Propaganda speech Essay

?Homework. Why should we spend our afternoons slaving away doing work that no one wants to do, including the teachers. Teachers spend hours writing out the homework they want us to finish, and when we hand it in, they spend even more hours marking work when they would rather be doing something else, don’t lie teachers, I’ve heard you complain about marking hundreds of pieces of paper about the same exact thing, wouldn’t you rather spend your spare time with your friends and family, no, instead you have to mark other kids repetitive and most likely badly done homework. Homework puts unwanted stress on students, we panic for hours about whether or not we did do enough research, we worry about whether or not we did the homework how the teacher wanted, we sit and hope that we got that good grade our parents were pushing for. We students are forced to spend our afternoons slaving away in front of computers and books doing work that would be much easier and quicker done in class, when work is done in class we are more motivated to finish it, the teachers can hold over our heads the promise of leaving early, the promise of the last five minutes of class being free time, when we are at home there are many distractions such as television, TVs are in almost every teenagers room, providing quick relief from homework, what about the internet, it can be accessed almost anywhere, there is no more tempting distraction than the internet . And what example is being set for children, you go to school and do your work, and when you get home the work doesn’t stop, we aren’t allowing a balance that will assist student when they go out to the workforce. Students have other commitments that don’t include homework, just like the teachers. Some of them have after school activities such as part time work, driving lessons, plans with their friends, and many of them do after school sports, all of which are affected by homework. They get homework at school and realise that their plans are gone. They can’t go to that movie they had been planning on going to for days with their friends, they don’t have time to rest and relax when they get home from netball or tennis or soccer they have to finish their homework. Homework prevents socialisation that is necessary for the proper development of kids and teenagers. Homework can also be blamed for students staying inside all the time, if we have homework, we rush home to finish it, burning the daylight trying to finish so we have time to do something outside, but by the time we finish the mountains of homework, the sun is gone and all that is left to do is stay inside and eat and watch television, leading to the high numbers of childhood obesity. Nelson Mandela once said ‘after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb’. I think this famous quote applies to this situation, no matter how much homework we do or how well done it is, there is always more homework the next day, the next week, it never ends. The topic has been debated and debated, is homework really beneficial for school students, schools are already trialling the no homework idea, and it’s working, so should we have to toil away doing homework while they spend their days having fun, and my answer is NO, it needs to be removed from the school system is what I say, will you agree?

Jainism vs. Sikhism Essay

Read the assigned chapters for the week and complete the following table. Be as specific as possible when identifying practices, beliefs, rituals, and historical elements. Cite sources in APA formatting. Core Beliefs Jainism Sikhism 1. Ahimsa – principle of noninjury 1. Naam Japna – remembering god through meditation 2. Sathya – truth 2. Kirat Karo – earning a honest living 3. Asteya – non stealing 3. Vand chakko – sharing income & resources. Selflessly serving others. 4. Brahmacharya – celibacy 5. Apigraha – non acquisition Part 2 Respond to the following questions in 150 to 200 words: 1 What do you think is the most important similarity and which is the most important difference? Use specifics to support your answer. Both faiths originated from the same part of the world. They are expected to be tolerant of all faiths and don’t believe that one path has the monopoly on the truth. Janism Sikhism – vegetarian because they belive believe it brings them closer to spirituality. – they have and order of monks and nuns – they practice the Caste system – polythetic religion – are not vegetarians they believe that eating meat doesn’t block your spirituality. – is bound to truth at all times and practices god conscience. – rejects the caste system and believes in gender equality. – monotheistic religion. Consider the following statement: Sallekhana (â€Å"holy death†) violates the Jain principle of ahimsa because it is an act of violence against oneself. Using examples from Ch. 5 of your text, what points might a follower of Jainism make to argue against this statement? Jains will prepare themselves after they have reached their virtue. They will walk into rivers, lakes, and oceans as well as starve themselves when they become elderly with the help of their families.

Apple external environment analysis Essay

Business background Apple.Inc. was founded in 1976 by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. It became successful in the personal company industry because of its incredible innovative products and business strategy. Small computer was the costumer- friendly product that has a clear future vision. Steve Jobs found this market and believe the demand for this market was big. Apple was the most successful initial public offering after Ford Motor Company in 1980. Apple also was the fast company that hit the Fortune 500 in the history. However, Apple nearly goes into bankruptcy by the middle of 1990s due to the fierce external competition from the IBM and the Microsoft and the internal rapidly growth. In order to stay afloat, apple focused on innovated their personal industry line. This helps Apple became successful ever after. Nowadays, the Apple Company involved in designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication and media devices and portable digital music players. It also sells the relative service, software, third- party digital content and applications and etc. The main product included IPhone, IPad, Mac, Ipod, AppleTV. The professional software applications and operating system IOS and OS X are also the part of product for the Apple. Apple sells the delivers digital content and application online through ITunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, and Mac App Store to provide service for the item they sale such as Mac. Customer can buy the entire product through online store, the retail stores, direct sales force that located worldwide. Not only these, customer can buy the Apple product as well as through third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers. (Apple Inc. Form 10-K, September 28, 2013) Mission statement According to the information show on the Apple website, there is no clear â€Å"official† Apple’s mission statement. The following paragraph can be seeing as the mission for the Apple Inc on the Apple Corporation website. â€Å"Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers on the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devises with iPad.† (Apple Inc. Form 10-K, September 28, 2013) This is Apple’s mission statement because it matches with the characteristics of a mission statement in some parts. During this paragraph, the product, services and the market for Apple has been clearly described. Customer can understand who are they and what they do through this short paragraph. However, in another way, this â€Å"mission statement† is more like a product list. Without list all the product, this mission statement nether mentioned customer nor the value or the purpose for the company. It is clear to see that Apple Corporation is the product-oriented company. Vision statement The vision for the Apple Corporation is also can be seen as its mission statement. â€Å"Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to student, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.† (Apple Inc. Form 10-K, September 28, 2013) Unlike the mission statement, the vision statement is clearly customer- oriented. The market, product, customer and the self-concept for the future Apple Corporation has been mentioned in this one sentences. The future path of the Apple is clearly described as to bringing the best personal computing experience to all the customers. Strategy Based on the vision of Apple Corporation. Company will continue bringing the best product for the customers by innovation. Using unique ability Apple will continue design and improve its own operating system and all the other service, hardware and application to customer. Let the customer enjoy the new product that more easy-to-use and innovated design. Apple Corporation will continue investment in research, design, marketing and advertising. All these investments will play important role at developing and sale the new products. As the part of online store, all the customers who have â€Å"IOS† devices can discover, buy and download application and book from Apple store and iBook. Third- party application and digital content also are the important parts of iTunes store, which provide large number of revenue for Apple Corporation. To expand the discovery and delivery platform for the third- party who provide high quality hardware or software are also parts of strategy. The comp any believes that knowledgeable salespersons who can transform the value of product has the ability to attract and keep customers. The strategy for the marketing part is included that enhancing and expanding both online and retail stores to reach more customers and provide them a high-quality buying and post sales experience. (Apple Inc. Form 10-K, September 28, 2013) Strategy objective The financial objective- Continuing working in product innovation to extent the current product lifecycle. Through update the current system or launch the new product to maintain and growth market share and make profit. The customer related objective- the best way to keep loyal customer is by launch new innovative product. Keeping current customer base and extent the new market with the special focus on the developing countries like China and India will help Apple Corporation win the competition with the competitors. External Macro environment analysis Political Factors: Apple Corporation manages its business based on the geography base, which are general based on the location of its customers. Nowadays, Apple has retail store in 13 countries and sell their product through reseller and other ways all over the world. According to the annual report of 2013, the domestic and international sales accounted for 39% and 61%. The international market plays an important role for Apple Corporation. Wars, disasters, bad global relations and terrorism can affect business. In order to inter the foreign market, the company activity is affected by the local laws and regulation. For example, tax import and export requirement, intellectual property, labour, ownership and infringement, foreign exchange controls, environment and etc. those policy are different in different countries. In some of the countries, to enter the market may need to do the additional testing, product modifications, delays in product shipping dates, or decline product from the product list. All these will increase the operation cost and affect the sales of Apple product. As the policy may consistent change, in the future, the cost of doing business will continue increase. Any delay the introduction of new product caused by the changes of law or regulation has the possible result that product or service are less attractive to the customer even worst may damage the Apple image in its customers and retailers. (Apple Inc. Form 10-K, September 28, 2013) Economic Factors In the past few years, the world’s economy starts getting better from the recession. But the inflation rate still high, while the earning for the customers did not change. The unemployed rate is increase in many countries. Due to all these reason, customer’s purchasing power may reduce. People trend to spend less and do not buy the product that is experience. According to the finance data provide by the Apple annual report, the net income of 2013 (37,037 million) was less than the 2012(41,733 million). (Apple Inc. Form 10-K, September 28, 2013) The sales in some product are decreased. During the economic recession period, currency exchange rate become volatile. Apple using the margins on sales of the products in foreign countries to paid the foreign suppliers. Using this way to minimum the affect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Social Factors As the global warming become more and more serious. Environmental protection problem become major issues in many countries. Some of them are where Apple operates. Most of the Apple product is produced outside the American. For example, iPhone is mainly produced in China. However, in the past few years, as the people and government in China are start consider the environment issues that caused by the manufactories. And the labor cost has increased in China. The total cost for producing iPhone has consistent increase. Technology Factors: Apple Corporation is in the market that has fast technology changes, no matter for personal computer, mobile phone and all the other electronic products. All of products are facing the heavy competition to the other companies such as Samsung. The characters of the technical industry are short product life period, need to introduce new product frequently and need to improve product performances frequently. In order to facing the rapidly changes in this industry, companies need to spend lots of money on research, design and development. However, this is good for Apple Corporation as they are using the unique operation system that designed by themself. Macro- environment affect industry Environment Apple Corporation are belong to the electronic industry, which is the industry that worth billions of dollars. More and more people’ work and daily life communication are relay on the consumer electronic such a computer and mobile phone. The size of the electronic manufactories continues increase. The electronic wastes are coming with the development of industry. The electronic devices are usually made by the toxic materials that are very hard to recycle. In one year, over 3 million tone electronic waste are produced in the United States. (EPA.) It’s clearly to see that in today’s society people are trend to be more environmental friendly. Not only the material that use to make the electronic devices need to be save, but also the other materials. Currently, the people in the industry are trying to design the sustainable electronics to help reduce the wastes. Tim Cook reveals his vision of industry. The future of the electronic industry is to use greener materials, less packaging, keep electronic product out of the landfills. (Jay Yaro, 2014) Demographics Currently, the customer for the electronic devices like computer and mobile phone are the young people at age between 18 and 35. It’s turn out that lots of company are forgot a important market-the middle age adult. The adult in the age between 40 and 60 should be the major market as most of them are earning money. Nowadays, with the technology development people are forced to use electronic devices. Especially for the middle age people who has a job. Those people are willing to buy the product for the work and start learning technology. Middle age is the group of people that has the highest purchasing power no matter in what time. After ten years, the young people at age of 18 to 35 are growing to the middle age and start work. This group of people is both familiar with all the electronic device and have money will provide much more revenue for the electronic industry. The developing countries like China also have a potential to growth in the future. Based on the population of those developing countries, the major market for the electronic industry in the future will transform from developed countries to the developing countries. Economic Electronic industry is one of the fastest developing industries in the world. In some way, it is driving the economy growth. Electronic is important for almost every major industry in the world. The trend for the global industry is to become more and more automated. The productivity for the electronic  industry or the information technology industry will increase much more than the other industry, especially in the developing country where skilled labor are experience. Porter’s Five Forces model Rivalry Among Existing Competitors- Strong The electronic and information technology industry are both well know as the fast growth industry. The competition between companies is strong. This is the reason why the larger companies for the industry are less. The threat of existing competitors is very high for the Apple. The company is now operating three major markets: personal computer, mobile phone and the music players. For the personal computer area, Apple needs to compete with the big company like Dell, Toshiba, HP and etc. Apple using its unique operation system successful occupied parts of the market. However, as the difference of the market strategy, all the company is focus on different market. For the mobile phone area, Apple has to compete the big companies like Samsung and Blackbarry. For the music player area, Apple occupied 72% of the market. (Cole, 2013)However, the competitors like Sony are continue improve themselves. The only way to keep all the market share is to consistently improve and provide new product. In the future, as the market for the industry are moving from the developed countries to the developing countries, how to win the competition without lower price will be the top issue that Apple should work with. Bargaining Power of Buyers – Strong For the Apple Corporation, the â€Å"buyers† will be almost every one in the world. According to the large customer base, it’s clearly to say that the bargaining power of buyers is strong. There are so many choices for buyers. (different brand that provide the similar product.) Customers can easily switch between the brands. The individual buyer often knows the basic information for the product. These group of customer looking for the  computer that has high quality but lower price. The bargaining powers for them are moderate. Apple is mainly targeting the customers that have academic institute, colleges and schools students, and retail buyers. School and some other organization is the big buyer for the apple computer area. Their bargaining power as a buyer is high. As the technology industry continues development, the new buyer come into the market. This large number of customers may change the current market. But one thing will not change is that the power is control by the customers. Bargaining Power of Suppliers – Weak Expect the suppliers like Intel. The bargaining power for the suppliers is low. For the big company like Apple, there are thousands of suppliers want to establish the relationship with it. For the suppliers, the competition between their own industries is strong. The low enter requirement caused lots of new enter. However, it’s hard to get large order since the existing relationships between current suppliers and company. Apple has lots of choices, the number of satisfaction substitute suppliers are many. The cost for Apple switch the supplier from one to another is low. The bargaining power for Apple as the buyer is strong, which sometime can influence the price for the product. Not only Apple as a buyer can influence the price, the price competition between the suppliers will also lower the price, which lower the cost for Apple. Currently, people are start pay more attention on the environment protection. According to Tim Cook’s vision of environment, the current supplier may have to become even greener to maintain the relationship with Apple. Threat of New Entrants – moderate The electronica industry keep attracting to the new enter with its rapid growth and increasing customer base. In another way, the industry are not attracting new enter as they are enter to the mature market that have to face the fierce competition. The giant player like Apple, Dell, Samsung are in the market and control the most of market. It’s hard to compete with these companies. To enter the high-tech industry the capital requirement are relatively high. The giant company like Apple are already controlled the supply and marketing channel. It is hard for a new enters get assessing to those channel. Another important parts is that in the current market, customer are usually loyalty to the larger and old brand. This is the challenge for the new enter to get market share from the well-know competitors. Threat from Substitutes – moderate The threat from the substitutes is moderate for Apple. There is not much product can substitute the electronic devices like computer, smartphone and music player. However for some of people, they do not need these entire products especially for the elder people. They may more like to read news on newspaper rather than on the websites and writing on the paper rather than taping on Computer. The traditional way is the substitute for this industry. However, as the industry continually developing, the threat from this part will consistently decrease. Reference Apple. Inc (Sept.29, 2013) Apple Annual Report Form 10-K. Apple.Inc. Jay Yaro (APR. 21, 2014) Tim Cook Reveals His Vision For Apple In An Environmental Video. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-apple- video-2014-4 EPA (n.d) Cleaning Up Electronic Waste. EPA.gov Retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/international-cooperation/cleaning-electronic-waste-e-waste Shane Cole (December 19, 2013) Apple’s iPod continues to lead an ever-shrinking market of portable media players. Retrieved from http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/12/19/apples-ipod-continues-to-lead-an-ever-shrinking-market-of-portable-media-players

Exploratory Narrative Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Exploratory Narrative - Essay Example They even use hidden cameras to see pin numbers as they are typed in by cardholders and then later on they steal wallets and withdraw cash from ATM machines (Safdar). The ease of robbing others is making this crime popular amongst individuals with criminal minds and intentions. This crime is on the rise and the loss of wealth can be significant if this crime goes undetected. I therefore strongly feel that we can all become the next target of such criminals. I feel that this crime must be stopped by card issuing companies by changing the design of information storage on cards, which is possible if they use small chips for storing information. Moreover, on individual basis we can take certain precautions to prevent criminals from getting access to our private information. When using the cash machine I will surely look out for any signs of glue, hidden cameras, and even cover my hand when I type in my pin code. Only this way I can avoid being robbed and loose my hard earned

Fractions, Decimals, and Percents Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fractions, Decimals, and Percents - Assignment Example ood the concept properly and are able to convert decimals into percent equivaslent and pecent equivalent to decimals, he will assign more 10 questions for indidual practice. The teacher will end the lesson by saying, â€Å"Today we learnt about conversion of decimals into percent equivalents and percent to decimals†. Then he wil ask the students to explain the process to him. As the students are doing the 10 questions, the teacher will move around the class evaluating each student’s understanding of the concept. He will review the concept with students who have not understood properly and arrange for further coaching. Out of the 20 students in the class, 17 students met the lesson objective i.e. they were able to solve 8 out of 10 questions correctly. However, 3 students performed below expectation with two scoring 7/10 and the third one scoring 6/10. Use of more interactive website such as http://www.aaamath.com would help the 3 student understand the concept properly. Extra coaching time should be allocated to ensure the 3 students properly understand the concept. Hard outs and charts were very useful tools for teaching decimals and percentages. After introducing the topic, the students had some difficulties compreheading how to convert decimals into percentage and vice versa. By just using numbers and doing some examples on the chalk board, some students could not clearly comprehend the concept. The hard out came in hardy as it explained concept in word while the chart gave examples that were also explained in words. The chart explained simple problems first then progressed to complex ones thereby enhancing the flow of the lesson. In addition to just having problem written in numbers, the chart explained the numbers in words which made it easier for students to understand. To make the concept well understood, I showed the student a complete fraction circle. Then I devided the circle into two halves. Since the students had a clear understanding of

Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers - Assignment Example Sri Lanka is basically a pear shaped island situated in the Indian Ocean between 5-54'N and 9-52'N latitudes, and longitudes of 79-39'E and 81-53'E. The island was originally a part of India that got separated with time by a channel and now is only 35 kilometers of wide at its narrowest. The entire region of Sri Lanka is famous for its cultivation, monsoonal climate, green lavish tea producing farms, elephant breeding, and biological parks. Sri Lanka has always been very famous also because of the highest literacy rate of its population that was supposed to be above 90% in 1990s according to its census. Apart from all these delicacies, natural inheritance, and scenic beauties; there is a dark side of the island as well, which is known as the Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers. The following information will reveal more details about the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka with necessary details and descriptions. The Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers can also be referred to as Liberation of Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Tiger Movement, Air Tigers, Eellalan or Ellalan Force, Sangilian Force, Black Tigers, Sea Tigers, Tiger Organization Security Intelligence Service (TOSIS), or Women's Combat Force of Liberation Tigers (WCFLT). This league or liberation party is a militant organization originally based in northern Sri Lanka and was founded in the year 1976. The main purpose and objective of this organization is to actively fight violently secessionist campaign in order to seek independence for Tamils in the shape of a Tamil state in the north and east side of Sri Lanka. This is one of the longest running and unsolved violent conflicts in Asia that has not solved till date and has get into the Sri Lankan civil war as well. At present, the Tamil Tigers are identified as a terrorist group or organization by almost 32 independent countries who regard them as terrorist. This is because of the fact that Tamil Tigers are involved in the well-organized militia cadre, and are dishonorable of carried out violence against civilians and normal people, including elimination and murder of many Sri Lankan and Indian politicians and high-ranking officials. They train adults and children simultaneously and help them to become Tamil Tigers and fight against the government to seek independence by utilizing violence, gunshots, fires, bombings, and suicide bombing as well. They even made use of modern

What are the main changes that the music industry has gone through Personal Statement

What are the main changes that the music industry has gone through since the 1980's - Personal Statement Example The technological development in recent years, has bankrupted record companies with the rise of legal downloading and the demand for live performances. What is more artists who try to sell their CDs during their concerts realized that fans prefer to buy a T-shirt for $20 instead a CD for $10. Therefore, artists now focus their attention on how to market T-shirts and other extra-musical extensions. Word of mount and internet sites like MySpace play a huge role in boosting popularity and music consumerism. Many groups decide to undertake the marketing of their music by themselves and succeed. An example is Take to the Skies which was the second unsigned band to sell out 2000 seats in London. In the past groups often tour to present their music losing the investment. Nowadays, is the other way round.Free downloading is perceived as excellent promotional tactics which will increase the audience and will stimulate the fans to attend concerts. Prince, is giving his fans a free copy of his newest CD if they come to his concerts at O2 in London. Music business analysts comments that record sales are in decline because of the wider music market today - live performances, video-clips, social networking, merchandising - they all influence the transformation of the consumer attitudes. Because of this the four big labels - Sony/BMG, Warner Music, Universal and EMI are struggling to keep up and apply cost-cutting operations for many years now. The publishers are trying to gain profits through different licensing, advertising, additional charges for films and outlets that try to open music stores. An example of the decline of record sales in given with Spice Girls debut album in 1996. Virgin a subsidiary of EMI sold the album for 13 GBP and the company's profit was more than 5 GBP. Today a CD costs no more than 9 GBP, and the actual expected profit (if the label is lucky) might be 2GBP. In comparison, the market for top-selling CDs in Great Britain decreased with 20% in the first quarter of 2007, as to the same period in 2006. The label's hope is that the demand for physical formats will be replaced by the growth of the download market. The last figures in the U.S show that the digital download was worth $ 981 million. The author notes that the music moved from being a high-margin product, into low-margin commodity. Buying an album with 10 songs when you like only three of them is an old-fashioned and uneconomical way of constructing a MP3 player music library. At the end of 1990s a single is sold for $5, today you can get a track for 99 cents at the iTune music store. The authors explains that the creation of the CD, brought it to its own destruction. Record companies manufactured CDs in remote places and sold them as more expensive format than the cassette or vinyl LP. CD burning software made it the easiest task to produce thousands of copies in just few minutes. Yet, another reason which ruined the music industry was the emergence of "file-sharing" illegal websites like Napster in the late 1990s. The industry underestimated the damages that this can cause and said that these activities were no harm to the music sales. The ultimate drop-off of the CD sales coincided with the emergence of the iTunes and the portable MP3 players. There is another fact which blames the music industry for the decline of the CD and that is the free distribution of albums through newspapers and magazines, which devalued the recorded music in general. Live music and tickets for live performances soared in comparison, however, it is difficult to prove that this directly affected the record companies. Finally music appreciation should be something more than just consuming, buying and listening to the song, music is sharing and that is why people shifted from individual at home consumption to attending live concerts. B) To what extent do you agree with the author's explanation for the current state of the music business Justify

The factors responsible for Mexican debt crisis in the 1980s Essay

The factors responsible for Mexican debt crisis in the 1980s - Essay Example This problem soon spread to other developing countries in the world hence becoming a global debt crisis. It led to long term accumulation of commercial bank debts in the public sector. The factors responsible for the Mexico debt crisis of the 1980s can be broadly categorized into demand factors and supply factors. The demand factors are those that contributed to Mexico’s decision to seek for external financial aid hence contracting of many loans from commercial banks. The supply factors are those factors that enabled or encouraged commercial banks to lend money to Mexico and other developing countries. These factors contributed directly or indirectly to Mexico’s contracting loans or more loans and incapacity to repay these loans. In the 1960s and 1970s, Mexico borrowed lots of money from international creditors. The money was to be used for purposes of industrialization especially development of infrastructure. At this time, Mexico’s economy was good. This motivated the creditors to continue providing loans. This increased Mexico’s rate of debt to commercial banks and consequently to increased debt service, that is, repayment of the principal and interests. Later on, most of these loans were given on short term basis. This imposed a pressure of meeting loan maturation dates. External debt grew till it was 50% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 1983 (Sebastian, 1996). According to (Rudiger, 1985), there was a general recession in the world economy in the 1970s and 1980s. This was caused by a sharp increase in the prices of oil which started in the year 1971. Oil prices increased because the fixed exchange rates system which the Bretton Woods innovated had failed. This innovation had helped governments to free themselves from limitations presented to them by a fixed parity. Its role was to ensure that domestic demand was managed well so as to safeguard against haphazard increase in imports. As a result of

Economics of housing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Economics of housing - Essay Example The two main historic junction points that can be identified are in the years of 1915-1919 and also in the year 1979. Occupation of ownership as well as social housing amplified their comparative size in the period of 1915 to 1979. At the same time the private renting contracted drastically. After 1979 till the early phases of 2000 owner occupation augmented at the cost of social housing. Since the year 1995 the comparative size of the private rented sector began to take the steep rising curve. The trends in tenure can be accounted to be the combination of political, economic as well as social drivers that played their role in the short and in the long run. Political transformations like supports from the local government and Rights to Buy interacted with the cycles of the economy to bring changes in attitudes to different tenures. The current trends suggest a mix in tenure of the housing system of UK. For the first time the comparative size of the owner occupied sector took the decl ining curve while at the same time the private rented sector took the oppositely sloping curve. The reason for such a drift may be the supreme numeral of households in owner occupation while the social rented sector remained stable. In the phase of 2005 to 2009 the number of households in the private rented sector augmented by more than one million households. ... If the recent trends sustain in 2013 then the private sector is expected to be larger than the social rented sector. Forecasts also point to the fact that by the end of the decade one in every five households would be private renters. The forecasting trends are based on the continuation of the recent trends. The figures point towards quick changes in tenure mix but the figures do not state how quickly the changes would take place. The key drivers that forced the recent changes in tenure mix are depicted in the diagram below: (Pattison, Diacon and Vine, 2010, p. 5). The three pillars taken in the diagram are owner occupation, private rented sector as well as social housing. The panel above the key drivers are regarded to be the drivers that act to increase the relative size while the panel below the drivers act to decrease the relative size. The structures above the pillar of owner occupation are tax advantages relative to other tenures, political support, preferred tenure and the Rig ht to Buy sales. The structures above the pillar of private rented sector are affordability relative to owner occupation, lifestyle changes increasing desire for mobility. The structures above the social housing pillar are financial stability, demand for social housing. The structures below the pillar of owner occupation are income constraints, wealth constraints and mortgage constraints. The structures below private rented sector are investment constraints, lack of political support, and tax incentive relative to owner occupation. The structures below social housing are Right to Buy sales and pressure on government spending. Question (ii) The report published by the HomeOwners Alliance states the owner occupation in UK is set to go below

Strategic management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words - 1

Strategic management - Essay Example Every organisation is subjected to factors which affect the functions and overall revenue generation of the firm. In the current report, FedEx Corporation has been analysed taking few of its major strategic management policies and their evaluation. FedEx is one of the biggest players in shipping and logistics industry. The company has always been a frontrunner providing differentiated services which have provided a competitive edge to the company. However, the company has seen various environmental changes and constant volatility in the business due to globalisation, financial crisis and increasing competitors. As a result of these strategic management have become more and more important for FedEx. The current report provides a critical analysis as well as evaluation of FedEx Corporation’s strategic development. The report has covered three principle strategies followed by the company. In the first part, the value chain analysis of Porter and their relevance in the practical f ield has been outlined. Further, the Company’s application of the value chain has been described in detail. Then the vertical and horizontal strategic management policies of the company have been discussed. This part has evaluated the diversification strategy of the company in order to gain expertise and control over its businesses. In the final part the customer relationship strategy has been discussed. FedEx has always focussed on providing differentiated services to its customers. The company’s foray into the services market and the strategies followed to crate differentiation and brand loyalties have been evaluated. Task: Part 2 Introduction Strategic management is characterised by a combination of analysis, action and decisions which a firm undertakes in order to sustain and create competitive advantage (Charles and Gareth, 2004). Each feature of a strategic management process consists of various action plans. The initial step of strategy management is analysis of goals, objectives and mission along with a thorough analysis of the external and internal environment. The decisions and subsequent actions are necessary steps for the implementation of the strategies. An analysis of strategies followed by an organization or firm helps in understanding its position with respect to its competitors as well as industry (Hutt and Speh, 2001). There are few strategies which give competitive advantage to some companies over others. In the current report FedEx Corporation and its strategic management policies have been evaluated. FedEx provides a wide range of shipment and transportation services. It is one of the largest logistic and shipping organizations in the world. Even though consumer goods marketing and business marketing are known to have similar principles and theories, they differ in their functionality and target market. The current report will throw light on the customer relationship management strategy as well as networking strategies of the organization. Business marketing can be described as an action to promote selling of products or services to other businesses, institutions, government etc. On the other hand, consumer goods marketing can make use of the services and products for consumptions, reselling or operational purpose. Looking at the present consumer as well as business markets, it can be said that in terms of market transactions volume, business markets

Theories of Crime Comparison Essay Example for Free

Theories of Crime Comparison Essay While the theory of biological imperatives as the predictor of criminal tendencies or behavior have been mainly relegated to the trash heap of unscientific thought, there is a growing body of research, done in an approved scientific method and backed by years of study that indicates that biology may have a larger role in determining criminal behavior than had been thought. Biological Theory These theories are not to be confused with or equated to Lombroso’s work that pointed to specific physical characteristics that would indicate a predisposition toward criminal behavior. Those theories have rightfully been disposed of and the current theories of biological tendencies toward criminal behavior are relying on the â€Å"hard sciences† of genetics, biochemistry, endocrinology, neuroscience, immunology, and psychophysiology (Fishbein, 2005). The debate between nature and nurture, free will or determinationism, and the adherents to those theories has provided a great deal of material for studies over the years and even with advancing theoretical methodologies, those debates will continue. One of the most interesting biological theories falls into the realm of genetics and whether a predisposition to criminal behavior can be passed from generation to generation through DNA (Fishbein, 2005). Studies have been done, following designated families who seem to show a tendency to fall into lives of crime, tending to prove that genetics may have a major role in determining whether a person will take up criminal behavior. Even observation by the layperson seems to give this theory a greater degree of probability than has been accorded to it in the past. When it is possible to observe directly and from accecdotal evidence that certain families and within those families, certain members are drawn to varying  degrees of lawlessness, the theory of biological imperatives can gain a good deal of support (Marsh, 2009). Scientists have found anomalies in the endocrine systems of those with criminal tendencies which are not present in the systems of those who have not engaged in criminal activity, which leads to the supposition that there is a biological reason for criminal activity. However, this tendency toward criminal activity is hidden from casual view and is not to be seen by observing physical characteristics, as was supposed and posited by Lombroso (Marsh, 2009). Lombroso’s theories of biological characteristics such as low brows, curly hair, skin hue, shape of the nose, mouth, and ears have been thoroughly discredited, but the newer science of biological markers for criminal activities relies on much more sophisticated tests of the inner man or woman, not on the exterior. Such things as tattoos are no longer considered signs of a criminal nature, but are judged on what the tattoo actually depicts and where it was obtained. Certain distinctive markings are definitely gang or jail related, but the majority of those bearing tattoos in today’s society are decorating themselves or commemorating a loved one or important event in their lives (Fishbein, 2005). Sociobiological Theory Sociobiological theory studies the biological basis for social behavior in species. This includes all species, not just the human one, but the findings and observational methods used to observe each species vary only in the physical necessities for observing the species being studied. It would not work well to use the same methodologies to study humans as it would to study elephants, though there is considerable question as to which species is the more civilized (Gottesman, Ronald, nd). The basis for Sociobiological Theory rests in the Positivist and Individual Trait theories propounded by Lombroso, Mednick, Caspi, and Moffitt, but do not limit themselves to the thoughts and findings of those philosophers (Cullen Agnew, 2002). Psychological Theory Psychological theories of criminal behavior and causation concentrate on the mental development or lack thereof in the individual criminal. They first focus on failures in psychological development, such as a weak conscience,  insufficient moral development or maternal deprivation. The next focus is on investigating the ways aggression and violence are the result of learned behaviors, then investigating the personality characteristics of criminals, with the results showing that criminals do tend to be more impulsive, intolerant, and irresponsible than non-criminals. The fourth and final leg upon which psychological theories of crime rests is the relation of criminality to such mental disorders as psychosis and psychopathy (Byrne, 2010). Psychological theory is based on theories with their basis in the Anomie and General Strain theories, developed and expanded upon by Merton, Cohen and Agnew (Cullen Agnew, 2002). It is evolving, as are other theories, with the resulting changes in public â€Å"thought† as well as scientific thought as new aspects to what had been widely believed are discovered and disseminated with in the scientific community as well as by the media to the public. Many philosophers and scientists in the social fields are finding that there is no clear delineation between one theory and another. The research is showing that there is not one particular aspect of any theory that is completely and totally right to the exclusion of all others. Each theory has its strong points and its weak points and the more criminals and criminal activity are studied, the more those doing the studies are finding that there is an overlap between theories. Theories of Biological reasons for criminal activity seem to slide into the Sociobiological field and the Psychological theory seems to fit aspects of both the others, as well as present some thoughts and theories that are exclusively its own, as is true in the two others (Byrne, 2010). Conclusion There is no â€Å"one true answer† to the causes for criminal activity, though the studies to determine what causes it will undoubtedly continue with more findings as more studies are done. It is even possible that there will be a discovery of a genetic reason for some people’s easy slide into criminality, some strange combination of DNA or RNA that predisposes a person for a life of crime. It is assuredly a field that is wide open for new and fascinating discoveries. References Byrne, James, 2010. An Overview of Physiological theories of Crime Causation. Retrieved from http://faculty.uml.edu/jbyrne/44.521/documents/AnOverviewofPsychologicalTheoriesofCrimeCausation.pdf Cullen Agnew, 2002.Criminological Theory Summaries. Retrieved from www.uwec.edu/patchinj/crmj301/theorysummaries.pdf‎ Fishbein, Diana, 2005. Biological Perspectives in Criminology. University of Baltimore. Retrieved from http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/fishbein90.htm Gottesman, Ronald, nd. Violence in America; An Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.haverford.edu/library/reference/mschaus/ICPR281/walsh_sociobiology_acs.pdf Marsh, I., 2009.Theories of the Causes of Crimes. Strategic Policy Briefs. Department of Justice. Retrieved from http://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector/drivers-of-crime/documents/spb-theories-on-the-causes-of-crime

Political philosophy Essay Example for Free

Political philosophy Essay KNOWLEDGE IS FORMED AND ACQUIRED IN THE COURSE OF OUR LIFE THOUGH COGNITION AND IT IS NOT INBORN AND DEVELOPS FROM OUR OWN IGNORANCE. JOHN LOCKE COMPARED IT WITH TABULA RASA OR SOME SORT OF A BLANK SHEET UPON WHICH NOTHING IS WRITTEN. THESE ARE DATA OR IMAGES OF THE OBJECT WHICH STIMULATED OUR SENSE-ORGANS-SIGHT, HEARING, TOUCH, TASTE AND SMELL ARE, IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING, RAW-MATERIALS WHICH OUR BRAIN FORMS, THROUGH ABSTRACTION, INTO CONCEPTS OR IDEAS, AND WHICH WE EXPRESS IN SIGNS OR LANGUAGE. THERE ARE TWO OBSTACLES TO COGNITION THE BIASES WHICH BECLOUD THE HUMAN MIND AS â€Å"IDOLS† AND THE ERRORS IN REASONING WHICH ARE THE SO CALLED FALLACIES. REASONING IS A MEANS FOR ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE BUT IF IT IS FALLACIOUS IT CANNOT YIELD BUT DECEPTION. MOREOVER THERE ARE THREE THEORIES OF KNOWLEDGE NAMELY; EMPIRICISM, RATIONALISM AND INTUITIONISM. IN EMPIRICISM, KNOWLEDGE COMES FROM EXPERIENCE AND EXPERIENCE IS A SENSE OF PERCEPTION WHICH MAY BE UNDERSTOOD AS DIRECT OBSERVATION BY THE SENSES OR INDIRECT BY USING INSTRUMENT OR BY EXPERIMENTATION. EMPIRICISM TEACHES THAT WHAT WE SEE, HEAR, TOUCH, OR SMELL, IS ALL THAT WE CAN KNOW. OUTSTANDING EXPONENTS OF EMPIRICISM WERE JOHN LOCKE, GEORGE BERKELEY, DAVID HUME AND THE SO-CALLED LINGUISTIC PHILOSOPHERS. RATIONALISM MAINTAINS THAT REASON IS THE SOURCE AND TEST OF KNOWLEDGE AND NOT SENSE-PERCEPTION. KNOWLEDGE CONSISTS OF CONCEPTS WHICH GENERALIZE ABOUT THE NATURE OF REALITY SO THAT IT HAS A UNIVERSAL AND PERMANENT CHARACTER. IT IS THE REASON OR THE INTELLECT WHICH â€Å"MANUFACTURES† THE DATA INTO CONCEPTS, JUDGMENTS AND LAWS, AND THAT IS HOW OUR KNOWLEDGE IS FORMED. WHAT WE KNOW IS â€Å"WHAT WE HAVE THOUGHT OUT†, OR WHAT REASON HAS â€Å"ABSTRACTED† FROM THE DATA OF SENSE PERCEPTION. THE KNOWN DEFENDERS ARE PARMENIDES, PLATO OF ANCIENT GREECE, DESCARTES AND HEGEL OF THE MODERN WORLD. THE THIRD THEORY WHICH IS INTUITIONISM CLAIMS THAT THE SENSES CAN ONLY MIRROR THE APPEARANCE OF THINGS HENCE WHAT WE CALL SENSE-DATA, CANNOT TELL US WHAT THINGS ARE IN THEMSELVES. BUT THROUGH INTUITION, WE CAN HAVE â€Å"A FEEL† OF WHAT LIES BEYOND THE PHENOMENA CAPTURED BY OUR SENSES AND TRANSFORMED BY REASON INTO CONCEPTUAL SYMBOLS. INTUITION â€Å"INTUERE† (TO LOOK INTO) IS A DIRECT APPREHENSION OF KNOWLEDGE WHICH IS NOT THE RESULT OF CONSCIOUS REASONING OR IMMEDIATE PERCEPTION. ADD THE FACTS THAT THERE ARE TWO METHODS OF INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY, FIRST IS THE INTUITION THAT GRASPS THE ESSENTIAL NATURE OF REALITY AND â€Å"TIME† AND THE SECOND IS ANALYSIS WHICH IS THE STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY, BUT OFFERS ONLY â€Å"A PHOTOGRAPH† OR â€Å"A SNAPSHOT† OF WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A DYNAMIC, ACTIVE WORLD THE ONLY WAY TO BRIDGE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE â€Å"OBJECT KNOWN† AND â€Å"THE KNOWER†, WE MUST USE â€Å"INTELLECTUAL SYMPATHY† THAT EXPERIENCES BEING AS A WHOLE, AS â€Å"A DYNAMIC CONTINUUM†. LASTLY, THERE ARE DIFFERENT NOTIONS OF TRUTH NAMELY THE CORRESPONDENCE THEORY, COHERENCE THEORY, PRAGMATIC THEORY AND THE MARXIST THEORY. EDUCATION: THE WORD EDUCATION COMES FROM THE LATIN VERB â€Å"EDUCERE† (TO LEAD) OR FROM â€Å"EDUCARE† (DRAW OUT). EDUCATION IS THE ART OF LEADING OR GUIDING A PERSON TO SOCIAL CULTURE SO THAT BY EXPOSING HIM TO ITS COMPLEXITIES AND HE MAY ACTUALIZE HIS Introduction to Philosophy POTENTIALITIES. EVERY PERSON, REGARDLESS OF RACE, GENDER OR CLASS HAS A DORMANT POWER WHICH IF DRAWN OUT OR DEVELOPED COULD EQUIP THE INDIVIDUAL TO FILL A VARIETY OF ROLES IN SOCIETY. EDUCATION AND TRAINING IS OF DIFFERENT MEANING. EDUCATION HAS TO DO WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE PERSONALITY WHILE TRAINING DEALS WITH THE GAINING AND ACHIEVING OF SKILLS. THERE ARE AIMS OF EDUCATION; FIRST IS TO PREPARE. THE YOUNG FOR â€Å"CITIZENSHIP†-THE SUBTLE MEANS OF PROVIDING THE STATE IN ALONG RUN WITH FUTURE LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS WHO WOULD PUT INTEREST OF THE STATE AND NATION ABOVE SELF. SECOND AIM IS TO DEVELOP THE INDIVIDUAL â€Å"AS A MAN†- ENABLE THE INDIVIDUAL TO REALIZE HIS POTENTIAL POWERS AS A HUMAN BEING SO HE COULD BE FREE IN OUTLINING HIS OWN DESTINY. THIRD, IT SHOULD AIM TO PRESERVE THE PREVAILING SOCIAL SYSTEM BY WAY OF TRANSMITTING THE IDEAS, THE BELIEFS, THE VALUES AND THE PRACTICES OF SOCIETY. FOURTH, IT AIMS TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION AND IT MUST FOSTER  A NEW CONSCIOUSNESS THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE PEOPLES DREAM AND STRUGGLE FOR A MORE JUST, HUMAINE AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. FIFTH, IT SHOULD PREPARE US FOR ETERNAL LIFE IN A PARADISE TO COME AND LASTLY IT SHOULD AIM TO COMPREHENSIVELY PREPARE US TO BE A â€Å"WORKER† OR TO BE â€Å"A CITIZEN AND TO BE â€Å"A PERSON. †EDUCATION HAS AN IDEOLOGICAL CHARACTER. TO LITTLE, INDEED, DOES THE SCHOOL GOING TO PUBLIC SUSPECT THAT EDUCATION AS A SOCIAL INSTITUTION CAN BE MANIPULATED BY VESTED GROUPS FOR THEIR OWN POLITICAL INTERESTS. TO SOME PEOPLE WHOSE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FORTUNES ARE ENTRENCHED THAT EDUCATION IS USED TO PROMOTE SOCIAL CONFORMITY AND AGREEMENT. TO OTHERS WHO HAVE NOTHING BUT THEIR STATE OF DEPRIVATION AND UNCERTAINTIES, EDUCATION CAN EMPOWER THEM TO STRUGGLE FOR SOCIAL CHARGE. POLITICS: POLITICS IS A STRATEGY TO MAINTAIN ORDER AND COOPERATION AMONG PEOPLE OR INDIVIDUALS WITH DIFFERING NEEDS AND IDEALS IN LIFE, OR FOR REVOLVING CONFLICT WITHIN THE GROUP WHETHER THIS BE A FAMILY, A TRIBE, A VILLAGE OR A NATION-STATE. IT MAY BE UNDERSTOOD AS A CONTROL OVER THE SITUATION SO THAT DIFFERENCES ARE RESOLVED AND PREVENTED. THERE ARE TWO MAIN APPROACHES TO POLITICS NAMELY; POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE. POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY HAS A SPECULATIVE AND NORMATIVE CHARACTER BECAUSE IT DEALS WITH THE QUESTION OF WHAT IS POLITICS â€Å"OUGHT TO BE† OR WHAT IT SHOULD BE WHILE POLITICAL SCIENCE IS EMPIRICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE IN NATURE BECAUSE ITS MAIN CONCERN IS THE ANALYSIS AND DEFINITION OF THE STATE AND ITS INSTRUMENTALITIES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THEIR FUNCTIONS. POLITICS IS THE SCIENCE AND ART OF GOVERNING SOCIETY IN THE PURSUIT OF COMMON GOOD THEN ITS CONCRETIZATION IS THE GOVERNMENT WHOSE AIM IS THE PEOPLE AND THE SECURITY AND WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE. FORTHETHREEGREATPHILOSOPHERSNAMELY;CONFUCIUS,PLATOANDNICCOLO. MACHIAVELLI TO BE GOOD RESPONSIBLE POLITICAL LEADERS OF STATE THERE ARE VERY ESSENTIAL QUALITIES TO BE CONSIDERED. FOR CONFUCIUS, POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IS NOT FOR THE COMFORT AND ENJOYMENT OF THE RULERS, NOR ARE THEY SIMPLY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER, BUT FOR â€Å"THE HAPPINESS AND ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE PEOPLE†. HE ALSO PRESCRIBED THAT THOSE WHO ASPIRE TO LEAD THE PEOPLE MUST POSSESS THE VIRTUES OF HUMAN-HEARTEDNESS, RRIGHTEOUSNESS, PPROPRIETY AND Introduction to Philosophy WISDOM. FOR PLATO, A PERSON’S LIFE IS ORDERLY OR â€Å"JUST† WHEN HIS REASON CONTROLS THE EMOTION AND TEMPERS THE APPETITES. THE THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE SHOULD POSSESS THREE ELEMENTS IN MAN. A RULER SHOULD EMBRACE REASON, THE SOLDIERS OR WARRIORS SHOULD DEAL WITH THEIR EMOTION AND THE ARTISANS OR ORDINARY PEOPLE SHOULD CONTROL THEIR APPETITES. ALL CITIZENS MUST UNDERGO RIGID PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL TRAINING. PLATO’S PHILOSOPHY ON EDUCATION WAS ONE OF SO CALLED SELECTION ELIMINATION. NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI WROTE A BOOK ENTITLED, â€Å"THE PRINCE â€Å"POLITICS, AS AN EXERCISE OF POWER, SHOULD BE DIVORCED FROM MORALITY AND RELIGION. POLITICS HAS NO MORALITY; IT IS A NAKED POWER OF â€Å"EXPEDIENCY†. OR HIM AN EFFECTIVE LEADER IS BOTH. A FOX AND A LION, BOTH A MAN AND A BEAST AND BOTH GREAT PRETENDER OR GREAT DISSEMBLER. B. Analysis (Critique) KNOWLEDGE: THESEARCHFORKNOWLEDGEISANEVER-ENDINGADVENTURE LIKEWE’VESEENIN MOVIES AND PLAYS. THE WHOLE OF REALITY IS TOO VAST THAT WE CAN KNOW ONLY TOO LITTLE OF IT IN OUR SHORT LIFE-TIME; HENCE, IT WOULD BE THE HEIGHT OF INNOCENCE TO NARROW OUR PRESENT KNOWLEDGE, UNLESS WE CHOOSE TO CLOSE OUR MIND TO OTHER POSSIBILITIES. OUR KNOWLEDGE IS A PRODUCT OF ALL OUR ABILITIES, SENSATION, REASON AND INTUITION. AND O AGREE WITH THE SAYING THAT â€Å"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER†, A POWER TO RECREATE THE WORLD, A POWER TO CONSTRUCT A BETTER SOCIETY WHERE ALL MEN AND WOMEN COULD LIVE WITH DIGNITY, FREEDOM AND PEACE. I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS MORE TO KNOW SINCE IT IS DYNAMIC AND TOO ENORMOUS. WE SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE THE GUTS, THE PASSION AND THE LOVE TO LEARN AND TO CONTINUE SEARCHING AND BUILDING ON THE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE. NO DOUBT, KNOWLEDGE ADDS COLOR AND RELATIVE CHARACTER TO MAKE OUR LIFE WORTH LIVING AND SPENDING. OUR KNOWLEDGE SHOULD NOT BE AFFECTED NOR DISTORTED BY OUR OWN COGNITION. WE SHOULD KEEP IN MIND TO ALWAYS USE REASONING SINCE IT IS ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE NOT JUST BASING IT TO WHAT WE PERCEIVE. YES, WE CAN CONSTRUCT KNOWLEDGE BY OUR SENSES TO EVERY SITUATION WE’RE EXPERIENCING YET WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE RATIONAL. KNOW THE REASON TO EVERY DETAIL NOT TO JUSTIFY THINGS BUT RATHER TO BE REASONABLE IN JUDGING AND JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS. KNOWLEDGE IS A STUFF OF REALITY; IT IS A WAY OF TRUTH AND NOT A WAY OF SEEMING OR GIVING OPINION. ALSO THE ONLY THING WE SHOULD NOT DOUBT IS THAT WE ALWAYS IN PARTICULAR SITUATION DOUBT. DON’T BE AFRAID TO DOUBT OR TO QUESTION THINGS BECAUSE IT IS A WAY OF ACQUIRING AND GAINING ALL WE NEED TO KNOW. ON THE OTHER HAND WE COULD STILL OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS NOT THE SENSES, NOR REASON CAN PROVIDE ADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING OF REALITY BUT THE SO CALLED INTUITION. KNOWLEDGE IS AN INTERCONNECTED CHAIN WHEREIN THERE IS AN AGREEMENT WITH ONE SET OF KNOWLEDGE WITH ANOTHER SET OF IT. IT IS A CYCLE WITH NO BEGINNING AND ENDING. THE MORE WE BECOME CURIOUS THE MORE WE QUESTION AND THE MORE WE SEEK FOR THE ANSWER. WE ALWAYS HAVE THE PRIVILEGED TO OPEN OUR CLOSE UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD AND WE ARE FREE TO EXPLORE ITS LIMITATION AND BOUNDARY. WE ALWAYS HAVE THE KEY TO KNOW THE SECRETS OF THE REAL MEANING AND Introduction to Philosophy VALUE OF LIFE. WE SHOULD NOT STOP TRAVELLING THE BEAUTIFUL AND COLOURFUL JOURNEY OF OUR EXISTENCE AND DON’T STOP TO STRIVE AND TO GAIN THE PERFECT AND UNDYING KNOWLEDGE. EDUCATION: SINCE WE ARE SEARCHING FOR KNOWLEDGE, HAVING AN EDUCATION IS OF GREAT HELP. IT IS A VITAL INSTRUMENT TO EXPLORE OUR LIMITATION AND TO GO BEYOND THE HORIZON. HAVING AN EDUCATION IS LIKE SEEING A RAINBOW AFTER A RAIN SHOWER; IT ADDS COLOR AND MEANING AFTER THE SUDDEN DARKNESS. WE SHOULD NOT JUST BE TRAINED, WE MUST BE EDUCATED. BEING EDUCATION FOR ME IS OPENING THE WINDOWS OF OUR MIND AND SOUL. WE SHOULD PUT EFFORT TO UNDERSTAND, TO COMPREHEND, AND TO BE SENSITIVE TO IDEAS, ASPIRATIONS AND INTEREST TO WHICH WE MIGHT OTHERWISE BE INDIFFERENT TO EACH OTHER. WE SHOULD NOT JUST BE CONTENTED JUST TO BE TRAINED BECAUSE IT SIMPLY MEANS WE JUST WANT TO IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING WITHOUT DEEPENED UNDERSTANDING, WIDENED SYMPATHY OR HEIGHTENED ASPIRATIONS FOR IT. THERE SHOULD BE A COMMON AGREEMENT ON WHAT IS EDUCATION SHOULD AIM AND DEFINE THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION WITH NO BIAS AND FAIR CHANCES TO PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL POSITIONS AND SHOULD NOT BE IN HARMONY WITH THEIR FUNDAMENTAL INTERESTS. IT WOULD BE AN ILLUSION TO EXPECT THE PREVAILING EDUCATION TO BE TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE AND LIBERATING BECAUSE OF TODAY’S INEQUALITY ESPECIALLY IN SOCIAL STATUS ASPECTS THUS THERE IS A NEED TO RE-INVENT EDUCATION SO THAT IT WILL FOSTER A NEW AWARENESS AND PERSPECTIVE THAT IS SUPPORTIVE AND REFLECTIVE TO OUR ASPIRATIONS AND STRUGGLE FOR SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION. POLITICS: EDUCATION HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES IS AFFECTED BY MANY FACTORS SUCH AS THE KIND OF POLITICS WE HAVE. I DO BELIEVE THAT POLITICS SHOULD FUNCTION AND AIMS TO GO AFTER THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE AND NOTHING ELSE BUT THE SECURITY AND NEEDS OF PEOPLE. POLITICS IS BOTH A FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS POWER YET WHEN USED IN A WRONG WAY OR BECOME A PURSUIT AND CHASE OF PERSONAL INTERESTS COULD BE ABUSED. POLITICS IS NOT JUST A SYSTEM ITSELF BUT A SYSTEM OF IDEAS WITH MISSION AND FUNCTIONS. IN SPITE OF THE CURRENT SITUATION IN OUR COUNTRY WE COULD STILL PURSUE A FAIR, JUST, HONEST AND RESPONSIBLE POLITICAL SYSTEM. WE COULD STILL MAKE A CHANGE. ASIDE FROM BEING A GOOD AND RELIABLE FOLLOWER WE COULD CHOOSE AND ELECT GOOD AND RIGHT POLITICAL LEADERS ESPECIALLY WITH OUR DEMOCRATIC TYPE OF SYSTEM. WE NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO DESIGNATE THE FIT AND APPROPRIATE RULER WITH THEIR BEST QUALITY AND CHARACTER. WE SHOULD CAREFULLY ANALYSE AND EVALUATE A POLITICAL RULER WHO HAS THE INTEREST IN SERVING THE PEOPLE WITH SINCERITY AND SHOULD NOT JUST MAINTAIN HIMSELF OR HERSELF IN POWER. C. Contextualization KNOWLEDGE: Introduction to Philosophy FILIPINO IS A KNOWLEDGE SEEKER AND SO EXPLORATIVE WHEN IT COMES TO NOURISH AND DEVELOP THEIR LEARNING AND ABILITIES. WE HAVE SO MANY PROUD KABABAYAN WHO ARE SO PASSIONATE AND DETERMINE IN ACQUIRING SUCH KNOWLEDGE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. SOME OF US EVEN TRY TO GO TO OTHER COUNTRY FOR THEIR SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE. WE ARE NOT CONTENTED WITH JUST HAVING A KNOWLEDGE THAT IS ALREADY IN FRONT OF US. WE USUALLY GET OUT OF THE BOX AND GO BEYOND THE HORIZON. AND BECAUSE OF THIS PERSEVERANCE, MANY FILIPINOS FROM DIFFERENT FIELD BECOME SUCCESSFUL AND FAMOUS. MANY JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES BECOME OPEN TO FILIPINOS BECAUSE OF THEIR ABILITY AND PASSION TO LEARN. EDUCATION: PUBERTY BECOMES A BARRIER TO ATTAIN THE GOAL OF HAVING A BETTER EDUCATION. NOWADAYS, AS YOU LOOK WITH THE STATUS OF OUR COUNTRY, PHILIPPINES I MUST SAY THAT WE OUR STRUGGLING ESPECIALLY THE UNFORTUNATE INDIVIDUAL TO GET SUCH APPROPRIATE AND GOOD QUALITY OF EDUCATION. IN OUR COUNTRY; LIVING STATUS AFFECTS A LOT IN MAINTAINING A GOOD QUALITY OF EDUCATION. THERE ARE SO MANY FAMILIES WHO BATTLE FOR FINANCING THE OTHER EXPENSES OF THEIR CHILD LIKE PROJECT AND DAILY TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD ALLOWANCE. FOR AN UNDERPRIVILEGED FAMILY WITH INCOME THAT IS NOT ENOUGH WITH THEIR DAILY CONSUMPTION, HAVING A BUDGET FOR EDUCATION COULD BE A LEAST PRIORITY. MANY OF THE YOUTH TODAY EVEN THEY WANT TO CONTINUE THEIR COLLEGE JUST COULD NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO WORK TO SUPPORT AND PROVIDE FINANCIALLY FOR THEIR FAMILY. ALSO IT IS COMMON, IN SOME FAR BARRIOS MANY FILIPINO CHILDREN BEFORE THEY COULD REACH THE NEAREST SCHOOL FROM THEIR HOUSE THEY NEED TO STRUGGLE AND WALK ON RIVERS AND EVEN SOME SLOPPY MOUNTAIN BEFORE THEY CAN GET THERE. IN SPITE THEIR DEDICATION TO BE EDUCATED, SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND GOOD LEARNING FACILITIES AND MATERIALS IS NOT ENOUGH TP ACCOMMODATES LARGE POPULATION IN OUR COUNTRY. ALSO CORRUPTION IS ONE OF THE MAJOR REASONS WHY NUMBER OF FILIPINO IS UNABLE TO AVAIL THEIR RIGHTS TO BE EDUCATED. INSTEAD OF FINANCING THE EDUCATION SECTOR, THE MONEY OF FILIPINOS GOES TO THE POCKET OF THOSE WHO ARE GREED AND SELFISH OFFICIALS. NO DOUBT, PHILIPPINES IS A RICH COUNTRY WITH ITS SPLENDID NATURAL RESOURCES YET OUR MONEY COULD NOT EVEN FINANCIALLY PROVIDE AND GIVE STABLE WORKS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO THOSE WHO NEED JOBS. POLITICS: IT BEEN AN ORDINARY SCENARIO DURING ELECTION THAT THERE ARE SO MANY UNNECESSARY ACTIONS TOOK PLACE LIKE VOTE BUYING, BALLOT RESULT CHEATING, KILLING OF POLITICAL RIVALRY, AND THE LIKES JUST FOR THOSE SELF-CENTRED ASPIRANT OFFICIALS TO WIN THE SAID ELECTION. AND EVEN AFTER THE ELECTION, DURING THEIR SERVING YEARS SO MANY VOID PRACTICE IS BEEN HAPPENING. CORRUPTION IS ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES. MANY ELECTED POLITICAL OFFICIALS ABUSE THE POWER GIVEN TO THEM FOR THEIR OWN INTERESTS. TODAY’S ISSUE IS WHAT THEY CALLED PORK BARREL SCANDAL WHEREIN THE BUDGET ALLOTTED AND GIVEN TO POLITICAL OFFICIAL FOR THEIR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT SHOULD AND MUST HELP FILIPINO GOES TO POCKET OF JUST SOME PEOPLE. FINGER POINTING AND HAND WASHING THAT THEY DON’T USE ANY OF THE PUBLIC MONEY FOR THEIR OWN WELFARE IS STILL ON INVESTIGATION AND NOT YET ANSWERED. Introduction to Philosophy INSTITUTIONALIZING IS ALSO HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTRY AND THE MOST AFFECTED ARE THE PUBLIC ESPECIALLY THE POOR. IT IS ALSO COMMON IN OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM HAVING A FAMILY DYNASTY WHEREIN THE POWER IN MANY PLACES IS JUST IN THE HAND OF ONE FAMILY. EVEN WE ALREADY HAVE AUTOMATED KIND OF ELECTION SYSTEM, WE STILL STRUGGLE TO HAVE THE FAIR AND JUST POLITICAL SYSTEM WE ARE LOOKING AND HOPING TO ACHIEVE. LASTLY, WE FILIPINOS STILL ELECTING WRONG PUBLIC SERVANT. WE ARE STILL BLIND WITH THEIR LOOKS, WHETHER THEY ARE CELEBRITIES OR IF EVEN THEY TEND TO FINISH THEIR EDUCATION AND WITH THEIR FLOWERING PROMISES AND WORDS. WE NEVER REALLY PRACTICE A CRITICAL JUDGEMENT TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT AND THE GOOD STATE RULER. D. Evaluation 1. SUBJECT THE SUBJECT PHILOSOPHY REALLY HELPED ME TO BE OPEN-MINDED AND CRITICALLY INCLINED WITH EVERYTHING AROUND ME. WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS WE STILL NEED TO KNOW AND ACQUIRE YET PHILOSOPHY SERVES AS AN ASSISTING TOOL TO REALLY KNOW THE MEANING OF OUR OWN EXISTENCE AND THE REAL MEANING OF OUR LIFE AND ITS PURPOSE. MY CLOSED WORLD BECOMES EXPOSED WITH WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING. 2. PROF SIR RODERICK CENTENO IS A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, RESPECTED AND FULL OF SENSE KIND OF PROFESSOR IN PHILOSOPHY. WE REALLY ENJOYED LISTENING TO HIS LECTURES ABOUT PHILOSOPHY. IT SO REFRESHING THAT WHILE LEARNING WE’VE ABLE TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY EVERY LEARNING AND DISCUSSION. THE REPORTING IS A GOOD WAY FOR US STUDENT TO EXPRESS OUR PERSPECTIVES AND OPINIONS ON THINGS. IT HELPS TO BOOST OUR INTEREST AND AWARENESS ON THE THINGS THAT BEFORE WE REALLY DON’T HAVE CARE AND IS NONE OF OUR BUSINESS. THE REFLECTION WRITING ACTIVITIES IS A USEFUL FOR US TO HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS TO EVERY ISSUE AND DECISIONS. AND I OBSERVED THAT SIR GIVES IMPORTANCE IN MANAGING HIS AND OUR TIME. Introduction to Philosophy.

Using The Evaluation Framework Economics Essay

Using The Evaluation Framework Economics Essay The possession of an ownership advantage gives a firm the opportunity to sell goods overseas but it fails to explain why this is carried out through production in the foreign market rather than exporting to the foreign market. As a result, there is the need for an evaluation framework. LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this Unit, you should be able to understand and grasp the following: the importance of an evaluation framework; the 4 criteria of the evaluation framework; assess the contribution of MNEs in a foreign country by using the Evaluation Framework. THE EVALUATION FRAMEWORK The contribution of MNEs to the development of the host nation, more particularly developing countries or LDCs has been the subject of much debate over the years. Whilst it is generally accepted that MNEs do contribute by way of technology transfer, skills diffusion and by bringing much needed finance capital, nevertheless criticisms abound as to the negative impact of MNEs in that they are viewed as exploiting the local labour force, they transfer outdated technology, and they strip the LDCs of much needed resources. However, MNEs were and still remain a very important ingredient of growth, especially for developing countries. This is why it is crucial for a host countrys government that it should be able to assess FDI in a policy context. The latter process is usually done by way of an Evaluation Framework. An evaluation framework usually encompasses 4 criteria. 3.3 Efficiency of Resource Allocation Efficiency of resource allocation relates to the extent to which there exist complementarities between of economic interests between the multinationals and the host countries. In a similar vein, it highlights the following: under what conditions do the operations of the TNC in a host country contribute to the world economic welfare that could not be achieved before? However, the presence of MNEs in host countries is often prompted by government-induced imperfections including protection from imports. Such a situation mainly occurred when countries were adopting an import substitution industrialization strategy. Adopting an import-substitution strategy entailed a high level of protection, via tariffs, import restriction measures and quotas, which discriminated against exports via explicit and implicit tax of export activities and an overvalued foreign exchange rate. Also, the government used investment license, differential taxes, tax holidays, exemptions and remissions to influence resource allocation between industries and sectors. The proponents of IS strategy firmly believed that they would be able to meet the domestic demand for manufacturing products; provide employment opportunities for skilled labour; ease pressure on the balance of payment and strengthen the long term productive capacity of the economy by importing the production technology via foreign firms  [1]  and by using the infant industry argument. Under such an era of protectionism  [2]  , MNEs were mainly regarded as being of a market-seeking  [3]   nature. Firms set up plant within foreign nations in order to supply their national markets in the most profitable way possible. The key location advantages (in Dunnings terminology) which determined these market-seeking investments were the cross-border transport and communication costs; artificial barriers (import restrictions) to trade in goods and services; the size, income per capita and the expected growth of the local market. Though cost considerations were deemed important and even decisive in certain marginal markets, an efficiency-seeking motivation was deemed to be of a very secondary nature (Pearce, 1999). However, the overwhelming consensus is that IS was a failure  [4]  . IS strategy has turned out to be self-defeating since it has resulted in huge increases in imports of equipment and inputs while transfer pricing constituted a severe drain on foreign exchange. Also, IS granted excessive protection to industries producing inefficiently non-essential goods for high-income elite. Furthermore, fiscal credit and exchange rate policies, coupled with subsidies on imports of capital goods, made it possible and advantageous to entrepreneurs to rely on high capital intensive equipment produced abroad and technology unsuited to the factor proportions prevailing in less developed countries. As a result, a new orthodoxy emerged in the late 60s and early 70s which stressed the role of exports of labour intensive manufactures as an engine of growth. This represented a return to the static theory of comparative advantage with trade based upon different factor proportions prevailing in various countries which meant that the pendulum turned full swing for development policy in LDCs from import substitution to manufactured exports. Export oriented strategy not only encourages free trade  [5]  , but also the free movement of capital, labour, enterprises and an open system of communication. It also entailed more efficient allocation of resources with firms competing internationally  [6]  based on their relative comparative advantages. These considerations, coupled with the emergence of trade blocks, were factors motivating changes in the strategic orientation of MNEs. MNEs underwent a complete restructuring of their global and regional supply profiles. This entailed locating  [7]  manufacturing operations in only a few countries but exporting for a wider market. Each subsidiary were opened to a fully competitive market situation which permitted the realisation of economies of scale and the attainment of optimal efficiency in production (Pearce, 1999). The where to produce clearly gained in prominence during such an era which led to MNEs redistributing their unchanged ownership advantages in order to create an international network of subsidiaries  [8]  which optimised their supply of established range of products. Thus, investments undertaken by MNEs were mainly of an efficiency-seeking nature. However, one should not underestimate the crucial role played by the government during that period. It was not only the choice of trade strategy but also the appropriate role of government policy which was at the heart of the development issue. For example, export-oriented growth and appropriate macroeconomic policies  [9]  were mutually of economic development in the NICs. The integration of NICs into world and regional economies was essential for their long-term growth. This required less government intervention and greater reliance on private initiatives and market forces. It provided an environment conducive to foreign investment and domestic entrepreneurship. The Government was expected to actively promote economic growth and use its resources to direct and support the private industry. It was the pursuit of such appropriate policies by these developing countries governments permitted shifts in their pattern of international specialisation in response to the changing structure of their comparative advantage at different levels of industrial development. As a result, the efficiency of resource allocation improved, the rates of growth accelerated, with benefits accruing to all concerned. DISTRIBUTION Distribution relates to the extent to which the gains arising from the MNEs operations are distributed between the partners. The host country would demand a fair share of the benefits created by the investment. However, the identification of a fair distribution is very difficult since it is almost impossible to price correctly some contribution such as technology diffusion and managerial expertise which are intangible in nature. In addition, the issue of distribution is even more contentious especially when profits of the multinationals are due less to the efficiency of resource allocation and more to market distortions or imperfections created and sustained in the first place by the government to attract these foreign firms. Also, the distribution of such rent is influenced by the relative bargaining strength of the multinationals and the host governments in the light of factors such as tax concessions, tariff protection and labour training. In this light, it may be argued that there is a direct relationship between the bargaining strength of the host country and its level of industrialization such that, the lower the industrialization level, the weaker its bargaining power. Finally, host nations are unable to extract their fair share of benefits because imperfections in the market for factors of production in which the multinationals are strong permits them to earn monopoly rent on these factors. SOVEREIGNTY Sovereignty relates to the ways in which the multinational may compromise the economic independence of host nations in either the short or long term. It highlights how the behaviour of multinationals may compromise the effectiveness of certain aspects of the host countries policies. For example, the intra-group transfer of rent, via transfer pricing practices, may undermine the autonomy of the host countries in areas such as fiscal policy, monetary policy, trade policy and its attempt to control and organize the structure of industries. SELF RELIANCE Self-reliance relates to the ways in which the operations of the multinational may undermine the viability or independence of local firms or enhance their potential. The self-reliance issue also crops up during the investigations of the impact of multinationals on the industrial structure of the host nations; for e.g. the level of concentration and/or modes of operations. It is also concerned with whether the operations of multinationals in the host nations may either enhance or hold back the availability of particular types of skills for local enterprises since there are claims that multinationals remunerate better their employees than local enterprises. However, there is no reason as to why the relationship between local enterprises and multinationals should be a competitive one. They may in fact complement each other rather than act as rivals. For e.g. multinationals may have recourse to indigenous forms for their supply of inputs and this may lead to significant benefits for the indigenous firms by way of improved technology, better quality control procedures and diffusion of skills. EXERCISES 1. MAURITIUS CASE STUDY Mauritius is unique in having had a wealthy class of sugar plantation owners who were actively seeking to diversify their investments in the first years of independence. They have experimented with horticultural and industrial exports, as well as with tourist facilities, for many years. It took the arrival of Hong Kong and Taiwan textile firms to get industrialization going, however. And South African hotel chains first brought the tourist facilities up to world class standards. Why couldnt they do it alone? The key missing ingredient was the much vaunted keystone of the new economy: knowledge. Mauritian investors lacked the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to create viable industry and tourism on their own. The overseas Chinese and South African investors brought in-depth knowledge of how to run an efficient firm. They also had intimate knowledge of customers and their preferences, as well of what the competition was offering. They were able to train the Mauritian workforce, interspersing production lines with faster Chinese workers and more flexible Indian ones to bring up productivity. Domestic investors, whether the sugar barons or more locals of more modest and ethnically diverse origins, unanimously reported that they were not squeezed out by foreign investment. On the contrary, they worked with, learned from, and in many cases bought out foreign investors. Ethnicity has been handled delicately in Mauritius, in surprising contrast to analysts predictions at independence. The few dozen Franco-Mauritian sugar barons who controlled the economy at independence in 1970 faced the classic South African nightmare of being washed into the sea. The majority of the electorate comprised landless descendants of cane-cutters brought in from the Indian subcontinent as contract labor. Yet Mauritians found a stable accommodation, in both politics and the economy. The constitution explicitly recognizes ethnic minorities, providing for 10 percent of parliamentary seats to go to also rans from ethnic minorities that would otherwise not be represented. The tiny new polity attained in two decades an economic transition from monocrop Sugar Island to a balanced economy in which textiles, tourism and sugar are the pillars. New forays are being made into business services, information technology and other diverse export products. Indo-Mauritians are still minimally represented as entrepreneurs, though they dominate the civil service. Sino-Mauritians, hitherto concentrated in smallscale commerce, enhanced their status through association with Hong Kong and Taiwan industrialists whose knowhow and investment initiated the textile sector. Economic tensions are worked out in annual tripartite negotiations between labor, government and employers, most of whom are Franco-Mauritians. Sound institutions have played a critical role in the process. The rule of law has prevailed consistently. The sturdy financial sector, led by Mauritius State Bank since 1828, provides investment capital to both domestic and foreign investors. The British tradition schools graduate fully bilingual, often tri- and quadrilingual students, whom employers find a great asset in the new global economy. Foreign And Local Investment In Mauritius Mauritius was chosen as a case study because it has a reputation as a country in which foreign investment has played a critical and unanticipated role in industrialization, driven largely by good policies. The case study bore this out, but added great complexity to the portrait. Ethnicity was a complicating factor that could have derailed growth, and sound institutions played as important a role as policies in its success. An Overview of Investment Policy and Performance in Mauritius In the 1960s as independence from Britain approached, James Meade and Burton Benedict published several studies that foresaw a bleak economic and political future for Mauritius.11 Meade proposed strategies to improve the standard of living while taking into consideration projected continuing rapid population growth (then over 3% per year). He foresaw pressures of population growth on economic resources on this small volcanic isle and suggested several mitigating strategies, including increasing productivity, encouraging emigration and family planning. Burton Benedict challenged Meades proposed solutions, asserting that even if Meades suggestions on ways to increase productivity were followed, this would not produce results strong enough to counter the population growth problem. To the Malthusian logic in these first analyses, Benedict added concern over the future political stability of Mauritius. He analyzed the 1953 and 1962 censuses and documented the impact of ethnic, religious, caste and linguistic fragmentation on local politics-from the national level to the squabbles over a repair contract for a small town road. He began with the observation that Mauritians rarely identified themselves and others as Mauritians. In 1962 people from the Indian subcontinent were the majority, but did not comprise a single ethnic group. 50.5 percent of the population was Hindu and 16.2 percent Muslim Chinese comprised 3.4 percent of the population, and the General Population, mainly Creoles and Franco-Mauritians constituted 29.9 percent. Although Africans had been brought to Mauritius in slavery, African languages and ethnic groups had melded into a mixed population speaking the Creole French patois that gradually became a lingua franca of the Island. The Indo-Mauritian population was 63 percent Hindu Sanatan and 19 percent Muslim Hanafi. There were generally endogamous minority sects of both major religions (the largest of which were Arya Samaj and Ahmadiyya), as well as Indian Christians. Castes had consolidated into a bipolar mode. They had no corporate organization, but were generally endogamous. Chinese were nearly evenly split between Christians and Buddhists. Indo-Mauritians were further split by language, which sometimes had ethnic connotations. Hindi was the mother tongue of 36 percent of the total population and Urdu of 13.5 percent. Smaller Tamil and Telugu groups rarely intermarried with other Hindus. The General population of metisse, Franco-Mauritians and others was 96 percent Roman Catholic. The Franco-Mauritian families, are mostly descendants of French nobility who fled there during the French Revolution. The British gained control of the island during the Napoleonic wars andgoverned it until 1968, but the French families dominated the domestic society and economy. For the dependency theorists of the 60s, Mauritius was an archetypical monocrop colonial economy. It depended on sugar for 99 percent of exports and one third of GDP. Cane fields occupied 90 percent of arable land. Of that, 55 percent was owned by 25 Franco-Mauritian families, often dubbed sugar barons. The remaining 45 percent of sugar estates were owned by 84,000 small farmers, predominantly of Indian origin. Almost no food was produced on the island. The majority who would dominate numerically in a democratic Mauritius was a land-poor population of former indentured laborers on sugar plantations from the Indian subcontinent. Until recently they had been considered transients, not counted as members of the population. Benedicts complex analysis of the ethnic situation did little to lift the prevailing pessimism about Mauritius future. The colonial government commissioned Meade to head an appointed commission to produce an economic strategy. The Meade Report was to strongly influence the government in creating its initial import substitution industrialization policy. The key recommendations in the Meade Report included tariff protection for certain local industries, a decrease of corporate tax from 40 to 30 percent, tax holidays for five of the first eight years of a company, priority of capital expenditure for projects leading to productive employment and the abolition of tariffs on importation of machine tools and equipment. These policies already focused on investment promotion, a policy which successive Mauritian governments have consistently favored. Even as early as 1960, investment in Mauritius reached 30% of GDP, a figure only recently achieved by the most successful economies in East Asia and largely unheard of in the developing world. At this time, however, neither the new government of Mauritius, nor others in the developing world, had recognized the connection between investment policy and the larger political and economic context. A number of trends of the first government, which was dominated by the Mauritian Labour Party from independence in 1968 until 1982, limited the effectiveness of investment promotion incentives. One concern of foreign investors was political stability. There had been some communal violence just before independence, and the new Hindu dominated government maintained a fragile truce with minorities, including Muslim, Chinese and Franco-Mauritians. Other concerns centered around macroeconomic policies. Currency controls and protective tariffs designed to nurture import substitution industries [for the tiny national market], raised energy and transaction costs and times for potential exporters. The involvement of government in labor/ management negotiations and the creation of state corpora tions in key sectors led investors to take a wait and see attitude toward government. And the fledgling transport and telecommunications infrastructure was barely adequate. The idea of creating an export promotion zone (EPZ) was added to the policy mix in 1970, only two years after independence. It was inspired by the success of Taiwan. Within a year the EPZ legislation was passed. In a stroke of brilliance, industrial leaders and policy-makers realized that Mauritius, being a small island with readily controlled access, could declare the whole island an EPZ-it did not need to have a fenced area. This allowed investors to build in dispersed locations, to facilitate transport for their workers and/or their products. Only a few foreign investors took advantage of the EPZ law in the 1970s, however. Mauritius isolated location in the Indian Ocean, its currency controls and uncertain political situation reportedly influenced the first investors to limit their commitments. What became the flagship textile firm, for example, was set up initially to do only the manufacturing marketing and management were based in Japan and Hong Kong respectively. By the end of the 1970s Mauritius was experiencing many of the same problems that other African countries had with state corporations, protective tariffs, and currency controls. With no petroleum resources, it had been hit hard by OPECs escalation of oil prices and the global economic distortions that ensued. Government was running unsustainable annual deficits, the balance of trade was negative, industry was stagnant, and foreign exchange rationing slowed down all transactions. A devastating cyclone catalyzed a change in direction and in government. An alliance of former opposition parties, the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) and Mauritian Socialist Party (PSM), won the 1982 elections, changing the dominant party position for the first time since electoral politics was introduced in 1947. The new government scrapped the mixed strategy of the 1970s, liberalized the currency, retreated from subsidizing state corporations, and put its full efforts into voluntary structural adjustment and promoting export-led growth. In retrospect, a recent government report sees that decision as an inevitable logical consequence of Mauritius geographic situation. The report, Mauritius at Crossroads (1995) explains that as a small island, physically limited by lack of arable land and relying solely on sugar for foreign exchange, Mauritius was condemned to turn to an aggressive export strategy. However, it was not until the early 80s that foreign investment actually took off. And, it appears, partly as a consequence so too did domestic investment take off. Today, according to Mauritius at Crossroads, every Mauritian is taught the concept Export or Die. This philosophy has led to the development of a sound business environment which is friendly to investors, both local and foreign, and which offers an attractive investment incentives package to compensate for the lack of resources and the no-longer inexpensive labor force. The older generation of industrial and government leaders also stresses that Mauritians have learned to make a virtue of their ethnic diversity. The switch to an export-led strategy came at a time of crisis. The ill-paid labor force was still predominantly of Indian origin, as was the government, whereas the industrial sector was led by Franco-Mauritians, Hong Kong/Taiwan investors and a few Sino-Mauritians. Several interviewees described the moment as if they had looked at one another, then at the surrounding hundreds of miles of ocean, and decided that they would sink or swim together. For the export strategy, Mauritius needed to reach out to Hong Kong and Taiwan textile magnates, who had the capital and skills to organize a competitive industry. Franco-Mauritian local capital and know-how, and contacts were needed to open up European markets. A cooperative, trainable labor force was needed to attract investors. And government needed to be fully committed to its investor-friendly strategy. Mauritius had hard-working bilingual predominantly male labor force. They were skilled in farming, not industrial work. Most analysts doubted that Hindu or Muslim women would ever come out of the home and into the workplace. Within six or seven years, Mauritius had full employment, and industrial workers were mainly women. Policies were the main, but not the only factor in investment decisions. Promoting investment has been on the top of the governments industrial agenda throughout the different development phases, but the understanding of what works for investors, for government and for the society as a whole, has evolved continuously. The first clearly defined policy came in 1961, as the colonial government began to prepare for an independent Mauritius, with the Industrial Development Tax Relief Act. The Export Processing Zone took effect in 1971, as one of the first acts of the newly independent government. Support services for exporters were given a fillip in 1981 with the Export Service Zones Act. In 1985, the Mauritius Export Development and Investment Authority (MEDIA) was established as the executive arm of the Ministry of Industry. Its main responsibilities are to attract investment, promote exports and manage industrial estates. Investors clearly weighed these incentives against the inconveniences created by location, lack of local food and fuel supplies and small market size. The only major policy disincentive for foreign investors is that they are not allowed to own land. Government has compensated by providing fully equipped industrial sites for lease. Hotel investors generally partner with a local landowner. In the 1980s Mauritius offered inexpensive labor, but within a decade the development of the textile and hotel sectors had brought wages to a middle level, by world standards. From the late 1980s through early 1990s, Mauritius experienced full employment. Rising wages have gradually priced the textile industry out of its mass-production T-shirt lines, and forced b oth government and industry to rethink development strategies. The Industrial Expansion Act of 1993 was a partial response to this dilemma. Through it Mauritius confirmed its commitment to permanent zero tax rates for exporters, and added a bundle of new-targeted incentive programs, providing for high technology investors, offshore financial services and freeport services. The full range of incentive programs Mauritius which were offered is shown in Table 6.1. To increase confidence in the industrial sector in general, corporate tax for manufacturers who do not qualify for the EPZ zerorate was cut from 35 to 15 percent. Table 3.1: Manufacturing Fiscal Incentives INCENTIVE SCHEMES QUALIFYING ACTIVITIES INCENTIVES Export Enterprise (EPZ)  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  All manufactured goods for exports  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Produce of deep sea fishing (Including fresh or frozen fish)  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Printing and publishing as well as associated operations  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  IT activities  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Agro Industries  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No customs duty, or sales tax on raw materials and equipment  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No corporate tax  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No tax on dividends  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No capital gains tax  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Free repatriation of profits, dividends and capital  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  60% remission of customs duties on buses of 15-25 seats used for the transport of workers.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Exemption from payment of half the normal registration fee on land and buildings by new enterprises.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Relief on personal income tax for 2 expatriate staff Pioneer Status Enterprise  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Activities involving technology and skills above average existing in Mauritius and likely to enhance industrial and technological development.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Applicant companies may come under one of three broad categories: (a) new technology, (b) support industries and (c) service industries.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No customs duty, or sales tax on scheduled equipment or materials.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  15% corporate tax  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No tax on dividends  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Free repatriation of profits, dividends and capital Strategic Local Enterprise  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Local industry manufacturing for the local market and engaged in an activity likely to promote and enhance the economic, industrial and technological development of Mauritius.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  15% corporate tax  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No tax on dividends Modernization and Expansion Enterprise  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Two broad categories:  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Investment in productive machinery and equipment, such as automation equipment and processes and computer applications to industrial design, manufacture and maintenance CAD/CAM)  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Investment in anti-pollution and environment protection technology to be made within 2 years of date of issue of certificate.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No customs duty on production equipment  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Income tax credit of 10% (spread over 3 years) of investment in new plant and machinery, provided at least Rs 10 million are spent and this occurs within two years of date of issue of certificate. (This is in addition to existing capital allowances which amount to 125%of capital expenditures.)  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Enterprises incurring expenditure on anti-pollution machinery or plant benefit from a further incentive, i.e. an initial allowance of 80% instead of the normal 50% Industrial Building Enterprise Construction for letting purposes of industrial buildings or levels thereof, provided floor space is at least 1000 square meters. Special conditions: The applicant can only be a company intending to erect an industrial building to be let to the holder of a certificate (other than an industrial building enterprise certificate) issued under this Act or to an enterprise engaged in the manufacture or processing of goods or materials except the milling of sugar.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  15% corporate tax  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No tax on dividends  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Registration dues for land purchase: 50% exemption  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  There is also a non-fiscal incentive, namely the disapplication of the Landlord and Tenant Act, i.e. rent control Source: Destination Mauritius, Mauritius Export Development and Investment Authority (MEDIA). Table 3.2: Services Fiscal Incentives INCENTIVE SCHEME QUALIFYING ACTIVITIES INCENTIVES Offshore Business Conduct of business with non-residents and in currencies other than the Mauritian Rupee. Activities include: offshore banking, offshore insurance, offshore funds management, international financial services, operational Headquarters, international consultancy services, shipping and ship management, aircraft financing and leasing, international licensing and franchising, international data processing and other information technology services, offshore pension funds, international trading and assets management, international employment se

The Two Visions Of St. Augustine :: essays research papers

A common thread of faith and reason runs through the two different theological visions of St. Augustine in his Confessions. This can be seen by comparing the ascent, the vision, the descent, and language in the two visions. Although other parts of the text will be referred to, the central part of these visions are as follows:Vision 1: "... in an instant of awe, my mind attained to the sight of the God who IS. Then, at last, I caught sight of your invisible nature, as it is known through your creatures. But I had no strength to fix my gaze upon them. In my weakness I recoiled and fell back..." Vision 2: "And while we spoke of the Eternal Wisdom, longing for it and straining for it with all the strength of our hearts, for one fleeting instant we reached out and touched it. Then, with a sigh, leaving our spiritual harvest bound to it, we returned to the sound of our own speech,..." (Page 197)The two excerpts are written in similar styles. Both contain strong Platonist language, such as references to the line (the image of climbing to knowledge in the second vision, page 197), the cave ("confusion of images," in the first vision, page 151), and the sun (the transient quality of the first vision, page 152). The language in each vision also refers to the method of ascent. In the first vision, Augustine makes his ascent by reason, seen through words like, "my thoughts," "the power of reason," and "bodily sense." In the second vision, Augustine and his mother, Monica, make the ascent by the power of love. This is seen by words such as, "flame of love," "our hearts," and "strength of our hearts." (Page 197)The method of ascent to each vision is significant when considering the role that faith and reason play in each. Together, the method of ascent, faith, and reason represent Augustine's journey to faith. The first ascent is necessarily made by the mind and reason, necessarily because Augustine has not yet received faith, which would enable him to go farther. (Page 151) Augustine begins his ascent with questions about the nature of his mind. He tries to answer these through the consideration of material things, the soul, and reason itself. (Page 151) Everything that he deliberates is arrived at by a reasonable chain of thought that takes place in his mind.

Ludwig Wittgenstein: The Nature of Religious Language Essay -- Languag

Ludwig Wittgenstein once believed that language's function was to name objects and the meaning of language was found in the objects for which it stands. He later rejected this and centred on how language works and is used, believing that problems of religious language come from misunderstanding its usage. Wittgenstein was no longer concerned with the truth or falsity of language but the way it is used and the functions that it performs, as he said 'Don't ask for the meaning ask for the use.' Wittgenstein recognised that language is equivocal as words have many different meanings, such as the word 'pen' whose meaning changes in different contexts. He saw language as a game, which like all games had its own set of rules. Different contexts or 'forms of life' are like different language games with their own self contained rules. Those not involved in a particular language game effectively become 'non-players' and so the language holds no meaning for them, however, this does not give the non-believer the right to dismiss religious language as meaningless. Wittgenstein used the example of 'soul' to illustrate the problems of trying to use words in the wrong language 'game'. He felt that the problems stemming from the word 'soul' are caused because people try to see it as a physical object. Such problems would disappear if people realised that the 'physical object game' didn't apply in this case. It was argued that language is a social product, therefore individuals could not have their own private language as one could not be certain that language was being used correctly. Wittgenstein therefore rejected Descartes ... ... Religious believers are also involved in other language games because they are involved in other aspects of life. This means that religious language is not totally isolated and there will be some common ground with other 'language games'. This may suggest that the non-believer may be able to understand religious language and decide if it holds any meaning for them. It is also argued that if anything, non-believers may be able to understand religious language better than a believer, as they can be more objective about it. It seems that Wittgenstein was mistaken as seeing religious language only being intelligible in the context of religious belief. Many religious statements entail a truth which is not dependent upon context, but statements such as 'Jesus died to bring salvation' are though of as true for everyone.