Development of Organizational Architecture

Development of Organizational Architecture Venter and Louw (2006, pg 394) describes organizational architecture is an integrated strategic response, which draws together key dimensions of the organization (such as organizational structure, leadership, organizational culture, policies and strategies and the to guide strategic formulation, alignment and implementation. This report will seek to critically discuss organizational architecture as a cohesive framework that will bring about change within PPC. Venter and Louw (2006, pg 394) says that the ability of an organization to facilitate the effective and efficient implementation of strategy is almost entirely dependent on its internal functioning, for it is the internal organization which is seen to comprise those elements that are pivotal in translating the strategy into tangible outcomes and actions. We will do this by exploring the notions of PPCs alignment and implementation with particular reference to the architecture developed by Lee et al (2004). Stakeholders The main driver of PPC strategy as described in the case study is to enhance stakeholders relationships. PPC Stakeholders are shareholders, customers suppliers, the broader community and its employees. These different employees are affected differently by PPC strategy. During the strategy formulation phase, PPC was able to establish that the main hindrance to achieving consistency was that their 4000 employees were demotivated. So PPC embarked on a strategy to motivate its employees. Cameron (2003) defines motivation as the force that drives behaviour in a particular direction. Mitchell (1982) defines motivation as those psychological processes that cause the arousal, direction and persistence of voluntary actions that are goal oriented. Both Cameron and Mitchell point out that motivation is goal oriented however Mitchell (1982) further defines this force as a psychological processes in his definition of motivation. This distinction by Mitchell is important in that it realizes motivation as a process (i.e. consisting of a number of steps) and psychological. This distinction reveals that for a manager to be able to motivate he has to identify the psychological needs of his employees and then devise a process of meeting those needs. PPC was able to identify that motivation of employees was one of the factors that it needed to improve in order to improve its goals. So it looked at how this can be achieved. Capabilities Louw and Venter (2006) describe capabilities as those different deliverables provided to the stakeholders by the organization and dependent on the nature of the organization. From the case study PPC seems to be following a low cost structure for its cement business and a differentiation strategy for its PPC Lime and Afripack business. These different capabilities have implications on PPC stakeholders. For example, for shareholders, the low cost strategy has high returns through streamlined, more cost effective operations and proved by the increase in share price from R78 to R122 by the end of September 2003. So the above combination of strategies has the benefit of drawing elements from both capabilities. Processes Processes can be seen as drivers of capability. Veasey (2001, pg 423) cited on Louw and Venter (2006) categorizes processes as management, operational and support. Management Processes: Describes the role of PPC managers, their work methods, goals and tasks that they aim to achieve and lastly knowledge, skills and level of performance required by the job. The Kumbuku project seemed to be aimed at reducing the performance as the responsibility of only the managers but to spread it amongst all employees. Operational Processes: This is merely concerned with the conversion of inputs into outputs. Heizer and Render (1999, pg 228) cited on Louw and Venter says most goods are produced using one of three strategies, namely, process focus, repetitive process and product focus. PPC produces many units of cement a year with very low degree of variety, so it follows the continuous process. Support processes: These are the processes that support the core business e.g., HR, marketing, sales. These processes are still very important in ensuring efficient and effective running of the business. Organisational structure/systems The main purpose of an organizational structure is to clear and precise roles and responsibilities for all employees as per their department and hierarchy in the structure. This ensures order and maintains a systematic procedure of doing things, which ensures performance and efficiency. At PPC, the strategy is aimed at flattening the structure and shortens the decision making hierarchy. This in turn can improve efficiency and motivate employees. Systems, Policies and procedure Policies and procedures are useful in guiding and aligning the organizations members in their activities and their behaviors at work. Reward Systems. Performance management systems Performance management includes activities that ensure that goals are consistently being met in an effective and efficient manner. These could include: Ongoing observation and measurements to track performance conducted by supervisor. Ongoing feedback about the performance to be given. Quarterly formal performance reviews. This could entails a formal documentation of the progress towards achieving expected results, comments on how these were achieved and suggestions on how to improve performance. If performance meets the desired performance standards, rewards should be given. Policies and procedures Knowledge, skills and abilities With the Kumbuku project, one of the main aims of the project is to achieve a good match between the requirements of the job and natural capabilities of individual employees. This could also have the impact of motivating the employees and lead to job satisfaction and loyalty. Technology Technology is the key to implementation of processes that lead to outputs at PPC. PPC has evaluated its manufacturing technologies and is similar to the best in the industry. However it also must ensure that its office technologies and service technologies are also of a benchmark standard. For PPC this has meant a big investment in order to achieve highly skilled employees. Organisational culture Collins and Porras (1994 in Clegg et al 1996) showed that it is strikingly evident that organizational culture lies at the centre of what differentiates visionary companies from comparison companies (and significantly greater economic performance over the long-term). Culture, how we do things around here in order to succeed (Schneider, 1994, 1997), is an organizations way, identity, pattern of dynamic relationships, reality. Nel et al (2001, p.397) on Harris and Moran (1979, p.32) describes culture as a communicable knowledge for human coping within a particular environment that is passed on for the benefit of subsequent generations, whilst Wilson and Rosenfeld (1990, p.229) defines culture as the basic values, ideologies and assumptions which guide and fashion individual and business behavior. The above definitions both speak to me about the communicable knowledge which Wilson and Rosenfeld explains it to be basic values, ideologies and assumptions. Stapleton (2003) on Trice and Beyer (1984) identifies 4 symbol categories in which this communicable knowledge manifests itself namely; practices, communications, physical forms and common language. These categories are best summarized to prove Deal and Kennedy (1982) definition of the way things get done around here. The way things get done around here can be seen through these 4 categories. Practices This refers to common practices at PPC e.g. Awards etc. Communications Common stories that are generally heard at PPC. Physical forms Some of the notable physical forms could be for example different dress manner between operators and professionals. Other examples include allocated parking spaces and offices. Common Language Refers to the common language during meetings, notice boards, procedure and policies. QUESTION 2 Employees are at the center of organizational change initiatives (Tetenbaum 1998).For PPCs Kumbuku project to be successful, employees need to be able to realize that a good organizational culture and climate would as McNabb and Sepic (1995) says bring about lasting change though the developing of working conditions in which employees can operate more effectively. Should the reason for change be not understood, the following sources of resistance to change could be experienced: Resistance due to organizational culture: Some of the difficulties with change initiatives may be attributed to deeper, more critical sources, such as the pervasive culture of the organization and the operating climate (McNabb and Sepic 1995). An organizations culture is the deep-rooted set of values and beliefs that provide norms for behavior (Deshpande and Webster 1989; Schein 1992). An organizations climate refers to the ways organizations operationalize routine behaviors and the actions that are expected, supported, and rewarded (Schneider and Rentsch 1988). These two characteristics combine to determine organizational readiness for change (McNabb and Sepic 1995). Resistance due to a lack of a holistic perspective: Another long-known reason for lack of change success is the propensity for organizations to implement piece-meal solutions rather than taking a systems perspective (Ackoff 1974). Stakeholders may be resistance to the Kumbuku project due to the fact that they might not have a clear understanding of the direction and holistic implication of the strategy the company is pursuing. Resistance by managers: People have a natural fear of change and when change is mandated they feel a loss of control (Evans 2001). For many people in an organization, change initiatives imply a loss of the security that goes with a specific job. Senge and Kaeufer (2000) note that change efforts can induce fear. The management team at PPC could be threatened by the introduction the allowance of employees in decision making processes. They might feel redundant and not adding value. Also the change in the PPC management structure putting management at the bottom might result in demotivated management team who does not take pride in its role. Resistance by white employees and managers: The fast promotion of black employees could be resisted by white employees, who might feel unfairly discriminated and not valued. Existing white managers might also feel unsecured and can also undermine the newly appointed black managers, who they might not attribute their promotion to good performance. Resistance due to poor communication: Should the Kambuku project not be properly communicated to relevant stakeholders, it could result in poor buy in and failure in implementation. Dawson (1994) discusses the idea of communication and employee involvement being central to the process of change as a crucial consideration in overcoming the natural resistance that most employees feel. QUESTION 3 Johnson (1988) cited on Signal-Horn (2004), defines strategic drift as when gradually, perhaps imperceptibly; the strategy of the company will become less and less in line with the environment in which the organization operates. This definition is the same as that of Charles Handy (1989) which describes strategic drift as the subtle changes of the organisations strategy that leads the organization away from its intended destination to a destination that is unintended. This means that an organization must continuously review its environment and change its strategy in relation to the change in environment as has PPC in the past five years. The organizations response to the changing environment is often associated with its culture. Culture in this instance is seen as a contributor to resisting change (keeping the organization in equilibrium as suggested by Lewin force field model) as it stifles innovation and performance, leading to a drift in strategy. This means that for organization to properly implement change they must undergo an appropriate cultural change. For PPC, it might take many more years for it to start experiencing strategic drift but it is important for PPC Chief Executive to look out for the symptoms of strategic drift which could include: Declining performance. Highly homogenous culture. Little toleration for questioning and challenging of status quo. Reliance on price/cost /competition. Strong power blockages to change. When some of the above mentioned symptoms are identifies Lewin three stage process of change could be used as interventions to prevent the danger of strategic drift: Unfreezing current attitudes This means that old behaviours and ways of doing things must be seen to be unsatisfactory by the organisation and changed and prohibited. Also the need and the benefits for change must be well communicated. Those resisting change must be confronted and addressed. This could be done by involving them to participate and communicating the value of change. Change to a new level This is a period of shifting the equilibrium. Here PPC could embark on a search for new solutions which could include information on new values, organisational culture and structure. Refreezing attitudes at the new level When the organisation has found a solution, it can embark on reinforcing and supporting the new strategy through it structure, policies and systems. REFERENCES Kreitner, R. and Kinicki, A. (2004) Organisational Behavior. New York, McGraw-Hill Nel, P.S., Gerber, P.D., van Dyk, P.S., Haasbroek, G.D., Schultz, H.B., Sono, T., Werner, A. (2001) Human Resource Management. 5th edition. Oxford University Press Southern Africa. Stapleton T (2003) The Context of Management -Sessions 1-7.OU Business School. Wilson, D.C. and Rosenfeld, R.H. (1990) Managing Organisations: Texts, readings and cases, New York, McGraw-Hill. Cameron, S. The Open University (2008). B713 Fundamentals of Senior Management, Block1; Session 14 page 125. Mitchell, T.R. (1982) Motivation: New Direction for Theory, Research and Practice, Academy of Management Review, pg 81. Clegg et al. Palmer, G. ed. 1996. The Politics of Management Knowledge London. Sage Publications. Schneider, B. Leadership at the Edge of Chaos. Strategy Leadership Magazine, Sept. 1997. Dawson, P. (1994). Organisational Change A Processual Approach Newcastle upon Tyne. Athenaeum Press Ltd. K. G. Lockyer, (2005), Project management and project network techniques, UK: Prentice Hall Financial Times Ackoff, R.A. (1974), Redesigning the Future: A Systems Approach to Societal Problems, New York: Wiley. Evans, Edward A. (2001), Executive Commentary, Academy of Management Executive, 15, 4 (November), 94-95. Schein, E.A. (1992), Organizational Culture and Leadership, 2d edition, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Schneider, Benjamin, and J. Rentsch (1988), Managing Climates and Cultures: A Futures Perspective, in Futures of Organizations, J. Hage, ed., Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 181-200. Senge, Peter M., and Katrin H. Kaeufer (2000), Creating Change, Executive Excellence, 17, 10 (October), 4-5. Signal-Horn, S. (2004) The Strategy Reader. 2nd Edition. Oxford, Blackwell Publishing in association with The Open University. Tetenbaum, T.J. (1998), Shifting Paradigms: From Newton to Chaos, Organization Dynamics, 26 (4), 21-32. http://www.divandari.com/ppt/Strategic%20Change%20(handout).ppt#288,8,The risk of strategic drift accessed on the 11 October 2009. Kritsonis, A. (2004-2005), Comparison of Change Theories. International Journal of Scholarly academic intellectual diversity. Volume 8 Number 1. Lee, G., Venter, R and Bates, B. (2004), Enterprise-based HIV/AIDS strategies: integration through organizational architecture. South African Journal of Business Management, 35 (3): pg 13-22.

Humanities: Arts Essay

With the advent of the computer age, advanced science and technology have overwhelmed many aspects of our lives, and even our possibilities of survival are affected. The humanities can provide enjoyment and stimulation, especially when we try to understand what it covers. The Meaning, Importance, and Scope of humanities The word humanities come from the Latin humanus, which means human, cultured, and refined. To be human is to have or show qualities like rationality, kindness, and tenderness. Humanities refers to the arts – the visual arts such as architecture; painting and sculpture; music; dance; the theater or drama; and literature. They are branches of learning concerned with human thought, feelings, and relations. The importance of the human being and his/her feelings and how these are expressed have always been the concern of the humanities. Art is very important in our lives. It constitutes one of the oldest and most important means of expression developed by man. Wherever people have lived together, art has sprung up among them as a language charge with feeling and significance. The desire to create this language appears to be universal. As a cultural force, it is pervasive and potent. Art, like love it is not easy to define. It concerns itself with the communication of certain ideas and feelings by means of sensuous medium – color, sound, bronze, marble, words, and film. This medium is fashioned into a symbolic language marked by beauty of design and coherence of form. It appeals to our mind, arouses our emotions, kindles our imagination, and enchants our senses. (Machils, 1963). In every age or country, there is always art. Wherever we go, wherever it is a city or a province, here or abroad, we surely have to pass buildings of various sorts – houses, schools, churches, stores, etc. The art that we perceive through our eyes is called the visual art and architecture is one part of it. A visual art involve not only painting and sculpture but includes such things as clothes, household appliances, and the furnishings of our homes, schools, churches, and other buildings. Through the ideas selected by painters and sculptors and the forms they create, they express the ideals, the hopes, and the fears of the times in which they live. The aesthetic aspects of any work – a painting, song, story, dance, or play – are what make it art. Aesthetic refers to the forms and psychological effects of arts. Another form of the more important arts is music. This is the art of combining and regulating sounds of varying pitch to produce compositions, expressing various ideas and emotions. Its primary function is to entertain. Music is one of the great arts of our civilization, along with literature, painting sculpture, architecture, and dance. Like the other arts, music deals with emotions. It’s being a â€Å"pure art† enables it to convey emotions with great intensity and can affect people directly. Great music specially radiates infectious joy. Many who are receptive to great music find it exhilarating. If we tune into a musical program on the radio, or sing a song with others, we are having contact with music. The song we sing may be a tune which is popular now but may possibly be forgotten later. It may be a selection which has been sung or played for several decades. Dance is another form of art that is common to many even during the earliest time. It is the most direct of the arts for it makes use of the human body as its medium. It springs from our love for expressive gestures, release of tension through rhythmic movement. Dance heightens the pleasure of being, and at the same time mirrors the life of society. The dance of the older times is different from that of the present time; the dance of the barrio folks is different from the dances in the city. Primitives and non-primitives dance. The Ifugaos dance to celebrate the victory of the warriors after fight with their enemies. Likewise, the Bagobos dance to show gratitude to the spirits â€Å"for success in war or domestic affair.† The Indians dance to give thanks for a harvest; the Mexicans dance to celebrate a religious festival; teenagers dance at parties; both young and old go to disco bars and children everywhere dance because it is pleasure to express happiness to bodily movements. In its expressive aspects, dance is uniquely able to intensify moods and emotions and to deepen and dignify the feelings of us all (Compton’s Encyclopedia, 1974). The area of the theater of drama is another important art. Dramatic activities are usually part of every school and community program. Classes dramatize the events they are studying; clubs or organizations and institutions stage plays. The play may be a comedy, tragedy, mystery, musical or melodrama. Essentially, the stage is a place for re-enacting the joys and problems of life, a place where the playwright strips life of nonessentials and deals with basic and important issues. The spectators get involved in these situations and thus gain greater insight into human motives and passions. The motion picture is a popular addition to the various forms of the theater. Through it, a great number of people are able to see dramatic performances every day. The radio makes available drama for the auditory sense of imagination. The television, too, brings the art of drama to many people. Theatrical productions, including motion pictures, and television, combine art forms. The play itself is a form of literature. Scenery and costumes provide the visual arts, and music may serve as a background to set the mood or to serve as part of the plot. The opera is a drama set to music. Thus, it is a form of the theater. In many musical shows, dancers are also important performers. The theater therefore, combines several of the arts. It is also necessary that we distinguish between art and nature for they are fundamentally different. We may be impressed by the majestic of the perfect cone of Mayon Volcano, the awesome beauty of Pagsanjan Falls or the sunset at Manila Bay and thus, react to the wonders of nature. No matter how close art is to nature, however, art always shows that it is man-made. It is an interpretation of the nature and of life. What the Arts have in common We have identified five areas of art: the visual arts, music, dance, literature and drama. But there is one thing that is common to them all. What relates a painting to a song, a play to a dance? The most basic relationship is that the arts are concerned with emotions, with our feelings about things. When a person sees a picture he thinks it is beautiful, or when she watches a play or dance performance, she thinks it is exciting, she feels that it is lovely or stirring. Her reaction is primarily emotional. People experience excitement, pleasure, anger, and all the other emotional states in a way which is very different from their intellectual responses. Emotions are part of our basic nature. An Artist An artist is a person who exhibits exceptional skills in design, drawing, painting, etc. or one who works in one of the performing arts, like an actor or a musician. Unlike other people, an artist is more sensitive and more creative. He possesses to an unusual degree the knack for stone, notes, or any of the other materials used by artists. He, thus, learns to project his creative impulse through the symbols of his art – a picture, a poem, or a piece of music according to his present inspiration and his training. His process of creation, however, differs from that of an amateur or beginner only in degree. There are two kinds of artists – creators and performers. A composer writes a song to be sung by talented singers. A dramatist or playwright writes a play to be staged by a company actor. A choreographer composes a ballet or dance sequence which will be performed by a troupe of dancers. Music, theater, and dance are performing arts. Besides the creator, they require other artist who recreates what has been composed. Thus, performers are important. Two great actors may play the same role in Florante at Laura yet give it vastly different interpretations; two dancers may dance the same ballet but render it quite differently. Thus, in performing arts, the ideas and the interpretations of the performer are added to the original ideas of the creator. This dual contribution gives added richness and meaning to these fields of the arts. It makes them different from painting, for example, in the way by which the creative artists communicate directly with the observer. The work of the creative artist Creativity is an artist’s trait developed in the course of her life to solve problems or express her feelings. Her continuing reaction to emerging conditions of nature and social life gives birth to new ideas and new methods. These in turn, she uses to overcome difficulties which in the process of confrontation with reality give the solution to a vision, create art, or activate social transformation. The process of creation. Experts on the subject are one in their view that there are three major phases in the process of creation. First, the artist must have an idea; second, he must have a material to work on; and third, he must give form to his idea. The idea. Artist is highly sensitive persons especially aware of the things that surround them. They notice the sounds, colors, and movements of people and things. Art expression is based on the so-called higher senses of sight and sound, with the other senses playing more or less indirect roles. A particular experience may impress an artist so much that he decides to use it as the basis for a picture, a poem, a play or a dance. Depending on his cultural background, a painter may be attracted by anything. He paints a picture from a scene where most people do not think beauty existed. A novelist may write about the life and misfortunes of a woman whose husband, after failing to find a job, decides to go abroad and becomes unfaithful after a few years. The novelist would show us that the great social and economic problems of our times are essentially human problems and he would make us aware of the effects of advances in science and technology on human beings. A composer may write a musical fantasy in which the world of mystery and imagination explored. A dancer may do a dance on the pleasures and discomforts of growing up. As a basis for his dance movements, he might use the idealism of adolescence, the developing charm of boys and girls, their sensitivity, their awkwardness, and occasional loneliness. A study of arts is the study of humankind, for through the arts we can discover our major interests, feelings, and problems through the ages. Playwrights and novelists have always been concerned with the frailties of human being, with his hopes and fears, his courage and cowardice, his charity, and greed. Poets, with their artistry of statement, have given nobility and intensity to our human experiences. Through dance, the events of life are given symbolic and ceremonial form. The material and Process. The second phase of creation in art concerns the material which the artist uses to give form to his idea. A painter uses pigments; a sculptor uses stone, metal or wood; an architect, various building materials. An author uses words; a composer, musical sounds which are set down as notes. A choreographer uses people and their movements as the materials for his creations. The sculpture is something we can see or take in at a glance in it’s entirely, and so sculpture is an art of space. The hymn we hear takes a number of minutes to be sung or the entire composition to be played and so music is an art of time. Organization and Form. The third phase in creating is organizing the idea and giving it form in the selected materials. Popular song writers use the conventional 32-measure length. Poetry has a number of well-defined forms which are often used: the sonnet, the quatrain, the Spenserian stanza. Operas and plays are always divided into a number of acts. In several of the time arts, the works generally have a three-part structure: an introductory section which â€Å"sets the stage† for what follows; a middle section which develops the plot, the melody or the story; and a concluding section which is the final working out of the forces and ideas which the artist has set in motion. Style is a term which refers to the development of forms in art that are related to particular historical periods. Forms in the space arts are often symmetrically balanced in their design; that is, the two sides of the object are identical. Time has shown since that the severe criticisms were unjustified; and we often wonder how people of the past could have disliked some of the works of art we now admire. It is the responsibility of each one of us to be open-minded. The understanding of the great art of all periods is a key to the understanding of the human being. There is a need to associate with great people or artists through their work in order to enrich and ennoble our own lives.

Balanced Budget Amendment - Pros and Cons in Budgeting

The balanced budget amendment is a proposal introduced in Congress almost every two years, without success, that would limit the federal governments spending to no more than it generates in revenue from taxes in any fiscal year. While almost every state is prohibit from running deficits, federal lawmakers have never gotten  a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution signed by the president, and the government continues to run deficits in the hundreds of billions and trillions of dollars every year.   One of the milestones in the modern debate over the balanced budget amendment came in 1995, when the House of Representatives led by Speaker Newt Gingrich passed legislation that would have banned the federal government from running deficits as part of the Republican Partys Contract With America. It truly has been, I think, an historic moment for the country. We kept our promise. We worked hard. We produced a real change, Gingrich said at the time. But the victory was short-lived, and the balanced budget amendment championed by Gingrich and fiscal conservatives who had been swept into power was defeated  in the Senate by two votes. The same battle has been waged for decades and the concept is often raised during congressional and presidential campaigns because the notion of keep a balanced budget is popular among voters, particularly conservative Republicans.   What Is the Balanced Budget Amendment? Most years, the federal government spends more money than it takes in through taxes. That’s why there is a budget deficit. The government borrows the additional money it needs. That’s why the national  debt is near $20 trillion. The balanced budget amendment would prohibit the federal government from spending more than it takes in each year unless Congress specifically authorizes the additional spending through a three-fifths or two-thirds vote. It would require the president to submit a balanced budget each year. And it would allow Congress to waive the balanced budget requirement when there is a declaration of war. Amending the Constitution is more complicated than simply passing a law. Passing an amendment to the Constitution requires a two-thirds vote in each House. It is not submitted to the President for his signature. Instead, three-fourths of the state legislatures must approve it to be added to the Constitution. The only other way to amend the Constitution is to convene a Constitutional Convention at the request of two-thirds of the states. The convention method has never been used to amend the Constitution. Arguments for the Balanced Budget Amendment Advocates of a balanced budget amendment say  the federal government spends too much every year. They say that Congress has been unable to control spending without some kind of restraint and that, if spending is not controlled, our economy will suffer and our standard of living will drop. The federal government will continue to borrow until investors no longer will purchase bonds. The federal government will default and our economy will collapse. If Congress is required to balance the budget, it would figure out what programs are wasteful and would spend money more wisely, advocates say. â€Å"It’s simple math: The federal government should not be spending more taxpayer money that it brings in,† said Republican U.S. Sen. Grassley of Iowa, a longtime supporter of a balanced budget amendment.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Almost every state has adopted some form of a balanced budget requirement, and it’s past time that the federal government follows suit.† Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, a cosponsor with Grassley on a balanced budget amendment, added: Hardworking Americans have been forced to bear the burden of Congress’ inability and unwillingness to control federal overspending. As our federal debt continues to rise at an alarming rate, the least we can do is require the federal government to not spend more money than it has at its disposal.† Arguments Against a Balanced Budget Amendment Those opposed to a constitutional amendment say that it is too simplistic. Even with the amendment, balancing the budget will have to be done each year by legislation. This would require Congress to coordinate a large number of pieces of legislation – twelve appropriation bills, tax legislation, and any supplemental appropriations to name just a few of them. To balance the budget right now, Congress would have to eliminate many programs. In addition, when there is an economic downturn, the amount of taxes the federal government takes in usually drops. Spending often must be increased during those times or the economy can get worse. Under the balanced budget amendment, Congress would be unable to increase the needed spending. This is not a problem for states because they don’t control fiscal policy, but Congress needs the ability to stimulate the economy. By requiring a balanced budget every year, no matter the state of the economy, such an amendment would raise serious risks of tipping weak economies into recession and making recessions longer and deeper, causing very large job losses. That’s because the amendment would force policymakers to cut spending, raise taxes, or both just when the economy is weak or already in recession — the exact opposite of what good economic policy would advise, wrote Richard Kogan of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Outlook Amending the Constitution is a rare and daunting task. It takes a great deal of time to adopt an amendment. The House may pass the constitutional amendment, but the outlook is much more uncertain in the Senate. If it passes there, it still needs to be ratified by three-fourths of the states. Because of the legitimate opposition to a balanced budget amendment among some economists and policymakers, Congress is unlikely to undertake the cumbersome process of even considering the amendment barring a significant debt crisis.

Beowulf - 1778 Words

In the classic epic Beowulf we follow the great hero from his time as a young boy to his final moments as King of the Geats. During this many traits of various characters are revealed to us, none however as in depth as what is revealed about the titular figure of Beowulf. This is done through a jumble of Pagan and Christian values that are being bounced between throughout the text. Many of his ‘softer’ virtues such as forgiveness, generosity and commitment, seem to stem primarily from the Christian values whereas his ‘harsher’ virtues such as bravery, resourcefulness, and determination seem to stem more from the Pagan/ Germanic values. This conflict stems directly from the era in which this epic was written. During a time when Christianity†¦show more content†¦Another Christian trait that we see in Beowulf is that of Generosity. He first exhibits this trait within the first passage of the story. Upon his departure for Denmark: He announced his plan to sail the swan’s road and seek out that king, the famous prince who needed defenders. nobody tried to keep him from going, no elder denied him, dear as he was to them.(38. 199-203) Her we see Beowulf embarking on a journey in which he easily could not have survived the trip simply because Hrothgar needed help. This show how selfless Beowulf is and the fact that this is included within the first passage is very deliberate as it serves to set the tone for the rest of the story. Essentially this is the first impression that the reader gets of Beowulf so naturally the author sought to make it a good one. Also the author includes a bit of foreshadowing within this quote. By including the line â€Å"no elder denied him, dear as he was to them.† This shows his importance to the Geats even before he has become king. This seems to indicate that he had some predisposed inclination for greatness. Essentially the author is telling us that Beowulf will be more important to the Geats in the future than he already is. Beowulf’s life ends on a very similar note. When he slays the dragon at the end of the story he is also mortally wounded. Upon Wiglaf bringingShow MoreRelatedBeowulf : The Battles Of Beowulf1216 Words   |  5 PagesThe Battles of Beowulf The story of Beowulf is one of a great hero. Beowulf is a very generous person who is always willing to help out when people are in need. Over the course of the story, Beowulf ends up in three major battles: the battle with Grendel, with Grendel’s mother, and with the dragon. All of these battles were different in their style and the way Beowulf approached them was different. Beowulf also had different reasons to participate in each of the battles. The first major battleRead MoreBeowulf Essay : Beowulf 1473 Words   |  6 PagesHyunsu (John) Kim Prof. Hohl ENG2800 November 10, 2016 Beowulf Paper II The poem, Beowulf, explores its protagonist’s—Beowulf’s—heroism through a series of three increasingly difficult conflicts with Grendel; Grendel’s mother; and the dragon—, each of which exemplifies an aspect of the Anglo-Saxon heroic code. Beowulf’s first encounter with Grendel demonstrates the importance of reputation as a means of establishing one’s legacy, even beyond death; Beowulf’s triumph over the seemingly indomitableRead MoreBeowulf : The Epic Of Beowulf1027 Words   |  5 Pages To begin, Beowulf the poem has a unknown author, Beowulf is an epic poem. In Beowulf he is challenged by the murderous monster Grendel, Grendel is eating and slaughtering Hrothgar the King of the Danes men and people, the king needs Beowulf s help in defeating Grendel, Beowulf ends up killing the monster and is now tormented by the monster s mother that is much larger, she is no match for Beowulf and he kills her as well, lastly it is B eowulf’s last battle after he has been king of Geatland forRead MoreBeowulf Is A Hero Of Beowulf1017 Words   |  5 PagesIn the movie and book Beowulf, Beowulf represents a hero. Beowulf is like our modern day heroes, firefighters, policemen, military men, doctors and EMT’s. All of these men do the same thing as Beowulf did in the movie. The fight the villains and protect the innocent. Beowulf had super strength to help him defeat the villains and protect the innocent. I have heard moreover that the monster scorns in his reckless way to use weapons; therefore, to heighten Hygelac s fame and gladden his heart, I herebyRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By Beowulf2577 Words   |  11 Pagesoriginal aspects of these different religions. Due to the construction of this Beowulf, students and professors are able to study and get a true understanding of a pagans’ demeanor and how life evolves through their eyes. Throughout the epic poem Beowulf, paganism is exemplified as this epic hero falls victim to fate while embarking on his journey through life fighting monsters and chasing after his fame. To begin with, Beowulf was composed in Old English by an anonymous writer between the sixth and seventhRead MoreComparing Beowulf And Grendel And Beowulf1702 Words   |  7 Pagestranslated, Beowulf has represented one of the finest examples of heroic poetry. As a tale reflecting the noble deeds of a hero, it uniquely expresses the cultural values of the Anglo-Saxons from whom it originated since heroes often do reflect the best of what their culture deems worthwhile. However, modern adaptations of this work express a different set of cultural values; values unique to modern society. When comparing the translated poem, Beowulf, to the 2005 motion picture, Beowulf and GrendelRead MoreBeowulf891 Words   |  4 Pagescase of the sea monsters, that Beowulf slayed in his swimming match with Breca, is their motivation the same as what fuels Grendel and his mother s hatred? This idea of evil could present a foreshadow of malice and scorn, both of which play parts in the poem, Beowulf. Racing through the waters, neck and neck are Beowulf and Breca. A hostile creature lies below awaiting a human appetizer. He roars and shoots out of the crest of the wave to make a snap at Beowulf. Beowulf turns and strikes at the hideousRead MoreComparing Beowulf And The Epic Of Beowulf937 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Roman Empire. In the story Beowulf, his actions portray him, indeed be an epic hero. Both Christianity and Paganism are both portrayed throughout the epic Beowulf. Beowulf frequently speaks of God throughout the story, while there are also many Pagan elements that are evident throughout the story as well. In addition, It s hard to ignore the Christian and Pagan elements in Beowulf. These types of elements are what define the heroic warrior in the epic Beowulf(Vengeance the Pagan and ChristianRead MoreBeowulf: Comparing Beowulf and Wiglaf1213 Words   |  5 PagesIn the literary work of Beowulf, it is imperative to analyze the relationships between characters and how tho se relationships function to create new meaning or a better understanding of the literature as a whole. In Beowulf, it can be said that the characters of Beowulf and Wiglaf share parallels that serve to show Wiglaf as becoming the next king, and not only the successor of the throne, but a sign of hope for the doomed society of the Geats. These similarities can be recognized especially wellRead MoreAnalysis Of Beowulf s Beowulf 968 Words   |  4 PagesEnglish IV 21 September 2017 Battle Comparison Beowulf is a story about the quests and battles that the main character, Beowulf, endures. Though he faces many challenges, he is able to overcome them because of his superhuman strength and braveness. During the story, Beowulf fights three beasts: Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and a Dragon. With the strength of 30 men in each hand grip, magical weapons, and the support of Wiglaf, his right hand man, Beowulf is able to defeat all three beasts, but suffers