Money, Morals Manners by Michele Lamont free essay sample

Critical analysis of work on role of socioeconomics cultural hierarchies in perception of self others. The purpose of this research is to examine sociological theories related to Money, Morals, and Manners, by Michele Lamont. The plan of the research will be to set forth the fundamental thesis and assumptions of the work and explore the theoretical foundations informing it, noting how Lamonts views both derive and depart from precedent theory, and then to discuss the specific manner in which she makes use of the theories to develop those views, with reference to her research methodology. As appropriate, reference will be made to the efficacy and reasonableness of Lamonts theories and conclusions relative to her assessment of earlier theory on society and culture. The thesis of Money, Morals, and Manners is that dominant figures of the upper-middle class define valued cultural styles and experience through identifiable cultural categories, or the

The Railways in the Industrial Revolution

The Railways in the Industrial Revolution If the steam engine is the icon of the industrial revolution, it’s most famous incarnation is the steam driven locomotive. The union of steam and iron rails produced the railways, a new form of transport which boomed in the later nineteenth century, affecting industry and social life. The Development of the Railways In 1767 Richard Reynolds created a set of rails for moving coal at Coalbrookdale; these were initially wood  but became iron rails. In 1801 the first Act of Parliament was passed for the creation of a ‘railway’, although at this point it was a horse pulled carts on rails. Small, scattered railway development continued, but at the same time, the steam engine was evolving. In 1801 Trevithic invented a steam driven locomotive which ran on roads, and 1813 William Hedly built Puffing Billy for use in mines, followed a year later by George Stephenson’s engine. In 1821 Stephenson built the Stockton to Darlington railway using iron rails and steam power with the aim of breaking the local monopoly of the canal owners. The initial plan had been for horses to provide the energy, but Stephenson pushed for steam. The importance of this has been exaggerated, as it still remained as â€Å"fast† as a canal (i.e. slow). The first time a railway used a true steam locomotive running on rails was the Liverpool to Manchester railway in 1830. This is probably the true landmark in rail and mirrored the route of the groundbreaking Bridgewater Canal. Indeed, the owner of the canal had opposed the railway to protect his investment. The Liverpool to Manchester railway provided the management blueprint for later development, creating a permanent staff and recognizing the potential of passenger travel. Indeed, until the 1850s railways made more from passengers than freight. In the 1830s canal companies, challenged by new railways, cut prices and largely kept their business. As railways were rarely connected they were generally used for local freight and passengers. However, industrialists soon realized that railways could make a clear profit, and in 1835-37, and 1844-48 there was such a boom in the creation of railways that ‘railway mania’ was said to have swept the country. In this later period, there were 10,000 acts creating railways. Of course, this mania encouraged the creation of lines which were unviable and in competition with each other. The government largely adopted a laissez-faire attitude  but did intervene to try and stop accidents and dangerous competition. They also passed a law in 1844 ordering third class travel to be on at least one train a day, and the Gauge Act of 1846 to make sure the trains ran on the same sort of rails. Railways and Economic Development Railways had a major impact on farming, as perishable goods such as dairy products could now be moved long distances before they were inedible. The standard of living rose as a result. New companies formed to both run railways and take advantage of the possibilities, and a major new employer was created. At the height of the railway boom, massive amounts of Britain’s industrial output were funneled into the construction, boosting industry, and when the British boom subsided these materials were exported to build railways abroad. Social Impact of Railways In order for trains to be timetabled, a standardized time was introduced across Britain, making it a more uniform place. Suburbs began to form as white collar workers moved out from the inner cities, and some working-class districts were demolished for new rail buildings. Opportunities for travel broadened as the working class could now travel further and more freely, although some conservatives worried this would cause a revolt. Communications were vastly sped up, and regionalization began to break down. Importance of the Railways The effect of railways in the Industrial Revolution is often exaggerated. They did not cause industrialization  and had no impact on the changing locations of industries as they only developed after 1830 and were initially slow to catch on. What they did do was allow the revolution to continue, provide further stimulus, and help to transform the mobility and diets of the population.

Detailed explanations of the IOT (internet of things) and implications Essay

Detailed explanations of the IOT (internet of things) and implications technology - Essay Example This will be made possible through the increased connectivity between the physical items and the virtual world (Mattern & Floerkemeier, 2010). The Internet of Things is not created by a single novel technology. However, it is made up of a variety of technical developments that create the capacity to bridge the existing gap between virtual and physical world. The capacities that would be created include communication and cooperation, addressability, identification, sensing, actuation, embedded information processing, localization and user interfaces (Mattern & Floerkemeier, 2010). The objects through communication and cooperation would have the capabilities to network between each other as well as with the internet sources, and to update their state using data and services. In addressability, the objects have the capacity to be remotely configured and interrogated through effective location and address through discovery. The physical objects will also be uniquely identified. The optically readable bar codes and the Near Field Communication are just a few of the technologies that incapacitate passive objects that lack inbuilt energy resources to be identifiable. With sensing, the objects will be or are equipped with sensors enabling them to collect data, record and interpret it accordingly then forward or reacts to it. They also have actuators for environment manipulation. They have microcontrollers, processors, in addition to storage capacities. By localization, the objects are conscious of their physical locations or better still can be located. With the user interfaces, the objects are able to effectively communicate with people in appropriate and relevant manner. The concept is premised on the trends witnessed towards the end of the 20th century, where there exist gradual advances in communication and information technology, as well as in microelectronics. These changes

Sentencing Rationales and Plea Bargaining Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sentencing Rationales and Plea Bargaining - Essay Example One of the reasons why courts exist is to provide justice by ensuring that the punishment an offender is given is proportionate to the crime committed. After claims that unwarranted sentencing occurred in US, the congress decided to ensure justice by coming up with guidelines which were to be used by all courts when it came to criminal sentencing. The Sentencing Act was formulated and passed with the main aim of ensuring that unwarranted disparities which were thought to exist in the judicial systems were eliminated (Stith & Koh, 1993). Retribution which means offering sentencing criminals to serve punishments that are to some extent proportional to the crimes committed plays a major role in sentencing. This is because, the essence of judicial systems is to provide justice and justice means paying a price that is equivalent to the crime committed. The formulation of the criminal sentencing guidelines that have a table with ranges that people who have committed certain crimes should be sentenced clearly shows that retribution forms an extremely strong basis in sentencing. Based on the sentencing guidelines, the crime for which a person is convicted will always form the basic offense level with details of the case further determining the sentence by either subtracting or adding. The alteration in the sentence presented by the base offence depends on the role played by the person and the amount of damage that the person might have caused. For example a robbery will form the base offence with minor details such as whether the person used a gun or shot somebody adding to the sentence while a person who was involved in robbery with violence but played a minor role might end up getting le sser sentence than a person who will be judged to have played a vital role getting a tougher sentence (Stith & Koh, 1993). Plea bargaining is where the prosecutor and the defense counsel come to an

Is there a China threat, and if so what should we be doing about it Essay

Is there a China threat, and if so what should we be doing about it - Essay Example The enduring control of a worn-out, edgy, Communist regime scarcely serves to improve international confidence in the Chinese bid for a responsible position on the world stage of the new century (Lawson, 161). It is possible that what some see as the threat of a menacing new superpower might actually be the promise of a new forward-looking Chinese generation on the verge of the disavowal of old revolutionary sympathies with aspirations of taking an active part in a wider world growing ever more interdependent (Jian, 28). Professor Chen Jian offers a unique point of view from his background as a Chinese Red Guard during the infamous Cultural Revolution. Appraising China's foreign-policy from the vantage point of an insider rooted in Chinese history, Jian identifies a key factor in Chinese modern military behaviour as the belief that economic exploitation and military aggression by foreign imperialist countries have dishonoured the glory of the ancient Central Kingdom or Zhong Guo (Jian, 26). The perceived humiliation continues to foster a victim mindset unique to Chinese history that overshadows China's relations with the international community (Thatcher, 163). Chinese leaders held that the revolution would be ultimately successful when it recovered China's former standing in the world (Leffler and Painter, 278). China currently boasts a ten percent annual economic growth, but poverty is rife in its rural interior. The regime uses its extensive masses in the service of its growing economic prowess, while its aging leaders wrestle with the spectre of social dissolution under the strain of vastly diverse regional political, economic, and ethnic forces (Poole-Robb and Bailey,185). Serious domestic challenges compel modern China to focus its policy largely within its own borders. The persistence of political repression along with China's dismal human rights record may actually be the uneasy admission that the iron control is slipping by degrees from their grasp (Lawson, 149). Though Chinese labourers are more expensive than their equals in poorer countries of Southeast Asia or Africa, the Chinese nation offers a more stable situation for international investment in the current political climate, along with a dependable and competent labour force, primed by years of government-enforced discipline (Poole-Robb and Bailey, 185). The Chinese masses make attractive market prospects and inexpensive manufacturers. As China's market attains record trade, industrial output, and consumer spending, the nation's future holds both promise and paradox for the world at large (Thatcher, 114). From near isolation China has escalated to the third strongest economy in world trade, behind the United States and Germany but ahead of Japan. Though the Chinese middle class does not quite experience the affluence Western nations enjoy, the standard of living for this growing sector of the public is relatively high within the general Chinese public, as China's domestic price differs substantially from the price of a comparable item in wealthier nations with higher standards of living (Segal, 56). China's citizens number close to 1.5 billion people, a population in great flux. Since economic reform began under Deng Xiaoping three decades ago, the

Erik Eriksons Developmental Theory Case Study

Erik Eriksons Developmental Theory Case Study Human Development This human development assignment will discuss an overview of Erik Erikson’s background, theory and his eight developmental stages. Then this assignment will briefly discuss Mr Paki’s developmental stage and his experience .e.g. physical, emotional, cultural and social. Later it will discuss the actions and the support to assist Mr Paki with his situation. Part (A) Erik Erikson was a psychologist who developed his psychosocial development theory in 1963. He was born in 1902 in Germany; his biological father abandoned him before he was born. Erik Erikson studied arts and many different languages and after he graduated he worked as a professor. Moreover, in 1930 he married Joan Serson who was an artist and dancer but later on she helped Erik with his psychosocial development theory. Erikson was influenced by Freud’s development theory but Erikson also believed that human develop throughout their life span. However, Freud believed that our personality formed after the age of five (Bradley, 2002). Erik Erickson developed eight stages of human development and he also believed that each person go through every stages throughout life span. In each stage, Erikson believed that, â€Å"people experience a  conflict  that serves as a turning point in development. In Eriksons view, these conflicts are entered on either developing a psychological quality or failing to develop that quality. During these times, the potential for personal growth is high, but so is the potential for failure (Cherry, 2014.† The first stage is Trust versus Mistrust (birth to 1 year) in this stage an infant develops trust when a parent response to his/her needs. However, it can also lead to mistrust when a parent is not responding to them. Second stage is Autonomy versus shame and doubt (1 to 4 years) in this stage, children are learning to gain self-confident. For example, toilet training, children are learning to control their body’s function which can lead to self-independence and control. But if children who are not completing this stage, they are most likely to lose their confident. Third stage is initiative versus guilt (4 to 8 years), in this stage children begin to show their power and control over the world through sports and other social interaction. If a parent started to demand too much discipline they induce extreme guilt (Berk, 2010, p.17). Fourth stage is industry versus inferiority (8 to 12 years) in this stage, children start to gain confident to work with their peers cooperatively but inferiority begins when a child is not receiving encouragement from their parents, teachers or students which can lead to failure in the future (Berk, 2010, p.17). Fifth stage is identity versus role confusion (12 to 20 years) in this stage, children are started to identify their role in the world. For example, children are trying to find a way to fit into the society by creating a strong identity with interacting with others and relationships. Moreover, confusion occurs when a child has conflicts about his/her role in society (Berk, 2010, p.17). Sixth stage is intimacy and solidarity versus isolation (20 to 30 years) in this stage, young people enters into intimacy relationships in which they let other people see their physical characteristics of their nature. But young adult may feel isolated when they unable to become closer to others (Berk, 2010, p.17). Seventh stage is generativity versus self-absorption and stagnation (30 to 60 years) in this stage; middle aged adults provide help to the next generation, take place in community work and help others. According to Erickson the idea of generativity is that middle age adult’s attempts to produce something that makes a difference to society, for instance. Some middle adults may feel stagnation if they are not able to take responsibilities (Berk, 2010, p.17). Eighth stage is integrity versus despair (60 years to death) in this stage, late adults or older adults reflect back at their accomplishments and life satisfaction. For example, People feel proud of their achievements when completing this phase with no or few regrets. But people who do not succeed in this stage, they will have many regrets and might that feel their life has been wasted (Berk, 2010, p.17). Part (B) According to Erik Erickson’s theory of development Mr Paki is experiencing eighth stage which is integrity versus despair (60 years to death) because he is 70 years old. Moreover Mr Paki is more likely to experiencing the physical, emotional, cultural and social changes in his life. Physical When people get to this age group(60 years to death) they are more likely to experiencing respiratory system problems and Mr Paki is 70 years old and he has a history of Emphysema and it could be because of smoking or ageism. He also has fractured his right his and his movements are very limited. Barbeler (2013) mentioned that in this age, â€Å"their joints become less elastic and flexible with the loss and calcification of cartilage. The loss of bone density particularly affects long bones and vertebrae. The curve of the lower back changes resulting in a change to the centre of gravity.† (p. 233) Emotional In this stage older adults becomes more selective about whom they choose to spend their time with. In Mr Paki’s situation, he has lost his confidence and ability to cope with activities because of his fractured hip but his whanau visit him regularly and give him the support he need. Moreover he could be concerned and depressed about his wife who is dealing with early dementia. Cultural Ethnicity and linguistic diversity are can often create problems in one’s culture. A person with a diverse cultural background who is ageing in a different environment can face with many challenges (Barbeler, 2013). According to the scenario Mr Paki is Maori and he is been sent to rehabilitation, lack of cultural interaction and communication problems can lead to isolation and feelings of alienation. Social Mr Paki has limited movements because of his fractured right hip and he has lost his daily activity moments because of this Mr Paki is likely to be experiencing loss of confidence in his ability. He might be feeling lonely because there is no interaction between with his friends or community. He might be experiencing depression because in his age group, this is a serious condition and it can be linked with a loss of independent function, cognitive impairment, poor response to rehabilitation and diminished recovery. Older patients face many challenges as they go through the last stage of Erik Erikson’s theory which could be because of their retirement, changes in health status or relationships with friends and family. A nurse should always listen to their patients instead of making assumptions about what patient’s value or what they aim for in their life (Barbeler, 2013). According to the scenario a nurse will put in place actions and support to under physical, emotional, cultural and social to assist Mr Paki. Physical To assist Mr Paki with his physical condition, as he has fractured his right hip, he has limited movement and Mr Paki had lost his confident to cope with activities of daily living (ADL’s) References Bradley, M.E. (2002). Psyography: Erik Erikson. Retrieved from: http://faculty.frostburg.edu/mbradley/psyography/eriker ikon.html Barbeler, C. (2013). Older adulthood. In Koutoukidis, G., Stainton, K., Hughson, J. (2013). Tabbner’s Nursing Care: Theory and Practice. (pp 230-248). China: Libby Houston. Cherry, K. (2014). Eriksons Theory of Psychosocial Development: Psychosocial Development in Infancy and Early Childhood. Retrieved from: http://psychology.about.com/od/psychosocial theories/a/psychosocial.htm

Internet Users Turn Addicts :: social issues

Internet Users Turn Addicts On June 14, ABC news reported that an "internet-crazed" Cincinnati woman was arrested for neglecting her three young children. The woman reportedly spent 12 hours straight online, while her hungry kids were locked away in one room so she could be online without interruption. The three kids were placed in county custody while the mother was tossed in jail. The Internet is rapidly becoming an addictive source to a lot of its users. Users of the Internet include students, housewives, and business professionals. Some of these Internet users spend a minimum of thirty-eight hours per week on the "net"; hence, losing touch with reality and reeking havoc on their studies, family lives or careers. Individuals such as these are classified as "Internet Addicts." Based on level of addiction, there are three groups of Internet addicts: i) the "I'm-not-addicted users," ii) the "I-only-use-it-when-I-have-to-users" and iii) the "Internet junkies." The "I'm-not-addicted users" are the users who try to convince themselves that they are not addicted to the Internet. This group includes college students who don't go online during the day to prove to fellow students that they can do without getting online; only, to stay up all night in a chat room online. Or businesspeople who stay after office hours to supposedly get a late report done; only, to stay online until the security guy's ready to lock up the building. Or husbands who stay offline all day, only to get online for hours after their family members are asleep. These users are addicts but portray themselves otherwise in the presence of people. Next, are "the I-only-use-it-when-I-have-to-users." These users make convenient excuses to use the Internet. Mothers who claim they have to visit their child's school's website, to read the highlights of the last PTA meeting, while they could have waited for the minutes of the meeting in the mail. They end up staying online for hours. Or college students who insist on checking out the ratings of a movie online, using this as an excuse to stay online for hours; while they could have looked in the local newspaper. Or businesspeople who use checking for e-mail, as an excuse to get online; even though, the computer announces when there's new mail. These addicts make excuses to justify their use of the Internet. The third group of Internet users is the "Internet junkies." Unlike addicts in the previous two groups, these users neither sneak online nor make excuses to get online.