Drivers of Foreign Policy

Since the peaceful coup that brought the current emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, to power in 1995, Qatar has entered into an increasingly expanding foreign policy, which has greatly increased the country's regional and international standing. The main feature of Qatar's foreign policy is its role as mediator and negotiator in a number of conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, for example in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Iraq, Israel and the occupied territories, Lebanon, Sudan and Yemen. In each case, Qatar prided itself on engaging with warring factions to push for political settlements or rapprochement, as well as providing humanitarian assistance. The decisions governing Qatar's participation in such conflicts are very central. The main decision-makers are the Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Al-Thani. Restricting much of the decision-making of this small circle has quickly led to foreign (and local) policy decisions, allowing Qatar to respond quickly to emerging conflicts with mediation offers. While it can be said that drawing a picture of the country as a benefactor is a public diplomatic move by Qatar – since neutrality facilitates the consolidation of credibility among multiple audiences – there are deeper motives behind Qatar's expansionist approach to mediating the conflict by expanding its foreign policy. The first motive is to maintain its security and stability. Qatar is located in the Arabian Peninsula, an area full of political and military rivalries. By increasing its international standing, Qatar aims to protect itself from the dangers of non-disclosure of small and vulnerable states 5 – risks of the type suffered by Kuwait in 1990. 6 In addition, by engaging in mediation between conflicting factions such as Houthis and the Yemeni government. Or between Hezbollah and its allies on the one hand and the March 14 bloc on the other, Qatar can be seen as trying to contain those conflicts and prevent their spread closer to home. This inevitability becomes more acute when one considers the role Iran plays in those conflicts and in the Gulf in particular. Iran is the main backer of Hezbollah and has established links with the Huthis in Yemen and a number of Shiite movements in the Gulf. Qatar also shares the largest oil field in the world with Iran, and is fully aware of Iran's expansionist foreign policy objectives in the region. By trying to mediate between non-Iranian actors and their rivals, Qatar is trying to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East in general, and more specifically in the Gulf, while maintaining friendly relations with Iran. Thus, in addition to general security concerns, Iran's role in the region can be seen as a clear driver behind Qatar's mediation of the Middle East conflict. The third motive for Qatari mediation is the desire to expand its influence as a regional player, especially in the face of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has traditionally played a leading role in conflicts throughout the region, for example during the Lebanese civil war. However, in recent years Saudi mediation has been spoiled for perceived neutrality, making the Kingdom an active player rather than a neutral intermediary. The close relationship between Saudi Arabia and the March 14 political bloc in Lebanon, led by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, is an example. Qatar therefore viewed a vacuum in the Arab international relations it was trying to bridge. Its involvement in conflicts across the Middle East and beyond is an effort to present itself as a vital alternative to Saudi Arabia and a potential new leader in the Middle East. This role was further enhanced by Qatar's membership of the United Nations Security Council in 2006-2007, during which the Emirate increased its regional mediation and assistance activities. However, Qatar was keen not to exceed the limits of its relationship with Saudi Arabia. Despite Qatar's view of Saudi Arabia's low influence in the Middle East (in addition to the growing Iranian influence, which adds to the urgent need for regional Arab leadership), the country remains cautious not to conflict with the kingdom's domestic and foreign policies. Thus, when the Bahraini uprising began in 2011, Qatar supported the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – led by Saudi Arabia – mission to quell the insurgency. 7 When the Yemeni uprising, which began in the same year, gained momentum, Qatar also supported the GCC initiative it managed. The path of transition in Yemen, leading to a negotiated transition instead of overthrowing the regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh. Although Qatar's relationship with Saudi Arabia over the years has been turbulent, it has finally reached a rapprochement in 2008 and has continued to become more entrenched, driven by Qatari realism and the Emirate's awareness of the limits of its influence in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia is the dominant political power in the Arabian Peninsula, where Qatar has not yet had the opportunity or the ability to play the first major role. Both countries share concerns about the instability and political transition that are reaching their territory, which leads them to cooperate more than confrontation.

Generational Poverty Essay

Special populations refers to â€Å"disadvantaged groups† in our society. It examines the effects society has on person or persons. This can consist of generation poverty, the aged or elderly, and women. These populations face complex challenges in their daily lives. Economic instability, lack of resources, lack of education and lack of unity from society keeps special population groups in hardships. Generational poverty involves special population of poor people. It is cycle of poverty wherein two to three generations were born and lived in poverty. Complex factors are involved that hinders them from striving to attain advantages that other groups may enjoy. People in generation poverty focus on survival and live in the now. They do not plan because they live in the present time and do not plan for the future. They live on day to day survival and live in the moment. Any situation that they are exposed to is met with a reactive mentality. This leads to lack of organization and planning their life and their family’s life for proactive living. Further, their money is for entertainment and to entertain others. They sometimes create and accomplish short term outcomes for immediate gratification. People become their possession, on the other hand, in middle and upper class, they focus on material security. The middle class plans for the future and the wealth plans for the future and involved themselves into politics. Due to lack of a good solid education, many people of generational poverty are unable to communicate effectively therefore they become anger. Parents of poverty do not want their children to receive an education, because they might leave home if they are educated. In addition they have a lack of value in education. Poverty learns from poverty whereas they all adopt the poverty norm. Most parents only have an elementary education and cannot read or do math. They raise their kids not empathizing the importance of an education. Many students do not assign value to school work or to their education. School tardiness and absences are excessive due to transportation issues or parents lack of involvement. Parents who did poorly in school do not put a great emphasis on their children to succeed in school. Students have access to poor quality school resources. They are less likely to find out about the world, obtain job skills, and relying heavily on peers and parents for social and emotional support. Investing in good schools, teachers, lunches, exposure to a structure lifestyle, and relationships could help poor students break the cycle of poverty. As for the lack of an education, families of generation poverty rely heavily on body language to communicate with others and the men constantly display a defensive stance when in public. They do not use specific jargon as like educated people who uses specific words and extensive vocabulary to display their intelligence. Emotions are usually openly displayed. Conflict resolution for the poor is usually physical fighting than verbal fighting or going to court. Likewise, parental poverty effects the motivation of the children. Tools are very limited or do not exist in the socio-environment, so the concept of repair and fix it does not carry any priority in the day to day life activities. Also, food becomes a necessity and valued for its quantity rather than is quality. Many people living in poverty consume a lot of cheap junk food which contributes to childhood obesity. The middle and uppers class eats for quality and presentation. Furthermore, there are a lack of low skill jobs for the poor. They work in manual labor jobs with low wages that do not require specific skills. Due to industrialization, mining and the auto line industry are closing down. Economy shifted from manufacturing to a service economy, those who could not shift to the shift were left behind. Due to lack of education they are unable to perform in the mainstream job market to conduct business transactions, count, and resolve complex problems. Also, culture and genes interact with one another to influence people’s learning and the ability to make a living. Many children are third or fourth generation of poverty. Many just settle for the status quo instead of not taking the education opportuni ty. Some become teenage mothers, drop out of school, and/or drink or take street drugs. On the other hand, many rely on welfare to live and take pride on needed assistance. Some want get a job or do not think they need a job. Also they feel that society owes them a living. Many do not have the access to resources to locate or search jobs as the middle class and the upper class. ————————————————- Must be given the opportunity and resources to break the cycle of poverty. One must be motivated, hopeful, and willing to learn for a better future. A good solid education provides the poor the steps necessary for to open doors they would never been able to open before for a successful life. ——————————– Another special population group is the aged or elderly. The aged or elderly population faces an array of challenges when there is lack of access to employment. The aged are faced with ageism. Many employers are looking to hire younger employees to replace the aged or elder employees with cheaper salary. Younger employees are usually hired for their fresh perspective and eagerness to learn. Many aged workers are solicited by their employers for early retirement with sometimes a substantial payout. Many are retiring before the normal Social Security age of 65-67 years old. Once the aged is retired or laid off it is difficult to find work elsewhere due to active age discrimination. Many employers view the old employers especially the baby boomers as too rigid, failing health, lack of enthusiasm, afraid of new technologies, do not want to learn new training (stuck in old ways), and expensive to keep. Many aged people are viewing job advertisements with pictures of younger employees. In addition, the aged are facing high cost of medical insurance and healthcare. With the obstacles in the job market, the aged could possibly experience social isolationism, low self-esteem, and financial hardship. ————————————————- On the same token, women face unique challenges that throughout their different life stages that places them into the Special Population group when compared to men. Women still face challenges today in areas of social, economic, sports, political and cultural despite the fact that there has been success in empowering women and shattering the glass ceiling for employment promotions. They live 7 years longer than men, make up majority of the world’s population but yet they are greatly ignored. Some women are subjected to part time jobs and lower wage position than their male counterparts. Likewise, women face ageism and sexism in the media on the average profile of a woman. —————————————- Singled and divorced women are most likely to have low paying jobs than men. This causes a financial strain on the women to pay for households bills and to pay for childcare. Women still earn less than their male counterparts. A man would be hired most likely to be promoted and/or receive a managerial or executive position than a woman. ————————————————- In regards to young girls they face ageism whereas people may think they are untrustworthy, shifty and unreliable. Girls who want to play sports especially on a boys team may be assessed by the players and coach as incapable of keeping up too weak to play the sport. In school, boys are judged as good in math and girls are not. ————————————————- If a woman is in her child rearing age, she could face pregnancy discrimination. With 12 weeks paid leave, the woman could face repercussions from co-workers or administration. Some women feel that having a baby would be putting their career on hold. Most women have to take on the role of raising and caring for the children. Most single parent household are run by women. ————————————————- Also, women in their 20-30s are subjected to domestic violence. Domestic abuse is on a decline, however, women are still at a high risk for abuse. Women in this age group are usually majority of the time victims or assault and battery and rape. ————————————————- Women married for 30 plus years are unable to provide for themselves if they spouse leaves them. For years that have adopted their husband’s identity as their own. Therefore, these women have difficulty with self-independence. If a women because ill, it is more likely that her spouse will abandon her. Women mostly likely will stay and provide health care and nurturing to their ailing spouse. In addition women over 50 will most likely care for their ailing parent and handle the parent’s finances. Older women are seen as unhealthy and sexless. After age 50, women are seen as invisible. They start to believe that their voice or concern is no longer valuable. However, they are viewed as ineffective and dependent on others during their later years. Women have more chronic illnesses than men; men usually acute illnesses. Medical coverage usually covers health care treatment for acute illnesses that men usually acquire. Therefore if a women requires long term care in a nursing home, medical coverage may run out or does not cover the stay. All in all, Special Populations could be apply to any person; everyone has unique needs and advantages/disadvantages from another person or group. We all have challenges; some people are apparent, whereas others are not. Their challenges affect their life adversely. My perspective is that I am going to be cognizant of everyone’s physical challenges and establish cultural competence. My goal will get them to live a more vigorous, productive, and striving lifestyle. I have to effectively assess the needs of my clients and how they are underserved in their community to utilize the tools necessary to address their needs. I want to relate to my clients that having and education and a productive lifestyle is attainable. Everyone is accorded the same rights and opportunities regardless of your challenges. Some people may requires special services to help them attain those rights.

Alternative managmentb of hypertensive patient among the lower economic class

Alternative managmentb of hypertensive patient among the lower economic class Hypertensive patients of the lower economic class prefers non-conventional methods of managing blood pressure levels. Hypertension is one of the most common non-communicable diseases worldwide affecting up to 800 million (or 20%) of the worlds adult population. It is estimated to cause 4.5% of the current global disease burden and is often as prevalent in many developing countries. Health seeking and utilization of health care services for hypertension in developing countries is often a complex issue, since people often seek care from multiple sources outside the formal orthodox health care system. Empirical studies of preventive and curative service have often found that the use of health care services in general is related to availability, quality and cost of services as well as to social structure, health beliefs and personal characteristics of the user. Traditional medicine (TM) is an important and often underestimated part of health services. In some countries, traditional medicine or non-conventional medicine may be termed complementary medicine (CM). TM has a long history of use in health maintenance and in disease prevention and treatment particularly for chronic disease. The frequency of utilization of CAM is increasing worldwide, and is well documented in both African and other global populations to be between 20 80%. Traditional health practitioners often play a major role in health care in many countries. For example, the reported use of herbal medicine (a form of CAM) in the general population from different parts of the world varies, with figures like 40% in the United States, 38.5% among the Indian community of Chatsworth in South Africa and 48.5% in Australia. Complementary and alternative medicine examples are herbs and garlic which can be included in the non conventional methods for hypertensive patients in the lower economic class. The purpose of this paper is to answer the following questions: What non conventional methods can be used by the lower economic class people to manage hypertension? What health organization acknowledges these methods? Is there a significant decrease in the blood pressure of lower economic class patients who follow the non conventional methods?

Roosevelt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Roosevelt - Essay Example But it is more likely that the paternalistic notions of the Roosevelt conservationists included a belief that somehow the federal government could enact a balance between traditional and modern America. In this sense conservation legislation was intended to preserve the status of representatives of older America by insuring that they could adapt to the new times (Morris 234). Thus the Newlands Act, which protected the small homemaker from monopoly and oppression by the intrusion of a benevolent government into local affairs, clearly envisaged a society where each man could develop expertise without losing his identity or trampling upon someone else. Since industrialism, with its rapid technological changes and consequent social flux, threatened the maintenance of balanced progress, an enlightened government of experts was needed to insure that modern America somewhat resembled the nation from which it had sprung. Roosevelt received a reputation as a "trust builder". ... Roosevelt spoke of the "square deal" in domestic affairs and of "gentleman's agreements" in foreign policy. This morality in government was perfectly consistent with a consensus of values which affirmed equality of opportunity, the right of the common man, and the democratic political process, while at the same time upholding an open-class society with acknowledged leaders, correct practices, and certain social barriers. In reorganizing the structure of the government, the technocratic paternalists were attempting to insure the "stability of American institutions" in what they recognized as a changing age. In appealing to traditionalist patterns of behavior, such as self-reliance, and eulogizing traditional success models, such as the yeoman farmer, they were articulating America's need to reassert the common elements of her heritage. More moral functions they could not have imagined (Morris 296). The Roosevelt administrators may have recognized that one logical extension of rapid in dustrialization was a new American ethos built upon science and technology, fully urbanized, symbolized by large corporate structures, and ruled by an educated elite, but they were less capable of recognizing that this ethos was far removed from the rural, individualistic, agrarian, egalitarian one of their fathers. As President Coolidge stressed repeatedly, the great American need is not more law enforcement but better general law observance. A square deal involves a just tax system, really a system for nation, state and locality combined; one that is fair as a whole not simply just in spots. The giving of a square deal is an inescapable responsibility of a democratic society. To secure it we shall need the best

Essay on Chapter 3 of Gender Trouble (Judith Butler, 1999)

On Chapter 3 of Gender Trouble (Judith Butler, 1999) - Essay Example n’s interiority most of the times is also referred to as a psychological core that justifies and analyses the outside or surface affairs of the body (Butler, 1999:90-110). Therefore, with such proposition, the gender or the sexual characteristic of a person tends to be derivative. One person may think of one thing, yet it does not constitute his final thoughts. What a person may act is not what he truly thinks. Gender is not truly a mere physical characterization of a person. Butler further proposes that there are performative actions that generalize and conclude the whole idea of gender and sexuality. Gender is a performance of what is continuously thought and observed. Others may refer to this as the idea or performativity. Furthermore, whether it is heterosexuality or homosexuality, both are the results of impersonation towards what the outer influence is implying to the inner space (Salih, 2002:55-61; Butler, 1999:130-40; Bell, 1999:85-90). Drag, referring to the ideas of Butler, is the simplest form of sexual mimicry as to what society might dictate. Though the outside body may reflect those of a male being, the mind is set and made believe the person is of the female specie. This compliments the idea of repetition that the author also has spoken of. When acts are continuously or repeatedly done, a person will get accustomed to performing actions that are learned through the influence of the environment and/or the society. The term drag does not only pertain to those of the male specie having a female interiority but also of those of the female specie having a male interiority. Repetition not just in actions but also in thoughts will further justify the mind that what the outer may appear to be is not what the inner feels. Therefore, such conflict within the inner and the outer self of a person results in what is known as drag (Butler, 1999:134-41). Elaborating more on gender, Butler emphasises that gender is a repeated performance, practically a ritual.

English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 17

English - Essay Example In any war, the soldiers get paranoid; they are dispossessed of the sense of justice and morality, once they are part of the war. The solider will never be the same individual again.War is a terrible evil exercise for humanity. The victor is also a loser! Political leaders plan the war, but the soldiers fight it at the ground level. When one soldier is killed, the immediate family members suffer and the well-wishers go through an agonizing experience. The soldiers have no personal enmity and yet they are compelled to plan to eliminate each other. The only mantra for a soldier is, kill or get killed! Each day is a tough survival option for the soldier and no one at home is able to understand their predicaments. Tim illustrates a story of a soldier who brings his girlfriend to Vietnam. When she arrives, she is fresh and exuberant about the country that she is going to visit. But soon, the jungle life fascinates her; she loses attachment to her old city life. She disappears into the jungle. Tim explains this incident thus: "Tone? I didnt know it was all that complicated. The girl joined the zoo. One more animal--end of story." (O’Brien, p.107)Tim recalls a moment, how he killed a soldier who was walking down a trial. Tim threw a hand grenade at him and his face exploded†¦. He also narrates about the image of a young girl dancing outside her destroyed village, as American soldiers take the dead family away. ---One cries when one is sad; one doesn’t, when mad! Many such stories circulate. But, "Its safe to say that in a true war story nothing is ever absolutely tr ue." (O’Brien, p. 82) In Louise Erdrichs short story, "The Red Convertible," she communicates the emotional disturbances, war creates for a soldier and his relationships through symbolism of car between two brothers, Henry and Lyman. Their great attachment to the joint property, the symbol of their mutual affection during the pre-war days has vanished. Henry realizes that his

Principles of Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Principles of Human Resource Management - Essay Example This type of appraisal should also provide qualitative and quantitative results as they provide a better understanding. The language used in an excellent performance appraisal should be neutral. Life after retirement can take a better meaning if it is well planned for before retirement. In order to live a happy retirement life it is important lay more emphasis on retirement plans. This planning is important in various ways; for one it eradicates the feeling of uselessness for the retired person. It also enables the retired person to live healthy and feel satisfied in life. During the job due to the constraint associated with work one is not able to indulge in certain hobbies such as travelling, therefore it is important to plan for this after retirement. It also reduces dependency on children who also have there own issues to handle. Many companies have started offering retirement counseling which is important for retirement planning. Companies have come to realize that their workers suffer a lot after their retirement due to lack of awareness. As a result this counseling emphasizes on matters of health both physical and mental which affects most of the retired people. The oncept of comparable worth is a social, economic and political issue which is concerned with gender-related pay scale in the workplaces according to Landy and Conte (223). . It requires that both men and women should be paid the same if they are doing work of comparable value in the same workplace. Though many consider the issue of comparable worth as gender neutral, according to me the social perspective of the issue is based on gender specificity as it focuses more on women payments compared to men payments. As a result it has resulted to the devaluation of work done by women. There are various job incentives which are beneficial to all employees. However some are more preferable than others. For instance some of the

Issues in management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 2

Issues in management - Essay Example The primary role responsibility of organizations and institutions is to serve investors (owners) (A High Performance Work Practices Taxonomy 2013). However, CSR gives organizations additional responsibility beyond serving stockholders to include others such as suppliers, employees, clients, the state, the local community, environmental groups, and special interest groups among many more. Stakeholders are all entities affected by the organizations collectively. Most scholars relate the corporate social responsibility with business ethics as much as they remain different concepts. Broadly, the corporate social responsibility includes legal, economic, discretionary, and ethical responsibilities of institutions. On the other hand, business ethics focus on behaviour of groups and individuals in addition to moral adjustments. Thus, this study concentrates on the role of stakeholders with KLM, the Royal Dutch Airlines in perspective. Responsibility appears when an organization or institution accepts a particular duty and proceeds to endorse the duty with behaviours that correspond to the same. In the case of KLM, social responsibility manifests through legal, corporate, and economic efficient actions to recognize a specific responsibility in the community besides the attempt to satisfy social needs (Allen TX 415) . KLM believes in being a

Community Statistic Data Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Community Statistic Data - Research Paper Example The city is large with a local market hosting 6.37million residents according to the demographic report of the area in 2010. This paper provides useful information on the City of Dallas by investigating the community’s wellbeing such as the health sector and the living standards. Through analytical interpretation of subjective and objective data collected on the community this reports analyses this data and outlays a critical report that covers various segments of the community. These sections include the education background of the city, economic indicators, ethnic and racial mix-up and the city’s morbidity and mortality rate. The report also focuses on some of the factors that may be of concern to the residents of the community such as the crime rate and its frequency in the community. All this information is used to come up with a diagnosis of the community to determine its advantages and limitations on the overall health of the community. Subjective data Following t he Windshield survey and interviews conducted on the community, which involved talking to some key informants from the city of Dallas; there were two major health concerns that were of concern. The first major health concern in the area is the air pollution, which comes from them the activities of the Midlothian big Industrial firms. According to a government report released in November 2012, the main concerns from the pollution include children exposure to lead which lowers their IQ levels. The other health concerns from the pollution are heart and breathing problems especially for those suffering from Asthma (Loftis, 2012). The second health concern in Dallas community is the high rate of traffic accidents in the community. Dallas, as many would tell it’s a city meant for driving; each day there are more cars on the road with hundreds of people moving into the city and out (D Magazine , 2009). This phenomenon is a negative setback to the community as it increases the mortal ity rate, which negatively influences to the community’s economy. The findings from the interview process with key informants in the area such as the police indicated that around 40 percent of the accidents are a result of drunk driving. Reckless driving caused 33 percent and driving above the speed limit resulted in 30 percent of the accidents (D Magazine , 2009). Objective data support To clarify the subjective findings from the windshield survey and the notable concerns highlighted above; statistical work had to be incorporated to have a clear picture of the situation. Statistical data was drawn from various governmental departments of concern, and other relevant sources of concern such as City-Data and reports done on the community by experts. The objective data found concerning health issues was as highlighted in the following segments: demographic, economic, racial/ethnic, Education, Morbidity, and mortality statistics of the community as a whole. Demographic data In Da llas community, the demographics indicate that the population as per 2011 was estimated to be 1,223,229 compare to the previous year of 1,197,229. The majority of the community comprises of persons between the ages of 18 to 65. The ratio of women to men stands at 50 percent. Population change stands at 2.1 percent per

Dubois and Washington Essay Example for Free

Dubois and Washington Essay In assessing the suitability of W. E. B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington approaches towards the black development goals in the South of Jim Crow laws era we need to have a little ides of what the Jim Crow laws were designed to achieve. Permitting African Americans to develop while those laws were in place and peaceful struggle to work against the discriminatory laws would be my standard of suitability of the measures used by the two Race Leaders. I believe that Washingtons approach was too meek and would have damaged the black cause. On the other hand Duboiss approach seems arrogant for the time. Both Race Leaders being in the same period must have had a positive effect on the black rights as each approach considered separately was likely to be harmful to the black cause. Jim Crow Laws During the period of slavery, the relationship between white masters and black slaves was clearly defined as that of a master and slave, with all the rights belonging to the master and none to the slave. Once the blacks were declared as free, the need for keeping the ex-slaves in their place became important and the states and local communities began to pass laws to segregate blacks in social and public life. Blacks were, as to say segregated from cradle to grave (from hospitals, schools, trains, restrooms, water, fountains, parks, dance halls, barbershops, penitentiaries, restaurants, theaters, asylums, and institutions for the blind and deaf, cemeteries [Mercer Beckett, 2003]). Initially blacks were intimidated to keep away from politics and using their votes but gradually a variety of bureaucratic and extra legal methods were used to disenfranchise the blacks. The legal and extra legal methods such as violence and intimidation to disenfranchise the African Americans was to ensure that blacks are not in a position to use their political strength to oppose the second class status assigned to them in the South [Mercer Beckett, 2003]. These discriminatory laws were called Jim Crow laws after a character in the then popular song and dance minstrel show. Dubois and Washingtons Approach to Black Rights Jim Crow laws were designed to destine the black Americans to a second class citizen status. Booker T Washington was faced with living and operating in the southern United States which had still not come to term with the equality of races. Washington realized that in order to improve the lot of his black countrymen he would need the support of white majority He knew that he would have to allay their fears regarding all claims of equality to seek their help to provide education and support for the black causes. W. E. B. Du Bois was settled in the much relaxed and liberal North. Du Bois wanted to see an America with social equality where individuals would be rewarded according to their merits [Bauerlein, 2004]. Washingtons Atlantas Compromise was effectively a surrender to the wishes of White racist America and Jim Crow laws and made Washington the favorite black leader of the white America who were happy to see him advocate their vision of blacks role in America. Conservative blacks who wanted to consolidate their position before demanding their rights found Washingtons approach pragmatic and supported him whole heartedly too. Du Bois on the other hand insisted that the black Americans had every right to be treated as equals, the right to vote and opportunities for the talented blacks (what he called Talented Tenth). He warned that if the blacks were not given their rights the white America will suffer too . DuBois Critiques Booker T. Washington Du Bois acknowledges Washingtons success as being the result of different interpretation of his Atlanta compromise, The radicals received it as a complete surrender of the demand for civil and political equality; the conservatives, as a generously conceived working basis for mutual understanding. So both approved it, and today its author is certainly the most distinguished Southerner since Jefferson Davis, and the one with the largest personal following [Dubois, 1903]. He recognizes Washingtons success and acknowledges that Washington has to work in difficult southern setting, In the South especially has he had to walk warily to avoid the harshest judgments, and naturally so, for he is dealing with the one subject of deepest sensitiveness to that section [Dubois, 1903]. Dubois criticizes Booker Washington for his approach and asking Black Americans to give up claims for political power, their insistence on civil rights and higher education for black youths. He argues that Washingtons advocacy of these critical matters resulted in black disenfranchisement, legal creation of civil inferiority of Black Americans and withdrawal of financial support from institutions of higher education for blacks [Dubois, 1903]. DuBois accuses Booker Washington of encouraging evil, It is wrong to encourage a man or a people in evil doing; it is wrong to aid and abet a national crime simply because it is unpopular not to do so[Dubois, 1903]. On one hand Booker Washington follows a eek approach and hopes that blacks will eventually prove themselves to be worthy of being treated as equals, On the other hand Duboiss arrogant attitude could only be expected to create additional obstacles in the obviously racist South of that period. Discussion and Conclusions I find that both leaders approaches were unsuitable to handle the Jim Crow laws. Washingtons approach was that of a pathetic submission to second class status for black Americans. Duboiss approach went to the other extreme alienating even the sympathetic whites from the cause of helping blacks achieve their rights. While, Washingtons submissive approach won him huge funds for his projects and a leadership role that was acknowledged right up to the White house. Dubois insistence on equality now and legal course to winning the black rights did restore the pride of black America. Thus the counterbalance of the two approaches reduced the possible harm that the two approaches would have done the cause of black America if they were applied without the influence of the other. Bibliography Bauerlein, M. , (2004), Washington, Du Bois, and the Black Future, the Wilson Quarterly, Volume: 28. Issue: 4, Page Number: 74+, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Du Bois, W. E. B. , (1903), The Souls of Black Folk, Chicago Mercer, D. and Beckett E. , (2003), New Jersey AAH Curriculum Guide _ Unit 8: The Rise of Jim Crow and the Nadir, 1878-1915, New Jersey State Library. [Online] retrieved from Internet on May 06, 2007, http://www. njstatelib. org/NJ_Information/Digital_Collections/AAHCG/unit8. html Olson, J. , (2005), W. E. B. Du Bois and the Race Concept, Northern Arizona University, USA, http://www. yale. edu/polisci/info/conferences/W. E. B. %20DuBois/Papers/Olson-DuBoisRace-III. pdf Tell, B. , (1996). Separate yet One, Library of Congress Information Bulletin, [Online] retrieved from Internet on May 06, 2007, http://www. loc. gov/loc/lcib/9603/booker. html

Leadership And Management In Public Relations Management Essay

Leadership And Management In Public Relations Management Essay The art and social science of analyzing trends, predicting their consequences, counseling organizational leaders and implementing planned programs of action, which will serve both the organization and the public interest. (Asch and Solomon 1946) Public relations aim primarily to provide a communication between an organization and its users. It is one of the most important business functions as for any organization. It is essential to continually check its reputation in the market that it caters. Moreover, with the present climate of global extensions that majority of the modern day businesses practice, it is essential that the organization keeps touch with what it wants to portray to the consumers so that expectations from the organization is likewise. Public Relation is used to build rapport with  employees, customers, investors, voters or the general public.  Almost any organization that indulges itself in being portrayed in the public environment employs some level of public relations. Public relation is not limited to simply increasing awareness about an organization. It deals with other complex functions of checking and monitoring the reactions of its actions( Ahluwalia et al 2000). This illustrates what the organization reflects to its market hence aiding in deciding the next course of action as and when required. Publicity is one of the major tools for Public relations. Most; if not all, PR campaigns invest heavily for publicity. Publicity involves spreading of information for a product, person, service, cause or organization to gain public awareness. Publicity helps in effective PR planning and is one of the most viral methods adopted by any PR for an organisation. In present times, professionals commonly use technology as their main tool to get across their messages to target audiences (Collins et al, 1975). Traditionally, one of the oldest tools used by public relations professionals is a press/media kit. It is usually a collection of promotional materials for the purpose of circulation. These provide information about an event, organization, business, or even a person. Information also includes, fact sheets, press releases (or media releases), media alerts, brochures, newsletters, photographs with captions, copies of any media clips, and social mediums. In recent times, most organizations may have a website with a link which usually updates the message that is required to be communicated for the purpose of communication. Online version of such news is one of the essentials that is adopted in recent times. Other widely-used tools include brochures, newsletters and annual reports. (Basuroy et al 2003) In the recent times, technological uses of social networks, blogs, and even internet radio public relations professionals facilitate to directly send messages through their respective mediums. Methods are used to find out the reaction of the audience in the current market. Inquiring into the favorable appeals of the target audiences extensively include the use of surveys, conducting research or even focus groups. Various tactics are undertaken to attract target audiences by using the information gathered. This is then directed as a message to them using tools such as social or other popular mediums.`(Burrough and Bryan,2006) Increasingly, companies are utilizing interactive social networking options, such as media blogs, Twitter and Facebook, as tools in promotion for the PR campaigns. This can be credited to the fact that unlike the traditional tools, social media outlets enable the organization to engage in two-way communication, and receive relatively quicker feedbacks hence efficiently aiding in making accurate decisions. Reciprocal nature of communications Extracted from Effective Public Relations by Cutlip(2010) The above figure illustrates, communication is a reciprocal process of exchanging signals to inform, instruct, or persuade, based on shared meanings and conditioned by the communicators relationship and the social context. (Godes, 2004) NEGATIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS: Negative Public relation occurs under circumstances and situation when the message sent across to the public by the organization is seen not coherent to what it portrays. It may be expressed as that process which threatens the reputation and corporate identity of an organization due to improbable actions that leads to unlikely situations and circumstances. (Eliasberg et al 1997) However, this phenomenon can be either intentional i:e. (by an external source such as a competitor) or unintentional (inadequate research of an expected reaction or poor internal communications ). (Hueng et al,1982) Owing to the nature of this report, the researcher has chosen to consider only the unfavorable public relations for this study and thus Black public relations shall only be mentioned once. Thereafter, steps to deal only with unfavorable public relations shall be included for further part of this work. Intentional Negative Public Relations It indicates in context to incidences which are carried about by third party source with intention to tarnish the reputation of a targeted organization, these kind of intentional negative PR strategies are also known as Black Public Relations (James and Caryn 2006). It involves gathering information using high level of industrial espionage and competitive intelligence to uncover the targeted company secrets that are unfavorable to the organizations stakeholders (Hueng et al,1982). The only objective of such practices is to strategically disturb the channels and messages of communication between the organization and its shareholders. This kind of negative public relation is an unethical business practice yet it is been widely used against business rivals. (Grossmen et al1984) Unintentional Negative PR / Unfavorable Public relations. This is an occurrence under circumstances when an organization is facing a public challenge to its reputation. Generally these challenges may come in the following forms:- An investigation from a government agency. A criminal allegation. A media inquiry. A shareholders lawsuit A violation of environmental regulations Finally a violation in a number of other scenarios involving the legal,  ethical and / or  financial factors (Godes et al 2004). The above are challenges that an organization faces which may lead to an unfavorable Public relations situation for an organization. However, most of them can be contained almost immediately if handled with urgency. Generally, source of a negative Public relation is born out of mismanaged crises situation in an organization. Crisis communication is of utmost importance to contain any such unlikely circumstances. If efficiently handled, crisis communication can become the best defense against any issue turning into a fully blow catastrophe. An illustration to explain the above can be found in the case of Johnson Johnson. In 1982, after cyanide was discovered in some capsules of a JJ product Tylenol, J and J immediately announced a recall of an estimated stock of about a hundred million in circulation in its domestic market of the United States and other foreign market (Berger,2005). This decision of Johnson Johnson, to cooperate fully with the media, earned it lots of praises for its business principle of being socially responsible. The resultant was that the company received additional positive press coverage when it subsequently introduced its new tamper-resistant packaging. Similarly In March 2005, a woman bit into a finger while eating chili at Wendys. Wendys responded promptly and shut down that location. This was followed by carefully discarding all the other chilli that was dated as the controversial stock. The location was reopened only after a thorough investigation of the rest of the stocks.This crisis could have damaged Wendys image, but owing to it responding properly and appropriately, very little damage was observed to their image (Berger,2005). These are two of the few examples which illustrate efficient crisis management procedures despite not being in control the negative PR at the initial stages of the crisis. Johnson Johnson was able to gain positive publicity for the prompt decision making and was thus able to contain the situation before it went out of proportion. Conversely, many other organisations have shown lack in managing a crisis situation and have suffered for the same. Source Perrier is an example of such an organization that was unable to overcome negative publicity when its top management displayed poor crisis-management. Traces of benzene were found in the companys bottled water in 1990, however the company assured the public that it was only contained to bottles in North America. During the same time, scientists found traces of benzene in its bottled water which was being sold in Europe. This time, the management blamed it upon a contaminated filtering system an reassured that it was being tackled with utmost urgency. Never the less, media had then sampled the brands water from all its prevalent market and discovered that the situation had been persistent for a longer period of time and that the benzene laced product had been selling all around the world. The media questioned Perriers integrity and concern for public safety, and the company lost its dominant position in the marketplace; it has been unable to rebuild its reputation (Bogart and D ave 2001). The available literature on the source of negative PR is not coherently conclusive as different researchers have difference in the scope and width with regard to their view about the causes of unavoidable PR. Lerbinger (1997), attributes two causes i:e. management failure and environmental forces. He categorizes the two into eight categories of crisis situations which are as follows: Natural- for example Asian Tsunami which affected everything alike i:e. nations, government, corporations, businesses and so on. Technological- Mercedes A class had design faults thus had to roll over Confrontation- Shell Oil wanted to sink an oil platform into the North Sea and thus its petrol stations faced a consumer boycott. Malevolence-product tampering by private citizens, as in the case of Tylenol capsules of Johnson and Johnson Skewed Management- Barings Bank went out of business when the bank management was accused of turning a blind eye towards rouge trader Nick Leason. Deception Management misconduct- Enron Power Business and economic- Economic turmoil affecting businesses, hence organizations unable to live to the promise. (Lerbinger 1997) FEARN-BANKS FIVE STAGE OF CRISIS STAGE 1 Detection The organization is watching for warning signs STAGE 2 Preparation/prevention The organization takes notes of the warning signs and prepares plans proactively to avoid crisis, or reactive one to cope with the crisis if it is come. STAGE 3 Containment Taking Steps to limit the length of the crisis or its affects. STAGE 4 Recovery At this step, efforts are made to get back to normal operational conditions or effectiveness of an organization STAGE 5 Learning This is when the Organization reflects and evaluates the experience to consider the negative impacts for the organization and any possible benefits for the future. Fearns- Banks(2006), are amongst the school of thoughts that attribute Negative Public relation wholly to mismanaged crisis situation. In the table above, are the five stages of a business crises outlined that explain the steps to be ensured during different stages of a crisis. If attended to, the crisis management should be efficient and thus save the organization any unwanted harm to its reputation The most important efficient way of dealing with unfavorable public relation can be found in practicing crisis communication (Lerbinger 1997). Crisis communication aims at assisting an organisation to sustain continuity in the critical business processes. These business processes can be any information flowing during critical situations, natural calamities or event driven circumstances. The most commonly know five steps that must be ensured in situations threatening the PR of an organization may be best explained as the following Firstly, the corporation in crisis should be prompt and act accordingly. This can be achieved by addressing the public immediately following the discovery of the situation. Secondly, the corporation in question must maintain honesty as it is obliged to be completely truthful no matter what the consequences from the public may be. Thirdly, the corporation should be informative. This would require them to provide facts that are coherent with the situation and restrain speculation under any circumstance. The other reason for this step is to also assure that public does not create its own rumor as rumors might cause more damage to the organization as compared to the already worsened circumstance(Lerbinger 1997). Next, it is important to be socially concerned and illustrate efforts of improvement to the public. This would reflect on the business as being socially responsible hence improving chances of faster recovery from the damage incurred. Finally, maintaining two-way relationships. It is very essential as the corporation get response from the public hence increasing the chances of being accepted to do business with. More so, as this kind of communication shall project to the corporation directly about what is expected from them in the near future. These steps are essential in order to manage any crucial PR circumstances (Norton et al 2007). Quick response is the key to any negative publicity. Efficient and effective crisis communication strategy diagnosed in a premeditated manner can provide most of the solutions to problems relating to negative publicity. In this global and dynamic business world, technology can be effectively harnessed for communicating to the people about a rapid response to the issue. not only can this save the organizational reputation but also it can prevent any unlikely circumstances. Ensuring a co-ordinated response provides a stronger foundation to tackle tricky situations and in turn can result into a potential advantage to a range of potentially crippling  scenarios. A well thought out and executed plan shall reflect strongly upon the management of the organsation hence, bringing some more goodwill amongst the users. Timing of responding is a critical factor as the longer the lag, higher the chances of a considerable losses to company revenue and reputation (Reinstein et al 2005). An Effectiive crisis communication strategy will typically consider achieving most of the following objectives: Maintain connectivity Be readily accessible to the news media Show empathy for the people involved Allow distributed access Streamline communication processes Maintain information security Ensure uninterrupted audit trails Deliver high volume communications Support multi-channel communications Remove dependencies on paper based processes (Norton et al 2007) Crisis communication can play a significant role by transforming an unexpected situation into a competitive gain. The only essential requirement is respond accordingly and immediately to the urgent situation. CONCLUSION This study is an attempt at understanding the concept of Public relations and investigates into the causes and sources of negative Public relations. In a theoretical context, literature on negative Public relation shows a very distorted view amongst the researchers as it lacks clarity in its core concept of whether is it a result of mis communicated Public message or is it a concept of deliberately damaging a organizations reputation owing to competition rivalry. However, all of these views are coherent on the thought that quick response to the critical situations can effectively deal with the arising unfavourable circumstances. Efficient and effective crisis communication strategy diagnosed in a premeditated manner can provide most of the solutions to problems relating to negative publicity. Source of a negative Public relation is born out of mismanaged crises situation in an organization. Crisis communication is of utmost importance to contain any such unlikely circumstances. If efficiently handled, crisis communication can become the best defense against any issue arising in the organization. Ensuring a co-ordinated response provides a stronger foundation to tackle tricky situations and in turn can result into a potential advantage to a range of potentially crippling  scenarios. A well thought out and executed plan shall reflect strongly upon the management of the organsation hence, bringing some more goodwill amongst the users. Timing of responding is a critical factor as the longer the lag, higher the chances of a considerable losses to company revenue and reputation. Public relation also deals with complex functions of checking and monitoring the reactions of its actions as this illustrates what the organization reflects to its market. Thus regular contact with the public over the underlying issues provides better deciding power for the next course of action as and when required. Technology needs to be exploited the most in critical situations, in this modern day of vast technological choice, communication with the public is easier and cheaper than in the past Thus along with the prior mentioned five steps technological advantages should be used at it optimum to properly manage a crisis can as well as the six types of responses continue to be at the foundation of any crisis public relations.