Effective Communication Skills in Healthcare Coursework

Effective Communication Skills in Healthcare - Coursework Example Patients often feel frustrated because their doctors do not apply patient-oriented communication skills which result into negative outcomes on the delivery of actual medical advice. Patients also complain of lack of important attributes of their physicians, such as empathy and kindness, which can lead to a communication gap between the two sides of the communication process (Hassali, Shafie, & Khan, 2012). It has been reported that patients’ concern on communication behaviour has positive outcomes in their level of satisfaction, and this kind of patients tend to be more submissive to treatment. On the negative side of it, poor communication skills on the part of the healthcare provider results in unsatisfied patients that reflects in the quality of the treatment and compliance to drug therapy (Lochman, 1983 as cited in Hassali, Shafie, & Khan, 2012). There are also reports that the lack of correct information results into inefficient health care, the inability of doctors and healthcare professionals to provide patients’ needs, and absence of respect and dignity of patients. On the other hand, health professionals also reported lack of skills in having good relationship with patients. According to NÃ ¸rgaard et al. (2012), healthcare providers should have positive relationships with each other, particularly in providing respect and appreciation to their peers so that they can provide respect and positive relationships with patients. There are problems that hamper the ideal patient-physician communication. Sometimes the healthcare providers have a busy schedule and need to treat many patients.

Communications Analysis of two interviews Essay

Communications Analysis of two interviews - Essay Example Besides, there was another Loan officer that interrupted out discussion quite frequently during the interview. Although I did not express it, yet somewhere deep inside me, I had mixed feelings about this attitude of Bill Cook and his staff. Opening and Closing: In the beginning, Bill Cook welcomed me into his room with a big smile on his face. We wished each other and shook hands. He himself took my coat and pulled back a chair for me. He asked me if I would like to have something to drink first. Despite his professionalism and nice tone of speech, I remained quite intimidated throughout the interview. By the time we were done with the interview, we shook hands with each other once again, and I thanked him for his time, attention and consideration. Relationship Dimensions: I felt quite nervous throughout the interview. Bill Cook was a stranger to me. We had never seen each other before the interview. In order to get the maximum response to my questions, I had to make my questions eas ily perceivable for Bill Cook. This demanded development of a comfort level with a person, who was an altogether stranger to me, though I managed to develop it sufficiently well. However, there was so much to ask that I felt constant nervousness. I had to ask Bill Cook why women Loan Officers could not be seen at any of the Land Bank branches. This and several other questions like this were indeed, quite personal, yet they were extremely important, so could not be missed. The nervousness kept me from becoming over confident and I conducted the interview in a prudent manner. At the end of the interview, the atmosphere was calm and relaxed and we had both enjoyed the discussion. Listening: Bill cook was a little preoccupied and seemed to be in a hurry from the speed of his response to my questions. Besides, his attention was being constantly sapped by the flooding phone calls and the interruption of the Loan officer, yet he managed to hear me good enough to deliver to the point answer s. In order to make my self heard well, I made use of the aggressive listening approach, and from the results, I can tell that the selection was right. Nonverbal communication: I was dressed in a business black suit and blazer and Bill Cook had worn khaki’s and a striped polo shirt. Bill Cook made good use of body language in conveying his points to me. He particularly emphasized upon the use of hands and eyes while making the speech. He maintained a constant and uninterrupted eye contact with me. I could not stand that, and would occasionally look down in an attempt to hide my nervousness and intimidation that had occupied me throughout the interview. Bill Cook tried to explain with hands, which made more comfortable and facilitated while making the speech. A hand shake was a good symbol of nonverbal greeting both before and after the interview. Reflection on the interview: Overall, the interview went extremely fine. I do believe that I could somehow, not get the entire trut h from Bill Cook regarding the lack of women’s representation in the job. Perhaps, I should have pressed him harder on the subject, though it was not entirely possible because Bill Cook seemed to be in too much a hurry to let me play with words. Still, I got sufficient information from Bill Cook to content my concerns. I chose to interview Bill Cook because he is quite experienced in Loan banking. I wanted to learn about banking and wanted to know why women did not participate in it in any branch of the

Coraline Essy Essay Example for Free

Coraline Essy Essay In response to the school boards request for student feedback, I am writing to express my opinion about which should be used to teach about the Fantasy genre, Coraline the book or Coraline the movie. In my opinion, I believe that Coraline the movie should be used in schools to teach the Fantasy genre. This is because the sounds, animations, and new characters all show more elements and examples of the Fantasy genre than in the book. By the time you finish reading this, you will surely end up being persuaded that Coraline the movie has more elements and examples of Fantasy than in the book. The first detail that makes Coraline the movie have more elements of Fantasy is animation. The animations in the movie were cartoon people, which means the characters dont necessarily have to do things real people can do. Another element of animation that makes the movie more fantastical is that you can see exactly what the character is doing but in the book it is Just your imagination. Also, in the movie, special effects can be added to make the scenes look more fantastical. Overall, the animations from the movie show more elements of fantasy than in the book. Secondly, the new and different characters in the movie make Coraline the movie have more elements of fantasy than the book. In the movie, the other mother turns the other dad into a pumpkin instead of a blob. This is more fantastical because pumpkins are plants and the fact that a pumpkin is alive and speaks is very fantastical. The second example of new and different characters is Wybie Lovat. He is a new character that is in the movie but not the book. He adds more fantasy because he finds a doll that looks Just like Coraline and gives it to her. The new and different haracters is the second detail that makes Coraline the movie have more elements of Fantasy. The third detail that makes Coraline the movie have more elements of Fantasy is sound. The sound from the movie can let you hear the characters tone of voice while speaking which lets you know if what they are saying sounds fantastical. The second thing is that you can hear background sounds and noise. This adds to Fantasy because it lets you hear strange sounds in the background that make it more fantastical. The third thing is that in the movie you can hear how loud the character is speaking. This can let you know how the character feels which adds on to the fantastical elements. I have now expressed my opinion on which to use to teach the Fantasy genre. Coraline the movie has many elements and examples of Fantasy. Coraline the movie should be used in schools to teach the Fantasy genre because the sounds, animations, and new or different characters all show more elements and examples of the Fantasy genre than in the book. Now that you have taken a look at many examples and elements of Fantasy in the movie, I hope that you consider using Coraline the movie to teach Fantasy in schools.

Analysis Of Marketing Positioning Of Kelloggs Special K Marketing Essay

Analysis Of Marketing Positioning Of Kelloggs Special K Marketing Essay Kotler et als ideology of marketing entailing understanding consumers and their needs and designing marketing initiatives to deliver those needs (2009, p. 5) emerges in the marketing endeavors undertaken by the Kelloggs Special K (SK) cereal brand. The marketing foresight inculcated by the brand not only helped it contribute to the overall success of the Kellogg conglomerate but also helped it evolve as a strong contender in the UK cereal industry. This assignment will unravel the marketing practices followed by the SK brand by analyzing its positioning in the UK cereal market. The analyses will encompass highlighting the customer segmentation adapted by this cereal brand followed by evaluating the efficacy of its target market selection. Subsequently, it will assess the cereals positioning as compared with its competitors positioning including its usage of the marketing mix elements to sustain that positioning. Finally as an outcome of the above analysis, it will offer recommendatio ns to strengthen the brands market positioning. Assumptions Made: Barring considering the retailers as buyers for a five force analysis of the UK cereal industry, the assignment considers the end users as the consumers of the SK cereal. Whilst for a perceptual map, price  [1]  has been used to draw inferences on the product quality of the various cereal brands, Kelloggs product life cycle stage in the UK market and SKs brand share have been used to draw inferences on SKs product life cycle stage. UK Cereal Market and Kelloggs: The UK cereal market grew by 15.7% in value between 2004 and 2008 because of the perceived health benefits of and convenience in consuming cereals coupled with the declining popularity of the traditional breakfast (Worth, 2009). This growth rate indicates the attractiveness of UK cereal industry, which is also substantiated by a Porters five forces analysis of the market (represented diagrammatically in Figure 1.1). This oligopolistic market is dominated by three big brands: Kelloggs, Weetabix and Cereal Partners (Worth, 2009 and Datamonitor, 2009a) with Kelloggs leading the market (as shown in figure 1.2). Since giving the world its very first ready to eat cereal cornflakes (Emerald, 1991, p. 16), Kelloggs has become practically synonymous with breakfast cereals (Mitchell and Boustani, 1992, p. 21). With over 100 years of experience in the cereal business, it appears that Kelloggs has built its high brand value (shown in figure 1.3) on consistent pioneering innovations and incessant delivery of consumers nutritious food requirements. And keeping true to this tradition is Special K, the leading cereal brand of the Kelloggs family  [2]  . Special K and its marketing choices: Launched in the UK in 1959 (Kelloggs Special K, 2009), Special K is a nutritious low-fat, ready to eat diet cereal that owes its eminent market position to the enhanced marketing choices made by the Kellogg marketers (Kellogg Company, 2003,2004). Following section of the assignment will analyse the components of the marketing choices made by the SK brand. Market segmentation and Target Market: SK is targeted at weight conscious women, employed/homemakers, between the ages of 25-49 who desire to attain a slimmer shape either for a healthy lifestyle or for an occasion. And in pursuit of their weight goals these women will prefer to consume nutritious food substitutes including paying an above average price for the product. Alike the cereal manufacturers who use a number of variables to segment their customers (deduced from the data on consumption of cereals displayed in figure 1.4), it appears that SK also segments its customers using demographic variables such as gender, age and occupation and behavioral variables such as occasion and benefits. But unlike the other cereal manufacturers, SK utilized its customer segmentation to identify and serve a distinct market group, which proved to be attractive and profitable over catering to the entire mass market. Moreover factors that contribute to the continued success of serving this target market are: Dieting trends: Results of a consumer research carried out in 2008 revealed that women are constantly trying to lose weight, where 24.3% of the women dieted most of the time as compared to 13.9% of men (Baxter, 2009). This consumer behaviour augments SKs target market selection. Popularity of Health food: The popularity of health food is increasing as confirmed by a consumer research where 43.8% of the research pool displayed an affirmative interest in purchasing functional food. This growing trend benefits SK as women (47.3%) accounted for the majority of the preference over men (40.1%) (Taylor, 2008). UK Obesity levels: The forecasted UK obesity levels for 2010 where women (29%) are more likely to be obese then men (27%) (Gower, 2008) not only favors SKs product proposition but also provides the brand with an opportunity to expand its customer base. Grocery shopping: SK can effectively access its target market using Kelloggs existing distribution channel of grocery chains, owing to the consumer behaviour where women undertake majority of the shopping at supermarkets as compared to the men (shown in figure 1.5). Growth of UK cereal market: In addition to its current growth rate (as discussed earlier), the UK cereal market is also forecasted to prosper in the future (displayed in figure 1.6). This future growth rate, supported by an immense market potential that exists in the form of people still skipping their breakfast, enables SK to attract new customers. Whilst the above factors substantiate SKs distinctive target market selection it is also imperative to evaluate the brands positioning in this target market as compared to its competitors to gauge the success of its marketing foresight. Competitors versus Special Ks positioning: Though Porters five force analysis of the UK cereal industry reveals that competitive rivalry in this market is moderate, failure by cereal manufacturers in differentiating their products will result in increased competition. SK endures industry competition based on the category points of the parity from other health cereal brands, including the various Kellogg brands, and market competition from other slimming aids such as diets, meal replacements and appetite suppressants (represented diagrammatically in figure 1.7). Whilst the popularity of the cereals is on the rise (refer to prior discussion) the popularity of the slimming aids is on the decline due to the augmented awareness of the healthy eating habits (Baxter, 2009). Hence though the slimming aids are positioned as weight management products (Refer to figure 1.8 for the positioning of the various slimming aids in the market) also targeted at women, it can be deduced that SK has a superior market potential over these products. A perceptual mapping of SK with its industry competitors (displayed in figure 1.9) divulges that the brand is perceived as high quality premium priced product by its customers. However SKs consumer perceived value is not alone limited to its price and quality differentiation but rather is accentuated by its unique market positioning in the cereal industry. Special K is positioned as a premium shape management nutritious cereal for women The above positioning unveils that instead of imitating its competitors by using common variables such as quality, energy, taste, natural ingredients and price, SK utilizes the popular variable of body shape to differentiate its product (refer to figure 1.10). Though a number of consumer products and services use the variable of shape to differentiate their product, SK was the first cereal brand to employ this positioning making it unique in the cereal industry  [3]  . Kelloggs by using its extensive experience to develop and position the SK cereal, appears to have understood and delivered its consumer needs; where women may want to lose weight either post an occasion such pregnancy or holiday or to lead a healthy lifestyle or to improve their physical experience. The value proposition offered by SK that acts as its point of difference from the other cereal brands has also helped it minimize the risk of cannibalization from the other Kellogg cereals. Furthermore, SKs market positioning has helped convert the consumers cereal purchase decision from a low involvement to a moderate involvement activity by linking their purchase decision to the psychological and physical benefits that can be derived from the product. Infact the SK 2 week challenge, which is an important element of the brands positioning (refer to figure 1.10), facilitates potential increases in the product usage and brand loyalty as once consumers verify the benefits of the product they may want to extend their association with the brand. It can be argued that by targeting only one distinct consumer group, SK is limiting its profit potential but on the contrary the growth in its market share (depicted in figure 1.11) is a testament of its successful market positioning in highly profitable target market. However SKs current and future market share could be threatened if it is no more the only cereal adopting the shape positioning as revealed in a SWOT analysis displayed below. Hence the strength of its positioning depends on effective management of the marketing mix elements. Marketing Mix Elements: Product: SK by offering a series of value added benefits in addition to its core benefits (displayed below) appears to acknowledge the importance of support for its customers during the challenging process of weight loss. And by providing these benefits the brand has transitioned from a low fat consumer product to a perceived personal weight management partner for its customers. Furthermore it appears to understand variety seeking behaviour  [4]  of its consumers as it extended its product line to include other SK sub-brands failing which women might have used other tasty healthy cereals with the SK personal plan. The brands packaging while being environmentally and user friendly: easy to transport and store, also serves as an effective marketing tool. It provides product information and reinforces the brands positioning by illustrating its value proposition of shape on the box. Moreover by using the Kelloggs name and tag line: If it doesnt say Kellogg on the boxà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.it isnt Kellogg in the box on the packaging, it depicts its association with Kelloggs premium quality and high brand value thus discouraging potential brand switching  [5]  . Place: Kellogg distributes SK selectively through supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience stores utilizing the below represented distribution network. Using popular supermarkets/hypermarkets, which are the leading medium for cereal distribution (shown in figure 1.13), is aligned with SKs target market selection (covered in a prior discussion) which is accentuated by the supermarkets ability to attract customers through their own high advertising budgets (displayed in figure 1.14). Promotion: SK utilizes promotional campaigns, advertising and interactive marketing to sustain its winning market positioning. The SK 2 week challenge, which is an integral element of the cereals offering, originated as a creative promotional campaign that helped the brand acquire its market growth (Kellogg Company 2003, 2004). Success of the 2 week challenge is largely attributable to the consumer perception that it is an easier challenge to take due to its shorter duration. Another successful campaign launched by the brand is the SK slimmer jeans challenge which astutely kicks-off at the start of the New Year when women would be keen on losing their post holiday weight and dropping a jeans size (Kelloggs 2009). SK uses its high media advertising expenditure, which is higher than any of its competitors (shown in figure 1.15) to effectively communicate its positioning to its target market. It creatively employs the informational appeal message style in its television advertisements to convey product information and benefits, aimed at sustaining and attracting new customers (as evident in its latest advertisement  [6]  ). On the downside, some women may not relate to the product as the brand stereotypes a womens body shape by using perfect size models in most of its advertisements which may also conflict with its brands positioning of slimmer shape (not perfect shape). SK also recognized the growing popularity of internet among UK consumers (Euromonitor International 2009a) and hence uses its website and facebook group, as forms of interactive marketing, to connect with its customers. SK by allowing consumers to access the brands value added services on its attractive website aims to engage its customers and encourage repeat visits. Price: As cited earlier, SK is priced higher than any of its industry competitors  [7]  (displayed in figure 1.16) which is in sync with its premium brand positioning. The brands high quality is buttressed by its high price. SKs growing brand share despite its higher pricing appears to support the consumer perception that a high value compensates for a high price. But as discussed in the SWOT analysis, SKs future product demand may decline if the consumers opt to purchase the cheaper private health cereals due to the economic recession (Worth, 2009). Moreover its future demand may also be impacted by the marketing tactics of supermarkets such as placing their cheaper cereals on the shelf next to the SK brands  [8]  . Marketing recommendations: From the above analysis, it is evident that SK is effectively managing its marketing mix elements to strengthen its market positioning. However since the brand is in the maturity stage of its product life cycle (represented diagrammatically in figure 1.17) it needs to defend its market share to avoid the onset of the decline stage. Hence the following recommendations have been offered: Firstly using its exposure of a high advertising budget, SK can enhance its promotional activities by aptly launching additional innovative promotional challenges. And increase consumer participation in these challenges by providing opportunities to win prizes such as designer wardrobes or free SK cereal vouchers. Secondly by using real  [9]  slimmer size women in its advertisements it will not only distinguish itself from the other product manufacturers who stereotype womens body shape but also may generate increased consumer confidence in the products market message. Alternatively by taking inspiration from its website, SK can incorporate the success stories of its consumers in its advertisements to reinforce the products effectiveness. Lastly owing to the growing popularity of health foods it can extend its product line to introduce other weight assistance products such as SK nutrition drinks which may complement rather than compete with the cereal. Such product introductions will also reflect the brands commitment to delivering the healthy weight management needs of its consumers. The above recommendations will not only augment SK existing strong market positioning but will also discourage possible brand switching due to the economic recession. Conclusion: This assignment acknowledges that the marketing choices made by Special K, quite like its name, prove to be special for the brand. Perceptive of its consumer needs and behaviour, Special K effectually segmented its customers and selected a profitable and sustainable target market in a flourishing cereal industry. This target market selection has immensely contributed to the special status acquired by this brand. However the true success of the brand lies in how it differentiated itself from its competitors by relying on the SHAPE positioning that also acts as the value proposition for its consumers. Though the brand astutely manages the product, place, promotion and price attributes of its marketing mix to support its positioning, the reality of its product life cycle stage cannot be escaped. Hence recommendations to improve SKs advertising, promotional activities and brand line extensions have been made to avoid the onset of the decline stage for the product. Appendix: Kellogg brand list: Kellogg offers a vast product line catering to the needs of different customer segments. Kellogg brands include All bran, Coco Pops, Cornflakes, Crunchy Nut, Frosties, Fruit n Fibre, Winders, Natures Pleasure, Optivita, Country Store, Honey Loops, Just Right, Ricicles, Start, Pop tarts, Rice Krispies, Frosted Wheats and Special K. Special K product variations: Special K Packaging: As shown in the above images, Special Ks packaging conveys that it is a low fat cereal and provides information on the personal plan and its benefits and cereal nutrition figures. The red color is synonymous with the Special K branding and labeling which not only shows it strong connection with the Kelloggs brand but also symbolizes confidence and excitement (Kelloggs Special K, 2009) that a consumer will enjoy after achieving the shape desired by them. The packaging supports easy and convenient usage through the cardboard box and plastic bag, which help in storage and preservation of the quality of the cereal. Special K in supermarkets: The observations on the shelf space occupied by Kelloggs Special K were made by visiting two large supermarkets, Tesco and Morrisons. A large section of the middle shelf space in the cereal section of the supermarkets was devoted to Special K cereals and its sub-brands. This shelf positioning helps attract customer attention and expedite the purchase process. Another observation made was that both Tesco and Morrisons placed their cheaper cereals next to Special K which may deter the purchase decision of a cash strapped consumer. Infact Tesco has also extended this marketing gimmick to its online shop as displayed in the below images. Links to advertisements: http://www.specialk.co.uk/special-k-news.aspx Latest advert h ttp://www.tvadmusic.co.uk/2009/06/kellogs-special-k-shape-up-for-summer/

This is Not the Perfect College Admissions Essay :: College Admissions Essays

This is Not the Perfect College Admissions Essay Choose the day, Choose the sign of the day. The day’s divinity, the first thing I see, a crazy world that beckons me. As I stand forth today in my infancy, I wish to seek— seek the knowledge which I must find for I must be in control of thee. The power to control oneself and the ones beside me, For if I not have the ultimate control rival that of Satan. This is the apocalypse. Apocalypse not of the world but that of my world, my inner feelings my dreams, my ambitions. Ambition, Greed, Envy, Anger and Arrogance are the most powerful emotions known to man. They were prevalent with the stone age man and they will remain as long as man continues to exist. They are experienced by the psychopath to the holy Pope himself. I have unfortunately or fortunately, encountered all. Ambition . . . will I stop at nothing to achieve my ambition, my goals, my sole purpose of existence? Ethics and morals might stand between me and ambition but what am I to do? When you’re three you’re taught to distinguish right from wrong, but who are they to make that distinction? You’re tutored morals yet you’re not told of stronger emotions that question the bounds of morality. Does greed have anything to do with ambition? Greed is ambition, ambition is greed. Ambition helps to create a sense of worth, the want to do better than the one beside you. The need, the greed to do better than the one before you. Greed is good, greed is right , greed works. Greed for knowledge, life, power, money, helps to create a balance between the strong and the weak. A wise man once said: "Envy is the greatest sin." This wise man was a fool. He failed to acknowledge that it is envy which helps a man pursue greater goals. It is due to the fact that another man, a mere mortal as compared to the strong man has surpassed him and he rightfully wants his place back. Progress in society is a result of man’s greed, ambition and the most inconspicuous of them all, envy. Anger is an emotion when controlled helps to get in touch with inner feelings. It channels the mind, clears ambiguous thoughts and helps focus on a clear objective.

Essay --

Step 1. Provide a summary of the scientific article addressing these questions: The publication Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society from the United Kingdom claims to be a publication devoted to a specific area of the biological sciences that aims to define a research frontier that is advancing rapidly, often bridging traditional disciplines. Hand before foot? Cortical somatotopy suggests manual dexterity is primitive and evolved independently of bipedalism, published October 7, 2103 by Teruo Hashimoto et al, certainly seems to support this publication’s claims. 1. What issues in physical and biological anthropology are addressed and why are they important? This newly published research from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute addresses a long-standing question in physical and biological anthropology; did manual dexterity evolve first in early hominins, as a requirement to make and use tools with their hands, or did it evolve in response to bipedal locomotion, after their hands were free to use? This mystery in human evolution is important to solve because by knowing what evolved first (dexterous hand or agile foot) researchers can better learn how early hominins lived and how they evolved into modern humans. This newly published research also addresses another very important issue in physical and biological anthropology; it introduces new scientific testing methods available to study evolution that can be used to re-evaluate long-standing evolutionary theories. In this case the study of comparative brain physiology for humans and monkeys was used to help establish the study findings. 2. What is the hypothesis or main question being tested? -The hypothesis/main question being tested is what evolved first, dexterous... ...arranted based on the new comparative brain physiology research methodology that was performed, and the study of the more recent hand and foot fossil remains of the species Ardipithecus ramidus support the findings. Step 2. Compare scientific article with press report addressing the following questions: How well did the press report accurately reflect the research article? I believe that the press report reflected the research article very accurately. The hypothesis was stated and was accurately answered. Is the information present correct or misleading? The information that is present in the press report is correct and does not mislead How would you have presented this report differently? The way in which I would have presented this report is I would have done more research along the lines of other evolutionary traits of monkeys and humans and then looked at

The United States: An Empire in Denial

With the arrival and eventual establishment of a permanent settlement on American soil in the early seventeenth century, the English settlers came upon an expansive territory of land teeming with resources and endless possibilities. Soon, these settlers longed for liberty and thus desired to break free from the imperial clutches of British rule. Standing resolutely against a great and powerful empire, liberty was won in America by the blood of its founding fathers, indelibly written in the Declaration of Independence.Perhaps in these humble beginnings are the reasons why America today could never officially admit on how she has evolved into the empire she had once detested and fought. The facts, however, speak for themselves. America today is a colossal empire and as such, she has in her power the capacity to shape the future by creating a world environment conducive to profitable economic relations (especially to third-world countries) and international peace, both of which are in s hort supply, these days.What the world needs, according to Niall Ferguson in page 301 of his book ‘Colossus’, is an effective liberal empire and the United States is the best candidate for the job. What restrains America from accepting and performing its role as an imperial power? This paper delves on this question and discusses the following relevant issues: (1) definition of an empire, (2) what America has become, (3) the American might: strongholds around the globe, (4) the American empire: adherence and denial, and (5) America as the engine of global growth.America is now the only superpower in the world and she is in a position to greatly influence the course of human history. Main Body Definition of an Empire Probing into the topic at hand, it is necessary to elucidate on the true meaning of ‘empire’ as rationalized by Mr. Ferguson: An empire is ‘first and foremost, a very great power that has left its mark on the international relations of an e ra . . . a polity that rules over wide territories and many peoples, since the management of space and multi-ethnicity is one of the great perennial dilemmas of an empire .. . An empire is by definition . . . not a polity ruled with the explicit consent of its peoples, [But] by a process of assimilation of peoples of democratization of institutions empires can transform themselves into multinational federations or even nation states. (10) Thus defined, an empire does not require the general consensus of the people involved. However, an empire can adapt to whatever is the prevalent social, economic or political environment at hand. What America Has BecomeIn the course of human history for the past four centuries since the arrival of the English settlers in America, has the United States revealed itself, in whatever degree, as a nation with imperial intents? As Ferguson states: This book argues not merely that the United States is an empire but that it has always been an empire. Unlik e most of the previous authors who have remarked on this, I have no objection in principle to an American empire. Indeed, a part of my argument is that many parts of the world would benefit from a period of American rule (Ferguson 2).The United States is perceived to be the greatest empire to have ever existed in the history the mankind, propelling itself to the top, not only with its involvement and successes at previous wars, but most especially, with its exploitation of constant advances in science and technology for its defensive posture. In this field, America has no equal. As we have seen, by most conventional measures of power–economic, military and cultural–there has never been an empire mightier than the United States today (Ferguson289). The American Might: Strongholds around the GlobeFrom a military standpoint, America has the greatest influence over many other nations today. Controlling offensive and defensive strategic sites around the globe, its military arm is well-emplaced and is in the best position to act or react should the need arise. . . . the U. S. military has around 752 military installations in more than 130 countries . . . In the first year of President Bush’s presidency, around 70,000 U. S. troops were stationed in Germany, and 40,000 in Japan . . . Almost as many (36,500) were in South Korea . . .Moreover, new wars have meant new bases, like Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo, acquired during the 1999 war against Yugoslavia, or the Bishkek air base in Kyrgyzstan . . . At the time of writing, about 10,000 American troops are still based in Afghanistan, and it seems certain that a substantial force of 100,000 will have to remain in Iraq for at least the next few years. (Ferguson 16) What other nation in the face of the earth – be it in the past or in the present – could ever boast of such a claim? What other nation is more prepared to control vast areas of land, air and water with its military dominance?On lan d the United States has 9,000 M1 Abrams tanks. The rest of the world has nothing that can compete. At sea the United States possesses nine ‘supercarrier’ battle groups. The rest of the world has none. And in the air the United States has three different kinds of undetectable stealth aircraft. The rest of the world has none. The United States is also far ahead in the production of ‘smart’ missiles and pilotless high-altitude ‘drones’ (Ferguson 16). The American Empire: Adherence and Denial The United States today is an empire – but a peculiar kind of empire.It is vastly wealthy. It is militarily peerless. It has astonishing cultural reach. Yet by comparison with other empires it often struggles to impose its will beyond its shores . . . Only when the United States could cast itself in an anti-imperialist role . . . were the Americans able to perform their own cryptoimperial role with self-confidence (Ferguson 287). This is where the Ameri can nation faces its greatest hurdle in reaching its full potential and becoming a great empire for the greater benefit of the world, for it could not bear the concept of an Imperial America.It took a succession of humanitarian disasters abroad in the 1990s and terrorist attacks at home in 2001 to rekindle public enthusiasm for a more assertive American foreign policy, though even this had to be cloaked in euphemism, its imperial character repeatedly denied (Ferguson 287). But this denial is not a sentiment shared by all Americans. As events unfold and the need for change arises, more and more adherents to an imperial America surface, publicly giving voice to an advocacy silently embraced by a few.Richard Haas, who went on to serve in the Bush administration as director of policy planning in the State Department, argued that Americans needed to ‘re-conceive their global role from one of traditional nation-state to an imperial power’, calling openly for an ‘informa l’ American empire . . . As Thomas Donnelly, deputy executive director of the Project for the New American Century, told the Washington Post in August 2001, â€Å"There’s not all that many people who will talk about it [empire] openly. It’s discomforting to a lot of Americans.So they use code phrases like ‘America is the sole superpower’ â€Å"(Ferguson 4). There is little doubt that the declaration of an imperial America would profoundly provoke global agitation. However, one must bear in mind that this is not a new concept and that for decades, this abstraction has always been in the backdrop, even more so in every anti-American cause one would care to listen to. Few people outside the United States today doubt the existence of an American empire; that America is imperialistic is a truism in the eyes of most educated Europeans.But the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr noted as long ago as 1960, Americans persist in ‘frantically avoiding recognit ion of the imperialism [they] in fact exercise (Ferguson 294). All evidence suggests that America is an empire. The denial of the American populace and most especially that of the United States government to this fact is not an altogether innocuous act or claim, as in the present case of Iraq and Afghanistan. Does imperial denial matter? The answer is that it does . . .The trouble with an empire in denial is that it tends to make two mistakes when it chooses to intervene in the affairs of lesser states. The first may be to allocate insufficient resources to the nonmilitary aspects of the project. The second, and the more serious, is to attempt economic and political transformation in an unrealistically short time frame. (Ferguson 294) America as the Engine of Global Growth To this day, America remains to be the behemoth that it is with the American dollar taking its rightful place as the international currency in the global market.Twentieth-century history handed the United States a privileged position in the world economy; its currency became and has remained the world’s favorite. Since 1945 it has been used more than any other for denominating international transactions, and that has made it the preferred currency for central bank reserves (Ferguson 283). America, it appears, has everything that is needed to perform its imperial role. It is even likely that, in these times of widespread poverty, many countries would rally behind this cause for simple economic motives.The reason that so much overseas capital flows into the United States, so it is said, is that the American economy is the engine of global growth and foreign investors simply want a ‘piece of the action’ (Ferguson 281). At the end of the day, the alleviation of poverty through the creation of a dynamic and vigorous economy is the backbone of a peaceful nation. Here is where one sees the role that America should play. The Role that America Should Play What the world needs toda y is not just any kind of empire.What is required is a liberal empire- that is to say, one that not only underwrites the free international exchange of commodities, labor and capital but also creates and upholds the conditions without which markets cannot function- peace and order, the rule of law, non-corrupt administration, stable fiscal and monetary policies- as well as provide public goods, such as transport infrastructure, hospitals and schools, which would not otherwise exist. (Ferguson 2) The question that must now be answered is: ‘Can the United States achieve the role of being an effective liberal empire?’ There is no doubt that the America of today has a foothold on almost all of the essential attributes required to perform this role. Although the United States seems in many ways ideally endowed –economically, militarily and politically – to run such an ‘empire of liberty’ (in Thomas Jefferson’s phrase), in practice it has bee n a surprisingly inept empire builder (Ferguson 2). Because of the democracy with which America was founded upon, we have seen time and again how the American populace, in general, refuses to accept the concept of an empire.As such, it could not move on to greater heights of historical attainment. Others would claim that many millions of people around the world have benefited in some way or another from the existence of America’s empire – not least the West Europeans, Japanese, and South Koreans who were able to prosper during the cold war under the protection of the American nuclear ‘umbrella’ – and that the economic losers of the post-cold war era, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, are victims not of American power but of its absence (Ferguson 13).In the words of retired General Anthony Zinni: ‘What is our obligation to the world? ’ We preach about values, democracy, human rights, but we haven’t convinced the American people to pony up . . . There’s no leadership that steps up and says, ‘This is the right thing to do’ . . . That’s the basic problem . . . There has to be the political will and support for these things. We should believe that a stable world is a better place for us . . . the U. S.would make a much greater difference to the world. (Ferguson 293) Conclusion Through the acceptance and support for an American empire by the American people themselves – which in itself is a huge undertaking – the United States could significantly alter the course of human history for the better. This conclusion could better be proven by questioning any of the multitudinous impoverished citizens from a third-world country if such a nation would be better off under the auspices of the American dollar.The United States has always been an empire in denial. A truly unfortunate fact for humankind would have a much better place to live in if only the world, most especially the American populace, would accept, recognize and support this undeniable reality of an imperial America. Works Cited Fletcher, Richard. Colossus. U. K. : Penguin, 2004.