Cult and Brainwashing Essay Example for Free

Cult and Brainwashing Essay Brain washing which entails coercive persuasion to eradicate former beliefs and institute in their place new beliefs, has been widely linked to the emergence of cultic groups. Concerns on the motivating factor behind an individual’s acceptance to join a cultic group have been the subject of research and controversies from numerous studies. From these studies it can be surmised that the justification of an individual’s decision to join cultic groups could either be serious family problems and non family related issues, or relational issues with both family and peers. In addition, individuals with a high predisposition to crises and those who have had put up with the absence of a father during their childhood were also found to be more susceptible to join cultic groups. In social psychology, cult development and brain washing are interrelated issues that often attract disputes. Brain washing is often used to denote the process by which individual persons are influenced through a process that is manifested intentionally and through systematically applied techniques that are not only traumatizing, but are also aimed at instilling obedience through ideological resocialization (Dawson, 2003). Through the use of coercive persuasion, former beliefs are eradicated and new beliefs instituted in their place. It may also comprise manipulation of an individual’s social influence systematically (Kaplan Hellen, 2005). Its existence in the field of social psychology is a widely disputed topic due to the fact that it is not a recognized theoretical concept, but rather a sensationalist’s explanation that is used in reference to cultists and revival preachers. Not only do parties disagree on whether social process that attempt to influence individuals coercively exist, but the existence of their social outcome, which entails that individuals become influenced contrary to their will, is also an issue that elicits concern (Taylor Taylor, 2005). Critics of the brain washing perspective argue that it presents a simplistic perspective to be employed by those intent on locating effective social weapons to counter disfavored groups. They therefore, contend that any perceived relative success on those efforts aimed at achieving social control should obscure the fact that the notion of brain washing lacks a scientific basis to support the exposed opinions. Despite the negative attributes levied on cults, they also carry intrinsic advantages. One such merit is that they are seen as channels of transition to individual members. Even though members do not always belong to cults on a permanent basis, the experience they have while in cultic groups is often an exhilarating one, as they often recount (Wilson Cresswell, 1999). Proponents of cultic movements often cite clinical studies done on the psychological effects of becoming a member of a cultic group as the basis for favoring these groups. According to these studies, becoming a member of a cultic group has a therapeutic effect rather than a harmful effect. Other studies carried on cultist practices have also shown that what may be regarded as psychopathology of religious or spiritual nature may be a means for spiritual growth and expression of religious affiliation and religious stage (Kaplan Hellen, 2005). The notion of brain washing may also be a subtle form of behavior control which entails a system of reward or punishment for action. Education is a noteworthy example of behavior control mechanism targeted at achieving a desired behavior (Dawson, 2003). When behavior modification techniques are employed in a loving, caring and consistent manner, a change of behavior often results without feelings of resentment. On the contrary, perversion of behavior control techniques results in damage to emotions and psyche. Cults use a perverted form of behavior modification that ultimately damages the emotions of the individual. Through cognitive dissonance, cultic groups are able to remain strong even in the face of a failure of their predictions (Taylor Taylor, 2005). Social psychology espouses that cult development is founded on a basic premise of cognitive dissonance which explains why some cult adherents tend to become even stronger and resolute when their predictions fail. These individuals often find ways of coping psychologically with the experienced failure and they dissociate from the failure through: control of behavior, control of thoughts, and control of emotions. These three elements are interdependent, implying that when one is eliminated the others cease to operate effectively. Moreover, when the three elements are altered, the affected individual goes through a complete change (Wilson Cresswell, 1999). Behavior control entails management of a person’s physical reality which involves such aspects as an individual’s place of residence, employment, what an individual eats and where he or she sleeps (Kaplan Hellen, 2005). It explains why most cults impose stringent schedules for its members. In extreme cases, a cult member can willfully participate in his punishment, believing that he deserve it! Thought control, on the other hand, involves thought indoctrination of its members to the extent that members manipulate their own thought processes. An ideology held by the cultists is internalized as the correct ideology and forms a set of belief system through which information received by an individual member of the cult is filtered and processed before either being rejected or accepted. Through the use of a unique and specific language member’s’ thought processes are regulated in a manner that alienates them from a non cultic groups (Wilson Cresswell, 1999). Another mechanism employed by cultic groups is the thought- stopping techniques, which involves the use of mediation, singing, chanting or concentrated praying, which harbors an individual’s ability to test the reality. The person desists from blaming the group and shifts the blame to him in the event of a problem (Taylor Taylor, 2005). On the other hand, emotional control involves manipulation of an individual’s range of feelings. Control is achieved through the propagation of guilt and anxiety. The fear of being ostracized by cult leaders if a member is not seen to be adhering to the practices of the cult is created. Moreover, use of phobia indoctrination that elicits a panic reaction in an individual, helps ensure the individual remains in the cult, every time the individual thinks of leaving the group (Dawson, 2003). Another component of cognitive dissonance is information control which involves managing of the group member’s source of information. This is founded on the basic premise that denying people information needed to make sound judgment is usually expected to render them incapable of making those changes. This notion is widely employed in cultic groups, resulting in psychological chains that lock away its adherent from realities in the society (Kaplan Hellen, 2005). Susceptible Groups Of particular concern to the field of social psychology is the motivating factor behind an individual’s acceptance to join a particular cult. Numerous studies surmised from persons who formerly belonged to cult groups have in many occasions found a link between their joining cults and serious family and non family problems (Dawson, 2003). Typical issues such as a history of poor relationships both with individual’s family and peers were characteristic of these individuals. In addition it was also noted that young individuals with a high predisposition to crises also tended to join cults (Taylor Taylor, 2005). Still other studied note that those who have had to put with the absence of a father during childhood and who face a myriad of challenges often join cults. These observations have also been found to be consistent with a study that indicated that non converts tended to hold less authoritarian values compared to new converts to cults. Cults have been discredited with fostering, regression, paralysis of thought and dislocation of reality. The negative characterization of cults may however, be a result of interviewing former cult members , who may have left due to dissatisfaction, and who are thus predisposed to give negative views (Taylor Taylor, 2005). Reference Dawson, L. L. (2003). Cults and new religious movements: a reader. New York. Wiley-Blackwell. Kaplan, J. , Hellen, L. (2002). The cultic milieu: oppositional subcultures in an age of globalization. New York. Rowman Altamira. Taylor, K. , Taylor, K. E. (2005). Brainwashing: The Dream of Mind Control. New York. Oxford UP. Wilson, B. R. , Cresswell, J. (1999). New Religious Movements: Challenge and Response. Belmont, CA. Routledge.

Target Market And Projection Marketing Essay

Target Market And Projection Marketing Essay Ikatan Sdn Bhd that provide technology measured will be officially register and Headquarters is in Shah Alam, Selangor. Ikatan Sdn Bhd aims to be the most competitive and reliable company in provide technology product. Our business concept is basically to provide technology devices that mainly focus on ultrasonic distance measures. Besides that, we also provide services for the products especially for maintenance. Warranty for 1 year will be issued to the customer. To get to us, the customer can contact us directly to our office number, fax or by internet. Our customer services are ready to help you with accurate information. 1.1.2 Product Concept Our product is low cost, simple to use, heavy duty and environment friendly. Once an order is confirmed, we will send our staff to go over costumers place to deliver our product. All prices quoted are inclusive of relevant taxes in Malaysia. The customer may pay some amount of deposit before completing the payment. Transportation fees will be charge. Our product will base according to the customers land area. Our product also can be adjusted to the customers information on how frequent they can measure the distance. 1.1.3 We have already classified our target market which we think could bring a very high profit monthly. In our case, we had agreed to divide the target market into some categories which are target customers and target places. For the target customer, we have three types of people which are contractor, university and retailer. For different type of people, there would be different rate of charge since we consciously consider their economic ability and stability. 1.1.4 The Competitive Advantages As part of the marketing n business world, we cannot run and avoid from competitors. This is the challenge that we have to face. So in order to be constantly competitive, we decided to innovate the current availability of technology in measuring and making it for easier, user friendly, low cost and the most important thing is environmental friendly. Our product intelligent system will be developed by our research department which uses up to date technology and easy maintenance. With that, we are sure that our company can compete with other competitors at the highest level in technology. 2.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION A measuring tape is the common tool in measuring length and distance. However, the nature of the tool requires the user to pull out the tape according to the length that wanted to be measured. This can be problematic when the length is quite long or when measuring height and difficult places.    By replacing the tape with an ultrasonic pulse, the inconvenience can be overcome. Ultrasonic pulse greatly simplifies the process of straight line measurement. This ultrasonic pulse give benefit to user who want to measure at difficult place such as behind the cabinet that the tape cannot reach or measuring the height of ceiling Figure 2.1 : front view of Ultrasonic Distance Measure Figure 2.2 : Picture of Ultrasonic Distance Measure 2.1 Product specification Auto stop: switches off if you do not press any key for 4 min.   LCD screen on a luminous background. Memory: allows you to measure and to store 3 different measures Calculation of area and volume.   Addition and Subtraction function: allows you to add or subtract 2 measures.   Clearing of memory function: allow you to delete quickly all the measures stored.   Correction of errors: the distance measurer indicates that a distance measured is either too long, or too short.   Power supply: 1 x 9V Alkaline type Battery (Not included)   Units of Measure: Feet/Meters   Accuracy: +/-0.5%   Frequency: 40 kHz (ultrasonic pickup)   Range: 0.91m to 20m   Dimensions (H-P-l): 142 x 73 x 47mm   Weight (without battery): 144.6g   3.0 TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION Uses ultrasonic wave(40kHz) Generated in a particular direction. If there is an object in the path of this pulse, part or all of the pulse will be reflected back to the transmitter as an  echo  and can be detected through the receiver path. By  measuring the difference between the pulse being transmitted and the echo being received, it is possible to determine how far away the object is. The input of the product is the time of taken for the ultrasonic pulse bounce back from an object. Uses LCD to display measurement. Have backlight for easy reading of the measurement MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS Market size is the estimation how big our market can be in our market area. In order to determine the market size in the area, we might have one of our staff to stand with a clipboard and a sample menu in front of the space and ask pedestrians if they would frequent such an establishment. He will park himself on the corner one early morning and do the same at noon, evening and on a weekend to determine how many customers we can expect on a daily basis. This also will be particularly important when planning a budget. For every company, marketing plan is the most important part of the business. There are no uses of good quality product if the company fails to sell the product maximally. The good marketing plan should study about the customer behavior, what the customers needs and wants, which are the potential buyers and how to satisfy the customers. Customer For our business, we did some research for the targeting customers. We have classified our customers in some categories. They are contractors, university and retailer. Because of limited resources and competition in our market, we hesitant that we are able to sell our product with equal efficiency and services to the entire market. Therefore, before we decide which market to enter, we analyze the best potential buyers using market segmentation. We divided our market segmentation into three groups to offer our product with different market mix: Group 1: contractors. Group 2: university/college Group 3: retailer A contractor is a group or individual that contracts with another organization or individual (the owner) for the construction, renovation or demolition of a building, road or other structure. A general contractor is defined as such if it is the signatory as the builder of the prime construction contract for the project. Contractors conducting work for government agencies are typically referred to as prime contractors. The responsibilities of a prime contractors working under a contract are essentially identical to those outlined above. So that why we target our market to contractor, so that we can get many benefit from them. Our secondary customer is university/college. A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is a corporation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education. We target university because their student maybe will use electronic devices for the certain courses such as engineering, architecture and many more. Next costumer is retailer. For retailer, we will deliver our products at them and they will promote and display it at costumer like civilian, student and anyone who wants to buy it. Primarily, we have planned a fine and efficient services to offer our customers. Our service is with respect to the customers demand. Customers can directly reach us by dropping by to our company at Shah Alam. We will strive in order to improve our services and meet our customers needs and satisfaction. 4.2 Market Size and Trends Figure 4.2 : Current Total Market Size for Three Consecutive Most Previous Years The size of the current total market is thoroughly taken consecutively since year 2008 until year 2010 and represented in a bar chart as above. As visualized, the size of the current total market in 2008 is 2850 units. For year 2009 and 2010, total market size is slightly increases to 2904 units. In the following year, the total size is much better among those after year 2008 when achieved to 2904 units. Competitors Strengths Weaknesses Techshop Enterprise high quality of materials most expensive Not have too much experience Kurnia Tech one year warranty most expensive Juana Sdn Bhd cheapest product among all no warranty iRaybull Enterprise good service They have many competitors even the location are strategicTable 4.2 : Major Competitors 4.3 Competition and Competitive Edge As we can see from comparison table above, there are four (4) main competitors with the same interest. The four main competitors are Techshop Enterprise, Kurnia Tech, Juana Sdn Bhd and iRaybull Enterprise. Many costumers are preferably to go among these four companies due to their strengths in marketing. However, there are some weaknesses for these companies. We successfully encountered their strengths and weaknesses as shown in the table above. This is to ensure that our company is different and far better than them. As for us we provide quality, affordable and reasonable price, on time schedule of installation, simple yet new and advanced technology, good service, friendly workers, and maintenance free. By providing all these features, we are not only giving benefits to our business but also to customers. They will find our new programmed product and service is better than others could offer. We do not need to hire foreign employees to work with us our own native is better than them. This will help to improve and to show others that we are also competent as we successfully create such technology which is the first in country. This will shake our competitors a bit. The fundamental value that had been added to our service is the main thing about customer satisfaction and guarantee. Customers are always right, that what we use. To make sure customer is always right, the review of our service and product is continuously. This can ensure customer feel good and happy with service given and product sell, also, increase marketing of company. 4.4 Estimated Market Share and Sales 4.4.1 Market Share Market share before Ikatan Sdn Bhd Market share after tree month Ikatan Sdn Bhd enter 4.5 Marketing Strategy 4.5.1 Strengths and Weakness of Competitors Our product has several competitors such as Techshop Enterprise, Kurnia Tech, Juana Sdn Bhd , iRaybull Enterprise and others. All competitors have their own strengths and weaknesses. In general, all the competitors strengths are: They have a stable financial with a good reserve of equity due to their amount of years the company has established in the market. Their company is well-known. They have regular customers. The qualities of their products are proven. They have good promotion strategies. They provide good services. They have good in take over the customer The competitors weaknesses are: They sell their product with higher price. They dont have any market plan for their customers. The location is not suitable. The working hours is not flexible From our researched, we decide that our marketing strategy is based on marketing mix. Below are the results of the research: Product Ikatan Sdn Bhd provides the product where the customers can get many benefit from using our product. Price We promote the product in a lower price compare to other competitor Location We locate our company at the strategic place that easily for customer to come and buy it. Promotion For the promotion, we use the pamphlet to approach our market target. Apart from that, we also uses our communication skills to persuade the customers and convince them that our product can give more benefit to them. 4.5.2 Overall Marketing Strategy For our product ultrasonic distance measurer, we have come out with some business strategies in order to deliver a convincing promotion: Signboard or signage at appropriate place and clearly visible. Provide delivery services to the costumer who has order the product and that will make easier for customer to take order. We will spread widely the pamphlet to the retailer and other customer to promote our product 4.5.3 Sales Tactics Ikatan Sdn Bhd sales tactics are enforced by its sales forces and direct mail. Marketing department has already assisted by sales forces hired by top management in order to distribute company information and to promote product specialties to customers. Moreover, Ikatan Sdn Bhd has developed its own website which initiated by those sales forces and company software engineers from Engineering Department. Through mail, it will be more convenience for customers to reach companys products and thus own them via internet purchasing which is easier, faster, and most importantly secured. 4.5.4 Advertising and Promotion à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Business Card All the board of company directors will be provide with business card as an advertising method when dealing with the customers. Pamphlet We use high quality and attractive pamphlets to give good perception to our customers together with the information about our company. Signboard We used high quality and coloring signboard at nearest area to attractive customers assumes them to visit and gain to try in our company. Website 4.5.6 Distribution 1. Distribution to Contractor 2. Distribution to University/College 3. Distribution to Retailer 5.0 MANAGEMENT TEAM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) MOHD ZULHIMI BIN ZAILANI 860605-56-6905 Administration Executive MUHAMMAD REDHUWAN BIN ZAINI 870120-10-5667 Operation Executive ABDUL MUID BIN MOHD SALEH 870103-03-5185 Finance Executive MOHAMAD ZULFADLI BIN MOHD ALI 870729-10-5333 Marketing Executive MOHD IZZUDDIN BIN MOHD YUNAN 860410-56-6163 5.1 Position Description Position Description 1 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Provide leadership to ensure that the mission, ethical values and core guiding principles of the Company are put into practice. Lead the executive management team to be effective developers of solutions to business challenges thereby establishing credibility throughout the organization and with the Board. Responsible for driving the Company to achieve and surpass sales, profitability, cash flow, business goals and objectives. Motivate and lead a high-performance management team; attract recruit members of the executive team not currently in place and retain the executive leadership team; provide mentoring as a cornerstone to the management career development program. Represent the Company and its values with customers, vendors, shareholders, government and regulatory bodies, other stakeholders and the public generally. Support the recruitment, selection, individual development and monitoring of the executive management team and other senior management personnel to ensure the Company maintains a strong succession plan. Spearhead the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes. Collaborate with the executive management team to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes and personnel designed to accommodate the growth objectives of the Company. 2 Administration Executive Provide secretarial / administrative support to the Company Senior Management Reporting to Operations Manager on the day to day operations related issues. Preparing operations reports and analyzing the effectiveness and efficiency of the overall operations functions Responsible for requisition and maintenance of office equipment including furniture and fixture, telephone system, keys Responsible for printing of office stationeries, including envelopes, letterhead, name card Coordinate documents for approval Communicate with internal and external parties on matters related to administration / office management activities Liaise with the building management on building management matters e.g. car park, maintenance, safety etc. Renewal of License, Insurance, Contract, Advertisement 3 Finance Executive Provides leadership for the entire sales and sales support organization in the sales, support and implementation of Company products and services. Develop and manage account plans/profiles Create and develop customer solutions and sales proposals. Lead in the negotiation of long-term contracts. Attain and exceed forecast sales objectives for Company products and services. Identify, understand and analyze product sales applications, new product opportunities and innovative new sales ideas. Develop sales forecasts and manage them on a bi-monthly basis and submit to management. 4 Marketing Executive Create marketing plans geared toward end users for each key product within portfolio, in line with strategy and targets and within budget. Work with the in-house designer to produce materials of visual impact and within brand guidelines. Work with the business innovations department to develop new ideas for reaching end user markets using the latest in electronic technologies. Communicate to rest of marketing team about new innovations and how they can be used to leverage marketing efforts. Write copy for each product, reflecting key messages, features and benefits. Involve key stakeholders for product at each stage of campaign, and report results once completed. Preparation delivery of marketing plan within key objective. Events planning, organization and execution. Copy writing of articles, marketing materials etc. Liaison with media and publishers as required Ensuring that all marketing materials do no deviate from the established Brand image of the business. Market research and competitor analysis. Maintains up to date with professional sector news. Supporting the development of the website. Focus on both business growth and client retention. Use email, ad words and other electronic marketing techniques to inform customers of new products and generate sales. 5 Operation Executive Responsible for smooth execution of training programmers and events Responsible for providing administrative support Accountable and responsible for the entire events and programmers from initiation to closing Willing to work flexible hours whenever necessary including weekends. 6.0 FINANCIAL PLAN The administration, marketing and operational is important in a business plan. However without any proper financial planning the implementation of a business is net worth it. From the data and information that included in the financial plan, it will help the company to evaluate their ability in managing their financial in order to run the business. Financial plan is the plan that shows the short term financial requirement in order to start a new business. It also shows how the requirement can finance the business using internal and external source. Beside that it can prove the reliable information about changes ion net resource resulting from profit directed activities. Financial planning is the last thing to prepare in this project to complete the business plan. It consists of total expenditure and budget to establish a good business. All the expenditure is such as administration, marketing, and operation budget. Actually, the basic objective of financial plan is to provide financial information which is important in determining some economic decision. Financial information is not information which is needed to be considered in making decision, but it is more important than that. We can say that, every decision make will base on financial information. 6.1 Purpose of financial plan To analyze the project and financial plan To ensure the initial capital are adequate, ability and sufficient To identify the purpose and relevant source of fund To determine the amount of loan re-payment and depreciation of fund fixed asset To appraise availability before actual investment is committed To evaluate how far or potential return on investment To make a party such as a financial institution to be confidence with the financial of the company in order to make a business loan 6.2 Strategies of financial plan Makes sure that company have sufficient amount of cash in order to take trade discount, to maintain credit rating and to meet unexpected cash needs Give advice and opinion to other department such as administration, marketing and operation in order to reach the business purpose Make sure the increase in business profit at the good stage and better performing Make sure that cash was used efficient and effectively without wastage in expenses Try to seek business opportunity in order to increase the financial strength or wealth of economy SALES AND PURCHASE PROJECTION PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION COST SCHEDULE ADMINISTRATIVE, MARKETING, AND OPERATION BUDGET Activities Start Deadlines Business registration 15 Oct 2010 2 Nov 2010 Trade mark registraton 20 Oct 2010 5 Nov 2010 Labours intake 15 December 2009 25 Feb 2010 Start production 1 Nov 2010 28 Nov 2010 Product promotion 15 Dec 2010 2 March 2011 Trial product 15 Dec 2010 1 Jan 2011 First sale 2 Feb 2011 31 August 20117.0 PROJECT MILESTONES Here are the project milestones for our company. 7.0 CONCLUSION It can be conclude that Ultrasonic Distance Measure has great potential to penetrate into the market due to low prize and high efficient usage. This was confidently proven by our experts through researches, surveys and development for more than two years. I believe this product will be successfully achieves our target sales. As a management team of Ikatan Sdn Bhd, we need to fulfill our customer needed. So, the good relationship between supplier and customer are very important. We are promise to give 100% commitment to our company. 9.0 APPENDICES Figure 9.1 Picture of Ultrasonic Distance Measure Figure 9.2 Technology used of our product Figure 9.3 Maps of our company located

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy E :: essays research papers

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" and "Mending Wall" An Analysis of Two Robert Frost Works. James Allen once said, 'You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.'; After reading the two Robert Frost poems, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening and Mending Wall, one can not help to wonder what kinds of thoughts inspired these two poems. It becomes clear that the underlying theme in both of these poems is simply freedom of thought. These free thoughts give a person the capability to live how he chooses. In the first poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Frost vividly describes a freedom that many of us take for granted. He tells how he has decided to take the time to stop what he is doing and admire the snow as it falls in the woods and on a frozen lake. The man who owns these woods lives in the town and is ignorant of the beauty that they contain. He has not taken the time to notice how beautiful they are as the snow comes down. The owner of the woods, we'll call him Bob, lives in the town and is busy living his life in the town. Bob will not notice because he takes for granted the fact that he is able to go look at the woods much like the author. 'Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village, though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.'; The persona is saying that he knows who owns the woods, but he won't see him looking at the woods because he lives in the town. The author knows that Bob will not visit because he only owns the woods, he lives in the town and does not appreciate the beauty they possess or he would be there visiting them himself. The author is appreciating life and the freedom that he has while observing his own winter or the last stanza of his life as he watches the woods as they fill will snow. It is clear that the author (the persona of the poem) has chosen a life different from that of Bob. Bob has chosen the city life of materialistic things while the author has decided to take in the beauty of the world.

Confusion in Landscape for a Good Woman Essay -- Landscape for a Good

Confusion in Landscape for a Good Woman I found Landscape for a Good Woman to be a confusing landscape, one whose contours are difficult to follow. I don't mean to imply that I did not find the book fascinating, but it was so rich and the stories and scholarly discussions were so intertwined that it was difficult to keep track of what Steedman was trying to convey. Why did she choose to write in this way? Instead of giving us a straight narrative about her childhood and allowing us to make our own inferences, I feel as if she's told a story and, at the same time, she's told us how to interpret that story and has given us a critique of her own and others' interpretations of her story. Steedman does begin the section titled "Stories" by saying that "this book. . . is about interpretations." Of course, all stories, fiction or non-fiction, are interpretations of events and characters, told from the perspective of the author. I don't find the interpretations themselves to be problematic; maybe what I find confusing is that Steedman gives us interpretations from so many different...

Essay --

The Implementation of Sovereign Power: Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau Written By: Jessica Zhou - 250967181 Introduction to Political Theory - POL 2237E TA: Bojan Ratković Handed In On February 11, 2014 â€Æ' Sovereign power can be understood to be the right to enforce the law or to enact a form of legitimate justice within the realms of a state. Sovereignty is associated with the rule of a sovereign or an authoritative entity, which ultimately characterizes how a government regime is managed. It can take many forms and can be bestowed in a multitude of ways. With the emergence of states and powerful figureheads comes the question of where legitimate power lies. The political theories found in Thomas Hobbes’s The Leviathan, John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government, and Jean Jacques Rousseau’s Of the Social Contract all attempt to answer this long-standing question of where sovereign power should operate and why a certain form of government is ideal. Although many differences lie in these three theorist’s political philosophies, all three comment on the creation of a social contract and how this agreement made among individuals in a society is fundamental to t he functionality of a state. Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau all have a very different view of how society should function, and to fully understand and contrast their ideas, a brief overview of each theory should first be explained. Thomas Hobbes believes that sovereignty should be placed in the hands of a single person who holds absolute power. He argues that this absolute sovereign will ensure the protection and common defense of all citizens and will organize civil peace. Hobbes views the natural state of man as inherently violent and is the â€Å"war of every man against every man... ...ions. On the contrary, if every person were to advocate for what they see should be done, then a general consensus will be hard to reach. If we briefly consider Rousseau’s form of government, the belief that everyone will have the same opinion about what is good for the whole community is too optimistic. Realistically, Rousseau’s theory of bestowing sovereign power upon all the people will create a very scattered pool of opinionated groups that feel their ‘general will’ is the best and few decisions will be made. But if we consider the formation of a legislative branch of government that represented the general public’s opinions, such like in Locke’s theory, an overall agreement can be reached. Therefore, Locke’s arguments reflect a more practical practice of government, where the people are not merely subjects of a single sovereign, but hold sovereignty themselves.

Memorable Experience with Writing and Reading Essay

â€Å"You cannot open a book without learning something† (Confucius). About two months before school started, the weather became extremely hot. I stayed at home to enjoy the air-conditioning and to do some reading. I grabbed an arbitrary book which had probably sat on my shelf during the whole summer. On the cover, it read â€Å"Voices and Values: A Reader for Writers by Janet M.Goldstein and Beth Johnson†. On the inside, a few carelessly folded pages indicated that the book had ever been used. This book, a collection of effective essays, was a requirement for one of my classes. It theoretically served as a key to succeed both in reading and writing, but I had only read ten essays in an attempt to finish my homework assignments enough to maintain a fair grade in the course. That was how I approached school, getting the highest possible grade with the lowest possible effort. However, after reading several more essays in â€Å"Voices and Values†, my attitude toward studying changed. In my family, education plays a serious role. My parents taught me to study hard. Nevertheless, I personally viewed these ideas childishly and impractically. I told myself that it would be a waste of time to try too hard and fully absorb any of the material I was studying. What I did was to study enough to gather the facts. I used to taste ideas, chew on them for as long as it took to survive in class, and then, after tests, spit them out. Grades, after all, had served as the most powerful element in my educational view. As a matter of fact, while my grades were thriving, my mind was stagnating. As I opened the book that day, looking for some interesting essays that I might have missed, I found more than that. This book is much more than an academic book designed to teach critical reading and writing skills. â€Å"Voices and Values†, in some ways, introduces its readers to higher moral lessons. The essays, â€Å"Dare to Think Big† by Dr. Ben Carson, â€Å"From Nonreading to Reading† by Stacy Kelly Abbott, â€Å"Reading to Survive† by Paul Langan, and â€Å"Learning Survival Skills† by Jean Coleman, are different stories written by different authors, but they all exude the same ideas resurrecting lost hope to people, encouraging people not to surrender, and imparting how important education is to people’s lives. Their words did not so much sound new to me as they reminded me of some ideas that I had known, some concepts I had held. However, I had stored them somewhere in my head and never used them. â€Å"As I look back over the past for years, I see all the things that have happened to make me see how important reading is. I am not where I want to be yet, but I will be in a year or two† (Abbott). Abbott’s words moved around and enli ghtened me. Looking back over twelve years in school, I found myself nothing more than a revolving machine: receiving data, keeping it in short-term memory to cope with the tests, and then removing it as soon as possible. What I did, indeed, never could be called â€Å"studying† or â€Å"learning,† but using a basic skill to achieve the best grade possible. Chemistry, World History, National History, World Geography, National Geography, Agricultures, and Biology, these subjects never seemed strange to me. I had undertaken, struggled, and passed through them years before in Vietnam. Unfortunately, none of them managed to set up roots in my mind. These things, which were supposed to be general information for a long term student, had come and gone like a visitor. I did not change; I did not grow; I did not accumulate any useful knowledge for myself. Worse than that, I was still too innocent to realize I had been on the wrong path and had the wrong attitude. The misconception I had about education eventually prevented me from opening my eyes and my mind. â€Å"And that is how we have to learn to think about life! With a long-term view. A Big-Picture perspective!† (Carson). There are times, when a person’s mind encounters the right philosophies, and self-discovery happens. In a flash, I visualized an uncertain future, where I could see myself was holding a materialistic degree with spiritual ignorance, knowing nothing about the world, and being completely empty of practical knowledge. Then, I knew that if there were ever a time for me to abandon the misconception about education, it was at that moment. As Peck stated in his essay â€Å"Responsibility†, â€Å"This is because we must accept responsibility for a problem before we can solve it. We cannot solve a problem by hoping that someone else will solve it for us.† Using education as a key to succeed is my responsibility. I realized that I am the person who has to deal with my future, and it was time for me to solve it. â€Å"I feel passionately that all of us can control our own destinies. Students should plan for a realistic career, get themselves organized, learn to persist, be positive, and open themselves to growth† (Coleman). I was determined to change, to create a new attitude. I wanted to learn not just for the grades, but also for the knowledge. From that moment, I told myself to be more concerned with the information than with the grades. The information is what education really is, while the grades are sometimes merely an outward factor. I began refusing to use the phrase â€Å"just study enough† as an excuse for not trying. However, several times, when I felt regretful for having held the wrong attitude for such a long time, again, I found my concerns reflected in â€Å"Voices and Values†. Most of the people in that book started their education a little late and faced many difficulties. Even so, they were seriously struggling, combating, and they overcame their own obstacles. At the age of nineteen, I am ready to be a go-getter, to thrive with a new passion which has been redefined. I will always cherish the moment that I touched that book, â€Å"Voices and Values†, that has spiritually changed who I am.†

Political Cartoon Essay

In this cartoon Luckovic shows how President Barrack Obama holds only one piece of candy only for a huge crowd of kids outside of his house. In this case the piece of candy is catalogued as a job opportunity. All the kids appear to have a worried face, doubting that they will get something for this Halloween night. On the other hand, president Obama looks like he is frustrated and not satisfied by only having this one piece of candy for all the disappointed kids.It is also good to mention that all the kids have their candy bag open as if they are expecting to receive something even though there is only one piece of candy, even though it appears that only one kid is going to be fortunate enough to receive a treat that occasion. This cartoon shows how difficult the employment situation is at the moment due to the economic recession. It also reflects on the amounts of people that has lost their jobs and are waiting for a miracle from president Obama.Obviously Luckovic is disappointed wi th the government because it has been 10 months since president Obama took charge in January and there hasn’t been a real big improvement on the economy. In the cartoon Luckovic how president Obama holds a big bowl with the purpose of showing how years ago that bowl was big because there were actually jobs available. Obama’s ears are also big and open in this cartoon, trying to demonstrate how the president is very attentive when it comes to the people.In the crowd you might see characters such as a cowboy, a football player and Mickey mouse, all of these being important economic powerhouses struggling nowadays. Another important character in the back is Santa Claus with a worried face, demonstrating how Christmas time is rapidly approaching and there is a lack of funds available that are not going to be able to fulfill people’s wishes this December. Cartoon cited Luckovich, Mike. Cartoon. 7 Oct. 2009. 27 Oct. 2009. . Valzania, Gilberto MW 7am