Sunday, January 26, 2020

Relationship between development and freedom

Relationship between development and freedom Sen, A (2001). Development as Freedom. Oxford. Oxford University Press. Chapter 1. The author conceptualizes development as ‘the gap between an exclusive concentration on economic wealth and a broader focus on the lives we can lead (p.14) emphasizing that the theory of development goes well beyond wealth accumulation and gross national product growth. The chapter examines the relationship between development and freedom, the way in which freedom is a component of development and an extensive view of ‘freedom encompassing both opportunities that people have and processes that allow for ‘freedom of decisions. The main arguments of the author is that development should be assessed by ‘freedom of accessibility to factors such as social opportunities, health care, clean water, economic security, civil rights and political freedom. Lack of accessibility means ‘unfreedom. Development therefore should mean that people can live the lives they want to live and precisely, how can a nation say in all entirety that it has ‘freedom when its citizens cannot afford the very basic necessities of life or fulfill the rights they are entitled to? Sen goes on further to compare different views of poverty in both developing and developed nation by analyzing ‘freedoms through values, poverty and inequality, income and mortality, markets and freedom, tradition and culture. The author sees the process of development beyond economic growth or physical and human capital and concludes by linking the understanding of a broad view of the development process to the substantive ‘freedoms of people. Sens write up contains intriguing views but he hasnt mentioned what justifies his classification into these ‘freedoms i.e. experience of developing countries, factual historical evidence or how far ‘freedom has progressed within each context he identified. His definition is quite different from Rapleys in which Rapley describes development as more concerned with flexibility and adaptability (Rapley 2007 pp 5) and so raises a question. Can development be measured only by individual happiness without economic growth and stability? Happiness, in my opinion is geared more towards Rapleys definition and should be adapted into the process of economic growth. Willis, K. (2005) Theories and Practices of Development. London. Routledge. p. 32-42. Willis chapter 2 of theories and practices of development analyses development theories and practices and how these theories were attached to the economic, social and political theories that developed in Europe from the 18th century. Williss interpretation raises some interesting facts about historical development of theories and she divides her study into various theories. The classical economists such as David Ricardo, an advocate of free trade and Adam Smith, in his famous book, Wealth of Nations ‘responded to the trade focus of economic policy at that time (p.32) when trade was a major factor of economic growth. Here, protectionist measures such as high tariffs were highly used by merchants. Willis goes on to say Adam Smith was not in favour of this form of regulation and that it was harmful to the countrys economic growth. Instead, greater focus on production and division of labour which will be regulated by the ‘invisible hand of the market (p.33). The Great depression of the 1930s and other economic happenings gave rise to Keynes argument of the free market not necessarily a positive force but government intervention in the promotion of economic growth while postwar reconstruction period was a time to reflect on the economic crises that occurred at that time and provide solutions to their re-occurrence. This led to the creation of the Bretton woods institutions to assist in the promotion of ‘stable economic growth within a capitalist system (p. 36) Willis describes the linear stages theory and makes emphasis on Rostow, the American economist and political theorists stages of Economic growth to development. Here, development was seen as a state where a large number of the population could afford to spend largely on consumer products and development was viewed as modern, moving from agricultural societies to an industrial economy. While she tries to decipher early theoretical ideas, Willis has not made clear linkages between some of these theories and how they have come to evolve in economic debates and discussions over time. Chang, H., and Ilene G. (2004) ‘Reclaiming Development from the Washington Consensus, Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, 27(2), 274-291. The fundamental of this article is to correct the notion that there is no alternative to the Washington Consensus. The authors argue that ‘neoliberal policies have failed to achieve their goals in developing world (p. 274) and so discuss the major development myths for justifying neoliberal policies that have been harmful to developing world and perhaps as a complacency to the reader, possible alternatives to these policies. These myths, evaluated individually, describe how these policies have lacked credibility. Myth 1; In contrast to the neoliberal policy success, the reality is that the policy has not promoted its main aim of economic growth. Myth 2; Developed countries gained success through free market policies whereas records claim they relied upon interventionist policies for development. Myth 3; Only neoliberal policies can succeed in todays global environment whereas in fact there is evidence of ‘continuing institutional and policy divergence across national boundaries (p. 277) Myth 4; Discipline imposed by international institutions to keep them honest whereby placing policy making authority in the hands of these organizations. Myth 5; The East Asian model cannot be replicated when in fact most developed countries utilized this model. Myth 6; Developing countries should imitate the Anglo American model of capitalism which fared poorly in the economic boom of the 1990s. The authors went ahead to put forward alternative policies for faster economic development which includes the financial system providing adequate finance quantities for investment projects at appropriate prices, enforcing strict laws on new foreign loans incurred by domestic borrowers, defocusing on budget balance and maximizing FDI potentials to promote economic and industrial development in developing countries While arguing for these policies, it will be sensible to note that economies are different and there can be no ‘best practice policy that everyone should use (Chang 2003). Policies for development should not be ‘fixed but depend on stages of development of a developing nation and other factors such as resource capacity, economic, political and social conditions. Pender, J. (2001) ‘From Structural Adjustment to Comprehensive Development Framework: Conditionality Transformed? Third World Quarterly, 22 (3), 397-411. Pender reviews how the World Banks approach to development has changed over decades and brought about important shifts to its conditionality approach. In the light of new changes between the 90s and today, the World Bank formulated a Comprehensive Development Framework, based on a relationship of partnership to replace its erstwhile structural adjustment lending (p. 397). The author examines why the World Banks perspectives of development changed through different periods; In the 1980s to early 90s, GDP was used as a measure of development as the Bank was mostly concerned with rapid economic growth and sustenance for least developed countries (LDC) and the adoption of policies such as restriction of state spending, controlling inflation, commodity exports and privatization as factors to achieve development. The 1990s drew lack of confidence in these policies and there were strong doubts about its competence judging from the success of the Asian Economies that developed rapidly without the World Banks policy prescriptions. This informed the Bank to change its 1980 view about minimal state role in development and that ‘growth by itself is not enough (p 401). Thus in 1990, a formulation of an approach based on both ‘labour intensive growth and ‘widespread provision of basic social services (p.401). In spite of these alterations, there were criticisms that the Bank reforms were not aiding Africas growth but rather, increasing stagnant economies through the implementation of the Banks policies. According to Pender, the Bank lost confidence in its policy framework in early 1995, with the Asian miracle and LDCs failure and was forced to critique its own policies and re-orientate. This modification was experimented between 1995-1997 with ‘improvements in the understanding of economic development and poverty reduction as the central focus. The author gives clear informed views of the process of policy change within the World Bank at different times but fails to analyze the impact of this new focus of poverty reduction and its success to the development of todays third world countries. Chang, H. (2003) Kicking away the ladder. Development Strategy in Historical Perspectives. London, Anthem Press. Chapter 1. Changs analysis centers around one question, ‘How did the rich countries really become rich? He uncovers some myths about developed countries developmental experience and argues that developed countries did not develop through the same policies that they recommend to the developing world. This pressure from developed countries to the developing world to adopt a set of ‘good policies that they adopted when they themselves were developing is faced with criticisms because ‘historical evidence suggests otherwise and goes on to say that they are trying to hide the ‘secret of their success (p. 2). Some of these policies include liberalization of trade, privatization, restrictive macroeconomic policies and deregulation but facts show that most of the developing countries used export subsidies and industry protection, industrial policies that the WTO disapproves in the present world. The USA and UK were examples of ardent users of these same ‘policies frowned at in contrast to the free trade policies and free market they preach. Chang quotes List, the German economist that ‘Britain was the first country to perfect the art of infant industry promotion which is the principle behind most countries journey to success (p. 3). He argues that developed countries, while alleging to recommend good policies to developing countries are actually trying to ‘kick away the ladder of their own economic development. A conclusion is drawn on some methodological issues of David Ricardos neoliberal policies to Friedrich Lists infant industry argument that while developed countries preach Ricardo to developing nations, they actually pursued Lists policies in the past. Although Chang did not confront and compare works of economic historians e.g. L.E Birdzells How the West grew rich in relation to his How did the rich countries really become rich to identify similar or different conclusions, his examination of historical materials to reach important and interesting conclusions is a contribution that is immensely valuable to the current debates on development that will evidently challenge contemporary policies and enrich development theory. REFERENCES Chang, H. (2003) Kicking away the ladder. Development Strategy in Historical Perspectives. London, Anthem Press. Chapter 1. Chang, H., and Ilene G. (2004) ‘Reclaiming Development from the Washington Consensus, Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, 27(2), 274-291. Pender, J. (2001) ‘From Structural Adjustment to Comprehensive Development Framework: Conditionality Transformed? Third World Quarterly, 22 (3), 397-411. Rapley, J. (2007) Understanding Development: Theory and Practice in the Third World (3rd edition). Colorado. Lynne Reinner. Sen, A (2001). Development as Freedom. Oxford. Oxford University Press. Chapter 1. Willis, K. (2005) Theories and Practices of Development. London. Routledge. p. 32-42.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Poem Analysis: Boy with His Hair Cut Short

How do you see the world around you? As a beautiful paradise, or a grim failure? In â€Å"Boy with His Hair Cut Short†, we are given a glimpse into the life of a boy looking unsuccessfully for a Job during the â€Å"Great Depression†. While the boy remains doubtful that hell find a Job, his sister provides him with an optimistic viewpoint in hopes of giving him a glimmer of hope. In â€Å"Furniture Art†, we are introduced too girl who Is Interviewing her neighbor, Mr.. DuPont, for a project about deferent worldviews. Mr..DuPont shows her that the world truly Is a beauteous place, we simply need to open our eyes to see It that way. Though the sister and Mr.. DuPont both have a similar worldview, Mr.. DuPont's worldview Is more realistic. In â€Å"Boy with His Hair Cut Short†, the boy comes home after yet another unsuccessful day of Job-seeking. Even though he's crestfallen, his sister offers to assist him by cutting his hair shorter. While she cuts his hair , she continues to encourage him by telling him that â€Å"they can't keep turning you down; the finest gentleman's not so trim as you'† (18-19).But then we learn that this optimistic and hopeful demeanor is simply a facade, and that she feels just as hopeless as she does, when we read â€Å"meeting/ her earnest, hopeless look† (22-23). Upon reading this, we discover that she tries to look at a doubtful situation with a happy-go-lucky, unrealistic attitude. In â€Å"Furniture Art†, the narrator is working on a Socials project, in which she must interview a neighbor about their view of the world, and contrast it with her own.While interviewing him, she learns that English 10 Training Papers 2006/2007 Page 22 our supposedly good planet may not be so great, unless we look at it in a different way. Mr.. DuPont goes on to explain that Just because we have the money to buy stuff doesn't mean that we'll be happy, and that there is more to life Han materialistic purchas es. The narrator learns throughout Mr.. DuPont's interview that â€Å"the world is beautiful if you can see it that way, but no less or more than it already was†. 53) In the end, even though she got a â€Å"C+† on her project, the narrator finds that her new view of the world is invaluable. The worldview expressed in this story is more realistic because it addresses the major problem of our society, greed, and shows us to appreciate the world's natural beauty instead. Poem Analysis: Boy with His Hair Cut Short By mariachi â€Å"Boy with His Hair Cut Short†, we are given a glimpse into the life off boy looking fitful that he'll find a Job, his sister provides him with an optimistic viewpoint in who is interviewing her neighbor, Mr..DuPont, for a project about different worldviews. Mr.. DuPont shows her that the world truly is a beauteous place, we simply need to open our eyes to see it that way. Though the sister and Mr.. DuPont both have a similar worldview, Mr. . DuPont's worldview is more realistic. Gentleman's not so trim as you! † (18-19). But then we learn that this optimistic and hopeful demeanor is simply a facade, and that she feels Just as hopeless as she does, when we read â€Å"meeting/ her earnest, hopeless look† (22-23). Upon reading this,

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Social Issues Topics List at a Glance

Social Issues Topics List at a Glance For this reason, you can pick from a variety of topics when mandated with writing an essay on social problems. For Writing a Good Essay you need to choose great topics. You can depend on the ideal essay help online. To begin with, your essay is supposed to deal with a particular social, psychological or anthropological matter. Many events reported in the mainstream or societal media are related to a wide range of current social difficulties. It appears unlikely, for reasons that'll be discussed within this guide, that the debate is going to be resolved soon. Even with the endless arguments that the subject of media bias generates, it's worthwhile to take into consideration why the issue matters, to outline the key points of view on the problem, and to recognize the important ideas connected with those viewpoints. The social issues research papers may appear easy to write in comparison with different topics, but still it demands an extremely creative strategy, a tremendous quantity of curiosity and capacity to think beyond the box and search info in unconventional sources. In addition, it affects how folks react to certain scenarios. There are quite a few other issues which are rubbing citizens the incorrect way. Various people can hold different and strongly-held views, which aren't easily changed. Our technicians will kindly answer every one of your questions. You probably wind up doing these things quite readily, often without even thinking. There are a number of ways to measure this. There are lots of young people around who do not desire to accept things as they are. You're building a photo of a social issue, and you will need to bring up every potential side of the story. Even in some instances, they buy the merchandise against their inner will. There are an assortment of methods people use to combat social difficulties. There are many and in many instances, on account of the excellent diversity we've got in our nation. Any effort to control its spread must take into consideration the intricate social, cultural, economic and environmental aspects where the disease is embedded. Social Issues Topics List: No Longer a Mystery It will also assist in resolving a number of the elaborate social and ethical difficulties. The root cause of social problems is due to unemployment, which is additionally a social problem itself. The cir cumstance is even direr when there is just one parent. Each circumstance differs. Such families are thought to be dysfunctional since they are uninterested in knowing about their child activities in school. Splitting up of somebody's parents is a traumatic experience for each child. Students have a propensity of postponing their assignments on account of the distractions caused by their fun life. The following are learning resources associated with social difficulties. Here are a few examples of problem situations and ways that you can provide help. It's important not just for physical fitness, but for mental development too. When deciding on your social problems topic, don't forget that it's always much better to write about something you're already more or less acquainted with. In addition, countries that allow multiple political parties and absolutely free expression of speech have just one more issue in regards to tackling a number of the issues that plague its society. The Chinese are an essential key to political and financial stability. Developing nations face a number of problems. Understanding and improving the manner that social things interact with different forces is vital to our future. Anyway, you'll certainly like our price policy. The Supreme Strategy for Social Issues Topics List In reality, youth today will graduate from college with a number of degrees and still cannot locate work that pays enough to sustain a good way of life. Kids, kids and youths of the nation are future of the country so they're the primary target to enhance awareness about any social problems. India has a sizable migrant population.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Commonly Confused Words Formally and Formerly

The words formally and formerly are near-homophones: they sound almost the same. Their meanings, however, are different. Definitions The adverb formally means in a formal way or following accepted forms, customs, or conventions.   The adverb formerly means previously, in the past, at an earlier (former) time. Also see the usage notes below. Examples Henri  Rousseau is known as a self-taught painter, which means that he never  formally studied art.Placing the thesis at the  opening starts the essay with  a strong statement, providing a clear direction and an outline of the supporting evidence.  However, if the  thesis is controversial, it may be  more effective to open with supporting details and confront readers objections before formally announcing the thesis.(Mark Connelly,  The Sundance Writer, 5th ed. Wadsworth, Cengage, 2013)Peoples names escaped me and I began to worry over my sanity. After all, we had been away less than a year, and customers whose accounts I had formerly remembered without consulting the ledger were now complete strangers.(Maya Angelou,  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Random House, 1969)Running down the length of the island is a cement wall. If the illegals (currently undocumented workers;  formerly wetbacks) are walking north and a Border Patrol vehicle happens along, they simply h op over the wall and trot south.(Luis Alberto Urrea, Across the Wire: Life and Hard Times on the Mexican Border, 1993) Usage Notes The adverb formally is a word that implies doing things in accordance with set routine, something that is laid down by convention or enmeshed with a network of other requirements. Wearing a dinner jacket would be labelled formal wear, the new railway station will be formally opened by the mayor, and the prose of Edward Gibbon is formally complex.  Formerly, also an adverb, relates things back to the past, to some former situation or context.(  David Rothwell, Dictionary of Homonyms. Wordsworth, 2007)Look at the two words with the suffix removed--formal, former. Think of formal invitations, formal dress, formality. In each of these is the idea of proper manner, politeness, doing things according to form. Former has to do with time, or order of sequence. Thus we say On a former occasion he talked about Italian lakes. We mean that he talked about Italian lakes on a previous occasion. In a similar manner we say Formerly he worked for Sage Allen. You would never think of writing form erlity for formality; then why is it that sometimes you substitute formally for formerly? Perhaps you do not, but many others do.(Alfred M. Hitchcock, Junior English Book. Henry Holt and Company, 1920) Practice (a) This simple cafe in the center of the city was _____ a swank restaurant with  candle-lit tables, a small orchestra, and exorbitant prices on the menu. (b) In the old days, both men and women  were expected to dress _____  for dinner. Answers to Practice Exercises (a) This simple cafe in the center of the city was formerly a swank restaurant with  candle-lit tables, a small orchestra, and exorbitant prices on the menu. (b) In the old days, both men and women  were expected to dress formally  for dinner.