The truth about convergence of living standards across the world Essay

The truth about convergence of living standards across the world - Essay Example Concerning this, reviewing the academic literature in this issue would make sense. A certain study was able to probe and contribute to the upward spiral number of economic growth literatures by employing other social indicators alternative to per capita income (Hobijn and Franses, 2001; Ciscar and Soria, 2000; Fung, 2009; Welsch and Bonn, 2008). Some of these papers found that the convergence in GDP per capita does not necessarily mean convergence in other social indicators. However, as observed the gap between rich and poor can be examined in real GDP per capita and in living standards. Another study stood in stark contrast with the findings generated by Hobijn and Franses (Neumayer, 2003). In this research, various tests of convergence were employed including regression analysis, the coefficient of variation, kernel density estimates and transition probability matrices. This study contains an argument that convergence should be measured based on the living standards and not in achi evement index. Concerning this, the proponent of the study chose to include life expectancy, infant survival, educational enrolment, literacy and telephone and television availability as important aspects of living standards. Neumayer found that there was a strong evidence to support the convergence of the mentioned aspects of living standards. ... Based on the above findings, it is imperative to consider that economic convergence remains a very important economic issue for more relevant academic explorations. Regarding this, the proponent of this paper tries to understand up to what extent is the hypothesis that there will eventually be convergence of living standards across the world supported by theoretical and empirical research. Per capita GDP (Gross Domestic Product) In many convergence studies, per capita GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is the common measure of the country’s economic growth. After all, it measures the total output of a country by dividing the GDP with the number of people in it (Todaro and Smith, 2011; Angeles, 2008; Egger et al., 2004; ). Based on this logical approach behind the meaning of per capita GDP, many economists find it useful to use it for comparing relative performance between countries. When one wants to know the level of productivity of a certain country, a rise in per capita GDP could potentially signal economic growth. Therefore, per capita income of poor countries should relatively higher than developed countries in order to realize convergence of living standards. However, this argument is widely debatable because there are also many studies trying to point out that there is continuing divergence of living standards all over the world (Cole and Neumayer, 2003; Portnov and Erell, 2004; Allen, 2012; Ravallion and Jalan, 1996; Morgan, 2009; Rakowski, 1994; Decancq et al., 2009). In the first place, there are also many empirical measures associated with finding the living standards. It turns out that per capita GDP is just one of them. Convergence

The problem of Skepticism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The problem of Skepticism - Essay Example there are views about philosophical traditional problems, For example, the problem of induction and other minds are seen as forms of restricted skepticism which holds that we all cannot have knowledge of any proposals in any particular domain that we think to be within our understanding. In this regard, this essay will focus on the problem of skepticism, in terms of if we can ever be justified in claiming to know something and has risen repeatedly in the history of epistemology, as well as expound if the challenge of skepticism can be answered in my area of study, communication and advertising ( Feldman & Richard, 2003). Skepticism questions our knowledge in many ways, as well as domains whereby we think that knowledge is possible. However, the problem of skepticism has risen repeatedly in the history of epistemology, in that some philosophers think that the main purpose of epistemology is to rebut and meet the challenge of skeptical. For example, Philosophical skepticism is a school of thought which crosses cultures and disciplines. In addition, many skeptics have critically examined the meaning of the systems and the examination often results to doubt or ambiguity. Skepticism also ranges from disbelief in philosophical contemporary solutions and rejecting the external world to reality (Chisholm, 1992). The challenge of skepticism cannot be answered by the field of study in communication and advertising because the problem of skepticism is lacking empirical evidence. DeWeese & Moreland (2005) adds that we are all skeptical on some things, particularly since opposition and doubt are not always distinguished.

Defining Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Defining Culture - Essay Example Social cultures are the arrangements that exist between people who share a cultural practice or people from a common organization (Cole 56). They are used to place people into groups thus making it easier to identify their social belonging. Social cultures are defined by the activities that are carried out in a social setup. An example of a social structure is the western culture which was initially popular because it led to the oppression of women. Women in this social setup were dominated by the male gender. They were denied the chance to practice their social rights as well as cultural values. This made the female gender to grow up with low self-esteem as most of the women in this social background were left to work as secretaries and waitresses (Cole 56). However, the advancement of technology has changed this cultural practice and given women equal chances to engage in a variety of social and economic activities thus creating competition in the society. This portrays that cultur e is indeed a perpetuating phenomenon since it can be altered by the change of environment, in this case, the advancement of technology and the change in generations. The Shirazi organization is a business organization that is rich in cultural values, norms, and beliefs. It is an organization that brings together people from various denominations to a common agreement and thus instills certain beliefs in them that help them build up a social capital. The aim of the organization is to provide its members with common belief and mentality that helps them build up a prosperous society and business structure. The organization is a non-material type of an organization whose ambition is to create a social group with traditional norms, values as well as symbols and develop the members into becoming ambassadors of social and economic development.  Ã‚  

Reflection papers#4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reflection papers#4 - Essay Example The punishment to fire that huge amount of people involved in corruption or those likely to be involved is acceptable. Even though the number of people sacked due to the corruption charges was extremely large, it is wise to eliminate them than try to change them (Watson, 2015). This is because; corruption does a lot of damage to the company than any other misconduct. First of all, corruption taints the image and reputation of a company and in fact for such an international company this is shameful and irreparable. Secondly, corruption threatens the very future of a company since money is used for personal things while the company’s needs are neglected. This leads to bad work environment, reduction of employee’s salaries and more. Thirdly, corruption leads to low quality standards of goods produced by a company which is corrupt. This is because they will take bribes and offer contracts to undeserving people furthermore, the work ethics will be poor since the workforce wi ll be full of incompetent people who bribed their way in to the company. Lastly, corruption will means that employees suffer at the hands of their fellow co workers and people with power since any charges will just be bribed and brushed off without fair and just consideration. This will also make many people be fired unjustly if the bosses feel like it. If I were the new chief ethics officer I would have handled the situation nearly the same way. However, I would have not fired everybody who was alleged to be in the corruption game. I would have used tact to find out the real ring leaders and not blame everybody in the departments. Even though bribery was legal in German until 1999, the corruption at Siemens was not justified (Watson, 2015). A leading international company like Siemens had a reputation to keep even when the vice was legal. A company can sign code and conduct contracts with employees upon employment where they are asked if

1981 Springbok Tour Essay Example for Free

1981 Springbok Tour Essay Focus Question: What was the background to the 1981 Springbok Tour of New Zealand? For 56 days in July, August and September 1981, New Zealanders were divided against each other in the largest civil disturbance seen since the 1951 waterfront dispute. More than 150,000 people took part in over 200 demonstrations in 28 centres, and 1500 were charged with offences stemming from these protests. To some observers it might seem inconceivable that the cause of this unrest was the visit to New Zealand of the South African rugby team (the Springboks). Although not a major sport on a global scale, rugby has established itself not only as New Zealand’s number one sport but as a vital component in this country’s national identity. In many ways the playing of rugby took a back seat in 1981, and the sport suffered in the following years as players and supporters came to terms with the fallout from the tour. Some commentators have described this event as the moment when New Zealand lost its innocence as a country and as being a watershed in our view of ourselves as a country and people. See more: Distinguish between problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping Essay Usefulness of evidence to focusing question: This is useful because it shows me evidence on what New Zealanders thought on about rugby. It shows that rugby sport is a background to New Zealanders because it’s their number 1 sport. This is part of a useful website, www.nzhistory.net.nz. Source reliability: This source is reliable because this source is that its not something someone has said or someone has typed that was from the 1981 springbok tour. It is basic facts.

High DUI Rates in America: An Evaluation

High DUI Rates in America: An Evaluation America’s Ludicrously High DUI Rate Joshuah Rauch Careful examination of America’s DUI rate leads to pitiful statistics. The decrease over the last 30 years fails to be enough. Increased public education falls short of elaborate acquittal paths criminal defense attorneys, who specialize in intoxicated driving, are afforded by the judicial system. The embarrassing rates speak for themselves. According to the CDC, 112 million drunk driving incidents occur each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 2011). America’s DUI Rate is one the highest worldwide, despite increased laws and education, due to the loopholes in the court system and highly trained criminal defense attorneys. To appreciate how frequently people operate a vehicle while impaired, the legal limits for the United States need to be addressed. All States except Michigan have a Blood Alcohol Concentration Limit (BAC) of 0.08 (Progressive Insurance Company , 2004). Compared to different countries, the United States has a very high BAC. For example, Sweden, Poland, Norway, and Greece have a BAC of 0.02 while Turkey, Thailand, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Peru, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, China, Denmark, France, Finland, Austria, Australia, Argentina, Venezuela, and the Philippines have a BAC of 0.05 (Brown-Forman, 2010). Countries such as Romania, Russia, Nepal, Hungary, Armenia, Columbia, Ethiopia, Brazil, and the Czech Republic have a zero tolerance policy, thus yielding a BAC of 0 (Brown-Forman, 2010). At a BAC level of just 0.03 a person starts to experience increased talking, excitement, and reaction time; while simultaneously experiencing decreased attention, judgment, and inhibition. It is easy to see why that in the United States, pilots are prohibited from flying any aircraft if alcohol has been consumed in the last 8 hours or if the pilot’s BAC is a 0.04, half the legal limit for operating a vehicle (Federal Aviation Regulations, 2005). The catch phrase â€Å"If you drink, don’t drive† is also easily understood because the early effects on the body are apparent after a BAC of much less than the United States legal limit. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) was founded on September 5, 1980 by Candy Lightner when her daughter Cari was killed by a drunk driver. According to the MADD website, its mission statement â€Å"provides grass roots leadership to create major social change in the attitude and behavior of Americans toward drunk driving† (MADD, 2014). Few would argue that MADD has been the driving force in increased legislation against drunk driving and also improved education regarding the effects of driving under the influence. Raising the minimum drinking age to 21, educating parents on the importance of keeping their children alcohol free through the Power of Parents, partnering with the national football league through game day initiatives, working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on â€Å"Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over† and providing no cost victim and survivor services are some of the successful endeavors that MADD has undertaken to combat drunk driving in America (MADD, 2014). Not that long ago, 25,000 was the average number of people killed each year, and this number is now down to about half of that with the current rate falling between 10,000 and 11,000. In 1949, when Margaret Mitchell, famous for writing Gone With The Wind, was killed by a drunk driver with an extensive drunk driving record, the prevailing attitude of the public was in favor of the driver (NPR, 2011). MADD has certainly been successful in dropping the rate of DUI deaths and aiding in shifting the public’s opinion of the victims who are injured or killed. In South Carolina, the Sober or Slammer crackdown sought to greatly decrease and hopefully eliminate vehicle related accidents and deaths cause by drunk driving. Numerous state-wide checkpoints, manned by law enforcement, with the goal of catching people driving under the influence were put into place. The cell phone initiative, *HP, was also put into place to aid law enforcement by giving fellow drivers a quick way to notify authorities of a potential drunk driver. TV ads and radio commercials, combined with billboards and portable message boards, educated the public about the campaign. With the number one cause of vehicle accidents resulting in fatalities involving drunk driving, the campaign saw success with a decrease of 100 less deaths from driving under the influence (South Carolina Department of Public Safety , 2013). While this initially may seem like an effective decrease, further investigation gives way to websites such as DUIBlock.com that list where law enforcement will b e conducting â€Å"random† checkpoints. A person can pay a yearly fee to have text alerts sent to them in real time as checkpoints are added or discovered. While the website states that there are not trying to help people who are drinking avoid the checkpoints, the ads on the page include links to DUI attorneys. It is hard to imagine why an individual would need to know where DUI checkpoints are if not driving under the influence, or at least slightly intoxicated (DUI Block, 2008-2014) Practicing as a DUI attorney is quite lucrative. A quick drive down the highway or a flip through the yellow pages leads to a vast list of available options. The average cost of a DUI attorney is 2,500 dollars for the first offense (Esurance , 2014). A look at the first number addressed, 112 million annual drunk driving incidents, demonstrates the amount of available business to DUI attorneys. A newspaper article from July of 2013 in Los Angeles, California, addresses the loopholes in the law. The importance of a DUI defense lawyer is stressed and the phrase, â€Å"A skillful Los Angeles DUI attorney will review your case and look for even the slightest misstep by the arresting officer, in an effort to successfully resolve your pending DUI case† (Marketwired, 2013). There is no doubt after reading the article that the primary purpose of the DUI attorney is to find a technicality in which to exonerate the arrested party. Considering the CDC statistic is based upon actual guilty verdicts, the real rate of drunk drivers in America is much higher than the reported yearly rate of 112 million. Not all states, however, are like California. South Dakota for example has a very strict DUI requirement. While previously boasting one of the worst DUI rates in America, the new conditions leave no room for grace. Repeat offenders are denied the right to even consume alcohol. This policy is called â€Å"South Dakota’s 24/7 Sobriety Program.† By testing individuals twice a day (by a breathalyzer), requiring ankle bracelets that detect alcohol use (to be worn at all times) twice a week urine tests and sweat patches that are worn and subsequently sent in, South Dakota has decreased its DUI rate by 33 percent. An additional bonus to the tax payers of South Dakota is these tests must be paid for by the guilty party (South Dakota DUI Program worth a look, 2013). Each breathalyzer test cost the individual one dollar, while the urine tests are five dollars; charging the guilty party a minimum of twenty-four dollars a week. The 24/7 Sobriety Program received a national CSG Inno vations Award following the incredible results (Chavers, 2008). Not all states are quick to adopt South Dakota’s strict DUI laws. Another example of a state offering an article in the newspaper detailing how to get out of a DUI is Massachusetts. According to the article entitled Survive A DUI, Massachusetts offers several ways to keep your driver’s license. A 30 day grace period, a work only license and an ignition interlock are options offenders have in order to keep driving even after a DUI. Although a letter from the guilty party’s employer is required before a restricted license is given, the typical 48 hour jail sentence is allowed to be conducted at night or on the weekend (Meurrow, 2007). It comes as no surprise that several states are not eager to change to such strict rules as South Dakota, especially when law enforcement individuals are guilty. Take for instance Alaska’s own David Carlson. Although he is an Assistant District Attorney in Fairbanks, he was arrested twice in February 2010 alone for DUI. Elsewhere in Anchorage, Alaska, Supreme Court Judge Patrick McKay, was found guilty for DUI. Since even the people who are supposed to uphold the law find a DUI is acceptable, there is no wonder why Alaska has an extensive issue with drunk driving (In Case You Havent Heard , 2010). In Iowa, another state with a rather high DUI rate, 30 percent of high school students admit to driving a vehicle while either drunk or high while 35 percent admit to riding in a vehicle with a driver known to be drunk or high (Schootman, 1993). Law enforcement and teenagers are not the only ones driving drunk. Josh Brent, a defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, drove drunk and killed fellow player Jerry Brown. The suspension he faced of the first 10 games was seen as a â€Å"little severe† by many fans and even Cowboy owner Jerry Jones. Other notable football stars who have been involved in fatal drunk driving accidents are Donte Stallwoth and Leonard Little. All three of these players were back to playing football within a year. Apparently, killing another person while intoxicated is easily overlooked when the money made as a NFL star can buy a fabulous attorney who can navigate through the individual case and find a technicality to bring a dismissal of the charges (Smith, 2014). The loopholes attorneys use include a distinctive vision test. The case of Robert Perkins, who had a blood alcohol level of .17 and five prior DUI convictions when he killed Cornell Royston, is simply disgusting. Perkins’ lawyer, Jane Gorte, was able to find an optometrist to evaluate his contact lenses and contrast sensitivity. Because the doctor determined his contacts were old and therefore affected his contrast sensitivity, his charges were decreased despite the fact he killed a man while having over twice the legal limit (Moss, 1987). California DUI attorney Lawrence Taylor is interested in training fellow colleagues in the art of DUI defense. Alabama boasts an organization called the National College for DUI Defense, which specializes in training lawyers on how to effectively contest DUI evidence offered by law enforcement. Imagine a police officer, who once arrested drunk drivers, turned attorney who now spends his days representing suspects. New Hampshire lawyer Bruce Dorner is just this man. After learning the intricacies involved, he now offers training on overcoming a DUI. He even promotes a driver’s license that would allow an individuals to have driving privileges to a job. Advice such as immediately asking for a lawyer and refusing to answer questions are some of the tips given by DUI lawyers. They also advise that unless there is a penalty for refusing a field sobriety test, do not take one. Refusing a blood alcohol test is also a tip given, since the breathalyzer test is easier to dispute. Law enforcement individuals who forget to ask suspects if they have a physical problem affecting or preventing completion of a field sobriety test such as diabetes, acid reflux medicine, cancer, or even if ethanol enhanced gasoline was recently used, can rest assured a DUI lawyer will have the evidence thrown out (Tebo, 2005). Mothers Against Drunk Driving has certainly seen success in setting a national drinking age, exposing the true victims of drunk driving, and decreasing yearly fatalities of alcohol induced vehicular accidents. A few states such as South Carolina and South Dakota have implemented programs that have lowered the DUI rate, while most other states continue to have far too many DUI incidents. America features one of the highest worldwide blood alcohol concentration limits, yet continues to see exorbitant rates of drunk driving events. Considering every impaired driver is not caught, the rates are pathetically higher. As long as law-makers, sport stars, and the Average Joe continue getting away with driving intoxicated due to the flawed judicial system, money hungry lawyers will continue to profit from the travesty responsible for over 300 thousand accidents and 30 deaths each day in America. Bibliography Brown-Forman. (2010, December). Brown-Forman Our Thinking ABout Drinking. Retrieved from Our Thinking About Drinking: http://ourthinkingaboutdrinking.com/uploadedImages/Categories/Drinking_and_Driving/BLOOD-ALCOHOL-CONCENTRATION-(BAC)-LIMITS-WORLDWIDE.png Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . (2011, October 4). CDC Online Newsroom Press Release: October 4, 2011 . Retrieved from CDC Web Site : http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p1004_drinking_driving.html Chavers, M. (2008). South Dakota DUI Offenders Get Sober . State News (Council of State Goverments) , pp. 51(10),27. DUI Block. (2008-2014). Find Local DUI Checkpoints . Retrieved from DUIBlock.com: http://www.duiblock.com/ Esurance . (2014). Esurance- The True Cost of a DUI. Retrieved from esurance.com: http://www.esurance.com/violations/true-cost-of-dui Federal Aviation Regulations. (2005, June 12). Alcohol and its effect on pilots . Retrieved from Flight Physical : http://flightphysical.com/pilot/alcohol.htm In Case You Havent Heard . (2010, March 22). Alcoholism Drug Abuse Weekly. MADD. (2014). Madd Mission Statement . Retrieved from MADD: http://www.madd.org/about-us/mission/ Marketwired. (2013, July 2). The Yearly July 4 DUI Rally . Meurrow, L. (2007, January/February ). Survive a DUI. Mens Health , pp. 22(1),112. Moss, D. C. (1987, May ). New DUI Defenses . ABA Journal . NPR, S. (2011, November 17). U.S. Behind The Curve In Drunk Driving. Retrieved from NPR: http://www.npr.org/2011/11/17/142462512/u-s-behind-the-curve-in-drunk-driving-author-finds Progressive Insurance Company . (2004, July). Drunk Driving, BAC, State BAC Limits, Vehicle Resources . Retrieved from Progressive Web Site : http://www.progressive.com/vehicle-resources/blood-alcohol-calculator/ Schootman, M. (1993). Safety Behavior Among Iowa Junio HIgh and High school Students. American Journal of Public Health . Smith, M. D. (2014, September 5). Jerry Jones: Josh Brent was Suspended . Retrieved from NBC Sports . South Carolina Department of Public Safety . (2013, December 13). Retrieved from Sober or Slammer: http://www.scdps.gov/oea/nr2013/121213.html South Dakota DUI Program worth a look. (2013, May 23). The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. Tebo, M. G. (2005, February). New Test for DUI Defense . ABA Journal .

Graduation Speech: I Was a Thrift Store Kid :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

I grew up a thrift store kid. We took trips in a beat up station wagon, but I went to school in Shallow Creek. I was considered a little different. We are all different. Later we will find that we are all the same. It will not matter later in life who we were friends with or what clubs we belonged to. It will not matter what our grades were, or what kind of clothes we wore. It will not matter what kind of cars our parents drove. It will not matter what our dreams were, but what dreams we accomplish. We realize that cliques are lame and that they don't matter in the real world. In the real world where we have to choose what we do all day. There are no longer laws or our parents to make us get to school every morning at 7:30. For some of us it was hard and for others it was easy. I was one of the people who didn't know until this last semester if I'd graduate. It's hard to believe that you can do something if someone tells you it's not worth it. The advice given to me my entire senior year was to drop out and get my GED, because too many people had a high school diploma that didn't mean anything. That person had no idea what they were talking about. Just getting a diploma means everything, it's what we have been working for all of our lives. Maybe that person's goal was for me to take those words and prove them wrong. I did, but I had to convince myself not to take that advice. Many people helped me get here. Many people helped all of us get here. Thank you mom, for the countless phone calls to the school, and to the superintendent when my credits were messed up and no one listened to me. Thank you dad, for getting on my case even when I got an attitude. Thank you to my teachers who put up with our talkin g even when it wasn't an appropriate time. Thank you to my friends who gave me all the strange nicknames that only we could understand. We all have our thank you's because none of us did it alone. Whether you know it or not, at least one person helped you get here. Take a minute right now to look around this room.