A Brothers Murder

Anthony Tooke Turner English 80 September 2, 2012 â€Å"A Brother’s Murder† A Brother’s Murder† by Brent Staples is about two brothers that grew up together. Staples left his hometown for ten years to better himself. Staples later came to find out his brother was killed by his best friend over a girl. I understand why he made that decision because it was either he leave or end up dead. Brent Staples left his home to achieve success. In order for Staples to achieve success he felt like he needed to leave home.Staples didn’t want his past to affect who he was trying to become. As he said in the essay â€Å"I added a psychological dimension to the physical distance that I had already achieved I rarely visited my hometown† (Staples 361). Staples thought that if he could add this dimension to his life then he would be able to help his brother out. I understand why he wanted to block out his past. Some of the people I’ve hung out with did thi ngs I disagreed with.I had to lose connections with them to better myself. Staples wanted to leave his hometown to achieve success in his life. He wanted to better himself. I understand why Staples did what he did, it was either him staying at his hometown or he move to better himself to help his little brother. I can connect to this essay because I had to make sacrifices hanging out with the kids in the neighborhood to brighten my future. It is important to me because we seem to let our past affect our future.

Assessing the Quality of the Financial Statements Essay

†¢Reading the Financial Statements and Creating a Data File Our experience, and that of our students, is that careful and thorough reading of the financial statements yields a great deal of information about the firm. The financial statements, the notes, and management’s discussion and analysis provide valuable insights into the business strategies, profitability, and risk of the firm. Many firms explicitly disclose elements of the business that are performing well or poorly, also providing explanations about the performance. Many firms explicitly disclose projections of future business activities, such as expected future sales growth rates or capital expenditures, which are helpful information for projecting future financial statements. Analysts who do not carefully read the financial statements stand to miss this valuable information. After careful reading, the analyst should enter the financial statement data into a data file. One initial choice in creating a data file is whether to use the accounts and amounts that the firm provides in its Form 10-K or annual report to shareholders or to download and use amounts from various online sources or databases that format the amounts into a standardized template. One advantage of following the first approach is that you rely on the primary source of the financial statements, not on a secondary source about which you may not know all of the reclassifications and adjustments made to confirm the reported amounts to the standardized template. Another advantage of following the first approach is that the financial statement data will be classified into accounts consistent with the notes to the financial statements, the main source of information for assessing the quality of the reported amounts. The principal advantages of using amounts in a standardized template are that use of the template can save time and the financial statement amounts are reasonably comparable across firms. The next decision to be made is whether to input the financial statement data into FSAP, a financial statement analysis package that accompanies this text, or to create a new spreadsheet file. The principal advantages of FSAP are that it provides spreadsheets that have embedded formulas for the various profitability and risk ratios, it provides a template for preparing forecasted financial statements using the previously reported actual amounts as a base, and it inputs the forecasted amounts into several valuation models to arrive at equity values. †¢Assessing the Quality of the Reported Amounts One of the most important steps in financial statement analysis is to assess the quality of the reported amounts and make appropriate adjustments before proceeding to the analysis of profitability and risk. The saying â€Å"garbage in, garbage out† applies with particular importance to financial statements. To assess quality, you must read the financial statements and notes. Material nonrecurring or unusual income items are candidates for adjustment. Significant off-balance-sheet assets or liabilities also are candidates. Some adjustments may be needed to increase the comparability of the financial statement amounts for each of the firms analyzed in the term project.

Breaking with the Continuum

In this paper I’m going to discuss how both Modernism and Postmodernism represented a paradigm shift in the traditional art and thinking. I’m going to list the characteristic features of these eras, providing relevant evidence, where necessary. In the closing part f my paper, I’m going to investigate the effects Modernism and Postmodernism had on the creative process in the wider context. Following the chronology of events, I’ll discus Modernism first. The revolutionary nature of this artistic movement is noted for all the scholars researching the History of Art.If we discuss the definition of Modernism, we’ll see that it reflects the innovative and experimental nature if it: â€Å"The term Modernism applied retrospectively to the wide range of experimental and avant-garde trends in the arts that emerged from the middle of the 19th century, as artists rebelled against traditional Historicism, and later through 20th century as the necessity of an in dividual rejecting previous tradition, and by creating individual, original techniques. † (HuntFor. com, n/d, para. 1) Indeed, the first and foremost characteristic feature of Modernism is the rejected tradition.While the majority of previous artistic developments tried to find a place within the general context of the artistic realm, Modernism rejected all the previous principles and practices. The very term â€Å"Modernism† implies the dichotomy and struggle between tradition and modernity. In a limited number of cases, â€Å"Modernism was not merely defined by its avant garde but also by a reforming trend within previous artistic norms. † (HuntFor. com, n/d, para. 2) In a word, Modernism aimed at rejecting, transforming, or reforming previous artistic experience – but nothing can be left untouched.But what tradition Modernism rejected? â€Å"The second half of the 19th century has been called the Positivist age. In the visual arts this modernistic or p ositivistic spirit is most obvious in the widespread rejection of Romantic subjectivism and imagination in favor of the faith in the positive consequences of the close observation and the accurate and apparently objective description of the ordinary, observable world. † (HuntFor. com, n/d, para. 3) Another characteristic feature of Modernism is experiment.From my personal point of view, in the majority of cases Modernism represented experiment for the sake of experiment: Modernists wanted â€Å"to create forms for no other purpose than novelty. † (Keep, McLaughlin & Parmar, n/d, â€Å"Defining Postmodernism,† â€Å"What is postmodernism? †, para. 1) The tension between dispositio and eloqutio was often decided in favour of form. It’s much easier to produce a revolution in form than in meaning. As for other revolutionary innovations, â€Å"Modernism's cutting edges, to this point had been the exploration of subjective experience and the clarificatio n and simplification of structure.† (HuntFor. com, n/d, para. 6) By way of all these changes and modifications, art was ascribed a new function. Modernism â€Å"introduced the increasing number of works which either radically simplified or rejected previous practice. Underlying strand of that thinking can be called the shift from idealistic to critical. This tendency mirrors that art is to communicate clearly. † (HuntFor. com, n/d, para. 9) Modernism pioneered new forms of artistic expression, offered by rapidly developing technology. â€Å"This feature would in future unite both Modernism and Postmodernism.The rise of cinema and ‘moving pictures’ in the first decade of the 20th century gave the modern movement an artform which was uniquely its own. The use of photography, which had rendered much of the representational function of visual art obsolete, also strongly affected Modernism. † (HuntFor. com, n/d, para. 7) Indeed, Modernism, especially in s pecific forms, offered an up-to-date response to the changing reality. â€Å"The pressures of communication, transportation and more rapid scientific development began placing a premium on search for simplification of diction in the work of various art forms.One example was the movement towards clarity, and the embracing of new technology, found in Futurism. † (HuntFor. com, n/d, para. 12) So we can conclude that there were objective preconditions for the rejection of tradition advocated by the representatives of Modernism. When I thought of bringing a relevant example to illustrate how Modernists rejected the tradition, I found out that each movement – from De Stijl to Art Deco – offered their own response. This again proves the innovative nature of Modernism: while the tradition is singular, the deviations from it are multiple.The situation with Postmodernism isn’t that crystal clear. The very term â€Å"Postmodernism† suggests the continuation o f modernists’ tradition. The concept of Postmodern was first used with regard to architecture at the middle of the last century: â€Å"Firstly, postmodernism was a movement in architecture that rejected the modernist, avant garde, passion for the new. † (Keep, McLaughlin & Parmar, n/d, â€Å"Defining Postmodernism,† â€Å"What is postmodernism? †, para. 1) Generally, the movement was born as a rejection of the previous tradition of the adoeation of novelty. The definition of Postmodernism is as follows:â€Å"[Postmodernism is a] rejection of the sovereign autonomous individual with an emphasis upon anarchic collective, anonymous experience. Collage, diversity, the mystically unrepresentable, Dionysian passion are the foci of attention. Most importantly we see the dissolution of distinctions, the merging of subject and object, self and other. This is a sarcastic playful parody of western modernity and the ‘John Wayne’ individual and a radical , anarchist rejection of all attempts to define, reify or re-present the human subject. † (Keep, McLaughlin & Parmar, n/d, â€Å"Defining Postmodernism,† â€Å"What is postmodernism? †, para. 5)We see that Postmodernism rejects not only the previous tradition of Modernism, but also all the previous artistic tradition. It focuses on a different meaning and method of creation. Assuming that no new knowledge can have been produced at the end of the 20th century, Postmodernism concentrated on synthesizing the available element of art and thought. Postmodernism is a paradigm shift that can’t yet be defined by comparison with the artistic method that will chronologically follow it. As for the meaning of these two innovative trends, Modernism opened a new era in the Western art at the beginning of the 20th century.It opened way for constant experimentation and search for new forms of artistic expression. Postmodernism with its stress on collective and anonymous e xperience changed the nature of relations between the author and artistic product. Both trends offered a highly needed response to the rapidly changing world. References Modernism. HuntFor. com. June 11, 2005. www. huntfor. com/arthistory/c19th/modernism. htm Keep, C. , McLaughlin, T. and Parmar, R. Defining Postmodernism. The Electronic Labyrinth. June 11, 2005. http://www. iath. virginia. edu/elab/hfl0242. html

Berlioz Bicentennial Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Berlioz Bicentennial - Essay Example With Currie sounding each drum, mallet, or "metal" to an ever-repeating rhythmic figure, various orchestral soloists and ensemble groups simultaneously define the melody or motif. Torke's expressed goal is to use these devices to get the listener "grooved into a rapturous state". Except for parts of the marimba movement, I was chiseled into an unrelentingly bored state. In this work, Torke commits an unpardonable sin: most of his forces go unheard. Specifically, the full string complement, the full wind complement, and the harp are seen busily sawing, blowing, and plucking away with only occasional audible evidence of their presence. The listener hears only the trumpets and trombones vying for attention with Currie's fearsome forward phalanx. The audience did give hearty applause at Rapture's conclusion and reportedly bought considerable numbers of its Naxos CD recording during intermission. In my view, however, they were sustaining a collective placebo effect from Torke's pre-performance address to them regarding the "sexual rapture" and related concepts. Like the 12-tone music of nearly a century ago, Rapture needs to be studied not merely heard to be appreciated.

Subprime Loane Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Subprime Loane - Research Paper Example It is not the interest rate corresponding to the loan itself. â€Å"Subprime† denotes any type of loan which does not satisfy the prime guidelines of a loan. Subprime lending is a process of making loans or lending money to the borrowers who are not qualified to be given loan at the market interest rates because of their low credit ratings (Bahin, 2007). Both the borrowers and the lenders find themselves in a riskier position as a result of subprime lending. It is so because such lending is characterized by poor credit rating, high amount of interest rates associated with it, and unfavorable financial situations. The mortgage brokers played an important role in the rise and fall of financing related to subprime mortgages. The competition corresponding to the subprime loans increased as a result of increasing demand of Mortgage Backed Securities (MBSs) sought by the investment banks. The lenders were observed to be involved in activities of introducing innovative financial prod ucts which seemed to be attractive to the borrowers, and the latter were thus becoming more and more interested to borrow money from the lenders. If we consider the job responsibilities of mortgage brokers, it can be observed that they had to perform the activities related to identifying the borrowers, receiving an application for loan from the borrowers, assessing their credit worthiness, evaluating their income-to-debt ratios, and then finally sending the borrowers to the lender who meets all the criteria. However, it is worth mentioning that all these activities and processes followed by the mortgage brokers did not correspond to the actual plan. The mortgage brokers received emoluments in the form of commissions and, therefore, it worked as an incentive for them to earn greater commissions by sending even the prime credit borrowers to the subprime lenders. Even the people who had little knowledge about MBSs were attracted to them because of the increasing demand for them in the market. There were not even any kinds of licensing requirements for a person to become a mortgage broker (Sanders, 2002). All these factors led to the emergence of mortgage brokers in the market and had an impact on lowering their reputations. The lenders were exposed to such a huge number of participants in the mortgage industry that many of the borrowers received loans who should never have been lent money because they were to face financial problems while repaying the loans received by them. Based on the above evaluation of the situation it can be concluded that besides some of the minor incidents, certain specific individuals like mortgage brokers cannot be blamed for the downfall of the overall subprime mortgage lending process. The blame should actually go to the regulatory authorities and government institutions which failed to oversee the situation beforehand, to different corporate misdeeds, motivation to earn more profits, and also, to a large extent, to the borrowers them selves. Question 2 Incentive contracts or managerial incentives in a corporate organization mainly correspond with the agency theory and the problems associated with it. Jensen and Meckling (1976) are commonly associated with the term â€Å"agency theory† as found in most of the existing literature. According to Alchian and Demstez (1972), the business activities conducted by most of the organizations are mostly governed through contracts that involve voluntary exchanges.

What do we know about female genital mutilation in the UK Research Proposal

What do we know about female genital mutilation in the UK - Research Proposal Example The UK is a country that is affected by this scourge. While France has had over a 100 prosecutions over this issue, UK’s performance has been lacklustre. The UK has in the past been compared unfavourably to other countries over the issue, such as France where there have been more than 100 successful prosecutions (BBC, 21 March 2014). The mounting intensity of the issue makes FGM in UK a significant topic for further research. The study will find out if female circumcision as a cultural practice is prevalent in the modern UK society. This also aims to analyze the intensity of FGM’s consequences on the victim population in terms of social as well as health complications. This study may throw light on the issue so as to evoke better education, community-wide awareness programs, and legal intervention that may prevent this unethical practice. FGM as a whole is debilitating to a woman. Her private parts are distorted endangering her health and life. A rigorous effort is essential to wipe out this practice from the UK society. The study has certain limitations as FGM is performed secretly in most cases. Social stigma along with legality concerns will prevent people from disclosing facts. World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as ‘all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitals, or injury to the female genital organs for non-therapeutic reasons’. According to the WHO, FGM is of four types. The clitoris could be removed alone or it could be removed with the labia minora. In some cases, the vaginal opening could be narrowed with or without excising the clitoris. All other harmful practices on the female genitalia also come under this definition. (RCM, et al. 2014). Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) agrees that there are very few referrals for FGM. Nevertheless, she puts the onus on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) due to which there have been no cases to begin with (Owen, 2014). Lack of

Textile Industry in USA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Textile Industry in USA - Essay Example The industry comprises various, fragmented set of services that range from small, family-owned and-operated facilities that normally employ older, conventional manufacturing systems to giant integrated mills that employ the most modern machinery and manufacturing equipment. In 1996, Mexico pushed China aside as the major U.S. supplier of textiles and garments. Textiles and apparel are responsible for about 20 % of the U.S. trade loss. Recently, the loss in textile and apparel business was estimated as $52 billion. In accordance with the WTO, in 1998, the U.S. imported $69.1 billion worth of textile merchandise making it the largest importer. Exports are about $17 billion. Moreover, the Asian financial predicaments have impacted the U.S. textile industry. The American Textile Manufacturers Institute (A.T.M.I.) has resolved to firmly dispute against the new rush of Asian imports into the USA, following the depreciation of Far Eastern currencies. Apparel imports from Asia are up 12 % for 1998 to 5.9 billion square meters. In addition, Asian imports of fabrics, yarn and home fixtures have risen by 16 % to reach 6.1 billion square meters. Accordingly, U.S. fabric manufacturer Burlington declared in January 1999 that it would decrease its manufacturing facility by 25 %, as a result of bigger Asian garment imports in the U.S.A. Seven factories were shut, and 2,900 people fired i.e. 17 % of the labor force. Burlington Industries hires 17,400 persons in the U.S.A., 18,900 all over the world. It is anticipated that the U.S. textile and apparel industry's has experienced a decrease in employment from 1.5 million people in 1990 to 985,000 in 1999. Nevertheless, it is believed that as the World Trade Organization is more phased in and business impediments continue to decrease, the position for the textile industry on the global side looks assured for both exports and imports. Moreover at the same time as the economic predicament in Asia may turn up ostensibly to intimidate the textile industry with a rush of cheap goods from those nations, some crucial aspects make sure that the industry will be less at risk. The central of these aspects is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Statistics show that the agreement has already facilitated quickens businesses between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with imports from Canada and Mexico representing 21.1 % of all U.S. textile imports. Especially important, U.S. exports to the two nations comprise 45.6 % of all U.S. textile exports. As there has been a common drop in demand for U.S. made products, this enlarged trade among North American nations will help to reduce the shock that the crisis might otherwise have on U.S. producers. In contrast, U.S. textile importers and developing countries have blamed the U.S. government of not fulfilling global Agreement on Textiles and Apparel (ATA). A key component of the ATA requires the phase-out of quotas on textile and apparel trade. Various American importers and retailers, in addition to the developing countries that export goods to the USA, have condemned the U.S. government for continuing quotas on various imports until the end of the 10-year phaseout period, which started in 1995. On November 15, 1999, the USA and

Economic Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Economic Paper - Essay Example This is because they lack specialization and hence unable to understand the process undertaken. Some companies want to create â€Å"frictionless staff† which is not possible with people since handling matters for more than 15 employees is always complicated (Weber & Feintzeig 3). Transferring people to different teams when they fallout with one team will not work since there are personal issues which need to be addressed first. Doing away with the HR department is often aimed to decentralize employee matters. This means heads of various departments will solve problem arising between employees. This will complicated this process and consequently people will have different experiences in the same company. HR department helped to create institution’s culture which will now be unavailable. Also, human resource department used to address cases of discrimination in various departments and consequently checked the conduct of managers. This move to do without a HR department makes managers in various departments mistreat employees without them being reported to an authority within the organization. This may land companies involved in court and be forced to address matters that HR department could have addressed (Weber & Feintzeig 3). In my view, companies should not do away with their HR departments since handing employees matters ranging from hiring, compensation, to solving disputes will become difficult. They will also lack culture which can affect their image and consequently may lose out to their

European History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

European History - Essay Example In the making of the Treaty of Versailles that effectively ended World War I, France chaired the peace conference and saw fit to have Germany, the one who started the war be properly punished and the lands it confiscated returned. Germany signed the treaty but proposed some amendments. Still, the treaty was to the consciousness of Germans a reason to have a score settled and that came in World War II. In the opinions of many, the treaty was too harsh on Germany and France is now being seen in bad light World War II. In 1939, World War II came, and this lasted until 1945.1 The war spread out to Europe, Asia, Mediterranean and Middle East, Africa resulting in Allied victory where casualties were 62 million, and 37 million of these were civilians and 25 million were military. The two groups that were fighting were the Allies composed of Soviet Union, UK and Commonwealth, USA, France/Free France, China, Poland, and Australia; and the Axis composed of Germany, Japan, Italy, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Vichy France. 2 World War II was a truly global conflict with untold human misery that began on September 1, 1939 when German invaded Poland. Countries that participated in World War I were the same countries involved in World War II. On September 3, 1939 Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declared war on Germany and Canada followed a week later. Meanwhile, the United States joined the conflict in December 1941 after Japan attacked Pearl Harbour.3 Treaties. After World War II, delegates from 21 member countries of the United Nations met in Paris on July 29, 1946, to draft treaties with Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and Finland.4 Representatives of the United States, Britain, the Soviet Union, and France signed the treaties in Paris on Feb. 10, 1947. Border fortifications as provided in the treaties were to be limited only to keeping internal security. Also, guarantees against racial discrimination and the rebirth of fascist governments were provided for.5 Because of the devastating experiences of war that the nations went through especially in World War II, these two guarantees are understandable. Also, the Balkan treaties provided for free navigation of the Danube. Demands. At the end of the war, millions were rendered homeless, the European economy had collapsed, and 70% of the European industrial infrastructure was destroyed.6 The Eastern victors exacted payment of war reparations from the defeated nations, and in the Paris Peace Treaty, the enemies of Soviet Union which were Hungary, Finland and Romania, were required to pay $300,000,000 each to the Soviet Union. Italy was required to pay $360,000,000, shared chiefly between Greece, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union.7 Meanwhile, the Western victors in World War II did not demand compensation from the defeated nations. Instead, a plan established by U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall, the "European Recovery Program", better known as the Marshall Plan, called for the U.S. Congress to allocate billions of dollars for the reconstruction of Europe.8 As reflected in Table 1, the breakdown was as follows - compensation to the wWII victors at 1938 prices (Tabled by writer

Divorce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Divorce - Essay Example This increasing rate of divorces can be blamed on an imbalance between understanding the other person and maintaining one’s own self-esteem at the same time. The inability of the couples to appreciate their partner and the values of marriage has led to the soaring statistics of divorces (Kramer). With the advent of the same-sex marriages and state laws permitting them, a difference can be seen in couple behaviors and relationship attitudes between the same-sex and heterosexual couples. A very intriguing concept put forward by Peter D. Kramer, analyses the values of autonomy and mutuality amongst the couples and the importance of their equivalent preservation. Autonomy is one of those values that is imprinted in the American psychology and even in marriages the couples are emphasizing on maintaining their self-beliefs and their true identity against whatever the circumstances. Carl Roger states that, â€Å"a successful marriage is one that increases the self-actualization of each member†. In olden times, only men were privileged with this right of self-governance, however 1970’s introduced this ideology to the women as well. It is important to note here, when both members of the couple assert their self-importance and individuality, it is a step forward towards progress and social evolvement. But the irony of this concept is that it leads to a greater number of divorces. Therefore it is of most importance that this ideology should be in a state of equ ilibrium with mutuality and acceptance of the other person. Mutuality is a virtue that is not commonly practiced in our society and the attention of an individual is mainly directed towards self-enhancement, self-help and self-esteem. It is not something that can be taught or practiced spontaneously; rather it needs to be incorporated in our society just like the concept of autonomy is. Marriages will not be able to thrive in a healthy manner until and unless

Work Stress Essay Example for Free

Work Stress Essay We live with it, deal with it, and above all worry about it. Our way of life, the area in which we live, the economy, and our jobs can cause a great deal of stress. Not everyone deals with the same level of stress and there are several factors that can impact our lives and cause us to have higher or lower stress levels. We can have stressed caused by Cataclysmic events which according to Feldman (2009) are events that can affect many people at the same time and are â€Å"disasters such as tornado and plane crashes, as well as terrorist attacks†. (p418). Other factors are personal stressors and can be caused by events such as a divorce, death or a loved one or the loss of a job. (Feldman, 2009). The other category is what Feldman (2009) refers to as background stressors and are the things that impact our daily life. South Florida has many factors that contribute to our stress level, high unemployment rate 12.1% , high number of families living in poverty approximately 16%, (U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder at (http://factfinder.census.gov), a housing crisis that has contributed to many residents losing their homes, overcrowded roads, high crime rate, and during hurricane season the weather. When we compare ourselves with people living in smaller cities, villages, other areas of the country or even other countries, or those whose socio economic status allows them to maintain their life style during difficult economic times we could probably see a difference in the stress level. Who has not stressed over driving in the Palmetto or I-95. Who has not stressed over the evening news or the possibility of not having a job in very difficult economic times? Who has not stressed over the possibility of being affected by the housing crisis? Who does not stress over a situation at work over which we have no control? These are stressors we live with and deal with on a daily basis. Work Stress and Mental Health Some people have higher levels of stress because they might have a very stressful job. Police officers, fire fighters, soldiers in a war zone, health care providers, long distance truck drivers, and yes, even educators (think of a classroom full of students where you are responsible for making sure that they are learning the skills they need to succeed) have very stressful jobs. According to Elkin and Rosch (1990) workplace related stress in a major problem in the U.S. and it creates a major expense for corporations. Koeske, Kirk, and Koeske (1993) indicate that all jobs have some level of stress but jobs that are in the human services have additional stressors because they â€Å"derive from intense involvement in the lives of others†. (p.319). They also refer to the type of stress experienced by individuals working in human services as â€Å"burnout† (Koeske, Kirk, and Koeske, 1993, p.319). Another factor that can influence our stress level is how we handle lifeâ€℠¢s demands. There are different ways of reacting to the situations we face every day of our lives. We have all heard of expressions such as ‘road rage’ and ‘going postal’. These are terms that we have come to identified with violent reactions to stressors caused by situations all of us face every day. How many of us have experiences in the road that would cause us to display behavior that is outside of what we consider to be within a normal range? How many of us have had experiences at work with a supervisor or a coworker where we have had to use all of our self control not to respond in an appropriate manner? We all have had these experiences and how we handle them depends on different factors such as our own characteristics, or external factors that could be impacting us at any particular moment. Symptoms of stress and anxiety caused by work According to Tetrick and LaRocco (1987) â€Å" work conditions can lead to perception of stress. Perceived stress, in turn, leads to job-related strains such as dissatisfaction, boredom, and turnover, and to individual strains such as anxiety, depression, and physical illness† (p.538). There are other factors that can cause high level of stress in a job for example high demands on the part of an employer, (i.e. constant deadlines, extended work hours) and low control on the part of the employee (i.e. very little control over the day to day activities in the workplace) and low rewards for effort can increase the chances of having serious health problems such as anxiety, use of prescription or over the counter drugs to deal with stress. (Workplace Mental Health Promotion, 2010). According to Tetrick and Larocco (1987) in addition to these external factors related to our jobs and the type of work conditions we have we also have internal factors that they call â€Å"internal char acteristics (i.e., personal characteristics) and external conditions (i.e., situational characteristics)† (p. 358). Pachner (2010) stated that In response to feelings of insecurity or ineffectiveness many people can avoid social interactions with colleagues and can develop physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure and even heart attacks. Many of us have experiences these types of feelings or reactions when we have found ourselves in stressful jobs. These health related issues can impact the individual, his/her family, the workplace environment and the community in general. Higher costs for health care, incidents of road rage or workplace violence, as well as in some instances domestic violence can all be linked to stressed caused by work. Individuals at risk of experiencing conditions of stress and anxiety As indicated before most of us are at risk of experiencing stress and a burnout feeling at any time. Those of us who are in the fields where we deal with people or a daily basis or where high demands and where we have little control of our work environment will be more impacted than others. Additionally as mentioned before certain type of personality characteristics will increase or levels of stress. Some of the internal characteristics might be our way of handling difficult situations, our need to control our environment, our need to overachieve, even our need to please others. Some individuals have a need to have control over all aspects of their lives and when decisions are made by others and they have no control over these decisions it impacts their well being. Stressful jobs such as those involving high risk or oneself, i.e. law enforcement, military duty in a war zone, can cause higher level of stress. Jobs where demands are placed in our abilities to deal with others can also create stress, i.e., healthcare professionals, customer service personnel, teachers, and other professionals who deal directly with others. The stress caused by these types of jobs can influence our health, our attitudes, and even our home life. In many instances individuals do not have the opportunity to decompress before arriving home to deal with the other stressors that we all confront. When we leave our jobs we then need to face the different challenges surrounding us in our community i.e. traffic, weather, etc. Dealing with stress and anxiety According to Elkin and Rosch (1990) To prevent burnout individuals need to monitor their mental and physical health and maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, leisure time and connecting with family and friends. All of us need to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy equilibrium between work and our own personal life. Giving in to the demands of a stressful job can only serve to create additional health problems such as heart conditions, high blood pressure, dependency on over the counter, illegal, or prescription drugs. It will also contribute to other problems such as lack of sleep, isolation, and sometimes depression. Perhaps we need to look at how other societies live their daily lives. For example traveling in the Mediterranean, specially the Greek islands, can give you a different perspective of how life can be. The Greek Islands have a low rate of heart disease and having traveled there myself I can see how their lifestyle contributes to that l ow risk. They are very active and involved in activities that promote healthy lifestyles i.e. fishing. They eat healthy and most of the time is food that is prepared in a healthy way. They take time to rest during the day and they take the time to enjoy family and friends and establish social connections. We, on the other hand, because of our work schedules, the time it takes us to get to and from work, the demands we place on ourselves, rarely have time to socialize and spend time with family or friends. Perhaps corporations should take into consideration the need to provide time for employees to establish relationships at work that are not just work related but that go beyond the routine of the workplace. Encouraging employees to have an active life style would also help the stress since physical activity reduces stress level. Having a good health insurance that promotes healthy life style such as by encouraging preventing medicine and membership in health clubs will contribute to reduce the stress level. We also need to take proactive steps to reduce the stress level caused by our jobs. One of the steps we can take is to accept that our personality can play a major role on how we adapt and deal with the job demands and take steps to change the extra stress we create for ourselves. If we like to control what we do at all times and like to plan ahead for all events but work in a job that is constantly changing we can begin by accepting that we can control the time we leave for work, what we take for lunch, and what route we take to get to and from work and that will give us a sense of control for at least part of the day. If we like to achieve perfection or please those around us we can begin by establishing realistic goals that we can achieve every day rather than trying to be the best in all possible aspects. Understanding ourselves, our needs, our personality, and the demands of our jobs can help us to decrease the level of stress we experience. There are factors over which we have no control i.e. the crime rate in our area, the weather, the overcrowded highways, etc. However we can certainly control other aspects of our lives such as how we handle the demands of our job, the type of lifestyle we choose to live and the amount of quality time we choose to spend with family and friends who are important to us. Knowledge and Career Understanding that there is an entire group of problems that are known as â€Å"psychophysilogical disorders that often result or are worsened by stress† (Feldman, 2009, p.421) can help us to realize that these are very real medical problems that are â€Å"influenced by an interaction of psychological, emotional, and physical difficulties† Feldman, 2009, p.421). Having gained some basic knowledge of the different aspects of what can cause stress in our lives such as work, environment, social demands, etc. can help us manage our lives and careers in a way that will help us to achieve our goals, maintain healthy relationships, succeed at our jobs, and maintain a healthy life style. According to Feldman (2009) our relationship with others can help us deal with our stress. The social support we can establish can help us to lower our stress level and the support we show others can help them as well. Coping with the daily stressors we face, and doing so as a member of a group of family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors can help us to maintain a healthy level of stress and will certainly reduce the risk of health problems associated with major stress in our life. This will in turn help us to be successful in our careers because we will achieve a healthy balance of work goals, family goals, community commitment, and a sense of well being.

I Have a Dream Speech Analysis Essay Example for Free

I Have a Dream Speech Analysis Essay King had suffered the racial injustice of America at that time and was tired of the segregation. â€Å"We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: ‘For Whites Only. ’† At this point in time, society was segregated to an extreme. Blacks and whites did not mix, the black people were forced to sit at the back of the bus while the white people had the privilege of the front. The two races could not drink from the same water fountains and attended segregated schools. There had been attempts to make a change in the past such as Rosa Parks, however no one was able to leave the same lasting impression that King did and make such a change in society as we now know it. â€Å"One day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. † King had a dream, a dream of racial equality. King was not fighting for only his own rights, he was also fighting for the future of his children, so that they would not endure the cruel police brutality of the times. In the speech King states â€Å"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. † This does not only show his dream for the future generations but also gives the speech personal identity by including his own children. Throughout the speech King uses a various amount of linguistic devices that help to give his speech the extra edge needed to keep his words in the minds of listeners for years to come. One of the main styles of public speaking King uses is repetition. Throughout the speech he constant repeats certain words and catch phrases such as â€Å"I have a dream† or â€Å"Let freedom ring. † These help to drill his words into the audience and create a lasting impression. This is a technique that is generally used in speeches, especially those dealing with politics. Obama, another man making a big change in society also uses this technique with his catch phrase â€Å"Yes we can,† the use of repetition allows the speaker to get their words through to every listener whether they realize it or not. King also includes aspects of the American Culture in his speech. This not only draws the attention of the white Americans but also shows a connection between the blacks and the whites, they are all Americans and they all live on the same land. King says lines like â€Å"when architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence,† this line praises the American beliefs. King gives a strong point of connection between the blacks and whites and their belief in the Declaration of Independence. He does not put down the American government despite the segregation and hardships but instead compliments them in his speech. The use of American Culture can also tie into King’s pacifism. King was against war and violence and in his speech he states â€Å"we must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence,† this connects to why he never puts down the government. King shows that with kindness you get further than with violence as the changes that he made in the world are much more than a war would have done. Another strong point of King’s speaking is his inclusivity of the audience. He rarely states his goals in the form of ‘I’ but instead using ‘we. ’ This technique draws the audience in and includes them in the mission King is presenting to them. â€Å"with this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up to freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. † Note how King never refers to any of the actions in singular form. He says we will work together, stand up to freedom together. King always includes the audience to keep their attention and make them feel a part of the speech and like he is speaking directly to them and asking them to join him so that together they can make a change. King also used many links to religion. By linking his speech to biblical references he was able to connect on a deeper level with the religious members of his audience. During this point in time many people were spiritual, including the black population who were very religious as it helped them through the hard times of segregation and the assault they were experiencing. King used quotes such as â€Å"the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together† referring to the thought that the Lord’s power will overrule cruelty and both blacks and whites will witness it together creating a world free from segregation. Another strong technique that King uses is alliteration. symbolic shadow we stand today, signed † the repetition of the sound ‘s’ creates a dramatic sentence emphasizing the words using this sound. It draws the audiences ear to these sentences and because of the similar sounds allows the phrase to be remembered easier. This allows King to have powerful sentences within the speech which continue capturing the audience’s attention and allow for a more memorable speech. King often uses this technique as many parts of the speech include alliteration. Overall, King left a lasting impression on those who have listened to the speech. He does this by using the many different literary techniques to capture his audience at all times and leave them thinking about the points he put forward. King included various techniques to make his message strong and clear and leave a lasting impression.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ntms Economics Essay

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ntms Economics Essay What are non-tariff measures (NTMs)? As the term implies, any policy measures other than tariffs can be included in NTMs that can impact trade flows. At a broad level, NTMs can suitably be separated into three categories. A first category of NTMs are those imposed on imports. This category includes import quotas, import prohibitions, import licensing, and customs procedures and administration fees. A second category of NTMs are those imposed on exports. These include export taxes, export subsidies, export quotas, export prohibitions, and voluntary export restraints. These first two categories encompass NTMs that are applied at the border, either to imports or to exports. A third and final category of NTMs are those imposed internally in the domestic economy. Such behind-the-border measures include domestic legislation covering health/ technical/ product/ labor/ environmental standards, internal taxes or charges, and domestic subsidies. Types of Non-Tariff Barriers The non-tariff measure include of some constraint to trade. Here are some examples of the popular NTMs Licenses A document which is issued by a national government allowing the importation of certain goods into its area is called an import license. Import licenses are believed to be non-tariff barriers to trade when it is used to distinguish in opposition to any other goods of another country so as to guard a local industry from foreign competition. The volume of import allowed is specified in each license, and the total volume allowed should not go above the quota. Importing companies can buy the licenses at a competitive price,  or simply a fee. However, it is said that this distribution method endow with encouragement for political lobbying and  corruption. certain restrictions can be imposed on imported goods as well as the amt of imported goods. Quotas A quota is a quantity restriction used in international trade, usually on imports, but it could also be on exports, focusing on licensing of the foreign trade that is nearly related to quantitative restrictions. This category includes global quotas-a system that protects domestic industries by being restrictive on the cost of international trade- and seasonal quotas. Quantitative controls on foreign trade transactions are done through one time license. Quantitative restriction on exports and imports is a direct administrative type of government regulation of foreign trade. Quotas and licenses restrict the independence of enterprises in respect of entering the foreign markets, narrowing the range of countries, and also minimize the range of countries for transaction in case of certain commodities. However, it turns out to be that the system of quota and licensing exports and imports whilst establishing firm control over foreign trade in some particular goods, happen to be more supple and of use than economic instruments of international trade regulation. This is defined by the fact, that licensing and quota systems are a key instrument of trade regulation which is an important part of the world. The result of this trade barrier is seen in the loss of consumer due to an increase in prices and limited selection of goods. An import quota controls the volume of many commodities that can be imported in a country during a specific period of time. An export restricts a certain amount of goods that can leave the country. The reason for imposing of export quota by country is due to the control of goods that is fundamental to the country and the manipulative price found on international level. Embargo   The incomplete or  entire exclusion of commerce and trade with a particular  country, in order to isolate it is called embargo.   A strong political measure imposed in an effort, by the  imposing country, to remove a given national-interest result from the country on which it is imposed is considered as embargoes. It is same as  economic sanctions and is often taken as legal barriers to trade, not to be confused with obstructions, which are usually taken to be acts of war. The same principle is used for most trade barriers: the obligation of some kind of cost on trade that increases the price of the traded  goods. If many nations repeatedly use trade barriers against each other, then a  trade war results Subsidy   A subsidy is a type of financial support paid to  a business or  economic sector. The  government makes most subsidies to  producers or distributors in an industry to stop the decline of that business or a boost in the prices of its goods or plainly to persuade  it to employ more labor. Some examples of subsidies to  encourage the sale of exports; subsidies on some foods to keep  down the cost of living, especially in cities; and  subsidies to support the expansion of farm production and achieve self-reliance  in food production Import deposits Import deposits is a type of deposit required importers to put a certain of money in an account for a significant period of time whose purpose is to guarantee that import duties will be paid, or the deposit may simply be a non-tariff barrier intended to discourage imports. Why NTMs The drastic rise in the use of non-tariff barriers stemmed largely from the WTO new rules about reduction in tariff use, which formed part of the WTOs mission to ensure free trade across the globe. While the WTO rules do allow for the use of NTBs in some circumstances, the specifications about when they can be used are very strict such that they can only be employed for purposes such as to guarantee health, safety or sanitation, or to safeguard non-renewable natural resources. Should NTMs be used for other purposes, they are deemed to be ways of evading free trade rules. Apart from the WTO, such rules, which are set to curb the use of tariffs as they are threats to free trade, are also laid out by institutions like the European Union (EU) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Another reason for the transition from tariffs to NTMs is that many countries, especially developed ones, do not have to rely on tariffs as a source of funding anymore, like they did in their early stages of development. They can afford to switch to other trade barriers that do not involve tariffs, but that still provide them with a means to regulate international trade. Moreover, NTBs allow these countries to help weak industries or provide compensation to those industries that have been adversely impacted by the WTO laws on reduction of tariffs. Also, it is a logical way for countries to respond to the reduction of tariffs since it has been declared that tariffs are no more to be used, NTBs offer traders an alternate method of influencing the market. Thus, NTBs can be quite similar to tariffs, apart for a few exceptions. After the laws of tariff reduction were enacted during the eight rounds of negotiations in the WTO and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), those who persisted in believing in the concept of protectionism have turned to NTBs. In fact, most of the NTMs can be defined as protectionist measures. In short, NTBs can be thought of as a new means of protection which has replaced tariffs as the old method of protection. Advantages and Disadvantages of NTMs Advantages Since the main purpose of NTMs is protectionism, the advantages of NTMs will also mainly be those of protectionism. Non-tariff barriers help protect the development of new industries against foreign rivals. If foreign industries compete with domestic industries that are not developed enough or large enough yet to take advantage of economies of scale, then NTBs, such as import quotas, can protect the infant industry from too much competition through its maturing stages until it can compete on its own. Similarly, NTMs also offer protection to certain economies against foreign countries that are interested to trade with them only because they know that the domestic economies will not be able to face competition from them and will eventually collapse, leaving them a monopoly of the domestic market. An example of such unfair trading is dumping. The barriers to trade protect the domestic economies from such countries with an unfair relative advantage. It is believed that the use of NTBs can result in increased domestic employment. Since foreign firms create jobs abroad, NTBs such as import quotas, reduce imports, make domestic production rise instead, and thus create domestic employment. Also, reducing imports from countries with cheaper labour levels the competition compared to the higher wages being paid for local production. NTBs, moreover, by cutting down imports, help countries boost those local industries that are concerned with the national security and also those industries which help give the country economic independence. Disadvantages The main disadvantage of NTMs is that they hinder free trade and the benefits that accompany the latter. The protectionist aspect of NTBs discourages competition from bigger industries and also from foreign countries. While this might help domestic firms and industries to grow at first, in the long run, it in fact dampens future growth. This is because, due to the lack of competition, domestic firms can then afford to provide a narrow choice of goods to customers, to lower the goods quality, and to raise their prices. Because of this inefficient production, there is also no more incentive for the firms to strive for constant innovation and excellence. Thus, ultimately, NTBs do not help in the future growth of firms. There is another way in which NTMs drive up the prices of goods in the domestic economy. By restricting access to foreign countries where goods could be made more cheaply, more resources have to be employed domestically itself to make the same goods at a higher price. Also, while free trade allows countries to benefit from the concept of comparative advantage, the use NTMs prevents countries from enjoying these benefits. If countries specialise only in the production of goods in which they have a competitive advantage, this allows each country to produce at the minimum prices. This efficiency in production benefits all parties to the trade. However, NTMs, by restricting trade, do not help in achieving that goal. The use of NTBs can also result in trade wars. By raising trade barriers against a foreign country, the latter can decide to do the same in retaliation. The imports and exports of both countries are thus restricted, and this greatly reduces the markets open to them, lowering their scope for growth and efficiency. If many countries across the world engage in these trade wars, global trade and economic activity will suffer drastically. These retaliations can also quickly spread beyond the source of conflict and affect the countries other economy policies as a way to retaliate. It can be seen that all participants can take advantage of free trade through efficiency of the market, for instance, increased choice and reduced prices. However, non-tariff measures also have their uses and are necessary in certain conditions. There must be a balance between the quest for efficiencies and the use of barriers to trade. EFFECTS OF NON-TARIFF MEASURES (NTMS) Effects on trade It is generally assumed that NTMs have negative effect on trade, even if it has been elusive for quantitative assessment. Sometimes, these policy measures are referred to as barriers, when the emphasis is made on the difficulties an exporter may have to comply with them. In fact, NTMs can hinder exports for countries or companies when they are not able to pay the cost of adapting their product or production process to the norm of a trade partner. Then, another less competitive exporter may be able to take on a restrictive market if it complies with that regulation. NTMs would be trade distorting in this case. However, NTMs may also facilitate trade when they reduce asymmetries in information between consumers and producers, for example about the quality or safety of the product. The effort of complying with NTMS could also help countries to upgrade capacities, (or mitigating institutional deficiencies for monitoring and enforcing regulations, in words of van Tongeren, Begin, Marette, 2009) in which case the ultimate development impact is positive for the exporting country. On the importing countrys side, NTMs could reduce negative externalities, for example in the case of environmental threat or food safety. Effects on Price A quota is defined as an upper limit on the number of units of a commodity that can be imported into a country. When such a restriction is imposed, domestic consumers are prevented from buying an imported good, the supply of which is no longer perfectly elastic as it would have been in a free trade situation resulting in a rise in the price of the product. This can be better explained using a demand and supply diagram as follows: In a situation where there is free trade and no barriers to trade are imposed then at the world price of wp domestic producers will supply Q1 and Q1-Q2 will be imported, i.e, equilibrium quantity will be at Q1. The supply curve to the domestic market will be denoted by the curve ABws. The effect of imposing a quota will be to limit the amount of imported goods. Let us suppose that the quota cut imports from Q1-Q2 to Q1-Q3. A new supply curve can now be drawn incorporating the amount of the quota (Q1-Q3). The world price wp no longer acts as the supply curve but instead the latter is represented by the curve ABCSS. we can nothe that the new equilibrium will be at E and the new equilibrium price will be at pq. It is clear that price has risen from the implementation of quota. This is explained by the fact that the supply of the commodity is now restricted causing a slight increase in the price of the commodity. The extent of the increase will depend on the quota imposed. The lower the quota, the higher will be the price. A simple example can be taken to explain the above theory. Suppose you have milk imported freely into a country and account for 50% of the domestic demand. If government imposes a quota on the amount that can be imported, the supply of milk will fall giving rise to a shortage. This shortage will exert pressure on price which will finally rise to eliminate that shortage and restore the equilibrium. Effects on society Another measure is embargo. This is a complete ban on imported product. Such a measure can be imposed to protect the society as whole. For example, a country may ban or severely curtail the importation of things such as harmful drugs, pornographic literature and live animals. Had embargoes not imposed on such products, society would suffer enormous damage as they have high level of negative externalities Effects on multinational Import quotas generally have a negative impact on multinational companies. These enterprises such as Nike and General Motors are intensively engaged in international trade as domestic consumption only cannot meet their high targets. When a quota is imposed on their goods by a major buyer, MNCs must find other markets to supply their products, otherwise they will have to cut production and profits figure will suffer. Effects on employment However, import quotas affect positively domestic employment. The fall in imports will divert demand to local suppliers and the latter will have to increase production to cover the gap which foreign products used to occupy. This applies to domestic supplies that have the capabilities and were unable to compete internationally. In order to boost production, they will have to recruit more people. This will have a multiplier effect in the economy giving rise a lower unemployment rate and higher economic growth. How globalisation is affecting NTMs? Globalisation is a process by which countries are linked altogether in a peaceful manner as view to only one planet. In technical terms, it is described as being a process by which national and regional economies, societies and cultures have all been united via global network of trade, communication, immigration and transportation. Hence a worldwide movement towards economic, financial, trade and communications integration. Recently, globalization expanded its field to other activities such as social areas. At present, globalization also considers culture, media, technology, socio-cultural, political and biological factors. The evolving nature of NTMS has gained an important place in international trade today. More recently, it has been considered in the annual World Trade Report of 2012. Most trade agreements clearly speaks of tariff reductions whereby leaving less than halfway entrance for NTMs. It has nonetheless the capacity to reduce the effectiveness of tariff reductions upon agreement. NTMs have ever since in its introductory mode been driven by multiple policy motives and are still subject to change. These policies in themselves have evolved through the years as countries forged agreements and became interdependent through globalization. NTMs has become a necessity not only to protect domestic industries but to the globalized world as a whole. Globalisation raised changes in countries among which are increased social awareness, growing concerns regarding health, safety and environmental quality which led to increase in NTMs. For the better understanding of the impact of globalization on NTMs, trade in goods and services were considered. Examples of regulatory measures are Technical Barriers to Trade and Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary measures in goods and regulations in services which have recently cropped up. These measures do not have a direct influence on trade but have a strong influence on trade agreements and amount of trade between countries. Some say that NTMs have been encouraged via globalization for a viable peace. Public policy can thus enhance trade flows in a positive or even negative way. Trade in services has evolved in recent years and is no longer similar to traditional trade. New policies came into fo rce to handle these new trends. Globalisation relates to WTO. Trade in services has the relatively same importance as trade in goods for good networks between countries. The WTO knows they hold the same weight in international production affairs and hence measures to restrict trade and competition in the services market that could affect more than the sector directly concerned. Examples where cases are most suited are infrastructural services, spill-over effects on other services and goods. Unlike in the past when NTMS role were solely to protect domestic producers from foreign competition, nowadays NTMs are more to do with public policy objectives. These policies not only consider protectionism but also take precaution measures. In the sector of health and environmental services, NTMS were recently boosted in numbers. NTMS were found not to be an easy task to be observed and quantified, however with globalization, WTO observes that NTMS are meant to have a long stay with their several arrangements between countries which adds to the main agreements. The emerging in change of NTMs with time is not protected against negative effects. NTMs may in other words reduce benefits gained from the main agreement, for example negate some tariff reductions. Moreover, non-tariffs measures have a long list of measures which are also difficult to quantify and also sometimes are invisible in the agreements. In addition to that, those measures are not regular to all countries that it is served and to that, their effect sometimes bring distortions in agreements between sectors and countries. Globalisation is known to have brought changes or complete change in more than one country structure and future. It has greatly changed policies of countries and to that NTMs continue to be evaluated and are still expanding. Quoting from the WTO Director General: Regulatory interventions addressing market failures and international spillovers, with inevitable consequences for trade flows and investments are here to stay. The foremost thought, hence, of NTMs is that it will not have a decreasing or reducing effect on the tariffs agreements between countries. As deducted from above, globalization does not only bring positive results onto a country trade flow. As globalization strengthens alliances amongst nations, NTMs continue to be on the rise in their arrangements. NTMs may also be used as a tool to restrict trade flows in the case of where some countries might be oligopolies of certain commodities on the global market. Technical Barriers to Trade and Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary measures is said to be the source of last resort for some developing countries since it impacts the worst results on them. The reason is that these countries may be differently structured and may not be able to meet those criteria mentioned in the measures. Though, globalization intensify the relationship between countries does bring both good and bad results, harmonious plans between countries may help to reduce the negatives effects. Globalisation has neared most of countries and consequently has brought help where such measures were not easily identified. In simple terms, it has allowed experiences to be shared in recognition and quantitation. In the light of the above, globalization not only brought amendments in NTMs but also has greatly influenced its use in countries. NTMs Measurement Measuring non-tariff barriers remained one of the confusing answered questions for a long time enough. This is mainly because of their inconsistency in countries where they are applied. As these by themselves cannot be measured, their affiliations are quantified to give a result as the measurement of NTMs as a whole. Typologies of the affiliations are: frequency measures, price-change measures, quantity measures, rates of assistance, and indices deflators. A brief discussion of these measures is now to be listed and considered below. Frequency measures Laird Yeats (1990) exposed two frequency measures, namely, frequency ratio and import coverage ratio. Both of them are based on calculation of ratio of commodity lines subject to at least one NTM in total number of lines for the respective group of trade flows. The frequency ratio can be calculated by formula: where Ni is category i of commodity in trade group; Di is dummy variable, Nt is general number of categories in trade group, i.e. i = 1,,T . Dummy variable is used as indicator of NTM: where Di = 1, in good in category i is subject to at least one NTM; otherwise Di = 0. In import coverage ratio, value of imports of commodities subject to at least one NTM is used as a weight instead, unlike the frequency ratio. That way, time factor is considered and it also helps to evaluate the importance of the NTM for the whole trade. B. Price-change measures NTMs often influence price and cause change. Under this section, a measurement on evaluation of changes in price due to the introduction of NTMs is considered. Unlike other measures, it allows direct comparison between impact of tariff and non-tariff trade barriers. Price-change measures are commonly used in international trade theory and a formula was derived; influence of trade restrictions in terms of price and quantity changes. Deardorff Stern (1997) used the most known type of price-change measures which is tariff equivalent. In other words, it is calculated as growth in commodity price before and after use of NTMs. Despite all its positive characteristics, price change as a sole indicator for NTMs of a country is not sufficient. Moreover, the impact of NTMs on change on price is difficult to be taken out of any factors affecting prices. C. Rates of assistance Rates of assistance can be broken down into two types; nominal and effective rate of assistance. Nominal rate of assistance is founded on calculation of a rise in the gross returns from production resulting from protective measures. The effective rate of assistance is the most commonly used and can be calculated as follows; ; where VAN is value added in case when the NTM are applied, and VAB is value added under free trade. These measures fit theories perfectly, nonetheless have drawbacks as it requires mass information that is not always available. The effective rate of assistance is faced with another problem which is to differentiate between the different NTMs in its calculation. D. Indices deflators Anderson and Neary were the first ones who brought the application of trade barriers to both tariffs and non-tariffs measures. They constructed two indices; mercantilist trade restrictiveness index and trade restrictiveness index. These are defined as deflators and when applied to undistorted prices are to produce the same trade volume (mercantilist index) or same real income (for trade restrictiveness index) as the initial set of trade distortions (Anderson Neary, 1996; Anderson Neary, 1999). Application of this method, however, yields problem of collection of necessary prices and differentiation of the impact of NTM from other changes. To summarize all measures are good enough for measurement of general NTMs level in a country. However, criteria, benefits and drawbacks of the different methods must be cared when choosing for specific countries. Conclusion GATT takes on a particular and modest approach to handling NTMs. That approach developed over time, and with the formation of the WTO, the handling of NTMs evolved further still.   Tariffs for goods production were decreased during the eight rounds of negotiations in the WTO and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). After reducing of tariffs, the principle of  protectionism  demanded the introduction of new NTMs such as technical barriers to trade (TBT). Increasing consumer demand for secure and environment friendly products also have had their impact on increasing popularity of TBT. Many NTMs are administered by WTO agreements, which originated in the Uruguay Round, as well as GATT articles. NTMs in the field of services have become as significant as in the field of usual trade. The requirement to protect sensitive to import industries, as well as a wide range of trade restrictions, available to the governments of industrialized countries, forcing them to resort to use the NTM, and putting serious obstacles to international trade and world economic growth. Thus, NTMs can be referred as a new of protection which has replaced tariffs as an old form of protection.

The Abortion Debate in the 2004 Presidential Election :: Politics Political Essays

The Abortion Debate in the 2004 Presidential Election Abortion is a major issue that affects individual lives daily. It has become a debatable factor in determining the solution in having the free choice for a woman to abort their unborn baby. Even though it was not fully recognized in the presidential election, there was discussion as to whether or not it is morally right to perform this practice. President Bush believes that aborting an unborn baby is morally wrong because he believes in protecting the rights of the unborn and believes that partial birth abortion is a vicious act that discriminates against children who are inches away from life. On the opposing side is Senator Kerry, who believes that aborting an unborn child should be permitted because he believes in protecting women’s choices and enforcing women’s privacy rights. President Bush believes banning abortion except for the cases in rape, incest, or to save the mothers’ life. He believes in the rights of the unborn and born baby. In 2003, President Bush signed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, which prohibits the practice that â€Å"performs the overt act, other than completion of delivery that kills the partially delivered living fetus.† (http://www.theorator.com/bills108/hr1545.html). By President Bush signing this act he explained that there would be the termination of this terrible act in killing innocent lives that are about to come in the world. â€Å"The bill I am about to sign protecting innocent new life from this practice reflects the compassion and humanity of America.† (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/11/20031105-1.html). His main goal is to reduce the numbers of abortions in America. (http://www.issues2000.org/George_W__Bush_Abortion.htm). Senator Kerry believes that it is not the issue of pro-abortion but the issue of pro-choice. He believes that every woman should have the right of choice, which is taken away from her resulting in banning abortion. â€Å"My personal belief about what happens in the fertilization process is a human being is first formed and created, and that's when life begins† (http://www.sonrisecma.com/blogs/sonrise3/archive/2004/07/22/611.aspx). He believes that the government should not have a right to intervene in somebody else judgment and quotes on Bill Clinton statement that â€Å"Abortion should be rare, but it should be safe and legal and the government should stay out of the bedroom.†(http://www.npr.org/politics/issues2004/) He believes that enforcing women’s privacy rights would let the mother decide to abort her unborn baby or not. Liberal is pro-abortion and Conservation is anti-abortion. In both opposing sides, there are alternatives that relates to abortion.

Comparing Sexuality and Power in Dracula and Buffy the Vampire Slayer E

Comparing Sexuality and Power in Dracula and Buffy the Vampire Slayer    At first glance, Joss Whedon's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the hour-long TV series which premiered in 1997 and is now in its third season, bears little resemblance to the book which started the vampire craze -- Bram Stoker's Dracula, published a century earlier. And yet, looks can be deceiving. Although the trendy -- and often skimpy -- clothing and bandied about pop-culture references of "Buffy" clearly mark the series as a product of a far different culture than that of the Victorian England of Dracula, the underlying tensions of the two texts are far similar than one might think. Beneath the surface differences in the treatment of their heroines, the two texts converge in similarly problematic anxieties about gender and sexuality. Unlike other latter-day adaptations of the vampire legend -- such as films like The Hunger and Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire novels -- which actively shatter accepted tenets of vampirism, such as the danger of sunlight or crosses to vampires, "Buffy" relies heavily on the guidelines for vampirism established by Stoker in his novel. In "Buffy," as in Dracula, vampires can be killed by direct sunlight and harmed by holy water and crucifixes (Golden 125). When, for instance, Buffy's crucifix necklace touches her vampire boyfriend Angel's chest, it leaves a burn-mark similar to that left on vampire-defiled Mina Harker's forehead by application of a Holy Wafer in Dracula ("Angel;" Stoker 302). And unlike the sympathetic portrayals of vampires advanced in Rice's novels and in the 1960s soap opera "Dark Shadows," the vampires shown are not good or even human. They are, in the words of Buffy's Watcher Giles "demon at the c... ...sitive depiction of their sexual relationship. For Mina, however, renunciation of Dracula's evil must include the renunciation of her own physical needs and desires. The roles played by social mores and conceptions of gender and sexuality are, in the end, more than incidental. Indeed, the difference between Victorian England and 1990s America causes the subtle -- but significant -- valuation of the connections between good and evil and women and sexuality in two in many ways similar texts. Works Cited Golden, Christopher and Nancy Holder. The Watcher's Guide. New York: Pocket Books, 1998. Leatherdale, Clive. Dracula: The Novel and the Legend. East Sussex, England: Desert Island Books, 1985. Stoker, Bram. Dracula. New York: Signet, 1992. Whedon, Joss, creator and executive producer. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Twentieth Century Fox Television, 1997.

Interpreting American Small Talk :: Essays Papers

Interpreting American Small Talk I believe that every international student will experience different kinds of culture shock as soon as he sets foot on the soil of the United States. One problem is interpreting American small talk. As I come from an Oriental country, China, I often find it confusing. When I first came to the United States. I was amazed to hear and felt that it was a task for me to use the words, "Thank you!" or "Thanks a lot!" In the grocery store, the clerks would say these words to me after I finished paying for what I had bought. At the loan desk of a library, the librarians would say them to me, as soon as they passed me the books. On these occasions, I sometimes would be a little embarrassed, for I did not know that people used these words more to show their politeness than really to thank you. Even when I understood these words, I still felt uncomfortable when I tried to use them. When I was ready to get off a bus, I would say to the driver,"Thank you!" Whenever I uttered these words, I would have such an uncomfortable feeling. In China, we do not use these words very often. We usually give a smile to the people who have offered us some favor. Normally we say, "Thank you!" only when we really and sincerely appreciate the people who help us a lot. Otherwise, a smile is enough. In the first few weeks after I arrived here, I could not fully get the meaning of "How are you?" and "I am fine." These words may be the most frequently used words by Americans as a conversational greeting. When you run into an acquaintance somewhere, he would greet you by saying, "How are you?" In response you would say, "I am fine." But actually you might not be fine. You probably wanted to say something else from the heart. Even if you were possibly afflicted with some illness, or you were going to die, you still said, "I am fine." You would not tell people about your sadness or your trouble. Why? I guess that people do not want to know about you. These are just greeting words. In this way, these are quite similar to our greeting words in China. In the morning, on the street or in the hallway, we say, "Have you had breakfast?

Baldwin Bicycle Company: Background of the Study

BA-561 MAC Abdulgaffur G. Deki Oscar M. Inocencio Chester V. Lagutin Felomena C. Baal Edsel Cariz J. Tiu 12 October 2012 â€Å"Baldwin Bicycle Company† Background of the Study: Baldwin Bicycle Company (BBC) is a full-line bicycle manufacturing company with 40 years of experience. In 1982, BBC has revenue of over $10M for 98,791 units produced. BBC exclusively distributes through independently-owned retailers, their bicycles are known for their above-average quality. In May 1983, a rapid-growing Northwestern discount retail chain, Hi-Valu, Suzanne Leister, VP Marketing, proposed a private-label agreement.Under this program, BBC would manufacture the Challenger line of bicycles exclusively for Hi-Valu. The Challenger line was to be a low-priced value bicycle, sold at retail prices under BBC’s normal product lines. Statement of the problem: What is the overall impact to the company if BBC will accept the proposal in terms of? a. ) PROFIT b. ) RETURN ON SALES c. ) RETURN ON ASSETS d. ) RETURN ON EQUITY Objectives: 1. To be able to show and analyze the proposal depending on the result which will be used to serve as a basis for making decisions. 2.To determine the total relevant cost in producing additional orders for Hi-Valu. Areas of consideration: 1. BBC sales over the next three years would be 100,000 bikes a year if they will forego the Hi-Valu deal. 2. If BBC will accept the offer, 3,000 units will be lost in regular sales volume a year. 3. According to Ms Leister, Vice President for Marketing, she was acutely aware that the â€Å"bicycle boom† had fattened out, and that poor economy had caused Baldwin sales volume to fall. 4. BBC was currently operating its plant at about 75% of capacity meaning, 75,000 units is currently produced. excess capacity 25,000 units) 5. The contract between BBC and Hi-Valu is for three years and will be automatically extended on a year to year basis, unless one party gave notice that it did not wish to extend th e contract. 6. Most of BBC sales were into independently toy stores and bicycles shops, BBC had never before distributed to its product to department store. Its BBC’s first time to deal such client. 7. Hi-Valu wanted to purchase bikes from BBC at lower prices that the wholesale prices of comparable bikes sold through Baldwin usual channels. 8.If the proposal will pursue BBC requirement for purchasing, inventory and production cost will increased. 9. Hi-Valu would hold the units on consignment in its own warehouses and withhold payment until delivery to a specific store. 10. A bicycle would be paid within 30 days once a bicycle was shipped to a specific store or 120 days had elapsed in the regional warehouse. Alternative courses of action: 1. Reject proposal RISKS: a. ) BBC may face continually declining sales due to a poor economy. b. ) BBC will continue to produce at only 75% production capacity. c. Another disadvantage is that the offer price of Hi-Valu was lower than the r egular selling price. d. ) There is an additional cost involved in producing additional units from Hi-Valu the $5,000 additional cost plus the asset related cost. e. ) The possibility that the current dealers of BBC might drop-out line if they find that BBC is making bikes for Hi-Valu. f. ) The freight charge will be shouldered by BBC until it reached the destination of Hi-Valu warehouse. g. ) additional from regular sales of 3,000 units from regular costumers. ADVANTAGES: a. ) Maintain loyalty from current distributors . ) Maintain 40-year reputation for above average quality and price. 2. Accept Proposal RISKS: a. ) Current dealers may drop Baldwin line. b. ) Current dealers may request a similar product c. ) Putting faith in a new product d. ) BBC may find itself with an abundance of Challenger-specific inventory e. ) Extra costs may result in having to use cheaper materials f. ) Loss of â€Å"street cred† ADVANTAGES: a. ) Greater penetration of the mark through new market segments b. ) I f Baldwin name is not on the Challenger bike, BBC’s reputation may not be damaged c. Strong Challenger sales may balance weak Baldwin sales d. ) With Challenger line, BBC will be producing at a higher capacity Recommendation: The group recommends the alternative courses of action number two which state Accept the Proposal. The followi ng computations was the basis of the recommendation. Potential Problem Analysis: 1. Additional cost is involved. 2. Lost additional sales from the costumers 3. Additional investment to finance additional increase in receivables, inventories, record-keeping,tax inventory, handling labor and equipment, possible obsolescence and or damage.

Moon Shadow Extended Response

Moon Shadow Extended response In the novel ‘I’m Being stalked by A Moonshadow’ the characters Mr Parrot and Mr Raven are constantly out to get each other. Throughout the novel it is clear that Mr Parrot is not doing the right thing by standing up to Mr Raven, for several reasons. Firstly, Dad called Mr Raven a chromedome because Mr Raven had started an argument about Mr Parrot flicking manure on to Mr Raven’s pants and about the neighbours complaining that the rendered smelled offensive and that the toilet door supposedly opened inwards and not outwards.Mr Raven even sought the building inspector but mum quickly stopped him and said they would fix it. (Page 10) ‘Good day to you. ’ said Mr Raven, turning away. ‘Chromedome,’ muttered Dad under his breath. Dad muttered chormedome because he was mocking Mr Raven about being bold. So this proves that Mr Parrot is not responsible and is childish towards Mr Raven. Secondly, Mr Parrot was the one who had sent the e-mail bomb to Mr Raven after Mum was threatening to jump on Dad’s guitar when Mr Raven was inspecting the kitchen. As soon as mum was about to jump Mr Raven caught her in the act and she pretended that she was stomping on a bug.Mr Raven handed then a list of things to fix in the kitchen because he claimed that it wasn’t a healthy food preparation area (pages 11&12). So then the email bomb was sent. The following morning Mum told Dad that someone had sent an e-mail bomb to Mr Raven and accused that he did it. Dad feigned a look of innocence but it didn’t Work on Mum. She knew it was Dad. Lastly, Dad was the one who had started the feud with Mr Raven when he had visited the Parrots house to do his job as the Environmental Health Officer. Dad tossed hi trowel into the nearest bin of muck. He did it carelessly and a fleck of manure splashed onto Mr Ravens gray creased pants (Page 7). Mr Raven had told Dad to apologise but Dad had refused an d told Mr Raven that it was his house and he would do whatever he wished. (Page 6&7) Mum wasn’t pleased with what Dad had done, but he had told her that it was an accident and it was only a speck. (Page 7). In Conclusion, throughout the entire novel Dad is constantly trying to get his revenge on Mr Raven by challenging him into impossible feets, will the dispute between Mr Parrot and Mr Raven ever end? Read also:Â  Moon By Chaim Potok

Political Participation in the UK Essay

In a country based on representative democracy, a ‘fair’ system, it is questionable to say we as the public make the most of this opportunity. Whilst other nations are fighting against the intense grips of dictatorships, as we have seen recently in Libya and Egypt, we live in a system in which to instigate change, we simply have to turn up at a ballot box and cast a vote. But with voting numbers continuously dwindling, does the United Kingdom have a participation crisis? The most efficient way to judge this is to go straight to the figures, and on first glance the statistics are startling. The percentage of people that voted in 2001 was an astonishing record low of 59%, down over 10% from the previous election in 1997. Comparing both of these results to a 83.9 voting percentage of 1950, shows a dramatic change in the value the British people place in their vote. The two recent elections however in 2005 and 2010 have bucked this trend, achieving percentages of 61.5 and 65 giving the impression that voting is on the rise. But with only these two results showing increases in recent history, it is impossible to view this as a positive correlation. When looking at these figures we have to look at the groups of people who didn’t exercise their right to vote, with the majority of them falling in to the 18 to 24 year old category. Only 44% of the 18 to 24 age group casted a ballot in the 2010 election in comparison to the 76% turnout figure of the over 65’s. The general consensus of the political spectrum of the youth population is that it is firmly to the left. Given these facts it is arguable to say that if the turn out for the 2010 general election had been higher, we could have easily had a Labour or Liberal Democrat government which would have had major effects on the current policies in place in the UK. To go even further, if the voting percentage had been 100% in all the previous elections, it is claimable that every government the UK has had would be different, effectively changing nea rly every policy that has been put into place in the past. When looked at with this perspective, we can see the incredible importance of voting and political participation has in our lives. When looking simply at the turnout figures of the recent general elections we can see that participation in the UK is in a dangerous decline. Another factor we need to take into consideration is the decline of party membership in the UK. Similar to the steady decline of voting figures since 1950, all three major parties membership has dropped significantly over the last six decades. The Conservative party has seen the most severe decline in membership, from having over 2,900,000 members in 1951 falling to a mere 250,000 in 2008. This trend is shown within the ranks of the Labour and the Liberal Democrat parties as well, with the only noticeable exception is the rise in the Labour party in 1997, rising from 280,000 to 405,000. This however, can be contributed to the rise of Tony Blair with ‘New Labour’ and ‘Blairism’ which gripped the country in the late 20th century. Following this though, the Labour parties membership continued to fall and by 2008 had reached a low of 166,000. Tony Blair’s biographer Anthony Seldon has made the link between declining levels of public trust in formal politics and the decline in party membership, however it is difficult to prove a simple link such as this exists. With these dramatic declines in voting participation and party membership, some would claim that it is difficult to argue that there is not a political participation crisis gripped the UK. On the other hand though, there has been rises in other forms of political participation. Whilst collective acts such as party membership has been on decline, individual direct action, in some cases has been on the rise. With consumer issues being one of the main causes the public has more intensely rallied around. The Power inquiriy in 2006 highlighted these changes in political participation, with traditional forms such as party membership seeing dramtatic decreases, whereas involvement with pressure groups and protest movements seeing dramatic increases. In the year 2000, 31% of the public claimed that they had boycotted products for ethical reasons, whether this can be contributed to the rise of the media and social desirability or not it shows a dramatic rise from the 4% that boycotted products in 1984. This shows perhaps that although a part of society has lost faith in the political process and the value of their votes, they instead prefer to take actions they believe that they will be directly making a difference and contributing politically. The phenomenon of the rise of the media and the internet over the last 60 years has allowed new systems of political participation to develop. An example of this is e-petitions. E-petitions are an easy way for anyone to influence government policy in the UK. With anyone being able to create an e-petition about anything that the government is responsible for, it allows people to get involved at a more direct level and definitely attracts the younger generation to get involved. If a petition gets at least 100,000 signatures, it will be eligible for debate in the House of Commons. These ways of participation makes it easier for people to get involved and allows the public to voice their opinions on particular subjects, almost seeming like a direct democracy in comparison to the representative democracy we have in the UK. Another argument that there is not a participation crisis in the UK is the huge turnouts in political protests over the last decade, with possibly the most poignant of these being the protests against the Iraq war in 2003. With over one and half million people taking to the streets of London, the British public showed they are not afraid to have their voices heard. A more recent example of a political protest, is the student tuition fees demonstrations in 2010, with over 50,000 taking to the streets. A British Election Study stated that in 1979, 20% of respondents would be willing to go on a protest demonstration, this number had risen to 33 % by 2000. Added to this, an increase in illegal political demonstrations, notably the London riots earlier this year, shows us that people are much more likely to take to the streets to demonstrate than they were in previous decades. This shows that although different forms of political participation are on the rise, they are arguably much less important than voting. Taking into consideration that the government merely acknowledged these particular protests and continued with their policies anyway, shows us the lack of impact these forms of participation have in contrast with voting. In the UK today we can see a growing trend of a decrease in traditional participation, but an increase in new forms and less traditional participation. This can be contributed to a number of factors, including the decline in public trust in formal politics and the rise of the media and internet, which allows people to organise and take part in other types of participation. This shows that generally there is not a participation crisis in the UK, with the majority of the public getting involved in some sort of political participation, with only 15% taking no political actions in the year 2000. However, the forms of participation that are growing in popularity are shown to have less effect on the political process of the UK, with the Iraq demonstrations of 2003 and the Student Protests of 2010 resulting in no change of political policy and the e-petitions only resulting in a political debate. This highlights the importance of traditional participation and the problems with the more popular forms of participation. Perhaps a more poignant question would be, does our representative democracy really represent the views of the public, as in reality these new forms of participation should have resulted in more of an effect on UK policy. To describe the current political participation as a crisis is far to extreme, as the figures show the majority of the British public readily get involved. At the present time there is not a crisis in the UK’s political participation, but if the trends continue, we could be faced with one in the coming years, but as long as the public remain involved at some level there can be no crisis.

Microcredit In Bangladesh

Microcredit programs have provided a hugely positive impact on third world and developing nations where employment opportunities are limited due to the collapsed and limited economies of these countries. What microcredit programs entail is the issuance of small loans to individuals who would not normally qualify for a loan because their lack of employment and collateral assets make them poor candidates in the eyes of financial institutions. Microcredit loans look past the risk involved regarding the issuance of the loan and provide initial venture capital to impoverished people start a small business. Of all the countries where microloans have proven successful, it would be the country of Bangladesh. Throughout its history, Bangladesh has suffered tremendously from a variety of maladies that have lead to its current economic depression. Under British colonial rule, the population suffered massive famines; and in the 1970’s a series of natural disasters lead to even further economic despair. Today, Bangladesh currently suffers from a severe overpopulation situation that has further pushed economic disaster. Because of its severe depression, Bangladesh was essentially the trial location to test of the feasibility of microcredit loans. Organizations such as Grameen Bank have special programs to provide charitable loans to Bangladesh and the bank has documented the proof that these loans are successful. According to Grameen Bank: Lasting peace can not be achieved unless large population groups find  ways in which to break out of poverty. Micro-credit is one such means. Development from below also serves to advance democracy and human rights†¦.. Every single individual on earth has both the potential and the right to live a decent life. Across cultures and civilizations, Yunus  and Grameen Bank have shown that even the poorest of the poor can  work to bring about their own development. Microcredit programs have proven successful as a means of providing underprivileged people with an opportunity to rise out of a disadvantaged position. In fact, these programs have been so successful that many banks have started to reconsider the people of Bangladesh as â€Å"high risk† candidates for loans. That is, because the microloans have proved successful, there is a belief on many bank’s part that money lent to the people will return (with interest) when the borrower launches a successful business. The Microcredit Summit Campaign details a popular success story: With a gift of 10,000 CFA ($US 16) in 1994 from her father, [Yama Laye] set up a small table to sell essentials such as tea, sugar, salt, matches and sweets by the roadside. The profit she made never exceeded 500 CFA ( $.80) per day. Almost all her profits were spent on the purchase of essential food for her husband and her six-year-old child. Yes, all it took was a mere $16 to set in motion the ability for a family to be able to purchase the essential items needed for survival, a purchases that would not have been possible in the absence of the $16 grant. If anything, the microcredit loans have shown that there is always hope and there is always an answer, provided people work in concert together to find sane, sensible, effective means of solving a problem. In a way, Microcredit programs are a unique mix of financial philanthropy and human rights and it is a unique mix that has repeatedly been proven as successful. Works Cited Microcredit Summit Campaign. (2005) Results Educational Fund. 22 October 2006. URL http://www.microcreditsummit.org/newsletter/ borrower-Yama.html What is Microcredit? (January 2003) Muhammad Yunus. 22 October 2003. URL http://www.grameen-info.org/mcredit/index.html