Importance of Corporate Governance

Importance of Corporate Governance 1. INTRODUCTION This chapter provides a definition of corporate governance and examines importance of, and the principles underpinning corporate governance. It also reviews prior research examining corporate governance disclosures and in particular, those which have investigated corporate governance disclosure in ECMs. 2. DEFINITIONS OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Modern corporations have dispersed ownership structure (Jenkinson and Mayer, 1994). Due to this, these corporate entities are characterised by contractual relationships between (shareholders) owners and managers (agents). Management is hired by owners (i.e. investors) to run the business on their behalf (Sarpong, 1999). Within the agency theory framework, it is theorised that managers may seek to maximise their wealth to the detriment of shareholders and bondholders through the consumption of perquisites (Jensen and Meckling, 1976). Decisions of agents have the tendency of unfavourably transferring wealth from one principal to another i.e. from bondholders to shareholders (Watts and Zimmerman, 1978). John and Senbet, (1998 p. 372) define corporate governance â€Å"as a means by which stakeholders of a corporation exercise control over corporate insiders and management such that their interest will be well protected†. Similarly, it is proposed that â€Å"corporate governance i ssues arise in an organization whenever two conditions are present. First, there is an agency problem, or conflict of interest, involving members of the organization these might be owners, managers, workers or consumers. Second, transaction costs are such that this agency problem cannot be dealt with through a contract† (Hart, 1995, p. 678) To avert the agency problem, there is the need to ensure that adequate and effective corporate governance structures are put in place to prevent abuse of power by managers (Cadbury, 1992). Corporate disclosure through annual reports is one of the essential instruments for the monitoring of managerial behaviour (Watts, 1977; Watts and Zimmerman, 1978). This requires frequent evaluation of managerial activities and performances particularly, through independent non-executive directors (Roberts et al 2005). Berle and Means (2003) view corporate governance as a relatively new concept in both the public and academic domains, although the central issues the concept seeks to address have been in existence for a longer period. The most common definition of the concept has been provided by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OCED). It defines Corporate governance as: ‘ a system by which business corporations are directed and controlled. Corporate governance structures specify the distribution of rights and responsibilities among different participants in the corporation, such as, the board, managers, shareholders and other stakeholders and spells out the rules and procedures for making decisions on corporate affairs. By doing this, it also provides the structure through which the companys objectives are set and the means of attaining those objectives and monitoring performance (OECD, 1999 p. 11). The influential Cadbury report defines corporate governance fundamentals and somewhat simplistically as ‘ the systems by which companies are directed and controlled (Cadbury 1992). This will require putting in place appropriate mechanisms which will ensure that corporate resources are safeguarded. Johnson and Scholes (1998) explained that corporate governance is concerned with both the functioning of organizations and the distribution of powers between different stakeholders. They argue that corporate governance determines whom the organization is there to serve and how the purpose and priorities of the organization should be decided. Thus, among other things, corporate governance is concerned with structures and processes for decision making, ensures accountability and controls managerial behaviour. It therefore, seeks to address issues facing board of directors, such as the interaction with top management and relationship with owners and others interested in the affairs of a company. The definitions outlined, directly or indirectly, share common elements. They all acknowledge the existence of conflict of interest between managers and shareholders as a result of the existence of separation of ownership and control in corporate activities. They further recognize the need to put in place effective corporate governance mechanisms to ensure that shareholders and investors interest are well protected. 1. IMPORTANCE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE As a result of globalization and the increasing complexity of business there is a greater reliance on the private sector as the engine of growth in both developed and developing countries. Organizations do not exist in a vacuum; they rather interrelate with a number of interest groups, known as stakeholders (Freeman, 1984). These stakeholders include shareholders, governments, regulatory bodies, creditors and the general public (Pease and Macmillan, 1993). Stakeholders are impacted by the activities of companies. In this regard, and in the context of this study, adequate and effective corporate governance disclosure becomes relevant to investors and other stakeholders from a number of standpoints. Effective corporate governance disclosure promotes transparency in corporate structures and operations. It strengthens accountability and oversight among managers and board members to shareholders (Bosch, 2002). This oversight and accountability combined with the efficient use of resources, improved access to lower-cost capital and increased responsiveness to societal needs and expectations leads to improved corporate performance. Many studies exist linking good corporate governance with better Performance. Fianna and Grant (2005) explains that good corporate governance helps to bridge the gap between the interests of those that a company, by increasing investor confidence and lowering the cost of capital for the company. Furthermore, they also add that it also helps in ensuring company honours, its legal commitments and forms value-creating relations with stakeholders. Coles et al. (2001) and Durnev and Han (2002, also found that companies with better corporate governance enjoy high er valuation. These studies results, helps in confirming the idea of good corporate governance, result in better decisions at all levels of the organization, not at top-management and board levels, but also in the better performance of the organization Again adequate and effective corporate governance disclosure ensures that corporate activities are run in an open and transparent manner (Brain 2005). Last, corporate governance practices boost market confidence and ensure effective allocation of capital in the market (Greenspan, 2002). From the forgoing discussions, the realization of the importance of good corporate governance practices is largely dependent on a number of internal factors. As a way of achieving this, a number of principles have been established. 3. PRINCIPLES UNDERPINNING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE A number of principles underpin effective corporate governance. These principles are business probity, responsibility and fairness or equal opportunity. Corporate entities are expected to exhibit these qualities to ensure good governance. Embracing the outlined principles will improve relationships between companies, their shareholders and the overall welfare of every economy. These principles are briefly discussed. Business probity requires individuals in charge of companies to be open and honest in the discharge of their activities. According to Brain (2005) openness implies a willingness to provide information to individuals and groups about the activities of a company. In this regard, it is important to recognize that shareholders and investors need to know the position of a company in order to evaluate their performance. Timely delivery of information will enable them achieve this purpose. Good corporate governance disclosure requires handlers of companies to be honest in the discharge of their activities. Honesty requires managers to deliver factual information. A sign of honesty is that statements of companies are believed. However, Brain (2005 p. 26) contends that â€Å"honesty might seem an obvious quality for companies, but, in an age of spin, and the manipulation of facts, honest information is perhaps by no means as prevalent as it should be.† Corporate governance requires handlers of corporate entities to be responsible in the discharge of their duties. Investors require confidence that companys financial systems are secured and credible. Managers are therefore expected to work in this direction to meet investors expectation. Responsibility in the context of corporate governance includes other issues such as transparency and accountability. These principles are vital to the survival and welfare of every company. Thus, managers have a duty to explain their actions to shareholders as well as investors so as to enhance their understanding of the direction of the companys activities. The principle of fairness requires impartiality and a lack of bias in corporate activities. In the context of corporate governance, the quality of fairness is achieved when managers behave in reasonable and unbiased manner. In this sense, to ensure good governance shareholders are expected to receive equal consideration. This means minority shareholders should be treated the same way as majority shareholders. References Berle, A.A. and G.C. Means (2003). The Modern Corporation and private property, New York, Macmillan Company. Bosch, H. (2002), The changing face of corporate governance, UNSW Law Journal, Vol. 25 No.2, pp.270-93. Brain, C. (2005) Corporate Governance, ICSA text Cadbury A. (1992) Financial Aspect of corporate governance Coles JW, Mcwilliams VB, Sen N. An examination of the relationship of governance mechanisms to performance. Journal of Management 2001; 29 (1):23-50. Durnev A, Han KE. The interplay of firm-specific factors and legal regimes in corporate governance and firm valuation. In: Paper Presented at Dartmouths Center for Corporate Governance Conference: Contemporate Governance; 2002. p. 12-3. Fianna J, Grant K. The revised OECD principles of corporate governance and their relevance to non-OECD countries, vol. 13. Blackwell Publishing Ltd; 2005. p. 2. Freeman, R.E (1994). The Stakeholder Theory of Modern Corporations. Concepts, evidence and implications, Academy of Management Review Vol. 20, 65-91 Greenspan, A. (2002) Corporate Governance in Emerging Markets Hart, O. (1995), â€Å"Corporate Governance, Some Theory and Applications, The Economic Journal 105: 687-689 Jenkinson T. and Mayer C.P. (1994). Hostile takeovers defense attack and corporate performance. McGraw Hill. Jensen, M. C. and Meckling, W. H (1976). Theory of the Firm: Managerial Behaviour, Agency Costs and Ownership Structure. Journal of Financial economics 3(3): 305-60 John, K., and L. Senbet (1998), â€Å"Corporate Governance and Board Effectiveness†, Journal of Banking and Finance 22: 371-403. OECD (2005), Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State Owned Enterprises Roberts, J. T. McNulty, et al (2005). â€Å"Beyond agency conceptions of the work of the non-executive director: creating accountability in the boardroom†. Special Edition. British Journal of Management 16:S5-S26 Sarpong, K.K. (1999) Financial Reporting in Emerging Capital Markets: A Case Study of Ghana, PHD Thesis, The University of Warwick Watts, R. L. 1977. Corporate Financial Statements, a Product of the Market and Political Processes. Australian journal of Management: 53-75. Watts, R. L. and J. L. Zimmerman. 1978. Towards a Positive Theory of the determination of Accounting Standards. Accounting review: 112-34

Analyse the Strengths and Weaknesses of Spain by 1516 Essay

There were considerable differences between the Hispanic kingdoms within the Iberian peninsula. It was divided by language and religion, governed by different political institutions and ruled by monarchs with conflicting foreign interests. Both Aragon and Castile had very little in common. The economies varied in strength in different parts of Spain, for example Catalonia was in decline whilst Valencia was in the recovery stage. The marriage of Isabella and Ferdinand in 1469 dramatically changed the course of Spain. The Queen was a determined and quick-witted woman, with a ‘street-fighter’s instinct for survival’. She guaranteed privileges to nobles and town authorities, promised to restore law and order and was the only claimant with an undisputed right to the throne. Ferdinand played a role in leading Isabella’s troops against the Portuguese and French invasions and recaptured rebellious towns, all helping to stabilise the crown. His brother also aided Isabella by commanding the Hermandad meaning that although his father died, no Aragonese nobles contested the crown. Royal authority had declined during the weak rule of Henry IV and it needed to be asserted and there was also the problem of law and order (lots of disorder in Castile due to the 5 years civil war). There were still supporters of Joanna; a minority of the nobility had fought against Isabella e.g Marquis of Vienna. The Hermandad at least brought some justice to the countryside, which benefited Castilian towns as well as law-abiding landowners. Hermandades had never been controlled so extensively by the Crown, it significantly contributed to the improvements in local administration. Corregidores were also having an impact (administrators of cities and districts with both administrative and judicial powers). They were used by the Catholic Monarchs to strengthen royal authority rather than revive local responsibility Ferdinand and Isabella travelled extensively in Castile. They spent relatively little time in Aragon in his 37-year reign (7 years). This was a very important means of asserting royal authority by showing themselves to their subjects and establishing an effective working relationship with their nobility and to discipline any troublemakers. Ferdinand and Isabella visited every Castilian town at least once. Ferdinand tried to increase royal authority over Aragonese towns by trying to introduce new procedures for the election of municipal offices. His idea of sending royal governors to towns was rejected preventing royal authority encroaching. Isabella was able to have a greater effect on improving local administration than her husband. She tried to protect, by intervention, town people from impressive nobles and nominated jurados to sit on town councils. She persisted with the idea of Corregidores in towns, despite opposition, and the number of towns with them increased (Toledo for instance enjoyed a long period of peace largely due to Gomez Manrique, its Corregidore.). Their authority varied, some governed entire regions, and others had a limited impact. However, overtime they became more corrupt lowering the standards of local administration. The civil war left deep scars and required close supervision to work effectively. Both Isabella and Ferdinand dispersed justice personally. The Hermandad was unpopular and it demanded taxation on local people for its maintenance. It was officially dissolved in 1498 as nobles increasingly disliked it (didn’t want too much crown influence). The crowns political strength lay into relationship with the nobility. Ferdinand and Isabella however, due to incompatible promises in the 1470’s, were in a different situation as some families expected rewards for their role in the civil war. This often contradicted what Isabella had said about protecting the rights of the towns. Isabella decided to harness the power of the nobility and tried to regain land given out by Henry IV. Isabella and Ferdinand on a smaller scale in Aragon gave the nobles rights to collect sales tax and confirmed their exemption from direct tax. This guaranteed their social and economic position. Also nobles who had fought against Isabella in the civil war were given fair agreements such as the Marquis of Vienna in order to preserve social stability. Those on her side were awarded with for example dukedoms guaranteeing their continuing support. Although some nobles maintained control of regional politics, which was a big threat to the crown as they had no standing army, whereas most nobles kept retainers. An example of when the crown and nobility worked together to ensure the stability of the country was the Granada between 1482 and 1492. Some of the nobility actually served in the war and fought on behalf of the crown against the Muslims. The war helped to enhance royal prestige. However, outbreaks of civil disorder and violence in Castile in the early years of the sixteenth century suggest that royal administration was beginning to break down. Nobles became better educated and there was an emergence of letrados (lawyers). Most Castilian and Aragonese peasants enjoyed a period of relative prosperity, with wage rises, stable prices and plenty of employment in the countryside. Town life was changing rapidly, Castilian merchants experienced a dramatic increase in trade and commerce, which led to a growth in business and rising prosperity for those in work. However, due to an increase in population town authorities were faced with the problem of vagrancy where people wonder from place to place and don’t usually have a home. The Catholic Monarchs intended to enhance the welfare of their subjects. They maintained the Mesta’s monopoly and continued wool trade, which was high in demand in the Low Countries. Taxes on wool and sheep and the establishment of trade links with America (gold bullion), proved extremely beneficial. Maintaining the quality of Castile’s coinage and establishing a currency common to both kingdoms, monetary if not economic unity was achieved. Overseas trade was strengthened with Venice as a base, and the financial status and prosperity of Barcelona recovered from the effects of the civil war in the 1460s. However the Spanish economy had a number of weaknesses, poor communications (bad roads, mountainous), a network of internal customs duties and inland tolls and resistance to state intervention in effecting changes in agriculture, guilds and industry. Regionalism was a very powerful force and applied to the economy. There was no significant attempt to integrate the two economies, for example, trade with Americas was a Castilian monopoly (intensified hostility between two kingdoms, threat of inflation and decline in currency). The only measure that was taken was the standardisation of the currency in 1497. The Spanish Crown failed to protect and promote its native industries and focused too much on exportation of wool than developing its textile industry. Also, the persecution of the Conversos and Jews (many of them were skilled craftsmen) damaged wool trade, while the silk trade was damaged with war in Granada (mudejars were main producers of silk, many were killed while others emigrated). Spanish wealth and commercial gains from the New World could potentially fall through due to its lack of incorporation.

Essay on Videogames Dont Kill People, People Kill People

Videogames Don’t Kill People, People Kill People Every generation has pointed a finger at the recreational pastimes of young persons, accusing that these activities lead our nations youth astray and induce violent or antisocial behavior. Novels, music, TV, movies, and now the finger is pointing straight at one of the newest and quickest growing youth pastimes; videogames. This particular pastime differs from others in their reality and scope for direct participation, therefore allowing the crusty old curmudgeons to conclude that playing them leads all young people to commit acts of violence. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Numerous studies have been conducted to determine whether or not there is a direct link between violent tendencies and†¦show more content†¦According to an article from Current Events, Harris had a self-modified version of Doom, a â€Å"Mature† rated game. However, it has since been proven that Harris had a very traumatic home life and a not-so-nice social life (â€Å"The Games Kids Play†, 2). Such factors, Walling states, â€Å"... are more predictive of youth violence and delinquency†(1). According to Gamespot’s Shahed Ahmed, research conducted by several psychologists on the short-term effects of violent videogames on kids, recently told the â€Å"... American Psychological Association that inborn traits are more likely to induce aggressive behavior in children than the direct affect of violent games†(1). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Ahmed goes on to explain the experiment in detail. Twenty-five boys and ten girls were given questionnaires, so as to determine their gaming habits. The children were then allowed to play both violent and relatively non-violent games for a period of fifteen minutes. Afterwards, they were presented with hypothetical situations and were judged on their responses to said scenarios. The researchers were able to conclude that playing violent games does not induce aggressive behavior in the short term. However, they did note that children who were inherently aggressive chose to play the more violent games (1). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Many parents and teens argue that no normal kid would be transformed by a videogame’s violence. Teens are smartShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Video Games On Youth2604 Words   |  11 PagesYouth In modern video game stores, topics that would have previously been viewed as taboo are now widely displayed and accepted as normal, such as violence. Some people question as to whether or not it is beneficial for people, especially children, to see these behaviors on a regular basis. It has become clear that many of the people who have drawn attention to this issue use studies and research whose credibility should be and in many cases has been questioned. The media takes these studies andRead MoreThe Elephant Man By David Lynch1266 Words   |  6 PagesMovies and novels deal with many serious real life issues these days, people with disabilities are no exception, and this is all fine but it all matters if the issue is accurate and non-offensive. Well despite what many people think, most media representations of disabled people these days are accurate. There are numerous amount of films and novels that feature disabled people and here are some reasons why they are accurate. First and foremost, media representations don’t just go from film to novelsRead MoreBook Report On The Booksports 1605 Words   |  7 Pageswith you. There are plenty of stories of people falling out of love for various reasons. This normally happens when two people don t agree with something, or when the equilibrium of the relationship is off in some kind of way. You have to ignite the fire back into your relationship by renewing it sometimes. 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After getting a complete medical history on the participants, they tested their cognitive function at intervals over a seven year period. What did they find? According to this research, the two best ways to reduce the risk of dementia is to eliminate diabetes and depression - both of which are dementia risk factors. If both of these factors were eliminated and more people were encouragedRead More Video Game Addiction Essay3908 Words   |  16 Pages The controversial topic of video game addiction is what I have decided to focus my multi-genre research project on. Although a multitude of people do not even know of the existence of such a problem in todays society, I can assure you that this is becoming an increasingly greater problem effecting people around the world of all ages. Through my multi-genre project, I intend on proving the uselessness and detrimental qualities of playing video games, and I am going to explore some healthyRead MoreIs The Real Life Zombies Today? 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This speech, in conjunction with the Disney film Our Friend the Atom, provides a clear window to the ideas of the American people on the atom. Per example, in â€Å"Atoms for Peace†Read MoreEssay on Violent Video Games1848 Words   |  8 Pagesgames, and their parents bought 225 million of them last year to the tune of $6.4 billion.† (Sider 79).What’s here to argue is that violent video games do not cause violence among children, but the blame for violence should be on the individual and people who should have taught the individual better. If kids are not able to see the difference between reality and fantasy, then they really can’t be blamed for committing acts they see in a game and then imitating, not fully understanding the consequencesRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesSociology 14 †¢ Anthropology 14 There Are Few Absolutes in OB 14 Challenges and Opportunities for OB 15 Responding to Economic Pressures 15 †¢ Responding to Globalization 16 †¢ Managing Workforce Dive rsity 18 †¢ Improving Customer Service 18 †¢ Improving People Skills 19 †¢ Stimulating Innovation and Change 20 †¢ Coping with â€Å"Temporariness† 20 †¢ Working in Networked Organizations 20 †¢ Helping Employees Balance Work–Life Conflicts 21 †¢ Creating a Positive Work Environment 22 †¢ Improving Ethical Behavior 22

The Anxiety Of Bipolar Disorder - 1679 Words

Bipolar Disorder is an illness that affects channels of communication filling it with unnecessary noise. With competent communication using skills of listening, interpretation of nonverbal communication, and understanding the movement of self-concept within a Bipolar Disorder individual it becomes easier to interpret their messages and to send your own. Bipolar Disorder individuals disregard advice when they are manic, and start to loose quality of life within depression. Although they may range in a large spectrum of mood they are the only ones that can help themselves in an interpersonal relationship with their doctor to start to aide their unquiet minds. Bipolar disorder, commonly known as Manic-Depressive†¦show more content†¦They stated that people with bipolar disorder â€Å"Would reject advice when they feel more positive and follow advice when they feel more depressed.† (Mansell Lam 2006, p. 1798) In an elevated or manic state individuals start to reach areas in their of thinking and feeling that it understood by very few. Similar to how depression cannot be grasped by those that have never experienced it, the same stands for the elation of mania. The name mania can imply quite a lot about the experience. It is not that the individual starts to become a crazed cannibal, but rather begins a path to change in inhibition. These manic episodes can vary in length and time. Just as the episodes can vary, so can the severity of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I is classified as the full swing of the worst of depressions to mania that is pushed so far it ends in hospitalizations. Bipolar II experiences the same depths of depr ession along with mania that doesn’t usually end is hospitalizing, but still creating a strong negative influence on the individual. Bipolar disorder creates real moods that can last days, weeks, and sometimes years. There is a wide array how individuals will cycle through their moods and it seems to continue to be a life full of adjustments. With proper adjustment of medication and help from a physician normalcy can be established. There is no cure for this illness, only a life full of self-monitoring and medical aide. Even with a wholeShow MoreRelatedThe Anxiety Of Bipolar Disorder1467 Words   |  6 PagesBipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks (nimh.nih.gov). People that have this mental illness tend to easily lose their focus and gets triggered by anything that changes their mood. There are two types of episodes that occurs manic and depressive. During a manic episode, a person often behaves recklessly, picking fights and lashing out at people. During aRead MoreEati ng, Bipolar and Anxiety Disorders1145 Words   |  5 PagesIn 2010, eating disorders had a reported 7,000 deaths each year. Not only this, but 3%-5% of children under the age of 18 have an anxiety disorder. Also 15% of all bipolar disorder patients have committed suicide. Eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorders are all prevalent today throughout all ages. Even middle schoolers. Eating Disorders Eating disorders are abnormal eating habits that usually involve eating too little or too much food to the harmful point of both physical andRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder1302 Words   |  6 PagesBipolar Disorder is categorized by periods of both depression and mania, with both full remission and lingering symptoms (Pavlova et al., 2016). 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The American War Of 1844-48 - 1217 Words

A once young Ulysses S. Grant once said, â€Å"I do not think there was ever a more wicked war than that waged by the United States on Mexico† (274). The Mexican-American War of 1844-48 was both a controversial and significant part of United States history, yet it’s forgotten by most Americans today. Events such as, the American-Civil War and Spanish-American war overshadows the memory of the Mexican-American War. However without the consequences of the American conflict with Mexico, American history would look significantly different. That is why some historians record and write works to great lengths to keep the war alive for generations. Amy S. Greenberg is one of those people. Her book, A Wicked War, tells the epic tale of complex 19th†¦show more content†¦A Wicked War successfully answers the who, what, when, where, and why in a 368 page book. Greenberg, a Professor of History, has decades of familiarity with American history and her research comes from countless reliable sources. As for me, a high school student who willingly spent countless hours reading her book, A Wicked War is successful as a narrative on the Mexican-American War. Amy S. Greenberg successfully achieves the goal of writing a true â€Å"narrative history of the war† (xiii), by structuring her content in an effective unbiased manner. Page xiii focuses on introducing the book to the reader. Greenberg points out and tells what her intentions of writing the book are and gives significant context to the reader. She points out what message she wants to convey; discussing what she will and not talk about in her book. Quoted, â€Å"This is not a comprehensive history of the U.S.-Mexican War...tactics, minor battles†¦ will receive limited coverage†, thus she makes it very clear that she is trying to convey that it is, â€Å"instead is a narrative history of the war†. As a result, this gives the reader a brief informative idea when reading the book just before providing some brief context. Pages xiv-xix successfully gives a brief insight into many significant figures in enough detail. She does this by giving a brief summary p aragraph discussing the basic history of Henry Clay, James K. Polk, Abraham

Stefan’s Diaries The Craving Chapter 21 Free Essays

Damon and I remained in the cell for several minutes after the man left, too stunned to even contemplate escaping. The guards didn’t come back in with the keys. I didn’t blame them. We will write a custom essay sample on Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 21 or any similar topic only for you Order Now I cursed, slamming the bars. It seemed that no matter what I decided to do, which way I turned, things got worse. And the Sutherlands†¦ they had just been innocent bystanders, swept up in the path of destruction just because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. While my brother didn’t actively cause their deaths, he was no less responsible. I turned on him, ready to tear him apart. And then I saw the look on his face. Damon’s eyes had glazed over and he leaned against the wall for support. He’d worn the same dazed expression for weeks after he’d woken up as a vampire and discovered that Katherine was dead. â€Å"What was that?† he whispered, finally looking at me. But I had no idea what that was. All I knew was that it was more powerful, more dangerous, more deadly than any creature I’d ever encountered. Anger at my brother drained away and something like exhaustion set in. â€Å"I’m not sure, though I think he left me a message,† I said, remembering the bloody scrawl on the side of the Sutherlands’ home. â€Å"But what was that about Katherine? What was he to her?† Damon shrugged. â€Å"I have no idea. She never told me about that†¦ thing.† â€Å"He said we took her from him. What the hell does that mean? What curse is he talking about? Did Emily cast a spell on someone?† I said. I began to pace, my mind racing. â€Å"I’m guessing it means he believes we killed her. Which you did, brother,† Damon said. In a pique, Damon sat down, stretched his legs out, and put his hands behind his head, pillowing it against the stone. I would get no more answers out of him. I slid down against the bars and buried my head in my hands, thinking of my time with Katherine. Had she ever said anything about her past? Let anything slip? But I had been so completely under her thrall that it was impossible to know what had been real and what she had compelled me to believe. Though I remembered biting her, I didn’t have any memory of her feeding me her blood. But she must have often, as I had enough of her blood in my system to come back as a vampire after my father shot me. In a funny way, Katherine had made me. We were almost like her children. My mind snagged. â€Å"Did Katherine ever tell you about her sire?† I asked, putting words to a horrible thought forming in my mind. â€Å"The vampire who made her?† Damon looked up at me, shocked out of his sulk. â€Å"You think†¦ ?† I nodded. Damon leaned back and knocked his head against the wall. He had been genuinely in love with Katherine. I wondered if meeting Katherine’s maker made our little tryst in Mystic Falls seem like a speck in the vastness of eternity. â€Å"I suppose we should call a guard over and compel him to free us,† he said tiredly. A sound of commotion from the lobby stopped us. There were muffled thuds, like bodies hitting the floor. There was a scream. It was high-pitched and hard to tell whether it came from a woman or a man, so great was the pain. Then came the grating sound of a desk being moved, and what might have been a wooden chair being shattered against the wall. I stood. So did Damon. Damon and I glanced at each other. The pocket watch Winfield had given me ticked loudly in the sudden silence. The door to the stockade opened once again and in came a girl wearing men’s trousers and black suspenders, a long blond braid over her shoulder. â€Å"Lexi!† I gasped. â€Å"I’m growing tired of bailing you boys out,† she said as she shook the key at us. â€Å"I should leave you in there overnight, teach you a lesson about making trouble,† she joked. I reached through the bars to grab her free hand. â€Å"I’ve never been happier to see anyone.† â€Å"I don’t doubt it,† Lexi said drily, but a small smile curved the edges of her lips. Damon rolled his eyes. â€Å"We were just about to free ourselves, thank you very much.† â€Å"I don’t doubt that, either. Just figured I’d speed up the escape,† she said. Her nose twitched, and her flat tone indicated she didn’t entirely approve of his existence. The last time she’d seen him, he’d just gotten through killing Callie and was starting in on me. â€Å"So did you knock out the entire precinct?† Damon asked, straightening the shoulders of his jacket. Lexi undid the final lock on the door. The door sprang open and I rushed to hug her. â€Å"No, only some of them. The rest I compelled. Some of us don’t like needless violence – or messes that need to be explained later,† she said into my shoulder. I released her and she motioned us toward the door. â€Å"Now let’s get out of here before anyone else shows up.† â€Å"I always cover my tracks,† Damon said defensively as we rushed through the door of the containment area and into the front offices. Several policemen sat at their desks, poring over ledgers, oblivious to the two prisoners escaping and the general state of disarray. Desks had been pushed aside, among the splintery remains of what had once been a chair, and the man who had sat there was lying on the floor, a rivulet of blood leaking from his head. But his eyes were open and he appeared to be whispering some word over and over again. â€Å"Strong-willed, that one,† Lexi said. â€Å"How were you able to find us?† I asked, following her down the stairs. â€Å"A mysterious Italian count with black hair and ice-blue eyes and a flair for the dramatic sweeps into the New York social scene and very quickly marries the most eligible society girl?† she said, rolling her eyes. â€Å"They ran your picture in the social pages.† Damon at least had the grace to look sheepish. â€Å"I always cover my tracks,† she mimicked. â€Å"There are a lot of ways to live rich and powerfully as a vampire†¦ none of which involve sweeping into the New York social scene†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"†¦ and marrying the most eligible society girl. Fair enough,† Damon conceded. â€Å"At least I did it with style.† We exited the prison, and the cold evening air washed over me. The stars were just beginning to flicker in the night sky, and the gaslights cast a warm glow over the street. It was a beautiful night, the like of which Bridget, Lydia, Winfield, and Mrs. Sutherland would never enjoy again – all because of me, Damon, and Katherine. I only came to New York to escape. Escape Damon, memories of Callie, vampires, Mystic Falls, Katherine†¦ and yet it all still followed me like an onerous shadow. I knew then that I’d never escape my past, not fully. Such dark things don’t fade with time – they merely reverberate through the centuries. I could only hope that Margaret was safe somewhere, away from the hell-beast that had violently murdered her entire family. How to cite Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 21, Essay examples

Drake Concert World Music Essay Example For Students

Drake Concert World Music Essay Concert The energy and vibe at the Drake concert was so live and intense. The vitality of the crowd was very immense. Although he is known as Drake, the superstar singer, rapper, songwriter and composers birth name is Aubrey Drake Graham. Mostly famous for writing flirtatious songs to attract the attention of many female celebrities, Drake offers a new artistic wrinkle in comparison to Masc. who can only rhyme. Beyond being able to carry a note and his lyrical dexterity, its the directness and interpolation that underlines Drakes words that implement him to associate with fans on a more profound level. And that is typically what his musical selections varied from; songs that revolved around the expression of his feelings. His first mistake, So Far Gone was a temperamental collection of tracks that discloses the anecdote of his ascent into adulthood. Girl troubles, pains of growing and uncertainty are the emotions apprehended on the set. It was a rare craft and as he and producer Noah Siebel sampled from many well-known rap tracks and ambiguous hipster mounds to create a pop shine that was observable for the masses. And the other albums, Thank Me Later, Take Care and Nothing Was the Same were his glorified pieces of work that gracefully displayed his feelings and I could here every heart felt emotion in the lyrics. The dancers on stage were so energetic and so engrossed in the performance that by looking at them you could literally feel how hard their heart was beating because you would be breaking a sweat too from dancing to the beat. As for Drake, when he would sing a high-tempo song such as Headlines, everyone would e dancing to the beat so aggressively because that song got their adrenaline going. Other slow and mellow songs like Over my Dead Body and Margins Room, Drake slowed down the tempo and his demeanor on stage was very sensual and seductive that it still had a majority of the females in awe and their adrenaline rushing. The way Drake would transition from fast to slow songs gave the audience a chance to flow with performance, while at the same time being prepared to Jump up and down to the beat when the high tempo songs would come on. The balance of the paces was incredible because you literally could tell he was putting everything in it because the singing and performing effort did not change. There were not any other performers on stage with him besides the hype man, but their interaction with each other were dynamic because they were able to accompany the crowd into the songs. Before some songs, Drake would ask the females how their relationships were, then transition into a heart-felt song concerning relationships and grabbing the attention of an intimate partner. His body language was typically in a strong, masculine posture that did not show any forms of weakness. Drakes body language also showed some sensual moments when he would do some of the seductive dance Drake Concert World Music Paper 2 By anger on the hand. His whole demeanor gave off a very intimate and sexual vibe that aroused the many female fans in attendance. The d ©core, lighting and venue really set the mood for this concert. When songs were upbeat, the lights would go crazy by flickering, change color and distinguish in shapes between circles and lines. When songs were downbeat, the soft colors would appear and the patterns of the lights would not be as intense as it would if an upbeat song was playing. Whether the lights were on or off, the energy and focus of the crowd did not change one bit and the arena was full of life. As far as my ethnographic observations go, I learned that the words and beats of his music serves as a message and he wanted to send this message of love and affection to everyone who was willing to hear. I felt the audience was also very open in receiving his message because they would sing the songs as Drake would sing it as if it were one big karaoke bar. There also was an expression of emotion they had on their face was a perfect description of the meaning of the words hat he sang in his songs. .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b , .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b .postImageUrl , .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b , .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b:hover , .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b:visited , .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b:active { border:0!important; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b:active , .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u98dae3a27fa031d957744a87947ac19b:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: How Bill Gates Changed The WorldWhen I was observing, I felt that the audience was in a trance, but at the same time experiencing the same emotion he felt when writing it himself. My own preconceptions did not really affect my research and listening experience when I went to this concert. I listen to Drake a lot and I love his well rounded, and ability to be lyrically agile. If I have never heard a certain artist or song, then I would be open to listen to it but if do not like it then I will not be listening to that particular artist or song anymore. As a performer, I did not have the same type f audience to entertain and interact with like Drake, but I did have a lot of interaction from the audience when I would perform. There was plenty of positive energy that made it easier for me to sing songs without holding anything back and produce a tremendous sound. Being able to compare and contrast my experience as a performer and member in the audience was very good. By attending this concert, it allowed me to see many differences in an amateur and professional performance, but at the same time have a great time being involved in a research I had a blast taking part in.