The Client Under Design Bid Build Procurement System Construction Essay

The Client Under Design Bid Build Procurement System Construction Essay Procurement system of Construction project is broad in scope because it involve the gathering and organizing of innumerable of separate individuals, firms and companies to design, manage and build construction product such as commercial building, residential building, Infrastructure, bridges, factory for specific client. (Rosli Abdul Rashid et al, 2006) The procurement literally means to obtain by care, to acquire While, system in literally mean organized method, approach, technique, process or procedure (Rosli Abdul Rashid et al, 2006). (The Aqua Group, 1999) described procurement system s the process obtain goods and services from another for some consideration. Project Procurement is the organization structure needed to design and build construction projects for a specific client (Masterman,1996). 2.2 Design Bid Build Procurement system (Traditional Procurement system)Client Architect/Engineer Contractor Sub-Contractor Design Bid Build Procurement system is describe as the statute for delivering public owner improvement project ( Marion Country Board of Commissioner, 2011). Design and Bid Build Procurement system is a separation of design from Construction, the system is harder integration coordination of various design. The coordination is multiple responsibilities and allocation of design and construction responsible are not always clear (K.C .Lam, n, d). The Design Bid Build Procurement system has been identified as the slowest project delivery approach (Rosli Abdul Rashid er al, 2006). Traditional system is better cost control as such cost increase due to variation minimized, but works were often disrupted when there are too many variations (due to unforeseeable problem) and it tend to cause the cost to inflate (Masterman, 1996). Design Bid Build provid high degree of quality certainty and functional standard because it provide opportunities for client to combine the best design, management and construction expertise between consultants and contractor .Moreover, it also provide more time for client and consultants to review and fully develop the design and specification thus allowing better documentation preparation (Rosli Abdul Rashid er al, 2006). In traditional procurement system, Architect is the lead designer, but coordination of services is passed to ME consultant and Main contractor and Site Coordination by all sub-contractor managed and prepared by Main Contractor ( K.C .Lam, nd). Design and build procurement system are the process where the client deals directly with the contractor for the complete building and it is the contractor who is not only responsible for but also coordinate the separate design and construction process, including engagement of the design team, therefore contractually linked with the contractor and not the client( The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB-1983), n.d). 2.2.1Role of the Client under Design Bid Build Procurement System Under a traditional Procurement system, the client employs plans and specification by the way of bidding format to obtain tender bid and select the select the suitable contractor. This means the client warrants the sufficiency of the plans with full disclosure of the information and assumes any liability for defects and the plans and specification that he provides to the contractor. ( Bryan S. Shapiro, 1994). 2.2.2 Role of Consultant and Contractor under Traditional Procurement system Normally the architect or engineer will prepare the plan and specifications for the owner prior to tendering. Which mean the architect or engineer legally responsible to the owner for the design defects according his professional services. Generally, the design professional has no liability for the construction defects, other than for the defects that should observe from field services inspection which he has carried out. Most important of all, the designer has contractual obligations to protect the owner The consultants act as the agent for the owner during the construction phase ( Bryan S. Shapiro, 1994). The Contractor is has liability for defective construction and workmanship, but he has no responsible for design defects ( Bryan S. Shapiro, 1994). 2.2.3 Advantages of Traditional Procurement system The Design Bid Build Procurement system is known quantity to client, designers and constructors. This is the greatest strength for this procurement system. For so many years, this delivery system was the predominant one for the construction in United State. The Procedure and contractual rules of conduct have been worked out and well understood by all the construction parties. Most of the professionals prefer this well define relationship, which reduces their level of risk because this procurement reduces uncertainty. Under the right circumstance, this means that a project more likely to proceeds smoothly from the beginning stage until the end of the project (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). The mood also contains contractual protection for the client. The allocation of the risk for the construction performance rests almost completely on the contractor and subcontractors. The Client was insulated from many of the risk of cost overruns, such as nonperforming sub-contractors, labour inefficiencies, inflation and etc. In most instances, the client knows the final cost at the beginning of the construction cost, and the risk of cost overruns is borne by the contractor. However, the risk of cost increases depends to large extent on the accuracy and completeness of the contract documents (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). Last, the client has not to be involved in the construction process. But, he must involve in design stage to make the decision about accept or not accept the design. Once the construction process start the client is represented by the consultants empowered to act in his name to make recommendation (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). 2.2.4 Disadvantages of Traditional Procurement system The contractor does not enter the process until the design complete, which mean the design not usually reviewed for constructability before it is finish. Design features could have been built more effectively and economically often result in higher costs. Some of the design firm solving this problem by hiring preconstruction consultants or having construction professional. Although this is bring benefit to the project but it is not effective as having design reviewed by the contractor. (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). Next, the traditional procurement system is difficult to reduce the time required by both design and construction. The process is sequential and linear from design stage to procurement stage then last construction stage. There is no chance to overlap tasks and thus reduce overall time. This will cause the raise of interest expenses on construction loan and other costs and can expose the project to risk of inflation. The time element problem always is the primary reason client refuse in use of the Design Bid Build method (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). Subsequently, unforeseen conditions on a job also be source of the conflict and may lead changes in the contract. A through design process complete set of drawings attempt to minimize these conditions. Conduction additional soil borings or opening walls in renovation work can help to properly identify actual conditions and avoid future conflicts. Unfortunately, not every condition can be identified and when unforeseen events occur the contract may have to be renegotiated between client and contractor. This may take away advantage to the client in terms of knowing the cost when the beginning stage of construction (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). 2.3 Design and Build Procurement SystemClient Architect/Engineer Contractor Sub-Contractor Term Design and Build refer to the procurement strategy that entail the contractor carry out the work; design work as well as the construction completion of the work .Design and build procurement system is define as an integrated procurement system. This system was first launch at Malaysia in 1983, the first project handle by design and build was the Kuala Terengganu Hospital complete at 1985. (Ng Weng Seng and Aminah Md Yusof, 2006). The main characteristic of the Design and build system are single responsibility to a particular organization which mean the fox price lump sum and the project is designed and built specially to meet needs of the client (Ng Weng Seng and Aminah Md Yusof, 2006). According (Mladen Radujkovic etl, n.d.) the Design and build procurement system is a single point contract between client and Contractor. (Turner, 1990) and (Jansen, 1991) supported that DB contractor is supplying option of buying a finished building. (Masterman, 1992) state that the term Design and Build has almost been identical interpreted and defined as being an arrangement where one contracting organization takes sole responsibility. Design and build having a better integration coordination of all member work under one umbrella and consultant works with contractor, second coordination after design is not necessary, and both will be involved for the design stage. In DB procurement system, DB consultant must be provide workable drawing and both Architect and engineers will provide coordinated design and solve coordination problem quickly (K.C.LAM, n.d). DB procurement system is a fast tracking delivery system, because it allow process of detail of design and construction to run parallel and concurrently to each other, therefore if any problem occur consultant can contractor can solve immediately and reducing overall project development period. Cost of DB procurement system is more higher than traditional procurement system because it lack of design and specification detailing during tender, this cause uncertainties to contractor for pricing. DB procurement also are allow contractor utilize his knowledge and experience to develop much compacted and coherent work program and to develop more efficient design and project control. (Rosli Abdul Rashid er al, 2006) This DB procurement system is used extensively in certain industries, particularly industrial construction. The complexity of the industrial projects such as oil refineries and power plants makes them a good candidate for DB. Before the traditional method become popular, DB was actually the preferred mode of delivery for almost all projects, although it was not named as such. An owner hired a master builder, who designed the project, acquired the materials, and hired and supervised the craft workers on the site. This mode of delivery became less popular as professional tasks became more specialized (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). In general, it can be conclude that DB procurement system provide single point responsibility for the whole design and construction. Contractor, who is responsible for the implementation of the project, has right control all over the project. This nonetheless does not deter the involvement of the client. The clients requirement and specification always been taken in to priority consideration, which consequently present uniqueness of the system (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003) 2.3.1Role of clients under Design and Build procurement system The difficulty with the preparation of the clients requirements does not end at the preparation stage. Most of the clients do not realise that the requirements only amount to schematic design of the product. In traditional procurement system, the supervising consultant would prepare the detail design before issuing the instruction to the contractor. In DB procurement system the contract assume that the contractor take care of the detail design and is conferred a relatively wide mandate when interpreting the clients requirements (Tan, Daniel, 1997). Disputes as to whether and instruction constitutes a variation often revolve around the clients requirements. Has there been non-compliance of the requirements or otherwise? It would be appear that the new client tat wish to have more in the end of the product would have more detail clients requirement prepared. Inevitably higher cost to the client will result in preparation of clients requirements which defeat one of the benefit of adopting a design and build procurement system (Tan, Daniel, 1997). When the clients providing too much detail may realise that they are doing what their contractor is being paid to do. But, some may not realise that they may also be prejudicing their contractual position by assuming responsibility for parts of the design, particularly so if the detail design is on their contractor. (Tan, Daniel, 1997). 2.3.2 Role of Contractor under DB procurement system Under DB contract the contractor is assumes that to responsible for the design. It is incumbent on the contractor to engage a design team to come up with a design which comply the clients requirements (Tan, Daniel, 1997). For those inexperienced DB contractor the selection of the designer for project design team is vital. Not only should the contractor select the team member that know how to integrate their portion of work into overall design intended by contractor, it is imperative that each team member knows how to receive instructions from the contractor (Tan, Daniel, 1997). There are vast number of the consultants in Malaysia are not accustomed to receiving the instruction from the contractor. Irrespective of the terms and conditions of the contract at hand, some consultants either consciously attaches more weight to the requirement of the client rather than contractor. Consultants appear to be entrenched in the traditional form arrangement and area inflexible, so it seems when taking instruction from contractor. The selection process for the design consultants must be exercised with great care to ensure that they are able and willing to receive instruction from contractor (Tan, Daniel, 1997). 2.3.3 Advantages of DB procurement system The reason for most of the clients choosing DB procurement system is this system provide good communication that can occur between the design team and construction team. Many large size DB companies specialize in particular areas and have developed a smooth flow between design and construction phase of the project. This collaboration allows the project be easily fast tracked, cutting down and overall schedule for the project (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). Good communication between design team and construction team are allows construction input early in the design phase. Such input includes constructability analysis, value engineering and subcontractor pricing. Cost estimating, master programme, long lead item identification, and ordering all become part of the overall project planning (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). This arrangement allows easier incorporation of changes due to scope of unforeseen conditions since their coordination occur within the same contractual entity. The client is less heavily involved and sits outside the direct day to day communication between designer and constructor. This keep owner staffing to a minimum and puts the full responsibility for good communication, problem solving , and project delivery on DB team (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). 2.3.4 Disadvantages of DB procurement system Although DB procurement system give the owner a fixed, firm price before the project start, this generally does not happen in a DB arrangement. Because the firm is hired before the design has start, any real pricing is not possible. Instead, client usually enters this arrangement with conceptual budget but without guarantee of a firm price. Firming up the price too soon puts the DB team in the position of making the scope of fit the price, which carries the risk of sacrificing quality to protect profit. If the project is fast-tracked, the client may not have a good idea about the final price until parts of the project complete (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). Next, the Client ability to remain marginally involve can be both and advantage and disadvantage. When DB Company has an organization that is efficient at performing work, the project can move very fast. If the client does not stay consistently involve throughout the process, he may have to make decision without fully understanding the issues. Once the project develops a rhythm, the project is difficult to change that rhythm. If the client is not moving to the same rhythm, the project may take a direction that he does not want but is not aware of until too late (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). Last, is the lack of check and balances. In the traditional contract, the designer prepares a complete set of documents, which is used to measure and evaluate the performance work done at the site. The client often hires the consultant to oversee the work of the contractor to ensure that the deficient work is identified and correct. But the in Design and Build procurement system the designer works for Contractor Company. Similarly, during construction the contractor sometimes uncovers the certain design deficiencies and error on missions. The designer is contract bound by the contractor to correct these deficiencies without additional cost to the client. In Design and build the designer and builder are put in position of critiquing their workers and perhaps affecting their bottom line by that critique. The client must rely more heavily on the quality and ethics of the firm since most of the checks and balances will likely take place behind the companys door (Frederick E. Gould Nancy E. Joyce, 2003). 2.4 Contractor Risk and Problem Some of the problems unfortunately only surface after commencement of a project and in not expected, it will pose real problems to unsuspecting clients and contractors. (Tan, Daniel, 1997). The unsuspecting client may find that he still has to engage his own consultants for technical guidance and preparation of the material setting out the clients requirement. The trustful contractor may find that his costs and effort for tendering would be quite high especially if he is unsuccessful in the tender exercise. Contractor liability assumed for design could be much wider than anticipated (Tan, Daniel, 1997). The most of the problem face by contractor was, delays in the construction industry are a global phenomenon and the construction industry Malaysia is no exception (Muraili Sambasivan Yau Wen Soon, 2005). Delays and disruption to contractors progress are major source of claims and disputes in construction industry. The matter often in dispute concern the dichotomy in responsibility for delays (Clients and Contractors) partly because of the multifarious nature of the sources of delays and disruption. With increased project complexity and requirements coupled with multiple parties all subject to their performance exigencies, the resolution of such claims and disputes has become a matter difficulty (Nuhu Braimah Issaka Ndekugri, 2008) The factor adversely affecting the cost performance of project are conflict among project participants, ignorance and lack of Knowledge, presence of poor project specific attributes and non-existence of cooperation, hostile socio economic and climatic condition, reluctance in timely decision, aggressive competition at tender stage and short bid preparation time (K.C. Iyer K.N. Jha,2005). Late and non-payment from the client will cause cash flow problems to the project especially to contractors (M.S. Mohd Danuri, M.E. Che Munaaim,H.Abdul Rahman M.Hanid, 2006) Some common type of problem faced by the contractors who was a bumiputra in Malaysia Construction industry such as Lack of expertise and experience Over-optimistic estimation in tender bids Material price escalation Financial problems Material supply networking Lack of skilled worker Lack of construction material and machineries Inefficient an ineffective planning and management Communication problems (Abdul Rahman Ayub Janidah Eman, 2006) Delays of deliveries, sub-standard workmanship and materials, poor safety management on sites and cost over-run of governments project are some of the issues that been seriously discussed by the government. (Abdul Rahman Ayub Janidah Eman, 2006) Sub-contractors failure to perform to the quality expectations (Abdul Rahman Ayub Janidah Eman, 2006) Delays of project causes are financing of and payment for completed works, poor contract management, changes in site condition and shortages in materials (Mansfeild NR, Ugwu OO Doran T, 1994). Delay via project participants and extraneous factors (Odeyinka HA Yusif A, 1997). The following is some risk face by contractor. Financial constraints Late payment by clients Relationship between emerging contractors and suppliers Difficulties when running a business (Wellington Didibhuku Thwala Mpendulo Mvubu, 2008) Â · 2.5 Communication Channel Many author identified communication as one of the core indicators in enhancing the practice of team integration in construction projects (Che Khairil Che Ibrahim et al, 2011) Communication has been link to team effectiveness, the integration of work units across organisational levels, characteristic of effective supervision, job satisfaction and overall organisational effectiveness (Love et al, 1998) The construction industry needs to communicate better not only with the public but also its distinct professions or we can call communication also is a professional practice (Cheng et al, 2001) By establishing communication flows, involvement patterns and other behavioural responses to unexpected change events, the nature of any professional and cultural interfaces can be established (Moore,D.R. Dainty, A.R.J, 2001) In order to lower down the complexity of the design implementation process, high degree communication between the designer and builder must be established (Ochieng, E.G. Price, A.D., 2009) Lack of communication between all key member of the project in any construction project in a multi-disciplinary team has led to trouble in the development process for both project management and design implementation levels (Evbuomwana, N.F.O Anumba, C.J., 1998). The communication barriers between project team had left the construction team almost to the design changes. They further added that by having multi-disciplinary project team, communication system can be improved as the will encourage face to face between the design team and construction team. Developing effective communication systems throughout the construction supply chain will ensure good and dependable flows of information; establishing mechanisms for problem resolution and for generating added-value into project scan be improved as they will encourage face to face relationship and interaction between team member (Briscoe, Dainty,A. ,2005) Construction organisation must form effective communication link in order to realise the benefits of partnership and alliances. Organisation thattrly on co-operation and trust have been found to obtain lower costs for as long as network is maintain (Cheng et al, 2001) 2.5.1 Communication and Conflict The construction project who communicate most often are the distinct professions such as client, contractor and designer. The highly differing professions and their multi-disciplinary skill often limit the scope of communication amongst the professions (Professor James Sommerville, Nigel Craig and Michael Mccarney, 2004). Within construction project delays are almost inevitable and as a result of this conflict and claims situations will arise (Alkass et al, 1995). The construction industry is inherently burdened with conflict and disputes s a result of increasing complex projects by clients (Kangari, 1995) Conflict within communication can be traced back to inadequate inaccurate, inappropriate, inconsistent and most important late information (refer Table 1) and this can occur despite the advancements made in document management system and information management techniques (Tam, 1999) Factors that contribute to conflict Information Factors Human/organisational factors Lack of adequate project information Lack of integration amongst project parties Lack of information from the client Lack of competence and professionalism Inadequate contract administration Inappropriate contract/procurement type Inadequate contract documentation Adversarial culture of construction organisations Inadequate design/tender information Slow response form clients Poor document transfer/communication Unrealistic time, cost and quality targets Table 1: Factors that contribute to conflict within the construction industry 2.5.2 Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) EDMS has often been viewed as a non-value added component of the construction process. As a result of this view, most of the construction organisations suffer greatly from the consequences of poor information management systems (Kangari, 1995). Construction project begins the day first negotiations or network communication has taken place. A great problem of many projects and construction organisations is poor, unstructured record keeping the document control throughout the project. However, the use of system like EDMS can be called upon to provide structured document based evidence that can be used to settle a dispute (Ren et al., 2001) Organisations that support the notion of structured EDMS keep the most sophisticated documentation records and will have a decide advantage in any dispute resolution proceeding (Kangari, 1995). EDMS encourages co-operative working environments and streamlines communication throughout the varying construction organisations although the huge quantities of project documentation created can result in information overload and can be attributed to the rise in use of general IT systems within the construction industry (Professor James Sommerville, Nigel Craig and Michael Mccarney, 2004). Managing project information with EDMS removes the onus on the individual to file information; this person in the past had been responsible for filing and other associated task (Sommerille and Craig, 2002). EDMS system should in essence control, store and transfer project information in systematic manner taking away the need to rely on individual of organisation to take the task. EDMS produce not only vast amounts of information but also better and more understandable structured information (Professor James Sommerville, Nigel Craig and Michael Mccarney, 2004). Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) have provided the industry with great benefits in the consistency of document generation, accessibility and the exchange of project documentation and have now become crucial component for managing the construction project. The widespread adoption of Information Technology (IT) and EDMS has created a culture of openness and trust and one which allows all project participants to have instantaneous access to project documentation although the nature of the industry can also contribute to the lack of IT involvement in many construction organisations (El-Ghandour and AL-Hussein, 2004). 2.3 Measurement of project performance 2.3.1 Contractor Effectiveness and efficiency Every project can be evaluated by well performance or bad performance. There are a lot of way can measure the performance of the project. Different country has a different way to measure the project performance. Performance basically measures by effectiveness and efficiency (Sinclair and Zairy, 1995). Effectiveness is mean the contractor produce the contingency plan before the construction start, which mean the contractor and his consultancies team alreadyv identify all the risk which will possible cause the project delay. However, Efficiency is contractor provide the good performance with complete the work within the time and within the budget. The most important is ensure the quality of the construction when handle the product to the Employer. 2.3.2 Improvement of the performance from previous project. ( Mbugua et al., 1999) define performance of the project is measured as an organized way of operation or construction activity and acts as tool for continuous improvements. Contractor can improve their performance base on the previous performance from the project which is same characteristic which the current project. Example, the current project is the contractor has to build the 30 storey high residential building under Design Bid build procurement system. Contractor can review the previous project which is same characteristic as current project. Contractor can improve the weakness and minor mistake which make in the previous project, so the contractor can ensure it would not happen again in this project. Next, is to maintain the strength to this project, the contractor understand their strength so they can carry the project with smooth flow and provide good performance during construct the building. 2.3.3 Iron Triangle (Arazhi Idrus, Mahmoud Sodangi and Mohamad Haq Husin, 2011) state that in early of 1990s, the project success was measured by the project duration, monetary cost and project performance. Time, cost and quality are the basic criteria for to success complete the project, it also known as the iron triangle as this feel element will always include in any project evaluation. Nowadays, most of the contractors are using this 3 element as the criteria for the success of the project. But, unfortunately most of the small firm size contractors at Malaysia just focus on the Cost. They do whatever they can to protect their profit, this will cause most of quality of the project did not meet the standard which state in the content of the contract document. 2.3.4 Construction Business Performance Measurement (Love and Holt, 2000) discussed the criteria measure of the construction performance in United Kingdom (UK) in construction industry. They found 2 different type of the Construction Business Performance Measurement, which are Stakeholder Perspective Measurement (SPM) and Business Performance Measurement (BPM). BPM is a myopic thinking should rejected as it focusing short term, being specific, profit-oriented and neglecting broader stakeholder problem (Arazhi Idrus, Mahmoud Sodangi and Mohamad Haq Husin, 2011). This method of measurement only to meet client objectives and goals without consider the nature of business environment, structure of organization and level of technology employed (Love and Holt, 2000).Subsequently is SPM practice under three perspective which are stakeholders entity where they take account on interest of customers and shareholders; goal-orientated (profit centred) as a system that involve in resource garnering, conversion and exchange with environment (Love an d Hold, 2000). 2.3.5 Different Procurement with Different Performance According to (Abdul Rashid et al, 2006) there are different procurement system are available for the Employer and effect of the differe

Social Inequality In Usa Sociology Essay

Social Inequality In Usa Sociology Essay Why do you think the U.S. is characterized by more inequality and fewer public efforts to reduce inequality than any other developed nation? Capitalism cannot provide a decent standard of living for all, but as long as it can provide a tolerable standard of living for substantial layers of the population, it can maintain social stability. Recent studies have shown that the middle America begins to feel insecure, which points at the inevitable social problems. The average salary is the salary, which includes both the income of the richest and the poorest. This amount is far from real wages of most Americans. According to the latest statistical review, in the period after 1998, when the U.S. economy grew by 25%, the average salary of one fifth of U.S. residents fell by 3.8%, while the salary of the rest remained at 1973 level (Hurst 132-34). While the economy was rapidly growing, this prosperity has not affected the middle class, not to mention industrial workers and the poor. Along with the freezing of income of the middle class, social inequality was growing. Since 1973 the annual revenue growth of 1% of the richest was 3.4%, and for 0.1% of the richest it was 5.2%. But for the remaining 90% this figure was 0.3% per year since 1973. Leaders of large companies were earning 26 times more than their employees. Now they are earning 300 times more (Crompton 98-102). According to experts, children from families with low income have a 1%chance to get rich, while children of the rich have 22% opportunity. For the middle class the figure is 1.8%, not much more than for the poor. The middle class of America is more and more afraid to become poor. Families face a decrease in their incomes. The number of families, whose income fell to $ 20,000, has increased from 13% in 1990 to 17% in 2007 (Hurst 206). Unemployment in the U.S. has reached the highest level over the past 20 years. Average duration of unemployment is 18 weeks. And, most often the unemployed have to accept a new job with less pay. House owners (about 70% of Americans), after paying taxes, have to give 11% of their income for mortgages. Today, these people are insolvent. Today the average American family with two working spouses has to work for 32 weeks to pay taxes, medical insurance, credit for housing, and education. In 1979, they needed 28 weeks. After all these payments, such a family has less means for basic needs than in 1980. In the current economic situation, an average American feels much worse than 25 years ago (Hurst 57-60). An average American works longer and harder than before just to make ends meet. And one increasingly has to take loans, family debt reached 120% of family income. Private pension funds are extremely small. Moreover, now pensions begin to be paid only after the worker invests a certain amount. In this world richest country 45% of Americans have no pension program. Only 20% have a guaranteed pension. The same situation is in health care. The number of uninsured people reached 16%, i.e. about 45 million Americans will not get treatment if they get sick. Despite all the efforts, most of the U.S. social problems do not disappear. Obviously, these are the negative effects of economic growth that exist in almost every post-industrial society. Moreover, the distribution of wealth including personal property and shares has not changed in the U.S. for 200 years. Tiree and Smith managed to obtain data on the taxable property of persons who had permanent jobs in Philadelphia in 1789. Comparing these data with the distribution of income in 1949, 1959 and 1969, they found a completely equal distribution of wealth in these two periods. Both, at that time and today, dealers and persons of intellectual labor were richer than the workers and clerks (Hurst 89-93). Since 1982, profits of American capitalists have grown considerably. This was achieved by reduction of salaries of workers, and increased exploitation. Thus, the rate of added value grew up while investments into new equipment have been reduced to minimum. Therefore the returns were growing. Inequality of income distribution remains in American society despite various changes in the economy and many programs helping the poor. The privileges are established for those who have the power in any societies. People with high status often have a very visible political influence, which they can use to their advantage. In the 1960s, the President Lyndon Johnson declared the war against poverty. The weapons of this war were tax cuts, retraining programs, educational programs and increased benefits. These actions were important, since it was estimated that between 1965 and 1975 the number of families below the poverty line was less than 5% of all families. However, since then many of these programs were reduced or abolished in order to stabilize the government budget. More positive results of programs have been undermined by rising unemployment and an increase in the number of poor families with single mothers. Therefore, in the U.S. there are still many poor families (Hurst 248-49). How is social stratification a creation of society rather than simply an expression of individual differences. The question of why there is social inequality is central in the study of society. It has two strikingly different answers. The first one was given by the conservatives, who argued that the unequal distribution of social benefits is a tool for solving the major tasks of society. Supporters of a radical approach, by contrast, sharply criticize the existing social order and believe that social inequality is a mechanism of exploitation of individuals and is associated with the struggle for scarce products and services. According to the functionalist theory of social inequality, stratification exists because it is useful to society. Davis and Moore argue that social stratification is not only universal but also necessary; therefore, no society can exist without stratification and classes. The system of stratification is required in order to fill all the statuses that form the social structure, and to give the individuals the motivations to perform duties associated with their position. In this regard the society must motivate people on two levels (Crompton 57-59): 1. It should encourage individuals to take various positions, since not all the duties associated with different statuses, are equally useful for the human body, equally important for social survival, and require equal abilities. If the social life was different, the position would make no difference, and the problem of social status would be considerably smaller; 2. When these positions are occupied, the company should awaken in people a desire to play the relevant role, because the duties associated with many posts are considered as painful and in the absence of motivation many would not manage to do their roles. These social realities have led to the view that society should have certain benefits that can be used as incentives for their members, and the mode of distribution of these benefits among different statuses. Inequality is the emotional stimulus that society has created in order to solve the problem of filling in all statuses and make their owners to do their best to fit the role. Since these benefits are built into the social system, social stratification may be considered a structural feature of all societies. On the basis of the economic model of supply and demand, Davis and Moore concluded that the highest paid positions are those occupied by the most talented or skilled workers, as well as functionally most important ones. Thus, separate individuals who hold high-paying jobs, should receive remuneration, otherwise the post will remain unclaimed, and society will disintegrate (Crompton 115-122). On the other hand, a person is born in a privileged or unprivileged position. For example, almost two-thirds of managers in 243 large U.S. companies have grown up in families of upper middle class or upper stratum of society. Basing on similar data, advocates of conflict theory claim that society is organized so that individualsà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ rank is determined by birth and does not dependent on their abilities and characteristics of the society (Hurst 206-219). Advocates of the conflict theory believe that the stratification of society exists because it is profitable to individuals and groups with authority over others. While functionalists identify common interests of members of society, conflictologists focus on the differences of interests. From their point of view, the society is an arena where people are fighting for the privileges, prestige and power. The theory of conflict is based largely on the ideas of Karl Marx. He argued that to comprehend the mechanism of a particular economic system one must know what preceded this system, as well as the processes that contributed to its development. According to Marx, the level of technique and method of organization of production determines the evolution of society in general. At each stage of history, these factors determine the group, which will rule in society, and groups that it will obey. Possession of means of production is only one source of power. Another source is the possession of means of control over people. The role of bureaucracy in society (exclusive control of national income and national wealth) gives it a special privileged status (Crompton 87-94). Even in modern developed countries, individuals can flourish without property. Much of the power is provided by the position in large transnational corporations, rather than property. Employees do not merely possess a relatively small property, but their influence lasts only as long as they occupy a certain position. A very similar pattern is observed in the government. In this case, no class exists in isolation and independently of the other classes. Sociologists are divided on the sources of social stratification, but they are united in the fact that social inequality is a structural aspect of the modern life of the whole society. Speaking about the structuring of social inequality, social scientists mean not only the fact that individuals and social groups differ in the privileges they have, prestige they receive, and power they possess. Structuring means that inequality in the society is institutionalized as a system. Inequality is not formed at random, but in accordance with the repetitive, relatively consistent and stable models: it is usually passed down from generation to generation, for which the individuals and groups with the benefits usually find appropriate ways (Crompton 54-58). How do caste and class system differ? How are they the same? Why does industrialization introduce a measure of meritocracy into social stratification? Inequality exists in human societies of all types. Stratification can be defined as structured differences between groups of people; the society consists of layers located in a hierarchical order, where the privileged layers are closer to the top and the underprivileged ones are at the bottom. However, class and caste systems are different in their essence (Crompton 41-43). Caste system is primarily associated with the cultures of the Indian subcontinent, and is presented by four main classes (varnas), differing in the degree of social prestige. Below these four groups are the untouchables. There are also jatis in the caste system: local marginalized groups within which the division into castes takes place. The caste system is very complex, and its structure varies from region to region, but it shares some common principles. Brahmins, forming the highest Varna, represent the highest degree of purity, while the untouchables represent the lowest one. Brahmins should avoid certain contacts with the untouchables, while only the untouchables are allowed to have physical contact with objects or animals, which are considered unclean. The caste system is closely linked with the Hindu concept of reincarnation, under which people who neglect the rights and duties of their caste should be born in their next incarnation in a caste, which occupies a lower position. In the Indian caste system, an individual is not allowed to move from one caste to another during his life (Crompton 65-72). The concept of caste is sometimes used outside the context of Indian culture, e.g. in cases, when two or more ethnic groups are separated from each other, primarily for reasons of racial purity. In such circumstances, there are strict taboos (and sometimes legal prohibitions) on intergroup marriages. After the abolition of slavery in the southern states of the U.S., the level of disengagement of black and white population was so strong that the term caste is sometimes used for this system of stratification. There are also reasons to speak about the existence of caste system in South Africa, where rigid segregation remains between whites and blacks and where interracial marriages were until recently forbidden by law. The class system differs from the caste system in many aspects. Let us consider the four of these main features (Crompton 105-113). 1. Unlike other types of strata, classes do not depend on legal or religious orientation. The class membership is not associated with the congenital status, whatever it was determined by by law or custom. The class system is much more mobile than other stratification systems; the boundaries between classes are never clear-cut. Formal restrictions on marriages between people from different classes do not exist. 2. The class membership is achieved by the individual, at least partly, and is not simply given at birth, as in caste systems. Social mobility is distributed more widely, while in the caste system, an individual move from one caste to another is generally impossible. 3. Classes are related to differences in economic status groups, with inequality in the ownership of physical resources and control, whereas in caste systems, the leading role is played by non-economic factors (such as religion). 4. In caste stratification system, inequality manifests itself primarily in the personal relationships of people, in the difference between rights and responsibilities (Brahmin-Harijan). In contrast, class system is manifested mainly in the large-scale relations of impersonal nature. For example, the essential foundations for the class division are the differences in working conditions and payment, which relate to people of any category and, in turn, depend on the situation of the economy as a whole. Thus, classes can be defined as large-scale groups of people with similar material resources, which in turn determine the lifestyle they lead. Class differences primarily depend on the welfare of people and kind of occupation. In modern Western society, the following main classes exist: the upper class (rich people, businessmen, industrialists, and the upper stratum of managers who own or directly control the means of production), the middle class (which includes the majority of white collar workers and professionals) and the working class (à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"blue collarà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚  workers, or people involved in physical labor) (Hurst 327-333). According to Weber, the division into classes is determined not only by the presence or absence of control over the means of production, but also by economic differences, not related directly to the property. These determining factors primarily include skills and expertise that affect the ability of the person to perform a job. People belonging to the categories of professionals and managers are also working for hire, but they earn more and have better working conditions than the workers. Qualification certificates, degrees, titles, diplomas and trainings place them in a more advantageous position in the labor market compared with those who do not have the relevant qualifications (Crompton 93-98). Thus, the concept of status in the meritocracy society is associated with varying degrees of social prestige of social groups. The distinctive features of the exact status can be changed independently of the class division. While the class affiliation is an objective feature, the status, in contrast, depends on subjective evaluations of social distinctions by individuals.

Opposition to Prescribed Burns Essay -- Fires Health Essays

Opposition to Prescribed Burns Forest fires kill many animals and usually destroy a large amount of land. Prescribed burns seem like they would be the best idea, but are they? Their claim to fame is to clear out land in order to decrease the burning space for when an actual forest fire occurs. Yet this may seem like a brilliant idea, but one must look at the negative aspects of controlled burnings. People might have a change of heart when they realize the damages and effects of such an interesting act. Keep in mind that not only is your health involved but even such things as the inconvenience of dealing with a smoky town. It is important to understand that prescribed burns cause severe health problems especially to firefighters; these are concerning carbon monoxide poisoning, visibility issues and health risks that will affect the future. Carbon monoxide is a major component in smoke from fires. It can cause a loss of mental acuity, acute nausea and severe headaches (Reinhardt 33). Death can occur at extreme levels of this intoxication and it can even cause shortness of breath and dizziness (Reinhardt 35). It may not seem like it is that bad, but one must consider that these things add up and can really affect their health and well-being. The carbon monoxide levels tend to shoot up when the wind speed goes up during daily exposure (U.S. Department of Agriculture 3). It also depends on what kind of duties you have as a firefighter; because those with the highest level of carbon monoxide in their system were a part of the direct attack and those with the least were the fire starters (U.S. Department of Agriculture 3). Carbon monoxide is a powerful poison that can kill you and it is absolut... ... but when your lungs collapse later in your life because you inhaled too much carbon monoxide you might regret the thought of prescribed burns. Works Cited Blakeman, Scott. â€Å"911 picture.† Photograph. 2001. 14 November 2004 http://www.scottblakeman.com/ firefighters.gif. Reinhardt, Timothy E. Monitoring firefighter exposure to air toxins at prescribed burns of forest and range biomass. Portland: Forest Service, 1991. Reinhardt, Timothy E. Smoke exposure among firefighters at prescribed burns in the Pacific Northwest. Portland: Forest Service, 2000. Shifting Sands. â€Å"Prescribed Burn.† Photogragh. 2002. 15 November 2004 U.S. Department of Agriculture. Smoke exposure at prescribed burns: a study on the effects of smoke exposure on firefighters at prescribed burns. Portland: Forest Service, 1995.

Linking Brain and Behavior: Reflections on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Fetal Neural Transplantat :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Linking Brain and Behavior: Reflections on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Fetal Neural Transplantation Neurodegenerative diseases are caused by malfunctions within the motor sector of the nervous system. These malfunctions, which are caused by the presence or absence of hormones, are a direct result of neural cell deterioration within the brain. Thus, biological problems of the brain, or rather predicaments arising between cellular connections within the brain, and the treatment of such conditions, illustrate how the brain organizes movement and behavior (11). The brain is the body's communication headquarters. It obtains a myriad of information from various parts of the sensory system and processes this information in an organized fashion. It then relays sensory input to different parts of the motor system. Such messages from the brain dictate specific muscular and behavioral patterns. Thus, this neural system is highly depended on a cause and effect system, where the slightest offset to the assembly-line fashion of cellular interaction results in major behavioral abnormalities(11). Moreover, there are two particular areas of the brain that are specifically related to motor malfunctions: the substania nigra and the striatum (the caudate nucleus and the putamen). The cells of the nigra synapse with cells of the striatum, which serves as the controller of motor functions such as walking, balance, and muscular movement. Information from the nigra cells passes through the synapses with the aid of a specific hormone, dopamine, which is a signi ficant chemical transmitter in the brain. Because the existence of dopamine is essential to the function of the substania nigra, it is also essential for the various muscular activities controlled by the striatum, such as walking, balance, etc (9). Neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's disease, thus, illustrate two very different behavioral patterns that are subsequently caused by two opposite and extreme biological abnormalities, where the nigra-striatum neural communication assemblage is hampered. Parkinson's disease (PD) results from a depletion in the amount of dopamine produced by the brain. At the onset of the disease, dopamine-secreting cells of the substania nigra, either because of genetic factors or environmental toxins, experience mass cell death. Thus, the nigra cells are unable to form synapses through which they secrete and relay dopamine to the striatum in a neural circuit within the basal ganglia (11). The striatum is also a coordination center for chemical messengers. When there is a decrease in dopamine levels, the striatum experiences a chemical imbalance (2). Linking Brain and Behavior: Reflections on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Fetal Neural Transplantat :: Biology Essays Research Papers Linking Brain and Behavior: Reflections on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Fetal Neural Transplantation Neurodegenerative diseases are caused by malfunctions within the motor sector of the nervous system. These malfunctions, which are caused by the presence or absence of hormones, are a direct result of neural cell deterioration within the brain. Thus, biological problems of the brain, or rather predicaments arising between cellular connections within the brain, and the treatment of such conditions, illustrate how the brain organizes movement and behavior (11). The brain is the body's communication headquarters. It obtains a myriad of information from various parts of the sensory system and processes this information in an organized fashion. It then relays sensory input to different parts of the motor system. Such messages from the brain dictate specific muscular and behavioral patterns. Thus, this neural system is highly depended on a cause and effect system, where the slightest offset to the assembly-line fashion of cellular interaction results in major behavioral abnormalities(11). Moreover, there are two particular areas of the brain that are specifically related to motor malfunctions: the substania nigra and the striatum (the caudate nucleus and the putamen). The cells of the nigra synapse with cells of the striatum, which serves as the controller of motor functions such as walking, balance, and muscular movement. Information from the nigra cells passes through the synapses with the aid of a specific hormone, dopamine, which is a signi ficant chemical transmitter in the brain. Because the existence of dopamine is essential to the function of the substania nigra, it is also essential for the various muscular activities controlled by the striatum, such as walking, balance, etc (9). Neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's disease, thus, illustrate two very different behavioral patterns that are subsequently caused by two opposite and extreme biological abnormalities, where the nigra-striatum neural communication assemblage is hampered. Parkinson's disease (PD) results from a depletion in the amount of dopamine produced by the brain. At the onset of the disease, dopamine-secreting cells of the substania nigra, either because of genetic factors or environmental toxins, experience mass cell death. Thus, the nigra cells are unable to form synapses through which they secrete and relay dopamine to the striatum in a neural circuit within the basal ganglia (11). The striatum is also a coordination center for chemical messengers. When there is a decrease in dopamine levels, the striatum experiences a chemical imbalance (2).

Ho families are changing :: essays research papers

How Families Are Changing†¦ For the Better The present structure of the average family in America is changing, mainly due to the growing number of mothers who now work outside the home. The current mark of dual-earner families stands at 64 percent, making it a solid majority today. This alteration of the â€Å"traditional† structure of the family is a catalyst for other changes that may soon occur. One of the changes that recently have been evident is the increased participation of men in the family’s raising of children. Of course, this is almost essential considering nearly two-thirds of all women now work out-side the home. Among other changes, women’s new economic gains have made marriages increasingly egalitarian. This leads both spouses to have more flexibility in choosing careers and balancing family life. Children today are increasingly being taught new values about the roles of men and women. Day care is becoming increasingly prevalent and is becoming somewhat of an extended family. Also, institutions outside the family such as the workplace and schools are creating the biggest stresses for parents. The biggest reason for all the changes at home are that women demand them, and their new economic resources carry a lot of weight in the decision. This has also led for the young men of today to increasingly accept this new domestic structure. Often, they choose wives which seem as their equals, as opposed to someone who â€Å"does not bring home the bacon.† Though, men today often feel threatened because they no longer solely own the breadwinner role. This leads to increased stress for men, who not only want to remain breadwinners, but also want to increase the time spent with their children. Yet, today’s families have come to face some big stresses dealing with institutions that have not advanced as far. Workplaces often do not offer flexible schedules to employees, while schools are still structured as if mothers still solely remained at home. Work schedules also provide a very difficult time schedule that often conflicts with domestic responsibilities. This has lead to inflexible schedules being on of the top sources of stress for parents.

“Hunters in the Snow” by Tobias Wolff Essay

In â€Å"Hunters in the Snow† by Tobias Wolff, we see three characters who apparently appear to be close friends but then as the story moves they lose their patience with each other. In the story, the reader notices how the cold temperatures started to create an impact on each of the characters. It brings out the complexities in their character. In due course of time the reader comes across the true self of the characters. Their simmering resentment towards each other is aptly highlighted by the author amidst the appropriate setting of the cold bleak winter season. When concentrating on the conversation that takes place between the men the reader realizes that underneath all the friendship there is a cruelness of words that cuts to the deep as the men flaunt the others weaknesses and seem to be ignorant of the effect that the words will have on the emotional state of the other. The atmosphere plays a very crucial role in defining the theme for a story. When used to its full potential it can stir deep feelings in the reader that go beyond rational thought. Tobias Wolff in his short story †Hunters in the Snow† uses this factor to create atmosphere and a sense of crisis. The story craftly uses the setting and thereby makes it a fascinating study in self-absorption. Wolff draws three strongly distinct characters in a small space, and again manages to convey the ambiguities and complexities of human interaction and personal struggle. The story begins with Tub waiting for his friends Frank and Kenny â€Å"for an hour in the falling snow.† In the same paragraph we find Tub is walking down the street, carrying a rifle and seemingly, shooting the breeze. The cold and the waiting surely creates an impact in the mood of the character. Tub is restless from the wait and the cold adds on to it. Besides, aiming at the breeze fairly depicts that the character continues to be impatient and will later ironically reflect the true nature of Tub. The snow let up, but still there was no edge to the land where it met the sky. Nothing moved in the chalky fields. The cold bleached their faces and made the stubble stand out on their cheeks and along their upper lips. They stopped twice for coffee before they got to the woods where Kenny wanted to hunt.   Wolff builds up the story on the platform of cold weather and the impact of the cold on each character slowly builds up. As they ride together in Kenny’s truck, we learn more about them. They are traveling in an old truck with a hole in the windshield, making it a very cold journey.   Once again the cold seems to follow them throughout the journey. On the trip into the woods, and while they are walking around searching for tracks, we realize the fact that Kenny and Frank don’t seem to like Tub very much. Not only that, they seems to exclude him from walking with them in the forest, they make fun of him about his eating habits and even try driving off without him. Tub, had an overweight problem and because of the cold temperatures and the snow he couldn’t keep up easily with his friends. â€Å"When Tub crossed the last fence into the toad the truck started moving. Tub had to run for it and just managed to grab hold of the tailgate and hoist himself into the bed. He lay there, panting. Kenny looked out the rear window and grinned.† Kenny kept taunting Tub about his weight all the while. Even though he appeared to be the most sensitive guy in the group, the reader sees a changed character in him at the end. It is probable that Kenny tortured Tub to an intolerable point and that Kenny’s joke backfired. It is through misunderstanding that Tub shoots Kenny. The difficulty that he was going through walking in the cold weather and troubled with himself bothered him enough and made him more and more impatient with time. Apparently we find the nice guy ending up shooting his friend Kenny. This reaction wasn’t expected from him but the reader can feel the frustration that this character has in his life and how the need of keeping warm made him leave his friend behind. Later in the story, Tub finally reveals to Frank the truth about his gluttony. Tub admits, â€Å"I’ve even got stuff (snacks)†¦ He who is â€Å"self conscious about his weight and in denial about his gluttony† apparently ends up in a confession while he tries to keep himself warm during their journey towards the hospital. Frank, on the other hand, seems much more mature and emotionally stable then Tub, while also seems to be the parent figure of the group. He â€Å"doesn’t care about his wife, and is in denial about his lust.† Frank was troubled with his family. He liked a fifteen year old girl who was his babysitter. The freezing temperature and his confused thoughts kept running through his head all the while. This prevented him from thinking rationally and therefore it did not bother him after Kenny was shot and lay freezing to death in the back of the truck. His selfishness was so obvious when kept talking only about himself. This reached its limit when he tried to keep himself warm and thereby ended up taking Kenny’s blankets and let him back there without any regret. He seemed to be the toughest one among them but when Tub couldn’t take him anymore and confronted him he backed up and showed otherwise. In the beginning, he seems like a simple guy. He just basically does whatever Kenny demands of him, and seems to be the calm, undemanding one of the trio. He tells Kenny and Tub to stop obsessing over the hunting: â€Å"‘Relax,’ Frank said. ‘You can’t hurry nature. If we’re meant to get that deer, we’ll get it. If we’re not, we won’t.’† (142). However, later in the story, the plot of the story begins to prove that Frank is not so innocent. He follows whoever has the most power at the moment. After the â€Å"power shift† from Kenny to Tub, Frank beings to follow Tub’s lead. He seems to not even care that his previous best friend is dying in the back of the truck†¦The hunting grounds and the cold weather makes them invariably confide in each other secrets about their personal lives, and enjoy each other’s company immensely. As the story continues, Tub and Frank become more interested in patching up their differences and less concerned with Kenny, to an extent that becomes strange. Kenny, appears to be the comic character of the bunch, and is always in a kind of light-hearted mood, joking around, even while shooting the dog. He â€Å"doesn’t care about anyone or anything.† Kenny appears to be going crazy in due course of time. With all playfulness he keeps saying â€Å"I hate that tree,† and shoots a tree. Next, he approaches the farmer’s dog, and says, â€Å"I hate that dog,† and shoots the dog. Finally, he approaches Tubs and says, â€Å"I hate you Tubs.†Ã‚   And this was when he was shot in his stomach by Tubs.   This reaction of Kenny’s shows his sheer desperation to an unsuccessful hunting trip. Frank and Tub even lie to Kenny at the end, letting him believe that he is being taken to the hospital even though they had no intentions of doing so. Kenny in the story bears the impact of cold to the maximum. He is left at the back in cold for a long time since Frank and Tubs were busy taking breaks to warm themselves up. His blankets are taken away to keep others warm. The story ends in a highly un- dramatic way, with Tub and Frank changing paths away from the hospital, and Kenny freezing in the truck bed, thinking he’s on his way to safety.   He tried to keep himself warm by repeating constantly that he is on his way to the hospital thereby fooling his own self till the end. His world comes to a standstill and he turns quieter than his usual self in pain and cold. His   pain made his brains numb and therefore even though he knew that he was no where near to the hospital, yet he kept repeating that he was on his way to the hospital. The monotony of words provided him the comfort of warmth. The freezing weather made these characters act erratically in the story. With Frank and Tub being in denial of what is happening, they neglected Kenny to the point of his death. Kenny lay at the back of the truck while Tub and Frank pull off to the side of the road three separate times, once for coffee, once to warm their hands from the frigid cold and a third time so Tub could hoard some pancakes because Frank felt pity for his seemingly unchangeable diet. These stops are increasingly random and seem completely inappropriate seeing that there is a man possibly dying in the back of the truck. This inconsiderate attitude of the three men who apparently called themselves as friends and the effect of their words targeted at each others weak points makes for a rather perverse realization that under these men’s simple appearances lies a cruel complexity of human nature, which is as frigid as the snow on the ground.† The reader realizes how all their internal problems plus the weather got into them and showed unexpected reactions from a group of friends that went on a trip. Wolff has taken an ordinary setting and environment of the woods and the snow,   and turned it into an extraordinary event for the three men participating in it. Literary critic, Karen Bernardo mentions, that the different turn the three friends have taken is away from being human beings, and towards being no better then animals.†    References: http://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/26578.html Perrine’s Literature : Structure, Sound, and Sense (Hardcover); Thomas R. Arp (Author), Greg Johnson (Author) Bernardo, Karen. Tobias Wolff’s â€Å"Hunters in the Snow†. Storybites: A Taste of the World’s Best Short Stories. May 21, 2003.   

Native American Movement

To most experts, the 1950’s was a defining period for the Americans; one which saw the emergence of the United States as a global superpower, whose clout and influence extended to the far reaches of the globe. America’s glorious victory in World War II has paved the way for a leadership role that the United States took to with effortless skill. This newfound sense of economic and political power changed the lay of America’s land. While World War II ended successfully for the United States, its end meant the beginning of a new struggle for the Americans, or to be more accurate, the continuation of a struggle that started when the Pioneers first settled in America. The Native Americans, as first settlers of the United States before it was called as such, have always been reluctant to welcome the Pioneers. This has led to several violent battles, but eventually to an uneasy compromise. This tenuous peace was threatened once again after the war, as renewed prosperity encouraged the United States government to attempt the re-assimilation of the Native Americans into mainstream society. This brought about an upheaval among Native Americans as they considered this move a threat to their culture and way of living which they have furiously fought for. Most of the uprooted Native Americans were unable to adapt to urban life, and ended up worse than where they started. Clearly while the United State government meant well, the move to urbanize Native Americans failed miserably. The 1960’s brought with it a legacy of â€Å"assimilation and cultural legitimization† (Benham, 2002, 3), and it left on its heels a nation of Native Americans who are more aware of their rights and became more assertive in pushing for those rights. The 1960’s saw the Native American Movement taking off led by a new generation of well-educated leaders fighting to restore Native Americans lands that have been taken away from them. All across the United States, these Native American leaders disputed violations and successfully negotiated for expanded rights for the American Indians. This movement culminated in the establishment of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968 which was founded with the initial purpose of placing state-mandated subsidies in the hands of locally-controlled American Indian organizations, and then channel these funds to Native Indians who needed them the most. However, in the 1970’s the American Indian Movement evolved into a secessionist group which aggressively promoted â€Å"self-governance and return to tribal ways† (Patterson et al, 2005, 77) This fervor spread like wildfire across the United States. American Indians took their cause to the streets, to the courts, to the media, and to all other possible venues where they can express their indignation and press for their rights. In an effort to recover ancestral land, they sued the states that have forcibly taken American Indian territories. They have also been able to protect their land against development. Needless to say, all of these militant protests paid off, with the government granting them concessions. In the 1970’s, there was a succession of legislation passed ensuring better treatment for the Native Americans. In 1972, the Indian Education Act gave Native American greater options over the schools that they can choose to send their children. In 1976, the Indian Health Care Act was passed to provide better health care for American Indians. In 1978, in acknowledgement of Native Indian ways, the Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted which gave Indian tribes the authority to deliberate and decide custody issues involving Indian children. (Mintz, 2007) Indeed the late 1960s and early 1970s was a period of political enlightenment and activism, not just among Native Americans, but among disenfranchised groups such as the African Americans and women’s rights groups. In the case of the Native Americans, the activism was spurred by poverty and lack of support from the government. By the 1960s, while most of the United States was experiencing prosperity, American Indians have remained among the poorest of the country’s minority groups, and the government has remained largely indifferent to their plight. This resurgence in Native American Nationalism resulted in armed confrontations and death, but it managed to bring desired results as well. Sometimes it does take militant action to compel a government to pay attention and take action. Other Americans, who did not know any better, became more aware of Native Americans and their plights, and some became active supporters to their cause. Elected officials such as senators and congressmen were compelled to support legislation that protected the rights of the American Indians and ensured their equal protection. Indeed it might be said that the Native American movement was a movement that has been a long time in the making. But when it did take place, it did so at the best possible time. The movement came at a time when Americans were becoming aware of the rights of others, and thus American society was only too willing to heed the call of a people who have been in the land long before anyone else did. References: Benham, K.P. (2002). The Renaissance of American Indian Higher Education: Capturing the Dream. Edited by Wayne J. Stein. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. P. 3. Mintz, S. (2007). America in Ferment: The Tumultuous 1960s. The Native American Power Movement. Digital History. Retrieved October 10, 2007 from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=387 Patterson, J. T., et al. (2005). The Oxford history of the United States. Oxford University Press. p. 77.