A discussion of industrialization in reference to Joel Bakan's "The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power" and John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath".
Abstract This paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of industrialization, drawing its arguments primarily from Joel Bakan's "The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power" and John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath". The paper finds that Steinbeck and Bakan paint a depressing picture of a world where all humanity has been lost, as inhuman corporations take over the world. From a contrasting viewpoint, the paper points out that certain analysts claim the cost in human terms has not been too high. On the contrary, most people are better off than before, as wages have grown, not declined. In conclusion, the paper holds that the two viewpoints agree that industrialization has led to the rise of corporations and to an enormous increase in productivity. However, the paper agrees with the first viewpoint, which maintains that soulless, profit-obsessed corporations now run the earth, and that the ultimate cost will be disastrous to humanity and its habitat.
From the Paper "Bakan thus provides the big picture, spelling out the worldwide costs of industrialization. In essence, he argues that our world is being destroyed by gluttonous corporations. Steinbeck shows us the human cost of this by giving us a much smaller picture - a close-up of small farmers in rural USA. Here we meet barefoot children whose children are being forced off the land their ancestors wrested from the indigenous people, and which has sustained their families ever since. The frightened children ask their mothers: "What are we going to do, Ma? Where are we going to go?" (Steinbeck 36) The implication is that these children will end up starving on the streets - so that a soulless, inhuman, monstrous corporate somewhere in the East can make profits."
Abstract This paper takes a look at Steinbeck's Depression-era novel as it relates to Steinbeck's changing political views and vision of the common man.
From the Paper "In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck uses the journey of the Joad family from Oklahoma to California as an allegory for his own radicalization of views as he became concerned with the situation of migrant farm workers of the central California valleys. Steinbeck uses their experiences to illustrate his growing Marxist economic, social and political ideas: evil takes the shape of the great banks and corporations which oppress and manipulate the common worker; and shows how capitalism encourages people who have economic blessings to keep rather than share them at the cost of their own humanity. "
Abstract In this article, the writer analyzes John Steinbeck's treatment of gender roles and female sexuality in early 20th Century America. The writer uses Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath and short story "The Chrysanthemums" for this study.
From the Paper In both his short story 'The Chrysanthemums' and his novel 'The Grapes of Wrath', John Steinbeck explores the subject of gender roles and female sexuality in early twentieth century America. Indeed the female protagonists of both works struggle against the confines that society has placed upon them, but ultimately find themselves trapped within their situations as women. In his portrayal of Elisa Allen in 'The Chrysanthemums' and Ma Joad in 'The Grapes of Wrath', Steinbeck clearly wishes to comment on the constraints that women are forced to confront in ... "
Abstract The paper discusses biographical details of John Steinbeck's life of two of his novels; "In Dubious Battle" and "The Grapes Of Wrath." The paper explains Steinbeck as the foremost writer of the Depression and it describes his concern with the struggles of laborers. The paper discusses the theme of novels.
From the Paper "John Steinbeck is considered the foremost novelist of the Great Depression and his own life contains insights into the development of his sympathy for the dispossessed, the downtrodden and the migrant workers as evidenced in two of his early novels, "In Dubious Battle" and "The Grapes of Wrath." These novels reflect his concern with the struggles of common laborers of which he had firsthand knowledge through his observations and work as a laborer, a seaman surveyor and migratory worker among other jobs."
Abstract In this paper, the character of Elisa Allen is examined in John Steinbeck's short story, "The Chrysanthemums." The paper discusses the influence of her husband on her emotions. The paper also treats the issue of feminine submission and masculine domination.
From the Paper "John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" was published in the late s when some critics consider his greatest works were published including "Tortilla Flat Of Mice" "Men The Red Pony" and " The Grapes of Wrath." The story is about Elisa, a farm wife who is sexually frustrated, lonely and in need of validation as both a woman and a human being."
Abstract The paper presents a comparison between two short stories, Steinbeck's "Chrysanthemums," and Hemingway's "A Cat in the Rain." The paper examines both stories through elements of literature; the narrator, characterization, plot, setting and symbolism. The paper discusses how these elements further the point of the work as a whole and the author in general.
From the Paper "John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway are generally considered to be among the best American writers of historical note. Certainly in reading and studying their work one can come to a better understanding of the writing craft as a whole. Here we will examine how the two writers use such elements of literature as point of view, narration, symbolism and setting in creating their work."
Tags:steinbeck, chrysanthemums, hemingway, a cat in the rain
Abstract This paper uses the frameworks of two of John Steinbeck's and Eudora Welty's works as a basis for criticism. The author points out that both authors were well known for their insightful portrayal of the "common" strata of society and for the semi-autobiographical nature of some of their work The paper includes a brief comparison of the works of these authors following the individual critiques.
From the Paper "Both John Steinbeck and Eudora Welty were prominent American writers during the twentieth century. Both authors were well known for their insightful portrayal of the "common" strata of society, as well as for the semi-autobiographical nature of some of their work. Who could fail to catch glimpses of Steinbeck in Jody Tiflin of "The Red Pony", or of Welty in any number of her short stories. To better illustrate the styles of these two authors, this essay concentrates on elements of Steinbeck's "The Red Pony" and of Welty's "The Golden Apples". Although "The Red Pony" is most often considered to be a novel, both of these works are similar in structure, consisting of interlocking short stories with elements of novels."
Abstract This paper mainly discusses the post-industrial society and the transition process from industrial to post-industrial society. By using the articles and the ideas of Castells, Bell, Negri and Hardt, the writer explains how the post-industrial society has emerged, and predicts the shape of post-industrial society in future. The writer also tries to construct his own point of view about the post-industrial society and explains the reason why he calls post-industrial society a digital society.
From the Paper "Post-industrial society is a conception of late 20th century, which simply emphasizes the declining dependence of the societies on mass manufacturing industry and the increasing roles of service sector, knowledge and information technologies in production. By contrast the industrial society, which precedes post-industrial society, refers to the mass production (factory-based) as the dominant form of production. I think the best definition regarding post-industrial era has come from Daniel Bell, who is also considered as the father of post-industrial society. He suggests that post industrial society includes the birth and growth of a knowledge class, change from goods to service sectors and change from blue-collar to white-collar occupations. For him, all of these could be based on an increasing dependence on science as a means of innovation as well as a means of technical and social change."
Tags: globalization, industrial, post, society, sociology, digital, production, communication, network
Abstract The paper refers to a well-known advertisement from the diamond industry which emphasizes that diamonds are forever, but the marketing may be superfluous because the demand for diamonds in the United States remains strong today. The paper notes that many observers, though, suggest that the diamond industry in the United States is being manipulated by international terrorist organizations to fund their operations at home and abroad. Others suggest that the market is being unfairly controlled by the major players in the diamond industry to keep supplies low to maintain current pricing levels. The paper provides the background and an overview of the global diamond industry, followed by some salient facts concerning this industry. The paper discusses the most and least dominant firms (in terms of size, investments and income) in the diamond industry which is followed by an analysis of how major players in the industry collude to keep diamond supplies on the world market low and prices high. A summary of the research and important findings are presented in the conclusion.
Outline:
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Facts about the International Diamond Industry Most and Least Dominant Firms in the Diamond Industry Conclusion
From the Paper " The Central Selling Organization (CSO) buys the rough from mines owned or controlled by De Beers, from cartel members, and also from independent producers. As a result, much of world production flows through the CSO to be sorted, valued, and ultimately resold" . By sharp contrast, perhaps the least dominant firm in the diamond industry, especially in the United States, is the Crater of Diamonds State Park located in near Murfreesboro, Arkansas, the only diamond mine in the country that allows the public, for a modest price, to dig for and keep the diamonds they find. Other firms in the United States involved in the diamond industry include the New York Diamond Dealers Club, which is a 2000-member private organization for site holders, manufacturers, wholesalers, and brokers".
Abstract This paper deals with the issue of the industrial revolution and it's impact on American woodworking. The paper discusses pre-industrial revolution times, what happened during the industrial revolution and tells what is in the future of American woodworking.
From the paper:
"The Industrial Revolution had a tremendous impact on American woodworking. It took woodworking from little shops in villages to huge industrial factories within large cities throughout America. The Industrial Revolution also changed the tools used in woodworking and altered production methods as well. "This was a period in history when new inventions changed the way that people built things and changed where people worked and how they lived" (Industrial Revolution Booklet, 1998, p.1)."
Abstract This paper describes the automobile industry in detail. It explains who are the major companies, competition for consumers and the future improvements in transportation. It examines the major issues of the industry, technology and the environment impact on the industry.
Table of Contents
I. Industry Background
II. Who are the key players and how do they compete in the market?
III. What are the dynamics of competition?
IV. Power of Buyers
V. Power of Suppliers
VI. What is the industry's driving forces?
VII. Industry Trends
VIII. Market Leaders
IX. What will it take to remain successful?
X. Summary
From the Paper "In the economy of the world, the automotive industry is amongst the biggest industries. ?It produces more trips each day, each week, each year than any other mode of transportation. No other mode of transportation attracts as many consumer dollars, employs as many workers, consumes as much steel, glass, and rubber, and has a greater impact on the country's economy and society.? Of the ten biggest corporations listed in Fortune Magazine's list of Global 500 for 2001, four of them were from the automobile industry. They were General Motors(GM), Ford Motor Corporation, DaimlerChrysler, and Toyota Motors and the revenues they generated was $183,632.00, $180.598.00, $150,069.7, and $121,416.2 billion respectively. The aggregate here is an astounding $635,715.9 billion. Besides these companies, there are numerous other smaller automakers such as Honda and Hyundai that possess smaller market shares. In the year 2000 the US automobile industry sold an amazing 17.4 million vehicles and beat 1999's record by 500,000! The growth in the industry during this period was attributed to the growing economy, increased consumer confidence, and rising disposable income. However, that was in 2000 and although the automotive industry continues to maintain a dominant presence in the world, the next couple of years seem to be a real challenge. Gigantic automakers such as GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler are loosing market share and their performance is on the decline. As other companies compete for more market share amidst economic difficulties, the bigger corporations are being severely affected. ?All three automakers (GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler) faced significant weakness in the summer months (01) due to slower economic growth, lower consumer spending, and higher unemployment.? The only certainty during these uncertain times is that trends are changing. The economy has definitely slowed down, competition is no longer what it was historically, and there have been changes attributed to the industry's driving forces. All these differences for the better or for the worse will factor in to produce the leaders of tomorrow."
Abstract This paper is based on the airline industry and discusses 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 includes three economic indicators.
History of the Industry Industry Overview
SWOTT
Gross Domestic Product
Unemployment Rate
Inflation Rate
Economic Indicators
In-depth Analysis
Final Recommendations
From the Paper "Business travel still plays a significant role in the airline industry. Although many advents in business communications technology have evolved, something remains to be said about the quality and quantity of business conducted in face-to-face meetings. Competition for business travelers is intense with legacy carriers and low-cost carriers vying for revenue. Today, the financial benefit is in the business community's favor although it is expected that in late 2005 excess capacity consumption will allow the airlines to begin charging higher fares (National Business Travel Association)."
Abstract The paper examines the chances that there is or perhaps will be a labor shortage within the staffing industry in the United States economy. The paper explains that this is not an easy question to probe as the relationship that the staffing industry occupies within the economy is complex and at times very uncertain. The paper shows how in some ways the staffing industry actually responds counter intuitively to changes in the economy. Recession, while damaging to all industries, can be extremely beneficial to the staffing industry in the quarters immediately following the end of the recession as other industries are tentative.
From the Paper "The staffing industry is currently one of the greatest growth industries in the country and one of the few that has quickly managed to reassert itself in spite of the recent recession in 2001. In fact, most economists and business analysts recognize that the staffing industry is poised to become a major new part of the new U.S. economy."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of the automotive industry. The paper discusses For Motors' agreement to sell its Land Rover and Jaguar lines over to Tata Motors. The paper then discusses shifts in the industry, including green initiative being taken within the automobile industry. The paper then goes on to examine the direction of the industry, which includes facts and figures regarding the sales of vehicles over the last two years and future sales predictions.
Outline:
Overview
Shifts in the Industry Direction of the Industry
From the Paper "On the financial front, Ford Motors has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Jaguar and Land Rover operations to Tata Motors. The Indian auto giant has agreed to pay approximately $2.3 billion for full ownership of the flagship luxury brands. As part of the transaction, Ford will continue to provide engineering support, including research and development, plus information technology and accounting. The company will certainly feel the financial benefits of the deal, as in the wake of the economic downturn Ford has experienced combined losses of over $15 billion during the past two years. (MW 2) This is an attempt at Ford at capitalizing upon the globalization of the industry."
Abstract This paper looks at all aspects of the computer industry, and its importance in our everyday lives. The author looks at the makeup of the current industry by examining several components - new entrants into the industry, the threat of substitutes, the bargaining power of buyers, as well as the bargaining power of the supplier's of the industry's basic materials.
From the Paper "After examining the supplier's and buyer's bargaining power we need to look at the competition. In this industry there are only a few key competitors. Dell, Gateway, IBM, Compaq and HP (soon to be one entity), and Apple are the main rivals in this industry, and the competition is fierce. Dell and Gateway have been the most innovative by including the "just-in-time" manufacturing to meet consumers specific needs, and HP and Compaq are going to merge, becoming the largest computer/printer producing company around. All of these computers are hard to decipher because of there high compatibility with each other (not Apple). The only thing that really sets them apart are their prices and reputation."
