Analysing The Wealth Of Money And Knowledge

Analysing The Wealth Of Money And Knowledge In the modern society, there are certain major of groups believe that having money over lapse the concept of having more knowledge. Conversely, there are a number of people believe that without a good education, we might not make it in the fast growing society. On certain levels, having a certain amount of money or knowledge does provide benefits to individuals that possess it. We might be able to succeed in our life by being wealthy in money or knowledge. Having huge money, we are able to make lots of investment in our company to provide a huge capital. In addition, when starting a business, one must possess certain knowledge of the industrys business to enhance the growth. Wealthy in money can also provide a comfortable life if one knows how to appreciate the value of money. We are able to make payments for mortgage or cars while not forgo certain expenses in order to have their way of life. With money, we can provide a good education to our kids and provide them good balance of nutrients. On the other hand, knowledge also can optimize a human being lifestyle. We are able to create machines that can ease our work and strength. We do assume that the power of money enable us to facilitate friends financial situation. Being a true friend, we are able to do small favors to ease their worry. When theyre in need of guidance, having appropriate knowledge allow us to listen and think rationally for the best solution and guide them in decision making. People often go through various situations that require their decision that reflects their potentials. With great knowledge, we can independently carry ourselves to the outside world and being confident about our judgment and stand on our own feet. Having money bears the privilege of being financially independent. In future event of misfortune in business of job, we are still able to go through the difficult process without making adjustment. Body Angle 1: Stepping stone to success Education is the pathway to enrich knowledge and succeed in life. The extra education a person could obtain on a certain subjects allow them to construct a better inform decisions that would result in increased income or better equipment. The value of good education is the basic key in getting a good solid job that able to support us to have a decent lifestyle. With education, we are able to go through different task in a job and with the qualified papers we are able to climb our careers upwards. The passion of wanting more in education gives us a broader mind and view towards the world and different concepts on how the world ticks. In a way having a good education reflects on a person. As they value your knowledge and education, you are not afraid to voice out your opinion and create doubts in one self. A huge capital in a business ensures that the business is able to take losses and risk for a period of time. This is very crucial especially in starting a business as the companys profile is fresh and needed time to venture their product into the market. In starting a business, the right amount of capital is essential because of the companys instability and with a huge capital, owners are able to gamble their business into a bigger perspective without drawback in funding. A huge capital gives an advantage to business since money is needed to pay for machines, labors and goods produced. With the proper funding, the company are able to plan their growth and make additional adjustments to widen the business. A huge capital enables company to maximize their market using various of ways such as advertisement, samples and road shows. Knowledge also contributes to the success in life. It is vital for anyone that ones to succeed in their career or business to learn different skills. Whether is it communication, planning, productivity and creativity. One must be able to acquire the technique to communicate and persuade customers to buy their product. They must also able to plan their schedule and make preparations for the future event and predict the best strategy to boost their productivity. In the fast growing world of business, its is comparably hard to excel a business as the competition is big and there are various levels of competitors in the industry. To even begin with something, first we must have a decent foundation of information in the particular field. This comes by constant exposure and experience which makes them mature in decision making. If ones foundation is not strong, they will have difficulties in dealing with intense problems and they might miss out in lots of opportunities. With our enhanced knowledge and education, we are able to go build our mid set in dealing with various of problems. In many stages of life, we might be struggling with many obstacles and difficulties in our work life. Sometimes were unable to tackle the problem due to the complexity of the problem. In every problem there always have to be a solution to it. Before we rush to solve a problem, its always best to look at the problem from a different point of view whether from ourselves or another person. By doing so, we are able to identify the root problem and widen the choices of solution. Furthermore, we are able to widen our mind by resulting to think outside the box and able to achieve the best results. Sometimes no matter how hard we try, it seems impossible to find ways to solve the problems. By having an appropriate knowledge, we might able to divide the problems into smaller proportions and slowly work out the pieces. By the power of wisdom we possess, it could be real handy whe n we can point out the easy part to solve if its in our expertise and then we emerge from the root itself. The answer might not come instantly but as we thought of the problem over and over again from a different point of view, we might just able to find the right explanation. Angle 2: Comfort Many people say, money is not everything, money does not bring happiness in our life, etc, but money does bring comfort in life. In my opinion, money can buy quality goods such as healthy food, a better and more comfortable shelter or branded clothes to make our life become more comfortable. Quality goods usually cost more than other normal goods. Money can fulfill ones desires. With money, we do not need to worry about our daily life or any financial problem. For example, we can buy leisure things such as a big house or car so that we and our family can live in a comfortable environment. Therefore, money makes life become easier and money does bring comfort in life. With knowledge, its possible to invent new technology to make life comfortable. With knowledge, it is possible to create new products to make life more comfortable. New technology that can relieve us from disease and work can be created with knowledge. With these new technologies, we can live a healthier life and our works can be reduced. These can bring comfort in our life. Other than that, new beauty products can be created to enhance ones look with knowledge. Some technologies have made our life more comfortable. Air cooler is one of the examples. Air cooler is useful to us in a hot day. It makes us to be more comfortable. Thus, knowledge brings comfort in life and makes life more pleasurable. Angle 3: Frienship Money can create friendship by giving a helping hand when your friend is in a tight budget situation, additionally they appreciate the face value of helping hand and the sacrifices you made, we can easily strengthen friendship. In accomplish a goal, one must provide compromises. We understand that theyre in a financial crisis and we learn to communicate with them and there are various methods to assist them in the recovery process. It would make a lot of difference with several kinds of small favours such as treating him to dinner for an occasion, car pooling together or even inviting him to a pot luck dinner to lighten up his burden. A true friend plays a very important role in life. They are there during the happiest time and also hardest time when ones facing a sticky situation. As they are able to listen to your problems, show their attention and able to share their knowledge and experience they had to assist you in decision making. Most of the time in our lives, we bound to step into trouble. Thats where friends comes in and guide us to the right path again. We might not go through many kinds of situations or dilemma but hearing other stories and past gives us the knowledge to prepare for the future outcome and learn from others mistake. By sharing other information, not only we get closure with friends, indirectly we are equipping ourselves with valuable information that we dont get from class or home. In example, if we got a studies problem in class the first thing in mind is to ask a friend. He or she might know but they are willing to try their best to give you the best solution and solve your doubts. Angle 4: Independence People that are having good incomes are able to be financially independence as they are secure in living the lifestyle they desired without fear of over expenses. They will encounter fewer problems such as having limited budget or to cut down expenses in order to maintain their current lifestyle. With enough money, people can solve some of their problem and they will not be stressful in solving the problems. People can also send their children to a good school or college without applying study loan from government. Thus, money does bring independence. Having a good amount of knowledge is able to guide us to be independent in life and to carry ourselves without depending on others. People can solve certain problems by themselves easily if they have an excellent amount of knowledge. Besides that, with knowledge, we can boost our self confidence in dealing with various people without having the fear of people doubting our capability in performing a task or job. In addition, knowledge helps us to know what is right and wrong to do and what we should or should not do in life and to be able to stand on solid grounds. Conclusion Certain criteria in having abundance of money or knowledge do equip an individual in starting off their pathway. Numerous individuals consider that having either one and exclude the other is enough but it is a need to balance out the two important factors. Without a solid education, we might not even able to solve even the simplest task as our depth of knowledge is shallow that we cant show our highest potential. In tackling different business strategy, employees often work in teams and brainstorm with each other to share knowledge of the particular task. We must possess the equivalent set of skills and information to act. The money we accumulate can be put to invest in own business or others and by proper analyzing and research, we can decide whether the money is put to good use to increase our capital and productivity which can turns into profits. Having money gives us an opportunity to broaden up the business while able to venture into other industry. Money has always been a goal for people that want to live an easy and happy life. Individuals are trying various of methods to enhance their skills and careers to make them valuable to the company as to achieve the desired job that can ensure that they are financially independent thus having no worries in indulging themselves to enjoy life. By having valuable expertise, individuals are not afraid to express their view and this helps in boosting inner confidence and self esteem. They are deeply motivated to pursue their aim in setting a reputation for themselves. In addition, if we have powerful knowledge, we might able to change the world by discovering new innovations and technology which can help others. In daily situations where we arent able to go through certain problems, friends are always there to guide us by sharing their knowledge whether in studies or personal relationship or life itself. By exchanging knowledge we are advancing ourselves in tackling a similar situation in the future. We might also able to lend a hand whether is moral support or money support in a way we can relieve his crisis finance. Money and knowledge both plays a vital role in many people life thus it is essential to operate a balance form between them. By doing so, we are aware of the things going around us and we are able to take control over it. Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.

No Clear Link Between TV Violence and Aggression Essay -- Television,

No Clear Link Between Television Violence and Aggression    There is a great deal of speculation on the role of television violence in childhood aggression.   Research demonstrates there may be other intervening variables causing aggression.   These variables include IQ, social class, parental punishment, parental aggression, hereditary, environmental, and modeling.   With all of these factors to taken into consideration it is difficult to determine a causal relationship between television violence and aggression.   It is my hypothesis this relationship is bi-directional - violent television causes aggressive behavior and aggressive people tend to watch more violent television.    Over the years there has been a large amount of research published, many with conflicting results, to the question of a causal link existing between the viewing of televised violence and childhood aggression.   It is an important question because if violent television is linked to childhood aggression we need to adapt our television shows accordingly.    Early 1960's Research    There is earlier research, but the first association between violent television and aggression was in the early 1960's when Albert Bandura began researching his modeling theory.   His series of experiments first set the precedent for a relationship between violent television viewing and aggression.   He felt children would model or imitate adult behavior.   In one study he subjected children to both aggressive and non- aggressive adult models and then tested them for imitative behavior in the presence of the model.   His theory was demonstrated when children readily imitated behavior exhibited by an adult model .. ...al Psychology, 67, 601-607. Eron, L.D. (1963).   Relationship of television viewing habits and aggressive behavior in children.   Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67, 193-196. Eron, L.D. (1982).   Parent-child interaction, television, violence and aggression of children.   American Psychologist, 37, 197-211. Eron, L.D., Huesmann, L.R., Lefkowitz, M.M. & Walder, L.O. (1972).   Does television violence cause aggression?   American Psychologist, 27, 253-263. Freeman, J.L. (1984).   Effect of television violence on aggressiveness. Psychological Bulletin, 96, 227-246. Friedrich-Cofer, L. & Huston, A.C. (1986).   Television violence and aggression: The debate continues.   Psychological Bulletin, 100, 364- 371. Kaplan, R.M. & Singer, R.D. (1976).   TV violence and viewer aggression: A reexamination of the evidence. Journal of Social Issues, 32, 33-70.

The strategic role of the Royal British Navy in the First World War

Introduction The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom (UK) is the oldest part of Britain’s combat forces and is often referred to as the â€Å"Senior Service†. The Naval Service is comprised of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Fleet Air Arm and reserve forces. From the 18th century up to the end of World War II, the Navy was the world’s principal and most powerful navy. Therefore it played a very important role during the period in keeping Britain’s position as the ultimate ‘superpower.’ The Royal Navy used various strategies and tactics such as the Antwerp, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli and the Zeebruge campaigns. The involvement of various sections of the Royal Navy helped to make sure of victories against serious enemies and opponents of British interests (Benbow 2011). This paper discusses the role of the Royal British Navy during the First World War by analyzing the war tactics they used in varying campaigns both on land and on sea. In the first place, the Royal Navy was crucial from a defensive point of view, a point made all the more acute by the fact that Britain is an island nation that is relatively isolated geographically. In terms of the home front, therefore, the navy was the first and more imperative line of defence. It must be considered, as an adjunct to this, that the wealth and power of Britain relied in large part on his expansive Empire, which could not have been protected by means other than naval power. It might be argued, of course, that Britain had established effective naval supremacy at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 (Benbow 2011; Halpern 1994). However, despite the nation’s best efforts in conflicts such as the Seven Years War, among others, the state of affairs in 1805 had in actual fact been reversed to a significant extent by the turn of the 20th century. By the time of WWI, Britain’s navy was fairly outdated and its competitors were on the ascendant (Benbow 2011). The changing status quo by WWI made the burden on the navy heavier than ever. It still remained its 19th-century reputation as the ultimate military power and it had massive capacity to move soldiers and vessels across large international spaces territories. It still, moreover, had the capability to prevent rivals from doing similar strategic moving of troops and equipment (Halpern 1994). The floating gun vessels in particular were a devastating tool in the arsenal that frequently made it impossible for foreign leaders to act against Britain. The crucial fact was that the Royal Navy was able to stymie the efforts of foreign powers, making certain that there was always a supply of tradecrafts and raw materials so that Britain’s factories could make and distribute their products overseas. The Laissez Faire economic model that Britain adopted as the basis of its trading would not have been possible without the authority of the Royal Navy (Friedman 2001; Halpern 1994). It is clear , therefore, that regardless of apparent historical supremacy, the navy as important as ever in economic and defensive terms during WWI. Another aspect of the Royal Navy’s powerful role was control of communications and supply lines, so that it was possible to link up the Empire and control activities across the globe. Throughout the whole period, the Royal Navy’s war preparation and entry into the First World War demonstrates its state-of-the-art operation. This ability, however, arose not just through the navy itself but also the vast and sophisticated underpinning of expertise and strategy. For example, the Royal Navy was backed by a comprehensive research programme into maritime history, careful studies of allied and defensive maneuvers, and knowledge of politics and power in various regions across Europe and beyond (Friedman 2001). An important part of this was that Navy’s role in reconnaissance and observation. It was able to procure information about the capabilities of rivals, for example, whether political, military, or economic. The strategic role of the navy is best discussed in the context of contemporary events. The Germans marched into France and Belgium in August 1914 and desperately needed a â€Å"flying column†. At this time, Britain had between 20 000 to 30 000 navy reservists but could not make sure that all these reservists played a full role. Those parties in charge of strategy concluded that there were enough reserve soldiers to create two groups that would form vital brigades. So, in Britain the Naval Brigades and the Royal Marines Brigade were set up. The brigades became publicly recognized as the RND (Royal Naval Division) and soon after they were sent to Ostend, where they took part in a fierce battle in Antwerp. This battle demonstrates a number of different things about the strategic important of the navy. On the one hand, it indicates a clear purpose: the opposing of a German threat on the continent which, if unimpeded by the reservists, might have become a serious threat. The Marines were among the only British forces participating at the battle of Antwerp, and they brought about Germany’s withdrawal of a large proportion of their troops from the French front in order to capture of Antwerp (Stephenson 2011). However, the extent to which these soldiers struggled in due to poor training and shortages of proper equipment suggests that at this stage the Royal Navy was of limited strategic value. Thus, the Belgium army, which was comprised of mainly six divisions, was overcome by the Germans at Liege and the River Gate and had to retreat to the stronghold city of Antwerp (Halpern 1994). Had the Royal Navy been more adept in the first place this might never have occurred. However, the strategic role of the navy in this instance was salvaged to an extent when Winston Churchill, astutely realizing the important of Antwerp, bolstered the city using the Royal Navy Division. In this way, a key strategic position, in terms of Allied shipping, was saved by virtue of the navy. This point is made all the more compelling by the fact that the Belgians were forced to withdraw their forces from the fray on 6t October 1914, opening the path to a German victory. The intervention of the Royal Navy therefore came at a critical moment, heightening its importance (Grove 1987). The tactics of the Royal Naval Division on this occasion also suggests strategic relevance. An innovative plan was devised by which the troops dug trenches so that they could position themselves strategically during the battle. The aftermath of the battle is also worth mentioning. On 11 October 1914, the residual divisions of the Royal Navy Division arrived back home in England and immediately commenced their training camp in Blanford in Dorset (Jolly 2000). Crucially, they brought with them Belgian experience and the innovation of British armed forces. Changes were made to the training to better prepare the Naval Division as well as the Marine substitutes, that in the future would be selected and serve in Royal Marine battalions. Thus, through the navy’s combat experience and later role in Britain, the capability of the armed forces was enhanced. The French believed the Germans were on maneuvers in Belgium and sent some ships to trouble the German cavalry which were by now in North of Dunkirk. This maneuver was successful, which managed to give the impression that it was the central army. The British forces began to move ahead towards Brasa and captured Fort Zain. They also stopped efforts by the Turks to obstruct the river so the Turkish forces retreated from Brasa. Then, General Sir Arthur Barrett, the commander of the British army, deployed regiments to the city and the British forces established a strong occupation on 23 November 1914 (Knight 2006). The triumphant campaign allowed the majority of the British troops to return home, leaving only a small garrison. This episode is more than mere narrative. It reveals that for certain periods the Royal Navy was rendered almost redundant in a military sense due to a lack of conflict at sea. This is suggested by the fact that on 28 August, marines were located on ships during t he battle of Heligoland, with no lives lost. Later, however, at the Battle of Coronel in November, the British forces experienced a loss of 196 soldiers. One of the last encounters at sea was in 1914 during the Battle of the Falkland Islands in December. The importance of the navy was brought back into focus when, towards the end of 1914, the deadlock between the Western and Eastern Fronts ceased (Friedman 2011). This allowed the British Navy to establish and consolidate maritime control and superiority, but it was not practical to have the opening of a similar instance as Trafalgar. The British administration therefore needed to begin searching for an alternative that would conclude the war. During December 1914, the strategic importance of the navy on the Western Front became apparent. The British government had responded to a request for assistance from Russia, which was struggling to fight the Turks in the Caucuses. On 2 January 1915, the Secretary of State for War, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener agreed to demonstrate British strength to support Russia (McMillan 2013). Kitchener could not take any troops from the Western Front, so he turned to naval capacities for active involvement. As a result, the best location for action would be the tapered strip of water from the Mediterranean into the Sea of Marmara. The purpose and plan, masterminded by Winston Churchill, was to avoid the Turkish capital, First Lord of the Admiralty. Churchill created a complicated structure of a ‘third Allied front’ which gave tremendous assistance to Russia. The Royal Naval Division, moreover, went on to form an important part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary force (MEF), was wh ich also included the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), the 29th Division (British Army) and the Royal Naval Division (RND) (Dupuy 1967). Responsibility for the division was given to General Sir Ian Hamilton, The marines’ first conflict was in March 1915, where they targeted Turkish citadels and 22 individuals lost their lives while several others were injured. On 25 April the Plymouth Battalion with a group of 2nd South Wales Borderers landed on â€Å"Y† beach where a number of soldiers lost their lives (Churchill 1940). However, these successes were not without setbacks, and it should not be concluded that the Royal Navy was unequivocally of strategic value in these cases. There had been an early problem when the navy initially landed on 25 April and this had given Turkey chance of help to organize their defenses from Germany especially on top of cliffs that gave a direct view of the neighboring beaches and into the interior of the land (Dupuy 1967). On 28th April, the Chatham Battalion landed on the Anzac shoreline in order to safeguard a beach, and they stayed there until 12th May despite many deaths and casualties. On the 29th April, the Admiralty gave control of the Royal Navy Division to the British War office and it became the 63rd Royal Naval Division. The 63rd also had control of the RM training division located at Blanford (Herwig 1987). During May and June, Royal Marines participated in warfare at the 2nd and 3rd Battles of Krithnia. Additionally, there was action at Achi Baba on the 12th June. The MEF held their initial position at Gallipoli to try and find a conclusion to the struggle (Herwig 1987). One point of important to note about this episode is that the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF), along with the Royal Navy, experienced various levels of difficulties and higher levels of casualties. This prompted MEF’s withdrawal from Gallipoli, moreover. Winston Churchill’s administration has received severe criticism for the large number of lives lost over this period, and it can reasonably be questioned whether such as campaign can be deemed of strategic value. One might even say it was a strategic folly in human terms; and as Osbourne (2004) points out, the fact that Churchill stepped down from the Admiralty as a result is damning. Following the activities of this period, more action then took place in the sea rather than on land. The Battle of Jutland was the largest wartime conflict that occurred at sea during World War I. The battle commenced on 31st May 1916 when Germany fired against the British Battle Cruiser regiments. Royal Marines proved their strategic value here, as they were involved in 10% of the most important naval attack on crafts (Osbourne 2004). This proportion comprised mainly RMA whose job during this time was to operate guns. As it got bigger, the battle looked like it was getting out of control. The next day, British demolisher vessels attacked and sunk the Pommern. However in total, the Germans lost 11 ships while the British lost 14 ships, which suggests strategic folly in numerical terms (Osbourne 2004). In May the same year, RMLI brigades arrived from Gallipoli and were repatriated to France where new resources and weapons were organised. In addition, they were given more manpower and upgraded weapons to machine guns. In July, the RM Company was joined by companies called Howe and Anson the 188th Brigade of the re-titled 63rd RND (Herwig 1987). This group moved to a fairly quiet region of the Western Front. At this point, because of new weapons technology it was necessary to safeguard the line using three trench positions. Common Trench warfare was intended for use in heavy infantry but that was not commonly experienced through the commando tactics of RMLI (Friedman 2011). These battalions became a vital element to the Battle of Ancre Heights near Beaumont Hill. There were financial implications for this battle, as well as many casualties. On 17th April 1917 the 1st and 2nd regiments participated in armed combat at Miraumant and also during the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe later that m onth. During this armed effort, troops from the 63rd Division took over captured Gavrelle, led by General C. Lawrie. Immediately afterward, the 63rd Division also participated in the Battle of Arleux (Friedman 2011). The RND marched to various regions including Arras and Ypres during the winter weather, carrying heavy army equipment. In Ypres, the battalions trained very hard to prepare for a key offensive on the German border, north of Ypres. When it happened, the attack would take the forces to the strategic location of the Paddebrek stream, in the north region of the canal (Randier 2006). Because of significant losses earlier that year the 1st and 2nd RMLI contingents joined together to increase their masses numbers. However, at this point, there were some signs that the war was moving towards an end and the Germans begun realizing that their momentum begun to slow down. Finally, on 8th August the British put into place their counter plan to impact on German troops, disturbing all levels of hierarchy in the army, including the German High Command. This appeared to be a possible chance for victory, although it is vital to point out that victory was not guaranteed. On 2nd to 3rd September 1918, the 1st and 3rd Armies fought at the Battle of Drocourt-Queant, alongside the 63rd (RN) division in the Third army (Morison 1942). On 27th September to 1st October 1918, the 1st and 3rd Armies also engaged in combat at the Battle of the Canal du Nord. During this time, the 63rd RN group was once again a component of the third Army (Stephenson 2011; Osbourne 2004). As has emerged through this essay, the strategic value of the Royal Navy was mixed. Many historians viewed Gallipoli as a catastrophic tragedy, facilitated by confusing tactics and problems that allowed the enemy to prepare for the attack (Stephenson 2011). However, despite awful circumstances, the Marines still managed several successes demonstrating that they were a significant force on the ground in the capacity of infantry. Many of the experiences acquired by soldiers in World War I were valuable resources that were applied again in the experiences they would go through in WWII (Stephenson 2011). This essay has detailed the many triumphs of the Royal Navy; however, of them all the Zeebruge campaign was arguably the most important in strategic terms (Koerver 2010). After dealing with frightful conditions and dreadful weather, the Marines still managed to carry out their responsibilities and sabotage the canal (Stephenson 2011). Their accomplishments led to an unintentional benefit of giving a confidence boost and momentum for all British soldiers involved in the conflict in other places (Knight 2006). As a final, but by no means insignificant point, the importance of the Royal Navy as a blockading force deserves a mention. The efforts of the marines and the navy kept Germany surrounded, creating barrier to many trade routes and ports, causing starvation and eventually defeat. This contributed to higher levels of bankruptcy, as Germany exhausted its finances trying to keep up with Britain (Stephenson 2011; Osbourne 2004). In conclusion, is clear that the Royal Navy was an indispensible strategic tool during WWI. It had the capacity to fight effectively in different environments and landscapes, as has been outlined in the narrative sections of this essay. It was also useful in observing and introducing a wide range of tactics, strategies, and military equipment to Britain, which helped to evolve many modern aspects of warfare that are still with us today (Knight 2006). Its versatility on land and sea, moreover, which has been outlined throughout this essay in description of campaigns, was enormously useful. In concrete terms, the most essential raids that consolidated included Antwerp, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, and Zeebruge, all of which involved the Royal Navy. Of course, it certainly had its shortcomings, and some of its failures and blunders have been discussed. However, this is an inevitable part of the operations of any force. In the end, while the Germans lost the war for a wide range of reasons, the impact of the British Royal Navy was certainly one of them; it was undoubtedly of great strategic value. Reference List Benbow, T Naval Warfare 1914-1918: From Coronel to the Atlantic and Zeebrugge. (Newbury: Amber Books Ltd, 2011) Churchill, W The Second World War. Vol. 2, Their Finest Hour ( Houghton Mifflin Company, 1949) Dupuy, T. N. The Military History of World War I: naval and overseas war, 1916-1918. (New York: Franklin Watts, 1967) Friedman, N., Naval Weapons of World War One: Guns, Torpedoes, Mines, and ASW Weapons of All Nations: An Illustrated Directory (UK: Naval Institute Press 2011). Grove, E. Vanguard to Trident, (London: Naval Institute Press/The Bodley Head, 1987) Halpern, P. A Naval History of World War I. The Standard Scholarly Survey. (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1994) Koerver, H. J. German Submarine Warfare 1914 – 1918 in the Eyes of British Intelligence, (Reinisch: LIS 2010) Herwig, H. H. Luxury Fleet: The Imperial German Navy,1888-1918. (Oxon: Routledge, 1987) Joll, R. Jackspeak. (UK: Maritime Books, 2000) Will Knight, UK unveils plans for a new submarine fleet. New Scientist (Environment) 2006, McMillan, M. The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914(London: Profile Books Ltd, 2013) Morison, E. Admiral Sims and the Modern American Navy. (UK: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1942) Osbourne, E. W. Britain’s Economic Blockade of Germany, 1914–1919. (London and New York: Routledge 2004). Randier, J. La Royale: L’histoire illustree de la Marine Nationale Francaise. (Brest: Editions de la Cite, 2006) Stephenson, D. With our backs to the wall: Victory and defeat in 1918. (UK: Penguin, 2011)

Global Capitalism -- Critiques from Sociologists

Global capitalism, the current epoch in the centuries-long history of the capitalist economy, is heralded by many as a free and open economic system that brings people from around the world together to foster innovations in production, for facilitating exchange of culture and knowledge, for bringing jobs to struggling economies worldwide, and for providing consumers with an ample supply of affordable goods. But while many may enjoy benefits of global capitalism, others around the world -- in fact, most -- do not. The research and theories of sociologists and intellectuals who focus on globalization, including William I. Robinson, Saskia Sassen, Mike Davis, and Vandana Shiva shed light on the ways this system harms many. Global Capitalism is Anti-Democratic Global capitalism is, to quote Robinson, â€Å"profoundly anti-democratic.† A tiny group of global elite decide the rules of the game  and control the vast majority of the world’s resources. In 2011, Swiss researchers found that just 147 of the world’s corporations and investment groups controlled 40 percent of corporate wealth, and just over 700 control nearly all of it (80 percent). This puts the vast majority of the world’s resources under the control of a tiny fraction of the world’s population. Because political power follows economic power, democracy in the context of global capitalism can be nothing but a dream. Using Global Capitalism as a Development Tool Does More Harm than Good Approaches to development that sync with the ideals and goals of global capitalism do far more harm than good. Many countries that were impoverished by colonization and imperialism are now impoverished by IMF and World Bank development schemes that force  them to adopt free trade policies in order to receive development loans. Rather than bolstering local and national economies, these policies pour money into the coffers of global corporations that operate in these nations under free trade agreements. And, by focusing development on urban sectors, hundreds of millions of people around the world have been pulled out of rural communities by the promise of jobs, only to find themselves un- or under-employed  and living in densely crowded and dangerous slums. In 2011, the United Nations Habitat Report estimated that 889 million people—or more than 10 percent of the world’ population—would live in slums by 2020. The Ideology of Global Capitalism Undermines the Public Good The neoliberal ideology that supports and justifies global capitalism undermines public welfare. Freed from regulations and most  tax obligations, corporations made wealthy in the era of global capitalism have effectively stolen social welfare, support systems, and public services and industries from people all over the world. The neoliberal ideology that goes hand in hand with this economic system places the burden of survival solely on an individual’s ability to earn money and consume. The concept of the common good is a thing of the past. The Privatization of Everything Only Helps the Wealthy Global capitalism has marched steadily across the planet, gobbling up all land and resources in its path. Thanks to the neoliberal ideology of privatization, and the global capitalist imperative for growth, it is increasingly difficult for people all over the world to access the resources necessary for a just and sustainable livelihood, like communal space, water, seed, and workable agricultural land. The Mass Consumerism Required by Global Capitalism is Unsustainable Global capitalism spreads consumerism as a way of life, which is fundamentally unsustainable. Because consumer goods mark progress and success under global capitalism, and because neoliberal ideology encourages us to survive and thrive as individuals rather than as communities, consumerism is our contemporary way of life. The  desire for consumer goods and the ​cosmopolitan way of life they signal is one of the key pull factors that draws hundreds of millions of rural peasants to urban centers in search of work. Already, the planet and its resources have been pushed beyond limits due to the treadmill of consumerism in Northern and Western nations. As consumerism spreads to more newly developed nations via global capitalism, the depletion of the earth’s resources, waste, environmental pollution, and the warming of the planet are increasing to catastrophic ends. Human and Environmental Abuses Characterize Global Supply Chains The globalized supply chains that bring all of this stuff to us are largely unregulated  and systemically rife with human and environmental abuses. Because global corporations act as large buyers rather than producers of goods, they do not directly hire most of the people who make their products. This arrangement frees them from any liability for the inhumane and dangerous work conditions where goods are made, and from responsibility for environmental pollution, disasters, and public health crises. While capital has been globalized, the  regulation of production  has  not. Much of what stands for regulation today is a sham, with private industries auditing and certifying themselves. Global Capitalism Fosters Precarious and Low-Wage Work The flexible nature of labor under  global capitalism  has put the vast majority of working people in very precarious positions. Part-time work, contract work, and insecure work are the norm, none of which bestow benefits or long-term job security upon people. This problem crosses all industries, from manufacturing of garments and consumer electronics, and even for  professors at U.S. colleges and universities, most of whom are hired on a short-term basis for low pay. Further, the globalization of the labor supply has created a race to the bottom in wages, as corporations search for the cheapest labor from country to country and workers are forced to accept unjustly low wages, or risk having no work at all. These conditions lead to poverty, food insecurity, unstable housing and homelessness, and troubling mental and physical health outcomes. Global Capitalism Fosters Extreme Wealth Inequality The hyper-accumulation of wealth experienced by corporations and a selection of elite individuals has caused a sharp rise in wealth inequality within nations and on the global scale. Poverty amidst plenty is now the norm. According to a  report released by Oxfam  in January 2014, half of the world’s wealth is owned by  just one percent  of the world’s population. At 110 trillion dollars, this wealth is 65 times as much as that owned by the bottom half of the world’s population. The fact that 7 out of 10 people now live in countries where economic inequality has increased over the last 30 years is proof that the system of global capitalism works for the few at the expense of the many. Even in the U.S., where politicians would have us believe that we have â€Å"recovered† from the economic recession, the wealthiest one percent captured 95 percent of economic growth during the recovery, while  90 percent of us are now poorer. Global Capitalism Fosters Social Conflict Global capitalism  fosters social conflict, which will only persist and grow as the system expands. Because capitalism enriches the few at the expense of the many, it generates conflict over access to resources like food, water, land, jobs and others resources. It also generates political conflict over the conditions and relations of production that define the system, like worker strikes and protests, popular protests and upheavals, and protests against environmental destruction. Conflict generated by global capitalism can be sporadic, short-term, or prolonged, but regardless of duration, it is often dangerous and costly to human life. A recent and ongoing example of this surrounds the  mining of coltan in Africa for smartphones and tablets  and many other minerals used in consumer electronics. Global Capitalism Does the Most Harm to the Most Vulnerable Global capitalism hurts people of color, ethnic minorities, women, and children the most. The history of  racism  and gender discrimination within Western nations, coupled with the increasing concentration of wealth in the hands of the few, effectively  bars women  and  people of color from accessing  the wealth generated by global capitalism. Around the world, ethnic, racial, and gender hierarchies influence or prohibit access to stable employment. Where capitalist based development occurs in former colonies, it often targets those regions because the labor of those who live there is â€Å"cheap† by virtue of a long history of racism, subordination of women, and political domination. These forces have led to what scholars term the â€Å"feminization of poverty,† which has disastrous outcomes for the world’s children, half of whom live in poverty.