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To the Germans cars play a very central role in their lives.  This is so much so that German technology in the car industry is renowned world over of its workmanship and quality.  Through its history, German has experienced separation, the latest being after WWII when German was divide into East andWest Germany. Through this time, both sides had different dynamics of life.  They also experienced dissimilar economic progression with the west which took up capitalism experiencing much more rapid and robust economic growth as opposed to the east which took up socialism.

With this in mind right from the day of the separation, car manufacturers both local and international have had to apply two strategies when dealing with German market-one for the west and another for the east.  This could be explained by the cultural differences as a result of the post war period. It has been found that, consumerist practices in the east developed differently than in the west.  Additionally, this consumerist culture was not as clear-cut in the east as it was in the west.

Discussion:

Having established that culture is the way people do things, it is thus logical that when companies are looking to influence the purchase decision of people towards their products.  As such, culture will entail what has been learnt inline with religion, language, aesthetics, law and politics, technology and material culture, social organization, education and values and attitudes.

What has been found to be true over time is that in centrally planned economies like the one inEast Germany, consumers did develop different skill from consumers in market economies likeWest Germany.  In planned economies, the skills were in locating products-given the perennial shortage, while their counterparts in the market economy developed skills in comparing and deciding between products-abundance resulted in variety.  In deed inEast Germany, the products available were designed to satisfy the quantity component of consumer needs.

The cars in theEast Germanywere designed for intended to move population from one place to another. Comfort and safety features were not prioritized.  In West Germany, it did not matter that consumers could move from one point to another, the safety of car consumers and their comfort while using cars were decision that were considered critical and thus needed to be addressed before consumers could be offered products.  As such inWest Germany, consumers could choose from Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Volkswagen all of which are legendary for attention to detail in terms of comfort and safety. InEast Germany, this luxury on choice was very narrow.  On either owned a Trabant or any other brand coming fromEastern Europe– Wartburg or Lada.

Over time though the Germans were initially one nation, this division and the cultural adaptations to the prevailing conditions are still visible to-date.  With the unification of East andWest Germanyto one country, consumers in formerEast Germanyare not affected by marketing techniques used so successfully with a population with capitalist inclinations.  Instead they seem to have acquired a taste for the bland and not so glitzy marketing.  Similarly, products produced in the formerEast Germany, can not seem to find a foothold in the West (Hinck, Cortes & James, 2004).  In some cases despite rebranding, these products carry with them a certain perception in the west.  In the East however, the acceptability seems not to have been affected.  The marketing seems to be slowly realizing that not East German products were bland and that in fact, consumers brought up in the east have acquired a taste for these products and as such create a demand that can not be wished away or ignored.  The marketing industry has therefore been forced to focus on bringing reliable well-known products back to consumer’s choice basket.  Skoda cars are a case in point.

Another aspect that has gained prominence in trying to explain the cultural influence of the East and West Germans on marketing especially for cars is language.  Both Germans’ (East and West) shared a common language.  However due to the challenges of life in theEast Germany, people learnt to speak in riddles and with a lot of sarcasm.  This was necessitated by the desire to circumvent the oppressive regulations put in place to stifle freedom of expression.  This was unlike the west where this freedom was enshrined ad protected by the law.

As such the people ofWest Germanycould express themselves freely without the need of using code in their conversations.  This background defined the kind of strategy employed.  Despite the fact that the German language is not high in context culture verbal communication, in the East it did develop toward conformity with this.  In line with this, marketers have had to design campaigns with the high context culture in mind (Onkvist & Shaw, 2004).  This has entailed the use of campaigns with hidden meaning since consumers are already inclined to look for hidden meaning even where none exists.  Additionally, campaigns have had to use not only world but also the body language of the one passing on the message.

Religion has also found itself gaining prominence especially with regards with consumers from theEast Germany.  With the oppression that was part of the communism era, East Germans came to rely on religion to offer reprieve and solace from daily challenges.  To the West Germans, the freedom accorded to them ensured that though they enjoyed practicing their religion, they were not so religious.  Where as marketers could get away with concepts that were borderline provocative in the west this was not the case in the east.  As a result with the unification, marketers have had to tread the line between what is acceptable and what is outright provocative given the background of the consuming public (Lass & Hart, 2004).  It has become the responsibility of marketers to ensure their campaigns are not offensive, unlawful or distasteful to all the consuming population.  This is with regards to marketing and branding.  Marketers have not shied from using these positives to sell their products.

Between the East Germans and those from the West, there is a clear, distinct and discernable difference in the value and attitudes as espoused by the consumers (Martín-Santana & Beerli-Palacio, 2008).  Where as former West German consumers may be permissible to a lot and may even push the envelop in some instance, those from the East Germany are by nature more conservative with a highly developed and rigid value system coupled with attitudes to boot.  A lot of what is permissible in the west may be offensive in the East.  With this in mind, marketers have had to be very creative in their work.  They have endeavored and succeeded in making both consumers feel the campaigns are not only acceptable but also mind provoking and controversial to acceptable standards.  This has ensured the campaigns have achieved the result of creating awareness and most importantly sales.  Germans remain the highest consumers of German made cars.

Social organizations have also had their contribution on how marketers maneuvered while creating campaigns for different products.  In line with this,Germanyis a highly integrated and progressive society.  Women play a leading role and are no longer viewed as homemakers only but as partners in progress.  Currently,Germanyis lead by a woman who has her political roots in the formerEast Germany. Germanyis additionally a society that is very diverse with it opening its borders to immigrants to the extent that in the past decade, Germans with migrant background have slowly gained acceptance in the national football team.  It is with this in mind that marketers have had to redesign their campaign to ensure they not only use people with clear migrant background in the campaigns but also make sure the campaigns will be not only acceptable but also will excite and elicit purchase by the immigrant community (Waldeck & Von Gosen, 2007).  The challenge has been to design campaigns that bring out the diversity of the German people in addition to celebrating this diversity.

Germans both from the former East and West are frugal to a fault.  Unlike the Americans who have driven their economic growth through consumption, Germans have driven their economic growth through savings.  Germans are additionally known to have one of the most attractive social benefits.  The German social safety net is designed to make sure, the population does not suffer in their later years especially if they have faithfully and religiously contributed to the growth of the country economy (Ekerete, 2001).  German additionally has one of the best wage packages inEurope.  However despite this entire positive, the part of the country that was formallyEast Germanyhas been going through rough times.

With technological advancement and considering the former East Germany government and company’s were not so enthusiastic on keeping up, there has been an unfortunate fall in incomes and earning power in this regions (Hermeking, 2005).  Marketers have to put this into picture as they design their campaigns.  Given that they can not afford to price discriminate or segment, they thus need to create campaign that are very innovative and personalized in offering solutions that will strike the right cord with the intended and targeted consumer population.

Conclusion:

When all is said and done, marketers must be aware that former East and West German consumers display clearly distinct and unique consumption habits and respond differently to stimuli (Aaker & Briley, 2005).  Former West German consumers will be exhibit tendencies towards heightened product perception as opposed to the brother from the former East who will be more fuzzy-basic perceptual dimension will be the same.  Former East Germans because of the conditions that prevailed in the country will be having more individualistic values.  Their brother on the other hand will get to the value more quickly when analyzing a product for its concrete product attributes.  They will also tend to start with the more abstract attributes before tackling the specific which is the opposite with their brothers from the formerEast Germany.

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A major assumption that does exist in an effectual psychotherapy and counseling is that we always acknowledge the basic tendencies by understanding other people’s culture. It is imperative that we get to understand our cultural heritage as well as the global view before we decide to assist and understand other people. As counselors we should also learn to have a good relationship with groups or clients (Stacey & Dennis, 2000, pp. 483). It is important as a counselor to integrate some imperative factors in order to become a competent counselor as far as the culture is concerned. I am from a Hispanic decent and my parents come from the Dominion republic though I was born and raised inQueens,New York. It is therefore crucial to get an immense limelight on the multicultural knowledge, awareness and skills as well as discussing some factors that competent group counselor should embark on in their field of profession.

Corey et al (2010) has talked at length on multicultural awareness, skills and knowledge. They have come up with some questions to help understand more on this topic (Corey, 2010, pp. 22-25):

The Multicultural Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills Survey (MAKSS).

Multicultural awareness

1. Disagree
2. Very aware
3. Very aware
4. Agree
5. Good
6. Strongly agree
7. Agree
8. Agree
9. Strongly agree
10. Strongly agree

Multicultural Knowledge

11. Good
12. Good
13. Good
14. Good
15. Good
16. Good
17. Good
18. Disagree
19. Agree
20. Agree

Multicultural skills

21. Good
22. Good
23. Good
24. Good
25. Good
26. Good
27. Good
28. Good
29. Good
30. Very good

Group workers ought to be culturally competent (Anderson’s, 2007, pp. 230,). Counselors should embrace a more multicultural approach in their work. Competent counselors should understand the human behavior on the grounds of diversity and cultures (American counseling Association, 1991). Counselors should not permit the forces that exist in the group processes to cause injury or harm to the client (Anderson’s, 2007, pp. 231). They should also facilitate and enhance the growth characteristics and block all processes that can violate the groups. Moreover, group workers should be aware of the wealth, status and power that might result to victimization and oppression in group dynamics.

As a competent group counselor, I will first establish a mutual and a solid relationship with the group members. I will integrate my values, qualities and experiences to each group in order to bring a positive change. I will be courageous by willing to be vulnerable when necessary and admit imperfections and mistakes. I will hence examine my entire life and be honest and direct with the members in a respectful and caring way despite their cultural orientation. I will be completely aware with the subtle cultural concepts of the group members and identify with their concerns and pain.

To become a culturally competent leader one should consider the cultural, ethnic and other beliefs of the clients in order to handle them from the known and be able to address their concerns and worries. Multicultural counselor should take a more integrative approach. It is imperative to take a self examination and integrate our behavior, cognition on racial grounds in order to be competent.

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Abuse and domestic violence usually happens to all people though this problem is usually denied, overlooked and excused. This is true when the violence and abuse is psychological. Emotional abuse though it is minimized, it would leave immense and lasting scars. Noticing as well as acknowledging any symptoms and warning signs of abuse are the major step to ending the violence. Violence and abuse do not discriminate and it does happen to all people irrespective of their ages, economic levels or ethnic background. Abuse usually escalates from verbal abuse, threats to acts of violence. Though physical injury might be an obvious danger, the psychological and emotional impacts of violence are quite severe. It is therefore imperative to embark on child abuse and its impact on health.

Interpersonal violence and abuse is a global phenomenon and nurses should seek ways into which to integrate cultural competence in order to help them to understand relationships between interpersonal violence and culture (Zoucha, 2006, pp. 195-6). Child abuse has an impact on children depending on various factors. One of them is the extent of the physical abuse, second is the frequency of the abuse, third is the age factor of the child, and fourth is the relationship that the child has with the abuser, fifth is how available the children are to get help and finally the ability of the children to cope with the abuse.

 

Child is any person who is younger than 18 years. Child abuse is any nonaccidental injury as well as any act of omission by the parent’s guardian, caretakers that result to imminent risks of harm or risks of impaired health, death and others. There are numerous types of abuse that children go through. They undergo physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse and neglect and sexual abuse. Children who suffer from abuse develop ranges of maladaptive, self destructive actions, anti social behaviors and thoughts as they try to cope with the entire trauma.

Child abuse has immense effects on children. It causes children to have academic difficulties, result to taking of drugs and alcohols, being aggressive, have nightmares, bed wet, chronic pains, depression, eating disorders, insomnia, malnutrition, stomachaches and headaches and even suicide attempts (Arthur, 2005). Children who are abused sexually are also at very high risks of developing anxiety, personality and mental disorders (Philip, David & Simon, 2004, pp. 416-421).

Adult women who have a history of child abuse usually portray great evidence when it comes to dysfunction as well as sexual disturbances and may suffer from depression (Joseph, Kenneth, Jane, Granville, Donna, 1992, pp. 101-118). Fear, anxiety and suicidal acts have always been associated with sexual abuse.

Physical child abuse also ranges from lacerations and minor bruises to severe trauma and at times even death. The worst part is that child abuse can end up extending to adulthood. Some of the effects of physical abuse on children are physical complaints. Children end up having migraines, stomachaches, gut catastrophes and other physical symptoms that are not necessarily caused by the trauma. These are usually psychomatic indicators. Abused children usually feel hopeless, exhausted and sick often. Anger that is usually inward usually result to depression.  Since most of these children do not get help, they are prone to suffer in their late ages and end up abusing alcohol and drugs. Anger that is not usually expressed in the right way usually leaks to other problems. Children end up having aggressive or passive behavior. Abused children usually revenge indirectly and end up being hostile and cynic.

The abused children usually have no social life are bound to be rejected or have problems in relationships. These children always develop low esteem and profound sadness. According the American Department of Health and Human Services, rate of children abuse was 12.4 in the year 2003 and neglect represented the highest type of abuse. In US there is a system that has been established in order to respond to some reports on neglect and child abuse. Nurses should integrate the cultural factors in their profession in order to understand the needs of children who have been abused as well as the factors that result to a culture behaving the way they do. Any cases of child abuse should be addressed and reported and those children should be offered the right counseling to avoid future problems and health issues.

Abuse and violence on children have been common to most societies and most of the families do it as a form of punishment to their children. These children are bound to be adversely affected health wise and they end up suffering physically, mentally and emotionally. They ought to be offered with the right counseling in order to avoid future problems. Children who are abused are prone to be depressed, affect their future relationships and might end up dying due to health issues. Culture should be integrated in the health system to cater for this kind of abuse and children should be given counseling and advised on types of abuse in order to report such cases.

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There are numerous uncertainties in the world today. On the other hand, trust among humanity even on what appears to be relatively obvious seems as elusive. Whatever the circumstance, it is tidal that the any landowner, young or old writes some note or assigns or prepares some tentative will for his estate (Texas Young Lawyers Association). The written document would take a number of forms, but most importantly, it confers estate management mandate to some trusted person(s) or legal entity.

            At the very onset one needs to appreciate that there is a difference between DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY and GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY. DURABLE POWER OF THE ATTORNEY lives beyond the period for which it was meant. While the GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY only grants powers to the nominee for specific period of time.

In the event of death, and where the owner of the estate has not left an elaborate will, the descendants seem to be entangled in disagreement over the inheritance of the estate and the property (Cavazos T S., 2002). In most cases the owner normally identifies a trusted member of the family who would act as an administrator in the event of any eventuality.

When one feels that he may be away for some time and there are very important transactions that he may need attended to, he may choose someone to handle the transactions through the preparation of financial POWER OF ATTORNEY (POA). In the case where such financial POA has to be prepared by somebody who feels that he may be incapacitated, one may opt to entrust the management to one of the family members (Dying Without A Will). The family member would only make very important decisions when two doctors verify that the owner is indeed incapacitated.

            Legally, the POWER OF ATTORNEY (POA) is kept together with the medication documents. However, it needs to be appreciated that the POWER OF ATTORNEY is prepared on two accounts. Thus, in the event of probable hospital incapacity and in the event that the owner wishes to have transactions transacted while he/she is away (Texas Young Lawyers Association).

Consequently, for effective sharing of the inheritance the POA has to be the ‘DURABLE’ one. This document ensures that whoever is put in charge of the estate manages it beyond sickness or absence. In case of absence that is not related to sickness, if the owner is befallen by some calamity, the durable POA allows the nominated individual to clear the transactions and hands the transactions papers to the descendants.

            If a will is not available, the court may designate anyone to take over the guardianship of the estate and the minor children alike. However, the guardianship may not be as required by the land or property owner. In addition, if anyone passes away without any written will, the estate is subjected to a number of costs (Texas Young Lawyers Association). These costs may be in terms of court fees and fees for the attorney and costs arising from any errors. This may lead to the liquidation of some of the assets so as to meet the costs. Subsequently, whatever is meant for disbursement to the descendant is reduced.

Intestacy laws differ from state to state, in the event that the land owner has land in another state and dies without a will, the laws of the state where the land is located are used in deciding on the inheritance of the land (Cavazos T S., 2002). However, more often, land owners have special feeling to family members, and could express this feeling through the written will by giving them some preference. Dying without a will implies that the property is shared among the heirs indiscriminately without bothering about your feelings to certain family members.

Landowners may have a heart to assist the poor who may not necessarily be members of the family (Dying Without A Will). Such wishes would only be made effective where there is a will that is left. Or else the property would simply be taken by distant relations of even the state where such distant relations as the father, grandfather, sibling or even grand children are none existent. It is vivid from the foregoing discussion that at all points, land and property owners should develop some written document offering guidance on the inheritance of their estate.

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Introduction

The world today has seen tremendous increase in the levels of urban centers. The urbanization prospects have not been coupled with similar counteracting measures in terms of housing and pollution control. Though this is a precursor to and an indicator of economic development, it comes with mixed blessings and in the very earnest terms is a blessing that is much disguised.

Urbanization, a Mixed Blessing

Urbanization is one of the complex processes where the communities of any state become large, specialized and relatively more interdependent. Urbanization is a result of many processes. However, the most important and notable variable in the urbanization process are technological, economical, environmental, political and demographic. The interaction of these salient factors translates to urbanization.

Countries with very high rates of industrialization seem to be experiencing high rate of urbanization. Towns have been growing at high rates particularly where industries have been established on their outskirts. Clearly, industrialization will trigger urbanization. When industries are established, estates are developed to cater for the shelter needs of the employees in the industries and proprietors alike. In addition, those who work in the industries need to be provided with other services hence prompting the development of shopping centers. Over time this suburbs become part of the town and increase the level of the urban centers.

When the economy of any state is on a positive track, the proceeds from the investments are reinvested in other ventures. The venture has to acquire its employees who need to be sheltered. In the process of providing the employees with shelter and other important services town centers start sprouting up.  Overall, the economy grows resulting from the increased economic activities. Entrepreneurs make profits and use them to improve their living standards while the employees equally use the proceeds from their labor to invest in other ventures that would earn returns.

Though it is appreciated that urbanization may bring about investment and improvement in the standards of living, industrialization which is a precursor of urbanization brings with it environmental pollutions. Besides, urban centers come with increase in social evil. Crimes tend to escalate in urban centers. In addition, the concentration of the wider population in the urban areas normally leads to unprecedented inequalities. The urban population gets richer while the rural population seems to be getting poorer by the day.

The plotted graphs clearly show that the high the level of urbanization the high the level of pollution. The pollution may be in the forms of noise, dust, smoke and industrial wastes. In addition, the congestion brought about by urbanization contributes to the spread of diseases.Canada’s urbanization has followed the same trends as its economic development trend. In any country, increase in the economic development seems to largely support the development of urban centers.

As at 1996, when census was done inCanada, an estimated 78% of the Canadian population was living in urban centers.Canadais ranked amongst the fastest industrializing countries in the world. Of particular interest in the class arePakistan,Belgium,Australia,United KingdomandIsrael. However,Canadaexhibits an exceptional urbanization trend.  Most of the provinces inCanadathat are experiencing high levels of urbanization have high levels of economic development with controlled pollution levels.

The data presented shows that middle level economies may experience the highest levels of urbanization in the 21^st century. With the ever-increasing population in the middle level economies, it is most likely that unemployment in the rural area will increase while the resources available may not increase at similar rates precipitating the movement of the unemployed into the cities. Consequently, urban centers will grow at high rates.

Continued urbanization will present numerous challenges. Most importantly, the urbanization process will lead to congestion. The congestion will prompt the increase in the cost of living in the urban centers. Because of the disparities in the costs of giving and the incomes of the urban dwellers, it is most likely that crime will start increasing with the jobless trying to make ends meet.

The increase in the urban population would equally lead to the drop in the wage bills arising from the increase in the supply of the labor force. Subsequently, the living standards of the urban dwellers will drop. There will be a large gap between the lower class urban dwellers and the upper class urban dwellers. These inequalities will be precipitated leading to the general national inequality.

Housing will be a major challenge that will be precipitated by rapid migration into the urban centers. While the urban population will be increasing, the development of the housing infrastructure may not be at the same rate. This will translate to a housing crisis in the urban center. In the quest towards bridging the gap to the housing challenge, poor housing estates will be developed or the very worst, slums will become a norm.

Conclusion

The entire globe should welcome urbanization given that with the rapid industrialization the trend is inevitable.  Nevertheless, measures should be taken to ensure that the blessings do not become disguised. If the trend has no countering measures, evil will become abound besides the human races being endangered through pollution that is brought about by industrialization and urbanization that are clearly inseparable.

a) Figure 1

 

Figure 2

b) Figure 3

 

 

 b) Figure 4

c) Figure 5

 

 

c) Figure 6

c) Figure 7

 

Figure 8

Figure 9

 

 

Figure 10

 

List of Countries Order in Which They Were Graphed

Argentina                   Benin                          Bolivia                        Botswana

Brazil                           Canada                        china                           Colombia

Finland                        france                          germany                      Ghana

Iceland                                    Israel                           Kenya                          Korea Rep.

Lebanon                     Libya                          Netherlands                Norway

Pakistan                      Paraguay                    South Africa             Sweden

Switzerland                Tanzania                     Turkey                        Ukraine

United Arab Emirates United Kingdom         Vietnam                      Yemen

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This article is about the U.S.A G.D.P figures growth. The author asserts that U.S.A economy expanded in the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 after recovering from the Global Financial Crisis. According to this article increase in GDP was due to increase in government spending (G). The government spending emphasized in promoting spending on cars and house buildings. The article also asserts that manufacturing output and consumer spending has increased and thus having a positive impact on GDP. The private residential investment accounted for half of the GDP growth. The author also notes that companies had reduced their inventories due to decrease in consumer demand which contributed to nearly a full percentage point of growth. This was a bit tricky in accounting for GDP. The article also notes that government spending had also resulted into increase in inflation rate. However, the U.S.A government was in the process of bringing this down by employing monetary policies such as adjusting the interest rates.

 

Components of GDP discussed in the article

This article has discussed three components of G.D.P and their effects on G.D.P figure.  These are: government spending, (G) the consumptions by the household (C) and investments (I). Much of GDP growth in U.S.A for 2009 third quarter is attributed to increase in government spending. The other component of G.D.P discussed is the output from manufacturing sector which is included as part of GDP when using output approach to calculating G.D.P. The government spending increase also propelled consumptions and investment in this economy which both culminated to G.D.P growth. The government spending was aimed at making loans available to those who wanted to invest in residential buildings. The spending was also aimed at enabling households spending in cars. The author also notes that consumer demand on available goods had decreased and forced the business entities to reduce their inventories.

 

I agree with the writers claims that government spending has a big impact on other components of GDP borrowing from Keynesian model of national income, GDP=G+C+I+(X-M), where G represent government spending, C represent consumption by the households, I represent investments, X represents exports while M represents imports. Any increase in government spending will increase the G.D.P. Part of the government spending will also end to propel investments and household consumptions which is likely to increase the GDP further. In this case, increase of U.S.A government spending enabled investors and the households to access loans for building residential buildings and purchase cars respectively. (Wessels 2006; Shone, R (2001).

However such loans should not be included as part of G.D.P since it will culminate into double counting as this will be covered as part of government spending while calculating the GDP. The author note that a decrease in inventory may be tricky in calculating the G.D.P. Reduction in inventories will depict that there has been an increase in business income. However inventories may be part of intermediate goods used in production of the final goods. Such calculation may culminate into double counting and lead to a misleading G.D.P figures. Therefore, authors concern that inventories calculation in G.D.P figures is tricky has weight. This figure should be deducted from the GDP. The GDP calculated through output approach should only consider the finished products value produced in an economy in the specified period under consideration. (Colander 2003; Wessels 2006).

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Culture does control our day to day life. Any culture centered approach in professional counseling goes a long way to recognize culture to be central rather than marginal, fundamental and not necessarily exotic in the counseling interventions. The amplified modernized, urbanized and the industrialized societies as well as the breakdown of family support systems have heightened on the need for a worldwide variety of counseling methods in order to search for solutions to some of the world social problems. Sensitive and competent multicultural counselors should possess competencies that do include awareness of their cultural values, assumption and biases, understanding and awareness of their clients’ views, knowledge as well as application of some culturally effective intervention strategies and the willingness to portray an empathic understanding. This paper explores on racism attitudes, multicultural counseling, white racial identity and attitudes and multicultural competencies.

Professional counselors should come into grips with issues for example sexism, racism, social and economic class and other realities that ought not to be ignored in order for them to comprehend diversity as well as the experiences of different people who come from other diverse backgrounds. Cultural sensitivity training among counselors usually result to an open mind and being culturally aware as well as enhance on the comprehension of multiculturalism as well as the aptitude to communicate effectively with the minority groups (Basanti, Gina, Jacqueline& Barbara. 2004, pp. 161-166). Instead of counselors being ethnocentric, they should learn to respect the cultural diversity otherwise they will end up imposing standards and values that are self centered on the clients. Skilled counselors should be sensitive and always actively engaged through avoiding prejudices, discrimination and stereotyping. Though there are patent cases of cultural bias in the American psychology, most of it is done unintentionally by people who view themselves as just, moral and fair minded. The cross cultural interactions are usually confounded by divergent interpretative frameworks in which the meaning is usually attributed. There are various barriers to effectual counseling in the cross culture.

The major potential cultural bias that result to misinterpretation and conflicts in counseling comprise of culture and class bound values, divergence in emotional, verbal and behavioral expressiveness and divergence in the communication patterns (Fons & Norbert, 2004, pp. 119-135). Other sources of potential bias are maintenance of self esteem, perception, differences in language, ethnocentrism and others.

Most of the ancient psychotherapy and counseling theoretical orientations inUSAusually claim to honor inimitable characteristics of their clients but end up ignoring the psychological differential impact of the clients. Racial development ought to be considered as a major aspect by counselors when they are dealing with the white racial attitudes (Sharon, 1996, pp. 151-163).

Racial identity is theorized as the most important influence as far as racial counseling relationships are concerned. There is a significant effect that is found between counselor’s race and the white racial attitudes. Over past decades, the counseling field has emphasized on the importance of coming up with a multicultural framework in order to understand the clients and train future counselors.  The unexamined cultural bias and assumptions of the white counselors at times cause them to basically view the values and behaviors of members of other ethnic groups as deviant instead of viewing it simply as different from theirs.

Helms model has focused on health white attitudes and identities that develop when the white people abandon their racist attitudes and hence move towards the nonracist identity. In her model she asserts that the whites in theUSare not socialized in the environment where members of the group are usually privileged to other racial members and hence they tend to protect this status by adopting a more racist behavior and attitude.

The relationship that is formed between a culturally divergent counselor and client has been identified to be the most crucial factor in determining if clients do engage in the entire counseling process. The white race development by Helm according to Philip (1997, pp. 207) is posited to encompass six statuses. The first is contact stage.

The whites in this stage are usually oblivious to issues of racism, lack the understanding of racism and have a less experience with the black people and always profess to be color blind. The societal influence when it comes to perpetuating stereotypes associated with the black and the white people usually go unnoticed.  In order to develop a healthy white identity, then every white person even the professional counselors must overcome all aspects of racism and accept their whiteness and any cultural implications. The whites should be treated differently from other ethnic groups by helping them to develop an affirmative identity.

The white people never see themselves as whites but rather as English, Italian and others (Philip 1997, pp. 208). The major noncomiatants as far as racism and whites are concerned are usually negative feelings for example self hate, deception, shame and guilt as well as feeling bad on grounds of being white. These feelings usually contributed to some distorted feelings that contribute to distorted views.

The other is the disintegration stage where a person usually becomes conflicted over some unresolvable racial issues where the whites believe they are nonracist though they would not want to get involved with the minority groups.  Whites at this stage are usually aware of their racial membership as well as experiences since they are usually treated differently from others. In the reintegration stage, the white status is usually manifested by the whites’ realization and idealization of their racial membership groups. In the pseudo independence stage, the whites usually possess an intelligent comprehension of racism as well as how they view it though they continue to have feelings of intolerance and superiority towards racial groups. Finally, in the autonomy stage, the whites get to internalize an affirmative white racial aspect and identity by refuting to impose an arbitrary racial definition on other ethnic groups but rather displaying emotional and intellectual appreciation of the racial similarities and differences (Constatine, Juby & Liang. 2001. pp. 1-11).

It is therefore imperative to understand and acknowledge all the cultures and not just the ethnic groups. Whites should not be assumed to be alike thus the counselors should understand the client’s ethnic background and the views they hold. The white counselors should learn to accept their cultural diversity in order to be in a position to help other people too. High levels of racism are usually correlated with low levels of self reported competencies as far as multicultural counseling is concerned. High disintegration racial attitudes held by the whites are usually associated with low levels of perception on multicultural counseling competencies.

As far as concepts like stress, alcohol use and drug abuse among the ethnic groups and the white population, the counselors should adopt a more holistic approach in their integration of counseling processes. This is because of the attitudes that the whites have upon themselves as superior and the ethnic minorities who have always been treated as  marginalized groups thus they have never had an access to American dream as compared to the whites (Charles, 2004, pp. 616). When working with these two different cultures it is imperative to note that most people vary as far as the cultural continuum is concerned.

The blacks always claim that racism is a continuing reality in their lives and are well intentioned while the whites continue to respond to them with superiority. Since counselors are more immune to inherit biases therefore white counselors also tend to deliver some racial microaggressions during counseling sessions with the ethnic groups (Derald, Kevin, Christina et al, 2008, pp. 330-338).  Counselors should deviate themselves from all the biasness, stereotypes and learn to incorporate other cultures through respecting, understanding and appreciating diversity.

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Thomson- Perry Argument 

 

Collaboration occurs overtime as organizations interact both formally and informally through recurring sequences of negotiation, development of commitments and execution of those commitments.  Collaboration should employ more of collective action as opposed to coordination or cooperation. Cooperation involves reciprocities and exchange of resources. Cooperation aimed at achieving mutual goals ensures collaboration is achieved -collaboration is more than achieving individual ends -it also involves shared ends.  Thomson and Perry come up with a multidimensional model of collaboration as an insight to public managers understanding to collaboration. (Thomson & Perry 2006 p4). They identified five dimensions of collaborations as: governing, administering, mutuality, norms, and organizational autonomy. Partners seeking collaboration must together make the rules which will govern their behavior and relationships. All partners must be willing to support the decisions once are reached at. Success to choices made in a collaboration process rest on participants’ willingness to monitor them and each other as well as imposing sanctions on those partners who do not comply to what agreed on. Trust and reciprocity among the members increases the likelihood of collective action. Face-to-face communication is also very important. Administration will entail establishment of structures that turn governance into action. (p6)

Collaboration is also the process in which independent actors interact through formal and informal negotiation, together create rules and structures to direct their relationships and how to decide on issues that brought them together. In a nut shell it involves sharing norms and mutually beneficial interactions.  Collaboration also involves reconciling individuals and collective interests which is the autonomy dimension. In this dimension partners to collaboration have to deal with the distinct organizational authority and identity as well as the collective interests established in the collaboration.

Mutuality dimension involves process of forging mutually beneficial relationships. Mutual benefits will encourage each partner commitments in what is agreed by all partners. It is a uniting force. Other dimension is the trust and reciprocity dimension which is the process of building social capital norms (p8). This entails common believe of good intension of others, no one will take advantage of the other, and all partners will be honest. Thus all partners reciprocate to others in a positive way. It ‘I will if you will’ (p9)

The case of ‘government as a catalyst’ supports the Thomson and Perry argument. The city government of Philadelphia wanted to ensure internet access to the residence of Philadelphia. In ensuring this, the potential market would be utilized, the firms and the government authority as well as the community at large was expected to benefit from a municipality wireless networks. It could also have social economic growth in local communities. In the process the municipal authority had to collaborate with all stakeholders i.e. the community and incumbent players based on mutual benefits which was in line with the mutuality dimension discussed by Thomson and Perry. The city also played a big role in the administering the Municipal Wireless Networks project. This is the administration dimension discussed by Thomson and Perry which turned governance into action.  The city acted as a catalyst by taking variety of roles as facilitator, champion, steering committee, policy maker, coordinator, partner, project manager, consultant, referee, capacity builder as well as regulator. (Stillman 2009)

All stakeholders’ interests such as telecommunication companies, civic leaders, the media, community groups, state government, and the public as well as the city politicians were put into consideration.  The city government had to remove barriers and provide incentives as well as legislative framework to help target funding, ensure resources, so as to provide stability to the new infrastructures. (Stillman 2009 p312, 314).  The city government had to respond to all complaints and let stakeholders know of the mutual benefits to accrue from the Municipal Wireless Network. Difficult compromises had to be reached at. Additionally, need for balancing private and public needs was also to be dealt with. The optimization of the interests of these players was indispensable for the success of the project. This is evidence of autonomy dimension discussed in the Thomson and Perry argument. The stakeholders had to maintain their identity as even they share the collective goals and interests. The reciprocity and norms dimension is also evident in this case. The city government of Philadelphia reciprocated to the interests of the stakeholders. All stakeholders also reciprocated by cooperating with the city government and the MWNs project was implemented successfully. Such occurrences enabled creation of capital social norms where take and give attitude based on honesty and trust among partners in the MWNs project.  (p313)

The case of government as a catalyst also provides a more convincing model. First it is a real story of how various stakeholders in city of Philadelphia collaborated in ensuring success of the Municipal Wireless Networks. The case also shows that administration as an important part of the collaboration process. It also shows how to deal with diverse barriers to the collaboration process. The city government of Philadelphia had to use other stakeholders so as to convince others of the importance of the collaboration process. This was a more effective way of ensuring collaboration process succeeded.

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Safety Net Hospitals provide very important medical services and stand at the core of the American medical system. Formative, the definition of Safety Net Hospital provides a basis for handling this discourse. Within the IOM understanding (Bazzoli, G., Lindrooth, R. C., Kang, R., Hasnain-Wynia, R., P 1165), these are medical institutions that provide important levels of health services to patients who are impecunious and in dire need of the services yet beyond their ability.

Research has shown that the general American public supports the Safety Net Hospitals. The central purpose for the inception of the institutions was to serve two central objects (Cordasco, K M., Asch, S., Franco,I., Mangione, C. M, P 37). From the first perspective the hospital has sufficient resources that are meant to be used in serving the medical needs of the indigent persons. Secondly, the wider population of the community received medical care from within the precincts of the Safety Net Hospitals.

Clearly, the Safety Net hospitals lies at the epicenter of the medical needs of the destitute persons and try to act as a balancing point for those who are not able to access Medicare from the alternative medical institutions (Bazzoli, G., Lindrooth, R. C., Kang, R., Hasnain-Wynia, R., P1156). Besides, not all the citizens are capable of paying their medical insurances.

The existences of the Safety Net Hospitals therefore serve these very persons who have similar medical needs yet are medically uninsured. Research done in the urban centers showed that the existence of the facilities was supported across the divide; age, income, gender and political parties. This shows that though the services were not enjoyed by all, their utility was felt across the board.

Society will always have income inequalities. These inequalities provide sufficient reason for which the sustenance of the Safety Net Hospitals in mandatory for the political class and the community (Hadley, J., Cunningham, P., P 1542). The publics plea to have the congress support the sustenance of the facilities was therefore not in vein.  At every cost, given the cardinal role the Safety Net Hospitals play, they should be protected from any attempts for closure.

The implications for the closure of the Safety Net Hospitals are enormous. Clearly, given that a larger segment of society relies of on them for incidental Medicare. The facilities have sufficient support from the market; both the direct consumers and indirect consumers of the services. Perhaps one that any mortal will never want to perceive is the fact that perhaps American mortality rates will increase.

The government may equally be required to chip in to ensure that the insurance policy for the poor are subsidized to have them acquire such incidental medical insurance cover (Young, D., p 1940). While the closure would have formatively intended to serve the purpose of cutting on the expenditure by the government, the expenditure might just go up slightly through the subsidy. Clearly, whether the use of the Safety Net Hospitals then is low, the government does not necessarily need to have them closed, rather they may just be needed some other occasion (p Hadley, J., Cunningham, P., p 1532).

In addition, while the government subsidy will facilitate the insurance of the indigent persons, the access of the services would be tempered given that the general demand for the services from the covered institutions would increase (Sullivan, A., Barron, C., Bezmen, J., Rivera, J., Zapata-Vega, M., P 67). However, for those who live far below the poverty line, the receipt of the services will be untenable because some may not even raise the consultation fees.

The closing of the outlet Safety Net Hospital inWashington, for example, provides a basis for making any decision geared towards the abolition of Safety Net units. Clearly, the private hospitals have become overburdened lending the institutions to possible diseconomies of scale. This presents a sorry state particularly when dealing with the health of humans. The emergence department inWashingtonhas become very overcrowded.

Besides, it needs to be appreciated that a larger number of the services provided by the Safety Net Hospitals are high cost, yet quite unprofitable (Lindrooth, R. C.,  Bazzoli, G., Needleman, J.,  Hasnain-Wynia, 712). This implies that leaving the delivery of the services in the private sector, which is largely profit-oriented, is detrimental.  In the long run, quality service delivery will be compromised, making the government to appear as abdicating its responsibilities.

There is sufficient evidence that when Safety Net providers are left to provide singular services, there would always be a service provision gap (Radcliff, T. A., Côté, M. J., Duncan, R. P., p 21). Hence, if the facilities are closed altogether, the pressure on the other facilities would be immense. Within the mandate of this argument, the closure of any Safety Net facility will see medical services get severely affected.

Whether the closure of the Safety Net in part or in full is what is being contemplated, the move is not justifiable. The service delivery to the market from either section will not be matched (Cunningham, P. J., Hadley, J., Kenney, G., Davidoff, J., P 267). Whatever the case, the market preference will always be inclined to one of service sectors: private or safety net hospitals.

The economic recession has had its fair share toward the performance and the life of the safety net hospitals. The recession saw the budget towards the same end go down by a sum of 4.3 billions. The cutting down of the budget directly affects the service delivery of the safety net hospitals (Bazzoli, G., Lindrooth, R. C., Kang, R., Hasnain-Wynia, R., P 1048). However, the role the facilities play in the society gives them overboard leverage for survival; hence cutting their budget support down is a misnomer and is misplaced.

In conclusion, supplementary services and complementary services provided by the Safety Net Hospitals is so tidal that an attempt to close them down means utter disregard for the health needs of the impecunious in society (Larrison Jr., Robert G., p 202). By any standards, the move should be addressing the best way of making their service delivery prospects better. The long run analysis of their impending closure vis-à-vis sustainability gives the facilities due leverage.

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Price gouging means a lot of things to a lot of people.  Simply put it is the situation where sellers price goods or commodities including services much higher that is considered reasonable or fair.  It could also refer to prices obtained by practices inconsistent with a competitive free market.  It could additionally mean speculation.  As such price gauging has is both beneficial and detrimental attributes to the society.

Discussion:

When considered in times of disasters and or natural calamities, it has been argued that price gouging is majorly responsible for additional hardship on the affected.  However as economist Walter Williams argues “passionate issues require dispassionate analysis” (Cox, 1997) this is because during emergency conditions, price gouging will evoke strong emotional responses that are understandable but terribly wrong-headed.

During a disaster what happens? There is a simultaneous shift in demand (increase) and supply (decrease) which forces the prices of goods and services upwards.  Proponents of price gauging argue that preventing it would increase misery and that it is even a desirable practice.  In deed it increases the availability of goods and services following a disaster. The ability to charge higher prices makes additional sources of supplies affordable. For example, food and construction workers from nearby unaffected areas will stream into the disaster zone because they command a higher price there than in their original areas. This effect is called arbitrage, and is distinct from (and in addition to) charitable donations.

Hurricanes can be predicted well enough that the affected area is likely to be known in advance. This makes it possible to stockpile some kinds of goods. Stockpiling has the benefit of making important goods immediately available in quantity at the site of the disaster. For an area to stockpile some good represents a significant increase over its typical demand; this strains the supply chain and increases costs. Thus, stockpiling is only economically feasible if those increased costs will be met by increased revenues from selling the stockpile after the disaster. If firms cannot raise their prices after the disaster (i.e. “price gouge”), they will not stockpile before it.

People will work longer hours if they’re compensated with higher wages. Some people may charitably donate their extra time, but the rest require more money to overcome the disutility of labor. If the wage was right, people would be eager to work 10-, 12-, 14-hour or longer days. If laws prevent the payment of these higher wages, those extra potential hours worked are lost. It takes longer to repair the damage, with people inconvenienced in the meantime.

Price gouging results is a better allocation of goods and services, because the alternative is shortages. Laws against price gouging are a form of price control, a price ceiling, and any price ceiling below the market-clearing rate creates a shortage. In an unhampered market, goods are available to whoever is willing and able to pay. In a shortage, allocation is haphazard, with goods going to people who show up first, or wait in line, or have influential friends, or they may be rationed, or many other possibilities.

The unhampered market lets people communicate the urgency of their need with dollars. The most important (i.e. valuable) uses for those goods will offer the highest prices for them, bidding them away from less important uses. If potable water is scarce and therefore more expensive, water for drinking will outbid water for decorative fountains. If prices were unchanged, there would be a shortage, and while this case is intentionally so clear-cut that almost any government allocation scheme would work, most cases are not so obvious: How much water for bathing versus irrigation? The market can answer that question — do you believe the government can?

Among economists the above arguments make sense but to a lay man going this are irrelevant.  It is a fact that many lay people believe that price gouging is bad.  This view is most often that not fueled by politicians looking to gain political mileage.  Interesting is the knowledge that the vast majority despite being confronted by the economic arguments, dismiss them not because they believe that they are wrong but rather that they are irrelevant.

The physical reality of disaster recovery is that things have been destroyed and it takes time and resources to recover. It is physically impossible to satisfy everyone’s wants immediately after a disaster. That option isn’t on the table. There aren’t enough resources to go around. The market impact is that the things that are so important to so many people are expensive precisely because they’re so important to so many people.

With the knowledge that goods are available to whoever is willing and able to pay in a price gouging situation, this is what makes the majority upset.  Ability to pay has no relationship with need. The rich are able to outbid the poor. A poor person must spend a huge part of their income or savings (or go into debt) in order to compete with the rich. Or, they must wait until prices come back down.

This seems ethically wrong to most people because they link need with desert.  This is standard altruism. Need is the source of desert. A person’s need creates an ethical obligation to help them.

But whether a person is rich or poor doesn’t affect their needs. People are usually considered equal, so that if a fixed amount of resources could repair one rich person’s home or the homes of two poor people, it is the poor people who should get the resources. For allocating based on dollars instead of people, the market fails, by this understanding of ethics.

In addition to favoring the rich, “price gouging” is observed to increase the hardship of already-suffering people — first their homes are destroyed, then their bank accounts, too! This is reflexively viewed as people being taken advantage of by profiteering merchants. The Florida Attorney General described it as “trying to take advantage of neighbors” above. Again there is an issue of desert involved. The merchants are viewed as receiving a windfall profit they have not earned. For adding insult to injury and giving wealth to the undeserving, the market fails, by this understanding of ethics.

Conclusion:

It is of little benefit to respond that market allocation of goods is better than government allocation, or that prices are merely a reflection of utility, or that higher prices bring about an increased supply. These things are true, but not persuasive. The anti-capitalist mentality is rooted in altruist ethics, not in a lack of understanding of economics. Capitalism and altruism are fundamentally incompatible. Most people, faced with the choice, pick altruism. They will not be persuaded by economic arguments, because economics is derivative of politics and ethics, not the other way around. Indeed it is clear that price gouging has both beneficial and detrimental aspects depending on which view one propergates.