decline in union membership in essays

decline in union membership in essays Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in 2000, show that the decline in Australian union membership continues, despite the efforts of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), to stop the slide. The ABS reports that trade union membership has dropped to 28 percent of the total workforce, compared to 1992, where there was 40 percent. (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2000.) Previous ABS findings show that these recent figures are part of a general trend, with no slight recovery recorded in the past six years. Whilst it is evident that there is a decline in union membership, it is important to analyse why this is so and what the unions are doing to combat the downward trend. In attempting to tackle this issue, it is important to state the main objectives of a union that attract employees to join a membership and why the memberships are declining. Australian unions were established in the first half of the nineteenth century, with growth beginning in the post gold-rush era. It is from then that the fastest growth of the era seems to have been in the decade of the 1880s, where prosperous economic conditions and a tight labour market were forces making for union development (Dabscheck, Griffen, and Teicher, 1992). The primary objective of a trade union is to improve the well being of its members. They were formed to counter the superior economic power of the employers. It has long been recognised that the market dominance of employers could only be offset by workers acting collectively and establishing organisations to bargain on their behalf. The most important function of a union is to maximise the wages and salaries of its members (Deery, Plowman, and Walsh, 2000). Why do employees join unions? There are a number of reasons that an employee may join a union but three major factors are evident. They are; dissatisfaction with economic aspects of the job; a desire to influence those aspects of t...

Characteristic Of The American Nation History Essay

Characteristic Of The American Nation History Essay The United States are different from the rest of the world in many aspects, and Americans themselves like to emphasize their uniqueness. Many books, introductions to cultural studies, manuals, textbooks, dictionaries, guides, articles, and essays have been written with one common aim. They all have tried to distinguish and call the American distinctness by real names, as well as they have attempted to explain why Americans are such an exceptional nation. This thesis is also one of the efforts to objectify a rather complicated jigsaw of the American character. In total amount of four chapters a complex portrait of an American will be offered. To start a research which quests a current form of any culture it is important to look firstly into its past. America may not have long history like English or Italian but still approximately 200 years of self-selective immigration were enough to set very clear distinctiveness typical for the United States. The first chapter of this thesis will attempt to point out various occurrences since the foundation of the first permanent settlement in the North America till 1776. Two greatest foreign traveler publications by Alexis de Tocqueville and J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur that contributed to the development of the national pride will be mentioned. These two historical sources will be compared with current literature and it will be observed whether they differ or not. Finally, it will be dealt with the proportions of European immigrants and how they helped to change the portrait of the American nation. The following chapter will continue on approximation of the American differentness by portraying the system of values. First of all, it will be clarified what is regarded as a value because traditionally more than one definition of this term occurs. It will be proven that values function like dominant pillars on which the structure of the American character has been built. Quite much attention will be paid to values like wor k, achievement, or equality because these values have their historical background and are still reflected not even in American behavior but also in stereotypes common about American citizens. The third part will be devoted to religion in the United States. This topic is purposely not attached to the chapter about values because as it will be explained, religion is traditionally not being mentioned as a value. What is more, religion will be portrayed as an independent factor touching different beliefs of common people but also like a factor contrasting to the secularity of the state. The very last and rather shorter chapter will comment on stereotypes and prejudices which often do not provide a very objective picture of the United States. Attention will be also paid to the notably higher number of American stereotypes in comparison to other countries. Finally some examples of individual stereotypes will be provided and by these means the picture of the American nation will be conclud ed. americans in terms of the historical development Ever since America has been discovered, especially the North America, it has represented an object of fascination to observers from other countries who have been trying to solve the question of American nationality. The quest of the American   [ 1 ]   national identity, and who or what is considered to be American is perennial. It is regarded as a common knowledge that the US is primarily and undoubtedly a country of immigrants. According to American historian John Harmon McElroy, more than 55 million immigrants have arrived into America in the last four centuries. Such a high number represents the largest movement of people flowing into a certain place or a country in the history of mankind (60).

The Tadic Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Tadic Case - Essay Example Nonetheless, ICTY has brought about various issues regarding the legality of institution of the international tribunal and its authority. ICTY statutes give concurrent jurisdiction to the national courts as well as the international tribunals1. ICTY, Trial Chamber, Decision on the Defense Motion on Jurisdiction In the case of Prosecutor v. Dusko Tadic, the defense challenged the primacy of the ICTY because there was no basis in international law to give primacy to the ICTY and it generated an infringement upon state sovereignty. The appellant used three reasons to attack the tribunal: unlawful establishment of Tribunal, its illegal dominance over state courts and its lack of jurisdiction2. Tadic argued that the Tribunal was not lawfully established; those who drafted the UN Charter did not envision such a tribunal, the General Assembly did not take part in its creation, the Council did not act in relation to individuals, and there was no threat to peace. According to Tadic, the Tribu nal would not promote peace and a political body could not create a judicial organ. Tadic argued that in establishing such a Tribunal in accordance with the rule of law, the council should have the appropriate worldwide standards; it has to offer the assurances of justice, fairness, as well as evenhandedness in total compliance with international renowned human rights implements3. This led judges to dissent arguing that the ICTY did not have any competence to decide on the issue. ICTY, Appeals Chamber, Decision on the Defense Motion for Interlocutory Appeal After an appeal on the sentencing, the appeal chamber decided that the Tribunal had the authority to articulate the statement that challenged the legitimacy of institution of the Tribunal; it had jurisdiction to determine whether the ICTY was lawfully established (la competence de la competence). The judges also dismissed the challenge to International Tribunal dominance over state-run courts and decided that the Tribunal had jur isdiction of subject matter in the state. In defense to the legality of institution of the Tribunal, the trial chambers decided that there were evidently adequate jurisdiction issues that were open for the Tribunal to determine the issues of place, nature of the offence and the time committed. The chambers decided that the legitimacy of establishing the Tribunal was not a matter of jurisdiction; it was a matter of the lawfulness of its creation. The defense did not have any right to raise the matter of Internal Tribunal primacy over national courts since only a sovereign state that should raise issues related to sovereignty and a person should not put itself in the position of a state in order to challenge the jurisdiction of an international tribunal4. The state is the only one that has the exclusive right to plead violation of the state sovereignty5. Only a self-governing state can raise the appeal or not claim it; the accused did not have any rights to take over the state’ s rights in this case6.The most affected states in this case were the Germany where the accused lived and Bosnia-Herzegovina where the crimes were committed; the two states accepted the International Tri

Study of a leader in business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Study of a leader in business - Essay Example ere a psychological profile that identifies a leader, and if so are there different psychological attributes that can identify a great leader If these traits can be somehow quantified, are there other qualities which are present in differing degrees that determine a business leader. ... he mood and temper of the people as well as the critical components inherent in the objectives Or are leadership qualities constant, displaying inherent characteristics that in differing degrees can be found in examples of leadership throughout history Is it something that a person is born with, inherits, or is learned Is there a psychological profile that identifies a leader, and if so are there different psychological attributes that can identify a great leader If these traits can be somehow quantified, are there other qualities which are present in differing degrees that determine a business leader. Is it style, intelligence, insight, a Midas touch, or elements of luck Could it be that the qualities that determine a successful business leader are attributes one is born with, or is it the ability to respond to the demands of the consistently changing business climate by finding solutions which enable one to work through vicissitudes and come out on top One common thread which is obvious in all great leaders, be they revered or scorned, is that they viewed the world, events, history, the present as well as the future in ways that were different from their contemporaries, and in such a manner that distinguished them in their era. What great leadership is, how it manifests itself in certain individuals is a subject which could entail considerable debate, thus the examination shall limit itself to one particular individual and determine if we can understand what and why this person has exhibited and demonstrated the attributes which cause us to view him in such a manner. This study shall look at Sir Richard Branson as an example of leadership in that he represents a contemporary individual who rose from modest means to become one of the world's most successful

The Black Arts Movement Essay examples -- African Americans History Es

The Black Arts Movement The Black Arts movement refers to a period of â€Å"furious flowering† of African American creativity beginning in the mid-1960’s and continuing through much of the 1970’s (Perceptions of Black). Linked both chronologically and ideologically with the Black Power Movement, The BAM recognized the idea of two cultural Americas: one black and one white. The BAM pressed for the creation of a distinctive Black Aesthetic in which black artists created for black audiences. The movement saw artistic production as the key to revising Black American’s perceptions of themselves, thus the Black Aesthetic was believed to be an integral component of the economic, political, and cultural empowerment of the Black community. The concepts of Black Power, Nationalism, Community, and Performance all influenced the formation of this national movement, and it proliferated through community institutions, theatrical performance, literature, and music. The symbolic birth of the Black Arts Movement is generally dated to 1965 and coincides with a major transformation in the life of its most prominent leader, Amiri Baraka, formally LeRoi Jones. Early in his career LeRoi Jones won notoriety and critical acclaim for his plays, specifically the Dutchmen, while living in Greenwich Village at the heart of the Beat Scene. However, beginning in 1964 he underwent a personal transformation which resulted in his distancing himself from white culture. LeRoi Jones divorced his white wife, moved to Harlem, changed his name, and adopted a Black Nationalist View. Shortly after Malcolm X’s assassination in February of 1965, Amiri Baraka joined forces with Charles and William Patterson, Askia Toure, Clarence Moure, an... ...) – Part 1.† The Black Collegian Online. 28 Nov 2004. http://www.black-collegian.com/african/bam1_200shtml Kalamu ya Salaam. â€Å"Historical Background of the Black Arts Movement (BAM)– Part2† The Black Collegian Online. 28 Nov. 2004. http://www.black-collegian.com/African/bam2_200shtml Modern American Poetry. Ed. Cary Nelson. 29. Nov. 2004. http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/index.html Neal, Larry. â€Å"The Black Arts Movement.† The Black Aesthetic. Ed. Addison Gayle, Jr.New York: Doubleday &Company, Inc., 1971. 272 - 290. Perception of Black: African American Visual Art and the Black Arts Movement. University of Virginia. 28 Nov. 2004. http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG01/hughes/blackart/html Smith, David Lionel. â€Å"The Black Arts Movement and Its Critics.† American Literary History. 3.1 (Spring 1991): 94-109.

Invictus Poem Analysis Good Copy Essay

Defiance Human fate, whether predetermined or not, has always been a subject of great debate. Numerous inconclusive arguments have erupted from scientific as well as religious perspectives as to whether or not destiny is controlled by an outside force. Author William Ernest Henley’s poem â€Å"Invictus† is frequently regarded as an eye opening piece of literature that has imitated and facilitated the self reinvention of countless lives. Challenging Christian ideals, Henley elicits a powerful emotional response by supporting the philosophy that man is the sole determinant of his fate. By presenting such a bold and controversial belief, Henley greatly increases the impact of his poem. He titled the poem â€Å"Invictus,† Latin for unbeaten, in order to show that although his spirits were low and mind deterred, they still remained unconquered, demonstrating the retention of control he had over his destiny [Invictus (Meaning of)]. The Christian faith is well known for its belief of having one god who watches over and guides all. Henley begins the poem by thanking â€Å"whatever gods may be† for providing him with his â€Å"unconquerable soul.† Henley purposefully uses the term â€Å"gods† as a passive aggressive challenge to this fundamental Christian belief in monotheism. He also states that his head has remained â€Å"unbowed,† referencing his refusal to submit when times are hard. The â€Å"bludgeonings† that have beat Henley down most surely represents his hardships, while the bowing down represents submission to Christian ideology and to God himself. His refusal to surrender himself to these ideals is representative of his belief that no one but himself can change or affect where he is in life. In a further defiance of Christianity, Henley says â€Å"It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll.† The gate is supposed to be the very same one that leads to Heaven, strait referring to the narrow passage that allows for very little admittance. Meanwhile, the punishments on the scroll reference the metaphorical list of sins that belabor the human soul, challenging the general concept of sin. By invalidating the scale of right and wrong upon which Christianity is so heavily based, Henley attacks the validity of the entire Christian faith.  This assault continues in the poem with the lines â€Å"I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.† The theme of self reliance presented in these lines reinstates Henley’s belief that each person is the only one accountable for their journey, not God or any other omnipresent being. Henley was a strong willed individual that chose to look past his negative experiences in life and continue his journey of personal discovery and self definition. Henley was not the first to come to the belief that man was exclusively responsible for shaping his own destiny. An ancient Korean philosophical idea known as Juche shares this same belief (CITATION). â€Å"The circumstances of one’s birth are irrelevant; it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are† (Mewtwo). It doesn’t matter where a person’s life begins, it doesn’t matter what that person has been told, in the end, everyone’s soul is their own, and only they are responsible for their fate. Works Cited: Henley, William Ernest. â€Å"Invictus [I. M. To R. T. Hamilton Bruce (1846-1899)].† 12 Dec. 2013 â€Å"Invictus (Meaning Of).† Encyclo. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. â€Å"Juche.† Blue Cottage Taekwon-Do. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. â€Å"Live by Quotes.† Live by Quotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

Biography of Ellsworth Kelly, Minimalist Artist

Ellsworth Kelly (May 31, 1923–December 27, 2015) was an American artist who played a key role in the development of minimalist art in the U.S. He was also associated with hard-edge painting and Color Field painting. Kelly is best-known for his single color shaped canvases that went beyond the typical square or rectangular shapes. He also produced sculpture and prints throughout his career. Fast Facts: Ellsworth Kelly Occupation: ArtistBorn: May 31, 1923 in Newburgh, New YorkDied: December 27, 2015 in Spencertown, New YorkEducation: Pratt Institute, School of the Museum of Fine ArtsSelected Works: Red Blue Green (1963), White Curve (2009), Austin (2015)Notable Quote: The negative is just as important as the positive. Early Life and Education Born in Newburgh, New York, Ellsworth Kelly was the second of three sons of insurance company executive Allan Howe Kelly and former schoolteacher Florence Githens Kelly. He grew up in the small town of Oradell, New Jersey. Kellys paternal grandmother introduced him to birding when he was eight or nine years old. The work of legendary ornithologist John James Audubon would influence Kelly throughout his career. Ellsworth Kelly attended public schools, where he excelled in his art classes. His parents were reluctant to encourage Kellys artistic inclinations, but a teacher supported his interest. Kelly enrolled in the Pratt Institutes arts programs in 1941. He studied there until his induction into the U.S. Army on January 1, 1943. Military Service and Early Art Career During World War II, Ellsworth Kelly served with other artists and designers in a unit called The Ghost Army. They created inflatable tanks, sound trucks, and fake radio transmissions to deceive the enemy on the battlefield. Kelly served with the unit in the European Theater of the war. Exposure to camouflage in the war influenced Kellys developing aesthetic. He was interested in the use of form and shadow and the ability of camouflage to hide items in plain sight. After the end of World War II, Kelly used funds from the G.I. Bill to study at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. Later, he attended the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France. There, he met other Americans such as avant-garde composer John Cage and choreographer Merce Cunningham. He also associated with French Surrealist artist Jean Arp and Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi. The latters use of simplified forms had a profound effect on Kellys developing style. Ellsworth Kelly said that a key development of his painting style while in Paris was figuring out what he didnt want in a painting: [I] just kept throwing things out, like marks, lines and the painted edge. His personal discovery of Claude Monets brightly-colored late-career works in 1952 inspired Kelly to explore even more freedom in his own painting. Kelly made strong connections with fellow artists in Paris, but his work was not selling when he left to return to the U.S. in 1954 and settled in Manhattan. At first, Americans seemed somewhat mystified by Kellys minimalist canvases of bright colors and geometric shapes. According to Kelly, the French told him he was too American, and the Americans said he was too French. Kellys first solo show took place at the Betty Parsons Gallery in New York in 1956. In 1959, the Museum of Modern Art included Kelly in their landmark exhibition 16 Americans alongside Jasper Johns, Frank Stella, and Robert Rauschenberg among others. His reputation grew quickly. Painting Style and Minimalism Unlike many of his contemporaries, Ellsworth Kelly showed no interest in expressing emotion, creating concepts, or telling a story with his art. Instead, he was interested in what happened in the act of viewing. He was curious about the space between the painting and the person looking at it. He eventually abandoned the constraints of typical square or rectangular canvases in the 1960s. Instead, he used a variety of shapes. Kelly called them shaped canvases. Because he used only isolated bright colors and simple shapes, his work was considered part of Minimalism. In 1970, Ellsworth Kelly moved out of Manhattan. He wanted to escape a busy social life that was eating into his time producing art. He built a 20,000 square foot compound three hours north in Spencertown, New York. Architect Richard Gluckman designed the building. It included a studio, office, library, and archive. Kelly lived and worked there until his death in 2015. During the 1970s, Kelly began incorporating more curves in his work and the shapes of his canvases. By the early 1970s, Ellsworth Kelly was prominent enough in American art to be the subject of major retrospectives. The Museum of Modern Art hosted its first Kelly retrospective in 1973. Ellsworth Kelly Recent Paintings and Sculpture followed in 1979. Ellsworth Kelly: A Retrospective traveled in the U.S., the U.K., and Germany in 1996. Kelly also worked on sculpture in steel, aluminum, and bronze. His sculptural pieces are as minimal as his paintings. They are mostly concerned with simplicity in form. The sculptures are designed to be seen quickly, sometimes in a single glance. Ellsworth Kellys final art project was a 2,700-square-foot building influenced by Romanesque churches that he never saw in its completed form. Named Austin, it stands in Austin, Texas as part of the Blanton Museums permanent collection and opened to the public in February 2018. Facades of the building include blown-glass windows in simple colors that reflect Kellys life work. Personal Life Ellsworth Kelly was known as a shy man in his personal life. He had a stutter as a child and became a self-described loner. For the last 28 years of his life, Kelly lived with his partner, photographer Jack Shear. Shear became director of the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation. Legacy and Influence In 1957, Ellsworth Kelly received his first public commission to create a 65-foot-long sculpture titled Sculpture for a Large Wall for the Transportation Building at Penn Center in Philadelphia. It was his largest work yet. That piece was eventually dismantled, but a wide range of public sculpture still exists as part of Kellys legacy. Some of his best-known public artworks include: Curve XXII (I Will) (1981), Lincoln Park in ChicagoBlue Black (2001), Pulitzer Arts Foundation in St. LouisWhite Curve (2009), Art Institute of Chicago Kellys work is seen as a forerunner of artists like Dan Flavin and Richard Serra. Their pieces are also focused on the experience of viewing art instead of trying to convey a specific concept. Source Paik, Tricia. Ellsworth Kelly. Phaidon Press, 2015.