U.S. Nuclear Weapons and Weapon Programs Essay Example for Free

U.S. Nuclear Weapons and Weapon Programs Essay Thesis Statement: Replacing the Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP) with the Reliable Replacement Warhead Program (RRW) may alleviate existing issues concerning the long-term reliability, safety, security, and manufacturing of U. S. weapons. However, the RRW has been cancelled due to the overwhelming concern of long-term funds to maintain RRW and Democrats feel as though the RRW is not a proven technology (GlobalSecurity. org). However, the RRW should be used as a motive not to continue nuclear testing. Currently, the SSP consists of worn weapons that are costly to maintain and are subjected to underground testing (Boyer 303). Implementing the RRW will provide cost-efficient and reliable weapons that are manufactured to last with fewer obligations to nuclear underground testing. Implementing the RRW would be a good investment for this reason alone. Overall, replacing the SSP with the RRW will establish new cost-efficient weapons with less maintenance that are less prone to underground nuclear testing; provide state-of-the art technology to protect the U. S. from terrorist’s intrusions – such as hacking and unauthorized usage, and create an efficient method for securing the decreasing stockpile. 1) Long Term Reliability of U. S Weapons. The maintenance of refurbished weapons may become more complicated due to aging. The RRW addresses this issue by implementing new weapons that are cost-efficient and safe thus providing reliable and safe weapons for the U. S. According to the article, A New Nuclear Warhead, â€Å"The RRW is committed to the smallest nuclear stockpile consistent with our security; to safe, secure and reliable weapons; and to the current nuclear testing moratorium. † Refurbished weapons tend to need more maintenance and are subject to nuclear underground testing. 2) The Safety and Security of U. S. Weapons. The SSP may not be sufficient to meet future goals pertaining to the safety and security of U. S Weapons. In the article, Reliable Replacement Warhead, â€Å"RRW aims to make US nuclear weapons safer and more secure against unauthorized use by incorporating state-of-the-art security features that cannot be retrofitted to older weapons. The ultimate goal is to transition to a smaller, more responsive nuclear infrastructure that will enable future administrations to adjust the US nuclear stockpile as geopolitical conditions warrant. † (26) 3) Maintenance of Existing Weapons may become more expensive with the SSP. Refurbished weapons require more maintenance than newer weapons thus requiring additional funds to sustain current conditions of the weapons. According to the Department of Defense news release, Kenneth Krieg states that the implementation of the RRW will reduce stockpile size by permitting new weapons with less maintenance. Newer weapons will need less maintenance and in return will be less applicable to additional funding. Members of the Nuclear Weapons Council are confident that incorporating the RRW will permit a more positive and cost-effective infrastructure by employing improved computational and experimental tools to administer the technical base (U. S. Strategic Command 1). 4) Implementing the New RRW Plan. The RRW intends to implement newer U. S weapons with higher-performance ratings and advance safety and security features while providing a less expensive maintenance plan. After examining the article in Bulletin of Atomic Scientist, the RRW is aimed at accomplishing a more cost effective and efficient method of securing the decreasing stockpile to be more reliable and safe (Drell 48). Incorporating the RRW will provide the tools necessary to ensure that nuclear underground testing is less likely to be required for future designs (A Different Kind of Complex 1). Conclusion: Unfortunately, the RRW has been cancelled due to the overwhelming concerns of long-term funds to maintain RRW and Democrats feel as though the RRW is not a proven technology. However, the RRW should be used as a motive not to continue nuclear testing. Implementing the RRW will alleviate the SSP of existing issues concerning the long-term reliability, safety, security and manufacturing of U. S weapons that are less prone to underground nuclear testing. Overall, RRW will serve as a solution to the ongoing concerns of underground nuclear testing. Works Cited Arm Control Association. â€Å"A Different Kind of Complex: The Future of U. S. Weapons and the Nuclear Weapons Enterprise. †(1997-2009): 3 March 2009 http://www. armscontrol. org/print/3454 A New Nuclear Warhead. (Editorial Desk)(Letter to the editor). The New York Times. (30 Jan 2007): A20(L). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Apollo Library. 3 Mar. 2009 http://find. galegroup. com/ovrc/infomark. do? contentSet=IAC-Documentstype=retrievetabID=T004prodId=OVRCdocId=A158559391source=galeuserGroupName=uphoenixversion=1. 0 Boyer, Paul S. â€Å"Nuclear Weapons. † The Oxford Companion to the United States History. Oxford University Press. (2001): 303 Department of Defense news release. (2March 2007): Reliable Replacement Warhead Design Decision Announced http://find. galegroup. com/itx/start. do? prodId=ITOF Global Security for America. â€Å"U. S. Strategic Commands Supports RRW Strategy. † (2007) 2 March 2007 http://www. stratcom. mil/default. asp? page=newsarticle=14 GlobalSecuirty. org. â€Å"Weapons of Mass Destruction. Reliable Replacement Warhead. † (2009) 11 March 2009 http://www. globalsecurity. org/wmd/systems/rrw. htm Interavia Business and Technology. â€Å"Reliable Replacement Warhead. † (2007): 3 March 2009 http://find. galegroup. com/itx/start. do? prodId=ITOF

Exercise the Mind, Body, and Soul Essay Example for Free

Exercise the Mind, Body, and Soul Essay Being in this class has helped me realize that my health, as well as others’ health, is very important. The past five weeks I have been recording my habits to see what was necessary to change. After the first three weeks, I had concluded that I really needed to increase my physical activity to do more than my average everyday walking. We were to go about our everyday lives and record exactly what we did on a regular basis. Before this, I would never have considered myself a person who exercises regularly. However, after this project I feel that I have earned the title of a person who exercises on the regular. Once I had picked my area I wanted to increase, I picked out to goals. My first goal was to exercise a minimum of 120 minutes a week. Two objectives I had to fulfill that goal were to complete my homework by four o’ clock each afternoon so that I had time to walk for twenty minutes in the evenings. Another objective I had was to park further away so I could wake an extra ten minutes to and from my car each day of school. My final goal was to lose three pounds by October 23, 2011. The first objective I had to fulfill that goal was to ask my friend/s Karlee, Sarah, and/or Samantha to exercise with me to help me stay motivated. My last objective to reach my weight loss goal was to do Zumba at least three times a week for 30 minutes minimum. Participating in daily physical activities such as walking or doing aerobic exercises is not only important for you physically, but it can also benefit you mentally and emotionally. A report shows that at least 60% of the global population fails to achieve the minimum recommendation of 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity daily (Saxena, Van Ommeren, Tang, Armstrong, 2005, p. 445). Walking is one of the most popular, easiest, and safest forms of physical activity (Sykes, 2009, p.40). Walking has many positive benefits to doing it. You have  less chance of getting/having heart problems, lower blood pressure, lose body weight, stress reducer are just few good things walking can do for you.  Studies have generally shown that exercise increases states of positive affect or energetic arousal, and reduces anxiety, tension, or negative affect. Research has also demonstrated that exercise may be similarly effective in the treatment of depression (Lutz, Lochbaum, Carson, Jackson, Greenwood, Byas, 2008, p.166). Exercise gives you something to do. It is an easy way to get your mind off negative things and makes you feel better not only physically, but also mentally. According to Sykes, et al (2009, p. 42), exercise can improve a person’s physical self-worth and other important self-perceptions such as body image. Having exercise goals that relate to personal performance and improvement is also associated with high positive emotion and improved mood. My last two weeks of recording was difficult to say the least. Some days seemed easier than others did. Walking a couple times, a week was easy for me to get in the habit of doing. Not only did I notice that I was having a bit more energy, my dogs, that I took walking with me, we willing to walk more around the house, instead of sleeping all day. As the days went by, I noticed I was finishing my homework earlier, which allowed me more time to increase my time to do activities. My friends were extremely helpful and supportive during this whole process. They were excited to come over and do Zumba with me. They would come at least once a week and work out for at least 30 minutes. I believe I have made a change for the better that will continue to grow. I have realized that I had just been lazy. I now have so much more energy in the days, which really helps me go to sleep earlier and longer. It was difficult at first to change my ways, but with the support of my friends, it made things a lot easier for me. With my increase in physical activity, as I mentioned,  my sleeping habits have gotten better, and well as my leisure time. Now all I need to do is work on my eating habits, which are not too bad, and I will be living a much healthier life than I have been.

Evaluation of a Business Venturing Process

Evaluation of a Business Venturing Process Introduction In all countries of the world, it is attractive and so straightforward to start up a new business but the genuine dispute lies in enduring the cutthroat problems associated with the development of the enterprise over the years. Most entrepreneurs face a strong time in establishing a business venture due to lack of branding techniques and correct trading design, thus only when you are able to market your products correctly to your goal segment will you be able to have income to push your business to the next level. It is a known fact that an enterprise achievement is reliant on the concerted efforts of an individual, organization or groups of people of diverse foremost purposes, yet branding stands as a significant aspect in business venturing. Your branding efforts should be powerfully sufficient enough to assert your authority in the market, though not just to insert your business title to your segment but to conceive an influence on them. For a new enterprise, the trading and branding scheme should perfectly be adopted to establish its occurrence, conceive title acknowledgement, and construct integrity amidst the goal market segment and assist to its rank and reputation (Blanchflower 2007). The formation of a new business enterprise is vital in the economic activities of any country though the study of the venturing process is limited in that it focuses more on the various dimensions of the business rather than the entrepreneur itself. In their analysis, P.Rodrigeuz, C.S.Tuggle and S.M.Hackett (2009) examined the deficiencies by adopting the internal social capital perspective and observe the effects of the family, social organizations and ethnic context in business venturing and formation. The household was perceived as a stronghold in business formation which serves as the nest as well as the opportunity platform for most venture creation. There are countless business venture entrepreneurs today that relies more on the internet for their business survival, rotating in the direction of the internet in alignment to start and run a very thriving business enterprise project.Basically, millions of buyers flock to the internet each day in alignment to present their buyers with everyday buyer activities and buys, while business proprietors establishing websites to sell their essentials to prospective or intending buyers on the net. With this being an unbelievable apply and really increasing to be more and more the case, there are really unbelievable numbers of entrepreneur that are liking to understand the more affiliate established enterprise achievement tips in alignment to stay competitive, comparable and thriving in the business settings.However,starting and owning a website is often certain thing that is fantasized often by those desiring to gain and get access to a rich mode of dwelling in a fast earnings, of course it is a very thriving method of embarking on a business project but the general method really takes a large deal of time and effort. Thus there should be a due diligence put upon supplying an unbelievable allowance of enterprise achievement in the process (Gregory 2002). Truly, any internet enterprise should gravely work out what their enterprise niche is in alignment to work out and how to precede forward. Basically, this is pertinent in that one should work out what they excel in and what goods and services to offer. Without such, there will often be a large deal of adversity in the enterprise ownership process. When utilising affiliate enterprise tips, one will find out how important it is to select and affiliate with the merchandise that is applicable to your niche. The concept of entrepreneurship- The Schumpeterian and Kirznerian view Joseph Schumpeter in his book capitalism, socialism and democracy (1942) explains the concept of entrepreneurship in its totality. He defined an entrepreneur as an agent of change, a risk taker who represented a destructive force in the economy by introducing a new product that pushes away the old one, thereby rendering it useless..this is referred to as creative destruction. Schumpeters creative destruction analysis sees entrepreneurs as an agent of change who is visionaries and innovators that brings about change in the economy. Kirzner in his approach sees Joseph Schumpeters view as a complimentary as his concept is just an abstract from Schumpeters it does not negate innovation process. The business venture process. An xiray and critical evaluation. In discussing the business venturing process, we will examine the process framework of the business venturing activities from the exploration to the exploitation of the business opportunities as well as the entrepreneurs exit. Most scholars sees business venturing as a process(Davidsson et al 2001) while others sees it as both exploration and exploitation of business opportunities(Bhave 2004).But those frame work that adopts business venturing as a process takes a narrow segment of the field such as corporate business venturing(Burgelman 1983). The divergent views on the meaning of entrepreneur (individual) and entrepreneurship (process) does not necessarily negates the process of business venturing (Davidsson et al 2001).Here it is observed that entrepreneurship is a contextidependent process of creating goods and services that is a function of the exploration and the exploitation processes. In theory, entrepreneurship is regarded as the entries of new firms in the market i drives the market process and develop the economy through the following mechanisms (Davidsson 2003, 2004; Kirzner 1973): It provides buyers with new choices of product which serves as an instant alternative. It creates a competitive atmosphere for the existing firms in order to shape up to survive in the business It provides for followers who will augment for the competition in the business. The exploration phase March (1991) explains the exploration process as other activities which includes search, risk taking, discovery, experimentation, innovation among others. To the entrepreneur, discovery is the first stage of the exploration process which begins with the observation of the new opportunities. Kirzner (2003) believes alert entrepreneur will first discover the opportunity of any business venture in an imperfect market. Opportunities arise as a result of inefficiencies in the market which invariably result in market disequilibrium that will be about individual yearning for business set up. Apart from discovering opportunities, effective and efficient use of the observed opportunity is another problem, errors occur in differentiating actual and perceived opportunities (Kirzner 1997). Searching for information is a great task for an entrepreneur (Cooper et al.1995) and maximum utilization of such information is another. Problems arises as a result of inappropriate use of the information at the entrepreneurs disposal with can cause a whole lots of havoc for the business which ranges from misallocations of resources, shortage of resources or even surplus which is as a result of the entrepreneurs errors. Welch and Young (1982) identified two generalized information sources available to the entrepreneurs as: (a)Entrepreneurs own stock knowledge and understanding of the business enterprise; (b)External sources of information including those available to the public and the entrepreneurs private networks and social actors. The social actors are referred to as the family members, colleagues, business associates and professionals. The exploitation phase March (1991) further explains the exploitation phase as the stage at which the entrepreneur takes appropriate choice in determining the best amongst the information at his disposal. To him exploitation includes refinement, choice, production, efficiency and implementation.Here, organizing and planning of all the available resources is put into fore. Shane and Venkataraman (2000) examine the two forms of business exploitation process available to entrepreneur which includes; (a) the creation of new ventures/firms herein refers to as hierarchies. (b) the sale of opportunities to the existing firms herein refers to as the markets. The former will exist as a result of market failure, maybe the enterprise so created has got a good characteristic among the public thereby difficult to protect, though they still remain in the market due to good knowledge of the business and which is not ready to be given away. On the other hand, the latter phase of business exploitation endears the entrepreneur to adapt to the business and improve on the basic opportunities lies in it but chasing for the exit route. Here, they may find it difficult to convince the existing firm to buy the business without revealing the knowledge associated with the formation of the business (Mosakowski, 1991). It is believed that once the knowledge is revealed to the buyer, he will engage in opportunistic behavior by exploiting the entrepreneurs. The exit phase The exit phase has nothing to do in this discourse but at least we need to mention it for reference purpose as it has not been identified as a positive process to achieving entrepreneur aims and objective rather as a negative impact in business set up. In their analysis, Ronstadt (1986), Gimeno, Folta, Cooper and Woo (1997) defines exit as the discontinuation of business enterprise as opposed to survival or sales while another school of thought sees it as the harvesting of a new venture business (Petty 1997).It is the cessation of the entrepreneurial exploitation of the available resources and opportunities within its reach. FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR NEW BUSINESS VENTURING: An examination of the MicroiMesoiMacro level The eclectic framework of entrepreneurship as proposed by Verheul, Wennekers, Audretch and Thurik (2002) and by Wennekers, Thurik and Uhlaner (2002) explains that entrepreneurship at the society level strongly depends on the level of opportunity available and provided by the population. The population capabilities and preferences coupled with the technology, economic development, culture and demographic situation plays a strong part in determining new business venturing. In discussing the factors attributable to the creation and successful new business venturing, we will discuss the following; (a)The Push vs. Pull Factor The pull factor is attributable to individual expectation of being better off as an entrepreneur. Every individual expectation is always high in that they believe entrepreneurship brings about material and non material benefits. To Stanworth and Curran (1973), the push and pull factor is also applicable to the economic and cultural factor because every enterprise is set up upon a certain benefit, be it material or otherwise. The push factor is precedent upon individual insatisfaction with his present state as compared to the desired state.Huisman and de Ridder (1984) explains it with individual dissatisfaction and frustration with previous wages, unemployment and personal or business crises and it is frequent with countries with lower per capita GDP. (b)The Economic Factor Blau (1987) in his general equilibrium model of self employment asserts that there are two key factors responsible for the rise of entrepreneurship in America as changes in technology and structure. The diminished comparative advantage of larger firms over the smaller ones institutes a great deal for individual to start thing of doing a business of their own instead of working for other people. Other explanation for the upsurge of the self employment includes female participation in labor force, tax rates, and unemployment among others. (c)The Cultural Factor Kroeber and Parson (1958) defines culture as patterns of values, ideas and symbolicimeaningful systems as factor in shaping human behaviours.Most researchers have looked down on the aspect of culture as a contributory factor in enhancing business venturing process until after the post materialism which adversely affects entrepreneurship. Extensive research about culture, belief and values has instituted a fact about individual decision to become self employed. To achieve a successful entrepreneurial venture, there should be buyer goal groundwork that is future of trading crusades and efforts in making them more thriving are put in place. However, one of the widespread affiliates enterprising achievement tip is to construct connection with any purchasers established, thereby creating a good network. The following are the basic tips needed to achieve real business venturing and must be adhere to very strictly: Write down your business plani This should be the first plan. Most entrepreneurs are negligent of this act; they undergo lots of stress and error as when opportunities are conceived they do not write them down. We are all aware of what to do yet it still needs to be written down. These should include enterprise description, design, and business plan. Focus on your brandingi Encouraging your brand of product is a duty to you as an entrepreneur. Conceive a professionally inclined logo that will incline the organization into the minds of the people. Create a web presencei This is the most vital part of any business, be it large or small. At least a website of your own will strongly appeal to the buyers and create a bit of respect for the organization. It should supply the complimentary data as printed in all your brochures and published materials. Always revise and update the website, it gives a lot of respect. Create an advertising strategyi Channeling your advertising directly to the products and services you rendered. As a local business enterprise, it is unnecessary to advertise in an international media as it will not help the course of the business. Get entrenched in the local area where your services are rendered and required. Be reliable in your advocating strategy. It is advisable to involve a PR agency in your advertising strategy as it is believed that a 5 minutes jingle would conceive to a lot of people than a 30 minutes publicity films. Business Networkingi Networking is adjudged as one of the best form of creating and spreading the good tides of the enterprise. It is the best form of promotion which involves a face to face activity. Also joining some organizations like the NGOs and chamber of commerce will institute a good form of business networking and undoubtedly improve the business as a whole. Measure, Analyse and Decidei This is a relentless effort in a business enterprise life cycle. Preparing a good enterprise design and business plan does not necessarily make the business viable, measuring the yields that you are getting from all the efforts geared into the business is essential. Analyzing the variance and look into the difference to decide on the conclusion. In your analysis, if it is negative, investigate it for future use. To make your enterprise project thriving, you require holding in your brain that you are the most precious asset at the disposal of the organization. By doing this character check, all your efforts will be geared towards developing the enterprise. Also you need to hold in high esteem that as an enterprise proprietor mindset is to institute a great deal and better understanding to the enterprise thereby making the enterprise successful. CONCLUSION It is the illusion of everyone to have a business enterprise conceived on the opportunity perceived in the society. A business venture is born on the premise of opportunities observed and utilized judiciously for a successful entrepreneurial process. Most businesses are built on the new advancement of technology which might not necessarily need all the tips for real business venturing but it is essentially important that all business ventures require a good enterprise design and branding. It is noteworthy that searching and risk taking forms the basis for business venturing start up but determining the best choice of business plan to undertake coupled with the tips for real business venturing will make the business worthwhile. Economic and socioicultural factors are adjudged to be responsible good business venturing but in all, the push vs. pull factor is largely responsible for the swift movement of people into entrepreneurship.

Descartes and the Existence of Physical Objects Essay -- Descartes

Descartes and the Existence of Physical Objects In his sixth meditation Descartes must return to the doubts he raised in his first one. Here he deals mainly with the mind-body problem and tries to prove whether material things exist with certainty. In this meditation he develops his dualist argument; by making a distinction between mind and body; although he also reveals that the are significantly related. He considers existence of the external world and whether its perception holds any knowledge of this world. He also questions whether this knowledge is real or is merely an illusion. He makes it quite clear how misleading and deceiving some external sensations can be. In the beginning of this last meditation he attempts to prove the existence of external object. One way of achieving this is by recognizing the distinct ideas he had of external objects are thoroughly imprinted in his memory, he realizes that the concept of these ideas could not have originated from his mind. Therefore holding the clear knowledge of these objects was a projection of other objects. He realized he...

Power, Morality, and Terror Essay -- Terrorism Terrorist September 11

Power, Morality, and Terror In the wake of events stemming from the bombing of the World Trade Center, citizens of the United States have slowly been coming to grips with many changes- new threats, new fears, and a new vision of the world and our place within it. As we re-adjust the lens through which we see our geopolitical landscape and begin to formulate a national security policy which can effectively respond to the terrorist threat, we must acquire a firm understanding of what motivates terrorist operatives. It will not suffice to merely throw out simplistic explanations of terrorist motives such as, "they’re evil. . .they hate us. . .they’re irrational. . .they hate freedom." Rather, we must take a systematic look at what motivates terrorism on the theoretical level. In some ways, terrorism is just a new variation on an old theme. For as long as men have lived in societies, there have been the haves and the have-nots, the dominant classes and the oppressed groups, the weak and the strong. Whereas the tactics of terrorists may be more technologically advanced and, arguably, more cruel than those used by insurgents of the past, their primary goal of altering either the regional or global polarity is as old as mankind itself. For their part, those dominant nations against whom the repressed campaign tend to engage in a brand of rhetoric which portrays the opposition as morally depraved. While this may or may not be the case, two important questions follow which are asked all too rarely. The first question is: how valid are the claims of the repressed that the dominant state itself is morally culpable? In the current case, the United States is responsible for committing a number of evils against Muslims. This is esp... ...orism is the last resort of a desperate people. Perhaps its best cure is to confront and rectify the grievances of those who suffer so greatly at our hands (often because of our narrow oil-interests in the Persian Gulf). Even a minimal increase in the standard of living in such countries, even a small acknowledgment of our role in maintaining and exacerbating this suffering- would instill in potential insurgents the one thing that stops terrorism dead in its tracks- hope. Sources: Betts, Richard K. ed. Conflict After the Cold War: Arguments on Causes of War and Peace. Carr, Edward Hallett. "Realism and Idealism." Second Edition. Longman Press: New York. 2002. Coates, AJ. The Ethics of War. Manchester University Press. New York: 1997. Liang, Qiao and Wang Xiangsui. Unrestricted Warfare. Beijing: PLA Literature and Arts Publishing House. 1999.

Allegory of Faith by Johannes Vermeer Essay -- Painting Allegory Faith

Allegory of Faith by Johannes Vermeer The painting, Allegory of Faith, located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was created by the Dutch Baroque painter Johannes Vermeer. This study of the painting will focus on the subject matter, composition, and the symbolic meaning of the painting in relation to the Catholic faith, as well as the controversy surrounding the success of the painting among modern critics. The characteristic Baroque qualities of this painting will be illuminated through comparison with examples of Dutch 17th century paintings, Vermeer’s other works, and an analysis of his painting technique and style.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Allegory of Faith is considered to be one of Vermeer’s least successful works by some art historians. The painting features a large, pale skinned woman, whose one foot is resting on a globe while she’s staring nowhere in particular in what would appear to be a state of ecstasy. Her left arm is lying on what looks like an altar with a gold chalice, an open Bible, and a crucifix, while her right hand is holding her left breast. On the marble floor there is an apple with a bite taken out of it along with a snake crushed by some masonry. There is a curtain hanging unconvincingly against a chair and a glass sphere hanging from the ceiling. Finally, on the wall in the background, hangs a painting of the Crucifixion, which has been identified as a work by Jacob Jordaens, a Flemish painter.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Allegory of Faith was possibly painted for the Catholic chaplain in The Hague, Pere Leon, although it ended up with a Protestant collector before it was sold. Even so, the work would have probably been better titled Allegory of the Catholic Faith. This is because its main function is most definitely to be a representation of faith as defined by the Roman Catholic Church. The glass sphere, attached to the ceiling by a ribbon, for example, was taken ... ...hs 61>> Still the most important aspect of Vermeer’s work is the atmosphere created by his use of light. It seems to scatter throughout the scene, gently touching the colors while being slightly modified by them. In conclusion, the Allegory of Faith presents an interesting and innovative, if somewhat controversial, effort on Jan Vermeer’s part. Despite the uncharacteristic choice of subject matter, the painting still possesses most of the qualities of his later work. It also underscores Vermeer’s allegiance to Catholicism, despite the Netherlands falling under Protestant control. Finally, it is a significant and somewhat unusual work in the Baroque period of art history.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bibliography Arasse, Daniel. Vermeer: Faith In Painting. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1994. Bailey, Anthony. Vermeer: A View of Delft. New York: Henry Holt, 2001. Fuchs, R. H. Dutch Painting. London: Thames and Hudson, 1978. Pops, Martin. Vermeer: Consciousness and the Chamber of Being. Ann Harbor: UMI Research Press, 1984. Snow, Edward. A Study of Vermeer. Berkley: University of California Press, 1979. End Notes

Economics Project Market Failure Essay

Ans. A market failure takes place when – Free markets allocate resources inefficiently. The production in an economy is not Pareto optimal as shown on the PPF graph. At A the production is inefficient and at X it is impossible with the current resources. Market failures can take place in all these situations – 1. There is a lack of merit goods such as food in the economy which leads to market failure. 1. There is overprovision of demerit goods which could harm society. For example – drugs, cigarettes etc. 1. There is a lack of public goods as private firms are not ready to produce them as they are not profitable. 1. There is a huge income gap. The rich are too wealthy and the poor are very poor. 1. There is environmental degradation or any negative externality which causes a market failure. 1. There are too many monopolies formed all of which exploit consumers by charging unrealistic prices. 1 of 6 Economics Project – Market Failure Research Question 2 – How does the government deal with market failures? Ans. The government can take the following steps – 1. Taxation – Income tax, sales tax and other ad valorem taxes help generate government revenue to provide merit and public goods. Taxes can be imposed on the production of demerit good to reduce production. Taxes can also be imposed on firms which pollute the environment causing negative externalities. 1. Subsidies – Payments from the government to firms are given to encourage the production of merit and at times public goods. For example – food for everyone, public transport, post service etc. 1. Legislation and Regulation – If taxes and subsidies fail to work then the government can use the law and imply regulations. The government could limit or ban the production of demerit goods such as cigarettes as well as heavily penalise firms which do not comply with the eco – friendly standards set by the government. 1. Tradable Permits – These are used to control the total greenhouse emissions of an economy. The government calculates how much CO2 can be emitted and divides this among all the firms. Some firms might not want high permits and might sell some of theirs. Others might buy from them as they are unable to cut down on their greenhouse gas emissions. 2 of 6 Economics Project – Market Failure Research Question 3 / 4 – How effective is the use of taxation and subsidies? What are the opportunity costs? Ans. The efficacy is as follows – Uses of taxes – 1. Raises revenue for the government which is spent on providing public goods such as defence and merit goods such as food for the poor. It can also be used to offset the interest on national debt. 1. Environmental taxes help reduce pollution and other negative externalities. Landfill taxes, plastic bag taxes etc. are new taxes which reduce social costs. Demerit taxes help to reduce the production of demerit goods which are harmful for society such as cigarettes. Causes for inefficacy of taxes and opportunity costs – 1. Most demerit goods have an inelastic demand. Thus, the producers can pass on most of the burden of the tax on the consumers by hiking the prices. However, as the demand is inelastic it does not react much to the rise in price and thus the quantity consumed remains the same thus defeating the main purpose of taxation. 3 of 6 1. The government does not have proper information when setting the level of environmental taxes as social costs cannot be easily equated to monetary values. Also, firms may commit fraud by reducing pollution when checks take place and polluting the environment liberally at other times. 1. High taxes on companies may cause higher unemployment. As the profit margins of private firms decreases they would tend to cut down on costs and thus might make some of their labour force redundant. Uses of subsidies – 1. To reduce inflation as this causes prices to rise. Due to inflation many low – income households are unable to purchase basic necessities such as food and clothing. The subsidies help bring the prices of these goods down. 1. Encourages provision and consumption of merit goods which lead to positive externalities or social benefits. It ensures that there is no under provision and under consumption of merit goods. Food for everyone can be merit good. 1. Maintain or increase the revenue of producers during tough times such as a recession or economic downturn. Subsidies help producers raise their profit margins and would therefore save them from getting bankrupt during a recession. 4 of 6 Causes for inefficacy of subsidies and opportunity costs – 1. Subsidies tend to distort the market prices as at times only certain industries and firms are given subsidies. This can lead to misallocation of resources and can end up in a market failure itself. 1. Subsidies provide arbitrary assistance. If a certain firm is favoured by the government it will be given more subsidies. Furthermore, fraud can take place as subsidies can be allocated unwisely. 1. The financial cost of the subsidies can at times be too high. This leads us to think whether that much government revenue could be put to another use such as defence or street – lighting. This is a major opportunity cost of giving subsidies. 1. The ones who pay for the subsidy, consumers (taxpayers) might not always benefit from the subsidies and thus the ones who pay are not always the ones who benefit thus making subsidy payments unfair.