Bourdieu, P. Language and Symbolic Power Essay

French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, in his work, Language and Symbolic Power (1991), describes the power of language in relation to politics, social institutions, economics, and education. He views language as a means of communication but more especially as a competitive means of pursuing interests and objectives. He explores the traditional approaches to language but emphasizes that language is more important and beneficial when it is understood in the social context. â€Å"The social uses of language owe their specifically social value to the fact that they tend to be organized in systems of differences which reproduce the system of social differences† (p. 54). The connections between literacy and social positioning can be analyzed through the different forms of capital – economic, cultural (i.e. knowledge, skills and other cultural acquisitions, as exemplified by educational or technical qualifications), symbolic (i.e. accumulated prestige or honor), etc., which can be accumulated through family or social institutions (Menard-Warwick & Dabach, 2004). Central to the discussion are the two concepts ‘linguistic market;’ and ‘linguistic habitus’ that are considered as â€Å"sites of struggle and competition where individuals or agents strive to maintain or alter their position and where their capacity to compete is determined by the volume of capital they possess† (Riagà ¡in, 1997, p. 39). Linguistic capital, together with other forms of capital, defines position of an individual within the social hierarchy (Riagà ¡in, 1997). Bourdieu also speaks of a linguistic market competence as capital. His extensive use of the language of economics (e.g., markets, profit, price, investment), according to Riagà ¡in (1997), implies that individual adopts linguistic strategy that contributes to a realization of desirable outcome like profit that symbolizes prestige. Social dynamics will then contribute to the understanding of the role of education. For Bourdieu, literacy learning involves interrelated aspects of complex individual, social, and cultural contexts. This multidisciplinary perspective allows us to increase our knowledge and deepen our understanding of concepts and ideas that might form social groups. In the academic field, the habitus provided educators with a different way of viewing social institutions where students and teachers act and react analytically based on their practices, perceptions, and attitudes already in place. Teachers and students are viewed to have socially structured resources and competencies that enable them to use language in dealing with and understanding relationships, hierarchies, and literacy practices (Gutierrez & Stone, 2000). â€Å"Sociology can free itself from all the forms of domination which linguistics and its concepts still exercise today over the social sciences only by bringing to light the operations of object construction through which this science was established, and the social conditions of the production and circulation of its fundamental concepts† (Bourdieu , 1991, p. 37). The use of language through the power of media is also associated to the fields of politics and social sciences. Bourdieu’s dynamic model of the relationship between society and politics explains how language is used in political systems that affect social conditions. For instance, people who share common culture and social networks are likely to shape their own social institutions. The Civil Rights Movement in The United States (US) is an example of how social institutions are developed. In addition, Bourdieu also explains through the concepts of habitus, symbolic power, religious capital, and field the occurrence of social movements within institutions like religious groups. For example, the introduction of women’s ordination movement in the Catholic Church (Stone, 2001). It is therefore important to consider Bourdieu’ concepts of ‘linguistic habitus’ and linguistic market, as well as the different capitals in analyzing discourse social, political, and economic processes and changes because language should not only be viewed in the traditional perspective but also in the different context to maximize the use and functions of language in specific fields of study and practice. References Gutierrez, K. D. & Stone, L. (2000). Synchronic and diachronic dimensions of social practice. In C. Lee & P. Smagorinsky (Eds.), Vygotskian perspectives on literacy research: Constructing meaning through collaborative inquiry (pp. 150-164). Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Menard-Warwick, J. & Dabach, D. B. (2004) â€Å"In a Little While I Could Be in Front†: Social Mobility, Class, and Gender in the Computer Practices of Two Mexicano Families Computer Users Tend to Develop Literacies Most Compatible with Their Current Lives Programs for Adult Learners Need to Make the Technology A Meaningful in This Context. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 47(5), 380+. Riagà ¡in, Pà ¡draig Ó (1997).Language Policy and Social Reproduction: Ireland, 1893-1993. New York: Oxford University. Stone, Lora (2001) â€Å"Misrecognition of the Limits†: Bourdieu’s Religious Capital and Social Transformation. University of New Mexico. Retrieved October 13, 2007 from http://www.jcrt.org/archives/03.1/stone.shtml.

War Dogs

Man’s Greatest Ally It is not a new idea to use dogs in combat; for thousands of years dogs have been used in war. Almost all of the greatest civilizations that have ruled have used dogs as key component in their military tactics. Historical records have shown that dogs were used as watch guards for the Egyptians during periods of war (specifically during the Middle Kingdom) and that the Romans made entire attack formations of dogs to help with their various land conquering campaigns. These dogs were bred for combat and were often given armor and spiked collars to make them more lethal in combat.In more recent years, dogs are used in other combat situations. In 1988, Israeli Special Forces used dogs as an attack force against a terrorist organization in Lebanon. In America, dogs have been used in combat for well over 180 years. Though the canine’s military missions and methods have changed since that 1830’s, their importance in combat remains just as critical. Ho wever, the public in general does not realize the significance of dogs in warfare as well as in homeland security. In America, the first recorded use of dogs by the military was during the Second Seminole War in 1835.The military had hired five dog handlers and 33 bloodhounds to help track and detain the Seminoles and runaway slaves that were hiding in the swamps of Florida and Louisiana. Several states (New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Indiana) protested the use of dogs by the military and sent several petitions to Congress. Most of these protesters were Quakers that believed it was wrong to make these dogs hunt like savages. Though many petitions were sent, Congress dismissed all of the protests and allowed the military to use the dogs in combat. Dogs were not used by the military for another 20 years.During the Civil War both the Union and the Confederate Armies recorded the use of dogs a mascots, sentries, and guards. Interestingly, the dogs were not supposed to assume these roles, originally their masters brought them into the military as a source of companionship, not protection. One of the most recognizable dogs during the Civil War was Sallie, a brindle bull terrier. Sallie joined the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry Unit at the beginning of the war as a pup and served the unit as source comfort, inspiration, and loyalty to their cause.In the heat of battle Sallie would bark and intimidate Confederate soldiers and lick the wounds of her fallen comrades. Sallie survived such battles as Gettysburg and Oak Ridge. Sallie met her untimely death at Hatcher’s Run, Virginia by a bullet to the head. Her unit cared about her so much that they buried her immediately, even though the battle was still raging on. There were several other dog mascots in the Civil War, though none matched the popularity of Sallie. The use of dogs changed during the Spanish-American War from a relatively docile role to a more militarily useful function.It was recorded by Teddy Roosevelt and his â€Å"Rough Riders†, that dogs were scouts that helped navigate the dense jungle terrain in Cuba and patrols for the horses. This is also the first time in American military history that the dogs used were actually trained in navigation and protection tactics. Dogs were again used as mascots during the Spanish-American War for the military. In an old photograph, taken in 1900, the USS Texas (a vessel used during the war) depicted fellow crewman with their mascots–a cat and a dog (both unnamed).The role of the dog expanded even more during the Great War. During this time period a vast amount of dogs were employed as: sentries, messengers, ammunition & food carriers, scouts, sled dogs, draught dogs (water carriers), guard dogs, Red Cross casualty dogs (carrying med packs), and even cigarette dogs. The German armies had a total of 30,000 dogs in service during the war, France had over 20,000, and Italy supplied the Allies with 3,000 dogs. Americans did not have an y organized dog units and ended up borrowing several dog units from France and Britain during the war.There were over ten different breeds of dogs that were used during WWI; each breed was used for different tasks. The most popular group of dogs was the Red Cross Causality dogs (A. K. A. mercy dogs). These dogs were first trained by the Germans to carry medical supplies and seek out wounded soldiers. If a soldier was clearly dying the mercy dog would lie down next to him and provide the soldier comfort as he died. These dogs have been credited to saving a numerous amount of lives during the war by being able to reach wounded soldiers with med packs at lightning speeds.The Red Cross dog method was quickly copied by the Ally troops. During the war both the Allies and the Germans began searching for the perfect breed of dog (specifically the best Red Cross dogs). They wanted a dog that was black or gray in color, one with a good sense of smell and sight, and medium in build. The people working on this project also realized that mixed breeds performed better than purebred dogs and began to focus on crossbreeding. The use of Red Cross dogs died along with the use of trench warfare.Messenger dogs were major contributors to the war effort on both sides of the conflict. These dogs were trained to send messages between the front lines and command headquarters when the phone lines were down. The messenger dogs have often been attributed for circuitously saving the lives of many soldiers by providing vital information to them when their main source of communication (phones) was shut down. By WWII, Germany again had the largest number of dogs used in combat (an estimated over 200,000 dogs).This time however, America had finally established a military program called the K-9 Corp in 1942. After the Pearl Harbor attack and the declaration of war by America’s government, the American Kennel Club began a program called â€Å"Dogs for Defense†. This program reques ted all dog owners in America to donate quality dogs to the Quartermaster Corps for the K-9 program. The â€Å"Dogs for Defense† program was able to receive over 19,000 dogs and over thirty different breeds of dog. When these dogs entered the canine program 45% of them were sent back and considered unfit for military training.The breed of dogs chosen after this period was shrunk down to five (Dobermans, German Shepherds, Belgium Sheep Dogs, Farm Collies, and Giant Schnauzers). Originally these dogs were to be used mainly to protect civilian war plants (arsenal factories) however, there became a growing need for sentry dogs for the soldiers overseas. Basic training for a dog would last eight to twelve weeks and they would be trained to wear gas masks, muzzles, ride vehicles, and remain calm under gunfire. The dogs were also trained in basic commands (sit, roll over, stay, etc. ).After basic training, the dogs were then instructed in one of four specialized jobs: sentry, patrol , messenger, and mine detection. The only new job for dogs was mine detection, which consisted of detecting booby traps, trip wires, metallic and non-metallic mines. This program was not largely successful because the dogs had a hard time detecting these traps in combat. Alene Erlanger, a civilian consultant of the Quartermaster General, wrote a report on the misconceptions of the use of dogs in the military. She stated the public considered military dogs to be vicious killers and this view was completely false.Erlanger described the dogs as protectors of soldiers through their different combat roles such as delivering messages under fire and detecting enemy positions. Erlanger urged the readers change their skewed view of military dogs and acknowledge these heroes for their role in saving thousands of American lives in combat. When the war was over, all the donated dogs were were returned to their original owners; however, before being returned the dogs were trained to readjust to a civilian lifestyle. Sadly, some of these dogs (suffering from doggy PTSD) were unable to assimilate back in with society and were put down.After WWII the US lost interest in the War Dog programs, they closed most of all but one program, transferred dog training to the Military Police Corp, and moved the remaining 26th Scout Dog Program to Fort Carson, Colorado. The 26th platoon served in the Korean War for two years (1951 – 1953) and was very successful, receiving three silver stars, six bronze stars for valor, and thirty-six bronze stars for meritorious service. After being in Fort Carson for six years the 26th Scout Dog Platoon, along with the War Dog Training Center was moved to Fort Benning, Georgia.Another change that occurred was that the Air Force became the primary service to use the dogs. During the late fifties and early sixties, the Air Force developed expensive aircrafts and housed state-of-the-art weaponry, thus increasing the requirement for more sentry dogs t o protect these valuable assets. Consequently, the Air Force established another War Dog Training Center in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. At the commencement of the Vietnam War, dogs were not immediately placed in the combat zone. However, by 1960, the United States Air Force K-9 Corp stationed teams in Vietnam primarily for dog sentry research.It wasn’t until 1965 when the military finally allowed dogs to participate in the war; by the end of the year 100 dogs were in Vietnam. The combat role of these dogs differed from the canine missions in WWII and the Korean War. These dogs were trained to track Viet-Cong trails and to detect the hidden booby traps placed in the jungles. Again the majority of dogs were sentry dogs, however, with the primary mission to detect the deadly sapper teams that attacked base camps at night. The military dogs were largely successful and in an article written during the Vietnam War they were described as â€Å"our enemies worst enemy†.Thi s article, written by SP4 Wain Rubenstein, described the rigorous training the sentry dog underwent to prepare for Vietnam. He detailed the working conditions of the dogs, the long night hours they remained alert to protect the base from any intruders, and the critical need for their acute olfactory senses to detect the faintest odor of a near by trap or Viet-Cong. Rubenstein also acknowledged the handlers (the dog’s master) needed to be as proficient as the dogs, in terms of physically fitness, mentally capacity, and their ability to establish a bond with the dog.Without these qualities the dog would not live up to its full potential. By the end of the Vietnam War, 4000 American dogs were sent to Vietnam and they were accredited with saving over 10,000 lives in the process of 10 years. Unfortunately, of those 4000 dogs, only 200 returned home. In an article written by CNN, the surviving handlers of the Vietnam War discussed their memories of the war and their dogs. All expre ssed sorrow for the dogs they left buried in the Vietnam soil. The article clearly demonstrated the handler’s strong emotional bond with their respective dogs, a connection that they still remember almost a half century later.After the Vietnam War the role of dogs in the military was reduced to a division of the military police unit. In 1967 the military established the Air Force Security Police Dog Training School which was school that trained dogs to work security with officers. The school, which still stands today, trains dogs to remain clam when approached by unfamiliar people, to discriminate between a threatening gesture and an accepting gesture; to remain alert; to willingly enter vehicles with other people and dogs without becoming hostile; and to be obedient both with or without a leash.The dogs are trained to enter empty buildings to search for hidden intruders and to examine areas to find lost or concealed objects. The dogs are taught to aggressively attack an enem y with a simple command of the handler and just as quickly stop when commanded by the handler. I personally witnessed this training when interviewing a dog handler on Peterson Air Force K-9 Unit; Ssgt. Chris Kench demonstrated a routine training scenario with his dog Gina. The exercises commenced with a simple work out course that incorporated running, jumping, climbing, and crawling for a total of fifteen minutes.Next, Ssgt Kench demonstrated the four commands with Gina. The first command was to attack a person (in this case a person in a protective suit) that is running away from the handler, the next command was when the handler instructed the dog to stop her attack, and the third command was when the handler commanded the dog to attack, but then commanded the dog to heel before actually touching the suspect. The last command isn’t really a command, but an instinct, which was when the handler was attacked, the dog attacked the enemy without consent from his handler.Upon fu rther discussion with Ssgt. Kench I discovered that Peterson Air Force Base has the second largest K-9 unit with seventeen dogs. The only post that exceeds this number is Andrews AFB, MD, which is the post that provides security dogs for the president. Ssgt. Kench also stated that the breed of dogs currently used in the Air Force have shrunk to two (the German Shepard and the Belgium Malinois). Both of these were chosen because of their quick maneuverability and their exceptional detection skills.Ssgt Kench went on to say that these dogs only last nine to twelve years before retiring due to old age, hip displacement, and disease. When the dogs retire they are often adopted by their last handlers and spend the reminder of their lives as civilians. Dogs have been an invaluable resource to the US military for well over 180 years. Whether as messengers, patrollers, or just as simple mascots, they have provided America with a sense of comfort and protection. Many of these dogs have direc tly contributed to saving thousands of lives and they deserve recognition for work they have done.Military dogs have been in almost every war that America has participated in and their roles and missions have continued to evolve with each conflict. Yet throughout history they have continually received little if any acknowledgment by the public for their efforts and were almost eradicated after the Korean War. It is important that we as a country recognize these small heroes for their critical role in the history of our country and appreciate that they are mans greatest ally. Mans Greatest Ally: Dog Contributions the US Military Victor Jacoby APUSH Per. Mr. Zuckerman March 3, 2012 ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Newton, Tom. â€Å"K-9 History: The Dogs Of War!. † WebTV community home pages. http://community-2. webtv. net/Hahn-50thAP-K9/K9History/ (accessed February 29, 2012). [ 2 ]. Newton, Tom. â€Å"K-9 History: The Dogs Of War!. † [ 3 ]. Newton, Tom. â€Å"K-9 History: The Dogs Of War! [ 4 ]. State of New York. â€Å"Sallie. † The State of New York and the Civil War. http://www. nycivilwar. us/sallie. html (accessed February 27, 2012). [ 5 ]. Newton, Tom. â€Å"K-9 History: The Dogs Of War! [ 6 ].Robinson , Donald. USS Texas (1895-1911). 1900. Navy Historical Center, USS Texas. Department of Navy – Navy Historical Center. Web. 3 Mar. 2012. [ 7 ]. Newton, Tom. â€Å"K-9 History: The Dogs Of War! [ 8 ]. Hubble, Bert. â€Å"K-9 History: War Dogs In The U. S. Military. † 47th Scout Dog Platoon Web Site. http://www. 47ipsd. us/47k9hist. htm (accessed March 4, 2012). [ 9 ]. â€Å"Red Cross Dogs. † The Literary Digest, March 24, 1917. [ 10 ]. Newton, Tom. â€Å"K-9 History: The Dogs Of War! [ 11 ]. US Army Quartermaster Foundation. â€Å"War Dogs. † Army Quartermaster Foundation, Inc.. ttp://www. qmfound. com/K-9. htm (accessed March 2, 2012). [ 12 ]. US Army Quartermaster Foundation. â€Å"War Dogs. † [ 13 ]. Erlanger, Alene. â€Å"The Truth About War Dogs. † The Quartermaster Review, March 1944. [ 14 ]. US Army Quartermaster Foundation. â€Å"War Dogs. † [ 15 ]. Newton, Tom. â€Å"K-9 History: The Dogs Of War! [ 16 ]. Hubble, Bert. â€Å"K-9 History: War Dogs In The U. S. Military. † [ 17 ]. Newton, Tom. â€Å"K-9 History: The Dogs Of War! [ 18 ]. Rubenstein, Wain. â€Å"Scout Dogs: Enemie's Worst Enemy. † Danger Forward, The Magazine of the Big Red One, June 1969. 19 ]. Rubenstein, Wain. â€Å"Scout Dogs: Enemie's Worst Enemy. † [ 20 ]. Ravitz, Jessica. â€Å"War dogs remembered, decades later – Page 3 – CNN. † Featured Articles from CNN. http://articles. cnn. com/2010-02-12/living/war. dogs_1_dogs-lab-and-shepherd-mix-viet-cong/3? _s=PM:LIVING (accessed February 24, 2012). [ 21 ]. Newton, Tom. â€Å"K-9 History: The Dogs Of War ! [ 22 ]. Kench, Chris. Interview by author. Personal interview. Peterson Air Force Base K-9 Unit, February 26, 2012. [ 23 ]. Kench, Chris. Interview by author. Personal interview.

Pfizer Inc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pfizer Inc - Essay Example he organizational structure is anticipated to change to accommodate the changing dimensions of customer perceptions and value expectations from medicines and healthy living (Barrett 2005, 72-82). The case commences with the market segmentation practices and its role in guiding the sales force efforts at Pfizer. Next are the targeting and positioning strategies in place and an understanding whether they need any changes. Adding on to the analysis, whether the company needs a complete revamping of its structure is also discussed along with the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of the change. To its accolades, Pfizer boasts of a 38,000 person global sales force that is competent enough to turn the demand function upside down. However, the traditional sales force efforts seem to be rusting with the changes in perceptions and expectations of physicians, patients and the total customer base. Earlier till date, the onus of marketing and spreading awareness of newly discovered medicines and drugs had been on sales team with frequent visits to clinics and appointments with physicians and doctors as the major activity of Marketing Charter. However, with the knowledge of new and categorical diseases with specialized physicians, mass marketing seems to take a back seat. Now Pfizer aims to focus on specialized diseases with less of talking and persuading the physicians with sales force efforts. Pfizer has learned a lesson from its Viagra sales experience. In its spree to extract maximum benefits from its Viagra proposition for ED (Erectile Dysfunction), it distributed a large number of samples and free medicine to clinics and physicians, resulting into a faulty determination of the exact demand. There were more of curious customers than actually afflicted ones, which led to an instant upsurge in demand at the time of the launch of the Viagra. This was all because the sales team was too aggressive in its efforts. Learning from this experience, the market segmentation now calls for

FAST FASHION IN USA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

FAST FASHION IN USA - Essay Example obber market fashion company’s management and profitability ventures, has largely concentrated on strategies adopted by these business, with her key focus being on price competitiveness. The article mainly focuses on one of the largest fast fashion business line, which is Forever 21, a company that is currently valued at $3 billion in net worth, 477 stores worldwide, and has over 35,000 employees. The feature has also outlined some other fashion companies related to fashion 21, accommodating a similar strategy, or focusing on efficiency and speed in the distribution and supply lines, which has resulted in fashion being available to all individuals in the society as opposed to how they were only previously relatable to fashionistas in urban areas. Fast fashion has been assessed from a number of perspectives, from its growing nature, its influence on the job market and the reason for its boom in the 2000s. Additionally, the review has also covered some of the key issues in contemporary international fashion, considering some of the vital considerations such as infringements and copyright violations, brand placement and competition. Forever 21 has opened a fashion stor e on fifth avenue New York, popularly known for large and luxurious fashion companies and not those that adopt price reduction strategies such as the mentioned party. The assessment of supply chain reduction and new innovations is also an impressive aspect of the article since it not only concentrates on the marketing strategies but also shows how these organizations have managed to achieve economic advantages over their competition both in terms of costs and time. The establishment of warehouses all over the world for instance is one of the key strategies that Forever 21 has adopted to ensure that it reduces the lead time from demand to the supply of these products to their retail stores and other departmental stores selling their products as well. The insights offered by this article are highly

Ecology and Diversity of Cambrian Faunas Lab Report

Ecology and Diversity of Cambrian Faunas - Lab Report Example It was required to compare the results with information on modern faunas and normal Cambrian faunas. Also, it was required to discuss the representativeness of the former and the differences between the latter and Cambrian faunas.   It represents most of the deep marine but not shallow or tropical one. The reason for this is that Cambrian rocks only have marine fossils, mainly for species that lived on hard substrates on the sea floor and this includes Burgess Shale fauna   6. How does fauna of Burgess Shale compare with that of Cambrian deposits exhibiting normal (mineralized hard part-only) preservation, in terms of higher taxa represented and their relative proportion? How representative therefore are normal faunas?   In terms of higher taxa representation, Cambrian deposits exhibiting normal (mineralized hard part-only) preservation accounts for only a minor component of the total diversity. Similarly, in most Burgess Shale-types deposits, the Shelly assemblage normally represents a small proportion of the collected specimen. In this case, soft-bodied organisms fossilized remains especially from Burgess Shale the Cambrian ecosystem knowledge could be totally limited   Burgess fauna consists of many soft-bodied animals’ fossils as well as those with hard parts. A completely soft-bodied animal normally rot away before it is fossilized. Hard parts are crucial because they are more easily preserved; they are seen to help an organism last for a longer time to become fossilized. Burgess Shale is rich in life most of the fauna in it are soft bodies while it contains only 0.89% of mineralized hard parts.   Burgess Shale, organisms lived in underwater mud banks, the moving water buried living organism in moving sediment. They are therefore found in random orientation. Modern muddy marine invertebrates usually curl up upon dying but fossils of the Burgess Shale locality never exhibit such coiling and there is evidence that this organism died instantly.   

Globalisation and the State - Discuss Literature review

Globalisation and the State - Discuss - Literature review Example This term provides, in a nut shell, the idea of capitalist globalisation. The transnational capitalist class consists of four segments. These are the owners and affiliates of the transnational corporations that control the business objectives and activities of these corporations; politicians and bureaucrats from different nations; professionals working globally in different sectors and finally the consumerist elite class consisting of rich merchants and media professionals (Sklair, 2001). The transnational capital has become an important part of the capital endowment of the world. Different classes in the Marxist understanding refer to the divisions among workers all over the world on the basis of the relation they have with the social production function (Fouskas and Gokay, 2012). The translational capitalist class has no national boundaries and they are forerunners of the modern spree of globalization. This new bourgeoisie class is recognised as the capitalist class and they repres ent the transnational capital. ... However, recently, the concept of sustainable development has evolved and companies are now concerned about the sustainability of their business activities (Robinson, 2003). Great depression of 2008: Capitalism Perspective Various economists and researchers have studied the phenomenon of the global depression which was a consequence of the large scale financial crisis that occurred during 2007-2008. The global depression of the 2008 has been viewed by many scholars under the light of the global capitalist theory (Krugman, 2009). The rise of the transnational capital and transnational capitalist class has led to the emergence of a â€Å"globally integrated production and financial system† (Robinson, 2012). According to the reports published by commentators of events of economic and political significance in the world, the crisis has its roots in the sub-prime loan fiasco in the United States that had surfaced in mid-2007 (Jones, 2004). It has been emphasised that the financial debacle had been taking its shape for a long period of time even before it came to public notice in mid-2007. The overall global recession followed inevitably and remained effective over the next year. The original cause of the crisis lies deep in Marxist understanding. It can be stated with evidence that the crisis situation was a result of contradictions of state power and over-accumulation. Capitalism strives and progresses by the means of capital accumulation. However, over accumulation of capital restricts the direct productive involvement of human capital in the process of the production. Due to over accumulation, the economic system cannot expand. Marginalization of a considerably high portion of the working population from direct productive participation and downward pressure on wages

Homicide Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Homicide - Case Study Example This paper, therefore, seeks to describe the characteristics of the criminal incident of Oscar Pistorius the amputee athlete who killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. Further, it will discuss more about this type of crime in terms of its prevalence, trends and costs. Additionally, the paper will discuss three theories that include: rational choice theory, trait theory, social structure theory in relation to this kind of homicide incident. Finally the paper will provide a brief conclusion on the suitable theory that most explains Pistorius’ Murder, discuss the implications of the theory for criminal justice policy, and what the criminal justice system should do to try to address the kind of murder committed by Pistorius. The criminal incident of focus is that of Oscar Pistorius, the amputee athlete who killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. Harvey (2015) espouses that, in the month of February 2013, Pistorius, shot and killed Steenkamp in a toilet cubicle that was locked in Pretoria, South Africa. According to him, he shot the 28-year-old girlfriend believing she was an intruder. He was then arrested the next day, and the legal procedure ensued. In a case classified as a homicide, on September 12, 2014, Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison. Smit, de Jong, & Bijleveld, (2012) discuses: culpable homicide as existing in various jurisdictions of countries in the commonwealth and involves the illegal murder of an individual either intentionally or without the intention depending on the definition of the offence by the given jurisdiction. It adds that, as a cause of premature deaths globally, the evidence around this incident are more often scarce or hampered due to the missing information that characterizes the relationship between the victim and offender. As of 2013, 13.5% of homicides that took place were committed by partners in an intimate relationship. Of this, the proportion of