Luxury Sectoral Analysis

Luxury Sectoral Analysis Introduction This paper will present a detailed sectoral analysis, which focuses on the luxury wine industry in the US. Russian River Ranches Chardonnay is the luxury wine brand that will be analyzed. The brand is manufactured and distributed by Sonoma-Cutrer in the US.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Luxury Sectoral Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Russian River Ranches is a luxury brand because it is made of high quality grapes and advanced brewing technologies (Sonoma-Cutrer 2014). As a premium product, Russian River Ranches is sold in luxury restaurants and hotels in the US. In addition, it was the second most expensive among the top 20 luxury wine brands in the US in 2013 (Sonoma-Cutrer 2014). Porter’s five forces model will be used to analyze the competitiveness of Russian River Ranches in its industry. Other elements of the brand that will be analyzed include price aesthetics, product, communi cations, and branding. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis Suppliers’ Bargaining Power The luxury wine industry has several suppliers, which include manufacturers of packaging materials, producers of labeling materials, producers of grapes, and shipping companies. The suppliers have a high bargaining power due to the following reasons. First, there are more wine producers than suppliers of key inputs such packaging materials. In the last five years, vineyard acreage reduced significantly as famers used their land to produce more profitable crops such as almonds. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that there are no substitutes for grapes in luxury wine production (Demeter Group 2013).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The demand for grapes has significantly increased as producers of high-end wine increase their production capacities. The resulting shorta ge of grapes has significantly increased farmers’ bargaining power. Second, differentiation of inputs is a key determinant of the quality of luxury wine. Producers of high-end wine must consistently use the best grapes and packaging materials to attract customers (Sonoma-Cutrer 2014). Third, most suppliers in the industry have low switching costs since there are many buyers for their products. For example, suppliers of packaging materials also sell to manufacturers in the soft drinks industry. Thus, they give priority to buyers who are able to offer high prices and to make bulk purchases. The high bargaining power of the suppliers means that they can easily increase their prices, thereby reducing the competitiveness of Russian River Ranches and other brands. Buyers’ Bargaining Power The buyers (consumers of wine) have a high bargaining power due to the following reasons. First, brand loyalty is very low since customers are interested in trying new products (Brun Caste lli 2013, pp. 823-847). This limits the ability of producers of luxury wine to retain their customers. Second, nearly all manufacturers of wine are focusing on product differentiation. This increases the number of products that are available in the market, thereby increasing buyers’ bargaining power. Third, buyers of luxury wine have low switching costs. Thus, they can easily change brands in order to satisfy their needs. The high power of consumers of luxury wine means that producers have to focus on product differentiation and aggressive marketing to retain their customers.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Luxury Sectoral Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The producers of luxury wine have a moderate bargaining power. One of the factors that improve their bargaining power is ability to make bulk purchases. This enables producers to negotiate for favorable prices for their supplies. The threat of back ward integration is also high since companies such as Sonoma-Cutrer produce grapes on their own (Sonoma-Cutrer 2014). The main factor that reduces the bargaining power of wine producers is the mismatch between the demand and supply of their inputs (Demeter Group 2013). Specifically, undersupply limits manufacturers’ ability to bargain since the available inputs have to be rationed through high prices. Threat of Substitutes The main substitutes of luxury wine include soft drinks, beer, and spirits. Luxury wine also competes with the regular wine brands. The threat of substitutes is low due to the following reasons. To begin with, luxury wine performs better than other alcoholic drinks in terms of quality. Specifically, the people who drink alcohol prefer wine because of its superior taste. Consumption of luxury wine is also associated with high social status in the society (Brun Castelli 2013, pp. 823-847). Apart from taste, wine has several health benefits that cannot be enj oyed through consumption of other alcoholic beverages. Specifically, moderate consumption of wine helps in prevention of heart diseases, stroke, anxiety, and lose of memory in old age (Brun Castelli 2013, pp. 823-847). These benefits make wine the best option among consumers of alcohol.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, excessive consumption of wine can have negative health effects. Moreover, some religions prohibit consumption of alcohol. These factors reduce the competitiveness of luxury wine as customers opt for soft drinks. Generally, luxury wine is more expensive than other alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (Brun Castelli 2013, pp. 823-847). However, the high price does not have negative effects on the demand for luxury wine, especially, in the affluent market segment where customers are not price sensitive. Since Russian River Ranches has a superior quality, it is likely to overcome the low threat of substitutes in the market. Threat of New Entrants The threat of new entrants is low because of the following factors. First, the cost of entering the luxury wine industry is prohibitive. New companies that intend to establish production plants require significantly high financial capital, which is not easily available. Second, the incumbents have high economies of scale (Demeter Group 2013). In the last decade, major producers of luxury wine focused on consolidation through mergers and acquisitions. This has enabled them to achieve â€Å"economies of scale in production and distribution† (Chevalier Mazzalovo 2012, p. 56). As a result, they have high production capacities and cost advantages that make them more competitive than new entrants. Third, the incumbents have control over the distribution channels. In the last five years, distributors of luxury wine such as wholesalers, specialty restaurants, and retailers embarked on consolidation to strengthen their market power (Demeter Group 2013). The incumbents in the wine industry have long-term distribution contracts with the available distributors. This means that new entrants will have to incur high costs to access the distribution system. Finally, access to inputs such grapes is difficult, since the incumbents have long-term supply contracts with famers. The low threat of new entrants is a growth oppor tunity to Russian River Ranches as demand continues to rise. Threat of Competitive Rivalry High competition in the US luxury wine market is explained by the following factors. First, the industry is highly concentrated. In 2013, the top 4 largest producers of luxury win accounted for 70% of the market share (Demeter Group 2013). This means that only 30% of the market is left for the remaining producers. Second, the industry is characterized by high fixed costs. Specifically, the cost of labor and warehousing is on the rise, thereby reducing the profits of producers of luxury wine. Third, there is overcapacity in the industry. This is explained by the fact that liberalization of the US wine industry has resulted into an increase in importation of luxury wine from countries such as China, Italy, and France (Demeter Group 2013). Wine products from countries such as China are sold at low prices since their producers have production cost advantages. Although the industry is characterized by high competition, it is still experiencing strong growth. In the last three years, the market for luxury wine in the US grew at an average annual rate of 12% (Demeter Group 2013). This strong growth is expected to continue in the next four years as economic growth improves. The implication of the high competitive rivalry is that Russian River Ranches must be able to satisfy customers’ needs in order to maintain its competitiveness. Specifically, the marketing mix strategy that is used to market it must be aligned to customers’ needs. Success of Russian River Ranches The factors that account for the success of Russian River Ranches in the luxury wine market include the following. First, the brand is successful because of its unrivaled quality. Since its inception, Sonoma-Cutrer acknowledged the fact that high quality is one of the major factors that determine the success of luxury wine brands. Consequently, the company strategically chose to produce its own grapes. This enables it to improve the quality of Russian River Ranches by selecting the best grapes to manufacture it (Sonoma-Cutrer 2014). Moreover, the company focuses on incremental product innovation to improve the quality of its wine. As a result, it has been able to produce several flavors that meet the expectations of its customers. As a premium brand that is known for high quality, Russian River Ranches is able to achieve high sales despite being one of the most expensive brands in the market (Sonoma-Cutrer 2014). Second, Russian River Ranches is successful because of its strong brand image. It has been rated as the most popular luxury wine brand in the US for over ten consecutive years (Sonoma-Cutrer 2014). The brand personality of Russian River Ranches reflects the attributes that customers in the luxury wine market look for. These include authenticity, premium quality, good reputation, and excusive brand history (Brun, Castelli 2013, pp. 823-847). These attributes have enabled R ussian River Ranches to command a high brand loyalty in a market where customers are constantly shifting to new products. High brand loyalty enables the brand to overcome competition from other luxury brands and substitute products. Third, Russian River Ranches owes its success to the multi-level distribution channel that is being used to distribute it in the US. As the most popular luxury brand, all high-end restaurants and hotels strive to serve Russian River Ranches to maintain their competitiveness (Sonoma-Cutrer 2014). The wholesalers also have the incentive to distribute the brand because its premium price enables them to earn a decent profit margin. This enables Russian River Ranches to overcome competition by denying its competitors access to third-party distribution channels. In addition, Sonoma-Cutrer has its own retail and online stores that it uses to distribute the brand. This enables its sales team to offer excellent customer service, which in turn improves brand loyal ty and sales. Finally, Russian River Ranches is successful in the luxury market because of the marketing strategies that have been adopted by its producer. The brand’s premium positioning strategy has been reinforced through innovative marketing communications initiatives. The brand is marketed through digital platforms such as the social media, the internet, and smartphones that allow its marketers to convey personalized messages to a niche market segment rather than the mass market (Sonoma-Cutrer 2014). This enables customers to identify with the brand and to recommend it to their colleagues, thereby increasing its sales and brand credibility (Reyneke, Pitt Berthon 2011, pp. 21-35). In addition, Russian River Ranches is marketed based on value rather than price. Although most companies are trying to gain market share by reducing the prices of their wine, Sonoma-Cutrer has focused on marketing the benefits that are provided by its brand. As a result, Russian River Ranches h as been able to overcome brand dilution in the market. Key Elements of a Luxury Brand Price Pricing has a significant influence on the way customers perceive luxury brands. Consciously or sub-consciously, customers often develop a psychological luxury image based on the price range that is used to market a brand (Chevalier Mazzalovo 2012, p. 78). Most consumers of luxury brands believe that price has a positive correlation with value. This explains the high price of Russian River Ranches in the luxury wine industry. Specifically, the high price is meant to protect its brand image from being compromised. Undoubtedly, consumers of luxury brands are interested in obtaining high value for their money (Brun Castelli 2013, pp. 823-847). They will not pay more for a product that has no superior functionality. As a result, the high price of Russian River Ranches is justified by its premium quality and good reputation. Apart from compensating producers for the high product quality, pricing in the luxury wine industry is used to ensure exclusivity. This perspective is based on the fact that consumers of luxury products focus on maintaining their self-esteem by purchasing products that others cannot afford. Since Russian River Ranches targets affluent customers, its high price serves as a mechanism for excluding the mass market from consuming it. Product A luxury brand must have a high quality (Brun Castelli 2013, pp. 823-847). This requirement is justified by the fact that a luxury brand must achieve superior performance at the product level and experiential level. This explains Sonoma-Cutrer’s focus on product innovation to maintain the high quality of Russian River Ranches. At the product level, the brand satisfies functional and utilitarian attributes of wine in terms of taste, packaging, alcohol content, and acidity. As a luxury brand, Russian River Ranches also performs at the experiential level by creating an emotional appeal to customers. The emotional appeal distinguishes the brand from the regular brands of wine. The high quality of Russian River Ranches has to be maintained because its consumption signifies high status. The affluent customers consume the brand partly to express their status in the society (Brun Castelli 2013, pp. 823-847). For instance, the brand is often bought as a special gift for loved ones or during special occasions such as weddings as a way of expressing appreciation. Communications Luxury brand communications must be dynamic and versatile in order to attract the attention of the market without hurting brand image (Reyneke, Pitt Berthon 2011, pp. 21-35). Adopting a dynamic marketing communications strategy is justified by the fact that a luxury brand must retain its pedigree status while keeping up with contemporary trends and newness. In a nutshell, the brand must adjust to emerging tastes and preferences without compromising its original attributes that make it unique. This enables the luxury brand t o remain desirable and inspirational. Russian River Ranches has been able to maintain its brand relevance because its adverts focus on conveying emotional and sensual messages. This creates a distinction between the brand and its competitors that target the mass market. In addition, the adverts focus on creating an aura that is genuinely exceptional to the brand image. In the digital marketing platform, Russian River Ranches is advertised using long-form commercials to attract customers’ attention. The main strength of this strategy is that it improves brand awareness and motivates customers to take action by purchasing the wine. Branding In the luxury market, brand presence focuses on creating memorable shopping experiences. A luxury brand has to be retailed in a high-end store that reflects its superior attributes. Every customer touch-point has to enhance the brand experience to strengthen the aura of luxury (Chevalier Mazzalovo 2012, p. 98). In this regard, the marketers of Russian River Ranches utilize great aesthetics and craftsmanship to improve the ambiance of the stores where the wine is sold. Public relations also â€Å"plays an important role in branding luxury brands† (Chevalier Mazzalovo 2012, p. 102). The use of public relations is justified by the fact that it enables marketers to influence public opinion favorably in order to strengthen brand image. In addition, it helps in enhancing the credibility of luxury brands, especially, if the brands are reviewed by renowned public figures. As a result, the marketers of Russian River Ranches use celebrity endorsements to influence public opinion about the brand. Specifically, the public associates the brand with the superior qualities of the celebrities that endorse it. This strategy has significantly improved customers’ confidence in Russian River Ranches, thereby making it the luxury brand of choice in the US. Conclusion The main threats to the competitiveness of Russian River Ranches are the high bargaining power of suppliers, high bargaining power of consumers of wine, and high competition in the luxury wine industry. The suppliers have a high bargaining power because of the shortage of key inputs such as grapes and the large number of producers of wine. The consumers of wine have a high bargaining power because of their low switching costs and access to a variety of brands. Competition is high in the market because of the high concentration of the industry and increased importation of luxury wine. The opportunities that are available to Russian River Ranches include the strong growth of the luxury wine market, as well as, the low threat of substitutes and new entrants. The factors that account for Russian River Ranches’ success include its high quality, strong brand image, and access to established distribution networks. In order to overcome competition in future, the quality of the brand should be improved consistently through product innovatio n. References Brun, A Castelli, C 2013, ‘The nature of luxury: a consumer perspective’, International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, vol. 41. no. 11, pp. 823-847. Chevalier, M Mazzalovo, G 2012, Luxury brand management, McGraw-Hill, New York. Demeter Group 2013, State of the wine industry. Web. Reyneke, M, Pitt, L Berthon, P 2011, ‘Luxury wine brand visibility in social media: an exploratory study’, International Journal of Wine Business Research, vol. 23. no. 1, pp. 21-35. Sonoma-Cutrer 2014, Our craft. Web.

Vibration White Finger Treatment and Prevention Options

Vibration White Finger Treatment and Prevention Options Vibration white finger,  or Raynauds disease, is also called hand-arm vibration syndrome and is a  repetitive stress injury  caused by exposure of the hands to vibrating equipment. Its a neurological injury and may be associated with pain, tingling, and numbness in the hands, a loss of sensitivity, and a decrease in grip strength. Fingers may become white and swollen when cold and then red and painful when rewarmed. If you have been diagnosed with vibration white finger or fear you might develop it, it is time to look at treatments and prevention. Vibration white finger is a cumulative disorder with no cure after you have developed it. However, the same measures you can take to prevent the disorder can help reduce the frequency and duration of white finger episodes. Other symptomatic treatments can ease your suffering as well. Cause of Vibration White Finger Tools that cause the vibration syndrome include jackhammers, angle grinders, chain saws, power lawn mowers, and like equipment, though vibrating electronic game controllers can also contribute. Episodes of vascular spasms that cause the white finger are usually triggered by exposure to cold or by contact with cold surfaces. Wet and damp conditions can also exacerbate the condition. Controlling the triggering cause can go a long way to reducing symptoms. Prevention If you use vibrating equipment on a regular basis, you are at risk for developing vibration white finger. Preventive measures can ward off this syndrome. Use sound ergonomic equipment that reduces vibration transference to the hands.Use vibration-absorbing gloves or pads. Gel padding is better than foam padding for protecting  your hands against vibration.Hold equipment loosely.Work in short durations with frequent breaks. Take at least one 10-minute break every hour.Keep your hands warm to keep blood flowing.Avoid smoking or taking drugs or substances that inhibit blood flow. Maintain a Healthy Body You need to stay healthy and fit. Maintain a healthy weight. Strong bodies are more resilient against the stressors that cause vibration white finger. Maintain good cardiovascular health. Good blood flow to the hands is crucial. Treatment Although vibration white finger has no known cure, some practices can alleviate the symptoms. Stop using vibrating equipment. The more you vibrate the affected area, the worse it will get.Stop smoking and the use of tobacco products. Tobacco makes the disorder worse.Caffeine and amphetamines can trigger bouts of vibration white finger. Remove these from your diet.Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements may trigger bouts as well if they restrict blood flow. Discuss possible drug interactions with your health care provider.Stay warm and avoid cold triggers.Exercise your hands and body to improve circulation.Keep your whole body warm outdoors in cold temperatures, to keep circulation moving to your extremities. Hand warmers and battery-warmed gloves may be useful.When a bout  of vibration syndrome occurs, warm the hands as fast as possible.Medication: Some medications do provide some effectiveness in treating vibration white finger. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 16

Assignment - Essay Example According to the law, a drug dealer means a person who ships, transports, or imports or acquires purchases, possess, manufactures or introduces drug substances in that state. According to the law of Iowa, a person becomes a dealer if he or she introduces seven plus grams of a dutiable constituent except marijuana, but comprising a chargeable means, especially a blend of cannabis sativa and other taxable affluences. It also applies when a person gets into possession of forty-two and half or more of refined cannabis sativa, or of a matter consisting of or comprising cannabis sativa. A person in possession of one or more unprocessed marijuana plants becomes subject to the drug-stamp Act. Ten and above prescription components of a taxable matter that is not sold by mass (Department of Iowa Revenue Web). The following rates of tax are imposed on the dealership of marijuana. On every gram of processed marijuana, five dollars is taxed. On every metric gram of any dutiable substance, sold by mass, other than cannabis sativa, two hundred and fifty dollars fee is imposed. Seven hundred and fifty dollars is charged for every unprocessed marijuana plant. Four hundred dollars fee is imposed on every ten-dosage units that are not sold by weight or portions thereof. Tax payment is required upon possession of drugs. Any person dealing with drugs and fits in any of the above categories is required to buy drug tax stamps and affix the stamps on the drugs. To avoid self-incrimination, a person is not required by the law to divulge any personal information. However, there are some penalties imposed on dealers of marijuana. The director assesses tax, interests, and appropriate penalties based on information available. However, the following information is confidential stamp sales and inquiries, assessments, bank levy, and payments. Garnishment and lien can only be exposed to the public if the papers are forwarded to the

History Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

History - Assignment Example â€Å"In two years, through murder, mutilation, or suicide, half of the two hundred fifty thousand Indians on Haiti were dead.† Zinn goes on to explain, â€Å"a report of the year 1650 shows none of the original Arawaks or their descendants left on the island.† 3. One major difference in worldview between European and Native American cultures is the idea of property rights. Europe’s aristocracy thrived on land ownership, and in a culture where land meant power, ideas on dissolving property rights were scarce. The Native Americans, mostly, believed in living in harmony with the land. Humans were only part of the larger picture. So to destroy a forest to build a city isn’t just egocentric, its sacrilegious. When Europeans attempted to buy Native American lands in some instances, some Native Americans couldn’t understand the idea of owning the land. 4. While differences certainly existed in the slavery systems in Africa and the Americas, Americans bein g much crueler to our slaves and Africans viewing slaves more as indentured servants, I think the similarities are too outstanding to ignore. Slavery anywhere should be intolerable to humanity everywhere. I think Dr. Akurang-Parry summarized this sentiment best in his article Ending the Slave Blame: â€Å"The viewpoint that â€Å"Africans† enslaved â€Å"Africans† is obfuscating if not troubling. The deployment of â€Å"African† in African history tends to coalesce into obscurantist constructions of identities that allow scholars, for instance, to subtly call into question the humanity of â€Å"all† Africans. Whenever Asante rulers sold non-Asantes into slavery, they did not construct it in terms of Africans selling fellow Africans. They saw the victims for what they were, for instance, as Akuapems, without categorizing them as fellow Africans. Equally, when Christian Scandinavians and Russians sold war captives to the Islamic people of the Abbasid Empir e, they didn’t think that they were placing fellow Europeans into slavery. This lazy categorizing homogenizes Africans and has become a part of the methodology of African history; not surprisingly, the Western media’s cottage industry on Africa has tapped into it to frame Africans in inchoate generalities allowing the media to describe local crisis in one African state as â€Å"African† problem.† (source: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=180999) 5. English people migrated to North America to escape religious persecution, for the possibility of achieving power or wealth in the new colonies, and to make money on early expeditions to North America. 6. England wanted to establish colonies in North America to expand its cultural influence, for the possibility of gold or natural resources, and to out muscle the French and Spanish who were colonizing the area at the time. 7. An indentured servant was a worker, typically a young per son from Europe, who agreed to work a certain number of years for a master if that master would pay for their voyage to America. These workers were crucial to our developing economy, as low wage workers were scarce and slaves were expensive. 8. One similarity between all the colonies is

Crystal palace Essay Example for Free

Crystal palace Essay Also, what Swift shows is that it is reason itself and man’s ingeniousness that prevent him from reducing life to a few moral principles. Paradoxes and countercurrent tendencies pervade the human mind, as it moves from good to evil. The Houyhnhnms would not be able to construct the complex society specific to humans. They have no books, no systems of thoughts or philosophies. Their enlightened and perfect state depends thus on minimal reasoning and on a few righteous principles. The human society, by contrast, builds intricate systems that often contradict other systems and philosophies. It is not only vice that is proper of human nature but also curiosity and a perpetual thirst for knowledge. The Biblical myth of the first man’s corruption through knowledge stands true in Gulliver’s narrative. The other societies that Gulliver meets in his travels point to the human tendency towards discovery but also manipulation. Man hunts the truth but also manipulates and interprets reality according to his own inner impulses. The Yahoos’ condition as the servants of the Houyhnhnms is also very significant. They seem to represent humanity in its basest form, without the polish of civilization. The Houyhnhnm that houses Gulliver during his stay in their country remarks that this mixture of reason and vice makes the human race more dangerous and more powerful than mere brutality: â€Å"But when a creature pretending to reason could be capable of such enormities, he dreaded lest the corruption of that faculty might be worse than brutality itself† (Swift 183). The Houyhnhnms cannot attain the technological and scientific progress mastered by man because they do not manipulate truth and they do not know the meaning of power and corruption. By contrast, the dwarfish people of Lilliput manage to subdue Gulliver, despite the fact that he is a giant among them. The human society can progress but it cannot advance significantly in morality. The Houyhnhnms’ society is perfect because it is based on an economy of just ideas and principles. They cannot understand crime as a concept and think it absurd because of its lack of utility: â€Å"He was wholly at a loss to know what could be the use or necessity of practicing those vices† (Swift 195). The utopian world cannot belong to man because he is inevitably driven by feelings and passions that often do not conform to the common moral standards. Moreover, the Houyhnhnms world is one where absolute truth dominates and there is no falsehood: â€Å"†¦They have no word in their language to express lying or falsehood† (Swift 187). This is also unattainable in the human society since man will always be biased because of his subjectivity. Overall, Swift shows that a utopian society is impossible for man on account of the inherent faults and particularities of the human spirit. Dostoevsky’s Notes from the Underground reveals a similar conception of the utopian society. According to the underground man, the human society will always construct ideal and fantastical worlds to escape from reality. The paradox is that man seems to be equally infatuated with both happiness and sufferance. The â€Å"crystal palace† represents the unattainable ideal that lives in the lofty regions of the human imagination. As a utopian representation, the palace is made of crystal precisely because it contains all the answers and no questions: â€Å"Then †¦ new economic relations will be established, all ready-made and worked out with mathematical exactitude, so that every possible question will vanish in the twinkling of an eye, simply because every possible answer to it will be provided. Then the ‘Palace of Crystal’ will be built† (Dostoevsky 69). This mathematical and transparent construction is a symbol for perfection and self-sufficiency. The palace does not harbor any doubts: â€Å"What would be the good of a ‘palace of crystal’ if there could be any doubt about it? †(Dostoevsky 77) However, the human world is not even satisfied with its own ideals. The underground man believes resents that this ideal edifice cannot be mocked and derided: †You believe in a palace of crystal that can never be destroyed a palace at which one will not be able to put out ones tongue or make a long nose on the sly† (Dostoevsky 77). The palace is therefore the object of man’s desires for but also the object of his mockery. Dostoevsky puts forth the idea that the human world can never fit into the crystal palace with all its desires and aspirations although it can neither renounce this dream completely. As Swift had pointed out, man is torn between opposite principles, between sufferance and happiness and is unable to reduce his feelings to a few linear and uniform desires. Moreover, the ideal can be inconsistent with reality but man will persevere in his desires merely because it has an actuality for him: â€Å"But what does it matter to me that it is inconsistent? That makes no difference since it exists in my desires, or rather exists as long as my desires exist. † (Dostoevsky 78) Another issue that Dostoevsky emphasizes is that man will always pursue his ideals no matter how inadequate they are precisely because he is a complex being, entirely different from the animals. Dostoevsky gives as an example the basic necessity for shelter and compares a hen-house with the crystal palace: â€Å"You see, if it were not a palace, but a hen-house, I might creep into it to avoid getting wet, and yet I would not call the hen-house a palace out of gratitude to it for keeping me dry† (Dostoevsky 78). Man is not satisfied with mere principles of utility and economy. This idea is also identifiable in the representation of the utopian world of the Houyhnhnms, as already mentioned. The perfect world of the horses is content with a few basic and absolute principles that also serve the ideal of economy. Both Swift and Dostoevsky show that man could not live in a utopian world. While Swift shows that man the utopian world could never be created by man because of the inherent vices that corrupt human nature, Dostoevsky points out that man would actually be dissatisfied if he inhabited an ideal society. The two authors reveal the essential aspects of the human nature and the human society, pointing out that man could not live in a utopian state although this will always be his ideal. Works Cited: Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Notes from the Underground. New York: Macmillan, 1918. Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver’s Travels. New York: Penguin, 1981.

Westward Expansion Essay -- essays research papers

Book Review – Westward Expansion 1807 - 1880 THESIS: After the War of 1812 much of America's attention turned to exploration and settlement of its territory to the West, which had been greatly enlarged by the Louisiana Purchase. SUMMARY: Families of pioneers swept westward and founded new communities throughout what is now the Midwest, and between 1816 and 1821, six new states were admitted to the Union. The land boom was fed by encouragement from the federal government and the actions of land speculators, who bought up large tracts of land in order to sell it in parcels to farmers at exorbitant prices. These farmers did not mind high prices and high interest on loans due to the growing success of American agricultural products. Most western farmers became cash croppers who sometimes neglected subsistence farming in order to focus on marketable commodities. Soon the farmers' dependence on distant markets caught up with them, however, as the state bank system that had sprung up to support speculation collapsed, dragging agricultural prices and land values down with it. Many western settlers suffered greatly during the Panic of 1819, but most survived and continued the conquest of the West. A major aspect of the conquest of the West was the removal of the Indians who dwelled there. Under the leadership of President Andrew Jackson, the Indians who remained East of the Mississippi were cruelly and violently driven from their homes and concentrated in reservations in what is ...

Financial strain Essay

I agree with the need of practicing consistency in the physician’s clinics. Evidence-based practice is a very useful tool and is something that is highly recommended to be integrated into the daily clinical practice like in the high quality care of diabetes. Diabetes at present ranks seventh as a primary reason of death in the first world countries and in the United States, for example, costs approximately more than $132 billion annually in healthcare and is still expected to rise yearly to as much as $192 billion in 2020 (Molinaro, 2008). This financial strain in the healthcare system could have been one of the triggers why the American Diabetes Association launched the Diabetes Physicians Recognition Program (DPRP) as a tool in effectively addressing this disease. The management of diabetes is important in the children population as well since it affects not only their health and safety but also their emotional and intellectual growth (Meyers, 2005). Like any other program that is put in place, the challenge always lies in sustaining them after they are implemented. Although the new process of diabetes check for every office visit demands longer time for both the patients and mid level providers, parties involved should be constantly reminded that this preventative program would ultimately benefit everyone by the early detection of diabetes and resultantly, its proactive treatment and prevention. The physician of the practice should be reminded that a lot of effort and resources were expended in getting the DPRP accreditation and implementing its various elements and processes are vital in making the program effective and achieve its desired end. Early intervention of the practice physician to ensure compliance of mid level providers is required to continuously sustain the program. This would set the example for patients to also do their part in ensuring that they also comply with requirements. References Biotech Week (11/Mar/2009). Bone Research: Research from the University of Ferrara. Bone Research Area. Profitt, W. (2000). Masters of esthetic dentistry: The soft tissue paradigm in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, 12, 86. Meyers, Laurie. (2005). Safe at school: Treating Diabetes in the Classroom. Diabetes Forecast, 5, 44. Molinaro, R. J. (2008). Targeting HbA1c: standardization and clinical laboratory measurement. Medical Laboratory Observer, 40 (1), p. 10.