Explain how fate and Oedipus's own essential nnature combine to make Essay

Explain how fate and Oedipus's own essential nnature combine to make him a tragic hero - Essay Example   The search for the truth depicts Oedipus’ tragic nature.   The make-up of a classic tragic figure include characteristics such as a fatal flaw, noble background, and inevitable downfall.   This paper analyzes three specific instances of Oedipus’ search for the truth that suggest his qualities of a tragic hero:   his blind hubris, his remorse upon his epiphany and his self fulfilling prophecy indicting his downfall.   Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Oedipus was determined to find the murderer and asked Creon about the context surrounding the crime.   His relentless pursuit of the truth reveals his essential nature as a tragic hero. He was told that Laius was on pilgrimage when he was slain. The only witness fled the scene indicating that there was a group of robbers: I go, but first will tell thee why I came. Thy frown I dread not, for thou canst not harm me. Hear then: this man whom thou hast sought to arrest With threats and warrants this lo ng while, the wretch Who murdered Laius--that man is here. (5-6) This quotation indicates that Oedipus curiosity of the murder of his father. This is a unique quote in that it sets the stage for the search for the murderer of his father. This starts the path to self destruction. ... He has already lived up to the prophecy that was delivered to him, now he pursues the knowledge that will vindicate the verdict.   Oedipus’ search for the truth initiates his compounding hubris.   His blind sense of pride distorts his view of his objective and leads to his inevitable downfall.   In this manner, Oedipus’ pursuit of his prophecy marks his tragic flaw.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Oedipus poses the assumption that he is being framed by Creon who seeks his position as king. This quotation represents Oedipus’ deployment of defense mechanism as a means of justifying why he could never be implicated in the murder of his father. While at the same time, he deploys the mechanism because he is coming to grips with the conclusion that he could indeed be the murderer (Dawe, 2006). Oedipus is attempting to escape the knowledge of his fulfillment of his preordained fate. While his search for the answer drives him further insane, he feels as if he will never returned to normality until he knows for sure. He escapes the bliss of ignorance out of pure curiosity.   The brink of his insanity represents the knowledge he must gain in order to undergo the tragic hero’s traditional epiphany.   Once Oedipus’ crosses this line and gains this great realization, he finds that it is essentially too little, too late.   Despite the immense remorse he feels internally, his fate as a tragic hero has already been sealed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Oedipus realized that his self fulfilled prophecy could have been handed down to his daughters who will have no husbands. Hence he seeks their departure with him to a land where he will not be followed by his dreadful past. "He cries, 'Unbar the doors and let all Thebes Behold the slayer of his sire, his mother's--' That shameful word my lips

Pre-school children Essay Example for Free

Pre-school children Essay I carried out my observation on a group of pre-school children consisting 1 boy and 2 girls for 13 minutes in the morning free play session. These children were about to do leaf and twig printing for the first time. The equipment that was provided was yellow paint, brown paint and green paint all of these were in small paint trays. There was also sugar paper for the children to print their leaves on. There was also various sized leafs and twigs in a small tray. Each child went and put their aprons on. Then they came and sat sown around the table on the chairs. I explained to them what they have to do and I demonstrated this by dabbing a leaf into the paint and printing it onto a piece of sugar paper. Then I got a piece of twig and dabbed it into the paint and printed it onto the sugar paper. The children listened to me carefully and then they started to their printing. A picked a large leaf using her right and looked at it, and then she said wow, look at how many colours this leaf has, 1, 2, 3 different colours. Next she carefully lifted another large leaf she dabbed it into the green painted. Next she printed the leaf onto the large piece sugar paper. R picked up a twig and he stroked it into the brown paint; next he stroked the twig onto the piece of sugar paper and whilst he was doing this he said this paint is going in lines, it looks like chocolate, weeeeehhh. Beside this K picked up a leaf and dabbed it into the yellow paint. K rubbed the leaf into the yellow paint, next he lifted the leaf from the yellow paint and placed the leaf in the green paint, and again he rubbed the leaf and said while doing this he excitedly said I am mixing colours. Next I asked the children where do leaves come from? A quickly answered they come from trees. R added then they fall off the trees. K also added twigs come from trees as well. K said Look, I made a nice picture, she also added I have got 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 leaves printed. Soon after R picked up a leaf and said loudly this leaf is red, yellow and brown. A picked up a twig and using both of her hands she rolled it into the green paint, she next rolled the twig onto the sugar paper. A picked up 3 different sized leaves and placed them onto the sugar paper and said this one is tiny, this one is a little bit bigger and this one is the biggest. R then said excitedly look my twig has made patterns. A leaned over to have look at Rs picture. A said it hassss! . Then she looked at her picture and said look! My leaves have made patterns in the middle. Next K held up her paper and said I am finished! . She placed her paper on the drying rack and took her apron off, washed her hands and went to play with some toys. R and A also said that they had finished they placed their pieces of paper onto the drying rack. Next they removed their aprons and washed their hands and went to play. E6 E7 E10 I carried out my observation on a group of morning children of the pre-school for a total of 13 minutes approximately whilst they had a free play. I observed how a group of children play with natural materials and noting how it helps them to learn. While I was observing this small group of children playing I noticed that this activity helps them to learn about the knowledge and understanding of the world. I also noticed that they were interacting and communicating really well with each other. You can view this by reading my observation in E5. But we must remember that each child develops at their own pace. This group of childrens ages range from 3:6 years to 3: 9 years. The Foundation Stage Curriculum states Knowledge and Understanding of The World; children notice and comment on patterns (2000, pg89). This statement was from the green area stepping stone and this shows me that this group of children are at the correct developmental stage. But we must remember that each child is an individual. Also The Foundation Stage Curriculum states Mathematical Development; children count actions and objects that cannot be moved (2000, pg 75). This statement from The Foundation Stage Curriculum is from the green area stepping stone, and it shows me that K is at the correct developmental stage because you can see from my observation in E5 that K was counting the leaf printings on her piece of sugar paper. The Foundation Stage Curriculum also states Mathematical Development; children use size language such as big and little. This statement shows me that R is at the correct developmental stage because he was using size language when he was describing the three leaves. You can see this by viewing my observation in E5.

Free Will in Shooting an Elephant and Antigone :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Free Will in Shooting an Elephant and Antigone Free will can be defined as: â€Å"The right, given to humans by God, to make their own decisions.† A mans free will cannot be destroyed by any power other than God. Humans can always exercise their free will when making decisions. However, when their decisions come in conflict with the laws set by a higher power, they might face consequences based on how they choose to use their free will. The more restrictions imposed upon someone’s free will the more restricted their ability to make decisions become. The extent to which someone may exercise their free will can be defined as their â€Å"freedom.† Therefore, the more laws imposed upon someone’s free will the more restricted their freedom. Although no power, save God, can destroy free will, they can limit and even destroy someones freedom. In the essay Shooting an Elephant George Orwell argues that, â€Å"when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys† (Orwell, 704). Fr ee will is indestructible; an example of Orwell’s destruction of freedom but preservation of free will is given in his essay. In Antigone an example of how even though higher powers can limit your decisions they cannot stop you from exercising your free will. According to Orwell his freedom was destroyed when he took on the role of the tyrant. His job was that of a sub-divisional police officer in Lower Burma. A crisis arose in which he was faced with a hard decision to make. An elephant had gone on a rampage in the village and had destroyed countless huts and killed a man. When Orwell came upon the elephant it was clear to him that it had calmed down and that the elephant would cause no more harm to anyone. Orwell was faced with a decision: he could either shoot the beast or wait until his master came to get him. However, this decision was made much more complicated. Orwell was surrounded by two thousand Burmans who, as Orwell said, â€Å"were watching me as they would watch a conjurer about to perform a magic trick.† Although the Burmans were all underneath him and subject to him, he was very concerned about what they thought he should do. He was so concerned in fact he concluded that he had to do as they wished of him.

Text Analysis of Gerry Adam’s Speech After 1994 Ira Ceasefire

A) Who wrote the text, when, and what was their role? Gerry Adams in October 1994. Gerry Adams is the political leader of the nationalist party Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland. B) In what historical context was the text produced? Throughout the twentieth century, Northern Ireland has been divided in its identity and affiliations as a state and nation. There are those who say the entirety of Ireland should be one nation, separate from the sovereignty of Britain. And there are those who believe that even just parts of Ireland should still be loyal to the Crown and Britain. This civil war was also fuelled by sectarian conflict.Most Catholics were nationalists, and most Protestants were loyalists. On the second half of the twentieth century, paramilitary groups on both sides used a staggering amount of violence against each other, including a bombing attempt on former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. It was only in the late 1980s that there has been significant progress in the pea ce process. This included the power sharing treaties such as the Anglo-Irish Agreement on 1985, and the Downing Street Declaration at 1993. At the end of August 1994, the Irish Republican Army announced a ceasefire of its paramilitary actions.C) What information can be gained from the text? Gerry Adams is of the view that Ireland should be able to exercise self-determination. He is also of the view that the British government is doing more harm than good, by stalling and intervening with the Irish nationalists. He likens the case of Northern Ireland to that of South Africa, where a new structure of government would advance the peace process. Gerry Adams also lists the ways that the British government has tried to intervene in Northern Ireland, specifically how they have all been failures.The failure of the previous Stormont Government, the B-Specials, and as well as the British government's failures in upholding their word. He accuses the British government of stalling advances of t he peace process. D) What significance did the text have in its own time? (i. e. How was it received, responded to, celebrated or decried? ) What problems may the text pose for the historian? It was both celebrated and criticised. Those of the nationalist mind supported Adam's speech. But there was also those that were skeptical of not only his speech, but as well as the actions that has taken place in the past few months.Adams also mentions that complete peace cannot be done overnight, and would involve inclusive dialogue from all parties. His speech reinforces what the conservative nationalists have believed all along. The ceasefire in August 1994, along with the loyalist ceasefire, created some ground in Sinn Fein's campaign in getting into peace talks. In December 1994, it was announced that Sinn Fein would be included in talks. So this speech was instrumental in determining the goal of Sinn Fein at the time, as well as furthering it into realisation. Those skeptical of the Augu st ceasefire definitely voiced their concerns.Permanency was the concept that the loyalists wanted. This speech does not even address the issue of permanency. This is a glaring omission in Adams's speech seeing as it was what the British government was waiting for to advance the peace process on their side. Adams addresses the loyalist response of a ceasefire. Though deeming it as forced and reluctant, he still sees it a step forward and a compromise. What does happen later on, not covered in this speech, is that the IRA announces that it will keeps its weapons unless the British government invites them into peace talks.The IRA would then say that they were ready to give up its arms later on in December, and that this was fundamental in Sinn Fein's entry into peace talks. Another thing this speech misses is an accurate view of the British government at the time. Adams's speech focuses on the future of peace talks and nationalist inclusion. The insight of the British government is ve ry very limited in the address. It would mention the past actions, and indeed failures, of British intervention in North Ireland. He would also say so without giving reasons or details on why they have failed, merely mentioning that they did.This dismissal of detail would not necessarily be integral in the purpose of his address, but by omitting facts such as these, the speech's integrity can be compromised and more vulnerable for criticism. Bibliography Adams, G. , 1994, ‘Address by Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams 24 October 1994' Sinn Fein, Northern Ireland, http://www. sinnfein. ie/print/15200, viewed 25 March 2013 Joint Declaration 1993 (Downing St. Declaration) http://www. foreignaffairs. gov. ie/home/index. aspx? id=8734, last updated 28 Jan 2009Reuter, 1994, ‘IRA vows to keeps its guns until Sunn Fein can join talks', Toronto Star, London, viewed 27 March 2013, ProQuest DOI 437104235 Schiller B. , 1994, ‘IRA truce triggers joy, and caution U. K. asks: Can ce asefire hold and is it enough? , Toronto Star, London, viewed 27 March 2013, ProQuest DOI 437101608 ‘News Briefing Britain, Sinn Fein and landmark talks', 1994, The Globe and Mail, London, viewed 26 March 2013, Proquest DOI 385090706 Watt, N. & Webster, P. , 1994, ‘Adams Clarifies Ceasefire Term; Gerry Adams; IRA; Northern Ireland', The Times, London, viewed 26 March 2013, ProQuest DOI 318187621

How Does Priestley Show That Tension Is at the Heart of the Birling Family?

Priestley presents tension in various ways withing in the Birling family. At the beginning of the play, Priestley creates his tension by changing the colour of the lighting. The start is a ‘low and intimate pink' which could suggest a hidden tension within the family home. After the inspector arrives the lighting changes to a ‘bright, harsh white light' which makes the family look like they are in the spotlight of a police interrogation. This shows that there is tension at the heart of the Birling family as it may be hidden to begin with, certain comments give the reader a small insight to what is hidden and not spoken of.The light of being under interrogation works well as Inspector Goole is there is to accuse them of a crime and then asks them a series of questions to reveal the truth and the all the tension they have hidden. One of the hidden tensions within the Birling family is the fact that Mr. Birling talking about his business with Gerald at the dinner table celeb rating Shelia and Gerald's engagement, ‘Now, Arthur, I don't think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this'.This presents hidden tension because Mrs. Birling doesn't say what she really thinks, which could be that Mr. Birling talks about his business too much. Mr. Birling does not follow instructions for long proving that he cares more about his work than his own family. As any wife would be annoyed with this as they think that it should always be the other way around, Mrs. Birling is the same but knows she will not get anywhere so sighs and leaves him to get on with it.

Public relation

Public relation Introduction In present day society an organization’s reputation and appeal are some of the most important aspects ensuring a competitive edge and the benefit of continuous growth. It is really important for an enterprise to make a name in its environment as it instils a sense of patronage among those it serves best.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Public relation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This in turn boosts its performance in terms of increased sales or/and overwhelming profits. For this reason, organizations must depend on PR for their complete survival. (In this essay PR will be used to represent public relation). This is the basis of Public relation in any organization be it a profit or a non- profit making. The relationships between the public and organisations should be regulated in accordance with the field of application of this or that model. At the same time, it is necessary to remembers that some features of the public relations models are not appropriate for specific areas and occasions. As such, it is not appropriate for companies that are interested in improvement of their financial performance and popularity among the potential customers to use false advertising which is more regularly used for entertainment. However, there are cases of companies using deceptive advertising techniques that are, nevertheless, are not considered to be deceptive unless applied to legislature and issues where knowledge of laws and regulations is essential. The international relations should be regulated in accordance with the norms that are accepted in all countries. However, the similar tendencies in public relations sector reflect the development of the deceptive practices and their spread whereas the governments and other corresponding organisations do nothing to prevent spread of false information and other inappropriate issues. In this respect, the application of some of the publi c relations models can be questioned in terms of its effectiveness. So, the use of the press agentry model can be considered the most harmful when applied with the purpose of gaining money whereas the application of a two-way symmetric model is considered to be the most difficult though the most positive in terms of the outcomes.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In fact, the concept dates way back that there is even a chance it could be as old as human interaction by way of communication (Wilcox, 2009, p. 40). It originated from the United States way back in the twentieth century. However, activities by bodies of the government related to the concept of public relation have their roots in Britain especially when world war two was coming to a halt. Wilcox (2009) studies the transformation of the concept through three basic functions which include: press agentry, pu blicity, and counselling. It is worth noting that these three activities still have their way in present day society. There are four models associated with public relation as a concept. Through the models we are able to appreciate the process through which the concept evolved to form what is now the present day PR in the society. It was observed that the theories had a tendency to succeed each other as complements rather than overrule each other (Wilcox, 2009). Grunig and Hunt (1984) have discussed the theories precisely and elaborately basing their arguments from their knowledge on management as stated in their definition of the concept earlier (pp. 7-8). The four models as discussed by the two principles include: press agentry/publicity; public information; two-way asymmetric; and two-way symmetric (Grunig and Hunt, 1984, p. 22). They have placed a 2-way symmetric model as the most transformed public relation theory. Here now is a summary of each individual model and its contribut ion to the society. The Press Agentry/Publicist Model The press agentry which is also referred to as publicity is one of the types of public relations as part of the public relations model that is aimed at explaining the relationships between the public and an organization. Press agents are people engaged into the process of distributing information based on this model. Press agents are known to have no time for research of any kind on their subjects, because what matters most is how best they can manipulate personalities (Harrison, 2008). As such, the most notable feature of this model is the lack of necessity for truth.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Public relation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The similarities of this and other types of relations include the following: that it influences the attitude of public to an organization; uses one-way communication as well as the public information model; requires li ttle research as it is not based on the feedback either is the public information model. In this respect, it has more similarities with the public information model while it differs greatly from the two-way asymmetric model and the two-way symmetric models. One of the greatest examples of using the press agentry model refers to the distribution of one-way communication on the Internet. Specifically, due to the fact advertising has become sophisticated with the rise of new media, Australian advertisers create new ads on YouTube to promote the Carlton Draft bee (James, n. d., p. 139). This growing tendency to introduce advertising with the help of virtual space is, indeed, effective because the Internet users can sub-consciously receive advertising information even when they use YouTube for different purposes. The penetration to the communication space has allowed the producers to gain a competitive edge and capture greater market segments. As defined by Richards (1990), deceptive adv ertising which is regulated and controlled by the Federal Trade Commission can be treated as not being deceptive â€Å"for persons operating outside the legal context† (p. 20). In this respect, using video, audio and other media platforms that are downloaded on the Internet enables the advertisers to expand their influence on the potential customers and manipulate their demands. The Public Information Model The public information model is one of the four basic public relations models introduced by Grunig and Hunt (1984) to analyse and explain the relationships that occur between the public or its representatives and an organisation or a person that is influencing the public opinion or manipulates its awareness with some purposes.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, the public information is usually used by governmental and non-profit organizations in order to make the population aware of some issues such as importance of protected sex, danger of smoking, consequences of negligence, and other issues. In this respect, people usually perceive such information adequately without doubts because government does not want to make profits by using this strategy as well as companies do by advertising. The key similarities between the public information and other models related to public relationships include the following: it has the same communication scheme as the press agentry approach and is consequently based on the one-way communication technique; it uses little research because dissemination of information is the basic purposes as well as for the press agentry model; truth is important for this model as well as for the two-way symmetric model. One of the most effective examples of application of the public information model includes the information that is aimed at persuading people not to use drugs, informs about the effective rehabilitation methods issued by the health care institutions; different funds and ministries also distribute some information. As claimed by Bongila (2003), in the late nineteenth century in the United States, â€Å"the public information model held to the belief that private gifts could be raised efficiently and with greater morality by disseminating accurate information† (p. 33). As such, this public relation theory is characterised by a one-way form of communication where information is dispensed from one end and expected to be received in another (Ward, 1995). The Two-Way Asymmetric Model The two-way asymmetric model is one of the types of public relationships introduced in the framework of the four-type model by Grunig and Hunt. Grunig and Hunt (1984) refer to this as scientific persuasion. The main similarities of this model include the key features that are also typical of the two-way symmetric model of public relations: the nature of communication includes the two ways because both the organisation and public are interested in the outcomes of the interaction; formative research and a feedback also pertain to the similarities between the two-way symmetric model and the two-way asymmetric model; the areas of application is specific for this model and does not resemble other models. The main difference between the two-way asymmetric model and three other approaches of distributing information applied in public relations is that it is strongly based on attitudes. As such, forming the attitude and perception of an organisation by the public is one of the main purposes of this model of public relations. One of the examples of application of the two-way asymmetric model is the company that conducts researches and surveys on the way one of its brands is perceived by consumers in order to change something or select another target audience. For instance, as intro duced by Davidson (1992), Persil Automatic’s success â€Å"has demonstrated a precise and continuing understanding of the attitudes and lifestyles of the women who own such a machine† (p. 52). In other words, the company collects information and uses it to promote its goods and improving its competitive advantage. The Two-Way Symmetric Model The two-way symmetric model is the fourth of the models introduced by Grunig and Hunt (1984) pertaining to the field of public relations. This model is aimed at regulating the public relations with regard to the organisation and the public being interested in solving the problems the coping with certain difficulties. The area of application of this model is a bit similar to the one used for the public information model when the approach is applied to structured companies and regulated business. Grunig and Hunt (1984) suggest that this is the best of the public relation models as it is effective, though it is hard to come by. Grunig puts it that â€Å"idealism is and always has been a central part of the two-way symmetric model of communication and vital to the development of excellent PR both theoretically and practically† (Grunig, 1992, pp. 56-57; 307). The role of PR in an organization appears to be sacred (Grunig and Hunt, 1984, p.6-8). Merging his previous agenda for the theory of two-way symmetric communication it comes out apparently, that efficient public relation was characterized by aspects of symmetry, management, idealism and its social relevance (Grunig and Grunig, 1992). This clearly gives the public the mandate to influence the organization’s behavior which is not quite practical (Grunig, 1992, p.55-61). A good example of application of the two-way symmetric mode is the corporate social responsibility when a company is involved into different activities that improve its image for the public and other organisations. At the same time, the company benefits via increase in the financi al performance. Corporate philanthropy and community volunteering are claimed to be methods used as parts of the corporate social responsibility (Kotler Lee, 2005, pp. 31-32). It is possible to see the examples of corporate social responsibility practices in every large company. For instance, environmental protection issues and charity funds as well as relations of the manufacturers with suppliers pertain to the two-way symmetric model public relations. Conclusion In the works of Grunig it is clear from the definition all the way to the four remarkable models of PR that concept of idealism stands out mostly. His two-way symmetric model brought with it a lot of reforms to the public relation department of organization to enhance a mutual form of agreement between parties involved in place of persuasion. This is a step in the right direction because it aims at making the society a better place to live in. on that note, even with its shortcomings the model should be utilized to as far as it makes sense. In conclusion, anything aimed at making the society better than it is, is a noble course worth living for. References Bongila, J.-P. K., 2003. Funding Strategies for institutional advancement of private universities in the United States: applications for African/Congolese universities. Sydney: Universal-Publishers. Davidson, M. P., 1992. The consumerist manifesto: advertising in postmodern times. London: Routledge. Grunig, J, Hunt, T 1984, Managing Public Relations, Thomson, NY, USA. Grunig, JE Grunig, LA 1992, ‘Models of public relations and communication’, in JE Grunig (ed.), Excellence in public relations and communications management, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, New Jersey. Gruning, J E 1992, ‘Symmetrical versus asymmetrical public relation’ ,in D Dozier , W Ehling , L Grunig , F Repper J White (eds), Excellence in public relations and communication management , Lawrence Erlbaum associates, NJ, USA. Harrison, K 2008, S trategic public relations: a practical guide to success, 5th edn, Century Consulting Group, Perth, Australia. James, M n. d., ‘A Review of the Impact of New Media on Public Relations: Challenges for Terrain, Practice and Education’, Asia Pacific Public Relations Journal, University of Newcastle, vol. 8, 138-148. Kotler, P., Lee, N., 2005. Corporate social responsibility: doing the most good for your company and your cause. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Richards, J. I., 1990. Deceptive advertising, Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Ward, I 1995, Politics of the media, Macmillan, Melbourne. Wilcox, DL Cameron, GT 2009, Public relations: strategies and tactics, 9th edn (International edn), Pearson Education, Boston, Massachusetts.

Irelands Economy essays

Ireland's Economy essays The Republic of Ireland has experienced a tremendous amount of growth in its recent history. However, this was not always the case. During the 1980s, Ireland was one of Europes poorest countries. With its government out of control, the public debt was 120% of its national income. Even at the beginning of the 1990s, the unemployment rate was at 15%, the worst in all of the European Union. However, over the past decade, Ireland underwent a drastic change and currently holds place as one of the most well organized nations in Europe. According to statistics, over the past three years, Irelands economy has grown at an average rate of more than 7% per year and has reached 11% in the year 20000. Once a country that identified itself as a victim of Britain, Ireland is now a country that is recognized as an equal amongst European countries. Unemployment has also dropped a significant amount and the economy has moved to full employment. The skyrocketing public debt has also decreased to an astonishing 336.5% and stands as one of the lowest in the European Union. Productivity is defined as an increase in output per hour that raises the standard of living. There are four key factors that lead to an increase in productivity. These factors include education and the quality of the labor force, savings and investments, reallocation of resources, and finally, technological changes. In addition, according to Irelands Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, the countrys astonishing economic growth can be attributed to their efforts in peace, education, partnership, regional integration, and foreign direct investments. Although Irelands progress may differ slightly from those laid out in these four factors, the foundation still remains and aids in the explanation of its sudden growth. Irelands increased funding for education, combined with the use of information and new communications technologies...