NATION-STATE, CITIZENSHIP, MULTICULTURALISM 14/05/08

NATION-STATE, CITIZENSHIP, MULTICULTURALISM

NATION - STATE: :

* “The nation state is a certain form of State that gets its legitimacy from serving as a sovereign entity for a nation as a sovereign territorial unit.”

* “A world of nation states also implements the claim to self- determination and autonomy for every nation, a central theme of the ideology of nationalism"

* The idea of a nation state is associated with the rise of the modern system of states; often called the “Westphalian system” in reference to the treaty of westwalia(1648).


CITIZENSHIP:

* “The quality of an individual's response to membership in a community;Citizenship status often implies some responsibilities and duties.”

* The conditions under which the privilege of naturalisation is granted vary from State to State, but usually family relationships or lenghty periods of residence are essential, besides character and other requirements.

* Citizenships and Passports can be acquired through different methods like: birth in the jurisdiction, lineage (through parents and grandparents),marriage
naturalization,religious affiliation (e.g: law of return to Israel),meritorious service, economic benefit to the country.


MULTICULTURALISM:

* "Refers to more than one culture:  consisting of, or participating in the cultures of different countries, ethnic groups, or religions. Advocating or encouraging the integration of people of different countries, ethnic groups, and religions into all areas of society"
* Influence of Globalization in Multiculturalism: cultures are becoming one world.It is being formed one big culture, Globalization is a concept of unification, following most of the time the Western model. Globalization seems to promote exchange and interaction of different cultures, Modern societies are multicultural, adopting a multitude of different ways of life and lifestyles of people.


Which are the responsabilities of citizenship?

Responsibilities of citizenship:

The legally enforceable duties of citizenship vary depending on one's country, and may include such items as:

* paying taxes (although tourists and illegal aliens also pay some taxes such as sales taxes,etc)
* serving in the country's armed forces when called upon
* obeying the criminal laws enacted by one's government, even while abroad.

Purely ethical and moral duties tend to include:

* demonstrating commitment and loyalty to the democratic political community and state
* constructively criticizing the conditions of political and civic life
* participating to improve the quality of political and civic life respecting the rights of others
* defending one's own rights and the rights of others against those who would abuse them
* exercising one's rights


SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship
Presentation of the classmates.

LATIN AMERICA 12/05/08

In Latin America existed many Civilizations around the land, some of them were very important and significant for our culture and history.



One of the most important were:



The MAYA Civilization

• One of the most densely populated and culturally dynaminc societies


• They had a written Language of the pre-columbian americas, Monumental Architectual structures, Sophisticated mathematical and astronomical systems.


• They suddenly disppeared and these are some theories: Overpopulation, Foreign Invasion, Peasant revolt, Collapse of key trade rutes, Environmental disaster, Epidemic disease and Climate change

Aztecs

• Developed the Nahuatl language which still spoken today in some rural areas


• Architecture was the most important of the incas arts.


• In 1572 the last Inca stronghold was conquered, and the last ruler, Tupac Amaru was captured and executed. After this Spanish brutally oppressed the people and suppressed their traditions.

Muiscas

• Muisca refers to a nation of the Chibchan culture that formed the Muisca Confederation encountered by the spanish


• Agrarian and ceramic society belonging to the Andes of the north of South America

After the civilization mentioned before, came the colonization, that was different in each country or region, it brougth some benefits and negative consequences

• Benefits: Generation of employment for the host country, Foreign investment helps improve the productivity or welfare of the rest of the economy, The privatization of public utilities, transportation, telecommunications and other services can provide substantial increases in productivity to households and businesses in the rest of the economy.


• Increased capacity, improved management, transfers of technology etc., can allow the FDI to provide a greater supply of services with enhanced quality at a lower price.

• Negative Consequences: FDI may act to sharply reduce domestic welfare; FDI can magnify the distortions and misallocate resources in the country. (Environmental impact); Negative impact on national producers, making them less competitive and Most Latin American economies have grown rather sluggishly during the last 20 years.
  

The classmates that made this presentation, explained the country of Brazil, so i will make a summary of what they said:

Brazil

• Brazil was under the rule of Portugal for three centuries.


• Became an independent nation in 1822 and a Republic in 1889.


• Largest and Most populous country in South America.


• Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers


• The roots of Brazilian culture lies in that of Portugal. Heavily influenced by the Portuguese, Brazil boasts of a colourful and vibrant culture.


• How to do business in Brazil:
  Make appointments at least two weeks in advance, Be prepared to commit long term resources (both in time and money) toward establishing strong relationships in Brazil, Business luch or dinners are very common, Visit and company cards should be exchanged, Giving a gift is not required at a first business meeting; instead buy lunch or dinner, Use good eye contact, Good conversation topics: soccer, family, and children among others.
  

How different is the protocol that is needed to have in other Latin American countries: How to do business in Mexico?

There are many aspects that are important and necessary to do:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Use of Phone, Fax & Email, Authority, Status and Decision Makers, Time and Punctuality, Language, Dress Code, Greeting Protocols, Meeting Formats, Talking Business.

Language:
Spanish is Mexico's official language, and business meetings should normally take place in Spanish. English is quite widely spoken in business circles, today more than ever before, and if you don't speak Spanish, your hosts may be happy to hold the meeting in English, but check beforehand to avoid embarrassment. If you dont speak Spanish at all, it may be wise to hire a traslatot to facilitate the negotiation and the yhing you are talking abouta and if the negotiation is in English you should talk slowly but no like if the other person is an idiot, because they will feel bad and the negotiation can go differently.

Exclusivity: Is a very common request in Mexico, you should know that your company is capable to do this, because they dont like to have any problem with this, also sometimes is normally to think that if someone has inverted many of their time doing this is because is only for them, no other will need what they need iqually.

SOURCE: http://www.mexperience.com/business/resources/bc_practice.htm#TOP

NORTHAMERICA 30/04/08

Todays class was about northamerica, focusing in United States, Canada and Mexico.

United States:

• Capital: Washington, DC
• Population: 301.139.947
• Government type: Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition
• Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor, aerospace, telecomEmunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining, among others.

Mexico:

• Capital: México (Distrito Federal).
• Population: 108,700,891
• Government type: federal republic.
• GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.149 trillion
• Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism.

Canada:

• Capital: Ottawa.
• Population: 33,390,141
• Government type: constitutional monarchy.
• GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.178 trillion.
• Industries: transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fishproducts, petroleum and natural gas.

These 3 countries have a trade agreement, called NAFTA.

What are the advantages and disadvantages that NAFTA brings to this countries?

Advantages:

• Allows each country to specialize and become more efficient. Alternative to GATT. Leverage to US.
• Spurts growth, generates jobs, and protects the environment.
• Competitive edge: modern technology and cheap labor.
• Mexico’s modernization will require equipment from US
• Opens up the Mexican market: Zero tariffs in both directions by 2009
• Plants in Mexico more likely to buy components from the US. Will foster economic integration.
• Jobs in the US. For every $1b in exports, 40,000 jobs created. 1987-92 more than 520,000 jobs created in the US
• Strengthening of Mexico’s intellectual property laws
• Access to a pool of relatively cheap labor
• More prosperous and stable neighbor.
• Would consolidate Salinas’ reforms: Any federal law conflicting with NAFTA overridden.

Disadvantages:

• Potential losses of jobs
• Environmental problems
• Lower safety and health standards
• Uneven effect on the US. Texas Vs. other states.
• Adjustment costs for the three partners
• Dynamic effects:
• Constraints on development policy
• NAFTA will limit the adoption of certain economic policies
• Hidden costs.

Source: http://webcas.cas.suffolk.edu/royo/mexico/tsld010.htm

OCEANIA - AUSTRALIA 21/04/08

REGIONS OF OCEANIA

The regions of Oceania are broadly categorised according to the scheme for geographic subregions:

• Australasia: Australia, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, New Zealand, Norfolk Island.
• Melanesia : Fiji, Indonesia (Oceanian part only), New Caledonia (France), Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu.
• Micronesia :Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands.
• Polynesia: American Samoa, French Polynesia, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu.

Some countries important of the regions: Australia, New Zeland, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

The traditions are very similar but doesnt have many of them, they have better an special lifestyle, acording to this, i will mentionted two of the most common ones:

1. The social rules of the round or shout are perhaps the most important of all social rules that need to be mastered. A round is where one individual will pay for the drinks of the other members of the drinking party. Once the drinks have been drunk, another member of the drinking party will get the next round. Every member of the drinking party must buy the same number of rounds
2. If invited to someone's home for a barbecue, etiquette stipulates that you make a contribution to the alcohol that will be drunk. At a dinner, wine is the appropriate alcoholic contribution made by guests.

Economy and lifestyle

• The homicide rate is 1.8 per 100,000 population.
• Newspaper readership, Australians read more newspapers than any other nation.
• Gambling , more money spent on gambling than any other place.
• Oceania-Australia country's expenditure on products ranks among the highest in developed countries.
• The average world population density is 117 people per square mile, In Oceania Australia country's is only 6.
• Employment - 80% service sector 14% manufacturing 5% rural.
  

Which are the most important enterprises according to the economy sectors in Australia?

• Food: AWB Lt., Burn, Philp Co. Ltd, Foster's Group Limited, Goodman Fielder Ltd, National Foods, Southcorp
• Insurance: AMP Limited, Insurance Australia Group Ltd, Promina Group Ltd, QBE Insurance Group Ltd., Reinsurance Australia Corporation Ltd
• Banking: ANZ (Australia & New Zeeland Banking Group), Babcock & Brown Ltd, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Macquarie Bank, National Australia Bank Ltd., St.George Bank Limited, State Bank of New South Wales, Westpac Bank
• Wood & paper products: Amcor, Gunns Ltd, Koppers Arch Wood Protection, Nufarm, Osmose, Stone Container Australia.

How Australia is promoting itself in different markets?

Invest Australia, the Australian Government’s inward investment agency, assists global companies to establish or expand their business in Australia. We are a promotion agency dedicated to the highest level of customer service and help businesses around the world utilise Australia’s competitive edge and capabilities to achieve their corporate objectives. We offer market intelligence, identification of investment opportunities, business matching, practical advice and ongoing support to foreign investors.

Invest Australia has offices in 18 locations worldwide, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York,San Francisco, Mumbai, New Delhi, Dubai, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul.

Some of the strategies that Australia has been using in the North East Asia are:

• Promote Australia as a business centre of excellence and proactively identify companies
  throughout Japan with likely prospects of establishing (or expanding) a business operation in Australia.
• Target client industries could include food; agribusiness; life sciences; ICT;
  infrastructure; financial services; environmental; renewable energies.
• Build a network of industry contacts and potential investors.
• Using a defined sales methodology, undertake company and market research, develop value propositions for individual companies, cold call using a targeted call list, establish contact and secure appointments with senior decision makers.

Source: http://www.transnationale.org/countries/auss.php

http://employment.australia.or.jp/docs/IATokyo_detailsandconditions.pdf

EUROPEAN UNION 14/04/08

EU Unity


Community defines the internal market as "an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, services, persons and capital is ensured".

The creation of such a market involves both: national liberalization removing discrimination (negative integration) and (re-)regulation at the European level.

“…a common market attains the free movement of products, services and factors of production accompanied by the necessary positive integration for the common market to function properly" (Pelkmans; 2006).


European Union

• Inside the agenda of the EU there is a plan to unleash the potential of the continent by developing a cultural industries policy.
• A way to diminish the barriers was the European Constitution (Rejection by France and Holland)
• Nationalism
• EU’s Motto “Diversity United”

An european management style?

• There is an attemp to leave the individalism between leaders among countries in Europe
• There are a lot of differences regarding religious, historical, political and other facts that lead us to conclude that there is not a European management style.
• In the long term and as a consecuence of the migration of workers Europe can build a European style leaving behind past facts but it needs a lot of time for that achievement

Building a community?

• Community building has been advocated for various kinds of professional development: to counteract the divisive effects of racism, sexism, and other prejudices.
• The problem with community is that its assumptions may serve to exclude Others.

What is the correct protocol that should be follow to do business with EU?

Business Etiquette in Europe Europe ranges from the cold northern countries of Norway and Sweden to the warm Mediterranean countries of Italy and Greece. Some customs and mores vary as much as the topography, while others are shared across all of Europe.

some important aspects are:

• Handshakes
• Names and Titles
• Dining and Entertaining
• Gifts
• Social Taboos: In many European countries, asking people what they do or asking them a personal question as an opening conversational gambit is a serious mistake.

Europeans are, for the most part, more formal and reserved about such matters than Americans are.Watch out for these gesture-related mistakes:

1. The American gesture for "OK" using a circle formed by forefinger and thumb is offensive in Germany.

2. Showing your palm to someone is offensive in Greece.

3. Keeping your hands in your pockets is rude

4. Back-slapping is out of place in northern Europe.

5. Having your hands below the table while dining in France, Germany, and Austria is rude.

Source: http://www.pasadenaisd.org/rayburn/Clubs/BPA/contest/europe.html

RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION 02/04/08

• Research: related with academia and scientific knowledge.
• Investigation: related with police department and tries to reveal the truth.

Types of research:

• Qualitative: Description that could be put into words.
• Quantitative: Expressed in numbers.

Nature of the research:

• Primary research: New to everyone
• Secondary research: New to you but not to everyone
  

Research process:

• Conceptual framework
• Research question: question that could be answered.
• Hypothesis
• Data collection: You collect data to see if your hypothesis is true or not. How you are going to answer the question.
• Data analysis: Put sense to the collected data.
• Empirical observation: the most scientific method.
  

The research process could be:

• Inductive: from specific to general.
• Deductive: from general to specific

The data collection could be done through:

• Report
• Observation
• Surveys

Practical ethics issues in qualitative research:

• Informed consent
• Respect for individuals
• Assessment of risk and benefits
• Responsibility to the participants
• Ensuring confidentiality
• Avoidance of harm
• Reciprocity
• Feedback of results

Which are the types of interviews and Guidelines for survey interviews:

Types of interviews

• Look interested
• Stick to the schedule
• Try to not give any signal of approval or disapproval
• Do repeat the question if they ask
• Make sure that you understand the response
• Don’t irritate if they don’t want to respond a question?

Guidelines for survey interviews:

• Structured: You define all your questions from the beginning.
• Semi-structured: You can improvise even though you have some specific or prepared questions
• Unstructured

Source: Power Point Presentation.