Essay --

Candide is a famous French satire written by French philosopher, Voltaire. In this satire, Voltaire humorously ridicules Leibniz’s belief of optimism, the violence the military employ during war and the hypocrisy of religion. This essay aims to describe some of the techniques that Voltaire uses to satirize Leibniz through the character of Pangloss, the military through the Bulgarian War, and religious figures through the hypocrisy of the Grand Inquisitor and the Friar, showing how the humor is achieved in the description of the characters. One of the ‘important’ figures Voltaire satirizes would be Leibniz and his theory of philosophical optimism. According to Leibniz, we live in â€Å"the best of all possible worlds† and Voltaire ridicules this in his novel by introducing the character of Pangloss who also believed that â€Å"things cannot be otherwise than they are: for all being created for an end, all is necessarily for the best end.† (Chapter 1, p1) Throughout this novel, no matter the misfortunes Pangloss encounters, he would defend optimism by claiming, â€Å"all is for the best† then continue to justify the possible reasons for such an occurrence. One prominent example would be when Pangloss had unfortunately contracted syphilis from Paquetta, yet he reasoned that â€Å"it was a thing unavoidable, a necessary ingredient in the best of worlds; for if Columbus had not caught in an island in America this disease, which contaminates the source of generation, and frequently impedes propagation itself, and is evidently opposed to the great end of nature, we should have had neither chocolate nor cochineal.† (Chapter 4, p8) The foolishness and incessant belief of Pangloss' optimism is thoroughly displayed here as Voltaire uses the technique of irony ... ...ous figures in Candide seem to almost all be corrupted and deceitful with the exception of a few like Jacques, and the characters in Candide seem to be accustomed to such occurrences, displaying little shock at their ‘unholy’ behavior. Such a manner of portraying these characters further enunciates Voltaire’s view on various religious people. In conclusion, through techniques such as irony, exaggeration, parody and understatement, Voltaire effectively satirizes Leibniz, the military and religious figures, mocking Leibniz’s philosophy of optimism, disapproving the brutality of the military and criticizing the hypocrisy of religious figures. Humor was achieved through the irony and exaggeration he cleverly wove into his novel, making it much easier for the readers to swallow despite the novel being highly critical of his modern society, addressing many serious issues.

Maintain Your Ideal Weight Without Losing Your Mind

Within the last decade, weight has become an obsession for most Americans. Yet, most people try dieting and still find themselves fluctuating in weight. Diets fail because they are a short term fix. They often restrict a lot of food to get fast results. When one comes off a diet, weight rapidly packs back on. What most people do not know is that maintaining ideal weight is a lifestyle change with an appropriate frame in mind. In order to lose and maintain weight, people need to undergo a lifestyle change, not a short term fix.Choosing the right foods to eat is an essential factor in losing and maintaining proper weight. The best foods are natural. Processed foods often take too long for our bodies to break down, causing slow digestion, which burns fewer calories. Therefore taking in foods that aid digestion is significant. The perfect example is the food pyramid. Although it recommends that fruit and vegetables be taken in moderation I have found that snacking on them when I am hungr y, without condiments, is not a problem.High-protein foods are ideal because protein nourishes muscles that eat away at fat. When choosing breads, whole wheat and multigrain breads are best; they have more fiber and protein than white breads. At first, they may taste bland but they are fulfilling and promote digestion. The more one feels satisfied with the foods they eat the more likely they are to maintain their healthy eating habits. Most importantly, one should not resist any type of food because it eventually causes a food binge.When craving junk food, it is fine to have a taste or two of it with moderation. It is impossible to completely avoid what generations have grown to love. Eating junk food can be like an addiction; one slowly has to wane themselves out of it. Food should be considered as a daily nutritional value and not as a short term solution. The second key is, maintaining an active lifestyle. Being active can increase metabolism which burns calories. The more calori es one burns the less likely they are to store fat.The ideal way of dealing with this matter would be to exercise; however, many of us do not have time to fit it into our busy lives. Keeping fit does not have to be a something we add to our schedules; instead it can be a part of them. On the other hand, we have become a society dependent on technology. Although it is useful, it also makes us fat. If we chose to meet with a friend face to face instead of using mediated communication, we would take a lot more steps in life.Even simple things like taking the stairs instead of an elevator can be considered as part of an active lifestyle. Wanting to lose weight cannot become a problem in life. You want to lose and maintain proper weight without it controlling your life. Diets fail because they are a short term fix. They often restrict a lot of food to get fast results. When one comes off a diet, weight rapidly packs back on. It is simple, but often not easy, in order to lose and maintain proper weight one has to make some adjustments to their lifestyles.

The Importance Of Communication And Group Dynamics

Health care organizations are no different from other organizations on how they communicate and their group dynamics. Therefore having such understanding it is important to know which are the best ways of communication and how successful teams or groups can be successful. When there is a break down in communication then goals and objectives of the organizations will not be easily met and problems will arise because of this. In the same way if a group is not well directed then its goals will also not be met. Therefore it is important to understand the importance of communication and group dynamics in order to have an effective organization. This paper will strive to demonstrate the importance of communication in any group setting despite of its dynamics. According to the scenario the group had met on three other previous occasions and were yet to come up with a solution regarding the problem concerning one of their patient. This particular group is comprised of individuals who have different personalities and as stated despite having met on other previous times the problem persisted. Three events which occur and help demonstrate the reason why the meeting was ineffective include the lack of leadership skills from the boss who was the team leader. Being the team leader he should have been the first person to speak and not John. As a leader he should have taken charge of the meeting by speaking first where he should have provided the agenda for the meeting. AnotherShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Team Communication Essay1457 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract The focus of this paper is to show how communication is a very vital and important factor in a team’s success. I will cover how it helps to identify each individual team member’s role. I will discuss how team communication helps everyone in the team to understand the end goal, and I will also discuss how communication is a vital part of project planning within the team. The Importance of Team Communication Team dynamics is the unseen force that pulls and influences a team to act andRead MoreLeadership And Hofstedes Six Dimensions1151 Words   |  5 Pagesin international management, organization behavior, and human resource development literature to measure effects that can discriminate between countries and ethnic or occupational groups (Kuchinke 1999). Cultural understanding and communication are often seen as some of the most difficult things when working in groups that have different backgrounds and are more familiar working in different types of leadership. This paper will explore what Hofstede’s Six Dimensions, how they are associated withRead MoreA Critical Pathway Development For Ventilator Dependent Patients938 Words   |  4 PagesCommunication is a tool that nurse leaders should master in order to send information, perception and understanding to achieve work activities and goals. Effective communication involves frequent, clear, and direct messaging of thoughts and ideas. The three elements leaders should include in creating and enhancing effective communication are trust, respect, and empathy. For this paper I will discuss some of the issues found in chapter seven’s critical thinking exercise. Nurse Olivia Whitt, whoRead MoreProject: Group Dynamics and Teamwork1644 Words   |  7 PagesSP2750 Project PROJECT: GROUP THEORY Project Introduction: The course project aims at providing you an opportunity to implement your learning about group dynamics. This hands-on part of our class enables you to enhance and develop your skills and techniques of group dynamics, helps you be more competent in an actual group process, and enables you to see the value of teamwork. Collaboratively, the team will work on becoming a team with proactive techniques, diverse ideas, and problem-solving skillsRead MoreCommunication And Leadership - Nurse1028 Words   |  5 PagesCommunication and Leadership – Nurse Olivia Witte Communication is a tool that nurse leaders should master to send information, perception, and understanding to achieve work activities and goals. Effective communication involves clear and direct messaging of thoughts and ideas. The three elements that leaders utilize when creating and enhancing effective communication are trust, respect, and empathy. For this paper, I will discuss some of the issues found in chapter seven’s critical thinking exerciseRead MoreOrganizational Behavior Terminology and Concepts Paper850 Words   |  4 Pagesfollowing topics will be presented: Organization culture as internal and external environment of control. Diversity as of individual differences based on gender, race and ethnicity, age, disabilities, and sexual orientation. As the last subject communication as the human skill that helps the organization to work well with other people, and resolves conflict. The point of view for experiences in my organization will be included in this paper and conclusion. Organization Culture The organizationalRead MoreKey Personality Tests And Planning For Better Managerial Skills1497 Words   |  6 PagesManaging people and organizations Results of key personality tests and planning for better managerial skills in future Personality and traits are of great importance to a manager. Several managerial skills can be developed or improved to suit the needs of work place. It is important that a manager develops these skills in order to perform better. At the same time, it becomes essential that an individual understands and evaluates his or her own skill set so that he can improve it to meetRead MoreEvaluate the Advantages and Disadvantages of Globalization for Business1101 Words   |  5 Pagesteamwork. In this essay we are going through the importance of teamwork in organizations as developed by related authors, to find out the advantages and how this concept can make a business more profitable. To begin with, in a business which working in a team is very important to construct an effective teamwork rather than ineffective. This will be accomplished if there is a true organization in the business. As written by team work and group dynamics book pg.39 â€Å"Team members cannot provide taskRead MoreDiversity and Cultural Competence in Family Therapy Essay1050 Words   |  5 Pagesbe aware of the clients history, values, and culture in order to provide effective therapy. This paper will outline and provide information as to the importance of cultural competence and diversity in family therapy. What is Cultural Competence? Culture can be defined as behaviors exhibited by certain racial, religious, social or ethnic groups. Some factors in which culture may vary include: family structure, education, and socioeconomic status (Kodjo, 2009). Some may think cultural competenceRead MoreEffective And Ineffective Verbal And Nonverbal Communication Techniques1375 Words   |  6 PagesEffective and ineffective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques Within the Residence Care Conference, my role as a Food Service Manager (FSM), along with the Personal Support Work (PSW), Register Practical Nurse (RPN) and the Social Worker met to discuss, assess, plann, implement, and evaluated to bring forth a suitable solution to our 93 year old female client with poor appetite who suffers from dysphagia, which is defined as â€Å"difficulty in swallowing† by (Dictionary.com), depression and

Jean Piagets Theory Of Genetic Epistemology Essays

Jean Piaget has held a fascination for me since first learning about him in my developmental psychology class. Piaget’s tireless journey to figure out how knowledge grows is a fascinating one. In the interest of obtaining a greater understanding for Piaget’s theories as well as the processes behind those theories, we must first look at Piaget’s Theory of Genetic Epistemology. Piaget’s theory of Genetic Epistemology, as well as the criticism of his theory, will be the focus of this paper. Jean was born in Switzerland on August 9, 1896 (Smith, 1997). Jean began volunteering at the Neuchà ¢tel Museum of Natural History at the age of 10. While volunteering at the museum, the director took Jean on as his assistant and apprentice, â€Å"paying Jean†¦show more content†¦It was with this suspicion that Piaget set out to answer the question â€Å"How does knowledge grow?† (Plucker, 2003) During Piaget’s quest to answer this very question, he changed the history of how we view cognitive development. His research led to the development of the â€Å"theory of Genetic Epistemology† (Plucker, 2003). While studying the process of cognitive development, Piaget strove to figure out how children adapt to their environments. â€Å"Adaptation to a child’s environment is controlled through mental organizations called schemes† (Huitt Hummel, 2003). Schemes, which can also be considered concepts, are â€Å"used by each individual to represent the world and designate action† (Huitt Hummel, 2003). These schemes are driven by the body’s need to maintain homeostasis with the surrounding environment. Piaget hypothesized that the base reflexes seen at birth were actually just base schemes that had yet to be developed. â€Å"Piaget felt that these basic schemes, or reflexes, were replaced with more complex schemes as the infant learned to adapt to their environment† (Huitt Hummel, 2003). Piaget also believed that intelligence itself is a form of adaptation, and felt that two process were used by each individual to attempt this adaptation. Piaget referred to these two processes as assimilation and accommodation. Piaget felt that as children mature, â€Å"they use both assimilation andShow MoreRelatedJean Piaget s Theories Of Cognitive Development1360 Words   |  6 Pages Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist. He worked in the fields of Developmental Psychology and Epistemology. He’s known for his works and theories in the field of child development. His theories of cognitive development and epistemological views are called, â€Å"genetic epistemology†. Piaget placed the education of children as most important. His works and theories still play a huge role and influence the study of child psychology today. Jean Piaget was born on August 9, 1896 in Neuchatel, SwitzerlandRead MoreJean Piaget s Theory And Theory1673 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is a theory? A theory is an organized set of ideas that is designed to explain development. These are essential for developing predictions about behaviors and predictions result in research that helps to support or clarify the theory. The theorist I am choosing to talk about is Jean Piaget who discovered the cognitive development theory and who broke it down into different stages. The different stages are the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational thoughtRead MoreJean Piaget: Biography and Theory of Cognitive Development1601 Words   |  6 PagesPiagets Theory of Cognitive Development: Jean Piagets theory of cognitive development is a description of the four distinct stages of development of cognition in children. The theory was developed at a time when Piaget was employed at the Binet Institute in the 1920s in which his main responsibilities were to develop the French versions of questions on the English intelligence tests. During this period, Piaget became increasingly concerned or interested with the reasons children gave for theirRead MorePiagets Theory of Cognitive Development1075 Words   |  5 PagesPiaget’s Theory of Child Psychological Development There currently exists a great deal of literature based on child developmental psychology from a variety of great psychologists, notably Freud, Erikson, Bowlby, Bandura, Vygotsky, and many others. However, this paper will focus on the theories of Jean Piaget. Jean Piaget, a Swiss developmental psychologist and philosopher, was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland on August 9, 1896. After working with Alfred Binet in his children’s intelligence testsRead MoreVygotsky And Vygotsky : Early Childhood Development1683 Words   |  7 Pages Amanda Rezzonico Piaget vs Vygotsky Early Childhood Development Lev Vygotsky and Jean Piaget are known in the educational world. Vygotsky and Piaget were developmental psychologists who had many of the same views and beliefs, but at the same time had opposing views. According to Jean Piaget â€Å"cognitive development was a repetitive reorganization of mental processes that derived from biological maturation in addition to environmental experiences’’ (McLeod, S. A. (2015). The childRead MoreJean Piaget s Theory Of Knowing921 Words   |  4 PagesJean Piaget was a developmental psychologist and philosopher from Switzerland. He is known for his epistemological studies with children. He was the first to make a systematic study of cognitive development. Piaget was also the Director of the International Bureau of Education. He was â€Å"the great pioneer of the constructivist theory of knowing.† He was known as the second best psychologist after Skinner by the end of the 20th century. Throughout his career, Jean Piaget declared that â€Å"only educationRead MoreA Look Into the Past: Jean Piagets Life and Work Essay2990 Words   |  12 Pagespresent an over view of Jean Piaget’s life. It will focus on details of his personal life, his contributions to psychology, his historical development, and his present contributions to his career. Jean Piaget’s research in developmental psychology and genetic epistemology answered the question: How does knowledge grow? Piaget’s findings have been and continue to be an inspiration to fields like psychology, sociology, education, epistemology, economics and law. Jean Piaget was born on AugustRead MoreNew Placement Of The Piaget Profile2873 Words   |  12 PagesNew placement of the Piaget profile This profile of Jean Piaget should be placed in the functionalism psychology portion of the book due to the focus on children that Piaget took and the cognitive behavioral approach that he primarily studied. The developments he made were primarily used to the early and middle childhood education and he worked to understand children behavior and the learning process. Introduction: Jean Piaget was a great mind and contributed copious amount of knowledge andRead MoreThe Theory Of Cognitive Psychology928 Words   |  4 Pagesscience, was Swiss biologist, Jean Piaget. Piaget’s discoveries and principles have made a significant contribution in expansion of cognitive psychology ideas. His research and concepts that were based on kids learning and progressing helped him to form his famous theory of four developmental stages, which later found supporters and critics among many psychologists. Although much of his work included analyses of child’s development, he described himself as â€Å"genetic epistemologist†, not child psychologistRead MoreJean Piaget s Theory Of Education Essay1248 Words   |  5 Pagesgenerations have done,† (â€Å"Jean Piaget†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ) a wise man once stated. In this paper we are going to go more in-depth into Jean Piaget’s life and how the work of Jean Piaget greatly influenced the field of early childh ood education. This paper will include a brief summary of Jean Piaget’s life, a description of his/her major theories or ideas, and how those ideas impact early education today. One question that was posed and will be touched on during my paper is the question of how Jean Piaget made it easier

Hamlet and The Spanish Tragedy - 654 Words

The parallels shown between Hamlet and The Spanish Tragedy demonstrate the influence Kyds play had on Shakespeare. The similarities can be seen throughout the plot lines and context of both plays. While using the plays as different tools, both are used for expediting revenge. Shakespeare, through the impact of Kyds play, established and perfected an ideal plot for a play expressing revengeful tragedy. The actions and thoughts that Hamlet shows greatly displays many characteristics from The Spanish Tragedy. Hamlet models himself after Hieronimo in the way he approaches revenge. However, Hamlet wants his victims to suffer not only on earth but in the afterlife. Kyd and Shakespeare utilize both meta-theaters to exact revenge and reveal guilt. The intention of a play within a play by Kyd is used for the format of Hieronimos death. It varies from that of Hamlet in layout and context. Hamlet plans precisely how he will avenge his fathers death and when he will strike. Hamlet exclaims, When he is...about some act/ That has no relish of salvation int--/ Then trip him...And that his soul may be damned and black/ As hell (Shakespeare III.iv.94-100). Killing Claudius in a sinful state will satisfy him, his father, and affect him by suffering in the afterlife as well. Hieronimo also plots his revenge, but is solely concerned with achieve earthly revenge. The Spanish Tragedy includes a play that is longer in duration than that of Hamlet. Kyd does this to allow the audience toShow MoreRelated Characteristics of a Machiavel in The Spanish Tragedy and Hamlet1163 Words   |  5 PagesCharacteristics of a Machiavel in The Spanish Tragedy and Hamlet  Ã‚   To understand a renaissance machiavel as portrayed in The Spanish Tragedy and Hamlet, it is necessary to find characters from both works that exhibit the characteristics of a machiavel (Plotting, secrecy and eventually murder). This is the difficult part, as most of the major characters in both plays exhibit some, if not all of these characteristics - while neither Heironimo nor Hamlet are villains, they both rely upon machiavellianRead MoreEssay on Heroes and Revenge in Hamlet and The Spanish Tragedy1389 Words   |  6 PagesHeroes and Revenge in Hamlet and The Spanish Tragedy In Elizabethan drama, it was accepted that the villains of the piece would, because of their evil methods and aims, be revealed and punished - in other words, justice would be served. The problem, however, arises when the heroes of the piece use the same methods as the villains. I use the term hero warily, as the traditional hero of a revenge tragedy is one who would at first seem completely unsuited to a revenging role; Heironimo is portrayedRead MoreThe Use of Supernatural Elements in Shakespeares Hamlet and Kyds the Spanish Tragedy1181 Words   |  5 PagesDiscuss the usage and effects that the supernatural elements have in both Kyds `The Spanish Tragedy and Shakespeares Hamlet. Ghosts or supernatural beings feature both in The Spanish Tragedy, written by Thomas Kyd, in 1587, and in Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, in 1601. Ghosts and the supernatural `remind the characters and the audience of the constraints the past places on the present, and also the obligations the l iving bear to the departed . There were many superstitions surroundingRead MoreHamlet as So Much More Than a Traditional Revenge Tragedy Essay1713 Words   |  7 PagesHamlet as So Much More Than a Traditional Revenge Tragedy Although Shakespeare wrote Hamlet closely following the conventions of a traditional revenge tragedy, he goes far beyond this form in his development of Hamlets character. Shakespeares exploration of Hamlets complex thoughts and emotions is perhaps more the focus of the play rather than that of revenge, thus in Hamlet Shakespeare greatly develops and enhances the form of the traditional revenge tragedy. Read MoreWilliam Shakespeares Hamlet as a Revenge Tragedy Essay1233 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Hamlet as a Revenge Tragedy Revenge Tragedy was a genre which lasted from 1590 until 1615. The genre appealed to the Elizabethan audience’s desire for blood and violence without emotional depth. ================================================================== Revenge tragedies originated in the writings of the Roman Seneca (4BC-AD65) whose plays heavily influenced Elizabethan dramatists. Seneca’s tragedies, using stories derived from mythologyRead MoreRevenge Conventions In Hamlet Essay1182 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare that very closely follows the dramatic conventions of revenge in Elizabethan theater. All revenge tragedies originally stemmed from the Greeks, who wrote and performed the first plays. After the Greeks came Seneca who was very influential to all Elizabethan tragedy writers. Seneca who was Roman, basically set all of the ideas and the norms for all revenge play writers in the Renaissance era including William Shakespeare. The two most famous EnglishRead MoreEmily Bronte s Hamlet And Wuthering Heights 1307 Words   |  6 PagesRevenge in Hamlet and Wuthering Heights Abstract This concise paper is an analogical study. It consists of three parts; the first one defines the word revenge and explains where the theme of revenge comes from and how it has expended to other types of literary works until these days. The second part of the study, is supported by exemplifies Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. The last part of the paper, provides Emily Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s novel, Wuthering Heights as a good example; because one of the main themesRead More Shakespeare the Plagiarist Essay1262 Words   |  6 Pagesothers were in his great director and playwright skills. The play Hamlet is one of the most re-created and re-written books to date. Hamlet is still being performed in theaters around the world. Even though many people perceive Shakespeare as a literary genius, we can not give him sole credit for his plays and sonnets. With a few exceptions, Shakespeare did not invent the plots of his plays. Sometimes he used old stories (Hamlet, Pericles). Sometimes he worked from the stories of comparativelyRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Spanish Tragedy 2479 Words   |  10 PagesThomas Kyd’s ‘The Spanish Tragedy’ follows the traditional techniques we typically assume will be in a revenge tragedy, and how Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ follows these conventions as well as how Hamlet sometimes challenges the typical conventions of revenge tragedy plays and pushes them. I will also discuss the notion of revenge, as well as discuss how the two plays use the conventions of the genre to promote different ways of thinking about the ethics of revenge. Revenge tragedy was a popular genreRead MoreHamlet : A Classic Revenge Tragedy1103 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet is not like any tragedy. Hamlet is a classic revenge tragedy. All the revenge tragedies were popular in England during the late 16th and early 17th. A Shakespearean tragedy is built upon a central conflict which runs through from the beginning to the end of the tragedy until the conflict is finally resolved. The play is built upon the long, tragic conflict between Hamlet and Claudius and the conflict is built upon the figure of revenge. The Driving points that shapes the plot of play are

Monetary Policy of Bernanke Free Essays

Ben Bernanke is current Chairmen of US Federal Reserve and his task is to ensure appropriate monetary policy in order to improve country’s economic and financial performance. Bernanke argues he has to work closely with all members of the Committee because it is the only way to develop monetary policy in such a way that it would fit country’s needs and demands. Therefore, the paper discusses issues of monetary policy offered by Bernanke as well as examines influence of globalization on overall monetary policy of the country. We will write a custom essay sample on Monetary Policy of Bernanke or any similar topic only for you Order Now Actually, Bernanke is interested whether ongoing economic globalization and integration affects US monetary policy. Monetary policy operates in financial and economic environment being strongly affected by integration. Bernanke notes that monetary policy instead of stabilizing economic and financial situation in the country does little to drive powerful economic forces and to cause structural changes necessary for policy. Bernanke claims that if Federal Reserve wants to develop effective monetary policy, it should, firstly, be fully aware of all factors which are able to affect and determine the overall economic growth, inflation and employments rates in the United States. Chairman asserts that country’s economy should be open to other countries because openness plays crucial role in monetary policy affecting price stability and sustainable employment within country. Furthermore, economic openness also assists Federal Reserve in meeting congressional mandate. Bernanke cites analysts who argue that globalization puts obstacles to US monetary policy because it aims at reducing US interest rates of Federal Reserve and asset price. Also globalization diminishes the role of domestic factors affecting inflation process. Nevertheless, Bernanke doesn’t support such idea claiming that he is sure globalization should be implicated to increase effectiveness of monetary policy. Globalization and Monetary Institute was established to study impact of globalization no economy and policy of the country. Bernanke argues that monetary policy affects above all country’s financial conditions and asset prices and interest rates are under attack. Consequently, changes taken place in financial conditions would affect many households and firms, as well as would affect production, consumption and investment opportunities. Thus, Bernanke states that â€Å"the financial environment in which U.S. monetary policy is made has been irrevocably changed by the remarkable increases in the magnitudes of financial flows into and out of the United States†. (Bernanke 2007) Therefore, he argues that he Federal Reserve should pay more attention to financial stability by controlling federal funds and interest rates. Banks loans should be carefully considered as well. He recommends using open-market operations because due to policy of openness the Federal Reserve would be able to manage constant supply of funds, inter-bank markets. Such policy will keep federal funds close to the targeted rates and international integration of financial markets will not be affected or prevented. Further, Bernanke admits that the Federal Reserve should take proper control over the federal funds rates because they strongly affect short-term dollar nominal interest rates. Bernanke promotes cooperation of the Federal Reserve with modern central banks because it gives excellent opportunity to conduct monetary policy, to examine economic and financial data obtained from variety of markets, and to apply those data when considering economy and inflation. Bernanke says it is necessary to seek for alternative courses of policy to improve effectiveness of monetary policy and macroeconomic performance of the country. He recommends developing economic models to guide policymakers and forecasting techniques to ensure sustainable progress. Bernanke assumes that â€Å"monetary policymakers must therefore strike a difficult balance –conducting rigorous analysis informed by sound economic theory and empirical methods while keeping an open mind about the many factors, including myriad global influences, at play in a dynamic modern economy like that of the United States†. (Bernanke 2006) References Bernanke, Ben. (2007, March 2). Globalization and Monetary Policy. Retrieved April 19, 2007, from http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2007/20070302/ Bernanke, Ben. (2006, February 15). Testimony of Chairmen Ben S. Bernanke. Retrieved April 19, 2007, from http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/hh/2006/february/testimony.htm Bernanke: The Yield Curve and Monetary Policy. (2006, March 20). Retrieved April 19, 2007, from http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2006/03/bernanke_the_yi.html                      How to cite Monetary Policy of Bernanke, Essay examples

The Face of Battle free essay sample

The Face of Battle examines warfare from the viewpoint of the common soldier by analyzing and comparing three well-known battles. Starting with Agincourt, moving on to Waterloo, and finally the Somme, the author describes warfare as experienced by the warrior of the day. Characterizing the campaigns and planning which led up to each battle, Keegan provides background for each engagement he then seemingly details from the very midst of the carnage. His expert knowledge and engaging style allow the book to make its point without losing the attention of the reader. The book’s fresh approach to battlefield history stems from Keegan’s overwhelming experience in the subject. Keegan taught at Britain’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as the Senior Lecturer in Military History for many years. In addition to writing numerous books on military history, Vassar College has named him a Delmas Distinguished Professor of History, he has been a Fellow of Princeton University (â€Å"Vintage,† Keegan), and is currently a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. We will write a custom essay sample on The Face of Battle or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Though he admits to never actually being in battle, Keegan’s extensive personal research, interviews, and scholarship on the subject of military history lend him plenty of credence to speak on the subject of battle. However, Keegan believes the men who fought in them should ideally relate their own histories. â€Å"†¦Where possible, an essential ingredient in battle narrative and battle analysis,† he says, â€Å"[is] allowing the combatants to speak for themselves. † Keegan does, in fact, focus on a more immediate view of battle, as seen from the eyes of a common infantryman. He uses both primary and secondary sources to reconstruct a certain picture of each battle in his book. However, both primary and secondary sources have pitfalls. As John Mundy, author of Europe in the High Middle Ages 1150-1300, in a review of The Face of Battle notes, â€Å"†¦soldiers present at an engagement usually exaggerate the numbers facing them † (679). One must also question his use of secondary historical sources. For instance, his rendition of Waterloo takes much of its information from the writing of Captain William Siborne, a British opographer who is credited with changing how the world perceived the Duke of Wellington after the Battle of Waterloo. After Siborne alleged that the Prussians had far more impact on Napoleon’s eventual defeat then previously believed, the Duke of Wellington lost much of his previous favor (Adamson). If Keegan had wanted to add more credibility to his work, he should have avoided controversial sources and dwelt more on the ideas his book attempts to convey, circumventing any possible impact to his own efforts. However, his choice of historical material should not be used as a means to discredit his admirable conclusions. Keegan finds, through his study of the three chosen battles, that the central nature of warfare over the years remains unchanged. It is still today, despite advances in technology and tactics, an overwhelmingly man-to-man affair between individuals in a gruesome and horrific contest of violence. Although mechanization and wireless communication have changed the character of battle, the principles of courage, fear, and leadership still dominate the battlefield. What battles have in common,† he states, â€Å"is human: the behavior of men struggling to reconcile their instinct for self-preservation, their sense of honor, and the achievement of some aim over which other men are ready to kill them,† (303). In his analysis of war through the ages, despite its many consistencies, Keegan notes several trends in the character of battle. For instance, in the uncertain examination of war he remarks that, â€Å"One statement can be safely made†¦battles have been getting longer,† (308). At Agincourt, the English forces repelled a numerically superior French force in a matter of hours. The Battle of Waterloo found Napoleon defeated in a matter of days, while the battle of the Somme lasted months. Employing a creative analogy of the sport mountaineer, Keegan remarks on the exposure, technical difficulty, accident rate, and objectives dangers faced by modern soldiers as opposed to combatants of the past. Along with the increased duration of the average battle over the years, according to Keegan, the number and severity of â€Å"objective dangers† has gone up. Waterloo and the Somme, with fatal casualty rates of 27 and 43 percent respectively, show on a small scale how technology and efficiency have increased the killing power of armies in the modern day and expanded the killing zone of the typical battle. The expansion of the killing zone, due in part to artillery, mines, and chemical agents, means that, today, troops cannot just â€Å"veer off into the neighboring wood,† or â€Å"take refuge in equally convenient woods,† (315). Partially out of duty, and partially out of necessity, they cannot just remove themselves from the killing zone. Identifying trends like these, especially as they relate to the changing face of mountaineering, Keegan relates to his audience how battle changes while it simultaneously remains the same in many other respects. Keegan’s findings may conflict, though rightly so, with the common assumption that, as technology increases the firepower of common soldiers, battles are subsequently conducted through less and less close-range combat. Deeper examination of Waterloo, the Somme, and naturally Agincourt reveal, however, that infantry still do, even in modern warfare, engage in close-range combat. Bayonets, in the Napoleonic era, caused a large portion of the casualties in each conflict. In WWII, even as tanks began to change the character of war, armies still fought and won battles with their infantry. Despite the mechanization of warfare, close combat still dominates the battlefield. Though he backs his claims and details his battles using many worthy and authoritative sources, Keegan’s writing falls short where he fails to cover a sufficient amount of each conflict. According to John Beeler of the University of North Carolina Greensboro, â€Å"The account of Agincourt (October 25, 1415) lacks the conviction of the later studies†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (1229). He explains further, regarding the chapter on the Somme, â€Å"Keegan has limited his coverage largely to the first day of the offensive,† (1229). The historical critic, therefore, finds fault not so much in what Keegan included in his text, but in what he left out. However, the author’s purpose was not to detail every part of each battle, but rather to expose battle as a whole for what it really was to the average soldier. In choosing the three battles he did, battles with little in common, Keegan exposed how similar battles can be when seen through the eyes of a professional solder. The fight for life and victory, we find, is the same in the fifteenth as in the nineteenth century. The Face of Battle increased my knowledge of medieval, Napoleonic, and modern warfare. Additionally, the book offers an analysis of the trends of warfare over the past half millennium, a discerning investigation regarding current trends in warfare, and intelligent speculation on its future. Keegan’s strongest writing comes from his analogy of mountaineering as it relates to combat and through his depiction of war as seen through eyes of the solder as opposed to the general. Through this relationship, he accurately translates the picture of battle to an arena where the common man can more easily grasp its significance and wrap his mind around its concepts. After all, the book aims to educate the student officer about the inevitable, timeless idea of conflict between men.