Importance of Ethical Behavior in Social Work

Importance of Ethical Behavior in Social Work Veronica Anderson Shalondria Wade Hill I. Ethics and Social Work For professions rooted in health and human services,  ethics are a vital part and have the most importance. The social work profession is the epitome of both integrity and ethics. Although the majority of social workers display ideal ethics and the nature of the career tends to attract the most compassionate and principled individuals, there is a small minority that engage in behavior that is considered to be unethical. The NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics emphasizes that the core of any type of social work revolves around professional ethics. The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of six core values. It is somewhat of a map that guides each social worker’s journey and is important to all social workers regardless of working conditions. These core values serve as the root for all social workers and if followed properly will ensure that each and every social worker remain highly ethical in any situation that they may face. The se core values are: (1) Service, (2) Social Justice, (3) Dignity and worth of the person, (4) Importance of Human relationships, (5) Integrity, and (6) Competence (National Association of Social Workers, 2013). Unethical behavior for a social worker is any deviation or violation from the six core values and the several principles and standards set forth by the NASW. The reason social workers misconduct is so important is because misconduct and neglect of duty by a social worker could have harmful consequences. Misconduct by a social worker can result in serious injury, lost financial support, child endangerment, and in some cases death (Hyslop, 2015). With such fatal consequences, it is urgent that the social work profession understand why some of their workers engage in such ethical misbehavior. According to Dr. Frederic G. Reamer, there are several prominent themes when it comes to social work misconduct: (1) Desperation, (2) Greed, (3) Impairment, (4) mental illness, (5) addiction (including addiction to substances, sex, and gambling), and professional burnout (Reamer, 2012). II. Competence One of the critical core values set forth by the NASW is competence. Competence is the ability to perform one’s duties both successfully and efficiently. This is critical for social workers. Social workers tend to work long hours and have a number of cases, so it is important that they can work efficiently but also keep the same standards to ensure that the job is done successfully as well. The ethical principle states how â€Å"Social workers must practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise† (National Association of Social Workers, 2013). For social workers it is proper to utilize their education, personal values, experience, training, and any other professional related experiences in order to properly address any situation. Although it may be overlooked at times, being competent is a crucial factor in many cases of unethical behavior. With many of these situations, competence is the first core values that many unethical social workers neglect. Having a competent social worker is the necessary first key to resolving any situation and when it is lacking, terrible consequences could be the result. The NASW believes that social workers should continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and skills in order to apply them successfully in practice. In order to remain competent social workers must work every day to not only maintain their level of competence but to also build upon it as well. III. Case An example of unethical behavior in social work can be seen in the case of Candice Lassiter and Craig Smith in North Carolina. These two social workers were each charged with three counts obstruction of justice in relation to the death of a 15 month year old little girl. According to Mitch Weiss of the Huffington Post, the social workers were aware of the child abuse going on in the home, yet after the death of the child Lassiter, who was in charge, ordered Smith, a subordinate, to falsify records to make it appear like they did an fair and competent job in investigating the case (Weiss, 2013). There were several violations of social work ethics in this case which include: (1) lying, (2) incompetence, (3) service, (4) social justice, and (5) the unethical conduct of colleagues. Gregory Achen notes how child abuse can be hard to substantiate and requires comprehensive, time-consuming assessments from social workers (Achen, 2013). If the two social workers in the previous case used the code of ethics this child’s life could have been spared. According to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), child abuse and neglect is defined as: Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act, which presents an imminent risk of serious harm (U.S. Dept. Health and Human Services, 2012). In the United States 9.3% of children were victims of abuse and/or neglect in 2009. With approximately 9% of children in this country neglected and/or abused, there needs to be a voice for the children, and that voice needs to be in skilled, ethical social workers. To explain this problem in a social work setting, I propose this hypothetical situation. A social worker coming straight out of a Master’s program has just been hired by the Mississippi Department of Health and Human Services (MDHS) as a child protection services specialist. This social worker’s superior has been an excellent mentor so far and has provided necessary skills and knowledge on the subject matter and how to deal with a variety of situations. Over the past year, the young social worker has been to various functions with the supervisor and now considers them to be not only colleagues but close friends. At MDHS, social workers are informed of suspected cases through the hotline and once the case gets assigned they have 3 levels. Level 1 is called the screen out; it is centered on neglect more than actual abuse. Level 2 is still neglect and abuse but more severe than level 1 and the social worker has up to 72 hours to make a home visit. Level 3 is the most severe level. Here are the cases of extreme physical abuse and sexual abuse and the social worker has up to 24 hours to make a home visit. (MDHS). Now unfamiliar to the young social worker, her supervisor has already had a level 2 call about child abuse in a pretty bad neighborhood. The supervisor has neglected numerous home visits and eventually the hotline receives a level 3 call about this same child. The supervisor still remains to follow through, and two weeks later, the same child is found dead at the home. Upon hearing of the death, the supervisor is trying to cover their tracks and so they reach out to the young social worker. The supervisor should have handed the case to a CPS worker and oversee all of the home care visits, but did none of it. So they come to the young social worker to falsify official documents. He wants the young social worker to fill out reports showing that home visits were made and that everything seemed to be in order when they visited on the number of calls previously received. The supervisor would then sign off on all of the paperwork and even states how he himself went out to the home with the young social worker on one of the visits to ensure that everything was ok. In this hypothetical situation the police never find out about the unethical misconduct of the social workers and they continue their friendship, however due to this incident more and more cases could possibly turn out the same way and one child’s life was lost. In this scenario, there has been a variety of social work unethical behavior demonstrated. Obviously lying to cover up another colleague’s neglect is the most obvious. The core values not used were reasonable for all six. The core value of service was not administered at all here. A social worker’s primary goal is to help people in need, and in this case a child needed them and nothing was done. There was no social justice performed by these social workers because social workers are supposed to help get justice for weak and vulnerable individuals, and in this case this was not accomplished. They did not acknowledge the dignity and worth of this child, possibly because of the unsafe environment with which they were being raised. The importance of human relationships extends beyond clients at times. Although it is the target to obtain a good relationship with colleagues, it is not worth it if the clients, social workers are supposed to help, suffer as a result of it. Lastly there was no integrity or competence shown here with the falsifying of documents to cover the tracks of a superior. IV. Personal Reflection Social workers practicing in the child welfare field often face the need to make critical decisions while working in stressful work environments that can include high caseloads and limited supervision, training, and support (National Association of Social Workers, 2013). As an undergraduate social work student here at Jackson State University, the NASW Code of Ethics has played a crucial role in not only how I view social work issues but also how I look at issues in my everyday life. The role of social workers when it comes to abuse varies, but it centers on the safety and well-being of potential victims. This is one major reason why I feel that it is important to have a code of ethics and set of guiding principles that anyone can fall back on when confronted with morally unclear issues such as the prior hypothetical situation. In my opinion, both the supervisor and the young social worker were more than wrong in the above scenario. First off the supervisor was neglectful in his duties initially. Any level two calls about child abuse are extremely upsetting and his duty was to call attention to it and respond appropriately. To compound his neglect, upon the death of the child he immediately began lying to his superiors, to the young social worker, and to himself. Lying about visiting the home and lying about the entire situation was not the way to go. To top it all off, due to his negligence he brought in the young social worker to lie on his behalf. He used the friendship he achieved with a coworker to justify and cover up his mistakes. The young social worker is also at fault because she should have had more integrity to not get involved in the cover up and report the negligence of her supervisor to the proper authorities. All she did, by covering up his mistake, was leave the door open for it to happen a gain and that could cost more children harm and possibly cause another life to end as well. One of the best things about the NASW code of ethics, in my mind, is the fact that they all work with each other. Without having one core value it lessen any of the other five. That is why I feel that competence is one of the most important ones. If a social worker is not competent it makes it almost impossible to display and of the other five core values. That is why in this case I feel that the core value most in need was competence. I feel that this falls hand in hand with my personal values. My aim is to become an exceptional social worker and the way to ensure this I must remain competent with everything I do. The supervisor lacked competence by not only neglecting his duties but by involving a subordinate in the affairs as well to cover his tracks. The young social worker lacked competence, by not knowing the situation that the supervisor put her in by asking for her to falsify documents. If I was ever in any situation that could possibly contradict with my personal values or the social work six core values, it would be hard to say one hundred percent what I would do, but I am more than confident that with the importance of my values and the NASW code of ethics that a solution will be reached that does not jeopardize my integrity, the integrity of my career, and my past, current, or potential clients. As a social worker we must rely on our values and the NASW core values to help us in any situation. If any situation contradicts with either of the two then we must take appropriate action. Not only would I have denied the request the supervisor gave to falsify documents, I would also reported it to either his superior or to the authorities. Social workers are similar to a variety of professions, especially when it comes to the fact that lives could potentially be in our hands. There is no way that someone could die because of my negligence, and instead of owning up to a mistake and serving the potential punishment, I would just cover it up. I would not be able to sleep at night as a result. Social workers are the first line of defense when it comes to abuse victims and with this comes the great responsibility of protecting the innocence of the nation’s children, ensuring that they at least have a chance to rise above the situation and go on to live productive lives. Bibliography Achen, Gregory. (2013). The Importance of Ethic in Social Work. San Diego State University  School of Social Work. Retrieved From: http://socialwork.sdsu.edu/insitu/social-workethics/the-importance-of-ethics-in-social-work-by-gregory-achen/ Hyslop, J. (2015). Mastering Social Work Values and Ethics by Farrukh Akhtar, Foreword by  Professor Hilary Tompsett, Part of the Mastering Social Work Skills series, Jessica  Kingsley Publishers, London and Philadelphia, 2012. 168 pp. ISBN 978à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 1à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 84905à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 274à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 0 (Pbk), £ 17.99. Child Abuse Review. National Association of Social Workers. (2013). NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in  Child Welfare. Retrieved from:  http://www.naswdc.org/practice/standards/childwelfarestandards2012.pdf Reamer, Frederic G. (2012). Eye on Ethics: The Dark Side of Social Work: Ethical Misconduct.  Social Work Today. Retrieved From:  http://www.socialworktoday.com/news/eoe_051712.shtml United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2012). 2012 Child Maltreatment  Annual report. Retrieved from: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/cm2012.pdf   Weiss, M. (2013). Candice Lassiter and Craig Smith, social workers, charged in Aubrey  KinaMarie Littlejohn’s death. Huffington Post. Retrieved from  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/14/candice-lassiter-craig-smith-social-workersbabys-death_n_3079938.html?utm_hp_ref=crime Mississippi Department of Human Services:  http://www.mdhs.ms.gov/media/9579/titleandtoc.pdf

Unemployment in the UAE: Causes and Effects

Unemployment in the UAE: Causes and Effects Table of Contents (Jump to) Analyze the reasons and effect of the unemployment suggest an applicable solutions to cope these problems Evaluate the advantage and disadvantages monetary policy being implement in the chosen country Advantages Disadvantages Monetary policy Find out and explain the effectiveness how to use it to fix unemployment . Monetary Policy: Whats the Most Cost Effective Unemployment Solution?: Using Solutions: Unemployment Benefits: Monetary Policy Risks: 1. Analyze the reasons and effect of the unemployment suggest an applicable solutions to cope these problems Generally because of their oil riches, the economies of the GCC nations have passed through real budgetary and social progressions throughout the previous decades that incorporate the investment blast of the 1970s and early 1980s and the bust of the late 1980s and 1990s. Emulating the sharp build in worldwide oil costs in the 1970s and early 1980s, the dominant presences in these nations reused the windfall oil picks up through liberal welfare framework, and a huge open financing program in foundation, utilities, and essential businesses. In coupled with these arrangements, governments assumed the part of first business resort which inevitably prompted congestion open part and expanded government consumptions on pay rates (Forstenlechner, Rutledge, 2010). Specifically, the administrations of the GCC urged locals to join general society part by offering profits bundles as appealing annuity and social stipends for companions and kids and financed the procurement of lodging, educating whats more wellbeing and essential customer items. Underlying open segment business and pay structures is the social contract of the GCC nations which prompted the grouping of more than 85% of local laborers openly vocation and which, accepted, brought about their underemployment. Generally, broad subsidies that were the impetuses of the social contract made an salary impact that appear to have had a general public wide impact on recreation designs in light of the fact that of social multiplier where the comes back to relaxation builds as more individuals are meeting expectations shorter hours and taking longer vacations (Forstenlechner, Rutledge, 2010).3 In parallel, GCC governments sought after open outskirt arrangements to outside specialists, guaranteeing sufficient supply of work at focused compensation at all ability levels. According to Sherif, (2013)The reservation wages of remote specialists reflecting their normal income in their nation of origin, balanced for commitment to transmit family help also put something aside for speculation in their nation of origin are much lower than the reservation compensation of the nationals at tantamount aptitudes. The double destinations of vigorously sponsoring local wages and livelihood, as a component of the social contract, and seeking after open-fringe work imports arrangements keeping in mind the end goal to keep up aggressiveness prompted the formation of a portioned work markets where locals bunch in the general population area whose profit level is moment and work hours are short while the additionally requesting occupations were left to outside laborers in the private area of the economy that paid significantly lower compensation and requested noticeably more hours (Sherif, 2013). 2. Evaluate the advantage and disadvantages monetary policy being implement in the chosen country Advantages The following is the arrangement of favorable circumstances of the Emiratisation: It adds to the development and manageability of the organizations and makers when they need to depend vigorously on the nearby inhabitants of the nation. The UAE society will be pushed and spread. It backings and helps the development and learning of the UAE nationals for the advancement and profits of the human capital improvement. Disadvantages The real detriment of the Emiratization is the constrained dependence on the livelihood of the UAE nationals (Elasrag, 2014). The private segment is as of now lingering behind general society division and the UAE national are not eager to work in the private part. Monetary policy The Government of the UAE utilizes a dynamic expansionary money related arrangement that is devoted to developing the economy and creating the fancied investment objectives of stable costs, low unemployment and high and managed budgetary development as confirmation by the article gave Dubai plots come back to credit markets. Dubai wants to offer more securities with a specific end goal to fund a more different budgetary method. With more cash under control, Dubai will push ahead with arrangements to expand genuine GDP by expanding government using on things, for example, base and ventures in the flight market. This is a methodology that is in lock-venture with governments’ monetary strategy to attain the three economic objectives. While the objective continues as before, the suggestions are more serious and conceivably more tragic. Likewise with financial arrangement, we pick up a finer understanding of how this could conceivably impact the three monetary objectives by dichoto mizing the subject into Hands-on (active) monetary approach, or Hands-off (free market) fiscal strategy. Once more, it is comprehended that the Hands-off financial arrangement generally implies next to zero government intercession which is at last a disagreement of fiscal approach (Elasrag, 2014). Purchase offering securities the UAE is expressing certainly that it accepts that by acquiring the money and issuing the security to the buyer at a certain premium rate, it can transform around and put the money into the channels it sees fit, whether this is base or flight, and afterward payback the obligation when the venture turns beneficial. The arrangement faces numerous possibilities and blocks on the capability of the UAE further bolstering take full good fortune by giving the trade something to do in for cold hard currency the most productive way that could be available, and if history is any marker Dubais track record of dangerous wagers is not a beyond any doubt thing. In any case, the results will without a doubt be higher of GDP because of dynamic Hands-on money related arrangement (Elasrag, 2014). A Hands-off money related approach would, basically, oblige that no obligation be issued, rather sufficient money to put would need to be actually under control before forward movement could start on any venture, paying little respect to how gainful the speculation is regarded to be. This out of date idea of looking before you jump appears to be falling further antiquated with each security issued In a Hands-off business sector economy, executing fiscal strategy to attain specific results, for instance changing the cash supply by offering more government issued securities to accomplish higher yield of GDP, is viewed as terrible cash administration and in opposition to the thought of Hands-off trading and lending (Driouchi, 2014). To streamline the viewpoint lets envision the UAE is a little family crew. Would it be sound approach for a house that is stretched out beyond their intends to take part in additionally getting with a specific end goal to accomplish a higher expectation for everyday life? Regardless of the fact that the objective is thought to be a build of the families general salary, the danger of selling your future could have unintended consequences that are sweeping and generational. The UAE could never be confounded with a little family, with unlimited future riches originating from a seeming less unending supply of oil. By utilizing the Hands-on hypothesis, Dubai will offer government issued bonds and utilize the money to manufacture streets and landing strips, giving its subjects something to do immediately, successfully keeping unemployment low and GDP high (Driouchi, 2014). 3. Find Out and Explain the Effectiveness How To Use It to Fix Unemployment The answer for unemployment is, clearly, to make new occupations. Normally, a solid financial development rate of 2-3% is sufficient to make the 150,000 new occupations required to keep unemployment from climbing. At the point when unemployment crawls over 6-7% and stays there, it implies the economy isnt solid enough to make sufficient new employments without help. That is the point at which the legislature is required to venture in and give results. See what the legislature has attempted in the past with Unemployment Rate by Year (Raven, 2011). Money related Policy: The result utilized first to address managed high unemployment is fiscal boost from the Federal Reserve. Sweeping financial approach is effective, snappy and typically compelling. Lower investment rates permit families to acquire all the more affordably to purchase what they need, in the same way as autos, homes and buyer hardware. This invigorates enough request to return the economy on track. Low investment rates likewise permit organizations to get for less, providing for them the funding to contract new laborers to take care of climbing demand. Monetary Policy: Nonetheless, when fiscal approach doesnt work, then monetary arrangement is normally requested. This method the administration should either slice charges or build using to invigorate the economy (Raven, 2011). Monetary arrangement is typically slower to begin, since Congress and the President must concur on what ought to be carried out. Nonetheless, it could be more compelling once executed. It additionally gives much- required certainty that the administration will empower the economy and things will improve. Certainty is a significant element in persuading individuals to use now for a superior future. Cutting charges has a comparative, however much more straightforward, impact as lower investment rates. It gives purchasers more cash to use, expanding interest. It additionally cuts costs for organizations, which can utilize the money to contribute within their business and contract more laborers. Government using normally takes the manifestation of occupations projects, where the legislature employs laborers and organizations straightforwardly to fabricate things or give administrations (Raven, 2011). This demonstrations like a tax break, by giving shoppers the money they have to purchase more items. Whats the Most Cost Effective Unemployment Solution? Nonetheless, not all financial approach results are made equivalent. Dollar for dollar, whats the best financing that makes the most occupations? A few examination studies indicate that the most savvy result is giving development occupations to, of all things, mass travel. The following most practical is unemployment profits and the third best occupations supplier is financing instruction. Tax reductions, whether payroll or no matters how you look at it pay assessment, are less powerful (Forstenlechner, Rutledge, 2010). Whats the slightest viable occupations maker? Safeguard using. Here’s Tax Cuts: As indicated by a U Mass/Amherst study, the most well known financial jolt, in all cases wage tax breaks, is not the savviest. One billion dollars in cuts made 10,779 employments, in light of the fact that just a large portion of the cash ($505 million) specialists accepted was used. The rest was spared or used to pay down obligations. (Source: Umass/Amherst, Robert Pollin and Heidi Garrett-Peltier, Department of Economics and Political Economy Research Institute, The Employment Effects of Military and Domestic Spending Priorities, October 2007) (Forstenlechner, Rutledge, 2010). Its more practical to give organizations payroll tax breaks. A study by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that each $1 billion in payroll charge alleviation made 13,000 new employments. The best place to give business charge easing is with little organizations, which are the key driver for 65% of all new employments (Forstenlechner, Rutledge, 2010). (Source: CBO, The Economic Outlook and Fiscal Policy Choices, September 28, 2010) Using Solutions: The U Mass/Amherst specialists found that subsidizing mass travel gives the most value for the money. One billion dollars used makes 19,795 development occupations. An alternate practical result is using on training. One billion used employing instructors makes 17,687 occupations. It has the extra profit of including an extra $1.3 billion into the economy, as all the more exceedingly taught individuals improve employments on their own, and can purchase more things with the higher wages they acquire. The slightest savvy in occupations creation is military using, which just makes 8,555 for the same financing (Sherif, 2013). That is on account of its more capital serious, as advanced barrier depends all the more on automatons, F-16s, and plane carrying warships than infantry. Unemployment Benefits: Beside open works ventures, the second savviest utilization of government stores is giving profits to the unemployed. The CBO study discovered 19,000 occupations are made for each $1 billion in profits. That is on account of the unemployed are well on the way to use each dime they get on the rudiments, in the same way as basic needs, garments and lodging. This drives retailers and producers to contract more individuals to take care of the extra demand. The other preference of unemployment profits is it is quick. The legislature simply composes a check, which promptly goes into the economy. Open works undertakings can take a while to get actualized. For additional, see why Extended Unemployment benefits are the best way to boost the Economy (Elasrag, 2014). Monetary Policy Risks: The downside of monetary strategy is it can add to the financial backing deficiency, making more government obligation. As obligation methodologies 100% of the economys aggregate yield, it can really abate monetary development. That is on account of moguls lose interest for that legislatures obligation, which makes investment rates ascent, expanding the expense of getting. Then again, backers of supply-side matters of trade and profit say that, about whether, the economy will be helped so much that it will make up the lost expense income. All answers for decrease unemployment must make interest to invigorate the economy (Driouchi, 2014). For additional, see Job Creation: Ideas, Statistics and Creation by President. References Forstenlechner, I., Rutledge, E. (2010). Unemployment in the Gulf: time to update the â€Å"social contract†.Middle East Policy,17(2), 38-51. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-4967.2010.00437.x/abstract;jsessionid=319D805ACF3FAE59970D9F3599158EF3.f04t02?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=userIsAuthenticated=false Sherif, S. (2013). Macroeconomic policy, localization and reducing unemployment: The crucial human resource issues for the UAE.Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal incorporating Journal of Global Competitiveness,23(2), 158-174. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=17084231show=abstract Elasrag, H. (2014). Ø §ÃƒËœÃ‚ ´Ãƒâ„¢Ã†â€™ÃƒËœÃ‚ §Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒâ„¢Ã…  ÃƒËœÃ‚ © Ø §Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¨ÃƒËœÃ‚ ·ÃƒËœÃ‚ §Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾ÃƒËœÃ‚ © Ù Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬ ° Ø ¯Ãƒâ„¢Ã‹â€ Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾ Ù†¦ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¬Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾ÃƒËœÃ‚ ³ Ø §Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾ÃƒËœÃ‚ ªÃƒËœÃ‚ ¹ÃƒËœÃ‚ §Ãƒâ„¢Ã‹â€ Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬   Ø §Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾ÃƒËœÃ‚ ®Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒâ„¢Ã…  ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¬Ãƒâ„¢Ã…   (Unemployment and Job Creation in the GCC Countries).Available at SSRN 2411584. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2411584 Driouchi, A. (2014). Unemployment Persistence Risks of Skill Obsolescence in Arab Countries. http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/53793/ Raven, J. (2011). Emiratizing the education sector in the UAE: contextualization and challenges.Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues,4(2), 134-141. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1926573show=abstract

The Metamorphosis of Achilles in Homer’s The Iliad Essay -- Iliad Essa

The Metamorphosis of Achilles in Homer’s The Iliad Dr. Frost’s comments: With his clear explanation, illustrative quotes, and logical organization, the student easily proves his thesis, recapped and affirmed very well in the final paragraph. From the first pages of Homer’s The Iliad, Achilles is portrayed as vengeful, proud, and petty. As the book progresses, the image of Achilles as a spiteful child is sharpened dramatically. Towards the end of the epic; however, Achilles begins to exhibit qualities that are considered heroic even in today’s society. Once his loyal and trusted friend Patroclus dies, Achilles undergoes a drastic change in character. When he confronts the true horror of death, Achilles puts aside his immature ways to fulfill his duty to his friend, his compatriots, and his conscience. In this way, the progression of Achilles as a character is an analogy for the transition from youth to maturity. The first book of The Iliad, appropriately titled the â€Å"Rage of Achilles,† sets the scene for the remainder of the epic. Agamemnon seizes Achilles’ prize, the beautiful Briseis, to sooth his own wounded pride. Even though Achilles is correct to suggest that Agamemnon return Chryseis, the swift runner’s brash manner leaves Agamemnon feeling slighted. In return, Achilles vows that he will not fight in the Trojan War any longer. Once Briseis is seized, Achilles goes to the beach to cry to his mother. This is reminiscent of how a small child would act when denied something he wants. It seems that Homer is trying to compare Achilles’ actions in the early books to that of a child. Achilles implores his mother to go to Zeus and ask the god to crush the Greeks until they give Achilles the honors he ... ...les has been throughout the epic. His actions show that he has finally seen to the heart of his fury and found it pointless and destructive. He is ready to fulfill his duty to the Greeks, yet is willing to treat his enemies with respect and courtesy because they are humans as well. In conclusion, the progression of Achilles’ character in The Iliad can easily be viewed as an analogy for the progression of a child to an adult. From the spiteful rage in the beginning to the compassionate respect in the end of the epic, Achilles’ development mirrors that of a stereotypical human from childhood to maturity. The concepts that seem important to him in the beginning, his honor and glory, slowly become supplanted by more reasonable and mature ideals of duty, respect and compassion. Work Cited Homer: Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Barnes and Noble, 2003. The Metamorphosis of Achilles in Homer’s The Iliad Essay -- Iliad Essa The Metamorphosis of Achilles in Homer’s The Iliad Dr. Frost’s comments: With his clear explanation, illustrative quotes, and logical organization, the student easily proves his thesis, recapped and affirmed very well in the final paragraph. From the first pages of Homer’s The Iliad, Achilles is portrayed as vengeful, proud, and petty. As the book progresses, the image of Achilles as a spiteful child is sharpened dramatically. Towards the end of the epic; however, Achilles begins to exhibit qualities that are considered heroic even in today’s society. Once his loyal and trusted friend Patroclus dies, Achilles undergoes a drastic change in character. When he confronts the true horror of death, Achilles puts aside his immature ways to fulfill his duty to his friend, his compatriots, and his conscience. In this way, the progression of Achilles as a character is an analogy for the transition from youth to maturity. The first book of The Iliad, appropriately titled the â€Å"Rage of Achilles,† sets the scene for the remainder of the epic. Agamemnon seizes Achilles’ prize, the beautiful Briseis, to sooth his own wounded pride. Even though Achilles is correct to suggest that Agamemnon return Chryseis, the swift runner’s brash manner leaves Agamemnon feeling slighted. In return, Achilles vows that he will not fight in the Trojan War any longer. Once Briseis is seized, Achilles goes to the beach to cry to his mother. This is reminiscent of how a small child would act when denied something he wants. It seems that Homer is trying to compare Achilles’ actions in the early books to that of a child. Achilles implores his mother to go to Zeus and ask the god to crush the Greeks until they give Achilles the honors he ... ...les has been throughout the epic. His actions show that he has finally seen to the heart of his fury and found it pointless and destructive. He is ready to fulfill his duty to the Greeks, yet is willing to treat his enemies with respect and courtesy because they are humans as well. In conclusion, the progression of Achilles’ character in The Iliad can easily be viewed as an analogy for the progression of a child to an adult. From the spiteful rage in the beginning to the compassionate respect in the end of the epic, Achilles’ development mirrors that of a stereotypical human from childhood to maturity. The concepts that seem important to him in the beginning, his honor and glory, slowly become supplanted by more reasonable and mature ideals of duty, respect and compassion. Work Cited Homer: Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Barnes and Noble, 2003.

Macbeth by William Shakespeare :: Papers

Macbeth by William Shakespeare Recently in class we have read and studied one of Shakespeare's most famous plays: Macbeth. I found the language a bit difficult to understand and rather archaic but the themes as relevant as they were when the play was written and set. The play was an intriguing one. Whilst studying the play we were focusing on the main character whom the play was based upon and named after, Macbeth. Having finished the play, I felt a sense of pride and achievement that I have read a Shakespearean play. In this evaluation I wish to consider the accuracy of Malcolm's comment that Macbeth died a "butcher" Macbeth towards the end of the play appeared extremely cold and heartless yet at the beginning was a hero who did have good qualities which is why it was such a tragedy that he turned evil. Macbeth is a very complex character and Shakespeare began by highlighting his good points, portraying him as a decent person thus making us care what happens to him. Macbeth being hailed a hero,(in Act1Sc2) was a well-deserved title. He was a brave and gallant soldier, ironically fighting against traitorous behaviour to the king. We are told in gory detail that he "unseamed" one traitor by ripping him apart with his sword from his navel to his mouth showing his military capability Described as "Belona's bridegroom" by Rosse, Macbeth was being compared with Mars, the Roman God of War a compliment by any standard. This reinforces the bravery and ability of Macbeth and showed that in the context of his times, Macbeth was a first class soldier and admired by many. In fact, to the bitter end Macbeth remains a brave character fighting against all odds when he himself has become the traitor. Another virtue of Macbeth's is that he is held in high regard by the king. On several occasions, King Duncan praises Macbeth going as far as saying on one occasion, " we love him highly". King Duncan obviously held a lot of trust in Macbeth even visiting his castle and

Rocky Mountain High :: essays research papers

â€Å"Rocky Mountain High†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Swish, swish, flap, swish, flap. The walls of my tent begin to shake vigorously. I roll over, rub my eyes, and try to figure out what in the hell is going on. Waking up from the long, cold nights sleep at 10,000 feet, my senses are not exactly what I would call â€Å"sharp as a tack†. I unzip my sleeping bag and a rush of cold mountain air sends shivers down my spine. I scramble around the tent, frantically trying to find some warm clothes. As I hop out of the tent, I realize the shaking was coming from the other members in my group giving me a camper’s wake up call. Still in a morning daze, I ask, â€Å"What’s for breakfast?† After the laughter dies down, I realize the Clif bar I packed the day before will be the only breakfast I get.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As I scramble around camp, I notice the first glints of sunshine shoot over the ridge to the east and the moon slowly tucking itself into bed behind the ridge on the west. I wipe the dew off the face of my watch, 6:03am. I take a deep breath of the mountain air, as clean as pure spring water and then I feel nature begin to call. With the first task of the day accomplished, I pack up camp and prepare for the days hike. The higher up the mountain I go, more and more of my group members began to fade. Some of the members stop to rest on a log that has fallen victim to Mother Nature. Others pause to take pictures of themselves, overlooking the valley below. The lake glimmers from the sun’s rays and the cool north winds push the clouds across the sky. Feeling excited now, I want to keep going to get the view from the top. Sitting on a log to rest or taking pictures just does not seem so appealing anymore. I do not know what about hiking in the mountains that became so addicting to me, but there is definitely something about it. Maybe it is the way that all my worries and troubles seem to disappear into the land. I run around all day climbing peak after peak, not thinking twice about the rest of the world. All the TV’s, cell phones, palm pilots and other gadgets of the day that seem to keep me entertained at home are like a candle in the wind when compared to Mother Nature, who offers plenty to keep me occupied.

Effects of Federal Mandates on Intergovernmental Relations Essay

Public Policy making is a central task of the Government. There has been concerns regarding the influence federal mandate on intergovernmental relations. In order to understand and evaluate these influences we will discuss the influence of the intergovernmental lobby over the Medicaid program. We will also analyze the importance of interest alignment between the federal and states Governments and auditing transparency in order to ensure smooth working of these public programs. Medicaid is the health insurance program that is administered by the states and funded jointly by federal and state governments (Weissert 1992). The Medicaid has an important place in the history of medical treatment in the U. S. An organisation noble in conception has two dimensions to put up with. The dual dimension challenges are to cope up with the changing needs of patients with ever increasing costs due to advances in medical knowledge, medicines and technology. From the other side the pressure is to find solutions in the restricted budget and to handle the changing political pressures. From its beginning the Medicaid gone through many reforms. Researchers have identified few challenges facing Medicaid in order to cater the needs of the patients. They are keeping it clear to engage service users in decisions or engaging the wider public. Secondly to develop a link between the public and the health system. Third, Quick solutions through open discussions. The fourth is to take a long run at this. Finally, achieving above goals and much more from the Medicaid by engaging users and patients in the decision making process. The last few decades have seen a major change in the Primary care requirements, increase in the ageing population, widespread of chronic diseases, increase in the patient’s awareness, and greater accountability due to increased exposure (Coote, 2005). This has created a paradigm shift in the requirements of patients. The increasing trend of client centred services has made it important for the Medicaid to find ways to provide rapid and easy to access primary care to the patients. According to the Department of Health change plan the vision of change in Medicaid should be directed towards the needs of the patients rather than the service providers. In order to undertake the change process effectively the professional role of the NHS staff should also be transformed. These steps towards modernisation were indicated: ) Adoption of change by the Medicaid staff. 2) Government’s role in getting rid of barriers in the way to change. 3) The method for education and training should also be restructured. Since the Medicaid program is undertaken with the combine efforts of the federal and state governments it can clearly provide the picture of the influence of states in intergovernmental relations. The administration of the Medicaid program provides the state governments with experience, management abilities and the information of the important aspects of effectiveness of such programs for low-income group. Both the federal and state governments fund the Program. It is often the case that there is vast difference in the goals of both state and federal governments. In order to justify the expenses it is mandatory for the federal government to undertake audit programs (Anton 1997). The process of testifying Medicaid program has always remained controversial as it has been noticed many times that state agency faces lesser criticism while warranting on the Medicaid program. This has remained a moot issue between the state and federal governments as often conflict arises on the same issue between the two government levels. A lack of collective action has been felt between both the federal and state level governments. The situation seems to threaten the federalism. State governments have the expertise to undertake analysis and suggest improvement measures but these expertise are not used to promote intergovernmental relations hence adversely effecting the potential program improvements. Both the state and federal governments at a set rate fund the cost for the Medicaid program. It has been observed that the governments of different states keep on experimenting with different payments mechanisms mostly aimed at reducing their cost through transferring their the cost of the program to the federal treasury (Weissert and Weissert 2006). The states use different funding processes in order to draw down funds from the central government without spending their own funds. One such way is to increase the payment rate for the eligibility of public care providers. This higher payment rate in turn gives rise to the share of the federal government. The state governments get back the portion of the surplus through tax imposition or voluntary contributions. Although many states use this surplus amount in the provision of other public facilities to the people but still there has been doubts regarding the proper and transparent use of these funds. States use two such programs: Under disproportionate share hospital payments (DSH payments) program the state governments provides higher amounts of funds to public hospitals and community health centers which serve people from low income group. Through the Upper payment limits (UPL) states reimburse some of these providers up to the highest Medicaid reimbursement rate (Weissert and Weissert 2006: 267). These programs are implemented to cover the costs of care provision to low-income Medicaid and uninsured patients. The states use intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) to transfer back the funds at the different levels of government. The reliability of these (IGTs) as the evidence of payment recycling is suspicious. Although it is through the federalism the possibilities for acquiring information regarding the policies increases because of the improved chances of experimentation due to decentralization but on the other hand it is also federalism which acts as a constraint to undertake measures according to that information. The higher degree of discord between the federal and state level governments’ results in shape of the wastage of the state potential which can be used for the well being of the nation at federal level. This is what we call the â€Å"failure of federalism,† where the state level expertise are not acknowledge in national policymaking.

World Bank

Reform internal Goverance A. Introduction: â€Å"The World Bank has undergone significant change in its purpose and membership since its inception in 1944† (world bank, 2003). As a result, there are many people criticize regarding its current governance and accountability. They are discussed that bank’s governance system is undemocratic, largely because borrowing countries that are impacted the most by bank projects have minimal voice in bank’s decisions about loan and projects and the selection of the bank president is unilateral. The World Bank also lack of transparency in its decision making.And then, critics argue the bank’s members are unaccountable. â€Å"In April 2010, Management presented a set of operational and institutional reforms aimed to enhance the overall effectiveness, efficiency, legitimacy, and accountability of the WBG† (WB, 2010). Some of these reform areas have direct implications on the governance of the institution, from the perspective of Board / Management relations, institutional accountability, and relations with external stakeholders. AS a result the Bank uses the methods to solve the current problems, such as reforming the voting system and presidential selection and makes the bank’s accountability.B. Governance: â€Å"Since the World Bank was established over 60 years ago, its role in supporting economic and social development has expanded and deepened with changes in the global context and the evolution in the financial architecture†(Jeff, 2007). The focus on strengthening internal governance systems and structures is driven by external and internal forces. There is little of bank basic structure has been altered, even though the World Bank’s members have been changed considerably.The main problem of the World Bank’s governance is that developing country has weak link with bank’s decision making process, because they do not have their own executive director. â €Å"The World Bank’s internal governance mechanisms reflect the political and power relation which dominated World Bank’s politics in the decades following World War II. The five large shareholders in the Bank is the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France which maintain more than two-thirds of the voting power, effectively ensuring that decision reflect the policy views of America and western Europe†(Leech, D. 2003)). Developing countries influence on the Board of Executive Directors is limited. â€Å"The remaining 16 Board seats are split among 177† (Leech, D. (2003), this has the consist with large number of individual countries. People suggest two ways: one is reforming current voting system, and another is selecting the bank’s president. 1. Reforming voting system: Many people argue the bank’s current voting system. When the executive board makes decision about loan or other policies, voting is not based on one vot e per country rule. Voting power is weighted and is based on a country’s quota†(Leech, D. (2003). Under the current quota, â€Å"each country has base of 150 votes, the country which has good economic can add votes, it means one additional vote for each share of stock held by that country, which depend on that country’s relative economic and financial strength†(Daniel Kalinaki, 2002). For example, United State is a large shareholder, and it holds 16. 4% votes (see table below). Member of the country that holds large shares has more power than the poor country during decision making process.Unfortunately, the developing countries need more loans, but they have the least amount of voting power to make loan decision. The quota system dictates that a handful of developed countries hold a majority of shares, these members are able to dominate the bank’s decision making process. Table: Voting Weights and Voting Powers in the Governors Member countries hav e suggested proposal for reforming the voting system to Increase representation of the borrowing countries. Double majority voting is one reform that may enhance developing countries’ participation. Under this system, decision would require to pass by two majorities that are majority of shareholder votes and majority of developing countries votes†(World Bank Group, 2003). This would give developing countries more opportunities to say what they want to say, because decision would not pass without support with a majority. And this system also allows the industrialized donor countries and the developing recipient countries to assert their claims. 2. Selection of the World Bank President The selection of president is another argument relating to bank governance. The board of governors selects the president for a five year, renewable term†( Jeff powell, 2007). According the bank’s Article of Agreement state: â€Å"Executive Directors shall select a president wh o shall be chief of operating staff of the bank and shall conduct, under the direction of the Executive Directors, the ordinary business of the bank†(World Bank Group, 2003), â€Å"the Board of Executive Directors selects the President, in practice the head of the Bank is selected by the United States while the head of the IMF is selected by Europe†( David Theis, 2010).This gentleman's agreement between the US and Europe reduces the legitimacy and credibility of the World Bank. No clear procedures exists for ensuring the qualifications of a candidate, nor does a process exist for other member states to review and question appointments. The World Bank President should be selected through an open and transparent process. Now, many people and the global expert and world bank employees disagree the way the president choice and argue that the selection process should be a democratic, not only focuses on one country.They think that United States is no longer valid to be presi dent because the united state account for 16% of the world bank’s share now, it does not play a dominate role in world bank. It is also unfair that united state hold a monopoly over the World Bank’s leadership. Many people give the advice to the World Bank for changing in the selection process. The one way they support is selecting process should be open and based on merit.They believe that opening up the selection process will ensue among qualified candidates’ and it also like a competition, which help the World Bank to get qualify president. The way is simulate new voting system. The new president should pass double majority. This means the president should be approved by a majority of the member countries and group of countries representing majority. This gives everyone opportunity to select who is the best president. The World Bank responses the working group and makes suggestion for selection process. The working group advice (1) the selection should overse e cannot focus on single country. (2) They should have a specific standard for choose candidates. (3) Every country has opportunity to provide candidates†(Daniel Kalinaki. 2002). The most important is candidate that was selected should have more experience and qualifications, and the selection process should be open and transparent. C. Accountability Critics argue that the Bank is unaccountable to its members, because they have charter which is immunity from lawsuits.The bank’s charter grants the bank immunity to the extent that member countries or persons who can not sue the bank about it do not follow its police. And it is fail to make it more accountable. Therefore, many people advice that the bank need to improve their accountable. If the bank cannot show their accountable, the member countries cannot trust what the bank does. As a result, the bank develop many horizontal accountability mechanisms which including the operation evaluation department, the department o f institutional integrity. 1. TransparencyWhile the Bank's internal governance structures minimize the ability for developing countries to engage, the lack of transparency in decision making reduces the effectiveness of external stakeholders to engage in Bank affairs. The lack of Board transcripts leaves stakeholders with no way of knowing where individual Executive Directors stood on issues. This reduces their ability to effectively advocate their position. â€Å"In 1933, the Bank restricted public access to almost every type of document that related to bank’s project. Consequently, people do not know bank’s lending operation, nd they do not know where their money is going†(Jeff powell, (2007) Public scrutiny harm the bank’s decision making and effect its deliberation, the reason why they do is they think that the bank does not have the rights to disclose the documents. It is borrowing country’s property. When the number of public scrutiny and cri ticism increase, the bank attempts to increase its transparency. The bank has expanded the information that allows public to access. As we can see, the bank uses its website to show public what it is doing and publish more research to people.The website that bank published shows the thing it will do, and annual report and presentation. The bank starts to improve transparency policy and create operations manual, and this change make the bank is more accountable to their member countries. It also creates many mechanisms to enhance horizontal accountability, which means department can check the abuses by other department. 2. Dual Feedback Performance Dual feedback performance is an important part to improve governance structure and accountability framework of WBG (World Bank Group).The feedback system is agreed by the executive directors, and it will be a part of WBG’s governance and accountability with next presidential selection round. The main object of Dual feedback performa nce is creating a dynamic relationship between Board and Management to improve in governance and effectiveness of the Board and president. A Committee on Governance and Administrative Matters (COGAM) Working Group composed of Board and Management representatives was established to work on developing a framework for the dual feedback performance of the Board and President. COGAM discussed a report from the Board members of the Working Group and endorsed the report as a significant input to continued work on the framework, which would be taken up by a renewed, integrated Board-Management Working Group in the next term of the Board† (World Bank Group, 2003). Dual feedback Performance can help each other to measure their performance and it can cause the governance of the bank more reliable. Each of department monitor other’s action and the bank will be dependable, because everyone is under the control, and there is less collusion between the departments.The Board and presid ent wish to begin with a structured conversation on their respective effectiveness, measure against the institutional achievement as captured by the corporate scorecard. Conclusion: To improve the World Bank internal governance and ensuring the consistent with Department for International Development’s own objective, reform must take place at The Bank to achieve transparence and responsibility. An improved policy on information discloses would foster transparency and enables stakeholders to hold the Bank and their representatives to account.Improved selection procedures for the President alongside more equitable control among member states on the Board of Executive Directors would expand ownership of the organization to developing countries thereby increasing legitimacy and enhancing credibility and effectiveness and developing countries more opportunities to show their opinions. An improvement of Dual feedback performance helps the World Bank has more accountability to all d epartments; each of department can monitor each other and everything they is under the control.