How the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline would affect the Term Paper

How the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline would affect the United States - Term Paper Example The current US energy policy allows Canada to ship oil to main refineries in the US; the congress should reject any attempts to authorize the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline (Alperrovitz and Speth 164). Geothermal power, coal and hydroelectric energy are friendlier to the ecosystem. Coal has some negative impacts like air pollution but it can be exploited cheaply. Hydroelectric energy is more reliable and sustainable to produce since the US has many rivers and dams. The US energy policy should aim at enhancing biodiesels energy since it does not damage the environment and encourages recycling of waste. The government should invest heavily in geothermal power exploitation in order to meet the current energy needs and ensure sustainability of the energy supply (Fickling and Schott 67). Statement of the purpose Keystone XL pipeline will cover about 1661 miles from Alberta through Oklahoma and finally terminate in Texas. The pipeline is intended to ship Canada oil sands to US refineries in the Gulf coast. TransCanada, which is the company behind the pipeline proposal, has made plans of constructing the pipeline using thinner steel in order to avoid instances of oil spillage. If plans of the pipeline proceed, the pipeline will increase the level of toxic tar to the US ecosystem and jeopardize national goals of achieving renewable and clean energy sources. The pipeline will transport approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil daily to the US refineries. Keystone XL pipeline construction has both positive and negative consequences to the US economy (Rapier 237). The debate of the pipeline project has become a major political weapon especially in the current election year, where several politicians have taken opposing views on whether the US congress should permit Keystone XL pipeline constru ction. The pipeline will boast the staggering economy through additional jobs in construction sites and refineries. The pipeline will adversely affect the climate policy since heavy and poisonous gas emissions are expected from the refineries (Alperrovitz and Speth 173). The pipeline will destroy water resources since it will cut through several rivers that supply safe drinking and agricultural water to the communities living near the pipeline (Fickling and Schott 69). There have been numerous public concerns and heated debate on dirty oil emissions and oil spillage that may damage the US ecosystem. Introduction On November 4th 2011, TransCanada announced its support for the Keystone XL pipeline. The State of Nebraska supports the development of the pipeline. If the proposed pipeline is approved, the pipeline will avoid sand hills since Nebraskans will give their decisions on the pipeline root (Rapier 270). The proposed pipeline will expand the current TransCanada Keystone pipeline network. It will have the capacity to deliver the Canadian oil sands up to 100,000 barrels per day from the production in North Dakota and Bakken formation (Rapier 237). The production of oil from North Dakota has shot up in the past few years from the initial 100,000 barrels per day to the current 450,000 barrels per day (Rapier 277). According to the US law, cross border pipeline projects should receive Presidential permit and the authority is delegated to the State Department. Under the current North American Free Trade Agreement

Kudler Fine Foods Service Essay Example for Free

Kudler Fine Foods Service Essay Service Request The manager of Kudler Fine Foods, Kathy Kudler, has requested the development of a system to track customer purchases through a Frequent Shopper Program to award loyalty points for redemption. (Apollo, 2011) Key Stakeholders The key stakeholders are the individuals that are directly involved with Kudler Fine Foods and will have a direct effect on the overall project. These individuals will be the main source of information in the analysis, design, implementation and testing phase of the systems upgrade. Kathy KudlerProject Manager The Frequent Shopper Program for Kudler is specific in addressing current and future customers by rewarding them for shopping with the company. Both business and technical functions will be addressed as well as improved communication between the sales and marketing and purchasing departments. The goal is to provide better response to customer demands while rewarding the customer and accomplishing this in an efficiently fast manner. A marketing plan must be developed to inform current and potential customers of the program and encourage them to participate and take advantage of the benefits offered by the program. In utilizing an outside source for the program, Kudler will be able to provide a good relationship between the IT resources of the outside source and the internal sales and inventory  systems. There is also a need to modify the two different databases and the GUI in order to allow for smooth data transfer and communication. Kudler’s specific goals are to improve customer satisfaction in order to increase brand loyalty, cut costs by increasing supply efficiency, and increase sales which will result in higher revenue and profits for the company. In order to ensure success of this project, certain aspects will be monitored throughout the duration. This will allow Kudler to view what aspects are successful and what aspects are not. The main aspects that will be monitored are: new customer enrollment into the program, tracking of purchases from current and repeat customers, tracking of customer reward points, duration of participation from customers in the program, and total customer redeemed points, and difference in cost of redeemed items versus wholesale/supplier costs. Supporting Measures and Project Feasibility In order for Kudler Fine Foods to continue growth and experience profitability, the design and implementation of a Frequent Shopper Program must be accomplished. The program will need to utilize the best available hardware and software to accomplish their goals and to promote growth as well. The chosen system will need to address both short and long term needs and problems that could arise. This is done through a development phase that will combine all aspects and products that Kudler wishes to incorporate into the program. This phase must address the current budget allocated by Kudler for the implementation of the program while incorporating all needed requirements. Current Business Process Summary Proposed System Requirements The proposed new system must be capable of meeting the requirements set forth by the key stakeholders within the company. This list of requirements will be presented, discussed, and then edited based on what is needed, what is within budget constraints, and what is decided on by the stakeholders. This list of functional requirements proposed to Kudler is below. Functional Requirements System is capable of new customer enrollment System is able to track purchases for all customers System is able to track and store rewards points for individual customers System allows for rewards points to be redeemed System allows for viewing of customer rewards points on POS terminals System allows input changes from POS terminals System will sync with company website for tracking of rewards points System allows for data from each location to be stored and accessed in a central location System must be compatible with current system in place for easy transition. Determine Requirements The determination of the requirements for this system is a key part in the development of the Frequent Shopper Program (FSP). There are many methods that can be used to properly determine the requirements needed for an efficient system. These can range from simple observation of current processes and interviews with employees and management, to Joint Application Design (JAD) procedures. The commonly used methods of observation, interviews, etc., can help analysts pinpoint exact requirements based on user input and business processes. According to Charvat (2003), â€Å"One of the biggest benefits of a proper user requirements specification is that youll be able to plan and estimate your project correctly, decreasing the chance of cost and time overruns.† The analyst must listen to the employees and gain a thorough understanding of all business processes before establishing the new system requirements. The Joint Application Development (JAD) is a newer and more organized means of gathering information to base requirements on. This process is conducted by holding sessions in which key stakeholders and other key members of management are present and work together in the outline of the possible requirements. This allows for input from all levels within the organization and can yield better results than other commonly used methods. While this process can be lengthy, it keeps all key members involved up to date on the status of progress during the development phase and analysis. List of Confirmed Requirements System is capable of new customer enrollment Mandatory System is able to track purchases for all customers Mandatory System is able to track and store rewards points for individual customers Mandatory System allows for rewards points to be redeemed Mandatory System allows for viewing of customer rewards points on POS terminals Mandatory System allows input changes from POS terminals Mandatory System will sync with company website for tracking of rewards points Mandatory System allows for data from each location to be stored and accessed in a central location Mandatory System must be compatible with current system in place for easy transition Optional Proposed System Process View Functional Allocation Modeling This aspect is very important in ensuring all software and hardware utilized for the new system is up to date and current as of the time of this service request. Since technology advancements are made almost every day, it is important to stay on the cutting edge. This is why the use of computer systems with an Intel core i7 processor is being chosen. The hardware that will be used wil1l be purchase directly from Dell. This will give Kudler piece of mind with all hardware and full technical support with the warranty provided from Dell. The systems chosen will have 8GB of RAM (memory) and will include 22† LCD monitors, core i7 processors with 4.5GHz speed, and come preloaded with Windows 7.. Each system will also be equipped with 10/100 ethernet capabilities to meet the standards of the current network in place at Kudler. The current server in place at Kudler will be replaced by Unix servers by SPARC Enterprise Software SAP system for retail environments. The POS terminals will be replaced by NCR RealPOS 82XRT terminals which offer scanners, cash drawers, touch screen displays, and built in printing capabilities. VOIP phone systems and HP M521dn and HP 8015 printers will replace the outdated ones currently in use. Logical Model of System Preliminary Design Model Design Trade-off In order for Kudler Fine Foods to have a successful program, an examination of product roll out methodology must be performed. There will need to be a specific balance in regards to the mixture of cost, schedule and performance. It is understood that a program cannot incorporate all three aspects at once which then leads to deciding what the appropriate trade-offs shall be within the requirements. The following depict possible scenarios of combining two aspects but foregoing a third possible requirement. Cost and Schedule By having a program that is inexpensive and keeps to the specified timelines the company will end up with one that is affordable and able to start up right away. If the schedule is large for integration of the system with the current system then the time to capitalize on the customers data would take time. The downside is that cheap is not always best and can result in a low performance record that is fraught with hardware and software failures. If the program cannot function properly there is a decent chance that it will fail outright due to customers not wanting to take part in it. Schedule and Performance Creating a program that is scheduled to finish on time and functions to specified standards will allow Kudler customers to enjoy the program’s rewards with little to no problems. In this instance the design trade-off is cost. The cost of the new proposed system would be quite moderate to high. The cost to get the correct and reliable information at every instance of time is the biggest challenge over the cost incurred in the infrastructure. Not keeping up with costs for the creation though will result in a project that has a finishing cost much higher than was originally budgeted for. The result can pull funding from other much needed programs or can cause the program to change such as the customer receiving rewards that are of a lower  quality than originally promised. Cost and Performance If the project team is able to create the program at manageable costs while maintaining a high quality performance status the customers will be able to enjoy the benefits of the rewards while allowing the company to stay within appropriate budget levels. All the previous customers ‘ data would be inputted and further processed , which would take time The implementation of the new system would reduce costs of data transfer and catering the customers in a suitable manner. The performance of the system would improve with enhanced ability to track information about customers , their preference pattern and any change in their behavior In addition to all the above , the company can reduce the extra cost of hoarding of goods and can only customers preferences. The possible tradeoff is that the program may not be finished as scheduled. This can result in a backlog for future projects. In addition, if the project takes an exceedingly longer amount of time than originally thought, it may become scrapped so a new plan can come in its place. Detailed Design Process The prototype will drive the design of the forms and reports. The forms need to document predefined data in a clear and concise manner. Forms are typically based on one database record and have a stylized form. Reports are business documents that contain predefined data and data from many unrelated transactions or records used for reading or reviewing information. The forms and reports need to be end user friendly and clear to understand. They should not have simple rows or columns. The forms and reports can be designed using online graphical tools. This will help standardize them with other organizations. The forms and reports should have a transparent human computer interface. In designing a form or report there are some fundamental questions that need to be addressed: who will be the form/report user, the purpose, when will they be needed, who should have access to them, and who does it need to be delivered to? Answering these questions will allow the programmer to produce an effective form/report. The hardware and networks used should be consistent with what is already in use throughout the organization. Kudler Fine Foods uses UNIX operating system, HP blade server system and SAP as their software. The UNIX server needs to be upgraded to UNIX SPARC Enterprise software. The organization should upgrade their current version of SAP Retail SW to SAP for Retail. The HP Blade server should be upgraded to a Dell PowerEdge M620 blade server. The HP blade server is obsolete and this may create problems if future support or maintenance is needed. The CM2320nf printer is obsolete and should be upgraded with the HP M521dn printer. The HP 3015 printers, VOIP phones, APC Smart UPS, POS terminals, 22† screens, and the NAS 10 TB storage server should all remain. If the organization is going to upgrade their software they should upgrade their hardware as indicated. This will allow the organization the ability to use state of the art hardware with state of the art software and get the most out of the system. They will be able to utilize the most current technological features currently available and extend the life of their infrastructure. Human Computer Interface The human computer interface should be designed with Microsoft Visual Basic. Net. Microsoft is a universal program that employees are familiar with. Using Microsoft will allow end users to feel comfortable with the software because the commands for Microsoft can be applied. Training is easier for employees using Microsoft because so many of them are familiar with it. Microsoft reports can also be imported and exported to other mediums making it possible for end users to review the information in detail. They currently use Microsoft Windows 7. Using the most current version of software will extend the life of the system. Using outdated software will hinder the use of the most current applications and can make the program prematurely outdated. The organization should continue using Dell computers but they need to upgrade them to Dell XPS 8700 with an i7 processor, and 4.0 GHz. CD drives are no longer necessary, most information is transferred or stored via a memory stick. Physical System Model What are information architecture diagrams? â€Å"A diagram architecture is not necessary an architecture produced through diagrams. Instead, diagram architecture is an architecture that behaves like a diagram, indifferent to  the specific means of its realization. (Par. 13) When it comes to these diagrams you are taking the knowledge of the architecture and molding it into a visual and understandable aid laid out in sequence like patterns that show direction. And when these diagrams are designed of information architecture the process usually ends up back where it started making a loop back to the requirements. Producing this process of creating an information architecture diagrams can be a bit confusing and people end up getting information confused rather easy. Until a man named Philippe Kruchten came up with a brilliant way to look at the diagram. He introduced the concept of viewing the diagram through the eyes of the stakeholders. This process became known as the 4+1 information view model. The 4 is for the several views in which he describes as the Physical view, Logical view, development view and the process view. And the +1 is added to describe the scenarios. Modeling the architecture of a software system can be presented in two areas known as the High level design and design patterns. High level is the use of the core components who work together for the one mission of fulfilling the requirements. And depending on if the system is large enough it is possible that each component will sustain its own high level setup that will provide descriptions of its smaller parts. Design patterns are used here and there in the particular designs of each of the components. A pattern is a waypoint that will direct you to the end solution of the program in which it is accommodating. If the same pattern is used through the design of separate programs it will act as a money saver as it saves in the purchase of new software and saves time in the design process. Testing Process Summary This phase will be somewhat similar to the installation and implementation phase in some ways. The overall functionality of every aspect within the system must be tested to ensure it meets the requirements of the original project plan. All new software and hardware must go through thorough examination and a system of checks to accomplish this. This phase must be continued throughout the life cycle of the system to continuously check for errors and bugs to keep the system performing at optimum capacity. To properly complete this phase there are guidelines to follow for testing that will cover all aspects of the system. Hardware and Software Installation Process/Training Plan In order to accomplish the implementation of the Frequent Shopper Program Successfully Kudler will need to implement the POS Server database flawlessly into the system in order to avoid data loss or corruption of data. The online Cash Registers and the in-store cash registers will be communicating to the same database and a seamless integration of these three components is crucial during the early implementation phase of the installation. The challenge during this phase of the installation is the software that will be used to bring these three components together. Continuous testing of the POS, The CMS, and the store website are needed to ensure that any bugs in the system are pointed out early. Once this is complete the Kudler will be able to focus on the smaller aspects of the program such as ensuring that all merchandise are coded correctly and the scanners are properly transmitting the data. The timeline for the implementation of this project is 2-3 months. The company should take measures during the implementation and installation regarding marketing to  maintain the competitive edge and afford customers needed time to adjust to the idea of this new system. Time will be needed to train staff on the proper procedures for issuing and Frequent Shopper Cards, and the support teams will need training on how to troubleshoot system errors. The cashiers will need training on methods of marketing the programs and procedures for how to use, issue, and reissue cards to customers enrolling or already enrolled in the program. One of the keys to success of the program is ensuring the cashiers have a clear understanding of how to market the program. Failure to ensure marketing or the cards is upheld and train employees on how to properly process cards will be counterproductive to the program and could lower customer value. Installation Process Installation is the organizational process of change over from the current information system to the new one. â€Å"Managing the change to a new system—whether or not it is computerized — is one of the most difficult tasks in any organization† (George, Hoffer, Valacich, 2012). After system construction, final acceptance tests performed during systems installation and evaluation ensures the development team has completed all tasks for the project. After determination that system operations are fully functional, the system is ready for installation. During the installation process, the old system becomes disabled and subsequently, the new system activated. The project manager and developers assemble the resources required for installation as the work begins. Resources required for installation of the system includes development team members and their various programming tools, including software. Project constraints in this instance have a comparatively narrow degree because of the streamlined and limited changes. The installation team begins by changing the modems over to broadband, and activating broadband connections at each store. At this stage, the installed applications including updates to the Point of Sale system software, the database management system, credit card interface software, and printer applications undergo testing for appropriate functionality. The entire system is then tested, and confirmed successful for use (George, Hoffer, Valacich, 2012). The installation of the Kudler Fine Foods Frequent Shopper Program and related plans for training will correspond with the timeline illustrated. Training Plan The training and installation timeline provides a sufficient and organized schedule for installation and system testing, also providing an expedient finish to the system implementation processes. The project team develops training materials and documentation for training classes. The next step in the implementation phase is training system users, managers, and IT staff. Diagram 1: Installation and Training Timeline User training and training documentation should include an overview of system features, capabilities and limitations, data entry and menu screen options, contents, and processing instructions, and procedures for requesting changes and reporting problems. Other important inclusions are troubleshooting examples and error situations including resolutions, and a section on frequently asked questions (Cashman, Rosenblatt, Shelly, 2013). As illustrated, Frequent Shopper Program System Training, the specific details for training specific groups vary according to employee function and extent. Documentation Plan Summary Documentation needs to be accurate and will also be a determining factor on the software’s success or failure. Documentation needs to include how to work the system, navigate it, its potential, how to use the data, and reporting methods. This should be done early on so the end user has reference materials. The documentation process should begin when developing the system. This will provide supporting material for developers and help develop future training materials. If the end user does not understand how to use the system or recall information for reporting purposes, the software is not serving its purpose. Most systems in place today are for information gathering and storage. If the end user can’t access the collected information, then the software will be rendered useless. The system will need to be maintained so a maintenance manual should be available to guide developers on how to make fixes and update the system. An operational manual should be available for the subject material expert, designers and users. This manual will help when they have questions on a process or how to get a certain part of the program to produce or collect  the proper data. A technical manual will be necessary so the technical writers can refer to the system structure when they have questions. The technical manual should include drawings, flowcharts, and the database structure. The system should have a training manual that has step by step instructions that a user can follow. It should also have a list of any codes, available reports, system outputs, a troubleshooting guide, work a rounds, and be current on updates. The Training manual or user manual will help the user by providing a guide for future reference and for training. The training manual will help decrease questions and improve efficiency. The more information that is available for the user the more proficient they will be at using it. Training end users is very important. This could mean the difference between an efficient and easy flowing system or a cumbersome, difficult to use nightmare. Visuals should be used to make training easier and provide future training material references. If there are inquiries that are not frequently performed, the end user might not recall how to initiate the inquiries and having a visual to refer to, might help the end user be more efficient when conducting these inquires. Support Maintenance Plan It’s not enough to just implement a system and fully integrate it into the new business system. There must be a support system that covers common mistakes and helps people locate answers to their technical questions. And along with the system support there also must be some type of maintenance schedule that keeps the system healthy, like frequent updates to keep the system up to date and as free from bugs as possible. Software Support In order for a system to operate at full potential the software must remain up to date with all of the bug fixes and security issues that comes with having software. Having your software up to date could very well be the lifeline of your company. If your software fails, then the work production conducted on that system will also fail. Hardware Support Just as important as software support is hardware support. Hardware consists of several critical and physical components of an IT system. These components include but are not limited to; servers, systems used to store data, personal computers (PC) and the networks that tie them all together. When it comes to business communication is the key, and this doesn’t exclude the communication of the IT systems. Network Support Like previously mentioned, networks are the communication for IT systems. Keeping your network up and running can be a little difficult to deal with. When a network goes down then every piece of hardware on that network has no communication. Unfortunately network issues usually get dealt with as soon as they happen. What is recommended is to have a preventative maintenance schedule in increments of monthly, bimonthly, semiannually, annually or biannually to periodically check the condition of the network before it fails resulting in a downed network. When software is merged over into a company system there are user manuals and lists of known and unknown bugs for the system. Each member should have been briefed on the new software and also provided the information included in the user manuals and the known and unknown bug reports. For the hardware and network, preventative maintenance is the best way to avoid a downed asset. And a well maintained support system with frequent updates will ensure your software stays up to  date with the latest security and bugs fixes. Conclusion This thorough analysis and all aspects carefully and fully examined, the proposed project will not only meet, but exceed the request of Kudler Fine Foods for implementing a rewards program. The use of cutting edge technology in both hardware and software aspects will ensure a smooth running system for years to come. The incorporation of the rewards program and the system upgrades should not only increase profitability, but brand loyalty from customers as well. The system meets all required needs of Kudler Fine Foods to include time scheduling, budget, and both short and long term goals. References Apollo Group Inc. (2011). Kudler Fine Foods. Service Request SR-kf-013. Retrieved from: https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/CIST/VOP/ServiceRequests/index.asp#Kudler Fine Foods Cashman, G. B., Rosenblatt, H. J., Shelly, G. B. (2013). Systems Analysis and Design (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Thomson Course Technology. Charvat, Jason. (June 30, 2013). Determine User Requirements Now to Avoid Problems Later. TechRepublic. Retreived from: http://www.techrepublic.com/article/determine-user-requirements-now-to-avoid-problems-later/ Dennis, A., Wixom, B. H., Roth, R. M. (2012). Systems analysis design (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons. Federal Bureau of Investigation (2013). The Insider Threat: An introduction to detecting and deterring an insider spy. Retrieved from: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/counterintelligence/the-insider-threat George, J. F., Hoffer, J. A., Valacich, J. S. (2012). Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design. Retrieved from: http://www.bau.edu.jo/in st/hamza/SAbook.pdf Riordan Manufacturing Intranet Website (2014). Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/cist/vop/Business/Riordan/ (2010, 05). Diagram Architecture. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 05, 2010, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Diagram-Architecture-63657523.html

Inequality and Global Environmental Crisis: Exploring Nexus

Inequality and Global Environmental Crisis: Exploring Nexus Introduction The planet today is at a crossroads with unrestrained consumption and production transgressing planetary thresholds, jeopardising the generativity of the earth and the social structures that are dependent on it (Magdoff Foster, 2011). A lot of environmentalists, scientists, business enterprises are all offering solution to the problem; green consumption, growth of capital markets, technocratic fixes etc. A closer examination indicates that most of these fixes elucidates an implicit optimism in the market mechanism and fails to â€Å"embed ecological challenges in tangible social realities†(Laurent, 2014) . The mainstream approaches to the environmental crisis attempt a symptomatic treatment of the issue and often fails to trace the root cause of the crisis. Understanding causation is essential to make a deeper sense of the question, â€Å"who produces what kind of socio-ecological configurations for whom† (Heynen, Kaika, and Swyngedouw 2006 pg.7). The mainstream or neo classical paradigm locates the origins of all environmental problems including climate change, to the absence of a well-functioning market for environmental goods. The source of environmental damage is that preferences for environmental goods are not revealed in market prices, and then the solution is to ensure that they are (O’Neill, 2001). When private and social costs diverge externalities arise. The term externality when used in mainstream language denotes that these factors are presumed to exist outside the purview of the system’s operation (Nadeau, 2010). Environmental externalities exist outside the purview of market and hence market prices fail to reflect the real cost of environmental damage. Thus it calls for internalising the externalities through tradable property rights or alternatively constructs shadow prices for environmental goods by ascertaining what individuals would pay for them, were there a market (O’Neill, 2001). Contrary to the neo classical conception markets are open systems that are integrated and embedded within the socio-ecological environments. The neo classical process of rationalisation involves artificial separation of different fields of human life and the narrow means end rationality fails to consider these dimensions in an integrated way (Lejano Stokols, 2013). International negotiations on climate change underplay the social costs embedded in the production process, there-by attempting only a symptomatic treatment of the issue. O’Neill 2001 argues that the origins of the environmental crisis can be traced back to the spread of market mechanisms and norms where they are completely inappropriate. The fundamental question the critics of the neo classical paradigm pose is, Can the structure which generated the environmental crisis find fixes within itself? Bookchin 1996 articulates that man’s relationship with nature reflects realities of social domination in the form of hierarchies, class, race among others. The failure of neoclassical economics is evident now with the world reeling under the twin crisis, economic and ecological. Foster 2008 argues that the mainstream fixes to ecological problems comprises of three automated responses namely â€Å"(1) technological bullets, (2) extending the market to all aspects of nature, and (3) creating what are intended as mere islands of preservation in a world of almost universal exploitation and destruction of natural habitats†. The Marxist argument directly links the production relation in the existing system of capitalism to the climate change phenomenon. Foster and Clark 2009 gives a convincing explanation for the crisis. In their language, the process of disrupting the metabolic relation of man with nature is called metabolic rift’. Metabolic rift creates a distance between the site of production and consumption. Mostly this widens the divide between urban-rural and centre-periphery, causing serious environmental hazards for bot h (Foster Clark, 2009). The ecological crisis according to Marxist argument is an inherent feature of the capitalist system which they believe is good at fermenting crisis. Environmental questions are all encompasses and all interconnected. Capitalism and its conceptualization of nature as an object separate from humankind opened the possibility of ecologically harmful methods of capitalist production. Beck 1992 argues that the modern society is a risk society and the social production of wealth is often accompanied by social production of risk. Most often the havoc wreaked by the capitalist accumulation remains unknown and is even passed on to generations. Inequalities in the form of class and strata, leads to springing up of social risk positions. (ibid). The diffusion and commercialisation of risks also creates winners who profit from the risk as well as losers who bear the costs associated with it (Beck, 1992; Boyce, 2013). The mainstream fixes of the global environmental crisis attempted within the system also typically create a group of winners who benefit and capitalise from the climate crisis. Disaster capitalism as it is popularly called precipitates disasters and employs these disasters as an opportunity to facilitate its expansion (Fletcher, 2012). The political economy of environmental degradation depicts a strong reciprocal and complex relation linking inequality and the environmental crisis. This is an outcome of the questions of class and other forms of socio economic inequality that is built into the current system of production and consumption (Magdoff Foster, 2011). Social and economic inequalities based on class race ethnicity and gender translates into environmental inequalities. Climate change, the most catastrophic form of environmental crisis was also manufactured in a concoction of socio economic inequalities generated by neo liberal exploitation and unjust appropriation of global carbon space by the developed countries. Per contra the hazards associated with climate change fluctuates rapidly among different social groups, falling disproportionately on the eco system communities, the working classes and the marginalised reflecting highly nonlinear relationship between climate and outcomes (Ribot, 2009). Szasz and Meuser 1997 notes that the distributional implications of the environmental crisis are juxtaposed on the existing coalitions of power and wealth, generated by ‘the normal workings of international political economy’. They depict â€Å"environmental inequalities as a necessary and inevitable facet of social inequalities embedded in the very fabric of modern societies† (ibid pg.113). Thus it can be argued that socio economic inequalities often act as a driver of the environmental crisis and this in turn aggravates the existing inequities and disturbs the societal resilience. On the contrary environmental crisis exacerbates and also creates new forms of inequality triggering dynamic social consequences (Laurent, 2014). Human well-being is contingent up on natural capital and eco system services. Rogers et al. 2012 puts it like this, â€Å"Key components of human well-being are dependent on well-functioning ecosystems and biosphere. Conversely maintaining a healthy environment and making the transition to environmental sustainability requires human societies that function well†. Hence it is of crucial importance to understand the process that create and contribute to the existence and sustenance of environmental inequalities. The ecological and the economic crisis the planet is reeling under today calls for a fresh perspective in economic thinking. It points to a complete failure of the traditional economic models obsessed with the religion of economic growth, the outcome of which is a system where inequalities are generated and perpetuated in a vicious circle. However it is crucial to understand the nexus or relation between inequalities and environmental degradation for the evolution of clear compelling and viable alternatives. The following section looks explicitly at this relationship and arrives at a framework that depicts how inequalities trigger environmental degradation and the resultant crisis on one hand and how the environmental crisis can exacerbate the existing inequalities and create new ones. Herein, the chapter locates the origin of current ecological crisis within the structural inequalities and resultant power differentials implicit in the current mode of production and consumption. The multiple entanglements between inequality and environmental degradation are examined to arrive at a comprehensive framework that depicts a vicious circle relationship where the former and the later mutually reinforce one another. How do inequalities lead to environmental degradation and the resultant crisis? The nexus between inequality and environmental degradation have been developed by the pioneering work of James.K.Boyce. He has an extensive array of work which exclusively explores the nexus between inequality and environmental degradation. He underpins that the quality of natural environment is a reflection of how power and wealth are distributed (Boyce, 2002, 2013). The mainstream environmental thinkers and scholars juxtapose nature to humans where environment is often treated as a subset of the economy. Contrary to the popular notion Boyce argues that humans are a part of nature and not apart from it. Environmental inequalities are an inevitable reflection of social inequalities embedded in the very fabric of a capitalist society. Hence it is of crucial importance to understand the dynamics of allocating the risks and benefits of environmental degradation. Boyce argues that environmentally degrading economic activities need to be analyses through three basic questions (Boyce, 201 3, p. 9). Who benefits or in other words who pollutes? Boyce argues that environmentally degrading activities typically creates winners who benefit from the activities and losers who bear the costs. The benefits from economic activities that generate environmental harm accrue to rich in the form of savings that accrue to the consumers in the form of cost externalisation since they consume more. For the producers the benefits accrue in the form of profits from cost externalisation (Boyce 2013:14). Inequalities in the form of income and class, among others fuels luxurious consumption patterns. In societies with higher levels of inequality, consumption is a means to seek social certification and status (Wisman, 2010). Pickett and Wilkinson 2010 notes that consumption decisions are triggered by pressures of status competition, often intensified by higher levels of inequality. Bourdieu describes consumption as a way for the higher social classes to distinguish themselves from the lower social classes (as cited in Gram-Hanssen, 2004). Bourdieu distinguishes between three types of classes the bourgeoisie, petit bourgeoisie and the working class. According to him â€Å"the taste of the bourgeoisie is closely connected with appreciating what requires much money (economic capital) or a high cultural competence (cultural capital) which other classes do not possess.The taste of the petit bourgeoisie is defined by their trying to emulate the taste and norms of the bourgeoisie whereas the taste of the working class is defined by the choice of necessity (ibid)†. Another feature of status competition is that it biases consumption in favour of private goods as opposed to public ones such as quality of the environment. [i]A lot of popular approaches link poverty to environmental degradation where the poor degrade the environment in their quest to survive. Thus the capitalist fix for the problem calls for more economic growth to uplift the poor ,the benefits of which does not often trickle done and leads to further degradation as humanity so far has not been able to isolate growth from its negative environmental effects (Wisman, 2010). Boyce depicts that if the amount of degradation per dollar were roughly the same for both groups, the richest 20 percent of the world’s people would account for 140 times as much environmental degradation as the poorest 20 percent (Boyce, 2002, p. 6). Thus it can be argued that socio economic inequality remains at the core of unsustainable consumption patterns that are energy and resource intensive (Rogers et al., 2012). The debates on sustainable consumption are dominated by powerful actors who still propagate the agenda that sustainability is compatible with increasing levels of consumption made possible by technological innovations. The absolute reductions in consumption patterns are often put off the table by powerful actors â€Å"who set the agendas and influence people’s behaviour options and their impacts†(Fuchs et al., 2015). Thus the rationale for altered consumption patterns and lifestyle is often underplayed, which puts excessive pressure on the current resource base of the planet. Who bears the cost? The very existence of socio economic inequalities renders as invisible certain groups of people. Schlosberg, 2012 notes that mal recognition promotes distributive injustices on the line of class, race, income, gender etc. When people are not recognised and their voices muted, they lose control over their own lives. Ribot, 2009 notes that the impact of a similar climate hazard varies considerably among different groups of people at the same time. Thus vulnerability to environmental change inherently exists within the system or the communities who are exposed to it. Inherent vulnerability is an outcome of underlying political economy that determines assets and patterns of access (Brooks, 2003). Sen and Nussbaum develops this notion further through the capabilities approach which focuses not only distributive inequities but also capacity to lead functioning lives (Schlosberg, 2012).Wisner, Blaikie, Cannon, Davis, 2003 notes that socio economic exclusion and marginalisation renders acce ss to livelihoods and resources that are insecure and unrewarding. Socio economic inequalities thus determines the inherent vulnerability of as system or social vulnerability defined as â€Å"those properties of a system independent of the hazard(s) to which it is exposed, that mediate the outcome of a hazard event† (Brooks, 2003, p. 5). The vulnerability associated with a natural hazard is produced when social vulnerability acts upon a triggering natural event and hence it becomes a determinant of bio physical vulnerability. Thus as Laurent, 2014 notes â€Å"inequality acts as a multiplier of social damage caused by environmental shocks†. Why is it so? The politics of risk transfer The history of risk distribution shows that like wealth risks also adheres to the class pattern; only inversely wealth accumulates at the top risk at the bottom. Newell, 2005 notes that environmental bads are distributed along the rooted structures of socio economic inequality along the lines of race, class, gender etc. The difference between the winners and the losers is attributed to power differentials. With greater inequality in the distribution of power those agents with more power are able to impose high external costs on those with less power and this there by affect the slice of the pollution pie as well as how it is sliced. Bullard depicts this clearly in his pioneering work on environmental justice â€Å"Dumping in the Dixie†(Bullard, 2000). For e.g. he shows that out of 8 garbage incinerators in Houston 6 were in black neighbourhoods and one in a Hispanic neighbourhood. All the 5 landfills in the city were also located in black neighbourhoods. He contends that sitin g decisions merely followed the path of least resistance. â€Å"The unequal sharing of benefit and burden engenders feelings of unfair treatment and reinforces racial and class distinction† (Bullard, 2000, p. 88). Boyce explains this with the help of â€Å"power-weighted social decision rule†. â€Å"When the winners are powerful relative to the losers, more environmental degradation occurs than in the reverse situation†(Boyce, 2013, p. 38). The greater the inequality of power, greater will be the social cost of environmental degradation. The process of risk transfer where the costs of environmental degradation are passed on to those who are not responsible for it is conditioned through differences in power often made possible through state intervention. Boyce depicts this as differences in purchasing power and political power which are often correlated with one another. Both these forms of power render it impossible to arrive at the optimum level of pollution prescribed by the cost benefit analysis (ibid). Besides a clean and safe environment is not a pure public good and it is also possible to purchase private insulation from public bad using the clout of purchasing and political power. Beck puts it like this, â€Å"Exponential growth of risks, impossibility of escaping them, political abstinence and the announcement and sale of private escape opportunities condition one another†. The costs to the losers are sim ply ignored by the winners who pursue the activity as long as it remains privately beneficial for them to do so, i.e. as long as they are not held accountable. Thus as Laurent, 2014 notes inequality renders the rich unaccountable for their actions by creating conducive conditions for transferring the associated environmental damages to the poor and the powerless. Environmental crisis and Inequalities The link between environmental crisis and inequalities can be examined through the notion of strong sustainability which highlights the limited substitutability of natural capital for human existence and well-being, in a unique way such that it cannot be replaced by any other forms of capital (Ekins, Simon, Deutsch, Folke, De Groot, 2003; Pelenc, Lompo, Ballet, Dubois, 2013). Ekins et al., 2003 et al depicts these contributions in the form of resources provided by the ecosystem components, life support and regulation functions that maintain stability and resilience, as well as a sink for absorption of waste from human activities. This leads to a concept of Critical Natural Capital that performs essential eco system services to present and future wellbeing characterised by its irreversibility when thresholds are crossed provoking an ecological crisis (Pelenc, 2010). Brand, 2009 notes that nature constitutes an integral part of the socio cultural identity for many indigenous communit ies and social groups often entwined with their food and livelihood security. The environmental crisis like climate change disproportionately affects those communities who are directly dependant on eco system services. Hence erosion of eco system services through its unsustainable use and degradation could lead to loss of capabilities for present generations and to some extend future generations. Thus environment crisis primarily impairs the socio ecological resilience of resource dependent communities. The welfare impact of erosion of ecosystem services as an outcome of the environmental crisis is mediated through existing power relations where certain actors can mobilise certain endowments to make effective use of some others. (eg.when rainfall decreases the rich farmers can invest capital and artificially irrigate their land through sprinklers etc.) Anu Kapur opinions that â€Å"Vulnerability is like a leak that allows forces agents and processes to break in and thus impact† (Kapur, 2008, p. 196). Environmnetal degradation or environmental crisis acts on the inherent vulnerability in a place, community or social group there by acting as a crisis catalyst.â€Å"Any weakness is susceptible to exploitation. Natural forces can roam and rein free in a land where people are disadvantaged† (Kapur, 2008, p. 205). Boyce, 2013 argues that unequal vulnerabilities before and during a disaster often continue to play out in the period of disaster. After a disaster they have great difficulty in recovering from disasters due to less insurance,lower incomes,fewer savings,unemployment,access to resources etc.(ibid).When evaluated through the cost benefit analysis lens, public policies place a lower priority on less valuable people and their assets. Thus the resilience capacity of any social group or population is not determined just by external factors such as disasters or climate shocks but the regenerative capacity of a social or an ecological system as defined by socio economic and political conditions (Ribot, 2009). Adaptation and mitigation strategies following an environmental crisis places more value on the assets of the rich and powerful. When the costs of climate protection are measured by â€Å"willingness to pay† approaches the whole issue burns down to a question of haves and have not’s. Willingness to pay is contingent on ability to pay and hence the preferences revealed in the market need not necessarily depict the preferences for environmental quality. Boyce illustrates this with a striking example (Boyce, 2014). He proposes an imaginary solution will cause world incomes to fall by 25%. For the majority of the marginalised and the poor who live on one dollar a day it leads to a loss of mere 25 cents. However this small amount entails a question of survival for them. On the other hand a real estate baron with an income of about $2000 per day will lose 500 $ daily. In monetary terms the loss is much higher for the baron and thus traditional economic models will be biased t owards protecting the baron’s interest because it rests on logic of economic efficiency that counts each dollar equally. Boyce argues that this attitude was visible brutally in the 1992 memorandum signed by Lawrence Summers ,then chief economist of the world bank when he stated that the economic logic of dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest-wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that. The ecological crisis also mystifies inequalities on ground through the emergence of new market fixes for the same. Termed as disaster capitalism by Naomi Klein it is defined by her as orchestrated raids on the public sphere in the wake of catastrophic events combined with treatment of disasters as exciting market opportunities (Klein, 2007). Neo liberal policies seek to harness crisis as opportunities for continued economic expansion. The neo liberal fixes for the ecological crisis includes commodification of nature, privatisation of state controlled resources, restricting participation of local communities by transferring governance to non-state actors, increased exploitation of dwindling natural resource for short term profits etc. (Naidu Panayiotis, 2010). Termed as accumulation by dispossession by Harvey, solution to the environmental crisis promotes exclusion by alienating the minority of their rights to use nature (ibid). Beck, 1992 argues that in the risk society, risk thems elves becomes big business opportunities. As the environmental crisis enfolds we see these patterns emerging. For e.g. under the name of CDM we see the developed countries displacing or transferring their emissions to poorer societies by paying the latter to reduce their own emissions. Neo liberal capitalism has succeeded in commodifying not just environment but also environmental concern in the form of green economy, green consumerism, and carbon markets to address climate change among others. Thus as Laurent argues contemporary ecological crisis poses a severe threat to social justice through the rise of environmental inequalities (Laurent, 2014). [i] This aspect is discussed in detail in Chapter 2. Abenomics: Summary and Analysis Abenomics: Summary and Analysis Introduction Japans fares rate a month ago at the quickest yearly rate in more than two years. The weaker yen additionally helped the vitality overwhelming import bill, despite the fact that the rose 10 for every penny from a year prior, economists said the net impact of the yens retreat stayed positive, in light of the fact that higher fare incomes decipher into higher exporter income and hence more financing and laborers rewards. Japans stock exchange is overwhelming on sending out, The Prime Minister Abes administration additionally trusts that the fare windfall will shore up general business and customer trust. This is approach to mean to haul Japan out of its liquidity trap and end about two decades’ years of monetary stagnation and flattening. This article will talk about foundation and adequacy of Abenomics and how the Japanese government ought to take care of this issue. The Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recommended monetary strategies which are called as Abenomics. Abenomics has three (3) shafts; An enormous financial jolt, More forceful fiscal moving from the Bank of Japan and Structural changes to support Japans intensity. (B. Mclannahan, B. Haslett and K. Carnie, 2013). What is Abenomics? The financial strategies that Abe backings incorporate a forceful set of money related, monetary, and structural changes intended for impelling swelling and hauling Japan out of its decades-long deflationary droop. The expansive objective is to help yearly GDP development, which right now remains at 2 percent, and raise expansion to 2 percent through fleeting boost using, money related moving, and changes that will support household work markets and expand exchange associations. Emulating the takeoff of previous national bank senator Masaaki Shirakawa, Japans national bank set an expansion focus of 2 percent in January 2013, which it swore to accomplish through quantitative maneuvering that would purchase up for the most part fleeting government obligation in an advantage buy arrange because of begin in 2014. Haruhiko Kuroda, a defender of forceful maneuvering strategies, was introduced in February 2013 as the new leader of the national bank in a move that Abe roundly touted as an administration change at the BOJ. Abe additionally requested a weighty 10.3 trillion yen fleeting jolt bundle, affirmed by the bureau in January 2013, which will run to framework ventures with a concentrate on building scaffolds, shafts, and quake safe streets. Around a third of the bundle, which is Japans second-biggest ever, is reserved to invigorate private financing, including steps to push clean vitality. Abe advertised in October 2013 that he would bring the utilization expense up in April 2014 from 5 percent to 8 percent; this is anticipated to expand to 10 percent in 2015. Some expect that the ascent could end recuperation, as higher costs havent yet been matched by higher wages. The International Monetary Fund cautioned that Japanese monetary development would moderate from 2 percent to 1.2 percent in 2014 because of the trek. While fiscal and financial strategies will do the majority of the overwhelming lifting in the short term, structural changes, which the BOJ has contended are long past due, will be the long haul linchpin of Abes arrangements. Japans alarming demographic scene the number of inhabitants in Japanese laborers between ages fifteen and sixty-four has shrunk by 6 percent in the previous decade—has been one of the biggest guilty parties in hampering development. Activities to check this pattern incorporate empowering more prominent female support in the workforce by embracing more extensive tyke forethought help strategies. Abes legislature has likewise laid out particular activities to redesign regulations in key segments like, nature, and social insurance. In October 2013, Japans parliament started debating the third shaft of its financial arrangement, albeit a few themes, including Japans work laws and medicinal protection, will probably be left off the table. As a few commercial ventures with critical political clout have passionately dissented against Japans support. The horticulture business, for example, has contended that the division would take a hit from outside rivalry because of the evacuation of high taxes and other defensive measures on imports. Some human services suppliers have additionally whined that Japans national wellbeing protection framework would be unfavorably influenced as the TPP would constrain Japanese nationals to purchase remote delivered pharmaceuticals and therapeutic gadgets. Regardless of these residential sensitivities, Abe in any case demanded that Japan required exploiting the last risk it needed to remain an investment control in. Recognize that the presumption of r = r* was dropped, which is a mathematical statement for a little economy that cant impact the world investment rate. As Japan is the third biggest economy on the planet, the suspicion that it has little impact on the world money related business sector must be dropped. Hence, the investment rate was dealt with as an endogenous variable. Accordingly, LM bend got a positive incline, as opposed to being vertical. As a matter of first importance, the Bank of Japan is focusing on a 2% CPI swelling rate and expanding the cash supply coursing in the economy by purchasing different budgetary stakes, for example, the legislature security, which is basically financial extension policy. It could be said that this inconclusive quantitative maneuvering is the center of Abenomics. On the diagram over, the expand in the cash supply moves the LM bend to the right, raising the pay from Y1 to Y2, and bringing down the genuine premium rate from r1 to r2. The decline in the genuine investment rate then builds the net capital surge as is shown on the second diagram. As the net capital outpouring builds from Cf1 to Cf2, the supply of Japanese yen in the business sector for remote trade expands. The swapping scale tumbles from e1 to e2, deteriorating the Japanese yen. This makes the Japanese merchandise moderately less expensive to remote products and the net fare climbs from Nx1 to Nx2. There are two channels for this system. In the first place, as the money related extension brings down the premium rate, this invigorates the speculation. Second, as the fiscal arrangement causes the money to devalue in the business sector for remote trade, this empowers net fares. The three arrows Abenomics incorporates a financial administration shift, monetary boost measures, and structural changes, otherwise called the three arrows. Early success of the first arrow Abenomics first bolt forceful money related maneuvering with swelling focusing on has been on target and working astoundingly well. It began to have a positive effect on the Japanese economy well before the Bank of Japan advertised strong qualitative and quantitative maneuvering in April 2013 as an intends to attain its swelling focus of 2%. It was striking that relentless talk of these arrangements changed speculator desires even without cash market intercession. Between November 2012 and spring 2013, the yen deteriorated by 20% against the US dollar and stock costs climbed by half. The resultant riches impact from higher stock costs supported utilization for the first and second quarters of 2013. Today, the yen/US dollar swapping scale stays at around 100 yen, an agreeable level for Japans exporters. Fiscal policy challenge: Second arrow The second shaft, adaptable financial approach, in spite of the fact that additionally on target, has been all the more difficult. It would have been composed as a brisk fix to lift the economy out of flattening, notwithstanding Japans disintegrating sovereign obligation circumstance. Japans horrible open obligation is in excess of 200% of the nations terrible local item and its monetary shortfalls have been approaching a disturbing half of government plan. With the Japanese government effectively one of the leanest amongst created economies, the nation would need to depend predominantly on expense expands to guarantee financial maintainability in the medium term. The second bolt is testing in light of the fact that it includes a transitory expand in government using to attain a lasting duty trek for financial combination. In the first and second quarters of 2013, Japan upped its monetary consumptions. Together with the first shaft, the nations investment development rate was briefly helped to a lively 4% in the second quarter of 2013. The quicker development rate made expense expands more worthy to the Japanese open. In October 2013, Mr. Abe chose to proceed with a utilization expense expand from 5% to 10% in two stages by 2015. To pad the effect of the first stage 3% utilization expense expands in April 2014, Japans Cabinet sanctions an extra $53 billion in financial jolt in December 2013. Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database, October 2012. Third arrow yet to be released (structural changes) This is the most shapeless a piece of the method and the most hard to establish in this present reality as genuine structural changes include gigantic migration. Japan experiences a declining conception rate – each Japanese lady creates 1.36 kids on normal, well underneath substitution rate. To keep on making the same welfare installments to the maturing Japanese workforce over the impending decade, Japan needs 16m foreigners. At present, net migration as indicated by the World Bank is around 70,000 a year. Whats more even in the impossible occasion that Japan gets to be altogether less separate and additionally inviting to mass migration, the British test shows that those 16m specialists will likely accompany a further 16m wards, making a cyclical requirement for more movement to blanket the qualifications of the new outsiders. The Japanese open have demonstrated no voracity for mass migration in this way, nor for monstrous families, and I uncertainty a whole lot that they wi ll do so now whatever the long haul budgetary results. Problems and Risks Associated with Abenomics There is a climbing incredulity towards whether Abenomics would truly revitalize the Japanese economy as the conversion scale acknowledged breaking the 100 JPY/USD limit and as Nikkei Index smashed. Despite the fact that, hypothetically, Abenomics has a sound Keynesian foundation, a lot of people are bringing up the way that it is excessively centered around the interest side of its economy, not on the supply side. One of the principal issues that Japan is confronting is its maturing populace. As the populace pyramid gets rearranged, the work populace is contracting consistently. This achieves number of issues for the Japanese economy. To start with, the administration responsibility in using on annuities, restorative costs and government managed savings will persistently go about as a generous trouble to the effectively obliged nation with an open obligation of 240% its GDP. This will further compound the money related trustworthiness of the Japanese government prompting a disintegration of universal certainty in Japanese economy. This would bother the circumstances and bring down the aggregate wage in the Japanese economy. This then would incite the premium rates to discourage the costs of budgetary holdings, which will then decrease the guarantee being utilized as bank advances. Therefore, this will prompt fiscal issues for Japan, further intensifying the issues. Also, its diminishing workforce cant maintain the monetary yield level that is kept up in the future. As it is demonstrated on the information, the demography will definitely change so more youngsters will need to backing for the more established populace, which intimates that this change in demography is the fundamental offender throughout the previous two many years of emptying and stagnant financial growth. This has an alternate ramifications to why the shopper interest may be falling behind. There is an alternate danger connected with Abenomics. As the yen deteriorates, net fare expands as down home items gets less expensive abroad; then again, imports get more unreasonable. This is a huge issue for Japan as following the time when the Fukushima atomic debacle, the saying vitality emergencys was waiting around the Japanese daily papers for two years. As Japanese open declined to utilize atomic force, the Japanese government needed to turn to more costly foreign made vitality, for example, LPG, oil and naphtha, expanding the month to month estimation of Japanese vitality imports from 1.4 trillion yen to 2.2 trillion yen. This could crumble the aggressiveness of Japanese organizations, as vitality costs go up. Moreover, fare represents just something like 14% of its economy. So the center of Abenomics ought to be so as to restore the household economy, not through fare. The build in vitality costs could raise the down home customer costs without really enhancing the wage o f the Japanese firms and shoppers. Consequently, there is a danger towards Abenomics in that costly vitality imports will drag the Japanese economy into an alternate lost decade. Conclusion Taking everything into account, Abenomics is a sound Keynesian arrangement that could spare the Japanese economy from emptying. The Mundell-Fleming Model was utilized to represent the financial hypothesis behind Abenomics. Then again, there were significant dangers connected with Abenomics, for example, the maturing populace, poor gainfulness and the vitality emergency. The way to accomplishment for Abenomics would be subject to whether the Japanese government adequately deals with these dangers and faces the basic changes that would enhance the supply side of its economy. Abenomics first and second bolts have put the Japanese economy solidly on the way to recuperation. The nation is currently anticipating the arrival of the third shaft. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics supplement the Abenomics technique by displaying a brilliant chance to take care of Japans obligation maintainable quality issue. In the event that the Japanese government is shrewd to build utilization charges before the 2020 Olympics, then the obligation issue that began after the 1964 Olympic Games might be ceased in 2020.

things fall apart and the spirit world :: essays research papers

When turmoil comes about, many have merely one attribute to rely on to help them overcome certain disasters: their faith. The characters of Things Fall Apart are no exception. The people of Umuofia call upon representatives of the spirit world as a means of hospitality. They rely on their religion to settle resolutions with other tribes and to answer questions. They depend on the spirit world also to take care of punishments and in addition play a significant role on new born babies. Unfortunately, the strong reliance with the spirit world collapse when the White Christians invade.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is clearly seen just how important the spirit world is to the people of Umuofia. The kola nut is used as a social ritual of hospitality among the tribe. Representing vivacity, the nut is used as a welcoming snack. The kola nut is passed back and forth between the guest and the owner of the hut until one does the honor of finally cracking the nut. The people of Umuofia believe these actions will please their gods. They believe that â€Å"He who brings kola brings life.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The people of Umuofia depend on the spirit world to help them with troubles or problems. When a nearby village has killed an Umuofian woman, they turn to their gods to see what is fit as punishment. The gods order that the village do penance for their sins towards their people. Mbaino offer a boy and a young virgin as payment. Another example of when members of the clan call upon the representatives of the spirit world is when consulting with Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and Caves. Asking for her help is a common part ritual of their religion. Villagers come to the oracle when they have questions of their future or hardship and get answers through its priestess.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many beliefs follow the religion that the people of Umuofia practice. The people rely on the spirit world to provide punishments when sacred laws of their religion are broken. Okonkwo is forced to make sacrifices to the earth goddess when he violates the Week of Peace. Twins are thought to bring bad luck for parents, therefore are left to die in the Evil Forest to please the gods. Ekwefi, Okonkwo’s daughter is forced to find the stone that is linked to the spirit world. The people rely on this because it is thought that the spirit of an evil child re-enters its mothers womb, as punishment they are mutilated, but if the stone is found, then the cycle of dieing babies cease.

Solutions: Self-esteem and Professional Sports Events

Solutions The Mayor of a large city was given a free membership in an exclusive golf club by people who have received several city contracts. He also accepted gifts from organizations that have not done business with the City but might in the future. The gifts ranged from $200 tickets to professional sports events to designer watches and jewelry. The Mayor of the city actions are self-serving. , for he is receiving all the benefits.The greater good is not being served here because small businesses may not be able to pay the Mayor for city contracts. Because of this, outside organizations are benefiting with city jobs, causing small businesses in the city to go out of business. It may also cause taxes to increase and loss of city jobs. The Mayor is abusing his office by not putting his cititizens needs before his own. Locke would agree with me, he would say that the Mayor has a responsibility to his people.He would also say that the people have the right to choose a different Mayor wh o would put there need before his own. A college instructor is pursuing her doctorate in night school. To gain extra time for her own studies, she gives her students the same lectures, the same assignments, and the same examinations semester after semester without the slightest effort to improve them. The college instructor is just serving herself. She is not fillful her duties to her students, she finds it easier to keep repeat the same material semester after semester.She is not teaching her students with updated material, when they enter the work force they will be ill prepared to compete with others. Locke would agree that the students have the right to expect their instructor to take as much time and effort in their lessons as she does in her own work. Todd and Edna have been married for three years. They have had serious personal problems. Edna is a heavy drinker, and Todd cannot keep a job. Also, they have bickered and fought constantly since their marriage.Deciding that the way to overcome their problems is to have a child, they stop practicing birth control, and Edna becomes pregnant. To raise a child is difficult even when you are prepared. But to have a child to fix a marriage is wrong. You put a lot of pressure of the child, and when things go wrong, you will start to blame and resent the child. Which in turn will cause the child to have a low self –esteem and then the child will be taught how to make poor decisions. That s if Edna is lucky to have a healthy baby. Her heavy drinking could have negative ramification such as fetal syndrome and other birth defects. Babies are very expensive and Todd not be able to keep a job is just going to increase the bickering and arguing. So, there is no greater good in this scenario, It does no good for Edna and Todd to care for a child that may have defects because the Edna’s drinking. It does no good for the child to have to deal with two parents who make poor decisions.

Cause of Industrialization essays

Cause of Industrialization essays What appears to be the necessary conditions for Industrialization? Give examples in Britain, Germany, US, Russia, and Japan. Britain: Population growth, Migrants flocked from countryside homes to the city slums to make money, a strong middle class and difficult political, economical, and social circumstance, and the decrease of death rate in infants. Germany: Coal and iron production on the rise in the 1840's, extensive rail works, the unification of Germany, and Bismarck and his encouraged development of heavy industry and its effects on the army. USA: Many European immigrants, a strong middle class, the decrease of death rate in infants, British introduction of cotton textile factories, the emergence of steel and iron mining, and the mass production of railways. Russia: Social reform based on the Communist manifesto, Czarist government encouraged railway development, reformed commercial laws helped developing companies, and the production of oil armaments, and iron. Japan: The hiring of foreign experts to help develop modern industry, government founded industries, government the sold those business to non-governmental merchants, and the increase of technology. ...

Desirees Baby essays

Desirees Baby essays The 19th century was a difficult time for many women and blacks because of the domination of white men over them. The social and economic hardships they faced in day to day life was a constant reminder of this domination. The social ideology in the story Desirees Baby was powerful and dangerous and held no escape for any character. A woman with small children who lost her husband would face extreme hardships without the support of close family members. One who happened to be down on their luck would not find much sympathy among their peers even with children. Kate Chopin was one of these individuals who was down on her luck with six children. But fortunately had the support and comfort of her mother for a short period before her mother passed away. A friend advised this mother of six children that writing was a way to solve her problems concerning money and help deal with her grief. Maternal love and all the grief from losing loved ones were to be an attribute to the writing proficiency of this literary artist. This period in Louisiana was not tolerant for mixed ancestry and one found to be non-white would be ostracized from the white community. There were some whites in Louisiana who was not racist but they would still have to follow a strict code of segregation and social guidelines or risk social or bodily death. Kate Chopin was born fourteen years before slavery was abolished so must have had strong feeling on the subject. She no doubt saw mixed ancestry in the black communities and realized the cause of it. This story crosses the line into the covert world of mixed ancestry and the problems it produced. The racism in the story is not discussed openly but is prudently mixed in with Armands atrocious character and his evil soul. Armands evil was deep as he forsakes his loving wife, infant son, and God. The story some proclaim contributed to Chopins early success was Desirees ...

Ludwig Von Mises essays

Ludwig Von Mises essays Ludwig Von Mises was born in 1881 in Austro- Hungarian city of Lemberg. Ludwigs father was a successful engineer, which is where Ludwig found his inspiration to work hard. When he turned nineteen Mr. Mises enrolled in the University of Vienna. Here with the great learning atmosphere of the University he studied economic greats Carl Menger, who is the founder of the Austrian school and also attended the seminar of the great professor at the school Eugen Von Bohm-Bawerk. Ludwig Von Mises received his doctorate at age 27. In 1912 after receiving his PhD Mises started his first piece of work, The Theory of Money and Credit. Mises, unlike other Austrian economist that came before him, which followed the classical school in separating money from the rest of the economy, and analyzed it in separate theoretical terms. Mises argued that just as the price of any commodity is determined by supply and demand, so is the purchasing power of money, its price. Mises showed in his work that prices increase faster or slower than the money supply, the amount and speed of price increases depending on peoples desire to hold cash. He also argued that because prices increase only relative to one another, monetary inflation brings about redistribution of wealth, from savers and earners to banks and government and its connected interested groups. Even more damaging are the business cycles of booms and busts that monetary inflation causes. In broad outline, when government inflates, it lowers the interest rate below the p roper market level, which depends on saving. The artificially low interest rate misleads businesses onto making uneconomic investments and creates an inflationary boom. When the credit expansion slows or stops, investments errors are revealed and bankruptcies and unemployment result. Central Banks like Federal Reserve will inevitable create the business cycle. What is to be done to stop the cycle? Mis ...

SQL Queries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

SQL Queries - Essay Example Description I have added a sub query in WHERE clause to filter those students who have no placement. f. List the names and student ids for students who have gained employment with the company that they undertook a placement at. SELECT DISTINCT Student.stu_fname, Student.stu_no FROM Employment, Student, Placement WHERE Student.stu_no=Employment.stu_no And Student.stu_no=Placement.stu_no And Placement.co_id=Employment.co_id; Description: In this query I have selected Employment, Student, Placement tables and have joined them. In addition to that, I have also patched Company ID of Placement with Employment table as well. g. List the names and student ids for students that have undertaken precisely two (2) placements. SELECT DISTINCT Student.stu_fname, Student.stu_no FROM Student WHERE (( SELECT count(*) FROM Placement WHERE (Student.stu_no=Placement.stu_no) ) >= 2 ); Description: I have added a sub query in WHERE clause to filter those students who have at least two placements. h. List the names and student ids for all students and sort the list in reversed alphabetical order (Z to A). SELECT DISTINCT Student.stu_fname, Student.stu_no FROM Student ORDER BY Student.stu_fname DESC; Description: In this query I have added ORDER BY clause to sort data in Descending order. i. Show the average length for placements, where the placement is with Sony and the student goes on to gain employment (with any company). SELECT Company.co_name, avg(SELECT count(*) FROM Placement, Student, Employment WHERE Placement.co_id=Company.co_id and student.stu_no=Employment.stu_no And student.stu_no=Placement.stu_no ) FROM company GROUP BY Company.co_name, Company.co_id HAVING Company.co_name='Sony'; Description: First I have selected the Average number of placements... In a correctly implemented database a student may not be employed and on a placement at the same point in time. However in such a database it is still possible for a student to secure employment before they have completed their placement (i.e. having a starting date for employment while still on placement). Create a query that lists all such occurrences.

The Idiosyncratic Volatility Anomaly Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Idiosyncratic Volatility Anomaly - Essay Example Investors look to these corporate-level indicators when determining the most viable security purchase that will facilitate effective returns and minimize risk of volatility. The IVOL comes into play when a specific security does not conform to known economic models that illustrate either inverse relationships to tangible corporate level characteristics or direct relationships to known securities in a comparable category. Various factor-model equations have been developed to establish the expected rate of return of a security, utilising complex variables such as known excess stock returns, known sensitivities to volatility risk, and certain conditional market means (averages). Consider the complexity of one such factor-model calculation to determine expected security return: Exhibit 1: Factor-Model Calculation to Determine Expected Aggregate Returns Source: Ang, et al. (2006). The cross-section of volatility and expected returns. The interchangeable variables within similar equation m odelling dictate no elongated explanation of the complexity of this scientific approach to aggregate security returns. However, such models that determine not only future stock returns, but also volatility risk with a specific security or basket of securities in comparable industries, are designed to facilitate more effective and profitable security investment. The idiosyncratic volatility anomaly is an acknowledgement that not all common stock securities will produce returns that follow a logical model of analysis and computation based on known historical patterns of return and volatility. Various models for determining aggregate returns, based on corporate-level dynamics or market risks (among other criteria), should produce consistent stock returns that are in-line with mathematical expectations. The tangible market returns of a security will, at times, illustrate a direct relationship with such modelling that serves to justify these scientific methods of analyses. During other m arket conditions, such returns conflict these models designed to facilitate a more shrewd investment with no legitimate explanation as to why low returns occurred with the security. These are the dynamics of the idiosyncratic volatility anomaly: predictable corporate level characteristics and valuations of a firm, the known statistical significance of the model used to identify expected aggregate returns, and linear examination of historical stock trends should all serve to justify the long-term return of a security. What actually occurs in the stock market is a confliction of these predictive models, often with no concrete explanation for why the security became exposed to higher volatility, price shock, or variable returns. The IVOL is highly pervasive in domestic and global stock markets with many researchers seeking solutions for the recurring prevalence of this anomaly in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Eurasian nations (Chen, et al. 2012; Savickas and Zhao, 2012; Be rrada and Hugonnier, 2009; Jiang, et al. 2007). Berrada and Hugonnier (2009) identify this routine irregularity citing disparities between the idiosyncratic volatility factor with a direct relationship to stock returns in the U.S., and Ang, et.al (2006) confirming this factor tends to hold true in other nations. The dynamics of what genuinely causes the IVOL prevalence is uncertain, as no singular method of determining its catalysts has yet been determined. However, there is speculation that it can be related to

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Research Paper Example The present research has identified that RA is an autoimmune disease that means the body immune system is attacking its own tissues. Our immune system uses antibodies to protect us against diseases and infections. However, if people have RA, the antibodies attack the joints. This progressive disease disables the functions of joints and eventually causes the destruction of bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common rheumatic disease in women than in men. This disease starts at any age, usually after 40 and before 60 years of age. In some families, it transmits genetically from parents to children. It affects multiple family members as genetically inherited. This disease is most common in older people, but children and young adults can also get it. Research shows that there is no exact cause of RA. Doctors are not sure what triggers antibodies to attack the joints. Their research shows that the main cause of this disease is that a person’s immune system attacks own bo dy tissues and causes infections. RA may run in the family. Genes, environment, and hormones may cause this disease. People with rheumatoid arthritis experience chronic swelling, stiffness, redness, and pain in the joints that causes severe joint damage. Patients with this disease may feel tired, sick and sometimes suffer from high fever. It is very difficult to diagnose this disease, as its symptoms are same as other kinds of minor joint diseases and problems. There is no single test to detect this chronic disease. The full symptoms of this disease take time to develop. Common symptoms are painful and swollen joints, especially in hands, feet, and knees. Patients feel difficulty in moving joints.

Business and Corporate Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business and Corporate Law - Assignment Example In the end, Speedway left themselves open to great liability. Speedway’s promotion entailed bonus air miles being attached to being collected through domestic bookings. The advertisement stated that any†¨customer who collected 50000 miles could redeem them for an online code for the †¨chance to win a great range of prizes, which included items on Speedways services. †¨Further it said that: †¨Ã¢â‚¬ËœReach 50,000 bonus miles and enter the online code for the chance to receive †¨a winning confirmation email to Speedway’s head office and win the grand prize of an all expenses paid round the world holiday. But only for a limited †¨time.’ †¨[100 words]†¨ This is where the company went wrong. They made an offer that they stated ‘any customer who collected 50,000 miles’ could redeem them for an online code for the chance to win a range of prizes—including the possibility of receiving a winning confirmation email to go to Speedway’s head office in order to get an all-expenses paid ‘round the world’ holiday. Speedway should have specified the limited time for which the contest was sponsored. This could have made their job much easier when people came to the Speedway headquarters wanting to claim their prizes. So, Speedway left themselves liable. Jim Smith was surfing the Net when he came across Speedway’s Internet †¨advertisement. Immediately he started booking flights for his next holidays and after †¨collecting the bonus air miles he waited for his email confirmation. While he was †¨waiting he collapses from the excitement at the prospect of winning an all expenses †¨paid round the world trip. He was taken to hospital. †¨[175 words] Speedway is not liable for the fact that Jim collapsed â€Å"in excitement† over the prospect of winning an all-expenses paid trip around the world. Basically, it could be argued that his collapse could have

Social networking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Social networking - Essay Example Therefore, this paper seeks to critically evaluate the positive and negative impacts of social networking on human relationships. Social networking has significantly increased over the past years due to several reasons. There are different social sites such as MySpace, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook among others. However, Facebook has become the most popular social network across the whole globe due to various reasons. Established in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook was initially intended for college students but it has expanded to encompass the whole world and it currently has more than 500 million users surpassing other social networks such as Myspace (Coyne Elliot, https://sites.google.com/site/elliottcoyne8292/research-paper---effects-of-social-networking N.D). The number of Facebook users is increasing on a daily basis and it can be seen that all age groups are using this social site for their communication needs. This section of the paper outlines some of the benefits of using social media such as Facebook. Basically, social media is very effective in linking people from different places across the globe. For instance, it is possible for people to search for friends as well as relatives through the use of social networks such as Facebook. The use of this social network is very effective since it helps people to stay in contact regardless of the distance that can exist between them. Users of this communication platform can upload their profiles including pictures and they can also share what is in their mind with friends and relatives. Culture exchange can be enhanced through the use of social media such as Facebook. This allows other people from different backgrounds to learn cultures belonging to other individuals. This is very important since it helps to promote social cohesion among people from different social backgrounds which helps to build good relations among different people. The other advantage of this social

The History of Real Estate in Dubai Research Paper

The History of Real Estate in Dubai - Research Paper Example There are close to 2, 50,000 employees who are mostly south Asian working in real estate projects across Dubai. (Dubai History. n.d) In 1990, under Sheikh Mohammed governance, some very interesting real estate projects were designed and executed like the seven star Burj Al Arab Hotel which became the tallest free standing building in the world. The emirates towers became the tallest commercial building in Asia, Europe and Middle East. During the same time, other notable buildings, world class ideas, mega projects were designed and executed to make a mark in the international arena. Sheikh Mohammed wanted Dubai to be the hub and the location for international investment. The rentals and the return on investment far exceeded the expectation with greater benefits. Sheikh Mohammed also helped in promoting the development of real estate through Emaar properties which is the largest real estate company in Dubai. (Cooper, 2004) One of the turning points in the history of Dubai real estate w as on May 2002 when the government had declared freehold property on land. It was also during this period that the government had also familiarized foreigners to buy freehold property. Prior to this, only UAE nationals were allowed to buy and own property in Dubai which was only on a 99 year lease and this was not very popular with the public. It was only after the adoption of the freehold property and foreign investment that the real estate in Dubai had a boom in the residential property. Dubai then became a city which was built on good ethical practice, foreign investment and good projects. (Cooper, 2004) Foreign Investment in Dubai Real Estate Sector Until 2002, the UAE law had strict rules and policies and did not allow expatriates from owning any property. They were allowed only to rent property or own the property on a lease period approved by the federal law. It was only during this year that the Dubai government had permitted the expats to buy and sell property and this revo lutionized the real estate sector. This decision was taken after understanding that the petrol and the oil reserves which form the main economy booster might perish in 10 years. One of the main strategies of the government was to improve the service sector and the local real estate market in Dubai. (Foreign Investment in Dubai, n.d) The demand for both commercial and residential property market increased rapidly because of the change in government policy. The expatriates from non GCC countries were also allowed to hold properties in the country and this was regarded as a great leap in Dubai as this was not imposed in any other emirate country. There was a sudden increase in foreign investment especially from UK and Europe in the Dubai real estate market. (9) In the recent years the city has been a constant attraction for expat investors. The real estate market in Dubai is largely driven by foreign investment especially the non- Arab companies and individuals, their freehold investme nts total around 60-70% of the entire real estate market. Statistics state that every 3rd property is held by expatiates or foreign companies who live outside Dubai. The portfolios of the investors range from Pakistan, India and other emerging markets such as S. Korea and Brazil. (Foreign Investments Spurs Dubai Real Estate Growth, n.d) Iran is one of the leading and the major partners for Dubai and forms at least 30% of the total business done in Dubai. The

Business and Corporate Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business and Corporate Law - Assignment Example In the end, Speedway left themselves open to great liability. Speedway’s promotion entailed bonus air miles being attached to being collected through domestic bookings. The advertisement stated that any†¨customer who collected 50000 miles could redeem them for an online code for the †¨chance to win a great range of prizes, which included items on Speedways services. †¨Further it said that: †¨Ã¢â‚¬ËœReach 50,000 bonus miles and enter the online code for the chance to receive †¨a winning confirmation email to Speedway’s head office and win the grand prize of an all expenses paid round the world holiday. But only for a limited †¨time.’ †¨[100 words]†¨ This is where the company went wrong. They made an offer that they stated ‘any customer who collected 50,000 miles’ could redeem them for an online code for the chance to win a range of prizes—including the possibility of receiving a winning confirmation email to go to Speedway’s head office in order to get an all-expenses paid ‘round the world’ holiday. Speedway should have specified the limited time for which the contest was sponsored. This could have made their job much easier when people came to the Speedway headquarters wanting to claim their prizes. So, Speedway left themselves liable. Jim Smith was surfing the Net when he came across Speedway’s Internet †¨advertisement. Immediately he started booking flights for his next holidays and after †¨collecting the bonus air miles he waited for his email confirmation. While he was †¨waiting he collapses from the excitement at the prospect of winning an all expenses †¨paid round the world trip. He was taken to hospital. †¨[175 words] Speedway is not liable for the fact that Jim collapsed â€Å"in excitement† over the prospect of winning an all-expenses paid trip around the world. Basically, it could be argued that his collapse could have

The History of Real Estate in Dubai Research Paper

The History of Real Estate in Dubai - Research Paper Example There are close to 2, 50,000 employees who are mostly south Asian working in real estate projects across Dubai. (Dubai History. n.d) In 1990, under Sheikh Mohammed governance, some very interesting real estate projects were designed and executed like the seven star Burj Al Arab Hotel which became the tallest free standing building in the world. The emirates towers became the tallest commercial building in Asia, Europe and Middle East. During the same time, other notable buildings, world class ideas, mega projects were designed and executed to make a mark in the international arena. Sheikh Mohammed wanted Dubai to be the hub and the location for international investment. The rentals and the return on investment far exceeded the expectation with greater benefits. Sheikh Mohammed also helped in promoting the development of real estate through Emaar properties which is the largest real estate company in Dubai. (Cooper, 2004) One of the turning points in the history of Dubai real estate w as on May 2002 when the government had declared freehold property on land. It was also during this period that the government had also familiarized foreigners to buy freehold property. Prior to this, only UAE nationals were allowed to buy and own property in Dubai which was only on a 99 year lease and this was not very popular with the public. It was only after the adoption of the freehold property and foreign investment that the real estate in Dubai had a boom in the residential property. Dubai then became a city which was built on good ethical practice, foreign investment and good projects. (Cooper, 2004) Foreign Investment in Dubai Real Estate Sector Until 2002, the UAE law had strict rules and policies and did not allow expatriates from owning any property. They were allowed only to rent property or own the property on a lease period approved by the federal law. It was only during this year that the Dubai government had permitted the expats to buy and sell property and this revo lutionized the real estate sector. This decision was taken after understanding that the petrol and the oil reserves which form the main economy booster might perish in 10 years. One of the main strategies of the government was to improve the service sector and the local real estate market in Dubai. (Foreign Investment in Dubai, n.d) The demand for both commercial and residential property market increased rapidly because of the change in government policy. The expatriates from non GCC countries were also allowed to hold properties in the country and this was regarded as a great leap in Dubai as this was not imposed in any other emirate country. There was a sudden increase in foreign investment especially from UK and Europe in the Dubai real estate market. (9) In the recent years the city has been a constant attraction for expat investors. The real estate market in Dubai is largely driven by foreign investment especially the non- Arab companies and individuals, their freehold investme nts total around 60-70% of the entire real estate market. Statistics state that every 3rd property is held by expatiates or foreign companies who live outside Dubai. The portfolios of the investors range from Pakistan, India and other emerging markets such as S. Korea and Brazil. (Foreign Investments Spurs Dubai Real Estate Growth, n.d) Iran is one of the leading and the major partners for Dubai and forms at least 30% of the total business done in Dubai. The