Macroeconomic Environment of Business Case Study - 2

Macroeconomic Environment of Business - Case Study Example It has led to domestic imbalances in the middle-income countries and the open economies ending up into large current account deficits and housing bubbles. Unemployment rates in the OECD countries rose rapidly from 5.7% in 2007 to 8.6% in 2009. This was a rise of 10.1 million individuals without employment in the OECD countries. Unemployment in the US was most massive with similar labour market consequences in Spain, Denmark, Turkey and Slovakia. Some of the worst-hit nations were Estonia, Lithuania, Ireland, and Latvia which witnessed dramatic output and labour market contraction (Verick & Islam, 2010, p.20-24). The most common methods of fiscal policies which could be used responding from the global crisis were a combination of government spending along with tax cuts in order to provide a boost to the slogging economies. According to the Keynesian theory, deficit spending could be used by the governments to replace an extent of the demand which was lost due to the recession and prevent further wastage of economies resources due to lack of demand. Governments could have responded by increasing bailouts and injecting money into the financial system in order to allow credit flowing in the economy; cutting down rates of interests in order to encourage investments and borrowing; and finally to allow excess fiscal sending to increase aggregate demand (Verick & Islam, 2010, p.36). This response could be effective in controlling further impacts of the crisis and further economic deterioration and keep workmen in their jobs and help in the creation of new job opportunities for those unemployed. Alth ough this response was likely to control further downturn the effectiveness could vary across economies (The Economic Times, 2008). One of the limitations in using fiscal measures during the recessions is the fact that ideally government finances must increase during periods of growth and reduce when the economy contracts or slows down.     

Microeconomics- price discrimination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Microeconomics- price discrimination - Essay Example According to microeconomics, companies usually charge higher prices to those consumers who have a higher consumer surplus or those who are willing to pay higher. Higher consumer surplus lubricate the process of increase in price and consumer with higher surplus do not resist to price hike. Similarly, by doing this Eskom would have increased its revenue as those consumers who are more likely to pay higher prices are being charged more. The reason why this surplus is higher for residential consumers than industrial consumers could be illustrated from our own experience. As residential consumers we have less cash assets than industrial consumer who are bestowed with large cash balance. Hence, we find it more attractive to pay the increased price rather than changing the electricity supplier and paying connection charges as it would undertake both connection costs and time. Whereas, on the other hand industrial consumer would resist to price change bestowed with large money balance and i n bid to remain competitive. (McConnell and Brue, 2001) Although, the policy of price discrimination might reduce the demand of electricity but in doing so the firm will make sure that consumer who are paying more is provided more electricity to earn higher revenue. For example, if a same product is sold to different consumers at different prices, then the company would make sure that consumers who are paying more are provided with commodity in order to maximize the company’s revenue. In our case residential consumers are those who are paying more and hence will be provided more power supply. (Economist, 2008) Therefore, any price increase to industrial consumer would mean a customer is lost due to low consumer surplus for these users. This is a reason why Eskom charges higher prices to residential consumers than industrial consumer. Similarly, logic provides us with answer why Eskom does not charge both

History, strength of provisional government Essay Example for Free

History, strength of provisional government Essay How far was the provisional government responsible for its own downfall? During the brief period of rule by The Provisional Government, Russia was troubled by several domestic issues that the provisional Government failed to sufficiently deal with when eventually led to their down fall in 1917. Their failure to fulfil the needs of the peasants, which was a big domestic issue, was a factor that led to their loss of support and in addition their failure to suppress the opposition led to their downfall. The instantaneous cause for their collapse was the fierce take over from the Bolsheviks led by Lenin. However the main factors that led to their downfall was their decision to continue in the war because it has worsened the issues that The Provisional Government failed to tackle which then led to loss of support from the bulk of the population and more importantly the army which they relied upon to defend The Provisional Government such as the July Days. In addition their decision to delay the elections gave the Bolsheviks a chance to take power. As a result, Lenin and the Bolsheviks were able to increase their support rapidly and take over so therefore The Provisional Government can be largely held responsible for their own downfall. Russia’s continuation in the war after the abdication of the tsar was the main reason for the down fall of The Provisional Government because it increased the issues that Russia faced already which worsened their respect and support as it was their decision to do so. As a result of this, they lost support of the army because they were losing in the war as they lost territory, soldiers and unprepared to go to battle. This decreased the soldier’s moral which eventually led to the breakdown of military discipline. This eventually led to radical parties having an increase of support because they were against the continuation of the war such as the Bolsheviks because they promised to end Russia’s involvement in the war. In addition, the continuation of the war meant that the issue of food shortages caused unrest amongst the population towards The Provisional Government. The Provisional Government also had little control over the countryside and also lacked the ability to impose their authority in its outside cities and towns. As a result the peasants took action which therefore undermined The  Provisional Governments authority. Many peasants took land from landowner’s whilst some engaged in violence. The Provisional Government was losing its authority in parts of Russia. The main reason for the lack of control was because The provisional Government lacked in legitimacy and due to this the public turned away and went to more radical parties such as the Bolsheviks. The peasants turned to the Bolsheviks because in the April Thesis, Lenin promised to address the land issue which The Provisional Government failed to do. And due to his, The Provisional Government support decreased and Bolsheviks support increased. The authority of The Provisional Government significantly weakened in June when they launched an attack on the Austro-Hungarian army. This was a utter failure and led to the breakdown of the Russian army. The soldiers leaving the front lines met and formed an Anti-Government rally in which they demanded all political power should be handed to the soviets. Furthermore other troops formed a Provisional Revolutionary Committee to campaign against the government. In addition only the government can be blamed for the events of the â€Å"July Days† because it was them who’s idea it was of the June offensive and therefore as a result, the July Days. By August 1917 Russia seemed on the verge of chaos because peasants were seizing land, industrial production was failing and soldiers were rebelling. Although the Provisional Government had survived, the demonstrations of the July Days brought a fatal blow to the position of The Provisional Government. Kornilov had feared a â€Å"coup d’à ©tat† and released imprisoned Bolsheviks and armed them to help the government. This was a blow as Bolsheviks membership increased and now they were given weapons, they did not give them back. The Kornilov Affair made the Bolsheviks look like the â€Å"defenders of Petrograd† so their numbers increased. As a result of The Provisional Government continuing in the war, opposition towards them grew. They also failed to suppress the opposition which led to opposition (Bolshevik) increase support. The Provisional Government also failed to meet the demands of the public so therefore making them turn to more extreme parties. The Bolsheviks were the biggest threat to the government because of their popularity, aims, guidance and methods. Overall, although The provisional Government had face many problems, it was the Bolsheviks that caused the eventual downfall of the government. It is not wholly The Provisional Governments fault for their own downfall because some of the problems they had inherited and as soon as they came into power they were already un-liked despite them playing a major part in it. The country side was already in chaos so that was not their fault and the April Thesis, Lenin’s speech, they could not be held responsible for that either. On the other hand, The Kornilov Affair, The June Offensive and the domestic issues were their fault as they did not address the issue leading to the radicalisation of the public. The Provisional Government did have a huge part to play in their own downfall because of their decision t continue in the war which enhanced/intensified the present issues.

Effects of Drinking on Depression

Effects of Drinking on Depression Drinking And Depression INTRODUCTION The purpose of this paper is to discuss on how drinking and depression affects an individual’s thinking, what influences people to drink and end up depressed. A country’s economy, peoples life expectancy and life in general is affected by these two catastrophes. Depression refers to being sad, unhappy over something or someone. There are two types of depression; major depression and dysthymia. Dysthymia can last for years if not treated on time. Other forms of depression include postpartum depression which occurs to women mostly after birth, premenstrual depression occurs one week before the menstrual period and disappear after menstruating and seasonal affective disorder which is associated to lack of sunlight during fall and winter season. Drinking refers to the intake or ingestion of liquid into the body through the mouth i.e. water, alcohol and energy drinks. Alcoholic beverages are mainly associated to drinking and depression. Alcoholism and depression Alcohol is a depressant. Alcoholic drinks are classified into 3 categories; wine, beer and spirits. Alcohol is the most associated drug to drinking and depression in most families or individuals around the world. Depression in most families are inherited or one grows with it depending on with the family set up (Stevenson et at., 2008). Drinking makes depression worse in situations where parents are addicted alcoholics. Most women are believed to start drinking alcohol twice when they are depressed and end up thinking about suicide. According Gil et al. (2009), Russia is believed to be the leading country in alcohol consumption. Most of its citizens are believed to be taking 15.75 liters of alcohol. Spirits is the highest content in most drinks in Russia High mortality rates in most countries is among working women, men and youths. Drinking and depression goes hand in hand because when individuals are depressed the bottle seems to be the only solution to most of them. They have interl inked and according to my research depressed children are likely to be drawn to alcohol as they grow up. Most countries have laws regulating on consumption, sale, production and distribution but this do not seem to reduce because of corruption cases. This paper entails what causes depression and drinking, effects, solutions associated in psychological aspects. In psychology, most psychologists try to find and assist in resolving marital, family and interpersonal relationships over a long period. They try to help family members support their members in recovery. Most alcohol addicts are easily vulnerable to relapse. Therapies can help people boost their motivation and stop drinking. Psychologists have to be trusted by their clients to help them reduce on intake of alcohol. Drinking and depression can easily strain relations between family members, workmates and a country’s economy. Drinking and depression are common problems which occur independently. Those who are depressed opt to take alcohol to cheer up, reduce stress, or help them sleep. Alcohol whether taken in small quantities or large quantities have the same effect of affecting people’s moods. Causes and effects of drinking and depression The causal factors and effects of drinking and depression include age, weight, drinking history, influence(peer pressure)emotional and mental state of individuals, lack of energy, sadness, loneliness, guilt all contribute to drinking and depression. Both of these conditions affect people’s relation in society, suicide, rejection, social isolation and premature death. Alcohol is a major cause of depression, sleeping problems, break -ups, certain types of cancer, job loss and social isolation. Effects of drinking and depression can be fatal for instance most people consider committing suicide when faced with lots of problems, bipolar disorder can affect one’s social life .Depression and drinking can offer guidance or counselling to victims to create positive thinking towards life. Families can come together and offer comfort to avoid stigmatization to victims to prevent relapse from recovery (Conner Sà ¶rensen, 2005). The life expectancy of countries are diminishing because of the drinking and depression effects. Most of them are the employed youths and they don’t perform duties as expected. They sleep breathe, drink and worry about alcohol. High mortality rates for instance in countries like Kenya, Russia to mention a few have lost souls to the evil drink. The life expectancy among men has reduced to 30-60years because of alcohol while women rate is a bit lower though most of them smoke a lot in places like Russia where Vodka is drunk like water (Gil et al., 2009). Solutions to drinking and depression Psychological solutions to drinking and depression include individuals following a 5 step recovery program. One is recommended to build a strong social sober network within their work place. Avoid places which can trigger craving for alcohol like clubs bars or even friends. If taking drugs for alcoholism and notice something different consult your doctor. Every individual has to take a step towards sobbing up towards recovery .Another solution to drinking and depression is taking depression medicines, detoxing ,interpersonal therapy, and electric shock therapy .Attending other class or group therapies assists to reduce these problems .Centers to prevent drinking and depression should be opened in every state to prevent loss of lives. Conclusion Drinking and depression are two major problems that need to be tackled before and after happening because they cause drifts in families, create gaps at work affect one’s wellbeing .Most countries face unemployment, inflation, underdevelopment, health related issues like cancer and violence can become rampant affecting a countries dignity, interstate relations and accepting and dealing with these two can be prevented once accepted and treated regardless of the laws governing drinking .Social, economic and political aspects in society are affected by drinking and depression. Drinking and depression are perverse socially unacceptable behavior in society. References Conner, K. R., Sà ¶rensen, S. (2005). Initial depression and subsequent drinking during alcoholism treatment.Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs,66(3), 401. Gil, A., Polikina, O., Koroleva, N., McKee, M., Tomkins, S., Leon, D. A. (2009). Availability and characteristics of nonbeverage alcohols sold in 17 Russian cities in 2007.Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research,33(1), 79-85. Skaff, M. M., Finney, J. W., Moos, R. H. (1999). Gender differences in problem drinking and depression: Different â€Å"vulnerabilities?†.American journal of community psychology,27(1), 25-54. Stevenson, J. R., Schroeder, J. P., Nixon, K., Besheer, J., Crews, F. T., Hodge, C. W. (2008). Abstinence following alcohol drinking produces depression-like behavior and reduced hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.Neuropsychopharmacology,34(5), 1209-1222.

Prohibition :: essays research papers

Prohibition was a period in which the sale, manufacture, or transport of alcoholic beverages became illegal. It started January 16, 1919 and continued to December 5, 193. Although it was formed to stop drinking completely, it did not even come close. It created a large number of bootleggers who were able to supply the public with illegal alcohol. Many of these bootleggers became very rich and influential through selling alcohol and using other methods. They started the practices of organized crime that are still used today. Thus, Prohibition led to the rapid growth of organized crime.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The introduction of prohibition in 1919 created numerous opinions and issues in American society. Prohibition has been a long-standing issue in America, with groups promoting it since the late eighteenth century. The movement grew tremendously during the nineteenth century. When the United States entered World War 1 in 1914, there was a shortage of grain due to the long demands to feed the soldiers. Since grain is one of the major components in alcohol, the temperance movement now had the war to fuel their fight. Thus, the war played a large part in the introduction of Prohibition. During the net five years many states enacted their own prohibition laws, and finally, on December 16,1919, Amendment 18 went into effect. It states that, â€Å"†¦the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors†¦. For beverage purpose is hereby prohibited.†(Constitution)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The public reaction to the introduction of Prohibition was largely mixed. The temperance organizations were rejoiced. Over a century of work had finally paid off for them. The rest of the country, however, was less than pleased. Many saw it as a violation of their freedom, and others wanted to keep drinking. It did no take a long time before people began to protest.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The public demand for alcohol led to a soaring business for bootleggers. When prohibition began, people immediately wanted a way to drink. Therefore, the profitable bootlegging business was born. Before Prohibition gangs existed, but had little influence. Now, they had gained tremendous power almost overnight. Bootlegging was easy; some gangs even paid hundreds of poor immigrants to maintain stills in their apartments. Common citizens, once law abiding, now became criminals by making their own alcohol. However, this forced risks for those who made their own. The less fortunate Americans consumed homemade alcoholic beverages that were sometimes made with wood alcohol. In return, many died due to alcohol poisoning.

All the Pretty Horses Essay -- All Pretty Horses Essays

All the Pretty Horses John Grady is not your average cowboy. All the Pretty Horses is not your typical coming-of-age story. This is an honest tale. Cormac McCarthy follows John Grady as he embarks on his journey of self-discovery across the border. Armed with a few pesos in his pocket, a strong horse and a friend at his side, John Grady thinks he’s ready to take on the Wild West of Mexico. At their final steps in America, a stranger, aged thirteen, joins our heroes. This unexpected variable named Blevins challenges John Grady, testing his character and pushing him to uncomfortable limits. The dynamic of their relationship reveals John Grady’s capacity to care for others as he shelters this kid from the hardships of reality and the foolhardiness of youth. The journey into Mexico demonstrates his readiness to be recognized as a man, but when the critical moment arrives, John Grady’s will fails to meet unforeseen demands. His inability to speak at this crucial juncture acts as a mirror f or self-reflection, returning him to the beginning. Coming out of the horizon, Blevins approaches John Grady and his comrade, Rawlins, uninvited. John Grady poses half a dozen pointed questions, deliberately accusing Blevins of lying. His eyes study Blevins, calmly taking in the stranger. He doesn’t ask for an explanation or the details of his trip nor does he offer Blevins companionship. â€Å"Is that your hat? he said† (40), suggesting Blevins isn’t a legitimate cowboy, let alone a man. John Grady subtly establishes himself as the power to be reckoned with, the superior cowboy. His assertion is self-serving, a justification to himself that he is capable of the journey ahead. It’s also a demonstration for Rawlins’ sake, to assure him that they are... ...s, the boundaries of his emotional strength. John Grady could not speak on behalf of Blevins because he is not ready to let go of his youthful innocence. The mantle of responsibility is too heavy to bear. Blevins haunts John Grady’s mind. Beautiful daydreams of Alejandra transform themselves into thoughts of Blevins, but he never voices his guilt—until he returns to America. John Grady’s remorse manifests itself in a dogged determination to return Blevins’ horse to his family in America. Through this tangible form of repentance, John Grady is proving to himself that he’s capable of doing Blevins’ memory a final justice. His dream of Mexico is no longer a possibility, defeated by his conscience. He earnestly recognizes his need to start over and return to America. John Grady may have failed his initial adventure, but he came out of Mexico a stronger person for it. All the Pretty Horses Essay -- All Pretty Horses Essays All the Pretty Horses John Grady is not your average cowboy. All the Pretty Horses is not your typical coming-of-age story. This is an honest tale. Cormac McCarthy follows John Grady as he embarks on his journey of self-discovery across the border. Armed with a few pesos in his pocket, a strong horse and a friend at his side, John Grady thinks he’s ready to take on the Wild West of Mexico. At their final steps in America, a stranger, aged thirteen, joins our heroes. This unexpected variable named Blevins challenges John Grady, testing his character and pushing him to uncomfortable limits. The dynamic of their relationship reveals John Grady’s capacity to care for others as he shelters this kid from the hardships of reality and the foolhardiness of youth. The journey into Mexico demonstrates his readiness to be recognized as a man, but when the critical moment arrives, John Grady’s will fails to meet unforeseen demands. His inability to speak at this crucial juncture acts as a mirror f or self-reflection, returning him to the beginning. Coming out of the horizon, Blevins approaches John Grady and his comrade, Rawlins, uninvited. John Grady poses half a dozen pointed questions, deliberately accusing Blevins of lying. His eyes study Blevins, calmly taking in the stranger. He doesn’t ask for an explanation or the details of his trip nor does he offer Blevins companionship. â€Å"Is that your hat? he said† (40), suggesting Blevins isn’t a legitimate cowboy, let alone a man. John Grady subtly establishes himself as the power to be reckoned with, the superior cowboy. His assertion is self-serving, a justification to himself that he is capable of the journey ahead. It’s also a demonstration for Rawlins’ sake, to assure him that they are... ...s, the boundaries of his emotional strength. John Grady could not speak on behalf of Blevins because he is not ready to let go of his youthful innocence. The mantle of responsibility is too heavy to bear. Blevins haunts John Grady’s mind. Beautiful daydreams of Alejandra transform themselves into thoughts of Blevins, but he never voices his guilt—until he returns to America. John Grady’s remorse manifests itself in a dogged determination to return Blevins’ horse to his family in America. Through this tangible form of repentance, John Grady is proving to himself that he’s capable of doing Blevins’ memory a final justice. His dream of Mexico is no longer a possibility, defeated by his conscience. He earnestly recognizes his need to start over and return to America. John Grady may have failed his initial adventure, but he came out of Mexico a stronger person for it.

Greek Influence on Western Literature Essay

Slide One: The plays performed at the Festival of Dionysus represented a completely new performance genre: drama. Plays like Oedipus Rex, Medea, and Antigone laid the groundwork for the great plays to make up the western canon, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. Slide Two: This era also saw the birth and development of a new literary genre: tragedy. In plays like Oedipus Rex, the basic tragic structure in which a character experiences a change from happiness to suffering was codified and refined. In the hands of writers like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, it became a vehicle for the exploration of some of humanity’s fundamental fears and questions about existence. You can see the same questions being explored in works by Shakespeare, for example, hundreds of years later. Today, more than 2,000 years later, these plays are still studied by modern tragic playwrights. Slide Three: Finally, the Athenian tragedies were important because they put humans at the center of the story. In the Iliad, for example, the gods are closely involved in the action — they take sides, they intervene on behalf of their heroes, and so on. While gods do appear in these plays, it is the very human protagonists such as Oedipus or Medea who take center stage, and whose actions determine the plot. This change signaled a shift in focus from the supernatural to the human in literature, which would have a profound influence on the Western tradition, particularly after the Middle Ages.