Wednesday, November 27, 2019

François Marie Arouet essays

Franà §ois Marie Arouet essays My name is Franà §ois Marie Arouet. I am known as one of the most brilliant and influential philosophes in the Enlightenment. I am also known for my incredibly rebellious nature, and my intolerance to anything that I thought was wrong, no matter what kind of authoritative power was behind the idea. I wrote many passages that criticized ideas or people I thought were wrong, and in addition wrote many tragedies, philosophical romances and even a historical study. I was born in Paris on November 21st, 1694. I had an early education at the Jesuit College Louis-le-Grand. When the French regent Philippe II heard of a lampoon I wrote that accused him of heinous crimes, I was imprisoned to Bastille for 11 months. It was in there when I wrote my first tragedy called Edipe. Edipe earned me instant success, fame and fortune. It was at this time that I started calling myself by my pen name, Voltaire. In 1726 a young nobleman, the chevalier de Rohan, angry at the witticism made at him by me, had me beaten. I was then imprisoned again in Bastille through the influence of the noblemans powerful family and was only released two weeks after, when I promised to go to England. In England, I mastered the English language, and in order to prepare England for some of my works, I published two remarkable essays in English, one on epic poetry and another on the history of civil wars in France. I soon gained popularity in England as well. In 1728, I retu rned to France and resided in Paris. However, after a piece of work I published that was accused of being a covert attack on the political institutions of France upset authorities, I was forced to flee Paris. I went to Cirey where I worked on physics and chemistry experiments and began a long correspondence with Prince Frederick II of Prussia. It was through the influence of marquise de Pompadour that I was made royal historiographer, a gentl ...

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Supermajority Vote in US Congress

Supermajority Vote in US Congress A supermajority  vote is a vote that must exceed the number of votes comprising a simple majority. For example, a simple majority in the 100-member Senate is 51 votes; while a 2/3 supermajority vote  requires 67 votes. In the 435-member House of Representatives, a simple majority is 218 votes; while a 2/3 supermajority requires 290 votes. Key Takeaways: Supermajority Vote The term â€Å"supermajority vote† refers to any vote by a legislative body that must get more votes than a simple majority of votes in order to win approval.In the 100-member United States Senate, a supermajority vote requires a 2/3 majority or 67 of 100 votes.In the 435-member United States House of Representatives, a supermajority vote requires a 2/3 majority or 290 of 435 votes.In the US Congress, several major legislative actions require a supermajority vote, most notably impeaching the president, declaring a president incapable of serving under the 25th Amendment, and amending the Constitution. Supermajority votes in government are far from a new idea. The first recorded use of supermajority rule took place  in ancient Rome during the 100s BCE. In 1179, Pope Alexander III used a supermajority rule for papal elections at the Third Lateran Council.   While a supermajority vote can technically be specified as any fraction or percentage greater than one-half ( 50%), commonly used supermajorities include three-fifths (60%), two-thirds (67%), and three-quarters (75%) When is a Supermajority Vote Required? By far most measures considered by the U.S. Congress as part of the legislative process require only a simple majority vote for passage. However, some actions, like impeaching presidents or amending the Constitution, are considered so important that they require a supermajority vote. Measures or actions requiring a supermajority vote: Impeaching: In cases of impeachment of federal officials, the House of Representatives must pass articles of impeachment by a simple majority vote. The Senate then holds a trial to consider the articles of impeachment passed by the House. Actually convicting an individual requires a 2/3 supermajority vote of the members present in the Senate. (Article 1, Section 3)Expelling a Member of Congress: Expelling a member of Congress requires a 2/3 supermajority vote in either the House or Senate. (Article 1, Section 5)Overriding a Veto: Overriding a presidential veto of a bill requires a 2/3 supermajority vote in both the House and Senate. (Article 1, Section 7)Suspending the Rules: Temporarily suspending the rules of debate and voting in the House and Senate requires a 2/3 supermajority vote of the members present. (House and Senate rules)Ending a Filibuster: In the Senate only, passing a motion to invoke cloture, ending extended debate or a filibuster on a measure requires a 3/5 supermajo rity vote - 60 votes. (Rules of the Senate) Rules of debate in the House of Representatives preclude the possibility of a filibuster. Note: On November 21, 2013, the Senate voted to require a simple majority vote of 51 Senators to pass cloture motions ending filibusters on presidential nominations for Cabinet secretary posts and lower federal court judgeships only. Amending the Constitution: Congressional approval of a Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires a 2/3 majority of those members present and voting in both House and Senate. (Article 5)Calling a Constitutional Convention: As a second method of amending the Constitution, the legislatures of 2/3 of the states (33 states) can vote to request that the U.S. Congress convenes a constitutional convention. (Article 5)Ratifying an Amendment: Ratification of an amendment to the Constitution requires the approval of 3/4 (38) of the state legislatures. (Article 5)Ratifying a Treaty: Ratifying treaties requires a 2/3 supermajority vote of the Senate. (Article 2, Section 2)Postponing a Treaty: The Senate may pass a motion to indefinitely postpone its consideration of a treaty by a 2/3 supermajority vote. (Senate rules)Repatriating Rebels: An outgrowth of the Civil War, the 14th Amendment gives Congress the power to allow former rebels to hold office in the U.S. gove rnment. Doing so requires a 2/3 supermajority of both the House and Senate. (14th Amendment, Section 3) Removing a President from Office: Under the 25th Amendment, Congress can vote to remove the President of the United States from office if the vice president and the Presidents Cabinet declare the president unable to serve and the president contests the removal. The removal of the president from office under the 25th Amendment requires a 2/3 supermajority vote of both the House and Senate. (25th Amendment, Section 4) Note: The 25th Amendment is an effort to clarify the process of presidential succession. On-the-Fly Supermajority Votes The parliamentary rules of both the Senate and House of Representatives provide means by which a supermajority vote can be required for the passage of certain measures. These special rules requiring supermajority votes are most often applied to legislation dealing with the federal budget or taxation. The House and Senate draw authority for requiring supermajority votes from Article 1, Section 5 of the Constitution, which states, Each chamber may determine the Rules of Its Proceedings. Supermajority Votes and the Founding Fathers In general, the Founding Fathers favored requiring a simple majority vote in legislative decision-making. Most of them, for example, objected to the Articles of Confederations requirement for a supermajority vote in deciding such questions as coining money, appropriating funds, and determining the size of the army and navy. However, the framers of the Constitution also recognized the need for supermajority votes in some cases. In Federalist No. 58, James Madison noted that supermajority votes could serve as a shield to some particular interests, and another obstacle generally to hasty and partial measures. Hamilton, too, in Federalist No. 73 highlighted the benefits of requiring a supermajority of each chamber to override a presidential veto. It establishes a salutary check upon the legislative body, he wrote, calculated to guard the community against the effects of faction, precipitancy, or of any impulse unfriendly to the public good, which may happen to influence a majority of that body.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Financal Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Financal Management - Essay Example A project should be accepted if the NPV is positive, otherwise it should be rejected. Internal Rate of Return (IRR) - It is the sum total of cash inflows after discounting, which is equal to the discounted rate of cash out flows. The IRR technique is crucial for taking the capital investment decision. A particular project should accept IRR, only if it is greater than Cut-off rate, otherwise such project should be rejected. In case of Wandering Lights Limited, it is better to adopt NPV method rather than IRR method, because while assessing the financial viability, technical feasibility, and taking the appropriate capital budgeting decision of Wandering Lights Limited, it is suitable to undertake NPV as the capital budgeting decision. Wandering Lights Ltd has decided to launch a new product in the market. The product is garden lights. For the production of the new product the company has to introduce new plant and machinery in the business. The estimated cost of the plant and machinery is â‚ ¤3375000. In order to install the new plant and machinery the company additional fund has to be brought into the company as the capital is not sufficient to install the new facility. Wandering lights have two options before them to finance their project. Either they can issue new share or it can borrow funds. Borrowing is the method in which the company borrows fund from any institutions or banks as loans upon an agreement to pay interest at a fixed rate. Borrowings also may be in the form of different securities issued by the company. The companies have different methods for borrowing money. â€Å"There are two main methods by which a company can borrow money: (1) by issuing fixed-income (debt) securities – like bonds, notes, bills and corporate papers – and (2) by taking out a loan at a bank or lending institution.† (When companies borrow money. 2007). Wandering lights can depend on either of the following methods for financing the new project. Most

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

ASSIGNMENT 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

ASSIGNMENT 1 - Essay Example For the given study, the case in focus is a London production titled Adulthood. In brief, the movie focuses on the life of the main character called Sam who had been in jail for quite a significant time after being convicted for killing Trife. In a funny twist, what Sam propagates after coming from jail is the same thing that Trife had persuaded him not to do. Trife had tried to make Sam not seek revenge. After killing his friend and going to jail for it, Sam faces a challenging life afterwards. Basically, the movie is about justice and retribution as a form of dispensation of legal law. The discussion that follows herein focuses on how Adulthood as a film observes the stipulated legal, ethical and regulations outlined in the film industry. Just like in every profession, the film industry needs to be regulated. It needs to conform to the set legal, ethical as well as relevant regulations. The industry controls a significant revenue and population. Its influence on the population is a lso significant. This highlights the importance of adhering to accepted principles. This has relevance since the influence that films command on the audience can have serious implications if deliberations are not taken into mind while controlling the industry. A film like adulthood portrays what happens in most societies. It gives the predicament of those out of jail in view of the rest of the members of the society. Socializing and getting accepted into the society after serving time in jail is often a challenge to most ex-convicts. Prejudices form part of human life. It is common to perceive people or situations from what is visualized without giving considerations to the intricate factors that surround such situations. In terms of films, legal and ethical implications must be observed to ensure the audience gets the right quality (BBFC, 2013). In case that does not happen, there are obvious drawbacks and legal tussles that a film such as Adulthood will be faced with. The audience s are consumers. Consumer satisfaction is a responsibility any business. Government policies also protect consumers. Striking a balance in reference to the two guarantees legal sustainability. In the course of film production, there are obvious contractual agreements that bind the involved parties. In this case, for instance, the film was produced by Amir Madani. In addition, there were other limited liability companies such as High bridge entertainment, Gran via Productions and Sony Pictures Television which were consulted to see the quality production as well as distribution of the film. There are several benefits associated with such companies. Firstly, individual film maker is usually represented by the company should there be a contract breach during the film production (BBFC, 2013). Secondly, the film maker could sell some interests to the limited liability companies and raise some funds to ensure the production process is a success. The companies are more likely to oblige to the tax scheme other than a certain film maker facing the taxing process on individual capacity. The legal predicaments involved in contracts are still applicable in this case. Below is a pictorial representation of the movie’s cover. Being an original work, the movie is a patented product. Its producer has the right of ownership. Any breach of that can lead to a tussle in a court of law. The breach may come from unlawful reproduction. Adulthood was a film which

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Engineering Project Management Essay Example for Free

Engineering Project Management Essay Typical Practice Estimating time to undertake design and drafting tasks, such as the crafting of blueprints for the construction of wooden furniture (e.g. stool, desk, chest) by an expert and the creation of blueprints for buildings of commercial establishments by an architect, requires the method of estimating labor costs. After all, cost estimates require time estimates.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Computing the labor cost (technically called as the direct labor cost in management accounting) proceeds by adding the worker’s base rate and indirect payroll costs, such as government securities and insurance. The result is multiplied with the worker’s labor hours. The product of the operation is the labor cost. If labor cost is known and the estimated labor hour is unknown, the manager only has to work around the equation to obtain the estimated time of performing the task. This is the easiest method for the manager, and also the most unreliable because it relies on past data of labor costs. It relies on past data of labor costs because an empirical method is needed, which this method does not include. In such a case, this method is just mere ‘speculation’. It is not an ‘estimation’ in the proper sense of the term because there are no trials and errors done to gather data. From this, there is also a differentiation between ‘past data’ and ‘empirical data’. Past data are also empirical data, but they are gathered in the past, therefore acquiring a less accurate information. Empirical data, after all, require certain use of tools to be obtained. Also, it is unreliable because if the company is new, it cannot use this method—there is no recorded information regarding past operations. Only a long-existing company can benefit from this method of estimating labor hours.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One problem in estimating the time and cost in performing design and drafting jobs is that managers can only speculate about the amount of time required by a specific job. For instance, the manager of a firm that designs and produces musical instruments can not know exactly how long in a day can a staff of twenty finishes a certain number of musical instruments. Time is a variable that depends on the quality and quantity of tools, materials, equipment, and workers assigned in performing tasks. In the example of designing musical instruments, the manager should know how long each instrument is designed in its entirety by a specific worker. It would help to get an average rate for this. Afterwards, the average rate will be multiplied to the number of instruments to be designed. If one stops here, this is an incomplete method of computing labor time. The manager should get the time it took the labor to prepare for the task, and how long it took him to bring the musical instrument to the corresponding collectors of the aforementioned products in the management system. Then, the sum is multiplied with the distance of the labor from the shop or wherever he is taking the musical instruments. The resulting product is then added to the product of the average rate and the number of instruments to be designed. Another method in estimating the labor time is by taking the average hours of preceding homogenous tasks. In creating a musical instrument, the manager gets the time it took for a worker to complete one instrument. He then obtains data from the proceeding tasks. By getting the average of the values, we obtain the average hours. Variability and Contingencies The accuracy of the first method is low. First, there is a huge possibility of error in relying past data or performance. A company that designs cars ought to measure the time and cost of labor through direct empirical methods, such as obtaining the rates by which workers accomplish their jobs. However, this method depends on the accuracy of historical data. If historical data are inaccurate, there is a 100% tendency that the result of using this method will produce inaccuracies. This is not recommended for companies because it is not an engineering standard.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The second method is more empirical and far more accurate than the first method. Considering the computation of the average rate, one can not be sure of the precision of this statistical tool. Using the mean, median or mode as a way to produce data for the estimation of the time and cost of labor is inefficient. It is recommended that a variance analysis be conducted so that deviations will be taken into consideration. After all, workers are not robots. They have higher levels of inefficiency and inconsistency of output. A worker has fluctuating labor rates. The time he finishes a job fluctuates in hours or minutes, thereby changing the amount of labor cost. Using the variance analysis as a statistical method in obtaining work rates is more efficient. When this is done, it makes the second estimation method more accurate because deviant cases, or changes in time and labor costs, are taken into consideration. The variance analysis can also be applied on the third method, which also relies on using the mean, median or mode. Since averages are less reliable than doing a variance analysis, the third method can be inaccurate. More statistical methods are needed. Monitoring and Updating As the design and drafting tasks proceed, the practices used to update estimates are the following: regular, intermittent, and periodical recording of average rates in designing and drafting jobs. The practice of having a regular recording system, which requires inputs for every day of labor, is the most accurate but also the most costly. Therefore, it is far from inefficient. Only a huge company can take advantage of this, if there is a high risk involved in not monitoring the time and cost of labor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   An intermittent recording practice entails intermediate accuracy and cost. This requires inputs every week, month or quarter of the year, depending on the needs of the company to monitor the progress of the fluctuations in time and cost of labor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A periodical recording practice is the least costly, but has the risk of being inaccurate because it does not measure everything. It only measures the fluctuations in time and cost of labor between points in time, and not within a span of time. References: Baskette, C. (2006). Avoided cost estimation and post-reform funding allocation for Californias energy efficiency programs. Electricity Market Reform and Deregulation, 31, 1084-1099. Farsi, Mehdi. (2006). Cost efficiency in the Swiss gas distribution sector. Energy Economics, 28, 1050-1062. ASSIGNMENT 2 (Y) Basis for Project Methodology The specific method chosen for a certain project is based on the inherent characteristics of that project. There are as many methods as there are kinds of projects. The basis for choosing a method depends on the variables that differentiate one project from another, like the level of complexity involved in the activity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The following is the list of factors that may be the basis of project methodology: Project area Level of complexity Type of communication used   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the many considerations in project methodology decision-making is the project area. Is the project small, medium, or large? Even this question requires some thinking, since the size of a project is arbitrary. It depends on the sizes of other projects the manager or company considers as points of comparison. The area of the project may mean the geographical area concerned. For instance, an electric company that aims to build a network of electric facilities may be one kilometer by 500 meters. Judging whether this is small, medium, or large varies from one project to another. There may have been other similar projects built, requiring only two or three hectares of land. In such cases, this project may be considered large in area.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The area can also be seen in terms of influence. In the example of an electric company building a network of electric facilities, the area may mean the number of households it would serve. Again, judging whether a number of ten-thousand households is small, medium or large depends on other similar projects made.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another basis is the level of complexity involved in the project. Complexity can be measured by how many interactions among units are required to accomplish a task, and judging the data whether the project system is simple or complex. In the above example, measuring the complexity of building a network of electric facilities may require determining the organization of managers and workers that are involved in the project. Some organizations interact according to hierarchy. These kinds of organizations tend to be simple because there are defined ways on how the units interact among one another. Some, which are more complex, require units to interact in different ways. To put it concretely, let us say that the electric company assigns the maintenance department to be always under the engineering department, which means that the staff would only take commands from the latter. This is a simple scenario. A complex scenario would be when the company assigns the maintenance department to communicate with the other divisions of the company in accomplishing its own task. The connection between complexity and method is that the complexity determines the method. After knowing a project’s level of complexity, the method may then be configured depending on this information.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The third basis is communication. What is the message of the project? What are the kinds of media used? For whom is the message? These are significant things to take in mind when characterizing what sort of communication exists in an activity. Is the electric company making use of an intranet, which simplifies complex interactions? What tools are used for one division to communicate with another? Are telephones preferred over online chatting between departments?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is also significant to determine the contexts in which communication occurs. Is it one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many? Determining this also affects the level of complexity of the project. A one-to-one communication is simple but slow and inefficient. A one-to-many communication is fast and efficient, but the message reception loses quality. Many-to-many communication is fast and complex, thereby increasing the level of complexity in the project. Decisions regarding matters on communication are only part of choosing what methodology to use. Criteria for Best Project Methodology In order to illustrate how one method is better than another given a specific project, let us take the following popular methods in project management: Waterfall Development, Rational Unified Process, and Extreme Programming (Asrilhant, 2005). These are the best methods in project management because they generally are flexible to different factors, like budget and project size. They compliment each other. One strategy’s weakness is another’s strength.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If the project has high budget, one may say that the Waterfall Development is the best method for it. That is because this method requires little or zero corrections in inputs. This is possible because the planning function of the management is more crucial. A low budget means a high risk to undertake the project. Therefore, quality planning is indispensable.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For instance, if the electric company funds a 5-hectare electric network facility 30% lower than similar projects, the management has to undertake Waterfall Development. This means the planning function is geared on decreasing costs. There will be much labor required on the part of engineers and analysts to increase the level of certainty in inputs. The company cannot afford to do experimentations and much testing. High technical proficiency is required.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If the project entails intermediate risk, and there is an intermediate number of staff who would man it, then the Rational Unified Process may be used as the best methodology. This is because risk management is balanced with a medium amount of budget or allowance for failure in inputs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If the electric company funds a 10-hectare electric network facility 2% lower than similar projects, the management may afford to increase the costs of testing and experimenting with inputs to produce outputs in electric services.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Finally, if there is a need for regular testing and experimentation of inputs, and corrections in testing failures, then the Extreme Programming may be undertaken as the best methodology. Budget given here is high, and the risks are lower. The population of staff is also considerably higher than the two other methodologies. Here, the management can afford to run the risk of losing resources, albeit with prudence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Determining which method is best for a project requires measuring the amount of risks associated with the project, the budget allocated for the activity, the number of participants in the staff, and the affordability of the project to receive failing outputs. References: Asrilhant, Boris. (2005). On the strategic project management process in the UK indutrial sector. Omega, 35, 89-103. ASSIGNMENT 3 Alternative Classification   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The rationale of having a new project classification is to respond against the inefficiencies of the older classifications. The project method concerns itself much on the processes and ways on how tasks are carried out in the activity. However, it is too formalistic and technical. It is formalistic because it is focused on empirical observations. It is too technical because it does not leave room for speculation and theorizing. There is a huge chance that it will lose sight of the project’s objectives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The project end-product, being goal-oriented, is weak on the part of specific matters. It may lose sight on technical issues such as the method of computation to use in estimating labor costs. If a firm that manufactures cars undertake an activity in which the project is classified as belonging under the project end-product, the managers will fall short on practicality. Important details are missed, like the choosing of a certain metal as a material in making automobiles. There may be one end-product but there are many methods in which inputs can be processed into outputs. These methods determine the level of costs associated with the production. If a company is too concerned about output, it loses sight on the possibility of gaining productivity by merely choosing the method. This is to say that a new classification is needed—a new classification that would account for the weaknesses of project methodology and project end-product. Since the two classifications do not take into consideration certain factors of production and labor, which are important determinants of the success of a project, a new chosen classification is labeling projects according to the types of constraints. The traditional constrains in a project are the following: Time Cost Production Labor These variables define the shape or form of the project. Changing one variable changes the whole project in its entirety. To illustrate, assume that an automobile manufacturing company undertakes a project of creating fifty units of luxury cars. The time constraint associated with the project makes it different from all the other projects with similar methods and end-products. For instance, this project is similar to five other projects whose goals are also to create fifty units of luxury cars. The only hypothetical difference is the amount of days required to accomplish it. This is to say that a project is different from another when there is a significant time interval between the required time to accomplish one project and the required time to accomplish another.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, it is too trivial if the manager only relies on the time constraint. Costs are also important contributors of project type determination. The amount of money allotted for a budget determines the influence of the project on the area it is being undertaken, and on the unit is serving. This is an indispensable category because the cost also gives way to knowing the area and quality of the project.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If the car company gives a budget to a car-manufacturing project which is 50% lower than that of another project with similar end-product, then the two projects are different because the former is constrained in using resources. It must tap the planning function of the management at its best, because it cannot afford high risks and high expenses.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Production is a consequence of the cost constraint. The number of cars to be produced by the company depends on the allotted budget in producing these cars. Consequently, this is also related to labor in the sense that, if the budget is low and the production is high, then the labor must be intensive. It is empirically impossible to increase labor if the budget remains the same.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In short, projects can be classified according to the variability of their traditional constraints. They be classified as the following: Long-term undertaking, high-budgeted, labor intensive. Mid-term undertaking, with intermediate budget, intermediate production, and medium labor intensiveness. Short-term undertaking, low-budgeted, small production, and low concentration in labor. This is not to say that there are only three ways to classify projects. There are different permutations of classifying them because a project can be both long-term and low-budgeted, short-term and high-budgeted, and the like. There are twenty-seven combinations possible for the project manager. It is helpful for the project manager because there are varied choices to be undertaken with this typology. Enhancement   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This classification gives an enhanced understanding of project management because the inefficiencies of project end-product and project method are revealed and solved. The old classification system is poor because there are only small categories where projects fall under. In logic, the lesser concepts there are to stand for heterogeneous things, the more abstract the ideas become. By taking into consideration the traditional constraints of a project, and basing from it to form a new project classification, one achieves a more concrete and detailed description of the different projects that are to be executed. Project classification, through this kind of classification, becomes more useful not only as a mere science of classification. It also helps management keep an improved system of managing the projects, thereby increasing productivity and output quality. This project classification also enhances the understanding on the content of projects. Project method concerns itself with the processed item but not the one being processed. Project end-product concerns itself with the output but not the materials or inputs that led to its creation. This classification gives a new lens through which projects are seen by the manager. References: Project management. Retrieved September 4, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_management#Project_systems

Friday, November 15, 2019

Mexico 1940-82: Higher Priority on Political Stability and Economic Growth than on Social Change :: Mexican History Politics Economics Essays

Mexico 1940-82: Higher Priority on Political Stability and Economic Growth than on Social Change Mexico’s political and economic stability from 1940-1982 can be well understood by looking at one of Sergio’s televisions. In Mexican Lives, Judith Adler Hellman introduces the reader to Sergio Espinoza, a businessman who once employed some 700 workers to produce televisions, stereos and sound systems. His televisions’ high production costs, low quality, high prices and inaccessibility to the poor sketch a rough microcosm of the period from 1940-1982 by laying bare the inefficiencies of import substitution industrialization and the vast inequalities in Mexico. From 1940-82, economic growth and stability came at the expense of social justice and political pluralism. In particular, the Mexican campesinos, the backbone of the revolutionary Zapatista uprising, suffered from the economic development model and from the PRI’s ability to muzzle dissent. The basic model employed after Cardenas to promote growth in the Mexican economy was Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI), whereby Mexico attempted to build domestic industry and a domestic market. The strategy quickly started paying dividends, and the â€Å"import-substitution policies of the Mexican state were successful in generating rapid and sustained economic growth† (Sharpe 28). ISI ushered in the â€Å"Mexican Miracle† of economic growth; the Mexican growth hovered around 6% annually for some thirty years (Hellman 1). The government created incentives for investment and lowered taxation to spur domestic investment. Despite the strong economic indicators, the spoils of growth were not shared by many. Those groups who bled and died from 1910-1917 for a more just and equitable Mexico were subsequently denied the fruits of economic growth and transparent political representation. Efforts to accelerate growth since the mid 1930s â€Å"have tended to produce- or at least, to reinforce- a highly inequitable pattern of income distribution† (Hansen 71). According to Roger Hansen, the author of The Politics of Mexican Development, â€Å"no other Latin American political system has provided â€Å"more rewards for its new industrial and commercial agricultural elites† (87) since 1940 and â€Å"in no other major Latin American country has less been done directly by the government for the bottom quarter of society† (87). Mexico’s development created a middle class and brought a certain measure of industrialization but further disenfranchised the poor. Mexico’s leaders implemented a development policy which violated the ideals of the revolution by shirking the responsibilities of a social democracy. In his essay â€Å"Guatemalan Politics: The Popular Struggle for Democracy,† Garry H.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Film about “Cleopatra” Essay

Cleopatra is depicted as a strikingly beautiful, loyal but manipulative temptress, oozing femininity as she seduces the two most powerful men in Egypt, Marc Antony and Julius Caesar. A question this raises is, was she an insecure Queen who felt that she needed a more powerful man to help secure her place on the throne of her beloved Egypt, rather than lose it to one of them? As shown in the 2005 TV production ‘Rome’ Cleopatra is seen wanting to get pregnant by Caesar to secure her position, but in the end she didn’t have any qualms if someone else fathered the child, she would pass it off as Caesar’s. Cleopatra is shown on film as an almost caring being and an intelligent woman. In the 1934 production, Cleopatra tells Antony as she kisses his hand â€Å"I am no longer Queen, I am a woman.† This suggests that in that particular moment, she is allowing her emotions to rule, perhaps even going as far to say that as a Queen she is quite a stony and hard character, but as an ordinary woman, she is allowing herself to love. In the 1963 film, Cleopatra speaks of â€Å"One World, one nation, living in peace.† This again shows her caring nature that she wants the world to live in harmony. In real life, this could be a rather obvious reference to the UN and stopping war. Again, in the 1963 production, a rather sexist remark is made about Cleopatra â€Å"If she wasn’t a woman, one might think she’s an intellect.† This Roman depiction shows Cleopatra to be a clever and smart Queen, but as she is female, she is not given full credit. In most TV and film productions of Cleopatra, she is seen as a beautiful ‘Goddess’ with lashings of make up and dressed in extravagant costumes and jewellery to show her wealth. This portrayal of her makes her look almost high maintenance and authoritative. However, the Roman coins, which reveal her portrait, decipher Cleopatra as less of a beauty but almost hag like. As these coins are the only piece of history that show what Cleopatra may have looked like, I think it is a case that this is one depiction that has been glamorised by TV and film. Throughout the years as various productions have been filmed, the actresses playing Cleopatra have changed in appearance e.g. their ethnicity, which may show a change in how society sees her. This shows how the world has changed by allowing more ethnic groups into the world of  acting. TV and film seem to develop the depictions of Cleopatra to fit in with the world in which we live at the time of which the production was made. It would appear that the Roman depictions of Cleopatra seem accurate in terms of her character, wealth and extravagant lifestyle but not her looks, as this is the only inconsistency against the historical artefacts we have. As time and society change, we may never know the true identity of Cleopatra.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

JFK: The Epitome of Success

â€Å"Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life.† This quote was said by and embodied by a man who was very effective and smoothly functioning in life. This man was the late John F. Kennedy. JFK was one of the most successful and influential people to ever live. He had strong beliefs and never succumbed to pressure. Kennedy's success was shown through his tough foreign and economic policies. JFK kept the USA as a world powerhouse and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest presidents to ever live. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on Tuesday, May 29, 1917. He spent the first ten years of his life in Brookline until he moved with his family to Riverdale, Bronx. Two years after that he moved to a 21-room mansion on a six-acre estate in Bronxville, New York. JFK had a very sickly childhood dealing with appendicitis, colitis, and possible symptoms of leukemia. In September 1936 he enrolled as a freshman at Harvard College where he eventually graduated cum laude with a degree in international affairs. Kennedy then spent four years in the US Navy during World War II. Before his political career, JFK originally aspired to become a journalist. However, in 1946, Kennedy ran for a vacated U.S. Representative seat and beat his opponent by a large margin. On January 2, 1960, Kennedy officially declared his intent to run for President of the United States. It was a tight race against Richard Nixon but JFK won and was sworn in as the 35th President at noon on January 20, 1961 (Ke lly). At Kennedy's inaugural address, he spoke of the need for all Americans to be active citizens, famously saying, â€Å"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.† JFK felt that all the responsibility should not rest in the hands of the government; instead it should be shared amongst all Americans. He also spoke of his hope for unity amongst the nations in order to end â€Å"tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself† across the world. His inaugural address alone showed signs of future success for this young president. JFK immediately gained great popular support amongst Americans. His strong willed personality and hope for change were some of the many reasons for his success. Little did he know his abilities would be tested early in his presidential term. In October of 1962, a Soviet ballistic missile site was discovered under construction in Cuba. JFK was faced with a dilemma; attack the missile site and face a possible nuclear war with the Soviets, or stand down and risk a nuclear attack on the U.S. Another consideration was that if the U.S. backed down it would appear to the world as weak in its own hemisphere. Kennedy decided to take action and ordered a naval quarantine in which the U.S. Navy inspected all ships arriving in Cuba. He began negotiations with the Soviets and ordered the Soviets to remove all defensive material that was being built in Cuba. Kennedy's risky actions proved successful as Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles subject to U.N. inspections if the U.S. publicly promised never to invade Cuba and quietly removed US missiles stationed in Turkey (Sierra). JFK's iron-willed actions prevented a possible all out nuclear war with the U.S.S.R. Not only was JFK strong-minded with his foreign policy, he was also forceful with his economic policy. His plan entitled the â€Å"New Frontier† ambitiously promised federal funding for education, medical care for the elderly, and government intervention to halt the recession (Rosenthal). Kennedy also promised an end to racial discrimination. In 1954 the United States Supreme Court had ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Despite public opposition Kennedy did what was right and made sure this ruling would be upheld throughout the country. In 1962, James Meredith tried to enroll at the University of Mississippi, but he was prevented from doing so by white students. Kennedy responded by sending some 400 federal marshals and 3,000 troops to ensure that Meredith could enroll in his first class. He was a very caring president and would do anything to enforce justice. Kennedy's determination and perseverance helped end segregation in our great nation. Another great example of Kennedy's strong-willed personality is shown through the space race of the 1960's. After recent Soviet success of space exploration, JFK felt the need to put the U.S. on the map in terms of space discovery. Kennedy asked Congress to approve more than $25 billion for the Apollo Project, a human spaceflight program undertaken by NASA with the goal of conducting manned moon landing missions (Dumoulin). Not only did JFK feel that landing a man on the moon would benefit science, but that it would create nationalism and make a statement to the world that America was on top. Unfortunately, Kennedy wouldn't live to see his Apollo project take place. On November 22, 1963, while on a political trip to Texas, Kennedy was shot twice and pronounced dead at 1:00 PM. At the age of 46, President Kennedy died younger than any U.S. president to date. Despite Kennedy's short term as President, he is still considered as one of the greatest. His success can be attributed to his strong willed personality and determination in everything he did. JFK was the epitome of a successful and effective individual.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Moral law vs. Civil law essays

Moral law vs. Civil law essays As long as there have been laws emplaced, many moral and civil boundaries have been of great dispute. Problems arise when the two unavoidable laws clash when what is morally right is not always legal. This battle is ancient and is even written about in Antigone. There are times when moral law is more important than civil law, civil law overrides moral law, and several ways that the correlate with each other. Regardless of any society, culture or environment a person is brought up in, all human beings are born with the instinct of a desire to do things that make them feel comfortable and right with themselves. Because of this instinct, Antigone found herself feeling that her brothers unrest was more troubling than the penalty of death enforced by her uncle. Antigones conscience was strong enough to overpower her common sense that death would follow as a direct result for her actions. Such actions can be witnessed to this day, in which Gods law is stronger in some peoples consciences than the instinct of self preservation. Antigones actions are a strong example of moral law. There are times, however, when civil law is of more importance than moral law. Although someone may feel strongly about what they see as morally right, or Gods will, there may be civil boundaries that prevent them from turning their opinions into violent acts. For example, many members of the group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) have radical opinions on the treatment of animals, but even though they may feel that fur is not morally right, civil laws prevent them from throwing buckets of paint on people who are wearing fur in the streets. These laws are important because they protect people from getting hurt by others who are carrying out moral law. The two do not always work against each other, however. For example, the First Amendment is a law that allows people to ha...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

How to Get a Pell Grant Apply and Win

How to Get a Pell Grant Apply and Win SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips You may have heard of Pell Grants, which can be really importantin helping students fund their college educations. Although the Pell sounds enticing, figuring out how to actuallygeta Pell Grantmay be overwhelming. How do you know if you're eligible? Where do you apply? How do you keep track of your application? As it turns out, getting a Pell Grant isn'ttoo difficult if you know where to begin.Follow the steps in this guide to optimize your chances of receiving Pell Grant money. Step 1: Determine Whether You're Eligible to Apply for Federal Aid Because the Pell Grant is a federal student aid program, you need to meet all federal requirements in order to be eligible.The major requirements are that you must: Have a high school diploma or GED Be a citizen or US national Be enrolled, or accepted to enroll, in a school that participates in the Pell Grant program There are other federal requirements that you must meet in order to be eligible, however; you can get more detailed information here. Make sure you have all these requirements locked down before you apply, or else you risk delaying your application. Step 2: Determine Whether You Meet Specific Pell Grant Requirements The Pell Grant is primarily meant to help low-income students pay for college. As a result, most recipients are students who do not already have a bachelor's or vocational degree. Check out our Pell Grant eligibility guide for more information. You also need to meet certain financial requirements to be considered eligible for the Pell, which are addressed in the next section. Step 3: Estimate Your Own Financial Need to Determine Eligibility When you apply for the Pell Grant - which happens when you submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA - the Department of Education will generate a number called the Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. The EFC determines whether you're financially eligible to receive the Pell Grant. For the 2015-2016 academic year, the EFC cutoff is $5081. So, if your EFC is at or below $5081, you will receive some Pell Grant money.You can use your family's financial information (your parents may be able to help with this) to estimate your EFC before you even apply for the Pell Grant. If you aren't feeling up to estimating your Pell Grant by calculating your EFC, you can use these very general guidelines: Most Pell Grant awards are granted to students whose families make less than $30,000 per year 25%-35% of Pell Grant awards are granted to students whose families make between $30,000-$60,000 per year The smaller your EFC, the more Pell Grant money you're likely to receive; you're also likely to get a larger award if you're a full-time student.For the 2013-2014 academic year, the average Pell Grant award was $3541. Gatheringpieces of your family's financial info is an important part of applying for the Pell Grant. This step could be streamlined with the help of a patient parent. Step 4: Apply for Federal Aid via the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid You apply for federal aid by submitting a FAFSA, a form that you have to submit annually if you want to be considered for any aid, including the Pell Grant.If you estimated your EFC and think you'll receive Pell Grant money,you're probably excited to submit the application. But what if youdon'tthink you'll be eligible for the grant? Should you still apply? The short answer is: yes. It's totally free to apply for the Pell Grant, and you may be losing out on valuable aid by skipping on the application.Many states, colleges, and universities also use information generated from the FAFSA to award their own financial aid. It's in your best interest to submit a FAFSA even if you don't think you'll get the Pell. Check out the online version of the FAFSA - it's the fastest way to submit your application. Most students submit their FAFSAs soon after they get their acceptance letters. The federal aid deadline for the 2015-2016 academic year is June 30, 2016, but don't wait that long to submit your FAFSA;you may be missing out on aid opportunities that exhaust quickly if you apply too late. You can get more information about submitting a federal aid application here. Step 5:Manage Your FAFSA After you've submitted your FAFSA, you'll receive what's called a Student Aid Report, or SAR. This official report will have all the information you need about your aid eligibility. The school(s) you listed on your FAFSA will also have access to your SAR. If you submitted your application electronically and don't get a SAR within 3 days, there may have been an error in processing your FAFSA. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to check the status of your application online. Your school will put together a financial aid package based on your SAR. It may include Pell Grant money in addition to other forms of aid, like student loans or work-study. The electronic version of the FAFSA is, as you canimagine, much easier to manage than the paper version What's Next? If you're already looking at how to get a Pell Grant, you may already know about the program; if not, you can read about everything you need to know in our Pell Grant guide. Eligibility requirements for federal aid in particular can be difficult to navigate. If you could use a step-by-step outline for determining Pell Grant eligibility, I have good news for you. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Special Interest Tourism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Special Interest Tourism - Essay Example Tourism is deemed to be one of the most popular recreational activities adopted by people across the world. In this rapidly altering environment, where technological advances have increased the degree of stress in the life of professionals, tourism can act as a remedy or relief in the lives of such individuals. However, in modern days tourism has been classified and named distinctly according to the nature or specific qualities, such as wildlife tourism, conventional mass tourism and tourism in terms of pilgrimage. Although, wildlife tourism is gaining popularity across the world due to the association of adventure and thrill, its impact on different species has attracted major concerns (Sinha, 2001). Wildlife tourism has been observed to be playing an imperative role in the tourism industry and has considerably contributed to the growth of economy for several countries and communities. Activities such as watching wildlife animals in their natural setting, sports hunting, fishing and videotaping are associated with wildlife tourism which has been the major attractions for majority of the tourists. In addition to its negative impacts, this form of tourism has contributed significantly to the growth of awareness concerning wildlife by generating revenue for the purpose of conserving the forests. Furthermore, wildlife tourism has been able to generate jobs for the local communities, thereby reducing the unemployment rate of various developing countries and regions (Tapper, 2006). (Tapper, 2006). The report will discuss the common characteristics of wildlife tourism. Furthermore, it will evaluate the distinct factors between wildlife tourism and Conventional Mass Tourism (CMT). The report will moreover discuss the motivational factors that attract tourists to participate in this form of tourism. It will also help to determine the impacts on the environment due to wildlife tourism. In addition, the report will identify the risks associated and recommend strategies for minimising those. Common Characteristics of Wildlife Tourism Wildlife tourism gained rapid recognition after the World War II by enabling tourists to get a view of different animals and species in national parks or forests owned by the government. Furthermore, this form of tour

Friday, November 1, 2019

Logics and Supply Chain Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Logics and Supply Chain Management - Essay Example Most of its large and well established centers are located in the UK, Germany and Italy among other large developed nations (Frazelle, 2001, p. 54). The company has a large and able management team that has is motivated by the desire to propel the firm to great profit margins. For example, a Manager who is answerable and reports to overall regional managers head each of its magnificent plants (Great Britain, 2011, p. 37). In an effort to ensure excellence and efficiency in Euro Cast’s supply chain, the management of the company has managed to place a lot of emphasis on the improvement of the distribution networks within the company. The company has established a number of bureaucratic procedures aimed at enhancing efficiency in its supply chain networks (Jonsson, 2008, p. 145). To start with, the top management is concerned with the company’s supply department and has to report directly to the CEO (Ketz & Schwartz, 2006, p. 145). Other professionals lower in the supply ladder are supposed to respond to other superior executives within the firm. The entire supply team and the organization as a whole are committed to expanding the company’s operations (Long, 2004, p. 123). ... 356). Another supply strategy was the sales and operations planning strategy. The strategy has been lengthy but effective in the long run to those companies that have had their hands on it. A beverage company that had tried on the strategy advised that the company intending to adopt the strategy required implementing organizational and cultural changes first (Christopher, 2005, p. 100). Demand creating and product shaping strategy is the other strategy that characterizes the supply chain (Jonsson, 2008, p. 45). The chain is complex in the numerous ways and all are in place to ensure that the desired performance attained (Asumang & Astill, 2002, p. 67). Euro Cast has other complicated ways of increasing the chain’s efficiency (Moreno, Pichler & Quesada-Arencibia, 2012, p. 145). For instance, the company has outsourced its supply chains in order to increase its relations. Third party relations in the supply chain are encouraged give as they insights into new ideas (Bowersox, Coo per & Closs, 2007, p. 356). Euro Cast’s chain of supply is effective also due to delegated roles and duties. Breakdown duties and responsibilities ensure that each worker is allocated responsibilities according to capabilities. All this measures form a complex but effective and productive system (Great Britain, 2011, p. 104).Supply chains at Euro Cast are better defined as by the smooth flow of information and currency exchange. The supply chain managing has achieved milestones for it to achieve its present status (Mothobi, 2002, p. 99). Integration of technology in the supply chain management at Euro Cast In the modern world, internet has played a great role in changing people’s life and