150 Million Years of Snake Evolution

150 Million Years of Snake Evolution Considering how diverse they are todaynearly 500 genera comprising almost 3,000 named specieswe still know surprisingly little about the ultimate origin of snakes. Clearly, these cold-blooded, slithering, legless creatures evolved from four-legged reptilian ancestors, either small, burrowing, landbound lizards (the prevailing theory) or, just possibly, the family of  marine reptiles called mosasaurs that appeared in the earths seas around 100 million years ago. Piecing Together the Evolution of Snakes Why is snake evolution such an enduring mystery? A big part of the problem is that the vast majority of snakes are small, relatively fragile creatures, and their even smaller, even more fragile ancestors are represented in the fossil record by incomplete remains, mostly consisting of scattered vertebrae. Paleontologists have discovered putative snake fossils dating as far back as 150 million years, to the late Jurassic period, but the traces are so evanescent as to be practically useless. (Further complicating matters, snake-like amphibians called aistopods appear in the fossil record over 300 million years ago, the most notable genus being Ophiderpeton; these were completely unrelated to modern snakes.) Recently, though, solid fossil evidence has emerged for Eophis, a 10-inch-long middle Jurassic snake native to England. The Early Snakes of the Cretaceous Period Needless to say, the key event in snake evolution was the gradual withering away of these reptiles front and hind limbs. Creationists like to claim that there are no such transitional forms in the fossil record, but in the case of prehistoric snakes theyre dead wrong: paleontologists have identified no less than four separate genera, dating back to the Cretaceous period, that was equipped with stubby, vestigial hind legs. Oddly enough, three of these snakesEupodophis, Haasiophis, and Pachyrhachiswere discovered in the Middle East, not otherwise a hotbed of fossil activity, while a fourth, Najash, lived on the other side of the world, in South America. What do these two-legged ancestors reveal about snake evolution? Well, that answer is complicated by the fact that the Middle Eastern genera were discovered firstand, since they were found in geologic strata that were submerged in water a hundred million years ago, paleontologists took that as evidence  that snakes as a whole evolved from water-dwelling reptiles, most likely the sleek, fierce mosasaurs of the late Cretaceous period. Unfortunately, the South American Najash throws a monkey wrench into that theory: this two-legged snake was clearly terrestrial, and appears in the fossil record at roughly the same time as its Middle Eastern cousins. Today, the prevailing view is that snakes evolved from an as-yet-unidentified land-dwelling (and probably burrowing) lizard of the early Cretaceous period, most likely a type of lizard known as a varanid. Today, varanids are represented by monitor lizards (genus Varanus), the largest living lizards on earth. Oddly enough, then, prehistoric snakes may have been kissing cousins of the giant prehistoric monitor lizard Megalania, which measured about 25 feet from head to tail and weighed over two tons! The Giant Prehistoric Snakes of the Cenozoic Era Speaking of giant monitor lizards, some prehistoric snakes also attained gigantic sizes, though once again the fossil evidence can be frustratingly inconclusive. Until recently, the biggest prehistoric snake in the fossil record was the appropriately named Gigantophis, a late Eocene monster that measured about 33 feet from head to tail and weighed as much as half a ton. Technically, Gigantophis is classified as a madtsoiid snake, meaning it was closely related to the widespread genus Madtsoia. Unfortunately for Gigantophis fans, this prehistoric snake has been eclipsed in the record books by an even bigger genus with an even cooler name: the South American Titanoboa, which measured over 50 feet long and conceivably weighed as much as a ton. Oddly enough, Titanoboa dates from the middle Paleocene epoch, about five million years after the dinosaurs went extinct but millions of years before mammals evolved into giant sizes. The only logical conclusion is that this prehistoric snake preyed on equally huge prehistoric crocodiles, a scenario you can expect to see computer-simulated in some future TV special; it may also have occasionally crossed paths with the equally giant prehistoric turtle Carbonemys.

The Invention and Evolution of the Telephone

The Invention and Evolution of the Telephone In the 1870s, Elisha Gray and Alexander Graham Bell independently designed devices that could transmit speech electrically. Both men rushed their respective designs for these prototype telephones to the patent office within hours of each other. Bell patented his telephone first and later emerged the victor in a legal dispute with Gray. Today, Bells name is synonymous with the telephone, while Gray is largely forgotten. But the story of who invented the telephone goes beyond these two men.   Bells Biography Alexander Graham Bell was born on March 3, 1847, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was immersed in the study of sound from the beginning. His father, uncle, and grandfather were authorities on elocution and speech therapy for the deaf. It was understood that Bell would follow in the family footsteps after finishing college. However, after Bells two other brothers died of tuberculosis, Bell and his parents decided to immigrate to Canada in 1870. After a brief period living in Ontario, the Bells moved to Boston, where they established speech-therapy practices specializing in teaching deaf children to speak. One of Alexander Graham Bells pupils was a young Helen Keller, who when they met was not only blind and deaf but also unable to speak. Although working with the deaf would remain Bells principal source of income, he continued to pursue his own studies of sound on the side. Bells unceasing scientific curiosity led to the  invention of the photophone, to significant commercial improvements in Thomas Edisons phonograph, and to development of his own flying machine just six years after the Wright Brothers launched their plane at Kitty Hawk. As President James Garfield lay dying of an assassins bullet in 1881, Bell hurriedly invented a metal detector in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the fatal slug. From Telegraph to Telephone The telegraph and telephone are both wire-based electrical systems, and Alexander Graham Bells success with the telephone came as a direct result of his attempts to improve the telegraph. When he began experimenting with electrical signals, the telegraph had been an established means of communication for some 30 years. Although a highly successful system, the telegraph was basically limited to receiving and sending one message at a time. Bells extensive knowledge of the nature of sound and his understanding of music enabled him to conjecture the possibility of transmitting multiple messages over the same wire at the same time. Although the idea of a multiple telegraph had been in existence for some time, no one had been able to fabricate one- until Bell. His harmonic telegraph was based on the principle that several notes could be sent simultaneously along the same wire if the notes or signals differed in pitch. Talk With Electricity By October 1874, Bells research had progressed to the extent that he could inform his future father-in-law, Boston attorney Gardiner Greene Hubbard, about the possibility of a multiple telegraph. Hubbard, who resented the absolute control then exerted by the Western Union Telegraph Company, instantly saw the potential for breaking such a monopoly and gave Bell the financial backing he needed. Bell proceeded with his work on the multiple telegraph, but he did not tell Hubbard that he and Thomas Watson, a young electrician whose services he had enlisted, were also developing a device that would transmit speech electrically. While Watson worked on the harmonic telegraph at the insistent urging of Hubbard and other backers, Bell secretly met in March 1875 with Joseph Henry, the respected director of the Smithsonian Institution, who listened to Bells ideas for a telephone and offered encouraging words. Spurred on by Henrys positive opinion, Bell and Watson continued their work. By June 1875 the goal of creating a device that would transmit speech electrically was about to be realized. They had proven that different tones would vary the strength of an electric current in a wire. To achieve success, they, therefore, needed only to build a working transmitter with a membrane capable of varying electronic currents and a receiver that would reproduce these variations in audible frequencies. Mr. Watson, Come Here On June 2, 1875, while experimenting with his harmonic telegraph, the men discovered that sound could be transmitted over a wire. It was a completely accidental discovery. Watson was trying to loosen a reed that had been wound around a transmitter when he plucked it by accident. The vibration produced by that gesture traveled along the wire into a second device in the other room where Bell was working. The twang Bell heard was all the inspiration that he and Watson needed to accelerate their work. They continued to work into the next year. Bell recounted the critical moment in his journal:   I then shouted into M [the mouthpiece] the following sentence: Mr. Watson, come here- I want to see you. To my delight, he came and declared that he had heard and understood what I said. The first telephone call had just been made. The Telephone Network Is Born Bell patented his device on March 7, 1876, and the device quickly began to spread. By 1877, construction of the first regular telephone line from Boston to Somerville, Massachusetts, had been completed. By the end of 1880, there were 47,900 telephones in the United States. The following year, telephone service between Boston and Providence,  Rhode Island, had been established. Service between New York and Chicago started in 1892, and between New York and Boston in 1894. Transcontinental service began in 1915.   Bell founded his Bell Telephone Company in 1877. As the industry rapidly expanded, Bell quickly bought out competitors. After a series of mergers, the American Telephone and Telegraph Co., the forerunner of todays ATT, was incorporated in 1880. Because Bell controlled the intellectual property and patents behind the telephone system, ATT had a de facto monopoly over the young industry. It would maintain its control over the U.S. telephone market until 1984, when a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice forced ATT to end its control over state markets. Exchanges and Rotary Dialing The first regular telephone exchange was established in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1878. Early telephones were leased in pairs to subscribers. The subscriber was required to put up his own line to connect with another. In 1889, Kansas City undertaker Almon B. Strowger invented a switch that could connect one line to any of 100 lines by using relays and sliders. The Strowger switch, as it came to be known, was still in use in some telephone offices well over 100 years later. Strowger  was issued  a patent on March 11, 1891, for the first automatic telephone exchange. The first exchange using the Strowger switch was opened in La Porte, Indiana, in 1892. Initially, subscribers had a button on their telephone to produce the required number of pulses by tapping. An associate of Strowgers invented the rotary dial in 1896, replacing the button. In 1943, Philadelphia was the last major area to give up dual service (rotary and button). Pay Phones In 1889, the coin-operated telephone was patented by William Gray of Hartford, Connecticut. Grays pay phone was first installed and used in the Hartford Bank. Unlike pay phones today, users of Grays phone paid after they had finished their call. Pay phones proliferated along with the Bell System. By the time the first phone booths were installed in 1905, there were about 100,000 pay phones in the U.S. By the turn of the 21st century, there were more than 2 million pay phones in the nation. But with the advent of mobile technology, the public demand for pay phones rapidly declined, and today there are fewer than 300,000 still operating in the United States. Touch-Tone Phones Researchers at Western Electric, ATTs manufacturing subsidiary, had experimented with using tones rather than pulses to trigger telephone connections since the early 1940s. But it wasnt until 1963 that dual-tone multifrequency  signaling, which uses the same frequency as speech, was commercially viable. ATT introduced it as Touch-Tone  dialing, and it quickly became the next standard in telephone technology. By 1990, push-button phones were more common than rotary-dial models in American homes. Cordless Phones In the 1970s, the very first cordless phones were introduced. In 1986, the Federal Communications Commission granted the frequency range of 47 to 49 MHz for cordless phones. Granting a greater frequency range allowed cordless phones to have less interference and need less power to run. In 1990, the FCC granted the frequency range of 900 MHz for cordless phones. In 1994, digital cordless phones, and in 1995, digital spread spectrum (DSS), were both respectively introduced. Both developments were intended to increase the security of cordless phones and decrease unwanted eavesdropping by enabling the phone conversation to be digitally spread out. In 1998, the FCC granted the frequency range of 2.4 GHz for cordless phones; today, the upward range is 5.8 GHz. Cell Phones The earliest mobile phones were radio-controlled units designed for vehicles. They were expensive and cumbersome, and had extremely limited range. First launched by ATT in 1946, the network would slowly expand and become more sophisticated, but it never was widely adopted. By 1980, it had been replaced by the first cellular networks. Research on what would become the cellular phone network used today began in 1947 at Bell Labs, the research wing of ATT. Although the radio frequencies needed were not yet commercially available, the concept of connecting phones wirelessly through a network of cells or transmitters was a viable one. Motorola introduced the first hand-held cellular phone in 1973. Telephone Books The first telephone book was published in New Haven, Connecticut, by the New Haven District Telephone Company in February 1878. It was one page long and held 50 names; no numbers were listed, as the operator would connect you. The page was divided into four sections: residential, professional, essential services, and miscellaneous. In 1886, Reuben H. Donnelly produced the first Yellow Pages–branded directory featuring business names and phone numbers, categorized by the types of products and services provided. By the 1980s, telephone books, whether issued by the Bell System or private publishers, were in nearly every home and business. But with the advent of the Internet and of cell phones, telephone books have been rendered largely obsolete.   9-1-1 Prior to 1968, there was no dedicated phone number for reaching first responders in the event of an emergency. That changed after a congressional investigation led to calls for the establishment of such a system nationwide. The Federal Communications Commission and ATT soon announced they would launch their emergency network in Indiana, using the digits 9-1-1 (chosen for its simplicity and for being easy to remember). But a small independent phone company in rural Alabama decided to beat ATT at its own game. On Feb. 16, 1968, the first 9-1-1- call was placed in Hayleyville, Alabama, at the office of the Alabama Telephone Company. The 9-1-1 network would be introduced to other cities and town slowly; it wasnt until 1987 that at least half of all American homes had access to a 9-1-1 emergency network. Caller ID Several researchers created devices for identifying the number of incoming calls, including scientists in Brazil, Japan, and Greece, starting in the late 1960s. In the U.S., ATT first made its trademarked TouchStar caller ID service available in Orlando, Florida, in 1984. Over the next several years, the regional Bell Systems would introduce caller ID services in the Northeast and Southeast. Although the service was initially sold as a pricey added service, caller ID today is a standard function found on every cell phone and available on most any landlines. Additional Resources Want to know more about the history of the telephone? There are a number of great resources in print and online. Here are a few to  get you started: ​The History of the Telephone: This book, now in the public domain, was written in 1910. Its an enthusiastic narrative of the telephones history up to that point in time. Understanding the Telephone: A great technical primer on how analog  telephones (common in homes until the 1980s and 1990s) work.   Hello? A History of the Telephone: Slate magazine has a great slide show of phones from the past to the present. The History of Pagers: Before there were cell phones, there were pagers. The first one was patented in 1949. The History of Answering Machines: Voicemails precursor has been around almost as long as the telephone itself.

Supply Chain Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Supply Chain - Assignment Example In this case our desired outputs are burgers with all of the fixings, brats, and ribs, therefore the inputs in this case would include various ingredients for preparing them such as meat, cooking oil, garlic and even peppers. The supply chain in this given situation would include suppliers who will take care of supplying all the ingredients and equipments, and the distributors who will ensure that those ingredients and equipments are safely transported to the stadium. Due to the fact that I was given the task to just ensure that all the ingredients are safely procured and transported to the stadium for the party, I strongly recommend this type of supply chain since we don’t need a manufacturer to prepare the burgers for us. We only need the ingredients and the equipment and the rest would probably be upon us to see that all is prepared after they have been transported to the stadium. The benefits of this supply chain would include: reduced costs since the element of manufacturer have been eliminated and the fact that the stadium is just next to our home, the costs of storage would probably be eliminated; easy monitoring since the supply chain only involves the suppliers and distributors and probably my home is going to serve as the store making it easy for me to monitor the ingredients; strategic decisions can be taken centrally; no outsourcing of professionals is required to manage the supply chain and no commercialization of finished pro ducts is required since the products would just be consumed at the party in the stadium. (Bowersox, 2007) In order to ensure that this supply chain provides a smooth running of resources, it would involve additional experienced personnel who will foresee that all the right ingredients and equipment have been supplied. This would also ensure that they are supplied in correct quantities to avoid shortages at the party. Inventory should be checked at the point of delivery to ensure that the supplies physically

Leadership and Organizatioinal Change Research Proposal

Leadership and Organizatioinal Change - Research Proposal Example Background to the Study Leaders are critical in change process given the role they play in the entire process. Leaders, for example, develop vision and strategy for the organization, create the need for change, identify new approaches to adopt, and even empower employees to take part in change process (Seidman and McCauley, 2011, p.47). As a result, leaders are critical to the success of change process. However, modern organizations due to internationalization and globalization have people from different cultures, backgrounds, ethnics, and so on. Given that, these people have to work together and help organizations achieve their goals, best ways have to be found on how well such people from diverse cultures can work together for the good of the organization. This therefore requires leadership teams of organizations to identify and implement the best strategies in order to establish cross-cultural teams that help organization achieve its goals. Although there is growing literature con cerning the positive role cross cultural teams plays in enabling organizations realize goals (Voutsas, 2011, pp. 116-117) there is little literature concerning how leadership teams can participate in establishing the most effective cross-cultural teams. Statement of the Problem Due to numerous dynamics in the environment, business managers and leaders have found change to be inevitable. Organizations have found out that having a heterogeneous workforce in globalized world is unavoidable. As a result, more and more people from different cultures are likely to work together in one organization. Due to this, organizations’ leadership has to find the best ways of establishing and managing effective cross-cultural teams in order to achieve objectives of the organization. Purpose of the Study The aim of this study is to establish the appropriate ways organizational leadership can take part in establishing effective cross-cultural teams in an organization. This will be achieved thro ugh analyzing a number of international firms that have heterogeneous workforce. Objectives The objective of the study is to identify and analyze strategies used buy firms to establish effective cross-cultural teams. The understanding is that organizational change can effectively be carried out through the input of cross-cultural teams. Research Questions This study will be guided by the following research questions: What strategic role can cross-cultural teams play in change management of an organization? How can organizational leadership create and sustain effective cross-cultural teams? Hypothesis Effective cross-cultural teams should promote good: communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationships, leadership, and collaboration, which in turn are likely to results into effective organizational change. a) Independent variable The independent variable to be studied includes the function of cross-cultural teams in an organization. b) Dependent variable The dependent variables to be studied include skills with regard to communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationship, leadership, and

Effects of U.S. Policy in the Middle East Essay Example for Free

Effects of U.S. Policy in the Middle East Essay The end of World War II was a mark and a start of a new era for mankind and the inhabitants of this planet. It completely changed the way of life of the people as well as the relationship between states. In the process of establishment of new world order where US emerged as the authoritarian state due to its strong position in the world post world war, every state either parted or joined alliances with the US. Every state has witnessed the mass destruction caused by the nuclear attack from the US on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, thus, that helped the US to establish itself completely as the super power of the world and since then its foreign policy has not been limited and spread to states even way far away to Vietnam or now even in the Europe where the Missile Shield program has already ignited yet another cold war scenario between the US and Russia. (Light Groom, 1985) The aim of this paper is to present the research carried out on the effect of the U. S. foreign policies and actions in the Middle East. The paper focuses specifically on the geographical politics as well as provides a general analysis of the different changes brought about by the policies adopted by the U. S. lobby. History Revisited With the culmination of World War there was a need to reestablish the Jews unsettled in Europe and settle them in an area where ideologically they will feel at home. This place could only be the legendary and prophesized Biblical area in the east of Mediterranean inhabited by Palestinians. During the World Wars it was also observed that Muslims supported Germans and they also needed to be properly â€Å"sized up†. (Levinson, 2008) Therefore based on historical evidences that there existed Jewish state in the area and holy scriptures have prophesized the reemergence of a Jewish state the whole theory was crafted and drafted in a way that an ideological Jewish state could emerge on world map. As outlined above US emerged the sole international force and it was backed by another so-called super power Russia in the creation of a Jewish state in the name of Israel. The state was promptly recognized by international comity of nations. Back in US the authors of Israeli nation know in their heart that the area is surrounded by Arabs who are all divided on the basis of their geographical locations and also the fact that the Saudi Arabia was crafted by Britishers, and as such though being large in area they would not go against the creation of Israel. (Ries, 2003) The divide and rule policy for Muslims paid dividends and initially their reaction were not so strong that it could create ripples in the US policy. US started fully supporting the Israel in all respects i. e. economically, armaments, political. The powerful Jewish lobby which started dominating the US politics after World War as majority of intellectual prisoners were Jewish who wholeheartedly supported US to buy freedom and also work towards a cause. Slowly the US foreign policy the authors, major authors for which were Jews started revolving to a single point that Israel must remain in existence and all those who are against the existence if Israel must pay the price. On the other hand slowly US policy also started reflecting factor i. e. back door diplomacy to soften the stand on Israel by the Arab hardliners. These needed twisting arms by creating an image of Israel in which it was proved that it is simply a might which has to be seen with fright. The Arab- Israel wars were all proving factors that Israel army is invincible. (Altunisik, Spring 2005) Over passage of time Arab rivalries were cultivated to fortify Israel and one of the most important cases was of Iraq. Saudis were supplied with AWACS for surveillance of Saudi Arabia and it was an irony that Israeli planes flew over its air space for hours both to and fro and went into Iraq, raided the Iraqi nuclear plant and they were not detected by any surveillance machinery. (Levinson, 2008) This was partly a success story of US foreign policy in which Saudis were directed to be careful about Iran but feel no threat from Israel. Critical Analysis These entire years the Jewish lobby in US was economically getting stronger and their presence in the world economic scene was absolutely critical as the world started becoming a global village and the dependency on business started getting more and more. The indulgence of business community in political fund raising became a swaying factor for all the presidents of United States and also other countries. Elections became a business venture which need to be funded and the funds could come from business community – the result was dictating the policies by businesses. Since the election campaigns in US are the costliest in the world therefore more indulgence of business community about their terms for financing the event. That is why we see that over the years the US government shave started looking towards Israel as an integral part of its foreign, economic and armament policy and Israel’s violations of human rights and violations of agreements with Palestinians are ignored or brushed aside. (Levinson, 2008) The causes of unrest in the Middle East are historical, religious, economic and geo-political. Ancient history and ancient civilizations can serve as a framework for understanding some of the existing enmity. Iranians and the Iraqis have been fighting for more than 3,000 years. However, the current unrest in the Middle East is the result of Western ethno centrism and colonialism (covert and overt), combined with religious and sectarian conflicts. The impact of US interference in the Middle East cannot be overstated. (Hafez Kenny, 2000) Indeed, the term â€Å"Middle East† is an artificial term that has no meaning except in the context of its geographical relationship to Europe. The most active period of Western interference in the Middle East was after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and up to the present time, although there were substantial economic, military, and political interests in the Middle East for the previous two hundred years. Prior to World War I the primary interest of the Western powers in the Middle East was geo-political, mostly concerned with shipping lanes Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Suez Canal and Red Sea for military and economic gain. Following World War I, the primary interest of the US in the Middle East became oil, although Great Britain was already actively involved in the exploitation of Iranian oil as early as 1908 (Bostock, 2008). The possibility of large deposits of oil in Iraq had already been recognized prior to World War I (Siegman, 2008). Thus, the partitioning of the areas that had made up the Ottoman Empire and German colonial holdings, including Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, following World War I had the smell of oil around it. Great Britain and France, with the support of the USA, used the League of Nations to obtain mandates, colonial power, over most of the Middle East. Unfortunately, along with the exploitation of oil came the oppression of the people of the Middle East, the results of which are evident today in the lack of democratic governments in the area. Each time a country tried to become a democracy, the implied threat of the possibility of oil being withheld from the military machines of the Western powers led to the destruction of the democratic elements and to the installation of kings and dictators that served the interests of Great Britain, France and the USA (Linklater, 2000). The distortions in policy are evident from the fact that on the one hand Israel is allowed to produce arms, become nuclear and amass weapons but this is not allowed to Iraq and rather the whole Iraqi government was invaded, toppled and destructed by US. Then enters a new dimension in the international and US foreign policies all led by US. This is the Iranians toppling the Shah of Iran and creation of an Islamic Iranian state led by Ayatollah Khomeini. Initially it was felt that with the passage of time the Iranians will be looking towards Shah for finishing the Islamic rulers. However the myth soon lost its charm as over a period of time the Islamic Iran became consolidated and their presence also started motivating the masses of other neighboring countries (Levinson, 2008). US soon realized this situation and attempts were made mobilize uprisings, than economically cripple Iran and finally direct overthrow of government. All these attempts failed. Iranian government started benefitting from these failures rather capitalized all these towards their consolidation as they started mobilizing public opinions through two slogans â€Å"Death to Israel† and â€Å"America the great Satan†. These slogans were infused into the new generations by making the Tehran University as the main hub of all demonstrations and activities. The only way left was to impose economic sanctions on Iran. US led sanctions isolated Iran but being an oil exporter it was able to circumvent the sanctions (Altunisik, Spring 2005). The hatred increased with the passage of time and Iran became more vocal against Israel as it believes that US policy was dictated by Israel and Israel should be wiped of the globe. The Iranians in order to prove their ideological war against these two counties started supporting Palestinian faction Hamas openly at war with Israel and also supported Syria and its allies in Lebanon who are against Israel (Siegman, 2008). The Iranian diplomatic moves were all against the US stand on Israel and there is a great danger that if the Iranians succeed in their diplomacy and their support makes Syria and Lebanon politically and militarily strong than there is all the likelihood that other nations in the neighborhood would soon be pressurized by their people to follow suit (Frankel, 1969). This dilemma in the US policies is a thaw which needs to be taken care of as the war between Hezbollah and Israel broke the myths about the Israeli militarily might and this is an alarming situation for the architects of US foreign policy. This situation was partially addressed by Mr. Bush who declared Iran as part of â€Å"evil nexus† and also declaring Iran as a country aspiring to become nuclear state militarily. As detailed above the US policy is primarily focused on Israel to be recognized by its neighbors as a formal independent nation and above all its might should also be accepted by them. As it was also state above that back door diplomacy was also used in the region to achieve the above objectives

Fast Food and the Community: Does It Matter What We Eat? Essay

Table of Contents Forward †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 3 1. Fast Food and Obesity †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....†¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦ 4 2. Fast Food in America: Low Wages †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦ 11 3. From Waist to Waste †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 20 4. The Benefits of the Fast Food Industry on the Individual †¦.. 28 5. Building the Relationship Between Fast Food and Community ........... 37 Works Cited †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 40 Forward What are the implications of having fast food restaurants in a community? Information was collected about fast food restaurants’ contribution to communities through the lenses of obesity, wages, waste, benefits, and community relations. While there may be negatives surrounding the fast food industry, fast food restaurants do benefit the community in some ways. 1. Fast Food and Obesity America is the fattest country in the entire world and is getting fatter. Obesity is the second biggest killer next to deaths caused by smoking. In 1991, 1 in every 8 adults was obese; in 1999, 1 in every 5 adults was obese, which shows how America is becoming more obese all of the time. In 1991, only four states had obesity prevalence rates of 15 to 19% and no states had rates at or above 20%. On the other hand, in 2004, 7 states had 15 to 19% prevalence; an overwhelming number of 33 states had 20 to 24% prevalence, and 9 states had rates of more than 25% prevalence. The U.S. Surgeon General says that 61% of Americans are significantly overweight compared to in the 1990’s of 55% and in the 1970’s, where it was 46%. The question is, are these results a direct effect of the fast food industry? One in every four people visits fast food daily. With the average American eating 3 hamburgers and four orders of fries a week, there are several rea... ...y." www.bk.com. Burger King. 13 Apr. 2006 . "Do What Tastes Right-Wendys.Com." Wendy's. 12 Apr. 2 . Farmer, Kevin J. Personal interview. 17 Apr. 2006. "Global Diversity." Yum! Brands, Inc. 13 Apr. 2006 . Hernley, Rosella. Telephone interview. 17 Apr. 2006. Monfront, Jeff. Telephone interview. 17 Apr. 2006. "Official SUBWAY Restaurants' Web Site." Subway Restaurants. 12 Apr. 2006 . "Operating Guidelines." www.mcdonalds.com. McDonalds. 13 Apr. 2006 . "TacoBell.Com." Taco Bell. 12 Apr. 2006 . Tenwadle, Jonathan. Personal interview. 19 Apr. 2006. "Welcome to KFC." KFC. 12 Apr. 2006 . "Welcome to McDonald's." McDonalds. 12 Apr. 2006 .

The Human Impacts of Tectonic Landforms and Hazards

Even today there are people who do not understand why or where tectonic activity takes place. Tectonic activity does not only take place at plate boundaries – intra-plate earthquakes, e.g. Bam, Iran. This leads people to think it won’t happen to them. The developing world has fewer resources or expertise to study the natural environment (or human environment) – methods to identify areas at risk may not exist (e.g. poorer levels of education), especially if the area is not very active. Read this Ch. 22 Respiratory System Pompeii – a classic case of ignorance to disaster. The lack of an eruption in ‘living memory’ led many to believe that Vesuvius was dormant. In 79AD there was no expectation of an eruption – people were caught completely unaware. At the time, the science was not understood – many believed the eruption, and preceding earth tremors were the gods’ anger. Choice: Some people know the risks, but lack financial resources, or have close links to family in the area, and are therefore unable/unwilling to move. Other choose to stay, as the benefits outweigh the costs, e.g. Southern California – well paid jobs and a pleasant climate outweigh concerns over earthquake risk. The benefits of tectonically active areas: Minerals and natural resources – volcanoes bring valuable resources to the surface of the earth, e.g. Diamonds, copper, gold. Seafloor volcanoes contribute to the accumulation of metals, e.g. zinc, lead – mining industries. Fertile soils – volcanic material breaks down through weathering to provide nutrients (minerals) for plant growth. Geothermal energy. Tourism and associated employment, e.g. hotels, transport, tour guides. Heat and pressure turn organic matter into deposits of oil and gas. Impacts on people and possessions: The severity of the impacts depends on physical factors (e.g. event profiles, geology, terrain) and human factors (e.g. population density). Physical impacts on people: Damage/destruction of property and infrastructure. Volcanoes – luckily  ¾ of erupted lava is from underwater volcanoes, much of it along ocean ridges, so the impact is minor. The greatest risk is at destructive plate margins. Most active volcanoes are found in the developing world, e.g. Latin america, the Caribbean, parts of Asia and the south-west Pacific. Increased urbanisation and population growth concentrates people and infrastructure. Earthquakes – the worst earthquakes are not necessarily those with the largest magnitude. The worst impacts are felt in densely populated areas and areas with high vulnerability. Economic impacts on people: These can be direct or indirect. Often greater in developed countries than developing countries. Direct impacts include capital goods and equipment destroyed. They can occur immediately, or later as a result of follow-on damage or deterioration. Indirect impacts occur as a result of interruption to commercial systems, lost wages, and lost opportunities to do business. Macroeconomic impacts are felt across the whole economy of the community, region, or in the worst case the whole nation. The Northridge earthquake (California, 1994) – 60 deaths but US$30 billion in economic impact, as it hit dense infrastructure in the San Fernando Valley. Social impacts on people: Human life is irreplaceable. Volcanoes – most impact on human life is due to pyroclastic flows or lahars (e.g. Nevado del Ruiz). Earthquakes – tsunamis are particularly terrifying. The 1883 Krakatau eruption triggered tsunamis that killed 36 000 and destroyed 165 coastal villages. The impact on human life is usually greater from earthquakes than from volcanic eruptions. Primary casualties – those killed/injured directly by the event. Usually greater in developing countries than developed. Secondary casualties – those that survive the event itself but die/are injured due to insufficient resources or lack of medical care. Again, usually greater in developing countries than developed. Tertiary casualties – those with pre-existing medical conditions that are aggravated by the event. Includes those who become ill/die. For example, through disease contracted in the post-disaster environment. In developing countries, these are often the largest group of casualties. Poverty reduces the capacity to reduce the impacts, or to recover. Environmental degradation reduces natural impact buffers, e.g. mangrove removal (Indian Ocean, 2004), and therefore contributes to delaying recovery time. Note: to more accurately compare the impacts in developed and developing countries, it is better to use damage cost as a % of GDP, as developed countries have more infrastructure, etc., to be damaged. The absolute costs may be lower in a developing country, but the relative costs (as a % of GDP) are likely to be much higher.

The Weighted Index Overlay Analysis (WIOA)

The Weighted Index Overlay Analysis (WIOA) is one of the multi criterion decision making tool used to assigned weights and scores to each criterion and classes of each criterion respectively to determine the groundwater potential zones. All the criterion maps were converted to raster, assigned a weight (Wc) on a scale of one to ten depending on its suitability to hold water. Different classes of each criterion map were also assigned a score (Scc) on a scale of one to ten according to their relative influence on the groundwater occurrence (Table 5.1). With one being the least important and ten being the most important factor. The average score is given by; (Nag and Kundu, 2018) ?=(?Scc x Wc)/(?Wc) Where ? is the average weight score of the polygon, Wc is the weight of each criterion map and Scc is the rating score of the class of the criterion map. Individual criterion maps were reclassified and the reclassified map together with the weightage map were integrated using the raster calculator in the spatial analyst tool in ArcGIS software. The integrated map was then classified into; excellent, good, moderate, poor and very poor groundwater potential zones and lastly correlated and validated with the field groundwater data obtained from the article written by Meulenbeld & Hattingh, 1999 used as a reference. Geology and geomorphology maps were identified to be classified maps, therefore the procedure followed to assign score to different classes of each criterion map is different from that of drainage density, lineament density and slope which were classified as continuous maps. Classified maps have known and definable boundaries whereas continuous maps define a surface where each location is measured from a fixed registration point. To assign scores to different classes of each criterion map in classified maps, each criterion map was first converted to raster, a table was added on the attribute table, then a suitable score corresponding to the influence of each class to groundwater occurrence was assigned. The vector and raster maps are joined, and the resulting vector map is then converted to raster with scores. For the continuous maps, each criterion map is reclassified into ten classes using the reclassify tool under spatial analyst tool, the method of classification used is quantile and a table was added as well as score. Criterion maps were assigned weights corresponding to relative influence of each criterion to occurrence, origin and movement of groundwater, with geology given the highest preference (10), followed by lineament density (8), geomorphology (6), slope (4), and drainage density (2). Sandstones are typically permeable and porous, therefore, can allow percolation of water and can store those large quantities of water, thereby making them good aquifers, However, those of the Wilgerivier Formation forms poor aquifers due to limited faulting, hence, it was assigned a score of 1 (by Meulenbeld & Hattingh, 1999). Shales have very small interstitial spaces due to very small particle sizes, but can store large quantities of water, however, its transmission is limited due to low permeability, therefore, making it an aquiclude. The shales of the Ecca Group are very dense and should not be ignored as possible sources of groundwater. The borehole yields are between 0.5 to 2 l/s with a fractured or intergranular aquifer system, hence, shale was assigned a score of 2 (GCS, 2006). The diamictite of the Dwyka Group is massive, with little jointing and shows stratification in some places. It has very low hydraulic conductivity ranging from 10-11 to 10-12 m/s and shows no primary voids. The Dwyka diamictite forms an aquitard with very small yield quantities of water ranging from 0.5 to 2 l/s confined within narrow fractures and joints, hence it is assigned a score of 4 (GCS, 2006). Diabase intrusion is highly fractured and weathered, yields appreciable quantities of water and therefore forms good aquifer. It was assigned a score of 10. The weight of 10 given to the geology was found to be suitable since the occurrence, origin and transmission of groundwater depends on the physical characteristics of the rock (Figure 5.1.1). Lineament densities range from 0 to 140.6 and were assigned scores from 1 to 10 respectively in accordance to its relative contribution to groundwater occurrence and storage and was also given a weight of 8. The higher the drainage density, the higher the score given. The classification method used to reclassify the densities is quantile method which assigns the same number of data values to each class, hence, there are no empty classes or classes with too few or too many values. This method is best suited to linearly distributed data (Figure 5.1.2). The valleys, hills and steep inclines were assigned weights of 10, 2 and 1 respectively also according to its importance to groundwater occurrence and storage. Groundwater is usually found in valleys where percolation surpasses surface runoff than in steep inclines and hills where surface runoff precedes percolation. The weight of 6 assigned is well suited for it since it is the 3rd most important criterion to groundwater occurrence (Figure 5.1.3). The slope of the study area ranges from 0 to 79Â º with the highest degree assigned a score of 1 and lowest 10. This is due to gentle slopes being good groundwater prospecting zones than steep slopes which favors surface runoff. Slope is dependent on geomorphology, therefore, has to be assigned a weight lower than that of geomorphology, hence, a weight of 4 was found suitable. The classification method used to reclassify slope is also quantile method which assigns the same number of data values to each class, hence, there are no empty classes or classes with too few or too many values. This method is best suited to linearly distributed data (Figure 5.1.4).Drainage density is the inverse of lineament density, hence, the scores and weight assigned will be the opposite and lower than that in lineament density respectively. The drainage densities range from 0 to 252.4 and were assigned scores from 10 to 1. The slope is dependent on slope and geomorphology, therefore, a slope of 2, lower than them was found to be suitable. The classification method used to reclassify slope is also quantile method which assigns the same number of data values to each class, hence, there are no empty classes or classes with too few or too many values. This method is best suited to linearly distributed data (Figure 5.1.5). The classification method used for the output groundwater potential zones map is the geometrical interval. This classifier was found suitable to represent the generated data since it is a compromise method between equal interval, natural breaks and quantile. It creates a balance between highlighting changes in the middle values and the extreme values, thereby producing a result that is visually appealing and cartographically comprehensive. It was observed that the majority of the boreholes are sited on excellent to good groundwater potential zones where the geology is mainly sandstone and close to contact zones with diabase intrusions. The rest of the boreholes are sited on poor to very poor groundwater potential zones with a diamictite rock mass. According to Hattingh, 1996, the sedimentary rocks of the Wilgerivier Formation makes poor aquifers whereas, the cracks and fissures in intrusive rocks form the main aquifers, hence, groundwater occurs in fractured rock mass. The boreholes close to diabase intrusions make good aquifers irrespective of the groundwater prospecting zone. Borehole yields are limited, especially in sedimentary rocks, they are below 0.5 l/s, however, those sited on faults and fractures in intrusive rocks, can yield higher than 3 l/s. Typical borehole depth ranges between 40 and 120 m while the average range of depth of water level is between 10 to more than 40 m below ground level (mbgl) (DWA, 2011).

Forrest Gump Essay Example

Forrest Gump Essay Example Forrest Gump Paper Forrest Gump Paper Fates Destiny Society has always questioned whether love or death is a matter of choice or fate. Fate is the theory that everything happens just the way it is supposed to happen. It is also the notion that all things and events are predetermined by a higher power. In William Shakespeares’ Romeo and Juliet, he writes about a young man named Romeo who falls in love with a woman named Juliet. Romeo’s falling in love with Juliet causes multiple people to die including the two lovers, and he is responsible. He claims that he did not kill those individuals, and that it was fate. He also claims that fortune chose for him to end his life in order to be with his lover. In Eric Roth’s academy award winner Forrest Gump, he writes about a young man named Forrest who grew up in Greenbow, Alabama. Forrest tells his life story to strangers while waiting at a bus stop and how he’s made the best of everything that’s ever happened to him. Roth and Shakespeare both write about how the powerful concept of fate and destiny effect human beings because when Romeo’s wife dies he blames fate and when Forrest Gumps’ wife dies he states everybody has a destiny. : This does not happen suddenly at all which makes it easier for the audience to take in at a gradual process. He puts the feather in a childrens picture book which was in his suitcase, which I think represents his character as childlike. The directors purpose for this was to give again a relaxing film as there is not much to take in at any one time making it much easier for the viewers. Of Mice and Men on the other hand is a totally contrast as the whole way though the opening shots we are constantly guessing on what has happen as Sinise felt the need to give the film and edgy mysteriousness to it. He achieves this well by introducing George on a train, in the dark. George looks very serious and unhappy. The audience assumes when the flashback occurs that something negative happen to put him in such a maze of emotions. We firstly see Lennie with George running. Sinise uses a mid-shot of them from their backs indicating them running away from a place. Its also done quite suddenly as they run past the camera. I think the director wants the audience to only see the back of them to leave the audience with the mystery of George and Lennies front appearances which adds to the mystery. The opening shots of the main characters are very different as Zeneckiss Forest Gump is very open and giving the audience as much detail as possible whereas Sinises is very minimalist in giving clues to what the main characters are like. The sound effects and music are very uplifting in Forrest Gump. The music is largely in a major key and so gives a happy atmosphere to set the story to. It is gentle and light at the beginning of the film to show that its not going to be a film of mystery or danger, but of happiness. The music then crescendos when the feather almost hits the car and diminuendos when the feather lands by Forrests foot. The directors purpose by using that effect is to tell the audience to focus their attention on him. Overall, the music was nothing dramatic do to give a homely environment. However, the music from Of Mice and Men is a total opposite as the music through out the opening scenes is in a minor key, therefore giving a sense of danger and unhappiness. We can see that it is not going to be a light hearted film. As we start to see the inside of the train where George is sitting, the music dies down by the time the camera has moved to show a close-up of his face drawing the audiences attention directly to George. Once the scene cuts to the flashback, the music all of a sudden starts again and it is much louder which creates a dramatic atmosphere giving the viewer a sense of danger. As the girl comes running towards the camera, we start to hear disturbing noises of the girl screaming and crying. Suddenly we see a close-up of dogs barking fiercely with strong music in the background giving a climaxing danger. This is a lot louder than when George and Lennie are running right at the beginning of the flashback. As soon as George and Lennie jump into the little river, the music cuts to get rid of the tension that was rising to give the audience the impression that they are safe. This is very effective as there is such a contrast between the layering of the music, dogs barking and men shouting to just Lennie and George panting as they sit in the river gives the audience a shock even though it is of relief. In the climax, I think Sinise wants you to panic for Lennie and Georges safety even though you are yet to find out about their personalities or the crime they have committed. My response to this particular part was to feel sympathy for the both of them. Even though the two films have very different sound effects and music they have been appropriately placed I feel to create very exciting atmospheres leading the audience to carry on watching. The dialogue in Forrest Gump starts when Forrest is accompanied by a nurse who sits on the bus stop bench where he is waiting. Forrest takes this opportunity to start to talk to her. He talks to her with a friendly tone about her shoes which are very clean. He says to her about how, mamma said that you can tell a lot from someones shoes. This draws the audience to see Forrests shoes which are extremely dirty looking. The viewer learns that by looking at his trainers he has an interesting story to tell and listen more intently to discover Forrests travels. From his accent and language and the fact he refers to his mothers explanations to life shows that Forrest isnt used to think for himself giving the impression hes slightly mentally challenged. He is projected as a sweet and caring person. Even though the nurse ignores Forrest, he keeps on trying to talk to her and get a response. This symbolises him being so childlike in a way that he will not persist until he is given attention. I think Zeneckis wants to give the audience as fuller projection of Forrest as possible as it may lead on and answer questions on why things happened later on in the film. My response is that you are given an insight to a very interesting character and gives you the urge to carry on watching to see what hes done with his life. The dialogue in Of Mice and Men differs drastically to Forrest Gump as it lacks in details about the characters and tends to be very short lines. The short lines give the affect of drama and mystery. Even though the lines are not as full as Zeneckiss film they still give you clues that tend to be a little less obvious. When we see George and Lennie running away from the lynch mob, we hear their first interaction of the film. George orders Lennie to run faster and has to push him forward to help. This immediately portrays George as the stronger of the two as he is the one asking Lennie to run faster, giving him a master figure. Lennie is also given the role of the follower. George as he speaks has an anxious tone in his voice which indicates that they have done something wrong. Lennie on the other hand seems oblivious and doesnt know why they are running away or why George seems so anxious. This indicates that like Forrest Gump, he may be mentally challenged as it seems he is in another world.

African-American History Timeline 1930 to 1939

African-American History Timeline 1930 to 1939 Despite enduring the Great Depression and Jim Crow laws, throughout the decade of 1930, African-Americans continued to make great strides in the areas of sports, education, visual artistry and music. 1930 One of the first art galleries to feature African-American art is opened at Howard University. Founded by James V. Herring, the Howard University Gallery of Art is the first of its kind in the United States to have its artistic vision directed by African-Americans.The Black Muslim Movement is established in Detroit by Wallace Fard Muhammad. Within four years, Elijah Muhammad takes control of the religious movement, moving its headquarters to Chicago. 1931 The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) hires Walter White as its executive secretary. With White in this role, the organization develops new strategies for ending racial discrimination.In March, nine African-American young men are accused of raping two white women. Their case begins on April 6 and they are quickly convicted of the crimes. However, the case of the Scottsboro Boys soon receives national attention and will help pave the way for the civil rights movement.Symphony composer William Grant Still becomes the first African-American to have his music performed by a major orchestra. 1932 A 40-year study begins in Tuskegee, Ala. testing the impact of syphilis on 400 African-American men. The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment is established through the U.S. Public Health Service. The men are never told they have the disease nor are they offered any treatment.Thomas Dorsey, known as the father of African-American gospel music. Dorsey writes Take My Hand, Precious Lord.Leon H. Washington publishes Sentinel in Los Angeles.Sculptor Augusta Savage opens the Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts. Based out of New York City, it is considered the largest art center in the United States. 1933 James Weldon Johnson publishes his autobiography, Along This Way. Johnsons autobiography is the first person narrative by an African-American to be reviewed by the New York Times. Historian Carter G. Woodson publishes Mis-education of the Negro. 1934 W.E.B. Du Bois resigns from the NAACP.Zora Neale Hurston publishes her first novel, Jonahs Gourd Vine. 1935 The Southern Tenant Farmers Union is established by the Socialist Party to assist southern sharecroppers to fight for better wages and working conditions.Pianist Count Basie establishes Count Basie and His Orchestra, which will become one of the biggest bands of the Swing Era.The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Norris v. Alabama case that a defendant must have the right to a trial by jury by his/her peers. This ruling overturns the Scottsboro Boys early conviction.Mary McLeod Bethune establishes the National Council of Negro Womencalling more than 20 leaders of national womens organizations together. 1936 Bethune is appointed Director of the Division of Negro Affairs for the National Youth Administration. Bethune is the first African-American woman to receive a presidential appointment and is the highest-ranking African-American official in Theodore Roosevelts administration.Jesse Owens wins four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics. His achievement defies Adolf Hitlers plan to use the Olympics to show the world Aryan Supremacy.The first medical textbook to be written by an African-American is entitled Syphilis and Its Treatment. The author is Dr. William Augustus Hinton.The first African-American federal judge is appointed by Roosevelt. William H. Hastie is appointed to the federal bench in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 1937 The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids signs a collective bargaining agreement with the Pullman Company.Joe Louis wins the heavyweight championship against James J. Braddock.The Negro Dance Group is founded by Katherine Dunham.Zora Neale Hurston publishes the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. 1938 The work of Jacob Lawrence debuts in an exhibition at the Harlem YMCA.Crystal Bird Fauset becomes the first African-American woman elected to a state legislature. She is chosen to serve in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 1939 Marian Anderson sings at the Lincoln Memorial in front of 75,000 people on Easter Sunday.The Black Actors Guild is founded by Bill Bojangles Robinson.Jane M. Bolin is appointed to the domestic relations court of New York City. This appointment makes her the first African-American woman judge in the United States.

Politics, the Role of Good Governance Assignment

Politics, the Role of Good Governance - Assignment Example The discussion focuses on the role of democracy in influencing the overall development of low-income countries. It also precisely outlines the performance of these countries after their independence and acceptance of a democratic system. There are various forms of governance system such as monarchy, dictatorship and democratic practiced by different nations around the world. However, since last few decades’, democratic form of governance systems has gained tremendous popularity and is widely favored by both people and experts, especially in low-income or developing countries. Most of the nations around the world have either already transformed their governance system into a democracy, or they are observed as endeavoring to transfer their governance system into a democratic structure. One of the best definitions for the term was given by U.S. President Mr. Abraham Lincoln, which states democracy as â€Å"government of the people, by the people and for the people†. It should be noted in this regard that the word ‘democracy’ primarily focuses on the people and not on the government2. The world is now more democratic than it was ever before. After the independence of many Asian and African nations, countries have adopted a democratic system of government in the face of intense poverty and relentless social as well as economic apprehensions. Nonetheless, democratization in low-income countries has resulted in positive outcomes in several fronts, especially in achieving universal primary education and eliminating gender disparities in access of basic education. The democratization in low-income countries has indeed helped them to reduce child mortality rate and a poverty rate that was likely being faced by many developing countries before democratization.  The spread of democratization along with the integration of world economy through globalization process and the dramatic technology revolution have accumulatively contributed in an increased potential of the low-income countries for improving the lifestyle of the citizens ensuring greater human freedom and well- being.