Investigating the role of regionalism towards globalisation

Investigating the role of regionalism towards globalisation Is regionalism best interpreted as contradictory to the logic of globalisation, or as an integral part of globalisation  ? Since 1990, end of the Cold War, the world is an ideological cease-fire, but it is still in search of paradigms to shape the new international order. We all tend to think in industrialized countries as well as in poor countries that further integrations of economies through increased interconnection and integration of markets would be ideal. Indeed, globalization is a phenomenon that calls to break boundaries and interdependence among peoples. Regarding the regional integration, it refers to a process of gathering together several distinct elements, in principle, but generally have common aspects with a view to strengthening their individual strengths. The question is either Regionalism poses a serious challenge to Globalisation or would Regionalism builds on Globalisation. The latter is a process that also announces the integration of the world in a new era of thought and actions, and as such, regional integration both in its objectives and forms, participates in this process. Thus regionalism is a decisive step to include in the globalization. We can distinguish two types of regionalism: one tries to resolve any issue amicably, to show consideration for individual needs, they agree on some basic rules to make life easier in overall, but they are also attached to their privacy. In terms of economic cooperation, this type of regionalism is essentially the removal of barriers. From that view, members remain free to pursue their own path of development, cooperating only on issues where they share the same perspective. The other is united by the desire of its members to share their lives, based on common values and views. States share the same political will to build a community and pooling their sovereignty. This type of regionalism tends to lead to the integration of different policies including the establishment of a common market, harmonizing standards and regulations. The first argument is that regional integration covers a wide range of economic and political agreements between nations. These agreements may be formal or informal, bilateral or multilateral, but with specific objectives and phases which are intended to prepare the States to globalization. Specific goals of integration are precisely to ensure access to a wider market, also improve international competitiveness through more efficient use of resources and the removal of structural barriers, promote political cooperation to reduce tensions, increase the bargaining power of the group and thus its members. Face to the competition required by globalization, particularly in dealing with inequalities in development between the countries of the world, integration is a lifeline for developing countries which cannot go to globalisation at risk to suffer from harmful consequences. As such, integration does not offer the same benefits as it applies to a developing countries or an industrialized country. Which brings us to recognize that integration is an additional asset to globalisation. This one is presented as a jungle, where the most powerful economic entities hold sway. Regional integration as a grouping of countries that are geographically close is a way for them to prepare for globalization. The second argument is that regional integration is a factor of industrialization and international trade development. Measures to foster regional integration have an impact on the economies of the region and intra-regional trade. These are mainly the reduction of the tariffs, the effect of expanding demand and the effect of common external tariff. The reduction of tariff barriers leads to greater development of community trade. Regional integration, when it well manages allows to corporate of the community to be more organized in order to compete internationally in their own regions and in the international environment. A study has demonstrated that MERCOSUR has served as a training ground for insertion in the global market economies in this group,especially those that are more powerful as Brazil and Argentina. The European Union and NAFTA, under their respective constitutive documents, are implemented free trade zones. The enlargement of the European Union expands eastwards to the European market of seventy five million consumers. European companies thus have a huge market and can use the European space to go to the conquest of the international market. Countries within a region can use regional integration to promote their presence in international markets and benefit from their comparative advantages in the world trade. The third argument is that borders are no longer a division and opposition between the states. They become factors of cooperation. The best example is found in the European Union with the Schengen zone which has institutionalized the free movement of persons within the area. Regional integration has the same objectives as the globalisation: the abolition of borders. While a feature of globalisation is the free movement of financial flows, regional integration through the creation of large areas of free trade more easily attracts investment and encourages capital accumulation. For example, following its accession to the European Union, foreign direct investment have been in some economic sectors of the UK to benefit from huge market offered by the community. The European Union, with its economies increasingly integrated and market power play a significant role in international negotiations held in the context of globalisation. It can better defend its interests within the WTO. Through regional integration, Africa can speak in a loud voice on the international scene and better defend its interests . However globalisation which refers originally to an integration of different political units that build up the world, finally directly produces its opposite: the fragmentation of the world. It seems that the fragmentation causes the consequence whereby the primary role is to resist to the globalisation. Some apply the quota system to limit quantity of goods to enter their area, others prefer to allocate subventions to local and subregional businesses. Thus integration in this sense means inequality which is paradoxical to globalisation. Therefore we should remember that this simplistic view that tends to make integration an asset for insertion into globalisation must be taken with caution. The integration that has been illustrated is sometimes a factor of disintegration, but beyond that, we must admit that gathering within a region can achieve a real integration into globalisation. If regionalism is a real factor to globalisation then we can wonder what should be done to ensure that imbalance is observed in developing countries especially in Africa can be restored ? African should accept to join themselves to face to the international competition, as if the economy is bad it will also apply to its policy. It must be admitted that a lot of things remain to be done for the integration. It is the search for greater economic security that motivates developing countries to look into developed countries and to seek new forms of partnership with them, others advocate more of a neighborhood regionalism between developing countries, less disruptive and closer to their needs. But the general idea is that North-South agreements provide a lot more advantages than disadvantages. For developed countries they are eager to promote such partnerships, particularly to stimulate development and reduce the problems of insecurity. Finally it allows people to better enjoy the benefit s of globalisation and to spread in the common interest. Besides regionalism allows flexible agreements, indeed increasing economic interdependence in regions does not systematically mean formal agreements. The establishment of the EU, NAFTA or MERCOSUR has involved increased intra-area trade, but it was not the case for ASEAN. The intra-regional trade are much denser at the entire Asian Eastern region (ASEAN but also China, Japan and Korea) although there are no formal structures of integration. East Asia perfectly illustrates the coexistence of regional global dynamics. In this part of the world, deepening regional interdependence is partly due to an opening outside and a search for competitiveness in global markets. Conversely, areas that least involved actively in globalisation are also those that are poorly integrated regionally. This is particularly the case of economies in the Middle East. Finally globalisation has a number of risks, especially related to the financial sphere and acceleration of capital movements. In these circumstances, regional integration can be a way to be protected from disruptions caused by globalisation. The debate on globalisation and regionalism has long been focused only on trade policy issues. To conclude, regionalism is both a component of globalisation and a response to this process.

New Product Development and Nestle

INTRODUCTION Nestle is a company that is operating in food and beverage market. In the last decade nestle is a leading nutrition and health corporation that promise a safe and high quality product to its customers. The company illustrates a significant profit ratio and therefore nestle become a role model for those companies that want to be successful. As a result this report is illustrating why and how nestle have achieved a superior performance VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OPERATION First of all the company have a operation in all around the world which means that they achieve an economy of scale.Apart from this minor information in terms of product offering the company are currently developing a products that are requiring a similar tangible and intangible resources. As a result they are exchanging production equipment and workers between factories. So we can easily say that nestle are also achieving an economy of scope. In addition to this, capacity are being utilized by the department. Apart from those economic terms their labor are being highly trained and therefore they are highly specialized about what they are doing which also resulting in an another efficiency at the operational activities.Moreover the department are frequently adapting its latest technologies that is reducing labor input and increasing its automation and mechanism of operations. However nestle brand express a quality and safety products to its customers. So its clear that the company company are not reducing its cost by buying a low quality raw materials and this means that they have integrated differentiation and low cost leadership strategy. We can easily conclude that this department are producing output much more efficiently than its competitors. MARKETING AND SALESThe company is heavily investing on research and development. For instance according to resources they invest 1. 5 million on this department every year. For example they employ more than 3 500 people and those employees are h ighly motivated labors that is helping nestle to adapt its dynamic and fast changing environment. In other words labors have a huge contribution to nestle to provide a new products quickly to its market. For example the employees latest innovation is pleelable ice cream which is a product that has a rich creamy flavor of a regular ice cream.However it also contains a low fat in comparison to other brands . In addition to this the department have also invented a interesting flavors to this ice cream. Apart from this their research team have also found a actobacillas that contains a oriobitic agent which is improving human body’s immune system. As a result they are trying to inject actobacillas to their yogurt brand . employees also reported that actobillac is not changing the texture of yogurt. As a result those examples clearly illustrates that how well the company is adapting to its socio cultural environment.As tidd and bessant illustrates the importance of product innovati on by stating that(2009 p6)†new product development is an important capability because the environment is constantly changing. Shift in the socioeconomic field create opportunities and constraints . Legislation may open up new pathways or close down others for example, increasing the requirements for environmentally friendly products. Competitors may introduce new product which represent a major threat to existing market positions. In all these ways firms need the capability to respond through product innovation†.Apart from innovation capabilities the company employee are also illustrating an effective performance in the international market. For example they are spending three days with the people that are living in the country that the corporation are planning to make an investment for this reason they are understanding their purchasing habits and motivations and therefore they are developing a product that is appealing to its people. In addition to this employees are also monitoring how consumers consider their brands in other words they are investigating if consumers are recognizing the values that the corporation is trying to convey.So we can easily conclude that research department is one of the main factor that nestle is being successful in the market. INBOUND AND OUTBOUND LOGISTIC The most striking feature of inbound and outbound logistic are that the company does not use middle firm to its warehousing and distributing its products. Nestle international partner have their own distribution centre’s and warehouses in other words they are kind of integrated forwardly. In that way they are ensuring that all frozen products are remaining quality to its retailers.As a result of this the inbound and outbound chains are running efficiently and therefore its not increasing its cost. Apart from this nestle also provide a special equipment for some of its products to its retailers. For example all retailers have a special freezers for nestle ic e creams the reason that they are providing this equipment cause nestle want to also ensure that products are remaining quality and undamaged to its customers. So we can easily concluded that the corporation are really effective to keep products quality while transiting to its retailers and also to its customers.PROCEREMENT The corporation promises high quality product to its customers and therefore supplying a quality materials are important. They don’t use vertical integration strategy instead they have a long term perfect relationships with its suppliers. In other words supplier power is not strong which means that they are all time providing a high quality materials at a reasonable price. In addition this farmers whom are supplying raw materials to the company are being supported by nestle research department.The company researchers and scientists are working together with its suppliers. For example the department are helping farmers to implement their findings to the raw materials and as a result nestle is supplying all time quality products. Apart from increasing quality of raw materials nestle is also supporting sustainability in the supply of raw materials for example. The company has a more than 500 hundred agromist technical advisor and field technicians that are providing a assistance to its farmers.Above all the company has a power to acquire its suppliers and clearly it requires a significant investment which also increases the exist barriers of industry. However by being a close and excellent relationship with its farmers they are ensuring the quality of raw materials. HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT HRM employees are frequently measures the employees performance and this measurement is resulting in an rewards. In addition to this they are providing an effective training programs to its employees. As a result human resource department are being unsure that they are attracting top employees in the industry.For this reason they are adapting to new environment conditions and the firm innovating new products faster than its competitors. TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT Needless to say that nestle are using the latest technologies in all value chain activities. But most striking feature of the technological analysis is that nestle are using its latest technology in order to study and adapt to fast changing business environment. So we can easily conclude that they are investing and closely monitoring the technological and its wider environment frequently.NESTLE BUSINESS AND CORPORATE LEVEL STRATEGIES Clearly corporation’s general growth strategies are divided in to two categories which are concentrating on the existing industry and diversification. CONCENTRATION The company was being considered as a technology led corporation however changing social and cultural environment lead them to become a science driven nutrition health and wellness company. At the moment the market is dominated by extremely large companies so nestle can not drive out competition by using its aggressive promotional and pricing strategy.Instead they are using other market penetration strategies suchas effective advertising methods and special promotions. However the most striking feature of the strategy in the existing market is that innovation. For example they are frequently working on scientific innovations to make their current products more healthier and contains low fat. As it mentioned in value chain analysis tasty low fat ice cream is an perfect example about how company is concentrating on the existing industry by innovating its existing products.As a result of those kind of actions they are selling more things to same people but at the same time they also are targeting and attracting its new people. Apart from combining market development and product development strategy in the anosoff matrix tool European and American food industry are illustrates a strong threat of entry and there are a lot of substitute of products which is resulting in a strong buyer power. As a result nestle have perceived this market as a flat and highly competitive and therefore they are setting is sighs on new markets in order to enhance their profitability.In other words they are investing highly on emerging markets for example eastern Europe asia and latin America that have a perfect potential to improve their profit ratios with their current products. However the most striking feature of the nestle international strategy is that Nestle are entering those markets through the takeovers and joint venture. This means that they are benefiting from local managers knowledge about culture language pestel and business systems and this clearly resulting in a faster adaptation to its environmental change.Moreover they are also taking over the companies that they have a perfect background. According to resources the company is investigating the local companies carefully and they are picking the firm that have a perfect reputation in th at way the company is ensuring that it is not damaging the nestle image. So its clear that they are using locally sourced raw materials and this means that they are facilitating their factories in those nations that they are selling its products to its customers As a result they are aiming of creating a share value to its all stakeholders.The reason that they are creating a shared value for all shareholders that they are because The company found that creating a long term value for the countries in which they are marketing its products are helping them to making a more profit. So we can easily conclude that the company are highly concentrate on their existing products and in term of its international strategy nestle are using right way to be successful. RELATED DIVERSIFICATION Nestle have been increasing the variety in the distinctive products that they are offering.In other words they are using its related and unrelated diversification strategies. However the company is mainly usin g its related diversification. For instance. The company has a well known existing brands such as kitkat lion nesquick and nestea and as a result of this the company are using this existed well positioned brands in the other sectors. for example kitkat is a chocolate but last year nestle create a kitkat ice cream(or nestle creal and crealbars) and in that way they are not creating new brands in order to extent their products and this clearly creates many benefits.The most striking feature of the benefit is that nestle is achieving an incredible cost saving in terms of building a brand . In addition to this they are also operating within the existing operation capabilities which means that they are exploiting an economies of scope For example they are sharing technologies employees and even advertising campaigns between different businesses units. As bymike w. peng illustrates the benefits of related diversification by stated that(2009,p315)†firms benefit from declining unit co sts by leveraging product relatedness.The sources of operational synergy can be technologies(such as common platforms)marketing(such as common brands) and manufacturing(such as common logistics). As a result of this strategy clearly they are achieving a superior performance in the market because of the fact that related diversification strategy is considerably helping them to integrate its differentiation and low cost leadership strategy. Conclusion Above all nestle is operating in the highly competitive market.In addition to this other environmental factors are also changing fastly. However nestle is a company that is using its highest technology as well as employing top employees in the environment. For this reason they have a perfect ability to adapt to its environmental change. For example the company have an outstanding research and development department. Apart from this success criteria the corporation is also significantly reducing its cost by using its effective operational strategies and its related diversification.So we can easily conclude that nestle has achieved an superior performance because they have a perfect ability to innovate interms of its operation product service and its businesses processes as well as they have a right strategy in the international markets. ( e. q creating a share value and entry methods) REFERENCE LIST MANAGING INNOVATION JOE TIDD AND JOHN BESSANT 4TH EDITION JOHN WILER AND SONS,LTD Global strategic management mike w. peng second edition south western cengage learning

A Game of Thrones Chapter Nine

Tyrion Somewhere in the great stone maze of Winterfell, a wolf howled. The sound hung over the castle like a flag of mourning. Tyrion Lannister looked up from his books and shivered, though the library was snug and warm. Something about the howling of a wolf took a man right out of his here and now and left him in a dark forest of the mind, running naked before the pack. When the direwolf howled again, Tyrion shut the heavy leatherbound cover on the book he was reading, a hundred-year-old discourse on the changing of the seasons by a long-dead maester. He covered a yawn with the back of his hand. His reading lamp was flickering, its oil all but gone, as dawn light leaked through the high windows. He had been at it all night, but that was nothing new. Tyrion Lannister was not much a one for sleeping. His legs were stiff and sore as he eased down off the bench. He massaged some life back into them and limped heavily to the table where the septon was snoring softly, his head pillowed on an open book in front of him. Tyrion glanced at the title. A life of the Grand Maester Aethelmure, no wonder. â€Å"Chayle,† he said softly. The young man jerked up, blinking, confused, the crystal of his order swinging wildly on its silver chain. â€Å"I'm off to break my fast. See that you return the books to the shelves. Be gentle with the Valyrian scrolls, the parchment is very dry. Ayrmidon's Engines of War is quite rare, and yours is the only complete copy I've ever seen.† Chayle gaped at him, still half-asleep. Patiently, Tyrion repeated his instructions, then clapped the septon on the shoulder and left him to his tasks. Outside, Tyrion swallowed a lungful of the cold morning air and began his laborious descent of the steep stone steps that corkscrewed around the exterior of the library tower. It was slow going; the steps were cut high and narrow, while his legs were short and twisted. The rising sun had not yet cleared the walls of Winterfell, but the men were already hard at it in the yard below. Sandor Clegane's rasping voice drifted up to him. â€Å"The boy is a long time dying. I wish he would be quicker about it.† Tyrion glanced down and saw the Hound standing with young Joffrey as squires swarmed around them. â€Å"At least he dies quietly,† the prince replied. â€Å"It's the wolf that makes the noise. I could scarce sleep last night.† Clegane cast a long shadow across the hard-packed earth as his squire lowered the black helm over his head. â€Å"I could silence the creature, if it please you,† he said through his open visor. His boy placed a longsword in his hand. He tested the weight of it, slicing at the cold morning air. Behind him, the yard rang to the clangor of steel on steel. The notion seemed to delight the prince. â€Å"Send a dog to kill a dog!† he exclaimed. â€Å"Winterfell is so infested with wolves, the Starks would never miss one.† Tyrion hopped off the last step onto the yard. â€Å"I beg to differ, nephew,† he said. â€Å"The Starks can count past six. Unlike some princes I might name.† Joffrey had the grace at least to blush. â€Å"A voice from nowhere,† Sandor said. He peered through his helm, looking this way and that. â€Å"Spirits of the air!† The prince laughed, as he always laughed when his bodyguard did this mummer's farce. Tyrion was used to it. â€Å"Down here.† The tall man peered down at the ground, and pretended to notice him. â€Å"The little lord Tyrion,† he said. â€Å"My pardons. I did not see you standing there.† â€Å"I am in no mood for your insolence today.† Tyrion turned to his nephew. â€Å"Joffrey, it is past time you called on Lord Eddard and his lady, to offer them your comfort.† Joffrey looked as petulant as only a boy prince can look. â€Å"What good will my comfort do them?† â€Å"None,† Tyrion said. â€Å"Yet it is expected of you. Your absence has been noted.† â€Å"The Stark boy is nothing to me,† Joffrey said. â€Å"I cannot abide the wailing of women.† Tyrion Lannister reached up and slapped his nephew hard across the face. The boy's cheek began to redden. â€Å"One word,† Tyrion said, â€Å"and I will hit you again.† â€Å"I'm going to tell Mother!† Joffrey exclaimed. Tyrion hit him again. Now both cheeks flamed. â€Å"You tell your mother,† Tyrion told him. â€Å"But first you get yourself to Lord and Lady Stark, and you fall to your knees in front of them, and you tell them how very sorry you are, and that you are at their service if there is the slightest thing you can do for them or theirs in this desperate hour, and that all your prayers go with them. Do you understand? Do you?† The boy looked as though he was going to cry. Instead, he managed a weak nod. Then he turned and fled headlong from the yard, holding his cheek. Tyrion watched him run. A shadow fell across his face. He turned to find Clegane looming overhead like a cliff. His soot-dark armor seemed to blot out the sun. He had lowered the visor on his helm. It was fashioned in the likeness of a snarling black hound, fearsome to behold, but Tyrion had always thought it a great improvement over Clegane's hideously burned face. â€Å"The prince will remember that, little lord,† the Hound warned him. The helm turned his laugh into a hollow rumble. â€Å"I pray he does,† Tyrion Lannister replied. â€Å"If he forgets, be a good dog and remind him.† He glanced around the courtyard. â€Å"Do you know where I might find my brother?† â€Å"Breaking fast with the queen.† â€Å"Ah,† Tyrion said. He gave Sandor Clegane a perfunctory nod and walked away as briskly as his stunted legs would carry him, whistling. He pitied the first knight to try the Hound today. The man did have a temper. A cold, cheerless meal had been laid out in the morning room of the Guest House. Jaime sat at table with Cersei and the children, talking in low, hushed voices. â€Å"Is Robert still abed?† Tyrion asked as he seated himself, uninvited, at the table. His sister peered at him with the same expression of faint distaste she had worn since the day he was born. â€Å"The king has not slept at all,† she told him. â€Å"He is with Lord Eddard. He has taken their sorrow deeply to heart.† â€Å"He has a large heart, our Robert,† Jaime said with a lazy smile. There was very little that Jaime took seriously. Tyrion knew that about his brother, and forgave it. During all the terrible long years of his childhood, only Jaime had ever shown him the smallest measure of affection or respect, and for that Tyrion was willing to forgive him most anything. A servant approached. â€Å"Bread,† Tyrion told him, â€Å"and two of those little fish, and a mug of that good dark beer to wash them down. Oh, and some bacon. Burn it until it turns black.† The man bowed and moved off. Tyrion turned back to his siblings. Twins, male and female. They looked very much the part this morning. Both had chosen a deep green that matched their eyes. Their blond curls were all a fashionable tumble, and gold ornaments shone at wrists and fingers and throats. Tyrion wondered what it would be like to have a twin, and decided that he would rather not know. Bad enough to face himself in a looking glass every day. Another him was a thought too dreadful to contemplate. Prince Tommen spoke up. â€Å"Do you have news of Bran, Uncle?† â€Å"I stopped by the sickroom last night,† Tyrion announced. â€Å"There was no change. The maester thought that a hopeful sign.† â€Å"I don't want Brandon to die,† Tommen said timorously. He was a sweet boy. Not like his brother, but then Jaime and Tyrion were somewhat less than peas in a pod themselves. â€Å"Lord Eddard had a brother named Brandon as well,† Jaime mused. â€Å"One of the hostages murdered by Targaryen. It seems to be an unlucky name.† â€Å"Oh, not so unlucky as all that, surely,† Tyrion said. The servant brought his plate. He ripped off a chunk of black bread. Cersei was studying him warily. â€Å"What do you mean?† Tyrion gave her a crooked smile. â€Å"Why, only that Tommen may get his wish. The maester thinks the boy may yet live.† He took a sip of beer. Myrcella gave a happy gasp, and Tommen smiled nervously, but it was not the children Tyrion was watching. The glance that passed between Jaime and Cersei lasted no more than a second, but he did not miss it. Then his sister dropped her gaze to the table. â€Å"That is no mercy. These northern gods are cruel to let the child linger in such pain.† â€Å"What were the maester's words?† Jaime asked. The bacon crunched when he bit into it. Tyrion chewed thoughtfully for a moment and said, â€Å"He thinks that if the boy were going to die, he would have done so already. It has been four days with no change.† â€Å"Will Bran get better, Uncle?† little Myrcella asked. She had all of her mother's beauty, and none of her nature. â€Å"His back is broken, little one,† Tyrion told her. â€Å"The fall shattered his legs as well. They keep him alive with honey and water, or he would starve to death. Perhaps, if he wakes, he will be able to eat real food, but he will never walk again.† â€Å"If he wakes,† Cersei repeated. â€Å"Is that likely?† â€Å"The gods alone know,† Tyrion told her. â€Å"The maester only hopes.† He chewed some more bread. â€Å"I would swear that wolf of his is keeping the boy alive. The creature is outside his window day and night, howling. Every time they chase it away, it returns. The maester said they closed the window once, to shut out the noise, and Bran seemed to weaken. When they opened it again, his heart beat stronger.† The queen shuddered. â€Å"There is something unnatural about those animals,† she said. â€Å"They are dangerous. I will not have any of them coming south with us.† Jaime said, â€Å"You'll have a hard time stopping them, sister. They follow those girls everywhere.† Tyrion started on his fish. â€Å"Are you leaving soon, then?† â€Å"Not near soon enough,† Cersei said. Then she frowned. â€Å"Are we leaving?† she echoed. â€Å"What about you? Gods, don't tell me you are staying here?† Tyrion shrugged. â€Å"Benjen Stark is returning to the Night's Watch with his brother's bastard. I have a mind to go with them and see this Wall we have all heard so much of.† Jaime smiled. â€Å"I hope you're not thinking of taking the black on us, sweet brother.† Tyrion laughed. â€Å"What, me, celibate? The whores would go begging from Dorne to Casterly Rock. No, I just want to stand on top of the Wall and piss off the edge of the world.† Cersei stood abruptly. â€Å"The children don't need to hear this filth. Tommen, Myrcella, come.† She strode briskly from the morning room, her train and her pups trailing behind her. Jaime Lannister regarded his brother thoughtfully with those cool green eyes. â€Å"Stark will never consent to leave Winterfell with his son lingering in the shadow of death.† â€Å"He will if Robert commands it,† Tyrion said. â€Å"And Robert will command it. There is nothing Lord Eddard can do for the boy in any case.† â€Å"He could end his torment,† Jaime said. â€Å"I would, if it were my son. It would be a mercy.† â€Å"I advise against putting that suggestion to Lord Eddard, sweet brother,† Tyrion said. â€Å"He would not take it kindly.† â€Å"Even if the boy does live, he will be a cripple. Worse than a cripple. A grotesque. Give me a good clean death.† Tyrion replied with a shrug that accentuated the twist of his shoulders. â€Å"Speaking for the grotesques,† he said, â€Å"I beg to differ. Death is so terribly final, while life is full of possibilities.† Jaime smiled. â€Å"You are a perverse little imp, aren't you?† â€Å"Oh, yes,† Tyrion admitted. â€Å"I hope the boy does wake. I would be most interested to hear what he might have to say.† His brother's smile curdled like sour milk. â€Å"Tyrion, my sweet brother,† he said darkly, â€Å"there are times when you give me cause to wonder whose side you are on.† Tyrion's mouth was full of bread and fish. He took a swallow of strong black beer to wash it all down, and grinned up wolfishly at Jaime, â€Å"Why, Jaime, my sweet brother,† he said, â€Å"you wound me. You know how much I love my family.†

Flourishing North American Cultures - 1455 Words

2000 years before Europeans began to arrive in the New World, the last era of the pre-Columbian development began. North American cultures such as the Mississippian culture, the Hopewell Tradition, and the Hohokam culture experienced growth and environmental adaptation throughout this era. Major contributions and innovations of Native Americans have developed and been passed on through generations of ancestors. Originating in 700 A.D., the Mississippian culture expanded through the Mississippi Valley and out into the southeastern states of Alabama, Georgia and Florida. For 800 years, until the 1550s, the Mississippian culture prospered. They cultivated a substantial amount of corn, by means of intensive farming, and other crops, such†¦show more content†¦At the peak of their dynamic culture, the Anasazi developed the Chaco Canyon. Within the canyon, they constructed many pueblos, totaling nearly seven hundred rooms. In addition, they built water-collection systems and a network of roads. It was a massive achievement in engineering. The founding fathers of America looked at the Iroquois, who lived along the St. Lawrence River in what is now New York, as a model of democracy to base America’s political system on. From the Iroquois, Europeans learned of a well-developed system of checks, balances and supreme law. Because the Iroquois influenced the Articles of Confederation, they were one of the most important native groups in North American history. The federation of the Iroquois enabled them to prosper in independence and protect themselves from enemies. The Hohokam culture of present day Arizona existed from 300 A.D. to 1200 A.D. The earliest Hohokam people lived in unusually large lodges possibly with their extended family. The Hohokam men, who were traditionally hunters, hunted large game with spears until the bow and arrow was introduced around 400-500 A.D. Throughout the culture’s lifespan, its geographical range expanded by at least three to four times. As the Hohokam culture expanded and their contacts with neighboring tribes increased, trade began to flourish. A surprising variety of products wereShow MoreRelatedDiversity in American Culture and Civilization1759 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Diversity in American Cultures Background Historically there is no civilization or American culture. In the territory of todays America before the Spanish conquest, there were culturally heterogeneous societies, in broad regional shared, throughout its history and with a variable duration, the influence of common civilizational horizons. 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