâ„ ¢ political reforms regarding the senate and magistrates were successful in establishing new order and contentment amongst members of the government. The administration of the Empire was an enormous task, thus Augustus needed to share the workload with the senators, and they co-operated in running the empire, dividing legislative, executive and judicial functions between them. Augustus improved the functions of the senate and magistrate through various reforms, such as the removal of unsuitable members and the restoration of dignity and responsibility by increasing the fines of non-attendance and forbidding senators to leave Italy without permission. However, Augustus kept in his own control the sanction of the army by remaining responsible for those provinces needing a military presence, thus there was still an unbalance in power. However, according to Scullard, the Senate as a whole was restored to a position of considerable prestige and influence. Augustusâ„ ¢ ref orms regarding the senate and magistrates were not exactly egalitarian, however the Senate enjoyed a new sense of responsibility, which enhanced the overall functioning of the government, as Suetonius states, He achieved success, having taken great trouble to prevent his political system from causing any individual distress. Therefore, Augustus success as a politician resulted in stability and peace within the government. Augustus also made beneficial changes to the Roman judicial system. He added a court for dealing with cases of adultery, increased the number of jurymen available and paid great attention to those selected on the panels. Trial procedures were improved, and to increase the speed at which justice was dispensed he increased the number of days on which cases would be heard. In addition, Augustus added two new high courts, the senatorial court and the imperial court. Suetonius states Augustus proved assiduous in his administration of justices. His judicial reforms proved successful in effectively minimising corruption, increasing the efficiency of justice and reversing defective past decisions. The results of these judicial reforms were the lasting peace and stability that the Roman Empire enjoyed for years to come. Therefore, as a politician, Augustus succeeded in restoring the Senate to a position of prestige and influence and improving the poorly organised judicial system. As a general, Augustus was also extremely successful, making positive changes in the armed forces, the administration of the provinces and the frontier policy. Under Augustus, the Roman Army increased in strength, loyalty and morale. His immediate task was to reduce the army to an effective size to increase stability and loyalty. In addition, soldiers were guaranteed regular pay, as Augustus states in the Res Gestae, I transferred out of my own patrimony 170 000 000 sesterces to the soldiersâ„ ¢ bonus funds. This would have again increased stability and loyalty towards Augustus. According to Scullard, Augustus created a professional standing force, loyal to the State and Princeps. Therefore, his changes to the Roman Army benefited the soldiers and the Roman state by increasing loyalty and contentment amongst the armed forces. His changes to the administration of the provinces also succeeded in maintaining peace and stability. Successful changes in provincial administration under Augustus included the division of the empire to avoid civil war, the introduction of a more equitable taxation system, greater care in the selection and control of governors and greater responsibility given to local communities. The frequent provincial inscriptions evoking gratitude to Augustus suggests that the principate had been enormously successful,  ¦the most perfect good, bringing to us Augustus, whom it has filled with virtue for the benefit of mankind ¦ Jones points out that the proconsuls of the provinces were still grossly extravagant and looked to their provinces to pay their debts and re-establish their fortune. However, Augustus paid great attention to the problems of the provinces and made major attempts to improve their running. Therefore, as a general, Augustus was extremely successful in managing the province s and thus can be held responsible for the establishment of peace, stability and security within the Roman Empire. In addition, Augustusâ„ ¢ frontier policies were largely successful. Under Augusuts, the army was becoming a frontier army, which, according to Shotter, sought the protection of Rome and Italy by the establishment of a buffer of provinces and pro-Roman territory, secure with visible frontiers. Augustusâ„ ¢ key aims regarding frontier policy included consolidating the territory Rome had already conquered, an end to unsystematic expansion and the pursuit of defensible frontiers. Scullard believes that Augustusâ„ ¢ frontier policy was greatly effective, and he concludes Augustus had, in general, achieved a lasing success. Augustusâ„ ¢ success as a general is reflected in the Prima Porta statue, which celebrates Augustus as a mighty conqueror. It depicts Augustus dressed as a victorious general holding a spear and wearing a breastplate and footwear associated with religious heroes, linking Augustus to the divinity of the gods. Not only does the statue celebrate the victory ov er the Parthians, but also the perfect world order brought by Augustus. The rich symbolic imagery of the statue reveals the extent to which Augustus was a successful politician and general. Augustus was an extremely successful leader who made beneficial changes to almost every aspect of Roman life. As a political and general, he made innumerable positive changes through his reorganization of the senate and magistrates, improved judicial system, reforms of the army, administration of the provinces and effective frontier policy. Many consider Augustus to be Romes greatest emperor; his policies extended the Empires life span and initiated the celebrated Pax Romana. Augustusâ„ ¢ success as a politician and general left a long-term legacy of Roman peace and prosperity that the Empire enjoyed for the next two centuries under the system he initiated.

Comprehensive Assessment of Dementia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Comprehensive Assessment of Dementia - Essay Example In order to develop an effective care plan for the patient, the following must be determined about the patient: Presenting Problem The nurse would collect information on the patient’s dementia, including signs and symptoms of the disease. Moreover, the nurse should identify the aspects of the patient’s life that have been affected by dementia (Smith and Buckwalter, 2005). History Information about the events prior to the dementia, and any records that may lead to a clear picture of underlying factors should be collected. For instance, these records would help to point out if the cause of the dementia is a factor that can be controlled or if the situation cannot be reversed (Nhs.uk, 2010). Medical Status This would indicate if the patient has had any prior treatment for the condition, and if the condition has been improving, deteriorating, or has not been affected by the treatment. This would enable the nurse to decide if the patient needs alternative medication or needs to first complete the current regimen. Routine tests like haematology, thyroid function tests, biochemistry tests and serology should be used as indicators of physiological causes and results of the condition. Specific tests like memory assessment should point out the exact condition of the patient based on tests that indicate current body function; these tests include AMTS, MMSC, 3MS, and CASI (Teng and Chui, 2007). Day-to-Day Functioning This analysis helps to determine if the patient needs further supportive care in addition to medication, or medication is enough to get the patient to live independently and productively. For instance, the patient should be assessed for inconsistencies in cognitive function including poor judgment, memory lapses and loss of reasoning capacity (Gleason, 2003). Support A patient needs support from family and friends, religious and community groups, and from social care service institutions. The nurse has to determine if these stakeholders support t he patient as is necessary to aid in the dementia control efforts (Shub and Kunik, 2009). The nurse can then incorporate participation of family and friends in order to accelerate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of intervention measures. Evidence of Abuse or Neglect The patient should be assessed for any evidence of mistreatment, including identification of the nature of the mistreatment, if possible (Karlawish and Clark, 2003). This is important in that the patient is taken to an environment that does not expose them to abuse or neglect, which may worsen the condition. Detailed Care Plan to Guide Jack’s Care Interventions for patients with dementia are focused on three main pathologies of the condition; they include interventions for cognitive disorders, intervention for non-cognitive disorders, and interventions for emotional disorders. One or a combination of these interventions should be used depending on the condition of the patient. Interventions for Cognit ive Symptoms These are divided into pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions; depending on the condition of the patient and underlying functions, the latter are the more recommended of these interventions.

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 19

Strategic Management - Essay Example According to him, this is the â€Å"VRIN† resource based view of a company. Cohesive leadership, brand equity, brand value, trademarks, patents and copy rights are certain types of VRIN resources of a firm (Srivastava1, Franklin and Martinette, 2013). These resources of the companies should be coupled with proficient â€Å"capabilities† for generating the best outcomes from the operational activities of a concern. Through acquisition of rare resources and capabilities, companies can generate significant entry barriers within its industry. The differentiation strategies of the firms can be successful only with the help of extraordinary resources and capabilities. Sustained competitive advantages of giant multinational companies can be attained only through acquisition of unique productive factors.VRIN resources and its internal capabilities are strategically valuable for a company for certain special features. These resources helps an organization create value for its customers and this value exceeds the cost of its operations. The value of the consumers depends on prices of a product or a service of a company (Srivastava1, Franklin and Martinette, 2013). Through VRIN resources a company can lower its product or service pri ces more than that of its competitors and hence tap a wider base of customers. By achieving greater competitive advantages, a company can earn more profit than its market rivals. The factors causing commercial prosperity of successful multinational companies as Apple, Amazon and Ikea can be effectively analyzed through VRIN analysis model. The tangible and intangible resources of Apple Inc. are its valuable to its business. The land buildings acquired the company, its capital resources and equipments types of its valuable resources in business. The brand reputation of the concern, its trademarks and patents are also types of insubstantial factors. High social and commercial prosperity can be achieved by Apple Inc. only

With reference to acid-base balance explore the role of the Essay

With reference to acid-base balance explore the role of the respiratory system in maintaining blood pH - Essay Example The instruction of acid-base equilibrium remains overseen by three critical processes, namely: buffer system, respiratory, and renal methods. The paper investigates the role of the lungs in overseeing stabilization of blood pH. Carbon dioxide (CO2) derives from typical body metabolic processes. Disturbances in the processes impacts on CO2 intensities and HCO3- are expected to produce acid-base disparities (Raymond 2010, p.244). An outstanding system through which the body exploits to direct pH entails the discharge of CO2 from the lungs. The brain adjusts the magnitude of CO2 exhaled by guiding the pace and intensity of breathing. This forces the lungs to either augment or lessen the tempo and intensity of ventilation until the appropriate quantity of carbon dioxide has been re-instituted. The magnitude of CO2 released influences the pH of the blood, which heightens as breathing, turns out to be fast, and profound (Chatterjea and Shinde 2012, p.713). In adjusting, the pace and deepne ss of breathing, the brain plus the lungs direct the blood pH. The Respiratory (Lungs) Buffer Response Usually, blood pH ranges in the region of 7.4 (slightly alkaline). In the event that pH levels drop to 7.6, then body cells are likely to cease functioning. It is obvious that blood pH levels 7.9 are lethal even if they last for a short time, which renders it essential to gain equilibrium in pH levels (Sherwood 2007, p.11). The competence of the body to handle every pH adjustment is steered by three indispensable factors, namely: the lungs, the kidneys, and buffers. In the event that a strong acid manifest, the bicarbonate-carbonic acid, which yields an overall rise of carbonic acid that dissociates into CO2 and H2O. An augmentation of H+ within the blood triggers the medulla to augment the respiratory tempo that assists CO2 eradication (Brown et al. 2011, p.323). In the event that pH stays high relative to an augmentation in HCO3-, the respiratory centre holds back, and consequent ly the respiratory tempo lessens (Raymond 2010, p.245). This enhances CO2 retention in which it becomes accessible to form carbonic acid that cushions the surplus bicarbonate. The respiratory system consequently balances the registered alterations within pH transmitted to metabolic disorders by regulating Pco2 that alters the bicarbonate carbonic acid proportion. Nonetheless, the respiratory system cannot orchestrate any loss or an augmentation of hydrogen ions. Buffers direct molecules that admit or discharge ions in order to maintain the H+ ion absorption at a certain level. Buffers facilitate to saturate up additional H+ ions with the majority buffer entailing a fusion of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate ion (HCO3). CO2 derives carbonic acid (H2CO3) when is liquefies in water and operates as an acid releasing hydrogen ions (H+) when necessitated (Lew 2010, p.31). The respiratory system pursues sustenance of appropriate blood pH, in the event that the bicarbonate/carbonic acid buffe r system fails to react quick enough to stabilize the registered pH interferences, processes such as hyper/hypoventilation can be induced to direct the amount of carbonic acid contained in the blood (Rhoades and Bell 2013, p.454). The respiratory centre reacts by varying levels of H2CO3- within the blood. Hyperventilation makes the body to breathe out and remove CO2 from the bloodstream, through the lungs. The expulsion of carbon dioxide diminishes acidity within the blood pH. The reverse method transpires in cases of hypoventilation that leads to the withholding of CO2 within the blood (Lew 2010, p.32). The CO2 becomes carbonic acid when it dwells within the blood and combines with water. In the event that

Customary International Law

Customary International Law The concept of â€Å"international law† has fuelled academic debate regarding its interpretation, parameters and whether it in fact hinders measures to maintain international order, by virtue of the fact that there is a dichotomy between theory and the reality of the formation of customary international law as suggested by the above statement. Indeed it has been commented that the â€Å"demise of custom as a source of international law has been widely forecasted because both the nature and the relative importance of customs constituent elements are contentious†. Conversely, it has been propounded that customary international law is nevertheless significant as a source of law particularly in the international human rights arena. For example, the codification of conventions, and case law of the International Court of Justice (IJC) have been cited as contributing to the â€Å"resurrection† of customary international law. However, notwithstanding the theoretical importance of international law making in areas such as human rights and as a check on autocratic power, these measures are only as effective as their practical enforceability, which some commentators have challenged in light of competing political interests at international level, which will be the focus of this analysis. Hedley Bull described international law as a â€Å"body of rules which binds states and other agents in world politics in their relations with one another and is considered to have the status of law†. However, many commentators have questioned whether this theoretical ideal of â€Å"international law making† is actually reflected in fact by â€Å"the existence of any set of rules governing interstate relations, secondly, its entitlement to be called â€Å"law† and, thirdly, its effectiveness in controlling states in â€Å"real life† situations†. Notwithstanding the contention as to whether the term â€Å"law† is applicable to the social contract in the international arena, it is argued that there are in force some general principles of law â€Å"which states regard as binding on one another†. For example, the fundamental principles governing international relations include the right to self-determination of peoples, prohibition of the threat or use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for human rights, international cooperation and good faith. As such, Antonio Cassesse observes that: â€Å"The principles at issue possess tremendous importance, for they represent the only set standards on which States are not fundamentally divided. They constitute the core â€Å"rules of the game† on which all States basically agree and which allow a modicum of relatively smooth international relations†. However, Cassesse statements, whilst undoubtedly justified on the basis of member state commitment as signatories to international treaties and conventions, ignore the conflicts creates by the law making process which arguably make â€Å"little more than a manifestation of divisions in power between states of different political and economic importance,† which is further compounded by the conflict between the sources of international law under customary law and various treaties and charters. Indeed Anthony Carty observes that there is in no complete system of international law to provide resolutions to disputes in contemporary international relations. Cartys assertions are rooted in the premise that states continue to operate as â€Å"states of nature†, with no unequivocal demarcation of rights under international law, further compounded by ad hoc, unilateral interpretation by member states. Moreover, the lack of a cohesive international legal system evidenced by inconsistencies in concepts of customary law results in a â€Å"clash between international law and measures deemed necessary to maintain a balance of power†. This is particularly evidenced by the law relating to legitimate use of force in the international arena. The 1945 United Nations Charter (the Charter), which is considered to be a source of international law, was implemented to address the post Second World War concerns of preventing repeat atrocities. The preamble to the Charter asserted its primary objective as â€Å"saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war† and implementing a framework to facilitate peaceful dispute resolution in international relations. Furthermore, the Charter imposed a prohibition on the use of unilateral force by member states, which was viewed as a radical measure in international law making. However, the theoretical milestone in international law has been cited by some as a false dawn, compounded by the continued uncertainty as to the boundaries of Article 2(4) in practice, leading to Dixon to question its efficacy as a protectionist measure. Moreover, Reisman has argued that in any event, â€Å"Article 2(4) was never an independent ethical imperative of pacifism†. This is further supported by the proviso that â€Å"unilateral force must not be inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations†, which is further compounded by conflicting right of member states to self defence under Article 51 of the Charter. The intrinsic uncertainty facilitated by the drafting of Article 2(4) creates scope for discretion by the reference to â€Å"purpose of the United Nations†. As such, the Charter effectively grants scope for member state unilateral interpretation, whilst simultaneously justifying any use of force as complying with the â€Å"purpose† of the United Nations. Furthermore, the continuation of post holocaust conflicts question the efficacy of Article 2(4) as a protection mechanism on illegitimate force in international conflict, thereby facilitating scope for potential abuse of political and economic objectives without effective sanction, further bolstered by the Article 51 right to self defence. Moreover, notwithstanding the objectives of the ICJ, in practice its decisions have been criticised for lacking consistency, highlighting the problem of after the event decisions to determine whether force used was legal. The role of the SC in having the power to â€Å"determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of peace, or act of aggression† and implement measures that may include force, has been further utilised as highlighting the dichotomy between theory and practice in international law making. The machinations of the SC are intricate, with many arguing that powerful member states within the SC create an imbalance of power in using the SC to further their political desires. This is further compounded by the fact that states which are not signatories to the UN fall outside the jurisdiction of SC decisions and are subject to convoluted principles of international customary law. As such, this creates scope for selective enforcement of international law, compounded by the conflict between applicability of Charter principles and established principles of customary law, which is inherently problematic in practice. Whilst Dixon and McCorquodale argue that some principles of customary law apply irrespective of the Charter provisions, other commentators assert that the Charter â€Å"heralded a new beginning†, thereby limiting the scope of customary law in this context. This conflict between Charter and customary law in the context of legitimate force is a breeding ground for abuse, enabling furtherance of political goals by exploiting the uncertainty. For example, in the case of Nicaragua v USA, the ICJ stated that the Charter right to self defence was derived from customary law and that the SC had final veto over what constituted legitimate self defence. MacClean suggests that this decision suggests that the Charter supersedes customary law, which in the absence of any binding definition of â€Å"armed attack† or what constitutes justifiable self defence, enables international law to effectively be used to legitimise potential abuses of power with extreme uses of force as self defence, shrouded in the veil of accountability by ad hoc decisions of the ICJ after the event. A prime example of this is the ICJ opinion as to â€Å"whether the threat or use of nuclear weapons in any circumstances is permitted under international law†. The ICJ skated around the issue, repeating the prohibition on use of force contrary to Article 2(4) of the Charter and customary law, yet failed to expressly determine whether a preemptive nuclear attack would be unlawful. This clearly creates potential for abuse in the absence of any coherent guidelines, which is further evidenced by the crime of aggression, which has remained controversial as a legal concept in international law, often criticised for being â€Å"intertwined with political elements†. The implementation of the Rome Statute, UN Charter and International Criminal Court was hailed as a historical milestone for protection of human rights against aggression in the international arena. However, in order for any crime of aggression to be effective, it is vital to define what constitutes an act of aggression. However, member states have consistently bypassed implementing a binding definition of what constitutes an act of aggression since the UN Charter was introduced, thereby indicating a distinct gap between theory and the reality of formation of customary law. Furthermore, the lack of binding definition is perpetuated by the lack of delineation between state and individual liability and what is meant by the term â€Å"individual† for the purpose of establishing state liability. Article 39 of the Charter addresses crimes of aggression by the state and not individuals and therefore failure to define â€Å"act of the individual† clearly undermines the theoretical purpose of the crime of aggression as a check on autocratic power. The mechanics of war are inherently complex and the notion of excessive force will clearly vary from one state to another. This in itself highlights the gap between theory and formation of customary law on the international plane, as the problem of having any absolute legal framework will intrinsically be unable to account for the complexities of war at international level. Furthermore, the limited nature of a binding definitive framework also lends itself to exploitation by member states intended to serve their political and economic motivations. This is further limited by the fact that in aggression, the leadership requirement for establishing liability is inherently restricted by the practical difficulty faced by member states in bringing leaders of their state to account, again highlighting the gap between theory and practice. This was evidenced in the case of R v Jones where the House of Lords rejected the appellants claim that the Iraq war constituted an illegal act of aggression under the Charter. In rejecting the appeal, Lord Bingham asserted that â€Å"the crime of aggression is not a crime in the domestic law of England and Wales†. The judicial rationale in the Jones case was rooted in the notion that floodgate claims facilitating anarchy would result from enabling such a claim. Moreover, Lord Bingham stated that the international law crime of aggression was not a crime under national law and that it was â€Å"not for judges to decide what conduct should be treated as lying so far outside the bounds of what is acceptable in our society so as to attract criminal penalties.† This dictum again highlights the dichotomy between theory and law, which in itself lends itself to the use of international law as a tool in furthering political and social power. The Jones decision further begs the question as to the usefulness of the Charter in practice if the crime of aggression under international law is claimed to be unenforceable at national level due to national courts asserting lack of jurisdiction. Moreover, the Charter expressly grants a power of veto to the Security Council (SC) to determine what constitutes an act of aggression. Article 39 of the Charter enables the SC to make recommendations and decide what punitive measures shall be imposed to maintain or restore peace. Notwithstanding the attempts of UN Resolution 3314 to move towards a binding definition of aggression, the debates preceding the Resolution led to compromise in order to appease political disagreements and facilitate amity amongst member states. As such, ambiguous wording remained, compounding the continued uncertainty as to what actually constitutes an act of aggression. Additionally, it has been observed that certain UN member states are clearly more influential, which creates the contradictory situation whereby decisions left to be determined by the SC could potentially result in selective enforcement of international law with some states being subject to harsh measures to restore peace, whilst turning a blind eye to others. This undermines the purpose of the Charter and equality of the rule of law, with the ironic result that those in power can evade accountability. For example, Megret argues that the deficiency in the international law concepts of aggression have enabled the Bush administration to evolve ad hoc concepts of self defence justified as being necessary in the war on terror, thereby compromising the rule of law. In conclusion, the historical importance of the development of international law making through customary principles and various treaties cannot be ignored. However, the theoretical ideal is significantly undermined by gaps between theory and enforcement in practice, which is particularly evidenced in the law of aggression and use of force by the lack of consistent rules and purposeful ambiguity in Charter provisions intended to assuage political conflict and promote member state agreement. However, this has resulted in ad hoc decision making in the international arena often after the event, which undermines the purpose of international law as an effective mechanism to resolve international conflict and protect human rights abuses. Moreover, the inherent ambiguity and lack of precedent has arguably enabled powerful states to use international law to legitimise excessive force, further compounded by the conflict between customary law and the Charter in this context. As such, measures need to be taken to clarify a coherent legal framework with effective sanction if international law makers are to render member states subject to the rule of law in practice. Only then can international law making be â€Å"more than a manifestation of divisions in power between states of different political and economic importance†.

Karl Marxs The Communist Manifesto Essay -- Communist Manifesto Essays

Karl Marx's The Communist Manifesto The Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx explains the history of all societies as the history of class conflicts, he claims that the power and direction of all societies is determined by the modes of production, as such when the mode of production no longer suits the relations of society there is a revolution. He predicts that a revolution is coming between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, and calls its coming inevitable. Marx argues that the bourgeoisies are no longer fit to rule, nor is their rule sustainable, as such the proletariat will overthrow them and end all class antagonisms with the creation of a classless society. However, Marx does not give enough credit to nationalism, nor does he ascribe to the possibility of compromise between the classes. Due to this he predicts a class war which never, and might never, take place. The first section of the Communist Manifesto describes the history of all society as the history of class conflicts. Claiming, that every society is essentially divided into, the oppressors and the oppressed. Furthermore, Marx adds, in the past, societies were organized in more complex combinations and hierarchies, but modern society is being split into two ‘hostile camps’. There has always been a continuous conflict between the different classes; the end result of these conflicts is always, either the total suppression of the oppressed classes, or a revolution, which leads to an overhaul of society. He blames the cause for the separation of modern society into only two groups, on the fall of feudalism. These new class antagonisms are between the proletariat, and the bourgeoisie. Marx views the rise of the bourgeoisie in Europe as the result of a couple of factors; firstly, he believes that, the initial elements of the bourgeoisie, were developed by the chartered burghers who evolved from the serfs of the medieval ages. Next, following the great colonization of the 16th and 17th centuries the market expanded, leading to a great need for increased production. This great demand could not be sufficed by the feudal guilds, as such they were replaced with manufacturing. However, the markets and the demand kept increasing and the manufacturing system could no longer keep up, as such it also was replaced, by Modern Industry. The Industrial Revolution of the late 18th century and th... ... the revolutionary parties. These sorts of compromises happened, and different socialist parties left behind the ideas of radical revolution and instead pursued gradual improvement through unions and parliament. Thus the previously constant decrease in workers state did not continue, rather the workers started getting more rights, for example universal male suffrage. Also they fought for, and won, social and economic improvements, for example more employment stability, higher wages and laws such as the Ten Hour Act of 1847 and the Factory Act of 1833. Such reformations, the increase in the power of Unions and the ability of the workers to vote led to sustainable compromises between the classes, as such no class war took place. Marx’s description of European society as driven by economics and divided by class lines is correct. However he fails to see the great influence of nationalism and he does not entertain the idea of compromise between the classes, because of this he wrongly predicts the destruction of the capitalist system and the bourgeoisies by the proletariat. Works Cited: McLellan, David. Karl Marx: Selected Writings (Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press, 1977)

The Last Samurai

1) Japan. The end of XIX  century,  Capt. Nathan  Algren(main character), an American  military officer  hired by  the Emperor of Japan  to train  the country's  first army  of the rising sun  to contemporary art  of warfare. The Emperor  is trying to  eradicate the  ancient  Imperial  warrior  class  of samurai, in preparation for  a more  pro-Western  government policies  supporting  foreign trade. Meanwhile,  as a result of  collisions with the  samurai,  Algren  finds himself in the center of  the confrontation  of two worlds and  civilizations,  where  the only way to  survive  is  guided by  its own  concept  of honor. ) Nathan Algren: What do you want? Katsumoto: To know my enemy. Nathan Algren: I've seen what you do to your enemies. Katsumoto: Warriors in your country do not kill? Nathan Algren: They don't cut the heads off defeated, kneeling men. Katsumoto: General Hasegawa asked me to help him e nd his life. A samurai cannot stand the shame of defeat. I was honored to cut off his head. Katsumoto: And who was your general? Nathan Algren: Don't you have a rebellion to lead? Katsumoto: People in your country do not like conversation? Nathan Algren: He was a  lieutenant colonel.His name was  Custer. Katsumoto: I know this name. He killed many warriors. Nathan Algren: Oh, yes. Many warriors. Katsumoto: So he was a good general. Nathan Algren: No. He wasn't a good general. He was arrogant and foolhardy. And he got massacred because he took a single battalion against two thousand angry Indians. Katsumoto: Two thousand Indians? How many men for Custer? Nathan Algren: Two hundred and eleven. Katsumoto: I like this General Custer. Nathan Algren: He was a murderer who fell in love with his own legend. And his troopers died for it.Katsumoto: I think this is a very good death. Nathan Algren: Well, maybe you can have one just like it someday. 3) Differences  between the two culture s  of these countries  are very strong  as we  can see in  the dialogue, Nathan Algren  protagonist  does not understand  what Katsumoto,  the rebel leader  says,  but  only in  the beginning and  at the end of  the film  author  quite  clearly shows  how Englishman understood the ancient culture of  Japan. In this film  the best  scenes  is a  heroic  death,  let's say,  three hundred  Japanese who encountered  by continuous  fire from the  guns and  howitzers.Here  we are talking about  personal  valor and military honor,  above all,  including –  devotion to  their ruler  or  lord. The human  personality, which remains independent and free, even in  the moment of death,  when  made   a conscious choice  between  fame and infamy,  is  the main measure of  value. And this,  director  showed  the viewers by  eyes  of the protagonist,  a foreigner. The fact that he   has mastered the  culture which he didn’t know at all   and  in the end  decided to be  for it. 4) Finally, I want to say that the main principle of survival in the harsh environment of foreign life is adaptation.And I chose this film because there are clearly shown and gradually as the main character throughout the film get used to the Japanese environment. The protagonist, taken prisoner by samurai, gradually turns into a samurai. Contemplation of people indifferent to his own death, talks with rebel leader Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), stating that the person who saw the perfect shape of a flower, has lived a life not in vain, a clear rhythm and strict rest of life around make from American captain a new man.He understands why his former enemies’ absolute hero – not the one who kept the army and strategic positions, but the one who led a detachment of 211 troops against the two thousandth. And he understands why Katsumoto smiles happily when he hear d that all 300 soldiers were killed Spartan  at Thermopylae; he understands why widow of killed by him Samurai nursed him after being wounded – killed for a fair fight can not be an enemy. And, realizing this, Olgren wears the captain samurai armor, stands in order of their recent opponents and comes with a sword against guns and howitzers.Predetermined outcome of the battle, but it absolutely does not matter: death – only worthy end of life as a single ceremony of honor. Therefore, before the final battle, the protagonist offers a simple truth, which requires a long way to me: fate can not be change or submit- the fate amenable to recognition only. University of International Business and Economics The Last Samurai Intercultural communication Student: Farrukh Khamraev ID: IUP2010070 Date: November 29,2011 Beijing, 2011

Lessons Learnt from the Artifact

Lessons Learnt from the Artifact Education is of great importance and is currently given more value than it was about a hundred years ago. Every parent in this day and age believes that the best lifelong asset that he or she can give to their child is education. Unlike in the old days, education is currently taking place in modernized institutions where the mode of instruction is also modernized.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Lessons Learnt from the Artifact specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There is the use of organized syllabus for various subjects. Learning takes place chronologically from one grade to the next. The student has the freedom to choose the subjects that suite their future careers. They also take part in co-curricular activities to exploit their talents. A school is an institution in which teaching and learning take place concurrently. Teaching is basically known as the art of imparting knowledge and skills to individuals so as to m ould a positively minded and goal oriented person that the society can turn to or rely on for the sake of its prosperity and development. Every school setting tries to bring out the best in their students. Schools make curricular that offer the type of education that meets the communities’ needs. For example, all or most communities and thus nations at large require professionals like teachers, doctors, lawyers actors just to mention but a few. These professionals also need to be people who have values such as high self esteem. From the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, high esteem is experienced when a person feels valued, accepted, respected and with a sense of belonging whether it is at work, in school or while pursuing a hobby (Kreitner, 2006, p. 12). All school settings should be able to provide all these to their students so that in the end they not only produce a knowledgeable person but also a socially fit person. This paper bases its discussion on the article known as the artifact. The paper will help its readers to see how schools have come up with their culture and other traditions, as well as its effects on teachers. It also examines the effect of the artifact on the learning of the student and other workers as well as its effects in future development. The document looks at how the school and its professional and non professional leaders form the basis of professional society. It continues to say that a proficient society is a unique part of the communal asset which is partly achieved by rooting and using certain structural methods of teaching by the schools’ concerned leaders.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the article we find out that the artifact instilled the feeling of respect and trustworthiness among the students because it allowed the students to take part in many activities that saw them interact with different people in the community. This also enabled them to have a sense of belonging and helped them to become socially fit people. This was achieved by the leaders in the school. Normally the school is made up of two types of leaders. The first group of leaders includes leaders who affect the life of students indirectly. They make and put into practice the rules, regulations and activities to be done in the school but have no direct contact with the students. This group of leaders includes administrators among others. The second group of leaders includes leaders who have direct influence on the students. They meet more frequently and often on a daily basis with the students. They give knowledge to the students, instill confidence in them and help them view life from a wider perspective (Halverson, 2004). These are the teachers. The teachers have the duty of exploring new thoughts and dreams, analyze them and share them with the students for the purpose of making them better people in the community. Thus, teachers enable their students to be responsible overall as they develop common interest for others. This in turn makes the students to be high achievers, goal oriented and people who can make objectives and attain them. This is because teachers take full reasonability for traditions and other learning activities together with class work. They make sure that students learn by taking part in the activities and socializing with others in different ways and settings (Halverson, 2004). They also make sure that the students are well mentored, highly disciplined, and well mannered in addition to having good self conduct. This results in a professionally developed society as most people in a society tend to live and conform to the practices around them. All this is found in the artifact. The world is dynamic and nothing in it remains constant. Change takes place from time to time and we all know that change is inevitable. The artifact is bound to go through transformation in future as the education systems and needs keep changing. In order to make students better persons, the school needs to adapt and use a broad combination of knowledge, ideas, skills, character and principles. All these things are changing due to changes in technology, community needs and the needs of the nations at large.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Lessons Learnt from the Artifact specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Reference List Halverson, R. (2004). Accessing, documenting and communicating practical wisdom: the phronesis of school leadership practice. The American Journal of Education, 1, 1-50. Kreitner, R. (2006). Management. Thousand Oaks: Cengage Learning.

In response to hijackings and terrorists attacks essays

In response to hijackings and terrorists attacks essays The democratic values involved here are, liberty in the fact that your privacy is stripped from you every time your baggage is x-rayed. Equality comes to mind when they do random searches, they have to use some kind of profiling to pick the people to search. Although these civil rights are violated they keep the participation fairly equal as everybody has to walk through the metal detectors and nobody flies with out doing so. liberty had been the single most important value in American history. America was founded on the fact that we would have liberty and be free do as we please. We need freedom for us to prosper and grow. all men are created equal This right here says it all, we need equality to evolve into better citizens to be all we can be. When some one is not treated equal that brings them down and stifles there opportunity to grow. The amount of liberty we have at the airports is so limited that nothing is sacred anymore. When I say this I mean you cant hide anything personal from airport security. Your personal privacy is traded off for your security. I would rather have security that freedom. When you have more freedom, you have more responsibilities. So in the airport if you had a lot of freedom you would also have to worry about getting mugged, the plane your riding getting hijacked, what the guy next to you really has in his pockets , etc.. The most involved democratic values used her is equality. When I go through a security checkpoint in a airport I feel violated when I am randomly asked to take off my shoes and belongings out of my pockets. I dont believe its fair that since Im a teenager I should be checked more than anyone else. That goes for racial profiling with Arabic people, I bet they get searched twice as much as I do. My view on this is that there should be full equality, either everybody gets thoroughly searched, or nobody gets searc...

Usa department of lapor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Usa department of lapor - Essay Example The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is one of the organizations that have a well-established culture that makes it unique. The culture in DOL is such that there are clear guides on the relationship between the employees and management within the organization. There are clear channels of communication where employees become part of the major decisions of the organization. This enhances the smooth flow of activities in the organization, which is one of the paybacks of a strong organizational culture. DOL has also extended its concern to the external environment. People identify the organization with its contributions towards the eradication of social vices in the society through the process of job creation (United Sates Department of Labor, 2012). Individuals from outside the organization use culture to value the actions of an organization. Therefore, the culture in DOL enhances the values of cooperation, motivation and care for the society. Artifacts of an organization’s culture are the visible characteristics that one can observe in the organization. One of the most visible artifacts in DOL is the success of the organization in meeting its objectives. DOL’s culture has helped it to achieve its objective of improving the social welfare of the workforce in the United States. The culture enhances motivation of employees, which increases their productivity and the overall performance of the organization. Therefore, the culture of the United States Department of Labor has contributed towards its

Teaching Assistant Duties Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Teaching Assistant Duties - Assignment Example He is a visual learner, which would account for his enjoyment of reading. Nathans communication skills need to be further developed through social interaction, ie. playtime, in order for him to feel more comfortable during group activities. Rebecca has developed some level of communication and language learning, however, she is behind in development with her age group. Her profile indicates that she has difficulty concentrating and is easily distracted. This would indicate that she has a short attention span and would require shorter, more interactive lesson activities in order to improve her learning. 1. Learning activities, materials and/or equipment, the organization of pupils, staff, and parent helpers are differentiated by the teacher to ensure that the â€Å"programme of work enables pupils to develop in the manner, and the rate, most appropriate to them† (p.145). This provides pupils with learning activities that offer a â€Å"variety of learning modes and experiences, and a fair balance of both mental and physical activity† (p.145). 4. Praise and encouragement are used by staff towards pupils in the form of â€Å"positive feedback, continuous assessment, and clear explanations† in order to continue and promote steady progress made by the pupils. As a teaching assistant, their role in planning and preparing learning activities involve meeting with the teacher regularly to discuss the â€Å"teachers lesson plans, the objectives of the learning activities†, what the teachers expectations are of the teaching assistants contributions to learning activities and the type and level of support for pupils that is expected (p.130). The teacher and teaching assistant will also discuss strategies for learning activity support. Short, after-lesson discussions should also be included as part of the planning and prepare role. During these discussions, the teaching assistant will give feedback about pupil progress during individual and group activities.