Environmental Studies Essays – Global Warming

Cautions: Global Heating!The air quality of our ambiance has been in drastic alterations in the past century. Industrial revolution has cause major injury to our environment. Pollution, dumping toxic wastes into our ocean, and let go ofing harmful gases and sprays into the ambiance. These are some of the cause of planetary warming so unsafe in the universe ‘s environment. We should take more action towards planetary heating before it ‘s excessively late. What is Global warming? Global warming refers to an mean addition in the Earth ‘s temperature, which in bend causes alterations in clime ( Global ) . Population growing, deforestation, and pollution have increased by a big border from 20, 40, or even a hundred old ages ago. Since the Industrial Revolution, machines have changed the manner life we lived. Before the Industrial Revolution, human activity released really few gases into the ambiance, but now through population growing, fossil fuel combustion, and deforestation, we are impacting the mixture of gases in the ambiance ( Global ) . It is imperative that we, the people, take action on our deceasing environment, for the hereafter of our childs and coevalss to come. Unless stairss are taken to halt this patterned advance of events, and even in malice of such stairss, the huge bulk of the grounds shows that the Earth will go on to turn heater, with widespread and even ruinous consequences. How did we happen out what was the cause of planetary heating? After making some research, I learned that planetary heating is created by the nursery consequence: The nursery consequence is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the ambiance ( H2O vapour, C dioxide, azotic oxide, and methane, for illustration ) trap energy from the Sun. Without these gases, heat would get away back into infinite and Earth ‘s mean temperature would be about 60 F colder. Because of how they warm our universe, these gases are referred to as nursery gases ( Global ) . Make you cognize what a nursery is? Have you of all time seen houses with a little glass house in the backyard merely for workss? Well these glass houses besides known as a nursery. They are meant for workss to last through the winter clip by pin downing heat within the house. Since, Earth ‘s ambiance is really much like the nursery theoretical account, energy from the Sun passes through our ambiance where energy is absorbed by the air, H2O, and workss. Once absorbed, the energy so releases itself back into the ambiance and so releases into infinite. Without the nursery consequence, our clime could be black because the ambiance regulates our clime. It could raise or take down the temperatures, misbalancing nature. Even though the nursery consequence is good for the environment, it could besides be bad. Since the ambiance is filled with pollution, the energy re-releasing back into infinite sometimes gets trapped by the ambiance and warms up the Earth ‘s clime. Pollution is one of the largest jobs in today ‘s environment. By breathing harmful gases such as C dioxide which are chiefly released from autos and power workss, harmful gases will construct up into the ambiance. The harmful effects of gas build up in the ambiance and can increase the temperature of the Earth which could jeopardize workss, cause wild conditions forms, or alter land formations ( Global ) . There are many ways to increase the effects of planetary heating such as taint, wastes, or deforestation. One of the largest manufacturers of pollution is power workss. Harmonizing to the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) , turning on the telecasting, utilizing the washer/dryer, or even turning on a visible radiation can assist take to more nursery gases since they use electricity which originate from power workss. The exhausts of power workss are created from the combustion of dodo fuels which are released into the ambiance. What is fossil fuel? Harmonizing to the Greenhouse Effect article, fossil fuel originated from workss. Plants take C dioxide from the air. When the works dies, the remains are buried in the dirt. After 1000s and 1000s of old ages, the C dioxide is transformed into a coal or oil which is fossil fuel. The General Accounting Office survey forecasts a 42 per centum rush in electricity production over the following two decennaries that will hike U.S. power workss ‘ C dioxide emanations by 35 per centum and quicksilver emanations by 9 per centum ( Eaton ) . Si nce the population of the universe is turning each twenty-four hours ; people are traveling to utilize more power which would make more fossil fuels being burned up and more power workss being built to suit the rate of the population. Even though there are no innovations to do fossil fuel exhausts to be more friendl to the environment, there are other options to cut back on firing fossil fuels. By conserving power, we can cut back on electricity which could assist by firing less fossil fuel. Part of the job could be solved by change overing these workss to fire cleaner natural gas ( Overview ) . There are other options to bring forth energy that do n't come from power workss such as solar and weave energy. Solar energy is known to utilize solar panels to garner energy from a heat beginning such as the Sun. This energy is gathered and stored in a level panel where it is stored until the energy is consumed. Unlike Solar energy, there is another manner to garner energy from our environment. Wind-power energy gathers energy from the air current. Have you of all time driven in the main road and seen these big white fans on the top of a hill? Well, those fans are wind conservers. They act the same as solar but by the ai r current. The sum of energy additions depending on the velocity of the air current. In other words, the faster it goes, the more energy is gathered. Technological progresss have brought the cost of electricity generated by the air current down by 82 per centum since 1981 ( Overview ) . Today, the mean individual normally drives himself/herself to work, go, traveling or dropping person away at school, yet do they cognize how much injury it can do merely to make an errand? With 1000000s of autos goaded each twenty-four hours, many harmful toxins are released from the autos exhaust. The sum of gases released can do harmful effects to the environment and to wellness. Like power workss, autos are merely little versions of power workss, but with so many of them being driven, it could be worse than power workss. The exhausts of these autos can take to take a breathing jobs chiefly for older people since their lungs are normally weaker. Organophosphate insect powders, such as diazinon, disulfoton, azinphos-methyl, and fonofos, are used widely in agribusiness and in family applications as pesticides. Over 25,000 trade names of pesticides are available in the United States, and their usage is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) . The release of the pesticide can do kids or people, if inhaled, to do malfunctions in their immune system because it mutants their cells. To assist the environment, engineering can be really helpful in diminishing the nursery consequence that is blighting our environment. While there is no engineering to take C02 from a auto ‘s fumes, we can do them foul less by doing them more fuel efficient ( Overview ) . Making autos that are fuel efficient can cut back on fuels being used by autos. Hybrid autos ( Gas/Electric Cars ) are being created that Lashkar-e-Taiba you go over 800 stat mis before a fill up for fuel. Newer engineering is leting autos to run further by utilizing less gas by switching the engine between electricity and gas. If we are to do any advancement in decelerating planetary heating, we must do our autos go further on a gallon of gas ( Overview ) . Wastes are another big job in our environment and a helper of planetary heating. Sometimes anti-environmental groups shit wastes into lakes and oceans where they could pollute an country and misbalance the ecosystem. This can do a job because wastes could let go of risky stuffs that could be radioactive or really harmful that can do people to be ill. Yet, do the people know what the consequence of this waste can do make to the environment? As a Norman Myers said, if we do n't watch what we do with our resources and what we do to our environment, our resources will shortly be depleted which will do a immense struggle throughout the universe. Make you cognize where your rubbish is being dumped everyday? If you say in a landfill, you are right. A landfill is where your rubbish is processed and compacted and stored. Yet what does the construct up of landfill have to make with planetary heating? The rubbish that we send to landfills produces a nursery gas called methane. It is a merchandise of decomposition of organic affair and of the carbonisation of coal. Methane is one of the nursery gas chemical compounds. Methane is besides produced by the animate beings we raise for dairy and meat merchandises and when we take coal out of the land ( Global ) . Like power workss and autos, rubbish can be really risky in the physique up of the nursery consequence. Since rubbish and wastes are acquiring overcrowded in landfills it could take to problem in the close hereafter. Runing out of room to hive away our wastes, there are ways of shortening the burden of rubbish by recycling. Recycling is the procedure of recycling waste to do new stuff. Even though the public thinks recycling is good, it can besides be bad. The usage of sewerage sludge as a fertiliser poses a more important lead menace to the land than did the usage of leaded gasolene. All sewerage sludges contain elevated concentrations of lead due to the nature of the intervention procedure†¦ Lead is a extremely toxic and cumulative ( Stauber 108 ) . Recycling wastes to make fertiliser on workss can harm husbandmans and ruin agribusiness. The stuff in these wastes is really harmful because it could be contaminated with unnatural substances. Land spreading of sewerage sludge is non a true ‘disposal ‘ method, but instead serves merely to reassign the pollutants in the sludge from the intervention works to the dirt, air and land H2O of the disposal site ( Stauber 109 ) . Destroying nature can besides shorten the life span of the Earth. Deforestation, the procedure of cutting down trees could upset the ecosystem or the environment. Harmonizing to the EPA, The projected 2C ( 3.6F ) heating could switch the ideal scope for many North American wood species by about 300 kilometers ( 200 myocardial infarction. ) to the North ( EPA ) . Since trees remove C dioxide from the air, cutting down the trees would merely ensue in clime alterations. If the clime alterations easy plenty, warmer temperatures may enable the trees to colonise north into countries that are presently excessively cold, at about the same rate as southern countries became excessively hot and dry for the species to last ( EPA ) . Due to deforestation and planetary heating, the displacement of clime alteration dries up the dirt which would be impossible to turn anything. This is how comeuppances are created. The per centum of the universe ‘s workss threatened with extinction is much larg er than normally believed, and could be every bit high as 47 per centum if tropical species are included, research workers said ( Study ) . How can we assist halt the people who are cutting down the trees? By making the antonym, seting trees would assist the environment since it removes C dioxide, a nursery gas. At the rate of seting one tree is about the same rate of 1000s of trees being cut down. Regulating tree cutting companies would decelerate down the procedure of deforestation but it is still a job because wood is really high in demand for lodging and building. How is nature keeping up against planetary heating? The effects of planetary heating have destroyed 1000s of places by inundations, created new diseases, and have left 100s homeless to the violent disorder of awkward conditions forms. Global warming effects do non merely alter the temperatures ; they can take to the alteration of conditions forms and the rise of sea degrees. Lay waste toing floodsjust some of 526 important natural catastrophes in the first nine months of the yearripped through parts of Europe, China, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh this twelvemonth, killing 1000s of people and go forthing 1000000s more homeless. Even though some states might acquire positive effects such as helping against drouths, other states would acquire effects from planetary heating ( UN ) . The alteration of conditions forms can be really black to nature and the sea since it alters the ecosystem. By altering the ecosystem, animate beings and flora are pushed out of their home ground and into a different location. Wild life is n't able to accommodate to the new environment easy because they would n't cognize where to garner nutrient or struggles with other species. Weather forms can make tsunamis ( big tidal moving ridges ) which would crash into coastal parts making erodings. Sea degrees are lifting due to the rise of temperature due to planetary heating. Sea degree may lift between several inches and every bit much as 3 pess during the following century ( EPA ) . Due to the thaw of glaciers, H2O is lifting from the ocean which is saltwater and it can distribute or deluge inland endangering workss and animate beings. If we do non assist the environment now, our planet wo n't be in the close hereafter. It is of import that the people understand that harming the planet to a grade can do the extinction of the Earth. Rise of temperature, alteration in conditions forms, toxic wastes skulking in our air, we are vulnerable. If we want to last on this planet in the hereafter, we must move now before it is excessively late. Stairss need to be taken to cut back and decelerate down planetary heating until newer engineering can change and to assist the length of service of our universe.

A comparison of three songs of Brecht’s “Mother Courage and her Children” with the parados and 3rd stasimon of Sophocles’ “Antigone”

The play, â€Å"Mother Courage and her Children† was written by Bertolt Brecht in 1939 as an anti World War II play. â€Å"Antigone†, by Sophocles, was written somewhere between 400 and 500 B.C and talks about the debate between family laws and state laws in the form of a popular drama. Through analyzing the three songs â€Å"The Fraternisation Song† (scene 3), â€Å"The Song of the Wise and the Good† (scene 9) and â€Å"The Song of the Hours† (scene3), it will be seen that these songs can be contrasted with the parados and 3rd stasimon of the play â€Å"Antigone†. â€Å"The Fraternisation Song† is a song of caution voiced by Yvette, the camp prostitute, to the gullible Kattrin. Yvette denounces the opportunistic faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade of love and the foolishness of belief in the higher concepts of love. In the first stanza consisting of 12 lines, Yvette portrays her deflowering by the enemy. The three types of rhyming patterns are â€Å"abcb†, â€Å"aabb† and â€Å"abba†. In the second stanza of 12 lines, Yvette gives us a closer look at the idiocy when she gave herself up to the camp cook and saw other girls do the same. The third stanza of 12 lines relates the birth of recognition and understanding in Yvette as it dawns upon her that war brings nothing but melancholy and disaster in its wake. She describes how men condescended with her notions of love and how love was twisted to rape towards December. The month December is an allegory for the departure of the soldiers as well as the loss of innocence. There is grief an d a sense of terrible loss etched in those two words: â€Å"December came.† Her song brings to light the general futility of conflict and the personal loss of her innocence. The second and third stanzas follow the same rhyming pattern as the first. â€Å"The Song of the Wise and the Good† boldly criticises and ridicules virtues during times of war. The first stanza of 10 lines is a simple tale of the wise Solomon who was acclaimed for his lofty ideals and his throne like position above the littleness of mortals. The first stanza goes on to tell the readers how Solomon was cut down because of his wisdom. The second stanza of 10 lines describes Julius Caesar's mighty fall from his invulnerability due to his reckless courage. The third stanza of 10 lines shows the death of Socrates because of his honesty. Death because of altruism is seen in the death of the unfortunate martin in the fourth stanza. The fifth stanza jests at the essence of the Ten Commandments and the precarious position that godliness occupies. All the stanzas follow the rhyming patterns â€Å"abcc†, â€Å"ab† and â€Å"abab†. Throughout the song, the following four lines act as a necessary refrain to reinforce the idea that virtues are unreliable during war: â€Å"But ere night came and day did go The fact was clear to everyone: It was our wisdom/bravery/honesty/unselfishness/godliness that brought us low. Better for you if you have none.† â€Å"The Song of the Hours† consists of 10 stanzas of 4 lines each. The song is presented by the hapless Chaplain which talks about Jesus Christ and the Crucification. The song describes how Jesus was condemned of murder in the 1st hour by Pilate the heathen and later taken to King Hesiod. In the 3rd hour, Jesus is flogged mercilessly and the mockery of a crown made of thorns was placed on his head and a robe flung over his body. The 6th hour recounts the Crucification and Jesus' plight and his continual mockery by bandits resigned to the same fate. The scene is so cruel that even daylight looks away. In the 9th hour, Jesus gives up his soul and miracles are seen. The most interesting aspects of the song are the last two stanzas which talk about Jesus' maltreatment by the heathens who laugh at ‘this simple son of man' The song, in context of the play, reminds the readers of the imminent death of Swiss Cheese who is compared to Jesus in this regard. It tells us that war reveals all the blood and gore and the ugliness of society and any semblance towards beauty is mutilated. All three songs from the play bring to light one aspect of the play. They are all reminders to Mother Courage of war bringing along agents of destruction and mayhem in its wake. Moreover, not even a drop of profit can be wrenched from a time of war; it tends to suck in all virtues and innocence. The parados in â€Å"Antigone† highlights the events that have occurred till the moment of the entry of the Chorus and the present situation. The Chorus talks about the battle between the seven commanders of Argos and seven heroes of Thebes outside its seven gates. The Chorus claim that victory was foreseen as Zeus and Ares had themselves lent a hand towards their aid. The Chorus also notes with misery the death of the brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices. Finally the Chorus harks for peace and forgetfulness. There is also a general stir as they have no idea why they are summoned to council by the new king, Creon. The 3rd stasimon projects the theme of Love as an evil entity. Eros, harbinger of passion, is omnipresent and omnipotent. No man or god can resist its allure. The 3rd stasimon records how love drives beings to unreasonable actions and fires them up into activity. The 3rd stasimon underscores the fact that Antigone, a daughter of Oedipus, had committed treachery because of the love of her brother. The parados and the songs are both lyrical pieces which relate to war. However, unlike the ridicule of virtue and the loss of innocence which revolve as themes, the parados applauds and glorifies the notion of war. Lines such as â€Å"he flew over the land/Screaming like an eagle† and â€Å"Too much for him as he fought/The dragon of Thebes† adds an appealing quality of myth and heroism to war. The stark contrast is evident in â€Å"The Song of the Hours† in which the lines â€Å"And the blood and water ran/And they laughed at Jesus† tells us that the best of intentions and sacrifices mean nothing to minds fed by war. The concentration of the parados is on war itself whereas the songs examine lateral themes as a consequence of war. The other point to note is the fact that there is a sight of victory and virtues like forgetfulness are broached and seen with optimism. The songs shun notions of victory and virtue. The 3rd stasimon condemns the idea of love as an unpardonable emotion which drives men to recklessness. However the contrast is seen when love is feared and given a godlike stature whereas the songs treat any semblance to virtue like dirt. Love is, clearly, laughed at. Moreover the objects of criticism are not similar as love does not entirely constitute a virtue. There is an underlying similarity seen in the 3rd stasimon and â€Å"The Song of the Wise and the Good†. Virtues and love drive men and women to commit recklessness which sentence their existence to the doldrums consequently. Yvette and Antigone are clear examples. In the 3rd stasimon, love as a flaw is the object of focus whereas in the songs the idiotic behaviour is brought to light. Both the 3rd stasimon and the songs look at criticism; however the songs view the object with ridicule whereas the 3rd stasimon criticizes with unconditional reverence.

Bretton Woods Institutions

The world war two had far reaching consequences on the social, economical, technological and political aspects of the main combatants. The worst hit nations included the European nations and Japan. Technological and economical systems of these nations either collapsed or were left in very poor states. There was an inordinate loss of life on a very large scale, additionally, the wanton destruction of property including industries, public and private property was previously unimaginable.As the war subsided, different parties were thinking of establishing a system that would facilitate the reconstruction of the affected economies in Europe and Japan. Indeed, even as the war continued, delegates representing several countries converged in Bretton woods New Hampshire (USA) in 1944 and established the Bretton Woods Agreement. These agreements were aimed at assisting in the reconstruction of the major economic systems ravaged by the war. The delegates signed the Bretton woods agreements in July 1945 and established the IMF, the World Bank and the general agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT).This paper examines the role of Bretton woods institutions in the reconstruction of the European and Asian economies following the end of World war two. The paper especially focuses on the objectives, the role, the achievement and the shortcomings of the World Bank in the post World war two period between 1945 and 1955. Aims and objectives of the World Bank The World Bank was formalized on December 27th 1945 when 28 of the member states ratified the Bretton woods agreement [Milward, A. S. (1984)].The main arm of the World Bank that was most active in the post world war two was the International Bank for reconstruction and development (IBRD). The core aims of the institution are set out on its inceptions were: †¢ To finance reconstruction projects in the countries ravaged by war. This was done through the provision of loans to these economies at very low rates of interest [Nic holas, C. and Toniolo, G. (1996)]. The loans were meant to facilitate reconstruction through investment activities that had high potential of generating income.Some of the areas to which loan money was channeled were the agriculture research and development, areas of human development such as education, health and recreation (Sports). Infrastructural development was also targeted to benefit from the loans since the war had brought most systems to their knees. Roads, railways, Airports, Seaports, Communication networks as well as Electrification networks were rebuilt through World Bank loans. In 1947 the World Bank extended $ 250,000,000 loan to France for reconstruction and this remains the biggest amount of loan extended to a single state [World Bank Webite-www.imf. org/archives]. †¢ To finance the rebuilding of industries in order to promote technological development among the European states and Japan. The post world war two period also provided numerous activities for indus trial growth and development of innovation culture that had been fueled by the war. Areas such as Air industry, weaponry industry, Communication industry as well as the Motor industries among others provided opportunities for investment and development [Axel, D. (2004)]. †¢ To seek ways of raising funds for development by issuing securities in the international financial markets.†¢ To promote private, local and foreign investment that was deemed worthwhile. This was done in collaboration with the particular state’s government as the guarantor of the loan. †¢ To give financial advisory services to member countries. The World Bank endeavored to give these financial services through provision of information and such in the areas of business development and finance [Hanson, J. L. (1972)]. †¢ To give grants as well as reviewing loan status of the member states. †¢ To give loans to fund specific projects.These were projects that were considered vital to the economies of member countries. †¢ To provide monitoring and evaluation services. The World bank indirectly sought to keep an eye on the progress made on the projects that it had founded to ensure that funds were not misappropriated or channeled to other projects not ear marked for funding [Hanson, J. L. (1972)]. The World Bank also took pains to evaluate the effects (economical and environmental) of the projects undertaken to ensure that they did not pose a threat to the people in the long run.Importance of the World Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). When the World Bank became operational in 1946, it had about $10 billion at its disposal for the purpose of giving Developmental loans to war-torn European nations [Ellis, J. (1999)]. The World Bank played an important role in the dispensation of capital that facilitated a fast rate of economic recovery. The World Bank was charged with the responsibility of identifying projects that were vi tal to the particular economy and also to provide the necessary support financial or otherwise for their completion.The formation of the World Bank provided member countries with a channel to pool together resources that enabled them to make speedy progress [Winter, J. M. 1980]. Working closely with the IMF, the World Bank assisted member countries with balance of payment problems and this helped in preventing an economic fiasco similar to the one of the great depression of 1930s[Harold C. L. (2004]. In addition the World Bank was to operate as an independent institution that was managing its own finances as well as its own investment programs.This ensured that it had money to lend to its members and not have to turn to the subscribers for more money every now and then for money to give as loans. By giving money in form of grants, which was not expected back, the World Bank boosted the economies of the needy states hastening the rate of recovery. At the same time the World Bank emba rked on research projects that positioned it strategically in the provision of quality information and advice to guide decision-making. The International Monetary Fund. The International Monetary Fund was established together with the World Bank.Among the stated objectives of the IMF are to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate the expansion of international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, help in the achievement of a common stable and flexible exchange rate and reduce poverty [Lipsey, Richard, G. (1989)]. The IMF was established to help in dealing with the anticipated post World War 2 growth as well as enhancing the same. It came in handy in assisting to reduce imbalances in balance of payment. It also helped in the regulation of the asset reserves of member countries.In recent years the IMF has continued to play an important role especially in helping developing nations to reduce poverty among the population. The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The Bretton woods strategists also created this. It was formed with the aim of eliminating the existing trade barriers that existed between member countries in order to pave way for a speedy economic integration [Pollard, R. A. 1985]. This was a noble idea but GATT never became an institution but remained a set of agreement the US never ratified.Over the years since the end of World War 2, there have been many GATT talks and resultant agreements called rounds. The most famous is the Uruguay round of 1986 known for its ambitions. It endeavored to increase the GATT reach to new levels. In 1995 the World Trade Organization (WTO) replaced GATT. The WTO is a fully-fledged institution that performs the very purposes for which GATT or International Trade Organization (ITO) was originally designed to perform. European nations post war economic integrationThe Bretton woods agreements were designed to enhance the participation of the member coun tries in international trade through the removal of existing trade barriers [Grogin, R C. (2001)]. The escalation of technological advancement opened new opportunities in industrial developments and the loans offered allowed the member nations to take advantage of the arising opportunities. The allied nations were thus able to strengthen their collective economic dominance [Parillo, M. (2003)]. This was a goal that had been envisioned by the US even before the end of the war [Goldsmith, R.W. (1946)]. Critics of the US have argued that these self-serving motives were the driving force behind the US commitment in helping the European nations. Nevertheless the effects were increased economic integration of the western European economies. The Marshal plan This plan was by a large extent the brainchild of the US state department secretary George Marshall [Charles L. M. (1984)]. It was devised as a ploy to strengthen the allied nations and by extension strengthen the US standing in relati on to the communist force [Hogan, M. J. (1987)].Marshall plan became operational in1947 and was very successful in the four years it was in operation. Through this program $13 billion was dispensed to assist in the economic recovery of several European nations. The U. K, France, Netherlands, Italy and Germany received some of the largest amounts. These economies responded positively such that in less than seven years after the war, the economies were booming [Hardley, A. (1972)]. The Marshall plan contributed in economic integration because it eliminated some previously existing trade barriers [Harrison, M. (1988)]. Role of multilateral institutions in Post war Europe.Keen to prevent any further/future conflict of the World War 2 magnitude, the US oversaw the formation of the United Nations (UN) IN 1945. The other institution formed was the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The United Nations was very active in post war period and among the first major contribution was the establishment of the Nation of Israel following the Jewish holocaust [Wallich, Henry Christopher (1955)] Additionally the United Nations was also active in providing humanitarian aid to refugees and all those affected by the war. Many historians associate the role of the United Nation with the speedy economic recovery.Critique Some scholars have criticized the world for being a western tool. By this they imply that World Bank employs economic policies that work in favour of the western countries. The Bank advocates for a free market economy this would mean that economies are fully liberalized. This has the potential of devastating weak economies and give advantage to the strong ones. Other weaknesses include lack of inflexibility in giving loans, delay in intervention usually with negative ramifications and Interference with the sovereignty of some member countries especially the poor nations.Conclusion The Bretton woods institutions played an important role in the reconstruction of the European nations after the world war two. The rate of the economic recovery that was experienced by these nations, would have been impossible to achieve without the intervention of organized an institution to provide support as well as checks and balances that were necessary in the achievement of this growth. Additionally the formation of the Bretton woods institutions allowed these nations to participate fully in the utilization of the opportunities that the existed in the post war period.This resulted in the economic boom, especially in the Western Europe between 1950 and 1970 that saw these nations recapturing lost glory and joining the mainstream economies as important players. However critics like professor Noam Chomsky of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, argue that the World Bank is fulfilling its aims of alleviating poverty and promoting development- but are helping rich nations and individuals get richer, and making it impossible for poor nations ever to pay o ff their debts. Others have held to the argument that the commitment displayed by the U. S.A was just a facade that was meant to mask the real intentions of domineering US ambitions. This might have been true but it does not negate the benefits that were achieved. The multilateral institutions that were mostly founded in the 1940s played a significant role in brokering peace as well as ensuring that systems were in place that would allow for peaceful co-existence between nations . The world Bank continues to play a key role especially in assisting developing nations in areas of governance as well as in offering financial support required to enable them to achieve sustainable development.It is therefore important that the institution continue to adapt to the times in order to remain relevant to the changing needs of these nations. The Weaknesses must be turned to strength if the institution is to maintain the reputation it currently enjoys. References Axel, D. (2004), The Influence o f IMF Programs on the Re-election of Debtor Governments, Economics & Politics 16, 1: 53-75 Charles L. M. (1984). The Marshall Plan: The Launching of the Pax Americana. New York: Simon and Schuster. Pp 3,5,7-8. Ellis, J.(1999). Brute Force: Allied Strategy and Tactics in the Second World War Goldsmith, R. W. (1946), â€Å"The Power of Victory: Munitions Output in World War II† Military Affairs, Vol. 10, No. 1. pp. 69-80; Grogin, R C. (2001) Natural Enemies: The United States and the Soviet Union in the Cold War, 1917-1991. Lanham, Md. : Lexington Books. Hanson, J. L. (1972). A Textbook of Economics. Macdonald and Evans Ltd, London. 6th Ed pg 501 Harold C. L. (2004). Military Medicine† in Walter Yust edition. 10 Eventful Years Harrison, M.(1988) â€Å"Resource Mobilization for World War II: The U. S. A. , UK, U. S. S. R. , and Germany, 1938-1945† in The Economic History Review, Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 171-192 Hogan, M. J. (1987). The Marshall Plan: America, Britain, an d the Reconstruction of Western Europe, 1947-1952. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. John Maynard Keynes in his speech at the closing plenary session of the Bretton Woods Conference in Donald Moggeridge (ed. ), The Mason, Edward S. ; Asher, Robert E. (1973). The World Bank Since Bretton Woods.Washington, D. C. : The Brookings Institution, 105-107, 124-135. Lipsey, Richard, G. (1989). An Introduction to Positive Economics. English Language Book Society, 7th ed. Pp 7255. Milward, A. S. (1984). The Reconstruction of Western Europe, 1945-51. London: Methuen. Marshall, G. (1947) â€Å"Against Hunger, Poverty, Desperation and Chaos† at a Harvard. (Can be read from http://www. foreignaffairs. org/19970501faessay76399- p0/george-c-marshall-The speech. ) Nicholas, C. and Toniolo, G. (1996). Economic Growth in Europe Since 1945.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Pp 3-5 Parillo, M. (2003), â€Å"The Pacific War† in Richard Jensen et al, eds. Trans-Pacific Relations: Amer ica,Europe, and Asia in the Twentieth Century pp. 78-117. Pollard, R. A. (1985). Economic Security and the Origins of the Cold war, 1945-1950 (New York: Columbia University Press, pp. 8. Wallich, Henry Christopher (1955). Mainsprings of the German Revival. New Haven: Yale University Press,. Pp 123-267 Winter, J. M. â€Å"Demography of the War†, in Dear and Foot, ed. , Oxf Bretton Woods Institutions The Second World War featured a host of nations battling all around the world for supremacy; it was believed that the victor would have the privilege to shape the future of the world and so it seems. The Allies finally emerged victors in 1945; among them were the powers of today, U. S. A. , China, France, U. K, and Russia. Behind them was a host of other States that had show support during the difficult times. In 1945 the Allies had met in Bretton Woods U. S.A and came up with strategies that would ensure that he mistakes that had been made over the years would be avoided; it was in this conference that the Bretton Woods Institutions were formed. Among them were the International Bank for reconstruction and Development (IBRD) today known as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The two were formed after a number of states ratified and agreed to the rules as stipulated in the agreement at Bretton Woods (Veseth 2002).The main role of these institutions was to ensure that the mistakes of the past were not repeated; they were to ensure that the trade among nations would flow freely, to stabilize the world’s financial system, and to encourage international investments (Lechner 2009). In other words these institutions were to assist in the reconstruction and development of Europe after the war; many of its signatory members were European States. It was therefore a Western Idea for the Development of capitalist oriented economies.This paper will look at the success of these institutions decades later. Today the two institutions are still there; working towards the development of economies. After their formation the two institutions successfully managed to rejuvenate the European Economy. Europe then went a head and through a series of agreements, starting with the integration within the coal and steel industries, formed the European Commission and later on the European Union was formed. It seeks to establish a common Europe; with a common currency , constitution, economy to mention a few (Veseth 2002).It is therefore correct to say that the Bretton Woods system was successful within Europe as it succeeded jump starting the economies and later on the same economies merged to form a single unit; looking at the objectives, there will always be free flowing trade within EU, by using a single currency to trade within Europe means that the exchange rate is stable thus enabling the Euro to function any where in Europe and finally as it is evident for quit some time the economies of Europe along side those of the world have been stable.To add to this there has been significant growth for quite some time. It is therefore true to say that the strategy worked (Mansbach & Rhodes 2009 and Spielvogel 2008). The system was also tried within the African economic landscape with different results; the opposite happened as economies that were once growing with high rates slumped down. It was indeed a western idea for a western economy. Some may argue that the strategy worked in Europe because it was created for that purpose.Unfortunately after the Second World War, the world was once again divided, this time along ideological lines; Capitalism versus Socialism. On e advocated for a market oriented economy while the other called for a strong state control to prevent the exigencies of the very same market. Europe was also divided along the same lines. Eventually Capitalists emerged victorious in 1989. This cemented the role of the dollar within the global Economy. The U. S. A dominated the Global economic scene; just as they intended soon after the formation of the Institutions.This has worked for years; the dollar has managed to give confidence and earn respect of economies in the world for quite some time. The dollar for quite some time was the only universally accepted exchange rate, it was the standard. Unfortunately this was also the mistake the system had (Spielvogel 2008). Over dependence on the dollar was not the ke y idea behind the founders of the system. I believe it was imposed to ensure the dominance of the U. S. A in the global system; they are the most powerful and everybody wanted to be allied to the West.This over reliance has over the years made the system shaky; the objectives were to ensure the stability of the global financial system. Unfortunately this was to be proven other wise with the occurrence of a second major global financial crisis; characterized by a weakened dollar and therefore instability within the financial system, a reminder of what happened when the system was over reliant on gold back in the 1920s and 1930s. This is therefore a proof that the Bretton Woods institutions are long over due for an update (Lechner 2009 and Veseth 2002).In conclusion, the Bretton Woods system was a great idea for the unification of the Global financial system; it has successfully seen the world united through globalization. The whole system is now interconnected and economies are depen dent. It has also seen the development of Europe successfully to what is seen today; the European Union. Unfortunately it has failed to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated; the recent financial crisis was a repeat of the Great depression that lasted for almost a decade between 1929 to late 1930s.Therefore the strategy was a good idea but it needed the input of all economies and therefore interdependence among states and economies. Reference: Lechner Frank J. (2009). Globalization: The Making of a World Society. Chichester U. K; Malden MA: Willey-Blackwell. Mansbach R, W & Rhodes E, J. (2009). Global Politics in a Changing World: A Reader. 4th Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Spielvogel Jackson J. (2008). Western Civilization Alternate Volume: Since 1300. Wadsworth Pub Co. Veseth Michael (Ed). (2002). The Rise of Global Economy. London: Fitzroy DearBorn Publishers.

The greatest improvement

The greatest improvement in the productive powers of labor, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity, and judgment with which it is any where directed, or applied, seem to have been the effects of the division of labor.†This is the first paragraph excerpted from Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. com/compare-and-contrast-karl-marxs-and-walt-rostows-theories/">Adam Smith is regarded as the Father of Modern Economics, and the Father of Capitalism. Smith’s most famous work, The Wealth of Nations was the first systematic attempt to explain the workings of the economy in market terms, emphasizing the importance of the division of labor. The fundamental element in Smith’s viewpoint is his focus on the importance of the free market in ensuring the highest level of quality of commodities at the lowest prices. Smith’s philosophy is that human beings are naturally individualistic.He furthers political theories that emphasize the individual, and proclaims the worth of each individual. He believes that human beings will interact most effectively when they live in a society of economic freedom, with individualistic philosophies that tend to emphasize what people can do as individuals, not what they can do as groups. In The Wealth of Nations, he states that: â€Å"In a free economic system, an individual is led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention†¦By pursuing his own interest, he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.† We can understand in this excerpt that because individuals constantly seek to better their own condition, they will continually direct resources to better uses when it is possible to do so. This will result to their and other people’s advantage which can consequently better or improve the conditions of others as well.Adam Smith believes that the tenets of the free market system can improve the living conditions of individuals. In his view, free markets allow all individuals in an economy to improve their conditions. This collective improvement by individuals results to national improvement – the wealth of nations. He believes that a free market enables individuals’ significant self interest to exercise itself within the limits established by a government that controls people from performing positively bad actions.Smith states: â€Å"Man has almost constant occasion for the help of his brethren, and it is vain for him to expect it from their benevolence only. He will be more likely to prevail if he can interest their self-love in his favor, and show them that it is for their own advantage to do for him what he requires of them†¦It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.†This paragraph very well sums up Adam Smith’s philosophy that individualistic tendencies can very well result to the improvement of others, and to the wealth of nations.Smith greatly believes on the benefits of the division of Labor. The division of labor is a fundamental component of economic growth and it is this division allows the wealth of nations and individuals to develop. The division of labor requires a free market in order to be most effective.Where there is a closed or highly regulated market, or monopolies or guilds control productive practices, inefficiencies can often result. Subsequent to John Locke, Smith also sees labor as the ultimate source for all value. Smith states: â€Å"Labor†¦is the real measure of the exchan geable value of all commodities.†Resources:1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Great Political Thinkers. Plato to the Present. Sixth Edition. William Ebenstein. Allan Ebenstien. Chapter 23: Smith. Pages 492-497.

Evolution of Roles and Societal Perspectives on Aging Essay

Evolution of Roles and Societal Perspectives on Aging - Essay Example Before the World War II there appeared many new theories on aging that have a quite different view on it. The role theory that was applied before the war time had the following critical elements: older people do not just waste there time - but get new experience and find new meaning in life. It also claims that the majority of aged people do not want to lessen their role’s significance. The proponents of this theory also claimed that roles become vaguer with aging. The post war period was signified with the new theory on aging – disengagement. It says that because of â€Å"inevitable declines with age, people become decreasingly involved with the outer world and become more interior in anticipation of death† (Bath 2003). This theory also explained the transition of power from the old to the young. The next theory to consider is the continuity theory. It claims that with aging a person works out some new patterns of behavior and the life satisfaction depends greatly on how these patterns correlate with the past experience. The hypothesis of the continuity theory is: central personality traits become more pronounced with age or they are retained without many changes (Moody, 2006). One can make a deduction here that those people age successfully who keep to their habitual roles in life. The modernization theory that appeared in the 80’s defines four elements that encourage economic development: urbanization, education, techological changes and development, and economic production growth. As a result of these four factors interwork the theory deducts that while in traditional societies the role of older people is still active, in modern societies they lose all the power and do not bring any advancement to it. Modernization brings about deterioration of small and cosy communities where older people played sagnificant role. Moreover, modernization adds to

Maryland v. Pringle, 540 U.S. 366 (2003) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Maryland v. Pringle, 540 U.S. 366 (2003) - Essay Example After asking Partlow, the driver, for his registration the police recognized a roll of money in the compartment and sought to perform a consensual search before allowing them to proceed. The police seized $763 and cocaine stuffed behind the armrest of the back seat. The three acted ignorant of the drugs and money by denying ownership or knowledge of the drugs. This prompted the officers to have all the three arrested, taken to the police station and given a Miranda warning (Carmen & Walker, 2014). However, Pringle relinquished his Miranda rights confessed to own the drugs and money without the knowledge of his friends. Consequently, the trial court sentenced him for possession of cocaine for circulation. However, Pringle claimed that his arrest was illegitimate but was denied motion and had to face ten years of custody without parole. Although, the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland unanimously supported the conviction, the Court of Appeals of Maryland reversed it. The court reveal ed lack of sufficient evidence to arrest, since even Pringle did not show any sign of previous knowledge, control, or authority over the drugs and money. Firstly, the officer’s arrests did not breach the Fourth Amendment by arresting Pringle on probable cause. However, there was not proof of Pringle’s culpability beyond rational doubt. Based on the case Brinegar v. United States (1949), warrantless searches should be founded on reasonableness. The arrest was not reasonable given that speeding was the particular reason for pulling the car and not drugs and money. Consequently, a determination of the events leading to the arrest by the court led to the reversal of the decision to convict Pringle for ten years. Despite acknowledging that the money was innocuous, and not worth consideration as a determinant of probable cause, the court agreed on the existence of probable cause in facts such as driving at

Industry Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Industry Analysis - Essay Example rs behind the recovery of the global economy, which had been adversely affected by the recent financial crisis and its financial shocks for the past five years (Pendrill 4). Currently, the industry is worth USD 800 billion, and market analysts predict that the global market for vehicles, particularly that of cars and light vehicles will increase from the current 80 million units bought annually, to reach more than 100 million by 2020 (Pendrill 4). Market analysts are forecasting that that the larger portion of the market expansion will come from emerging economies, including India and China among others. According to the statistics provided by the World Bank, car ownership in these markets stands at 58 cars per 1000 people in China and 18 for India; these figures are not comparable to those of European countries, where the average ratio is more than 500 cars per 1000 people. The high car ownership ration shows that European markets are saturated, therefore will not be the major drivers of market growth for the industry (Pendrill 4). In the recent past, the leadership of the automotive industry has featured three dominant players, including Toyota Motors, General Motors and Volkswagen AG. As of April 2013, these three giant players competed against one another, with the target of taking the top place (Muller 1). The race remained tight between the three main players, in the areas of production output and that of sales levels. During the year 2012/13, Toyota made sales of 9.7 million cars and trucks, which gave it a better standing, as compared to General Motors. General Motors, during the same year, sold 9.29 million cars and trucks and Volkswagen sold the least number of units out of the three companies; Volkswagen sold 9.1 million vehicles. However, from a comparison of the revenue levels, the profits made and the value of assets, Volkswagen was the unchallenged winner; VW made higher figures, when compared to the two other main competitors: Toyota Motors and GM