International Development: Theories of Modernization, Dependency, Globalization

Minhchau Truong ID 125 Prof. Kevin Maclean Midterm Exam Citation Black, Maggie. The No-Nonsense Guide to International Development. (London: New Internationalist Publications Ltd, 2007). Naim, Moises. Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers, and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy. (New York: Anchor Books, 2005). Reding, Nick. Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town. (New York: Bloomsbury, 2009). Thurow, Roger and Scott Kilman. Enough: Why the World’s Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty. New York: Perseus Books, 2009). 1. ) Modernization Theory was used to justify the process of decolonization and intervention by the United States, which had the ulterior motive of gaining access to new markets and thus boosting the national economy. The U. S. separated this theory from Cold War ideologies with the distinguishing feature that it emphasized GNP and technical measures. The theory is ethnocentric and is posited in the belief that there is a ceaseless struggle again st scarcity and that underdeveloped nations must overcome this natural state. The role and ability of the developed state was framed by the teleological doctrine that began with preconditions to â€Å"take-off†, which was recognition that economic progress was necessary to move from â€Å"tradition† to â€Å"modernity† to the final â€Å"take-off†, to the â€Å"drive to maturity† (which was expected to be completed in 1-2 generations), to the â€Å"age of high-mass consumption† (similar to the historical patterns of the U. S. ). The strengths of Modernization theory included its organized capitalism, integration into the world economy, and outlook of economic expansion. These changes were to be achieved through institutions and a shift from earlier colonial hierarchy and integration into the United Nations family (a de jure equality). However, the weaknesses overpower benefits. The theory naturalizes â€Å"underdevelopment† as something that can be changed easily, and discounts implicit historical, geographical, sociological circumstances or specific constraints. Furthermore, it disregards underdeveloped countries by trivializing conditions by labeling it as the â€Å"global norm†. Economics is foremost on the agenda, rather than politics, because capital accumulation for developed states- not actual welfare of the concerned state- is the main objective. The theory displaces the more correct principle of the right to self-definition. The linear growth implied by the theory can only be achieved by mass consumption, competition, individualism. Essentially, modernization theory is an ahistorical narrative imposed by ethnocentric developed states that could not possibly relate to their underdeveloped states. Dependency Theory sees the historical relations of inequality, the unequal relationships developed between industrialized countries versus underdeveloped. Theoretically, the problem is explained as: economic growth in advanced industrialized countries did not lead to a growth in poorer countries. Dependency theory acknowledges that modernization theory directly contradicted neo-classical economic theory- the Pareto optimal, that economic growth was beneficial to all even if benefits not equally shared, this was not evident in the relationship between industrialized nations and unindustrialized nations. The strengths of dependency theory included that is accounted for real history as opposed to modernization theory, which was a philosophy of history. It saw states as a global structure, and saw inequalities as a problem rather than a way to promote competition and equalizations. There were realistic expectations, unacknowledged that imposition of â€Å"development† was actually an act of exclusion. What was preferred was a more natural, predestined process of inclusion. Economically, dependency accurately determined the outcomes of modernization: poor countries exported primary commodities to rich countries, which the rich countries used to then manufacture products out of them, therefore adding value to the overall product during the manufacture, which they then export back to poorer countries. In the end, these poorer countries would never earn enough from exports to pay for their imports due to the added value. However, the weaknesses are substantial, and expose the logical fallacies dependency theory is built upon. It is more of a critique than an independent theory for improvement, there is some insight but not much. With dependency theory, there is little to no success from its initial conclusions. Its avocation for protectionism and trade tariffs was not enough for developing countries to emerge economically. The suggestion of Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI) was also not enough because the economic theory required implementation of incubation of domestic infant industries that many times were difficult to start-up without the help local governments. Various avenues, tariffs, import quotas and subsidized government loans were many times not possible due to absence of political will or ability. The development of production channels were often times distorted or disrupted due to external forces or inability of states to handle. Here, an imperialist mindset is once again imposed onto undeveloped nations, Transnational corporations (TNCs) stationed in undeveloped nations impose standards and expectations, which are most pronounced in their monopolistic practices and assertion of political and economic agenda onto the concerned country. In addition, many times, when a country did specialize in their production of goods, their own internal markets were not large enough to support the economies of scale. People either didn’t have enough money or had a preference for outside foreign goods. Essentially, relations cannot simply be fixed, there is a much more dynamic complexity. Peripheral states cannot possibly â€Å"just catch up†, they did not ask to be placed in their respective positions within the world economy, they were forced by dominate states (developed countries like the U. S. – they were labeled as â€Å"under-developed† when their â€Å"inequalities† were identified by us, pitted against our own standards- unfairly so. Advanced industrial economies can’t serve as models for developing ones, their success was contingent upon highly exploitive colonial relationships (with the very underdeveloped countries they are trying to aid now, which is ironic) these relationships cannot be created. Implications of dependency include: Alternative use of resources preferable to current patterns of use- they don’t want our methodologies. The practice of diverted resources are maintained by dominant states and power elites within dependant states, this fixes nothing, rather, it further complicates relations between concerned â€Å"underdeveloped† country and those who are in control of them. There are overlapping interests, value and culture assumptions, assumption that this dependency is voluntary, elites believe key to economic development is to follow liberal economic doctrine, this is essentially hegemony. Economic growth does not equal economic development, more attention needs to be paid o social indicators- life expectancy, literacy, infant mortality, education, emergence of human index. Greater integration is not the answer, equality cannot be achieved World System Theory was first was labeled as â€Å"Modern World system. † An integration through market rather than political center, the state was an economic tool for capital accumulation by certain classes. The world was comprised of mini-system s, which made up world empires, which made up a capitalist world economy. This world-wide perspective with historical depth of centuries was necessary to understanding the present. Single tripartite division of labor notion induced that countries do not have economies but are part of a world economy. The core zones benefited from monopolies, while the semi-peripheries were dominated by the core zones, and the peripheries themselves were developing countries dominated by both core and semi-periphery countries. Labor-intensive production took place in periphery states as a means to former states’ economic deliverance. Periphery states’ subordinate status is due to a number of factors including, technological conditions and the difference in strength of states on the global market scale, thus the differential flow of surplus to core results in unequal exchange. However, the strengths of the theory lies in the assumption that capital accumulation on a global scale will in turn, benefit developing countries. The weakness of the theory is how it is debilitating regarding focus towards strong and weak states. The theory concentrates on the historical evidence of failure rather than success, and discounts the class structure and economic growth, among other important elements, within states. The zero-sum economic narrative is limited, grounded in ahistorical euro-centrism. The theory polarizes periphery states by keeping them down, with the ideology of ruling groups presiding over them. Conclusively, the theory is a capitalist structure that operates on the endless accumulation of capital rather than the well-being of particular periphery states. The contemporary forms of â€Å"globalization† make these three theories of state-led development irrelevant and require us to rethink some of the assumptions upon which they were based for many reasons. Firstly, the increased but selective flow of financial capita between major metropoles exemplified in Illicit Trade shows the unrecognized potential of â€Å"dependant† states, how they are actually able to thrive despite conditions (of scarcity, etc. ). In Illicit Trade, the examples of countries thriving on the wholesale of contraband commodities, or transshipment havens (Suriname, Nauru) shows how the differentiated labor markets within and across national borders have essentially been empowered, there is no definitive route to economic growth, illicit trade just so happens to be this new growth- for the good or the bad. The increased, but uneven integration of consumer markets worldwide proves the irrelevancy of modernization and dependency theory, as there was no prerequisite in this integration that was previously said necessary in the former theories. The Governments were a emphasized factor in the theories for growth and development, however, in this context of globalization and illicit trade, the private facilitation of capitalist penetration from countryside to countryside has actually been the impetus. The new, emerging aspects of illicit trade is that it’s not just a crime, or an underground phenomenon, but it could fashion economic possibilities. There is now an intrinsic connection to political structures, emerging Governments. High-profile trafficking organizations now have a heavy influence and control over governments. The dependency on illicit trade has pervaded into the basic exchange of commodities, thus the interaction of people, thus it is now well stitched into the fabric of existence, it has constituted cultures. The entire disarraying manifestations of illicit trade has now coalesced, it is now a part of history, it has become facet of life. 2. ) The manufacture, distribution, and sale of methamphetamine rose largely out of the recent developments of Globalization and free trade, long term trends in agricultural and pharmaceutical companies, and the action of government lobbyists. These basic components make up for what Reding describes in Methland, as the meth epidemic of today. Reding’s best illustration is his microcosmic case example of Lori Kaye Arnold, starting from the origins of her entrepreneurial endeavors to her quick succession of wealth and monopoly control over meth. Lori’s decision to drop out of high school and house herself through her meth delivery service exemplifies the opportunities of income that are available to small rural communities subjugated to lack of employment. Due to this facet, production of meth transferred to underground population sites of small town meth addicts (like Lori) and outlaw chemists. Rural economies of small towns like Oelwein were gradually taken over by profiteering industries. The turning over of Iowa Ham to Gillette to Iowa Beef Products (IBP) to Tyson, resulted in a shrinkage of worker demand and stationary wages. In January 2006, Tyson officially closed the plant , â€Å"the initial workforce had been reduced from nearly two thousand people to ninety-nine, a remarkable, devastating loss of revenue in a town of only six thousand† (Reding 2009, 53). Ottumwa, a town in southeast Iowa endured the same hardship that crept into Oelwein. The town was eventually also starved of tax revenue and disposable income from the shut-down of the town’s railroad, air force base, and the sale of its meat-processing plant to Cargill. And like Oelwein, â€Å"Methamphetamine moved into the new economic gap,† and helped to sustain not just the market in Oelwein, â€Å"but also in towns all over Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, and the Dakotas† (Reding 2009, 60). It was Lori’s success in Ottumwa that made her decide to expand her horizons in meth distribution. Lori went straight to her middleman in Des Moines, and continued in her ambitions to her supplier in Long Beach, California. Meanwhile, Lori’s own enterprise fueled the franchises of people like Jeffrey William Hayes and Steve Jelinek, such is the lucrative nature of the meth business. Lori’s eventual partnership with the Mexican Mafia, the Ameczua brothers ushers in powerful forces that make up a web of interdependence, all revealing the scale of hold meth has on not just small towners like Lori, but also our local and global economy. The U. S. mmigration policy could not prevent the influx of Mexican immigrants that came, who were now seen as excellent transportation devices for large quantities of the meth throughout California and the west. Midwestern residents who just lost their jobs were now headed for booming labor-markets in Los Angeles and San Diego, becoming ideal social and business connections for drug cartels like the Amezcua brothers. These factors enable d drug cartels to expand their business prospects, but also provided a source of income for those involved, a major motivator. Additionally there was the appeal of the drug itself. Meth was powerful; a vocational drug rather than a recreational one, it was perfect for labor-intensive occupations, thus effectively converting mere middlemen or workers into consumers. The cost-effective narcotic had been around since industrialization, and its cheap convenience was made all the more apparent when rural economies collapsed and people felt like they needed the drug in order to survive. For all these reasons, meth was a sustainable business in its inception that allowed it to go unnoticed. The precursor to meth production (ephedrine, and soon, pseudoephedrine) was made readily available by pharmaceutical companies and engineers in legal, enormous, and unmonitored supplies. The high-demand for these precursors provided a huge incentive for pharmaceutical companies to prevent purchasing restrictions that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was trying to enforce. When the DEA discovered bulk shipments of ephedrine being redirected to the Amezcua brothers, there was also a realization of a â€Å"narrow processing window† of ephedrine that was perfect for the meth trade. Cooperation from the nine processing factories in India, China, Germany, Czech Republic and pharmaceutical companies was the only thing needed. Despite DEA efforts, pharmaceutical industry lobbyists blocked every single anti-meth bill with help of key senators and members of congress. The relentless battle of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine prohibition was most often times won by powerful companies and corporations, thus the manufacture, distribution, and sale of meth proceeded. Through the lens of Dependency theory, rural economies like the town of Oelwein would be encouraged to discontinue the market of meth because it has become a dependant source of revenue that creates unequal relationships between powerful entities (such as drug cartels, pharmaceutical companies, agricultural based corporations) and small town communities, poor job-seeking immigrants and aspiring meth cooks. The manufacturing of meth is not sustainable and does not result in equal or greater proportions of benefit for those dependant on the business, rather, it enslaves them. Thus, dependency theory is good in its avocation of meth abolishment, but it does not provide other revenue generating substitutes or a way into economic stability. Dependency theory stresses independence while keeping up with developed nations, but in the case of Oelwein, their economy was crippled by external forces and now has to be rebuilt, and thus, their regeneration would require an initial dependence on outside sources. 3. ) In 1940, Vice-President elect Henry Wallace, who formerly served as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s activist agriculture secretary desired to visit Latin America before starting his official duties. He was dispatched to Mexico as a representative, where he applied his unique perspective to the Mexico’s destitute situation. Most Mexicans depended on farming. The Mexican revolution ousted a dictatorship and then seized land from a wealthy few and redistributed it among the poor. The new government had distributed out land to 1. 7 million landless peasants so that they could grow their own food, however this land form was not enough. Mexico did not have the necessary support systems for agricultural scientists, the rural population was illiterate, soils were depleted of nutrients and heavily eroded, basic tools were lacking; tractors were rare- this in turn limited production growth. In addition, diseases often times wiped out the wheat crop, forcing Mexico to import half of its needs. Wallace’s evaluative approach was to raise crop yields combined with Mexican farmer’s disciplined work ethic. Wallace connected to the resources at the Rockefeller foundation asking to the President Raymond B. Fosdick to conduct a study on how to increase Mexican harvests, Fosdick himself dispatched a trio of experts to scour the countryside. Soon enough, Harvard plant breeder Paul Mangelsdorf, Cornell agronomist Richard Bradfield, and University of Minnesota plant pathologist E. C. Stakman commenced on their research, convincing the foundation to set up a joint research program with the Mexican government in 1943, called the Office of Special Studies. The program’s mission was to train Mexican scientist on how to breed higher-yielding varieties of corn, wheat, and beans. Initial successes of the program included the newfound knowledge of â€Å"how to plant a few verities of inbred seed- the precursor to hybrid seed- allowing them to cross-pollinate naturally† (Thurow and Kilman 2009, 8). Stakman was interested in Mexico’s second-biggest crop, wheat. Wheat was a crop often subjugated to the fugal epidemics that turned fields into tangles of dead plants, leading to the discontinued production of wheat by Mexican farmers which were an unfortunate lost opportunity for protein. Stakman called upon two proteges from the University of Minnesota to aid him in his mission to end this plight, one would be the founder of the Green Revolution- Norman Borlaug. Borlaug, impatient by the time sucking process of cross-pollinating different varieties of wheat in rust-infested areas to find a natural immunity among them, decided on an unconventional method of breeding that including â€Å"shuttling newly harvested seed between the Yaqui Valley and his experimental plots near Mexico City† (Thurow and Kilman 2009, ). In four years, Borlaug generated his first rust-resistant plants, setting in motion a series of events that would lead to the Green Revolution. The main achievements of the Food Revolution were the high-yielding wheat crops that occurred with every Mexican farmer, leading to the successive spread of the seed throughout Mexico, and therefore the end of Mexico’s wheat shortage by the mid 1950s. And unlike hybrid corn, farmers could â€Å"save seeds from the best of their wheat harvest and plant them the next year to get the same results† (Thurow and Kilman 2009, 11). Borlaug’s wheat permeated to Asia, in India and Pakistan, which spurred Governments, private philanthropies and humanitarian organizations to fund and implement the construction of fertilizer factories, irrigation networks, infrastructure, and an introduction to new modern farming techniques. Similar effects took place in Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Iraq, China and elsewhere throughout Asia. Additionally, the Green Revolution encouraged foundations and organizations from around the world to establish research centers, projects, and laboratories specializing in number of agricultural-based crops (agroforestry to fish). The shortcomings were evident in its early beginning; the yields were plentiful but sucked so much out of the soil that water and synthetic fertilizer replenishment was necessary. And because farmers could afford fertilizer, this boosted their harvests even further, reinforcing dependency on foreign supplied fertilizers, and therefore diverting funds from the local economy to an outside economy. Increase fertilizer use also introduced pesticides and nitrates that were poisoning to millions and millions of acres of land and some drinking water. This chemical pollution led to a general distrust of the Green Revolution by environmental groups and negative press. Geopolitical considerations would overpower altruistic intentions of the Green Revolution. The idea â€Å"to create an international agency that would control vast grain reserves for the purpose of responding to emergencies and feeding hungry children† was shot down because it would â€Å"reduce opportunities for the world’s agricultural powers to use their homegrown food aid as a tool for furthering their own diplomatic aims† (Thurow and Kilman 2009, 23). Ironically, the food revolution had empowered nations enough to the extent of elevating countries’ abilities for political and economic agendas. Another disappointment of the Green Revolution was the failed momentum. Public consciousness no longer had a strong grip; the â€Å"Malthusian Optimism† had befallen upon developed countries. The new crop surpluses and thus, low grain prices â€Å"created a false sense of accomplishment and security in the rich world† (Thurow and Kilman 2009, 24). Financial institutions, religious affiliated and nonreligious charity organizations slowly turned away, and aid agencies shifted attention to other social programs. Trends and use of agricultural subsidies have affected food security in developed and developing states more generally. The Green Revolution indirectly started overwhelming Government subsidies for exports, thereby instigating competition between developing countries. Between 1975 and 1985, the Green Revolution helped old U. S. customers such as Mexico and India to become less dependent on the west for grain. In order to keep domestic prices from depressing U. S. government subsidized exports of surplus wheat overseas. The European Community followed along the same strategy, subsidizing exports of wheat, beef, butter, milk and so on- all in efforts to protect farmers. Big multinational commodities firms took advantage of the subsidies race, playing the U. S. and Europe against each other for the cheapest grain, resulting in a distorted world market. The two arising developments, rich-world subsidies and cheaper commodities harshly impacted farmers in the developing countries who were not aided by their impoverished governments and therefore could not compete with similar levels of subsidies. Sasakawa Africa (Norman Borlaug and his team) and the Ethiopian government pushed for heavy production of crops resulting in surplus harvest through the late 1990s, and then a bumper year of 2001-2001, â€Å"when fields burst with about 13 million tons of grains and cereals† (Thurow and Kilman 2009, 72). But this positive outcome was not cultivated or optimized due to a number of factors unpredicted by Government and foreign aid shortsightedness. The government policy of structural adjustment failed the agricultural market in Ethiopia and Africa. Under this new policy, government ended responsibility for market functions (such as buying, transporting, storing, marketing of crops, fertilizer) and left them to a private sector, in expectation that the sectors would pick up these tasks. But rarely did these sectors have the capital and infrastructure to complete such tasks. Roads to ports were appalling, let alone the practically nonexistent ties to foreign buyers- exporting options were dismal. The country’s transportation network still relied on unproductive methods (donkeys), and local markets were undercapitalized to buy and store harvest. This, along with the absence of storage facilities that forced crops to come into the market at the same time caused a nationwide glut of corn and wheat, triggering a free fall in grain prices. Ethiopian farmers suffered as what was reaped was far below what it had cost to sow. Another main effort to mitigate food famines in Ethiopia was a considerable amount of American food aid, but this was also not enough. After the 1894 famine, â€Å"Ethiopia routinely had been the largest annual recipient of emergency food aid†¦. U. S. ood aid was running at more than $250 million a year leading up to 2003† (Thurow and Kilman 2009, 88). The negative reaction to this, however, was the contraction of longer-term aid and projects to develop agriculture. In 2003, U. S. aid was $500 million and $5 million in development projects. It was illogical, food aid partly helped in aiding against the hunger, but never entirely, rather it seemed to be perpetuating it. Ethiopia became a global welf are state, its farmers and people at first feeling shameful and resentful to having willful acceptance that border on righteousness to aid.

To What Extent Was the Lack of Political Reforms the Main Cause of the 1905 Revolution

To what extent was the lack of political reforms the main cause of the 1905 revolution? The 1905 Revolution was brought about by Bloody Sunday, this attack from the Tsar’s army on innocent peaceful protestors was the trigger for the revolution. Many other reasons throughout the years leading up to 1905 lead to the revolution. To understand fully why the revolution took place you need to understand all of the political reforms or the fact that there were not enough. A main factor contributing to 1905 revolution was the power held by the Tsar, the peasants and workers did not agree with the autocracy that was pushed onto them. Before the revolution all other political parties were banned by the Tsar and were not allowed to form groups that were against the Tsar, any groups that did try to do this, their leaders were either killed or sent to camps in Siberia as political prisoners, this level of harsh treatment towards political opponents and because of this lack of political reform a large amount of resentment was felt towards the Tsar. The lack of a Parliament also left people in Russia pushing for change, and because of this, there was a real need for a reform to create a working parliament so that not all of the power was in the Tsars hands. To stop the 1905 Revolution, the Tsar realised he was going to have to give up some of his power and to try and reason with his people, or this is the picture that he painted with the October Manifesto, this contained some political reforms that relinquished some of his power and some reforms that gave peasants more independence and factory workers better conditions. This manifesto showed a reasonable level of political reform but he did not actually have any intention of giving any of his power up. By deploying the October Manifesto the Tsar actually calmed tempers of his opponents and satisfied them for a time. If the Tsar had stuck to these political reforms there would have been no more unrest through the country but because he went back on them, it in fact worsened the situation and because of the lack of reforms this again led to more and more uprising across Russia. All of the different political parties that started to develop across the country started to socially and economically advance, this was because of more and more middle class people thinking that their voices should be heard. These parties all had many different ideas for political reforms, but first of all they all wanted an nd to autocracy and political change to take place. There was also a major uproar about the Russo-Japanese war which ended in September 1905. This was a huge embarrassment for Russia who were supposed to be one of the great powers in the world and were defeated by an inferior force. This caused much anger throughout Russia because of the Russian people believing that Nicholas II was not able to lead th e country through a war. This was another contributing factor to the uprising of 1905. The loss of the war shocked the Russians and knocked the countries esteem and added to what was already a simmering tension within Russia. In turn this was one of the triggers to the revolution. There was a slight hope that came through with the October Manifesto with the chance of a Duma, but this was short lived, after Nicholas II closed the first two Dumas down after only three months of them starting. This was another case where a political reform that would have made a difference to Russia and helped keep the country under control was not used to its full extent and ended up mounting more anger towards the Tsar for going back on his word. His minister then made it near on impossible for any real threat to the Tsar to be involved in both the third and fourth Duma. During this time there was a huge growth in the industrial industry in Russia and there was a need for political change to be able to get better working conditions in factories. More and more factories were being built and because of the lack of reform leading to the revolution many workers were protesting about their safety, hours and conditions. A real lack of political reform was a main contributor to the 1905 Revolution, although the real trigger was the Bloody Sunday massacre there was throughout the beginning of the 20th century a growing anger and resentment felt towards the Tsar and the way he was leading the country. The reaction of the Tsar in the revolution led to resentment about the reforms in the October Manifesto as well due to him just turning back on them. Overall there was a definite lack of reforms leading up to and after the 1905 Revolution.

Occupy Wall Street - Moral & Economic Implications Research Paper

Occupy Wall Street - Moral & Economic Implications - Research Paper Example This is a movement, which came into existence in the year 2011. This movement was founded with the intention of bringing to light some of the issues, which face the modern-day human beings (Walsh, 2011). These are majorly economic conditions, which are exhibited in a society, which is largely capitalistic in nature (Boxer, 2011). It is perceived that the Occupy Wall Street Movement is one, which is of North American descent. However, this is not the case. This movement is one, which has gained popularity to an extent that its presence is now felt in close to 82 countries in the world (Townsend, et al , 2011). In the recent past, the income inequality has been seen to increase. This is majorly due to the experiences associated with stagnated economies and the unequal distribution of wealth. In this case, these impediments significantly undermine the developmental agendas, which some people in the society indeed have. In the 1990s up to the 2000s, there were significant economic inequa lities in the United States. However, these issues were rarely discussed or brought to the attention of policy makers (Gelder, 2011). This was until the inception of the Occupy Wall Street Movement. ... This is with the intention of alleviating the living conditions of some of the individuals in the country (Gitlin, 2012). This is especially in the case of the low-income earners. The movement also aims at bringing relief to those students who suffer from huge amounts of debts that are related to their student loans. These are some of the goals, which this movement aimed at achieving after its inception. There are various ethical considerations which come into perspective for the purpose of supporting the actions of the Occupy Wall Street movement. It is very important to examine each of these and see how they come into play in relation to the activities that are associated with the movement. The first ethical implication in this case is in relation to utilitarian ethics. In this type of ethics, it is highlighted that the best and most appropriate course of action is the one, which will bring happiness on the part of the individuals who are taking this particular course of action. In the application of this type of ethics, the true moral worth is the case of an action taken is prescribed by its outcome. The main focus is on the outcome which will come to be realized. However, there is significant debate with regards to the true consequences of the actions which people will take (Mannion, 2003). In its relation to the happenings associated with the Occupy Wall Street Movement, there is a semblance of happiness and self-gratification on realizing that some of the concerns that were aired out through the movement have come to hit the right ear. This is especially in relation to the case of increased rate of income inequality in the United States over the recent years (Valdes, 2011).

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The cold War and Masculinity - Essay Example The Cuban missile crisis had been the most glaring example of a possible nuclear war. While the possibility still remains valid today, the menace appeared more eminent in cold war era. The cold war can actually be compared to a chauvinist conflict, whereupon both nations involved tried to use their supposed technological supremacy as a tool to undermine the influence of other nation. This notion is quite obvious in Stanley Kubrick's movie "Dr Strangelove: or How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb", as well in the text authored by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Joseph Rotblat, "A war-free world". Though the cold war no longer exists but the situation in Iran, Iraq and the role of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has again compelled this world to think of a very different approach towards nuclear deterrence. Mohamed ElBaradei, the eminent scientist who is heading IAEA while giving a lecture at Stanford, called for a new commitment from the peace loving world to go for nu clear disarmament rather than nuclear deterrence. The human urge to use things of mass destruction in satisfying their hatred and paranoia has been the main theme of the movie Dr. Strangelove. Right at the start of the movie,

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Outline on the benefits of distance learning - Essay Example The second main topic was to present a look at distance learning from the standpoint of being independent, but not isolated. It was meant to provide a glimpse of its structure. The third main topic was in reference to the cost. This is often a major obstacle to education and I wanted to end the presentation with it. By this point they will have gotten an interest in distance learning and it was a natural next question to answer. I concluded by summarizing the main topics and highlighting the most relevant issues. I then closed by indirectly referring back to the Twain quote. This will leave the audience back on familiar ground, comfortable with the presentation, and will smooth the transition to a question and answer period. Taylor, T. H., Parker III, G. D., & Tebeaux, E. (2001). Confronting cost and pricing issues in distance education. Educause Quarterly, 16-23. Retrieved October 27, 2006, from http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm0131.pdf

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Critical analysis of conventionon cluster munitions - Essay Example Almost 90 countries joined the legal process and 37 others have already signed and ratified the agreement. Meanwhile, the greatest political powers, including the United States, Russia, China and Israel rejected the Convention and are growing more reluctant to reduce their participation in the global military movement. The big military powers like Russia, China, the United States and Israel will continue resisting their participation in the international Convention on Cluster Munitions, as long as cluster munitions are the sources of numerous military and economic benefits, which these countries use in their fight against the minor and major military enemies. Understanding the reasons for which the biggest political powers reject the Convention on Cluster Munitions is impossible without having better understanding of what cluster munitions are and how they work. Objectively, â€Å"cluster munitions are weapons that, when launched or dropped by aircraft, disperse large numbers of sub munitions over wide areas that can be the size of two to four football fields† (UNDP). That cluster bombs do not always explode upon impact and continue threatening the civilian population remains one of the major issues of public concern. This is also the basic reason for developing and signing the global Convention on Cluster Munitions. Apart from serving the basic instrument of casualties in military operations, cluster munitions contribute to food insecurity through the contamination of arable land and by killing livestock (UNDP). Cluster bombs block access to water and sanitation and turn into a serious barrier to economic development (UNDP). Sinc e the World War II, cluster munitions have targeted almost 30 countries, and it is high time new legislation were developed and implemented, to reduce the risks of casualties among the civilian population (UNDP). The technical and military features of cluster munitions make it difficult for the

Air Pollution a Silent Killer to Children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Air Pollution a Silent Killer to Children - Essay Example The control group was made up of children who died from causes associated with respiratory complications. The controls were pair matched to the cases in respect to gender, year of birth, and year of death after they had been selected randomly from the set of possible controls for each case. The results were that, cancer cases had considerable higher rate of 87.3% of occurrence for those residing in urban municipalities than that of controls of 80.5%. They further revealed that, the crude odds ratios were considerably higher than 1.0 for the groups with high levels of nitrogen dioxide exposure in their residential municipality. This implies that, there was a considerable trend toward an increased risk of childhood leukemia with rising nitrogen dioxide concentrations. The findings of this study are consistent with previous studies as reflected in the problem statement. This study offers further evidence of a relationship between exposure to traffic exhaust emissions and the risk of childhood leukemia. The findings of this study call further investigation of the role of traffic air pollution in childhood leukemia.

Costs and benefits of the migration Essay Example for Free

Costs and benefits of the migration Essay The costs are highly experienced in the developing countries than the developed countries. The migration of the practitioners leaves the medical system being completely inadequate to carry out its mandate on top of the many other problems such institutions already faces. Therefore, the first major cost faced due to the migration is the lack of the institutions to provide the required medical care to the citizens. This becomes worse when it is not possible for the institutions to replace the manpower lost. This means that those left behind to work in the institutions will have to be overworked while still being paid the little amount they used to receive. The more the employees are strained, the more they are pushed to look for better working conditions elsewhere making the situation worse (Stewart, Clark Clark, para 11). The other cost comes in form of the investment that has been used in the training of the practitioners who migrate. Most of the developing countries subsidize or entirely sponsors the training of these practitioners. It thus implies that the investment the government puts in such personnel is lost when they migrate to the developed countries. The major benefits that this migration brings can be categorized into the remittances that the practitioners send to their home countries, and the skills they get due to the exposure. The amount sent home is more important in improving the economic life of those left behind and the nation as a whole. This remittance plays a significant role in the practitioner’s country of origin’s economy in form of foreign funds. This has made some countries like the Philippines to train more nurses and sent them to practice in developed countries and thus contribute to the Gross National Product growth (Tujan, para 15). Most of the developing countries do not have enough medical facilities. Therefore, when the practitioners moves temporarily to the developed countries, they get to be exposed at high levels of technology which makes them have improved skills that will plays a significant role in developing the medical system in their home country when they go back. This implies that the country of origin might save a lot in terms of what could have been spent in specialized training or higher education for the practitioners. The major problem with this however is that, many of the practitioners do not return home, and when they do, they have retired hence not productive. In the developed countries In the country of origin, the migration causes a lot of costs than the benefits. However, on the receiving countries, the benefits accrued are higher than the costs incurred. The issue of recruitment within any organization is usually a costly affair. Recruitment of the immigrants is thus more costly than local recruitment. This can force the organization and the government to pass the extra costs to the consumers increasing the cost of living in the society. The cost can also be experienced in the course of resettlement of the immigrants (Stilwell et al, para 7). There are some instances in which the immigrants are willing to take up some policies set by a government more than the local practitioners. For instance, working in form of contracts or part-time. Many of the locals do not agree with this, hence when the immigrants seem to agree with such a policy, they are usually recruited in favor of the locals, and this will generally affect the wages of the local practitioners, which will further go down affecting the tax bracket of the receiving country. In a case where the locals see that they are competing with the immigrants, there can be low morale and reduced commitment in the working. This might be looked at in the micro economic level as affecting only the firm; however, the macro-economic effect has to be put in consideration. The most important benefit of the professionals inflow from the developing to the developed countries is experienced when there is no shortage of the practitioners. This means there shall be improved provision of health care services. The local practitioners in developed countries mostly would need to be paid higher remunerations as compared to the immigrants. Therefore, if the immigrants are employed, it means they shall provide medication at a cheaper rate which will go down reducing the cost that could be passed to the consumer. On the other hand, the government will benefit from the taxes that will be collected from the foreign practitioners (Crush, pp 7). Conclusion Both countries have some benefits and costs they get when the professionals migrate. However, as argued, most of developing countries get more costs than the benefits from these acts. It is thus important that the concerned stakeholders should come up with policies that would see ethical migration between the receiving and sending country so that no country benefits at the expense of another. Work Cited Crush J. The Global Raiders: Nationalism, Globalization and the South African Brain Drain, 2002. Journal of International Affairs, Vol. 56, Issue 1, pp 4-7. Kapur D Mchale J. Should a Cosmopolitan Worry about the Brain Drain? 2006, Journal of Ethics International Affairs, Vol. 20, Issue 3, pp 11-15. Stewart J, Clark D Clark P F. Migration and Recruitment of Healthcare Professionals: Causes, Consequences and Policy Responses, 2007. Retrieved on October 28, 2008 from http://www. focus-migration. de/The_Migration_and_Re. 2496. 0. html? L=1. Stilwell B, Diallo K, Zurn P, Dal Poz M R, Adams O Buchan J. Developing evidence-based ethical policies on the migration of health workers: conceptual and practical challenges, 2003. Journal of Human Resources for Health, Retrieved on October 28, 2008 from http://www. human-resources-health. com/content/1/1/8. Tujan A. Health Professionals Migration and its Impact on the Philippines, Journal of Asia Pacific Research Network, 2002. vol. 6, Issue 1. Retrieved on October 28, 2008 from http://www. aprnet. org/index. php? a=showc=Volume%206%20March%202002t=journalsi=5.

Citizen of the United States Essay Example for Free

Citizen of the United States Essay I would define a citizen as someone, who was born in, or to a certain place, who is guaranteed certain rights in the place that they were born in. Citizenship in the United States means that a person is a legally recognized member of the nation. Each citizen has equal rights under the law. All citizens have certain rights, privileges, and responsibilities. Americans who are not citizens have many of the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizens. However, they do not have such important rights as the right to vote in elections, serve on juries, or hold elected office. Means that a person is recognized as a legal member of the nation  gives each person certain rights and privileges, e.g., the right to vote and to hold public office  means each person has certain responsibilities, e.g., respecting the law, voting, paying taxes, serving on juries  explain that citizens owe allegiance or loyalty to the United States; in turn they receive protection and other services from the government Nothing is more important to America than citizenship; there is more assurance of our future in the individual character of our citizens than in any proposal I, and all the wise advisers I can gather, can ever put into effect in Washington. Warren G. Harding (1920) Rights of individuals. Citizens have rights.  personal rights, e.g., to associate with whomever one pleases, live where one  chooses, practice the religion of ones choice, travel freely and return to the United States, emigrate  political rights, e.g., to vote, speak freely and criticize the government, join organizations that try to influence government policies, join a political party, seek and hold public office  economic rights, e.g., to own property, choose ones work, change employment, join a labor union, establish a business  Citizens not only must be aware of their rights, they must also exercise them responsibly and they must fulfill those responsibilities necessary to a self-governing, free, and just society. No governmental action, no economic doctrine, no economic plan or project can replace that God-imposed responsibility of the individual man and woman to their neighbors. Herbert Hoover (1931) Citizens have rights. personal responsibilities, e.g., taking care of themselves, accepting responsibility for the consequences of their actions, taking advantage of the opportunity to be educated, supporting their families civic responsibilities, e.g., obeying the law, respecting the rights of others, being informed and attentive to the needs of their community, paying attention to how well their elected leaders are doing their jobs, communicating with their representatives in their school, local, state, and national governments, voting, paying taxes, serving on juries, serving in the armed forces

Clostridium Difficile Infection: Causes and Treatment

Clostridium Difficile Infection: Causes and Treatment Clostridium difficile   Introduction Clostridium difficile generally written as C. difficile is a bacterium (germ). It presents in a small quantity in the gut of many people without harming person. But, when the quantity of C. difficile bacteria increases in the gut, then it can cause infection. The C. difficile bacteria usually do not create infection in healthy people. Though, some  antibiotics can disturb the regular balance of usual bacteria in the gut that shield against C. difficile infection. This infection most commonly affects people whose treatment requires prolonged use of antibiotics. During use of antibiotics, if other harmless bacteria are killed, then this will allows C. difficile to grow in larger numbers than normal circumstances. The bacteria start to produce toxins that cause the symptoms given below. Therefore, if a person is taking antibiotics and He/she has C. difficile bacteria in gut, then bacteria may flourish and can cause an infection. This is a problem normally occur while taking many of the commonly used antibiotics. Spread of Clostridium difficile infection C. difficile bacteria are usually found in whole the environment — in air, soil, water, human and animal faeces. It is also found in food products, such as processed meats. C. difficile infection commonly associated with hospitals where a higher percentage of people carry the bacteria. C. difficile bacteria spread to food, surfaces when infectious people do not clearly wash their hands. The bacteria creates spores that can be persevered in a place for months. If you touch a surface polluted with C. difficile, then you may then unintentionally swallow the bacteria. Symptoms of the disease The symptoms of adisease can range from mild diarrhoea to a severe life-threatening inflammation of the bowel. The symptoms of a Clostridium difficileinfection generally grow when you are taking, or just finished taking an antibiotic. Seldom, symptoms mayappear up to 10 weeks after you finish taking antibiotics. List of symptoms include: Watery diarrhoea (sometimes can be blood-stained) three to four times a day; may be more. Colitis (inflammation of a larger bowel). Loss of appetite abdominal cramping and pain Nausea a high temperature (fever) of above 38 ºC (100.4 ºF) painful abdominal cramps No treatment may be required in mild cases only abandoning the antibiotics or drinking plenty of fluids is required to cure infection. However, cure with specific antibiotics is desirable in more severe cases. Identification of Clostridium difficile Infection Clostridium difficile Infection is identified in a patient in following cases; Anyone who develops diarrhoea who had used antibiotics within the previous two months, and/or When diarrhoea was developed due to stay at hospital, or after few weeks of releasing from hospital. Anyone has abdominal pain, or fever; Anyone has a diagnosis of colonoscopy, pseudo membranes on sigmoidoscopy or histological/pathological diagnosis of CDI; Anyone has a diagnosis of toxic mega colon. Laboratory testing of a sample of stool can be carried out to confirm the diagnosis. The test identifies the toxin material in the stool sample that is produced by C. difficile. An X-ray of abdomen, CT scan, or a Blood tests can be conducted if a patient more severe infection. Treatment of Clostridium difficile infection Clostridium difficile infection treatment depends upon severity of the illness. No treatment is necessary if one has no symptom. However, symptoms are shown various treatment are suggested for mild to severe infection. Mild infection treatment Patients having mild infection can be treated at home. If patient has mild symptoms of aC. difficile infection, infection can be controlled by just withdrawing antibiotics that have caused the problem. This will let the normal harmless bacteria to regrow in your gut. The excess growth of C. difficile should then decrease and symptoms often ease. Actually, many people will stopped the antibiotic anyway, after the completion of antibiotic course. In many cases where the signs are minor, stopping the antibiotics proved sufficient to clear the infection. Modest to severe infection If infection is of severe nature, patient will usually be admitted into hospital, so that patient can be treated and closely look after. If you have symptoms that are more bothersome, such as severediarrhoea or colitis, following treatment is prescribed to cure the infection: 1. Taking an antibiotic In case of severe symptoms such as severe diarrhoea or colitis, patients will be given antibiotics that can damage C. difficile bacteria. In the start, in moderate cases metronidazole is prescribed to cure the infection. But in severe cases vancomycinor fidaxomicin may be used to ease any colitis and stop perforation of colon. Symptoms then usually ease within two to three days, although it can take a week to make a significant recovery. Likely side effects of these antibiotics are stomach pain, feeling or being sick. 2. Fluid replacement In diarrhoea lot of fluid released from body and body becomes dehydrated. So, it is very important that fluid must be replaced in the body to maintain body’s water level. This reduction can easily be eliminated by drinking extra fluids. But, in case of severe, fluids should be given through a drip into veins or by nasogastric tube. 3. Surgery in rare cases Surgery cases are less than 1%. It is required only in life-threatening cases to remove a damaged section of bowel. Severe cases ofC. difficile infection can befatal,especially when they occur in those people who faces severe illness. Prevention C. difficile infection can be spread very easily. Normally, it can be prevented by maintaining good hygiene in healthcare surroundings, such as regularly washing hands and cleaning surfaces using bleach products. When someone is attending the patient having C. difficile infection, he/she can reduce the risk of spreading the infection by washing hands before and after entering the patient room. Soap and water should be preferred over Alcohol gel as in not effective against germs. Preventing the spread of infection into hospital I would implement strict guidelines about maintaining the hygienic environment in the hospital to avoid the spread of C. difficile infection. Possible guidelines would be; If possible, infectious patient should have their own room, washbasin and toilet facilities. Everyone should regularly wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet or anyone coming from outside to meet the patient. All the hospital staff must wear disposable gloves and aprons and they must wash their hands with water and soap before and after attending patient. Practice will be made of using soap and water should be used as a medium of washing instead of Hand gel because hand gel not kill the spores created by C. difficile. Visitors must also wear disposable gloves and aprons and must wash their hands before entering and leaving the room. Floors, Toilets, surfaces, bedpans, bedding, etc. should be clean washed regularly. Conclusion Clostridium difficile infection is caused by bacteria. It can range from severe to mild. Proper prevention and use of medicine can reduce the infection in very limited time. References Zar, Fred A., et al. A comparison of vancomycin and metronidazole for the treatment of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea, stratified by disease severity. Clinical Infectious Diseases 45.3 (2007): 302-307. Wilcox, Mark H. Treatment of Clostridium difficile infection. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 41.suppl 3 (1998): 41-46. Bignardi, G. E. Risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection. Journal of Hospital Infection 40.1 (1998): 1-15. Gerding, Dale N., Carlene A. Muto, and Robert C. Owens. Treatment of Clostridium difficile infection. Clinical Infectious Diseases 46.Supplement 1 (2008): S32-S42. Wilcox, Mark H. Treatment of Clostridium difficile infection. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 41.suppl 3 (1998): 41-46.

the rate of reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid Es

I am going to investigate the rate of reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid. I will look at the various factors affecting the reaction and select one variable to change, while the others keep constant in order to carry out a deta... Investigating Rate of Reaction Aim I am going to investigate the rate of reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid. I will look at the various factors affecting the reaction and select one variable to change, while the others keep constant in order to carry out a detailed investigation. Formulae ======== The formula for the chemical reaction is: ========================================= CaCO3(s) + 2HCC(l) CaCl2 (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2 ============================================ I can measure the rate of reaction between the two substances using this formula. Rate of Reaction = Change in Concentration ------------------------------------------ Time Taken for Reaction A chemical reaction is the name given to a substance when it changes and becomes a completely new substance. It is difficult to reverse. It happens when particles make effective collisions with sufficient energy. Apparatus ========= Spatula ------- Conical Flask ------------- Burette Stand + Clamps Measuring Cylinder Safety Goggles Beaker Thermometer Stopwatch Kettle + water Small Funnel Delivery Tube + Bung I have chosen to use a measuring cylinder to make my experiment as accurate as I possibly can. I will be wearing the provided safety goggles at all times to protect my eyes, as hydrochloric acid is an irritant that may prove dangerous if it makes contact with the eyes. Theory The following theories will help me decide which variable I will change in my experiment to investigate the rate of reaction using calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid. Temperature - Collision Theory ============================== The diagram shows particles that are not moving quickly. This means that the chance of these particles colliding and causing a chemical reaction is rather low. The temperature is obviously low too, as the particles have little energy to move quickly. However, if heat were added, the particles would have more energy and move quicker and have a better chance of colliding. This diagram shows particles that are moving quickly. This means... ...respond with my prediction and back it up. As the temperature increases, so does the rate of reaction. If I were to repeat the experiment again, I would work under strict environment, such as in a closed room with no winds or temperature changes. I would also try and use more accurate ways of reading the temperature and keeping the temperature constant, such as by using a water bath. Doing this would possibly make my results even more accurate. I would also try and make my timing even stricter, possibly using a smaller time interval such as 10 seconds instead of 15, to get slightly more accurate results. I may also use a larger range of acids. I only tried the 1 molar acid, but if I were to repeat the experiment again, I would perhaps use 3 and 4 molar acids and test them under high temperatures. I would like to investigate in future the effect of catalysts and surface area on the rate of reaction, to be more conclusive on the subject and widen my knowledge. All in all, my experiment was a success. Everything went well, and I believe that the techniques and methods I used were accurate and sufficient enough to provide me with a sound set of conclusive results.

Information Warfare Essay -- essays research papers

As we entered the third wave, we traded in our pens and notebooks, for keyboards and CPU’s. A simple wire connected from a phoneline to a modem to your CPU, brings the whole world into your hands. And you into the worlds hand as well. Political realism is defined as doing what is necessary for survival. One must depend on themselves, because no one else will look out for them. Information Warfare has become a massly used tactic by individuals as well as companies looking out for their own survival, in a world of commerce, and politics. Information Warfare is an innovative and dangerous new way to harm your opponents. When one thinks of warfare the mind is usually bombarded by thoughts of M16’s, grenades, and hand to hand combat. In this new era of technology that we are living in warfare has come to mean so much more. Information warfare is the use of any type of information used to injure your opponent’s progress and further your own. The power of Information Warfare spans a broad scope of uses, from the gathering information about companies, to personal blackmail. It’s used not only by individuals against other persons, but companies and even the nation as well. As the third wave, defined by Tofflers, becomes more widely spread across the nation and world we can only expect a far larger usage of such technological tactics, being used in the home, workplace, and even international politics. Schwartau’s definition of Information Warfare is, “the use of information, and information syst ems as both weapons and targets in a conflict,'; (Schwartau 12). We are now living in a time when knowledge is power, and what is knowledge made up of? Quite simply, information.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Information Warfare is not only becoming more rampantly used among people, but they are using different types as well. There are three different classifications of Information Warfare. The first one deals with personal information warfare. This is inclusive with all the information that is available about an individual. Class two deals with corporate information warfare, which involves how information effects companies, businesses, and all economic interests. Of all the classes the third one has the broadest margin. The third class is global information warfare. This purpose of this class is to deal with all a... ... being able to visit such cites that would have pornography, and/or other material unsuitable for youngsters. The school has installed a program so that if the kids were to access prohibited cites an automatic alarm would notify Education Queensland’s network administrators. By taking control of the cites that the children can visit, the school system is helping to keep the children from visiting undesireable cites.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are programs available to those parents who feel it is necessary to monitor their childs use of the Internet. Cybersitter can be purchased for around $39.95, and can help to regulate your web browser keeping your childs access to the world wide web restricted. There is even and option in which incoming and outgoing e-mails for inappropriate material.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While it is possible to intercept and not allow such things on the internet on the Internet such as pornography, or material containing racist or violent content, in order to really do so the entire net would have to be controlled. An important question that has to be asked is who will do the monitoring, and what will they base their criteria on.

Drama diary on movement Essay

Today in our drama workshop we investigated movement and physical action in drama. We carried out many different exercises to help us establish the importance of movement and how it should be used effectively. To communicate plot, and characters relationships to the audience. Firstly in our workshop we were given the task of creating the most abstract freeze frame possible, we were put into groups of 6,2 people being the directors and the remaining 4 creating the freeze frame, My group managed to produce a freeze frame based around a piece of scaffolding. We did this by placing people one by one on the scaffolding in ways, which we thought were different and challenging. Once we had created a successful freeze frame our teacher gave us the task of placing our tableau into context. When asked we had to give a performance to the class, still in the original freeze frame but with dialogue explaining our obscure positioning. The audience then had to work out what the situation the characters were stuck in simply by listening to the few lines of dialogue the cast spoke and paying close attention to the positioning and movement. The audience did guess the situation, which was good. We did a piece of dialogue that explained that we were stuck in a lift that had broken down. There are many reasons why we did this exercise the most important being to show the importance of physical action and how actions when used effectively can communicate to the audience with the character on stage and show the characters feelings through movements and not words. It also helped us understand that movement can help the audience understand the context of the play and that close attention must be given to the physical/visual elements of drama. After completing this task and discussing it we then moved into groups of 4. One person from each group was given a picture to examine for 1 minute only. Once their time was up they were asked to put the people in their group into the positions, they had been examining in the picture using only their memory. The director adjusted the actors one by one creating what they thought was an accurate copy of the original image they had been studying. The whole group then examined the picture and gave it a title, which they thought was appropriate to the events, taking place in the picture. The picture, which we had to recreate, was a still image of an old woman talking to a man; in the picture there was also a sheep and a little child. We named this image â€Å"shepherd lost in Italy†. By doing this it helped us realize that one picture can explain an entire scene without words and the importance of movement in a play. Our final exercise was to pick 3 major scenes from â€Å"a taste of honey† and present them through freeze frames with only one line of text from each character. The first part of the scene we chose to convey was when Geoff is trying to kiss Jo the lines we used were â€Å"let me kiss you† and Jo said â€Å"Leave me alone, get off me†. First we tried to create an image, which showed the audience the essence of the scene without dialogue. This didn’t go to successfully as the audience could not guess the moment they commented on our performance and said that we needed more physical contact than we had. At that time we had Geoff leaning in for the kiss and Jo leaning away. With the help of the rest of the class we decided that Geoff should be really trying to grab Jo whilst Jo pushes him away. This should hopefully show the audience exactly what Geoff is trying to do and Jo’s response without words being used. The next scene we used was when Peter enters the scene and Helen is pointing at him. Helen’s line is â€Å"I told you to wait outside† Peter responds â€Å"don’t point your bloody finger at me†. For this part of the scene it is very important that we include physical action as well as vocal strengths because the author is gives us a playwright clue on to how he wants these two lines to be acted out on stage Peter saying â€Å"don’t point your bloody finger at me tells us that Helen should be pointing her finger at Peter. We set this scene up with Helen and Peter standing in the entrance of the door with Helen pointing her finger at Peter and Peter slapping it away. This is showing the audience that Peter has authority over Helen. We then had Geoff and Jo sat on the sofa with facial expressions that showed they didn’t really care this shows the audience the relationship between Jo and her mother is blatantly not very secure. The whole point of this exercise was to help us see the importance of physical action in drama and that even if at a point in a play a character is on stage but has no lines, that character is still able to communicate to the audience via facial expressions and physical reaction to the surrounding situation. Before this workshop on movement our piece contained little physical action resulting in a mainly static performance on stage or movement without reason. We now see the difference between movement for a reason and movement without a reason. We plan to make a movement map next section to liven up our piece hopefully for the better.

Women fashion 1930’s

Due to the crash of the Wall Street on October 24th 1929 many people thought that fashion was going to be crippled, but thankfully fashion continued and grew over the years. 2. After the crash women had to sew and mend their own cloths. Due to this women who had great sewing skills began copying magazines and the latest fashion. This action was the of starts of necklines lowering, and skirts were being designed with greater detail 3. The style of the sass's began with clothing that was elegant and botfly feminine. . The cloche hats of the ass's were replaced by hats with brims worn over the right eye at an angle, berets, and pillboxes. 5. Pillboxes are hats that women wore at an angle. Pillboxes where created in the thirties, and were designed in the shape of a square to fit right on top of the head 6. Women were designing skirts with a v-necked shape extending from one hip to the other on the upper part of the skirt; this design was called a yoke. 7. Skirts were beginning to have a ruffed look and were beginning to become layered.Women's skirts were beginning to be filled with many gatherings and pleats at the very bottom as well. 8. A material that was very popular was fur. If a woman wanted fur and she had the money for it than she got fur. Many different types of fur were worn both during the day and at night. 9. Some different fur products such as fur â€Å"scarves† (a whole pelt with feet, head, and tail all together, were worn over the shoulder or carried in arms), capes, trimmings adoring dresses, and coats uses furs or pelts.Those furs or pelts come from animals such as a mink, abbot, fox, lamb, wolf, stable, and chinchilla. Or any animal fur from trapping or hunting. 10. During the sass's the hand bags were very similar to the hand bags of the sass's. The bags were beaded and enameled meshed, but during the ass's leather hand bags had started to become popular. 11. A day dress had a bodice that could be draped with shaped shoulders or bloused. The dresses were slender with the waist lightly defined and an easy fitted vertical line. 12. During the sass's a lot of different shoe styles.Thick rounded toes; pumps; wide heels; flats; ankle straps with moderate heels; lace-up; slip-ones; buckles; and two-toned spectators. 13. Women adapted Hollywood fashion with what they saw in movies. The Hollywood fashion was especially adapted into evening wear. 14. The hemline of skirts and dresses were in a tug-of-war between how many inches from the ankles the hemline was allowed to be. At the end of the decade skirts were shortened and no longer in a tug-of-war. 15. The Art deco movement heavily influenced fashion in the early ass's.Some popular motifs were exotic, floral, geometric, abstract, and Middle Eastern. 16. Dresses were made of natural fibers (sometimes linen, mostly cotton, wool, and silk), acetate fabric, and rayon. 17. In 1933 American tennis player Alice marble, was the first to publicly wear shorts. By 1934 sports cloths were frequently being worn. Women's sportswear developed into wide legged mid-thigh shorts, beach pajamas, culottes, halters, tanks, plaudits, skirted bathing suits, middy blouses, wide legged sailor slacks, and sport suits. 18.A new type of dress that also appeared in 1934 was the â€Å"Hoovers†. These dresses were made of cotton, tied, and wrapped around the back. 19. In 1937 business women found favor with suits. Wearing a suit made people take women more seriously when their attire is a more masculine form off dress. 20. When women started wearing suits a new style of Jacket was created to go with their dresses. The Jacket was shorter and went to the waist, had high pockets or yoke trims. The Jacket also had with it a shawl or tuxedo collar, and elbow length sleeves to go over their dress.

Why I Enjoy School

Although many people, including myself, say that they hate school, it is one of the most meaningful places in my life. When I say school, I’m referring to Interlake High School (IHS). Yes of course school may be boring or hard but it has made me the person I am today. School is meaningful to me because of the friends and memories I have made, because it has made me the person I am today, and it is leading me to my future and who I will become. My absolute favorite part about school is the people. Through the 3 years that I have been at Interlake, I have made many friends. Some friends have come and gone, but nonetheless my friends are what make me look forward to coming to school every day. Before I came to Interlake, I was a student in the Snoqualmie Valley School District. I had gone to school with the same kids from kindergarten all the way up until 8th grade. Originally, Mt Si HS was supposed to be the high school that I was going to attend, but once I graduated from 8th grade my parents decided to transfer me to Interlake. I’m glad they did this because the friends I have made at Interlake are 100 times better than any of the friends I ever had growing up in the Snoqualmie Valley School District. I cherish all the friends that I have made at Interlake because without them, I could be a completely different person right now. All together, friends are the number one reason why school is so meaningful to me. Another reason why school is meaningful to me is because it has made me the person I am today. In addition to my friends influencing my path is who I am today, I have also changed due to other acquaintances I have made, and some of the teachers at Interlake. One thing I love about some of the teachers at Interlake is how chill they are. Usually some teachers would try to be an authoritative force that controls the classroom, but certain teachers at Interlake make me feel comfortable in the environment that I’m in and in return I am able to talk with them without being scared of what they may say. When talking to my teachers, some have told me when I’m getting out of line or if I’m changing in a negative way and it really helps me stay on track and not lose focus. What also helps me stay on track are some of the other people at Interlake. Certain individuals at Interlake are menaces to society, and are likely not going to have a very successful future. These individuals influence me on who I want to become because they provide a template on what I shouldn’t do. Even though many others including myself may dislike these individuals as people, I appreciate them for what they have taught me what not to do. Without Interlake HS and the people in it, I may be a completely different person. Lastly, Interlake high school is meaningful to me because it (in addition to college) is what is going to lead me into the rest of my life. In a nutshell, Interlake has given me an education. It didn’t just give me an average education, but a top tier education due to the fact that Interlake is one of the top schools in the state. Again, I was supposed to attend Mt Si high school, but instead I came to Interlake because the academics are at a much higher level than at Mt Si. This education I have acquired is what is going to lead me into the college I am going to. If I had gone to Mt Si, my grades could have been different which would have affected the college that I may get accepted to this upcoming winter and spring. Who is to say what would have happened, but I know in my heart that coming to Interlake has set me up for a better future than what I would have become if I had gone to Mt Si. Lastly, Interlake is meaningful to me because public school in America is free. I appreciate this because not all countries have such accessibility that America does in our schooling system. In conclusion, Interlake is meaningful to me because of the friends I have made, the things that have influenced me to become the person I am today, and because of how its going to influence my future. Without Interlake I could have had completely different friends, been a completely different person, and could have had a completely different future.

Skills and Learning Statement

OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY Skills and Learning Statement for Topic 8: An analysis and evaluation of the business and financial performance of an organization over a three years period Being a Research and Analysis Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of: BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting Oxford Brookes University By: Name: Tao De ACCA Registration Number: 2171332 Submission Date: 24th May 2012 Words Count: 1881 Table of Contents Lessons Learned From Meetings With Project Mentor3Extent to Which Research Questions Have Been Answered5 Demonstration of Interpersonal and Communication Skills During Project Work7 Benefits Of Undertaking The RAP In Accountancy Studies and/or Current Employment Role8 Copy of Presentation Slides9 Lessons Learned From Meetings With Project Mentor During the project, I meet with my project mentor, Sonny Chan, for three times. In the three meetings with him, he gave me general guidance over my project progress, pointed out problems that I h ad made and took enquiries from me. First MeetingIn the first meeting, I came up with an idea of writing topic 8, and my mentor supported my idea. He gave me suggestions that potential problems that I may come up with, e. g. ratio explanation; and suggest me to review F7 (Financial Reporting) first to quickly pick up knowledge that I might forgotten, e. g. ratio analysis. After deciding the topic, I gave my mentor a list of companies that I want to analyze. The companies I selected are mainly operating in real estate industry, e. g. Frasers Centrepoint Trust, CapitaLand Commercial Trust and Suntec Real Estate Trust.Mr. Chan suggested that I need to choose a company that can make comparison, which means they have to have same year ending, similar operating area and both in form of trust. Only in this way, the ratios that have been calculated are meaningful and can be compared between two companies. From the first meeting, I learnt that a good targeted company and a good comparable co mpany selection is critical for a report. And also after the first meeting, I went through all the financial ratios, which helped me refresh my memory of what I have learnt during the F7 study.Second Meeting In the second meeting, I had finished main parts (financial analysis and business analysis) in my RAP project. After reviewed those analysis, my mentor pointed out that my explanation of ratios are not sufficient, and he shows me with examples as what is a sufficient explanation of ratio. He also suggests that I should have a segmental analysis regarding to Suntec REIT’ revenue. Besides these, he thought I needed to improve my references, which can make the analysis more convincing and have academic support.The second meeting is very meaningful indeed. It helps me improved my research report and taught me to think â€Å"deep†. For example, further explanation of ratios according to case helps my financial analysis much more meaningful. And it also helps me to know how to apply what I learnt in F7 study. Third Meeting The third meeting is relatively smooth; and my mentor’s main focus is on the format and presentation of my RAP projects. He pointed out certain wrong format of my references and inappropriate presentations, e. g. paper size, font size and line spacing.When the analysis report is about to finish, I was asked to prepare a presentation to my mentor and other students. After the presentation my mentor thought that I should improve my tone of speech to make it more convincing and encouraged me by saying that the RAP project is well prepared and he is very satisfied with my work. The third meeting with my mentor helps me to finalize my research report by adjusting things like font size and reference list. It let me know how to produce a standard and formal report, which will definitely be useful in future.And from presentation session, I learnt how to give an effective presentation to present my works. Extent to Which Research Q uestions Have Been Answered The objective that I set is to analyze the operation of Suntec REIT from financial and business perspective and try to help potential investors form a decision over the company. I believe after the research has been finished I have met the objective that I set and answered all the research questions. Though the research process is tedious, I managed myself to meet the objective answer the questions that I have set.Financial Analysis Firstly, I collect relevant information, e. g. 3 consecutive years of Annual Report of Suntec REIT and CCT REIT. Then transfer the Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Comprehensive Income in the Annual Report into excel format. After the transfer, I used excel to compute basic ratios, e. g. net profit margin, current ratio and gearing; and form another tab to put these ratios in organized form (table). For explanation purposes, charts and tables were made based on those ratios and absolute numbers, e. . profit and revenue; and again being put into separate tab in the excel, ready to be used in the writing process. After the primary data being transformed into easily explainable table and charts, the financial analysis process begins. The financial analysis proceeds in the order of segmental analysis, profitability, liquidity, leverage and investment ratios. Under each heading, the relevant ratios are compared between two companies, underlying meaning of the ratio are explained and the reason for adverse/favorable are explained.For certain ratios, the potential impact is also discussed. Business Analysis At the start of this part, the business model to be used was quickly decided. At that time, I thought PESTEL analysis and SWOT analysis would be appropriate for the analysis, as PESTEL analysis gives an external picture of the business environment and SWOT analysis can provide general view of the business operation. However, during the business analysis, I found SWOT and PESTEL have certain p arts are overlapping, and this gives me a serious lesson of careful picking business analysis model.And to mitigate the problem, I try to more specifically differentiate the overlapping parts, e. g. PESTEL more focus on specific external factors while Opportunities and Threats are more general view of the environment that he company facing. Same as financial analysis, business analysis begins with information collection. During this period, I visited websites that relate to the real estate industry, e. g. Singapore REITs (http://sreit. reitdata. com), went to school library and review previous text books.During I reading the information, I took down the relevant information may useful as preparation for the business analysis. The writing process of the business analysis is mainly relying on the information being gathered. The information is written under the relevant headings of the models. Besides with this, the potential impacts are discussed. The two analysis can help potential i nvestors to have a general view of Suntec REIT’s operation both from the internal financial analysis and analysis based from business analysis model.And this can help them to make their decisions over the company. Therefore I confidently believe that I met the objective that I met. Demonstration of Interpersonal and Communication Skills During Project Work I believe that interpersonal and communication skills have been showed throughout the course of my RAP. Oral skills were required when I met up with my mentor and when making my presentation to my mentor and other students. And my writing communication skill is demonstrated through my writing of my research report.Effective communication is significantly important in have a productive interaction between my mentor and me. Every meeting with my mentor must be effective. As such, I will spend time to form my questions on the issues that I wanted to ask and diligently write down whatever suggestions that Mr. chan gave me durin g our meetings. As far as I can, I will play an active role in the oral discussion about the issues that I prepared before the meeting. Open-ended questions were asked when I needed more elaboration on certain issues.And I will also ask close-ended questions when I need a confirmation on specific issues. Besides face-to-face meeting, I discussed with my mentor through emails, text messages, Skype and MSN between meetings. In order to avoid misinterpretations, I tried to make sure that every message was well thought and organized before transmission. Writing research report requires me to have good written communication skills. This includes proper grammar and appropriate vocabulary. Except for that, I must be able to do good summaries.During the meetings and other methods of communication with my mentor, I have realized that conveying my message in a specific manner is crucial. I must not be too ‘wordy’ and always should present my points in an organized manner and try to progress into details. In the presentation of my research report, I found encouraging audience participation is an important aspect in the presentation. I have used my body language to emphasize important points. Besides that, I have also made regular eye contacts with the audience so that they can remain interested in my speech.Except for that, I also need to be sure that I am perfectly competent to take any questions during the Q&A after the presentation. And in order to do so, I predicted any areas that the audience may question about and prepare my answer for it, so that I won’t be brain go bland and come up with meaningless answers. Benefits Of Undertaking The RAP In Accountancy Studies and/or Current Employment Role The RAP is a completely new adventure for me and gives me significant challenge to finish such a big project, which takes almost 4 months. And I believe I benefit a lot during the project.In the project I reviewed the knowledge that I have learnt, e. g. F 7, F9 and P3; and applied them in the chosen companies, i. e. Suntec REIT and CCT REIT. This experience helps me to have further understanding of the knowledge I have learnt, e. g. actual meaning of those ratios instead of their computation and the application of PESTEL instead of theoretical concepts. Besides that, I also find certain areas that I need to enhance on. In the business analysis, I used an overlapping business model being introduced to analyze the chosen company.This shows my weak understanding over that area. Immediately after the project, I read up relevant material in P3 so that to enhance my better understanding over the subject and to apply it more proficiently in the future. After the project, I also find more about myself. I find my advantages, e. g. organizing random and complex information. These advantages can help me recognize which area I am good at and take advantage of in the future. And at the same time I also find some short comes that I need to avoid o r improve in the future e. g. ack of time control and weak at prioritizing tasks. And these can help me to know what need to be pre-considered to avoid same issue happen again. Besides these, the journey of completing the project can somehow help me to promote my career in the future. †¢ In the research report, it taught me how to form an official report with convincing tone and objective facts. And this experience may let me to form formal report in the future work place. †¢ From the presentation part, I learnt how to give a great presentation to fellow mates and pass information effectively.In the future, I can know how to give a much greater presentation based on the OBU project experience. †¢ The application of those ratios into real cases builds my confidence in using them to analyze financial performance of companies in practice. All these experiences can help me to better prepare for my future career and increase my opportunity to â€Å"shine† in the wor k place. In conclusion, I have to testify here that RAP provides me an experience that will definitely contribute to my further ACCA study and future employment.

Andy Warhol Essay Example for Free

Andy Warhol Essay Choose cite format: APA MLA Harvard Chicago ASA IEEE AMA Andy Warhol is one of the significant famous personalities of the twentieth century. He is an artist, a film maker, a celebrity and even a businessman. Warhol advanced the Popular art movement in America. He made compelling and controversial art works that yielded praises and even criticisms. Warhol had once said, â€Å"I’d prefer to remain a mystery. I never like to give my background and, anyway, I make it all up different every time I’m asked. It’s not just that it’s part of my image not to tell everything, it’s just that I forget what I said the day before, and I have to make it all up over again† (Wrenn Andy Warhol: in his own words).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Andy Warhol was born in 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the son of Slovakian immigrants. His father was Andrej who was a construction worker who died when he was 13 and his mother was Julia. According to his mother, Warhol suffered three nervous breakdowns in his childhood (Andy Warhol). By 1945, he entered the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) where he majored in pictorial design . After college, Warhol went to New York and started his career in illustration and advertising for several magazines including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and The New Yorker (Cribbs Andy Warhol: Biography). It was film director Emile de Antonio who encouraged Warhol to start as an independent   artist because he considered commercial art as a real form of   real art. His fondness for art and commerce gained him several recognitions from established organizations (Andy Warhol).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   During the 1960’s, many of Andy Warhol’s most famous and iconic images were generated. By adapting various images from popular culture, Warhol created many paintings that remained icons of 20th-century art, such as the Campbell’s Soup Cans, Disasters and Marilyns. In addition to painting, Warhol made several 16mm films which have become underground classics such as Chelsea Girls, Empire and Blow Job (Cribbs Andy Warhol: Biography). Most of Warhol’s films were deemed plotless,   complex and somewhat pornographic. Though there were scripts, most of the dialogues in his films were improvised by the actors who were usually transvestites, homosexuals and his acquaintances. According to Warhol, he never particularly wanted to make simply sex movies, but attempted to show how people can meet other people and what they can do and what they can say each other. Warhol’s gradual withdrawal from films production coincided with his near fatal shooting in 1968 by a female ‘factory’ reject connected with an anti-male hate group (Andy Warhol). More so, in this period, Warhol moved to the â€Å"Factory.† It was his place at Union Square in New York City where he and his team of hired workers massly produced screen prints of popular culture. This immediately became the hangout venue for   artist, musicians, and actors where they expressed their individuality. The Factory also served as a working place where he produced most his masterpieces in art and film (Andy Warhol Biography).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the 70’s amd 80’s, Warhol had expanded his empire beyond mere art making. He was in the center of a corporation that produced films, books, plays, and was involved with television (Andy Warhol). He founded inter/VIEW magazine. He also created two cable television shows, â€Å"Andy Warhol’s TV† and â€Å"Andy Warhol’s Fifteen Minutes† for MTV . More so, Warhol had several collaborations with younger artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Francesco Clemente and Keith Haring (Cribbs Andy Warhol: Biography). In his book The Philosophy of Andy Warhol he wrote: â€Å"Business art is the step that comes after Art. I started as a commercial artist, and I want to finish as a business artist. After I did the thing called ‘art’ or whatever it’s called, I went into business art. I wanted to be an Art Businessman or a Business Artist. Being good in business in the most fascinating kind of art† (Andy Warhol).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Andy Warhol died after a gall bladder surgery on February 22, 1987. His funeral was attended by his friends, colleagues and more than   2, 000 fans at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York (Cribbs Andy Warhol: Biography) .   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Warhol made a huge contribution in art history. His eccentric personality brought him to beyond levels of stardom. He constantly shook the art industry with his controversial art works that were considered avant-garde during that era. Warhol’s personality have been subjected to several suspicions. His concepts and interpretations gave an impression that he was a homosexual. According to Wayne Koestenbaum’s psychoanalytical interpretation, everything was sexual for Warhol, who was †as gay as you can get† and he also said that â€Å"Warhol’s major artistic contribution was reinterpreting the worth of cultural waste products† (Andy Warhol). Many would think that Warhol is not a true blooded artist because mainly for the fact that he was driven by monetary ambition and even came to the point where he became obsessed in being rich and famous. But he proved that business can be mixed with art making. He utilized the best of both worlds, which are the corporate world and the art world. In a but shell, he merged art, wealth and fame producing the Pop Artist Andy Warhol (Andy Warhol Biography). â€Å" Andy Warhol Biography.† ArtQuotes.net. 28 February 2008   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   . â€Å"Andy Warhol.† 2000. Books and Writers. 28 February 2008   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   . Cribss, Martin. â€Å" Andy Warhol: Biography.† 2002. The Andy Warhol Foundation for the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Visual Arts.   28 February 2008 . Wrenn, Mike. Andy Warhol: In His Own Words. Omnibus Press, 1992. Andy Warhol. (2017, Mar 01).

Utilizing Export Management Companies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Utilizing Export Management Companies - Essay Example The purpose of this paper is to analyze five sources of information for new exporters, and explain the definition of some international trade terms as on the globalEDGE website. Exercise 1: Sources of Information for Exporters 1. Export.gov, http://export.gov/ Export.gov is by far the most diverse information source for both new and established exporters. The site has information on how exporters can obtain market research information for a product or industry of interest. The vast information source also helps exporters with the networking and promotion of their products. International trade fairs are incredible ways through which exporters can promote their products. Export.gov provides information on international trade events to help exporters popularize their products in targeted foreign markets. In its relentless effort to be a choice destination for seekers of incredible export information, Export.gov has prepared export readiness questionnaires for new exporters. In addition, the export information source also provides information on the protection of intellectual property rights in international territories. In pursuit of this highly sensitive aspect of globalised trade climates, export.gov provides information on issues such as antipiracy campaigns, process of obtaining international patents, trademarks or copyright, and ways in which exporters can file intellectual property right cases. 2. Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ Before an exporter can venture in export activities, it is vitally important to obtain the necessary legal documentation. Before taking steps to obtain licenses and permits relating to the export of a good to a particular country or territory, it is imperative to confirm which government entity is charged with the role of issuing the relevant documentations. Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) fills this vital role. The licensing of many export commodities falls under the DDTC. The DDTC website also provides information on export policies, regulations and embargoes applicable to the country of export. 3. Statistical Yearbook, http://unstats.un.org/unsd/syb/ Market information on product market and economic state of the target market is of vital importance in the export business of any kind. The Statistical Yearbook is a rich information source which is a brainchild of the United Nations (UN). The site has valuable information on a staggering 550 commodities from over 200 countries and territories. The information is mainly about on the economic and social aspects on the countries and territories listed. 4. Deloitte International Tax Source(DITS),http:www.dits.deloitte.com/ The tax implications associated to a particular line of trade in a certain country can determine the viability of the export business venture. Deloitte is one of the top international consultancy and accounting firms in the world. As such, the firm has wealth of information on the tax practi ces in many countries and territories around the globe. The DITS website offers a wealth of information on international tax rates and policies, and provides regular updates on any changes in tax laws. The expansive information source provides information on over 60 countries in the world. The extensive tax information could be of immense importance to many would be and existing exporters. 5. Commercial News USA (CNUSA), http://www.thinkglobal.us/ This is one of the best