Corruption in Russia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5750 words - 1

Corruption in Russia - Essay Example Russia is one of the â€Å"G8† countries. The G8 group’s interim compliance report,1 at the Sea Island Summit in 2004, mentions Russia’s failures in controlling the levels of corruption while translating its undertakings into action. As on the date of the report, Russia had not ratified the U.N. Convention against corruption2 though action to ratify had been under way. The report says that corruption in Russia has become so pronounced that, the country has gone down to 90th position in Transparency International’s Corruptions Index in 2004. It had been already at the 83rd position in 2003.3 It makes a passing reference to President Putin’s handling of affairs of Russia’s second largest oil company ‘Yukos’ which has since been taken over by the Government.4 Vladmir Popov in his article â€Å"Russia Redux’ referred to new Russia as the â€Å"Shock therapy era† characterized by huge economic, political and human costs. The article further stated that the country is far better than it was seven years ago but worse than it was twenty years ago alluding to Boris Yelstin’s turbulent years marked by moral bankruptcy. Russia’s GDP, investment and life expectancy figures are yet to reach at 1989 levels. President Putin’s priority has been to regain the lost institutional capacity of the state and stability via re-centralization. Despite best efforts the country has not been able to do much for equitable distribution of wealth. 46.6 percent of wealth is concentred in the hands of 20 per cent of the population. The informal practices which Georgi Derlugian attributes to ‘persistent under-institutionalisation of Russian life’, have been the breeding ground of corruption at all levels in Russia. The absence of institutions has opened up avenues of personalism and nepotism. During the years from 1996 to 2000, Oil Company of Kursk Oblast, pharmacies, public security and cultural affairs were under the control of the then-governor Alexander

The book Gap Creek Essay Example for Free

The book Gap Creek Essay The main objective of the book Gap Creek is to educate people about the trials and challenges of marriage. The speaker of the book, Julie Harmon tells about her story as a teenager and continues till the time she met Hank and married him. Till then, the story focuses more on their lives as a couple. The story is narrated from the perspective of the main character Julie. It started on her life as a teenager. At an early age she started to help in chores and in some of his father’s work. She lives with her father, mother Delia, baby brother Meseiner, young sister Rosie and baby sister Carolyn. Meseiner, being the only boy, was spoiled by her parents. However, it was not long when he passed away following her father being sick. Since then her mother was not able to do the things she used to and it was up to her and her sister Rosie to do the house works since her sister Carolyn is now the one being spoiled by her mom. She works hard like a man since she knows that if does not take charge and do her father’s work, nobody would get it done. Unfortunately, her father didn’t make it and passed away too. Her family was having a hard time adjusting to her father’s death but later on found a way to still keep the family intact. One day when Julie and her mother were working on a field, a man came by asking for directions. Hank Richards, who came from downtown, went to look for the Willards on the mountains since they are selling sweet taters. Later on, he and Julie took a special interest on each other, and after spending time with each other twice, Hank asked Julie to marry him. Julie agreed, not bothered by her age and current life situation. Her mother did not approve of this for she thinks that Julie is not ready for a married life. Nevertheless, her mother failed on convincing her to back out of the marriage. After Julie and Hank got married, they move to Gap Creek and her sister Rosie took over on the family obligations. The bad news is that the new couple didn’t have a place to live, so they agreed to live with Mr. Pendergast who allowed them to live with him in exchange for household services. Hank works all day and Julie does the chores. When Hank’s mother came to visit, Julie accidently caught fire while preparing dinner for Hank’s mother. When all of them were safe outside the house, Mr. Pendergast rushed inside to get is pension money. Sorry to say, Mr. Pedergast didn’t make it for the fire was to big. When the fire was cleared, they were able to retrieve Mr. Pendergast’s body, burned and lifeless. Julie and Hank, uncertain of their future, with a baby on the way didn’t know how long they could stay in the house before the heirs take it. Hank Richards, though a supporting character, is the one being talked about in this paper. Some of his actions showed defense mechanisms studied by Freud. When he was in the field asking directions from Julie’s mother, he showed displacement for he used Julie’s mother in order to get close to Julie. Displacement is defined as the redirection of an impulse to a substitute target. Another example was when Hank and Julie for fighting on Christmas. Hank who’s originally angry at Julie for constantly asking nonsense question, instead directed his anger to the flood and the storm leaving an angry and sarcastic response to Julie – â€Å"If the creek rises we won’t be able to get out of the house without a boat† – when asked what to do if the flood rises. He also showed projection when he was talking to Julie’s mother like an old man. He also illustrated this when they were in the forest and said that there are a lot of varmints in there, in which he referred the varmints to the Willards. When we say projection, we tend to deny our thoughts and feelings by attributing them to somebody else. Hank however showed isolation a lot of times. First was when he was a Julie’s house for dinner and she invited Julie to go to the spring for he said that drinking cold water is good after hot dinner, isolating the fact that Julie spilled coffee in his pants. It is possible for someone to portray to characters at once. In this case, Hank also showed reaction formation for he â€Å"believed the opposite†, meaning even after Julie spilled hot coffee on his new bought pants, he came to love her more. He also showed reaction formation when during a storm, he said that they never had floods on Christmas even if he knows that that happens because they live on a mountain before. To make it more clear, isolation is defined as stripping or isolating the emotions from a difficult memory or threatening impulse. Reaction formation, as mentioned earlier, â€Å"believing on the opposite†. Most of Hank’s attitude shows intellectualization or rationalization. Some of these were when Hank was asked by Julie about banjos. Hank, having a bad memory with his father when talk about banjos becomes rather more focused on the idea on how the banjo was made out of the skin of a cat. When he and Julie went to the spring to drink, instead of commenting on how refreshing the water was he prefers to compare the idea the water’s taste from rubies and emeralds. When Julie talks about his father using wine for rheumatism, Hank engaged on the conversation that pokeberry is better for its therapeutic on the joints and explains how the wine can warm and soothe the joint. Intellectualization is defined as analyzing instead of feeling and reacting, which Hank showed most of the time when he answers intelligent but unrelated answer. On the situation when Julie asked Hank to sing a Christmas carol, Hank answered him that he can’t remember how to sing depicts denial and at the same time, repression. He was in denial that he can’t sing and at the same unconsciously repressing the idea that he can sing for he is more focused on the flood at that time. Denial is defined as falsifying reality which is somewhat close to repression. Repression however, means not being able to remember things. Gap Creek was truly wonderful and a lot of values can be learned. The trials and challenges that Julie and Hank overcome were really admirable for with each obstacle that would come to them, both of them always want to manage to put their lives back again. Works Cited Cherry, Kendra. ‘Defense Mechanism’. About. com: Psychology. Web. 18 May 2010. http://www. psyhology. about. com

Four Procedures Commonly Used in Refractive Eye Surgery Essay examples

Four Procedures Commonly Used in Refractive Eye Surgery One of the first things put on in the morning and one of the last things taken off in the evening, glasses and contacts play a large part in the everyday lives of those who depend upon them to see clearly. These two types of corrective lenses allow for clearer vision, but glasses and contacts are also inconvenient. Sports, especially contact sports, are more difficult to play when glasses get in the way or break. For those who can wear them, contacts are an improvement over glasses; wearing contacts for 18 hours a day, however, is not healthy for the contacts or the eyes. Therefore, other methods are desired to correct vision. Ophthalmologists have long dreamed of equipment and techniques to permanently correct refractive problems. For more than 100 years, doctors have been exploring the use of surgery to reduce or eliminate patient's dependence on glasses and contacts ["Refractive," 1997]. This dream came true with the introduction of refractive surgical techniques for the correction of myopia and astigmatism. In refractive surgery, various micro-surgical procedures are used to re-shape the front surface of the cornea. Four main refractive eye procedures are clinically being studied: radial keratectomy (RK), automated lamellar keratoplasty (ALK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). These four common procedures in refractive eye surgery will be compared and contrasted while taking into account the limitations of comparison such as the patient and the extent of the correction needed. Function of the Eye The human eye is a complex organ with a primary function of focusing light on the retina to provide the sense of sight f... ...ctive and Corneal Surgery (Boston: Little Brown and Company, 1996), pp. 10-120. "Laser Eye Center," http://www.lasereyecenter.com/ (Madison: University of Wisconsin, November 1997). McFadden, Murray, Dr. "Laser Eye Surgery, PRK, LASIK," http://www.prk.com/ (Madison: University of Wisconsin, November 1997). Raeburn, Paul, "Keep Your Eye on the Laser," Business Week (30 September 1996), p. 40. "Refractive Surgery Frequently Asked Questions," http://www.isrs.org/library/faq (Madison: University of Wisconsin, November 1997). Sanders, Donald, Radial Keratotomy (Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated, 1984), pp. 1-16. Sulting, Dr., "Laser In-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)," http://www.emory.org/vision_correction/ (Madison: University of Wisconsin, November 1997). "Understanding Laser Vision Correction," pamphlet (USA: The Laser Center Inc., 1997), pp. 7-43.

Essay on What Dreams May Come :: What Dreams May Come

What Dreams May Come    When mortality is contemplated, issues of life, death, and the hereafter are usually the first of a myriad of topics to spontaneously arise as if they are from the dark depths of a person's soul. I believe that this is most eloquently stated by Hamlet:    For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause. (III. i.)    This passage served as inspiration for Richard Matheson, the author of the novel, What Dreams May Come. This essay is in two parts: discrepancies between the book and the movie, and views of life/death in the movie and book.    Part I: Discrepancies The first noticeable discrepancy between the book and the movie is that the movie is a movie (meaning that the movie progresses with the characters for the most part except for the occasional flashback) while the book is a retrospective by Chris of his life and escapades written after he is dead. The first chapter of the book opens with a medium at Richard Nielsen's (Chris's brother) door. It appears that after rescuing Annie in her very own, limited edition, private hell, Chris finds a medium, and he pesters her until she agrees to transcribe his journal (it took her six months) and hand deliver it to Richard.    Another major discrepancy between the movie and the book is that in the book the children do not die. In fact, the children are they way that Chris can find his way back to Annie; through their thoughts and prayers. Before Anne dies, Chris gets Albert (not his son in the book) to look up how long Anne is to naturally live. Albert comes back and reports that it is twenty-four years. Chris becomes devistated and worries about it. Then, Anne kills herself. In the book, Anne would not be in her own patented hell forever but for the time she was to live (she still committed suicide). So she would be in her desolate hell for twenty-four years. That doesn't seem too bad but Chris would not hear of such, and then proceeded to persuade Albert to help him get in touch with Anne again.    Richard Matheson became a new-age metaphysical expert in order to write What Dreams May Come. He wanted the book to be as realistic as possible, so he acquired dozens of books (all listed in the Bibliography) and first hand Near Death Experience accounts from people from all walks of life.

Foreign Direct Investment Essay

Case Discussion Questions: 1. Why, historically, has the level of FDI in Japan been so low? The relatively low FDI stock in Japan is partly the result of a history of official inhibitions on FDI. In some industries, inward FDI penetration, as measured by the share of employment accounted for by foreign affiliates, in Japan in fact is on par with the United States. However, a large number of â€Å"sanctuaries† with almost no foreign involvement remain, so that FDI penetration overall is still very low. While to some extent, this can be explained by Japan’s relatively isolated geographic location, historical factors play an important role. Throughout the centuries and until quite recently, Japan’s rulers have viewed foreign involvement in the economy as a threat and consequently erected various barriers to FDI. 2. What are the potential benefits to the Japanese economy of greater FDI? The potential benefits to the Japanese economy of greater FDI are the ones listed below: †¢ Faster revenue growth than domestic firms; †¢ Significantly higher profitability and sales margins than domestic firms; †¢ Greater capital investment per employee than domestic firms; †¢ Higher total factor productivity than domestic firms; †¢ Higher spending on research and development per worker than domestic firms; and †¢ Higher average wages than domestic firms. 3. How did the entry of Wal-Mart into the Japanese retail sector benefit that sector? Who lost as a result of Wal-Mart’s entry? It helped restructure Japan’s retail sector- boosting productivity, gaining  market share, and profiting in the process. Wal-Mart implemented its cutting edge information systems, adopted tight inventory control, leveraging its global supply chain to bring low cost goods into Japan, restraining employees to improve customer service, and extending opening hours. It was more difficult than Wal-Mart had hoped. Wal-Mart’s entry prompted local rivals to change their strategies. 4. Why has it been so hard for Wal-Mart to make a profit in Japan? What might the company have done differently? The company’s global marketing strategy has many flaws. Wal-Mart failed to grasp the consumer and retail environment in Japan. With a population of 127 million, the highest per capita income and the second largest economy in the world, Japan is a very attractive market for retailers. Perhaps more research into their cultural values and patterns could have helped avoid some of these mishaps.

buy custom A Chinese Poem To Pi Ssu Yao essay

buy custom A Chinese Poem To Pi Ssu Yao essay To Pi Ssu Yao is a Chinese poem. Well written to portray the plight of the poets. It is one of the many Chinese poems, which is just so good and well written. This one particularly reverberated with me; despite the fact that I do not figure out the title. I believe there are two issues going on throughout the poem. First, there is the whole poem artist not getting acknowledged for the contributions they give, you know, the clich, stereotype also reality that artists have a tendency to die meager and leave their estate administrators to enjoy the riches. However, there is also the notion that knowledge is a type of procreation. We leave the matter for the generations there after. The poet gives us the reality of procreation that is dependant on generations. It is a kind of immortality, even after you pass on; the acquaintance that one has left will continue to be passed on generation after generation. This issue of life reality is quite evident in the poem that is being passed on to g eneration. It' has been passed down for more than ten centuries and currently every one of the six billion persons on the planet has a right to use to it. The poem is giving us the reality of life where those who work hard never gotten the right yield of their labor. Human acquaintance gets more complex since it is compounded; we find out everything the persons who came before us had acquainted with, and then we gain knowledge of something new in addition to that. In addition, it keeps building through the periods, and we as species recognize more and more with each succeeding generation. Writers get to know what came before by learning through reading, and in turn, they struggle to push their writing wherever writing has not gone before. In Patterns, we are awakened from quietness by a precise fanfare that for a fleeting second suggests too much accomplishment. Instead of ruptures of electrons, we hear dissimilarity on the opening display, in lush chromatic harmonies and changing moods. Curiously, the character is the poet and other poets suffering from the opening injustice, departing with an unsettling, disjointed, almost exhalation into a final trivial chord. The illusion is absolute. The arts have talent and people refer to them as the leading poets of our day. The translation of the poem stanza give us the agony poets fill when they work yield to them litter. Too bad, our homes are humble. The poets recognition is considered insignificant. Hungry, not well clothed, the lovers of their work treat them with contempt (Rexroth, 2011, pp1-2). This is a true picture of the worlds injustices where people are self centered and inconsiderate about others. In the prime of life, the poets faces are furrowed. However, this is a recap of the old saying that ones meat is anothers poison. We are our own Audience. We appreciate Each other's literary Merits. This translation is a confirmation that the like-minded or victims are always concern about one other. The poems will be passed on along with great dead poets'. This is a poem written to give the plight of the poets and other talented artist. To Pi Ssu Yao is a well written poem that gives the injustice of the world; where majority are reaping where they never sowed. Conclusion To Pi Ssu Yao translation, give us the perspective of the writer and other artists in regards to their work. It is a poem giving the plight of the poets also continuity of their work for generations. Buy custom A Chinese Poem To Pi Ssu Yao essay

cultural relativism essays

cultural relativism essays HUMAN RIGHTS AND CULTURAL RELATIVITY Human rights is something every person is entitled to by virtue of their being human. It is an entitlement, something you have without deserving or earning it. It is yours because you are a human being. If it is a right for you, it is a right for everyone else. It is the basic right and freedom to which all women and men are entitled - among them the right to life, liberty and nationality, to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, to work, to be educated, to take part in government. Cultural Relativity is the anthropological attitude that a societys customs, traditions and ideas are to be described in an objective perspective in context of the societys problem. In other words, it says that we should judge the actions of a society in context to the societys traditions and customs. The basic premise of cultural relativism is that beliefs, values, and morals are all based on ones culture. It is an ideology that all beliefs are equally valid, and that none can be considered inferior or wrong. All ethical, religious and political truths are relative to the cultural identity of the individual. Cultural relativity says that good and bad are relative to culture. What is "good" is what is "socially approved" in a given culture. For example, Infratricide, it isn't good or bad if you look at it objectively but it's good in a society that approves of it and bad in one that disapproves of it. Many anthropologists have already become uncomfortable with the form of Cultural Relativity advocated by Benedict and Herskovits. According to them morality differs in every society and all patterns of culture are equally accepted. There have been on going debates for a long time now about Cultural Relativity and Human rights. Cultural Relativity goes against Human rights. It does not recognize a persons individual rights but a societys tra...