Stakeholder Environmentalist Essay Example

Stakeholder Environmentalist Essay 2.2 Stakeholder – Environmentalist 2.2.1 Introduction Environment refers to the surroundings in which living beings live or operate. The environment is thus affected by the operations and activities performed by human beings, directly or indirectly. These activities can be beneficial and/or harmful to the environment. Thus, in order to protect the environment from the activities that can negatively affect it, a special individual or a group that plays a role in protecting the environment is referred to as Environmentalist. We will write a custom essay sample on Stakeholder Environmentalist specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Stakeholder Environmentalist specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Stakeholder Environmentalist specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The role of environmentalist is highly significant when it comes to the matter of construction of a tourism spot close to a marine body as it has a variety of effects on almost all elements of the environment. The Seaside Mall Construction will have direct and indirect repercussions on the environment of Dubai, which makes it a prime concern for the environmentalist bodies such as Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) and Emirates Environmental Group (EEG). 2.1.2 Impact and Evidence The construction industry will continue to impact the physical environment as long as the industry demands natural resources, and this will assume huge environmental significance with the rapid growth in population and the attendant implications for natural resources (Ebohon and Rwelamila, 2001; Ofori et al., 1999). The construction of a seaside mall can be considered as one of the most debatable scenario. It will be an economical success as it will be a project that will contribute to the economical growth of the nation. But there will be several other consequences of such a project on the environment, which will be a prime concern for the environmentalists and the government as a whole. The seaside construction will lead to negative outcomes like Water Pollution and will cause damage to marine life. There are a large number of sources of water pollution on such construction sites, including diesel and other fossil fuels, paints, and toxic chemicals. Even minor chemical spills can seep into the ground and may enter water bodies through which they can toxify the water and harm aquatic life. More importantly, the construction requirements will require drilling, which is a major contributor to Noise Pollution. This noise pollution will not only affect the residents, but will also affect the marine habitats. Other than the mentioned negative effects, construction can also be considered as a major cause of Air Pollution. Almost all major construction projects result in emitting carbon dioxide, methane and other harmful chemical substances that harm the air and contribute to global climate change. Other effects include operations of heavy machinery during the construction, which also lead to carbon dioxide emissions. Not only during construction, but also after the construction of such a mall, there will be various ways in which it would harm the environment. Sewerage waste, food waste, chemical waste can be dumped into the water bodies during regular running of the mall, thus affecting the water body and harming the marine life. Keeping in mind the â€Å"seaside construction project†, Emma Johnston comments that developments are also taking place in oceans and water bodies creating various problems such as destroying the coral reefs that nourish fisheries and protect the coastline from the harsher impact of the waves, and destabilizing many precious coastal ecosystems such as salt flats and mangroves in the context of Palm Jumeirah. This project will also possess a threat to the ecological chain and will create an imbalance in the ecosystem. This point can be connected to the noise pollution factor. Construction near a coastal location can lead to adverse effects of noise pollution on marine habitants. According to Peng, Zhao, and Liu (2015), â€Å"noise pollution will not only pose a great threat to individual marine organisms but also may affect the composition, and subsequently the health and service functions of the ecosystem. For instance, some studies have shown that anthropogenic noise caused a reduction in the catch rate of some commercial marine species indicating a decrease in the service function of the ecosystem for providing fishery products.† More importantly, building on, or near the sea can also cause natural damages. There are a few reports that highlight that Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah Island is actually sinking, though the government denied such claims. It poses a great threat to the reclaimed land situated in disaster-prone areas. The continuous shaking due to a calamity like earthquake can lead to a process called liquefaction, where the solid land sediments can liquefy. The earthquake in San Francisco of 1906 is a great instance of such a disaster caused by the same reason. 2.1.3 Discussion/Findings After conducting various studies and research, the claim that construction affects the environment negatively is true. There are numerous direct ways in which such a project can affect the environment and degrades it. According to Ivano Iannelli, CEO of the Dubai Carbon, â€Å"Dubai doesnt suffer from air pollution like some of the other metropolises do.† But projects such as construction of a seaside mall can directly contribute to polluting the environment. The government of UAE as a whole would not prefer to hamper the environment in any way. Thus, they will have to keep in mind the effects of such a construction on the environment and the residents. The claims of pollution and also the evidence of the process of liquefaction in San Francisco resulting in an earthquake will make the government consider the effect of such a project on the environment. 2.1.4 Conclusion and Recommendations As conclusion, it is clearly evident that the role of an environmentalist is significant. Based on the research and survey conducted, the construction project causes a huge environmental issue. It affects almost all elements of the environments such as water, air, land, soil and also the living creatures that constitute the surroundings where the construction is taking place. Therefore the municipality should take an action keeping in mind these consequences of such a project. Recommendations:- The Ministry of Environment and Water (MEW) has published a number of regulations that have to be adhered in the UAE. These laws address the following areas:- Environmental impact assessments Protection of the marine environment Pollution from land sources Soil protection Protection of air from pollution Handling hazardous substances and wastes Also the municipalities and town planning departments also regulate certain areas including:- Waste management Building regulation Pollution control Water treatment The municipality must make sure that the project authorities adhere to the mentioned regulations and must impose appropriate fines if the project harms the environment in any way.

Taxation in the United States

Taxation in the United States Introduction Payments of taxes in the US are made up of four levels, which can make the whole system a complex matter. The tax code of the US is possibly the most composite compared with other countries, and each day the Congress includes additional pages for tax regulation. These four levels normally include federal government, state government, regional government and local government (Economicwatch.com).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Taxation in the United States specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The forms of tax levied at every government level vary partly as a result of constitutional restrictions; income tax, for instance, is levied at state and federal government levels. Property taxes are normally levied only at local government level, though there might be numerous local jurisdictions which levy similar properties. Various state governments as well as federal government impose excise taxes while the local and state governments impose sales taxes, it is only the federal government that imposes the tariffs or custom duties (Economicwatch.com). Other various taxes like the licence fees are also imposed (Economicwatch.com). Taxes are normally levied on the natural persons (individuals), estates, business entities, trusts or any other types of organization. US taxes are based on income, property, business activity, importation of products, transactions, or other things and are normally levied on the relevant taxpayer for whom these factors are relevant. For instance, property owners are levied property taxes, individuals and business activities are levied income taxes; with some exceptions, one government level cannot impose taxes on the other government level. The subsequent section of this paper will focus on the US’s Federal taxation. Historical overview of taxation in US Ever since 1862 disbursing income tax to the federal government was made compulsory in the US. This was impo rtant in order to fund Civil War during that time, all the income level above $600 was taxed at a 3% income tax rate and a 5% tax rate was taxed in case the income was more than $10,000 (Economicwatch.com). But these rates were amended in 1864, and in the fiscal year 1895 the Supreme Court changed property taxes and affirmed that any income from the property would be taxed. Currently, a range of Federal government activities are financed by income earned from personal and corporate income taxes. In the past, these activities were funded by tariffs, but presently tariffs play an irrelevant role in offering financial support for the Federal government activities (Economicwatch.com).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Tax code There is a tax code in the US’s taxation that is commonly called Internal Revenue Code of 1986; the main objective of this code is to coll ect revenues. In addition, the code is used to fulfil the social, economic and political objectives of the Federal government (Economicwatch.com). Tax progressivity The taxation system in the US is progressive, this means that as income increases the tax also increases meaning the taxpayer with superior income pays huge amount of taxes as well as superior tax rates. For instance, an individual earning $120,000 per year may pay 25% of his/her income as tax ($30,000 as total tax per year), while another individual earning $50,000 per annum may only pay at rate of 10% ($5,000 as tax per year) (Roach 11). The system of tax may also be proportional or regressive; a regressive system of tax is one when the tax paid decreases and an individual income increases at the same time; a proportional system of tax means that all taxpayers pay equal tax rate in spite of their income level (Roach 11). There are a number of reasons why the government uses progressive system of tax. First, this system represents an idea that those having high incomes must pay more taxes as a result of their superior capability to pay taxes without any crucial sacrifices. Second, the system addresses some economic inequalities existing in the society. The inequality is lessened through the use of high tax rate for those individuals with high income levels and a lower rate for those with low income levels (Roach 12). Finally, the system of progressive tax may yield a certain public income level with the smallest amount of economic impact. For instance, if there is a tax cut of $100, the individuals with low income may spend the whole amount in purchasing services and goods while the high income earners may spend a proportion of the $100 on services and goods and invest or save the rest. The saved or invested amount does not include additional demand level for services or goods in the economy. Thus, collecting more taxes from high earners maintains a superior and effective demand as well as more ac tivity in the economy (Roach 12). Residency status In order to file tax return in the US an individual must determine whether he/she is a non-resident or resident for tax purposes. Thus, if an individual is a non-resident and resident in one year, he/she is an alien with dual status, which means special rules are applied.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Taxation in the United States specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The description of a resident for the purpose of taxes is completely different from the immigration status; this is because one may qualify to be a resident for the purpose of taxes, but still remain to be an alien for immigration purposes (Carter 1). A non-resident files a particular tax form and pays the tax only on the income earned in the US and he/she is subjected to particular rates where one may qualify for the treaty exemptions. On the other hand, US residents for the purpose of taxes are subject ed to similar rules and thus file similar forms as US citizens. This means that the worldwide income is reported instead of just incomes from the US sources (Carter 1). The US has treaties on the income tax with various foreign nations. In these treaties, foreign nations’ citizens resident in the US are levied at a lower rate or may be exempted from the income taxes of the US on specific items of the income they earn from sources. These decreased rates as well as exemptions differ amongst the nations and particular items of the income. In case a specific type of income is not covered by the treaty, or there exists no treaty between one nation and the US, the individual should pay tax on his/her income in similar manner and similar rate as shown in Form 1040NR’s instructions. Treaties on taxes decrease the tax paid by the foreign nations’ citizens resident in US; with specific exceptions, these treaties do not decrease taxes levied on the residents or US citizens (Unclefed.com). Advantages and disadvantages The benefits of levying tax on income are several; Individuals are levied depending on their total earnings, therefore individuals who earn less in theory pay a smaller amount of tax on their earnings. Individuals do not consume at equal rate, thus tax on incomes is an equitable manner of evaluating tax compared with the consumption tax. Individuals with lower levels of earnings would be mainly affected by direct tax on the consumption, because even essential things such as motor vehicles would considerably be more expensive. Earnings are a simple way to impose taxes as well as decide deductions. Whilst individuals may contend with a small number of pay stumps they ought to save, in the consumption tax, individuals may save the receipts for each acquisition they made throughout the year so as to qualify for tax breaks (Wisegeek.com). On the other hand, taxation disadvantages include; first, the tax collection on the income is mainly th ought to be harder than consumption tax that would be taxed at particular sale’s point. Second, taxation on income puts the lower class and middle class individuals on financial hardship, in spite of the total amount of income.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Third, some individuals deem that the tax on the income is an infringement of the individual freedom of citizens. Particularly Libertarians contend that income tax infringes the right of the individual to make a decision on how to utilize the money that one receives. Finally, individuals reimbursed â€Å"under the table† might be capable of evading payment of the income taxes (Wisegeek.com). Conclusion Income tax is the main federal tax followed by the taxes on social insurance. The equality of federal tax is a significant issue in the system of the US taxation. The income tax is one of the major progressive constituents of the US system of tax and other types of taxes such as social insurance and sales taxes are normally regressive. Economicwatch.com. US Taxation, Taxation in United States, 2010. Web. Roach, Benard. â€Å"Progressive and Regressive Taxation in the United States: Who’s really paying (and not paying) their fair share?† 2003. Global Development E nvironment Institute, Working Paper No. 03-10. Unclefed.com. US Tax Treaties, 2006. Web. Wisegeek.com. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a tax on earnings? 2011. Web.

Annoying Professors

Despite their degrees and supposed wisdom some professors just don’t know how to teach. Their wisdom and knowledge is found to be lacking when it comes to identifying what their students need help with and how to teach them. This leaves students annoyed frustrated and angry and wishing with all their might that the class would soon be over. The most annoying of professors who leave students in a state of frustration are, commonly the following three types: â€Å"The Confusing Babbler†, â€Å"The Know-It-All† and â€Å"The Useless Git†. The Confusing Babbler presents a major problem for most students. The Confusing Babbler enters the classroom prepared to lecture, his students sit dreading it. As he babbles on about history facts he confuses one with another, does not correct his mistakes and disagrees with the textbook leaving his students wondering is the textbook or professor right, why does what the professor said today contradicts what he said yesterday and why did they even bother buying the textbook at all. The Confusing babbler will finish his lecture oblivious to the looks of bewilderment on his student’s faces and will answer their questions with contradicting statements to his lecture which makes his students puzzled even more. The class will end, the students release a sigh of relief and go home and attempt to decipher and piece the lecture together and decode the course material. The Useless Git another type of annoying professor is known for his inability and useless attempts to effectively help his students. His lectures are long and boring, he assigns class work and homework, students turn it in and The Useless Git receives it, grades it and gives it back. Attempting to know what they did wrong or enlightenment of a broader understanding of the assignment the student asks The Useless Git questions pertaining to their work. The Useless Git answers the student’s question with generic statements he answers all student’s questions with, responses in generalities without going into detail. Corrects student’s papers by highlighting areas where he believes there are problems without fully explaining what the problem is and does not correct every problem in the student’s work leaving it up to the student to find the rest of the mistakes he’s left which, doesn’t work because the student has no idea whether what was done is wrong or not. The Useless Git in the eyes of students receives an F as a professor and has students wishing and praying that the class will soon end. The Know-It-All is the most annoying professor of the three. The Know-It-All is oblivious to his mistakes, refuses to be corrected, or accept opinions from anyone else. The Know-It-All knows every English Literature quote, knows how to write every essay perfectly and considers himself, knowing a better way than the textbook the class is given to work with. The Know-It-All will make several mistakes, answer questions incorrectly and still insist their right. If indeed the Know-It-All admitted to being wrong it would take half the class and half the class period to convince him. The Know-It-All is bored by his student’s opinions and believes his opinions are the only correct ones and all others are wrong or gently needs to be corrected for his liking. Students begin to feel what is the point of attempting to interject their opinions or write papers since the Know-It-All will regard himself as the only correct one and disregard anything they have to say or write. Obviously some teachers are excellent they are clear and precise in their teaching, help their students to great outcomes and believe even their students can teach them something. But on the whole college professors with their high degrees are an annoying bunch having learned nothing from when they were student’s what works or doesn’t, and believing that because they have already sat in their student’s chairs they know all there is to know and more than their student’s which is not always the case. College professors should remember the days when they were students in vivid detail and then perhaps they will become better teachers.

Social Exclusion and the Future of Cities Essay

Social Exclusion and the Future of Cities - Essay Example Dalton et al. (2007) argues that in a society that practices social inclusion, the members have a sense of value and self-worth. Their lives are full of dignity and satisfaction, and they are incorporated in the community systems that define its membership. For example, all people are involved in the community’s social and economic activities, they have an equal right of participating in community politics among other activities. Social inclusion is a significant factor in the mental health of a community. This paper examines the relevance of the concept of â€Å"social inclusion† for social work practice with adults experiencing mental health difficulties. It presents a narrative of the background and origin of social inclusion, the theories of social inclusion as well as policies that enhance the practice. Social inclusion emerged in the background of value based interventions towards maintaining clear goals regarding improvements of public welfare. Denissen et al. (2008) argues that it is a practical human development approach to facilitate social welfare that is focused on elimination of risks and barriers to social inclusion. The foundation of the strategies for social inclusion remain inclined towards recognizing and appreciating diversity as well as recognizing the shared experiences and ambitions for different people.

The Art of the El Camino Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Art of the El Camino - Essay Example The dimensional texture of her outline, unrivaled in the automotive world, sets this automobile a world apart. It is a masterpiece of art, in a class of its own, and there is nothing on earth more deserving to preserve than the 1971 El Camino. The beauty of the 1971 El Camino, a welcome addition to any art, does not in itself automatically grant it that most noble of titles "Art". It does, however, grab the viewer's attention long enough to see beyond the surface and discover the story behind the art. Reflecting the history of the era of its creation, the 1971 El Camino pulls us back to the turmoil of the times. 1971 was a year of massive conflict and the El Camino reflects the troubled past while predicting a rapidly changing future. Is it a truck, or is it a car The El Camino suffered the same lack of direction that the American public confronted. We had lost our space age zeal and lust for aerodynamic design. We were moving into a sleeker, more refined future and the El Camino was pulling us. Refined lines, a healthier profile, and a look that gives you the feeling of impending motion even at a standstill. Pablo Picasso once stated that, "Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth" (qtd. in "Pablo Picasso Quotes") Art forces us to imagine how things may be, and believe how things could be.

Savannah State Parking Essay Example for Free

Savannah State Parking Essay It’s common for a commuter or resident student to be on campus at Savannah State and not find a parking space. Parking has been a huge issue on campus lately. Nobody appears happy with the rules and regulations for student drivers. â€Å"It’s just not enough parking spaces,† freshman Morgan Walden said. â€Å"They tell us to buy decals, but when we buy them it’s still nowhere to park on this campus. I don’t see the point to spend my money when I don’t get the benefit that it’s supposed to be used for. † There are four different types of parking categories on SSU’s campus; orange for resident, blue for commuter, brown for faculty, and black for reserved. Decals are sold to determine where he or she may park around campus. In between classes I don’t have a place to park my car, and I can’t wait for the bus transportation to pick me up on time,† SSU commuter student Kim Wilson said. She feels like it forces her to park in areas where she may receive a ticket. Many drivers fear the idea of getting their vehicle either ticketed or booted while on campus. More tickets are given in the start of the fall semester, Robert Lemons said. Lemons oversee the writing of tickets and issuing of tire boots on campus. He also stated most tickets are given when students park in a reserved space or on the yellow curb and he alone issues about 10-20 tickets a day himself. Lemons has 3 student officers that work under him. Other schools have different ways of dealing with parking problems, although they also give tickets and boots. â€Å"Early in the morning most of the parking spaces are taken,† Georgia Southern student Kirvin Roberts said. GSU has about five different areas they are allowed to park at on campus. Their parking passes cost $120. They face a limited number of parking spaces like Savannah States which causes students to park in places where they aren’t supposed to. That is how their tickets accumulate. All fines are $30 and if you receive over $100 in tickets their vehicle will be booted. Savannah State is not the only campus that could use more parking spaces. The most recent addition to the campus was adding a new parking lot located where the old tennis courts was positioned. If there were more parking spaces that students were able to park their car, it would reduce the number of tickets giving out on campus on a daily basis.

Is Violence in Pursuit of Happiness Justified? Essay -- Civil Disobedi

How are the people, oppressed by others and by the government, supposed to react? Certainly, they do not enjoy being treated unjustly, however, they should still obey the laws. Is it to the laws of the land that command total submission or to his convictions by which he is convinced that the system is totally unjust? Therefore, how should citizens defend their liberties, without using violence or disobeying the law, if they think it’s unjust? If an individual obeys the law, he would automatically be thought of supporting the unjust system but in case he does not, he would be accused of disobeying the law. There are various controversies about whether violence is justified when liberty is threatened. Throughout history, people have had numbers of arguments on this topic. Civil disobedience is usually thought to be an â€Å"illegal activity undertaken to protest laws that are regarded as unjust† (Schlesinger). In order to eliminate injustice, or at least the most unjust law in the system , people may start disobeying that particular law. Thoreau, Gandhi, and King each were closely related on the concept of civil disobedience, they all thought that the government was in need of fundamental transformation. However, they did support the non-violence movements. I would not say that this was very pretentious--their resort to nonviolence did reflect their morality and religious judgements ,but this is not accurate enough to work one hundred percent. Some people think of civil disobedience as something that must be limited, no one knows to what extent or degree, civil disobedience is always in search of limits. The tactic for violation of rights should be openness, because stimulated public is the purpose of civil disobedience. Unjust law... ... and Education, Sept. 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. . "Lesson 3 :: Non-Violence and Mass Civil Disobedience  « Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. "Martin Luther King: The Philosophy of Nonviolent Resistance." Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. . "The Power of Non-violence by Martin Luther King, Jr." TeachingAmericanHistory.org -- Free Seminars and Summer Institutes for Social Studies Teachers. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. . Simkin, John. "Malcolm X." Spartacus Educational - Home Page. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. . Is Violence in Pursuit of Happiness Justified? Essay -- Civil Disobedi How are the people, oppressed by others and by the government, supposed to react? Certainly, they do not enjoy being treated unjustly, however, they should still obey the laws. Is it to the laws of the land that command total submission or to his convictions by which he is convinced that the system is totally unjust? Therefore, how should citizens defend their liberties, without using violence or disobeying the law, if they think it’s unjust? If an individual obeys the law, he would automatically be thought of supporting the unjust system but in case he does not, he would be accused of disobeying the law. There are various controversies about whether violence is justified when liberty is threatened. Throughout history, people have had numbers of arguments on this topic. Civil disobedience is usually thought to be an â€Å"illegal activity undertaken to protest laws that are regarded as unjust† (Schlesinger). In order to eliminate injustice, or at least the most unjust law in the system , people may start disobeying that particular law. Thoreau, Gandhi, and King each were closely related on the concept of civil disobedience, they all thought that the government was in need of fundamental transformation. However, they did support the non-violence movements. I would not say that this was very pretentious--their resort to nonviolence did reflect their morality and religious judgements ,but this is not accurate enough to work one hundred percent. Some people think of civil disobedience as something that must be limited, no one knows to what extent or degree, civil disobedience is always in search of limits. The tactic for violation of rights should be openness, because stimulated public is the purpose of civil disobedience. Unjust law... ... and Education, Sept. 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. . "Lesson 3 :: Non-Violence and Mass Civil Disobedience  « Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. "Martin Luther King: The Philosophy of Nonviolent Resistance." Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. . "The Power of Non-violence by Martin Luther King, Jr." TeachingAmericanHistory.org -- Free Seminars and Summer Institutes for Social Studies Teachers. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. . Simkin, John. "Malcolm X." Spartacus Educational - Home Page. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. .

Why do Middle Eastern and North African countries?

Joseph Waweru Why do Middle Eastern and North African countries lack democratic governments? Is it the Arabic language or the Muslim faith? Columbia University scholars, Alfred Stephan and Graeme B. Robertson, seem to have the answers. In regards to Arabism and Islam, the duo classifies nations associated with the former as democratic â€Å"underachievers† and the latter as â€Å"overachievers†. A state’s classification as an overachiever/underachiever is based upon their Gross Domestic Product Per Capita (GDPpc).In addition, they observe political rights on a scale to help them determine which states exhibit â€Å"electoral competitiveness. † They structure their argument into three phases: quantitative, qualitative, and implications of the prior phases’ results. Finally, Stephan and Robertson offer possible solutions and scenarios that must take place in order for the political atmosphere in Arab countries to transform. The data used comes from th e Freedom in the World: The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties by Freedom House and Ted Gurr’s Polity Project.The year 1972 is chosen as the suitable year to compare the data from both sources. Freedom in the World ranks nations on a scale of 1-7 whereas 1 is the highest and 7 is the lowest. Nations that are ranked 3 (and above) are considered â€Å"electoral competitive†. The Polity Project ranks nations from strong autocratic (-10) to strong democratic (+10). Nations that are ranked at least (+4) are classified as â€Å"electoral competitive†. What constitutes as â€Å"electoral competitive? † According to the duo, government positions must be filled through fair elections.Governments like Egypt cannot bar individuals and parties from participating in elections. Secondly, high government positions should be filled with individuals who are elected though fair means, unlike Lebanon, whose executive and parliamentary government is author itarian. In addition, a nation must meet these criteria for at least three years to be considered electorally competitive. They also emphasize that electoral competitiveness is not democracy but a prerequisite for it. The use of â€Å"Arabic† and â€Å"Muslim† interchangeably reflect the common misconception that the two words mean the same; they do not.The former represents regions that speak Arabic and the latter represents regions that practice Islam. Using this template, Stephan and Robertson group their findings into: Arab Muslim, Arab non-Muslim, and non-Arab Muslim-majority. From the onset, we notice that Arab countries have relatively weak political and electoral rights. Only Lebanon, one of the sixteen Arab countries and coincidentally the only Muslim-majority state in this group, had three years of consecutive strong electoral rights. No Arab country had five years of consecutive strong political rights (32).On the contrary, 38% of the thirty non-Arab Muslim countries examined had strong political and electoral rights for three consecutive years while 27% of the same group went for five consecutive years. The likelihood of a non-Arab Muslim country to be â€Å"electoral competitive† was 2000% higher than an Arab Muslim state. This extensive gap reiterates the authors claim that Arab states are associated with the lack of democratic zeal. In the quantitative phase, Stephan and Robertson examine GDPpc. They search for a link between levels of income and political rights.They characterize them as follows: Non-Arab Muslim states whose GDPpc is under $1500 are great electoral overachievers, those that are under $3500 are electorally non-competitive and those that are over $5500 are electorally competitive. There are no electoral underachievers within this group. For Arab Muslim states, there is not a country whose GDPpc is below $3500. In addition, there are neither great electoral achievers nor electoral competitive states. In fact, 44% of the countries in this group are electoral underachievers and their GDPpc is over $5500.They assert that there is no Muslim gap in regards to political rights. The qualitative phase deals with the nature of government. They state that in non-Arab Muslim countries, like Senegal, Turkey, and Niger, powerful incumbents have been voted out of office by constituents. Niger is an interesting case since its GDPpc is equal to that of Yemen, an Arab majority state, yet it’s ranked (+4) and Yemen ranked (-2) on the Polity Project scale. In addition, Arab countries are classified into three groups: complete autocratic states, liberalizing, and those that once showed promise to be democratic.The authors suggest that election bans, coercion, fraud, civil war, and military coups are to blame for the lack of democratic governments in Arab countries. The findings of Stephan and Robertson also seem to counter prior arguments made by other scholars. For example, it is thought that econom ic development leads to democracy because development correlates with greater political participation. The authors disagree with this notion. They compare political participation between India and the United States and conclude that the poor members of the former are more politically involved than those of the latter.They also disagree with the theory that differences in languages and ethnicities within a society are detrimental to democracy. They claim that â€Å"electoral competitive† states actually began with the high levels of ethnolinguistic fragmentation while â€Å"electoral non-competitive† states had low levels. In conclusion, Stephan and Robertson believe the electoral gap is an Arab one, not Muslim. Factors such as their heritage to the Ottoman Empire and their failure to transition from authoritarian government explain the gap.In addition, they believe that if the Arab world recognized each other as legitimate and sovereign nations and if military spending was reduced in favor for domestic improvement, then democracy should form in the region. They believe democracy will be achieved through internal means rather than external. And they are right. Eight years after this essay was written, Arab countries like Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco are becoming democratic mainly due to internal pressures.

How Were Markets and Fairs an Important Part of Medieval Life

Lesly Kurian 8 June 2007 â€Å"First of all, there are the hucksters who sell food to the public, the beer sellers, the publicans, and then the weavers. Not far off are the drapers, and then the parchment sellers’ pitch. Then the open space where they sell uncured skins and wool†¦Here comes the people leading the animals- cows, oxen, ewes and pigs, and men selling horses, the best you can buy, mares, foals, and palfreys, suitable for counts and kings. † Many people came to buy items from markets and fairs, including the 13th century poet who described a typical market (Pierre and Sabbagh 54).Markets were important to daily life because most of the items people bought there, they couldn’t grow or make themselves. People also made a living by selling goods there. Going to markets also gave people a chance to see goods produced in other towns (MacDonald 8). Markets were held once a week and usually lasted for a day or two (9). Since many towns were built near r ivers, merchants could easily come to them and set up stalls and tents (Grant). In the center of town, there was a large space for stalls to be set up. In wealthy towns, markets were held in grand halls or covered by a canvas roof from the weather.In the market, officials checked and measured items and identified fake money (Mac Donald 9). Merchants sold an incredible variety of items for daily life; food, utensils, tools, clothing, art, and combs (â€Å"Markets and Fairs†, MacDonald 8). Rich merchants set up stalls to sell these items. However, peasants who came to sell their goods couldn’t afford stalls, so they were forced to display on the ground. Even worse, they had to pay a tax if they displayed on the ground (â€Å"Markets and Fairs†)! Superstitions were strong in markets too!In a typical market, a cross or holy statue was placed in the center to protect customers from any danger (MacDonald 9)! Eventually, merchants started visiting and trading in other areas. By the 12th century, many became traders and used ships on trade routes (Langley 46). Most traders used ships because they could carry large loads over a long distance versus carts on roads (Grant, MacDonald 11). Items usually transported on ships were wool, metals, timber, oil, wine, and salt (â€Å"Markets and Fairs†). As trade increased, major castles and cities became wealthy. New towns were created during the High Middle Ages because of this immense wealth.Some even became independent of a lord or king’s rule by paying him a tax (Langley 48). As new towns were created, the population grew and some towns grew into major cities, like Paris, Venice, London, and Florence. The increase of trade also provided jobs for many and helped spread ideas around the world. Cities often became contacts and allies because of this (MacDonald 10). One group of contacts was called the Hanseatic League. It linked over 100 towns with each other. This group dominated Northern Eur opean trade from the 13th to the 15th centuries (Pierre and Sabbagh 54, Grant).Trading among towns led way to fairs. Fairs were very special occasions because people got to look at and buy foreign and expensive items not sold at markets (MacDonald 9). They gave people a chance to take a break from daily life and enjoy themselves. They were held once a year on a saint’s feast day (Langley 54). Fairs were usually located on the outskirts of town because there was enough grassland for traders to set up their tents and graze their animals (MacDonald 9). Traders from many different lands sold specialty items at fairs.Valuable furs, such as lynx and leopard, were popular. People also took interest in special foods like pig meat and onions. Tools and weapons were also available (Pierre and Sabbagh 54). Entertainment and refreshments was also a large part of fairs. Jugglers, stunts men, acrobats and musicians performed there. Gambling was also part of fairs. Men bet on who would win a fight; wrestlers and dogs against bears and cockfights were popular (â€Å"Markets and Fairs†). Refreshments, especially during hot weather, were enjoyable. Bakers and brewers served pies, or chewets, and beer (Langley 54).There was special fair called the Fairs of Champagne, in France. It went on throughout the whole year without stop. Merchants, traders, and customers alike all flocked there to sell and buy goods. Unfortunately, it ended during war in the 15th century (Pierre and Sabbagh 54). As anyone can see, markets and fairs during Medieval Times were an important part of daily life. They provided needed items for life and occasional luxuries, too. However, not everyone appreciated markets and fairs. Preachers often complained that fairs were held on holy days so people would shop instead of pray!They also believed that markets and fairs were places that people sinned the most; cursing, boasting, lying and arguing all happened there (MacDonald 9). Imagine that! Biblio graphy Grant, Neil. Everyday Life in Medieval Europe. North Mankato, MN: Smart Apple Media, 2001. Langley, Andrew. Medieval Life. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1996. MacDonald, Fiona. Town Life. North Mankato, MN: Smart Apple Media: 2005. Pierre, Michel and Morgan-Antoine Sabbagh. Europe in the Middle Ages. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Silver Burdett Press, 1998. N/A. â€Å"Markets and Fairs† N/A. Online. http://www. xtec. es/crle/02/middle_ages/alumne/index. htm. 20 May 2007.

Social Networking Profile Quotations

Social Networking Profile Quotations On social networking sites, make a profile that leaves a lasting impression. If your profile is drab, nobody will be interested in you. But with a super-cool profile, you can draw all the attention. Use these cool profile quotes to carve a unique identity for yourself. Cool profile quotes add zing to your emails too. Quotes for Social Media Profiles Stupidity: Bertrand RussellThe trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.God: Benjamin FranklinFear God, and your enemies will fear you.Time: Benjamin FranklinEmploy thy time well, if thou meanest to get leisure.Stupidity: Elbert HubbardGenius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.Love: Benjamin FranklinIf you would be loved, love and be lovable.Laughter: Irish ProverbA good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctors book.Work: Edgar BergenHard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?Stupidity: Bill CosbyA word to the wise aint necessary its the stupid ones that need the advice.Life: Oscar WildeWe are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.Life: JRR TolkienAll who wander are not lost.Prejudice: William JamesA great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.Supernatural: Elbert HubbardThe supernatural is the natural not ye t understood. Humor: Mark TwainThere are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.Opportunity: Ralph Waldo EmersonEvery wall is a door.

Economics of Race and Gender Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Economics of Race and Gender - Assignment Example The important advantages of specialization and exchange within the family were also analyzed in this chapter. The authors further explained that, the reasons that, women do some house chores better in it is due to the fact that, they specialize in these works. Economies of scale were highlighted as one of the advantages of families as the price of the commodity required within the family tend to be reduced due to the fact that, they are required in large quantities. Other advantages of the families are: the availability of public goods or shared consumption within the family, externalities in consumption as two people that care for each other tend to derive satisfaction from the happiness of the other party, risk pooling, family investments that occur due to the marital relationship within the family and certain institutional advantages (Blau, Ferbr & Marianne). The author also looked at the negative side of specialization. The unequal sharing of housework is one of the disadvantages of specialization as the women tend to do the bulk of the work in the house and this tends to deny them of some salient market opportunities. Other disadvantages of specialization as mentioned in the chapter are: the transformation that affects the female gender especially throughout their life in the family as she tends to her children, she does not have the kind of time that her husband has for leisure. Another disadvantage of specialization is the cost of not being able to exist or survive without the other members of the family. Domestic violence and tastes and bargaining power were also mentioned as disadvantages of specialization. The Marxist and feminist views of the family which were based on the marital and sexual exploitation of women in the family were also analyzed in the chapter as the men tend to be the ones making the decisions in the family. Other alternatives to economic approaches such as the bargaining models and the transaction

History of asian immagration to the U.S Research Paper

History of asian immagration to the U.S - Research Paper Example An understanding of the history as well as the reasons for the rampant immigrations has been a major concern for all people in the world. Indeed, several contributing factors are evident (Fowler, 2007). The emigration policies that had been set in each of the Asian countries, and their relationship with the immigration policies at work in the United States has been a long term factor that contributing to the Asian immigration into the American countries. The second rationale en tails the linkage between the United States and the Asian countries in relation to economical, political, social, as well as military linkages. A third migration cause is the aspect of globalization, in the fact that the world has been modified recently to appear like a small city where people can move to and fro. This has also made the movement process easy, making the movement of the Asians into the United States year by year. ... The discussion in this paper provides in formation on the history and present day immigration of the Asians into the United States. It will also provide an overview of literature, which has been documented over the years concerning the immigration and the immigration policies. It is also deemed crucial to analyze an immigration case, for instance, the current movements to the United States and their relationships with immigration policies and laws. More over, a comprehensive discussion is important when provided to provide a wide scope overview of the Asian immigration to the United States issue as well as the impacts. Literature review A lot of literature has been documented regarding Asian immigration to the United States. The history of migration dates back to the inception of agrarian, industrialization, as well as globalization periods. Theorists have also been on their onset to propose rampant theories that explain emigration immigration issues. Major empirical studies have als o been conducted, providing distinct findings for the immigration studies (Fowler, 2007). History of the immigration The history of Asian immigration to the United States dates back in 1850’s. Different waves have been seen arrive the united states over the years, the first wave arriving in 1850 in the city of California. The reason for the referral inform of waves is conformity with immigration laws that have Marjory controlled the immigration trends. The first and the second waves having arrived in 1850 and 1882 respectively, laws were set regarding a stop of immigrants from Asia moving in to the United States. The 1970 again saw a restoration of the immigration laws that enabled other