Patricia Mapipi-Julieyvna

A more inclusive definition of quality is “fitness for purpose.” This means, regardless of whether you produce a good or a service, it must have characteristics that satisfy customer needs and must be delivered with the least amount of interruptions or faults. This entails being efficient enough to meet the requirements of the consumer and also making sure you are able to achieve superior business performance. In this case, “quality” is synonymous with freedom from mistakes due to office errors, factory defects, field failures etc and “Higher quality” implies fewer errors, fewer defects, and fewer field failures. When consumers think a service (or product) is low-quality, they are typically pointing out any failures (i.e. defects, poor response times etc). To amplify “higher quality”, an organization must master the universal of quality improvement. In other words, it must employ a tool like Six Sigma which reduces the number of defects and establishes a higher level of quality while drastically cutting down the cost associated with it (Juran & De Feo, 2010:5).

To wrap up the introduction, let’s quickly outline what this paper plans to tackle. The first section of this assignment will deal with a brief contextual orientation, meaning that any key terms or difficult concepts used in the discussion will be defined in order to create clarity for the reader and to alleviate any misunderstandings. The second section entails a concise but effective historical overview which means that the origins of Total Quality Management (TQM) will be discussed to give a more holistic view of the discipline. The third section will cover the role of Total Quality Management and how it can improve the profitability of organisations. The role of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and how it can enhance an organisation’s competitiveness on a global scale will be dealt with in the fourth section. Finally, the conclusion supplied at the end of this assignment will serve the purpose of reiterating any major arguments put forward, pulling all the main points together and summarising the discussion as a whole. The sources used to substantiate the argument, by means of a literature study, were books, journals and the internet.

Existing leaders just use the same template that colonial rulers employed previously. The difference is that, instead of occurring at a transnational level, exploitation has scaled down to the intra-state level in Africa (as certain individuals in high positions live off the land-and its people-while the masses live in poverty). However, it is the duty of the oppressed to remove these shackles, both physically and mentally. As Wood (2004:54) states “how we are thrown into the world is not within our control. Each of us does, however, have some control over what we do with our throwness.” West (2010:111) reiterates this view point by saying that “human beings are free to make or remake themselves. They do not simply fulfill a predetermined essence as, it seems, plants or animals must do. If human beings embrace their freedom, they have the possibility of an authentic existence.”

In light of the above, the main goal of this paper is to critically analyse Frantz Fanon’s “Black Skin, White Masks.” More specifically, this paper will deal with his views on language and his psychoanalysis of the relations that take place between black and white people (and between black and black people). The first section of this paper will entail a brief historical overview of his life. The purpose of this is to shed some light on any events that might have shaped his writing or the ideas he put forth. The second section will deal with his work (in the way that was outlined above). A succinct conclusion shall be provided in the end with the purpose of summing up the essay. The sources used to undertake this task were books, journals and the internet.

The main goal of this paper is to critically analyze how the war economy in the DRC is fueling the conflict in the Great Lakes Region. More specifically, attempts will be made to answer the following questions: Why did the conflict happen? How did it occur? Why does it persist? And finally, what has been done about it thus far?

The first section will deal with a brief historical overview of the conflict. This will help paint a picture of the events that led to the crisis. The second section will consist of analyzing theories that have been made about war economies and their relevance shall be contrasted with the events that took place in the Great Lakes Region. Section three will be a short discussion about some of the actions that have been taken to mitigate the fighting. The challenges that are faced when dealing with these rebellious militias shall be discussed in section four and section five will outline some recommendations that can be considered in order to soften the blow of the conflict (and possibly even eradicate it). A succinct conclusion shall be provided in the end with the purpose of summing up the essay and pulling all the main points together. The sources used to undertake this task were books, journals and the internet

People cannot ‘see’ states the same way that they can watch the sunrise in the morning or catch a glimpse of a butterfly floating above a petunia. From this perspective states are not a rigid, tangible form of reality but rather abstract, arbitrary lines drawn by human beings. The concept of a ‘state’, one could argue, is the biggest game of ‘imaginary friend’ (or foe) known to man. Searle (1995:2) gives another perfect example: ‘without the attribution of value, and the existence of financial institutions, a dollar bill or euro note would be nothing more than a piece of paper. As already suggested, sovereignty or the borders dividing states exist only by virtue of human agreement. It is human design and intent that shapes the material object into one with a specific meaning and use within a context.’

The frightening thing, however, is that sometimes these ‘designs’ are presented in such a way that they are adopted by others. In this way, ideas are legitimised through their parallels in history. As stated by Bush (2015: internet),“history can be a tool of influence – a tool of long-term psychological warfare even – used to manipulate the here-and-now, to give added emotional resonance.”  A case in point being that one way that colonialism was legitimised in many societies was through the repetition of certain narratives, narratives that interlinked with concepts that originated in the olden days of slavery. As stated by David (2011: internet) “One of the chief justifications for the so-called 'scramble for Africa' was a desire to stamp out slavery once and for all.”
The aim of this essay is thus to look at contemporary debates within African philosophy, specifically: Where is Africa? Who is African? How can and does Africa relate to the West, to other philosophical, cultural and religious traditions? Is reason culturally specific? How are reason and language related? What is fundamental reality, in an African context? And finally, how should political, social and ethical life be imagined in Africa? The conclusion will pull all the main points made in the essay together. The sources used to substantiate the arguments made in this paper were books, journals and the internet.

During Schreiner’s time the intention of unifying South Africa was already in the air and she laments that the “nervous and anxious hurry to attain Closer Union irresistibly reminds one of a posse of old aunts and mothers anxious that a certain young man and maiden should be wed, and who to attain this end are anxious to keep in the background all causes of difference between the young people, and to draw aveil over all difficulties, financial and personal, which, if faced by the young people, might give pause; and they are delighted when they have led them into the church or the registry office” (Schreiner, 1908:15).

The effects of this hasty “marriage” and the “differences” between the various factions that were fused together (which government officials were so careful to underplay) are being felt heavily today. If, for example, the state’s power was diffused or devolved into a number of independent units then local governments would be able to cater more successfully to the needs of the local populace in South Africa. The logic behind this is simple: the larger an entity the more difficult it is to keep up with the needs of the people. On the contrary, federal states and their administrators are on the ground, more in touch with the people and can easily attend to the burning issues of the day since they do not have the same amount of pressure. One needs to go no further than the text book fiasco in Limpopo or the constant “load shedding” operations conducted by Eskom to demonstrate that this point is true.

In light of the above, the main aim of this essay is to critically discuss Olive Schreiner’s ideas about federalism with regards to the South African context. More specifically, her motives for leaning towards federalism shall be examined and some of the reasons why South Africa didn’t go that way will be explored as well. The first section of this paper will entail a brief historical overview of her life. The purpose of this is to shed some light on any events that might have shaped her writing or the ideas she put forth. The second section will deal with her work, with specific reference to ‘A Closer Union: A Letter on the South African Union and the Principles of Government.’ A succinct conclusion shall be provided in the end with the purpose of summing up the essay and pulling all the main points together. The sources used to undertake this task were books, journals and the internet

one can’t help but wonder: what makes them so efficient? And how do they make all this money? Some have argued that what makes ISIS so potent is their struggle to create an extensive, sharia law-led caliphate “or autonomous Islamic state, modelled on the first caliphate that spread across the region in the centuries following the death of the Prophet Muhammad around 640 AD” (Bronstein and Griffin, 2014: internet). It would be wise to note that Sharia law is more than just a system that allows people to get their hands chopped off if they steal, but a “religious code of Islam that regulates both public and private life. Sharia law informs correct behaviour with respect to banking, commerce, family relations, sexuality, hygiene and dress, amongst other issues (Thomson, 2010:81).

In light of the questions asked above, the aim of this paper is to critically analyse how ISIS has managed to fund itself so successfully and with such vigour at that! More specifically, this paper will discuss how they make money through mechanisms like extortion, agriculture, selling oil, selling gas, selling antiquities, kidnapping for ransom and stealing funds being given for “humanitarian aid.” Consequently, the word ‘terrorism’ refers to “the use of illegitimate violence by sub-state groups to inspire fear, by attacking civilians and/or symbolic targets. This is done for purposes such as drawing widespread attention to a grievance, provoking a severe response, or wearing down their opponent’s moral resolve to affect political change” (Baylis, Smith and Owens, 2011:576).

Identity and interests are defined by international forces, that is, by the norms of behaviour embedded in international society. The norms of international society are transmitted to states through international organizations. They shape national policies by teaching states what their interests should be.’ The aim of this paper is to critically analyse Alexander Wendt’s ‘Social Theory of International Politics.’ In order to do this the essay shall only focus on seven points from the book, namely: materialism versus idealism, individualism versus holism, micro versus macro structures, causal and constitutive effects, the role of desire and belief in international politics, anarchy and power relations between states and finally, coercion, self-interest and legitimacy. The second section of this paper shall offer a critique of the work as a whole.

The aim of this paper is to discuss South Africa’s foreign policy towards Zimbabwe. Is it in accordance with and based on the promotion of human rights and human security? In the first section a brief contextual orientation shall be supplied to clarify the more technical terms in this essay, the second section will deal with ethics and moral conduct in foreign policy. The third section will deal with human rights and human security in international relations and foreign policy. The fourth section will consist of a critical analysis of South Africa’s foreign policy towards Zimbabwe. The fifth section will briefly focus on China’s foreign policy towards Africa to contrast the agreements made between Africa and nations from other continents with agreements made exclusively between countries in the region.The aim of this is to suss out if the two are interlinked in any way at all. Finally, a brief conclusion shall summarize the paper and pull all the main points together.

The topic has been interpreted in such a way that it, unfortunately, throws a negative light on the current foreign policy in South Africa. This should come as no surprise considering all the recent events, for they clearly demonstrate that the policy is defective. If the issue of the Zimbabwean government abusing its citizens had been resolved more effectively in the past then perhaps the influx of foreigners into South Africa would not have been so severe and the attacks, in turn, would not have occurred.

At the core of the ideology’s name is the word real, thus realism is a very practical and pragmatic way of scrutinizing events in international relations. Realism, in other words, has a very sober way of looking at incidents in politics, while idealism looks like a delusional drunk in comparison.

Why you ask? This is because realism deals with trends and events as they’ve been between states for centuries while idealism mainly deals with the future of world politics. The make-up of idealism predominantly consists of many hypotheses and speculations that are Utopian in nature. Jervis (1994: 854) emphasized this key distinction when he said that‘many political leaders, and a distressingly large number of scholars equated good intentions with a successful foreign policy and assumed that democracy could control if not extinguish base human instincts.’

The main goal of this essay is to show that realism is very applicable in modernity for they are many scholars who claim that it is irrelevant because of how ‘cynical and narrow-minded’ the ideology seems to be. This notion is fallacy because there are many contending theories within realism itself.

The first section a brief contextual orientation will be supplied to clarify and bring attention to some of the key terms in the discussion. In the second section a very short historical overview of realism (while outlining its core assumptions) will be provided to give a more holistic view to the argument and to demonstrate that realism is an ever changing and  long-standing tradition that has life in it yet! In the third section a critique against realism shall be drawn up. In the fourth section this critique shall be scrutinized and finally, a brief discussion on whether realism is alive or dead in the 21st century will take place

Most individuals approach the ideas proposed by Marx in a very stagnant, robotic manner. This is a dangerous thing to do because the dynamic of our current day and age is not taken into consideration. Marx himself, on his deathbed in 1883, proclaimed that “I am not sure of many things in this life but the one thing I am sure of is that I am not a Marxist.” This shows that he wasn’t set in his ways but made space for new findings as they came along. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to briefly look at Marxism and fit it into the context of modernity. The first section will deal with a short description of Marx’s life and various works. His main ideas or propositions will be looked at with specific reference to the ones that are most popular today. The second section will deal with a criticism of Marxism and finally the conclusion will show if Marxism is even relevant in the 21st century at all.

The first section of this paper will deal with a brief overview of Heidegger’s life, the second section shall explain his main philosophical views, and the third section shall consist of looking at Hannah Arendt’s work as a criticism of Heidegger. Finally, the conclusion shall pull all the central points made in the essay together.

The notion that huge chunks of our reality could be nothing but elaborate forms of social construction, a self-perpetuating mechanism of our own assemblage, is an old and enduring one. Put alternatively, we know that concepts like “race”, “gender”, “pedophilia” or “being a geek” are socially constructed which means they are not real in the sense that fundamental particles and biological kinds are, but we can’t definitively articulate much about them because the phenomena being tackled is unstable. By the time we think we have a firm grasp of something, it flutters away in the distance, like a dandelion scattered by a turbulent wind, forever to be hidden from our reach.

Holding such an incomplete and static causal connection (between X being a human kind, therefore X being a complete figment of our collective imagination) only serves to be a thorn in the side of such an important idea because it masks the tangible repercussions that are brought to the table. In light of such a sentiment, it is the intention of this paper to demonstrate that human kinds do have the capacity to tell us much about the world, to pick out something real, because of the effects that they leave behind.

Subsequently, this essay will lay bare the various ways in which the potential for stability within the realms of the social sciences can be realised. Three theories shall be outlined in order to achieve this goal, namely, the theory of confirmation, hybridization and the Janus-faced conception of the self. However, before undertaking this project, let us take a moment to consider what hangs in the balance when we talk about the difference between “natural” and “human” kinds.

This paper aims to explore how effective the idea of inductive risk is in negating the value-free ideal of science. The first section is a quick sketch of what the idea is all about (with concrete examples) and the second section indicates the threat level proffered by inductive risk by looking at the arguments posed by Heather Douglas, Gregor Betz, Richard Jeffrey, Kirsten Intemann, Inmaculada de Melo-Martín and Stephen John.

More specifically, three contestations against the argument from inductive risk are considered: one, that the activity proper to the scientist is the assignment of probabilities and not the acceptance or rejection of a hypothesis; two, scientists can just present the data as it is and delegate the need to determine its consequences to someone else; and three, they can simply postpone the process of divulging their findings until more evidence is gathered.

The question of epistemic versus non-epistemic virtues has been alive and well for centuries. At the heart of the debate lies the central issue of their similarity and/or disparity. Proponents of the latter emphasize the fact that what separates them is one unmistakable, well-defined goal: epistemic virtues aim to achieve cognitive contact with reality in an objective manner (i.e. without having to consider the broader human implications or having to deal with any criterion that is social, political, cultural or personal in nature). In other words, they purport that the ‘core’ of science is unsullied by values. I, to the contrary, would like to argue that this is not the case. There is no “absolute” schism between epistemic and non-epistemic virtues.