Monitoring Human Rights Essay

Human rights have had a major impact on international human life and constitute a very important test for national institutions. Moreover, they constitute a standard for reforming society and evaluating the policies and practices of international economic and political platforms[1]. The Human Rights Committee closely monitors the proper implementation of the International Covenant by state parties. Therefore all the state parties are under an obligation to submit periodic reports to the Committee. These reports should contain the details of the implementation of human rights in their respective states. In the first instance, these states are required to submit their report within one year after having ratified the Covenant. These states are also required to submit these reports whenever the Committee insists upon their submission. Upon receipt of these reports, the Committee reviews them and suggests its recommendations to the states. These recommendations are generally in the form of concluding observations. In order to ratify international human rights treaties, there is a need for state parties to work in compliance with international monitoring frameworks. These frameworks require the provision of periodic reports on the status of implementation of the requirement of these treaties[2]. The act of issuing general observations by a treaty body depends on the process of reviewing the reports submitted by state parties. Observations are the collective assessment of these reports and the governments are enabled to determine the steps to be undertaken by them in order to promote and effectively implement human rights. The importance of the dialogue is to receive advice on the measures to be adopted in order to implement treaty provisions in a better fashion. Hence the state parties are required to implement the concluding observations made by the treaty bodies and address these observations in their subsequent reports[3]. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights or OHCHR plays an important role in promoting efforts to obtain global ratification by undertaking campaigns for ratification. This initiative would act as a catalyst and stimulate state governments, civilians, intergovernmental organizations and other organizations. The OHCHR promotes the integration of targets for ratification of the international treaties on human rights. It is an instrument that has been designed by the Common Country Assessments and UN Development Assistance Frameworks[4]. The OHCHR is a technical cooperation device, which is aimed at assisting state parties in implementing and promoting human rights. Technical assistance programs are provided upon requests from governments and should be utilized by them. There should be a transparent process with the consultation of civil society to be adopted with regard to nominating state representatives to the treaty. This could further enhance the effectiveness in finding a suitable candidate for the purpose. State parties have to advertise vacancies in the treaty bodies in the national press and other media. This would improve the chances of obtaining better candidates and also facilitates assessment of the candidate’s expertise. Subsequent to the nomination, the state governments should exhibit the list of applicants to the public at large[5]. Article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women requires the state parties to submit a report on the legislative, judicial and administrative measures that a state had to initiate in order to promote the provisions of the Convention. It also stipulates that the state has to furnish the progress report with regard to the status of human rights, within one year after entering the Convention. Subsequently, this report had to be submitted every four years and whenever the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women requires it[6].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In this respect and in order to fulfill the obligations laid down by Article 18, the Committee suggested that the state parties should invariably follow the general guidelines with regard to the form, content and date of reports. These guidelines were designed in order to assist state parties to submit the reports in a uniform manner so that the state parties and the Committee would be in a position to have knowledge about the implementation of those provisions[7]. Under Article 14 of the Convention on all Forms of Racial Discrimination a state can recognize the competence of the committee to receive and consider representations from its citizens who allege violation of rights granted by the convention. The state is required to change its laws if the committee discovers a violation of the convention.   Moreover, the state parties have to furnish details of the convention measures adopted by them as a report, once in two years and the committee, in turn, reports to the UN General Assembly once a year in this regard.[8] The Human Rights Committee or the HRC was formed in order to monitor state compliance with the ICCPR. Article 40(3) of the HRC, stipulates that the HRC’s members have to serve in their personal capacity. Moreover, Article 38 states that newly elected members should work in an impartial and conscientious manner[9]. The ICCPR consists of eighteen experts in human rights, who have a good moral conduct. The monitoring measures of the ICCPR are first, state parties are required to submit periodic reports to the HRC that must describe their efforts to promote the Covenant provided human rights and the developments in the provision of these rights. On receiving this report, the HRC would evaluate the facts and make the necessary observations. Second, state parties have to accept the HRC’s authority to entertain complaints from other state parties regarding non – compliances with ICCPR obligations[10]. General Comments, which are adopted by the HRC, address articles or issues of the ICCPR and indicate the ability of the HRC to examine worldwide reports in respect of the diversified political, legal and social systems[11]. Article 41 of the Covenant authorizes the Committee to hear complaints among the states and the First Optional Protocol enables the latter to entertain complaints from individuals in respect of violations of rights guaranteed by the Covenant by the State Parties. There would be three sessions per year of the Committee and it has to publish its interpretation of the Covenant of human rights provisions. Moreover, the Committee’s power covers the Second Optional Protocol, which deals with the elimination of the death penalty[12]. The report E/CN.4/1997/74 of the United Nations, which is based on previous reports that had been, submitted to World Conference on Human Rights, concerns the ratification of some of the treaties. This report assumes that the existing supervisory system is sound and valid. In addition, it also assumes that adequate reporting has taken place. Moreover, it assumes that the progress in the quality of reporting procedures is by its very nature very slow. Further, this report is based on the premise that the extant system is not viable and that the overall objectives cannot be achieved in the absence of drastic remedial measures being adopted[13]. This report makes several assumptions. Some of these assumptions are that the treaty’s supervisory system are sound and remain legitimate; despite difficulties, considerable progress has been registered by the treaty bodies; progress has to be based on an effective monitoring system, which beneficially modifies the relevant procedures and institutions and the extant system is untenable and the achievement of the various objectives requires significant changes to the reporting system[14]. International efforts to promote human rights require the universal ratification of the essential treaties.   The rate of ratification of these treaties has shown a remarkable increase after the Vienna Conference. The reasons responsible for the increase in the number of such ratifications are described in the sequel. The first reason is that several new states succeeded to these treaties. The second reason is that the Fourth World Conference on Women resulted in the ratification of the CEDAW by a large number of states. The third factor is that of the unimaginable success that was attendant upon the efforts to enhance the number of countries that were in favour of ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Despite the success of this convention on the rights of the child, it has come to light that there is a need to take further steps against countries that have failed to ratify this convention[15]. In addition, these treaty bodies are available only in two languages and translations take quite a bit of time for completion. Some of these treaty bodies have laid a great emphasis on upon what have been termed as special reports[16]. It was contended by Tomuschat that the submission of reports pertaining to the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid was inadequate to the extent that the whole system could be deemed to be a failure[17]. Some of the recommendations of this report are that there should be consultations with the major international organizations in respect of efforts to promote ratification. In addition, special advisers should be appointed in order to ratify and report. Moreover, there should be an adoption of special measures in order to streamline the reporting system for the less populated nations[18]. Article 28 of the ICCPR requires the Human Rights Committee to consist of eighteen members. These members should possess and exemplary moral character and should be bestowed with acclaimed expertise in the human rights[19]. Article 40 of the ICCPR requires the States Parties to inform the Secretary General of the UN regarding the measures adopted by them in respect of this Covenant[20]. In a meeting conducted in Geneva on the 27th and 28th of July 1996, the committee discussed the possibility modifications to its reporting procedures. The decisions arrived at in this meeting were transformed into an official document at the sixtieth session of this committee. In this meeting discussions were conducted regarding the format and focus of periodic reports, the methodology to be adopted by the committee in dealing with state reports, the standards that had to be established in respect of state reports and the procedure to be adopted in the case of delinquent reports[21]. Although the working of the committee can be influenced by the work of the more specialized treaty bodies it is empowered only to interpret and apply the ICCPR. The standards that are applicable to the protection of human rights differ from one treaty provision to another and the committee may choose the most appropriate of such standards in any particular situation. Moreover, the committee should, wherever and to the extent possible, avoid a conflict with the provisions of other treaty bodies[22]. During the 1626th and 1627th meetings the Committee thoroughly examined the fourth periodic report submitted by Iraq[23] on 27th October 1997 and on 5th November 1997 in the 1640th meeting, and the Committee declared its observations. It condemned the apathy of the state in dealing with the implementation of domestic laws and the provisions of the Covenant. The Iraqi delegation interacted with the Committee and submitted its answers to the Committee, furthermore this delegation made detailed clarifications regarding the prevailing conditions in the state[24].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In its examination, the Committee acknowledged that Iraq’s war with Iran and the aftermath of its invasion of Kuwait had resulted in a substantial destruction of the nation’s infrastructure. However, the Committee was of the view that despite these difficulties, the government of Iraq had been responsible for the implementation of the provisions under the Covenant and that it could not evade its responsibility in this regard[25].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Committee further suggested that reasonable steps should be taken in order to ensure equal rights for people of all religious groups, in addition to the ethnic minorities. Further, the government of Iraq was directed to furnish this information in its next periodic report and to give sufficient details regarding the implementation of Articles 26 and 27 of the Covenant[26].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Committee further directed that there should be submission of reports with regard to the difficulties encountered by non – governmental organizations in respect of establishment and operability. The Committee acknowledges that the necessary initiatives should be undertaken immediately so as to facilitate the establishment and smooth operation of independent non – governmental organizations working in the area of human rights[27].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Committee furnished these guidelines to the government of Iraq along with reports submitted by other state parties to be referred to as a model. Moreover, it requested the government of Iraq to submit in its next periodic report full particulars of the steps taken by it in this regard[28].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   During its 1628th and 1629th meetings held on the 28th of October 1997, and during its 1642nd meeting held on the 5th of November 1997, the Committee reviewed the second periodic report of Sudan[29]. The reports submitted by Sudan were helpful in assessing the prevailing conditions in the state. The Committee recognized the fact that the implementation of the Covenant was hindered due to the armed conflicts in the southern regions of Sudan. These differences were causing difficulties in the implementation of the Covenant and the Committee advised the government of Sudan to include the provisions of periodic reports of the other state parties in its next periodic report[30].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the 1675th to 1677th meetings, the Committee reviewed the initial report of Israel[31]. The Committee recognized the fact that the reasons for non implementation of the Covenant could be attributed to the frequent attacks on the population, the other problems that related to its occupation of territory and its war with bordering states. Nevertheless, the Committee instructed the government of Israel that according to Article 4 of the Covenant, the state should not fail to provide fundamental rights even under such emergency conditions[32].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Committee was satisfied with the steps initiated by Israel like establishing several ministries that dealt with the status of women. It was also satisfied with the functions of the Knesset Committee for the Advancement of the Status of Women. Another measure that the government had taken was the establishment of a national level authority on the advancement of women in the state by bestowing several responsibilities on it. The government’s amendment of the Equal Employment Opportunities Law made employers liable in sexual harassment cases and the government also enacted legislation to bring about the Equal Pay (Male and Female Employees) Law[33].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Committee reviewed the second periodic report of Algeria[34] in its 1681st to 1684th sessions and complimented the state party for having resolved some of the issues pointed out in the Committee’s concluding observations,[35]which had been made in the initial report on Algeria in 1992. The factors that had contributed to the inadequate implementation of the Covenant were the extensive and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, which resulted in great loss of human life and the violent activities in the state. These issues made it imperative to maintain law and order in the state in order to protect fundamental rights in Algeria[36]. As such the states have been provided with insufficient support in putting into practice their duty to ensure human rights and in modifying their domestic laws, policies and practices in order to be more effective in establishing human rights. There is little guidance in respect of the manner in which the laws are to be sustained and construed by the states with the result that states have to face an even greater problem while carrying out their human rights obligations[37]. Bibliography Tomuschat, â€Å"Human Rights, States Reports†, in R. Wolfrum and C. Philip (eds.), United Nations: Law, Policies and Practice (Munich, Beck and Dordrecht, Martinus Nijhoff, 1995), vol. 1, p. 631. Charles R. Beitz. Human Rights as a Common Concern, The American Political Science Review, Vol. 95, No. 2. (Jun., 2001), pp. 269-282. 26 August 2007. Christian Tomuschat, Human Rights: Between Idealism and Realism. (2003). Oxford University Press. P. 140. CCPR/C/133. December 22nd, 1997. Report on the informal meeting on procedures. ICCPR. United Nations. CCPR/C/103/Add.2 CCPR/C/75/Add.2 CCPR/C/81/Add.13 CCPR/C/101/Add.1 CCPR/C/79/Add.1 Document E/CN/4/1997/74, dated March 27, 1996. United Nations Economic and Social Council. Effective Functioning of Bodies Established Pursuant to United Nations Human Rights Instruments. Final Report on Enhancing the Long Term Effectiveness of the United Nations Human Rights Treaty System. E/CN. 4/ 1997/74. March 27, 1997. Commission on Human Rights, Fifty – third Session. Human Rights Committee. Monitoring civil and political rights. Retrieved 2 September 2007. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, G.A. res. 2200A (XXI), 21 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 16) at 52, U.N. Doc. A/6316 (1966), 999 U.N.T.S. 171, entered into force 23, 1976. Michael Banton, The Future of UN Human Rights Treaty Monitoring. Chapter 3, Decision – Taking in the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Philip Alston and James Crawford (Eds). 2000. Cambridge University Press. P. 55. Monitoring State Obligations on International Human Rights: United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies/Committees. 26 August 2007 Report of the Human Rights Committee. Volume I. General Assembly Official Records †¢ Fifty-third Session Supplement No. 40 (A/53/40). Retrieved September 2, 2007 Thynne, Kelisiana. ANZSIL CONFERENCE 2007 REFORM OF UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS: CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS Enhancing the rule of law in international human rights treaty bodies. United Nations Proposals to Strengthen the Human Rights Treaty Bodies

Pros and Cons of Kyoto Protocol Essay

Kyoto Protocol is an attempt of global community to encourage industrialized countries to lower on emissions of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions was signed in 1997 and till date there are multiple debates going on whether or not it was a step to foster a global cooperation to address current environmental issues or just a governmental endeavor to take under control a free market spot. First, the protocol is seen as a starting point for effective collaboration aiming to achieve global good and face climate change (Hamish McRae). The journalist is sure that the deal has shown the commitment of countries to sacrifice their short-term needs at micro level in order to follow the â€Å"long-term global environmental aims†. In contrast, Kyoto Protocol is poorly designed and does not have any clear influences in perspective â€Å"unlike the Montreal Protocol, which had a clear objective and clear benefits†, notes the author. All things considered can help to draw a conclusion that the Protocol is rather controversial in its future perspectives but is a significant leap of â€Å"a wider global process of conservation† (Hamish McRae). Second, carbon is traded like any other commodity: the treaty expects the countries that do not exceed their carbon emissions limits to sell the surplus to the countries which due to their industrial needs are beyond the allocated quotas. On the other hand, â€Å"carbon market† has plenty of opponents ready to state that even though the carbon trading is being constantly advertized as a key solution to coping with climate change, it is just a small part of the dilemma. Tamra Gilbertson and Oscar Reyes are sure that â€Å"today’s climate challenges require a paradigm shift in our thinking and approaches† (3). The Carbon Trade Watch researchers state that the adoption of proposed schema was a way to â€Å"make climate problems fit market solutions† (9). In any case, despite its bright perspectives in reality Kyoto Protocol leaves very less room for adequate decisions in environment pollution control and gives a way to corporations and governments to speculate on their emissions targets. Third, it is worthy to take a look at nowadays situation and whether or not â€Å"Son of Kyoto† can be considered a success reaching its initial targets and objectives. The recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP18/CMP8) prolonged the lifeline of â€Å"of the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012 keeps it alive as the sole legally binding plan for combating global warming† for eight more years (Alister Doyle and Barbara Lewis). This can be seen as a constant struggle of humanity to overcome or at least control the situation with growing GHG emissions in spite of all the imperfection and criticism of the Kyoto initiative. Some of Doha decisions were questioned by Russia as well as neighboring Ukraine and Belarus asking to â€Å"be allowed extra credit for the emissions cuts they made when their industries collapsed† (Roger Harrabin). However, the query was not given a credit which left Russia no room for objection. This fact claims that there is still no unity in common decisions and universal outlook on the problem of climate change preventive measures. On the whole, Kyoto Protocol is rather controversial instrument in global climate change arena. The deal should be taken as a serious step toward improving the future generations living conditions as well as preventing possible natural disasters. At the same time its coherence should be periodically reviewed and corrective actions taken based on the comprehensive scientific and environmental research not only on pure calculation and monetary estimates. Works Cited Doyle, Alyster and Barbara Lewis. UN climate conference throws Kyoto Protocol a lifeline. http://www.theglobeandmail.com. 08 Dec 2012. Web. 20 Jan 2013 Gilbertson, Tamra and Oscar Reyes. â€Å"Carbon Trading – How it works and why it fails†. Critical Currents no.7 (2009): 3-9. http://www.tni.org/. Web. Jan 20 2013 Harrabin, Roger. UN climate talks extend Kyoto Protocol, promise compensation. http://www.bbc.co.uk. 08 Dec 2012. Web. 20 Jan 2013 McRae, Hamish. Can Kyoto really save the world? http://www.independent.co.uk. 16 Feb 2005. Web. 20 Jan 2013

Frederick Douglass Essay - 1140 Words

The institution of American slavery was fraught with many heart wrenching tails of inhuman treatment endured by those of African descent. In his autobiography Frederick Douglass details the daily horrors slaves faced. In Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave he depicts the plight of slavery with such eloquence that only one having suffered through it could do. Douglass writes on many key topics in slave life such as separation of families, punishment, and the truth that would lead him to freedom, and how these things work to keep slavery intact. In the words of Frederick Douglass, â€Å"My mother and I were separated when I was only but an infant†¦It is a common custom, in the part of Maryland from which I ran away, to†¦show more content†¦(61) The thought of separation from loved ones was horrible. Many who had the means to escape their bondage probably remained for fear of separation from family and friends. The slaveholders had an effective tool in keeping their captives in chains. Punishment, and the fear it implanted in the minds of the slaves also served the slave holders well. Slaves were often whipped for the smallest infractions. As per Frederick Douglass, â€Å"It would astonish one, unaccustomed to a slaveholding life, to see with what wonderful ease a slaveholder can find things, of which to make occasion to whip a slave.† (87) He goes on to list some reasons a slave might be whipped for, â€Å"A mere look, word, or motion,--mistakes, accident, or want of power†¦Does he forget to pull off his hat at the approach of a white person? Then he is wanting in reverence, and should be whipped for it.† (89) In one illustration of said treatment Douglass tells of how cruel his first master was. Frederick Douglass’s first master, Captain Anthony, â€Å"would at times seem to take great pleasure in whipping a slave.† (24) Douglass wrote, â€Å"No words, no tears, no prayers, from his gory victim, seemed to move his iron heart from its bloody purpose.† HeShow MoreRelatedTrickery in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass1880 Words   |  8 Pagesthus they do not survive. In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass, Douglass harnesses the ability to conform to the world of trickery and conveys his journey to freedom. Through his appeal to pathos, use of dramatic asides, and application of anecdotes, Douglass expresses the necessity of slaves to play the game of trickery to survive in the world of tricksters. Effectively establishing an appeal to pathos, Douglass emphasize his raw emotions to the reader, allowing theRead MoreFrederick Douglass Essay817 Words   |  4 PagesAfrican-American man Frederick Douglass wrote his famous speech, â€Å"The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro†, America was in a time of great distress. It was the year 1852, and the view of abolitionists was quickly spreading. It was the time of both provocative literatures such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin, as well as important resolutions, such as the Dredd Scott decision, showing the contrast between views at the time, both positive and negative towards slavery. Frederick Douglass was a freed African-AmericanRead MoreFrederick Douglass : A Man949 Words   |  4 PagesDaniel Lee 12/6/15 Frederick Douglass Essay How did Frederick Douglass move from being a slave to a man? In Frederick Douglass’s autobiography, â€Å"Frederick Douglass,† Frederick Douglass, a black man born into slavery, went from being a slave to a man. His actions proved he was a man. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Tuckahoe, Maryland. Like many slaves, Frederick Douglass didn’t know his exact age or birthday, but he knew an estimate of his age. â€Å"I come to this, fromRead More Frederick Douglass Essays505 Words   |  3 Pages The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave is an account of Frederick Douglass’ life written in a very detached and objective tone. You might find this tone normal for a historical account of the events of someone’s life if not for the fact that the narrative was written by Frederick Douglass himself. In light of the fact that Douglass wrote his autobiography as a treatise in support of the abolishment of slavery, the removed tone was an effective tone. It gave force to hisRead MoreFrederick Douglass Essay691 Words   |  3 PagesFrederick Douglass Frederick Douglass was one of the most important black leaders of the Antislavery movement. He was born in 1817 in Talbot County, MD. He was the son of Harriet Bailey and an unknown white man. His mother was a slave so therefore he was born a slave. He lived with his grandparents until the age of eight, so he never knew his mother well. When he turned eight, he was sent to Aunt Kathy, a woman who took care of slave children on the plantation of Colonel Edward Lloyd. WhenRead MoreFrederick Douglass And Slavery.1438 Words   |  6 PagesFrederick Douglass and Slavery Frederick Douglass the most successful abolitionist who changed America’s views of slavery through his writings and actions. Frederick Douglass had many achievements throughout his life. His Life as a slave had a great impact on his writings. His great oratory skills left the largest impact on Civil War time period literature. All in all he was the best black speaker and writer ever. Douglass was born a slave in 1817, in Maryland. He educatedRead MoreEssay on Frederick Douglass658 Words   |  3 Pages Frederick Douglass nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Frederick Douglass was a man who was active until the day he died. Frederick Attended Anti-Slavery meetings and also attended meetings for Women?s rights. He believed everyone was equal it didnt matter if one was white, black, or green it also didnt matter what sex you were he believed everybody was equal. He achieved many things during his hard but great life. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Born on a plantation in Tuckahoe, near Easton, in TalbotRead MoreThe Slave By Frederick Douglass972 Words   |  4 Pagesthousands of years later. In â€Å"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?† Frederick Douglass, a former slave, addresses an audience of white abolitionists on July 5th of 1852. He focuses on the disparity between the American values celebrated on the Independence Day and the issue of slavery. To do so, Douglass raises the question of to whom those values apply and explains why and how it should be different. Analyzing Douglass’ effort, we see that he is using arguments that trace back to the ancientRead MoreThe Narrative Of Frederick Douglass1835 Words   |  8 PagesIn Frederick Douglass article Figuring out how to Read and Write he clarifies the imperative part instruction plays in a man s life, and the things that you can achieve by figuring out how to peruse and compose. Figuring out how to make a contention did offer Douglass some assistance with obtaining his flexibility, as well as offered different slaves some assistance with getting their opportunity and annul subjugation. We can say that Douglass was fortunate he was taught by his paramour andRead MoreFrederick Douglass Essay559 Words   |  3 PagesFrederick Douglass Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey on Marylands Eastern Shore in 1818, he was the son of a slave woman and, her white master. Upon his escape from slavery at age 20, he adopted the name of the hero of Sir Walter Scotts The Lady of the Lake. Douglass immortalized his years as a slave in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845). This and two other autobiographies, My Bondage and My Freedom (1855) and The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass

Personal Narrative Hidden Intellectualism, By Gerald Graff

Notwithstanding the self-centered connotation of my statement, I believe I have the best hobby in the world. There is, in a matter of fact, no other activity in which I show such devotement and passion as this one. If I could get paid for accomplishing it, I would be an impressively hardworking employee. Nevertheless, I would never feel like I would work. Literally. Because that is what my avocation is defined by, not working. To my mind, procrastinating is undoubtedly the most relaxing occupation ever created, since it simply consists in turning our backs to any labor, effort or responsibilities. However, its positive effects on one’s mind aren’t the only advantages it brings to a person. Actually, I can strongly state that it drastically improves one’s academics. In Gerald Graff’s article Hidden Intellectualism, the author explains how his passion, American football, has as well developed his intellect. He indeed describes it as â€Å"full of challengin g arguments, debates, problems for analysis, and intricate statistics† (398). So how can procrastination as passion improve one’s work-ethics? Some advocates of early and well organized working would argue that procrastinating only leads to educational delay and that laziness is a vice that should be banned in our society. However, these romantic critics are too dogmatic in their provincial ideology. Procrastinating is extremely beneficial to our studies in a large variety of ways. To begin, it stimulates our imagination.Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Article Hidden Intellectualism By Gerald Graff Essay1642 Words   |  7 Pages1 In the time surrounding the 1950s, intellectualism was hostilely viewed by most, and was a subject towards which division and ambivalence were pointed. Book-smarts and intellectualism were contrasts to regular life. The article â€Å"Hidden Intellectualism† is written by a man named Gerald Graff, an English and Education professor at the University of Illinois in Chicago. In his article, Graff argues with a compelling case, that not only is intellectualism found in the academic world, but can also

Analysis of Guy de Maupassants The Necklace - 665 Words

She was one of those pretty and charming girls who are sometimes, as if by a mistake of destiny, born in a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no expectations, no means of being known, understood, loved, wedded by any rich and distinguished man, (de Maupassant). From the first line of The Necklace, the reader is prepared for a Marxist-feminist understanding of the protagonist. The overall theme of The Necklace does not so much undermine the structural inequities in Mathildes society, but points more to the futility of pursuing happiness through material wealth. Whereas her husband joyously exclaims, Ah, the good pot-au-feu! I dont know anything better than that, Mathildes head is in the silver-lined clouds. At the same time, de Maupassant provides an ironic and even paradoxical critique social structure and class-based hierarchies. The divide between wealthy and poor is not as material as one might believe; quite the opposite, the central symbol of the necklace shows that a cheap five hundred franc necklace was all Mathilde needed to hob nob with the bourgeoisie, after all. Likewise, Mathildes wrap is a symbol of the false barriers between social classes. The wraps which he had brought were the modest wraps of common life, (de Maupassant). As they enclose the lovely Mathilde in her fancy dress with her fancy necklace, the wraps whose poverty contrasted with the elegance of the ball dress represent her packaging as a person (de Maupassant). Mathilde remainsShow MoreRelatedWhat Is The Theme Of The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant1028 Words   |  5 Pages The Necklace†, by Guy de Maupassant First published in French in 1884, is a fabulous short story about unhappiness and being true to yourself. The story is about a woman, named Mathilide Loisel, who was a â€Å"prima donna† of sorts. However she could not have certain things that cost too much because she did not have the money to buy the items she longed for. One night her husband brought home an invitation to a ball but she was not happy about this because she did not have a dress good enough to attendRead MoreFeminism In The Necklace1068 Words   |  5 PagesFeminist Analysis of Guy de Maupassant’s The Necklace. In recent decades, feminism has attracted attention from different individuals who fight for equal treatment of both genders. As defined by many researchers, feminism is the advocacy of equality between male and females. This concept began when people realized that the traditional roles of men and women provide a lot of injustice to women. According to Barry â€Å"The women’s movement’ of the 1960s was not, of course, the start of feminism. RatherRead More Comparing the Female Characters in The Necklace and Recitatif892 Words   |  4 PagesThe Use of Female Characters in The Necklace and Recitatif  Ã‚     Ã‚   In Guy de Maupassants The Necklace and Toni Morrisons Recitatif, materialism and the desire to be envied are vital ingredients in the themes of the stories. Both authors enhance their themes through the manipulation of plot and the use of women as their central characters. Maupassant and Morrison prove the notion that women are effective characters in depicting themes that deal with the social issue of craving materialRead MoreAnalysis Of Guy De Maupassant The Necklace And Nikolai Gogol s The Overcoat1788 Words   |  8 Pageswhich it is produced and consumed, and this explains the incorporation of moral and ethical dilemmas in Guy de Maupassant’s â€Å"The Necklace† and Nikolai Gogol’s â€Å"The Overcoat†. The fact that the two stories are generally different is unchallengeable. However, a close scrutiny of character development reveals similar and different portrayals of moral and ethical dilemmas. In the context of this analysis, moral o r ethical dilemmas are situations in which people must struggle with the â€Å"should or should not†Read More The Complex Character of Mathilde Loisel in The Necklace Essay1144 Words   |  5 PagesThe Complex Character of Mathilde Loisel in The Necklace  Ã‚  Ã‚   The development of a character on paper is key to being able to create that character on stage. The development of character on paper is also key to understanding it in our imaginations. I read and understand stories and novels much the same way that I read a play script†¦through character analysis. I believe that understanding characters in a short story, or any form of fiction for that matter, is essential to many reader’s abilitiesRead MoreNineteenth Century Gender Roles Exposed in The Necklace and The Story of an Hour2020 Words   |  9 Pagesmoney. 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Introduction To Construction The Management -Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Introduction To Construction The Management? Answer: Introduction Rental values are subjected to occasional rise and fall, hence the contractual rent, also known as Passing Rent, agreed upon in an existing lease is bound to differ from the current market value of rent. In case the passing rent is less than the value of the market rent, it is considered that the investment is reversionary. To evaluate the investment value of an asset, there are different methods employed by investors, depending on their internal contribution and the amount borrowed. In the current case, we shall be focussing on the Term and Reversion and the Layer / Hardcore methods for determining the Market Value of the property under consideration. Interpreting Valuations I will illustrate both the methods here, so that it is easy to understand the calculations and the results shown in the Table. We need to value the property under consideration by assuming that the Passing Rent is 1,125,000 per annum and this is expected to revert to the market rent valued at 1,148,000 per annum in about 7 years time, as per Baum Baum, (2015). We have established that the present value at 5.10% of 1 is shown in Table-02. Through Table-01 we have also established that the initial yield is 4.95% and the reversionary yield is calculated as 6.53%. The approach adopted here is known as the Term and Reversion Method and as shown in Table-03, the derived cash flow is considered as sliced vertically. I have also adopted an alternative approach and this also generates the same result. This method is the Hardcore Method and here the cash flow is sliced horizontally. The results have been shown in Table-04. For the benefit of the investor, I wish to make a note that the Total Returns shown in the calculations on the basis of 5.10% initial yield are not the investors total or overall returns. The 5.10%, all-risks yield, is notional and has been taken to imply that the actual rental growth, which is bound to increase the income generated during the holding period and will also help in producing a capital gain in the event of a resale by the investor. On these basis, it is safe to assume that the investor will be having a far higher overall rate of return, which may be somewhere between 7% and 9% p.a., asserts Myers, (2012). Interpreting Appraisals My appraisal commences with the summary of the listed office property as shown in the Data Table-01. I would like to point out that this investment may appear to be similar to a ten-year government bond. I am making this comparison by way of illustration as such bonds offer a yield of 4% and for the purpose of determining the IRR of this office property, the discount rate selected by me is also 4.38%. However, in case this same investment is made by the investor with keeping an initial yield of 6%, I would be suggesting that the investor is planning with an anticipated additional risk while determining the cash flow of the investment, keeping it over and above of the government bond, explains Baum, (2009). Although, in principal, I would say that all investment properties are bound to carry such an additional risk premium because of the liquid nature of the investments, according to Goodhart Hofmann, (2007). In the above cited office IPMS 3 property, the additional uncertainties in the above mentioned cash flow could include: The age of the office IPMS 3 property and would also include the inherent impact of its ability of re-let at the end of the current lease. There can be an uncertain but potential period of vacancy after the current lease expires and this in particular costs both time and money. Thus there can be connected uncertainty of the nature of political and economic issues as these can be affected by lack in occupational demand and lowering of market rents, in particular when the lease ends. There can be uncertainty which may occur due to slackness in future investment demand and this may affect the overall pricing of the property and may also increase the level of market risk, as per Karadimitrio, Magalhaes Verhage, (2013). The current data, shown in Table-01 has been described as Scenario-A in this report with the following basic facts about the IPMS 3 office property. Address Office A, North Street, Middletown Construction year 2015 Tenant Government Department Floor area 4,500 sq mtr Lease term 10 years, FRI, with 5 yearly, upward only, rent reviews (10 years unexpired term) Rent 1,125,000 p.a. (250 per sq mtr) Market rent 1,485,000 p.a. (330 per sq mtr) I have considered this Scenario-A only for the purpose of transactional evidence. The above noted uncertainty factors have been projected based on this scenario although it may not be possible to analyse accurately the impact created by each one of the listed factors on the final cash flow. I can safely say that any adjustments, made to the initial yield, shall be dependent on the differing characteristics of the property and also rely largely on the experience and skill of the valuer, aseert Ashworth Perera, (2015). Interpreting Analyses When I take on the interpretation analysis of the above noted Scenario-A and which has been tabulated with results in Table-05, 06 and 07, I may state that in most cases pertaining to property investments, investors have the tendency of adopting a quantitative approach. I have also adopted this approach and have assessed the Market Value of the property by assessing the worth of the property, using the market and investment criteria, as per Taylor, (2008). I have also applied measures to the individual items of uncertainty, which I have already listed above, and conducted a risk analysis to assess whether the investor is prepared to accept these inherent uncertainties at the price which is being demanded, says Taylor, (2008). Although the risk analysis approach adopted by me for this assessment has wider implications but it has been based on the practised cash flow approach. I must admit that the analysis may vary from the basic upside, downside, best case by not taking into account a more detailed sensitivity analysis of the individual input variables, such as rental growth, rental values, vacancy periods, exit yields, etc., depending on the nature of this particular investor, I have used the risk scoring models, such as Term and Reversion and Hardcore Method, as per Robinson et al, (2015). It is an established fact that this same approach is usually adopted by financial institutions when providing debt finance. However, banks unlike investors, focus less on risk of being unable to obtain a particular return on the investment and focus more on: Risk of cash flow being insufficient for covering the interest payments. Risk of the residual value of the investment, at the time of maturity of the loan, being insufficient in being able to repaying the outstanding laon balance, as detailed by Ostrowski, (2013). Interpreting Results In Scenario-A, I had made allowance within the enhanced purchase price, to the possibility of refurbishing the building after the expiry of its current lease. This does not remove the uncertainty of the buildings obsolescence and any future vacancy issues, but it allows the investor in making an assessment of the impact on his Target Return and in deciding whether it is acceptable, says Kirkham, (2014). To give an alternate to the existing scenario, I have illustrated, in Scenario-B below, considering a new debt finance, in the ratio of 65:35, whereas 65% is the borrowing and 35% is the investors contribution. This borrowing is considered to be secured against the IPMS 3 office building stated in Scenario-A above. At the time of maturity of this loan, which is in five years time, there will still be another five years time remaining for the lease term to expire, but this would not be of concern for the lender as there will not be any time-lapse in re-letting, asserts Lavender, (2014) . Even after allowing for a small downfall in the Market Value of the property during the loan term period, the probability of the borrower in not repaying the loan remains very low as the ability of the borrower in meeting the finance interest payments remains comfortable throughout the loan period, as per Towey, (2013). Thus, despite a shortening of the unexpired term of lease, the lenders cash flow has few uncertainties, has a low probability of default and thus is a low risk profile, says Pratt, (2010). On the other hand, the investors cash flow is positive, even if the shorter unexpired lease period has had a negative impact on the final value of the investment at maturity date, to the extent that this investment shows a geared IRR (Internal Rate of Return) of only 4.38% per annum, which is lower than what the investor had as the original target of 6.00%, as per Sherratt, (2015). Thus the uncertainty surrounding the potential cost of maintaining the vacant building, including the necessary refurbishment costs and including the level of rent achievable against new letting could be of importance for the investor if there is an acceptable return delivered in the medium term, says Myers, (2012). However, in another Scenario-C, I have tried to demonstrate that a lender may not be always insulated from the underlying uncertainties of the asset level cash flow. In this scenario, I assume that the same office property has now been occupied by two tenants: Address Office A, North Street, Middletown Construction year 2015 Tenant-1 Government Department Floor area 2,500 sq mtr Lease term 10 years, FRI, with 5 yearly, upward only, rent reviews (10 years unexpired term) Rent 750,000 p.a. (300 per sq mtr) Market rent 875,000 p.a. (350 per sq mtr) Tenant-2 Corporate House Floor area 2,000 sq mtr Lease term 10 years, FRI, with 5 yearly, upward only, rent reviews (10 years unexpired term) Rent 660,000 p.a. (330 per sq mtr) Market rent 700,000 p.a. (350 per sq mtr) In this scenario, an assumption has been made about the additional lease given to the Corporate House, which has been introduced when the government has only two years of lease term remaining. Here, the consideration is that the investor has acquired the property with a 6.5% net initial yield and the also that the lender is advancing loan in proportionately the same ratio and on the same terms. However, the level of uncertainty exists for both the investor and lender, as explained by Ostrowski, (2013). Conclusion In case the Corporate House vacates the property at the expiry of the lease term, there will be a fall in the interest cover ratio on the loan and this will create a breach in the terms of the loan agreement. Moreover, I am also taking into consideration the fact that there may be a likelihood that the Market Value of the cited property may fall to such an extent that the Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) rises above 75%, and this may possibly trigger another breach of the loan agreement. However, in my consideration, the biggest concern still will be effects of refurbishment and vacancy costs, which can affect the results of the cash outflow during the third year. Due margin needs to be provided for the uncertainty of the length of vacancy period, the extent of necessary refurbishment costs and also of the probability of finding a good tenant at the required rent and lease terms, as explains Baum Baum, (2015). These are some of the important issues which both the investor and the lender have to take into consideration at all times. In Scenario-C, consideration has also to be taken for the refurbishing of the vacant offices and re-let at 20 per sq mtr, after a void period of 12 months and another 9-month rent-free period. Taking such a scenario into consideration, it is imperative for the investor to achieve an IRR of around 8%, but this should be only one among a number of possible outcomes, out of which some may be less favourable. References Ashworth, A. and Perera, S. 2015 Cost Studies of Buildings, 6th ed. Routledge, Oxon. Baum, A. 2009 Commercial Real Estate Investment. Taylor Francis, London. Baum, A. and Baum, Prof A. 2015 Real Estate Investment: A Strategic Approach, 3rd ed. Routledge, Oxon. Godhart, C. and Hofmann, B. 2007 House Prices and the Macroeconomy: Implications for Banking and Price Stability. OUP Oxford, Oxford. Karadimitrio, N., Magalhaes, C. and Verhage, R. 2013 Planning, Risk, and Property Development: Urban Regeneration in the England, France, and the Netherlands. Routledge, Oxon. Kirkham, R. 2014, Ferry and Brandon's Cost Planning of Buildings, 9th ed. John Wiley Sons, West Sussex. Lavender, S. 2014, Management for the Construction Industry. Routledge, Oxon. Lester, A. 2013, Project Management, Planning and Control, 6th ed. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxon. Myers, D. 2012 Economics and Property. Taylor Francis, London. Ostrowski, S.D.C. 2013, Estimating and Cost Planning Using the New Rules of Measurement. John Wiley Sons, West Sussex. Pratt, D. 2010, Fundamentals of Construction Estimating, 3rd ed. Cengage Learning, New York. Robinson, H., Symonds, B., Gilbertson, B. and Ilozor, B. 2015, Design Economics for the Built Environment: Impact of Sustainability on Project Evaluation. John Wiley Sons, West Sussex. Sherratt, F. 2015, Introduction to Construction Management. Routledge, Oxon. Taylor, J. 2008, Project Scheduling and Cost Control: Planning, Monitoring and Controlling the Baseline. J. Ross Publishing, Florida. Towey, D. 2013, Cost Management of Construction Projects. John Wiley Sons, West Sussex.

The Influence of Media Essay Example For Students

The Influence of Media Essay THE INFLUENCE OF MEDIAOf course is true. Im watching it on TV. The previous Statement, a comment made by Conrad Brean during the movie Wag the Dog, demonstrates the role of media in human lives. It shows the great importance of television, radio and other means of communication in the decisions that are taken by people. It is possible to notice how big the influence is, and how much does it get to affect the concept or the idea that a person has about something in particular. This situation takes place because the media has gained a great amount of credibility. In this some way, George Orwell talks about the public opinion in his novel Animal Farm, creating a negative response in the reader. He or she is able to notice how, in the novel (as it generally occurs in real life) what is believed by most is what others are psychologically and indirectly forced to believe. We will write a custom essay on The Influence of Media specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now In the movie, very few people actually investigated or even questioned the information that was said in the news about the war against Albania. An extremely low percentage of the population doubted about if the war existed or not. They had no real reason to mistrust the most precise and accurate manner of transmitting information. This also occurred several times in the novel. A clear example was Lohen Boxer didnt believe things at first, but after been specified that Napoleon had said it, he was absolutely sure about it. The simple source clarified his doubts. In the novel, in many cases, the animals that were not initially satisfied with what their publicity sources stated, actually got to accept the facts as their own truths. In other words, even the few ones that didnt rely on the information, sooner or later ended accepting it, been influenced by the public opinion. Probably they were intimidated by what some animals thought, and considered that if everyone else believed it, then it must have been true. In conclusion, media is powerful and trusted enough to say many things without people even thinking if theyre right or not. They have enough credibility to fool the people easily and, anyway, those that are smart and really chew before swallowing are sooner or later convinced by the rest, by the majority, and end up in their same situation.