Financial Analysis Assignment on Ratio Analysis Virgin Media - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1516 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? The company formerly known as NTL Group Limited is a cable and telecommunication firm. It was established in 1996 from the acquisition of National Tran communications limited by international cable tel. It conduct business from its registered head office which is located i London, United Kingdom. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Financial Analysis Assignment on Ratio Analysis Virgin Media" essay for you Create order The company telecommunications services include a national digital telecoms network end to end residential and business telecommunication, internet services, mobile radio communication, visual communications, internet services, internet satellite links and turnkey systems. The company holds several cable TV franchises for Dublin, Galway and Waterford, and all of Northern Ireland. In addition the company holds MMDS franchises for mobile telecommunication covering counties Dublin, Galway, Waterford and Mayo. The company has home businesses such as NTL UK and Ireland cable networks, ITV/C4 transmission network, and NTL Business UK and Ireland. Further the company has international business in Australia, Switzerland, France and Singapore. Background Virgin Media Inc. is an UK based media and communications company. The company is a residential broadband and mobile virtual network operator and also engaged in providing a pay television and fixed-line telephone services in the UK. Virgin Media conducts its business operations through three reportable segments, namely, Cable, Mobile and Content. The company is head quartered at New York, the US. In April 2009, sit-up Ltd., UKs most innovative home shopping retailer and a subsidiary of Virgin Media was acquired by Munich-based industrial holding named AURELIUS AG. Wondering who we are? Well, were the first people in the UK to offer you TV, Broadband, Phone and Mobile all from one place. The future is bursting with fresh entertainment and communication possibilities. Thats why were here to bring all the excitement to you and make your digital place the brilliant place it should be. Suddenly, everythings coming together, and were the first people to provide you with a unique combina tion of: TV that puts you in control Superfast and reliable broadband Phone packages that fit around you Mobile service that gives you just what you want Whatever you choose with Virgin Media, were aiming to make the whole experience as effortless as the award-winning service our Virgin Mobile customers have enjoyed for years. RATIO ANALYSIS Financial statement analysis is a judgmental process. One of the primary objectives is identification of major changes in trends, and relationships and the investigation of the reasons underlying those changes. The judgment process can be improved by experience and the use of analytical tools. Probably the most widely used financial analysis technique is ratio analysis, the analysis of relationships between two or more line items on the financial statement. Financial ratios are usually expressed in percentage or times. Generally, financial ratios are calculated for the purpose of evaluating aspects of a companys operations and fall into the following categories: Liquidity ratios measure a firms ability to meet its current obligations. Profitability ratios measure managements ability to control expenses and to earn a return on the resources committed to the business. Leverage ratios measure the degree of protection of suppliers of long-term funds and can also aid in judging a firms ability to raise additional debt and its capacity to pay its liabilities on time. LIQUIDITY RATIOS Working Capital: Working capital compares current assets to current liabilities, and serves as the liquid reserve available to satisfy contingencies and uncertainties. A high working capital balance is mandated if the entity is unable to borrow on short notice. The ratio indicates the short-term solvency of a business and in determining if a firm can pay its current liabilities when due. Current Assets Current Liabilities Acid Test or Quick Ratio: A measurement of the liquidity position of the business. The quick ratio compares the cash plus cash equivalents and accounts receivable to the current liabilities. The primary difference between the current ratio and the quick ratio is the quick ratio does not include inventory and prepaid expenses in the calculation. Consequently, a businesss quick ratio will be lower than its current ratio. It is a stringent test of liquidity. Securities + Cash + Marketable Accounts Receivable Current Liabilities Current Ratio: Provides an indication of the liquidity of the business by comparing the amount of current Assets to current liabilities. A businesss current assets generally consist of cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable, and inventories. Current liabilities include accounts payable, current maturities of long-term debt, accrued income taxes, and other accrued expenses that are due within one year. Current Assets Current Liabilities PROFITABILITY RATIOS This ratio reflects the overall profitability of the business. It is calculated by comparing the profit earned and the capital employed to earn it. Return on Capital Employed = Profit before Interest, Tax and dividend *100 Capital Employed Return on shareholders funds This ratio reveals how profitably the proprietors funds have been utilized by the firm. Net profit after interest tax Total shareholders funds Net profit ratio This ratio shows the relationship between net profit and sales. Net Profit Ratio = Net Profit * 100 Net Sales Earnings per Share This ratio measures the profit available to the equity shareholders on a per share basis. All profits left after payment of tax and preference dividend are available to equity shareholders. EPS = Net Profit Dividend on Preference Shares No of equity shares Dividend per Share DPS is the dividend distributed to equity shareholders divided by the no. of equity shares. DPS = Dividend paid to Equity Shareholder No. of Equity Shares Earnings and Dividend Yield This ratio is closely related to EPS and DPS. While the EPS and DPS are calculated on the basis of the book value of shares, this ratio is calculated on the basis of the market value of shares. Earnings Yield = EPS * 100 Market value per share Dividend Yield = DPS * 100 Market value per share Price Earnings Ratio It is computed by dividing the market price of a share by the EPS. PE Ratio = Market Price of the share EPS SOLVENCY RATIOS Debt Equity Ratio This ratio explains the relationship between the long term debts and share holders funds. Debt Equity Ratio = Debt Equity Debt to Total Fund Ratio This ratio is a variation of the Debt Equity Ratio and gives the same indication as the debt equity ratio. In this ratio, debt is expressed in relation to total funds. Debt Total Funds Ratio = Debt Equity + Debt EFFICIENCY RATIOS Sales to Working Capital (Net Working Capital Turnover) Indicates the turnover in working capital per year. A low ratio indicates inefficiency, while a high level implies that the companys working capital is working too hard. Net Sales Average Working Capital Financial Statement: Profit and Loss A/c: Particular 2008( millions) 2009( millions) Turnover 3776.8 3663.9 Operating Profit -271.8 132 Net interest -473.3 -448.9 Profit Before Tax -860.2 -352.8 Profit after Tax -853.4 350.3 Balance Sheet: Particular 2008( millions) 2009( millions) Intangible Assets 2592.6 2283.7 Tangible Assets 5342.1 5045.8 Fixed Investment 353.5 359.9 Total Fixed Assets 8877.8 8087.5 Cash at Bank or in Hand 181.6 430.5 Total Assets 9933.3 9190.5 Creditor Amount 1475.1 1352.2 Creditor Amount after 1 year 192.7 288.8 Total Liability 7917.1 7698.7 Net Assets 2016.2 1491.3 Ratio of Virgin Media: Items 2009 2008 Current Ratio 1.23 1.42 Liquidity Ratio 1.23 1.42 Shareholder liquidity ratio -0.53 0.67 Solvency Ratio 18.63 -41.68 Assets Cover 4.11 1.31 Gearing (%) 361.03 n.s Return on Capital Employed 130.88 -40.30 Return on Total Assets 60.67 -14.92 Ratio Analysis of Virgin Media: In the analysis I got the ratios from profit and loss, balance sheet. There has different ratios like current ratio, liquidity ratio, shareholder liquidity ratio, solvency ratio, assets cover, Gearing Ratio, return on capital employed, return on total assets. So the analyses of this ratio are as follows: In the current ratio the ratio in 2008 is 1.42 whereas in the year 2009 ratio is 1.23. So its slightly decrease from 2008. In the liquidity ratio also it has the same position in both the year. Like as the current ratio. With 1.42 in 2008 and 1.23 in 2009 In shareholder liquidity ratio, in 2008 it has 0.67 and in 2009 it has negative position as -0.53. So, it has also decrease from 2008. In Solvency ratio, in the year 2008 the ratio is -41.68 and in 2009 it has 18.63. So we can say that it has increase as comparison to 2008. In Assets covering ratio, in the year 2008 1.31 value and in 2009 it has 4.11 values. And it is also good for the company. In the return on capital employed, in the year 2008 value is -40.30 has negative value. And in 2009 it has 130.88. It is also good for the company. In the return on total assets, ratio in the year of 2008 has -14.92 which is not good for company. But in the year 2009 it has good value as comparison to 2008 and got 60.67 values. Conclusion: Provide key company information for business intelligence needs The company strengths and weakness and area of development or decline are analyzed. The opportunity open to the company are considered and its growth potential assessed. Competitive or technological threats are highlighted. The report contains critical company information business structure and operations, the company history, major products and services, key competitors, key employees and executive biographies, different locations and important subsidiaries. The report provides detailed financial ratio for the past years as well as interim ratio for the last four quarters. Financial ratio includes profitability, margins and return, liquidity and leverage, financial position and efficiency ratio.

The Rational Choice Approach Free Essays

Whilst people all around the world debate over which political system is the most effective, social scientists are still in debate over which is the best way to analyse politics. Without the correct analysis of political objects how is one supposed to decide which political system or party is the most effective? It is for this reason that the way in which we analyse political objects is so important. There are many different ways to go about analysing politics. We will write a custom essay sample on The Rational Choice Approach or any similar topic only for you Order Now One main distinction to be noted is how in America the subject is called political science, whereas many European universities just call it politics. European scholars would suggest that the name political science is flawed in the sense that you cannot conduct certain political experiments. Rational choice theorists would suggest otherwise as I will explain later on in the essay. In a lecture delivered by Professor Mark Franklin at the European University Institute, he stated; â€Å"We cannot take a random sample of people and give them a new political system to see what happens† (Franklin, 2006). Debates such as these go far further than just cross-national. In this essay I intend to give a brief background to the various approaches to studying politics. I will then go on to outline the strengths and weaknesses of the rational choice approach to understanding the political, paying close attention to the definition of self-interest, using various scholars work to form a critique of the rational choice theory. The studying of politics can be dated back to the ‘Platonic era’ of ancient Greece, as early as 420 B. C. However, the departments of politics came much later. Within these departments one of the earliest forms of analysing politics was through the method of institutionalism. This involved the studying of institutions. Institutionalists looked at how institutions were formed, what they did and how they were structured. Rather than looking at philosophical questions, institutionalists concentrated on normative questions. Institutionalism was criticised for its lack of rigour as it was mainly a descriptive process. Others called it elitist and described it as â€Å"clever people telling others about their own system† (Parvin, 2013). The 1930s saw the American way of thinking revised as a result of the increasing numbers of European scholars entering America. As a result of this, and with the growing criticisms of the conventional approach, analysis took a behavioural standpoint. At the same time of behaviouralism, rational choice theorists were in writing. However, it only flourished in the 1980s. Rational choice theory involves more questioning of peoples decisions and political objectives and was a lot less descriptive. Rational choice theory, first used in the field of economics, suggests individuals are rational and therefore act in their own self-interest. They do this by weighing up the costs and benefits of a situation. It also assumes individuals are rational meaning they do not act outside the norm. Another assumption is that individuals make their decisions whilst taking into account what other individuals do, or what they believe the other individuals will do. The first weakness of the rational choice theory I wish to analyse is the assumption that all individuals are self-interested. To tackle this it is important to define being self-interested. It is often defined as one gaining pleasure from an act. However, is an act still self-interested if the person gains pleasure from helping others? If your answer is no, then what if an act pleasures one’s self whilst helping others, but also putting others at a disadvantage. Is this now self-interested again? For example, when a pressure group member of ‘fathers 4 justice’ climbs a building to encourage politicians to allow him to see his child he would be seen as self-interested. On the other hand, he is doing it in order to care for his child and give him the correct up-bringing he needs. In this instance he may not be considered self-interested. On a further note, by climbing up said building police and other services would be called out to resolve the situation. This could lead to a delayed call-out for police to attend another crime scene, putting others at a disadvantage. Does this now make the act self-interested again? From this series example it is evident that there are usually several parties affected by a particular political movement or decision. It is also evident that upon making political decisions people often have multiple incentives which may involve benefiting ones self and benefiting others, making it extremely difficult to give determine if an act is self-interested or not. Furthermore, assuming it was possible to narrow down an act to being self-interested or not, it is  impossible to say every single person is self-interested. This is outlined by the ‘black swan theory’. This theory suggests that no matter how many white swans you see, you can never rule out the possibility of there being a black swan. One strength of the rational choice theory is that it offers an explanation as to why there has been a a dramatic decrease in political participation since the middle of the 20th century, as outlined in Colin Hay’s book ‘Why we hate politics’. For example, between 1950 and 2001 electoral turnout in the UK has decreased by 24.2% (Hay, 2008: 49). Decreases in electoral turnout doesn’t stop at the UK, since the middle of the 20th century lots of countries including of the OECD countries, bar two. This decrease in political participation may be as a result of voters weighing up the costs and benefits of voting and then coming to the conclusion the costs outweigh the benefits. People feel as if their vote would count for nothing and that one vote is highly unlikely to change who forms the government. Hay goes on to deliver this point of view in the equation of [Uchosen – Uother] p Cvoting. In this equation [Uchosen – Uother] p represents the utility the voter receives if the party they vote for goes into power minus the utility received if the other party goes into power. Cvoting represents the cost of voting and the cost is always greater than the benefits to a rational individual (Hay, 2008: 50). This is further examined by Mancur Oslon in his book ‘The logic of Collective Action’. Oslon highlights how individuals do not participate, letting others put in the work and then reaping the rewards of having a strong government (Oslon, 1971). This has also been linked to the power of the minority and how they can choose to opt out of a trade union but still get the benefits, for example; an increasing wage rate. Both theories presented are easy to accept as they suggest strong explanations as to why there has been a decrease in participation. However, on a closer examination to the voting system, it may appear that there are more benefits to be earned from voting. Many people experience a feeling of pleasure from participating as they feel as if they have done a good deed. Which arguably, they have. Moreover, some people may experience a sense of pride as a result of doing something to help their country. Another point to take into account when weighing up the benefits of voting is that some people may genuinely enjoy the process. On the contrary, when weighing the costs it must be noted that the effort and inconvenience of voting isn’t the only cost in certain cases. Some individuals choose not to vote as they believe by voting they are accepting a certain party’s policies, whereas some people do not agree with any party. Others are anarchists who do not believe governments should exist. In this instance the cost would be far greater, providing further support for the rational choice theory. The rational choice theory has also allowed us to predict behaviour through its vigorous methodology. In the introduction I briefly mentioned the various views on whether or not politics can be viewed as a science. Although we may not be able to conduct experiments which involve observing people in different political systems, we can put them in situations to observe their decision making and relate it to the political. One experiment involving offering two bank robbers the opportunity to either stay quiet or hand over their accomplice saw individuals being rational. The best outcome was if they both stayed quiet and saw them both have reduced sentences, whilst if one stays quiet and the other hands the accomplice over, the accomplice will be sentenced with the one who handed him over going free. However, if they both handed each other over they would both have an increased sentence. This is part of game theory and is known as the prisoner’s dilemma. Being rational, the prisoners near enough always handed over their partner. Rational choice theorists would suggest this can be transferred to the political arena by explaining that they would act with this level of self-interest in all situations, including within the political arena. Nonetheless, it is important to note that choosing between imprisonment and who governs are two completely different scenarios. To say that individuals would act the same in both situations with little evidence to show this is somewhat illogical. For example when confronted by a woman asking you for your wallet you may decide to refuse, but when she is holding a gun to your head your answer may change. The game show whereby similar outcomes are offered to two people but instead of prison sentences, the outcome is how much money they receive is evidence of how the answer depends on what is at stake. Within this show there were always different combinations of answers with both self-interested people and people willing to share. From this essay it is clear that there are many weaknesses. However, it should not go un-noticed that one of the most influential factors that caused the increasing use of the rational choice approach was its vigour. Whilst other approaches offer mere descriptions, rational choice theory goes into deep questioning. Furthermore, the methodology is greater than any other with the use of experiments to allow for more precise, qualitative data to be recorded. On the other hand it could be argued that the use of rational choice approach ignores the study of institutions by focusing solely on the individual. All theories possess strengths and weaknesses. It is also apparent that different approaches may offer more concise measurements in different areas so it is important not to rely on one particular approach, but instead use a variety to allow for a more reliable analysis. Despite the outlined weaknesses, it has had much success in the field of economics. Some may argue that this means we should stick with it as a way of analysing politics. However, I fear that it is not plausible to simply transfer a theory from one subject to another, despite both being social sciences. This is due to the nature of politics being focused on equal distribution and fairness (in the vast majority of countries due to the democratic values resulting in a government for all the people). If people were as self-interested as the rational choice approach suggests then there would be a lot more extreme right-wing and left-wing parties present where the rich want to keep all of their money and the poor want as many benefits as possible. Instead we find a middle ground such as the liberal democrats in England. For this reason, it appears that the methodology does not compliment the ontology as no matter what experiments are carried out, none can be related to the political, as the European University Institute outlined. How to cite The Rational Choice Approach, Papers

Effects of Mass Media Worksheet free essay sample

Material Effects of Mass Media Worksheet Write brief 250-to 300-word answers to each of the following: |Questions |Answers | |What were the major developments in the |There were major developments in the evolution of mass media during the 20th century. It | |evolution of mass media during the 20th |first started in the 19th century with Swedish soprano singer Jenny Lind in 1850. She had | |century? Fans crazed over her music with what was called â€Å"Lindomania† that was spread through | | |showbiz by showman P. T. Barnum. Then, about a century later, there was â€Å"Beatlemania†. I | | |wish I was around for that, I love the Beatles. Anyhow, television was the main source of| | |this frenzy of Beatlemania. They were on the Ed Sullivan Show and it was estimated 40% of | | |the U. S. watched that night. That is an amazing number of people in the country watching | | |such a show back in the 1960s. With all that being said, I would say that that | | |television would be the main source that had developed and made a huge change in the way | | |that media was sent and received. We will write a custom essay sample on Effects of Mass Media Worksheet or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the late 20th century, the internet started to evolve| | |as well. That was a whole new level of media that no one was used to in the past years. Newspapers, magazines, and television were and are still popular but since the end of the | | |20th century computers and that sort of technology has taken over. Just about all cell | | |phones have internet on them so you can include cell phones along with video games, CDs, | | |and DVDs, to be included with that mass media of the 20th century. It now being the 21st | | |century I can only imagine what other types of media wee will be seeing in our future. How did each development influence |As the developments of media in the 20th century evolved, so had the influence it had on | |American culture? |American culture. It brought both advantages and disadvantages to American culture. The | | |types of media like CDs, DVDs, television and the internet have changed peoples lives. | | |Some people depend on the internet as their number one source of media, while others still | | |may stick to the most traditional ways like, newspapers, television, and magazines.

King Lear Essays (1397 words) - King Lear, Edmund, Cordelia, Goneril

King Lear In Shakespeare's classic tragedy, King Lear, the issue of sight and its relevance to clear vision is a recurring theme. Shakespeare's principal means of portraying this theme is through the characters of Lear and Gloucester. Although Lear can physically see, he is blind in the sense that he lacks insight, understanding, and direction. In contrast, Gloucester becomes physically blind but gains the type of vision that Lear lacks. It is evident from these two characters that clear vision is not derived solely from physical sight. Lear's failure to understand this is the principal cause of his demise, while Gloucester learns to achieve clear vision, and consequently avoids a fate similar to Lear's. Throughout most of King Lear, Lear's vision is clouded by his lack of insight. Since he cannot see into other people's characters, he can never identify them for who they truly are. When Lear is angered by Cordelia, Kent tries to reason with Lear, who is too stubborn to remain open-minded. Lear responds to Kent's opposition with, Out of my sight!, to which Kent responds, See better, Lear, and let me still remain (I.i.160). Here, Lear is saying he never wants to see Kent again, but he could never truly see him for who he was. Kent was only trying to do what was best for Lear, but Lear could not see that. Kent's vision is not clouded, as is Lear's, and he knows that he can remain near Lear as long as he is in disguise. Later, Lear's vision is so superficial that he is easily duped by the physical garments and simple disguise that Kent wears. Lear cannot see who Kent really. He only learns of Kent's noble and honest character just prior to his death, when his vision is cleared. By this time, however, it is too late for an honest relationship to be salvaged. Lear's vision is also marred by his lack of direction in life, and his poor foresight, his inability to predict the consequences of his actions. He cannot look far enough into the future to see the consequences of his actions. This, in addition to his lack of insight into other people, condemns his relationship with his most beloved daughter, Cordelia. When Lear asks his daughters who loves him most, he already thinks that Cordelia has the most love for him. However, when Cordelia says, I love your Majesty/According to my bond, no more nor less (I.i.94-95), Lear cannot see what these words really mean. Goneril and Regan are only putting on an act. They do not truly love Lear as much as they should. When Cordelia says these words, she has seen her sisters' facade, and she does not want to associate her true love with their false love. Lear, however, is fooled by Goneril and Regan into thinking that they love him, while Cordelia does not. Kent, who has sufficient insight, is able to see through the dialogue and knows that Cordelia is the only daughter who actually loves Lear. He tries to convince Lear of this, saying, Answer my life my judgment,/Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least (I.i.153-154). Lear, however, lacks the insight that Kent has. He only sees what is on the surface, and cannot understand the deeper intentions of the daughters' speeches. As his anger grows from the argument, his foresight diminishes as he becomes increasingly rash and narrow minded . When Lear disowns Cordelia, he says, we/Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see/That face of hers again (I.i.264-266). He cannot see far enough into the future to understand the consequences of this action. Ironically, he later discovers that Cordelia is the only daughter he wants to see, asking her to forget and forgive (IV.vii.85). By this time, he has finally started to gain some direction, and his vision is cleared, but it is too late for his life to be saved. His lack of precognition had condemned him from the beginning. Lear depicts Shakespeare's theme of clear vision by demonstrating that physical sight does not guarantee clear sight. Gloucester depicts this theme by demonstrating clear vision, despite the total lack of physical sight. Prior to the loss of his eyes, Gloucester's vision was much like King Lear Essays (1397 words) - King Lear, Edmund, Cordelia, Goneril King Lear In Shakespeare's classic tragedy, King Lear, the issue of sight and its relevance to clear vision is a recurring theme. Shakespeare's principal means of portraying this theme is through the characters of Lear and Gloucester. Although Lear can physically see, he is blind in the sense that he lacks insight, understanding, and direction. In contrast, Gloucester becomes physically blind but gains the type of vision that Lear lacks. It is evident from these two characters that clear vision is not derived solely from physical sight. Lear's failure to understand this is the principal cause of his demise, while Gloucester learns to achieve clear vision, and consequently avoids a fate similar to Lear's. Throughout most of King Lear, Lear's vision is clouded by his lack of insight. Since he cannot see into other people's characters, he can never identify them for who they truly are. When Lear is angered by Cordelia, Kent tries to reason with Lear, who is too stubborn to remain open-minded. Lear responds to Kent's opposition with, Out of my sight!, to which Kent responds, See better, Lear, and let me still remain (I.i.160). Here, Lear is saying he never wants to see Kent again, but he could never truly see him for who he was. Kent was only trying to do what was best for Lear, but Lear could not see that. Kent's vision is not clouded, as is Lear's, and he knows that he can remain near Lear as long as he is in disguise. Later, Lear's vision is so superficial that he is easily duped by the physical garments and simple disguise that Kent wears. Lear cannot see who Kent really. He only learns of Kent's noble and honest character just prior to his death, when his vision is cleared. By this time, however, it is too late for an honest relationship to be salvaged. Lear's vision is also marred by his lack of direction in life, and his poor foresight, his inability to predict the consequences of his actions. He cannot look far enough into the future to see the consequences of his actions. This, in addition to his lack of insight into other people, condemns his relationship with his most beloved daughter, Cordelia. When Lear asks his daughters who loves him most, he already thinks that Cordelia has the most love for him. However, when Cordelia says, I love your Majesty/According to my bond, no more nor less (I.i.94-95), Lear cannot see what these words really mean. Goneril and Regan are only putting on an act. They do not truly love Lear as much as they should. When Cordelia says these words, she has seen her sisters' facade, and she does not want to associate her true love with their false love. Lear, however, is fooled by Goneril and Regan into thinking that they love him, while Cordelia does not. Kent, who has sufficient insight, is able to see through the dialogue and knows that Cordelia is the only daughter who actually loves Lear. He tries to convince Lear of this, saying, Answer my life my judgment,/Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least (I.i.153-154). Lear, however, lacks the insight that Kent has. He only sees what is on the surface, and cannot understand the deeper intentions of the daughters' speeches. As his anger grows from the argument, his foresight diminishes as he becomes increasingly rash and narrow minded . When Lear disowns Cordelia, he says, we/Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see/That face of hers again (I.i.264-266). He cannot see far enough into the future to understand the consequences of this action. Ironically, he later discovers that Cordelia is the only daughter he wants to see, asking her to forget and forgive (IV.vii.85). By this time, he has finally started to gain some direction, and his vision is cleared, but it is too late for his life to be saved. His lack of precognition had condemned him from the beginning. Lear depicts Shakespeare's theme of clear vision by demonstrating that physical sight does not guarantee clear sight. Gloucester depicts this theme by demonstrating clear vision, despite the total lack of physical sight. Prior to the loss of his eyes, Gloucester's vision was much like

Defining Democracy essays

Defining Democracy essays When formulating my definition of democracy, I was forced to use other examples of democracy as a basis, a starting point. One of the greatest sources of this information lay in Arend Lijpharts book, Patterns of Democracy. In this book, Lijphart discusses different definitions of democracy, exemplified through the use of models. In examining models such as the majority model, and the consensus model, Lijphart offers different definitions of what democracy really is. However, though these definitions may suffice for Lijphart, for me these definitions simply serve as a basis for a more complete and well-rounded definition of democracy, pulled from all of the aforementioned subjects. Before I may give my complete and concise definition of democracy, I must first examine some of the models of democracy that Lijphart mentions in his book. One of the first models of democracy mentioned in Lijpharts book is the majoritarian model of democracy. The to-the-point model basically favors the majority of the people, over the minority of the people (Lijphart, pg. 2). It states that in essence a majority government would be more, by the people, for the people, than a minority government (Lijphart, pg. 2). While this definition does seem adequate and provide a platform to begin, it has its issues too. This model does not account for tyranny of the majority, nor does it account for the lack of political knowledge frequently held by the masses, or the majority. In essence, it does provide one definition of democracy. Another model which resembles the majoritarian model of democracy is Lijpharts consensus model, is the model that as many people as possible is the definition of a democracy (Lijphart, pg. 2). While this model resembles the majoritarian model of democracy, it somehow requires that a democracy must hold as many people as possible, (Lijphart, pg. 2). While this may also appear to be a valid de...

Healthcare Professionals Assuming Active Administrative Roles Annotated Bibliography

Healthcare Professionals Assuming Active Administrative Roles - Annotated Bibliography Example The section introduces healthcare’s complexity and its suggestion for medical practitioners to assume administrative roles. This is because they have adequate information and experience regarding what the field entails contrary to politicians or other policymakers. The latter groups do not have the necessary experience coupled with knowledge on how to promote the fields’ effective professional practices and ethics (Belluz, 2011). Since, besides their varied specializations, they can also receive additional education regarding management through induction. This is especially in the sections that entail their involvement. This section also offers adequate literature regarding present changes characterizing healthcare, which entails doctors’ involvement especially in assuming managerial posts. The section highlights the essence of doctors undertaking extra courses or inductions meant to refine their administrative skills. This is especially in the sections that considerably entail their involvement, for instance, being administrators. Hence, promote service delivery not only in the confinements of the healthcare facility but also outside where practitioners ought to attend while checking out patients as specified by HMO. This is an essential section because its core purpose focuses on augmenting practitioners’ knowledge, hence refine their skills to become remarkable clinical leaders. This subsection compares former federal’s proposition of increasing professionals’ distribution across the state to training the available doctors.

Qualitative Dissertation Study Analysis LOCATE ANY QUALITATIVE Essay

Qualitative Dissertation Study Analysis LOCATE ANY QUALITATIVE DISSERTATION AND SUBMIT WITH ASSIGNMENT - Essay Example Twelve female season-ticket holders of university men’s basketball, with no recent attendance at a women’s basketball game, were interviewed using a semi-structured format† (Farrell, 2006, p. 1). The logic behind this selection of interview subjects was simple. If Farrell had analyzed women who do not like sports to determine why they do not watch women’s sports, it would have led to too obvious a conclusion: Women just do not like sports, women or men’s. However, it does seem possible that women who like sports like men’s sports, that there may be something about men’s sports in particular that would attract them in particular, such that talking to either fans of women’s sports or women who watch neither would be relevant as a control. Nonetheless, this choice of interview subject is designed to find people who not only like sports but also like them enough to buy a season-ticket pass to college games. Farrell (2006) pointed to research that identifies four different categories of research interest: characteristics of language, discovery of regularities, discerning meaning, and reflection. She also pointed out that qualitative and quantitative techniques are not strict binaries. For example, one quantitative technique, numerical and statistical analysis, is done on a fundamentally qualitative tool, a survey, by having people rank their beliefs from 1 to 7 or on any other scale. Farrell defined qualitative research, in line with Golafshani (2003), as â€Å"a naturalistic approach that seeks to understand phenomena in context-specific settings, such as a real world setting where the researcher does not attempt to manipulate the phenomenon of interest† (p. 61). Theoretical Background Farrell (2006) used social constructivism and critical theory for her interpretation, noting that many other approaches (positivism, pragmatism, interpretivism, postmodern techniques) are also equally viable. She defined s ocial constructivism thusly: â€Å"Social constructivism asserts that humans construct knowledge using collective social instruments such as language and cultural practices† (p. 62). A social constructivist argument would take it as a given that the category of â€Å"women† is not fixed, so there is no answer for â€Å"Why don’t women like women’s sports?† that has the form â€Å"Because that is what women do† or â€Å"Women are genetically programmed only to like male gladiatorial rituals†. If women do not like women’s sports, it must be a social factor: acculturation, values, the failure of women’s sports to appeal to their values or interests, etc. Farrell (2006) justified her use of critical theory thusly: The study of women in sport is, in essence, a study of gender struggles against male hegemonic values embedded in the construction of sport as a male preserve. Critical theory lends itself well to a more deliberate investigation of the power structures of sport in this study (p. 63). Indeed, critical theory’