How Investors Encounter Political Risk In Project Finance Finance Essay - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1602 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Narrative essay Did you like this example? Project Finance is a long term project which needs political will of the governments. It is a long term investment which needs political motivation as well as the continuation of the economic policies of the government. The governments adopts project finance for the provision of public infrastructure through PPPS. The success or failure of project finance has severe political consequences. It is difficult to made or run any project finance without any political support. For example a project finance agreement between a state owned power company and a project company for the construction of power station can not be possible unless the top management of the official company decides that the project is in their interest. The break through can only be possible when there is a strong direction of the government. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "How Investors Encounter Political Risk In Project Finance Finance Essay" essay for you Create order Political support is needed from initiating the project till the completion of the project. Financers need to take steps for the alleviation of political risks before providing any finance to the project. There are three classes or groups of political risks which includes investment risks and investment risks includes Currency convertibility and transfer, expropriation of the project by the state and political violence. Political risk in project finance also includes the change of law which means legislative, judiciary or executive can take a decision in which laws are changed which includes new import export restrictions, changes in environmental law, and new tax regulations. Quasi-Political Risks includes breach of contract and court decisions. Project financers and sponsors can reduce political risk by signing an investor friendly agreement between the sponsor and the government. Political risk can be reduced through the risk insurance through the insurance companies present in the private sector. Companies should also take legislative protection by signing an agreement with the government that any change of law will not affect the terms and conditions of the government. Government should gave permission to the company that there is no restriction on the company if it will take loan from the private sector. After the 9/11 incident in America there were claims of billions of dollars which insurance companies had to pay to the claimants of world trade center. So now it is difficult to buy any risk insurance policy because now insurance company is selling terrorism insurance policy. The problem is that terrorist activities in the world is increasing and now no company is ready to take the risk. In the thirld world counteries financing of large projects wrere managed by the governments. In thirld world counteries most projects were given on Built, Operate and Transfer basis. Governments gave such type of projects to the companies in which they dont want to involve due to some reasons which includes pessure from international organizations, local pressures and environmental issues. Economic benefits of project finance includes a secured loan to the sponsor secured by the project assets would normally give lenders recourse to sponsors assets in addition to project assets in the event of default. At the same time, depending on applicable insolvency laws, a secured lenders claim over the project assets may be subordinated to the claims of other creditors of the sponsor. Project finance is typically used for projects in infrastructure and extractive industries, including ,mines, water and sewage systems, power plants, energy transmission systems, pipelines, roads, railways, airports, ports. Project finamnce has a social, economic and political impact on the host society. Many large projects promote the economic development of the host country by providing employment, profits and technology transfer for local suppliers, tax revenue for the state, and, in some cases, additional goods or services for local customers. However, the operation of projects that make use of project financing may also have adverse effects in the host society. For instance, many of the projects listed above can result in environmental pollution or displacement of residents. In addition, where the project creates a monopoly over the production of locally-consumed goods or services, such as electricity, water or transportation, local consumers may be prejudiced by exploitative pricing policies. Projects that generate revenues from overseas can also be associated with adverse economic or political effects within the host state. Economic effects of project finance is that it gives a a large boost in exports, the result may be that the host nations currency will appreciate in value. Generally, an appreciation of this sort makes a nations other exports less competitive, as foreign buyers essentially must pay a higher price for them. It also gave boost to the real estate. This can be problematic if manufacturing is more likely to contribute to growth than other industries.Governments can take proactive steps to reduce these effects (known as the Dutch Disease), such as investing certain amounts of money overseas so as to avoid driving up either the currency or the price level and thereby crowding out non-resource exports. Political effects includes more access a state has to cashflows from export-oriented projects the less dependent it is on tax revenues or foreign financiers. This makes governments less accountable to external constituencies and can undermine their incentives to govern soundly. States sometimes respond to these concerns by adopting special laws that govern how revenues from projects are to be spent. This strategy is particularly common among oil-producing countries. Usually the proceeds from projects are put into special funds that serve specific purposes, such as investing in education or simply to serve as reserve for a future time when revenues are inadequate. The international community has responded to these concerns by promoting transparency in financial transactions between states that host lucrative export-oriented projects and foreign companies. For instance, the Publish What You Pay coalition of over 300 NGOs worldwide calls for the mandatory disclosure of the payments made by oil, gas and mining companies to all governments for the extraction of natural resources. The coalition also calls on resource-rich developing country governments to publish full details on revenues. Advocates of the movement argue that transparency will place pressure on governments to use the revenues from projects to more effectively promote economic growth. The World Bank has endorsed this strategy by adopting its Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. In project finance there is a role of project agreements. The project documents serve to allocate risks amongst the parties involved the transaction. From a commercial perspective, the most important risks are the following completion risk, operating risk, resource risk (availability of inputs), market risk/currency risk (value of outputs), political risk (state actions that affect revenues). The social, economic, and political implications of projects are influenced by a variety of bodies of law.Projet finance investors need to follow the host state regulation of foreign investment. Countries have laws that limit foreign investment in various sectors or only permit it at the discretion of government officials. Many states are subject to international obligations that limit their ability to regulate foreign investment. The sources of those obligations include agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs), general Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) , bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and regional agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), many multilateral organizations discourage countries from adopting restrictions on foreign investment. Many enders require the projects they support to meet social and environmental standards that are independent of any binding legal obligations. A significant number of private project finance lenders have endorsed the Equator Principles, which commit them to ensure that the projects they support meet social and environmental standards set by the International Finance Corporation to guide its own operations. Methods of enforcing these obligations vary. For instance, some of the ultilateral financial institutions have established ombudsmen or quasi-judicial bodies charged with overseeing compliance with their operational policies. While making a contract law in public policy there are few concerns which include enforceability of stipulated damages clauses, enforceability of choice of law, choice of forum and arbitration clauses, enforceability of obligations in the hands of assignees, recognition of foreign judgments and arbitral wards. Concerns like domestic laws that that affect the value of the project to its investors and sponsors. Projects typically implicate a broad range of domestic laws of general application, including, immigration laws. Many projects will require professionals with specific technical skills to be on site. Often such labor cannot be supplied domestically and must be brought in from elsewhere, environmental and safety laws, tax laws, currency controls. Changes in these laws, or outright physical expropriation, can seriously impair the value of the project to investors and sponsors. Projects are often designed to minimize the host states incentive to take such action. Staging the investment, withholding critical technology, or involving actors such as official creditors or political risk insurers who can threaten to cut off future dealings with the state are all ways of creating disincentives to expropriate. Sponsors and financiers of large projects often obtain agreements that require the host state to exempt them from specified domestic laws or to provide compensation for changes in the law. (Provisions designed to insulate foreign investors from the effects of changes in the law are sometimes referred to as stabilization clauses.) International legal obligations such as customary international law and the provisions of Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) limit host states ability to expropriate the assets of foreign investors or otherwise treat them unfairly, including by reneging on agreements designed to insulate them from the effects of domestic law. Many commentators are concerned that these sorts of international obligations place undue restrictions on host states ability to adopt socially beneficial laws.

Essay on History of Response to Intervention - 784 Words

History of Response to Intervention Response to Intervention (RtI) came about initially in answer to the over-identification of struggling students as special education students. It was developed starting in the late 1970s by numerous researchers seeking a method of identifying learning disabilities that avoids the problems of the discrepancy model. Many educators were concerned that too many students were being identified as having a learning disability, not because they actually had one, â€Å"but because they had not been successful in a general education program† (Prasse, 2010). Many were also concerned that students with a true learning disability were not receiving the help they needed quickly enough. Before RtI, the accepted†¦show more content†¦Indeed, some research indicates that if a child who reads slowly has IQ scores that are above average, that child might receive services under IDEA based on the discrepancy between the IQ scores and the reading ability. On the other hand, another child who also reads slowly but has IQ scores that are average may not receive any services because of the lack of a significant discrepancy. Such approaches to assessment may clearly result in some children who need services not getting them while others who do not need them will receive them† (Pasternack, 2002). Based on the testimony of Dr. Pasternack and others, a statute was added to the 2004 IDEIA requiring school districts to use some form of scientifically based research to guide intervention decisions. RtI was recognized as one option that school districts can use to identify students with learning disabilities. The federal law states: When determining whether a child has a specific learning disability as defined in  § 602 (29), a local educational agency shall not be required to take into consideration whether a child has a severe discrepancy between achievement and intellectualShow MoreRelatedThe And Implementation Of Rapid Response Teams1470 Words   |  6 Pagesthat must be assessed and reviewed routinely to identify the dysfunctions or parts that are in need of intervention. It is the job of nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals to recognize and communicate when there is a need for change or improvement in order for patients to receive the highest standard of care and optimal health outcomes. The creation and implementation of Rapid Response Teams were one of the many strategies initiated in the 100,000 Lives Campaign (2004) instituted by theRead MoreThe Sampling Approach1154 Words   |  5 Pagesdesign is: experimental treatment pretest-posttest comparison design. 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Controversial Issues Of Traditional Arts Essay Example For Students

Controversial Issues Of Traditional Arts Essay There has been cases of tourists jumping into the sea for no reason after they performed Like Mayans along the north-eastern beaches of Peninsular Malaysia. Some cases happen on land too. Going missing and receiving visits were the greatest fear whenever one performs Leek Mayans. Disagree: According to status, Cycle Mayans is not a ghost or jinn. Its a popular song in Triggering and is a type of alga rackety. The leek Mayans song used nowadays has been shortened as Malay count the full song as worshipping spirits which is skirt in Islam. The Malaysian rock diva, Ella once sung the song in a rock version Pico Pico dance choreographed with sequence of steps. it is a type of aerobic dance believed to originated in Indonesia more than 20 years ago Menstruate Astuteness Fatwa Niger Opera banned Pico- Pico because they believe it is derived from Christianity. The dance originated from Jamaica and is actually a cult dance There are many Christian rituals to it as the moves reflect the making of a cross and so is unacceptable in Islam The Malaysian Muslims are confused. There is no any literature or practical evidence showing that Pico-Pico is derived from Christianity either in Indonesia, Philippine or Jamaica. Pico Pico movements with cross design can not be a sufficient justification because movement Of left and right sides is a natural human movement. Even When human stretch his hands, it can be considered illegal if the method resembles the cross. Masseurs curse: Myth or Legend? Summary: One day while Masseurs husband was away fighting a war, Mashers offered shelter to a wandering minstrel, For that, Mashers was accused of omitting adultery by the village chieftains wife. The village chieftain who was still smarting over Masseurs rejection of his earlier marriage proposal, ordered Mashers to be condemned to death. It was said that at her execution Mashers bled white blood signifying her innocence. At her last breath, Mashers was said to utter a curse on Language for which the island will remain barren for seven generations Many locals of Language believe the legend to be true due to failed crops after Masseurs death. According to recorded history, the Siamese invaded Language not long after Masseurs death and razed the island to the ground with a scorched earth policy. And coincidentally, Language did not become a major tourist hotshot until the birth of Wan Aisha bat Wan Anyway, the seventh generation descendant Of Mashers. Some people think Masseurs story most likely is real and the killing of Mashers most likely took place, but the curse of Language and her white blood must be a part of myth because there is no prove or evidence.

Positive Impact free essay sample

The Atlantic Slave Trade had a both positive and negative impact on those involved in it to an extent. Britains economy benefited greatly from the slave trade as many industries flourished. This was an immense opportunity for those who were unemployed as it provided thousands of jobs. People were employed in industries like the building and repair of slave ships, selling the goods produced by slaves such as sugar and cotton, and banking.This resulted in the slave trade becoming the financial base of development of Britain. However, not everyone benefited from this trade as it had an enormous negative impact on Africans society and economy. The 37 years Of slave capturing and exporting resulted in wars between tribes and drained Africans population of 12 million of its strongest youth. This resulted in Africans economic development in being hindered. For Africans the physical experience of slavery was painful, traumatic and long-lasting.Britain benefited from the slave trade in many ways including the economy, as slavery became part of the financial base of development in Britain. We will write a custom essay sample on Positive Impact or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Many economic factors contributed to slavery including the demands of plantation arming, servant slaves and the growth of the slave trade as its own industry. Plantation farming emerged as a way to earn a profitable crop and dominated the southern colonies. In plantations African slaves worked in hundreds from dawn until dusk producing goods that supplied Britain. These goods consisted of sugar, cotton, tobacco and rum.All these crops were very labor intensive requiring hundreds of workers to preserve them. The British became the largest and most efficient carriers of slaves to the new world. Therefore huge profits were made by the labor of unpaid slaves. Liverpool ND Bristol were the main trading ports in Britain, Liverpool alone made IEEE,OHO per year from the slave trade. Scotland was also heavily involved in the slave trade, Scots went out to colonies and generated great wealth for Scotland based on slave labor. Glasgow Tobacco Lords profited from the slave trade, as did the merchants of London, Liverpool and Bristol.The city of London catered the economic services that were necessary for the slave trade, this included insurance and loans for slave traders. F. G Kay wrote about the social changes that happened in Britain following the growth of the lave trade, in a book named The Shameful Trade published in 1967. He states the slave trade created a new class of wealthy colonial families. Bristol merchants who were great dealers increased their trade with the islands Of the Caribbean. They also became specialists in trading with West Africa and retailing captured slaves.The trade also created, sustained and relied on a large support of shipping services, ports and finance companies employing thousands of ordinary people. Many slave ships were need and thousands of jobs were created through this. Jobs in making slave ships, repairing, financing and insuring all flourished. By 1 780 Liverpool had become the largest slave-ship building site in Britain. This also provided thousands of sailors with work. . Insurance was one of the biggest industries during the slave trade, insurance and long term loans created new opportunities for making more money.Slave merchants and sugar plantation owners needed to borrow money to keep their businesses going. Merchants involved in the triangular trade found that insurance was vital because if their ship hit a storm during the voyage its cargo could be lost, and if that ship is not insured then they could lose everything. There were huge profits in selling the goods reduced by slaves such as cotton, sugar and tobacco. Thousands of people were employed in factories to make exportable goods that were traded in for slaves in Africa these were guns, textiles and pottery.People were also employed in making brass and copper in Yorkshire, weavers in Birmingham, chain makers and sugar refiners in Greengrocer. The slave trade made Britain the worlds leading sea power and it helped finance the industrial revolution. The British government made a fortune from the taxes related to the slave trade. Nonetheless not everyone profited from the slave trade, The Atlantic Slave Trade had enormous negative effects on the continent of Africa. Many parts of Africa suffered from an increase in violence, drain of people and an economy increasingly reliant on slavery.As a result of this Africa fell behind the rest of the world. Having fewer young healthy people to produce food would make famine more likely and the rates of death worse. Slavery led to the movement of thousands of people across Africa, allowing disease to spread between different parts of Africa. A lot of good land was left uncultivated and not looked after because there were not enough young people left to farm it. African slaves took with them their religion, traditions, cooking clothes, music and dance.These had a negative impact on Americans as it led to voodoo in the West Indies. The slave trade encouraged conflicts between African tribes, raids and kidnapping. The demand for more slaves led to increased hatred and violence between communities in Africa. There was also the spread of racist ideology to justify the enslavement of Africans. It is estimated that up to 12 million Africans were snatched from their homeland shipped to the Caribbean to work on plantations. Thousands of African villages were ruined as they were raided for slaves.The farming in Africa changed to grow crops which were brought to supply slave ships. African chiefs and kings stopped ruling by law as they became greedy cunning tradesmen. The 37 years Of slave capturing and exporting drained Africa Of millions of its strongest youth. As a result of this the population became unbalanced and the adult male population was reduced to 20%. Overall Africa was the only continent to be affected in this way, and because of the loss in population it became a major factor leading to its economic hardship. John Newton was a British slave trader in West Africa. In a small extract from his journal he comments on the immoral methods used between Africans and Europeans, he states Europeans try to cheat Africans at every turn. Any article of trade that can be cheapened is so. Spirits are diluted with water, kegs of gunpowder have false bottoms and pieces are cut out of rolls of cloth. In conclusion it is clear that Britain benefited from the Atlantic Slave Trade. We know this because of how it boosted the British economy as many industries grew, created thousands of jobs and supplied Britain with essential everyday life goods.We also know that colonies were established on the backs of hard-working African slaves. However not everyone benefited from the slave trade as it made Africa suffer greatly. Up to 12 million young strong Africans were forced out of their homelands and brought to the Caribbean to work without pay. Families separated and sold to go and work on plantations from dawn until dusk. Thousands of villages were wrecked because of the raiding for slaves. African leaders became dishonest, deceptive greedy tradesmen which resulted in Africa becoming corrupt.

A Short History of Microsoft

A Short History of Microsoft Microsoft Corp. is an American technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington, that supports the invention, manufacturing, and licensing of goods and services related to computing. It was registered in New Mexico in 1976 after being formed the year before by two childhood friends. Two Computer Geeks Before Paul Allen and Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft, they were avid computer geeks in an age when access to computers was hard to come by. Allen and Gates skipped high school classes to live and breathe in their schools computer room. Eventually, they hacked the schools computer and were caught, but instead of being expelled, they was offered unlimited computer time in exchange for helping to improve the school computers performance. Gates and Allen ran their own small company, called Traf-O-Data, while in high school and sold a computer to the city of Seattle for counting city traffic. Chesnot / Getty Images Bill Gates, Harvard Dropout In 1973, Gates left Seattle to attend Harvard University as a pre-law student. However, Gates first love never left him  as he spent most of his time in Harvards computer center, where he kept improving his programming skills. Soon Allen moved to Boston as well, working as a programmer and pressuring Gates to quit Harvard so they could work full time together on their projects. Gates was uncertain of what to do, but fate stepped in. The Birth of Microsoft In January 1975, Allen read an article in Popular Electronics magazine about the Altair 8800 microcomputer and showed it to Gates. Gates called MITS, makers of the Altair, and offered his and Allens services to write a version of the new BASIC programming language for the Altair. After eight weeks, Allen and Gates demonstrated their program to MITS, which agreed to distribute and market the product under the name of Altair BASIC. The Altair deal inspired Gates and Allen to form their own software company. Microsoft was started on April 4, 1975, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the home of MITS, with Gates as the first CEO. Where the Name Microsoft Came From On July 29, 1975, Gates used the name Micro-Soft, which had been suggested by Allen, in a letter to Allen referring to their partnership. The name, a portmanteau of microcomputer and software, was registered with the New Mexico secretary of state on Nov. 26, 1976. In August 1977, the company opened its first international office in Japan, called ASCII Microsoft. In 1979, the company moved to Bellevue, Washington, and two years later incorporated there under the name Microsoft Inc. Gates was president of the company and chairman of the board and Allen was executive vice president. History of Microsoft Products MicrosoftOperating Systems An operating system is a fundamental software that allows a computer to operate. As a newly formed company, Microsofts first operating system product to be publicly released was a version of Unix called Xenix, released in 1980. Xenix was later used as the basis for Microsofts first word processor, called Multi-Tool Word, a predecessor to Microsoft Word. Microsofts first wildly successful operating system was MS-DOS or Microsoft Disk Operating System, which Microsoft wrote for IBM in 1981 based on computer programmer Tim Patersons QDOS. In the deal of the century, Gates licensed MS-DOS to IBM but retained rights to the software. Gates made a fortune for Microsoft, which had become a major soft vendor. Microsoft Mouse Microsofts mouse was released on May 2, 1983. Windows Also in 1983, Microsofts crowning achievement was released. The  Microsoft Windows operating system had a novel graphical user interface and a multitasking environment for IBM computers. In 1986, the company went public, and Gates became a billionaire at 31. Microsoft Office 1989 marked the release of Microsoft Office, a software package that, as the name describes, is a collection of programs for use in an office. It includes a word processor, spreadsheet, mail program, business presentation software, and more. Internet Explorer In August 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95, which included technologies for connecting to the Internet, such as built-in support for dial-up networking, TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), and the web browser Internet Explorer 1.0. Xbox In 2001, Microsoft introduced its first gaming unit, the Xbox system. Xbox faced stiff competition from Sonys PlayStation, and eventually Microsoft discontinued the original Xbox in favor of later versions. In 2005, Microsoft released the Xbox 360 gaming console, which was a success. Microsoft Surface In 2012, Microsoft made its first foray into the computing hardware market with the announcement of Surface tablets that ran Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro. Sources: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/microsoft-founded https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/the-history-of-the-xbox/ https://www.geekwire.com/2017/bill-gates-paul-allen-business-microsoft-engineer-partner/

Hong Kong Wealth Gap Essays

Hong Kong Wealth Gap Essays Hong Kong Wealth Gap Essay Hong Kong Wealth Gap Essay Gini coefficient is one of the indicators of income inequality. Although it may not reflect the whole picture of income inequality, the figure is above 0. 5 implied the problem of income inequality may be existed. In 2006, Hong Kong is in great hazard seeing that our Gini Coefficient has risen from 0. 518 in 1996 to 0. 533. Compared to about 0. 424 to 0. 513 in Canada, Singapore and England, Hong Kong has an extremely high coefficient.However, the HKSAR government claimed that the calculation of Gini coefficient is not suitable in Hong Kong and Donald Tsang, who is the Chief Executive of HKSAR government, even said he was mistrusted to the Gini coefficient so that he did not think the wealth gap of Hong Kong was too wide. Therefore, the government does very little things or set up little policies to solve the wealth gap problem in Hong Kong. The taxes and the prices of goods keep increasing which heavier the onus of poor people.Census and Statistics The most recent census conducted by the government shows the gap between the rich and the poor worsened in the 10-year period up to 2006. The result showed the number of families spending less than 4,000 dollars a month increased from 6. 7 per cent to 9. 2 per cent in that period. The census also found that the real average income of families in Hong Kong fell 7. 8 per cent since 2001. Deflation during period was only 3 per cent. Threatened by wealth gap, a solution is needed.However, to solve the problem efficiently, causes of the problem must be identified. According to the most popular saying, wealth gap started widening since 1940s, the time of the Chinese Civil War. After that, a series of incident has happened, which causes the widening of the wealth gap. In 1940s, when the Chinese civil War broke out, many refugees from mainland China escaped to Hong Kong. On the other hand, a certain amount of Capitalists where afraid of new Communism, and hence went to Hong Kong with their capital and knowledge.As a result, the rich and the poor were separated much more firmly into two classes. And thats the beginning of the problem. In 1970s, Hong Kong turned herself into an international financial center from a manufacturing center. Therefore, labor-intensive industries didnt exist anymore, but has changed into technology and knowledge-based economy. With the essential need of high-level technology, less unskilled labors were needed so lots of people lost their jobs, while the educated ones had great opportunities on work.The wealth gap widened. In 1980s, the Open Door Policy was adopted in China, Kong Kong benefited from it on the development on economy. Nevertheless, a motto, Let part of the people gets rich first, was suggested by Deng Xiaoping. At the time, came to a rise of capitalists, while the others suffered from poverty. The wealth gap once again widened. In 1997, a serious financial storm attacked Hong Kong, the stock market suddenly crashed, lots of people suffered from the sudden incident.The loss of money led to a crisis of negative equity and inflation. Poverty became more serious in Hong Kong while capitalists made use of the chance to gain profits At present, the most important cause to the wealth gap is immigration. Large amount of immigrants from mainland China, especially those who are poor immigrates to Hong Kong. They have low productivity but benefit from the Comprehensive Social Security Allowance. The distance between the poverty and the rich are once again widens.

Futures and Options Market Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Futures and Options Market - Term Paper Example In financial reporting, VAR is considered one of the major three methods used and as well recommend by the FRR. The method plays a major role in ensuring they give the most likely the institution is likely to suffer when operated under normal market movements. The rule of disclosing markets risks requires that the method must gauge the level of risk they are exposed to and make sure their investors can make their judgement in regards to the same facts. In a real sense, it should be a faithful model of letting them know what is happening on the ground. The FRR requires the investors the make demands of hefty compensation if they learn it after the risks have taken place (JORION, 2001). By testing, it’s revealed that the relationship between the cost of capital and VAR are positive. The results obtained are of great facts. This is even after they have taken care of various characteristics of the firms operating in that market. The relationship between the cost of equity and VAR shows that, it’s an effective measure which can be used to determine the value investors are likely to make for being exposed to the market risks. Moreover, am looking to determine whether, VAR is also accounted for in the determination of the cost of equity. I have achieved this by involving measures of complicated elements of the banks. On the other hand, the report is more effective to Reckless bank PLC whose management are thinking of taking value-at-risk in order to boost their stakeholders value. This means they will be able to make their decisions on the basis of the results they have obtained from various correlation and simulation models. Then realization of the fact that stock markets are affected by the VAR reported in terms of the results reported in an economical perspective, it brings the need to look at these results more keenly and avoid the losses which are associated with it (PENZA & BANSAL, 2001). The

Globalization of the Microsoft Corporation Essay

Globalization of the Microsoft Corporation - Essay Example This process is not necessarily between the people but also amongst various companies and organizations. Jaffe, Bacchus and Alon (2006) believe that anything that happens around the world is labeled as globalization. Hence, the fact that whether it is related to the business world or not, the term globalization is of an immense importance, but it is necessary for us to discuss further how or why this notion is raised an essential question. It has been elucidated that globalization is relevant to money making only, whereas, it has also been verified that not only money is exchanged through globalization but cultures, customs, traditions, values and beliefs are also a product of transference in the current era. In my perspective as the further study is related to an organization which is business related, hence, I shall support the former outlook. The reasoning behind the goodwill of the former topic lies in the explanation that customs, traditions, values, beliefs and cultures are tra nsferred and exchanged through globalization. Hence, when people circulate through borders they tend to circulate money of that specified territory as well. Hence, when money is circulated from country to country and from region to region, this process causes the mingling of businesses. This is the reason why the notion of today’s globalization holds such an importance as the circulation of almost everything throughout the world that is related to it. Hence, the world is now called a global village. Brawley (2008: pp.198) correctly states that â€Å"One of the most important aspects of globalization is the integration of economies across great distances.† THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: We might have heard Bill Gates’ name somewhere. Gates; someone everyone is well... This essay discusses that the major question that is to be analyzed is that how shall an organization like Microsoft should develop a strategy in order to achieve what they are working upon and what the market and customer requirements reveal. This notion can be spurred by the answer of Davenport, Leibold, and Voelpel that â€Å"Strategy generally requires careful, analytical calculation and choice, which assumes that there is a great deal of reliable information available.† As this organization climbs up the mountain of success it shall keep the future conflicts and divergences in mind. In Sà ¤Ãƒ ¤ksvuori and Immonen’s (2002) perspective business strategies affect the product strategies, which could work the other way as well. Looking at the diverse product nature of the products offering by Microsoft and the way the products are designed to cater the customer all around the world like providing language options in its products by using National Language Support (NLS) . The codes written for the products at Microsoft required the developers to understand the concepts of globalization and localization.When the runners of this organization will look upon it as their personal asset, they will understand the complete methodology of a transparent system. This can be done when they think less about their profit and more about the success of the entire organization as an institution of a society. How this organization can help in the improvement of various aspects which not only include economy but also other factors.

Obesity in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Obesity in America - Research Paper Example 3). In the speech that she made on 20 February 2004, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Julie Gerberding referred to obesity as an epidemic in America, â€Å"If you looked at any epidemic -- whether it’s influenza or plague from the middle ages -- they are not as serious as the epidemic of obesity in terms of the health impact on our country and our society† (Gerberding cited in Kvicala, 2003). Hearne et al. (n.d.) record some very alarming statistics with respect to obesity of Americans, some of which are discussed in this and the following paragraph. Obesity is one of the most significant causes of health related problems in America. Obese people are 50 to 100 times more susceptible to premature death than normal weight people. It is estimated that obesity may soon become a more prominent reason of preventable death as compared to tobacco in America. Every year, up to 400000 deaths occur because of physical inactivity and poor di et. Number of diseases caused by obesity exceeds 30. Diseases for which obesity serves as a causal factor include but are not limited to high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, cancer and coronary heart disease. Diabetes may also cause blindness in adults, failure of kidney and the patients may occasionally have to undergo amputations. Number of patients of diabetes has increased above 50 per cent in the last decade and this percentage is expected to increase more by 165 per cent in the coming five decades. Presently, 18 million Americans are patients of diabetes while 41 million people are in the pre-diabetic phase. There has been noticed an increase in the number of children that suffer from type 2 diabetes that was considered as a form of adult-onset diabetes until now. Individuals that acquire type 2 diabetes in childhood or adolescence are at increased risk of suffering from stroke, kidney failure and heart diseases when they grow up. Those kids are getting adult-type diabetes b ecause they're overweight. We're seeing an absolute epidemic of diabetes in the schools in this country because children are just not getting the right exercise †¦ The gap between what they're eating and what they're expending is getting larger on an annual basis. (Gerberding cited in Kcivala, 2003). Cost associated with obesity is another problem that the government of America has to address. According to the estimates made by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the direct and indirect expenses of obesity per year sum up to above $117 billion (Wechsler, 2004). These expenses include but are not limited to loss of productivity and medical expenses. In 2003, medical expenses that could be attributed

The Gender Discrimination In Pakistan Sociology Essay

The Gender Discrimination In Pakistan Sociology Essay This paper demonstrates a societal status of women and their pondering image in a perspective of social, political and economic contexts in Pakistan. The explicit spectrum of gender in different academic shapes does not rectify the comprehensive mode of subject due to lack of research and policy implementation. This thesis provides an appropriate source in the light of Islamic sharia law, cultural and uneducated state regulations towards gender understanding in Pakistan. Social injustice, economic domination by men and culturally bindings and borders make an oppressed environment for womens. Urban and rural, tribal and family moralistic restrictions amidst more and broader complications to the uplift of women in various areas of Pakistan. Women in Pakistan are living in critical social scenario and struggling to gain its level role and rights in all spheres of life. This study provides a precise shade of womens situation in Pakistan by connecting to social, political, and economic as pects of discrimination. Research needs more empirical academic work to identify issues and solutions regarding this burning topic. Chapter 1 1.1 Introduction Womens right in the world is an important indicator to understand global well-being. No society can function properly without women. Aristotle the father of political science had said that the state is a union of families and villages. Family plays a very important role in society, and makes the foundation of the state .Happy families build healthy societies and healthy societies are prerequisites of strong political order in democratic societies. A woman is an architect of society. She forms the institution of family life, takes care of the home, brings up the children and tries to make them good citizens. Her role in totality contributes to the building of an ideal family, ideal society and an ideal state. In order to build the prosperous and healthy society both men and women demand for equal rights. About half the mankind consists of women and they are treated as second class citizens all over the world, but especially in developing states they are oppressed in different sectors of life. In these developing countries one of the living examples is Pakistan which has been coming across this issue since it got independence in 1947. Womens lives are controlled and shaped by various gender discriminatory structures in Pakistan. Their contribution to the production and physical hardships are not acknowledged. A woman suffers in education, health and gender biased feeding and recreation practices. As a human being she is denied from her own identity. In some parts she is considered as commodity owned by her brother and father before marriage and then by her husband. She does not have the power to make a decision for her life. Someone else takes decisions on behalf of herself about marriage, education or giving birth to a child. In this paper I will explain the situation of women with a special focus on discrimination against them in different sections of society. What are the main obstacles in the development of womens rights. Furthermore I am also going to explain womens rights from an Islamic point of view, since this is sometimes used as an explanation or an excuse, for violating womens human rights. The essential teaching communicated to each woman in this patriarchal society where I myself grew up, is to stay a quiet viewer, even as a silent party to any unfairness done by a man. Women from 48% of the inhabitants in Pakistan. A huge number inhabits in countryside areas, where essential facilities are lacking and womens rights are mistreated. In those areas they are kept away from education, dont have access to schools and colleges and usually became victims of honor killings, rape, early marriages and gender discrimination. In remote areas, women are treated as slaves and remains under their men only as a labor force. Usually their fate will be decided by their husbands, fathers and brothers, which are often called male dominating societies. They do not have the right to make a decision concerning important aspects of lives. For instance, marriage is also a kind of business among rich and poor families; this tradition exists both in the villages and cities, which is extremely infringing on their rights to exist. In some of the areas the customary act of Swara is largely prevalent especially in Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa and Balochistan ( provinces of Pakistan), by the virtue of which, instead of giving blood money as badl-e-sulha(retribute) an accused family gives their girl or girls in marriage to an aggrieved family as compensation to settle down the blood feud between them. In this study I have used the concept of Martha Nussbaum ,, capability approach,, According to her the ten capabilities are life, bodily health, bodily integrity, senses, imagination and thoughts, practical reason, Emotion, Affiliation, Other species, Play, and control over ones environment. These capabilities are related to one another in many complex ways. It must be protected and guaranteed in order to have happy and successful life. 1.2 Aims of the thesis The topic of this assignment is discrimination, a very broad term which for this thesis have been narrowed down to,gender discrimination in Pakistan.In this study my aim is to analyze the situation of womens rights in Pakistan. How they are discriminated in different spheres of life and what are the main causes of discrimination. 1.3 Research Questions My research question is following. 1. What are the major causes of gender discrimination in Pakistan? 1.4 Methodology and material This thesis is a qualitative case study of Gender discrimination in Pakistan in order to collect qualitative data for this research I have chosen to use secondary materials such as books, internet materials, and some relevant articles related to my study. In theory. I have used the book Women and human development by Martha C. Nussbaum except from course literature. I have used the main book Al-Quran and different articles from journals. Apart from this I have also used materials from UN resources such as articles from very conventions sources from internet and data from newspaper have also been used. 1.5 Chapter Outline In this paper I start my work with a brief introduction to the field. In the second chapter womens situation in Pakistan is described briefly and some articles from CEDAW and the constitution of Pakistan is described. Furthermore the women status under sharia law has also been discussed. The subsequent chapter 3 discussess the main reasons of creating discrimination and inequalities between men and women in Pakistan. In chapter 4 I have analyse the topic and then finally I have given the conclusions with the answers to the research questions. 1.6 Theory. Martha Nussbaums Capability Approach Nussbaum presents the important ingredients necessary for living an honorable life. Her concept is derived from the Aristotle notion of human beings as a political animal and from Marx idea that the human being is a creature. She thinks that her approach is a defensible theory of justice and although a partial one and calls it the capability approach. Capabilities are important for the achievement of well-being for everyone. It helps to compare one nation to another. In Nussbaum view, the capability approach is used in analysis of women human rights. This is because the capability approach provides a social and political framework to implement the solution to the problems of human welfare. It also provides a guide for policy makers and governments ( Nusssbaum 2000, P-14). According to Nussbaum the ten capabilities are following. Life. A person must be able to live to the end of a human life of normal length, not dying prematurely, or before ones life is so reduced as to be not worth living. Bodily health. A person should be healthy, including reproductive health, to be adequately nourished and to have proper shelter. Bodily health. Must be able to move freely from one place to another, having ones bodily boundaries treated as sovereign, i.e. being able to have physical security and having opportunities for sexual satisfaction and for choice in matters of reproduction etc. Senses thought and imagination. Everyone in society has to be able to use the senses, to think, to imagine and reason. To do all these things in the proper way they all need adequate education and basic scientific and mathematical training. In order to be able to use thought and imagination everyone has the right to freedom of expression, choice of religion and free association in order to be able to search for the ultimate meaning of life in ones own way( Nussbaum 2000, p-78). Emotion. Everyone has the right to be attached to things and people outside ourselves, to care and love for those who care and love for us, to grieve at their absence, in general, to love, to grieve, to experience longing, gratitude, and justified anger. Do not harm other emotions with fear and anxiety. Practical reason. Everyone in society has the right to plain their own life in a good way without any interference from others. Affiliation. Being able to recognize and show respect for other human beings, to engage in different forms of social interaction, to be able to understand the situation of another and to have compassion for that situation. Further to have the ability for both friendship and justice. Being able to be treated as a respectable human being whose worth is equal to that of others. Protection against any type of discrimination on the ground of sex, race, religion, ethnicity etc. ( Nussbaum 2000, p-79) Other species. ,, Being able to live with concern for and in relation to animals, plants, and the world of nature,, Play. Everyone has to be able to have recreational activities and to be able to laugh and to play. Control over ones environment. A. Political. Being able to take part in political activities of their own choices, having the right of protection of free speech, association and political participation. B. Material. Being able to hold movable and immovable property, having equal property rights of possession and ownership, having equal opportunity for employment. (Nussbaum 2000, p-80). The above items on the list are interrelated to one another in many complex ways. One of the most effective ways of promoting womens control over their environment and their effective right of political participation, is to promote womens literacy. According to Nussbaum a woman who can seek work outside the home have exit option that helps them protect their bodily integrity from assaults within it. She futherly says that reproductive is related to many complex ways to the practical reason and bodily integrity. As a result this gives us more reason to avoid promoting one at the expense of the others ( Nussbaum 2000. P-81). Women do not have a chance to live a valuable life. Nussbaum thinks that this is because of lack of support for basic functions of a human life. She thinks that the capability approach serves as a good basis for a specific political conception and a specifically political overlapping consensus (Nussbaum 2000, p. 14)Â  . According to her these capabilities are very important for individuals lives and are connected to each other in many complex ways. These capabilities must be fulfilled by the government instutions especially in women casese in order to have happy and successfull life. As we see that in a country like Pakistan all the above capabilities are mostly missing in womens lives and leads them to discrimination in different spehers of life. Chapter # 2 2.1 Women situation in Pakistan Pakistani society is a male dominated society where women are isolated from different spheres of life which is perhaps due to the traditional norms prevailing in society. The status and role of Pakistani women in all aspects of life have been highly undermined. Most women in rural areas work in the fields and industries in Pakistan. It is a poor and illiterate majority, which usually lead a life of physical hardship, long hour work for which there is neither reward nor compensation (Mumtaz/ Shaheed, 1987:p-78). Most of women in rural areas have to perform double burden of domestic and outside work. Usually they get up first and last to bed. They are the first to prepare breakfast, clean the house and wash the utensils before setting out on their outside work. Although in urban areas the conditions of women are better than those of the rural, yet the old traditions and religious restraints have hindered the independent and free movement of women (Mumtaz/ Shaheed, 1987:78). The women in Pakistan are approximately equivalent to men in numbers. They live in the most diversify site of the tribal, feudal or urban culture. In Pakistan women can be an extremely qualified and self-confident professional or a diffident peasant toiling along with her menfolk. They have traditionally been expected to live under the constraints of purdah. Therefore, the analysis of womens life and status in the society cannot be adequately carried out without taking into account the importance of purdah as a constant element in everyday life in Pakistani Muslim culture. Mostly women observe Pardha while coming out of domestic environs or mixing up with other sections of society. Basically Pardha, or veil, is meant to segregate the womenfolk from the male section of the society. Women are not prohibited from working but at the same time are supposed to observe strictly the rules of morality (Hanna Papanek, p 517,518). Due to Pardha system, most of women have to take up work at home. They involve themselves in dressmaking, embroidery, knitting etc. In the areas like Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan, life is regulated and governed by strict beliefs and behavioral patterns (Fariha Razak Haroon p 5). In remote areas women do not have rights to say anything in all aspects of their lives including their marriage choice. In populated provinces of Punjab and Sindh a woman can keep her connections with her family after marriage. She can expect support from her fathers and brothers in case of separation and divorce from her husband. In Sindh and Punjab, women work in the fields with their menfolk collecting fuels and in some cases working on the construction sites shifting material from one place to another. 2.2 State violation of womens rights in Pakistan Almost all kinds of crimes are committed against women in Pakistan, including, murder, rape and gender discrimination. In 1971 Pakistani military took action on the East Pakistan now called Bangladesh in which serious crimes were committed against the civilians and especially women. During 9 month operation Pakistani military raped 200,000-400,000 women and young girls. In 2002 at 28 years old women Mukhtara Mai was gang-raped in Punjab in front of her village by the Jirga (court of village elders) decision for the alleged wrongdoing of her 12 years old brother. In 2006 in her blog for the BBC, Mukhtara tells another story of a rape victim in Punjab, Shamshad Bibi, a poor woman who was gang-raped during a visit to the famous town shrine town of Uch Shareef the police declare it to be a case of consensual sex. (Soraya Makhdoom, 2009:1) To add insult to injury the Pakistani president and Dictator General Pervez Musharraf complained that his country was unfairly portrayed a place where women were subjected to violence. The Washington post, published in an interview with General Pervez Musharraf in which he stated, A lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a visa for Canada or citizenship and be a millionaire, get yourself raped( BBC, 16 September 2005). According to the same paper the Canadian government and human rights activists declared Pervez Musharrafs assertion as outrageous lie: only one known rape victim, a lady doctor assaulted by a military officer had moved to Canada. That lady doctor was Khalid Shazia, working in Pakistan petroleum in Baluchistan. She was raped by an army captain in January 2005. This incident made the local Bugti tribe furious for whom such outrageous acts were against their norms and values. As a result they attacked the gas field. But instead of presenting the rape issue General Pervez Musharraf sent more soldiers and arms to guard the installation. Baloch leadership wanted justice for the rape victim. Nawab Akbar Bugti said, As long as the perpetrators of this heinous crime are not dealt with, there can be no talks. As a result General Pervez Musharraf regime killed Nawab Akbar Bugti an eighty year old leader fighting for his country Balochistan in august 2006 (Suraya makhdoom , 2009:P-1). 2.3 The CEDAW convention and Pakistan. The convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has enriched of Articles regarding how to eliminate gender discrimination against women. Article 2 of the convention states that the state party has the responsibility to assure legal protection and the laws which leads to gender discrimination should be changed or abolished (Article 2 of CEDAW). In article 3 it has been stated that the upbringing of children needs shared responsibility which means that a father should also contribute in upbringing the kids, as it is not only a mothers job. The convention states that women have equal rights as men e.g. they can work with NGOs, they have the right to cast votes, this part has a very vital role as this approach can help a countrys economic growth too. The convention has emphasized on the equal rights of women in education, sports, career and health etc. (Article 10 of CEDAW). In article 14 it has been stated that state should overlook the problems faced by rural women. This is the most relevant article from Pakistan as the rural women come across lots of problems and they do not have awareness how to deal with such problem s. Another important article is 16 which usually violated in Pakistan, which is about the marrying of women to a person of their own choice. In Pakistani society especially in pushtoon (Pakhtoonkhwa) and Balooch (Balochistan) tribes, the parents take the decision on behalf of the girl, without even asking her opinion (Aniqa, 2010 p-1). The above articles are mostly relevant for our society,which is also covered by Nussbaum in her apparaches but it is sad to say that any of the articles and approaches has not been enacted in Pakistan. Article 18 has clearly stated that the parties to the convention has suppose to report to UN within a year of signing the convention regarding the progress, whereas Pakistan joined the CEDAW convention in 1996 and has reported only once yet (May 2007) (Aniqa, 2010 p-1). 2.4 Womens rights in constitution of Pakistan In constitution 1973 of Pakistan from article 8 to article 28 describe the fundamental rights which are to be available to all citizens, men as well as women wherever they are, as well as all people temporarily or permanently in Pakistan. However the freedoms guaranteed can be curtailed or taken away by the government on the grounds of integrity of the sovereignty of Pakistan, maintenance of public order, public morality. But these restrictions can be challenged in the superior courts. The executive is bound to implement these rights and the judiciary is bound to take notice of violation and provide redress on individual complaints (constitution of Pakistan 1973 article 8 and 28). The basis of fundamental rights is laid out in Article 4, which states that it is the inalienable right (i.e., can never be taken away) of individuals (citizens wherever they may be as well as individuals currently in Pakistan) to be treated in accordance with the law. It guarantees the protection of liberty, life, body, reputation and property of an individual (constitution of Pakistan 1973 article 4). 2.5 Women Status under Sharia Law In Arabic sharia means, path, It is a position which guides all aspects of Muslim life including daily routines, familial and religious obligations and financial matters. It primarily derived from the Quran and Sunna the practices, sayings and teachings of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) It is a position which covers every aspect of life for both men and women and is incompatible with the standards of liberal Western societies and the basic principles of western human rights that include equality under the law and the protection of individual freedoms. The Shariah code gives equal roles to men and women and not contradictory roles, when women had no rights in the world it declared, And women shall have equal rights to the rights against them, according to what is equitable (Al Quran Surah Baqara 2.28). However the task assigned to both of them is not same. They have given different capabilities by their creator, and the task assigned to them is based on those capabilities. This distinction is natural and not an error which has to be corrected, this is only for the purpose to build a healthy and prosperous society. In different verses in the Quran God has discussed women as well as mens rights. Allah says, for Muslim women and Men, for believing men and women, for women and men who are patient and constant, for true men and women, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who guard their charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who engaged in best practices, for them God have forgiveness and great reward. (Al Quran Surah 33.35) Any kind of discrimination based on gender is severe offenses and are against the teaching of Quran and the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) teach the lesson of equal rights of men and women. Islam does not consider women as subordinate to men and just follow them without any reason. Women have full freedom as individual and will be asked for her practices. ( Jamal Badawi 2007, p-6). As we have discussed earlier Pakistan is a country where culture and traditions have great influence on people lives, they follow it without even caring of sharia laws. 2.5 Sharia law in Pakistan In Pakistan there is triple legal system. Which consist of the general law (state law) of Pakistan, secondly the customary law and thirdly Sharia law. In general law or in constitution the current status of Sharia law is unclear. It provides for the existence of the triple legal system, acknowledges the existence of Sharia law in Pakistan and recognizes the associated court system, but the jurisdiction of Sharia courts is set to matters of personal status and therefore does not extend to the criminal jurisdiction. This is attributed to it by the penal codes that have been adopted at the level of states. The Constitution does not explicitly state, however, that criminal matters are the exclusive jurisdiction of federal courts and it is therefore possible to address criminal matters in Sharia courts. Regardless of the jurisdiction of Sharia courts, it is possible to appeal Zina (Sex without marriage) cases on the grounds that their punishment is inconsistent with the human rights provisions of the Pakistani constitution. For instance, Chapter II Article 19 enshrines human dignity as a value of the Pakistan legal order. It seems unlikely that the public nature and prolonged pain associated with lashing and stoning sentences would be found to be consistent with the dignity provision of the Constitution (Walter, 2001). Chapter # 4 4 Reason of Women Discrimination in Pakistan 4.1 Male domination Pakistani society is mostly male dominated society. The behavior towards women is reflected like women are the males property. She has to remain under the mans control. She cannot take any decision on her behalf. In some areas of rural Sindh and Khyber pakhtoonkhwa ( provinces of Pakistan) a girl cannot decide for her marriage. Her parents have to take decision on her behalf. If she takes the decision for herself she can be killed or punished.Household responsibilities are given to them at a very young age. Taking care of others and sacrificing her rights is a part of her life and to get married is her ultimate goal in her life. In rural areas the the violence against women is considered the right of man. Usually men use their power to beat and abuse women in all spheres of public and private life. It is present in the workplace, family and in the community. Intimidates, humiliates, violence and perpetuated fear in women. As women are weak so they usually controlled by men in many sp heres of life (Allama, G.A. 1998,P-22). 4.2 Customs and laws Womens lives are usually governed by local customs rather than statutory laws of the country. Customs and tradition deny women basic rights. Access to legal rights is usually denied. The bad customs like honor killings are highly praised in rural areas of Pakistan.The law of Diyat and Qisas (retribution and family distribution of money) contains discriminatory provisions and ambiguities. The Qisas and Diyat law may encourage the murder of women by making it possible to absolve murders. Another area of discrimination against women in mostly rural areas of Pakistan is linked to the question of the age of puberty. As girls reach to puberty at an early age, they are considered mature at a younger age than boys. Therefor they receive harsher punishments for the same crimes in the same age as the boys. For instance if a young boy is found to be guilty of rape, his punishment will be less than that of a girl of the same age. In Pakistan generally men dictate women in different sectors. They want to dominate them.physical mobility of women is restricted. They are not asked in mate selection. In the name of tradition and culture a woman is told that she must be gentle, submissive, patient and forgiving. She is not allowed to go anywhere without the consent of her husband even to her parents house. Culture of oppression exists in rural areas of Pakistan. Men believe that women are inferior. They usually marry twice or thrice. This is a culture that denies their social, political and legal rights. It gives them no identity at any level (Allama, G.A. 1998,P-24). 4.3 Income disparity One of the reason of women discrimination is income disparity which has made them economically weak. Improvement in womens financial status is very important to their overall betterment. Women cannot get their rights until they are financially strong and economically independent. Women play the main role in national development. But unfortunately their role is rarely recognized. Usually women work is unpaid and even if they are paid its usually less than men. Women are not given property rights and usually husband has the control of money and property (Allama, G.A. 1998,P-25). 4.4 Role of media Media play a key role in reflecting the values and norms of ones society. It helps to change peoples views. Media shows that the women are physically weak and subordinate to men. The media are controlled by the state, electronic media especially television, have been hesitant to highlight the issue, avoiding documentaries and talk shows domestic violence, rape and incest. While highly severe incidents like gang rape may occasionally appear in the regular news bulletin. The local rural press media have a mixed policy covering women issue not infrequently with negative slant and giving far more space to barbaric and traditional perspectives and viewpoints on women. In all over the rural areas the patriarchal attitude persists in the newspaper .The media either electronic or print have the same attitude towards sexual harassment violence. If a girl is sexually abused, the entire blame is put on her clothes, on her beauty or on the the fact the she was in the street at that time, whereas the abuser act is usually justified because he was young, he was drunk and his sexuality was out of control. Thus we can say that the media also play a vital role in gender discrimination in a society (Allama, G.A. 1998,P-26). 4.5 Lack of practical implementation of rules Regulations One of the main reasons of gender discrimination in Pakistan is the lack of practical implementations of rules and regulations. The 1973 constitution of Pakistan is enriched of the fundamental rights to all citizen men as well as women. The executive is bound to implement all the fundamental rights and the judiciary is bound to take notice of violation and provide redress on individual complaints (1973 constitution of Pakistan ). Article 4 of the convention covers inalienable rights (i.e., can never be taken away). It guarantees the protection of life, body, protection of liberty, reputation and property of the individual. The above rights are also mentioned in Nussbaums capability approach. According to her theses rights are connected to each other in many complex ways and necessary to be satisfied in order to have a happy life and the government is responsible to take care of these rights. But as we see that all the above rights are mentioned in the constitution but are not practic ally implemented in Pakistan (1973 constitution of Pakistan,Article 4). Pakistan is also a party to the convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women which has enriched of Articles regarding how to eliminate gender discrimination against women. But it is sad to say that no articles of the convention has been practically enacted in Pakistan. 4.6 Islamic fundamentalism In Islamic fundamentalists think that the struggle for womens rights as a western conspiracy. They consider women as inferior and their main duty is to please men. Women have been oppressed and segregated from from different spheres of life in the name of Islamic culture. According to many Islamic scholars, the customs and traditions are un-Islamic. But fundamentalists defend them in their own way. They include the practice of honor killing which allows male members of the family to kill female members for having sexual relations without marriage. Swara is a custom in the tribal district of Khyber pakhttonkhwa and Punjab (provinces of Pakistan) under which girls are given in marriage to men of rival or tribes in order to settle cases of murder and other blood feuds (daughters and sisters of accused murders are given to affected families to release their fathers and brothers). The girl is then treated harshly in the rival clan. Islamic fundamentalists never raised their voices against these inhuman and cruel customs and traditions. Love marriage is considered a crime and sin according to the religious leader. These fundamentalists and religious parties are against the ,Hudood, laws. These were the laws introduced by the military dictator, General Zia-UL- Haq, in 1979 to viciously curb womens rights. According to theses horrific laws, a rape victim needs the evidence of four male witnesses in order to prove her claims in the court. If she fails to provide this, she will be charged with adultery (sex with her own consent) which means imprisonment for between 5 and 15 years. These laws were made by a dictator for their own interest but in the name of Islam. According to a report made by professor Shaheen, a minister during the period 1999 to 2002: 95 % of cases registered under the Hudood laws are false. Hudood laws have proved to be instruments of personal interest. These religious leaders are using religion to oppress women and other sections of society. The rise of fundamentalism is a threat to womens rights (www.socialistalternati

Illustrate to audiences Essay

This is the scene in which the confrontation between Maggie and Hobson in takes place in the living room. Prior to this scene Maggie has informed Hobson that she is â€Å"Going to marry Willie†. Hobson does not want Maggie to get married but he doesn’t mind Vickey and Alice getting married because they are of less use around the shop and home. Hobson does not want Maggie to get a husband because he is selfish. Maggie is the daughter that is the most businesslike and helps him with the shop regularly. If Maggie were to marry, Hobson would have to do some proper work in the shop. This scene starts with Maggie speaking to Hobson saying â€Å"You and l’ull be straight with one another, father. I’m not a fool and you’re not a fool, and things may as well be put in their places as left untidy†. Here Maggie is very direct in speaking and this is signposting to the audience that there is going to be a confrontation.  Hobson replies with indignation by saying â€Å"You can’t have Willie Mossop. Why, lass, his father was a workhouse brat†. This is an example of the class differences again as Hobson is a shopkeeper and Willie is one of the working class. Willie had come from a poor background and the penniless poor like his father were taken to these workhouses and put to ‘use’. To this Maggie replies â€Å"It’s news to me we’re snobs in Salford. This line would have been humorous to audiences of the past and present because Salford has always been a working town. Hobson is here concerned about his image within the community and about what his friends will think of him in the Moonrakers. Hobson illustrates these thoughts when he says â€Å"I’d be the laughing-stock of the place if I allowed it. I won’t have it, Maggie†. Hobson then tries to justify his stance by adding â€Å"It’s hardly decent at your time of life†. One aspect in which audiences of the past would react differently to audiences of the present is when Hobson says â€Å"It’s hardly decent at your time of life† (Maggie is only 30). However, at the time this book was written people married an awful lot younger, mainly because the average life expectancy back then was a lot younger. Whereas in our days people marry at this age and older still. Therefore, audiences of past and present would react differently. An audience of the past may have thought this comment was amusing, however, an audience of the present may not think it was such a big deal and may also look on it from Maggie’s point of view as a demoralizing comment. However, Hobson’s selfish snobbish ways would make audiences of both past and present want Maggie to marry Willie just to spite Hobson for his pathetic behaviour. An audience of the past would have found Maggie’s next line â€Å"And now I’ll tell you my terms† amusing because it is an example of role reversal because in those days the man was the master and was in charge and he was the one who laid down the terms and rules.  Maggie then goes on to state her terms, telling her father how much she believes her and Willie should be paid. To this Hobson replies, â€Å"Do you think I’m made of brass?† – brass is colloquialism for money. This line would have been amusing to an audience of the past because this is how the people in the streets in that area spoke like and they would be able to associate to it. A present audience may also have found this line amusing, however, some may not have understood it. Hobson tries to reassert his authority by shouting â€Å"I’ll show you what I propose, Maggie†. He then lifts up the trap door and shouts â€Å"Will Mossop!† He then unbuckles his belt and says to Maggie â€Å"I cannot leather you, my lass. You’re female, and exempt, but I can leather him†. Audiences of the present would be quite shocked by this behaviour as it is not a part of modern, civilized society any more. Such violence is frowned upon in our day. However, in the past, audiences would have been familiar with the term a good leathering, it would have been a regular occurrence. Therefore, they may have found this amusing rather than shocking. Hobson continues to try to assert his authority when he says to Willie â€Å"You’ve fallen on misfortune. Love’s led you astray†. He then says, â€Å"I don’t bear Malice, but we must beat the love from your body†. However, this backfires on Hobson when Willie says â€Å"You’ll not beat love in me†. Audiences of the past would have enjoyed this repliance because it is the little man against the boss and in those days the boss had all authority. Willie goes on to aggravate Hobson even more when he says â€Å"I’m none wanting thy Maggie, it’s her that’s after me, but I’ll tell you this, Mr Hobson: If you touch me with that belt, I’ll take her quick, aye, and stick to her like glue†. Again, audiences of the past would have enjoyed this because it is the little man against the all-powerful boss. Present audiences would have enjoyed this too because it would have illustrated Willies determination and independence. After being struck with the belt by Hobson for his remarks, Willie then says to Maggie out of rage â€Å"I’ve none kissed you yet. I shirked before. But, by gum, I’ll kiss you now†. He then kisses Maggie, not with passion but with temper. Audiences of past and present would have enjoyed this part because it is a bit of romantic comedy and Willie is standing up to Hobson, who doesn’t know what to do next. Also, from this scene, audiences of past and present would have observed that Maggie and Willie are sensible, practical and have a mature way of thinking. These characters would make Hobson’s anti-social behaviour more noticeable to the audiences. Finally, carrying on in his new found self-confidence, Willie adds â€Å"And if Mr Hobson raises up that strap again, I’ll do more. I’ll walk straight out of shop with thee and us two ‘ull set up for ourselves. Audiences of the past and present would have enjoyed this scene because not only is Hobson shocked by what Willie has said (Hobson stands in amazed indecision) but Willie is also shocked by the confidence he showed when he stood up to Hobson. Scene Four  The final section of the play I will examine is Act Three, pages 44 – 47.  This section follows on from a scene in which Hobson, drunk from a night in the Moonrakers, fell down a pub cellar and woke up to find he had received a fine for trespassing. Upon this charge Hobson goes to Maggie’s house on her wedding day, in the hope of some help from her.  In this section the roles of Maggie and Hobson are totally reversed. In this scene, Maggie is instead the one who is in charge, while Hobson has to take a more reserved, subservient stance; as he feels that his future is in her hands. This scene begins with a knock on the door and Hobson shouting â€Å"Are you in, Maggie?† Vickey, Maggie’s sister proclaims, â€Å"It’s father!† in a terrified voice. Albert, who is Vickey’s fianc, then adds â€Å"Oh, Lord†, whereas Maggie simply says, â€Å"What’s the matter? Are you afraid of him?† This would inform the audience that there may be a confrontational moment ahead.  Maggie soon takes charge of the situation by telling everybody, except Willie to go into the bedroom and that she’ll shout them before he’s gone. To this order Vickey then says â€Å"But we don’t want-â€Å", to which Maggie interrupts â€Å"Is this your house or mine?† and Vickey answers, â€Å"It’s your cellar†. Maggie then replies by saying â€Å"And I’m in charge of it†. Both audiences of the past and of the present would have found Vickey’s line amusing where she gets back at Maggie by illustrating the stark contrast of a house to a cellar. They also would have been amused by the fact that Maggie reasserts herself (I’m in charge of it) although she says to Willie you’re gaffer here whilst ordering him to sit down. Hobson is then invited in by Willie, who is now in the role of the master of the house. Audiences of the past and the present would have found it amusing when Maggie says, â€Å"You can sit down for five minutes, father. That sofa ‘ull bear your weight†. This line would also illustrate to audiences that Maggie is not threatened by Hobson and makes light of his arrival.  Maggie again shows that she is in charge when Willie says to Hobson â€Å"A piece of pork pie† and Hobson replies groaningly â€Å"Pork pie!† To this reply, Maggie pulls Hobson up sharply by saying â€Å"You’ll be sociable now you’re here, I hope†. Audiences of the past would have appreciated this amusing line because Maggie is pulling her father up sharp and she is in control in a commanding authority. Maggie’s authority is further displayed when she says to Hobson â€Å"Happen a piece of wedding cake ‘ull do you good†. Eating the cake Hobson shudders saying â€Å"It’s sweet† to which Maggie replies â€Å"That’s natural in cake†. Audiences of the past and present would have found this humorous because Hobson enjoys a drink, and being an alcoholic he cannot tolerate sweet things. This is made even more amusing when Maggie pushes the cake towards him and says, â€Å"Then there’s your cake, and you can eat it†, to which Hobson pushes the cake away but Maggie pushes it back again, giving Hobson no choice but to eat it, to which Hobson replies â€Å"You’re a hard woman† as he eats the cake and, as illustrated in the film Maggie watches over him as he eats it. This scene where Maggie forces Hobson to eat the cake would have been amusing to audiences past and present as well as viewed as something significant to all audiences as Maggie has already said â€Å"I’ve a wish to see my father sitting at my table eating my wedding cake on my wedding-day. Conclusion Harold Brighouse’s play Hobson’s Choice is a valuable document of what English society was like in 1915 (when it was written) and 1880 (when it takes place). I believe the play provides us with an important and useful insight to what society was like in those days in Britain as it provides us with an insight into the varying classes of people, how they were treated and their attitudes towards others. In Hobson’s Choice, Maggie, the daughter of Hobson, marries against her fathers wishes much to Hobson’s discomfort and dismay. There are similar themes such as this in modern society today, which are in some ways related to this theme illustrated in Hobson’s Choice. For example, members of families sometimes run away from home in the hope of being with someone who they would otherwise not be able to be with under their parents influence, or to simply escape from a home in which they feel much discomfort in. Also, just like in Hobson’s Choice, children in modern society today marry against their parent’s wishes in order to be with someone. I think audiences of the past and the present would have reacted similar and would have found the play humorous as it shows the underdog or the person who had nothing, Willie winning against someone who had everything, a shop owner and a pillar of society, Hobson. In Hobson’s Choice, Willie was a member of the poorer people and it was obvious that there was a barrier between him, who worked in a cellar, and those such as Hobson who owned the shop. However, today this barrier between the rich and the poor still exists more than ever, so it is clear that some things haven’t changed. I personally enjoyed Hobson’s Choice as I found it amusing throughout and it was an interesting and enjoyable story the way it illustrated what Salford was like in those days and how people were treated according to their class. My favourite parts of the story were probably when Willie stood up to Hobson under Maggie’s watchful eye and walked out of the shop with her, much to Hobson’s amazement, and when Maggie told Willie that he was the man for her and he sat down complete shock and amazement. If I was in the audience I would have enjoyed these parts because they are some of the most amusing parts of the play, mainly because of the way Willie acts. For example, it is amusing when Willie is shocked by the prospect of marriage and he sits down mopping his brow and says in a shocked voice, â€Å"I’m feeling queer-like† – this is highly amusing as the poor man is taken back. In the play Maggie comes across as the strongest character and somebody whom feminists within today’s society would be able to identify. Although in the era when the play set Maggie would have been a very unusual character. The character I would be most sympathetic with in the play would be Willie. This is because he is controlled throughout the play and he was the one who seemed to receive the most punishment, such as when Hobson tries to strike him with a belt for taking up with Maggie, even though he did not do the taking up. However, he would be the character I admire the most because of the way he didn’t give under the pressure of Hobson and stuck by Maggie.

Facebook vs Twitter Essay

But one question is who will be on top? Synopsis of the Situation Who is better than who? Or one could say who is going to be the king of the hill? Facebook has tried to purchase Twitter with no success. It is hard to say who will come out on top or who will be the ultimate winner of the social war. Until on or the other purchases their competitor or they just decide to merge and rule the social network, we will have to wait and see who will win. Key Issues Facebook and Twitter are both free sites and are both popular. Facebook and Twitter are both time conversations, but Twitter is a little faster. They both seem to have their good and bad qualities. Twitter has a character restriction and has no popups. Twitter users can also post to their Facebook page. Facebook does not have a character limit. They both can post pictures and videos. Facebook has a better privacy blocking system (if you can find it and get them set right). A lot of users (me included) are not aware of this option. Facebook allows businesses to advertise and reach more people faster. Facebook makes there revenue off the ads on their site, witch keeps it free for their users. Facebook has games for their user to play also. These games also generate some of their revenue. Twitter has no games and the only source of revenue is its investors. Define the Problem The main problem for Facebook and Twitter at time is each other. The other thing is that there are other social sites that are starting to catch on. They are both trying so hard to out due each other they may just get stepped on by someone else. They both need to set some goals and do what will help them in the long run. Alternative Solutions Alternative 1- There is room for both of them on the World Wide Web. Competition is good. They need to keep going like they are; yes sooner or later one will be better than the other. It is like the burger wars (McDonalds and Burger King) one might be on top but the other is right behind. Alternative 2 – They could always merge and rule the social networking site as one. Alternative 3 – They could merge and Facebook can be the everyday personal social network site and Twitter can be more of the business network site. Selected Solution to the Problem Alternative 1 – Let the users decide which site works best for them. Compatiotion is good for both of them and the users. It makes them improve their products and in turn this makes a better product for the consumers/users. Despite the politically right way, there is going to be a winner and a loser. Implementation The best way to implement the solution is to advertise and to start improving their sites right away. The faster they improve them, the faster they get ahead. Recommendations Twitter should find a way to make revenue. They might need to start selling advertising space or charging a nominal fee for users. Facebook needs to become more users friendly and maybe make it easier to use.

#8220;Expository Essay Sample on Nature Based Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier #8220;

#8220;Expository Essay Sample on Nature Based Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier #8220; Nature plays a major role and has a profound impact on the lives of all organisms; it can be a friend or a foe. From the time a being comes into existence, it almost immediately, becomes aware of the necessary connection with the outside world. The creature begins by exploring all parts of the new surrounding, deciding how it maybe able to cope with the environment, making all the essential adaptations. As the life form grows, it becomes more and more dependent on nature, realizing how important the trees, grass, and even the sky really are. This dependency is also spiritual, one that comes from within, easily determining moods, emotions, actions, and sometimes proving to be an unlikely escape from reality or serving with unthinkable hardships. This intermingling bond, between being and nature, is almost inevitable in all beings. This union is the source of many struggles and conflicts that prove to be a test to the soul. This reliance, provided by nature, is nowhere else more evident then in writing. Authors take advantage of the daily struggles that are offered by setting to develop magnificent plots and create stunning suspense. This is especially so in the ageless love story, Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier, which describes the adversities that an outlaw soldier faces on his journey home to the unreachable mountain, where he hopes his love will be waiting. The fictional setting of the ferocious forest calls for developed characters that have courage, endurance, and a deep down sense of fright. The characters conflict and ally with natural forces in their daily struggles with life. Inman, one of the main characters in the novel, has a unique bond with nature, as he battles with it and then uses it as an internal remedy. He grows dependant on it, as both a mental getaway and a source of survival. In the beginning of the novel, Inman, from the confines of the hospital, looks out the window of his room and drifts into a mental ecstasy. For him, nature is an escape from the hospital environment and the pain of his wounds. He flashes back to his childhood. Inman remembers an incident that occurred when he was a schoolboy, and he threw his hat out of the window of the classroom. He went to retrieve it, running away from the school, and fleeing from all his troubles. In his mind, Inman longs to run away from the cruel world full of blood, killing, and misery. He fantasies about Cold Mountain and his life before the beginning of the war. Mentally, Inman establishes his own survival mechanism, a way to drift away from the images of death that are instilled in his mind. These visions cause him to have a great desire to break away, even at the cost of becoming a fugitive and, ultimately this drives him to find his way home. Inman’s fantasies could not have prepared him for the grueling journey that he encounters; he has immense struggles with nature. Numerous times, he finds himself at death’s door, but because of his mental will, he perseveres. He stumbles upon nature’s cruelty, with harsh weather, dangerous animals, and poisonous plants. Proving to be a major set back to his expedition, Inman overcomes treacherous rainstorms and bitter blizzards. He has no choice but to continue through whatever nature throws at him. While walking miles upon miles under the nightly sky, Inman is greeted the mysterious hoot of owls and crows that fly over his head. Even though these gloomy animals do not pose an immediate danger, they do create an eerie effect that depresses the deserter. Inman must learn to protect himself from the much more threatening animals that roam the landscape. On one occasion, Inman, for his own safety, is forced to drive an attacking mother bear off a cliff, and, with mu ch discontent, shoot her orphaned cub, which would otherwise not survive. To add to Inman’s own wounds, the run away soldier travels through unknown paths that are infested with poison ivy. The ivy injects more throbbing pain into its already injured victim. In terms of survival, nature is fighting against Inman. He must fend for himself, not only against the Home Guards, but also against the brutality of daily life in his surroundings. This leaves him weary and warn out, which, in turn, brings down his conviction. As nature wages war on Inman, it also supplies him with many necessities. The lush forest offers protection from enemies, provides him with shelter, and many times furnishes him food. Because of the large territory of the woodlands, Inman can, easily, keep himself hidden by taking unknown paths and hiding the bushes. The forest proves to be the safest place that Inman could be in; every time he travels into town to gather more supplies, he finds himself in danger. Inman has many close encounters with the town folk who try to kill him or capture him. He is also able to find caves and rest under the trees, which give him much needed shelter and a limited opportunity to rest from a countless days of walking. Inman quickly learns how to use the forest for his survival, hunting small animals. He soon finds himself connected with the forest in everyway possible, relying on it to stay alive, becoming a part of it, much like the small animals that he hunts. In his journey home, the forest eventually becomes his only source of his spiritual feelings. As Inman travels west, he begins to feel liberate from the war, attempting to let loose his horrid memories of blood. With every step, he is able, in his mind, to come closer to his goal, freedom. Therefore, when he is captured by the Home Guards and is forced to travel east, he feels like his life is ending, like he is traveling back in time. When Inman is shot, buried, and left for dead, he becomes one with the ground and his peaceful surroundings. Later, when the wild hogs uncover his body, he is brought back into the outside world, and reminded of the horror that exists. Inman also searches nature for a spiritual connection that would help him find meaning in his life. The dim landscape represents the suffering within his soul. The loneliness of the terrain symbolizes Inman’s feelings within himself. Inman identifies and envies the crow, a symbol that remains constant and establishes a relationship with all of the characters throughout the novel. He is jealous of this animal’s independence and unconformity to the world that mankind has established. Inman, in a way, also resents bird’s cunning and sneaky ways, as it is able to acquire everything it desires. Moreover, when Inman encounters a woman in the woods and seeks shelter at her camp, he discovers her connection and dependency on all that is around her. He finds fascinating the fact that she lives as a hermit, oblivious to the outside world. Inman soon concludes that be could not be so isolated from the exterior. Inman is not the only character in the novel that establishes a connection on many levels with nature. Like Inman, Ada uses nature as an antidote to her problems. She is a cultured young lady who is looking for a sense of direction after the death of her father, whom she had depended on all her life. She has absolutely no skills to revive her dying farm to provide her with a steady income. In the beginning of the novel, she takes in her surroundings much like a small child. Ada finds comfort in the trees and bushes that invite her to evade from the outside world. Therefore, she often buries herself in the shrubbery, falling asleep in this safety blanket. Other times, she sits under the peach tree, recollecting her time with Inman, her true love. Sitting on the front porch, Ada’s mind escapes into a book or into memories of her father. In nature, she does not seem to realize or even care to realize her problems. Ada’s prayers are answered and a miracle comes in the form of a girl named Ruby. She is a self- raised orphan who is looking for affection from a troubled childhood. Her approach to nature is more out of necessity than any other means. Because Ruby, from the time she was able to walk, has been dependent on the outside for survival; she is not able to establish a spiritual connection with the landscape. She is aware of the benefits and dangers of the greenery and therefore is able to help revive the failing farm and help Ada get back on her feet. Their meeting and relationship was truly a blessing to both Ada and Ruby. From each other, the both learn more than they could have ever bargained for, filling in the gap between practical and spiritual knowledge. Ruby teaches Ada how to work hard and the details of the terrain. She shows her that a little sweat can have great rewards, not only physically but also mentally. She realizes that she feels better about herself because she has interacted with nature in a way that she never has before. Ada offers Ruby something that Ruby has never had before, love. Ada presents her with a connection through books and shows Ruby how to see the world in a different light. She gives her affection and Ruby begins to have a strong spiritual bond with that is around her. Ada assures Ruby that it is all right to dream and to build castles in the sky. Together, each one fills each other’s void and both become much more complete. The bond between man and nature is expected, as both are interlinked with each other. It can provide great mental relief from daily tribulations and anguish. Other times, it can be the greatest adversary that man has to deal with. This bond is necessary for both existence and sanity. Nature determines many aspects of one’s life, even ones of life and death. The conflicts that the environment provides enable man to become stronger and he triumphs or fails at daily struggles.