Revolution Of 1917 Essays - House Of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov

Revolution Of 1917 Towards the end of nineteenth century, and the beginning of the twentieth century, most of Europe was going through a great deal of changes, many new ideas were introduced, causing people to dream of a better life, and more economic stability. Nowhere was this factor as true as in Imperial Russia. The basic dilemma facing Alexander II, Alexander III, and Nicholas II was that it was impossible to ignore the demands either of external military security or of internal political stability and that these demands pulled hard in opposite directions. This helps to explain why the policies and governments of the last three Romanov monarchs often seemed crisis-ridded and at cross purposes. The statement mentioned above basically describes the nature of the events which had taken place during the sixty-two years that separated the succession of Alexander II in 1855, and the fall of the monarchy in 1917. Also when we go deeper into the above mentioned situation, we need to note that Nicholas II inherited his Empire at a time when there was much agitation going on among the world powers, partially due to the fact that there was an extremely harsh competition going on throughout the world for territory and political influence. After taking all that into consideration, we also have the fact that Nicholas II was very unprepared to rule his country at the time when he ascended the throne, for the most part because of the unexpected passing away of his father, Alexander III. Then there are constant financial difficulties that Russia faced, mainly, that there wasnt enough money for everyone. That caused the lives of the ordinary people to be generally classified as poverty stricken. Now to add to the above mentioned situation, factor in: the increasing number of educated people, the rapid industrialization of the country, the constant repression of the government, the Empires rapid population growth, the spread of nationalist ideas in a country whose population consists of many d ifferent ethnic regions, failure to act assertively on the part of the tsarism, and what we have is a country that is marching straight towards revolution. Yet as always, some factors played a much larger role in stimulating the growth, and then later triggering, the Revolution of 1917. From reading the two assigned texts I came to conclude that the key fundamental roles were: the Russian Worker, the governments inability to function as a unitary whole, and lastly World War I. One of the major forces that was responsible for laying the foundation to the Revolution of 1917, was the Russian worker. Russian workers were underpaid, their living conditions, their lifestyles, their demands, and their problems were for the most part overlooked. And the already unstable situation among the millions of unsatisfied workers was made far worse by the harsh conditions of exploitation most workers found in the factories. Throughout the period the situation remained almost unbearable for most workers. Wages were low, hours long, factories dangerous, living conditions squalid, discipline brutal Also there was little or no job security, employers had the power to hire and fire employees, without giving any explanation for their dismissal, and overall the whole system was designed in order to benefit the employer exclusively. This careless treatment on the part of the employers, was one of the major reasons for the unhappy situation that Russian workers had to endure. That caused them to get angry at the government, since it was the most visible target, and it was blamed for whatever problems one might have been faced with. Thats where the revolutionaries came into place and encouraged the worker to seek alternate means for the fulfillment of their needs. This point is confirmed by many analysts, and in particular made evident by the Bolsheviks, who claim that these hard-core workers were the backbone of urban political and social unrest. This not so large, yet quite turbulent sector of the population was often overlooked by Nicholas II, who was assured that the Russian peasants were the key to the survival of the monarchy. When indeed it was the peasant himself who was leaving his home in the village and becoming the urban worker. Another important element that played a crucial

Reflective Essay Composition Introvert or Extrovert

Reflective Essay Composition Introvert or Extrovert I think the idea of gender fluidity can be compared to the flowing nature of behaviour. Most people are said to be either an introvert or an extrovert. However, according to my life experience, I have come to the conclusion that people can be on a sliding scale of being introverted or extroverted. And even more confusing, I believe this scale can tip in one direction depending on circumstances and external environments. Born with a serious heart condition, I had to get two surgeries within the first year of my life. I was in the hospital for about six months, and was not touched as much as normal babies and not given as much attention. This left me depressed and despondent in my first year. It has also left a lifelong mark on my psyche. My mother told that after I came home from the hospital, I seemed angry at the world and not social. It is hard to imagine, but it seems infants can be depressed and have angst as well. At this time, I would say I was an introvert. After a while, though, my mother said that I gained a sense of happiness and was social. But even with a twin brother, I played a lot with myself: just me and my toys, and my brother would try to get me to play with him. So, my introverted nature continued, though I grew in my social skills gradually. Around 3 years old, our family moved to a new neighborhood. There I met a few friends who changed my behavior. I became good pals with two boys that I began to spend almost all my days with: playing games, competing in sports, watching movies, and everything else one can imagine boys doing together. Through this experience, I became more extroverted, talking more and actively seeking out social activity with my friends instead of wanting quiet time with my toys and my imagination. However, in the years to come, when my two best friends moved away to other neighborhoods, I went back to a more introverted nature. Coupled with the divorce of my parents at eight years of age, a new sense of depression set in. For three years, I became more inward and introspective. At 11 years old, though, my mother got married again. Eventually, our new family moved to another city. Thankfully, I made new friends there. In fact, I became buddies with all the children of two families on my new block. These budding friendships drew me out of my introverted nature once again, and became the fun, talkative, sporty, and entertaining self that I had been with my previous friends. Fast forward to the time I was 16 years old, and my grandfather died. Another big blow was when my father passed away when I was 18 years old. This threw me into another bout of depression. I turned to writing poetry and playing more music to deal with my sadness. I was not much interested in academics- mostly poetry and music. It took me awhile to feel normal again. But I started to meditate regularly, and my mood finally got regulated. During this period, I was definitely introverted. After a year or so of meditating daily, I became talkative again and yearned to meet with friends often. I even developed a knack for humor and loved making as many jokes as possible around my friends and family. This state lasted for around 6-7 years, before I got married. Marriage was not the reason I switched from being more extroverted to introverted. It had to do more with where I lived. I moved to Kyiv, Ukraine from Seattle, USA when I was 28 years old with my wife, who is Ukrainian. Not knowing the local language(s) (Russian and Ukrainian), I drew more inward. Not being able to communicate well with people and finding only a few people I could express myself with made me introverted again. I began to focus more on my writing and music, and concentrated on interacting with people through the internet. You can say it was almost a forced introversion. Though I have learned both Russian and Ukrainian to a decent enough level to have conversations, I still feel unable to communicate properly and freely. Adding to my introversion was the recent death of my grandmother, who had been the most positive and energetic person in my family. As you can see, I have swung between being an introvert and extrovert throughout my life. Sometimes I even believe I am both at the same time. But what I know for sure is that a person’s behaviour is never one or the other: it is on a sliding scale that is influenced by the people around you, your environment, and your psychological state.

Work-life Balance In the Global Human Resource Management Coursework

Work-life Balance In the Global Human Resource Management - Coursework Example Employees could be ‘forced’ by the organisations to make maximal or even stressful physical and mental contributions as part of their work schedule, thereby negatively impacting the work-life balance. In certain cases, employees themselves could also push themselves with personal motives and also due to unstable work environments, disregarding their health. In the recent times, the need to maintain apt work-life balance is being strongly focused by the organisations and the employees themselves. Understanding how apt balance could not only optimize the employees’ personal side but also their work productivity, organisations are actualizing various initiatives in the work environment. Although, this introduction of various measures is widespread, when it comes to certain organisations in the non-Western or developing countries, there is a varied perspective. Due to specific cultural, economic and social factors, these differences occur. Thus, the focus of this report will be on how the changing nature of the workplace is having an effect on work-life balance in a global context, critically discussing and comparing, with two case studies, the range of work-life balance initiatives being followed in Western and non-Western countries, finally ending with recommendations. Work-life balance is a concept which refers to how employees with the support of organisations can aptly balance or prioritize their work aspects like their professional career, ambitions, financial statuses, etc., with their lifestyle style aspects like their family, friends, health, leisure, etc. Clark (2000, p. 751) defines work-life balance as â€Å"satisfaction and good functioning at work and at home, with a minimum of role conflict.† Heathfield (2013) further expands on the above definition by stating, work-life balance has a concept â€Å"that supports the efforts of employees to split their time and energy between work and the other important aspects of their lives†, by

Report Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Report - Coursework Example Communication can only be successful and effective, it has to be two way. Therefore, this implies that a good manager should not only be a good orator but also a good listener. This means that it is not only the managers who would be the cause of communication breakdown in the organisation but the employees as well. Employees need to have the confidence to share any concerns they may have concerning the running of the organisation since in the end they also have some stake in the performance of the organisation. The aim of this report was to identify the possible causes of lack of communication in the organization, and from these propose possible recommendations that could ensure better management, and greater and better communication between managers and the staff. Fear makes the staff feel the urge to protect them. In such a case, they are likely not to be open to sharing any interests or thoughts pertaining to their work in the organisation. Consequently, this will result in subdued communication in the organisation. This makes it hard for the staff in the organisation to work towards attaining the goals and objectives of the organisation. Inevitably, the organisation will suffer and lose its competitive edge in the overly competitive market. According to the egalitarian theories of leadership, everyone at the place of work are equal and need to be treated like so. This will ensure that the employees feel free enough to easily share their views. In an instance where the members of the organisation lack any form of commitment to the achievement of the goals and objectives, they tend to slack. They will not have the drive to perform well or do their assigned work to the best of their abilities. The staff will barely focus on what it takes in order for the organisation to success. The result of this is normally lack of communication. According to Douglas McGregor’s Theory Y of management

Political Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 11

Political Science - Essay Example Frederick Douglass defined the celebration of the Fourth of July from the point of view of an African American in his 1852 speech at Rochester, New York. At that time, slavery of African Americans was at its peak and he was the first to address the feelings true of an American Slave toward the celebration of Fourth of July as he sees t as â€Å"mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy [†¦covering] up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages† (Douglass). The Declaration of Independence was not only about getting independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain but was also about freedom, equality, and liberty. The members of the Continental Congress firmly believed that â€Å"all men are created equal† and thus have certain â€Å"unalienable rights† including those of â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness† (Digital History). They made it clear in the declaration that it is the responsibility of the government to secure these rights of every American citizen and should a government fail to do so, or becomes a threat itself, the people have the right to â€Å"alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government†(Digital History). These are the foundations that were laid by the forefathers of America and this is where the true meaning of Fourth of July lies. In a study conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress in 2011, it was found that only 25 per cent of fourth grade students were aware of the purpose of Declaration of Independence while 26 per cent of the total adults surveyed by a public opinion institute were not aware of the fact that America gained independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (Shammas). It is clear from this survey that the true spirit of Fourth of July is dying. For me, Fourth of July is still about freedom, liberty, and pursuit of happiness not just for myself, but for all the Americans. Unfortunately, the speech made by Frederick Douglas is still true today as not all

Case Analysis Of Ethical Conduct

Case Analysis Of Ethical Conduct The nonprofit hospital has the duty to provide healthcare to its poor and indigent citizens. They charge these patients list prices for their healthcare services. This subgroup of the population functions without the security of healthcare benefits and is expected to pay the highest prices for their care. The hospitals that operate as their areas not for profit facility accepts tax dollars to support its operations and to provide charity care within the community. This seemingly contradictory situation becomes the ethical dilemma that faces this nation. Why are the not for profit hospitals permitted to charge the full price of healthcare services to the uninsured, and then pursue aggressive collection tactics to collect for the services? Part of the requirement of the not for profit hospitals is to provide substantial charity care to their needy population sector. The rewards for this charity care are the tax-exempt status the facility enjoys on its revenues and the ability to issue municipal bonds for capital improvements. The refusal to provide these services or to use abusive collection tactics may lead to the revocation of their tax-exempt status. Class action lawsuits have resulted in accusing nonprofit hospitals with excessively charging uninsured patients more than insured patients and utilizing questionable collection tactics. The recent result of the class action case against Resurrection Health Care Hospitals forced them to change their billing structure, reduce charges to all uninsured, and provide charitable financial assistance to patients to pay hospital charges (Clifford Law Offices, 2009). The potential 220,000 claimants will be able to have bills recalculated and receive refunds if over paid based on the new formula (Clifford Law Offices, 2009). The facility must discount hospital bills for the uninsured and provide the highest discount to those with limited funds. The assistance program limits the amount of the bill to no more than 10 percent of the patients income (Clifford Law Offices, 2009). The hospital is prohibited from placing a lean on the patients home to collect payments. These strategies give the unins ured a discount more in line with their ability to pay and are reflective of a charity care hospital. The Provena Covenant, a 270 bed hospital in Illinois, recently lost their tax exempt status when it was determined that their collection tactics were questionable (Richmond Smith, 2005). The Illinois Department of Revenue considered the facility as not charitable as a result of these practices (Richmond Smith, 2005). The Senate Finance Committee proposed legislation that would mandate nonprofit hospitals to specific levels of charity care in order to retain its tax exempt status (Schroeder, 2009). They would be required to conduct a periodic needs analysis, follow established processes for bill collections, and will not refuse care due to a patients indigent status (Schroeder, 2009). The goal of The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is to eliminate the actions of the abusive tactics utilized by debt collectors and to protect the consumer. Several Congressional findings have provided the basis for this enactment. There is evidence that these practices are a contributing factor to personal bankruptcies, loss of jobs, marital problems, and privacy invasions (FTC, 2006). They determined that the existing laws do not adequately protect the consumer from the bill collectors abusive practices (FTC, 2006). The debt collection process can be effective without the adoption of abusive or humiliating tactics (FTC, 2006). Recent research has indicated that employees that exhibit Machiavellian characteristics tend to agree with these questionable situations (Richmond Smith, 2005). Employees that have adopted this Machiavellian personality are impersonal, rational, and strategy focused. The possibility of handling collection procedures unethically may result. The nonprofit hospital is at risk of loosing its tax exempt status from the unethical decision making processes with employees that demonstrate these traits. They demonstrate that the low Mach may benefit the billing collection process. The low Mach is subject to social influence, focuses on the person, and accepts and follows direction (Richmond Smith, 2005). The ability of employees to show empathy with the patients would support an ethical work environment. The assignment of the appropriate discount for healthcare services for the poor or indigent patient results in the alignment of their ability to pay their bills. The adoption of higher discounts and financial assistance for the low income patient is the ethically responsible strategy for nonprofit hospitals. The strategies to create ethical behavior should include: a code of ethics, compliance program, customer complaint line, and employee training programs. The creation of an ethical work environment will promote the actions of employees to be more empathetic to their patients, thereby fulfilling the nonprofits mission of charity care. Case II: Westwood Imaging Centers The physician self referral (Stark Law) and the anti-kickback statutes are important provisions for managing potential fraud and abuse of physicians. The substantial financial incentives associated with diagnostic imaging have made them highly subject to abuse. The Westwood Imaging Centers has offered a flat rate per scan for referrals from physicians. The physician is then responsible for billing the Medicare, Medicaid, or the third party payer. Westwood has proposed to refer to the arrangement as a per use, nonrecurring lease agreement. This agreement is attempting to qualify for an exception that allows a physician to self refer if the both the equipment and procedure is conducted in the doctors office. This deal brings up the question about the legality of the self-referral to Westwood and its ethical implications. The Stark Law (I, II, and III) is the provision that governs the self-referral activities of physicians. It is illegal for a physician to refer a patient to a facility in which he or an immediate family member has a financial interest or compensation arrangement (Stark Law, 2010). The goal of the Stark legislation is to remove the potential conflict of interest from the healthcare decision process. There are exceptions to the Stark Law that many equipment leasing and management companies have targeted for business opportunities. The physician of a group practice may refer patients for imagining services (MRI, CT, or PET) that are located within their office. The most recent legislation requires the physician to further provide the patient with a written notice that these imaging services may be obtained elsewhere (Stark Law, 2010). This notice must include a list of other imaging facilities in the immediate area (Stark Law, 2010). The per-use lease arrangements that were permitted in Stark I II are now prohibited in the Stark III legislation (Stark Law, 2010). These prohibited lease agreements are considered per click or on demand leases because of the limited usage of the imaging equipment and their susceptibility to abuse. The final rule did not prohibit time-based leasing or block time leases. The cautionary note is that the leasing of very small blocks of time could cause the lease to be considered a per click arrangement and that is prohibitory. The block of time must be substantial enough to not face the risk of being considered per click usage, thereby not allowed by the Stark Law. The Westwood proposal would need to be changed from a per use agreement to a time based lease. The possible overutilization of diagnostic imaging has given rise to cleverly designed business models that cover illegal or fraudulent behavior. The anti kick back statutes prohibit the provider from receiving inducements for the referral of this reimbursable service. The lease agreement of the imaging services must not be written to appear as a kickback or highly discounted services to the physicians. The leased time must be specifically contracted and payable whether the slotted time is utilized or not. This shifts the risk of overutilization to the provider rather than the imaging service and would better control excessive referrals. The basis for the Stark Law is to prevent the conflict of interest business situations for providers, and the overutilization of these services of which the physician may have a financial interest. The possibility of a provider increasing their usage of imaging services because it will supplement their income becomes the ethical dilemma. This ownersh ip could influence the clinical decision process and increase their overall usage of more costly image testing. The overall increased utilization of imaging places a larger burden on this nations healthcare expenditure. The overutilization of imaging is supported by a recent study that estimated the number of MRIs doubled from 1995 to 2004, and the CT scanners increased more than 50 percent (MedPac, 2009). The volume of imaging services paid per Medicare beneficiary increased twice as fast as the total of all other physician services from 2000 to 2007 (MedPac, 2009). The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported close to an eightfold variation on in-office imaging services nationwide (MedPac, 2009). The results of a recent MedPac (2009) study reveals that a physician that self refers imaging, results in significantly more total tests ordered than the non-self referring provider. He also has a higher spending per episode than the non-self referring provider. The evidence shows that the self referral of imaging has not only a financial benefit for the referring physician, but also has incr eased the overall healthcare spending. The providers should carefully review these findings when considering the proposal from Westwood. The ethical issues associated with the overutilization of image testing should be weighted against the future risk of decreased reimbursements from Medicare, Medicaid, or third party payers.

How Do We Evaluate Art? Essay -- essays research papers

How Do We Evaluate Art?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When we are trying to evaluate art, how do we know it is good or not? We usually fit our personal feelings to the good or bad decision. If the drawing is in my taste, I say it is good. If it is not my taste, I dislike it and give it a negative comment. Everyone's thinking is different. Thus we may receive hundred or thousand different kinds of opinion toward one event or object. It is important for us to know that every opinion is independent and is not absolute. After reading the article, I realized there is no absolute good or bad. Comment, literarily defined, is opinion given briefly in speech or writing about an event. It is a form of personal feedback. The feedback, however, can be based on a personal experience or knowledge.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Experience and knowledge can only increase in amount. Experience is personal and independent. Everyone has different experience, no matter what the experience is: learning experience, sexual experience, entertaining experience or love experience. Experience is based on a person's life. Does that mean an older human has greater personal experience? Theoretically, it is. We see that we usually find an adult's suggestion is much more ideal than a child's. When we are judging with our experience, we are actually doing comparison. We are asking ourselves several questions. Is it better than what I had seen before? Is it creative? Can it be better? Is it professional? H...