MANIFEST DESTINY AND ASSIMILATION THEORY Term Paper

MANIFEST DESTINY AND ASSIMILATION THEORY - Term Paper Example Assimilation model is where a minority group adopts the values, norms, beliefs, and institutional systems of the domain culture, which the American culture. The Native Americans were not domain because they had to assimilate to the western civilization (Cullen, Lisle, Downs and Colombo 452). Fredrickson explains the assimilation theory proposed by Alex in the following manner. His explanations are based on ethnic relations between religions and races in the history of the US. He asserts that ethnic hierarchy is inevitable because it forms the first pillar of socialization between distinct ethnic groups. In American context, the essay is based on the view that the American race is the dominant group that holds the privileges and right not provided to other races in the society (Cullen, Lisle, Downs, and Colombo 463). Due to this, they view themselves as the superior to those races whom the rights are denied. The system of racial interaction influenced the blacks and Indian races in Am erican society because the whites deemed themselves superior to these races. Fredrickson continues with his assimilation theory using one-way assimilation model. He argues that the only way that other races such as Indians and blacks can pay the Americans is via adapting or conforming to the American culture. ... Fredrickson discuses the theory of separatism in groups by arguing that minority groups should be autonomous, independent and completely separated from the dominant or majority group (Cullen, Lisle, Downs and Colombo 479). Cultural pluralism is the most effective theory because it gives room to people to retain their own culture or ethnic identities without conforming to cultures of other dominant groups. Fredrickson explanation offers a way forward on how social groups can come together and live in unity. These assertions are evident in the manifest destiny and Americas’ expansion to the West. Further, cultural pluralism is demonstrated in the manner in which Native Americans were treated. Americans separated from other groups and followed their own western culture. Due to this, many Americans believed that they had the responsibility of spreading democratic ideals to other parts of the world. During their expansion, the Americans excluded groups with cultural differences tha t were characterized with prejudice and paternalism. This reality made the Americans realized themselves, and their role in the world. The manifest destiny doctrine was the idea that established the United States of America as a nation. Manifest destiny was an idea that influenced American policy in the twentieth century (The Great Nation of Futurity 428). The concept was the motivation behind the tremendous and rapid expansion of America into the West from the East. The idea of manifest destiny was promoted in poster, newspapers, and via the media. The idea of manifest destiny was not an official government policy but it led to enactment and passage of policies

IKEA and Fantastic Furniture Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

IKEA and Fantastic Furniture - Research Paper Example The key success factors desirable for such success is the provision of quality and value for customers’ money, understanding the market and targeting advertisements to perceived needs of the markets and provision of an outstanding customer service to the customers. Though IKEA and Fantastic furniture are similar in many ways, they differ in design of products where IKEA emphasizes on flexibility and portability of the furniture, thus, producing self-assembled furniture while Fantastic furniture mostly produces pre-assembled ones. Backward integration and increased productivity are recommended for the two companies, in order to be able to meet the projected increase in furniture demand. Table of Contents Background and Introduction IKEA is a privately owned international company that sells home products that can be assembled, such as home appliances and accessories, beds, and desks (Coker, 2005). The company was founded in 1943 by a 17-year-old Swedish, with the name of the com pany derived from his name and place of origin. The company ranks as the world’s largest retailer of furniture (Dennis, 2008). There are notable strengths that the company has been credited with. Its ability to control costs allows it to offer continuously lower prices for its products. The company is also known for its attention to operational details, allowing it to improve continuously the products it offers to its customers. These strengths have seen the company continuously advance, and expand to different countries in the world (Stroman, 2003). The company comprises of a group of companies that are centrally controlled by a Dutch corporation. The company provides its customers with 12,000 different products and is the third largest consumer of wood in the world (Ben, 2009). The company adopts environmentally friendly manufacturing process to ensure it preserves the environment. Fantastic furniture, on the other hand, was started in 1991 by two founders, Harding and Dejo ng. The company started as a stall that was selling plastic garden furniture, and later, the first of their store was opened at Birkenhead point (Johnson, 1983). In 1992, the company opened the first Fantastic Factory Lounge and in 1995, the Fantastic metal factory was established. The company owes its success to some strength it possessed from its inception. The company indulged in clever advertising, while at the same time improving its products and processes continuously. This way, the company has been able to expand its operations and grow to a large furniture retailer. The company’s growth rate was so high, that the founders were unable to manage this growth. Consequently, they invited other directors who had experiences in handling growth in a new business, effectively increasing the number of company’s director to five (Greenblat, 2010). In 1997, the company opened its first import department, which has been responsible for the sale and distribution of the compa ny’s products to a tune of 50%. The company has expanded its operations to have many other branches in Australia, later transferring its Fantastic Lounge factory to a different location to accommodate the increased production capacity, in 2006. With its growth and expansion, the company acquired a mattress producing company to suffice the mattress requirement of the company in the same year (Ben, 2009). Literature review A furniture retail business should be the most successful business ever running. This is because every day someone needs