Dystopia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Dystopia - Essay Example The fictional novel depicts life in the fictional futuristic society. The following discourse thematically focuses on the book in view of trying to find its relevance to human life. In order to portray the specific thematic issues in the story, the novel has a characteristic plot in which the author validates all her fictional themes. She sets the story in a post-civil war society known as the Gilead Republic. The republic lies in the modern day United States and the story begins with a military revolution that overthrows the government of the United States after an Islamic terrorist group bombs the society thus killing both the president and a section of the congress. This creates room for the radical and extremist military group to disregard the constitution. Instead, they put in place an authoritative form of governance. In fact, they change the name of the society to ‘Gilead Republic’ where they rule with an iron fist. Among the fundamental social changes that the ne w regime institutes is the confiscation of all the financial resources previously belonging to women. This way, the new government incapacitates women thus reversing the previous gender roles prevalent in the United States. The new government introduces a cashless society following the implementation of an electronic payment mechanism. The technology permits the government to monitor all the financial resources belonging to women thereby confiscating such. Additionally, the new government ran by the group referring to as themselves as the â€Å"Sons of Jacob† bans the employment of women. The seizure of all the finances previously belonging to women by freezing their bank accounts coupled with the ban on women employment reverses the gender roles as the new government redefines the women roles in the society. through the poor financial policies instituted by the new government, the society plunges into abject poverty as viral diseases spread through the region thus reducing t he population of the previous United states (Hammer 35). The author thus narrates the story through the first person narration technique by following the life of one of the key women in the new society. Offred was an average American woman in the previous civilization; she had a respectable family with a husband and a daughter. As an upper middle class American woman, she had a respectable lifestyle and avoided the prevalent viral diseases that began spread before the collapse of the previous regime. In the new government, Offred is a concubine just as all other women in the new republic. However, unlike many others, she is health and therefore serves as a tool for reproduction. The Commander known as Fred keeps Offred as a concubine but unlike any other, he considers using her to foster his lineage. the following story is therefore of betrayals as the various characters both male and female strive to survive in the new authoritarian society. The author of the novel selects the feat ures of the novel strategically in order to validate her claims. Among the styles she uses is the futuristic position of the novel. She understands that the issues she raises had never been experienced neither in the past nor in the present society. However, placement is a fundamental literary feature. She must place the plot in both a time and a society in order to earn some relevance to her

Dose makes the poison Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dose makes the poison - Research Paper Example Our body itself is a combination of chemical elements and compounds. It is vital to divide the chemicals present in our environment into the good ones and the harmful ones. Moreover, also focus on how the toxic and deadly effects of the chemicals can be avoided is also of importance. The story of Strong Poison by Dorothy S. Layers revolves around a mystery case of the murder of Philip Boyes by arsenic poisoning. Harriet Vane is accused of the murder of her fiancà ©, as she is a crime novelist and knows an awful lot about the novel and all the evidence points in her direction. However, Lord Peter Wimsey is convinced of her innocence and struggles to convince the jury as well. The book discusses a great deal about the arsenic poisoning and the symptoms the victim suffers from, bringing the horrifying adverse effects of a toxic chemical under highlight. It is vital to understand what is toxic in our environment and can lead to adverse effects. A toxic substance is a substance that can be poisonous or cause health effects. Toxicity of a substance is not measured on the basis of its severity of effects; it can strike a single cell, a group of cells, an organ or the whole body. It is basically measured to the degree to which it is poisonous to biological organisms including humans. Chemicals toxicity is also dependent on the dose of the chemical, route of exposure, the duration and the number of incidents of exposure, and individual’s susceptibility. In 1500s, Philippus Aureolus brought forward the argument that a chemical can be entirely harmless or even advantageous at low concentrations but the same chemical can turn into toxic at higher levels. He stated, â€Å"All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy† (Trautmann). Indeed many chemicals which are beneficial at low concentrations even essential for human health can lead

Company Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 1

Company Law - Essay Example The House of Lords also held that once a company is incorporated, it acquires a legal status or personality that gives it the capacity to sue or be sued under its own name5. This implies that a company can file civil or legal proceedings against any person including the members who form it in its own name as noted by Talbot6. At the same time, the shareholders of the company can sue the company in its own name in case of breach. The House of Lords further noted that a legal entity in the form of a company exists perpetually; it is only when a company is liquidated or wound up that it stops to exist legally. This implies that the death of members of a company does not affect the existence of the company. Since the company is a separate entity, it will continue to operate even if all the members who formed it are dead7. This is attributable to the fact that the company will acquire other members such as through the issuance of shares or debentures to ensure its continuity8. The company can also employ workers in its own name to ensure its effective and efficient operation. Based on the precedence set by the House of Lords in Salomon v Salomon (1897) it is enshrined in English law that when an entity is incorporated, it is considered to be a separate legal personality. In this respect, the entity becomes separate from the individuals or organizations who take part in it. In other words, the owners and directors of the company or members of the company considered to be separate from the company. For a company that is limited by shares, the law assumes that it exists perpetually irrespective of the changes that may occur with respect to its constitution and membership. Furthermore, an incorporated entity can own any kind of property and hence has... This paper approves that the court further considered whether the subsidiaries were agents of the parent or not and analysed the situation from the corporate veil point. The Court of Appeal rejected the notion of treating the corporations as a single economic entity and held that the interest of justice did not feature as criteria for lifting the veil. The Court further held that that agency did not apply in the case much as sham and fraud did not apply in the same case. In making a ruling, the court noted that only three circumstances warranted the unveiling of a company; where a company is merely a facade, where a court is making interpretation of a statute, and when the subsidiary is an agent of the parent. This report makes a conclusion that a company is accorded equal treatment to that that may be given to any other independent individual. If for example, a sole trader incorporates his or her business and engages in contracts through the company as opposed to using his or her own name, then the company by law is not considered a trustee or agent of the sole proprietor. The existence of the new â€Å"person† that is the company survives its members, directors, shareholders, and employees for as long as it has not been liquidated or wound up. In as much as the Salomon case upholds the notion of separate legal personality, courts sometimes go to the extent of lifting the veil of corporation to establish the human faces behind the companies.

Two Gender System Essay Example for Free

Two Gender System Essay Setting out this boundary denies one the ability to express their sexuality freely: this may result in the discrimination and subordination of alternative forms of gender that society does not deem as â€Å"natural†. In other words, individuals who do not classify themselves as belonging to the main types of gender systems may be socially neglected and their sexuality, frowned upon. This essay will illustrate what society deems as â€Å"natural† and how the concept of gender and sexual diversity vary across cultures and historical periods. In addition, this paper will argue that the two-sex systems embedded in our society are not adequate to encompass the full spectrum of human sexuality. The â€Å"two-gender system† is defined as the classification of sex and gender into two biological categories of masculine and feminine: a social boundary used to prevent people from crossing or mixing gender roles, where the society divides people into male and female gender roles (Larkin, June. From lecture oct. 3, 2012). This binary system forces an individual to fit into one of the two categories of male or female. This bipolar categorizing of sexuality however does not and cannot encompass the full range of human sexuality. According to statistical analysis, it is said that out of 1,000 children born, seventeen children are intersexual (Fausto-Sterling, 2010, p. 14). The 1. 7 percent, though it is an estimate, is not a small number: theses intersexual individuals will feel out of place and/or easily uncomfortable in society that imposes a two-sex system. In addition, children born with both male and female anatomies as well as genitals are more likely to develop grave psychological frameworks when forced to obey the socially accepted two-gender system. The genital ambiguity in newborns is seen to be a medical emergency and in most cases, the newborns undergo surgery. Psychologist Dr. John Money further highlights this argument by claiming that gender identity can be changed and enforced upon up to eighteen months after a baby is born (Fausto-Sterling, 2010, p. 15). In the case of John/Joan however, the sex reassignment was unsuccessful. The doctors performed the procedure on John, who then was surgically turned into â€Å"Joan†. The case, although codified as John/Joan, was actually about an adult male named David Reimer. David eventually turned to masculinising medication, rejected his female assignment, and committed suicide (Fausto-Sterling, 2010, p. 15). As one can learn from David Reimer’s case, children born with genital ambiguities are faced with confusion and psychological stress as they grow up. The two-gender system leaves no room for such people to freely express themselves and their sexuality. The patients in this case, upon being obliged to follow the decisions made by the physicians, are then expected to act â€Å"natural† in the gender that was chosen for them. It is clear that the gender system embedded in society is not holistic enough for all humanity to truly express their full spectrum of sexuality. To avoid such conflicts and controversy, society should implement a wider, holistic perspective on gender and sexuality so various forms of intersexuality can be recognized and accepted as a both natural and normal way of life. Science, taking a biological approach to the topic of gender, inserts that gender and sexuality is strictly determined by the innate biological organs that one is born with. Ajnesh Prasad, in an attempt to supplement this argument, claims that â€Å"sexual difference is commonly experienced as part of ontology rather than epistemology, as part of nature instead of culture† (Prasad, 2005, p. 80). Other scholars however, argue for both a cultural and a historical perspective in explaining this gender ambiguity. The cultural view is related to the historical perspective in that while colonizers took over these already domesticated societies, they enforced strict cultural gender roles and sexual relations in order to reflect what they deemed was natural. For example, when the English settlers invaded North America, they took it as one of their primary goals to colonize the way these indigenous people dealt with sexual relations and gender: â€Å"the western imperialism†¦governance of sexual relations was central in classifying the colonizer and the colonized into spheres of distinct human kinds while policing the domestic recesses of imperial rule† (Prasad, 2005, p. 81). The gender role that was enforced was one of heterosexuality: the argument that men should act masculine and females, feminine. Previously existing practices that did not reflect this Westernized notion of heterosexuality was heavily frowned upon and neglected. This ultimately led to the subordination of other such frameworks pertaining to gender and/or sexual relations. Historical events thus as evidence from the colonization of indigenous people, renders concrete that gender is not a concept that is biologically determined, but one that implemented and reinforced through culture. Moreover, the native settlers rarely linked, â€Å"biological† sex, gender, and sexual activity together. These Native cultures were not divided up between heterosexuals and homosexuals as contemporary â€Å"Western† societies were, and in their culture, cross-working and cross-dressing men and women belonged to the other gender or to a third gender that either combined male and female features: â€Å"Encounters [were made] with male and female ‘berdache’ [meaning prostitute]. These berdache were cross dressing, cross-working people who constituted a third gender of fourth gender in some of these indigenous cultures† (Kinsman, 1996, p. 92). There were not just two gender groups, but three or four gender groups for â€Å"biological† females, and these alternate-gendered people were seen as combining the spirits of the other two genders (Kinsman, 1996, p. 93). Furthermore, the societal notion of what composes a widely accepted gender and sexual relation is extensively dependent on the culture and the fabrication of historical intervention. In conclusion, the two-gender system advocates the individuals in society to be defined as either male or female and sets limitations for individuals who do not fit into specific categories imposed on them. As a result, intersexuals or individuals born with genital ambiguity face discrimination and is forced to accept what is widely accepted as â€Å"natural† gender in society. Moreover, taking a scientific approach to gender, many argue that sexuality is determined by nature, what genitalia one is born with, but taking on a historical and cultural view, the issue bag to differ. As seen from the indigenous people and the way how two-spirited gender roles work in their society illustrates that the concept of gender is not singular and is determined by culture and society one is exposed in. The two-sex system enclosed in society is not adequate to encompass various forms of sexuality, so rather than confining one’s view to society’s ways, we should raise awareness for wider perspective on gender and sexuality to allow various forms of sexuality can be recognized.

Supremacy of European Union Law Over National Law: The Factotame Case E

The establishment of the European Union gave birth to various institutions, which bring order and reform to member states. One of these institutions which is extremely important the European Court of Justice as it interprets the laws of the European Union and makes sure that all the laws are applied in the same with in all of the European Union countries. Aside from interpreting laws it also settles legal disputes between the European Union government and the various institutions in the European Union. The jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice encompasses: solving disputes from country to country and within an institution, individuals, companies or organization, if the European institution threatens rights. One such case, which was brought forth by an individual to the court, is the Factotame case. Before we embark upon why the Factotame case was brought fort to the court it is extremely important for us to know about the composition of the European Court of Justice. The court is made up of twenty-seven judges, one from each member state. There are eight â€Å"advocates – general† whose job is to present opinions on cases, which are brought before the Court. The appointment of judge and advocate general is determined by each member state of the European Union and they are appointed for a six-year renewable term. Due to the large number of cases brought forth to the European Court of Justice, in an effort to better serve the constituents the General Court decides over certain cases. The General Court decides over cases that encompass private individuals, companies and organizations. The court has a President, which is elected by all the judges for a renewable term of three – years. The primary j... ...ate of discrimination of any sort and it will not tolerate any acts that are passed any government, which promotes discrimination of any sort. Works Cited "Clients." Thomas Cooper:Factortame The Background. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. . The Common Fisheries Policy. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. . "Court of Justice of the European Union." EUROPA -. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. . "European Court of Justice." European Court of Justice. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. . Ian Bache, Stephen George & Simon Bulmer, Politics in the European Union, Oxford University Press, 2011.

Boundaries of Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the K

Boundaries of Fate and Free Will in Oedipus the King    The ancient Greeks firmly believed that the universe was guided strictly by order and fate. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles has examined the relationship between free will and fate, suggesting that free will paradoxically exists inside the boundaries of fate. It may be concluded, however, that man has free will and is ultimately held responsible for his own actions.    Oedipus' destruction was brought about by a combination of fate and free will. He was a victim of fate for it was foretold at his birth that he would marry his mother and murder his father. This prophecy, as warned by the oracle of Apollo at Delphi was unconditional and inevitably would come to pass, no matter what he may have done to avoid it. His past actions were determined by fate, but what he did in Thebes, he did so of his own will.    Oedipus took many actions leading to his own downfall. Oedipus for one could have waited for the plague to end, but out of compassion for his suffering people, he had Creon go to Delphi. Another action that hastened his downfal... ...sunderstanding the Oedipus Rex." Twentieth Century Interpretations of Oedipus Rex: A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Michael J. O'Brien.   New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1968.   17-29.    Knox, Bernard M. W.   The Heroic Temper: Studies in Sophoclean Tragedy. Berkeley: U of California Press, 1964.    Segal, Charles. Oedipus Tyrannus: Tragic Heroism and the Limits of Knowledge. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1993.    Sophocles.   "Oedipus Rex."   An Introduction to Literature, 11th ed.Eds. Sylvan Barnet, et al.   New York: Longman, 1997.   

Fdi in Lithuania

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) occurs when a firm invests its resources in business activities outside its country (Hill, 2002, pp. 8). This essay will critically evaluate the impact of inward FDI in an emerging economy of Lithuania. First it will be looked at the impact of FDI on technological development and its importance for a country, particularly in Lithuania. Further discussion will be carried to effects on competition and its development, some negative side effects will be mentioned. Later it will be looked at what effect FDI has on Lithuanian national sovereignty and autonomy. Finally conclusions will be provided. Technological diffusion plays central role in the process of economic development (Borensztein, 1995). Emerging economies domestic growth rates are highly dependent on the growth rates of the rest of the world. Therefore, economic growth rates of emerging economies such as Lithuania depends on the extent of a â€Å"catch-up† process in level of technology by adopting and implementing it from leading countries such as for example United States. The main reason is that developing countries lack their own resources in developing own indigenous product and process technology. Such countries must rely on FDI by advanced industrialized nations and multinational corporations (MNCs) for much of technology required to stimulate economic growth. Findlay (1978) claims that FDI increases the rate of technical progress in the host country. Lets look at the example of Mazeikiu Nafta – the largest oil refinery complex in the Baltic region. Lithuania was not able to keep up with technological advances, therefore from early 1980 it had to trust on FDI from other countries. Back then with help of Soviet Union it was one of most modern oil refineries. Later on after the collision of Soviet Union Lithuania was unable to keep up with technological changes so it started inviting foreign investors. One of them was US based MNC Williams International, which promised reconstructing the refinery. However due to legal reasons acquisition was stopped and new investor from Russia came. Yukos promised to modernize and bring Mazeikiu Nafta’s production to western markets. One of the biggest project’s with Yukos was the completion of Bugtine Terminal for crude oil export and import. One of other positive contributions of FDI to a host economy is the upply of capital, management techniques and skills. MNCs have world vide access to individuals with more advanced skills and knowledge. Local employees can easily transfer knowledge and skills from more advanced companies to local firms or even set their own firms. New organizational practices and management techniques are also brought to country with FDI. Local firms copy them in no time. This happened in Lithuania. Latvian company â€Å"Double-Coffee† opened their restaurant in Lithuania, because there was a good market opportunity as there were no other coffee shops. Pretty soon there were other local coffee restaurants and coffee shops that opened for instance â€Å"Coffee Inn†. This was a clear result of knowledge transfer by FDI. FDI by Latvian company had an effect on competition and economic growth of the industry. Adequate level of competition leads to efficient functioning of a market. With different coffee shop brands in Lithuania consumer choice has increased, therefore prices have been driven down this way the economic welfare of consumers was increased. Increased competition tend to stimulate capital investments by firms in plants, equipment, and R&D as they struggle to gain an edge over their rivals (Hill, 2002, p217). FDI in coffee shop industry had a positive impact on service quality, because here export was not an option so it had to be produced where it is delivered. Despite all the positive effects FDI had some negative ones too. In grocery store market some foreign MNCs came into the country which have greater economic power than some local ones. Swedish â€Å"Rimi Baltic† was one of the first big MNCs to come into this sector, then â€Å"IKI† followed. They have â€Å"crowded out† local grocery store â€Å"Lenstata†. â€Å"Lenstata† was unable to reach maturity for full competitiveness against foreign competition, the maturig process also didn’t take that long so that the discounted preset social costs could outweigh the social benefits. Other small town local shops were also crowded out because they simply couldn’t offer same variety of goods. Crowding out in this sector in Lithuania can impose a long-term cost on its economy it if holds back the development capabilities or retards the growth of local innovative base. FDI in Lithuania has some negative impacts on national sovereignty and autonomy. FDI from Yukos, â€Å"Rimi Baltic† or other MNCs can cause some loss of economic independence. Key decisions that may affect economy are now made by MNCs controlling such important sectors as for example oil refinery or grocery store industry. The concern is that the governments has no real influence over this. For such as small economy a Lithuania’s this is a threat, because foreign MNCs have no real commitment to the country, however very real impact on its economy. To conclude, this essay has looked at what impact does FDI have on Lithuanian emerging economy. Using various sources evidence was provided to support statement that technological development has an effect on countries overall development. The case of â€Å"Mazeikiu nafta† was mentioned, evidence on what impact foreign MNCs on company’s technological development have was provided. Further discussion was brought to economic impact, example of what positive impact did FDI from Latvian MNC have on Lithuanian coffee market was given. Negative impacts on the economy of Lithuania were also mentioned and the example of grocery stores was provided. References: Borensztein, E. & De Gregorio, J. Lee, J-W. , (1998). â€Å"How Does Foreign Direct Investment Affect Economic Growth? † Journal of International Economics, vol. 45(1), pages 115-135 Coffee Inn, (http://coffee-inn. lt/blog/apie) [Accessed: 05/12/2009] Double Coffee , (http://www. doublecoffee. lv/eng/company/history/) [Accessed: 05/12/2009] Hill, Charles W. L. (2009) International Business: Competing in the G lobal Marketplace, 7/E, McGraw-Hill Irwin. Lideika, Petrauskas and Valiunas, Doing business in Lithuania (http://www. lexmundi. com/images/lexmundi/PDF/guide_lithuania. pdf) [Accessed: 30/11/2009] Mazeikiu nafta AB annual report, (http://www. orlenlietuva. lt/repository/pdf/reports/Annual99. pdf) [Accessed: 07/12/2009] Mazeikiu Nafta (http://www. randburg. com/li/maznafta. html) [Accessed: 07/12/2009] New Nations, (http://www. newnations. com/Archive/2002/November/lt. html) [Accessed: 07/12/2009] OECD, Reviews of Foreign Direct Investment, Volume 13, Lithuania RIMI Lietuva, (http://www. rimi. lt/apie-rimi/rimi-lietuva/rimi-istorija/199) [Accessed: 05/12/2009] UAB â€Å"IKI† (http://www. iki. lt/lt. php/apie/dabar) [Accessed: 05/12/2009] World Investment Report (1999), UNCTAD.