Should The Surveillance Be Done in Public Areas Essay

Should The Surveillance Be Done in Public Areas - Essay Example Introduction of surveillance camera has significantly changed the security issues around the globe. Surveillance chiefly involves paying close and frequent attention to someone or something (Tavani, 2001). This is usually for a particular reason, whether private or public and for a certain period of time. In addition surveillance usually takes many forms, such as listening and smelling devices and wiretapping, but in this case, it is important to focus on surveillance involving cameras, placed in either public or private areas. From when you walk out of your house, in most cities, you are being watched (Parenti, 2003). This is because the cameras are now installed in major city streets, gas stations, retail shops and transport systems such as trains. The use of surveillance cameras doubled in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City. These prompted frantic efforts, to curb terrorism, a major threat to security in this century. There is a need to identify the ethic s of surveillance cameras. Historically, the idea of watching the public by a select few, especially those who control us politically and economically can be traced to the Panoptical (Foucault, 1977). This was a kind of prison design, built in such a way that a single guard could watch the prisoners in a single gaze. This is a big way induces prisoners in a state of conscious and permanent knowledge that they are being watched. Foucault saw surveillance as productive machinery of continuous mind control, which is somehow what current surveillance cameras represent. Therefore, what the papers seek to argue the need for new ethics in the surveillance camera industry, because of the reasons below. This is because surveillance when done correctly and for the right reasons and people, individuals involved end up surrendering apart of their civil liberty to privacy, for the sake of public security. Closed -circuit televisions when placed in public areas, give people a sense of security, r educe crime by up to five percent. Up to ninety percent of respondents saw no problem in having such surveillance in public areas. Surveillance done in the above manner, by the correct agencies, can be said to be ethical and legal. On the other hand, there is need to look at the ethics of surveillance cameras, by looking at who does it and for what they will be used to do, therefore the ethics of surveillance cameras. Ethics is defined by the BBC online, as a system of moral principles. This is what is good for the individual and society, therefore is responsible for holding the society together. The ethics of surveillance cameras therefore seeks to look at the circumstances surrounding the use of such cameras, and just how much harm can be done if it finds itself in the wrong hands. Foucault, 1994, referred to surveillance carried out by the government as being watched by â€Å"big brother†, which would encourage good behavior amongst the general population, due to the fact that people would think that they are being watched, even when they are not. As earlier stated, this discussion is not that surveillance cameras should go, rather that it should be done in public areas, by the right people. The main areas in a person’s life most affected by surveillance cameras are trust, privacy, and autonomy (Parenti, 2003). First, surveillance cameras usually infringe on a person’s privacy, mostly when it is done in their private time and within their private property. Concerns on privacy have been here since way back, and have increased with continuous improvement in technology.

Trade unions in the work place can only have a negative impact on Essay

Trade unions in the work place can only have a negative impact on productivity - Essay Example In 1932 when middle class males won the right to vote in Great Britain all the reformation started. Workers formed societies and in due course it was called trade unions. The aim of trade unions was to fight for better working conditions and better pay as a result changes were also brought to the working conditions such as 10 hour work days, child labour laws and required school. Therefore, a trade union is an organization which was formed to promote and protect the interests of a collection of workers. Often it was found that the interest of the trade union and the companies or factories had clashes that result in less productivity. This paper aims to provide information on how trade unions have had an impact on productivity. From the initial stages of its formation trade unions are the workers' representative when deciding on the wages or working conditions with employers and/or governments. The status of trade union varies for country to country or state to state. While in some countries trade unions possess substantial freedom, from the right to Freedom of Association, to public demonstrations and active protest against political opponents such as strikes, in other countries it is totally opposite. In these countries the trade unions are actively suppressed by political or military rules, with little or no freedoms. Besides, in these countries the prospect of violence or even death is high. ... In every country these unions are further divided into "locals", and are often united in national federations. These federations themselves will affiliate with Internationals, such as the International Trade Union Confederation. Over the last few decades, trade unions have developed into a number of forms propagandize by differing political and economic regimes. The main aims, objectives and activities of trade unions vary but by and large can be categorized as follows: Trade unions in the early days, such as the Friendly Societies, often offered a number of benefits to insure members against unemployment, ill health, old age and funeral expenses. Friendly Societies was formed in 1881 under the Trade Union Act, the Registrar of Friendly Societies was in charge for registering industrial bodies as well as trade unions in the state of New South Wales. Similarly, in many industrialized countries, these functions have been taken up by the state. In addition, the provision of professional training, legal advice, and representation for members still remain among the main benefits of trade union membership. The second and one of the most important aims of trade union is that they are able to operate openly, are legal bodies and are recognised by employers, they may negotiate with employers over wages and working conditions. When their demands are not met, trade unions may organize strikes or resistance to lockouts if their particular goals are not agreed by the authorities. Trade unions may also encourage legislation favourable to the interests of their members or workers as a whole. They may also go to the extent of