Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Rape in the Military Free Essay Example, 1250 words
There are proposals to make legislation to have the investigations taken out of the purview of the military chain of command (Herbert, 2012). Military personnel continue indulging in rape both within and outside as well as in wartimes and peacetimes. A report says that two US naval sailors have been convicted for raping a Japanese woman in October, 2012 while she was walking alongside a street in Okinawa US military base in Japan Both in their early twenties have been sentenced with 10 year and nine year imprisonment respectively. This is a case of US forces committing the crime in Japan (Anonymous, 2013). This is a repeat of a 1995 incident involving a 12 year old Japanese girl who was raped by the US military personnel in Okinawa (Smith, 2004). The fact is that military personnel involved in rape of women within the military are unlikely to be punished and there are 86.5 % chance of the crime being swept under the carpet and 92 % chance of court-martial being avoided. Victims often do not make complaints due to the prevailing culture of acceptance in the US military, fewer prosecutions and the chain of command they have to report through. We will write a custom essay sample on Rape in the Military or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Women in the military who succeed in obtaining punishment to the military rapists are forced to leave the military service because of harassment in investigation and prosecution(Speier, 2012). No military woman who has been raped can approach a medical facility for treatment as well as for evidence purposes without first informing of the fact to her immediate commanding officer who would often happen to know the perpetrator and have the tendency to protect him. Betrayal comes from the military itself. Medical facilities in the military for rape victims are not as equipped as in civil hospitals. They do not even have a regular sexual assault nurse to give first aid treatment. Records for medical care are not kept confidential and they pass through the regular chain of command. Rape victims eventually start showing poor performance and they are forced to leave service following low work evaluations. Victims are often discouraged to bring charges citin g possibilities of their career in the military being affected and ultimately their families. Women who are raped while under intoxication are not considered as rape victims under military law although involuntary intoxication of a woman would implicate a rapist. Commanding officers often discourage rape victims to pursue their charges as otherwise they are not considered as team players.
Monday, December 23, 2019
Crime and Poverty - 3211 Words
criminal justice paper on crime and poverty Crime and Poverty Many factors can be viewed as reasons for crime. The amount of morality needed in order to rise against the temptation to commit crime can be difficult. It is even harder when you are coming from a place where crime is considered to be a normal part of society and looked at as a way of daily living that is supposed to be incorporated into daily lifestyles. The question can be posed. What is the main cause of crime in areas where poverty is everywhere? True, this is not an easy question to answer considering that crime happens for many different reasons and sometimes location is not the problem. Crime has been around since man and there is noâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Places where people are crowded together in unpleasant living conditions. With these types of living conditions people often become products of their environments. If someone is raised around violence, stealing and other types of crime unless a stroke of luck comes there way and they are afforded an opportunity to escape the lifestyle, it is more than likely exactly how they will live their lives. These areas can be broken down into categories such as class, income, and race. In todayââ¬â¢s society, where it is getting harder and harder for individuals to find jobs, or at least jobs that provide them with the economic means to support themselves or their families resorting to crime for easy money usually is seen as the best option. There is no stability in areas like these. High school dropout rates are high, drug activity is high, and gang activity is rising. It is getting harder to maintain order in these communities. It is not uncommon for individuals living in poverty to have low education rates, so finding a job that pays high enough wages to support a healthy living lifestyle can be difficult. So who are the individuals committing these crimes? They are the men and women of these communities. They are the teens who have become products of their environments, and parents who are either doing what is necessary for their family or who haveShow MoreRelatedPoverty And Crime1041 Words à |à 5 PagesLongman dictionary defines crime as ââ¬Å"an offence that is punishable by lawâ⬠. As BBC Bitesize 2017 describes, doing something wrong is different than committing a crime. For example lying is not considered as a crime but it is a wrong act that people carry out without getting punished. But why do people commit crime? Some criminologists believe that people commit crime because it is in their nature. It has been proved that some people are more likely to commit crime than others due to the circumstancesRead MoreCrime : The Lack Of Crime And Poverty1654 Words à |à 7 Pagesit is clear that it comes at a price (William, 2017). Poverty stands as the greatest indicator of societal disparities and vulnerable populations; those who live in poverty experience poorer outcomes, including higher crime rates, decreased access to resources, higher incidence of al cohol and drug use, mental health concerns, and decreased sense of security and safety. It does not stand as poverty, alone, that leads to increased rates of crime in these neighborhoods, it is the accumulation of lackRead MorePoverty and Crime (Sociology)1600 Words à |à 7 Pages Poverty and Crime A social issue that has always intrigued me was crime (petty crime, violent crime, etc) in impoverished urban areas and the social and economic impact that crime causes in these areas. Before conducting my research into this topic, I have always pondered why crime and poverty are so closely related. Are these two so closely linked solely because of the lack of income in the area? Or are there some other unknown or unexplained reasons that influence crime in impoverishedRead MoreCrime, Poverty, And Race838 Words à |à 4 PagesIntroduction One of the biggest problems we have is crime, poverty, and race. Crime never seems to go away, and it tends to affect certain areas more than others. When a community is plagued with crime then everyone starts to look at the community that it is affecting, the housing in the area and the race that is mostly affected or committing the crimes. This can create a domino effect, because the citizens are scared, victimized, and they begins to worry more about how they will be able to protectRead MoreThe Mother of Revolution and Crime Is Poverty1504 Words à |à 7 PagesThe mother of revolution and crime is poverty Poverty is being without things, having little money, not many material possessions and in need of essential goods. In short, being poor means that the people have nothing, and they have to struggle to even survive everyday. After physically and mentally tortured for a long period of time due to poverty, evil thoughts of getting out of the vicious cycle through illegal ways or new ideas that they think that will improve their lives will gradually startRead MoreThe Link Between Poverty and Crime1654 Words à |à 7 Pagesââ¬Å"Many people living in poverty do not want to be living in poverty. In order to obtain a higher level of socioeconomic status, crime is seen as the only option.â⬠(Wilson, 1987). Crime exists everywhere in the world ââ¬â in rural and urban areas in many countries, in the East and West, and among all types of people. This has led many government officials, especially those in urban areas, to focus largely on the reduction of crime among their respective constituencies and has led others to speculateRead MoreThe Relationship between Poverty and Crime879 Words à |à 3 PagesIntroduction Poverty and the relationship it has to crime is a long standing sociological, humanists and historical phenomenon. From the plight of the third world to the violence soaked inner city streets of the 1980ââ¬â¢s, the relationship of crime and poverty has been the source of a great deal of social commentary. In societies throughout the world and throughout history there has always been a traditional measure of deviance through relative income gaps. Both poverty and crime as well as theirRead MoreRelationship Between Poverty And Crime Essay1485 Words à |à 6 Pagesrelationship between poverty and crime will be examined in this literature review. The topic is interesting because there is a relationship between poverty and crime. Society uses a system that separates people by social class. Social class is determined by the total amount of income and wealth that a person has. According to Segal, Gerdes, and Steiner (2013), a personââ¬â¢s living expenses and needs are not met due to the lack of proper wages would be considered living in poverty; the year 2009 a totalRead MoreCrime and Poverty in Richmond, Virginia846 Words à |à 4 PagesUnemployment in the city limits further feeds the belly of poverty. Unemployment rates for Richmond in August 2013 were 8.2% (United States Department of Labor, 2013). These rates represent only those that are documented as unemployed and does not consider the ââ¬Å"under employedâ⬠as they may be working but not getting paid for a full work week. These unemployment rates would likely be higher if they were accurate and all inclusive of the unemployed in Richmond. The unemployment rate for the entireRead MoreHow is Poverty Related to Crime?1002 Words à |à 5 PagesHow is Poor Related to Crime? According to Nelson, povertyââ¬â¢s outcome on crime explanation has multiple reasoningââ¬â¢s, here are a few. One out of three families is not only considered to be living in a poverty status class, they are living below it. Racism plays a large role when it comes to crime being affiliated with poor. For instance, when racism plays a part with minorities it can influence the wage you will receive, and the type of job you will be allowed to have. To my understanding white
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Qoheleth Free Essays
At one time or another, most adults question the meaning of life. In Ecclesiastes, one wise man reflects on whether or not life has meaning, and he finds his answer. Qoheleth, the main character, has some pretty gloomy things to say about life: ââ¬Å"Futility of futilities! All is futile. We will write a custom essay sample on Qoheleth or any similar topic only for you Order Now There is nothing new under the sun. â⬠(1:2, 1:8) But Qoheleth perseveres in his effort to find meaning in life. Through Qohelethââ¬â¢s struggle to find life meaningful, readers might come to better understand ââ¬â and accept ââ¬â their own search for meaning. After noting that life goes through cycles and that there is a ââ¬Å"time to every purpose under heaven,â⬠Qoheleth begins his experiment in lifestyles. He is trying to find the answer to this question: ââ¬Å"What kind of life will make me content and give fulfillment and purpose to my life? â⬠To find the answer, Qoheleth sets off to try a series of experimental lifestyles, but in each he finds these pursuits wanting, no matter the outcome of his pursuits. In the end, he finds that we all die, that ââ¬Å"all is futile. â⬠His discouragement increases; despair is near.He continues to search for a purposeful, meaningful life. He is determined to find the meaning of life. That determination comes from a faith that life does have meaning. Qoheleth must wait till the end of his journey to find out what life adds up to, and his answer is a return to faith in God: ââ¬Å"The sum of the matter, when all has been considered, is to revere God and keep Godââ¬â¢s commandments. â⬠(12:14) Qohelethââ¬â¢s conclusion offers encouragement to those who travel lifeââ¬â¢s journey, in search of a meaningful and fulfilling life.Death is a problem for Qoheleth because it is a finite situation in his understanding. ââ¬Å"Sheolâ⬠is the abode of the dead, neither Heaven nor Hell, but more similar to the underworld of the ancient Greeks. There is no escaping it; everyone will go there. In his views, Qoheleth determines that humanityââ¬â¢s fate is no better than that of the animals on Earth, all will return to dust in the end. This view on death must have greatly contributed to Qohelethââ¬â¢s views that ââ¬Å"all is futile. In my own regard, I do not have this similar problem that he had; I believe in an afterlife in which there is a Heaven and a Hell, an afterlife where we own to some degree where we will end up, an afterlife where Jesus Christ has saved humans from their sins. This outlook has allowed me to pursue my own specific meaning in life, to try to find joy in certain pleasures here on Earth. However, I find in my own journey through my existence that I believe that living an enjoyable and fulfilling life here on Earth does not exactly translate to procuring a righteous position in the afterlife.Invariably, I find that even though death is not a limiter in my own views on this topic, or that all is not futile; I do end up agreeing with Qoheleth in his view that a return to a faith in God is implicit also in my view of the meaning of life. The book of Ecclesiastes conveys a clear message that life without a proper relationship with God leads to an unfulfilled life. The wisdom contained in the book of Ecclesiastes could easily be overlooked or discounted by modern Christians.Without a deeper study of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes you would not gain the wisdom for life that is being imparted, it would merely seem an angry and depressed writing. Because of this course study I have found some important insights to shape and strengthen my Christian values and ethical framework. Through the reading I have found that my values and ethical framework need a stable and unchanging foundation that is only found in and through the work of God. Satan would seek to convince you that you are in control and can make the right decisions regarding your values and ethical framework.If you follow this path, the author of Ecclesiastes clearly states that you will find yourself in conflict with God, and subject to Godââ¬â¢s judgment. Therefore, your focus must be on God and His will for your life. This requires an ongoing relationship with God. Another insight grasped is that I need to make decisions and choices that create lasting value. We live in a world that is focused on the immediate, the pleasurable and the most self-serving. Often there is little concern about how the decisions and choices we make impact or influence others.In many cases, I have failed to put God in the ââ¬Å"little thingsâ⬠thinking that I could ââ¬Å"handle it. â⬠Later, I find myself right where I should have gone in the beginning and that is to God for guidance. My goal is to seek to please God in all that I do. By living by this principle, I will be able to put my values and ethical framework into action, every day. In the area of decision-making I also need to insure that I maintain a proper perspective about work that will create a lasting value. Another implication of Ecclesiastesââ¬â¢ message is that I need to develop the trait of patience because Godââ¬â¢s timing may not always line up the way I want. We live in a world that expects instant gratification and patience is not appreciated but scorned. I am not surprised that this book is included in the Bible. While it does show off a different style of writing, one with notes of despair and hopelessness, it also is written in a more relatable way to the ââ¬Å"laypersonâ⬠who is reading it, and provides questions as to which they should be asking of themselves.While the book of Ecclesiastes clearly points out that a life of fulfillment and satisfaction only come from a proper relationship with God, it also clearly states that dying without that relationship results in eternal judgment by the very God that was rejected. Our goal should be focused on building toward that time when we face judgment and want God as our advocate. My study of the themes and messages of the book of Ecclesiastes have truly had a positive impact on my values and ethical framework. It has helped me to re-affirm the importance of my relationship to God and to more fully understand that following the ways of the world will put me in conflict with God and His plan for my life. It also strengthened my belief that I am accountable for my decisions. There was a lot more wisdom in the book of Ecclesiastes than I had realized. Peter Kreeft, in his analysis on the Book of Ecclesiastes, provides us with some deeper insight into the content matter of Qohelethââ¬â¢s writings. Kreeft makes many observations on how the book is written.He states, ââ¬Å"The bookââ¬â¢s rambling is deliberate, for this form perfectly expresses its content, its message: that life rambles to nowhere. [ . . . ] Its form is one with its content: the test of great poetryâ⬠(24). This is one connection that I did not make personally, but Kreeft sees this writing style as an allegory for the message of Qoheleth, and I agree with Kreeft in this observation. Another observation that stood out to me was that Kreeft says, ââ¬Å"there is nothing more meaningless than an answer without its questionâ⬠(Kreeft 19).I like this because even after Qoheleth searches for meaning in life via various avenues, he does not ignore the problem like so many of us would, he continues and perseveres in his quest for knowledge, and realizes that if he were to give up in his search for a meaning to his life, and just mask this problem with his experimental lifestyles, nothing would have been accomplished. I believe this is a great observation, as it applies to present-day situations as well. I also agree with the statement that the author makes in that he sees a need for God.He distinctly sees God by seeing the ââ¬Å"stark outline of the darkness that the face of Jesus fillsâ⬠(Kreeft 51). For me, God is who I turn to in order to provide meaning for my life, and I believe that Kreeft states that while Ecclesiastes asks the poignant questions, putting oneââ¬â¢s faith in Jesus Christ is the answer to these questions.Literature Cited The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. Oxford:à Oxford University Press, 2001. Print Kreeft, Peter. Three Philosophies of Life. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1989. 13-58. Print. How to cite Qoheleth, Papers
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Crown Cork Case Essay Example For Students
Crown Cork Case Essay 1) What are the most significant factors affecting competition in the metal container Industry? â⬠¢Consumer demand/Preferences Consumers have started viewing packaging as more than functional. The container became an advertising vehicle and its features helped contribute to product sales. â⬠¢Self-manufacture threat Temptation for major can users like food/beer producers to make their own cans was high. Campbell Soup Company had actually become one of the largest can producers in the US â⬠¢Emergence of new materials such as aluminum, plastic for packaging Aluminum was light-weight; hence could be transported at lower costs and also recycled easily. Diversification of competitors The competitors of Crown Cork had started diversifying outside the metal container industry. American can started competing in the entire packaging area ââ¬â metal containers, paper, plastics and laminated products. Some, like the Continental group, also diversified their operations and investments by expanding into foreign locations. â⬠¢Research and Development Many of Crownââ¬â¢s competitors were spending heavily on basic research. 2) What strategy CCS have for competing in this Industry? â⬠¢Restricted Research and DevelopmentCrownââ¬â¢s RD focused on enhancing existing product lines, leveraging their skill in die forming and metal fabrication and working with the sales force to address specific customer needs and requests. They viewed being second as a tremendous asset because they could do away with frills, take minimal risk in an industry in constant flux, let others make mistakes during RD and learn from the innovatorsââ¬â¢ heartaches. â⬠¢Focus on customer needs Crown believed that in an industry where there was little technical difference in product quality throughout the industry, the greatest competitive advantage was in providing a high-level of customer service. Fast answers get customersâ⬠was the belief held. Also, Crown provided customers with a single point of contact, backed by a sales force and a technical department with the ability to solve complex customer issues. â⬠¢Invested in new plants Old plants (like the one in Philadelphia) with high production costs were closed down and new smaller plants (10 lines versus the old 50 lines) in geographically dispersed locations and close to the customer (rather than the material source) were built. Plants set up for multiple customers and located close to customer Plants were spread out across the country to reduce transportation costs and be nearer customers. It also didnââ¬â¢t concentrate on a single customer but provided products for a number of them so as to avoid a single point of failure. â⬠¢International Expansion Crown and Cork concentrated on international growth, especially in developing nations. (In many cases the company received 10-year tax shelters) and hoped to get a first-mover advantage to capture 20-40% of all new geographic areas.
Friday, November 29, 2019
Reformation Its Religious And Educational Impact Essays
Reformation: Its Religious And Educational Impact Alvarez 1 Carlos A. Alvarez Veroy Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez 10th Grade Research Project 6 June 2001 Reformation: Its Religious and Educational Impact Throughout the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries a movement called the Reformation took place in Europe. But merely being more than just another religious movement, the Reformation was the moment in history in which God showed His great power and Salvation to the world through the lives of men like John Wycliffe, John Huss, William Tyndale, Martin Luther and John Calvinmen which were determined to die if it was necessary for the Lords causea moment in which two distinct forcesthe desire of learning and the rebirth of the Word of Godmade it possible for people to believe in the Bible as the only absolute source of wisdom and truth, putting it as the final authority over man and church. As stated in World History and Cultures by George Thompson and Jerry Combee, the story of how the Protestant Reformation began is a story of how brave men in a world dominated by the Holy Roman Empire desperately searched for the truth about salvation and found it in the Bible and how they were willing to step out on the sole authority of Gods Word, even if it meant to stand alone for what is right(246). I think that Martin Luther clearly expressed this thought when he said, Alvarez 2 Unless I am refuted and convicted by testimonies of Scripture, my conscience is bound in the word of God: I cannot and will not recant anything. I cannot do otherwise. Here I stand. God help me, Amen. Before the printing press was invented, books and Bibles were very rare, and people thought that the Roman Catholic Church held the final authority concerning religion and God. The Catholic Church not only possessed the few Bibles available, moreover they were the only ones who could interpret them since they were written only in Latin and Hebrew and only monks and highly educated people could read those languages. They even set a law which prohibited to everyone but the church to have Bibles, and if anyone else wanted to translate it, he had to translate it from the Catholic manuscripts and not from the original Hebrew or Latin texts. As I said before, books were not very abundant and making one was not an easy task. Edith Simon writes, The making of a book was a slow, expensive process that had improved but little in a thousand years. The professional scribe might spend four or five months copying out a 200-page text; even more costly than his labors were the 25 sheepskins needed t o make enough parchment for a book of that length(134). Therefore, if you wanted to have a Bible of your own, you did not only had to pay a lot for it but had to know how to read Latin or Hebrew and since in those days education levels were so poor and Alvarez 3 expensive, only a small number of people could afford it, making it for anyone a great privilege to read and write. However, in 1450, Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press and by 1501, there were printing presses in 110 European towns and cities. This made literature available to all class levels, opening peoples minds and encouraging them to study and educate themselves in any field of education that they wanted. This invention became later one of the key tools God used to carry the Gospel to all parts of the world. Throughout all this time the Roman Catholic Church dominated almost every social aspect of the European life, including politics, economy, religion and education, but once men realized the great teachings the Bible possessed, there was nothing that could stop the truth from coming out. Some might say that the Reformation began many decades before Martin Luther lived but the thing is that none of them had so permanently influenced the world as he did. He was born in Eisleben in 1483 to a middle-class family. All through his life, he tried to live according to the churchs teachings but it seemed like nothing was sufficient to save him from eternal judgment. He tried to do everything in his
Monday, November 25, 2019
Correcting a Run-On Sentence With a Period or Semicolon
Correcting a Run-On Sentence With a Period or Semicolon The simplest way to correct a run-on sentence (also known as a fused sentence) is with a mark of punctuation- a period or semicolon. Correcting a Run-on Sentence With a Period To make two separate sentences out of a run-on, put a period at the end of the first main clause and begin the second main clause with a capital letter: Run-on SentenceMerdine is a skilled carpenter she single-handedly built a two-story log cabin.CorrectedMerdine is a skilled carpenter . She single-handedly built a two-story log cabin. Inserting a period at the end of the first main clause is often the best way to correct a long run-on sentence. Correcting a Run-on Sentence With a Semicolon Another way to separate two main clauses is with a semicolon: Run-on SentenceMerdine is a skilled carpenter she single-handedly built a two-story log cabin.CorrectedMerdine is a skilled carpenter ; she single-handedly built a two-story log cabin. Be careful not to overwork the semicolon. The mark is most often used between two main clauses that are closely related in meaning and grammatical form. Adding a Conjunctive Adverb Although a period or semicolon will correct a run-on sentence, a mark of punctuation alone wont explain how the second main clause relates to the first one. To make this relationship clear, you can follow the period or semicolon with a conjunctive adverbthat is, a transitional expression that introduces a main clause. The common conjunctive adverbs show that you are continuing a thought (furthermore, moreover), offering a contrast (however, nonetheless, still), or showing a result (accordingly, consequently, then, therefore, thus). Unlike coordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs dont join main clauses; however, they do guide your readers by linking ideas: I loathed my job more than I loved the paycheck; consequently, I quit work and returned to college.After three days of rain, I was tempted to abandon the hike. Nevertheless, on the fourth day I took bearings from my compass and set out due west toward Cedar Bay. Remember that a conjunctive adverb between two main clauses should be preceded by a semicolon or period. It is usually followed by a comma. This exercise will give you practice in applying the guidelines on page one ofà Correcting a Run-on Sentence With a Period or Semicolon. To view the exercise without ads, click on the printer icon near the top of this page. Instructions: Use either a period or a semicolon to correct each of the run-on sentences below. A jump rope is the ultimate aerobic exercise it provides a top-notch daily workout.My teacher never missed a day of school I think even the flu and the common cold were afraid of that lady.Experience is not what happens to you it is what you do with what happens to you.A low blood-sugar level signalsà hunger a higher one tells the brain that you dont need to eat.A lobotomy is a fairly simple operation however amateurs should not attempt it.Fifty years ago, parents were apt to have several children nowadays children are apt to have several parents.Humor is a rubber sword it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.Black magic is meant to harm or destroy white magic is intended to benefit an individual or the community.Carefully open the can of soup empty the contents of the can into a saucepan and stir gently.Its not enough to hear opportunity knock you must let him in, make friends, and work together with him.Boy bands should be exploded from a great height theyre just pret ty people singing music written by others. Happiness is the key to success if you love what you are doing, you will be successful.It is not the strongest of the species that survives nor the most intelligent that survives it is the one that is the most adaptable to change.Courage is doing what youre afraid to do there can be no courage unless youre scared.During a boat trip in 1862, Charles Dodgson began telling a story about an adventure in a world full of peculiar creatures the place was called Wonderland. Answers A jump rope is the ultimate aerobic exercise. Ità [orà ;à it] provides a top-notch daily workout.My teacher never missed a day of school. Ià [orà ;à I] think even the flu and the common cold were afraid of that lady.Experience is not what happens to you. Ità [orà ;à it] is what you do with what happens to you.A low blood-sugar level signals hunger.à Aà [orà ;à A] higher one tells the brain that you dont need to eat.A lobotomy is a fairly simple operation. However,à [orà ;à however,] amateurs should not attempt it.Fifty years ago, parents were apt to have several children. Nowadaysà [orà ;à nowadays] children are apt to have several parents.Humor is a rubber sword. Ità [orà ;à it] allows you to make a point without drawing blood.Black magic is meant to harm or destroy. Whiteà [orà ;à white] magic is intended to benefit an individual or the community.Carefully open the can of soup. Emptyà [orà ;à empty] the contents of the can int o a saucepan and stir gently.Its not enough to hear opportunity knock. Youà [orà ;à you] must let him in, make friends, and work together with him. Boy bands should be exploded from a great height. Theyreà [orà ;à theyre] just pretty people singing music written by others.Happiness is the key to success. Ifà [orà ;à if] you love what you are doing, you will be successful.It is not the strongest of the species that survives nor the most intelligent that survives. Ità [orà ;à it] is the one that is the most adaptable to change.Courage is doing what youre afraid to do. Thereà [orà ;à there] can be no courage unless youre scared.During a boat trip in 1862, Charles Dodgson began telling a story about an adventure in a world full of peculiar creatures. Theà [orà ;à the] place was called Wonderland.
Friday, November 22, 2019
The Private Finance Initiative Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words
The Private Finance Initiative - Essay Example The basic premise behind the concept was to involve private players in service provision hence lessening the burden on the government. It was also meant to bring a touch of professionalism that is common in the private sector in provision of public services. The entry of Britain in the European Union also played a significant role in the starting of this scheme. New EU laws put a cap on government expenditure resulting from both internal and external debt. These laws consequently put a major strain on government expenditure on public projects such as new schools, roads and hospitals. Technical experts therefore resulted to PFI in order to expedite the provision of essential public services. In some circles the scheme was also known as the Private-Public partnership or simply the PPP. While the scheme was designed to ensure efficient provision of public services and reduce government borrowing from the public sector, it drew some criticism in some quarters. Some economic experts and political scientist pointed holes at the idea saying that it was a blatant display of government inefficiency. There was also fear that providers of these public services may be motivated by profits and end up providing mediocre services. In public finance, the government provides public goods since unlike private players; it is not motivated by profits. ... As noted earlier the Private Finance Initiative was the brainchild of the conservative government then led by John Major. It was billed as the most cost effective means of service provision to the public. As expected this attracted the wrath of the then opposition labour party who accused the government of engaging in unplanned privatisation of key government services. Courtesy of some wheel dealing and backroom consultations the labour party warmed up to the idea and consequently the Private Finance Initiative was implemented. In spite of its initial opposition to the idea, the labour went ahead to adopt PFI when it eventually swept to power under the stewardship of the youthful leader Tony Blair. The chancellor Gordon Brown who was one of the most vocal opponents of the scheme beat a hasty turn around and became scheme's number one supporter. The chancellor praised the scheme pointing out that it was due to PFI that over 150 new schools were built, 40 new hospitals constructed and a dozen road and rail projects constructed within a very short span of time. Economists at the treasury also argued that it was due to PFI that the government had spent more on capital projects and there was less public borrowing by the state. PFI was well manifested in London as it was responsible for the building of the ultramodern London Underground system. Mayor Ken Livingstone was forced to eat humble pie and support the project after its success. Akintole et al (2003) points out that Private Finance Initiative was one of the thorny issues in the labour government. There was the usual criticism that public assets were managed by private individuals in a questionable manner for a very long period of time. It was also quietly pointed out that some highly important
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