Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Ap US History Chapter 18 Vocabulary Essay Example
Ap US History Chapter 18 Vocabulary Essay Example Ap US History Chapter 18 Vocabulary Essay Ap US History Chapter 18 Vocabulary Essay Whig candidate, wins presidency in 1848 Whig Platform dodged troublesome issues, extolled virtues of candidate Free Soil Party platform for Wilmot Proviso, against lavery in territories, for federal aid, free government homesteads for settlers Gold fever Sutters Mill 1848 discovery of gold caused influx of thousands to California, applied for statehood; slavery issue 1849 California applied for statehoods South responded with opposition because it would enter as a free state Sectional balance admission of California would create imbalance toward free states Underground Railroad chain of antislavery homes through which runaway slaves transported from slave states to Canada Harriet Tubman most famous runaway slave, rescued more than 300 slaves; Moses Henry Clay Great Pacificator r Great Compromiser proposed a series of compromises, make concessions for both North and South Senator Stephen Douglas Little Giant 37, helped Clay Senator John C. Calhoun Great Nullifier, cham pioned the South in his last formal speech Daniel Webster upholded Clays compromise measures; urged reasonable concessions to South including new fugitive slave law William H. Seward against concessions, argued that legislature must obey higher law than the Constitution Millard Fillmore took over presidency after Taylor died in office; was vice president Compromise of 1850 California entered as a free state, New Mexico/Utah open to opular sovereignty; Texas lost land and was paid $10 million, Washington D. C. ould stop slave trade, new fugitive slave law Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 Bloodhound Bill slaves could not testify in their own behalf, denied Jury trial, opposed because could set dangerous precedent; caused many Northerners to Join antislavery ranks Norths response to the law many moderates driven into antislavery groups, Underground Railroad accelerated Election of 1852 Franklin Pierce, dark-horse candidate, won; Whig candidate = Winfield Scott Old Fuss and Feathers W hig Party had split in 1852; antislavery Whigs accepted Scott but despised latform which endorsed Fugitive Slave Law Franklin Pierce compliant, cabinet included aggressive southerners Jefferson Davis secretary of war under Pierce, future president of Confederacy William Walker tried to grab control of Nicaragua and legalize slavery; overthrown, killed Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850 stipulated that neither America nor Britain would fortify or secure exclusive control over waterway; impeded progress towards canal later on Commodore Matthew Perry and Gunboat Diplomacy Japan had become isolationist; Perry commanded fleet that rrived and forced Japan to open trade with US Black Warrior Spanish officials seized an American steamer; diplomatic crisis, Pierces time to provoke war with] Spain and seize Cuba Ostend Manitesto top-secret dispatch that urged administration offer to buy Cuba, or else war; news leaked out, withdrawn James Gadsden Gadsden Purchase bought a chunk of Mexico f rom Santa Anna who was back in power Kansas-Nebraska Act by Stephen A. Douglas; opened Nebraska Territory to popular sovereignty; required repeal of Missouri Compromise; intolerable to many Northerners Proposed Union Pacific Railroad two places from California to Chicago
Monday, November 4, 2019
Business Strategy - merger and acquisition Essay
Business Strategy - merger and acquisition - Essay Example On the other hand, increased competition is likely to persuade firms to explore various channel alternatives available to them in an attempt to extend their coverage. For Able Corporation, identification of new opportunities may or may not mean their giving up their traditional lines of distribution. Much depends on whether the new system is seen as being innovative. If the firm sees potential benefits accruing from adopting a distribution system which does not fit with those currently used by competing firms in the market, it is likely that they will test these in conjunction with the tried and tested methods currently under use. Mergers and acquisition policy is undoubtedly the most radical growth strategy open to management in that it represents a deliberate attempt to change the nature of the business. Acquisition policy can be further classified into backward, forward and horizontal integration. Acquisition policy occurs when the new business is related in some way to the old on e. Firms have sought to gain greater control over the source of raw materials or the supply of components by some form of backward integration. The main strategy for Able Corporation is to improve its market position and increase market share based on the strategy developed by the President. The new strategy is a logical development of the solutions and corporate vision adopted by the President. Today, Able Corporation needs a strong partner to compete on the market and Walden International will help it to increase market share and remain competitive (Bridges 2003). The second step is to show financial and business opportunities proposed by the merger with Walden International. Investment decisions should be carefully examined by both firms because investment are long run decisions where consumption and investment alternatives are balanced overtime. There are many similarities between short-run and long-run decision making, for example, the choice between alternatives, the need to consider future costs and revenues and the importance of incremental changes in costs and revenues but there is the additional requirement for investment decisions that, because of the time scale involved, the time value of the money invested must be considered. The time scale also makes the consideration of uncertainty and inflation of even greater importance than when considering short-term decisions. That is why the strategic investment planning process is a series of logical steps that have to be worked through in order to arrive at a logical 'common format' for th e implementation of strategy and marketing plan (Sterman, 2000). Taking into account financial statements of Able Corporation it is evident that the company cannot "capture greater share in the two growing segments of the power tool market" without strong business partner. Also, it is important to take into account that "top management has come to realize that it seriously miscalculated the underlying financial health and market position of Able Corporation" (case study). The third step is to persuade the President that the super-ordinate goal of most businesses is survival and this may only be achieved by pursuing strategies of growth. While it is difficult to
Saturday, November 2, 2019
The War in Vietnam Dramatically Affected American Foreign Policy Essay
The War in Vietnam Dramatically Affected American Foreign Policy - Essay Example The War in Vietnam Dramatically Affected American Foreign Policy There was a significant increase of the focus on American foreign policy by the then president Lyndon Johnson after the conflict in Vietnam (Gallagher, 1). However, there were issues regarding statistics depicting that there were cases of racial discrimination; the foreign policy in America has undergone significant changes for a period leading to a reflection on their national interests. In fact, these changes were experienced after new revolutionary war, whereby Americaââ¬â¢s principal national interest was aimed at maintenance of independence from various countries in Europe. For instance, America has developed a significant foreign policy, which is supported by the Atlantic Ocean and typified through Monroe Doctrine. This foreign policy focuses on imposing constraints on European attempts to further colonization of the western hemisphere. Apparently, in America, formulation of these policy focuses on avoiding entanglement with other countries, thereby concentrating on developm ent of a nation covered the continent. These foreign policies have played a significant role in facilitating the process of industrialization, which focused on the foreign markets and colonies. Moreover, America managed to attain a minor level of imperial power by the end of twentieth century through war with territories such as Spain for Cuba, and with Philippines taking over Hawaii. (Mehmet, 1). On the other hand, the World War 1 involved Americans concerning European issues, though after the war, there was a form of isolation; for instance, Americans turned down the idea of joining the League of Nations, though it turned inward once again. Numerous issues and functions are taken by the foreign policy in America; for example, it focuses on establishment and maintenance of diplomatic relationships with other counties and international institutions such as United Nations (Mehmet, 1). The foreign policy has contributed in the process of maintaining peace, whereby America is able to work with their allies in a way that faci lities regional and international security. On the other hand, there are wide ranges of international economic issue that entail international trade and business that are affected by a change in foreign policy. Foreign policy has facilities involvement in issue such as aid and disaster relief, whereby American takes significant role of leadership these and other issue such as negotiation of treaties and maintaining peace. Therefore, America has taken an important function that involves seeking ways to address international economic and environmental issues. There are three branches involved formulation and implementation of foreign policy in America; in fact, these branches collaborate with necessary governmental institutions and agencies. On the other hand, this process involves the president and executives branches with the ultimate role of formulating and implementing
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Fiction analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Fiction analysis - Essay Example Because the grandmother recognizes him, the entire family is taken back into the woods and killed with the exception of the grandmother, who is allowed to talk with the Misfit until the rest of the family is dead and then is killed there at the side of the road. A few more superficial comparisons can be made in that the main character of each story is a woman, each woman must face the death of her son and both women die by the end of the story for reasons they have little or no control over. However, there are deeper similarities between these two stories that emerge when one takes a closer look. These similarities include being written in the realist tradition, featuring men who suddenly realize their own common connections and both having a gothic element. One of the most glaring similarities between these two stories is that they are both written in the realist tradition. The realist tradition in American literature focused on the concept that people were just people, not submerge d divinities as the transcendentalists claimed or helpless victims of fate as the naturalists claimed. "These American realists believed that humanity's freedom of choice was limited by the power of outside forces" (Penrose). In other words, realism acknowledges individuals have their own power to make choices, but that they are also forced to work within boundaries established by external events. In Chopin's story, this is seen as Desiree finds herself trapped in a situation in which her beloved husband can no longer stand the sight of her because of the obviously mixed blood seen in their baby - a condition she cannot control. However, her fate is determined by her individual choice to "not take the broad, beaten road which led to the far-off plantation of Valmonde ... She disappeared among the reeds and willows that grew thick along the banks of the deep, sluggish bayou; and she did not come back again" (Chopin). It is also found in O'Connor's story as the grandmother is unable t o determine where she will go for a family vacation, but has the option of going along with the family or continuing to bid for a trip to Tennessee instead of Florida. In each case, there are limiting outside forces, but it is still the individual's choice that leads them to their fate. Both stories also have a strong gothic element. Some of the common elements of Gothic literature are emotional terror, some form of crumbling architecture, death and madness occurring among the characters, a sense of pervading darkness and plenty of secrets and hereditary curses (Hume 282). Desiree's home is dark enough to give Madame Volmonde shivers with its deeply sloping roof, "steep and black like a cowl," and the "big, solemn oaks" whose "thick-leaved, far-reaching branches shadowed it like a pall" (Chopin), giving a strong instance of foreshadowing in the symbolism used within this description. The nearby marshes, the stubble of the fields that cut Desiree's feet on the November evening that s he disappears, and the prevailing gloom of the harshly treated slaves all function to create a gothic environment. This is further enhanced by the mental anguish of the lady as she perceives
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Communication, Information and Coordination in Organizations Essay Example for Free
Communication, Information and Coordination in Organizations Essay In speaking of organizations I believe that how organizations communicate is an extremely key factor in success versus failure. The purpose of this paper is to talk about Communication, Information and Coordination, specifically Vertical and Lateral Coordination in organizations. I will reference the four different organizational frames we have learned about as a reference guide to explain how communication is viewed, as well as which types of organizations are best suited to use either a Vertical or Lateral Coordination methodology. When we began the term we laid down a foundation on the different types of frames that an organization can take on. I would like to briefly touch on the four frames and then show how communication is defined in each. The first frame is the Structural Frame, which, ââ¬Å"â⬠¦emphasizes goals, specialized roles, and formal relationshipsâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ (Bolman and Deal p. 14) In this frame the organization ultimately uses ââ¬Å"â⬠¦rules, policies, procedures and hierarchies to coordinate diverse activities into a unified strategy. â⬠(Bolman and Deal p. 4) As you can see with the definition above, communication is being done through a system of symbols, signs and or behavior. The organization creates the method for information to be passed and there is an expectation that it will be followed. In the structural frame communication is used to, ââ¬Å"Transmit facts and information. â⬠(Bolman and Deal p. 307) You as an employee are simply taking information from the organization and using it accordingly as well as taking information you receive and passing it along. You as an individual are not analyzing the information, drawing any conclusions altering it, You are simply taking the information given to you and acting on it as given. The second frame is the Human Resource Frame. The Human Resource frame sees the organization, ââ¬Å"â⬠¦much like an extended family, made up of individuals with needs, feelings, prejudices, skills and limitationsâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ (Bolman and Deal p. 14) In this frame the organization is made to fit the individuals that work there. The Human Resource Frame uses communication to ââ¬Å"Exchange information, needs and feelings. (Bolman and Deal p. 307) The Human Resource Frame uses the individual as a conduit for information gathering and dispersal and is much more flexible in the delivery of information as opposed to the Structural Frame, which is more rigidly aligned. People are the most valued asset of an organization. The Human Resource Frame seeks to develop the individual employee in the organization rather than making them one step is a core process. The third frame is the Political Frame and sees organizations as ââ¬Å"â⬠¦arenas, contests, or junglesâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ (Bolman and Deal p. 4) In the Political Frame all people in the organization are in constant competition to get ahead and one way to get ahead is to possess the power of information. In the Political Frame it is who and what you know and who you are willing to share your information with that gets you ahead. With all of the competition involved there is often conflict between those vying for power. The Political Frame sees communication as an opportunity to, ââ¬Å"Influence or manipulate others. â⬠(Bolman and Deal p. 307) As stated previously, Information if a powerful tool. In a Political Frame possessing information and having the ability to communicate that formation is key. The problem with Politics is that often information is used destructively rather than constructively. In an organization influencing and manipulating can and usually is a double edged sword. Finally in the fourth frame is the Symbolic Frame is a more organic frame that is seen organizationally as, ââ¬Å"Tribes, theaters, or carnivals. It abandons assumptions of rationality more prominent in other frames. â⬠(Bolman and Deal p. 5) This frame is not widely used because it is so free flowing and actually quite odd that it does not work well in many cases. However, the Symbolic Frame still address communication as a means to, ââ¬Å"tell stories. â⬠(Bolman and Deal p. 307) Telling stories is a way often used to pass along information. Many cultures use stories to educate the next generation and the stories contain information that is important for the next generations to k now and preserve. In organizations, stories, tales and fables should not be seen as appropriate sources of information. Basically, all the frames acknowledge that communication is an essential part of their make-up. The ability to communicate, whether through rules and procedures, meetings and networks or stories is very important in the day-to-day operations of your organization. I now offer a definition of communication as found in Websterââ¬â¢s Dictionary and I will use the definition to further explain the importance of communication and more specifically the communication of information through a coordinated effort. Websterââ¬â¢s Dictionary defines Communication as: : an act of instance of transmitting 2 a: information communicated b: a verbal or written message 3 a: a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior b: personal rapport 4 a: a system for communicating b: a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles c: personnel engaged in communicating 5 a: a technique for expressing ideas effectively b: the technology of the transmission of information. Since the beginning of time man has attempted to communicate and as a result communication has constantly been improved. Thoughts, events and information have been recorded and passed along in some form or another for centuries, so you can see how communication is an essential part of everyday life. Knowing this you have to wonder how do we effectively communicate with each other? The above question has become and will always be a huge topic in society. People spend millions of dollars a year on counseling and learning techniques to better communicate with each other. Many people have capitalized on this quest for better communication skills and have become supposed experts in the field of communicating. You hear everyday how you need to be able to communicate better in your relationships, with your friends, peers and in general with everyone. So I look to the above definition to better clarify what exactly is meant by the various definitions of communication as I interpret them. I will use three of the definitions above and concentrate eon how they tie in with the theme of the paper, which is coordination. 2 a: Information communicated. 3 a: a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior. Finally, 5 b: The technology of the transmission of information. I chose the above three definitions because they tie into a repetitive theme within communication and that is the passing of information. We have discussed in this class, throughout the term, that information is power and those who have information have a definite advantage. In an organization information is key to success. The organization that is able to establish a free flow of information will always be in a better position to succeed because they are in a position to be able to adapt more quickly in times where change is necessary. I am not suggesting that information always leads to change, because the information you receive could very well be that you need to continue what you are doing without changing. In particular Iââ¬â¢d like to look at the second definition I chose which talks about information being exchanged through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior and Iââ¬â¢d like to focus on behavior because the way your organization is aligned can ultimately affect your communicative behavior. In chapter three of Reframing Organizations we look see two types of coordination, which determine how information is passed and who processes it. The two types of coordination are Vertical and Lateral. Organizations that operate in stable markets and use a product that has little need for change are best suited for a Vertically coordinated organizational system. Organizations that operate in a turbulent environment and require constant change are best suited for a laterally coordinated organization. I will address both types and give an example of each below. In Vertical Coordination we see that the higher levels of management maintain control of information and regulate communications through establishing clear lines of authority, implementing rules and policies, and putting in place planning and control systems. By establishing authority the hierarchy appoints people such as executives, managers and supervisors to be in charge. This core group of people selected to have authority are, ââ¬Å"â⬠¦officially charged with keeping activities aligned with goals. They control by making decisions, resolving conflicts, solving problems, evaluating performance and output, and distributing rewards and sanctionsâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ (Bolman and Deal p. 51) I can use my own situation as an example of this. Working in Law Enforcement I fall under a chain of command. In the chain of command I have been appointed a Sergeant. As a Sergeant I am charged with the tasks explained above. I communicate and pass information and orders to my subordinates. I receive my orders form my Commander, who in turn reports to a Captain and it goes right up the chain until it reaches the Sheriff. Information is communicated vertically through the ranks. Our organization aligned very closely with a Structural Frame Format. Not much emphasis is given to the Human Resource Frame, as the needs of the individual are not as much of a concern over the needs of the organization. The Political Frame is limited because the information is coming from the top and being disseminated down the ranks. Information obtained in Law Enforcement is normally transcribed in report format and given out. Information that is important and not given out could result in legal action. There is no chance for the Symbolic Frame to exist because we do not communicate organically nor are we allowed to report in a story fashion. In our private lives we can tell stories and relay information, however on an organizational level we deal strictly with fact. I derive my Authority from the chain of command and am regulated largely by the Policies and Procedures manual that my organization has constructed. The policies and procedures manual gives detailed instructions how to carry out tasks, how to monitor employees performance and conduct investigations. So in my personal career I can see that my organization is Vertically aligned. Information is communicated up and down the chain of command in clear-cut lines. Lateral communication and withholding information is discouraged and can lead to sever punishment. Although new technology is often introduced, the mission of Law Enforcement stays the same. As a result Law Enforcement uses vertical alignment to get information out as quickly and uniformly as possible. The opposite of the vertical form is the Lateral Form of Coordination. In Lateral Coordination several different methods are used to communicate and pass information. Lateral Coordination involves meetings, task forces, coordinating roles, matrix structures, and network organizations to communicate and pass on information. The above listed structures are more flexible and fluid than that of a rigidly defined Vertically Coordinated organization. I will briefly touch on the different methods used in the laterally coordinated systems. Meetings are described as, ââ¬Å"informal communication and formal meetings form the cornerstone of lateral coordination. â⬠(Bolman and deal p. 53) Formal meetings are the normal way stable organizations go about communicating. Simple meetings can used be used to pass along large chunks of information as well as to address new business. As the organization grows in complexity and size, Task Forces are utilized. Task Forces are formed when, ââ¬Å"â⬠¦problems or opportunities require collaboration of a number of specialties or functions. â⬠(Bolman and deal p. 54) Collaboration requires cooperation and cooperation can only exist when there is communication. A Task Force gets a group of specialized people together to accomplish an organizational goal. Coordinating Roles take the talents of individuals and spread them out to help persuade others to accomplish goals. An individual can monitor several different areas to help tie all componets together to make a finished product. Matrix Structures are used when the organization grows very large and crosses several different sectors of the business world. Matrix Structures are very complex and can add a lot of confusion to your organization, which is why they have been used so sparingly. Finally, Networks are now a very common communicative form in organizations. Networks have always been in existence and have grown in usage since the advent of computer technology. Computer networks have the capability of transmitting almost limitless amounts of information immediately to a large-scale group of people. Computer Networks are now one of the most valuable tools an organization can use to communicate. Since an organization that coordinates laterally is generally one that operates in a turbulent and often changing environment it is easy to see why communication is essential. Information must be gathered, analyzed, processed and disseminated as quickly as possible to ensure that you will be able to keep up. An example of an organization that suffered because it failed to properly communicate and respond is the Digital Corporation. Digital Corporation was a leader in the minicomputer industry, however when the market shifted form minicomputers to PCââ¬â¢s they were too tied up in a non-productive coordination system. As a result they wasted valuable time in making the transition to the new technology. The company began to fail and was subsequently bought out by Compaq computers. The technology field, computers in particular, is changing on a daily basis. If you are not able to communicate the need for change based on the information received form current market trends then you are doomed to failure. Digital is a prime example of this concept. All of the above methods of Lateral Coordination are effective, however as with any system there are weaknesses. You must ensured that your resources are being used appropriately and efficiently in order to successfully maintain a more loosely coordinated method, as seen in the Lateral Coordination methodology. When you are not strict and rigid in your controls you run the risk of giving people too much freedom in their actions. Lateral Strategies are effective, however they must be monitored. In Conclusion, the coordinated communication of information within an organization is a key determinate of success versus failure. An organization, even one in a stable environment, must be fluid when it comes to communication. A lack of communication has been shown to result in the untimely delivery of crucial information and since we have identified that information is power, a lack of information will then render you powerless. By employing sound coordination methodologies and organization can better respond to itââ¬â¢s environment. As the environment changes so must the organization. The best way to know if your environment is changing is by properly gather and processing information form the various areas you deal in. Once processed and analyzed the information must quickly be communicated through the appropriate channels to ensure that necessary changes can be made. A breakdown in any one of these areas can and normally will have devastating effects. Many companies have experienced this firsthand. Coordination, Communication and Information are three keys that an organization must embrace in order to survive.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
The Ageing Population in Mauritius
The Ageing Population in Mauritius Discussions Impact of aging population in Mauritius The first objective of this study aims to provide a thorough understanding of the actual impacts of aging population in Mauritius. Since old people retire from their jobs, the incomes they generate are reduced and thus they have to rely on pensions or insurances. Consequently, the aging population is very often faced with income security and poverty. Among the 80 questionnaires that were distributed, there were 18.5% of the respondents were above 65 years. This was a very significant number and was the second larger percentage after the age group of 20-35 years. Moreover, the Mauritius Statistics forecasts that 20% of the Mauritian population will be above 65 years by 2025. One of the main impacts of an aging population is that it increases the dependency ratio. There are relatively more people claiming pension benefits and less people working to pay taxes. With the ever-growing aging population in Mauritius, it is probable that this will cause problems in the future. Though 14.8% of the respondents still live with their grand-parents and 12.3% of them still help their grand-parents financially, the dependency on the pension benefits do not seem to decrease. Another impact is the increased Government spending on health care and pensions. In UK, the old age pension is currently à £113.10 per pensioners per week (Population Ageing Statistics, Rutherford) as compared to Mauritius, where the pension fund is Rs5, 000 per pensioners per month. Since the percentage of old age is said to increase to up to 25% by 2025, the Government spending will increase even more. Presently, the budget for old age health problems amounts to approximately Rs9.7 billion per year and with a promising and significant growth in the number of old people in the future, Mauritius is likely to face serious budget issues. As such, as demonstrated in table 4.5 in the previous chapter, 56.8% people have that working people should pay a token for the eldersââ¬â¢ medical services. This gesture can remove a huge burden from the Government expenditure since people are not prepared to remove old age pension funds even if an alternative, such as building homes for the elder ly with all their required needs, is given to the old people as shown by the majority of people who voted ââ¬ËNoââ¬â¢ to the suggestion. Moreover, an aging population directs to a shortage of workers in a country. Since the old people retire and live on pension, and there are lesser number of new-borns to eventually work to pay taxes, the country faces a lack of workers. Mauritius is not far behind from a shortage of workers. In this effect, 48.1% of the respondents thought that encouraging Mauritians to reproduce will solve the problem whereas 50.6% of them thought it would be better to hire immigrants to work here. Furthermore, since Mauritius will be putting a higher percentage of income into pension funds in the future, due to the increasing amount of old people, it could reduce the amount of savings available for more productive investments. Thus, leading to lower rates of economic growth. Impact of security budget on aging population The second objective emphasizes on the impact of security budget on aging population. With greater number of old people, comes greater expenses in terms of security. As of now, the Government is spending approximately Rs27.1 billion on social security solely in the year 2015 and as per our research conducted by the questionnaire, 38.3% people feel concern about this amount of expenditure only on social security. 76.5% of the respondents agreed that the well-off should be cut off from pension facilities. This is a considerable idea because the Government is spending way too much money on old people and getting nothing-in terms of finance-in return. Though many people (approximately 75.3% of the respondents) thought that the newly elected Government was right to increase old age pension from Rs3, 600 to R5, 000 in December 2014, a significant percentage (61.7) agreed that it was merely a political technique to gain votes. This increase in the pension fund has resulted in an increase of over 50% in the Government expenditure as compared in 2014. Over 186, 000 people benefit from the universal pension. The National Monetary Fund (IMF) has already sounded the alarm about the aging population of Mauritius that could jeopardize the national pension fund. The financial institution recommends an urgent review of the payment of this social benefit formula. As concluded by a Working Paper of the IMF entitled Pension Reforms in Mauritius; Fair and Fast Balancing Social Protection and Fiscal Sustainability, Mauritiusââ¬â¢ old age pension situation is considered unsustainable in the long term. While now it amounts to 5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), funding for different pension schemes should reach 11% in 45 years. The aging population is putting strong pressure on public finances. The number of people over 60 years will be 50% in 2050, whereas they represented 13% of the population in 2013. The result of expenditures on pension benefits, especially the non-contributory pension scheme will be exacerbated (Takoor, Petri, and Martin). If major reforms are not undertaken, the pension funds could cause a shortfall and could eventually be liability for the state especially when 79.0% of the respondents said they are not ready to further sustain the social security financially, besides their contributions in VAT and NPF. Problems faced because of gender in an aging population According to a study made by the UN organisation, women make up a significantly larger share of the older population. This is because women tend to live longer than men and thus rendering them more dependent on health care facilities and pensions schemes provided by their country. In 2014, Mundi calculated the ratio of females to males above 65 years old to be 66, 643: 45, 145 of the total population. The elderly dependency ratio was calculated to be 12.8%. Also, the UN found that older women experience some of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Average levels of illiteracy for women aged 65 or over are as high as 78% in Africa and 53% in Asia, compared to 58% and 29% respectively for men in these regions. This seriously impacts on the lives of the older women, preventing them from accessing health services, securing incomes, and moving out of poverty. Moreover, the fact that womenââ¬â¢s life expectancy is greater than menââ¬â¢s means that health problems that increase with age, such as disability, affect a greater number of women worldwide. It is anticipated that the overall prevalence and severity of disability among older women will continue to increase, in line with the growing aging population and the higher proportion of women in the old age groups. For example, older women are more likely to suffer from blindness than older men, especially in low-income countries where 44% of cases are caused by cataracts. The greater the number of older women, the greater is the dependency on health care services. Furthermore, despite increased awareness of abuse, discrimination, and violence against women, concerns over the situation of older women have largely been ignored. Data on violence against women over the age of 60 is severely limited and research focusing on abuse of older women tends to be confined to developed countries and based on small sample sizes. Impact of sustainability on the level of protection of the old age The challenge for the future is ââ¬Å"to ensure that people everywhere can grow old with security and dignity and that they can continue to participate in social life as citizens with full rightsâ⬠. At the same time ââ¬Å"the rights of old people should not be incompatible with those of other groups, and reciprocal intergenerational relations should be encouraged.â⬠(United Nations, World Population Ageing 1950-2050, Population Division) Social protection of the old age approach has addressed the multiple interlinked global challenges of poverty eradication, environmental sustainability, and economic equity, and gender equality, equitable distribution of resources, human rights, and inequality. In Mauritius, though about 50% of old people do not take public transport, the latter is still free for people above 60 years old. However, about 21.0% find that this system should be abolished. Basic income security for people in old age is considered as necessary to avoid poverty among the old age. However, approximately 49.4% of Mauritians find that Rs5, 000 is a risk factor to the life of the elders. This amount of money is considered to be too much and can put the life of the elders at stake. Conclusion This chapter has discussed the various objectives of the research work together with the data that was obtained and calculated in the previous chapter, data analysis. As shown, some data obtained were in line with the objectives of this study. The next chapter will talk about the proposed recommendations. Recommendations and Conclusion Introduction In this chapter we will propose a list of recommendations of how the impacts of aging population can be minimised. We will also recommend ways in which the security budget can be controlled, how gender equality and equity can be ensured, and how to ensure a sustainability in the aging population of Mauritius. Housing for seniors: Elder friendly housing Specific measures can be taken to facilitate the development of retirement housing by the private sector, in particular, varying the length of land leases to lower land costs, to facilitate eldersââ¬â¢ needs in terms of housing. Also, through a review of the Code on Barrier-Free Accessibility, the Government can consider introducing guidelines for the provision of accessibility and safety features in the homes for the elder people so that they have a more elder-friendly environment to live in. in this way, the elders will more likely have a healthy lifestyle and thus lessening the health expenditure for the Government. Stretching the workforce and working hours The participation rates of women and elderly people in the workforce should be increased to ensure more contribution is being brought economically to Mauritius. According to the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 49% of the people aged between 60 to 64 years old in USA are still gainfully employed. There are many ways in which a higher participation of the ââ¬Ëyoungââ¬â¢ seniors (aged between 60 and 65) can be achieved. Among them, the most important are to correct the inducement of early retirement, reduce the period of entitlement to unemployment benefits, and eliminate high severance payment, extensive job dismissal protection as well as seniority principles. Also, by implementing new child-minding arrangements and more creative working time models and speeding up organisational reforms, the participation of women within the workforce can be increased. Additionally, the annual working and/or average weekly times can also be increased such that fewer workers have to work for more hours in order to compensate for a negative demographic effect on potential growth. Thus, a higher share of women will be put in the workforce and a greater number of part-time jobs will be switched to full-time positions. It will also require an increase in collectively agreed weekly working times. Migration Immigration can help to slow down the process of aging and shrinking of the population and mitigate its negative economic consequences. The younger, more flexible and better qualified the population, the more favourable the outcome will be. Mauritius should promote migration and set suitable migration policies where the policies do not only stop at identifying suitable immigrants but also help them integrate well into the society. It is also very important for Mauritius to promote harmonious race relations-which is not very difficult, considering the fact that we are ourselves a multi-racial nation. Better use of existing resources and adoption of new technologies. We can help people to stay active, healthy and autonomous by building age-friendly cities and ââ¬Å"smart homesâ⬠that deploy a range of monitoring and supportive devices to help older people manage life more effectively. We can re-engineer health systems to focus on disease prevention and early screening, rather than on expensive intervention. With these measures, we will contribute to creating better quality lives for older people: lives that are also inclusive and sustainable. Preventing falls strategies Given the magnitude of this public health problem, policymakers should elevate falls prevention as a priority and support policies and programs that aim to reduce risk factors among older adult populations. This may be accomplished in multiple ways. For instance, increased funding may be provided to Area Agencies on aging for broader implementation of community-based falls prevention programs. Certain falls prevention strategies, such as home safety assessments, could also be integrated into existing senior outreach services and programs, such as Meals on Wheels. Enhance opportunities for physical activities among older adults It is recommended that policymakers enhance the opportunities for physical activity among the elders. Especially, they should implement policies and targeted strategies that support active living for seniors. This involves identifying and addressing the barriers that currently prevent seniors from participating in physical activities, ramping up education and outreach efforts, and promoting community-based programs that incorporate strength, endurance, balance, flexibility training programs. Some communities for elders offer other social benefits, such as peer interaction and support. This should be put into practice by all the communities for the elderly. Additionally, policymakers should support a broad continuum of programs, ranging from low to high intensity levels, available to people of all abilities, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds. 6.7 Additional benefits for additional years worked Some countries offer financial incentives to workers who keep on working even though they have reached their retirement age. Normally, the incentives are calculated on the basis of contribution period, for example, an additional day, month, quarter, or year worked after the retirement age. They can come be in the form of a single bonus payment or a percentage increase in the final pension. If Mauritius were to adopt this system, it will ensure more people working and thus more people paying the taxes. Encourage employers to retain and recruit older workers The Government should encourage employers to retain and recruit older workers. One way in which this can be achieved is for the Government to directly contribute to the consts of employing older workers (Gineste, 2012). Reducing unemployment benefits for older people Reducing unemployment benefits and lowering pensions could be an incentive to work longer. If the elders have lower pensions and reduced unemployment benefits, they will be more keen to work for longer periods of time so that they achieve a more satisfying and comfortable lifestyle for the time when they are not able to work at all. 6.10 Conclusion This research work has tried to highlight the impacts of the aging population and appraise what is being done the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Reform Institutions to bring about a sustainable development in the aging population of Mauritius. With the decrease in fertility and mortality rates, life expectancy at birth has increased drastically. And despite this rapid aging population, it can be said that the Government, along with the concerned institutions, are striving to keep the population an economically productive and healthy one. To conclude we have also tried to formulate some suggestions which can be implemented in order to ensure that the aging population process stays in control and that Mauritius does not suffer or at least suffers the minimum impact of such a population.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Transcendentalism :: Literary Analysis, Emerson, Thoreau, Dickinson
Transcendentalism blossomed during the 1800s with the help of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Emily Dickinson. They were Transcendentalists who expressed their beliefs through writings from poems to essays and they believed that ââ¬Å"the individual was at the center of the universeâ⬠(Prentice Hall 384). The idea of Transcendentalism is complex and for this reason, only a number of people understood it. Emerson, Thoreau, and Dickinson, were one of the many people who were Transcendentalist; these writers went out of their way in society to represent their beliefs. Emersonââ¬â¢s beliefs were mainly on ââ¬Å"the human mind [because it] was the most important force in the universeâ⬠(Prentice Hall 384). In ââ¬Å"Natureâ⬠, Emerson viewed nature as ââ¬Å"[the] plantations of God, a decorum and sanctity reign, [and] a perennial festival dressedâ⬠(Emerson 388). God made nature and some view it as just trees, leaves, grass, etc., but Emerson saw the true beauty in nature. He saw it as if lights, tinsel, ornaments, etc. already decorated it. In addition, Emerson compared himself to ââ¬Å"a transparent eyeballâ⬠and ââ¬Å"[he] see[ââ¬Ës] all; the currents of the Universal Beingâ⬠(Emerson 389). He can see everything and everyone around the world. In ââ¬Å"Self-Relianceâ⬠, Emerson conveys that one must follow for what they believe in. They have to accept themselves ââ¬Å"for better [or] for worseâ⬠(Emerson 391). Emerson states, ââ¬Å"A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his bestâ⬠(Emerson 391). He implies that one must love their job and loves to work hard because at the end they will be happy. In addition, Emerson viewed the human soul as part of an ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËOver-Soul,ââ¬â¢ a universal spirit to which all beings returned after deathâ⬠(Prentice Hall 384). The Over-Soul is similar to reincarnation, where after one person dies, that person will come back to life, but in a different form, like, an animal, an insect, or a human. Emersonââ¬â¢s works define being an American because they gave him the freedom to write what he wanted. Also, his works define being a Transcendentalist because they include descriptions of the deep sense of nature, human soul, and individualism. Thoreau, the protà ©gà © of Emerson, went through tough experiences to understand Transcendentalism and to be in ââ¬Å"harmony with natureâ⬠(Prentice Hall 385). In Walden, Thoreau spends two years living in a cottage, which he made, next to Walden Pond in the woods.
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