Political economy Essay

Most people don’t think about their country’s economy unless it happens to be the nature of their business or unless it somehow directly or indirectly has an impact on the manner of living to which they’ve become accustomed. Economy is the financial circumstance of a country based on its level of prosperity which is determined by the success or failure of it business practices and dealings and proved by the lifestyle of its citizens. The economy is only as good as its management while management is only as good as its political economy. The political economy is a combination of economic and political factors that determine the methods of management or governing. Just what method of governing is best for a country’s economy remains a topic of debate. According to David Coates, â€Å"†¦capitalism as an economic form can be distinguished by the qualitatively distinct mixes of technologies, forms of business organization, characters of labor forces and state functions that come to predominate within it. (Coates) There are three methods of governing capitalism: market-led capitalisms, state-led capitalisms, and negotiated or consensual social capitalisms. The United States is an example of market-led capitalism. In this form, decisions are left to the discretion of private companies. While lucrative to the higher-ups within the company, employees are often only minimally compensated in the wages they earn and in industrial and social privileges. In this form of capitalism, the states involvement is constrain ed and extends only to creating and protecting the market. Ideals related to morality and business ethics are unique to individual companies and tend to be permissive. In state-led capitalism, decision making is left up to the private companies, but only after they’ve met with the approval of administrative leadership within the banking system. Japan is a shining successful example of state-led capitalism. In consensual social capitalism state regulations are minimal, but the political system supports the rights and welfare of the labor and allows them to cast their votes in decision making. Sweden and Germany are strong examples of consensual social capitalism. (Coates) Scholar, Milton Friedman contends that democracy and the rule of law are key factors that together, are instrumental in growing a strong economy. While research ratifies the benefits of property rights and the rule of law, it conveys ambivalent reactions towards the benefits of democracy. Stable property rights and an effective legal system are positive reinforcements, but even when property rights are unstable it doesn’t necessarily affect the economy adversely. Situations such as this tend to increase business activity. When the government spends money to help maintain and protect the rights of businesses, it can actually strengthen the economy. When regulations are tightened to the point that they hinder businesses and increase tax rates, it’s then that the economy is negatively affected. In a democracy, redistributions of income by means of land reforms and social welfare are implemented in order to alleviate social discord. When the governments response is exorbitant, this too will have and adverse affect on the economy. Democracy does have its flaws, but it has greater potential and is more favorable than that of an autocracy. (Robert J. Barro) In the context of rapid marketing and global integration, the consensus was that capitalism adversely affected the labor wages in countries with low labor costs. Brazil, however, has a renewed eagerness for capitalism. According to Arminio Fraga, with Gavea Investimentos, â€Å"Taken together, these things have created a new enthusiasm for capitalism, a feeling that the stockmarket is not a casino and that being part of the world economy is a good thing. (Sen) Their currency is strong and the economy is getting stronger. Companies have a more positive outlook in regards to international integration. The citizens of Brazil are also reaping the benefits. Although Brazil remains closed for the most part, they are reaping the benefits of their limited involvement in the international market. Despite the fact that Brazil is closed, it’s not unaffected by e conomic situations in the United States. A short time after the stock market crashed in 1929, Brazil’s democracy ended and a dictatorship rose up out of the dust. Brazil’s economy was hit again in the 1950’s when coffee prices soared in the U. S and again in the 1970’s when oil prices rose. It’s also been adversely affected by economic crises in other countries. Author, Sen sums it up this way, â€Å"Its politics are frustrating: corruption is rife in public life, violence widespread, illiteracy normal, poverty stubborn. And yet compared with the Brazil of old, this has the feel of a golden age. † (Sen) Trade liberalization has been a slow and steady process in Brazil. Attempts at policy reforms have met with road-blocks and often the progress that was made was lost. Despite setbacks, Brazil has made more progress in building an industrial base than other Latin American countries. They fought back against the debt crisis by pushing its exports. This move proved to be smart and effective in that it stopped the grouping of economic conglomerates. Other countries didn’t fair as well but, between 1982 and 1992, Brazil showed a trade balance of over $11 billion. (Schamis) The economy is gauged in various ways. Peter Gourevitch says, â€Å"Economic performance derives from political choices, social organization, culture, circumstances, history. † (Gourevitch) Investors measure the performance of the economy with specific indicators including the gross domestic product, job growth, consumer confidence, weekly retail sales, monthly retail sales, earnings growth rates, and the Institute for Supply Managements index. Some of these indicators, however, are determined by the spending habits of the citizens. Spending habits can also be a reflection of consumer confidence. When sales are up and the public is investing their money, it’s a fairly reliable indication that the economy is in good shape, at least from the people’s perspective. Unknown) The quality of life of the citizens should definitely be considered when gauging the performance of economy. Brazil’s economy is fairing far better now than it did for twenty years. Since 2004, the economy has shot up at a rate of 4. 5%. The economy is stable and growing. Paulo says, â€Å"In fact, for those excited by economic meltdowns and political turmoil, the place has become r ather dull. † (Sen) As recent as 2007, the stockmarket experienced growth by 44%. Overall, growth increased to 5. 4%. In comparison to Russia, India and China, one might think that Brazil’s economy is dormant and insignificant, but nothing could be further from the truth. Although out-ranked in size, Brazil’s economy is growing and strong. Once hounded by the persistent problems of inflation, debt and democracy, the country has successfully overcome them and now their economy is in good standing. Due to considerable reforms, Brazil’s corporate and financial future looks bright as well. Growth is fixed and holding. Inflation is no longer out of control and has stabilized. Foreign exchange has gradually increased and so has foreign investment. International reserves have also stepped up. Domestically speaking, retail sales have increased to 9. 7 percent and auto production has reached 13. 9 percent. The unemployment situation is improving and new jobs are being created. There has even been a rise in social mobility. Now, 49 percent of the population is in the ranks of the middle class compared to 32 percent 2002. Success has been a long time coming for Brazil. According to Mauro Leos, Vice President of the Sovereign Risk Unit, these achievements were reached by means of good luck and hard work.

`As I lay Dying` by Faulkner and `Long Day’s Journey into Night` by O’Neill Essay

Family, the most important social unit, influences the thoughts and behavior of its members. When the members of a family are able to bond with each other and share their inner most feelings, it has a positive impact on the character and attitudes of the family members. But if the family members are alienated and isolated from each other, then it results in loneliness and sorrow for the family. The novel â€Å"As I Lay Dying† by William Faulkner and the play â€Å"Long Day’s Journey into Night† by Eugene O’Neill depicts families that are dealing with alienation and loneliness. In the novel â€Å"As I Lay Dying†, the members in the Bundren family react in different ways to the death of Addie Bundren, the mother. The thoughts and the views of the Bundren family members point towards their isolation from each other. The play â€Å"Long Day’s Journey into Night† focuses on the Tyrone family and the isolation of the family members from each other. As I Lay Dying In the novel â€Å"As I Lay Dying†, the author brings forth the views of the Bundren family members regarding each other. The mother in the family, Addie Bundren is on the verge of her death. Although Addie Bundren is the mother of Cash, Darl, Jewel, Dewey Dell, and Vardaman, it is Jewel that she loves the most. Addie Bundren is leading her matrimonial life with Anse Bundren but she never truly loved him. Unsatisfied by her marriage, she gets involved into an extramarital affair with her preacher, Reverend Whitfield. Jewel was the child, born out of this illicit relation, and so Addie showered more love and affection on Jewel than the other children. As Cash was Addie’s first child, she loves him too whereas she shows no affection towards her other children. Addie’s unhappy marriage influences her behavior towards her children. Addie herself is aware of her isolation from her children and her husband. She struggles to cope with her isolation, and at times attempts to make others feel of her presence. Being a school teacher, Addie beats her students to make them realize about her influence in their lives. â€Å"I would think with each blow of the switch: Now you are aware of me! Now I am something in your secret and selfish life, who have marked your blood with my own for ever and ever. † (Faulkner 170). After Addie’s death, the alienation and loneliness of the Bundren family is more evident, as each member reacts to the death in a different way. The family members are more concerned about their individual problems and conflicts than the death of Addie. â€Å"In As I Lay Dying, the various members of the Bundren family, are driven by conflicting interests and oppressive secrets that inevitably set them apart from one another. † (Cavallaro 35). Instead of thinking about themselves as a part of the family, the Bundren members are in pursuit of their personal aims. Long Day’s Journey into Night The play â€Å"Long Day’s Journey into Night† depicts the Tyrone family and the conflicts occurring among its family members. The mother in the family, Mary is addicted to morphine and the father and the two sons in the family are alcoholics. When the play opens, Mary has returned from a sanatorium where she was treated for her addiction. The youngest son in the family, Edmund is suffering from tuberculosis. As the play progresses, the family comes to know about Edmund’s disease and the fact that Mary has not yet succeeded in giving up her addiction. This leads to conflicts between the family members and brings about alienation among the Tyrone family members. The behavior of Tyrone is also one of the reasons which alienate the family members from one another. Tyrone is a frugal person who is careful about the way he spends his money. In the play there are many instances which point towards his frugality. He always insists on switching off the lights in the night, â€Å"There is no reason to have the house ablaze with electricity at this time of night, burning up money! † (O’Neil 126). The other family members blame his frugality as the reason for Mary’s condition. Mary is unable to connect with her family members, owing to her guilt. Tyrone is having strained relations with his son. As all the family members are struggling with their addictions and problems, they are incapable to bond with each other. â€Å"In O’Neil, characters are locked into their histories, unwilling or unable to push their freedom and responsibility, with horrible consequences. † (Cotkin 23). The Tyrone family members fail to identify themselves with their family. Their individual conflicts and problems cause the isolation among the family members. Conclusion Both the families in the stories â€Å"As I Lay Dying† by William Faulkner and â€Å"Long Day’s Journey into Night† by Eugene O’Neill depict families which are struggling with alienation and isolation. The members of the Bundren family in the novel â€Å"As I Lay Dying† are so engaged in their personal problems that they fail to connect with each other. Similarly, the Tyrone family members in the play â€Å"Long Day’s Journey into Night† are in conflict with each other, owing to various reasons, leading to alienation and loneliness. Works Cited Cavallaro, Dani. The Gothic Vision: Three Centuries of Horror, Terror and Fear. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2002. Cotkin, George. Existential America. JHU Press, 2005. Faulkner, William. As I Lay Dying: The Corrected Text. Vintage Books, 1990. O’Neill, Eugene. Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Yale University Press, 1956.

My HR Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

My HR Plan - Assignment Example The compensation package of the company is fit to motivate the employees. The training program of the company is appropriate for training the new employees. The new employees of the company will be provided training so that they can understand the job requirements correct and act accordingly. Table of Contents Overview 4 Recruitment and Selection 8 Compensation and Benefits 9 Performance Management 10 Training Program 10 Ways of Training 11 12 Overview An HR plan is a systematic process of matching the interest of the employees with their talents and skills so that the long term goals of the organization can be met. An HR plan is critical for setting up a strategic plan of an organization as it will help to determine whether the organization will be able to achieve the goals in the future. This HR plan is a comprehensive plan which would help the organization to achieve its goals. The leadership of an organization must be able to successfully guide the employees in achieving the goal s. The HR manager must prepare an appropriate plan which would help the organization to achieve its goal (Asdorian, 1992). Therefore before setting up the HR plan the company needs to decide on type of plan it wants. There are three different types of plan, company level plan, developmental level plan and job level plan. The plan can be on national level, sartorial level and industrial level. These plans deal with the responsibilities of the human resource department in the respect of manpower planning are:- a) Assist the operating mangers to set objectives so that they can direct the employees properly. b) Collect the manpower data and then summarize it for preparation of a long term HR plan. c) Monitor the performance of the employees and see whether it is according to the HR plan. d) Provide research information for effective manpower planning. The basic objective of an HR manager is to ensure that the employees are able to maintain their lifestyles. The elements that should be k ept in mind while preparing the HR policy must include appropriate monetary allowance, housing allowance, education costs of the dependent and transportation allowance. Now in the context of the company Skypack Ltd which is an audio set manufacturing company based in USA has been chosen. The company is presently headquartered at New York. The company was established in the year 2000 by J. K. Packman. The company is indulged in the manufacturing and marketing of audio devices. However there are a many variants for the product. It mainly offers 4 categories 2.1 channels, 4.1 channel, 5.1 channel and large boxes of 10000 watt sound systems. Presently the company operates only within the US market and owns 35 exclusive retail outlets. However the company also proposes to expand into the international arena. The major competitors of the company are Altec lancing, Boss, Creative, Alesis, JBL and other local palyers. Within 10 years of its incorporation the company has been able to achieve a respectable position in the market. Currently the company holds 22% of the market share in context with audio devices. The company has also developed a core competency for itself in the form of wireless devices. All the audio sets of the company are wireless. Also the qualities of the products are according to the international standards. The reason behind such innovations is to remain with the current trends. In the context of work culture, the company has a

SAM 400 UNIT 8 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

SAM 400 UNIT 8 - Essay Example ate the team members to be aware that their tasks are mutually dependent thereby increasing the flexibility of the team and increasing the team’s response time (Musselwhite, 2007). The team’s response quality is extremely reliant on the feedback gotten from the leader of the team, customers and other members of the team. Musselwhite (2007) asserts that obtaining timely feedback is vital to the team’s success. On the other hand, the team leader is supposed to make sure that feedback has reached the whole team according to its metrics and goals. In addition, feedback is supposed to be obtained in time in case of corrections and adjustments. Mostly, feedback is obtained too late for it to add any practical value. Even if feedback may be used in planning future things, instant corrections needed in performance may not be enhanced by it. Feedback can be termed as a productive communication. It is very useful to a team leader. Communication that is productive within the team is very essential. This communication among team members may lead to improvement in the productivity and quality of the team. Timely feedback can differentiate between a team viewing mistakes as great opportunities and a team that is concealing its mistakes (Musselwhite, 2007). In a certain point when the team sees faults as chances of improving the results of a team, it indicates that the leader of that team has effectively developed an environment that endorses solving of problems. When the members of the team are allowed to develop their performance, they can be more engaged and proactive. Moreover, teams have big ownership of results discovered by them. According to Musselwhite (2007), another way of creating a team structure that is overly effective is by developing an environment suitable to solve problems. In case the structure of the team is poorly arranged, it can lead to negative behaviors among the team members and hinder communication. In an event whereby the team is having

Art Appreciation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Art Appreciation - Essay Example The â€Å"Number 1† painting is also known as the Lavender Mist. It is one of the most famous of Pollock’s paintings using his â€Å"drip technique.† Here, a visual prejudice blinds the viewer to the appreciation of real qualities beyond their visual experience as the dripped skeins of colors and the sensation of their existence in a deep space produce the aura of a lavender mist. (Peacock 1995, 207) As with most paintings in Abstract Expressionism, Number 1 features a natural focus on expressivity manifested in gestures as evident in the border of handprints, the body is logos, literal mark-making, among others. The idea is that a painting is not merely a painting, but instead, the painter – his body and his self-expression - is the painting or at least one with it. For me, â€Å"Number 1† is an example of fine art because it shows the exuberance of the American contemporary art, particularly in Abstract Expressionism. While the masses may seem to be offended with â€Å"Number 1† because they cannot make out the meaning visually, the painting communicates to the emotion. It banks on the response or at least the impression of people in the context of their view of reality. Also, as Pollock, himself explained: â€Å"It seems to me that the modern painter cannot express the present age of the airplane, the atom bomb, and the radio in forms of the Renaissance or of any other past culture.† (Gilbaut 1985, 246) And so, in a gigantic piece he sought to capture the very essence of his subject matter and was successful in it. The major reason why Willem de Koonings painting "Excavation" is a masterpiece for me is that it translated and condensed what critics call as our period of anxiety within the four corners of the canvas. The visual impact of the intertwined flashes of eyes, teeth, lips gives the impression of a seething crush in form and it

The Negative of Internet on Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Negative of Internet on Education - Essay Example Students approach internet facility to resolve their queries, but are liable to be trapped in fallacies due to lack of understanding and knowledge. Research studies reveal that children seek internet as an aid to please their curiosity about all those ambiguous materials which are otherwise forbidden for their age, this exposure could be intentional or accidental, either by means of e-mail spam or through pop-up windows that may contain perilous stuff for them. Elders guidance is desired to keep a check on the use of internet by their ward(s) to prevent them from hoodwinks of internet, from acquiring erroneous conceptual understanding, and to protect their wards from online exploitation. Internet information inundation not only engrosses an individual but also sidetracks from the normal course and conscience, thereby squander valuable time which otherwise could be utilized in creative activities to attain knowledge and building appropriate concepts. Internet is therefore considered as a burden on the education as it inculcates pseudo-trust "everything is available on internet" and students pay less attention in their

Discuss in what ways have these two technological innovations had an Essay

Discuss in what ways have these two technological innovations had an impact on international relations - Essay Example In addition to its ability to connect the different IT systems, internet also facilitates people on individual level to connect to one another. Internet has provided people living in different countries with the most cost-effective means to interact with one another more often. Thus international relations have been promoted through internet both on the level of a common man in the society and the nation as a whole. Since the introduction of internet into the society, it has been frequently used by the virtual organizations to create online democracy. Input for the decisions that affect the national and international political scenario is retrieved from the internet voters. Where this has generally provided the concerned authorities with a fairly convenient means of getting the public opinion on one hand, it has also, on the other hand, limited the representation of a significant population that is uneducated on the use of internet. It is noteworthy that a vast majority of the intern et users all over the world belong to the elite minority that represent â€Å"a fairly narrow spectrum of political discourse relative to local contest, rather than witnessing the emergence of cyberspace democracy or the incipient triumph of the internet in promoting civil society and democracy† (Moon-Gi 58). This speaks of the fact that the internet is yet far from being a setting for the democratic society that wants to share its views and make an impact through the cyberspace. The expansion of the cyberspace has conventionally had a huge impact upon the nature of political dialogue amongst the nations in general and their economic development in particular. Another prime driver of the online activity is the social sustainability. Cyber democracy requires increased representation of all communities of the society. Nuclear Bomb With the creation of nuclear bomb, the nature of war has undergone an altogether change. The world would have been a much different place to live in had nuclear bomb never been invented. Perhaps, there would have been more frequent breakouts of wars both within and among the countries all over the world. In the past, success in the war fundamentally depended upon the manual strength. People used to fight with arrows, swords and guns. Nuclear bomb has obviated the need to make use of any of these ancient weapons in the contemporary wars, yet nations tend to find other ways including dialogue and reconciliation to settle their disputes with their rivals rather than starting the war because there is no â€Å"winning the war† when it is a nuclear war. The nuclear war is just as harmful for the nation that is attacked as it is for the one that attacks, provided that both of them are nuclear powers. Since the division of the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan in 1947, tensions between the two nations only strengthened. The two countries have twice had a war with each other once in 1965 and the second time, in 1974, whe n East Pakistan got separated from its Western wing and became Bangladesh. At the time of division, it was decided that the cities with Muslim majority would make part of Pakistan. Kashmir, the Indian-held place with a majority of Muslims into it has conventionally

Marketing Report Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Marketing Report - Case Study Example The current revolution of information and communication technologies is changing our business environment drastically: new technologies influence the way we organize our work and the environment in which we compete, introducing new rules and new relative powers among incumbents, newcomers and even entire markets. This complex, evolving environments are referred to as new technology playgrounds This paper focuses on the case of Parker Pen Company. The first part of the paper provides an overview of the case and the nature of the marketing and communication techniques used by the company, the second part of the paper focuses on some of the miscalculations the company did, that cost them a fortune. The last part of the paper provides the conclusion and recommendation. The case Parker Pen Company focuses on a key player in the writing industry. It main activities include the manufacturing of writing instruments and are one of the world's best known companies in the domain. As a global company, its products are sold in 154 countries and the company considered itself number one in 'quality writing instruments'. ... The last part of the paper provides the conclusion and recommendation. 1.1Overview of the Parker Pen Company Case The case Parker Pen Company focuses on a key player in the writing industry. It main activities include the manufacturing of writing instruments and are one of the world's best known companies in the domain. As a global company, its products are sold in 154 countries and the company considered itself number one in 'quality writing instruments'. Things didn't work out and remain the way the company had thought and plan as its global marketing and communicating strategies designed and planed at the headquarters cost the company a fortune. The company failed and made huge marketing and product positioning mistakes, they neglected local values and cultures and in all management failed to recognize that, as other one size fit all brands like coca cola, Parker Pen Company with its quality writing instruments cannot be matched and placed in the same domain. Huge other errors and calculations were made and to make matter worst, practitioners and pioneer of the Parker Pen global marketing concepts were fired. A company that was once used as benchmarking models a super hero, and a world class in quality writing instrument became a laughing stock. In global marketing, if cultural and competitive differences are less important than their similarities, a single advertising approach can exploit these similarities to stimulate sales everywhere, and at far lower cost than if campaigns were developed for each. However, the situation of Parker Pen proofs the contrary. The company's marketing department would have acted with respect to different market, for the issue of standardization, one sound, one size as in the situation of coca cola

Writing a program to see if a child is 18 years of age Coursework

Writing a program to see if a child is 18 years of age - Coursework Example The implementation is through the PHP inbuilt methods of POST[] and GET[]. The age format that has been input is verified using an age PHP function: The age difference of the user is calculated by comparing the age that has been input by the user and the current day and time that the process is taking place. It is possible by virtue of a PHP inbuilt function: If else function determine if the user will proceed. If the user is above 18 years, he will be allowed to proceed by displaying â€Å"you are Welcome, Click on the link bellow to proceed† and upon clicking the link will be taking to a page that he can shop. Else if the age difference is bellow 18 years a - verifying the age of the user through the registration process that will only allow registration of users with age of 18 years and above. It reduces the redundancy of verifying the age of the user every time they are making a