Media violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Media violence - Essay Example Various individuals and research groups have constantly attributed the increased rate of violence among the children and youths as a result of media influence (Phillips 26). Various forms of media present violent incidences as well as games with numbers attracted towards these violent views and video games constantly increasing. It is equally important to note that other researchers attribute violent media as an outlet of aggression as opposed to source of violence among any group within the society. The paper therefore explores the reasons why violent games and videos need to remain out of blame while searching for increased rise of criminal activities among children and the youth. To derive sufficient evidence that will lead to real answers, a focus on trends as well as averages is essential as opposed to simply relying on statistical outliers to measure the extent that criminal games and videos as well as other forms of criminal forms of games presented by the media affect the society (Foster). Focusing on logical trends like where an individual goes to work on eight hours a day and then heads home to engage in other forms of leisure while a kid plays for one hour and heads for a shooting spree is essential. It is also important to recall that even if there exists a connection between violent games as well as aggressive behavior, there lacks evidence to signify casualty (Hofmann133). There is a likelihood that violent criminals may choose violent games but there is still millions of children who engage on violent games day-day out but the vast majority of these children still remain as normal and law-abiding citizens. In the U.S, the concept interrelating video game violence and young people was taken to the national spotlight in a case where a California law banned sale of some specific violent related videos and games was brought in the Supreme Court. The enforcement of the 2005 failed to take effect at the

Organisational Culture The Case Of Daimler Management Essay

Organisational Culture The Case Of Daimler Management Essay Introduction Organizational or corporate culture is deliberated as one of the vital conflicts and dilemmas as well as subjects that are relevant in academic research as well as education giving deliberation on the corporate and business theory and management applications. The main basis and grounds behind this is the notion that the determinant and attribute of the culture is deliberated as valuable in entire life of corporations and business. Even in those corporate and business where in cultural conflicts and dilemmas take delivery of little precise deliberation, how individuals in a firm perceive, experience, analyze as well as operate are all presented and forwarded by diverse ideologies, sense, significance and also customs and elements of a cultural nature. Whether management perceive that culture is deliberated as too soft or too hard to worry about or whether there is no limited and confined corporate culture, does not lessen the essence of culture (Alvesson 2002). Accordingly, senior corporate management are almanners, in one manner or another, manage and administer culture and deliberated as the most significant notion to be implicated by an industry. Those corporations and industries that are working numbers of diverse management may help in the expansion of building up and copying a culture that will honor and observe the indicator of performance as well as the operations and functions about the process of handling of these. In most of the modern business organization, corporate culture deliberates different types of attention that is deliberated as crucial. The issues is that management are often missing of a deeper comprehension about own individuals and corporate and business will function concerning the culture. It is significant to deliberate the notion that culture is a vital and complex because it is very complex to comprehend and apply in the thoughtful manner. Awareness of and attention in culture can be adjusts between management as well as automotive industry. However, it is still considered hard to get hold of a high level of cultural awareness direct actions (Alvesson 2002). Primarily, the principal objective of this report is to assess the organizational culture of Daimler and identify the issues and problems faced by the management of the automotive industry concerning cultural and diversity issues. Since one of the most talked about Cultural diversity management is the one which Daimler and Chrysler has considered, it is best to analyze the issues that cultural diversity have brought the industry after the Cultural diversity management. Organizational Culture There is no broad concurrence concerning on what the expression organizational or corporate culture explains as well as delivers. The term has been considered in diverse manners, which consist: as a metaphor, as a principle body that relays and associates to the corporate and business as a whole or a set of behavioral or cognitive characteristics. Furthermore, It also visible and evident in diverse determinant and attributes which consist determinant and attributes, symbols, myths, languages, norms of behavior, beliefs, customs, values, ethical codes, legends, as well as attitudes, basic assumptions or event the past of the corporations and businesses. As mentioned by Morgan (1997), the corporate culture has basically four significant strengths. The first strength emphasizes the attention on the human side of corporate and business condition and life. On the other hand, another strength gives consideration on the significance of harmonious internal relations among the members of the corporate and business, that in turn will result to the attainment of objectives and goals. It also makes the members, specifically the corporate and business leaders to analyze themselves in terms of the implications they have on the group. The last one is it develops the corporate and business relationship not only internally but also externally with the implications of the behavior on the outside environment. Various studies such as White (1998) and Hibbard (1998) have given emphasis more on defining values as the core foundation of corporate culture. Whilst such values are significant determinants or determinants of corporate culture, other studies and investigations have shown that corporate as well as business differ more on practices rather than on their values (Hofstede, 2001, p. 394). Such contrary results were determined and found among national culture. In the study by Hofstede (2001), the author has been able to explain that values are derived from an individuals early life, chiefly from his or her own family. This then supports the notions that corporate culture is founded by industrial and institutional practices. Typically, values are not openly apparent for staffs and management. However, in some part, values are expressed through industrial practices. Hence, they can be obtained from emerging corporate and business practices found within the corporate and business, its depar tment or individual work units. It also relays and associated on the outline of attitudes, principles as well as academic manners of adjusting with knowledge that have enhanced during the manner of the record of the corporations and business, which have a propensity to be visible and obvious in its material aspects as well as in the performance and function of the members. Hence, it is deliberated as the outline of valuable statements that have proceeded well sufficient to be able to be deliberated as suitable, hence, it is vital to be trained to latest members as the precise technique to differentiate and identify, reflect and experience in connection to dilemmas and issues of outer variation and inner collaboration(Maier 2004). Based on this, it is deliberated as the shared values, customs and norms and also the expectations that guide the manner in which individuals approach their work, at the same time collaborate with one another. Organizational or corporate culture is diverse from that of the world culture; t his is due to those associated on the shared histories, foods, languages, beliefs which are deliberated as the basis and foundation of the identity of an individual. The personal culture influences how a person is deciding on a specific happening as well as conditions that they are encountering. Identifying the organizational or corporate culture entails being able to give emphasis on the identification of the universal references of the corporations and business. Organizational or corporate culture has been measured as a compound events and happenings. It is very apparent and clear in the behavioral traditions and backgrounds, concealed statements and also as human nature. Furthermore, the value and worth of presenting corporate and business culture from diverse levels, together with idea and creations, values as well as fundamental postulations (Oden, 1997). The extend in which organizational or corporate culture is consciously as well as overtly rather than unconsciously and covertly manifest, implicates how easily organizational or corporate culture can be changed and managed. When organizational or corporate culture change involves changing surface-level behavioral norms as well as object and piece, it can happen with connected easiness. At the authentic levels of organizational or corporate culture, purpose suppositions, ideas, as well as human nature, it is very complex and consuming to consider changes in organizational or corporate cu lture. The process of considering and varying organizational or corporate culture is being influenced by diverse level of corporate and business culture under deliberation (De Witte Muijen 2000). Overview of Daimler One of the successful automotive industries in the global market is Daimler AG. Having its divisions of brands such as Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Bens Vans, Mercedes Bens Cars, Daimler financial services, Daimler Buses, the industry is considered to be one of the biggest manufacturers of premium cars and vehicles as well as the biggest producers of the commercials automotive vehicles with a global market reach. On the other hand, the Financial Services division of the automotive industry offers their clients with a full range of automotive financial services which include leasing, financing, insuring and fleet management. The founders of the industry have been able to create a history by inventing the automotive in 1886. Being the pioneer for automotives, the automotive industry continues to mold the future of mobility. Daimler group of automotive industry consider innovative and green technologies to be able to generate safe as well as superior automotives that fascinate as well as sa tisfy their clients. Due to the development of alternative drive determinant and attributes, the automotive industry is noted to be the only producer of vehicles that invests in hybrid drive, electric motors as well as fuel-cell approaches, with the objective of attaining emission-free mobility for the long run. Such is just one of the examples of showing how the automotive industry eagerly accepts and considers challenge of meeting their corporate social responsibilities for the environment and the society. The automotive industry is selling their services and vehicles in nearly all the nations in the global market and has manufacturing plans and facilities on the five continents. The current brand portfolio involve, as part of the global masters most valuable automotive brands, Mercedes-Benz, the brands smart which includes the Fuso, Setra, Western Star, Maybach, Feirghtliner, Thomas Built Buses and Orion. Part of the technique and approach of the automotive industry is to merge and acquire different automotive industry to position the industry in the global market and to grasp competitive position in the world market. PEST Analysis It can be noted that the automotive industry has been dependent on global business climate as well as its cycles. Accordingly, the car industries have boomed through 1990s, but due to the Asian crisis as well as the beginning worldwide recession for the new generation, there was a slight slump which has been predicted. To comprehend the organisational culture of Daimler, Pest Analysis will be considered. The following figure shows the analysis of the political, economical, socio-cultural and technological determinant and attributes affecting Daimler. Figure 1 PEST Analysis One of the political factor that affects Daimler is the different taxations surrounding European market which lead to re-imports. Herein, the vehicles are being bought abroad, re-imported to the local market which affects the prices. In the period of economical problems, clients do not substitute their cars. On one hand, there are some brands and cars which are common in the market which express a new way of lifestyle. In terms of technological determinant and attributes, automotive industry nowadays are becoming quick in terms of business standards and consider shortened product life cycles. On one hand, to be able to cope with the environmental aspects, further consolidation of the automotive industry are expected. Aside from PEST analysis, the automotive industry will also be analyzed through the consideration of Porters five Forces model. Figure 2 Porters Five Forces Model Consequently, it can be considered that the most critical are the relations to buyers and suppliers. In Germany, for instance, the supplier of Fords for door-locks is Kieckert which stopped its supply to be able to force ford to pay more which paralysed the production of the automotive industry. On one hand, the buyers from different parts of the world tend to change from one brand to another, due to the differences in the model and look as well as other features. Cultural Issues In Strategic New management and corporations In order to position them in the global market, Daimler Benz has acquired American Chrysler. Accordingly, the sudden acquisition of Daimler Benz to Chrysler has happened because most of the leaders and the management of Chrysler have chosen to retire or leave. Aside from this, most of the functions and operations of the Daimler have been moved to Germany. Consequently, due to this decision the new automotive industry has encountered different cultural issues due to the cultural diversity. One of the most essential determinant and attributes to consider is the organisational cultural determinant and attributes. Consequently, it can be considered that since Daimler and Chrysler was based in different countries with different culture (Germany and America), these automotive industries have some cultural variations, diversities and differences. Though the automotive industry does not almanners hire new staffs and management, the standards of the corporation including its beliefs, practices and purpose, can powerfully affect the staffs and management and its managements. Relevant studies have claimed that strong cultures help the generation as well as maintenance of corporations competitive edge and stability. In the case of Daimler and its acquisition with a new corporation, it can consider that due to the cultural diversities and differences, the diversity management has not been successful. Due to their diversities, both automotive industries have lacked commitment with the Cultural diversity management. With this, many on the German staffs and staffs and management from Daimler saw this acquisition as a temporary determinant and attribute; hence, they did not even bother of improving relationship with their American counterpart. The cultural consequences become specifically apparent in cross national operations, mergers as well as acquisitions, where not only diverse corporate cultures but also corporate cultures rooted in various national cultures meet like in what happened with Daimler. The inability of the staffs and management to comprehend the culture of each other has lead to disruptive tensions which affects the new management of both automotive industries. These have been described in terms of the concepts of acculturative stress or culture clashes. The dilemmas mostly result from the introduction of new management approaches that are incongruent with the values underlying the emerging practices, which happens in Daimler and Chrysler. Even both automotive industries have been aware of the cultural diversity between German Engineering and Cowboy Independence, both companies often compromised instead of considering digital decisions. Accordingly, cultural clashes happen because there are no clear guidelines and roles in the industry about who had accountabilities and who not. Research and development units have been separated for a long time. Issues happened because of the inability of the management to fulfill one of the crucial aspects. Since it is part of the business cultures in German to give commands instead of discussing it with other members, the managers from Germany have decided in most cases, leaving the management of the acqu ired corporation staggered. Figure 3 Alternative Solution From the definition of change management and organizational cultural, the relation between the two have become very significance, particularly, the management of change in a corporation may involve changes in terms of practices, leadership, technology as well as operations of the corporation. These determinants on the other hand are founded by the conventional culture, values and beliefs of the corporation. They are then greatly affected by the corporations culture. Hence, bringing about transitions and modifications to these activities will not be efficient if the core values or culture of the corporation is not identified first. Understanding that the original principles that make these corporation functions work will then make change implementation easier and more efficient. As mentioned by Ramsey (2004) various management principles that are part of a corporations culture, should be taken into consideration for change management. generally these principles consider and involve values such as ethics, trust and loyalty, communication, leadership which include subsidiary, delegation, accountability, self-management) involvement which considers participative and consultative decision-making and work procedures which considers task integrity, work-based management, client-focus, maximization of variable skills, learning. In considering changes in the corporation, management should be able to understand what relations should be observed between the management as well as employees as well as among colleagues. In this regard, the employees will be able to comprehend their responsibilities contributions to the changes planned by the corporation. This will also enable in maintaining harmonious relations among the personnel and employees despite the introduction of changes. The leadership principle is also essential as this will enable Daimler to identify the approach that will be relevant to the issues in terms of cultural differences. Within the context of the automotive industries, globalisation trends have lead to excessive competition between and among industries that adhere to the demands and requirements on car and automotive products and services. In this regard, it can be sad that the multi-level and large-scale operations among automotive industries like Daimler led to the formation of new business approaches that regards the entirety of the conventional business processes. The search for continuous as well as sustainable developments, increased client satisfaction, and faster return on investments as well as the issues and considerations regarding cultural, differences, Cultural diversity management, shorter product life cycle, innovation, and more sophisticated client specifications needed and mostly the issues of cultural diversities needed the call for extensive change management of business goals as well as performance objectives to be able to meet the demands of the existing market economies along wi th aims to gain competitive edge and stability over industry competitors. In this regard, more and more automotive industries try to stay in the competitive environment by considering the management of cultural diversities in the industries. Cultural diversity management have been recognised to be one of the strategic manners in business operation growth as well as expansion in the global market. In line with the technique and approach of automotive industries, it can be considered that the used of Cultural diversity management to be able to solve the issues of cultural differences because of the collaborative venture or merger and acquisition which has been considered by Daimler with Chrysler. Cultural diversity management facilitates automotive industries to grow both internally and externally because through this Cultural diversity management, the partnerships of the family of the acquired automotive industry have increased, not only in its local operation but also in global environment. In addition, through the efficient use of Cultural diversity management, DaimlerChrysler acquisition, are able to gain competitive edge and stability among its rival automotive industry. Competitive edge and stability only arises from establishing differentiation. Although this Cultural diversity management have been successful, there are some essential determinant and attributes which the management of automotive industries can be considered when going into a Cultural diversity management. It can be considered that creating a successful Cultural diversity management between two automotive industries should be able to concentrate on logistical planning as well as operational integration. Unlike local and national corporations, global Cultural diversity management are tasked with higher accountabilities which made them highly accountable to every decision as well as policy they make. The vast influence as well as significant implications of the decisions as well as laws that result from intensive deliberations of member representatives of the World Bank and the World Trade Corporation are normally faced with cultural challenges that threaten the stability as well as sustainability ty of the Cultural diversity management which subsequently may lead to complex realisation of the goals of the corporation. The dilemmas and issues which arise from differing cultural interpretation should be in the reality of consistent evaluation and adjustment. Resolving immediately the differences which hinders the effective and efficient function of global Cultural diversity management should be crucially reviewed in order to promote development as well as growth of every member. Conclusion The context of Cultural diversity management as one of organizational approaches to reach efficient organizational culture, may be assessed in different underlying determinants; these include the objectives of the Cultural diversity management, the logic as well as the technique and approach used for the Cultural diversity management and cultural diversity. The predictability of Cultural diversity management in considering the increasing automotive competition addresses the situation and considerations that industries must give consideration onto before considering Cultural diversity management. In the case of automotive industry such as Daimler, the automotive industry can consider cultural diversity managements to stay in the competitive market and perform better within the global market environment with harmonious and smooth relationship with the staffs, by giving innovative and new products in terms with automotives and car manufacturing through the ideas that the management gain due to Cultural diversity management with other automotive industries. It presents that without such technique and approach, the automotive industry may not be able to expand its business portfolio and solve the issue of cultural diversity. It can be concluded that Cultural diversity management, along with the contexts of strategic management and other efficient marketing technique, can make a automotive industry to succeed in achieving its goal of providing quality products with their target audience and ensuring good corporate or organizational culture all throughout.

If I had it my way, I would tone down the zero tolerance act. It Essay

If I had it my way, I would tone down the zero tolerance act. It just punishes too harshly for some things. I think that it needs to distinguish the difference between minor problems, like playing with a toy gun, and major problems, like having drugs. Zero Tolerance The zero tolerance policies call for students to receive automatic suspensions or expulsions as punishment for certain offenses, primarily those involving weapons, threats, or drugs. I agree that safety is an important concern in schools, but sometimes the zero tolerance policy is taken too far. It is as if administrators don’t distinguish between minor and major discretions. I do believe that students who get in fights or who bring drugs into school should be punished. However, a third grader who shouts â€Å"b...

Psychology “working alliance”

The effectiveness of therapy in counselling is dependent substantially on two factors; namely, the patient’s cooperation, and the expertise of the therapist. Many experts in the field of Psychology have observed the significant contribution of the client to the over-all process. The individual’s perception of the therapist is extremely crucial to the ensuing treatment. Without the needed initial positive perception of the therapist on the part of the one seeking treatment, the whole process will not generate a desired momentum that would set the entire scheme in a strategic stance.Of course, the expertise of the therapist is another major factor – actually, the other half – but it’s a given to the whole package of treatment (Borys and Hope, 1989). Since a â€Å"working alliance† has to be established first before the actual treatment is administered, there are important or vital considerations for this â€Å"working alliance† between c lient and therapist to occur, which can be influenced greatly by the occurrence of transference and counter-transference, and this is in precis, the intentions of this paper.This will be considered as part of the issues and challenges that therapists face as they practice their profession (Corey, 2004, p. 36-112). Discussion The past baggage of the client. From any vantage point, the level of trust by client on his therapist, whether that perception is based on attractiveness, trustworthiness or as someone who knows what he may be dealing with in terms of credentials, are valid, and is the utmost concern of the helping relationship. Trust in the part of the client is necessary for the healing process.However, because the full ramifications of the issue almost always hinge on the perceptions of the client, the problems and hindrances need to be addressed or at least cited for clarity and deliberation at the outset of the relationship (Corey, 2004, p. 36-145). As hinted above, the cli ent may be bringing (emotional) baggage into their mutual involvement which may be due to prior engagements with other professionals in the therapeutic relations, whether positive or negative.Oftentimes, in many cases, these may be liaisons which were unsuccessful, distasteful or even traumatic for a few. The author pointed out that any form of future therapy will be affected due to these previous experiences, and it has to be dealt with right away at the outset (Horvath & Luborsky, 1993, p. 4). Defining transference and counter-transference It was a Freudian conception that catapulted â€Å"transference† into a much recognized terminology within the counseling practice.This was first observed when in the practice of psychotherapy, patients or clients developed strong emotionalities such as attachments and even fantasies that were not realistic. In greater sphere today, transference does not happen within psychotherapy but rather a common encounter by many. Closest to the ter m transference, is an illustration such that a person can be considered a biological time machine, when something is recalled based on certain situations or conversations that trigger the recollection and bring episodes and passions to the current reality.The elements of a person’s past needs in emotionality and psychological areas are transferred into the present. Furthermore, the feelings can be confusing as to the reasons of its appearance and oftentimes powerful enough an influencer of relationships and conduct of one’s affairs. Illustration 1. (Source: Dombeck, 2009) For most people, there is recognition of the presence of a triangle in the figure above; a recognition when in reality, no triangle is actually present.This optical illusion of a triangle exists due to prior exposure to a similar figure. The presence of a triangle is similar to transference experience wherein prior exposure to people and relationships bring many resulting experiences to the present ev en without much effort or strain (Dombeck, 2009). In therapeutic relationship, the understanding of the presence of transference in all of one’s relationships helps a practitioner to also provide the client insights into complications comprising transference (Corey, 2004).Actively evaluating these possibilities of the practitioner’s transference tendencies can help eliminate or reduce problems that hinder the therapeutic relationship. Hating a therapist or developing an infatuation are strong feelings that can be experienced by a client which are examples of transference. Therefore, it is within the context of the helping profession and it is legitimate for a therapist to search or evaluate together with the client what similar treatments he experienced before had he felt the same emotions.Self-awareness is an important aspect in emotional growth and/or maturity hence awareness of the therapist’s own tendencies is a fundamental ingredient in the practice. This m ust also be effectively conveyed to and understood by the client (Kitchener, 2000, p 45). Moreover, the occurrence of counter-transference in which the therapist develops attitudes and feelings (transference) towards his client can be real and more often counter productive. Dealing carefully with the issues that the therapist possesses are critical aspects of the profession.Only experts and those who intentionally had established ethical ways of dealing with patients or clients can better handle counter-transferences that occur (Welfel, 2005, p. 320). Bereavement, loss and termination Bereavement is loss of a loved one and any form of loss such as death, separation and the termination of relationship of whichever kind as long as these relationships were vital to the psychological well-being of an individual are all considered similar or the same (Jacobs et al. , 2000).All these human experiences are common to one’s existence and unavoidable or inevitable in one’s lifet ime. When a person experiences grief, he goes through a state of mourning and various upheavals in his emotions and psychological functioning arise. It can range from panic disorder, major depression, anxiety disorder or even PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorders) which may result to drug or alcohol use or the increase of the consumption of toxic and harmful substances (Jacobs et al. , 2000; Jacobs & Prigerson, 2000, p.23). Transference and issues of loss or termination The experience of grieving for loss can be possible also when a client has to terminate his or her therapeutic relationship. Prior experiences of loss such as death or separation like divorce can probably trigger similar emotions when the therapist finally says goodbye and closes the professional relationship with this client. This was true with a friend who had gone through therapy and for the long while attained a semblance of well-being because of the sessions.However, because this was already turning to a progress ively successful helping relationship, her therapist slowly accented the possibilities of the need for terminating the therapy. This friend came home and started to experience similar to a panic disorder which she went through when her husband announced that he was divorcing her. Waves of anger and frustration, and mostly grief and loss and emptiness seemed to engulf her, threatening to overwhelm her again. This was a critical episode of her life which might unravel the strengths she had gained in the therapy (Jacobs & Prigerson, 2000, p.23). Therapist’s counter-transference on client’s issues of loss, bereavement or termination As mentioned, awareness of one’s issues must be a matter of choice and constant self-monitoring and evaluation since this can be critical to the client’s optimal functioning or recovery as well as the therapist’s own retention of psychological and physical well-being (Welfel, 2005, p. 235-355). Thus, issues of loss, bereave ment or termination that once affected the therapist should also be dealt with and preparations in handling for potential occurrence are a must (Neimeyer, 2000).In my case, it is undeniably true that I have had occasions that a therapeutic relationship turned sour because of counter-transference. In the issue of termination though, another friend-client of mine went through grief counseling because of the death of her child whose demise was untimely in a sense. It was an accident of which she was also a witness. In the course of their helping relationship, this client-friend soon overcame her grief and loss and was restored to the normal day to day conduct of her affairs. Thus, there was time to say goodbye, and this client-friend turned to say goodbye to her therapist.Unbeknownst to her, the therapeutic relationship was already awakening deep issues within her therapist. There developed a counter-transference that though the therapist was trying to avoid and limit had already gone its course. Until the termination came to its final stage, this client-friend never knew of what was happening because her therapist never made her aware of the dilemma. I came to know about it because I knew both the therapist and the client as I was partly instrumental to their meeting. In short, the therapist had developed strong feelings of attachment to the client.She said that when termination came it was as if feelings of rejection came all over again reminiscent of the time when her former husband of several years told her that everything between them was a joke and that he was leaving her for someone else. The separation was sudden and quick and she said she was not allowed time to stall the relationship or even convince her husband to stay. Her loss was devastating and it was an issue for her of trust, denial of friendship and deep seated anger for the plain thought of someone important just leaving her for not enough convincing reasons.It was for this therapist a very irr ational step to do to one who was faithful and true. Thus, though the situations were vastly different, there was the friendship that she caught her unawares and her reactions to the termination was something that surprised the therapist. Her issues on leaving and loss were critically revived at this point with her client. Probably, she was not critically aware of where the emotions will be aroused that triggers the counter-transference or that she let her guard down.Whichever, the important thing is that the therapist reassesses her vulnerability and must again provide ways that will enable her to handle her relationships better in the future (Kitchener, 2000; Welfel, 2005). Conclusion 2. The fitness of the therapist By fitness, we mean sufficient, wide-ranging exposure, and right training to the kind of illness/es or disorder/s that he may be dealing. Even with years spent in the academe will not guarantee the development of skills in handling such complex and true-to-life situati ons or scenarios.At times, the theoretic skills acquired, instead of enabling the new therapist, may deter or hamper the process. This means to say that the therapist must possess more than head-knowledge; he should not allow his schooling to affect him to the extent that it made him conceited with no room for more learning especially when additional knowledge are available in the patient himself. He must also have the sensitivity to employ his gut-feeling to at times, direct the course of the therapy (Davison et al. , 2000).Therapeutic relationships are almost always exhausting, but it will be an undesirable experience for the alliance partners when just one of them becomes disinterested, hence as Luborsky pressed that â€Å"reciprocity† must be established, cultivated or maintained until the relationship is terminated, hopefully because the client is well (Horvath & Luborsky, 1993, p. 4). Bibliography 1. Borys, D. S. & Pope, K. S. (1989). Dual relationships between therapis t and client: A national study of psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 20(5), 283-293. 2. Corey, Gerald (2004).Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Thomson Learning, USA. 3. Davison, Gerald C. and John M. Neale (2001). Abnormal Psychology. Eighth ed. John & Wiley Sons, Inc. 4. Dombeck, Mark (2009). Transference. Accessed June 2, 2009 at http://www. mentalhelp. net/poc/view_doc. php? type=doc&id=8253 5. Kitchener, K. S. (2000). Foundations of ethical practice, research, and teaching in psychology. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 6. Horvath, Adam O. , Lester Luborsky (1993). Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 61, No. 4,561-573 Copyright 1993 by the American Psychological Association, Inc.0022-006X/93/S3. 00 7. Jacobs S & Prigerson H. (2000) . Psychotherapy of traumatic grief: a review of evidence for psychotherapeutic treatments. Death Studies, 24, 479-495. 8. Jacobs, Shelby, Carolyn Mazure, and Holly Prigerson (2000) â€Å"Diagnostic Criteria for Traumatic Grief. † Death Studies 24 185–199. 9. Neimeyer R. (2000). Searching for the meaning of meanings: grief therapy and the process of reconstruction. Death Studies,24:531-558. 10. Welfel, Elizabeth R (2005). Ethics in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Standards, Research, and Emerging Issues: Wadsworth Publishing

Syria Conflict

Introduction The Syrian Arab Republic is an Arab country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the North, Iraq to the East, Jordan to the South, and Israel to the Southwest. In March 2011, the Syria conflict has begun due to various reasons and is still going on today. This outbreak is one of the key factors which resulted the Arab Spring (Arab Uprising). Arab Spring refers to the democratic uprisings that arose independently and spread across the Arab world in 2011.The protest originated in Tunisia in December 2010 and quickly took hold in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. In these countries, the citizens intiatied the protests as the ruling families have been keeping the power for too long (Arab Spring, 2012). In Syria, the conflict goes up to its peak as the revolution against the rule of Syria President Bashar Al-Assad’s (Mr Assad). According to the latest report of the Human Right Organization, mor e than 36,000 people were killed in this civil war (Khera, 2012).In this essay, the roots of the conflict will be traced and analysed using the International relation (IR) theories. Literature Review A literature review has been conducted to investigate the causes of the conflict by applying IR theories. The traditional core of IR relates to issues concerning the development and change of sovereign statehood, in the context of the larger system or society of state. In general, there are four (4) major theoretical traditions in IR and will be covered as part of the study scope: †¢Realism; †¢Liberalism; International Society; and †¢International Political Economy (IPE). Realism Several general realist ideas and assumptions were discussed (Jackson, 2010). These are related to different aspects such as pessimistic view of human nature; international conflicts that are ultimately resolved by war, high regard for the values of national security and state survival and basic scepticism that there can be progress in international politics that is comparable to that in domestic political life. In summary, with realist, states are the most important factor.All states tend to pursue self-interested and their primary concern is survival (Wikipedia). Liberalism The other theory is Liberalism, which started by John Locke in the seventeenth (17th) century. He believed that as the development of technologies and people can master the nature, there are great potential that people could flourish in states that guaranteed individual liberty. Liberals, differ from realist, take a positive view of human nature. And for them, conflict and war are avoidable.According to John Locke, the core concern of Liberalism is the happiness and contentment of individual human beings. A country is in a state of liberalism when a citizen within that country can live their lives and pursue their happiness without other people interference. (Jackson, 2010) There is a major debate betw een idealist Liberalism and pessimist Realism. A main point in this debate is concerned about â€Å"human nature†, as Liberalism takes a positive view of human nature while Realism holds a negative view. (Jackson, 2010) (Arab Spring, 21) International SocietyUnlike Realism and Liberalism International Society is one of classical IR approach which tries to avoid the stark choice between state egotism and conflict and human goodwill and cooperation. Instead of adopting the classical Realist pessimistic view or classical Liberalism optimistic view, it occupies a position between those two and develops that into a separate IR approach. (Jackson, 2010) International Political Economy International Political Economy (IPE) is the debate where they claimed that there is a link between politics and economics as well as the nature and extent of economic globalization.IPE is ultimately concerned with the ways in which political forces (states, institutions, individual actors, etc. ) sha pe the systems through which economic interactions are expressed, and conversely the effect that economic interactions (including the power of collective markets and individuals acting both within and outside them) have upon political structures and outcomes. (Jackson, 2010) Syrian Confliction review The first protest erupted on March 2011 in Deraa after the arrest and torture of some teenagers who were painted with revolutionary slogans on a school wall.In order to manage the uncontrollable chaotic situation, minimum military forces were suitably in place to minimise the protest through the use of checkpoint road blocks. As the protest continued and spread widely over the country the citizens demanded for the President Bashar Al-Assad’s resignation. By July 2011 hundreds of thousand people taking to streets, town and cities across the countries such as Alepo, Hama, Homs and Deraa (BBC, 2012). As the act of protest has become uncontrollable, the government applied the militar y forces to crush the dissent and sending tanks to Deraa in late March 2011.Rockets and mortars were also used to hit the rebel stronghold (See Appendix 1. 1 – Homs Feb 2012). After a month of bombardment, the rebels retreated with an estimate of more than 700 people were killed. People within the country have to flee to neighboring countries such as Turkey up to several months. According to the statistics recorded by the United Nations refugee agency, there are more than 200,000 Syrians who have registered with the agency fled to Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey. There was also an unofficial estimate of the refugees which puts the number much higher and those figures are expected to rise.The Government in Jordan as well as other countries permitted the stay of Syrians within the countries, provided with minimum necessities and protection such as food and security guards. All the refugees were instructed to assemble in one common area, allowing the government to take care and control the crowds easily. In this Syria crisis, number of bomb blasts took place in different cities. Many people were killed in the civil war due to the bomb strikes. Apart from causing deaths most of the facilities in the cities were destroyed.The war has deniably resulted various negative implications to Syria in terms of people, environment and asset. The Syrian government has put the blame of these activities to the terrorists which linked to the al-Qeada as well as a shadowy group called al-Nusa Front. The al-Nusa Front has said to be one who controlled and manipulated all the attacks and bombing activities. Based on the latest figures provided by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the number of deaths reported has been increased to 21067 and 5980 people were killed due to the security forces.Therefore the United Nations has charged the Syrian government and security forces for the violation of international humanitarian law. A peace plan was sugge sted and conducted by the UN envoy, Kofi Annan and the negotiation mission started in April 2012. However as violence escalated, Mr. Annan resigned and withrew from the country. At the same time Mr. Assad still shows no sign of leaving his power and there seems to be no end to the crisis. Trace down the root of the problem. As mentioned in the previous sections, the outbreak of the civil war has brought many negative implications to the country.There appears to have no solution for the civil war. Thus various researches were conducted to investigate and analyse the causes of the problem. In most recent research, Manfreda has pointed critical points which has led to the Syrian uprising (Manfreda, 2012): †¢Political Repression; †¢Unstable Economy; †¢Media influence; and †¢Fear of state power. The political repression is one of the main reasons which causes the outbreak of Syrian war. Since 1950s, there was not any peaceful transfer of power, as the change appears t o happen through a military coup or an uprising (Manfreda, 2012).For instance as soon as the President Bashar al-Assad has inherited the power in 2000, he quickly rushed into the process of reformation while the power remains concentrated in the ruling family. Besides political repression, the unstability of economy in Syria is believed to be one of the causes which led to the uprising. The economy in Syria has become unsustainable due to the quick expansion of the population. At present the population in Syria is estimated to be 20 million, with an average growth rate of 2. 4 percents. Based on the statistical review this figure stays among one of the world’s highest growth rate.A Syrian economist, Nail Sukkar has agreed that Syria is currently having a problem with the oversizing of population. It is difficult for the government to sustain the citizens by providing sufficient welfares and healthcares. The unemployment rate has increased because the government is not able to create sufficient job opportunities to the people. An official figure was reported by the governmnet stating that the unemployment rate is estimated to be 10 percents. However with the combination of other independent estimates the rate of unemployment is believed to be approximately 25 percents.In addition, the natural disaster such as persistent drought struck north-eastern of Syria. This has caused a severe devastation to the farming communities and affected more than a million of people since 2008. Due to the negligence of the government, thousands of farmer families were suffered from poverty. These people from the farming communities have vented their angers and frustrations through participation of the protest activities. Furthermore due to the cautious reform of the remnants of socialism, it opened the door to private investment which in turn triggered an explosion of consumerism among the urban upper-middle classes.However, privatization has favored families with personal links to Assad, which made the jobs remained scarce for people within the country (Manfreda, 2012). Apart from that the awareness was raised by different means of media. The advancement in technology has exposed the people to the world issues throguh various approaches for instance internet. Previously the government tried to refrain the youths from exposing to more information by limiting the means of media. However the attempt was failed since the state media is no longer the main channel to the citizens.The use of the new media is critical to the activist networks that underpin the uprising in Syria (Manfreda, 2012). Although the fear of state of the citizens has existed for a very long time since the ruling of Assad family, the brutal responses to the people in the peaceful protest in Spring 2011 has outraged the people. As a result of the snowball effect, more citizens joined the protest. Additionally, many Syrians resent the fact that so much power is monopolised by the Alawi families, a Shiite religious minority to which the Assad family belong.Although this is not considered as the driving force of the uprising in Syria, the combination of a majority Sunni pretest movement and an Alawi-dominated military has added to the tension in religiously mixed areas, such as city of Homs (Manfreda, 2012). Analysis the problem using IR theoretical. The causes led to the outbreak of the Syrian war were discussed in the former section. In this section the problems will be analysed using the IR theory. Irrefutably, the brutal and aggressive way of ruling in Syria by Assad family triggered the anger of the people in the country.The Realism theory can be accounted for the approach adopted by the Assad family in ruling the country. As stated in the Realism theory, as a human character, people always desire to be in driver’s seat. Thucydides (1972:406) also stated that the standard of justice depends on the equality to compel and that in act the strong do what the y have to power to do and the weak accept what they have to accept Also, Machiavelli (1984:66) indicated the main responsibility of the ruler is always to seek the advantages and to defend the interests of their state and thus ensure the survival.In this , President Bashar Al-Assad’s ways of ruling the country is understandable, as he wants to lead the country to the new path of development, which can secure the country state and position amongst the Arab countries (Robert, 2010). However, these action moves created a massive conflict between the citizens and Assad family as the security of the citizens is being abused. This has directly caused he citizens losing their senses of security with the ruling family and consequently the rebellion arose.According to Thomas Hobbes , he believes that Sovereign states are the principal factor in international system. States are inherently always obsessed with security which might lead to â€Å"security dilemima† whereby increasi ng one’s security power can bring along even greater instability as an opposing power builds up its own arms in response. Since ruling Syria, the Assad family had built up a very strong security power through various means such as developing the massive destruction weapons.This has indeed intimidated the safety of the neighbouring Arab countie and it is now understandable why certain countries such as Turkey and Isarel supported the rebel by providing armors and weapons for the people to go against the government. At the same time, Mr. Assad was assisted by Russia with the supply of weapons to continue fighting in the war. Therefore the situation has gone worse due to the supports from other countries in the war. With Liberalism theory, liberals believe that monopoly in power must be avoided.With the Republican liberalism theory, it is believed that democary states do not go against each other as they share the same moral values, and to their mutually benifical tie of economi c cooperation and interdependence. However, for the Arab countries in general and Syria in specific, the monarchy system has been adopted by these countries over the centuries. Based on the findings in the previous section, it was identified that there is no peaceful power transfer in Syria since 1970. The prolonged imbalanced situation has resulted in the rise of the awareness among the citizens.Besides the issues of wealth and porverty mentioned by IPE are critical in the world of politic. Violent conflicts nowadays can even take place inside the states due to the unstable economy, especially the weak states where the conflict can be bonded up with the development and underdevelopment. Since 1970, the Assad family has been tightly manipulated the economy. All the privileges of ecocomy went to the family and thus creating an imbalanced condition between the ruler and citizens. In addition, due to the overgrowth of population, there were no adequate job opportunities provided by the government to the citizens.As a result the unemployment rate has increased causing the people to suffer from poverty. Conclusion In a nutshell, the revolution in Syria is inevitable due to the number of reasons such as the adoption of monarchy system and unstability of economy. It is believed that the only way to terminate the civil war is through the assistance of external forces to suppress the furious citizens and introduce a fair and transparent political process for the selection of new ruler in the country for instance through the adoptation of democracy system.Bibliography Wikipedia. (n. d. ). Realism (international relations). Retrieved 11 17, 2012, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Realism_(international_relations) Arab Spring. (2012, 09 21). Retrieved 11 20, 2012, from Sourcewatch: http://www. sourcewatch. org/index. php? title=Arab_Spring BBC. (2012, 08 30). Syria: The story of the conflict. Retrieved 11 04, 2012, from BBC news: http://www. bbc. co. uk/news/world-middl e-east-19331551 Jackson, R. (2010). Introduction to International relations Throries and approaches.Oxford University Press. Khera, J. (2012, 05 29). Syria crisis: Counting the victims. Retrieved 11 04, 2012, from BBC News: http://www. bbc. co. uk/news/world-middle-east-18093967 Manfreda, P. (2012). Syrian Uprising : Top ten reasons for the uprising in Syria. Retrieved 11 5, 2012, from middleeast. about. com: http://middleeast. about. com/od/syria/tp/Syrian-Uprising. htm Robert, G. (2010). Realism. In Introduction to International Relations (pp. 59-94). Oxfords: Oxfords Univerity Press.