The IMF and Argentinas Future In A Global Economy †Political Science

The IMF and Argentinas Future In A Global Economy – Political Science Free Online Research Papers The IMF and Argentina’s Future In A Global Economy Political Science In December 2005 Nestor Kirchner, the Argentinian president, announced that the country was to repay the IMF the outstanding $8.5bn of debt owed to the organisation from a series of loan agreements that had stretched back to the early 1980’s. Economically, it will also add some closure to Argentina’s $183bn default of 2001, (of which $103bn was owed directly to the IMF), yet the implications that this affair will have on both parties and the on the global stage are of intense interest. This essay will take a closer look at how we reached this current state of affairs. Notably, it will examine how the neo-liberal ethos of the IMF has proved to be insufficient in turning around this countries economic fortunes and will ask what future beckons for the role of international bodies in the successful restitution of sovereign nation economic privation. The case of Argentina Argentina since becoming a democracy in 1983 has had a chequered economic performance. From the years 83-89, under the leadership of President Raul Alfonsin, its economy suffered from constant hyperinflation (of up to 5000% per year) and a government that managed its effect ,or more aptly mis-managed, via central bank money creation. The net result was to make the peso next to worthless on the international currency markets and Argentina an unattractive investment opportunity. Eventually, the politics caught up with the economics as Menem replaced Alfonsin and embarked on a policy dynamic of dealing with international financiers, including the IMF, and being persuaded him to initiate a policy of dollar pegging and liberalising of aspects of the economy. During this period the period the IMF continued to supply rolling loans with Argentina’s solid economic performance in the first half of the 1990’s being hailed by many to be a testament to the organisation’s ec onomic rigours. Certainly it was felt that this proved the the neo-liberalist economic approach to economic development to be paramount). However, this was not to last and by tying itself in with the global economy, Argentina left itself exposed to the severe exogenous shocks when Mexico in 1995, South East Asia in 197 and Brazil in 1999 all suffered severe capital flight and adopted (under the recommendation of the IMF) currency devaluation. Argentina, who having pegged the currency to the dollar, was unable to take such action and the loss of competitiveness and export markets led to a sharp downturn in the Economy, so much so that by 1999 the economy had started to contract. From this point on the country was facing a losing battle, lumbered with an overvalued pesos, a barrage of loan interest payments, and a global financial market that had already condemned the country to default, in 2001 the country did precisely that and in spectacular fashion . In the years since its default the country did continue to work with the IMF in an attempt to redraw its arrangements with it creditors to force them to accept a ‘haircut’ of around 40-50% of the original loan. At the same time the topic of the IMF and its role in the country’s economic demise has become the key cultural and political issue within Argentina and one that got President Kircher elected on a fiercely anti-IMF policy platform. All of this leads to a need to examine whether such attacks on the IMF are legitimate, how Argentina was able to default on such a large sum and to ask what it entails for other severely indebted countries. The consequences of IMF intervention The IMF, when it negotiated its structural loans with Argentina, insisted that the countries main economic woes stemmed from a poor infrastructure in which profit was being lost due to false pricing, indexed wages, draconian trade restrictions and a social welfare system that lacked any kind of a market dynamic. Subsequently, it insisted that the country embark of a policy of heavy liberalisation under the economic mantra that rational investors view competitive advantage as the major factor in deciding where to place credit and to commit long term FDI and that with these factors under control Argentina would emerge as a stronger, more attractive investment opportunity. But, the market, and the societies they operate in are not rational and the impact of this misjudgement has been dramatic. Firstly, the liberalisation and loss of indexed wages in the name of international competitiveness has hit the ‘bring home’ pay of most workers. In fact, when compounded by upward price changes brought about as part of commodity price normalisation policies it is clear that for many families even the most basic supplies were out of reach . The net result would seem to be a ratification for development economists ,such as Chussodvosky, who argue that such wage policies are posited on the assumption that there is an excess of demand and a privation of human capital when, in fact, global demand has long remained constant at around 15% . Instead, what these policies serve to do is simply to bring about a ‘race to the bottom’ within geographic regions with the net beneficiary being the consumer and service industries in the west. For it is they, rather than the producer, who gain greatest by being able to spend less on daily produce and more on additional goods a nd services . Secondly, by voluntarily reducing its economic sovereignty via the privatisation of key utilities, the government has lost control of not only a key financial resource but also, and more critically, of a means to provide sufficient provision to its populous. Critics have noted that these firms, have become unwilling to commit capital resources to country that they no longer view as profitable commentators such as Gilpin have noted (himself no anti-globalising theorist), the ethos behind privatisation is potentially sound – market forces, prices established via competition etc. – however in order for it to take place a sound, secure administrative framework needs to be in place, to be manned largely by middle class individuals. However, in an almost painful twist, this is the section of society that is most blighted by the reforms. The outcome has been a hotch-potch of privatisation which, ironically, has turned out to be of benefit to neither investor nor investee. The insistence that Argentina rapidly open up to allow global trade and finance to penetrate its domestic markets has, as Beiroch noted with regard to the 19th century , proven to be of far greater equity to developed countries than to Argentina itself. The IMF continued insistence that MNC’s and TNC’s are best equipped to identify where best profit lies within the Argentinean economy and that providing unrestricted access was essential to enabling them to do this. However, critics argue, this has served only to weaken Argentina’s internal economy in two ways. Firstly, by allowing MNC’s/TNC’s to pursue market manipulating policies (e.g. dumping) has enabled them to squeeze smaller domestic companies’ market share companies. Secondly, is the argument that these firms are motivated by nothing other than short term profit , to be strived for at the expense of any social or political concerns. Thirdly, by lowering trade barriers and tariffs vita l government revenues were lost, revenues that were desperately needed to pay back the loans owing to its creditors. Most crucially of all, is the charge that IMF US focussed myopia meant that they failed to appreciate that with the Peso pegged to the dollar Argentinean products would never not competitive when selling into Argentina’s main market, Europe . Finally, cutbacks on welfare meant that the Argentina’s citizens lost the vital safety net needed to prevent the fall into the poverty trap. It is a point on which Joseph Stiglitz, the ex world bank head, has been particularly stinging arguing that it is gross economic misjudgement to restrict spending when a country is heading into a recession Argentina’s response and its implications So, what has been learnt from the ending of this relationship. Firstly, Argentina would seem to have demonstrated that it is possible to take on the IMF and, if not bet them, then give them a proverbial bloody nose. The country exposed the fact that dealings with the IMF are symbiotic and that they need to maintain relationships with debtor countries, especially large ones, in order to maintain their public image as the key development lender. In the wider context however, it is hard to see many other countries taking this policy choice. Kirchner and Lavagna (the Finance minister who administered the debt repayment ‘haircut’) did so in a post 9-11 environment that allowed the country to trade off political support for deliberate oversight on the part of the US treasury . Similarly, whilst Argentina has been struggling to make debt payments, the strength of the soya market has enabled it to build up the reserves required to pay back the debt early. The other caveat is that whilst the IMF loan is to be squared off other loans will nee d to be sought and, as Fischer has noted, this is not always as easy as it sounds and the finance, when it does come, may well be on terms more prohibitive than those of the IMF . Secondly, the example of Argentina , some assert, demonstrated that the primacy of the citizen remains. The economic damage inflicted upon the country saw rapid transfers of political power and stability has only been restored with the induction of Kirchner to the role of President on a mandate of anti-IMF action . In particular, the rise of social groups representing the lower end of society – most notably the Piqueteros – offers, for some advocates, a vision of how democracy could be made to work in an increasingly segregated world. Thirdly, the scale of the IMF’s failure within South America and Sub-Saharan Africa would seem to be a searing indictment that the US economic model cannot, and should not, be produced wholesale around the globe. After all, this is a system that has been exposed as having heavy flaws of its own (Enron, Worldcom scandals), instinctively dismisses other successful economic models ,and that is now running at such heavy deficit spending levels that its own financial security are by no means clear . Lastly, are the practical challenges that Argentina’s payback will pose. The IMF, is meant to be self sustaining with its annual budget of around $1bn coming from interest payments made on loans. Argentina’s action came days after Brazil made the same commitment, and when considered alongside countries such as Thailand, who have built up large currency reserves in order to remove the need to approach the IMF, although unlikely the organisation itself may need to get a loan. In conclusion, the IMF’s role and subsequent withdrawal from Argentina has left both parties with an uncertain future. Argentina has now made a commitment to gaining finance on the open markets, opting away from IMF control yet opening itself up to potentially ever greater market swings as the IMF safety net is removed. For the IMF, it has started the 21st century with a tarnished reputation. The organisation has made a pledge that it is to operate in order to reduce global poverty; yet factors both internal (secrecy, market led bias) and external (notably the growing antipathy of its main backer ) have led to questions over the legitimacy and continuation of the institution , and the time for providing acceptable answers is getting less. Research Papers on The IMF and Argentina’s Future In A Global Economy - Political SciencePETSTEL analysis of IndiaDefinition of Export QuotasThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationTwilight of the UAWAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Assess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andBringing Democracy to Africa

The End of The Indie Gold Rush -- A guest post for Bookmachine

The End of The Indie Gold Rush A guest post for Bookmachine The End of The Indie Gold Rush? A guest post for Bookmachine I was invited to guest post for Bookmachine and decided to dig deeper in the point made by Kristine Kathryn Rush that we might be at the end of the indie gold rush, if there ever was one. Here’s to starting the year on a positive note!An ALCS survey in the UK  last summer crystallised industry concerns about whether career authorship is a viable profession these days. The report painted a somewhat grim picture for professional and part-time authors alike–regardless of whether those authors publish traditionally or independently. (For a crash-course on the industry landscape, I recommend Kristine Kathryn Rush’s exhaustive report on â€Å"things indies learned in 2014†.)The question now is, has the indie â€Å"Gold Rush† passed? Is success finite, and has it been mined to depletion?I don’t believe so.In fact, I’m convinced we’ll see many more indie success stories over the next few years–maybe even more than the ones weâ €™ve witnessed so far. The â€Å"Gold Rush† ends when there is no more gold left, or no way to get to it. That’s not the case here. The problem today is that there are too many people who want to find it, and perhaps not enough of them willing to do the hard work it takes to strike it rich.Read the whole post over at Bookmachine!

Ethics in Business Today Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ethics in Business Today - Essay Example Along with this, ethics also helps in reducing employee turnover thereby enhancing the range of efficiency, if maintained properly. Therefore, from the above points, it might be revealed that ethics acts as the catalyst that helps the business to enhance its dominance and supremacy in the market among other existing rival players. So, ethics is extremely essential for any business organization, operating in current scenario. Other than this, ethical policies and behaviors help an organization or business to attract more investors that might enhance the share prices to a significant extent among other rival players. Side by side ethics also helps in recruiting experienced and skilled employees within the organization that may prove effective in enhancing the total productivity of the organization. Thus, recruitment of talented staffs helps in development of varied types of inventive products and services for its customers thereby satisfying their changing needs and demands. This might help an organization in enhancing its brand value and loyalty within the minds of the target customers. As a result, its level of sustainability might get enhanced significantly. Consequently, ethics also helps in enhancing the inner morale of the employees so as to cope up with the inconveniences in turbulent situations. As a result of such type of inner confidence and willpower of the employees, the organization might become able to tackle the effects of the tough situations thereby retaining its previous image and values. However, this might be possible only if cooperation and team work might be maintained among all the members of the organization. Thus, it might be revealed that ethics is that type of inner psychology that might help an organization to develop a strong image and may also destroy its portfolio in the market among others (Plastin, 2013). Other than this, ethical decision making within an organization also helps in enhancing employee growth and their performance t owards the assigned duties and responsibilities. Due to which, the organization might become able to fulfill its target objectives and goals, which is extremely essential for any organization in this era. As a result, the organization might enhance its level of dominance within the market that may reduce the intensity of the new entrants to enter the segment. Along with this, the level of distinctiveness of the organization might also get enhanced thereby amplifying its output and profitability by a significant extent. As a result, the position and reputation of the organization might get improved in this aggressive market among other operating rivals. Hence, according to me ethics is important for any organization or a business for the following reasons presented below: Employee commitment Employee Growth Investor and stakeholders loyalty and commitment Improvement of the confidence power of the shareholders Improvement of the level of customer satisfaction Improvement in the relat ionship with the stakeholders Enhancement of the productivity of the organization Improvement of the level of performance Improvement of revenues and profit margin Improvement of reputation and image of the organizati

Euthanasia should not be treated as a crime Research Paper

Euthanasia should not be treated as a crime - Research Paper Example This holds more relevant when human rights i.e. basic rights of the people which are utmost important to lead a dignified life in the society are not enjoyed by them. The exposure to critical diseases like cancer and AIDS will make any person psychologically very weak and he may develop an element of pessimism towards his life. Some of the diseases like vitiligo and other skin diseases may lead to skin discoloration and they may be subjected to social boycott and hence leads to stigma and schizophrenia. In these circumstances, the mental strength of the patients may be affected significantly leading to a thought of ending life. In addition, the access to sound financial resources plays critical role in deciding the mental strength of any person. It makes people to go for better health care and education and social prestige in the society and hence their view towards life will be highly optimistic. On contrary, the people who are financially weak or bankrupt, they face lot of challeng es in the form of ill health status, social prestige and poor education and hence they may become disinterested to continue their life. Hence, in the event of poor financial status, exposure to critical and life taking diseases and lack of access to basic human rights, the people may feel that they are not going to enjoy a quality life in the society and they become highly pessimistic towards leading their life. Let us critically analyze the above mentioned factors one by one. 1. Human Rights Human rights also represent the right to quality of life and right to die along with right to dignity (Griffin, 2008). At any circumstances human rights must be protected or honored in the society. When a person is denied for the access to good health in nursing homes, and good working environment for the workers and lack of reasonable freedom to prisoners, it is understood that the right to dignity is at stake and hence the person may feel highly depressed with out any optimism to lead life (P itcher, 2010). Similarly, when a person is not enjoying good quality nutrition due to lack of access to food along with poor quality family life, his right to quality life is at danger. Their right to die might be considered as a human right due to exceptionally poor quality life and mental trauma and pessimism. It also comes under personal freedom, a basic human right to take decision about their lives. It is easier to argue that no body should be allowed to take their lives on their own under some legal clauses in some nations. However, it is equally important to note that the mental torture enjoyed by them due to lack of access to basic amenities is quite phenomenal. Unless we become successful in reversing the scenario in the form of provision of basic access to education, health and food to all people, we can’t change their idea of taking their lives. 2. Diseases In addition to issue of human rights, diseases play vital role in shaping the person’s thoughts about his life. Many patients with serious illnesses have transient thoughts about ending their lives (Carter, 2010 ; Smith, 2006) in the form of euthanasia or mercy killing. Hence, the moral grounds of euthanasia or mercy killing needs to be examined thoroughly before coming to a conclusion whether euthanasia should be treated as a crime or not (Hermsen and Have, 2002). It was reported that about 26% of physicians were

Stay Healthy During Examinations Essay Example for Free

Stay Healthy During Examinations Essay Introduction I. When the final exams, many student will push themselves to study and do not care about their surroundings. II. This means infinite hours of studying, insufficient amounts of sleep, and irregular diet and exercise. The end result problems are occurs, high sickness rates amongst college students. III. Staying illness-free during the final exam season is not easy feat, but is vital in order to maximize performance. IV. Today I will to introduce you to three ways how to keep healthy during exam Comfortable place, time and body, have a healthy eat, and have enough sleep and rest. (Transition: Let’s start by looking at comfortable place, time and body.) Body I. A comfortable place, time and body can help you to focus and can avoid stress when you are studying. A. Make a study time table and follow it. Â  i. Set aside time for friends, family and other activities but you must have your own time table. ii. You must know what you must to do during your weekdays and weekends. Make sure not wasting your time. B. Besides that, have a study space will help you a lot. i. Find somewhere that you are able to go and do your assignment and study in peace and quiet. ii. Find somewhere space you will comfortable with it, because some students have their own ways. C. Take your own break and not push yourself. i. It possible if you are can study without taking some break to release your tension and relaxed your mind. ii. The reason for that is to give your mind a rest and peace. (Transition: Like comfortable place, time and body, keep healthy eat are also the way to stay healthy during examination.) II. Besides that, you must keep your healthy diet during examinations. You must take some food even though you are do not have enough time. A. Find and eat healthy food. i. Find something that can help your brain more active and developed your good memories. ii. Take time away from study to eat, and put your healthy first. B. Be active and do not pressure your brain. i. Go out and do something active, such as go walk, jog or a run. It is can make your brain more active and release your tension. ii. If your mental are healthy, it will lead your mind in peace. (Transition: Now that we have looked at comfortable place, time and body and keep healthy eat, let’s turn to have enough sleep and rest. III. Make sure that you get an enough sleep time and rest during in examinations week. A. Sleep time is more important because it will help your body and brain rest. i. Nowadays, many students do not care about their sleep time. Almost all students like to stay up during a night. ii. Without sleep you will be tired, irritable and cranky. B. Cut down the caffeine. i. It means that, many students like to take caffeine to prevent them from sleepy and want to stay up during a night. ii. It also disrupts your sleep patterns. Conclusion I. As we have seen, health is more important to us and we must keep our healthy with a true ways. II. I have focused on comfortable place, time and body, have a healthy diet and have an enough sleep and rest. III. Make sure that, you as a student have be healthy during your exam. You just wasted your time if you not keep your body health. Bibliography Linda Formichelli (2012). Expert strategies for staying healthy at college. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/expert-strategies-staying-healthy-at-college Tasha Giuda (2011, December 14). Top tips to stay healthy during exam season. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from http://www.foxnews.com/fncu/current-interns/blog/2011/12/14/top-tips-stay-healthy-during-exam-season Siobhan (2012, October 25). Staying healthy during exams. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from http://siobhanb.blogspot.com/2012/09/staying-health-during-exams.html

Bruner and Wittgenstein: Language Learning :: Psychology Children Communication Papers

Bruner and Wittgenstein: Language Learning A crucial phase in the child's development comes with its acquisition of language, but before we can engage in any pedagogical efforts to further infant development or to aid atypical cases, we need to understand methodologically what occurs during language learning. Jerome Bruner, in a methodological adaptation of Ludwig Wittgenstein's middle and later work in an extension of Noam Chomsky's LAD, has put forth one influential proposal (Bruner 1983). Ludwig Wittgenstein's own remarks on the topic also furnish an interesting story independent of Bruner's selective use of his corpus, especially insofar as his approach results in an irreducible riddle and a hypothesis by his own account (Wittgenstein 1953 and 1958). The two views are explored, contrasted and critiqued. In the end, neither will do to resolve problems in our methodological understanding of language acquisition, for which the most important reasons are given. Most children learn language with remarkable ease, but how are we to account for this extraordinary fact? The problem plaguing our understanding of language and language acquisition can be described as. How can one learn anything genuinely new and become linguistically creative and how this learning is possible at all, unless one already has some path into language, for example, a suitable framework in which language learning takes place? It is this framework that interests us here. One possible picture is provided by St. Augustine, who likens the child's learning of language to a stranger coming into a foreign land, unable to understand what is said, yet already in possession of some language, only not the one spoken 'here.' To Wittgenstein, the picture painted in St. Augustine's Confessions is not representative of the scenery encountered by the first-time language learner, for this stranger who slowly decodes the puzzle of the strange surrounding sounds already has a framework. St. Augustine alters the character of the learner so that the issue of a suitable framework does not arise. Philosophers like Chomsky or Fodor, although historically distant from Augustine, try to provide a new answer to the same question. Their solution differs only in the sense that it shifts the problem onto a 'universal grammar' or a 'language acquisition device', which thus provides the entry point into language. In his effort to dissolve philosophical issues, Wittgenstein makes a great many methodological suggestions in his later work, criss-crossing language, meaning, thought, and so forth. We also find

Karmic Connections

The meaning of the term Karma differentiates depending on the school of thought/ religion utilizing it. However, if we try and look at the conceptions closely we could see the resemblances of these meanings.Karma in its simplest sense reverberates the saying, â€Å"What goes around comes around†; it is the belief that whatever we do has an equivocal effect. If we look at it from a spiritual level, it is said that Karma is a concept that constitutes our deeds, it is a universal law that governs our lives, claiming that for whatever action or decision we commit, it would reap for us a tantamount consequence in our current lifetime if not the next one.Karma does it always have to pertain to something bad, as penance for our wrong doings. We could also look at Karma as simply how our lives work. It is also the case that Karma may happen in order to teach us a lesson we have yet to realize, it may also enlighten us, guide us in our future actions. In accepting the Karmic ways in wh ich our reality works, we come to a better understanding of our free will, in a sense that we come to be autonomously responsible for what we do. The events that may happen in the course of our lifetime would be born out of causal events we have willed into existence.Come to think of it, the most important acts we commit are always towards people, it is an inescapable fact that we would at some point connect our lives with the lives of other people. Karma is present in each and every link we create in our social sphere, even if such links may be perceived as shallow for us, how we react to such connections can be well change and affect other people. This often reminds me of a similar line of thought, the chaos theory; it states that a flutter of a butterfly’s wings may result to chaos on another end of this world. Perhaps this wouldn’t make sense right now but look at it this way.People are connected in a web of networks, at some point two very separate lives would int ersect no matter how remote they are from one another based solely on a certain link they share in common. Think of it as the theory of â€Å"six degrees separation†. We could be active or passive participants in these connections, either way we’ll have our actions would have a certain effect on it. In the things that we have direct contact with people, strangers, lovers, family, or friends, we engage in the process of Karma, knowingly or unknowingly, we could change the course of other people’s lives.Connections are so powerful, underestimated to a point wherein we assume that only the closest ones are important. Take for example, not letting a person go before you at the pharmacy, even if your just buying cough syrup, and that person ends up losing someone just because s/he was two minutes late. It could also be that you were able to teach an ex-lover the value of him/herself by dumping him/her. When you meet a stranger in the park, and you offer a smile, you might have just sealed your faith with your future partner in life.The Hotdog vendor, the dime you give him might win him the lottery. There are so many ways in which we can influence and change the lives of people, as Peter Parker said in Spiderman 3, â€Å"Our lives are made of choices, and we could always choose to do what’s right†, or in this case, even if we can’t control the outcome of the things we do, we could always act to touch others with goodness of intent, faith, and will.Perhaps the sartorial indulgence bothers me a lot, simply because I personally don’t see why I worry too much about how I look. There’s always the knowledge that people shouldn’t be judged based on appearances but then again, at some point we can’t help not worrying how others perceive us, even if it’s just the jeans were wearing. Trivialities can hinder the soul.References:Ellen A Mogensen, Past & Now Forward Holistic Counseling, (2006), http://w ww.healpastlives.com/future/rule/ruescape.htm, July, 30, 2007Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Life and Death: Ways to Overcome Bondage of Karma, in The Global Oneness Commitment, (2006), http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Life_and_Death/id/218227,   (July, 30, 2007)

Human Nature: Self-Interest & Altruism

Human Nature: Self-Interest vs. Altruism A debate encompassing human nature has carried on for centuries, and philosophers throughout history have provided a vast inventory of explanations they deem to be sufficient in understanding the perplex idea of human nature. A question commonly debated regarding human nature is determining whether human beings are naturally self-interested or altruistic. Political philosophers Bernard Mandeville and Francis Hutcheson specifically addressed this question, but each arrived at different conclusions based on personal observation and reasoning.Mandeville, influenced by Hobbesian thought, advocated the belief that human beings were naturally self-interested. Opposing the idea of self-interest, Francis Hutcheson attacked Mandeville’s notion and reasoned that human beings were inherently altruistic. Although both sets of ideals originated in the early 18th century, both can be utilized to infer about current events and situations (Tannenbaum & Schultz, 2004). Dutch political philosopher Bernard Mandeville, author of The Fable of the Bees or Private Vice Publik Benefits, attacked a common notion for the time that human beings were naturally altruistic.Mandeville believed that humans were naturally self-interested while most thought of altruism as virtuous and self-interest as vice. He stated that empirical evidence supporting human altruism was non-existent, and it is selfish actions that benefit society. Society that runs on altruism and benevolence is a stagnant society that fails to progress. In Mandeville’s The Fable of the Bees, he emphasizes that when people seek self interests, comforts and pleasures, society inevitably progresses with occurences of new inventions and a circulation of capital.According to Mandeville, a benevolent society is an honest one, â€Å"but if they would likewise enjoy their Ease and the Comforts of the World, and be at once opulent, potent and flourishing† as well as a self-i nterested society, it is likely impossible (Kaye, 1989). Likewise, a self-interested society experiences invisible cooperation, in which greed leads to cooperation if property is sufficiently channeled. The Fable of the Bees is also considered a political satire of England during the time, and Mandeville describes a society having virtues along with ontent and honesty. The society mentioned lacks self-love, a Hobbesian idea that Mandeville emphasizes as a barrier to progress. Virtues held by such a society are hypocrisy that arise from a selfish desire to be superior. While Mandeville concludes his essay with statements expressing that the purpose of his essay was not to directly oppose Christian values, he states that modern honor â€Å"bids you bear injuries with patience†, but religion â€Å"tells you if you don’t resent them, you are not fit to live† (1989).Finally, Mandeville concludes his thoughts rejecting altruism, and emphasizes that â€Å"the seeds of every passion are innate to us, and nobody comes into the world without them† (1989, 2004). A political philosopher during the Scottish Enlightenment, Francis Hutcheson opposed Mandeville’s Hobbesian view that humans are naturally self-interested. He advocated the notion that human beings are naturally altruistic and benevolent. While declaring these attributes as factual about human nature, Hutcheson also stressed the importance and success such qualities have on society.He believed humans are endowed with a â€Å"moral sense†, or derive pleasure from witnessing someone else perform a benevolent act and in turn have a desire to do the same. This â€Å"moral sense†, as Hutcheson describes, is a human being’s natural inclination of pursuing happiness. Hutcheson, a major contributer to the advancement of utilitarianism stated that, â€Å"regarding the pleasurable and painful consequences of actions as morally significant† provided the â€Å"f ormula that that action is best which procures the greatest happiness for the greatest numbers† (Peach, 1971).He divides what he refers to as â€Å"exciting reasons† and â€Å"justifying reasons† into functionality. He considers exciting reasons as merely an appeal to self-interest, and â€Å"have nothing to do with moral justification† (1971). Differentiating, justifying reasons â€Å"establish the virtue, moral goodness, or moral obligations of actions† (1971). This reasoning explains his opposition to Mandeville’s view that moral distinctions derive from self-interest, and declares these distinctions as undoubtedly self-determining.The basis of Hutcheson’s theory expresses that the â€Å"moral sense† tends to be consistent as long as it is not interfered with. Interfering forces such as â€Å"ignorance, mistaken belief, prejudice, or the like† are corrected and addressed by reason (1971). He concludes his statements wi th an underlying theme which states â€Å"the benevolent one is reasonable and the malicious unreasonable†, based on the approval and disapproval of one’s moral sense (1971, 2004). Although both philosophers theorized about human nature more than two centuries ago, opposition and advocation for both is seen throughout current events.For example, Mandeville’s views can be advocated by the constant confrontation between the Israelis and the Arab world, more specifically the Palestinians. Neither side will relent to the interests of the other, viewing altruism with the other as being a weakener of their own state. If the Israelis recognize Palestine as a legitimate state, they lose both land and resources, while also fearing further invasion and conflict within Israel. Numerous negotiations and attempted treaties have failed, because neither side ultimately recognizes sufficient advantages to their own state if they comply.While this situation conflicts with Hutche son’s view, a current example advocates it. Disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and 9-11 have sparked a numerous amount of community benevolence. Countless organizations and people have joined together to help those affected in the disasters recover. Hutcheson would most likely state that such expressed benevolence for others is the result of their â€Å"moral sense†, while Mandeville would describe it as merely human beings seeing an advantage for themselves by joining such an organization; possibly honorable recognition or status improvement.Clearly seen, support and opposition for both Mandeville’s and Hutcheson’s theories has divided thought on this issue still today (2004). References Kaye, F. B. & Mandeville, B (1989). The Fable of the Bees. Indianapolis, IN: Liberty Classics. Peach, B (1971). Illustrations on the Moral Sense. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Tannenbaum & Schultz (2004). Inventors of Ideas. Belmont, CA: Wads worth/Thomson Learning.

Environment and Animal Rights - Contrast and Compare

Environment and Animal Rights - Contrast and Compare Updated and Edited by  Michelle A. Rivera,  Animal Rights Expert for About.com  May 16, 2016 The environmental movement and the animal rights movement often have similar goals, but the philosophies are different and sometimes cause the two camps to oppose each other. The Environmental Movement The goal of the environmental movement is protect the environment and use resources in a sustainable manner. Campaigns are based on the big picture - whether a practice can continue without harming the balance of the ecosystem. The environment is important as it affects human health, but the environment is also, in itself, worth protecting. Popular environmental campaigns include protecting the Amazon rainforest from deforestation, protecting endangered species, reducing pollution, and fighting climate change. The Animal Rights Movement The goal of the animal rights movement is for animals to be free of human use and exploitation. Animal rights is based on a recognition that non-human animals are sentient and therefore have their own rights and interests. While some activists work on single issue campaigns such as fur, meat, or circuses; the broader goal is a vegan world where all animal use and exploitation is eliminated. Similarities Between the Environmental and Animal Rights Movements Both movements recognize we must protect the environment. Both oppose unsustainable practices, and both seek to protect wildlife from habitat loss, pollution and climate change. These threats affect not only whole ecosystems but individual animals who will suffer and die if we continue to ignore environmental issues. We also often see environmental and animal rights groups taking the same position on an issue for different reasons. While animal rights groups oppose eating meat because it infringes on the rights of the animals, some environmental groups oppose meat eating because of the environmental devastation of animal agriculture. The Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club has a Biodiversity/Vegetarian Outreach Committee, and calls meat a Hummer on a Plate. Both movements also work to protect endangered animal species. Animal rights activists work to protect spotted owls because they are sentient beings, while environmentalists want to see individual spotted owls protected because the individuals are important for the survival of the species; and that species is important in the web of life. Differences between the Environmental and Animal Rights Movements Most animal rights activists also try to protect the environment, but if there is a conflict between environmental protection and the lives of individual animals, animal rights activists will choose to protect the animals because the animals are sentient and the rights of the individuals cannot be infringed to protect trees or a collective group. Also, environmentalists may not object if an activity kills or threatens individual animals without threatening the species or ecosystem as a whole. For example, some environmentalists do not oppose hunting or may even support hunting if they believe that hunting will not threaten the survival of the species. The rights and interests of individual animals are not a concern to some environmentalists. However, hunting cannot be considered acceptable to animal rights advocates because killing an animal, whether it is for food or trophies, infringes on the rights of the animal. This applies whether or not the species is endangered or threatened. To an animal rights activist, the life of a single animal matters. Similarly, environmentalists often talk about conservation, which is the sustainable use of a resource. Hunters also use the word conservation as a euphemism for hunting. To animal rights advocates, animals should not be considered a resource. This difference in philosophies causes People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to refer to the World Wildlife Fund as the Wicked Wildlife Fund. WWF is not an animal rights group, but works to conserve nature. According to PETA, WWF has demanded more animal testing of genetically modified organisms before they are approved for human consumption. To WWF, the potential threat of GMOs to the environment and to human health outweighs the lives of animals who are used for GMO safety testing. Animal rights advocates believe that we cannot exploit animals in laboratories by conducting GMO testing, or in any other testing, regardless of the possible benefits. According to PETA, WWF also does not oppose the killing of seals for fur, since they do not believe that the practice threatens the survival of the seal population. Wildlife While the deaths of individual animals are not usually considered an environmental issue, environmental groups do sometimes get involved in non-endangered wildlife issues. For example, some environmental groups work to protect all whale species, even though some whale species - such as minke whales and Brydes whales - are not endangered. The protection of large, iconic animals like whales, panda bears and elephants will probably always be championed by some environmental groups regardless of their survival status due to the popularity of these animals, which gives them a high profile.

A Guide to Business Letters Types

A Guide to Business Letters Types There are a number of types of business letters in the English language. Accomplished English speakers should be able to write the following types of business letters to be successful in business. Its helpful, to begin with, gaining a clear understanding of business letter writing basics. Once youve understood the basic layout styles, standard phrases, salutations, and endings, you should continue to improve your business letter writing skills by learning to write the following types of business letters. Do you know what type of business letter you need for a task? Making an Inquiry Make an inquiry when you are requesting more information about a product or service. The inquiry letter tends to include specific information such as product type, as well as asking for further details in the form of brochures, catalogs, telephone contact, etc. Making inquiries can also help you keep up with your competition. Use this letter template to ensure you receive a prompt reply. Sales Letters Sales Letters are used to introduce new products to new customers and past clients. Its important to outline an important problem that needs to be solved and provide the solution in sales letters. This example letter provides an outline, as well as important phrases to use when sending out a wide variety of sales letters. Sales letters can be improved through the use of personalization in some means in order to ensure attention. Replying to an Inquiry Replying to inquiries are one of the most important business letters that you write. Successfully replying to an inquiry can help you complete a sale or lead to new sales. Customers who make inquiries are interested in specific information  and are excellent business prospects. Learn how to thank the customers, provide as much information as possible, as well as make a call to action for a positive outcome. Account Terms and Conditions When a new customer opens an account it is essential to inform them of account terms and conditions. If you run a small business, it is common to provide these terms and conditions in the form of a letter. This guide provides a clear example on which you can base your own business letters providing account terms and conditions. Letters of Acknowledgment For legal purposes, letters of acknowledgment are often requested. These letters are also referred to as letters of receipt and tend to be rather formal and short. These two examples letters will provide you with a template to use in your own work and can be easily adapted for a number of purposes. Placing an Order As a business person, you will often place an order. This is especially true if you have a large supply chain for your product. This example business letter provides an outline to make sure your order placement is clear so that you receive exactly what you order. Making a Claim Unfortunately, from time to time it is necessary to make a claim against unsatisfactory work. This example business letter provides a strong example of a claim letter and includes important phrases to express your dissatisfaction and future expectations when making a claim. Adjusting a Claim Even the best business may make a mistake from time to time. In this case, you may be called upon to adjust a claim. This type of business letter provides an example to send to unsatisfied customers making sure that you address their specific concerns, as well as retain them as future customers. Cover Letters Cover letters are extremely important when applying for a new position. Cover letters should include a short introduction, highlight the most important information in your resume and elicit a positive response from your prospective employer. These two examples of cover letters are part of a larger section on the site providing all the information you will need on taking an interview in English during your job search.

Case studyfinish 3 questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Case studyfinish 3 questions - Essay Example ons produce cola and take some piece of the overall industry," said Lu Dong, leader of the Peking office for Wahaha Group, the Hangzhou-based guardian organization. So is this the worlds first enthusiastic cola? "On the off chance that one has an energetic feeling, perhaps one beverage Future Cola. Anyway if one does not drink Future Cola, it doesnt mean one is not energetic," said Ms Lu. For the present it is a Chinese David against the multinational Goliaths. Anyway the endeavor by a household organization to test the presence of remote brands takes after a pattern as of recently seen with other purchaser items, for example, Lucky Polaroid film (pitched against Kodak) and Li Ning sportswear (the closest thing to a neighborhood Nike or Adidas). As per figures from the Chinese Beverage Industry Association, the deals volume of Coca-Cola and Pepsi in China has hopped five fold since 1992, with 1.36 million tons of the two beverages sold a year ago. This makes Future Cola yet a teaspoon in the sea of cola beverages, with most extreme processing around a twentieth of its joined together two major opponents deals. In any case Wahaha is not by any means the only Chinese sodas organization that is attempting to rival the multinationals. Fenhuang Cola and Lechen Cola are two other Chinese cola items being advertised this middle of the year. While Wahahas Future Cola is the one attempting to offer itself on patriotism, promotions helpfully overlook the way that the organization is 51 for every penny claimed by the French organization Danone and a Hong Kong venture organization. Anyway Ms Lu claims it likewise coddles Chinese palates: "We make the taste more suitable for Chinese. We made a business sector overview. Coca-Cola is a bit excessively solid in taste, so we make Future Cola some more tender." A "modest" measure of Chinese solution was incorporated for its taste however, much the same as Coca- Cola, the formula is "mystery," she included. Still, the most