Biography of Akbar the Great, Emperor of Mughal India

Biography of Akbar the Great, Emperor of Mughal India Akbar the Great (Oct. 15, 1542–Oct. 27, 1605) was a 16th-century Mughal (Indian) emperor famed for his religious tolerance, empire-building, and patronage of the arts. Fast Facts: Akbar the Great Known For: Mughal ruler famed for his religious tolerance, empire-building, and patronage of the artsAlso Known As: Abul-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, Akbar I  Born:  Oct. 15, 1542 in Umerkot,  Rajputana  (present-day  Sindh,  Pakistan)Parents: Humayun, Hamida Banu BegumDied: Oct. 27, 1605 in Fatehpur Sikri,  Agra,  Mughal Empire  (present-day  Uttar Pradesh,  India)Spouse(s): Salima Sultan Begum, Mariam-uz-Zamani, Qasima Banu Begum, Bibi Daulat Shad, Bhakkari Begu, Gauhar-un-Nissa BegumNotable Quote: As most men are fettered by bonds of tradition, and by imitating ways followed by their fathers...everyone continues, without investigating their arguments and reasons, to follow the religion in which he was born and educated, thus excluding himself from the possibility of ascertaining the truth, which is the noblest aim of the human intellect. Therefore we associate at convenient seasons with learned men of all religions, thus deriving profit from their exquis ite discourses and exalted aspirations. Early Life Akbar was born to the second Mughal Emperor Humayun and his teenaged bride Hamida Banu Begum on Oct. 14, 1542, in Sindh, now part of Pakistan. Although his ancestors included both Genghis Khan and Timur (Tamerlane), the family was on the run after losing Baburs newly-established empire. Humayan would not regain northern India until 1555. With his parents in exile in Persia, little Akbar was raised by an uncle in Afghanistan, with help from a series of nursemaids. He practiced key skills like hunting but never learned to read (possibly due to a learning disability). Nonetheless, throughout his life, Akbar had texts on philosophy, history, religion, science, and other topics read to him, and he could recite long passages of what he heard from memory. Akbar Takes Power In 1555, Humayan died just months after retaking Delhi. Akbar ascended the Mughal throne at the age of 13 and became Shahanshah (King of Kings). His regent was Bayram Khan, his childhood guardian and an outstanding warrior/statesman. The young emperor almost immediately lost Delhi once more to the Hindu leader Hemu. However, in November 1556, Generals Bayram Khan and Khan Zaman I defeated Hemus much larger army at the Second Battle of Panipat. Hemu himself was shot through the eye as he rode into battle atop an elephant; the Mughal army captured and executed him. When he came of age at 18, Akbar dismissed the increasingly overbearing Bayram Khan and took direct control of the empire and army. Bayram was ordered to make the hajj- or pilgrimage- to Mecca, but he instead started a rebellion against Akbar. The young emperors forces defeated Bayrams rebels at Jalandhar, in Punjab. Rather than executing the rebel leader, Akbar mercifully allowed his former regent another chance to go to Mecca. This time, Bayram Khan went. Intrigue and Further Expansion Although he was out from under Bayram Khans control, Akbar still faced challenges to his authority from within the palace. The son of his nursemaid, a man called Adham Khan, killed another adviser in the palace after the victim discovered that Adham was embezzling tax funds. Enraged both by the murder and by the betrayal of his trust, Akbar had Adham Khan thrown from the parapets of the castle. From that point forward, Akbar was in control of his court and country, rather than being a tool of palace intrigues. The young emperor set out on an aggressive policy of military expansion, both for geo-strategic reasons and as a way to get troublesome warrior/advisers away from the capital. In the following years, the Mughal army would conquer much of northern India (including what is now Pakistan) and Afghanistan. Governing Style In order to control his vast empire, Akbar instituted a highly efficient bureaucracy. He appointed mansabars, or military governors, over the various regions; these governors answered directly to him. As a result, he was able to fuse the individual fiefdoms of India into a unified empire that would survive until 1868. Akbar was personally courageous, willing to lead the charge in battle. He also enjoyed taming cheetahs and elephants. This courage and self-confidence allowed Akbar to initiate novel policies in government and stand by them over objections from more conservative advisers and courtiers. Matters of Faith and Marriage From an early age, Akbar was raised in a tolerant milieu. Although his family was Sunni, two of his childhood tutors were Persian Shias. As an emperor, Akbar made the Sufi concept of Sulh-e-Kuhl, or peace to all, a founding principle of his law. Akbar displayed remarkable respect for his Hindu subjects and their faith. His first marriage in 1562 was to Jodha Bai, or Harkha Bai, a Rajput princess from Amber. As did the families of his later Hindu wives, her father and brothers joined Akbars court as advisers, equal in rank to his Muslim courtiers. In total, Akbar had 36 wives of various ethnic and religious backgrounds. Probably even more important to his ordinary subjects, Akbar in 1563 repealed a special tax placed on Hindu pilgrims who visited sacred sites, and in 1564 he completely repealed the jizya, or yearly tax on non-Muslims. What he lost in revenue by these acts, he more than regained in good-will from the Hindu majority of his subjects. Even beyond the practical realities of ruling an enormous, predominantly Hindu empire with just a small band Muslim elite, however, Akbar himself had an open and curious mind on questions of religion. As he mentioned to Philip II of Spain in his letter, he loved to meet with learned men and women of all faiths to discuss theology and philosophy. From the female Jain guru Champa to Portuguese Jesuit priests, Akbar wanted to hear from them all. Foreign Relations As Akbar solidified his rule over northern India and began to extend his power south and west to the coast, he became aware of the new Portuguese presence there. Although the initial Portuguese approach to India had been all guns blazing, they soon realized that they were no match militarily for the Mughal Empire on land. The two powers made treaties, under which the Portuguese were allowed to maintain their coastal forts, in exchange for promises not to harass Mughal ships that set out from the west coast carrying pilgrims to Arabia for the hajj. Interestingly, Akbar even formed an alliance with the Catholic Portuguese to punish the Ottoman Empire, which controlled the Arabian Peninsula at that time. The Ottomans were concerned that the huge numbers of pilgrims flooding into Mecca and Medina each year from the Mughal Empire were overwhelming the resources of the holy cities, so the Ottoman sultan rather firmly requested that Akbar quit sending people on the hajj. Outraged, Akbar asked his Portuguese allies to attack the Ottoman navy, which was blockading the Arabian Peninsula. Unfortunately for him, the Portuguese fleet was completely routed off of Yemen. This signaled the end of the Mughal/Portuguese alliance. Akbar maintained more enduring relations with other empires, however. Despite the Mughal capture of Kandahar from the Persian Safavid Empire in 1595, for example, those two dynasties had cordial diplomatic ties throughout Akbars rule. The Mughal Empire was such a rich and important potential trading partner that various European monarchs sent emissaries to Akbar as well, including Elizabeth I of England and Henry IV of France. Death In October 1605, the 63-year-old Emperor Akbar suffered a serious bout of dysentery. After a three-week illness, he passed away at the end of that month. The emperor was buried in a beautiful mausoleum in the royal city of Agra. Legacy Akbars legacy of religious toleration, firm but fair central control, and liberal tax policies that gave commoners a chance to prosper established a precedent in India that can be traced forward in the thinking of later figures such as Mohandas Gandhi. His love of art led to the fusion of Indian and Central Asian/Persian styles that came to symbolize the height of Mughal achievement, in forms as varied as miniature painting and grandiose architecture. This fusion would reach its absolute apex under Akbars grandson Shah Jahan, who designed and had built the world-famous Taj Mahal. Perhaps most of all, Akbar the Great showed the rulers of all nations everywhere that tolerance is not a weakness, and open-mindedness is not the same as indecisiveness. As a result, he is honored more than four centuries after his death as one of the greatest rulers in human history. Sources Alam, Muzaffar and Sanjay Subrahmanyam. The Deccan Frontier and Mughal Expansion, ca. 1600: Contemporary Perspectives, Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, Vol. 47, No. 3 (2004).Habib, Irfan. Akbar and Technology, Social Scientist, Vol. 20, No. 9/10 (Sept.-Oct. 1992).Richards, John F. The Mughal Empire, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1996).Smith, Vincent A. Akbar the Great Mogul, 1542-1605, Oxford: Clarendon Press (1919).

Liquidity - Dictionary Definition of Liquidity

Liquidity - Dictionary Definition of Liquidity Liquidity refers to how quickly and cheaply an asset can be converted into cash. Money (in the form of cash) is the most liquid asset. Assets that generally can only be sold after a long exhaustive search for a buyer are known as illiquid. Terms related to Liquidity: Liquidity TrapLiquidity ConstraintThe Keynes Effect Resources on Liquidity: What Happens if Interest Rates Go To Zero?What is Money? Writing a Term Paper or High School / College Essay? Here are a few starting points for research on Liquidity: Books on Liquidity Financial crises, liquidity, and the international monetary system - Jean Tirole, Princeton, and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2002.Cash flow forecasting and liquidity - Brian Coyle, Chicago, Ill. : New York: Glenlake Pub. Co., 2000.Managing corporate liquidity - Chicago: New York: Glenlake Pub., 1999 (2nd edition). Journal Articles on Liquidity Order Imbalance, Liquidity, and Market Returns - Tarun Chordia, Journal of Financial Economics v65, n1 (July 2002): 111-30.Domestic and International Supply of Liquidity - Bengt Holstrom, American Economic Review v92, n2 (May 2002): 42-45.Bank Bailouts and Aggregate Liquidity - Douglas W. Diamond, American Economic Review v92, n2 (May 2002): 38-41.A Dual Liquidity Model for Emerging Markets - Ricardo J. Caballero, American Economic Review v92, n2 (May 2002): 33-37.Liquidity Risk and Specialness - Andrea Buraschi, Journal of Financial Economics v64, n2 (May 2002): 243-84.

Did the psychological support affect the pain of cancer patient and Essay - 1

Did the psychological support affect the pain of cancer patient and cure - Essay Example Cancer patients encounter pain while undergoing their treatment and this may affect them psychologically. Pain is noted to occur to an estimate of 70% of the patients who suffer from advanced cancer. However, research has concluded that there are measures, which can be taken to ensure that the patients manage their pain after treatment. In such cases, the patients are identified as the appraisers of their pain and they are usually encouraged to embark on an active role so that they can effectively manage their pain. A doctor is important in the scenario since they spend time educating the patients and their families on effective measures of minimizing the pain. Cancer patients encounter pain and it prevails based on the emotional context in which it is carried on, Spiegel and Classen (2008). In such cases that involve pain, psychological support is important for individuals especially if the diseases are life threatening. The psychological distress of cancer patients persists based on the clinical courses of illness such as symptom severity, and poor diagnosis, which usually have an effect of psychological welfare. However, the identification of the disease and its treatment are the major steps in the management of psychological distress of the cancer patients. Psychological support is essential on individuals who encounter psychological stress such as cancer patients. Psychological stress happens when individuals suffer from mental and emotional pressure from different diseases. Psychological stress can be because of the daily activities and upset from health conditions. When individuals feel that they cannot manage the effects of cancer, they become distressed. This has been noted to decrease the life span of the cancer patients. In Rosenbaum (2001), it is evident that distress can occur because of poor clinical outcomes. The clinical guidelines enable the doctors to asses the amount of distress on the patients and

Happily Ever After Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Happily Ever After - Essay Example In recent history, a new, rather a distorted definition of marriage has been brought to life that constitutes the inclusion and legalization of same-sex marriages. This wide-acceptance: socially, culturally and physically, has placed the institution of marriage, which has kept society in harmony with nature, in unprecedented danger, and with passing time, it continues to plunge into a void that shall, in near future, overshadow, or rather completely obliterate its existence and meaning. In light of the aforementioned stance, I fully concur with William J. Bennett’s position that gay-marriages are a threat to the institution of marriage and that this growing threat should be contained and eventually eliminated. Although there are numerous reasons that go against the notion of same-sex marriage, but the reason that is first thought of is religion. As mentioned earlier in the paper, when Adam was created by God, a female counterpart, Eve, of Adam was later created by God to give Adam a companion and thus God established balance. The Holy Bible recognizes marriage between man and woman as day and night, both complementing each other. Just as God has maintained equilibrium in every dimension of nature, the institution of marriage is no alien part of nature, hence it should be treated just as it has been ordained. In addition to this, it is God who has ordained marriage as He deemed appropriate, and it is not upon us to interfere with his laws. Consequently, all major religions of the world: Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, etc, concede and preach that marriage is only limited between man and woman, and precludes all other morphed forms of marriage. Pro-marriage activists quote examples of practice of gay marriages in the past, and that many practitioners were Christians and the marriage ceremonies were conducted in churches; this leads them to argue that even religions have shown room for same-sex marriages, but what the activists fail to rea lize is that religion itself is incorruptible, and it is its followers who disobey and deviate from the divine teachings. This establishes that the room created for same-sex marriages in the past was thus created by people themselves on their own account, and that religion itself has no part in it. Furthermore, owing to the sexual revolution that has strengthened its roots in the recent years; the institution of marriage has become potentially weak. The frequent show of themes which project ‘casual sex’ as a natural or normal encounter through movies, pornography, music and television shows has led to the widespread belief among people, primarily the young generation, that extra-marital and intimate relationships outside the bond of wedlock are a part of life. This has ingrained the element of infidelity in people, and the evil of having multiple partners in the impressionable minds of the people; as media has the potent power of manipulating with the psychology of a hu man mind, as a consequence of which societies and cultures have been fashioned into accepting it. Moreover, the beauty and most basic fundamental of marriage is fidelity, although this is not always practiced. One marries because it is deemed worth spending the whole life with the one person he/she loves. While gay marriages, as William J. Bennett argue, promote infidelity; this is destroying an already enfeebled institution. In summary, gay marriage has

Annotated Biblography Essay Example for Free

Annotated Biblography Essay Kristen E. Van Vonderen, M. S. , William Kinnally, Ph. D. (2012), â€Å"Media Effects on Body Image: Examining Media Exposure in the Broader Context of Internal and Other Social Factors†. Volume 14, Issue 2. 41-57. American Communication Journal. Summary: Vonderson and Kinnally’s article discusses the influence media has on women today and the way they see themselves. Being â€Å"overweight† has such negative stigmatism to it that women who are considered to be overweigh feel as though they are unlovable or unsuccessful because they dont look like the women in magazines. They touch on the subject of the influence from parents and peers. Parents who comment on their child’s physical appearance convey body image norms that could lead to negative association with body shape. In the article they also talk about internal influences such as self-esteem and how, in part, it is a reflection of the opinion others hold of you. Analysis: Vonderson and Kinnally’s approach to informing us about how women are portrayed in magazines is both informative and surprising. I, myself being a young women was more than aware of the issue with body image and the media. I personally have thought less of myself after looking through a magazine or watching a movie because of how thin and beautiful those women are. But I was not aware of the many causes that influence women into thinking so negatively. Reflection: This particular article was very informative and helpful towards my research paper topic because it was exactly what I am writing about. Going into this project, I thought I knew quite a bit of information on this topic, but now reading these articles I realize that there is much more to the influence media has on women than I had imagined. Gemma Lopez- Guimera, Micheal P. Levine, David Sanchez-Carracedo, Jordi Fauquet. (2010),† Influence of Mass Media on Body Image and Eating Disordered Attitudes and Behavior in Females: A Review of Effects and Processes†. Media Psychology, 13:387– 416. Print Summary: This article reviews research on the effects of television and magazines on body image and on disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in females. Evidence from different types of studies in the fields of eating disorders, media psychology, health psychology, and mass communication indicates that mass media are an extremely important source of information and reinforcement in relation to the nature of the thin beauty ideal, its importance, and how to attain it. Although considerable research remains to be done, evidence is accumulating that repeated exposure to media and to both direct and indirect (via medias effects on peers, parents, coaches, physicians, etc. ) pressures from media to be thin constitute risk factors for body dissatisfaction, concerns over weight and disordered eating behaviors in adolescent girls and young women. Analysis: I found this article to be both credible and reliable mainly on the fact that it’s research was conducted professionally. The multiple authors of this article are credible because they are head departments of psychology, clinical and health psychology, psychobiology, and methodology of health sciences all from admirable universities all over the world. Reflection: This article help shapes the arguments in my research paper. My research paper is on the topic of mass media and its influence on society and with an article that focuses just on the female aspect of it, it will really help my arguments. So, J. and Nabi, R. (2013), Reduction of Perceived Social Distance as an Explanation for Medias Influence on Personal Risk Perceptions: A Test of the Risk Convergence Model. Human Communication Research, 39: 317–338. Print Summary: The aim of this study was to develop the Perceived Parental Media Mediation Scale (PPMMS). in an initial test of this model, 500 undergraduate students at the University of California, Santa Barbara, participated in an experiment. Participants were exposed to entertainment clips that either portrayed a main character who is diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease or thinks he/she might have caught an STD and gets scared of testing for it. Overall, the risk convergence model received solid support from the data, with all paths emerging as significant except for the link between perceived realism and social distance. Reduction of social distance completely mediated the relationship between identification, transportation and personal risk perceptions, thus suggesting social distance as a valid causal mechanism of the process involving the two variables. Analysis: This article is credible because studies were conducted at multiple universities such as University of Georgia and UC Santa Barbara by experts in the Department of Communications. I found this article to be non biased based on the fact that they had conducted numerous experiments and tests on a large number of students and still found that their risk perception was influenced by the media. Reflection: I found this article to be very helpful with my research paper, being that it was a rather long article with more than enough information explaining medias influence on personal risk perception.

Religious Pluralism in Turkeys Attempt to Become a Secular State :: Politics Political Religion Turkey Papers

Religious Pluralism in Turkey's Attempt to Become a Secular State Religious Pluralism in Turkey: an Overview In 1923, a modern nation-state was forged by the reforms of Mustafa Kemal in the form of the Turkish republic. The Kemalist state sought to remove religion from the public realm by totally separating religion and politics. It was expected that the modernization process would lead to a decline in religious fervor. However, the process has actually moved Muslims into a more public sphere. Today, fundamentalists and secularists are at odds regarding the future of the Turkish state. A fundamental question has evolved out of this struggle: is it possible to impose a secular state in the midst of strong religious pluralism? This is simply a tangent of the age old question is it possible to maintain a rigid separation of religion and politics? Some believe that Turkey has set a model for the Middle Eastern world that should be followed, while others believe that the state needs to address the growing dichotomy that has arisen.1 Islamists v. Secularists Islamists view Islam as a revitalized politico-religious vision and seek to advance its values, ideal, and institutions.2 While some promote a more moderate view, many Islamic Militants use their ideology to encourage political violence. On the other hand, secularists put a great deal of emphasis on the separation of religion and politics. Secular conservatives defend the status-quo, while secular reformists challenge the status-quo through legal means.3 Despite their differences, all secularists in Turkey are becoming increasingly sensitive and aware of the problems of maintaining and developing a secular state within the framework of a Muslim region. The logic of the secularist sensitivity stems from Kemalist ideology. It is extremely important to take into account the history of secularism. That history is well summarized by Hakan M. Yavuz, in his recent article ?The case of Turkey (on secularism & religion)?: ?The history of the contestation between religion and secularism is the story of the struggle between a state-imposed modernization run by a circumscribed Kemalist political elite and a popular resistance that has often assumed a religious cast.? The Kemalists outlawed Islamic identity claims, as well as Kurdish ethnic claims.? Instead of being viewed as a strength, the Ottoman-Islamic tradition of pluralism, tolerance, and cultural diversity was viewed as a debilitating weakness. Religious Pluralism in Turkey's Attempt to Become a Secular State :: Politics Political Religion Turkey Papers Religious Pluralism in Turkey's Attempt to Become a Secular State Religious Pluralism in Turkey: an Overview In 1923, a modern nation-state was forged by the reforms of Mustafa Kemal in the form of the Turkish republic. The Kemalist state sought to remove religion from the public realm by totally separating religion and politics. It was expected that the modernization process would lead to a decline in religious fervor. However, the process has actually moved Muslims into a more public sphere. Today, fundamentalists and secularists are at odds regarding the future of the Turkish state. A fundamental question has evolved out of this struggle: is it possible to impose a secular state in the midst of strong religious pluralism? This is simply a tangent of the age old question is it possible to maintain a rigid separation of religion and politics? Some believe that Turkey has set a model for the Middle Eastern world that should be followed, while others believe that the state needs to address the growing dichotomy that has arisen.1 Islamists v. Secularists Islamists view Islam as a revitalized politico-religious vision and seek to advance its values, ideal, and institutions.2 While some promote a more moderate view, many Islamic Militants use their ideology to encourage political violence. On the other hand, secularists put a great deal of emphasis on the separation of religion and politics. Secular conservatives defend the status-quo, while secular reformists challenge the status-quo through legal means.3 Despite their differences, all secularists in Turkey are becoming increasingly sensitive and aware of the problems of maintaining and developing a secular state within the framework of a Muslim region. The logic of the secularist sensitivity stems from Kemalist ideology. It is extremely important to take into account the history of secularism. That history is well summarized by Hakan M. Yavuz, in his recent article ?The case of Turkey (on secularism & religion)?: ?The history of the contestation between religion and secularism is the story of the struggle between a state-imposed modernization run by a circumscribed Kemalist political elite and a popular resistance that has often assumed a religious cast.? The Kemalists outlawed Islamic identity claims, as well as Kurdish ethnic claims.? Instead of being viewed as a strength, the Ottoman-Islamic tradition of pluralism, tolerance, and cultural diversity was viewed as a debilitating weakness.

Company structure Essay

1. Explain the reasons why the organisational structure in any business is important 2. Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. Management and culture diversity 3. Differences between countries become less evident each year. Nowadays, all over the world people share the same fashions, advertising, brands, eating habits and TV channels. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of this? In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this. 4. As mass communication and transport continue to grow, societies are becoming more and more alike leading to a phenomenon known as globalization. Some people fear that globalization will inevitably lead to the total loss of cultural identity. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? When international media (including movies, fashion shows, advertisements and other TV programmes) convey the same messages to the global audience, people argue that the expansion of international media has negative impacts on cultural diversity. What is your opinion? 5. Some people think using cultural heritage to develop international tourism is wrong. Others think that is the only way to protect cultural heritage. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Marketing 6. Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 7. Advertising is all around us; it is an unavoidable part of everyone’s life. Some people say that advertising is a positive part of our lives while others say it is a negative one. What is your opinion? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. 8. Do you think that ‘word of mouth’ is the best method of advertising? 9. What makes an effective advertisement? 10. In what ways can producers or retailers try to persuade customers to try new products? Pricing 11. In your opinion, are prices the only factor that makes people buy products? Give explanation. 12. Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extend do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective? The costs of medical health care are increasing all the time. Governments are finding it difficult to balance the health care budget. Should citizens be totally responsible for their own health costs and take out private health insurance, or is it better to have a comprehensive health care system which provides free health services for all? Discuss. 13. It is said that â€Å"you have what you pay for†. Do you agree/ disagree with this statement? 14. Offering high prices is always good. Do you agree or disagree? 15. Offering ‘off sales’ is always good. Do you agree or disagree? 16. More and more people are becoming overweight. Some people say that increasing the price of unhealthy or high-fat foods will solve this problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Arbitration The only way to solve a serious crisis between two nations is by going to war. What is your opinion? 17. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of arbitration 18. The advantages of arbitration outweigh disadvantages. Do you agree? Discuss International Trade 19. Some people pay money for the things they want or need. Other people trade products or goods for what they need. Compare the advantages of these two ways of obtaining things. Which way do you prefer? Explain why Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer nations. However, the governments of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas. â€Å"Free trade cannot be said to be beneficial to all sections of a trading nation. As such, it is necessary for it to be accompanied by an income redistribution policy.† Discuss 20. â€Å"While a country as a whole will gain from trading with other nations, this does not mean that all sections of the community within the country will benefit.† Discuss. 21. â€Å"Free trade is good for some but bad for others† Discuss this statement 22. â€Å"Everyone benefits from free trade!† Discuss â€Å"While protectionism is bad, the World Trade Organisation preference for the use of tariffs over quotas as a protectionist device is extremely sensible.† Discuss. What are the key principles underlying the operation of the WTO? To what extent do these principles make economic sense? 23. What are the advantages and disadvantages of international trade? 24. What are the advantages of international trade to businesses? 25. Globalization makes rich countries richer and poor countries poorer. Do you agree? Banking 26. For hundreds of years, the monetary system of most countries has been based on the exchange of metal coins and printed pieces of paper. However, because of recent developments in technology, the international community should consider replacing the entire system of coins and paper with a system of electronic accounts of credits and debits.’ Discuss the extent to which you agree/ disagree with the expression above. Support your point of view with reasons/ examples from your own experience, observations or reading. 27. Many people are using credit cards or loans to run up personal debts that they may be unable to repay. It should therefore be made difficult for individuals to borrow large amount of money. What is your opinion on this? 28. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using credit cards? Many people who work in the banking and finance industries earn very much more than nurses, teachers and other people who work for their local communities. Some people think this is unfair. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience. 29. How do banks facilitate the workings of modern life? 30. What are roles of banks in international trade? Financing international trade 31. Documentary credit is often used to finance international trade. Why is it chosen so widely? Are there any risks or disadvantages for the exporter and the importer when they decide to use documentary credit? 32. Someday paper money and coins will be replaced by credit cards and online methods of monetary exchange. Do you agree or disagree? 33. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages associated with using credit card. 34. Why is letter of credit the commonest method of payment in international trade? 35. What are the advantages and disadvantages of letter of credit? 36. What are the advantages and disadvantages of open account method of payment? Financial Statements Financial education should be a mandatory component of the school program. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? 36. Write an essay on the importance of financial statements of a company. Suggested points: + How many types of financial statements are there? + What purpose are they used for? + What are the features of each type? M&A 37. Discuss the Advantages and Disadvantages of Company Mergers and Acquisitions. 38. What are the reasons for the failure of many Mergers and Acquisitions? 39. Why are there high rates of failure of Mergers and Acquisitons? Exchange rates â€Å"Forecasting exchange rates is essentially a waste of effort.† Discuss Topics for essay writing 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of international trade? 2. What are the advantages of international trade to businesses? 3. Globalization makes rich countries richer and poor countries poorer. Do you agree? 4. Why is letter of credit the commonest method of payment in international trade? 5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of letter of credit? 6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of open account method of payment? 7. How do banks facilitate the workings of modern life? 8. What are roles of banks in international trade? 2. What makes an effective advertisement? 3. In what ways can producers or retailers try to persuade customers to try new products? 4. Explain the method of Mark-up price or the Cost-plus pricing 11. Explain what the Product mix pricing strategy is and give an example to illustrate your point.

Pressco Case Study Essay

In reviewing the proposal presented by Pressco, Inc. to provide new mechanical drying equipment at a cost of $2.9 million I have considered the cash flow implications of the purchase in terms of present value of the investment and estimated resulting savings, as well as possible alternatives to purchase, and the current political climate as it affects the business issues of taxation and energy policy. Following this review, it is my recommendation that we enter into a contract for the purchase of the equipment in question before the end of the year for the following reasons. Currently, our tax rate is not particularly favorable. We have experienced some small reductions in the late 1970’s, however the introduction of Supply-Side economics into mainstream policy indicates more favorable rates as rumored are on the horizon, making this a better time to spend money and reduce our taxable income. The projected cost savings will not begin until we are likely to be benefitting from a more favorable tax rate, letting us make more money when it costs us less in terms of taxation. We are spending when spending is cheaper and making more money when making money is cheaper as well. I have provided additional detail on the options and my rationale below. Assessment of Investment Cash Flows: Assuming purchase of the equipment for cash, at a total cost of $2.9 million, there are several possible scenarios to consider: tax and depreciation rates remaining as they are or changing and the loss or continuation of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Without providing an excess of detail here, those scenarios include: a possible tax rate decrease from the current level of 46% to 34%, possible extension of depreciation to 7 years, and the possible repeal for the ITC tax credit, as well as the possibility of â€Å"Grandfathering† the last two options. Additional detail on these calculations and the possible permutations considered is available in Appendix A. To summarize my findings, purchase options resulted in net present values ranging from $1.4 million to $1.9 million for a return on our investment over the next 10 years. Assessing the likelihood of each option and assigning weight to each possibility is an inexact science, but I believe it in unlikely that in the current political climate we will not see both a reduction in the tax rate and an increase in the length of time over which we are required to depreciate capital assets. I have assigned weights  to each option with this in mind, and have come up with an average weighted estimate of the net present value of the investment of: $1.7 million. Alternatives to Purchase: As opposed to purchasing new equipment, we could opt to maintain the equipment we currently have, which has an estimated service life of 11 years remaining. We could retain all of our claimed Investment Tax Credit for this purchase, which has two years of depreciation left, and would not be required to invest in any new training for our employees. We would recognize $31,000 in depreciation in present value terms, as well as save an estimated $200,000 in training costs and losses due to lower production during the â€Å"learning curve†. I estimate these savings to be approximately one month of payroll to include both the time spent on training, and our reduced production as employees learn how to use the new equipment. Additional detail of this option is provided in Appendix B, C, & D. In conjunction with keeping the existing equipment, we would have the opportunity to make a different investment with the $2.9 million. Current Taxation Environment: The current Congress and Presidential administration have made a number of changes to the business environment through taxation and associated regulations in the past several years. As such, it is important to consider as many likely and reasonable options as possible when evaluating the effects of taxes on capital purchases. With the election of President Regan, the previously more fringe notion of Supply-Side Economics has begun to be implemented, starting first with the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, which in addition to other business incentives, accelerated depreciation for capital expenditures to 5 years. This provision was repealed the following year as part of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982. We saw the back & forth over reducing tax rates and providing spending incentives to businesses again with the failed Tax Reform Act of 1983 which ultimately was rolled into the Tax Reform Act of 1984. It has become clear that the one thing we do know about the future situation of business tax is uncertain. Because of the strong bias of the current Presidential administration towards lowering tax rates, I believe that it is likely we will experience a certain degree of relief in that area. However, it is more important than  ever at this time that we not depend to heavily on benefits derived from more favorable tax treatment. As such, it is in our interest to also determine if a given project will produce a positive financial result, even in less favorable taxation scenarios. Fuel Efficiency Considerations: Of the $560,000/year savings Pressco, Inc. has estimated we will enjoy as a result of purchasing their equipment, $360,000 (or 64%) is allocated to fuel-efficiency. Therefore, we must closely examine the current climate surrounding fuel efficiency. There are two components to considering the effect of fuel economy: the possibility of future tax incentives and/or penalties for fuel efficiency in manufacturing, and the price of fuel. The most likely scenario for tax incentives to increase fuel efficiency will be in the form of credits for purchases, which through buying now we will likely not be able to take advantage of. Penalties for higher fuel consumption may be levied at a point in the not-too-distant future as the Federal Government strives to both more comprehensively address environmental concerns, and regulate the price of fuel. We saw both of these in The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, and with the Highway Revenue Act of 1982, which temporarily increased the gaso line excise tax by $0.05 (an increase from $0.04 to $0.09). The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 established reserves of crude oil and gave the President the authority to order maximum domestic production as well as rationing and conservation measures in times of crisis. This is important because these measures are clear indicators of the interest the Federal Government is taking in reducing and stabilizing fuel prices. When looking at the history of fuel prices, I see that we are in a period of unusually high prices. It is of critical importance that we evaluate the likelihood of prices remaining this high for the life of the equipment in order to consider how much of the $360,000/year savings is credible in the long-term. From 1948 through the 1960’s, the price of crude oil was fairly consistent with the price of inflation, but in 1973 as a result of the oil embargo, crude oil prices increased four-fold. Prices remained fairly stable at this level through the rest of the decade, increasing three-and-a-half-fold again with the war in Iran again disrupting production. Most recently, OPEC has been  unsuccessful in setting production quotas low enough to stabilize prices, and they have again begun to drop. While we cannot expect prices to drop back to their 1971 levels, it is wise to examine the effect of lowered fuel prices on the overall investment value. Reducing the savings attributed to fuel efficiency by 25% ($270,000/year) reduces the weighted average net present value of the investment to $1.5 million, and reducing those savings brings the net present value to $1.2 million. Still arguably viable, but less attractive. See Appendix E & F for additional detail. Conclusion: While the savings proposed by Pressco, Inc. may not be as great as anticipated by their marketing representative, we are still in a strong position to make this purchase with cash available and take advantage of the cost savings. Even if the savings attributed to fuel efficiency are  ½ of what is projected, the equipment will still provide an investment value of over $1 million in excess of the purchase price. Additionally, even if our tax rate were to stay the same, we would continue to realize financial benefits, making this investment one that is based o more than mere speculation or salesmanship.

Observations From the Box Office

Observations From the Box Office Free Online Research Papers Personal traits, tastes, and opinions influence our every day lives. From the places we shop to the classes we take, our personalities affect our choices. This is also true for the movies we choose to see. For the past few weeks four movies, Superbad, Hot Rod, The Nanny Diaries, and the Bourne Ultimatum show how our personalities as people attend these movies. I had my assumptions about what movies they were going to see. Sensation and passion are two of the strongest emotions that a movie can give a person. People might go to see a movie for different reasons. One might factor in laziness while another individual might go watch the same movie to disappear in thought and get sucked into the main characters life. There is so much you can learn about people by studying their behavior. For the past few months, I worked a premier movie theater. Krikorian Premier Theater is located in downtown San Clemente, California. Working there gave me an opportunity to snoop and pry into my customers’ minds. I was able to stand aside, hidden in a corner and watch, just observe. Superbad, though being out in the theaters for a while now, still possesses the title of the most popular movie on Friday nights. Teenagers are the primary audience for this movie because of the premise, getting alcohol while being underage. Even though this movie is marketed towards the older teenage population, many older people go to see it as well. I asked one of them what compelled him to watch a movie. He looked at me, laughed, and told me the reason was that he wanted to feel like he was in high school again. He told me that his high school years were the best in his life and that he connected with the characters in the movie because he tried hard to get alcohol while he was underage with his friends. This movie is filled with comedy and crude humor. making any adolescent or child at heart laugh until they cry. Hot Rod is another simple yet entertaining movie. This is a straightforward movie about a teenager named Rodney Kimble and his dreams to become a stuntman. He accomplishes his dream to jump fifteen buses to acquire money for his abusive father’s surgery. This movie I would consider to be one of â€Å"brainless† funny movies I have ever seen besides Super Troopers. There is not a moment in this movie where the audience is not laughing. Crammed with teenage comedy, witty remarks, and crude humor classifies this movie into the young teenage section. It is mind-blowing how many movies target the younger generation gap. Many of the adults that went to see this film informed me that this movie was imaginatively good, but it would not appear in their personal movie collection. In other words, they probably will not see it again. Teenagers for the most part, told me that it was hilarious and that they will probably see it at least once more in the theaters alone. Their humor is a bit excessive for my taste. The next movie is The Nanny Diaries. I saw nobody coming to this move during the Friday night rush. For the most part, this movie was a date movie. Typically, packs of girls went to see this movie. Very few males made the honorable attempt to watch this movie, unless accompanied by a girl. If not, they were going to see this movie to pick up the girls in those giant groups. My deductions proved me correct; these men were brilliant. Girls, for the most part, want to have a sensitive guy, and these guys were total beach bums. There is no way that they were even remotely interested in this movie. This movie was the slowest for the night and only sold about thirty tickets for the seven-thirty rush. The last movie on the list is Bourne Ultimatum. This movie was made for all ages. Bourne was jam-packed full of action and definitely the thriller of the summer. Jason Bourne learns about how he became a candidate for the Tredstone project. He begins to remember his training, mentors, and his initiation to the top-secret experimental project. I noticed that people of all ages going to see this movie. There were no specific age groups and no fads for this film. I was deeply impressed with the outcome of this one. This movie had a constant rush to it and I saw many teens and adults go to this one, which ranged from youngest being about seven and the oldest being around sixty-five. I am very proud of how this film marketed their movie. The producers brought everybody to the table. The movie makes the person. Everybody loves to go and watch a film or read a book. It takes you into another world another life. You don’t have any worries you get sucked in as if the characters life is really yours. Everybody wants their life to be exciting but due to my studies of ticket sales and observations at the box office, people like comedy more. Most Americans enjoy going to watch stupid comedies. It’s the simple truth. 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How to write a salary increase request letter (with examples)

How to write a salary increase request letter (with examples) You’ve been plugging along at your job, picking up responsibilities, and rocking it for a while now- and even if you don’t have an annual review coming up for a while, maybe you feel like it’s time to start thinking about a raise. But unless you’re a seasoned negotiator, that may be no small task. If you don’t feel ready to sit down with your boss and talk it out, it’s best to start with a basic pay raise request letter or email to get the process started. Why to put your salary request in writingMost negotiation tips are created with a face-to-face interaction in mind- how to use effective body language, how to use active listening strategies, and how to frame your verbal request. However if you’re not quite at that stage yet, putting your request in writing gives you a chance to collect your strongest talking points (and spin them exactly how you want to) without having to worry about the ebb and flow of a negotiation conversation. I t’s also a paper trail, for better or worse, which can help you later.What to include in your letterAlways start with a friendly professional greeting and some background about your history in your job or with your company.For example:Hi Phil,As you know, I’ve been with the company for two years now, and I find it to be a challenging and rewarding environment every day. I have become a crucial member of the marketing team, working on initiatives that have increased our productivity and improved our results.Once you’ve set the tone, it’s time to touch on the specific achievements that you think merit a raise. You don’t need to go into great detail on each one- succinct, specific bullet points are the way to go. The letter shouldn’t be a long slog for the reader. Instead, think of it as a highlight reel.For example:In my time here, I have made significant contributions to the team’s success, including:Implementing a new SEO program that increased web traffic by 15%Improving social media response time by an average of 20 minutesDeveloping a promotional program that uses giveaways to increase brand awareness and customer engagementThen tell ‘em what you came for: what you’re seeking, and why. When you’re writing this, be sure to stay focused on your own achievements and growth. It’s not about what your colleagues get or what you feel like you’re owed- it’s about building a case for your value to the company.For example:I’ve exceeded the goals that were set out for me when I was hired, and I believe that going above and beyond my existing role merits a pay raise of 5%. This is in line with the industry standard for someone of my experience in this kind of role, especially with the goals I’ve met and exceeded in my time here.Again, this should be straight to the point. You should definitely have a number in mind, even if you don’t feel comfortable spelling it out as a starting point. Before you even start writing your request, do your research: check out sites like Salary.com or Glassdoor to see what people like you are making throughout the industry. If you make an unreasonable request, it could shut down your negotiation before it even really starts.Next, having made your initial pitch, it’s time to start wrapping up your letter. Offer to set up some time to talk about this in person or ask to talk about it in a standard one-on-one meeting with your boss.For example:I look forward to speaking with you in more depth in our next monthly meeting, and am excited about the projects we have on the horizon.Best,Jo Your letter doesn’t have to be hyper-formal, especially if you have a fairly casual relationship with your boss. But it should always be direct, polite, and professional. Even if you’re buddies with your boss, now is not the time for jokes or sarcasm. This letter or email should show you at your career best, and highlight you as a competent and productive professional.The note you write now will help set the tone for the negotiations to come and help you pull your thoughts together to ensure that you’re in a good position to get the raise you deserve.Good luck!

Contract Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Contract Law - Essay Example In the early 1848, reform that introduced the New York Code of procedures took place1. This reform led to the abolishment of the reforms of action that was based on writ system. Initially, the introduction of the classical law with the introduction of New York Code of procedures seemed to be a significant step in law reforms (Frank, 1975: 182)2. The law spread to the parts of the world including the United Kingdom where it was mainly used to understand and determine trade matters. There emergence of the classical law has been contributed to by different schools of though with certain schools of though held that classical law or classical legal thoughts, as they referred to it, shape and transformed the united states economic and social lives. 1. [Holmes] "The Theory of Torts," 7 Am. L. Rev. 652 (1873) 2. Frank, W.F., (1975) the General Principles of English Law, London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, pp. 182-183 Moreover, the law or the legal though organized the legal elite along the u tilitarianism and natural right. The classical law had nationalist or instrumentalist mode of the formative era. During the formative era, leaders of the bar, treatise writers, and the Supreme Court justices among other legal players had the same conception of the law that was viewed to transform old conflicting schools of thought3. These legal players wanted legal thoughts and professions to match with science along the philosophical speculation as well as in the crudities of democratic politics. This alliance of legal player influenced the legal outcome between the year 1865 and 1940 that was defined by the older conservatism. The older conservatism was only realized among the professionals that constituted politicians and despoiling entrepreneurs who piled pressure on the framers, working class, and the â€Å"public interest†. Therefore, classical law was introduced as an article of faith within the liberal historiography of this time (Frank, 1975: 183)2. From these two sc hools of thoughts, it is apparent that the classical law emerged to introduce reforms in both social and economic lives of people during the industrialization period. According to Milsom (1981: 364)4, the law was introduced as a legal measure for autonomy. It aimed at narrowing the gap between different social and economic classes since it seemed to offset the distinguishable result from economic interest and political power. However, both schools of thought have not addressed the autonomy of legal consciousness that led to the introduction of the law. The first contribution notes that the law was introduced to deal with specific concepts within the industrial era. However, on the other side, the second school of thought states that classical law emerged to deal with all the social, economic, and political discrepancies or inequality that emerged during the nineteenth century industrialization in Britain just like other parts of the world that was experiencing industrialization revo lution. 3. Blackstone, W. (1973) Commentaries on the Laws of England. London: Macmillan 4. Milsom, S.F.C., (1981) Historical Foundations of the Common Law, London: Butterworths, pp. 361-400 Some contributors of the emergence of the classical law note that before the civil war in the United States, there was a set of legal relationships among the legal elites within and outside America. This relationship comprised of legal system including private citizen of states,

Law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Law - Case Study Example Had that been the case, the local animal charity should have either received the funds, or there should have been an agreement drawn up with that charity as to how the funds in the Fido Trust would be administered for their benefit. Instead, it appears clear that John and Sue intended to secure personal gain from their investment in the stock market. This was a clear conflict of interest, not only on Sue’s part because a relative was involved, but also on the part of John, who consented to such an unprofitable loan. The weight of the evidence is that placing the other half of the Fido Trust into the stock market was also intended to benefit John and Sue, rather than to benefit Mike’s dog and cat, as otherwise some arrangement would have been made with either the local animal charity or some other animal care service via using the interest earned on the Fido Trust solely for the proper care of the animals, as Mike intended. Using the funds otherwise would be a serious fr aud, perhaps more serious for John as a solicitor who would know the requirements of serving as a Trustee more than for Sue, a policewoman; but it still appears that Sue should have known that the purpose of the Fido Trust was violated. Compounding John’s abuse of the trust placed in him by Mike, we are told that John exercised his power of appointment over the residue of Mike’s estate in favor of himself, and then persuaded Mike’s son Ron, at 18 years of age, to surrender his life interest in the residual estate to John, a proposal which Ron should have strongly rejected. 3 Now, as to advising Ron, I would tell him the following: Ron, your interests have been grossly violated by John's handling of your father's estate