Essay on Fredrick Douglas - 1115 Words

Fredrick Dougalas Is it possible for one of our times, living in the free United States, to be bonded in the institution of slavery? One hundred and fifty years have past now since slavery was abolished. The institution of slavery kept the deprivation of women legal and the learning of the mind illegal. Among the slaves, there could be no men, or else that slave would not be a slave. Frederick Douglas existed among slavery only to later on escape and gain his freedom from those who oppressed and enslaved him. The masters of slaves were determined to keep their slaves ignorant so that they would not even think of freedom or the joys it. Slaveholders tried to keep their slaves happy, but yet under their control. Douglas would not†¦show more content†¦It allowed him to see a light in a dark tunnel. It allowed him to find the key, to unlock his chains. This one great skill allowed him to see that slavery was wrong. He was no longer ignorant, nor could anyone keep him t hat way. Learning to Douglas was a â€Å"grand achievement† and he prized it highly. He realized that the only thing that kept him a slave was the neglect of enlightenment. It was his newly found intelligence that forced Douglas to act brave and resistant. His learning in the city had a great affect on him. It ruined him for every good purpose of a slave and fitted him for all of the whippings and lashes. These penalties had no affect and it was Master Thomas’ (his owner after leaving the city) decision that Douglas had to be broken in. Douglas’ mind was too keen and this intelligence brought him great sorrow for he had to now live with Edward Covey, a man considered â€Å"the nigger-breaker†. Covey was a poor man who rented his farm and because of his reputation, he had plenty of slaves because various masters would send their slaves to be broken. Covey barely owned anything of his own but his reputation. After living with Master Thomas for seven months and refusing to obey, Douglas was sent to Covey. While living with Covey, Douglas says â€Å"I was seldom free of a whipping.† He was often whipped for the simple reason of his awkwardness, the funny way he did his fieldwork. In a few months, Douglas was broken. The whippings were numerous and theShow MoreRelatedEssay on Fredrick Douglas730 Words   |  3 PagesFredrick Douglas Imagine yourself at the mercy of another human being. You are dependent upon this person for food and shelter. This person controls your life in every way possible. You are told when to wake up, what to do, how to do it and when to stop doing it. If you do not cooperate you will be beaten severely and possibly killed. Imagine a society of people that live like this! How would human character be affected by this power? How would religion be influenced by this institutionRead MoreThe Life Of Frederick Douglas, By Fredrick Douglas1601 Words   |  7 PagesDuring the enslavement of Fredrick Douglas, he began to educate himself in the field of language and writing. Quickly this became a burden as well as a blessing, as Fredrick had to duck and hide at every turn to ensure that no one who could be a threat to his being found out that he possessed the ability to read. As Fredrick slowly grows with each piece of new material he can acquire, it becomes more evident that Fredrick has also consecutively began to become depressed. Though gifted with the abilityRead MoreThe Enormity Of Slavery By Fredrick Douglas859 Words   |  4 PagesThe Enormity of Slavery â€Å"Slavery is the great test question of our age and nation. It, above all others, enables us to draw the line between the precious and the vile, whether in individuals, creeds, sects, or parties†, as stated by Fredrick Douglas in the mid 1850s. Slavery can be stated as a civil relationship in which one person has absolute power over the life, fortune, and liberty of another. The term slavery emerged during the early 1620s when the first known Africans were dropped off by aRead MoreFredrick Douglas and Harriet Jacobs1757 Words   |  8 Pageson to the immorality and injustice of slavery on black people. Another problem slave owners had with literate slaves was the potential for them to educate other slaves and give them thoughts of escaping or helping other slaves escape. Frederick Douglas and Harriet Jacobs both wrote of this in their books. Douglass was separated from his mother at an early age in order to prevent any feelings of attachment to her. His father was a white man, he might have been the man responsible for separatingRead MoreFredrick Douglas : The Inhumane Institution Of Slavery1179 Words   |  5 PagesFredrick Douglas: The Inhumane Institution of Slavery The definition of a slave in Merriam-Webster dictionary is â€Å"someone who is legally owned by another person and is forced to work for that person without pay.† Fredrick Douglas would narrate his encounters of slavery by depicting a mental image of what slavery was through his eyes. In his autobiography, Douglas refers to the whippings slaves were treated to, if they did not obey the strict restrictions set by their masters. Douglas accidentlyRead MoreA Narrative Of The Life Of Fredrick Douglas, An American Slave1747 Words   |  7 PagesFreedom, According to Douglas During the nineteenth century, slavery widely accepted in the United States. Although the freedoms of â€Å"all men† were supposedly given in America by the Declaration of Independence, these rights did not expand to blacks who were free or under the confines of slavery. At the time, it was illegal for colored people to learn to read and for anyone to teach them. Because of this, very few people who were enslaved could read or write. Fredrick Douglas, who was born a slaveRead MoreFredrick Douglas : A Man Who Escaped From Slavery1611 Words   |  7 PagesFredrick Douglas is a man who escaped from slavery in Maryland at age 21. He was born 1817 and was a slave since he was a young boy. Fredric Douglas died in 1895 but his story is nonetheless invigorating. While in slavery, Fredrick managed to educate himself. He learned to read and write by any means possible. He became enlightened on how his and the other slaves lifestyle is something that is unjust. He then started spea king on his experiences as a slave at age 24. He was hired to lecture for theRead MoreNarrative of Fredrick Douglas Essay1058 Words   |  5 Pagesslaves, leaving physical and physiological trauma on both the slave and the slaveholder. The relationship of the master and the slave is criticized and questioned continually as it is both wrong and unjust in society. The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave optimizes this accurately; documenting the distressing treatment inflicted upon the slaves by their owners. Douglass also illustrates the slaveholder exploiting their powers and its detrimental effects on the slaveholderRead MoreNarrative Of The Life Of Fredrick Douglas, American Slave2104 Words   |  9 PagesNarrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglas, and American Slave I. Conflicts A. Internal Conflict 1. The lack of identity always troubled Douglas. At the time, he had no knowledge of his age or his father because he has not seen his records. 2. Quote: â€Å"A want for information concerning my own was a source of unhappiness to me even during childhood. The white children could tell their ages. I could not tell why I ought to be deprived of the same privilege.† (17) B. External Conflict 1. The struggleRead MoreEssay about Fredrick Douglas And Harriet Jacobs1717 Words   |  7 Pageson to the immorality and injustice of slavery on black people. Another problem slave owners had with literate slaves was the potential for them to educate other slaves and give them thoughts of escaping or helping other slaves escape. Frederick Douglas and Harriet Jacobs both wrote of this in their books. Douglass was separated from his mother at an early age in order to prevent any feelings of attachment to her. His father was a white man, he might have been the man responsible for separating

Literature and Politics the Impact of Dostoevsky - 9582 Words

LITERATURE AND POLITICS: THE IMPACT OF FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY Dostoevsky and the Legend of the Grand Inquisitor, by Vasily Rozanov. Translated and with an Afterword by Spencer E. Roberts. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 1972. Pp. xi. 232. $12.50. Political Apocalypse. A Study of Dostoevskys Grand Inquisitor, by Ellis Sandoz. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1971, Pp. xviii. 263. $13.50.* ostoevskys great novels have spawned a vast library of critical 1/literature, a library which extends well beyond traditional literary criticism to cover the range of disciplines dealing with the human condition: philosophy, theology, psychology and sociology in particular. In this effusion of comment the real Dostoevsky†¦show more content†¦A Study of Dostoevskys Grand Inquisitor. In style, approach, and viewpoint, these two works stand in contrast. Rozanovs is a frankly personal interpretation, with an approach more impressionistic than scholarly, while Sandoz offers a thorough, scholarly, highly technical analysis, from the perspective of a Western political scientist familiar with twentieth-century events and recent currents in political theory. But with all their differences—in date of composition, stylistic approach, and nationality and philosophical background of the authors—the two studies agree regarding many salient elements of Dostoevskys philosophy Both Rozanov and Sandoz utilize the Legend of the Grand Inquisitor and its prologue entitled Rebellion (Book Five, Chapters IV and V of The Brothers Karamazov) as the text most accurately reflecting Dostoevskys mature philosophy. Their choice is justified, since The Brothers Karamazov is the most philosophical of Dostoevskys great works, was completed shortly before his death (thus presumably represents his final views), and within it the Legend of the Grand Inquisitor encapsulates, in poetic form, a profound religious, philosophical, and political view of mankind. Readers will recall that Ivan and Alyosha Karamazov, who had been reared separately for most of their lives, meet in a tavern to get well: at least they would lack all theirShow MoreRelatedChristianity And Its Effects On Modern Culture And Society2000 Words   |  8 PagesChristianity, the way and teachings of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It is the largest and most popular religion in the world with about a whopping 2.1 bil lion religious followers positioned all around the world. Christianity has had such an important impact on the course of the history of the world since its creation about 2,000 years ago that even today both Christian followers and non-Christians still follow the moral and ethical teachings presented by Jesus Christ within Christianity in their everydayRead MorePioneers Trio of Indian English Fiction4480 Words   |  18 Pages† Indian English literature originated as a necessary outcome of the introduction of English education in India under colonial rule. In recent years it has attracted widespread interest, both in India and abroad. It is now recognized that Indian English literature is not only part of Commonwealth literature, but also occupies a â€Å"great significance in the World literature.† Today, a number of Indian writers in English have contributed substantially to modern English literature. Ram Mohan Roy whoRead MoreExistentialism vs Essentialism23287 Words   |  94 Pagesstruggle through life — a focus on the subjective life that we all actually live, rather than a search for objective truths external to us. Topics in Existentialism * The Absurd * Existentialism amp; Religion * Existentialism amp; Politics * Existentialism amp; Phenomenology * Existentialist Philosophers * ------------------------------------------------- Absurdism * The idea of the  absurd  is a common theme in many existentialist works, particularly in  Camus. AbsurdityRead MoreIndian English Novel17483 Words   |  70 PagesEnglish novel evolved as a subaltern consciousness; as a reaction to break away from the colonial literature. Hence the post colonial literature in India witnessed a revolution against the idiom which the colonial writers followed. Gradually the Indian English authors began employing the techniques of hybrid language, magic realism peppered with native themes. Thus from a post colonial era Indian literature ushered into the modern and then the post-modern era. The saga of the Indian English novel thereforeRead Morewisdom,humor and faith19596 Words   |  79 Pagesadmissible in great literature, posing universal problems, as seriousness. Certain essential aspects of the universe are accessible only to laughter.†10 Bakhtin includes the Frenchman Rabelais, the Spaniard Cervantes (author of Don Quixote), and the Englishman Shakespeare as the three great writers of this early era when humor often reflected wisdom. He also mentions the Dutchman Erasmus’s In Praise of Folly (1509) as â€Å"one of the greatest creations of carnival laughter in world literature.†11 Since Erasmus

Herman Hollerith free essay sample

Biographical sketch of the life and contributions of Herman Hollerith, one of the early founders of the modern computer. Hollerith invented the Hollerith Electric Tabulating System which was used for the 1890 census. Herman Hollerith In examining the life and contributions of Herman Hollerith, two things become immediately apparent, he was both incredibly petulant and incredibly intelligent. While Hollerith may be considered an imaginative inventor, he would likely not be seen as an astute business man. Both his business and personal relationships were marked by acrid disagreements. Yet the strength of his most famous invention, the Hollerith Electric Tabulating System, his own commitment to excellence, and the abilities of those with whom he joined forces, brought him the financial success he likely deserved. Born in Buffalo New York in 1860, Hollerith advanced rapidly through school. He graduated from Columbia University School of Mines at the age of 19 as an Engineer in Mines. It is interesting

Others May Ask How You Define Success. THis Is More Difficult. Success

Others may ask how you define success. THis is more difficult. Success is relative: not everbody wants to put together a four-billion-dollar conglomerater, or become president of teh United States, or win the Nobel Peace Prize. It is usually a mistake to begin wiht such grandiose ambitions, which tend to degenerate into lazy daydreams. The best way to succeed is to begin with a reasonably realistic goal and attain it, rather than aim at something so far beyond your reach that you are bound to fail. It's also important to make a habit of succeeding, and the easiest way to start is to succeed at something, however small, everday, gradually increasing the level of your ambitions and achevements like a runner in training, who begins with short distances and works up to the Olympic level. Try to think of success as a journey, an adventure, not a specfic destination. Your goals may change during the course of that journey, and your original amibtoins may be superseded by different, lager ones. Success will certinaly bring you the material things you want, and a good, healthy appetite for comforts and luxuries of life is an excellent road to success, but basically you'll know you have reached your goal when you have gone that one step further, in wealth, fame, or achievement, then you ever dreamed wsa possible. How you become a success is, of course, your business. Morality has very little to do with success. I don't personally think it is necessary to be dishonest, brutal, and unethical in ordder to succeed, but a great many dishonest, brutal, unethical people in fact do succeed. You'd better be prepared for the fact that success is seldom won without some tough infighting, along the way. A lot depends on your profession, of course. THere is a great deal of difference between setting out to become a success in a Mafia family and trying to become vice president of a bank, but the differneces simply consit of contrasting social customs and what is the appropriate way to get ahead in a given profession or business. Whether you're hoping to take over a numbers game or and executive desk, you have to make the right moves for your circumstances. In the former example, you might have to kill someone; in the latter, you might only have to find ways of making your rivals look foolish or inefficien t. In either case, you have to acdept the rules of the game to play to win or find some other game.

Free Essays on Dogs of War

such as: â€Å"The blood-dimmed tied is loosed, and everywhere / The ceremony of innocence is drowned;† (5-6). Yeats uses these types of phrases to demonstrate just how difficult it was to live with oneself in those times. No longer can a person go about his merry way. Atrocities have been committed and everyone is guilty. Each person must live with the blood that he has spilled. Written in 1921, this poem is not about the second coming of Christ, it is about how out-of-control we have allowed the world to become after World War I. Line by line, each stanza conveys the heartache experienced after the war to en... Free Essays on Dogs of War Free Essays on Dogs of War The Dogs of War In his poem, â€Å"The Second Coming†, William Butler Yeats uses strong, precise syntax to make the reader feel the intensity of his words while conveying a dark atmosphere that gives the reader an uncertain and seemingly hopeless sense of what is to come. Some would argue that â€Å"The Second Coming† is referring to the second coming of Christ because of the religious aspects of the poem; but I believe that the poem is a warning, telling the reader of the downfall of man that we will bring upon ourselves rather than by Christ. Particularly in the first stanza, Yeats uses punctuation to separate each point that he is trying to project. Each semi-colon represents a singular, complex idea while commas are used to contrast the idea within the semi-colons. Each pause in the poem is focusing on a specific idea. Each break forces the reader to contemplate the different aspects of destruction. Words such as â€Å"anarchy†, â€Å"blood-dimmed†, and â€Å"vexed† are used to magnify the intensity of the poem. Reading the words may not have much of an effect, but saying them out loud bring thoughts of suffering and pain to one’s mind. The overall atmosphere is one of death, destruction, and hopelessness following, I believe, the First World War. This atmosphere molds the same tone into the reader with words such as: â€Å"The blood-dimmed tied is loosed, and everywhere / The ceremony of innocence is drowned;† (5-6). Yeats uses these types of phrases to demonstrate just how difficult it was to live with oneself in those times. No longer can a person go about his merry way. Atrocities have been committed and everyone is guilty. Each person must live with the blood that he has spilled. Written in 1921, this poem is not about the second coming of Christ, it is about how out-of-control we have allowed the world to become after World War I. Line by line, each stanza conveys the heartache experienced after the war to en...

Side Hustle How to Make Money on the Side

Side Hustle How to Make Money on the Side The side hustle. Moonlighting. Freelancing. Whatever you call it, it means extra money†¦and extra work. It can be a great way to pad your bank account and build experience (or even your own business). But it’s not for the faint of heart†¦or the faint of organizational skills. Let’s look at what’s involved in developing and maintaining a side gig, and what you can do to make money on the side. Traditionally, a side hustle (whatever you call it) has been a way to earn extra money on the side, in addition to your regular job. It’s different from regular freelancing or working from home for your main source of income. For example, teachers might work summer jobs, or wait tables on weekends for extra cash. Or even going back decades, for stay-at-home parents, companies like Avon and Tupperware helped homemakers become home entrepreneurs and savvy salespeople while bringing in extra money for the household.These days, with so many options for extra inc ome opened up by the internet (and I’m not talking about those scammy â€Å"I make $7500a week werking from home!!1!† ads online), just about anyone can find a way to make extra cash on the side- if they have the time, energy, and skills.And I’m hoping I don’t need to say this, but just in case: a proper side hustle is always something legal, aboveboard, and non-sketchy. Basically, if you wouldn’t feel comfortable telling your mom about it, think twice. (Or at least be prepared to explain when your cousin’s roommate finds out about it and tells everyone.)Is a Side Hustle Right for Me?Maybe! Before you accept a new job, or go gung ho down your new side path, there are some key questions you need to ask yourself.Am I prepared for double everything?Think double the schedules, double the work hours (possibly), double the obligations.What are you willing to sacrifice to make your side job work?This could be social plans, family time, or sleep. It ’s important to see realistically how this will cut into your existing routine.What do I want to achieve here?Is it just an extra paycheck? Or is it a tentative toe dipped into new career waters?Should I Tell my Full-Time Employer?Some companies have a specific policy requiring employees to disclose other employment. Others don’t- and if yours doesn’t, it’s entirely up to you. If you know there might be conflicts between Job A and Job B, it could be better to be up front with your boss. If you take this route, make sure he or she knows that your priority is Job A, and you’ll use vacation or personal time to address such conflicts. If you don’t see any conflicts coming up, you can keep it off the radar.What Will I Need to Do to Keep My Life in Balance?When you take on more work, some things are going to slip- it’s inevitable. Before you get started, be honest with yourself about what it will take to make sure that you’re not put ting all of your time and energy into work while letting everything else slide. At some point, your long-suffering family or significant other will want to see your face, and takeout pizza for dinner gets tiresome. Set your non-work priorities, and make sure that you’ll have time to meet those obligations even with your increased workload.Speaking of Avon, one of the early home entrepreneur companies can help you figure out if a side gig is right for you.Another major factor in the decision is financial. Are there any startup or maintenance costs associated with your new side gig? If so, make sure to come up with a budget. According to Kimberly Palmer, author of The Economy of You: Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life, you probably don’t need an ironclad business plan in the early stages- but if there are costs for materials, website building, etc., it’s important to be realistic about those.If you have space in your life and a tentativ e plan for how you can rejigger your everyday life to make room, then it’s time to figure out what you want to do, and how to do it.What Can I Do?Side Hustle Nation is a guru in your journey to a second income. It’s also a good jumping-off point if you think you’ll want to make this your primary career at some point. But even if you don’t, there are resources to help you get started.There’s a good chance you already have an idea of what you’d like to do. But if not, don’t worry- there’s an easy starting point! Start with your skills and interests.What are you passionate about doing, even if it’s not your main career path?What talents do you have that aren’t being utilized by your day job- or are underutilized?MoneyPeach offers a pretty comprehensive list of options for side jobs, ranging from â€Å"I need cash fast† to â€Å"I want to build a new career.†If you’re crafty or artsy†¦Conside r selling your goods and designs, either through your own website or an established vendor like Etsy, Handmade at Amazon, eBay, or Zazzle.If you’re a designer†¦Sites like 99Designs link up willing designers with potential clients.If you’re internet-savvy†¦Blogging is a great way to start building a brand using your writing skills.Upwork connects freelance professionals with clients for jobs like web design, IT consulting, customer service, and digital photography.If you’re a teacher or academically inclined†¦Tutoring, either online or in person, is a very flexible way to earn extra money and keep those brain cells in good working order.Online teaching is another flexible option, allowing you to teach classes around your schedule.If you have elbow grease to burn†¦Odd job sites like Handy and TaskRabbit help customers find professional chore-doers willing to run errands and handle household tasks.Professional organizing is a highly in-demand se rvice these days, so if your living space is ordered and feng shui’d to the limit, you could offer that skillset to others who need it.If you’re a wordsmith†¦You can be a freelance writer or editor. Sites like Mediabistro and The Write Life are hubs for the literary lifestyle, whether it’s full time or part time.If you’re an artist with butter or sugar†¦Baking or cooking can be the way to go. You can start small, usually out of your own home (though you should check local food handling regulations before you start selling those cupcakes). Plus, your friends and family will probably be very willing test subjects for new recipes.Basically, you know yourself, your interests, and your capabilities better than anyone else.How Do I Juggle My Jobs?Once you’ve started down the path of setting up a side job (or business), the most important part will be making sure it doesn’t overtake your main job and life responsibilities.Maximize your d aily routine.If getting up a half-hour or hour earlier than usual lets you get more done in the morning, do it. If setting boundaries and leaving work at the same time every day gives you more flexibility in the evening, do it. If bringing a bag lunch and turning a sad desk lunch into a productive desk lunch gets you out the door quicker at the end of the day, do it.Identify your priorities.Here’s where the side hustle may be less fun†¦when you have to start turning down social invitations and spur-of-the-moment plans because you need to put in your time. As you’re getting started with your new mini-career, make sure you know what’s high-priority, quality non-work time, and what can be skipped with minimal fuss or hurt feelings.Make sure Job A gets the priority.This is, after all, your bread and butter still. Your side job may someday turn into a full-time opportunity, but even in the honeymoon period of your new side deal where everything is fun and produc tive, make sure you’re not bailing on core work responsibilities to take on†¦other work responsibilities. If things start to slip too far at Job A, you may find yourself making a career out of Job B sooner than you thought (and not necessarily because you’re ready to make the leap yet).The best thing about a side job is that if it doesn’t work out, you still have your main career. If life as a part-time artisanal goat cheese maker turns out to be too much trouble after a few months, you can let your business fade as a goat-scented lesson learned. Alternatively, if you do follow your interests and your skills and find yourself flourishing, you might just find that you’re creating a new professional world for yourself. A totally different career path could open up for you- or maybe this will just be an enjoyable, (hopefully) profitable entrepreneurial hobby for the long term. Whatever the case may be, go forth and entrepreneur, because you don’t know until you give it a shot.

Gay marriage Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Gay marriage - Research Paper Example Nonetheless, it is undeniable that gay marriages have become a part of the modern society and their prohibition, there is still people practicing homosexuality and the definition of marriage seemingly comprises people instead of man and woman (John, et al 2). In a worrying trend, more people are jumping into the bandwagon and acquiescing to same sex marriage mostly due to the misinformed notion that by outlawing gay marriage governments effectively show they can take away people’s rights. However, it is worth noting that continued embracing of these unions both legally and eclectically is in the long term bound to have the effect of undermining the value of marriage. This paper will present and defend the arguments against gay marriage and criticize some of the arguments for it in an attempt to contest the validity of same sex unions. The bible presents the basis of reasoning in the Judaic and Christian respect; consider the story of creation, initially God created Adam a sexually undifferentiated entity then from him produced two differentiated entities man and woman. Considering this was the only resulting different between Eve and Adam, then it goes without saying that to reconstitute the sexual whole, erotic intimacy achieved in the process of heterosexual coitus will be required. In this respect, homosexual intimacy cannot constitute marriage since it will be devoid of the sexual compatibility and complementariness that would characteristic of opposite sex unions; thus, is in contradiction to the original order of nature (Robert). This biblical scripture further condemn the actions in a more overt way both in the new and Old Testament, in Corinthians Paul condemns â€Å"men who lie with males† and classifies them among other diabolic individual unlikely to have a stake in the heavenly empire. Islamic faith also condemns the practice and evidence of this can be seen

Baces of Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Baces of Marketing - Essay Example s important in the sense that when structures are formed taking the shape of a pyramid it should not discourage the use of people horizontally across the departments. This is crucial for acquiring effectiveness in accomplishments of several tasks simultaneously. Matching Authority with Responsibility In a management structure, it is crucial to associate responsibility with matching authority because without having freedom for decision making, organizational effectiveness cannot be achieved. This will increase the chance of favorable outcome besides increasing job satisfaction among employees. Task Description and Interaction among People In a dynamic world, processes and technologies keep on evolving necessitating employees to learn new things and undergo suitable changes. Michael Vanbruaene argues that job details need not be briefed with elaborate description – to avoid rigidity among employees and for the purpose of mutual cooperation among staff members. Work Unit Expectat ions All work units within the organization must be clearly briefed with performance goals and objectives. Necessary flexibility to achieving performance objectives should be granted without specifying tasks much in detail. Association with Work Unit All employees must be associated with some department or work group and the department must have a position to guide employees professionally, if needs arise. Supervisor at Work Unit Effective organizational structure demands that each work unit or department is controlled by supervisor or manager because they work as a bridge between and within the work units. Understanding Management Structure Management structure is crucial for the effective functioning of an organization. For a new employee, it is necessary to understand the working... This report approves that marketing thinks about long-run outcomes while sales function is concerned about immediate results. Marketing and sales have been kept under the same structure and that is sure to cripple branding and long-run positioning activities. It is more likely that marketing will become a sales support function and will lose its grip over formulating effective marketing strategies. Structure is incapable to deliver what is required for its long-term survival. In this structure, there is no provision to avert systemic risk. It is not clear how customer needs will be met with – without which it is impossible for the company to grow and expand. Structure implies that CEO will continue to perform day-to-day activities without having any time for a long term planning and execution. The structure cannot provide needed direction for the long-term growth and support to new verticals. Often strategy changes due to change in external environment; however, management fai ls to make a suitable change in management structure. That means a new strategy is implemented within the same management structure. Any change in structure seems unnecessary due to existing expectations, interpersonal relationships, roles, and current functions. It is a fact that people do not accept change if there is a possibility of loss of authority and power. This essay makes a conclusion that effective management structure is certainly an important necessity for success of any modern enterprise. Further, whenever there is any change in organizational strategy, management structure needs to be redesigned so that day-to-day operational efficiency and long-term effectiveness of the organization are not compromised. Moreover, management structure should strike a balance between decentralize autonomy and centralize control for establishing efficiency and effectiveness both in the organization.

Consumer Behaviour Essay Example for Free

Consumer Behaviour Essay Art consumers in the modern world have increased their buying capacity of art as paradigms shifts to knowledge and information based concepts. Cultural diversity and technology are developing new forms of art and ways to market these art pieces to a wider range of art consumers. However, there is no room for complacency in art managers of art galleries. It is still best to incorporate sound motivational theories that guide marketing efforts towards being robust, effective and efficient. Three motivational theories had been highlighted forming a well-rounded strategy to approach art gallery marketing. Maslow’s heirarchy of needs gives a step-by-step escalation of man’s satisfaction levels. It was noted that although art cannot satisfy physiological needs, consumers can still be motivated to buy art as objects to satisfy their needs of self-esteem, belongingness and need to self-actualize. McGuire’s advice on motivating people offers looking into the cognitive and affective factors of man’s thinking process. The more art gallery marketing efforts cater to affective faculties of their consumers, the more selling will take place. And lastly, the theory of Freud has been chosen as another guidepost in defining what makes the consumer buy. Innate biological elements found in man such as sexual desires is the most commonly known Freudian motivation that is closely related to selling art. Construction of marketing strategies to sell art does not end in incorporating concepts from these motivation theories. These motivations must further zoom in on the consumer eventually. The way to fine tune the marketing strategy is to incorporate concepts found in the five-step decision making process that all consumers go through.   As the art buyer goes from recognizing his need to gathering information that will lead him to a possible purchase, to evaluating criteria affecting his possible purchase, to his actual purchase and to coming up with insights that happens during his post purchase, the marketing strategy of the art gallery is put into a test. INTRODUCTION The art market is slowly evolving. Art has evolved into many forms and galleries have transformed to accommodate a wide range of consumers. With the entrance of innovative technology, cultural diversity and faster access to information, art galleries been challenged to study and understand consumer behavior of this widening niche. â€Å"For the last few years, the media have trumpeted contemporary art as the hottest new investment. At fairs, auction houses and galleries, an influx of new buyersmany of them from the world of financehave entered the fray. Lifted by this tidal wave of new money, the number of thriving artists, galleries and consultants has rocketed upwards.† (Spiegler, 2006) But amidst all this buying frenzy, sellers have remained steadfast to the consumer behavior theories that guide the markets. Buying behavior theories have not changed and remained formidable in figuring out what buyers want, why they want, how they avail of these wants and the factors that affect these decisions. Consumers of art hold special focused studies. Consumers who buy art also buy gas, groceries, basic services and insurance. Though there is culture in gas, groceries, basic services and insurance, these commodities does not directly fall under art. Art products and services are born out of a cultural industry. These consumers have their own consumer behaviors. â€Å"Consumer behavior is the process involved when individual or groups select, purchase, use, and dispose of goods, services, ideas, or experiences to satisfy their needs and desires. It is important that marketers understand consumer behavior because wants and needs are satisfied best when marketers understand the behaviors of consumers.† (Hawkins, 1998) Therefore, appropriate buyer behavior theories must be employed to so that marketing strategies to sell products in art galleries will be most appropriate, effective, efficient and economical. THE PRODUCT AND SERVICE Marketing strategies start with knowing the product or service. Characteristics of these items for sale will be essential in finding the consumers who would want to buy them. Art encompass a wide variety of products and services. Art galleries themselves have evolved into stores that sell different art genres depending on how one beholds something as art, from the flea markets selling antiques to the fine art galleries bidding by the millions. Applied and decorative art are products found in advertising, architecture and urban design. Crafts, jewelry, fashion, industrial, product and interior design fall under this art category. Entertainment art provides enjoyment services such as film, recording and TV programs. â€Å"Fine art is motivated by art-for-arts-sake. It is the primary research and development segment of the arts industry. It generates enlightenment, i.e. it sheds light on the nature of the human condition on the individual and society. â€Å"It is primarily in the fine arts that new talent and technique are developed; new scripts and scores created; and, new images and styles set. Results of fine art RD, like the results of scientific research, are sometimes adopted by for-profit enterprises in and out of the arts industry. And, as in pure science, fine art is not financially self-supporting. The right to fail is an essential artistic and scientific freedom a freedom that requires patience and risk-taking on the part of patrons, investors and audiences.† (Chartrand, 2000) Heritage art subsumes all kind of art. It feeds contemporary art and is the one that sets standards of the following generations. This art inspires creators and enriches artists through its integration of scarcity and aesthetic value while employing a sense of social relevance and cohesion.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Between 1969 and 1989, heritage art yielded the highest return of all financial investment opportunities (The Economist July 1, 1989). Furthermore, theft of antiquities is the most lucrative international crime. Ounce for ounce, an antiquity can be more valuable than drugs. It can yield a higher return, at lower risk of being caught, and generally produces less jail time if one is convicted† (Chartrand 1992a). MOTIVATIONS OF THE ART CONSUMER A person who walks into an art gallery is differently motivated compared to a person who walks into a McDonald’s burger store. A company who buys a 10 million art work does so with objectives different from its putting up a building worth about the same cost. Consumers of art are motivated differently and theories defining these motivations can help marketing strategist clear marketing goals and activities. Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) has been one of the century’s great inspiration in personality theories. The Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as illustrated in Figure 1 has helped both researchers, scholars, scientists and most specially marketing executives on how to motivate clients and consumers. Maslow believes that man is motivated based on the level of satisfaction he can achieve at a particular time when the product or service is offered him. And the levels of satisfaction starts from getting his physiological needs, then his safety needs and subsequently his belonging needs, esteem needs until he arrives at his self-actualization. Figure 1. Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs (Boeree, 1998) â€Å"Maslow suggested the intuitively appealing notion that humans must satisfy the most basic objectives before they can move onto higher level ones. Thus, an individual must satisfy physiological needs (such as food and liquid) before he or she will be able to expend energy on less fundamental objectives such as safety. Only when basic objectives have been met will a person move on to seek such objectives as love and belonging, and only a small minority of people make it as far as seeking self-actualization.† (Boeree, 1998) Art consumers at the art galleries are motivated to satisfy a certain level of need as illustrated in Maslow’s diagram. Art definitely cannot be eaten and cannot quench physical thirst. Consumers who are still struggling to satisfy their physiological needs in the normal circumstances will not buy Art. Art buyers are usually motivated to consume art to satisfy safety, belongingness, need for self-esteem and to perform their self-actualization. A person will buy art to safeguard savings. Certain works of art appreciate in value as the artist becomes more popular or when he dies. More than once, the cultural scene has witnessed these value increases and rich people have coveted owning these masterpieces not for their artistic magnificence but more for their financial value.   A person will buy art to satisfy belongingness especially if he or she finds himself trying to get into company of art buyers. Belongingness would sometimes overpower physical hunger especially in these modern days when people have gone towards the limits of individualism isolating themselves from social groups that provide comfort in belongingness. In the early years of high art, kings and queens would have their portraits painted by in house artists such as Michael Angelo and Da Vinci. These portraits help a person increase his self-esteem. Coffee shops, banks and other commercial establishment hang works of art in their walls not so much for decorative purposes but these products increase the company’s self-esteem. Their clients are able to admire the company knowing that the company they chose is of the cultured type and can afford these works of art. Based on the Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs, the marketing strategy must realize that in order for art galleries to sell their products, it has to appeal to the motivations of the people walking into the gallery. These gallery visitors are basically interested in art and the curator must work on satisfying needs. Marketing campaigns must cater to satisfying client’s need to raise his self-esteem or need to satisfy his belongingness. Strategies such as knowing the client’s kind of groupie or the client’s thoughts of himself will be a few effective tactics towards forging a sale. FREUDIAN THEORY Though highly controversial and continuously debated upon by psychoanalysts, Sigmund Freud has been the most popular theorist of the century due to the sexual nature of his findings. Basically, he suggests that â€Å"(1) much behavior has a biological basis which is (2) often sexual in nature, and (3) that early experiences in childhood will have a profound, but unconscious effect on later lifee.g., people who are rejected in an early, oral phase of development may become oral retentive and end up as wine connoisseurs later in life.† (Hawkins, 1998) For Freud, people are motivated by their sex drives. Though some sectors of the scientific communities do not believe this, advertising, film and marketing have used the Freudian theories and have remained successful in the promotion and selling of their products. Cars, cigarette, alcohol and other vices have used sex at one point or another in their commercials, posters or corporate IDs. MTV’s have evolved into using pretty boys and sexy girls to get the maximum buying power of teenagers and young adults. Even new generation anime features voluptuous heroes, heroines and villains. Wonder Woman has never been as seductive and Superman has been redrawn to sport more muscles that spell musk. Though Freud never really thought sexuality in the new millennium context, evolutionists understands this kind of sexual motivation due to the inherent nature of human beings to help the species survive and sustain power over the natural kingdom. The only way to keep from extinction is to continue procreation. In Darwinian logic, motivation to procreation is as sensible as breathing. Sex has always helped sell art. Art from ancient Greece such as sculptures Adonis or Venus were sometimes seen as pornographic. Though these artworks of nudity became monuments of great cities and tourist destinations that earn millions of dollars, parent of little children still become uneasy explaining nudity in these kinds of art works. Marketing art with tactics from the Freudian theories that sex sells would make marketing of art forms planned in a way that it attracts sexual motivations from the buyers. Art galleries, when opening an exhibit usually employs wine, beautiful ladies in little black dresses and music that appeals to the possible clients. This type of marketing style that is guided by Freudian motivation theories supports art works that have sexual undertones already in them. Bar owner Schrager narrates the reason for buying an artwork. â€Å"According to Schrager, the decision to commission Clemente for the ceiling mural and lamps was an easy one. I love Clementes work, and I thought a ceiling mural would be appropriate for the place and location. For me, a lot of Clementes work has sexual undertones, and I thought it would fit in perfectly in the bar. (Silberman, 2001) MCGUIRE THEORY OF MOTIVATION McGuire’s psychology of motivation stems from his cognitive and affective experimentations. Thinkers are seen to carry out directed-thinking tasks. These thought systems in people illustrate their motivations.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Five dimensions that together provide an inclusive description of thought systems were identified. Two dimensions are cognitive: (1) size; and (2) cognitive-affirmational bias. Two others are affective: (3) affective desirability bias; and (4) people-favorability bias. The fifth dimension is (5) cognitive-affective congruence.† (McGuire, 2006) McGuire believes that affective stimulus influence the cognitive aspect of human motivations more. Men and women have different thought patterns since they react differently to stimulus. Knowing this, it is important for art galleries to note who has the buying power when couples walk into the gallery to purchase the artwork. At culturally diverse markets, art managers need to address what could stimulate affective motivations in their clients. Sometimes, talking to an art manager who understands the client’s affective stimulus like race or culture is effective. â€Å"More buying power translates into more art-buying ability. Art dealers and publishers are keenly aware of this. But what they also need to understand is that while African Americans are looking to buy more high-quality art, theyre also looking to buy from dealers and publishers who understand them and will cater to them.† (Hagan, 2004) 5 STAGES OF DECISION MAKING PROCESS Equipped with the three motivational theories above, the next important part of the marketing strategy is integrating the promotional or advertising activities to the five stages of the decision making process that each art buyers goes through whenever they are in making a decision whether to buy, to buy later, or not to buy. Source: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~renglish/370/notes/chapt05/ Problem recognition is the stage where the buyer becomes aware of his need. Awareness of needs does not happen like magic. Need is stimulated. The client must be aware of his need from its unconscious state to the conscious and articulate status. Commercials that stimulate problem recognition are effective because they can visually show what the client does not have and therefore, just by looking at advertisement, the client realizes his lack of that product thereby moving towards the process of coveting the product for himself. A blank wall will stimulate a need to buy art. An empty corner can stimulate a person to acquire a statue. Occasions and celebrations from birthdays to monthly anniversaries to grandmom or grandpop days and other more outlandish occasions can also create the rationale to make the consumers think of buying art. The second phase is where the client begins to look for information that will lead him into being able to find the product or the service that can quench his need. In the case of art galleries, a person must be able to find the art gallery. This ease of art gallery access will be attained with proper promotions and advertising. Art gallery accessibility geographically will also be essential in attracting buyers who are currently looking for information so satisfy their needs. The Internet is the latest virtual shop where buyers from around the world can be tuned in at the same time. With the Internet platform as marketing tool, selling is definitely without borders and without pressure of time. The buyer from spread of mouth information can also acquire details on how to locate the art gallery. Employers had always stressed good service because positive feedback is the gateway of businesses. With the information at hand, the consumer goes to the third stage of the decision making process which is the evaluation stage where alternatives are ranked. â€Å"This stage establishes the criteria for evaluation, features the buyer wants or does not want. Rank/weight alternatives or resume search. May decide that you want to eat something spicy, indian gets highest rank. If not satisfied with your choice then return to the search phase. Can you think of another restaurant? Look in the yellow pages etc. Information from different sources may be treated differently. Marketers try to influence by framing alternatives.† (classnotes, 2006) Art galleries’ marketing strategy must make sure that the criteria set by its consumers are achieved. After product characteristics, price is usually the next criteria that the client considers. For art, the prices depend on a flexible standard. Other pieces are â€Å"priceless† while other art products are set by how the community valuates the artist. This is where the talent of the art manager or the curator comes in. Framing the art product, literally and figuratively spells putting on more weight on the piece or turning the off the client’s needs which will surely fail selling the product when the fifth decision making process starts. The fourth stage is the purchase stage. The buying value is affected by three possibilities as the client decides from whom to buy, when to buy or if the client decides not to buy. Purchase from art galleries will be affected by the terms of sale, credibility of the establishment and return policies. Tax information on artwork is an important information that will tip the scales towards the sales. A news clipping shows reaction of buyers and galleries on impositions of added tax to art pieces. â€Å"Paying an 8.8 percent tax on art doesnt discourage him or his wife, Virginia, from buying, but he said he could imagine it would slow some people down.† Thats what worries the Seattle Art Museum.† (Hackett, 2005) The atmosphere of the art gallery, and happiness of the shopping experience influences the time of sale. Some galleries maintain calmness in the gallery depicting unstressful experience for the buyer. Especially with purchases of millions of dollars, the atmosphere must be as much stress free as possible. The last stage of the process is the post purchase stage where the client reflects on the purchase that he did. The buyer usually compares the purchase with his expectations based on the need he originally formed. In the post purchase stage, either the art consumer is satisfied or unsatisfied with the purchase. Customer satisfaction or dissatisfaction is affected by his value perceptions. Art buyers know there is inherent value in art works. Physically, art is just a piece of paper or canvass with pigment but the images and visualization that the artwork shares to the consumer is what is of value that have been purchased. For artwork, one piece may create more value to another person depending on the level of beauty value he gets from the work of art. His satisfaction therefore depends on the value that the art product or experience in buying the artwork communicates to the buyer. Art galleries are cultural venues where patrons are soon established. The repeat-purchase behavior found in the art galleries must be high and excellent because these repeat buyers are also automatic promotional agents of the art gallery. Appreciating an art piece in a hotel lobby, an interested consumer would normally ask where the piece was bought. And that is first lead of the art gallery that happens outside the gallery. Patrons of the art help in lessening the cognitive dissonance of art consumers. When there is a feeling of anxiety after purchase, the consumer looks for elements outside his decision that would help him be assured of his purchase and publicity of the art gallery’s success or social responsibility or how famous people patronize the gallery helps in relieving cognitive dissonance in post purchase stages of consumer decision making process. CONCLUSION Everyone buys art at one time or another. The time and cost of art that an individual buys depends on his motivations as incorporated in many studies in consumer behavior backed by psychological discourse and experimentations. With the need for the art industry to profit and keep the industry afloat, marketing strategies benefit from these motivational theories. It is safe to note that whenever a painting or a piece of art lands in a hotel lobby, or a financial establishment, a museum or simply in a living room wall, much human activity has been put into it that basically further increases it s social and cultural value. References Boeree, George. 1998. Abraham Maslow. Retrieved October 31, 2006 from http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/maslow.html Chartrand, Harry Hillman. 2000. The Public Life of the Arts in America†¨Joni Cherbo and M. Wyszomirski (eds),†¨Rutgers University Press, April 2000 Classnotes. 2006. Consumer Buying Behavior. Retrieved October 31, 2006 from http://www.udel.edu/alex/chapt6.html Silberman, Vanessa. 2000. Results of Consumer Survey Shed Light on Art Buying Behavior. Art Business News, Nov, 2000 Hagan, Debbie. 2004. Black buying power shows strength in art: growing incomes and more national exposure of African-American art translates into a widening base of art buyers – news. Art Business News, Jan, 2004 Hackett, Regina and Michelle Nicolosi. 2005. Art collectors fault state agency on tax issue. Seattle Post – Intelligencer Reporters. Friday May 27, 2005. Retrieved October 31, 2006 from http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/226106_reactart26.html?source=rss Hawkins, Del I., Roger J. Best, and Kenneth A. Coney (1998), Consumer Behavior: Building Marketing Strategy, 7th ed., Boston: McGraw Hill. McGuire, William J. Claire V. McGuire, Yale University. 2006. Cognitive versus affective aspects of phenomenal thought systems focused on persons. Retrieved October 31, 2006 from http://www.sydneysymposium.unsw.edu.au/1999/abstracts.htm Spiegler, Marc. 2006. Time to Reform the Art Market? The Art Newpaper. Retrieved October 31, 2006 from http://www.forbes.com/collecting/2005/05/30/cx_0530conn_ls.html

Rate of Reaction Coursework Essay -- GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investi

Rates of Reaction A chemical reaction can only occur between particles when they collide (hit each other). Particles may be atoms, ions or molecules. There is a minimum amount of energy which colliding particles need in order to react with each other. If the colliding particles have less than this minimum energy then they just bounce off each other and no reaction occurs. This minimum energy is called the activation energy. The faster the particles are going, the more energy they have. Fast moving particles are more likely to react when they collide. You can make particles move more quickly by heating them up (raising the temperature). Changing the Rate of a Reaction. There are 5 ways to increase the rate of a chemical reaction. They are all understood in terms of collision theory. The rate of a chemical reaction may be increased by 1) Raising the temperature. 2) Increasing the concentration (in solution). 3) Increasing the pressure (in gases). 4) Increasing the surface area of a solid. 5) Use a catalyst. Measuring the Rate. The reaction between sodium thiosulphate solution and dilute hydrochloric acid. HCl + sodium thiosulphatearrowsodium chloride + sulphur dioxide + sulphur + water. HCl(aq) + Na2S2O3(aq) arrow NaCl(aq) + SO2(g) + S(s) + H2O(l) The solid sulphur (S(s)) formed in this reaction makes the colorless solution go cloudy. The reaction is usually carried out in a flask placed on a piece of white paper which has a ...

Iran’s Influence in Iraq

ABSTRACT In the period after 2003, Iran was extensively involved in Iraq by demonstrating its leading role in the international context. However, Iraq has been confronted with substantial instability as a result of Iran’s invasion, even though scholars have presented mixed arguments about this issue. This paper discusses the role that Iran has played after 2003, which has affected both the dimensions of stability and instability. The primary objective of Iran after 2003 was to observe a positive economic change in Iraq and also to ensure that the Western troops were taken off. Different factors affected Iraq’s stability, including inherent sectarian divisions and the role of other states. There were two types of influence on Iran and they are: first and foremost was that the projects politically influenced leveraging close historical relationships with several Shi’a organizations in Iraq like the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), the Badr organization, and the Dawah political party. A second factor was that Iran had used the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Qods Force (QF) to provide paramilitary training, weapons, and equipment to various Iraqi militant groups, including Moqtada al-Sadr’s Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) and the Special Group Criminals (SGCs). Iran also had an influence on the legal and constructive functions of Iraq. Although it was seen that Iran’s policy in Iraq is also duplicitous, it publicly called for stability but diverted Iraq’s government and illegally sponsored anti-government militias. INTRODUCTION Although the factors and consequences surrounding Iran and Iraq war have been extensively discussed in the research literature, the post-war implications have been hardly understood. The United States has been accusing Tehran of its undue interference, which was done by Arab leaders for establishing an Islamic Republic[1], and by prominent Iraqi officials of an array of illegitimate meddling. It has been observed that Iran’s influence in Iraq has created a quite complex situation for the entire region. Iran had vital interests in Iraq, which can be perceived as strategic important for establishing power relations in the region. In order to maximise the success of Iraq from its political transition, it is very important that Tehran and Baghdad work together. In addition, it is fundamental for all involved parties to prevent the US from further deterioration of its relations with the Islamic Republic.[2] Therefore, the objective of the present research is to explore Iran’ s role and influence in Iraq in both political and military aspects. The essay is divided into introduction followed by theoretical remarks regarding the Iraqi insurgency, and the political stability. In reviewing the literature on the conflict between Iran and Iraq, it becomes clear that Iran has played a role in bringing about instability in Iraq since 2003, which has been further divided into different sections. The first and the foremost division occurred between those academics who cite Iranian influence to be the most significant destabilising factor in post-2003 Iraq, and others who hold the opinion that Iran’s influence is considered either positive or insignificant. As per Barzegar[3], the first approach is that Iran’s influence in Iraq is both strong and negative. At the same time, it has been indicated that Iran had a negative foreign policy. The nature of Iran’s relations had changed with various militant groups in Iraq and after the fall of Saddam’s regime in 2003. Moreover, Iran had deployed thousands of intelligence and paramilitary people to Iraq, as Iran had conflicting and negative goals in Iraq. The primary goal of Iran was to expand its influence at both national and local levels in Iraq. Thus, it was seen that it had made links with the local actors, even when they opposed Iran’s preferred clients at the national level. It may be also argued that Iran follows a policy of favouritism. In the beginning after the invasion, Iran has tried to combat US power. The US had a strong position in Iraq, which could have a negative impact on the security of Iran. With the worsening situation in Iraq, and with the regime change that the US tried to impose in Iraq, the United States became less of a driver of Iranian actions, although it was always an important factor in the Iranian leadership’s calculations. Soon after 9/11 Iran also had changed some of its policy as there were significant changes in the US policy. Initially Iran had cooperated with the US with regards to al-Qaida and to some degree in Afghanistan’s issues. However, later on Iran believed that the United States rebuffed its gestures. In addition to this Iran also had exploited the situation that followed the US regime and change in Iraq so as to expand its influence there.[4] As of today, Iran has its closest ties with the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), formerly the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). This relationship basically was on the exceptionally close and subservient days when SCIRI’s role was that of an Iranian proxy to be wielded against Saddam’s regime during the bitter 1980-8 Iran-Iraq war. Indeed, Iran even organised part of SCIRI into the Badr Corps to fight against Iraqi forces on Iran’s behalf. Today, as the International Crisis Group notes, â€Å"although the extent of ISCI’s continued involvement with it is a matter of debate, there is no question that Tehran exerts significant influence over the Party and that ISCI’s ties to Iran’s security establishment remain strong†.[5] Therefore, ISCI has been recognised as having the strongest ties to Iran. It has also been shown as quite cooperative with the United States.[6] For instance, ISCI had members, which were a part of Iraq’s intelligence and police forces. These members are now working with the United States in its capacity as part of the Iraqi government; they have also gone after ISCI rivals like Muqtada as-Sadr’s Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM). In spite of ISCI being Iran’s closest ally in Iraq, Tehran has had many other relationships, which were maintained at any cost including weakening ISCI, such as Iran’s ties to JAM have grown to the extent of even hosting its leader Muqtada al-Sadr. This happened despite his repeated criticisms of Tehran and violent rivalry with ISCI. Thus, all these efforts were done to accomplish the initially set goals, including the major idea of maintaining a solid local influence.[7] IRAN-IRAQ WAR (1980-1988) It is important to clarify the circumstances leading to the 1980-1988 Iraq-Iran war in order to understand Iran’s and Iraq’s complicated relations. In 1979, after the rule of the Shah of Iran was overthrown in 1979, under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini, an Islamic Republic of Iran was established. Soon after assuming power, Ayatollah Khomeini not only exported the Islamic revolution to other countries in the Middle East but also to Iraq.[8] Because of all this Saddam Hussein in 1980 decided to initiate a war; thus, for the next two years there was a persistent war between Iran and Iraq, resulting in Iraq being expelled from Iran. [9] Although at this juncture Iran could have been declared victorious, Khomeini fought across the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein and forced his resolution in there. Khomeini had thought that Shiites would support him in his invasion but they were least interested to do it. Throughout the Arab countries it was assumed that it would take time for Iran to overthrow Saddam Hussein before the vulnerable monarchies of the Gulf fell, including the prised Saudi Arabia and its oil. Till now America was just waiting and watching all the drama (war), but at this juncture it decided to get into the war itself and tilt towards Iraq.[10] During the reign of Saddam Hussein, Iran launched a number of Shiite groups who violently opposed the Iraqi Baathist regime and this particularly took place before the Iran-Iraq war had started. The Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution (SCIR) in Iraq was led by Ayatollah Muhammad Bakr al-Hakim and his militia, the Badr Brigade, also joined forces with Iran in the Iran-Iraq war and very actively participated in the war by supporting the Iranian side. [11] After responding to the President George H. W. Bush’s ill-fated call for a Shiite uprising, which happened in 1991, SCIRI temporarily occupied the Iraqi port of Basra. Soon after the reprisals, SCIRI continued to be with the Shiite group and opposed Saddam Hussein. They were competing with different groups, such as Ahmed Chalabi’s Iraqi National Congress. After the US invasion and also after the establishment of the interim Iraqi government, SCIRI established itself as one of the most important and main political parties, which represented southern Shia (the other being Dawa). [12] Bakr al-Hakim, who was an Iraqi religious leader, was killed in the US led Iraq war. Abdul-Aziz Al-Hakim was the SCIRI’s political leader and was very famous in Iraq as a politician.[13] Moreover, SCIRI and Dawa had supported Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim when he was in Iran and was exiled; they also gave their support to the Iranian regime and advocated an Iraqi Islamic theocracy. After returning back to Iraq, they withdrew their support from Dawa and another government party, which was led by the velayat-e faqih. As a result, they started propagating the meaningful role of religion in governance.[14] IRAN’S STRATEGY TO INFLUENCE IRAQ Soon after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, Iran tried to influence Iraq by adopting the strategy that Iran and Iraq are neighbours with a long history of dealing with one another. In addition, they both have same historic, religious, economic, and cultural factors of influence. Moreover, the eight-year long war was a result of their troubled relationship, in which Iran tried to position itself to influence the formation of a new government in Iraq. This took place through the use of all elements of national power: diplomatic means, information technology, military, and economic resources. Iran has tried to achieve its goals in Iraq by adopting different strategies. For instance, Iran openly supported pro-Iranian factions and armed militias; it also tried to influence Iraqi political leaders by building strong economic ties in Iraq, which were considered a manifestation of goodwill towards Iran.[15] According to Joseph Felter and Brian Fishman,[16] Iran has persistently tried to affect the political landscape of Iraq. It has been argued that Iran has a well-developed plan so as to exert influence in Iraq in order to minimise or avoid the American power projection in the Middle East. Two significant modes of Iranian influence have been identified in Iraq. The first mode was associated with the idea to influence Iraqi politics through the assistance of various Shiite organisations, such as the Supreme Council of Iraq, the Badr organisation, and the Dawa political party. The second method suggested support of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Qods Force (QF) to obtain arms and ammunition as well as paramilitary training to various Iraqi militant groups to include Moqtada al Sadr’s Jaysh al Mahdi (JAM) and the Special Group Criminals (SGCs). Iran’s influence on Iraq has been identified as economic and religious. Iran’s ambitions for influence have spread to different diplomatic, military, and economic sectors of Iraq. Iran wanted to influence Iraq not only politically but through the involvement of mass media by creating a specific image in minds of Iraqi people so as to get help for its strategy. In economic terms, Iran has helped Iraq to build its trade and expand it accordingly.[17] IRANIAN MILITARY INFLUENCE IN IRAQ Because of the influence over the military, it had made many insurgent groups to operate in Iraq and some of them were directly opposing the US military in Iraq. With such influence in Iraq, Iran could possibly retaliate against the United States. In turn, this prompted the United States to convince the United Nations to impose economic sanctions on Iran because of its nuclear program. Iran also executed return attacks on the US forces using proxy militia groups in Iraq in case the US decided to take direct military action.[18] Since 2003, Iran had pursued extensive collaboration with Iraqi political allies, such as the United States, in order to participate in the nascent democratic political process. It has also armed, trained, and funded Shiite militias with the idea to defeat the United States, which would prevent further intervention of the US army in that particular area.[19] As Katzman mentions,[20] in the period from 2005 to 2008, Iran had increased support for Iraqi Shiite militias and took over both the material aid like physical arming of militia groups and the contribution of troops, as well as training or harbouring of insurgents. The Quds forces were supplying material to Iran, and they were charged for territorial actions, although reports have said that the military training in the Iraqi Shi’a militia was done by the Lebanese group Hezbollah.[21] The major terrorist activity was completed by Iran and Quds Force. This was confirmed in 2010 by the US State Department[22], but it appears that not only this Iranian government was involved between the IRGC and the Special Groups inside Iraq.[23] It has been noted that the Iraqi military group linked most strongly to Iran, is probably the Badr Corps, the armed wing of the ISCI, which, even prior to 2003, was described as â€Å"Iran’s most important action arm inside Iraq†.[24] Bergner (2007) stated that Iraqi Shiite groups were not in the situation to bring about such massive and destructive attacks, without weapons and training from Iran, implying that Tehran has carefully planned its actions. Again it was argued that links between military groups in Iraq were made in Iran, and this further fuelled instability. However, the question whether other agents or groups were involved in creating such an unstable situation remains open.[25] IRANIAN POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT IN IRAQ By 2011, it has been observed that Nouri al-Maliki, Prime Minister of Iraq, was openly against the Vice President Hashemi. In addition, there was persistent agitation between Erbil and Baghdad, which made the members of Iraqiyya and the Kurds to actually consider prime minister’s ouster seriously, which occurred in the 2012 spring. At this point Maliki’s opponents took the help of Sadrist because it was necessary at that point of time to obtain 163 votes, which were required to pass a non- confidence motion. Sadr was not willing to break with the other Shiite blocs and side with Maliki’s Kurdish and Sunni opponents in a non- confidence motion, in spite of having meetings between top Kurdish, Iraqiyya, and Sadrist officials (including Sadr himself) in Erbil and Najaf.[26] President Jalal Talabani was also under high pressure from the Iranian government to help and support Maliki, but he directly opposed the initiation of a non-confidence vote in the parliament, sa ying that there is no proper support for this action.[27] However, by June 2012, it has been evident that the non- confidence vote had faltered. It was in late 2012 reported that the President Talabani had changed his position on a non- confidence motion because of growing tensions among Arabs and Kurds.[28] By the end of 2012, Talabani suffered a stroke there by ending any chance of renewing push to remove Maliki through a non-confidence measure. De-Ba‘athification served the Iranian ambition more than the Iraqi one. The extensive period of Saddam Hussein’s Ba‘athist rule had left a deep societal mistrust and sectarian divisions. This institution, de-Ba‘athification, was created after Saddam’s downfall in 2003, but it was very quickly politicised, which also applied a ban on the former members of the Ba‘ath party. Again it was noted that there were links between the Iranian-backed militant groups and the head of the Shi‘a-dominated commis sion and his deputies, Ahmed Chalabi and Ali al- Lami.[29] Iran has been involved in Iraqi politics since 2003. Yet, Iranian efforts to exert influence over politics in Iraq have been evident since 1980s. However, the main point which is debated is whether Iran is committed to exerting long-term control over such a government, and whether the Iranian government would be comfortable in allowing a Shiite Iraqi government to become militarily and political powerful. It has also been claimed that the Iranian government had exerted persistent political pressure over the US to force the Americans to withdraw their troops in 2008 as per US-Iraq Security Agreement.[30] It has also been observed that Iran normally exerts pressure on the political sphere in Iraq through Iraq’s Shiite political parties by using its religious prowess to garner favour in the Shiite community. It appears that many of the political links were falsified after the Iran-Iraq war. This resulted in a huge number of Iraqi political figures being exiled in Iran and returning in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion to influence the politics in their home country. Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, had to spend a substantial amount of time in Iran, although most of his exile was spent in Syria, but this was during the rule of Saddam Hussein.[31] Similarly, it has been also noted that the Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr had strong links with the Iranian religious government and political establishment, although the Sadrist movement was basically anti-Iranian.[32] There were lots of other people, who felt that Iran had a negative impact on the instability of Iraq. According to Alsis et al.,[33] after the war the elections backed all major Shiite parties, so that if any of the party wins elections can be beholden to Tehran. Again this was the strategy of Iran to get support, which had led to Shiite divisions, and thus the cause of conflict and instability in many case s. Such political instability was the major cause of the development of various divisions in Iraqi society. The eruption of these division fuelled pressure not only in Iraq but in the entire region. During the 2010 elections, many incidents of violence were reported. This raised the question about the politically unstable country considering the presence of weak coalitions and holding of elections. This has provided Iran with an opportunity to demonstrate its support for Shiites, as this could be conducive to social stability, or such a condition may simply serve to whitewash and thus diminish the reality of the ground situation. The Brookings Institute Iraq Index (2006)[34] had charted a peak in multiple fatality bombings in January 2005, during the elections, and again during other months of the same year. All this has been seen very common in Iraq and somehow very much seen during Ramadan and elections, or in other words, it was considered quite normal during religious and political events. For example, Cordesman cites that â€Å"the number of attacks peaked to some 700 per week in October 2005, before the October 15th referendum on the constitution, compared to 430 per week in mid- January†.[35] In relation to these events, many political groups and parties, who are said to have links to political establishments of Iran and also independent elements within Iran, have argued that most of these groups have strong influence and links to the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI). It has been observed in recent years that the Mahdi Army, which is led by Moqtada al-Sadr, has become very powerful and influential due to reported links with Iran of Sadr.[36] ECONOMIC INFLUENCE Since the US invasion, trade between Iran and Iraq has steadily increased and Iran is now Iraq‘s biggest trading partner[37], and the trade consists of building materials, chemicals, consumer goods, and foodstuffs, much of it via the border at Mehran and Mundhirriya/QasrShirin. In addition to this, Iran has negotiated electricity deals with Iraq that were implemented after the CPA era.[38] According to the Iranian ambassador to Iraq, Iran supplies 750 megawatts of electricity to Iraq daily. Moreover, two Iranian banks have received an approval to open their branches in Iraq.[39] Nonetheless, Iran’s investments in real estate and businesses in Basra, Karbala, and Najaf have been seen as exploitative rather than a form of gratitude from Iraqis.[40] To add to this Iran-Iraq economic ties are strong, and this has been encouraged to some extent by the impact of international sanctions on Iran and in other markets. It was demonstrated by Iran‘s ambassador in August 2010 that Iran would double its trade volume with Iraq.[41] Iranian officials have also indicated that they welcome a strong economic integration between the two countries, â€Å"Our message to Iraqi brothers in my visit is that Iran is fully ready to expand ties with Baghdad. We announced that Tehran is prepared to put its scientific, technical, engineering, economic and commercial potentials at the disposal of Iraq†.[42] In 2005, there were reports that to get a job in Basra, this requires the sponsorship of Iran, as teaching posts were filled only by those who were supporting Iran[43]. As a result, most traders in southern parts of Iran speak Farsi and many accept Iranian currency. Iranian exports include electricity, refined oil products, and cars. It al so helps to fund reconstruction. Iraqis have also started receiving medical care from Iran. Thus, Iran has presented a strong economic influence on Iraq. IRAN’S BROADER ROLE IN IRAQI SECURITY The interests of Iran and Iraq security coincide in certain areas and security competition is complicated as it is seen by some Iraqis that Iran is making huge efforts to acquire nuclear weapons as a Muslim bomb, and not as a threat to Iraq.[44] It was also noted that Iran has given some funding to Iraq‘s security forces in 2005, and Iraq had to promise the United States that Iran would not train Iraqi security forces.[45] Iran had pressurised on the security arrangement between the US and Iraq. General Odierno who was the Commander of the Multi-National Force in Iraq at that time said on October 12, 2008, that Iran may try to corrupt the members of the Council of Representatives so as to vote against the Status of Forces agreement.[46] However, in December 2011 Iran indicated that the US forces should withdraw from Iraq, as the US should not use Iraqi land, sea, and air for launching or for any transit point when they attack other countries.[47] It has been argued that some Iraqi military and intelligence officials had significant influence over elements of the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior, and had accused Iran of providing shaped charges and artillery to Iraqi militants. Moreover, Iran had also recruited thousands of Iraqis for gathering information; in fact, Iran has had intelligence agents in northern Iraq for at least 20 years.[48] As per Dafna Linzer, the rough estimate about Iranian intelligence officers in Iraq in 2007 was about 150.[49] It was also observed that some of the Iranian people felt that an increase in Iraq would be a threat to them, while others have attempted to use Iraq‘s military as a wedge to force the US out of Iraq.[50] As per Iran‘s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, â€Å"Considering the fact that the Iraqi Army can provide security, their presence in the country is not justifiable†.[51] THE ROLE OF THE IRANIAN REVOLUTIONARY GUARD IN IRAQ Immediately after the fall of Saddam in 2003, Iran began funnelling much of its aid to militias in Iraq via the Qods Force, which is a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.[52] They not only provided funding, weapons, operatives, and training to groups in Iraq, but also to Islamic militants in Palestine, Bosnia, Hezbollah in Lebanon, fighters in south Sudan, and the Taliban in Afghanistan.[53] It was argued by Mahan Abedin, who is a director of research at the London-based Centre for the Study of Terrorism that Qods’ training was largely focused on utilising intelligence and this was the key to their success. As per official figures, the number of Qods and Iranian intelligence personnel in Iraq was 150, while US commanders believe there were only fewer Shiite provinces.[54] Although the United States was slow to grasp the full extent of Iran‘s expanding role in Iraq, but on July 19, 2005, the United States sent a secret cable to Iran which stated that a British soldier was killed by an explosive which was supplied by Iran, although Iran denied there involvement, which lead to confrontations. [55] The Commander General Petraeus, who was in power during the Multi-National Force operation in Iraq, stated in his testimony to Congress that â€Å"none of us earlier this year appreciated the extent of Iranian involvement in Iraq, something about which we and Iraq‘s leaders all now have greater concern†.[56] Moreover, the Qods was a tool used by Iran directly or indirectly for hurting the US military and also disrupting American interests in Iraq. In 2007, General Petraeus stated that, â€Å"There should be no question about the malign, lethal involvement and activities of the Qods Force in this country†. He went on to add that Iran was â€Å"responsible for providing the weapons, the training, the funding and in some cases the direction for operations that have indeed killed US soldiers†.[57] American officials did not accuse the Qods Force directly for attacking Americans and very carefully said that they were not aware of leadership of the Iranian gover nment as being involved in the Qods Force‘s activities.[58] Such uncertainty in the US regarding the potential involvement of Iran in hte Qods Force raises certain issues that should be addressed by American politicians. Although the American president, George W. Bush, confidently said that those arms, ammunitions and explosives, which were used in Iraq, were certainly from the Qods Force, but â€Å"we are not aware whether or not the head leaders of Iran ordered the Quds Force to do what all this and what all they did †. [59] As per the US intelligence reports, which leaked in 2010, certain details were provided about the precise extent to which Iran was involved in 2006-2009 violence. The report also said that the IRGC used Hezbollah to train militants in Iran before crossing to Iraq. Moreover, General Petraeus had stated Hezbollah‘s role in a 2007 report to Congress.[60] The reports draw on testimony from detainees, captured diaries, and weapons originating in Iran which included explosively formed penetrators, bombs, and surface-to-air missiles. Thus, by all these reports it can be concluded that Iran had a hand in training and resourcing of specific attacks, including assassinations of Iraqi ministry officials, mortar attacks on the Green Zone, and also on kidnappings of American soldiers. In addition, General Petraeus implicated Iran in the 2007 car bombing and killing of two southern Iraqi governors. Besides using Hezbollah to train terrorists, the reports point to both the Badr Corps and Mahdi Army as allies in Iranian efforts.[61] According to the Long War Journal, which is basically based on interviews with senior military and intelligence officials and also mid-level military people, the Qods Force streamlined its operations in Iraq by creating the Ramazan Corps. The Corps was responsible for most of Qods Forces operations in Iraq in 2007 and consists of the Fajr command in the south, Nasr command in the north, and Zafar command in central Iraq. The Qods Force’s aid also included Mahdi Army, the Badr Brigades, the Qazali Network, the Sheibani Network, and many more groups and parties, as they mostly targeted political rivals, the Iraqi Security Forces, and Coalition forces. Moreover, when Badr Brigades and SCIRI formed a government, Iranian groups targeted them.[62] Again as per Brigadier General Kevin Begner, on July 2, 2007, Iran had supplied the Iraqi militias with $3 million per month.[63] Again in 2011, the US raised concerns over Iran‘s involvement in Iraqi violence and said that the incre ase in the number of Americans dying in the summer of 2011 was because Iran had supported Iraqi militants. Again in July, Admiral Mullen said that Iran was supplying militias in Iraq so as to take credit for withdrawing American troops.[64] During the war, which lasted for 8 years, Iran has developed strong ties in terms of religious and political influence with Shiite parties. During this period, Iran played a very important role in mediating between the Iraqi political leaders. It also had strong relations with the Sadrists who are one of the largest political parties in Iran’s ruling collation. Moreover, IRGC also had a significant influence over Iraqi security forces. Iran also has a large mix of resources, which were available in the process of exerting influence upon Iraq after Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003. Iran also used its influence in Iraq so as to divert the US goals, and pursue its own goals and interests. Iran used its sway in Iraq in order to keep the pro-Iranian Shiite Prime Minister Maliki in power and also to maintain stability along its western border. Thus, it can be argued that Iran’s role in Iraq is very complex, and not a simple task to mould Iraq as per the wishes of Iran. [65] CONCLUSION From all that has been discussed and looked at above, it is beyond doubt that since the invasion of Iraq by the United States and the downfall of Saddam Hussein, Iran has exerted more and more influence in Iraq by both conventional and unconventional methods. It has used a number of tools ranging from economic, political, military, regional to historic to exert such influence and has also formed proxies both with organisations of different profiles and objectives. Sectarianism and factional divisions have also been largely exploited by Iran to achieve its goals. Iranian influence in Iraq is vital to Iran since it considers its importance as a means of establishing its regional dominance and counters the influence of the United States in Iraq. Such efforts of establishing its influence in Iraq have not been without setbacks considering that Iran has had to work with organisations that have been counter-productive in their goals and objectives. The situation in Syria in the past few years has also lessened the viability of Iran’s dominance in the region. Even with such setbacks, Iran has enjoyed some benefits from its dominance in Iraq since trade between the two countries has flourished in a critical moment when Iran was undergoing trade sanctions from the United States and Western countries. One can only wait to see how long such influence will be exerted and whether such status enjoyed by Iran now will continue to exist regardless of the political situation in Iraq. BIBLIOGRAPHY Al-Jazeera English. (2011). â€Å"Iraqi PM in US to Chart Future Relations.† Accessed July 2, 2014, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2011/12/2011121273244299490.html. Allawi, A. (2007). The Occupation of Iraq: Winning the War, Losing the Peace. New Haven: Yale University Press. Alsis, P., Cordesman, A. H., Mausner, A. and Loi, C. 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