Feasibility Study on Childrens Entertainment Centre

Background Information As a leading commercial hub, Dubai is bulging with vast world-class business opportunities that have enabled it to become a major business attraction for both established and upcoming entrepreneurs in the world.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Feasibility Study on Children’s Entertainment Centre specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As a matter of fact, the UAE business centre provides vast business opportunities to both local and foreign investors planning to invest in the UAE region (Marchal 2005). As a result of its strong economical platform, the centre enjoys all the advantages that come with highly developed economies around the world. The centre is also known for its well ordered business climate that offers entrepreneurs attractive environments to conduct their businesses. Among other key developments, Dubai enjoys a sophisticated financial sector, modern telecommunications, firs t class hospitality facilities, highly developed transport and communication infrastructure, and reliable power utilities (Michael et al. 2011). All these opportunities have continued to play a significant role in facilitating quality and efficiency business activities in the UAE region, thus making Dubai a pro-business environment. Based on these reasons, Dubai has emerged as a key business attraction for many investors planning to do business in the Middle East. For the purpose of exposing the vast business opportunities that can be found in Dubai, this paper provides a business strategy guide for an organization that plans to establish a shopping mall in the region. In this regard, I have been hired together with other four people to serve as strategic consultants for the company in its investment plan. Each one of us is expected to handle a specific component of the feasibility study and I am responsible for the kids’ entertainment zone that will feature a Franchise Lego. Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This paper will address four key elements of feasibility study in regard with my choice of brand. The four elements are brand analysis and choice, market analysis and segmentation, operating model, and performance measures. Brand Analysis and Choice As it would be observed, entertainment zones for both adults and children in malls are emerging as hotspots for many people across the world today (Keivani, Parsa Younis 2003). These zones provide all sorts of entertainment to different categories of people visiting the malls for various reasons. There is no doubt that children entertainment zones feed off the traffic in the shopping malls and vice versa, thus serving as key attraction for different types of consumers visiting the malls (El-Adly 2007). In this regard, indoor entertainment and gaming for young children act as crowd pullers for ot her businesses in the malls. This clearly explains the reason why most mall developers have turned to entertainment zones currently. The idea of building malls with entertainment zones for young children has been taking place in many developed countries across the world, and Dubai has now embraced the trend in its development plans (Rashid 2007). The business centre in the UAE has been placing considerable focus on indoor entertainment zones as a core requirement that should be integrated in their state-of-the-art architectural designs and plans (Rehman 2008). As a matter of fact, mall developers in the region will rarely erect a modern business premise without including a one-stop entertainment and recreation zone for children. The brand chosen for this assignment is a Kid’s entertainment zone that will form part of the new shopping mall. As a leading business hub in the world, Dubai offers a wide range of entertainment for all categories of people in the family, including c hildren and toddlers (Hill Jain 2007).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Feasibility Study on Children’s Entertainment Centre specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Business investors in Dubai understand the many benefits associated with leisure for kids, thus ensuring there are as many modern children entertainment zones as possible to cater for the needs of the young ones in the society. As it would be observed, children in Dubai enjoy all kinds of indoor funfair from various places of interest in the region, with malls forming the largest part of the zones offering these services (Duane Webb 2007). Apart from fun, these entertainment zones also provide excellent and unique children educational activities to the participants in a more engaging manner, thus helping them to master important lessons that will see them through the initial developmental stages of life. Entertainment and gaming for young children is gaining much popularity in Dubai nowadays, probably as a result of the many benefits associated with the trend. As a matter of fact, this popularity has attracted the interest of many entrepreneurs planning to invest in the region, who have been setting up entertainment zones in malls and other strategic points of the city (Ong 2011). The choice for the children entertainment centre is an indoor Franchise Lego land that would comprise of various kid activities. Here, toddlers will have access of all activities meant to amuse children of all ages. Among the main areas that will make up the centre is an indoor soft play area where activities such as amusement riding, biking, and driving can take place. There will also a bowling alley and a video game arcade that would feature both motion-gaming and console-gaming.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The facility will also feature a Baby Gym nursery that will enable kids to enjoy maximum fitness from various play materials, a First Aid kid clinic to take care of minor injuries resulting from careless play, and a children’s bookstore from where the youngsters can practice reading. All these gaming activities will provide children with a unique and fascinating learning experience in a number of ways (Grodal 2000). For example, this will enable the kids establish their individual as well as social identities that are essential for perfect child development. Moreover, the activities will play a key role in enhancing the thought processes of the participants, thus stimulating their desire to experience and seek knowledge. Market Analysis and Segmentation We are living in a changing world, and it is therefore important for modern day investors to be familiar with all the aspects that would tend to influence the trends of consumers and competitors so as to maximize their busines s operations in the market. As it would be observed, the gaming and entertainment industry is at its top stage currently, and this provides great business opportunities for the investors in the field. Investment in the gaming and entertainment sector has become a norm for many developing and developed countries in the world, considering the vast economical benefits associated with the trend. As a leading international business centre, Dubai has been making substantial efforts to match other developed regions of the world in providing business opportunities to the people in the industry by promoting the idea of children entertainment centres in malls (Saxena 2011). Just like any other business, Franchise of children’s activity is fetching a lot of income for the investors taking place in the field within the UAE’s business centre. The trend of gaming and entertainment for kids is gripping in Dubai as a result of the centre’s outstanding status as a global busines s hub as well as a pro-business environment that welcomes all kind of commercial activities. Among other economic advantages, Dubai is at the centre of one of the richest regions of the world today (Darby, Jones Al Madani 2003). In this regard, the region provides a unique value added platform for all types of businesses, including the ones specializing in gaming and entertainment for children. Dubai is a busy business hub characterized with all sorts of economic activities that can be found in a global business hub (Vogel 2010). This will have the meaning that most people in the region are ever busy in their areas of accountability and this makes it hard for them to find extra moments for their young ones. In this respect, children amusement zones in malls, high-street areas, and residential places serve as a convenient option for many parents in Dubai, who will opt to leave their young ones in the entertainment zones as they take care of other businesses. For instance, parents ca n leave their young ones under the care of the staff in children’s play areas in malls as they go off to conduct their shopping without worrying about them. This makes children entertainment centres in malls a better choice for many parents and guardians intending to stay free from the bother of their children as they attend to important business or personal missions in the malls. As a broadly diversified economy that attracts players from allover the world, Dubai has enhanced its attractiveness in many ways, with entertainment and gaming facilities topping the list of the City’s priorities when it comes to matters regarding leisure (Noack 2007). In this regard, the city provides a superior quality lifestyle with excellent entertainment and gaming opportunities for both children and adults. Most of these entertainment zones are situated in malls, where security for toddlers is guaranteed even when their parents or guardians are away. More importantly, some children ent ertainment zones in Dubai also act as party centres, thus serving as key attractions for parents wishing to give their young ones a special treat during special moments. Here, parents and guardians can celebrate their children’s special moments such as birthday or graduation ceremonies with party celebrations that are relevant to the occasion being marked. Everything appears to have taken a different course as far as the gaming and entertainment for toddlers is concerned. This transformation, however, has come as a result of the current innovations and technologies that have played a key role in making next generation gaming accessible to all people across the world. Being one of the most advanced regions in the world today, Dubai enjoys a wide range of user-friendly gaming and entertainment programs and activities that would appeal to children of all ages (Kaplan Norton 2001). Most of these entertainment and gaming programs are tailored to fit the needs of a franchise model , thus making children entertainment more substantial. The nature of the gaming and entertainment programs is rapidly being modified using modern technologies to suit the playing needs of the current generation (Venaik, Midgley Devinney 2005). Parents and guardians in Dubai are keeping with the times and are doing everything to ensure that their children enjoy the latest brands in the entertainment industry. In that case, the parents will tend to make frequent visits to children entertainment centres in malls to see if there are any latest arrivals that will amuse their children. This is a clear indication that there is a promising potential in this market segment in Dubai. Market segmentation is very important, since it helps to determine the success of a business within a particular region (Acuto 2010). In this regard, the company should conduct a thorough analysis of the market in order to come up with an informed identification of the existing market needs as far as this type o f business is concerned. Even though it is impossible for the company to transfer the mall to a feasible location after it has being established, it will be easy for the management to establish effective marketing strategies that will enable the business to succeed. One way by which this objective can be attained is through effective market segmentation. Competitors are just allover in the region, and they will tend to impact the way the company performs. However, through a thorough market segmentation analysis, the company will manage to do things in a different manner, thus beating the obstacle of competitors in the market. On the same note, the company can go for those gaming programs and equipment that are not very common in the local market as a way of differentiating itself from the competitors. More importantly, the organization can make use of incentives such as discounts and bonuses to attract and retain more customers. Operating Model The model of operation for the busines s is very important for it will play a crucial role in determining the end goal. In most cases, children entertainment centres tend to operate within certain guidelines depending on a number of determinants that include things such as the age of the children being served and their playing needs, among other key aspects. Following is a plan of the operating model for the Franchise Lego land. Opening Time and Hours of Operation Like all other businesses in the mall, the gaming and entertainment centre should be opened in the mornings and operate through the normal hours of the day. However, this may change on the weekends and during public holidays to fit the requirements of the company or the people in charge of the entertainment business. Cost of Services As it is the case with most entertainment and gaming zones, charges in the Franchise Lego land should be variable depending on the type of gaming or entertainment services offered and the average amount of time spend per visit. Add itional services offered on top of the normal gaming and entertainment services could also apply in determining the cost of services in the centre. Examples of additional services may include things such as recreational services, birthday parties, and special treatment for kids. Charges may also vary depending on the nature of the services offered. For example, supervised children engagement in the centre whereby the kids are accompanied by their parents or guardians will not cost the same as unsupervised engagements where a staff aligned to the centre is given the responsibility to take care of the children. Obviously, charges for the latter should be a bit higher compared to the ones in those scenarios where children play under the watch of their parents or guardians. More importantly, the children entertainment centre should operate on both peak and off-peak costs based on the days of operation. There is no doubt that the business will tend to attract varied numbers of customers on different times. For instance, while the number of children visiting the centre may remain constant during weekdays, it is likely to go up on weekends and during public holidays when most parents are free to take their children out for leisure. As it would be observed, the price of commodities and services in the market depends on a number of variables (Mellahi, Demirbag Riddle 2011). For example, the price for both commodities and services are likely to rise when demand increases and fall when the demand falls. On the same note, the cost of charges for different gaming programs in the entertainment centre should be a bit higher on weekends and during public holidays when the number of visitors is high, compared to the weekdays when the number is down. Performance Measures The children entertainment centre should adopt various performance measures that would enable it survive in today’s competitive business environment. There is no doubt that every business in todayâ€⠄¢s business world is focused on utilizing all available resources to stay ahead of competitors in the market. While offering excellent services to customers is likely to offer a strong competitive advantage to the gaming and entertainment business, doing things in a different manner will steer the business to greater heights in the market. This objective can be attained through the provision of gaming concepts that appeal most to children during this era of modern technological advancements. More importantly, the provision of a wide array of customizable entertainment experiences that comprise of friendly and intuitive playing options will play a crucial role in enhancing the performance of the business (Voelpel, Leibold Tekie 2004). Another way through which the business can operate differently and stabilize itself in the market is by offering its entertainment services for children at a lowered cost. This objective can be achieved by offering gaming services at a cost slightly l ower than the ones provided by competitors in the market. There are various approaches that can be used to measure the performance of businesses to determine whether they are making a progress in the market (Kochan et al. 2003). For instance, the management of the children entertainment centre can apply the observation method to read the facial expressions of the customers and try to determine their perceptions about the services they have received. This approach can also be used to assess people’s satisfaction based on how frequent they visit the centre. The business can also supply customers and clients with survey templates which they can fill up and return to the company expressing their views about the services their children have received from the entertainment centre. Brief oral interviews can also be carried out randomly on parents to determine their views and suggestions on the services provided. All these interventions will play a significant role in helping the bus iness achieve great success in the UAE business centre. Reference List Acuto, M 2010, ‘High-rise Dubai urban entrepreneurialism and the technology of symbolic power’, Cities, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 272-284. Darby, R, Jones, J Al Madani, G 2003, ‘E-commerce marketing: fad or fiction? Management competency in mastering emerging technology. An international case analysis in the UAE’, Logistics Information Management, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 106-113. Duane, R Webb, J 2007, ‘Strategic entrepreneurship: Creating competitive advantage through streams of innovation’, Business Horizons, vol. 50, no.1, pp. 49-59. El-Adly, M 2007, ‘Shopping malls attractiveness: a segmentation approach’, International Journal of Retail Distribution Management, vol. 35, no. 11, pp. 936-950. Grodal, T 2000, ‘Video games and the pleasures of control’, Media Entertainment: The Psychology of Its Appeal, vol. 35, no. 26, pp. 197-213. Hill, C Jain, A 2007, International business: Competing in the global marketplace, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, New York, NY. Kaplan, R Norton, D 2001, The strategy-focused organization: How balanced scorecard companies thrive in the new business environment, Harvard Business Press, Boston, USA. Keivani, R, Parsa, A Younis, B 2003, ‘Development of the ICT sector and urban competitiveness: the case of Dubai’, Journal of Urban Technology, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 19-46. Kochan, T, Bezrukova, K, Ely, R, Jackson, S, Joshi, A, Jehn, K Thomas, D 2003, ‘The effects of diversity on business performance: Report of the diversity research network’, Human resource management, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 3-21. Marchal, R 2005, ‘Dubai: global city and transnational hub’, Transnational connections and the Arab Gulf, vol. 16, no. 7, pp. 93. Mellahi, K, Demirbag, M Riddle, L 2011, ‘Multinationals in the Middle East: Challenges and opportunities’, Journal of World Business, vol. 46, no. 4 , pp. 406-410. Michael, I., Armstrong, A., Badran, B., King, B 2011, ‘Dubai outbound tourism: An exploratory study of Emiratis and expatriates’, Journal of Vacation Marketing, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 83-91. Noack, S 2007, Doing business in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, McGraw-Hill, New York. Ong, A 2011, Introduction: worlding cities, or the art of being global, Wiley†Blackwell, New York. Rashid, H 2007, ‘Performing Elegance’, Architectural Design, vol. 77, no. 1, pp. 76-81. Rehman, A 2008, Dubai Co: global strategies for doing business in the Gulf states, McGraw-Hill, New York. Saxena, R 2011, Dubai mall: a multipurpose destination in the Middle East, Wiley†Blackwell, New York. Venaik, S, Midgley, D Devinney, T 2005, ‘Dual paths to performance: The impact of global pressures on MNC subsidiary conduct and performance’, Journal of International Business Studies, vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 655-675. Voelpel, S, Leibold, M Tekie, E 2004, ‘The wheel of business model reinvention: how to reshape your business model to leapfrog competitors, Journal of Change Management, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 259-276. Vogel, H 2010, Entertainment industry economics: A guide for financial analysis, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom. This report on Feasibility Study on Children’s Entertainment Centre was written and submitted by user Mia Sharp to help you with your own studies. 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However, proposed studies and related methodology necessitate attention to ethical concerns. As social psychology grew, researchers shifted their focus from speculation to the demonstration of empirical evidence. Early laboratory experiments were often criticized for their artificiality and potential biases (Reis, 2010). As a result of this evaluation, field studies were conducted to provide realistic results that could be generalized to other situations (Reis, 2010). Therefore, ethical codes of conduct must be in place to make certain that participants are not harmed in any manner. In general, researchers must adhere to the ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence and justice. The American Psychological Association (APA) developed its code of ethical standards to guide researchers in appropriate treatment of participants. The 1974 National Research Act requires the formation of committees referred to as Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to review potential experiments before researchers begin a study (Gravetter Forzano, 2006). This process, which may include required modifications and revisions, helps to ensure the protection of participants’ welfare. For example, an IRB will examine the cost/benefit ratio to ascertain whether the possible benefits are greater than potential risks. In the event that risks are likely, researchers may be advised to seek lower-cost alternatives (Gravetter Forzano, 2006). Experiments involving the use of deception must be carefully evaluated prior to the start of the study for analysis of the cost/benefit ratio. Above all, researchers must always endeavor to protect participants from harm. In addition, researchers must obtain informed consent from all participants prior to the start of an experiment. Informed consents includes the responsibility of researchers to be forthcoming regarding possible risks and what is involved in the experiment. For example, Asch’s (1956) study concerning conformity involves a possible breach of informed consent for several reasons. First, participants were deceived regarding the nature of the experiment. Also, participants were not told about the possibility of stress during the experiment, and may have suffered subsequent mental distress. Asch’s (1956) study included the debriefing of participants, which is now required in all experimental studies. Debriefing involves explaining the true nature of the study to participants after the experiment is over (Gravetter Forzano, 2006). Several additional research studies were criticized for violations of ethical principles. For example, Milgram’s (1963) landmark experiment regarding obedience to authority generated much controversy. This experiment investigated the power of authority figures on individuals by â€Å"ordering† them to administer electric â€Å"shocks† to a confederate. Participants were misled concerning the nature of the study and may have suffered severe distress as a result of the deception. Furthermore, participants may not have been aware that they had the right to leave the experiment at any time. Because the participants were paid, they might have felt obliged to continue as long as necessary. During the course of the study, the experimenter urged participants to continue to the end of the experiment. Thus, coercion might have been a factor that contributed to participants’ completion of the experiment (Gravetter Forzano, 2006). Milgram’s (1963) study illustrated an explicit violation of ethical principles regarding informed consent. This violation included misinformation concerning potential psychological harm as well as not informing participants that they were free to terminate the experiment at any time. Additionally, researchers did not adhere to the critical principle of inflicting no harm upon participants. Many participants in Milgram’s (1963) study reported significant mental distress from both the pressure of the experimenter and subsequent guilt associated with their willingness to inflict pain upon others. Since individual differences could not be ascertained, researchers were unable to predict the extent of participants’ distress. Finally, past research demonstrated the crucial role that environmental and situational factors play in human behavior (Haley, Banks, Zimbardo, 1973). A study by Haley, Banks and Zimbardo (1973) utilized a simulated prison setting in which participants were randomly assigned to the roles of prisoners or guards. However, the participants quickly adapted to their roles and reacted as though the situation was a real-life occurrence. The guards behaved in a cruel and demeaning manner, and the prisoners became increasingly passive and depressed. The experimented had to be terminated early as a result of the extreme psychological symptoms that participants exhibited. The realistic nature of the experiment may have precluded participants from exercising their right to withdraw from the study. Like the Milgram (1963) study, researchers associated with the simulated prison study were not able to predict the extent of psychological harm to participants, which violated an element of informed consent. During the majority of the experiment, no attempt was made to curtail the abuse inflicted by the guards toward the prisoners. Thus, potential harm to participants was not minimized (Gravetter Forzano, 2006). Although participants were screened for psychological disorders, the development of unanticipated harmful effects changed the risk/benefit ratio. Researchers must continually evaluate potential risks that may occur during the study as well as possible benefits. In addition, researchers need to ensure that participation in experiments is completely voluntary and that participants do not feel coerced. If deception will be utilized, researchers must be certain that no viable alternatives exist (Gravetter Forzano, 2006). Finally, in most circumstances, researchers need to obtain an informed consent form for each participant in the study. Also, researchers must be vigilant regarding signs of psychological distress or unexpected effects of participation in the study. Debriefing is essential to ensure that participants understand the purpose of the experiment and to alleviate any negative effects of participation in the study (Gravetter Forzano, 2006). Finally, researchers must protect the confidentiality of data that is collected as well as identifying information that is provided by participants. References Asch, S. (1956). Studies of independence and conformity: A minority of one against a unanimous majority. Psychological Monographs, 70, No. 9 (Whole No. 416). Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Evanston, IL: Row, Peterson. Gravetter, F., Forzano, L. (2006). Research methods for the behavioral sciences. (2nd. Ed.). Mason, OH: Thompson. Haney, C., Banks, C., Zimbardo, P. (1973). Interpersonal dynamics in a simulated prison. International Journal of Criminology and Penology, 1, 69-97. Milgram, S. (1963). Behavioral study of obedience. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 57(4), 371-378. Patterson, T. (2015). Advanced social psychology midterm exam. Unpublished manuscript. Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, PA. Reis, H. (2010). How we got here from there: A brief history of social psychology. In R. Baumeister E. Finkel (Eds.), Advanced social psychology: The state of the science. (pp. 25-60). NY: Oxford University Press. Sherif, M. (1936). The psychology of social norms. New York: Harper Bros. Triplett, N. (1898). The dynamogenic factors in pacemaking and competition. American Journal of Psychology, 9(4), 507-533.

Decolonization and Influence of the Cold War Essay

The decades following World War II were all centered on the concept of decolonization, the dismantlement of Imperial empires established prior to World War I throughout Africa and Asia. Due to the aftermath of World War II, countries around the world experienced massive independent movements whose objective was to eliminate colonization and form new independent nations. The process of decolonization was separated by three different approaches: civil war, negotiated independence through foreign pressure, and violent incomplete decolonization. China, for example, had its internal struggles with Nationalistic and Communist parties conflicting that caused a civil war between the two ideologies. Countries including India and South Africa attempted decolonization through non-violent independence movements as well as peaceful negotiations for independence. Though some countries independently sought for decolonization, it was inevitable that decolonization became intertwined with the politics and interventions of the Cold War. After World War II, the world was divided into two blocs, one dominated by the United States and one by the Soviet Union. Because the United States and the Soviet Union couldn’t confront with one another directly in Europe, the two nations were strongly tempted to influence the process of decolonization through proxy nations in all parts of the world. Ultimately, the conflict between United States and Soviet Union disputed over decolonization of nations throughout the world including Korea, Cuba, and Indo-China (Vietnam). Though the Cold War did not imply a great loss of life or substantial bloodshed, it is best described as a severe ideological conflict revolving around territorial expansion efforts. Capitalism, which governed the United States economy and democracy, was the center of the United States government. On the opposite end, the Soviet Union adopted Communism, a predominant economic system that demanded extensive government control. The Cold War conflicts took effect as an indirect competition; a race to see which ideology would, in a sense, dominate the world. The East, represented by the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies, advocated the destruction of capitalism and the establishment of Communism throughout the world. Opposing them were the United States and its North American Treaty Organization  (NATO) allies that attempted to contain Communist expansion efforts, defending its actions through the Truman Doctrine and the Domino Theory. The Domino theory stated that if one nation fell to Communism, the neighboring nations would be affected and falls to Communism, eventually resulting in the inevitable spread of Communism throughout the world. One of the first nations that the United States and Soviet Union sought to establish control was in Korea. After 1949, when Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the spread of communism began to target the country of Korea. Following the end of World War II, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel into â€Å"Soviet† North Korean and â€Å"American† South Korea occupation zones. Heavily armed with artillery and tanks, North Korean troops crossed and invaded South Korea on June 25th, 1950. Abiding to the containment of the Domino theory, United States immediately responded to the unprovoked attack. Under the leadership of the supreme commander of the United Nations coalition forces, General Douglas MacArthur, the South Korean forces managed to push back the Communist forces back behind the 38th parallel. The duration of the Korean War lasted three years and an armistice agreement was signed on July 27th, 1953. The Korean War was an extremely costly war, both in causalities and in financial areas. Though the United States did halt the advancement of Communist takeover, the decolonization conflict in Korea was one of the most flagrant confrontations of the Cold War that intensified the brutal effect of opposing ideologies. Another Cold War incident occurred not far from the United States soil. Up until the mid-20th century, Latin America had always kept good political relations with the United States. However, internal turmoil in Cuba and the rise of Fidel Castro resulted in the unorthodox alliance with the Soviet Union. In an attempt to terminate the Soviet Union influence in Cuba, President John F. Kennedy sent a team of 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles but was quickly defeated by Castro’s army. The â€Å"Bay of Pigs† incident was not the only confrontation between Cuba and United States; the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 22, 1962was the peak of nuclear arms war of the Cold War era. Prior to a CIA spy plane discovering missile sites on Cuba, the Soviet Union was secretly supplying building material and missiles to Cuban  military bases. With the options of a full scale invasion of Cuba, a massive air strike, or a naval blockade, the Kennedy administration had to quickly decide on what course of action to take. Eight days passed and the catastrophe was averted when President Kennedy instituted a naval blockade to prevent Soviet ships to reach Cuba. President Kennedy and Soviet Union’s Nikita Khrushchev reached in agreement as the Soviet Union removed their missiles from Cuba and the United States agreed not to attack Cuba. The conflict in Cuba not only characterizes the alarming intensity of the Soviet Union and the United States but also solidifies the importance of the influence the countries had in the matters of decolonization. One of the final and longest conflicts of decolonization was in Vietnam. The struggle for Vietnam between Communists and Western nations lasted from 1945 to 1975. In the previous century, Vietnam had been colonized by France. With encouragement and support from Stalin and Mao Zedong, Vietnamese Communists successfully rose against the French. At the start of what was known as the First Indochina War, the French government asked the United States for support against the Vietnamese Communists but the United States government did not initially grant support to the French to avoid heightened discrepancies with the Soviet Union. The Geneva Conference peace terms between France and delegates from Vietnam agreed to a partition, separating Vietnam at the 17th parallel (much like the boundary parameters set in Korea). Believing that the Geneva treaty granted too much authority to the Vietnamese Communists, the United States supported the creation of a counter-communist alternative south of th e 17th parallel. The establishment of the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) brought about a United States supported government in South Vietnam. In an attempt to reunify Vietnam under Communist rule, the Communists created a unified front to help mobilize southerners in opposition of Ngo Ding Diem, leader of South Vietnamese government. It was known as the National Liberation Front but became known by the Americans as the â€Å"Viet Cong.† The Viet Cong operated as a guerilla force and eventually overthrew Diem’s government and had him assassinated. In effort to regain Saigon, capital of Vietnam, and halt the complete takeover of Communism in Vietnam, President Lyndon Johnson escalated war efforts by utilizing more manpower and firepower. Despite the  heavy losses on the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces, the war was tiring on both sides and was dragging out. President Nixon managed to end hostilities between the United States and North Vietnam with the Paris Peace Agreement in January 23rd 1975. Although the peace terms were final, the South Vietnamese government continued to battle the Communist forces. With the support of Soviet Union, the Communist forces managed to take Saigon in April 30th 1975. The effects of the Vietnam War were devastating on both parties. The end of the Vietnam War realized the consequences of a confrontation between the East and the West. The Soviet Union managed to exert their Communist influence in the end but the end result of the war manages to signal the end of Cold War influences on decolonization. The era following the end result of World War II ushered in a time of decolonization throughout the world. Through peaceful negotiations or violent civil wars, independent nations became to form by breaking away from their respective Imperialist countries. However, at the same time, the decades also promoted the conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States. The conflicting ideologies of Capitalism and Communism served as a major role in the Cold War. With disputes over countries such as Korea, Cuba, and Vietnam, it became apparent that the politics of the Cold War contributed to the decolonization process across the globe.

Concept Comparison and Analysis Across Theories Paper Essay

The core concepts of nursing theories are the building blocks of any nursing theory model, which include the fundamentals views of person, environment, health and nursing. Incorporating the general ideologies of nursing principles and practice, the four concepts display the way nursing examines and treat persons within the nursing continuum. While these four concepts are interdepended with one another, each one stems from the formation of the idea that comes before. These concepts guides nurses in their everyday practices. According to Brilowski and Wendler (2005), nurses embody the ideas as they assess, plan, and deliver care. This paper will identify the core concepts from theorist Jean Watson and Sister Callista Roy, as well as comparing the two theories and how nursing’s implication and application to nursing practice is based on them. Nursing has been based on the practice of delivering care, insuring the welfare of humans and assisting them in meeting their needs whilst providing education on how to care for themselves. Accountability lies with the nursing profession that they promote good health, disease prevention, and providing care to the ill and dying patient. Nursing has been known to be an art as well as a science that is ever evolving. Science, theories and nursing practice has been the foundation to elevating nursing as a profession. Sister Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model (RAM) implies that nursing is a scientific discipline that focuses on practice (Andrews & Roy, 1991). RAM describes nursing as the promotion of adaptation and health that involves intervention; the fifth step of the nursing process that describes the best method to support the patient in reaching their goals. According to Andrews and Roy (1991), Roy’s nursing objective is â€Å"the promotion of adaptation in each of the four modes, thereby contributing to the person’s health, quality of life and dying with  dignity†. Nurses need to discover ways to maintain a compassionate practice regardless of the professional difficulties and Jean Watson’s caring theory is key to obtaining this goal. Jean Watson (1988) shares nursing as a social science of human health and disease experiences adjudicated by scientific, professional, personal, esthetic, and ethical personal care communications. According to Watson (1988), working as an artist is characteristic of the nurse’s role, and is a crucial part of providing care to patients and their families. The goal of nursing is health promotion, disease prevention, caring for the sick and the restoration of health (Watson, 1988). Watson goes on to say that holistic care is crucial to the practice of the caring nurse. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring also known as The Caring Model has gone through revisions since its origination in 1979. Watson’s principles of theory are the carative factors, which include the transpersonal caring relationship, and the caring moment (2001). Watson constructed the model in order to define nursing as a well-developed profession, which emphasizes on quality and caring. She proceeds to introduce seven assumptions about the science of caring and theorizes that caring encompasses carative factors with the intent sequel to be fulfilling to specific personal needs, which support s health, and personal/family growth. According to Watson (1988), the science of caring compliments the science of curing in which the practice of caring is fundamental to nursing. According to Watson (2014), transpersonal caring relationships are the foundation and send a â€Å"concern for the inner life world and subjective meaning of another who is fully embodied†. Watson (2014), â€Å"transpersonal seeks to connect with and embrace the spirit or soul of the other through the process of caring and healing and being in authentic relation, in the moment†. Transpersonal caring calls for the nurse to be genuine, and in the moment and have the ability to focus on caring, healing and wholeness rather than on the disease and illness (Watson, 2014). The link between nursing and caring can heal due to increased knowledge, experience and purposeful contact. This contact describes how the nurse transcends a neutral evaluation, and the expression of interest towards an individual’s personal and profound essence relating to his/her own personal health. According to Watson (2001) the providing person and the person receiving care connect in support of pursuing meaning, wholeness, and possibly for the spiritual  existence of suffering. The focus of transpersonal caring is to conserve, improve, and sustain the morality of an individual’s humanism, integrity and tranquility. Watson uses the carative factors as a standard for nursing’s concentration and applies the expression carative factors to differentiate from traditional medicine’s curative factors. The emphasis of her carative factors is to â€Å"honor the social dimensions of nursing’s work and the inner life world and subjective experiences of the people we serve† (Watson, 1997b). â€Å"Whereas curative factors aim at curing the patient of disease, carative factors aim at the caring process that helps the person attain (or maintain) health or die a peaceful death† (Watson, 1985, p. 7). Watson’s framework on the science of caring is constructed around ten carative factors, and benefits nurses with the delivery of care to patients. Jean’s first three Caritas sets the theoretical tone for the science of cari ng and lays the foundation for the remaining seven processes. The humanistic-altruistic system of values is crucial to the nursing process and toward the maturation of nurses. Instilling hope and faith to the patient is a vital component to the caring and curing model. When a patient education has run its course, what is left is instilling hope and faith in order to cultivate a sense of wellness, which may become instrumental to them. The nurturing of information to oneself and others examines the nurses’ need to initiate experiences and emotions as it displays. When nurses practice sensitivity, it brings on a more genuine and trustworthy impression, which motivates self-maturity and self-actualization. So as nurses who articulate person-to-person relationships, health and sophisticated behavior is promoted. Good communication skills which entails verbal and non-verbal as well as listening, exhibits a caring personality and creates caring and rapport with the patient. The ability to acknowledge affirmative and negative connotations increases level of understanding and the awareness of such emotions helps understand the behavior that is being conveye d. Watson (1990) insinuates that feelings modify thoughts and behaviors for deliberation and allowance in a caring connection. She continues to elevate the individual character of nursing and advocates the necessity to evaluate and formulate further methods of practice to implement a holistic approach. The caring nurse should also include an emphasis on the learning process in addition to teaching. When a nurse can accept and understand a person’s  attitude regarding his/her status, it lends the ability of the nurse to create a cognitive plan. While considering the requirements for a caring, protecting, and curative emotional, physical, socio-cultural, and spiritual environment, Watson segregates the factor into two variables; internal and external interdependent. Nurses utilize these variables in an effort to gain support and protection for the person’s emotional and physical well-being. Offering assistance of fulfilling the human need is a hierarchy of need that is com parable to Maslow. Watson constructed a hierarchy that is important to the science of caring and for the quality of nursing care whilst promoting optimal health. The way in which human existence comprehends each other allows the nurse to incorporate and reconcile inconsistencies of how the perception of the person as a holistic being, while focusing on the hierarchical arrangement. This enables the nurse to assist the patient in discovering strengths and courage when facing life or death. At the moment of caring, the nurse and the patient connect in such a way that creates an opportunity for humanistic caring (Watson, 1985). Both persons connect exclusively in a person-to-person interaction. Watson (1999) eludes to the fact that caring time becomes transpersonal when it affirms the appearance of the spirit of both and the opportunity to expand the confines of openness and personal capabilities transpires. An individual is identified as a person who has biophysical, psychophysical, psychosocial and intrapersonal needs that requires respect and care. Watson (1988) lends an explanation that a person is an existence within the world that embraces three realms of being, mind, body, and soul that is inspired by the self-concept, and who is free to make choices. Spirituality upholds a leading importance in the nursing profession and ascertains that the care of the soul is the most prominent characteristic in the art of nursing (Watson, 1997a). In conclusion, the concept of nursing as a science that is the culmination of personal behaviors, practices, proficiency, and experiences through a holistic approach. This approach enables the nurse to develop an approach that is effective in providing optimal care. Implementation of The Roy Adaptation Model enhances the role of nurses by clarifying and increasing interdisciplinary involvement. Watson’s theory encourages nurses to base their nursing process on her caring model and implement the art of caring by providing compassionate care. Caring out the delivery of Watson’s theory  will augment the nursing process and the delivery of care that are both gratifying and stimulating. References Andrews, H., & Roy, C. (1991). The Adaptation Model. Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange. Brilowski, G., & Wendler, M. (2005). An evolutionary concept analysis of caring. Journal of Advance Nursing, 50(6), 641-650. Watson, J. (1985). Nursing: Human Science and Human Care, a Theory of Nursing. Norwalk, CT: Appleton-Century-Crofts. Watson, J. (1988). Nursing: Human Science and Human Care. A Theory of Nursing (2nd printing). Norwalk, CT: Appleton-Century-Crofts. Watson, J. (1990). Caring knowledge and informed moral passion. Advances in Nursing Science, 13(1), 15-24. Watson, J. (1997a). Artistry of caring: Heart and soul of nursing. In D., Marks-Maran & P. Rose (Eds.), Nursing: Beyond art and sciences. Boulder, CO: Colorado Associated University Press. Watson, J. (1997b). The theory of human caring: Retrospective and prospective. Nursing Science Quarterly, 10(1), 49-52. Watson, J. (2001). Jean Watson: Theory of human caring. In M.E. Parker (Ed.) Nursing theories and nursing practice. Philadel phia, PA: Davis. Watson, J. (2014). Caring Science Theory and Research. Retrieved from http://watsoncaringscience.org

About the Civil Rights Cases of 1883

About the Civil Rights Cases of 1883   In the Civil Rights Cases of 1883, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1875, which had prohibited racial discrimination in hotels, trains, and other public places, was unconstitutional. In an 8-1 decision, the court ruled that the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution did not give Congress the power to regulate the affairs of private individuals and businesses. Background During the post-Civil War Reconstruction Period between 1866 and 1875, Congress passed several civil rights laws intended to implement the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments. The last and most aggressive of these laws, the Civil Rights Act of 1875, imposed criminal penalties against the owners of private businesses or modes of transportation that restricted access to their facilities because of race. The law read, in part:   â€Å"†¦ all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of inns, public conveyances on land or water, theaters, and other places of public amusement; subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law, and applicable alike to citizens of every race and color, regardless of any previous condition of servitude.† Many people in both the South and the North objected to the Civil Rights Act of 1875, arguing that the law unfairly infringed on personal freedom of choice. Indeed, the legislatures of some Southern states had already enacted laws allowing separate public facilities for whites and African Americans. Details of the Civil Rights Cases of 1883 In the Civil Rights Cases of 1883, the Supreme Court took the rare route of deciding five separate but closely related cases with one unified ruling. The five cases (United States v. Stanley, United States v. Ryan, United States v. Nichols, United States v. Singleton, and Robinson v. Memphis Charleston Railroad) reached the Supreme Court on appeal from the lower federal courts and involved suits filed by African American citizens claiming they had been illegally been refused equal access to restaurants, hotels, theaters, and trains as required by the Civil Rights Act of 1875. During this time, many businesses had attempted to skirt the letter of the Civil Rights Act of 1875 by allowing African Americans to use their facilities, but forcing them to occupy separate â€Å"Colored Only† areas. Constitutional Questions The Supreme Court was asked to decide the constitutionality of the Civil Rights Act of 1875 in light of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Specifically, the court considered: Did the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment apply to the day-to-day operations of privately-owned businesses?What specific protections did the 13th and 14th amendments provide for private citizens?Did the 14th Amendment, which prohibits state governments from practicing racial discrimination, also ban private individuals from discriminating under their right to â€Å"freedom of choice?† In other words, was â€Å"private racial segregation,† like designating â€Å"Coloreds Only† and â€Å"Whites Only† areas legal? The Arguments Presented to the Court Over the course of the case, the Supreme Court heard arguments for and against allowing private racial segregation and, thus, the constitutionality of the Civil Rights Act of 1875.    Ban Private Racial Segregation: Because the intent of the 13th and 14th Amendments had been to â€Å"remove the last vestiges of slavery† from America, the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was constitutional. By sanctioning practices of private racial discrimination, the Supreme Court would â€Å"permit the badges and incidents of slavery† to remain a part of Americans’ lives. The Constitution grants the federal government the power to prevent state governments from taking actions that deprive any U.S. citizen of his or her civil rights. Allow Private Racial Segregation: The 14th Amendment banned only the state governments from practicing racial discrimination, not private citizens. The 14th Amendment specifically declares, in part, â€Å"†¦ nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.† Enacted and enforced by the federal, rather than the state governments. The Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutionally infringed on the rights of private citizens to use and operate their property and businesses as they saw fit.   The Court’s Decision and Reasoning In an 8-1 opinion written by Justice Joseph P. Bradley, the Supreme Court found the Civil Rights Act of 1875 to be unconstitutional. Justice Bradley declared that neither the 13th nor the 14th Amendment granted Congress the power to enact laws dealing with racial discrimination by private citizens or businesses. Of the 13th Amendment, Bradley wrote, â€Å"The 13th Amendment has respect, not to distinctions of race †¦ but to slavery.† Bradley added, â€Å"The 13th Amendment relates to slavery and involuntary servitude (which it abolishes); ... yet such legislative power extends only to the subject of slavery and its incidents; and the denial of equal accommodations in inns, public conveyances and places of public amusement (which is forbidden by the sections in question), imposes no badge of slavery or involuntary servitude upon the party, but at most, infringes rights which are protected from State aggression by the 14th Amendment.† Justice Bradley went on to agree with the argument that the 14th Amendment applied only to the states, not to private citizens or businesses. â€Å"The 14th Amendment is prohibitory upon the States only, and the legislation authorized to be adopted by Congress for enforcing it is not direct legislation on the matters respecting which the States are prohibited from making or enforcing certain laws, or doing certain acts, but it is corrective legislation, such as may be necessary or proper for counteracting and redressing the effect of such laws or acts,† he wrote. The Lone Dissent of Justice Harlan Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote the only dissenting opinion in the Civil Rights Cases. Harlan’s belief that the majority’s â€Å"narrow and artificial† interpretation 13th and 14th Amendments led him to write, â€Å"I cannot resist the conclusion that the substance and spirit of the recent amendments of the Constitution have been sacrificed by a subtle and ingenious verbal criticism.† Harlan wrote that the 13th Amendment did far more than â€Å"to prohibit slavery as an institution,† it also â€Å"established and decreed universal civil freedom throughout the United States.† In addition, noted Harlan, Section II of the 13th Amendment decreed that â€Å"Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation,† and had thus been the basis for the  enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which granted full citizenship to all persons born in the United States. Basically, Harlan contended that the 13th and 14th Amendments, as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1875, were constitutional acts of Congress intended to ensure African Americans the same rights to access and use of public facilities that white citizens took for granted as their natural right. In summary, Harlan stated that the federal government had both the authority and the responsibility to protect citizens from any actions that deprive them of their rights and to allow private racial discrimination would â€Å"permit the badges and incidents of slavery† to remain. Impact of the Civil Rights Cases Decision The Supreme Court’s decision in the Civil Rights Cases virtually stripped the federal government of any power to ensure African Americans equal protection under the law. As Justice Harlan had predicted in his dissent, freed of the threat of federal restrictions, Southern states began enacting laws sanctioning racial segregation. In 1896, the Supreme Court cited its Civil Rights Cases ruling in its landmark Plessy v. Ferguson decision declaring that requiring separate facilities for blacks and whites was constitutional as long as those facilities were â€Å"equal† and that racial segregation itself did not amount to unlawful discrimination. So-called â€Å"separate but equal† segregated facilities, including schools, would persist for over 80 years until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s swayed public opinion to oppose racial discrimination. Eventually, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, enacted as part of the Great Society program of President Lyndon B. Johnson, incorporated several key elements of the Civil Rights Act of 1875.

Homeschooling in New York State

Homeschooling in New York State In New York, you will find homeschoolers from all backgrounds and philosophies. Homeschooling may not be as popular as in some other parts of the country perhaps because of the large number of select private schools and well-funded public school systems. Homeschoolers themselves run the gamut from the deeply religious to those who choose to teach their own children in order to take advantage of all the learning resources the state has to offer. According to the New York State Education Department (NYSED), the 2012-2013 numbers for homeschooled children in the state between the ages of 6 and 16 outside New York City (which keeps its own records) totaled more than 18,000. An article in New York Magazine put the number of New York City homeschoolers for roughly the same period at nearly 3,000. New York State Homeschooling Regulations In most of New York, parents of students who are subject to compulsory attendance regulations, between the ages of 6 and 16 must file homeschooling paperwork with their local school districts. (In New York City, Brockport and Buffalo its 6 to 17.) The requirements can be found in the state Education Department Regulation 100.10. The regs specify what paperwork you must provide to your local school district, and what the school district can and cant do in terms of overseeing homeschoolers. They can be a useful tool when disputes between the district and the parent arise. Quoting the regulations to the district is the quickest way to resolve most problems. Only loose guidelines are given as to what material should be covered math, language arts, social studies including U.S. and New York State history and government, science, and so on. Within those topics, parents have a lot of leeway to cover what they wish. Getting Started in New York Its not hard to get started homeschooling in New York State. If your children are in school, you can pull them out at any time. You have 14 days from the time you start homeschooling to begin the paperwork process (see below). And you do not have to get permission from the school to start homeschooling. In fact, once you begin to homeschool, you will be dealing with the district and not the individual school. The districts job is to confirm that you are providing educational experiences for your children, within the general guidelines set out in the regulations. They do not judge the content of your teaching material or your teaching techniques. This gives parents a lot of freedom in deciding how best to educate their children. Filing Homeschool Paperwork in New York (Note: For a definition of any terms used, see the Homeschooling Glossary.) Heres the timetable for the back-and-forth exchange of paperwork between homeschoolers and their school district, according to New York State regulations. The school year runs from July 1 to June 30, and every year the process starts over. For homeschoolers who start midyear, the school year still ends on June 30. 1. Letter of Intent: At the start of the school year (July 1), or within 14 days of starting to homeschool, parents submit a Letter of Intent to their local school district superintendent. The letter can simply read: This is to inform you that I will be homeschooling my child [Name] for the coming school year. 2. Response from the District: Once the district receives your Letter of Intent, they have 10 business days to respond with a copy of the homeschooling regulations and a form on which to submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP). Parents are allowed, however, to create their own forms, and most do. 3. Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP): Parents then have four weeks (or by August 15 of that school year, whichever is later) from the time they receive the materials from the district to submit an IHIP. The IHIP can be as simple as a one-page list of resources that may be used throughout the year. Any changes that come up as the year progresses can be noted on the quarterly reports. Many parents include a disclaimer like the one I used with my children: Texts and workbooks listed in all subject areas will be supplemented by books and materials from home, the library, the Internet and other sources, together with field trips, classes, programs, and community events as they arise. More details will appear in the quarterly reports. Note that the district does not judge your teaching materials or plan. They simply acknowledge that you have a plan in place, which in most districts can be as loose as you like. 4. Quarterly Reports: Parents set their own school year, and specify on the IHIP what dates they will submit quarterly reports. The quarterlies can simply be a one-page summary listing what was covered in each subject. You are not required to give students a grade. A line stating that the student was learning the minimum number of hours required for that quarter takes care of attendance. (For grades 1 through 6, its 900 hours per year and 990 hours per year after that.) 5. Year-End Evaluation: Narrative evaluations one-line statements that the student has made adequate academic progress according to the requirements of Regulation 100.10 are all that is needed until fifth grade, and can continue every other year through eighth grade. The list of acceptable standardized tests (including the supplemental list) includes many like the PASS test which can be given by the parents at home. Parents are not required to submit the test score itself, just a report that the score was in the 33rd percentile or above, or showed a years growth over the previous years test. Students can also take tests at the school. Since parents are not required to submit paperwork once the child reaches age 16 or 17, its possible for those wishing to minimize standardized tests to only have to administer them in fifth, seventh and ninth grade. The most common disputes with districts occur with those few who refuse to allow the parent to write their own narrative assessment statement or administer the standardized test. They can usually be resolved by finding a homeschooling parent with a valid teaching license to provide one or the other. High School and College Students who homeschool through the end of high school do not receive a diploma, but they have other options to show they completed the equivalent of a high school education. This is particularly important for students who want to go on to earn college degrees In New York State since showing some form of high school completion is required to receive a college degree (although not for college admission). This includes both public and private colleges. One common course is to request a letter from the local district superintendent stating the student received the substantial equivalent of a high school education. While districts are not required to supply the letter, most do. Districts usually ask that you continue submitting paperwork through 12th grade to use this option. Some homeschoolers in New York earn a high school equivalency diploma by taking a two-day standardized test (formerly the GED, now the TASC). That diploma is considered the same as a high school diploma for most types of employment as well. Others complete a 24-credit program at a local  community college, while still in high school, or afterward, that grants them the equivalent of a high school diploma. But no matter how they show high school completion, both public and private colleges in New York are welcoming to homeschool students, who are generally well-prepared as they go on into adult life. Helpful Links New York State Education Department Codes, Rules, and Regulations include information on homeschooling, compulsory attendance, student employment, and other issues.NYHEN (New York State Home Education Network) is a free online support group open to all homeschoolers. It includes a website with easily-accessible information on state regulations and several email lists where parents can ask questions and get advice from experienced homeschoolers (including, occasionally, me!).LEAH (Loving Education at Home) is a statewide Christian-only membership organization with local chapters throughout the state. It presents two homeschool conferences every year. Participants are usually asked to sign a Statement of Faith before participating in LEAH activities.PAHSI (Partnership for Accurate Homeschooling Information) is a New York City-based group offering information on homeschooling in the city and state.

Credit Crunch Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Credit Crunch - Assignment Example The focus throughout this paper would be on assessing the response of Russia and India to combat the fallout of the global financial crisis as well as examining where they differed and why they differed. The emphasis of this paper is on seeking the underlying theory behind the responses from a macroeconomic perspective. It has been said that the rules of the game have changed after the onset of the global financial crisis and many have even said that it is the end of the world as we know it. This paper tries to understand the responses of Russia and India to the crisis from the unique perspective of the policy makers as presented in the sources that have been consulted for this paper. Russia’s Response to the GFC When examining Russia’s response to the global financial crisis, it would be pertinent to note that above all, the Russian economy is heavily dependent on exports of oil and this forms a significant percentage of the GDP for Russia. Since the Russian economy al so has a dual financial system, which consisted of one part serving the households and the other part serving the corporates and foreign markets, the Russian response were a twofold and two pronged calibrated one. This two pronged approach is explained further in the succeeding paragraphs. It needs to be mentioned that Russia was relatively â€Å"prepared† for the global financial crisis and hence it’s response to the crisis must be seen in this context (Sestanovich, 2008). On one hand, Russia opted for step-wise devaluation of its currency so as to bolster the real effective exchange rate. As mentioned above, since the Russian economy was heavily dependent on exports of oil, the exchange rate at which oil was exported had to be â€Å"adjusted† to take into account the fall in exports. Hence, the Rouble was devalued in a phased manner to make the necessary revaluation of the exchange rate so that the real rate at which oil was exported would be competitive to Ru ssian exporters of oil. The merits of a gradual depreciation of the Rouble as opposed to a one-off devaluation can be argued from the theoretical perspective of a steep fall in the value of a Rouble to a calibrated fall thus giving economic agents ample time to adjust their assets (Sutela, 2010). The second part of Russia’s response was to release the contingency fund or the reserve fund to support the financial system that was reeling under the impact of outflow of funds and which was dependent on foreign markets for business. The point to note here is that the debt held by these banks was mainly short term in nature; the reserve fund was never intended for longer term stabilization and was mainly geared towards softening the fall in fiscal revenue for the banks and the financial system. Further, the central bank could do little by way of monetary policy and it fell to the fiscal policy to support the financial system (Sutela, 2010). India’s Response to the GFC The In dian response to the Global Financial crisis was to provide stimulus and support to the economy by enacting three stimulus packages, one in December 2008 and two more in Jan and Feb of 2009. â€Å"The stimulus packages were also designed to rebuild confidence in the economy by: easing the

Reading with Awareness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reading with Awareness - Essay Example As a freshman, I was afraid that this would prove to be an insurmountable obstacle in my pursuit of academic excellence. However, I have been very fortunate in overcoming this handicap, and making great strides in improving my command of the English language, in quite a short period of time. Of course, I have put in a lot of hard work, and can take credit for being an A student. But this would never have been possible without the strengthening of my English comprehension and writing skills. I am deeply aware that my success is in large part due to my enrollment in the Introduction to College Level Reading and Writing course. The factors which facilitated my improvement are the gradual progression from simple texts to more complex ones, the application of critical thinking, the adoption of thesis-based writing techniques, and the awareness of my learning processes. The gradual progression from simple texts to more complex ones has been a great facilitator in my path to the mastery of the English language, particularly in my writing of the essay, â€Å"The Stories Can Save Us†. If I had been plunged into a complex essay, such as Heroes, in the very beginning, I would definitely have been tempted to throw up my hands! My confidence would have been eroded, and it would have made the course very stressful. Beginning with the simpler essays, such as the Advertisement, was a great way to gradually lead me into deeper waters. This gave me the breathing space to consolidate the gains I have made in English, to gradually add to my vocabulary, and to take time to absorb the significance of my reading material. What is even more important to me, this gradual progression has helped me to learn to enjoy English writing, without it becoming a tedious classroom chore. The application of critical thinking to my reading followed from my growing confidence. What at first appeared to be just straightforward stories, changed contour with repeated reading. I have learned not to take any writing at face value: just as the story of The Emperor’s New Clothes cautions people to think for themselves. My instructor’s guidance has made me understand that there are several messages the writer conveys through a story, and an in-depth study is necessary to make these messages evident. I have learnt to ask questions regarding what the author is trying to say, the motives behind the writing, different shades of meaning, the importance of things left unsaid, and the use of different writing techniques to achieve the desired effect in a story. In short, I have learnt to ask the question, â€Å"Why?† when I read. This has made my reading a much richer experience than it was before I started this course. The adoption of thesis-based writing techniques has been a major gain for me. Earlier, I have been accustomed to putting down my thoughts on paper, as and how these occurred to me. Writing within the framework of a thesis has given my essays and re search papers a clarity that has lifted them to the next level. I continue to be amazed at the difference that can be made by adhering to the simple structure of an introductory paragraph with a clear thesis, body paragraphs, and the conclusion. This structure has given coherence to my writing, helped me to write logically, and taught me how to build up and substantiate my point of view. This was my main strength in writing the essay, â€Å"The Stories Can Save Us†. I must acknowledge that the awareness of my learning process was made possible only through my continuous interaction with my instructor. Although I was conscious, in a very general way, of the great improvement I was making