A group II metal hydroxide Essay

To find the identity of X(OH)2 (a group II metal hydroxide) by determining it’s solubility from a titration with 0.05 mol dm-3 HCL Theory:1. Titrations are the reaction between an acid solution with an alkali. In this reaction (called neutralization), the acid donates a proton (H+) to the alkali (base). When the two solutions are combined, the products made are salt and water. For example: 2HCl(aq) + X(OH)2 (aq) XCl2 (aq) + 2H2O (l) This shows the one of the products i.e. salt being XCl2 and water. So titration therefore helps to find the concentration for a solution of unknown concentration. This involves the controlled addition of a standard solution of known. Indicators are used to determine, at what stage has the solution reached the ‘equivalence point'(inflextion point). This means at which, does the number of moles base added equals the number of moles of acid present. i.e. pH 7 Titration of a strong Acid with a Strong Base: As shown in the graph, the pH goes up slowly from the start of the tiration to near the equivalence point. i.e (the beginning of the graph). At the equivalence point moles of acid equal mole of base, and the solution contains only water and salt from the cation of the base and the anion of the acid. i.e. the vertical part of the curve in the graph. At that point, a tiny amount of alkali casuses a sudden, big change in pH. i.e. neutralised. Also shown in the graph are methyl orange and phenolpthalein. These two are both indicators that are often used for acid-base titrations. They each change colour at different pH ranges. For a strong acid to strong alkali titration, either one of those indicators can be used. However for a strong acid/weak alkali only methyl orange will be used due to pH changing rapidly across the range for methyl orange. That is from low to high pH i.e. red to yellow respectively pH (3.3 to 4.4), but not for phenolpthalein. Weak acid/strong alkali, phenolpthalein is used, the pH changes rapidly in an alkali range. From high to low pH, that is from pink to colourless pH(10-8.3) respectively but not for methyl orange. However for a weak acid/ weak alkali titrations there’s no sharp pH change, so neither can work. Therefore in this investigation, the titration will be between a 0.05 mol dm-3 of HCl with X(OH)2, using phenolphthalein. Dependant Variable: Is the volume of HCl to achieve a colour change that is from pink to colourless. The Controlled variables : 1. the same source of HCl 2. same concentration of HCl 3. Same source of X(OH)2 4. Same volume of X(OH)2 5. Same equipment, method, room temperature Controlled Variables How to control How to monitor 1. Same source of HCl Using the same batch of HCl or from the same brand will control this. If the concentration was not to be same throughout, then this will cause different ratios of the components of the solution, that might cause different volume of HCl to be obtained for the neutralization to occur. 2. Same concentration of HCl This will be controlled by using the same batch of HCl and from the same source i.e. the same brand. By using the same batch ensures that the reactant concentration is the same. If another batch were to be used causes the concentration to differ. This causes the HCl obtained to be different. 3.Same source of X(OH)2 Using the same batch of X(OH)2 or from the same brand will control this. If the concentration was not to be same throughout, then this will cause different ratios of the components of the solution that might cause different volume of HCl to be obtained for the neutralization to occur. 4. Same volume of X(OH)2 This will be controlled by using the same batch of X(OH)2 and from the same source i.e. the same brand. By using the same batch ensures that the reactant concentration is the same. If another batch were to be used causes the concentration to differ. This causes the HCl obtained to be different. 5. Same equipment, method, room temperature The method would be kept the same and the same set of equipment and brand will need to be used throughout. The room temperature will be kept throughout at 180C by using a water bath. If different equipment or brands were used then there would be a lot of anomalies in the experiment causing a huge amount of inaccuracy of measurement particularly. Results: Raw data results were collected by using 25.00 cm3 of X(OH)2 with phenolphthalein and the volume of HCl was obtained by the solution going from pink to colourless. The volume of HCl found in 50.0cm3 burette à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 0.05 cm3 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Average 19.600 19.800 19.600 19.700 19.675 Qualitative results that occurred during the experiment: * Conical flask swirling not even between the trials * Difficult to judge ‘colourless’ solution change – subjective end point * Ability to measure 25cm3 * Filling of burette accurately with HCl – 0 point in right spot * Residual distilled water or solutions remain in conical flask i.e. diluted/interfered with subsequent solutions of X(OH)2 Average = trials (1+2+3+4)/4 Therefore: (19.6 + 19.8 + 19.6 + 19.7)/4 = 98.5/4 = 19.675 Due to the equation being 2HCl(aq) + X(OH)2 (aq) XCl2 (aq) + 2H2O (l) Therefore the ratio is 2:1 of 2 HCl : 1 X(OH)2 So using the equations mentioned above: Moles of acid is the number of moles= concentration X volume i.e. the volume will be used from the average Therefore: =0.05mol/dm3 x 19.675 cm3 =19.6 cm3 / 1000 = 0.0196 dm3 =0.05mol/dm3x0.0196 dm3 = 0.00098 moles So Moles of alkali in 25.000 cm3 Moles of HCl / 25.000 cm3 due to the ratio being 2:1, therefore 0.00098/2= 0.00049 moles of HCl So now the ratio is 1:1 so 0.00049 moles of X(OH)2 Moles of alkali in 100 cm3 It is assumed that there are four lots of 25 cm3 = 4 x 0.00049 = 0.00196 moles The next series of results will be used to calculate solubility of each compound by their mass in 100 cm3 The total Mr has been calculated in the table below for each compound. This was done by : Mr of X + ((O + H) X 2). Each element Mr for the following elements (OH)2 Total Mr Be 9.010 (16.00 +1.01) X 2 = 34.020 43.030 Mg 24.310 (16.00 +1.01) X 2 = 34.020 58.330 Ca 40.080 (16.00 +1.01) X 2 = 34.020 74.100 Sr 87.620 (16.00 +1.01) X 2 = 34.020 121.640 Ba 137.340 (16.00 +1.01) X 2 = 34.020 171.360 To obtain the solubility’s of metal II hydroxides is moles X Mr of the compound Therefore this table shows the calculation for the solubility’s for each of the different compounds Each element Total Mr Moles of X(OH)2 Solubiltity given as g/100 cm3 Literature values of the compounds given as g/100 cm3 Be(OH)2 43.03 0.00196 0.0843 0.000 Mg(OH)2 58.33 0.00196 0.114 0.001 Ca(OH)2 74.10 0.00196 0.0145 0.170 Sr(OH)2 121.64 0.00196 0.0238 0.770 Ba(OH)2 171.36 0.00196 0.335 3.700 Uncertainties: The uncertainty in measurement: Uncertainty due to pipette of 25.000 cm3 : Volume of X(OH)2 = à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 0.100 cm3 Percentage uncertainty = (0.1/25) X 100 = 0.400% Uncertainty due to Burrette of 50.000 cm3: Assumed due to measured volume of 19.675 cm3 and the uncertainty due to the smallest unit of measurement being 0.1 cm3 Therefore 0.1/2= à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 0.050 cm3 Percentage uncertainty = (0.05 /19.675) X 100 = 0.254% Therefore total uncertainty = 0.400% + 0.254% = 0.654% Conclusion and Evaluation: X(OH)2 is most likely to be Ca(OH)2 as the calculated solubility is closest to the literature value given of Ca(OH)2. The solubility for Ca(OH)2 0.145 g/100 cm3 and the literature value is 0.170 g/100 cm3. This shows that the difference is only 0.025 cm3. However the comparison between Be(OH)2 of the calculated solubility is 0.0843 g/100 cm3 and of it’s literature value 0.000 g/100 cm3 . Shows that there is a greater difference. Showing that it cannot be X(OH)2 solution. This is also shown for Mg(OH)2 as the difference between the calculated solubility and the literature value is 0.113 g/100 cm3, showing that it still has a greater difference than Calcium hydroxide does. The difference between Sr(OH)2 and it’s literature value is 0.532g/100 cm3. However the difference between the calculated solubility of Barium hydroxide and the literature value is 3.365 g/100 cm3 showing there is a great difference so it cannot be Barium hydroxide. The percentage error of Ca(OH)2 = [(0.170 – 0.145)/0.170] X 100 = (0.025/0.170) X 100 = 14.705% Throughout the experiment there were systematic errors and random errors that were met. Uncertainties/limitations Error Type of error Quantity of error Explanation for error Improvements Measurement in burette Systematic error +/- 0.05cm3 Equipment limitation, this is because the line where each of the reading might not be precise. Different manufacturer should be used with multiple trials in order to increase the accuracy of the calculated value to the literature value. Measurement in pipette Systematic error +/-0.1cm3 Equipment limitation, this is because due to the pipette only holding 25 cm3 of volume. The line could have been where the actual reading might not be Causing the result to not be precise. Different manufacturer should be used with multiple trials in order to increase the accuracy of the calculated value to the literature value. Point of colour change Random error Not quantifiable Human observation – subjective measurement. This is because even though a white tile is used, it is unclear as to what point has the solution gone colourless. Use alternative indicator for several different trials, use pH meter to assess neutralization point. Therefore there will be a more precise point as to when the solution becomes green. Temperature fluctuations Random error Not quantifiable There can be a change of measurements of equipment due to variation in expansion and contraction of materials. Due to the temperatures not being constant from the fan, windows or from the air conditioner. Controlled lab environment of the temperature by using a water bath at 180C with no air conditioner, fans working. To ensure no fluctuations occur. Fluctuations in humidity of room Random error Not quantifiable Change solution concentrations due to differences in evaporation rate in the surrounding air. Controlled lab environment Calibration error in burette Systematic error Not quantifiable 0 line incorrectly marked Divisions on burette inaccurate Use different manufacturer’s equipment for other trials Calibration error in pipette Systematic error Not quantifiable 25cm3 line incorrectly marked. Because it is unclear as to where the true meniscus lies. Causing the values measured out to be not precise. Also due to there being only one line causes a further decrease in the precision of the results. Use different manufacturer’s equipment for other trials to ensure that the accuracy increases. Another improvement that will be done, if the experiment were to be repeated is that due to the inaccuracy of the conical flask being swirled. If the conical flask is being swirled unevenly there is a chance of inaccurate results of when the colourless solution occurs. Therefore a stirring rod should be used to increase the accuracy of the swirls of the reaction in the conical flask. Another limitation that arouse in this experiment that would be improved if the experiment were to be done again is that after the neutralization reaction had occurred, there would still be some residue of the distilled water used to rinse out the equipment. This can be improved by increase the number of repeats of rinse. This would ensure that more of the diluted solution would have been removed. Also the trials can also increase, to 10 repeats so that there is more variance so that the accuracy increases. Another improvement might be, to use different indicator, for example methyl orange. Due to the colour change would be from red to yellow would make it easier for the pH 7 to be more easily recognized against a white tile then it was with phenolphthalein. Cited Sources: 1. http://www.vigoschools.org/~mmc3/c1%20lecture/Chemistry%201-2/Lecture%20Notes/Unit%205%20-%20Acids%20and%20Titration/L3%20-%20Acid-Base%20Reactions%20and%20Titration.pdf

A Study of Cash Flows Statement

I. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to present and explain the statement of cash flows by incorporating the statements No. 95, 102 and 104 that establish standards for cash flows reporting issued by FASB[i]. FASB Statement No. 95 (FAS 95) â€Å"Statement of Cash Flows† supersedes APB Opinion No. 9, Reporting Changes in Financial Position, and requires a statement of cash flows as part of a full set of financial statements for all business enterprises[ii] in place of a statement of changes in financial position and classify cash receipts and payments according to whether they stem from operating, investing, or financing activities and provides definitions of each category. FASB Statement No. 102 (FAS 102) amends FAS 95, to exempt from the requirement to provide a statement of cash flows (a) defined benefit pension plans covered by FASB Statement No. 5, Accounting and Reporting by Defined Benefit Pension Plans[iii] , and certain other employee benefit plans and (b) high ly liquid investment companies that meet specified conditions. This Statement also requires that cash receipts and cash payments resulting from acquisitions and sales of (a) securities and other assets that are acquired specifically for resale and carried at market value in a trading account and (b) loans that are acquired specifically for resale and carried at market value or the lower of cost or market value be classified as operating cash flows in a statement of cash flows. FASB Statement No. 104 (FAS 104) amends FAS 95 to permit banks, savings institutions, and credit unions to report in a statement of cash flows certain net cash receipts and cash payments for (a) deposits placed with other financial institutions and withdrawals of deposits, (b) time deposits accepted and repayments of deposits, and (c) loans made to customers and principal collections of loans. This Statement also amends FAS 95 to permit cash flows resulting from futures contracts, forward contracts, option contracts, or swap contracts that are accounted for as hedges of identifiable transactions or events to be classified in the same category as the cash flows from the items being hedged provided that accounting policy is disclosed. II. Purpose of a Statement of Cash Flows The purpose of a statement of cash flows is: 1. To provide relevant information about the cash receipts and cash payments of an enterprise during a period 2. To help investors, creditors, and others to assess; 2. 1. The enterprise's ability to generate positive future net cash flows 2. 2. The enterprise's ability to meet its obligations, its ability to pay dividends, and its needs for external financing 2. 3. The reasons for differences between net income and associated cash receipts and payments 2. 4. The effects on an enterprise's financial position of both its cash and noncash investing and financing transactions during the period. So the objectives of standards of financial accounting and reporting is to require the presentation of information about the historical changes in cash and cash equivalents of an enterprise by means of the statement of cash flows which classifies cash flows during the period according to operating, investing and financing activities. III. Focus on Cash and Cash Equivalents A statement of cash flows explains the changes in cash[iv] (cash on hand and demand deposits) and cash equivalents during a period. Cash equivalents comprise the short-term, highly liquid investments that are (i) readily convertible to a known amount of cash and (ii) that are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Generally an investment normally meets the definition of a cash equivalent when it has a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition. Equity investments are normally excluded, unless they are in substance a cash equivalent (e. g. preferred shares acquired within three months of their specified redemption date). Bank overdrafts which are repayable on demand and which form an integral part of an enterprise's cash management are also included as a component of cash and cash equivalents. Examples of items commonly considered to be cash equivalents are treasury bills, commercial paper, money market funds, and federal funds sold (for an enterprise with banking operations). Cash purchases and sales of those investments generally are part of the enterprise's cash management activities rather than part of its operating, investing, and financing activities, and details of those transactions need not be reported in a statement of cash flows. An enterprise shall establish a policy concerning which short-term, highly liquid investments that satisfy the said definition of cash equivalents. For example, an enterprise having banking operations might decide that all investments that qualify except for those purchased for its trading account will be treated as cash equivalents, while an enterprise whose operations consist largely of investing in short-term, highly liquid investments might decide that all those items will be treated as investments rather than cash equivalents. An enterprise shall disclose its policy for determining which items are treated as cash equivalents. Any change to that policy is a change in accounting principle that shall be affected by restating financial statements for earlier years presented for comparative purposes. IV. Gross and net cash flows Generally, information about the gross amounts of cash receipts and cash payments during a period is more relevant than information about the net amounts of cash receipts and payments. However, the net amount of related receipts and payments provides sufficient information not only for cash equivalents as noted in section III, but also for certain other classes of cash flows that have quick turnover, large amounts and short maturities. For certain other items such as demand deposits of a bank and customer accounts payable of a broker-dealer, the enterprise is substantively holding or disbursing cash on behalf of its customers. Only the net changes during the period in assets and liabilities with those characteristics need be reported because knowledge of the gross cash receipts and payments related to them may not be necessary to understand the enterprise's operating, investing, and financing activities[v]. Items that qualify for net reporting because their turnover is quick, their amounts are large, and their maturities are short are cash receipts and payments pertaining to (a) investments (other than cash equivalents), (b) loans receivable, and (c) debt, providing that the original maturity of the asset or liability is three months or less[vi]. Banks, savings institutions, and credit unions are not required to report gross amounts of cash receipts and cash payments for (a) deposits placed with other financial institutions and withdrawals of deposits, (b) time deposits accepted and repayments of deposits, and (c) loans made to customers and principal collections of loans. When those enterprises constitute part of a consolidated enterprise, net amounts of cash receipts and cash payments for deposit or lending activities of those enterprises shall be reported separate from gross amounts of cash receipts and cash payments for other investing and financing activities of the consolidated enterprise, including those of a subsidiary of a bank, savings institution, or credit union that is not itself a bank, savings institution, or credit union. V. Classification of Cash Receipts and Cash Payments A statement of cash flows shall classify cash receipts and cash payments as resulting from investing, financing, or operating activities[vii]. |Cash Flows from Investing Activities[viii] | |Cash inflows from receipts including; |Cash outflows for disbursements / payments including; | | | | |1. ollections of loans made by the enterprise |1. making loans by the enterprise | |2. sales of other entities' debt instruments (other than cash |2. acquire debt instruments of other entities (other than cash | |equivalents and certain debt instruments that are acquired |equivalents and certain debt instruments that are acquired | |specifically for resale) that were purchased by the enterprise |specifically | |3. ales of equity instruments of other enterprises (other than |for resale) | |certain equity instruments carried in a trading account) |3. acquire equity instruments of other enterprises (other than | |and from returns of investment in those instruments |certain equity instruments carrie d in a trading account) | |4. sales of property, plant, and equipment and other productive |4. t the time of purchase or soon before or after purchase[ix] to | |assets. |acquire property, plant, and equipment and other productive | | |assets[x]. | | | | | | |Cash Flows from Financing Activities |Cash inflows from; |Cash outflows for; | | | | |1. Proceeds from issuing equity instruments |1. Payments of dividends or other distributions to owners, including | |2. Proceeds from issuing bonds, mortgages, notes, and from |outlays to reacquire the enterprise's equity instruments | |other short- or long-term borrowing. |2. Repayments of amounts borrowed | | |3. Other principal payments to creditors who have extended long-term | | |credit[xi]. | | | |Cash Flows from Operating Activities[xii] | |Cash inflows includes; |Cash outflows includes; | |1. Cash receipts from sales of goods[xiii] or services, |1. Cash payments to acquire materials for manufacture or goods[xiv] | |including receipts from collection or sale of accounts and both |for resale, including principal | |short- and long-term notes receivable from customers arising |payments on accounts and both short- and long-term notes payable to | |from those sales |suppliers for those materials or goods | |2. Cash receipts from returns on loans, other debt instruments |2. Cash payments to other suppliers and employees for other goods or | |of other entities, and equity securities—interest and dividends |services | |3. All other cash receipts that do not stem from transactions |c. Cash payments to governments for taxes, duties, fines, and other | |defined as investing or financing activities, such as amounts |fees or penalties | |received to settle lawsuits; proceeds of nsurance settlements |3. Cash payments to lenders and other creditors for interest | |except for those that are directly related to investing or |4. All other cash payments that do not stem from transactions defined| |financing activities, such as from destruction of a building; |as investing or financing activities, such as payments to settle | |and refunds from suppliers. |lawsuits, cash contributions to charities, and cash refunds to | | |customers. It is notable that certain cash receipts and payments may have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. For example, the ac quisition and sale of equipment to be used by the enterprise or rented to others generally are investing activities. However, equipment sometimes is acquired or produced to be used by the enterprise or rented to others for a short period and then sold. In those circumstances, the acquisition or production and subsequent sale of those assets shall be considered operating activities. Cash flows relating to extraordinary items should be classified as operating, investing or financing as appropriate and should be separately disclosed. The exchange rate used for translation of transactions denominated in a foreign currency and the cash flows of a foreign subsidiary should be the rate in effect at the date of the cash flows. [xv] Cash flows of foreign subsidiaries should be translated at the exchange rates prevailing when the cash flows took place. As regards the cash flows of associates and joint ventures, where the equity method is used, the cash flow statement should report only cash flows between the investor and the investee; where proportionate consolidation is used, the cash flow statement should include the venturer's share of the cash flows of the investee. Financial statements shall not report an amount of cash flow per share. Neither cash flow nor any component of it is an alternative to net income as an indicator of an enterprise's performance, as reporting per share amounts might imply. VI. Content and Form of the Statement of Cash Flows A statement of cash flows for a period shall report net cash provided or used by operating, investing, and financing activities[xvi] and the net effect of those flows on cash and cash equivalents during the period in a manner that reconciles beginning and ending cash and cash equivalents. In reporting cash flows from operating activities, enterprises are encouraged to use Direct Method to shows each major class of gross cash receipts and gross cash payments[xvii]. The operating cash flows section of the cash flow statement under the direct method would appear something like this: |Cash receipts from customers |xx,xxx | |Cash paid to suppliers |xx,xxx | |Cash paid to employees |xx,xxx | |Cash paid for other operating expenses |xx,xxx | |Interest paid |xx,xxx | |Income taxes paid |xx,xxx | |Net cash from operating activities |xx,xxx | Enterprises that do so should, at a minimum, separately report the following classes of operating cash receipts and payments: Enterprises that choose not to provide information about major classes of operating receipts and payments by the direct method shall determine and report the same amount for net cash flow from operating activities indirectly by adjusting net income to reconcile it to net cash flow from operating activities (the indirect or reconciliation method). The Indirect Method adjusts accrual basis net profit or loss for the effects of non-cash transactions. The operating cash flows section of the cash flow statement under the indirect method would appear something like this: |Profit before interest and income taxes |  |xx,xxx | |Add back depreciation |  |xx,xxx | |Add back amortization of goodwill |  |xx,xxx | |Increase in receivables |  |xx,xxx | |Decrease in inventories |  |xx,xxx | |Increase in trade payables |  |xx,xxx | |Interest expense | |xx,xxx | |Less Interest accrued but not yet paid | |  xx,xxx | |Interest paid |  |xx,xxx | |Income taxes paid |  |xx,xxx | |Net cash from operating activities |  |xx,xxx | That requires adjusting net income to remove (a) the effects of all deferrals of past operating cash receipts and payments, such as changes during the period in inventory, deferred income, and the like, and all accruals of expected future operating cash receipts and payments, such as changes during the period in receivables and payables[xviii], and (b) the effects of all items whose cash effects are investing or financing cash flows, such as depreciation, amortization of goodwill, and gains or losses on sales of property, plant, and equipment and discontinued operations (which relate to investing activities), and gains or losses on extinguishment of debt (which is a financing activity). If the direct method of reporting net cash flow from operating activities is used, the reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities shall be provided in a separate schedule. If the indirect method is used, the reconciliation may be either reported within the statement of cas h flows or provided in a separate schedule, with the statement of cash flows reporting only the net cash flow from operating activities. If the reconciliation is presented in the statement of cash flows, all adjustments to net income to determine net cash flow from operating activities shall be clearly identified as reconciling items. Except for items described in section IV paragraphs 2 and 3, both investing/financing cash inflows and outflows shall be reported separately in a statement of cash flows—for example, outlays for acquisitions of property, plant, and equipment shall be reported separately from proceeds from sales of property, plant, and equipment; proceeds of borrowings shall be reported separately from repayments of debt; and proceeds from issuing stock shall be reported separately from outlays to reacquire the enterprise's stock. VII. Information about Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period shall be reported in related disclosures. Examples of noncash investing and financing transactions are converting debt to equity; acquiring assets by assuming directly related liabilities, such as purchasing a building by incurring a mortgage to the seller; obtaining an asset by entering into a capital lease; and exchanging noncash assets or liabilities for other noncash assets or liabilities. Some transactions are part cash and part noncash; only the cash portion shall be reported in the statement of cash flows. VIII. Exemptions from the Requirement to Provide a Statement of Cash Flows A statement of cash flows is not required to be provided by a defined benefit pension plan that presents financial information in accordance with the provisions of Statement 35. Other employee benefit plans that present financial information similar to that required by Statement 35 (including the presentation of plan investments at fair value) also are not required to provide a statement of cash flows. Employee benefit plans are encouraged to include a statement of cash flows with their annual financial statements when that statement would provide relevant information about the ability of the plan to meet future obligations (for example, when the plan invests in assets that are not highly liquid or obtains financing for investments). For an investment enterprise (an investment company, an investment enterprise, a common trust fund, variable annuity account, or similar fund maintained by a bank, insurance company, or other enterprise in its capacity as a trustee, administrator, or guardian for the collective investment and reinvestment of moneys) to be exempt from the requirement to provide a statement of cash flows, all of the following conditions must be met: a. During the period, substantially all of the enterprise's investments were highly liquid (for example, marketable securities, and other assets for which a market is readily available). b. Substantially all of the enterprise's investments are carried at market value[xix]. c. The enterprise had little or no debt, based on the average debt outstanding[xx] during the period, in relation to average total assets. d. The enterprise provides a statement of changes in net assets. IX. Classification of Cash Flows from Acquisitions and Sales of Certain Securities and Other Assets Banks, brokers and dealers in securities, and other enterprises may carry securities and other assets in a trading account[xxi]. Cash receipts and cash payments resulting from purchases and sales of securities and other assets shall be classified as operating cash flows if those assets are acquired specifically for resale and are carried at market value in a trading account. Some loans are similar to securities in a trading account in that they are originated or purchased specifically for resale and are held for short periods of time. Cash receipts and cash payments resulting from acquisitions and sales of loans lso shall be classified as operating cash flows if those loans are acquired specifically for resale and are carried at market value or at the lower of cost or market value[xxii]. Cash receipts resulting from sales of loans that were not specifically acquired for resale shall be cla ssified as investing cash inflows. That is, if loans were acquired as investments, cash receipts from sales of those loans shall be classified as investing cash inflows regardless of a change in the purpose for holding those loans. X. Net Reporting of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments According to FAS No. 95, information about the gross amounts of cash receipts and cash payments during a period generally is more relevant than information about the net amounts of cash receipts and cash payments. However, for certain items, the net amount of cash receipts and cash payments may provide sufficient information. For example, gross cash flows need not be reported for demand deposits of a bank or for investments, loans receivable, and debt of any enterprise if the original maturity of the asset or liability is three months or less. As a result banks, savings institutions, and credit unions are not required to report gross amounts of cash receipts and cash payments for (a) deposits placed with other financial institutions and withdrawals of deposits, (b) time deposits accepted and repayments of deposits, and (c) loans made to customers and principal collections of loans. When those enterprises constitute part of a consolidated enterprise, net amounts of cash receipts and cash payments for deposit or lending activities of those enterprises shall be reported separate from gross amounts of cash receipts and cash payments for other investing and financing activities of the consolidated enterprise. XI. Classification of Cash Flows from Hedging Transactions The Board received requests from various enterprises to reconsider the classification of cash flows from an item that is intended as a hedge of another item. Those requests generally focused on cash flows from a futures contract or forward contract that is accounted for as a hedge of an inventory transaction. FAS 104 modifies FAS 95 to permit cash flows resulting from futures contracts, forward contracts, option contracts, or swap contracts that are accounted for as hedges of identifiable transactions or events (for example, a cash payment from a futures contract that hedges a purchase or sale of inventory), including anticipatory hedges, to be classified in the same category as the cash flows from the items being hedged provided that accounting policy is disclosed. If for any reason hedge accounting for an instrument that hedges an identifiable transaction or event is discontinued, then any cash flows subsequent to the date of discontinuance shall be classified consistent with the nature of the instrument. Endnotes ———————– i]- â€Å"Portions of various FASB Statements, copyright  © by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, 401 Merritt 7, PO Box 5116, Norwalk, CT 06856-5116, USA, are reproduced with permission. Complete copies of these documents are available from the FASB. † [ii]- A statement of cash flows is not required for defined benefit pension plans and certain other employee benefit plans or for certain investment companies as provided by FAS 102, Statement of Cash Flows—Exemption of Certain Enterprises and Classification of Cash Flows from Certain Securities Acquired for Resale. [iii]- The financial reporting requirements of defined benefit pension plans are addressed in Statement 35. Paragraph 6 of that Statement specifies that the annual financial statements of a plan shall include: (a) A statement that includes information regarding the net assets available for benefits as of the end of the plan year (b) A statement that includes information regarding the changes during the year in the net assets available for benefits (c) Information regarding the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits as of either the beginning or end of the plan year (d) Information regarding the effects, if significant, of certain factors affecting the year-to-year change in the actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits. Statement 35 also states that existing generally accepted accounting principles other than those discussed in that Statement may apply to the financial statements of defined benefit pension plans. iv]- Consistent with common usage, cash includes not only currency on hand but demand deposits with banks or other financial institutions. Cash also inclu des other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the customer may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. All charges and credits to those accounts are cash receipts or payments to both the entity owning the account and the bank holding it. For example, a bank's granting of a loan by crediting the proceeds to a customer's demand deposit account is a cash payment by the bank and a cash receipt of the customer when the entry is made. v]- cash flows from investing and financing activities should be reported gross by major class of cash receipts and major class of cash payments except for the following cases, which may be reported on a net basis: Cash receipts and payments on behalf of customers (for example, receipt and repayment of demand deposits by banks, and receipts collected on behalf of and paid over to the owner of a property). Cash receipts and payments for items in which the turnover is quick, the amounts are large, and the maturities are short, generally less than three months (for example, charges and collections from credit card customers, and purchase and sale of investments). cash receipts and payments relating to fixed maturity deposits. Cash advances and loans made to customers and repayments thereof. Investing and financing transactions which do not require the use of cash should be excluded from the cash flow statement, but they should be separately disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements. vi]- For this purpose, amounts due on demand are considered to have maturities of three months or less. For convenience, credit card receivables of financial services operations–generally, receivables resulting from cardholder charges that may, at the cardholder's option, be paid in full when first billed, usually within one month, without incurring interest charges and that do not stem from the enterprise's sale of good s or services–also are considered to be loans with original maturities of three months or less. [vii]- Generally, each cash receipt or payment is to be classified according to its nature without regard to whether it stems from an item intended as a hedge of another item. For example, the proceeds of a borrowing are a financing cash inflow even though the debt is intended as a hedge of an investment, and the purchase or sale of a futures contract is an investing activity even though the contract is intended as a hedge of a firm commitment to purchase inventory. However, cash flows from futures contracts, forward contracts, option contracts, or swap contracts that are accounted for as hedges of identifiable transactions or events (for example, a cash payment from a futures contract same category as the cash flows from the items being hedged provided that accounting policy is that hedges a purchase or sale of inventory), including anticipatory hedges, may be classified in the disclosed. If for any reason hedge accounting for an instrument that hedges an identifiable transaction or event is discontinued, then any cash flows subsequent to the date of discontinuance shall be classified consistent with the nature of the instrument. [viii]- Investing activities exclude acquiring and disposing of certain loans or other debt or equity instruments that are acquired specifically for resale, as discussed in Statement 102. [ix]- Generally, only advance payments, the down payment, or other amounts paid at the time of purchase or soon before or after purchase of property, plant, and equipment and other productive assets are investing cash outflows. Incurring directly related debt to the seller is a financing transaction, and subsequent payments of principal on that debt thus are financing cash outflows. x]- Payments to acquire productive assets include interest capitalized as part of the cost of those assets. [xi]- Refer to footnote 8 which indicates that most principal payments on seller-financed debt directly related to a purchase of property, plant, and equipment or other productive assets are financing cash outflows. [xii]- Operating activities include all transactions and other events that are not defined as investing or financing activities in paragraphs 15-20. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Cash flows from operating activities are generally the cash effects of transactions and other events that enter into the determination of net income. xiii]- The term goods include certain loans and other debt and equity instruments of other enterprises that are acquired specifically for resale, as discussed in Statement 102. [xiv]- The term goods include certain loans and other debt and equity instruments of other enterprises that are acquired specifically for resale, as discussed in Statement 102. [xv]- Paragraph 12 of FASB Statement No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation, recognizes the general imprac ticality of translating revenues, expenses, gains, and losses at the exchange rates on dates they are recognized and permits an appropriately weighted average exchange rate for the period to be used to translate those elements. This Statement applies that provision to cash receipts and cash payments. xvi]- Separate disclosure of cash flows pertaining to extraordinary items or discontinued operations reflected in those categories is not required. An enterprise that nevertheless chooses to report separately operating cash flows of discontinued operations shall do so consistently for all periods affected, which may include periods long after sale or liquidation of the operation. [xvii]- a. Cash collected from customers, including lessees, licensees, and the like b. Interest and dividends received c. Other operating cash receipts, if any d. Cash paid to employees and other suppliers of goods or services, including suppliers of insurance, advertising, and the like e. Interest paid f. Inc ome taxes paid g. Other operating cash payments, if any. xviii]- Adjustments to net income to determine net cash flow from operating activities shall reflect accruals for interest earned but not received and interest incurred but not paid. Those accruals may be reflected in the statement of financial position in changes in assets and liabilities that relate to investing or financing activities, such as loans or deposits. However, interest credited directly to a deposit account that has the general characteristics described footnote 1, is a cash outflow of the payor and a cash inflow of the payee when the entry is made. [xix]- Securities for which market value is determined using matrix pricing techniques, which are described in the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Audits of Investment Companies, would meet this condition. Other securities for which market value is not readily determinable and for which fair value must be determined in good faith by the board of directors would not. [xx]- For the purpose of determining average debt outstanding, obligations resulting from redemptions of shares by the enterprise from unsettled purchases of securities or similar assets, or from covered options written generally may be excluded. However, any extension of credit by the seller that is not in accordance with standard industry practices for redeeming shares or for settling purchases of investments shall be included in average debt outstanding. [xxi]- Characteristics of trading account activities are described in FASB Statement No. 9, Financial Reporting and Changing Prices, and in the AICPA Industry Audit Guide, Audits of Banks, and Audit and Accounting Guide, Audits of Brokers and Dealers in Securities. [xxii]- Mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities held for sale are required to be reported at the lowe r of cost or market value in accordance with FASB Statement No. 65, Accounting for Certain Mortgage Banking Activities. References 1. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 95 Statement of Cash Flows November 1987 Financial Accounting Standards Board of the Financial Accounting Foundation 401 MERRITT 7, P. O. BOX 5116, NORWALK, CONNECTICUT 06856-5116 2. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 102 Statement of Cash Flows—Exemption of Certain Enterprises and Classification of Cash Flows from Certain Securities Acquired for Resale an amendment of FASB Statement No. 95 February 1989 Financial Accounting Standards Board of the Financial Accounting Foundation 401 MERRITT 7, P. O. BOX 5116, NORWALK, CONNECTICUT 06856-5116 3. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 104 Statement of Cash Flows—Net Reporting of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments and Classification of Cash Flows from Hedging Transactions an amendment of FASB Statement No. 95 December 1989 Financial Accounting Standards Board of the Financial Accounting Foundation 401 MERRITT 7, P. O. BOX 5116, NORWALK, CONNECTICUT 06856-511

A study of the performance of the lucky plush dance in the product cinderbox 2.0

A study of the performance of the lucky plush dance in the product cinderbox 2.0 The Lucky Plush dance company graced the stage with their innovative and abstract performance of Cinderbox 2.0, a work that â€Å"explores reality television and the anxiety of hyper-networked America.† Although the term dance theatre has been mentioned in readings and lectures, never before has the literal combination of dance and theatre through choreography and text been seen on a live stage.The performance was rather complex, with several sensory media present at once to appeal to the audience. This essay will discuss the union of text, choreography, and multimedia in the piece, as well as the social commentary it attempts to make. Text and choreography creatively come together in Cinderbox 2.0 through the company’s twofold role of dancing and story telling. Throughout the work the performers switch off from dance to speech delivery; without one, the other would neither make sense nor be as effective to the audience. At the very beginning a female member delays the program by talking on her cell phone longer than expected, for example. After her monologue with the phone, she jumped right into her position (pushing someone out of the way in the process) and the dancing commenced. Near the end of the performance the company came together to lift one member at a time while that person spoke about a social issue in a lifted dancer’s position; this combination demonstrates another combination of text and choreography. The aesthetics of the movements complemented by the short monologues in succession augment the purpose of Lucky Plush’s performance. The structures of the text and choreography are both similar and different in the way that they were usually presented in a way in which they took turns dominating the stage at any particular moment in the piece; however they varied by length throughout and sometimes had no relation with one another. The ridiculous discussion of Fiji brand water, for example, would be separated from the dance and intertwined between the movements. Also, the moment in which the woman who always stops while attempting to sing a song (and asks to try again) occurred many times, but between dance breaks. Finally, a similarity in structure between text and choreography was that two or groups of two people usually performed both. The frequent pair work in the production further defines how it is indeed dance theatre. In addition, there were some moments in which dance and text were being performed at the same time on stage. An example of this is the illusion of the male and female dancer watching some sort of media(likely the television). Another male dancer was dancing in front of them, as if they were watching him; however the movements sometimes did not match up with what they were watching (although in the beginning there was a mention of fishing while the dancer was insinuating the activity). But every once in a while, when the female performer became excited at the sight of her favorite part of whatever she was watching, the dancer would correspond with her by shaking his head rapidly in front of her. There definitely was some abstract connection between the text and choreography here as well. All of these examples of the combination and connection of text and choreography compile into one thing: dance theatre. One cannot call Cinderbox 2.0 simply dance or theatre because aspects of each are seen within the performance; they function together to create modern dance with a purpose: in this case, a social commentary. At some points the dance and the theatrical pieces of the work do not appear to relate to one another, but at other points they would not be regarded by the audience as highly and mentally if they were not together. What is certain, however, is that dance and theatre are both used to entertain; therefore their combination into dance theatre augments the entertainment factor even further. This assists in conveying more prominently the ideas of the piece as a whole. Lucky Plush’s effort in displaying a seemingly chaotic performance does not go without purpose. The spectacle was a social commentary of a hyper-networked America, and how various media, especially television, plays a vital role. It all began with the woman on her phone, delaying the commencement of the dance. Later the pair watching ‘television’ becomes completely enthralled in the program by coming face to face with the dancer personifying said program. The Fiji water discussions and satirical individual interviews/commentaries (which were delivered while being lifted in a dancer’s position) expressed the characters’ self-appointed authority over the featured discussion of topics; they were only known as a result of the superficial information given by the various media to which they have been exposed. This moment in the performance was further highlighted with the singing of â€Å"We are the Champions† by Queen, increasing the idea that pe ople, as a result of media, develop a sense of false and undeserving pride. The performance ends with a fight in dance form: the result of empowerment by the media that leads to competition. Cinderbox 2.0 was a very difficult piece to decipher; it was filled with abstract and (at times) confusing details. Lucky Plush really succeeded in involving the audience by looking right at them and at one point in the production calling someone seated off stage amidst the crowd. They brought the spectators in to realize the consequences of being hyper-networked and excessively influenced by the media. It seems like the theatre-half of this work of dance theatre was more effective in conveying the underlying message. This performance demonstrates that any aspects of art can be combined to deliver something entertaining and insightful to an interested audience.

David Sedaris' The Learning Curve Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

David Sedaris' The Learning Curve - Essay Example The author has rightly presented that the essay â€Å"The Learning Curve† is witty and artful. Here, Sedaris does not conform to the aspect of seriousness, which most artists employ in literary fiction or in the category of serious nonfiction. Sedaris in this essay, therefore, does not aspire to the formality that is adopted in most literary works. For this reason, this essay, including other essays by Sedaris, make him unique. Sedaris works are, therefore, different, compared to the works of other authors today, who has taught in universities or higher learning institutions, and whose works are examined in seminar rooms. Sedaris does not, therefore, share similar objectives with the other such authors, whose ambition is to set standards in the literary world. â€Å"The Learning Curve† is light and full of humor, and lacks seriousness and profoundness. This essay is also simple, thus easy for the reader to understand. The straightforwardness employed by Sedaris in the e ssay does not require a reader to interpret or look for the literary meaning of the essay. In addition, the prose employed in the essay is simple. On the contrast, a serious essay would require a reader to consider the implications of the art form and to read the essay with considerable emotional depth. However, in Sedaris’ essay, a reader is not required to make such efforts. Instead, the essay is easy to read, artful, and entertaining. There are various humorous situations in the essay â€Å"The Learning Curve.† A part of the humor in the essay centers on the teaching methods of Sedaris at the beginning. For instance, Sedaris asks his students for food recipes for his slow cooker (Sedaris 86). He then tries to convince his students that this would help them to develop their writing outlines. Additionally, Sedaris plays his favorable his favorite soap operas after which he asks his students to write papers on what would happen next (Sedaris 86). In another instance, Sedaris asks his students that writing becomes fiction when they write it down and fail to say it loud (Sedaris 92-3). Another humorous situation in this essay is when Sedaris opens his briefcase during his first class, and lets out leaf-shaped papers, which he wants his students to use as nametags, â€Å"I arrived bearing name tags fashioned in the shape of maple leaves. I’d cut them myself out of orange construction paper and handed them out along with a box of straight pins. .† (Sedaris 84). Although Sedaris made these tags by himself, when the students ask him whether the tags were handmade, Sedaris argues that they were store bought. Nonetheless, these among other humorous are effective in this essay, as they help to remove seriousness in the essay, even though the author passes on important themes. Although â€Å"The Learning Curve† is humorous, this addresses the intelligence of the reader. The author presents his themes in a clever manner and in an easy way for the reader. Nonetheless, this essay is engaging and intellectually vigorous. For instance, Se

Social Capital Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Social Capital - Essay Example Technological advancements enable instant flow of information to audiences. Some of this information may be seditious and inciting. This profound freedom of information flow attracts an equal measure of responsibility of good citizenship. Technology is a powerful tool that motivates social institutions to be more efficient, but it does not imply substitution of social capital for technology. Modern entertainment isolates societies by privatizing leisure and interaction moments. This negatively affects the social tenets that bind a society. Active social collaborations foster tranquility and successful governance as opposed to weak and un-civic minded society, which cultivate corruption and poverty. Social networks ensure trust and tolerance among people in the circles of employment. The non-participant and the larger society share the benefits of social capital. Indeed, this is because of the diversity in the benefits of networking, ranging from decreased tribal conflicts, a feeling of patriotism, citizen satisfaction and lower costs of transactions. Social capital is the foundation of a thriving society. When the society disintegrates, it is the social capital that gets lost. Collaboration is only sensible in the existence of mutual

Short paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Short paper - Essay Example It can be said beyond doubt that academic education plays an important role in sharpening and broadening the minds of the students, however practical application of the theoretical studies do much more. Providing vocational education in the high schools also diversify the curriculum, providing students with greater learning and experience. If a person wishes to pursue a career in a technical field, he needs to have a solid foundation and practice to ensure a successful career. This foundation can be made if high schools offer optional vocational education to its students. Vocational education also prepares the students for their practical life by granting them exposure to the practical work. If the students get vocational education during their high school, they can also polish their skills by working part time in the related field; so that by the time, their high school is finished, they would be ready to follow their respective careers. Providing vocational education in high school also allows the students to recognize their interests so that, in future they can opt for a career that suits their liking. The market for skilled technical labor is constantly on the rise. Technical workers are hugely in demand and thus get high compensations for their work. For the country to fulfill its technical needs, it requires a greater supply of such labor. Not everyone plans on attending further education in university or college.

Accounting Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Accounting Project - Essay Example In 2011, its beer market I US was approximately $96 billion which shows a  down of 1%  compared to 2010. However, its net sales show a significant growth of 13.3% showing its success in capturing market share. BREW is now investing heavily in growth.1 Three creative beer making brands are owned by BREW. They always engage in the mixture and make of new beers and they attain even their own seasonal beers available only during their respective seasons. The company owns five brew-pub restaurants giving the company customer awareness that contributes highly to research and development. These restaurants help the company to keep in touch continuously with customers creating a good sense of brand loyalty. The industry the company is operating in is highly competitive and needs very hard work to have success in. Craft Brew competes in both the craft brewing market and in significantly larger alcoholic beverage markets well. This market encompasses imported and domestic beers, spirits, flavored alcohol beverages, ciders and wine. The competition in the specialty beer market and the domestic craft beer segment is based on taste, product quality, freshness and consistency, ability to differentiate products, product support and promotional methods, local appeal, distribution coverage and price. By the proliferation of the small craft brewers, also including the contract brewers, and the significant amount of products that such brewers offer, the craft beer segment has got increasingly competitive. Further, the craft brewers have also challenged us with more competition due to their peers expand distribution. Different regional markets are also means of varying competition. The company is also in competition against imported brands’ producers, such as Corona Extra, Heineken and Guinness. Most of such foreign brewers have got financial resources significantly greater than the company has. Although the imported beers account for a better share of

Sustaining engagement in adolescents before disengagements Essay

Sustaining engagement in adolescents before disengagements - Essay Example Plans that best interest them. Identify their areas if interest- what are their hobbies, talents, dreams, aspirations, as well as ideas of how best to help them. Establish effective communication by incorporating modern technology. The communication channel should not only he seen as formal and vertical but also open and horizontal. Be honest, interactive as much as possible and open to new ideas. Invite feedback, suggestions as well as input into programs. . Use of modern technology not only helps in bridging the age gap but also creates an intimate bond. Incorporate their ideas in implementing changes. Lastly establish a friendly environment based on trust and mutual respect. Involve the adolescent by identifying the progress also the failures if any. Use of incentives. Build in incentives that require self-motivation, skill, and leadership. However since not all adolescents have the same capacity the reward scheme should be tailored according to the different abilities. Discuss in an honest manner, offer advice when needed and offer opportunity and space for growth. Adolescents when encouraged and given a good channel of interaction show much progress and development both mentally and

A proposal for a Moroccan restaurant in Qatar Research Paper

A proposal for a Moroccan restaurant in Qatar - Research Paper Example In starting a Moroccan restaurant in Qatar, the investor will benefit from the close cultural ties between the two countries. Morocco and Qatar have close cultural ties where in both countries, the official language is Arabic and the majority of residents are Muslims (Cohen, 2000). The proposed location of the restaurant has been preferred given that it is an attraction site and therefore the restaurant will be able to reap from the high turnout in this area. Particularly, by starting a Moroccan restaurant at the heart of a cultural center will offer the Moroccan immigrants and customers from diverse cultures a taste of Moroccan delicacies. In addition to offering Moroccan foods, the restaurant will give its customers the Moroccan cultural experience. Decoration to be Used on the Restaurant To attract customers and distinguish the restaurant from other facilities in the area, decorations that will be used will be based on the Moroccan style. This will not only give the facility a uni que image but will also help bring the Moroccan architectural design into this cultural area thereby increasing its representation. The decoration will also make it a memorable destination in the minds of all visitors and therefore its marketing will be enhanced. The Moroccan decoration style will used both in the interior and exterior of the restaurant. Additionally, the furniture that will be used in the restaurant will also be based on the Moroccan design. Moroccan Interior Moroccan Furniture The colors used in Moroccan interior decoration are usually welcoming and warm giving the visitors a relaxing and welcoming feel. The furniture has distinctive look and are covered with animal skin such as goat, camel and cow hide (Williams, 2009). The restaurant will also incorporate some plants for its decoration. Some of the plants to be used include dwarf palms, thuja trees, rose bushes, mimosa and mango tree. To further give the restaurant a Moroccan touch, the accessories to be used in the hotel such pottery, tile and ceramics, candleholders, Arabian night lanterns will be based on the Moroccan style. Restaurant staff To serve its customers adequately, the restaurant will recruit forty employees who will work in different cadres. The staff to be recruited will be from Morocco as they will be able to prepare Moroccan meals. The staff will be headed by a hotel manager who should have experience in hotel management and a strong educational background on the same. The manager will oversee the overall management of the restaurant. The manager will be deputized by various assistant-managers who will be in-charge of different departments including food and beverages, accounts, supervision and human resource. The food and beverage department will deal with selection of meals and drinks to be stocked. The department will also be charged with catering services where staff in this section will be attending to visitors. Consequently, this department forms the bulk of organiz ation and a large chunk of staff will work in this section. The accounts section will deal with bookkeeping and management all the revenues of the restaurant. The other critical department within the restaurant will be the supervisions departments which will be charged will the general cleanliness of the place. The supervision department will be headed by a supervisor managing about five other staff. The proposed restaurant will a

Analysis of Comments on a New York Times Article Essay Example for Free

Analysis of Comments on a New York Times Article Essay The article, â€Å"Forced From Executive Pay to Hourly Wage,† which was written by Michael Luo and was published in the New York Times last February 28, 2009, basically told the story of people who used to earn five or six-figure amounts per year, are now being paid hourly minimum wages. One example in the article was the case of Mark Cooper, who used to earn $70,000 as a security manager for Fortune 500 Company in the United States and who oversees a budget of $1. 2 million. Nine months ago, he lost his job and now he is earning $12 an hour in his job at his friend’s janitorial services company. Although the article itself is appealing enough, it is also interesting to note the readers’ comments about it. As of now, there are 300 comments about the article and upon reviewing most of them, it can be surmised that each reader who commented had significantly different viewpoints and opinions about the story told in the New York Times article. Evidently, these readers adhere to different moral codes which are seen through their responses. In general, the readers who commented on the article can be divided into two groups: one group lauded the brave act of Mark Cooper while the other criticized the style of writing and the subtle message that New York Times writer used in the article. One of the reader’s who praised the article story admired the courage of Mr. Cooper as he was able to lower his pride and found ways to provide for his family even if it means that he has to scrub toilets and have his salary dramatically reduced from five figures to an hourly wage without any benefits. In a sense, this group highly regarded the value of hard work and starting all over again in a dignified way. Most of their comments basically indicated that Mr. Cooper is not alone and that there are hundreds of Americans who have similar â€Å"riches to rags† stories. These readers, based on their comments, also believed that there is no shame being poor as long as one has a dignified and lawful job. On other hand, the other group of readers who commented on the article criticized the New York Times for insinuating that those who work blue-collar jobs are lower forms of human beings than those who work white-collar ones. They see the article as discriminating to Americans who have been living their lives below the poverty line for a long time even before the current economic crisis. For example, one reader lamented that article more or less showed that a $12-an-hour job is an indecent way of living, which is not true. In addition, one reader did not feel sorry for Mr. Cooper and commented that he had a lot to be thankful for because he lives in an above average house and was able to live a rich life. To this reader, the economic crisis makes everyone in America equal because they are struggling to make ends meet. However, what’s common in all the readers’ responses is that they could all relate to the difficulties experienced by the people depicted in the article. In fact some of the readers, who are evidently from different walks of life, shared their own stories in their comments. In other words, the single factor that binds all the readers who commented is the hardship brought about by the financial crisis in America. In a way, the article’s comments show two things: one is that there are a lot of Americans who are so used to a good life that they are seemingly caught off-guard when a devastating financial crisis like this hits them and the other is that due to the crisis, most Americans would be willing to take on any job just to survive. But the comments also indicated that Americans are more unified in achieving a common goal which is to recover from the devastating effects of the crisis and rebuild their lives. Works Cited Luo, Mark. â€Å"Forced From Executive Pay to Hourly Wage. † 28 February 2009. New York Times. 4 March 2009 http://www. nytimes. com/2009/03/01/us/01survival. html? pagewanted=1_r=2sq=executive%20janitorst=csescp=1.

New Women R K Narayans The Guide English Literature Essay

New Women R K Narayans The Guide English Literature Essay The perspective of Indian English novelists represents the different levels of the Indian consciousness which is shaped by the tradition of Indian humanism.'(George Lucas, 1) The theme of the emancipation of a new woman for the first time became a wide spread and genuine concern and improvement for womens pathetic image became a social issue in the early twentieth century. It became the creative consciousness for all the Indian English writers including R.K Narayan. Narayan through the character, Rosie, in The Guide depicts the emergence of a new woman. In Rosie, Narayan has shown a woman experiencing a conflict between a strong yearning for individual fulfillment and traditional norms. Narayan illustrates the Indian society which is deeply rooted in traditionalism, where women have been the major relentless victims of circumstances and conventions. Rosie also becomes a victim of circumstances and conventions but through her rebellious attitude, she makes her own way with a sense of pride and dignity, which shows a newly liberated woman in the post independence Indian society. This term paper shows how a woman asserts herself by breaking the old shackles of tradition and convention and finally brings an era of a new woman. The novel The Guide portrays two Indias; the traditional India, and the modern sophisticated India. In the traditional India, women have no opportunity for asserting or expressing their talent and personality. Our traditional society is rigid one in which there is no respect for freedom or expression of ones potential. Women are extremely suppressed by the males. Men are seen as superior to women and hold good position while women realize this painful reality only when they dare to express themselves and try to secure their fulfillments. Consequently, this whole scenario suppresses ones self either consciously or unconsciously. R.K Narayan says in My Days: A Memoirs: From times immemorial, man assigned her a secondary place and kept her there with such subtlety and cunning that she herself began to loose all notions of her independence, her individuality, her status and strength. A wife in an orthodox milieu of Indian society was an ideal victim of such circumstances Whereas if we look at the modern India, Jennet P. Gemmill says, it is: a broad based an dynamic concept involving an awareness of time, the will to revitalize traditions, a craving for novelty and variety, exploitation of the social conditions for the fulfillment of human personality and a struggle for progress In such a society the woman is more enlightened about herself and the milieu in which she has to fulfill the purpose of her living. Rosie, in The Guide, is a character, who is deeply rooted in tradition, occupies the most unique position among the Narayans women. She comes from a family traditionally dedicated to the temples as dancers (The Guide, 75). She belongs to the Devdasiclan in which women were dedicated to deity and not permitted to perform mundane domestic chores for the men. They did not have any right to choose their rightful husband. Through her name, Rosie, Narayans ironic intention becomes clear in which her name like a rose shows that her life remains surrounded by the thorns. She shows her first assertiveness by breaking the fetters of darkness of the Devdasi clan and leaps towards the light of learning by obtaining Masters in Economics, which respond a matrimonial advertisement in the newspaper; An educated, good looking girl to marry a rich bachelor of academic interests. No caste restrictions good looks and university degree essential (Bhatnagar, 75). Her degree shows a window of the world of glitter and glamour and by using it she takes one more offbeat step in her ascent. She marries Marco, a rich bachelor of academic interests. The marriage shows how she has scored over her Devdasi sisters. Shalini Gupta says in her essay (page 200); The caged bird shakes her wings, breaks the bars with jubilant hopes and flies in one sweep to Marcos Nest (page 4). So, the marriage symbolizes Rosies adventurous spirit and her aspirations for the freedom of the outer world appear to assume the fulfillment of her artistic learning and yearning. After her marriage, the most defiant act comes when she commits adultery, which constitutes a crucial stage in her life. It is very necessary to understand the nature of her marital relationship with Marco which enforces her to make extra marital relationship with Raju, their guide. Rosie chose to marry Marco to get status and respect of wife whereas Marco being a typical Indian male wanted a subservient faithful wife like his servant Joseph who, in his opinion was a wonderful man; I dont see him, I dont hear him but he does everything for me at the right time. Thats how I want things to be à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ thats what I thought when I saw Rosie demonstrates to me in her hotel room (The Guide, 127). Marco marries Rosie with the hope that she would go well with his practical life but his choice becomes wrong, for the girl he chooses in marriage comes out to be a dreamer who wants to be Benefited by a husband who could care for her career (Shalini Gupta,page 200). Narayan gives us the instances of their clash of expectation, hopes, interests and desire which lead to the eventual collapse of the marriage between Rosie and Marco they have nothing in common between them like love and warmth they may share together. Narayan shows their opposite appearances noted by Balrama Gupta; Rosie with her bright hued and gold laced sari, diamond earrings and gold necklace and with her curly hair braided and deflowered is a contrast to Marco with his colored glasses, thick jacket and a thick helmet. Further, there is no similarity between their natures, attitudes and interests. So, if Rosie is vivacious, spiritly and passionate than Marco is cold grim and unemotional. ` Raju describes them as against the beautifully natural surroundings of the Peak House. He says: The girl was in ecstasyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦she ran like a child from Plant to Plant with cries of joys, while the man looked on with no emotions. . . (Ramesh Dnyates essay, p-93) Rosie is a social girl. She loves the company of people and is destined to play a role in the open world whereas Marco seems to have forgotten the human world and fated to flourish his solitude. Significantly, their lifelong interests are different in nature. Rosies art involves the pulsating human body whereas Marcos research is confined to stone walls and stone figure. He is a die-hard archeologist, who lives and breaths lifeless ancient sculptures while neglecting the living embodiment of the art of dance, his wife Rosie. This is what Raju says about him: All that he could do was to copy ancient things and write about them. His mind was completely in it. All practical affairs of life seemed impossible to himà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (C.P.Sharmas essay, p-109) He is an infertile man who lacks human qualities like love, warmth and compassion which is expected by his wife. His excessive indulgence in the mute things of the past kills Rosies interest in life and love of art. As the novelist puts it: dead and decaying things seemed to unloosen his tongue and fire his imagination, rather than things that lived and moved and swung their limbsanything that interested her seemed to irritate him (Shalini Guptas essay, p-201) Rosie too has intellectual pursuit like Marco. She tells him that she has many ideas like him. Her interests are no less serious than him. She starts her dancing practice at five in the morning and continues for full three hours. In the afternoon, she spends her one or two hours by studying Natya Shastra of Bharat Muni in order to keep the purity of classical forms. She looks for the ideas in Ramayana and The Mahabharata. But Marco finds nothing intellectual in her, which shows Marcos approach to Rosies aspiration is unimaginative and deliberately callous. He believes only in marital satisfaction and cannot give spiritual fulfillment. This approach of Marco is incompatible with Rosie. Rosie says to Rajus mother in The Guide: I would have preferred any kind of mother-in-law, if it had meant one real, live husband (Shalini Guptas essay, page 201). Then she goes to Raju for fulfilling her desires. The meeting with Raju marks turning point in her life. Raju brings with a promise of fragrant musical breezes and a shower of colors of spring for Rosie. He becomes greatly possessive about Rosie and never thinks that she is married to a person whom he has now grown to hate for being associated with her. For the sake of Rosie, he separates himself from his mother and discards the whole set of peoples or the whole society. By sacrificing all the things, Raju gives himself up for Rosie to fill the loveless and cheerless void in her life. Overwhelmed with love and gratefulness, she has confessed: Even if I have seen rebirth, I wont be able to repay my debt to you (Satyanarayans essay, page 68). Raju becomes her friend, philosopher and her guide. She realizes that he is inviting her to go to the land of her dreams, her spirit begins to soar, and her individuality begins to bosom for a delightful expression. She also realizes that he is capable of fulfilling her creative and physical cravings, and she starts revolting herself by dance. Her passion for dance was upbringing by birth. But in devdasi clan she was like a caged bird and her instinct for freedom, spontaneity and self expression was suppressed. It is her plight in which Raju beckoned her light released her from her dark tunnel and her heart joy and fulfillment cultivated through this art form. He symbolizes in that context a warm flow of life and certain recklessness that minister to vital human needs. Rosie is defined by dancing and her talent as an accomplished dancer achieved wide recognition through Rajus managerial skill. Rosie becomes a star attraction and Raju is known as the master of this establishment. She secures her rising fame through her dance. Dance may seem to be a secondary concern in the novel but it functions mainly as a medium for developing Rosies character. Thus, through the Bharat Natyam, she becomes famous as a world class dancer. But Raju uses her obsession for dance, for personal gain. As a manager, he takes too many appointments without caring Rosies physical health, in order to gain more money and self esteem. He begins to squander his new found fortune in drinking parties and gambling sessions but making a continuous pace in fixing Rosies dance performances at various places and accepting advances for earning too much money. Rosies delight in the company of fellow-artists is resented by Raju, who cannot understand the freedom, mobility and exposure that a devdasi woman pursues. He is not an ideal mate for Rosie and cannot comprehend the unease within her. So, the relationship becomes doomed because it is not based on true love and understanding. When Rosies jewelry box is to be returned to her by Marco, Raju denies the importance of the event and attempt to forge Rosies signature and keeps the jewelry box away from her which shows Raju condemns their relationship to failure. Eventually when Raju is jailed, she becomes stunned and expresses her reactions to Rajus forgery as an atypical karma conscious woman, she says: If I have to pawn my last possession Ill do it to save You from jail. But once it is over, leave me once for all (Ramesh Dnyates essay, p-94) In the final analysis, after abandon by Marco and betrayed by Raju, Rosie stands steadfast and dignified and does her dharma as a Hindu Wife. As the man who gave her the new lease for life, Rosie tried to save Raju by paying to a costly lawyer. She shows a sense of great fullness to Marco who takes her out of darkness by taking his book with her when she leaves Malgudi.Curiously, she too like Savitri (The Dark Room) who is taken from The Hindu Mythology, is regarded as a victim of mans world. In the male dominated world, Marco and Raju both played the game of betrayal to her but with her aspiring spirit; she has managed to find her own way with a sense of pride and dignity. Her personality leaves a sense of stronger imprint on Raju. Her vision of happy living has within it not only her passion for creativity in the dance but also a loving husband and a small home as its essential component. She says to raju: Im tired of all this circus existence. It was your own choice. (S.Satyanarains essay, p-71) She leaves the Malgudi for settling her life and no more plays any role: She had settled down at Madras and was looking after herself quite well. (S.Satyanarains essay, p-70) Thus, Rosie wins our admiration and respect by making her own way of living.Rosie, as a rebel, reflects the complex blending of tradition and modernity. To conclude, it can be said that, through the character Rosie, narayans humanistic concern is revealed which deals with the overgrowing awareness of the need to expand the area of womans freedom. His fictional world is circumscribed by a traditional Hindu society in which men rather women hold a superior place. Women are generally confined to the daily drudgery and all sorts of prohibitions are imposed on them but the milieu has changed from a strictly orthodox to the progressive and liberated value systems in modern civilization and women too have gradually begun to assert themselves in the society. The woman characters that move in quest of some relief from the suffocation and suppression of their established routine face a clash with the society and in the end they achieve much for themselves. Rosie is a typical example of this type of a situation of a woman in Indian society. Work Cited 1. Bhatnagar,The Gendered Construction of Rosie as the Other in the Guide: A Comparison of the Textual and Cinematic Tradition, Readings in Indian English Literature: Notion, Culture and Identity. 2. Chandrasekharan, Nair Anup,R.K.Narayans The Guide from the verbal to the visual: An Analysis in comparison, Perspective on Indian English Fiction, Editor, Jaydip Singh K.Dodiya. 3. Dnyate, Ramesh,The Concept and Nature of Rebellion, Rosies Rebellion, The Novels of R.K.Narayan, A Typological Study of Characters. 4. Gupta, Salini,Assertion and After: A Study of the Woman Protagonist in R.K.Narayans The Guide, Humanism in Indian English Fiction edited by T.S Anand. 5. Jannet P.Gemmill,Modernity Contemporary Indian Literature, in Literature East and West, 14 No. 2 (1970), 287. 6. Narayan, R.K, The Guide (1958, rpt Mysore: Indian Thought publication, 1978), 127. 7. Narayan, R.K, My Days: A Memoir (1974; rpt Mysore: Indian thought Publication, 1975), 119. 8. Singh, S.Satyanarain,The Guide: Crisis and Resolution, Indian Fiction in English edited by P.Mallikarjuna Rao, M.Rajeshwar. 9. Sharma, C.P,The masterpieces of Maturity (p, 104-110), The Novels of R.K.Narayan: A Perspective. 10. Thieme, John,Middle-period novels: The Guide to The Painters of Signs, R.K.Narayan, Contemporary World Writers. 11. Lucas, George,Empowerment of Women through the Character of Rosie in R.K. Narayans The Guide'

The Importance of Laertes and Fortinbras in Hamlet Essay example -- Ha

The Importance of Laertes and Fortinbras in Hamlet The Shakespearean play, Hamlet, is a story of revenge and the way the characters in the play respond to grief and the demands of loyalty. The importance of Fortinbras and Laertes in the play is an issue much discussed, analysed and critiqued. Fortinbras and Laertes are parallel characters to Hamlet, and they provide pivotal points on which to compare the actions and emotions of Hamlet throughout the play. They are also important in Hamlet as they are imperative to the plot of the play and the final resolution. Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras are three young men who are placed in similar circumstances, that is, to avenge their father's deaths. The way the each comes to terms with their grief and how they rise to the call of vengeance is one of main contrasts between the three. Laertes is a mirror to Hamlet. Shakespeare has made them similar in many aspects to provide a greater base for comparison when avenging their respective father's deaths. Hamlet and Laertes love Ophelia. Hamlet wishes Ophelia to be his wife, Laertes loves Ophelia as a sister. Hamlet is a scholar at Wittenberg, and Laertes at France. Both are admired for their swordsmenship. Both men loved and respected their fathers, and display deviousness when plotting to avenge their father's deaths. Hamlet's response to grief is a trait starkly contrasted by Laertes. Laertes response to the death of his father is immediate. He is publicly angry, and he leads the public riot occuring outside Castle Elsinore, which Polonius' death and quick burial served as a catalyst. He is suspicious, as is evident in his speech to Claudius. "How came he dead? I'll not be juggled with. / To hell, allegiance!"(Act 4, 5:130). Hamlet, however is very private with his grief. His mourning for King Hamlet is long and drawn out, two months after his father's death, he is still observed to be wearing "...suits of solemn black."[(Act1, 2:78) Claudius and Gertrude comment on his unhappiness, however it is not until Hamlet's first soliloquy that the audience is made aware of the depth of his suffering. Although dismayed at his mother's quick remarriage to his uncle, Hamlet suspects nothing of his father's murder until the ghost discloses this to him. When brought to the call of avenging their father's deaths, Laertes is fast to act, he is wants revenge and he wants ... ...s assumption to the lands he sought to attain, and the throne he ironically set out to avenge. As is hinted throughout the play, the state of Denmark has become corrupt. Marcellus' famous quote "There is something rotten in the state of Denmark"(Act 1, 5:90) is complemented by various other observations. "...tis an unweeded garden,"(Act 1, 2:134) and "our state to be disjoint and out of frame,"(Act 1, 2:20). In Elizabethan times it was generally thought that a monarch had to have rightful claim to the throne, lest the state descend into chaos. Fortinbras is essential to this overlying story line, as he is fundamental to the resolution of the corruption. The overlying story line is to make what was bad become good, and thus a complete resolution is needed. Fortinbras is instrumental in this resolution: as the only nobleman left to claim the throne rightfully, Hamlet bequeaths not only the land that Old Fortinbras lost, but also the state of Denmark. Hence Fortinbras attains what he had vowed to avenge, and the play comes full circle. All that made the state of Denmark rotten, a ll those involved with the corruption, are now dead hence the overlying story plot is fully resolved.

Essay --

The Differences Sunni and Shia Ideology Thesis: The Sunni and Shia ideology in terms of the concept of imamate, their believe on al-Quran and Hadith and the successor of the leadership after the death of the prophet Muhammad i. Sunni and Shia ideology in terms of the concept imamate. A. The appointment of shall be the duty of human priest or God? 1. Sunni a) They stated that the selection of imam is the responsibility among Muslim and it is not duty of God. b) The Sunni say believe in imams excluding priests rule of faith. c) The importance of Salat (prayer) than Imamate by Sunni. 2. Shia a) They stated that the appointment of the imam is the duty and responsibility of God b) Of the fabricated views and beliefs of the shia is that they hold their imams something of divine origin, much above the human beings, and even above Prophets and Messenger. (Tarjman Al-Hadith, The Shi’ites And The Sunna, Idara Tarjuman Al-Sunnah, 1984, p.90) c) The Shia say, believe in twelve imams, including the pillars of faith. (www.wiki.answers.com.) d) The importance of Imamate in Shia is more importance of salat (prayer). ii. Sunni and Shia ideology in terms of al-Quran and Hadith. A. Al-Quran and Hadith 1. Sunni a) Sunni agreed on the truth of the al-Quran and protected from any deviation. b) Sunni Muslims accept this Hadith as Sahih (authentic). The Hadith of al-Quran and Sunnah is used by the Sunnis to stress importance of following the Sunnah. (Yaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani, Islamic Beliefs & Doctorine According to Ahl al-Sunna, As-Sunna Foundation of America, 1996, p.242) c) Accept all the hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslims and other hadith books. 2. Shia a) They had argument on the truth of the al-Quran and accused that al-Quran have devia... ...ussion concluded whereas faith practiced by the Shia obviously been in conflict with the faith that underpinned by Sunni. It is not only against the consensus of â€Å"the scholars, even worse, it has been inverting the texts that have been handed down by God as understood by the majority of scholars to mankind. Based on this differences, there is no way to achieve unity and strengthen them to adopt beliefs or withholding resources unless one of the parties to leave their positions and recognized source of resources. Although there is a meeting point between the two parties, but much dispute on the ground that creates a gap in the far east and far west. In the case, there is no better shield strong in facing the challenges of this movement effectively unless Muslims should return adheres to the belief that authentic knowledge legacy of the Prophet and his companions R.A.

Inherit the WInd Essay -- Film, Paramount Pictures

It has come to my attention that you are in search of another potential Oscar-winning role. With your eminent success in the 1988 film, Inherit the Wind, for which you were nominated for an Oscar award, I have found it most appropriate to search for a role in the same genre. With that being said, I had Paramount Pictures fax over role opportunities for their upcoming project, the film adaption of Henrik Ibsen’s play, An Enemy of the People. Paramount’s casting manager believes that you will be a perfect fit for the main role as Dr. Thomas Stockmann, and I could not agree more. Throughout the play, Dr. Thomas Stockmann and his immediate family counters their entire town to expose the truth about contaminated water at the town’s â€Å"medical† baths. Although the townspeople reject the truth, Dr. Stockmann refuses to give up, and this brings great trouble to him and his family. This complex character embodies the playwright’s message—although w hat is right may go against what the majority wants or believes, it must not be hidden, but defended. As Ibsen shows the struggles that Dr. Stockmann and his family experience while exposing the truth, he is able to criticize democracy by illustrating the tyrannies that can arise out of it. The actions of Dr. Stockmann and his family make this play exceedingly powerful and expose human flaws to the audience, which I am certain will make for an excellent Oscar-award winning film. Allow me now to further describe the role of Dr. Stockmann and his significance in the play. Mr. Douglas, in order to illustrate the significance of Dr. Stockmann’s role, I feel it is necessary to first provide you with a few important points about the time period in which Henrik Ibsen wrote his play. The Norwegian playw... ...d maintain his reputation, or is it what he truly thinks of the film. I think the film adaption of An Enemy of the People will compel people to question certain aspects of their societies, and hopefully convince them to reveal the truths regardless if it goes against the majority. Mr. Douglas, I truly hope that I have convinced you to accept the role of Dr. Stockmann, such a determined and dynamic character. Ibsen’s message is so powerful, that it should not only be confined in a play, but also in a film. I am certain the film will gain a great amount of interest from the public, and be nominated for an Oscar. Many independent, reliable, and respected critics have also reviewed the script and consider this film to be one that will almost certainly top the box offices around the world. Please do not hesitate to contact my agency if you have any further questions.

War: Effect on the Economy

Shomoi Francis Mr. Joseph English 12 26 November 2012 War: Effect on Economy War has influenced economic history profoundly across time and space. Winners of wars have shaped economic institutions and trade patterns. Wars have influenced technological developments. Above all, recurring war has drained wealth, disrupted markets, and depressed economical growth. Wars are expensive (in money and other resources), destructive (of capital and human capital), and disruptive (of trade, resource availability, labor management). Large wars make up severe shocks to the economies of participating countries.Despite some positive aspects of short-term stimulation and long-term destruction and rebuilding, war generally impedes economic development and undermines wealth. Several specific economic effects of war recur across historical eras and locales. Next inflation, the most consistent short-term economic effect of war is to push up prices, and consequently to reduce living standards. This war-in duced inflation was described in ancient China by the strategist Sun Tzu: â€Å"Where the army is, prices are high; when prices raise the wealth of the people is exhausted† (Tzu Sun, c. 00 BCE) His advice was to keep wars short and have the money in hand before assembling an army. Paying for wars is a central problem for states (see War Finance). This was especially true in early modern Europe (fifteenth to eighteenth centuries), when war relied heavily on mercenary forces. The king of Spain was advised that waging war required three things – money, money, and more money. Spain and Portugal imported silver and gold from America to pay for armies, but in such large quantities that the value of these metals eventually eroded.One way governments pay for war is to raise taxes (which in turn reduces civilian spending and investment). U. S. revolutionary Thomas Paine warned in 1787 that â€Å"war †¦ has but one thing certain, and that is to increase taxes. † Anot her way to pay for war is to borrow money, which increases government debt, but war-related debts can drive states into bankruptcy as they did to Spain in 1557 and 1596. A third way to fund war is to print more currency, which fuels inflation. Inflation thus often acts as an indirect ax on a national economy to finance war. Industrial warfare, and especially the two World Wars, created inflationary pressures across large economies. Increasingly, governments mobilized entire societies for war – conscripting labor, bidding up prices in markets for natural resources and industrial goods, and diverting capital and technology from civilian to military applications. World War I caused ruinous inflation as participants broke from the gold standard and issued currency freely. Inflation also accompanied the U. S.Civil War, World War II, and the Vietnam War, among others. War-induced inflation, although strongest in war zones, extends to distant belligerents, such as the United States in the World Wars, and, in major wars, even to neutral countries, owing to trade disruption and scarcities. Present-day wars continue to fuel inflation and drive currencies towards worthlessness. In Angola's civil war (1975-2002), for example, the government currency became so useless that an alternative â€Å"hard† currency – bottles of beer – came to replace it in many daily transactions.In addition to draining money and resources from participants' economies, most wars create zones of intense destruction of capital such as farms, factories, and cities. These effects severely depress economic output. The famine and plague that accompanied the Thirty Years' War (1618-48) killed as much as one-third of Germany's population, as mercenaries plundered civilians and civilians became mercenaries to try to survive. World War I reduced French production by nearly half, starved hundreds of thousands of Germans to death, and led to more than a decade of lower Soviet outp ut.One estimate put World War I's total cost at $400 billion – five times the value of everything in France and Belgium at the time. Battle casualties, war-induced epidemics, and other demographic disruptions have far-reaching effects. World War I contributed to the 1918 influenza epidemic that killed millions. Military forces in East Africa may have sparked the outbreak of what became a global AIDS epidemic. Quincy Wright estimates that â€Å"at least 10 percent of deaths in modern civilization can be attributed directly or indirectly to war† (Wright, 1942).The U. S. â€Å"baby boom† after World War II continues decades later to shape economic policy debates ranging from school budgets to social security. Wars also temporarily shake up gender relations (among other demographic variables), as when men leave home and women take war jobs to replenish the labor force, as in the Soviet Union, Britain, and the United States during World War II. Countries that can fig ht wars beyond their borders avoid the most costly destruction (though not the other costs of war).For example, the Dutch towards the end of the Thirty Years' War, the British during the Napoleonic Wars, the Japanese in World War I, and the Americans in both World Wars enjoyed this relative insulation from war's destruction, which meanwhile weakened their economic rivals. Also, just as wars' costs and outcomes affect economic conditions and evolution, so too do economic conditions and evolution affect war. Causality runs in both directions. For example, Dutch economic strengths in the early 17th century allowed fast and cheap production of ships, including warships.The resulting naval military advantage in turn supported Dutch long-distance trade. The wealth derived from that trade, in turn, let the Netherlands pay and train a professional standing army, which successfully sheltered the Netherlands from the ruinous Thirty Years' War. This protection in turn let the Dutch expand thei r share of world trade at the expense of war-scarred rivals. Thus the evolutions of warfare and of world economic history are intertwined. War is the proximal cause of the recurring inflationary spikes that demarcate 50-year â€Å"Kondratieff waves† in the world economy.Those waves themselves continue to be controversial. However, they may have some predictive value to the extent they clarify the historical relationships between war and military spending on the one hand, and inflation and economic growth on the other. The 1990s mainly followed a predicted long-wave phase of sustained low inflation, renewed growth, and reduced great-power military conflict. If this pattern were to continue, the coming decade would see continued strong growth but new upward pressures on military spending and conflict, eventually leading to a new bout of inflation in the great-power economies.Since scholars do not agree on the mechanism or even the existence of long economic waves, however, such projections are of more academic than practical interest. The relationship between military spending and economic growth has also generated controversy. Despite its pump-priming potential in specific circumstances, as during the 1930s, military spending generally acts to slow economic growth, since it diverts capital and labor from more productive investment (such as in roads, schools, or basic research). During the Cold War, high ilitary spending contributed (among other causes) to the economic stagnation of the Soviet Union and the collapse of North Korea, whereas low military spending relative to GDP contributed to Japan's growth and innovation. During the 1990s, as real military spending worldwide fell by about one-third, the United States and others reaped a â€Å"peace dividend† in sustained expansion. However, effects of military spending are long-term, and sharp reductions do not bring quick relief, as Russia's experience since 1991 demonstrates. The global North-Sou th divide – a stark feature of the world economy – is exacerbated by war.The dozens of wars currently in progress worldwide form an arc from the Andes through Africa to the Middle East and Caucasus, to South and Southeast Asia. In some of the world's poorest countries, such as Sudan and Afghanistan, endemic warfare impedes economic development and produces grinding poverty, which in turn intensifies conflicts and fuels warfare. To conclude, you have read about the good and bad things of war effects on the economy. War has drained wealth, disrupted markets, and depressed economical growth. But, the winners of these wars often were rewarded from these wars.War is bad overall; I feel that war should be the last option for any country. Works Cited Washigntonsblog. â€Å"Proof that war is bad for the economy. † 24 Feb. 2012. < http://www. washingtonsblog. com/2012/02/debunking-the-myth-that-war-is-good-for-the-economy-once-and-for-all. html>. Symonds, Peter. â€Å"U S wages over war†. 7 Oct. 2012. < http://www. globalresearch. ca/us-wages-economic-war-on-iran/5307485. > < http://www. joshuagoldstein. com/jgeconhi. htm. >