The Importance of the Modern Era of Political Philosophy Essay Example for Free

The Importance of the Modern Era of Political Philosophy Essay The Modern Era of political philosophy is best characterized as a revolt against the traditional constraints of the time. Machiavelli believed that politics should be separate and distinct from ethics, morality, and religion. Protestant reformers such as Luther and Calvin went head to head with the Catholic Church, paving the way for religious individualism and incorporating various political revisions. Hobbes called for a major overhaul in England concerning not only political and religious issues, but social and economic ones as well. As modern philosophers began to voice their opinions, Central, Southern, and Western Europe began to change drasticallychanges that would affect the direction of Western political thought forever. Niccolo Machiavelli, born in Florence, Italy in 1469, was the first political philosopher to recognize the importance and potential of the nation-state, an idea he shared with the world. This idea was shared primarily through Machiavellis most notable works: The Prince and Discourses on the First Ten Books of Titus Livius. The Prince was dedicated to the new Medici (the ruling family in Florence at the time) ruler, Lorenzo; some modern interpreters have viewed the work primarily as a plea for forgiveness, as Machiavelli wanted his civil service job back after being suspected of treason. As indicated in his two major works, Machiavelli had two distinct goals: the desire to return to active government service and the promotion of stability and freedom from foreign control, secular or religious, for all of Italy. Martin Luthers (1483-1546) discrepancies with the Catholic Church began early in his career when he attacked the sale of indulgences and also came to the conclusion that human nature is wretched and sinful. He also criticized the popes absolutism and the church hierarchy. When Luther finally poured his heart out onto paper in 1517, the result was his Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, otherwise known as the Ninety-five Theses, which he promptly nailed to the church door in his hometown of Wittenberg, Germany. Three years later Luther wrote an essay  entitled An Appeal to the Ruling Class. Each of these works as well as Luthers other writings made three main allegations against the church. These allegations were known as the Three Walls. The first wall he attacks is the fact that secular power has no control over the pope. The second wall deals with the idea that the church is more than just the pope; it encompasses everyone who is a member of the faith. This particular wall disputed the idea of papal infallibility as well as the pope as the sole authority of the church. The third wall Luther confronts concerns the claim that only the pope can summon a council to resolve or address church issues, such as questions of doctrine. Later that same year, the pope excommunicated Luther from the Catholic Church, but not before Luthers words had a significant impact on the Catholic Church. These events cause Christians to reexamine the relationship between church and state-authority through the eyes of the individual, as well as defining limits on both church and state power. John Calvin, born in 1509, founded one of the first sects of Protestantism that developed after Luthers revamp of the Catholic Church. Calvin shared the belief that human deeds cannot ensure salvation and that government serves as a punishment and remedy for human sin. In his book Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin distinguishes two types of government: the spiritual, by which the conscience is formed to piety and the service of God; and the political, by which a man is instructed in the duties of humanity and civility. Almost overnight, the Protestant Reformation brought the monolithic foundation of medieval Christianity down, leaving behind several new concepts in political thought. During the first half of the 17th century, English philosopher Thomas Hobbes found conflict on numerous fronts concerning English society. The first issue was concerning religious freedom, pitting King Charles I and his Anglican Church against a number of independent Protestant sects. Hobbes and his Protestant followers claimed that the Anglican Church was too close in organization and liturgy to the Catholic Church. They also rejected the claim of Charles I to rule by divine right. The second issue was political in nature, concerning the fact that England did not have a written  constitution (and still do not today), thereby allowing for Parliamentary error and inconsistancies. The third issue that Hobbes was concerned with was the fact that social and economic issues were becoming interrelated due to a growing middle class who demanded more political representation in Parliament. During Hobbess lifetime, the world experienced a scientific revolution due to important discoveries. The spirit of forward progress influenced Hobbess understanding of politics as well. Hobbes treated his issues like scientific theory, always concerned with precise definitions and correct terminology. On what basis could the practice of government be conducted once society was no longer a community? asks the central philosophical question concerning Hobbess political philosophies. Hobbes reinforces the basis for politics of the Modern Era by uniting absolutism and consent, taking his cues from the scientific revolution of the era. Hobbess most important philosophical work, Leviathan, discusses human nature from the standpoint of the individual, thus defining the foundation for Hobbess political universe. Obviously, Hobbess political focus is on the individual; however, some critics argue whether Hobbess philosophies were intended as a scientific blueprint for a fit government as Hobbes saw it, or if his philosophies merely succeeded in raising questions about the balance between individual liberty and social order. Of all the versatile philosophers associated with the Modern Era of political philosophy, only Niccolo Machiavelli can be described as the personification of the transformation from the medieval to the modern era. Machiavellis aggregate view of politics focuses on the individual. In contradiction to the values of ancient and medieval political philosophers, Machiavelli establishes a separation between personal morality and necessary political practice. The Florentine also supports the idea of a republican state, thus allowing the greatest degree of liberty. He created a new science of politics with a more down-to-earth and practical set of principles. Machiavellis recognition of the importance and potential of the nation-state not only set him apart from his predecessors, but also ushered in a new era of political thought, paving the way toward the unfolding  Western political tradition. The importance of the Modern Era of political philosophy is plainly evident in todays society. A large part of the Constitution of the United States is based on the liberal philosophies of the Modern Era. The idea of separation of church and state is most prolific during this era, and it remains today one of the fundamental principles of liberty upon which the governments of the United States and numerous other nation-states in the West are based. Also, the focus of individual liberty is very apparent in many of the political discourses of the Modern philosophers. Had the philosophers of the Modern Era not battled the widespread corruption apparent in the Catholic Church and the ruling classes across Europe, who is to say that the Western political tradition would have unfolded at all?

Contemporary Issues In Administration And Management Management Essay

Contemporary Issues In Administration And Management Management Essay As according to the case study about the Accent hotel Group (AHG), which is a family owned business. It has got 7 hotels running four in two major capital cities(4star) and three at an international airport (two 3 star and one 4 star) . The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AHG is Daniel Rycart which is also followed by the eight boards of directors. The hotel is operated as a semi-autonomous profit centre and supported by in-house and outsourced services. There are 800 rooms in each hotel and they employ 800 staffs. The hotel offers a number of high class facilities like indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, bar, restaurants etc. For the quality standards of the hotels, Daniel (CEO) has set a vision of commitment to excellence for the group. Administration: Administration as design and implementation of systems and procedures instigated by management to help meet stated objectives (Mullins, 2007.p.414). So in other words Mullins states that administration is very important in the organization as it performs day to day operational activities to achieve the organizational goals and targets with the different types of departments operating in the organization. Like in the Accent hotel group there are CEO, IT Department, Finance department, Hospitality Hotel services, Human Resource Department, Legal Service Department, Operational Department, Risk Management Department, and Sales Marketing Department who has major roles in administration process. So administration helps them in strategic planning process in order to formulate or implement the strategy through proper guidance and coordination. According to (Richman Farmer, 1977) administration connects all the departments from top level to lower level so there is a flow of information with the necessary suggestions and feedback that helps the top level management to plan for the future. Without the administration it is very difficult to operate because there are number of routine decision-making, operational activities, internal controlling and observation and formulation of strategies and goals takes place (Richman Farmer, 1977). Generally effective administration means the process and systems of administration being run smoothly through proper coordination and controlling of activities, staffs and information in an efficient and effective manner (Richman Farmer, 1977). Through the effective administration, the organisation is benefited in number of ways as it stores the necessary documents of the organization like record keeping, utilizes the resources efficiently and effectively, there is a satisfaction of customer and employees and makes the brand image of the organisation (CfA, 2001). According to the research conducted by the CfA (2003), an organization (Accent Hotel Group) can provide effective administration through: 1. Effective Communication: Communication is the act of exchanging views, news, ideas, process, information, etc. between the sender and receiver (Hartley and bruckmann, 2002). In the organization communication plays a vital role because without the communication, the organization cannot operate its activities. As we know communication helps to send information throughout each and every department. While communicating, ones should use proper language to be effective. Daniel Rycaart could communicate properly with different department (Human Resource, Finance, Operational, etc) so that the information or instructions or rules laid down by him are correct, understandable and to the point so that it will bring effective administration otherwise miscommunication leads to disputes, employee turnover, etc. 2. Resource Allocation: Resources are assets that are required by an organization. For the Accent Hotel Group (AHG) to run smoothly it requires raw materials, human resources, financial resources, etc. These resources need to be managed properly taking in consideration the efficient use of time as a resource. For example if there is lack of resources (i.e. computers, heating, chairs, etc.) then the works will be delayed because of bad working environment and no interest of employees at work might be witnessed. So, allocating the resources and time management helps to make administration effective. 3. Training and Development: According to Torrington et al. (2007) in order to provide effective administration for an organization (like AHG), their staff should be well trained which can be done by providing different types of on-the-job or off-the-job training to increase their capability, knowledge and make them flexible in handling or dealing with different types of problems that are met by the AHG. This brings the commitment to the organization from the employees (Rae. L, 2000). 4. Performance Management: It is very much necessary for the AHG to measure the performance of their staff as low performance could decrease the quality standard of the AHG. It is a forward looking and developmental as it provides the platform for the managers to help or support their staff (Armstrong. M, 2000) 5. Culture As of the case study culture plays a vital role in planning, process and systems of the AHG. Culture helps in understanding the behaviour and working background of the organisation because it teaches us through the experience and develops ourselves (Handy. C, 1993). Like if the organization has a culture of helping each other while tackling or facing the problems , good communication between the staffs or co-workers instead of being rude or showing attitude openness then the future staff will also follows the same culture and in the end they will be committed towards the excellence (Schien. E. H, 2004) Conclusion In conclusion, we can conclude above points that administration helps the organization to perform its day to day activities and in strategic planning process in order to achieve the organizational goals and objectives (Mullins, 2007). In order to attain the organizational goals and objectives the administration needs to be effective. Effective administration provides coordination and control of staffs and activities, records documents and information, satisfies the customer and employee, etc (CfA, 2001). So in the Accent Hotel Group, effective administration can be achieved through effective communication, resource allocation, training and development, performance management and culture (CfA, 2003). Hence commitment to excellence can be achieve through effective administration. PART B Commitment to Excellence In commitment to excellence there are two words commitment and excellence in which commitment refers to the act of devoting oneself towards the accomplishment of something and excellence refers to a valuable quality by which one excels (brainyquote.com). So, commitment to excellence in business terms it means being committed towards the achievement of quality standard in terms of price, products, services, materials, etc that highlights the company images and development (Hannagan. T, 2007). According to Hannagan (2007), commitment to excellence is a very useful strategy that is used by many organizations like AHG has also used commitment to excellence in order to make the professional image and develop the organization internally. Because once all the employees are committed then their full interest, positive attitude and behaviour towards the accomplishment and development of organizational goals and objectives can be drawn which is the good advantage for the AHG. Overall it is abo ut diverting towards committing with less freedom in order to achieve quality. So commitment to excellence can be achieved in following ways through: 1. Motivation: Motivation is the desire within a person causing that person to act (Mathis. R.L and Jackson. J.H, 2008.p.72). In other words motivation is the act of influencing the employees behaviour towards the achievement or fulfilment of goals and objectives. It increases the performance, goodwill and overall image. Motivation helps the employees to motivate towards their work which can be done by providing salaries, rewards, promotion, recognition, etc and also through job design, job rotation and job enrichment (Torrington et al, 2007). So when employees would be motivated then they would be fully committed to work towards achieving the excellence. 2. Learning and Development: In regarding to Argyris and Schon (1978), they have defined learning as a process in which the mistakes and errors are ascertained by the organisation and correct their mistakes by improving or increasing their knowledge through learning from experience database. Organization can do so by providing training that develop skills, efficiency, better opportunities, job satisfaction, better inter-personal relationship, etc in order to avoid mistakes and errors in the output result so that quality can be achieved (Torrington et al, 2007). In the office if a person knows what to do, what not to do, what are their targets and goals, etc then it is more likely that they will be committed towards the excellence 3. Leadership: Leadership is defined as the ability to influence people towards the achievement of a common goal (Amandi et al, 2003.p.1077). Leadership is very much important in the organization as it guides, leads or motivates all the organizations staffs towards the goals and targets. So a leader should be visionary, creative, flexible, imaginative, decisional, etc so if an organisation has a leader with that quality then the people working under it will be organized, cooperative, and together and satisfied to be committed to the organization. Continuous Improvement Continuous improvement can be defined as a concept of being or remaining excellent in the field with whatever the circumstance to be in (hutchins.co.uk). It is about continuously finding out even if there are small mistakes or errors and resolving them by eliminating completely from the system or process for the improvement. It helps in growth and development of the organization because it improves products, services and processes. Continuous improvement can be achieved by using: 1. Kaizen (Japanese Management): According to Torrington et al (2008), Kaizen it is a Japanese strategy used as a continuous improvement of the organization. The techniques like Just in Time (JIT) technology which is used for continuous improvement. This teaches the business to start from the very ground level and taking small steps towards improving even small things to big things with the involvement of everyone i.e. managers and workers also. It tells everyday there needs to improvement of something. 2. Total Quality Management (TQM): TQM is defined as comprehensive approach to improving competitiveness, effectiveness and flexibility through planning, organising and understanding each activity and involving each individual at each level (Oakland, 1994.p.40). TQM mainly focuses on the quality control, quality assurance and quality management through which it satisfies the customers, less faulty products, motivates employees and competes with rivals with the chance of expansion and diversification. Since TQM is a continuous process that facilitates employee empowerment, involvement and participation, is customer focused and all that helps in continuous improvement of an organization (Torrington et al, 2007). 3. Benchmarking: In contrast with the Oakland (1994), benchmarking can be defined as improving the performance of the organisation by marking its progress to other leader competing in the market place. It is basically setting targets or goals of another successor that he/she/organization will achieve to set targets in a certain time in order to increase their performance or growth and development. It is also a continuous process as it compares the other companies process and systems and how they are operating in order to design plan to improve their performance and be continuously innovative at all the times (Torrington et al, 2007). It also facilitates the creation of organizational culture that is outward-looking and learning oriented which means comparing the other companies systems, process, etc (Hannagan, 2008). Conclusion From the above information what it says is commitment to excellence helps the organization to be committed towards excellence that is quality, develops the performance of the staff and makes the professional image of the company (Hannagan, 2007). So Accent Hotel Group can achieve commitment to excellence by motivating the staff, leading the staff and providing learning and development to the staff. Continuous improvement helps the organisation to develop consistently and to be or remain best in the field (hutchins.co.uk). Continuous improvement can be seen in the Accent Hotel Group through total quality management, benchmarking the success and using Japanese strategy-Kaizen. REFRENCES Mullins, L. J. (2007) Management and Organisational Behaviour. London: Financial Times-Prentice Hall. Richman, B. M. and Farmer, N. (1977) Leadership; Goals and Power in Higher Education. Jossey-Bass. Council for Administration (2001, 2003) Business and Administration Skills Survey. London Hartley, P. and Bruckmann, C. G. (2002) Business Communication. London: Routlegde. Rae, L. (2000). Effective Planning in Training and Development. London: Kogan Page Limited. Armstrong, M. (2000) Performance Management: Key Strategies and Practical Guidelines. 2nd Edition. London: Kogan Page Limited. Handy, C. (1993) Understanding Organisation, 4th Edition. USA: Oxford University Press Schien, E. H. (2004) Organizational Culture and Leadership, 3rd Edition. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Hannagan, T. (2007) Management: Concepts and Practices, 5th Edition. Financial Times/Prentice Hall. Mathis, R.L and Jackson, J.H. (2008) Human Resource Management, 12th Edition. USA: Thompson South Western Inc. Argyris, C. and Schà ¶n, D. (1978) Organizational Learning: A Theory of Action Perspective. Addison-Wesley Amandi, B., Oppedisano, J. and Sherman, H. (2003) Leadership Theory and Practice: A Case in Point, Management Decision, 41(10): 1076-1088 Torrington, D., Hall, L. and Taylor, S. (2007) Human Resource Management, 7th Edition. Europe: Financial Times/Prentice Hall. Oakland, J. (1994:40) cited in MDP (2010) BSc (Hons) Management and Business Administration: Contemporary Issues in Administration and Management, Part 2. Bangor: MDP Hannagan, T. (2008) cited in MDP (2010) BSc (Hons) Management and Business Administration: Contemporary Issues in Administration and Management, Part 2. Bangor: MDP http://www.brainyquote.com/words/ex/excellence162353.html Accessed on: 08/03/11 http://www.brainyquote.com/words/co/commitment146024.html Accessed on: 08/03/11 http://www.hutchins.co.uk/tr_contimp.aspx Accessed on: 08/03/11

Progressivism on a National Level :: essays research papers

Reform of corrupt businesses and government first drew attention at local and state levels. Big businesses in the late 1800s preferred profit over patriotism, credit over honor, individual gain over national prosperity, and trade and dickering over principles. It was not until 1901, when Theodore Roosevelt became president, that progressivism was brought to the national level. During Roosevelt’s presidency, he would push reform as much as possible by strengthening the power of the federal government. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was an early attempt to try to control abuses by large combinations of businesses called trusts. The Act was weakened by the Supreme Court used against labor unions rather than against monopolies. Roosevelt’s first push for reform on the national level began with a secret antitrust investigation of the J. P. Morgan’s Northern Securities Company whom monopolized railroad traffic. After successfully using his powers in government to control businesses, Roosevelt used the Sherman Antitrust Act against forty-three â€Å"bad† trusts that broke the law and left the â€Å"good† trusts alone. When united mine workers went on strike demanding less hours, more money, and recognition as a union, the price of coal went from $2.50 to $6.00 a ton. With the nation’s high dependence on coal during the winter, Roosevelt arranged a meeting with representatives from both sides to meet. He threatened to seize the mines and run them with federal troops and eventually settled it by giving them a reduction in the workday and wage increases, but no recognition as a union. Another Act that expanded the federal government’s power included the Elkins Act which outlawed railroad rebates and created the Department of Commerce and Labor to act as a corporate watchdog. The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was created in 1887 to regulate railroads but was never given real power to set rates and prevent discriminatory practices. To increase the power of the ICC, Roosevelt passed the Hepburn Act of 1906, and for the first time, a government commission could investigate private business records and set rates. When Upton Sinclair’s novel The Jungle was published, reformers took another look at the meatpacking industry. The novel’s startling accounts of filthy conditions in the meatpacking plants resulted in the passing of the Pure Food and Drug Act and a Meat Inspection Act.

Effects of Smoking :: Argumentative Persuasive Example Essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The effects of smoking cigarettes  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Smoking is involved in most of all lung cancer deaths. An individual with chronic bronchitis, which is caused by smoking, is more likely to get a bacterial infection if he or she is a smoker. A smoker gets more nose and throat infections, respiratory infections, and bronchitis. Cigarette smoking accounts for a third of all heart disease deaths. The carbon monoxide in the cigarette smoke increases the amount of cholesterol clogging the arteries. Smoking causes stiffness in the walls of the arteries, which are, is harmful to the artery and increases the risk for the artery to rupture. The nicotine in cigarettes can raise your blood pressure, heart rate, and the oxygen demand for muscles, especially the heart. Cigarette Smoking is the major cause of cancer of the lips, tongue, salivary glands, mouth, and esophagus. The development of stomach cancer can be directly associated with smoking. Smoking is known to cause bladder cancer. Quitting smoking will not result in a high reduction in the risk of getting bladder cancer. A strong association exists between smoking and leukemia. Women who smoke are at an increased risk of osteoporosis. Second Hand smoking can also be harmful. Infants and children have tender tissues and are more sensitive to second hand smoke. Many develop cancers when they get older. It is about 53,000 deaths per year as a result of passive smoking in the United States. 37,000 of these deaths come from cardiovascular disease.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Culver2 The effects of tobacco smoke are just as bad, if not worse, in nonsmokers as in smokers. All of the risks for smokers also hold true for exposure to second hand smoke. Tobacco smoke is made up of many hazardous vapors and particles that when inhaled are harmful to both the smoker and to others around.

It’s Time to Crack Down on Police Brutality Essay -- Argumentative Per

It’s Time to Crack Down on Police Brutality   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Police brutality has become a widespread and persistent problem in the United States.   Police brutality occurs when a law enforcement officers use excessive or unlawful force while on or off duty.   "Established: A Pattern of Abuse" is an article in The Humanist, written by Barbara Dority.   She states, "Thousands of individual complaints are reported each year and local authorities pay out millions of dollars to vicitms in damages and lawsuits" (5).   Dority also describes some of the types of abuse that officers have done.   "[They] have beaten and shot unresisting suspects; they have misused batons, chemicals sprays, and electro-shock weapons; [and] they have injured or killed people by placing them in dangerous restraint holds" (5).   There have been many cases throughout the country where police officers have been far too brutal and someone has been injured or killed.   There have been many hundreds of cases like this and many peop le are wondering when it will end or even if it will end.   Most citizens of the United States agree that it is wrong and needs to be reduced if not eliminated.   So it all comes down to one question: what can be done about it?   Unfortunately, prosecution has not been sufficiently effective in stopping the brutality.   Police forces throughout the U.S. should be made more accountable for their actions. The greatest problem that has developed from police brutality is that the guilty officers are not punished, which leads to another incident of abuse.   Authorities should give more effective punishment to officers who abuse citizens.   Such punishment would help prevent abuse from happening again and again.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In an anonymous Economist article c... ...gainst New York cops since 1993, only 180 officers have been disciplined, most of them with just a lecture or the loss of a vacation day" (26).   Officers need to be treated like citizens when it comes to that type of crime.   They should be sent to jail and just saying sorry should not let them off the hook.   They may be law officers, but they are not gods and they should have to face the consequences of their actions as all good citizens must.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sources Cited    Dority, Barbara.   "Established: A Pattern of Abuse."   The Humanist. 59.1 (Jan. 1999):5. Lacayo, Richard.   "Good Cop, Bad Cop."   Time.   150.9 (1 Sept. 1997):26-31. Lewis, Edward.   " Policing the Police."   Essence.   28.7 (Nov. 1997):14. Anonymous.   "Excessive Force."   The Economist 348.8076 (11 July 1998): 32.   

Covert intervention as a moral problem Essay

The CIA has been greatly involved in the collection of intelligence as well as being engaged in covert action for the benefit of the United States. According to the 1991 Intelligence Authorization Act covert action is simply described as a particular â€Å"activity of the government of the United states that is meant to influence, economical, political, or military situations in the world, in that the role of the United States will not be acknowledged by many or publicly.† Under covert action, the exact intentions or the reasons behind the actions are not known by the foreign countries hence secrecy is the main component of covert actions. Covert actions and the role of the CIA Covert actions simply involves activities that include supporting political parties, covert propaganda, private groups, economic operations and even individuals through advice or subsidization with an aim of supporting or overthrowing the existing regime in a foreign country. There is a difference between covert actions and clandestine collection efforts whereby the covert actions are mainly designed for influencing conditions in foreign countries while the clandestine efforts are aimed at providing the intelligence community of the United States with information that can be used in designing the covert actions. The CIA is the body that is responsible for the purpose of obtaining intelligence and providing policymakers with relevant information for the purpose of designing covert actions on foreign countries. Apart from being the provider of the intelligence information to policymakers, the CIA is also the same body that is engaged in carrying out the covert actions as well as advising policymakers with regard to the intelligence they have gathered. The CIA as an intelligence body that is also involved in carrying out the covert action in foreign countries always strives to build and maintain its reputation both in the eyes of the United States citizens and foreign countries. To be able to maintain its reputation and put itself as an agency that is committed to serving the country and its citizens while at the same time promoting international relations, the CIA has to reach a compromise. The protecting the American citizens and the country at large as well as providing information for other foreign countries requires transparency. Under the covert actions and operations, there is a lot of secrecy and the only time information gets to reach the public is when operations have gone sour. This means that the CIA has an interest of protecting itself from critics within the public and avoids blame by the public while at the same time carrying out its operations. The CIA is also closely involved with administration officials and policymakers whereby the intelligence from the CIA is questioned and analyzed by the policymakers when making decisions. However, over the years, the CIA has been faced with the challenge of lack of commitment on the part of the policymakers to take time and read the intelligence provided by the agency. Instead, most policymakers have been keen on intelligence that is related to current risks. The unwillingness or the inability of policymakers to spend a lot of time in analyzing longer-range issues has been a source of frustration. The CIA have the duty to provide intelligence as they receive it and also take part in covert actions as they are assigned hence the need to have a balance between the two. The CIA has to ensure that it provides relevant information to policymakers because in the long run, it is the agency that is always blamed when covert actions to not go as planned. Therefore, the CIA has great interest in the intelligence and the covert actions that they take part in since the agency has to prove its worth and demonstrate that it performs its duties. Being the provider of intelligence and at the same time the user of the intelligence requires a lot of integrity to ensure that there is no biasness whereby the CIA provide information that it is aware will work in its favor. As a way of ensuring that the covert actions that the carry out and get involved in are successful to build their image in the eyes of the public, the CIA may tend to manipulate the information and intelligence they provide to policymakers. It is quite difficult to be certain with the kind of intelligence that the CIA provides to the policymakers as not being biased due to the reason that they are the same users of the information that they have gathered. The CIA as an intelligence agency and one that is held in high reputation would not want the public image that they have built get ruined by the kind of intelligence and covert actions they undertake. Therefore, based on the reason that the CIA is the provider and user of the intelligence they gather as well as the aim of protecting the agency from bad public image and reputation, it can be said that there is a conflict of interest. Furthermore, based on the issue that the intelligence the CIA gathers is provided to policy makers and in most occasions the policymakers do not take their time in reading and analyzing intelligence that is set for longer-use, the CIA has to ensure that the information they provide to the policymakers would not compromise the agency. Therefore, it can also be said that there is conflict of interest whereby the CIA, the provider and user of intelligence, has to ensure that policymakers to not make wrong decisions that will compromise the agency. The CIA also has the mandate of promoting democracy both locally and internationally but this is not the case with the intelligence gathered as well as the covert actions they undertake. There is a lot of secrecy whereby the public is left out on covert actions issues and intelligence hence it can be said that the CIA is practicing double standards. Democracy requires people to be well informed, something that is not the case with regard to the covert actions and intelligence gathered by CIA. Conclusion The CIA has greater duty of protecting the public, the United States government and its interest while at the same time maintaining a reputable public image both locally and internationally. There are times when the CIA has to provide some intelligence in certain situations while at times it has to avoid letting the public know of what is going on based on the reason that the image of the agency may be destroyed in case the covert actions do not go as planned and no positive results achieved. Therefore, the CIA, apart from being an intelligence agency that provides intelligence and gets involved in covert actions, has the duty of protecting itself from the public, both locally and internationally. This could result in biasness in the kind of intelligence that it provides to policymakers as well as how it carries out the covert actions, hence conflict of interest. References Beitz, Charles R. â€Å"Covert intervention as a moral problem.† Ethics & International Affairs 3, no. 1 (1989): 45-60. Berger III, Joseph B. â€Å"Covert Action: Title 10, Title 50, and the Chain of Command.† JFQ: Joint Force Quarterly no. 67 (2012 4th Quarter 2012): 32-39. By Bill Gertz, The Washington Times. â€Å"Military, CIA shun 9/11 panel on covert operations.† Washington Times, The (DC) (September 9, 2011): 1. Regional Business News Jeffreys-Jones, Rhodri. â€Å"Covert Action in the Cold War: US Policy, Intelligence, and CIA Operations.† Journal of American History 97, no. 4 (2011): 1173-1174. Little, Douglas. â€Å"Mission Impossible: The CIA and the Cult of Covert Action in the Middle East.† Diplomatic History 28, no. 5 (November 2004): 663-701 Meyer, Joel T. â€Å"Supervising The Pentagon: Covert Action And Traditional Military Activities In The War On Terror.† Administrative Law Review 59, no. 2 (Spring2007 2007): 463-478. Prouty, L. Fletcher. The secret team: the CIA and its allies in control of the United States and the world. Skyhorse Publishing Inc., 2011. Source document

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Essay

When I say Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, what comes to mind? To most of you new age listeners, absolutely nothing, just Spanish guy name, but to all of you in touch musical geniuses, only one word clouds your brain. Volta. The mars Volta is an Avant garde progressive rock group, who at times may not make sense with words, but completely and utterly make up for it with insane riffs, original scales and crazy drum segments. Omar is the guitarist and founder of the mars Volta; he is also the main song writer. Omar has incorporated guitar into his world and career ever since he was twelve year old, starting off with a bass. When he turned fifteen, he claimed he â€Å"needed more strings† and switched to a guitar, this decision changed his life forever. Omar was born on September first 1975 in Puerto Rico, although he grew up in El Paso Texas, and spent much time in South California. He attended high school in El Paso at Coronado where he met his future band mates. In my eyes, Omar is a musical genius; I mean have you ever listened to l’via l’viaquez? Boom, starts off straight with pure riff, of course the Spanish lyrics add to the awesomeness of it, but this guy is a genius. His music never gets boring, ten minute long songs, anthems if you will, they’re long, but not too long, never repeat a scale or rhythm, but you can still hum the chorus, perfect? I think so. Once Omar realized he was an artist, he did more than just play in a band and write music, he decided to write films, including music for the soundtracks. His first film was called the sentimental engine slayer, which was played in numerous theatres, he was good at this indeed, but his true calling obviously lies in the world of fret boards and fender amps. Omar is actually a big fan of Ibanez guitars, his first two were custom, then Ibanez decided to make him his own, which is available for purchase. Omar lives a low radar life, and loves it. He is inspiring to many, including me, the ways he incorporates and uses guitar in his life.