Can the concept of security be defined should it be Essay

Can the concept of security be defined should it be - Essay Example In addition, while there is an agreement on the broadening agenda of security, incriminate expansion of the concept, hinders intellectual coherence of the concept and the security field. More importantly, the remaining importance of the question of war and violence under international anarchy cannot be ignored. This paper begins by questioning what security is and identifying its conceptual difficulties. This includes an examination of conflicting theories in Security Studies. Secondly, the narrow concept of security defined by traditional theory developed during the Cold War is discussed. Thirdly, proponents in favour of extending the concept of security in more detail are examined as well as the different dimensions of security challenging traditional concepts. Fourthly, limitations arising out of indiscriminate expansion of the concept are examined. Fifthly, a critical analysis of contemporary discourse which comes across as Eurocentric will be conducted. In this regard, the need for the strong and the weak in the same context is suggested. Finally, a conclusion is provided suggesting that relational thinking should be applied to security studies. Introduction Security studies dramatically developed in response to the development and spread of nuclear weapons and the corresponding conflicts between two superpowers during the Cold War influencing the growth of international relations (IR) theory. After World War (WW) II, the nuclear arms race between the US and the former Soviet Union produced myriad strategic concepts characterized by the balance of power, bipolar world, containment and deterrence comprising the major issues during the Cold War. Realist theory emerged dominating IR, displacing the earlier emphasis on international law and organisations. Rational problem solving emphasizes scientifically calculating interest, cost and the best alternatives. The central question for strategists during the Cold War was how states could states could use weapons of mass destruction as policy instruments, given the risk of nuclear exchange (Walt, 1991, p.214). Cold War security discourse therefore required a reflection of the immediate reality and as a result, historical and cultural contexts were largely ignored or relegated to low politics. For example strategic theory failed to satisfactorily explain theVietnam War as there was little attention to Vietnamese cultural context and instead relied on expectations that the Vietnamese adversary would conform to academic models (Kolodziej, 2005, p.23). With the collapse of the former Soviet Union and thus the end of the Cold War, low politics gained currency, commanding the adoption of a new concept of security by expanding on the traditional concept. Thus, in 1994 the UNDP advocated for a transition 'from nuclear security to human security' which included issues such as ‘hunger, disease and repression', and 'protection from sudden and hurtful disruptions'. In 1995, the International Commi ssion on Global Governance recommended that international security must be reconceptualised to direct attention ‘to the security of people and the planet.' In other words, difficulties for mankind generally or specific communities are now conceptualized as security risks. Changes in the past have resulted in changes in conditions and thus have corresponded with changes relative to the concept of securit

A PERSPECTIVE OF SKILLS NEEDED BY MODERN PROJECT MANAGER TO AVOID Dissertation

A PERSPECTIVE OF SKILLS NEEDED BY MODERN PROJECT MANAGER TO AVOID DELAY PENALTIES IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS - Dissertation Example They face a number of challenges that revolve around construction issues such as time constraints, workforce considerations, safety and continually shifting nature of work. They also face non construction related challenges such as government regulations, legal issues, socio-political pressures and environmental concerns. It is thus important to find out how we can raise the efficiency of project managers to enable them in managing projects effectively and avoiding delays in the implementation of the project plan and in turn avoiding delay penalties. This research thus sets out to identify the skills lacking in project managers that result in failure to avoid delays in construction projects. The research question is thus – What are the skills needed by modern day project managers to avoid delay penalties in construction projects? The findings of this study will help in providing an insight into the skills needed by project managers to avoid delay penalties in construction proj ects. The research involved a questionnaire survey of 100 project managers in Kuwait. The survey findings showed that lack of experience, leadership skills, project planning skills, communication skills and knowledge related to contracts and project management are the major skills lacking in project managers. This calls for a more integrated approach towards developing their skills. Recommendations have been discussed. The research suffers from small sample size, lack of specificity to Kuwait, and bias due to no tests of significance. Acknowledgment I would like to thank everyone who gave me a hand to accomplish this research, and many thanks to my academic mentor – Mr. Tony Phillips. I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those who have provided support, allowed me to quote their remarks and assisted in editing, proofreading and design. This research is the epitome of great efforts exerted to bring about such fruitful output. Last but not least, I appreciate and no t to forget the great help and the full support I received from my parents and my wife. Table of Contents List of Figures 7 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations 8 Chapter 1 9 Introduction 9 1.1. Status of the Construction Industry in Kuwait 9 1.2. Construction Delays 13 1.3. Challenges of Construction Projects 13 1.4 Problem Statement 15 1.5. Aim and Objective of the Research 16 1.6. Rationale and Need for the Study 17 1.7. Significance of the Study 18 Chapter 2 20 Literature Review 20 2.1. Project Managers – Skills and Characteristics 20 2.2. Complexities of Project Management in the Construction Industry 24 2.3. Challenges Faced by Construction Project Managers 37 2.4. Research on Causes of Delays in Construction Projects 41 Chapter 3 46 Research Methodology 46 3.1. Type and Design of Research 46 3.2. Data Collection Methods 47 3.3. Analysis Methods 51 3.4. Ethics 52 3.5. Relevance of this Research to Project Management in Kuwait 53 3.6. Justification for Chosen Research Meth od 53 Chapter 4 55 Analysis of Data 55 4.1. Demographics, Education and Training 56 4.2. Understanding of Project Management 58 4.3. Holding Consultants Responsible for Penalties and Contractors for Delays 58 4.4. Knowledge Related Aspects 60 4.5. Skills that are Lacking 62 4.6. Problems of

Study of Fans Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Study of Fans - Essay Example Similar fan frenzy was visible when the latest book of Harry Potter series, 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' was launched in the first week of December 2008. What is quite amazing is, this fan frenzy is not limited to just one country or one region, but it crosses all boundaries from Europe to Asia. Angela Cerda, a resident of Temecula, Southwest California, was in seventh grade when she first started reading Harry Potter books and she still continues to enjoy reading this series while in third year of college. Cerda says2, "I read the first four books in the series in four nights, then I had to wait three years for the fifth one to come out, It's so strange to think that now I'm waiting for the last one." Similar loyalty or love is expressed by the fans of television serials, when they make sure that in order to watch their favourite television serial, they get their meetings postponed. Football is the game played by a large number of nations around the world. But the situation becomes quite different during the European cup and sometimes during the world cups etc. The intense rivalry leaves the fans to fight it out amongst themselves. Similarly, though cricket is played by a few nations around the world, yet the intense competition has developed a large number of fans, who often make it a point that they travel with their favourite team, wherever the team goes for their matches. This includes visits within the country or abroad. Often, team managements too encourages such fans and try to sponsor their visits abroad. The commitment of fans to their favourite personalities or products is indeed commendable and provides encouragement. But, it is equally true that such tactics are being used by marketing gurus to reach out to the maximum number of people around the world. Today we are living in a world of globalisation and liberalisation, which is marked by competition in almost all sectors. Therefore, in order to reach out to the maximum number of people or audience, the marketing department tries to explore all possible means to spread the word about the product. This includes highlighting special features of the product, comparisons with the existing reputed brands, and the devotion shown by the die-hard fans. If we take a look at the world around us, we can easily figure out the distinctive emphasis on advertising techniques in reaching out to the customer. The marketing communication department is often entrusted with the task of coming out with the strategies which helps the customer in relating to the famous celebrities. While on the one hand the competition helps the consumer in getting worth of the spending, and consumer has a range of alternatives to chose from, companies too have come out with innovative ideas to reach out to the consumer with their products and brands. Marketing people try to come out with strategies which instil a brand with personality traits resulting in anthropomorphizing, personification and creation of user imagery (Aaker, 1997). Human beings tend to identify themselves with such traits which give them a distinct identity called fans. The fan community shares a set of common interests and hobbies. While identifying the community as fandom, Fiske (1992) state d that, "fans are active

Tuberculosis and Typhus Fever: Diseases of Class in 19th-Century Englan

Tuberculosis and Typhus Fever: Diseases of Class in 19th-Century England Missing Works Cited Although more prevalent amongst the working class, tuberculosis and typhus fever were contracted by all populations in Victorian England. People of the upper and middle classes could afford treatment while the poor were often subjected to unsanitary, disease-ridden living conditions. Charity schools were common places of infection due to inedible food and a vulnerability to contagion, i.e., the necessity of sharing beds and drinking from a common cup. F.B. Smith confirms the increased likelihood of disease within charity schools in his book The Retreat of Tuberculosis. He states "Charity school children displayed above average rates (of tuberculosis) even though the badly affected individuals usually were excluded" (7). Tuberculosis and typhus fever outbreaks, increased significantly in the nineteenth century due to overcrowding, poor housing conditions, low wages and standards of nutrition, ignorance, and lack of effective medical treatment. Tuberculosis is marked by symptoms such as a hollow cough, an emaciated body, nightly weats and daily intermittent fevers. Tuberculosis was common amongst working classes because it was contracted through pestilent, infected air, manifesting itself in places surrounded by swampy land. Geography plays an important role in the transmission of tuberculosis. The working classes could not afford to live in areas that were free of the epidemic. The upper classes did contract consumption, although they sought the medicine of the day which often brought them to health. The most popular remedy was a sea voyage in a warm climate, but also pure air and the most nutritious food were encouraged. Accordi... ...the poor were supposed to be upgraded by industrial innovations; but, on the other hand, company waste and inadequate working conditions, exploitation, took a severe toll on the very people this revolution was supposed to help. The mass presence of disease was due to the degradation of society. Poor conditions of various institutions, a side effect of the revolution, presented a dangerous risk of exposure for lower, working class families. Tuberculosis and typhus fever were painful, contagious, and long-lasting epidemics that killed people of all classes. Naturally, the lower classes suffered the most. The upper classes reaped the financial benefits from this new urban society, while the working classes were subjected to filthy, disease-ridden atmosphere. The impoverished have always been the disadvantaged, but in 19th century England, they paid with their lives.

Miser to Man of the city in a Christmas Carol Essay

Scrooge is not very well like by the Cratchit’s. You can see this by â€Å"I wish I had him here. I’d give him a piece of my mind to feast upon and I hope he’d have a good appetite for it†. This shows that he is not liked because â€Å"he is an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man†. This make Scrooge feel bad and he learns a valuable lesson. Treat others as you wish to be treated. If he doesn’t want to be called bad tempered, money grabbing, old sinner, then we has to be caring and thoughtful. Scrooge every year at his nephew Fred’s house, is invited to a Christmas party, but always turns it down. Scrooge is not very well liked by the people at the party especially Fred. You can tell this by they invent a new game called â€Å"yes or no†. This shows that Scrooge is talked behind this back and that people do not care if they hurt his feeling. Scrooge feels unwanted and uncared for. You can tell this by â€Å"One half hour, Spirit, only one†. This shows that Scrooge has feeling and he wants to go as soon as possible because he crying and in great disbelief. Scrooge’s future looks uncertain when he goes into the future and sees him in a corner of the graveyard, unnoticed, uncared for. You can from this point that Scrooge is at the end of his tether. You can tell this by â€Å"For the first time his hand appeared to shake†. This shows that Scrooge has become more and more frightened and knows he must change his future to be cared for and missed dearly. He does not breakdown till this point because he can not change the past and that does not bother him. At the end of all the spirits visiting Scrooge is disappointed himself by being a selfish, lonely, old man. The Last straw is when he visits his own grave. He is already depressed with the entire trauma and another dig in his grave has made him tremble in fear. You can tell this by â€Å"The Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to one. He advanced towards it trembling†. This shows that Scrooge is scared of him and wants to change rather than just a person who has just died. Scrooge really wants to change because he doesn’t want to be the man in the corner that no one visits. You can tell this by â€Å"Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they the shadows of the things that may be, only†. This shows that Scrooge wants to change because of his experiences over the night. He wants to know that if he changes and mingles with people he will not die and nobody will care. He gets more and more distressed because the spirit won’t tell him if he can change his shadows of the future. You can tell this by â€Å"Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life†. He is on his knees, desperately trying to change his future. This tells us from this point onwards Scrooge will be a changed man to avoid distressing death. Scrooge wakes up the next morning a changed man, a generous man. You can tell this by â€Å"Scrooge regarded everyone with a delighted smile†. This shows that Scrooge has took into great account of what the spirits said and gone out to change his future. He is a changed man to the public. You can tell this by â€Å"If you please, ‘said Scrooge and not a farthing less. A great many back-payments are included in it, I assure you† This shows Scrooge as being as kind, thoughtful, caring man rather than a â€Å"squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching covetous old sinner†. Scrooge now respects the poor people more than ever, especially the Cratchit’s. You can tell this by â€Å"and therefore I am about to raise your salary†. This shows that Scrooge would rather share more of his money to make more people happy than just himself. This is different from the beginning because when the gentleman comes to visit he pushes him away and believes in â€Å"Laissez Faire†. Scrooge has now become a happier and more cheerful human being because he has changed his way of living. You can tell this by â€Å"they all sit around the table eating Christmas dinner†. This shows he is not self-contained, lonely old sinner, but a sociable character and because he changed his actions, Tiny Tim did live and Scrooge and his family say â€Å"God bless Us, Everyone! â€Å"

Higher Education Costs And Education - 983 Words

Higher Education Costs Education, there should be no class distinction. Education should be provided to all, irrespective of their economic, social or religious backgrounds. Education is defined as gaining knowledge which is funded by the government or charity organizations for awareness, charity, religious, or any other motives. It’s like an investment which helps to build the economy in the long run rather than a way of getting short-term inceptives from students. One of the reasons for the improvement in the quality of higher education in the modern days has been the competition among the private colleges and universities to provide better education. The concept of higher education and merit system is gaining wide popularity all over the world. UNESCO has been leading a global movement Education for all with an aim to meet the basic learning needs of Human Beings. Education helps in establishing the equality among the people. Education can be provided through various means like public schools, internet, training classes, etc. However, higher education cost is itself a debatable topic and has its own pros and cons. Everyone should know the fundamental basics of life; basic skills like reading, writing, comprehension etc. People need to have general knowledge of in mathematics, sciences, literature, etc. to cope up with a new ideas, thoughts for changing the world. Several countries like Denmark, Norway, Finland, Argentina and moreShow MoreRelatedThe Cost of Higher Education754 Words   |  3 Pages For most high school seniors the cost of higher education may be a daily or at least. It is an even a concern in that a group of students, who all share a common, concern, around the same age, but with no reliable income. Each one is making a huge investment in their future, but in majority of cases adding more and more debt to their lifestyles. Though majority of students receive financial aid, the amount of debt which tuition builds is beyond stressing. For some students relying on their familyRead MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education1100 Words   |  5 PagesOver the past four decades, the costs of higher education has risen at a rate that surpasses the rate on inflation. Students, parents, and policymakers are concern about the rapid increase. The literature supports that there are multiple trends such as a decline in federal and state support as well as outdated policies and practices that have contributed to continued rise. Thelin (2015) analyzed Edwin Slosson’s 1910 anthology on Great American Universities, which provided data on fourteen prominentRead MoreThe Cost Of A Higher Education958 Words   |  4 PagesAll through life, most children are told that getting a higher education is the only way to have a successful life. Each year the cost of college rises, with that the total student debt rises as more students take out loans to help pay for his or her education. An astounding 1.2 trillion dollars is the United States student debt amount, and every year it continues to grow. (Investor’s Business, 2015, p. A14). According to new reports, 27.3% of student loans are delinquent and that on average a student’sRead MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education Essay1296 Words   |  6 PagesKarla Fiscal-Zatarain Communications M01 Ben Bates 28 July 2015 The Cost of Higher Education General Purpose: To persuade. Specific Purpose: To persuade the audience that the cost of a higher education is too high and should be lowered to a much reasonable price. Central Idea: The cost to attend universities has skyrocketed over the past few decades and because of this, many students have chosen to skip out or put it off because they simply can’t afford it. 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Additionally, taking in consideration the current cost compared to the past 5 to 10 years is very important when addressing this issue. As the cost of a col lege degree increases it is becoming harderRead MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education Essay2074 Words   |  9 PagesHow to Combat the Cost of Rising Higher Education The cost of higher education is on the rise in the United States of America (USA). â€Å"Technology tends to unbundle stuff. Look how it’s unbundling television, or how it unbundled the music album. The college degree is a bundle that doesn’t work for everybody and creates unnatural market conditions, which is why college costs consistently rise faster than inflation.† (Newsweek) The cost of higher education tuition is skyrocketing throughout the USARead MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education Essay2115 Words   |  9 PagesThe cost of higher education is on the rise in the United States of America (USA). â€Å"Technology tends to unbundle stuff. Look how it’s unbundling television, or how it unbundled the music album. The college degree is a bundle that doesn’t work for everybody and creates unnatural market conditions, which is why college costs consistently rise faster than inflation.† (Newsweek) The cost of higher education tuition is skyrocke ting throughout the USA. Imagine being a lower class family, both you and yourRead MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education2006 Words   |  9 PagesThe Cost of Higher Education Has Resulted in Extreme Student Loan Debt, How Do We Reverse This Cycle? During high school we are often told that higher education is essentially a precursor to achieving success in the workforce, meaning that your success is dependent upon earning a degree. We are also told that higher education is the key to â€Å"happiness† because it is clear that both a fulfilling and lucrative career is a direct representation of success. 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The Cause And Effect Of Maintaining A Personal Budget

The topic I chose for my research is the cause and effect of maintaining a personal budget. This is the department in which most of the people struggle a lot to manage it effectively. Therefore, the aim of this study is to aware other people as well that how it could affect them in many ways if they are not maintaining their personal budgets. The personal budget will help people in many ways as it has many pros in maintaining a budget. The personal budget maintenance requires trickiness as the main tactic in the people to reap the great benefits of maintaining a personal budget. The personal budget can help the people in knowing the money movements in their life by noticing their incoming and outgoing money balances. This also helps in knowing the expenditure details and how much money needs to be managed for better allocation of funds. This can be performed by preparing a budget plan. Introduction A budget is a plan of the spending with limited money over a particular period of time. A personal budget is a financial plan for allocating future personal income towards the expenses, savings and towards the debt repayments. For creating a personal budget, past spending and personal debts are considered to have an effective planned spending. Without a personal budget, the money will be spent on unimportant stuff. The effects of not keeping a personal budget will lead to take loans to fulfill the requirements and in emergency needs. The strict budget plan tends to release extraShow MoreRelatedEssay On Flat Tax971 Words   |  4 PagesWhen reconfiguring both personal and corporate income tax structures, the first decision lawmakers must approach is choosing whether to establish a flat income tax or a system with graduated tax rates based on levels of income. Unlike many of its peer states, which have flat corporate tax structures, Iowa has a graduated corporate tax rate with four brackets based on income levels. 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