Indian Imperialism

Britain All Over The World

Britian was the most powerful country at the time of its empire in India.    Between 1850 to 1890, Great Britian had a very powerful control over the world.  Expanding from, fromerly known, United Kingdom to China and from China to the North America’s maybe South America.  It had terrotories between these land masses. With its naval glory and pride and its superiour land army, India was just another country to take over who played a big part in their economy.  India is known by many countries as the economical “Gold Mine.”   For economic, nationalist, and humanitarian reasons, Britian’s powerful nations have often interfered with the affairs of weaker nations. Britian’s  powerful nations have in the past exploited less fortunate ones for resources, capital, and knowledge.  Yet in return, India has gained the technology and capital that, over a period of time and development,  improved its quality of life.

First Indian Railways

Indian economy was transferred into a colonial economy whose nature and structure was determined by the needs of the British economy. 

High revenue demands and rigid manners of collection forced peasants into the clutches of the moneylenders. Expanding population put greater pressure on land as there was no corresponding development of industry. India “inherited” from Britian a cheap and easy system of transport was important for the flow of British ready made goods and the export of raw material to Britain on large scale. Roads were improved and steam ships were introduced. But real improvement came with the railways which started in 1853, between Bombay V.T. and Thane. 

In her trade with other countries, India usually maintained a favourable balance, which were used for paying off various kinds of dues charged on India by Britain. With Britian leading the Industrial Revolution, India was bound to be second to industrialize. Up to 1914, Industrial development was mainly restricted in the production of export of those goods with the natural advantage (jute, tea etc.) and in those areas where competition with British counterparts was not serious (coarse goods). During the inter-war period of 1914 – 39, it was in the production of consumer goods for mass market within India, mainly due to war tariffs and depression. Finally the last decade of British rule from 1939-47, brought another phase – the production of capital goods for the domestic market. It started with factories and the mining of natural resources, but it eventually came to India’s fully industralized civilazation, and that’s not all.  British rule taught Indians to see themselves as Indians, and its benefits included railways, roads, canals, schools, universities, hospitals, law and a universal language. There were also habits of mind and government which derived from Britain.

Political forms of Ancient India

Indus Valley

The Indian sub-continent was the home of one of the earliest civilizations of man.  In the history of ancient India we see many forms of society ranging from urban civilization of Indus Valley to the Classical Age of Gupta Dynasty.  During this period we see a hierarchy  of centralized and decentralized government.  Some of which were highly organized in their political structure and government while others were merely weakened by internal problems and division of power. Indus Valley Civilization was one of the world’s oldest and greatest civilizations which took shape around 3000 BC to 2500 BC in the valley of the Indus River.  Remains of more than 100 cities, towns, and villages of the Indus Valley civilization have now been found from north of the Hindu Kush down the entire length of the Indus and beyond into peninsular India. Harappa and Mohenjo Daro are the two urban centers of Indus Valley civilization and the excavation of these sites reveal standardization and ordered society and ten centuries of relatively stable conditions.

The city was amazingly well planned with broad main streets and good secondary streets.  The houses of these cities were solidly built of bricks and many were multi-storied and equipped with bathrooms and lavatories. The high quality of the pottery, along with hoards of gold and silver found at Indus Valley sites, suggest great accumulation of wealth. Each city was laid out on a grid plan with a high citadel and a lower city of domestic dwellings.  Urban planning is evident in the neat arrangement of major buildings contained in the citadel, including the placement of a large granary and water tank or bath at right angles to one another. The lower city, which was tightly packed with residential units, was also constructed on a grid pattern consisting of a number of blocks separated by major cross streets. The cities had an elaborate public drainage system.  Sanitation was provided through an extensive system of covered drains running through the length of the main streets and connected by chutes with most residences.

The Cities Were Well Planned With Streets

All these archeological evidences uncovered a strong centralized authority.  The urban civilization of Indus Valley suggests a complex planning that undertook the region and the people lived up to the standard of the time.  The Indus civilization appears to have declined rapidly in the early 2d Millennium BC. Archeological remains further indicate intermittent and devastating floods around this time and possible invasions by the Aryans, whose epics refer to their conquest of walled cities.

The Aryans are said to have entered India through the fabled Khyber pass, around 1500 BC and gave rise to another civilization in Indian history, the Vedic period.  The Aryans are believed to have developed the Sanskrit language and made significant inroads into the religion of the time.  All these factors were to play a fundamental role in the shaping of Indian culture.  The Aryans did not have a script but they developed a rich tradition. They composed the hymns of the four vedas, the great philosophic poems that are at the heart of Hindu thought.

The Aryans or Vedic Period

The Aryans were divided into tribes, which had settled in different regions of northwestern India. Tribal chiefmanship gradually became hereditary, though the chief usually operated with the help of advice from either a committee or the entire tribe. Tribal chiefs bearing the title Raja or king were at first little more than war-lords, and their principal duty was protection of their tribes.  The power of the king positioned with the higher authority of the priests.

Vedic kingship was the natural outcome of the conditions surrounding the Aryans.  A king was the leader of the people in the war of aggression and defense.  He is called the “Protector of the people”.  A study of the Rigveda shows that the king was no longer merely a leader of a primitive tribe, but occupied a position of per-eminence among the people.  The protection of the people was the sacred duty of the king.  In return, he expected and received loyal obedience from his subjects in the sense of a tribute to the king.

With work specialization, the internal division of the Aryan society developed along caste lines. Their social framework was composed mainly of the following groups: the Brahmana (priests), Kshatriya (warriors), Vaishya (agriculturists) and Shudra (workers). The Brahmanas were referred to as the receivers of gift.  The Vaishyas had to pay tribute for the lands that they got from the Kshatriya nobles.  It was, in the beginning, a division of occupations; as such it was open and flexible.  Much later, caste status and the corresponding occupation came to depend on birth, and change from one caste or occupation to another became far more difficult.  Later on, marriages became strict, and no Vaishya or Shudra was allowed to become a Brahmana or Kshatriya or even to take up the profession of teaching or fighting.

The Great Battle Of Mahabharata was Occured in This Period

The Aryan tribes failed to unite against non-Aryan due to lack of strong political foundation and the unstable nature due to their internal caste system.  The weak character of the empire came from the rigid caste system that divided people and created unstable feelings among them.  These were some of the reasons that formed the Vedic empire far less organized than the Indus Valley Civilization.

Statecraft evolved as a new system of government following the Vedic period.  The solidarity of the tribal state and the political power of elite warriors gave rise to a new style of kingship.  It aimed at the creation of more professional armies and more dependent upon the king.  The statecraft aimed at acquisition of territories rich in natural resources and tax-paying peasants rather than booty or territory for tribal expansion.

The political history of India, during the greater part of the period, mainly revolves round the rise and growth of the kingdom of Magadha, one of the four leading states which existed about 600 BC.  Magadha’s king, Ajatashatru, was a ruthless ruler and caused the decline of Magadha empire.  The Magadha empire was overshadowed by the more powerful empire, Maurya, which slowly began to take control of Magadha empire.

By the end of the third century, most of North India was knit together in the first great Indian empire by Chandragupta Maurya.  Under his control, trade flourished, agriculture was regulated, weights and measures were standardized.  Money first came into use.  Taxation, sanitation and famine relief became the concerns of the state.  His son and successor, Bindusara, extended the Mauryan empire over virtually the entire subcontinent, giving rise to an imperial vision that was to dominate successive centuries of political aspirations.

Ashokas Empire

The greatest Mauryan emperor was Ashoka the Great (286-231 BC) whose successful campaigns culminated in the annexation of Kalinga (modern Orissa).  The Mauryan empire reached its climax under Ashoka’s rule.  For the first time, the whole of the sub-continent, leaving out the extreme south, was under imperial control.  The military administration of the empire was very efficient, being vested in six boards of thirty members.  So also was the municipal administration of Pataliputra, the seat of the empire.  The empire was divided into provinces, each under a viceroy.  Taxes collected on land, trade, and manufacture of handicrafts were the other major sources of income during this era.  The state brought new lands under cultivation and developed irrigation facilities.  Under the Mauryans, the entire sub-continent was criss-crossed with roads.

Ashoka later converted to Buddhism, but did not impose his faith on his subjects.  Instead, he tried to convert them through his new policy, called Dharma, inscribed on rocks and pillars in the local dialects.  The highly structured politics along with high spiritual beliefs such as Ahimsa from Budhism led to the advanced and centralized nature of the Mauryan empire which flourished under the great rulers of its time.

Sanchi Stupa Build By Ashoka

Following Ashoka’s death in 232 BC, the Mauryan empire started disintegrating.  This was an open invitation to invaders from Central Asia to seek their fortunes in India.  This period saw the rise of several smaller kingdoms that did not last very long.  The last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty was Brithadratha. He was killed by his own commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Sunga in 185 BC.  Pushyamitra Sunga became the ruler of the Magadha and neighboring territories.  With the fall of Mauryas, India lost its political unity. The northwestern regions comprising Rajputana, Malwa and Punjab passed into the hands of the foreign rulers.  The descendants of Pushyamitra Sunga were not able to maintain the stability of their empire.  The power of the Sungas gradually weakened and the regions were absorbed within the dominions of the conqueror.

The greatest empire in the fourth century AD was the Gupta empire, which ushered in the golden age of Indian history. This empire lasted for more than two centuries. It covered a large part of the Indian subcontinent, but its administration was more decentralized than that of the Mauryas, but more centralized than Sungas.  The theory of the divinity of kings became more popular during the Gupta period.    Alternately waging war and entering into matrimonial alliances with the smaller kingdoms in its neighborhood, the empire’s boundaries kept fluctuating with each ruler.

Guptas Empire

The age of the Guptas is the Classical period of Hindu culture and learning.This period also saw the peaceful coexistence of Brahmins and Buddhists and visits by Chinese travellers like Fa Hsien. The exquisite Ajanta and Ellora caves were created in this period.  This age registered considerable progress in literature and science, particularly in astronomy and mathematics. The most outstanding literary figure of the Gupta period was Kalidasa whose choice of words and imagery brought Sanskrit drama to new heights.The invasions of the White Huns signalled the end of this era of history, although at first, they were defeated by the Guptas. After the decline of the Gupta empire, north India broke into a number of separate Hindu kingdoms and was not really unified again until the coming of the Muslims.

During the course of Indian history of civilization we see a pattern of alternating centralization and decentralization form of government.  In its period, Indus Valley Civilization was considered to be highly centralized in its authority and maintained a complex system.  In contrast, The Vedic Period failed to display higher organization due to several factors, such as, caste system, tribal republics, and incapability of expanding their territory.  However, the Indian history incarnation of centralized form of government during the period of Mauryan empire.  Sunga empire, again, failed to succeed and did not reach up to the level of Mauryan empire due to division of power.  Finally, the Gupta empire took the Indian civilization to the Classical Age which proved a successful and victorious empire.  Thus, we see a cycle of successful empire during the Indian history civilizaion.

Gupta architecture reflects India's influence on the region

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western

historians have noted that it’s architectural beauty has never been surpassed.  The Taj Mahal is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India.  Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble.  Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset.  The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon.  On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the  Taj   Mahal as if  

suspended when viewed from across the Jmauna River.

A Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife and queen built the Taj Mahal at Agra, India.  The society at the time was very productive and created a lot of success and hope for the Indians there.  When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor:  first, that he build the Taj Mahal; second, that he should marry again; third, that he should be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary.  He kept the 1st and 2nd promises.  The construction began in 1631.  The expert craftsman from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. They constructed the monument over a period of twenty-two years, with employment of 20,000 workers.  The total amount spent on the beautiful and sacred monument was 32 million rupees.

The problems and issues of the Taj Mahal was very difficult back then.  Actually, it was two main issues, but they were very burdensome.  The only issue was the death of his wife and getting the beautiful monument done.  The lengthy wait and the overcoming of her death was too much for Shah Jahan, but he had promised to his loving wife that he would eventually complete the sacred monument in her name.

Eastern View In Daylight

Everyone has their own favorite time to see the Taj Mahal.  Crowds will distract you from the cool, serene presence of this flawless monument.  The best way is to try arriving just as it opens or as it is about to close.  A few minutes alone in the perpetually echoing inner sanctum will reward you far more than several hours spent on a guided tour.  The sensuously curving lines of the temple of love demand to be savored without interruption, then the presence of the building itself will impart its own message.

The event has triggered being part of the wonders of the world.  It started to attract many people from other cultures because of its beauty and the mystery behind it.  It intrigues people on how one person designs a monument for his wife and tries to accomplish the promises she gave before she had died.  People wonder how that much love from one man to his wife can show that there is always hope in a relationship even after the significant other dies.

Negative events were not really triggered in this situation.  In this case, Mumtaz Mahal was in love with her husband, Shah Jahan.  She wanted to have the love continue and that is why she had given those four promises to help realize that the love can still grow strong.  The monument symbolizes the love that Shah Jahan had for his deceased wife, Mumtaz.  Mumtaz wanted this monument more than anything.  She wanted to be remembered with a monument, which symbolizes “eternal love.”

Western View In Sunset

As a tribute to a beautiful woman and as a monument for enduring love, the Taj Mahal reveals its subtleties when one visits it without being in a hurry.  The rectangular base of the Taj Mahal is in itself symbolic of the different sides from which to view a beautiful woman.  The main gate is like a veil to a woman’s face that should be lifted delicately, gently, and without haste on the wedding night.  In my tradition, the veil is lifted gently to reveal the beauty of the bride.  As one stands inside the main gate of the Taj Mahal, his eyes are directed to an arch that frames the Taj Mahal.  The dome is made of white marble and the background works its magic colors.  The colors change at different hours of the day.  It sparkles in the moonlight when the light hits the white marble and catches the glow of the moon.  The reflections of light seem to depict the different moods of the woman.

The tombs of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal are actually located in a shadowy burial crypt.  At ground level, in the very center of the building is the cenotaph dedicated to Mumtaz.  If you sing in the inner shrine of the monument, the notes will float upwards in a flow of music of the spheres.  This event was very influential in the time of its occurrence because looking at this building, you will see how much love there is and how strong this love stood.  It represents so much to many of the visitors on different levels.

The Tombs of Shahjahan And Mumtaz Mahal

It has really affected my life because I feel very proud of my Indian heritage and how I can go to my homeland and have the chance to see a monument I can be very proud of.  I’m so happy that India has one of the great wonders that I can admire and tell about to others.  I hope to gain a lot of knowledge about the Taj Mahal whenever I go there.  Just to experience it in person and to admire the beauty and artistic views would be amazing.

I think what inspired me the most was the strong love between Shah and Mumtaz.  To have such a love would make such a relationship grow and blossom solidly.  I just hope in my life that I can find the right person and experience the love and solid trust that Shah and Mumtaz had between them.

This event will be important to me in an hundred years because this is a part of my Indian background.  I’m going to teach this story to my children and I hope it will be passed on down throughout the coming generations.  It is just so interesting on how it all came together and how unique it is today.

Under the full moon, the pearly white exterior is shrouded in mystery.  That would be love, the greatest mystery of all.  In India, take the time you will be spending there to learn and gain new perspectives.  Someday you can use the stuff that you have learned and apply it to your daily relationship and acquire the “eternal love” that Shah and Mumtaz created.

The British in India

This image shows what the British Empire ruled as India.

Initially, when the British attempted to assume control over India, they were met with the outrage of a people wronged. The citizens of India saw the British for what they were, white men with a superiority complex. Every attempt the British made to expand territorial control was met with enthusiastic rebellion. The British succeeded in taking over the Indian government, but the people of India made sure they didn’t have an easy time doing it. When Vasco da Gamma landed in Calicut in 1498 it was with the sole intention to establish trading within India. In 1600, Queen Elizabeth 1 chartered the East India Company for the purpose of trading with India and east Asia. By the 1700’s the company had expanded its trade and political power throughout India. In addition, it began collection taxes in some areas; Indian rulers were not complacent, so the company used force on them. The political takeover that swept through India began in Bengal with the Battle of the Plassey. 

The Battle of Plassey

Within the next hundred years, the gradual inundation of the subcontinent was completed. As power was established by the British, so did the resentment. Until the British interfered with their lives, the people of India were almost entirely self-sufficient. People who were once independent were forced into bondage. Britain exploited the citizens of India by means of cotton. The Indians raised the cotton and shipped it to Britain. In Britain, the aforementioned cotton was turned into textiles and shipped back to India to be sold at an inflated price. The previously self-sufficient people were forced to buy expensive clothes because they no longer had the time to make their own. In addition to this injustice, upon arriving in India the British saw the need for indigo farms. When they hired locals they forced them to sign  exclusive contracts. They were not allowed to quit, and they paid rent with the indigo sold. As the British monopoly on cotton continued, the majority of the people bought their clothing from Britain; this prevented the indigo farmers from having any kind of product market. There was no demand, but they were forced to continue supplying. People were starving, and it was all Britain’s fault. The largest obstruction of Indian culture made by the British was the abolishment of the caste system. By discontinuing their social structure, the (the British) were able to view all citizens as equal (slaves). When observing the British takeover of India analytically, the method executed was strategically brilliant. India as a colony was incredibly successful for Britain, they made money, while the resources that were drained never affected them. However, looked at with the American assumption of fairness and morals,  the seize of India was fairly barbaric. With that in mind, the 246 years in which India was under the political stronghold of Britain may be interpreted in a variety of ways, many of which are endorsements of Britain’s ability to dominate and control while a minority. The other opinion, the ethical opinion, exposes Britain as a country so hungry for power, they were willing to compromise the freedom of choice for 350 million people in exchange for money that they really didn’t need.

Effects of Overpopulation in India

According to the CIA World Factbook, India’s population is the second most populated country in the world, with more than 1.15 billion people as of July 2009. The Indian people have nearly 3,287,263 square kilometers of land to use, approximately 170 million hectares of which is available for farming.These 170 million hectares has the potential to yield enough crops for India to place India at the top of the crop yields for the entire world. In fact, in 1999, India had the second highest crop yields in the world for both rice and wheat. India’s economy does not rely heavily on export and these crops primarily stayed in the country, helping to feed some of the 1.15 billion people. Unfortunately, it is not clear if this quantity of food could meet the needs of India’s population if it had been distributed in a more equitable manner. However, it is fundamentally clear that millions of Indians are not having their biological needs met. If the population continues to rise at current rates, 1.4% a year as of 2009, India will not be able to produce sufficient food to meet the growing demands. It is simple math. If India is going to increase their population size, they also need to find ways to both increase their food production and the efficient of their distribution system.Consider the following facts regarding India’s growing population. Forty-two percent of India’s population falls below the World Banks $1.25/day per person line for determining poverty. Fifty-three percent of India’s five and under population is malnourished. Thirty-seven percent has little to no access to water safe for drinking and cooking. Bombay has nearly fifteen million people sleeping on sidewalks and living in the streets. These are the effects of overpopulation on India. There simply are not enough goods to go around. Additionally, there is insufficient infrastructure to deliver the available goods to the people that need them the most.

Another argument about the effects of overpopulation in India centers on the increasing size of the

 population. As of 2009, the birth rate of 21.72 births for every 1,000 people far exceeded the death rate of 7.6 deaths per 1,000 people. The birth rate is nearly three times as high as the death rate. This is astonishing. A 1.4% population increase may not sound that high, until one considers that 1.4% of 1.15 billion people is still approximately 16 million people a year. That is a lot of extra mouths to feed, nourish, and otherwise care for. Many countries would be hard pressed to care for an extra 16 million people each year without growing their economy.

This population increase of nearly 16 million people per year is the heart of India’s overpopulation problem. Until India can create and implement an infrastructure that can address these population needs, overpopulation will continue to have a massive impact on India’s population.

What Defines Success in Indian Culture?

The Culture of India is a result of years of rich heritage and diversity. India is home to a variety of civilizations, constituted by people who speak different languages, eat different kinds of food and follow different religions. However, despite the huge contrast among the different regions of this large country, their regional subcultures possess several commonalities. The definition of success in India is one of them.

Indian culture is an amalgam of numerous traditions, beliefs and practices. It is based on a strict social hierarchy. The Indian society is highly family centric. It is very important for Indians to strike the right balance between their career and their home. Be it a man or a woman, the metric of success for both is more or less decided by these two factors. Money and property may define one’s success in the Indian society, but they are not the only things that make an Indian successful. It is considered important for Indian men to have a prestigious job, with a good salary and a respectable status in the society. For Indian women it is more important to be married at the right age, to the right person and in the right family. Although with the changing times and the increasing importance of education among Indians, having a great career is becoming more and more important for Indian women.

The Indian society can be further classified into the urban and the rural communities. Among the rural people the definition of success is absolutely different from that of the urban people. In most rural families the concept of individual success is not very popular. The head of the family is the main earning member and his position in the society indicates how successful his family is, as a whole. While the success of the male member of the family is rated by his ability to provide for his kin, the success of a woman is measured by how well she runs the house and takes care of her children.

In the Urban Indian society the emphasis on career progression is catching up fast. But the essence of the Indian traditions and cultural values has not lost its significance among the modern Indians as well. Like in most other societies, the Indian people believe in getting the best of both worlds. Their idea of a great life is to have a perfect family and a perfect career. Both Indian men are women are venturing into creative career fields matching their interests and capabilities. Having a satisfying career, which pays well and earns them good reputation in the society, defines success for the urban Indians.

Relationships are considered very important in the Indian culture. Respecting one’s elders and valuing one’s parents is expected out of every Indian. Also, it’s a norm for the Indian people to get married by a certain age. For Indians, marrying late or not getting married at all may raise many eyebrows among their peers. People who don’t value their marriage and refrain from attending to their children are considered nothing less than sheer failure in the Indian Culture. This is one of the reasons why divorces are not very common in India. The Indian culture stresses upon tolerance and empathy among relationships.

Thus, In India, success may be measured by a variety of factors. A good combination of all the above mentioned criteria defines success in the Indian society

Diversity Awareness in Corporate America

The problem of accepting and embracing diversity in the workplace has been in existence since the birth of the Industrial Age and before. This problem increases as the variety of the diversity increases and it affects each person within a company in a multitude of ways.

When we hear the word diversity, all too often, we tend to think of the most obvious groups of diversity that people divide into; we tend to think about race, gender, and age primarily. These are simply the most obvious from a visual standpoint. There are also religious and lifestyle preferences, differences in education levels or salary levels. Diversity can be based on: positions held within the company, computer literacy, political views, where people live, whether they are single, married, widowed, or divorced, have children, are childless and so many more factors that cannot be seen physically.

As explained by Chris Katterjohn, “You could look at a group of 10 people who represent every color in the rainbow and think you’re looking at an incredibly diverse group, and you could be dead wrong or just partially right. They could all be males: they could all be from two-parent households;” In this manner, he brings to light the fact that all too often assumptions are made based on a minute amount of the information, which can be known about an employee.

All too often, people feel uncomfortable in their own workplace due to their differences. Employees with alternate lifestyles can feel the strain of a company sponsored employee get together where a spouse is welcomed, but a same sex life partner is not. Meetings or parties planned for after work hours when a single parent with children to care for, or a student who attends evening classes is not able to attend, feel exclusionary. Employees with non-mainstream religious views must remove religious icons or symbols from their desk area. Yet, others keep bibles or crosses visible because these are more acceptable to the majority of workers in the United States.

Though she was researching incidents of religious bias in particular, the following excerpt, in which Elswick quotes a discussion with Georgette Bennett, president of the Tanenbaum Center, could just as easily apply to many other forms of bias as well.

“Incidents causing employees to experience bias usually aren’t isolated episodes of overt bigotry, says Bennett. Rather, they occur regularly in more quiet ways, often caused by ignorance or misunderstanding.” This lack of understanding is something, which needs to be addressed in order to promote a healthy atmosphere in the workplace. This healthier aspect is important, not only for the emotional well being of the employees, but for their physical and mental well being as well.

When people feel uncomfortable about who they are, how they live, or what they choose to believe, they cannot devote their full attention to their jobs. If they feel the need to hide a portion of themselves from coworkers, they will be under additional stress, other than that related to their job or home life. We all experience stress in the different facets of our lives, all of which can have a measurable affect our performance, attention span and even our health. Stress can cause mental, as well as physical illness, which lowers the overall productivity of employees in the workplace.

As noted by Robert Sapolsky, in an article for Scientific American, “More so than in other species, the primate stress response can be set in motion not only by a concrete event but by mere anticipation.” This stress, once triggered, may go on to affect the employee in many different ways, much to the detriment of their job and eventually affecting their employment as a whole.

Lewis Schiffman, of Atlanta Health Systems warns, “If there is…tension or misunderstanding, it creates a much more stressful work environment,” He also explained that this tension “…adversely affects everyone’s health and will also increase the number of injuries and workers’ comp claims.” As such, it makes sense that it is to the benefit of Corporate America, as a whole, to institute a policy of acceptance when it comes to the many differences found among the nation’s diverse employees.

It is important that companies strive to understand the needs of their employees. There needs to be an active program on the part of employers to promote greater tolerance of the differences that exist within the company. They should teach this understanding and acceptance of the differences found within the company in order to promote a better working environment for all employees.

Causes Of Violence In The World

There is a huge concern about violence in the world today. What causes violence? Why do some children hit or bite? And how do sweet little babies turn into gun-carrying gang members, murderers, and terrorists?

There are two basic conditions that produce violent tendencies in human beings. One condition is that the person has been hurt. A child who is spanked, hit, beaten, or threatened with violence will have a tendency to become violent himself. Sexual abuse and emotional neglect are also hurts that can lead to violent tendencies. The accumulation of minor hurts (stress) can lead to violent behavior as well. The anxieties, disappointments, and frustrations of childhood can build up and cause a child to hit or bite.

The second basic condition is less well understood. The person has not been allowed to release the emotions resulting from the hurts. He has unresolved and unexpressed feelings about what he has experienced. Only then will he have a tendency to be violent towards others. Being the victim of violence and other distressing experiences breeds violence in the child only when the emotions are blocked and repressed. When this situation occurs, violence toward self or others is almost an inevitable outcome. Violence is a distorted expression of the person's rage or terror in an environment where it is not safe to reveal or release strong feelings.

Added to these two basic conditions is the fact that violence is tolerated and glorified in most industrialized countries, and is culturally linked to appropriate male behavior. Children are exposed to violent male sports, and to television programs, films, and electronic games with mostly violent male protagonists. Little boys are given toy soldiers, guns, and other war paraphernalia with which to play. Story books and school text books often glorify war, a predominantly masculine activity, and describe great male conquerors as heroes. Many parents are pleased when their sons fight back in self-defense with playground bullies, and adults worry about boys who refuse to fight. Combined with the fact that boys are expected to be tough and not cry, it is not surprising that men commit more violent crimes than women. If we were to purposely design a culture with the goal of producing violent people, we would create it exactly like the culture in which most modern boys grow up.

To prevent violence, we must, first, stop perpetrating violence on children. This means no spanking or hitting. We also need to protect children from violent scenes on television or videos. We must change the messages about violence that we give to boys, and expect the same standards of nonviolent behavior from boys that we expect from girls.

Furthermore, both boys and girls must be allowed to cry and rage. Otherwise, they harbor unresolved anger, resentments, frustrations, and fears that they may act out as violence toward others or themselves. Crying can be very effective in dissipating aggressive energy. Much of the emotional pain of childhood is an inevitable part of growing and learning. Children get hurt and experience stress even with the most caring parents and teachers. It is therefore vitally important to allow the natural healing mechanisms of crying and raging.

To conclude, children who act violently are always suffering from painful emotions. There are effective and non-punitive ways to stop violent behavior while helping the children release the underlying feelings. It is important to know that children need the most love and attention when they act the least deserving of it.

What is a communal conflict?

A communal conflict is a conflict in which groups that define themselves using ethnic, national or religious criteria, make claim against the state or other political actors. When talking about sources of communal conflict it's important to say that there are many of them and none is more important or more likely to cause a conflict than the other. Those sources might include a common homeland, religion, language, race etc. Communal groups are usually motivated by greed and power, most of them seek material and political gains. Moreover, different kind of groups choose different strategies to reach their goal. Common pattern is that in common open political systems, those groups choose to stay within conventional political actions, while groups existing in radical political systems choose more violent means. Communal conflicts emerged mostly during the Cold War and its aftermath, but since mid 1990's this trend has been reversed, meaning there are less and less of communal conflicts.