U.S. Congress Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

U.S. Congress - Research Paper Example istics, which would go from information on party alliance, the normal age of the individuals, occupation, training levels, length of congressional assistance. Different attributes incorporate; their strict alliance, sexual orientation, ethnicity, outside births just as military help (Brownworth). In the congress as at February 2013, the House of Representatives had a limit of 232 republicans and 206 democrats in addition to 5 agents and the inhabitant chief. The senate then again had 45 republicans against 53 democrats. There were likewise 2 autonomous who assembly with the democrats. Toward the start of the 113th residency, the normal age of the individuals from the congress was seen as 57.0 years while that of congresspersons was 62.0 years. A dominant part of the individuals from the congress have achieved at any rate an advanced degree. The individuals predominantly have callings running from open assistance/governmental issues, business and law. The religion association of the greater part of the individuals is either Christians or Protestants with the biggest single strict division being Catholics; 31% of the Members (136 in the House, 27 in the Senate) are Catholic. The length of administration averagely of the agents is averagely worked out to be 9.1 years, which is 4 .6 terms; the senators’ term is 10.2 years, which is 1.7 terms. The one hundred and thirteenth house has a record number of ladies that remains at one hundred; 18.5% of all out participation. 80 of this number are found in the House a number that incorporates 3 representatives while 20 of these ladies are found in the senate (Brownworth). As far as ethnicity, we have 43 African American individuals from the house while 2 are found in the senate. It is important that this number incorporates two agents. A similar house has 38 Hispanic serving in the congress of which 34 are in the house including 1 representative and the occupant official while 4 are there in the senate. 13 individuals from the house in the request for 10 who are the agents, 2 representatives and 1

American Music of the 1930 essays

American Music of the 1930 articles American well known music from the 1930's mirrors the social and social attributes that molded the American personality during the period. The music of the thirties is significant when attempting to comprehend the American individuals during a period of new innovation, a huge developing in the number of inhabitants in urban communities, and a huge scope melancholy. Through the span of the thirties, American preference for music changed drastically. In the standard it moved from the dull and unchallenging sweet stable of Guy Lombardo and the Jazz Age move groups to the more musically included horn game plans of the Swing Era, for example, Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. Early jazz and blues originally heard in the thirties plainly exhibit the development of noteworthy melodic structures by incredible craftsman like Louis Armstrong and Fletcher Henderson. The second arrangement of tunes from the center of the decade to the end speaks to the rising present day types of American well known music. One can hear the tweaking of cadence and blues in works by Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Cleo Patra Brown. The swing time is known by accounts of Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. There was likewise a recently rising group in the film business. The record business and radio developed in quality and furthermore affected the decade . The trademark sound of the Glen Miller Orchestra Evening glow Serenade would furnish an age with melodic recollections of American life during the Second World War. Numerous Americans had to migrate looking for work after the breakdown of the economy. They moved from provincial territories to urban manufacturing plant towns, from city to city and state to state looking for work. Huge numbers of these individuals felt as though they had been torn from their social and social roots. This appeared to invite recorded music as an announcement of their social encounters and old personalities. Student of history William Kenney closed, ...whether intentionally or not, practically all residents foun... <!

Horneys Theory of Neurotic Needs

Horney's Theory of Neurotic Needs Theories Personality Psychology Print Karen Horneys Theory of Neurotic Needs By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on November 26, 2019 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW on November 26, 2019 OJO Images for Getty Images More in Theories Personality Psychology Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand Overview Affection and Approval Focused on Partner Unobtrusive Life Power Exploiting Others Prestige Personal Admiration Personal Achievement Self-Sufficiency and Independence Perfection and Unassailability View All Back To Top Have you ever known someone who seemed to have a pathological need to be liked by others? According to theorist Karen Horney, this behavior is due to a neurotic need for affection and approval. In her book Self-Analysis (1942), Horney outlined her theory of neurosis, describing different types of neurotic behavior as a result of overusing coping strategies to deal with basic anxiety. These behaviors include such things as the neurotic needs for power, prestige, and affection. So what are some of the different types of neurotic needs that people use to manage anxiety? Lets take a closer look at the three broad categories of needs and the needs identified by Horney in this overview of her theory of neurotic needs. An Overview of Horneys Theory of Neurotic Needs Psychoanalytic theorist Karen Horney developed one of the best-known theories of neurosis. She believed that neurosis resulted from basic anxiety caused by interpersonal relationships. Horneys theory proposes that strategies used to cope with anxiety can be overused, causing them to take on the appearance of needs. According to Horney, basic anxiety (and therefore neurosis) could result from a variety of things including, . . . direct or indirect domination, indifference, erratic behavior, lack of respect for the childs individual needs, lack of real guidance, disparaging attitudes, too much admiration or the absence of it, lack of reliable warmth, having to take sides in parental disagreements, too much or too little responsibility, over-protection, isolation from other children, injustice, discrimination, unkept promises, hostile atmosphere, and so on and so on (Horney, 1945). These 10 neurotic needs can be classed into three broad categories: Needs that move you towards others.These neurotic needs cause individuals to seek affirmation and acceptance from others and are often described as needy or clingy as they seek out approval and love.Needs that move you away from others.These neurotic needs to create hostility and antisocial behavior. These individuals are often described as cold, indifferent, and aloof.Needs that move you against others.These neurotic needs result in hostility and a need to control other people. These individuals are often described as difficult, domineering, and unkind. Well-adjusted individuals utilize all three of these strategies, shifting focus depending on internal and external factors. So what is it that makes these coping strategies neurotic? According to Horney, it is the overuse of one or more of these interpersonal styles. Neurotic people tend to utilize two or more of these ways of coping, creating conflict, turmoil, and confusion. In her book Self-Analysis (1942), Horney outlined the 10 neurotic needs she had identified: 1. The Neurotic Need for Affection and Approval This need? includes the desires to be liked, to please other people, and meet the expectations of others. People with this type of need are extremely sensitive to rejection and criticism and fear the anger or hostility of others. 2. The Neurotic Need for a Partner Who Will Take Over One’s Life This involves the need to be centered on a partner. People with this need suffer extreme fear of being abandoned by their partner. Oftentimes, these individuals place an exaggerated importance on love and believe that having a partner will resolve all of life’s troubles. 3. The Neurotic Need to Restrict One’s Life Within Narrow Borders Individuals with this need prefer to remain inconspicuous and unnoticed. They are undemanding and content with little. They avoid wishing for material things, often making their own needs secondary and undervaluing their own talents and abilities. 4. The Neurotic Need for Power Individuals with this need seek power for its own sake. They usually praise strength, despise weakness, and will exploit or dominate other people. These people fear personal limitations, helplessness, and uncontrollable situations. 5. The Neurotic Need to Exploit Others These individuals view others in terms of what can be gained through association with them. People with this need generally pride themselves on their ability to exploit other people and are often focused on manipulating others to obtain desired objectives, including such things as ideas, power, money, or sex. 6. The Neurotic Need for Prestige Individuals with a need for prestige value themselves in terms of public recognition and acclaim. Material possessions, personality characteristics, professional accomplishments, and loved ones are evaluated based on prestige value. These individuals often fear public embarrassment and loss of social status. 7. The Neurotic Need for Personal Admiration Individuals with a neurotic need for personal admiration are narcissistic and have an exaggerated self-perception. They want to be admired based on this imagined self-view, not upon how they really are. 8. The Neurotic Need for Personal Achievement According to Horney, people push themselves to achieve greater and greater things as a result of basic insecurity. These individuals fear failure and feel a constant need to accomplish more than other people and to top even their own earlier successes. 9. The Neurotic Need for Self-Sufficiency and Independence These individuals exhibit a “loner” mentality, distancing themselves from others in order to avoid being tied down or dependent upon other people. 10. The Neurotic Need for Perfection and Unassailability These individuals constantly strive for complete infallibility. A common feature of this neurotic need is searching for personal flaws in order to quickly change or cover up these perceived imperfections. A Word From Verywell While neuroticism is no longer considered a mental health diagnosis, researchers continue to investigate this aspect of personality. While popular culture often paints neurotic behaviors as quirky and cute, neurosis may play a role in mood and anxiety problems. By addressing these issues, people can often improve their overall mental health and wellness.   Recognizing your own neurotic tendencies can help you better understand your own behaviors. Researchers have found that mindfulness, or being aware of your own thoughts, might be a useful approach for combating the neurotic, negative thoughts that contribute to worry and anxiety.?? Replacing neurotic coping behaviors with more healthy actions can help you better manage anxiety and protect your interpersonal relationships.

Essay on The Lord of the Rings - 3273 Words

The One Ring to rule them all nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Thought-paper on J. R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings By Francis Byron P. Abao 97-06526 English 146 Inst. Emil Flores Department of English and Comparative Literature University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. Submitted on October 14, 2002. The One Ring to rule them all nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Lord of the Rings is a three part epic fantasy by J.R.R. Tolkien about the struggle to destroy the One Ring of Power. Published in 1954, the work remains as relevant today as ever, when the question of power and its consequences is concerned. In fact, the†¦show more content†¦To the rulers of the three races (elves, dwarves, and men) Sauron gave the rings as gifts. The fourth race of Middle Earth, the hobbits, was perhaps too small and inconsequential for him. In secrecy, Sauron forged the One Ring---a master ring that would rule all the other rings and bring their wearers under the domination of Sauron himself. It was the One Ring that would grant absolute power. But, as the story goes, Sauron’s plan was discovered before he could complete it, and the other races (the elves and dwarves) resisted him. Men were more easily corrupted by the rings,and the rulers of men at that time became Ringwraiths, the most powerful and fearsome of Sauronà ¢â‚¬â„¢s servants. Then there was a great war, for the freedom of Middle Earth, a last alliance of men and elves (and dwarves, and all who resisted Sauron). In that war, the leader of men named Isildur managed to sever Sauron’s hand, cutting off the connection between Sauron and his One Ring. The effect was that Sauron’s physical form was destroyed, his spirit fled elsewhere, and his armies crumbled. In that moment of victory, Isildur had the chance to destroy the One Ring forever, by throwing it into the flames of Mount Doom where it had been created. He refused. Isildur claimed the One Ring as his by right, and departed, much to the dismay of the elves and all the others. But the Ring eventually betrayedShow MoreRelatedThe Lord Of The Rings1648 Words   |  7 Pagesand religious truth (or error), but not explicit, not in the known form of the primary real world.† As The Lord Of The Rings is, by Tolkien’s definition, a fairy-story, it would be correct to assume that it, too, contains â€Å"elements of moral and religious truth.† However, many who read Lord Of The Rings dispute the trilogy’s religious content. Tolkien states, The Lord Of The Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work†¦ That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practicallyRead MoreThe Lord Of The Rings1736 Words   |  7 PagesThe Lord Of The Rings The story began as a consequence to Tolkien s 1937 fantasy novel The Hobbit, but eventually improved into a much larger employment. Written in stages between 1937 and 1949, The Lord of the Rings is the second pick-selling surprising ever written, with over 150 million carbon copy sold. The Lord of the Rings is an epopoeia exalted-imagination recent written by English subcreator J. The toil was initially intended by Tolkien to be one roll of a two-volume put, the other toRead MoreThe Lord Of The Rings1383 Words   |  6 PagesSome stories can affect people emotionally, but once in a while a story can call a person to escape to it. The Lord of the Rings is an enchanting story with masterful use of setting and sensational characters that engages readers and can move them to experience life in a deeper way. As a child J.R.R. Tolkien lived in Africa until his father passed away. Then his mother moved them to England. Mrs. Tolkien made certain that her children learned literature and languages. It was probably due somewhatRead MoreThe Lord Of The Ring1455 Words   |  6 PagesTom Bombadil placed the magic ring on his finger; everyone waited for him to disappear, but nothing happened, and he handed the ring back to Frodo without a slight hesitation. Frodo offered Galadriel the ring and she grew into a horrible creature towering over Frodo, but fought the ringâ€⠄¢s strong temptation, and finally decreasing back to her normal self and declined the powerful ring. Both Tom and Galadriel, in The Lord of the Ring, portray Tolkien’s respect for nature and strong spirituality, becauseRead MoreThe Lord Of The Rings1549 Words   |  7 PagesDarkness extended over all of Middle-Earth like a veil during the time of war. New laws were enforced and the citizens’ freedom was taken away. Frodo’s magic ring represents the unsustainability of the environment, and the characters of Middle-Earth. In The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien uses the magic ring to reflect the politics of sustainability, by drawing from his own life experiences. Two philosophers, Scruton and Hart write their recipes for sustainability. Scruton believes that finding the rightRead MoreThe Lord Of The Rings1469 Words   |  6 Pagesauthor of The Fantastic: A Structural Approach to a Literary Genre, defined fantasy as â€Å"the creation of a moment of hesitation betw een two worlds†(qtd. Kelly, Course Introduction 2). This description of the genre compliments J.R.R Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings trilogy due to the author’s use of sub-creation to construct his alternate world. Tolkien believed that the way to create a believable, all-encompassing world was to combine fragments of reality, or the â€Å"primary world†, together to constructRead MoreThe Lord Of The Rings1698 Words   |  7 Pagesaudiences. Both of these have had a profound effect on the world, whether it be through changing a way of life or just by making time pass for a few hours. Certain books and movies have played great roles in the world and had many influences. The Lord of the Rings has had a massively positive effect on both literature and film. Its creation has led to many positives and in doing so has become one of the most influential stories ever created. It has also led to some major impacts outside of literature andRead MoreThe Lord Of The R ings999 Words   |  4 Pagesby J.R.R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings, where the ultimate power source created contains enough power that the master of the Ring becomes in turn the master of Middle Earth, and absolute power follows in accordance to absolute corruption of he who possesses it. Many a man and creature wields the Ring, falling to the temptation of its power and the poison of its possession, bringing about death and evil life to the masters of the Ring.In Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the wizard Gandalf renouncesRead MoreThe Lord Of The Ring841 Words   |  4 PagesThe Lord of the Ring J.R.R Tolkien Setting the western, middle, and southern region of Middle earth in the third age Character Frodo - a Hobbit with the one ring and has to take it into the land of Mordor and throw it into Mount Doom Sam - a Hobbit who is Frodo’s best friend who helps Frodo on his journey and come with him to the end Peregrin Took - a Hobbit call Pippin, who is Frodo’s friend and he helps Frodo on his journey Merry - a Hobbit who is Frodo’s friend and he helps Frodo on his journeyRead MoreThe Lord Of The Rings1352 Words   |  6 PagesThe darkness that had extended over Middle-Earth, lifted like a veil the moment the magic ring was destroyed. New laws were enforced and the citizens’ freedom was taken away. In The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien uses the magic ring to reflect the politics of sustainability, therefore exploring the hardships of an unsustainable community. Frodo’s magic ring represents the ruthless actions of the creatures of Middle-Earth. Two philosophers, Scruton and Hart write their recipes for sustainability. Scruton

White Discomfort and Black Lives - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1175 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2019/04/02 Category Society Essay Level High school Topics: Black Lives Matter Essay Did you like this example? White Discomfort and Black Lives If you have been watching the news, browsing social media, or tuning in to your local radio stations, you may have heard about what seems to be an influx of white people in America calling 911 on black people who are doing nothing more than existing while black. Though this seems like a new trend meant to put people who seem out of place in their place, this is nothing new. Especially to the victims who have authorities called on them for doing nothing more than trying to exist in a world that isnt always welcoming to that. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "White Discomfort and Black Lives" essay for you Create order From simply cooking out in designated areas in a park, to a child exiting a corner store with his mother, false accusations and modern day Black Codes enforced against people of color, especially black people in America are not only inconvenient and wrong, but dangerous. Police brutality has been a hot topic across the nation and putting black people in situations where they can be harmed, or even worst, killed, when no crime has been committed should be considered a hate crime. Allowing people to continue to get away with tying up emergency lines and utilizing them as their own customer service line to voice their displeasure when they believe that white comfort is more important than black lives is not a reflection of liberty and justice for all. America does not have the most beautiful beginning. There has been racial tension and separation of people by race from the very beginning. Simply put, racism is defined as power plus prejudice (Ponds). Though many may say one race does not have more power than another in America, that is simply untrue. There are disparities between the way officials and authorities respond to white and non-white Americans. Officers are more likely to side with white people over black people because implicit biases make them believe white people are more trustworthy. Half of black people in Americans surveyed by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public health said they had experienced racial discrimination at the hands of police officers (Neel). This isnt surprising due to the racist origin of the police force in America. From tracking and kidnaping of runaway slaves to the intervention and dismantling of necessary civil rights movements, historically, the police force has enforced laws to hinder the progression of civil rights movements in minority communities (7 Racial Bias and Disparities in Proactive Policing). Many of these encounters did not end in pleasant and peaceful dismantling. They were violent. They ended in lives being taken and families being destroyed because the majority deemed the minority had no rights or did not belong. (Beer) History tends to repeat itself, and here we are in 2018 still having the police called on black people in our country for existing. If crimes were being committed there would be a need for police intervention, however barbecuing, parking, waiting in Starbucks, leaving a bodega, and planting in your community garden are not crimes. Discomfort based on implicit biases should not lead to potentially dangerous police interactions. Black people are only 13% of the American population however they account for over 20% of police killings. Almost double the rate of the general population, even when nonviolent and unarmed (Beer). Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson entered a Starbucks and had been there for only a few minutes when the police were called on them for not ordering quickly enough, even though Starbucks is known to be a communal gathering place for people to chat and utilize free Wi-Fi, whether they ordered anything or not. This resulted in a lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia where the young men settled out of court and Starbucks closed their stores for an entire day for a training on racial biases and discrimination. Lolade Sinyonbola fell asleep in the lounge at Yale, where she is a graduate after working on what she described as a marathon of papers. She was awakened by police telling her an individual felt she did not belong. Police did acknowledge she was a student at the institution and the issue was not a police matter. Three teens in St. Louis were greeted by authorities after shopping in Nordstrom. Police searched the teens, their bags, and their car, eventually letting them go after verifying their receipts. Nordstrom Racks president issued a statement and apology noting that protocol was not followed in relation to the situation with said teens. In California three black Airbnb guests had the police called on them for not waving at or greeting neighbors as they would have liked for them too. This resulted in a helicopter coming to the scene and the guests being questioned and embarrassed. Airbnb describes the event as unconscionable (Victor). A community activist and non profit owner in Detroit lost several contracts, money, and even his credibility due to false claims from the individuals in a neighborhood where he had started a community garden. Marc Peoples had the police called on him dozens of times for allegations that he was stalking, vandalizing, and harassing the community. These calls came from the same three white women, over and over again. Once these allegations were taken to court (after Peoples had been arrested and forced to bond out for crimes he never committed) the judge ruled that the allegations were false after said women could not remember their stories and eventually admitted to exaggerating and fabricating stories because they deemed he did not belong. (Burch) These examples are few compared to the hundreds that happen every year. In each scenario there are no crimes being committed, just implicit biases leading to 911 being treated as customer service line instead of an emergency assistance line as it was intended. It leads wasted time, resources, and eventually money for companies and cities when lawsuits are added to the equation. The individuals affected by these microaggressions are left feeling hurt, embarrassed, and betrayed after these encounters. They begin losing credibility, jobs, and wages due to individuals policing their whereabouts simply because they have a different shade of skin. All of these situations could be avoided if we treated people who decide that they can police the lives of black people, by calling authorities on them, even when nothing is wrong, as the criminals in the situation. If an individual proceeds to disrupt the life of someone who is simply living while black, they should be charged with a hate crime because they allowed their implicit biases to waste city resources, cost companies money, and ruin lives of innocent individuals. Works Cited 7 Racial Bias and Disparities in Proactive Policing. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018. . Beer, Todd. POLICE KILLING OF BLACKS: Data for 2015, 2016, 2017, and first half of 2018. 24 August 2018. 22 October 2018. . Burch, Audra D.S. How Gardening While Black Almost Landed This Detroit Man in Jail. 26 October 2019. . Neel, Joe. Poll: Most Americans Think Their Own Group Faces Discrimination. 24 October 2017. 22 October 2018. . Ponds, Kenneth T. Reclaiming Children and Youth. Bloomington (2013): 22-24. Victor, Daniel. When White People Call the Police on Black People. 11 May 2018. 22 October 2018. .

Impact Public Management Health Social Health And Social Care Essay Free Essays

string(24) " between 1500 and 1800\." ( Question and Undertaking ) What is New Public Management? Critically discuss the impact of New Public Management on the bringing of Health and Social Care in the UK? New Public Management ( NPM ) , as the name indicates is a new planetary phenomenon, which shifts the focal point of public disposal to a more up-to-date public direction. Through NPM, the modern direction techniques holding their beginning in the private sector, is happening application in to the populace sphere besides. Moore et Al. We will write a custom essay sample on Impact Public Management Health Social Health And Social Care Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now ( 1994:13 ) high spots that â€Å" the cardinal feature of NPM is the attempt to originate or imitate, within those subdivisions of the public service that are non privatized, the public presentation inducements and, the ordinance and control that exist in a market environment. † NPM is no more an Anglo-Saxon phenomenon, as it was thought ab initio ; it is a planetary tendency. There are several factors lending to new public direction reforms in a state: societal, economic, political factors to pick the most of import. Technological factors like the rapid growing of information engineering to play a cardinal function as a taking factor towards NPM reforms. In the instance of most developed states, the changeless demand for increased efficiency of bringing of public services through cost cuts has accelerated the thrust for NPM. There was a demand for extremist alterations in the direction of the authorities with the chief aim of increased efficiency, effectivity of the system as a whole and economic system of running it ( Metcalfe and Richards, 1990 ) . In the recent old ages, the construct of public assistance province has undergone considerable alterations and up steps, as per the demand in the society, and this has challenged the traditional construct of province ‘s duties with regard to public services. The increased credence gained by the alleged ‘neoliberal thoughts ‘ in the 1980s and thenceforth has redefined these traditional constructs. Harmonizing to these neoliberal constructs, economic efficiency can be achieved merely through market competition, which offers free market pick to the populace ( Massey, 2005 ) . However, the instance of most developing states is different. There, chiefly external force per unit areas, which were strengthened after financial and economic crises they faced in the 1970s, have driven the NPM reforms. These include loaning conditions and other models imposed by external loaning bureaus like the IMF, World Bank, etc and their changeless accent on structural accommodations in the name of good administration. The increased usage of international advisers for structural reforms has surely added to this tendency, and they act as â€Å" alteration agents † for the reform processes. Decentralization of direction at assorted degrees within public services is the most of import component of NPM. This include the sloughing of governmental duties like the degeneration of fiscal control by the authorities through one-year budgets and the institutional restructuring steps like puting up of independent bureaus. Public services are thrown unfastened to competition by increased usage of markets like undertaking out of cardinal maps. The accent displacement to client orientation through high quality public presentation and better end products. Downsizing of authorities mechanism needed for the specific undertaking, and the spreading civilization of user charges are of import facets associated with NPM. In the instance of a figure of crisis provinces, reform of province owned endeavors have taken the challenge of reforms through undertaking out its cardinal operations associated with bringing of public services. Performance contracts are given in the instance of public public-service corporations like conveyance and electricity where the province retains the answerability for public presentation. Transparency of maps signifiers portion of the nucleus values of NPM. Contestability and value for money are similar of import values of NPM. NPM introduces and puts a type of quasi markets in topographic point. The wellness attention systems in UK can be viewed as an illustration of this. Again, private money is allowed to flux in freely, as in the instance of University fees in UK. In the procedure of coaction between two organisations, as portion of the NPM reforms, their civilizations play a critical function. The integrating of civilizations must non take to tensenesss and misgiving and hence forced integrating is non good for anyone. But at the same clip, culturally different organisations, if merged together, can be able to make a synergism and may be able to organize an advanced entity. Wherever implemented, NPM has been successful in power displacements towards new equilibriums. The strengthening of senior general direction and weakening of trade brotherhoods can be seen in this context. There is a tendency to authorise consumers of services in topographic point of public sector manufacturers ( Powell, 2007 ) . 2.0 New Public Management in UK The new reforms in UK started in the twelvemonth 1979 under the premier curate ship of Mrs. Margaret Thatcher. The mechanism was called â€Å" Prior option reappraisal † and was intended to analyze the activities of assorted authorities sections. For more than a century, UK populace sector was dominated by the old Public Administration original where probity and due procedure was emphasized more than existent results. The NPM original comes as a replacement to this old original and this is an illustration of a successful original alteration ( Greenwood et al, 1993 ) . It had the twin steering rules of directors and markets. Though due to widespread public sentiment, the NHS ( National Health Service ) was non privatized, this was thrown unfastened for competition. Two typical organisations were created: the DHAs ( District Health Authorities ) and hospital trusts. The DHAs were responsible for the wellness attention in a designated geographical country. They were granted specific budgetary support based on the population they were designed to provide. The position of infirmary trusts were modified into independent trusts in topographic point of their earlier â€Å" not-for-profit † position. A fund-holding strategy was besides introduced, through which the DHAs transferred their budget to group patterns depending on the class of patients and their figure. The figure normally varied between 1500 and 1800. You read "Impact Public Management Health Social Health And Social Care Essay" in category "Essay examples" The doctor who holds the fund on behalf of the patients is required to negociate with infirmaries and private clinics straight and take the most cost effectual wellness attention. This passage was non all of a sudden, but took about 20 old ages to make the full-blown province. The alterations were slow and limited in the beginning, as they started with the debut of the general direction. However, the procedure gained impulse later on and the quasi market experiment of 1990s was synoptically restructured. But since 1997 there was few harnessing back of market finding forces, particularly in sectors like primary wellness attention. However, in other sectors, the private finance flow has steadily been increasing. With in wellness attention systems of audit public presentation direction and assessment mechanisms have steadily improved and matured. Managerial functions have been more and more detailed. General direction was introduced and clinical professionals and physicians were bit by bit involved in the direction of wellness attention system. They performed the function of portion clip directors. This had the consequence of a displacement in power focal point within wellness attention systems. The managerial block emerged as the clear victor of the conflict for power equilibriums with in wellness attention organisations. The liberty of clinical professionals was no more absolute and their trade brotherhood dickering power has been well weakened ( Felie et. Al, 2002 ) . Therefore, every bit far as UK wellness attention sector is concerned, it can be boldly said that the NPM original has grown in to a full-blown province. Peoples have started to take the one time fresh ways as taken for granted. Kitchener in 1998 pointed out that the advancement towards a â€Å" Quasi market original † was about complete. However, there was a powerful clinical presence in topographic point of a simply managerial government. The word ‘quasi market ‘ is used because although market mechanisms have been introduced, it has to run with in some major restraints, which are absent in the private sector. The most of import of these restraints is that, the handiness of financess in the market is determined by the authorities each twelvemonth through the budgets. Therefore, no participant in the market can increase the entire size of the market. 3.0 NPM and Performance of UK in Health Care Among the states of the European Union, UK has a relatively low cost wellness system. It spends about 6.7 % of its GDP on wellness, where as it is 10.6 % in Germany, 9.6 % in France, and 8.6 % in Netherlands. But in footings of public presentation, UK has a comparatively better place in malice of such lower disbursement. It is placed 14th on a list of 29 states of the OECD in footings of critical indexs like infant mortality. In the instance of life anticipations besides the image is non that bad. If we take the illustration of USA with mostly private participants in the wellness attention sector, the disbursement is much more in footings of per centum of GDP, but its public presentation is non so attractive in comparing with other industiralised states. This raises echt uncertainties on the premise that public wellness attention system is ever inferior and under executing in comparing to a private system ( Dawson et. Al, 2002 ) . The chief characteristic of the populace sector in UK is its uninterrupted public presentation measuring. This includes marks set antecedently in a centralised mode, the regular coverage of the informations and steps to modulate the system behavior through wagess and punishments. Clarkson ( Clarkson et. Al, 2009 ) point out that the societal attention establishments in UK have improved their public presentation over the old ages after the NPM reforms, whereas the corresponding state of affairs in Northern Ireland is more or less inactive. Different types of evaluations are used for the intent. There are many public presentation arrows, which are clearly mapped on to drumhead studies of a New Performance Management System analysis. But there are unfavorable judgments that direction in action of a heath attention system seek to pull strings inspectors for accomplishing higher evaluations than they deserve ( Ferguson, 2009 ) . In the instance of NPM reforms of wellness attention in UK, some argue that it is dubious whether the competition ushered in as portion of the reforms has lead to improved wellness results in existent footings. The application of NPM has given topographic point for larger suppliers like insurance companies and large infirmaries, but the existent betterment in the wellness attention is still problematic ( Simone, 2008 ) . The most of import unfavorable judgment of NPM is that it has a inclination to concentrate on the procedure instead than the results ( Glasby, 2008 ) . Therefore, it is like seeing the forests and non the forest. The integrating becomes an terminal in itself, instead than going a agency to an terminal, Internet Explorer ; integrating of assorted procedures to hold the consequence of improved service bringing to the users. Most of the researches besides give undue importance to the procedure of integrating without giving equal attending to the jobs originating out of that. For the successful execution of NPM, the context of reforms, i.e. how good the bing system is working and what is the demand for integrating should be clearly borne in head. Then the specific constructions needed to accomplish the coveted results must be carefully designed. The focal point should be on give voicing the possible benefits in positive footings. E.g. in the recent reforms in kids ‘s servicesA in UK, alternatively of ‘preventing the maltreatment on kids ‘ the focal point was on more wide construct of ‘keeping kids safe and good ‘ . Another of import thing is to be unfastened and true, particularly to avoid misgiving and cynicism. The donees of the procedure can be the users of the services, the staff or the organisation itself. It is of import to specifically province that who is chiefly benefited. Sometimes there is a inclination that the confederates may truly be seeking benefits for the spouses, but creates an feeling that it is all done for the benefit of the users of services ( Glasby, 2007 ) . There are besides academic deliberations on the consequence of NPM on the basic moralss and values of public services. It is widely criticized that NPM has eroded the equity, nonpartisanship and probity of public services and has damaged the â€Å" human face † of these cardinal services. If person assumes that the acceptance of NPM reforms is good in all instances, it would be a hapless apprehension of the topic. Though there could be many advantages particularly in developed states, the acceptance of NPM in the instance of crisis provinces can be ( and would be ) debatable to a considerable degree. Therefore, execution of NPM reforms is non a Panacea in such instances. The public sector in such crisis provinces needs a more careful execution of the reforms and the extent of the reforms should be limited to selected sectors. How to cite Impact Public Management Health Social Health And Social Care Essay, Essay examples

Impact Public Management Health Social Health And Social Care Essay Free Essays

string(24) " between 1500 and 1800\." ( Question and Undertaking ) What is New Public Management? Critically discuss the impact of New Public Management on the bringing of Health and Social Care in the UK? New Public Management ( NPM ) , as the name indicates is a new planetary phenomenon, which shifts the focal point of public disposal to a more up-to-date public direction. Through NPM, the modern direction techniques holding their beginning in the private sector, is happening application in to the populace sphere besides. Moore et Al. We will write a custom essay sample on Impact Public Management Health Social Health And Social Care Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now ( 1994:13 ) high spots that â€Å" the cardinal feature of NPM is the attempt to originate or imitate, within those subdivisions of the public service that are non privatized, the public presentation inducements and, the ordinance and control that exist in a market environment. † NPM is no more an Anglo-Saxon phenomenon, as it was thought ab initio ; it is a planetary tendency. There are several factors lending to new public direction reforms in a state: societal, economic, political factors to pick the most of import. Technological factors like the rapid growing of information engineering to play a cardinal function as a taking factor towards NPM reforms. In the instance of most developed states, the changeless demand for increased efficiency of bringing of public services through cost cuts has accelerated the thrust for NPM. There was a demand for extremist alterations in the direction of the authorities with the chief aim of increased efficiency, effectivity of the system as a whole and economic system of running it ( Metcalfe and Richards, 1990 ) . In the recent old ages, the construct of public assistance province has undergone considerable alterations and up steps, as per the demand in the society, and this has challenged the traditional construct of province ‘s duties with regard to public services. The increased credence gained by the alleged ‘neoliberal thoughts ‘ in the 1980s and thenceforth has redefined these traditional constructs. Harmonizing to these neoliberal constructs, economic efficiency can be achieved merely through market competition, which offers free market pick to the populace ( Massey, 2005 ) . However, the instance of most developing states is different. There, chiefly external force per unit areas, which were strengthened after financial and economic crises they faced in the 1970s, have driven the NPM reforms. These include loaning conditions and other models imposed by external loaning bureaus like the IMF, World Bank, etc and their changeless accent on structural accommodations in the name of good administration. The increased usage of international advisers for structural reforms has surely added to this tendency, and they act as â€Å" alteration agents † for the reform processes. Decentralization of direction at assorted degrees within public services is the most of import component of NPM. This include the sloughing of governmental duties like the degeneration of fiscal control by the authorities through one-year budgets and the institutional restructuring steps like puting up of independent bureaus. Public services are thrown unfastened to competition by increased usage of markets like undertaking out of cardinal maps. The accent displacement to client orientation through high quality public presentation and better end products. Downsizing of authorities mechanism needed for the specific undertaking, and the spreading civilization of user charges are of import facets associated with NPM. In the instance of a figure of crisis provinces, reform of province owned endeavors have taken the challenge of reforms through undertaking out its cardinal operations associated with bringing of public services. Performance contracts are given in the instance of public public-service corporations like conveyance and electricity where the province retains the answerability for public presentation. Transparency of maps signifiers portion of the nucleus values of NPM. Contestability and value for money are similar of import values of NPM. NPM introduces and puts a type of quasi markets in topographic point. The wellness attention systems in UK can be viewed as an illustration of this. Again, private money is allowed to flux in freely, as in the instance of University fees in UK. In the procedure of coaction between two organisations, as portion of the NPM reforms, their civilizations play a critical function. The integrating of civilizations must non take to tensenesss and misgiving and hence forced integrating is non good for anyone. But at the same clip, culturally different organisations, if merged together, can be able to make a synergism and may be able to organize an advanced entity. Wherever implemented, NPM has been successful in power displacements towards new equilibriums. The strengthening of senior general direction and weakening of trade brotherhoods can be seen in this context. There is a tendency to authorise consumers of services in topographic point of public sector manufacturers ( Powell, 2007 ) . 2.0 New Public Management in UK The new reforms in UK started in the twelvemonth 1979 under the premier curate ship of Mrs. Margaret Thatcher. The mechanism was called â€Å" Prior option reappraisal † and was intended to analyze the activities of assorted authorities sections. For more than a century, UK populace sector was dominated by the old Public Administration original where probity and due procedure was emphasized more than existent results. The NPM original comes as a replacement to this old original and this is an illustration of a successful original alteration ( Greenwood et al, 1993 ) . It had the twin steering rules of directors and markets. Though due to widespread public sentiment, the NHS ( National Health Service ) was non privatized, this was thrown unfastened for competition. Two typical organisations were created: the DHAs ( District Health Authorities ) and hospital trusts. The DHAs were responsible for the wellness attention in a designated geographical country. They were granted specific budgetary support based on the population they were designed to provide. The position of infirmary trusts were modified into independent trusts in topographic point of their earlier â€Å" not-for-profit † position. A fund-holding strategy was besides introduced, through which the DHAs transferred their budget to group patterns depending on the class of patients and their figure. The figure normally varied between 1500 and 1800. You read "Impact Public Management Health Social Health And Social Care Essay" in category "Essay examples" The doctor who holds the fund on behalf of the patients is required to negociate with infirmaries and private clinics straight and take the most cost effectual wellness attention. This passage was non all of a sudden, but took about 20 old ages to make the full-blown province. The alterations were slow and limited in the beginning, as they started with the debut of the general direction. However, the procedure gained impulse later on and the quasi market experiment of 1990s was synoptically restructured. But since 1997 there was few harnessing back of market finding forces, particularly in sectors like primary wellness attention. However, in other sectors, the private finance flow has steadily been increasing. With in wellness attention systems of audit public presentation direction and assessment mechanisms have steadily improved and matured. Managerial functions have been more and more detailed. General direction was introduced and clinical professionals and physicians were bit by bit involved in the direction of wellness attention system. They performed the function of portion clip directors. This had the consequence of a displacement in power focal point within wellness attention systems. The managerial block emerged as the clear victor of the conflict for power equilibriums with in wellness attention organisations. The liberty of clinical professionals was no more absolute and their trade brotherhood dickering power has been well weakened ( Felie et. Al, 2002 ) . Therefore, every bit far as UK wellness attention sector is concerned, it can be boldly said that the NPM original has grown in to a full-blown province. Peoples have started to take the one time fresh ways as taken for granted. Kitchener in 1998 pointed out that the advancement towards a â€Å" Quasi market original † was about complete. However, there was a powerful clinical presence in topographic point of a simply managerial government. The word ‘quasi market ‘ is used because although market mechanisms have been introduced, it has to run with in some major restraints, which are absent in the private sector. The most of import of these restraints is that, the handiness of financess in the market is determined by the authorities each twelvemonth through the budgets. Therefore, no participant in the market can increase the entire size of the market. 3.0 NPM and Performance of UK in Health Care Among the states of the European Union, UK has a relatively low cost wellness system. It spends about 6.7 % of its GDP on wellness, where as it is 10.6 % in Germany, 9.6 % in France, and 8.6 % in Netherlands. But in footings of public presentation, UK has a comparatively better place in malice of such lower disbursement. It is placed 14th on a list of 29 states of the OECD in footings of critical indexs like infant mortality. In the instance of life anticipations besides the image is non that bad. If we take the illustration of USA with mostly private participants in the wellness attention sector, the disbursement is much more in footings of per centum of GDP, but its public presentation is non so attractive in comparing with other industiralised states. This raises echt uncertainties on the premise that public wellness attention system is ever inferior and under executing in comparing to a private system ( Dawson et. Al, 2002 ) . The chief characteristic of the populace sector in UK is its uninterrupted public presentation measuring. This includes marks set antecedently in a centralised mode, the regular coverage of the informations and steps to modulate the system behavior through wagess and punishments. Clarkson ( Clarkson et. Al, 2009 ) point out that the societal attention establishments in UK have improved their public presentation over the old ages after the NPM reforms, whereas the corresponding state of affairs in Northern Ireland is more or less inactive. Different types of evaluations are used for the intent. There are many public presentation arrows, which are clearly mapped on to drumhead studies of a New Performance Management System analysis. But there are unfavorable judgments that direction in action of a heath attention system seek to pull strings inspectors for accomplishing higher evaluations than they deserve ( Ferguson, 2009 ) . In the instance of NPM reforms of wellness attention in UK, some argue that it is dubious whether the competition ushered in as portion of the reforms has lead to improved wellness results in existent footings. The application of NPM has given topographic point for larger suppliers like insurance companies and large infirmaries, but the existent betterment in the wellness attention is still problematic ( Simone, 2008 ) . The most of import unfavorable judgment of NPM is that it has a inclination to concentrate on the procedure instead than the results ( Glasby, 2008 ) . Therefore, it is like seeing the forests and non the forest. The integrating becomes an terminal in itself, instead than going a agency to an terminal, Internet Explorer ; integrating of assorted procedures to hold the consequence of improved service bringing to the users. Most of the researches besides give undue importance to the procedure of integrating without giving equal attending to the jobs originating out of that. For the successful execution of NPM, the context of reforms, i.e. how good the bing system is working and what is the demand for integrating should be clearly borne in head. Then the specific constructions needed to accomplish the coveted results must be carefully designed. The focal point should be on give voicing the possible benefits in positive footings. E.g. in the recent reforms in kids ‘s servicesA in UK, alternatively of ‘preventing the maltreatment on kids ‘ the focal point was on more wide construct of ‘keeping kids safe and good ‘ . Another of import thing is to be unfastened and true, particularly to avoid misgiving and cynicism. The donees of the procedure can be the users of the services, the staff or the organisation itself. It is of import to specifically province that who is chiefly benefited. Sometimes there is a inclination that the confederates may truly be seeking benefits for the spouses, but creates an feeling that it is all done for the benefit of the users of services ( Glasby, 2007 ) . There are besides academic deliberations on the consequence of NPM on the basic moralss and values of public services. It is widely criticized that NPM has eroded the equity, nonpartisanship and probity of public services and has damaged the â€Å" human face † of these cardinal services. If person assumes that the acceptance of NPM reforms is good in all instances, it would be a hapless apprehension of the topic. Though there could be many advantages particularly in developed states, the acceptance of NPM in the instance of crisis provinces can be ( and would be ) debatable to a considerable degree. Therefore, execution of NPM reforms is non a Panacea in such instances. The public sector in such crisis provinces needs a more careful execution of the reforms and the extent of the reforms should be limited to selected sectors. How to cite Impact Public Management Health Social Health And Social Care Essay, Essay examples

Managerial Decision Making and Competitiveness †Free Samples

Question: Discuss abuot the Managerial Decision Making and Competitiveness. Answer: Introduction CFC technology is an international company which was registered with the initial capital of USD1000k. Company had gathered experience in producing vacuum, consultancy services, washing and welding technologies with the help of expertise staff. These staff members are asset of the organisation. In order to maintain its asset organisation provide several benefits to them, apart from this CFC also focus on providing good quality of products and services to its customers. This help in establishing good image in eyes of society. Over the period everything was going well and high profits were experienced by the organisation. However, company experienced downfall in its business because of rise in e-business. Ecommerce was an easy approach for the customers as, they get wide variety of goods and complete information about technology without even stepping out. Higher the risk higher the chances of earning profits every business involve some risk. Entrepreneur can overcome this element by conducting proper forecasting, identifying competitors, and sources of raw material and so on. In this project discussion will be carried on evaluation of companys performance in terms of revenue, cost, profit, activity drivers and competitive strategies that will enable the organisation to improve its financial conditions. Company performance evaluation Revenue Cost Profit Activities drives There are two major parts of revenue, cost and profit. Every organisation should earn sufficient amount of profit in order to survive and expand its business but sometimes due to uncertainties such as increase of competition companies like CFC have to bear huge loses (Browne, 2016). Sales revenue = units sold x sales price Over the last three years there is fluctuation in sales of goods and services. Initially its increasing but later there is decline in the sales. In 2016 sales of goods and services is declined by $816 and $8. There are many reasons behind decline in sale such as, increase in ecommerce business although, it is beneficial from the customer point of view as, they get wide choice, better price range and many other benefits but it has adversely affected the business of CFC(Sandford, 2015). Reverse trend goes with cost. There are different cost involved in the production of tablets such as, raw material cost, direct labour cost, consultant salary and direct over heads. Increment in the cost can be seen in year 2016. Overall it can said that, there is rise in the sale which is beneficial for the organisation. Cost refers to the amount of money that manufacturer invest in order to produce the final product (Healy Palepu, (2012). Mainly there are two different types of cost. One is fixed cost and other is variable cost. Fixed cost remains the same even with the increase in production units whereas, variable cost may vary when the production units increase or decreases. Cost trend of CFC over the past three years is not stabilised as, there is in increase in cost every year. Cost of the company had increased because of increase in the production of goods from 1000 to 1377. Although fixed expenses of the company remained the same but still there is increase in overall cost because of the increase in variable cost. Variable cost include, raw material and overhead expenses. Every organization tries to reduce the overall cost of production, in order to earn higher profit margin but it is possible only with the help of economics of scale (Zimmerman Yahya-Zadeh, (2011) CFC found it difficult to increase its production as, now customers of their target segment have shifted because of increase in the number of competitors. As, CFC is a traditionally retail store so, now its high time for the organisation to adopt new selling techniques. Apart from their retail outlets they should try and expand their business through ecommerce. Once they expand their business then it will be easy for the company to work on the basis of economics of scale. This will not only help organisation in earning high profits but consumers will also be benefited by it. At the end company will able to regain its image in the market. Higher the risk higher the chances of earning profit (Liebowitz, (2013). Financial gains experienced by the organisation after paying off all its expenses is called profit. Every firm wants to earn reasonable amount of profit in order to survive and expand its business (Heal Palepu, (2012). Without earning profit no organisation can survive for the longer period of time in the market. Profit is obtain after deducting all the expenses from the selling price. CFC technology has experienced decrease in profit in year 2015. As, the profit in 2014 was $64882 but it falls to $467 in year 2015. Company had experienced decline in its profits because of tremendous increase in cost in year 2015 and reduce in the sales of tablets. Although there is again increase in the profitability of the organisation in 2016 but still if, we compare it with the profit earned with the year 2014 its low. This fluctuation is the results in reduction in customer base of the company. Activity drivers Cost incurred by the organisation are effected by many factors. These factors are commonly called activity drivers (Chea, (2011). These drivers have capacity to change cost of business operations. Sometime many cost drivers can occur in the single cost. One of the most common cost driver is labour hours (Auerbach et al, (2013)Whereas, there are many technical cost drivers such as, contact of customers with the company, how long machine work, in order to perform the task how many machines are required and so on. CFC has increased the number of operators from 2014 2016 as a result, there is increase in labour cost but correspondently there is no increment in sales which result in decline in overall profitability of the organisation (Jordan, (2017). To overcome its situation many consultants have been appointed and their number has increased from 50 to 74 within three years. Advice given by the consultant was not good enough as they failed in helping organisation to get their position back in the market. Financial position of CFC Technologies is not good enough so, in order to overcome this situation it is important for the organisation to adopt some competitive strategies. Strategies made by the organisation on the basis of long term planning in order to win over the rivals are commonly known as competitive strategies (Chevalier-Roignant Trigeorgis, (2011). Every business man tries to maintain appropriate financial condition within the organisation so, that if any problem occurs it can easily be solved. Apart from this company have to face many problems if it financial conditions are not sound enough. Some of these problem are difficulty in raising funds, availing raw material on credit and so on (Dewey Rogers, (2012). Competitive strategies Cost leadership under this strategy companies try to provide its product at low cost to its target segment. Manufacturing and selling the products on the cheap rates is possible only after adopting economics of scale (Baroto, Abdullah, Wan, (2012). This strategy will help not only in attracting customers but also help organisation to increase its profitability, correspondently with the increase in sales. Further it will help CFC in improving its financial condition. Differentiation CFC technologies can improve its financial condition by adopting differentiation strategy. In this strategy initially firm have to invest money in research and development, but soon organisation is able to recover its cost because customers are willing to pay high amount if they find that particular companies offer unique services or a product (Heracleous Wirtz, (2012). Although this is bit difficult for small enterprises to adopt this strategies because of the problem in arranging funds but, it is considered beneficial to larger enterprises. CFC will be able to improve its financial condition if it adopt this strategy because It will help the organisation at retain its customers. Helps in attracting new segment. Helps in developing goodwill in the eyes of suppliers, customers and so on. Customer intimacy its all about identifying target customers, collecting complete information about customers such as, their likings, dislikings, opinion and so on (Peppers Rogers, (2016) On the basis of the information obtained, organisation should modify its product as well as services. SWOT It stands for strength, weakness, opportunities and threats. SWOT analysis conducted on CFC Technology - Strength organisation strength falls in its customer base, financial resources, and human resources and so on. Weakness company was not able to attain its targets because of lack of information, inability to understand changing demands of its target group, Opportunity expansion of business with the help of ecommerce, collaboration with international partners, and diversifying their existing product line are some the available opportunities available. Threats major threat for CFC are its competitors present in external environment. These competitors are able to win over CFC because they judged expectations of their customer group and changes in Market trends. Each and every department should be given instructions in detail, regarding change in market trends so, that they can make suitable changes in their respective plans, which further helps them to win over their competitors. Once the company satisfy its target group after that its easy for them to increase their sales which will overall improve financial condition. Conclusion From the above report it can be concluded that, CFC Technologies can attain their position back by making some changes in their working pattern. Enterprise need to understand that, they have to introduce new things in their business, if they want stabilised financial conditions. Apart from this cost and sales table clearly shows that there is a need of improvement as, there is decline in profits and tremendous increase in cost of the organisation. Apart from this organisation should understand mentality of their target group members in order to increase sale and reduce cost. For this CFC should adopt some competitive strategy, as this will help them to win over competitors. CFC technologies should try to expand its business through ecommerce. This will help organisation in increasing its customer base. In the recent era no one have that much of time too search appropriate technology. Specially the one who dont have any knowledge regarding technologies they find themselves more comfortable in online purchasing as, there they get complete information and wide choice to choose best among all brands. References Auerbach, A. J., Chetty, R., Feldstein, M., Saez, E. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of public economics (Vol. 5). Newnes. Baroto, M. B., Abdullah, M. M. B., Wan, H. L. (2012). Hybrid strategy: a new strategy for competitive advantage. International Journal of Business and Management, 7(20), 120. Browne, C. H. (2016). The little book of value investing (Vol. 5). John Wiley Sons. Chea, A. (2011). Activity-based costing system in the service sector: A strategic approach for enhancing managerial decision making and competitiveness. International Journal of Business and Management, 6(11), 3 Chevalier-Roignant, B., Trigeorgis, L. (2011). Competitive strategy: Options and games. MIT Press. Dewey, J., Rogers, M. L. (2012).The public and its problems: An essay in political inquiry. Penn State Press. Healy, P. M., Palepu, K. G. (2012). Business analysis valuation: Using financial statements. Cengage Learning. Healy, P. M., Palepu, K. G. (2012). Business analysis valuation: Using financial statements. Cengage Learning. Heracleous, L., Wirtz, J. (2012). Strategy and organisation at Singapore Airlines: achieving sustainable advantage through dual strategy. In Energy, Transport, the Environment (pp. 479-493). Springer London. Jordan, J. (2017). Book Review: 40+ New Revenue Sources for Libraries and Non-profits. Reference User Services Quarterly, 56(4), 296-296. Liebowitz, J. (Ed.). (2013). Big data and business analytics. CRC press. Peppers, D., Rogers, M. (2016). Managing Customer Experience and Relationships: A Strategic Framework. John Wiley Sons. Sandford, C. T. (2015). Economics of public finance: an economic analysis of government expenditure and revenue in the United Kingdom. Elsevier. Zimmerman, J. L., Yahya-Zadeh, M. (2011). Accounting for decision making and control. Issues in Accounting Education, 26(1), 258-259.

At the opening of act V of the tempest Essay Example

At the opening of act V of the tempest Essay Example At the opening of act V of the tempest Paper At the opening of act V of the tempest Paper e. g. the use of antithesis tells us about the once evil Prospero (`fury` and `vengeance`),and tells us about the now kind and forgiving Prospero (`reason` and `virtue`). This essay has now analysed and explained some of the numerous ways in which Shakespeare assists the audience into believing in Prospero’s abrupt change of heart.

Business Ethics Example

Business Ethics Example Business Ethics – Case Study Example Business Ethics Mary’s case is a complicated dilemma. Arguably, one of the evident aspects, in this case, is a case ofsexual harassment. Mary has a number of ethical dilemmas. Primarily, her main problem is the fact that she needs the corporate support for the blood drive as she is passionate about the mission. She is not quite sure if she should forward Joe for his unlawful conduct or whether she should. In normal cases, Joe would be at a great disadvantage and could face a court sentencing for fondling Peggy’s breast. However, in this case, the corporation might withdraw its support since its representative has been incriminated in the process. However, another possible situation is whereby Mary reports the case to the corporate managers and gets their support, hence allowing the program to continue while Joe faces legal action. Primarily, Mary has two options to undertake. First, Mary needs to understand the level of corporate tolerance of sexual harassment cases in the past to determine if it is safe to report Joe to the top management or if it is not. After understanding the tolerance levels within the organization, would make the dilemma uncomplicated, especially if the company has a strict sexual harassment policy. Secondly, the company might have high tolerance levels to such individuals. In such a case, Mary can tell Peggy all what is at stake, but consistently reminds her that whatever action she decides to take against Joe is up to her and that Mary will support her fully. In such an incidence, then Mary may lose the program if Peggy decides to press charges or retain it if she decides to overlook the issue for a greater purpose. It is then entirely up to the injured party to decide what legal action to take and in no way up to the managers (Boland 174). However, Mary needs to take proactive actions to prevent Joe from taking such measures such as requesting a different representative from the corporation. Work CitedBoland, Mary L. Sexu al Harassment in the Workplace. Naperville, Ill: Sphinx Pub, 2006. Print.

You decide the topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

You decide the topic - Essay Example However, later he took on the membership of this Cricket club known as Staten Island Cricket Club. The protagonist resides in the area of Manhattan with his wife and one child. At the beginning it was difficult for the man from Netherland to make any friends as all the people he could come around and meet up with had bust prior engagements and he was not able to connect or fill in with the people of the United States of America. He tried hard to get his drivers license that was an important part of his intermingling with the American people. He ultimately uses sport as a medium for intermingling with the people of the country. This has been the most important part of the book and the following part of the essay shall dwell into how a sport can help in eradicating politics and making friends with strangers. â€Å"The book’s second story line, and perhaps its more resonant one, is about the solace Hans finds in the vibrant subculture of cricket in New York, where he is among the few white men to be found on the hundreds of largely West Indian teams in the city, teams that fan out, in the hazy summertime, across scrabby, lesser-known public parks.† Apart from depicting the role of cricket in making friendship ties, the book focuses on the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the emotional burnout faced by the protagonist and his family, those who feared for their lives and those who thought that America is no longer a safe heaven as they once thought it was to be. In my opinion, the writer of the book has displayed impeccable tenacity by displaying two different situations and then bringing them together by a common thread with respect to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in the USA. The book is a masterpiece in the way it connects a sport to the politics of the country along with showcasing the emotional side of the person who, at the outset was a foreigner in the country, but was not treated like one by the

CONFLICT IN SOMALIA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

CONFLICT IN SOMALIA - Essay Example ant disagreement based on political and religious agendas, Somali has been unable to shake itself out of the crisis, which was exacerbated by the declaration of Somalia as a failed State in 1991 by its failing and shaking Transitional government headed by moderate Islamist Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad (Chopra, 1998). Somali conflict has also been affected by the actions of regional and international powers that have worsen it instead of resolving the issue on most occasions. But how long will this conflict continue? Who are the core conflict parties? Bariagaber (2006, pp. 66) pointed out that Somalia had been divided along ethnic lines, which had segmented the country into several clans or tribal divisions. Couldn’t the issue of embracing different ideologies by different clans be enough to keep Somali people apart and make peaceful co-existence impossible? Each of the clans has its form of Islamic religion being practiced by its people: from the moderate Islam to the fanatical and more dangerous ones; even some of the Muslim groups in Somalia have been put on United States’ terrorist list because of their connection with Osama Bin Laden’s Al Qeada Organization. Considering the enormity of the conflict in Somalia, it is apt to investigate what are the internal-subgroups and what constituencies do they depend on. Apart from internal segregation due to tribal affiliations, it has been discovered that some internal-subgroups do exist; which are directly linked with religious ideologies. The main radical sub-group is called Al-Shabab, an extremist group that was carved out by the remaining supporters of Union of Islamic Courts. The constituencies that Al-Shabab controls include the South and Central Somalia, which it rules with iron-hand imposing Sharia on the Somali people in these places. There is another notorious sub-group named Hisbul-Islam that was created shortly after the moderate Islamist government was formed: an action some former members of Union of

Analytical Approaches in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Analytical Approaches in the Pharmaceutical Industry Miracles do happen and chances of happening such events are rare. Scientific discoveries have also seen such miracles. The approach and efforts required in scientific happenings are based on basic principles. The mode of application of these established principles differ from one stream to another stream of scientific disciplines. The principle of chemistry and physics are amalgamated to give rise to number of measuring devices. These devices are further restructured to suit application. Analytical chemistry can be defined as the science and art of determining the composition of materials in terms of their elements or compounds contained1 in it. Qualitative analysis gives useful details from which functional groups, structural features, atomic species or molecular species. Quantitative analysis gives numerical data in units i.e. percentage, parts per million, moles per liter etc. In above two types of analysis, the required data is obtained by measuring a physical property which is characteristically related to respective component of interest i.e. the analyte2. The most important aspect of analysis is quantitative analysis. The techniques of analytical chemist are of vital importance to the drug and pharmaceutical industries. Products are usually complex organic compounds or mixtures. Drugs prepared for human consumption requires strict standards of product quality be established and maintained. In past, methods of biological assay were often the only measure of product activity available. With the advent of modern instrumentation, techniques of analyst became more versatile and less time consuming, and quantitative analysis supplemented and sometimes replaced biological assay. In those instances where it is possible to establish a rigorous correlation between biological activity and chemical composition of product, analysis can be invaluable in controlling manufacturing operations as well as in determination of product purity and activity. It is noted that the progress and advancement of analytical chemistry depends to a greater extent upon an intelligent application of the fundamentals of physical chemistry and close relationship between physical and analytical chemistry. Recent rapid progress in physical methods of analysis, in many instances, resulted from pioneering investigations of scientists, principally physicists. In 1930 Willard recognized the demands being placed on analytical chemistry by rapid industrial progress. A parallel recognition of importance of analytical chemistry to industry occurred in Europe in same year. Churchill states that contribution of the analytical chemist to research program will be most effective if he is given the opportunity to participate while the program is being planned. In 1940s several direct reading quantitative spectrophotometers were reported. In these instruments the emitted spectral energy of certain chosen lines is transformed to a proportional electrical output by photomultiplier tubes. By suitable amplification and with appropriate recording devices, percentages of the constituents present are automatically recorded. The outstanding advantage of such equipment is its ability to reduce the time requirement for performing an analysis. New information made available by combining various tools of analytical chemist, has been described in several articles. The methods of analysis used to solve industrial problems may be classified as:- Fully developed, generally accepted methods of analysis. Generally accepted methods which are adapted to make them suitable for the problem. New methods which must be developed when available ones are not adequate. Industrial analysis is defined as the utilization of chemical and physical techniques for solving problems arising in industry. In some industrial processes it is desirable to obtain a very rapid or continuous analysis of a product or mixture. Considerable progress has been made in developing automatic method of analysis to fulfill this need. While it has not often been possible to automate entire procedures, from sampling to recording of results many examples of partly automated analytical operations can be cited. Factors pertinent to evaluation of analytical methods in each of these groups were discussed in the present section. A method of analysis is standard or accepted only in the sense that a number of analysts have judged it to be adequate for obtaining certain analytical information. Ideally, analyst views the standard method as a â€Å"best approach† rather than an obvious solution. If satisfactory results are obtained the method can be applied to the sample under consideration with some assurance that the experimental procedure is not at fault. The analyst himself should perform this part of work even if future measurements will be carried out by technicians or laboratory assistant. Only by performing the manipulation and observing the reaction can the analyst forming thoroughly acquainted with the details of an analytical procedure. The advisable method is when it appears to give satisfactory results, include consideration of interfering elements or compounds and determination of blank. While interferences which prevent a method from working properly are readily detected, those which produce a constant error in the analytical result are much more insidious and seldom apparent. Determination of a blank eliminates possible source of constant errors, such as contaminants in reagents and uncorrected background in instrumental measurements. In many standard methods the design and dimensions of the equipment are critical, particularly when properties of material rather than its composition is being studied. Many modification of an analytical method are possible and each problem or sample dictates the changes required to make the method effective. In some methods modification involves change in equipment or technique. For example, numerous spectrographic procedures have been developed for analyzing the metallic contaminants or additives in lubricating oils. Methods, which fail or suffer loss in sensitivity when certain interferences are present, may sometimes, need to be modified by introducing an additional step in the procedure which eliminates or deactivates the interfering element. Once a procedure has been adapted to a particular problem it may be evaluated in the same manner as a standard method. The usual precautions related to proper manipulation and standardizations, avoiding contamination and blank determinations must be observed. When problem is confronted which cannot be solved with established methods of analysis, it becomes necessary for analyst to create and develop new analytical procedures. This situation arises when any or all of the following factors are in effect. The substance sought has not previously been determined, when no methods are now available for all elements. The substance sought is a component of a mixture not previously analyzed. Any other element or compound present in a mixture may invalidate established methods of analysis by interference effects. Sometimes the component producing the interferences can be eliminated and a modified form of the original procedure can be used, as already described. Higher order of sensitivity is required when component sought is present in small quantity (mg). A method capable of analyzing in desired concentration range must be developed. Problems arising in industry are complicated by sample limitations. Often the sample is available in very small amounts and special techniques are required for gaining maximum information from a minimum quantity of material. Analysis must be non-destructive. At times it is required that the sample remain unaltered by the analytical procedure. For example compositional information on an expensive finished product is required, a non-destructive analytical method. Speed or time is critical requirement when conventional methods cannot complete an analysis within a prescribed time requirement, faster methods must be developed. Analytical Chemistry importance in different scientific areas: Importance of analytical chemistry in related scientific areas can be demonstrated by considering analytical chemistry’s impact on clinical analysis, and in pharmaceutical research and in quality control. Sensitive chemical and instrumental tests were advised in order to detect abnormal and normal components of body fluids. Blood and urine samples are determined for percentage of glucose, urea, nitrogen, protein, sodium, potassium, calcium, uric acid etc. Similarly, the quality of manufactured drug in tablets, solution and emulsion form must be carefully controlled in pharmaceutical industry, otherwise the drug can itself affect the therapeutic value. In other pharmaceutical studies, it is important to establish properties and therapeutic value of a drug before the drug is approved and made available to the public. Analytical Techniques: Few of medicinal products were still being analyzed by time-tested procedures of gravimetric and also titrimetric procedures. A wide diversity in different type of analytical techniques has been characteristic of assay methods for pharmaceutical products. Different analytical techniques were been employed for estimation of wide variety of components in the formulation:- Titrimetric and gravimetric method Colorimetric and UV spectrophotometric method Paper chromatography Preparative thin layer chromatography Column chromatography Ion-exchange chromatography Flame photometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Variables in Quantitative Analysis: Inhomogeneity of the medicament Sampling error Preparation of samples such as extraction Precision, accuracy and ruggedness of the method Random error including that of the operator. Newer Analytical Techniques: As technology is developing, a number of new drugs are launched in the market and it is essential to develop new methods of analysis. It is necessary to do if; No analytical methods are available for a drug in official books such as pharmacopoeias. No literature reveals methods for estimation of drugs. Analytical method available only for single drug in a combined form of drug. No method reported for the estimation in biological fluids. NEED OF ANALYTICAL APPROACHES IN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY The pharmaceutical industry has always had in place a series of process controls which assures the integrity of the end product. â€Å"A simple way of looking at it is that the Food Drugs Act Regulations are merely an auditing mechanism to quantify that industry has sufficient process controls and documented procedures in place to ensure they are in complete control of every aspect related to drug manufacturing,† There are in essence, three pillars to drug manufacturing and distribution: 1. Quality Assurance (QA) 2. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) 3. Quality Control (QC) Quality Assurance is ensuring that you get what you pay for. It is the insurance policy for the manufacturer.† As a brief overview, the GMPs are part of Quality Assurance and ensure that drugs are produced consistently and are controlled at each and every step. QC is a part of Good Manufacturing Practices and is responsible for sampling and also for testing. It examines and ensures that all aspects of product from raw materials and integrity of the product itself to the packaging materials and insert, meet their specifications. It encompasses testing of the end product and all of its primary ingredients. QA covers documentation of all of the procedures that have taken place from start to finish of entire process. This, in combination with QCs sampling and testing, allows QA to ensure products integrity, purity and potency have not been compromised and it has satisfied all requirements. When QA is completed and satisfactory, the final step is permitted allowing a product to be r eleased for sale to the consumer. But, their job doesn’t stop here. Since Quality Assurance is responsible for assuring that final product is meeting quality, consistency and integrity for its intended use, it must also account for when the product leaves the manufacturing site. Thus, QA is also responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements have been made with distributors and warehouses to guarantee that the product is handled, stored and shipped in such a way that its quality is maintained for the duration of its approved shelf life. The overall time required for development of a pharmaceutical from Discovery Research through to the Regulatory Review Phase. There is clear evidence that this can in some cases take upwards of 15 years with costs reaching into millions of dollars. With this level of Research and Development investment, the industry has no intention of allowing a breakdown in final stages of manufacturing and distribution process. Therefore, before a product actually reaches market, QA involvement is also the key in the registration dossier preparation. A portion of this dossier contains a Master Production Document (MPD) which outlines exactly how the product will be manufactured. Within this MPD, a manufacturer defines clear specifications for all raw materials, packaging materials, in-process and finished product along with the sampling procedures and also Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to critical processing. The issuing of a Notice of Compliance and a Drug Identification Number are contingent on a complete and acceptable Master Production Document. Then manufacturing license holders are also responsible for conducting an annual self-inspection and documenting their procedures and processes are in compliance with the requirements of the GMPs. If the manufactured product is stored in bottles (syrups), fabricating, packaging/labeling, importation, distribution, wholesale (Schedule C, D, F or G products) or testing of pharmaceutical products must first hold an Establishment License issued by Government. PRESENT STUDY: Development of new drugs, drug manufacturing is dependent on drug analysis. Pharmaceutical companies depend upon drug analysis quantitatively to conform that the raw materials used, in-process compounds and final products manufactured were meeting the required specifications. New drug formulations and new drugs were introduced into the market at increased pace compared to earlier days, as the technology is developed. These formulations and drugs were either new chemical entities or partial structural modifications of existing drugs or new dosage forms. Frequently, it happens that the new drugs inclusion in pharmacopoeias will be delayed because of several reasons. Hence these standards or the analytical methods for these drugs may not be available in pharmacopoeias. Hence it is essential to develop new methods of analysis for these drugs. Based on this, few combinations were selected for the present studies which were currently marketed from Anti Hypertensives17-22, Anti HIV23-35 and Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs36-47. Amlodipine Besylate Telmisartan Lamivudine Zidovudine Thiocolchicoside Etoricoxib Literature survey was performed extensively and it was found that spectrophotometric methods were reported and also HPLC methods were reported for the determination of these drugs from their biological fluids. However, there were no reports found for their quantitation by HPLC methods from their formulations. Hence it is essential to develop newer rapid analytical methods3-16 on HPLC.

Last Sacrifice Chapter Fourteen

THE KEEPERS HAD MIXED REACTIONS to us leaving. They were usually glad to see outsiders go, especially since we had Sydney with us. But after the fight, they held me up as some kind of superhero and were enchanted by the idea of me marrying into their â€Å"family.' Seeing me in action meant some of the women were beginning to eye Dimitri now too. I wasn't in the mood to watch them flirt with him–especially since, according to their courtship rules, I would apparently have to be the one to battle it out with any prospective fiancee. Naturally, we didn't tell the Keepers our exact plans, but we did mention we'd likely be encountering Strigoi–which caused quite a reaction. Most of that reaction was excitement and awe, which continued to boost our reputations as fierce warriors. Angeline's response, however, was totally unexpected. â€Å"Take me with you,' she said, grabbing a hold of my arm, just as I started down the forest path toward the car. â€Å"Sorry,' I said, still a little weirded out after her earlier hostility. â€Å"We have to do this alone.' â€Å"I can help! You beat me †¦ but you saw what I can do. I'm good. I could take a Strigoi.' For all her fierceness, I knew Angeline didn't have a clue about what she'd be facing if she ever met an actual Strigoi. The few Keepers who bore molnijamarks spoke little about the encounters, faces grave. They understood. Angeline didn't. She also didn't realize that any novice at St. Vladimir's in the secondary school could probably take her out. She had raw potential, true, but it needed a lot of work. â€Å"You might be able to,' I said, not wanting to hurt her feelings. â€Å"But it's just not possible for you to come with us.' I would have lied and given her a vague â€Å"Maybe sometime,' but since that had led Joshua to thinking we were semi-engaged, I decided I'd better not. I expected more boasts about her battle prowess. We'd learned she was regarded as one of the best young fighters in the compound, and with her pretty looks, she had plenty of admirers too. A lot of it had gone to her head, and she liked to talk about how she could beat anyone or anything up. Again, I was reminded of Jill. Jill also had a lot to learn about the true meaning of battle but was still eager to jump in. She was quieter and more cautious than Angeline, though, so Angeline's next direction caught me off guard. â€Å"Please. It's not just the Strigoi! I want to see the world. I need to see something else outside of this place!' Her voice was pitched low, out of the range of the others. â€Å"I've only been to Rubysville twice, and they say that's nothing compared to other cities.' â€Å"It's not,' I agreed. I didn't even consider it a city. â€Å"Please,' she begged again, this time her voice trembling. â€Å"Take me with you.' Suddenly, I felt sad for her. Her brother had also shown a little longing for the outside world, but nothing like this. He'd joked that electricity would be nice, but I knew he was happy enough without the perks of the modern world. But for Angeline, the situation was much more desperate. I too knew what it was like to feel trapped in one's life and was legitimately sorry for what I had to say. â€Å"I can't, Angeline. We have to go on our own. I'm sorry. I really am.' Her blue eyes shimmered, and she raced off into the woods before I could see her cry. I felt horrible after that and couldn't stop thinking about her as we made our farewells. I was so distracted, I even let Joshua hug me goodbye. Getting back on the road was a relief. I was glad to be away from the Keepers and was ready to spring into action and start helping Lissa. Lexington was our first step. We had a six-hour drive ahead of us, and Sydney, per usual, seemed adamant that no one else was going to drive her car. Dimitri and I made futile protests, finally giving up when we realized that if we were going to be facing Strigoi soon, it was probably best we rest and conserve our strength. The address for Donovan–the Strigoi who allegedly knew Sonya–was only where he could be found at night. That meant we had to make it to Lexington before sunrise, so we wouldn't lose him when he went to his daytime lair. It also meant we'd be meeting Strigoi in the dark. Certain that little would happen on the drive–especially once we were out of West Virginia–Dimitri and I agreed we could doze a little, seeing as neither of us had had a full night's sleep. Even though the lulling of the car was soothing, I drifted in and out of restless sleep. After a few hours of this, I simply settled into the trancelike state that brought me to Lissa. It was a good thing too: I'd stumbled into one of the biggest events facing the Moroi. The nomination process to elect the new king or queen was about to begin. It was the first of many steps, and everyone was excited, given how rare monarch elections truly were. This was an event none of my friends had expected to see anytime soon in our lives, and considering recent events †¦ well, we all had especial interest. The future of the Moroi was at stake here. Lissa was sitting on the edge of a chair in one of the royal ballrooms, a huge sweeping space with vaulted ceilings and gold detailing everywhere. I'd been in this dazzling room before, with its murals and elaborate molding. Chandeliers glittered above. It had held the graduate luncheon, where newly made guardians put on their best faces and hoped to attract a good assignment. Now, the room was arranged like the Council chamber, with a long table on one side of the room that was set with twelve chairs. Opposite that table were rows and rows of other chairs–where the audience sat when the Council was in session. Except, now there were about four times as many chairs as usual, which probably explained the need for this room. Every single chair was filled. In fact, people were even standing, crowding in as best they could. Agitated- looking guardians moved among the herd, keeping them out of doorways and making sure the bystanders were arranged in a way that allowed for optimal s ecurity. Christian sat on one side of Lissa, and Adrian sat beside Christian. To my pleasant surprise, Eddie and Mia sat nearby too. Mia was a Moroi friend of ours who had gone to St. Vladimir's and was nearly as hardcore as Tasha about Moroi needing to defend themselves. My beloved father was nowhere in sight. None of them spoke. Conversation would have been difficult among the buzzing and humming of so many people, and besides, my friends were too awestruck by what was about to happen. There was so much to see and experience, and none of them had realized just how big the crowd would be. Abe had said things would move fast once Tatiana was buried, and they certainly had. â€Å"Do you know who I am?' A loud voice caught Lissa's attention, just barely carrying above the din. Lissa glanced down the row, a few seats away from Adrian. Two Moroi, a man and a woman, sat side by side and were looking up at a very angry woman. Her hands were on her hips, and the pink velvet dress she wore seemed outlandish next to the couple's jeans and T-shirts. It also wasn't going to hold up so well once she stepped outside of air conditioning. A glare twisted her face. â€Å"I am Marcella Badica.' When that didn't get a reaction from the couple, she added, â€Å"Prince Badica is my brother, and our late queen was my third cousin twice removed. There are no seats left, and someone like me cannot stand against the wall with the rest of that mob.' The couple exchanged glances. â€Å"I guess you should have gotten here earlier, Lady Badica,' said the man. Marcella gaped in outrage. â€Å"Didn't you just hear who I am? Don't you know who your betters are? I insist you give up your seats.' The couple still seemed unfazed. â€Å"This session is open to everyone, and there weren't assigned seats, last time I checked,' said the woman. â€Å"We're entitled to ours as much as you are.' Marcella turned to the guardian beside her in outrage. He shrugged. His job was to protect her from threats. He wasn't going to oust others from their chairs, particularly when they weren't breaking any rules. Marcella gave a haughty â€Å"humph!' before turning sharply and stalking away, no doubt to harass some other poor soul. â€Å"This,' said Adrian, â€Å"is going to be delightful.' Lissa smiled and turned back to studying the rest of the room. As she did, I became aware of something startling. I couldn't tell exactly who was who, but the crowd wasn't composed entirely of royals–as most Council sessions were. There were tons of â€Å"commoners,' just like the couple sitting near my friends. Most Moroi didn't bother with Court. They were out in the world, living their lives and trying to survive while the royals pranced around at Court and made laws. But not today. A new leader was going to be chosen, and that was of interest to all Moroi. The milling and chaos continued for a while until one of the guardians finally declared the room to be at capacity. Those outside were outraged, but their cries were quickly silenced when the guardians closed the doors, sealing off the ballroom. Shortly thereafter, the eleven Council members took their seats, and–to my shock–Adrian's father, Nathan Ivashkov, took the twelfth chair. The Court's herald yelled and called everyone to attention. He was someone who'd been chosen because of his remarkable voice, though I always wondered why they didn't just use a microphone in these situations. More old-world traditions, I supposed. That, and excellent acoustics. Nathan spoke once the room settled down. â€Å"In the absence of our beloved queen †¦' He paused looking down mournfully to offer a moment of respect before continuing. In anyone else, I might have suspected his feelings were faked, particularly after seeing him grovel so much in front of Tatiana. But, no. Nathan had loved his prickly aunt as much as Adrian had. â€Å"And in the wake of this terrible tragedy, I will be moderating the upcoming trials and elections.' â€Å"What'd I tell you?' muttered Adrian. He had no fuzzy affection for his father. â€Å"De- lightful.' Nathan droned on a bit about the importance of what was to come and some other points about Moroi tradition. It was obvious, though, that like me, everyone in the room really wanted to get down to the main event: the nominations. He seemed to realize that too and sped up the formalities. Finally, he got to the good stuff. â€Å"Each family, if they choose, may have one nominee for the crown who will take the tests all monarchs have endured since the beginning of time.' I thought that â€Å"beginning of time' part was a bold and probably unverified exaggeration, but whatever. â€Å"The only exclusion is the Ivashkovs, since back-to-back monarchs from the same family aren't allowed. For candidacy, three nominations are required from Moroi of royal blood and proper age.' He then added some stuff about what happened in the event more than one person was nominated from the same family, but even I knew the chances of that happening were non-existent. Each royal house wanted to get the best advantage here, and that would involve a unified standing behind one candidate. Satisfied everyone understood, Nathan nodded and gestured grandly to the audience. â€Å"Let the nominations begin.' For a moment, nothing happened. It kind of reminded me of when I'd been back in school, when a teacher would say something like, â€Å"Who'd like to present their paper first?' Everyone kind of waited for someone else to get things going, and at last, it happened. A man I didn't recognize stood up. â€Å"I nominate Princess Ariana Szelsky.' Ariana, as princess, sat on the Council and was an expected choice. She gave a gracious nod to the man. A second man, presumably from their family, also stood and gave the second nomination. The third and final nomination came from another Szelsky–a very unexpected one. He was Ariana's brother, a world traveler who was almost never at Court, and also the man my mother guarded. Janine Hathaway was most likely in this room, I realized. I wished Lissa would look around and find her, but Lissa was too focused on the proceedings. After everything I'd been through, I suddenly had a desperate longing to see my mother. With three nominations, Nathan declared, â€Å"Princess Ariana Szelsky is entered as a candidate.' He scrawled something on a piece of paper in front of him, his motions full of flourish. â€Å"Continue.' After that, the nominations came in rapid succession. Many were princes and princesses, but others were respected–and still high-ranking–members of the families. The Ozera candidate, Ronald, was not the family's Council member, nor was he anyone I knew. â€Å"He's not one of Aunt Tasha's â€Å"ideal' candidates,' Christian murmured to Lissa. â€Å"But she admits he's not a moron.' I didn't know much about most of the other candidates either. A couple, like Ariana Szelsky, I had a good impression of. There were also a couple I'd always found appalling. The tenth candidate was Rufus Tarus, Daniella's cousin. She'd married into the Ivashkovs from the Tarus family and seemed delighted to see her cousin declared a nominee. â€Å"I don't like him,' said Adrian, making a face. â€Å"He's always telling me to do something useful with my life.' Nathan wrote down Rufus's name and then rolled up the paper like a scroll. Despite the appearance of antique customs, I suspected a secretary in the audience was typing up everything being said here on a laptop. â€Å"Well,' declared Nathan, â€Å"that concludes–‘ â€Å"I nominate Princess Vasilisa Dragomir.' Lissa's head jerked to the left, and through her eyes, I recognized a familiar figure. Tasha Ozera. She'd stood and spoken the words loudly and confidently, glancing around with those ice-blue eyes as if daring anyone to disagree. The room froze. No whispers, no shifting in chairs. Just utter and complete silence. Judging from the faces, the Ozera family's nominee was the second-most astonished person in the room to hear Tasha speak. The first, of course, was Lissa herself. It took a moment for Nathan to get his mouth working. â€Å"That's not–‘ Beside Lissa, Christian suddenly stood up. â€Å"I second the nomination.' And before Christian had even sat down, Adrian was on his feet. â€Å"I confirm the nomination.' All eyes in the room were on Lissa and her friends, and then, as one, the crowd turned toward Nathan Ivashkov. Again, he seemed to have trouble finding his voice. â€Å"That,' he managed at last, â€Å"is not a legal nomination. Due to its current Council standing, the Dragomir line is regrettably not eligible to present a candidate.' Tasha, never afraid of talking in a crowd or taking on impossible odds, leapt back up. I could tell she was eager to. She was good at making speeches and challenging the system. â€Å"Monarch nominees don't need a Council position or quorum to run for the throne.' â€Å"That makes no sense,' said Nathan. There were mutters of agreement. â€Å"Check the law books, Nate–I mean, Lord Ivashkov.' Yes, there he was at last. My tactful father had joined the conversation. Abe had been leaning against a wall near the doorway, dressed splendidly in a black suit with a shirt and tie that were exactly the same shade of emerald green. My mother stood beside him, the slightest hint of a smile on her face. For a moment, I was captivated as I studied them side by side. My mother: the perfect picture of guardian excellence and decorum. My father: always capable of achieving his goals, no matter how twisted the means. Uneasily, I began to understand how I'd inherited my bizarre personality. â€Å"Nominees have no requirements concerning how many people are in their family,' continued Abe jovially. â€Å"They only need three royal nominations to be confirmed.' Nathan gestured angrily toward where his own wayward son and Christian sat. â€Å"They aren't from her family!' â€Å"They don't need to be,' countered Abe. â€Å"They just need to be from a royal family. They are. Her candidacy is within the law–so long as the princess accepts.' All heads swiveled toward Lissa now, as though they were suddenly just noticing her. Lissa hadn't twitched since the startling events began. She was in too much shock. Her thoughts seemed to move both fast and slow. Part of her couldn't even start to process what was happening around her. The rest of her mind was spinning with questions. What was going on? Was this a joke? Or maybe a spirit-induced hallucination? Had she finally gone crazy? Was she dreaming? Was it a trick? If so, why would her own friends have been the ones to do it? Why would they do this to her? And for the love of God, would everyone stop staring at her? She could handle attention. She'd been born and raised for it, and like Tasha, Lissa could address a crowd and make bold statements–when she supported them and was prepared. Neither of those things applied to this situation. This was pretty much the last thing in the world she had expected or wanted. And so, she couldn't bring herself to react or even consider a response. She stayed where she was, silent and shell- shocked. Then, something snapped her from her trance. Christian's hand. He'd taken Lissa's, wrapping his fingers with hers. He gave her a gentle squeeze, and the warmth and energy he sent brought her back to life. Slowly, she looked around the room, meeting the eyes of those all watching her. She saw Tasha's determined gaze, my father's cunning look, and even my mother's expectation. That last one proved most startling of all. How could Janine Hathaway–who always did what was right and could barely crack a joke–be going along with this? How could any of Lissa's friends be going along with this? Didn't they love and care about her? Rose, she thought. I wish you were here to tell me what to do. Me too. Damned one-way bond. She trusted me more than anyone else in the world, but she realized then that she trusted all of these friends too–well, except maybe Abe, but that was understandable. And if they were doing this, then surely–surely–there was a reason, right? Right? It made no sense to her, yet Lissa felt her legs move as she rose to her feet. And despite the fear and confusion still running through her, she found her voice inexplicably clear and confident as it rang out through the room. â€Å"I accept the nomination.'