What is Christian ethics Research Paper Example

What is Christian ethics Paper The term ethics deals with what is morally right or wrong. Christian ethics therefore, deals with what is morally right or wrong for a Christian. There are several distinguishing characteristics of Christian ethics, each of which play a vital role to its analysis. Some Christians will base their ethics solely on the Bible and its teachings, others will base their ethics on the biblical teachings but also on Church tradition and Natural Law, others will follow a Situation or virtue ethics approach and others will look to their conscience as a guide. Christian ethics is based on Gods will and is a form of divine command position. However, God never wills anything contrary to his unchanging moral character. The ethical imperatives that God gives are in accord with his unchangeable moral character. That is, God wills what is right in accordance with his own morals Be Holy because I am Holy. Christians believe the scriptures transmit the Word of God: this gives them authority. The weight of authority given to the Bible is dependent on what exactly a Christian believes about the books. Some Christians believe that humans were inspired by God to write down the scriptures which means the writings are related to the time and culture when they were recorded and may contain human errors. This makes them a useful source of guidance to people but does not make their contents absolute. Others believe the Bible contains Gods words handed down directly to humans. This makes these writings divine and makes them the highest authority their rules and codes are absolute. We will write a custom essay sample on What is Christian ethics specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on What is Christian ethics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on What is Christian ethics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The New Testament has particular importance for Christians because it records the teachings of Jesus, whom Christians regard as Gods Son sent to earth to save humanity. They also believe it is essential to follow Jesus teachings if they are to be saved. The Divine Command theory is a strong part of Christian ethics as it poses a vital belief the argument is that something is good simply because God commands it and for no other reason. This is one side of Euthyphros dilemma and states that we cannot apply reason or verify it in any way. For example, if God were to command a cruel dishonest action such as murdering an innocent man then it would be right simply because he commanded it. Many Christian thinkers, including Aquinas and more recently William Temple, have rejected the Divine Command Theory because they say some things are innately good or bad. Temple said, In its nature, the moral judgement is quite wholly independent of religion. The Roman Catholic Church accounts for the majority of Christians in the world, and is the largest religious organisation of any religion. Within Catholic theology, Natural Law holds a dominant position. Aquinas has emphasised reason as a tool for showing that certain acts are intrinsically right or wrong, as they go against true purpose; certain absolutes, such as sanctity of life, cannot be changed by the circumstances. The Church encourages a range of different approaches, but when it comes to official church teaching, the vast majority of statements, encyclicals etc. are strongly in-line with Natural Law. Within other denominations, Natural Law theology still has a significant impact. Many Christians adopt deontological positions and think we should act according to Gods design or purpose for our lives. They may be less influenced by Aquinas in this, and Protestants tend to be less sure about moral absolutes. However, there is still a strong sense of following rules within most Christian denominations. Christians believe Natural Law is God-given and as such has authority in the formulation of an ethical code. Catholics also consider that conscience plays an important part in Christian ethical decision-making. Here conscience is not seen as some inner voice which will point us in the right direction but something of reason and judgement. Christians regard their conscience as the ultimate guide for making moral decisions because it was given to them by God and represents the voice of the Holy Spirit within them. Prayer worship and the teaching of the Church also assist the conscience, which Aquinas described as reason-making moral decisions. Very liberal Protestants may have a situationist approach to Christian ethics. Situation ethics presumes it is not necessary to abandon moral autonomy, nor is it necessary to act in an antinomianistic or legalistic way. In any situation people need to avoid subjectivism and individualism, and to use the moral rules of the community, but they should set these aside if love is better served by doing so, therefore being based on the Christian principle of agape unconditional love. Joseph Fletcher explained this theory in his book about situation ethics and it became apparent that he believed that love always takes the priority, even over laws against lying, stealing, adultery and murder. For example, this could be applied in a situation where it would be wrong to use someone for sexual pleasure as there was no love involved. Virtue ethics is also an important source for Christian ethics. Instead of focusing on acts or ends, virtue theory holds that people should think about becoming better people, and prescribes qualities which constitute goodness. So while a utilitarian seeks to bring about the end with the greatest good for the greatest number, and Aquinas encouraged people to do actions which accorded with the natural law and avoid those which didnt, virtue theorists encourage people to look to self-improvement. This links to love as being the highest of all virtues and also the rationale for all virtues but just in different circumstances. The virtues, for Christian ethics point towards the goal for which we aim, even if we do not achieve it in life. In conclusion, it is evident that Christians set out to follow the Will of God. They use various sources of authority to discover what the Will of God is and I have mentioned these different types of foundations of the religion in my essay which has proved that whilst most Christians would recognise them as sources of authority, they are likely to place a different emphasis on their relative importance.

How the printing press effected the media world essays

How the printing press effected the media world essays If it were not for Johan Gutenbergs invention of the printing press, literacy would not be where it is today. That is way the invention of print is considered a communications revolution. One of the aspects that will be discussed is how society pre-existed before the printing press and how information was collected and distributed through out the communities. Literature was becoming a lot more popular so the world was ready for an invention that would help this need for more literary material. An important aspect is the invention of john Gutenbergs printing press and what progression happened after it and what impact it had on Europe and the world. Before paper and print were invented, oral communication was the only way information was gathered and distributed. Everything from tax to politics and legal matters were discussed orally. This type of communication was face to face and only people present could hear the message. Even though this bound the community together, it did not allow the community to grow and there were no ways of storing information except in the brain, also if the community moved on or perished so did their historical records and knowledge. But not everybody was illiterate. The local priests were educated and could be employed for literal services like the writing of wills. The church was the only manufacturer of books like illuminated manuscripts (500-1500c), scrolls which were practical for reciting literacy text and codex which were reference books, made from parchment or animal skin. These were rare as they took a long time to produce and emperors had them as status symbols (8th-11th c) even if they could not read them, they conferred an image of intelligence and power. Literacy was slowly evolving but books were still expensive and took a long time to produce. A monk could spend a year or more to reproduce one bible. In 105AD the Chinese had made paper and block printing was brought to the...

Gods and Goddesses Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gods and Goddesses - Research Paper Example As the discussion stresses  some of the most important spiritual beings worshipped by Romans include Jupiter and Juno. Jupiter was their main god, while Juno was his wife, and she was regarded as a goddess of fertility. The Romans used the peacock and the pomegranate to symbolize her presence.From the report it is clear that  though early Romans placed did not regard and care for the personality of their gods, they were concerned on their functions. These early Romans integrated worship of the gods into all aspects of their lives. In politics and geographic influence, Rome integrated religious beliefs and customs. Assimilation was visible in all corners of life. For example, the Romans began worshipping the goddess Cybele because of the threat that Hannibal was posing towards the people of Rome.  In the lives of Romans household were seen to have personal spirits which protected every household. They were called the lares and in essence were family ancestral spirits. The penate s were kind of spirits that guarded the larder. It is stated that little shrines, the lararium, were placed in houses to and these spirits could be worshipped on daily basis. Sacrifices in the form of bits of wine and food were offered to these spirits. Later on Emperor Constantine brought in Christianity which changed the whole of Rome and Europe. The Roman gods had a direct influence on the family lives of the Romans. Take for instance Juno, who was the goddess of fertility. The Romans believed that she had the power and capability of providing children to them.  

Deborah Tannens But What Do You Mean Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Deborah Tannens But What Do You Mean - Essay Example I agree with Tannen’s stance on criticism. Women’s softened criticism originates in their delicate nature. Tannen rightly attributes it to their emphasis upon feelings rather than ego. Women talk to others the way they would like themselves to be talked to. On the other hand, men are straight-forward. Being rough and tough, they expect others to be rough and tough as well. They don’t realize when they are being too tough to the women because they are not women themselves. It’s just that they have never been able to feel how a woman feels when she is being talked to in a straight-forward and critical manner. I also agree to Tannen as she analyzes women’s feelings when they don’t get the same level of formality or politeness that they treat men with. I agree that quite often, women keep thanking others for â€Å"nothing†. Although a man might be trying to be gentle while responding to a woman manager’s thankyou with welcome, yet a woman may not understand that he was trying to play his part on the scale of politeness because his performance was just not up to the mark! I agree that men are stronger at arguing than women because this is what they do all the time. Although women also keep arguing among their community in their little capacity, yet their capacity does not measure equal to that of men. One reason for this may be that men fight over more crucial matters than women and are more often held accountable for their acts than women, though I disagree that women are not taken seriously if they don’t argue enough. I agree that women are more generous and eager in giving feedback while men are more reluctant and critical. What women take very seriously is an ordinary thing to men. Again, it’s the delicacy of women’s nature and the roughness of men’s that is playing a role here! The fact that men tend to bring solution to women for the problems they raise with the intention of

Abnormal presence Essay Example for Free

Abnormal presence Essay All the monster desired from Victor was a decent upbringing, and an explanation for his creation. Shelley was trying to put this point forward as its a question all children would ask and expect of their parents, as its the responsibility that they take on when they commit to having children. Shelley emphasises the point again, that Victor was not ready to commit to this responsibility. The creature begins life isolated from mankind. His isolation is amplified by humans reactions to him; he means them no harm, yet they flee from him or force him away as they are not used to such an abnormal presence. The creature flees a group of bewildered individuals and escapes to a secluded cottage in the woods, where he shelters himself away from the cold weather and rain.. The creature is fascinated by the cottagers behavior and immediately attracted to their beauty and tenderness. He observes their lifestyle through an opening in his shelter and a crack in the cottage wall. Through this all the creature is thinking about is how he desires such a childhood, such a lifestyle and upbringing, yet he was brought into this world as a neglected baby. He started out feeling isolated and an outcast from society, but sees a family with such warmth and welcoming in this world. His observations of the family connect him with other people and reduce his unnaturalness by allowing him to study about and imitate normal people. The creature then learns that there is more to life than what he has seen, and wants to get to know the De Laceys better, and as a possibility become a part of their family. Bear in mind the creature has been alive in the hovel for over a year now, and has been hiding in it for the majority of the time. After much planning and effort, the creature attempts to speak to the eldest De Lacey. While the old man is home alone, the monster enters the cottage and begins conversing. Sympathetically acknowledged by the old man, the creature decides to share his story just as the other De Laceys return. Disgusted at the sight of the deformed figure, Felix attacks the creature, who flees to his hovel to hide, his fondest hopes crushed. The creature, enraged by his dismissal, experiences hatred for the first time: I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery This shows how the family interpreted the monsters presence as disturbing, when all the monster wanted to do was to find a family who would love and care for him, unlike Victor. The monster realises the tie that binds himself and his creator: from you only could I hope for succor . . . on you only had I any claim for pity and redress This shows us that from the way Victor dismissed him, it was the cause of so much hatred and anger when rejection happens all over again to the creature. The creature has learned aggression and deception through his exposure to society and his education. Shelley has included this to give us an image of what is would have been like to have not been brought up with love and affection from our parents, and to not have had the memories and experiences we do now. Without these the creature could not comprehend his existence, and makes the need to be with his father more apparent. To conclude Mary Shelley has captured the essence of why family and domestic affection are so important during our lives, as without it she has given us a fictitious example of what we might turn out like. The use of the creature gives us a clear understanding that he was not brought up in the way we all take for granted, and how such small things we dont blink an eyelid to, make such a significant effect on our lives. Victors denial and rejection of the creature shows me how hard it would be to bring up something you werent entirely convinced you wanted, and you could cope with.

Effects Of The Financial Crisis On Iceland Economics Essay

Effects Of The Financial Crisis On Iceland Economics Essay The country of Iceland is the smallest economy within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with a gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007 of about $11.8billion. The Icelandic economy has been based on marine and energy resources. More recently, Iceland has developed a very strong services sector, which accounts for two-thirds of the economic output. Since the start of the decade i.e. from 2000, Iceland has experienced particularly strong growth in its financial services sector. Trade accounts for a large share of Icelands GDP, with imports accounting for 46% in value and exports accounting for 35% in value of goods and services of GDP. Icelands main export item was fish and other marine products until the year 2006, when Iceland began to capitalize on its abundant thermal energy resources to produce and export aluminum. A combination of economic factors over the early to mid-2000s led to Icelands current economic and banking distress. In particular, access to easy credit, a boom in domestic construction that fueled rapid economic growth and a broad deregulation of Icelands financial sector spurred the banks to expand rapidly abroad and eventually played a role in the eventual financial collapse. Iceland benefited from favorable global financial conditions that reduced the cost of credit and a sweeping liberalization of its domestic financial sector that spurred rapid growth and encouraged Icelands banks to spread quickly throughout Europe. The 2008-2010 Icelandic financial crisis was a major ongoing economic crisis in Iceland that involved the collapse of all three of the countrys major banks (Kaupthing, Landsbanki, Glitnir) following their difficulties in refinancing their short-term debt and a run on deposits in the United Kingdom. Relative to the size of its economy, Icelands banking collapse was the largest suffered by any country in economic history of the world. This was the main reason why Iceland had to suffer so much in the crisis. Commenting on the need for emergency measures, Prime Minister Geir Haarde said on 6 October 2008, There [was] a very real danger that the Icelandic economy, in the worst case, could be sucked with the banks into the whirlpool and the result could have been national bankruptcy. He also stated that the actions taken by the government had ensured that the Icelandic state would not actually go bankrupt. At the end of the second quarter 2008, Icelands external debt was 9.553 trillion Icelandic krà ³nur (à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬50 billion), more than 80% of which was held by the banking sector. This value compares with Icelands 2007 gross domestic product of 1.293 trillion krà ³nur (à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬8.5 billion). The assets of the three banks taken under the control of the FME totaled 14.437 trillion krà ³nur at the end of the second quarter 2008. MONETARY POLICY Monetary policy is the process a the government, central bank, or monetary authority of a country uses to control (i) the supply of money, (ii) availability of money, and (iii) cost of money or rate of interest to attain a set of objectives oriented towards the growth and stability of the economy. Monetary theory therefore provides insight into how to craft optimal monetary policy. Monetary policy is contrasted with fiscal policy, which refers to government borrowing, spending and taxation. During the financial crisis, Icelands monetary policy credibility had been very seriously damaged. Unsatisfactory inflation outcomes had already undermined the credibility of the monetary framework, even before the financial crisis started and, consequently, inflation expectations were poorly anchored. Icelandic economists had said that due to the huge impact of the crisis, rebuilding the credibility was likely to take time, and also maintaining it might be very difficult. However, after the crisis, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) had voted to lower the Central Bank interest rates by 0.5 %. By supporting the interest rate cut, it lead to the appreciation of the krona in trade weighted terms. As in the ISLM Model, a decrease in the interest rates leads to an increase in the money supply. Therefore, this has lead to an expansionary monetary policy, as the interest rates were lowered, and also the MPC supported or voted for lower interest rates. MONETARY POLICY GRAPH The above graph shows the shift in the LM towards right, which has lead to an expansion in the LM curve. Since the MPC voted for a lower interest rates , the money supply was increased. Therefore, the LM curve shifts from LM1 to LM2, leading to an expansionary of the monetary policy. FISCAL POLICY In economics, fiscal policy can be defined as the use of government expenditure and revenue collection to influence the economy. Fiscal policy refers to the overall effect of the budget outcome on economic activity. There are three possible stances of fiscal policy: Neutral stance, which implies a balanced budget where, govt. spending = Tax Revenue Expansionary stance, increase in the govt. spending and reduction in tax revenue Contractionary stance, decrease in the govt. spending and increase in tax revenue During the financial crisis, there was an increased government debt. Due to the recession and rising debt servicing costs, the public deficit was projected to be above 10% of GDP in 2009, adding to the public debt burden. As a result, a considerable fiscal consolidation was therefore needed to put public finances back on a sustainable path and to pave the road for a successful euro-area entry. It was also important to reduce the deficit vigorously in the coming years, so that the country can reach the goal of balance. In order to eliminate the deficit, the government of Iceland had the option of tax increases as well as spending cuts, it then decided to opt for the former as they were easier to introduce immediately. The starting point for the tax increases would have been to reverse tax cuts implemented over the boom years, but Iceland could no longer afford. This would involve the increase in the personal income tax and also lift the reduced rate of VAT (Value Added Tax). This planned fiscal consolidation, would involve measures which would help to contain the expenditures. FISCAL POLICY GRAPH The above graph, shows the shift in the IS curve towards left, which leads to the contraction of the IS curve. Since the govt. decided to reduce their expenditure and increase the taxation, in order to consolidate the fiscal policy, the IS has moved towards left, leading to an contractionary fiscal policy. INFLATION In economics, inflation can be defined as the rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. When the price level rises, then each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services; consequently, annual inflation is also erosion in the purchasing power of money a loss of real value in the internal medium of exchange and unit of account in the economy. The effects of inflation on an economy are manifold and can have both simultaneously positive and negative impacts. Since Iceland, comes from a small domestic market, the banks in Iceland have financed their expansion from getting loans on the inter-bank lending market and, more recently, by getting deposits from outside Iceland (which are also a form of external debt). Large amount of debt was also taken by the households, which was equivalent to 213% of the disposable income, causing inflation in the country. Due to the practice of the Central Bank of Iceland issuing loans (liquidity) to the different banks on the basis of uncovered bonds which are newly issued and printing money on demand, this lead to inflation being exacerbated. Due to the financial crisis, the country of Iceland suffered inflation. On 25th of March 2008, popular website, Bloomberg.com that Iceland had raised its rates to 15% by raising its repo rate by a huge 1.25% in one day. The website also reported that the country was facing an inflation rate of about 7%. However, the Central Bank of Iceland had a goal of maintaining the inflation rate of about 2.5%. Also the Icelandic currency, krona has declined against the euro, from about 100 ISK per euro at the beginning of the year (2008), to its nadir of 125 on March 19 2008. Due to the interest rate hike it had the effect of moving it to about 116 from about 122. In August 2006, the country of Iceland made news when it had increased its interest rate to 13.5%. At that time, the krona was very strong against the euro. Iceland made news previously in August, 2006 when it increased its interest rate to 13.5%. The krona was then trading at a stronger at 90 to one euro. Some main factors why Iceland incurred inflation was mainly due to, the value of krona depreciated, secondly the prices of various commodities kept on soaring, and lastly, there was uncertain effect on wage agreements on labour costs. Since the financial crisis brought a huge change in the development of the economies in the world, as well as making many banks go bankrupt, the Icelandic debt is now over 320 billion krona, which is roughly about $4 billion US dollars. This figure is huge; as one can say considering that its about a quarter of their GDP. INFLATION GRAPH Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2010 6.60 7.30 8.50 2009 18.60 17.58 15.19 11.89 11.63 12.18 11.32 10.90 10.81 9.71 8.63 7.50 2008 5.77 6.79 8.72 11.76 12.32 12.74 13.55 14.54 14.02 15.89 17.15 18.13 2007 6.89 7.41 5.87 5.29 4.67 4.01 3.76 3.45 4.18 4.47 5.19 5.86 The above graph shows Icelandic inflation rate over the past 3 years. In the graph, one can make out how the inflation rate climbed up consistently in the year 2008, whereas in the year 2009, the inflation rates kept on falling except in the month of June where it increased, but since then it had kept on decreasing. In the year 2008, the reason why inflation rate climbed up consistently, was because of the krona which had been depreciating, where as in the year 2009, the inflation rates kept on falling as the property prices fell, which resulted in the fall of prices. UNEMPLOYMENT Unemployment can be defined as people who do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the past four weeks, and are currently available for work. Also, people who were temporarily laid off and are waiting to be called back to that job are counted as unemployed. Some types of unemployment are listed below: Structural Unemployment. Frictional Unemployment. Cyclical Unemployment. Since the financial crisis, lead to large percentage of unemployment all over the world, Iceland was also one of them which had a quite high rate of unemployment. Unemployment in Iceland increased tree times more by the end of November 2008. There were more than 7000 registered jobseekers (about 4% of the workforce) in November compared to just 2136 at the end of August 2008. The debt repayment had become more costly as household debt (80%) and 13% denominated in foreign currencies had become indexed. The impact of the crisis was such that since October 2008, 14% of the total workforce had experienced reductions in pay, whereas around 7% of the workforce had their working hours reduced. According to IFL (Icelandic Federation of Labour) president Gylfi Arnbjà ¶rnsson, the above figures were lower than expected More than 85% of the workforce who were currently registered as unemployed in the country, stated that they had become unemployed or lost their jobs in October after that, due to the economic collapse. In December 2008, the unemployed figures which were registered in Iceland was 4.8 per cent, or around 7,902 people an increase of some 45 percent in November, according to the figures from the Directorate of Labour. These unemployment figures were the highest, Iceland had recorded since January 1997. In the same month i.e. December in the year 2007, unemployment rate partly was 0.8 percent, or 1.357 people. The Directorate of Labour had estimated that the figure will rise to 6.4-6.9 percent by the end of January 2009. Among those unemployed, the rate of unemployment among young people had increased the fastest, with the number of registered 16 to 24 year olds jumping from 1,408 to 2,069 in the month to the end of December 2008. This age group accounts for 23 percent of the entire jobless total. UNEMPLOYMENT GRAPH 0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% 7.00% 8.00% 9.00% 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 The above graph shows the rate of unemployment over the past 7 years. During the financial crisis, the rates skyrocketed especially in the year 2010, due to the banking as well as financial collapse. Many became jobless as banks and other sectors were closed. Other reason why the rate was high in 2010 was, because the fishing sector was affected. This sector accounts for 10% of the total workforce in the country. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is defined in economics as a basic measure of a countrys overall economic output. It is the market value of all final goods and services made within the borders of a country in a year. It is often positively correlated with the standard of living, though its use as a stand-in for measuring the standard of living has come under increasing criticism and many countries are actively exploring alternative measures to GDP for that purpose. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) can be determined in three ways, all of which should in principle give the same result. They are the product (or output) approach, the income approach, and the expenditure approach. Prior to the 2008-2010 crises, the economy of Iceland had achieved high growth, also had a low rate of unemployment, and a remarkably even distribution of income all over the country. The economy depended heavily on the fishing industry which is the main source of their income, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 10% of the work force. Icelands economy had been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, with new developments in software production, biotechnology, and tourism. During the global financial crisis, the crisis-stricken Icelandic economys GDP shrank by a record 6.5% in 2009, despite having a decent growth of 1% in 2008 and massive growth of 6% in 2007. The decrease in the gross domestic product (GDP) by 6.5% was a record in the national accounts of Iceland. There was a sharp decline in GDP in last year (2009) as the domestic expenditure plunged by 20.1%, then the household consumption also fell to 14.6% due to unemployment and government consumption dwindled by 3%. Also, Icelands fixed capital formation dropped by 49.9%. These were the reasons why the gross domestic product (GDP) fell by a huge margin, in the year 2009. After the crisis, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Iceland managed to expand at an annual rate of 3.30 percent in the last quarter i.e. in the year 2009. Iceland Gross Domestic Product is now worth 17 billion dollars or 0.03% of the world economy, according to the World Bank. Icelands Scandinavian-type social-market economy combines a capitalist structure and free-market principles with an extensive welfare system, including generous housing subsidies. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GRAPH Year Mar Jun Sep Dec Average 2009 -5.10 -0.40 -7.20 3.30 -2.35 2008 2.90 -6.00 1.80 3.20 0.48 2007 2.10 0.80 5.10 -1.00 1.75 The above graph, describes the changes in the gross domestic product (GDP) of Iceland over the past 3 years. During the years 2007 2008, Iceland recorded a growth in the GDP, which helped in boosting the Icelandic economy. However, most of the year in 2009, it recorded a huge decline of 6.5%, except in the last quarter i.e. in the month of December where it a recorded a positive GDP. The main reasons why the GDP declined in the year 2009 was because the household consumption, the government consumption, as well the domestic expenditure rate had fallen massively, resulting in a negative GDP for the most part of the year. CURRENCY The Iceland currency which is known as krà ³na had been declined more than 35% against the euro from January to September 2008.Inflation of consumer prices was running at 14% and Icelands interest rates had been raised to 15.5% to deal with the high inflation. In the month of October 2008, the effects of financial crisis brought about a collapse in the Icelandic banking sector. The Central Bank of Iceland abandoned its attempt to peg the Icelandic krà ³na at 131 krà ³nur to the euro after it had tried to set this peg in the month. During the month, the Icelandic krà ³na was trading at 340 to the euro when trading in the currency had collapsed because the last major Icelandic bank had been takeover by the FME and thus the loss of all krà ³na trade clearing houses. Then, the central bank introduced restrictions on the purchase of foreign currency within Iceland. From October to November, the European Central Bank quoted a reference rate of 305 krà ³nur to the euro. The Central Bank of Iceland had then set up a temporary system of daily currency auctions in the month of October to facilitate international trade. The value of the krà ³na was determined by supply and demand which took place in these auctions. The first auction sold à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬25 million at a rate of 150 krà ³nur to the euro. Commercial krà ³na trading outside Iceland had again been started in the end of October, at an exchange rate of 240 krà ³nur to the euro, after which Icelandic interest rates had been raised to 18%. The foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank of Iceland had felled by US$289 million during the month of October 2008. During November 2008, the real exchange rate (discounting inflation) of the Icelandic krà ³na, which was quoted by the Central Bank of Iceland, was approximately one-third lesser than the average rate from the period 1980-2008, and also 20% lower than the historical lows during the same period. The external rate which was quoted by the European Central Bank was still lower. On the last trading day of the month November, the Central Bank of Iceland had quoted 182.5 krà ³nur to the euro, while the European Central Bank had quoted 280 krà ³nur to the euro. INTERNATIONAL TRADE The economy of Iceland is small and subject to high volatility. Icelands standard of living is among the worlds highest, in part due to the overall openness of its economy, which has allowed Iceland to reap significant benefits from specialization and trade according to a report on the trade policies and practices of Iceland published by the WTO Secretariat. Iceland has a mixed economy with high levels of free trade and government intervention. Iceland has a free market economy with relatively low taxes compared with other OECD countries. However, government consumption is less than in other Nordic countries. Icelands trade policy is pursued along three main tracks: multilateral trade liberalisation through the WTO, regional liberalisation through the European Economic Area (EEA) with its EFTA/EEA partners and the European Union and finally, bilateral free trade agreements in cooperation with its EFTA partners Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Icelands international treaties hav e strengthened foreign trade. The EEA Agreement covers the free movement of goods, persons, capital and services. Membership in the EEA in 1994 and the Uruguay Round agreement brought greater market access for Icelands exports, capital, labor, and goods and services, especially seafood products. Agriculture is heavily subsidized and protected by the government, with some tariffs ranging as high as 700 percent. Iceland is a part of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The WTO was established on the 1st of January 1995. It is an organization designed to supervise and liberalize international trade. Since the early 1990s, Iceland and its other partners in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have established an extensive network of contractual free trade relations in Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean region and with countries in other parts of the world. The WTO deals with controlling of trade between participating countries; it provides a framework for negotiating trade agreements. The country has signed a large number of multilateral and bilateral agreements. Iceland is furthermore strongly committed to the Doha Development Agenda and a fair and equitable outcome that will benefit the entire membership. Iceland supports the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund, which is intended to assist developing countries in taking advantage of the opportunities created by increased trade liberalization. Iceland exports 40% of fish and fish products, 40% of aluminum and alloys and animal products. The main imports are machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs and textiles and Cement. Icelands primary import partner is Germany, with 12.6%, followed by the United States, Norway, and Denmark. Currently, the largest trading partner countries are Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries. The fishing industry is one of the most important industries. It provides 70% of export income and employs 6.0% of the workforce; therefore, the state of the economy remains sensitive to world prices for fish products.  [i]  The diversity of Icelands exports has, however, increased significantly in recent years, due to structural reforms and privatisation of state owned entities in finance and other sectors. Exports of manufactured products have been growing rapidly. Services now account for 36% of total export revenues while in 1990 the share was 26%. Icelands ratio of services to total trade is one of the highest among OECD countries. It is the Governments stated objective to provide Icelandic agriculture with a realistic opportunity to adapt to changes in its operating environment, to the benefit of farmers and consumers alike. The growth of international trade had been affected in the 1930s by the existence of tariffs and other barriers to international trade. To avoid such problems an agreement, the general Agreement of Trade and Tariffs, was concluded between 44 countries which included Iceland. Iceland joined GATT in 1968. GATT stated that an international agreement should be created which required a binding code of conduct for international trade; its main objective was the liberalization of world trade. Its principle was that there would be mutual benefits if international trade took place on the basis of non-discrimination and should be gradually reduced through negotiations. The liberalization for international trade gave Iceland confidence in their trade. During the period 2003-07, Iceland developed from a nation best known for its fishing industry into a country providing sophisticated financial services, but was consequently hit particularly hard by the 2008 global financial crisis, which extended into 2009.  [ii]   Self-protection and self-preservation have characterized Icelands foreign trade policy since its independence from Denmark. While Iceland is a highly developed country, until the 20th century, it was among the poorest countries in Western Europe. However, strong economic growth has led Iceland to be ranked first in the United Nations Human Development Index report for 2007/2008.  [iii]   TARIFF Iceland enjoys some of the strongest economic freedoms among all countries However; Iceland is very isolationist as regards to the import of farm products and licenses as well as state monopolies of imports (undergoing a dismantling). Some plant products such as potatoes and flowers are subject to seasonal limitations. Iceland implements high tariffs on agricultural products in order to protect the domestic agricultural sector. Tariffs on certain varieties of vegetables, e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers are significantly higher during the growing season to protect domestic greenhouse producers. Meat and dairy products, and potatoes are also protected by substantial duties. Animal feed can carry tariffs up to 55%. Over 90% of imports are not subject to import restrictions or duties other than the same value-added tax applied to domestically produced goods. Special excise taxes are levied on sugar and some sugar products, potatoes, and motor vehicles. Agricultural products remain the most heavily taxed. In March 1970, Iceland acquired full membership in EFTA. On 28 February 1973, Iceland ratified a trade agreement with the European Community (later named the European Union) leading to the elimination of tariffs on industrial goods. A law authorizing the establishment of free trade zones went into effect in 1992. Icelands trade regime underwent considerable liberalization in the 1990s with accession to the European Economic Area (EEA) in 1993, and the Uruguay Round in 1994. Current duty rates generally range from 0% to 30% ad valorem and the average weighted tariff is 3.6%. Some goods enter duty-free, such as meat, fish, and dairy products. Icelands average MFN applied tariff is 5.9%. A high percentage of tariff lines (70%) benefit from duty free treatment. The average MFN applied tariff rate  for agricultural products is 18.3% (WTO definition) compared with 2.5% for other goods.  [iv]   Iceland offers preferential tariffs on imports from 37 WTO Members under several free-trade agreements. Regional liberalization has advanced the most within the framework of the European Economic Area (EEA); nonetheless, the average tariff on products from EEA partners is still 3.2%, reflecting the exclusion of several agricultural products from duty-free treatment. A new Customs Law came into force on 1 January 2006 (Act No. 88/2005). According to the authorities, customs clearance for all importation aspects is computerized; electronic data interchange (EDI) covers 98% of the declarations of import and export firms. Customs clearance using EDI takes a matter of minutes, or a few hours if processed manually. CONCLUSION The occurrence of the financial and economic crisis left economists and policymakers wondering about its causes. A vast majority of economist and policymakers blamed the free-market reforms. At the beginning of 1990s, the government of Iceland implemented a set of free-market reforms under the leadership of David Oddsson. The companies own by the state were privatized. Financial markets were liberalized. The central bank was granted full independence in refining extensive inflation. Also, the corporate tax rate was cut from 52 percent in 1985 to 15 percent in 2008. When the financial crisis battered the stock market which led to the breakdown of the banking sector, many economists, analysts and policymakers immediately blamed free-market reforms as the foremost origin of the crisis. However, the empirical evidence and a macroeconomic analysis reverse this kind of thinking. The main origin of the financial and economic crisis that evolved in Iceland is a failure of monetary policy. In 2002, Iceland witnessed a mild recession that ended quickly. Ever since then, the central bank constantly failed to meet the inflation target. In response, it raised benchmark interest rate to double-digit levels. As a consequence of a stunning gap in interest rates, the Icelandic krona strongly appreciated. In such circumstances, high domestic interest rates discouraged the domestic banking sector from borrowing in domestic currency. With interest rates standing at double-digit levels, uncovered interest parity encouraged households, firms and banks to borrow in foreign currency. Iceland has been a part of the news lately because of the recent volcanic eruptions which took place on 15th April 2010 in the glacier Eyjafjallajokull in South Iceland. Day to day business in Iceland apart from the directly affected areas in the south has not been affected. The ash hurled into the atmosphere by the eruption has however caused serious disruption of air traffic due to which number of flights have been cancelled and also heavy losses has been incurred to the aviation sector, especially in UK.

Useful Proverbs

A bad workman blames his tools. * Something that you say when someone blames the objects they are using for their own mistakes. It is not the tools we use which make us good, but rather how we employ them. 2. If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. * There is a lot of emphasis on getting things right 3. Make hay while the sun still shines. * To take an opportunity to do something when the time and conditions are near perfect or available. * To do something while you have the time to do it. Act while conditions are favorable 4. Many hands make light work. * This idiom means that when everyone gets involved in something, the work gets done quickly. 5. Too many cooks spoil the broth. * This means that where there are too many people trying to do something, they end up making a mess of it. * Too many persons involved in managing an activity can ruin it. 6. Early to bed and early to rise makes you healthy, wealthy and wise. 7. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do tod ay. 8.The devil makes work for idle hands. * If a person is not busy he will do evil things. Protestants believe children should be busy because the devil makes work for idle hands. 9. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. * Hard work without time for recreation is not good for one's health 10. The early bird catches the worm. * It means that if you start something early, you stand a better chance of success. You know the saying, As the old saying goes, It literally means that worth=worthy of

Project/Portfolio Fact Pattern Handout

Facts – Little Louie 1. Unemployed 2. Dates Wild Wanda 3. Plans to rob a bank with Billy Bad Boy and Vinnie Bagadonuts. 4. Knows a gun collector named Smith 5. Breaks into Smith’s house 6. Breaks into the gun locker and steals couple of handguns, sawed-off shotgun, and automatic weapons. 7. Robs the bank 8. In a shootout with the armed guard a bank teller and police officer is shot. 9. Runs from the police officers. 10. Breaks into Smokey’s house. Little Louie 1. Conspiracy          Title 18, Part 1, Ch, 19,  §Ã‚  371 2. Burglary – break an entering                ORC, Title29, Ch 2911,  § 2911. 2       a) Breaking glass window into Smiths house 3. Second count of burglary – guns                   ORC, Title29, Ch 2911,  § 2911. 12       a) Breaking into the gun case b) Saw off shotgun c) Several hand guns d) Automatic weapons 4. Robbery – bank       Title18, Part 1, Ch 103,  § 2113 5. Murder of police officer       Title18, Part 1, Ch 51,  § 1114 6. Murder of a bank teller       Title 18, Part 1, Ch 51,  § 1111 7. Fleeing and eluding police officer                      ORC, Title 29, Ch 2921,  § 2921. 331 Offense Charge with & Defense possibly for Little LouieLittle Louie is charged with conspiracy because he had talked planned with Billy Bad Boy and Vince Bagadonuts. Little Louie is charged with two counts of 5th degree felony burglary for in the Smith’s home and take his guns. Little Louie is charge with two counts of 1st degree felony Aggavated Murder one of a police officer and the other is the bank teller. Little Louie is charged with one count of fleeing and eluding of a police officer. Little Louie claims that Vinnie Bagadonuts was the one that shot the officer and bank teller and that also he was the one that broke into the house, and that    along with him.

The level of violence on screen essays

The level of violence on screen essays The Analyzation of Violence on Screen In the last few years, I have noticed that on screen violence has become as common as a Cheesesteak in Philadelphia. People often argue that the violence seen on screen is influencing our culture, yet each year the amount of viewers' increase. It seems that in order for your film or program to be successful it must contain violence. In my opinion, this constant levitation of violence on screen is due to our cultures' infatuation with the art of violence. Violence is present in the most of our cultures most enjoyedfilms like Independence Day, daytime talk shows such as Jerry Springer and even in cartoons that have been around forever like Tom & Jerry. I can recall a time when daytime talk shows (Donahue, Oprah) would hardly ever have audience feed back and very few panelists. My how times have changed. On today's talk shows, such as Jerry Springer, there is always a boisterous audience member, or an insane guest. Just as sure as you will find Abe Lincoln on a penny, you will see a ch air fly on Jerry Springer. The Springer show was the first show to have guests' fight without stopping the camera. Jerry Springers' blatant disrespect for daytime show rules stirred controversy in the media but it also stirred up something in the public.... interest.Although Jerry Springer had gone against all the rules of daytime, his rebellion had made his talk show the most watched show in the nation. When the Springer show surpassed the ratings of all time favorite Oprah Whinfrey, it was re-established that violence sells. Recently the Springer show has stopped airing its' fierce and very real fights for many reasons, one being that 23% of the people that watched his show are under the age of sixteen. Although Jerry Springer is a show intended for adults, childrens' shows contain violence as well.When I was a child, I saw nothing wrong with the Elmer Fudd hunting Rabbits or other Looney Tune characters being blow...

Rise of the modern presidncy form T. roosevelt to fdr essays

Rise of the modern presidncy form T. roosevelt to fdr essays The modern presidency began to rise in about 1900 with Theodore Roosevelt. He began a theme of the 20th century of more federal power within the government and more power of the president in particular. Theodore Roosevelt was president from 1901-1909. Both government and presidency increased during his term. You can see this by the way he regulated big business. He appealed directly to the nation, increasing presidential power, since progressivism had support of America. Roosevelt had engagement in world affairs on his mind and tried to create a more stable world. The panama canal was built while he was in office. He thought it was the responsibility of a civilized nation to help stabilize others. Taft took over for the next four years and somewhat decreased both presidential strength and federal power. There was less land regulation and he chose to have much less control of congress than he could have. It was his personal opinion that it crossed over the checks and balances system of our government. Taft stepped back from foreign affairs also with much less engagement. Woodrow Wilson was in office for two terms, from 1913-1921. Americas support for progressivism allows Wilson to act as leader of government and nation increasing the role of the president. He also increased the federal governments power by putting into effect the federal reserve system. He wanted to stay out of war at first and was even using lines for his reelection with peacekeeping intentions. This comes from the strong American public opinion to stay out of the war and world affairs. He did although end up going to war and failed as a leader when he couldnt get the allied nations support. He did create the league of nations. Harding and Coolidge both decrease the effects of government and the presidency but it does not go back to zero. They serve from 1921-1929 and take a much more isolationalist approach to foreign affairs because it was now the...

Data Model and Data Flow Diagram Assignment Essay

Data Model and Data Flow Diagram Assignment - Essay Example As the customer starts selecting products, the customer is given a "shopping cart". At the end, the customer can check out the shopping cart. At this time, he will be asked for personal information as well as login information for future purposes. The personal information includes the email, gender and date of birth in addition to the usual personal information needed for online shopping. He is also asked for credit card information (PresRX accepts only Master, Visa and American Express). Since PresRX also sells prescription drugs, if the "shopping cart" for the customer contains a product that is available only by prescription, the customer must provide the physician's information as well. This information will include the physician's name, address, specialty, phone number, email, fax number and hospital/clinic affiliation (we care about only the clinic that our customer goes to). (If the physician's info is not provided, we will contact the customer and obtain the info.) The custom er can also select the shipping method: we provide overnight, standard air and standard ground. For some of the drugs that are time and temperature sensitive, the customer will not be able to select the shipping method: the shipping method will automatically be chosen. The products will always be shipped to the person who orders them. If the customer wishes to use his insurance to make the purchase, we obtain the insurance company information as well as the insurance number and we will validate it by contacting the insurance company. Once the credit card is validated, we request validation from the insurance company on the prescription, physician on the prescription and validation of the physician from the hospital/clinic (to prevent fraudulent prescriptions). This is done via an automated email sent to the clinic as well as the physician. If emails are not made available, one of the employees will fax the request. This request will contain the drug requested, the quantity ordered, date it was ordered and the customer's name, address and phone number. The insurance company is called. We do this every time the person shops. The physician's office is given access to a physician's portal where his office can approve the prescription drug order. On approval, the drug is packed and shipped to the customer. The physician's portal is available where physicians can log in to not only approve the prescription request but also to renew the prescription for their patients. We also need to obtain supplies regularly. The reordering is based on need, triggered by low stocks. The system will have to reorder from the supplier via automatic ordering. As the products are shipped to our customers, the system updates the product quantity and as soon as the quantity goes to a pre-set "low" (different for each product), the system will immediately send an order to the product's supplier. Since we handle brand items, each product will have only one supplier. For each product we receive, our employees will update the product quantities in our system. The employees doing this will be the warehouse managers and we need to know who entered which batch of received shipments. Since prescription drugs

What is beauty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What is beauty - Essay Example For some people beauty may depend on outward appearance. Aesthetics happens to be the opposite of beauty. In today’s world we tend to mix beauty and aesthetics together. Aesthetic happens to be your outer appearance that attracts people. This include your clothing and body. People may go on buying expensive clothes or make up just to make them look presentable or attractive to others. This happens to be a characteristic of the material world. Beauty can be said to be your personality rather than looks. It is something that makes you original and shine through all the odds. Simply by applying, make up, having cosmetic surgery, you may be able to cover up all you shortcomings but you can’t get hold of a decent personality. The most you may be able to do is end up as a commodity, a fashion icon but you looks will eventually fade away and you’ll be left empty handed. An example of a private school may be taken. All the children wear uniform to attend school. The shirt blouse pants all are of the same colour and material. All the students tend to look almost the same. In this case it shall be hard to determine who has a better appearance or outer look than others. Charisma attracts one another rather than looks in this case. The possibility of aesthetics coming in between is minimised as everyone is dressed simply and equally. Inner beauty as we call it, becomes a source of attraction rather than the outer appea rance. Beauty is looked upon is this world very differently. Any two people shall have different views and ideas regarding beauty. The spirit and values hardly shall match. In simple words, beauty is something that authenticates a person rather than giving a false impression. If beauty did not exist we would be living in a materialistic society where ones looks and appearance would matter more than their actions. Without personality and