Political context of The Great Gatsby

America during 1920s enjoyed a consummate historical period – so called the ‘Economic Boom'. Consequently, more and more people became wealthy. This resulted in dramatic changes in American social structure as there was a huge increase in the middle classes. People's obsession over their wealth had no limits. There was a big emphasis on individualism as the Republicans enjoyed widespread support due to their achievements. Perhaps this explains the attitude of the characters in the ‘Great Gatsby'. Gatsby's desire for wealth and individualism was certainly boosted by his feelings towards Daisy. Daisy Buchannan – who had a high rank in American society even before she got married, could not belong to Gatsby's world and their relationship in the light of this period of American history was seen as irrational. The gaps in American social structure were undoubtedly large, however Republican's idea of individualism allowed an access to higher rank in society. Characters' traits such as determination, adroitness and hard-work were heavily respected in US during that time. This explains Gatsby's struggle in achieving respected status and wealth. Perhaps, from a political point of view, Gatsby therefore could be seen as a model of a successful American during the ‘Economic Boom'. America – a great social and economic experiment, noble in motive and far-reaching in purpose. Herbert Hoover (1874 – 1964) – Republican president of USA Furthermore, the Americans' position during the 1920s made them think that they are infallible. Certainly, this resulted in racism and over – patriotic attitude. For example, Tom says that ‘Civilisation's going to pieces' referring to ‘The Rise of Colored Empires' and defines Americans as the ‘dominant race' (chapter I). This boundless confidence spread into different countries and the term of an ‘American Dream' (that is – a dream of a total achievement of wealth) became more and more popular. Ironically, America's ‘Economic Boom' was a direct consequence of the First World War when they isolated themselves and achieved a great deal of widespread wealth at the cost of the other suffering countries. In fact, the ‘Economic Boom' was mostly a result of a well-developed trade of military supplies with countries involved in war. Similarly, ‘The Valley of Ashes' (â€Å"a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat† – Chapter II) can be seen as the symbol of American's abusing of the lower social classes as the wealthy businessmen dump their ashes on the land belonging to lower ranks. Perhaps in this sense, Fitzgerald hints at his contempt of a Republican idea and despises the order in USA during that time. Therefore the ill-thought through American idea of desire for money descended from the ‘Economic Boom' in 1920s. Having said this, we are not surprised when Gatsby describes Daisy's voice as ‘full of money'. Wealth and competitiveness was considered as the norm because in early 20th century America such values had been seen as essential to become a politically correct ‘American'. To become politically correct one tended, or maybe preferred, to become blind to human suffering. It is best described by Nick that â€Å"Tom and Daisy – smashed up creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness†. Indeed, in this way, Tom and Daisy have managed to brutally achieve their ‘American Dream'.

Immigration issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Immigration issues - Essay Example Julia Preston evaluates the situation that relates to 2014 year and gives the clear statistic concerning this problem. She claims that â€Å"Mexicans remained the single largest nationality among illegal crossers† (Preston, n.p.). The number of illegal migrants is remained to be extremely high and stays for the 229,178 for the last year (Preston, n.p.). People from Mexico migrate to United States for better life and function in USA as cheap workforce. It is relevant to admit the total number of immigrants from Mexico to USA stays for the â€Å"315,943 in the 2014 fiscal year† (Preston, n.p.). To such extend, more than two-thirds of all this these people are Mexicans (Preston, n.p.). Such situation seems to be unpleasant for the authority that deals with the migration problems. However, Preston signifies that the number of immigrants is reduced in 14 percents in comparison with the previous fiscal year (n.p.). In addition, it is significant to mention that some executive actions of USA president have â€Å"allowed millions of undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States and to work without fear of deportation† (Preston, n.p.). He explains such decision as the intention to protect some immigrants and concentrate all forces on â€Å"on criminals and national security threats† (Preston, n.p). Homeland Security claims that 85 percents of all immigrants are considered to be criminals (Preston, n.p). Still, such politics of Mr. Obama have been criticized in Mexico as it is suggested that a huge number of normal families that do not deal with criminal have been deported (Preston, n.p.). It is relevant to suggest that hard situation with border issues is laid historically. People in Mexico have been in search for the livelihoods since the end of nineteenth century (Bowden, n.p.) USA is regarded as a country that is able to suggest a helping hand. The border between USA

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 20

Management - Essay Example The introduction of a new Legoland theme park in Paris, France would require taking into consideration a wide variety of factors, including the impact on all stakeholders for such a new business venture. Will the company be able to maintain enough profit to cover all of the costs of operating and building the new facility, thus making this new theme park budget-conscious and sustainable for long-term business activity? This question can be answered by reviewing the revenues of other international Legoland theme parks from 2002-2003 and comparing these revenues to the current operating environment for Lego company. For instance, Legoland Deutschland, in 2003, experienced a significant drop in sales volume after only its second year of operations due to less consumer patronage and an unusually-hot summer (Annual Report, 2003). Though the Legoland Deutschland park appeared to be a rather instant success for consumers in this country during the park’s first year, this excitement a ppeared to have worn off rather quickly, likely making executive leadership at the company take a second look at whether Legoland theme parks are sustainable business concepts for long-term profitability. However, despite these statistics, the Paris, France operation requires an examination of stakeholder interests involving each group. The consumers/patrons will likely dictate whether or not the Legoland park is a continued success. Consumer attitudes fluctuate rather unexpectedly based on social and economic trends (Kurtz, 2006), thus making patronage levels extremely difficult to predict, especially in the difficult economic climate being experienced across the globe today. Suppliers, also, who would be responsible for distributing various foods and beverages associated with the new Legoland Paris theme park also have an active interest in whether the new park is successful. The supplier business’ longevity and profit margins

Mananging people and Organsiations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Mananging people and Organsiations - Essay Example Employees may be motivated by some other factor, perhaps passion for the job, or good relations with fellow employees, but its clearly not money. Frederick Taylor, father of Scientific Management believes that workers were only motivated by money. His claim came about after conducting an "experiment on immigrant labourers, both from Hungary and Germany" (Gabor 2000). Scores of Europeans flood the western shores "bringing with them a hunger for opportunity and the energy to fuel a young nation's growth" (Gabor 2000). For the immigrants, there was a need to seek a better standard of living in a more peaceable environment. This was absent in Europe at the time. Europe was experiencing changes in its systems of governance, and during the period, the new "German Emperor, William II, favoured out right hostility towards Russia" (Thompson 1982). Therefore, to avoid antagonism, many workers migrated from Europe with the desire to work in the western world. The railroad was a common form of employment for both skilled and unskilled workers. At the same time Frederick Taylor was about to test Adam Smith's belief that men wanted financi al gain. His findings would come to be known as the scientific approach to management studies. However, further evidence and careful examination would reveal shocking results. Taylor observed The Experiment Taylor observed the men for a period of time and after much days came up with a concept to increase productivity. He believed if the workers are paid more they may be willing to work harder. Very aware of these workers financial circumstance and their desire to seek betterment, Taylor took advantage by setting an unreasonable quota and offering "them higher wages if they were able to meet it" (Gabor 2000). The response was not what he may have expected since many workers resisted and call the quota "unreasonable." He managed to get one German immigrant "Schmidt" to meet the quota and who in return "was very happy to collect a few extra cents of extra pay at the end of each day" (Nelson pg 92). Taylor later admitted that this was the kind of "ox like" mentality he sought. The truth, however, is that the majority of workers were either physically incapable of doing the job or simply made no attempt to meet Taylor's demands. The increase bonus did nothing to alter worker's performance. Even their financial circumstance did not provided a strong enough desire for them to work. Taylor did not realized that his method of motivation to increase output was ineffective. Therefore, according to the book The Capitalist Philosophers many of the workers "were fired either way. (2000)" Jobs were loss by the dozens. Even Edward E. Lawer in his book Treat People Right argued that "expectancy theory places great emphasis on the importance of goals in motivation. When employees commit to a goal they are highly motivated to achieve it. However if goals are too difficult workers' motivation is weaken." This was clearly because of the unreasonable quota. To many workers the chance of achieving the quota was "very

Society and Political Sciences Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Society and Political Sciences - Essay Example However, in the world of sociology and study of theories, the word "welfare" is preferred over happiness. This is to say that how much value that end result has on the person, relates to how much "welfare" he gets out of it. Rights and Justice: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person" says the UN Human Rights Declaration website. These three statements merely cover the first basic rights to being called human. Today, we see justice being called in accordance with the law. But, still in many places today we see assassinations of rights being made to keep the law clean, to simply have justice. This so called justice, as the book defines it, is slashing away people's throats just to do what the law feels is appropriate. The war on terror is the biggest example we have today which has led to the deterioration of man, in pursuit of dreams of "advancement" and "power". Deal terror with justice, pose war on terror, abolish capital punishment, stop child ab use, stop violence against women, have proper arms control etc are issues we deal with when we talk about law. But, most of the time, we are faced with complexities when we start defining limits and learn that things are so deeply mixed together that it's difficult to not have dilemmas when dealing with human rights and justice. Does America deal with it better than other countries, is still a question left unanswered. The Market System: This concept pertains to establishing boundaries and limits that define how economic, social and political forces interact to form a system called the Market System. With the help of a market system, coordination between these forces is maintained and given a boost as when required. It erases confusion and directs by giving away what responsibilities each role carries. According to this system, even the smallest things are not avoided and the resulting picture is complete with collective goals, control and continuity. Cost-Benefit Analysis: This relates to how governments set their regulations through the use of measuring up their decisions and options carefully. This method is called the cost-benefit analysis since each option is carefully weighed out. It is important to employ this rule, since it's essential to our existence that we think about the future as well when making decisions. The kind of effects one's decision can have on for instance our future generations is one example. When cost-benefit analysis is accurately incorporated in ruling a country or simply making any decision, it automatically becomes effective. Kantianism: This is a moral theory that was coined by Immanuel Kant. Kant proposes that intentions play a great role in praising or punishing a person's acts. A person's purpose or drive behind his action is the main factor that results in the outcome being labeled good/praise-worthy or bad/punishable. Hence, this concept relates to morality, because

Money is key to happiness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Money is key to happiness - Essay Example Apart from it being an essential, it also takes the form of joy. One who has it more than the basic requirement finds it a pleasure to have it. Money not only buys the necessities of life but also has the power of fulfilling ones deepest desires. But not everyone is fortunate enough to have the pennies from the heaven. In fact some cant even meet their basic needs. This is mainly because of the inequalities that have prevailed in our societies. The unequal distribution of income, which has a vital role to play in this regard, is directly effected by the prevailing socio-political and economic conditions within the country. C.W. Mills, in his book The Sociological Imagination, has emphasized on the aspect of raising the level of overall countrys prosperity. This, as he proposed, is achievable by making efforts to reach a full employment condition by balancing all the variables in such a way that every thing gets settled in an equilibrium state. Some also argue that the money isnt the actual aspect of bringing happiness to ones life. They say that having money to a greater extent might be the ultimate source of pleasure; however, it is to certain limit. This limit though varies from person to person, but after reaching this point the utility becomes nil. This demonstrates an important aspect I.e. money brings well-being and actually well being is the actual source of happiness. To reach a certain level of well being, only a certain amount of money might be enough, except for those who merely live for the greed of having more and more. Even several researches conducted and studies performed have yielded these results i.e. the people who have pursued for having more and more of money actually end up working late hours. Such people are going after extrinsic goals i.e. name and fame and often undergo depression, anxiety and dissatisfaction. On the contrary, people who are after the intrinsic goals such as having a healthy socia l circle are

World History I a comparative analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

World History I a comparative analysis - Essay Example The slaves did all the hard work the ancient greeks were sea faring people and a maritime industry existed. indirect tax system was more common .it was used to build state owned universities granaries etc. The economy had substantial economic infrastructure. Of harbors, quarries brickyards etc .agriculture was practiced the slave labors worked in the fields. Monetary stability and an expanding population stimulated economic growth IMPERIAL ECONOMIC system existed. the vedic age is famous for social stratification.in top bracket were the ruling and warrior class called the kshatriyas ,they were followed by the brahmanas or the priestly class. Next came the vashyas or the peasants and traders.finally the shudras who were the serving class. People lived in extended joint families .The head of the family was called GRIHAKARTA. Only free people of greek descendant were citizens. they enjoyed full protection of the state. In ATHENS Population was divided into 4 claws based on wealth The slaves had no power but they could own family or property. The Chinese were the most evolved in the field of science. Discovery of gunpowder, paper etc. were all Chinese contributions to the world. Chinese medicine was based on herbs that could cure almost all diseases. Chinese philosophy was also evolved. The concept of energy flows was propounded called 'Chi'.