Evaluate Social Identity Theory Essay

Social identity theory is designed by Tajfel and Turner (1979) to explain how it is that people develop a sense of membership and belonging in particular groups, and how the mechanics of intergroup discrimination. Several interconnected mechanisms are at work with social identity theory. The core idea is that people tend to seek out-group membership as an affirmation of self-esteem, but that membership in a group alone is not enough to build self-esteem. To feel more self esteem, people have to believe that they are in the right group, which creates the need for a positive distinction from other groups. There are three cognitive processes that are Social Categorisation, Social Identification and Social Comparison. Tajfel and his colleagues divided some schoolboys in to 2 different groups, they allocated them randomly into the groups but the participants thought that the groups were defined by their preferences to paintings. They had to give out points to the in-group and the out-group but were not allowed to give points to themselves. The participants would favour people in their group rather than the participants of the other group. In many cases the participants would sacrifice points for their group just to increase the difference between the groups. The participants would give 7 points to their own group and give the other group 1, although they could have given 13 to each group. This shows that you can be easily be put in a group for a minor thing and you would stick together and go against the other group and see them as the enemy without having any real reason. Caroline Howarth carried out the second research. The participants all lived in the Brixton area, which was seen as a poor and violent place and also where a lot of black people were thought to have lived there and were thought of being the main cause of violence. Within the first set of focus groups (total of 7), she asked teenagers to talk about Brixton, she asked them to ‘tell me about Brixton – what it is like for you to live here and how people outside Brixton think about Brixton’. Howarth used a topic guideline to ensure that central research questions were always covered (on community, inclusion, exclusion, identity, ethnicity, the media, prejudice, racism, the school). The organisation of focus groups into friendship groups made it possible for participants to discuss these experiences with admirable confidence, maturity and understanding. It can, nonetheless, be difficult for the social researcher to access such sensitive material. When the moderator is an outsider and when research participants assume (often correctly) that the researcher has little experience of the kind of discrimination and challenges to self-esteem that pervade their lives, mistrust and suspicion may harm the research relationship. The girls answered positively and were happy to be from Brixton and did not want to move away and did not see any problems. This would shock people, as they would have thought people would move away if they had the chance. They are creating a social identity, as they are happy to be a part of the Brixton identity. There are some problems with this study as there are some ethical issues, they were deceived as they were lied to in the Tajfel study as they were just randomly picked and had nothing to do with their views on the paintings. Whereas the Howarth study they were not deceived which is a good way to carry out a study but they might have lied with their answers to please the examiner and have changed their behavior to be positive and not how that even the people who live there think the same as everyone else. Both of these studies are valid as the research supports the theory and the results can be applied to everyday life. The Tajfel study shows how people at school in the playground group and pick the group they have the most in common with and communicate with them and if they do not seem to have anything in common they would not stay there. The second study by Howarth can also be applied in everyday life as people create social identity all the time, if a place is thought of negatively by people who do not live their then the people who do can make a social identity and be happy and have positive thoughts about this area and not agree with the others. The theory seems to be a good and plausible theory as the research supports the theory that people automatically divide the social world into the in-group (people like me) and the out-group (people who are not like me). The people see the people in their group as similar to them but 2 different groups seem to be so different from each other when not in all cases they are that different from each other.

Pelican Stores Chapter 2 Case Study Statistics

Analysis of Data: Pelican Stores; National Clothing With the given data, it is feasible to find numerous comparisons and correlations in the within the numbers given. The most relevant data to the given case refers to the type of customer (whether or not the customer used the promotional coupon) as well as the number of purchases made using the various forms of payment mentioned within the data table.As the Case Problem introduction stated, there were 100 sales included in the data set, using four different methods of payment, to assess the use and productivity of the promotional coupon. Pelican Stores sent out a promotional coupon to boost sales and gain a new customer base, relying on the assumption that the promotional coupon will draw in those people. The key notes of the data to note that pertain to the productivity of the coupon is the Type Of Customer column.The data given is either â€Å"regular† or â€Å"promotional†. The â€Å"regular† customers are tho se who did NOT receive the promotional coupon, and are assumed to be already returning customers. The â€Å"promotional† customers are assumed to be new customers, because the only people who received the promotional coupon were â€Å"new customers† who had shopped at other National Clothing stores, but not at the Pelican brand stores. Another notable part of the data in this section is the Method of Payment bar graph.Note that the â€Å"Proprietary Card† payment method indicates purchases made by customers of other National Clothing stores (the Proprietary Card is a charge card only available through National Clothing). Figure 1: Shows the distribution of sales between the four different payment methods; Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Proprietary Car Figure 2: Shows the distribution of customer type between the two options; Regular (returning Pelican Stores customers) and Promotional (those who received the promotional coupon)

IAE_Principles_Practices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

IAE_Principles_Practices - Essay Example In some cases, children are vulnerable to certain adverts by virtue of being immature. Therefore, the advertisers must tailor their message in such a way that it does not negatively impact on this vulnerable group. 2. Principle 4 has been often ignored by advertisers which state that advertisers should disclose all material conditions such as receipt of payment of free product as well as identity of endorsers among other issues. In most cases, the advertisers are not at liberty to disclose this information in some of their adverts. 3. The comment on principle 7 is overstated. Whilst it is important for all advertising agents to abide by the federal law, the bottom line is that there is a regulatory body that oversees the operations of all these agencies. This body has a code of professional conduct and ethics that guides the operations of all the advertising agents. In other words, this body at law is responsible for administering the law to its members so that they conform to the expected standards. However, principle 5 is well articulated. Children should be protected from gullible advertisers since this group is comprised of vulnerable people. 4. I agree with the author who states that some adverts are distorted particularly those targeting children. Like the example given, the advert about the confectionary product is directly the opposite of what it claims. It can be seen that the advertisers are concerned about their profit oriented goals at the expense of the targeted consumers who are children. As noted, children may not be able to make meaningful decisions on their own by virtue of their young

What are the marketing strategies of Amazon Research Paper

What are the marketing strategies of Amazon - Research Paper Example Political environment is slightly unfavourable for Amazon as several political parties in several countries opposing FDI due to several political interests. These oppositions may affect the global business expansion strategy of Amazon. Economic environment is unfavourable for Amazon. Recent financial crisis and global economic recession affected the economic condition of common people. Low disposable income and limited purchasing power are the major consequences of this economic crunch. People trying to save more rather than consumption. This may affect the business performance of Amazon. Social environment is favourable for Amazon. People are trying to consume products through internet and web-sources due to increase in the number of internet and social media users. This favourable socio-cultural aspect can help the organisation to maintain its business growth. Technological environment is favourable for Amazon. The business operation of Amazon requires effective support of advanced technological applications and web sources. Recent technological revolution is helping Amazon to enhance effective business operation activities. Legal environment is slightly unfavourable for Amazon. It is a multinational organisation. Therefore, the organisation has to follow different legal policies in different countries. Sometime, it affects the communication process among the employees and employers within the organisation in different market places. Government of each and every country is developing environmental sustainability policy in order to reduce the level of carbon foot print and carbon emission. The management and officials of Amazon are trying to follow the policy by integrating sustainable business approaches in business operation process. Government is supporting the initiatives that have been taken by the

Lodon Underground Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Lodon Underground - Essay Example In its effort to serve the UK residents, the UK government provides various merit goods including London Underground and health as well as London underground. This paper aims at discussing London Underground as one of the merit goods that are enjoyed by the residents of the United Kingdom. London Underground is an important metro system that serves residents of UK. Serving more than 270 stations, London Underground was originally operated by various companies including City and South London Railway and Electric traction trains. The vision of London Underground is to deliver a state of art world-class underground globally (Hardy, 2002). Also referred to as Tube, London Underground obtains its revenue mostly from the large number of massagers it serves in the UK. One of the major reasons as to why large number of passengers uses the Tube is due to its convenience as well as the high speed that it adopts. According to the Tube management, safety and reliability cannot result to world-class transport system even though they are the base of good service. As a result, London Underground believes that quality of travelling is the most vital aspect to passengers. One of the major challenges facing London Underground is keeping the city of London on the move while the Tube is being transformed. As the demand for the use of London Underground rise, it has resulted to expansive investment in order to improve its revenue and provide world class services. The success of Tube is based on its efforts to put the experience of its passengers at the central position of its strategies. For example, the organization maintains helpful and always available staff, adequate security systems and high-quality information. During their travelling, most of the passengers using the Tube use Oysters. An Oyster is smartcard that is plastic in

Addressing an Ethical Issue Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Addressing an Ethical Issue - Assignment Example During preparation of food products, it is vital that strong partnership is formed by all the parties in the production process. In this way, it will be possible for the parties to detect any issue that may result to ailment or even fatalities. A major ethical issue that faces Walmart is lack of adherence to food safety. Despite being a company that has diversified product portfolio, Walmart safety arrangements are not being upheld an aspect that is used by the competitors to face off Walmart in the market. The violations that are common in the company include expired food products, lack of proper use of sanitary cleaning equipments, and cross contamination among others. It is vital to note that despite the organization objective to increase the sales, Walmart should not do so at the expense of the consumer’s safety and health. Thus, the company should ensure that it maintains maximum safety for its products. Although it is the role of the management to ensure that the safety measures are followed by the employees among other stakeholders. Workers involved in handling, preparation and storage must ensure that they adopt food safety measures as outlined by the company policies (Unnevehr,  2003). In this way, the company will have put in place effective strategies to prevent their consumers from becoming ill. As indicated by World Trade Organization, firms dealing with food products should emulate four key strategies. First, they should prevent harming food products with pathogens spreading. Secondly, to prevent sullying the cooked products cooked and uncooked sustenance should be separated. Thirdly, a suitable life span with proper temperatures should be accorded during the cooking process to reduce the risks of pathogens. Fourthly, food should be properly stored using appropriate temperatures. A notable decision making model that I will adopt to deal with the issue of food safety is the ethics PLUS decision making model. According to this model, the firm

Accounting + Finance - auditing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Accounting + Finance - auditing - Essay Example Audit concentration with big 4 is a globalised issue. An â€Å"analysis of auditor concentration among G8 economies revealed a high of 99% in Italy, followed by UK (98%), the US (97%), Canada 96%, and Russia (90%). Japan revealed a lower auditor concentration of 84%- while the reasons are unknown, increased activity is occurring in the Japanese audit market owing to PwC winding down their affiliates earlier this year. Relatively lower concentration in Germany (83%) cannot be attributed to any particular cause, whereas G8’s lowest concentration levels in France (61%) are largely due to the implementation of French joint- auditing regulations which were imposed in 1966. Across G8 the Big 4 firms accounted for an average of 91% of the market.† (Grant Thornton LLP, 2008)1. The 98% concentrated UK large audit market can further be divided into two segments; first segment is of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies, and the other segment is of smaller listed companies. The concentration of large audits is evidenced by the fact that segment of â€Å"FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 are supplied audit services almost exclusively by Big Four, which audit all but one FTSE 100 companies, and 242 FTSE 250 companies. The other segment of market- smaller listed companies- is supplied by both the Big Four and mid- tier firms. Even here, the Big Four individually have significantly higher market shares than mid- tier firms.† (Oxera, page iv)2 Quantum wise larger audit assignments are only a small portion of total audit market in UK, and 98% of this section of total pool of audit work is concentrated with Big 4 firm. The Big four (Ernst & Young, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Deloitte) have an advantage because â€Å"the reputation and depth of resources of big firms put them in a strong position to mitigate the agency and costly contracting costs that are increasingly

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Early Childhood Education- The High Scope Curriculum - Research Paper Example Of the entire curriculums one of the most effective and efficient process is that using the High Scope Curriculum (HighScope, 2009). This report will deal with analyzing the benefits and drawbacks of the High Scope Curriculum and based on the discussion the effectiveness of the approach will be analyzed. The High Scope Curriculum approach has been developed and refined over the last forty years and this method provides numerous strategies and techniques that can be utilized to assist children at the early stages to become problem solvers and independent thinkers (YMCA, 2009). The approach was originally developed and introduced to assist and serve the children ‘at risk’ in the Michigan area (YMCA, 2009). A research had been conducted by David Weikart, the Director of Special Services to assess the reasons for the number of children failing in school. The research brought out results that highlighted the need for early intervention and using the theories of Jean Piaget, he discovered the need for early introduction of ‘Active learning’ (YMCA, 2009). The High Scope Curriculum involves a high degree of active learning throughout the program. The curriculum includes a few early age indicators like the need and initiative of the children to learn new things by asking questions and looking for answers and also trying to solve problems. These steps form the key development indicators for the growth and development of the children and help the educators to develop and design better active learning programs for the children (High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, 2009). The High Scope Curriculum also takes into account the knowledge and the strengths of the children by exposing them to a wide range of learning experiences and also providing them with opportunities to learn things that interest them and learn based on experience. Also the High Scope educators allow the

Miami International Airport Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

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Race and Ethnicity Essay Example for Free

Race and Ethnicity Essay He was not joining some far-flung military effort of his country of birth: The 25-yearold from Brooklyn was joining the U. S. Marine Corps. A legal permanent resident, Alexandr can join the U. S. military even though he is not a citizen. His decision is not that unusual. Thousands of immigrants join each year; indeed, recently in cities such as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles immigrant enlistees have been joining in higher proportions than their peers in the general population. Some do it for the training or employment possibilities, but others are motivated by allegiance to their new country. As Alexandr said, â€Å"It doesn’t matter that America is not my country; New York is my city, and what happened shook my life. I feel patriotic, and I have this itch now to go sooner† (Chen and Sengupta 2001:A1). So the United States, with its diverse racial and ethnic heritage and new immigrants, is a country that respects its multiculturalism. Or does it? In July 2004, Jefferson County in Texas tried to bring to a close a century of debate. Over the objections of many residents, the County Board decided to rename a stretch of road known as â€Å"Jap Road. † Named for the Japanese rice farmers who had settled there in the 19TH century, the name had stuck despite generations of objections by Asian Americans and others. Finally change came (T. Marshall 2004). Lewiston, Maine, is also adjusting. In this old New England town, hundreds of Somalis have arrived seeking work and affordable housing thousands of miles from their African hometowns, which were torn apart by civil strife and famine. Residents expressed alarm over this influx, prompting the mayor to send a letter to all the Somalis already in Lewiston to discourage friends and relatives from relocating there. The pace of Somalis resettling to the Lewistown, many of them American citizens, slowed significantly amidst the furor (C. Jones 2003). Relations between racial and ethnic groups are not like relations between family members. The history of the United States is one of racial oppression. It goes well beyond a mayor in Maine or people living on a road in Texas not liking people of a certain color or national origin. Episodes of a new social identity developing, as in the case of Alexandr Manin, are not unusual, but that does not mean that the society is not structured to keep some groups of people down and extend privileges automatically to other groups based on race, ethnicity, or gender. People in the United States and elsewhere are beginning to consider that the same principles that guarantee equality based on race or gender can apply to other groups who are discriminated against. There have been growing efforts to ensure that the same rights and privileges are available to all people, regardless of age, disability, or sexual orientation. These concerns are emerging even as the old divisions over race, ethnicity, and religion continue to fester and occasionally explode into violence that envelops entire nations. The United States is a very diverse nation, as shown in Table 1. 1. According to the 2000 census, about 17 percent of the population are members of racial minorities, and about another 13 percent are Hispanic. These percentages represent almost one of three people in the United States, without counting White ethnic groups. As shown in Figure 1. 1, between 2000 and 2100 the population in the United States is expected to rise from 30 percent Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American to 60 percent. ISBN: 0-536-12071-4 4 Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Prentice-Hall. Copyright  © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 1 Understanding Race and Ethnicity 5 TABLE 1. 1 Racial and Ethnic Groups in the United States, 2000 Classification RACIAL GROUPS Whites (includes 16.9 million White Hispanic). Blacks/African Americans Native Americans, Alaskan Native Asian Americans Chinese Filipinos Asian Indians Vietnamese Koreans Japanese Other ETHNIC GROUPS White ancestry (single or mixed) Germans Irish English Italians Poles French Jews Hispanics (or Latinos) Mexican Americans Central and South Americans Puerto Ricans Cubans Other TOTAL (ALL GROUPS) Number in Thousands 211,461 34,658 2,476 10,243 2,433 1,850 1,679 1,123 1,077 797 1,285 Percentage of Total Population 75. 1 12. 3 0. 9 3. 6 0. 9 0. 7 0. 6 0. 4 0. 4 0. 2 0. 5 42,842 30,525 24,509 15,638 8,977 8,310 5,200 35,306 23,337 5,119 3,178 1,412 2,260 281,422. 15. 2 10. 8 8. 7 5. 6 3. 2 3. 0 1. 8 12. 5 8. 3 1. 8 1. 1 0. 5 0. 8 Note: Percentages do not total 100 percent, and subheads do not add up to figures in major heads because of overlap between groups (e. g. , Polish American Jews or people of mixed ancestry, such as Irish and Italian). Source: Brittingham and de la Cruz 2004; Bureau of the Census 2003a; Grieco and Cassidy 2001; Therrien and Ramirez 2001; United Jewish Communities 2001. Although the composition of the population is changing, the problems of prejudice, discrimination, and mistrust remain. What Is a Subordinate Group? Identifying a subordinate group or a minority in a society seems to be a simple enough task. In the United States, the groups readily identified as minorities— Blacks and Native Americans, for example—are outnumbered by non-Blacks and non-Native Americans. However, minority status is not necessarily the result of being outnumbered. A social minority need not be a mathematical one. A minority group is a subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or power over their own lives than do the members of a dominant or majority group. In sociology, minority means the same as subordinate, and dominant is used interchangeably with majority. minority group A subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or power over their own lives than do the members of a dominant or majority group. ISBN: 0-536-12071-4 Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Prentice-Hall. Copyright  © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. 6 Chapter 1 Understanding Race and Ethnicity 2000 African Americans 12% Hispanic 13% White non-Hispanic 70% American Indian 1% 2100 (projected) Asian and other 4% White non-Hispanic 40%. Hispanic 33% African Asian Americans and other 13% 14% FIGURE 1. 1 Population of the United States by Race and Ethnicity, 2000 and 2100 (Projected) According to projections by the Census Bureau, the proportion of residents of the United States who are White and non-Hispanic will decrease significantly by the year 2050. By contrast, there will be a striking rise in the proportion of both Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans. Source: Bureau of the Census 2004b. Confronted with evidence that a particular minority in the United States is subordinate to the majority, some people respond, â€Å"Why not? After all, this is a democracy, so the majority rules. † However, the subordination of a minority involves more than its inability to rule over society. A member of a subordinate or minority group experiences a narrowing of life’s opportunities—for success, education, wealth, the pursuit of happiness—that goes beyond any personal shortcoming he or she may have. A minority group does not share in proportion to its numbers what a given society, such as the United States, defines as valuable. Being superior in numbers does not guarantee a group control over its destiny and ensure majority status. In 1920, the majority of people in Mississippi and South Carolina were African Americans. Yet African Americans did not have as much control over their lives as Whites, let alone control of the states of Mississippi and South Carolina. Throughout the United States today are counties or neighborhoods in which the majority of people are African American, Native American, or Hispanic, but White Americans are the dominant force. Nationally, 50. 8 percent of the population is female, but males still dominate positions of authority and wealth well beyond their numbers. A minority or subordinate group has five characteristics: unequal treatment, distinguishing physical or cultural traits, involuntary membership, awareness of subordination, and in-group marriage (Wagley and Harris 1958): 1. Members of a minority experience unequal treatment and have less power over their lives than members of a dominant group have over theirs. Prejudice, discrimination, segregation, and even extermination create this social inequality. 2. Members of a minority group share physical or cultural characteristics that distinguish them from the dominant group, such as skin color or language. Each society has its own arbitrary standard for determining which characteristics are most important in defining dominant and minority groups. 3. Membership in a dominant or minority group is not voluntary: People are born into the group. A person does not choose to be African American or White. 4. Minority-group members have a strong sense of group solidarity. William Graham Sumner, writing in 1906, noted that people make distinctions between members ISBN: 0-536-12071-4 Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Prentice-Hall. Copyright  © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 1. Understanding Race and Ethnicity 7 of their own group (the in-group) and everyone else (the out-group). When a group is the object of long-term prejudice and discrimination, the feeling of â€Å"us versus them† often becomes intense. 5. Members of a minority generally marry others from the same group. A member of a dominant group often is unwilling to join a supposedly inferior minority by marrying one of its members. In addition, the minority group’s sense of solidarity encourages marriage within the group and discourages marriage to outsiders. racial group A group that is socially set apart because of obvious physical differences. ethnic group A group set apart from others because of its national origin or distinctive cultural patterns. Types of Subordinate Groups There are four types of minority or subordinate groups. All four, except where noted, have the five properties previously outlined. The four criteria for classifying minority groups are race, ethnicity, religion, and gender. Racial Groups The term racial group is reserved for minorities and the corresponding majorities that are socially set apart because of obvious physical differences. Notice the two crucial words in the definition: obvious and physical. What is obvious? Hair color? Shape of an earlobe? Presence of body hair? To whom are these differences obvious, and why? Each society defines what it finds obvious. In the United States, skin color is one obvious difference. On a cold winter day when one has clothing covering all but one’s head, however, skin color may be less obvious than hair color. Yet people in the United States have learned informally that skin color is important, and hair color is unimportant. We need to say more than that. In the United States, people have traditionally classified and classify themselves as either Black or White. There is no in-between state except for people readily identified as Native Americans or Asian Americans. Later in this chapter we will explore this issue more deeply and see how such assumptions have very complex implications. Other societies use skin color as a standard but may have a more elaborate system of classification. In Brazil, where hostility between races is less than in the United States, numerous categories identify people on the basis of skin color. In the United States, a person is Black or White. In Brazil, a variety of terms, such as cafuso, mazombo, preto, and escuro, are applied to describe various combinations of skin color, facial features, and hair texture. What makes differences obvious is subject to a society’s definition. The designation of a racial group emphasizes physical differences as opposed to cultural distinctions. In the United States, minority races include Blacks, Native Americans (or American Indians), Japanese Americans, Chinese Americans, Arab Americans, Filipinos, Hawaiians, and other Asian peoples. The issue of race and racial differences has been an important one, not only in the United States but throughout the entire sphere of European influence. Later in this chapter we will examine race and its significance more closely. We should not forget that Whites are a race, too. As we will consider in Chapter 5, who is White has been subject to change over time as certain European groups were felt historically not to deserve being considered White, but over time, partly to compete against a growing Black population, the whiting of some European Americans has occurred. Ethnic Groups ISBN: 0-536-12071-4 Ethnic minority groups are differentiated from the dominant group on the basis of cultural differences, such as language, attitudes toward marriage and parenting, and food habits. Ethnic groups are groups set apart from others because of their national origin or distinctive cultural patterns. Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Prentice-Hall. Copyright  © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. 8 Chapter 1 Understanding Race and Ethnicity Ethnic groups in the United States include a grouping that we call Hispanics or Latinos, which includes Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latin Americans in the United States. Hispanics can be either Black or White, as in the case of a dark-skinned Puerto Rican who may be taken as Black in central Texas but be viewed as a Puerto Rican in New York City. The ethnic group category also includes White ethnics, such as Irish Americans, Polish Americans, and Norwegian Americans. The cultural traits that make groups distinctive usually originate from their homeland or, for Jews, from a long history of being segregated and prohibited from becoming a part of the host society. Once in the United States, an immigrant group may maintain distinctive cultural practices through associations, clubs, and worship. Ethnic enclaves such as a Little Haiti or a Greektown in urban areas also perpetuate cultural distinctiveness. Some racial groups may also have unique cultural traditions, as we can readily see in the many Chinatowns throughout the United States. For racial groups, however, the physical distinctiveness and not the cultural differences generally prove to be the barrier to acceptance by the host society. For example, Chinese Americans who are faithful Protestants and know the names of all the members of the Baseball Hall of Fame may be bearers of American culture. Yet these Chinese Americans are still part of a minority because they are seen as physically different. Ethnicity continues to be important, as recent events in Bosnia and other parts of Eastern Europe have demonstrated. Almost a century ago, African American sociologist W. E. B. Du Bois, addressing an audience in London, called attention to the overwhelming importance of the color line throughout the world. In â€Å"Listen to Our Voices,† we read the remarks of Du Bois, the first Black person to receive a doctorate from Harvard, who later helped to organize the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Du Bois’s observances give us a historic perspective on the struggle for equality. We can look ahead, knowing how far we have come and speculating on how much further we have to go. Religious Groups Association with a religion other than the dominant faith is the third basis for minoritygroup status. In the United States, Protestants, as a group, outnumber members of all other religions. Roman Catholics form the largest minority religion. Chapter 5 focuses on the increasing Judeo-Christian-Islamic diversity of the United States. For people who are not a part of the Christian tradition, such as followers of Islam, allegiance to the faith often is misunderstood and stigmatizes people. This stigmatization became especially widespread and legitimated by government action in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Religious minorities include such groups as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Amish, Muslims, and Buddhists. Cults or sects associated with such practices as animal sacrifice, doomsday prophecy, demon worship, or the use of snakes in a ritualistic fashion would also constitute minorities. Jews are excluded from this category and placed among ethnic groups. Culture is a more important defining trait for Jewish people worldwide than is religious dogma. Jewish Americans share a cultural tradition that goes beyond theology. In this sense, it is appropriate to view them as an ethnic group rather than as members of a religious faith. Gender Groups Gender is another attribute that creates dominant and subordinate groups. Males are the social majority; females, although more numerous, are relegated to the position of the social minority—a subordinate status to be explored in detail in Chapter 15. Women are considered a minority even though they do not exhibit all the characteristics outlined earlier (e. g. , there is little in-group marriage). Women encounter prejuISBN: 0-536-12071-4 Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Prentice-Hall. Copyright  © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 1 Understanding Race and Ethnicity 9 ur oices Voices Listen to Our Voices Listen to. PROBLEM OF THE COLOR LINE sively refused to let the spirit of n the metropolis of the class, of caste, of privilege, or of modern world, in this the birth, debar from life, liberty closing year of the nineand the pursuit of happiness a teenth century, there has been striving human soul. assembled a congress of men Let not color or race be a and women of African blood, to feature of distinction between deliberate solemnly upon the white and black men, regardless present situation and outlook of of worth or ability. . . . the darker races of mankind. Thus we appeal with boldness The problem of the twentieth W. E. B. Du Bois and confidence to the Great century is the problem of the Powers of the civilized world, trusting in the color line, the question as to how far differwide spirit of humanity, and the deep sense ences of race—which show themselves chiefly of justice of our age, for a generous recogniin the color of the skin and the texture of the tion of the righteousness of our cause.  ¦ hair—will hereafter be made the basis of denying to over half the world the right of sharing to their utmost ability the opportunities and privileges of modern civilization. . . . Let the world take no backward step in Source: Du Bois [1969a]. From pp. 20–21, 23, in An ABC of Color, that slow but sure progress which has succesby W. E. B. Du Bois. Copyright 1969 by International Publishers. I dice and discrimination and are physically distinguishable. Group membership is involuntary, and many women have developed a sense of sisterhood. Women who are members of racial and ethnic minorities face a special challenge to achieving equality. They suffer from double jeopardy because they belong to two separate minority groups: a racial or ethnic group plus a subordinate gender group. Other Subordinate Groups This book focuses on groups that meet a set of criteria for subordinate status. People encounter prejudice or are excluded from full participation in society for many reasons. Racial, ethnic, religious, and gender barriers are the main ones, but there are others. Age, disabilities, and sexual orientation are among the factors that are used to subordinate groups of people. As a result, in Chapter 17 we will go beyond the title of the book and consider other groups of people who have been excluded from all that society offers and witness their fight against prejudice and discrimination. Does Race Matter? ISBN: 0-536-12071-4 We see people around us—some of whom may look quite different from us. Do these differences matter? The simple answer is no, but because so many people have for so long acted as if difference in physical characteristics as well geographic origin and shared culture do matter, distinct groups have been created in people’s minds. Race Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Prentice-Hall. Copyright  © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. 10 Chapter 1. Understanding Race and Ethnicity NOT AVAILABLE FOR ELECTRONIC VIEWING has many meanings for many people. Often these meanings are inaccurate and based on theories discarded by scientists generations ago. As we will see, race is a socially constructed concept (J. Young 2003). Biological Meaning The way the term race has been used by some people to apply to human beings lacks any scientific meaning. We cannot identify distinctive physical characteristics for groups of human beings the way scientists do to distinguish one animal species from another. The idea of biological race is based on the mistaken notion of a genetically isolated human group. Even among past proponents that sharp, scientific divisions exist among humans, there were endless debates over what the races of the world were. Given people’s frequent migration, exploration, and invasions, pure genetic types have not existed for some time, if they ever did. There are no mutually exclusive races. Skin color among African Americans varies tremendously, as it does among White Americans. There is even an overlapping of dark-skinned Whites and light-skinned African Americans. If we grouped people by genetic resistance to malaria and by fingerprint patterns, Norwegians and many African groups would be of the same race. If we grouped people by some digestive capacities, some Africans, Asians, and southern Europeans would be of one group and West Africans and northern Europeans of another (Leehotz 1995; Shanklin 1994). Biologically there are no pure, distinct races. For example, blood type cannot distinguish racial groups with any accuracy. Furthermore, applying pure racial types to humans is problematic because of interbreeding. Despite continuing prejudice about Black-White marriages, a large number of Whites have African American ancestry. Scientists, using various techniques, maintain that the proportion of African Americans with White ancestry is between 20 and 75 percent. Despite the wide range of these estimates, the mixed ancestry of today’s Blacks and Whites is part of the biological reality of race (Herskovits 1930:15; Roberts 1955). biological race The mistaken notion of a genetically isolated human group. ISBN: 0-536-12071-4 Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Prentice-Hall. Copyright  © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 1 Understanding Race and Ethnicity 11 Even the latest research as a part of the Human Genome Project mapping human DNA has only served to confirm genetic diversity with differences within traditionally regarded racial groups (e. g. , Black Africans) much greater than that between groups (e. g. , between Black Africans and Europeans). Research has also been conducted to determine whether personality characteristics such as temperament and nervous habits are inherited among minority groups. Not surprisingly, the question of whether races have different innate levels of intelligence has led to the most explosive controversy (Bamshad and Olson 2003). Typically, intelligence is measured as an intelligence quotient (IQ), the ratio of a person’s mental age to his or her chronological age, multiplied by 100, where 100 represents average intelligence and higher scores represent greater intelligence. It should be noted that there is little consensus over just what intelligence is, other than as defined by such IQ tests. Intelligence tests are adjusted for a person’s age, so that 10-year-olds take a very different test from someone aged 20. Although research shows that certain learning strategies can improve a person’s IQ, generally IQ remains stable as one ages. A great deal of debate continues over the accuracy of these tests. Are they biased toward people who come to the tests with knowledge similar to that of the test writers? Consider the following two questions used on standard tests. 1. Runner: marathon (A) envoy: embassy, (B) oarsman: regatta, (C) martyr: massacre, (D) referee: tournament. 2. Your mother sends you to a store to get a loaf of bread. The store is closed. What should you do? (A) return home, (B) go to the next store, (C) wait until it opens, (D) ask a stranger for advice. Both correct answers are B. But is a lower-class youth likely to know, in the first question, what a regatta is? Skeptics argue that such test questions do not truly measure intellectual potential. Inner-city youths often have been shown to respond with A to the second question because that may be the only store with which the family has credit. Youths in rural areas, where the next store may be miles away, are also unlikely to respond with the designated correct answer. The issue of culture bias in tests remains an unresolved concern. The most recent research shows that differences in intelligence scores between Blacks and Whites are almost eliminated when adjustments are made for social and economic characteristics (Brooks-Gunn et al. 1996; Herrnstein and Murray 1994:30; Kagan 1971; J. Young 2003). The second issue, trying to associate these results with certain subpopulations such as races, also has a long history. In the past, a few have contended that Whites have more intelligence on average than Blacks. All researchers agree that within-group differences are greater than any speculated differences between groups. The range of intelligence among, for example, Korean Americans is much greater than any average difference between them as a group and Japanese Americans. The third issue relates to the subpopulations themselves. If Blacks or Whites are not mutually exclusive biologically, how can there be measurable differences? Many Whites and most Blacks have mixed ancestry that complicates any supposed inheritance of intelligence issue. Both groups reflect a rich heritage of very dissimilar populations, from Swedes to Slovaks and Zulus to Tutus. In 1994, an 845-page book unleashed a new national debate on the issue of IQ. The latest research effort of psychologist Richard J. Herrnstein and social scientist Charles Murray (1994), published in The Bell Curve, concluded that 60 percent of IQ is inheritable and that racial groups offer a convenient means to generalize about any differences in intelligence. Unlike most other proponents of the race-IQ link, the authors offered policy suggestions that include ending welfare to discourage births among low-IQ poor women and changing immigration laws so that the IQ pool in the United States is not diminished. Herrnstein and Murray even made generalizations intelligence quotient The ratio of a person’s mental age (as computed by an IQ test) to his or her chronological age, multiplied by 100. ISBN: 0-536-12071-4 Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Prentice-Hall. Copyright  © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. 12 Chapter 1 Understanding Race and Ethnicity about IQ levels among Asians and Hispanics in the United States, groups subject to even more intermarriage. It is not possible to generalize about absolute differences between groups, such as Latinos versus Whites, when almost half of Latinos in the United States marry non-Hispanics. Years later, the mere mention of â€Å"the bell curve† signals to many the belief in a racial hierarchy with Whites toward the top and Blacks near the bottom. The research present then and repeated today points to the difficulty in definitions: What is intelligence, and what constitutes a racial group, given generations, if not centuries, of intermarriage? How can we speak of definitive inherited racial differences if there has been intermarriage between people of every color? Furthermore, as people on both sides of the debate have noted, regardless of the findings, we would still want to strive to maximize the talents of each individual. All research shows that the differences within a group are much greater than any alleged differences between group averages. All these issues and controversial research have led to the basic question of what difference it would make if there were significant differences. No researcher believes that race can be used to predict one’s intelligence. Also, there is a general agreement that certain intervention strategies can improve scholastic achievement and even intelligence as defined by standard tests. Should we mount efforts to upgrade the abilities of those alleged to be below average? These debates tend to contribute to a sense of hopelessness among some policy makers who think that biology is destiny, rather than causing them to rethink the issue or expand positive intervention efforts. Why does such IQ research re-emerge if the data are subject to different interpretations? The argument that â€Å"we† are superior to â€Å"them† is very appealing to the dominant group. It justifies receiving opportunities that are denied to others. For example, the authors of The Bell Curve argue that intelligence significantly determines the poverty problem in the United States. We can anticipate that the debate over IQ and the allegations of significant group differences will continue. Policy makers need to acknowledge the difficulty in treating race as a biologically significant characteristic. Social Construction of Race If race does not distinguish humans from one another biologically, why does it seem to be so important? It is important because of the social meaning people have attached to it. The 1950 (UNESCO) Statement on Race maintains that â€Å"for all practical social purposes ‘race’ is not so much a biological phenomenon as a social myth† (Montagu 1972:118). Adolf Hitler expressed concern over the â€Å"Jewish race† and translated this concern into Nazi death camps. Winston Churchill spoke proudly of the â€Å"British race† and used that pride to spur a nation to fight. Evidently, race was a useful political tool for two very different leaders in the 1930s and 1940s. Race is a social construction, and this process benefits the oppressor, who defines who is privileged and who is not. The acceptance of race in a society as a legitimate category allows racial hierarchies to emerge to the benefit of the dominant â€Å"races. † For example, inner-city drive-by shootings have come to be seen as a race-specific problem worthy of local officials cleaning up troubled neighborhoods. Yet schoolyard shoot-outs are viewed as a societal concern and placed on the national agenda. People could speculate that if human groups have obvious physical differences, then they could have corresponding mental or personality differences. No one disagrees that people differ in temperament, potential to learn, and sense of humor. In its social sense, race implies that groups that differ physically also bear distinctive emotional and mental abilities or disabilities. These beliefs are based on the notion that humankind can be divided into distinct groups. We have already seen the difficulties associated with pigeonholing people into racial categories. Despite these difficulties, belief in the inheritance of behavior patterns and in an association between physical and cultural traits is widespread. It is called racism when this belief is coupled with the feeling that certain ISBN: 0-536-12071-4 racism A doctrine that one race is superior. Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Prentice-Hall. Copyright  © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 1 Understanding Race and Ethnicity 13 groups or races are inherently superior to others. Racism is a doctrine of racial supremacy, stating that one race is superior to another (Bash 2001; Bonilla-Silva 1996). We questioned the biological significance of race in the previous section. In modern complex industrial societies, we find little adaptive utility in the presence or absence of prominent chins, epicanthic folds of the eyelids, or the comparative amount of melanin in the skin. What is important is not that people are genetically different but that they approach one another with dissimilar perspectives. It is in the social setting that race is decisive. Race is significant because people have given it significance. Race definitions are crystallized through what Michael Omi and Howard Winant (1994) cal.

Levi Strauss

Levi Strauss Levi Strauss condition studie Inquiry 1) What environmen tal variables contributed to the 1998 position of Levi ? Levi Strauss is the worlds best-known jeans brand, however its rigid to see much chance of the association regaining its former glory without a substantial overhaul. Iconic or not, what kind of outlook lies in store for a association which derives encircling 85% of its annual revenues from selling pants? And only really two sorts of pants at that, which are also sold by just about every other clothing manufacturer on the planet. Either Levi Strauss needs to diversify substantially, and bolt on other brands or more likely needs to sacrifice its lenghty cherished however out-of-date independence and become part of someone elses larger multi-brand portfolio. These years of struggle against a vast array of competitors have merely added to the gradual erosion of the brand. The development of value path Signature has helped, nevertheless despite doubling in amount during 2004, its contribution has steadily decreased ever since. In the late 1990s, Levis became a victim of their own success. As well involved in corporate restructuring, the corporation effectively ignore a seismic shift in the youth market. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Levis 501 jeans had managed to dominate the market for everyday clothing as a result of high quality manufacturing and smart marketing. There were many kinds of jeans, went the accepted perception, however Levis was the brand to which all others aspired. A brilliant marketing campaign, chiefly in Europe, reinforced the brands hip status. However in the late 1990s, Levis jeans suddenly became a victim of its own success. They were seen by the advanced generation of teenagers as the jeans my Dad wears, and that lay them completely gone of fashion. Fashions in divide came and went nevertheless Levis failed to respond, leaving the market wide open for competitors The companys biggest mistake, arguably, was to ignore the baggy divide, which rode in on the back of the mid-1990s grunge movement, and remained the leading fashion style for the rest of that decade. While Levis stuck rigidly with the 16-inch straight-leg divide that appealed to the instantly ageing market who had rediscovered the brand in the 1980s, still the least hip of US retailers began selling extreme-cut. Millers Outpost, Tommy Jeans, JNCO and much JC Penney and Sears were selling jeans with legs as wide as 23 or 40-inches. The fashion-conscious teenage market began buying their jeans from other manufacturers, while a advanced breed of retailers, led by The Gap, captured the middle ground. Protecting their premium status, Levis refused to chase the market and strictly adhered to their long-established policy of only selling through specialist outlets and avoiding discount stores including Wal-Mart. Although this held the brands perceived value it also restricted sales to only encircling half of the US retail market. Worse still, later that decade the market as a whole began moving away from denim altogether as combat and cargo pants became the advanced fashion Charles Boisson Leaf 3 Interrogation 2) How could a sensitive and informative Marketing Facts System (MIS) have helped Levis to identify these environmental variable and form outlook strategies ? THE Demand FOR MARKETING SUPPORT In 1986, Levis relaunched the 501 with the Launderette and Bath commercials. The tremendous success of these executions and the campaign that developed from them has been well documented. All of the commercials featured the 501 jean and most stated 501 specifically in the end frame. The advertising success was not restricted to the 501 alone. There was a halo effect on the whole Levis range. However naturally the 501 took on a dominant share of Levis business. This dominance was intended. The 501 was positioned as definitive. It is an anti-fit jean which is fair for most mankind, and, in a sense, 501 for most human beings took fit outside of the purchasing equation. Despite this, there were (and still are) a significant number of mankind who, for reasons of personal physique or style, did not consider the 501 as the correctly fit for them. Moreover, a brief for range advertising can often lead to creative cul-de-sacs: a row of products and an invitation to the consumer to create his or her own choice etc. Consequently, although the objective of the advertising was not to establish individual fit identities, we did specify that each execution should feature one fit only and would talk about the benefits of that fit. Across a range of executions we aimed to establish a sense of the multiplicity of the fits, thereby addressing the key objective. Fit adverting Fit messages also pose a strategic and creative challenge. Human beings choose different jeans fits for reasons both of personal physique and contemporary fashion. If advertising addresses one motivation, it struggles to communicate the other. And the more obvious creative solutions tend not to be challenging or motivating. Charles Boisson Sheet 5 For example, a tight fit can be communicated by showing a thin person and a loose fit by showing a fatter person. Nevertheless the latter expression clearly does miniature for loose fit. And what of the mankind who wear loose fit for style rather than physical reasons? Alternatively, a fit message can be conveyed by showing the overall style or fashion of the wearers of different fits. For example, a punk in tight jeans and a hip-hop fan in loose jeans. However youth fashion cannot easily be compartmentalised into discrete tribes with conveniently different jeans fits. Moreover, young mankind quite naturally recoil from any cynical attempt by advertisers to mirror their own street-level cultures. And, as with the above, what of the human beings who do not choose fits for fashion reasons? We concluded that these more literal expressions of fit were not worth exploring and we directed the team to seek outside more lateral solutions. THE CREATIVE SOLUTION The creative team, conscious of the objectives of the advertising and the strategic and executional minefields to be avoided, came up with an innovative solution to the brief. They developed a range of executions each employing a black and white still from the respected photographer Bill Brandt to deal with one Red Tab fit message. They did not talk about fit in a literal path. Rather they implied the various fit messages. Moreover the images employed were not completely unrelated to fit. (They were not vegetables or fruit!) Rather all the executions focused on the human form, which is after all the basis of any fit choice. ADVERTISING EFFECT The poster campaign ran nationally for four weeks only in April 1993. Millward Brown tracking showed very high advertising recognition: over 40% of a sample of 17 to 29-year-olds recognised the posters. More importantly, spontaneous and prompted awareness of Red Tab rose from 35% to 45% and from 57% to 75% respectively. The percentage of respondents able to quote any non-501 fit number rose from 50% to 60%. We are unable to divulge actual sales data. SUMMARY The planners role does not only entail pointing the creative team in one particular direction; it can also involve illustrating to them the strategically unsound and creatively fruitless routes. In advertising non-501 Red Tab fits for the first date, Levi Strauss were entering a minefield. By identifying the best role for advertising and mapping gone the geography of that minefield, the planner was able to play a part in the development of advertising which maintained Levis best standards of creativity and effectiveness. CREATIVE BRIEF Why are we advertising? To raise awareness of the range of Levis Red Tab jeans by demonstrating that Levis produce different fits to compliment different body shapes and personal styles. Who are we talking to? Boys and girls, 15 to 19 years ancient. They are aware of Levis advertising and recognise that 501s are the original, definitive jeans. In circumstance, they may already own a pair of 501s, nevertheless find certain aspects of 501s either inconvenient (ie button fly) or uncomfortable. They are at the Charles Boisson Sheet 6 middle end of the market (early/late adopters) and are often insecure and lack confidence. They therefore demand to be reassured that they can acquire into the imagery associated with 501s, while having a pair of jeans that fits comfortably and flatters their individual shape. The campaign must employment as both posters and press. The campaign should avoid analysis of, or comparison with, 501s. This is not an opinion leader campaign, and is aimed at a younger, more mass-market consumer. Charles Boisson Leaf 7 Interrogation 3) Analyse the importance of the various marketing mix elements in the success :failure of Levi, how essential is design? Levis share of the denim market plummeted. In 1990, according to Tactical Retail Monitor, more than 48% of men chose Levis as their preferred choice of jeans. By 1998, this had tumbled to 25%, while Lee and Wrangler had risen from 22% to 32%, and private label brands including Gap from 3% to more than 20%. In sales terms the brand slipped from a 30% US market share to 14%. (Upmarket designer labels such as Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein got a great deal of publicity however never achieved more than enclosing 7% of the market). The percentage of teenage boys who thought Levis was a really cool brand had dropped from 21% in 1994 to just 7% by 1998. Levis position has, for the most part stabilised since then, nevertheless competition remains intense The Levis brand instantly houses distinct sub-brands. Chief amongst these is Levis Red Tab, which includes the legendary 501 button-fly design. (The number 501 was originally the products stock number, first adopted in 1890; the red fabric tab was first used in the back pocket from 1936). Levis Vintage features a broader range of classic retro designs. In pursuit of the youth market, the association has tried to turn back the tide with more extreme cuts, such as Levis Engineered Jeans, introduced in 2000 and supposedly designed ergonomically to fit the bodys contours. Some cuts are much pre-stained with oil. Another stylised fresh design launched in early 2003 as Levis Type One. These offered exaggerated versions of traditional features such as rivets, stitching and the tab, blown up in extent. However sales were slow to capture off, chiefly in the US, despite high profile marketing, including a Super Bowl ad (which the association later claimed admitted was unsatisfactory). They, al ong with another stylised border known as Silvertab, were replaced by the Levis Capital E path. Levis ICD, a partnership with Philips to market workwear with integrated electronic devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players etc, was withdrawn in 2002. The crowd also licenses gone the Levis brand to other manufacturers for branded T-shirts and accessories. Combined sales of the core brand improved in 2007, reaching almost $3.2bn. Levis is primarily a menswear brand, with just under three quarters of all pairs sold bought by men. After its many attempts to introduce more stylized or fashion-oriented designs had failed, the association agreed to abandon its premium positioning and chase the mass-market as well. A advanced design, Levi Strauss Signature, launched in July 2003, initially available exclusively through Wal-Mart. By the end of the year it had become apparent that the advanced border was the much-needed hit for which the association had been searching. The crowd rebranded the range as Signature by Levi Strauss, extended distribution to Target Stores and Kmart in 2004, and also introduced the range into selected mass-marketers in Australia (including Coles Myers Target and Kmart), Japan and other Asian markets. It was also launched in the UK (through Asda), France (through Carrefour), Germany (through Wal-Mart) and Switzerland (through Migros), nevertheless performed poorly and was withdrawn in 2007. Yet after a strong set off, sales of the Signature path have fallen steadily since 2005, declining fr om a peak of enclosing $410m that year to $260m in 2007. Dockers, first launched in the US in 1986, is the companys khaki-based casualwear path. It was launched as something of a reaction to inroads into the market by Gap and others, serving as a halfway mark between jeans and smarter dress pants. Dockers Slates, a sub-brand of dressier and more expensive trousers, was discontinued in 2004. Although it has been generally successful, Charles Boisson Sheet 8 Dockers remains very much the second string in the groups portfolio behind its jeans border. In 2004, Levi Strauss lay the Dockers brand up for sale in order to concentrate on its still struggling core business, however failed to attract a suitable buyer. Sales of the brand were reported at $1bn for 2003, however had fallen to enclosing $775m by 2005, with sales concentrated in the US. Since then it has repositioned itself as a wider casualwear brand, diversifying into shirts, sweaters and blazers, as well as a border of womens clothing. The unit was rewarded with an increase in revenues for 2006, its first for diverse years. For 2007, it generated sales were enclosing $915m. The collection also generates significant income from royalties on Dockers belts, footwear and other accessories manufactured by other companies under license. Levi Strauss has production facilities and customer assistance centres throughout the earth. Until comparatively recently the corporation maintained a policy of manufacturing its goods in the regions in which they are sold, however rising labour costs and declining sales made this increasingly unfeasible. Production in the US and Europe began to be farmed gone to cheaper regions in the late 1990s. Having already closed six of its US factories by 2003, the collection announced that the remaining four in North America would also be shuttered by early 2004. The collection supplies its products to encircling 60,000 retail outlets worldwide. It owns and operates encircling 200 of its own Levis or Dockers branded stores, and franchises encircling another 1,300. More than half of these stores are located in the Asia Pacific region. Otherwise sales are through department stores and national chains. There are three regional business units: Levi Strauss North America operates district subsidiaries in the US, Canada and Mexico, and accounts for almost 60% of revenues, or $2.5bn in 2007 (compared to a peak of $4.8bn in 1996). Levi Strauss EMEA is the second biggest market, however performance there took longer to recover than in other markets. Sales rose in 2007 for the first date in distinct years, finally returning above the $1.0bn barrier. Asia Pacific remains the smallest market for immediately, nevertheless has been the companys strongest performing region for distinct years. Sales rose by a further 6% in 2007 to $805m, with Japan contributing a small under half of all sales. Charles Boisson Sheet 9 Inquiry 4) As a strategic marketing consultant, advise Levi about what instantly it should immediately do ? It is every businesss objective to maximize their profits and lessen their expenses. Levis has invested on one of the most essential resource that a association could have its employees. Their corporate strategy has immediately been aligned with their human resource management which is valuing their employees due to high costs of recruiting and training fresh staff. It must be noted that losing an employee can be very expensive and high staff turnover can eventually ruin a business. The at the end object that businesses call for is for its competitors to benefit from the training, knowledge and training that it has built within its workforce. It is suggested that employers give their mankind the opportunity to create their own benefits decisions. This method, employees will capture a keener interest in their benefits. The traditional corporation benefits package often has a rigid one extent fits all approach; it fails to consider the varying needs of individual employees. In addition, the traditional corporation benefits package may sometimes be complicated and difficult to manage. Thus, it is greatly recommended that companies like Levi Strauss and Co. implement a flexible benefits package to assist reduce costs and provide a greater choice for their workforce. Furthermore, flexible benefits provide additional lifestyle choices along with traditional association benefits such as private healthcare and the corporation pension scheme which will allow employees to choose the benefits that they require which in turn will motivate them and create them more productive. It is also valuable that companies like Levi Strauss and Co. consider some of the following pointers: (1) ullet the main goals of the companys employee benefits programme, ullet the endure age that the association at the end reviewed their benefits scheme, ullet steps or initiatives undertaken to ensure that the companys benefits programme underpins their business strategy, ullet knowledge of employees regarding the benefits that the association offers and how they benefits from it, ullet issues like sickness and absence, healthcare and dental affliction, and (6) the extent of the relevance and significance of the recruitment and key staff in employers business and their industry.

Civil Disobedience :: essays research papers

Civil Disobedience, Where’s The Line Drawn?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to properly characterize and understand all aspects of civil disobedience we must look at where the line of disobedience stands and who crosses it. This country was founded on the idea of democracy. Our proud and dedicated fore fathers of the Constitution created this nation on a basis of morality and true freedom. Unfortunately, this dream has been contorted. Twisted to fit the ever growing greed and power thirsty idealisms of the powerful and wealthy politician. Our country has been raped of it’s true seed that it started from.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe that this country’s main problem is that it’s run by a majority of white males, and of these men, not many younger than their forties. Where’s our equal representation of every populous? These people have lost touch with what they call, their number one resource, it’s youth. Yes, they were all young at one time as well, but times rapidly change. These quick changes can easily cause confusion among our leaders, and this results in poor decisions based on lack of current knowledge and direct involvement. Unfortunately, these people don’t understand what today’s youth goes through, and who’s there to represent my population? The legal voting age in this country is eighteen   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‚  1 years old, a population that has already been thrown into the busy world of work and many of whom have already lost the essence of their youth. We need a change, a new policy of understanding.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The line of civil disobedience is drawn by our nation’s leaders and it’s their line and they mark it. The line’s they make are the illusions they see, they don’t look at the whole picture, our nation has a severe case of tunnel vision. Truthfully, laws are passed to protect our â€Å"Christian† morality, and notable standing among the Earth’s other great powers. It seems America’s main concern is how we project ourselves to others, and what we can get out of it. In this movement and idea, the young are lost in it’s deep cracks of political separation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Our nation needs a voice, a voice of youth and honesty. Over half of our nation is comprised of young adults, but we have no say in how our lives are run. What may be small and seemingly harmless to a youth, may land him in jail for a few years. Policies on things such as drugs are very harsh on today’s children, but the real question is, is who is the punishment benefiting?

Psycho, The Movie Essay -- essays research papers

Psycho (1960) Perhaps no other film changed so drastically Hollywood's perception of the horror film as did PSYCHO. More surprising is the fact that this still unnerving horror classic was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, a filmmaker who never relied upon shock values until this film. Here Hitchcock indulged in nudity, bloodbaths, necrophilia, transvestism, schizophrenia, and a host of other taboos and got away with it, simply because he was Hitchcock. The great director clouded his intent and motives by reportedly stating that the entire film was nothing more than one huge joke. No one laughed. Instead they cringed in their seats, waiting for the next assault on their senses. The violence and bloodletting of PSYCHO may look tame to those who have grown up on Jason and Freddy Krueger, but no one had ever seen anything like it in 1960. Inspired by the life of the demented, cannibalistic Wisconsin killer Ed Gein (whose heinous acts would also inspire THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, 1974 and DERANGED, 1974), PSYCHO is probably Hitchcock's most gruesome and dark film. Its importance to its genre cannot be overestimated. PSYCHO's enduring influence comes not only from the Norman Bates character (who has since been reincarnated in a staggering variety of forms), but also from the psychological themes Hitchcock develops. Enhancing the sustained fright of this film are an excellent cast, from which the director coaxes extraordinary performances, and Bernard Herrmann's chilling score. Especially effective is the composer's so-called "murder music," high-pitched screeching sounds that flash across the viewer's consciousness as quickly as the killer's deadly knife. Bernard Herrmann achieved this effect by having a group of violinists frantically saw the same notes over and over again. Hitchcock really shocked Paramount when he demanded that he be allowed to film the sleazy, sensational novel that Robert Bloch based on the Gein killings. Bloch's subject matter and characters were a great departure from the sophisticated homicide and refined characters usually found in Hitchcock's films, but the filmmaker kept after the studio's front office until the executives relented. He was told, however, that he would have to shoot the film on an extremely limited budget—no more than $800,000. Surprisingly, Hitchcock accepted the budget restrictions and went a... ...ces, nor was it a great performance or their enjoyment of the novel. They were aroused by pure film. That's why I take pride in the fact that PSYCHO, more than any of my other pictures, is a film that belongs to filmmakers." This was no news to Hitchcock's fans. In a 1947 press conference the great director laid out his philosophy of the mystery-horror genre: "I am to provide the public with beneficial shocks. Civilization has become so protective that we're no longer able to get our goose bumps instinctively. The only way to remove the numbness and revive our moral equilibrium is to use artificial means to bring about the shock. The best way to achieve that, it seems to me, is through a movie." PSYCHO provided shocks heard around the world and became an instant smash, breaking all box-office records in its initial release. Hitchcock had a horselaugh on the Paramount executives who wanted no part of PSYCHO from the beginning. The film became one of Paramount's largest grossing pictures and it made Hitchcock not only a master of the modern horror film but also fabulously wealthy. He had outwitted everyone—the industry, the audience, and the critics.

Shoeless Joe :: essays research papers

1. KINSELLA, W. P. Shoeless Joe. Ballantine books: New York: 1982 2. The story starts when Ray Kinsella, the main character, is talking about his hero Shoeless Joe Jackson who once played left field in baseball. When Ray went to the ball park he was hearing, in his head, the voice of the announcer that was saying â€Å" If you build it, he will come.† Ray started building his dream ball park in his cornfield. He remembered the last time Joe played major league baseball in 1920 and then he was suspended for life, along with seven of his compatriots, for his part in throwing the 1919 World Series. Ray was always sitting in the left field bleachers. After a couple of games were played at the ball park, Shoeless Joe told Ray to start a new league. Joe was going to call up all of his compatriots to play ball. Ray said he would find a friend that never made it to the major league. Ray had travelled to Iowa city to get his friend J.D. Salinger who then went to Fenway park with him. Three weeks later Ray came home, J.D. came with him. J.D. was very impressed when he saw the park. Now, Ray had the best team in the new league. 3. The significance of the title is that Shoeless Joe was one of the greatest baseball players of all times. Shoeless Joe became a symbol of the powerful over the powerless. Shoeless Joe did not play with running shoes because he could not find a small shoe size to fit him. That is why he wears the name Shoeless Joe. 4. The first impression I get from the main character, Ray Kinsella, is that he is a man who loves baseball. He lives for it. He is a great father and husband. He plays ball with his family and he brings them to ball games. He likes to dream. He could sit all day long and dream. He also likes to improve the things that he loves to build. He worked hard at making a better baseball park. 5. Ray’s character does not really have a big transformation. He has to travel to Iowa to see if he could bring his friend to play ball. I think that he displayed some courage. I would not have the courage to do what he did. He is a person that believes in himself.

Guy de Maupassant’s “The Necklace”

This story is not only extremely ironic but it also has so much depth and symbolism involved. â€Å"The Necklace† begins by focusing on a woman that has no ability to accept her situation. She is overly materialistic to a point that is almost annoying. â€Å"She suffered constantly, feeling herself destined for all delicacies and luxuries†. At first she even seems like a spoiled women who is downright unrealistic. Guy De’ Maupassant is very clear in expressing how dissatisfied she is with her existing life, and how she believes that she is practically royalty yet unfortunately dealt the wrong hand. She was one of those pretty and charming women, born, as if by an error of destiny into a family of clerks and copyists†. At first, the opinion of her is casted in a negative light. However, it is not until reading the entire story that we realize that Mathilde Loisel is in fact just like any other woman today. By the end of the story we realize that not only the moral of her character increases but so does her strength. In the beginning of the story, Maupaussant focuses tremendously on painting a perfect picture of exactly how upset Mathilde is with her life. He also focuses on the fact that Mathilde is not content with her husband at all. The way she speaks to him comes off very distasteful and leaves a sour feeling. Yet, not until we analyze further do we realize that her husband is as just as weak a character as herself. When he brings home the invitation to the ball her reaction is heart wrenching; â€Å"She looked at him angrily and stated impatiently, what do you want me to wear to go there? † Here we see what’s important to her. Not the kind thought and invitation to the ball, but how she’s going to appear to the others there and what she’s going to wear. This, in my opinion is the first clue to how selfish this character truly initially is. Eventually we see the story unfold as we learn after her husband gives her all of his savings for a dress, she is still not satisfied and wants to borrow a diamond necklace to add to the outfit. Once at the ball, she’s able to finally even if only temporary, she is able to live in her fantasy world she’s imagined so much. She bathes in the high life while her husband falls asleep. Eventually we see him bring her back to her painful reality when he says its time to leave. But what we realize is even more painful is when Mathilde realizes the necklace is gone. Panic and chaos ensue, and her husband runs out in the middle of the night to retrace their steps. After searching all night, the necklace has vanished and Mathilde and her husband are left with no choice but to use everything they have to buy a replacement. Ironic that this necklace was of that much importance to her that she had to have it along with a dress she couldn’t even afford, and after she lived in her fantasy world for some time, she loses the necklace along with anything else they had. Because of her need for the necklace and insistence on the piece, they now have nothing. This is where we see Mathilde’s character begin to grow and gain so much strength as she is forced to become a tough woman and live the truly hard life. Now her original life doesn’t seem so bad. Then the story’s classic twist is revealed and we realize that the necklace was none other than costume jewelry and the Loisel’s pain was all in vain. Then this is where we begin to ask ourselves if it really all was done in vain in fact or if this adverse experience actually improved her character and was meant to happen for that purpose alone. And personally I believe this experience in fact totally improved her character for the good.

Basic Functions of a Network Management System.

C H A P T E R 6 Chapter Goal †¢ Become familiar with the basic functions of a network management system. Network Management Basics Introduction This chapter describes functions common to most network-management architectures and protocols. It also presents the five conceptual areas of management as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Subsequent chapters in Part IX, â€Å"Network Management,† address specific network management technologies, protocols, and platforms in more detail. What Is Network Management?Network management means different things to different people. In some cases, it involves a solitary network consultant monitoring network activity with an outdated protocol analyzer. In other cases, network management involves a distributed database, autopolling of network devices, and high-end workstations generating real-time graphical views of network topology changes and traffic. In general, network management is a service that emp loys a variety of tools, applications, and devices to assist human network managers in monitoring and maintaining networks. A Historical PerspectiveThe early 1980s saw tremendous expansion in the area of network deployment. As companies realized the cost benefits and productivity gains created by network technology, they began to add networks and expand existing networks almost as rapidly as new network technologies and products were introduced. By the mid-1980s, certain companies were experiencing growing pains from deploying many different (and sometimes incompatible) network technologies. The problems associated with network expansion affect both day-to-day network operation management and strategic network growth planning.Each new network technology requires its own set of experts. In the early 1980s, the staffing requirements alone for managing large, heterogeneous networks created a crisis for many organizations. An urgent need arose for automated network management (including what is typically called network capacity planning) integrated across diverse environments. Internetworking Technologies Handbook 1-58705-001-3 6-1 Chapter 6 Network Management Architecture Network Management Basics Network Management Architecture Most network management architectures use the same basic structure and set of relationships.End stations (managed devices), such as computer systems and other network devices, run software that enables them to send alerts when they recognize problems (for example, when one or more user-determined thresholds are exceeded). Upon receiving these alerts, management entities are programmed to react by executing one, several, or a group of actions, including operator notification, event logging, system shutdown, and automatic attempts at system repair. Management entities also can poll end stations to check the values of certain variables.Polling can be automatic or user-initiated, but agents in the managed devices respond to all polls. Agents are software modules that first compile information about the managed devices in which they reside, then store this information in a management database, and finally provide it (proactively or reactively) to management entities within network management systems (NMSs) via a network management protocol. Well-known network management protocols include the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP).Management proxies are entities that provide management information on behalf of other entities. Figure 6-1 depicts a typical network management architecture. Figure 6-1 A Typical Network Management Architecture Maintains Many Relationships Network management system (NMS) Management entity Network management protocol Network Agent Agent Agent Proxy Management database Management database Management database Managed devices ISO Network Management Model The ISO has contributed a great deal to network standardization.Its network management model is the primary means for understanding the major functions of network management systems. This model consists of five conceptual areas, as discussed in the next sections. Internetworking Technologies Handbook 6-2 1-58705-001-3 Chapter 6 Network Management Basics ISO Network Management Model Performance Management The goal of performance management is to measure and make available various aspects of network performance so that internetwork performance can be maintained at an acceptable level.Examples of performance variables that might be provided include network throughput, user response times, and line utilization. Performance management involves three main steps. First, performance data is gathered on variables of interest to network administrators. Second, the data is analyzed to determine normal (baseline) levels. Finally, appropriate performance thresholds are determined for each important variable so that exceeding these thresholds indicates a network problem worthy of attenti on. Management entities continually monitor performance variables.When a performance threshold is exceeded, an alert is generated and sent to the network management system. Each of the steps just described is part of the process to set up a reactive system. When performance becomes unacceptable because of an exceeded user-defined threshold, the system reacts by sending a message. Performance management also permits proactive methods: For example, network simulation can be used to project how network growth will affect performance metrics. Such simulation can alert administrators to impending problems so that counteractive measures can be taken.Configuration Management The goal of configuration management is to monitor network and system configuration information so that the effects on network operation of various versions of hardware and software elements can be tracked and managed. Each network device has a variety of version information associated with it. An engineering workstati on, for example, may be configured as follows: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Operating system, Version 3. 2 Ethernet interface, Version 5. 4 TCP/IP software, Version 2. 0 NetWare software, Version 4. 1 NFS software, Version 5. 1 Serial communications controller, Version 1. X. 25 software, Version 1. 0 SNMP software, Version 3. 1 Configuration management subsystems store this information in a database for easy access. When a problem occurs, this database can be searched for clues that may help solve the problem. Accounting Management The goal of accounting management is to measure network utilization parameters so that individual or group uses on the network can be regulated appropriately. Such regulation minimizes network problems (because network resources can be apportioned based on resource capacities) and maximizes the fairness of network access across all users.Internetworking Technologies Handbook 1-58705-001-3 6-3 Chapter 6 Review Questions N etwork Management Basics As with performance management, the first step toward appropriate accounting management is to measure utilization of all important network resources. Analysis of the results provides insight into current usage patterns, and usage quotas can be set at this point. Some correction, of course, will be required to reach optimal access practices. From this point, ongoing measurement of resource use can yield billing information as well as information used to assess continued fair and optimal resource utilization.Fault Management The goal of fault management is to detect, log, notify users of, and (to the extent possible) automatically fix network problems to keep the network running effectively. Because faults can cause downtime or unacceptable network degradation, fault management is perhaps the most widely implemented of the ISO network management elements. Fault management involves first determining symptoms and isolating the problem. Then the problem is fixed and the solution is tested on all-important subsystems.Finally, the detection and resolution of the problem is recorded. Security Management The goal of security management is to control access to network resources according to local guidelines so that the network cannot be sabotaged (intentionally or unintentionally) and sensitive information cannot be accessed by those without appropriate authorization. A security management subsystem, for example, can monitor users logging on to a network resource and can refuse access to those who enter inappropriate access codes.Security management subsystems work by partitioning network resources into authorized and unauthorized areas. For some users, access to any network resource is inappropriate, mostly because such users are usually company outsiders. For other (internal) network users, access to information originating from a particular department is inappropriate. Access to Human Resource files, for example, is inappropriate for most use rs outside the Human Resources department. Security management subsystems perform several functions.They identify sensitive network resources (including systems, files, and other entities) and determine mappings between sensitive network resources and user sets. They also monitor access points to sensitive network resources and log inappropriate access to sensitive network resources. Review Questions Q—Name the different areas of network management. A—Configuration, accounting, fault, security, and performance. Q—What are the goals of performance management? A—Measure and make available various aspects of network performance so that internetwork performance can be maintained at an acceptable level.Q—What are the goals of configuration management? A—Monitor network and system configuration information so that the effects on network operation of various versions of hardware and software elements can be tracked and managed. Q—What are th e goals of accounting management? Internetworking Technologies Handbook 6-4 1-58705-001-3 Chapter 6 Network Management Basics Review Questions A—Measure network utilization parameters so that individual or group uses on the network can be regulated appropriately. Q—What are the goals of fault management?A—Detect, log, notify users of, and automatically fix network problems to keep the network running effectively. Q—What are the goals of security management? A—Control access to network resources according to local guidelines so that the network cannot be sabotaged and so that sensitive information cannot be accessed by those without appropriate authorization. Internetworking Technologies Handbook 1-58705-001-3 6-5 Chapter 6 Review Questions Network Management Basics Internetworking Technologies Handbook 6-6 1-58705-001-3

Labor Market for Nurses in Florida

Florida State is located in the South Eastern region of the United States.   Most of it is a peninsula bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the west and Atlantic Ocean on the East.   Florida has the 4th highest state population in United State. As at 2006, the population was over 18 million.   Economically by 2005, the gross state product was over 500 billion dollars.Florida’s labor market is determined by employment and wages, labor force, economic indicators and the population structure.   In 2004, Florida approved a constitutional amendment to increase the minimum wage to over 6 dollars per hour.   All employees were then supposed to comply with the wages increase (www.stateoflorida.com/portal/)In labor market, employees and workers respond in exactly opposite ways to higher wages.   More people want to work when wages go up but employers then hire fewer workers. However, if labor markets operated normally, the level of employment and subsequent wage would be deter mined by the law of supply and demand.   The number of workers on a given job and the wage paid to them should reflect an agreement between the needs of both parties.   Employers would like to hire more workers at a lower wage but not enough workers are willing to accept employment for lower pay (Lovell, 2006).Wages are determined in a market economy by among many factors, tradeoffs and government’s improvement of market outcomes.   The government can improve the outcome of the economic system and stimulate the development of a society. Tradeoffs involve sacrifices made in obtaining certain products or services rather than others using the same required resources. These factors influence the nursing wages in Florida.Nursing wages are determined mostly by the skills needed at work, place of employment and the mount of time spent at work.   Enhanced educational credentials also determine the amount of premium that a nurse is paid.   Therefore nurses are paid according to the level of academics and their job contribution. Among many determinants of wage calculation, include productivity of the worker, output per hours worked, employer’s willingness to work, cost of living, experience and many others. These factors determine wages of nurses in Florida (http://www.floridanurse.org/foundationgrants/index.asp)There are various factors that influence the supply and demand of nurses in Florida.   The rapid aging of both the population and the nursing workforce results in the need for supply of nurses to maintain pace with the growing demand. There has been a decrease in supply of nurses due to poor working environment, closure of nursing schools, nursing faculty shortages and other career opportunities. All these have decreased the supply of nurses.   Licensing data indicate that over 40% of active licensed Florida nurses are over 50 years of age and 15% are over 60 years. (http://www.dob.state.fl.us/). These factors have led to an increased demand in the supply of nursesIn Florida, various factors play a critical role in determining the salary that a nurse is to be paid.   These include the academic level, time spent at job, the locale, and experience. There are different types of nurses; school nurses, occupational health nurses, Geriatric nurses who work and care for the elderly and also those with masters and doctoral degrees.   All these have a different structure of salary.However, generally the average starting salary for a new nurse in Florida ranges from about 15 dollars an hour or around 31,000 dollars a year.   However, the salaries increase tremendously with experience.   The salary of an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) range from 45,000 dollars to over 90,000 dollars annually. (http://www.floridanurse.org/foundatrionGrnats/index.asp) Utah State also faces a shortage of nurses.   The situation is a more severe and critical shortage.   Utah has ageing nursing professionals with an a verage registered nurses being 47 years.   However, Utah can employ various techniques to increase the supply of nurses.They can increase the number of nursing faculty in the various nursing schools.   Young men and women interested in developing a career in nursing can get an opportunity to train in the arena.   The nursing schools can be increased to accommodate more students and also be able to offer refresher courses to learners. Learners can also be given loans, scholarships and grants to undertake nursing education programs. This will increase the supply of nurses tremendously.   (http://www.utahnurses.org/portal/default.)REFERENCEFlorida Nurses Association article- Retrieved on 23rd Jan 2008 from;http://www.floridanurse.org/foundationgrants/index.aspLovell, v. (2006). Solving the nursing shortage through higher wages. Institute for women’s policy research: Washington DC, USA.Utah Nurses Association article- Retrieved on 23rd Jan 2008 from;http://www.utahnurses. org/portal/default.

Abraham ben Samuel Abulafia Essay

It is commonly accepted that the research of the great historian of Jewish mysticism, Abraham ben Samuel Abulafia, opened the doors of the academy to Qabbalah. Far from us the intention of dulling the luster of his prodigious contribution in this respect, but it is a fact that at the time the young Berlin student set about writing his first essays, the critical study of the Qabbalah had already made great strides. Moreover, its trail had been partly blazed by Jew scholars who can claim to have played quite a considerable role, particularly in connection with the central problem of the Zohar, in forming the point of departure of the modem study of this discipline. Indeed, so distinguished by characteristic traits and original solutions is their contribution that it would not be an exaggeration to speak of a â€Å"Jew school† of Qabbalistic studies. Is it not highly significant that the central piece of Qabbalistic literature–the Zohar–was twice translated on Jew soil, first into Latin by G. Postel in the sixteenth century and subsequently into Jew–the first into any modem language–by the mysterious Jean de Pauly at the beginning of this century? Fostered by a congenial intellectual atmosphere peculiar to the Jew, the study of Jewish esotericism got off to a precocious start in France in comparison to other European countries. The attainments of the humanists and evangelists of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries paved the way for the mystical philosophers and Martinists of the eighteenth century, who in turn ushered in the occultists of the nineteenth century. (Sassmitz, 1990) The present essay is an attempt to Abraham ben Samuel Abulafia who was a Jewish Sage in the years of his life, his character, and what he believed in and why he believed. Let it be made quite clear at the outset that our concern relates to the historical-critical study of the question and consequently deals all but incidentally with what A. E. Waite calls â€Å"Kabbalism.† Hence the theosophers and mystagogues of all shapes, from Eliphas Levi to A. Grad, not forgetting Papus and C. Suares, will only be of secondary interest to our theme. Though in many respects deserving of attention, their literary activity will be taken into account only insofar as it had real repercussions on the development of the Qabbalah as an academic discipline. That the theosophists and occultists did indeed exert such an influence is undeniable, even if it is solely through the efforts deployed by the scholars to dissipate the veil of confusion with which the former had enshrouded the whole question. In Jews two periods can be distinguished in the development of this field: on the one hand, an historical phase, preoccupied with the question of the antiquity of the Zohar, followed, on the other, by a bibliographical and doctrinal phase. The work of Adolphe Franck (1809-1893) marks the beginning of the first of these two periods, whereas the second was initiated, a century later, by the research of Georges Vajda (1907-1981). The latter, already under the sway of the impulse given to Qabbalistic studies by Abulafia, worked in harmony with both the school of Jerusalem and Alexander Altmann, of Manchester and later of Brandeis University. But these two tendencies also possess their pre-history, and it is first necessary to describe the framework within which each of these two schools evolved. At the outset of its diffusion in Europe, the Qabbalah was submitted to censure. One could almost claim that from the chronological point of view it is on Jew soil that the critical study of the Qabbalah was born. Indeed, it is in thirteenth-century Provence that the first critical appreciation of the Qabbalah was written by R. Meir ben Sim’ on of Narbonne (active 1250), who, in his Milhemet miswah, vituperates against the polytheistic implications of the sefirotic doctrine. (Sassmitz, 1990) But no real analytic debate got underway until the awakening of Christian interest in the â€Å"Cabale† in Renaissance times. Whereas the Platonists believed the secret doctrine of Israel was meant to conceal the primordial revelation common to all religions, for the Christian esotericists it prefigured the mystery of the Trinitarian doctrine, the very foundation of Christianity. In the Qabbalists they perceived the forerunners of the Christians and in Qabbalah, a secret justification of the evangelization of the Jews. In tenth-century France, the study of the â€Å"Cabale† occupied a place of honor amongst Christian intellectuals. Mention must above all be made of the orientalist and philosopher Guillaume Postel (1510-1581), to whom we owe the first Latin translation both of the Sefer yesirah (Paris, 1552) and of the Zohar (unpublished) prior even to the appearance of their printed texts. (Sassmitz, 1990) However, the evangelizing zeal of his compatriots and their theological prejudices hampered any critical perspectives in relation to the study of the Jewish esoteric tradition. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, opinions became increasingly diversified. The Qabbalah was thought to have in fact taught an elementary form of Spinozism and pantheism, and the Qabbalists were considered atheists unaware of their own irreligion. Of the scholars of this period, the academician Louis Jouard de la Nauze (1696-1773), defender of Newton’s chronological system, stands out as an exceptional figure. Whereas his contemporaries ingeniously endeavored to demonstrate the Qabbalah’s christological affinities, De la Nauze upheld in his historic article, â€Å"Remarques sur l’antiquite et l’origine de la Cabale,† that the foundations â€Å"of the Cabale [were] layed by the Saracens at the time the Jews lived in the Orient under their domination. †¦ The Saracens were Cabalists, and so were the Jews.† (Sassmitz, 1990) At the beginning of the nineteenth century with the blossoming of the history of ideas, though the critical study of Qabbalah progressed, it nonetheless remained profoundly tainted by the spirit of the Renaissance. Depending on which scholar one was reading, the Qabbalah could become anything but Judaism. For Ferdinand Bauer it was an offshoot of Christian gnosis, while J. Kleuker assigned it a Persian origin and Augustus Tholuck pinpointed the preponderant influence of Sufism. (Sassmitz, 1990) A new era in the study of the Jewish mystical tradition was ushered in by the critical investigation of Judaism advocated by the Jewish intellectuals of Central Europe, partisans of the Haskalah. Though in addition to a solid rabbinical and general culture, these masters were possessed of scientific methods, they often exhibited an irrepressible repugnance towards Qabbalah. With few exceptions, the great scholars, such as L. Zunz, S. D. Luzzato, A. Geiger, H. Graetz, and M. Steinschneider, considered it an alien thorn in the side of the Synagogue, incompatible with the conceptions of the progressive rationalism they were striving to attribute to the genius of Israel. In the era of Aufklarung and the struggle for Jewish emancipation, it was imperative to represent the Synagogue as the standard-bearer of regeneracy and rationality in order to be accepted into modern society. The parsimony of references to Qabbalah in Julius Gutmann’s Philosophie des Judentums, published in 1933, still reflects this contempt. For similar reasons, the contribution of German scholarship to this field, despite its abundance, was relatively thin and narrow in substance and incapable of casting off the tethers of tendentiousness. These scholars were principally concerned with minimalizing the importance of Qabbalistic influence on Jewish culture and with demonstrating the late composition of the Zohar in order to loosen the grip of its authority and domination, upheld in Europe by the hasidic camp, considered retrograde. The scientific paradigms elaborated by the Wissenschaft des Judentums served as an epistemological framework upon which the Jew â€Å"science dejudaisme† was to build. The first major Jew work specifically devoted to a detailed study of the Qabbalah, though not a direct offspring of the Wissenschaft, nonetheless partook of this current of investigation. La Kabbale ou la philosophie religieuse des hebreux, by Adolphe Franck, published in Paris in 1843, is a milestone in the annals of Qabbalistic research. Assuredly, it contributed more to the modern study of Qabbalah than any other single work prior to the labors of Abulafia. In addition to the fact of its having been based on philological, historical, and conceptual criteria, the originality of this book resided in the obvious empathy that the author displayed for his subject. Indeed, in contrast to many maskilim, Franck considered the Qabbalah to be an authentic Jewish phenomenon of major spiritual importance; hence he affirms: â€Å"It is impossible to consider the Kabbalah as an isolated fact, as an accident in Judaism; on the contrary it is its very life and heart.†