How does Steinbeck present three characters who are outsiders? Essay

The novel â€Å"Of Mice and man† wrote by Steinbeck. Steinbeck in 1930s he trying to say how was 1930s in the America .In 1930s John Steinbeck is trying to explain how people were migrating from place to place. The reason why people migrated was because people need money as a result of â€Å"economic depression†. Just for that reason the people are moving to another place to get money. Can you imagine every time you migrating to place to place .The novel is full outsiders .What is an outsider? An outsider is when somebody who is excluded from the community for a reason or for reasons. The reason why this so significant is because in those days there was great amount of depression, massive unemployment and migrant workers. At that time friendship was the only key to get people together or love each other. This is same situation we have in this novel which includes everything I have already mentioned. Firstly example â€Å"curley’s wife† is an outsider from novel. Stein Beck shows that by not giving her a name. He shows in this 1930s America women did not have their own identify .if they have not got an identify they cannot get a name .In 1903s women were used, only for cooking , house work and many other horrible things †¦.. When she talks to crooks she is saying â€Å"I could get you strung up on a tree so it easy it ain’t even funny â€Å"in sentence we can see curley’s wife is racist to crooks because crooks is black that’s right she hates him. She I s saying how easy it is to get crooks â€Å"strung up† We can see through crooks the racism in America .Another example Steinbeck includes Curley ‘wife to show the sexism in America in the 1930s.Where she grew up there was lots of fight because he husband curley is doubting man . For example: On day curley looking his wife because she is not in the house. So he came bunk house ask to every body in the bunk house they said no then curley asked where is slim they said he went to do some work .Then he get angry and shut the door hardly .Because he is always doubt with her wife so he thing she go with slim because he is wife is actual sexual life-she had none of except with curley and there has probably been no consummation there since .Curley would not consider her gratification and would probably be suspicious if she had any. Consequently she is little starved. She wants a friend to be respected .Her different kind of girl. Secondly Lennie is an outsider because he is a mentally disabled, he has like a child’s mind and he don’t understand when somebody talking to him. Am saying this because when George before killed him, he was saying this â€Å"How long, how long it will take to have a home and to have rabbits? â€Å"we can see from this sentence he has like child’s mind because he is saying† how long, how long?† he asking like a child.Lennie like to touch soft things .Lennie â€Å"now I won’t get to tend the rabbits†. This shows us when lennie touch the soft things that will die!!! Because lennie is too strong but he doesn’t know how strong he is. Another example for lennie when he takes the, mice dies in that time. He always dreams to get so many rabbits and to have a nice home with his best friend George . Some times he gets angry† suddenly his anger rose God damn you â€Å"he cried.† Why do you get killed? You ain’t as mice. This shows us he can’t tend the rabbits because George said if you do bad thing you can’t get tend the rabbit and land because if lennie do bad things he can’t live on a place. Lennie before kill Curley’s wife Lennie was stroking her hair because lennie likes to touch soft things .When Curley’s wife said† let go† and shout to lennie and lennie gets angry but lennie doesn’t want to let her because her hair is so soft. Then lennie trying to stop her to shouting and shut her mouth but by accident he broke her neck and she died. Steinbeck foreshadows this. He is a big man, in contrast to his name. He has limited intelligence, so he relies on George to look after him. He copies George in everything George does and trusts George completely. â€Å"Behind him(George)walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely.† He shares a dream with George to own a piece of land. Lennie’s special job would be to tend the rabbits .He likes to pet soft things, like puppies and dead mice. We know this got him into trouble in Weed when he tried to feel a girl’s soft red dress: she thought he was going to attack her. He can be forgetful – George continually has to remind him about important things. He is very gentle and kind, and would never harm anyone or anything deliberately. He is extremely strong: he can work as well as two men at bucking barley. He is often described as a child or an animal – he drinks from the pool like a horse and his huge hands are described as paws. Thirdly crooks is the only black person in the ranch it makes him an out sider.He is the lowest of the lowest and we can see this when Curley’s wife say bad things crooks using her status as a white woman over him. Crooks always left out and woman love to have a friend. These shown when lennie comes into his ranch and let him sit down. He also takes his anger out on lennie by saying George won’t come back. He is trying to make him feel how crooks has been feeling all his life crooks have some dreams but it can’t be really but his dream is to have good family and to have children and his other dream is not racism black and white†¦.Crooks physically disabled . Crooks black stable worker. He is disfigured and is out sider as well as candy. He has a place of his own and stays there by him self .He doesn’t want a company. He also want to part of George and Lennie’ dream. He said that he would work out. He is only new who understands lennie, be sides George, and be friends him. He looks past lennie mental handicap and lennie looks past crook’s physical handicap. Crooks are the black stable hand or buck. He is the only permanent employee at the ranch, since he injured his back in an accident. His back gives him constant pain. He is the only black man around and is made to be isolated by his colour – he can’t go into the bunk-house or socialise with the men. He is always called the ‘nigger’ by the men, which shows how racism is taken for granted. The men don’t mean to insult Crooks every time they call him this, but they never think to use his name All this has made him proud and aloof. He is lonely â€Å"S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunk house and play rummy ’cause you were black†¦A guy needs somebody-to be near him†¦.I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick.† The only time he mixes with the ranch hands socially is when they pitch horseshoes – and then he beats everyone! He has his own room near the stables and has a few possessions. He has books, which show he is intelligent and an old copy of the California Civil Code, which suggests he is concerned about his rights. He has seen many men come and go, all dreaming of buying a piece of land, but is now cynical, as no one has ever achieved it.

Understand The Role Of The Social Care Worker

1 Understand working relationships in a care setting. 1. 1 Explain how working relationships are different from a personal relationship; a working relationship is different because of boundaries, in a personal relationship you have a different approach to your partner than you would to your colleague. 1. 2 Describe different working relationships in a social care setting; you work with a varierty of different people in the work settings; i. e doctors, family members and colleagues. You work with a doctor when an individual becomes ill or has a fall.You work with family members to let them know about their family member in your care. You work with colleagues as part of the job to care for a large number of indviduals. 2 Understand the importance of working in ways that are agreed with the employer. 2. 1 Describe why it is important to adhere to the agreed scope of the job role; It is important to adhere to the agreed ways of the job role set by the employer as this sets out boundaries in your job role, enables you to know your role and responsibilities.Knowing your own level of competence and skills, knowing your job description. 2. 2 Outline what is meant by ‘agreed ways of working'; By following the companies policies and procedures based on safety guidelines. 2. 3 Explain the importance of full and up to-date details of agreed ways of working; By recieving a up to-date job description and reading it you know if you are the right person for the job.You would know if you had the right qualifications and experience the company is looking for and you would know what they expected from yourself. 3 Understand the importance of working in partnership with others 3. 1 Explaine why it is important to work in partnership with others; It is important because if nobody worked in partnership the nobody in the care setting would know how to communicate and pass on information on each individual and they would be less confident in the work place.3. 2 Identify ways of working that can help improve partnership working; Team work. Questionaires can increaae communication skills. Ringing other landings. Make what you say clear so you can get your point across. 3. 3 Identify skills and approaches needed for resolving conflicts; The ability to be quiet an listen. To be able to listen to other peoples points and opinions and to be considerate of them. 3.4 Explain how and when to access support and advice about; Partnership working: in the workplace generally speaking, support and advice about working through and learning how to resolve conflicts would come from a person with more experience in the company such as head of department. Resolving conflicts: openly discuss differences in a calm and rational manner. For example, when having heated professional discussions with colleagues avoid rising to challenges or suggestions that you are incorrect or ask colleagues to listen to you and respect your opinions, but also respect their opinions.

Studying Abroad and Learning Finance

studying abroad the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad and learning finance in different countries Research Paper The studying abroad is becoming a hot topic, which concerns by more and more parents. In this modern and competitive society, many wealthy families and even working families all will strive to work in order to save the cost of the tuition of their children’ overseas studying. When their children grow up and start to enter universities or even they are in primary schools, they will be sent to accept more professional knowledge in foreign and developed countries than the domestic.Because this situation happened, these parents, especially in developing countries, believe that foreign educational philosophy and methods are more advanced than their countries, a number of students choose study abroad has been growing in recent years. However, under this situation, we should think about whether studying abroad is suitable for these students. Moreover, as we k now that it is true that a large proportion of students will choose to study finance in foreign countries’ universities. So what advantages and disadvantages does studying finance in foreign countries have.Some people agree that children should conform to this trend and go to overseas to study as long as their families have enough economic ability. Finance could tell students how to manage and earn money, which might lead students to have a satisfied job and beautiful future. In contrary, I have a view that sending children to study abroad and choosing finance as major blindly is not a sensible decision. Depending on some reports, the number of children who go outside to study that will result in brain drain, in particular for some developing countries, like India and China. Studying finance lindly only causes that students lose the interesting and influences students’ schoolwork in universities. So this essay will discuss the benefits and weakness about studying abroa d and studying finance in different countries. First, there is no denying that overseas study and learning finance in foreign countries could bring a lot of demerits for us, but it is an effective and good way to train children’ the ability of independent living and studying that let children stay away from their parents and study in other countries. Although, at the beginning, many children will feel lonely and afraid hen they come to an unknown place, meet people of different races and speak another language for the first time, it is these experiences that could teach these international students how to develop themselves and careers in the future without the assistant from their parents. These hard and unforgettable experience will become a valuable wealth. Besides overseas learning can expand the children’s horizons. Basically, living a long time in foreign countries could result in children speaking the second language fluently and learn about another country†™s culture and custom deeply.Learning finance overseas that could allow students to better understand and use the knowledge of this subject. For example, in China, it is generally acknowledged that students can only learn some theoretical knowledge from textbooks. The more worrying thing is that university’s living is relaxing and wonderful for Chinese students. After they try to learn in high schools, pass the cruel entrance examination and enter the ranking top universities. The thing they do not know is that university education is more useful for their future than the learning from high schools.So this is the different point between Chinese and western education. It is important that professor will combine of practical and theoretical in foreign finance learning. For instance, universities will give a chance for students to use virtual money to buy and sell stocks to help students truly understand the stock market. In addition, the tuition of international students coul d develop local economies. For example, as we know that the financial crisis lead to the weakness of the US economy, the property market downturn and high unemployment. So education, especially education for international students, become a new ndustry in America. Secondly, it is obvious that studying finance will give us some demerits in diverse countries. For example, there are many differences in learning finance between at home and abroad. So these students need to understand, adapt to and solve this problem. As we know, it is more difficulty for international students to study in foreign countries than native students. This includes this subject finance. We could take the china as a typical example to prove it. In China, finance contains two parts: money banking and international finance. Interestingly, these parts re not called finance in foreign countries, where we learn corporate finance and asset price in finance classes . So if we would like to learn this subject well, we should abandon the domestic point of view and accept diverse foreign thinking. It is harder to give up our own original thoughts and views in mind for these transfer students. This adaptions could need a shorter time for some students who have strong ability. However, it also could be unfortunate for thous who need a long time to adapt, which will lead to students losing confidence and then dropping out.Moreover, international students should learn the business or finance environment at home and abroad. When they graduate from universities, they will naturally face the serious problem looking for jobs. If they would like to find satisfying jobs, they will need professional knowledge and rich work experience. As an international student, it is beneficial that they have many choices in looking for jobs at home or abroad. So we should not only learn basic knowledge well, but also understand the domestic and foreign economic dynamic, which is helpful for students to know what talents an d skills this market needs.Thus, we should learn about more financial news around the world. Besides, if international students choose develop their career at domestic, they will bear more pressure than domestic universities’ students. Overseas returnee will become their new name. Most of people also will have this view that they should have better performance and stronger understanding ability due to the special overseas studying experience. So they will get different treatment from superiors and friends. Finally, another disadvantage is that overseas studying could lead to brain drain. The analysis starts with a simple decomposition of the brain drain in two multiplicative components, the degree of openness of sending countries (measured by the average emigration rate) and the schooling gap (measured by the education level of emigrants compared with natives). †(Docquier, Fre ? de ? ric. Lohest, Olivier, and Marfouk, Abdeslam) As we know many students decide by themsel ves or with their parents to go abroad to learn knowledge in recent years, but when they finish their school work, they are faced with a confusing problem, that to stay or come back. However, they usually choose the former.Take an example as China. A number of students will choose stay in foreign countries to develop their career. Because, in the general, Chinese students prefer to study in some more strong and advanced countries rather than in China. The result is that these students will be attracted by sound medical facilities, advanced educational philosophy, excellent living environment and high-quality people. It is a truth that there will be more pressure and vulnerability in developing countries. So by comparing developing countries with developed countries, these advantages will lead to students stay at oreign countries to work and live. This is also a great help on their next generation of education. Once they make a decision to stay, which will mean their homeland will ha ve in vain spent money and teaching resources to train them in the past two decades. Because when they are young and strong labor, they will do any contribution for development of their mother countries. This will hinder these countries’ development in education, technology and economic. On the contrary, these international students will purchase something for daily life to pay tax and find obs to work, which all promote local economic development unconsciously. So many countries take measures to draw overseas students come back in order to avoid brain drain. For example, some developing countries will make some favorable policies to give overseas students convenient and provide various research funding. And for advanced countries, like America, use on technology immigration policies to attract outstanding talent. In this way, it is helpful to reduce the incidence of brain drain. In conclusion, everything has benefits and drawbacks. Under this situation that more and ore stud ents go abroad, overseas students and education communication will become a trend. So this essay explains these overseas students will meet what advantages and disadvantages separately, when they go to study and learn finance in different countries. I agree that every student does not go abroad blindly, and if they choose to study outside, every overseas students could overcome these difficulties, regardless of knowledge or living. It is more important that these students could gain related result, find satisfying jobs and beautiful life, after xperiencing special and hard learning. Besides I believe that most of people are patriots and all want to make a contribution for their country. So the phenomenon of brain drain will reduce, every countries’ economic and education career will make a great progress. Work Cited Nguyen, Chi Hong. â€Å"Brain Drain or Brain Gain? The Revitalization of a Slow Death† Can Tho University. (2005). Print. Docquier, Fre ? de ? ric. Lohest, Olivier, and Marfouk, Abdeslam. â€Å"Brain Drain in Developing countries†. Print Iredale, Robyn. â€Å"Tackling the Roots of the Brain Drain. † 12, 08(2003). Print.

What is the role of the supernatural epilogue to Gogol's Shinel ( the Essay

What is the role of the supernatural epilogue to Gogol's Shinel ( the Overcoat) Does it force you as a reader to reinterpret the meaning of the story, or doest it remove any meaning the story may have had - Essay Example e works of great Russian artists of short story writing, such as Turgenev and Dostoyevsky, he automatically understands to what extent ‘The Overcoat’ has wrapped them up with its structural as well as aesthetic influence. The storyline of The Overcoat is very simple and it revolves around the daily struggle of the protagonist Akakii Akakievich for his survival. Application of the supernatural epilogue in the short story gives it a unique feature and it gradually takes the reader from mundane existence to a world of supernatural existence. As we finish reading the short story, we feel that Gogol’s implementation of supernatural material in the story serves certain purpose. It not only gives the story a novel dimension but at the same time, he also uses the supernatural element as an instrument to reveal true character of the society and its inhabitants. To understand the importance of the supernatural epilogue in ‘The Overcoat,’ it is important to focus over flow of incidents in the story. The reader, as stats reading the story, finds that Gogol has provided excellent description of the protagonist and his daily life. In the course of reading the story the reader feels that he can almost visualize the whole thing and this quality of Gogol has recognized him among modern critics as ‘a pioneer of a new â€Å"naturalist† aesthetics’. The protagonist of the story, Akakii Akakievich, is a typical member of the middle class society of Gogol’s time and earns his livelihood by working in a government office. The author has given detailed description of the protagonist’s apparent features only with the purpose to let the reader know that he does not posses any such external features that would differentiate him from the rest. He is just a common man, who has â€Å"†¦short of stature, somewhat pockmarked, rather red-haired, rather blind, judging from appearances, with a small bald spot on his forehead, with wrinkles on his cheeks, with a complexion of the

A case in point was DMG's campaign for Volkswagen Study

A in point was DMG's campaign for Volkswagen - Case Study Example For example, DMG’s founder, Dan Mintz soon realized that China is a highly conservative society where people and businesses are controlled by stringent rules and restrictions as opposed to most Western cultures (Chiang, 2000).Consequently any business that would have tried to obey all the regulations and rules rather than find a way around them would have probably failed to achieve its objectives because in China, restrictions are virtually everywhere. There are a number of serious ethical issues that are likely to arise when using guanxiwang as a means of getting things done in the Chinese society. For example, the reciprocal nature of relationships and connections involved can potentially pose a serious ethical challenge in the event that a partner requests the business to return a favor. This therefore suggests that a Western business that is committed to ethical standards should always set some limits when using guanxiwang to ensure that it does not amount to

Host family Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Host family - Essay Example This was mainly due to the fact that most of the interactions that I came to experience as well as the culture of the society within which I lived was absolutely different from the one that I was used to. In fact, when one considers my experiences in the United States, one would say that it was a completely opposite from the way of life in China, my home country. When I first learnt that I my application for foreign exchange had been approved and that I was to go to Oregon, United States, I was extremely excited. This was mainly because I had never before left my home country and I was eager to experience another place which was dissimilar from home. I found out that I had been assigned a host family and while I met this news with some apprehension, since I did not know what to expect from these people, I later came to be glad that they had been selected for me. The family that I went to live with were known as the Johnsons, and they were honest and hardworking individuals who were a lso strong in their Christian faith, a fact that I found highly impressive. In my home country, where not many of the people are religious, and the latter is often discouraged, we has often heard rumour that the people in the west only professed the Christian faith yet rarely practiced it. The Johnsons, however, proved this impression to be wrong, and by their taking me into their home and treating me as one of their own, I felt like a real part of their family. Among the things that most impressed me about this family is that they had adopted a girl from China, treating her as if she was their own biological child through their provision of their love and support. Lily, the little girl, had been adopted as a baby when her parents died and she was left an orphan. Despite this tragic beginning of her life, Lily seems to have adjusted well to her new environment, to the extent of not remembering any Chinese, a fact that I learnt from my futile attempts to address her in her native lan guage. In China, I had learnt some English but while this had been the case, when I went for exchange, I could not speak it very well. Despite the language barrier between me and my host family, the latter took in stride and they often encouraged me to express myself the best way that I could through the use of my limited vocabulary. When all attempts at communicating using English failed, and it happened often, we would resort to using signs, a factor of communication that I found to be most interesting. The experience of the Johnsons when raising Lily might have helped a lot in their communication with me since after a fortnight or so; we could communicate with almost no problem at all since we had learnt each other’s speech and sign patterns. Since I went to school with the other two older Johnson children, Josh and Mary, who were close to my age and attended almost the same classes, I found it much easier to adjust to the new school environment than if I had had to go alo ne. These two, who became very close friends and my constant companions, gave me the motivation to learn my English so that I could communicate with them better. My thirst to learn might have also played a role in my wanting to better my English and in all my attempts, the Johnsons often gave me their support. Since I am a fast learner, within a few weeks of living with my host family, I could confidently express

Solar energy and environmental impacts Research Paper

Solar energy and environmental impacts - Research Paper Example Solar energy is copious in the earth and it suggests important potential for the alleviation of climate change; therefore, it is desirable due to its inherently small burden on the environment and has opportunities for positive social impacts. This is further helped by the fact that the cost of solar technologies has been reduced to significant proportions and technical advances coupled with favorable public policies that has resulted into reduction of costs. The use of solar technologies has the advantage of having low lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions when compared to other forms of fossil fuels. This is because the production of solar energy through the photovoltaics (PV) emits no pollution nor does it emit greenhouse gases (Fell, 2012). Moreover, it has the effect of improving the health and livelihood of most of the world’s poorest neighborhoods as it addresses the gaps that is not filled by the available modern energy services (IEA, 2010). Environmental Impacts A report by The Wall Street Journal stated that the development of solar on lands that are deemed desert by disturbing the caliche deposits found underground leading to the release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. A similar study has equally found that the development of a solar plant could cause emission of about 6000 metric tons of carbon each year from the disturbance caused by the plant (Wall Street, 2010). Forests play a crucial role in the life of both plants and animals and hence any form of deforestation hinders the proper functioning of these species thus damaging the atmosphere. The role played by forests in human life cannot be gain said and therefore when they are cut to create room for solar plants, the absorption of carbon dioxide ceases or the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere when the tree is left to rot or is burnt. This has the overall effect of occasioning carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere that eventually leads to climate change. This is what happens during the installation of large-scale solar-power projects as ecosystems are interfered with when huge tracts of land are put in use. Forests have to be cleared to prevent shading of solar panels and allow for easy installation of solar posts. The removal of the forests thereafter leads to a change in the natural carbon sequestration rate that thereafter affects the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the atmosphere. It is important to note that land use will ultimately affect the climate of a place including the local climate, microclimate and the temperature of the surface of land. Therefore, when solar panels which usually have low reflectivity and utilizes or converts large amounts of solar insulation into heat, there is the likelihood it may affect the global climate or the climate of a particular place. To minimize the effects that come about because of land use, it is important that when a solar installation is to be put in place by any stakeholder, the land selected should be in areas with low population density that translates into a low environmental sensitivity. Solar Energy and Climate Change The use of solar energy has an advantage in the sense that carbon savings derived from the use of solar energy outweighs the development of this form of energy. This means that a solar plant can save nearly 560, 000 metric tons of carbon per year (Wall Street, 2010). There is therefore a need to expand the solar power potential in order to meet the climate

Confession Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Confession - Case Study Example Fiona, who has a mental age of 12, is also questioned before the arrival of her solicitor and she admits after 2 hours of questioning that she did assist Elizabeth, but she only did so because she finds her intimidating. Elizabeth and Fiona have previous convictions for burglary and theft and are anxious that these should not be revealed to the jury. Elizabeth informs you that she was at home with her partner James at the time of the alleged offence and has therefore been wrongfully charged. Elizabeth instructs you that James is willing to give evidence on her behalf. Fiona claims that she did inform the interviewing officer of her wish to have her solicitor present before she was interviewed, the officer she claims offered to deal with her leniently if she admitted to her participation in the offence. Are the confessions obtained by the police from Elizabeth and Fiona in the interview admissible as evidence in the offence charged against them Is James qualified to give testimonial evidence in behalf of Elizabeth And will the previous conviction of Elizabeth and Fiona for burglary and theft admissible as evidence against them in this case The current laws of the United Kingdom admit confession as a form of testimonial evidence in an offence charged against a defendant. However, in order to be admissible, a confession is subject to certain conditions or requirements. Confession that was obtained through oppression or violation of the defendant's (human) rights is excluded or inadmissible as evidence in the offence charged against him. To understand the admissibility of the confessions and to answer other relevant issues in this case, it is first essential to analyze history, definition and the conditions for a confession to be admissible as evidence in criminal cases. Historical Perspectives on the Issues Relating to Confessions Most of the decisions in criminal cases at the United Kingdom were based on common law. Under this law, evidence even if improperly obtained is admissible as long as it is relevant to an issue of a case. "A trial judge has no discretion to refuse the acceptance of relevant evidences on the ground that it was improperly obtained or obtained through unfair means" (R v Sang, 1979, UKHL 3). However, with the passage of time, new codes were passed in the United Kingdom that limited or modified the use of common law in deciding cases. Important of these laws are the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, herein referred to as PACE 1984, and the Criminal Justice Act 2003 that will be the primary bases of the arguments to be laid down in this presentation. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act of 1984 (PACE) (1984 c. 60) is an Act of Parliament which instituted a legislative framework for the powers of police officers in England and Wales to combat crime, as well as providing codes of practice for the exercise of this powers" On the other hand, the Criminal Justice Act of 2003 provides guidelines on the admissibility in criminal proceedings of various evidences. The passage of these laws gave a new requirement for evidence to be admissible in criminal cases, that is, competency. In general, evidence is admissible in court proceedings if it is competent and relevant. Evidence is competent if it is not excluded by any rule of law, and it is relevant if it has a logical connection in the facts in issue. Evidence obtained violating these requirements is inadmissible in cour

Principles of Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Principles of Marketing - Essay Example The main reason behind market segmentation is to help a company understand the needs of a particular segment (Beane & Ennis, 1997, p. 31). Mass marketing mainly assumes that all customers have the same interests and consumption behaviour. Segmenting the market can also serve in identifying smaller groups of consumers who make their own subsets an aspect that improve the overall efficiency of the company’s marketing efforts (Dibb, Simpkin, Pride & Ferrell, 2001). Market segmentation enables the marketer to compare different marketing opportunities of different marketing segments through studying consumer needs and potential, their level of satisfaction etc. This helps the company in coming up with appropriate strategies to satisfy the needs of these different segments. There are different forms of segmentation. These include geographical segmentation, demographic segmentation, psychographic segmentation and behavioural segmentation. Geographical segmentation This is segmenting the market based on the location of the customers. Demand of goods can vary according to geographic location of the customers. Geographical segmentation therefore, focuses on prospective markets’ location and different attributes that are associated with each location. The marketer can therefore, focus on either a single location or many depending on the varying requirements of each region and the cost of serving these locations. Demographic segmentation This is division of the market according to demographic variables such as age, gender, individual occupation, education or even family size. The marketer uses these variables in making decisions and identifying the target market. In an example, a company may decide to segment the market according to age of the people. As a result, it can develop different products that meet different requirements of customers that belong to various age groups (Hunt and Arnett, 2004, p.23). Psychographic and behavioural segmentation Psychograp hic segmentation divides the market into different segments which have similar lifestyles. Lifestyle is an individual mode of living and mainly describes how a person conducts his/her daily activities. On the other hand, behavioural segmentation divides the market according to behavioural characteristics of the customers. Different customers have different behaviours which are used by a marketer to market the produce (Kotler & Armstrong, 2011). Market targeting Marketing targeting is a process of identifying different groups of consumers that exist in a market who are likely to purchase a certain good or service. Target marketing makes it easier to price, promote and distribute the product or service at a cost that is effective. When targeting the market, a marketer should ensure that the firm has adequate resources to meet the requirement of the target market. Targeting plays an important role of reducing market ambiguity as marketers are able to have an in-depth knowledge concerni ng the target consumers. There are different forms of targeting. One of the methods is referred to as broad or undifferentiated targeting. The concept that underlies this method is that a product or service has a broad appeal to all customers irrespective of their age, gender and location. Second method is referred to as selective or differentiated method. With this

Hopis Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hopis Anthropology - Essay Example Consequently, the view on the Hopi people’s origin is also a major question that is to be sought. The subject is relevant especially in the contemporary society since an academic study of past events and the origin of humanity are critical in enhancing cohesiveness. Hopi people should understand their past dealings and origin to pragmatically define their future. Anthropology enables individuals to establish the meaning of the archeological sites and cultural practices thus enables them to nurture the practices (Kuwanwisiwma, 161). The key perspectives of the subject appertains to enhancing understanding of the Hopi people on their origin, the significance of the archeological artifacts, ancestral sites and cultural practices. This is to; avoid erosion of their social and cultural heritage that contributes in enhancing mutual coexistence. However, critics oppose the understanding and advancement of past dealings asserting that the practices are part of the old order that does not hold relevance in this century. As noted, Hopi immigrants originated from Sipaapani (place of emergence) and travelled buried and lived in Hopistutskwa-Hopiland with their ancestors. The cultural landscape of the region is identified by landforms that hold great association with deities. The landscape also holds historical events, rivers, springs, shrines and the Itakuku as termed by the Hopi people that mean â€Å"our footprints† (Ferguson & Roger, 99). It is imperative to note that the cultural sites and events were crucial in executing traditional rituals including ceremonies. The footprints that include the pottery, stone tools, the ruins of former settlements and diverse artifacts are significant monuments that present undisputed proof of ancestral migration.

Terrorist Techniques - Strategy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Terrorist Techniques - Strategy - Assignment Example Therefore, based on the terrorist scenarios, the most applicable and relevant objectives are attrition and threat elimination. Terrorist groups use attrition against a state in an attempt to destroy its resources, leaving the government weak and ineffective. Specifically, this motive is aimed at liberating a territory from the control of the state or acquiring a particular position within the society either politically or geographically (Kydd & Walter,  2006). In particular, attrition is a war based on longevity and the team with the most resources to assume the costs of attacks wins. The conflict between Sri Lanka and the terror group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) utilized this strategy. Specifically, throughout the year 2000, the LTTE employed the attrition war model to suppress and weaken the government with a series of attack on the government, the public, and the military (Kydd & Walter,  2006). However, the application of this strategy by the Tamil Tigers was due to their financial disability that curtails them from a direct involvement in the war with the government. In their attacks, t he terrorists aim at persuading the enemy that it has the financial strength to inflict high-cost tests in order to achieve its desires. As argued by Robert Pape, terrorists use bombing as an attrition strategy due to their financial constraints. Terrorist groups success lies in their ability to influence the behavior of their target group. Specifically, the success of their actions is embedded in threat elimination by attacking the government and any other relevant authority or individual whose influence will aid in the realization of their objectives (Kydd & Walter,  2006). Risk avoidance is a form of intimidation that suppresses target group. According to Drake (1998), the psychological fear or threat created by a terror group helps in the

Bipolar Disorder Essay Example for Free

Bipolar Disorder Essay Bipolar disorders which could also be called manic-depressive disorder consist of mood swings that range from a person expressing a low of depression up to the high of mania. People who experience depression may feel sad or worthless and may even lose interest or enjoyment in most recreational activities they previously found to be enjoying. When a person’s mood swings shifts frequently such as appearing happy to appearing sad in a blink of an eye it could be a sign of them having a bipolar disorder. â€Å"Bipolar disorders affect approximately 5.7 million American adults, or about 2.6 percent of the United States population age 18 and older in a year†, (Lenzenweger , etc., 2007). The moderate age for detecting bipolar disorders is 25, (Lane , etc., 2007). Bipolar disorders have many of common misconceptions and myths. A common myth is if someone has bipolar disorder, all their moods are a product of the condition. The truth of this myth would be that people with bipolar disorder have moods and feelings just like anybody else, and not always is their moods connected to the illness. Often family members of the people who suffer from the illness think that once a person is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the condition cannot be stabilized, so any misspoken word or misunderstood action is blamed on the bipolar disorder. Just because a person is diagnosed with bipolar disorder does not mean that they cannot just have a bad day without the illness being to blame. In the beginning of mental illnesses it may have been expected from most people that the early history of bipolar and mental disorders were not petty, but more of an ignorance, misunderstanding, and fear. â€Å"There were many famous people who displayed classic symptoms of bipolar disorder, even though they were never diagnosed or treated. These historical sufferers of bipolar disorder include people such as Virginia Woolf, Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Leo Tolstoy, Ernest Hemmingway, and Abraham Lincoln†, (Hall-Flavin, 2011). An important event in the history of treatment of bipolar disor der was reached in 1970, when the Food and Drug Administration finally approved Lithium. Bipolar disorder has patterns of different signs and symptoms since it is divided into several subtypes with their own individual signs and symptoms depending on how severe the diagnosis may be. Bipolar 1 disorder has symptoms of mood swings which can cause a person to experience difficulties in their job, school, or even personal relationships. Bipolar 2 disorders is less than bipolar 1. People may experience elevated moods, impulsiveness and a few changes in their functions but, can still maintain normal daily activities. Instead of people who are diagnosed having mania at a full-blown status, they have a less severe form of mania which is hypomania. In bipolar 2, stages of depression last longer than what the stages of hypomania last. The high and low phases of cyclothymiacs are not as severe as they may be with subtypes of bipolar disorder but, hypomania and depression can be destructive. Cyclothymic is a mild form of bipolar disorder which is also known to some people as Cycloth ymic disorder. If a person is experiencing aggressive and risky behaviors, decreased need for sleep, increased sex drive, or racing thoughts these can all indicate signs and symptoms of a manic phase or hypomanic phase of a bipolar disorder. The depressive phase of bipolar disorder can include signs and symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, changes in appetite, chronic pain without a known cause, and irritability. General symptoms and signs of all types of bipolar disorder are changes in mood during seasons, rapid cycling bipolar disorder, and psychosis. A significant function in bipolar disorder and other mood disorders is an imbalance of natural brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. There are several of these neurotransmitters, but those who are most significant to bipolar disorder are monoamines serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. A person’s mood, anxiety, emotions and cravings is regulated by the serotonin neurotransmitter. Unstable moods, insomnia and overeating can be caused by low levels of serotonin. Epinephrine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for regulating metabolism and mental awareness. A person’s behaviors and addictions are affected by the neurotransmitter called dopamine by a person having low levels of dopamine could cause a person with a bipolar disorder to experience addictive behaviors. Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter that soothes the brain and encourages sleep when a person with a bipolar disorder has low levels of GABA it can create anxiety, depression, alcoholism and tremors (Mayo Clinic, 2011). A person must meet the text book criteria located in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), to be correctly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This is a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association and is utilized to diagnose mental conditions by mental health providers. Insurance companies may also use the manual to reimburse for treatments. Diagnoses are based on the specific type of bipolar disorder that a person may be experiencing. A large amount of people would love for there to be a specific test performed to know if a person has a bipolar disorder. It would be convenient if a person could just supply a blood sample and the results give you a correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder however, it is not that easy there is no precise physical test for bipolar disorder. A company called Psynomics offers a bipolar disorder test which is a saliva-based kit that they say can determine whether you physically have two genetic alterations that are found to be connected with bipolar disorder. However, there is hardly a true bipolar disorder test this test is only beneficial by telling you whether you have additional reasons to seek additional psychiatric testing to receive an accurate diagnosis. However, there is research in progress that may someday lead to a more essential bipolar disorder test. Research is being performed at the Indiana School of Medicine to identify active genes in blood samples associated not just with mood disorders, but with high and low moods. Researchers were successful through performed research in predicting high moods 85% of the time and low moods 77% of the time (Hirschfeld, 2008). Treatments of bipolar disorder are often performed by a team of professionals which may include a psychiatrist, who is trained to diagnose psychiatric illness and also to prescribe any needed medications. Bipolar disorder also can be treated by a psychologist who is trained in making diagnosis, usually does not prescribe medications, but is trained to give certain kinds of verbal therapies, which seems to work well for bipolar patients and then in many cases, bipolar patients may also see someone else who can provide therapy just by verbal communication. This is really an illness where very often theres a team approach from various medical professionals to treating the illness (Hall-Flavin, 2011). A person who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder treatments and episodes can be majorly affected by their environment. If a person who suffers from bipolar disorder is in a stressful environment then it can cause them to have more frequent episodes. It is vital for a person that is being treated for bipolar disorders to remain in calm and peaceful environments so that the treatments will be successful and beneficial. Psychiatrists and research believe treatment has shown improvements over the past decade. Several effective new drugs for maintaining mania are now available that can be used instead of only lithium. Professor Young explains: Newer antipsychotic drugs can control mania quickly without so many of the unwelcome side effects associated with older drugs† (Young, 2006, p. 23). References Bipolar disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/ Retrieved on February 20, 2013. Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 8, 2011. Hirschfeld RM. Psychiatric Management, from Guideline Watch: Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Bipolar Disorder, 2nd Edition. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/ Retrieved on February 20, 2013. Lenzenwenger, M.F., Lane, M.C., Loranger, A.W., Kessler, R.C. (2007). DSM-IV personality disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 62(6), 553-564. Young A. Bipolar Disorder the Four Dimensions of Care. 7th International Review of Bipolar Disorders. Abstract book p.23 Zelman, M., Tompary, E., Raymond, J., Holdaway, P., Mulvihill, M. (2010). Human diseases: A systemic approach (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Ex-Convict Discrimination in Singapore

Ex-Convict Discrimination in Singapore After leaving the physical incarceration, ex-offenders find themselves entering into the second prison, where they have to tear down the invisible walls formed by the social stigma, the fear and distrust from the society (Youth Reloaded, 2005). Because mindset and attitudes are difficult to change, they often find difficulties in integrating back to the society. If the situation does not improve, inequality will continue to exist in the society. We should then implement pragmatic solutions to alleviate the discrimination against them. The Issues and Who Are Involved Ex-offenders are those who have finished serving their prison term or those with a criminal record or history (Guralnik, 1970). Every year in Singapore, around 11,000 ex-convicts are released back to the society (Singapore Prison Service). The employment statistics is one of the key indicators on the ability of these ex-offenders to reintegrate successfully in the society. Industrial Services Co-Operative Society (ISCOS) has helped 3,000 ex-offenders to find jobs so far (938Live, 2010). 81 percent of those who got a job stayed on for 3 months (Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises, 2008). In this essay, I seek to discuss on the causes, implications, and propose solutions on discrimination against ex-offenders. Support programmes such as the Yellow Ribbon Project (YRP) and organisations such as SCORE exist and it is important that we evaluate the effectiveness of these organisations in helping ex-offenders to reintegrate into the society. In my opinion, isolating other effects, the re-integration rate will therefore serves as an indication of the level of discrimination against these ex-offenders. The little interaction between the public and ex-inmates is a result of feeling of unequal treatments and stereotyping. The public treats ex-offenders unfairly as they feel that they should compensate for their wrongdoing. Ex-offenders themselves are also aware of the prejudice against them. Some resigned this to their fate and ended up avoid opening up to the society. It is therefore important that we recognize the existence of such issues and raise awareness to reduce the degree of discrimination and to assist these ex-offenders. Firstly, most of the offenders have tattoos on their body, which signifies status, power and belonging to a certain group. Because of stereotyping, we tend to group those who have tattoos as those who have committed crimes. Out of fear and concerns of being associated with these people, we reacted by standing far away. What we failed to recognise is that how we interpret the information we obtained affects our judgement. These tattoos could have been due to a moment of folly during their adolescent stage. On an organisational level, some employers are still unwilling to hire ex-offenders, because they believe that leopards can never change its spots. It is heartening to see the number of ex-offenders being employed have increased with the years but we cannot guarantee that they have been given equal rights as the others. For example, at least 30 employees at the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa had to leave their job because all of them failed the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA)s background checks. Failure to disclose was taken to assess the applicants integrity, honesty and character (Lim Lim, 2010). There is no difference on whether if those with criminal records declared or not, they still had their contracts terminated anyway. Does the criminal history necessarily the best and only predictors for future performance? Do we judge those have continuously erred and condemn that they do not deserve the chance to repent? In addition, job applicants are required to declare that if they have been convicted in a court in any country before. Because this is usually a one-liner question, ex-offenders applications can be filtered out without considering the seriousness of the offences or even the recidivism rate of the offender (Youth Reloaded, 2005). This may provide an opportunity for employers to screen out ex-offenders and justify if there any inappropriate acts in the company in future (Coble-Krings,2007).Being desperate, these applicants may lie about their background and will be marked down further for dishonesty. Moving up to legislation, the Registration to Criminals Act was amended in 2005, to allow the ex-offenders to mark their records as spent, meaning that there is no need to discuss the existence of the records in most cases, if the offences committed are minor and they were crime-free for five years (Attorney-Generals Chambers, 2005). This means that those with serious offences such as sentences imposed include imprisonment term of more than 3 months or a fine exceeding $200,000, are not allowed to do so, thus, the implementation of the policy is unfair as it deprives those with a serious offence a chance to start anew. Comparing with United States, the treatments of ex-offenders in Singapore are, in my opinion, much better. In the United States, the ex-offenders were not allowed to apply for employment licenses or work in organisations dealing with those that needs more attention, such as elderly and children (Love, 2006). Why is it important for us to talk about it? The society plays a significant role in the reintegration of the ex-offenders. Ex-offenders, no matter what mistakes they made, are still part of us and are assets to the society. However, despite their willingness to start to from ground zero, we shun away and discriminate them. High unemployment is linked to increase in rate of recidivism (Finn, 1998).Therefore, when they are unable to secure a job, the path of recidivism seems easier and they will revert back to their old ways to survive. This remains risky although the recidivism rate in Singapore has remained at 25 % since 2006 (Singapore Prison Service, 2009). Where can we start to fix the problem? No steady source of income means ex-offenders and their families may not be able to afford basic necessities for survival and cannot move away from their social class. Those families that grew desperate may resort to crimes to get what they wanted. Thus, it is difficult for ex-offenders to live a better life when they are not given the same opportunities. The vicious cycle continues as their future generations may follow the footsteps of the older generations. To reduce and even eliminate the stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination against these ex-offenders, it is important that we find out the root causes of this issue and implement various programmes and activities to encourage active participation as increased interaction may improve the perspective of the public towards ex-offenders. To begin with, organizations should organize more activities to provide both the public and ex-offenders an opportunity to interact. Such activities may be visit to the prisons and / or halfway houses, outdoor and indoor activities, community service projects or even, encourage ex-offenders to participate in existing events such as Yellow Ribbon Prison Run. Through interaction, we develop bonds and trust and these may change the perspective of the public towards them and therefore reduce the extent of discrimination. Many ex-offenders have low self-esteem and are afraid of rejection. Therefore, we should involve the ex-offenders in the planning and executing of events in the community. These events provide an opportunity for the ex- inmates to showcase their talents in various areas. Also, besides the technical skills acquired from the support programmes, the programmes should also focus on soft skills such as interpersonal skills. These ex-convicts should also learn more about resume writing and interview skills, as these will help them to market themselves well. As mentioned above, employers often do not want to give ex-offenders a second chance. Non-acceptance has killed the only hope that these ex-offenders have to reintegrate into the society. Currently, we have campaigns such as Help To Unlock The Second Prison (Yellow Ribbon Project), which focuses on the role that society plays. However, I feel that the campaigns should also focus on the ability and skills that these ex-offenders have to contribute. We have job seminars from SCORE and ISCOS, but to enhance the public confidence in them, we can consider cooperating with companies to provide these ex-offenders transitional jobs as probationers (Fahey, Roberts Engel, 2006) to start them off for several years so that they have relevant working experience, instead of merely skills acquiring in the rehabilitative programmes. After the transition period, these organizations can also help to recommend the employees to other companies. We should further improve on the interview question so that it allows the ex-offender to declare that they have convicted for which offences and also the year of conviction. Company can now decide if these offences are detrimental to the interests of the stakeholders. The company will suffer the heaviest losses if the ex-offenders cause any troubles. Also, the job applicants gain from this as the employers are practising selective screening rather than a total elimination. There are also calls to ban the declaration box so that past criminal record will not affect employment. (Henry Jacobs, 2007). However, I feel that the employers are right to protect their interests and the ex-offenders should be honest and convince the employers on their efforts to stay out of crime. I acknowledge that the amendment to the Registration of Criminals Act is a good move to redress discrimination. However, I feel that this should be made applicable to all ex-offenders, retaining the five years crime-free period, but instead of disqualifying serious offenders, their time-frame could be extended up to 10 years. If the solutions proposed above are being implemented on a long-term basis, the mindset of the public may change and be more accepting towards ex-offenders and the Singapore will move towards as a progressive society as a whole.

Link between Household Debt and Savings

Link between Household Debt and Savings Many analysts and business executives are becoming apprehensive with the recent rises in the consumer debt burden, defined as the level of consumer debt relative to ability to repay which may predict an economic growth slowdown. A higher debt reduces the credit worthiness of households who would then experience financial anguish caused by unfavourable economic shock, such as the loss of a job or large uninsured medical expenses. In the event of this situation, they would be less disposed to spend on consumer goods, particularly big ticket items such as automobiles and home computers. Consequently, the reduction in consumer spending would hurt economic growth as firms cut back on the production of consumer goods and laid off workers. Households have spent in excess of income, in part because increased house prices have led to increased household wealth. The rise in house prices reflects an adjustment to sustained low inflation and interest rates, among other factors. However, activity in the housing market cannot be sustained at the pace seen in recent years. As the housing market cools, growth in consumer spending should ease and household saving rise, resulting in a tendency for the current account deficit to fall, everything else equal. The increase in household debt also partly reflects the removal of government controls of the financial system over the past two decades. Based on the results of empirical works of many authors, most studies favour the hypothesis that the causality is from economic growth rate to growth rate of savings. Based on the empirical results, the main conclusion of this study is that income class of a country does play an important role in determining the direction of causality. A rising consumer debt burden also might predict future activities in broad methods of economic activity, such as real gross domestic product. A decline in consumer spending on durable goods would lower real GDP growth because such spending is a large constituent of real GDP. 1.2 Objectives and Organisation of the dissertation Many tests have been carried out by many authors throughout the world to see if there is a link between household debt, household savings and economic growth and hence, analyse its impact on the discussed variables. A panel cross country analysis has been carried out on 25 countries to determine how household savings and debt may act as a deterrent for economic growth. Chapter 2 reviews the literature and empirical evidence pertaining to the works of various authors concerning economic growth, household debt and household savings. The next chapter deals with the review of variables of interest to us, which will be used in the empirical testing part, hence, the household savings as a proportion of disposable income, household debt as a proportion of GDP per capita, growth rate of Real GDP per capita, consumption share of GDP per capita, price level of GDP, investment share of GDP per capita, interest on savings will be scrutinized in the chapter. In Chapter 4, the Haussman tests have been mostly used to predict the impact of these independent and exogenous variables on the dependent variable of economic growth. Finally in Chapter 5, we conclude on the subject and make some policy recommendation and alongside cite some limitations of the work carried out. 2.1 THEORETICAL LITERATURE When there is a positive change in the level of production of a countrys goods and services over a certain point in time, it is referred to as economic growth. It is also influenced by many factors but one of the pinnacles of economic history is the impact household saving and debt has on economic growth. Most working papers and journal articles on cross countries studies assume a positive relationship between household saving and economic growth and an adverse relationship between consumer debt and economic growth. The difference between a households disposable incomes (primarily wages obtained, proceeds of the self-employed and net property returns) and its consumption (spending on products) is known as household saving. When the household saving is divided by household disposable income, the household savings rate is computed. When a household uses more than it obtains as expected income and funds some of the spending through credit (growing debt), through returns coming from the sale of resources, or by making cash and deposits, there is usually a negative savings rate. These discrepancies are fairly due to institutional distinctions between countries. These include the degree to which old-age pensions are financed by government rather than through personal savings, and the level to which governments offer insurance against sickness and unemployment. The age composition of the population is also significant, as the elderly tend to run down financial assets obtained during their working life. This implies that a country with an ageing population will generally have a low household saving rate. The conformist view is that savings contribute to higher investment and hence higher GDP growth in the short run (Bacha, 1990; DeGregorio, 1992; Jappelli and Pagano,1994). The central idea of Lewiss (1955) traditional development theory was that increasing savings would accelerate growth. Kaldor (1956) and Samuelson and Modigliani (1966) studied how different savings behaviors induced growth. On the other hand, many recent studies have concluded that economic growth contributes to savings (Sinha and Sinha, 1998; Salz, 1999;Anoruo and Ahmad, 2001). Over the last 10-15 years, household saving rates have increased in Austria, Germany and Sweden and remained stable in Belgium, France and Switzerland. A downward trend over the same period has occurred in Canada, Italy, Japan, Korea, Poland and the United States. (OECD (2010), National Accounts of OECD Countries, OECD, Paris) The main factors contributing to differences among countries are listed below: The income effect: in general higher income leads to a higher saving rate; The wealth effect: profits or losses on financial and non-financial assets and liabilities affect built up wealth, and thus probably expenditure, but not on income. Higher wealth may then lower the saving rate; Credit facilities: in countries (e.g. UK and US) where consumption credit was easier to finance, saving rates may be comparatively lower; Institutional factors such as differences in social security schemes, especially pension schemes and the tax system; The proportion of own-account entrepreneurs and small unincorporated enterprises, within the household sector, because producers may have a different saving behaviour; Households expectations as regards the future economic situation; Cultural and social factors. Hondroyiannis (2004) analyses the long term and short term causal factors of aggregate private savings in Greece using data for the time frame of 1961-2000. By considering the financial and demographic advances during this phase, the long run savings utility which is susceptible to real interest rate, public funds, liquidity, old dependency ratio and fertility changes, is approximated on the foundation of an absolute life-cycle hypothesis. The significance of short-run divergences is obtained using vector error-correction model estimation. The empirical evidence proposes the continuation of a stable long-run savings function in Greece both in the long- and short-run periods and the policy inferences of such an association are accessible. According to Barba and Pivetti (2008), rising household debt in USA made low wages and increasing aggregate demand to arise simultaneously. In the USA, according to the figures of the Federal Reserve Board, consumer credit outstanding reached 25% of disposable personal income (DPI) in 2006. This was the peak of an upward trend that has characterised the period since the first half of the 1980s, following 15 years during which the consumer credit-income ratio averaged around 18%. Increasing household debt in developed countries like USA has been mostly due to the noticeable fall in household savings and this had an adverse effect on economic growth. Salotti (2009) claims that the current account is inclined by changes in US private savings which aid to generate and maintain world imbalances. A panel of 18 developed countries for the time dimension of 1980-2005 is used to check this claim by examining the components of total household savings. They merge two lines of literature: the first line from consumer theory, bearing in mind particularly the `wealth effect, the second line from aggregate private savings theory. Unit root and cointegration tests are performed to evaluate the most suited method for estimation of the long run savings function and to derive the cointegrating relationship. The group means FMOLS is exercised to approximate the model. The empirical evidence goes in line with the theory where a rise in wealth should adversely affect the household savings. In addition, when significant descriptive variables, such as national savings and populace dependence ratios, are incorporated in the model, material wealth becom es the only type of wealth to (inadequately and negatively) control household savings in developed countries. Howitt, Agnion, Comin and Tecu (2009) wanted to test if a country can grow more rapidly by saving further as they believe that household saving is of deep concern as it allows entrepreneurs to undertake their business and also reducing the agency cost that usually acts a hindrance for foreign investors. Since domestic saving counts for improvement, and consequently growth, it thus allows the home industrialist to put equity into this joint enterprise, which reduces an organization setback that would else discourage the foreign shareholder from contributing. In rich countries, domestic entrepreneurs are already known with limit know-how and consequently do not need to draw foreign outlay for investment, so domestic saving is not important for growth. The higher the household savings and the lower the household debt a country has, the more economic growth it can at least forecast to make. The finding is based on a cross-country non-overlapping panel over the period from 1960 to 2000. T hey use a sample of 118 countries, all those for which there exists data on per-worker GDP and on the saving rate. The cross-country regression shows that lagged savings is positively related with productivity growth in poor countries but not in rich countries. 2.0 EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE Empirical evidence deals mainly with the previous works of various authors all around the world. There have been many works carried out by different authors and they reached certain conclusions which may be further developed and their results vary among the countries. The first case considered is on the United States of America (USA) and then they further scrutinise what happened in the developed and emerging countries. 2.1 STUDIES ON THE USA As noted in Thomas and Towe (1996), research into household saving/consumption behaviour in recent years has inclined to centre on probing for long-run relationships between saving (or consumption) and selected macroeconomic variables. In large part, this shows the fact that the data involved have been found to be non-stationary. This implies that conventional statistical methods cannot be used to test relationships between movements in the savings rate and other (non stationary) macro variables. This approach also implies that short-run movements in the savings rate may be driven by deviations from the long-run relationship between saving and its fundamental determinants. Callen and Thimann (1997) studied the empirical determinants of household saving in USA using cross sectional and panel data from 21 OECD countries for 1975-95.) They find that household saving fell from 13% during 1975-81 to only 11% in 1982-89 but it has then stayed stable in general. Variables that capture the structure of the tax system and the financing and generosity of the social security and welfare system are added to the set of potential explanatory variables. The results indicate that there is an central role for public and corporate saving, growth, and demographics in controlling household saving, while some role is also established for inflation, unemployment, the real interest rate, and financial deregulation. The results also propose that the tax and the social security and welfare systems have an important impact on household saving. Bà ©rubà © and Cà ´tà © (2000) examine the structural factors of the household savings rate in Canada over the previous 30 years, using co integration techniques. The main result is that the real interest rate, expected inà ¯Ã‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ation, the ratio of the all-government à ¯Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ scal balances to nominal GDP, and the ratio of household net worth to personal disposable income are the most significant causal factors of the trend in the personal savings rate, as calculated in the National Income and Expenditure Accounts (NIEA). The outcomes also recommend that the fast fall in the NIEA personal savings rate in current years mainly shows a change in the trend constituent of the savings rate, rather than a temporary different approach from the trend. Tipett (2010) uses many methodological approaches and draws on longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and also uses multilevel logistic regressions to investigate the relationship between the hypothesized mechanisms and the probability of holding non-collateralized debt. Analysis of Survey of Consumer Finance data shows that the amount of household debt increased faster than household asset increases (see also Bucks, Kennickell, Moore, Fries, and Neal 2006; Kennickell 2009), and Keister (2000) shows that overall wealth has been growing at the same time that the percentage of households with zero or negative net worth has also been rising. 2.2 STUDIES ON DEVELOPED ECONOMIES Carroll and Weil (1994) present Granger-causality tests for 38 countries for which they have fine data, and show that increases in growth radically head increases in saving. Dekle (1993) presents comparable Granger causality regressions for a group of fast-growing countries and finds that growth positively Granger-causes saving in every country in his sample. Edwards (1995) looked at data from a panel of 36 countries over the period 1970-92. Using lagged population growth, openness, political instability, and other lagged variables as instruments, he concludes that the rate of output growth has an important, positive effect on saving. Andersson (1999) believes that the worldly interdependence between saving and output has been measured in recent empirical studies which obliged some authors to question the conventional idea of a causal chain where saving precedes growth via capital accumulation. As divergent to the previous studies, which have mostly used panel-estimation processes, the tests of causal chains are performed in time-series sets. Saving and GDP are approximated in bivariate vector autoregressive or vector error-correction models for Sweden, UK, and USA, and tests of Granger non-causality are executed within the estimated systems. The core results shows that the causal chains linking saving and output vary across countries, and also that causality linked with amendments to long-run dealings might go in diverse directions than causality associated with short-term instabilities. Jappelli and Padula (2007) reconsidered savings inclinations in Italy, summarizing existing empirical evidence on Italians motives to save, relying on macroeconomic indicators as well as on data drawn from the Bank of Italys Survey of Household Income and Wealth from 1984 to 2004. The macroeconomic data indicate that households saving has fallen considerably, although Italy continues to class above most other countries in terms of saving. The microeconomic data show a strong correlation between the propensity to save and the level of current income, as well as a strong correlation between income and indebtedness. International panel data put forward that saving is robustly linked with the growth rate of income, and that saving changes parallel growth change, as shown by Attanasio, Picci and Scorcu (2000) using the 150 countries of the World Bank Saving Database. 2.3 STUDIES ON EMERGING MARKETS Emerging markets are economies which are currently in the process of fast growth and industrialisation. There are at present 28 emerging markets in the world with the economies of China and India being considered certainly as the two largest. New conditions were surfaced in recent years to portray the largest developing countries such as  BRIC  standing for  Brazil,  Russia,  India, and China. The relationship between savings and economic growth has received increased notice in recent years especially in developed and emerging economies [see Bacha (1990), DeGregorio (1992), Levine and Renelt (1992), and Jappelli and Pagano (1994)]. This might not be distinct to the central foundation of Lewiss (1955) traditional development theory that increasing savings would accelerate economic growth. Research efforts by Kaldor (1956) and Samuelson and Modigliani (1966) examined how different savings behaviours would induce economic growth. Caroll and Weil (1994) used five year averages of the economic growth rate and savings for OECD countries and found that economic growth Granger caused savings. However, the reverse was obtained when dummies were included in their estimation. Using Granger causality tests, findings by Sinha and Sinha (1998) and Sinha (1999) found that economic growth rate Granger caused the savings growth rate for Mexico and Sri Lanka respectively. Jappelli, Tullio and Marco Pagano (1994) test whether the measures of liquidity constraints help to explain the international differences in national saving rates, as forecasted by their model. They also test an outcome of that model, namely that the effect of growth on saving is greater where liquidity constraints are more determined. The data cover a panel of 19 countries (all the main OECD countries are included) and are drawn from Modigliani [1990]. Observations are averages of annual data for three periods: 1960-1970, 1971-1980, and 1981-1987). Findings show that the two variables are negatively linked (the correlation coefficient for the entire sample is -0.55). They have empirically measured the soundness of three propositions, namely that liquidity constraints on households raise the saving rate, strengthen the effect of growth on saving, and promote productivity growth in models in which growth is endogenous. Using cross section data between 1960 and 1997 and Granger causality methodology, Anoruo and Ahmadi (2001) observed the causal relationships between the growth rate of domestic savings and economic growth for seven African countries -namely Congo, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia. Their studies established that savings are co-integrated in all of the countries except for Nigeria and that economic growth Granger-causes the growth rate of domestic savings for all the countries considered except Congo where reverse causality was obtained. Matos (2002) used among other parameters, the ratio of residents funds deposited in the financial system to aggregate monetary asset M2 (1947-2000) as a proxy of financial development, empirical tests support the view that it is vital to maintain the publics confidence in domestic financial assets to improve GDP growth prospects. This ratio may reflect an intangible asset of the financial intermediaries, i.e. the general publics confidence that contracts between customers. Kwack and Lee (2005) investigate the extent to which income growth and uncertainty and demographic factors affect the domestic real saving rate in Korea. They test an extended life cycle hypothesis and demography hypothesis with Korean time series data from 1975 to 2002. The results of the tests show that the aggregate saving rate is positively affected by the moving average of the growth rate of income and the variance of the income growth. The positive effect of the income growth differs from the negative effect found household survey data were used. Adebiyi (2005) employed quarterly data spanning between 1970 and 1998 to examine savings and growth relationships in Nigeria using Granger causality tests and impulse response analysis and concluded that growth, using per capital income, is sensitive to, and has an inverse effect on savings. Mohan (2008) believes that household savings in India has contributed significantly to its economic growth which recorded a steady rise over the last decades. Mohan found some empirical relations whereby in the argument that high levels of debt-GDP lead to high interest payments relative to GDP, which crowd out government capital expenditure and reduce the overall saving rate, two relationships are of critical importance: the responsiveness of changes in the saving ratio with respect to changes in the fiscal deficit levels; and the responsiveness of government capital expenditure to changes in the level of interest payments. Mohan (2006) experienced the path of causality between economic growth and savings in different economic income classes. The ADF test indicates that both log GDP and log GDS have unit roots in the level data. In the presence of unit roots, the variables need to be differenced in order for the series to be stationary. Without differencing the data, a causality tes t would lead to misspecification. To examine the direction of causality between saving and economic growth in Nigeria during the time frame 1970-2007, Oladipo ( 2009) used the Toda and Yamamoto (1995) and Dolado and Lutkepohl (1996) TYDL methodology. The variables of interest for savings and economic growth are positively co-integrated indicating that there exists a steady long run equilibrium relationship. Furthermore, the findings also revealed a unidirectional causality between savings and economic growth and thus the corresponding role of FDI in growth. In order to establish the link between economic growth and saving in Nigeria during the time frame of 1970-2007, Abu (2010) used the Granger-causality and co-integration techniques. There exists co-integration and long-run equilibrium between the variables savings and economic growth according to the Johansen co-integration test. There is also the causality runs from economic growth to saving, implying that growth triggers and Granger produces saving. Hence, the Solows hypothesis that saving leads to economic growth, and recognize the Keynesian theory that it is economic growth that leads to higher saving, is discarded. CHAPTER 3-DATA ANALYSIS 3.1 Sources of data The economic growth rate, household debt and household saving rate, price level are available on the Global Finance website. The interest on savings, consumption and investment are available on the Nationsmasters website, the World Bank website and the Penn World Table website. 3.2 The Econometric Model In this section, a model is developed to measure the impact of household debt and household saving among other factors, on economic growth. The model for growth for country i in time t is as follows: EGit= ÃŽÂ ± +ÃŽÂ ²1 HDit + ÃŽÂ ²2 HSit + ÃŽÂ ²3 Rit + ÃŽÂ ²4 Pit + ÃŽÂ ²5 Cit+ ÃŽÂ ²6 Iit + Uit Where EGit= Growth Rate of Real GDP per capita at constant prices HDit = Household Debt as a % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) HSit= Household Savings as a % of Disposable Income Rit = Interest on Savings Pit= Price Level of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Cit= Consumption Share of CGPD (GDP PER CAPITA) Iit= Investment Share of CGDP (GDP PER CAPITA) Uit = the disturbance term 3.3 Economic Growth When per capita GDP or any other means of calculating total income rises, economic growth arises and this is usually registered as the yearly rate of change in GDP. Economic growth results from advances in productivity in terms of more production of goods and services with the same factors of production. The dependent variable economic growth is measured by real GDP per capita. At times, total GDP figures are not reflective of the actual performance in the economy. Hence, GDP per capita is a better measure as it is liable to fewer errors and some errors tend to affect population estimates and thus they have offsetting impacts. Furthermore, the natural log of real GDP will be taken into account to avoid any large outliers. Screen-shot-2009-09-01-at-14 3.4 Household Saving Household saving can be defined as a percentage of household disposable income which is not consumed and household savings rate can be calculated on gross or net basis. Depreciation is considered in the net savings rate which is more commonly used compared to the gross savings rate. Comparisons of savings rate among countries become hard by these two different measures of gross and net savings rate due to distinct social security and pension programmes, variable tax schemes which have an impact on disposable income. The household savings rate of a country can be affected by age of the economys population, the accessibility of credit, general wealth issues, cultural and social factors. Nevertheless, household savings rates are still a good a measure of an economys income in relation to consumption over time. A country can finance its debt domestically if it has a relatively high level of household savings. High debts levels funded mostly by foreign creditors are less persistent than high debts levels financed by internal savings. Consumption allows GDP to grow and this is a significant factor in economic expansion. With the existence of financial crisis, the whole economy could be dampened with lower consumption due to higher debt and lower savings level. A larger portion of GDP growth should then come from FDI, exports and government expenditure. Household saving is the most essential domestic source of funds to back capital outlay and this is a substantial boost for economic growth on the long term basis. Household savings rate vary greatly among countries as shown in the chart. This is partially due to the level pensions schemes are financed by government rather through personal saving and also to the extent governments offer insurance against sickness and unemployment. savings01 Considering the time dimension in the table above, the savings rate were relatively steady or somehow rising mildly in France, Austria, Italy, Norway and Portugal but have been decreasing in United States, Canada, Japan and Australia. If the social security and insurance payments of USA are considered, its savings rate would be striking. 3.5 Household Debt When a country has a substantial degree of household debt, it increases its inclination to financial crisis and this acts as a hindrance for economic growth. There have been forecasts about house bubbles which were caused and thus creating the countries to be overheated. A large portion of the economic growth was centred on household consumption which was backed by loans from banks. When banks noticed the lack of credit worthiness from consumers who even lost their confidence in the financial system, there had been strict controls over the lending conditions for loans. As a result, the ongoing vicious circle preceded a major decline in economic growth following the fall in consumption and repayments of debts. Analysing the graph results with the conclusion that USA is not the only main country having experienced the worst GDP slowdown but many other countries like Iceland and Portugal are following suit with the level of household debt actually rising substantially. It would not be logical for a country burdened by a large level of household debt to expect its economic performance to flourish in the coming years. HouseholdDebtSelectedCountries household-debt-vs-savings Source:   Lew Rockwell 3.6 Rates of interest The rate of interest has a great influence on the given level of aggregate disposable income which is divided between consumption and saving. However, it cannot be predicted with conviction that a lower interest rate would imply more disposable income will be dedicated to consumption and less to saving or vice versa. As a matter of fact, there can be a rise or fall in the total amount saved following a change in interest rate and this depends on the income and substitution effects and their strengths of their net effects. A higher level of future consumption arises at the detriment of present consumption with substitution effects due to higher interest rates and thus resulting in more savings in the present period. On the other hand, a consumers future income compared to his present income can be increased following higher interest rate and this leads to higher consumption by borrowing from future income and hence, less is saved. However, this may not be necessarily the case for lower income earners who would save only a small part of their incomes even when interest rates are high. The substitution effect will then outweigh the income effect and there will be a direct link between income and rate of interest. For some people who prefer to save a greater portion of their incomes, the income effect may offset the substitution effect and thus higher interest rates would result in lower present savings level real-interest-rates 3.7 Price level/Inflation One of the theoretical concepts of economics says that when there is a change in the price level, this may affect consumption and savings positively or negatively. It is usually believed that households confidence in money erodes when there is inflation and hence, they have the tendency to save more since inflation actually raises the variance of expected real income. The fact that consumers have greater preference for unplanned increases in savings compared to withdrawals, it usually incites consumers to save more when inflation is high. There is also an indirect effect of inflation whereby the real value of nominal asset is diminished and thus the real value of liquid assets decreases the net household wealth. Real consumption is often reduced and savings rate increases. 080625_global_inflation (1) 3.8 Consumption The total value of goods and services purchased by people aggregated over time is called consumption and it is usually the greatest GDP component. A countrys economic performance is often assessed on its consumption levels. Different income earners would be consuming differently depending on their standard of living and purchasing power. Consumption is usually determined by current income, accumulated savings and expectations on future income. Consumption and consumer debt trends 3.9 Investment When an owner usually acquired property for the purpose of generating income like plants and equipments, this is called investment as it is spending on income-generating assets. If a country wants to achieve long term sustainable economic growth, it should be able to the rates of accumulation of capital be it human or physical so that it can result in more efficient assets and so that the whole population can have access to those assets. With the help of financial instruments, markets, and institutions, the extent to which information, enforcement and transactions costs can have their impact on savings rates, investment decisions, technological innovations and steady-state growth rates can be improved. Average annual investment growth in the first six quarters of recovery Source: National Bureau of Economic Research; National Inco

Latrell Sprewell :: Art

Latrell Sprewell In the event that the National Basketball Association or any specific basketball organization is forced to make an important decision they must take into account that there are many factors at play. Prior to making the decision you must consider all the possible outcomes of each solution. Recently, a professional basketball player known as Latrell Sprewell assaulted his coach physically and orally. There has been a lot of controversy over what the NBA and Golden State Warriors should do with him. Many different things would be affected by the decision that they make. The three most notable are the financial issues, the players, and the public relations. Just like any business the most important thing that they must consider is money. The financial reasons play the most dominant role in this decision. Latrell should be considered an investment, on the team's part, and the team should stick by their investment. If they suspend him, the team would have no chance of getting to the playoffs and, without the possibility of winning the basketball championship, a dramatic decrease of income happens. No matter how devoted a fan is they do not want to spend hard-earned money on a losing team. A good portion of the income from a basketball team is derived from home games. Without many fans, fewer people buy tickets and therefore, fewer people go to the games. The team gets hit hard in the financial books. Another financial issue is that a lot of companies had hired Latrell to advertise certain products for them. Is Latrell the image the retailer is looking for? If he gets suspended and no one sees him play, why would they want to purchase a pair of shoes endorsed by him? If, ultimately, the league decides on fining him, how much should they fine him for? Another issue in the financial area is the possibility that many laypersons would say, "He'll get away with it, he's rich." Is that the kind of signal that you want sent out to the American public? Another large factor is how are the players of the NBA are going to react to the decision. What are they going to think? There is always the possibility of a strike. What would happen if Latrell got kicked out of the league, and his teammates and other NBA players decided that they did not like that decision and managed to go on strike.

Care of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Essay -- central nervous syste

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an acquired demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that typically is diagnosed in the second or third decade of life. Normally, nerves are enclosed in myelin sheaths that help facilitate transmission of nerve impulses within the CNS and the peripheral nervous system throughout the body. In patients with MS, the myelin sheath is damaged and eventually degenerates, causing patches of scar tissue called plaques or lesions to occur anywhere randomly on the myelin sheath (Ruto, 2013). This results in impaired nerve conductivity, which interferes with message transmission between the brain and the other parts of the body. As a result, impulse transmission is altered, distorted, short-circuited, or completely absent. This interference in impulse transmission creates muscle weakness, muscle imbalance, and possibly muscle spasms with partial or complete paralysis. Multiple sclerosis also can result in visual impairment and alteration of cogn itive abilities, as well as pain, numbness, or tingling sensations (Ruto, 2013). MS affects about 400,000 persons in the USA and approximately 2.1million worldwide. The average age of onset is between 20–40 years, although it can also occur in young children and in people aged 50 years and more. It is estimated that the direct and indirect healthcare costs of MS in the United States result in approximately $35,000 spent per year per patient. Multiple sclerosis affects women more than men (DeLuca & Nocentini, 2011). Case study patient J.S. is a 25 year old Caucasian female, admitted to the hospital after she experienced a seizure. J.S. has no hx of seizures in the past. Upon evaluation, J.S. complaint that for the past year she has experienced: blur... ... Physical rehabilitation, and pain management. Conclusion Multiple sclerosis is a serious disabling disease. Usually, the disease is mild, but some people lose the ability to write, speak, or walk. There is no single test for MS. Doctors use a medical history, physical exam, neurological exam, MRI, and other tests to diagnose it. There is no cure for MS, but there are drugs that slow the progression of the disease. As of now, there are eight drugs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A tremendous amount of progress has been made. Most of these drugs target only the early stage of the disease, not the progressive stages that are worse. Treatment often depends on which type of MS an individual has. References: Ruto, C. (2013). Special Needs Populations: Care of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. AORN Journal, 98(3), 281-293. Care of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Essay -- central nervous syste Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an acquired demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that typically is diagnosed in the second or third decade of life. Normally, nerves are enclosed in myelin sheaths that help facilitate transmission of nerve impulses within the CNS and the peripheral nervous system throughout the body. In patients with MS, the myelin sheath is damaged and eventually degenerates, causing patches of scar tissue called plaques or lesions to occur anywhere randomly on the myelin sheath (Ruto, 2013). This results in impaired nerve conductivity, which interferes with message transmission between the brain and the other parts of the body. As a result, impulse transmission is altered, distorted, short-circuited, or completely absent. This interference in impulse transmission creates muscle weakness, muscle imbalance, and possibly muscle spasms with partial or complete paralysis. Multiple sclerosis also can result in visual impairment and alteration of cogn itive abilities, as well as pain, numbness, or tingling sensations (Ruto, 2013). MS affects about 400,000 persons in the USA and approximately 2.1million worldwide. The average age of onset is between 20–40 years, although it can also occur in young children and in people aged 50 years and more. It is estimated that the direct and indirect healthcare costs of MS in the United States result in approximately $35,000 spent per year per patient. Multiple sclerosis affects women more than men (DeLuca & Nocentini, 2011). Case study patient J.S. is a 25 year old Caucasian female, admitted to the hospital after she experienced a seizure. J.S. has no hx of seizures in the past. Upon evaluation, J.S. complaint that for the past year she has experienced: blur... ... Physical rehabilitation, and pain management. Conclusion Multiple sclerosis is a serious disabling disease. Usually, the disease is mild, but some people lose the ability to write, speak, or walk. There is no single test for MS. Doctors use a medical history, physical exam, neurological exam, MRI, and other tests to diagnose it. There is no cure for MS, but there are drugs that slow the progression of the disease. As of now, there are eight drugs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A tremendous amount of progress has been made. Most of these drugs target only the early stage of the disease, not the progressive stages that are worse. Treatment often depends on which type of MS an individual has. References: Ruto, C. (2013). Special Needs Populations: Care of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. AORN Journal, 98(3), 281-293.