Thursday, March 19, 2020

Mexican Drug Cartels and the War on Drugs

Mexican Drug Cartels and the War on Drugs Abstract This paper investigates the problem of Mexican drug cartels provoking a significant level of violence in the country and the consequences of the War on Drugs. The information used to analyze the topic of the paper includes peer-reviewed articles and books studying the main specifics of the problem. The paper presents a careful examination of the current research on the problem and the analysis of the findings gained during the process of studying the available sources presenting relevant information about the specifics of the issue.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Mexican Drug Cartels and the War on Drugs specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The examination of the current research on Mexican drug cartels and the War on Drugs helps to understand the causes of the outburst of violence, define the major tendencies of the Mexican War on Drugs and its drawbacks, and suggest potential solutions able to change the cour se of events and reduce the unprecedented level of violence caused by the activity of drug cartels in the country. The twentieth century brought an unprecedented development of drug business all over the world. As the United States is considered one of the biggest consumers of drugs, some of its neighboring countries are involved in continuous process of delivering marijuana, cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, and other drugs to the US. Mexico witnessed the extension of drug-trafficking organizations and faced the problem of dealing with them in the twentieth century. The proclaimed War on Drugs has gained some significant results but has not succeeded in stopping the growth of narco-business. Careful examination of current research on the problem of drug cartels, their violence in Mexico, and the mistakes of the War on Drugs helps to identify the main causes of the current situation, analyze them, and suggest potential solutions able to reduce the violence and correct the previous mist akes of the war. Examination of Current Research of Mexican Drug War The violence of Mexican drug cartels and the War on Drugs are one of the most urgent topics in Mexico and the United States as they directly influence both countries. Therefore, the research on the causes of the war, its main specifics, the factors influencing the actions of drug cartels, and the possible solutions to the problem is of vital importance, as appropriate studies can help to identify major tendencies, propose the ways of dealing with current situation, and suggest the methods for avoiding the repeat of violent events. The modern sources include various articles and books investigating the discussed issue. The examination of current research on Mexican drug cartels and the War on Drugs helps to determine certain contributions of the researchers to revealing the causes of the critical situation and possible ways out.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get yo ur first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There are many articles shedding the light on the course of events in the Mexican War on Drugs. Articles exploring the history of the drug business in Mexico help to understand the origins of war in this country. Grillo (2013) presents a well-developed investigation on the relations between the development of drug cartels in Mexico and the United States policy. The author explores the history of drug cartels in Mexico through the prism of a hundred years of U.S. drug policy. The author presents an analysis of the events starting from the beginning of the twentieth century when opium was banned in the United States, and numerous opium smugglers appeared in Mexico. The prohibition of alcohol is examined as another event that boosted Mexican smuggling networks. The author also investigates the transition from marijuana to cocaine cartels. After providing the proper analysis of the historical background, Grillo (2013) presents numer ous factors that can explain the explosion of violence leading to the Mexican War on Drugs. The author also emphasizes the importance of innovations in the United States policy for the success of struggle against narco-terrorism. Another category of articles helps to discover the most influential events of the Mexican War on Drugs and their impact on different spheres of national and international communities. Kellner and Pipitone (2010) present a careful investigation of the events that shaped the course of the Mexican War on Drugs. The authors start with the analysis of relations between Colombia’s successful war on the Cali and Medellin drug cartels and the escalation of drug cartels’ violence in Mexico. The examination of the events at 1990s and at the beginning of the new millennium helps to understand their potential contribution to the beginning of full-scale war between several drug cartels and further development of war between the members of drug business and the governmental forces. Kellner and Pipitone (2010) give information about the country’s largest cartels – the Sinaloa gang and the Gulf Cartel, revealing the development of rivalry between them and the causes of the police’s attempts to stop the violence. The authors provide the analysis of the activities launched by Felipe Calderon to fight back the drug cartels and compare his strategy to the one that was used in Columbia. Besides, the authors emphasize the lack of help provided by the United States to assist the fight against narco-terrorism. Studies analyzing the causes of the Mexican War on Drugs and the factors that helped narco-business to become one of the dominant powers in the country are also of vital importance as such research helps to define the barriers that should be eliminated to make the struggle against drug business successful. Campbell (2014) presents a detailed investigation of the narco-propaganda as one of the main factors promoting th e strength of drug cartels’ domination in Mexico.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Mexican Drug Cartels and the War on Drugs specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The author explores the specifics of the main types of narco-propaganda. He starts with analyzing the spectacles of violence for public view as the first tool used by the drug business. Narco-messages present another type of propaganda and include signs, graffiti, and manifestos in public places. Videos and narco-genres of music are examined as another group of methods used by drug cartels to provide effective propaganda. Control and censorship of the mass media and information by drug cartels in Mexico is investigated by the author as the major threat to freedom of word in the country and the factor creating corresponding attitudes in the society. The author emphasizes the devastating effects of aggressive politics of drug cartels aimed at controlling al l means of informing the public about their crimes. Campbell’s study on propaganda of drug cartels contributes to providing a clear view of the situation in Mexico and sheds the light on its origins. Many articles investigate the importance of the participation of the United States in the process of regulation of violence outburst caused by drug cartels in Mexico. Such studies are of vital importance for American society, as lack of effective actions taken by its government can be regarded as one of the contributors to the worsening of the situation in Mexico. Morris (2013) presents an article aimed at demonstrating the effects of the rise of drug-trafficking organizations in Mexico on the security of the US and attempts to show the negative impact of the lack of attention paid by the American government to significant problems in Mexico. The author presents proofs of the fact that drug-trafficking organization are engaged in human trafficking related to illegal immigrants an d sex workers. Morris (2013) studies the relations between the War on Drugs in Mexico and the rise of criminality in particular cities in the US. The author presents the proofs of the negative impact of cartel activity in the US on domestic crime. The article presents relevant arguments proving that the US should search for efficacious solutions and take part in the struggle against drug cartels’ violence in Mexico. The studies on ways of dealing with the problem of domination of drug cartels in Mexico are also of vital importance as they help to analyze the effectiveness of previous decisions and suggest potential future solutions. Besides a big number of books investigating the issue, there are also numerous articles covering this topic. Wright (2010) presents an analysis of the connections between drug-related violence in Mexico and the revision of state and federal criminal codes. The author analyzes the efficacy of such decisions and demonstrates the importance of puttin g more effort in the struggle against criminal activity of drug cartels. Other studies analyze potential solutions, including legalization of marijuana, promoting the security of the border, supporting the official armed struggle against drug cartels, etc.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The examination of current research on Mexican drug cartels and the War on Drugs helps to understand the causes of the outburst of violence, define the major drawbacks of the Mexican War on Drugs, and suggest potential solutions. Analyzing the Causes of the Violence of Drug Cartels and the War on Drugs in Mexico Examining the studies on the difficult situation in Mexico helps to identify the main causes that led to the escalation of conflicts and the factors contributing to the domination of drug cartels in the country. The first cause can be identified as the low economic development of the country. This factor appears to be the cornerstone of extensive interest to drug business among young people in Mexico, who present the social basis for drug cartels. Long-term economic instability has contributed to the high rates of unemployment and low job opportunities in the country (Shirk, 2014). Such situation has motivated numerous young people to find their place in the drug business to be able to earn for living. The revenues of narco-business grow dramatically every year. Therefore, thousands and even millions of Mexicans are ready to commit crimes, including homicides, to stay in the business and do not lose the only source of income. The historical background can be determined as the second cause of the current situation in Mexico. Multiple policies prohibiting certain substances in the United States stimulated the activity of drug business in Mexico. Tough situation in Columbia shifted the center of drug trafficking to Mexico. Besides, growing demand for psychotropic substances in the United States in the 1970s stimulated the growth of the drug-related business. Numerous people became involved in the business, and the number of its members was growing every year. That led to the situation when this business became one of the main sources of employment in the country. Such state of affairs promoted the aggressiveness of drug cartels striving for winning the tu rf for their employees. Political situations in Mexico and in the United States can be defined as other factors that contributed to the rise of violence. The Institutional Revolutionary Party managed to maintain careful control of the activities of drug cartels and establish a cooperation that kept the relations stable (Medel Thoumi, 2014). However, when the party lost governor’s race in northern states, territorial rivalries became more severe in certain regions and soon transformed into the outburst of violence. Therefore, the shift in domestic political power resulted in the loss of control over drug lords and led to growing violence. The change of power from the one-party rule to a multiparty system led to fragmentation of security forces and the competence between political groups, resulting in lower ability to oppose the enemy. Certain steps made by the American Government can also be regarded as the factors that contributed to the rise of violence in Mexico. The North American Free Trade Agreement eliminated the barriers to both legal and illegal trade between the US and Mexico and increased shipments of drugs to the north. Therefore, the rivalry for turf grew. Besides, the United States did not provide appropriate control over the flow of weapons to Mexico. The repeal of the assault weapons ban in the US in 2004 also made its contribution to the escalation of violence, as the members of drug cartels are heavily armed, and the main origin of the weapons is the United States. The neglectful attitude to the export of weapons gave the drug cartels in Mexico an opportunity to gather an abundant amount of weapons and be competitive with the official army of the country. The growing number of former militants who joined the drug cartels also increased the levels of violence. Las Zetas gave an example of employing former soldiers and police officers and using them in terrorizing activities against competitive cartels. Similar strategies were employed b y other cartels and led to the escalation of violence with the help of paramilitary tactics. All of the factors mentioned above have contributed to the rise of violence in Mexico. Drug cartels started using an enormous amount of homicides to gain the ultimate power over the drug business. Such a frightful situation encouraged the Mexican government to start a serious struggle against drug cartels and resulted in the War on Drugs. Mistakes of the Mexican War on Drugs and Potential Solutions When Felipe Calderon was elected as a president, he proclaimed the War on Drugs. With the help of the United States, the government managed to achieve certain strategic goals by arresting the important figures in narco-business and confiscating weapons and monetary assets. However, the counternarcotics efforts intensified the violence of drug-trafficking organizations and contributed to the escalation of conflicts between them. After the arrests of the heads of several drug cartels, leaders that a re more violent came to power. New leaders organized terrific massacres and used various methods of terror. The war caused numerous deaths among civilians and made the ordinary people lose the feeling of safety. Though causing numerous deaths, Calderon’s offensive did not have a significant impact on drug trafficking. The multi-billion dollar industry continued to grow and use violent methods for fighting for turf. The drawbacks of Calderon’s War on Drugs illustrates the importance of employing a comprehensive approach to dealing with narco-industry, as military actions appeared to provoke even more violence and have no impact on the growth of the business. Therefore, alternative solutions to the problem should be considered. Legalization of marijuana is one of the solutions often regarded as an effective method for decreasing the growth of drug cartels in Mexico. Legal regulation of marijuana distribution in the United States will cut one of the main sources of income of drug-trafficking organizations in Mexico. However, there is also a dangerous possibility that if one of the most commonly sold drugs will be removed from illegal business, drug cartels will be pushed to search for new sources of income, which can cause the escalation of violence. Besides, they can turn their attention to human trafficking or providing a bigger supply of cocaine or heroin. Such tendencies will bring more terror, as these sources of revenue involve more violent actions than marijuana does. Therefore, legalization of marijuana should be considered as one of the solutions, but must be accompanied by ensuring preventing other more dangerous activities. Another potential solution that is based on the analysis of the causes of the lack of success of previous actions of Mexican government can include eliminating mid-level bosses in cartels. Targeting kingpins appeared to be ineffective as it caused more violence and destabilizing succession wars. Targeting low-level mem bers of cartels also seems to be an unsuccessful solution, as they can be easily replaced. Mid-level leaders present the category of members of drug cartels who are relatively easy to be found and arrested. They are influential enough, and their elimination will cause potential harm to drug cartels. However, such strategy will not provoke violent succession battles. Financial targeting appears to be one of the most effective solutions as it directly affects the ultimate purpose of drug-trafficking organizations – profit. Influencing the financial system of drug cartels is the key to controlling their development. This aspect can be controlled by ensuring severe penalties for any financial institution cooperating with the members of these illegal organizations. Such strategy will help to cut off the ways of receiving revenues by imposing strict regulations on banks, which are currently involved in providing necessary financial operation for drug cartels. High-intensity law enf orcement can stop further extension of narco-business in Mexico (Kan, 2012). Putting effort in strengthening economics of the country and promoting the development of civil society are also of vital importance for dealing with drug cartels in Mexico. An economically stable country has more power to oppose drug business than the one with poor economics, as income factor is the one that motivates the population to engage in the activities of drug cartels. Ensuring efficient job opportunities and social security in the country is the key to attracting the attention of the youth to the spheres able to boost the economy. Searching for peaceful ways of dealing with drug cartels and the outburst of violence they provoke is the cornerstone of successful outcomes, as militarization of the struggle against narco-business turned out to give few positive results while taking thousands of lives of soldiers and civilians. Conclusion There are many relevant articles and books studying different as pects of the domination of drug cartels in Mexico and investigating the benefits and drawbacks of the War on Drugs. Careful examination of such sources helps to identify the main causes of the destructive processes, analyze previous decisions made in the course of struggle against drug cartels, and propose solutions able to change the situation and reduce the unprecedented level of violence in Mexico. References Campbell, H. (2014). Narco-propaganda in the Mexican â€Å"Drug War†: An anthropological perspective. Latin American Perspectives, 41(2), 60-77. Grillo, I. (2013). Mexican cartels: A century of defying U.S. drug policy. The Brown Journal of World Affairs, 20(1), 253-265. Kan, P. R. (2012). Cartels at war: Mexicos drug-fueled violence and the threat to U.S. national security. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books, Inc. Kellner, T., Pipitone, F. (2010). Inside Mexico’s Drug War. World Policy Journal, 27(1), 29-37. Medel, M., Thoumi, F. E. (2014). Mexican drug â€Å" cartels†. In L. Paoli (Ed.). The Oxford handbook of organized crime (pp. 196-219). New York: Oxford University Press. Morris, E. K. (2013). Think again: Mexican drug cartels. Foreign Policy, 203, 30-33. Shirk, D. A. (2011). The Drug War in Mexico: Confronting a shared threat. New York: Council of Foreign Relations. Wright, R. (2010). Mexican drug violence and adversarial experiments. North Carolina Journal of International Law Commercial Regulation, 35, 363-385.

Monday, March 2, 2020

25 Writing Competitions You Should Enter

25 Writing Competitions You Should Enter 25 Writing Competitions You Should Enter 25 Writing Competitions You Should Enter By Mark Nichol Have you completed one or more short stories, poems, or nonfiction pieces? Perhaps you’d like some motivation or to take the next step with them. This post lists writing competitions for 2011 that feature cash prizes of $1,000 or more and, often, publication deals for the winner (plus, for many contests, additional prizes for winners and other contestants). Note, however, that such competitions often require an entry fee (generally $15-$20 per entry), and some require the submitted material to be previously unpublished. Go to the contest Web site for information about costs and other details. The competition can be fierce, but even if you don’t win, the benefits are valuable: Completing and submitting an entry helps you develop word-count precision and deadline discipline. You may not earn a four-figure cash prize, but you could win some honorable-mention mad money or other prizes. You have a completed manuscript you can submit to other competitions or to agents. Good luck! Poetry 1. The Pinch Journal Poetry Contest Deadline: March 1 Type of submission: online or offline Length of submission: 1-3 poems Prizes: $1,000 and publication 2. Normal Prize in Poetry Deadline: March 4 Type of submission: online Length of submission: 5 pages or 5 poems Prizes: $1,000 and publication 3. Boston Review Fourteenth Annual Poetry Contest Deadline: June 1 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: up to 10 pages Prize: $1,500 and publication 4. Bellevue Literary Review’s Marica and Jan Vilcek Prize in Poetry Deadline: July 1 Type of submission: online Length of submission: up to 3 poems (maximum 5 pages) Prizes: $1,000 and publication 5. Lulu Poetry Contest Deadline: continuous entry Type of submission: online Length of submission: not specified Prizes: annual $5,000; monthly $250; daily $25 Short Fiction 6. he Pinch Journal Fiction Contest Deadline: March 1 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: up to 5,000 words Prizes: $1,500 and publication 7. Sycamore Review’s Wabash Prize for Fiction Deadline: March 1 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: up to 10,000 words Prize: $1,000 and publication for winner 8. Potomac Review Annual Contest Deadline: March 1 Type of submission: online or offline Length of submission: 2 stories of up to 2,000 words Prize: $1,000 and publication for winner 9. Normal Prize in Fiction Deadline: March 4 Type of submission: online Length of submission: up to 10,000 words Prizes: $1,000 and publication for winner 10. Colorado Review’s Nelligan Prize Deadline: postmarked March 11 Type of submission: online or offline Length of submission: under 50 pages Prizes: $1,500 and publication for winner 11. New Rivers Press American Fiction Prize Deadline: May 1 Type of submission: online or offline Length of submission: up to 7,500 words Prizes: $1,000, $500, $250; publication for winners 12. Drue Heinz Literature Prize Deadline: postmarked May 1-June 30 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: not specified Prize: $15,000 and publication 13. Carve Magazine’s Raymond Carver Short Story Contest Deadline: May 15-June 30 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: up 6,000 words Prizes: $1,000, $750, $500, $250; considered by literary agencies 14. Howard Frank Mosher Short Fiction Prize Deadline: postmarked June 30 Type of submission: online or offline Length of submission: up to 10,000 words Prizes: $1,000 and publication, $100 15. Bellevue Literary Review’s Goldenberg Prize in Fiction Deadline: July 1 Type of submission: online Length of submission: up to 5,000 words Prizes: $1,000 and publication Nonfiction 16. Michael Steinberg Essay Prize Deadline: February 28 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: up to 6,000 words Prizes: $1,000 and publication; publication consideration for runner-up 17. Normal Prize in Nonfiction Deadline: March 4 Type of submission: online Length of submission: up to 10,000 words Prizes: $1,000 and publication 18. Creative Nonfiction Anger Revenge Contest Deadline: March 16 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: up to 4,000 words Prizes: $1,000, $500 19. Writers @ Work Writing Competition Deadline: March 20 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: up to 7,500 words Prizes: $1,000, $350, $100; publication consideration for each winner 20. Bellevue Literary Review’s Burns Archive Prize in Nonfiction Deadline: July 1 Type of submission: online Length of submission: up to 5,000 words Prizes: $1,000 and publication Multiple Awards 21. Glimmer Train’s Very Short Fiction Award Deadline: January 1-31, July 1-31 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: up to 3,000 words Prizes: $1,200, publication, and 20 copies; $500; $300 22. Glimmer Train’s Fiction Open Deadline: March 1-31, June 1-30, August 1-30, December 1-31 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: 2,000-20,000 words Prizes: $2,000, publication, and 20 copies; $1,000; $600 23. Glimmer Train’s Short-Story Award for New Writers Deadline: postmarked March 31, postmarked September 30 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: 3,000-12,000 words Prizes: $1,200, publication, and 20 copies; $500; $300 24. Glimmer Train’s Family Matters Deadline: April 1-30, October 1-31 Type of submission: offline Length of submission: 3,000-12,000 words Prizes: $1,200, publication, and 20 copies; $500; $300 Miscellaneous And, of course, no self-respecting list of writing competitions would be complete without this one: 25. Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest Deadline: April 15 Type of submission: online or offline Length of submission: up to about 50-60 words Prize: â€Å"a pittance† This whimsical contest is devoted to parodying the purple prose of Edward George â€Å"It Was a Dark and Stormy Night† Bulwer-Lytton and his ilk by crafting, as it were, the most absurdly inept opening line from a (fortunately) nonexistent novel. For more information, go to the slightly disheveled Web site and search for â€Å"The rules to the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Competitions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Avoid Beginning a Sentence with â€Å"With†What is Dative Case?What’s the Best Way to Refer to a Romantic Partner?

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Meat Production Business in Ukraine Research Paper

Meat Production Business in Ukraine - Research Paper Example This paper considers Ukrainian meat market. It outlines such aspects as poultry, pork, beef, etc. In case of threats of new entrance, it can be asserted that the meat processing industry has faced a very few challenges from the relative nations and other industry. This research study seems to be analytical in nature since its objective lay in investigating the loopholes prevailing in the meat sector in Ukrainian market and recommending measures that will address the same. A research philosophy refers to the preferred approach, which applied by the researcher in search of knowledge, establishing the nature of the problem and its context. Here, the existence of the problem, knowledge, values and reason has been clearly delineated (Beck, 2003). This research will be based on a positivism type of paradigm. This is the school of contemplation, which advocates for reality and objectivity (Caulley, 2007). The purpose of a research based on positivism is to find causal liaison between variables through deductive reasoning to estimate probabilities and make predictions. The problem of shortage in supply of red meat in Ukrainian market is identified to be quite real and likewise demand real answers. The only framework, which can ensure the same, is positivism approach. Through objectivity, which is duly considered to be an indispensable component of positivism, valid answers can be derived from the research (Ellingson, 2007). If compared with other research philosophies and paradigms such as realism and interpretivism, positivism clearly offers the flexibility and the clarity of procedures based on which this particular type of research can be conducted efficiently.

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Business Strategy Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Strategy Assessment - Essay Example (Clark P. 2007) b) Ryan Air decided to buy aircrafts of the model Boeing 731 only. This reduced the company's inventory volume as less stock of spare parts was required to store. The pressure on crew training was also less and the maintenance staff could easily repair the aircrafts resulting into quick service. c) In order to reduce the landing costs, the company used airports like, Alghero (Sardinia) and Dinard (Brittany), which are not at all popular airports. These airports were looking forward to grow their business and thus offered competitive landing charges to Ryan Air. d) The company reduced the cost of outsourcing its services to third parties like travel agents for booking their flights. This helped the company to reduce cost by 10%-15%. So far the company facilitates only its official website and its own call center service for booking of the flights. e) Advertising is a vital part of growing business. Ryan Air reduced this cost as well by writing its low airfare captions on the aircraft body and relied more on the word-of-mouth advertising of the customers. 2. According to Michael Porter there are two basic kinds of competitive advantage- Cost advantage, where a firm delivers the same benefits as that of its competitors but at a lower cost, and differentiation advantage, where the competitive advantage of a firm lies in providing benefits that exceed those of the competitors. Among the positional advantages Ryan Air focused on cost advantage for reaping higher profits. Ryan Air's rival firms were British Airways and Ager Lingus and both airlines possessed higher financial position than Ryan Air. Moreover the company went into a rapid loss that called for its restructuring during 1991. Hence, focusing on differentiation advantage for increasing the firm's profit would have been a major mistake by Ryan Air. The company used its capability of rigorous cost minimization and introduced the surprisingly low airfares in the market. Thus the various measures of cost minimization by the company formed its distinctive competencies and helped the firm make a better place for itself in the industry. (Competitive Advantage, n.d.) Part 2 1. The decision tree above shows expected long-run profits of Lynne taking into account its decisions (square boxes) and the uncertainties (circles) in the economy. Lynee has two options before it: Staying in the present location Relocating to cheaper premises Hence both the decisions have a probability of .5. In both the situation it is faced with three different conditions of the economy and they have their respective probabilities of occurrence. In the aforementioned case, there are 6 distinct situations Lynne can face, Situation 1. Lynne stays in its present location and there is a downturn in the economy. Situation 2. Lynne stays in its present location and there is an upturn in the economy. Situation 3. Lynne stays in her present location and the economy remains the same. Situation 4. Lynne moves into a cheaper premise and there is

Saturday, January 25, 2020

The Turkish-Venetian War in Othello Essay -- Othello essays

The Turkish-Venetian War in Othello   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to A. L. Rowse, William Shakespeare's Othello is one of the most perfect plays ever written (13). There is practically nothing in it that does not contribute to plot or character development (unlike Hamlet, which is filled with a large cast, complexities, and sub-plots). G. B. Harrison agrees that the construction is perfect (1058). Only two brief scenes with a clown in Act III don't seem to advance the play any. That, and one strange plot element: the Turkish war and change of locale from Venice to Cyprus. If the play be merely about Iago convincing a jealous Othello that his wife is sleeping with Cassio, why bother having a war between Acts I and II? None of the characters are killed or wounded in the war, nor does the politics of the Venetian acquisitions affect the plot (in Act IV, scene 1, Lodovico speculates that Othello is angry because he's called home, but we know he's really angry because he thinks his wife is cheating on him), nor are there a ny speeches expounding on either the glories or horrors of war, such as there are in Henry V and Julius Caesar. Why then, in this most perfect of plays, is there such a major element as a war? What possible relevance could it have to Iago's plots and Othello's jealous rage? I contend that the war is extremely important--it is the very crux upon which the entire plot turns. When we first meet Othello, he is the epitome of a calm, self-assured, non-provocative military general more concerned with honor, virtue, and his social standing than with war and battles. His very first line is, "It is better as it is" (1.2.6). This is a conservative, contented man, actually opposed to violence. Note how he breaks up the fight betwe... ...ith Introduction. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1985. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos. Vaughan, Virginia Mason, and Kent Cartwright, eds. Othello: New Perspectives. Cranbury, NJ: Associated University Press, 1991. Wayne, Valerie. â€Å"Historical Differences: Misogyny and Othello.† The Matter of Difference: Materialist Feminist Criticism of Shakespeare. Ed Valerie Wayne. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1991.    Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. â€Å"The Engaging Qualities of Othello.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Introduction to The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. N. p.: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1957.

Friday, January 17, 2020

Logic in the East and the West

The article written by Nisbett in Chapter 7 of the book (please indicate the title of the whole book here) presents a clear idea of how logic exists differently in the East and the West. The discussion of the author presented various studies and various terms that have been used to support and weave together the different ideas. The author’s terms are worth defining for these will clarify some portions of the study. First, there are French words included in the title and one should translate this into English terms to get a better picture of the article. Ce n’est pas logique translated to English would be â€Å"it is not logical.† Weaving it back to the title, it would then be â€Å"’It is not logical’ or ‘You’ve got a point there’?† It is quite unsaid as to why the author used the language of French for the title. Second, the Latin phrase modus ponens also deserves some attention. In English, the term modes ponens is the method of affirming (â€Å"modus ponens and modus tollens†). Third, the word atypical would also be encountered and this is defined as â€Å"not conforming to the usual type or expected pattern† (â€Å"atypical†). It means the opposite of the typical argument. Going back to the topic of logic in the east and the west, the author posed several studies conducted before to support the current hypothesis that there is a difference in the existence of logic in the two regions. A study that was cited by the author was that of Ara Norenzayan, Edward E. Smith, Beom Jun Kim, and Nisbett, the author himself, showed that the insignificant interest for the study of logic in the East may be attributed to the â€Å"distrust of decontextualization†¦as well as a distaste for making inferences on the basis of underlying abstract propositions alone† (Nisbett 168). This was not proven by only one study made by the same authors but actually two studies they did. To further support the results of the study, the authors administered survey methods to respondents who are Korean, European American, and Asian American.   In addition to this, Ara Norenzayan and Beom Jun Kim made a presumption â€Å"that East Asians would be less likely to have their beliefs moved in an unpleasant direction by pondering information that implied some desired outcomes† (Nisbett 172). To do this, they administered questionnaires to Korean and American respondents containing propositions. The result was that the Americans continued towards the negative ones and the Koreans avoided this (Nisbett 173). The author used propositions and discussed it according to the logic that may be applied to it. For example, the deductive arguments â€Å"All birds have ulnar arteries, therefore all eagles have ulnar arteries† and â€Å"All birds have ulnar arteries, therefore all penguins have ulnar arteries† which the author used to show the persuasiveness of typical and atypical arguments for the different respondents (Nisbett 168-9). It was stated by the author that there is a difference on how convinced the Koreans are to typical arguments than atypical arguments compared to the European American and Asian American. The atypical argument for the previous deductive argument is the latter for penguins are not typically seen as birds. Works Cited â€Å"atypical.† Encarta Dictionaries. DVD. Redmond, WA: Microsoft, 2006. â€Å"modus ponens and modus tollens.† Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica Online. 23 Mar. 2008   . Nisbett, Richard. The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently†¦and Why. New York: The Free Press, 2003.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Hiv / Aids A Virus That Attacks One s Immune System

Introduction HIV/AIDS is a virus that attacks one’s immune system, leading to one being immunocompromised and vulnerable to infections (Skolnik, 2012). According to Skolnik (2012), HIV is mainly spread through unprotected sex, through bodily fluids such as blood and can also be transmitted from mother to child through childbirth. HIV/AIDS remains one of the most highly known communicable diseases in South Africa (Avert, 2015). In addition to the 6.2 million people currently living with HIV, World Health Organization (2015) states that 200,000 lives are claimed every year, and the numbers are constantly rising. South Africa currently still remains the continent most greatly affected by HIV/AIDS (Lewis, 2011). This paper will focus on the aspects of HIV and AIDS in regards to nature of the problem, the affected population and risk factors, as well as the social and economic consequences the country faces with interventions that can be implemented to decrease the transmission of disease. 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