International Finance - 1741 Words

Exercise Questions for Mid-term Exam 1. Which of the following factors of production DO NOT flow freely between countries? A) Labors and Land B) Financial capital C) (Non-military) Technology D) All of the above factors of production flow freely among countries. 2. Under the gold standard of currency exchange that existed from 1879 to 1914, an ounce of gold cost $20.67 in U.S. dollars and  £4.2474 in British pounds. Therefore, the exchange rate of pounds per dollar under this fixed exchange regime was A)  £4.8665/$. B)  £0.2055/$. C) always changing because the price of gold was always changing. D) unknown because there is not enough information to answer this question 3. The post WWII international monetary agreement that†¦show more content†¦pound, yen, and Chinese yuan. 21. A ________ transaction in the foreign exchange market requires an almost immediate delivery (typically within two days) of foreign exchange. A) spot B) forward C) futures D) none of the above 22. A forward contract to deliver British pounds for U.S. dollars could be described either as ________ or ________. A) buying dollars forward; buying pounds forward. B) selling pounds forward; selling dollars forward. C) selling pounds forward; buying dollars forward. D) selling dollars forward; buying pounds forward. 23. A common type of swap transaction in the foreign exchange market is the ________ where the dealer buys the currency in the spot market and sells the same amount back to the same bank in the forward market. A) forward against spot B) forspot C) repurchase agreement D) spot against forward 24. The ________ is a derivative forward contract that was created in the 1990s. It has the same characteristics and documentation requirements as traditional forward contracts except that they are only settled in U.S. dollars and the foreign currency involved in the transaction is not delivered. A) nondeliverable forward B) dollar only forward C) virtual forward D) internet forward 25. If the direct quote for a U.S. investor for British pounds is $1.43/ £, then the indirect quote for the U.S. investor would be ________ and the direct quote for the British investor would be ________. A)  £0.699/$;Show MoreRelatedInternational Finance Exam4417 Words   |  18 PagesInternational finance FIN 412 Exam #2 MC:  Examples of single-currency interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap are:   A.  fixed-for-floating rate interest rate swap, where one counterparty exchanges the interest payments of a floating- rate debt obligations for fixed-rate interest payments of the other counter party B.  fixed-for-fixed rate debt service (currency swap), where one counterparty exchanges the debt service obligations of a bond denominated in one currency forRead MoreSources Of Finance For Synergy International Limited1627 Words   |  7 Pagessources of finance for Synergy International Limited to enable the company to invest in new machinery, at a cost of approximately  £225,000, in order to manufacture mobile phone covers for the Samsung S7 Edge. Also included in this report, are the information needs of the different decision makers. There are long term external sources of finance that Synergy International Limited could access; they could issue preference or ordinary shares although there would be issue costs. Finance, in the wayRead MoreInternational Trade and Finance1501 Words   |  7 PagesLinda Luc Duong International Trade and Finance ECO/372 August 27, 2012 Matthew J. Angner International Trade and Finance When there is a surplus of imports brought into the United States it means that the price of the products will drop. Companies in the United States are competing with the Chinese made products will suffer from price drops on goods. Lower prices on goods will benefit consumers. Large screen Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and High Definition Television (HDTV) is a good exampleRead MoreInternational finance management7674 Words   |  31 PagesAgency Problems Management Structure of an MNC Why Fimrs Pursue International Business Theory of Comparative Advantage Imperfect Markets Theory Product Cycle Theory How Firms Engage in International Business International Trade Licensing Franchising Joint Ventures Acquisitions of Existing Operations Establishing New Foreign Subsidiaries Summary of Methods Valuation Model for an MNC Domestic Model Valuing International Cash Flows Uncertainty Surrounding an MNCs Cash Flows UncertaintyRead MoreCase: International Trade and Trade Fina nce885 Words   |  4 PagesFITTskills: International Trade Finance Case Study #1: New Modes of Trade Finance Case Study #1: New Modes of Trade Finance Trade finance in the twenty-first century: plug and pay? Palate-Able Delights (PAD) is a niche retailer of high-end food products imported from various parts of the world. Iranian saffron and caviar, French champagnes, Italian truffles and olive oils, vintage balsamic vinegars, fine cheeses, reserve wines from the leading vintners, even limited-availability spring waters†¦ifRead MoreInternational Finance and Economy Essay1225 Words   |  5 Pagesall-time high of 149,713.4 USD Million in November of 2013. The foreign currency reserve for Turkey in December of 2013 was 109,279.75 USD million. Some worry that much of the foreign capital that finances Turkey’s current account deficit is of the flighty sort, which can leave quickly. (International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity – TURKEY) With â€Å"hot money† exiting out of Turkey and their central bank hiking interest rates to try to keep their currency from falling any more, it makes itRead MoreTrade Finance and International Trade1903 Words   |  8 PagesAccording to Branch trade finance has become a strong bargaining point in the conduct of international trade. Negotiating strategy needed to reduce finance risk (Branch, 2005). Trade finance is a topic contained the financial facilities industry. Manufactured goods is sold and distributed to overseas; therefore, it takes longer to get paid. Additional time and energy is required to make sure that buyers are trustworthy and creditworthy. Also, foreign buyers who are just like domestic buyers. TheyRead MoreInternational Trade And Finance ( Bus571 )2452 Words   |  10 PagesNtec Concordia Institute of Business Submitted to: Adrian liew Course: Diploma in Business Management (Level-7) Subject: International trade and finance (BUS571) Submitted By: Amanpreet singh bajaj Student ID:CIB00002YB Assignment: International trade Introduction Quality NZ is a niche supplier of New Zealand’s first quality products and services to the rapidly expanding Indian market, with a specific focus on the food and BeverageRead MoreGlobalization and Its Impact on International Finance6130 Words   |  25 PagesGLOBALIZATION AND ITS IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CONTENTS 1. Overview†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...1 2. Introduction to the concept of globalization†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..2 3. Different areas of effect of globalization†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..5 4. International finance†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..9 5. The impact of globalization on international finance i. Relationship between globalization and international finance†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....12 ii. Globalization and its impact on developing countries†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Read MoreEssay on finance case vanguard international growth830 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿ Issues 1. Explain why an individual investor might want to invest in an international growth fund? 2. Describe the risk associated with making an investment in an international growth fund. Identify the risks that would be common to domestic an international funds, and those risk that would be unique to an international fund. 3. Discuss how the fact that foreign companies are not subject to the same accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards and practices as U.S. companies poses

Riwt 1 Free Essays

RIWT1 Crystal Jorgensen Task 1 03/19/2013 SID:000187304 Lets take a journey. A journey back to a time and a place that is unknown to us without the history and expression of Literature and Art. These moments are the expression of color, the fine detail, the heroics, and the stories that bring us to our current and most knowledgeable time in literature and the arts. We will write a custom essay sample on Riwt 1 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Neoclassicism and Romanticism are two very important time periods in the literary movements in English literature that helped shape our way of life today. Although these time periods are recognized as very opposite they share many similarities and we continue to learn and grow from them. Lets go back†¦ To a new era, widespread and influential for paintings and the other visual arts, a reaction against the sensuous and frivolously decorative Rococo style that dominated European art from the 1720s on. Beginning in the 1760s, Neoclassicism arose, reached its height in the 1780s and ‘90s during the French Revolution and lasted until about the 1850s. Neoclassicism was impacted by the exploration and excavation of the buried Roman cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii; the excavations of which began in 1738 and 1748, respectively. It was because of these â€Å"new† discoveries that people wanted to revive the past and took interest in the classical forms and ideas that started the neoclassical era. It was the combination of new and â€Å"classical† that made artist want to convey a serious moral such as justice, honor, and patriotism. Ideally, this style portrays an array of knowledge so vast that it leads to enlightenment. The Neoclassical style sees nature is defined as human nature and that society is more important than the individual. In summary, Neoclassicism focused on Greek and Roman history and was inspired by Classical Rome, patriotism, courage, and honor. The best-known painter of the time was J. L. David who painted â€Å"Napoleon Crossing the Saint Bernard,† just one of many amazing paintings in that time. The technique used in this era is a stressed drawing with lines, not color; no brush strokes. The tone set is calm and rational but at the same time play the role to provide inspiration and be morally uplifting. Neoclassical artist value order and solemnity and it can be seen throughout their paintings. Inspired by the classics, touched by a revolution, and enforced order we have the â€Å"new† classics. Neoclassicism. Now lets get into the hippie era of the 18th century†¦of free love, peace, and saving the trees. No not really. Romanticism was much more than that it depicted a much deeper heightened since of feeling and euphoria. If it made you feel good and happy you would focus on that and that’s all that mattered. But that is still not all; romanticism was a time for passion, any kind of passion whether it was good or bad. Inspired by the medieval, baroque eras, and the middle and Far East regions of the world. Romanticism started in the late 18th century and continued into the mid 19th century. The characteristics that follow the romantic era is one of a deepened appreciation of the beauty for nature; and exaltation of emotion over reason and intellect; a heightened sense of human personality, moods, and mental potentialities. The romantics were very occupied with the exceptional figures, such as the hero or genius and focused on their inner passions and struggles. A couple of the best known artist of the time were Eugene Delacroix and Theodore Gericault, the artists were viewed as a supreme individual creators, their creative spirit was more important than strict rules or traditional procedures; the emphasis on imagination was a gateway to experience spiritual truth. With national and ethnic origins there was an obsessive interest in folk culture and the medieval era, which triggered a special liking for the exotic, mysterious, weird, the remote, the monstrous, diseased, and the satanic. The role of the art was dramatic it was to carry the viewer away with its unrestrained, rich color, and visible brush strokes. Neoclassicism and Romanticism are in fact to very different eras. While to neoclassical era wanted to re-invent the classics, the romantic era wanted to expressive in every form not holding back restraint on the mere idea of being bound by the old classic rules. But this doesn’t stop them from having similarities either. They both were on a spiritual mission; the art itself wants to portray knowledge and enlightenment for neoclassicism and romanticism wants you to experience spiritual truth. Although these eras are on very opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the arts they both wanted to find a new spirit of the time, to change it for the better. Like J. L David’s painting â€Å"Napoleon Crossing the Saint Bernard† is very lifelike and perfect not being able to see the brush strokes but making the feeling of nobility, strength, and honor very present in his work. This particular piece is a perfect example of the time being right after the revolution. Eugene Delacroix’s painting â€Å"Liberty leading the people† This is such and amazing piece of art as well and although you can see more brush strokes it is also such a great example of the time. Delacroix is able to put so much detail and really paint the emotion of freedom and leadership. Both these painting depict a transformation, a want for change. The interesting thing is in those brush strokes, neoclassicism believed they needed to have that perfectionism it showed order, restraint, and rationalism; whereas, romanticism felt that the brush strokes needed to be seen so as to show emotion, passion, and life. Both of these eras were very influenced by different eras like with neoclassical they wanted so desperately to get out of the Rococo style; is was the Age of Enlightenment; and it was right after the revolution. Neoclassical was very impressed and inspired by the classical era and made something old, new again. Romanticism was influenced by neoclassicism it was inspired as a revolt against social and political norms of the Age of Enlightenment and was partly a reaction from the industrial revolution. Although, these eras seemed to influence each other in ways a teenager would want to try to change the rules at home. These eras very much influence our history, knowledge, learning, and inspiration today. Works Cited http://www. britannica. com/EBchecked/topic/508675/Romanticism http://www. buzzle. com/articles/romanticism-characteristics-of-romanticism. html http://www. buzzle. com/articles/difference-between-romanticism-and-neoclassicism. html http://lilt. ilstu. edu/jhreid/neoclassicism. htm http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Romanticism How to cite Riwt 1, Papers

Managing Across Borders Strategic Alliances Facilitate Organizations

Question: Discuss about the Managing Across Borders for Strategic Alliances Facilitate Organizations . Answer: Introduction Joint ventures or strategic alliances facilitate organizations with complementary skills and competence, which enables them to benefit from each others strength. They are familiar regarding technology, and other domains, in the event of a firms desire to be in an expansionist phase by the means of sales and operations, which is governed by a legal agreement between the two entities to access, and share the trademarks, assets, and technology. Nokia and Siemens, took a major step towards strategic alliance in the year 2006, when they entered into a joint venture contract to combine their fixed line and mobile phone network businesses. The chief executive of Siemens, Klaus Klienfeld, had stated that this venture was a significant step to strengthen their position in the market so that they are able to offer best quality services to its customers and earn revenues, tackling the challenges that come with convergence of technologies. Risk Analysis: Although the two companies have come together to mutually benefit from the strategic alliance, still a few risks are involved which can prove to be a potential threat to their growth, if not tackled appropriately. Since Nokia has no business in fixed-line or wire-line, it is now given with the responsibility of running a business in which Siemens has been continuously facing downturns since six years (Cavusgil et al., 2014). This could be a tricky situation for the company. The merging of these two companies can also be risky on the grounds of expense involved and the competition, which is likely to threaten the management to get the real value of the strategic alliance. The shareholders could also suffer in the short term, since this is a long haul contract, in which all the revenue generated will be revolving around the economies of scale and reaping full advantages of the rapidly converging wireless and fixed markets (Ding et al., 2013). Organizational controls: In order to cut off any possibilities of risks that is involved in entering the joint venture with Siemens, conducting a scanning process with respect to its legal, regulatory and accounting practices is a wise idea. This will give Nokia a clear idea if the venture is going to be a successful one. This screening will also ensure that the venture partner, Siemens will be able to deliver on its financial promises. Managing the staff after the companies enter a joint venture or strategic alliance can be a tricky situation as the staff is acquainted with the previous organizational structure and may find it difficult adapting to the change (Ertug et al., 2013). The solution could be a well-planned contract that embodies the structure, roles, rights and responsibilities of everyone working for the company. This will help in reducing the gap and bring the parties from the Nokia and Siemens on the same page. Trust is also a valuable instrument in controlling risks that emanate from global strategic alliances. Trust can act as a gateway to cooperative relationship between the partners. If the respective management of Nokia and Siemens trust each others intentions, they will be able to perform their responsibilities according to their contracts, with minimum conflicts (Sun Lee 2013). Conclusion The global Giants Nokia and Siemens formed a strategic alliance to achieve certain goals, which they could not have achieved individually. They must maintain their status as separate and independent entities, and reap benefits of the partnership until the contract ends. If the management on both the sides appropriately applies the instruments of trust and control, all the possibilities related to risks can be kept at bay. References: Cavusgil, S. T., Knight, G., Riesenberger, J. R., Rammal, H. G., Rose, E. L. (2014). International business. Pearson Australia. Ding, R., Dekker, H. C., Groot, T. (2013). Risk, partner selection and contractual control in interfirm relationships. Management Accounting Research, 24(2), 140-155. Ertug, G., Cuypers, I. R., Noorderhaven, N. G., Bensaou, B. M. (2013). Trust between international joint venture partners: Effects of home countries. Journal of International Business Studies, 44(3), 263-282. Sun, S. L., Lee, R. P. (2013). Enhancing innovation through international joint venture portfolios: From the emerging firm perspective. Journal of International Marketing, 21(3), 1-21.

The Economic Crisis of 2008 and the UK Government Response Essay Example For Students

The Economic Crisis of 2008 and the UK Government Response Essay Outline1 Introduction2 The Economic Crisis of 20083 The UK Government Response4 Decision Introduction The current economic crisis which had its roots in the US sub-primes market produced a profound displacement in UK economic policy, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . The latter suggests that prior to this crisis UK economic policy centred on three rules which included financial prudence, low rising prices and unequal ordinance and supervising of the UK banking sector. However, the consequence of the crisis was so terrible that the authorities refocused economic policy such that big public sector adoption was necessary. This was due to the fact that a figure of big UK Bankss were in problem holding had exposure to the troubled sub-primes market with subsequent bad debts on their balance sheets, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . Therefore, in order improve the wellness of the Bankss the UK authorities became effectual stockholders utilizing revenue enhancement remunerator s money. The Bankss which were assisted include Northern Rock, HBOS and Lloyds TSB every bit good as the Royal Bank of Scotland. Howeve r, the rule ground for authorities intercession was to supply liquidness to the interbank loans market and facilitate Bankss to impart to houses and consumers, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . It was envisaged that one time sufficient liquidness had been provided to the interbank market, so the Bankss would be willing to impart to each other and so the Bankss would be able to impart to the wider economic system. The entire cost of authorities action to debar a prostration in the fiscal markets amounted to 28 % of GDP, Furceri et Al ( 2009 ) . The Economic Crisis of 2008 We will write a custom essay on The Economic Crisis of 2008 and the UK Government Response specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The roots of the fiscal crisis which surfaced in July 2007, and which became worldwide after the collpase of Lehman Brothers on 14th September 2008, Guillen ( 2009 ) , lay in the sub-prime mortgage market in the United States, Lapavitsas ( 2009 ) . It was between 2001 to 2003 that mortgage loaning in the US rose significantly until 2006. At the bosom of the fiscal crisis lay the fact that loans for places were being made to those who would non be able to go on to do refunds on the mortgages either because they lost their occupations or involvement rates increased. The latter may be a consequence of the authorities seeking to stem a short term addition in rising prices. Therefore, the planetary economic crisis of 2008 had its roots in 2007. In the US, fiscal establishments were imparting money to borrowers whose income was deficient for them to comfortably maintain up the payments on mortgages, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . However, as house monetary values were traveling up more and more bad loans for mortgages were being made. It was due to the fact that these mortgages were valuable because the monetary values of houses were increasing that US investing Bankss took the mortgages and securitised them to organize CDO s. Nevertheless, the job started when US house monetary values began to fall, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . In this instance, as the monetary value of US houses began to worsen the securitised debt besides began to lose value. However, by this clip the securitised debt had been cut up into smaller balls and siphoned off to Bankss around the universe, stoping up as liabilities on their balance sheets, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . Some Bankss had larger balls of securitised debt on their balance sheets than other Bankss while some Bankss had no exposure to securitised debt at all. In the period 2004-2006, US $ 1.4 trillion worth of mortgages had been securitised.This represented 79.3 % of all sub-prime mortgages, Lapavitsas ( 2009 ) . Furthermore, harmonizing to the latter securitisation was the procedure whereby morgages were parcelled into little sums puting them into other fiscal constructions and selling the tonss as new securities. These new securities or CDOs were to be held by fiscal establishments around the universe. However, as involvement rates began to lift after 2004, mortgage foreclosures increased.The consequence of the increased foreclosures was that the securities became worthless and Bankss wer e unable to sell or merchandise them and increase their hard currency assets, Lapavitsas ( 2009 ) . The fact that Bankss had worthless, untradeable liabilities on their balance sheets put into uncertainty the solvency of UK every bit good as other planetary Bankss. These fiscal establishments preferred to roll up liquid assets alternatively of guaranting that liquidness to other Bankss was maintained through the interbank market. The ensuing liquidness deficit was characterised by the motion between the interbank loaning rate and the 3 month Overnight Indexed Swap rate. The Overnight Indexed Swap rate was exceeded by the interbanklending rate after August 2007 with the difference making a extremum in the last one-fourth of 2008, Lapavitsas ( 2009 ) . Therefore, liquidness dried up with Bankss unwilling to impart to each other ; and accordingly to houses and consumers. .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a , .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a .postImageUrl , .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a , .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a:hover , .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a:visited , .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a:active { border:0!important; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a:active , .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc42ac26a32a2ff266c30a17731cb623a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Physical Therapists And Physical TherapyIt is now clear that the jobs in the US lodging market started when involvement rates rose and house monetary values began to fall. At the same clip the cost of borrowing to houses began to increase, doing it more expensive for them to be able do productive investings which maintained current employment and generated farther employment. In this instance people began to be laid away and unemployment in the UK began to increase, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . Furthermore, in the UK people began to lose their occupations demand for goods and services fell and in the US as the figure of lodging foreclosures began to increase significantly as pe ople were laid away. Once people began to acquire laid off they lost their capacity to pay for the mortgages which they had taken out, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . As the figure of foreclosures soared and house monetary values to drop even deeper, the values of the securitised debt which was sitting on the balance sheets of Bankss around the universe besides began to fall in value. A effect of this was that the liabilities side of the bank s balance sheet began to increase. As rumors began to distribute in the market that some Bankss were more exposed than others to bad securitised debt, Bankss became fearful of loaning to each other through the interbank market. The impact of this was reduced ingestion, increasing unemployment and overall contraction of the economic systems of developed states, including in the UK. The UK authorities was therefore confronting an economic crisis which was non alone to this state but portion of a far wider planetary contagious disease whose spread was facilitated by the mechanics and linkages of globalization, Lapavitsas ( 2009 ) . However, the authorities in its response to the crisis had to guarantee that the Bankss did non prostration, continued to impart to each other and to consumers and houses in the wider economic system. The following subdivision will look at the UK authorities policy response in more item. The UK Government Response The UK was one of the European states to be hit the hardest by the planetary economic crisis which began with the US sub-primes crisis. The crisis led to the first tally on a UK bank since the latter portion of the nineteenth century with the whole banking sector confronting near meltdown 12 months subsequently with the prostration of Lehman Brothers on the 18th September 2008, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . Furthermore, the latter suggest that the ensuing recognition crunch and the bursting of the UK lodging bubble have had a profound impact on the UK economic system which has required a UK authorities policy response which has had to be non merely significant but besides has had to put aside regulations such as those associated with competition policy which would non usually have been done, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . It has besides been suggested in the literature that the UK economic system will contract by about 4 % in 2009 with rising prices falling by 1.7 % and unemployment making 3 mill ion before a sustained recovery boots sets in, NIESR ( 2009 ) . Furthermore, the economic crisis has led to unprecedented economic policy co-ordination at an international degree with policy preparation at the national and international degree invariably germinating, Pauly ( 2009 ) . Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) suggests that the policy paradigm which was followed by the UK Labour Party following its 1997 election triumph was basically the New Keynesian consensus on macroeconomic policy, the complex of policies which changed after the crisis. Specifically, the UK authorities relied on financial policy and pecuniary policy although doubtless, the latter was dominant. With respects to financial policy, the chief drivers included the decrease in the VAT rate from 17.5 % to 15 % ; and an addition in authorities adoption. Indeed the authorities s adoption demands increased 5 crease from its degree in 2007-2008 to its degree in 2008-2009 with the adoption demand traveling from2.3 % of its GDP in 2007-2008 to 11.3 % in 2008-2009. The addition in authorities adoption was non due to the work of automatic stabilizers and was in fact outside the work of the automatic stabilizers which caused the authorities to suspend its normal financial regulations for borrowing. On the other ma nus with the usage of pecuniary policy the authorities was able to make far more extended surgery to the UK economic system. First, the Bank of England dropped bank base rates from 5.75 % in November 2007 to 0.5 % in April 2009. This process was meant to do borrowing cheaper in the interbank market and ease general bank loaning to the wider economic system leting houses to borrow to put, while the decrease in VAT was meant to cut the costs of houses so that they would non put off staff, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . In footings of an IS-LM analysis the increased loaning by the Bankss due to take down bank base rates would be reflected by the LM curve switching downwards with national result theoretically increasing. However, the lowering of bank base rates did non work in the mode dictated by theory, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . The latter characterise the impersonal impact of the lowering of bank base rates on interbank loaning by detecting that neither did the volumes of interbank loaning ad dition or interbank rates fall. Furthermore, because rising prices besides fell, the Bank of England was unable to pull strings the existent involvement rate. For illustration, if rising prices is high and the nominal rate of involvement is low, so it is possible to hold negative degrees of the existent involvement rate, Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . However, this may non be possible when the degree of rising prices is falling or really low. This is declarative of the fact that possibly the pre-crisis policy of aiming rising prices was set at excessively lower rate and a higher rate of possibly 5 % should hold been operational to give more flexibleness to the Bank of England when utilizing pecuniary policy. The failure of the usage of involvement rates to decide the crisis led to the Bank of England conveying into action new policy instruments such as quantitative moderation and the Asset Purchasing Facility ( APF ) , Hodson et Al ( 2009 ) . The former policy instrument allowed the Bank t o impart against securities utilizing its price reduction window in order to increase liquidness. Furthermore, the APF allowed the bank non merely to impart against securities but to buy them from other fiscal establishments. .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 , .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 .postImageUrl , .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 , .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7:hover , .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7:visited , .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7:active { border:0!important; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7:active , .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7 .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2f8adeb582c6569bf7cea1d2004c27a7:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Functions Of A Discourse Community EssayDecision This paper has evaluated the causes of the planetary economic crisis of 2008 and the subsequent policy response of the UK authorities. It has been shown that the crisis began the US sub-primes market and spread globally due to the securitisation of sub-primes mortgages which therefore entered the circulation of the planetary fiscal system. The subsequent busting of the US lodging bubble made the securitised debt worthless and as a effect loaning in the interbank loaning market dried up with Bankss waiting to neglect with black effects. The authorities s policy response to the crisis was at first to utilize both pecuniary and financial policy with financial policy concentrating on an addition in authorities adoption and a decrease the rate of VAT. Monetary policy at first relied on the usage of take downing bank base rates to excite interbank loaning. However, this did non work because rising prices was at a low and so the authorities resorted to utilizing irregular techniques such as quantitative moderation and the Asset Purchasing Facility to increase liquidness in the market. The authorities still faces the jobs associated with the demand for coordinated action amongst state provinces to cover with the crisis every bit good as the chance that there may be a 2nd recognition crisis which involves non Bankss or houses but consumers and autonomous provinces.

Organisation in Memory essays

Organisation in Memory essays The study is to investigate if whether Ss recalled more critical items with fewer part-set cues. Psychology students were used from Manchester Metropolian University all in their first year of the course. They had to sit a questionnaire involving two recalls, it was the second recall that was being measured using a experimental control method, and using the independent t test to test the significance, which was p=0.012, meaning that the results were significant and that Ss presented with 15 part-set cues will recall fewer critical items, then Ss presented with 5 part-set cues. The nature of the study is to investigate the effects of part-set cuing (PSC) on recall, to see how the presentation of PSC affects the recall of the remaining list items. There have been a number of studies which have investigated the effects of PSC, and have suggested that PSC can both increase and decrease the number of items recalled. These studies can suggest that the use of cues can either be helpful, or completely useless. Tulving and Pearlstone (1966), for example presented Ss with a list of 48 words, comprising of 12 categories, each containing 4 words: 4 birds, 4 sports, 4 forms of transport etc. during recall half the Ss were presented with the category headings (cues), and the other half of the Ss were not presented with any cues at all. Results showed that Ss presented with the cues recalled on average 30 words out of 48, and the non-cue group recalled 20 words on average out of 48. these findings do suggest that the use of cues can increase recall. Tulving and Pearlstone reinforced these findings, when they presented the non-cue group with the cues, and found they were able to recall eight more words, which they did know but were unable to retrieve. This was due to the failure of the long term memory (LTM), and how sometimes if we are unable to recall something, it does come back to us later, but in Tulving and Pearlstones study the use...

An Understanding of Sports Sponsorship in India

An Understanding of Sports Sponsorship in India 1. Introduction The boost in competition, produced by the globalization of markets, had made the marketing mix a key factor for companies to be successful, or even to stay alive (Hollensen, 2003). Promotion has become ever more useful to have an effect on consumers’ attitudes and behaviour as a part of the marketing mix. Conventionally, promotion was consisted of advertising, PR and sales promotions (Vignali, 1997). Nevertheless, in modern years, there has been a substantial improvement in sponsorship of organasations and events in the fields of the sports, arts, social aid and broadcasting. This improvement has placed sponsorship at the same level of significance than most conventional promotion tools, particularly advertising (Lardinoit and Derbaix, 2001). In 2004, as per the projections, global spending in sponsorship was estimated to reach US $28 billion (from $23.6 billion in 1999 and $2 billion in 1984), of which 69% relates to sporting events (Meenaghan, 2001). Sponsor ship is a business-related activity where one party allows another a chance to utilize an association with a target audience in exchange for funds, resources or services. Sponsorship activities are used by organisations in a various ways to create brand associations, awareness and to penetrate through the clutter of commercial messages (Fill, 2009). Sponsorship can also be defined as † an investment in cash or kind in an activity, in return for access to the exploitable commercial potential associated with that activity. The company promotes its interests and brands by tying them to a specific and meaningful related event or cause† (Rowley and Williams, 2008). Sponsorship investment primarily was perhaps seen as a type of philanthropy; the sponsors may be expecting simply goodwill or nothing as a return (Quattrocchi, 2004; Chadwick and Thwaites, 2005). Considerable amount of sponsorship investments were carried out with no precise explanation or business objective except for helping a favourite sport or event (Davies and Quattrocchi, 2002). As a result in quiet few cases, sponsorship has been talked about as a kind of corporate philanthropy that is the company’s share of profits restored back into community (Polonsky and Speed, 2001). Though, lot of researchers affirmed that corporate philanthropy that used to be ascertained as a pure dedication to the community did look for circumlocutory benefits in corporate image, positive attitude towards the company or social recognition in the community, which similar to desired objectives of business sponsorship nowadays (Martnez et al. 2005). Sponsorship investment has been escalating quickly for many years and sport is the biggest area that has been used by sponsorships (Drewer, 2006). Numerous researchers have been produced to reveal how sponsorship works and how its results could be evaluated hypothetically, but the questions still remain debating (Cornwell et al. 2005). Sport has developed into a professional product or a service over the years. The increasing relevance in professional sport has turned it into a productive business, producing great revenues annually (Mason & Cochetel, 2006). Sport players and games have become commercial possessions offering companies new occasions to communicate and develop their brands (Morgen, 2004). Given the verity that sport sponsorships are usually more profitable compared to art or social cause sponsorships (Walliser, 2003), it can be concluded that sport sponsorship is an instrument of communications that ought to be given serious thought as a business investment. The allocations of limited resources with the purpose of attaining definite organisations’ objectives are important segments of sport sponsorship (Slack and Bentz, 1996). Therefore, it has repeatedly been described as a strategic activity in the marketing literature (Carter, 1996).

Topic-Gold stocks and index performance comparison Research Paper

Topic-Gold stocks and index performance comparison - Research Paper Example When a country’s currency devalues significantly, gold held by central banks and Federal Reserve can be used in trade as a means of exchange to facilitate trade. For governments to hedge against instability in currency, gold is deposited in reserve by governments, private individual and companies to be exchange when need arises. A country’s development is pegged on the amount of gold in its reserves and is used to determine the value of a country’s currency. With a good reserve of gold, economic stability is realized alongside stable commodity prices in a country (World Gold Council). The United States ties its dollar on the price of gold and gold in its reserves which in turn the international community tie their currency against the value of the US Dollar. This explains the reason why the dollar is the widely accepted means of foreign exchange against all currencies in the world. Before 1971, gold was the only exchange standard. Since then, international cooper ative monetary system has been used. Instead, it has remained trading in the international markets freely, with forces of demand and supply determining its mean price just like any other commodities. Though it has been replaced by international monetary system, gold still enjoys about 13% official reserves around the world as a cornerstone reserve asset. Gold as a commodity has been trading in the international market, often fetching high prices in times of economic turmoil. When the international financial markets are in great upheaval, traders dumb the socks and other financial instruments to save the devaluation of the positions in gold reserves. For example, when the prices of stocks or other forms of securities are falling, traders resort to buying gold. This takes to the hypothesis that, when the price of stock index is falling, the price if gold rises. Over the recent past, there has been sharp increases I the prices of gold as most of the major financial markets were falteri ng around the world. This is so because gold has been seen as a substitute investment instrument to the financial system. Currently the price of an ounce of gold in the international market is about $1,608. S&P 500 is one of the major indices in the United States that can be used in this study to compare its performance against that of gold. To get the relationship in movement and to proof the hypothesis quarterly performances can be looked at with a main focus in the pre and after 2008 financial crisis. The explanation to the relationship that can be adduced is found on the graph. S&P 500, alongside other indices in the United States like Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and NASDAQ, have been observed to be inversely correlated with the price of gold over time (World Gold Council). When there is exists uncertainty in the economy and by extension the financial markets, investors tend to offload their positions in stocks and other securities to buy the save haven; gold. Gold has b een taken as the ultimate safe haven as explained earlier. When there is an imbalance between supply and demand for shares, the prices will either pick up or tumble depending on the two forces. When there exist jitters on the stability of the economy which will affect the performance of the listed companies in the securities exchange the shares will drop in their valuation. Investors buy stocks expecting to get returns either from good dividends or appreciation in the share prices, increasing the net worth of an

The Concept of Status Consumption With Regard to How a Marketer Might Essay

The Concept of Status Consumption With Regard to How a Marketer Might be Able to Use Status to Market a Specific Brand or Product Type - Essay Example People with high degree of honour in society are simply referred to have status. Logically, people with high social status have much recognition than people with low social status. In this direction, there are people who believe that real success in life has to do with the attainment of status. Regrettably though, Waytz (2009) observes that the eagerness to acquire social status leads to aggressive and self-defeating behaviour. However, once achieved, becoming a person of status or class live its ‘benefactors’ with a conventional ways of life. One of these conventional ways of life has to do with what these people with social status consume: thus status consumption. As there become a pedigree of standard placed on the kind of purchases people with status consume, marketing as an industry also become a benefactor if well harnessed with status consumption (Haruna, 2003). What is Status consumption? Schertz et al (2007) argue that status consumption has to do with the †Å"intent of showing off wealth to others when the good is publicly consumed – ranging from applying an expensive lipstick in public to driving an expensive car† (p. 2). ... As Maiese (2004), notes in Harold (1983, 113), there could be several reasons accounting for why people would consume conspicuously but the most outstanding reason could be due to the fact that â€Å" most societies do have some form of social hierarchy with some people in stronger, more dominant positions, and other people in weaker, lower positions.† So in other for the one-time ‘ordinary’ person to be noticed and accorded necessary social respect, he or she would then resort to status consumption. Again, with the blame still going to society as the cause of status consumption, it would be in place to argue that society expects people occupying certain positions to live within a certain conventional class. To this effect society always want to see people such as politicians, music icons, movie stars and sports personalities own certain property, that are tagged as expensive or of class. These are the major reasons why status consumption continues to exist among both the one-time ‘ordinary’ person and the so-called people with status. There are people who presume that status consumption automatically leads to social status acquisition. This is of course another reason why people resort to status consumption. To such people, there is a level of benefit to them. Nobel Laureate economist, John Harsanyi, said that â€Å"apart from economic payoffs, social status seems to be the most important incentive and motivating force of social behavior† (Waytz, 2009). For this reason, people who succumb to status consumption with the hope of gaining social status get a level of psychological satisfaction of the presumed lens with which society sees them. Empirical Scenarios of Status Consumption One group of people

Phoenix Rising Essay Example for Free

Phoenix Rising Essay The Young adult novel Phoenix Rising: or how to survive your life by Cynthia D. Grant is a candid sensitive story about the serious effects of seventeen-year-old Helen Castle’s death from cancer on her family. The story is told through the eyes of Jessie who has been traumatized by her older sister’s death. Jessie and the other members of her family begin a healing process, while Helen, whose world we see through Jessie comes to terms with a life that seems capricious and unjust to Jessie. She feels pain, anger, loneliness, confusion and withdrawal throughout the novel. The family is shattered. Its new dynamics are realistically revealed with the already strained relationship between Lucas, and the father that become explosive. Jessie reads on in the journal to learn Helen’s feelings as her cancer progresses, which ranges from morbid despair to soaring hope that is made more poignant to the readers reading along with her. The setting of the story is white, comfortably middle-class, California suburbia. The characters in Phoenix Rising are of average intelligence and are raised above being stereotypical characters by the pain, reflection, and eventual growth of Helen’s death forces upon them. They remain true to their backgrounds and natures throughout their trials and adjustments. It is the mark of Cynthia D. Grant’s talent that the reader never doubts they are reading this novel through believable teenage eyes. The central character of the novel is Jessie, and the one who is most dangerously affected by the older sister’s death. Jessie’s tendency is not only to idealize her sister making her feel worthless, and unattractive but she also feels that she has failed to reach Helen and talk to her about her illness making Jessie shut herself off from her father, mother, her friend Bambi, Helen’s boyfriend Bloomfield, and their next-door neighbor; little Sara Rose. Jessie not only stops eating toward the end of the novel, she also shuts herself off more ultimately refusing to leave her room. Jessie’s brother Lucas is the kind family philosopher. On the surface, however he plays a role of a rebellious youth whose love for loud rock music. He is an exceptionally good electric and acoustic guitarist and this puts him at odds with his father, whom he engages in arguments at the slightest opportunity. Jessie’s hard-working architect father seems fixated on his role as a family provider and Lucas as the antagonist. Jessie tells the reader â€Å"My father thinks he won’t cry as long as he keeps screaming. It is as if the father and the other members have been so traumatized by the Helen’s death that a kind of static role-playing is easier for them than facing their world and moving on with their lives. Jessie’s mother seems simply to have been bludgeoned into being a relatively passive person who can do little more than to keep up with the necessary household chores, to weep for her oldest daughter, Helen as well as the self destructive, Jessie and to drink several glasses of wine to dull her pain. Two more important characters round out the characters in this novel. One is Bloomfield, who is always called by his last name. He is Helen’s boyfriend and the other is Bambi. Bambi is both sister’s plump, loud mouthed, and mildly sex-crazed friend. Jessie reads further into the Helen’s journal and discovers Bloomfield is not the fair-weather friend she has criticized him as being. Similarly, she finds there is more to the tattooed, fake nailed Bambi than meets the eye. She is surprisingly admirable for her down-to-earth, her common sense ability to cut through the silliness that ordinarily surrounds her.

Illinois Capital Punishment System :: essays research papers

Clemency, compassion?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  How exactly can I explain the Capital Punishment System here in Illinois? Well to be honest, I would have to go with, total chaos. For you who don’t know what Capital Punishment is, it is the system we use to place criminals who commit very serious crimes on Death Row. Out of the 50 states in our wonderful country, 38 of them have a Capital Punishment System, Illinois being one of them. Recently, while Governor George Ryan was in office, it was decided to halt all executions, making Illinois the first of the 38 states to do so.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Capital Punishment was brought back to Illinois in 1977. From ’77 to ’87 there were a total of 128 prisoners enrolled on death row. In 1990 alone there were 125 murderers waiting to face the ultimate punishment. Out of those people, a total of 12 people have been executed through lethal injection, but 13 prisoners were released from death row as innocent. 7 of the 12 executed were after 1976, 5 were in 1995 alone. Is it just me, or is this a bit confusing? The Government seemed to get a little death hungry during these years. It’s obvious that there are bound to be many other innocent people, sitting in jail cells suffering for a murder that they did not commit.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Governor Ryan stepped in office determined to find out what is wrong with this system in Illinois. He came in actually as a firm believer of the death penalty, but seeing that 13 people were found innocent, Governor Ryan became frustrated and decided to take action. After researching how the system works, and becoming aware of the flaws, the former Governor pardoned 4 more prisoners (Aaron Patterson, Madison Hobley, Stanley Howard and Leroy Orange) who confessed under police torture and convicted because of those confessions. â€Å"I believe these men are innocent or I wouldn’t have pardoned them, the system has failed for all four men and it has failed for all the people of this state.† Governor Ryan said at Depaul University. He also believes that there are at least 33 wrongly convicted, and since Capital Punishment was reinstated 93 have been released from custody because they were found innocent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This system in Illinois is obviously full of error and no one can ever seem to be 100% sure of determining who’s guilty and who’s innocent, and if they should die or not.

A Madman’s Diary, The True Story of Ah Q and The New Years Sacrifice Essay

I. Introduction: Much of Lu Hsun’s stories are recollections of his past struggles. He admits this in the preface of his collection of works entitled, Call to Arms. But as this collection was viewed by Lu Hsun himself as a way to encourage young dreamers to pursue their aspirations and spare themselves of the agony of his youth, much of it becomes a mirror as well of the Chinese culture and history. Hence, Lu Hsun is not only a chief commander of China’s modern Cultural Revolution; he is also the founder of modern Chinese literature. This paper aims to make a modest critical analysis of Lu Hsun’s work using his first three short stories namely; A Madman’s Diary, The True Story of Ah Q and The New Years Sacrifice. These are chosen to identify patterns of themes, subjects and beliefs that are embodied in his writings. Also, we hope to be able to understand Chinese traditions and heritage using the same short stories. In the end we may find literature as a strong method of making a noble contribution to the world with its inherent power to opine, philosophize and influence. Let us begin with a brief telling of the stories’ plots and details. After which we enumerate the significance of each and lastly to provide a general assessment of the story’s lessons and socio-cultural and political implications. This last part of the analysis is relevant as we have had hints already of the intentions of the author to provide an empowerment to the readers for the attainment of certain goals. The paper will end in such a way that Lu Hsun is commended for his creativity in the craft to have shown consistency of his agenda as manifested in his literary machinery – ergo, becomes successful and compatible endeavors of revolutionary and literary toils. II. A Madman’s Diary The first story is a narration of Lu Hsun’s reading of a diary of his old friend. The latter referred to as the madman, through his personal accounts have expressed the nature of his illness. He sees his own brother, relatives, neighbors and doctor as man-eaters. The content of the diary may seem weird and dreadful yet the author of the diary charged of insanity has managed to think and speak of historical accounts to prove his case. For instance, he called a previous enemy, Ku Chiu which in translation means â€Å"Ancient Times†; his doctor, Li Shih-chen who in history was a famous pharmacologist and authored the Materia Medica. Both usage have latent meanings and will be explained later. The madman also has knowledge of several traditional myths like his mention of Yi Ya, who according to ancient records cooked his son as present to Duke Huan who was ruler since 685 to 643 B.C. of Chi; he mentioned also Chieh and Chou who were known tyrants in history; Hsu His Lin who during the end of Ching dynasty was a revolutionary executed in 1907 whose heart and liver were believed to have been eaten because of his assassination of a Ching official. Again, these historical descriptions have significance in the goal of the author of Madman’s Diary. The context of the story may seem to its audience a basic case of mental illness but this is true unless proper decoding is employed. The story suggests that there is a past experience which the madman has underwent which we could think of as the cause of his psychosis. According to the author, the madman has suffered from persecution. The sentiment of the main character at the time he was sick already against other people characterizes the same feelings he felt against them before this condition. Man-eating in the story symbolizes the feudal system in China. The oppression that the tenants suffer from their land lords has caused the madman to perhaps hate the former. The man-eaters in the story as observed by the madman consist of his neighbors, brother, doctor, etc.; basically all those who are of the land-owning class. The conspirators making themselves man-eaters as well include his own mother- this is due to the latter’s inability to reprimand his brother. To the madman’s mind, those who support and those who are silenced by the oppression are alike. This is why he refers to them as man-eaters as well – they all look at him in the same way like fierce animals ready to eat him and his flesh. Everyday, the madman has to deal with the same looks and reactions. He thought he was doing a good job of having been able to decipher their true intentions of killing and eating him. In the end however it pained him to have known that his sister could have died in the same experience of being eaten by other people. It pained him that his own family has not done anything while his mother’s weeping did not change the fact of her daughter’s tragic death. The seemingly unjust treatment of the community against a madman like him is translated into the majority’s incapacity and lack of buoyancy to uphold a revolution such as that which would overhaul feudalism and promote equality. Yet, the madman has seen that Mr Chao for instance did not look solely at him with anger but with fear as well. One is afraid to change the status quo where he/she is already benefiting. Just like Mr Ku Chiu who was displeased with his intervention on his account sheets twenty years ago. Ku Chiu meaning Ancient Times symbolizes the long history of feudal oppression in China. The madman might have made wild statements in his diary but to a madman this signifies discontent, confusion, mixed emotions of fear and pain, none of which is equivalent to happiness and peace. He said he has not seen the moon for over thirty years. He must have been imprisoned or isolated that long from the community, the people barely recognize him just like the dog which looked at him twice. In the new day or perhaps new circumstance he is into, he only remembers the feelings of annoyance against them. Yet he witnessed the children, lively as they may appear but the madman, reluctant about their purity thought they also had eyes that misinterpret him. When he said their parents could have told them about his story, he was referring to the possible transfer of the tradition of tyranny to the new generation and the hindrance to their quest for truth, justice and equality. The madman abhors the fact that the own victims of this cruelty have not done anything to antagonize but why do they look at him like that? This is expressed in the part below: â€Å"†¦Those people, some of whom have been pilloried by the magistrate, slapped in the face by the local gentry, had their wives taken away by bailiffs, or their parents driven to suicide by creditors, never looked as frightened and as fierce then as they did yesterday†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Lu Hsun, A Madman’s Diary, April, 1918) He sees their laughers, discussions of him, teeth and speech as comprising their secret signs. There are statements in the story which the author has provided for us to understand further the nature of the norm in their history. Like when the madman remembers the time when he would be commended by his brother for his indifference vis a vis wrong doings: â€Å"†¦I remember when my elder brother taught me to write compositions, no matter how good a man was, if I produced arguments to the contrary he would mark that passage to show his approval; while if I excused evil-doers, he would say: â€Å"Good for you, that shows originality†¦Ã¢â‚¬  At that time , it would have been better if you are blind and deaf and perhaps insane to resist the subjugation. This is also presented in the part where Mr. Ho, the doctor tells the madman: â€Å"Don’t let your imagination run away with you! Rest quietly for a few days and you will be alright†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The madman sees this statement as a warning for his deed of courage and integrity. – to be brave and righteous yield death of a man. Toward the end of the story, the madman asked a twenty year old lad if it was right to eat human beings and if such was an accepted act simply because it has always been like that. The author here is arriving at an assumption that a tradition of cruelty could have been regarded by most of them as justifiable by its permanence and embedded nature. But a challenge has been set forth in the end; that is to become a real man. For the madman, real men don’t eat human beings. Although as claimed, primitive people have done so, he advised his brother that to remain like them is the same as reptiles and animals who eat flesh and must be ashamed of themselves. This is a way for the author to propose that to desist tradition (the four thousand years of eating flesh) is to put a halt to oppression – this is the act of a real man. He calls on a change of spirit and ideas so he tells them in the story; â€Å"You should change at once, change from the bottom of your hearts! You must know that in future there will be no place for man-eaters in the world . . . .† His final words are equally challenging and meaningful. It was a call for change especially for the youth – â€Å"Perhaps there are still children who have not eaten men? Save the children. . .† III. The True Story of Ah Q The second story is written in December, 1921. Ah Q is a worker in the Weichuang village who has become a laughing stock and destination of insult from amongst his fellow villagers. His death was a tragic one considering that while his origin has not been known to the author or to the village people in the story, the cause of his execution is also neither defined by him nor his fellowmen. It is in this cycle confusions and uncertainties that the story becomes a revelation of the situation of China during the early nineteenth century. Lu Hsun has used characters in the story with meaningful roles in China’s history. Mr. Chao and Mr. Chien are both influential and wealthy people in the village whose sons have given them pride by passing the examination and having been posted to high positions in the society; Whiskers Wang and Young D who are servants like Ah Q had different perspectives and never united; The Imitation Foreign Devil who studied in Japan and has returned to the village without any meaningful contribution; the nun whom Ah Q have maltreated for his perceived false modesty of her; the townspeople; the military captain; the successful provincial candidate; the old man with a clean shaven head – they all did not spare Ah Q a little. It appeared that Ah Q was fond of drinking wine, sleeping after a day’s job at the Tutelary God’s Temple and imagining his own definition of victories. For Ah Q being beaten by a son is a victory; and every time he is teased by the village folks for his scar that looked like ringworm on his head and crushed to the wall for his eccentricities, he considers them losers – for they are his sons. This weird claim of Ah Q has made the people a lot more irritated of him. To him his only two defeats were namely; his defeat by Whiskers Wang who he regard as his equal; and by the Imitation Foreign Devil. He found dignity in humiliating a small nun. When he lost his job due to an incident with a maidservant at the Chao family house, he headed to the other town where a stroke of luck provided him with goods enough to be sold and become a source of his new profit. Yet along with his return to the village and his renewed sense of respect for himself when the people started to talk about him and his fortune, a revolution occurred. Without much clarity, he was caught as suspect to a robbery by the revolutionaries at the Chao family. He told the captors that he might have approved of the revolution but he was not allowed to join because the Imitation Foreign Devil prohibited him. Uneducated, Ah Q was made to draw a circle as signature in a paper whose content was unknown to him and later that day, he was set as an example to the people and all other revolutionaries for death execution. One must have knowledge of China’s history to be able to appreciate further Ah Q’s story. The Qing dynasty with its long-lived rule and enormous failures has caused a deterioration of performance along traditional lines. The arrival of foreigners who were driven by the industrial revolution of the West had caused much indignation and loss of resources for the prideful denizens of China. With their superior weaponry and cultural superiority might have brought China’s independence they have nonetheless encountered opposition. This foreign presence has resulted to changed political demands among the revolutionaries. The Taiping Uprising for instance considered as the longest peasant rebellion denounced Confucianism and found new aspirations in Christianity. The dynasty resorted to the Chinese provincial armies to suppress the Taipings. A lot has changed since the abolition of the civil service examination in China based on the Confucian classics. There has been a program of sending students to Japan for modern studies that brought radical ideas convinced of overthrowing the dynasty and revolutionizing China. This success of reformation however by Sun Yat Sen has not abandoned feudalism, and has worsened due to China’s dependency in the new market economy and international trade, the condition of the peasants who were displaced and deprived. Warlordism and the lack of nationalism have deepened the problem of China until the success of the CCP in the 1940s. These events took place prior and perhaps during the writing of Lu Hsun’s Ah Q. Clearly, Ah Q represents the peasant revolution which has been isolated from the intellectuals’ endeavor. When Ah Q was denied participation by the Imitation Foreign Devil, the author has implied here that those who have attained education in Japan in the nineteenth century have not fulfilled the true essence of a revolution. They failed to establish unity among its people as superiority among the land owning class prevails. Thus, Ah Q might have wanted to revolt for as he claimed in the story, â€Å"revolution is good†, but it was late for him to prove his strength and capacity. He was executed in a crime he has not committed.   His lack of knowledge failed him to understand the situation – this is more painful for him.

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system disorder that is caused by inflammation of body tissues. It particularly affects the lungs and lymph nodes but it can affect any other body parts. The cause of this disorder is yet to be established and its cure has also not yet known. Its symptoms in most cases come gradually but might after some time appear abruptly. This paper is going to have an in-depth analysis of what perhaps leads to this disorder, give some of the symptoms that are characteristic of this disease, its possible treatment and the group that is most affected by it. The disease was identified for the first time over a century ago in England by a doctor known as Hutchinson and another doctor from Norway called Caesar Boeck and that was why the disease originally came to be referred to as Boeck’s or Hutchinson’s disease. Unfortunately, it is the young persons mostly those within the age bracket of 20 to 40 years and those that look strong and energetic that are affected (Baughman, 2006). Its appearance might at first appear to be mild but after sometime this may turn to be fatal. This disorder when this disorder is critically analyzed, it seems to vary across gender as it is women who are more affected than men and this is a claim that is supported by a survey that was conducted by the American Lung Association that revealed that black females are affected almost twice as much as black males are affected. According to the same report, it is also dependant on racial background as in most cases it is the blacks, Danes and Swedes that are affected most. Reports available show that blacks are affected more than whites in fact, the mortality rate of the former is sixteen times than the number of the whites that are affected (Stein, 1998). The disease effects can start affecting any organ and then spread to other organs. â€Å"Sarcoidosis†¦ can appear in almost any organ in the body, although the inflammation of the body’s tissues can begin in any organ and usually affects more than one organ† (Ebony, 106). The affected organs develop microscopic lumps which are known as granulomas that may last for some time and then disappear even without any medical intervention is done but in cases where they do not disappear, the skin may become scarred and inflamed. The affected persons may start complaining of fatigue but because they look young and energetic, doctors might fail to diagnose them for this disorder until it is later clearly suspected to be the one and an X-ray is conducted or a routine physical examination of the chest is conducted. This is what happened to one former marathon runner who says that she started complaining of fatigue long before but her doctor would dismiss her claims as unrelated and would attribute them to her stressful workload. According to her, she may have developed the disorder within a period ranging from one to sixteen years as it is only in 2001 she was diagnosed of the same (Ebony. 2005). People affected by this disorder say it is hard to describe how they feel when sick as one never gets refreshed even after resting. Generally, the common symptoms that are reported are that the victims generally become fatigued, lose weight, have blurred vision, sometimes gasp for breath, and have dry eyes and report of dry cough. It may also occur abruptly where rashes may appear on the skin and some bumps appear on the forehead, face and eyes inflammation (Swierzewski, 2000) Most of those affected by sarcoidosis about (60-80) % heal particularly after 2-3 years without having any medical attention. In most cases, those affected by this disorder do not know that they affected and end up having damaged lungs. If this disorder does not disappear immediately, it remains on a low level but might with time progress on. About 10 to 20 percent of cases of sarcoidosis are a bit serious and can lead to permanent debilitation while it is about only about 10 percent of sarcoidosis cases can be fatal (Schiff et al, 2006). There tends to be some relationship between how serious the disease begins and how it progresses and ends. In most cases, if nodosum appears suddenly there is a high possibility that the pains will be short-lived and ends without being treated According to statistics, thirty to seventy percent of the victims do not have any serious health complications that might require medical attention but sometimes these patients are given some therapeutic treatment like corticosteroids although it is not very clear whether the disease is reversed or not. There have also been cases where steroids such as methotrexate and azathioprine have been used in treating the disease (Baughman, 2006). As this study has established, sarcoidosis is a disorder that affects virtually all body organs but the most affected are the lungs. It leads to the development of some microscopic lumps that with time causes skin rashes. According to studies that have been done, the disease mostly affects people of African American decent, the Swedes and the Danes more than it affects the whites and to make the matter worse, those in the age bracket of 20 to 40 years. The cause of the disease and cure has not yet been established although some therapeutic medical interventions are given.

The DREAM Act Explained

The DREAM Act Explained The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, also called the DREAM Act, is a bill last introduced into Congress on March 26, 2009. Its purpose is to give undocumented students a chance at becoming permanent residents. The bill provides students with a path to citizenship regardless of the status passed on to them by their undocumented parents. A previous version of the bill states that if a student entered the U.S. five years before the passage of the legislation and was under age 16 when they entered the U.S., they would be eligible for a six-year conditional residency status after completing an associates degree or two years of military service. If at the end of the six-year period the individual has demonstrated good moral character, he or she could then apply for U.S. citizenship. More information about the DREAM Act can be found on the DREAM Act Portal. Why Support the DREAM Act? Here are some of the points supporters of the DREAM Act make to justify it: These young immigrants are blameless for their current predicament. They were brought here at a young age by their parents and had no say in the matter. It makes no sense and is morally wrong to punish them for the offenses of their parents. The government should treat them as victims, not offenders. The country has already made a substantial investment in many of these young immigrants and it would be senseless to throw that away. Most of them have attended public schools. They have earned high school diplomas in the public system. Many have benefited from public healthcare and some from other public assistance. The government could get a return from these investments by allowing them to contribute to the U.S. economy and society. Many have completed high school but cannot attend college because of their undocumented status. Studies show DREAM Act immigrants could provide a powerful boost to the U.S. economy.Many of the typical complaints about immigrants don’t apply to these young people. Most are as American as the native-born citizens around them. They speak English, understand American life and culture, and they are fully assimilated. They tend to be highly motivated and prepared to accept the responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. DREAM Act legislation could transform this lost generation of young people into U.S. taxpayers. Even some conservative Republicans such as former Texas Gov. Rick Perry support the DREAM Act because it would make these immigrants taxpayers who contribute to the economy, instead of people forced to live unproductive lives in the shadows of a nation that won’t acknowledge them. â€Å"Are we going to create a class of tax wasters or are we going to create taxpayers?† Perry said. â€Å"Texas chose the latter. Every state has the freedom to make that decision.†Bringing these young immigrants out of the shadows would enhance national security. As long as the government considers them here illegally, they will not come forward. National security is strengthened when everyone in the country lives openly and contributes to society. To take advantage of the DREAM Act, young immigrants would be required to pass background checks and give their addresses and contact informati on to the government.Giving legal status to these young immigrants through the DREAM Act would not cost the government. In fact, the fees immigration officials could charge applicants could more than cover the administrative costs of running the program. Former President Barack Obama’s deferred action, DREAM Act alternative program already uses fees to cover its costs. Many of the eligible young immigrants are willing to give public service to the country, either through the U.S. military or non-profit enterprises. The DREAM Act could be the catalyst for a wave of service and social activism across the country. Young immigrants are eager to contribute their time and energy to a nation that embraces them.The DREAM Act is in keeping with the United States’ heritage as a nation that treats immigrants fairly and makes special efforts to reach out to young people. American tradition as a sanctuary for exiles dictates that we allow these innocent immigrants a chance to move on with their lives and not cast them as refugees without a homeland.

Critical analysis of the Titanic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Critical analysis of the Titanic - Essay Example Critical analysis of the Titanic The ship was divided based on social classes whereby there was the first, second and third classes. The elite were on the first class section, the middle class people were in second class while the poor or low class people were in the third class section. Even though the ships’ captain had received fore-warning of icebergs along the route on which he was bent on using, he ignored these warnings and soldiered on regardless of the risk involved. The ship hit an iceberg and water started rushing in the ship. This only meant that the ship was going to sink eventually. There were few life boats that would only allow for 1/3rd of the people in the ship to be saved. The priority was thus given to the women and kids. This order was however not completely adhered to because some of the elite men from the first class ad second class defied this order and decided to use the life boats to save their own skin. The issue of class is greatly focused on because as we can see, even the forbidd en love between Rose and Jack was across two classes on the extremes. Rose was from a wealthy family and jack was from a poor family. This explains why Rose was in the first class while Jack won a free 3rd class ticket while playing a game of cards. Roses’ mother was forcing Rose to marry Cal a wealthy man so as to maintain her social status. Rose as a character shows her demand for independence when she plans to take her own life instead of having to put up with her mothers’ demands to marry someone (Cal) she didn’t love for her mothers’ benefit.... Most of the people who belonged to the third class did not understand English and hence they could not understand what to do; they thus failed to escape hence most lost their lives as they drowned along with the ship. In addition there is also the issue of culture where we see the people in the first class have a different culture with those of the third class. Those in the first class live in their own structured and strict world while those in the third class are care free they just live their life. There were many members of the wealthy American families on the titanic and following this most members of the Americans were all lost in the sea. Sir Cosine Gordon together with his followers/ staff all survived having escaped using life boats to save their lives (Eaton 30). This was against the order that stated that women and men were to be given first priority. Wealth not only brought privileges but also responsibility; a way of conduct. There was the sense of duty as men were expec ted to give a higher priority to women and children. They were to sacrifice their own lives for the sake of others. This conduct is naturally expected of a gentleman. The life boats were not enough to save all the peoples’ lives which was very tragic. The life boats were few because the owners wanted a bigger space for the first class walkway decks hence made the life boats removed to create more space. This was selfish and inhuman as that action sacrificed the safety of all passengers just for the comfort of a fortunate few. Based on the statics of the survivals, very few people from the third class section of the ship survived which brought about the question of the people from the upper class and their right to life of to survive. Various reproaches are

Visit Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Visit - Research Paper Example This year, as per Christian or Gregorian Calendar, it has fallen on 17th February. On this auspicious day, devotees observe fast and offer special prayers to Lord Shiva. Devotees chant Om Namah Shivay throughout the night of Maha Shivratri. The first word à ¥  (Om) has a special significance in the Hindu religion. It is the primordial sound of the universe. It is also the source of all sounds. It is the only word that can be spoken with an open as well as closed mouth. It is the sound that joins the outer world with the inner. When one repeats à ¥  for several times, it becomes a door to deep silence within - a step to enter into a deep meditation (Issitt and Main). I reached the temple site early in the morning as I was informed that this is a special day for Hindus as they observe fast and do puja (a religious prayer) on this day. On reaching the temple, when I contacted mahant (a priest) he informed me that I need to go through the temple and observe the rituals keenly. He also assured me that he would clear all my queries during a leisure time on some other day as it would not be possible for him to explain me everything on that day due to heavy rush of devotees. Usual timings of temple for visitors are from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and then from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. On the days of special events, temple opens up as early as 7:30 AM in the morning for devotees. On February 17, it also opened up early in the morning. The Shiva-Vishnu temple at Dykes Road had its humble beginnings in 1993. The purpose of opening the temple was to impart religious, cultural and educational values of Hinduism to its followers, especially younger generations. I began taking rounds of the temple. The Hindu temple has a distinct appearance and architecture. Externally and internally, they look entirely different than any church, synagogue or mosque. Hindu temple can be recognized by its shape and vastness.