Military Career Of Pericles

Military Career Of Pericles Pericles was born into the first generation able to use the new weapon of the popular vote against the old power of family politics. His father, Xanthippus, a typical member of this generation, almost certainly of an old family, began his political career by a dynastic marriage into the controversial family of the Alcmaeonids. His Alcmaeonid mother, Agariste, provided him with relationships of sharply diminishing political value and her family curse, a religious defilement that was occasionally used against him by his enemies. His familys nobility and wealth allowed him to fully pursue his inclination toward education. He learned music from the masters of the time (Damon or Pythocleides could have been his teacher) and he was considered to have been the first politician to attribute great importance to philosophy. Pericles manner of thought and rhetorical charisma may have been in part products of Anaxagoras emphasis on emotional calm in the face of trouble and skepticism about divine phenomena. His proverbial calmness and self-control are also regarded as products of Anaxagoras influence. Before his death, Pericles friends were concentrated around his bed, enumerating his virtues during peace and underscoring his nine war trophies. Pericles lived during the first two and a half years of the Peloponnesian War and, his death was a disaster for Athens, since his successors were inferior to him; they preferred to incite all the bad habits of the rabble and followed an unstable policy, endeavoring to be popular rather than useful. Military career of Pericles Military achievement For more than 20 years Pericles led many expeditions, mainly naval ones. Being always cautious, he never undertook of his own accord a battle involving much uncertainty and peril and he did not accede to the vain impulses of the citizens. Pericles also tried to minimize the advantages of Sparta by rebuilding the walls of Athens. The strategy of rebuilding the walls radically altered the use of force in Greek international relations. During the Peloponnesian War, Pericles initiated a defensive grand strategy whose aim was the exhaustion of the enemy and the preservation of the status quo. The two basic principles of the Periclean Grand Strategy were the rejection of appeasement (in accordance with which he urged the Athenians not to revoke the Megarian Decree) and the avoidance of overextension. Pericles vehement insistence that there should be no diversionary expeditions may well have resulted from the bitter memory of the Egyptian campaign, which he had allegedly supported. The Athe nians remained true to the larger Periclean strategy of seeking to preserve, not expand, the empire, and did not depart from it until the Sicilian Expedition. Critics of Pericles strategy, however, have been just as numerous as its supporters. A common criticism is that Pericles was always a better politician and orator than strategist. Pericles had not worked out a clear strategy for an effective offensive action that could possible force Thebes or Sparta to stop the war. The Periclean strategy on four counts: first that by rejecting minor concessions it brought about war; second, that it was unforeseen by the enemy and hence lacked credibility; third, that it was too feeble to exploit any opportunities; and fourth, that it depended on Pericles for its execution and thus was bound to be abandoned after his death. Pericles expenditure on his military strategy in the Peloponnesian War to be about 2,000 talents annually, and based on this figure concludes that he would only have enoug h money to keep the war going for three years. The strategy was too defensive and would not succeed. The Athenians lost the war only when they dramatically reversed the Periclean grand strategy that explicitly disdained further conquests. The Periclean strategy was not innovative, but could lead to stagnancy in favor of Athens. Peloponnesian war Pericles and the Athenians incited the war, scrambling to implement their belligerent tactics with a sort of arrogance and a love of strife. The reason for the war was Spartas fear of Athenian power and growth. Prelude to the war Pericles was convinced that the war against Sparta, which could not conceal its envy of Athens pre-eminence, was inevitable if not to be welcomed. Therefore he did not hesitate to send troops to Corcyra to reinforce the Corcyraean fleet, which was fighting against Corinth. In 433 BC the enemy fleets confronted each other at the Battle of Sybota and a year later the Athenians fought Corinthian colonists at the Battle of Potidaea; these two events contributed greatly to Corinths lasting hatred of Athens. The Athenians justification was that the Megarians had cultivated the sacred land consecrated to Demeter and had given refuge to runaway slaves, a behavior which the Athenians considered to be impious. Pericles advised the Athenians not to yield to their opponents demands, since they were militarily stronger. Pericles was not prepared to make unilateral concessions. Consequently, Pericles asked the Spartans to offer a quid pro quo. In exchange for retracting the Megarian Decree, the At henians demanded from Sparta to abandon their practice of periodic expulsion of foreigners from their territory (xenelasia) and to recognize the autonomy of its allied cities, a request implying that Spartas hegemony was also ruthless. Another consideration that may well have influenced Pericles stance was the concern that revolts in the empire might spread if Athens showed herself weak. First year of the war This deputation was not allowed to enter Athens, as Pericles had already passed a resolution according to which no Spartan deputation would be welcomed if the Spartans had previously initiated any hostile military actions. The Spartan army was at this time gathered at Corinth, and, citing this as a hostile action, the Athenians refused to admit their emissaries. Pericles also gave his compatriots some advice on their present affairs and reassured them that, if the enemy did not plunder his farms, he would offer his property to the city. In any case, seeing the pillage of their farms, the Athenians were outraged, and they soon began to indirectly express their discontent towards their leader, who many of them considered to have drawn them into the war. Even when in the face of mounting pressure, Pericles did not give in to the demands for immediate action against the enemy or revise his initial strategy. He also avoided convening the ecclesia, fearing that the populace, outraged by th e unopposed ravaging of their farms, might rashly decide to challenge the vaunted Spartan army in the field. While the Spartan army remained in Attica, Pericles sent a fleet of 100 ships to loot the coasts of the Peloponnese and charged the cavalry to guard the ravaged farms close to the walls of the city. When the enemy retired and the pillaging came to an end, Pericles proposed a decree according to which the authorities of the city should put aside 1,000 talents and 100 ships, in case Athens was attacked by naval forces. Last military operations In 430 BC, the army of Sparta looted Attica for a second time, but Pericles was not daunted and refused to revise his initial strategy. Unwilling to engage the Spartan army in battle, he again led a naval expedition to plunder the coasts of the Peloponnese, this time taking 100 Athenian ships with him. According to Plutarch, just before the sailing of the ships an eclipse of the sun frightened the crews, but Pericles used the astronomical knowledge he had acquired from Anaxagoras to calm them. In the summer of the same year an epidemic broke out and devastated the Athenians. The exact identity of the disease is uncertain, and has been the source of much debate. In any case, the citys plight, caused by the epidemic, triggered a new wave of public uproar, and Pericles was forced to defend himself in an emotional final speech. This is considered to be a monumental oration, revealing Pericles virtues but also his bitterness towards his compatriots ingratitude. Temporarily, he managed to tame the peoples resentment and to ride out the storm, but his internal enemies final bid to undermine him came off; they managed to deprive him of the generalship and to fine him at an amount estimated between 15 and 50 talents. Ancient sources mention Cleon, a rising and dynamic protagonist of the Athenian political scene during the war, as the public prosecutor in Pericles trial. Nevertheless, within just a year, in 429 BC, the Athenians not only forgave Pericles but also re-elected him as strategist. He was reinstated in command of the Athenian army and led all its military operations during 429 BC, having once again under his control the levers of power. Samian war The Samian War was one of the last significant military events before the Peloponnesian War. After Thucydides ostracism, Pericles was re-elected yearly to the generalship, the only office he ever officially occupied, although his influence was so great as to make him the de facto ruler of the state. In 440 BC Samos was at war with Miletus over control of Priene, an ancient city of Ionia on the foot-hills of Mycale. Worsted in the war, the Milesians came to Athens to plead their case against the Samians. When the Athenians ordered the two sides to stop fighting and submit the case to arbitration at Athens, the Samians refused. In a naval battle the Athenians led by Pericles and the other nine generals defeated the forces of Samos and imposed on the island an administration pleasing to them. When the Samians revolted against Athenian rule, Pericles compelled the rebels to capitulate after a tough siege of eight months, which resulted in substantial discontent among the Athenian sailors . Pericles then quelled a revolt in Byzantium and, when he returned to Athens, gave a funeral oration to honor the soldiers who died in the expedition. Between 438-436 BC Pericles led Athens fleet in Pontus and established friendly relations with the Greek cities of the region. Personal attacks Pericles and his friends were never immune from attack, as preeminence in democratic Athens was not equivalent to absolute rule. Just before the eruption of the Peloponnesian war, Pericles and two of his closest associates, Phidias and his companion, Aspasia, faced a series of personal and judicial attacks. Pericles enemies also found a false witness against Phidias, named Menon. Phidias suggested himself as a bald old man, and also inserted a very fine likeness of Pericles fighting with an Amazon. Aspasia, who was noted for her ability as a conversationalist and adviser, was accused of corrupting the women of Athens in order to satisfy Pericles perversions. Beyond these initial prosecutions, the ecclesia attacked Pericles himself by asking him to justify his ostensible profligacy with, and maladministration of, public money. Pericles was so afraid of the oncoming trial that he did not let the Athenians yield to the Lacedaemonians. Pericles deliberately brought on the war to protect his political position at home. Thus, at the start of the Peloponnesian War, Athens found itself in the awkward position of entrusting its future to a leader whose pre-eminence had just been seriously shaken for the first time in over a decade. Political career Entering politics In 472 BC, Pericles presented the Persae of Aeschylus at the Greater Dionysia as a liturgy, demonstrating that he was then one of the wealthier men of Athens. Pericles stood first among the Athenians for forty years. If this was so, Pericles must have taken up a position of leadership by the early 460s BC. Throughout these years he endeavored to protect his privacy and tried to present himself as a model for his fellow citizens. For example, he would often avoid banquets, trying to be frugal. In 463 BC Pericles was the leading prosecutor of Cimon, the leader of the conservative faction, who was accused of neglecting Athens vital interests in Macedon. Although Cimon was acquitted, this confrontation proved that Pericles major political opponent was vulnerable. Political leadership Thucydides was asked by Spartas king, Archidamus, whether he or Pericles was the better fighter, Thucydides answered without any hesitation that Pericles was better, because even when he was defeated, he managed to convince the audience that he had won. Athens was in name a democracy but, in fact, governed by its first citizen. Pericles charisma leaded, convinced and, sometimes manipulated. The fining of Pericles, the accusations against Pericles but instead focuses on Pericles integrity. Pericles made the Athenians slothful, garrulous and avaricious, by starting the system of public fees. The people were first led on by him into allotments of public lands, festival-grants, and distributions of fees for public services, thereby falling into bad habits, and becoming luxurious and wanton under the influence of his public measures, instead of frugal and self-sufficing. Pericles was not carried away by the people, but he was the one guiding the people. According to King, by increasing th e power of the people, the Athenians left themselves with no authoritative leader. During the Peloponnesian War, Pericles dependence on popular support to govern was obvious. Leading Athens Final battle with the conservatives In 444 BC, the conservative and the democratic factions confronted each other in a fierce struggle. The ambitious new leader of the conservatives accused Pericles of profligacy, criticizing the way he spent the money for the ongoing building plan. When Pericles, the leader of the democrats, took the floor, he put the conservatives in the shade. Pericles responded resolutely, proposing to reimburse the city for all the expenses from his private property, under the term that he would make the inscriptions of dedication in his own name. In 442 BC, the Athenian public ostracized for 10 years and Pericles was once again the unchallenged suzerain of the Athenian political arena. Athens rule over its alliance Pericles wanted to stabilize Athens dominance over its alliance and to enforce its pre-eminence in Greece. The final steps in the shift to empire may have been triggered by Athens defeat in Egypt, which challenged the citys dominance in the Aegean and led to the revolt of several allies. Either because of a genuine fear for its safety after the defeat in Egypt and the revolts of the allies, or as a pretext to gain control of the Leagues finances, Athens transferred the treasury of the alliance from Delos to Athens in 454-453 BC. It was from the alliances treasury that Pericles drew the funds necessary to enable his ambitious building plan, centered on the Periclean Acropolis, which included the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the golden statue of Athena, sculpted by Pericles friend, Phidias. The utilization of the alliances treasury, initiated and executed by Pericles, is one of the largest embezzlements in human history; this misappropriation financed. Ideas of Pericles on democracy Rise to democratic leadership Pericles immediately succeeded the assassinated Ephialtes as head of the Democratic Party in 461 is an ancient oversimplification; there were other men of considerable weight in Athens in the next 15 years. In 451 or 450 Pericles carried a law confining Athenian citizenship to those of Athenian parentage on both sides. Pericles was merely forging a low-level political weapon for use against Cimon, who had a foreign mother. The upper classes certainly had no prejudice against foreign marriages; the lower classes may well have had more, and, on the whole, it is possible to view Pericles here as championing exclusivist tendencies against immigrants who might break down the fabric of Athenian society. The law provided even the poorest Athenian girl with a dowry in the form of her citizenship. There was never any disposition on the part of Athenians to restrict economic opportunities for foreigners-who served in the fleet, worked on public buildings, and had freedom of trade and investmen t, with the crucial, but normal, exception of land and houses. Restoring Athens preeminence Pericles now embarked on a policy designed to secure Athens cultural and political leadership in Greece. If peace with Persia did not end the alliance, it may have ended the annual tribute paid to that treasury. Whether to regain this tribute, or simply to assert Athenian leadership, Pericles summoned a conference of all Greek states to consider the questions of rebuilding the Greek temples destroyed by the Persians, the payment of sacrifices due to the gods for salvation, and the freedom of the seas. Sparta would not cooperate, but Pericles continued on the narrower basis of the Athenian alliance. Tribute was to continue, and Athens would draw heavily on the reserves of the alliance for a magnificent building program centered on the Acropolis. Pericles argued that the allies were paying for their defense, and, if that was assured, Athens did not have to account for how the money was actually spent. Pericles was attributed a desire to stimulate economic activity and employment in Ath ens, but these motives may be anachronistic and in actuality may not have influenced the voters very much. Conclusion Pericles was the son of Xanthippus and Agariste. Pericles funded and produced Aeschylus entry into the years dramatic competition. In the 460s the Helots rebelled against the Spartans, who asked for help from Athens. In response to Spartas request for help, Athens leader, Cimon, led troops into Sparta. The Spartans sent them back, probably fearing the effects of their democratic ideas. A descendant of democracys founder Cleisthenes, Pericles came to power in about 460. Pericles was elected strategos for the next 29 years. From about 458-56, Pericles had the Long Walls built between Athens and the Piraeus, a peninsula with three harbors about 4.5 miles from Athens. He also had temples and shrines built to other gods to replace those that had been destroyed by the Persians during the wars. The treasury from the Delian alliance funded the building projects. Among the contributions made by Pericles to the Athenian democracy was the payment of magistrates. In 430, the Spartans and their a llies invaded Attica. Pericles was suspended for the office of strategos. He was found guilty of theft and fined 50 talents. Because Athens still needed him, Pericles was then re-instated, he died in the fall of 429, two and a half years after the Peloponnesian War began. His pattern of behaviour before the Peloponnesian War seems to me to accord with a more general pattern of behaviour in relation to foreign policy, but on this occasion he badly misjudged the consequences; of course he could not have foressen that this would be such a long-lasting and damging conflict, but was it really in the interests of Athens to get involved in hostilities with the Spartans in the first place? Threats might be all very well, to gain as good a postions for Athens as possible, especially as the Spartans were none to keen for any war, but surely the aim should have been to manage things through the acceptance of separate spheres of influence. Perhaps Pericles had been just too successful in the past, and this encouraged him to take a step too far. But I dont think one can condemn his bullishness before the Peloponnesian War while uncritically praising similar behaviour earlier. You refer to the idealization of Pericles. Now was at its height at a time when there was a general admiration for empires, and here was an Athenian Empire which, on a smalller scale, one could put alongside the Roman and later empires. As empires fell out of fashion, historians began to take a more nuanced view of Athenian activities in the age of Pericles, and this must have had some effect on how Pericles has been viewed. I dont know how significant a factor this has been in altering evaluations of him, others may be able to say more. à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ¨Ãƒ ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ¨Ãƒ ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ¨Ãƒ ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚ ´Ãƒ ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ §Ãƒ ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ §Ãƒ ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ §

Hamlet †the Irony Essay -- Essays on Shakespeare Hamlet

Hamlet – the Irony  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   The existence of considerable irony within the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet is a fact recognized by most literary critics. This paper will examine the play for instances of irony and their interpretation by critics.    In his essay â€Å"O’erdoing Termagant† Howard Felperin comments on Hamlet’s â€Å"ironic consciousness† of the fact that he is unable to quickly execute the command of the ghost:    Our own intuition of the creative or re-creative act that issued in the play also assumes a struggle with the literary past, but one of a more complex nature. It would seem to be Hamlet who is unable to impose successfully the model of an old play upon the intractable material of his present life, and Shakespeare who dramatizes with unfailing control the tragic conflict between his heroic effort to do so and his ironic consciousness that it cannot be done, with the inevitable by-products of hesitation and delay. (107-108)    Right at the outset of the drama, there is irony exhibited in the manner in which Shakespeare characterizes King Claudius – he is simply the perfect ruler – and yet, shortly hereafter when the ghost appears, he is revealed as a truly evil sort. George Lyman Kittredge, in his book, Five Plays of Shakespeare, describes the Bard’s excellent characterization of Claudius:    King Claudius is a superb figure – almost as great a dramatic creation as Hamlet himself. His intellectual powers are of the highest order. He is eloquent – formal when formality is appropriate (as in the speech from the throne), graciously familiar when familiarity is in place (as is his treatment of the family of Polonius), persuasive to an almost superhuman degree (as in his manipulation of the i... ...go: Greenhaven Press, 1996.    Rose, Mark. â€Å"Reforming the Role.† Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986.    Rosenberg, Marvin. â€Å"Laertes: An Impulsive but Earnest Young Aristocrat.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Masks of Hamlet. Newark, NJ: Univ. of Delaware P., 1992.    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html No line nos.    Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. â€Å"Hamlet: A Man Who Thinks Before He Acts.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Ed. Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar. N. p.: Pocket Books, 1958.      

The Problem of Power in Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

The Problem of Power in Macbeth      Ã‚   "Power poisons every man who covets it for himself" (Chute 126). In the Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, the character, Macbeth, kills the respected King Duncan in his quest for power. However, during his rule, Macbeth demonstrates that he is incapable of mastering the power and responsibilities of being a king. His drive for power and maintaining his power is the source of his downfall. Macbeth is not meant to have authority beyond Thane of Cawdor. When Macbeth is king, he does not use his authority judiciously.    Macbeth's eventual demise is by virtue of his obsession for power and retaining his power. Before he desired the power of being king, Macbeth was a respected noble. He was labeled, "brave Macbeth" (Act I, scene, ii, line 16) for his actions in battle. During a conversation between Duncan and the Captain, the Captain describes how Macbeth brutally slew the rebel Macdonwald:    Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, ... Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, And fixed his head upon our battlements (act I, scene, ii, lines 17- 23).    In his speech, the Captain describes Macbeth's violence to indicate what a good warrior he is thus showing that he has respect for Macbeth. Once Macbeth became king, he became overpowered with keeping his authority. Macbeth realized that he was being used just so that Banquo's sons can inherit the throne:       They hailed him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, And put a barren sceptre in my gripe, Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding (act III, scene 1, lines 60-64).    Macbeth feeling this way convinces a pair of men to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. By having Banquo and Fleance murdered, Macbeth believes that it will prevent Banquo's sons from becoming king. Macbeth also hires the murderers to kill Macduff's family. This demonstrates Macbeth's obsession because it indicates that Macbeth values his power over his friends. His obsession with power causes Macbeth to feel guilty and lose his sanity. Macbeth's guilt and loss of sanity is indicated in the hallucinations he experiences. His first hallucination occurs just before killing King Duncan. Macbeth sees "A dagger of the mind, a false creation" (act II, scene I, line 38). The Problem of Power in Shakespeare's Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework The Problem of Power in Macbeth      Ã‚   "Power poisons every man who covets it for himself" (Chute 126). In the Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, the character, Macbeth, kills the respected King Duncan in his quest for power. However, during his rule, Macbeth demonstrates that he is incapable of mastering the power and responsibilities of being a king. His drive for power and maintaining his power is the source of his downfall. Macbeth is not meant to have authority beyond Thane of Cawdor. When Macbeth is king, he does not use his authority judiciously.    Macbeth's eventual demise is by virtue of his obsession for power and retaining his power. Before he desired the power of being king, Macbeth was a respected noble. He was labeled, "brave Macbeth" (Act I, scene, ii, line 16) for his actions in battle. During a conversation between Duncan and the Captain, the Captain describes how Macbeth brutally slew the rebel Macdonwald:    Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, ... Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, And fixed his head upon our battlements (act I, scene, ii, lines 17- 23).    In his speech, the Captain describes Macbeth's violence to indicate what a good warrior he is thus showing that he has respect for Macbeth. Once Macbeth became king, he became overpowered with keeping his authority. Macbeth realized that he was being used just so that Banquo's sons can inherit the throne:       They hailed him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, And put a barren sceptre in my gripe, Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding (act III, scene 1, lines 60-64).    Macbeth feeling this way convinces a pair of men to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. By having Banquo and Fleance murdered, Macbeth believes that it will prevent Banquo's sons from becoming king. Macbeth also hires the murderers to kill Macduff's family. This demonstrates Macbeth's obsession because it indicates that Macbeth values his power over his friends. His obsession with power causes Macbeth to feel guilty and lose his sanity. Macbeth's guilt and loss of sanity is indicated in the hallucinations he experiences. His first hallucination occurs just before killing King Duncan. Macbeth sees "A dagger of the mind, a false creation" (act II, scene I, line 38).

Decision Making in End-of-life Circumstances :: Right To Die Death Essays

Decision Making in End-of-life Circumstances Traveling home on a cold January evening in 1983, a car loses control going around a slippery corner. The car spins, then flips, and the woman inside is thrown into a ditch thirty feet from where the car eventually comes to rest. She sustained numerous injuries and eventually stopped breathing. By the time paramedics arrived, she had not taken a breath for at least 15 minutes, her blood pressure was 0 over 0 and her pulse was 0 beats per minute: This is what is known as a â€Å"Code Blue† (PBS Frontline). Twenty minutes had passed before adequate amounts of oxygen had reached her brain. (Permanent brain damage generally results after six minutes without oxygen.) The woman’s name is Nancy Cruzan and her story is considered one of the most important milestones in the development of â€Å"right to die† policies in the United States because it is the first right to die case the Supreme Court ever heard. After extensive evaluation following her accident, Nancy was diagnosed with â€Å"probable brain damage compounded by significant oxygen deprivation† (Sisters of Leavenworth). Nancy remained in a coma for approximately three weeks and then progressed to an unconscious state in which she was able to ingest some nutrients orally. However, it soon became too difficult for Nancy to orally ingest the proper amount of nutrition, and it was necessary to implant a feeding and hydration tube. The tube was placed under consent from her father. Nancy’s eyes were open and she could move her mouth, but she did not have an understanding of what she heard or saw and could not speak. Nancy was described as being in a â€Å"permanent vegetative state† (American Medical Association). Ten months after her tragic accident, Nancy was moved to a state hospital, where various treatments and rehabilitative efforts were shown to be unsuccessful. After the realization that Nancy would most probably never regain her mental faculties, her parents Joe and Joyce Cruzan asked for the cessation of the administration of medically assisted nutrition and hydration via the gastronomy tube. The hospital did not feel they were authorized to honor the family’s request without court approval (Sisters of Leavenworth). The family was now faced with the emotional difficulties of requesting the removal of the same tube of which they had authorized the placement just a short time before.

Comparing and Contrasting PCs and mainframes Essay

Before the existence of personal computer or PC, there is minicomputer or microcomputer, the term â€Å"computer† simply referred to mainframes. Mainframes and personal computers have changed drastically over the years but their core functions and systems have stayed the same. The mainframe is used to connect multiple users for large organizations, while personal computers are generally used for a single user. The more drastic changes for mainframes and personal computers have been the increase of speed, memory, and the reduction of size. Mainframes use to be the size of buildings, now they are the size of a normal Intel blade server system. Last time when you need to access the mainframe you need to use a terminal for data entry or retrieve certain data. Then, the idea came to off load some of the processing from the mainframe and place it on a personal computer. Compare A mainframe is not much difference from a personal computer. There are many similarities between mainframes and personal computers which stands to reason since one evolved from the other. Both mainframes and personal computers have one or more central processor units, a huge number of memory, one or more busses, and one or more I/O systems. Another similarity between the two is that they are both IBM-based systems and similar hardware is used to build them. They can also perform some complex calculations, applications and handle multiple programs. Another area is that both require operating system to work and also to handle and optimize all the I/O systems or modules. Differences Although they are much similarity between the mainframes and computer as mention above, the similarity stop there as they are many differences too. Mainframes cost much more in terms of thousands of dollar than a normal personal computer or server. The mainframe nowadays takes up less space and less power consumption compare to a server farm task to do the same job. As mention (Shurkin, 1996), Transaction processing jobs run constantly in real-time and must be available more than 99. 99% of the time. The reboots and lock-ups common with PCs are simply not acceptable. Thousands of individual users can log in simultaneously from a variety of sources such as computer terminals, ATM, or Internet web sites, and complete a single transaction. Time-sharing jobs can be started when needed from a computer terminal by authorized users who then use the mainframe as their own big PC. Finally, batch jobs are started automatically by the system at regular times according to a strict predetermined schedule. Batch jobs are used to do the periodic processing required on the data being received from transaction and time-sharing jobs. Closing the accounting books at month-end or copying disk files to tape for backup are examples of batch type processing. The OS or Operating System in a mainframe such as from IBM z/OS which is the successor to the IBM OS/390 can run Multiple Virtual Systems (MVS). The new IBM z/OS support WebSphere ® Application Server on z/OS, and also the new zFS (System z File System) Direct I/O capability in z/OS. This help to enhance performance improvements to the system, and also provide an easier Parallel Sysplex functionality (IBM, September 2011). In an article by (Barnett G, 2010) stated that the mainframe is best suited for enterprise cloud computing as it is easily able to handle hundreds of complex applications or programs, and most important able to run hundreds of environment in a single physical footprint and easily deliver the 24Ãâ€"7 availability that our customers demand. Conclusion (Doerbecker & Patterson, 2002), stated that the role of the mainframe has gradually changed from that of a data processor to that of a server, with the processing being done on the user’s PC. It has also been modified to interface to the Internet through the addition of TCP/IP protocols, Unix, and Java programming, to enable businesses to connect to their customers over that network. Once the only form of business computer available, the mainframe has survived the PC revolution and maintained an important function in commercial computing.

Final Mexican History Essay

Question- The PRI dominated Mexico from 1929 to 2000. How did this party begin? Why could it claim it was a democratic party? What do you think might be its future? Opening statement- The PRI, or National Revolutionary Party in English and called the Partido Nacional Revolucionario in Spanish (PNR) was established by Plutarco Elias Calles. He was a military General turned politician and served as the Mexican president in 1924-1928. After his presidency he continued as the de facto president. In 1929 he organized military officials, politicians, union bosses, and labor organizations and strong-armed and influenced them into joining his party. Factors are discussed in order- The PRI underwent several name changes and reorganizations through the years but gained momentum, power and members. The middle class was able to gain a foothold in politics into the PRI especially during the â€Å"stabilizing development† which occurred during the 1950s and 1960s. It was made up of networks of the lower and middle class, unions, members and politicians. The party thrived on relationships, favors and power. Strength was gained through overall corruption, bribery, and misuse and stealing of public money. It sought to gain popularity by exchanging services and favors for votes. In this way it may have appeared to be a party of the people and a democratic entity. Especially during elections goods flowed freely in exchange for loyalty and votes. It reigned freely and had complete control and could claim they were a party of democracy. President Salinas, elected in 1988 worked hard to reform the party’s image. He attempted to downplay his relationship with big business and emphasized his support for the little guy in order to gain more popularity, votes and favor with the Mexican people and former enemies such as the Roman Catholic Church and other long alienated industries. Salinas also attempted to restructure the Mexican economy by privatization, but the decades of corruption and absolute rule made this difficult and it wasn’t enough to save the doomed and defunct party. Conclusion and opinion- On July 2, 2000 Vicente Fox won the Mexican Presidential election in what could be called a â€Å"landslide†. This marked a historic victory of a new era for Mexican politics. It also was the end for the longest rule of a governing Party in the world, the PRI. The history for the party doesn’t look so bright. After being such a ruthless and cruel political party its reputation and credibility is in tatters. In 2003 it was nearly exterminated in the Federal District. It is doubtful that the PRI could make a resurgence without cleaning house and reorganizing significantly. As long as the Mexican people continue to stand up and strongly demand accountability and transparency in their government, democracy and real change is possible. Works Cited: Diamond, Larry â€Å"What the Democratization of Mexico Means for The World† Hoover Institute Stanford University (2000) volume no. 4 Knowledgerush (2009) Partido Revolucionario Institucional 8 May 2010 http://www. knowledgerush. com/kr/encyclopedia/Partido_Revolucionario_Institucional/ U. S Library of Congress â€Å"Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)† 8 May 2010 http://countrystudies. us/mexico/84. htm Wuhs, Steven T, Savage Democracy University Park, PA, Penn State Press, 2008

National Cranberry Cooperative

NATIONAL CRANBERRY CO-OPERATIVE CASE STUDY * Nishi Sharma In 1971, National Cranberry Cooperative faced recurring operational problems that affected the productivity and relationship of NCC to growers. This analysis will discuss how NCC can improve its operation before the peak-season comes in. The analysis was based from facts cited in the case, using tools such as but not limited to process flow diagram, cost, benefit and utilization analysis, and work-force scheduling. The author recommends solution that will not just improve NCC's operations but will also increase plant's capacity and decrease its cost thereby leading to long-term savings for the growers. Problem Statement/Key Issues This case analysis will investigate two primary problems faced by NCC (1) Long waiting period of trucks during unloading of berries at RP1 and (2) Too much overtime cost. This case will also look at a secondary problem, specifically, the inaccuracy of grading of berries. Supporting Argument It is necessary to address the truck's queuing problem in 1970 in order to attain NCC's planned increase in output of water harvested crop from 58% to 70% the following year. The queuing/idle time during unloading also creates unnecessary costs particularly the cost of leasing trucks and hiring drivers. Also, Cranberries' market price is influenced by the government regulation Cranberry Marketing Order 1070, which mandates owners to scrap 10% or 200,000 bbls of harvested crops, thereby reducing income for the same resources used. With this, it is important that NCC manage its resources properly including scheduling of workforce (seasonal ; full-time) to reduce the costs like the overtime pay. With the cost amounting to $112,500 ($450,000/2Ãâ€"0. 5) incurred for paying extra premiums to second graded berries, it is important to look at the grading process and assess the need for installing an equipment that can help reduce the said cost. Alternatives The following are the alternatives proposed by Mr. Williston: 1. To buy and install new dryers 2. Convert dry berry holding bins to store water harvested or dry berries 3. Install Light Meter System for color grading PROCESS DIAGRAM – NATIONAL CRANBERRIES CO-OPERATIVE Assumptions:    We have assumed that: †¢ There is a cost associated with trucks waiting to be unloaded and it is $5 per hour. †¢ We have not considered per hour operating    cost of plant †¢ Overtime for both regular and part time worker has been taken to be $ 6. 50 per hour. †¢ In calculating the payback time, the same cost saving will occur every day. It is given in case that wet berries will make 70 % of total berries and that normal running hours for plant is 11 (12-1) hours. Case 1: 10000 bbl/day Wet Berries (WB) ( 7000 bbl/day Dry Berries (DB) ( 3000bbl/day Total Time = 11 Hrs WB feed=7000/11 = 637 bbl/hr DB feed= 3000/11 = 273 bbl/hr Minimum processing rate for WB is at dryers, which is = 600 bbl/hr Minimum processing rate for DB is = 1500 bbl/hr Hence, after 11 hours total accumulation of WB = (637-600)*11 = 407 bbl Overtime = 407/600 = 0. 7 hrs Now, assuming this is not a peak season, we have considered only 27 workers. Since plant is working suboptimal level during overtime , only two-third of the work force will be working on wet berries drying process. =2/3 work force = 20*(2/3) = 12 Savings per day = 12 * 6. 5= 78 Savings for season = 78* 90 = 7020 If we add another dryer, to save overtime cost, cost will be = 40000 Analysis Considering the cost of depreciation and cost of investment in dryer(8-10%) it will not be economical to buy another dryer. National Cranberry Cooperative Case Report: National Cranberry Cooperative Fill in your name in the header. Please read the Assignment Collaboration Guidelines in Course Syllabus: Collaboration between groups is not allowed; however, if you hear something from some other group, please give a reference. Below, write your answers to Questions 1-4 (on BB/Cases). Your analysis should be based on the assumptions listed in the Syllabus. If you need to make additional assumptions to answer a question, clearly state them, logically defend them, and then proceed to answer the question accordingly.The idea is to answer the questions concisely. Double spacing is preferred, 1. 5-line spacing is the minimum (consider the reader’s eye strain). 1. Mark the capacity and utilization of each resource in the process flow diagram at the end of this document. Briefly describe how you calculate the capacity and utilization here. [20 points] On average, 18000 barrels arrive over the 12hr span that the business is open. This means approximately 1500 barrels of berries are input into the process per hour (18000barrels/12hrs). The capacity of the Kiwanee dumpers was given as 3000 b/hr. and I was able to calculate the implied utilization by dividing the berry input rate by the capacity(1500bbl/hr divided by 3000bbl/hr). To calculate the actual utilization of the dumpers, you must first determine the flow rate of the system. Only 25% of the berries are dry and 75% are wet. This sums to 375 dry berries per hour (1500 input/hr x. 25) and 1125 wet berries per hour (1500 input x . 75). The dry berries have 16 bins that hold 250 barrels a piece, adding up to a total of 4000 berries that can be stored. The wet berries have 8 bins that hold 250 barrels and 3 bins that hold 400 barrels, adding up to 3200 barrels total for storage.The capacity of the DeStoners was given as 1500bbl/hr. The implied utilization would be the input rate (1500bbl/hr) divided by the capacity (1500 bbl/hr). Since the bottleneck does not impact t he dry berries, the actual and implied utilization will be the same for the dry berries in all facets of the operation. The capacity of the Dechaffers for the dry berries was also given as 1500 bbl/hr and once again the implied and actual utilization will be 1. 0. Switching to the Wet Berries, we see that there are two Dechaffers that can each store up to 1500bbl/hr, which will add up to a capacity of 3000bbl/hr.We can calculate the implied utilization of the wet berry Dechaffer by dividing the input rate (1500bbl/hr) by the capacity (3000bbl/hr) and the actual utilization by dividing the Flow Rate (600bbl/hr) by the capacity (3000bbl/hr). The Dryers set the standard for the wet berries because they are the bottleneck of the operation. There are three dryers that can process 200bbl/hr, giving us a total capacity of 600bbl/hr. The implied utilization is not very realistic because it takes the 1500bbl/hr input rate and divides it by the 600bbl/hr capacity. The actual utilization of a bottleneck is always 1. because it is operating at maximum capacity. Lastly, there are three separators that have a capacity of 400bbl/hr each, giving us a total of 1200bbl/hr. The implied utilization will be discovered as 1. 25 because you are taking the 1500bbl/hr input rate and dividing it by 1200bbl/hr capacity. The actual utilization can be found by 600bbl/hr (wet berries) plus 375bbl/hr (dry berries) and using them as your input rate. So you will divide the 975bbl/hr by 1200bbl/hr capacity and get . 8125. 2. Enter your answer and supporting arguments for question 2 here. [10 points] The current maximum throughput rate is 975bbl/hr. 75bbl/hr can be processed by the dry berries because they have the ability to operate at maximum capacity. On the wet berry side, the process is slowed by the dryers, which represent the bottleneck of the operation. Since the dryers can only process 600bbl/hr, we will add the 600bbl/hr and the 375bbl/hr to get a total of 975bbl/hr. 3. Enter your ans wer and supporting arguments for question 3 here. [30 points] *See attached diagram 4. Enter your answer and supporting arguments for question 4 here. [40 points] The possible capital investments I used were adding one more dryer, and swapping one bin from the dry berry operation to the wet berry.Buying the fifth Kiwanee dumper was a misguided investment because the real object should be to increase your bottleneck to speed up the operation. The capacity of the dumpers is 600bbl/hr, so having one less dumper would only drop this to 2400bbl/hr. The throughput rate of the entire system is only 975bbl/hr, so the focus ultimately should be turned to increasing the capacity of the dryers instead of the capacity of the dumpers. The attached excel spreadsheet will explain the ultimate benefits of the proposed capital investments I have offered. Bulk and Bag Separators C = 1200b/hrU = 1. 25, . 8125 Dryers C =600 b/hrU = 2. 5, 1. Destoners C =1500b/hrU =1. 0, 1. 0 Kiwanee Dumpers C = 3000b/h rU = . 5, . 325 Trucks in Queue Bins 1-16 storage =4000 Bins 17-27 storage = 3200 Dechaffers C = 1500b/hrU = 1. 0, 1. 0 Dry berries 375†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. bbl/hr Wet berries 1125†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ bbl/hr Dechaffers C = 3000b/hrU = . 5, . 20 Bulk and Bag Separators C = 1200b/hrU = 1. 25, . 8125 Dryers C =600 b/hrU = 2. 5, 1. 0 Destoners C =1500b/hrU =1. 0, 1. 0 Kiwanee Dumpers C = 3000b/hrU = . 5, . 325 Trucks in Queue Bins 1-16 storage =4000 Bins 17-27 storage = 3200 Dechaffers C = 1500b/hrU = 1. 0, 1. 0 Dry berries 375†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. bbl/hr Wet berries 1125†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ bbl/hr Dechaffers C = 3000b/hrU = . 5, . 20 National Cranberry Cooperative Case Report: National Cranberry Cooperative Fill in your name in the header. Please read the Assignment Collaboration Guidelines in Course Syllabus: Collaboration between groups is not allowed; however, if you hear something from some other group, please give a reference. Below, write your answers to Questions 1-4 (on BB/Cases). Your analysis should be based on the assumptions listed in the Syllabus. If you need to make additional assumptions to answer a question, clearly state them, logically defend them, and then proceed to answer the question accordingly.The idea is to answer the questions concisely. Double spacing is preferred, 1. 5-line spacing is the minimum (consider the reader’s eye strain). 1. Mark the capacity and utilization of each resource in the process flow diagram at the end of this document. Briefly describe how you calculate the capacity and utilization here. [20 points] On average, 18000 barrels arrive over the 12hr span that the business is open. This means approximately 1500 barrels of berries are input into the process per hour (18000barrels/12hrs). The capacity of the Kiwanee dumpers was given as 3000 b/hr. and I was able to calculate the implied utilization by dividing the berry input rate by the capacity(1500bbl/hr divided by 3000bbl/hr). To calculate the actual utilization of the dumpers, you must first determine the flow rate of the system. Only 25% of the berries are dry and 75% are wet. This sums to 375 dry berries per hour (1500 input/hr x. 25) and 1125 wet berries per hour (1500 input x . 75). The dry berries have 16 bins that hold 250 barrels a piece, adding up to a total of 4000 berries that can be stored. The wet berries have 8 bins that hold 250 barrels and 3 bins that hold 400 barrels, adding up to 3200 barrels total for storage.The capacity of the DeStoners was given as 1500bbl/hr. The implied utilization would be the input rate (1500bbl/hr) divided by the capacity (1500 bbl/hr). Since the bottleneck does not impact t he dry berries, the actual and implied utilization will be the same for the dry berries in all facets of the operation. The capacity of the Dechaffers for the dry berries was also given as 1500 bbl/hr and once again the implied and actual utilization will be 1. 0. Switching to the Wet Berries, we see that there are two Dechaffers that can each store up to 1500bbl/hr, which will add up to a capacity of 3000bbl/hr.We can calculate the implied utilization of the wet berry Dechaffer by dividing the input rate (1500bbl/hr) by the capacity (3000bbl/hr) and the actual utilization by dividing the Flow Rate (600bbl/hr) by the capacity (3000bbl/hr). The Dryers set the standard for the wet berries because they are the bottleneck of the operation. There are three dryers that can process 200bbl/hr, giving us a total capacity of 600bbl/hr. The implied utilization is not very realistic because it takes the 1500bbl/hr input rate and divides it by the 600bbl/hr capacity. The actual utilization of a bottleneck is always 1. because it is operating at maximum capacity. Lastly, there are three separators that have a capacity of 400bbl/hr each, giving us a total of 1200bbl/hr. The implied utilization will be discovered as 1. 25 because you are taking the 1500bbl/hr input rate and dividing it by 1200bbl/hr capacity. The actual utilization can be found by 600bbl/hr (wet berries) plus 375bbl/hr (dry berries) and using them as your input rate. So you will divide the 975bbl/hr by 1200bbl/hr capacity and get . 8125. 2. Enter your answer and supporting arguments for question 2 here. [10 points] The current maximum throughput rate is 975bbl/hr. 75bbl/hr can be processed by the dry berries because they have the ability to operate at maximum capacity. On the wet berry side, the process is slowed by the dryers, which represent the bottleneck of the operation. Since the dryers can only process 600bbl/hr, we will add the 600bbl/hr and the 375bbl/hr to get a total of 975bbl/hr. 3. Enter your ans wer and supporting arguments for question 3 here. [30 points] *See attached diagram 4. Enter your answer and supporting arguments for question 4 here. [40 points] The possible capital investments I used were adding one more dryer, and swapping one bin from the dry berry operation to the wet berry.Buying the fifth Kiwanee dumper was a misguided investment because the real object should be to increase your bottleneck to speed up the operation. The capacity of the dumpers is 600bbl/hr, so having one less dumper would only drop this to 2400bbl/hr. The throughput rate of the entire system is only 975bbl/hr, so the focus ultimately should be turned to increasing the capacity of the dryers instead of the capacity of the dumpers. The attached excel spreadsheet will explain the ultimate benefits of the proposed capital investments I have offered. Bulk and Bag Separators C = 1200b/hrU = 1. 25, . 8125 Dryers C =600 b/hrU = 2. 5, 1. Destoners C =1500b/hrU =1. 0, 1. 0 Kiwanee Dumpers C = 3000b/h rU = . 5, . 325 Trucks in Queue Bins 1-16 storage =4000 Bins 17-27 storage = 3200 Dechaffers C = 1500b/hrU = 1. 0, 1. 0 Dry berries 375†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. bbl/hr Wet berries 1125†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ bbl/hr Dechaffers C = 3000b/hrU = . 5, . 20 Bulk and Bag Separators C = 1200b/hrU = 1. 25, . 8125 Dryers C =600 b/hrU = 2. 5, 1. 0 Destoners C =1500b/hrU =1. 0, 1. 0 Kiwanee Dumpers C = 3000b/hrU = . 5, . 325 Trucks in Queue Bins 1-16 storage =4000 Bins 17-27 storage = 3200 Dechaffers C = 1500b/hrU = 1. 0, 1. 0 Dry berries 375†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. bbl/hr Wet berries 1125†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ bbl/hr Dechaffers C = 3000b/hrU = . 5, . 20