The Changing Definition Of Freedom Essay - 1420 Words

The Changing Definition of Freedom in the US Jasmin Mesner History to 1877 12 October 2016 Many ideas are important within the American culture, but to the American sense of patriotism, freedom is most fundamental. The idea of freedom is central to the American politics – which is at times referred to as liberty. Since the birth of the nation, freedom has been the vocabulary of the American language and its importance cannot be underestimated. The Declaration of Independence, for instance, ranks liberty as an inalienable right. On the other hand, the Constitution reckons that it purposes to protect civilians’ liberty. The importance of freedom has even stretched further than the political arena and has prompted the birth of civil rights movements and other activist protests. The Cold War and the Civil War were all for the cause of freedom. The importance that Americans attach to freedom can also be demonstrated from the erection of statues, banishment of slavery, use of liberty poles and a right to vote for adults. For many years, women and the African Ameri cans have for a long time fought against denial and infringement of their freedom . However, given the importance that Americans affiliate to freedom in the conceptualization of their country, it has been the subject of modifications over the course of years especially before the Revolutionary War. The Revolution brought with it numerous reforms with regards to what freedom entails. During this period,Show MoreRelatedDifferences Between 1920 And The 1920s1367 Words   |  6 PagesFreedom has long since been defined by those who hold to most prosperous and advantageous positions in society. With changing definitions representing changing social, political and economic policy, it is no surprise that freedom and prosperity exclude different groups of people, such as immigrants and African Americans during both the 1920s and the 1950s. While both of these periods saw great changes to policies and increased prosperity under these times, the shadows of war and discrimination stillRead MoreMeasuring World Development Essay825 Words   |  4 Pagesphenomenon. There are a range of simple and composite indicators used to measure development. There are many definitions of development, perhaps the most used is; â€Å"Development refers to a number of characteristics such as demographic change, economic growth, an increase in the case of resources, modernisation, higher levels of technology and political freedom.† Indicators of development are put into four sectors: Economic, Social, Political and environmental. Read MoreLetters from an American Farmer Essay1211 Words   |  5 PagesWe Are America America — a land known for its ideals of freedom and new opportunities, a nation built under the idea that every man and women is created equal. However, the definition of what makes a person an American is entirely different from what it is that makes up America, itself. J.Hector St. John Crevecoeur, author of Letters from an American Farmer (1782), exposes what he believes makes an American. However, when compared to the standards of what makes an American in today’s world, it seemsRead MoreA Family Has Altered By Coontz, A Professor Of History985 Words   |  4 PagesIn this chapter of, Families as they really are, Coontz, a professor of history, asserts the theme of how as time went on the definition of a family has altered. Coontz begins this chapter by showing how every area in the world has a different definition of what is a family. Specifically, in the United States, the definition of a family has altered from the early colonial times to today. She explains th e differences of the how every race has a different meaning for families. According to Coontz,Read MoreMy Reflection Of Freedom1273 Words   |  6 PagesReflection Journal #1 Freedom is something that is usually thought about as having the ability to do whatever one wants to do. Of course, that is correct in the literal sense but, to me freedom can mean much more. To me freedom allows me to be myself in every way possible and it means that I can choose my own path in life, choose my own beliefs and values, and choose what I do with my relatively brief time on Earth. What freedom means is dependent on where you live, who you are, and how you wereRead MoreDefining Freedom in Eric Foners The Story of American Freedom1185 Words   |  5 Pagesof American Freedom, he writes a historical monograph about how liberty came to be. In the book, his argument does not focus on one fixed definition of freedom like others are tempted to do. Unlike others, Foner describes liberty as an ever changing entity; its definition is fluid and does not change in a linear progress. While others portray liberty as a pre-determined concept and gradually getting better, Foner argue s the very history of liberty is constantly reshaping the definition of libertyRead MoreEssay about The History of Freedom 1654 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout history freedom has had many different meanings and definitions; based on race, gender, and ethnicity. According to the dictionary freedom means the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint (â€Å"freedom† def. 1). Freedom may seem like something given to everyone however it was something workers had to fight for. Not everyone believed that workers’ rights needed to be changed, which led to a long battle between workers, employers and theRead MoreSame-sex marriage debate. An essay AGAINST same sex marriages.773 Words   |  3 Pagesworld is constantly changing and evolving. It isn t possible to stop this from happening, but it is possible to stand up for what is morally right and for what isn t. And now, we are faced with what many people feel is the inevita ble evolution of marriage: legalizing homosexual marriages. Not allowing homosexual marriages to be recognized by the government and to be legal would prevent changing a fundamental institution, would prohibit breaching the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and would preventRead MoreDiffering Veiws of Liberty and Freedom from Machiavelli and Hobbes1828 Words   |  7 PagesLiberty and freedom are central topics that both Machiavelli and Hobbes touch upon as authors of their individual works. While both authors feel that the idea of liberty and freedom is directly tied to politics, rulers and government, the way they associate these ideas with each other is very different. Machiavelli has several different definitions of liberty. Ultimately however, he believes that liberty is a right that the public obtains and that the republic is a state of government in which changeRead MoreState Sponsored Terrorism Is Not Conducted By Democratic Regimes900 Words   |  4 Pagesmen, woman and chi ldren from all sides are often justified or legitimatized by the accustomed morals and values of each group. Although there is extensive literature on the subject of terrorism, no common or universal definition for the term exists. The word terrorism has had changing meaning over the centuries which is illustrated in this week s reading assignment. For example, earlier incarnations used the term terrorism as it was wielded as a government instrument – by the French government during

William Shakespeare s Portia - 1535 Words

A protagonist is also often the character around whom the action of the play revolves. By this test, Portia is also the protagonist, as without her, very little in the play would have remained the same. Had Bassanio not been in love with Portia, he never would have asked Antonio for the money to woo her and Antonio would not have entered into the bond with Shylock. Similarly, had the laws in the Court of Justice been interpreted by any other lawyer, it I likely that Antonio would have lost his life. At 588 lines, Portia also has more lines than any other character; 233 more than Shylock s 355 lines and 400 more than Antonio s 188. Because of this, the scenes surrounding the caskets in Portia s home should be viewed as trials for the protagonist, and not a sub-plot, as they are often described. By any definition, Portia is the protagonist of the play-- she exhibits the greatest change, the action of the play revolves around her, and she has the largest number of spoken lines. Given her importance to the play, how can the title, The Merchant of Venice, be reconciled? After all, Portia appears to be neither Venetian nor a merchant. While the play treats Belmont as a distant locale from Venice, a close reading indicates that the two are in quite close proximity. When Portia is telling Nerissa of her plan to save Antonio, she tells Nerissa that they must measure twenty miles to-day (3.4.84). Because Portia must be back at Belmont before Bassanio arrives there onShow MoreRelatedPortia s Speech From Act 3 Scene 2 Of William Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice1352 Words   |  6 Pagesambiguous title of the play and creates a â€Å"mercantile metaphor† which can be seen projected through Portia throughout this speech. From the outset the language contains embedded references to Portia’s financial wealth, which is at first glance masked by perhaps having sexual connotations. For instance the rhetorical statement â€Å"You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am† could be seen as Portia presenting herself and her body to her new husband Bassanio in a suggestive manner however, â€Å"suchRead More Marriage Relationships in Julius Caesar Essay1020 Words   |  5 PagesCaesar      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The relationship between Brutus and Portia is of a loving one. Portia speaks to Brutus gently calling him, my dear lord and `gentle this actually shows that Portia respects and honors Brutus. Brutus also replies her gently and expresses his love for her in the lines `render me worthy of this noble wife and `as dear to me as are the ruddy drops/that visits my sad heart. In these lines, Brutus says that Portia is as dear to him as the blood in his heart. This shows thatRead MoreCritique Of The Constancy Upon Women At The Time in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice875 Words   |  4 PagesCritique Of The Constancy Upon Women At The Time in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice In the merchant of Venice Shakespeare has presented three main women characters. These three characters are, Portia, Jessica and Nerissa. Each of these characters come with a different area of society. Women in the time this was set, were not aloud to do anything. They were treated badly, and couldnt chose there own decisions. Shakespeare has made this play to show people in thoseRead MoreThe Three Plots of The Merchant of Venice779 Words   |  4 Pagesmarriage. In the next main plot line that arises, the casket plot, Bassanio plays a much more major role as Portia’s suitor. He and Portia are the central characters of this plot. Bassanio and Portia are also two of the central characters in the ring plot along with Nerissa and Gratiano, whose relationship acts as a parallel to the relationship between Bassanio and Portia. Bassanio has one of the major roles in all three of the main plot lines of the play, but his role in each is different. In theRead More Portrayal of Women in William Shakespeares Plays Essay3560 Words   |  15 PagesWilliam Shakespeares characterization of women varies immensely from one comedy to another. In his works, Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, and Much Ado About Nothing, he portrays both dominant and submissive women. Ultimately, Shakespeare examines the complexity of women by displaying the vast array of attitudes, emotions, and their treatment and reaction to men as well as refuting the typical subservient wife role. In Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew, the difficultiesRead MoreThe Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare1102 Words   |  5 Pagesinferior to those of men. Women’s rights have been progressed as time has passed, but even today, women are being treated unfairly in certain situations. However, in The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare challenges the concept of women being unequal to men. He conveys this message through the actions of Jessica, Portia, and Nerissa. The female characters empower themselves, accomplishing various tasks in order to gain control over the men in their lives. The Merchant of Venice is a highly effectiveRead More Merchant of Venice Essay: Antonios Love for Bassanio1721 Words   |  7 Pagesextremest means (137). We find out later that Bassanio needs money to woo Portia, a noble heiress who Bassanio intends to marry. And though Antonio is not in a position to loan money at the time, he does not disappoint Bassanio: Neither have I money, nor commodity To raise a present sum; therefore, go forth; Try what my credit can in Venice do: That shall be racket, even to the uttermost, To furnish thee to Belmont, to fair Portia. (124-128) Antonio does not make these offers to any other characterRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice1320 Words   |  6 Pagesghetto, and were treated as inferior to the rest of the city. William Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice exhibits the prejudicial attitudes of his era. Antonio, a Christian merchant, makes a deal with Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Shylock uses it as an opportunity to exact revenge by demanding a pound of Antonio’s flesh if he does not meet his end of the bargain. By pitting the majority of his characters against Shylock, Shakespeare portrays Shylock in a way that discriminates against all JewsRead More`` The Merchant Of Venice `` By William Shakespeare1147 Words   |  5 Pageseverywhere, even the most minute of actions can place someone in jeopardy. It is an inescapable labyrinth that plagues the lives of all ever since humanity’s first existence. Yet it,s double-edged sword like characteristics of also providing oppor tunities and gains keeps many enthralled in it. In William Shakespeare s’ The Merchant of Venice, Antonio, a protagonist, gives himself over to a life-threatening contract with the villain, Shylock the Jew, in order to provide the means for one of Antonio’sRead MoreMerchant Of Venice Essay Outline956 Words   |  4 Pagesencourage the characters into action. Bridge: When you read The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare there are many themes throughout the play and many lessons to be learned. Main Ideas: The most important themes are hatred, mercy and friendship. Hatred is important because it creates rivalry amongst the characters . Friendship motivates the heros and allows for there to be a logical conclusion as both Shakespeare and his characters work out their prejudices. Mercy is a significant theme because

Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Walmart free essay sample

Wal-MartCase 8: Sustaining Competitive advantage Question 1: What are the isolating mechanisms preserving Wal-Mart’s competitive advantage in the US market? (use readings case 7) Sam Walton was the founder of Wal-Mart. Sam had the idea of reaching small towns in rural areas where the people had to travel many miles to do their shopping. This was a big market that was initially ignored by the major players before Wal-Mart. Eventually Wal-Mart grew to become market leader among the US discount department stores. The core of their success was defined by their technological superiority and the way Wal-Mart treats her associates (customers, employees and suppliers). According to the resource-based theory of a firm, there are two characteristics that resources must have to maintain sustainability of the firm’s competitive advantage: 1 Scarcity 2 Imperfect mobility Concerning Wal-Mart, Imperfect mobility might be more obvious: During the years, Wal-Mart developed a technological superiority that provided the company with almost real-time information about inventory, suppliers and buyers. These capabilities and resources made it possible for Wal-Mart to apply the ‘everyday low prices’ strategy. This sophisticated technology in the sense of experience, know-how and mass investment made it very difficult for competitors to imitate or neutralize Wal-Mart’s competitive advantage. Sustaining this competitive advantage, Wal-Mart made use of several isolating mechanisms: Impediments to Imitation: 1 Legal restrictions: This implies the use patents or other IP means. This is not relevant to Wal-Mart’s story. Superior Access to inputs or Customers: Firms often achieve favorable access to inputs by controlling the sources of supply through ownership or long-term exclusive contracts. Given the fact that Wal-Mart was targeting rural areas, they didn’t have distributors falling over themselves to serve them like competitors in larger towns. Their only alternative: building their own warehouses. Wal-Mart used a two-step, hub-and-spoke distribution network. Wal-Mart trucks bring the merchandise to the distribution center, where it is sorted for delivery to the Wal-Mart stores.80% of the purchases for the Wal-Mart stores were shipped from its own 27 distribution centers. Also because of their Technological superiority, Wal-Mart has access to a lot of detailed, real-time information. This way, Wal-Mart store managers have full access to real-time inventory data. Suppliers have a direct communication with Wal-Mart concerning deliveries, etc. Employees and top management are in close contact through satellite technology. Many insights and opportunities can be discovered in the aggregated customer data. This superior management of information sets Wal-Mart apart from competitors in the US and gives Wal-Mart the competitive advantage to set very low prices. 3 Market size and scale economies: In the beginning, Wal-Mart was the underdog in the market. So it surely did not benefit from economies of scale. Now Wal-Mart is market leader in the US and definitely has economies of scale. But, in my opinion, this may be explained better through other isolation mechanisms. 4 Intangible Barriers to Imitation. Causal ambiguity: causal ambiguity can be explained in situations where the causes of a firm’s ability to create more value than its competitors are obscure and only imperfectly understood. F. e. Tacit knowledge. Employees over time develop certain skills that may be specific for a certain company. Explaining those specific skills to another company may be very hard. Wal-Mart puts a lot of effort in training their employees and motivating them by giving them more responsibility and recognition. F. e.giving their store managers more latitude in setting prices empowered their managers to sell at their optimal price instead of following a general price for every store. This way employees develop a certain expertise, know-how that is very specific to Wal-Mart and can’t be imitated easily by direct competitors. b Dependence on Historical Circumstances: A firm’s history of strategic action comprises its unique experiences in adapting to the business environment. These experiences can make the firm uniquely capable of pursuing its own strategy and incapable of imitating the  strategies of competitors. Wal-Mart started as the underdog in small towns in rural areas. This was a very tough position to start in, but with the dedication of Sam Walton and its associates, Wal-Mart became US leader in discount stores. With that, Wal-Mart cumulated a lot of experience. c Social Complexity: Socially complex phenomena include the interpersonal relations of managers in a firm and the relationship between the firm’s managers and those of its suppliers and customers. Wal-Mart has a very open culture regarding its associates. Employees are motivated to use the â€Å"YesWeCanSam† suggestion program give ideas to simplify, improve or eliminate work. Profit sharing accounts were available for employees after one year. Based on earnings growth, Wal-Mart contributed a percentage of every eligible employee’s wage to his or her profit sharing account, whose balance the employee could take upon leaving the company either in cash or Wal-Mart stock. Basically having a small cut of Wal-Mart’s profit after leaving the company. This way, employees had a very tight bond with Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart also had an ‘open door’ policy: associates such as managers and suppliers were very well informed about the numbers of Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart was known as a no-nonsense negotiator among its suppliers. Very often suppliers evolved into ‘partnerships’. Installing EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) gave suppliers all the information they needed about Wal-Mart. In general, Wal-Mart focused on building loyalty among associates, customers and suppliers. Early-Mover Advantages:  Learning curve: A firm that has sold higher volumes of output that its competitors in earlier periods will move farther down the learning curve and achieve lower unit costs than its rivals. This is definitely true for Wal-Mart. 2 Reputation and buyer uncertainty: Once the firm’s reputation has been created, the firm will have an advantage competing for new customers, increasing the number of customers who have had success ful trials and thus further strengthening its reputation. Quality of services for customers and suppliers are very high at Wal-Mart. Buyer switching costs: Customers have low switching costs at discount stores. Although there might be some switching costs involved for small town folks where the next discount store, next to Wal-Mart, is many miles away. 4 Network effects: The more users in the actual network, the greater the opportunities for communication, and the greater the value of the network. This might not be very relevant for Wal-Mart. Maybe only relevant for its EDI platform for its suppliers. Summary of potential factors: 1 Build own warehouses2 locating stores in isolated rural areas which everyone ignored 3 Obsessed with keeping prices below everybody else’s 4 Workfloor: doing things different, unpredictable, interesting and fun. 5 Walton knew his competitors intimately and copied their best ideas. 6 Staying humble during Wal-Mart’s success. 7 Open-door policy 8 empowering associates, maintaining technological superiority and building loyalty among associates, customers and suppliers. 9 ev eryday-low prices, Wal-Mart had very few promotions. advertising was low. Gives store managers more latitude in setting prices centrally priced, direct competitors 11 Efforts to replace foreign-sourced goods with american-made ones. 12 Quick communication with managers to adjust inflow of products gt; avoid overstocking and deep discounting. 13 Hub-and-spoke distribution network 14 Cross-docking = no inventory gt; immediately shifting goods from the suppliers truck to the Wal-Mart truck. 15 EDI: very close connection with their suppliers 16 Close connection with employees