The Effects of Solons Reforms on Athens Essay Example

The Effects of Solons Reforms on Athens Paper Athens, pre-574 BC, was riddled with problems, and the nobles of Athens soon realised that the revolt, resulting in a tyranny that had happened in so many surrounding cities, was a serious possibility. Their solution was to shift law making power to Solon. Solon soon revolutionised Athens by an attempt to solve the political, economic and social problems of Athens. Before Solons reforms, the political situation in Athens was not desirable. Split into 3 levels; the magistrates, nobles and held the majority of power; the Council of Areopagus, nobles who controlled the law and the state; and the Assembly, the middle classes of Athens who held little power, the government was used by nobles to exploit the poor. Solon endeavoured for Eunomia; or the reign of good order, where all classes where represented in government. Under Solons leadership, the Codes of Law, regarding family matters, were revised and brought benefits to all social classes. He established a Timocracy; a government in which political rights of citizens were determined by wealth, not by birth. He then split the government into 5 levels; the archons, the Council of Areopagus, The Council of 400, the Assembly and the Heliaea. By spreading the power evenly over the 5 levels and allowing men of non noble birth and lower income into government, Solon broke the monopoly the nobles had held over the government and set the foundation for a democracy. We will write a custom essay sample on The Effects of Solons Reforms on Athens specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Effects of Solons Reforms on Athens specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Effects of Solons Reforms on Athens specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The economic situation in Athens was also extreme. Widespread debt, the rising of the Hektemoroi, and Athens war against Megara, all resulted in a struggling Athens. Solon immediately passed the Seisachtheia, or the shaking off of burdens. This meant that all outstanding debt was cancelled, and all those who had become slaves due to their debt were freed. It also involved the return of those who had been sold overseas, and the removal of the Hektemoroi. As a result, Athens became a city filled with peasants who had no money or land. The wealthy of Athens lost control over large areas of land on which the Hektemoroi had worked, and they also lost the interest on their loans. Solon also placed temporary bans on exports or agricultural products to prevent famine. This prevented speculation in essential products and lowered the prices on basic necessities. He encouraged many of the landless to return to learning a craft, and made it obligatory for the father to teach his son a trade. These reforms took steps to making Athens a free citizen nation, but it only alleviated distress instead of eliminating the problems. Pre 574, Athens was split up into 4 social classes; the Eupatridae, nobles that held almost all political power; the Georgoi and Demiourgoi, farmers and craftsmen who held average rights; and the Thetes, who held no political rights or land. These classes also split into clans, the constant bickering between clans often disrupting Athens. Solons reforms meant that all 4 classes held political power, and it was more difficult for the Eupatridae to exploit the other classes. Fighting between clans also decreased, and Athens became much more stable. In conclusion, we can clearly see that Solon attempted to address all major issues prevalent in Athens at the time, from debt to social classes. His reforms aided the situation, but whether his reforms were practical for long term application is arguable.

Is gun control an effective method of reducing crime

Is gun control an effective method of reducing crime Occasional Gun-Related Incidents Start the Discussion The subject of regulating firearm ownership has been a cause for  debate  between gun control proponents and their opponents. Rising rates of crime or occasional gun-related incidents always act as a match to light up this discussion. The issue mentioned above is a serious one and deserving of serious consideration. Each side has valid points to prove their case. However, gun control does not reduce crime, in most cases. Better ways of solving such issues are being sought as opposed to the much-accustomed way of  law  making. The debate on gun control will continue well into the future as long as guns are manufactured and used. The most prevalent argument by proponents of gun control is that countries with lower rates of gun ownership have lower rates of crimes. The above is simply not true and has been statistically disproven. The opposite is, in fact, true. Research has clearly shown that countries with higher rates of gun ownership have lower crime rates than countries with low gun ownership rates. The most probable cause for the above is that criminals are less likely to attack a citizen if there is a higher chance of the latter retaliating. In the second case, offenders with firearms have a higher chance of success if they know they will encounter victims who are unarmed. Citizens with firearms tend to be more empowered than their unarmed counterparts. Criminals in areas with low gun ownership rates have more power over their victims, and a higher success rate is an incentive to continue the practice. Therefore, reducing the rates of gun ownership would not have the desired effect of reducing crime. Deaths from Firearms Are Quite the Rarity The argument by gun control proponents that firearms are involved in many human deaths is unsubstantiated. According to certain publications, there are about seventy million privately owned firearms in the USA. Their primary uses are hunting, target practice, household, and business premise protection. Of all the homicides committed in the country in a single year, less than one percent involve the use of guns. The abovementioned statement shows that ninety-nine percent of guns do not participate in any loss of human life. The opponents of gun control are clearly right in this respect. Many firearm owners have a gun for self-defense purposes, and many of them have no criminal or violent intention of using the gun. In fact, many handguns are rarely fired and are only kept as a security contingency. Deaths from firearms are quite the rarity. Many more people die from illnesses, home, and vehicle accidents than from gun violence. The above fact involves children too who gun control prop onents usually use to strengthen their argument. You may be interested in: Torture Is Never Justified Smoking in Public Places Should Be Banned Single-Parent Children Behaviour Can Science Go Too Far? Media Influence With already so many gun laws in place, how do criminals manage to access firearms and ammunition? The above question goes to prove that gun control laws do not deter criminals with a desire to acquire and utilize guns. There exists a very extensive black market for guns that may be bigger and more developed than the legal guns and ammunition market. Constructing tougher and additional legislation to restrict gun ownership will have no effect on criminal individuals and organizations with no regard to already existing laws. If anything, more gun control would discourage citizens from making the effort to own firearms which, as been shown above, would lead to even higher crime rates. Laws also have loopholes that can be exploited by knowledgeable lawyers, who more often than not, represent powerful and dangerous criminals. More laws could open up more leeway to be exploited by those who are capable. More Gun Ownership Leads to More Citizenry Safety As can be vividly seen above, proponents of gun control do not have a compelling case. It is clear that more gun ownership leads to more citizenry safety. Certain structures can be put in place to reduce the access criminals have to guns, but the reasons provided by gun control proponents are irrational and unsubstantiated. Gun control would eventually do citizens more harm than good. Using firearms to reduce crime rates is an insurmountable task with no prior proof of success anywhere. Until better measures are found, it would be better to let citizens exercise their constitutional right to bear arms.

Recommendations to Ford Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Recommendations to Ford - Essay Example The organization is a system and thus the processes within it are attentively looked into either in a symptomatic or systematic manner: the latter is likely to provide long lasting solutions. The Ford Company is a multinational automobile manufacturer (Ford 201). It derived its foundation on the need of its founder to provide a car for the ordinary American (Ford 201). Founded in 1903, the company has undergone major strides and setbacks to become one of the leading automotive companies within America and the whole world at large. The first model from Ford was the T-Model that sold almost fifteen million units before the end of production nineteen years later for a cost of $ 950 specifically moving the car industry from being a luxury item to a transportation means for the ordinary citizenry (Bak 200). Henry Ford not only targeted improving his model alone, but also improved the payments he made to all his workers and trimming down the working hours for his employees. This resulted t o the creation of a three shift working regimen and effectively improving mass manufacturing that allowed the revolution of the motor industry. He also came up with the strategy to ensure task specialization by his workers thus improving efficiency in the industry. This made it possible to manufacture affordable cars allowing most Americans to own an automobile resulting to groundbreaking changes in the transport sector that brought about construction of highways and inception of the industrial revolution with the outset of the agrarian revolution. Henry Ford effectively run the company with profit margins amounting to billions of dollars seeing his company go through the economic crisis in 1929 and later the biggest automobile strike in 1941. He then supported the government during World War 1 by supplying the government with submarine chasers, automobiles as well as liberty airplanes. This endeared his company dearly to the administration. Henry made it an obligation to pass

Coca-Cola India Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Coca-Cola India - Case Study Example For more than 100 years, coca-cola has maintained the leading position in demand for soft drinks in the industry. The company made its entry into India through Coca-Cola India Private Limited; Coca-Cola India PVT is a wholly owned subsidiary of the company. In 19963, the company re-launched coca-cola two years after opening up the Indian economy (Banerjee, 2009). Since the re-launch of Coca-Cola in 1963, the company’s operations have increased rapidly. Coca-Cola Company uses a model that supports bottling operations that are both locally and company owned. Indian distributors are approximately 7000 while retailers are 2.2million. This wide distribution network has made Coca-Cola products a leading brand in most of the beverage segments. Coca-Cola India produces a variety of brands including Coca-Cola, Limca, Thumbs Up, Kinley, Minute Maid, Fanta Orange, Sprite, Burn, Maaza and Vitingo. The authorized bottlers are engaged in independent development markets for these products and distribute them to grocers, small retailers, restaurants, and supermarkets. In addition to USD 2 billion that Coca-Cola has already invested in India, there are plans for investing additional USD 5 billion by the year 2020 (Banerjee, 2009). Coca-Cola’s operations in India has not been streamlined despite huge investments. One of the crisis in the company’s history in India revolves involves August 5, 2003 attack. The Centre for Science and Environment, an activist group comprising of engineers, environmentalists, scientists, and journalists attacked coca-cola citing evidence of unsafe products in the company’s beverages (Banerjee, 2009). The press release stated that Coca-Cola India’s twelve major brands sold in Dheli contained deadly cocktail pesticide pesticides. The accusation caused fear concerning the sustainability of Coca-Coca Company in India and the safety of its products. This incidence had significant implications on the company’s profitability, corporate

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Essay Example for Free

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Essay Children are normally difficult to deal with and could be very challenging sometimes. They usually have mood swings and tantrums that are sometimes hard to control and deal with. On the other hand if the child or an individual is observed with relentless pattern of tantrums, arguing and have disruptive behaviors to their parents or other people then there is a possibility that the person have oppositional defiant disorder. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a kind of disorder that is being characterized by a recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient and hostile behavior towards authority figures such as parents and teachers and the elders and it usually occurs and happens for at least 6 months. Teenagers and children with ODD shows a consistent symptom pattern of refusing commands, orders or request coming from adults and they may manifest great annoyance, irritability and stubbornness to people that are older to them. ODD is usually normal in early childhood and adolescence stage (Sadock, Kaplan, Sadock, 2007). Symptoms Having a defiant behavior is usually common among children most especially if they are in the transition of 2 to 3 years or when they reach the teenage years. At this age children normally act with defiance so that they can affirm themselves and check their limits. There are a lot of symptoms that may indicate that a child or a teenager has ODD. Symptoms of ODD are: if an individual always loses his or her temper, often argues with adults, deliberately annoys people, blames other people for his or her mistakes, misbehavior, often annoyed or angry, academic problems, often spiteful and defies obeying with adults’ rules and requests. It is an oppositional defiant disorder if four or more symptoms are present in a person’s behavior and lasts for at least six months (Sadock, Sadock Levin, 2007). Furthermore, children with ODD are usually moody and they get easily frustrated with things and they can also have a very low self-esteem. There is also a possibility that they will abuse the use of drugs, other substances and alcohol (Webmd, 2008). Etiology There is still no clear cause behind the oppositional defiant disorder. The etiology of ODD is believed to come from different factors such as environmental and genetic or combined. A child who has ODD is more likely to have a history in his or her family of some behavior disorders, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, and mood disorders. In addition, if the parents of the child are alcoholic or have problems with the behavior such as being always into trouble the child can adapt the behavior and may develop into having ODD later on (Tynan, 2008). Diagnosis/ Assessment It is difficult to determine and diagnose different kinds of mental health conditions in a person because some of the symptoms of a certain disorder may also be present in another mental disorder. Furthermore, it makes also difficult to diagnose a child whether he or she has ODD because it is normal for children to have the different behaviors that ODD characterized. In diagnosing ODD, there are no medical tests such as blood test that can determine whether a child or a teenager has ODD or another type of disorder. Some disorders such as ADHD, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder and other mood or behavioral disorders can overlap the signs and symptoms of ODD, therefore it is very important to have a thorough check up and observation to see and diagnose a child suspected with ODD (Rapoport Ismond). Moreover, in diagnosing ODD different types of medical tests may be given to the person to be bale to rule out physical illness or medication side effects like X-rays and blood tests. Only mental health professionals like the psychiatrist or psychologist can determine different kinds of mental illnesses such as ODD in an individual. By looking at the child’s family and health history experts will be able to find it easier to diagnose a child with ODD (Chandler, 2008). Prevalence Oppositional defiant disorder is said to be more common in boys rather than in girls and in children or adolescents. This disorder can usually be seen and observed when a child reaches the age of 8. It is said in some research that there are about 2 to 16% of the US population both male and female have ODD and about 25 % of the population with ODD develops conduct disorder and about 10% of the population have antisocial personality disorder and mostly are already adults (Videbeck, 2007). ODD is more prevalent in males than females before they reach the puberty stage. However after they reach the puberty stage or adolescence, the ratio of both genders already become equal due to the reason that females tend to be involved with antisocial males as partners (Corcoran Walsh, 2006). Risk Factors Oppositional defiant disorder usually comes with other behavior disorders or mental disorders. There are about 50% to 65% of children with ODD usually have attention deficit disorder (ADD) or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ome form of affective disorder may also be present among 35% of children with ODD, 20% with mood disorders like anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder and 15% develop some personality disorder (Kane, 2008). Other risk factors that may be present to children with ODD are; being abused or neglected, lack of supervision from parents, poor relationship with one or both parents and other family members, family instability such as incident of divorce, financial problems in the family, exposure to violence and abusing substance like drugs and alcohol (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2007). Treatment Psychotherapy There are many options for treating oppositional defiant disorder in an individual. Different treatments depends on the age and the severity of the condition and its symptoms and the person should be willing or aware so that he or she will be able to participate and cooperate well in the treatment process of ODD though it is usually complicated and difficult especially if the individual is a child. First and common treatment being used with patient with ODD is psychotherapy. In psychotherapy the process is juts like counseling. The goal of this kind of treatment is to help and assist the child in developing ways on controlling his or her anger and other defiant behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another way of therapy that can help a child or a person with ODD. It is a kind of technique or approach that intends to influence bad behaviors and cognitions through a goal-oriented process. This kind of therapy has been proven to be effective on most mood disorders, behavioral disorders, personality disorders and other mental diseases. In addition, family therapy can also serve as a great help for treating ODD. This can help family interactions and communications not only to the child with ODD and parent but to rest of the members of the family as well. There is also a new therapy that has been introduced that can help treating ODD and it is called parent management training (PMT). This approach teaches the parents different techniques to positively modify or change their children’s behavior (Webmd, 2008). Medications Medications or drugs can also help in the process of treating oppositional defiant disorder in a child. There was a study made to see whether a certain drug called Ritalin can be effective in treating children with ODD. The research’s result found out that there were about 90% of children with ODD who were treated by Ritalin do not have ODD anymore when they finish the study. Another drug called Strattera did also help and got treated for some children with oppositional defiant disorder. Mood stabilizers can also help in the process of treating ODD using medications to be bale to control the behavior of the person with ODD. Lastly, other alternative treatments but has not been proven by studies that is suspected to help in the treatment of ODD. It is said that Omega-3 oils and Vitamin E helps lessen the behavioral problem of a child with oppositional defiant disorder (Kane, 2008). Prognosis Treating oppositional defiant disorder usually takes time to treat. It requires long term commitment to the person and most especially to the parents. If the individual did not receive proper treatment there will be a higher risk that the child will develop a conduct disorder or antisocial personality disorder (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, 2007). Prevention Good parenting can prevent the prevalence of oppositional defiant disorder. It is very important that parents should treat their children fairly and should be consistent with their rules and consequences inside the home. Proper communication is also needed between children and parents to avoid such problem to occur. Abusing and neglecting children should be also avoided; hence it is one factor that triggers ODD to occur in an individual. If parents can already observe different or unusual behavior in their children they should ask for help or seek advice to experts to know if there is something wrong with their children. If ODD is detected earlier then it will be easier also to treat and the person will no longer have to suffer and experience this kind of disorder that can disrupt their lives (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, 2007). Conclusion In conclusion, becoming aware and knowing all the information that lies ahead in oppositional defiant disorder is very important. One should be attentive most especially the parents of all the necessary repercussions that it can bring to a person particularly children and adolescence to be able to stop the increasing number of ODD and so that children and other people will be able to live normally and function well in the society.

Lanval and Yonec Essay -- Literary Analysis, Marie de France

Often times in literature the body becomes a symbolic part of the story. The body may come to define the character, emphasize a certain motif of the story, or symbolize the author’s or society’s mindset. The representation of the body becomes significant for the story. In the representation of their body in the works of Marie de France’s lais â€Å"Lanval† and â€Å"Yonec,† the body is represented in opposing views. In â€Å"Lanval,† France clearly emphasizes the pure beauty of the body and the power the ideal beauty holds, which Lanval’s Fairy Queen portrays. In France’s â€Å"Yonec,† she diverts the reader’s attention from the image of the ideal body and emphasizes a body without a specific form and fluidity between the forms. â€Å"Yonec† focuses on a love not based on the body. Although the representations of the body contradict one another, France uses both representation to emphasize the private and, i n a way, unearthly nature of love that cannot be contained by the human world. In both lais, the love shared between the protagonists is something that is required to be kept in private and goes beyond a single world into another world. In France’s â€Å"Lanval,† Marie de France emphasizes the ideal and pure body of Lanval’s Fairy Queen. France describes the Fairy Queen as â€Å"elegant, her hips slim, her neck whiter than snow on a branch, her eyes bright, her face white, a beautiful mouth†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (France, 109). The Fairy Queen is presented to the reader as the classic, ideal beauty that captures the attention and, unknowingly, the mind of her lover. After meeting the Fairy Queen, Lanval pledges his life to her. He states, â€Å"There is nothing you might command, within my power, that I would not do, whether foolish or wise. I shall obey your command†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (France, 108). ... ...tion of both methods can be used to show France’s idea of what love is. Patrick John Ireland argued that France’s idea of love â€Å"is a human force controlled by man with great difficulty; it is a spontaneous, natural, and all-consuming power, the experience of which leads to an almost blind passion at times† (133). To be in love, one must be entirely devoted and passionate to one another to the point of blind passion. This is so for Yonec (the Princess jumps out of the tower) and Lanval (Lanval’s complete rejection of the human world until he is brought into the world of his lover). Not only does France portray love as natural and all-consuming, but also shows the private and unearthly nature of love that cannot be contained to the realm of the human world. Rather, love transcends the boundaries of the human world and enters into a world where love reigns supreme. Lanval and Yonec Essay -- Literary Analysis, Marie de France Often times in literature the body becomes a symbolic part of the story. The body may come to define the character, emphasize a certain motif of the story, or symbolize the author’s or society’s mindset. The representation of the body becomes significant for the story. In the representation of their body in the works of Marie de France’s lais â€Å"Lanval† and â€Å"Yonec,† the body is represented in opposing views. In â€Å"Lanval,† France clearly emphasizes the pure beauty of the body and the power the ideal beauty holds, which Lanval’s Fairy Queen portrays. In France’s â€Å"Yonec,† she diverts the reader’s attention from the image of the ideal body and emphasizes a body without a specific form and fluidity between the forms. â€Å"Yonec† focuses on a love not based on the body. Although the representations of the body contradict one another, France uses both representation to emphasize the private and, i n a way, unearthly nature of love that cannot be contained by the human world. In both lais, the love shared between the protagonists is something that is required to be kept in private and goes beyond a single world into another world. In France’s â€Å"Lanval,† Marie de France emphasizes the ideal and pure body of Lanval’s Fairy Queen. France describes the Fairy Queen as â€Å"elegant, her hips slim, her neck whiter than snow on a branch, her eyes bright, her face white, a beautiful mouth†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (France, 109). The Fairy Queen is presented to the reader as the classic, ideal beauty that captures the attention and, unknowingly, the mind of her lover. After meeting the Fairy Queen, Lanval pledges his life to her. He states, â€Å"There is nothing you might command, within my power, that I would not do, whether foolish or wise. I shall obey your command†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (France, 108). ... ...tion of both methods can be used to show France’s idea of what love is. Patrick John Ireland argued that France’s idea of love â€Å"is a human force controlled by man with great difficulty; it is a spontaneous, natural, and all-consuming power, the experience of which leads to an almost blind passion at times† (133). To be in love, one must be entirely devoted and passionate to one another to the point of blind passion. This is so for Yonec (the Princess jumps out of the tower) and Lanval (Lanval’s complete rejection of the human world until he is brought into the world of his lover). Not only does France portray love as natural and all-consuming, but also shows the private and unearthly nature of love that cannot be contained to the realm of the human world. Rather, love transcends the boundaries of the human world and enters into a world where love reigns supreme.

Jose Garcia Villa Essay

â€Å"When you are old and beautiful, And things most difficult are done, There will be few who can recall Your face as it is ravaged now By youth and its oppressive choice.† -At Majority Punched. The many memorabilia and personal trinkets of one of the most famous writers in Philippine literature surprisingly epitomized the exact contradictory, or some will say the exact sentiment, of the lines of the beautiful poem above. The personal touch of the displays in the 2nd floor gallery brought an intimate ambience to the whole exhibit, and it brought to light another aspect of a renowned writer apart from his professional excellence. Jose Garcia Villa is one of the most eminent Filipino writers of all times, and the Rizal Library and the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies collaborated to bring to the Ateneo de Manila University a collection of Villa’s books and papers from his own personal library. Hung on the walls were frames relating Villa’s biography. From his childhood through his foreign stints to his success, the story was completely divulged to the visitors. There was also a timeline of the writer’s personal and professional milestones. Personal letters from EE Cummings, Nick Joaquin, and some of his other idols and friends in the literature field were also there. Villa supposedly decided to be a writer after he had read Cumming’s works, and Villa’s personal favorite from Cumming’s work was exhibited. Sherwood Anderson was also one of his influences. It was also fascinating to read his very first poem about love. Dated on 1925, his handwriting and writing style was simplistic yet elegant since then. There was also a poem for Marky Mark or Mark Wahlberg, discussing his very attractive physique. Copies of hardbound editions of his poem collections, trial publication designs, and several original old print of his works were displayed. There were also special editions of his works such as 55 Poems with his own signature and a handsome-boxed edition which is now a collector’s item. It was also said that his first love was drawing, and frames of his own old personal drawings were hung. There were also pictures of him from his youth to his old age. There was one picture of him with Manuel Arguilla, a friend he hangs out with when in Manila, which especially haunted me. His typewriter was also showcased in the exhibit. I was also impressed to find out that Villa is only the second Filipino to be published by Penguin; the first was national hero, Rizal. He was really larger than life. I was particularly taken by one of the poem displayed, At Majority. For me, it immortalizes into words how the Filipinos and his readers will now remember Villa- a beautiful sliver of words and poetry, a figure larger than words, deeper than his writings, and even more beautiful and remembered even in his death.