by Herman Bailey | Jun 4, 2023 | Essays |
1) State your problem as clearly and precisely as you can
Poverty is the lack of necessities, such as food, medical care, safety, housing, and shelter. Poverty is commonly known as a third-world problem, although the definition has been recently changed about several issues. To some people, poverty is the inability to purchase basic needs; the word necessity varies from individual to individual (Smith, 17). To other people, poverty is the lack of resources to participate in the customs of life. The government depends on the availability of accessible resources and therefore sets poverty thresholds for its citizens. For instance, excluding people from development is the root cause of poverty.
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2) What is your purpose, goal, and need for solving this problem?
Poverty prevents people from attaining their needs. For instance, limited financial resources mean limited access to education facilities. It is for this reason that most poor people are usually illiterate. Additionally, limited financial resources mean one cannot access proper medical attention. The rich can access proper medical care by providing coverage premiums (Machin 9).
3) Study the problem to determine the “kind” of problem you are dealing with. What kind of problem are you trying to solve? What do you have to do to solve it?
Poverty is associated with different factors. The cause depends on the definition of poverty. As seen earlier, the definition varies and depends upon the person defining it. This section shall discuss the different causes of poverty with their solutions based on the theories of poverty definition discussed earlier. The difference in social class is the primary cause of poverty. The social class extends to laws that favor the rich and make the poor even poorer. In theory, Karl Max says that social divisions cause even more poverty. He recognizes that societal laws contribute to even more poverty. For example, the political classes are the rich, and those have the power to make laws that favor them, alienating the poor.
4) What from your problem do you have control over, and what do you have no control over?
The social class divisions deny the poor access to essential needs such as healthcare and education. Discrimination involuntarily isolates certain individuals from particular levels in society. This discrimination goes to the extent of a lack of access to economic resources. Marx says that poverty can be eradicated through the enactment of anti-discriminatory laws (Jung & Smith 16). The poor are also not adequately represented in the political sphere, most of the representation positions are occupied by the rich, and therefore it is hard to advocate for the interest of the poor. He explains that adequacy in employment is the main ingredient of eradicating poverty. Simple and adverse actions, such as environmental pollution, make the poor suffer more (Jung & Smith 16).
5) What information do you need to solve the problem? Explain. How can you actively seek the information you need to solve the problem?
Unemployment is strongly associated with poverty; several factors, such as inflation, asset market bubbles, and high foreign debt, cause it. When the rate of inflation is high, then the rate of unemployment is likely to increase (Rank 903). High inflation rates cause high costs in production. With the high cost, employers will likely cut down on the number of employees or the wages and salaries.
6) What theory or theories can you formulate concerning this problem? Carefully analyze and interpret your theories and draw reasonable inferences.
High inflation rates also increase the prices of basic commodities. An inflation rate increase always increases the poverty rate (Sach 3). A very high foreign debt burdens taxpayers and will likely lead to unemployment.
7) What information do you need to solve the problem? Explain. How can you actively seek the information you need to solve the problem? 7) Determine your options for action. What can you do in the short term? In the long term? Recognize your limitations in terms of money, time, and power.
In my opinion, social class division causes poverty. When the society consists of the poor and the rich, likely, the poor will not access essential resources to get their needs. Social class division cause unemployment, limited access to credit facilities, limited right to vote, and limited access to education. Therefore, if the social class division is eradicated, then poverty will be eliminated.
8) Evaluate your options, determining their advantages and disadvantages. Adopt a strategy. Follow through on it. Evaluate and assess the implications of your action/strategy.
Where there is no social division, there is equal distribution of resources. The poor are in a good position to access basic needs such as education, food, and shelter. At the same time, they can participate in political decision making which is very important for improving their economy.
Works Cited
Jung, S. Young., & Smith, Richards.“The economics of poverty: Explanatory theories to inform practice.” Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 16, 2007
Machin Stephen “Education and inequality in eds.” W Salverda, B Nolan and T M, 2009.
Sachs, Jeffrey. “The End of Poverty.” Penguin: London 2005.
Rank, M. Rodgers. (2001). “The effects of poverty on America’s families: Assessing our research knowledge.” Journal of Family Issues,903, 2001.
Smith, Adam. “An inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations.” Methuen & Co., Ltd: London, 1776.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Jun 4, 2023 | Essays |
Introduction
Art has been part and parcel of humans from centuries back as early as 14th century. It has been a backbone of cultures and beauty as artists have been expressing what they feel and how they feel plus their imagination through art. It is a means through which artists communicate and their way to show the prowess and power that is stored deep in their inner spirit, it is the way they portrayed what is inside them to the people, the way the artist reconnect with their wild imagination with the outside world (Bell, 1985). My view on earth has not changed my reason for the choice of topic hence, and I will show, in summary, why art is immortal it cannot die nor buried.
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Art is the expression and presentation of human imagination and inventive skills naturally in a graphic or visual form such as sculpture, drawing and painting in a way that its appreciated and embraced as beauty or emotional power. In a visual form like sculpture and painting, producing works that will be primary be appreciated for their emotional power and beauty (Stokstad, 2008).
Throughout human history art has been a constant special element , since the initial Cave Paintings , art has gone through several evolution and development with the human race there has been a constant improvement in the old style and hence the growth . Art at some instance has given us the purest understanding of what life was way back before history (Stokstad 2013).
According to the Association of Arts Historians (Great Britain) it’s interesting to note that people have been travelling across the continent to view and appreciate the artistic works of different cultures and this has brought about in-depth understanding among different culture of the world.
My views on art have not changed at all. Art is still the same way we interact with our subconscious mind and imagination and trying to present it for the world to see. It is a talent bestowed on individuals; it can never be taken away from them. Technology becomes absolute with time, but art still maneuver itself and inspires technological changes. It’s very easy to distinguish the work of an artist from those who are not. Even with the introduction of the computers which comes with tools that can assist anyone in coming up with artistic images the talent is seen when one goes an extra mile and sees the painting space as a place where he or she can express himself or herself in a way that artist do best. For a lay man, it will be just a place to place a drawing and nothing further than that. Art is a talent and talents don’t fade away hence my opinion will ever remain to be constant.
Technology has acted as a doubled edged sword cutting through art in both the good and the bad way. The introduction of video games, computers and Television have shifted the concentration of younger artist from the art; they tend to take more time on TV and to leave their artistic skills dormant. But on the flip side technology has also made art interesting in the sense that the artist are able to share their work worldwide across the web because of the internet. The artistic Softwares examples being Corel draw, and adobe Photoshop, have also made art to be a little bit easier and more fun. This clearly explains that through the introduction of technology has had the negative effect on art the advantages of it outcomes the disadvantages and hence art has remained to be art.
The purpose, objective and role of art have never changed thus the stand in my view. Though the art is a passionate work, there are several reason why artist does art. Whether commercialize or functional the passion for the work is always the same let’s take for example fine art which is a non-commercial art with its purpose and intention purely remaining to showcase talent or inspire a particular group based on the fact that it uses ready locally available materials like charcoal this can be seen in the ancient Roman empire town of Pompeii where paintings and mosaic were used to advertise everyday scenarios or the ordinary scenarios that occur on a day to day basis. The sources of the painting were extracted from assembled stones, plants among other many forms.
On the other end, art is done for commercial purposes whereby artists come up with artistic pieces for sale. Have the way we embraced this art changed? My answer to that is no, many great artistic work done by the likes of Da Vinci still wows people to date. It is still outstanding, and people embrace them the same way they used to be embraced in ancient days.
Every piece of art tries to send a message. Artistic work example images have been made for communicative, decorative or emotional reason, but the bottom line remains to be communicating what is inside their mind bringing their imagination and feelings on the table. In ancient days, history was preserved in the form of arts through paintings and drawings and hence information was passed from one generation to the other encouraging continuity of the culture. (Pater, 2010) Art still serves the same purpose in today’s generation. The only difference comes with how the art is kept or stored for future generation. With the introduction of internet, things have been a little bit easy and can be stored for quite a long age. But the primary basic role of communication and transferring of information from one generation to the next has been the same since ages.
Stockstad stated how vital art is and how relevant it still is in his life by explaining how he worked so hard in it because he believed it. He stated that an art which has no purpose is contrary to what he believes in. He said he believed in the art that changed the world. The fact that there has been emerging a trend of artist coming up with arts that have no meaning and purpose this has not changed what art is. It is still the same the only change has been the root at which the artist try to express them using art.
The early churches used Renaissance art to depict religious images such as the image of Mary the Virgin Mother of Jesus this art were encountered by contemporary audiences of the time in the context of rituals that were termed religious(Pater, 2010). Today these pieces of work are viewed as great works of art unlike previously where they were used and seen as objects which were devotional. This shows that the level at which art is appreciated and received today is higher as compared to the ancient days.
Most artists at ancient days studied art through apprenticeship and later on they were admitted to a professional guild and later on working under the guidance of an older master. After this these artists worked on commission and were later hired because of their steadiness and reliability when it comes to their pieces of arts , and they hiring was done by patrons of arts who were at a higher level in the hierarchy when it comes to experience and knowledge of art. In today’s world, the journey at which the artist go through to become professional in that field is the same journey. The initial step is done through apprenticeship where interest is gained and artist try to copy or imitate the already existing pieces of art, from this they can join school to perfect their skills and later on they get attached to professional artist and finally the also become professional in that field (Clive, 1958).
In conclusion, art has never changed and will never change. Art is the way one expresses what he or she feels inside in a visible way that can be seen technology might change but art still remains what is inside hence my view will never change art will ever remain to be art.
Reference
Bell, C. (1958). Art. New York: Capricorn Books.
Jamie, R. & Sash, P. (n.d) The big question: Can art change the world? Eight Manifesta artists respond. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://calvertjournal.com/features/show/2788/manifesta-art-politics-boycott-stpetersburg#.VRW2juEwBsQ
Pater, W. (2010). The Renaissance studies in art and poetry. S.l.: Floating Press.
Stokstad, M. (2008). Art history (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Stokstad, M., & Cothren, M. (2013). Art history (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Tatyana, (2009). How can art benefit other aspects of your life? (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://www.artoneacademy.com/how-can-art-benefit-other-aspects-of-your-life/
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Jun 4, 2023 | Essays |
Introduction
This is a consulting report to General Motors Company, an automobile manufacturing company. The report will discuss findings on the pay for performance effectiveness from economic literature in generating a business outcome that is improved, how evaluation of the performance should be done, and essential concepts of creating incentive pay and related organizations evaluation frameworks. Moreover, the report will report to the managers to better understand why employees leave and recommend at least two programs for reducing the turnover problems. General Motors Company is an American multinational company with headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. The company manufactures, designs, distributes and markets vehicle parts and vehicles in addition to selling financial services (General Motors, n.d). According to General Motors (n.d), General Motors manufactures vehicles in its subsidiary companies under 13 different brands in 37 countries. The company has employed about 212,000 employees and operates in over 120 countries (General Motors, n.d). Pay for performance gives financial incentives to improve its customer service to its clients. The associates or the employees for better output in a company. In her article on why the manufacturer of automobiles are adopting pay for performance, Shelley (2011) elaborates that motor vehicle manufacturing has become an integrated process where several different departments work in collaboration to form a product. The automobile manufacturers wanting to provide incentives to their affecting the rate of premiums. For instance, an insurance firm that operates with many employees for high-quality production of vehicles need a reorganize the work as a collective effort, and this can be achieved through pay for performance program. In 2011, General Motors announced the plans of starting the program of sharing their profits with the workers who work hourly in a bid to honor the agreement they signed with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union (Shelley, 2011). The driving force of General Motors was the need for a clear process of compensation. One of the goals of General Motors was to develop a formula for profit sharing that was transparent and simple and would assist employees in understanding how they can contribute to the business’s success daily (Shelley, 2011).
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The effectiveness of pay for performance programs in generating an improved business outcome
In the tough economy of today, hiring and retaining competitive advantage. It revolves around being hardworking and putting the customer first. employees who are gifted and can drive the results of a business is quite challenging because of increased competition for talents. In these environments, companies are reshaping their incentive programs to retain their employees and improve productivity. Compensation leaders and human resource managers believe that a well-conceived and executed program for pay for performance can improve retention and productivity by ensuring the goals and objectives of employees are aligned directly with the strategic goals of a company (Stephen, 2010).
An effective pay for performance program can be the key to retaining the companies’ top talent and driving the performance of the organization that exceeds all expectations. Pay for performance is central to aligning people with the objectives and goals of the company, motivate and reward the top performers of the company while at the same time develop the underperformers to become the organization’s greater assets. Stephen (2010) indicated that it is significant for an employee to understand that if his or her performance at work exceeds or meets expectations, then they will be rewarded appropriately for their hard work through bonuses and pay raises and other rewards such as recognition, gifts, time-offs or flexible schedule. Pay for performance programs accounts for the individual, working environment, and team performance, and this encourages the employees to work together to realize the common goal of the company.
Best Practices, LLC conducted a study to assist organizations to understand how high performing companies and industries deploy their pay for performance systems. The research involved 47 human resource and talent managers across 17 different sectors and it evaluated the incentive programs to identify their strengths, effectiveness, gaps, and opportunities for improvement (Best Practices, LLC, n.d). According to the study, successful pay for performance implementation is a multi-step process that involves demonstration of need, deploying appropriate technology, being in alignment with the corporate goals, training all and communicating with employees, and lastly measuring and improving the results. Lastly, the study found out that pay for performance systems normally are used for retaining top performers. Moreover, the majority of the respondents indicated that (Best Practices, LLC, n.d).
Hewitt Associates LLC, a consulting firm has been monitoring different pay plans of different companies since 1996. Their study found that about 75% of companies believe that pay on performance plans helped them in improving their business, and only 49% exceeded or met their main objectives.
Generally, manufacturers are primed for pay for performance compensation system because they can apply very specific performance metrics. This produces more units for less money and in less time and this spells business results that are positive (Shelley, 2011). However, lacking the metrics can make the pay for performance model controversial.
According to Shelley (2011), many companies and government entities alike are adopting pay for performance models because it is cash-strapped. Particularly in times that are challenging economically, companies need to ensure that they reward employees that are top-performing and consequently spur their workforce to make profits.
How performance should be evaluated
Performance evaluations provide the employees with an excellent opportunity of assessing the contributions of their employees to the organization (Judy, 2003). Generally, there are two approaches to performance evaluation; quantitative and subjective.
Quantitative evaluation
In quantitative performance measures, it deals with numeric factors such as accounting numbers. The quantitative factors that can be used in the evaluation include hours worked, employees’ contribution, or satisfaction of the customer (Lee, 2015). In determining incentives good measure, the following performance measure properties are looked at by the manager:
a) Risk profile
The risk profile is important in distinguishing uncontrollable and controllable risks. Uncontrollable risks are random events that cannot be foreseen, reacted to, or prevented by an employee (Lee, 2015). they include things like a sudden change in the behaviors of the competitors, technological change, inflation, and macroeconomic conditions. The controllable risks are events that to some extent can be foreseen by an employee. For instance, the anticipation of competitors’ actions by the manager. Both kinds of risks have different incentives implications, for instance exposing a worker to more uncontrollable risks will raise incentive plan costs. On the uncontrollable risks, the managers should use arising information when they are doing their jobs to enable them to foresee, react, or prevent the events where possible.
b) Distortion
The goal of a company is to motivate the workers to maximize the value of the firm such as an increase in profits and stock prices. Therefore, any measure apart from the value of the business will distort incentives. Distortion can take place in two ways are by measuring what does not match the job design, and focusing on something easy to measure. The more measure can be distorted, the weakly it can be tied to the rewards (Lee, 2015).
c) Potential for manipulation
If the manager can manipulate the performance, then it poses a problem, such as taking actions to improve a measure and not the value of the business. The more measure can be manipulated, the weakly it can be tied to the rewards
d) Scope
When performing the measurement, the scope can be narrower or broader. Narrow measures tend to reduce risks and distort more the incentives. The broader measures tend to capture more risks hence high risks and reduced distortion (Lee, 2015).
e) Match to job design
An ideal performance measure matches the responsibilities of the job
Subjective evaluation
This does not use metrics and is often significant in termination, promotion, and hiring. It is often necessary when evaluating the performance of the CEO and salesperson. However, the problems with subjective evaluation include its reluctance of giving negative feedback, favoritism, appraisal systems half-life of approximately five years, compression and inflation of ratings, and Low trust in the evaluator (Lee, 2015).
Subjective evaluations can be used as an alternative to quantitative evaluation since judgment is required in good evaluation, and metrics are also imperfect. If done well, subjective evaluation can improve incentives in many ways:
- Improve risktaking on incentive
- Reduce distortion, uncontrollable risks, and manipulation
- Give flexibility to the incentive system
- Improve decision-making
- Expandthecommunication between employee and manager to be a form of training (Lee, 2015).
The evaluation frameworks of an organization on incentive pay must be based on measurable outcomes. For instance, in the sales job, the outcomes can be the number of sales, total revenue realized, or the number of new customers. Even though there can discretion among the managers when determining the performance pay, the existence of the objective outcomes that are measurable evens the playing field between the program participants or the employees under the program and further motivates them to focus on the most important data to the organization (Courtney, n.d).
Why employees leave and recommended programs for reducing turnover problems.
(1) The workplace or job was not expected
Cording to Leigh (2005), about 35% of workers in America quit in the United States in the first six months because most of the workers have expectations about the workplace or job that are unrealistic, or in some situations, the workers are misled deliberately during the process of interviewing. More than 60% of turnovers begin with post-hire shock (Leigh, 2005). That is; the employees realize that he or she will not be advancing to the next position sooner as they expected or has to report to another different boss. Most of the new employees will quit after discovering the undiscussed realities.
Recommendation
To prevent this turnover, a company should start a program whereby the hiring manager can find a way of giving the job candidates a true ad realistic preview. This can be done by ensuring that everybody they interview understands their organization’s culture and being frank. An example of such a program is where all job applicants are oriented about the company in a conference, they ask all the questions they have before making decisions whether to proceed with their applications (Vance, 2013). For instance, when interviewing recruits, in General Motors, they should be told their immediate supervisors, and the number of years required for promotion in a conference set up.
(2) Mismatch between the person and the job
Every CEO of a company should know how to get the right persons for the right jobs for the business to be successful (Vance, 2013). However, Leigh (2005) indicated that about 60% of the employees in the United States are not using their talents to best. Some of how managers let the process of matching go wrong include the following as pointed out by Leigh (2005):
- The need to quickly hire leads to hire of the wrong person just to fill the available slots
- Managers believe that the skills of making people qualified for a job are very important than the talents making them suitable for these jobs
- Most managers believe that any person can do well the low-level jobs, and by do that way they disrespect the needed excellence that is needed in keeping the customers to comeback
- Most managers wrongly believe that training workers will transform the wrong people and make them the right people. They think that by training, they put on the skills that were left For instance, instead of employing an accountant, they will employ any other graduate.
Recommendations
Employers should make the process of hiring very seriously. A company can establish a strict criterion program for the hiring of new employees. If they are not in a position to find the right candidate for the job based on the program’s criteria, then they should postpone the hiring. They should also analyze the personality factors and talent that distinguish the average workers from the best workers (Leigh, 2005).
Leigh (2005) stated that great employers tend to use multiple interviewers and behavior-based interviewing. In General Motors, the hiring panel should check reference with persistence and skills of the job candidates and cross-check with the qualifications they desire from the job candidates. Moreover, they should emphasize hiring quality over cost per hire or time to fill. Essentially, they should be interested in building a talent pool that is superior and understand that it begins with selecting the right persons for the jobs in the first place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the consulting report was made on General Motors Company, an automotive manufacturing company. The report provided detailed findings from the economic literature on the pay for performance effectiveness in order t generate increased business outcomes. Moreover, the report also discussed how performance should be evaluated and highlighted the five key ideas on establishing incentive pay and other evaluation frameworks that are related to the organization. The key ideas discussed in the report include; risk profile, the potential for manipulation, distortion, and match to job design and scope. Lastly, the report elaborated to the managers why employees leave a company and recommended two programs for reducing the problem of turnover.
References
Best Practices, LLC. (n.d.). Driving Growth & Talent Retention through Pay for Performance. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://www.best-in-class.com/bestp/domrep.nsf/products/6C7EB0324D9C8E2685257A2200626DAD!OpenDocument
Courtney R. (n.d).Components of Pay for Performance Programs. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/components-pay-performance-programs-74823.html
General Motors. (n.d).
Judy, C. (2003). 5 Steps to a Performance Evaluation System. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2015, from http://www.aafp.org/fpm/2003/0300/p43.html
Lee, L, S. (2015). Paying for performance. Murdoch University
Leigh, B. (2005). The Seven Hidden Reasons Employees Leave – Executive Update Magazine. ASAE ® The Center for Association Leadership.Retrieved March 15, 2015, from http://www.asaecenter.org/Resources/EUArticle.cfm?ItemNumber=11514
Milton, Z. (2015). Workplace Perspectives: Pluses and minuses of variable pay. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/archive/tcaw/10/i09/html/09work.html
Shelley, D. (2011, October 7). Why automakers are adopting pay for performance. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://fortune.com/2011/10/07/why-automakers-are-adopting-pay-for-performance/
Stephen M. (2010).Study: Keys to Effective Performance Pay Programs ineffective when managers avoid confronting mediocre performers with low salary increases. (n.d.).
Vance, M. D. (2013). Broad-based equity compensation, employee turnover, and unit performance.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Jun 4, 2023 | Essays |
Introduction
The belief of Tocqueville that women plays a critical role in societal shaping cannot be separated from his emphasis on the importance for good values and mores to maintain and achieve social prosperity and stability, especially in a democracy. According to Tocqueville, the term mores referred to the various notions that are possessed by men, the different opinions that are current in them, and the total ideas that shape the mental habits. In the estimation of Tocqueville, mores forms one of the large general causes that are responsible for the democratic republic maintenance in the United States.
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Mores according to Brooks et al (2000p.89), are especially influential and crucial in the democratic societies because of the freedom that are enjoyed by the people, the strong role of the opinion of the public and the general authority weakness. Women have an important responsibility precisely in societies that are democratic because of their ability to influence and shape its mores. As the remark of Tocqueville goes, “there has never existed any free society without the mores, and…it is women who always shape the mores. Hence, everything having a bearing on the women’s status, their thoughts and habits are, in my view, of a great importance politically” (Tocqueville and Mayer, 1969p.97)
Nimtz (2003p.46) pointed out that the principle way by which the women shape the mores is through their roles as mothers and as wives. Tocqueville argues that the accorded respect to the marriage institution in the society has an impact that is powerful on the wellbeing and the order of that society wholly. Schleifer and Liberty Fund (2000) asserted that, from Tocqueville’s observations, he found out that the country of United States was the nation where the marriage institution was most respected, and he further attributed this to the American society’s stability, in contrast to the general disorder prevalent in most societies in Europe especially in France. Similarly, he attributed it to the institutions strength.
Tocqueville and Reeve (2009 p.114) observed that, in Europe, almost all the societal disorders are borne around the hearth domestic and not very far away from the peoples nuptial bed. It is in this place that men come to have a feel of the scorn, favor legitimate pleasures and natural ties and finally develop a taste for restlessness of spirit, disorder and desires instability. In contrast, Brooks et al (2000p.154) pointed out that when the Americans returned from the political turmoil to their family’s bosom, he instantly finds a perfect order and peace picture. There all his earthly pleasures, are natural and simple, and his joys quite and natural. Moreover, as the life regularity brings him happiness, he forms the habit of controlling and regulating his tastes and opinions easily. The end results for the society is that when the European tries to make an escape from his sorrow at home by the society that is troubling, the American, on the other hand, derives love and order from his home which he carries over into the state affairs. Tocqueville saw the wife’s efforts to form a loving, orderly and pleasant environment at home, not as a matter that affects the individual wellbeing of the families, but also a big service to the society, with large political and social repercussions (Nimtz, 2003).
What in particular in the nineteenth century about the American society, which fostered the strong marriage strength and the exemplary character strength in the America women? The situation was attributed by, according to Tocqueville and Mayer (1969), partially to the girls’ education and upbringing style, combined with the strong religious values influence, and the provided discipline by the industrial habits. In United States, Tocqueville noted that instead of being shielded or sheltered from the reality, a young woman was allowed to familiarize with the dangers and the vices of the society. This was to make them clearly see them, to judge them without any illusion and face them bravely without any fear. Tocqueville asserted “her morals are pure and not her mind chaste” (Tocqueville and Reeve, 2009p. 135). This kind of approach leads to the creation of women who have the fortitude and prudence, and not naïve that are necessary to perform their duties and live the upright lives.
Schleifer and Liberty Fund (2000) pointed out that Tocqueville also provided some possible reasons and explanations for the respect accorded to the marriage institution in the American society. From his research, Brooks et al (2000) observed that Tocqueville found out that industrial nations and the religious people take a serious vie of the marriage. The religious people consider the woman’s life regularity the best guarantee of the best sign of her morals purity. During the days of Tocqueville, America combined all these attributes.
Nimtz (2003) pointed out that Putanism still had a great influence and the society in the north despite the high rate of industrialization. These forces shaped the women’s cultural expectations and formed a strong public opinion favoring the respect of marriage permanence and more particularly the domestic women’s role. Schleifer and Liberty Fund (2000) observed that the women themselves, being aware of the sacrifices of the demands in marriage and the situation, entered into the rite of marriage with full understanding and knowledge of the expectations and were even cautious before making a marriage commitment.
According to Tocqueville and Mayer (1969), another American society’s attribute that contributed to the marriage strength and the salutary strong role of women is the view by the Americans on the equality of the sexes. Tocqueville and Reeve (2009) pointed out that in a society that is aristocratic; the relations between women and men tend to be problematic. This is because of the limited choices of the marital partners, and the class barriers. However, affections and passions cannot be bound by the social barriers and these often results to clandestine and ephemeral connections. This is in contrast to the democratic societies, where conditions equality has washed down all the imaginary or real barriers that separate the woman and the man. Women are empowered here to evaluate the man’s true love level and commitment to her.
Similarly, another equality effect in America in the nineteenth century is that because there was choice freedom of one’s spouse, the opinion of the public condemned harshly divorce and infidelity, thereby strengthening the marriage institution (Brooks et al, 2000).
In general, Tocqueville follows the classical characterization of the societies that were liberal as un-warlike, because of their economic self interest and their ideology. There existed few anomalies, for instance a soldier who have a passion and interest in war, but in the real sense the problem does not have great potential to result into a great danger. Tocqueville argues that memorable and great revolutions will be rare because they are more or less a property threat and most democracy inhabitants have property. According to Nimtz (2003p.89), there is a more philosophic in addition to other reasons, quite elements that are disturbing of the democratic societies that make them not to incline to revolution, which is their individualism. Tocqueville asserted that when the social conditions are equal, every person tend to live apart, forgetful of the public and centered to himself. This tendency will eventually make more unlikely the revolution. However, Tocqueville warned that it should not be fostered because the self interest and apathy of the majority of citizens could be misused by the minority who has an interest I revolution (Tocqueville and Reeve, 2009p.115).
The tendencies to the majority omnipotence and public opinion overwhelming acceptance also work contrary to the revolution. The general government and life ideas are fixed by the majority’s opinion and almost never changes. Because of this, there exist few ideas that are widespread that is contrast to the opinion of the public that would eventually spur a revolution. This exchangeability of the ideas in general, of course, poses as a great danger to the democracies. Moreover, apart from the tyranny of the majority problem, Tocqueville feared that societies that are democratic will end up eventually, by being too fixed unalterably with the same prejudice, institutions and mores, so that mankind will halt their progress and will dig in itself (Tocqueville and Mayer, 1969).
A more influence on democracy that is general to the mores is as described by Tocqueville and Reeve (2009 p.66), to make them even more gentle. This implies that people do not have the terrible vices in general, but they also lack the extraordinary virtue. Tocqueville, himself an aristocrat, lamented the loss of great honor, heroism, virtue and intelligence. Yet he thought that equality growth is fated and that because great personalities do not simply tend to create democratic societies, something to be done does not exist, except make good use of the situation and be joyful that terrible vices are not there.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the particular view of the Americans of equality between both sexes strengthened the women’s position in the society. Tocqueville believed that women were best suited to work in the domestic areas while the men were better equipped for political affairs, business and management of the family’s external relations. Tocqueville further placed importance on the family’s paternal authority, praising the Americans for respecting this authority in spite of their personal democratic mentality. The American men, unlike the European men, treated women with esteem and respect displaying deep respect for the women’s freedom.
Reference
Brooks, J. F., C-SPAN (Television network), & Public Affairs Video Archives. (2000). Gender and democracy in America. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Public Affairs Video Archives.
Nimtz, A. H. (2003). Marx, Tocqueville, and race in America: The “absolute democracy” or “defiled republic”. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books.
Schleifer, J. T., & Liberty Fund. (2000). The making of Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. Indianapolis, Ind: Liberty Fund.
Tocqueville, A. ., & In Mayer, J. P. (1969). Democracy in America. Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday.
Tocqueville, A. ., & Reeve, H. (2009). Democracy in America: Volumes I & II. Waiheke Island: Floating Press.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Jun 4, 2023 | Essays |
Introduction
The purpose of this essay is to analyze how Nwoye responded to the cultural clash caused by the Westerners. It will also explain how the collision of culture challenges his sense of identity and further discus on how his response shapes the meaning of the work in general.
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Analysis
Nwoye is the eldest son of Okonkwo. He faced a lot of criticism from his father who considered him to be lazy. “Okonkwo ruled his house hold with a heavy hand”(Achebe, 1959).His father thought the best way to straighten him was by beating and nagging constantly, this resulted to so much sadness in Nwoye’s life. Nwoye’s grew so much distant from his father because of his cruelty and his treatment towards the female members of the family (Shmoop, 2018). He could not confide in his father because of fear; Okonkwo disliked gentleness and associated it with women. Nwoye’s true identity could not show because he always lived to please his father.
Nwoye grew fond of his adopted brother Ikemefuna, “he was like an elder brother to Nwoye” (Achebe, 1959). His brother made him to be the man that his father always wanted, the distance between him and his father grew even more when he came to learn that his father also took part in killing Ikemefuna (Shmoop, 2018). He could not understand his culture including a ritual where twins were not supposed to live so they were thrown away in the forest.
The arrival of the missionaries to Omuofia caused a stir among the villagers; it contradicted their beliefs about God and worship, especially when the missionaries urged them to live their “wicked” ways. They called the missionaries ‘foolish’ and lashed out harsh words to them expressing their dissatisfaction on their presence. However, Nwoye was so much interested with the new religion and I identified himself as one of them (chapter 16) when he was asked by Obierika (Achebe, 1959). In chapter seventeen, “…Nwoye had been attracted to the new faith from the very first day”. He had a positive response to the new culture and found his personality through Christianity (Young, 2014).
It is clearly stated in chapter seventeen that though Nwoye identified himself with Christianity, he was still afraid to tell his father. These are some of the challenges he faced because of his change of culture (Cliffnotes, 2016). He father nearly killed him by chocking because of the stand he took. Once he made a decision to leave his home, he found happiness and the sadness that he lived with fade away, “He was happy to live his father”. At this point it showed that the only thing that he cared for was his happiness and wished that his father would realize how fulfilling Christianity was and leave his traditional ways and follow him (Enotes, 2018).
Conclusion
Nwoye’s response to the cultural collision shapes the meaning of the work in general in a way that the Igbo culture becomes irrelevant. In chapter twenty when Okonkwo was talking to Obierika, “what is that has happened to our people? Why have they lost the power to fight?” it shows how things started to fall apart for the Umuofia people because they lost the determination and their traditional ways were threatened by the arrival of the missionaries (Achebe, 1959).
References
Achebe, C. (1959). Things fall apart. Greenwich, Conn.: Fawcett.
Cliffnotes. (2016). Major Themes in Things Fall Apart. Retrieved from https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/t/things-fall-apart/critical-essays/major-themes-in-things-fall-apart
Help, H., & Apart, T. (2018). How did Nwoye change as a person in Things Fall Apart during the course of the novel (especially in regards to converting to Christianity)? | eNotes. Retrieved from https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/how-did-nwoye-change-person-during-course-novel-245397
Shmoop. (2018). Shmoop Opt In. Retrieved from https://www.shmoop.com/things-fall-apart/nwoye.html#
Young, L. (2014). Nwoye’s Response to Western Ideas. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/7qdkdr2yzr3w/nwoyes-response-to-western-ideas/
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
