English literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

English literature - Essay Example ell, they have not hesitated on a single occasion to reject any single possibility to attain it, even at the cost of inflicting unimaginable effect of harm to their fellow human beings. Such desperate attempt of power mongering commenced centuries ago but as the civilization has progressed it has taken a more brutal and naked form. Aristotle perhaps visualized the ongoing process of crime against humanity; thus, he remarked prophetically, â€Å"The fact is that the greatest crimes are caused by excess and not by necessity. Men do not become tyrants in order that they may not suffer cold; and hence great is the honor bestowed, not on him who kills a thief, but on him who kills a tyrant.† (Aristotle, Part VII) On the other hand it quite astonishing to see that no matter how much the tyrants and power mongers attempt to inflict the torture over humanity but they have not been able to destroy the spirit and essence of humanity completely. Human beings, even in today’s world of moral corruption as well as mutual distrust are ready to stretch their hands for helping others. Through literature, music and different other forms of arts they protest against such senseless process of crime against humanity by their human counterparts. Through analysis of certain stories and a movie Born on the Fourth of July, we will try to understand whether mutual struggle of human beings has really been able to retain human nature and values. At the same time we will also see to which magnitude crime against humanity has extended its scope to violate the bond of human fellowship. 1. Born on the Fourth of July/ This film was released in the year 1989 and has been made by deriving inspiration from the autobiography with the same name, from a veteran of Vietnam War, Ron Kovic. Though Ron was born and brought up in a family, having a strong patriotic background but after observing the reality of the Vietnam War though his own eyes, Ron was completely disillusioned about the act of warfare.

Big Businesses and Monopolies of the 1800's Essay

Big Businesses and Monopolies of the 1800's - Essay Example The main industries, steel, mining, sugar, transportation, agriculture, ship-building, wine etc., were under monopoly control in all states before the new initiative which came at the beginning of the 20th century. Under conditions approximating pure competition, price was set in the marketplace. Price tended to be just enough above costs to keep marginal producers in business. Thus, from the point of view of the price setter, the most important factor was costs. If a producer's cost floor was below the prevailing market price, the product would be produced and sold. Since the producer in such a market had little discretion over price, the pricing problem was essentially whether or not to sell at the market price. Monopoly steel industry and sugar production was closely connected with nature of competition and inability of competitors to introduce new competitive products to the market. While costs and demand conditions circumscribe the price floor and ceiling, competitive conditions helped to determine where within the two extremes the actual price should be set. Reaction of competitors was the crucial consideration imposing practical limitations on pricing alternatives (Slichter 1948). During the 1800's, 'natural monopolies' existed in some industries. ... More specifically, a cartel was a voluntary association of producers of a commodity or product organized for the purpose of coordinated marketing that was aimed at stabilizing or increasing the members' profits. A cartel was engage in price-fixing, restriction of production or shipments, division of marketing territories, centralization of sales. Many small companies had the right and obligation to take action that protected and fostered the prosperity of the businesses, but they followed 'silent market and ethical rules' which helped them to compete (Witzel, 2003). While costs and demand conditions circumscribed the price floor and ceiling, competitive conditions created by monopolies helped to determine where within the two extremes the actual price should be set. For instance, if accompany set high price reaction of competitors and buyers was often the crucial consideration imposing practical limitations on pricing. Such behavior considered unethical and was discouraged by partner s and buyers (Hansen, 1957). There were times when a company in such a competitive structure ignored competitive prices. Such activities were also discouraged and eliminated which opened new opportunities for rivals. In addition, poor market performance was also considered as a restraint on competition and the main cause of monopolies (Witzel, 2003). The transport sector brought with it all kinds of difficulties, not least the highly regionalized nature of provision, the large amounts of money invested in existing grid systems and the obligation of local authorities to secure transport provision. Subsidized production of coal and ore, overcapacity and cheap