Ethical and Socially Responsive Business Essay Example for Free

Ethical and Socially Responsive Business Essay Describe key areas of the selected company’s code of conduct that are of significant importance to the business, and explain why. The first question we should ask ourselves â€Å"what is ethics?† I think ethics are a collection of principles and practices that a business believes in, statements and more specific policies about conduct to give employees, partners, vendors, and outsiders an idea of what the corporation stands for and how it’s staff should conduct themselves . The Cheesecake Factory was established in the 1940s by Oscar and Evelyn Overton. In 1972 they open their first business store to Los Angeles, CA known as the Cheesecake Factory. Now The Cheesecake Factory has over 170 locations around the world. Having such a large corporation like Cheesecake Factory brings a lot of ethical and business problems when it comes to having such a large stores and staff. We should always remember that everyone has their own set of moral ethics that they live by at tend to take those same ethics to the work place. When writing a code of ethics it is important that these will cover every staff member from the top of the corporation to the lowest lever employee. Key areas that are of significant importance to The Cheesecake Factory start with the general standards of conduct in how all its employees will be treated by fellow employees and by management. The standards deals the basic values that we all have, with the expectation of building trust, loyalty, honesty, respect, and a high level of professionalism within the company. The cheesecake Factory has an established code of ethical conduct that is an essential factor in maintaining a proper balance in the human aspect of ethics and the link to the business success. Corporate leaders and managements need to be careful about their behaviors and how they make important decisions. Although all areas of the Cheesecake Factory’s code of ethical conduct is important for the success of the company, there are a few key areas of the company’s code of ethical conduct that are of significant importance for The Cheesecake Factory. 1-The first occurs in Article IV, in the â€Å"Conflicts of Interest,† section that pertains to transactions and investments. This specifically states that an officer or a director† should avoid participating in any transaction or investment that conflicts with, or gives the appearance of a conflict with, the interest of the company.†(Reference 1) This is key in maintaining ethics because a person who is in a leadership / management positions must be loyal to only their organization; otherwise, all decisions that are made and act are suspect as to the integrity of the choice, especially concerning money matters. 2- A second key area of The Cheesecake Factory’s code of ethical conduct that is of significant importance is in Article V, in the â€Å"Compliance with Company Policies and Procedures,† section that pertains to confidential information. It is very important and essential for the success of any company and business especially, the confidentiality of information, especially for third parties, be maintained. This leads to another key area that is also in Article V of the company’s code of ethical conduct. In the section that pertains to insider trading. In the section that deals with prohibiting insider trading it states that, â€Å"An officer or director shall observe the Company’s policy prohibiting trading on the basis of material, non-public information.†(Reference 1) 2.Explain the key steps that the company should take to ensure that employees follow the code of conduct. There are some key steps that a company can take in order to ensure the employees follow the code of conduct. 1-The Cheesecake Factory should have a â€Å"compliance department† that handles all disputes and investigations regarding violations of the code of conduct. This specific department at Cheesecake Factory should have designated employees that govern the entire company’s employees and handle any issues that arise. 2-The Cheesecake Factory can  take to ensure the employees follow the code of conduct is to have each employee sign and date, the code of conduct when they hired and give it to the employee a copy and keep another copy in the employee files. This makes it possible for the employee and the company to be on the same page from the beginning of the working relationship. This process can repeat every year for the existing employees to follow the code of conduct. 3-The Cheesecake Factory can take to ensure the employees follow the code of conduct is complete mandatory â€Å" Business ethics† training videos for new and existing employees every year. These videos make sure reminder of all employees’ business ethics and code of conduct. 3. Suggest three (3) ways in which the restaurant can engage in socially responsive activities in the community within which it operates The Cheesecake Factory can engage many socially responsive activities in the local community. 1-The Cheesecake Factory can donate foods to local food banks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Restaurants always have extra food that does not used for any reasons or left over foods. As a respectful company being able to donate fresh food to shelters and feeding someone who is unable to have a meal, would be wonderful social responsive project and activity. 2-The Cheesecake Factory could engage in socially responsive activities in the community would be to help raise money for a local non-profit organizations, charities, children hospitals or cancer associates. This could be done by donating money, ask costumers to participate or fund rising which will show that the company is giving back to the local community in which it is a part. 3- The Cheesecake Factory could engage in socially responsive activities in the community would be to offer free meals to shelters for specified holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. 4- Also Cheesecake Factory could run campaign for â€Å"Local Food Drive† to contribute as a company and ask their costumers donate dry and canned foods to reach local families who needs help .This is one of excellent way of giving back to the local community. References: 1. (March 16, 2004) The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated. Amended and Restated Code of Ethics for Executive Officers, Senior Financial Officers, and Directors. Retrieved from: http://investors.thecheesecakefactory.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=109258p=irol-govconduct. 2. (January 2001) C.B. And R.L. â€Å"The Legal Environment of Business: Text and Cases: Ethical Regulatory, Global, and Corporate Issues.† Cengage Learning, 8th edition. 3. (January 2012) Ferrell, O.C. And John Fraedrich. â€Å"Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making Cases.† Cengage Learning, 9th edition.

Fedex A Global Supply Chain Management Company Commerce Essay

Fedex A Global Supply Chain Management Company Commerce Essay FedEx is a global logistics and supply-chain management company Ng Farhoomand, 2002 that began operations in 1973 as an overnight package delivery company. Annual revenues exceed $20 billion and 24-48 hour delivery is available to well over 200 countries. In 2001, FedEx was named one of the top ten most admired corporations in America (Boyle, 2002). FedEx has been in the industry for quite a time now. It has built its system strong that from being an express delivery company it has been a supply-chain management company. With the help of innovation and introduction of internet by the year 1994, it has been evident that the services provided by FedEx have been better. Though it has tried to integrate the e-commerce system, the Company has been struggling to be more than an express delivery. The competitors for the express delivery industry have been growing but there have been reports that the transportation volume growth of FedEx was slowing down. Due to this instance, the FedEx has decided to make a re-organizing the structure hoping that it will help them through the betterment of their operations. FedEx started in the year 1973, and UPS, one of those that give services like FedEx, started in the year 1907. They did not compete with each other for the reason that they have different markets. The competition and rivalry between the two began in the year 1982. They competed on the market segment, quality of service, and pricing. The only solution they thought of was to cut cost without decreasing the quality of customer service. Because of this, they thought of having an organized logistics operation that will help reduce the ordering process. The three main trends that helped the growth of transportation and logistics industry are: the globalization of the businesses, advances in the information technology (IT) and the application of new technology to generate efficiencies in processing, and the increase in demand for more quality satisfaction of customers or clients. Speed has been one of the basis of customers to say that they have been provided with quality customer service. The advances brought by IT heightened globalization and made the operations fast, decrease costs, and gave quality service. Opportunities Threats The cost of infrastructure of express delivery companies are a barrier of entry to new comers FedEx leadership in global express delivery As long as the nature of our socioeconomic environment exists, there will always be a need for express delivery E-commerce is creating an increased need for express delivery Globalization offers opportunities for expansion Maintaining the infrastructure of an express delivery company is an exit barrier because of high fixed costs Capitol is acquired through the volume of sales, so the high fixed costs can hurt when times are slow Due to the nature of the industry, it is nearly impossible to become the clear industry leader The nature of the industry shows very low returns on invested capitol The E-tailing industry demands lower shipping rates and charges to pull customers from the retailing industries Major competitors: UPS, the airborne DHL Question One: The express transportation and logistics industry Federal Express was founded in 1971 as the big idea of charter airplane pilot Fred Smith. It launched its overnight air express business in 1973, and just 10 years later, it was the first U.S. company to top $1 billion in revenues in its first decade. Today, FedEx (its nickname, FedEx, officially became the company name in 2000) is the worlds largest express transportation company-almost 196,000 employees move more than 3 million items to more than 200 countries each business day, up from 110,000 workers and 2 million packages just five years ago! In 1990, FedEx became the first service company to win the Baldrige Award. Since then, the company has expanded its ground delivery business by purchasing both Parcel Direct (formerly a division of Quad/Graphics, now renamed FedEx SmartPost) and more than 1,100 Kinkos locations (now FedEx Kinkos Office and Print Centers) in 2004. The survival issue is prominent in the minds of quality leaders. FedExs Fred Smith compares the awakening to quality to a near-death experience. A lot of times its brought on by trauma. Leaders often embrace Total Quality Management because they see no alternative: improve or die. Whatever inspires them-the fear of failure, the promise of success, the achievement of other companies, the belief that there must be a better way to manage a company-triggers the leap of faith. Once they are on the quality path, the cultural changes they see all around them frequently breed a missionary zeal about the need for, and the benefits of, the quality improvement process. The first step for any company president, chairman, or CEO is committing himself or herself, as well as the company, to the process. Jamie Houghton took this step in 1983, shortly after he became Cornings chairman. Fred Smith and his top executives founded FedEx on the idea of providing the highest quality of service, then participated in quality training in the first year of the companys existence. At FedEx, Fred Smith has been directly involved in the development of every quality process and system the company has implemented. He founded the company on a belief that customers would value a timedefinite express delivery service, then used on-time delivery as the companys primary measure of performance. In the late 1980s, he helped develop a more comprehensive, proactive, customer-oriented measure of customer satisfaction and service quality: the Service Quality Index (SQI). As Smith said, We believe that service quality must be mathematically measured. The company tracks these 12 indicators daily, individually and in total, across its entire system. Each indicator is weighted: the greater the weight, the greater the impact on customer satisfaction. One of FedExs service goals is to reduce the totals of the SQI every year. Service is one of the companys three overall corporate objectives: People-Service-Profit. Every manager at FedEx, including Fred Smith and the senior executive staff, has annual benchmarks for each of these three corporate objectives. Smith sets his own personal objectives with input from the board of directors, and the process cascades through the organization from there. Managers are evaluated on how well they achieve their objectives. To develop and implement such broad measures and objectives, Smith and his staff had to understand the companys quality objectives, its customers needs, and the potential effectiveness of SQI as a measure and motivator. Many other service companies are still trying to figure out what to measure. Smith led the development of a measure that tells all FedEx employees, every day, exactly how they are doing on customer satisfaction and service quality. Active participation in the quality improvement process doesnt get any better than that. Good leaders know that having a customer focus is critical. At FedEx, each officer is assigned responsibility for the major customers in a sales district. Smith and his staff talk to customers continuously at the executive level to make sure their needs are being met. FedEx has three corporate goals: People-Service-Profit. As Smith summarizes, when people are placed first, they will provide the highest possible service, and profits will follow. The three corporate goals are translated into measurable objectives throughout the corporation. Progress on the people goal is determined by the Leadership Index, a statistical measurement of subordinates opinions of managements performance. Service is based on the Service Quality Indicators described earlier. The profit goal is a percentage of pretax margin, determined by the previous years financial results. Success in meeting the objectives for each area determines the annual bonuses for management and professionals. (The bonuses can account for up to 40 percent of these employees total compensation.) FedEx Corporation in the United States administers variety of advanced factors of production. These are managerial sophistication, logistics know-how, and physical infrastructure. Logistics is one of the main advanced factors which FedEx developed for managing its complex hubs. Physical infrastructure that FedEx uses is not only airports but also roads and ports. Additional distinctive competencies that FedEx have, also arise from firm-specific tangible and intangible resources, namely, FedExs hubs and package handling systems; its package tracking and customer support function and its logistics support. Again, the main barrier to imitate these firm-specific resources is the high cost associated with acquiring them. FedExs package tracking ad customer support functions as well as their logistic support are examples of the firms distinctive competencies as well. The barriers to imitate FedExs package tracking and customer support functions are based on the fact that FedEx was the initiator in establishing the first tracking applications website and providing each customer with a unique barcode to individualize each shipment. That allowed FedEx to gain proficiency at these systems and knowledge about the functional operations. FedExs strengths in logistics, operations, and technological innovation allow them to pursue a differentiation business level strategy. FedEx works to stand apart from its competitors by creating a level of service that is difficult for competitors to match. FedEx has clearly been identified as an innovator, but what they need to get across to their customers is that they provide a high level of quality service. FedEx charges higher prices for its services than many of its competitors in the industry. This is considered a premium that a customer pays for the quality of service FedEx provides. By differentiating their standard of quality from their competitors, FedEx lets their customers know that if they are willing to pay more, it will be worth it. FedEx is able to meet the needs of all these segments. They have spent an extraordinary amount of capitol developing their infrastructure, just so they can make the best promises to their customers. FedEx transports more than 3 million items to over 200 countries each day. Within each business unit are specific functional units that perform particular functions. The main functional units are logistics and operations for its transportation system. These units assure the coordination and smooth flow of FedExs deliveries. The end result is a high level of quality service. Their service includes customer responsiveness and innovations such as; its aircraft fleet, its hubs and package handling systems, package tracking, customer support functions, and logistics support. Not only does this help FedEx follow through with their promises, but in some ways that are superior to that of the competition. FedEx has transformed itself into an e-business by integrating physical and virtual infrastructures across information systems, business processes, and organizational bounds. FedExs experience in building an e-business shows how a company can successfully apply its information technology expertise in order to pioneer customercentric innovations with sweeping structural and strategic impacts. It also shows the role of outsourcing, which frees companies to concentrate on their core business. The value chain for FedEx Express can be seen as starting with the pick-up of the packages. FedEx employees gather the packages from various locations such as drop boxes, businesses and residences. Value is created for the customers by making package pick-ups possible just about anywhere or anytime. FedEx has a money back guarantee for those people whose packages do not arrive on time, therefore creating value by assuring timely delivery of the packages. After the packages are initially picked up, they must then be transported to a hub. The hub is a central location where packages are sorted according to their destinations. The packages will likely pass through many hands before reaching their final destination. The packages stay at the hub until they are picked up and shipped either by truck or plane. FedEx Supply Chain Services which synchronize the movement of goods for enhanced customer satisfaction. With all of this evident it can be said that FedEx segments its markets according to the needs of the customers and not by demographic regions. While FedEx is a very large company that occupies a large portion of market share in the express delivery sector as well as the ground sector we have concluded that FedEx does not so much possess distinctive competencies, as it has strong existing competencies that allow it to compete competitively with industry leader UPS. These competencies include a very timely customer response time, cutting-edge technology and innovation. With the fact that FedEx does not have a competitive advantage, or distinctive competencies, yet is still the largest express package delivery service there are many directives that could be followed to attain both. This is obviously a long-term goal, however it can be seen that the undertakings have already begun. Its most recent endeavor, characterized as a diversification from its usual product offering of actual shipment of goods, is the newer service offering of consultation. Labeled FedEx Trade Networks, this newest division of the FedEx offerings showcas es the companys vast competence of international shipping knowledge to an array of customers. These customers are provided value creation with the knowledge that can greatly increase efficiencys through the supply chain. FedEx Trade Networks offers a full range of international support services, including customs clearance, freight forwarding, Trade Customs Advisory Services (TCAS) and trade technology solutions. Question Two: Branding and business structure up until 19 January 2000 Another note is the horizontal integration that has recently been carried out by FedEx. Horizontal integration is a way of trying to increase the profitability of a company by reducing costs, increasing the value of a product offering, managing industry rivalrys, or increasing the bargaining power of a company. These economic benefits are usually the rewards of company mergers and acquisitions in an industry. Horizontal integration is predominately characterized by similar companies merging together or acquisitions sought by the industry leaders. The account of mergers and acquisitions for North American-based logistics companies appears dissimilar. North American logistics services sources seem to look for acquisitions that increase their position in existing markets, for instance, increasing domestic service routes and toting up critical mass to grasp the benefits of economies of scale. Nonetheless, the comparative strength of European automotive, chemical or other industries including global production and supply chains in opposition to their US counterparts make the necessity to create client interaction in Europe a must-have for US logistics suppliers. Given the competitive strong suit of the local European logistics assistance providers, one of the little options to increase market entry or share of market in this global scenery is to vigorously design and track acquisition tactics. This can be done in integration with a concentration on particular niche actions, where scale economies are not as critical. It can also be achieved by means of services where special resources are desired, for instance, oversized equipment or hazardous merchandise transportation. Project logistics companies, for instance, highlight an exclusive business model with core competencies in global freight transportation-a specific engineering knowledge and can get into a largely blue-chip client base-that make them essential service providers for their customers. By 1994 less than 20% of FedExs revenues came from documents, formerly the primary driver of revenues. The air express industry was in a period of constant flux as firms tried to understand where the next big push was going to originate. Fortunately for Smith, he had already gambled on logistics, a move that would begin to pay off during the next and last cycle of the study. From 1993 to 1996 sales grew from $7.8 billion to $10.3 billion. Decision-making was decentralized due to the disperse nature of domestic and international operations. Structure was divisional, but changes were being planned to reconfigure the organization during the next cycle. The most important strategic moves during this cycle were in the area of information processing, particularly customer information and tracking. Just as operations were centralized in 1978 to facilitate growth, the move toward a web-based business began in earnest in 1996 as FedEx became the first company to allow firms to process shipments on the Internet. Also by this time, FedEx was considered a global transportation company, not an airline. In 1998 Caliber Systems, Inc. was acquired by FedEx, which included the trucking operation, RPS. Roberts Express and Viking Express helped round out the full offering of services by FedEx in its attempt to become a one-stop shopping experience for supply chain needs. The company now offered complete interstate trucking service, long and short-haul air express service, and integrated logistics and warehouse solutions. Sales grew from $13.25 billion in 1997 to $19.629 billion in 2001. High fuel costs hurt profits during 1999, but the growth in Internet Business to Business (B to B) was exploding. Sales were also negatively impacted by the lack of identity between divisions with their own name, such as RPS and Viking, and operating units of FedEx. A major reorganization announced in January of 2000 by Fred Smith was designed to correct this problem. The FedEx Corporation would re-name each of its subsidiary companies, with the exception of the less-than-truckload firm operating in the Western U. S. known as Viking, beginning with the brand identity of FedEx. The following changes were made: Â · FedEx Express formerly Federal Express; Â · FedEx Ground formerly RPS; Â · FedEx Custom Critical formerly Roberts Express; Â · FedEx Logistics formerly Caliber Logistics; Â · FedEx Trade Networks (Ng Farhoomand, 2002). Each subsidiary adopted a different color for its logo, but several strategic moves were made to ensure integration of operations and cooperation between companies. Consolidation was achieved in the sales force so that each division was being represented to each customer, accounting invoices were consolidated to reflect one invoice and one customer account number, and all customer service claims information was consolidated. Once again, Fred Smith centralized some aspects of his vast company to facilitate growth and to take advantage of new opportunities. Again the analyzer strategy was implemented, as it had been for most of FedExs history, to stimulate constant service improvement and growth. By 2001 FedEx had close to 200,000 employees scattered across the globe. A new corporate complex was nearing completion in southeast Memphis in the community of Southwind, home to the St. Jude/FedEx Classic golf tournament. And, the top ten ranking in Fortunes Most Admired Corporations in America confirms the entrepreneurial and strategic management ability of Fred Smith. From 1984 to 1989 the company maintained a divisional structure, but it was augmented by the use of matrix personnel in the areas of finance, human resources, and maintenance. Decisions involving strategy, technology, advertising, and budgeting were centralized, yet authority for operations was decentralized. This was imperative for customer service given the extensive international orientation of the company by the late 1980s. Also, in 1989 FedEx hired its first general manager in history, Robert May, to head a new operation known as Business Logistics Services (BLS). From 1984 to 1989 the company maintained a divisional structure, but it was augmented by the use of matrix personnel in the areas of finance, human resources, and maintenance. Decisions involving strategy, technology, advertising, and budgeting were centralized, yet authority for operations was decentralized. This was imperative for customer service given the extensive international orientation of the company by the la te 1980s. Also, in 1989 FedEx hired its first general manager in history, Robert May, to head a new operation known as Business Logistics Services (BLS). From 1984 to 1989 the company maintained a divisional structure, but it was augmented by the use of matrix personnel in the areas of finance, human resources, and maintenance. Decisions involving strategy, technology, advertising, and budgeting were centralized, yet authority for operations was decentralized. This was imperative for customer service given the extensive international orientation of the company by the late 1980s. Also, in 1989 FedEx hired its first general manager in history, Robert May, to head a new operation known as Business Logistics Services (BLS). Question Three: Events leading up to the January 2000 reorganisation By the year ending 1999, 31st of May, Fedex had out-performed analyst expections and increased earnings by 28% compared to the previous year. But the company had a downturn during August 31, 1999. Due to increase in fuel prices, FedExs financial status was severely affected. Because of this, FedEx had forecasted that they full fiscal year may decrease below analyst expectations. BY the end of November 1999, the operating income dropped down by 10% of the previous year and the net income by 6%. As the increase in fuel price increase, operating income continue to decline. Because of the forecasted loss in income, the company re-think of their business strategy. As internet was introduced to the company, they utilized it to help them with the operations. First, it opened opportunities in re-engineering the supply chain. Second, the express transportation made businesses, such as FedEx, attain opportunities. In January 2000, FedEx had three major strategies. First, extending the FedEx brand to four subsidiary companies. Second, major re-organizations making it one point of access to sales, customer services, billing, and automation systems. Third, introducing to the market the low-cost home delivery. After the re-organization, the FedEx was helped through, first, single branding system which helped them establish their unique competitive advantage. Second, single and expanded sales force which helped them expand their market reaching the small and medium-sized businesses. Third, a single invoice and single account number from FedEx. Forth, streamlined customer automation systems to handle electronic transaction. Fifth, lone customer service which can help the consumers for their inquiries. With the re-organizations that happened, I think that it will help the company build a name that stands for quality, reliable, and fast service. It will help FedEx be more competitive now that the competition is growing. The number marketing is word of mouth, if FedEx can establish their three competencies, then word of mouth will be easily spread throughout others. It can help increase their market share and income. FedEx has been considered a top performer and a leader in its field almost from its inception. It regularly is included in Fortunes 100 Best Companies To Work For (Levering Moskowitz, 1998), Americas Most Admired Companies (Boyle, 2002), and Fortune 500. Yet, what is most impressive about Fred Smiths leadership and vision for FedEx is even though the company invented the air express industry, it has not clung too tightly to that coattail. As new opportunities have arisen, Smith has not hesitated to position his company to take advantage of those opportunities. Examples include pushing for larger weight limits from Congress, expanding operations internationally, leading the way in information processing, tracking and Internet applications, making key acquisitions, and reconfiguring his business to fit a new systems model for supply chain management.

Religious Pluralism in Turkeys Attempt to Become a Secular State :: Politics Political Religion Turkey Papers

Religious Pluralism in Turkey's Attempt to Become a Secular State Religious Pluralism in Turkey: an Overview In 1923, a modern nation-state was forged by the reforms of Mustafa Kemal in the form of the Turkish republic. The Kemalist state sought to remove religion from the public realm by totally separating religion and politics. It was expected that the modernization process would lead to a decline in religious fervor. However, the process has actually moved Muslims into a more public sphere. Today, fundamentalists and secularists are at odds regarding the future of the Turkish state. A fundamental question has evolved out of this struggle: is it possible to impose a secular state in the midst of strong religious pluralism? This is simply a tangent of the age old question is it possible to maintain a rigid separation of religion and politics? Some believe that Turkey has set a model for the Middle Eastern world that should be followed, while others believe that the state needs to address the growing dichotomy that has arisen.1 Islamists v. Secularists Islamists view Islam as a revitalized politico-religious vision and seek to advance its values, ideal, and institutions.2 While some promote a more moderate view, many Islamic Militants use their ideology to encourage political violence. On the other hand, secularists put a great deal of emphasis on the separation of religion and politics. Secular conservatives defend the status-quo, while secular reformists challenge the status-quo through legal means.3 Despite their differences, all secularists in Turkey are becoming increasingly sensitive and aware of the problems of maintaining and developing a secular state within the framework of a Muslim region. The logic of the secularist sensitivity stems from Kemalist ideology. It is extremely important to take into account the history of secularism. That history is well summarized by Hakan M. Yavuz, in his recent article ?The case of Turkey (on secularism & religion)?: ?The history of the contestation between religion and secularism is the story of the struggle between a state-imposed modernization run by a circumscribed Kemalist political elite and a popular resistance that has often assumed a religious cast.? The Kemalists outlawed Islamic identity claims, as well as Kurdish ethnic claims.? Instead of being viewed as a strength, the Ottoman-Islamic tradition of pluralism, tolerance, and cultural diversity was viewed as a debilitating weakness. Religious Pluralism in Turkey's Attempt to Become a Secular State :: Politics Political Religion Turkey Papers Religious Pluralism in Turkey's Attempt to Become a Secular State Religious Pluralism in Turkey: an Overview In 1923, a modern nation-state was forged by the reforms of Mustafa Kemal in the form of the Turkish republic. The Kemalist state sought to remove religion from the public realm by totally separating religion and politics. It was expected that the modernization process would lead to a decline in religious fervor. However, the process has actually moved Muslims into a more public sphere. Today, fundamentalists and secularists are at odds regarding the future of the Turkish state. A fundamental question has evolved out of this struggle: is it possible to impose a secular state in the midst of strong religious pluralism? This is simply a tangent of the age old question is it possible to maintain a rigid separation of religion and politics? Some believe that Turkey has set a model for the Middle Eastern world that should be followed, while others believe that the state needs to address the growing dichotomy that has arisen.1 Islamists v. Secularists Islamists view Islam as a revitalized politico-religious vision and seek to advance its values, ideal, and institutions.2 While some promote a more moderate view, many Islamic Militants use their ideology to encourage political violence. On the other hand, secularists put a great deal of emphasis on the separation of religion and politics. Secular conservatives defend the status-quo, while secular reformists challenge the status-quo through legal means.3 Despite their differences, all secularists in Turkey are becoming increasingly sensitive and aware of the problems of maintaining and developing a secular state within the framework of a Muslim region. The logic of the secularist sensitivity stems from Kemalist ideology. It is extremely important to take into account the history of secularism. That history is well summarized by Hakan M. Yavuz, in his recent article ?The case of Turkey (on secularism & religion)?: ?The history of the contestation between religion and secularism is the story of the struggle between a state-imposed modernization run by a circumscribed Kemalist political elite and a popular resistance that has often assumed a religious cast.? The Kemalists outlawed Islamic identity claims, as well as Kurdish ethnic claims.? Instead of being viewed as a strength, the Ottoman-Islamic tradition of pluralism, tolerance, and cultural diversity was viewed as a debilitating weakness.

An Analysis of the Epic Poem, Beowulf - Social Codes in Beowulf Essay e

Social Codes in Beowulf   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      In reading Beowulf, one cannot help noticing the abundance of references to weapons and armor throughout the text. Many passages involving weapons and armor contain important messages that the author is trying to convey. These passages involve the choice to use or refrain from using arms, the practice of disarming oneself upon entering another's home, and the idea of a man's worth being measured by his weapons.    First, the theme of choosing to use, or not to use, weapons against an adversary seems to be a major issue in the work. On three different occasions, when Beowulf fights Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon, the choice of whether or not to use weapons against a foe is brought to the reader's attention. In the events leading up to the fight with Grendel, Beowulf says:    The monster in his recklessness cares not for weapons. Therefore, so that my liege lord Hygelac may be glad of me in his heart, I scorn to bear sword   but with my grasp I shall grapple with the enemy ... foe against foe. I claim myself no poorer in war-strength ... than Grendel claims himself. Therefore I will not put him to sleep with a sword . . . though surely I might. (32, 35)    Beowulf knows he is evenly matched with Grendel, and that using a sword would make it an unfair contest because he would surely defeat Grendel. By making the fight fair, Beowulf maintains his honor, which is the main idea of each of the other confrontations as well.    In Beowulf's fight with Grendel's mother, he engages her with Hrunting, Unferth's sword, since she attacks him with a knife. When Beowulf decides to fight the dragon, he comments: "I... ...est represented by the passage in which Wiglaf, thane of Beowulf, makes the bold statement: "It does not seem right to me for us to bear our shields home again unless we can first fell the foe, defend the life of the prince of the Weather-Geats" (61).    All three of the ideas involving arms are recurring images throughout Beowulf: the choice to use or refrain from using arms, disarming oneself upon entering another's home, and the worth of a man being measured by his weapons,. They all deal with various layers of respect, obviously a very important issue to the person of the early Middle Ages and afford the reader an opportunity to understand an aspect of the medieval mind.    Works Cited Beowulf. Trans. E. T. Donaldson, 1966. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   M.H. Abrams. 6th ed. Vol. 1. New York: Norton, 1993. 2768.    An Analysis of the Epic Poem, Beowulf - Social Codes in Beowulf Essay e Social Codes in Beowulf   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      In reading Beowulf, one cannot help noticing the abundance of references to weapons and armor throughout the text. Many passages involving weapons and armor contain important messages that the author is trying to convey. These passages involve the choice to use or refrain from using arms, the practice of disarming oneself upon entering another's home, and the idea of a man's worth being measured by his weapons.    First, the theme of choosing to use, or not to use, weapons against an adversary seems to be a major issue in the work. On three different occasions, when Beowulf fights Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon, the choice of whether or not to use weapons against a foe is brought to the reader's attention. In the events leading up to the fight with Grendel, Beowulf says:    The monster in his recklessness cares not for weapons. Therefore, so that my liege lord Hygelac may be glad of me in his heart, I scorn to bear sword   but with my grasp I shall grapple with the enemy ... foe against foe. I claim myself no poorer in war-strength ... than Grendel claims himself. Therefore I will not put him to sleep with a sword . . . though surely I might. (32, 35)    Beowulf knows he is evenly matched with Grendel, and that using a sword would make it an unfair contest because he would surely defeat Grendel. By making the fight fair, Beowulf maintains his honor, which is the main idea of each of the other confrontations as well.    In Beowulf's fight with Grendel's mother, he engages her with Hrunting, Unferth's sword, since she attacks him with a knife. When Beowulf decides to fight the dragon, he comments: "I... ...est represented by the passage in which Wiglaf, thane of Beowulf, makes the bold statement: "It does not seem right to me for us to bear our shields home again unless we can first fell the foe, defend the life of the prince of the Weather-Geats" (61).    All three of the ideas involving arms are recurring images throughout Beowulf: the choice to use or refrain from using arms, disarming oneself upon entering another's home, and the worth of a man being measured by his weapons,. They all deal with various layers of respect, obviously a very important issue to the person of the early Middle Ages and afford the reader an opportunity to understand an aspect of the medieval mind.    Works Cited Beowulf. Trans. E. T. Donaldson, 1966. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   M.H. Abrams. 6th ed. Vol. 1. New York: Norton, 1993. 2768.   

The Cause Of The Civil War: Eli Whitneys Cotton Gin Essay -- essays re

During the period between 1790 and 1850, the United States was rapidly changing. It was now a separate country with its own economy, laws, and government. The country was learning to live on its own, apart from England. There began to appear a rift between North and South. The North believing in the Puritan Merchant role model, and the South in the role model of the English Country Squire. The North traded with everyone, while the South traded primarily with England. The major crop in the South was tobacco, and because of the decline in the price of tobacco the slave trade was dying, just as those in the North hoped it would. Then came a man, and an invention, which changed the course of history. In 1792, Eli Whitney visited the plantation of Catherine Greene, the wife of Revolutionary War general, Nathaniel Greene, near Savannah Georgia. He watched cotton being cleaned; a very long and time consuming process to do by hand. Watching the cotton being cleaned an idea came to Whitney. He decided he would build a machine that would clean cotton faster than it could be done by hand. Thus, he created the cotton gin.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This invention changed the way the South functioned, and the ripple effect it created changed the course of history forever. The ripple effect caused by Eli Whitney’s cotton gin can be seen as the driving force behind many of the conflicts between North and South, and eventually culminating in the Civil War. Before Eli Whitney’s invention, slavery was dying in the South. The price of tobacco had plummeted, and planters were freeing slaves because of the high cost of feeding, housing and clothing them. When Eli Whitney introduced his invention the cotton market exploded. Cotton began to be grown in enormous quantities because it was good for making clothes, and with the invention of the cotton gin easier to produce. This explosion in the growth of the cotton market rejuvenated the slave trade. This time, though, the slave trade was not between the U.S. and Africa, but instead between the Old South, and the New South. The Old South began to â€Å"bree d† slaves to sell to the cotton farmers in the New South. These farmers needed large numbers of slaves because once the cotton was ripe, it needed to be picked quickly. The price of slaves skyrocketed, and this new crop ensured the practice of slavery would continue. This continuati... ...in slavery breathing new life into the South, and in the country economy as a whole. With this rejuvenation came problems between North and South over moral differences. These differences created a rift that widened until sectionalism overtook nationalism. This rift was temporarily closed several times but ultimately the differences between North and South were so ingrained in their respective culture that it took a war to change. The wide and far-reaching effects of this event can be viewed as a pond, the country, when a pebble is thrown into it the ripples become larger and larger until they come in contact with something that can stop them. As the proverb says, â€Å"A butterfly that flaps its wings in China can cause a hurricane in Kansas.† Bibliography Eli Whitney Museum. Organization Page. 3 December 2000   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Green, Constance. Eli Whitney and the Birth of American Technology. Harper-Collins College Division, 1995. Hays, Wilma Pitchford. Eli Whitney and the Machine Age. Franklin Watts, 1959. Wilson, Mitchell. American Science and Invention: A Pictoral History. Simon and Shuster, New York, 1954.

IRAC method: Rule and Analysis Essay

IRAC method Introduction Reid v. Covert Casea   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This case involved Reid, who was a superintendent with District of Columbia jail and Mrs. Clarice Covert, who was a military dependent. While residing in England at an airbase, she was tried and thereafter convicted for the murder of her husband by court-martial. Mrs. Covert’s husband worked with United States Air force as a sergeant; however, Mrs. Covert was not an armed forces member. The trial and conviction of Mrs. Covert in the united states by the court martial was authorized by United states code of the military justice under article 2(11). She was, therefore, sentenced to life imprisonment where she was supposed to serve this sentence in a federal prison in United States. However, she appealed the case, and she was taken to District of Columbia jail awaiting retrial by the court martial in Washington, D.C at an airbase after her conviction being set aside. It is at the federal district court that she petitioned for a writ of the habeas corpus claiming that her constitutional rights under Fifth and Sixth Amendments were being violated because of her conviction by the military authorities (â€Å"Reid V. Covert Case Brief,†2011). Rule   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mrs. Covert termed this conviction to be unconstitutional under article2 (11) stating that she was not a member of armed forces and therefore not subject to the military jurisdiction. The district court ruled out the case that a civilian was warranted to have a civilian trial and in this regard this court granted Mrs. Covert her petition. The government appealed to the Supreme Court directly in the United States. The Supreme Court gave a ruling that military trial of Mrs. Covert was constitutional and that the trial by a jury that was a constitutional right did not apply for those American citizens, who were being tried in the foreign lands (â€Å"Reid V. Covert,† 2014). According to the court’s ruling, the congress was within its constitutional mandate and that by any means it could provide for trial through any means it deemed fit as long as that means were consistent and reasonable with the due process. A lengthy reservati on was issued by Justice Felix Frankfurter, and Justices William O. Douglas and Hugo L. Black together with chief justice Earl Warren issued a dissent that was strong. The court granted a petition for the rehearing subsequently. They held that those Americans citizens who were outside the territorial jurisdiction of United States still retain the protections warranted by the constitution of the United States. Therefore, the decision that was granting habeas corpus to Mrs. Covet was affirmed accordingly. In the case of a treaty which tends to conflict with any subsequent congressional act, congressional act in such a case prevails over the treaty except when it violates the constitution (â€Å"Reid V. Covert,† 2014). Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mrs. Covert argued that Article 2 (11) is supposed to be geographically restricted and thus military jurisdiction which was over her expired when she was returned to the United States. Additionally she also argued that as a civilian, she was not supposed to be subjected to the code, because under Article 2(7) she was not in custody of the armed forces. The chief justice together with the two justices rejected the notion that United States acts against those citizens who are abroad and that it can do without any restrictions from the Bill of Rights. They stated that United States is a creature of constitution entirely and in this regard all the authority and power are derived from the constitution. Therefore, USA can act according to the limitations which are imposed by the constitution. Thus, in a case where United States’ government wants to punish a particular citizen who is out of the country, the shield which Bill of Rights toge ther with other components of the constitution that seeks to protect his liberty and life are not supposed to be ignored just for the mere reason that he or she is in another country (â€Å"Reid V. Covert Case Brief,† 2011).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Conclusion Although majority of the courts concurred with the final outcome, they did so for very different reasons. According to justice Felix Frankfurter making a ruling that Mrs. Covert trial and conviction were unconstitutional merely on the fact that she was not an armed forces member displayed too narrow a review. Justice Felix Frankfurter stated that the determination of this case necessitated the court to review the constitution thoroughly in its entirety instead of merely assessing a single provision which grants the congress the power of regulating the naval forces and the nation’s land. According to his opinion, the court is supposed to assess all the factors which are involved so as to decide whether the military dependents are subject to court-martial jurisdiction when they are involved with capital cases. In this regard, he argued that capital cases require full article III trial while the petty offenses by the militar y dependant are not supposed does not. Therefore, his advice was adoption of case-by-case approach. Justice john Marshall also concurred with Frankfurter. He first argued that military dependents that were overseas were bearing a rational correlation to the armed forces and therefore they could be subjected to the court martial. He later advocated for the approach of case-by-case. Justice Tom C. Clark provided a substantial weight towards the historical practice. Clark argued that allowing such cases to be tried in federal court system would pave way for petty offenses which would have many adverse consequences such as delays, incurring needless cost, and also disruption. Therefore, he also recommended use of case-by case approach. In the Supreme Court history, Reid v. covert is the only case in which on rehearing the court reversed itself (â€Å"Reid V. Covert,† 1957). References Law School Case Briefs | Legal Outlines | Study Materials. (n.d.). : Reid v. Covert case brief. Retrieved January 11, 2011, from http://www.lawschoolcasebriefs.net/2012/01/reid-v-covert-case-brief.html REID v. COVERT. (n.d.). Reid v. Covert. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from http://www.oyez.org/cases/1950-1959/1955/1955_701_2 Reid v. Covert (1956 & 1957) ; Sweezy v. New Hampshire (1957).. (1975). Bethesda, Md.: University Publications of America. Source document

High School Graduation Essay

Throughout life people go through so many hardships. Whether it be good or bad there is always something that comes out of the situation. One of the most exciting but yet scariest events would be graduation. So it was the day before graduation and we were having our graduation practice. Standing outside in the line alphabetical order me and classmates talked and waited for practice to start. The sun was beating down, the smell of fresh cut grass filled out our nose. We were all just ready to get it over with. Sitting talking with my classmates discussing our future plans. Debating whether or not we will miss high school, but knowing we will definitely miss each other. So finally it came to practice walking across the stage, so the assistant principle called my name and shook my hand and handed me my mini diploma. Then it finally hit me like a speeding express train, I was about to graduate. May 18th 2012, finally it was here the day of my commencement. I can almost remember that day like it was yesterday, I awoke like on any other school day. That day was crazy, I was running errands and preparing for my graduation and after party. So the time had come for me to put on my blue and gold cap and gown with my gold cords which I had worked so hard for. I had so much sense of pride at the moment all I needed was my diploma in my hand. So the final moment had come and it was time to walk the field. The music stared and we proceeded to walk down the field to our seats. Glancing out at the packed stands I could see my family and friends. While waiting for my name to be called, I reminisced on all the good times I’ve had in high school and all the friendships I’ve made. Finally my row was directed to get up and proceed to the stage and my heart was racing. Thinking it was finally over, no more high school. I hear my name called and I hear all of my family and friends screaming and clapping for me and it made everything I had done to achieve the diploma my principle handed me after shaking my hand. As I was walking back to my seat with my diploma I was envisioning that I had just closed one chapter to my life and I was excited to embark or my next journey. Graduation is an exciting time in a person’s life, especially a high school graduation. When I think of family and friends gathering together to celebrate a joyous occasion, I feel I accomplished my strongest goal. It never occurred to me that graduation would be the end of my youth and the start of adulthood. Graduating from high school was an influential event that gave me a new outlook on life.