Efficacy of institutions in the global system Research Paper

Efficacy of institutions in the global system - Research Paper Example This denotes the significance of international institutions, such as International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Organization (WTO), and World Bank in helping countries respond more to the challenges of globalization (Milner 836). This paper attempts to demonstrate the significance of international institutions to enhance the economy of various countries. It also provides evidence that these multilateral institutions have a valuable impact on the economy of developing nations. Role of International Institutions The primary goal of International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to help improve the economy of less developed countries by providing them with short and long term loans at low interest rates. The institution has been active in delivering this role which is evident in the various programs that it has successfully implemented in over sixty developing countries in 2000 alone. Moreover, the mission of World Bank was also to support the growth of less developed nations and to help them overcome the financial crisis. This goal was efficiently carried out through the provision of grants and loans at zero interest to poor nations especially in Africa. In fact, over 50% of the fund of World Bank for 2003 went to projects in the nearby countries of Sahara. On the other hand, the mission of World Trade Organization (WTO) was to enhance bilateral partnerships among countries and to encourage them to adopt trade liberalization as an effective strategy for enhancing their economy (Milner 836). The WTO has successfully performed this mission which is evident in the emergence of various multinational companies in developing countries. These giant companies significantly contribute to the economy of emerging countries through the creation of jobs. This was revealed in the study of Greenaway and Wright on the effects of trade liberalization in the economy of developing countries. The findings showed that liberalization of trade policies and entry barriers has a significant po sitive impact to the economic growth of less developed countries (229). Impact of International Institutions on Economic Growth The WTO plays a significant role in enhancing the value international trade of its member countries. For instance, Rose conducted a study on whether or not WTO together with its previous counterpart (Generalised Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) has been effective in promoting the value of international trade among its 175 member countries for 50 years. Through the analysis of the gravity model, the study revealed that WTO has a direct contribution for doubling the value of trade among member nations (98). In addition, Subramanian and Wei also conducted a study on whether or not WTO has a significant impact on the trading condition of its member countries. Their findings revealed that WTO provides a significant positive impact on trade which translates to 120% marginal increase for 2000. However, the study revealed that the positive impact of WTO is not evenly achieved by its member countries. In addition, increase in bilateral trade is high when each partner nation adopt liberalization while countries without trade liberalizations did not acquire trade increase. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) plays a significant role in creating and enforcing relevant trading rules across different countries. This has been supported by various research showing the relevance of WTO in

Reflection paper on Nancy Andreasen's book, Brave New Brain Essay

Reflection paper on Nancy Andreasen's book, Brave New Brain - Essay Example A similar treatment has been appropriated by many experts with regards Nancy Andreasens book titled, Brave New Brain: Conquering Mental Illness in the Era of the Genome in which the author contends that the mapping of the brain and the human genome, occurring seemingly at the same time, has brought forward a new and effective understanding of the biological origins of mental illness. For many, this only implies that ‘biological understanding’ would refer to evolution, setting aside the teaching of Christianity which states that God intervenes on human affairs. For others, the Christian approach of ministering to individuals with mental illness will be considered inept and ineffective as this does not mesh with the ‘scientific procedure’ of administering to people with mental disabilities. In her book, Nancy Andreasens notes that the convergent research focusing on the genome and mental illness is a fascinating development as it transformed the way we think of mental illnesses and their implications. First, with the utilization of new technology in neurology and psychiatry, experts are able to link the illnesses of the mind to biology and all illnesses have biological basis, even schizophrenia (Andreasen 4). This of course, does not conform to some Christian notions that mental illness is a result of demon possessions or is something related to superstition. Thus, Nancy Andreasen asserts that the best treatment should be one which varies from one patient to another. Clearly, the holistic approach to the treatment of mental illnesses is no longer acceptable. Some of the methods which Andreasen are ones that are based on science such as genomics and neuroimaging as she states that ‘mental illnesses are diseases of the brain that can be understood and treated using established scientific tools’ (Andreasen 7). What is considerable to note here is that Andreasen’s contentions that the brain ‘teaches itself to learn’ pose a

Hispanic Last Names Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hispanic Last Names - Essay Example Hispanic surnames are always two. Balbastro Ajuntas is the womans’ real name referred to as ‘nombre.’ Ajuntas is part of her first name, not her middle name.Berrera is her fathers’ name or Apellido paterno. It is what we call her last name. Maria is her mothers’ name or Apellido materno and it is used with her fathers’ name. It is not only her last name but it completes her last name. If Balbastro was to marry Ramon Gonzalez Gomez, she would take Ramons’ last names in that pattern. Most Hispanic countries however, have the additional conjunction ‘de’ to show that the added name is a married one. It is worth noting that women in todays world do not change their names on personal or professional reasons. Women in Hispanic culture never changes her first sir name in marriage. This is different from other cultures like US, where a woman assumes the husbands’ name after marriage. It is therefore important to note that, the naming system of Spain has the traditional personal surname of the farther followed by that of the mother and that a woman does not have to change her surnames in favor of her husband’s name because Spanish naming system does not entail the maiden name

United States and the neo-Gramscian perspectives Essay

United States and the neo-Gramscian perspectives - Essay Example The United States is an interesting case as explained through neo-Gramscian perspective. The model is able to evaluate American policies and their motivation, including their impact on the global arena. There is valuable insight offered with respect to the American behavior in international relations and how to understand and deal with it as a hegemon. This paper will explore the United States from the neo-Gramscian perspective. For this purpose a brief discourse on the theoretical model will be included, with a brief discussion of hegemony from different perspectives as well as the stability and the neo-Gramscian thought and its challenges. This paper will cover the theoretical discussions on power structural, the declinist school of thought, and the concepts of unipolarity and multipolarity. The concept of hegemony emerged out of the integration of the world system on the strength of global economic and political developments. As members of the system struggle and compete in order to navigate its intricacies, players adopt policies that promote and advance their interests. Successful players become dominant within a process that many thinkers consider as social in terms of formation. These players are able to exploit the system to perpetuate its status. Antonio Gramsci, the Italian thinker, provided one of the most important bases to this thought by capturing the dynamics of this process. His position holds that hegemony pertains to the process in which a hegemon is able to exploit the world system for its own purposes. This is achieved through the consent of the dominated class who act for programmes that benefit the hegemon although they may not always be in their best interests.2 This Gramscian perspective is important in the sense that it implies a dominance that is not based on brute force or coercion. Rather, it is viewed as a result of manipulation, with the dominant player(s) orchestrating events and strategies in such a way that subordinate

British colonial policies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

British colonial policies - Essay Example The Kashmir dispute, that has clouded the region with dispute and wars is a gift of British policies, they left this question open-ended and resulted in rivalries development between the two incumbent nations. Two wars have been fought afterward one right after the independence being granted to the respective states and one in 1965. The main point of contention in both the issues was Kashmir. While Pakistan considers it its integral part, the Indians consider it as their backbone and none would let go of it.The Red Cliffe commission that was put in place in the last days of colonial control over the region, the purpose was to devise a strategy that ensures the smooth transition and the transfer of land to the rightful owners of the place. While there were two major blocks, one of Hindus and second of Muslims, by the rule the Hindu majority areas would be awarded to the newly formed Indian State while the Muslim dominant states would be awarded to Pakistan. Improper division, and allo tting of the areas like Junagarh, Gurdaspur to India, resulted in the imbalance creation between the two nations and even today the relations are relatively sour between the two.Besides the land allocation, the resources allocation policies suffered from imbalances as well. The British Empire did not take into consideration the repercussion of the possible miss calculated allotment of resources. Pakistan and India have been on the brink of war for nearly two decades due to the Indus Basin Treaty.

Key Success Factors Essay Example for Free

Key Success Factors Essay Number of Rivals Wal-Mart’s primary competitors were Kmart and Target. Wal-Mart also competed against category retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City in electronics, Toy â€Å"R† Us in toys, Kohl’s and Goody’s in apparel; and Bed, Bath, and Beyond in household goods. It also competed against warehouse club segment like Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Clubs and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Internationally, Wal-Mart‘s biggest competitor was Carrefour. Scope of RivalryWal-Mart operates nationally, but its principal interests are in the urban centers of United States. Internationally, its interests are mainly in Mexico, Japan, United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada and China. Number of BuyersAs a discounted retailer, Wal-Mart’s customer base is the consumer making individual purchases, and is therefore fragmented and with no appreciable power. Degree of Product DifferentiationThe product is wide product selection and a mix of both name-brand and private-label merchandise, and therefore, a commodity with some minor differentiation available on price, selection and quality. However, Wal-Mart had successfully pursued a low-cost leadership strategy which could provide everyday low prices for their customers Product InnovationWal-Mart provides multiple store formats to attract and satisfy customers’ needs: Wal-Mart discount stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Clubs. Wal-Mart should expect it to become a common feature as rivals attempt to copy their success. Supply/Demand ConditionsWal-Mart was the biggest customer of virtually all of its 66,000 suppliers. It allowed it to bargain power with suppliers and get their bottom prices. In 1992 Wal-Mart began establishing standards for its suppliers. Pace of Technological ChangeMore sophisticated means of managing the supply chain, to include EPC/RFID systems mentioned in the case, suggest that new means of reducing costs are presenting opportunities for retailers to obtain an advantage over one another. Vertical IntegrationThe presence of suppliers indicates that the industry is not perfectly integrated. However, Wal-Mart and its competitor each maintain extensive warehousing and transportation assets, suggesting that there is a considerable degree of integration in the industry. Economies of ScaleGiven that the product is a commodity provided by suppliers, economies of scale would be essential in this industry.

Text & Cases Problem Essay Example for Free

Text Cases Problem Essay 16 to 30 150,000.00 0.94 9,000.00 31 to 45 75,000.00 0.80 15,000.00 46 to 60 45,000.00 0.65 15,750.00 61 to 75 15,000.00 0.50 7,500.00 Over 75 15,000.00 15,000.00 Total 51,750.00 15,000.00 a. Appropriate balance for AFDA is $ 51,750.00 (equals to Allowance Amount in the Aging Schedule) b. Presentation of Accounts Receivable in Balance Sheet: Accounts Receivable 735,000.00 Less: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 51,750.00 Net, Accounts Receivable 683,250.00 c. Dollar Effect of Bad Debt Expense: AFDA, Beginning Balance 37,500.00 AFDA, Write-Off (15,000.00) AFDA, Movement 29,250.00 AFDA, Ending Balance 51,750.00 Dollar Effect of Bad Debt Expense is $ 29.250.00 (equals to movement amount of AFDA) Case 5-1: Question 1 Stern Corporation General Journal (in USD) Date Account Dr. Cr. 2010 Dec 31 Accounts Receivable 9,965,575.00 Sales 9,965,575.00 31 Cash 9,685,420.00 Accounts Receivable 9,685,420.00 31 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 26,854.00 Accounts Receivable 26,854.00 31 Accounts Receivable 4,594.00 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 4,594.00 31 Cash 2,108.00 Accounts Receivable 2,108.00 31 Cash 1,566.00 Accounts Receivable 1,566.00 31 Bad Debt Expense 29,886.00 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 29,886.00 Case 5-1: Question 2 (in USD) Account Beginning Balance, 2010 Movement, 2010 Ending Balance, 2010 Cash 671,344.00 9,689,094.00 10,360,438.00 Accounts Receivable 988,257.00 254,221.00 1,242,478.00 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 29,648.00 7,626.00 37,274.00 Sales 9,965,575.00 9,965,575.00 Bad Debt Expenses 29,886.00 29,886.00 a. Accounts Receivable balance as of Dec 31, 2010 is $ 1,242,478.00 b. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts balance as of Dec 31, 2010 is $ 37,274.00 Case 5-1: Question 3 1 Current Ratio Current Asset = 13,574,107.00 = 9.4915 Current Liabilities 1,430,132.00 Current Asset: Cash 10,360,438.00 Accounts Receivable 1,242,478.00 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (37,274.00) U.S Treasury Securities 274,060.00 Inventories 1,734,405.00 Total Current Asset 13,574,107.00 2 Acid Test Ratio Current Monetary Asset = 11,839,702.00 = 8.2787 Current Liabilities 1,430,132.00 Current Monetary Asset: Cash 10,360,438.00 Accounts Receivable 1,242,478.00 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (37,274.00) U.S Treasury Securities 274,060.00 Total Current Monetary Asset 11,839,702.00 3 Days Receivable Accounts Receivable = 1,242,478.00 = 45.5071 Days Sales / 365 27,302.95