Discuss the similarities and differences between Al Qaida and earlier Essay

Discuss the similarities and differences between Al Qaida and earlier jihadist groups - Essay Example Al Qaeda, though an offshoot of the early jihadist movements, has grown to be more radical, violent and passionate toward the struggle. Given the shifts, the question that comes to the fore is the extent to which al Qaeda is different from the previous jihadist movements. This paper therefore analyses the similarities between the modern day al Qaeda movement and the early jihadist movements. However, in order to get a better analysis of the similarities and differences between the sets of generational jihadism, it is imperative to first appreciate the origin of the movements. Comparison between Early Jihadist Groups and Al Qaeda The early jihadists’ movements and al Qaeda have all had elements of how Islam is exploited as a vehicle for political mobilization (Moaddel 375). The resurgence of jihadism or political Islam was mainly as a result of the defeats the Arab states suffered at the hands of Israeli forces in 1967, to challenge the nation states in the Middle East (Milton- Edwards 123). The Muslim Brotherhood emerged because of the fall of the secular Muslim States. Since the 20th century, the brotherhood has toiled to form Islamic states that strictly adhere to the teachings of the Quran, most of the time, as they understand those teachings. This was an invention of an Islamic figure christened Hasan Al Bannna who lived between the years 1906 and 1949. Another figure who was also particularly instrumental in this quest particularly in the Middle East was Sayyid Qutb who died in the year 1956. This was further sharpened and used by Abdul Ala Maududi in Asia, who lived in the period 1903 to 1979 (Gunaratna). Countries especially those in the Middle East have released their instruments of coercion to suppress society. The result of this is all too evident, as some of the Islamic groups have resulted to the use of violence to demand for their perceived rights. This ceding of political ground by the brotherhood has brought to the fore other groups that we re previously unheard of. The hardline Islamic groups for instance view the brotherhood with skepticism as they believe the brotherhood is compromised. The takeover by the US government in the initiative to flush out terrorist elements in Iraq, coupled by the occupation by the Soviets in Afghanistan in the month of December of the year 1979 has not only been spawning ground for the emergence of disparate Islamic groups but has led to the thriving of such groups. The notion that Islam is a monolithic threat to the West has significantly increased and fuels their energy toward use of violence (Knudsen 10-11). Such groups have grown in influence, which is because of the growth in numbers and increased financing. In addition, they have learnt vital skill in the field of war which is mostly attributed to the Afghan campaign. The assistance offered by western governments to Mujahidin groups native to Afghanistan and the subsequent disagreements during the revolution of 1979, which occurre d in Iraq and the later emergence of the Iraq-Iran War, has raised the level of assistance. This was offered by Washington to Iraq and other group especially Sunni, in addition the campaign by the Saudi in protest to the existence of Shias, has in turn given strength to Sunni groups from the 1980’

Use of Information technology in education Essay

Use of Information technology in education - Essay Example The paper presents that there are several benefits that can be obtained from the use of Information technology in education presently. Generally, when we talk about IT we simply mean computers together with their networks; however, in this instance, we also mean some other technologies that help in moving information around from one region or place to another. While most academic institutions have their own systems and databases, there is a huge lake of linking these institutions which make it as islands of automation. This is because most of academic institutions often purchase systems to address its internal needs. Consequently, the academic institutions provide physical evidence of our achievements that everyone needs for further study or employment. Many academic institutions have always been in need of economical options for storing and maintaining information that might be essential or critical from a service viewpoint. Virtual vaults and even some other systems of security do not only store essential information but also enable control over the accessibility to such data. Adoption of IT security systems has appeared as the best and safest way as it helps in protecting virtual data from things such as wiping out or even hacking in the case of a technical hitch. However, even though IT has appeared as the best solution to problems that are related to the storage of information, we find that there are some instances that some illegal activities could emerge from these paper-based certificates; the paper is going to conceptualize these problems.... Now, we are going to focus on two illegal activities, which are forgery and identity fraud. 2.1.1 Forgery Forgery is a crime in which someone falsifies something with the intent to deceive. Unfortunately, the technology revolution makes creation of fake paper-based documents easier. In the present world, there are number of sites available on the Internet to issue fake degree certificates. It is a growing trade worldwide in counterfeit university degree certificates and academic transcripts, which in turn creates a potential damage to the universities and employment systems. In May 2004, an audit showed that around 463 employees in the federal government in the US had the fake academic degrees (Murthy, 2011). Forgery is defined in State v. Lutes,38 Wn.2d 475, 479, 230 P.2d 786 (1951), as "... the false making of an instrument, which purports on the face of it to be good and valid for the purposes for which it was created, with a design to defraud any person or persons....".( State v. Goranson,1965) 2.1.2 Identity fraud In some cases, while the paper-based certification is real, there is a potential illegal activity by using the right certification with the fake person. Identity fraud is described as: ‘That someone with malicious intent consciously creates the semblance of an identity that does not belong to him or her, using the identity of someone else or of a non-existing person’ (Koops and Leenes, 2006). Identity fraud could be described functionally: ‘Identity fraud arises when someone takes over a totally fictitious name or adopts the name of another person with or without their consent.’ (Koops and Leenes, 2006). The fraud triangle theory (How fraud is likely to occur) The fraud triangle theory was developed by Cressey (1973), a

Community outreach project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Community outreach project - Essay Example The mission of initiating a new service is to evaluate community-based library outreach programs using various components that are paired with relevant alternative strategies. In order to achieve its mission, there are various strategies that have to put into consideration to facilitate the process of community outreach program in the field of nursing. However, this paper intend to discuss two of those strategies and these encompasses directional strategy and market strategy. From research, a directional strategy is frequently developed focusing on different components such as, progress, steadiness, as well as cost cutting (Addis & Gamble, 2004). Therefore, for an organization intending to introduce a new service for patients, before establishing a directional strategy, it is vital to define the main objective of such an action. For instance, the main intention of this new service is to increase profits and cut costs at the same time, while improving the lives of patients through the community outreach program. By identifying the objective of introducing the new service, it becomes easier to choose the best type of directional strategy that suits the outreach program (Kreuter, Lezin & Young, 2000). For example, by using cost-cutting strategy, it will be easy to carry out rationalizations, eradicating particular products from the line before introducing the new one, or even file for impoverishment or selling out. The significance of a directional strategy is to play as a control to direct an organization through both peaceful and unsettled times (Berwick, 2003). Directional strategy helps in maintaining the objective of the new service to be introduced in the market; it also stabilizes and helps in the expansion of profits as well as makes it possible for the business to move forward with its activities without losing tract of the intended project. The key objective of a directional strategy is to keep the business focused in the planned manner probable while pr oceeding to expand both returns and services provided to patients in the community outreach program. In most cases, directional strategies enable the introduction or the initiation of the new service to develop in one of the two paths. These include either perpendicular or straight expansion. In this case, vertical expansion implies that introducing the new service will focus on present clients and clients increase their spending on the new service or establishing new clients with the new service. On the other hand, horizontal expansion encompasses pursuing new customers and those clients in the immediate location to enjoy the new service that is being offered. It also involves enlarging the outreach to other areas in order to expand the client base of the new service. Another strategy that will be used in this process includes the market strategy. As it is known, a strategy is always a long-term plan that is established to attain particular objectives. Thus, a market strategy is a plan developed to attain marketing goals for the new service intended to be introduced in the nursing field (Whitney, Dutcher& Keselman, 2013). For instance, marketing goal may be to initiate a new service by appreciating clients or patients. The strategic plan thus is the complete planning that includes marketing research, and then establishing a marketing mix to appreciate clients. It is essential for every business or organization

Critically discuss the development of green and ethical accounting Essay

Critically discuss the development of green and ethical accounting practices as a new accounting discipline - Essay Example 36). Anticipations of high principles of ethical corporate conduct are rising as corporations face economic and legal penalties for pursuing illegal and unethical practices. Businesses cause environmental degradation, which have negative impacts on society. Environmental degradation is an ethical concern among businesses and society. As a result, businesses have developed corporate strategies in order to address the growing concern of unethical behavior such as environmental degradation (Gowthorpe & Blake 1998, p. 178). This paper seeks to discuss the development of environmental and ethical bookkeeping practices as a new bookkeeping discipline. Green and Ethical Accounting Practices The advantage of corporate environmental bookkeeping initiative is recognized the capability, to establish and create consciousness regarding expenditures related to surroundings, which in turn assists in identifying the methods for avoiding and reducing such costs. This corporate environmental initiativ e has assisted in the improvement of the environment. The ecological costs that arise as a result of the financial results of a company’s operation may be established by means of environmental bookkeeping tool. The operational performance of an organization may be established with an aid of certain processes such as documentation and exposure of emissions of conservatory gases (Farouk, Cherian & Jacob 2012, p. 37). Aronson and Lofgren (2010, p. 21) argue that society commends for the ecological responsible conduct from businesses and government by investigating the environmental degradation and tragedies of world’s ecosystem. Businesses are given this responsibility by the society for solving the ethical troubles by considering either preserving the environment or promoting their profit. Wells (2013, p. 13) argues that there ought to be homogeneous and quantitative measures with an aim of controlling the business activities polluting the surroundings before executing a condition in which businesses are required to clean the effluence emitted by them. It is better preventing environmental degradation rather than avoiding since most of the ecological damages may not be restructured. Wells (2013, p. 18) recommends the establishment of environmental bookkeeping system in order to avert environmental degradation. The system deems the monetary measures, which have an impact on energy generation and utilization on environment. As a result of the process, the energy plant that highly affects natural resources is deemed and consequent actions needed are conducted. He also recommends that ethical predicaments may be resolved when ecological stewardship is put in terms of monetary way, and that achieves extra significance from business. The significance of the ecological predicaments has been augmented, as a result, of the continuous degradation of ecosystem and increasing ecological tragedies. Schaltergger & Burritt (2000, p. 44) argues that in order to en tail ecological predicaments in normal life it is imperative to consider these predicaments with respect to legal, technical, economic, financial and accounting levels. In view of the ecological factors in terms of the economy for instance costs of products and services,

Mary Schwartz and Beach Electrical Systems Case Study

Mary Schwartz and Beach Electrical Systems - Case Study Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that Mary’s absences pose many problems to the organization. Under social learning theory, employees will model behaviors of those in the workplace that they witness receiving reward or punishment. Since Mary was never even given a warning for her past experience, there are risks that employees will model her behaviors. She was considered a credible role model and under social learning theory, employees might reproduce her behaviors believing they can also get away with higher absences. There is one problem, though. Mary’s excellent employment record is documented with employee appraisals. This means that in her employment file there is evidence that she is a model employee. This could make it more difficult for the organization to develop a case against her termination. It is only the opinion of the management team that she has suddenly failed to meet performance expectations. This can be easily challenged by her many merits in her employment file for performance success. From the point of view of the organization, the past employment record should not have anything to do with her being terminated today. However, legally, Mary has much support for winning an argument that she was wrongly terminated based on her track record. Due to her current negative attitude and ongoing absences, the business has the ethical right to terminate her employment. The Health and Safety Executive warns that it is not good practice for companies to make assumptions about what causes an employee to be absent. This is because there are many laws established that protect her. Mary is a protected class employee under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and this makes the situation even more sensitive. However, from the organizational view, the business requires individuals who are team-focused and ready to contribute to meeting performance standards and strategic goals.

Compare and contrast functionalist and marxist perspectives including Essay

Compare and contrast functionalist and marxist perspectives including feminist perspectives - Essay Example Interpretive sociology examines the meaning that is given to everyday life by those involved in its construction. The culture in which people live has a profound impact on what is perceived as reality. People act out their social roles, some of which are ascribed or given at birth, and others are achieved or gained through life experiences. The Functionalists and the New Right adopt a consensus perspective and uphold family values based on consensus. On the other hand, Feminism and Marxism are conflict perspectives, â€Å"which view family values as part of the problem in relation to power, control, status and inequality† (Squire, 2003: 69). The functionalist perspective of family is comprehensively explained by Parsons (1964), who identifies two major functions of the conjugal family. First, families facilitate the procreation of children and socialize them into adult roles of the kind which are accepted and expected by the social group in which they live. An example is the teaching of adult gender roles by the Western family. This is achieved by â€Å"the way in which children are dressed, the games they are allowed to play, how they are spoken to and the different attitudes of parents towards their children’s behaviour† (Bond, 1994: 95). Children are socialized into identifying with a gender role. Secondly, the family undertakes to re-inforce primary and secondary socialisation; and also stabilizes adult behaviour towards the stereotyped roles of husband and wife. Thus, in traditional conjugal families, parents act as role models for their children, besides influencing the way children identify adult gender roles. In industrialized societies, men usually work to earn money to support the family, hence their activities and interests are more focused outside the home than are those of women whose main occupations are domestic and therefore pertain to the home (Bond, 1994). Thus, the functionalist perspective views the relatively independent-functioning

Caffeine - Ginkgo Essay Example for Free

Caffeine Ginkgo Essay There are only a few good things about energy drinks, but there are still good things, however. B Vitamins, Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Carnitine and Antioxidants are all good ingredients that an energy drink contains. But, like anything, they’re only good in small amounts. Vitamins and Minerals are good for us. B Vitamin is supposed to wake up our bodies and kickstart them, which is why energy drinks put these type of vitamins in them. Ginseng is an herb that is known to increase energy levels, and alleviate stress. Ginseng is created naturally by the body, so it’s okay to have. But the levels of supplementation and energy drinks dont match up well when you drink energy drinks on a regular basis. Another good ingredient is Ginkgo Biloba. Along with Ginseng, this is another emerging herb. It is said to help your memory, concentration, and blood circulation. This also is made for the regulating of stress levels, which means its something that is made for and okay for your body to consume. Energy drinks also contain Carnitine and Antioxidants, which are actually very good things for your body. Carnitine speeds up your metabolism. So, by drinking one a week, you can gradually increase your metabolism and lose weight in a somewhat-healthy manner. Antioxidants are in most vitamins. They kill the free radicals in your body and can recover from the damage they can sometimes leave. But their are much better ways of getting antioxidants than drinking energy drinks. Although energy drinks have some good qualities, they are, overall, extremely bad for you. Their common ingredients are B Vitamins, Antioxidants, Ginseng, Gingko Biloba, Carnitine, Taurine, Inositol, and Guarana Seed. As I said before, the first four ingredients (B Vitamins, Antioxidants, Ginseng, and Gingko Biloba) are good. But, the bad ingredients are bad enough that they completely cancel out the good things. Energy drinks are a secretly bad combination of soft drink and psuedo-nutritional supplement. But one of the main concerns with the use of the herbs in these drinks is their source. The manufacturers of these drinks aren’t required by law to say whether or not the herbs they use have been sprayed with toxic pesticides, irradiated, or watered with contaminated water supplies. So there is no telling what other toxins are contained in these drinks, or whether or not these herbs will have a negative effect on the body. The caffeine in these drinks is dangerous enough on its own. Caffeine is addictive, and it acts as both a stimulant and a diuretic. The stimulant in it can cause anxiety attacks, heart palpitations, and insomnia. When people drink it in large or regular quantities, caffeine can also make you jittery or irritable. The diuretic in caffeine causes your kidneys to remove extra fluid from your body. They have also found that, if you consume energy drinks while sweating, the effects can be dangerous, maybe causing you to become severely dehydrated quickly. Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate our bodies enough when taken separately. But many younger people have started mixing energy drinks with alcohol because it makes them feel alert and energetic, even when they’re drunk. I have never, nor will I ever, try an energy drink. I think all people should avoid drinking them as much as possible. They decrease our bodies internal water supply and natural detoxification processes. And medical professionals don’t know the long-term effects of consuming these drinks. What we do know, though, is that they do nothing to provide our bodies with any necessary nutrients or fluids, and they can cause heart attacks and elevated blood pressure. http://www. globalhealingcenter. com/natural-health/the-health-dangers-of-energy-drinks/ http://www. globalhealingcenter. com/natural-health/dangers-of-taurine/ http://planetprose. com/1660/are-energy-drinks-bad-for-you/ http://ezinearticles. com/? Energy-DrinksAre-Energy-Drinks-Good-For-You? id=1990557 http://www. whyev. com/energy-drinks. html.