The Schools And Public Schools Essay - 1639 Words

For children from birth to 5 years of age (Early Years) the childcare centres are usually community or trust schools, these are mostly run by the school governing body or by a charitable foundation. Children from the ages of 5 to 16 are entitled to a free place at state school. The different categories of schools are: Community schools run by the local authorities, which as owners of the land and buildings are responsible for upkeep etc. The local authorities are also responsible for the admissions and they decide who is eligible. Voluntary Aided Schools or Faith Schools, this kind of school is associated with a particular religion where the land and buildings belong to a charity or religious organisation, it can be partly funded by a governing body, by the local authorities or by charities. The national curriculum must be followed except for the religion lessons and it is possible that this type of school has a strict staffing policy and admission criteria but anyone can apply. Academies are publicly funded schools where the money for the land, buildings and funding is jointly raised by sponsors from businesses. They are independently managed schools but have close links with the Local Education authority and the government covers running costs. Independent schools set out their own curriculum which together with the admission policies are decided by the Head Teacher and the governors. These schools are funded privately by parents and investment incomes, half of which haveShow MoreRelatedPublic School Of Public Schools938 Words   |  4 Pagesand Council established a public school for children less than sixteen years of age on August 17, 1829 known as the Louisville Public School. The first public school building was opened September 1830 in the Louisville School district. The Jefferson County Public Schools trace their beginnings to an act of the legislature of Kentucky, which established a system of common schools in the state in 1838. April 1, 1975 Lou isville Public Schools and Jefferson County Public Schools merge establishing JeffersonRead MorePublic Schools And Public School908 Words   |  4 Pageslife situations† we are teaching in public school. You may, however, felt the frustration of trying to do taxes, buy a house, or balance a checkbook for the first time and felt underprepared. Our public school system leaves students unprepared for the adult world. Public k12 school curriculums don’t teach students to be informed adults, but rather teach them to recite random facts for tests without absorbing the information or applying it to life. Many high school graduates feel underprepared for collegeRead MorePublic School Of Public Schools839 Words   |  4 Pagesincluding empty nesters. The fund collects a sizable combined donation every year. Their mission statement states the fund is used â€Å"to enhance, enrich and maintain educational excellence and foster innovation in the Wellesley Public Schools† ( WEF.org., 2016). Wellesley public school teachers were among the highest paid in 2015 with an average salary of $90,041 (doe.mass.gov., 2016), and it is always good to remember where the source of money comes from. In addition, WEF awards grant to excellent teachersRead MorePublic School Vs. Public Schools995 Words   |  4 Pagessend their children to school. Public and homeschool are two of the most popular choices, and each one has benefits that are as unique as the children in attendance. Public school is free, homeschool has added costs; public school has more peer pressure, homeschool typically has less. When deciding which option to choose, parents should do their research in order to make an informed decision. While the reasons parents have when deciding where to send their children to school range anywhere fromRead MorePublic School Vs. Public Schools929 Words   |  4 PagesWhen most people talk about â€Å"public school† they are actually thinking of average students in a general education classroom, who learn and work at a typical academic pace, introducing the common core and state standards within twelve years. The fact of the matter is that the previous reference to â€Å"school† leaves out 13% of children who attend public school in the United States. If there are 15.1 million students who attend public schools then that is leaving out approximately 1,063,000 studentsRead MorePublic School Vs. Public Schools1087 Words   |  5 Pagespoor in our schools educational system. We need to help improve our school board with better textbooks, classes, and equipment. How well educated is our students who went to American public schools? How much diversity is in American public schooling? Does the middle to upper class students have an advantage for getting a better education than low income students? The American Dream and public school; statistic say that kids in private schools are much more educated than public school students becauseRead MorePublic School Funding For Public Schools1217 Words   |  5 Pagesthat students do better in well-funded schools and that public education should provide a level playing field for children. Nearly half of the funding for public schools in the United States, however, is provided through local taxes, generating large differences in funding between wealthy and impoverished communities (National Center for Education Statistics, 2000a). Efforts to reduce these disparities have provoked controversy and resistance. Public school funding the United States comes from federalRead MorePublic School Vs. Public Schools2051 Words   |  9 Pagesproperty taxes, especially if they do not use the public school system. Many individuals choose to send their children to private schools or to homeschool them. Should these citizens be required to pay property taxes? Also, what about the citizens who do not have children? Should they be required to pay the tax? The taxes being referr ed to are the property taxes that public school education greatly depends on. It has been a debate since public schools were created of whether or not citizens who chooseRead MorePublic School Uniforms And Public Schools2077 Words   |  9 PagesPublic Schools Mandatory Uniforms The debate about public school uniforms in America is an issue that has been around for a very long time. This issue was even mentioned by President Bill Clinton in a previous State of the Union address in 1996. In his 1996 State of the Union Address, President Clinton decreed,† I challenge all of our schools to teach character education, to teach good values and good citizenship and if it means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets,Read MorePublic School Vs. Public Schools1756 Words   |  8 Pages Public school education is identical important and should be taken very seriously. It is the basis that leads to the future of everyone’s life. The people who begin to lay down the pathway for education are the teachers. Teachers in today’s public school system world are one of the utmost crucial people in America. They are the ones to encourage children to excel into their greatest self. Without teachers, society would face a drastic downfall. There would not be many professions around. There would

Essay on Nonviolent Resistance Helped by Communication...

Non-violent activism has played a critical role in several transitions from authoritarianism like, the withering away of the Soviet Union and the Apartheid in South Africa. For many activists, non-violent action has become an effective way to achieve social or political goals. Peter Ackerman and Christopher Kruegler, the authors of â€Å"Strategic Nonviolent Conlfict: The Dynamics of People Power in the Twentieth Century,† mention how the appearance of non-violent action as a weapon of choice in resolving conflict is continuously increasing. However, social activists must pay close attention to the relationship between new, mainstream and social media outlets and social movements due to the fact that the success and outcomes of several social†¦show more content†¦Gaining positive media coverage is crucial, as social movements rely on the media for mobilisation of political support, legitimisation in mainstream discourse and to broaden the scope of conflicts. Positive media coverage is important because one can argue that today many people are replacing opinions as facts due to the media’s ability to dupe the masses. In the article â€Å"The News Media’s Influence on Peace Operations† written by, Warren Strobel, he describes this phenomena as the â€Å"CNN effect.† He also discusses the â€Å"CNN curve† which is the ability to influence public opinion by broadcasting images of starvation, or other tragedies on news networks. The ability for networks to reach a vast audience with strong and influential messages has been facilitated through an increase in technology, the internet and other communication devices. Messages are instantaneously displayed on TV screens, online newspapers and pod casts, allowing for people all over the world to have instant access to critical events. An example of mainstream media’s effect on grassroots activism, is the White March that took place in Belgium on October 20, 1997. The White March was a massive demonstration that included about 300,000 citizens. The demonstration surrounded the controversy of the arrest of murder Marx Dutroux. Stefaan Walgrave and Jan Manssesn studied the media coverage of this demonstration and concluded that, the media itself contributed to a majorityShow MoreRelatedSocial Movement Synopsis Of Mahatma Gandhi3401 Words   |  14 PagesSynopsis A. Mahatma Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi was the most important leader of the Indian independence movement when India was ruled by Britain. Gandhi led India to independence using nonviolent civil disobedience tactics, and movement laid a foundation for civil rights and freedoms across the world. He believed in using nonviolent actions in his fight for India’s independence and created the term â€Å"satyagraha,† which means â€Å"truth and love against force.† Gandhi believed violence would not just hurt one’sRead MoreSocial Movements Can Be Defined As Being A General Organized Group Of People3606 Words   |  15 Pagescontrolled by a group and the extent of organization among members of a group or collectively prior to movement mobilization are important factors. If individuals already share membership in some of the same organizations, they have pre-existing communications network, resources, and leaders that can be mobilized; in some cases, blocs of people may be recruited rap idly through pre-existing organizations (Oberschall, 1973:125) (Staggenborg, 32). The maintenance of a movement is a large factor of growthRead MoreEssay on Review of â€Å"the Propaganda of the Saints in the Middle Ages.†3444 Words   |  14 PagesThe â€Å"Propoganda of Saints in the Middle Ages† article, written by Esther Cohen, goes over many of the methods the Catholic Church employed to gain power over the people in Europe. Cohen goes through the middle ages by describing how the Catholic Church was spreading its faith; mainly through the use of propaganda. An Age of Faith took place between the fall of the Roman Empire and the discovery of America. Cohen describes how the in the early years of the church, martyred Christians rapidly assumedRead MoreImperialism in India6601 Words   |  27 Pagespowers took an interest in India and thus introduced new means of transport and communication. Modern technology and education were also introduced. negative effects: Racism grew (british to the indains) economic hardship, british were upset by the indain desire for self rule and nationlism, loss of self sufficiency, reduced food production which led to famines. Positive effects: railroads were built, communication grew due to the building of telephones, and the telegraph, desire for unity, modernRead More Global Terrorist Organizations Essay example4168 Words   |  17 Pagesa terrorist organization and a mass social, political and religious movement. The name Hamas is an Arabic acronym for â€Å"Islamic Resistance Movement.† Currently greater than 1,000 members strong, the organization initially began in 1987 in Gaza under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin. Yassin began as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and participated in nonviolent activities in the Palestinian Territories, including preaching, education, and charity work. In 1973 he established al-MujammaRead More The World Trade Organization Demonstrations Essay4105 Words   |  17 Pagesthe likelihood of collective action. Generally, however, all factors must be present for collective action to occur (Barkan and Snowden 21). Structural Conduciveness - This is a measure of how accommodating a society or environment is to communication between those taking action and mobilizing of resources in order to achieve such action. It also takes into account whether aggrieved persons have appropriate channels of expression. Structural Strain - Without some sort of conflict or competitionRead MoreStress and Stress Management7440 Words   |  30 Pagespoor interpersonal relationships, career development factors (obsolescence, under/over promotion, organizational structure, organizational leadership, culture, and poor working conditions) that include the climate, overcrowding, politics, and communication problems (Brod, 1984; Glowinkowski Cooper, 1986; Manning Curtis, 1988; Perrewe Vickory, 1988; Robbins, 1993). In addition, employees often have difficulty balancing work and family life and taking on more responsibility with less supportRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesPersonality and Values 131 Perception and Individual Decision Making 165 Motivation Concepts 201 Motivation: From Concepts to Applications 239 3 The Group 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Foundations of Group Behavior 271 Understanding Work Teams 307 Communication 335 Leadership 367 Power and Politics 411 Conflict and Negotiation 445 Foundations of Organization Structure 479 v vi BRIEF CONTENTS 4 The Organization System 16 Organizational Culture 511 17 Human Resource Policies and PracticesRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesravages visited upon animals and the natural world by humans vastly exceeded that of any previous era in history. In a century where human communities globally and individuals locally had the potential to be much more intensely connected by new communications technologies, state-sponsored programs to achieve autarky, a global epidemic of ethnic strife, uncontrolled urban growth, and the dissolution of extended family ties in many societies divided nations and communities and isolated individualsRead MoreRastafarian79520 Words   |  319 PagesThis page intentionally left blank Foreword One of the most useful things about Ennis Edmondss Rastafari: From Outcasts to Culture Bearers is that it correctly traces the connection between the emergence of Rastafarianism and the history of resistance and black consciousness that has been part of the Jamaican experience for years. The truth is that there has always been a committed Jamaican counter- culture that celebrates and sees redemption in Africa and rejects the European values that have

What roles did the leaders of Veronese Society Play in the deaths of the lovers in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example For Students

What roles did the leaders of Veronese Society Play in the deaths of the lovers in Romeo and Juliet? Essay In the play Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, many leaders within the lovers lives played key roles in their last days, with severe mistakes and misjudgements clearing the path for the chain of events that saw the their demise. In all ranks and at many times in the play, lack of good leadership and advisory qualities meant that large mistakes remained uncovered and unnoticed. At these crucial times, guidance provided for the two young lovers was deficient, and this allowed the tragic inevitability to ensue. All the leaders influencing the lives of Romeo and Juliet played a part which, in the end, led to death and catastrophe. Successful leadership maintains a safe and stable society, and while being rational, should not be too soft or too restrictive. The leader is required to do this within the area of his responsibility and nowhere else, which was another mistake made by many leaders in the play. Though different leaders had different arcs of influence, their oversights and failures meant that every way of preventing the final consequence was ineffective. Prince Escales is the highest ranking leader in the play, and he bears ultimate responsibility for all the people of Verona. It is therefore worrying that such a person is weak and illogical in decisions that he makes. This is first shown in Act 1, Scene 1, when he takes action to end a fight between the two feuding families. Enter Prince Escales with his train Prince On pain of tortureThrow your mistemperd weapons to the ground If ever you disturb our streets again Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace I.i.80-81, 90-91 The Princes speech after he enters may be powerful, but this does not mean that the discussion on the matter should be definitely over. This shows that the decision for this law was hastily made only at the Princes arrival, without any consultation of Montague and Capulet or even any other witnesses. The speech is the first thing that he does after he enters. This shows bad leadership as a good leader must place himself within his people and guide them, based partially on their own decisions. However, Escales shows his lack of thought early on by firstly making the law before any consultations take place. Contrarily, Escales is shown to have authority and respect, though it is unclear how much: he must stop the fight on pain of torture which suggests force is a primary factor in his rule. His military authority and power, though not exercised, is also shown when he describes the Montagues and Capulets weapons as mistemperd. Though this suggests primarily that the weapons are offensiv e and angry towards one another, another meaning of this can also be that the weapons are weak and no match for the Princes, as steel for weapons is tempered to make it harder and more durable. This is a pun used by Shakespeare, though not primarily for comic effect, to convey multiple attitudes the Prince has towards the feud, and to show the Prince uses the threat of his vast military power. However, a leader must choose to use his power and tread carefully when he does. To stop the feud the law that he has passed may frighten the families into submission as they do not want to lose family members, bringing peace. Though initially this seems like a good settlement, the issue of blame is more complicated than being able to accuse responsibility for an action on one person, especially when there are two sides in a feud, as is later found out when Tybalt is killed. A successful leader must determine the outcome of his actions and the problems faced with making a shock decision. Though militarily strong, Prince Escales shows his weakness as a leader by making unconsidered and immediate decisions without much thought to the consequences. The failure of strong leadership in this highest order secures a breakdown when the law imposed on these aristocratic families has to be put into action when Romeo kills Tybalt. Here the Prince shows his leadership is inconsistent and biased. Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe? III.i.179 And for that offence Immediately we do exile him hence. III.i.182-183 The fight between Mercutio and Tybalt, in which Romeo is forced to intervene when Mercutio is killed, is a clear example of the absurdity of the law the Prince imposed. In these circumstances the only person who can be punished is Romeo, as he is the only one living. However, the issue of blame can be taken to either Tybalt, since he killed Mercutio, or Romeo, who took the law into his own hands. Apart from passing an irrational law at the beginning, the Prince also fails to demonstrate another vital quality of a leader: he must be impartial when making decisions. Though there is no bias towards one family throughout the whole of the play, Prince Escales has relatives on both sides of the feud, which causes him to sometimes take sides. Examples of these relations are Mercutio, whose blood is dear to the Prince, a good friend of Romeo, and Paris, who is Juliets suitor. If a leader is to maintain control of a situation, such as Escales is trying to do in the play, bias can make the situation more volatile and uncontrollable, as the unfavoured party will become more aggressive. A successful leader must rise above any ties he has to a situation and think clearly. However, in this fight scene, Escales does seem to listen first before giving an ultimatum, which he does in his speech. The use of rhyming couplets in Escales speech has the effect of an ending as rhyming couplets are crisp sounding and cause the sentence end solidly and sharply, with no further sounds. This therefore emphasises the fact that this decision is ultimate. The lexis, such as Immediately and hence, also show the decision is not up for debate, because the action is abrupt. Overall, the fact that the Prince acted differently on the law he so clearly imposed shows his inconsistency and weakness as leader. Furthermore, his decision was affected by bias. The word dear (III.i.179) has two meanings, as Mercutios blood is precious, but also beloved to the Prince. This implies the Prince is truly saddened; however, a strong leader must not let personal issues come in the way of justice. Using this emotive language suggests that the Princes decision not to execute Romeo was aided by the fact that Romeo acted in vengeance for the murder of the Princes own kinsman. This weakness towards family members may have greatly affected Capulets definite decision to make Juliet marry the County Paris, a relative of the Prince, as it would give Capulet advantage, especially over the outcome of the reopened feud. Although a clear leader of society, such as the Prince, can have influence on peoples behaviour by creating laws, a leader within a family can have a far greater effect mentally and emotionally on those in it. The most significant of these roles is parenthood. A parent must guide the child through times of uncertainty and despair, and the trust between the two is essential for both the welfare of the child and the security of the parent. As a great leader must do, a parent must also balance control and freedom. Due to his own selfishness and pride, Capulets changing attitude towards Juliet throughout the play creates a rift between Juliet and him that becomes impossible to repair. Let two more summers wither in their pride, Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride Younger than she are happy mothers made. Earth hath swallowd all my hopes but she My will to her consent is but a part I.ii.10-12, 14, 17 At the beginning of the play, Capulet is shown to be caring and very much in favour of Juliets own decision, instead of a forceful arranged marriage. My will to her consent is but a part suggests that although the County Paris is noble and a worthy husband to Juliet, (also a worthy entrant to the Capulet family) the real decision does indeed lie with her about her own marriage. Capulet points out to Paris in lines 10-11 that Juliet is too young. However, as Paris argues to Capulet, girls even younger than Juliet marry and even have children. This was common in the time of Shakespeare, and due to the high infant mortality rates of that time women had many children, accounting for the fact that many would die. Sadly, the life expectancy for mothers was also shortened due to the unhygienic conditions and lack of treatment for birth complications from so many pregnancies therefore it was custom for girls to have children only just into their teens. Capulet also demonstrates this when sa ying Earth hath swallowd all my hopes but she, which shows that all his other children have died. The metaphor comparing children to hopes in this line also emphasises the fact that Juliet is the pinnacle and dream of his whole life. This therefore suggests further that he is a compassionate and loving father to Juliet. The play 'Translations' by Brian Friel EssayRomeos a dishclout to him and you no use of him Speakst thou from thy heart? And from my soul too, else beshrew them both. III.v.217, 219, 225-227 Juliet is, of course, truly and deeply in love with Romeo. In the past, for Juliets happiness, the Nurse has advised Juliet to marry Romeo as soon as possible, which satisfied Juliet greatly as Romeo was her only true love. Though at that point merely an accelerator to what Juliet wanted to do, the Nurse shows her naivety and misunderstanding when she thinks that Juliet will think the same way as her, just as she has done with the Nurses actions about Romeo. Due to her much lower social class and lack of education, the Nurse is unsophisticated and therefore does not understand the concept of true love. She describes Juliets relationship with Romeo as Juliets use of Romeo. This is a vulgar statement like many of the Nurses and suggests that Juliet only loves Romeo for use for sex. Her trivial response to love may also be due to her great loss at childbirth, which emotionally scarred her in this way. Therefore she thinks that Juliet can just switch lovers. Thinking Juliet is on her side, she even insults Romeo by comparing him to a dishclout, which is a rag for cleaning dishes, when placed by the Countys side. As Juliet is deeply in love with Romeo, the Nurses truly enrages and saddens Juliet. The Nurse also clearly does not understand the religious side of marriage, which suggests that she did not have a husband when she bore her own child. Shakespeare further makes this clear as she swears on a curse to her heart and soul beshrew means a curse, but as she does not use any Christian-specific language, for example heaven or hell, the point is made clear that the Nurse does not know at all about religion. A lower social class and education may have hindered her in parts, but the Nurse should have been able to see that, after spending her life with all of Juliets, the love between Romeo and Juliet was true. The Nurses vulgarity and ignorance of Juliets unfounded love for Romeo meant that in the final situation before the deadly plan was put into action, she wasnt involved. This prevented her from either intervening or persuading Juliet to stop, or from making sure it was known to some that Juliet was not truly dead. Overall, as a leading character in Juliets emotional life, therefore a leader of sorts, the Nurse failed in comforting and helping her, due to her own ignorance, when her help would have counted most. The final leader involved in this catastrophic saga was perhaps the most directly involved in all of it. As a friar of the order of Saint Francis, Friar Lawrence is highly respected and listened to in the play. He is educated, wise, and a holy man, making him valued among the citizens of Verona. It is for this reason that Romeo seeks his advice and assurance when in love with Juliet. However, his lack of thought about any consequences proves very costly for the lovers, at two critical points where the tragedy could have been stopped. Firstly, after Romeo and Juliet fall in love, Romeo comes to him to plea his consent in marriage. Hasty decision making and attempted control out of his arc of influence ensure that the sequence of events is not stopped. In one respect Ill thy assistant be: For this alliance may so happy prove To turn your households rancour to pure love. II.iii.90-93 Principally, a leader wishing to make a bold decision must carefully calculate the consequences of his actions. Friar Lawrence seems to only imagine one perfect outcome. Clearly, Friar Lawrence is shown to not envisage the hatred between these two families. However, the word rancour suggests that the hate is venomous, potent and deep running. It is therefore abnormal that such a man of great education and wisdom should make such a huge mistake. It seems that the intentions of Friar Lawrence are only good for a Utopian society: in reality a secret marriage would not only have terrible consequences between the two families, but at the centre of all the rage, taking hits from both families, would be the unfortunate lovers. Pure love used by Friar Lawrence, especially after rancour further suggests this, implying that the Friars dreams are just dreams. The Friar here is also operating out of his scope of influence, which is one of the worst things a leader can do. This usually leads to disrespect and condemnation by more powerful people that control the areas that the Friar cannot. It is possible that the Friar, however aspired to solve the feud, and wanted the pride for doing something that the Prince, with all his military power, could not do. His decision making also seems to be hugely affected by the want of Romeo and his profound love for Juliet the secret marriage occurs in Scene 6 (the final scene) in the same act, which suggests it was later that night. As aforementioned, a good leader must not be affected by those around him to make a calm and clear judgement something which the wise and learned Friar Lawrence is not able to do. Therefore, his failures in Act 2 with the performance of the marriage ceremony seem to have only been done for his own purposes, or just for two people, which means he failed as a leader, since a good leader should bring stability to the environment around him, and he made it more turbulent, ultimately leading to the deaths of the lovers. However, the Friar also performs the final act that dooms the couple more than anything else. The creating of his fake death plan for Juliet is primarily to save his image. By taking advantage of Juliet, and abusing his position as leader, he dooms the couple to an ill-fated plan which is the sole reason for their deaths. Hold, daughter, I do spy a kind of hope, Which craves as desperate an execution As that is desperate which we would prevent. IV.i.68-70 Desperate for himself not to be ridiculed in front of the whole of Verona, Friar Lawrence persuades Juliet to take a fake death potion, which would make her appear dead for 42 hours. We would prevent suggests that Friar Lawrence is also deeply involved and would want the plan to work for both his and Juliets sake. Because Juliet is very much deeply in love with Romeo, the Friar is able to take advantage, and use this highly critical and deadly plan. Instead of good counsel and leadership, where, like a good leader, he must devise a hard but honest outcome to the situation, slightly sacrificing his own image in the process, he hastily develops the desperate and ill-fated plan, which secures the tragic fate of the lovers. Here, the Friar only has a kind of hope that the plan would work. This is bad leadership, as he is abusing his position as a trusted and respected man to force this plan, that has a very high chance of total and tragic failure, on Juliet. For a critical, life and death, situation such as this, a solid means to solve the problem must be found and it should not just be left to hope that the Friars plan is built around. This shows the Friar is more concerned with his own pride and image than anything else, bringing a further conclusion that the marriage itself was foremost for pride of the Friar, and not just good intentions. Words such as desperate and hold suggest that the Friars plan is instinctive and hastily made, which it turns out to be. Under stress, Friar Lawrences leadership does not hold up and recklessness and rashness secure the fate of the lovers. Due to tremendous miscalculation and oversight on the Friars part, coupled with reckless decision making, the outcome becomes clear and tragic: due to the wedding being shifted one day earlier, death is imminent for the young lovers. Throughout the whole play, each leader, at the point where cool-headedness, calculation, and all those other aforementioned and explained qualities of a successful leader were paramount, failed to deliver. Arguably the largest failure was Friar Lawrence and his ill-fated plan, which was the reason the whole situation collapsed on Romeo and Juliet as it did. In spite of this, however, each of the leaders had a role to play, and if one of them had reacted in a manner a good leader should have done, the deadly sequence could have been stopped. However, no leader truly connected with the people that needed the most help, and therefore seeking love and true happiness the deadly chain took them to their final resting place.

Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Scene 2 Essay Example

Romeo and Juliet: Act 2 Scene 2 Paper Today we are going to be rehearsing Act 2 Scene 2, which is most commonly called the Balcony Scene. This scene is vital to the play, because with out the scene there might not have even been a story to write about. In many peoples opinions including mine this is the centre point of the play. This is because if Romeo hadnt jumped over the wall and consequently landed in Juliets garden. Romeo and Juliet probably wouldnt have seen each other again for a long while; and in the mean time their feelings would have died down from the heat of the moment. Also Romeo wasnt meant to hear what Juliet was saying about him. It was all thoughts on the top of Juliets head that were spur of the moment. They were also probably slightly embellished from what they actually were. The young love and the excitement of the party probably exaggerate their feelings. Juliet would never have said what she did if she knew Romeo was there. Hearing this would have thrilled Romeo especially after he had a crush on Rosaline for so long with it unreturned. To hear his feelings returned would only have heightened them. This is Juliets first kiss, so naturally she would be feeling excited and worked up. We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet: Act 2 Scene 2 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet: Act 2 Scene 2 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet: Act 2 Scene 2 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer I think this would have died down, if fate hadnt played its part and in effect sped up their love. Now I want both of you acting Romeo and Juliet to understand how your characters would be feeling in this scene. Romeo- you have just escaped from your friends who are jesting at scars that have never felt a wound. To stop having to hear them teasing you, you have jumped over this wall, and you suddenly see your love Juliet. Romeo when you say what light through yonder window breaks? it can be interpreted in two ways. One, that you quite literally; see a candle light in the window. Or, which is how I would prefer you to act it, is that you see Juliet, and she is the light. Shakespeare used a lot of light imagery. Such as a diamond in an Ethiopians ear. I would like you to act it this way, not only because it gives more feeling to the audience, but also because Romeo has used light imagery through out the play. In this speech Romeo you carry on using light imagery, for example when you say Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Your saying how Juliet is your sun and you want to see her but also that she is so perfect, she makes the moon jealous. Now Juliet you will be feeling all wrapped up in you emotions right now. Imagine youre about 13 and you have just had your first kiss, youre excited and in love at first sight with someone you barely know. Romeo when Juliet appears in the window, you have to show deep emotion. The audience needs to be able to see just how big your feelings are, to shows its actual love not just an infatuation like with Rosaline. Your first line it is my lady, O it is my love: needs to be said with love and compassion. It is so vital in this scene that you make sure that it is portrayed to the audience that your love for Juliet is so much more, than for Rosaline and that Rosaline was just a courtly lover. If it is not shown in this scene, one of the main love scenes then the whole play is not nearly as tragic. The play is all about the power of love. So if the audience dont understand the extent of Romeo and Juliets love; then the play is not nearly as strong. Shakespeare tried to show the difference in Romeos love for Rosaline and Juliet in the language. When Romeo was in love with Rosaline, his flamboyant language was all about himself and his feelings; not about Rosaline. Compared to when he loves Juliet, his language becomes more simple and all about Juliet. For example after you see Juliet in this speech you say Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes, To twinkle in their spheres till they return. This means that when the two brightest stars in the sky, have to go, they would ask Juliets eyes to replace them. This is also more light imagery that Shakespeare uses to define the relationship of the lovers. The whole scene is suffused with the glow and light of their love. At this point Juliet when you say Ay me! although its a very short line, it is not at all insignificant. This needs to be said in a heart felt sigh, showing to the audience how all you can think about is Romeo. Juliet, as you can see this is when you say the most famous line in the play, and possibly even literature. O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? But there is a common misconception about this line. What it actually means is O Romeo why are you a Montague Juliet is expressing her pains that Romeo is a Montague, her families arch-enemies. Or if he will not deny thy father and refuse thy name but swear is love then she will no longer be a Capulet This speech shows the sincerity of her love for Romeo, that she would disown her family. This needs to be said with feeling for the audience to understand the deepness of her love. This is a crucial speech in the play. At hearing this Romeo you need to be elated by the fact that she is returning the deepness of your love. Now you are in two minds, on wether to hear more or to speak at this so Juliet knows that you are there. This needs to be said slowly to show your conundrum to the audience. In the next speech Juliet, you are deliberating about the importance of names. Whats Montague? It is nor hand nor foot, it isnt anything but a name, its nothing. Juliet you go on contemplating the concept of why names mean nothing. Juliet is saying just because he is a Montague it doesnt make him a bad person. She compares this to a rose. That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet; So Romeo is just as sweet as he would be if he wasnt a Montague. Juliet goes on to say that if Romeo casts aside his name then for doing that he can take all of Juliet. Now Romeo, you would be so euphoric at hearing this you would jump out of your hiding place and stand below Juliets balcony shouting up to her, to swiftly say but with deep passion how you will take Juliets word and never will be Romeo. From here Romeo you will go on to say how your name is hateful to you because its an enemy to thee Then Juliet you show the first sign of the connection between you and Romeo, that its true love not just a quick romance. Its the first time that you have shown a sign of being in love with Romeo. Romeo has already shown his love for Juliet, with out saying it by his change in language. So Juliet what it actually means when you say My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words is showing how she hasnt understood what Romeo has been saying, however it is significant when you say yet I know the sound. Because it shows how you still know its him even though you have spent such little time with him prior to this meeting. Then Juliet (when you later go on talking) you show how practical you are, so when you say the passage concerned about how Romeo got on to the wall, and if any of her kinsmen find him there; he will be killed. It needs to be said with great concern, to show to the audience the contrast, between Juliet and her practical concerns and Romeos unreasonable attitude. As he replies that he got on to the wall With loves light wings, and that nothing can hold love out. All this Romeo needs to be said with a care free, foolish way, to underline to the audience the difference in attitudes at this point. Romeo you take an irrational, unrealistic response to Juliets worries of his death. Then as you carry on this irrational charade, you say a very ironic speech which to the audience knowing how the story ends, from the prologue is very sad. Romeo you need to make sure that when you say this it is said to draw the attention of the audience and in such a haphazard, light-hearted way, to make the audience feel sad, due to the hindsight they will have. The passage says how you, Romeo would prefer to die with Juliets love then death prorogued, wanting of they love This indeed is finally how the play ends. In this next passage you Juliet, are saying some things that are embarrassing, so you need to act this with a bashful air, by looking down and doing occasional glances at Romeo, with a slight hush and pauses as you speak. Here you say how embarrassed you are, and that you are glad the mask of night is on your face, because otherwise Romeo would see you blushing. You wish that Romeo hadnt heard what you had said, so she could play harder to get, then laying all her cards down straight away. Then suddenly you need to look Romeo, straight in the eye to show your sincerity to the audience, and say directly Dost thou love me? leave a slight pause and say in a more rushed tone that you know he will say Ay and its a silly question because you will take thy word and believe him. Juliet you ask Romeo, which must be said truly heart felt, that Romeo must either pronounce it faithfully, his love for her or; if he thinks that you are too quickly won, If he said this you will frown but be preserve and pretend to refuse you, Romeo. Then Juliet you say how in truth, you are too fond of Romeo. But you tell Romeo to trust you. At this point you reach over the balcony and hold Romeos hand, look straight at him, to show the audience the sincerity. You tell Romeo that you will prove more true than those who were harder to get. You admit that you should have played more strange, but Romeo over heard you so you had not chance to do so. After this to prove your sincerity of love to Juliet; you Romeo swear by the moon, but Juliet tells you not to swear by the moon because it is inconsistent, meaning that his love was inconsistent. While you have been saying this you have climbed up and leaning over the balcony to Juliet. To also physically show to the audience, your efforts to prove to Juliet you love for her is true. So Romeo, after Juliet tells you not to swear at all; but if he must swear by the gracious self, you say readily and eagerly to her about your love until she cuts you off. When she does this you must look slightly disappointed but wrapped up in her all the same. Juliet this is where you show more of your practical personality in the audience, and of your maturity that has clearly developed since the beginning of the play. You are in sudden fear that this is all happening so fast. So that it will end so fast. This is all so sadly ironic, which the audience needs to pick up on, because they will as before, know from the prologue the fate of the young couples lives and love. Here the speeches are needed to be said with more urgency, because they are running out of time together. But because of this they are more genuine and truthful, as there is no time for poetic imagery, of light, flowers and so forth. Here Romeo you say to Juliet O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied. Which at first both the audience and Juliet take to be a very forward comment, jumping to the conclusion that he wants to make love. Which is why Juliet asks slightly shocked and a bit worried, What satisfaction canst thou have tonight? Romeo here you must act completely unaware of what Juliet thought he meant, so that the audience understands that this is not what he meant. That what he wanted was loves faithful vow for his. Which Juliet you reply to with complete truth that she gave her vow of love before thou didst request it. And she wishes she could give it again. But clearly she cant because there is not enough time. But this does give the valid point of the sincerity of what Juliets love is, because she did say it before Romeo declared his. So when Romeo asks you to declaire it again you use imagery of water. My bounty is as boundless as the sea. Your love for Romeo gets deeper the more she gives to him. Her love is everlasting and endless; its infinite. Here Romeo and Juliet I want you to be holding on to both of each others hands. Romeo you must me completely stretched over the top of the balcony to Juliet. To emphasise how much you want to be with her, not just in the literal sense. Then as the nurse calls for Juliet within and Juliet desperately says how she will come back out, you pull apart, so unwillingly. As Juliet has left the balcony, Romeo you climb over the top and sit on the edge. Leave a slight pause once you have got into position and just look in to the night, to show the audience how you are in deep thought. Then sigh as you talk to the night. You say how afraid that because it is night you are worried it is all just a dream. After all that is what Juliet is to you, she is the girl of your dreams. (Juliet Speech to finish off need help! ) Here we will call it a day, but we will carry on from here tomorrow. As you go I want to leave you with one last thought to think about. I want each of you to think about just how much both of you have changed in the little time you have known each other. Romeo you have gone from being self wallowing and wrapped up of the idea in love, that all he was chasing was a dream, the infatuation with Rosaline was nothing. This Shakespeare tried to emphasise in different ways. But mainly in the flamboyant language and imagery to someone who understand. Then after you met Juliet you changed and realised that it wasnt all about you. As well as how wonderful Juliet was, and how you wanted to be with her not just superficially, because of her looks. Now Juliet you have changed greatly as well. Before you met Romeo you were nai ve, and juvenile. Where as now, you are proving to be the practical, and mature one. Worrying about safety and pushing your relationship forward. If it wasnt for you Romeo would probably still be at your balcony trying to prove how much he loved you at the end of the play! Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 2 Essay Example Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 2 Paper The scene opens with Romeos glorifying monologue to Juliets beauty. Romeos many comparisons of Juliet to the sun, stars and heavens, suggest that he is looking upwards, and that Juliet appears at an upstairs window. The images of bright light that he uses to describe her: But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun! or Two of The fairest stars in all the heaven, having some business, do entreat her eyes to twinkle in their spheres till they return. , show Romeos unqualified love for Juliet. The images of bright light are represented differently in the many versions in which the film has been shot. Meanwhile in the older versions of the shakespearean tragedy the only really bright light is represented by the moon, that alone shines omnipotent over the scene, giving it a unique touch, in the newer versions this characteristic is represented in a more modern and extravagant way. The small lights attached to the orchard, that Romeo climbs to reach Juliets balcony, and the underwater lightning when the two lovers fall into the swimming pool manage to give a similiar effect of romance to the one that characterised the scene in the past versions. The underwater camera view creates a surrealistic and exremely romantic effect. The wetness is another determining factor in the scene. After falling into the pool the two caracters are obviously soaked. We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 2 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 2 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 2 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Wetness has always symbolized sexuality and wildness, this image is probably connected to the fact, that when hair is wet it loses its original shape and becomes uncontrollable, also the feature that Juliet is wearing a see through dress increases the sense of sexual tension. Romeo as well as comparing her to images of light, describes her as a source of light itself. When she first speaks, he uses religious images of adoration, comparing her to an angel, a winged messenger of heaven, upon whom mortals fall back to gaze in wonder. Romeo had previously described Juilet with religious imagery; when they met at the ball, he describes her as a holy shrine. This, once more, indicates the deepness of Romeos love for Juliet, a love that is gradually turning into idolatry. Romeo is so caught up in his feelings that he doesnt care anymore for his security. The religious imagery is primarily represented by the clothes Juliet is wearing: the white dress and the silk wings give us a picture of Juliet being no longer a human being but more of a godess descended on earth. Also her standing on a balcony, a level above Romeo, reinforces this image. There is a big contrast between the two characters: Romeo dressed up as a knight and having risked his life to come and see Juliet, just as a knight would risk his life for his king, and Juliet being so innocent and angelic, delighted by Romeos visit. Juliets admission of love prompts Romeo to reveal himself, and to declare the hate for his name: Call me but love, and Ill be new baptised: Henceforth I never will be Romeo. Romeo is prepared to forget his past as a Montague, and betray his family s name and therefore his family too. In those times when the family honour was a very important part of ones personality, a statement such as this one could only signify true dedication and worship towards his love for Juliet. As she discovers him hiding in the orchard, her first excalamtion is one of fear for his safety;: How camst thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb, and the place death, considering who thou art, If any of my kinsmen find thee here. But Romeo dismisses the danger. Neither stone walls nor Capulet kinsmen can prevent his love: With loves light wings did I oerperch these walls, for stony limits cannot hold love out, And what love can do, that dares love attempt: Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me. Juliets love and the cover of the night protect him. In an image which will recur dramatically in his final speech in the play, Romeo compares himself to a sea-voyager driven to seek Juliets love, even if it were at the very ends of earth: I am no pilot, yet wert thou as far as that vast shore washed with the farthest sea, I should adventure for such merchandise. We can clearly see the difference in language use, between the two characters; on one hand there is Romeos insatiable romance which always seems to have the answer to Juliet enquiries, on the the other hand there is Juilets simple and direct speech. Juliet, unlike Romeo, is incapable of fully enjoying these brief moments with her lover, continuously worrying about being caught in the wrong. Romeo in this scene demonstrates that he possesses an immense courage, supported from his blind love for Juliet, he doesnt seem to care about the kinsmen that are patroling the building, and hes living these moments to the full. Once more we see how Romeo idolizes Juliet. He possesses the courage that only one who is protected by his god would have. In the video the contrast between the two characters attitude and language, is represented rather more by their actions than by their speech. Meanwhile, Juliet is terrorized by the idea of him been caught, Romeo doesnt care about his security. In fact when he and Juliet fall into the swimmimg pool, he jumps up shouting his love for her, at which point a guard gets suspicious and comes to check, and Romeo is close to getting discovered. Even though this moment in which Romeo is close to being caught, he is still unworried towards the situation, and completely focused on Juliet. Her questions and enquiries are suffocated by Romeos kisses and romantic attitude. Romeos mind is like flying towards other planets and dimensions, and does not understand Juliets reluctance and timidity towards his attitude. When Juliet manages to separate herself from Romeo, he explicitly claims not to be satisfied enough: O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? , referring in a double sense to Juliets lack of sensuality. Juliet admits embarassement at being overheard telling of her love. She rejects formal ways of speaking and behaving : farewell compliment, and asks Romeo directly if he loves her. She pleads for him to answer truthfully: pronounce faithfully, admitting she declared her own love for him unaware of his presence. She begs him not to swear by the moon, which is changeable and inconstant, but only by himself. This is a metaphor comparing Romeos love changes to the changes of the moon; before Romeo fell in love Juliet, he was already in love with another woman, Rosaline, which was immediately forgetten at the first sight of Juliet. She is afraid that Romeo would forget her just asquickly as he fell in love with her. Suddenly fearful, she sees their instant falling in love as too rash, too unadvised. It may prove as brief as a lightining flash, over as quickly as it began. In reply to Romeos anxious questions why she wishes to withdraw her vow of love and offer it again, Juliet uses simple but profoundly eloquent language to express the never-ending quality of her love for him: My bounty is as a boundless sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee The more I have, for both are infinite . Juliet is the one to make the practical arrangements for the marriage, since Romeo is still dreaming about the time spent together. Before the two lovers separate themselves, Juliet uses a peculiar and very contradictory type of imagery to describe her feelings for Romeo, comparing herself to a playful girl and Romeo to her bird, which she lets free for a bit but then takes back because she cant live without him: I would have thee gone; And yet no farther than a wantons bird, that lets it hop a little from her hand, like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, and with a silk thread plucks it back again, so loving jealous of his liberty. This reflects the relationship between the two lovers; Juliet does not have the freedom that the bird, Romeo, has and has to let him go, but only for a bit, until they can meet again. And she is jealous of the freedom that a bird has, in fact Romeo wishes she was a bird so that she could have the freedom, and the possibility to live to the full her love with Romeo: I would I were thy bird. Juliet has played the dominant role in this scene ( she speaks twice as many lines as Romeo), it is her farewell that often remains in the audiences mind as the memorable expression of loverss leave taking. She leaves with an oxymoron that encapsulates the conflicts of the play and its joys and heartaches: Parting is such a sweet sorrow. Juliet on her first appearence appears submissive, modest, almost tongue-tied. She has little to say, and seems to respect her mothers authority. But this 13 year-old girl, superficially conventional and demure, rapidly matures in her meetings with Romeo. She allowes him to kiss her only moments after their first meeting, and in this scene she seems to take the lead, speaking twice as many times as Romeo. Shes the one who proposes the marriage, and does so the very next day. Critics tende to idealise Juliet and her love for Romeo. They describe her as charmingly innocent, but frank and courageous. Romeo appears first as a stock figure of romance: the moody young lover who is rejected by an unattainable woman. He is seen as the abject slave of a sadistic godess, he seems more in love with love than with an actual person. This scene is very important for the understanding of the whole play, as in it there are contained images and metaphors that encapsulate essential meanings of the play. Already from the beginning of the tragedy, expressions such as: star-crossed lovers, referring to the realtionship between Romeo and Juliet, give an idea on the course of the play. In the video version, directed by Baz Lurhman, an important metaphor is represented: when the two lovers fall into the swimming pool, their state of being is a comparison to their relationship: gradually their love is gettin uncontrolled and soon it will become impossible to manage, just like a person is not able to completely manage their movements in a swimming pool, where they dont touch. How the scene was adapted in the modern version, is probably more significative for us, as the type of atmosphere approaches more our ideal of love and romance, also it highlights meanings and images that would be difficult to interpretate in the older versions of the play.

pushcart war essays

pushcart war essays Harry S. Truman was sworn into office on April 12, 1945 as the thirty-third President of the United States of America. He did not win an election, but he was the Vice President under President Franklin Roosevelt who had died so Harry Truman became President. On August 6, 1945 President Truman announced the dropping of the A-bomb known as the Atomic Bomb. Truman, on August 9, 1945, announced he dropped a second atomic bomb on Japan that World War II. In June 1945, Harry S. Truman witnessed the signing of the formation of the United Nations, to hopefully preserve peace. President Truman presented to Congress a 21-point program, proposing the expansion of social security, a full employment program, and other things. The program became know as the Four Deal. In 1947, the Soviet Union tried to takeover Turkey and Greece. Truman asked Congress to aid those countries. This aid is known as the Truman Doctrine. In 1950, when the Communist government of North Korea invaded South Korea, Truman conferred promptly with his military advisers. A long, discouraging struggle happened as U.N. forces held a line above the old boundary of South Korea. Truman kept the war a limited one, rather than risk a major conflict with China and Russia. His term as President ended in 1953 when he decided not to run for another term. ...

Demagoguery and How to Pronounce It

Demagoguery and How to Pronounce It Demagoguery and How to Pronounce It Demagoguery and How to Pronounce It By Maeve Maddox As the 2016 US presidential election campaign slouches toward November, the words demagogue, demagogic, and demagoguery make frequent appearances in the media. For example, in a Sunday morning interview with Rachel Martin, NPR stalwart Mara Liasson remarked on the reaction of other Republican candidates to Donald Trump: â€Å"They’re talking about the demagoguery and the authoritarian, violent rhetoric.† What drew my attention to the radio interview was Liaison’s pronunciation of the word demagoguery. She pronounced the second g with a soft sound: /dem-uh-GAHJ-er-ee/. Both g’s in demagoguery are â€Å"hard.† The spelling gue is always pronounced /g/, as in tongue, league, and prologue. Demagoguery is defined as â€Å"the principles or practices of a demagogue.† In modern usage, a demagogue is â€Å"a political leader who appeals to the passions and prejudices of the mob in order to obtain power and further his own interests.† An unlimited Google search for demagoguery and demagogue gives the following results: â€Å"demagoguery† about 508,000 results â€Å"demagogue† about 484,000 results A search for demagogue limited to the year 2000 brings about 2,260 results. Of the ten summaries that come up on the first page of results, nine refer to definitions and discussions of the word. Only one refers to a politician as a demagogue: â€Å"He’s a Demagogue, That’s What He Is: Hodding Carter on Huey Long.† The Ngram Viewer goes only to 2000. On the graph, the word demagogue peaks in 1862 and then drops precipitately. Note: The noun demagogue is verbed by some speakers: Hes merely made use of an existing, flawed system to demagogue his way into the hearts and minds of angry low-information voters, of whom there are a lot. The OED and the Howjsay pronunciation site give /dem-uh-GAH-gik/ (both g’s â€Å"hard†) as the first pronunciation and /dem-uh-GAH-jik/ (second g â€Å"soft†) as an alternative pronunciation. Merriam-Webster gives only the hard g pronunciation: /dem-uh-GAH-gik/. Note: When I began this post, I did not think it necessary to remark on the pronunciation of the o in demagogue. However, a friend told me that she heard NBC’s Brian Williams pronounce demagogic with a long o as well as with a soft g: /dem-uh-GO-jik/. Broadcasting networks do have pronunciation guides. Perhaps their announcers don’t always remember to consult them. American pronunciation for the three words- demagogue, demagogic and demagoguery- is with short o (as in hot) and hard g (as in got): /dem-uh-GAHG/, /dem-uh-GAH-gik/ and /dem-uh-GAHG-er-ee/. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Spelling Test 1How to Punctuate with â€Å"However†Is "Number" Singular or Plural?

To Live Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

To Live - Movie Review Example The script of the movie is intentionally divided into several distinct parts which cover different periods of time. There are 4 decades represented in the movie. The 40-s are characterized by the civil war and revolution in China. They are changed by the 50-s and building communist industrial China. Cultural Revolution enters the country in 1960-s. The end of the movie covers a period after all these events. All these historical events are showed with the help of fiction story integrated in the narrative. It is a story of Fugui, a former landowner and a person who has to live. The story begins in 1940-s, which Chinese civil war unexpectedly changes lives of all people in the state. Fugui has already lost everything; his addiction to bargaining ruined his family and left his without a tile above his head. He manages to cope with poverty and his hard work brings his wife Jiazhen back to him. He is again inspired to live; he wants to ask for credit from the landowner who won his family mansion, but he gets a set of shadow puppets instead. The war enters his life accidentally; during one of the performances of his shadow puppet theater, the knife stubs the curtain and all actors are taken to the nationalist army. Fugui is adaptable to any change in his life; he happens to entertain people in the army by his performances. Eventually he misses the major attack and finds out that nationalists have been killed; only he and his puppet theater partner Chunsheng survive. They try to run away, but the Red Army catches them. They entertain people here again and get back homes alive. On the battlefield, Fugui says the most important words: â€Å"I want to live. There is nothing like family†. Having survived the war, Fugui’s family has a new challenge – to survive the building of Communism. They become very poor; his wife delivers boiled water to people to earn for living. Their daughter

Relation Between International Terrorism with Ethno-national Identity Essay

Relation Between International Terrorism with Ethno-national Identity Problem - Essay Example Majority of these theories accepted that cultural conflicts are one of the major reasons for international terrorism. Ethnicity is a community of people whose members recognize each other, on the basis of a common ancestry. On the other hand, nationalism is a political ideology that identifies people on the basis of a common nationality. For example, India is a secular democratic country in which Hindus, Muslims, Christians and lot of other religions are prominent. It should be noted all these people of different religion have different ethnicity. However, when it comes to nationalism, these people may not show any differences in their attitude with respect to ethnicity. For example, Indians all together celebrated their victory over Sri Lanka in 2011 ICC world cup one day cricket match competition. However, when it comes to terrorism, different religions in India have different attitudes. It has been accused by India that Pakistan is engaged in terrorist activities in Indian soil fo r the last few decades. Majority of the Indian people do believe that India’s claims are genuine. However, a minority groups in Indian Muslim community do believe that India is making unnecessary allegations against Pakistan. It should be noted that Indian Muslims and Pakistani Muslims have a common ethnicity. In short, ethnicity and nationalism can affect international terrorism in one way or another. This paper analyses the relation between International Terrorism and Ethno-national Identity problem. Terrorism and Ethno-national identity Nationalism, in particular, remains the pre-eminent rhetoric for attempts to demarcate political communities, claim rights of self-determination and legitimate rule by reference to ‘the people’ of the country. Ethnic solidarities and identities are claimed most often when groups do not seek ‘national’ autonomy but rather a recognition internal to or crosscutting national or state boundaries (Fenton and May, n.d., p .4). Ethnicity and nationalism are entirely different topics as far as international terrorism is concerned. For example, Mohamed Atta, a terrorist and one of the major culprits of the September 11 attacks was an Egyptian. Egypt is a country in which people of different ethnicities are staying together. Moreover, Egypt is keeping healthy relationships with United States for the past few decades. Same way, Osama Bin Laden’s origin was in Saudi Arabia and Saudi is one of the closest allies of America in Middle East. Under such circumstances, it was surprising for America to see the involvement of an Egyptian in 9/11 terrorist attack. It is evident that Atta and Osama decided to attack America, not because of America’s atrocities towards Egypt or Saudi Arabia, but because of America’s aggressive behaviors towards Muslim community in general. It should be noted that instead of attacking Egypt or Saudi Arabia, America started its war on terror in Iraq, Pakistan and A fghanistan in order to take revenge for the 9/11 incident. In other words, America realized that the role of Egypt as a nation in 9/11 incident is negligible compared to that of Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan provided secure shelter to Osama and his allies until recent times which clearly point towards the ethnic and national dimensions of international ter

Environmental Pollution Essay Example for Free

Environmental Pollution Essay Environmental pollution is not a new fact. It is one of the biggest problems the world faces today. It is a big matter which is disturbing us economically, physically and our normal life. According to the Scott Forseman, pollution is defined as the addition of any substance of form of energy to the environment at a rate faster than the environment can accommodate it by dispersion, decomposition, recycling or storage in some harmless forms. Our precious earth is daily polluted in a variety of ways such as air pollution, water, soil, chemical, smoke, noise, radioactive, thermal, waste, energy, oil and urban pollution. Pollution began to draw major public attention in the United States between the mid-1950s and early 1970s, when the congress passed the clean air act, clean water act and National Environmental Policy act. (W.A Andrews and D.K Moore).It was the industrial revolution that gave the birth to environmental pollution as we know it today. Growing evidence of local and global pollution and an increasingly informed public over time have given to environmentalism and the environmental movement, which generally seek to limit human impact on the environment. Scientists believe that all cities with populations exceeding 50,000 have some degree of air pollution. In this essay I will show that how human activities are producing pollution which is negatively affecting the whole world and environment and there are also two main solutions for this problem why it needs to be addressed. Pollution is causing by a lots of activities we do every day. Global economic production creates global pollution .Burning fossil fuels to run factories, motorized vehicles and power plants are producing huge amount of pollution everyday. Motor vehicles produce high level of Carbon monoxide (CO) and major source of hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NO) which is very harmful for our environment. The other major cause is fertilizers using in the crops, it also creates pollution because it negatively affect the human health, water and the plants. One another type of pollution is oil pollution in the oceans. It is release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbon in the environment due to the human activities.

Police Pursuits of Criminals Essay -- Criminal Crime Police Essays

Police Pursuits of Criminals   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There has been a heated debate over the last few years whether police chases are worth the risk of public safety to catch a fleeing criminal. Each year these hot pursuits end in the arrest of thousands of criminals wanted for a wide array of crimes. At the same time it can cause injury and some times even death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is a huge misconception that police are out chasing the red-light violator or the burned-out tail light criminal. This is not the case at all. They are protecting the community and chasing serious felons. That is why most cops defend their right to engage in these high-risk pursuits. No police officer wants to try to stop somebody that they believe is good for a crime just to let him walk away. If the person that is being chased is wanted for a crime, not that he is guilty, but just wanted for an investigation, then the police have every right to stop them and to do what is necessary to apprehend them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is also another side to police pursuits with its own troubling statistics. We know that when a pursuit begins it usually ends up causing accidents, injuries, and can some times even be fatal. Critics claim that most of these pursuits are unjustified. Some people say that the suspects flee because they don’t have insurance or their license is revoked. They also say most of them are young and act on impulse and make a bad decision to run. Sometimes it ends up killing innocent people that are in the wrong place at the wrong time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Is the tragic human cost worth the price for high-speed pursuits? On one side of the debate are the people who believe that pursuits should be severely restricted and abolished altogether. They say the police car seems to be the last unregulated weapon in law enforcement’s arsenal. On the other side are the ones sworn to uphold the law and consider pursuits a necessary law enforcement tool. If you go to a no-pursuit law, you are giving a blanket for the criminals to commit any crime they want and law enforcement is not going to be able to do anything about it. They will run every time because they know they will not be chased. If a person fleeing has a chance of hitting pedestrians, then you need to stop that vehicle at all costs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the fatalities mount, no one can run from these issues, least of all the cop behind the wheel. It is safe to say ... ...ce department.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The law enforcement community understands the public concerns for safety and has developed better ways to help pursue fleeing criminals in recent years. One of the best tools now is air support. Helicopters can safely patrol from the sky and there is little chance that the vehicle or criminal can get away. The only problem is that it is very expensive to run. Road spikes have also become popular by puncturing the tires and bringing the vehicle to a crawl.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many people with different opinions about hot pursuits. The public needs to back the police up on this matter so the criminals know we are not going to tolerate this conduct in our community and when they do they can expect to be caught and punished for their actions. If we allow them to get away with this behavior we are only adding to the chaos that is in our society today. As of now there are no better ways of catching a suspect. If people are concerned about the risks of high-speed pursuits, then they need to contact their public leaders and help with funding for better tools like the helicopter. Until this happens police chases will have to continue to be conducted from the ground.

Plato’s Forms

Eric Morin 103317083 01-26-285 Professor L. Buj Jan 16, 2011 Plato’s Criticism On Deceptive Forms Plato’s critique of art operates on two levels, the ontological and the moral. Both levels are interpreted within disdain taste as Plato proposes that the banishment of art could actually bring fourth a closer connection between humanity and truth. His argument against the existence of art as well as its functioning purposes will be further discussed in this paper. Plato’s ontological view on the existence of art looks deep within the nature as well as its overall properties rather bitterly.Plato’s attack on art does not merely constitute visual art, but rather holds a more expansive scope reaching into literature and especially poetry. For Plato, art is accountable for multiple negative influences, which affect all audiences who try to interpret it. These influences are what Plato believes hinders humanity towards aspiring truth. Art for Plato receives negati ve attention at the moment of creation. Plato believes that the thoughts processed by the creator and/or artist are far from original and are alternatively imitations of the real world hich are themselves distant from the ideal Forms. These ideal Forms consist of the ultimate paradigms in our universe containing truth and 2 absolute wholeness, thus proposing a problem for Plato. These copies of copies are referred to as mimesis. During the grandeur search of truth, mimesis serves the audience deceit and alarmingly leads them farther from the ideal Forms. As mentioned in the text, â€Å"Because mimesis presents us with an inferior copy of a copy, poetry takes its listeners away from rather than toward the ideal Forms† (Leitch 43).The hypocrisy surrounding literature proves to be troublesome for Plato on a multitude of levels. In the search for completeness, art not only fails to provide insight toward truth but rather, is actually lying to you. This mimetic stance held within the nature of art is believed to be nothing more than fabrication. Plato maintains his argument by stating that as the audience is deceptively reeled into a degraded mind state, truth is less obtainable. Introduced in the text, â€Å"Because [Literature] stories are fictional, made up, literature is dangerous; it roduces only lies† (43). Plato not only bashes art on an ontological level, but also finds problems morally. During deception and degradation through imitation within text, Plato analyzes the problems art has within its nature and relates that to the morality of audience. He argues that if art is further removing oneself from the truth, than it cannot be in the best interest of man. Thus, banishment of art would be the only way to restore deception and appease humanity. 3 Plato begins by focusing on the dangerous elements of art and its affect on young minds.His argument states, â€Å"Now, do you appreciate that the most important stage of any enterprise is the begi nning, especially when something young and sensitive is involved? † (46). In this part of the text, Plato is trying to explain that not only is the young mind fragile enough to easily fall into this created trap of deceit, but also that ruining the quest for truth at a young age brings upon negative consequences for all of humanity. Argued furthermore, â€Å"No young person is to hear stories which suggest that were he to commit the vilest of crimes †¦ he wouldn’t be doing anything out of the rdinary, but would simply be behaving like the first and greatest gods† (47). Here Plato is arguing that the falsehood within stories can fantasize young minds into ultimately developing enhanced personas, which escalates into degradation of truth in reality. Plato further extends his argument on art and morality into the minds of all humans. Since art is of a deceitful nature according to Plato, it cannot undertone any good found within the text but is instead consider ed the primary fault within literature. Thus, the deception in which the audience resorts to is ultimately proposed as egative and unneeded. Different from a beneficial spoken lie, Plato states about literature, â€Å"All I’m saying is that no one is happy at being 4 lied to and deceived in his mind about the facts† (51). One of Plato’s biggest moral issues with art explores the depiction of human kind in literature. He believes that in order to truly display characteristics of a character we are not only mending the emotions and feelings to suit the text itself but for our own personal capacity. This sort of mutilation of character not only revives the notion of eception within literature but again bringing treason to our own reality. By distorting the character, we would be digging through created deceit as well as misinterpreting the true meaning of what was intended. Plato not only rejects our created distortion, but also feels as though the author creates t his misinterpretation in a deceptive way. As Plato addresses, â€Å"What we’d claim, I imagine, is that poets and prose-writers misrepresent people in extremely important ways† (58). A real life example of artwork that could be examined and placed under Plato’s critical thinking rests in Versailles.There, artist Jeff Koons has created a replica of an inflatable lobster that hangs down from the ceiling for all to see. The lobster seems to be created as though it is soft to touch and friendly to the eyes. Already our senses have been deceived. As Plato would primarily analyze the creationist, we find that Jeff 5 Koons has not only produced a copy of a copy, but adds double the mimetic stages. Plato would argue that Jeff’s original thought has come from an ideal Form, followed by his initial drawing, then an addition of computer enhancement, and lastly interpreted and actually reated by fellow minds in his workshop. This notion sets the idea that Jeff is rat her far from being the creationist, which is deceptive to audience in itself. Plato’s ontological stance would prove testy and unacceptable, as mimetic deceit is thoroughly prevalent within the whole of this piece. Plato would then examine the piece of art and relate it to morality. As this specific piece hangs down appearing soft and inflatable, it as well is deceitful in itself. Made out of metal, the lobster looms above the heads of audiences worldwide. Confusing to our senses, he would isapprove the artworks influence and be especially concerned for child observers. Plato would believe that not only is the nature of this piece deceptive, but our outtake of what we have witnessed would follow suit. In all of this deception, Plato would argue that artwork does indeed lead humanity farther from the truth and most importantly from primary ideal Forms, thus resulting in banishment being the primal response. 6 Works Cited Leitch, Vincent B. , ed. The Norton Anthology of Theory & Criticism. New York, NY: Norton, 2010. Print.

How Does Mccarthy Tell the Story in Pages 229-241?

In this extract, McCarthy conveys the anticlimax of the protagonist and his son’s arrival at the â€Å"Cold. Desolate. Birdless. † environment of the beach. McCarthy juxtaposes the bleakness of the landscape with the boy’s optimism in order to highlight the boy’s inherent goodness. McCarthy tells the story using narrative voice in this section of the text. He contrasts the third person extradiegetic narrator with the man’s interior monologue in order to convey multiple perspectives to the reader. He’d left the cart in the bracken beyond the dunes and they’d taken blankets with them and sat wrapped in them in the wind-shade of a great driftwood log. † Here, McCarthy constructs the lexis of the third person narrator using what some critics have called a limited linguistic palette. The polysyndeton creates a steady rhythm, which parallels the rhythm of the journey the man and boy are on, which is, like the sentence, seemingly never- ending. Here the narrator presents the reader with a practical account of the man and boy’s response to the disappointment of the beach, detailing their movements with unelaborated, unemotional language.The pared back language poignantly conveys the sense that the bleakness of the beach was inevitable. In contrast, the tricolon: â€Å"Cold. Desolate. Birdless†, is clearly the man’s interior monologue. The three adjectives highlight the extent to which the reality of the beach does not live up to the characters’ expectations of it. Where they had hoped for warmth when heading south, instead they found â€Å"cold†. Where they had hoped for a more habitable climate, they found a â€Å"desolate† environment. Where they had hoped for life, they had found a â€Å"birdless† environment.Thus, the tricolon convey’s the man’s disappointment to the reader. McCarthy utilizes stream of consciousness in order to enable the reader to u nderstand the man’s emotional response. The narrator is typically unemotive, presenting a pared back account of events and it is thus these rare glimpses into the man’s thoughts that enable the reader to empathise with his perspective. McCarthy also manipulates language in order to convey the bleakness of the beach. The â€Å"Cold. Desolate. Birdless† beach has a parallel in the â€Å"barren. Silent.Godless† landscape in the novel’s opening pages, creating symmetry in the narrative. Just as the rest of the narrative is permeated with metaphorical â€Å"ash†, so the beach too is describes as â€Å"gray†, with the â€Å"gray squall line of ash†. This lexical clusters connoting decay suggests that the beach, like the rest of the world, has been irreparably tarnished by the apocalypse. The simile, â€Å"like the desolation of some alien sea breaking on the shore† is poignant as the sea is â€Å"alien†, belonging to an other world, highlighting the extent to which the sea has disappointed the man and boy.McCarthy also utilizes structure in order to present this anticlimactic moment to the reader. The writer presents uninterrupted passages of narration and then starkly juxtaposes them with almost two pages of unattributed dialogue between the protagonist and his son. McCarthy presents the unadulterated dialogue without narrator intrusion, bringing the reader closer to the narrative as if they are experiencing the conversation firsthand. Although McCarthy does not explicitly attribute dialogue to either character, the reader has become accustomed to patterns within the speech of each of the characters.This dialogue is to a certain extent typical of the two characters, with the boy expressing his optimism through a series of questions. In spite of the desolation, the boy asks, â€Å"do you think there could be ships out there? † and suggests that other humans could also be â€Å"carrying the fire† in spite of negligible evidence that this could be the case. Furthermore, he suggests that â€Å"maybe there’s a father and his little boy and they’re sitting on the beach†. Through the boy’s dialogue, McCarthy reinforces the sense that the boy could be an â€Å"angel† or a â€Å"god† in his unwavering optimism.

BIODIVERSITY Essays - Biodiversity, Ecology, Habitat, Free Essays

BIODIVERSITY Essays - Biodiversity, Ecology, Habitat, Free Essays BIODIVERSITY Running head: BIODIVERSITY 1 Biodiversity Name Institution BIODIVERSITY 2 Biodiversity Biodiversity refers to the range of existing animals, microorganisms and plants in the environment, the genes possessed and the ecosystems they occupy (Bruce & Jonathan, 2000). Biological diversity binds all organisms into an interdependent ecosystem where every species has a role in this web of life. While biodiversity remains significant to the survival of species, human activities are profoundly altering the earths ecosystems to earn a living. Transformation of lands for human use and destruction of rainforests has caused the extinction of species that result in ecological imbalance. Biodiversity is tremendously crucial to the health of ecosystems and the survival of species. It helps to keep the environment in a natural balance and provides a variety of foods and natural resources to the species. Rainforests constitute a major component of biodiversity; they protect water catchment areas, contribute to climate stability, serve as habitats for various organisms and aid in soil conservation by modulating hydrological water flow (Bruce & Jonathan, 2000). Most medical inventions to cure diseases are also made based on research into animal and plant genetics. Biodiversity is, therefore, central to life as it helps in climate regulation and aids to mitigate the intensity of floods. In this regard, plants utilize carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen which serves to reduce the intensity of global warming (Bruce & Jonathan, 2000). The destruction of rainforest and its biological diversity will adversely affect the people living in the United States. Destruction of rainforests will expose soils to erosion and thus reduce the agricultural productivity of the soil leading to food shortage; water bodies will dry out hence resulting to aridity (Bruce & Jonathan, 2000). Destruction of rainforests implies that carbon dioxide will remain in the atmosphere that will alter the climate of the United States making the BIODIVERSITY 3 environment unbearable to humans (Bruce & Jonathan, 2000). Destruction of rainforests will also hinder most of the modern research into medicine. The hunter-gatherers will also be negatively affected as they depend on rainforests for survival. Overall, conservation of biodiversity is a pertinent issue especially at this time when concerns about preservation of the environment appear to be conflicting with pressing social and economic needs. BIODIVERSITY 4 Reference Bruce, A. & Jonathan, S. (2000). Precious heritage: The status of biodiversity in the United States. New York: Oxford University Press.

How to Succeed in College

How to Succeed in College Its easy to get tunnel vision when youre working toward a college degree, but you should aspire to more than good grades and graduation. When you finally have that diploma in hand, will you truly feel satisfied? What will you have truly learned and accomplished? Grades are of course crucial to earning your degree and helping you get into  graduate school, but academic success also includes what happens outside your classes. As you take the steps necessary to earn a diploma, look around: College campuses are full of opportunities to experience new activities and meet people who can help you grow. Explore Different Subjects You may arrive at college with a specific career track in mind, or you may not have the slightest idea of what you want to major in. No matter which end of the spectrum youre on, let yourself explore a variety of courses. Take an intro class in a field you know nothing about. Sit it on an unusual seminar. You never know- you may discover something you didnt know youd love. Follow Your Instincts   There will undoubtedly be many people giving you advice about what you should do during- and after- college. Take your time exploring your interests, and once it comes time to make decisions about your future, pick a career and course of study that suits you, not your parents. Pay attention to what excites you and make sure youre happy with your academic plans. Once youve made a choice, feel confident in your decision. Take Advantage of the Resources Around You Once youve decided on a major- or even a career- make the most of the time you have left, be it one year or four. Take classes from the best professors in your department. Stop by during their office hours to get feedback on your performance and ask any questions you couldnt get answered in class. Grab coffee with your favorite professors and talk about what they love about their field. This concept goes beyond professors, too. If youre struggling with a certain subject or assignment, see if theres a study group or tutoring center that can help you overcome the obstacle. No one expects you to figure out everything on your own. Find Ways to Learn Outside the Classroom Youll only spend so many hours attending class and doing homework- what are you doing with the remaining hours of your day? How you spend your time outside of the classroom is a critical part of your college experience. Make it a priority to branch out, because youre unlikely to have another time in your life where you can so frequently try new things. In fact, the real world is a lot more like what youll encounter in extracurricular activities than in the classroom, so make time for them. Join a club or organization that explores your interests and passions. You could even run for a leadership position and develop skills that will serve you later in your career. Consider learning about a different culture by studying abroad. See if you have the opportunity to earn course credit by completing an internship. Attend events put on by clubs youre not a member of. No matter what you do, youll almost certainly learn something new- even if its just something new about yourself. Allow Yourself to Be Happy College is not just about fulfilling your academic aspirations. You need to enjoy your life at college, too. Make sure to make time in your schedule for the things that keep you healthy, whether it be going to the gym or attending religious services. Make time to talk to your family, hang out with your friends, eat well, and get enough sleep. In other words: take care of all of yourself, not just your brain.

Human Resource Management in the Hotel Industry Term Paper

Human Resource Management in the Hotel Industry - Term Paper Example The more surprising aspect is that the service industries like for e.g. hotels depend much more than manufacturing industries on their human capital for the quality of service being delivered by the intangible interface between the staff (the service provider) and the customer. The reason for this could be that the ‘services sector’ is not homogeneous and includes such diversified industries and services like banking, business services, catering, distribution, finance, insurance, leasing, hotels, and transport etc. In addition to this, it is estimated that sixty-five to seventy-five percent of work in the manufacturing industries also relates to ‘services’. However, the services provided by different industries are different in content and nature and for the reason cannot be dealt with as a general proposition. For example, the hotel industry is seasonal unlike many others listed above. The hotel industry is characterized by ad hoc management, lack of trade unionism and high labor turnover. (Hoque 1999a 4)The quality of human resources could well be the differentiator that can lend a competitive edge to the industry. The reputation that a hotel earns for its quality of service, is difficult for its competitors to replicate. The core philosophy of human resource management is that employee commitment enhances employe... sen sums up the key objectives for pursuing strategic HRM in the hotel industry as follows: it must focus on both activities generating value for the company and optimizing HRM costs at the same time (value contribution); it must develop, promote and retain human capital to suit the company's strategic objectives (aligni ng human capital with strategic objectives); and it must anticipate and support change initiatives with necessary processes, methods, and instruments for a smooth transition (managing change). Hoque cites other researchers like Guest (1987) and Beer et al., (1985) to argue that employees' commitment makes them more satisfied, productive, adaptable, willing to accept organizational goals and values, and not mind to 'stretch' themselves to meet organizational goals.     

Intrusion Detection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Intrusion Detection - Essay Example There are different evils also associated to these network structures also. Personal information theft, business information hacking and virus attacks are the contemporary problems organizations are facing nowadays in the network communication and data transfer areas (Frederick, 2002). Because of the rising amount of intrusions and since the local networks and Internet have turned out to be so ubiquitous, businesses more and more applying a variety of systems that monitor Information Technology security breaches (Sans, 2009). Network Intrusion as its name represents, attempts to identify attempted or applied intrusions into network and to establish suitable actions for the intrusions. Intrusion detection includes an extensive collection of methods that differ on several axes. A few of these axes comprise: (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2004): The types of input inspected to identify intrusive action. These could comprise user shell commands, process system calls, as well as network packet headers or contents. Several types of intrusions might be identified only by correlating information from various such sources. The variety of action capabilities. Basic and straightforward types of actions consist of changing an administrator of the possible intrusion or in some way halting the potentially intrusive action, for instance, killing a course of action engaged in actually intrusive activity. In a complicated type of action, a system might clearly redirect an intruder’s action to a trap. A false resource exposed to the attacker with the aim of observing and gaining information about the attack; to the attacker, the resource appears real. These levels of freedom in the design of space for detecting intrusions in systems have brought an extensive variety of solutions acknowledged as intrusions detection systems (IDS) (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2004). The

Synaesthesia and the Encounter with Other Assignment

Synaesthesia and the Encounter with Other - Assignment Example   What Abram is trying to say in this passage is how humans can speak to innate objects such as trees and rocks. To most people, this just sounds insane and it clearly shows how humans have become alienated with nature. In ancient time, our ancestors used to communicate with nature and this kept them in touch with their inner self. However, due to the advent of alphabets and farming conversations with other species or nature has become outdated. This dependence to nature is evident on all the continents of the world by the varied forms of identification but is usually referred to as totemism. Abram further argues his point by saying, â€Å"the articulate speech of trees or mountains† is due to human engagement with nature via the synaesthetic convergence of two forms of senses, mainly hearing and seeing. The reason why the argument is important to him is that imaginary distortion such as conversations with trees is the very structure of perception. This is because the imagin ative interaction of human senses during their everyday encounters is the only way for them to link ourselves with nature and hence letting nature weave into our experiences. This means that all the inert objects that surround us in life are both powerful and expressive entities. I agree with his point of view since imagination and emotion are an important part of human understanding. This is because that which humans perceive through their senses will invoke further understanding through emotion and imagination.   

Voluntary Disclosure Behaviour of Kuwait Companies

Voluntary Disclosure Behaviour of Kuwait Companies BACKGROUND OF STUDY 1.1 Introduction Disclosure of information in corporate annual reports has attracted a number of researchers in both developed and developing countries. The voluntary disclosure information in excess of mandatory disclosure, has been receiving an increasing amount of attention in recent accounting studies. Because of the inadequacy of compulsory information, the demand for voluntary disclosure provides investors with the necessary information to make more informed decisions (Alsaeed, 2006). Voluntary disclosure of decision-useful corporate information is considered to be the first step in solving the alleged problems of traditional financial reporting (Leadbetter, 2000). Its objectives are well defined: closing (or narrowing) the gap between a companys potential intrinsic market value and its current market value. Voluntary disclosure, in the context of globalization of the worlds financial markets, has received a great deal of attention in the accounting literature in recent years (Hossain, Berera and Rahman, 1995). This is due to the following reasons: Firstly, additional disclosures may help to attract new shareholders thereby helping to maintain a healthy demand for shares, and a share price that more fully reflects its intrinsic value. It is possible that poor disclosure could lead to an undervalued share making it attractive to a potential predator. Secondly, increased information may assist in reducing informational risk and thereby lower the cost of capital (Spero, 1979). A lower cost of capital should mean that marginal projects become profitable. Thirdly, in order to raise capital on the markets, companies will increase their voluntary disclosure. Consequently, listed companies are more likely to have a higher level of disclosure than unlisted companies and multiple listed companies those raising capital on the international markets will have a higher level of disclosure than domestically listed companies. Fourthly, multiple listed companies often have an interest in foreign capital markets since foreign operations are often financed by foreign capital (Choi and Mueller, 1984). Disclosure levels might be increased to adapt to local customs to meet the requirements of banks and other suppliers of capital; finally, listed and multiple listed companies might increase their social responsibility disclosures to demonstrate that they act responsibly (Watts and Zimmerman, 1979). Companies may have attained their status on the securities markets and be able to attract new funds, not least because they act responsibly. According to Healy and Palepu (2001) a companys disclosure decision could be a response to innovation, globalization or changes in business and capital market environments. Kuwait is the focus of this study for three reasons. First, Kuwait is a small rich country, relatively open economy with crude oil reserves of about 10% of world reserves. Second, over the last decade, the Kuwaiti government has initiated several far-reaching reforms at the Kuwait Stock Exchange to mobilize domestic savings and attract foreign capital investment. These measures include privatization of state corporations through the stock exchange and allowing foreign investors to own shares in the listed companies since 2000, tax free. Third, the Kuwait Stock Exchange is becoming an important capital market in the region. It is ranked the second largest market in the Arab world (after Saudi Arabia) in terms of total market capitalization. Its total market capitalization was US$128,951 million as of December 2006 (Arab Monetary Fund 2006). These reasons could motivate investors to diversify their investment portfolios into that market. As a result, investors may be interested in the information disclosure practices of listed companies in Kuwait (Al-Shammari, 2008). 1-2 Problem Statement Many developing countries strive to mobilize financial resources from domestic as well as international sources with a view to attaining their economic and social development goals. Domestic and international investors utilize financial and non-financial information available on potential investment targets for assessing risk and making critical investment decisions. Thus, the availability of financial and non-financial information in sufficient quantity and of sufficient quality has an important bearing on efforts geared towards mobilizing investment for financing economic and social development. Adequate reporting and disclosure of financial and non-financial information will reduce asymmetric information problem, hence are likely to improve investor confidence and a lower cost of investment. According to Gray, Meeks and Roberts (1995) investors demand information to assess the timing and uncertainty of current and future cash flows so that they may value firms and make other investment decisions such as choosing a portfolio of securities. Companies satisfy this demand in part by supplying voluntary accounting information, thereby enabling them to raise capital on the best available terms (Gray et al., 1995). Given the faster pace of globalization, the growing interdependence of international financial markets and increased mobility of capital, developing countries need to attach greater importance to corporate transparency and disclosure. Policy makers, legislators and regulators, in recognition of the significant influence that corporate transparency has on decisions of investors, need to strengthen further the various components of corporate disclosure infrastructure so that domestic and international resources are mobilized more efficiently. Kuwait is one of the developing countries that face difficulties to attract foreign investments. Birgit Ebner at Germanys Frankfurt Trust, who helps manage a Middle Eastern stock fund, said Kuwait was not an attractive investment compared with others in the region (www.gulfnews.com). One of the main reasons that interpret this matter is the absence of voluntary disclosure as a result of sharp low supply of information by companies. According to Birgit Ebner, We are underweight in Kuwait because in Kuwait there are many holding firms dominating the market. And on top of it, the transparency is currently lower than in other Gulf States. In opinion of many analysts in Kuwait, the problem of gulf bank is related to absence of voluntary disclosure. Moreover, Kuwait stock exchange report that issued in (2007) revealed that 156 companies listed in Kuwait stock exchange from among 177 companies listed in Kuwait stock exchange are violating disclosure guidelines (www.alaswaq.net 2007). The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the influence of several firm characteristics on the level of voluntary disclosure of companies listed in Kuwait and whether disclosure level improves over the years given changes in the accounting environment of the country and globalization that have taken placed. There are many studies have examined the relationship between a company`s characteristics and the level of disclosure in both developed and developing countries such as Canada (Belkaoui and Kahl, 1978); United Kingdom (Firth, 1979, 1980); Nigeria (Wallace, 1987); Sweden (Cooke, 1989); Japan (Cooke, 1992); United States (Imhoff, 1992; and Lang and Lundholm, 1993); Bangladesh (Ahmed and Nicholls, 1994); Switzerland (Raffournier, 1995); Hong Kong (Wallace and Naser, 1995), Egypt (Mahmood, 1999); Jordan (Naser, Alkhatib and Karbhari, 2002); Saudi Arabia (Alsaeed, 2006b) and United Arab Emirates (Aljifri, 2007). However, to my knowledge, little attention has been devoted to the role of voluntary disclosure in the Middle East countries, more specifically Kuwait (see Al-Shammari, 2008). The aim of this study is to understand what motivate or demonstrate a companys disclosure by empirically investigate the association between a number of company characteristics and the extent of voluntary disclosure in the annual reports of companies listed in the Kuwait Stock Exchange in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. In addition, the influence of the reporting year on voluntary disclosure will also be examined to assess the progress of disclosure activities in Kuwait. Given that Ashammaris study only cover the year of 2005, the execution of this study is fully justified. 1.3 Research Questions In general, this study seeks for explanation on voluntary disclosure behaviour of Kuwait companies. The followings are the research questions:- 1- What is the relationship between the firm size, debt ratio, ownership dispersion, profitability, audit firm size, industry sector and voluntary disclosure level? 2- Does reporting year influences voluntary disclosure? 3- To what extent do the above factors affect the voluntary disclosure? 1.4 Research Objectives To determine the influences of firm size, debt ratio, ownership dispersion, profitability, audit firm size, industry sector and reporting year on the level of voluntary disclosure of companies listed in Kuwait. 1.5 Significance of the Study The significance of study can be viewed from contributions given to Accounting academic discipline and to the practitioners and policymakers. Contribution to Accounting body of knowledge This study contributes to the literature on corporate financial reporting and disclosure practices in one of the important capital markets in the Middle East in which International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) are mandatory and the government controls the accounting and auditing profession. It also contributes to the corporate governance literature on whether the company characteristics found to be significant in companies operating in developed countries are similar to those a developing country like Kuwait. This study is important in enhancing our understanding of corporate financial reporting in Kuwait. It explores the determinants that help explain voluntary disclosure in Kuwait. Contribution to the practitioners and policy makers Knowledge on firms characteristics that influence voluntary disclosure would enable policy makers to target training and monitoring activities to suitable target companies in order to improve disclosure level in the country. This is important because higher disclosure among companies could improve investors confidence and help attracting more foreign investment into the country. The study is also able to show whether the external environment in Kuwait have improved the voluntary disclosure activities. 1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study This study investigates the relationship between firm characteristics and voluntary disclosure of non financial companies listed in Kuwait. Financial companies (banks and insurance companies) were eliminated as the characteristics of their financial reports are different from those of non financial firms (Alsaeed, 2006). A disclosure index was constructed as a yardstick to measure the level of disclosure by the listed firms. The construction of the disclosure index is based on the information that firms supply in their annual financial reports to shareholders. Albeit not as conclusive, financial reports serve as a widely accepted (Knutson, 1992). The disclosure index does not intend to be comprehensive, nor does it intend to specify what firms ought to disclose. Rather, the index is crafted solely for the purpose of capturing and measuring differences in disclosure practices among firms. The selection of items embedded into the index was entirely guided by Meek, Rober and Gray (1995), Botosan (1997), Naser and Nuseibeh (2003) and Alsaeed (2006) 1.7 Organization of the Study The reminder of this study is organized as follows: Chapter Two discusses the literature review related to the study; Chapter Three consists of research methodology including theoretical framework, hypothesis development and model specification for the study. The measurement, sampling and instrumentations are also discussed in this chapter. Chapter Four presents the empirical findings and results. Finally, Chapter Five provides the discussion, implications and recommendation of the study as well as suggestions for future research. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction This Chapter discusses and summarizes the literatures review, which looks at many aspects of voluntary disclosure and the factors which affect the degree of voluntary disclosure in a firm. The discussion is segmented into five sections. The first section presents an overview of disclosure requirements in Kuwait so as to provide foundation knowledge of the issue understudy. Section two discusses the concept and measurement of voluntary disclosure. This is followed by section three which presents the firm-related determinants of voluntary disclosure as found from prior theoretical and empirical literature. These variables include firm size, debt ratio, ownership dispersion, profitability, audit firm size. 2.2 Disclosure Requirement in Kuwait Mandatory disclosure refers to firms disclose information about their operations because of legal requirements. For the efficiency of markets and the protection of investors, mandatory disclosure of information concerning the firms operating in capital markets has important consequences (Shin, 1998). 2.3 Voluntary disclosure level More detailed disclosure by the firms beyond the level of information disclosed within the mandatory disclosure process is called voluntary disclosure. Voluntary disclosure means making public the financial and non-financial information regarding the firms operations without any legal requirement (Fishman and Hagerty (1997), Meek et al. (1995), Botosan (1997), Naser and Nuseibeh (2003) and Alsaeed (2006). Alsaeed has identified a more comprehensive items for voluntary disclosure based on Meek et al. (1995), Botosan (1997), Naser and Nuseibeh (2003). These items are as in Table 2.1 Table 2.1: Voluntary disclosure items in Alsaeed (2006) No. Disclosure items 1 Strategic information 2 Brief history of company 3 Information on events affecting future years results 4 Board directors names 5 Top managements names 6 Majority shareholders 7 Information on different types of products 8 Information statistics for more than two years 9 Information on dividends policy 10 Information on future expansion projects 11 Percentage of foreign and national labor force 12 Information on training and workers development 13 Information on social and environmental activities 14 Statement of corporate goals and objectives 15 Principle markets 16 Average compensation per employee 17 Market share 18 Information on events affecting current years results 19 Competitive environment 20 Forecasted profits Many studies have examined the relationship between a companys characteristics and voluntary disclosure level. Alsaeed, (2006) argued that firm size, profitability and auditor firm size influence the level of voluntary disclosure. Naser et al., (2002), Jensen and Meckling, (1976); Fama and Jensen, (1983) Donnelly and Mulcahy, (2008), Camfferman and Cooke (2002), studied the association between companys firm size, debt ratio, owner ship and auditor firm size and the level of disclosure. 2.4 Determinants of Voluntary Disclosure 2.4.1 Firm size Most of the firm disclosure studies used firm size as a control variable (see for example, Alsaeed (2006); Donnelly and Mulcahy (2008); Brammer and Pavelin (2004); Meek et al, (1995), Mitchell et al, (1995), Mckinnon and Dalimunthe, (1993), Aitken et al. (1997), Bradbury, (1992), Zarzeski (1996), Brennan and Hourigan, (2000), Naser et al.,(2002), Wallace and Naser (1995), Firth, (1979), Eng and Mak (2003) and Hossain et al.(1994). Many studies found a positive relationship between firm size and disclosure level of companies. For example, Alsaeed (2006) conducted a study to investigate the relationship between firm characteristics of non-financial Saudi firms listed on the Saudi Stock Market in 2003 and voluntary disclosure level by those companies. He found that there was a positive relationship between the firm size and the level of disclosure. Alsaeed (2006) argues that agency costs are higher for larger companies because shareholders are widespread, therefore, additional disclosure might reduce these costs (Watts and Zimmerman, 1983). This finding is consistent with other studies such as Meek et al, (1995), Donnelly and Mulcahy (2008), Foster (1986), Hossain et al, (1995) and Al-Shammari, (2008). In addition to what Alsaeed (2006) has mentioned above, they argued that large companies might have sufficient resources to afford the cost of producing information or the user of annual reports. Secondly, small companies might suffer from a competitive disadvantage if they provide additional disclosure. Thirdly, large companies might be of interest to different users of annual reports including government agencies. 2.4.2 Debt ratio There is no consensus among researchers about the relationship between debt ratio and voluntary disclosure. Most of studies found a significant positive relationship between debt ratio and voluntary disclosure such as Naser (1998), Mitchell, Chia and Loh (1995); Hossain et al. (1995), Al-Shammari, (2008) and Bradbury, (1992). Jensen and Meckling, (1976) found the voluntary disclosure level can reduce the agency costs by facilitating debt ratio suppliers assessment of the firms to ability to meet its debts ratio. In relation to this, Al-Shimmiri, (2008) argued that the companies with higher debt in their structure of capital are prone to higher agency cost, hence they will be more likely to disclose additional information in order to reduce agency costs and information asymmetry with shareholders. Alsaeed, (2006) argued that when firms increase their level of leverage, they have to disclose more information in order to reduce asymmetric information between the firm and its creditors. Hence he argued that firms with high leverage will have high level of disclosure. In addition, Zarzeski (1996) argued that firms with higher debt ratio are more likely to share private information with their creditors. Thus, voluntary disclosures can be expected to increase with leverage. However, Mckinnon and Dalimunthe, (1993), Hossain, Berera and Rahman (1994), Aitken, Hooper and Pickering (1997), Brennan and Hourigan, (2000) and Eng and Mak (2003) studied the relationship between the voluntary disclosure and leverage found no relationship. While Meek et al (1995) mention that there is negative relationship between voluntary disclosure and leverage for US, UK, and European MNCs, Wallace, Naser and Mora (1994). 2.4.3 Profitability Many studies refer the profitability as the factor that affects voluntary disclosure level such as Singhvi and Desai (1971); Foster (1986), Richard (1992), Meek et al. (1995) and Naser et al. (2002) they argues that when the level of firms profitability increase, the firms have to disclose more information that can be an indicator to good management and also have incentives to show to the investors and the public that their profitability has increased. However, Ahmed and Courtis (1999) identified 12 studies that investigated the relationship between profitability and disclosure with mixed results. Akerlof (1970) argued that larger profitable companies may disclose more information to be distinguished from less profitable companies. Watts and Zimmerman (1986) argued the firms with larger profits are more interested in disclosing detailed information in their annual reports in order to justify their financial performance and to reduce political costs. However Wallace et al. (1994) found no significant relationship between the comprehensiveness of disclosure and the profit margin of listed and unlisted Spanish firms. Inchausti (1997) elaborated that agency theory suggests that managers of larger profitable companies may wish to disclose more information in order to obtain personal advantages like continuance of their management position and compensation. Raffournier (1995), Wallace and Naser (1995) and Alsaeed, (2006) observed no significant relationship between the disclosure and the profitability, because none of the performance related variables provides an explanation of the disclosure level. Ho and Wong (2001), Barako, Hancock and Izan (2006) and Barako (2007) on the other hand found profitability to be positively and significantly related with two of the four disclosure categories, financial and forward looking disclosures, whereas other categories ware negative and significant with the disclosure of general and strategic. This result is similar with that of Eng and Mak (2002) study on Singapore listed companies. For example, companies in the manufacturing sector were found to disclose less of financial information, and instead disclosed more on general and strategic information to explain in detail factors affecting their poor financial performance. 2.4.4 Ownership dispersion The ownership dispersion represents the percentage of shares owned by outsider after subtracting shares owned by the insider. Many studies found positive relationship between voluntary disclosure level and ownership, as explained by the agency theory which suggests that difference in the proportion of the companys shares owned by outsider shareholders causes differences in the voluntary disclosure level. This is because the companies with more outsider ownership are more likely to disclose more information than companies with less outsider ownership and also the demand for publicly available information is likely to increase (Wallace and Naser 1995). Gelb (2000) and Barako et al. (2006) found significant relationship between outsider ownership and disclosure level. Leftwich, Watts and Zimmerman (1981), Fama and Jensen (1983), Mckinnon and Dalimunthe, (1993) and Aitken et al. (1997) mentioned the detailed disclosure in annual reports that may allow outsider to monitor their interests more efficiently. Eng and Mak (2003) argued that voluntary disclosure is a substitute for outside monitoring and so is negatively related to managerial ownership. They found evidence consistent with this prediction. Many studies found negative relationship between voluntary disclosure level and ownership dispersion. Hossain et al. (1994) found evidence on Malaysian listed companies having significant negative association between voluntary disclosure and ownership dispersion. A later study by Haniffa and Cooke (2002) also found similar result. Naser et al. (2002) examined the affect of ownership on US companys disclosure and his results indicated that firms with a lower level of managerial ownership are more likely to receive higher ratings for the disclosure provided in their financial reports. Ho and Wong (2001) found negative relationship between family ownership structure and voluntary disclosure. Chau and Gray (2002) also found negative relationship between family ownership structure and voluntary disclosure of companies listed in Hong Kong and Singapore but found positive associated with outside ownership. Donnelly and Mulcahy (2008) on the other hand found no evidence that ownership structure is related to disclosure level. 2.4.5 Audit firm size According to Jensen and Meckling (1976) large audit firms act as a mechanism to reduce agency costs and exert more of a monitoring role by limiting opportunistic behavior by managers and are less likely to be associated with clients that disclose lower levels of information in their annual reports. In terms of size, audit firms can be divided into two; large or small. Large audit firms are identified as being one of these Big Four (or Big Five or Six formerly) international auditing firms, and smaller audit firms are the rest; the firms are more likely to choose a Big Six auditing firm. Such choice of audit firms signals to investors that the contents of the annual reports are audited with high quality (Craswell and Taylor, 1992). Furthermore, the large audit firms are widely spread in the world while small firms are domestically; hence the large audit firms have more capability to disclosure of the information and have higher reputation and power to affect the voluntary disclosure level related to the smaller audit firm (Alsaeed, 2006). Several studies found that audit firm size have significant relationship with voluntary disclosure level. Firth (1979), Craswell and Taylor (1992), Wallace and Naser, (1995), Ahmed (1995), Raffournier (1995), Inchausti (1997), Mahmood (1999), S.M. Ho and Wong (2001), Camfferman and Cooke (2002), Nasser et al. (2002) and Al-Shammari, (2008) found significant relationship between the voluntary disclosure level and audit firm size. Forker (1992) and Wallace et al. (1994) claim there are positive relationship between voluntary disclosure and audit firm size but not significant, while Hossain et al. (1994), Raffournier (1995), Wallace and Naser (1995), Depoers (2000) and Haniffa and Cooke (2002) they didnt fine significant association. 2.4.6 Industry sector According Cook (1989) disclosure level is more likely to vary from one industry to the other due to the likelihood that leading firms operating in a particularindustry could produce a bandwagon effect on the level ofdisclosure adopted by other firms working in the same industry. Cooke (1992) found evidence that Japanese manufacturing firms tend to provide more information than other non-manufacturing firms. Other studies that found significant effect of industry types are Wallace and Naser (1995) and Camfferman and Cooke (2002), while McNally et al.(1982); Wallace (1987): Wallace et al. (1994); Raffournier (1995); Inchausti, (1997); Patton and Zelenka (1997); Naser (1998); Owusu-Ansah (1998), Naser and Alkhatib (2000) and Alsaeed (2006) found insignificant effect. Table 2.2: Summary of independent variables influence on voluntary disclosure: Study Independent variable findings Akerlof (1970) Profitability Positive relationship Singhvi and Desai, (1971) Profitability Positive relationship Jensen and Meckling, (1976) Debt ratio and audit firm size Positive relationship with debt ratio and audit firm size. Firth, (1979) Firm size and audit firm size Positive relationship with debt ratio and audit firm size. Leftwich, Watts, and Zimmerman (1981) Ownership dispersion positive relationship with ownership dispersion McNally et al.(1982) Industry sector Insignificant with industry sector Fama and Jensen (1983) Ownership dispersion positive relationship with ownership dispersion Watts and Zimmerman (1983). Firm size positive relationship with firm size Foster, (1986) Firm size, profitability Significant positive with firm size and found positive with profitability. Watts and Zimmerman (1986) Profitability positive with profitability Wallace (1987) Industry sector Insignificant with industry sector. Cook (1989) Industry sector Positive with industry sector. Bradbury (1992) Firm size and debt ratio. Significant positive with firm size and debt ratio. Richard, (1992) Profitability Positive with profitability. Forker (1992) Audit firm size Positive but insignificant with audit firm size. Craswell and Taylor (1992) Audit firm size Positively significant with audit firm size. Cooke (1992) Industry sector positive with industry sector Mckinnon and Dalimunthe, (1993) Firm size, debt ratio, ownership dispersion. Positive with firm size and ownership dispersion and negative with debt ratio. Hossain et al. (1994) Firm size, debt ratio, ownership dispersion and audit firm size. Positive with firm size and ownership dispersion but negatively with debt ratio and audit firm size. Wallace et al. (1994) Industry sector Insignificant with industry sector. Meek et al, (1995) Firm size, debt ratio, profitability. Positive with firm size and profitability whereas significant, negative with debt ratio. Hossain et al. (1995) Firm size and Debt ratio Significant positive with firm size and debt ratio. Mitchell et al. (1995) Firm size and Debt ratio. Significant positive with firm size and debt ratio. Wallace and Naser (1995) Firm size, profitability, Ownership dispersion Positive with firm size, ownership dispersion and industry sector but- ,audit firm size and industry sector Negatively with profitability and audit firm size. Ahmed (1995) Firm size and audit firm size Positive significant with firm size and audit firm size. Raffournier (1995) Profitability, audit firm size and industry sector. No significant with profitability and industry sector, but significant positive with audit firm size Zarzeski (1996) Firm size and debt ratio Positive with firm size and debt ratio Aitken et al. (1997) Firm size, Debt ratio and owner ship dispersion Positive with the firm size and ownership dispersion but negative with debt ratio. Inchausti (1997) Profitability, audit firm size and industry sector. Positive with profitability and significant positive with audit firm size and insignificant with industry sector. Patton and Zelenka (1997) Industry sector Insignificant with industry sector. Naser (1998) Debt ratio and industry sector. Significant positive with debt ratio but insignificant with industry sector. Owusu-Ansah (1998), Industry sector Insignificant with industry sector. Mahmood (1999) Audit firm size Significant with audit firm size. Brennan and Hourigan, (2000) Firm size and debt ratio. Significant positive with firm size and significant negative with debt ratio. Gelb (2000) Ownership dispersion Negatively with Ownership dispersion Depoers (2000) Audit firm size No significant with audit firm size. Naser and Alkhatib (2000) industry sector Insignificant with industry sector. Ho and Wong (2001) Profitability, ownership dispersion and audit firm size. No significant with profitability but negatively with ownership dispersion and positive significant with audit firm size. Naser et al. (2002). Firm size, Profitability, ownership dispersion and audit firm size. Positive significant with firm size and audit firm size but positive with profitability and no significant with ownership dispersion. Eng and Mak (2002) Profitability No significant with profitability Chau and Gray (2002) Ownership dispersion Positively with outside ownership dispersion. Camfferman and Cooke (2002) Profitability, audit firm size and industry sector Voluntary Disclosure Behaviour of Kuwait Companies Voluntary Disclosure Behaviour of Kuwait Companies BACKGROUND OF STUDY 1.1 Introduction Disclosure of information in corporate annual reports has attracted a number of researchers in both developed and developing countries. The voluntary disclosure information in excess of mandatory disclosure, has been receiving an increasing amount of attention in recent accounting studies. Because of the inadequacy of compulsory information, the demand for voluntary disclosure provides investors with the necessary information to make more informed decisions (Alsaeed, 2006). Voluntary disclosure of decision-useful corporate information is considered to be the first step in solving the alleged problems of traditional financial reporting (Leadbetter, 2000). Its objectives are well defined: closing (or narrowing) the gap between a companys potential intrinsic market value and its current market value. Voluntary disclosure, in the context of globalization of the worlds financial markets, has received a great deal of attention in the accounting literature in recent years (Hossain, Berera and Rahman, 1995). This is due to the following reasons: Firstly, additional disclosures may help to attract new shareholders thereby helping to maintain a healthy demand for shares, and a share price that more fully reflects its intrinsic value. It is possible that poor disclosure could lead to an undervalued share making it attractive to a potential predator. Secondly, increased information may assist in reducing informational risk and thereby lower the cost of capital (Spero, 1979). A lower cost of capital should mean that marginal projects become profitable. Thirdly, in order to raise capital on the markets, companies will increase their voluntary disclosure. Consequently, listed companies are more likely to have a higher level of disclosure than unlisted companies and multiple listed companies those raising capital on the international markets will have a higher level of disclosure than domestically listed companies. Fourthly, multiple listed companies often have an interest in foreign capital markets since foreign operations are often financed by foreign capital (Choi and Mueller, 1984). Disclosure levels might be increased to adapt to local customs to meet the requirements of banks and other suppliers of capital; finally, listed and multiple listed companies might increase their social responsibility disclosures to demonstrate that they act responsibly (Watts and Zimmerman, 1979). Companies may have attained their status on the securities markets and be able to attract new funds, not least because they act responsibly. According to Healy and Palepu (2001) a companys disclosure decision could be a response to innovation, globalization or changes in business and capital market environments. Kuwait is the focus of this study for three reasons. First, Kuwait is a small rich country, relatively open economy with crude oil reserves of about 10% of world reserves. Second, over the last decade, the Kuwaiti government has initiated several far-reaching reforms at the Kuwait Stock Exchange to mobilize domestic savings and attract foreign capital investment. These measures include privatization of state corporations through the stock exchange and allowing foreign investors to own shares in the listed companies since 2000, tax free. Third, the Kuwait Stock Exchange is becoming an important capital market in the region. It is ranked the second largest market in the Arab world (after Saudi Arabia) in terms of total market capitalization. Its total market capitalization was US$128,951 million as of December 2006 (Arab Monetary Fund 2006). These reasons could motivate investors to diversify their investment portfolios into that market. As a result, investors may be interested in the information disclosure practices of listed companies in Kuwait (Al-Shammari, 2008). 1-2 Problem Statement Many developing countries strive to mobilize financial resources from domestic as well as international sources with a view to attaining their economic and social development goals. Domestic and international investors utilize financial and non-financial information available on potential investment targets for assessing risk and making critical investment decisions. Thus, the availability of financial and non-financial information in sufficient quantity and of sufficient quality has an important bearing on efforts geared towards mobilizing investment for financing economic and social development. Adequate reporting and disclosure of financial and non-financial information will reduce asymmetric information problem, hence are likely to improve investor confidence and a lower cost of investment. According to Gray, Meeks and Roberts (1995) investors demand information to assess the timing and uncertainty of current and future cash flows so that they may value firms and make other investment decisions such as choosing a portfolio of securities. Companies satisfy this demand in part by supplying voluntary accounting information, thereby enabling them to raise capital on the best available terms (Gray et al., 1995). Given the faster pace of globalization, the growing interdependence of international financial markets and increased mobility of capital, developing countries need to attach greater importance to corporate transparency and disclosure. Policy makers, legislators and regulators, in recognition of the significant influence that corporate transparency has on decisions of investors, need to strengthen further the various components of corporate disclosure infrastructure so that domestic and international resources are mobilized more efficiently. Kuwait is one of the developing countries that face difficulties to attract foreign investments. Birgit Ebner at Germanys Frankfurt Trust, who helps manage a Middle Eastern stock fund, said Kuwait was not an attractive investment compared with others in the region (www.gulfnews.com). One of the main reasons that interpret this matter is the absence of voluntary disclosure as a result of sharp low supply of information by companies. According to Birgit Ebner, We are underweight in Kuwait because in Kuwait there are many holding firms dominating the market. And on top of it, the transparency is currently lower than in other Gulf States. In opinion of many analysts in Kuwait, the problem of gulf bank is related to absence of voluntary disclosure. Moreover, Kuwait stock exchange report that issued in (2007) revealed that 156 companies listed in Kuwait stock exchange from among 177 companies listed in Kuwait stock exchange are violating disclosure guidelines (www.alaswaq.net 2007). The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the influence of several firm characteristics on the level of voluntary disclosure of companies listed in Kuwait and whether disclosure level improves over the years given changes in the accounting environment of the country and globalization that have taken placed. There are many studies have examined the relationship between a company`s characteristics and the level of disclosure in both developed and developing countries such as Canada (Belkaoui and Kahl, 1978); United Kingdom (Firth, 1979, 1980); Nigeria (Wallace, 1987); Sweden (Cooke, 1989); Japan (Cooke, 1992); United States (Imhoff, 1992; and Lang and Lundholm, 1993); Bangladesh (Ahmed and Nicholls, 1994); Switzerland (Raffournier, 1995); Hong Kong (Wallace and Naser, 1995), Egypt (Mahmood, 1999); Jordan (Naser, Alkhatib and Karbhari, 2002); Saudi Arabia (Alsaeed, 2006b) and United Arab Emirates (Aljifri, 2007). However, to my knowledge, little attention has been devoted to the role of voluntary disclosure in the Middle East countries, more specifically Kuwait (see Al-Shammari, 2008). The aim of this study is to understand what motivate or demonstrate a companys disclosure by empirically investigate the association between a number of company characteristics and the extent of voluntary disclosure in the annual reports of companies listed in the Kuwait Stock Exchange in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. In addition, the influence of the reporting year on voluntary disclosure will also be examined to assess the progress of disclosure activities in Kuwait. Given that Ashammaris study only cover the year of 2005, the execution of this study is fully justified. 1.3 Research Questions In general, this study seeks for explanation on voluntary disclosure behaviour of Kuwait companies. The followings are the research questions:- 1- What is the relationship between the firm size, debt ratio, ownership dispersion, profitability, audit firm size, industry sector and voluntary disclosure level? 2- Does reporting year influences voluntary disclosure? 3- To what extent do the above factors affect the voluntary disclosure? 1.4 Research Objectives To determine the influences of firm size, debt ratio, ownership dispersion, profitability, audit firm size, industry sector and reporting year on the level of voluntary disclosure of companies listed in Kuwait. 1.5 Significance of the Study The significance of study can be viewed from contributions given to Accounting academic discipline and to the practitioners and policymakers. Contribution to Accounting body of knowledge This study contributes to the literature on corporate financial reporting and disclosure practices in one of the important capital markets in the Middle East in which International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) are mandatory and the government controls the accounting and auditing profession. It also contributes to the corporate governance literature on whether the company characteristics found to be significant in companies operating in developed countries are similar to those a developing country like Kuwait. This study is important in enhancing our understanding of corporate financial reporting in Kuwait. It explores the determinants that help explain voluntary disclosure in Kuwait. Contribution to the practitioners and policy makers Knowledge on firms characteristics that influence voluntary disclosure would enable policy makers to target training and monitoring activities to suitable target companies in order to improve disclosure level in the country. This is important because higher disclosure among companies could improve investors confidence and help attracting more foreign investment into the country. The study is also able to show whether the external environment in Kuwait have improved the voluntary disclosure activities. 1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study This study investigates the relationship between firm characteristics and voluntary disclosure of non financial companies listed in Kuwait. Financial companies (banks and insurance companies) were eliminated as the characteristics of their financial reports are different from those of non financial firms (Alsaeed, 2006). A disclosure index was constructed as a yardstick to measure the level of disclosure by the listed firms. The construction of the disclosure index is based on the information that firms supply in their annual financial reports to shareholders. Albeit not as conclusive, financial reports serve as a widely accepted (Knutson, 1992). The disclosure index does not intend to be comprehensive, nor does it intend to specify what firms ought to disclose. Rather, the index is crafted solely for the purpose of capturing and measuring differences in disclosure practices among firms. The selection of items embedded into the index was entirely guided by Meek, Rober and Gray (1995), Botosan (1997), Naser and Nuseibeh (2003) and Alsaeed (2006) 1.7 Organization of the Study The reminder of this study is organized as follows: Chapter Two discusses the literature review related to the study; Chapter Three consists of research methodology including theoretical framework, hypothesis development and model specification for the study. The measurement, sampling and instrumentations are also discussed in this chapter. Chapter Four presents the empirical findings and results. Finally, Chapter Five provides the discussion, implications and recommendation of the study as well as suggestions for future research. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction This Chapter discusses and summarizes the literatures review, which looks at many aspects of voluntary disclosure and the factors which affect the degree of voluntary disclosure in a firm. The discussion is segmented into five sections. The first section presents an overview of disclosure requirements in Kuwait so as to provide foundation knowledge of the issue understudy. Section two discusses the concept and measurement of voluntary disclosure. This is followed by section three which presents the firm-related determinants of voluntary disclosure as found from prior theoretical and empirical literature. These variables include firm size, debt ratio, ownership dispersion, profitability, audit firm size. 2.2 Disclosure Requirement in Kuwait Mandatory disclosure refers to firms disclose information about their operations because of legal requirements. For the efficiency of markets and the protection of investors, mandatory disclosure of information concerning the firms operating in capital markets has important consequences (Shin, 1998). 2.3 Voluntary disclosure level More detailed disclosure by the firms beyond the level of information disclosed within the mandatory disclosure process is called voluntary disclosure. Voluntary disclosure means making public the financial and non-financial information regarding the firms operations without any legal requirement (Fishman and Hagerty (1997), Meek et al. (1995), Botosan (1997), Naser and Nuseibeh (2003) and Alsaeed (2006). Alsaeed has identified a more comprehensive items for voluntary disclosure based on Meek et al. (1995), Botosan (1997), Naser and Nuseibeh (2003). These items are as in Table 2.1 Table 2.1: Voluntary disclosure items in Alsaeed (2006) No. Disclosure items 1 Strategic information 2 Brief history of company 3 Information on events affecting future years results 4 Board directors names 5 Top managements names 6 Majority shareholders 7 Information on different types of products 8 Information statistics for more than two years 9 Information on dividends policy 10 Information on future expansion projects 11 Percentage of foreign and national labor force 12 Information on training and workers development 13 Information on social and environmental activities 14 Statement of corporate goals and objectives 15 Principle markets 16 Average compensation per employee 17 Market share 18 Information on events affecting current years results 19 Competitive environment 20 Forecasted profits Many studies have examined the relationship between a companys characteristics and voluntary disclosure level. Alsaeed, (2006) argued that firm size, profitability and auditor firm size influence the level of voluntary disclosure. Naser et al., (2002), Jensen and Meckling, (1976); Fama and Jensen, (1983) Donnelly and Mulcahy, (2008), Camfferman and Cooke (2002), studied the association between companys firm size, debt ratio, owner ship and auditor firm size and the level of disclosure. 2.4 Determinants of Voluntary Disclosure 2.4.1 Firm size Most of the firm disclosure studies used firm size as a control variable (see for example, Alsaeed (2006); Donnelly and Mulcahy (2008); Brammer and Pavelin (2004); Meek et al, (1995), Mitchell et al, (1995), Mckinnon and Dalimunthe, (1993), Aitken et al. (1997), Bradbury, (1992), Zarzeski (1996), Brennan and Hourigan, (2000), Naser et al.,(2002), Wallace and Naser (1995), Firth, (1979), Eng and Mak (2003) and Hossain et al.(1994). Many studies found a positive relationship between firm size and disclosure level of companies. For example, Alsaeed (2006) conducted a study to investigate the relationship between firm characteristics of non-financial Saudi firms listed on the Saudi Stock Market in 2003 and voluntary disclosure level by those companies. He found that there was a positive relationship between the firm size and the level of disclosure. Alsaeed (2006) argues that agency costs are higher for larger companies because shareholders are widespread, therefore, additional disclosure might reduce these costs (Watts and Zimmerman, 1983). This finding is consistent with other studies such as Meek et al, (1995), Donnelly and Mulcahy (2008), Foster (1986), Hossain et al, (1995) and Al-Shammari, (2008). In addition to what Alsaeed (2006) has mentioned above, they argued that large companies might have sufficient resources to afford the cost of producing information or the user of annual reports. Secondly, small companies might suffer from a competitive disadvantage if they provide additional disclosure. Thirdly, large companies might be of interest to different users of annual reports including government agencies. 2.4.2 Debt ratio There is no consensus among researchers about the relationship between debt ratio and voluntary disclosure. Most of studies found a significant positive relationship between debt ratio and voluntary disclosure such as Naser (1998), Mitchell, Chia and Loh (1995); Hossain et al. (1995), Al-Shammari, (2008) and Bradbury, (1992). Jensen and Meckling, (1976) found the voluntary disclosure level can reduce the agency costs by facilitating debt ratio suppliers assessment of the firms to ability to meet its debts ratio. In relation to this, Al-Shimmiri, (2008) argued that the companies with higher debt in their structure of capital are prone to higher agency cost, hence they will be more likely to disclose additional information in order to reduce agency costs and information asymmetry with shareholders. Alsaeed, (2006) argued that when firms increase their level of leverage, they have to disclose more information in order to reduce asymmetric information between the firm and its creditors. Hence he argued that firms with high leverage will have high level of disclosure. In addition, Zarzeski (1996) argued that firms with higher debt ratio are more likely to share private information with their creditors. Thus, voluntary disclosures can be expected to increase with leverage. However, Mckinnon and Dalimunthe, (1993), Hossain, Berera and Rahman (1994), Aitken, Hooper and Pickering (1997), Brennan and Hourigan, (2000) and Eng and Mak (2003) studied the relationship between the voluntary disclosure and leverage found no relationship. While Meek et al (1995) mention that there is negative relationship between voluntary disclosure and leverage for US, UK, and European MNCs, Wallace, Naser and Mora (1994). 2.4.3 Profitability Many studies refer the profitability as the factor that affects voluntary disclosure level such as Singhvi and Desai (1971); Foster (1986), Richard (1992), Meek et al. (1995) and Naser et al. (2002) they argues that when the level of firms profitability increase, the firms have to disclose more information that can be an indicator to good management and also have incentives to show to the investors and the public that their profitability has increased. However, Ahmed and Courtis (1999) identified 12 studies that investigated the relationship between profitability and disclosure with mixed results. Akerlof (1970) argued that larger profitable companies may disclose more information to be distinguished from less profitable companies. Watts and Zimmerman (1986) argued the firms with larger profits are more interested in disclosing detailed information in their annual reports in order to justify their financial performance and to reduce political costs. However Wallace et al. (1994) found no significant relationship between the comprehensiveness of disclosure and the profit margin of listed and unlisted Spanish firms. Inchausti (1997) elaborated that agency theory suggests that managers of larger profitable companies may wish to disclose more information in order to obtain personal advantages like continuance of their management position and compensation. Raffournier (1995), Wallace and Naser (1995) and Alsaeed, (2006) observed no significant relationship between the disclosure and the profitability, because none of the performance related variables provides an explanation of the disclosure level. Ho and Wong (2001), Barako, Hancock and Izan (2006) and Barako (2007) on the other hand found profitability to be positively and significantly related with two of the four disclosure categories, financial and forward looking disclosures, whereas other categories ware negative and significant with the disclosure of general and strategic. This result is similar with that of Eng and Mak (2002) study on Singapore listed companies. For example, companies in the manufacturing sector were found to disclose less of financial information, and instead disclosed more on general and strategic information to explain in detail factors affecting their poor financial performance. 2.4.4 Ownership dispersion The ownership dispersion represents the percentage of shares owned by outsider after subtracting shares owned by the insider. Many studies found positive relationship between voluntary disclosure level and ownership, as explained by the agency theory which suggests that difference in the proportion of the companys shares owned by outsider shareholders causes differences in the voluntary disclosure level. This is because the companies with more outsider ownership are more likely to disclose more information than companies with less outsider ownership and also the demand for publicly available information is likely to increase (Wallace and Naser 1995). Gelb (2000) and Barako et al. (2006) found significant relationship between outsider ownership and disclosure level. Leftwich, Watts and Zimmerman (1981), Fama and Jensen (1983), Mckinnon and Dalimunthe, (1993) and Aitken et al. (1997) mentioned the detailed disclosure in annual reports that may allow outsider to monitor their interests more efficiently. Eng and Mak (2003) argued that voluntary disclosure is a substitute for outside monitoring and so is negatively related to managerial ownership. They found evidence consistent with this prediction. Many studies found negative relationship between voluntary disclosure level and ownership dispersion. Hossain et al. (1994) found evidence on Malaysian listed companies having significant negative association between voluntary disclosure and ownership dispersion. A later study by Haniffa and Cooke (2002) also found similar result. Naser et al. (2002) examined the affect of ownership on US companys disclosure and his results indicated that firms with a lower level of managerial ownership are more likely to receive higher ratings for the disclosure provided in their financial reports. Ho and Wong (2001) found negative relationship between family ownership structure and voluntary disclosure. Chau and Gray (2002) also found negative relationship between family ownership structure and voluntary disclosure of companies listed in Hong Kong and Singapore but found positive associated with outside ownership. Donnelly and Mulcahy (2008) on the other hand found no evidence that ownership structure is related to disclosure level. 2.4.5 Audit firm size According to Jensen and Meckling (1976) large audit firms act as a mechanism to reduce agency costs and exert more of a monitoring role by limiting opportunistic behavior by managers and are less likely to be associated with clients that disclose lower levels of information in their annual reports. In terms of size, audit firms can be divided into two; large or small. Large audit firms are identified as being one of these Big Four (or Big Five or Six formerly) international auditing firms, and smaller audit firms are the rest; the firms are more likely to choose a Big Six auditing firm. Such choice of audit firms signals to investors that the contents of the annual reports are audited with high quality (Craswell and Taylor, 1992). Furthermore, the large audit firms are widely spread in the world while small firms are domestically; hence the large audit firms have more capability to disclosure of the information and have higher reputation and power to affect the voluntary disclosure level related to the smaller audit firm (Alsaeed, 2006). Several studies found that audit firm size have significant relationship with voluntary disclosure level. Firth (1979), Craswell and Taylor (1992), Wallace and Naser, (1995), Ahmed (1995), Raffournier (1995), Inchausti (1997), Mahmood (1999), S.M. Ho and Wong (2001), Camfferman and Cooke (2002), Nasser et al. (2002) and Al-Shammari, (2008) found significant relationship between the voluntary disclosure level and audit firm size. Forker (1992) and Wallace et al. (1994) claim there are positive relationship between voluntary disclosure and audit firm size but not significant, while Hossain et al. (1994), Raffournier (1995), Wallace and Naser (1995), Depoers (2000) and Haniffa and Cooke (2002) they didnt fine significant association. 2.4.6 Industry sector According Cook (1989) disclosure level is more likely to vary from one industry to the other due to the likelihood that leading firms operating in a particularindustry could produce a bandwagon effect on the level ofdisclosure adopted by other firms working in the same industry. Cooke (1992) found evidence that Japanese manufacturing firms tend to provide more information than other non-manufacturing firms. Other studies that found significant effect of industry types are Wallace and Naser (1995) and Camfferman and Cooke (2002), while McNally et al.(1982); Wallace (1987): Wallace et al. (1994); Raffournier (1995); Inchausti, (1997); Patton and Zelenka (1997); Naser (1998); Owusu-Ansah (1998), Naser and Alkhatib (2000) and Alsaeed (2006) found insignificant effect. Table 2.2: Summary of independent variables influence on voluntary disclosure: Study Independent variable findings Akerlof (1970) Profitability Positive relationship Singhvi and Desai, (1971) Profitability Positive relationship Jensen and Meckling, (1976) Debt ratio and audit firm size Positive relationship with debt ratio and audit firm size. Firth, (1979) Firm size and audit firm size Positive relationship with debt ratio and audit firm size. Leftwich, Watts, and Zimmerman (1981) Ownership dispersion positive relationship with ownership dispersion McNally et al.(1982) Industry sector Insignificant with industry sector Fama and Jensen (1983) Ownership dispersion positive relationship with ownership dispersion Watts and Zimmerman (1983). Firm size positive relationship with firm size Foster, (1986) Firm size, profitability Significant positive with firm size and found positive with profitability. Watts and Zimmerman (1986) Profitability positive with profitability Wallace (1987) Industry sector Insignificant with industry sector. Cook (1989) Industry sector Positive with industry sector. Bradbury (1992) Firm size and debt ratio. Significant positive with firm size and debt ratio. Richard, (1992) Profitability Positive with profitability. Forker (1992) Audit firm size Positive but insignificant with audit firm size. Craswell and Taylor (1992) Audit firm size Positively significant with audit firm size. Cooke (1992) Industry sector positive with industry sector Mckinnon and Dalimunthe, (1993) Firm size, debt ratio, ownership dispersion. Positive with firm size and ownership dispersion and negative with debt ratio. Hossain et al. (1994) Firm size, debt ratio, ownership dispersion and audit firm size. Positive with firm size and ownership dispersion but negatively with debt ratio and audit firm size. Wallace et al. (1994) Industry sector Insignificant with industry sector. Meek et al, (1995) Firm size, debt ratio, profitability. Positive with firm size and profitability whereas significant, negative with debt ratio. Hossain et al. (1995) Firm size and Debt ratio Significant positive with firm size and debt ratio. Mitchell et al. (1995) Firm size and Debt ratio. Significant positive with firm size and debt ratio. Wallace and Naser (1995) Firm size, profitability, Ownership dispersion Positive with firm size, ownership dispersion and industry sector but- ,audit firm size and industry sector Negatively with profitability and audit firm size. Ahmed (1995) Firm size and audit firm size Positive significant with firm size and audit firm size. Raffournier (1995) Profitability, audit firm size and industry sector. No significant with profitability and industry sector, but significant positive with audit firm size Zarzeski (1996) Firm size and debt ratio Positive with firm size and debt ratio Aitken et al. (1997) Firm size, Debt ratio and owner ship dispersion Positive with the firm size and ownership dispersion but negative with debt ratio. Inchausti (1997) Profitability, audit firm size and industry sector. Positive with profitability and significant positive with audit firm size and insignificant with industry sector. Patton and Zelenka (1997) Industry sector Insignificant with industry sector. Naser (1998) Debt ratio and industry sector. Significant positive with debt ratio but insignificant with industry sector. Owusu-Ansah (1998), Industry sector Insignificant with industry sector. Mahmood (1999) Audit firm size Significant with audit firm size. Brennan and Hourigan, (2000) Firm size and debt ratio. Significant positive with firm size and significant negative with debt ratio. Gelb (2000) Ownership dispersion Negatively with Ownership dispersion Depoers (2000) Audit firm size No significant with audit firm size. Naser and Alkhatib (2000) industry sector Insignificant with industry sector. Ho and Wong (2001) Profitability, ownership dispersion and audit firm size. No significant with profitability but negatively with ownership dispersion and positive significant with audit firm size. Naser et al. (2002). Firm size, Profitability, ownership dispersion and audit firm size. Positive significant with firm size and audit firm size but positive with profitability and no significant with ownership dispersion. Eng and Mak (2002) Profitability No significant with profitability Chau and Gray (2002) Ownership dispersion Positively with outside ownership dispersion. Camfferman and Cooke (2002) Profitability, audit firm size and industry sector