Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 24

Management - Essay Example odel, which has since long dominated the people management strategies adopted by managers in workplaces to constantly keep their employees motivated in order to derive better performances. However, during the past couple of years organizational management has undergone significant transformation in the manner in which it seeks to motivate its employees. The traditional methods of offering extrinsic rewards or economic benefits to the employees in order to keep them motivated and garner higher productivity and hence revenues, has become obsolete ever since the introduction of the concept of intrinsic motivation, which is required in today’s workplace. One of the most commonly discussed economic ideologies is the fact that it emphasizes on the aspect of personal economic gain as a key motivating factor within an organizational environment. Various eminent theorists and authors such as Ed Schein, Abe Maslow and the likes have stated that employees have a higher-order personal needs which govern their behavior. There is a wide amount of literature which claims economic rewards as a key motivator however the evidence on higher employee productivity on account of intrinsic rewards has been mounting in the past couple of decades (Thomas, 20022). Extrinsic benefits or rewards commonly include monetary compensation as a primary tool of enhancing employee performance. However, despite its widespread acceptance, especially among the managers who view it as a most effective means of improving worker productivity, this method has attracted severe criticisms recently. A significant proportion of these criticisms are mainly on account of wide spread research, which offers empirical evidence regarding the failure of extrinsic motivation to ensure and sustain, long term organizational performance (Perry et al. 20093; Ingraham 19934; Kellough and Lu 19935; Milkovich and Wigdor 19916). Furthemore, it has also been observed in past researches that debates concerning employee

International Strategic Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

International Strategic Management - Assignment Example This study seeks to investigate about the strategic management of Etihad Airways, since the Great Depression of 2007. Studies have shown that there have hardly been any companies that could escape from consequences of the recession and aviation is regarded as one of the worst affected sectors. As a result, choosing Ethihad to evaluate their strategic management approach is justified. Therefore, before proceeding further, the study throws light on a brief description of the company. The analysis until now has revealed that the company had been quite successful in ventures that had been undertaken till date. The innovative partnerships of the company with most significant airlines of the world have created a long-term sustainability for the company. This assignment has discussed in details about strategies that had been undertaken by Etihad Airways during the difficult economic phase of global financial crisis that had crippled the world economy severely. This assignment has used various concepts of strategic management to understand business development of Etihad. It has been observed that even during the difficult economic phase, the company had achieved solid growth through strategic alliances with other Airlines, cost efficiency through fuel hedging, cutting down operational cost and promoting development in a sustainable manner. The outcome from following these strategies had resulted in strong financial growth.

Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Sector Of Bangladesh

Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Sector Of Bangladesh Introduction: Entirely export oriented Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector of Bangladesh has experienced a noteworthy enhancement since its commencement in last half of 1970s. Strangely enough, though this major industry is now totally based on private entrepreneurial efforts, its inauguration was rooted into an export consignment of Shirt which was done by Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the state operated trading agency, in mid ‘70s. The export consignment held with some East-European countries. However, the entrance of private entrepreneurs in this sector gifted it with a tremendous boost. Background: Reformed domestic policy and the international Multi-Fiber Agreement (MFA) are the key procedures that ameliorated the condition of Bangladeshi RMG export (Quddus and Rashid, 2000). In the decade of ‘80s, Bangladesh adopted a modification in national economic policy to run its economy under the tutelage of World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Establishment of Export Processing Zones (EPZ) channeled foreign direct investment in this sector (Bhattacharya, et al., 2001, p.2-26). Money-spinning facilities like cash assistance, income tax rebate, freight and power rate rebate, tax holiday, loans at lower rate, provision of back to back Letter of Credit (LC), guarantee scheme for export credit, decreasing interest rate in export credit, reducing harbor charges, bond facilities for warehouse, duty free imports of raw materials and productive machineries, were offered to export oriented RMG industries (Mayumi, 2004) The MFA was an agreement of World Trade Organization (WTO), done in 1974 which set quotas for export of textile and garments related products from the developing countries (Rahman, 2004). Under this agreement, USA and Canada, the then largest RMG importers, imposed quota restrictions and maintained a limit in importing products from countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Sri-Lanka, India, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia. Moreover, some countries had also major internal problems, like, sudden increase in labor cost in Sri-Lanka (Siddiqui, 2003). As a result, for minimizing the cost, the importers started looking for alternative sources and Bangladesh became a lucrative source for them for facilities like low labor cost and large export quotas (Wigg, 1990, p.154-159). Bangladesh received preferential treatment by USA and European Union, as a less developed country. Paradoxically, within 1985, Bangladesh appeared as a giant in international apparel sector and beca me a major competitor for the suppliers in USA, Canadian and European market. Thus, the bed rock of this major industry of Bangladesh was set down and slowly gradually this industry has become the core of the national economy. Later, RMG sector also received other facilities like Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) from USA and UK. Major problems of RMG industry of Bangladesh: In spite of being the main source of the money stream in internal economy of Bangladesh, the Ready-Made Garments sector is in continuous threat by some major and crucial factors. As a result, the whole sector is in risk and in a volatile situation which may disgracefully collapse the whole sector as well as the country’s economy. These problems or threats can be categorized in following sections: Critical political condition In-apt workers Lack of proper in-work precautionary security measures Workers Dissatisfaction i. Critical political condition: Internal political instability and security threats due to such instable condition has become a serious concern for the RMG industry. If we focus on recent situation, only during the political unrest in October and November, 2013, this industry had to count a loss of minimum TK. 2000 corer and orders worth $2.40 million were cancelled by the buyer only in first ten days of December, 2013. Moreover, due to the rail-road blockade, the exporters had to do air shipment which also compelled them to bear an extra expense of $0.9 million. For delayed shipment the exporters experienced a price cut by $4.65 million as orders valuing $6.6 million were supplied in delay (Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, December 12, 2013). ii. In-apt worker: Bangladesh is now a major competitor in international RMG market. This makes it compulsory to maintain the quality of the product. Quality control in production unit largely depends on time to time training and workshop programs organized for the workers. But, ironically, such initiatives are absent in Bangladesh. As a result, the qualities of the products are degrading which sometimes result in cancellation of the consignment and creates a negative image in the international market. iii. Lack of proper in-work precautionary security measures: The most serious issue regarding the RMG sector of Bangladesh is most of the factories lack proper safety measures against any unwanted perils. This is making the working zone immensely risky which also violates the rules and regulations of International Labor Organization (ILO). Such irresponsible attitude of the factory owners is the key reason behind many accidents in recent years which have taken great tolls of life. In past 11years, approximately 730 workers were blazed and killed and about 4700 workers were injured in several fire accidents in garments factories. The amount of deaths and casualties in building collapse is numerous. Only in the building collapse on April 24, 2013 of Rana Plaza in Savar, 1,130 people were reported to be dead and approximately 2,515 injured people were reported to be rescued from the building (New Age, April, 2013). Continuous accidents like Spectrum Sweater Industries, Phoenix Garments, Smart Export Garments, Tazreen Fashion, Garib Garib, Matrix Sweater, Ha-Meem Group and many more has made the foreign buyers too much concerned about the issue. iv. Workers Dissatisfaction: The RMG sector has faced several incidents of strikes by the workers for the issue of inadequate payment. The workers belong to the lower income group of the society. Although, this sector is the backbone of the country’s economy, the radar of the sector, the workers, are not even paid the minimum to keep their heart and soul together. The sector became volatile due to labor unrest for the first time in 2006 and since then it has become a regular phenomenon. In 2006 the unrest condition was mitigated by discussion with the labor representatives and the minimum pay rate was decided to be Tk. 1662.50. But the agitation aroused again in 2010 and the rate was revised to Tk. 3000 per month which came into effect in November 2010 (The Daily Star Forum, August 2012). But, if we consider the current inflation and living cost, the logical minimum wage should be higher. According to Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the minimum wage of a worker is shown below: Issues Tk. Daily Food Costs (average of male and female) 108 Monthly Food Costs 3240 Monthly Non-Food Costs (52% of total cost as per the FGD) 3510 Food + Non Food Costs 6750 Required Monthly Minimum Wage=(Food costs + Non-food costs) 6750 *Moazzem, K.G. and Raz, S., 2013, Revision of the minimum wage in RMG sector, pp.28. Conclusion: In current perspective, RMG sector is the lifeblood of the economy of Bangladesh. Both GDP and GNP depend on this sector. As a result, for the betterment of the national economy it’s must to strive to alleviate the problems of this sector. Moreover, the sector currently employs about 4.2 million workers whose fate directly depends on the existence of RMG sector. References: Moazzem, K.G. and Raz, S., 2013. Revision of the minimum wage in RMG sector, pp.28 Mridha, R.U., 2012, Causes of RMG unrest. The Daily Star Forum, [internet] August  Available at: http://archive.thedailystar.net/forum/2012/August/rmg.htm  [Accessed 4 March 2014] Alamgir, M. and Haque, M., 2013. RMG workers killed in fires, factory collapses in 11 years. The Daily New Age, [internet] 25 April  Available at: http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-04-25nid=47200  [Accessed 4 March 2014]

Date Rape :: essays research papers

Date Rape When people think of rape, they might think of a stranger jumping out of a shadowy place and sexually attacking someone. But in fact there different forms of sexual assault. Acquaintance Rape also known as date rape, is one of the most common among female adolescents and college students. About 60% of all reported rapes are committed by someone the victim knew. Rape is a crime of violence, and you can be arrested, prosecuted and properly punished by the law. There are ways to try to prevent date rape. The most common way to get into trouble is the idea of â€Å"you say no but you mean yes.† Since women are most often the victim of date rape, they must be firm in their response against sexual advances. If a person feels they don’t want to do something, be firm with the rejection. Being embarrassed, or coy will not send a clear signal and will lead to trouble. A possible disadvantage is that, some may take this the wrong way, perhaps of being accused of something they had no intentions of, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Another form of prevention is a specific plan. Know what’s on the itinerary, where one will be going, what kind of place it is, and inform others of possible whereabouts. This way a female for example does not find themselves in a situation that could be potentially harmful. The advantage to this is that if the date has any ideas about using date rape as a romance technique, he will see awareness and intelligence and perhaps think twice about the crime about to be committed. A disadvantage, as in any other situation, sometimes a woman with enough self esteem to protect herself, is intimidating to some men. One may find it harder to achieve a second date. The third and final way to prevent date rape is to get and pay for your own drink. Loud music and poorly lighting can definitely affect our senses, specially when it is so easy to stick a tablet into a drink that dissolves within seconds. If a female pays for her own drink and it stays with her at all times, there will be no worry of drug use for the purpose of rape. Although it is very tempting to let a handsome stranger buy drinks, it is a big risk to take, when you don’t know who that person is. Date Rape :: essays research papers Date Rape When people think of rape, they might think of a stranger jumping out of a shadowy place and sexually attacking someone. But in fact there different forms of sexual assault. Acquaintance Rape also known as date rape, is one of the most common among female adolescents and college students. About 60% of all reported rapes are committed by someone the victim knew. Rape is a crime of violence, and you can be arrested, prosecuted and properly punished by the law. There are ways to try to prevent date rape. The most common way to get into trouble is the idea of â€Å"you say no but you mean yes.† Since women are most often the victim of date rape, they must be firm in their response against sexual advances. If a person feels they don’t want to do something, be firm with the rejection. Being embarrassed, or coy will not send a clear signal and will lead to trouble. A possible disadvantage is that, some may take this the wrong way, perhaps of being accused of something they had no intentions of, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Another form of prevention is a specific plan. Know what’s on the itinerary, where one will be going, what kind of place it is, and inform others of possible whereabouts. This way a female for example does not find themselves in a situation that could be potentially harmful. The advantage to this is that if the date has any ideas about using date rape as a romance technique, he will see awareness and intelligence and perhaps think twice about the crime about to be committed. A disadvantage, as in any other situation, sometimes a woman with enough self esteem to protect herself, is intimidating to some men. One may find it harder to achieve a second date. The third and final way to prevent date rape is to get and pay for your own drink. Loud music and poorly lighting can definitely affect our senses, specially when it is so easy to stick a tablet into a drink that dissolves within seconds. If a female pays for her own drink and it stays with her at all times, there will be no worry of drug use for the purpose of rape. Although it is very tempting to let a handsome stranger buy drinks, it is a big risk to take, when you don’t know who that person is.

Recent Stock Market Crash and Government Initiatives

And Government Initiatives for stabilizing the market Dear Sir Here is the report on â€Å"Analysis of Recent Stock Market Crash and Government Initiatives for stabilizing the market† which I have prepared as the requirement of completion of the ABA degree and the course BUS 498, Project Work. While making the report I studied the reasons of stock market crash of Bangladesh during 2010-201 land government taken initiatives to stabilize the market situation. I have come to know a lot of things about the practical scenario of the capital market in Bangladesh.The whole experience of this report writing enabled me to bridge the AP between classroom learning in my academic study in the university and real life situations to a great extent. I thank you and the University for providing me such an opportunity. Sincerely yours, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT For helping to making this project, at first, I would like to thanks the Almighty and My parents. I am grateful to the employees of broker house s who helped me in collecting data and other necessary information for this report. I would also like to thank my friends and relatives for their supports.I would like to express my respected appreciation to my instructor Md. Zulu Haze. His constant guidance and advice played the pivotal role in making this report a success. He always gave me his suggestions that were crucial in making this report as flawless as possible. The project report is prepared to fulfill the partial requirement of the ABA program. Regarding the outcome of this report, I would like to express my sincere gratitude, profound thankfulness and indebtedness to my honorable teachers of the Department of Business Administration.I must take this opportunity to thank Dacha Stock Exchange for giving me the opportunity to complete my project requirement ND gave me the chance to show my practicability in the organizational arena. Executive Summery This report is about identifying the causes behind the recent collapse of capital market in 2010-2011 and government initiatives regarding that. To identify the causes and effective initiatives requires plenty of time and informational resources. Due to shortage of that the report highlights on the principal areas of the topic. The whole report is divided into six chapters covering their own respective parts of the topic.Chapter one Contains the detailed information about the recent market crash n 2010-2011 and government initiatives for stabilizing the market. The chapter includes several segments such as origin of the report, background, rationale of the report, objectives of the study, scope and limitations. It describes the background of the capital market in our country in details. Chapter two report revealed the methods used in collecting the objectives of the report which are the causes of the market crash and government initiatives regarding that. Primary and secondary data sources are used to complete this report.The chapter shared the direct op inion and ideas of he investors and informational data from Journals, paper articles and websites of the capital markets about the catastrophic incident of the capital market. The third chapter of the report provides an detailed description about the capital markets of Bangladesh and its history, Dacha stock exchange (DEEDS) and its missions, objectives and functions, Chitchatting stock exchange (CASE) and its vision, mission and objectives & an overview of Bangladesh securities and exchange commission (BASE) have been given consecutively.DEEDS is the present form of former east Pakistan stock exchange. It is the largest capital market of the country. CASE is known as the pioneer of modern capital stock exchange in the country. The mission DEEDS & CASE is to create a successful well-organized and transparent market of international standard to facilitate the competent entrepreneurs to raise capital and speed up industrial growth for overall benefit of the economy. So that Bangladesh can be a perfect investment ground for the domestic and foreign investors.The prime objective of the DEEDS & CASE is to create a nation-wide stock market also beyond the national boundary. The activities of DEEDS and CASE are regulated by the Bangladesh securities exchange omission. Beech's mission is to protect the interests of securities investors, developed and maintained fair, transparent and efficient securities markets, ensure proper issuance of securities and compliance with securities laws. This chapter discusses elaborately about these topics. Chapter four raises the detailed discussion about the capital market crash in 2010-2011.It highlights the December 2010 and January 2011 separately to explain the exact situation before, during and after the capital market collapse. There was an extreme disorder among the investors and law enforcers in the street. The government, regulatory bodies and BASE took immediate steps to minimize the losses of the investors and regain the st ability of the capital market. A committee of four members had been formed to find out the reasons behind the catastrophic incident.The committee submitted the report identifying the reasons which are role of market regulators and their employees, demutualization of exchanges, uniform face value of shares, trade in pre-pip placement, misuse of omnibus accounts, faulty asset revaluation, irregularities in book building method, lack of knowledge of small investor, December closing of financial institutions, serial ND artificial trading, issue of right and preference shares, suspicious transaction of top players, block placement and direct listing.The fifth chapter of the report explains the necessary steps taken by the government to overcome this recent catastrophe in stock market.In order to bring stabilization in the capital market government has taken some initiatives such as increasing the merging loans,relaxing the maximum limit of merchant banks investment starting netting syste m once again,altering mutual fund rules, introducing circuit breaker on the capital market index ,enforcing disciplinary measures against illegal activities,reviewing the transparency in transaction through Boo accounts etc. Chapter six consists of the recommendations which are stated to make the capital market more stable. He major recommendations are all the parties have to work perfectly, government can improve its guidelines for stock market, the decisions regarding the market should be taken considering behavioral psychology of the investors, in order to make the market more attractive, the corporate tax bracket can be lowered in order to encourage pompons to list their companies in the exchanges, the regulatory bodies' frequently changing policy and rules that is not good for the market stability, at the initial stages of stock market development, appropriation of state owned enterprises can make a signification contribution, regular TV and radio program should be made on deve lopments and other topics relating to the stock market to make the investors aware etc. The study has attempted to find out the major reasons for the recent stock market crash of Bangladesh in 2010-11 and role of different regulatory organizations including DEEDS, CASE, SEC and the government of the country. A number of reasons for the stock market crash have been identified. Though many causes were identified, few factors emerged stronger in the recent stock market crash.The causes includes over exposure of banks and financial institutions, poor monitoring of regulators, corrupted employees of regulatory organizations, margin loan, direct listing, insider trading, book building, lack of general investor's knowledge, imbalance of share and intervention of Bangladesh Bank. Other reasons, mentioned in discussion section were also liable for the crash. It also tries to suggest regulatory organizations to follow the recommendations to stabilize the capital market more efficiently.

Mcdonald’s Business Strategy

A Comprehensive Business Plan developed by McDonald Management, Inc. 11410 N. E. 124th Street #223 Kirkland, Washington 98034 USA O: 425-822-3106 C: 206-257-9839 [email  protected] com Table of Contents Page 3 Page 5 Page 6 Page 9 Page 11 Page 12 Page 16 Page 18 Page 21 Executive Summary Our Business Plan The Market Defined World View Pilot Program (Ethiopia) Projected Market Share Market Strategy Promotion Competition The Bottled Water Industry Product Development – Four Keys Norit Ultra-Filtration System (Perfector – E) Solar Powered Modules Prototype configuration and assemblyThe Patented 20-liter Tamper-proof Bottle Organizational Development USAgua Partnership Program US Home Office East Africa Central Assembly Distribution (Operators to Owners) Mile Stones Financial Statements Sales Projections Personnel Budgets Cash Flow Projections Income Statements – Projected Expense Statements – Projected 2 Executive Summary W e are now in a position to profit ably enter into the lucrative and expanding worldwide market for pure, clean, safe drinking water. We have developed and will introduce to the world, the concept of small community commercial water purification systems. Also you can read  Business Ethics ComprisesWe call our systems ‘USAguaâ„ ¢ Pure Water Kiosks’. Each of our Kiosks is capable of taking in 8,000 liters of dangerously polluted raw water every day and, through the technologically phenomenal process of ultra-filtration, they process that unhealthy water into safe, clean, purified drinking water. Our systems are containerized, modular, solar powered and ultra-filtered — they function completely ‘off-the-grid’. Our markets are the vibrant, sophisticated, newly emerging middle-classes of the developing world. These middle-class niches represent over one billion people and their numbers are growing daily.These people realize the importance of safe drinking water for themselves and their families but, at the same time, they know that their governments are incapable of providing this most basic need. What is important to our program is that these middle class families are financially capable of paying fo r our water. The proof is the fact that they now consume literally tens of millions of gallons of bottled water every year. Our competition is the bottled water industry and, very soon, we will have a substantial piece of that market.The product we sell is clean, pure, safe drinking water. How we produce, market and sell our product is through our USAgua Pure Water Kiosks Program. Our Kiosks are a melding of two wonderful technologies just now coming into their own. The first is called ‘ultra-filtration’. Picture a bundle of spaghetti sized perforated tubes through which polluted water is pumped under pressure. The perforations are so small that they block viruses, bacteria and parasites down to a ‘Log 2-4’ EPA rating. This means that the water we sell is 99. 99% pure or better when it leaves our system.And, because the filters require only ‘back-flushing’ instead of costly filter replacements, the long-term costs are minimized. The second basi c technology we have employed is Solar Power. Our Kiosks, including all the necessary pumps, batteries, electronics and lighting requirements run perfectly using a Solar Power package designed specifically for our needs. The initial costs of the solar option are steep, but the long term reliability, the fact that we don’t depend on any outside sources of energy and the nearly-maintenance-free specifications we have developed, make them a perfect fit in developing countries. Our ultra filtration systems and our solar power systems have been rigorously field tested by their manufacturers. Our own design engineers have melded the two technologies together, combined them with our storage tanks and lab gear and integrated them seamlessly into our retail USAgua Kiosks. After a final prototype development program, our manufacturers will ship their modules to our USAgua Central Assembly Plants in our target markets. We will use local technicians to retrofit universally available frei ght containers and perform final installation and assembly.Once our Kiosks are complete, they will be delivered to our ‘Operators’ in the field. Our Management Team will locate, recruit and train local ‘Operators’ in our various ‘Target Markets’. In time, our Operators will be given the opportunity to own their own USAgua Kiosk, thus allowing us to tap the entrepreneurial energy and spirit that can be found within individuals in every corner of the world. Our USAgua Operator program will ensure our market position and stability through world-wide name branding, equipment standardization, standardized maintenance routines and universally accepted accounting procedures.With the help of some very smart engineers we have developed the concept of our USAgua Pure Water Kiosks. At the same time, we have put together a business model that takes the best of the American business concepts we are so proud of and we, very carefully, introduce them into the potentially lucrative new middle-class markets of the developing world. Our ‘financial package’ is strong. Our assumptions and our projections are conservative, our research is up to date and our key players are heavy on both education and real world experience. We are ready to take the next giant step forward.To that end, we are asking to secure a US $2,200,000 Investment package so that we can bring our USAgua International Program to fruition. Please, feel free to call me anytime for more information or clarifications. Sincerely, Timothy McDonald 4 Our Business Plan The World Wide Market Defined: Of the 6 billion people in the world today, over 3 billion1 live either totally ‘off-the-grid’ or in communities not serviced by safe, dependable water systems. Families within this demographic, no matter their economic level, are left vulnerable to water borne diseases including viruses, parasites and bacteria.The negative social and economic repercussions of not having access to safe, clean drinking water are immense. Some United Nations reports have gone so far as to predict that safe drinking water will be as economically significant as oil within the next decade2. We intend to be a big player in solving the drinking water problem. We have designed both our USAgua Water Purification System and our Business Model to be universally adaptable. Our equipment and our business model will function beautifully in the suburbs of Nairobi, along the Yangtze River in China and in the mountains of northern India.Anywhere there is both a source of water (no matter how polluted) and an open view of the sun, our USAgua water purification systems will work. Anywhere there are energetic and entrepreneurial individuals who aspire to a better life for their families, our USAgua Operator network will prosper. At the ‘Macro’ scale, our market is unlimited. Good business practices, however, dictate that we start small and grow carefully. We wil l introduce our program to a small, representative market we are familiar with. One that can be easily documented and controlled.In our ‘Pilot Market’ we will learn a great deal from both our successes and our mistakes. Once we have field proven both our equipment and our business model, we will enter additional markets with much greater knowledge and enthusiasm. _________________________________ It is very important to understand that we are in competition with the ‘Bottled Water Industry’ in all aspects of our program. The statistics and the markets for bottled water, world wide, are the statistics and markets relevant to USAguaâ„ ¢. _______________________________________ 1 2 United Nations Development Program Report – August 2008United Nations Development Program Report – August 2008 5 Our Ethiopian Pilot Program and Our Share of the Market For several reasons, including a thirty year professional involvement in East Africa, we have cho sen the country of Ethiopia to establish our ‘Pilot Program’. The Ethiopian Market Defined: Population (millions) 2007 Population growth (annual %) Life expectancy at birth (years) Literacy rate GNI (US $ billions) GNI per capita (US $ ) 78. 6 2. 6 55. 0 38. 5 19. 4 220. 0 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) acquired these statistics: Health of population using improved drinking-water sources, 2006, total 42 (cut and paste from the UNICEF 2008 Report) These UNICEF statistics show us that there is a large segment of the Ethiopian population that understands the need for safe water. The definition of ‘improved drinking-water sources’, however, does not address the quality of the water. It only documents the fact that the water has been drawn from a centralized source and is conveyed to the end user via an established distribution network; either municipal water systems, tanker trucks or bottled water.The water may or may not be processed. It ma y or may not be safe. The quality of both the tap water and the bottled water in Ethiopia is suspect due to poor infrastructure maintenance and a lack of Health Department regulation enforcement. 3 3 UNICEF Annual Report – 2006 6 The Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency (CSA) estimates that currently 4. 18% of the households, nationwide, have access to community water systems and taps within their homes. Ethiopia Total 2004 2. 2 2006 2. 7 2008 3. 3 Current 4. 18 (cut and paste from the 2008 CSA Report)This means the vast majority of people considered to have access to ‘improved drinking water sources’ are using tanker truck delivery (very dangerous) or bottled water. (78. 6 million X 42%) – 4. 18% ) = 31. 4 million people drink non-tap water. ) The CSA also publishes a quarterly retail price listing for nearly every commodity found in Ethiopia. In 2008 the average cost per liter of bottled water was 6 birr. (Ethiopian currency) BEVERAGES – NON ALCOH OLIC Ambo Mineral Water†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 500cc 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 3. 17 3. 00 3. 00 2. 50 3. 00 2. 96 2. 50 3. 00 3. 00 2. 50 2. 5 Bure Mineral Water†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 500cc – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (cut and paste from the 2008 CSA Report) ! (Or †¦ US $0. 48/liter at the current exchange rate) The CSA has not been able to estimate a total volume of bottled drinking water produced or consumed. We have been told many reasons for this lack of statistical documentation. The most plausible is the lack of government oversight and a huge black market for recycling local water in used plastic bottles. This is a very dangerous practice and one the central government has taken action to stop. 4 A few assumptions:W e are going to assume, in the interest of simplifying our Business Plan, that within and near the cities of Addis Ababa, Mekele, Bahra Dar, Nazerit and Awass a ( a total population of over 27 million ) there is a need for 27,000,000 liters of pure, safe drinking water every day. (27,000,000 X 365 days = nearly 10 Billion liters per year) (One liter of safe drinking water per day is the World Health Organization’s minimum requirement. ) 4 Ethiopian Health Ministry – 2008 7 Our Pilot Program Cities: 10% Purchase Vicinity of Population Addis Ababa 15,375,000 15% Purchase 20% Purchase 5% Purchase Bottled Water at US $0. 50/liter Bottled Water at US $0. 40/liter Bottled Water at US $0. 30/liter Bottled Water at US $0. 20/liter 1,537,500 2,306,250 3,075,000 3,843,750 Nazerit 3,580,000 358,000 537,000 716,000 895,000 Bahri Dar 1,790,000 179,000 266,850 355,800 447,500 Awasa 1,430,000 143,000 214,500 286,000 357,500 Mekele 4,825,000 482,500 723,750 965,000 1,206,250 27,000,000 2,700,000 4,050,000 5,400,000 6,750,000 $1,350,000 $1,620,000 $1,620,000 $1,350,000 $492,750 ,000 $591,300,000 $591,300,000 $492,750,000 Population Market Va lue Market Value Per Day Per YearOur Pilot Program Market Our Pilot Program Market focuses on five major cities in Ethiopia. We can take a very conservative but educated guess that 15% of the 27 million population is capable of purchasing 1 liter of drinking water every day for US 0. 40/liter. (about a billion and a half liters per year demand) 1,248,000 liters (62,400 20-Liter USAgua Bottles) is the annual sales figure we have projected for each of our USAgua Kiosks. Or less than one tenth of one percent (. 001%) of our Pilot Program Middle-class Market Demand. Our Kiosks are actually capable of physically producing ,920,000 liters of safe, clean drinking water annually, but for budgeting and logistical reasons as well as a conservative margin of safety, we are building our Business Model on a 1,248,000 liters/year basis or a 4,000 liters per day sales capacity, six days per week. ! The total cost to our USAgua Kiosk Program to produce, bottle and sell safe, clean drinking water is less than $0. 10 per liter The universal laws of supply and demand would tell us that we could completely dominate the ‘Bottled Drinking Water Industry’ in our Pilot Program Market.By assuring two things — Highest Quality, Lowest Price — we should expect to capture a substantial share of this huge market while at the same time realizing a very profitable return on investment very quickly. It is not difficult to imagine 40 USAgua Kiosks working profitably within Ethiopia within two years of start-up. 8 Market Strategy The Market for pure, clean, safe drinking water already exists. It is large, growing and lucrative. Our dominant piece of that worldwide market is what we will develop. Branding†¦ W e own the internet web domain and the trade marked name, USAguaâ„ ¢.We are now in the process of building a comprehensive website that will address everything from the biology of parasites, bacteria and viruses to the science of removing those contaminants from our drinking water. It will show how important safe drinking water is to individuals, societies and economies. It will differentiate our USAgua Water Purification Kiosks from our competition, the bottled water industry. Our website will play very well in East Africa. Since the election of President Obama, a new, very pro-American, attitude has emerged. America and all things American are now very popular.Our USAgua Kiosks provide safe drinking water at standards equal to or better than our American EPA standards for domestic drinking water. In East Africa, they trust our standards and want that same high quality for their families. Our Kiosks are painted in American national colors. The USA in USAgua is meant to emphasize our American roots and our American standards. When a USAgua Kiosk is delivered to an African community our customers will feel that part of America has arrived. Our USAgua 20-liter plastic bottles are designed to be used and re-used and re-used by the family to which they are assigned.The boldly branded bottles can not be refilled by anyone other than our Kiosk operator. Our branded one-liter personal bottles will be carried with pride on the streets of our communities. The name, USAgua, will be synonymous with American high quality and good health. Lower retail pricing†¦ W e know there is a large and growing demand for safe, pure drinking water. On the macro scale this is evidenced by the rise of the bottled water industry in every city and village in the world. In Ethiopia, our Pilot Program Market, we know the retail price of a liter of bottled water is US$0. 48.The laws of supply and demand dictate that as the price is lowered, the demand rises. The cost of our water, including all business related expectations, is less than US $0. 10 per liter. We will price our product to maximize both the quantity sold and the profit generated. 9 Flyers and Brochures Distributed Locally †¦. And a billboard or two Because each of our US Agua Kiosks are designed to satisfy the drinking water demand of only 400 families per day, (we are saying 10 liters per family per day) the geographic market area for each of our Kiosks is small, (by design) less than one square kilometer.Prior to our Kiosks arriving at their final destinations, a local flyer and brochure campaign will saturate the area to introduce our program. Community meetings will be held to educate members of our market and sell our products. A large colorful bill-board will be erected so that people will begin identifying our branding. 10 Competition: The Competition for our Pilot Program Market (and every other market in the developing world, for that matter) consists of a handful of legitimate Centralized Water Bottling and Distribution Companies as well as black-market water bottle recycling scams.The government is now in the process of both adopting new quality standards for all bottled water plus they are developing the means to enforce those standards. Because none of the major international bottled water producers (Danone, Nestle, and Coca-Cola) have entered the African markets, statistical documentation is lacking for total production and demand. We do know a few things, however. First is that the existing legitimate bottled water industry depends on centralized plants that are, by definition, saddled with the tremendous costs associated with transporting heir product to market. Plus, they must purchase plastic bottles that will be used only once, but then become potential competition as those same bottles are refilled on the black-market and resold. We also know that the end user of bottled water is becoming much more sophisticated. They know full well the problem with boot-legged water and in most cases have gone back to boiling local water (at a tremendous expense in fuel) rather than purchase suspect bottled water. The Bottled Water Industry is not the answer for the Developing World. 11 Product Development †¦.. some h istoryFor generations, scientists around the world have known that viruses, parasites and bacteria are present in much of the water we drink. They have also known that these tiniest of creatures are the source of the water borne diseases that have plagued humanity since Lucy stood up on her two legs and peered over the tall grasses of the African Savannah. Personal Note: McDonald was stationed in the Awash Valley of Ethiopia in 1973-75 only 20 miles from where Lucy – Australopithecus afarensisr – was discovered. On several occasions his Agricultural School and Farm hosted Lucy’s rcheologists. They appreciated the water system he had developed that pulled water from the muddy Awash River and provided them safe, pure drinking water. In the developed world, from our largest cities to our smallest villages, our technology has solved the problem of purifying our waters. In America, we long ago realized the importance of safe water to the overall health and well being of our society. It was so important to previous generations that they mandated our government to set and enforce the highest water standards in the world.Our municipal and community water systems now process and distribute a dependable flow of amazingly inexpensive water to the homes of every citizen. The success of America is due, in no small part, to the overall health of our people. And, the overall health of our people is, in no small part, due to our wonderful communal water systems. On the macro scale, the per gallon cost of water in America is very small; a penny or two a gallon at the most. The reality is, however, that a water purification plant and a distribution network are tremendously expensive to develop and operate; tens of millions of dollars.And, the technical sophistication necessary to maintain these systems is overwhelming to any but the most advanced economies. For so many reasons (economic, political, cultural, technical) there is little hope that the vast maj ority of people in the second and third worlds will ever be able to build and maintain the water systems necessary to provide safe water for their people. Even now, as a burgeoning middle class emerges, the central governments are powerless to act. The problem is just too large and the costs too high. 12 Product Development †¦. the Stars Line UpThe USAguaâ„ ¢ Pure Water Kiosk Program is†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Four Components. The product we sell is clean, pure, safe drinking water. How we produce, market and sell our product is through our USAgua Pure Water Kiosks Program. Our Kiosk Program brings together four independent but equally important physical components. Namely: Ultra-Filtration, Solar Power, Retro-fitted Freight Containers and Keyed, Tamper-proof 20-liter Bottles. 1. Ultra-Filtration†¦ This is a water filtration method developed and patented by Norit X-Flow, a member of the global Norit Companies. Norit is headquartered in theNetherlands with sales offices throughout the world including one just outside of Chicago. Ultra-filtration is easy to visualize. Picture a bundle of spaghetti sized perforated tubes through which polluted water is pumped under pressure. The perforations are so small that they block viruses, bacteria and parasites down to a ‘Log 2-4’ EPA rating. This means that the water they process is 99. 99% pure or better when it leaves their system. And, because the filters require only ‘back-flushing’ instead of costly filter replacements, the long-term costs are minimized.Norit’s filters can be used for months and then ‘back-flushed’ to remove all contaminants. The actual filters will last for years. Ultra-filtration is truly a marvelous breakthrough. One of the first applications that Norit X-Flow developed for its Ultra-filter technology was a very clever machine they call the Perfector-E Mobile Water Purification System. It was originally designed for emergency responders to be used in the aftermath of devastating natural disasters; earthquakes, floods and hurricanes. The systems are small, strong and highly mobile.They can be transported and set up in any disaster area within hours. They are totally self contained and can draw and purify water from almost any source including exposed surface waters, local lakes, rivers, ponds and irrigation systems. The Perfector-E System can provide literally thousands of gallons of pure, safe drinking water per day to a disaster area under the most extreme conditions. And, there is another very positive aspect to Norit’s system. It is not a big energy user. With some adaptations, we can actually run the systems exclusively on solar power. 13 2.The second basic technology we have employed is Solar Power. Our Kiosks, including all the necessary pumps, batteries, electronics and lighting requirements run perfectly using a Solar Power package designed specifically for our needs. Our solar energy system was designed by H-Dot Logic, a solar engineering company here in Seattle. The initial costs of the solar option are steep, but the long term reliability, the fact that we don’t depend on any outside sources of energy and the nearlymaintenance-free specifications we have developed, make them a perfect fit in developing countries. . Our Kiosks – Our Containers. We have chosen to utilize universally available, standard steal 20 foot cargo containers as the physical basis of our Kiosk system. Containers are strong and secure. They are easily transported on any flatbed truck in the world, and once they are delivered to our overseas locations, they will serve as the actual retail Kiosk facility. Our in-house engineers have designed the retro-fit of the containers to comfortably house all the various components in and around the retail shell.The solar panels, the gravel pre-filters, the external raw water storage tank, the internal finished water storage tank with the UV sterilizer, the Ultra-fil ter modules, the pumps, the battery packs, all the electronics and a water testing system are all neatly configured inside the container. In addition to designing the retrofit, our Kiosk’s will have a copy written exterior color and graphic scheme. The graphic scheme, once painted on our containers will provide a great advertising platform for our USAgua Brand. A prototype unit still needs to be assembled.USAgua Kiosk # 0001, the prototype, will be assembled in Seattle, Washington. A careful documentation video of the specifications and assembly methods will be produced. This process will take about four months to accomplish. Once the first Kiosk is ready it will be shipped from the Port of Seattle to Ethiopia. Once in Ethiopia, USAgua #0001 will be delivered to our Central Assembly & Fabrication facility. Our local Management will use it to train a team of assembly mechanics. We will then begin purchasing containers on the local market and preparing them for the arrival of o ur Filter and Solar modules.Within a four month period, we will be assembling and delivering two complete USAgua units per month. 4. The Keyed-Tamper Proof Bottle Program: One of the reasons the bottled water industry is not a good fit for the developing world is because the plastic bottles are disposable. Each new bottle, when discarded becomes a potential competitor as people refill the bottle and sell it on the black market. Our USAgua bottles are specially designed to discourage re-use by anyone but the family to which it was assigned. The bottles will have a tamper proof valve and seal that can only be refilled at USAgua Kiosks.This makes the bottles un-usable outside our network and assures our customers that the water inside our stamped and sealed bottles has not been counterfeited on the black market. Our prominent USAgua Logo on each bottle will help promote our brand where ever it is found. 14 Organizational Development Thirty years of experience working in developing coun tries has taught us many things. One of the most important is that without a very involved and powerful Management presence ‘on the ground’, no program can succeed.For the success of any project in the developing world, including ours, it is vitally important that we back-up our 21st century technology with an equally robust Management and Operations Program based on century’s old tried and true Business Practices. We call our In-Country USAgua International Management and Operations Program ‘Our Partnership Program’. It is based on five powerful strategies: 1. Recruiting the best and the brightest. Every developing country in the world has vibrant, honest, well educated, hardworking, entrepreneurs looking for an opportunity to improve themselves, their families and their communities.Our Country Director will identify and recruit these individuals. We will offer them a good basic family wage with the added incentive of merit-based pay raises. 2. In-C ountry Training for our Operators Our USAgua in-country Management Staff will train every recruit in Kiosk system functions, maintenance procedures, program hygiene, local marketing and program bookkeeping. Trainees will work with seasoned Operators during a six month apprenticeship program. If they prove themselves capable, they will be offered a position as an Operator or Operator’s Helper for one of our USAgua Kiosks. . In-Country Operations Management. We will have one Project Manager for every 10 USAgua Kiosk Operators. These Project Managers will visit each Kiosk Operator every month to make sure that the extremely high USAgua standards are being met and maintained. The PM’s are also in charge of auditing and banking functions. There will be zero tolerance for bookkeeping errors. In addition to our Project Managers, we have a Maintenance & Repair team that routinely visits each Kiosk making sure that no small maintenance problem becomes a big repair problem due t o lack of Operator vigilance. 4.Advertising and Marketing Support Each Kiosk comes with an introductory advertising budget for local marketing. We will saturate any new locale with USAgua literature. In addition, our Staff will visit each Kiosk to conduct community seminars in water quality and family hygiene. 15 5. Operators to Owners Program After two years as a USAgua Operator we will offer some of our most gifted and hardworking employees the opportunity to purchase their own USAgua Kiosk. We are wholly convinced that there exists a universally powerful business strategy that assures the success of a program such as ours.This is called ‘pride in ownership’ and we intend to tap that strategy to its fullest. Our US Office The home office of McDonald Management is in Seattle, Washington as will be the home offices of USAgua International, Inc. At the top of our organizational chart is the President and CEO, Timothy McDonald. Mr. McDonald has a BS in International Econo mics (minor in Civil Engineering) with Masters work in International Economics all from the University of Washington. He has been in and out of East Africa for over thirty years with our State Department as both an employee and an independent contractor.He will oversee day to day operations both in the US and overseas. Norit X-Flow International will provide the Ultra-filtration modules. H-Dot Logic will provide the solar package design and modules. R. L. Clark and Associates of Redmond, Washington will be in charge of Investor Relations, financial program development and implementation. Bahiru G. Egziabiher will be the Country Director in Ethiopia for our Pilot Market Program. He holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington and has worked for Seattle City Light for over twenty years. Bahiru holds duel US and Ethiopian citizenship.Dalrymple and Associates will be in charge of our Kiosk design and equipment coordination. In addition his company has desi gned our logo, the graphic presentation of our USAgua name and our color schemes and themes. RedRover Marketing will be in charge of our website design, maintenance and hosting. Our Office in Ethiopia W e will lease a centralized office/warehouse facility in Addis Ababa where we will identify, recruit and train a team of assemblers and fabricators to retrofit our containers, install our filtration systems, our solar modules and our storage tanks.Our paint shop will brand each Kiosk with our name, our logo and our color scheme. 16 Bahiru Egziabiher, our Country Director, will be in charge of our Ethiopia operations including the central warehouse and assembly facility. He will oversee the assembly of two complete USAgua Kiosks per month once we get underway. McDonald and Exziabiher and, eventually, a small team of Project Managers, will identify, recruit and train a Network of USAgua Operators. These Project Managers will be responsible for assuring the high standards of training, ma intenance, product quality and accounting standards for each of their Network Operators.Within two years there will be 40 Kiosks producing pure water in Ethiopia. There will be one Project Manager for every ten Kiosks. Our Operator Network is the key to our program. Once our USAgua Operators are identified and recruited, they will go through a thorough training program. They will serve a two year apprenticeship and then, if they have proven themselves capable of maintaining our extremely high standards, they will be given the opportunity to own their own Kiosk. In this way we will tap the entrepreneurial spirit of those who will make our entire program a success.How Hard is it to Enter the Ethiopian Market? The World Bank ranks countries world wide by their ‘Ease of Doing Business’. Of the 183 countries rated, Ethiopia ranks #107. In comparison, Egypt is #106 and Kenya is #95. Since 1993 when the people of Ethiopia removed their previous communist government and replace d it with one decisively more moderate and business friendly, the new leadership has striven to open its economy to a more capitalistic model. In the past 10 years, Ethiopia has been gradually re-writing its constitution in an attempt to open new markets and stabilize its business community.These efforts have paid off. In 2008-9 the World Bank ranked Ethiopia at #122 for ‘ease of starting a business’. This year they are ranked # 93. And, they are getting better every year. The following statistics are all from the World Bank. Ease of doing Business 107 Starting a Business 93 Dealing with Construction Permits 60 Employing Workers 98 Registering Property 110 Getting Credit 127 Protecting Investors 119 Paying Taxes 43 Trading Across Borders 159 Enforcing Contracts 57 Closing a Business 77 Summary of Indicators – Ethiopia Starting a Business Procedures (number) 5Time (days) 9 Cost (% of income per capita) 18. 9 Min. capital (% of income per capita) 492. 4 17 Dealing with Construction Permits Procedures (number) 12 Time (days) 128 Cost (% of income per capita) 561. 3 Employing Workers Difficulty of hiring index (0-100) 33 Rigidity of hours index (0-100) 20 Difficulty of redundancy index (0-10) 30 Rigidity of employment index (0-100) 28 Redundancy costs (weeks of salary) 40 Registering Property Procedures (number) 10 Time (days) 41 Cost (% of property value) 2. 2 Getting Credit Strength of legal rights index (0-10) 4Depth of credit information index (0-6) 2 Public registry coverage (% of adults) 0. 1 Private bureau coverage (% of adults) 0. 0 Protecting Investors Extent of disclosure index (0-10) 4 Extent of director liability index (0-10) 4 Ease of shareholder suits index (0-10) 5 Strength of investor protection index (0-10) 4. 3 Paying Taxes Payments (number per year) 19 Time (hours per year) 198 Profit tax (%) 26. 8 Labor tax and contributions (%) 0. 0 Other taxes (%) 4. 3 Total tax rate (% profit) 31. 1 Trading Across Borders Documents to exp ort (number) 8Time to export (days) 49 Cost to export (US$ per container) 1940 Documents to import (number) 8 Time to import (days) 45 Cost to import (US$ per container) 2993 Enforcing Contracts Procedures (number) 37 Time (days) 620 Cost (% of claim) 15. 2 Taking into account the above information provided by the World Bank, it will take McDonald Management about 90 days to secure all the necessary permits, licenses, patent protection registrations and lease agreements in Ethiopia. This will all be done prior to our first Kiosk leaving the US. 8 Mile Stones First Three Months Investors have been identified and secured†¦ A US $2,200,000 credit line is opened †¦ Dalrymple & Associates secures a short term warehouse lease where the prototype Kiosk will be assembled and the process documented. Norit X-Flow, H-Dot Logic and USAgua finalize specifications for the prototype filter/solar modules The USAgua Prototype is completed and Unit #0001 is prepared for shipment to Africa I n Month One, McDonald and Exziabiher leave for East Africa to secure business licenses and leases.While in Africa McDonald and Exziabiher identify and recruit a team of mechanics and fabricators as well as a Project Manager. They identify the first five individuals for the USAgua Operators Network. Months 4 and 5 USAgua Kiosk number 0001 is shipped from Seattle to Addis Ababa USAgua – Seattle begins producing and shipping filter/power modules to Ethiopia at the rate of 2 units per month. Containers are purchased and retrofitted in our Addis Ababa facility at the rate of 2 units per month.Assembly begins and the first delivery of a unit is accomplished. Months 6 -12 All elements of our program are coordinated and we are assembling and placing USAgua Kiosks in client communities at the steady rate of 2 units per month. Project Managers and Operators are continuing the training, quality control and apprenticeship programs. Month 13 W e achieve income/expense financial Break Even Month 24 The first 40 USAgua Kiosks are in place and working. The first USAgua Operator recruits are offered ownership of their Kiosks. 19 Business Plan SummaryW e are confident that a vibrant and lucrative market for safe, clean drinking water exists in every country of the world. We are also confident that we have the right Technology and Business Model to enter and eventually dominate those markets. To prove this, we are going to introduce 40 of our USAgua Kiosks into the Ethiopian market. There we will show that our technology is exactly right; that each of our Kiosks can be operated and maintained profitably for years. And, that our Business Model is sound and worthy of the trust our investors have shown.We have developed a set of financial projections. These itemize the key elements of our program and put a dollar figure on their implementation. They show that an initial two year investment of US $2,200,000 will produce an operating income/expense breakeven within a year and actual profit by the end of the 40 Unit 2 Year Pilot Program. Anyone interested in viewing our Financial Report, please, call Timothy McDonald. He will be more than happy to send along our spreadsheets. Many Thanks, Timothy McDonald 206-257-9839 20

The Brezhnev Doctrine

The Brezhnev Doctrine The Brezhnev Doctrine was a Soviet foreign policy outlined in 1968 which called for the use of Warsaw Pact (but Russian-dominated) troops to intervene in any Eastern Bloc nation which was seen to compromise communist rule and Soviet domination. It could be doing this either by trying to leave the Soviet sphere of influence or even moderate its policies rather than stay in the small parameters allowed to them by Russia. The Doctrine was seen clearly in the Soviet crushing of the Prague Spring movement in Czechoslovakia which caused it to be first outlined. Origins of the Brezhnev Doctrine When the forces of Stalin and the Soviet Union fought Nazi Germany west across the European continent, the Soviets did not liberate the countries, like Poland, which were in the way; they conquered them. After the war, the Soviet Union made sure these nations had states who would largely do what they were told by Russia, and the Soviets created the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance between these nations, to counter NATO. Berlin had a wall across it, other areas had no less subtle instruments of control, and the Cold War set two halves of the world against each other (there was a small non-aligned movement). However, the satellites states began to evolve as the forties, fifties and sixties passed by, with a new generation taking control, with new ideas and often less interest in the Soviet empire. Slowly, the Eastern Bloc began to go in different directions, and for a brief time it looked like these nations would assert, if not independence, then a different character. The Prague Spring Russia, crucially, did not approve of this  and worked to stop it. The Brezhnev Doctrine is the moment Soviet policy went from verbal to outright physical threats, the moment the USSR said it would invade anyone who stepped out of its line. It came during Czechoslovakias Prague Spring, a moment when (relative) freedom was in the air, if only briefly. Brezhnev described his response in a speech outlining the Brezhnev Doctrine: ...each Communist party is responsible not only to its own people, but also to all the socialist countries, to the entire Communist movement. Whoever forgets this, in stressing only the independence of the Communist party, becomes one ­ sided. He deviates from his international duty...Discharging their internationalist duty toward the fraternal peoples of Czechoslovakia and defending their own socialist gains, the U.S.S.R. and the other socialist states had to act decisively and they did act against the anti-socialist forces in Czechoslovakia. Aftermath The term was used by the Western media and not by Brezhnev or the USSR itself. The Prague Spring was neutralized, and the Eastern Bloc was under the explicit threat of Soviet attack, as opposed to the previous implicit one. As far as Cold War policies go, the Brezhnev Doctrine was entirely successful, keeping a lid on Eastern Bloc affairs until Russia gave in and ended the Cold War, at which point Eastern Europe rushed to assert itself once more.

Catherine of Aragon - the Kings Great Matter

Catherine of Aragon - the Kings Great Matter Continued from: Catherine of Aragon: Marriage to Henry VIII The End of a Marriage With England allied against Catherines nephew, the Emperor Charles V, and with Henry VIII desperate for a legitimate male heir, the marriage of Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII, once a supportive and, it seemed, loving relationship, unraveled. Henry had begun his flirtation with Anne Boleyn sometime in 1526 or 1527. Annes sister, Mary Boleyn, had been Henrys mistress, and Anne had been a lady-in-waiting to Henrys sister, Mary, when she was Queen of France, and later a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon herself. Anne resisted Henrys pursuit, refusing to become his mistress. Henry, after all, wanted a legitimate male heir. Always Invalid? By 1527, Henry was citing Biblical verses Leviticus 18:1-9 and Leviticus 20:21, interpreting these to mean that his marriage to his brothers widow explained his lack of a male heir by Catherine. That was the year, 1527, when Charles Vs army sacked Rome and took Pope Clement VII prisoner. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor as well as king of Spain, was the nephew of Catherine of Aragon his mother was Catherines sister, Joanna (known as Juana the Mad). Henry VIII saw this as an opportunity to go to the bishops who could use the Popes incapacity to themselves rule that Henrys marriage to Catherine had not been valid. In May of 1527, with the Pope still a prisoner of the Emperor, Cardinal Wolsey held a trial to examine whether the marriage was valid. John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, refused to support Henrys position. In June of 1527, Henry asked Catherine for a formal separation, offering her an opportunity to retire to a nunnary. Catherine did not accept Henrys suggestion that she retire quietly so that he could remarry, on the grounds that she remained the true queen. Catherine asked her nephew Charles V to intervene and to try to influence the pope to refuse any request of Henrys to annul the marriage. Appeals to the Pope Henry sent an appeal with his secretary to Pope Clement VII in 1528, asking for his marriage to Catherine to be annulled. (This is often referred to as a divorce, but technically, Henry was asking for an annulment, a finding that his first marriage had not been a true marriage.) The request was amended quickly to also ask that the Pope permit Henry to marry within the first degree of affinity though not a brothers widow, and permit Henry to marry someone previously contracted to marry if the marriage was never consummated. These circumstances fit the situation with Anne Boleyn completely. He had previously had a relationship with Annes sister, Mary. Henry continued to muster scholarly and expert opinions to refine and extend his arguments. Catherines argument against Henrys was simple: she simply affirmed that her marriage to Arthur had never been consummated, which would make the whole argument about consanguinity moot. Campeggis Trial The Pope was no longer a prisoner of the Emperor, Catherines nephew, in 1529, but he was still largely under the control of Charles. He sent his legate, Campeggi, to England to try to find some alternate solution. Campeggi convened a court in May of 1529 to hear the case. Both Catherine and Henry appeared and spoke. That Catherine knelt before Henry and appealed to him is likely an accurate depiction of that event. But after that, Catherine stopped cooperating with Henrys legal actions. She left the court hearings and refused to return another day when ordered to do so. Campeggis court adjourned without a verdict. It did not reconvene. Catherine had continued to live at court, though Henry was often with Anne Boleyn. She even continued to make Henrys shirts, which enraged Anne Boleyn. Henry and Catherine fought publicly. The End of Wolsey Henry VIII had trusted his chancellor, Cardinal Wolsey, to handle what was called the Kings Great Matter. When Wolseys work did not result in the action Henry expected, Henry dismissed Cardinal Wolsey from his position as chancellor. Henry replaced him with a lawyer, Thomas More, rather than a clergyman. Wolsey, charged with treason, died the next year before he could be tried. Henry continued to marshal arguments for his divorce. In 1530, an treatise by a scholarly priest, Thomas Cranmer, that defended Henrys annulment, came to Henrys attention. Cranmer advised that Henry rely on the opinions of scholars in European universities rather than on the Pope. Henry increasingly relied on Cranmers counsel. The Pope, instead of responding positively to Henrys plea for a divorce, issued an order forbidding Henry from marrying until Rome came to a final decision on the divorce. The Pope also ordered secular and religious authorities in England to stay out of the matter. So, in 1531, Henry held a clerical court that declared Henry the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This effectively overrode the Popes authority to make decisions, not only about the marriage itself, but about those in the English church who cooperated with Henrys pursuit of the divorce. Catherine Sent Away On July 11, 1531, Henry sent Catherine to live in relative isolation in Ludlow, and she was cut off from all contact with their daughter, Mary. She never saw Henry or Mary in person again. In 1532, Henry obtained the support of Francis I, the French king, for his actions, and secretly married Anne Boleyn. Whether she became pregnant before or after that ceremony is not certain, but she was definitely pregnant before the second wedding ceremony on January 25, 1533. Catherines household was moved several times to different locations on Henrys orders, and such close friends as her long-time companion (from before Catherines marriage to Henry) Maria de Salinas were forbidden contact with Mary. Another Trial A new Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, then convened a clerical court in May of 1533, and found Henrys marriage to Catherine null. Catherine refused to appear at the hearing. Catherines title of Dowager Princess of Wales was restored as Arthurs widow but she refused to accept that title. Henry reduced her household further, and she was moved again. On May 28, 1533, he declared Henrys marriage to Anne Boleyn to be valid. Anne Boleyn was crowned as Queen on June 1, 1533, and on September 7, gave birth to a daughter they named Elizabeth, after both her grandmothers. Catherines Supporters Catherine had much support, including Henrys sister, Mary, married to Henrys friend Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. She was also more popular with the general public than was Anne, seen as a usurper and interloper. Women seemed especially likely to support Catherine. The visionary Elizabeth Barton, called the nun of Kent, was charged with treason for her outspoken opposition. Sir Thomas Elyot remained an advocate, but managed to avoid Henrys wrath. And she still had the support of her nephew, with his influence over the Pope. Act of Supremacy and Act of Succession When the Pope finally pronounced Henry and Catherines marriage valid, on March 23, 1534, it was too late to influence any of Henrys actions. Also that month, Parliament passed an Act of Succession (legally described as being 1533, since the calendar year then changed at the end of March). Catherine was sent in May to Kimbolten Castle, with a much-reduced household. Even the Spanish ambassador was not permitted access to speak with her. In November, Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, recognizing the ruler of England as the supreme head of the Church of England. Parliament also passed an Act Respecting the Oath to the Succession, requiring of all English subjects an oath to support the Act of Succession. Catherine refused to swear any such oath, which would acknowledge Henrys position as head of the church, her own daughter as illegitimate and Annes children as Henrys heirs. More and Fisher Thomas More, also unwilling to take an oath to support the Act of Succession, and having opposed Henrys marriage to Anne, was charged with treason, imprisoned, and executed. Bishop Fisher, an early and consistent opponent of the divorce and supporter of Catherines marriage, was also imprisoned for refusing to recognize Henry as head of the church. While in prison, the new Pope, Paul III, made Fisher a cardinal, and Henry hurried Fishers trial for treason. More and Fisher were both beatified by the Roman Catholic Church in 1886 and canonized in 1935. Catherines Last Years In 1534 and 1535, when Catherine heard that her daughter Mary was ill, each time she asked to be able to see her and nurse her, but Henry refused to allow that. Catherine did get word out to her supporters to urge the Pope to excommunicate Henry. When, in December 1535, Catherines friend Maria de Salinas heard that Catherine was ill, she asked permission to see Catherine. Refused, she forced herself into Catherines presence anyway. Chapuys, the Spanish ambassador, was also allowed to see her. He left on January 4. On the night of January 6, Catherine dictated letters to be sent to Mary and to Henry, and she died on January 7, in the arms of her friend Maria. Henry and Anne were said to celebrate upon hearing of Catherines death. After Catherines Death When Catherines body was examined after her death, a black growth was found on her heart. The physician of the time pronounced the cause poisoning which her supporters seized on as more reason to oppose Anne Boleyn. But most modern experts looking at the record would suggest that a more likely cause was cancer. Catherine was buried as the Dowager Princess of Wales at Peterborough Abbey on January 29, 1536. Emblems used were of Wales and Spain, not of England. Centuries later, Queen Mary, married to George V, had Catherines gravesite improved and marked with the title Katharine Queen of England. Only when Henry married his third wife, Jane Seymour, did Henry invalidate his second marriage to Anne Boleyn and reaffirm the validity of his marriage to Catherine, restoring their daughter Mary to the succession after any later male heirs he might have. 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Definition and importance of a tree butt

Definition and importance of a tree butt The butt of a tree is its bottom portion and this basal portion of the trunk is distinctively different from a trees branches, roots, and upper trunk.   A trees  butt is above the roots but separated from the trunk which continues upward toward the terminal bud A trees butt is often referred to by loggers as the bottom log of a felled tree. The first cut  nearly always starts at the butt or base of the tree for the initial cut. It is the most valuable part of the tree when sold and converted to a wood product A tree butt is also important when tree disease is detected at or near ground level. Butt rot diseases  are serious concerns for tree owners and tree managers. A basal rot will inevitably weaken  the tree to the point where its support system is compromised  resulting in trunk failure and the eventual death of the tree. The butt of a tree is also its most valuable section to a timber grower. If there is a defect in the butt log which by definition is the first 16 feet of a tree trunk, the trees lumber grade is diminished considerably. Butt Rot and Effects on Trees Butt rot  is a serious disease of trees and all species are susceptible to a greater or lesser degree. Fungal pathogens are the primary causal agent of butt rot  and attack the moist, vulnerable and under-protected lower portion of a tree trunk where its largest diameter is recorded. A tree is most  vulnerable to rot where the bottom end of the trunk  stem  makes contact with the  soil. The tree butts location, when diseased, can  attack the roots as well causing a disease known as  root rot. These kinds of  infections are  likely to impair the transport properties of the  xylem  tissue found in the cambial region under the tree bark. Again, it also weakens the stem and makes the plant more vulnerable to toppling. Rot in the area of the tree butt can spread to the roots and/or  move up and into the tree compartment producing a roughly conical column of dead, rotted wood which increases in size proportional to a trees age and ability to compartmentalize and stop the spread. These wood-decay diseases can start as a root or butt disease but can  overlap as both root and  stem decays. Most are caused by Basidiomycota  or fungi. They may get in through wounds in the lower part of the tree or penetrate roots directly. Understanding a Butt Log and Its Quality The highest quality logs typically  come from the first or lowest section  called the butt log by timber harvesters. The butt log is where the best, highest quality wood veneer and lumber is found. Wood veneer (usually hardwood) that is sliced  or plywood (usually pine) that is rotary cut  command high prices. It should be noted that high-quality trees with butt log damage or disease will negatively affect what will be paid at the timber harvest time. Buyers of veneer and plywood quality wood will  require certain minimum log lengths depending on the mills operation and set up.   A  common minimum used in North America is  8 feet plus an extra 6 inches  for trim allowance. However, different veneer markets have different requirements for species, wood color and grain quality and can take logs as long as 11 feet plus 6 inches. Top grade veneer logs may have a 14-inch diameter minimum and extra prime grade  can only come from the first butt cut. What is Tree Butt Swell? All trees will have some taper but the most valuable timber tree will maintain a cylinder-like form extending up the trunk. Any extra expansion of  tree trunk butt above the normal stump flare is called butt swell and is normal in some tree species (especially trees on wet sites like cypress and tupelo gum). Sound wood within the butt swell can be used but only as non-construction materials including wood chips and specialty items. Timber cutters are  recommended to cut above the swell for construction logs. Butt swell is considered a defect for veneer logs.

E85 gas vs. regular gas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

E85 gas vs. regular gas - Essay Example Today, E85 is produced from pole to pole and has a strategic role in energy policies of many countries (Kraemer, 2006, p. 128). This paper is to give a general overview of all pros and cons of ethanol use in America specifically. According to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, U.S. fuel suppliers, in the period of 2006-2012, have to increase the amount of added into fuel ethanol from 15 to 28 billion liters. Nowadays, for comparison, the United States consumes annually about 545 billion liters of regular gasoline. However, as a result of the Congress legislative initiatives, more than two trillion miles have been on traveled over, in last 25 years, on fuel mixed with ethanol. Most automobile companies increase production of flexible-fuel vehicles. As a consequence, most modern cars have automated fuel control systems allowing regulating air - fuel ratio sufficiently enough for simultaneous use of E85 and regular gasoline. For example, Ford, a leader in production of environmentally frien dly vehicles, has a range of Flexible Fuel - vehicles that run on E85, pure gasoline, pure ethanol E100 or any mixture of gasoline and ethanol (Focus, C-MAX, Mondeo, Galaxy, S-MAX, F-150, Ford Sedans Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car, Escape Hybrid E85) (Byrge & Kliesen, 2008, p. 5). Global interest in alternative (renewable) fuels was imposed, first of all, by different national environmental programs. It is known that the use of renewable fuels in a given region can reduce: †¢ Greenhouse gas emission - by 14 – 19% (9, 5 million tons of Ð ¡ÃÅ¾2 in 2008); †¢ Consumption of petroleum products - by 73 - 75 %; †¢ Use of fossil fuels - by 13 - 35 %. In addition to the environmental aspect, use of ethanol - gasoline mixes (E85) has the following advantages compared to regular gasoline: higher octane number, which means lower wear and increased life of a car engine; reduced vehicles’ service charges; lower cost of E85 at retail; product ion of ethanol supports national economy (agriculture mainly, processing industry and transportation inter alia) (Dale & Pimentel, 2008, p .22). But it’s totally wrong to consider that the use of ethanol has only advantages. Indeed, ethanol allows reducing pollution to some extent, since less carbon monoxide (CO) is emitted during its use. But, because of the high Reid Vapor Pressure, acetaldehyde and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released, which produce more smog (Cunningham, 2007, p. 280). Companies, that manufacture and operate pipe lines, refuse to add pure 100% ethanol or ethanol containing fuels into their pines because of corrosion. So, starting from 2006, there is a constant shortage of rail-tanks for ethanol transportation. More and more fossil fuels (such as diesel and gasolin

South Africa Fashion Business Environment Assignment

South Africa Fashion Business Environment - Assignment Example The location of the boutique in Worcester Mall is strategic. The boutique is in the interesting location because it is on the wine route that is likely to have a variety of customers from not only the area but also even the international visitors. However, this might be a disadvantage if the wine tasting seasons is not booming because that will mean the customer base will be the locals only. In Craighall Mall, the boutique is located in the most expansive Suburb. However, the disadvantage is that it is very close to the Hide Park mall that also has the best customer base both international and locals the interesting thing about the local customer is that most are international diplomats. According to Jennings, paying R640.00 for a dress will not be a big deal, however, places like Durban this can be too high for some locals as the Durban culture is different from the Johannesburg culture when it comes to important things about life necessities i.e. what comes first food or fashion. In Hemmingway, the mall is located along the Two River Drive and Western Avenue. The center also offers a good site for the display of fashions. It has over 2000 stores which include jeweler’s shop, stationery and clothing shops. It also contains a variety of products At Gateway theatre the mall strategically placed to promote fashion and design. Has a sophisticated fashion and spacious site for a customer. It thus can be a better site for tourists than designs stores. Cavendish Square is located at the heart of the Cape Town. Thus has a wide variety of customers and offers good services like free trolleys and free internet. Customers are guided by the good customer service. Customers can opt to shop here due to the maximum security. The riverside mall offers excellent design services. Its location promotes ease of movement. It has 140 stores with varied fashion stores.

Poems that Speak of Men's Minds Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Poems that Speak of Men's Minds - Essay Example Based on the titles alone, the two poems obviously talk about ball games. However, Updike is more specific in referring to basketball as he identifies the central character in his poem as a former basketball player. In contrast, Williams talks about the attitude of an audience at a ball game. Thus, although the two poems deal with the same subject matter, each has its own focus and each provides a different view of the human psyche. Comparing the two poems, Updike’s is easier to understand because of its style and language. Conversely, Williams’s use of metaphors makes the poem more difficult to comprehend yet more challenging to analyze. Updike is noted for the use of narration in his poems. Just like in his other poems, Updike uses a narrative element to express his view about ball games. The poem appears in free verse, making it easier to read and appear more realistic. The narrative element of the poem features the main character named Flick who used to be a basketb all player in high school. Like any story, the characterization is developed, giving the audience enough idea about Flick. The lines, â€Å"He was good: in fact, the best. In ’46/He bucketed three hundred ninety points† (14-15) prove the success of Flick as a basketball player. ... The persona claims that he has seen Flick set the records. This style makes the author appear as if he had known Flick since they were young, hence establishing the credibility of the writer in writing about the character and further persuading the audience to share the thoughts and feelings he has regarding the subject. Some lines of the poem talk about the achievements of Flick. These lines render a positive image of the character. However, the said lines are only used to emphasize the point of the author that there is no future in playing basketball or that a person’s popularity and skills in the field of sports will not make him win in life. To impart this message, Updike narrates how Flick ends up in blue-collared jobs working as a gas station boy, repairman, and diner despite his overwhelming basketball records. Updike does not actually elaborate on his personal views regarding the fate of Flick. Nevertheless, he uses irony and understatement to imply the bad luck that F lick ends up with. To illustrate his view, Updike uses understatement, thus: â€Å"He never learned a trade, he just sells gas, checks oil, and changes flats†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Updike 19-20). These lines do not exactly move the audience to sympathize with Flick. Rather, they present a sad ending that the author may have observed in people like Flick, those who were once popular in school but ended up unsuccessful because they do not have other skills or expertise aside from playing ball games. Updike elaborates his view by using imagery such as â€Å"Flick stands tall among the idiot pumps—â€Å"(Updike 13) â€Å"without a head at all† (Updike 18). This is an indirect comparison between Flick and

Nokia co Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Nokia co - Essay Example There are several frameworks for analysis for Marketing. One framework tackles issues on the basis of the values that they infringe, another analyzes ethical concerns on the basis of who it affects, while the last one categorizes the terms used by marketing professionals. Each framework categorically analyzes the social responsibility of Marketing to be bound by ethics in its pursuit of its objectives. While it is often argued that Marketing is always evil, being one-sided and aims only at product promotion and sales, in reality, it is not often the case. Marketing, in its quest to gather a huge amount of profits from the various strategies involved, basically aims to bring to the consumers the benefits of a particular product or service. In the process, it establishes two types of relationship between message sender/ producer to message receiver/ consumer. It could either be cooperative, in which both benefits from the communication process, or adversarial in which a power struggle is developed between the two parties (Marketing Ethics 2008). Among other ethical issues concerning Marketing, there are three primary negative results being argued as consequences of the marketing process. First is the fact that the producer always ends up influencing the choices of the consumers to the point of manipulating values so it can sell its products. Second is the idea that the consumer’s right to decide for himself is violated because marketing damages personal autonomy. Lastly, in a producer’s effort to get the largest possible market share, it consequently damages competitors through fierce rivalry. Various Codes of Ethics are recognized in the process of analyzing Marketing. All of which aim at being vigilant in ensuring that Marketing efforts are being implemented without violating ethical rules. Globalization refers to the process of increasing integration between units around the world. It is term that encompasses a broad area, which includes

GCC trade agreement Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

GCC trade agreement - Research Paper Example , the trade agreement encourages intraregional mobility of capital, technology, goods and capital; hence allowing member countries to easily access resources and goods that they don’t have comparative advantage. The monetary union also allows for easy economic exchange between the countries through the use of a single currency. There is also a trade agreement between GCC and European Union (EU). This trade agreement also affects the economies of GCC member states by expanding trade into new regions of Europe and improving the economic and social welfare of the people of the member states. Specifically, the FTA between GCC and EU enables member states to acquire imports at internationally competitive prices. This is achieved through reduced tariffs and other trade barriers between GCC member countries and the member countries of the EU. In article 1 of chapter 1 (Trade) of the 2001 economic agreement of the GCC, a common external tariff and a common customs regulation was established to enhance trade among members and prevent unfair competition from external corporations (GCC, 2001). Goods produced within any member country were also considered as the national products of each country. Furthermore, tariff and non-tariff barriers were eliminated. Article 2 provides rules on international economic relations whereby member states are required to negotiate collectively as GCC in order to serve the negotiating positions of member countries (GCC, 2001). Economic agreements with external trading partners should also be collectively concluded to serve the interests of member countries. Export and import rules and procedures, and commercial exchange policies of the region are also unified to enhance its collective negotiating power with international partners. Bahrain is one of the six members of the GCC which is affected by the trade agreement among the GCC member states. Unlike other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Bahrain does not rely on oil. The country

Current Argument and Argument Definitions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Current Argument and Argument Definitions - Essay Example This example is valid because if all men are classified as being stronger than women, and John is categorized as a man, therefore, the conclusion that John is stronger than women is valid. Strong argument: a strong argument is an argument that is measured by the strength of the premises, and it is not a must that the argument must be valid. For example: no African woman has ever made a scientific discovery; my friend Lydia is about to have a baby girl in the near future; so, Lydia’s baby girl will not be able to make a scientific discovery. This example can be said to be a strong argument, although it is not valid. Weak argument: weak arguments are considered to be arguments, whose link between premise and the conclusion is weak. For example: I always take my lunch at noon. Therefore, lunch is taken at noon. This example is a weak argument because not all people take their lunch at noon. Sound argument: a sound argument is an argument that is valid, and its conclusion is based on the premises that are true. For example: men are warm blooded animals; John is a man; therefore, John is a warm blooded animal. This example is a good example of a sound argument because not only are the two premises true, but also the conclusion is true. Unsound argument: an unsound argument is considered to be an argument that is invalid, and even its premises are not true. It is actually the opposite of sound argument. For example: all men have no brain; Charles is not a man; therefore, Charles has brain. In this example, although conclusion might seem to be true, the two premises are false. Cogent argument: cogent argument involves inductive argument that is strong and its premises are also true. An example of a cogent argument could be: I am hungry because I have not eaten anything in the past two days; I need to eat to end my hunger; eating will end my hunger. This is a good example of a cogent argument because the argument that I am hungry is strong, and eating will end my

GCC trade agreement Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

GCC trade agreement - Research Paper Example , the trade agreement encourages intraregional mobility of capital, technology, goods and capital; hence allowing member countries to easily access resources and goods that they don’t have comparative advantage. The monetary union also allows for easy economic exchange between the countries through the use of a single currency. There is also a trade agreement between GCC and European Union (EU). This trade agreement also affects the economies of GCC member states by expanding trade into new regions of Europe and improving the economic and social welfare of the people of the member states. Specifically, the FTA between GCC and EU enables member states to acquire imports at internationally competitive prices. This is achieved through reduced tariffs and other trade barriers between GCC member countries and the member countries of the EU. In article 1 of chapter 1 (Trade) of the 2001 economic agreement of the GCC, a common external tariff and a common customs regulation was established to enhance trade among members and prevent unfair competition from external corporations (GCC, 2001). Goods produced within any member country were also considered as the national products of each country. Furthermore, tariff and non-tariff barriers were eliminated. Article 2 provides rules on international economic relations whereby member states are required to negotiate collectively as GCC in order to serve the negotiating positions of member countries (GCC, 2001). Economic agreements with external trading partners should also be collectively concluded to serve the interests of member countries. Export and import rules and procedures, and commercial exchange policies of the region are also unified to enhance its collective negotiating power with international partners. Bahrain is one of the six members of the GCC which is affected by the trade agreement among the GCC member states. Unlike other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Bahrain does not rely on oil. The country

Economic Policy Essay Example for Free

Economic Policy Essay The essence of economic policy in the areas of urban housing, urban education, and urban transportation in the United States National Government is cored on the achievement of trade targets. Boosting its market efficiency and redistribution of supply and services grounded on public values are its primary interest (Feldstein, 1999). These economic policies make up a part of the body of agenda. These are of regulated policies prepared by the Federal Reserve System headed by the President of the United States of America and the legislative branch of government (Poole 1999). Body At the outset, economic policies are decisions. President Harry Truman was a decision maker of the land in his time (Mankiw, 1998). He mentioned of his need to find one-armed economist (Mankiw 1998). This is a manifestation that the concept of economic information is ambivalent (Mankiw, 1998). Decisions are taken initially based on individual principles of: trade offs in efficiency and equity, cost of something versus opportunity cost, marginal changes to a plan, and response of people to trade offs (Mankiw, 1998). Subsequently, societal interactions principles are considered based on: trade, markets, and governmental market policy (Mankiw, 1998). Finally, national economy is considered upon the principles of: production of goods and services, inflation, and tradeoff between inflation and unemployment (Mankiw, 1998). Three of the economic policies Of the United States of America National Government are in the areas of urban housing, urban education, and urban transportation. These are parts of the regulated competitive industries (Feldstein, 1999). The urban housing policy covers private and social benefits of homeownership (Haurin, 2003). Bush said, homeownership is the core American values of individuality, thrift, responsibility, and self-reliance (Haurin, 2003). It represents a pathway to pride and prosperity for many families, encourages values of responsibility and sacrifice, creates stability for neighborhoods and communities and generates economic growth that helps strengthen the entire nation (Haurin, 2003) Dietz and Haurin (2003) however showed that 25% more of spouses in owner-occupied households work or are employed. They also have to face up to inevitable tax revenues through mortgage deductions (Haurin, 2003). While the data presumes that the rest of the population in owner-occupied households does not work, this would mean, this group is above average income in the strata of society. The next issue then is to know why were governmental supports for homeownership projects in the scale of billions of dollars far exceeded expenditure on education (Haurin, 2003) when most homeowners have beyond workers financial capabilities. Were the determinants of families becoming homeowners covered by public policy (Haurin, 2003)? What economic public policy would justify lumping up of burdens on homeowners who are mere workers? What economic public policy would explain governmental support to boost the status of those who can afford a home? Would this public policy be in consistent with the targets of government as pronounced by the President? Enhancement of market efficiency is focused on: developing performances of industries by eliminating anticompetitive elements; providing consumer protection like making informed choices possible; and ensuring product cost would include externalities (Feldstein 1999). While redistribution of resources and services anchored on the policy of collecting higher taxes from those who earn more to provide for those who earn less (Feldstein 1999). These policies however are often influenced by international institutions like the International Monetary Fund or World Bank as well as political beliefs and the consequent policies of parties. Housing Policy for example is usually analyzed in economic industry, as a form of market. Market leads to efficient allocation through a complex process of matching supply and demand. This depends on competition, good information, the existence of multiple suppliers, and the existence of different multiple purchasers. At the beginnings of the 21st century the demographical changes in the United States shaped housing consumption (Masnick, 1990). This is marked though by the big problem in urban housing policy which became inadequate for the increased number of houses required to support increasing population (Masnick, 1990). The number of homeless people is constantly increasing annually (Masnick, 1990). Homelessness became a very complex problem (Masnick, 1990). This means, if there were not enough places for people to live, then there are really those who does not have any shelter of their own (Masnick, 1990). The housing market bloated beyond previous policy allocations (Masnick, 1990). As a consequence, those who were not originally included generally became the poorest constituents of society (Masnick, 1990). Subsequent to demographical changes is the alternative of the homeless to find shelter in temporary shanties on unoccupied lands (Dunleavy, 1981). This led to problems of land entitlements (Dunleavy, 1981). Squatters over time on squatted settlements built more stable houses (Dunleavy, 1981). Homelessness often led to development of individual characteristics such as alcoholism, psychiatric illness, unemployment, and marital breakdown (Dunleavy, 1981). The situation is further aggravated by the decrease in privately owned housing programs (Dunleavy, 1981). The local governmental systems then were obligated to absorb the market (Dunleavy, 1981). As it turned out, it is cheaper to buy houses than to rent (Dunleavy, 1989). Housing conditions in many cities which were particularly unsatisfactory being old and in poor condition were improved (Dunleavy, 1989). Looking back, series of policies since the late 1960s focused on the problems of deprivation in inner city areas (Dunleavy, 1989). Much of the concern was with the inner cities growth which was an attempt to produce an acceptable racial policy. Despite this, ethnic minorities have had no proportionate share of resources from policies for the inner cities (Dunleavy, 1989). However, local government economic policies today are more focused, and greatly in consistent with constant changes in the societal demographics regardless of ethnicity (Gabriel, 1990). Another consideration however must be made. This is because of: the limited availability of affordable rental units, mortgage finance, reduced housing and income assistance to very low income populations, problems of public housing, low income housing preservation, issues of equal opportunities in housing and housing finance market (Gabriel, 1990). Thus it could be said that housing trends are developed largely because of statistical increase in the number of people as well as their movements for relocation needs (Masnick, 1990). The individual household needs were then used as the foundation for the modification of housing policy. This is in addition to the different economic changes which were built-in, in the shifting demographic landscape (Masnick, 1990). In the area of education, improvements must be made in urban education policy (Hess, 2001). Urban districts are now facing hazardous problems in educating young people because of the lack of support from the local government (Hess, 2001). Many buildings in urban public schools are very old (Hess, 2001). Because of this, despite the big number of public schools in the United States, only one-fourth of the country’s students are attending the classes throughout districts (Hess, 2001). These are the main problems of the district official in the urban public area (Hess, 2001). They are unable to comply with the needs of their student population Hess, 2001). The rates of dropout students are also increasing (Hess, 2001). The urban education policy that would most likely fit implementation will be one that is site-based management throughout the district (Hess, 2001). This will allow officials and teachers at the school level to focus more on the specific needs of the students (Hess, 2001). Educational reform efforts and policy initiatives are now under way that shows commitment in improving the quality of education. It will include the proper raising of the student outcomes in the urban districts (Hess, 2001). A key issue though in urban education policy is the potential impact of market-based reforms (Hess, 2001). It will require more than the application of additional money in improving the quality of urban education (Hess, 2001). Allocations of school funds must be centered on the functions of instruction, administration, operations, and maintenance of almost the same statistical number of clients (Picus, 1996). Urban transportation policies must likewise be modified as societal demographics evolved (Norton, 1955-1970). Many states have still no urban freeways (Norton, 1955-1970). The ever increasing numbers of privately owned cars warrants improvement in policies (Norton, 1955-1970). Evolving Americans have to face up to transport problems in the cities (Norton, 1955-1970). The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 made a beginning at bringing highways to the city (Barranda, 2004). It set aside 25 percent of federal highway funds for urban projects and called for the designation of a National System of Interstate Highways† (Barranda, 2004). Although funding of these projects in the late 1940s and early 1950s was at more than two and a half times the prewar levels, total annual federal highway appropriations remained a half billion dollars or less (Barranda, 2004). The problem was that while government and industry both wanted highways, neither wanted to foot the bill (Barranda, 2004). Industry opposed excise taxes and tolls, while government opposed special bond issues and debt increases (Barranda, 2004). Divisions between pro-highway industries impeded their ability to lobby for an effective highway program (Barranda, 2004). However, eventually, the highway system that the government-industry partnership built was urban (Barranda, 2004). The unique degree of private participation in U. S. ransportation policymaking, and a federal policy treated all transportation problems as matters for highway engineers to solve (Barranda, 2004). In 1954, President Eisenhower suggested that metropolitan area congestion be solved by a grand plan for a properly articulated highway system (Larsen, 1995). In 1956, the House Committee on Public Works urged drastic steps, warning that otherwise traffic jams will soon bring down our growing economy (Larsen, 1995). The demise of the highways-only policy stemmed also from serious flaws in the policy itself (Larsen, 1995). At the end of World War II, the federal government began a significant intervention in urban transportation (Larsen, 1995). It was one which had increased to enormous proportions by 1960 (Larsen, 1995). But the funds were provided exclusively for the construction of urban highways (Larsen, 1995). Thus, urban transportation systems necessarily became imbalanced in favor of automotive transport (Larsen, 1995). Even the automotive transport systems were imbalance too (Larsen, 1995). Inequality was brought about by the ways in which federal dollars were allocated (Larsen, 1995). For example, while new freeways were providing automobiles unprecedented ease of access to cities, substantially, less federal allocations was provided for the downtown streets that had to bear the increased load (Larsen, 1995). No budgets were also allocated to provide the record numbers of cars for parking areas (Norton, 1955-1970). The US new urban transportation policy serves greater idea in resolving congestion problems in the cities (Barranda, 2004). Highway-Only Policy is one of those new integrated ideas (Barranda, 2004). Industry, not government, took the initiative in proposing that highways go downtown (Barranda, 2004). Eisenhowers coalition was composed of industries associated with the highway problem and interested in highway development, in the words of the Clay Committee report (Barranda, 2004). Although the Clay Committee conferred with the American Railway Association in drafting its report, this group was the only one of twenty-two trade organizations consulted which had an interest in rail transport (Barranda, 2004). Fourteen of the groups consulted were expressly concerned with roads (Barranda, 2004). But these industries were not simply developing a highway policy (Barranda, 2004). This is their foundation in creating a new national transportation policy (Barranda, 2004). However, many cities in the United States have recently built light-rail systems to combat congestion problems and at the same time avoid pollution (Barranda, 2004). To some critics oppose this policy is not fit because of the function in some small downtown areas (Barranda, 2004). The application of this light-rail however, after its almost universal domination in the 20th century is one of the greatest twists in transportation history. This application policy is an exclusive idea whose time appears to have come (Barranda, 2004). Local government now hopes that the light-rail will gain moderate transportation that will reduce the traffic problems around the country (Barranda, 2004). Fighting congestion was the main rationale for making American highways enter cities to a degree unmatched elsewhere in the world (Barranda, 2004). The consequences of the improved policies ultimately transformed U. S. urban transportation system (Barranda, 2004). Critics of the policy, in government, and outside of the government circles achieved broad bases of support by confronting this problem (Barranda, 2004). Expertise in urban transportation matters, which had been the exclusive domain of highway industry, emerged in other institutions, both governmental and private (Barranda, 2004). The road builders promises to end congestion, to keep downtowns vital visibly failed to pan out (Barranda, 2004). In brief, the vigor of the government-industry partnership that brought the freeways into the cities did not last, but is envisioned to trigger interest on alternative prospective partners (Barranda, 2004). Conclusion The basic portfolio principles of economics provides conceptual structures underlining maintenance of flexibility of economic policies whether it is in housing, education, or transport, or even in prices where speculators are left with the liberty to discern and give value to market stocks so long as it is within the economic parameters of the United States of American government, its Federal Reserve System, its legislature as well as its executive governmental administrators that works within the framework of Federal Democracy.