Comparing and Contrasting Detective Stories Essay

The Blue Carbuncle written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in pre 1914 and Indemnity Only from the V I Warshawski series written by Sara Paretsky in 1987 are good examples of the evolution of detective stories. The character, setting, genre and language have changed completely over this large period of time. But each story was very interesting to the people of that time so obviously something would be different. The detective genre has been going for ages now since crime started and it has changed over time because of what a detective does and what crimes are committed. The Blue Carbuncle is one of the short stories for the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and as you already know is was written very long ago but Indemnity Only was only written a few years ago and is still well known. In the olden days detective stories would involve a person who would leave different clues to make a puzzle but nowadays we just find the clues and catch the criminal so there is less suspense involved in the plot. The characters in The Blue Carbuncle are very different to the characters in Indemnity Only because in pre 1914 most people involved in a detective story were aristocrats and were very posh. But nowadays people in a detective story tend to have more casual people. In the Blue Carbuncle the main character is Sherlock Holmes who is known for being quite posh. He is very secretive and serious about things while the main character in Indemnity Only is V I Warshawski is very open and can be sarcastic during a case. Holmes seems to be a very wise detective but V I Warshawski seems to be just a normal gather the clues and crack the case detective. But I think the reason for that is because nowadays there is more technology to help solve the crime than there was in pre 1914. In Indemnity Only the setting is in Chicago in United States of America so it is quite a known area. The Blue Carbuncle is set in the countryside but does not state where. Sometimes the reader finds it helpful to know where the setting is. Chicago is well known for its industries and pizzas but sometimes for crime while the countryside is known for peace and beautiful scenery so a crime story is quite difficult to build in the countryside. Also technology was not as advance. Often crimes involve hi tech gadgets and top of the range cars while the equivalent in the olden days would have been a musket and a horse carriage. Language has changed quite a lot. Nowadays there seems to be more comedy in the story than n pre 1914. In Indemnity Only V I Warshawski seems very funny and sarcastic while Sherlock Holmes would rarely put a feeble joke. But both stories build up suspense. In Indemnity Only it build up suspense by repetition and short sentences while in The Blue Carbuncle it builds up suspense by Sherlock Holmes interviewing each suspect and each of them giving him something interesting. Also in Indemnity Only it uses sensational language. This is language that appeals to the five senses.  In my conclusion it is obvious that there has been a lot of change during many years to detective stories and these mainly because of the evolution of Earth over that period of time. But some detective stories now are like the ones in pre 1914 because the author is old or was brought up during the olden days.

College and Success in Life

College and Success in Life It is very difficult to answer the claim that a person needs a university education to be successful in life because success in life means different things to different people. This essay starts by defining three different ideas of success. Following this, it looks at which types of success are dependent on a university education. Success in life can be achieved in different ways. Many magazines and television programmes tell us that success means having a lot of money, having a fulfilling career, and being powerful.In contrast, most religious and spiritual organizations claim that success means finding spiritual happiness and being at peace with God and with yourself. Another idea of success focuses on relationships – being surrounded by people who love you and care about you, spending time with family and friends. A university education can help you achieve some types of success, but it makes little or no difference to whether or not you are succe ssful in other areas of life. Undoubtedly, a university education is essential if you want to have a career in a profession such as law, engineering, teaching, or medicine.However, you do not need a university degree to become a wealthy and powerful movie star, sports star or businessperson. In fact, a university education does not generally enable you to achieve spiritual happiness, or to have successful relationships with family and friends. sIn conclusion, there are many different types of success. A university education may help you to achieve professional success in some careers. However, it will not help you to achieve success in other areas of your life such as your spiritual life or your relationships.

Common Core State Standards Essay

Is a girl in your neighborhood being taught the same things as a boy in another neighborhood? Is a graduating senior in Baton Rouge as prepared to get a job as a graduating senior in Minneapolis? The answer to these questions is â€Å"no,† and rightfully so. All children are unique. A student with autism or dyslexia should not be taught the same way as students who have no learning disabilities. Indiana, which adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), is now eliminating those standards because, the state asserts, Common Core â€Å"takes control of educational content and standards away from parents, taxpayers, local school districts, and states† (Volsky). The Indiana legislators want to write new standards, which are governed locally, not at the federal level. NEED A TRANSITION? Forty-five American states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity have adopted the CCSS (Common Core State Standards Initiative). These standards were designed by a group of teachers, school chiefs, administrators, and other experts. The CCSS are suggested targets in English Language Arts and Mathematics that set the skills a student should possess in order to proceed to the next level of education. There is no clear divide on the standards between Republicans and Democrats; both have expressed their concerns. But, the controversy reached its peak when the Obama administration slowly started to support the CCSS (Bidwell). Proponents of the CCSS argue that the standards ensure that all students will have the same set of skills, the standards will make sure all students are college ready, and that the standards are a new state-led effort instead of a federal effort. I believe that all states should abolish the CCSS because children with disabilities should not be expected to learn the same way as advanced students, the CCSS takes away from the tradition and individuality of independent/parochial schools, and the problem in education is not standards but poverty. The CCSS have not made success easy for students with learning disabilities. According to the CCSS, students with disabilities â€Å"must be challenged to excel within the general curriculum† (Herbert 10). In addition to students with disabilities, students without disabilities learn different things in different ways, mature at different rates, and have different talents and goals. There is no reason for states to have standards that require students to learn the same things at the same time, and learn them the same way (McClusky). The CCSS â€Å"moves all kids largely in lock-step, processing them like soulless widgets† (McClusky). In a recent discussion, Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania special education student teachers expressed their frustrations in trying to teach special-ed students within the confines of the CCSS (Beals 2). The CCSS are supposed to boost national achievement levels, but by restricting these students to subject matter beyond thei r cognitive abilities, the standards are ultimately lowering student achievements. The CCSS also take away from the tradition and individuality of independent/parochial schools. Parochial schools are private schools that are affiliated with some religious organization and whose curriculum includes religion along with all major subjects. As a graduate of Catholic schools, I believe it is important that the traditions and religion classes be kept alive in these schools. The standards were approved without consideration of how they would affect Catholic schools (Strauss 4). The Catholic education is geared at preparing students for a life of spirit, truth, and faith in God, all of which are never mentioned in the CCSS. Adopting the standards into Catholic schools will essentially diminish them of their tradition to help children not only obtain an education but to develop their faith. As an education major, I have observed many Catholic schools. On the walls, on the boards, and in the hallways, there are examples of prayer and religion everywhere. Taking this away wou ld be taking away the identity of these students. This will ultimately lead to the some students being ashamed of their religion. Another issue that arises is the involvement of the federal government. Independent and parochial schools are independent in their finances and governance and in most cases rely on tuition for funding. The CCSS are state-led efforts but, because these  schools are free from state and federal government financing and guidance, they will not be able to afford the implementation of the CCSS. One of the reasons people believe CCSS are needed is because of the idea that America’s school system has low national test scores. This is not because the current standards are not working; the real issue is poverty. The reason for low-test scores is that about 23% of American students live in poverty. Finland, which has the highest-ranking test scores, has only 5% of students living in poverty (Krashen 37). Poverty stricken children in Queens, NY that have a lack of health care, food insecurity, and lack of library access will not succeed as well as a student going to a school in the Upper East Side of New York City. For example, studies show that food-insecure children are more likely to have slow language development, and problems in social behavior and emotional control (Krashen 38). This results in missed schools days, causing students to repeat grades, which leads to low achievement scores. Instead of spending money on implementing the standards, schools need to spend t he funds on sufficient food programs, improved health care (including more school nurses), and more money going towards libraries in lower-income schools. Some in favor of the CCSS believe that the standards will ensure that all students, no matter what race, gender, or state they are in, will have the same set of skills when graduating to each new grade level (Gardner and Powell 50). Although this is a great notion in theory, the idea that every single student in America will know the exact same things is a major overgeneralization. Even with the CCSS, children with disabilities are physically and mentally incapable of learning the same things at the same rate as a student in advanced or gifted programs. The CCSS have also increased the rigor of the curriculum students are learning. Therefore, students who are already struggling to not fall behind will struggle even further causing the students, parents, and teachers to suffer. In addition to underachieving students, overachieving students will also be negatively affected by the standards. Children who learn faster than others, or who are naturally smarter than their peers will be for ced to learn at the same pace as students who are not as gifted. This will result in students being bored  and losing all interest in school. If every single child in America had the same cognitive abilities, the CCSS would be the answer; but they are not. Other proponents believe that the CCSS will make sure all students graduating from high school are college ready. The problem with this is, America has too many over educated students; the professional work force does not have enough jobs for American students when they graduate. If all students are college ready, no one will want to work at grocery stores, fast food restaurants, mechanic shops, etc. If every student gets a degree and starts work in the professional world, the economy will eventually fail. There will be no farmers to produce groceries; there will be no waitresses; there will be no janitors or cleaning services. In order for this country’s economy to produce money, there needs to be people who do not earn college degrees. One major reason people are supporting the CCSS is because they are state-led instead of being dictated by the federal government. The federal government is largely imposing the CCSS. The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, both of which do not represent states, created the standards. The hasty adoption by most states was federal action. To compete for a part of the $4.35 billion Race to the Top (ADD DEFINITION) reward, a federal government led education effort, states had to adopt the CCSS (McCluskey). When the CCSS came about, the Obama administration only gave states two options: adopt the CCSS or make sure a state university certified a student as college ready. Also, the U.S. Department of Education funded two programs that created the national tests that coincide with the CCSS (McCluskey). With all of this federal involvement, the CCSS is no longer a state-led effort. It is a â€Å"one-size-fits-all† program that ignores the nee ds of the individual states. The reason to oppose the CCSS is not because of the content, some of which is great, the reason is that the CCSS lacks most qualities needed to be considered authoritative, or to even be considered standards. Sadly, the CCSS is generating in America’s education system severe and lasting damage that would take decades to reverse. The CCSS is bad for states, teachers,  students, parents, and anyone associated with the education process. Now, ask yourself these questions again. Is a girl in your neighborhood being taught the same things as a boy in another neighborhood? Is a graduating senior in Baton Rouge as prepared to get a job as a graduating senior in Minneapolis? Still, the answer is â€Å"no†. Do you believe me now that this is a good answer? Works Cited Bidwell, Allie. â€Å"The History Of Common Core State Standards.† U.S. News Digital Weekly 6.9 (2014): 7. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. Common Core State Standards Initiative., 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. Herbert, Marion. â€Å"Common Core’s Implications For Special Ed Students.† District Administration 47.2 (2011): 10.Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. Krashen, Stephen. â€Å"THE COMMON CORE. (Cover Story).† Knowledge Quest 42.3 (2014): 36-45. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Feb. 2014. McCluskey, Neal. â€Å"No Child Is Standard.† Reading Today 31.2 (2013): 30. Academic SearchComplete. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. Strauss, Valerie. â€Å"Catholic scholars blast Common Core in letter to U.S. bishops.† Washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.

Writing As Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Writing As - Assignment Example His theory is based on the simple premise that population growth is more exponential than food growth. As a result, it is necessary to adopt checks that will regulate population control by aligning it with food growth. The similarity between Malthus’ and Smith’s rationales lies in a belief that population regulates itself naturally. Consequently, it is not necessary to employ man-made measures to control population growth. In this regard, Smith reasons that the liberal reward of labor naturally limits population growth while Malthus rejects his proposal of a preventive check and leans towards a positive check (natural population-reducing disasters like famine, poor living and working conditions, conflict, and disease (Ness & Ciment, 2014). In conclusion, it is safe to say that Smith and Malthus subscribe to the Darwinian concept of survival for the fittest and natural population control methods. It is also logical to infer that both authors’ objectives in making their arguments concerning population are the same. What both scholars are insinuating is that population growth is a self-regulating phenomenon that is better left to nature than manipulated using human

Service experience report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Service experience report - Essay Example Services have several distinguishing factors all that have implications during marketing. One of these factors is that services are intangible that means that services cannot be stocked. Consequently, variation in demand is difficult to manage. In addition, the actual cost of the service is difficult to determine making pricing difficult. The other characteristic of services is that they are inseparable as they are produced and offered simultaneously (Hultman and Ek, 2011). This means that the consumer is present during the production of the service and the level of satisfaction attained is influenced by other consumers. Services are usually heterogeneous given that these activities are undertaken by humans and hence it is not possible to produce identical services. Lastly, services are perishable as they can never be stored, resold, or returned. For instance, a hotel company that offers bad services to its customers may not returned (Hultman and Ek, 2011). Because of the characteris tics described above, companies offering services faces several challenges in marketing to ensure effectiveness. This report describes the application marketing theories and concepts in the case of Palazzo Versace Hotel that had been visited to have a feel of their customer and identify critical points. The report will also present reasons that make customers feel dissatisfied with the services offered. The First Visit Service marketing efforts in the hotel industry are geared towards attracting new customers and encouraging subsequent visits. Consequently, when I booked at Palazzo Versace Hotel, Gold Coast, and the hotel had a new customer and therefore it had a big role in ensuring that it is able to maintain the customer. Despite having booked for hotel earlier, the front office staff of the hotel could not trace the booking details due to computer failure. However, as required in service marketing where the first experience plays a great role in determining the level of satisfac tion a customer receives in the service industry, the receptionists was quick to reassure me that all was well and assigned another room that is of the same status like that which I had booked. By assigning a room to the customer despite failure to trace his details of booking, the reception reassured the customer that the hotel is concerned about his welfare and has trust in them. This act may also be understood from the relationship marketing. Relationship marketing involves attracting and maintaining customers through enhanced customer to organization relationship (Gilmore, 2003). By demonstrating trust for the customer and assigning a room without much interrogation, the visitor is able to form a strong relationship with the facility and therefore it is possible to book at the hotel again. The other marketing concept that is evident in the case of Palazzo Versace Hotel and the customer is that of mutual satisfaction. According to Gilmore (2003), traditionally, marketing theory e mphasized on mutual satisfaction. Businesses make profits by also ensuring that they meet the needs of their customers. To ensure that customers achieve satisfaction, the services offered must be of high quality and adhere to value and convenience needs of the customer. In adherence to the needs of the customer, the receptionist recognized the value of convenience as a determinant to the level of sati

Understanding Organisation Theory and Practice Essay

Understanding Organisation Theory and Practice - Essay Example This article stresses that contingency theory has been widely employed by companies such as those in the airline industry to streamline their operations and also respond to adversities that stem from the companies’ in internal and external environment. Globalisation and evolution of technology has consequently led to the exposure of organisations inclusive of the airline companies to environments that are volatile since the environment has been significantly expanded. The airline industry in comparison to other industries has been exposed to impacts of the business environment such as the economic, political, technological, and socio-cultural factors which has increased due to multi-national exposure. This paper makes a conclusion that Qantas and Virgin airlines have often applied the contingency theory with the aim of not only dealing with the implications of their internal and external environment but also to gain competitive advantage over other companies in the same industry. †¢ Due to the competitive nature of the airline industry in Australia and beyond the borders, the management of Qantas and Virgin should focus on other management approaches that can maximize their bottom line besides the contingency theory. Some of the management approaches that have proved significant in organisations are the system theory and chaos theory. The system theory will enable the management of the airlines to comprehend how the employees are affected by different systems and they also affect the system that surrounds them.

Multinational Corporation Influences Research Paper

Multinational Corporation Influences - Research Paper Example This structure has individual departments and the workers work in their own area of expertise, and this system enhances the function of each department. Workers have close contact and can share knowledge which is healthy in terms of product advancement and at the same time functional structure is an economical structure. Centralization of this structure causes flexibility problems among different departments.Divisional Structure is flexible in terms of adopting changes, occur in an environment. Each department is responsible for different product and work is always carried out with their individual finances, marketing strategies or warehouses etc. This structure needs a duplication in its resources because the workers of the same field are divided into different departments and thus there no exchange of information or knowledge between workers. Innovative and differentiation strategies are always part of a divisional structure.Matrix Structure is complicated but is the most accurate structure. It has both above-explained structures within itself and works with functional structure with assigned managers for each product. The matrix structure is the most difficult structure to be implemented because of its dual authority as there are sometimes two managers for each product: Product manager and functional manager, but it is very productive for Multinational Corporations. In short matrix structure is a cross functional structure which carries a plentiful space for improvement and innovation before the product is released for market inflow.

Woodside Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Woodside Company - Essay Example According to the policy of national interests, leaders of all countries are assumed to act in a rational way with the aim of safeguarding and pursuing their state objectives. This means that countries emulate the policies that are considered by the leaders to be of importance in developing and improving the well-being of their societies1. In their efforts to attain an economic growth and ensure transparency in the oil industries among other sectors, governments have adopted the policy of national interest. For instance, to safeguard the interest of local and foreign investors in the Australian oil sector, the government has put in place various measures to regulate the oil industry. For example, the government prohibited Royal Dutch Shell and BHP from undertaking the acquisition of Woodside Petroleum. The acquisition was valued at $35bn. One of the major strategies that Shell Company adopted was to take over Woodside incorporation with an objective of expanding its market share. Acco rding to Peter Voser, the company chief executive officer, this strategy was emulated in order to enhance innovativeness and competitiveness thus expanding the capital base leading to expanded investment and high dividends. Additionally, the company was focused at maintaining a sustainable cash flow that would make it to effectively meet its short-term liabilities and improve the company liquidity. However, based on the concept of the national interest, Peter Costello, The Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act (FATA) treasurer rejected the move by Shell Investment Limited to purchase a majority interest in Woodside Petroleum Limited. Woodside Company is responsible for managing natural gas consortium that is based at the North West Shelf. According to Costello, Woodside Petroleum Limited had a national interest to maximize the production of natural gas from North West Shelf in order to increase the country sales and compete with other countries in the world natural market2. Additio nally, the Australian government was focused at protecting Woodside performance in the stock exchange market. Even though Shell aimed at controlling Woodside Company under the leadership of Don Voelte, Woodside management and the politician in Australia were against the Shell decision making it to be frustrated. One of the major aspects that were targeted by Shell is the Woodside-operated Pluto project that was generating large volume of oil resulting to increased profitability for Woodside3. Additionally, Shell argued that if given authority to control the $43bn Gorgon gas project among others that are located in Western Australia, it would increase the total revenue and initiate a sustainable growth as compared to Woodside. The sale offer was valued at $10 billion4. In 2010, Shell energy Holdings Australia Limited (SEHAL) agreed to sell 78 million shares that it has in Woodside to UBS AG. The sale resulted to the reduction of Shell interest in Woodside by 29%. In addition, the sel ling of the shares resulted to reduction of Shell capital in Woodside by 10%. In this regard, major issues that affected Woodside were mostly determined by the Woodside management team5. In the same way, SEHAL was focused to retain the remaining shares for at least one year. According to Peter Voser the CEO, Shell is determined to expand its investment portfolio in Australia. It is worth to note that even though Shell was prevented from acquiring majority interests in Woodside, the company purchased Australia LNG thus increasing its production capacity to 2.7 mtpa in 2010. The company is focused at increasing this capacity to 6.5 mtpa in the next 3 years. Having sold its shares at

International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 22

International Business - Essay Example Operating under three main segments -- Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Financial Services, the company well-known three brands -- BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, goes with the popularity of company. Its BMW automobile range encompasses the 1 Series, Series 3, the 5 Series, and 7 Series, the sports utility vehicles, X3, X5, and X6 and M models, such as M3, M5, and M6. It makes available to customer cars under MINI brand and motorcycles under the BMW brand. The Rolls-Royce brands include three luxury cars, Phantom, Coupe and Ghost. With continued production assembly, services and sales subsidiaries made throughout the world, (Reuters, 2010a), BWM is undeniably a global company that can be affected by globalization. One of best proofs of a company’s attainment of its long-term health is the behaviour of its stock price in the stock market as the same could indicate achievement of wealth maximization objective (Bernstein, 1993; Brigham and Houston, 2002). This paper seeks to examine how the BMW may have benefited from the actual and potential impacts of globalization on the company by analysing the possible strategies that the company has employed. This will also evaluate the possible strategies of going forward which the company might use to response to the impacts of globalization that would be identified. The paper will discuss first the different models to understand the company’s strategies. The models include the PEST, Five-Forces and SWOT and determine whether the same are applied by BMW in its choice of strategies. The paper will end-up evaluating the present strategies used by the company and recommend what should be done by company in relation with models describe. The analysis will include using available information for BMW from its 2010 Annual Report and its websites. This paper has chosen BMW as this researcher finds interesting to see how car manufacturers could really

Personnel Management in Transition by Frederick Taylor Essay

Personnel Management in Transition by Frederick Taylor - Essay Example These were the most commonly used methods of work force organization. They were characterized by high levels of division and specialization of labour. These were viewed as the motivating factors for workers as well as increasing their output (Redman, T. and Wilkinson, A. 2006 86-93). In the early 20th century, Frederick Taylor developed principles whereby workers worked through division of labor and a performance based remuneration. Each worker was to be allocated a particular task in a bid to save time and increase production. Fordism took the same perspective of division of labor. It was mainly targeting division of labor in large industries with a characteristic high mechanization where by the process of production of is arranged in a sequence, with each stage of machine operations assigned to a particular operator (Antonio Gramsci’s 1993 pp. 77-81). However, managers have realized that flexibility facilitates work life balance amongst workers. They are able to control thei r working conditions such as the choice of where to work, the time when they should work as well as how they perform in the work. There are several ways through which firms can implement flexibility. These include policies on flexible hours. Flexibility of working hours allows fulfillment amongst the employees within the place of work as well as outside. This is usually beneficial to the business through improved productivity amongst the employees, which is attributed to job satisfaction. The employees are able to take care of family obligations as well as those of the work place (Bratton, J. and Gold, J. 2007 pp. 121-124). In that state, it is most likely that they will be more productive than working under tight schedules that do not allow them to take any other responsibility outside the paid work. The needs of employees towards work life balance are specific to individuals.

Fate in Oedipus the King Essay Example for Free

Fate in Oedipus the King Essay Tragedy of Oedipus is about pre-destination vs free-will. Fate does play a part in the tragic down fall of Oedipus but it does not mean that his character and disposition has no liability for that. Excessive arrogance and self-confidence of Oedipus is the main cause of his tragedy. He harbors unjustified suspicions against Tiresias and Creon; in one place he goes so far as to express some uncertainty about the prophetic natures of oracles and truth of their prophecies. It is hardly likely that even a combination of all these would be equal to what Aristotle considered to be a serious hamartia, and it would not be very relevant to the point at issue even if he did, for Oedipus has committed incest and parricide years before the action of the play began, and before he exhibited any of the failing mentioned above. It would hardly be logical to say that the gods punished Oedipus for a crime which he was to commit many days later. Another view is that the present failings of Oedipus may be taken to means that he was he was always like that, and his tragedy comes due some inherent or innate unsoundness in his character. So he is not a puppet in the hands of fate. But Sophocles also illustrates that it was fate that brought him to Thebes and it was gain fate that he came across someone at where three highways came together. It was his fate that he married his mother. Above all, fate has played a pivotal role in his life from the very start and has not dealt with him even-handedly. The divine will as predicted and proclaimed by the oracle was absolute and it has nothing good about Oedipus. Although certain measures were taken by the King and Queen) to escape from that proclaimed destiny but it became the cause for the tragic downfall of Oedipus. That is the reason that Oedipus says after blinding himself. God. God. / Is there a sorrow greater? /Where shall I find harbor in this world? / My voice is hurled far on a dark wind. / What has God done to me? (Sophocles 831) Dodds writes about the nature of fate as demonstrated by Oedipus that fate is inevitably and inexorably bound to happen no matter what Oedipus may have done to avoid it (Dodds 21).

Study plan finished version Essay Example for Free

Study plan finished version Essay I was born over 24 years ago in Guangzhou, China. After graduating from high school I then proceeded to East Los Angeles College where I got an Associate degree in Business Administration. I later moved to California State Polytechnic University Pomona where I got a B. S. degree in Finance in August 2007. After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona, I went back to my hometown Guangzhou. I’m presently working as a human resources assistant at XXX College, Guangzhou, China, where I help research and evaluated management practices, I also engaged in various training and development programs, leadership principles and employee relations. My human resource assistant job also made me responsible for recruiting procedures, screening of candidates, coordinating interviews. Reason for Pursuing a Master degree Most of my coworkers got master degree, except me and their English are great too, most passed English at sixth level exam in China. Sometimes, I receive headhunting company call about some positions which are meant for my supervisor in international companies. The headhunting calls are meant to request for information about my boss’s. I have realize that China is a place with a lot of talented people, they have higher education and also very smart. There is increase in competitions among our youth, Hence an advanced education is necessary for me to succeed in this ever dynamic world. Secondly, China’s economic growth is rapid these years. I found that Chinese Corporations have large size of accounting department, Operation Department, Technical Department and Marketing Department, but they do not have appropriate size of Human Resources Department. The status is totally different in US. When I was studying in US, I did a lot of research program about the large Corporation in US, I then discover that the director of human resources may supervise several departments, each headed by an experienced manager who most likely specializes in one human resources activity, such as employment and placement; compensation, and benefits; training and development; or labor relations. As the global marketplace and rapidly-evolving technology are creating a new and more competitive business environment, I believe that professional human resources management is an increasing vital area in China. Therefore I decided to get my master degree. Why US When I plan to further my education, there are many places I can choose. There are three places in my decision, Hong Kong, Australia and US. I made some comparison here: Advantage Disadvantage Hong Kong Nearly my family and I can meet and take care of my parents easily. HK university require high GPA, my GPA is low. Hong Kong’s mother language is Cantonese; it is not a good environment to improve English. Australia Easy to apply a University and get a visa there. Good English Environment. There is few National University in Australia. They follow British education system. And tuition is expensive. USA Most mature and advanced education. I got my bachelor degree in US; I adapt the US education system. The tuition is expensive and very hard to get a student visa. After prolonged meditation, and communication with my parents, I made a decision to go back to US get the master degree. Study Plan I plan to study Master Degree in Human resource Management at Golden Gate University which last for one and a half year. Because I understand that my low GPA in undergraduate has weaken my application. But I strongly believe that Golden Gate University has high quality graduate program for me, and reasonable tuition. They gave me the foundation and in-depth training, what I needed for the contemporary marketplace as a human resource or personnel manager. They have dynamic classes and laboratories where you discuss theory and practice from real-life situations and problems. The Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management requires completion of 33 units in the graduate program. Each course listed carries three semester units of credit. The foundation program I took in undergraduate University can be waived 6 units. I still have 27 units to finish. I plan to take 12 units each semester, therefore I think I can finish the program in one and a half year. Financial Supporter I started working a couple of months ago, I do not have enough money, but my mum will support my tuition. She is working at a famous, well paid company in China and also she is a superintendent, she has enough money to support my education. Also she believes now it is the best time to go out to further education, because she will retire in 5 years time. At that time if I need her support, she said she might not have enough money to give me. Returning After I accomplish my studies in US, I will go back to China. Personally, I am an extremely miss-home girl; I enjoy staying with my parents and family eating and drinking every week in Guangzhou. I remember when I was studying in US, I used to talk to my parents on the phone everyday. Furthermore, I believe in the developmental potentials of Human resource in China, after I graduated I think there are more opportunity waiting for me.

Mental health and health needs of asylum seekers and refugees

Mental health and health needs of asylum seekers and refugees INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Asylum seekers and refuges is a growing problem affecting many European countries as well as the UK. In the recent years the number of asylum seekers and refugees entering UK has increased, attracting the attention of the media, politicians as well as ordinary people. It is a controversial subject leading to intense debate and discussions and unsurprisingly to different views and perspectives. The increase in the numbers seeking asylum has led to governments and the international agencies grappling with the problems of providing adequate humanitarian assistance in the third world and avoiding floods of asylum seekers arriving at their doorstep (Timothy et al 2009). This has also led to changes in asylum policies with the governments responding to the rising problem with a range of measures aimed at deterring asylum applications. Mental illness is one of the leading causes of illness around the world and estimated to affect up to a third of the British population. It is especially common amongst asylum seekers and refugees, which may be due to them having experienced loss, bereavement, torture, rape etc. Their mental health can then be exacerbated due to displacement and their situation in the UK. There is a lot of stigma attached to mental illness, and the mentally ill still face discrimination in many ways, which results in many not seeking treatment. The exact cause of mental illness is a subject doctors still argue about. Society has been known to play a key role, but recently there has been a growing concentration on the role of genes. 1.2 Who are Asylum-seekers? An asylum seeker is someone who has fled their country to find a safe place elsewhere. Under the 1951 Convention on Refugees, an asylum applicant must be able to demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution in their country of origin for reasons of political opinion, religion, ethnicity, race/nationality, or membership of a particular social group (Burnett 2002). They must also be able to show that they are unable to obtain any protection or help from their own national authorities (Burnett 2002). The Refugee or Person in Need of International Protection (Qualification) Regulations 2006 updates parts of the convention. Asylum applications in the UK are sent to the Home Office. Over the last ten years there have been several pieces of legislation introduced which has created an ever changing climate of policy on refugees and asylum seekers. This is a result of the significant numbers of rejected asylum seekers who have had all means of support withdrawn from them and are now destitute in the UK. Asylum seekers represent a vulnerable population due to a host of pre- and post-migration risk factors. Pre-migration factors include torture and refugee trauma, which may result in mental and physical illness. Moreover, asylum seekers often come from conflict areas, without access to adequate health services. Post-migration factors also play a role for health. They include detention, length of asylum procedure, language barriers, and lack of knowledge about the new health care system. Destitute asylum seekers are those people who are unable to access support for their basic needs from the government or from their own resources. The position of rejected asylum seekers is appalling, with many unable to return to their country of origin for reasons beyond their control and yet they are not allowed to work and support themselves (Dumper et al 2009). Below is a table showing the various definitions of refugee status: Asylum seeker Someone who has submitted an application for protection under the Geneva Convention and is waiting for their claim to be decided by the Home Office. Refugee status Someone whos claim has been accepted and has been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain, and is also eligible for family reunion. Exceptional Leave to or Remain (ELE/ELR) The Home Office accepts that there are strong reasons that the person should not return to their country of origin. ELR is discretionary and for varying periods depending on the age of the applicant and other circumstances Refusal Someone whos application for refugee status has been rejected. 1.3 Reasons for seeking Asylum The causes of refugees and asylum flows are many from the effects of conflict and wars, political upheaval, to economic problems and search for a better life. These displaced people face many problems such as oppression, poverty and disease. Some of them have been held captive and tortured in their own countries; some have been prosecuted because of their political or religious beliefs and some because they belong to a minority ethnic group. 1.4 UK Asylum Policy Services offered to refugees and asylum-seekers in the United Kingdom are largely determined by national legislation that in turn informs policy and practice. The introduction of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) at the end of the 1990s was accompanied by several Acts of Parliament that have been added to by further legislation, the most recent being the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004. While historically UK has a long tradition of providing refuge to people fleeing from prosecution, the Government has recently sought to affect the behaviour of asylum-seekers through legislation intended to discourage asylum-seekers from coming to the UK. For example the support withdrawn from asylum-seekers who have exhausted their claim is designed ultimately to either persuade people to return to their country or make it easier for the Home Office to remove them. In the same way, provision of support to asylum-seekers is often conditional on their agreeing to be dispersed to different parts of the country (Johnson 2003). 1.5 Statistics of asylum seekers in the UK The main source of data on the UK asylum process and flows of individuals through it is the Home Office RDS units. Throughout the asylum process, administrative data is entered into a number of computerised databases, which are supported by a small number of manual systems. The Case Information Database (CID) records information on applications, decisions, appeals, removals (including voluntary assisted returns), persons held in detention and persons leaving detention. The Asylum Seekers Support System Database (ASYS) records details of asylum seekers applying and receiving support (ICAR 2009). The UK received 25,930 applications for asylum in 2008, compared to 23,430 in 2007 making it an increase of 11%. The highest level of asylum applications, in the last decade, was in 2002, with levels falling significantly after that. It was not until 2008 when the number of applicants started increasing once again. The chart below shows the number of applicants received in the UK between 2000 -2008. The chart was taken from the Information Centre about Asylum Seekers and Refugees (ICAR) Statistics paper. Figure 1: Applications for asylum in the UK excluding dependents 2000-08 (ICAR 2009). The main countries of origin of asylum applicants in 2008 were Afghanistan (14%), Zimbabwe (12%), Iran (9%), Eritrea (9%), Iraq (7%) Sri Lanka (6%), China, (5%), Somalia (5%), Pakistan (5%) and Nigeria (3%) (ICAR 2009). The majority of people seeking asylum in UK are single men under the age of 40 who come from countries in conflict (Burnett et al 2001). Figure 2: Showing age and gender breakdown of UK asylum seekers (Refugee Council 2009) The above diagram shows the break down of the gender of principle applicants to the UK. Males under 35 are the majority, whilst females seeking asylum are only a ration of twenty percent. 1.6 Rational for the study Asylum seekers and refugees have been the subject of media as well as political attention for many years. However, they receive bad publicity and majority of the time are stigmatised. They are perceived to come to the UK to take advantage of the welfare system and to receive host of benefits and entitlements. However, this could not be more wrong as asylum seekers and refugees flee their country not because of choice but due to circumstances and a search for sanctuary and help. They are not allowed to claim benefits and are forced to live 30% below the poverty line (Kirklees Council 2007). Furthermore, most of the asylum seekers come from well off backgrounds; and it is only the rich and well off that are able to make the long journey, and hold skilled jobs in their native countries (FPH 2008). Asylum seekers and refugees are most vulnerable groups of people at risk of developing mental problems (FPH 2008). Although there is awareness that asylum seekers and refugees are more likely to experience psychological problems factors such as asylum and immigration policies as well as social and economic exclusion and racism all exacerbate their mental condition. Having experienced all kinds of atrocities from torture, rape, imprisonment, witnessing killings, loss etc., they are faced with further problems once arriving in the UK and their mental state further deteriorates. Although refugees and asylum seekers physical health needs are usually no greater than the host populations this is not the case in relation to mental illness. There are many gaps in our knowledge about the extent of mental health issues affecting asylum seekers and what should be done in addressing these concerns. There is hardly any scholarly literature available on this topic and the general population need to be more aware of the issues and challenges faced by asylum seekers, and what effect it has on their mental health. 1.7 Aims Chapter two 2.1 Method A review was carried out of studies investigating the mental health of asylum seekers. The results and findings of carefully selected and reliable studies, searched systematically from databases and published sources were summarised. Other sources included NHS, Home Office, charity organisations, books, newspapers and magazines, and finally a general internet search was conducted. The following electronic databases were used CINHAL, Medline, BMJ, Cochrane, Pubmed, Academic search complete, and psycho info. The task of reviewing was done very methodically, with step to step plan being implemented, which involved: * the way existing studies are found * how the relevant studies are judged in terms of their usefulness in answering the question. The following search was performed, searching the title, abstract and any subject heading fields in each database, for example asylum seekers, mental health, health effects of detention. Studies published in journals were selected that involved asylum seekers and mental health, irrespective of whether the research question was addressed directly. Abstracts were screened against set criteria, and if they met the criteria full copies were obtained and looked at and relevant information extracted. Cited references were also looked at. Chapter three Results and Analysis 3.1 Health needs of Asylum-seekers The basic health needs of refugees and asylum seekers are generally similar to those of the host population, although due to poor and lack of healthcare they may have many conditions untreated. Figure 3: Most common health issues affecting asylum seekers. (Wilson 2002). The above graph, taken from a report done by Northern and Yorkshire public health observatory (Wilson 2002) shows the most frequent health issues encountered by asylum seekers. The general/minor health issues includes coughs, colds, flu, viral infections etc. Mental health issues are the most common and include anything from depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, to torture related psychological problems, post traumatic stress etc. (Wilson 2002). People seeking asylum come from different countries and cultures, and have had range of different experiences affecting their health and nutritional state. Once in the UK they face further problems affecting their health such as the effects of poverty, dependence and lack of cohesive social support. On top of this they face racial discrimination which can result in inequalities in health and also have an impact on opportunities in and quality of life. Their experiences also shape their acceptance and expectations of health care in the UK (Burnett et al 2001). Those from countries with not so well developed health care system may expect hospital referral for conditions that in the UK are treated in primary care. This can result in refugees and asylum seekers feeling disappointed and health workers feeling irritated and overwhelmed by the many and varying needs of asylum seekers (Burnett at al 2001). Most refugees experience difficulties in expressing health needs and in accessing health care. Poverty and social exclusion have a negative impact on health. Initially refugees and asylum seekers will need help to make contact with health and social support agencies. Professional interpreters are also essential, as they help to overcome both bi-lingual and inter-cultural communication and as a result able to understand the specific health needs of asylum seekers (Bhatia et al 2007). Although the health needs of asylum seekers and refugees should be a priority, the availability and capacity of healthcare services should also be considered. There is a general feeling amongst healthcare providers that the decision about where to disperse asylum seekers are based purely on the availability of accommodation and factors such as the capacity of healthcare services are not taken into account (Johnson 2003). However, healthcare providers agree that the presence of asylum seekers highlights existing weaknesses in healthcare provision and does not necessarily create new problems (Johnson 2003). Due to the complex and confusing legal status of asylum seekers, the majority of healthcare providers are unsure how asylum status relates to healthcare entitlements. NHS staff are usually ignorant about the rights and entitlements of immigrants, and are also not adequately trained (Johnson 2003). 3.2 Mental Health and its causes Mental Health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community (WHO 2010). Mental Illness is defined as any disease of the mind; the psychological state of someone who has emotional or behavioural problems serious enough to require psychiatric intervention (Save the Children 2010). The very nature of seeking asylum or human rights protection in the UK means that a person has suffered in some way in their country of origin and is looking for protection and safety in the UK. Nearly all those seeking asylum have experienced some form of atrocities that mental health issues are almost always intrinsically bound with their personal circumstances and nature of their claim (Burnett et al 2001). However, due to the stigmas and taboos associated with anyone suffering from any problems of the mind most people do not mention their mental suffering (Save the Children 2010). Most see mental illness as an enduring problem from which there is no recovery. It is therefore evident that those dealing with asylum seekers must address mental health issues with each applicant, making it clear to them that there is support and treatment available to them. It is crucial that asylum seekers feel safe and supported in order for them to reveal details not only crucial to their claim but also crucial to letting the person assisting them identify and provide assistance for the persons particular need (Save the Children 2010). Majority of the asylum seekers will show signs and symptoms of psychological distress, but this does not necessarily mean that they are suffering from mental illness. Asylum seekers may show symptoms of depression and anxiety, panic attacks, poor sleeping patterns, nervousness and anxiousness (Burnett 2002). They may also develop behaviours to avoid stimuli that reminds them of past experiences, with some also experiencing memory and concentration problems (Burnett 2002). Such symptoms are often reactions to their past experiences and current situations. Many of them will have been forced to leave their family behind or may even not know the whereabouts of their family. Their state of mental health may worsen due to social isolation, poverty, hostility and racism, which all have a negative impact on their health (Burnett et al 2002). Arrival, detention and uncertainty, practical issues, e.g. housing, lack of employment, living in a climate of prejudice, family dislocation and reunion, domestic violence and living in the shadow of deportation are all reasons identified that contribute to the poor mental state of asylum seekers and refuges (Burnett 2002). Majority of the asylum seekers have suffered some sort of prosecution and harassment in their country of origin, enduring torture, rape or bereavement. They have also experienced the stress of flight and exile. Psychological morbidity has been extensively documented among refugee populations (Burnett et al 2002). The experience of detention compounds the misery of refugees. Captivity is stressful in any context, but is particularly debilitating when it occurs over an indeterminate period and to people who have had previously traumatic experiences of detention (Burnett 2002). Some asylum seekers show signs of anxiety, depression, guilt and shame as a result of the atrocities they may have suffered. Such symptoms are common responses to grief and distress and should not be viewed as psychiatric illness. Common experiences in asylum seekers and refugees after trauma include poor sleeping patterns, distressing dreams, headaches, palpitations, sweating, loss of concentration, jumpiness, low mood and frequent crying, irritability etc. Symptoms such as consistent failure to carry out daily tasks, frequent expressed suicidal thoughts and ideas, social withdrawal and self-neglect, and behaviour that is abnormal or strange are symptoms that may require specialist help (Burnett 2002). 3.3 Mental health of dispersed asylum seekers One of the major initiatives introduced by the Asylum and Immigration Act 1999 is the dispersal of asylum seekers requiring provision of long-term accommodation form London and the South-East to other parts of the UK (Cornelius 2007). This is due to the fact that long term accommodation is more readily available and cheaper and also to lessen pressure on services and resentment by local communities. However, it is believed that dispersal of asylum seekers is associated with higher rates of psychiatric disorder (Heptinstall et al 2004). Other issues such as loss of newly established support networks, racially motivated crime against dispersed asylum seekers are also common (Heptinstall et al 2004). Although most asylum seekers cope quite well with dispersal, there are those however that become distressed and show signs of dispersal-related mental disorder (Cornelius 2007). Supporting such individuals can be challenging for most mental health clinicians. Asylum seekers referred because of dispersal-related mental disorder can be divided into two broad categories: mild to moderate psychiatric disorder and severe psychiatric disorder (Cornelius 2007). The majority of affected individuals are likely to experience mild to moderately severe psychiatric disorder with no major risk concerns, whereas a small proportion of individuals may have severe psychiatric disorder such as psychosis or a severe depressive episode associated with risk of harm to self or others (Cornelius 2007). The differing severity, complexity and risk profile of these two groups suggest that mental health strategies for support are likely to be different (Cornelius 2007). Clinicians should undertake a detailed assessment of the needs and risk profiles of asylum seekers, with the aide of interpreters with knowledge of mental health issues. If the outcome of the assessment shows the individual to have forms of mild to moderate severe psychiatric disorder with no major risks then the mental health support should be focused on helping the individual accept and adjust to dispersal (Cornelius 2007). However, individuals may show signs of being acutely psychotic and severely disturbed with risk of harming themselves and others and such individuals should not be dispersed. There is evidence to suggest that abrupt cessation of psychiatric treatment can result in serious deterioration of the individuals mental health and compromise long-term recovery (Cornelius 2007). 3.4 Children and Adolescents Although the majority of asylum seekers and refugees are adults, there are however many children who arrive in the UK seeking refuge. While some arrive with family, there are those that arrive alone as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. These children are likely, at an emotional level to have experienced some sort of terror, grief, shame, guilt etc. (Burnett 2002). They may have experienced imprisonment, beatings, rape, they may have witnessed others subjected to violence, or been subjected to torture due to their political or religious belief of their parents, their colour of skin, and may have lost or been separated from their family. All these experiences and events have different impacts on children. Refugee Children and asylum-seekers are more likely to develop psychological problems due to their experiences (Mind 2009). These children may experience both physical and psychological symptoms that trouble them such as sleep disturbances, feeling of loneliness, isolation, difficulty in learning and a general feeling of unhappiness and anger. They may experience anxiety, aggression, nightmares, poor concentration, withdrawal, and behaviour such as bed-wetting (Burnett 2002). Although unaccompanied children are most likely to suffer from mental health problems, children with families present may also suffer from mental health problems as a result of finding themselves feeling unsupported and having to fend for themselves due to absent parents as a result of work or other problems. Furthermore, parents dealing with their own emotional problems are unlikely to care for their children properly, which can result in psychological and physical problems (McCormack et al 2005). 3.5 Health implications of detained asylum seekers Health professionals world wide are concerned about the potential detrimental effects detention has on the mental health of the detainees (Procter 2005). An experiment carried out by Sultan and OSullivan in which they observed participants inside an immigration centre found that 32 of 33 detainees displayed symptoms of major depressive illness (Procter 2005). The majority also showed deterioration in their mental state as the length of detention increased. Detained children also showed signs and symptoms of mental distress, which included anxiety, disruptive conduct, nocturnal enuresis, sleep disturbances, nightmares, sleepwalking as well as cognitive development (Procter 2005). Once released the detainees mental illness is likely to deteriorate and it is known that adult asylum seekers who have been in immigration detention display a threefold increase in mental illness subsequent to their release (Procter 2005). Trauma, upsetting memories about detention, feeling of hopelessness and sadness are the common symptoms experienced by those detained. These symptoms were also present among detainees in an investigation carried out by Dudley (2003), who also found rioting, violence, and hunger strikes common inside immigration detention facilities with 264 incidents of self-harm reported over an 8-month period among detainees (Procter 2005). Once the detainees are released from immigration detention, they face new challenges and stresses in the context of existing mental health problems (Procter 2005). In another study carried out by Thompson and colleagues found that Tamil asylum seekers detained during 1997 and 1998 found the detainees experiencing high levels of depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, panic and physical symptoms compared to those asylum seekers living in the community (Steel et al 2004). This study found detention to be injurious to the mental health of asylum seekers with mental health deteriorating with increased length of detention. The study also indicated that adults and children are regularly distressed by memories of detention and feeling of immense sadness and hopelessness about being in detention. Parents of children also felt they were unable to care for or support and control their childrens behaviour (Steel et al 2004). Hundreds of children are detained in immigration centres every year in the UK because their families face deportation. Medical experts say this can have harmful health implications on the children. The Royal Colleges of Paediatrics, GPs and Psychiatrists say other countries have found alternatives to detention and want the British government to take a different approach to stop the physical and psychological damage suffered by children (Wilson 2009). These children are among the most vulnerable and detention causes unnecessary harm to their mental and physical health. The average stay of children at Yarls Wood, the UKs largest immigration removal centre, is fifteen days but a third are detained for more than a month. Detaining children for any length of time is a frightening experience that can have lifelong consequences (Wilson 2009). As well as the potential psychological impact, these children invariably experience poor physical health as they cannot access immunisation and preventative services (Wilson 2009). 3.6 Previous research/studies on health of asylum seekers Knowledge about asylum seekers health and access to health care services is still limited. Literature on asylum seekers health mainly concerns mental health problems and infectious diseases. Burnett Peel reviewed the literature and found that one in six asylum seekers had severe physical problems and two-thirds had experienced mental problems. Prevalent physical problems included tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis A and B, parasitic diseases, and non-specific body pains (Burnett et al 2001). Mental health problems include depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which are due to traumatic experiences, including torture. Asylum seekers are at the risk of having many and severe health problems of a varied nature. Literature on asylum seekers use of health care services and the barriers they face when seeking care is hard to find. Asylum seekers, however, find themselves in a difficult situation as they are residing in a country, sometimes for years while waiting for a decision in their case, without necessarily having the same legal rights as citizens. They may face limitations on access to health care compared with the citizens. This combined with the asylum seekers already vulnerable health and with possible restrictions on access to care may result in their health deteriorating (Burnett et al 2001). Studies carried out in the UK have found that one in six refugees has a physical health problem severe enough to affect their life with two thirds having experienced anxiety or depression. Medical screening of newly arrived asylum seekers exist in the majority of the EU countries as well as the UK. However differences exist in the way medical screening is carried out. In the UK medical screening is only carried out in the so-called induction or reception centres. Newly arrived asylum seekers who do not enter these centres access medical screening randomly. Medical screening may be available for asylum seekers living outside the centres, but using it depends on individual initiative and there might be a number of barriers. Medical screening programmes also differ in their content from one EU country to another. For example, TB screening was included in the screening programmes of all countries but one, whereas screening for mental health problems was carried out in less than half the countries (Norredam et al 2005). Overall, medical screening programmes appear to have two aims. One is to secure the well being of asylum seekers, and the other to guarantee the safety of the population in the host country. The content of the screening programmes is likely to depend on how the country priorities these aims. For example, screening for infectious diseases seems more related to the safety of the host population and mental health screening more to the well being of asylum seekers (Norredam et al 2005). Regarding access to health care, the study shows that access was restricted to only emergency care at the time of arrival in 10 countries (Norredam et al 2005). The results, however, do not show, if some countries offered alternative measures in case of chronic illness. The study also found that asylum seekers faced a number of practical barriers when seeking health care. Most of the barriers were concerned with immigrant populations in general, and are related to language, culture, and lack of information about the health care system in the host country. However, practical barriers specific for asylum seekers were also identified. The most severe of which include waiting for months or years on paperwork that will ensure access to health care, while only having access to emergency care in the meantime. The literature also shows that asylum seekers access to health care may be compounded by other barriers, such as confinement in detention centres, and dispersal policies leading to dis ruptive and compromised care (Norredam et al 2005). The study also shows how legal access to health care services have changed over time for asylum seekers in three countries. Asylum seekers rights to health care are immediately restricted to emergency care if their application is refused (Norredam et al 2005). Failed asylum seekers may also be stripped of the other rights in an attempt to force them out of the host country. Failed asylum seekers include persons who cannot return because their countries are deemed unsafe by UNHCR. UK is one of the countries using increasingly restrictive measures towards failed asylum seekers. Failed asylum seekers used to have free access to NHS, but since 2004 they cannot obtain free secondary health care (Norredam et al 2005). In another study in which the impact of detention on asylum seekers was examined, found that detainees are rendered hopeless and powerless in detention (Pourgourides 1997). The unknown duration and reasons for detention mean they are unable to make sense of their predicament and deal with it in a meaningful way. The unpredictable outcome of detention, in particular the fear of deportation is a constant cause of stress. Detention denies asylum seekers the resources to cope with adversity, blocks adaptation to the host society and impairs psychological healing (Pourgourides 1997). Depression, anxiety, demotivation and despondency are all responses to detention as well as misery and suffering (Pourgourides 1997). The study highlighted high levels of stress and distress amongst detainees. The detainees appear to be able to cope for the first month or two in detention but then after that they become increasingly frustrated, demotivated and apathetic. They start showing signs of psychological symptoms such as sleep and appetite disturbances, symptoms of post-traumatic stress, psychosomatic symptoms etc

Graves Disease Essay -- Disease, Disorders

Graves’ disease was named after Robert J. Graves, MD, around the 1830’s. It is an autoimmune disease indicated by hyperthyroidism due to circulating autoantibodies, which is an antibody that attacks the person’s own body. The immune system attacks the thyroid gland, which causes it to produce too much thyroxine. Thyroxine is a hormone that helps control growth and also regulates metabolism in the body. While the thyroxine levels are high the patient’s metabolic rate increases, which can have an effect on their physical appearance as well as their frame of mind. Graves’ disease is the number one cause of hyperthyroidism in the U.S. There are many signs and symptoms of Graves’ disease. Symptoms of Graves’ disease include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, tiredness, irregular or accelerated heart rate, and sensitivity to heat. Sign of Graves’ disease are tremors in the hands and fingers, weight loss, brittle hair, goiter, menstrual cycle changes, and more frequent bowel movements. People with Graves’ disease also report having symptoms of Graves’ opthalmopathy, also known as thyroid eye disease. This can include bulging of the eyes, itchy eyes, red eyes, sensitivity to light, and swelling around the eyelids. More severe cases of opthalmopathy include corneal ulcers, double vision, blurred vision, and restricted eye movements. According to a journal published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, â€Å"Smoking greatly increases the risk for Graves’ opthalmopathy. Among patients with Graves’ opthalmopathy, smokers had more severe eye disease than nonsm okers. Smoking also appears to be one of the multiple factors inducing Graves’ disease in genetically predisposed individuals.† One more sign of Graves’ disease, though it is no... ...ring that it is not known what causes Graves’ disease to occur, the fact that there are so many treatment options is astonishing. Works Cited Christian Nordqvist. â€Å"What Is Graves’ Disease? What Causes Graves’ Disease?† Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Int., 6 Nov. 2009. Web 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170005.php Sai-Ching Jim Yeung, MD, PhD, FACP. â€Å"Graves’ Disease† emedicine.medscape. 30 Sep. 2011. Web 10 Mar. 2012 http://www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/120619-overview#showall Dr. Asha Thomas. â€Å"Treatment of Graves’ Disease† Baltimore Sun. 19 Oct. 2009 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.baltimoresun.com/2009-10-19/news/0910180070_1_graves-disease-underactive-thyroid-thyroid-disease Mark F. Prummel, Wilmar M. Wiersinga. â€Å"Smoking and Risk of Graves’ Disease† The Journal of the American Medical Association. 1993 10 Mar. 2012

Jujitsu - The Gentle Art :: essays research papers

To a person not conversant with this art, Jujitsu may be considered as a foul or derogatory term in Japanese. However, Jujitsu us one of the most effective and deadly forms of martial arts taught today. Unique among other forms of combat, Jujitsu holds the position of a â€Å"parent art†, of from which other forms of martial arts such as Aikido, Judo and several Karate styles were extracted. Jujitsu is a combination of all levels of combat. It incorporates chokes, striking, grappling, nerve and pressure point attacks, joint locks, redirection of momentum and throws. The exact origins of Jujitsu are unclear, as most of its history was passed on in the oral tradition. The few early written references show that its origins date back to Japanese mythology, where it is said that the gods, Kajima and Kadori, used Jujitsu to discipline the lawless and wild inhabitants of the Eastern provinces. Therefore, by definition, the art is nearly 2000 years old, however records do exist which show that the art was being practiced as far back as the 8th Century, over twelve hundred years ago. Jujitsu was formalised and most popular during the Edo period of Japan. This was the era of the Samurai. Jujitsu was the Samurai’s main set of combat techniques, after the sword. Jujitsu was a part of the Samurai’s fighting skills, something he could use when he was unable to use his favourite weapon. There are many different styles of Jujitsu that exist around the world, and many different ways to actually spell the name. The original spelling derived directly from the Japanese was Jujitsu. As the popularity and practice of this martial art spread across Europe, the spelling and pronunciation was forced to change. This occurred during World War II, when the name Jujitsu had to be changed to Jiu-jitsu (pronounced Jeeu-jitsu). This name-change occurred because the Germans occupying the area at the time claimed that the name resembled the word â€Å"Jew†, which was illegal to be spoken. Therefore the name was slightly altered so that the art could continue to exist and be taught throughout Europe. Despite the difference is spelling, the meaning of the words is basically the same. The literal meaning of the name is â€Å"the gentle art†, however, since there can be many different translations of Japanese words, â€Å"Ju† can also mean soft, yielding, pliant and flexible, which are all important fundamental principles in this dangerous art.

Droughts: The End of the American West Essay -- Climate Change and Dro

Droughts are one of the most expensive natural hazards and have the potential to last for months or even years (U.S. Drought Portal). Along with famine and flooding, droughts are considered one of the top three threats to the population (Oblack). A drought is defined as an unusually long period of time with persistent lack of precipitation that causes serious problems. Several factors that affect the severity of a drought are the degree of moisture deficiency, length, size, and location of where the drought occurs (Droughts). A drought can be categorized four ways. A Meteorological drought occurs when there are significantly lower levels of precipitation than normal. This type of drought is dependent on the region because what would be considered normal precipitation in one area could be different in another region. Agricultural droughts refer to when the amount of moisture is less than what the crop in that area requires. Hydrological droughts are when the water supply in the surface and subsurface of the ground is below normal. Socioeconomic are when the lack of water begins to affect people (Droughts). Droughts are caused when there is less rainfall then normal on a region. When the air sinks (subsidence) there is compressional warming or high pressure, which limits the formation of clouds. As a result, there is lower humidity and less precipitation (Predicting Droughts). Additionally, if there are higher temperatures or shifts in the wind pattern this could cause the evaporation of moisture in the ground to increase (Plumer). Droughts can be aggravated by people’s overuse through heavy pumping and farming of marginal lands that puts a strain on the water supply. Additionally people affect droughts by damming rivers. ... ...id W. Hyndman. Natural Hazards and Disasters. 3rd ed. Australia: Brooks/Cole, 2011. Print. Oblack, Rachelle. â€Å"What Causes Droughts?† About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. . Plumer, Brad. â€Å"What We Know about Climate Change and Drought.† Wonkblog. Washington Post, 24 July 2012. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. . â€Å"Predicting Droughts.† National Drought Mitigation Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. . â€Å"Predicting Droughts with Greater Certainty.† Science Daily. N.p., 3 June 2009. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. . U.S. Drought Portal. NIDIS, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. .

‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding Essay

‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding describes a group of schoolboys’ means of life when they become stranded on a desert island after a plane crash which killed all other passengers and crew, with only vast jungle and sandy shores around them. During their unusual experience, one of the main characters – Ralph – learns thing about himself and the others that no other twelve year old would ever imagine. With â€Å"a mildness about his mouth and eyes that proclaimed no evil†, Ralph seems the laid-back sort, confident and trustworthy. Although when he first meets Piggy, another schoolboy, this all changes and the immaturity of a typical child of his age shines through. When finding out that his new friend used to be nicknamed ‘Piggy’ as a result of his short and fat appearance, â€Å"he dived in the sand at Piggy’s feet and lay there laughing.† Ralph thinks of Piggy as a paranoid wimp, and relishes in the fact that they have a whole island to roam around on, with no grown-ups to tell them what to do. Piggy, however, instantly realises the severity of what has happened, and panics at the thought of the future: â€Å"We may stay here till we die.† As far Ralph is concerned, the island is paradise. He is glad when he meets Jack, another one of the bunch of schoolboys with an obsession for hunting, but who is out to have fun on the island. Things get off to a good start, but when their new way of life descends into disaster, Ralph’s relationship with Piggy grows as it comes clear that Piggy is actually a very wise person, and Ralph’s relationship with Jack turns to rivalry, Ralph finds himself having to grow up quickly and reinforce his position as leader to restore civilisation – a fast fading luxury: â€Å"We need an assembly. Not for fun†¦..but to put things straight.† When Jack becomes fed up with Ralph’s rules and leadership tactics, he decides to break away from the crowd and forms his own tribe of ‘hunters.’ By this point Ralph grows aware that trying to persuade them to stay with his tribe, he is fighting a losing battle, and discovers that he may not be as good a leader as he thought he would be: â€Å"Only, decided Ralph as he faced the chief’s seat, I can’t think. Not like Piggy.† The death of Simon, a quiet, subdued fellow schoolboy, really disturbs Ralph, as he faces up to reality. Simon’s death was a consequence of Jack’s tribe getting overexcited about â€Å"the beast† and was a mistaken identity case involving the beach, many spears, and a chorus of youngsters wildly chanting â€Å"Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! Do him in!† The realisation of the awfulness that occurred affects all of the boys not in Jack’s tribe, and in a moment of sheer alarm, Ralph almost snaps: â€Å"That was murder.† Piggy, now the most faithful and loyal friend Ralph has left on the island, can’t bear to even think about it, let alone discuss it: â€Å"You stop it! What good’re you doing walking like that?† By this time, the relationship between Ralph and Jack has deteriorated so much that bitterness from power-possessed Jack is all that is left. By the end of the novel, it is clear that the relationship between Ralph and Jack has no amiability in it whatsoever. The power and authority that Jack enforces over his tribe portrays him as a king to the reader: â€Å"Power lay in the brown swell of his forearms; authority sat on his shoulders and chatted in his ear like an ape.† After Simon’s untimely death, Jack and his tribe seem somewhat unaffected by what they have done, and become even more uncivilised, to the extent that they cause another shocking and unexpected death. Piggy is killed by a rock that Roger pushes over the edge of the cliff, near the beach. This event shows just how disconnected with reality Jack and his tribe have become, and now Ralph is on his own. His only friend’s death has made him now completely alone and so vulnerable. Ralph feels like he is the only one left with any sense of the real world. The shock of what has happened since they first explored the island scares Ralph and fear of the future kicks in. â€Å"These painted savages would go further and further. Then there was that indefinable connection between himself and Jack; who therefore would never let him alone; never.† Jack discovers that Jack and his tribe are planning to kill him the next day, and now survival is the only thing that matters to Ralph. Realisation of his desperate situation comes to Ralph when he is told by one of the twins â€Å"Listen, Ralph. Never mind what’s sense. That’s gone.† A lonely, terrified, weak and exhausted Ralph wakes the next day to noises of every other child on the island hunting him down. They set fire to the island and eventually locate Ralph, and then the chase begins. Ralph reaches the end of island, and the end of his sanity. He literally runs into a naval officer and recognition of everything hits the twelve year old. Shock of the circumstances is all too much for Ralph to bear, and he falls to his knees and breaks down. â€Å"Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of a man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.† Ralph takes responsibility for the chaos and collapse of civilisation, as he believes that if he had been a better leader, none of this would have happened. He realises just how far things can go when there is no order imposed, and that he alone couldn’t change that. Throughout the novel, Ralph makes a journey towards self-discovery, and witnesses behaviour no other person, like the naval officer, would believe if he explained them. His relationships with the other two main characters influence the horrific events that took place on the island, and at the end of ‘Lord of the Flies’ Ralph sees that man can lose all sense of civilisation when no rules and order are in place.

How does Sylvia Fair create the character of Rosie in her short story, The Road Home? Essay

The Road Home by Sylvia Fair tells the story of Rosie a woman with an unnamed mental disability. The short story is about Rosie, tired of the abuse she has suffered at the hands of some delinquents, who taunt her almost every day. She decides to go to the police. The police tell her that the only way to deal with these boys is to charge them; sadly Rosie misunderstands thinking the â€Å"kind policeman† meant for her to literally charge the delinquents and desperate to please she does exactly that. Of course when she does this the policeman is not pleased and does not praise her; he is of course angry at her. The story gives a deep insight into Rosie’s mind and through her see the world in whole new light. As in reality it is almost impossible for us to understand what it would be like to live everyday life looking through eyes that see the world in completely different way. This is what is so attractive about Sylvia Fair’s short story; it gives us an insight tha t under normal circumstances we would never be able to receive. The Road Home opens with the words â€Å"A solid bulge appeared on the skyline of Penwan†¦Ã¢â‚¬  it is very rare in literature for a human being to be described as a â€Å"bulge†, but this opening description portrays Rosie as lacking humanity and the ability to convey complex emotions. However, this is not the case; as the story progresses the reader finds out that Rosie is like a child, she cannot understand complex emotions and her own emotions are simple. The author expresses this by employing short simple sentences conveying Rosie’s feelings such as â€Å"She felt clumsy.† Rosie’s interpretation of things is childlike. She seems to have picked up the lessons from her childhood and misinterpreted them. Things such as upon breaking her glasses the reader is told â€Å"no matter how much she washed them they still remained broken†. Another example is when a car passes her response is â€Å"to watch, to listen, to smell and to think† which brings to mind â€Å"Stop, Look, Cross.† She always takes things people say literally. This is a cause of a great deal of frustration for Rosie. She desperately tries to do what is asked of her, for example her experiences in school â€Å"Little Rosie squeezed the pencil between her fingers and pressed as hard as she could, so hard that the point broke and the paper tore. And still the teacher nagged her to try harder.† I find this extract incredibly poignant. That sentence alone conveys Rosie’s sufferings, her desperation to please those around her and her frustration when she fails to do this. Rosie is very loyal to her Beret and her Wellington as a child is loyal to a treasured teddy bear. She almost relies on them â€Å"she held her beret down to keep the thoughts in† and â€Å"her wellingtons wouldn’t let her leave.† I think the best way to explain this is that Rosie can not see her brain and the beret is the only thing that seems to make sense to her. In the story, as Rosie’s confidence grows she starts to rely on the wellingtons less and less and when towards the end of the story when she loses that confidence she quickly reverts to relying on her wellingtons again. In my mind it almost as if her beret and wellingtons have some kind of parental charm to her, it as almost as if in the absence of her parents she turns to the wellingtons and the beret for protection and care. Rosie is unable to multitask. This is shown when she is conversing with the police. She gets very upset because she is unable to keep up with everyone shouting at her from so many angles that she can’t cope with it and blocks it all out. It is only when she is spoken to kindly and gently that she is able to calm herself and take in the information. Fair does not give much description of Rosie’s appearance at all. We know she’s big, as she is described as being a mountain and a great bulk among other things. Though reading the story the reader gets an impression of her taking pride in her appearance. She takes great care of her wellingtons and her beret, although she has tied the belt rather than buckling it again suggesting her inability to perform tasks most adults take for granted. even though it is suggested she lives in a fairly deserted way I think this is not because she does not like company, but maybe because she does not have the confidence and that she finds it easier to converse with only animals and her beret and wellingtons. At the end of the short story the Road having gained an impression of Rosie’s character and her day to day struggles, it hard not to feel certain empathy towards Rosie. Sylvia Fair affectively describes her desperation for companionship and how the community that she lives in rejects because of her disabilities. Rosie’s story is tragic in the fact that because of her disability she is unable to convey her feelings to those surrounding and therefore must live her life in isolation.

Maid: the Great Gatsby Essay

â€Å"Things gained through unjust fraud are never secure.† -Sophocles. Up to chapter 5 of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there are recurring rumors about Gatsby’s background including that he had killed a man, is of German descent, and is a bootlegger. These rumors portray Gatsby as a man other than himself, but whether this is true is still uncertain. However, Nick’s keen awareness of Gatsby’s servants raises suspicion and allows readers to attain evidence that reveals Gatsby’s true identity. The maid, seen by Nick and portrayed through her actions, undermines Gatsby’s status and reveals his identity as phony. In chapter V, narrator Nick observes Gatsby’s house, but it is clear from Nick’s observations that something is not right; everything seems artificial and inconclusive. Nick notes that a brewer had built Gatsby’s mansion, and Gatsby tried to â€Å"pay five years’ taxes on all the neighboring cottages if the owners would have their roofs thatched† (88) so that it would complement Gatsby’s house. It is important to emphasize that Gatsby had specifically paid for the neighbor’s taxes in order to improve the looks of his house. This ostentatious action was done for reason: to attract Daisy. Nick also concludes that Americans have always been obstinate about being peasantry. At this point, he observes: â€Å"A maid began opening the upper windows of his house, appeared momentarily in each, and, leaning from a large central bay, spat meditatively into the garden.† (88) Nick sees the maid â€Å"spit into the garden† as if she di srespects Gatsby. It is important to note that the maid spat â€Å"meditatively† meaning that it was done with intention and with great thought. There was no reason for her to spit, nor was spitting a common action back in the 1920’s, but her intentions were hidden. While she â€Å"spat† in Gatsby’s garden, one of his valuable properties, her action was actually directed towards Gatsby himself. From this, it can be inferred that she disrespected him and despised him for his wealth, upper class, and fame. While Gatsby exploited his wealth, intending to impress Daisy, the maid, completely oblivious about Gatsby’s goal, could also have despised him for his pretentious attitude. Maids were usually part of the lower class, and it raises suspicion about why Gatsby would hire such a person. More importantly, it raises the question as to how she knows a lot about Gatsby and why she would hate Gatsby for his wealth. Her decision serves as a juxtaposition; Gatsby and the maid share similar qualities. Perhaps Gatsby’s background does not match the image that he portrays. It raises suspicion that Gatsby might be from the lower class as well and lives his current life as a fraud. Fitzgerald puts the maid here in this chapter to insinuate something about Gatsby’s background. Nick’s keen observations and suspicious judgment gives the readers an opportunity to make connections. Ultimately, it is the connection that Gatsby and the maid were both raised in the lower class. Perhaps Gatsby was a bootlegger, and his ways of promoting himself into the upper class led to the maid’s actions;, it was her reaction in contempt that spoils the true identity of the great Gatsby.

Arthur Miller ‘s presentation Essay

By focusing on three or four scenes, examine Arthur Miller ‘s presentation of John Proctor’s moral journey. A crucible is defined in the dictionary as ‘a severe test or trial’. Throughout this play, John Proctor’s morals and beliefs are challenged to a great extent as we watch his character develop and admire his strength to do what is right whatever the consequences. A moral journey is the development of someone’s morals and beliefs as they are tested by certain situations and react to them in different ways. I wouldn’t say it was a mapped out journey, more one that is likely to change without warning. Salem was a very religious and close-knit community. The strict creed meant that its inhabitants lived very monotonous lives and continuously feared doing wrong by God. Many people found they could not live with the pressures forced upon them by the church as religion was preached so vigorously and people were discouraged from forming their own opinion on life. This caused the community to become very repressed. The way everyone reacted to the accusations of witchcraft stem from this. People suddenly became very paranoid of everybody else’s actions and also became suspicious that they may be a witch. They also used the right to call somebody a witch as vengeance. The fact that Proctor was willing to go against the church and the rest of the community to follow his views of descent conduct makes him stand out. I will be studying several extracts of the play to illustrate Proctor’s moral journey. John Proctor is often seen as the main character in the play and the first point where we are given any information about him is in the early stages of Act 1. Here, Miller directly intervenes and provides us with a lengthy passage on John Proctor giving us information on his background and character. This is essential, as otherwise, we have no knowledge of his values before he enters the stage. Miller’s script: â€Å"But as we shall see, the steady manner he displays does not spring from an untroubled soul. He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of descent conduct. † This quote also backs up the idea that John does not need to be punished for sins he has committed, as he is his own worst critic. At first Miller portrays him in a harsh light. When he enters in the first act, he reprimands his servant for not being at home helping Elizabeth and orders her to go immediately. The stage directions here allow us to see the effect of John on others. He obviously has a sense of authority as Miller describes Mary Warren’s reaction when he enters the room as follows: ‘She can barely speak for embarrassment and fear’ After the departure of Mary, John is then left alone with Abigail and Miller presents us with a scene full of hurt, desire and tension. Abigail is a very useful character when analysing John’s morals. She is very manipulative and tests his will power to reject her. John, at first, is not aware of Abigail’s determination to win his love. He says impulsively some things that Abigail interprets in her own, yet wrong, way. She then seems very confident about what she is saying and feels she is being lead on. Proctor: â€Å"Ah, you’re wicked yet, aren’t y’! (A thrill of expectant laughter escapes her, and she dares come closer, feverishly looking in his eyes)† The stage directions at this point are very important, as they are essential in the understanding of how Abigail is feeling. After this move of Abigail’s, John realises that she is serious and is still holding hope for him. He decides to put this right by making it quite clear to her that he is not willing to continue their relationship. Proctor: â€Å"Abby I may think of you softly from time to time but I will cut off my hand before I reach for you again. † This shows that Proctor has learnt from his mistakes and although he is tempted, he is not willing to commit the same sin again. This is quite extreme for him to state and shows that he is serious about what he is saying. It is also evident from the stage directions that John is ‘(angered-at himself as well). ‘ This shows that he has admitted to himself that he was wrong and now he is feeling guilty and angry with himself for all the trouble he has caused in his relationship with Elizabeth. The stage directions are very powerful in this extract as they show the characters emotions and they explain the situation well. This extract shows a very important part of John Proctor’s moral journey as he manages to resist Abigail’s advances. It must have taken a lot for him to do this, as it would be hard both mentally and physically for him. This shows how his character is starting to develop as he has learnt from previous experiences and is beginning to face and correct his sins rather than just ignoring them. The next extract I will be examining is in the early parts of Act two. This is set eight days on from the last scene and there is a very different atmosphere. Instead of passion and heat, this scene is awkward and tense. It shows how Proctor is not being honest with his wife, Elizabeth, and instead there is a lot of pretence. This is an important time in Proctors moral journey as it shows us how he is coping with his relationship with Elizabeth. It is evident that Proctor is still in denial and is not facing up to his actions. He doesn’t realise that the lies and secrets he is keeping will affect so badly what happen in future events. At the beginning of this Act, Miller sets the scene effectively using stage directions. He describes the room as ‘low, dark, and rather long living-room of the time’. This immediately changes our mood and calms us down in anticipation of a more sombre and serious scene. In this scene dialogue, as well as stage directions, play a very important part in portraying the characters feelings. The stage directions especially help us to interpret how certain lines should be said (as this is a play) and how characters should act. Proctor is not truthful to Elizabeth in this scene. He firstly lies about his interview with Abigail as he feels she won’t understand. He tells her that he has been working on the farm in hope that he will sympathise with him. This is part of his moral journey as it shows he is still in denial and feels that time will sort his problems out. He is prolonging the consequences of his actions that he knows one day he’ll have to face.

Economics of Transition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Economics of Transition - Essay Example This competition not only transformed the contours of politics in the twentieth century but also led to the creation of two parallel and competing economic systems. Transition can be defined as the race of transformation of centrally planned economies into free markets. Such a transformation can be seeing as occurring after the political events that decimated the Soviet Iron Curtain. Transition is characterized by liberalization, macro-economic stabilization, restructuring and privatization and legal and institutional reforms. Countries have employed disparate transition models owing to the distinct initial circumstances that prevailed at the time when transition process materialized. Moreover, transition circumstances can also be seen as the product of the country’s peculiar socio-economic realities. While some countries like China embraced a slow and steady economic transformation approach, others like Russia adopted an aggressive and speedy model. It was envisaged that a sw ift approach could be undertaken for the privatization of small corporate entities as well as liberalization of prices and macro-economic stabilization, without encountering much economic problems (International Monetary Fund, 2000, p.3). The significance of transition for these economies can be attributed to the fact that any immature measures for transition tend to lead to economic collapse. This was all the more clear for example in the Russian banking sector failure in the late nineties. This paper will analyse how rent-seeking activities of financial institutions can have a bearing on hardening budget constraints in the transitional process. 2. Soft and Hard Budget constraints It was Kornai who invented the term ‘soft budget constraint’ to elucidate economic behaviour of the communist economies. This concept is deemed as the focal point of the subject of transition from socialist to capitalist economies. The term itself is derived from microeconomic terminology to shed light on a pragmatic economic social syndrome. The necessity of implementing hard budget constraints is accentuated repeatedly in relation to transition of socialist economies. The disintegration of the banking sector of East Asian economies during the nineties era can be comprehended by studying soft budget constraints (Kornai et al., 2003, p.54). The soft budget hypothesis denotes a condition under which firms incurring losses are bailed out by banks. Banks can undertake this role in both, capitalist and socialist economies. However, its repercussions in socialism make it a potential problem since banks are compelled by the state to rescue loss-making entities, for safeguarding employment or pursing other aims. The entanglement of state and banking into one entity means that any failure on the part of the banks will reflect clearly in the finances of the state. Typical failure in these circumstances leads to massive cuts in social sector development. Under a soft budget const raint, capital is injected in the loss making firm by the banks to keep them afloat and in a position to pay taxes, therefore acting as a disincentive for privatization. Research on the issue practically proves by applying a model based on the local authorities, a bank and firm (Brandt et al., 2003, p.13). The bank managers’ propensity to lend loans to private firms rather than SOEs will escalate as