Journal Article Critique Free Essays

Journal Article Critique I chose to read the article, â€Å"Osteoporosis in multiple sclerosis† written by Andrew P Hearn and Eli Silber. It is an understanding about osteoporosis and the connection it might have with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to patients that do not have multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disability that affects a great amount of young adults. We will write a custom essay sample on Journal Article Critique or any similar topic only for you Order Now The longer a person has multiple sclerosis, the more the person loses strength in there bones. Osteoporosis occurs when the body does not absorb the required amount of bone mineral density (BMD), which reduces bone strength. Both men and women have different factors that can increase the risks of getting osteoporosis. This article explains that MS is the second cause of disability (neurological), along with one sixth of white women in their lifetime will have a hip fracture. Diagnosing osteoporosis for men and women along with their risk factors are included in this reading. This article also contains past results from studies of multiple sclerosis patients with bone mass density. Some risk factor levels are unclear and large-scale studies are needed for clear results and connections. Along with this information, it includes management guidelines for the general population that has osteoporosis. This reading also includes insight of the process of chronic inflammatory with multiple sclerosis along with the role of vitamin D in both osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis. This article has a great impact for health care professionals with the information that it gives and in the areas where more research is needed. It is also important because it shows the connection that medication, vitamins, and minerals have and which ones have a greater impact on multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis in both men and women. It is also important because the results include congenital, acquired, lifestyle, and latrogenic factors. These factors are necessary for health care providers to compare these results to their own patients as well as being helpful for future studies. This reading is also important because it shows what bones have a greater risk associated with bone mass density (BMD). This current evidence is a useful guideline for management protocol until more evidence is acquired. Resources Hearn, A. P. , Silber, E. (2010). Osteoporosis in multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis,  16(9), 1031. Turley, S. (2011). Medical language: Immerse yourself (2nd ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Medical Terminology Breakdown |Medical Word |Prefix |Combining form |Suffix |Definition | |1 |osteoporosis |None |oste/o- (bone), por/o- |-osis (condition; abnormal |abnormal rarefaction of bone | | | | |(small opining, pores) |conditions, process) | | |5 |chronic |None |Chron/o- (time) |-ic (pertaining to) |disease that persists over a long period| | | | | | | | |6 |inflammatory |None |Inflamat/o- (redness and |-ory (having the function |Having the function of redness and | | | | |warmth) |of) |warmth | |7 |demineralization |de- (reversal of;|mineral/o- (mineral; |-ization (pertaining to) |pertaining to lack of | | | |without) |electrolyte) | |mineral/electrolyte | |8 |anticoagulant |anti- (against) |coagul/o- (clotting) |-ant (pertaining to) |A substance that prevents the clotting | | | | | | |of blood. | |9 |lumbar |None |lumb/o- (lower back, area |-ar (pertaining to) |part of the back and sides between the | | | | |between the ribs and | |lowest ribs and the pelvis | | | | |pelvis) | | | |10 |femoral |None |femor/o- (thigh bone) |-al (pertaining to) |pertaining to the femur or the thigh | How to cite Journal Article Critique, Papers

Rodgers And Hammerstein Essay Example For Students

Rodgers And Hammerstein Essay There are many well-known lyricists and composers, but only a few leave such amark as Rodgers and Hammerstein. This duo produced nine musical plays duringtheir partnership and caused a profound change in musical comedy. They set thestandards that are followed to this day in musical history. They created themodern musical that we all know and love. Before they became Rodgers andHammerstein, they were simply Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, both ofNew York City. Hammerstein, born in 1895, was brought up in a theatrical family. His father was an operatic impresario, otherwise known as an operadirector or manager. He built the Harlem Opera House(1888) and the ManhattanOpera House(1906) and also introduced many new singers to the US. From a veryyoung age Hammerstein II committed to the theater even though his familydiscouraged him. As soon as he was old enough to have a job in his fatherstheatrical business, he devoted himself to his duties and learned as much as hecould about play production and the labors of the theater artist. Oscareventually teamed up with author Otto Harbach and composer Vincent Youmans toproduce Wildflower. With help from Harbach, Hammerstein began to createprofessional material for Broadway. Through Otto Harbach, Hammerstein was ledinto collaboration with Jerome Kern for Sunday. He also worked with HerbertStothart and George Gershwin on Song of the Flame, a very unsuccessful show. Butdespite the shows failure, it did lead Hammerstein to concentrate on creatingoperetta in order to integ rate musical comedy with opera. With this in mind, hewas able to achieve new standards for success in his career with his lyrics forThe Wild Rose and The Desert Song. By 1927, after a few more productions,Hammerstein had achieved the technical skill that allowed him to provide acomposer with a functional book and lyrics. This was best shown in Showboat, thefirst modern American musical. Showboat was the first show that indicatedHammersteins great talent. Hammerstein was able to create a believable plot,situation,and characterization. At the forefront of this show wasHammersteins concern for the southern blacks. This show contributedcommentary on racial prejudice which Hammerstein would continually do. This wasa big step for the 1920s and a huge victory when the show was so widelyappreciated. Despite the promise indicated by Showboat, Hammerstein did notproduce works of comparable success between 1928 and 1940. Some of his forgottenshows from that time are Free for All, Three Sisters , May Wine and severalothers. By 1941 it was apparent that except for Showboat, Hammerstein had notsucceeded in creating a celebrated body of work outside the operetta form. Richard Rodgers , born in 1902, unlike Hammerstein, was not born into thetheater, but his parents made sure he was cultured in the world of musicaltheater at a very early age. One of his earliest childhood memories was of hisparents singing the full vocal scores from the latest musicals1. By age six,Rodgers had taught himself to play piano and was then given piano lessons by hisproud parents. They also encouraged him to make a career in music. LikeHammerstein, Rodgers devotion to the theater began early on in his life. Rodgers was especially influenced by Jerome Kerns shows and considered him ahero. When Rodgers was nine, he began to compose melodies of his own andeventually learned how to write them too. At fourteen he produced his first twocomplete songs, Campfire Days and The Auto Show Girl. While still inhigh school, he wrote scores for two amateur shows, One Minute Please and UpState and Down, after which he was encouraged to find a lyricist and begin aprofessional song-producing arrangement. Rodgers found Lorenz Hart. They met in1918 and immediately hit it off. Both were very pleased with each othersabilities and a creative union was made, as well as a close friendship. Theirfirst show together was Fly with Me, which was performed for ColumbiaUniversity. Broadway man Lew Fields saw the show and informed the duo that heintended to use some of their songs in his next Broadway musical, Poor LittleRitz Girl2 . Although only seven of the numbers were used, it brought Rodgersinto the world of Broad way musicals. Rodgers and Hart collaborated from 1918 to1943 and produced twenty-seven stage musicals and eight motion picture scores. .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a , .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a .postImageUrl , .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a , .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a:hover , .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a:visited , .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a:active { border:0!important; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a:active , .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u38355c1412f6435896c362dabf90fe3a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Life of Mary Shelley EssayAlmost all their work was successful and their chemistry as a creative team waspaying off. In the late 1930s though, Hart and Rodgers grew apart because ofemotional problems Hart was having. Eventually Hart walked out on Rodgers anddied in 1943. Rodgers and Hammerstein finally met in the early 1940s. Theirfirst show was Oklahoma! which debut a success and began the series of smashhits for Rodgers and Hammerstein. Their other shows were Carousel (1945),Allegro (1947), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951), Me and Juliet(1953), Pipe Dream (1955), Flower Drum Song (1958), and The Sound of Music(1959). They also did the film, State Fair (194 5), and the television musical,Cinderella (1957). The main reason Rodgers and Hammerstein were so successfuland made such an impact on musical theater was that they formulated anddemonstrated principles about their craft that elevated the popular musicalstage from entertainment to art3 . In other words, they raised thestandards and expectations of the musical to more than just entertainment forthe audience to enjoy, and made being a musical theater actor a skill and anart. The principles they created were as follows. First, they both agreed thatthe song served the play rather than vice-versa. This concept is what helps makea musical more believable. Second, Rodgers and Hammerstein shows were verysincere and honest. Both Rodgers and Hammerstein were romantics and saw nothingwrong with sweetness and simplicity. Joseph Fields, a collaborator on FlowerDrum Song, said that Oscar really believed that love conquers all, thatvirtue triumphs, that dreams come true.4 . Rodgers felt similarly. Whatswrong with sweetness and light? Its been around for quite awhile. Even a clicheyou know has a right to be true5 This concept keeps people going back to seemusicals, because no matter how tragic things are you can always find a ray ofhope in a musical. For example, in The Sound of Music, the country is about toenter war, people are being arrested and there is tragedy everywhere, but theVanTrappes escape, which occurs to show that there is hope. Finally, Rodgers andHammerstein were sure to maintain a professional union between all members of aproduction team: producer, writer, composer, director, choreographer, actor,scenery etc. They proved that a takes team work to produce a show and that meanscollaboration from all sides at all times of a production. Hammerstein andRodgers set the mold for the sensitive relationship between any group ofcollaborators through the way they worked together. Rodgers and Hammersteinrevolutionized musical theater. They forged new levels of performan ce and alsoof production, that are now the standards for musicals in America. Their successis rooted in their devotion to the theater, their ability to draw audiences into their shows by making their shows believable yet sentimental and theirability to collaborate so well together. This is why their shows are still beingperformed in theaters all over the world. They are true fore fathers in Americanmusical theater. Bibliography1) The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia, third ed. New York: Columbia UniversityPress, 1994. 2) Fordin, Hugh. Getting to know him: A Biography of OscarHammerstein II. New York: Ungar Pub. Co., 1977. 3) Green, Stanley. Rodgers andHammerstein Fact Book: a record of their works together and with othercollaborators. New York: Lynn Farnol Group, 1980 4) Hyland, William. RichardRodgers. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1998 5) Kislan, Richard. The Musical. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 1980. 6) Nolan, Frederick N. The Sound of theirMusic: the story of Rodgers and Hammerstein. New York: Walker, 1978

Global supply chains

Empirical studies illustrate that globalisation of supply chains has changed economic patterns as well as production processes. The phenomenon has integrated trade activities and thus altered the manner in which global buyers and sellers interact with each other. It is not enough to study the extent of participation in global supply chains; one must look into how parties do so.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Global supply chains specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This must be done on a regional, national and organisational level. Such knowledge will equip players with the right strategies needed to survive in the global arena. At the national level, a conceptual understanding of global supply chains assists in knowing how production and economies are affected. Traditional global supply chain theories assume that distribution networks as well as production processes are mostly confined to products that yield low re turns. If one takes on this approach, then it is evident that immense control of production by global buyers tends to create oligopolies in targeted countries. Such countries may experience barriers to entry as power lies in the hands of those who manage distribution networks; that is, global buyers. In developing nations, global buyers may minimise developing country’s capabilities to nothing more than assemblers of imported material. Because of the disadvantaged power relations that such countries have in the global supply chain, many of them remain susceptible to heightened international competition as well as fluctuations in returns. Global buyers thus coordinate distribution networks in different locations and minimise developing nations’ power positions. Asymmetric power relationships between global buyers and their geographically-divergent suppliers cause the former to exercise power and control over their weaker partners. These supplies are dependent on one lar ge multinational for business, so many of them will bend backwards to meet their needs.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Global brands demonstrate this leverage by enforcing codes of conduct amongst their suppliers. They maintain a firm grip over their supply chain partners by only outsourcing non essential, labour intensive aspects of production. However, many of them still perform high value activities like research and development, marketing, and human resources. Such functions give multinationals power over their supply chain partners. A number of them even dictate the extent to which their suppliers can change production capacity or the commercial agreements that will govern their relationships. In essence, these groups have a dictatorial and uncompromising relationship with their global supply chain partners. On an organisational level, power relationships in the global supply chain may also be understood through the value chain governance concept. In this school of thought, a firm’s position of power rests on the level of detail that firms specify during the production process. A firm has the option of specifying only limited aspects of production. For instance, the buyer may simply define the problem to be designed and let the manufacturer decide on the technology as well as the design. In certain circumstances, the buyer may specify the design he or she wants while others may take it a step further and draw the details of the design. Some may even provide the parameters that govern production or set out the product standards. These buyers normally assist manufacturers to instil processes that will assist in achieving those procedures. During such circumstances, the firm will be a lead entity within the global supply chain. It, therefore, possesses a lot of power and dominates the chain. The above descriptions focus on buyers; in certain circumstances, suppliers may have an upper hand in the global supply chain. This depends on standardisation levels within the relationship. If a supplier only provides standard products with minimal interactions with buyers, then the company is a commodity supplier. Such a firm normally has lot of power. Alternatively, a business may make non standardised commodities that come from customised equipment. These organisations are known as captive suppliers. Conversely, a company may make non standard commodities through specific machines that depend on the amalgamation of capacity for various clients. In this regard, the latter firm has a greater lead in power relations than the latter.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Global supply chains specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Subtle power still exists between suppliers and their global purchasers. In places like Asia, where several electronics and shoe suppliers are dev eloping, several suppliers have come together to wield substantial power over other supply chain members. These organisations have developed regional capabilities in which they collaborate with similar entities to exert influence over global brands. Additionally, in some industries, suppliers wield substantial power over their buyers because they do not just depend on global brands. A case in point is the global apparel supply chain. Most leading apparel manufacturers in developing nations tend to dedicate only a small fraction of factory capacity to global brands. Therefore, the latter buyers have very little influence over their production processes. They may set standards and compliance expectations for their suppliers; however, few of them have the power to leave these factories if they fail to comply. Many global apparel buyers have too much to loose if they let their suppliers go. In essence, these manufacturers have greater power than their partners. Consumers are still part of the global supply chain, and in certain circumstances, their power has increased substantially over the years. Many clients are fully furnished with information about their respective products. Consequently, they have a superior position in the global supply chain. Consumers have forced global firms to cooperate in order to satisfy their needs. Manufacturers have had to work together with different members of the global supply chain in order to make the relationship work. Alternatively, others have had to increase their response rates and flexibility levels in order to meet client needs as they arise. Some retailers also dominate their global supply chains substantially. A case in point is Wal-Mart, which is the largest global retail chain. Because of its size, this company has redefined its relationships with members of its supply chain. The firm operates under the principle of every day low prices. Owing to its large size, it is in a position to control its manufacturers by dem anding certain prices. Many suppliers in the west, like Canada, have been forced to lower their production costs by pushing efficiency. On the other hand, the retailer also obtains its supplies from Asian countries. A number of them can offer low prices because they operate in low wage economies. Additionally, this has strengthened manufacturing firms in Asian countries.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One may thus assert that a powerful retailer like Wal-Mart has redefined the relations of power in the North American and Asian regions. It has strengthened its power position in the global supply chain while at the same time empowered exporters in the Asian region. Conversely, Wal-Mart has diminished supplier power in its key markets. Power relationships between certain retailers are inclined towards the latter if the company is large. This essay on Global supply chains was written and submitted by user Rylee Sears to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Smoking in Public Places Should Be Banned Essays

Smoking in Public Places Should Be Banned Essays Smoking in Public Places Should Be Banned Essay Smoking in Public Places Should Be Banned Essay Smoking has always been a big tradition among adults. As time passes it is becoming a object that teenagers use for social stability. It is not popular to the teenagers to smoke alone. They need the gratification of other people seeing them smoke. This factor leads them to smoke in public places. They don’t take in consideration how it will affect the other people in their area. I disagree strongly with people smoking in public places. One of many reasons I disagree with public smoking is the health of the people around the smoker. People will light a cigarette anywhere not thinking about how it could affect individuals around the smoker. Many people have very strong allergies toward cigarette smoke. Second hand smoke impacts some people’s health severely. There are cases where a person had difficulty breathing due to someone smoking in a restaurant where the victim was eating. The odor left behind from a smoker is a smell that cannot be changed. The smoke leaves a sticky residue that is nasty. Letting people smoke in restaurants actually downgrades the class of a restaurant. Ashes are another contributing factor that makes smoking in a public place wrong. No one wants to set down and look at the light in a restaurant and see smoke and ashes floating around the food bar and all the other people in the restaurant. Many people will not eat in a restaurant where they allow smoking. Smoking is a habit that should be put out of our everyday life. It is an unnecessary part of culture that has destroyed the health of many young adults. Smoking should be banned from every public place. There should be no designated smoking area in a restaurant, or any other public facility. Pollution is another big issue. Smoking is a cause and form of pollution. There is a lot of research that shows many kinds of gases that are released by smoking are harmful for the environment, such as tar and carbon dioxide. Everyone knows that now the environment is getting worse and worse. Everyone needs to do their part and stop smoking. I want to say there are no reasons left to permit smoking in public places. I think that maybe this is the time for people to quit smoking. Smoking hurts everyone not just the smoker. It has worsened the lives of many people for ever. Banning smoking is not just for us, but for everyone who has to live in this world after us.

Answer essay question Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Answer question - Essay Example Loving one’s self is inherent in most people. It is a human tendency to always look out for oneself and be self-centered in terms of gaining advantages and avoiding negative consequences. However, the bible commands to love one’s neighbor as one’s self. This means that individuals should look out for each other the way they look out for their own selves. Husbands, should love their wives the way they love their own selves, and even put their welfare over their own. The New Testament advocates for mutual submission and mutual service among married couples Implying that one is not in a position higher than the other and are equal in all ways. However, traditional gender roles of men and women indicate that men are more superior than women and women should bow to their husbands’ wishes. Men go out to seek livelihood to sustain the family while women stay home to care for the home and render service to their husbands and children. In contemporary times, gender roles are shifting to be more equitable for both genders, as women are now more empowered to assert themselves as capable of doing men’s roles and doing even men’s jobs. Due to these changes, there is an going battle between keeping traditional roles or adopting more modern gender roles, and in both, it loses the biblical essence of mutual submission and service. Lawler depicts human marriage as one based on a strong foundation of loyalty, service and obedience to one’s spouse and not only based on deep affection for him or her. It goes deeper than mere emotions towards another human being, and goes on to enact the love by serving the other and being steadfastly faithful. One should emulate how Christ loves his Church or people, as he not only serves them but has an unwavering faithfulness for them. The New Testament teaches that love in a Christian marriage entails fidelity and faithfulness to each other. It should be exclusive and permanent, therefore, indissoluble. This implies that

Philosophy Of Education And Methods Of Teaching Essay - 1

Philosophy Of Education And Methods Of Teaching - Essay Example Education is a serious matter. It must be taken as such. A lot of planning and skilled in dealing with pupils is necessary. As a teacher, I have to tread slowly, steadily and carefully for I have to be dealing with sensitive and impressionable precious human pupils. Philosophy brings forth rightful action. It provides the real cohesive force and necessary academic bonding among the students and the teacher. It leads to the evolving of a conducive environ from within and without. 'Catch them white and dye them hard' has been the aim of education in earlier years since time immemorial. This trend is changing today. Education and teaching are not just lecturing by the teacher. Creativity has to be there. Education is no more where 'rule rules the roost'. Caning of students is no more advisable. A teacher has to teach along while remaining as a friend to students. Philosophy is wisdom, knowledge, virtue, and truth. It is paradigmatic from within. It is always there. Philosophy has an element of timelessness in it. It is dynamic though it does not change. There is a generally accepted notion that 'change is the law of nature'. True it is. Yet, this law by itself does not change. That's how philosophy does not change. Despite this, it is not static but vibrant. Philosophy, as such, represents a way of life. Philosophy may differ from person to person because every individual interprets and understands the philosophy of life in one's own way. Indeed, the reality of philosophy is difficult to grasp fully. As many ways of realizing the ultimate truth are, therefore, amongst us as there are individuals in this world. The ultimate goal is, however, one only. This is the goal of knowing one's own self. This goal is pursued knowingly and, at times, unknowingly. The latter is the case when we do not know where and in which direction we are going while living on this spaceship Earth.

Comparison of Political Ideologies in the UK

Comparison of Political Ideologies in the UK Despite their different roots, the three main parties in Britain are now in broad ideological agreement Introduction Since the 1997 election victory of Labour commentators and academics have repeatedly said that there is now little ideological difference between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Conservatives. This is based on the belief that although there are policy differences between the three, there is now a broad consensus in issues such as the economy and public services where previously there were clear ideological divides.[1] Recently however as a result of the global financial crisis, the parties have presented very different policies for economic recovery which reflect their ideological roots. Is this an indication that all three parties have reverted back to their ideological foundations, or does their still remain a broad ideological agreement between the three parties of Government? This essay will first briefly examine the party’s historical and ideological roots, looking at the central principles which have defined the parties. We will look at the main ideological differences between the three up to 1997. In our second Chapter we will examine the evidence indicating that the three parties are in broad ideological agreement, firstly looking at how the three came to be in such agreement, as well as pointing out the similarities and common points of the three parties since 1997. In our final Chapter we will advance the argument that the recent economic crises has brought an end to the ideological agreement of the three parties, and that by putting forward three very different economic policies the parties have to some extent returned to their ideological roots. Chapter One The Labour party root’s go back to the formation of the Labour Representation Committee in 1900, made up primarily of union members and left wing groups like the Fabians Society.[2] It was and remained, certainly until 1994, a party that represented the interests of the trade unions, its main financial backers to this day, and the working classes. Although it formed several Governments in the 1920s, it was the Labour Government of 1945 which best represents Labour’s ideology in practice.[3] The commitment to nationalisation, the creation of the NHS and the extension of the welfare State defined Labour ideology till the early 1990s. The idea that the State could and should intervene in and play a part in Society for the good of the nation, and regulate the excesses of Capitalism contrasted sharply with the traditional Tory ideology of free market, laissez faire policies where the State played a much smaller role. Labour ideology and policies gradually became part of the mainstream political world, as today the NHS and other â€Å"Socialist† institutions are accepted as necessary and successful by even the most right wing politicians. The Conservative Party has its roots in the late seventeenth Century, traditionally the party of the Aristocracy and the Business Elite of Britain, the Conservatives have adapted their ideology and policies over the years to adapt to changing times and circumstances, however in the Twentieth Century they can be said to have several core principles despite the various factions and different types of Tories that have existed within the party.[4] Traditional Conservative ideology believes in law and order, a limited Government role in the economy and society, low taxes, continuity and family values. The election of Margaret Thatcher in 1979 radically changed Conservative ideology, leading it to promote monetarism and a free market program of privatisation, leading to rapid growth but increasing the gap between rich and poor and shifting the landscape of what was accepted as the mainstream to the right in social and economic terms. Conservative ideology can perhaps be encapsulated as giv ing power to individuals to participate in economy and society, whilst accepting that there will be inequality and claiming that an individuals actions rather than Society determines their opportunities and outcomes. [5] Although the Liberal Democrats have only existed since 1988, they can trace the roots back to the Liberal Party that existed from around 1846.[6] The Liberal Democrats do not have as firm an ideology as Labour or the Conservatives, but they can be broadly defined as believing in individual freedom in social issues, such as drugs and sexuality, socialist policies regarding education and welfare, a pro European stance and a general anti war ideology. One of the pillars of Liberal Democrat ideology has always been higher taxes to pay for increased investment in education and health, although the new leader Nick Clegg has recently made lower taxes for lower income groups a central policy in the re-branding of the Liberal Democrats. Chapter Two The turning point for the broad ideological agreement of the three parties came with the election of Tony Blair to the Labour party leadership in 1994. In order to make Labour electable Blair set out to change much of the Labour ideology which voters clearly believed was too left wing, specifically its commitment to nationalisation and its policy of higher taxes and public expenditure.[7] He shifted Labour from being a left wing party to being more centre left. The change worked, and New Labour was elected in a landslide victory in 1997. Since this time there has existed the broad ideological agreement of the three parties on the central issues of Government, most notably the promotion of free market policies and a commitment to economic growth over the redistribution of wealth. The Conservatives did shift to the right on issues such immigration, crime and social policies, but remained committed to the free market policies that were now being pursued by the Labour Government.[8] This ideological convergence is not a solely British event. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union many left wing parties in the West, and in Eastern Europe, have gradually abandoned their Socialist roots and principles, accepting the free market as the only viable way in which a State can achieve sustainable economic growth and future prosperity. It is not just the Labour party which has adjusted its policies and ideology to conform to the new global economic consensus. The Liberal Democrats recently abandoned their commitment to higher taxes, stating that if elected they would reduce taxes for those on low incomes, a significant swing to the centre. On many issues the Liberal Democrats have also shifted to the centre ground, although they are certainly left wing on social issues, such as law and order and drug policy, the Liberal Democrats economic policy remains committed to free market policies and a limited role for the State in Society.[9] This is not a recent development for the Liberal Democrats, who have long presented themselves as a moderate, centrist party often in stark contrast to the ideological inflexibility of Labour and the Conservatives.[10] Although Labour has certainly moved to the right, abandoning its foundational principles regarding nationalisation and the redistribution of wealth, the Conservative Party itself has also been forced to adjust its policies, moving into the centre ground from its increasingly right wing position under the leadership of Michael Howard.[11] Following several election defeats the Conservative Party decided to match Labour spending plans, stating that if elected they would not cut taxes, and would continue to invest heavily in health and education. Does this commitment indicate that the parties share an increasingly Socialist ideology in regards to public services? No, as the ideological commitment to free market economy remains, as does the commitment to economic growth over equality, however this is matched by higher spending in institutions like the NHS and schools, which are seen as assisting economic growth by training the future workforce and providing for its medical needs. On all the major ideological issues then it would appear that there is a broad consensus. On Law and Order, all parties compete to sound the toughest, promising harsher sentences, more prisons and more police. On the welfare State all three parties have policies to decrease those on unemployment benefit, reform welfare and cut payments to the long term unemployed. Before the economic crisis, privatisation was accepted as necessary, the free market was sacred and any party suggesting a return to the days of the State planning the economy or controlling prices would have been committing political suicide. In summing up then, whilst all three parties had different policies, styles and approaches, their existed a broad ideological agreement between the three that any future Government should minimise its direct role in the economy, should not intervene in the free market or over-regulate but at the same time should be committed to public services . As we will demonstrate in the next chap ter however, the recent economic crisis has led to many predicting that the era of ideological agreement has now passed. Chapter Three In 2008 an economic crisis which started in the United States quickly spread throughout the world. Several large British banks, such as Northern Rock and HBOS, risked going bankrupt, so an unprecedented nationalisation of the banks by the British Government went ahead, similar nationalisations also went ahead in the USA and other European Countries. [12] The Government, in a move which many would have thought impossible months before, gave billions in taxpayer’s money to the banks in order to keep the economy moving. The Government now plans to borrow heavily and play a more direct role in the economy, although this is to support Capitalist institutions the Labour Party is seemingly moving back towards its Socialist roots, propping up failing industries to save jobs, putting taxpayer’s money into the economy and even considering joining the Euro.[13] The Conservatives however have opposed this move, and have drawn up radically different, ideologically opposed economic p lans which favour a cut in public spending, and a continued commitment to Government not directly putting cash into the economy to prop up failing businesses.[14] Both parties have been returning to their ideological roots since the crisis began. The Conservatives have claimed that Government spending and high taxes are the problem; although they have condemned banker’s greed they continue to support de-regulation, the free market and the creation of wealth over policies of regulation and equality. Their recent welfare policies reflect their ideological beginnings, promoting individualism, responsibility and the family and marriage as the primary means to tackle poverty. Labour has found a renewed self confidence in traditional left wing policies, Ministers talk of a renewed effort to tackle social inequality, of distributing wealth and tackling the huge gap between rich and poor that exists in British Society today. The era of Labour tax and spend seems to be re-appearing, and although the old left and the trade unions have not taken over the party, there has been a definite ideological break from the centre ground and a renewed belief in the power of the State to intervene positively in the economy and society. The Liberal Democrats look set to take their traditional role as the moderate centre party, positioning themselves between the ideologically separated dominant parties. Conclusion This essay has demonstrated that as far back as 1994 there has existed a broad ideological consensus between the three main UK parties. Although there were differences in policy, with the Conservatives venturing to the right in issues of immigration and Europe, there has been agreement about the role that Government should play in the economy and the role of the free market in generating wealth. The recent economic crisis has for the first time in over a decade, threatened the long term future of that agreement, as the two main parties return to their ideological roots and the Liberal Democrats position themselves as the party of moderation and social reform. Bibliography Bentley, Roy â€Å"British Politics in Focus† (Causeway Press, Ormskirk, 2006) Elliot, Larry â€Å"The financial crisis has exposed the bankruptcy of New Labour economics† (The Guardian, 08/10/2008) Jones, Bill â€Å"Politics UK† (Harlow, Pearson, Longman, London, 2006) Leonard, Dick â€Å"A Century of Premiers: From Salisbury to Blair† (Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2005) McCormick, John â€Å"Contemporary Britain† (Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2007) Milne, Seamus â€Å"Now we see what the return of Tory Britain would be like† (The Guardian, 30/08/2007) Liberal Democrats – UK Politics – accessed 01/12/2008 http://www.solarnavigator.net/embassies/liberal_democrat_party_politics.htm Rentoul, John â€Å"Tony Blair: Prime Minister† (Time Warner, London, 2001) 1 Footnotes [1] Elliot, Larry â€Å"The financial crisis has exposed the bankruptcy of New Labour economics† (The Guardian, 08/10/2008, p.35) [2] Bentley, Roy â€Å"British Politics in Focus† (Causeway Press, Ormskirk, 2006) p.152 [3] Leonard, Dick â€Å"A Century of Premiers: From Salisbury to Blair† (Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2005) pp30-42 [4] McCormick, John â€Å"Contemporary Britain† (Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2007, p.134) [5] Jones, Bill â€Å"Politics UK† (Harlow, Pearson, Longman, London, 2006, pp.21-33) [6] Bentley, Roy â€Å"British Politics in Focus† (Causeway Press, Ormskirk, 2006) p.163 [7] Rentoul, John â€Å"Tony Blair: Prime Minister† (Time Warner, London, 2001, p.56) [8] McCormick, John â€Å"Contemporary Britain† (Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2007, pp.132-134) [9] Bentley, Roy â€Å"British Politics in Focus† (Causeway Press, Ormskirk, 2006) pp.165-166 [10] Liberal Democrats – UK Politics – accessed 01/12/2008 http://www.solarnavigator.net/embassies/liberal_democrat_party_politics.htm [11] Bentley, Roy â€Å"British Politics in Focus† (Causeway Press, Ormskirk, 2006) pp.170-173 [12] Elliot, Larry â€Å"The financial crisis has exposed the bankruptcy of New Labour economics† (The Guardian, 08/10/2008, p.35) [13] Leonard, Dick â€Å"A Century of Premiers: From Salisbury to Blair† (Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2005, pp.201-213) [14] Milne, Seamus â€Å"Now we see what the return of Tory Britain would be like† (The Guardian, 30/08/2007, p.40)