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Democracy is overrated

Democracy is overrated

Democracy is overrated

Although different institutions define democracy variedly, the fundamentals of this concept relate to government by the people through elected representatives. In other aspects, issues considered entail direct and indirect citizen political involvement, fairness, and prevalence of the rule of law. Idyllically, a democracy should ensure that all citizens have equal opportunities and access to national resources. Nonetheless, this is often not the case. Despite many governments and institutions portraying perfect democracies, this concept stands overrated because numerous ills that contravene social equality occur. These include flawed elections, majoritarianism, unfavorable safeguards and restrictions, and oppression.

One of the most ideal perspectives of democracy is based on the idea of ‘the will of the people’ (Mueller, 2001). As explained by Iversen (2005), this will is commonly found in elective processes across the world. When major democracies conduct elections every four or five years, there is a common belief that the processes are free and fair. Thus, the governments elected are ‘for the people, by the people’ (Mueller, 2001). However, an explanation by Iversen (2005) indicated that this is not the case. In underdeveloped countries, large fractions of the electorate are neither learned nor informed. Despite prevalent poor governance and underdevelopment, most politicians visit such persons in the eve of elections with handouts and gifts to woo their votes. After elections, the politicians fail to address major societal issues and emerge with handouts again after four years. Furthermore, the electorate has been customized to believe that the more flamboyant and colorful one’s campaign is, the better their ability to serve. To an extent, elections remain a contest of the rich. In other cases, candidates draw resources from friends who expect favors related to tenders and business policies if their candidates win. All these demean the original ideals of true democracy.

Another point worth considering is the relationship between minority and majority groups in elections. Many political parties and groups are aware of the fact that all bills and policies in parliaments are passed by majority votes. As a result, McDermott (2010) explained that political systems manipulate elections to ensure that they have majority memberships in legislative bodies. The implication of this is that they cannot lose anytime they intend to pass a law. Considerably, this moves the case from democracy to majoritarianism. This is because such a system could even deprive the minority of basic needs and still find the process democratic. According to Iversen (2005), the most common victim of this provision is the press. Because media institutions report on political ills, there have been many occasions across the world where parliaments have passed laws to bar the press from visiting parliament or performing other functions.

In its design, democracy provides numerous security measures and safeguards. These are entrenched in constitutions and relate to electoral processes, judicial procedures, individual rights and freedoms, and political representation. Miroff, Seidelman, and Swanstrom (1999) pointed out two examples that make such safeguards the breaking point of true democracy. The first rule is that a president must be elected by majority vote. In the event that an election is held and less than seventy percent turnout is achieved, fifty one percent of this attendance does not make up forty percent of the total population. It would imply that a decision made by approximately thirty percent is used to govern the rest. Although it is democratically correct, it is not ideal. Again, safeguards would bar the electorate from giving a hard working successful candidate a third term if the constitution restricts such.

The notion of democracy stands out as one of the most overrated ideas across the world. Globally, one of the ways of assessing the extent of democracy in a country is through elections. However, elections have numerous faults that make them flawed. Furthermore, many elected governments embezzle public funds and oppress minorities. Additionally, various safeguards introduced to ensure democratic success may sometimes turn around and hinder democracy in other ways. In general, the ideals of democracy are appealing. However, most systems that subscribe to democracy never practice these ideals.

References

Iversen, T. (2005). Capitalism, Democracy, and Welfare. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

McDermott, J. F. M. (2010). Restoring Democracy to America: How to Free Markets and Politics from the Corporate Culture of Business and Government. University Park: Pennsylvania State Univ. Press.

Miroff, B., Seidelman, R., & Swanstrom, T. (1999). Debating Democracy: A Reader in American Politics. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Mueller, J. E. (2001). Capitalism, Democracy and Ralph’s Pretty Good Grocery. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press.

Democracy In The Middle East

Democracy In The Middle East

Democracy

A lot of confusion and uncertainties have occurred when people have been have been called upon to explain what the term ‘democracy’ was. Some of the reasons behind the existing uncertainties have been linked to the many undeniable flaws and forms that the term has become to be associated with. The term democracy remains meaningful even though its manifestations in various cultures and times may differ in significant respects (Wood 2004, p.3). In helping us understand better the meaning of democracy, this paper goes an extra mile to analyse the various secondary literatures that addressed the meaning of this term. A conclusive interpretation of the term is then provided at the end of the analysis.

The word democracy originated from two Greek words; “demos” referring to “people” and “kratein” referring to “govern” or to “rule”. In reference to its components, Becker and Raveloson (2008) gave the literal definition of democracy as government of the people or government of the majority (p.4). The two scholars note that Abraham Lincoln’s widely adopted definition of democracy traced its source from this literal meaning. According to Lincoln ((1809-1865)) democracy was defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. To help us understand Abraham Lincoln’s definition of democracy, Becker and Raveloson (2008) expounded Lincoln’s definition as incorporating 3 broad subjects: a government that comes from the people; a government that is exercised by the people, and for the peoples’ own rights (p.6). Ressler (2009) introduced another dimension to the understanding of the term democracy when he argued that in asking what democracy was, one was relating 2 conditions of the current parliamentary representative democracies and the different approaches to what a more democratic system ought to resemble and the type of organizational forms it could take.

On its part, The US Department of State (2008) basically defined democracy as a government in which the Supreme power was vested in the people. To them, democracy was exercised through large societies electing their representatives. According to this department, the word democracy has been synonymously interchanged with freedom, though this should not be the case. In highlighting the difference between the two confusing words, The US Department of State (2008) noted that democracy was the superior term amongst the two since other than consisting of a set of ideas and principles about freedom; it also consisted of practices and procedures that had been modelled through a long, often tortuous history. Kolar (2005) went ahead to stress that democracy meant that all the people in a state ought to have a say in one way or another in everything that affected their lives. Drawing from Kolar’s thinking, democracy can only be considered as being representative if the elected representatives regularly consult their electorates before making commitments to matters that affect their lives.

From Hilla University’s Lecture for Humanistic Studies (2004), democracy was defined in terms of 4 key elements that included: a political system for choosing and replacing governments through free and fair elections, the active participation of people, as citizens, in politics and civic life, protection of human rights of all citizens and a rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens. Wood (2004) in trying to come up with an all encompassing definition for what democracy was, went on to list the key characteristics upon which a state can be taken to be upholding democratic principles. The listed characteristics of a democratic state are that elections are open to participation to all citizens; each vote is of equal value, voters have real or free choices, citizens have an open access to information and the availability of a rule of law that guarantees freedom to the citizens (Wood 2004, p.2). From Wood’s research, democracy should be considered as manifesting one of the most adored fundamental aspiration in human species; the aspiration for freedom.

To Pilkington (1997), the definition of democracy must incorporate the concepts of government by consent and the popular consent of lending legitimacy to the government rather than the mechanics of how the people as a whole can be involved in a participatory sense (p.5). From his works, it is clear that ‘true’ or ‘direct’ democracy should envisage a legislative and governmental process that involves all society members. In addition, Woolf (2009) looked at democracy as a system by which nations were governed (p.4). In line with his study, the following can be identified as the major components upon which the success or failure of democracy be assessed in a state: legislatures, executives, judiciaries, electoral systems, pressure groups and the media (Woolf 2009, p.22-27). Though ‘pure’ democracy calls for the people to regularly attend meetings to discuss issues that affect them mostly in small groups, Woolf (2009) notes that this is impractical in today’s world because of the millions of peoples who have accustomed themselves with details of every political issue in their countries (p.5).

Democracy in the Middle East

In analyzing the introduction of democracy into the Middle East region, it is vital if we begun by first defining what colonialism stands for. Colonialism, in earlier times, was defined as a historic phenomena supported by the notion that certain territories and people require and beseech denominations, as well as forms of knowledge affiliated with denominations (Page 2003, p.496). However, the current definition of colonialism simply states that, “colonialism is marked by a state’s successful claim to sovereignty over a foreign land” (Mahoney 2010, p.2).

The Muslim World has had a long history of authoritarianism, tribal, religious and cultural sectarianism (Ben-Meir 2006). Until recently, experts had noted that the level of transforming political institutions across Middle East regions had not looked promising. Most countries in the region were faced with obstinate domestic and external obstacles that made adoption of democracy to seem like a distant dream (Brown & Shahin 2009, p.3). Paths to political transitions were away from obvious, and the commitment of key persons or actors to practical realities of democracy that existed at those times would have provided a lot of room for questioning. However, the democratic situation across many Middle East countries has been gradually changing thus providing signs of hope that the region might eventually become fully democratised. Current Middle East states where democracy has been slightly embraced include: Israel (the leading Islamic nation to embrace democracy), Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain amongst others. The reasons behind the introduction of democracy in these states have been varying from many experts and scholars. This paper therefore goes ahead to analyze the different views as adopted across the world over widely adopted claims of whether the colonialists were behind the current introduction of democracy across the Middle East Region.

Though there have been lingering questions on whether democracy was introduced in these states by colonialists, it should be clearly be stated that it wasn’t. The British and French colonialists suppressed national movements within the colonized Middle East states (Alkady 2004, p.38).In fact, throughout the Arab world, the colonial forces suppressed nationalist movements and attempts to hold democratic elections (Valkins 2011). This, according to principles of pure democracy, this suppresses and limits the growth and development of democracy.

Many non-Muslim nations agree that Western neo-colonialists, led by the USA, should be credited for having initiated measures that went in great length in promoting democracy across the regions; though many Muslims have not bought into this notion.

The US Government came to embrace the introduction of democracy across the

Middle East when the Bush Administration officials came to reject the idea that authoritarian Arab regimes constituted the bulwark against Islamic radicalism in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks (CRS Report for Congress 2006, p.5). The CRS Report for Congress (2006) goes ahead to stress that US’s change of heart to embrace the idea of democratizing the Middle East was the main reason behind the Bush administration’s invasion of Iraq, a Middle East country whose citizens had never seen the signs of political “freedom”. In embracing democracy across the region, it is highlighted that active combat phases in the Middle East region by the USA were followed with “A Forward Strategy of Freedom in the Middle East” (CRS Report for Congress 2006, p.5). According to the Tschirigi, (2007)the following excerpts taken from the former US Presidents speech of November 5, 2003 emphasized the facilitation role at which colonialists greatly contributed in introducing democracy across the Middle East. The former US president, Mr. Bush, was eluded to have said that, “Sixty years of Western nations excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe — because in the long run, stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty. As long as the Middle East remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation, resentment, and violence ready for export.” (Tschirigi 2007, p.39).

Many scholars have referred to the above statement as having been the turning point in embracing democracy across the Middle East. For instance, David and Gondin (2006, p.129) confirmed to this view when he postulated that although Bush had alluded to the need for developing democracy in Arab States since 2002, his elements in the speech affirmed to his intentions. Amongst the deductions made from the elements in his speech was that Islam and democracy were no longer incompatible and that it was wrong for Western Nations to have previously favoured the flourishing of stability in the Middle East at the expense of freedom (David and Gondin 2006, p.129). On his part, Sterba (2009), in justifying the strong implication the speech had on the adoption of democracy in the Middle East, had gone on to laud the speech as a new policy-a forward strategy of freedom that emphasized or resembled the same persistence, energy and idealism as in Europe, Asia and every region of the world where democracy had been successfully adopted.

However, the USA strategy of invading some Middle East nations in the name of embracing democracy had also received critiques from some sections of the community who held different views. For instance, according to Sterba (2009, p.585), the obvious reason for invading Middle East countries of Iraq and Afghanistan was majorly to benefit from the many energy resources available in the regions. Moreover, Tschirigi (2007, p.39-40) in critiquing the US strategy, had gone on to say that Bush had casted doubt on his own optimism when he insisted that while democratic governments reflected their own cultures, they were required to also exhibit common essential principles of rule of law, healthy civic institutions, political parties, labour unions, independent newspapers, religious liberty and rights of women.

To add on that, Ben-Meir (2006) noted that Western nations could not claim responsibility for having introduced democratic reforms in the Middle East since any initiative to introduce democratic reforms in the region involved the full support of gradual reforms, which many Western powers were not ready to adhere to.

In analyzing the principal sources of political liberalization in the Middle East, Sayari and others (1993) unanimously agreed that the process of change in the Middle East’s authoritarian regimes was more heavily influenced by the defensive strategies of incumbent elites than by a groundswell of support for democracy amongst the people in the Middle East. For example, some of the region’s authoritarian leaders and regimes viewed controlled political liberalization and the creation of institutionalized channels through parliaments, elections and parties as a means of overcoming the mounting crisis of legitimacy that they faced (Sayari et al. 1993, p.4). As such, they embraced democracy when they allowed some few representative processes and institutions to provide outlets upon which Muslim people expressed their popular discontent and grievances. This was done without endangering the regimes dominant political roles.

The challenge that was posed by the Islamic fundamental movements was also reviewed as another principal reason for adoption of political reforms across the Middle East (Hunter 2005, p.193). The emergence of Islamic forces to capitalize on economic and social problems, especially on some grievances of the poor urban people may have also contributed a great deal in introducing democracy in the Middle East. These Islamic forces provided democratic openings when they held governments accountable for their actions. As a result of their increased pressures, authoritarian Middle East regimes decided to incorporate some of the leaders from these Islamic forces into their governments thus providing room for political freedom hence democracy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, though the “full” definition of democracy continues to be elusive in the modern society, it should be emphasized that only institutional pre-requisite can help in narrowing down to an identical meaning of the term. These six major institutional prerequisite for ‘full democracy’ are elected officials, free and/or fair frequent elections, alternative sources of information, associational autonomy, inclusive citizenship. The listed prerequisites are expressed in different times by citizens’ in different countries.

It is also vital to note that not all governments that are today considered democratic uphold all these pre-requisites in their systems. As such, it will only be proper if we categorised today’s governments into two categories namely ‘fully democratic’ or ‘partially democratic’. Moreover, it is also important to note that the following constitute the essential conditions that can favour the growth and development of democracy across states. These conditions include the civilian control of police and military institutions, political cultures that are democratic and the absence of foreign power interventions.

From the research above, it clearly emerged that democracy, though still in its raw stages in the Middle East, was, to a small extend, introduced by what we may refer to neo-colonialism by Western powers, USA constituting the major source. Other factors that facilitated introduction of democracy in these states have been the formation of Islamic forces and pressure movements.

References

Alkadry, M., 2004. Colonialism in a postmodern age: The West, Arabs and “the battle of Baghdad”. [online] (Updated 9 Jan 2004) Available at: HYPERLINK “http://www.spaef.com/file.php?id=199” http://www.spaef.com/file.php?id=199 [Accessed 5 April 2011].

Becker, P. & Raveloson, 2008. What is democracy? [print] Hamburg: University of Harmburg.

Ben-Meir, A., 2006. Challenges on the road to democracy in the Middle East (part 1). [online] Available at: http://www.theglobalist.com/StoryId.aspx?StoryId=53575 [Accessed April 5 2011].

Brown, N.J., & Shahin, E.E., 2009. The struggle over democracy in the Middle East: Regional politics and external policies. [print] New York: Taylor & Francis.

CRS Report for Congress, 2006. US democracy promotion policy in the Middle East: The islamist dilemma. [online] Available at: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33486.pdf [Accessed 4 April 2011].

David, C.H., Gondin, D., 2006. Hegemony or empire? The redefinition of US power under George W. Bush. [print] England: Ashgate Publishing.

Hanson, V.D., 2002. Democracy in the Middle East.vol. 8. [Online] Available at: http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/001/769bfuqn.asp?page=2 [Accessed 4 April 2011].

Hilla University for Humanistic Studies, 2004. What is democracy? [online] Available at: http://www.stanford.edu/~ldiamond/iraq/WhaIsDemocracy012004.htm [Accessed 04 April 2011].

Hunter, S., 2005. Modernization, democracy and Islam. [print] Washington: ABC-CLIO.

Kolar, M, 2005. What is democracy? [online] Available at: HYPERLINK “http://www.whatisdemocracy.net/” http://www.whatisdemocracy.net/ [Accessed 4 April 2011].

Mahoney, J., 2010. Colonialism and postcolonial development: Spanish America in Comparative Perspective. [print] USA: Cambridge University Press.

Page, M.E., 2003. Colonialism: an international social, cultural, and political encyclopaedia. California: ABC-CLIO.

Pilkington, C., 1997, Representative democracy in Britain today. [Print] Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Ressler, O., 2009. What is democracy? [online] Available at http://www.ressler.at/what_is_democracy_film/ [Accessed 4 April 2011].

Sayari, S., Converse, P.E., & The US National Research Council, 1993. Democratization in the Middle East: trends and prospects: Summary of a workshop, [print] Washington D.C.: National Academies.

Sterba, J. 2009. Ethics: The big questions. 2 ed. [print] USA: Wiley-Blackwell.

The US Department of State, 2008. What is democracy? [online] Available at: http://www.america.gov/st/democracyhr-english/2008/May/20080619223145eaifas0.5311657.html [Accessed 4 April 2011].

Tschirigi, D., 2007. Turning point: the Arab world’s marginalization and international security after 9/11. [Print] USA: Greenwood Publishing Group.

Vaknin, S., The democratic ideal and new colonialism. [online] Available at: HYPERLINK “http://samvak.tripod.com/democracy.html” http://samvak.tripod.com/democracy.html [Accessed 5 April 2011].

Wood, A.T., 2004. Asian democracy in world history. [print] New York: Routledge.

Woolf, A., 2009. Systems of government democracy. [print] UK: Evans Brothers.

Democracy in America Today

Democracy in America Today

Axia College of University of Phoenix

Pos/110

Final Project: Democracy in America

Over time, American Democracy has been transformed from its original foundation’s form. With all its adaptations, it still seems to be a well structured democratic form that supports our nation. The structure of our democracy has both strengths and weaknesses. In this essay, I will provide a review of the state of our democracy in America today. This essay will include my own viewpoint on the weaknesses and strengths of our governmental structure and include a number of subjects that are part of our constitutional rights, civil liberties, civic values, the role of our President and bureaucratic agencies in our government today.

There have been many changes within America’s democracy that have allowed us to arrive at our current state. Some of these changes have actually harmed our democratic process and our citizens. Some have helped us to achieve greater things within our democracy. Some changes have weakened our structure and our ability to take care of ourselves. Some changes have been benign, exerting little overall effect on our democratic processes. We face many obstacles and problems in our society today, but we do not always recognize the threat that these pose to our government and security.

The one thread that all American’s have in common in their position on democracy is that our democracy’s health affects every man, woman and child in our country and affects all those who live here. Everyone has their own perspective on the issue of democracy. One such view is that “Democracy is the means to select any policy maker and government, in which the policy would then represent the citizens’ preferences” (Edwards, Wattenberg, & Lineberry, 2008, p.14). To me, democracy is the pinnacle of justice, peace and freedom for all people. The most basic freedom accorded to every U.S. citizen is the right to free speech. This is not a universal freedom in other countries and is not to be taken lightly. We also enjoy several other unique freedoms. These are the right to vote, the right to adhering to any religion or to believe and follow no religion, and the right to act as long as we do not infringe upon the rights of others. (Edwards, et al. 2008).

I do feel that our government is quite corrupt. It seems that the trend is towards government worsening our society and this is not likely to change soon. The very right to say this is inherent in our democracy. Criticism of the government includes review of the manner in which governmental officials conduct business. Political instability, the misuse of power and moral decay are all factors that increase the wealth and power of those in places of privilege, allowing them to increase their power further by political access and appointment. (Edwards, et al. 2008). This ability leads only to further corruption. The members of our society that have been marginalized economically are not having their needs met in the current political climate. This lower class has emerged in a way that is limiting their basic rights. The decay in the moral fiber of our society has led government to pass laws that control aspects of our behavior which common sense should rule, such as school prayer and smoking in public places. This process infringes on rights since some members of society act irresponsibly.

Everyone has their individual view of how democracy should function. In my own view, positive changes need to be affected in governmental process for equality and opportunity to be accorded to every American citizen.

The beliefs and values that all members of our society share are our American Civic Values. The most basic belief is freedom and justice for all people. Our democratic society uses a number of programs, laws and regulation to strengthen our civic values. Individuals use volunteerism and sound ethical practices to strengthen them. When we teach our children good civic values, we are teaching them to respect one another, to share and to take responsibility for each other in a positive, supportive way. These things engender a strong civil and political culture that better serves us all.

For example, when community members help one another and stand up for what is right, refusing to tolerate bigotry, drug trafficking and other harmful practices, we engender respect for one another and have healthier communities. The penalties for allowing ourselves to stray from our civic values are imposed through the enforcement of laws and regulations. Anti-discrimination laws uphold the basic right of freedom for all. These laws enforce the rights of individuals to pursue their livelihoods and to live where they please, regardless of their race, ethnic or cultural background, gender or their sexual or religious preferences.

Our world has changed in both technological and economic ways that threaten the intentions and accomplishments of our founding fathers. The Constitution is at risk of being overrun in our current political climate. The gap between the rich and poor in American society had been narrowed during the last 50 years of the last century. It has been widened during the past decade and threatens our social stability. Many people like to say that America is a place of equality and opportunity. In my opinion, it is still a place of disparity and inequality. The most basic element of our democratic process that should be its greatest strength has become our greatest weakness. This is a great issue among those in our society who cannot find access to services or opportunity and is swept under the rug by those members of our society who have been able to find a way to succeed inside the system.

A new type of inequality has crept over us in the recent past. It is the way in which government shows bias to one group of citizens over another. These economic disparities strengthen the cause of those who have against those who do not have. They relate specifically to the disparate distribution of resources, education and income potential. Those members of our society who have been marginalized have much less political voice and therefore can expect to continue to receive less in the way of equal treatment and equal access to services and education. Reviewing the Constitution and American Democracy in light of what I have learned in this course, I find that the Bill of Rights is the foundation of all our rights as American citizens. The Bill of Rights protects us from congress passing any law which would abridge our rights to practice our own religion, our freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government. I believe that protection of civil liberties is essential and has to be carefully guarded in our society. The government takes away more rights, often surreptitiously. Freedoms are challenged in ways that have little to do with the intention stated by the government when they enact new laws, such as the Patriot Act, which allows monitoring of private citizens internet use. Spying of U.S. citizens has also become acceptable under current law. Why would that be acceptable? This constitutes unreasonable search and should never have been made law to start with. The level of privacy invasion in today’s U.S. society is somewhat shocking. It is implicit in settings where a large number of people would be at risk, such as in airport travel screenings.

There are a wide variety of ways in which it is up to all of us to strengthen our communities by upholding civic values in our lives. All of the rights that we stifle will continue to affect American citizens in their daily lives. It is up to us as citizens to take responsibility for our rights. We have no right not to know what is being done in our name. This country was founded on first on freedom and it is time to regain civil liberty and equal rights.

The founding fathers framed our United States Constitution so that we would have an established, stable form of government that would function at the will of the people. They designed our government as three branches that were to equally share power in balance with one another. These are the Legislative Branch (Congress), the Executive Branch (Presidential) and the Judicial Branch (The Courts). The stability afforded by the interplay of these three branches is the strength of our government as a whole.

A formal system of checks and balances was established to control each of the three branches. This limits their power so that one branch cannot dominate the government. This system is essential to the proper working of our democracy. The Electoral College was designed to eliminate corruption in our system. It instead serves unethical government officials. The electoral system does protect Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The electoral system is meant to allow a group of officials to make the final decision on the election of the U.S. President. The Electoral College system has an extensive background and is well grounded in our current government. I do not, however, believe that it truly serves the American people to give them representation by vote. It gives government officials the right to elect who they see fit instead of taking the straight one man one vote to elect our President. This is one of the basic precepts of democracy and so, I feel, the electoral process thwarts the intention of democracy. Many people say they do not vote because their vote will not count under the electoral process. Elimination of the electoral system would likely bring an increase in voter turnout and eliminate apathy toward our system.

The U.S. Constitution is grounded in a system of power by the people for the people. We can support and help our President to succeed through being actively involved in our governmental processes. This core value of participation by the people in the interest of the people as a whole has been lost in our country. The majority is meant to rule our government, not the other way around. Minority values are to be represented in our government as well.

The Constitutional powers of our President is accorded allows them the authority to make decisions that affect our immediate national security. The role of “Commander in Chief” is the most important of all of the President’s functions. The President is limited to a reasonable authority through exercising the checks and balances that are in place in our government. The President’s main job is to protect the democratic process in our country. This is the source of our safety and stability.

A number of different bureaucratic agencies have direct effects on my daily life. Some of these are the United States Postal Service (USPS), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Each one of these agencies is designed to serve different needs of Americans and to protect the public at large.

We work around the schedules of these agencies so that we can get a motor vehicle or commercial vehicle license, purchase private or public land and to protect our business and personal interests. Some of these agencies have regulatory functions, such as the EPA and others provide us with services, such as the USPS. The requirements that they place in our path during our process is one of red tape that involves considerable performance on our part to meet standards of eligibility. Even things that do not require us to deal directly with government agencies, such as receiving many prescription medications from our health provider, require that they meet regulations and legal requirements to get into our hands.

The matter of governing ourselves is one of our greatest privileges and responsibilities. I believe that our founding fathers did an excellent job of framing a structured government that operates on the basis of morals and strong values. Some changes do need to be affected to discontinue political corruption in our country. The marginalization of many members of our society through economic disparity has yielded political access and corruption in the wealthier members. This is not the democracy that American was built upon. Only with true justice, peace and equality are we doing our best as a nation.

References:

G. Edwards III, R. Lineberry, & M. Wattenberg. (2008). Government in America People, Politics, and Policy. Retrieved on November 9, 2009.

Dementia It is normal for people to become more absent minded,

Dementia

Introduction

It is normal for people to become more absent minded, forgetful and experience mild cognitive impairment as they grow older. This is often described as age associated memory impairment that causes people to experience gradual memory loss in daily activities like remembering names, phone numbers or misplacing objects. Although a certain degree of memory decline is associated with normal aging, their intellectual functioning will still remain intact. Normal memory loss due to aging is also not an indication for onset of Alzheimer’s disease. However, when people start to get lost in familiar place, begin repeating the recent conversations and experiences difficulty to perform familiar tasks it could signal the beginning of more serious problems like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia will cause memory loss and a decline of cognitive abilities in patients. Although the prevalence of dementia increases with age, young people are also known to be affected by problems of dementia. A medical professional can help by accessing the cognitive impairment in a patient and recommend the type of treatment. The available drugs cannot repair brain damage or cure dementia but they can help to slow down the dementia progress and improve its symptoms. This aim of this article is to use current literature for describing the best practices and multidisciplinary approach for identification, assessment and management of dementia. The article will first begin by offering a brief explanation about what is dementia. It will then proceed to discuss about the processes involved in the identification of dementia in patients. This will be followed by a discussion on how the assessment of dementia is being performed. The article will then proceed to discuss on the best approaches for managing the behavioral and psychological symptoms shown by patients with dementia.

About dementia

Dementia is a condition that is characterized by memory impairments and multiple cognitive deficits. It occurs when degeneration of brain cells takes place in the region of the brain called cerebral cortex. This is the part of the brain that is responsible for our memories, thoughts, personality and actions (Sue et al., 2008). The most common cause for dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Between 50% and 75% of dementia cases are found to be cause by Alzheimer’s disease. Other common causes for dementia are Lewy body dementia caused by the presence of abnormal protein chunks in the brain and vascular dementia that is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain (Sue et al., 2008). Dementia is also caused by fronto-temporal dementia, Huntington’s disease, brain injury and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (Weiner and Lipton, 2008). Dementia is an incurable progressive condition that affects the functional ability and the quality of life of a person (Chang and Johnson, 2008). People with dementia gradually lose their ability to think well which results in being unable to perform normal activities like eating or getting dressed. They also experience personality change, hallucinate, become easily agitated and experience mood disturbances (Miller, 2009).

About 4.5 million people in US had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2003 and this figure was estimated to reach 14 million by 2050 (Sue, et al. 2008). Similarly the prevalence of dementia in Australia is also expected to be increasing by four-fold over the next 40 years (Terpening, Hodges and Cordato, 2011). There had been 210,000 cases of confirmed diagnosis for dementia in Australia during 2006 (Chang and Johnson,2008).This could be attributed to the fact that Australia’s aging population of people over 65 years is expected to double by middle of this century (Kohsaka, 2012.). Incidence of dementia is known found to double every five years between the ages of 65 and 90 years. Prevalence of dementia in people who live beyond 90 has also been found to rise exponentially (Corrada, Brookmeyer, Paganini-Hill, Berlau and Kawas, 2010). This condition is expected to produce a growing burden on public healthcare for coping with incidence of dementia in an aging population.

Identification of dementia

From a clinical perspective, the identification of dementia has shifted from the diagnosis of a full-blown dementia to an early diagnosis of dementia causing illnesses so that they could be treated before it causes the irreversible state of dementia (Weiner and Lipton, 2008). Early diagnosis of dementia will help the patients to plan for their future by making necessary arrangements with their caregivers and preparation of legal matters like authorizing power of authority to a trustworthy person. Although it has been found that more than two thirds of the people who have noticed symptoms of their cognitive decline will consult with a physician to be evaluated, over 90% of mild dementia cases had been missed during primary care assessment (Terpening, Hodges and Cordato, 2011).

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a standard that is published by American Psychiatric association to help standardize the criteria and categories for psychiatric diagnosis. The DSM-IV-TR helps to list major etiological categories that cause dementia into general medical conditions, substance-induced persisting dementia, multiple etiologies and unspecified dementia (Sue et al., 2008). General medical conditions that are described will include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson Disease, cerebro-vascular disease or brain trauma. DSM-IV-TR uses clusters of symptoms to meet threshold levels to identify specific subtype of mental disorder. This is important because it enables guided prognosis and appropriate treatment plan. However its minimal threshold level can reduce the sensitivity of the diagnosis which can cause failed early detection and delayed disease modifying treatment (Weiner and Lipton, 2008).

A reliable diagnosis for dementia needs full mental assessment, comprehensive history record and physical examination. A detailed neuropsychological test may be the best tool for diagnosis but it is only available to specialist psychologists, will be time consuming and costly (Terpening, Hodges and Cordato, 2011). Brief screening instruments like mini-mental state examination (MMSE) can be used to evaluate patients with cognitive complaints but it is also reported to have many shortcomings like lacking in diagnostic specificity, being unsystematic and unable to detect milder cognitive impairment (Zarit, Blazer, Orrell and Woods, 2008). It may be unrealistic to rely on brief screening tools for diagnosing dementia but it can become a more accurate instrument when used alongside a reliable clinical history. Screening tools like Addenbrooke’s MMSE help to detect mild cognitive impairment and it is already being used in Australia (Lonie, Tireney and Ebmeier, 2009). Other tools used for diagnosing dementia in Australia are Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination–Revised (ACE-R), General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCog) and Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) (Terpening, Cordato, Hepner, et al., 2011). These tools contain statements that are systematically developed as being best practice guidelines for identification of dementia and achieving better health outcomes.

Assessment of dementia

The diagnosis of dementia will need to identify two deficits consisting of memory impairment and a functional disability (Ham, 2007). Therefore the assessment of patients with symptoms for dementia will include examining their cognitive status, functional status, medical condition, behavioral issues and other forms of regular assessments. These assessments must also consider the capacity of a patient for decision making, address the support system available to the patient and identify a primary caregiver.

The assessment of cognitive status by a clinician will begin with a review of the patient’s attentiveness and alertness (Ham, 2007). If any deficit is found, a further assessment of cognitive status for a suspected dementia patient can be done using the MMSE (Zarit, Blazer, Orrell and Woods, 2008) and for mild cognitive impairments the Addenbrooke’s MMSE can be used by physicians (Lonie, Tireney and Ebmeier, 2009). The MMSE will test for five domains consisting of the patient’s orientation, memory, attention, language and praxis (Ham, 2007).

Assessment of a patient’s functional status will include domains of psychological, physical and socioeconomic status. It is used to determine if the patient is having any functional disability that is being caused by a cognitive impairment (Ham, 2007). This assessment can be more difficult to perform in a primary care environment because it requires information from someone close to the patient to determine their baseline for comparing with the present functional performance. It helps determine the capacity of the patient for living independently and self care.

The suspected dementia patient should also be assessed for other medical conditions that can begin with a structured interview with the patient or a reliable informant to understand their past medical history. Laboratory tests can be done to find for medical illnesses that can contribute to cognitive impairment. Physical examination is also done to determine presence of neurological conditions that can suggest disorders like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. The types of medications taken by the patient should also be examined to identify drugs that are sedative or having anti-cholinergic side effects (Ham, 2007).

Patients are also assessed for physical and psychological behavioral problems. Their physical behavioral changes can include aggression, restlessness and wandering. Psychological changes associated with dementia are hallucinations, delusions, anxiety and sleeplessness (Krishnamoorthy, Prince and Cummings, 2010). It may be difficult to administer these assessment tests directly on the patient and gathering the data from family members or a reliable informant may be necessary. Since symptoms of dementia are progressive over time, a longitudinal monitoring of the patients with regular reassessments will also be required to access the progression of their condition and to review the treatment.

Managing behavioral symptoms of dementia

Although extensive research has been done on dementia, an effective form of treatment is yet to be found (Terpening, Hodges and Cordato, 2011). However, evidence from studies show that early diagnosis of dementia during its mild or early stage of cognitive decline enables for a more effective patient care plan. Non- pharmaceutical interventions are used to improve the cognitive outcomes of patients (Naismith, Glazier, Burke, et al, 2009). Such early intervention helps to improve patient and caregiver’s quality of life. It also delays a patient’s transition from their home to an institutional care (Gitlin, Kales and Lyketsos, 2012).

The cores features of behavioral symptoms in dementia are wandering, repetitive speech and disturbed sleep (Krishnamoorthy, Prince and Cummings, 2010). If these behaviors are not addressed and treated quickly, the progression of dementia becomes accelerated resulting in worsened quality of life and functional decline. The use of systematic screening for the detection of behavioral symptoms is a vital prevention strategy that enables early treatment for behavioral symptoms through the identification of underlying causes and tailored treatment plan (Gitlin, Kales and Lyketsos, 2012).

The recommended first line of treatment for dementia is often non-pharmacologic (Freeman and Joska, 2012) because the existing pharmacologic treatments have notable risks and only have modest effectiveness. These medications are not able to offer effective treatment for patient behaviors that are distressing to caregivers. Types of non-pharmaceutical treatment that can be provided include providing support and education for caregiver, problem solving training and therapy that is targeted at specific behavior’s underlying causes. Such non-pharmaceutical intervention helps to enhance the satisfaction and quality of life for both patient and the caregiver (Gitlin, Kales and Lyketsos, 2012).

Managing psychological symptoms of dementia

Psychological symptoms that are associated with dementia include hallucination, delusions, anxiety and sleeplessness (Krishnamoorthy, Prince and Cummings, 2010). Antipsychotic medication developed for psychotic disorders have been found to be useful for management of psychological symptoms in dementia like depression, psychotic issues, mood disorder and delirium. The judicious use of these antipsychotic drugs for treating symptoms of dementia has the support from research studies (Grossberg, Jarvik, Meyers and Sadavoy, 2004).

Depression can exacerbate functional and cognitive decline, increase mortality, impair quality of patient’s life and increase the burden of caregiver. Treatment of dementia with depression includes use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. However the response to treatment may take longer that normal adult recovery. A high level of co-morbidity is also found between symptoms of anxiety and depression. Although there are limited guidelines for treatment of anxiety in dementia patients, clinicians recommend the use of antidepressants (Freeman and Joska, 2012). However, their use is cautioned against the risks of other side effects. Use of antipsychotic drugs is recommended for treatment of psychotic condition like hallucinations and delusions in dementia patients (Woodrow, Colbert and Smith, 2010). Selection of drugs used must weigh the individual need of patient against its benefit and risk profiles. Dementia patients can experience sleep disorders due to reversal of day-night or Rapid Eye Movement (REM). It is also found that people will require less sleep as they grow older. Intervention using anti-depressants has been found to help dementia patients will sleep problems. However use of benzodiazepines is strictly not recommended due to possible cognitive side effects (Freeman and Joska, 2012). Psycho education also helps to address sleep disturbances by better management of daily routine, sleep hygiene and avoiding daytime naps.

Conclusion

Dementia is a condition that is associated with memory impairment along with multiple cognitive declines. Although it is more common among aged patients, symptoms of dementia can also be found in young people. The incidence of dementia is expected to quadruple by the middle of this century and place additional burden on existing healthcare systems. Best practices guideline for the identification and assessment of dementia are available through standards like DVM-IV-TR or MMSE. DVM-IV-TR lists major etiological categories that cause dementia whereas the MMSE is used to assess cognitive impairments. Clinical assessment of dementia will include evaluation of cognitive status, functional status, medical condition, behavioral changes and psychological symptoms. A multidisciplinary approach is used to manage the symptoms of dementia. Behavioral symptoms are addressed by early detection to identify underlying causes and plan effective treatment. The first line of treatment for dementia is non pharmaceutical. It involves providing training to enhance the satisfaction and quality of life for caregiver and the patient. Psychological symptoms of dementia are often managed using medication. Anti depressant drugs are used for anxiety and depression whereas antipsychotic drugs are used for hallucination and delusion. However the drug prescription should weigh the medication’s benefit and risk profiles against the individual needs of the patient.

References

Cayton, H., 2008. Alzheimer’s and other dementias: Answers at your fingertips. London: Class Publishing Limited.

Chang, E. and Johnson, A.,2008. Chronic Illness and disability: Principles for nursing practice. Australia: Elsevier.

Corrada, M. M., Brookmeyer, R., Paganini-Hill, A., Berlau, D. And Kawas, C. H., 2010. Dementia incidence continues to increase with age in the oldest old: the 90+ study. Annals of Neurology, 67 (1), pp. 114 -121.

Freeman, C. and Joska, J., 2012. Management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Continuing Medical Education, 30 (4), pp. 110 – 113.

Gitlin, L. N., Kales, H. C. and Lyketsos, C. G., 2012. Non-pharmacologic management of behavioral symptoms in dementia. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 308 (19), pp. 2020 – 2029.

Grossberg, G. T., Jarvik, L. F., Meyers, B. S. and Sadavoy, J., 2004. Comprehensive textbook of geriatric psychiatry. US: Norton Professional Books.

Ham. R. J., 2007. Primary care geriatrics: A case-based approach. US: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Kohsaka, A., 2012. Aging and economic growth potentials in the Pacific Region. US: Routledge.

Krishnamoorthy, E. S., Prince, M. J. and Cummings, J. L., 2010. Dementia: A Global Approach, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Lonie, J. A., Tireney, K. M and Ebmeier, K. P., 2009. Screening for mild cognitive Impairment: A systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24, pp. 902 – 915.

Miller, C., 2009. Nursing for wellness of older adults. China: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Naismith, S., Glazier, N., Burke, D. et al., 2009. Early intervention in cognitive decline: Is there a role for multiple medical or behavioral interventions? Early Intervention Psychiatry, 3, pp. 19 – 27.

Payton, G., 2009. A caregiver’s journey: Dealing with the aspects of dementia. US: Xlibris Corporation.

Sue, D. and Sue, D. W. and Sue, S., 2008, Understanding Abnormal Behavior. US: Cengage Learning.

Terpening, Z., Cordato, N., Hepner, I, et al., 2011. Utility of the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination: Revised for the diagnosis of dementia syndromes. Australasian Journal on Aging, 30, 113 – 118.

Terpening, Z., Hodges, J. R. and Cordato, N. J., 2011. Towards evidence – based dementia screening in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 194 (2), pp. 60 – 61.

Weiner, M. F. and Lipton, A. M., 2008. The Dementias: Diagnosis, Treatment and Research. US: American Psychiatric Publications.

Woodrow, R., Colbert, B. J. and Smith, D. M., 2010. Essentials of pharmacology for health occupations. US: Cengage Learning.

Zarit, S. H., Blazer, D., Orrell, M. and Woods,B., 2008. Throwing down the gauntlet, Can we do better than the MMSE? Aging and Mental Health, 12, pp. 411 – 412.

Demand schedule for ice cream cones

Macro Economics

The graph depicting the supply and demand for ice cream cones will usually depend on the supply schedule and demand schedule for the ice cream cones. It is with the demand and supply schedules that the equilibrium price and quantity of the ice cream cones will become established (Henderson, 2004). The demand schedule for ice cream cones indicates a table showing the quantity of ice cream cones demanded at a given price. Therefore, this helps to determine what charge an individual is likely to pay for demanding a given quantity of ice cream cones. The illustration that follows shows a table depicting the demand schedule for ice cream cones. The price for ice cream cones is in dollars. This will be associated with buyers of ice cream cones.

Demand schedule for ice cream cones

Price of Ice cream cones (p) Quantity of ice cream cones demanded (Qd)

0.5 45

1.0 40

1.5 35

2.0 30

2.5 25

3.0 20

3.5 15

4.0 10

On the other hand, a supply schedule for ice cream cones indicates the price charge for every quantity of ice cream cone supplied. It is with the supply schedule for the ice cream cones that an individual is capable of determining the price he will earn by supplying a certain quantity of ice cream cones. This will usually become associated with sellers or suppliers of ice cream cones. The following table shows the supply schedule for ice cream cones.

Supply schedule for ice cream cones

Price of ice cream cones (p) Quantity of ice cream cones supplied (Qs)

0.5 4

1.0 8

1.5 12

2.0 16

2.5 18

3.0 20

3.5 22

4.0 24

From the supply and demand schedules, it is possible to come up with the supply and demand curves for ice cream cones. The intersection of the two curves will indicate the equilibrium price and quantity (Mankiw, 1998). At equilibrium, the quantity of ice creams supplied will be equal to the quantity of ice cream cones demanded. The following graph indicates the demand and supply of ice cream cones and the subsequent equilibrium price and quantity standing at $ 3 and 20 units respectively.

PriceSupply curve

4.0

A

3.0E

B

2.0

1.0

Demand curve

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Quantity

Point E indicates the equilibrium. At this point, quantity supplied equals quantity demanded, and the price of ice cream cones at this point is $3.

Consumer surplus depicts the difference between the entire amount, which consumers are willing and have the ability to pay for a commodity and the actual amount, which they pay for the commodity (Mankiw & Taylor, 2006). In the case above, the market price indicates what consumers actually pay for ice cream cones while the demand curve indicates the total amount, which consumers are willing and capable of paying. Therefore, area A represents the consumer surplus since it falls above the prevailing market charge for ice cream cones. On the other hand, producer surplus depicts the difference between the total amount that producers are willing and capable of charging in order to supply a commodity, and the actual amount that they receive for the commodity (Mankiw & Taylor, 2006). In the case above, producers can only charge a maximum of $ 3 as provided by the prevailing market. Therefore, area B represents the producer surplus since it falls under the charge of $ 3.

References

Henderson, D.H. (2004). Supply and Demand. New York: Prentice Hall.

Mankiw, N. G. (1998). Principles of microeconomics. Fort Worth: The Dryden Press.

Mankiw, N. G., & Taylor, M. P. (2006). Economics. London: Thomson.

Demand and Supply of Malabar Gold and diamond

Demand and Supply of Malabar Gold and diamond

Name

Affiliation Executive Summary

To start with, the diamond industry has an exceptionally high focus, which Malabar Gold and diamond controls all of South African creation and all deals through its own auxiliary (CSO), in London, amid the time of Rhodes. Second, Malabar Gold and diamond is the value pioneer. The purchasers have no privilege to deal with Malabar Gold and diamond. Despite the fact that, the quantity of sight holders has diminished from more or less 350 in the 1970s to 120 in the 1990s, and the quantity of shareholders was under 100 in 2014 (Simoni, Rabino & Zanni, 2010). The image below shows the image of diamond demand and supply.

Image 1

INCLUDEPICTURE “http://www.diamonds.net/Magazine/FilesRep/Gallery/MR_July%20RDR%206_070509.JPG” * MERGEFORMATINET

Third, Malabar Gold and diamond makes agreeable social connections between members of the cartel, which is advantage for its long haul advancement. From these three separate periods, it demonstrates that Malabar Gold and diamond keeps the idea of maintainable advancement whether in the past or later on.

Introduction

The greatest open door is the UAE market, which has the greatest utilization capacity. Despite the fact that Malabar Gold and diamond by implication offer diamonds to the UAE business sector, its benefit is still separated by mediators, who are the way to maintain a strategic distance from the strict UAE laws. The current travel deals techniques have turned into a vital obstruction of budgetary increment for Malabar Gold and diamond. A sensible way to deal with stay away from the UAE law could productively advantage the money related increment for Malabar Gold and diamond later on.

Another open door is creating nations, particularly China and United Arab Emirates. These nations have been encountering riches increment and idea redesign. A decent notice may influence new era to acknowledge the estimation of diamonds. Once the necessary origination for diamond wedding has been made, consolidated with the expanding riches amid these potential nations, this opportunity must turn into another development point for Malabar Gold and diamond (Nyame & Grant, 2012). At long last, after the advancement of society, there is an expanding number of social issues expected to be understood particularly in the diamond creating nations. As a noteworthy way to deal with make notoriety, CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) reflects more specifically and obviously the commitment to society, particularly for the customers.

Image 2

INCLUDEPICTURE “http://www.diamondsinafrica.com/catalog/view/theme/dia/image/historical_prices.jpg” * MERGEFORMATINET

The rollercoaster direction of the diamond market lately hinted at directing in 2013 with 2-4 percent development at each point along the worth chain. Looking ahead to the following decade, the viewpoint ought to stay solid, the length of the business can venture up its emphasis on driving request and maintaining a positive picture for the business. Nonetheless, macroeconomic vulnerabilities, coupled with industry difficulties, including waning access to financing – one of the greatest obstacles confronting the diamond esteem chain’s center market– could affect future development; this as indicated by the fourth yearly worldwide diamond industry report, Diamonds: Timeless Gems in a Changing World, grew by Bain & Company and the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC).

Bain’s examination discovered the diamond business’ development a year ago was focused essentially in the UAE , China and United Arab Emirates. The UAE affirmed its position as the world’s driving diamond retail market, fueled by financial development of give or take 2 percent – a huge change from the 1.6 percent decrease posted amid and quickly after the worldwide monetary emergency. In the meantime, United Arab Emirates and China kept on commanding the cutting, cleaning, and gems producing divisions, separately.

In spite of the business’ bounce back, determined macroeconomic instabilities are prodding inquiries around diamond request elements in these businesses and around the world.

The financial tops and valleys that the worldwide diamond business sector experienced in the course of the most recent couple of years are unfaltering, in any event for now, yet the business can’t bear to get excessively agreeable,” said Olya Linde, lead creator of the worldwide diamond industry report and a Bain accomplice. “Macroeconomics, alongside different elements – financing, advertising difficulties, undisclosed manufactured diamonds, ecological concerns, social mindfulness, and even nation particular inclination – hinders a simple, straight way to supported diamond industry development over the long haul.

Bain foresees that starting in 2019 the worldwide diamond business sector is ready to experience a broadening crevice of up to 5-6 rate focuses, because of waning diamond supply and expanded interest drove by extending riches and a developing working class in created and creating nations alike. Bain is exclusive estimating strategy suspect’s harsh diamond interest to develop at a normal yearly rate of 4-5 percent throughout the following decade in accordance with noteworthy patterns:

UAE – Diamond utilization in the UAE is required to proceed with its current bounce back pattern of the previous couple of years, before focalizing with its recorded long haul development rate in accordance with GDP and extra cash development, which is relied upon to develop in the scope of 2-3 percent throughout the following decade.

China – Expansion of China’s white collar class, a rising urban populace and a spike in individual riches ought to help the diamond adornments business sector support solid development. Diamond interest is relied upon to twofold by 2024. In United Arab Emirates, a resuscitated economy and a white-collar class that is required to grow 2.8 times by 2024 will convey high single-digit development for the nation’s diamond market.

The supply standpoint for unpleasant diamonds over the same time period will grow in accordance with the arranged decrease in worldwide generation levels. Bain foresees worldwide supply will develop, overall, 3.5- 4 percent amid 2013-2019 and afterward decay by 1.5-2 percent through 2024, as a consequence of maturing mines and a movement to underground mining. The report gauges supply will achieve 163 million carats in 2019, which is underneath the precrisis generation of 177 million carats in 2005, dropping to 163 million carats in 2008.

Notwithstanding tending to the developing inlet between diamond supply and interest, the industry confronts a few issues that will likewise impact the future standpoint and advancement for the business – the most noteworthy of which is declining accessibility of financing, especially for the center business sector, which incorporates brokers, cutters and polishers, and, to a certain degree, gems producers.

Image 3: Price of Diamond

INCLUDEPICTURE “http://riograndeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/demand.supply.chart_.jpg” * MERGEFORMATINET

In the midst of a recently wary and obliged environment brought on by expanded getting, the industry’s rising credit danger and more tightly bank regulations, numerous conventional diamond banks have diminished their introduction to the business. Now and again they are lessening the rate of stones financed from 100 percent to 70-75 percent. Therefore, a time of deleveraging could hit with accessible levels of financing diving by as much as $3 billion in the medium term. For all partners to catch the opportunities made by the anticipated development of the diamond market throughout the following decade, banks must change the way they work together. In the short- to medium-term, this incorporates expanding straightforwardness of the reporting and stock for the center business section, presenting new and more secure items, and upgrading collaboration between conventional business banks and diamond banks,” said Ms. Linde.

Conclusion

The report likewise distinguishes three extra key difficulties that are essential in characterizing the long haul viewpoint for the business’ improvement. These include: maintaining the passionate request, and consequently, the interest for diamonds; securing long haul access to diamonds – especially for diamond adornments players – as long haul supply decreases; and characterizing the part that engineered diamonds ought to play in the business. The Antwerp World Diamond Center is glad to contribute for the fourth time to an exhaustive report, furnishing worldwide partners with an understanding into the condition of the worldwide diamond industry and its future patterns,” said Ari Epstein, CEO of AWDC. Similar to other worldwide businesses, the diamond area is defied with difficulties, while being centered around conveying on future open doors,” said Stephane Fischler, AWDC President. “In spite of an all around created purchaser society with regards to diamonds, our industry must verify we comprehend and make an association with the new era of customers and location their needs and desires. We are likewise seeing the ascent of mechanical progressions, which have an impressive effect on the elements of the diamond pipeline and are a colossal open door for those enthusiasts.

References

Heyne, Paul; Boettke, Peter J.; Prychitko, David L. (2014). The Economic Way of Thinking (13th ed.). Pearson.  HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number” o “International Standard Book Number” ISBN  HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-13-299129-2” o “Special:BookSources/978-0-13-299129-2” 978-0-13-299129-2.

https://www.malabargoldanddiamonds.com

Mankiw, G (2007). Principles of Economics. South-Western Cengage Learning. p. 470.  HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number” o “International Standard Book Number” ISBN  HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-324-22472-6” o “Special:BookSources/978-0-324-22472-6” 978-0-324-22472-6.

Nyame, F. K., & Grant, J. A. (2012). From carats to karats: explaining the shift from diamond to gold mining by artisanal miners in Ghana. Journal of Cleaner Production, 29, 163-172.

Simoni, C., Rabino, S., & Zanni, L. (2010). Italian and Indian gold and diamondry SMEs, marketing practices in the USA: A comparative case study. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 17(3), 403-417.

Demand and Supply Curve for Tuna Fish

Name:

Class:

Date:

Q3.3 Demand and Supply Curve for Tuna Fish

From the question, increased demand for Tuna Fish fueled by Americans, Europeans and Chinese who are switching to more healthy sources of protein causes a rightward shift in the demand curve. At the same time, in the labor market for fishermen, the increased number of vessels and fishermen represents a movement along the supply curve. This is primarily because a movement along the supply curve occurs when the price of the good changes and quantity supplied changes in line with the original supply relationship. If any of the factors affecting supply of vessels or labor market changed then the supply curve would shift either side (Arnold, 2013).

If people discover that tuna has heavy concentrations of mercury the fish labor market would suffer. Though price has been increasing due to healthy consciousness about tuna fish as a rich source of protein, this discovery would drastically lower the quantity demanded causing leftward shift in demand curve from D1 to D2. Thereby, the quantity demanded for the fish would lower because of deadly effects of mercury in food which also see price lower from p1 to p2. The supply curve would remain the same and quantity of labor and vessels supplied would move along the curve. If there is no remedy, the entire tuna market would collapse unless fishermen go fishing is safe waters where there are no contaminated fish.

Q 4.1: Price Ceiling in Argentina’s Electricity Market

With increase in demand for electricity in urban and rural areas with a price ceiling, it would put an upward pressure on price of electricity to increase and utility companies would require funds to expand their capacity to meet increasing demand (Q1) at lower and cheap prices (Po). Since there is an incentive to buy air conditioners to cool the houses, power blackouts would continue to increase more in urban areas than in rural areas. The difference arises because more urban centres are connected to power and residents have more disposable incomes to purchase air conditioners. In its worse form as inflation bites, utility companies would have to produce lower units of power at prevailing prices further increasing power blackouts. The supply curve would shift to the left resulting into lower units of power output (Q2) but because of the price ceiling the price remains the same instead of increasing as would have been the case under free market.

Q 4.5: Price of entrees/ dinner during recession and during economic boom

If the restaurant management is seeking less-price conscious clientele, it would therefore mean that during an economic boom, the target clients would have more disposable income and therefore willing to spend extra cash on the same quantity to enjoy a leisurely dinner at the restaurant. Likelihood of the management to increase prices under economic boom would depend on price elasticity of demand among the target customers. If the elasticity of demand is more that unity, then it would mean that a unit change in price would result into more than one unit change in quantity demanded. On the other hand, if elasticity is less that unitary, then a unit change in price would result into less than a unit change in quantity demanded (Landsburg, 2011).

Therefore, in this case because the assumption is that target clientele is less price sensitive, then it means that price elasticity of demand is less than unitary. As a result, if the management decides to increase prices during an economic boom, then a unit change (increase) in price would result in less than a unit change (reduction) in quantity demanded (or number of clients). The resultant effect is that total revenue would increase more than before the original status because change from P0 – P1> Q0 – Q1. This therefore would let the management to allow customers to eat a leisurely dinner because they will have covered their costs and accrue more revenue. In addition, the ambience that comes with the restaurant having fewer customers would attract more customers who are less price sensitive and will to pay extra penny to get the leisure.

Q 10.8: Television service

With satellite television technology it implies that news content can be broadcast from a central location to the rest of the world with minimal cost. Since more people will pay for the service, revenues will be more than cost implying that the marginal cost of production will be lower. In addition the fixed costs associated with acquisition and installation of services will be spread over several users resulting into lower average fixed cost (AFC). With lower average cost, marginal cost and average fixed cost the break-even point for US TV shows would definitely have to be lower.

Satellite technology unlike cable technology has lower costs in terms of acquisition and maintenance. With cable technology one has to lay cables and incur huge maintenance costs. With lower cost for satellite TV companies would have an incentive to go small but niche markets all over the US. The increased revenue streams from the numerous niche markets with limited cost would result into lower breakeven point.

Q18.14: Managing negative externalities efficiently.

Negative externality is the imposition of a cost to other parties not involved in the transaction or activities (Sexton, 2011). In this case, negative externality exists in that the method used to get rid of the skunk will result into noise making to the neighbors and the skunk will end up in a neighbor’s residence who will also incur a cost to remove the animal. If the neighbors don’t unite and engage the reluctant city government on how remove the skunk permanently out of the suburbs, the neighborhood would become noisy and smelly making less attractive.

Some of the efficient way in the short run to address the problem of negative externality is to negotiate with the pest control company to remove the skunk out of the suburb permanently and all the neighbors contribute to pay the firm for the service. This would ensure that neighbors don’t spend their nights under noisy radio and bright lights shining over their houses. In the long run, the neighbors can negotiate with city government to give subsidies or tax relief to companies that offer such services. This will help to lower the costs of dealing with negative externality and offer an incentive for the neighbors to continue engaging the pest control company in future.

Work cited

Arnold, Rogers. Micro-economics, 11th ed. Manson: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2013, Print.

Landsburg, Steven. Price Theory and Application, 8th ed. Manson. South-Western Cengage Learning, 2011, Print.

Sexton, Robert. Exploring Economics, 6th Ed. Manson: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2011, Print.

Delta Analysis On 1999 Bridge Creek OK F5 Tornado

Delta Analysis On 1999 Bridge Creek OK F5 Tornado

Prevention- Shape the Battlefield

The United States has the top occurrence of tornadoes of any country in the world. Over the decade, an average of 1,200 tornadoes struck across the continental United States. Practically a third of these tornadoes happen in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, a region recognized as “Tornado Alley”. This is the region where environment conditions combine for the period of the springtime and early summer for the development of super cell tornadoes and thunderstorms. Over 55% of a year’s tornadoes take place between the months of April and June, when cold dry air from Canada collides with hot moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. These factors, when combined with a storm system, generate strong to severe thunderstorms and, in some cases, tornadoes.

HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/childcaresafety/posts/521989571182654” t “_blank” o “Video Footage of Moore Oklahoma Tornado”Tornadoes can attack quickly so it is imperative to monitor the weather closely incase of any type of storm activity. Alerts are issued by The United States National Weather Survey during storms to notify people of the possibility of a tornado forming. Close monitoring these broadcasts and comprehending what the various alerts mean can assist you respond rapidly and appropriately.

The term Tornado Watch means the Current weather conditions are perfect for the development and formation of a tornado. Boost weather monitoring and get ready to seek shelter immediately

Tornado Warning means that a tornado is taking place someplace in the area or a tornado touchdown is about to happen. This is normally when a tornado siren sounds. Look for shelter immediately and hang around until weather stations broadcast it is safe to exit.

Preparation- CONOPS, Assets & Infrastructure

Be prepared! Many times the biggest victims to tornado deaths injuries and is failure to react to warnings. Unprepared people are often caught unaware by tornadoes and lack enough time to seek appropriate shelter or warn their neighbors about approaching tornadoes. In order to prevent these following tips should be followed.

Formulate a plan for your organization incase of a tornado. The plans vary greatly depending on place, type or organization, as well as what is happening during the tornado strikes, but all the plans comprise the following:

Identified and marked shelter areas when tornado strikes

A program of when drills and worker training will occur

Put in order tornado relief kits (water, battery power flashlights, food, blankets, radio, etc.)

notify members of tornado disaster procedures

Train staff on how to help guests and what to do in the process of a tornado. Employees should be taught on what areas to look for for guests, where the secure areas are depending on their area, and how to be in touch with other staff.

Be familiar with your community’s warning system. Depending on your location your warning system may vary from somewhere else. It is vital to be acquainted with what the system is in order to respond immediately.

Situate all electrical, gas, and water on/off switches and ensure all employees are familiar with their positions and the correct procedures for shutting them off. This step is essential because after a harsh storm or tornado gas discharges can result in flare-ups, water leaks can cause additional damage, and the power that is left on can cause electrocutions.

Check radio and television for information. Radio and television monitoring for stormy weather is always good, particularly if any outside activities are planned. It is significant to augment the rate of monitoring when thunderstorms are forecasted or skies appear threatening.

In order to receive warnings it’s good to have a NOAA Weather Radio that has a warning alarm. These devices are triggered during harsh weather and turn and sound an alarm instantly once distress call or watch is issued.

Ensure that chosen tornado shelters are accessible and clear. Normally these designated spaces are used for storage of other items.

Surveillance- Scope, Sensitivity, Reliability, Security & Cycle Time

Generally, a disaster occurs when the local emergency response system’s means for managing and coordinating a response are overwhelmed and require outside intervention to succeed. There for state, federal, local government and private response agencies must become involved in the relief effort. Major disasters involve a multitude of different organizations that provide a broad range of resources and services. Unfortunately, the effort to organize a disaster response structure involving multiple public, private, and non-profit agencies is disrupted in a number of unpredictable way

Millions of acres in the United States are affected by wildfires annually. Hundreds of homes and businesses are destroyed by wildfires each year as well as the destruction of wildlife and the ecosystem, and the challenge of wildland fire management is growing. An average of 83,894 wildfires have burned during the past 10 years, an average of 7.4 million acres annually, and more than 74,000 wildfires burned more than 8.7 million acres in the United States in 2011 alone.

Identification- Specificity, Confidence, Immediacy

The strongest tornado ever recorded moved through the Oklahoma City suburbs of Bridge Creek and Moore in the late afternoon hours. This tornado killed 38 people and injured hundreds. A total of 69 tornadoes occurred from this outbreak. The tornado’s path was judged to be more than a mile wide at times. A Doppler radar On Wheels (DOW) team measured a 318 mph wind speed in this tornado, the highest measured wind speed ever recorded within a tornado. The National Weather Service was able to give Moore residents 35 minutes warning lead time on this tornado. Total damages exceeded $1.1 billion in general, planned management insights for disaster organizations responding to a major disaster over an extended geographical area such as a city, county, regions, or states or region can be very complex, and no two situations are ever the same. Major disasters have a low probability of occurring, but when they do, they have devastating consequences. Designing response structures for such events is a difficult task.

II. EXECUTION

Once a warning is issued it is important to act quickly and make sure everyone is accounted for and safely located in the designated tornado shelter area. Depending on where you are when the warning is issued there are varying degrees of safe locations to be in during a tornado. The following instruction is based off recommendations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA, are designed to help individuals determine the safest place to protect themselves.

Tornadoes are one of nature’s most powerful and destructive forces. Here’s some advice on how to prepare for a tornado and what to do if you’re caught in a twister’s path.

Notification- Timely, Robust, Orderly, Functional

• Prepare for tornadoes by gathering emergency supplies including food, water, medications, batteries, flashlights, important documents, road maps, and a full tank of gasoline.

• When a tornado approaches, anyone in its path should take shelter indoors—preferably in a basement or an interior first-floor room or hallway.

• Avoid windows and seek additional protection by getting underneath large, solid pieces of furniture.

• Avoid automobiles and mobile homes, which provide almost no protection from tornadoes.

• Those caught outside should lie flat in a depression or on other low ground and wait for the storm to pass.

Marshalling- Firstest with the Mostestâ

After a tornado, majority of families recover over time, mostly with the support of family, close friends, and organizations. The duration of recovery depends, partly, on how frightened persons were and the level of the damage and loss. A number of families will be capable of going back to their normal everyday life rather quickly, while some will have to contend with mending their damaged homes and possessions, looking for medical care, or facing economic hardship. A number of families will have a dead loved one or a pet. Some will need to adapt to changes in school program or school closings.

Recovery

Children’s functioning is influenced by the way their parents and other care providers manage during and after the tornado. Youngsters often turn to grown-up for information, consolation, and assistance. Children do fine when parents and teachers stay (or at least appear) calm, respond children’s questions truthfully, and answer as best they can to needs.

Human life is affected by Tornadoes in regards to the necessity of being prepared if one occurs where you live. This can comprise having a safe room, basement, storm cellar, etc. It can also have an effect on the community’s reaction, such as siren testing, drills, volunteers, and temporary shelter/food/water in areas like a local school.

The first concern after a disaster should be the family’s health and safety. You should consider possible safety concern and keep an eye on family health and well-being.

Check for injuries. Do not try to move badly injured persons except when they are in danger of death or more injury. If it’s a must for you to move an unconscious individual, first stabilize the back and the neck and then seek assistance immediately.

If the wounded is not breathing, cautiously position the wounded for artificial breathing, clear the airway, and begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Stabilize body temperature with blankets. Ensure the victim doesn’t get overheated. Don’t feed fluids to an unconscious person. Take care of exhaustion. Don’t try to do a lot at once. Set your main concerns and pace yourself. Get sufficient rest. Drink a lot of clean water and also eat well. Wear strong work gloves and boots. Wash your hands carefully with soap and clean water regularly when working in debris. Be alert of new safety issues formed by the disaster. Observe for washed out roads, unhygienic buildings, damaged electrical wiring, unhygienic water, broken glass, gas leaks, and slippery floors. Notify local authorities concerning health and safety issues, as well as, downed power lines, chemical spills, smoldering insulation, washed out roads, and dead animals.

 Contact the local American Red Cross chapter in your residence for information about missing family members. Don’t contact the chapter in the catastrophe area.If you are looking for or reporting information on a missing youngster, please contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Hotline at 1-800-THE- LOST (1-800-843-5678).

The American Red Cross in addition to other volunteer agencies will offer you with water, food, and clothing. Listen in to radio or watch local television for the location of the nearby volunteer agency facility. There are hot water heater is a good source of water. Switch off the power that you use to heat your tank and allow it cool. When you need water, place a container beneath and open the drain tap on the underside of the tank.

 The American Red Cross as well as other volunteer agencies will set up set up shelters for people who have urgent accommodation needs, and cannot go back to their homes. Pay attention to your radio or watch local television for the place of the closest volunteer agency facility. For space and health reasons, pets are not allowed in communal emergency shelters. call the emergency management agency or your home animal shelter or humanitarian society to see if there is a asylum set-up to keep pets in an emergency.

 For those who have extended duration housing needs, FEMA provide several kinds of assistance, consisting of services and grants to assist people renovate their homes and locate replacement housing.

References

Galiano, D. (2000). Tornados. New York: Rosen Pub. Group.

Park, M. (2010). Tornados. Elwood, Vic ; Gosford, N.S.W: Lemonfizz Media ; Scholastic

Torrecilla, J. (1998). Tornados. Madrid: Ediciones Lengua de Trapo.