Competition (BUSINESS 305 CASE ASSIGNMENT MODULE 3) Essay

Competition (BUSINESS 305 CASE ASSIGNMENT MODULE 3) - Essay Example While it may stand to reason that OPEC with its fair share in percentage of global oil production is able to effectively manage prices, it hasn’t necessarily happened that way. Increasing pressure from other factor including competing regions outside OPEC such as North Sea and Central Asian states, has resulted in large fluctuations in oil prices in recent past. Formed primarily to look after the oil exporting interests of member countries, OPEC has a clear set of objectives where it claims to balance member country requirements with needs to stabilize world oil prices. Its charter states that OPEC would strive to â€Å"eliminate harmful and unnecessary fluctuations† in global oil prices and ensure â€Å"efficient, economic and regular supply† to buying nations while at the same time coordinating among member countries to share and â€Å"unify† oil policies to protect their interests (OPEC Statute 1). Even though the oil cartel has been a major force in global economy for over 45 years, it has had its own set of shortcomings in vision. At least twice in the past OPEC tried to raise prices by reducing export of oil. In the first instance, in the early 70’s, the prices spiked by about 50% and in the second case, the maximum increase was 34% in 1980. In each period of OPEC intervention, the price increase was short lived and could not be maintained. The reason for not being able to sustain the price increase is rooted in the simple definition of economy that it is governed by people and its behavior. This behavior then defines the supply and demand relationship that forms the basis for price stability and trends. The sudden rise in oil prices as a result of OPEC’s cutting of exports happened because the supply and demand of oil, like any other commodity, is inelastic in the short term. When the OPEC countries

Foundation of Occupational Therapy practice Essay

Foundation of Occupational Therapy practice - Essay Example There are standards, roles, and meaning that an individual derives from the occupations that they engage in. These activities and processes that an individual performs through his or her life, in some context, can collectively be referred to as occupation. The individuals’ occupation will be defined within the societal culture and norms and thus are geared towards the collective development and wellbeing of the society. An individual’s occupation will determine his or her contribution towards the objectives of the society. In this context, occupation can be put into three categories depending on their purpose namely self-care, productivity, or leisure activities. There is need to ensure a good balance in these activities. Different activities will involve sequential interrelated tasks that collectively constitute an occupation. These tasks will need different skills- an individual’s abilities to carry out the activities that will reflect on his performance of the given occupation. These skills can be enhanced through constant practice by the individual. Other than the mental abilities and skills, an occupation will also involve other physical actions. It is important that an individual engage in activity that is not stressful and that provides little or no threats to his or her life. The occupation should be meaningful and of some value to an individual. However, there are factors that can prevent an individual from engaging in an occupation that is of some value to the individual and the society. Occupational therapy is a practice that involves promoting health and well-being of an individual by engaging the individuals in some occupations. The occupational therapists will identify the social, political, cultural, environmental, mental, and psychological and even the political factors that can impede an individual’s engagement in an occupation. Having identified these factors, an occupational therapist will take the appropriate init iative to enable the individual to participate in an activity. This practice has no boundary limit and borrows from other disciplines like psychology (Creek, 2003, p.7). The therapist may encourage the individual to engage in activities and processes that will eventually provide them with an opportunity to be engaged in some occupation. The therapist may also attempt to alter the environmental condition to promote the individual’s participation in some occupation. As a profession, occupational therapy has a number of core values and beliefs that become the guiding philosophy of the practice and that are behind its principles and procedures. Firstly, the practice of occupational therapy is humanistic and self-centered. The practice shows human concern and respects the human values. Secondly, the practice does not consider the individual aspects of human function but provides a holistic perspective to depict individuals as being unique and independent. The physical, spiritual, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of human function are incorporated in occupational therapy practice. It is believed that every individual has his own ability. The difference that exists in the individual human values is also recognized in the practice. Besides, much value is attached to involvement in some occupational activity. Engagement in some occupation is regarded as a basic requirement that is essential for good health of the individual. The OT is supposed to provide the client with information, provide the necessary support, and

Tokugawa Period (Edo Period) Essay Example for Free

Tokugawa Period (Edo Period) Essay The relevance of the Tokugawa Period (Edo Period) to the development of Modern Japan is based on the fact that it marked the restoration of imperial rule and ushered in the beginning of the development of early modern Japan (Bryant 2005).   The innovations that were introduced during this period included the increase in commerce through the encouragement of the shipping of commodities.   This resulted in the economic expansion of Japan on a domestic scale initially and eventually foreign commerce. This also saw the flourishing of construction trades as well as banking facilities and merchant guilds (Bryant 2005).    Through these economic developments, Japan quickly saw the urbanization of its society and the rising economic independence through the increase in agricultural production and the spread of rural handicrafts which greatly revitalized the economy and helped convert a population that was comprised of 80 percent (80%) peasants into a more mercantile population.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Qing Dynasty (Manchu Dynasty) was the last ruling imperial dynasty of China.   The fall of traditional China was caused by the weakened military power during the 1800’s and the massive rebellions that shook China during the same period.   By the early 20th century, the death of Ci Xi and the Guangxu emperor had left the imperial family relatively powerless and unstable against the mass civil disorder that had begun (Bartlett 1991). The ultimate humiliation for the Qing dynasty was the loss of imperial power that it had when it relinquished control over the military to Yuan Shi-kai and his Beiyang commanders and the establishment of a Republican constitutional reform.   This led to installation of Yuan Shi-kai as the president of the Republic pursuant to the negotiations with Sun Yat-Sen.   Finally, in 1912, after 12 rounds of negotiations, Longyu issued the Imperial Edict bringing about the abdication of the child emperor Puyi and thus marking the fall of traditional imperial China (Bartlett 1991). References: Beatrice S. Bartlett. Monarchs and Ministers: The Grand Council in Mid-Ching China, 1723–1820. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1991. Anthony J. Bryant Sekigahara 1600: The Final Struggle for Power, Praeger Publishers; September, 2005

Analyzing Macbeths Weak Charachter in Shakespeares Macbeth Essay

Shakespeare's Macbeth is about the change in Macbeth's character and his inner motives and feelings. Throughout the play the audience bears witness to Macbeth's thoughts and feelings in his soliloquies, speech, and asides. One often wonders whether it is fate, the witches, or the people around him that compel him to think in certain ways and influence his decisions. It is only his own character from the beginning, however, that allows him to make some of the choices that he does and commit horrific deed during the play. Macbeth is a weak, selfish, traitor, as shown through his submission to Lady Macbeth's demands, his betrayal of Duncan and Banquo, and his inability to admit wrongdoing or accept the consequences of his actions. Macbeth demonstrates weakness when he gives in to Lady Macbeth?s will and follows through with her crazed schemes. Lady Macbeth is a greedy person with grand desires, but one who finds it hard to follow through with the nefarious deeds that are associated with accomplishing her goals. She often wishes to be more of a man, calling upon the devil to help her ignore her conscious and give her cold blood. She uses Macbeth as a tool to accomplish doing these things she cannot without having to do them on her own. However, Macbeth is also reluctant and Lady Macbeth has to influence him to kill Duncan. When learning of Lady Macbeth?s plot to take Duncan?s crown, Macbeth contemplates all the reasons it should not be done. He admits it would be suicide, and that he has no reason to do it. Macbeth decides he will let luck and fate decide whether he will be crowned. ?I have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent,? (I, ii, 26-27) says Macbeth. But soon afterwards he is coerced by Lady Macbeth ?s taunts and critici... ...ing himself up honorably. Through these statements and Macbeth?s fight until his death, he has demonstrated a lack of regret for the things he has done and the inability to repent for his actions. Shown by his mental insecurity and weakness, treachery against god and country, and reluctance to confess fault, Macbeth has proved a pathetic and selfish person who ultimately gets what he deserves. Macbeth?s character demonstrates all the qualities of a criminal mind. People often find themselves fighting against problems they have created for themselves through their own unwise actions, and losing in the end like Macbeth does because they cannot not change their ways soon enough or aren?t willing to. If one chooses to be selfish, greedy, and overconfident and betrays the ones surrounding him without regret, then he will find himself fighting alone to the bitter end.

Constitution Compromises Essay

To the founders of the new American nation, it was important to make sure all states of the union stayed together. To ensure no states succeeded, many compromises were made in the ratification of the constitution, including those regarding representation and slavery, which allowed the majority of the population to be content and successfully governed the nations. Although the state’s populations were unequal, they all wanted their fair share of say in the government; the problem was they couldn’t decide what that fair share was. Their decision to create a bicameral government satisfied both the sparsely and densely populated states. The smaller states got their representation by the Senate, while the larger states got their wishes fulfilled by the House of Representatives. This compromise was ultimately for the better, being that a bicameral system has perks associated with it. For instance, a dual representation situation increases the chance that representatives have direct contact with the citizens, thus representing their population better. The two houses ultimately better served their country and resolved a conflict as well. Slavery was also an issue that saw a lot of dispute. Generally, Abolitionists in the North wanted to abolish slavery completely; however, this didn’t sit right with the South, whose economy desperately depended on slaves to flourish. There were two compromises about slavery. The first compromise ended the slave trade, and the second addressed the accounting of slaves in a state’s population for the census, as well as taxes. Being that the northern views were already stepping on the South’s toes, they couldn’t afford any clash to bring about talk of a separation from the union. Their decision to account 3/5 of a slave when apportioning taxes and representatives favored neither side in this dispute. This was for the better in that the southern states couldn’t really argue with the decision and stayed with the Union. Because the compromises that were made in the making of the constitution aimed to please, they worked by ensuring all states were happy, thus more likely to listen to the government and stay in the union.

Meat Production And Environmental Health - 1437 Words

Meat Production and Environmental Health Introduction Global meat production rose to a new peak of 308.5 million tons in 2013, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a more than fourfold increase over the last five decades. Even more startlingly, meat production has grown 25-fold since 1800 (Horrigan, Lawerence Walker, 2002). Globally, agriculture utilizes nearly 70 per cent of the world s available freshwater. One-third of that percentage is used to grow grains to feed to livestock (ECOS, 2014). While the global meat industry provides food and a livelihood for billions of people, it also has significant environmental and health consequences for the planet. Over half of the water used in meat production†¦show more content†¦The legislation however did not refer to any of the industrial food producers in California, which accounts for over 80% of the water usage in the state (California Department of Water Resources, 2012). This issue interests me because of the potential impacts the waste of water for agr iculture has on vulnerable populations of people with already limited capital needed to access food and water as prices continue to go up. Historically, communities of color are hit hardest by policies and practices favoring capitalists in the neoliberal system under which we live. The growing trend of privatization of water coupled with decline in the economic stability of the U.S. has the potential to severely decimate low- income communities of color in the years to come. This issue impacts the environment as a whole due to the reckless waste of valuable water. According to a research study conducted by Tilman, Gassman, Matson, Naylor Polasky (2002), The increasingly unsustainable methods associated with meat production, pose a huge threat to food production and ecosystems at large. Specific environmental health issues related to industrial meat production include water pollution/waste and climate change. Water Pollution Water Waste According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (2008), industrial livestock operations produce over 300 million tons of wastewater per year. Although there are

The Adventrue of Hucleberry Fin by Mark Twain - 684 Words

The classic novel Huckleberry Fin, by Mark Twain, has been debated of being appropriate or not due to the racist content within. Many disagree with Mark Twain’s use of derogatory terms and phrases such as the word â€Å"Nigger† in his book. â€Å"IT seems unlikely that anyone, of any color, who had actually read Huckleberry Fin†¦could accuse of it being racist† (Kaplan 20). Huckleberry Fin uses necessary racism in order to show the culture and attributes of the time period as well as to portray Twains message of promoting equality and that they are not morally better if they are one race over another. What is now seen as racism was simply the culture and attributes during the time setting of the novel (Toltzman 1). Huck Fin was written when cruel and unjust treatments of blacks were common and use of derogatory words didn’t get much attention. Huck Finn is during a time when blacks were not treated or thought as people but as objects without personali ties or emotions. For instance, Jim is initially only knows to whose property he is. He was considered Miss Watson property that was about to be sold, which resulted in him running away. The racist attitudes of the South are were most obvious in the character of Huck Finn himself, and how he relates to the runaway slave, Jim. He plays tricks on Jim and uses dialogue that makes him appear foolish or perhaps to make Jim painfully aware of his own belittlement. During their entire journey Huck and Jim become closer. â€Å"They achieved a state