Characteristics of a Failed State

Characteristics of a Failed State The termÂÂ  failed stateÂÂ  is often used to describe a stateÂÂ  perceived as having failed at some of the basic conditions and responsibilities of aÂÂ  sovereign government. In order to make this definition more precise, the following attributes, are often used to characterize a failed state: loss of physical control of its territory, or of the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical forceÂÂ  therein, erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions, an inability to provide reasonable public services, and An inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community Common characteristics of aÂÂ  failing stateÂÂ  include a central government so weak or ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its territory; non-provision of public services; widespread corruption and criminality; refugees and involuntary movement of populations; and sharp economic decline A state could be said to succeed if it maintains, in the words ofÂÂ  Max Weber, aÂÂ  monopoly on the legitimate use of physical forceÂÂ  within its borders. When this is broken (e.g., through the dominant presence ofÂÂ  warlords,ÂÂ  paramilitaryÂÂ  groups, orÂÂ  terrorism), the very existence of the state becomes dubious, and the state becomes aÂÂ  failed state. The difficulty of determining whether a government maintains a monopoly on the legitimate use of force (which includes the problems of the definition of legitimate) means it is not clear precisely when a state can be said to have failed. This problem of legitimacy can be solved by understanding what Weber intended by it. Weber clearly explains that only the state has the means of production necessary for physical violence (politics as vocation). This means that the state does not require legitimacy for achieving monopoly on the means of violence (de facto) but will need one if it needs to use it (de jure). The term is also used in the sense of a state that has been rendered ineffective (i.e., has nominal military/police control over its territory only in the sense of having no armed opposition groups directly challenging state authority; in short, the no news is good news approach) and is not able to enforce its laws uniformly because of high crime rates, extremeÂÂ  political corruption, an extensiveÂÂ  informal market, impenetrable bureaucracy, judicial ineffectiveness, military interference in politics, cultural situations in which traditional leaders wield more power than the state over a certain area but do not compete with the state, or a number of other factors. TheÂÂ  Crisis States Research CentreÂÂ  defines a failed state as a condition of state collapse -ÂÂ  i.e., aÂÂ  stateÂÂ  that can no longer perform its basic security and development functions and that has no effective control over its territory and borders. A failed state is one that can no longer reproduce the conditions for its own existence. This term is used in very contradictory ways in the policy community (for instance, there is a tendency to label a poorly performing state as failed a tendency the Crisis States Research Centre rejects). The opposite of a failed state is an enduring state and the absolute dividing line between these two conditions is difficult to ascertain at the margins. Even in a failed state, some elements of the state, such as local state organisations, might continue to exist. Indicators of state vulnerability The indexs ranks are based on twelve indicators of state vulnerability four social, two economic and six political. The indicators are not designed to forecast when states may experience violence or collapse. Instead, they are meant to measure a states vulnerability to collapse or conflict. All countries in the red (Alert, FSI of 90 or more), orange (Warning, FSI of 60 or more), or yellow (Moderate, FSI of 30 or more) categories display some features that make parts of their societies and institutions vulnerable to failure. Some in the yellow zone may be failing at a faster rate than those in the more dangerous orange or red zones, and therefore could experience violence sooner. Conversely, some in the red zone, though critical, may exhibit some positive signs of recovery or be deteriorating slowly, giving them time to adopt mitigating strategies. Social indicators Demographic pressures:ÂÂ  including the pressures deriving from high population density relative to food supply and other life-sustaining resources. The pressure from a populations settlement patterns and physical settings, including border disputes, ownership or occupancy of land, access to transportation outlets, control of religious or historical sites, and proximity to environmental hazards. Massive movement of refugees and internally displaced peoples:ÂÂ  forced uprooting of large communities as a result of random or targeted violence and/or repression, causing food shortages, disease, lack of clean water, land competition, and turmoil that can spiral into larger humanitarian and security problems, both within and between countries. Legacy of vengeance-seeking group grievance:ÂÂ  based on recent or past injustices, which could date back centuries. Including atrocities committed with impunity against communal groups and/or specific groups singled out by state authorities, or by dominant groups, for persecution or repression. Institutionalized political exclusion. PublicÂÂ  scapegoatingÂÂ  of groups believed to have acquired wealth, status or power as evidenced in the emergence of hate radio, pamphleteering and stereotypical or nationalistic political rhetoric. Chronic and sustained human flight:ÂÂ  both the brain drain of professionals, intellectuals and political dissidents and voluntary emigration of the middle class. Growth of exile/expatcommunities are also used as part of this indicator. [edit]Economic indicators Uneven economic development along group lines:ÂÂ  determined by group-based inequality, or perceived inequality, in education, jobs, and economic status. Also measured by group-based poverty levels, infant mortality rates, and education levels. Sharp and/or severe economic decline:ÂÂ  measured by a progressive economic decline of the society as a whole (using: per capita income, GNP, debt, child mortality rates, poverty levels, business failures.) A sudden drop in commodity prices, trade revenue, foreign investment or debt payments. Collapse or devaluation of the national currency and a growth of hidden economies, including the drug trade, smuggling, and capital flight. Failure of the state to pay salaries of government employees and armed forces or to meet other financial obligations to its citizens, such as pension payments. Political indicators Criminalization and/or delegitimisation of the state:ÂÂ  endemic corruption or profiteering by ruling elites and resistance to transparency, accountability and political representation. Includes any widespread loss of popular confidence in state institutions and processes. Progressive deterioration of public services:ÂÂ  a disappearance of basic state functions that serve the people, including failure to protect citizens from terrorism and violence and to provide essential services, such as health, education, sanitation, public transportation. Also using the state apparatus for agencies that serve the ruling elites, such as the security forces, presidential staff, central bank, diplomatic service, customs and collection agencies. Widespread violation of human rights:ÂÂ  an emergence of authoritarian, dictatorial or military rule in which constitutional and democratic institutions and processes are suspended or manipulated. Outbreaks of politically inspired (as opposed to criminal) violence against innocent civilians. A rising number of political prisoners or dissidents who are denied due process consistent with international norms and practices. Any widespread abuse of legal, political and social rights, including those of individuals, groups or cultural institutions (e.g., harassment of the press, politicization of the judiciary, internal use of military for political ends, public repression of political opponents, religious or cultural persecution.) Security apparatus as state within a state:ÂÂ  an emergence of elite orÂÂ  praetorian guardsÂÂ  that operate with impunity. Emergence of state-sponsored or state-supported private militias that terrorize political opponents, suspected enemies, or civilians seen to be sympathetic to the opposition. An army within an army that serves the interests of the dominant military or political clique. Emergence of rival militias, guerrilla forces or private armies in an armed struggle or protracted violent campaigns against state security forces. Rise of factionalised elites:ÂÂ  a fragmentation of ruling elites and state institutions along group lines. Use of aggressive nationalistic rhetoric by ruling elites, especially destructive forms of communalÂÂ  irredentismÂÂ  (e.g., Greater Serbia) or communal solidarity (e.g., ethnic cleansing, defending the faith). Intervention of other states or external factors:ÂÂ  military or Para-military engagement in the internal affairs of the state at risk by outside armies, states, identity groups or entities that affect the internal balance of power or resolution of the conflict. Intervention by donors, especially if there is a tendency towards over-dependence on foreign aid or peacekeeping missions.

Aristotles Definition of Nature :: essays research papers

Aristotle’s Definition of Nature Nature, in its essence, is the cause/effect relationship offered to things with ascertainable objectivity, occurring without cause. From this we can logically state that the nature of something (something being an object with "thinghood", as humorously described in class) is its beginning, purpose and stereo-type. There are two debatable definitions of nature, which under scrutiny are seemingly very similar. On the left hand, we have nature described as "the first, inchoate, thing belonging to it". Simply, an object’s nature is it’s core material – i.e., the nature of my couch would be polystyrene foam. On the other, we have nature described as "the shape or look". This statement points to nature as the stereo-type of an object, that is, my couch dose not have the nature of a couch until it assumes the look of a completed, stereo-typical couch. When examining these definitions it is hard to find a large degree of difference as the stereo-typical couch is not only composed of those parts generally used to construct a couch, but also its acceptance and appearance as a couch. For further clarification we can examine Aristotle’s example of a doctor healing himself. A artisan of medicine dose not have the nature of a healer, as that would imply that he came about this skill naturally, which is not the case. For something to have nature, that nature must come into being without cause. Therefor we can assume that the healer, being an artisan of medicine, is a healer but has the nature of a stereo-typical human being. What then, causes differences amongst couches and people, even between healer A and healer B? This question is answered by exploring the idea of chance. By chance variations are made upon things (with thinghood) not to it’s nature, but to it’s physical or otherwise growth from it’s nature. For this reason we must assume that all things have a categorical nature, with variations to it’s structure.

Operations in management

Operations Management Is one of the essential business functions and is therefore vital to any organizational system that delivers products and services , for example a bank, airline, or computer manufacturer. At the very core, operations management Is all about, designing, creating, controlling and Improving the many operational processes wealth a company (In such system environments).Operations management deals with a transformation of inputs such as raw materials, labor, capital and information into outputs such as goods and services and can include finished products that are ready for consumptions and semi ready products such as work-in-progress or inputs for other operations. Transformation of inputs usually requires a series of processes (steps) in order to get the desired output. Successful transformation depends on sufficient feedback so that we can continuously control and improve the existing processes.Supply chains bring products to customers ND consist of a network or all interactions between suppliers and customers. In order to efficiently manage each facet of the SC, each company has to perform in each area; any operational decision might effect and impact the other stakeholders in the supply chain. They ensure alignment of strategy and operations with suppliers and customers through communication and information flows. -Involves several different companies. The individual companies are connected through flows. However Supply chains are usually more complex. Multitude structure made up of multiple companies. These companies have to work together in order to form a functional supply chain. SCM is about planning and controlling all the aspects of interaction between the companies involved in the complex process of forming a Vs†¦ A â€Å"system† refers to a collection of parts working interdependently to create a specifiable outcome. Feedback is the information about the performance of the system, that when returned to the system, can mod ify the system's behavior.A system is an interconnected and coordinated set of elements and process that converts inputs into desired outputs. A company is made up of numerous individual systems in the various functional areas, not only in manufacturing or operations but also in engineering, marketing, accounting, and other areas that together constitute the overall system that is the company itself moment in time. LINE VIEW: multiple activities in sequence. 0 CIRCLE VIEW: results of one cycle provide feedback to the next cycle.Help everyone see the big picture: employees do not focus too heavily on their own goals, the business is interrelated, therefore it is important employees also focus on he business' goals as a whole so that the system works efficiently. -Understand how individual systems really work and how they interact: while trying to improve one system it is important not to damage another. Therefore it is important not to try and fix a system without understanding how e ach one works and how they interact with other systems. Understand problems before trying to fix them: â€Å"The typical way of managing is to take the whole and divide it into parts, then try to make each part perform as well as possible. But we have proven many times now that when you improve the reference of the parts you do not necessarily improve the performance of the whole. In fact, you can make it worse. Putting a Mercedes engine in a Volkswagen, for instance, doesn't make the Volkswagen a better car, even though it now has a superior engine. A system has properties that none of the parts have.

The Silence Of The Lambs - 1229 Words

Winning over twenty awards including an oscar, academy awards in all top five categories: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Picture, Best Director, and Adapted Screenplay, Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs brings mystery, excitement, and horror in an epic twist to find a serial killer killing heavy set women for their skin. Through amazing screenplay and talent, one can enjoy this psychological thriller on the edge of their seats. In the film, young FBI agent in training Clarice Starling, played by actress Jodie Foster, is sent out to discover the identity of a serial killer known as â€Å"Buffalo Bill†. After graduating, she aspires to work in the behavioral science unit for Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn). Crawford asks her to interrogate imprisoned serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, commonly referred to as â€Å"Hannibal the Cannibal† for eating his victims. Crawford believes that it may take one psychopath to know another one. It is Dr. Lecter s insight, man ipulation, and mystery that leads Starling on the right path while discovering the identity of the killer along with her own identity as well. Crawford believed that Starling would be able to to achieve an emotional response from Dr. Lecter being that she was a female. She was reminded not to let Dr. Lecter in to her head but he would only give information at a cost. He wanted Starling to express herself emotionally and reveal her past through psychoanalysis. By doing this she reveals key motives and backstory within theShow MoreRelatedThe Silence Of The Lambs1526 Words   |  7 PagesThe Silence of the Lambs is a film like no other. Hannibal Lecture has the ability to come into the minds of the viewers and remind them of the horrors depicted in the film. His cunning ability to understand even the most delusional people, he included, makes him one of the most interesting and sophisticated characters in film. While Lecture has his lasting image in the minds of the audience, there is another character that leaves a lasting impact on the audience, Clarice. She will force theRead MoreThe Silence Of The Lambs969 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Silence of the Lambs† premiered in 1991. This movie is about a young female FBI agent Clarice Starling, she is assigned to help find a missing woman who has been kidnapped by a psychopathic serial killer who has been skinning his victims. Clarice tries to gain more insight into the psychopath’s mind, by talking to Hannibal Lecter another psychopath, who before being arrested was a respected psychiatrist. Her Advisor FBI agent Crawford believes that Hannibal has the answers to their questionsRead MoreThe Silence Of The Lambs961 Words   |  4 Pagesthe movie becomes boring and unwatchable. I do not often rewatch films, yet I often find myself intrigued by a particular horror film which goes by the name of The Silence of The Lambs. 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The killer, known only as Buffalo Bill, kidnaps large women, keeps them alive for a few days, and finally skins them. Clarice works against time as Buffalo Bill takes his newest victim, a U.S. SenatorsRead MoreAnalysis of the Film Silence of the Lambs1358 Words   |  5 Pagesmurderers themselves, is The Silence of the Lambs (1991). Through a combination of criminology, psychology, and sociology, The Silence of the Lambs is able to not only inform audiences of the dangerous types of people that currently inhabit society, but also of the individuals who study serial murderers with the intent of apprehending them before they commit any more crimes and to help identify these murderers victims. One of the disciplines explored by The Silence of the Lambs is criminology. 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