Social Capital and how it Influences Migration Essay Example for Free

Social Capital and how it Influences Migration Essay Several scholars have given varying definitions of the term social capital. Social capital is a term used to refer to: â€Å"features of social organization such as networks, norms and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit† (Putman 67). Fukuyama, another scholar, refers to it as an instantiated norm that is informal in nature and promotes cooperation among the members (1). Among the various definitions suggested by different scholars, the key notion they all agree to; is that social capital can only be present within relationships (Fukuyama 1). In these relationships, co-operation is facilitated by shared norms and understanding among the individuals involved for mutual benefit. Unlike human capital that is attributed to an individual, the whole concept of social capital involves social connectedness, neighborliness, civic involvement, trust, reciprocity and norms of co-operation. Researchers have been able to prove individuals with high levels of social capital tend to have higher educational achievements, better health, better jobs and less criminal activities. Social capital is a result of co-operation among individuals who share a similar status within the situation, have common objectives and are guided by particular customs. Certain aspects of the social structure facilitate social capital, aspects such as common historical backgrounds and shared religion. Repeated community interactions lead to the rising of numerous co-operative norms that set the basis for spontaneous generation of social capital. The shared norms and beliefs that persons ought to or ought not to act in a certain way determine the extent to which individuals interacts, for example vacating a seat for an expectant woman on the bus. From time to time, people experience social needs that they have to satisfy. Socially, an individual is helpless if left all by himself and must interact wi th other in order to generate social capital to satisfy his needs. Human needs that are non-social in nature and can be satisfied without assistance from other individuals are very few making the satisfaction of both social and non-social products of a single process. Fukuyama asserts that: shared historical experience can shape informal norms and produce social capital (16). Individuals with similar historic backgrounds tend to share a set of norms that in turn lead to co-operation amongst themselves. Religion is a significant contributor to the larger social capital theory by setting some common grounds for co-ordination among its followers. Over the years, religious institutions have been governed by a set of regulations that its members have to adhere to giving rise to certain norms among the community of members. Sometimes social capital is generated for specific purposes; Individuals may create social networks that will enable him/her achieve a specific objective. Reciprocity norms results in the generation of social capital as it creates in an individual the need and willingness to help others. The desire for better living has also facilitated the generation of social capital where Individuals can acquire and accumulate other forms of capital through social capital. Both formal and informal networks form the basis of social capital concept. Alberto Douglas confirm that there has been the emergence of social structures based on kinship or friendship. Those related socially to migrants; current migrants or former migrants can access social capital significantly increasing their likelihood of migration (Alberto, Douglas, et al1272). The hypothesis has been time and again invoked to give an insight to the concentration of particular types of migrants in certain areas and the magnitude of their migration. Migration is facilitated by Migrant Networks; interpersonal connections that link migrants, non-migrants, and former migrants to one another th rough shared community origin. (Alberto, Douglas, et al., 1262). These set of networks are as a result of the already generated social capital. International migration is further fueled by core families already settled in which out-migrants cohere and the established social institutions campaigning in favor of migration. This kind of a connection increase the chances of International migration since the cost and risk involved in the movement is substantially lowered. Chances of out-migration increase each time a relation relocates to a different location. â€Å"Over time migrant networks become self-sustaining as a result of the social capital that they provide to prospective migrants† (Alberto, Douglas, et al., 1286). This fact is commonly observed among siblings where the younger siblings are more likely to follow suit after the elder ones. The migrant families over time establish themselves first by building social networks among themselves and then with the rest of the local population as they accumulate experiences. The migrant grows to the point where it can sustain itself and continues to admit more migrants into its social relationship. This kind of setup is a social tie the makes it simple for the out-migrants to settle in as it provides a link between sending and receiving communities. Through social network with relatives or friends, the migrants can secure housing, jobs or even financial assistance. Complementary social roles and interpersonal relationships maintained by an informal set of expectations and prescribed behavior keep in bondage both migrants and non-migrants through social capital. This kind of social capital generates over time by virtue of being in a similar region under similar circumstances and not by the migratory process. Through such social ties, those left behind by the migrants can mitig ate the loneliness of having a loved one away from them. The migrants also draw upon these ties to share the often, not so favorable conditions of life in exile. The types of social capital people generate while relating to each other are very multidimensional in nature. Different network structures present a different social capital, the goal to be achieved being the determining factor. Social capital can be specific in nature when it is generated specifically to satisfy a given situation, i.e.; some kinds of ties are more important for the attainment of particular goals. This network is only instrumental in the achievement of the task. For example, sales managers sitting to strategize on the means to boost the sales of a new product through promotions. Close ties are often than not general social capital and are in most cases informal promoting the well-being of the individual members. Example, offering advice, spiritual support et. Cetera. References Alberto Palloni, Douglas S. Massey, Michael Spittel, Kristin Espinosa, Miguel Ceballos and Michael Spittel. â€Å"Social Capital and International Migration.†American Journal of Sociology. 106. 5 (2001): 1262-1298. PrinDouglas Massey, Rafael Alarcon, Jorge Durand, Humberto Gonzales. Return to Aztlan: The social Process of International Migration from Western Mexico. Berkeley: University of California press, 1987. Print.Francis Fukuyama. â€Å"Social Capital and Civil Society.†Conference on Second Generation. (1999): web 15 Nov. 2008. www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/seminar/1999/reforms/fukuyama.htmPettigrew, T. F. Annual Review of Psychology† Intergroup contact theory. 49.2 (1998):65-85. Print. Putnam, R. â€Å"America’s declining social capital Journal of Democracy† Bowling Alone.6.1 (1995): 65-78. Print. Source document

Essay example --

The NFL contract was pretty reasonable but indeed long. It states various considerations of promises for each party before a signing shall take place. It is enforceable because it states promises, valuable consideration, and offer and acceptance. As a member, you must meet all promises stated on contract. Your responsibilities are such things as obeying rules, maintaining performance/skills, and maintain physical conditions. Also, some damages/liabilities could be injury, deductions and termination. I felt that the contract states possible damages clearly to all parties. If these were not states clearly, and agreement between the two parties would not have been reached. Breach of contract can be defined as a broken contract, stemming from failure to fulfill any term of a contract without a justifiable, lawful excuse. A possible breach can result in a possible law suit or even a termination. That is why it is important for both parties to understand all promises and to reach an understandable agreement between the two parties. Contract breaches have a bad impact on small busi...

African Americans in the Revolutionary War

Before the Revolutionary War even began, slaves started to realize that the promises to secure their freedom from England and reduce the amount of slaves were seemingly unlikely. The African Americans were segregated and determined as free or enslaved. The Atlantic Slave Trade was setup to be a successful business in the 18th century , it sent slaves to southern states that specialized in agriculture. Slavery in the North was also legal and accepted as well. However, some colonies did allow free African Americans. Even though they had their freedom, rights of these African Americans were still confined.Black Codes consisted of stipulations such as, prohibiting their right to vote, forbidding them to sit on juries, and not allowing them the ability to testify against a white person in court. These codes made it hard to really feel like they had freedom and were in no way shape or form equal to a free white American. At the beginning of the American Revolution, African Americans were d emanded to choose whether to rebel, or to stay committed to the crown. Many African American slaves fought with Britain in the war because they were promised their freedom once again.A significant amount of African American slaves died during the Revolution, some of them got away but not very many. In the United States at this time, about 95% of the African Americans living here were enslaved. They were used by the white Americans during the war because of this. In 1777 George Washington approved the right for African American slaves to enlist, but only a small percentage actually did. A lot of the Northerners thought that the south using slaves on the front line was cruel and that the south needed their slaves in order to continue growing their economy.This made the South seem incompetent without their slaves. The African Americans fought for the United States and England. This was not right to use them and the British even used their heads to make them join and fight against the U nited States. The African Americans could win their freedom and go against their masters. Crispus Attucks was a black man who was considered the first death of the American Revolution. He yelled out â€Å"Don’t be afraid! †, and led a group of protesters against the British soldiers. I believe that the Boston Massacre was one of the final straws for the need of independence.An African American named Paul Cuffe, helped the American colonies by supplying them with goods and sneaking them past British ships. Another African American who was a minute man during the Boston Massacre was Lemuel Haynes. Salem Poor was one of the African American soldiers who fought at Bunker Hill. It is said that he shot Lieutenant Colonel James Abercrombie, a British officer. Prince Whipple was born in Africa and sold into American slavery at a young age. His master was William Whipple who he fought alongside in the war, but even though he did this he remained a slave throughout the revolutio n.He was was one of the 20 African American slaves who signed the New Hamshire Legislature which was asking for the elimination of slavery within this state. African-Americans were a very helpful and prominent part in fighting at Concord, Lexington, and Bunker Hill. James Armistead successfully petitioned his master to allow him to serve with the Marquis de LaFayette and he became a double agent in General LaFayette's service. He pretended to be a Loyalist slave spying on the Americans and invaded the Bristish General, Charles Cornwallis’s headquarters.All of the knowledge he gave to LaFayette helped the Americans win at the battle of Yorktown. LaFayette was so impressed with his doing that he actually petitioned the Virginia legislature to give him his freedom. When Lafayette saw Armistead in a crowd he called him by name and hugged him in public. James Armistead’s accomplishments in the revolution were so prominent and uplifting. My favorite African American idol dur ing the revolution to learn about is Phillis Wheatley. Not only because she is an intelligent and fortifying women but also for her poetry and strength to find a passion during these times.She was the first African American woman to have her work published as an American poet. . She was born in Gambia, Africa as a slave child and took her name from the Phillis, the slave ship that brought her to Boston and from her master, John Wheatley. Wheatley was a huge supporter of America freedom as well as African American slaves freedom. She published a collection of poems including one that was a memorial for the Boston Massacre. Phillis also wrote a poem for George Washington that she mailed to Cambridge, Massachusetts, the headquarters for the commander in chief.Washington happily replied with an invitation to come and visit him. She accepted immediately and met with him in Cambridge. George Washington also passed her story and excitement on to someone he knew in the publishing industry, and her poem was printed several times for the patriot cause. Phillis Wheatley was one of the most renowned poets of the eighteenth century. She was the first African-American to publish a book of imaginative writing and the first to start the African-American literary tradition.She combined religion and neo-classicism in her poems and most of her poems propose an escape from slavery. She rejoices death and the rewards and liberty of life after death. Mary Wheatley, the daughter of the family, taught her Latin, religion, English and literature. Apparently brilliant and with an ability for learning, Phillis became fluent in English. She was able to read passages from the bible and also showed interest towards astronomy, geography, history, Latin and Greek classics and British literature. Soon enough she was considered as a full-fledged poet in the art.Wheatley was influenced by the religious beliefs of her master and hence accepted Christianity as her religion. Her story is so outsta nding to me and the most powerful and prominent of them all. Even though she wasn’t actually fighting in the revolutionary war she was making a difference in history, fighting for what she believed in and following her heart and passion. To me this is just as worthy as enlisting in the war. In many ways, George Washington himself embodied the Revolution's mixed message for African Americans.Like many of the Founding Fathers, Washington owned slaves throughout his life and was influenced by contemporary racist views about African inferiority. Initially opposed to black enlistment in the Continental Army, Washington reluctantly agreed to allow certain free blacks to fight after Lord Dunmore's proclamation threatened to bring black patriots over to the British cause. In time the valor of his patriotic black soldiers and his friendship with antislavery advocates such as the Marquis de LaFayette convinced Washington that slavery was economically unsound as well as morally wrong.Ye t he maintained an ambiguous stance toward the institution, anxious to avoid fracturing the delicate sectional balance crafted at the Constitutional Convention. Washington's relationship with African Americans, like that of the new nation itself, was contradictory. He believed in â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness† but signed the Fugitive Slave Law of 1793, he viewed slavery as a moral evil but did not free his own slaves until after his death. This is baffling to me.Over five thousand African Americans had a role in the fight for the Independence of United States. I believe that the African Americans played just as big of a role in the Revolution as every other white American soldier. Works Cited http://fas-history. rutgers. edu/clemens/AfricanAmericansRevolution. html http://www2. coloradocollege. edu/Dept/HY/HY243Ruiz/Research/revolution. html http://www. digitalhistory. uh. edu/learning_history/revolution/revolution_slavery. cfm

Revenge in “Medea”, by Euripides, and “The House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende

Often, when someone commits evil deeds, it causes the victim to take action. This, however, may simply escalate the situation to the point where the characters forget about morals and beliefs for retribution. In the novel, The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende, and the play, Medea, by Euripides, the characters from both works react intensely to get revenge on others. Although Allende mainly uses effective diction, and Euripides the power of the chorus, both authors challenge the view that when faced with injustice, defiance is the solution. In The House of the Spirits, Allende’s use of diction enhances the injustice that Esteban Garcia ll must confront, but also to emphasize the consequences of such confrontation. To begin, he loathes Esteban Trueba for raping his grandmother, Pancha, the cause for his revenge. During the death of Pedro Garcia, Allende details Esteban Garcia’s hatred for Esteban Trueba: â€Å"[h]e hated Esteban Trueba†¦ Trueba had forgotten all about Pancha Garcia and the fact that he had had a child with her†¦ [Esteban Garcia] would lie awake at night imagining all sorts of dreadful illnesses and accidents that could put an end to the life of [Esteban Trueba]†¦ [Esteban Garcia] always reproached Trueba for the dark existence he had forged for him, and he felt constantly punished† (Allende, 189). Evidently, Esteban Garcia has passionate contempt for his grandfather, rooted by the transgression he commits by raping Garcias grandmother. Allende emphasizes his hatred by using harsh diction, such as: â€Å"dreadful, reproached, dark, forged, [and] punished†. This depicts the extent to which Garcia regards such actions as injustice. Later in the novel, the consequences of getting revenge on Esteban Trueba are revealed. As Alba writes about her family history with Esteban Trueba, she discusses, â€Å"[Alba] wrote in [her] mind that one day Colonel Garcia would stand before [her] in defeat and that [she] would avenge [her]self on all those who need to be avenged. But now [she has] begun to question [her] own hatred†¦ Afterward the grandson of the woman who was raped repeats the gesture with the granddaughter of the rapist, and perhaps forty years from now [Alba’s] grandson will knock Garcia’s granddaughter down among the rushes, and so on through the centuries in an unending tale of sorrow, blood, and love† (431-432). Allende explores the inevitability of retribution, that revenge will always take place because the two families would continue to see injustice in the way their ancestors deal with situations. Effective diction is used to intensify the reader’s feelings about this, such as â€Å"repeats, so on through the centuries, [and] unending†, which enhances the feeling of continuity, and therefore negativity, in the consequences. She also uses gloomy words, like â€Å"sorrow† and â€Å"blood† to deliver the message that such consequences are also gloomy and unfavourable. To summarize, Allende indicates that revenge should not be taken as a result of injustice, through the manipulation of diction. Similarly, in Medea, Euripides illustrates that injustice is not necessarily resolved when the victim seeks vengeance. However, he uses the ability to communicate directly to his audience, instead of elaborate words with deep meanings. The use of the chorus, along with rhetorical questions, aids Euripides in conveying his message to his audience. Euripides uses the chorus to emphasize the difficulties that Medea must cope with, but also to emphasize the immorality in the way she chooses to resolve the situation. To begin, the chorus is used to depict the injustice that Medea is faced with. When Creon banishes Medea from the city of Corinth, the chorus sympathizes for Medea by saying, â€Å"[h]apless woman! Overwhelmed by sorrow! Where will you turn? What stranger will afford you hospitality? † (Euripides, 45. 359-360). Clearly, the chorus is feeling sympathy toward Medea, as they exclaim her feelings and worry about her future. In the ancient Greek setting of this play, the audience would confirm what their feelings toward the play should be through the chorus. This would therefore cause the audience to feel sympathy for Medea as well, and Euripides would succeed in making the audience realize the injustice that Medea faces. The use of the two rhetorical questions also emphasizes this feeling. If the all-knowing chorus cannot even answer these questions, there must not be any answer, and Medea must really have nowhere to go. Further into the play, however, the chorus’s opinion on Medea changes when she reveals her plot to get revenge on Jason for causing her misery. When she announces her intention of killing Jason’s new family, the chorus asks. â€Å"Whence you got the hardihood to conceive such a plan? And in the horrible act, as you bring death on your own children, how will you steel your heart and hand? When you cast your eyes on them, your own children, will you not weep that you should be their murderess? † (58. 843-847). Suddenly, the chorus is against Medea, and the audience would follow this dramatic turn. Through the use of rhetoric, Euripides shows that any rational person should not plan as such, should not be able to â€Å"steel† themselves, and should not be able to murder her own children without weeping. As Medea begins lose her ability to think ethically, Euripides demonstrates Medea’s immorality because she descends too deep in the choices she makes to resolve her problems. The rhetorical style enables the audience to be engaged and actually think about the situation as they try to answer the question. This is in contrast to the way Allende shows the irrational decisions people tend to make in their attempts to confront injustice. Allende uses elaborate diction that effectively portrays the negativity in both situations, whereas Eurpides has the option to engage his audience directly. However, both authors, despite having their own methods, succeed in proving that defiance tends to go out of control, when it either lasts continuously causes the characters to forget how to act morally. In conclusion, both Allende and Euripides take different routes to reveal their underlying purpose: that seeking revenge is not necessarily the correct path to take when faced with injustice. The phrase â€Å"two wrongs do not make a right† has a powerful effect in both works, as it causes permanent retaliations of â€Å"wrongs† and results in the disregard for ethics and morals. Overall, it can be seen that people tend to reciprocate injustice due to their desire for retribution.

Assassination Attempt on Mussolini

Assassination Attempt on Mussolini At 10:58 a.m. on April 7, 1926, Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini  was heading back to his car after having just given a speech in Rome to the International Congress of Surgeons when a bullet nearly ended his life. Irish aristocrat Violet Gibson shot at Mussolini, but because he turned his head at the last moment, the bullet went through Mussolinis nose instead of his head. Gibson was caught immediately but never explained why she wanted to assassinate Mussolini. Assuming she was insane at the time of the shooting, Mussolini let Gibson go back to Great Britain, where she spent the rest of her life in a sanatorium.   The Assassination Attempt In 1926, Benito Mussolini had been the prime minister of Italy for four years and his schedule, like every countrys leader, was full and hectic. Having already met with Duke dAosta at 9:30 a.m. on April 7, 1926, Mussolini was driven to the capitol building in Rome to speak at the Seventh International Congress of Surgeons.   After Mussolini finished his speech praising modern medicine, he walked outside toward his car, a black Lancia, that was waiting to whisk Mussolini away. In the large crowd that had been waiting outside the capitol building for Mussolini to emerge, no one paid any attention to 50-year-old Violet Gibson. Gibson was easy to dismiss as a threat for she was small and thin, wore a worn black dress, had long, gray hair that was loosely pinned up, and gave off the general air of being disheveled. As Gibson stood outside near a lamppost, no one realized that she was both mentally unstable and carried a Lebel revolver in her pocket. Gibson had a prime spot. As Mussolini headed to his car, he got within just a foot of Gibson. She raised her revolver and pointed it at Mussolinis head. She then fired at near point-blank range. At nearly that exact time, a student band started playing Giovinezza, the National Fascist Partys official hymn. Once the song started, Mussolini turned to face the flag and snapped to attention, bringing his head back just enough for the bullet fired by Gibson to nearly miss him. A Bleeding Nose Rather than passing into Mussolinis head, the bullet passed through part of Mussolinis nose, leaving burn marks on both of his cheeks. Although onlookers and his staff were worried that the wound could be serious, it was not. Within minutes, Mussolini reappeared, wearing a large bandage over his nose. Mussolini was most surprised that it was a woman who had tried to kill him. Just after the attack, Mussolini murmured, A woman! Fancy, a woman! What Happened to Victoria Gibson? After the shooting, Gibson was grabbed by the crowd, pummeled, and nearly lynched on the spot. Policemen, however, were able to save her and bring her in for questioning. No real motive for the shooting was discovered and it is believed that she was insane when she attempted the assassination. Interestingly, rather than having Gibson killed, Mussolini had her deported back to Britain, where she spent her remaining years in a mental asylum. * Benito Mussolini as quoted in ITALY: Mussolini Trionfante TIME Apr. 19, 1926. Retrieved on March 23, 2010. Source time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,729144-1,00.html

Newsletters versus Blogging

Newsletters versus Blogging While I hate giving away my age, years ago newsletters were fresh and new. The goal was to direct people to your website, and from there you sell your wares. Were talking 15-20 years. Few people could do newsletters, and there were few email delivery services that could handle a newsletter. Most people didnt want to pay for what an email could do anyway. That was the time period that FundsforWriters was born. It was cool to be in magazines. After a few years, when I had graduated to four newsletters, and the Internet was becoming popular and THE place to be. . . when Amazon was fledgling but strong. . . folks came up with a blog. Blogger.com exploded in popularity, and everybody decided they needed a blog. The argument arose whether you needed a blog or a website. The clock ticked on. . . blogs got creative with WordPress, websites incorporated blogs, and social media stepped up its game. Newsletters became passe. Everyone was everywhere, so what was the need? Podcasts, YouTube, SoundCloud, etc. came alive, and audiobooks took off. It was more attractive to see and hear someone. The trend was to become more interactive. Then suddenly blogs were history. . . and newsletters came back to life. I laughed the entire time, because I knew they would. Newsletters could be personal without intrusion. Some people dont have time to listen to talking heads. /Â  . The goal now is to attract people to your newsletter via blog. Listen. . . if you had jumped on every bandwagon spouted over the last 20 years, youve have bounced all over the place trying to be seen, heard, read, and followed. Youd be frustrated. You may or may not have a substantial readership because you were inconsistent. The lesson is. . . decide what works for you and work it to its fullest. Remember your focus. And understand that trends come and go, but your dear name is precious. Protect it

FEMA apply some aspects of administrative law in that particular Essay

FEMA apply some aspects of administrative law in that particular agency - Essay Example Indirect effects include increased security measures in busy public places such as airports leading to delays, emotional trauma due to reports and images released on the terrorist attacks on the press, significant drops in stock values and stereotype suffered by those who profess the Muslim religion. Since the World War II, the 21st century has been faced with increased terrorist attacks. The heinous acts of terror have forced many nations to increase their war on terrorism to safeguard their citizens. The fight against terrorism has taken a new shape and it is now a trend that can only be referred to as globalization and terrorism. Many countries have integrated for them to fit in a globalised world that fights terrorism through geopolitics and technological advancements. It is through this international system of globalization that war on terror started which is also referred to as the global war on terrorism. This international military campaign started after 9/11 attacks in the U nited States. The main aim of this campaign is to eliminate world militant groups such as al-Qaeda (Bahgat, 2003). The participants of the global war include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Kenya, Australia, Lebanon, Tanzania and Uganda among others. This study is important since it brings to the light the efforts that the U.S. Government has put in place amid increased terror attacks. This research further shows the sensitivity of terrorism that requires not only the U.S. but also other government’s cooperation to fight acts of terror. This study also seeks to analyze how terrorism has taken shape in the modern world and the effects it has caused the United States. Literature review Twelve years have passed since the deadliest attack on the American soil in September 11, 2011. This happened when two hijacked planes were flown into twin towers of New York. The effects were devastating as 3000 lives were lost. Since then, America has been engaged in glob al war against terrorism. Specifically, it has gone an extra mile by protracting war in Iraq and Afghanistan that are base countries for the al-Qaeda terrorist group (Coady, 2004). Many speeches have been made to condemn the terrorist actions by the chairperson of the counter- terrorism committee and sitting presidents of the United States. Ambassador Apakan, the chairperson of the counter- terrorism committee told the committee to remain vigilant and resilient as ever and fighting terrorism and that should remain the top objective of the international community. President George W. Bush who was the sitting president during the 9/11 attacks stated that although the war on terrorism would take a while, Americans should remain patient. He also made remarks that the war of Americans on terror began with al-Qaeda, but that would not be the end until every single terrorist group within the global reach is found, stopped and defeated. True to their words of motivation, the U.S. could have immensely contributed to curbing terrorism. The initial stages to curb the acts of terror were founded on peaceful resolutions that were held between President Clinton and Saddam Hussein in 1998. The United States collaborated with like-minded ally countries like the United Kingdom and France by declaring Iraq a no fly zone to protect the Kurdish and Shiat population from Saddam Hussein’s administration attacks. In the same year, Clinton also signed the Iraq Liberation Act