This paper examines the concept of nationbuilding by comparing the current situation in Iraq and Afghanistan with the post World War II situation in Germany and Japan.
Abstract This paper explains that nationbuilding is the process by which a nation is structured or constructed by utilizing the power of the state. The author points out that nationbuilding can use either propaganda or publicity to promote the desired results, or it may use major infrastructure development, as in the case of post WWII Germany and Japan, to promote and foster harmony and stability in the political process, so that social and economic growth is achieved. The paper relates that, today after the conflict in Iraq, 'nationbuilding' has been used in an entirely different context than post WWII; armed forces of mainly the United States are being used as an agent to ensure the transition to 'democracy' in the process of nationbuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan.
From the Paper "In Japan, as stated earlier, the basic occupation authority was concentrated on one single nation, and indeed, one single individual, Douglas MacArthur. This meant that this person did not need to consult with other countries in his nation building activities, whereas in Germany, it was entirely different, and furthermore, the two most important international bodies for oversight and for consultation, namely the 'Far Eastern Commission', and the 'ACJ', had little or no impact on the entire process. Unilateralism also helped the United States in concentrating all its energies and resources in the overall reconstruction efforts and to expend less energy in trying to forge a consensus between the partners, as it happened in Germany."
Abstract This paper explains that a building society is a Financial Institution that is owned by all its members rather than by its shareholders which plays the role of paying interests on the deposits made by the members and also of lending money to its members by proposing to keep the property as security in order to enable them to buy a house of their own. The paper then details the history of the Abbey NationalBuilding Society from its beginnings in 1944 to the present day as well as what Abbey NationalBuilding Society has had to do to remain successful.
From the Paper "The market conditions at the time were very strict and regulated, and there was stiff competition everywhere. The 1986 occurrence of the 'Big Bang' served to break down all the traditional barriers that a person would expect in a Bank, and soon banks and other financial institutions became more capable of offering a wide range of financial services that hitherto had not been done. Abbey Building Society had at this time already demonstrated its free and independent thinking by breaking away from the Cartel of building societies that had insisted on certain fixed basic mortgage rates for everyone. Therefore when the decision to convert into a plc was taken in 1989, and after the conversion had actually taken place, there was a dramatic increase in the number of shareholders in the United Kingdom: the numbers rose from 6 million to 9.5 million, a 50% increase. (Conversion to plc, the Background)"
Abstract This essay critically examines the issue of immigration and Canadian nation-building within a sociological perspective. A particular focus of the paper is on the contradiction between the ideal of immigration, as reflected in the changes to immigration policy in the 1960s and the introduction of official multiculturalism in the 1970s, and the realities of immigration in regard to its being embedded in the social class and power distribution structures of Canada. In this context, the paper argues that in our capitalist society immigration policy has primarily served the interests of capital in the form of labor force reproduction. This being said, it is then argued that the existence of a multicultural and multiracial society represents a clear challenge to the existing power distribution in Canadian society; a challenge that has been met by policies such as official multiculturalism which are instruments by which the capitalist state seeks to control and channel dissent and thereby ensure the perpetuation of the Canadian status quo.
From the Paper "Thus, the labour force of Canada was not biologically reproducing itself on a generational basis by the later decades of the twentieth century. In order to meet this shortfall, the Government of Canada resorted to immigration to supply a labour force to meet the demands of the Canadian economy. These demands are complex, for the Labour Force Reproduction model indicates that the economy needs a labour supply not only in terms of production but also to consume the goods produced. As a result, in the years in which the Canadian fertility rates were declining (after 1956) the Canadian immigration levels were increasing. From 1954 to 1992 Canada accepted 5.7 million immigrants. These immigrants fulfilled a wide number of economic roles in Canadian society, from contributing as business class immigrants and supplying entrepreneurial investment funds, to those who work in the commercial and corporate sectors. In addition, we must not forget the significant numbers of immigrants who worked as unpaid labour - often women - and so subsidized the paid labour force in Canada."
Abstract This paper provides an inquiry into the unique United Nations? intervention in Haiti. After a brief introduction to Haiti's history and violent politics the paper focuses on the events leading up to the United Nations? intervention. The events comprising of the UN-monitored elections in 1990 leading to the installation of Jean- Bertrand Aristide as President, his overthrow and exile in a military coup, economic sanctions and naval blockade of Haiti and finally approval of the UN Security Council, for the first time, for forcible intervention to change the Government is briefly discussed. The paper focuses, in particular, on the decision making process in the United Nations Security Council. The lessons learned from the Haiti action are analyzed and conclusions are drawn regarding pointers to the future role of the UN in Peacekeeping and NationBuilding.
Questions Discussed in the Paper:
What prompted the United Nations Security Council to sanction force for the restoration of democracy?
Was international peace and security so threatened by Haiti's military government that the United Nations felt compelled to intervene?
Did the United Nations exceed its mandate?
Has democracy become such a widely accepted international norm that the United Nations has a right to restore it when a legally elected regime is forcibly overthrown?
If so, why only Haiti?
Did the United Nations allow the USA to use the Security Council to pursue its own regional purposes?
What role did the regional and other powers play in the build up to the intervention?
Has the concept of sovereignty been eroded by the actions of the UN Security Council in the 90s?
What are the consequences and lessons learned from the UN intervention in Haiti?
Does the United Nations have the wherewithal and resolve to sustain such interventions on a regular basis?
From the Paper "Aristide ,who was attempting many revolutionary reforms which alienated the elite, was overthrown in a military coup d?etat in September 1991. While Aristide went into exile, members of his movement were subjected to executions, oppression and grave violations of human rights. The Organisation of American States imposed a trade embargo on Haiti. By February 1992 about sixteen thousand refugees fleeing Haiti had already arrived in Florida. In 1992 an OAS mediated accord to create a government of consensus failed. Meanwhile the US President signed an order stating that all boat people attempting to enter USA from Haiti would be sent back without determining whether they had legitimate claims for asylum."
Abstract This paper accounts for the problems that afflicted the new central American state, Mexico, during its first half-century of existence. This paper argues that the underlying problem was the absence of a shared political-constitutional vision within the country's creole elite. It further explains that what the new state needed to realize its potential was a period of sustained peace accompanied by the implementation of a consistent political-constitutional vision. From the point of view of nationbuilding, it was not important whether the vision of the nation was liberal or conservative.
From the Paper "Although the constitutional settings to enable the new state to function smoothly had been laid down by the federalist constitution of 1824, during the first few decades after independence the elite grew increasingly divided over matters of political direction. A division manifested itself between liberals and conservatives. However, neither side ever remained in power long enough to impose its particular vision of political order upon Mexican society. Historically, dangerous divisions of this kind have been resolved or suppressed by a stable period of authoritarian, "strong man" rule. A peculiarity of the Mexican situation was that Mexico's greatest strong man in this period, General Santa Anna, did not use his power and popularity to create a consensus in favor of either liberalism or conservatism. Without elite consensus on constitutional fundamentals, however, there was not the least chance of successfully incorporating the Indians into the new order. The "caste war" of Yucatan was the most dramatic outcome of the Mexican elite's inability to establish an elementary consensus about the principles and character of the new republic."
This paper defines the origins of the modern nation-state as it is traced directly to the political developments in Europe at the beginning of the sixteenth century.
Abstract The writer uses the work of George A. Kourvetaris and his concepts of state, government, nation, and nation-state to build the essay. He states that these concepts are closely related, but not identical. Kourvetaris defines the nation as being sociological, but considers the state as more a political, legal, and territorial construct (Kourvetaris, p.58).
From the Paper "In contrast, a nation can exist without its having a formal government. The concept of "nation" is very closely linked to the existence of ethnic, cultural, religious, or social groupings. While it is most common for the nation and the state to be politically congruent, there are many examples of national groupings that do not have a state that exists independently. The concept of "nation-state" expresses the political ideal of each national group having its own state, recognized formally by other nation-states."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that despite their time-tested and proven positive points, a number of false perceptions continue to challenge truths regarding the timber-framed building. The writer purports that repeated strokes of correct information can figuratively fell or cut down even the most dense deceptions depicting the worth of timber-framed buildings. During the course of this study, this researcher counters false perceptions and confirms the correct conception that timber does not easily rot, decay and deteriorate. In fact, the writer concludes that even after extended periods of time, the durability and superior quality of timber when used as a building material can be repeatedly validated. The paper includes color figures.
Outline:
Chapter 1
Introduction
Correcting False Perceptions
Origin, Defects and Properties of Timber
Defects in Timber
Properties of Timber
Strength
Thermal Insulation
Thermal Movement
Density
Chemical Resistance
Fire Resistance and the Behavior of Timber in Fires
Chapter II
Embodied Energy Explained
Examples of Timber-Framed Buildings Built in The Past
Chapter III
Conclusion
Challenging Contentions Confirm
From the Paper "To better understand some of the general misconceptions about timber, this researcher presents an in-depth look at the origin and properties of timber, along with possible defects likely to reduce strength and stability in timber. Timber evolves from wood, a natural product derived from trees, and in some instances, from fibrous plants. As forests cover more than one-third of the world's land surface and approximately 8% of Britain, it is readily available.
"Consequently, timber proves to be a popular building material. When wood is cut and in many instances, pressed, it becomes lumber and timber which form boards, planks and numerous other products. These products, in turn, become generic building materials which may be used for almost any type of structure in the majority of world climates and environmental situations. "
Abstract This paper discusses the home building industry, including a brief history of this industry, an industry overview, and a SWOTT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats, and Trends) analysis of the industry. It also addresses the impact of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the unemployment rate, and the inflation rate as measured by the consumer price index (CPI). The paper details three economic indicators.
Home Building History
Home Building Overview
Strengths and Weaknesses
Unemployment Rate
Gross Domestic Product
Recommendations
Housing Starts
Personal Income
Recommendations
Interest Rates
Inflation
Interest Rates versus Inflation
Recommendations
Conclusion
From the Paper "The home building industry has been around for many years. The design, shape, and style of homes have changed over time. The industry is quite different than it was many years ago. When people first began to build they did not layout and draw plans and specs for their home. The first homes were built with one or two rooms in the entire house. Today, they average home has over 6 rooms, When home building first started there was no set rules and regulations that builders had to follow, now we have organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration who helps set construction regulations for the home building industry. We also have NAHB (National Association Home Builders), which was started in 1942. The NAHB works with the state and local agencies to help establish government and legislature for home builders as well as establish affordable housing for everyone."
Abstract This paper discusses green building construction and points out that this design saves energy as well as money. The paper explains that green building construction is vital and is a determinative of project success. The paper also explains that the individual needs to take the initiative in addressing construction design and development and associated costs as well as funding, marketing and sales. In addition, the paper tells us that green building construction holds great financial promise for the future. A graph of taxes by state is included with the paper.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Significance of study
Methodology
Literature Review
Findings and Conclusion
From the Paper "The work of Andrew Meyerson (2005) entitled: "The Dollars and Cents of Green Construction" states that green construction and design can not only save energy but also can result in monetary savings in the areas of: (1) Tax breaks and rebates; (2) Lower construction costs; (3) Reduction or elimination of the need for heating and air-conditioning equipment and the associated costs of purchase, maintenance and electricity; (4) Reduction in energy and water bills by as much as fifty-percent; (5) Increase in labor productivity, retail customer sales and apartment rental prices; and (6) Protection of operating budgets from increases in energy prices. (Meyerson, 2005, p. 2) Meyerson relates that practically all states offer incentives in the form of reduction of taxes for construction that is friendly to the environment. (2005, p. 4) Additionally in green construction projects where a pre-existing structure is on the construction site, cost savings may be realized through reuse of as much of the existing structure as possible. Additionally, is it necessary to be aware of the attitudes that serve as drivers of the choice of clients to use the firm and added to this is the fact "that commercial 'green buildings' outperform their conventional counterparts across a wide variety of metrics, including energy savings, occupancy rates, sale price and rental rates, another very practical and often times overlooked data for improving the cash flow of the client is the "energy efficient commercial building tax deductions.""
Tags: green, building, construction, funding, marketing, save, money, energy
Abstract In this paper, the writer considers the history, benefits and efficiencies of smart buildings. The writer makes use of the animated television series 'The Jetsons' in order to discuss this subject.
From the Paper " In the animated television series 'The Jetsons' the working class father arrives home to be whisked up his high-rise apartment building by an elevator that delivers him to a chair attached to a moving belt, the wife prepares dinner in a kitchen that requires little more than her saying or punching in the desired dish and monitors throughout the city allow the family to keep in touch with one another through video phones. Fiction has long held out the promise of so-called smart ... "
Abstract This paper notes that security for high rise buildings differs from corporate security in several ways, often to the detriment of tenants of the high rise building. The paper discusses how even with an increasing concern about crime, many landlords simply do not provide the kind of security that tenants may want and that they may indeed believe they have. Landlords often sell their facilities on the basis of security, assuring prospective tenants that they are using the latest in security methods.
Abstract Have you ever had a problem that you could not solve? Maybe if you presented the problem to a team this would help. This paper examines the advantages of building a team, team members responsibilities, and the expectation of the team. It shows how important it is to ensure that the team for any specific task is comprised of members who are knowledgeable and possess the required skills needed to carry out the task.
I - Team Building II - Is a Team Needed?
III - The Benefits of Organization
IV - Selecting Team Players
V - Team Expectations
VI - Problems with Teams
From the Paper "Striving to meet organizational goals enables a team to reach their goals. Performance of a team in any organization is largely dependent on its members, their visions and goals, their individual performance, their willingness to work with each other and their desire to make the project a success. This is sometimes referred to as a group process and can be defined in teams to three maintenance behaviors - open communication, supportiveness, and conflict (Bottom & Baloff, 1994)."
Abstract This paper reviews what it means to be part of a group or a team in a business environment and how the individuals in the group or team work together, as well as how that group or team functions and coordinates with other groups and/or teams within the business as a whole. This paper discusses the necessary actions when building a team that will function well collectively, and with other teams in the organization.
From the Paper "In business, it is not enough to have a group, or even groups, of employees. To have a successful organization, it is necessary for those groups to operate as part of the whole. These groups must work toward the same goal, both with the group members they are assembled with, and also with the other groups within the organization. This paper is intended to discuss the process of building a team that will function well both internally and externally, with other teams in the organization. Groups and Teams Defined What is the difference between a group and a team? Both words are used to describe a collection of people, after all. According to Dictionary.com, the word "group" is defined as "an assemblage of persons or objects gathered or located together; an aggregation," of which may or may not be related to each other in some way (2005a)."
A research study looking at the impact nationalism has had on Europe and, in particular, the way in which nationalism as an ideological concept is perceived and understood.
Abstract This paper explores the assumption that the views and theories about nationalism are to a great extent determined by the dominant theories, philosophies and perceptions of the age. In this sense it is a contention of this paper that modern nationalism needs to be understood within the context of the broader issues of modern and postmodern speculative thought. This paper also attempts to ascertain the way that theorists and thinkers over the years have understood and influenced the concept and ideology of nationalism. The study therefore provides an overview of the salient most cogent theories and perspectives on the changing views of nationalism. Additionally, the paper attempts to refer these theories and counter theories to actual contemporary situations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is Nationalism?
Nationalism and Ideology
Cultural Nationalism Romanticism and Nationalism Nationalism as a Social Construction
Hobsbawm and Geller
Summations and Reflections
From the Paper "It is something of a truism to say that ethnic and nationalist movements have become a dominant force in the world in the past century. It is also relatively easy to forecast that the future of Europe will be shaped to a great extent by nationalistic imperatives and philosophies. One only has to look at the recent history of Eastern Europe and the Balkans for general and tentative conformation of these assumptions. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the fragmentation of the region have allowed nationalisms and ethnic groups to emerge in many areas. And, according to modern theorists of nationalism, we are also seeing the invention of new "nationalisms" that are being constructed by political and ideological forces - sometimes with devastating consequences."
