Friday, September 4, 2020

Athena Research free essay sample

Athena is the goddess of astuteness and fighting. She is the most loved girl of Zeus. There are a wide range of variants of how Athena became. The most acknowledged form is that Athena was brought into the world an offspring of Zeus by his first spouse, Metis, a goddess of astuteness. Zeus expected that Metis may bear him a child who was mightier than himself, so he gulped her. As per a few stories, Zeus reserved each option to fear this since Mother Earth had forecasted that Metis first youngster would be a young lady, yet her subsequent kid would be a kid that would topple Zeus as had happened to is father and his granddad. Zeus acknowledged this admonition. This is the reason he gulped Metis. It is accepted this is the place Zeus picked up his knowledge. Before gulping his better half he was said to have had no cerebrums. Little did Zeus realize that Metis was at that point with youngster. We will compose a custom paper test on Athena Research or on the other hand any comparative theme explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page While caught inside Zeus, Metis started to make a head protector and robe for her unborn little girl. All that banging and beating made Zeus endure awful cerebral pains, so he required his child Hephaestus. Hephaestus split his dads skull open to soothe the agony, and out popped Athena, completely developed and wearing her new robe and protective cap. The incomparable Athena was the first to show the study of numbers and all antiquated womens expressions, for example, cooking, weaving and turning. She was the goddess of knowledge and war, however, in contrast to the lord of war Ares, she took no joy from fight, favoring rather to settle strife through intercession. At the point when Athena was moved to participate in fight she never lost, even against Ares himself, for she was a far predominant moderator than he was. She bears no arms in the midst of harmony and will ordinarily obtain weapons from Zeus when required. Since she was his preferred little girl and such a strong warrior, he permitted her to obtain is fearsome Aegis, and his staggering thunderclaps. Without a doubt Athena was a daring warrior and she was the solitary divinity to persevere when Typhon assaulted Olympus. Typhon was the biggest, generally risky, and generally bizarre everything being equal. He was so terrifying and that when he assaulted Mount Olympus the entirety of the divine beings ran off to Egypt and concealed themselves by taking the types of different creatures. Just Athena stood firm, and she disgraced and inspired Zeus energetically. Zeus hit Typhon with a thunderclap and utilized Uranus mutilating sickle to wound the tremendous animal. Typhon withdrew to Mount Casius, where he and Zeus continued beneficiary battle, heaving mountains at each other, which brought about Typhon being squashed underneath what is currently known as Mount Aetna. Mount Olympus and the rule of Zeus were spared on account of Athena. Despite the fact that she was as unassuming as Artemis and Hestia, the other virgin goddesses, Athena was unquestionably increasingly liberal. A man called Tiresias risked upon Athena while she was scrubbing down and she was frightened to understand that he had gone into the room and seen her. Not having any desire to slaughter Tiresias for his stupidity, she laid her hands over his eyes and blinded him, however gave him internal sight so Tiresias got one of the most notable prophets in Greece. One of only a handful not many occasions that Athena demonstrated crabbiness was in her weaving challenge against the human named Arachne. Arachne thought she was the best weaver there Athena felt very slighted and assumed the presence of an elderly person and appeared at Arachnes house to offer her some neighborly guidance to regard the divine beings. Arachne was too vain to even think about listening and advised the elderly person to be gone. Let the incomparable Athena attempt her ability against mine, and on the off chance that I lose she can do whatever she satisfies with me, she gloated. That is when Athena dropped her camouflage and uncovered her actual personality. All the spectators tumbled to their knees in adoration with the exception of Arachne, who was unaffected. The two started their weaving challenge, and for some time Arachne stood her ground against Athena, in any event, making jokes about the divine beings through the woven artwork she made, yet at last Athena had enough and contacted the pompous human on the brow, causing her to feel her disgrace. Sickened at the acknowledgment of her vanity, Arachne ran off and draped herself from a tree. Feeling frustrated about the hanging of Arachne, Athena breathed life into her back, however so humans discover that it doesnt pay to contrast themselves with the divine beings, she changed Arachne into a bug. There she its, her and her descendents, perpetually weaving their web, demonstration of the imprudence of vanity. Athens was named after Athena and she turned into its defender after a contest with her uncle, Poseideon, the divine force of the ocean. Both Athena and Poseidon truly preferred a specific city on the shore of Greece, and them two asserted possession. At long last, to tackle the debate, it was concurred that whoever could give the city the best blessing would everlastingly be supporter. Athena and Poseidon went to the Acropolis, where Poseidon hit the precipice side with his compelling trident. A spring gushed, which stunned and dazzled the residents. Nonetheless, the spring was salt ater, so it wasnt truly very useful to anybody. Athena at that point gave the individuals a straightforward olive tree. In spite of the fact that it wasnt as great as a spring, it was undeniably progressively valuable, since it gave the individuals oil, food, and even wood. In much obliged, they named the city Athens. A few people in Greece despite everything revere Athena and give proper respect to her at the Acropolis. Athena was the virgin goddess. She was likewise called Athena Parthenos. Parthenos implied virgin. This is the place the Parthenon originated from. The Parthenon sanctuary was worked to respect the virgin goddess. Despite the fact that she was a virgin there are anecdotes about her child, Erichthonius. Erichthonius was conceived of the sperm of Hephaestus, Athenas sibling.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Socrates vs Confucius Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Socrates versus Confucius - Essay Example The distinction in the disposition towards the methods for comprehending the issues upsetting society came out of the quirks if authentic preconditions and the period they lived in. Both Socrates and Confucius at the hour of critical social changes joined by visit wars, just as society debilitation and political annoyances. Socrates saw brilliance of Greece as Pericles was in rule, just as did he see its staggering annihilation in the Peloponnesian wars and extreme principle of the Thirty Tyrants. Confucius inhabited when the customary slave-possessing framework was very nearly decay while different political forces were battling for power. Every one of these variables lead to emergencies, and the scholars attempted to figure out how to get them and their sources and tackle them patching the social structure. Fundamentally, this was the principle normal point of Socrates and Confucius.The head contrast between them lay in the manner they decided to treat the issue. The view on human instinct and ethical quality is viewed as hypothetical premise of their lessons. Socrates moved concentration from hypotheses about existence in the wake of death, the divine beings and the nature to contemplation on the most proficient method to live in this world. He saw the arrangement of an issue in reason. Reason is the thing that can open the pith of a â€Å"paragon† for request; what we wish to make ought to be first evolved in our psyche. Socrates’ acclaimed exhortation â€Å"Know thyself† suggests the significance of information in human undertakings.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Case study discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Contextual analysis conversation - Essay Example Along these lines, the school area must give Brian another chance of being in school, through the particular and individualized training programs (Geary, 2008). The individualized and custom curriculum program for Brian should likewise include guiding components. Plainly Brian had a troublesome adolescence; in this manner, the instructor must target giving psychosocial backing to the understudy. This help will empower Brian improve has mentalities towards instruction and related public activity. To limit disappointment, the individualized and concentrated program should target improving the scholastic abilities of Brian. The specialized curriculum educator ought to give suitable learning condition and assets, so that Brian gets sufficient inspiration to improve scholastic evaluations. The rough and undermining activities of Brian are an immediate aftereffect of passionate precariousness, dissatisfaction and a troublesome adolescence. In this way he doesn't meet all requirements for suspension (Geary, 2008). The School locale and the school executives must work towards receiving an exceptional and individualized program, to assist upset or cr ippled understudies like

The Unsinkable Ship that Sank essays

The Unsinkable Ship that Sank expositions The Unsinkable Ship That Sank The Titanic was resilient... was an idea that went through numerous people groups heads as they heard the news that it had been hit with an ice shelf. They trusted it couldnt sink on the grounds that the Titanic was so enormous and solid that nothing on the planet could bring it down. At whatever point individuals today think about the Titanic, we consider how it sank and what number of individuals lost their lives, which is a case of emotional incongruity in itself. We know the staggering finish of the Titanic, yet the vast majority of the individuals in this story didn't. The R.M.S. Titanic by Hanson W. Baldwin is a story utilizing incongruity to tremendously intrigue the peruser. Emotional incongruity happened enigmatically in this record. Be that as it may, everything relies upon how much information you have of the fiasco. Definitely realizing the boat sinks is a sensational incongruity that is appeared by simply perusing the title. On the off chance that you have any further information, you may happen upon progressively sensational incongruities. For instance, it is said in the story that the band was playing jazz during all the dramatization on the boat. This is an emotional incongruity since we realize that the boat is going to sink and they ought to be dealing with themselves before the White Star liner goes down instead of remaining there playing jazz for the individuals strolling by. Another case of sensational incongruity in R.M.S. Titanic is the way that life preservers are tied on; a few men grin at the safety measure. Most perusers realize that the existence preservers are not a senseless precautionary measure but rather something that may spare them from the horrendous dangers that they will confront later on in the night. One section in the record peruses But the travelers a large portion of them-didn't have the foggiest idea about that the Titanic was sinking. The stun of the crash had been slight to such an extent that some were not stirred by it; the Titanic was colossal to the point that she should be resilient; the night was excessively quiet, excessively delightful, to consider demise adrift. This obviously depicts the ignoranc... <!

Friday, August 21, 2020

Avon Case Analysis Essay -- Avon Cosmetics Make Up Essays

Avon As of November 1999, Avon was encountering monetary difficulties. Avon’s development pace of yearly deals was under 1.5 percent during the best monetary blast ever. This provoked an exchange in authority which named Andrea Jung as CEO. Since that time, Avon has encountered momentous development. Under the course of the new CEO, another technique was created to rehash Avon’s picture, improve consumer loyalty, and to build overall revenues and piece of the overall industry. Avon has increased an exceptional notoriety as the best immediate merchant of excellence items. Through the proceeded with endeavors and accomplishments of its salespeople, Avon is currently known around the world. Avon’s center ability has chiefly been its immediate selling busniess model. This drove Jung and the supervisory group to actualize a Sales Leadership program that gave motivators to get, train, spur, and hold the quantity of dynamic agents it needs to support critical development. Avon additionally has a delegate advancement program that centers around the expert preparing of agents. This empowers the delegates to give important data on Avon brand items. Avon likewise keeps its boss client support in different methods of circulation, for example, the Internet and in the retail esta blishment deals by having an opportune and right request conveyance, one on one data trade and customized proficient exhortation. Powers of Competition Competition among contending dealers in the CFT business is solid. The formation of imaginative items is significant to progress. This industry centers around consistently creating front line items utilizing the most recent science and innovation. Competition is more grounded when customer’s expenses to switch brands are low. Exchanging costs in the CFT business are exceptionally low, because of the enormous measure of various brands of comparative items. This expense is because of the higher number of rivals in the CFT business and their inclination to duplicate new items so as to remain serious. Another Avon target that means to reduce pressures originating from contending dealers incorporates comprises of reevaluating their out of date picture. The association had been a significant player in the CFT business for quite a long time. Be that as it may, Avon’s the board adopted a receptive strategy and neglected to advance with the evolving times. Since the CFT business fixates on mage cognizant buyers, Jung d... ...na. Likewise, in light of the fact that the main deals in China are created through retail outlets, Avon should additionally build up their Beauty Advisors preparing. Europe ought to likewise be a proceeded with center for Avon. Industry pioneer, L’Oreal’s properties half of their all out deals to the European market. Avon has had a fruitful development rate in Europe however just 23% of the all out 2003 deals originated from Europe. There is still space to extend in this market. In light of one of the industry’s key achievement factors, item advancement, Avon should concentrate significantly more assets on R&D particularly in the zones of hostile to maturing items and teenager items. Since 23 million young people have a normal week by week discretionary cashflow of $85, Avon should proceed with creative teenager advertising, for example, the current â€Å"mark† brand yet additionally chip away at items for issue high schooler skin. Being in front of the business in presenting new items joined with the company’s effectively solid market position could additionally improve Avon’s brand value and hence incomes. Specifically, Avon should keep on incorporating salesman into all parts of deals. This is Avon’s own key achievement factor and what separates them from their rivals.

Saturday, August 8, 2020

Optimizing Logistics

Optimizing Logistics Logistics in the entire process of managing the purchase, storage and movement of goods. Resources including physical items such as equipment, materials, and food, and abstract items need to be moved between points of origin and points of utilization. All this movement comes within the logistics process. Logistics is also often defined as the management of inventory both at rest and in motions. © Shutterstock.com | TarikVisionIn this article we will look at 1) defining logistics, 2) categories of logistics, 3) optimizing logistics, and 4) logistics best practices.DEFINING LOGISTICSOriginally a military term used to refer to the acquisition, transportation and storage of supplies, and equipment, it has been widely adopted in the business world and is applied to resources. Processes such as integration of the flow of information, handling of materials, production, packaging, inventory control, transportation, warehousing, and the security of these goods are all part of logistics.Necessary for nearly all types of business, an efficient supply chain and logistics process can help a company operate more efficiently and reduce costs.Inbound and Outbound LogisticsAt any point, a company may be managing inbound logistics, outbound logistics or both at the same time.Inbound Logistics: This is the flow of relevant materials from a supplier to the business. This can include the purch ase and delivery of materials, parts or finished items from the supplier to the manufacturing or storage location of the company.Outbound Logistics: On the other hand, outbound logistics deal with the storage and delivery of the complete or final product from the company or manufacturer to the end user. This could be delivery directly to the end user to a retail location.CATEGORIES OF LOGISTICS Procurement logistics: Procurement logistics include such things as market research, requirements gathering and planning, make or buy decisions, management of suppliers, order, and order management.Production logistics: This category of logistics is the connection between procurement and distribution. Here production capacity is utilized to serve distribution logistics with activities such as layout and production planning.  Distribution logistics: Simply, distribution logistics is tasked with the delivery of final products to the end user. Here activities such as processing of orders, warehousing and transportation are performed.After-sales logistics: Any required after sales movement of goods is included in after-sales logistics. This could involve taking an item from a consumer back to the producer for repairs within a warranty period.Disposal logistics: Often, there is a need to dispose of waste materials or items that have reached the end of their useful life. Disposal logistics deals with this aspect in the most cost effective way possible.Reverse logistics: The area of logistics that deals with the re-use of any products or materials is called reverse logistics. This can also include managing and selling surplus items and those items being returned by the consumer. This can be the flow of goods from point of consumption to the point of origin for capturing value or for proper disposal.Green logistics: This category of logistics handles the work that goes into measurement and minimization of the ecological impact of any logistics activities.Global logistics: Logistics processes for global movement of goods and services brings with it a host of issues and complications. These can include import and export rules, regulations and duties, delays, safety and security and modes of transportation.Domestics logistics: Domestic logistics handles issues related to the movement and storage of goods and services within the country. This also has important issues with in it such as security, delays and infrastructure.  OPTIMIZING LOGISTICSKey Issues for an Efficient Logistics Process The logistics process is relevant to the entire company and interacts with external stakeholder such as vendors, suppliers and customers. Given its importance to the company and to the consumers, it is imperative that the process work as smoothly and as efficiently as possible. To achieve this end, there are five key issues that need to be highlighted:Product MovementOften, this is seen as the only real job of a logistics function. While there are other aspects to the area, the movement of products itself is not as straightforward as it is made to appear. The way the material is moved from point A to point B needs to follow the direction and strategy of the organization. If the ultimate goal is to make sure that the product reaches the consumers as fast as possible, then cost reductions may not be a concern. On the other hand, if a company is focusing on cost efficiency, then the goods will need to be moved in the best possible way at the least possible cost.In addition, there is a n eed for a balance between planning and flexibility in moving goods. The movement plan must be able to adjust according to any potential changes in the business plans. It must also be able to manage changing environments and possible obstacles and delays. In movements to geographically dispersed locations and their particular peculiarities.Information MovementAdding to the generic concept of logistics, there is a step beyond the traditional movement of materials and this is the movement of information. This includes current location information about the products, as well as the incoming orders and delivery timelines. This information is crucial for good decision making and needs to be both timely and accurate.This information must flow openly between suppliers, warehouses, consumers and the company itself. There also needs to be a flow of information internal to the company between various departments and stakeholders. Ideally, an IT system should be in place to ensure this flow of information. This system needs to be dynamic and able to handle all ends of the process from production, material and requirement planning to financial and sales forecasts. These systems need to be present at both a macro level and a micro level, with both types of views available so that the right information is available for the right person.Timely ServiceThe importance of time in the world of logistics cannot be stressed enough. In order to operate in the global market and its ever-changing forecasts, customer requirements, product launches and a multitude of other issues, there needs to be an ever present focus on time. Any raw materials need to be ordered accurately and need to arrive on time and as ordered. Any orders places must be filled quickly and correctly. Lead times are shrinking in all areas and in all fields and may make the difference between a successful company and one on the way out.CostAs with all matters of business in today’s world, cost is a key measure of l ogistic success and effectiveness. Containing costs in all areas such as freight charges, warehouse space and labor among other things is vital to corporate profit margins. There needs to be an understanding that high prices do not mean the best quality. Conversely, the lowest price may also not make good business sense. Instead, there need to be solutions that offer the best value for money and value to the business.IntegrationBringing all stakeholders and elements of the logistics process together is an important elements of logistics optimization and is called integration. This is a vital point for the continued success of the process. For the process to work well over the long-term, all its relevant parts need to perform at an optimal level.Traditionally, organizational chart driven organizations will find it difficult to integrate since different areas will be locked into pre-defined silos. Internal integration being vital to efficient logistics, this compartmentalized way of w ork needs to be re-imagined since it fragments a process and slows down development.Both internal and external integration are vital to success. External integration with suppliers and vendors ensures that they become partners who understand how things work and why they work that way. When logistics vision is shared, there is a higher chance of success. Similarly, integrating with consumers offers its own benefits. These include a better understanding of their needs and a higher chance of satisfying them. Forming relationships with a customer makes them feel values and important and forms a competitive advantage for the company.Rules to Optimize LogisticsLogistics and supply chains often offer the biggest opportunity to reduce costs and increase efficiency. For many companies, better decision making can lead to cost reductions by up to 40 percent. Over the years, through automation and process improvement, many organizations have managed to reduce human effort but in order to achiev e true results, the following rules must be observed.Set Quantifiable and Measurable Objectives: Objectives are the end results any optimization effort aims to achieve. These objectives need to be clear and precise. It is important for any effective goals to be easily quantifiable and hence east to measure. This is the only way a target return on investment can be set and then measured.Explicitly Consider Variability: It is a given that there will be variability in all possible logistics processes. This means that a trip along the same route may take different times according to external factors along that route such as traffic or construction. Also, there may be a different number of items delivered each day along the same route between the same entities. An assumption that no variability exists may lead to incorrect decisions and poor logistics management.Ensure that data is Accurate, Timely and Comprehensive: The right data is essential to any optimization decision or process. An y solutions based on incorrect data will lead to more damage than benefits. Regarding any parts of the process, there needs to be detailed and comprehensive data regarding all the different parts of an activity to ensure that no important elements are left out.Ensure Integration of Automated Data: The amount of detailed data required for optimized logistics needs to not only be automated but also to be unified and integrated. This will ensure that there are no difficulties and errors in manual data entry and that comprehensive data is available to those that need the information.Ensure Efficient Execution of Optimization Plans: Optimization is only as successful as the people who are tasked with executing the plan. Field teams, as well as relevant stakeholders need to be able to follow simple directions and execute them as directed. These actions then turn into measurable items that can be used to gauge the return on investment for any optimization endeavor.Educate and Train People: Any technical or complicated aspects of a logistics system or process can only be successful if the people running them have all the knowledge, skills and expertise required to execute the plans.Ensure that Processes Exist to Support Optimization: Logistics optimization needs to be an ongoing supportive effort that needs to continuously monitor both the current process and the current problems. There needs to be analysis on whether the system in place is still supporting the current problems of the marketplace. This will allow the company to keep a streamlined process in place, benefit from any potential opportunities and avoid any potential disasters.Provide Proof of Return on Investments: Management will always expect a substantial return on their investment into the optimization of a logistics process. This needs to offset the cost of technology, people and operations in a significant way. For this, there first needs to be a true depiction of the total cost of optimization activ ities as well as a benchmark comparison to best practices. The second step is to identify metrics before the implementation of an optimization programs and compare these to figures after the process optimization.LOGISTICS BEST PRACTICES In the increasingly globalized world of today, logistics management offers a unique advantage to the company, both in terms of its function and its potential to act as cost management center. Some of the best practices from industrial companies include:Strategy IntegrationAll aspects of the logistics process including service level agreements, production locations, warehouses, and outsourcing decisions are integrated with overall company strategy. The entire logistics process is regularly evaluated to ensure that it remains aligned strategically with the direction of the company.   Any service levels are kept relevant to the customer and all relevant strategy is shared with the right external partners and stakeholders.Customer Interface ManagementIn the best companies, the supply chain is customized for every segment of customers or different product categories. The highest revenue generating customers will receive the most customized service while others may receive the same service but with some variety of choices in pricing or timing. There may be relationship building activities with the customers such as scheduled regular meetings to understand their needs and optimize processes accordingly.Inventory ManagementMost effective companies will ensure that demand and order forecasts are based on real time data. This helps ensure strategic inventory management and prevents instances of over or under stocking.Inbound LogisticsThis end of logistics is usually the responsibility of the vendor or supplier. Suppliers are incentivized to keep costs low and efficiency high. There may be rewards for complying with service level agreements while there may be penalties for delays or poor quality of service or materials. Contracts often have flexibility to allow for quick responses to changes in demand or requirements.Outbound LogisticsThis part of logistics is usually controlled centrally by the company. Defined processes and established benchmarks are required to ensure optimal performance. Expertise is developed among teams to ensure that the right people are running processes.Measurement and Control of PerformanceRegular checks are performed on the supply chain performance to ensure compliance with established and metrics that are defined through the overall company strategy. There are plans defined to manage performance gaps both internally and externally.Risk MitigationThere are several stages in the logistics process and not all of them can be controlled one hundred percent. Instead, there is usually a plan of action for identifying and managing risks and this plan needs to be evaluated every month to ensure relevance. The probability of a risk occurring also need to be assessed. Contingency plans can then be developed for those events most likely to occur or those likely to cause the most loss or damage. Responsibility for risk management and authority for quick decision making also need to be defined and communicated across the company.Autom ated IT SystemsIt is now necessary to have a comprehensive supply chain management system in place. This system needs to fulfill all the company’s logistics requirements and needs to fully support the process in place. Once the system and process are cohesive, the IT systems can then be connected to both customers and suppliers ensuring a completely integrated supply chain environment. Any IT systems need to be regularly re-evaluated and updated to keep them relevant.The importance of the logistics function for the global company of today cannot be emphasized enough. Though globalization has meant that many production functions are outsourced to other countries, it has also meant that the need for effective global logistics is even greater now. For this reason, it remains pertinent for a company to create and maintain a strategically focused logistics and supply chain network.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

China and Capitalism Book Review Writing Assignment - 825 Words

China and Capitalism: Book Review Writing Assignment (Book Review Sample) Content: NameInstructorCourseDateChina and Capitalism: Book ReviewIn this book, China and Capitalism, David Faure covers various topics that engage with Chinas development since it changed its foreign and economic policy and embraced elements of capitalism. In part, the book explores the impact of opening up of China to the forces of international trade and investment. The author attempts to provide a balanced view about both the positive and negative aspects of Chinas development. In a separate context, the book provides details on the geopolitical factors that have supported and hindered development in China in different perspectives. The book traces the growth of China from the period when the country launched its economic reforms initiative to the current levels, which reflects the varying levels of growth (Faure 61). There is critical proof of growth in many areas of the Chinese economy. Sectors such as manufacturing, engineering, and agriculture have witnessed significan t growth in the span of decades. However, the author also shows the apparent imbalances and inequalities that continue to subtract from the general picture of stability in many parts of China. On these score, the author provides compelling proof of the lopsided nature of some aspects of Chinas development. The infrastructural development that has been witnessed in parts of the country is not necessarily consistent with human development (Faure 102). In one respect, the book indicates that the rush to develop Chinas infrastructure comes at a heavy cost of the ordinary people. Part of this revelation is that the book shows the economic divide the privileges the welfare of the upper classes above the interests of the low class. Structurally, the Chinese society makes it difficult for people to make meaningful personal progress because the development model favors institutions, corporations, and big businesses at the expense of individuals, families, and communities.Furthermore, the boo k provides a compelling read of how the political and economic sources of Chinas growth continue to change in ways that have also influenced its regional power. For instance, the geopolitical power in the Asian region has been affected significantly by the growing dominance of Chinese power across the region. Countries such as Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam have come under the influence of Chinas growth, which has also entailed massive growth of its military power. However, the book explains the manner in which China has ever sought to balance its trading relationships and military dominance in the region. Such a complicated relationship continues to reflect in Chinas dealing with Taiwan. For a broad understanding of the dominating themes in the authors analysis, the book provides a sweeping analysis of the challenges that relate to urban development in places such as Hong Kong, Guangdong, Fujian, and Taiwan. One area that receives critical attention is the tendency to develop the urban centers at the expense of the developing areas. In cross-sectional survey shows that vast populations in rural China endured years of starvation within the same period that witnessed rapid development in urban centers. On the surface, the authorities want the matter to appear as though it emerged from poor planning, however, the author explores critical evidence that suggests a deliberate government policy to exploit the countryside in order to enrich the urban centers. Perhaps, the matter could be studied alongside other arguments that have sought to illustrate the fact that Chinas perceived growth is at best superficial and at worst outright scandalous. In some way, the portrayal of China as an enduring model of progress draws on various factors that intermingle with perceptions of lack of a human-centered policy and other issues that have often engaged the attention of lobbyists and welfare groups (Faure 73). However, the book makes noticeable efforts to point a realistic pictur e of a country that struggles with matters of development and a range of issues of developmental interest. Alternative analyses into China&rs...