Should thin people have to pay Medicare and other health costs Research Paper

Should thin people have to pay Medicare and other health costs - Research Paper Example In this article, Bhattacharya and Sood address the economic costs of obesity to the society. Through various statistics the authors found out that the existing healthcare program caters for the problems of obese people through the use of funds from normal individuals which should not be the case. Regarding this , the authors suggest that the obese individuals should pay higher premiums to cater for their healthcare problems and to be more cautious with their dietary choices. The importance of this article to this bibliography is that it brings an economical analysis of the costs of obesity. Bhattacharya, Jay, et al. "Does Health Insurance Make You Fat?" July 2009 . Web. 17 April 2012. In this article, the authors critically analyze the concept of healthcare premiums. The authors argue that health insurance tend to make individuals less concerned about their health problems hence increasing cases of obesity. The authors have also indicated that programs such as Medicaid and Medicare fail to address the problem of obesity.... Regarding this , the authors suggest that the obese individuals should pay higher premiums to cater for their healthcare problems and to be more cautious with their dietary choices. The importance of this article to this bibliography is that it brings an economical analysis of the costs of obesity. Bhattacharya, Jay, et al. "Does Health Insurance Make You Fat?" July 2009 . Web. 17 April 2012. In this article, the authors critically analyze the concept of healthcare premiums. The authors argue that health insurance tend to make individuals less concerned about their health problems hence increasing cases of obesity. The authors have also indicated that programs such as Medicaid and Medicare fail to address the problem of obesity. Moreover, the authors have suggested that a difference in wages in which obese people are paid less will help them to take necessary measures regarding health. This article is important to this annotated bibliography as it addresses the concept of pooled insu rance in which obese people benefit unfairly from premiums paid by normal individuals. Bauer, Brad. â€Å"Higher Premiums for Obese Workers Growing.† News and Sentinel, 20 November 2011. Web. 17 April 2012. Bauer is a consultant in insurance-related matters, whose articles on healthcare insurance demonstrate his experience in the field of insurance. In this article, Bauer has highlighted that obese people benefit more from healthcare since they pay equal premiums with normal people. In this article, the author articulates that premiums are being internalized so that the obese individuals can bear the burden that results from costs of catering for their health

Production Management Principles Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Production Management Principles - Assignment Example One of the early contributors towards the evolvement of scientific production management principles was F.W. Taylor. He put forward ideas and developed a theory of organization by which managers could optimize their production and increase efficiency. Till that point of time, there was no scientific back up for the workers engaged in production activity and the methods and tools that were used were outdated. In 1881, Taylor brought out a study on the science of metal cutting. (The Principles of Scientific Management 1910, 2005) Later on, different shovels were tested and the optimum shape of the shovel was designed which would allow the worker shovel without any hindrance for the entire day. This improved efficiency as the number of people required to do a certain kind of work like shovelling reduced considerably. Other areas of research included the moving of pig iron. If workers were usually moving 12.5 tonnes of pig iron per day, he conducted experiments which later on proved that given sufficient rest timings in between lifts, a certain percentage of people could transport 47.5 tonnes per day. This generated the idea that workers should be selected as to how they were suited for a particular job. 1. Each and every process was backed up with a scientific explanation. This provided for a comprehensive method of optimizing work efficiency rather than go by an outdated thumb rule. This is because each process has definite character constraints affected by geographical locations and work culture. 2. There should be a scientific method of selecting an individual to do a certain kind of work. After the right person has been selected proper training and guidance should be provided to make his transition into the job easier. There should always be development programmes to enhance his skills while on the job. 3. There should be a list of procedures laid down by the company commonly called QAP (Quality Assurance Procedures). These define the methods and the checklists to be followed while carrying out a certain procedure. The company should ensure that there is complete co-operation between the management and the employees when carrying out processes as per the QAP.

A Case Study Of The Food Company Nestle Marketing Essay

A Case Study Of The Food Company Nestle Marketing Essay With reference to the Nestle case study, provide one example which clearly illustrates a link between topics or concepts drawn from at least two pre-requisite modules. Nestle is one of the oldest of all multinational business. Nowadays, Nestle is one of the biggest food and nutrition companies in 86 countries in the world. (Hill, 2009 pp). Nestle was involved with a range of acquisitions in the last years in order to extend its line of products and try to expand on a geographical scale. Since its sales are reducing in developed markets, Nestle has the opportunity to expand business in up and coming countries, which is going to generate more profit for the company. Up and coming countries is one sector that Nestle is going to invest money in because it has the potential to be a strong and attractive market. Nestle feels confident in doing so because in such countries population economy and technology has experienced a rapid growth. (Datamonitor, 2006). Nestles long-term strategy is to identify the quickly expanding countries first and get into the market as soon as possible in order to take advantage of other competitors. However, it first has to hold the leading position in the developed markets where it is currently placed. Also Nestle has to hire local managers and staff in the developing markets that understand the local market dynamic and culture. As explained above there is a link between Nestlà ©s strategy and the Strategic management, because companies employ managers from respective countries in the local companies due to the fact that they understand the local market dynamics. By hiring local manager they can take advantage of the local knowledge and own culture of the country. FIGURE 1 Figure 1 Source: Own diagram It is a huge advantage that Nestle works with local managers in fast rising emerging countries. As a result, Nestle will have quick results which lead to quick profits. As we can see in FIGURE 1 above, Nestle is closely related to the Strategic management module because companies will have a range of research(reports) on fast growing countries. Therefore, they will have the ability to balance the services they are able to provide (food, cereals, coffee, chocolate, drinks, ice cream, etc) (Nestle 2011), with the price that customers are willing to pay. For example, if people cannot afford the Nestle products then they will not expand in such countries but focus their attention and invest in countries where people are able to buy their products. Also, Nestle is connected with methods of enquiry with Emerging markets. Companies will have less space to roam around and make decision considering that much of their movements are controlled by the market reaction. This means that emerging markets are countries with social or business activities in the process of rapid growth and industrialization. The Nestle case study as clearly explained above illustrates a good link with the Strategic Management/Methods of Enquiry and the Market dynamic/Emerging markets respectively. Does it make sense for Nestle to focus its growth efforts on emerging markets? Why? The recent financial crisis that reverberated throughout the globe was a clear indicator of the interdependence and the codependence that globalization has created while simultaneously making it clear to everyone that the emerging economies, especially those that make up BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are more resilient than western economies, thus making them engines of growth that have helped the recovery effort in the last few years. Therefore from that point of view alone it can be stated that yes, Nestlà ©s strategy to focus its growth efforts in developing or emerging markets is indeed a sound one. However this does not mean that the ability of these markets to recover faster than the western economies should bebe sole reason for such a decision. Rather there are many more and varying reasons that need to be taken into consideration. The onset of globalization for one thing has helped uplift the living standards of many in China and India and millions of families have climbed out of poverty and are able to aspire to better life styles and a better standard of living, thus creating new markets companies like Nestle (Latshaw and Choi, 2002, pp. 27). Next as has been stated in the case study, the number of individuals who can be considered as middle class in these two economies alone will exceed 700 million in the coming decade, which is more than the entire population of 500 million in the European region or the 300 million in the United States, thus making this a very lucrative market for Nestle and one that needs to be exploited with immediate effect (Crook, Bratton, Street Ketchen, 2006, pp. 409 412). Besides the above Nestle as a multi national company has a decentralised structure and has often emphasised the need for attracting, recruiting and selecting host country nationals to be employed in its manufacturing plants across the world and this again is a very strategic and wise decision (Cesnovar, 2006, pp. 227 229). By decreasing unemployment rates, being socially responsible corporate citizen and helping to uplift the standard of living in these regions of the world, the company is earning the respect of the populatio n, which can soon be converted to public relations win, thus it can be stated that this strategy makes immense sense at the present time (Mclean, 2006, pp. 36). Last but not least it should also be stated that by gaining first mover advantage of providing basic food stuffs through which brand loyalty is created the company stands to gain much as most consumers will not switch to other brands but rather decide to stick with the trusted brand even when they are ready to move to the more upscale and upmarket products that are provided by the company (Gratton, Hailey, Stiles Truss, 1999). Therefore it can be stated that from every point of view, whether it is as a consumer products manufacturer or an employer, Nestle stands to gain much through this growth strategy of focusing on emerging markets. What is the companys strategy with regard to business development in emerging markets- Does this strategy make sense- From an organizational perspective, what is required for this strategy to work effectively? As is clear from the information that has been provided in the case study, Nestle uses a variety of different strategies to develop its business activities and markets in the emerging markets. While many maybe of the opinion that only one or two strategies should be used in order to ensure that synergies of scale are gained and that there is consistency across the operations, such a customization of strategy to meet the specific needs of an economy is highly commendable (Marshall, Smith Buxton, 2009, pp. 14 18). For instance in countries like India and China, Nestle has entered the market by providing low cost brand name basic food stuff like condensed milk and infant formula, in doing so the company has also located its manufacturing plants within the countries and the regions, employed host country nationals and helped uplift their living standards. Thus not only has the company provided them with a livelihood by employing them and purchasing local produce from local farmers and businessman, but in doing so has also created loyalty to its brand, which is something priceless (Karake-Shalhoub, 1999). As the living standards and the income levels of these individuals and entrepreneurs increase, they will no doubt continue to be loyal to the Nestle brand and purchase the more upscale and products that are sold by the company, when they are ready to move from basic food stuffs to more branded and upscale foods stuffs like cookies and chocolate. Likewise another strategy that is being used by the company is to enter markets like Nigeria and China and invest in basic infrastructure to ensure smooth distribution channels, while many may see this as a waste, in the long run, the company has gained a strong foothold in the marketplace, created job opportunities and further increased the visibility of its brand and thus increased entry barriers for the competition (Sims, 2003), thus it can be stated that this is indeed a very good business development strategy that is being followed by the company at the present time. From an organisational perspective for an a strategy to work effectively it is necessary to ensure that the strategy is developed in such a manner that it would fit the market needs and help the company to gain a comparative advantage (Oladunjoye Onyeaso, 2007, pp. 592 598). Based on everything that has been stated above and the manner in which Nestlà ©s is currently operating in China, India, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, it is clear that the company has adopted many different successful strategies that are helping it to gain a competitive edge in these markets while continuing to benefit from the first mover advantage that it has created for itself. Through research on NESTLE, identify appropriate performance indicators. Once you have gathered relevant data on these, undertake a performance analysis of the company over the last five years. What does the analysis tell you about the success or otherwise of the strategy adopted by the company? An analysis of Nestlà ©s performance indicates that the Company has been able to improve its performance over the years. The sales of the Company reached a record of US $73 billion, and growth in profits was 20.7% in 2005. In 2005, Europe amounted to 30% of sales, Americas 34%, and Asia, Oceania and Africa 17% of the sales. Nestle is aware that it need to adjust its offering if it is to reach its target of 5-6% growth per year. (Country Monitor, 2006). Public Image In a world that is becoming increasingly complex, consumer needs and wants continue to become more sophisticated on a daily basis. Unlike in the past when companies could simply mass produce and sell products to the end user, today, consumers are demanding more not only in terms of pricing and quality but also in terms of corporate social responsibility. Therefore it is necessary for Nestle to continuously monitor and manage its public image and it is also very important from a strategic perspective that the company is seen as a socially responsible corporate citizen (Niederhut-Bollmann Theuvsen, 2008, 63 68). Compared to many other multi national companies, Nestlà ©s has not earned the public ire for being irresponsible socially, however as the global slave trade for chocolate manufacturers comes to light it is essential that Nestlà ©s looks at ways and means to ensure that it is not ensnared in such a public relations nightmare. Sales Growth This is a very important performance indicators and should give the company a sense of its successes and failures in terms of strategy. Currently the company has been doing very well on this front and should carefully monitor the external and the internal environments for any factors that may pose a threat to its continued success in this area (Roberts, 2001, pp, 25 28). Following a growth strategy in emerging markets is actually a very good strategy that has paid off and continues to pay off, however this does not mean that the company can afford to be laid back on this score. Market Share By gaining first mover advantage the company has been able to gain and retain its market share through the years, however it is also necessary that the company continues to learn from its past mistakes in Japan and other countries, where it did not take the competition seriously and therefore has lost much in terms of market share that it could otherwise have gained (Odagiri, 1992). Blue Ocean Strategies As markets continue to mature and other markets continue to develop it is imperative that the company focuses its attention on research and development and creates blue oceans in order to find new markets (Gubman, 2004, pp. 13). This is something that Nestle is currently lagging at and needs to pay particular attention to with immediate effect. Based on everything that has been stated above it is therefore clear that while the company does excel in areas such as managing its public image and sales growth, there is much more improvement needed to be made in the search for innovative market strategies that will help force it to success in the future. How would you describe Nestlà ©s strategic posture at the corporate level; is it pursuing a global strategy, a multidomestic strategy an international strategy or a transnational strategy? Figure 2 Which Structure to Choose? Source: http://www.wiziq.com/tutorial/380-International-Strategy Illustrated above is a depiction of the different corporate level strategies that can be adopted by multi national companies the world over. Such strategy is often chosen on the degree of need for global integration and local market responsiveness (Kaplan and Norton, 2001, pp. 87). Based on the information that has been provided in the case study it is clear that Nestle is a company that need to gain a high level of local market responsiveness due to the variety of different business development related strategies that is pursuing in different parts of the world. For instance while in the Middle East it has entered the markets by building five different lines of products that it hopes will be distributed across the region as trade barriers fall, in countries like China and India, it is pursuing a different strategy of meeting the basic food needs of the population with items such as infant formula and condensed milk. It is the intention of the company in these markets that once stand ards of living increase, they can leave these Niche markets and provide consumers with more upscale and upmarket products like chocolates and cookies. Further it can also be stated that as a company with only 1% of its revenue being earned in the home country and 8000 different brands, global integration is a must (Lowson, 2002). Therefore it is the opinion of the writer that Nestle need to choose between the multi domestic strategy and a transnational strategy and not swing from one to another, because doing so would only result in the company loosing focus of its final aim, which is to be a global consumer food products leader (George, 2007, pp. 66 71). Based on the information that has been provided in the case study it is the opinion of the writer that Nestlà ©s should choose a transnational strategy because it balances both the global integration needs of the company and the local market responsiveness that is necessary to ensure that the companys products will be competitive and continue to meet the needs of the local population in the emerging markets that it is operating in (Marks, 2005, pp. 1). While many maybe of the op inion that the company should continue to pursue its multi domestic strategy as it has worked well for it in the past, the changing needs of the global environment and the development taking place in the emerging markets make it necessary to gain synergies of scale and global integration for the many brands that it has under its belt and therefore a transnational strategy is the best option for Nestlà ©s in the future (Barney and Hesterly, 2008). Does this overall strategic posture make sense given the markets and countries that Nestle participates in? Why? The overall strategic posture of Nestlà © makes a lot of sense given the fact that it is operating in virtually every country in the world, with a huge presence in the emerging markets. According to Hill (2006), that multidomestic strategy is appropriate in a market where the pressures for local responsiveness is very high and as a results the pressures for the cost reduction is low. Especially, pressures for local responsiveness can be very high in some productions, such as food, chocolates, dairy nutrition and etc. From the time when consumers have many national differences in tastes and preferences, distribution channels, competitive conditions, business practices, culture and government policies in the markets in which Nestlà © operates, therefore following a multidomestic strategy is beneficial for the Company. The difference in cultures and purchasing power (Prahalad et al, 1998) in the middle class population in emerging markets imply that in order for a first mover to gain advantage, it must be willing to adapt its product and offer in accordance with the needs of the local market. Figure 3 Source: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/5632428/Ethnocentric-Polycentric-Geocentric-Diagrams As stated in the previous section the overall strategy that is currently being followed by Nestles is one that focuses on local market responsiveness over global integration, which in effect results in a multi domestic strategy (Shackman, 2007, pp. 479 488). It is no doubt however that such a strategy has indeed helped the company to gain the level of success that it currently enjoys in emerging markets, and therefore can be considered as good. However we should always remember that strategies should promise equal or more success in the future as they do for the company today (Cabrera and Cabrera, 2003, pp. 41) and therefore reviewing the strategy from such an angle would work to the benefit of the company in the long run. The company currently follows a regiocentric attitude as is clear from the illustrations above, while it can be reiterated that this type of structure and strategy works to the advantage of the company, in the long run as the emerging markets being to mature and t he company continues on its mergers and acquisitions strategies to enter new markets in Eastern Europe, it will become essential that the company gains some level of global synergy and integration (Mcwilliams, Van Fleet, Wright, 2001, pp. 1). Therefore it is the recommendation of the writer that the company begins to embark on a transnational strategy with a Geocentric attitude, which will eventually help it to have a more global view with flexibility to make necessary changes at local level whenever and as frequently as needed (Donaldson OToole, 2002). Therefore in conclusion it can be stated that even though the current strategic posture makes sense, it needs to be reviewed and modified if the company is to continue to penetrate, gain and retain market share in the emerging economies as well as the developed economies the world over (Mockler, 1999). Is Nestles management structure and philosophy aligned with its overall strategic posture? The overall structure and the strategy of the company as stated previously and has been made clear to the reader throughout the case study, is that the company pursues a multi domestic strategy, due to the need to have a high responsiveness to the local market needs (Drejer, 2002). While this is impressive, the company goes further to also ensure that it is staffed by local nationals in the host countries and that power and authority is decentralised as much as possible, again indicating that the management structure is indeed very much aligned to its philosophy of local autonomy and its multi domestic strategy (Silverman, 2002). However instead of relying on the local managers alone, the company also has a pool of at least 700 expatriate managers who travel from one country to another ensuring that the local and regional strategies of the company are upheld and global integration is a possibility (Mintzberg Rose, 2003, pp. 270 277), while this may sound like a sound and often a wi se move on the part of the company, the fact that none of the regional international managers get involved in local level stratey design and the fact that none of the local level managers are involved in the global strategy design and development leaves a disconnect that can cost the company dearly in the long run and therefore it is necessary to take a close look at the integration of both and make changes wherever necessary (Betz, 2001). Based on everything that has been stated above, it is therefore the opinion of the writer that greater global integration is necessary as the company moves forward and hopes to retain its place as a market leader by gaining large shares of the market in emerging economies, which it has strived hard to build over the last few decades. In effect it is therefore necessary to ensure that there is high levels of global integration and simultaneously ensure that there is high levels of local market responsiveness as well (Lefkowith, 2001, pp. 20). As stated previously this is only possible if the company follows a transnational strategy and this strategy and philosophy should be made a possibility by changing the current management structure within the company to one that allows for regional managers to gain an understanding of local issues and challenges and vice versa. This will help the company to align its goals and objectives both on an international local level and thus be more integ rated in both spheres.

cloning :: essays research papers

Cloning Imagine being a first year medical surgeon just out of the highest-ranking university in the nation. You are placed in the ER, in the Methodist Hospital building, as your days are spent saving people from the cruel realities that they are forced to live among. Day after day, you see handfuls of people coming in with a variety of gunshot, knife, and domestic violence wounds. Your troubles are easily compensated, however, by receiving over $200,000 a year, a brand new Mercedes, and a house upon the palisade shores. Suppose for a moment that one evening while you are on duty, an ambulance radios in and informs the hospital staff that they are bringing in a multiple gunshot wound victim and to prepare the ER for an immediate operation. You begin to order people around and dictate what needs to be prepared before the ambulance arrives. Finally the victim is present, only to show that he is not the average gangster or policeman, instead it is the near lifeless body of your own son. Your bl ood freezes; your brain shuts down, as you see every precious second slip away through the lifeless gaze of your child's eyes. His life and future all depend on you saving his life. He has been shot twice in the chest and his little heart is working ten fold to keep him alive. You realize that the only way to save him is an immediate heart transplant and you have not a second to lose. You yell at the assistant to find the nearest heart donor in hopes that your young son will make it through the night. Unfortunately your hopes are destroyed as the medical assistant informs you that the nearest heart donor is in Spokane, Washington 3,000+ miles away. You slowly turn to see the dying face of your son, and only wish to take the entire burden from his shoulders and hoist it upon yours. Your son gives you an unforgettable look of fear as he slips away into the gates of heaven far from his warm and safe family. You drop to your knees in tears, and you swear you could hear the voice of your deceased son say, "Why? Why didn't you save me mommy?" Similar instances are faced daily in hospitals all over the world. Children, adults, grandparents, and loved ones all come in one at a time with the hopes of survival in their heads, but with the taste of death in their mouths.

Diversity & Globalization

Living in the 21st century, we are more connected to each other than ever. With that being said, there is a necessity for us to maintain our cultural diversity as we merge into such a multicultural world. Multiculturalism is, in essence, the study of how individuals from different ethnic, minority, or rural backgrounds receive, analyze, and respond to information that is presented to them.The principle of cultural diversity takes multiculturalism a step further, changing the mainstream approach so that the different ways of receiving, analyzing, and responding to information are all seen as being culturally aware. In the world of today we are all directly or indirectly involved in the cultural socialization and globalization. At times one is so much engaged in trying to blend in that one forgets to be a real â€Å"self†. Individuals are in the presence of dozens of new and unfamiliar cultures as a result of increased travel, international trade and foreign media contacts.Many people welcome this new diversity as stimulating and enabling while others find it unsettling and are fearful of losing indigenous cultures that is the basis of their livelihood. These feelings have been articulated in various outlets and have been the focus matter of administrative organizations. As a result, many governments in countries scattered around the world must decide how to respond to this situation. Statement of Problem Self is the consciousness of one’s own identity, an essential quality that make a person distinct from all others.In a multi-cultural global society, it is this â€Å"self† or diversity that must be maintained even at a cultural level. There are so many influences upon the world from Western societies, digital entertainment, merchandise, food companies, etc. , that individual rituals or customs of lesser nations begin to fall to the wayside. Along with this is the demise and complete destruction of indigenous groups around the world. This is the problem; throughout all of this globalization and modernization we need to hold onto individual and cultural grass root traditions.It is the loss of indigenous individuality that is instigating the lack of or struggle to maintain diversity in this world. Literature Review Over the ages, distant merchants have landed upon the shores of new nations and either claimed it as their own or created large settlements. These new pioneers have spread their principles and ideas either intentionally or not with no remorse or thought in respecting the indigenous cultures where they have forced their cultures. This has led to the struggle in indigenous people trying to maintain their identity and way of life against that of the new settlers.As a result of foreign trade, globalization has given rise the increased stream of assets. Foreign ventures in oil, gas and mining has risen four to five times between 1988 and 1997. Subsequently, there happens to be an abundant supply of natural resource s in regions populated by indigenous people. These bands of indigenous people are greatly affected by this influx of outside investment and the foreign cultures that accompany it. The cultural uniqueness and socio-economic justness of indigenous people are being threatened in several ways.There is insufficient acknowledgment of the cultural importance of the land and territories that indigenous people inhabit. Mineral removal undertakings lead to extensive dislocation of communities and loss of their farmlands and it affects both their sense of cultural identity and their source of sustainable livelihood. On top of this, Indigenous people are excluded from decision-making processes involving the farm and properties that belong to them. Information gained by indigenous people is also easily misappropriated.Traditional knowledge about plants with medicinal value, food varieties that consumers demand and other valuable knowledge is quickly picked up by capitalists, who apply for patent s on these knowledge. Forero (2003) concluded that seven thousand patents had been granted for the unsanctioned use of traditional knowledge or the misappropriation of medicinal plants. Developing countries, as well as individual indigenous groups, seldom have the resources to challenge these patents in foreign jurisdictions.The number of people living outside their country of birth has increased from seventy-six million in 1960 to one hundred and fifty-four million in 1990 and one hundred and seventy-five million in 2000 (The Guardian, 2001). Scientific advances have made travel and communications extremely fast, inexpensive, and reliable. Based upon this mixing of cultural groups, people are living amongst new cultures and rituals on a daily basis. â€Å"In the spring of 2007, 1,651 residents participated in a random-digit-dialed, computer-assisted telephone survey about a wide range of social and civic issues facing Los Angeles.The dataset also includes the census tract number c orresponding to each respondent’s place of residence, enabling us to consider the demographic context of respondents’ views of racial issues. Census tracts are unlikely to correspond perfectly to residents’ mental image of the ethnic and racial mix contained in their â€Å"neighborhood,† but the tract identifiers provide a useful starting point to consider the consequences of multiple dimensions of diversity in local areas across Los Angeles. (Cohen-Marks & Faught, 2010)†The study concluded that there were consistent patterns based on race or ethnicity and that African Americans tend to have more negative perceptions of race relations than other ethnic groups in Los Angeles. This could have an impact regarding enhanced flow of investment, knowledge, cultural goods and people give rise to problems in cultural adjustment and issues of conflict management and control. While some countries oppose migrants from settling and invading their culture and taking up their jobs, others are more open and try to integrate foreign cultures into their own.The Human Development Report (2004) argues that societies and governments must not choose either extreme, but must chose a middle path whereby they can design country specific policies that widen choices by supporting and protecting national identities while also keeping borders open for choosing newer ways of life. Indigenous people are increasingly being drawn into global networks. In the long term, cultural isolation is unlikely to be a viable although sometimes desired option (Smith & Ward, 2000).Global flows of goods, ideas, people and capital can seem to be a threat to national culture. It can lead to the abandonment of traditional values and practices and dismantling of the economic basis on which the survival of indigenous culture depends. A global culture is not about the English language or global brand identities – it is about universal ethics based on universal hum an rights and respect for the freedom, equality and dignity of all individuals. The aim of multicultural policies is to protect cultural iberty and expand people’s choices – in the ways people live and identify themselves – and not to penalize them for those choices. For instance, women in India usually wore saris at work in the 1980’s while they now feel free to wear blouses and trousers to work. People should not be bound to maintain an immutable box called â€Å"a culture† (Human Development Report 2004). One must understand that cultural identities are heterogeneous and evolving and they are subject to dynamic change due to internal inconsistencies and conflicts that drive them.Findings For that reason, a strategy of multiculturalism is supported by the following four principles. First, defending tradition can hold back human development. Cultural conservatism can discourage or prevent people from adopting a different lifestyle which is concurr ently followed gainfully by a different society. Although there might be much that is consonant with universal values and practices, much else might be inconsistent. Such inconsistencies can be removed by learning from other cultures.For instance, a community that is traditionally lazy can learn how people of other societies are more productive and are able to enjoy their life to a greater extent. Second, respecting diversity and differences is essential to becoming a global citizen. The fear of a loss of national identity and culture comes from the belief that cultural diversity leads to conflict. In fact, it is the suppression and opposition of cultural identity and social, political and economic exclusion on the basis of culture that can spark violence and tensions.Third, diversity thrives in a globally interdependent world. Today’s intensified global interactions can function well when these are governed by bonds of shared values, communication and commitment. Societies c an develop cultural freedom by developing multiple and complementary identities as citizens of a state and members of a cultural group as well as being a global citizen (Human Development Report, 2004). Differences and diversity must be respected to avoid morbid mistrust for all things foreign resulting in policies that shut them out.Multiple and complementary identities are a reality in many countries where people have a sense of belonging to the country as well as to a group or groups within it. Lastly, addressing imbalances in economic and political power can help to forestall threats to the cultures of poor and weak communities. Discussion Shutting out ones’ culture from external cultural interactions is not feasible in the face of constant change.However, governments and international institutions can form policies such that traditions consistent with universal values can continue while giving people the choice to change over to newer lifestyles while discarding ineffect ive ones. The current necessity is to launch pro-poor public and corporate governance, effective social and environmental policies and respect for human rights though discussions with governments, indigenous people’s organizations, industry, labor unions and academia.Many private companies and indigenous people are working together for development. The World Intellectual Property Organization’s General Assembly established an Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore in October 2000 (Human Development Report, 2004). Intellectual property rights are being extended in countries like Australia to protect traditional knowledge of indigenous communities. The essence is to include and integrate indigenous people in a globally integrated world.States and international institutions need to take the following measures in order to incorporate the concerns of indigenous peoples into the flow of investment and kn owledge: explicitly recognize indigenous people’s rights over their physical and intellectual property require consultations with indigenous communities and their participation for the use of any resource, thus ensuring informed consent, and empower communities by developing strategies to share benefits. Whether to treat cultural goods like any other commercial good or to make them an exception has become a highly contested issue in international trade negotiations.Some people consider products like films to be commodities with others feel that these are cultural products conveying values, ideas and meaning and therefore deserving special treatment. Accordingly several groups like those of film directors have led measures to insert â€Å"cultural exception† clauses into trade rules, thereby excluding cinema and other audiovisual foods from their provisions. The cultural exceptions touch people’s concerns that their national cultures might be swept away by the ec onomic forces in the global market, threatening their cultural identity.Many people fear that foreign films and television programs will spread foreign culture and eventually obliterate local cultures and traditional values. However, free flows of foreign products widen cultural choices and do not necessarily weaken commitment to national culture. Teenagers the world over listen to rap but that has not meant the death of classical music or local fold music traditions while attempts to shut off foreign influences might only lead to smuggled access to such products.Some countries, like Hungary, protect their productions through a quota of fifteen percent for national programs on the national television channel (Cohen, 2004). Once again, protection would involve reducing or blocking imports thereby decreasing expansion of diversity and choice. On the other hand promotion can help in maintaining healthy cultural industries while also keeping trade links open. In Hungary, six percent of the television receipts go to the production of Hungarian films.The 2001 Declaration on Cultural Diversity of the UNESCO set the stage for a number of international initiatives to encourage cultural diversity and biodiversity. The emergence of cultural industries can be supported by local governments. Local infrastructure can be created to export cultural products as well as build business incubators to encourage small and medium sized companies to market their products. International funds can also be mobilized for the same. Cultural tourism and partnerships with the World Trade Organization can disseminate advice to host communities on ways and means to protect and promote indigenous cultures.A number of creative methods can be undertaken to enhance the choices and enriching the changing culture. It is extremely common for more and more immigrants to be living in foreign lands while maintaining close ties with their country of origin through low cost travel and communications. The re are polarized solutions to this issue. Some would like to acknowledge the diversity and promote the inclusion of immigrants, while an alternative advocated by anti-immigrant groups would be to close countries to flows of people reversing the trend of increasing diversity.Those fearing that immigrants threaten national values make three arguments: that immigrants reject the core values of the country; that immigrant and local cultures clash inevitably leading to social conflict and fragmentation and that immigrant cultures are inferior and if allowed a foothold would undermine democracy and retard progress, a drain on economic and social development. Accommodating multiple cultures is not an ea sy job and requires blurring the boundaries that separate â€Å"us† and â€Å"not us†.People easily feel the dangers of having to accept those that are â€Å"not us† into their own groups in the future with possible accompanying degenerations. Although accepting multipl e cultures is difficult, history shows that it does happen. Contrary to popular beliefs that immigration can lead to cultural degeneration, immigration actually supports economic growth and development. Seventy percent of the foreign born students who get doctorates in the USA stay there and contribute to the country’s development.The way forward to this dilemma would be one of cultural recognition and socio-economic and political inclusion. Traditionally, there have been two approaches towards immigrants: differentialism and assimilation (Human Development Report, 2004). Differentialist polities help maintain clear boundaries between groups and respect them as separate communities, while assimilation policies seek to make immigrants become â€Å"more like us†. Both these approaches are inadequate for societies that respect diversity and differences.Culturally diverse societies are not predestined to disintegrate or to lose their national cultures and identities. Immig rants can in fact become full members of their adopted countries and still maintain ties to their countries of origin. The challenge is to craft polities that integrate the objectives of unity and respect for difference and diversity. Multiculturalism has recently become a third approach to integrating immigrants into the mainstream, one that recognizes the value of diversity and supports multiple identities.It began in Canada in the early 1960’s, when Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau articulated the idea in response to the challenges of a diverse population of indigenous people, French and English settlers (Human Development Report, 2004). Multiculturalism is not only about recognizing different value systems and cultural practices within society – it is also about building a common commitment to core, non-negotiable values such as human rights, rule of law, gender equality, and diversity and tolerance (IOM, 2003).Australia and India describe this as â€Å"Unity in Dive rsity† or Vasudevaya Kutumbakam – the world is a global family. Such a policy emphasizes not only the freedom of individuals to express and share their cultural values but also abide by mutual civic obligations. Conclusion Throughout this paper, the topic of globalization has been looked at through its effects on indigenous cultures. Indigenous cultures are affected by the flow of investment and knowledge, flow of cultural goods and the flow of people.It was argued that a multicultural approach must be followed while respecting the diversity and differences of various cultures. None of the flows should be shut off in order to protect the indigenous as this can only lead to myopia and lack of informed choice. Cultures are naturally changing due to inherent inconsistencies and there is much to gain from diverse cultures. Indigenous people must be included in the decision making process related to their physical and intellectual property in an interconnected world.Cultural products can be promoted through creative funding without shutting off trade links. Immigrant populations are capable of nurturing multiple identities, which can be enriched through a multicultural policy based on respect for differences and diversity. A globally interdependent world needs a multicultural strategy for native residents and immigrants that incorporate the fundamental principles of human rights and duties that benefit everyone.Complementary identities, or one’s â€Å"self† can evolve across national boundaries under these circumstances and identity and freedom can then flourish in a culturally diverse world.References Cohen-Marks, M. , & Faught, J.. (2010). Perceptions of Race Relations in Contexts of Ethnic Diversity and Change. Sociological Perspectives, 53(1), 73-98. Retrieved November 5, 2010, from ProQuest Psychology Journals. (Document ID: 1989814121). Forero, J. (2003). â€Å"Seeking Balance: Growth vs. Culture in Amazon† The New York T imes, 10 December. Human Development Report (2004). Oxford University Press: Oxford, England. IOM (International Organization for Migration) (2003). â€Å"Integration of Migrants: The IOM Approach. † Geneva. [http://www. iom. si/pdf/Indegration%20master. pdf]. Retrieved November 25, 2010. Lega, Nord (2004). â€Å"Stop Ai Clandestini† [http://www. leganord. org/a_2_docpolitici_ clandestini. htm]. Retrieved November 24, 2010. Smith, C. and Ward, G. K. (2000). Indigenous Cultures in an interconnected world, UBC Press: Vancouver.

The British Culture

People can generally identify themselves as part of a larger culture, which means that they hold many of the same values and beliefs as those around them. But they might not be aware of being part of one or more subcultures. These exist within the larger culture but are marked by differences. A subculture is a group of people who are part of a larger culture, but who separate themselves by their own unique beliefs and behaviours. In the 1950s David Riesman, a United States sociologist, distinguished between the majority that passively accepted the styles, standards and meanings given to them and a minority. This subculture sought its own meanings of things, interpreting them in what Riesman calls â€Å"subversive values. † Culture sociologist Sarah Thornton believes that subcultures raise their status through their subculture so as to differentiate themselves from other groups. Ken Gelder states that subcultures are very social, sharing conventions, values and rituals with those in their subculture even if they do not share those values with the greater culture, in the following research; we will see all the different British subcultures which make the United Kingdom one of the richest cultures in the world.. The England culture: It sometimes becomes difficult to separate the culture of England from the influences of the culture of the United Kingdom. England Culture has come along way and has developed over several millennia, to recent movements such as Brit Art and now encompasses a variety of forms which include photography, painting, sculpture and performance art. Cuisines of England also influence the England culture to a great extent. The urbanized workers of England were in many cases cut off from regional food traditions as the country was the first industrialized country of the world. More recently, a new style of cooking called Modern British has emerged that combines traditional British ingredients with foreign culinary influences. English folklore that has evolved in England over a number of centuries is yet another aspect that influences the Culture of England. England thrives with folklore in all forms such as the traditional semi-mystical Arthurian legends and semi-historical Robin Hood tales, to contemporary urban myths and facets of crypto zoology. Culture of England is lame till we include the heritage of the country as it is massively affected and influenced by it.  Also you can read about  History of the Culinary Arts. In recent years, Stonehenge has become a focus for modern summer solstice celebrations. Though the Stonehenge pre-dates the existence of England as a nation, it is believed by many English people to hold an iconic place in the culture of England. English literature has been made rich by the famous works by the popular writer of the past like William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy and many more. Just like literature, English music has been instrumental in influencing the England Culture to a large extent. Talking about food, there are few food-related taboos in England. Some of the English avoid some foods for so-called hygienic reasons, such as onions and leeks, which can cause bad breath. There are also some types of foods that are considered uncivilized. Traditionally, the people of England have never eaten horses, dogs and other carnivores or insects. Slowly, the eating of meat is looked on as uncivilized. As part of the shift away from meat toward fruit, vegetables, and fish, people have become more distanced from the production of the meat they eat and less willing to eat as wide a variety of meats. The Scottish culture: The Culture of Scotland will give you a glimpse of the rich historical past of the country. Scotland is a nation which is well positioned in the north-west part of Europe. Scotland also beautifully shares a border with England. It is bordered by the Irish Sea and the North Channel to the southwest, the North Sea lies to the east while the north and west part of Scotland is bordered by Atlantic Ocean. The Culture of Scotland is influenced by the residents of the Scottish Highlands who basically belong to the Celtic descent. To the Southern part of Scotland, the residents are Scots with little bit of Nordic and Anglo-Saxon influence. The people of Scotland have a love for learning. If we look at the history of Scotland it is found that their history is full of educated persons who acquired university educations. In the beginning of the 20th century, Andrew Carnegie who was the Scottish-born American industrialist made education easy. In the Culture at Scotland, we can find the celebrations of Hogmanay, which is basically the celebration of to mark the beginning of New Year. In the Culture of Scotland, there is the tradition of taking out Torchlight Parade in Edinburgh. People take part in the Torchlight Parade which is held on the 29th December on each and every year. The people taking part in this parade carry wax torches and walk on foot through the popular streets of the city. The Hogmanay street party organized on New Years Eve last for three nights. We can also find the celebrations of Christmas like that of any other European countries. People take part in Christmas celebrations with great pomp and glory. During this period people go to churches and arrange gala lunch and dinner parties for ones friends and relatives. There is also many Scottish celebrations, one of them is the Burning of the Clavie which celebrates the New Year, old style, which falls on 11 January (unless 11 January is a Sunday, in which case the celebration is held on 10 January). The Clavie is a half-cask, mounted securely on a pole, and filled with staves of wood and inflammable liquid. If we are interested in the Scottish food, the region has a very distinctive cuisine that is usually based on traditional foods. Food of Scotland mainly comprises of the Scottish foods. Food of Scotland is really mouth-watering which will positively satisfy your appetite. Some of the popular traditional Food of Scotland that you can try out while on a tour to Scotland is: -Scottish Beef: The beef cattle belonging to Aberdeen Angus breed reared in Scotland. Steaks made from these cattle beefs are really very tasty. Bannocks or Oatcakes: This dish is an oat flour biscuit that is baked on a griddle. Nowadays people usually prefer to sample bannocks with cheese. The culture of Wales: The nation of Wales is a major part of United Kingdom but the Culture of Wales is quite distinct from the rest of England. The nation of Wales is known to preserve its own distinguishing culture, language, art and music. The national emblem of Wales includes leek and daffodil. The Welsh Dragon is a significant part of the Culture of Wales. The country of Wales is extended 274 kilometers in the north to south and about 97 kilometers east to west. The eastern side of the country of Wales is bordered by England, the southern side is covered by the Mor Hafren or the Bristol Channel, the western side has St. George's Channel and the northern side has the Irish Sea. The total area of the coastline is over 1,200 kilometers and includes several islands that lie off the Welsh mainland. The Welsh culture exhibits the true essence of the region and tourists are introduced to the colorful and vibrant cultural heritage of the nation. Gradually with the change in times a mode rn outlook developed among the Welsh and thus a different meaning was attached to the Culture of Wales. Cultural Tours of Wales provide you an idea of the religion, arts and crafts of the region as well as the language. Religion, music and sport are among the indispensable part of the Cultural Heritage of Wales. Basket making, candle making and knitting are among the popular arts and crafts of Wales. Wales is famous for music and poetry and Culture of Wales has a great affinity to the most well-known musical image of Wales. Wales has a long tradition of folk song and has a long history of the instrumental tradition. The most widely practiced religion in Wales is Christianity and include to the diverse Culture of Wales. Culture of the performing arts in the Swansea provides you great source of entertainment. Festival of Music and the Arts plays an important part in promoting Wales Tourism. The Festival of Music and Art brings a great cultural gathering. Culture of Wales is presented mainly at the Swansea, Pembroke, Llandeilo, Narberth and Tenby. These places are perfect for the region's deep-rooted cultural aspect that includes arts and craft and musical performances. When it comes to entertainment, the country of Wales posses a rich culture and history and the people here enjoy lots of festivals. Festivals and Events in Wales are celebrated throughout the year; the festival of Eisteddfodau for example, known as cultural gathering, is one of the major Wales Festivals and Events. The biggest celebration is the Royal National Eisteddfodd of Wales, which is generally held in the early period of the month of August. There is another version of this festival of International Eisteddfod festival that is held every year in the month of July. The festival of Eisteddfod is a cultural competition that has its root in the ancient times. This festival celebrates the victory of the British from the Norman invasion. Among the other Festivals and Events in Wales, one is the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show. This festival is held in July and in these festivals there is a wonderful exhibition of several spectacular agricultural products that have their own beauty and are unique. You can also enjoy a host of oddball events throughout the year. The city of Brecon is known for its jazz festival and the fine food festival of Abergavenny is also very popular. The Irish culture: Ireland is rich in history and has also been the home to many talented writers including the likes of Oscar Wilde. Ireland has made a large contribution in literature and the very traditional folk music combined with the beautiful steps of the Irish dance all reflect the rich culture of Ireland. The people of Ireland are known to be very hospitable and friendly in nature. Having a family life is considered of great importance in Ireland. The traditional ways of the Irish culture can be seen in the rural areas of Ireland. Here, a lot of traditional customs are followed which is quite a contrast to the modern life that is led in the urbane areas of Ireland. Ireland also has a large number of people who own their own palatial residencies. The modern Irish culture follows a more open method of communication between the Irish people. The Irish believe in displaying their affection rather than curbing the same. English still remains to be the most spoken language today. The native dialect can be found in some of the rural areas of Ireland. The Irish language was introduced by the Celts and many senior citizens can be found speaking in the traditional Irish language. The homes in Ireland still follow the same rule and are built in a similar fashion, as was the pattern of the olden days. Bright and cheerful colors can be seen splashed on the walls of most homes with colorful doors. Homes of Ireland are generally terrace houses with the central heating system having replaced the traditional fireplace. Although there is no official religion for Ireland, special consideration has been given to the Catholic Church. One can see the Roman Catholics, Methodists, Jewish, Presbyterianism and even a small percentage of other religions such as Islam existing in Ireland. Talking about food, Stories related to the old Irish culture have the mention of honey being widely used especially to make mead. Meat was widely eaten along with poultry products. The potato formed a major part of the food in Ireland amongst the labor class. Today, the food habits have influences from all over the world. Although meat has always been the main item in Irish food, fast food has also taken over. New Irish dishes are being churned out to maintain some healthy eating habits amongst the Irish people; these focus mainly on fresh vegetables. The British norms & values Norms are defined as specific but tacit standards of what is socially and individually acceptable; values as explicit but general statements of principle, of which the content is continually changing through changing norms, changing circumstances, changing policies and the accompanying ethical debate. The relation of norms, values and policies is shown by an historical example. The inherent conflict within both norms and values is discussed and the role of the policymaker is defined, both as an artist in conceiving and devising one among many possible but always partial realizations of contemporary norms and values, and as a partially conscious agent in reshaping the norms and values of his time. The psychological implications of this are briefly indicated. Britishness is the state or quality of being British, and is used to refer to what binds and distinguishes the British people and forms the basis of their unity and identity, or else to explain expressions of British culture, such as habits, behaviours or symbols that have a common, familiar or iconic quality readily identifiable with the United Kingdom. Dialogue about the legitimacy and authenticity of Britishness is intrinsically tied with power relations and politics; in terms of nationhood and belonging, expressing or recognising ones Britishness provokes range of responses and attitudes, such as advocacy, indifference or rejection. In the 16th and 17th centuries most people in this island lived in small village communities. They knew all their neighbours. They dressed alike, and almost all of them were white. The vast majority belonged to the same religion, and spoke much the same language. And, at regular intervals, these very similar people, possessed of very similar values, would cheerfully go and watch some of their number being burnt alive at the stake, or slaughtered with swords, because they were deemed to possess the wrong brand of Christianity. As this suggests, promoting common â€Å"British values†, even assuming that we knew what these were, is never going to be enough to prevent some stray, impassioned individuals in our midst from wanting on occasions to kill their neighbours on God's behalf. Acts of violence against one's own countrymen that are legitimated by religion are emphatically not new. Nor have such acts ever been unique to Islam. Historically – in this country, as in most other countries – religion has often proved a more consistently lethal and divisive force than any secular ideology. It has also often been a more divisive force than race. Yet, in recent decades, pundits and politicians have devoted far more time to worrying about racial divisions in British society, than they have to thinking imaginatively about the consequences of our new religious pluralism. This, despite the fact that, since 1945, Britain, like other European states, has entered uncharted territory as far as religion is concerned. Before the Second World War, most Britons were at least nominally Protestant. Now, all the world's religions are represented here. It is a great experiment. But it comes accompanied with new risks, tensions and uncertainties. Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, made a speech in 2006 to promote Britishness. Brown's speech to the Fabian Society's Britishness ( British intellectual socialist movement ), Conference proposed that British values demand a new constitutional settlement and symbols to represent a modern patriotism, including a new youth community service scheme and a ‘British Day' to celebrate. In 2007, the majority of people in many non-white ethnic groups living in Great Britain described their national identity as British, English, Scottish or Welsh. This included almost nine in ten (87%) of people with mixed heritage, 85% of Black Caribbeans, and 80% of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. Non-whites were more likely to describe themselves as British than whites. One-third of people from the White British group described themselves as British; some respondents opted to call themselves English, Welsh or Scottish. 19] A study conducted for the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) in 2005 found that, in England, the majority of ethnic minority participants identified primarily as British, whereas white English participants identified as English first and British second. In Wales and Scotland, the majority of both white and ethnic minority participants identified as Welsh or Scottish first and British second, although they saw no incompatibility between the two identities. 20] Other research conducted for the CRE found that white participants felt that there was a threat to Britishness from large-scale immigration, the ‘unfair' claims that they perceived ethnic minorities made on the welfare state, a rise in moral pluralism and perceived political correctness. Much of this frustration was found to be targeted at Muslims rather than minorities in general. Muslim participants in the study reported feeling victimised and stated that they felt that they were being asked to choose between Muslim and British identities, whereas they saw it possible to be both at the same time.