Good Teacher Essay Essays - Educational Psychology, Teaching

Good Teacher Essay Essays - Educational Psychology, Teaching Good Teacher Essay Teachers have the very important responsibility of shaping the lives of young, impressionable children. With this responsibility comes great pride and joy. Therefore all teachers should strive for what can be considered to be a good teacher. A good teacher can be defined as someone who always pushes students to want to do their best while at the same time trying to make learning interesting as well as creative. A positive or negative influence from a teacher early on in life can have a great effect on the life of a child. Teachers, especially at the elementary level, must be very creative with their teaching styles. Not every child learns the same way, nor are they interested in the same things. It is difficult to keep the attention of 15-20 children under the age of ten. Classroom setup and design is a good way to get and keep the attention of students. Workstations are a good way to encourage different types of learning. By allowing children a chance to choose which activities they want to participate in, children are taking control of their own education. At the elementary level, children are always learning and sometimes dont even know it. When I was in kindergarten, I can remember playing at the different stations in the classroom. One station was for gardening and we could plant seeds and check them every day to see how much they had grown. Another station in that classroom that sticks out in my mind is the arts and crafts station. There was a large array of crayons, markers, scissors, construct ion paper and building materials we could use to make pretty decorations to give to our parents for our homes. By choosing which station we wanted to work at, we were becoming much more interested in what we were learning because we were doing what we wanted to do, not what we had to do. By setting high standards for a student, the teacher is encouraging the student to do the same and will eventually develop high expectations for him or herself. A teacher who is constantly looking for the best possible work from the child will force the child to try his or her hardest in order to please the teacher. Going along with this idea is the whole idea of the teacher being interested in the subject matter. If the students know that the subject they are studying is something that greatly interests the teacher, they will be motivated to try their hardest in order to please the teacher. My ninth grade science teacher is the best example of this type of teacher. I was only in her class for about a month or so but it was probably the most interested I have ever been in Science in my entire life. Whenever she would present ideas about prehistoric man, her eyes would light up and she would get so excited and I would be forced to listen to whatever she had to say. Everyone had told m e that she was a hard teacher but I just never saw it that way. She had done her homework so-to-speak and was very knowledgeable about the subject matter. When it came time to write a paper on my particular part of the evolution of man, I found myself trying harder than I ever had. I consider her to be a good teacher because even if she did not care too much about what she was teaching, she presented it in a way that made it seem like it was her life. This helped me to want to learn because I wanted to make her know that she really made me understand the subject that she had taught. Teachers must be open to many different types of people, ideas and cultures. They also must always try to respect the views of everyone. Children from lots of different backgrounds are going to be together in one classroom. The teacher must learn to incorporate everyones beliefs into the daily curriculum. All students must be aware of the differences in the world around them. The time in which it is most difficult to handle the differences in cultures is the holiday

What You Need to Know About Mad Cow Disease

What You Need to Know About Mad Cow Disease When it comes to Mad Cow Disease, its difficult to separate fact from fiction and hard data from supposition. Part of the problem is political and economical, but a lot of it is based in biochemistry. The infectious agent that causes Mad Cow Disease isnt easy to characterize or destroy. Plus, it can be hard to sort through all of the different acronyms used for the scientific and medical terms. Heres a summary of what you need to know: What is Mad Cow Disease Mad Cow Disease (MCD) is Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), except that Mad Cow Disease is much easier to pronounce!The disease is caused by prions.Prions can cross between species (although not all species get diseases from them). Cattle get the disease from eating infected food, such as feed that contains rendered parts of infected sheep. Yes, cattle are grazing creatures, but their diets may be supplemented with protein from another animal source.Cattle dont immediately get sick from eating the prions. It can take months or years for Mad Cow Disease to develop. Tell Me About Prions Simply put, prions are proteins that can cause disease.Prions arent alive, so you cant kill them. Proteins can be inactivated by denaturing them (e.g., extreme heat, certain chemical agents), but these same processes usually destroy food, so there isnt an effective method to decontaminate beef.Prions naturally occur in your body, so they are not recognized as foreign and dont stimulate the immune system. They have the potential to cause disease, but wont automatically harm you.Disease-causing prions may physically contact normal prions, altering them so that they too can cause disease. The mechanism of prion action is not well understood. How Do You Get Mad Cow Disease? Technically, you cant get Mad Cow Disease or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, because you arent a cow. People who get a disease from exposure to the prion develop a variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) known as vCJD. You can develop CJD randomly or from a genetic mutation, completely unrelated to Mad Cow Disease. MCD, BSE, CJD, and vCJD are all members of a class of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE).It appears that some people are genetically pre-disposed toward developing TSEs. This means that the risk of contracting the disease is not equal for all people. Some people may be more at risk; others may have a natural protection.CJD occurs randomly in about one out of a million people.The inherited version of CJD accounts for about 5-10% of all cases.vCJD may be passed on by tissue implants and theoretically by blood transfusion or blood products. Beef Safety It is not known how much beef has to be eaten to cause infection.Nerve tissue (e.g., brain) and various ground meat products and by-products carry the infectious agents.Muscle tissue (meat) may carry the infectious agent.Rendering or processing foods can (with difficulty) destroy prions.Normal cooking will not destroy prions. What Does the Disease Do in People? TSEs, including vCJD, kill neurons in the brain.The diseases have a long incubation period (months to years), so there is a long time between the point of infection and contracting the actual disease.The death of neurons causes the brain to appear like a sponge (areas of open space between groups of cells).All TSEs are presently incurable and fatal.vCJD affects younger patients than CJD (average age 29 years for vCJD, as opposed to 65 years for CJD) and has a longer duration of illness (14 months as opposed to 4.5 months). How Can I Protect Myself? Avoid eating parts of the cow that are likely to carry the infection (brain, ground products, which could include hot dogs, bologna, or certain luncheon meats).Remember that it is possible that muscle may carry the disease, although it would carry the prion in much lower quantities. Its your choice whether to eat beef or not.Milk and milk products are believed to be safe. Be Careful What You Eat Dont eat processed meat from an unknown source. The manufacturer listed on the label is not necessarily the source of the meat. Mad Cow Disease affects nervous tissue. Until it is known whether only the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or whether the peripheral nervous system (e.g., nerves that are in muscles) are affected, there may be risk involved in eating any parts of infected beef. That is not to say that eating beef is unsafe! Eating steaks, roasts, or burgers known to have been made from uninfected herds is perfectly safe. However, it may be harder to know the origins of the meat in processed meat products.

Ecosystem services Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ecosystem services - Essay Example It is difficult when it comes to valuation and maintenance biodiversity conservation. There are several reasons given as to the reason for the biodiversity conservation support, biodiversity elements are resources of great value to human beings so the choice of its conversation is ethical (Wilson, 1992). Human beings should play a crucial role in conserving and should respect the ecological system since they are part of it. Biodiversity can be classified as ethical, intrinsic and aesthetic ways. Biodiversity is intertwined to ecosystem in that they both coexist, biodiversity exits due to ecosystem services. Ecosystems systems have significantly progressed in the recent decades. This is through communication tools in the 1970’s that explained the nature’s dependence on nature, it has incorporated economic dimensions and it provides assistance in the decision making due to implementing conservation policies which are effective for the sustainable development and human support wellbeing. UNEP’s Millennium Assessment of the Ecosystem (MA) which was in 2005 marked a critical milestone in the development of concepts of the services of the ecosystem according to scientists. In conclusion, damaging the natural environment has seriously threatened its ability to provision of vital services and goods. We must manage our environment to conserve the ecosystem services around

Research Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Research Project - Essay Example These sources of energy, particularly oil, have also been associated with water pollution as well as destruction of marine life and diversity through oil spills in oceans, seas, rivers and lakes among others. Even most of the existing renewable sources energies such as geothermal, wind and hydroelectric have been extremely expensive to install. In addition, these sources of energies are normally extremely affected by changes in weather conditions. Also, their abundance as compared to that of the solar energy is limited. Due to the problems associated with the available sources energies such as fossil fuels, nuclear, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal, the use of solar energy is becoming popular in most parts of the world, particularly in China and Africa (House-Soremekun & Falola 2011). The solar energy seems to the source of energy that is more sustainable as compared to other sources of energy (Richards 2010). This paper, therefore, aims at discussing the use of solar energy in Afr ica and basics of this source of energy. Africa receives more solar radiation than any other continent in the world, thereby making it the continent with the greatest potential than any other continent in the world. Sun shine in Arica is virtually uninterrupted, and one of the most abundant energy resources in the continent. However, this precious source of power has not been fully exploited in the continent for number years. Despite the abundance of this energy resource, it is estimated that about 2 billion individuals (people) in world (most of them from Africa) either struggle or fail to meet their daily energy requirements due to scarcity of supply of energy (Richards 2010). Even though there has been reluctance in the harvesting of solar energy in Africa, the situation seemed to have change to day since a number of organizations in Africa as well as African governments have been turning their attention towards renewable and sustainable sources of energy. Amongst the renewable s ources of energy that have been greatly focused by the African countries is solar energy. Africa as continent has made number of milestone towards harvesting solar energy. For example, the headquarters of United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) based in Nairobi (Kenya) is fully powered by solar energy (House-Soremekun & Falola 2011). Further according to House-Soremekun & Falola (2011), South Africa and Ghana are also planning to build amongst the biggest solar power plants in the world. Solar energy is also known as the radiant light, and it is referred to as heat energy from the sun (Richards 2010). This energy can be converted by different transducers to produce different sources of energy. For example, solar energy can be converted directly to electric energy by use of solar cells (also known as Photovoltaic). This particularly important for small scale energy requirements such as for watches and calculators. The solar energy can also be directly used to heat water for both domestic and industrial use. In addition, solar energy can be used to produce large amounts of solar energy through the use of solar radiation concentrators such as parabolic troughs. We have discussed how solar energy is converted into electric energy or used as heat energy to heat water among others (Hantula 2010). The question that might probably be lingering in the mind of the reader is how this precious energy is formed

Sinners of the Scarlet Letter Essay Example for Free

Sinners of the Scarlet Letter Essay The Scarlet Letter, is who seems to be the guiltiest character. The three prime targets are Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth. While all of them have questionable morality and have committed sin, Dimmesdale, the puritan minister, is the guiltiest character. He initiates a physical relationship with Hester, knowing she is married, he fails at the fatherly responsibility of taking care of his daughter, Pearl, and he selfishly cares more about himself than his secret family. Dimmesdale does not think about the consequences of having a relationship with Hester. He understands what would happen to her, and himself, in their strict society if discovered. Being an important role model of the town, he should have controlled himself. Their relationship resulted in the birth of Hester’s daughter, Pearl. After the townspeople find out that Hester is pregnant by someone other than her husband, they force her to stand on the scaffold brandishing the scarlet letter. While the villagers are thinking of ways to punish Hester, like burning her with a hot iron rod or even killing her, others actually feet sorry for Dimmesdale because of the scandal Hester has caused in his church. Dimmesdale, being cowardly, lets Hester take all the punishment for their actions. Hester demonstrates courage and loyalty as she never releases Dimmesdales name as the father, so the town ignorantly attacks Hester’s morals and isolates her, as if she gt; committed the deed by herself. After his relationship with Hester, Dimmesdale tortures himself both mentally and physically because he feels that he has sinned against God. By burning the A into his chest, he is apologizing to his idea of God for his actions. However, he never once asks Hester or Pearl for forgiveness. Being a bastard child, Pearls childhood is ruined, yet he never acts as a father to Pearl or even offers to help Hester financially. He cares more about saving his own skin and making sure he is good with God than he does about his childs well-being. gt;Dimmesdale is a complete hypocrite. He preaches about resisting sin and temptation, while he can’t even do that himself. He is supposed to be a Puritan Society example, but follows a completely different lifestyle from what he preaches. He should have confessed his sin at the scaffold with Hester right from the start. Although it would still have been shameful, he could have, like Hester, redeemed himself in the eyes of the townspeople. Instead, he confesses everything seven years later, and dies. Therefore, Dimmesdale is definitely the guiltiest character in The Scarlet Letter. He does not show Hester any support, and takes no responsibility for his daughter. He teaches sermons on staying away from sin, yet he is the biggest sinner of all. He fears God and goes to extreme measures to receive forgiveness from him, yet does absolutely nothing to redeem himself with Hester and Pearl. His hypocrisy, selfishness, and cowardice are what make him the most guilty character in this book.

Home :: essays research papers

Home is more than just a word in the dictionary. First, and most basic, a house is a roof over people’s heads. Second, a residence is a place to go and truly relax. Third, and most important, a household is a place to laugh and cry with loved ones. A home’s most basic trait is its ability to provide shelter from weather. Rain or snow, a house will always be there. In the cold times of the year, the heater will be there to warm the house. The heat of the summer is no problem for a good home. The ideal dwelling definitely must have a dependable central air conditioner. When located in an area abundant with tornadoes and hurricanes, a home must have a safe place. A storm shelter or a basement is an excellent place to hide. Besides shelter from weather, a home will also provide shelter from the storms of life. When work or school is just too much to take, folks can go home, kick back, and reflect on the good things they might have. Kids can go home to hide from the bullies or the kids with cooties. No matter what the problem is, going home and relaxing can provide some relief from them. The most important thing about home is that it is where loved ones will be. On a good day, they will be there to share. A household is a place to share a funny joke or a good story. A haven is a place where people who care about each other can share a quiet night. More important than providing a place to share good times, a home also provides a gathering place for people who care during bad times. A family residence is a good place to get support for the bad happenings in life. The bad times can range from the death of a family member or friend to just a simple bad

Country Environment Analysis – Singapore

Country Environment Analysis – Singapore Date: 12/05/2012 Course: BUAD 6500 Prepared For: Dr. Stanford A. Westjohn Prepared By: Emtithal Alhumood, John Baker, Nora Dillon and Yuhong Fu Table of Contents: Page # Part 1 Macro Environment AnalysisAbstract ——————————————————————————————–3 Social Perspective ——————————————————————————–3 Economic Perspective —————————————————————————-5 Political Perspective †”—————————————————————————7 Challenges to Business in Singapore ———————————————————–9 Summation of Macro Environment Analysis ————————————————10 Part 2 Country Environment Analysis ——————————————–12 Country Environment Analysis Abstract —————————————————–12 Scope of the Tourism Industry ——————à ¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€œ12 Areas of Opportunity and Risk —————————————————————–16Challenges for US Business in Singapore’s Tourism Industry —————————-19 Country Environment Analysis Summation ————————————————–21 Part 1 Macro Environment Analysis Abstract: The country of Singapore enjoys a highly developed and successful free market economy. The first section of this report details the economic, social and political aspects of Singapore from a business perspective. Furthermore, this report will identify and analyze challenges which any business m ust consider upon entry to this growing marketplace. Social Perspective: Geographic Location: Situated in the northern part of the equator, Singapore lies between Indonesia and Malaysia.The island has a huge coastline of 193km. Half of the terrain contains metropolitan areas while reservoirs, open military areas, plantations, and parklands cover 40%. Covering an area of 699 sq. km. , the country is believed to be among the world’s most beautiful nations. Population: As of June 2011, Singapore's population stood at 5. 1 million, making it among the three most densely populated nations in the world (MediaCorp Pte Ltd, 2011). Singapore has a multicultural population with Mandarin, English, Tamil and Malay listed as the country’s four official languages. English is commonly used throughout Malaysia and is often referred to as the national language.Improved healthcare in the country has resulted in reduced infant mortality rate. However, the overall population growth rate i s relatively low at 2% from 2009 to 2010. Immigration is a significant driver of population fluctuation, as local population growth has actually declined in the past decade. Literacy: According to the United Nations Development Programme Report (2011), Singapore has a literacy rate of 94. 7%, which ranks 75th in global literacy by country. Education is regulated and supervised by the Ministry of Education which oversees both private and public schools. All public schools instruct students using the English language and their native tongue (referred to as â€Å"Mother Tongue Language†).According to Wikipedia, education spending typically accounts for 20% of the national annual budget in Singapore. Cultural Values: Singaporeans have a hierarchical history, and for the local population power distance is generally high. Respect for authority and social formalities are highly valued in Singapore’s local culture. Respect for parents, elders, teachers, and employers is held i n high regard. Due to the emphasis on family values, Singapore has developed a collectivist culture which focuses on the betterment of society; as opposed to the individual. Local residents generally express a modest humility when communicating with foreigners; which could be interpreted as â€Å"feminine† in reference to Hofstede’s cultural framework. Art / Music / Food:Held annually, the Singapore Arts Festival is a noteworthy event in the country’s celebration of the arts. The festival integrates visual arts, dance, and theatre. Besides home participants, global artists are also showcased. Today, the Festival is an international event. Additionally, the arts centre has traditional and classical music representation focusing on the four main cultures in the country. Singaporean cuisine signifies ethnic cultural diversity and food is seen as a uniting cultural strand that is fundamental to their national identity. Religion: Due to its strategic position, Singap ore is home to many religions. Once it was declared a port, several ethnicities and nationalities from around the globe immigrated to Singapore. 3% of the population practice Buddhism making it the core faith, 18% are Christians, 15% Muslims and 5% are Hindus. Besides, close to 17% of the populace do not practice any religion as they claim to be free-thinkers (Chong, 2010). Economic Perspective: Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. Since the early 1990’s a focus on globalization has driven Singapore’s economy to new levels of growth and development.  Also you can read about  History of the Culinary Arts.It has signed 13 free trade agreements to encourag e international commerce and it boasts globally competitive tax incentives to draw international investors. Current GDP Breakdown: Singapore’s current GDP falls at $239. 7 billion. GDP per capita is roughly $60,000 which ranks fifth highest in the global community. According to trading economics. com, Singapore experienced an annual GDP growth rate average of 5. 54% between 2007 and 2011. Despite a 1. 5% GDP contraction in the third quarter of 2012, Singapore’s overall GDP is expected to follow historical growth around 5% this year. Export, Import and Trade: Singapore is the 14th largest exporter and the 15th largest importer in the world. According to the WTO, Singapore has the highest trade to GDP ratio in the world at 407. 9%.International trade is essential for Singapore, as it has virtually no natural resources. A large percentage of trade is conducted to meet domestic demand for energy, food, and other necessities. Singapore also regularly engages in trade, where by industries and businesses in the country import raw materials, before refining them for re-export. 47% of Singapore’s exports consist of re-exports. Singapore has relatively few barriers to trade. Trade partners have zero tariff rates applied to their products; other than alcoholic beverages. Some import restrictions exist, which are focused primarily on environmental regulation, health, and public security concerns.The import of rice also requires import licensing in order to ensure food security and price stability. In 2010, Singapore’s exports were valued at $351. 2 billion (USD). The primary export partners include Hong Kong (11. 6% of total exports), Malaysia (11. 5%), US (11. 2 %), Indonesia (9. 7%), China (9. 7%), Japan (4. 6%). Singapore’s imports were valued at $310. 4 billion. The U. S. was Singapore’s primary source of imports (14. 7% of total imports) followed by Malaysia (11. 6%), China (10. 5%), Japan (7. 6%), Indonesia (5. 8%), South Kor ea (5. 7%). Primary Industries: The petroleum and petrochemical industry in Singapore is one of the biggest in the world.Singapore imports oil from other countries before refining it for further use in other countries. Singapore has the third largest oil refinery in the world. The Singapore Petroleum Company (SPC) is also a leading player in the petroleum industry and is engaged in exploration, production, refining and distribution. Manufacturing is another major industry in Singapore. Although Singapore has specialized in digital and electronics manufacturing for the past forty years, the country has diversified into other forms of manufacturing. Thanks to government initiatives and subsidies, biomedical and pharmaceutical manufacturing is seen to be the future for Singapore's industries.Singapore is also a global leader in services, particularly in finance. Singapore’s banking system is considered to be among the strongest in the world. Singapore has the fourth largest fore ign exchange market in the world after London, New York and Tokyo. The Singapore Government Securities is the only Asian market, besides Japan, to be part of the Citigroup World Bond Index. The Singapore Exchange (SGX) was also the first demutualised, integrated securities and derivatives exchange in Asia-Pacific (Wikipedia, 2012). Economic Forecast: From 2011 onwards, Singapore’s GDP growth rate (constant prices, national currency) is expected to grow between the ranges of 4. 008 percent to 5. 162% in the next five years.According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) in Singapore, 2012 may see a higher growth rate of 5 to 7% as its primary trade partners continue to recover economically. Political Perspective: Singapore's government is a blend of democracy and authoritarianism. It is a Parliamentary republic with a legal system modeled after English common law. The president is voted into office by the popular vote for a six year term. Voting in elections is required by law, so every citizen 21 years and older is legally obligated to cast a vote. The cabinet and the prime ministers are appointed by the president. There are 84 parliamentary seats and each person serves a term of five years. The judicial power belongs to the Supreme Court which is split into the Court of Appeals and the High Court.Judges in both of these courts are appointed by the president of Singapore (Government Structure, 2012). Political Parties: There are five main political parties: The Worker's Party of Singapore, the Reform Party, the Singapore Democratic Party, the Singapore Democratic Alliance, and finally the People's Action Party which happens to be the most dominant. This dominance is due to the fact that PAP brought Singapore from an impoverished nation to one with incredibly rapid economic growth. Although this party has brought a certain level of prosperity to the country, they have also instituted extremely strict laws and censorship on almost all aspects of lif e. Current Political Environment:In the past, Singapore was very conservative with spending and investment. However, in 2001 Singapore's government began structuring a stimulus package that included tax rebates for businesses and citizens, lower public service fees, a more expansive welfare program and financial assistance for smaller businesses. The monetary stance was changed to keep their currency competitive while assisting the increase in exporting. Since then, Singapore has relied less on government intervention and more on the liberalization of the economy. This came about due to the lack of improvement government intervention made and the requirements for a World Trade Organization membership (Politics & Government, 2007).Because the PAP holds over 90% of the seats in Parliament they have little trouble getting their policies approved by Parliament which only requires a two-thirds majority. As a result there is not a proper check and balance in Singapore's parliament against the PAP. However, recently their dominance may be lessening according to the outcomes of the 2011 elections that showed a significant decline since 2006. In order for the PAP to stay dominant they must focus on maintaining a strong economy and addressing immigration issues while gaining the trust of the younger generations. Due to Singapore's low birth-rate, immigration has been essential to their economic growth. The percentage of native citizens had gone down to 74% in 2010. This has forced native citizens to compete with immigrants for jobs.In the upcoming years it will be up to the government to legislate integration programs, lower the immigration rate, and smooth over ethnic tensions (Political Overview, 2011). Relationships Abroad: Singapore developed a good relationship with the United States during the Cold War due to the PAP's anti-communist platform and their ability to spread free trade through the Asian-Pacific region. In 2003, the United States and Singapore signed th e first bilateral agreement between the United States and an Asian country. Singapore's government has not only pursued good relationships with the United States they also focus on good working relationships with Australia, Jordan, India, Korea, New-Zealand, and Panama through the signing of Free Trade Agreements.The government is currently negotiating similar agreements with countries such as Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. (Politics & Government, 2007) Challenges to business in Singapore: According to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report, Singapore has the most conducive regulatory environment for business among 183 economies worldwide (guidemesingapore. com). While this exponentially expanding economy provides many opportunities for business development, there are a few challenges that must be considered by global entrepreneurs. Singapore has grown at a very rapid rate over the past few decades, and its economic success has attracted many industry leaders.This increase in business has created a very competitive marketplace, which presents challenges for new entrants. High competition is a barrier to entry for amateur organizations, and stiff competition often means reduced margins. Many companies who are considering an expansion into Singapore have concerns regarding economic growth and profitability. Many of these concerns stem from rising costs in the labor market and reductions in productivity. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, labor productivity fell 2. 2% in the first quarter of 2012, following a downward trend for the past 12 months. Also, manufacturing costs rose 4. 6% and overall labor costs are up 3. 7%.The productivity reductions can be attributed to contagion from struggling European and U. S. markets. Higher costs in goods and services are driving increases in both labor and operating expenses. Access to raw materials is also a concern for manufacturers considering business i n Singapore. Geographic limitations and limited access to resources often force manufacturers to import raw materials. Logistic costs associated with the delivery of raw materials can often become cost prohibitive. This problem grows increasingly prevalent as the cost of fuel continues to rise globally. Another barrier to entry for new business in Singapore is the government’s recent effort to restrict the inflow of foreigners.Singapore’s citizens are growing increasingly discontent with income inequality and rising costs of living. In response, the government has been enacting a series of benefit restrictions for permanent residents and foreign workers. For example, certain workers are not permitted to bring parents or in-laws into the country, and healthcare benefits are being reduced. In July 2012, Singapore’s parliament considered amendments to its immigration law which would make new residency or long-term work permits a criminal offense (Mahtani – W SJ). These social indicators are red flags for new businesses who fear the impact of legislative protectivism. Summation of Macro Environment Analysis:Singapore proves itself to be a promising location for businesses hoping to internationalize. It's diverse and vibrant culture welcomes newcomers as evidenced by its high rate of immigration. Singapore's technology focused economy is growing at a stable rate with little sign of slow-down. This can be partially attributed to its political stability. It has been run by the same political party for decades, allowing Singapore to keep steady international relationships with foreign countries and their business partners. While all of these factors encourage business investment, new entrants must also consider legislative protectivism and the increase costs of labor and manufacturing in their decision.Part 2 – Country Environment Analysis Country Environment Analysis Abstract: With its rich cultural tapestry and beautiful landscape, modern day Singapore has a lot to offer its tourists. The second section of this report details Singapore’s recent efforts to make their country a major travel destination. As the fastest growing sector of its economy, Singapore has recently made huge investments in its tourism industry. Singapore’s government has constructed a mass-rapid-transit-system (MRT) which serves as a means of transportation for sightseeing tourists. Singapore is also focused on building attractions such as amusement parks and botanical gardens.Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures; as a result it offers a cornucopia of cuisines and cultural events. Along with its high population of English speaking locals and low crime rate, it serves as an ideal travel destination for westerners. Scope of the Tourism Industry: Singapore has developed a rich tourism history over the past 300 hundreds of years. At the southern tip of Malaysia, Singapore is a primary destination for eastern trade. Th is bustling trade environment has attracted a culturally diverse population, and it is no surprise that this environmentally beautiful hub for international business has become one of the premiere tourist destinations. Singapore’s tourism industry is massive. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) notes $22. billion in tourism revenue for 2011. In that same year, Singapore attracted over 13 million tourists, which was a 13% increase from 2010. This is an astounding number for a nation whose population is just above 5 million. 76% of these visitors were Asian; primarily from Indonesia, China and Malaysia. However, Australia, India and the Philippines also represented large percentages (see figure 1). Singapore has been experiencing double-digit percentage growth in tourism receipts for the past 6 years and is expected to grow another 12% in 2012 according to major Asian news organization Asiaone News. Fig 1: Singapore Tourist Levels per Country 2009-2011|Country or territory| 2009T ourists (ea)| 2010Tourists (ea)| 2011Tourists (ea)|   Germany| 183,681| 209,231| 219,952| Taiwan| 156,761| 191,173| 238,488| Vietnam| 265,414| 322,853| 332,231| South Korea| 271,987| 360,673| 414,879| United States| 370,704| 416,990| 440,576| United Kingdom| 469,756| 461,714| 442,611| Hong Kong| 294,420| 387,552| 464,375| Thailand| 317,905| 430,022| 472,708| Japan| 489,987| 528,817| 656,417| Philippines| 432,072| 544,344| 677,723| India| 725,624| 828,903| 868,991| Australia| 830,299| 880,486| 956,039| Malaysia| 764,309| 1,036,918| 1,140,935| China| 936,747| 1,171,337| 1,577,522| Indonesia| 1,745,330| 2,305,149| 2,592,222| *Data Source – Singapore Tourism Board 2012| Singapore attributes much of its growth to improvements in infrastructure and air connectivity. Investments in port access, roadways and air space have streamlined the movement of people and products throughout Singapore. The government has also invested heavily in railway for its MRTS which moves an average of 2. 4 million people per day (Wikipedia, 2012). Furthermore, developments in telecommunications have helped to improve information accessibility, which has improved the ease of travel for both business travelers and tourists. In the year 2000, Singapore’s government decided to liberalize its telecommunications sector.Previously, two companies controlled the entire telecommunications industry. In an effort to encourage global competitiveness, the government compensated the two companies, and opened the floodgates of telecommunication competition. Allowing market forces to drive this sector resulted in a revolution of progressive technology which has solidified Singapore’s current position as a technological hub. So why is Singapore growing increasingly popular as a â€Å"must visit† international destination for tourists? Many economists note the business friendly environment which has attracted top-tier investors from around the world. This environment has produc ed a cosmopolitan culture of engineering, art, food and music.Noting official languages of English, Malay, and Chinese, many international visitors also find it easy to communicate. Singapore’s government realized the unique opportunity for its tourism industry long ago, and developed the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964 to facilitate and develop its tourist activities. According to the STB, sightseeing and entertainment represented the largest spend for tourists in 2009 (see figure 2). Given its rich history of tourism, Singapore has developed many attractions over the years. Visitors can tour museums of contemporary art, explore Singaporean history, walk its pristine botanical gardens, and experience its science centers and exotic zoos.But some of the most impressive attractions have been developed in the past decade. The Marina Bay Sands Resort is a contemporary architectural masterpiece which opened in 2010, and holds the record as the most expensive casino property in the world at $8 billion (Wikipedia,2012). Fig 2: Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay has 250 acres of reclaimed land which holds state-of-the-art conservatories, horticulture themed gardens, flower markets, and massive â€Å"supertrees† which stand 82 feet high and house countless exotic ferns and plants. These artificial trees were aesthetically constructed with tourists in mind, and illuminate the park at night with spectacular LED displays.Singapore also has its own Universal Studios which opened to the public in 2009. This â€Å"Hollywood themed† amusement park attracts visitors from around the globe, and is popular with western tourists who find comfort in its familiarity. Tourist attractions are big business in Singapore, and the STB works to ensure that there is no shortage of entertainment. Another tourist attraction is Singapore’s annual Grand Prix motor racing, which has generated significant revenue for Singapore’s growing economy. Auto ra cing has been a significant part of Singapore’s history since the 1960’s, and in 2007 the STB signed a contract to bring Formula 1 racing to Singapore.According to Wikipedia, 110,000 tickets were made available for the first race, and the event quickly sold out filling every seat in the newly constructed raceway. This international event has since gained popularity as a premier racing competition. The Grand Prix weekend event generated over $200 million in overall local revenue in 2011. Areas of Opportunity and Risk: Future development: As previously detailed, Singapore is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The connectivity of the country is vital to increasing competitiveness. Toward this end, one of the future plans for infrastructural development is the expansion of its MRTS, in an effort to connect all geographical areas in the country (GuideMeSingapore. com, 2012).Since, Singapore has slowly become a regional hub for petroleum production and explor ation and a tourist destination, the MRTS is aimed at providing a reliable, fast and cheap transportation of people and goods around the country. As previously discussed, communication facilities, particularly the telecommunications, have fueled growth in most parts of the country. Future plans related to communication include opening up most parts of the country by investing in the telecommunication sector. Satellite systems and submarine cables are projected to reach most parts of the country by 2014 to enhance geographic development. Other future developments plans include the transformation of the city into an exciting and buzz place by illuminating all areas with LED lights. The objective is to attract more tourists to the ity (GuideMeSingapore. com, 2012). The major areas of the city targeted for this transformation include Singapore River, Orchard Road, Marina Bay and the whole of the Central Business District. The projected number of tourists by 2015 is expected to reach 18 million (from 13 million in 2011). Hence, future plans include improving current tourist attractions. Funding/Investment: With its fast growing economy, Singapore is considered an important investment destination as compared to many countries in the world. Singapore has numerous funding opportunities for investors ranging from traditional banks to the grants provided by the government for investment purposes.Institutional support for both private and public funding is encouraged in Singapore. Funding opportunities are provided both to foreign and local investors. With the wide range of funding and financing opportunities, numerous investment opportunities are available in Singapore. As previously mentioned, one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy is the tourism industry. This sector provides numerous investment opportunities; particularly investments in tourist handling facilities such as guest houses, leisure resorts and hotels as well as investment in transportation faci lities. Oil production and exploration is another area of opportunity.With the rising demand for cheap gas and oil products in Singapore, oil exploration is an important investment opportunity for multi-national corporations dealing with onshore oil exploration activities. Other opportunities include investment in the financial sector such as providing financial services and trading in the stock market. Political Stability: While political stability is an area of risk in many countries of the world, it is an area of opportunity in Singapore. Singapore is ranked first as the most politically stable country in the Asian region (GuideMeSingapore. com, 2012). The political structure in Singapore makes the county an area of opportunity since the countries major sectors are not governed through political appointments. Important sectors of the economy are governed by bureaucrats.This means that performance, skills and loyalty to the policies of the nation qualify one to be appointed in any office in the country. Further, the dynamic nature of the country’s population contributes immensely to its political stability. The country has a multi-religious and multi-racial character where providing fair chances for all in terms of health, education and investment opportunities continues to maintain economic balance (GuideMeSingapore. com, 2012). Hence, Singapore’s political system is an area of opportunity rather than an area of risk. This is further investment incentive for U. S. MNE’s. Security of tourists: Singapore has a well-organized security system.The Internal security organ of the government is bestowed with the responsibility of ensuring the security of both local and foreign nationals. Hence, tourists are accorded utmost security by both private and government forces and protected from any instances of hate or racial utterances. Tourist sites and facilities are guarded by national law enforcement authorities to ensure that tourists move freel y without threats to their security (Ramesh, 2010). Singapore was recently noted as the number one â€Å"Ultra-Safe Destination† by Opentravel. com; which boasted its crime rates as the lowest in Asia. Hence, security of tourists is a major area of opportunity in Singapore. Financial Stability:The country’s projected revenue is expected to hit more than $40 billion according to the 2011 estimates. Expenditures are estimated at $35 billion leaving a trade surplus of more than 5 billion. In this regard, Singapore boasts of trade surplus rather than trade deficit. This means that the country is economically stable and it has stable resources for purchase of capital goods for the development of the country. The economic growth rate is an important indicator of the country’s economy. The projected economic growth rate is expected to hit more than 7. 5% by the end of 2012. With sound financial stability, international investors can have confidence in their expected re turn on investment.The tourism industry has seen similar growth in recent years (see Fig 3). Fig 3: Challenges for US Business in Singapore’s Tourism Industry: The STB is the countries’ leading economic development agency for tourism, and most opportunities for U. S. partnership in the tourism industry would be facilitated through this organization. The United States is a primary marketing point for the STB; which maintains office-space in both New York and Los Angeles. The government of Singapore prefers to use local firms to combine tourism with the ethnic lifestyles of Singapore. One concern for US firms who are considering opportunities in Singapore is the growing pressure of protectivism in its local culture.This is also a challenge for the STB who is aggressively recruiting visitors. The STB does work to promote local heritage, but it also strives to develop global tourism demand which often requires deviation from traditional culture. For example, Singapore†™s theater district regularly presents western musicals and dramas to satisfy western audiences. This is an area of opportunity for U. S. based organizations who wish to get in on Singapore’s booming tourism industry, but a legislative recent push to protect local heritage is prioritizing eastern values and culture. Singapore also relies on international investors and engineers to develop new world-class attractions.For example the Singapore Flyer, a 42 story high Ferris wheel located on Singapore’s southeastern tip, was designed by German engineers. Also, the design for its world famous Garden by the Bay Park was decided by an international competition which attracted more than 170 firms from 24 countries. The final design was awarded to two firms: Grant Associates from New York, and Gustafson Porter from London (Wikipedia, 2012). Another barrier to US business is the overwhelming Asian influence in Singapore. As previously stated, the majority of foreign tourists c ome from Asia (Japan 36%, Philippines 34% and China 31% – 2011). This is partially due to Asian airlines that have drastically reduced their airfares in an effort to encourage Singapore tourism.Collaborations of these Asian countries not only ensure that there is stability in Singapore’s tourism industry, but they also make it difficult for other countries to penetrate the market. Singapore is known for its â€Å"pro-business† culture, and in most cases it encourages international investment. Tourism, however, is a unique industry and the government is not as interested in incentivizing foreign tourism investment as it used to be. Some of the biggest challenge for U. S. firms and investors in Singapore’s tourism industry include: limited opportunity, competition, and government control. International firms are fighting to penetrate Singapore’s $20 billion tourism industry. The opportunity for substantial profit is attracting top-tier entertainment, culinary, construction, and engineering companies. However, Singapore is eographically small and well developed at this point. The STB is selecting from a pool of innovative firms when developing new projects and their preference to promote local firms is increasingly evident. This business environment is incredibly competitive, and the STB tends to award local firms when given the choice. One strategy for U. S. companies is to provide innovative proposals which cannot be easily replicated. U. S. based firms can also develop collaborative relationships or joint ventures with Singaporean organizations to gain a competitive edge. Country Environment Analysis Summation: The tourism industry in Singapore appears to have a lot of promise.Its diversity offers tourists a rich cultural experience while still allowing ease of the communication and transit. It also boosts a low crime rate, an increasing number of attractions, and stable political and economic environment. Those wanting to in vest in Singapore’s tourism industry through the construction of resorts and hotels will be welcomed by Singapore’s traditionally pro-business policies but potentially discouraged by its recent push towards protectivism. One thing is certain, the tourism industry in Singapore is booming, and the potential for growth is attracting the most innovative firms in the game. Works Cited: AsiaOne. com. 2012. http://www. asiaone. om/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Singapore. html Chong, T. (2010). Management of Success: Singapore Revisited. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian. GuideMeSingapore. com. 2012. Why choose Singapore? Available from http://www. guidemesingapore. com/incorporation/introduction/singapore-incorporation-advantages Retrieved on 10th November 2012. GuideMeSingapore. com. 2012. Introduction to Singapore’s political system. http://www. guidemesingapore. com/relocation/introduction/singapores-political-system. Retrieved on 10th November 2012. Janus Resea rch Reports -Doing Business in Singapore vs USA – http://www. guidemesingapore. com/research-reports/usa/doing-business-singapore-usaRamesh, S. (2010). â€Å"Government goal is to ensure all citizens enjoy fruits of growth: PM Lee† Channel News Asia (Singapore) Mahtani, S & Raghuvanshi, G. , (2012) Singapore Restricts Foreigners web: http://online. wsj. com/article/SB10001424052702303567704577518591429808110. html MTI (Ministry of Trade and Industry) Singapore (2012) web http://www. mti. gov. sg/Pages/home. aspx MediaCorp Pte Ltd (2011). Singapore's population reaches 5. 1 million. Retrieved from http://www. channelnewsasia. com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1155998/1/. html Ministry of Trade and Industry – Economic Survey of Singapore First Quarter 2012 http://www. mti. gov. g/ResearchRoom/SiteAssets/Pages/Economic-Survey-of-Singapore-First-Quarter-2012/Ch1_1Q12. pdf OpenTravel. com. 2010. http://opentravel. com/blogs/top-ten-ultra-safe-destinations-to-travel / Shibani Mahtani and Gaurav Raghuvanshi – WSJ – 06/101/2012 – Singapore Restricts Foreigners – http://online. wsj. com/article/SB1000142405270230356770457751 8591429808110. html Wikipedia. com (2012). http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Mass_Rapid_Transit_(Singapore) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Singapore_Tourism_Board http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Gardens_by_the_Bay http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Tourism_in_singapore

Indian Nationalism Essay

It is possible to say that it was a rising feeling of nationalism that led to the change in relations between Britain and India which is what led to the ultimate end of the British Empire since it came to a point where India was ungovernable. John Keay states that â€Å"India was convulsed by a crescendo of satyagrahas, swadeshi boycotts; strikes and disturbances in the great display of mass non-cooperation.(Keay pg. 477).This shows that India refused to be controlled by the British and did everything in their power to drive British rule out. Another possible reason why there was a change in relations was due to the fact that the British realized that India was not worth the fight anymore. India became more or less a burden to the British since during the war and after, post war constructions were too much along with other parts of the empire struggling for independence made them give up control. The labor and liberal parties were willing to give India its independence and at one point Lord Montagu said there’d be a â€Å"responsible Government in India† in 1917. Although, there were more conservative British officials that didn’t want to let go of the empire in India such as Winston Churchill. Therefore the British took apart any and all forms of resistance to the empire. Copeland states that â€Å"the British felt compelled to stay in India to honor their various commitments they had made†. (Copland pg. 19) The main aims of Indian nationalism were to make India ungovernable so that the British would leave. Ian Copeland states that â€Å"Both war and depression fuelled the rise of nationalism in India†. The Amritsar Massacre was a very important part of the nationalist battle against India since it made many prominent Pro British Indian figures to finally stand up and say the British are done. Punjab became a completely revolutionary area and became enemies of the empire. Many isolated mutinies occurred during this time and were mainly blamed on the radical Ghadar party. 5000 of them were arrested at the beginning of World war one to stop a revolution in Punjab. The Amritsar Massacre also led to the rise of Ghandi and his non cooperation movement. He gave up any and all reformist views and asked for complete independence for India. Tagore have up his knighthood and Motilal Nehru father of Jawaharlal  Nehru send him to Cambridge university and Even after all this burned all his suits to show his hatred for the British. Tagore said after the Amritsar massacre that â€Å"the late events have conclusively proved that our true salvation lies in our own hand†.( Reese pg. 85) Gandhi and his movement called for children to be pulled out of schools and businessmen to stop selling foreign food and asked the police to be more kind and polite. To these aims of creating an independent India the Muslims also joined the battle for independence but the Molaph riots show that they weren’t so united after all since 600 Hindus were killed showing the fact that they couldn’t work together. It is also possible to argue that these non cooperation movements weren’t working fast enough since for two years it was highly impractical to pull children out of school when they were putting at risk their own people. The main cause of the failure of the movement however is the fact that it was not ready yet to survive on its own. After the failure of the Non cooperation movement came the Salt satyagrahas which again had similar goals to the previous movement. It started of a plea to the Raj that the taxes on salt were absolutely high which a movement became for four years during which Gandhi was arrested which outraged people. Gandhi’s arrest though did lead to the signing of the Gandhi-Irwin pact which led to some restrictions being relaxed but it had a very small effect as a whole since the Muslim community refused to take part in the riots and kept buying salt from the British giving them the chance to suppress the Indians easily since they were also lacking leaders as most of them were arrested. Then came the Quit India campaign and Gandhi’s famous speech asking for India’s complete independence which in turn led to the passing of the Quit India resolution by Congress which was their way of saving that they weren’t going to settle for anything less than total independence. During this time there were many violent protests but to no avail. The British managed to silence even these protests and continuously suppress them and carry on which goes to show that India gained independence by earning its rights to self govern through all the concessions it forced the British to make and not by making it Ungovernable. Even though many previous events were suppressed by the British in every possible way they did have to make certain concessions to please the Indians which all gradually built its way to India being self governed by itself. The main reason these reforms  were given were because of the massive uprising by the Bengal partitioning. The Morley Minto reforms of 1909 did in fact lead to Indians being able to be elected to legislative councils. These concessions however weren’t given with the thought of Indian Independence in mind but to give them just enough to end the rebellions. Even with other events up until the massacre all the people wanted were reforms and it was not until the Amritsar Massacre that they wanted more. The entire reason behind the protest of Amritsar was to fight the Rowlatt Act introduced where an Indian could be imprisoned for two years with no trial if he or she is suspected of terrorism. This led to the massacre which in turn led to the British giving more than just a few reforms. The Government of India Act was introduced giving an expanded reach for Indians over the government along with the hopes of being a self governed country. Many believed this wasn’t enough and that the British could’ve done better since they weren’t sure the British would just break this promise just as easy. Saying that, this Act did give more voting power to much more Indians. This act was indeed a step forward for India but it was made sure that the viceroy still was able to make most of the important decisions himself. The Indians still boycotted the first elections under this act and this showed that they were fighting for full independence nothing else. Rees has stated that â€Å"it had become clear that politically active Indians could, in certain circumstances, sway the masses behind them†. The INC was started by Alan Hume who a British civil servant was showing how they were never intent on giving India its independence. Unlike previous reforms the number of people voting went from 7 million people to 35 million people and more Indians were voted into positions such as the provincial assemblies. There were also countless backchannel addendums added to these reforms that acted as loopholes for the British to manipulate. Robert Horne said that the British had â€Å"put into this bill many safeguards†. This was another way of saying the Brits were still very much in control. The viceroy still had majority power over military and foreign affairs. This shows that it may not have been nationalism that led to Independence but the choice of the British to let go of their empire which was a cause of the labor party victory in England since conservatives like Churchill did not want to let go. Another possible cause why India Gained independence was because the British changed their views on India much earlier on deciding to let it go on their own accord. This point is arguable because even though the Indian empire was being very costly to keep up and also due to the rise of nationalism and revolts and figures like Gandhi leading the charge against British rule they could’ve easily stayed on as seen by the way they repress and push Back any form of resistance put up by its people. And also even after the Great depression and other financial troubles the British had in the 1920s and further on they still had a firm grip over the empire till after world war two which makes it possible to say they left on their own accord. Also after the labor party’s victory in Britain wanted out as soon as possible and also Lord Mountbatten’s rapid level of decolonization shows they wanted to get out. India in fact wanted Britain to stay even after they had won their independence and it did to a certain extent since Indian tea industry belonged to the UK even after independence was achieved. Mayors of certain cities stayed on in their posts for a long time showing that they weren’t in fact driven because if they were there would have been no remnants of British Rule making it more than likely that it was British attitudes that changed and led to the change in relations. Another reason for the change in relations between India and Britain seems to be economic pressures that were there for the British. Back then during the peak of the empire before the war India was Britain’s largest overseas client and increased its revenue substantially. India made the British economy spin and made it the superpower it was in the 19th Century. Britain also provided 60% of its import and Britain also loaned a large sum of money for the first Great War, around 100 million pounds. It can be understood why Britain did not want to lose India since its initial investment in India was 160 million pounds. As time went by Britain’s hold over other countries got worse and it lost several export clients after the war. That coupled with the Great Depression led to Britain’s market crashing completely. All this was made so much worse with the boycotting and the revolts in India during the 1920s. The British then at one point let India set its own tariffs. By the end of the Second World War India was owed 1300 million pounds by the British for the Indian Army for Imperial Defense. Also the population in  India was rising heavily and there was pressure placed on natural resources and supplies therefore Britain seeing India as nothing more than a burden decided to let it go. Therefore we see that in reality the real change in British relations with India came about was because of the changes in British attitudes. We see on more than one occasion that Britain could’ve kept their empire in India. As strong as feelings of nationalism were and as brave as leaders like Gandhi were they couldn’t have driven the British out by making India ungovernable because the British knew they couldn’t be driven out by force or otherwise. It is clear that they left of their own accord due to financial political reasons or otherwise. Although it is also worth mentioning that Nationalism did play a huge role in the change in relations since it did indeed spark the match to the road to independence which led to reforms and other such important changes in India but ultimately it came down of the choice of Britain.

Top 5 Worst Sources to Find Professional Writers for Hire

Top 5 Worst Sources to Find Professional Writers for Hire Top 5 Worst Sources to Find Professional Writers for Hire When it comes to dealing with academic papers, students often search for professional writers for hire to help them cope with their assignments. The first thing that they pay attention to is the price, and it becomes their biggest problem. While it is possible to find a good writer for a low cost, you have to search for them thoroughly. There are many questionable sources that would be happy to take your money and give you a plagiarized paper (or nothing!) in return. Watch out for the following 5 worst sources to find professional writers for hire. 1. Social Networks Don’t look for writers on social networks. Writers promoting themselves on social media are less likely to be reliable. While you may be able to read â€Å"reviews,† these can easily be fabricated by friends of the self-proclaimed writer or by fake social media accounts that the writer has created him/herself. It is quite tempting to hire an ‘experienced’ writer while you’re browsing Facebook, but the moments you save will pale in comparison to the headache of getting back a poor quality paper. 2. Forums Don’t hire a writer from an unreliable forum. If you can’t read reviews about writers’ previous works, if they demand full payment in advance, or if they refuse to provide you with a formal contract, then you risk to throw away your money for nothing. Instead, look on platforms that provide you with a resume for each writer, reviews from their past clients, and a guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with their work before you pay them. 3. Friends of the Friends Don’t hire a writer who’s been recommended by a friend (or worse, by a friend of a friend). Every person is happy to speak well of their friends, but they may not be really good at the kind of writing you are looking for. This creates a doubly awkward situation. First, you will feel bitterly toward the friend who gave you a poor recommendation, and then, you will have a poor quality paper that you spent good money on, but can’t turn in. It is uncomfortable for everyone involved. 4. Suspicious Websites Don’t hire a writer from a reputable platform who’s sent you a generic application. If you’ve found a reputable website to hire a writer, but then they have sent you an impersonal application, they may not be as well suited to write your paper as you might hope. What you want to see is a personal note that indicates that they understand the requirements of your paper and have experience with writing such type of paper in the past. If you get a generic application from an otherwise promising profile, considering sending them a follow-up message to get samples of their work. 5. Job Board Don’t hire a writer from Craigslist or another local job board. Professional writers have their own website, or at the very least, their own profile on a reputable marketplace for clients to match with writers. If a writer is posting on Craigslist, they may be desperate for money as well as too happy to make false claims about their abilities. It’s a great place to get a used bike or kitchen table, but the worst place to find a trusted ally in getting your writing assignments completed. Be aware of all the traps that you can get into. Do not allow the self-proclaimed writers spoil your grades as well as your reputation. Seek for reliable sources to hire truly professional writers for your pieces.

About the US Inspectors General

About the US Inspectors General A U.S. federal inspector general (IG) is the head of an independent, non-partisan organization established within each executive branch agency assigned to audit the agency’s operation in order to discover and investigate cases of misconduct, waste, fraud and other abuse of government procedures occurring within the agency. Within the federal agencies are politically independent individuals called Inspectors General who are responsible for ensuring that the agencies operate efficiently, effectively and legally. When it was reported in October 2006 that Department of Interior employees wasted $2,027,887.68 worth of taxpayer time annually surfing sexually explicit, gambling, and auction websites while at work, it was the Interior Departments own Office of Inspector General that conducted the investigation and issued the report. The Mission of the Office of Inspector General Established by the Inspector General Act of 1978, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) examines all actions of a government agency or military organization. Conducting audits and investigations, either independently or in response to reports of wrongdoing, the OIG ensures that the agencys operations are in compliance with the law and general established policies of the government. Audits conducted by the OIG are intended to ensure the effectiveness of security procedures or to discover the possibility of misconduct, waste, fraud, theft, or certain types of criminal activity by individuals or groups related to the agencys operation. Misuse of agency funds or equipment is often revealed by OIG audits. There are currently 73 offices of US inspectors general, far more than the initial 12 offices created by the Inspector General Act of 1978. Along with administrative staff and several financial and procedural auditors, each office employs special agents- criminal investigators who are often armed. The work of the IG offices involves detecting and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of the government programs and operations within their parent agencies or organizations. Investigations conducted by the IG offices may target internal government employees or external government contractors, grant recipients, or recipients of loans and subsidies offered through federal assistance programs.   To help them carry out their investigative role, Inspectors General have the authority to issue subpoenas for information and documents, administer oaths for taking testimony, and can hire and control their own staff and contract personnel. The investigative authority of Inspectors General is limited only by certain national security and law enforcement considerations. How Inspectors General Are Appointed and Removed For the Cabinet-level agencies, Inspectors General are appointed, without regard to their political affiliation, by the President of the United States and must be approved by the Senate. Inspectors General of the Cabinet-level agencies can be removed only by the President. In other agencies, known as designated federal entities, like Amtrak, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Federal Reserve, the agency heads appoint and remove Inspectors General. Inspectors General are appointed based on their integrity and experience in: Accounting, auditing, financial analysisLaw, management analysis, public administrationInvestigations Who Oversees Inspectors General? While by law, Inspectors General are under the general supervision of the agency head or deputy, neither the agency head nor the deputy can prevent or prohibit an Inspector General from conducting an audit or investigation. The conduct of the Inspectors General is overseen by the Integrity Committee of the Presidents Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE). How Do Inspectors General Report Their Findings? When an agencys Office of Inspector General (OIG) identifies cases of egregious and flagrant problems or abuses within the agency, the OIG immediately notifies the agency head of the findings. The agency head is then required to forward the OIGs report, along with any comments, explanations, and corrective plans, to Congress within seven days. The Inspectors General also send semiannual reports of all their activities for the past six months to Congress. All cases involving suspected violations of federal laws are reported to the Department of Justice, via the Attorney General.

Real Estate Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Real Estate Economics - Essay Example Above that trigger point, extra supply is subject to a rising supply price because of diminishing returns in the construction industry. The level at which replacement cost is currently set depends on land prices, as well as on construction and other development costs. Land prices are determined by supply and demand in the land market. Commercial property owners compete amongst each other, and against other land uses, for desired land sites. All the inputs to the supply process are covered in the model and equilibrium conditions are assumed to be met. Other characteristics of land economics are heterogeneity of location and use, high transaction costs, immobility, commodity that can be consumed and saved, and long term delays in the form of market adjustment process. While there is dependence on the consumer's income to some extent, real estate is a branch of economics where the consumer is not completely dependent on his own capital. In a majority of investments, the consumer has to depend on external factors like bank finance since the cost of land and buildings is high when compared to that of other commodities. The variables that are associated with demand in land are demographic factors like size of the population and changes thereof, income elasticity of consumers, price elasticity of land/buildings, depreciation in building value, mortgage and loan rates etc. Other factors such as accessibility to roads and infrastructure, surroundings, facilities available in the vicinity too influence the demand and price of real estate in any region. Other factors that play an important role in determining the demand for land are the extent of industrialization, type of land use (commercial, residential), role of developers and land planning agencies i n the area/country. 3- To what extent is government intervention in real estate markets a matter of externality management (50 marks) The real estate market, as in any other market is governed by demand and supply of real estate and market factors. When a competitive market reaches equilibrium, the supply exactly meets the demand and prices are stable. However, in real estate economics, there are a lot of external influences, which can lead to a change in market equilibrium. Other than the consumers or owners of the property and the sellers or suppliers of the property, there are other vested interests like speculators, who can either hike up the prices or bring it down according to their own whims and fancies. In every real estate cycle, the price of real estate slowly starts rising with rising incomes, reach a peak and then slowly start falling. Home prices cannot rise faster than incomes forever. Easy credit, lax lending standards and panic buying raise them to impractical levels. Weak borrowers also get loans. People with good credit borrow too much. Speculators too join the circus. At a particular point of time, the supply overshoots the demand and the bubble bursts. There is oversupply of housing and credit facilities, but there are no borrowers. It is at this stage that government could start its intervention. There could be sops like a cut in the rate of finance or lending. Borrowers would be in a better position to repay their