The significance of the post-war settlement Essay Example for Free

The significance of the post-war settlement Essay After World War 2, the extent to which participating countries had lost acted as an eye opener. What these countries expected never came to be. Having fought in war 1, and then war 2, most resources were running towards depletion and worst of all masses of people lost lives, economies, weakened, infrastructure destroyed and industrial development totally demerited. Post war era was the start to a new world order mainly to be characterized by peace, potency, mutuality and prosperity. After World War 2, every country that had taken part in it was left on a stand still. Having invested most of the resources in the war that turned out to be fruitless, it was a turning point for a majority of them. Governments had to work out new sources and systems of accumulating capital, re-institutional arrangements. The period around and after World War 2 led to advancement and fundamental industrial relations re-birth. The development at that time reflected positive future stability and durability. In the whole continent, only Sweden and Switzerland experienced tranquility. All the other countries were faced with war, colonization and enmity. Post war reconstruction of national boundaries, economical atmosphere and political systems facilitated unprecedented significance in development. The change in economical, institutional perception and perspectives is a niche definition of my understanding of post war settlement. (Fulcher,1987). In my discussion, I will scrutinize two global economical giant countries, which are Germany and Russia. To start, after World War 2 life was indeed very tough in the Federal Republic of Germany, with almost all systems in a shattered condition. Very hard living standards came up as a result of food shortage, diseases, instability, lack of job opportunities and unemployment. As a result activism and demonstrations took center stage, this was made possible by the Germany’s unionification. All employees were under the same confederation, which pushed for further reforms putting better living standards in their priority. This move turned out successive due to the fact that employees and unions existed on a mutually potent relationship, that is, one could not live without the other. Citizen thought that separation of politics and industrial issues would be a merit to their welfare. Another development that followed in turn was economical stability and expansion. To boost their progress, Britain sent food relief in 1946. Later on, Germany saw itself join membership of EEC in 1957 through the help of a strategic plan known as the `Marshal Plan’. Old industrious organizations, firms and companies remain stable as growth began to be felt. Post wartime is seen as a stability period in most countries that experienced the effects of war- Volkswagen, the automobile manufacturer is one of the companies that lived on and continue to today. Germany was forced to concentrate all it effort in policies and strategies towards economic growth. They had to halt active political presence for decades. With serious considerations being put into practice, Germany woke up to an economic excellence. As an advantage of post war activity, Germany became, and still is, among the giant economical strengths in Europe and universally. In a bid to bounce back, post wartime witnessed the practice of mass production, industries embarked on manufacturing of goods in surplus. As a result it attracted German citizens to mass consumption. This was a great move since the more they produced the more it was consumed. The gross net profit grew drastically so did their economy. Life felt cozier as job opportunities increased because of the mushrooming of many industries. Politically the country was shaped newly completely for quite a long time, at one time Germany had to lay low. They had been toppled completely and their Nazi regime wrecked down. This turn of events saw its leaders tried at Nuremberg for crimes against human rights, they had to face justice in their own home place or rather their site of propaganda brilliance. (Skidelsky, 1979) Although the late tyrant leader Adolph Hitler escaped trial and execution at that time: he later committed suicide in Berlin, at the end of the war. He felt so intimidated of the counts he would be changed for. World War 2 left many German capital towns in ruins from the massive bombings carried out in it. Germany was segregated into zones by capability and powers; this in turn resulted to a permanent political stability and settlement. The European Union that strongly stands out today has it motherly roots from world war 2 time. In fact it grew from the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), Its primary intention was to develop the steel and coal resources from member states, support and boost their economies.the ECSC facilitated the diffusion of the tensions that had resulted between enemy countries in world war 2. With time, this economic co-operation/merger grew enoumously , adding in new members hence broadening their scope, later the European Union was formed from EEC, European Economic Community. Many other prominent organizations today have their history date back to World War 2; for example, the world trade organization,WTO, the United Nations, the international monetary fund IMF, the World Bank in which then West Germany but now Germany had taken part in its formation and stand as members. Another very important significance is the evolution of initial and the follow up of advanced technological progress that had captivated interest during the war. The development was reflected in almost all industrial fields: in electronics, computers. These advancements helped Germany create the foundation for its realization into further development. This finally transformed to what was referred to as the post world war 2 world. The new technology, assisted in the efforts to fight diseases that had erupted during the war. Massive research, monitoring, evaluation and development, quickly attained nuclear power which had adverse impacts on the scientific fraternity, creating a network of laboratories in the whole country therafter . In addition, the struggling to crack codes initiated computer technology. There were social effects too which significantly changed almost all war participants to new degrees. One of them was increased involvement of women in the working force which replaced the place taken by many men during the war: though this initiative was reduced in the following years, due to the fast changing society. The system forced women to taking care of home and family oriented matters.(Rowthorn en.others,1992). In military aspects, the World War II had established the beginning of airpower. Germany could not be left out, this was an opportunity to draft active self defence system. They highly concentrated on project they had earlier established. Advanced aircraft composing of aeroplanes, jet fighters and missiles developed earlier saw further developments. Battle ships and tanks sprout out into the ever growing competition, with guns and ammunination reaching to leathal dynamics. Air power capability is today a constituent in any military operation or mission. (Seidman,1950) Russia on the other hand is said to be the main beneficiary when border revision was done. It saw Poland, Finland, Romania and other countries pushed into Russian boundery in their favor. Germany was not considered in the process. As a result their land area became larger creating room for development. Infrastractural systems remain almost the way they used to in Russia. Only few places had their system completely damaged. Compared to Germany, this was better off since repairs would cost less. Post war saw Germany’s roads and communicational networks left completely in a shuter. Though very many people lost lives during world war 2, in Russia than in Germany, at some point their demograpfic figure took a new turn. This was alos facilitated by increased agricultural activity. Most of Russia’s citizens depended on agriculture, fishing, forestry, or craftworks. Due to increment on the agicultural industry, their economical strength also took a stable ground-this is a major similarity that was experienced in almost all countries that had experienced war. (Gourevitch ,1985) Immortatility rates decreased and in turn working population had a future expectation. Hunger was kicked out and fertility saw the countries graphs rise demeritically. Having food and medicine eradicated the diseases that had become threatening. Politically, Russians remained constantly active compared to Germans who had to gio slow for decades. This was a crafty thing to concentrate on after the war. The approach given was also great to say, it was trying to balance business and politics. Like their counterparts the Germans, unemployment at the beginning of world war 2 hit their population badly, this led to workers demonstrations all over the country. Trade unions at the time wanted drastic change to help improve their living standards. This though was not left to spread like any other bush fire, heavy police and army contigence ensured that a runing battle existed toi keep the country tranquil and the demonstrators at bay. (Taylor,1989) Russia had severe problems following their decision to turn captured prisoners of war into plantation slave labourers. This is another reason that led to activism towards fighting for humanity/human rights. Every significant effect practiced found its relation with industrial settlement. Looking at their military state, Russia developed also in terms of strategic ideas and policies. Industrial inovations led to further outstanding developments in their manufacturing industry. This move also resulted to an interest in nuclear power. In fact, Russia heavilly invested on the project. Facing challenges though, the idea had to be carried out in top secresy due to the effect that had been seen at Nagasaki and Hiroshima. (Ferner en. Others,1994 World super power countries felt empathetic of what had happen and so took it as a mandate to control nuclear power. Countries would only be allowed to use it for developmental purposes and destruction. Russia was the most highly sort after provider of nuclear energy. They made tremendous sale that in turn aided them in developing the state. It also provided job opportunities to it people. Peace settlements characterised both Germany and Russia, this positive move indicated brighter future. Since Russia was facing challenges of cold war because of several stauch stands on their accord they saw it an apportunity to reconcile with enemy states together with Germany. The negotiations indicated that the initiative was to be the last war and a new beginning to everlasting peace. They agreed at all peace summit meetings held in Paris that idealism would take over rivalism. This was further pushed by existence of the league of nations. Expectations reached as far as waterways internationalization. This was a step ahead towards cohesive industrial relations. Independence was being experience in countries that had been colonized by Germany, they had decided to let own rule and democracy prevail. In contrary though, Russia in their side continued too occupy countries like Latvia and others with iron and steel mineral deposits or resources. Though they remain under Russia these countries witnessed new traditions that in deed very good. There was self freedom for everyone, movement was very safe generally. As a result, people grew some self determination which help industrialize Russia particularly, it was all busy-busy to earn a living a condition that turned out to be very superb.( Ryder, 2008) Preparations for compensation is another significant effort that saw ist launch in Germany more than Russia, a lot appeared to be done by Germany to cater on the aspect of enmity/crisis and conflict. Russia became laxile on this one which negatively impacted on their relationship with most countries. In turn, their industrial relations and development faced difficulties and setbacks in their wake to cold war period thereafter. Property ownership was also top after world wra 2, normally public resources were subject or prone to seizure or confiscation, by the then victorious super power countries. Many industries saw ownership and income channelled to their banks but after the war, rules changed. This saw native citizens own proprerties, industries, plantations which was a brilliant sign that the world was changing. This brought an understanding between waring communties who had different and diverse cultural variance. Although Russsia as well as Germany felt like they had lost or unfortunately settled at nothing compared to first world war, They later realized that peace was even sweeter and priceless, at some point. World war 1 settlement was not perfect, that is why war two broke out but this time around, it would be the last time blood spilled. People in fact were turning closer to God at the time, in Germany for example it saw the demise or end of the rough Nazi regime, churches were established in the folloe up.Stability in capability to keep and maintain order is something that came in world war 2 post war settlement. As a result of peace prevalence all the energies were shifted to industrial innovations and development in both Germany and Russia. In conclusion, it can said that the significance of post world war 2 was almost the same in both these two countries. The extent to which states experienced the war was relative to how harder they would be forced to work in order to achieve stability. For instance, Germany had suffered majorly in most important industries plus they had their reservouir flow of capital from their colonies in Europe and other continents stop in the wake of freedom and independence. Although it was almost incapable to bounce back they had undying determination.( Theory, 2008) On Russia case is all the same thing in all industrial developments, only that they had resources and capital that made it easier on them to progress. Politically, too, they saw a major and notable change but not as in Germany whose Nazi regime end and Hitler’s death became the starting point to humanity, democracy and of course their core economical booster indistrial stability. Reference: Fulcher J(1987). `Labour Movement Theory versus Corporatism`, Sociology Vol. 21 no 2, pp 231-252 Hyman R in Hyman R. and A. Ferner(1994) New Frontiers in European IndustrialRelations Blackwell London, Chapter one Jukka Pekkarinen, Matti Pohjola, and Bob Rowthorn (1992). Social corporatism asuperior economic system? Clarendon Press330.17 Joel Seidman(1950) Industrial and Labor Relations Review, Vol. 4, pp. 55-69 Published by: Cornell University, School of Industrial Labor Relations Peter Gourevitch (1985) Unions and Economic Change: Britain, West Germany and Sweden 331.881 GOU Ryder (2008) Post war economy: retrieved from the World Wide Web at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/6916/ww2.htm Skidelsky R (1979) The decline of Keynesian politics: State and economy in Contemporary capitalism: Croom Helm edition, London Taylor A J (1989) Trade Unions and Politics: a comparative introduction,Basingstoke,Macmillan Theory (2008) The world since 1945: retrieved from the World Wide Web at http://www.flowofhistory.com/units/etc/19/FC128

Types Of Trade Unions Commerce Essay

Types Of Trade Unions Commerce Essay A trade union is an organization of employees formed on a continuous basis for the purpose of securing diverse range of benefits. It is a continuous association of wage earners for the purpose of maintaining and improving the conditions of their working lives. Trade union means combination, whether temporary or permanent, formed (i) primarily for the purpose of regulating the relation between (a) workmen and employers, or (b) between workmen and workmen, or (c) between employers and employers, or (ii) for imposing restrictive conditions and the conduct of any trade or business, and includes any federation of two or more trade unions. TYPES OF TRADE UNIONS Since the growth of unions are spontaneous and automatic there is no definite classification that is followed all over the country. However for clear gaps of differentiation the unions have been classified into the following categories. Industrial unions Industrial unionism is a labor union organizing method through which all workers in the same industry are organized into the same union-regardless of skill or trade-thus giving workers in one industry, or in all industries, more leverage in bargaining and in strike situations. For example:- FireBrigadeUnion the National Union of Miners (N.U.M), covering workers at all levels in the hierarchy b) General unions. A General Union is a trade union which represents workers from all industries and companies, rather than just one organization or a particular sector, as in a craft union or industrial union For example:- Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) cleaners, clerical staff, transport workers C) Craft unions. Craft unionism refers to organizing a labor union in a manner that seeks to unify workers in a particular industry along the lines of the particular craft or trade that they work in by class or skill level. It contrasts with industrial unionism, in which all workers in the same industry are organized into the same union, regardless of differences in skill. For example: Musician Unions D) White Collars Union : These are for white-collar (or professional) workers who perform the same or similar tasks in different industries. It represents office workers For example:. National Union of Teachers HISTORY The seeds for the development of trade union in India were sown with the growth of industrialization. As the humanitarian movement came to India in the 19th century, worker groups made several attempts to improve their working conditions. The British introduced this movement in India to divide Indian employers and employees and beat local competition. Attempts were also made to eradicate child labour in India. The British Government was finally compelled to pass a resolution against employing children between the ages of seven to twelve for more than nine hours a day. The trade unionism in India developed quite slowly as compared to the western nations. So far as the question of formation and development of Trade Unions in India is concerned, its necessity was realised from 1875 onwards by philanthropists, social workers like Shri Soirabji Shapaji Bengalle and Shri N.M. Lokhandey. Indian Trade Union movement can be divided into three phases. The First Phase (1850 to1900) During this phase the inception of trade unions took place. During this period, the working and living conditions of the labour were poor and their working hours were long. Capitalists were only interested in their productivity and profitability. In addition, the wages were also low and general economic conditions were poor in industries. Efforts towards organizing the workers were made during the early period of industrial development on humanitarian grounds.In order to regulate the working hours and other service conditions of the Indian textile labourers; the Indian Factories Act was enacted in 1881. As a result, employment of child labour was prohibited. The growth of trade union movement was slow in this phase and later on the Indian Factory Act of 1881 was amended in 1891. Many strikes took place in the two decades following 1880 in all industrial cities. These strikes taught workers to understand the power of united action even though there was no union in real terms. Small associations like Bombay Mill-Hands Association came up by this time. The Second Phase (1900 to 1946) This phase was characterized by the development of organized trade unions and political movements of the working class. A few trade unions like The Printers Union, Calcutta (1905) the Bombay Postal Union (1907) etc were formed. Between 1918 and 1923, many unions came into existence in the country. At Ahmedabad, under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, occupational unions like spinners unions and weavers unions were formed. A strike was launched by these unions under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi who turned it into a satyagrah. These unions federated into industrial union known as Textile Labour Association in 1920. In 1920, the First National Trade union organization (The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)) was established. Many of the leaders of this organization were leaders of the national Movement. In 1926, Trade union law came up with the efforts of Mr. N.M Joshi that became operative from 1927. During 1928, All India Trade Union Federation (AITUF) was formed. Besides Gandhi , the Whitly Commission on Labour in India (1929-31) had also pointed out that the Modem industrialism is itself of western importation and the difficulties which it creates for labour in India are similar to the difficulties it has created elsewhere. In these conditions the Commission realised that it is power to combine that labour has the only effective safeguard against exploitation and the only lasting security against inhuman conditions. Moreover the Commission did not find an evidence of any alternative remedy that is likely to prove effective. So it emphasised that the need of organisation among Indian workmen is great and it further recommended that nothing but a strong Trade Union movement will give the Indian working class adequate protection. The Third Phase (After 1947) The third phase began with the emergence of independent India (in 1947). The partition of country affected the trade union movement particularly Bengal and Punjab. The Planning Commission drafted its first five year plan, setting therein necessary targets of production industrial as well as agricultural to be achieved during the next five years. For having industrial advancement, Industrial Policy Resolution in 1948, was also prepared. As the economic progress is bound up with the Industrial peace so for the successful implementation of the plans, particularly in the economy organised for planned production and distribution, the co-operation from Trade Unions was considered absolutely essential at different stages of the execution of the plans. Accordingly, it was realised that the question of maintenance of smooth industrial relations was not a matter between employers and employees alone. But it was a vital concern of the community. Therefore their relationship has to be of a par tnership in this constructive endeavour. This was the reason why it was provided in the first five year plan that the dignity of labour must be recognised so that the workers who on account of hardships of illiteracy and ignorance and lack of opportunities have not been able to play as effective a role in the working of industry as they should, could understand and carry out their responsibility and could take an increasing share in the industry. Accordingly the workers right of association, organisation and collective bargaining was accepted and it was laid down in this plan that they (Trade unions) should be welcomed and helped to function as part and parcel of the industrial system. The necessity of Trade Unions was so much considered that no difference between the workers working in privately owned industries or in publicly owned industries was made. By 1949, four central trade union organizations were functioning in the country The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) The Hindu Mazdoor Sangh (HMS) The United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) The working class movement was also politicized along the lines of political parties. For instance Indian national trade Union Congress (INTUC) is the trade union arm of the Congress Party. The AITUC is the trade union arm of the Communist Party of India. Besides workers, white-collar employees, supervisors and managers are also organized by the trade unions, as for example in the Banking, Insurance and Petroleum industries. OBJECTIVE The objectives of the trade unions generally are: I . They strive for achieving higher wages and better conditions for the members. 2. They not only minimize the helplessness of the individual workers by making them stand collectively and increasing their resistance power through collective bargaining but also protect their member against victimization or injustice of the employers. 3. They provide the worker self confidence and a feeling that they are not simply a log in the machine. 4. They imbibe a spirit of sincerity and discipline in the workers 5. They also take up welfare measures for improving the morale of the workers. 6. They demand an increasing share for workers in the management of industrial enterprises. They help in raising the status of workers as partners of Industry and as citizens of the society. This is another important area, which has a great impact on the industrial relations system. Labour legislation has been instrumental in shaping the course of industrial relations in India. Establishment of social justice has been the principle, which has guided the origin and development of labour legislation in India. The setting up of the International Labour Organization gave an impetus to the consideration of welfare and working conditions of the workers all over the world and also led to the growth of labour laws in all parts of the world, including 1ndia4. Some of the other factors which gave impetus to the development of labour laws in India were the Swaraj Movement of 192 1 -24 and the appointment of the Royal Commission on Labour in 1929. The labour laws regulate not only the conditions of work of industrial establishments, but also industrial relations, payment of wages, registration of trade unions, certification of standing orders etc. In addition, they provide social se curity measures for workers. They desire legal rights and obligations of employees and employers and also provide guidelines for their relationship. In India, all laws emanate from the constitution of India. Under the constitution, Labour is a concurrent subject, i..e., both the central and state governments can enact labour legislation, with the clause that the state legislature cannot enact a law which is repugnant to the central law. A rough estimate places the total number of enactments in India to be around 160. Workers Participation With the outbreak of First World War, countries like England, France, West Germany and USA experienced an industrial unrest largely because labor was regarded as a commodity of commerce which was exploited to its maximum. Because of the unrest they recognized the fact that labor is not a commodity to be sold at a price, but should be treated as human beings having capacity to grow and accept responsibility as citizens. A worker wants to participate in the affairs of the industry and contribute to the effectiveness of the co-operative enterprise to which he belongs. The human relations philosophy popularized by Elton Mayo gave the importance of human factor in the organization. Man is not purely an economic animal but a member of the group sharing its norms and goals. Workers participation aimed at giving the workers a feeling of having a place of their own in the social structure of the country, ultimately providing a social base. The humanitarian approach to labor brought about a new set of values, both for the workers and employers; power has been replaced by persuasion, authoritarianism by democracy and compulsion by co-operation. It is quite logical that people have right to choose their own government, has right to choose the management of the enterprise to which they belong. It rests on fundamental premise that the worker is not a slave who has no rights at all, he is a citizen employed in an industry and has opinions of his own which should be taken into account while formulating the policies and making decisions. The factory is not a mechanical entity which is governed by mechanical principles and economic laws, but a social system which is subject to democratic rights of those who are involved in it. In India, Mahatma Gandhi had already launched the idea of trusteeship after the First World War, and some experiments had followed in the Ahmedabad textile mills. After independence, the Government of India consolidated tripartism and created consultative forums. The various types of involvement with employees varied greatly, though, as several organizations established different practices in India. Information-sharing, suggestion schemes, consultation and, only in a few cases, co-determination or participation in its true sense, exist in many organizations. Issues The issues on which workers or employees are to be consulted have also varied widely. Broadly speaking, the range of issues in any enterprise on which decisions need to be taken from time to time can be classified under five major heads: Safety and Welfare issues; Work-Related issues (production on the shop floor, quality, machine maintenance); Sharing of gains (wages, incentives, allowances); Production-related issues (product-mix, plant production targets, technology) and; Business policy (expansion, contraction, pricing). Workers participation is system of communication and consultation, either formal or informal, by which employees of an organization are kept informed about affairs of the undertaking and through which they express their opinion and contribute to management decisions. It is based on the principles of equity, equality and voluntarism. It gives employees representatives the right to criticize, to offer constructive suggestions, and to become aware of various delicate issues involved in decision-making. The participation enhances employees ability to influence, decision-making at different levels of the organizational hierarchy with assumption of responsibility. Participation Refers to mental emotional involvement of Workers in unions activities it is more behaviorist rather than an attitudinal concept. Indicators of participations 1-participation in unions elections 2-membership enrolment subscription 3-membership on union committees 4-Attending unions meetings 5-Involvement in unions welfare social responsibility functions. Factors influencing WP in Unions 1-The type of leadership is available in unions 2-the history of labour management relations in a plant 3-the age, experience, skills educations, caste, employment of workers. 4- the style of supervision, motivation, morale, wage structure in the industry. 5-Welfare measures fringe benefits available to workers. Advantages of W.P in Unions 1-W.P in unions activities gives solidarity strength to the unions. 2-It helps in developing leadership from the rank ensures a strong bargaining power. 3- it checks the tendency on the part of selected leaders to become all powerful by a vigilant participative membership. 4-It is essential not only from the viewpoint of betterment of unions leaders but for the very success of trade unionism. Employers Associations Effectiveness of any industrial relations system whether based on legislation or voluntary arrangements, depends to a great extent on the attitude that unions and employers organizations adopt towards each other. The intention in covering employers organizations under the Trade unions Act, 1926 was to place both workers and employers organizations on a par in matters of rights and responsibilities. the principal of giving equal representation to capital and labour on all consultative bodies like the Indian Labour Conference, Standing Labour Committee and industrial committees recognizes this basic tenet in the employer- employee relationship. Functions Communication Advisory Functions Educational Efforts Representational Functions Functions of Social Responsibilities TRADE UNION ACT, 1926 The Trade Unions Act was passed in 1926 under the title of the Indian Trade unions Act and was brought into effect from 1st June 1927. The act was amended in 1947, 1960 and 1962. Subsequently, the word Indian was deleted from the amended Act of 1964, which came into force from 1st April 1965. Objectives of Act Terms and conditions required for trade unions to become officially registered. Responsibilities expected from a registered trade union. Rights and liabilities of registered trade unions Applicability of the Act The Act extends to the whole of India. The act was extended to Jammu Kashmir by the Central Labour Laws Act 1970 with effect from 1st September 1971. The Act applies not only to the unions of workers but also to the associations of employers. The Act is a central legislation, but it is administered and enforced mostly by state governments. For the purpose of this act, the Central government handles the cases of only those unions whose activities are not confined to one state. All other unions are the concern of state governments. The registrars of trade unions are appointed both by the central and state governments. They can also appoint additional or Deputy Registrars who may exercise the powers and functions of the Registrars, as they think fit so as to obviate delays in the disposal of applications for the registration of trade unions. Scope (a) Only persons engaged in Trade or Business (which includes an Industry) can form a trade union or become members of the trade union. As such persons employed in Raj Bhawan for domestic and other duties cannot form a trade union. Likewise, the government servants engaged in the task of sovereign and legal functions are not entitled to the registration of a trade union. (b) The Trade Unions Act 1926 applies to the whole of Indian Union. (c) Any person who has attained the age of 15 years may become the member of a registered trade union. Functions of Unions The functions of unions include intramural, extramural and political. Intramural functions are those activities which are at the betterment of needs of workers in relation to their employment such as ensuring adequate wages, securing better conditions of work, rest interval, continuity of employment etc. Extramural activities are those which perform to help the workers in times of need and improve their efficiency. They also include welfare measures and conduct recreational functions for the workers. The history of trade unionism in the country records profound effects of political leaders. The route of action, the concentration of work moves from workers to a more universal area- politics. In India most of the unions are politically affiliated or have strong support of leading political parties of the country. Thus the trade unions use their franchise to capture the government which indirectly results in acquiring stronger hold of power through political influence for their trade union. Penalties A. Failure to submit returns (Section 31): Section 31 of The Trade Union Act, 1926 states about the penalties on failure to submit returns by registered Trade Union. It contains, (1) If default is made on the part of any registered Trade Union in giving any notice or sending any statement or other document as required by or under any provision of this Act, every (office-bearer) or other person bound by the rules of the Trade Union to give or send the same . Again, if there is no such or person, every member of the executive of the Trade Union, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five rupees and in the case of a continuing default, with an additional fine which may extend to five rupees for each week after the first during which the default continues and provided that the aggregate fine shall not exceed fifty rupees. (2) Any person who willfully makes, or causes to be made, any false entry in, or any omission from the general statement required by section 28, or in or form any copy of rules or of alterations of rules sent to the Registrar under that Section, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees. B. Supplying false information regarding Trade Union (Section 32): Any person who, wit intent to deceive, gives to any member of a registered Trade Union or to any document purporting or applying to become a member of such Trade Union, any document purporting to be a copy of the rules of the Trade Union or of any alterations to the same which he knows, or has reason to believe, is not a correct copy of such rules or alterations as are for the time being in force. On the other hand, any person who, with the like intent gives a copy of any rules of an unregistered Trade Union to any person on the pretence that such rules are the rules of a registered Trade Union, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees. C. Cognizance of offence (Section 33): (1) No court inferior to that of a Presidency Magistrate or a Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence under this Act. (2) No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act unless complaint thereof has been made by or with the previous sanction 32, by the person to whom the copy was given, within six months of the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed. Provisions of the Act The main provisions of the act relate to 1. Definition 2. Registration of trade unions 3. Duties and liabilities of registered trade unions 4. Rights and privileges of registered trade unions. 5. Amalgamation and dissolution of trade unions. 6. Submission of returns 7. Penalties and fines. 8. Power to make regulations. Registration Application Application Any seven or more members of a Trade union may, by subscribing their names to the rules of the trade union and by otherwise complying with the provisions of this Act with respect to registration, apply for registration of the trade union under this Act. Registration Every application for registration of a Trade union shall be made to the Registrar, and shall be accompanied by copy of the rules of the trade union and a statement of the following particulars namely; (a) The names, occupations and addresses of the members making the application (b) The name of the trade union and the address of its Head Office and (c) The titles, names, ages, addresses and occupations of the office bearers of the trade union. The Trade Unions Act Does Not Affect 1. Any agreement between partners as to their own business 2. Any agreement between an employer and those employed by him as to such employment; or 3. Any agreement in consideration of the sale of the goodwill of a business or of instruction in any profession, trade or handicraft. EXISTING TRADE UNIONS At present there are 10 Central Trade Union Organizations in India: All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) It was established in 1920 as a result of a resolution passed by the organized workers of Bombay and the delegates which met in a conference on 31 October 1920. It was attended by such first rank political leaders as Motilal Nehru, MA Jinnae, Mrs. Annie Besant and Vallabhai Patel and Col. Wedgewood on behalf of the British Trade Union Congress. The first president was Lala Lajpat Rai. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) This union has been the outcome of the decision taken by the Jana Sangh in its convention at Bhopal on 23rd July, 1954. Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) This was formed in 1970 when as a result of the rift in the AITUC; some members of the Communist Party seceded. Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) When the Socialists separated from the Congress, those who were dissatisfied with the pro-Communist policies of the INTUC formed a new organization, the Hind Mazdoor panchayat, which was merged with the Indian Federation of Labour in 1948 under the name of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha. It is an organ of the Praja Socialist Party. Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) The INTUC came into existence on 4th May, 1948, as a result of the resolution passed on 17th November 1947, by the United Board of the Hindustan Mazdoor Sevak Sangh, which was a labour organisation working under the direction of National Congress-minded labour leaders on the Gandhian Philosophy of Sarvodaya. Since AITUC was under the stronghold of the Communists, the Congress labour leaders thought of forming a new central trade union organization. To give effect to this idea, a conference was held at New Delhi under the chairman ship of Sardar Vallabhai Patel. It was inaugurated by Shri Acharya J.B. Kripalani (on May 3, 1947) and was attended by eminent nationalist and socialist leaders. National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU) This union was founded in 1967, with the claim that this is the only trade union in India which is not controlled by any of the political parties, employers or government. National Labor Organization (NLO) Trade Unions Co-ordination Centre (TUCC) Trade Union Coordination Committee is a central trade union federation in India. TUCC is politically attached to All India Forward Bloc. According to provisional statistics from the Ministry of Labour, TUCC had a membership of 732760 in 2002. The general secretary is Nripendra Kumar Mahto. United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) Some trade union leaders of the socialist bent met together in December 1948 to form a new central organisation of labour, called Hind Mazdoor Sabha. Some of the leaders did not agree with the principles and objectives of the Sabha and they therefore, again met at Calcutta on December 27, 1948, and decided to call upon a conference of trade union leaders to form a united Trade Union Committee. This Committee called for a meeting of the various leaders at Calcutta on April 30, 1949 and formed a new union under the name of United Trade Union Congress. United Trade Union Congress Lenin Sarani (UTUC LS) It is a Central Trade Union Organisation in India and the labour wing of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist). Presently its activities are spread over 19 states. The organisation claims to have 600 affiliated unions, comprising an individual membership of over two million. It is the 6th largest trade union in India. According to provisional statistics from the Ministry of Labour, UTUC-LS had a membership of 1,368,535 in 2002. AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) 5,788,822 Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) 8,200,000 Origin: Came into existence on 4th May 1948,as a result of the resolution passed on 17th November 1947,by the central board of the Hindustan Mazdoor Sevak Sangh. Objectives: It aims at the sarvodaya ideal and stands for gradual transformation of the existing social order. It aims at establishing a socialist state in India. It aims at placing industry under national ownership and control in a suitable form in order to realise the desired order of society. Methods Used: These strike is like a Brahmastra and is not to be resorted to in a light-hearted manner and made cheap and blunt. Political Affiliation: Affiliated with the Indian Natinal Congress (the ruling party). Its relations with the government are based on the mutuality. Self-Employed Womens Association (SEWA) 1,325,752 STRUCTURE The structure of unions refers to the basis on which unions are organised (i.e., whether they are organised on craft or industrial or general union basis) and to the pattern whereby the plant unions are linked to regional level or national level federations or unions. Unions in India are largely organised by industry rather than craft. Although industrial unionism has been the general trend, craft unions have also emerged here and there; primarily, they exist among non-manual workers like administrative staff, professionals, technicians, etc. Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association is the sole example of craft union of manual workers. Another aspect of the structure of unions in India relates to their pattern of relationship between national level, regional level, local level and plant level unions. Let us see how they are related in India. Plant level Unions The first level in the structure from below is the plant level union. This comprises the unions in one organisation or factory. Please note that only seven members are required to form a union. This has lead to multiple unions in one factory Local Level federations. This is the second level in the structure from below. The local trade union federation holds together the plant level unions at the local level in a particular craft and industry. These local level federations might be affiliated to either some regional level or national level federation or these may be independent. Regional level federations These are the organisations of all the constituent unions in a particular state or region. The importance of such federations cannot be exaggerated. In a country like India, conditions vary from region to region. The style of living, languages, customs, traditions, conditions, etc. are different. Therefore, it is better that workers are organised at regional or state level. These regional federations may have members of two kinds: (1) The plant level unions affiliating themselves to these directly and (2) The local federations. In the second case, plant level unions become the members of regional federation indirectly through the local federations. It may be noted that the regional federations may be independent or they may get affiliated to some national federation. National federations. These are national level bodies to which plant level unions, local unions or regional level unions may get affiliated. These are the apex bodies at the top of the structure. They act as coordinating bodies. Th

Abraham Lincolns Second Inaugural Address

Abraham Lincolns Second Inaugural Address Abraham Lincoln and His â€Å"Second Inaugural Address† Delivered March 4, 1864 Though delivered almost 150 years ago, Abraham Lincoln’s (1809-1865) second inaugural address continues today to be an exemplary model of leadership, demonstrating its abilities in political unification, cues to nation-building, goals of social progression, and most importantly, its expression of the importance of national reconciliation. Given at a time when a young American country was still reeling from the Civil War, Lincoln’s address not only reaffirmed the Union’s justification for fighting against Confederate secession and insurgency, but also extended a hand to the formerly rebellious states that found themselves structurally and economically debilitated by the end of the war. A work of oratory mastery, Lincoln’s content was not nearly as important as the address’ literary devices such as assonance, alliteration, and diction. Then-president Lincoln’s style and delivery prove that today’s politicians and leadership stand much to gain from the model presented at Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address. The beginning of Lincoln’s final term saw a distressed nation left economically and structurally ravaged. Costing the lives of more Americans than any war in its short history, the Civil War was the product of a social, economic, and political rift between the Northern Union and the insurgent Southern Confederacy of secessionist states. Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address therefore had to satisfy several requisites. The speech had to take special care to give praise where due to the Northern Union army and its loyal population without alienating the defeated South, still reeling from the economic blow dealt to its agrarian majority by the abolition of slavery. In order to maintain this delicate balance, â€Å"Lincoln began the shift in content and tone that would give† the second inaugural address â€Å"its singular meaning,† inclusive to both North and South (White 61). In his Lincoln’s Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural, Ronald C. White makes no te of Lincoln’s â€Å"masterful understanding and use of both imagery and distinctive phrase,† tools that America’s sixteenth president would use as part of an â€Å"overarching strategy† emphasizing â€Å"common actions and emotions† (White 61). George Rable stressed the importance of non-political language in Lincoln’s address in his The Confederate Republic: A Revolution against Politics, as the Southern population was infamously apolitical in its views and practices. Lincoln’s diction therefore had to be deliberately neutral in diction and content so as not to highlight the existing tension between North and South, the major differences manifested in the stereotypes of the prototypical agrarian Southerner and politicized, industrial Northerner. Lincoln was less â€Å"intellectual and studied in tone† in delivering his second inaugural address, focusing more on religious allusions and spiritual reference (White 22). A key feature of the address, Lincoln’s use of religious overtones was neutral in its acceptance in both the North and South. Though taking great care to give the North credit for â€Å"accepting the war rather than let it perish† (Lincoln, lines 17-18) Lincoln did his best not to alienate the South but also took great care not to indemnify the insurgents in the face of his loyal Union constituency. To avoid a potentially catastrophic venture, Lincoln used Christianity and references to Protestant texts shar ed by both national contingents. With such radically different constituents, religion was the only common ground, resulting in a final address that notorious author and black activist Frederick Douglass found more akin to a â€Å"sermon than a speech† (White ii). Lincoln’s religious allusions served to emphasize national unity in similarity, as seen in lines 29-30 in his reference to Northern and Southern populations â€Å"both [reading] the same Bible and [praying] to the same God.† Furthermore, Lincoln alluded to religion as a mechanism to displace blame on either party for the violence that transpired following the Confederate secession from the Union. In lines 29-32, Lincoln urges the two halves of the nation to â€Å"judge not† its counterpart lest they in turn â€Å"be judged†. Placing the final victory in an intangible God’s proverbial hands, the politically masterful president did not place the moral imperative in the hands of either North or South, instead referencing the â€Å"Almighty’s [purposes]† in line 30 which in turn were assumed in the Judeo-Christian tradition incomprehensible by man. The heavily religious theme of the address kept abreast of the apocalyptic undertones of the war. In such a fractious time in American politics, both sides endorsed the distribution of their own versions of the Bible. White links the use of religion as a propaganda tool to encourage both reluctant Northern and Southern populations of their justifications for war: â€Å"With the beginning of hostilities, Bibles were produced almost as quickly as bullets. The American Bible Society made the decision to supply Bibles to all soldiers. At the Bible House, headquarters of the ABS in New York City, sixteen power presses printed and bound the books. The increase in the publication of Bibles was astonishing. In the first year of the Civil War, the American Bible Society printed 370,000 more Bibles than in the previous year† (White 102). Lincoln’s somewhat exploitative use of religious allegory was therefore not a novel concept; the hastened production of Bibles reflects both the Union and the Confederacy’s employment of religious justification to override whatever national allegiances would erstwhile prevent war. Lincoln’s address counteracted this stratagem employed by both North and South, neither negating nor supporting either side’s contentions that divine providence remained with their respective side. Richard Striner detailed the importance of the religious factor in Lincoln’s speech through a private letter Lincoln wrote to a contemporary, wherein Lincoln made special note to mention that â€Å"men are not flattered by being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the Almighty and them†; â€Å"to deny it, however, in this case, is to deny that there is a God governing the world† (Striner 251). The letter continued, stating that the concept of man’s helplessness under divine will â€Å"is a truth which [Lincoln] thought needed to be told† (Striner 251). Glen Thurow’s Abraham Lincoln and Political Religion portrays Lincoln as a shrewd politician who understood the power of religious allegory in political speech. Thurow accentuates Lincoln’s foresight in his recollection that â€Å"Lincoln’s law partner, William H. Herndon, [claimed] after [Lincoln’s] death that the president was not a believer in Christianity; [and] some even testified he was an atheist† (Thurow 12). From this vantage, a different Lincoln is brought to the forefront, his re-election address taking on an entirely new significance. For all his political foresight and social innovation, Lincoln did not challenge the heavily religious tones of Washington. Selective of what views he would reveal to the American public, Lincoln was hence an innovator in every sense of the word, an abolitionist leader of a nation whose agrarian half depended on the institution of bondage for its sustenance. Moreover, Lincoln was also an atheist president o f a religious people, one of the primary reasons his two most impacting speeches—the Second Inaugural Address and the Gettysburg Address—were so religious in their hyperbole. More than maintaining the faà §ade of Lincoln’s religious piety, religious speech bolstered what White refers to as the â€Å"homespun† factor (White 15). As a man of humble beginnings, Lincoln’s appeal as a self-made man sharply contrasted that of the social elite who elected him into power. The apolitical South, despite its misgivings about Lincoln’s intentions for the future of America, recognized Lincoln as more than a member of the political bourgeois. Though they perceived his immense support from the Northern elite, the Southern contingent of the country also observed his detractors decrying his â€Å"homespun† style of speech and persona as something that gained him the enmity of his Northern opposition. A considerable amount of confusion stemmed from Li ncoln’s religious ambiguities; though he never belonged to an established church, Lincoln frequently attended services with his wife, Mary. Thurow observes that â€Å"much of the confusion surrounding Lincoln’s religion stems from the fact that commentators have tried to see whether he belonged to the religion of the churches, neglecting the possibility that his speeches were political, not religious, or were religious because they were political† (Thurow 14). It was not Lincoln’s lack of professed faith that made him a leader, but rather his understanding of the unifying effect of religion and his â€Å"carefully thought-out understanding of political religion in America† (Thurow 14). Just as the Confederacy would make use of Christianity’s most sacred texts to justify everything from slavery to secession, so would Lincoln take advantage of religious overtones to unify America and promote national reconciliation and reconstruction. A brilliant orator, Lincoln’s choice of diction played a significant role in the delivery and conveyance of Lincoln’s message of national reconciliation and unity. Taking care not to use divisive terms such as â€Å"we† or â€Å"they† to refer to Northern and Southern constituents (respectively), Lincoln used strategic terms repeatedly to emphasize unity no matter the events of the war. In describing the course of the Civil War, Lincoln describes the other side not as an intangible â€Å"it† but with a genuine sense of moral equivalency and respect. There are frequent references to the nation’s civil war as a tragedy for the collective nation. For example, the war is described as â€Å"the progress of our arms† (line 8). In describing what the war meant to the people of the United States, Lincoln uses the phrases â€Å"all† repetitively in line 12 (â€Å"all dreaded it, all sought to avert it†), the phrase â€Å"both† (line 16) and the term â€Å"each† (line 25) as well. Though Lincoln does ascribe some separating characteristics to North and South, he does not specifically assign b lame, instead ascribing relatively ambiguous terms. Halfway through the address, Lincoln has established the terms of the war and begins to reconcile using the word â€Å"neither† (line 24) to address both the North and the South; in using the negative â€Å"neither,† the president further reconciled the two parties by removing them both from the realm of culpability. Exonerating both entities, the president continues in the address by portraying opposing struggles in relatively positive terms. For instance, in line 28 the president describes each side’s fighting as the means in which both parties sought â€Å"an easier triumph†, giving all involved moral equivalency to one another. The venerated master politician closes the address with the completed theme of national reconciliation with the quotes â€Å"malice toward none† and â€Å"charity for all† (line 47). The strategic repetition of certain alliteration and assonance serves to emphasize the president’s points. For example, the issue of slavery is evoked as one of great importance by the repeated ‘p’ sound of â€Å"peculiar and powerful† (line 20). National reconciliation is reflected by the use of the ‘f’ sound of line 41, as the president communicates his perception of the American citizen as â€Å"fondly† hoping and â€Å"fervently† praying for a positive future. Such optimism was a necessity, as it was of the utmost importance that unity and reconciliation for a bright future were touted foremost on the political agenda. Despite the mass havoc, destruction, and loss of human life throughout the rebellious Confederate states, Lincoln’s address was crafted with an uncharacteristic optimism for the time. White notes that â€Å"after four years as a war president, Lincoln could look ahead to four years as a peace presidentâ €  (White 22). The Civil War was not the only issue addressed, however. North and South were only one party at odds with each other. The fledgling Republican party Lincoln so aptly represented was highly criticized for its disputed reconstruction plan. Moreover, political rifts still remained between Northern Democrats who remained loyal to the Union and the predominantly Southern Democrats who seceded. Thus, the â€Å"election of 1864 would be one of the most decisive in American history—and potentially the most catastrophic† (Striner 217). Lincoln’s political strategies were remarkable, most notably his ability to entertain the political goals of many without compromising his base of support. Alexander McClure’s compilation of letters revealed how politicians with opposing political agendas including â€Å"antagonistic elements to [Lincoln’s] own support† approached the president, who made it a point to â€Å"maintain close and often apparently confidential relations with each without offence to the other† (McClure 85). Lincoln’s proclivity towards national reconciliation stemmed from an â€Å"abiding faith in the people, in their intelligence and their patriotism†; the president â€Å"estimated political results by ascertaining, as far as possible, the popular bearing of every vital question that was likely to arise, and he formed his conclusions by his keen intuitive perception as to how the people would be likely to deal with the issues† (McClure 87). Lincoln was the ideal candidate to handle the fractious political environment of post-bellum America. There were few â€Å"political movements of national importance during Lincoln’s administration in which he did not actively, although often hiddenly, participate† (McClure 85). Crossing political party lines, Lincoln successively galvanized Congress across partisan issues. The Civil War marginalized not only Southerners, but also Northern Democrats who were among the minority of said party to support the Union against the insurgency. The second inaugural address could not alienate the already marginalized white Northern Democrats, as the actions of their Southern secessionist brethren made the Democratic Party something of a political pariah in the Union’s eye .In the years leading to Lincoln’s re-election, Democrats in the Union â€Å"never gave speeches, framed resolutions,† or took any stance of progressive thought for fear of eschewing Southern Democratic support. The issue of slavery, for example, was pivotal in Democratic thought and political action. Though touted by the president as â€Å"two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil† and inherently frowned upon by â€Å"God† and morality, slavery was a divisive issue among Northern Democrats to say the least (line 43). Though pockets of the North such as New England were adamantly abolitionist, there was no significant shortage of support for the institution of slavery on the grounds of racial superiority. For every â€Å"popular expression of the [black man] as human, there â€Å"was a [derisive] counterpart† that dehumanized the so-called â€Å"Negro† cause (McClure 88). Consequently, Lincoln faced problems among the Northern elite, who â€Å"by using popular [racist] language and symbols† managed to â€Å"link popular sentiments to party agenda† (McClure 89). Perhaps one of the most pivotal and important issues of the Lincoln administration, slavery and its abolition may very well have served as the archetype of social and political change for the American nation. Proponents of slavery were as such supportive of the institution for more than social or perceived moral imperative; in addition to being burdened by the incapacitation of agrarian and some industrial facilities at the end of the Civil War, the American economy would be burdened by the throwing of â€Å"4 million former slaves onto the world with virtually nothing: no land, no savings, little or no schooling, no experience of politics, the legal system, or the free economy† (Golay 208). Despite the president’s push for abolition and moral recompense with the equivocation of â€Å"every drop of blood drawn with the lash† to â€Å"another drawn by the sword† (lines 44-45), there was a rift in opinion over how best to deal with the economic windfall of s upporting four million newly impoverished freed slaves. The president encountered significant opposition from both parties in supporting the freed slave; Lincoln had established a bureau expected â€Å"to protect the freed people, distribute emergency relief to the destitute, build an equitable free labor system, and establish a system of basic education throughout the South† (Golay 208). The funding for the said bureau would naturally come from Reconstruction efforts, but few members of White America—North or South—would give equal priority to freed black slaves as they would confederate states. Lincoln faced the spectre of two types of nationalism: the nationalism defined by the then-predominantly Republican Union and the nationalism defined by what was a predominantly Democratic Confederacy. Jean Baker wrote in Affairs of Party: The Political Culture of Democrats in the Mid-Nineteenth Century that: â€Å"In the years before the Civil War one way to express nationalism was to be a Democrat. Some Americans still suspected political parties of subversion, but by mid-century the Democracy had emerged as an institution through which citizens could celebrate devotion to their country and at the same time favour particular programs, leaders, and ideals. No longer was partisanship considered antirepublican. On the contrary, its nature tended to evoke sentiment for the Union and thus forced Southern separatists like John Calhoun and William Yancey to attempt a replacement. In the North, however, the Democracy continued to inspire unity† (Baker 318). Once dominant in the public eye, the Democrats were faced with a new challenge and a new bane to overcome in the regaining of the Union’s trust. While the issue of partisan affiliation was not a topic nearly as frequented then as it is today, a considerable Democratic identity was established with the disaffected South; it was not for some time that the Democratic Party championed the Northern caucus. By comparison, Republicans in the mid-nineteenth century were equally as suspect to national dissolution, as the prevailing theme of the reigning Democratic party was â€Å"inescapably nationalistic,† focusing on â€Å"the preservation of union, liberty, and constitution† (Baker 318). Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address became an insightful indicator of the requisite political, social, and economic changes that were necessary in the reconstruction of post-bellum America. Galvanizing the country’s opposing social and political factions, Lincoln’s address was a masterful piece of oration that testified to both his earnest nature and shrewd understanding of not just politics, but the political climate of America and its fragile stasis. Its diction, alliteration, and religious allegories worked together in a patchwork of executive prestidigitation; Lincoln’s delivery was almost a political sleight of hand in its theme and scope. Though he would be assassinated in a matter of a few months following the delivery of the speech, Lincoln achieved political normalcy in the aftermath of America’s most debilitating war, garnering the collective enmity of an entire half of a nation and the admiration of the remainder. To his opponents, Lincoln was a democratically-elected aspiring autocrat as evidenced by John Wilkes Booth’s infamous quote â€Å"sic semper tyrannus.† To his grateful and loyal supporters, however, Lincoln managed the unthinkable: the abolition of slavery and the retention of American unity. BIBLIOGRAPHY Baker, Jean H. Affairs of Party: The Political Culture of Northern Democrats in theMid-Nineteenth Century. Bronx: Fordham U P, 1998. Golay, Michael. A Ruined Land: The End of the Civil War. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1999. McClure, Alexander K. Abraham Lincoln and Men of War-Times: SomePersonalRecollections of War and Politics During the Lincoln Administration. Lincoln: U of Nebraska P, 1997. Striner, Richard. Father Abraham: Lincoln’s Relentless Struggle to End Slavery.Oxford: Oxford U P, 2006. Thurow, Glen E. American Political Religion. Albany: State U of Albany P, 1976. White, Ronald C. Lincoln’s Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural. New York:Simon Schuster Press, 2002. Rable, George C. The Confederate Republic: A Revolution Against Politics

Educational Philosophy :: Education Teaching Teacher Essays

Educational Philosophy I have wanted to be a teacher since the 2nd grade. My teacher was wonderful. No problem seemed too small or insignificant to her. She was always there for my every need. Her love for children, like my own, is one of the reasons I want to be a teacher. It is my belief that every child is a precious gift from God. The biggest reason I am pursuing my education degree is to make a difference. Through the path of life there are many people who influence us, and help us to make the right decisions. It is my dreams to touch the children of America through this path, as did my 2nd grade teacher touch me. I myself want to be an elementary teacher; my own philosophy of education is a mix between Idealism and Pragmatism. Idealism fits me because I want to be a master teacher and know my content area very well. I will encourage my students to take on new challenges and learn new things. I think that every student learns differently and shouldn’t be labeled by a test score. I fit as a Pragmatist because I think the classroom should be a community of learns. Not only will I teach my students; they too will teach me things not found in textbooks. I also believe that the three R’s should be taught, but in conjunction with other important subjects such as health, art, and history. My classroom will have group seating. I will group the children in a way that will help them learn. For example, if Bobby is having trouble with his math problems I will group him with Kelly who is doing well. Kelly is on Bobby’s mentality level so she may be helpful in his learning. Every so often I will change the groups around to cut down on the cliques. I want each student to have the opportunity of sitting with every other student. The bulletin boards in my classroom will be full of my students’ work. When we complete an art assignment I will place all of my students’ pieces up, not just the best ones.

The Illusion of the Good Essay -- Philosophy Philosophical Papers

The Illusion of the Good ABSTRACT: The question of ethics relates to the good and its contrary, evil. What ethics does with its object is to seek to understand it, that is, not to produce either the concept of the good or the actions that fall under that concept. Thus, the question that follows is: What is the good?, or strictly speaking, what is the definition of the good? But the definition asked for, as any other definition, is necessarily related to the science of language. But language itself is a social phenomenon. Consequently, the definition of any concept implies the quest of the social roots of this concept. In this sense, the quest of the roots is prior to the quest of what is. Examples are taken from Plato’s Republic, Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents, and Schlick’s Problems of Ethics to show that the good is either in the state, in the super-Ego or in society. This means that the origin of the good lies outside the good itself, or, outside ethics. Hence, we cannot spe ak of the good per se, and if we do, we fall into an illusion. Q: To what object does the question of ethics relate? A: To the good and its contrary, evil. Q: And what does ethics do with the object? A: Ethics seeks to understand it, that is, not to produce neither the concept the good, nor the actions that fall under this concept. Thus, the question that seems to follow is: What is good? Or, strictly speaking, what is the definition of good? But the definition asked for, as any other definition, is related, necessarily, to the science of language as G.E. Moore has pointed out in his book. But language, itself, is a social phenomenon. Consequently, the definition of any concept. In this sense, the quest of the social roots i... ...in internal psychological processes, and considering nature as the sole enemy and as the source of evil. Not only nature is evil, but also man as long as the dichotomy goo/evil has been interiorized, and Homo hominy buys us is the inevitable outcome. Nevertheless, real development ran against this illusory dichotomy. The industrial revolution in Europe was preceded by religious critical thinking and the liberation of human reason from any other authority save that of reason itself. Hence, thin revolution reveals that real development is realized with the help of technology guided by science mastering nature for the sake of satisfying man's needs. Notes (1) S. Freud, Civilisation and its Discontents, (trans.) J. Strachey, W.W. Norton Company, Inc. 1961, pp. 71-72. (2) Schlick, Problems of Ethics, (trans.) D. Rynin, Dover Publications, 1961, pp. 90 and 91.

Tea Industry Analysis

INDUSTRY ANALYSIS Indian tea industry The tea industry in India is about 170 years old. It occupies an important place and plays a very useful part in the national economy. Robert Bruce in 1823 discovered tea plants growing wild in upper Brahmaputra Valley. In 1838 the first Indian tea from Assam was sent to United Kingdom for public sale. Thereafter, it was extended to other parts of the country between 50's and 60's of the last century. However, owing to certain specific soil and climatic requirements its cultivation was confined to only certain parts of the country. Tea plantations in India are mainly located in rural hills and backward areas of North-eastern and Southern States. Major tea growing areas of the country are concentrated in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The other areas where tea is grown to a small extent are Karnataka, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Bihar and Orissa. Unlike most other tea producing and exporting countries, India has dual manufacturing base. India produces both CTC and Orthodox teas in addition to green tea. The weightage lies with the former due to domestic consumers’ preference. Orthodox tea production is balanced basically with the export demand. Production of green tea in India is small. The competitors to India in tea export are Sri Lanka, Kenya, China, Indonesia and Vietnam. Tea is an agro-based commodity and is subjected to vagaries of nature. Despite adverse agro climatic condition experienced in tea growing areas in many years, Indian Tea Plantation Industry is able to maintain substantial growth in relation to volume of Indian tea production during the last one decade. There has been a dramatic tilt in tea disposal in favour of domestic market since fifties. While at the time of Independence only 79 M. Kgs or about 31% of total production of 255 M. Kgs of tea was retained for internal consumption, in 2006 as much as 771 M. Kgs or about 81% of total production of 956 M. Kgs of tea went for domestic consumption. Such a massive increase in domestic consumption has been due to increase in population, greater urbanisation, increase in income and standard of living etc. Indian tea export has been an important foreign exchange earner for the country. There was an inherent growth in export earnings from tea over the years. Till 70s’, UK was the major buyer of Indian tea Since 80s’ USSR became the largest buyer of Indian tea due to existence of the trade agreement between India and erstwhile USSR. USSR happened to be the major buyer of Indian tea accounting for more than 50% of the total Indian export till 1991. However, with the disintegration of USSR and abolition of Central Buying Mechanism, Indian tea exports suffered a set back from 1992-93. However, Indian Tea exports to Russia/CIS countries recovered from the setback since 1993 under Rupee Debt Repayment Route facilities as also due to long term agreement on tea entered into between Russia and India. Depressed scenario again started since 2001 due to change in consumption pattern, i. e. switch over from CTC to Orthodox as per consumer preference and thus India has lost the Russian market. Another reason for decline in export of Indian tea to Russia is offering of teas at lower prices by China, South Asian countries like Indonesia and Vietnam. The major competitive countries in tea in the world are Sri Lanka, Kenya, China and Indonesia. China is the major producer of green tea while Sri Lanka and Indonesia are producing mainly orthodox varieties of tea. Kenya is basically a CTC tea producing country. While India is facing competition from Sri Lanka and Indonesia with regard to export of orthodox teas and from China with regard to green tea export, it is facing competition from Kenya and from other African countries in exporting CTC teas. Because of absence of large domestic base and due to comparatively small range of exportable items, Sri Lanka and Kenya have an edge over India to offload their teas in any international markets. This is one of the reasons of higher volume of export by Sri Lanka and Kenya compared to India. Another important point is that, U. K has substantial interest in tea cultivation in Kenya. Most of the sterling companies, after Indianisation due to implementation of FERA Act started tea cultivation in Kenya. So, it makes business sense for U. K. to buy tea from Kenya and Kenya became the largest supplier of tea to U. K. Tea is an essential item of domestic consumption and is the major beverage in India. Tea is also considered as the cheapest beverage amongst the beverages available in India. Tea Industry provides gainful direct employment to more than a million workers mainly drawn from the backward and socially weaker section of the society. It is also a substantial foreign exchange earner and provides sizeable amount of revenue to the State and Central Exchequer. The total turnover of the Indian tea industry is in the vicinity of Rs. 8000 Crs. Presently, Indian tea industry is having (as on 31. 12. 2006 ) 1655 registered Tea Manufacturers, †¢ 2008 registered Tea Exporters, †¢ 5148 number of registered tea buyers, †¢ Nine tea Auction centres. The Indian tea industry is witnessing a strong revival of fortunes with exports rising and domestic consumption gearing up. The industry saw an impressive 8. 8 percent increase in average tea auction prices in the five months ended August 200 4. The tea industry is one of the oldest organized industries in India with a large network of tea producers, retailers, distributors, auctioneers, exporters and packers. Tea is grown in more than 32 countries among which India is the largest producer. The industry provides direct employment to more than a million workers of which a sizeable number are women. More than two million people derive their livelihood from ancillary activities associated with production, value addition and marketing of tea. The tea trade is a major contributor to the country’s economy. Substantial foreign exchange earnings with negligible import content, contribution to the State and Central exchequers, preserving a pollution free biosphere and soil conversation are some of the important features of the tea industry. Tea Exports increase Due to global supply imbalance, tea exports from India during the Jan- Aug 2004, period increased to 107. 7 million kg against 92. 4 million kg in the corresponding period last year. However, the average price realizations dropped to Rs 83. 20 per kg in 2004 from Rs 100. 51 per kg in 2003. The rise in export volumes has been boosted by higher demand from Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and other gulf countries. The unconventional destinations like Japan, Germany, Singapore, Australia, USA and Canada have emerged as potential destinations in recent months where Indian tea is being exported in greater volumes and has recorded 88 percent growth in the first five months of calendar year. The all-India average export realization tumbled drastically by 17. 2 percent to Rs 83. 20 per kg in the five months ended August 2004, from Rs 100. 51 per kg in the corresponding previous period. The fall in the average export realization was relatively modest at 5 percent to Rs 118. 8 per kg in north India, while it was steeper at 16. percent to Rs 58. 61 per kg in south India. Even as exports rose, imports too, jumped sharply. There was a 225 percent increase in tea imports to 17. 83 mn kg in the five months ended August 2004 compared to 5. 47 mn kg in the corresponding period last year. {draw:frame} Tea is indigenous to India and is an area where the country can take a lot of pride. This is mainly because o f its pre-eminence as a foreign exchange earner and its contributions to the country's GNP. In all aspects of tea production, consumption and export, India has emerged to be the world leader, mainly because it accounts for 31% of global production. It is perhaps the only industry where India has retained its leadership over the last 150 years. Tea production in India has a very interesting history to it. The range of tea offered by India – from the original Orthodox to CTC and Green Tea, from the aroma and flavour of Darjeeling Tea to the strong Assam and Nilgiri Tea- remains unparalleled in the world. Tea trading in the domestic market is done in two ways- Auction and Private Selling. Market Reports are received from the six major auction centres in India, namely, Calcutta, Guwahati, Siliguri, Cochin, Coimbatore and *PEST ANALYSIS GLOBALLY *( u. k tea market ) Political Factors The UK Government supports the fair trading commitment for both the local consumers and foreign producers (News BBC, 2005). This is observed by a requirement on labeling that a stamp of â€Å"Fairtrade† must be included in the products for consumer reference. This is a way to give the buyers a chance to patronize those companies that are producing tea responsibly. However, this also shows that the UK Government do not have strict policies on fair trade. Due to this, the recent calls of Indian workers for the UK Government to act against Unilever due to unfair trade acts and the inability of the latter to act speedily on the matter have adverse consequences on future exporters. If big and global companies such as Unilever continue to rip profits un-scaled with the source plantation abroad, the competitiveness of new entrants would be reduced. For example, Unilever can engage to price wars as well as incur substantial growth funds. To address this scenario, prospective exporters are expected to create a niche market to go away with direct competition with large companies. In 2004, the calls of EU Commission against the UK Government to implement the â€Å"tea break† law concretized the significant role of tea in the country as well as the Union as a whole (BBC News, 2005). In contrast but in support to the increasing importance of tea in the UK, the Government used the gesture of providing free to all British to motivate them to go to the cherished Millennium Dome. Also, tea giving is also used to foster cohesion among British especially in 2005 where terrorist attacks plague the country (Watley Website). Throughout the UK political history since the introduction of tea in Britain by Catherine of Braganza and rationing of tea to UK soldiers of First World War, tea played a major role in government affairs. Thus, it can be concluded that the approach of the Government to tea imports are positive. However, there is still a question of protecting their local producers. Specifically, imports will only be allowed if local production is under shortage or if the country cannot get the internal benefits greater the cost of doing business with foreign tea manufacturers (Tea Website). In contrast, there are similar adverse actions that the Government imposed on tea campaigns (BBC News, 2007). For example, the Advertising Standards Authority apprehended the UK Tea Council, for dis-informing the market about the benefits of tea. Even though the Council cited several papers to prove that the press release is facts, the Authority argued the lack of substantial evidence. More importantly, the Authority wanted the council to avoid making ill-supported ads that may run counter to the health policies of the Government. Due to this, it can be said that the Government does not have a firm stand about the health benefits of tea. In effect, future ads to increase the market for tea may have weaker impact to consumers due to absence of full government support. However, as history suggests which includes events dated back as far as Opium Wars, UK Government places a substantial importance in tea trade. But the role of exporters such as Chinese merchants fell as UK have established its own tea fields in UK areas such as Cornwall. Economic Factors Comparing the UK tea prices of today and 1977 figures, supermarkets are selling tea bags much cheaper compared to several decades ago (Telegraph Website). This is a good opportunity for exporters because the natural resources as well as cheap labor in their home countries can be used to engage in price competition in the UK. However, there is a pitfall. This is true when the price of exported teas is so low that the operations of the exporters are in jeopardy once the market continuously put pressure on tea prices. There are several risk factors that influence of price reduction in of UK tea which can include competitive policies of retailers to as far as the weak US dollar. Due to this environment, exporters might not have much incentive in selling in the UK given that there are trade constraints and disincentives coupled with heavy competition. Ultimately, exporters have to battle with volume rather than quality. In contrast, there is an advantage of exporters who can offer innovative products. In this way, the market will not rely on price factors to affect their decisions rather to the qualities of tea products which is also the source of loyalty. There are numerous characteristics of UK that makes it an attractive destination for exporter goods. Being the second largest economy in Europe, UK is also one of the most globalized advanced economies the world (UK Statistics). There is an opportunity for exporters to exploit the inclusion of UK in the EU and the latter influence in the trade agreements of the former. When this is enforced, entry to UK market may serve as a window of opportunity to infiltrate EU state members. Free market is also the main framework of UK institutions which limits the influence of UK in trades. According to National Statistics, UK also has low inflation, unemployment and interest rates and ranked one of the most superior economies in the region. With this in mind, exporters can easily attached bulk of positive issues to the production, start-up and marketing environment in the country. In the contrary, UK still has problems in reducing income inequality. Although not a good sign in aggregate, exporters can use niche marketing to exploit this bottleneck. Competition, thus, is reduced when direct rivalry is spread over the income boundaries of the people. With respect to some concepts on tea business, influx of tea exports can reduce the capacities of monopolist but this can result to intense rivalry (Market Trade Fair). Thus, exporters can reduce the competitiveness of local producers. With cheaper labor and known abundant natural resources in developing countries, UK tea industry may not have the ability to coupe with them. Further, switching costs of tea products are low which makes customers have the higher bargaining especially in terms of price and quality. Considering this, exporters that have the upper hand in bringing broader variety of teas compared to local producers. With Asian touch to the products, the market may also feel that exports have higher nutritional value than local counterparts. However, there is a very high risk of failure in the industry especially if the location is UK. Profits margins are low, fixed assets are high, inventory are perishable and local producers may have been embedded. This is to exclude adverse corporate responsibility that may result to low margin such as the example of Unilever criticized approach in Indian tea farms. Social Factors It is internationally claimed that tea is the second most popular drink after water (Rico Magda Research, 2006). There are at least 800 million cups of tea that are consumed in a global scale. Of this figure, UK is the country that has the highest share per capita on a daily basis. Without demographic restrictions on the market regarding their preference of tea (i. e. at all ages), the UK tea market loomed to at half a billion value with everyday demand of tea at 160 million cups. According to Mintel Report, green tea is preferred by the market apart from red and black variants of tea because of green tea's relatively higher pleasurable taste and health benefits. As the country is on the peak of its becoming a cafe society culture (Elopak Website), numerous tea-makers all over the world saw opportunity of this trend. Not only is the basic qualities tea encouraging UK market to buy them. As a matter of fact, several new entrants that introduced different varieties and innovations on tea products are also becoming successful. Specialty teas such as those with spicy flavors are widely-accepted. The UK market continues to support tea-makers and retailers as long as they are able to address the health, safety and taste needs while innovation serves as a good foundation to introduce new products. If accepted, these innovations can make a demand shift from ordinary tea features to creative ones. Another illustration is the changing lifestyle of the UK market. The preceding features can also be successful if they are able to make tea as a representation of the one's consuming them. This is when stylish tea from niche players became critical. Thus, the growth in of tea industry in the UK is expected to be at least 7%. Delving to other health products, UK's consumption of oatmeal including porridge from 2003 to 2005 significantly increased at least 20% (Baker Website). This indicated that the health consciousness of consumers have revived several years ago. The interesting part is the large part of UK consumption of these products is sourced from cafes shops similar to teas. Convenience in eating as well as provision for healthy diet is two of the primary motivation of the consumer of their increased support. Parallel to iced tea, the positioning of cold cereal market is good with annual increase of at least 10%. This means that the typical intake of healthy products is changing (Food Quality News). With the aid of governmental information efforts, more UK people are developing the habit of evaluating the nutritional content of each product label before actual purchase. This improvement is an extension of 2000 shifts on health beliefs of the population. There are many benefits of tea from the Asian tests and experiences that are not yet as many as UK (Info Cancer Website). In fact, there are minimal UK studies to confirm that Asian evidence of cancer-minimizing capabilities of green tea. However, the UK market as well as some UK analyst has concluded that the Asian benefits are yet to be acquired by the country simply because the former is relatively consuming less quantities of tea. On the other hand, there are UK laboratory test that observed that tea has higher caffeine content than regular cola, energy drinks and chocolate. Caffeine is a substance that has positive effects to people such as increased alertness, treatment of asthma and aids blood flow. To be in safe levels of consumption, a person should not exceed 6 cups of tea in a day. Finally, increase caffeine consumption would lead to inability to sleep, nervousness and frequent palpitation of the heart (Tea Website). There are also studies that showed increased risk of bone illnesses such as osteoporosis and adverse effects on pregnancy if caffeine intake is not regulated. Technological Factors In European standards, UK agricultural production and its level of technology is efficient and highly-automized. As illustration, only 2% of its labor is in required to support sixty percent of its agricultural sector (Nutri-Ingredients). However, the list of main agricultural outputs of the country excludes tea. This is because that tea is abundant and typical to Asian regions. There are private companies such as Unilever that are able to re-produce tea in the UK. But this is generally limited in variety and in texture. For example, in 2003, White tea became a successful product introduction in the UK because it is an exotic plant to the consumers. Obviously, the advantage of producing and selling exotic teas in the UK is that it is a good hedge in any technological advancements and efficiency in production of developed countries. Also, medicinal value is believed to be redeemed for products that do not undergo intensive technological application. To this part, exporters would be encouraged to enter and compete the UK market because what they are offering are unique products. Historically, unique products have the ability to run against market trends (e. g. avoidance of lower prices). UK is one of those developed economies that maintained the role of agriculture in the economy despite radical shift of sectors towards service and manufacturing industries (IATC Website). In fact, the country is one of the leading nations that produce safe and efficient harvests. The quality of UK's products is reflected in its consumer protection against low quality and sometimes foreign foods. This can be a source of weakness against tea products from developing countries. The good issues are that China is a close trading partner of UK. The topography of UK includes fertile farmlands, favorable climate, pioneering breeding practices and application of science. However, these features may as well highlight the competitive advantage of Asian tea which is deriving in traditional, religious and cultural uniqueness. Even if some varieties of Asia teas are being able to be re-produced and propagated in UK, the impressions of healthy and effective may not be synonymous to all UK customers. Conclusion The PEST analysis above showed that Chinese tea exporters have a good opportunity in the UK market. The tea sector in the country has variety of advantages against exporters. This includes regulatory compatibility, consumer familiarity, efficient production practices, arable lands and high purchasing power of the people. On the contrary, Chinese exports have also its advantages such as traditional approach to production, unique land setting, embeddedness of tea as cultural medicine, competitive prices and a new look to tea products. The last feature and the health value Chinese tea exports would be the most critical factors for today's slowing tea sector. To address this issue, iced tea is the answer. This will defeat UK-based products especially if the Chinese exporter can offer cold and unique recipe of tea. Specifically, the ability of its product to be preferred by customers as hot or cold can be an indispensible characteristic to increase its market share abruptly. {draw:frame} {draw:frame} Silver Step Exports is a trading and packaging company that specializes in high quality INDIAN TEAS RICE SUGAR WHEAT FLOUR vision : To be india’s foremost tea exporters. ACHIEVE MARKET THROUGH LEADERSHIP FOR BRANDED TEA WORLD WIDE. TO BE PERCIEVED AS MOST INNOVATIVE IN TEA BASED BEVERAGES LONG TERM PROFITABLE GROWTH VALUES : RESPONSIBILITY- Be responsible and sensetive abiding all the norms regulations of various countries. Product portfolio : Tea ( primary) Rice ( secondary ) Sugar( secondary) Service portfolio : Packing for reputed groups like :- Goplajee Hope life consumer care MANAGEMENT SUMMARY : Management comprises of highly qualified mangers at all the levels of the organization, experienced managers and consultants along with strong market research team forms the strong base for SILVER STEP EXPORTS. Top management has the clear vision to achieve and form the policies and strategies and take the organization to new heights . SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGHTS : Real strength of SSE lies in its capacity and capability to produce any kind of tea in any quantity with best possible quality. The capability and expertise of top management enables the organization to take quick and effective decisions. With a wide variety of product to offer SSE enjoys a premium segment of customers to which it caters with best quality product. Strengths at a glance : Superior quality Best prices Standardized product Total quality management programs Flexibility and adaptability. Innovation WEAKNESS Organizations operate in an economic and social environment which are to be taken care of by the organization itself, weakness Is not merely due to one specific factor but aggregate of many , Main weakness lies in, is of inventory a wide variety of tea ( approx. 30 flavours ) are available in the market keeping all the stock ready at one point of time is sometimes risky as thw quality may detoriate over a period of time. Hence, piling up inventories is sometimes a problem for the organization. Inventory management Price fluctuations ( industry based factor) OPPORTUNITIES Tea is an incredibly ancient beverage. For thousands of years leaves have fallen into the cups of great rulers, philosophers and spiri tual leaders. Man has learned the way of the leaf. We have made this revered beverage a central part of almost every world culture. Can there be anything new to add? It's a question I ponder every year. And, at the beginning of every year here I sit at the computer like a cartoon figure with an angel on one shoulder and a tiny devil on the other, a victim of my own conflicting opinions. With increasing demand for tea worldwide and with innovation taking place every now and then creating new and better products SILVER STEP EXPORTS aims to achieve a high growth rate capturing new markets in DOMESTIC as well as INTERNATIONAL markets. With the ever increasing demand for tea SSE has a long way to go adding new products to its basket and creating new and bigger markets globally. SSE also has RICE AND SUGAR in its baskets which also has a very high market and potential to grow even better so SSE can also aim at exporting these products along with the excellence in tea trade. OPPORTUNITIES AT A GLANCE. : Capturing more market share. Domestic market capturing Exporting tea Exporting rice and sugar. Creating new brands. THREATS There has been a significant value erosion in the tea market, with regional players offering mediocre products at low prices or with ttractive promotions Despite the fact that tea is the most traditional and affordable beverage in India – and probably because of as well – it is perceived as being old fashioned and less functional than some substitute products. With increasing delicacy it is difficult to retain customers for using quality products as the duplicate products are of che aper quality and therefore are available for low prices Increasing local players. Duplicacy Cheap quality at lower prices General competition level Consumer taste and preferences. BUSINESS MODEL Marketing plan & its strategies makes product race incompetitive situation and executes brand image, which givesloyal customers to the company. It helps the product to make its independent identity offer diverse brands after taking local tastes into account. Our products vary in terms of blend, pricing and packaging formats to cater to the unique needs of each segment. † strategy is to invest in long-term brand building for sustained growth. Strengthen our business in existing geographies †¢ Expansion into new geographies New product development and building business in – Black Tea – Fruit and Herbal Infusions – Ready to Drink Teas – Out of home †¢ Building operational capability to enable the commercial business to achieve growth †¢ Management Strength Increase market share. †¢ Generate brand awareness within consumer target market and business target market. †¢ The road ahead promises plenty. The goal is to m ove the brand portfolio from its current 19 per cent value share to a 25 per cent value share in the medium term {draw:frame} DISTRIBUTION PLAN draw:frame} {draw:frame} COMETETIVE ANALYSIS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Organization has grown at a rapid pace capturing new markets in a very short span of time of its operation. *KEY SUCCESS FACTOR & strategies*. Success mantra for SILVER STEP EXPORTS lies in the : Procurement of raw materials . Suppliers Manpower No compromise on quality. Top level management of SSE allows the organization to work in the most effective and efficient manner . SSE believes in providing best value to its customer, Hence no compromise on quality. Market segmentation: â€Å"It consists of a group of customer who share similar set of wants † Geographically †¢ South India, southeast India, southwest India, north india , J&k , Punjab and haryana Social class**: †¢ Working class, middle class, upper middle class FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS Training was u ndergone in the field of marketing wherein a detail study of tea market was carried out as in what type of product is liked in various parts of the world. SSE has a very wide scope in the domestic as well as international market A strong hold in domestic markets like J&K , Punjab , Haryana, U. P serves SSE as a base , an opportunity to build on its market and create a name for itself by securing more customer base This is possible on through the supply chain The Super stockiest , agents, wholesalers and retailers Which has been a strength for SSE. SSE has been a market leader in flavoured tea market. KEY LEARININGS IN THE ORGANIZATION : During the course of my internship I gained a lot from the organization way of working , its mission , objectives and methods adopted to accomplish it, Some key learnings are : Brisk decision making Creating harmony among the levels of organization. Effectively control the supply chain. No company owned retail outlets. No direct reach to the consumers. CONCLUSION : The road ahead promises plenty. Tea market has a very wide potential to grow with wide variety of tea available and increasing demand of tea worldwide, Tea Trade has emerged as a new dimension of trade to the world with ever increasing rise in consumption of tea it has opened a wide new markets to explore and cater to their demand. Besides the domestic consumption a surplus is found to exist in the end which can be used to cater demand of other countries so that

Combatting Environmental Racism

People before Profit: Combatting Environmental Racism After years of protests, court cases, deaths and stereotypes, the civil rights movement finally helped create equality in the United States and the saying in the Declaration of Independence, ‘All men are created Equal’, finally had meaning. But not all communities are created equal. Those communities inhabited by the poor and minorities are more degraded, less powerful and less protected. The government engages in environmental racism against the people living in these communities, putting their health and safety at risk.The profit maximizing mindset of western companies is putting profits before people, endangering lives and communities around the world and should be corrected before more people face the consequences. Environmental racism â€Å"refers to any policy, practice, or directive that differentially affects or disadvantages (whether intentionally or not) individuals, groups, or communities based on race or color†(90). As more and more countries shift to capitalism, humans are becoming increasingly greedy, selfish, and profit-maximizing beings.We are completely disregarding the cost to nature and each other; the only green we care about is the dollar. Individuals in power are taking advantage of minorities and placing toxic waste, landfills and polluting factories on their communities in order for them to save costs. Minorities such as blacks and Latinos are perceived as being weak and passive to government related actions. They are too scared to fight the government in fear that it will put their jobs in jeopardy and increase their economic burden. According to research by Dr.Deborah Robinson, three out of five African Americans in the United States live in communities with uncontrollable toxic waste sites. Also, three of the five largest commercial hazardous waste landfills are located in African American and Latino communities. People need to take notice that environmental rac ism is also a form of racial oppression. It is the same product in different packaging. The people living in these communities suffer â€Å"shorter life spans, higher infant and adult mortality, poor health, poverty, diminished economic opportunities, substandard housing and an overall degraded quality of life. Also, studies have shown that long-term exposure to air pollution or toxic waste can cause lower IQ on children. How can one expect the poor to climb the class ladder and leave these slums if their IQ is being lowered by the environment that they are forced to live in? Corporate greed is to blame for this problem. People must take action to remove these dangerous plants and chemicals from these communities. Just because the poor are helpless does not mean we need to make their situation worst.The people most likely to be exposed to these dangerous chemicals are also the least likely to have medical insurance. There are just over four million uninsured Americans; â€Å"That 4 million is broken down into 33% Hispanics, 21% African Americans and 21% Asian and Pacific Islanders†(92). 75% of people without insurance are minorities. These people are getting sick and cannot afford to pay for their healthcare costs so they are just dying by the masses. Not only are we hurting the very poor with our corporate greed, but we are also hurting nature.Environmental racism also encompasses nature. Toxic material is being dropped into our lakes and our air. A recent study has revealed that 40% of America’s rivers and 46% of America’s lakes are too polluted for fishing, swimming or aquatic life. One American produces over 3,285 pounds of hazardous waste. Our countries are deteriorating, species are becoming extinct; we are destroying our planet and there are simple solutions to correct that can help alleviate these predicaments, but first, corporate greed needs to be exterminated.The corporate mindset needs to change from ‘Profits before peop le’ to ‘People before profits’. It is simple; companies need to move their factories from those areas where people will be affected. No matter if they are black, Hispanic, Asians or whites, people are people, and one life is worth the same. There are millions of acres of desert land hundreds of miles from civilization that can be used to house those factories. Also, companies should start investing in more environmental friendly technologies for their factories in order to decrease pollution and toxic waste.If the entire world lived like the average American, we would need 5 planets to provide enough resources. Yes, investment in green technology is costly, but it is worth it. First of all, because it leads to a cleaner and more sustainable planet. Second, because the communities near the plants would not be at risk and third, because it saves money for the companies. It is a heavy short-term investment that provides long-term results. It is good for the environm ent and for the companies as it saves them money. Take for example Pepsi. Pepsi makes Walkers potato chips in England.Martyn Seal, the director of sustainability watches the clouds of steam rise from his office and all he sees is lost resources and lost money. To solve this, he and his team developed a manufacturing process that â€Å"will allow them to suck water out of potatoes and even unplug the plant from the public water system†. Potatoes are composed of 80% water, so they could use this captured water to clean the equipment, wash the potatoes and even irrigate the plants outside the factory. It is estimated that this method could save them more than $1 dollars a year.Companies need to start following Pepsi’s initiative and help conserve our planet. When companies shift their views to People before Profits, they will finally be morally aware of the damages they are causing to not only nature but also the people living in these communities. The problem of environm ental racism is also due to the transnational power and the extent of the mobility of these global corporations that are exploiting workers. Economic integration has facilitated the movement of goods and services across national borders.Firms are becoming more and more powerful to nations. †Their mobility has made it possible for them to seek the greatest profit, the least government regulations, and the best tax incentives, anywhere in the world. † This is what creates environmental racism, if the proletariats does not accept a low waged job with environmental health risks, the mobility of the firm will allow it to relocate and find labor in another part of the world that has loser government regulations, oppressing those people instead.They are being forced to live under these conditions in order to put food on their family’s table. Another reason why environmental racism is occurring is due to lower environmental standards abroad. Luckily, the United States is passing stricter environmental regulations such as Title IV â€Å"which prohibits discriminatory practices in programs receiving federal funds and†¦a law that set policy goals for the protection, maintenance and enhancement of the environment†(91). These stricter laws have caused a downsizing of US operations and an expansion of operations across national borders.Large polluting firms that can no longer operate in the United States due to strict sanctions are now moving to third world countries where they can operate as these countries are in much need of capital and hence have lower environmental standards. The problem is not being reduced but rather passing on from one country to the next. For example, there are 2,000 maquiladoras in the US-Mexico border operated by American, Japanese and other foreign countries. The â€Å"maquiladoras dump their toxic wastes into the river, from which 95 percent of the region’s residents get their drinking water†(95).The se corporations are making top profits, while poor communities in Mexico are forced to low-wage jobs and environmental health threats. â€Å"There is no ‘right to know’ law in Mexico, so both workers and communities are denied information about the toxins to which they are exposed. † These companies are degrading the environment and also they are keeping the toxic waste stored in Mexico, which should be returned to the US by law. This is just one example of how corporate mobility and lower standards abroad are leading to a higher degree of environmental racism.The profit maximizing mindset of western companies is putting profits before people, endangering lives and communities around the world and should be corrected before more people face the consequences. To combat against environmental degradation and racism one needs to change the governmental policies regarding these issues. Governments need to engage in ‘globalization from below’, â€Å"a glo bal civil society that seeks to extend ideas of moral, legal and environmental accountability to those now acting on behalf of the state, market and media†.Countries with loose environmental laws need to place tougher conditions in place, and although they might lose revenue, they will free their people from environmental slavery. They need to realize that a life is worth more than a dollar bill. The United Nations needs to get involved helping these third world countries that do not have other options but to allow these companies into their countries. Tougher sanctions are desperately needed. â€Å"Grassroots groups are fighting back and winning. They are forming alliances, coalitions, networks and collaborations that stretch across the globe†(95).Environmental justice is needed, barriers need to be taken down and borders crossed. We cannot let our people live under these degrading conditions fearing for their own health and the lives of their children. Works Cited â⠂¬Å"11 Facts about Pollution. † Environmental Racism. N. p. , n. d. Web. 2 Nov. 2011. . â€Å"Air Pollution. † National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). N. p. , n. d. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. . Brecher, Jeremy. Globalization From Below . † Third World Traveler. N. p. , n. d. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. . Deming, Alison Hawthorne, and Lauret E. Savoy. The colors of nature: culture, identity, and the natural world. Rev. ed. Minneapolis, Minn. : Milkweed Editions, 2011. Print. Robinson, Dr Deborah M.. â€Å"Environmental Racism. † The WCC. N. p. , n. d. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. . â€Å"Why sustainability is winning over CEOs. † Vancouver Sun. N. p. , n. d. Web. 3 Nov. 011. . ——————————————– [ 1 ]. â€Å"Air Pollution. † National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). N. p. , n. d. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. . [ 2 ]. â€Å"11 Facts about Pollut ion. † Environmental Racism. N. p. , n. d. Web. 2 Nov. 2011. . [ 3 ]. Ibid. [ 4 ]. â€Å"Why sustainability is winning over CEOs. † Vancouver Sun. N. p. , n. d. Web. 3 Nov. 2011. . [ 5 ]. Robinson, Dr Deborah M.. â€Å"Environmental Racism. † The WCC. N. p. , n. d. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. .