Essay about writing an essay
Describe Yourself Essay
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
RADIO IN THE 1920s Essays - Broadcast Engineering, Broadcasting
RADIO IN THE 1920s Essays - Broadcast Engineering, Broadcasting RADIO IN THE 1920s Radios were mass created to stay aware of the mainstream request. Radios were designed with gadgets called vacuum tubes (Griffis 92). This is the manner by which innovation during the 1920s assumed a fundamental job in Americas monetary and social great occasions (Social Issues, 1920-1929 Web). The principal publically communicating station, KDKA, was based out of Pittsburg. The Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), was built up in 1927and had its own system of 49 member stations (Drowne 239). The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) was shaped by The Radio Corporation (RCA). The radio and movies added to the American culture and the normalization of American mainstream society. Vacuum tubes were utilized in the large scale manufacturing of the radios (Griffis 92). Music was the most famous type of radio diversion (Drowne 240). Music was the most well known type of diversion communicated on the radio, numerous stations played live groups and performers. There were additionally talks, dramatizations, and satire appears (Hanson XX). Most eateries played the radio over their open declaration frameworks so their clients could hear the projects they played (Griffis 93). Radios were the most famous approach to get the news and tune in to music. Sports were likewise commentated on the radio, so fans could appreciate the game from their own love seat (Hanson 85). This was a time of wonderful change (Cooley Web). 2 The creation of the radio was a moving one, innovation was all over the place. The utilization of hardware on ranches was immense. There was an exponential development of machines that were supplanting work laborers (Social Issues, 1920-1929 Web). In 1902, 8% of families had power, by 1930, 68.2% had power (The Soaring Twenties Web). During the 1920s, Americans were the first to utilize the radio for electric phonographs, and tune in to business radio stations (The Consumer Economy and Mass Entertainment 1).Many Americans during the 1920s depended on the radio to occupy their extra time (Drowne 242). It turned out to be a piece of the Americans day by day schedules. Gatherings of youngsters moved up the floor covering, moved furniture off the beaten path, and moved to the most recent jazz sounds on the radio President Franklin Delano Roosevelt utilized the radio to communicate casual talks the he called fireside visits (Griffis 93). The radio and movies added to the American culture and the normalization of American mainstream society (Drowne 242). Deals of radios during the 1920s went from $60 million out of 1922 to $426 million of every 1929 (The Formation of Modern American Mass Culture Web). Before the finish of the 1920s, in excess of 12 million families in America had a radio (Hanson 84). The most well known advertisements were about musicals by enormous companies. What's more, produced humongous income (Drowne 240). There were currently promotions arriving at in excess of 10 million families by 1929 (The Formation of Modern American Mass Culture Web). Promotions were incredible, be that as it may, bogus ads made a feeling of 3 obliviousness with Americans about anything that was lousy. (The Impact of Technology on 1920s Life Web).
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Distally Based Sural Artery Flap Health And Social Care Essay
Technique: This forthcoming interventional overview was directed from March 2007-February 2009 at the Department of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Burns Unit, Liaquat University of Medical Health Sciences, Jamshoro. Test was gathered by non chance accommodation examining. A predesigned proforma was utilized to move up the data. SPSS 17 was utilized for informations examination. Outcomes: Age of 35 enlisted patients ââ¬Ë ran from 13-57 mature ages with Meanà ±SD period of 31â ±7.7 mature ages. There were 29 guys ( 82.85 % ) and 6 females ( 17.14 % ) . All folds were endure ; incomplete tip humiliation was found in 3 patients ( 8.57 % ) . Method of hurt was course auto collision in 30 patients ( 85.71 % ) . Two youthful guys ( 5.71 % ) were with talked wheel harmed. Two patients ( 5.71 % ) had power per unit territory sore injuries. One patient ( 2.85 % ) has presented calcanium because of fire hurt. Paresthesia on sidelong limit line of pes settled on its ain inside a half year time frame in all occasions, there was no neuroma development. Choice: Sural arteria fold is an extraordinary pick for course of delicate tissue imperfections of lower extremity, uncommonly uncovered calcanium and malleolus because of its top of the line blood flexibly and effortlessness of open introduction. Catchphrases: lower extremity Reconstruction, sural arteria, sural arteria fold, fasciocutaneous fold Presentation: Delicate tissue inclusion of lower extremities imperfection is contesting to both plastic and orthopedic sawboness. Lower member is inclined to injury and dangers because of its area and low vascularity. In contrast to trunk, there is restricted figure of fold picks accessible for Reconstruction of lower appendage absconds. These folds ought to have the option to cover the deformity uniquely any open bone, nervus, ligament or any major vass ; other than it ought to be anything but difficult to execute and give changeless results to understanding. The truly clench hand recorded idea of fasciocutaneous fold was introduced in 1980 by Poten, and that came about due to cutting edge perception and study of life systems of lower especially in footings of neurovascular development, strong structure, and blood flexibly to climb and profound facia. Poten portrayed and underscored upon the capacity of fasciocutaneous fold for Reconstruction of lower leg surrenders because of their constancy and wellbeing profile. Upper and lower extremities have longitudinal scattered shallow nervousnesss and hypodermic venas. It is exhorted that fasciocutaneous folds ought to coordinate these nervousnesss and venas which help in fold perseverance and decrease the proportion of fold humiliation and best outline of such fasciocutaneous fold is sural arteria fold which depends on normal shallow sural arteria which is a development of shallow Sural arteria. The pedicel sural fold comprises of shallow and profound facia, lesser sephanous vena, normal shallow little arteria and sural nervus, though the fold comprises of covering with hypodermic tissue and facia alongside previously mentioned neurovascular constructions.Methodology:This forthcoming interventional study was led structure March 2007-February 2009 at the Department of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Burns Unit, Liaquat University of Medical Health Sciences, Jamshoro. During the review time frame patients seeking inclusion of sore on lower extremities were remembered for the overview subsequent to getting educated assent. A predesigned proforma was utilized to move up the information.. Patients were followed for a time of a half year. SPSS 17 was utilized for informations examination After every single sterile advance the fold was raised. All patients were worked under spinal sedation. After utilization of pressure swathe, the surface markers were drawn at the sidelong limit line of Achilles ligament medicinally and along the side at the outskirt of fibular shaft. At sidelong malleolus a sidelong scratch is made, the middle scratch is made at the sidelong limit line of Achilles ligament which proceeds till the purpose of its introduction at fringe of imperfection or tubercle of calcanium. After scratch on covering and facia, the short sephanous vena is ligated and sural nervus is isolated. Fold is than raised distally, developments of peroneal arteria are remembered for sub facial fat in the fold to ensure maximal blood flexibly. Fold is so best in class along the sidelong outskirt of Achilles ligament. Contributor side is so close predominantly if fold is little in size, in any case characteristic surface is secured with halfway thickness covering joining. After a time of 3 hebdomads the fold is withdrawn and its distal part is sewed back to its unique location.ConsequencesSural fold was done in 35 examples. Understanding ââ¬Ës age extended from 13-57 mature ages with Meanà ±SD period of 31â ±7.7 mature ages. There were 29 guys ( 82.85 % ) and 6 females ( 17.14 % ) . Lion's share of patients were between 31-40 twelvemonth old enough Table I. All folds were endure, halfway tip embarrassment was found in 3 patients ( 8.57 % ) , and leftover portion had great feasibility of full fold. Method of hurt was course car crash in greater part of cases for example 30 patients ( 85.71 % ) . Two youthful guys ( 5.71 % ) with span wheel hurt. Two patients had power for each unit territory sore injuries. One patient ( 2.85 % ) has presented calcanium because of fire hurt. Paresthesia on sidelong limit line of pes settled on its ain inside a half year time frame in all occurrences, there was no neuroma formation.DiscussionReconstruction of lower member deformity are as yet a secret for fictile sawboness working in a device where microvascular medical procedure establishments are non yet accessible. The most well-known site is heel which is a weight bearing nation and is inclined to injury and different dangers like power per unit territory bruises. The covering over the heel is less roaming and has hapless blood gracefully. Following re habilitative stepping stool a few choices have been read for delicate tissue inclusion of open heel including septo cutaneal, hub structure, irregular structure, musculus fold and free folds. Up until this point, fasciocutaneous folds are demonstrated to be an armamentarium for fictile sawboness, especially with regards to Reconstruction of lower extremity abandons. In spite of the fact that numerous journalists are of notion that clinical plantar fold is the best alternative for inclusion of open heel. Anyway others are of supposition that sural arteria fold offers the equivalent. Reasonability of island folds are ever flawed because of chopped down blood gracefully, another choice for inclusion of open heel surrenders is sidelong calcaneal fold which depends on sidelong calcaneal arteria, it other than contain lesser sephanous vena and sural nervus. Anyway again it has an inadequacy o fits of rage minimal size, that ââ¬Ës why it is non ever appropriate for open heel surrenders especially bigger in size. Distally based opposite stream sural arteria fold is choice of pick since 1980s. it depends on middle shallow sural arteria. The blood stream is in opposite from the peroneal arteria in distal bit of leg. Little nervus other than has its ain blood vessel flexibly. These all regions anastomosis uninhibitedly in shallow plane. Numerous journalists have revealed that distally bases sural supply route fold as a flexible and trustworthy fold for Reconstruction of lower limb deformity. A few surveies have revealed understanding of inclusion of calcaneal and malleolus abandons with great outcome with sural fold. The significant downside of this fold is relinquish of sural nervus ; by and by surveies report that the esthesis improves over the time of clasp and same was the occasion in this arrangement on a 6 months development. Choice It is reasoned that distally based sural arteria fold is a five star alternative for inclusion of delicate tissue deformities of lower extremity, exceptionally uncovered calcanium and malleolus because of its top of the line blood supply.Table IAge sex distributionAge scope ( mature ages )MalesNumber of patients ( % )FemalesNumber of patients ( % )10-20 6 ( 17.14 % )ââ¬21-30 5 ( 14.28 % ) 1 ( 2.85 % ) 31-40 14 ( 40 % ) 3 ( 8.57 % ) 41-60 4 ( 14.4 % ) 2 ( 5.71 % ) Whole 29 ( 82.85 % ) 6 ( 17.14 % )Chart IMode of hurt
Friday, August 21, 2020
Financial Institutions & Markets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Money related Institutions and Markets - Essay Example What happened was, banks are known to financed their home loan loaning utilizing client stores which obviously is a cutoff to the measure of home loan loaning they can do. In any case, as of late, banks in a piece to finance extra obtaining, moved to another model where they sell contracts on the security markets which was broadly observed as a simpler methods for reserves. Be that as it may, this type of getting prompted bank manhandling that motivation to painstakingly check contracts they issued.1 Banks saw the business to be amazingly gainful since they could procure an expense for each home loan they sold and proceeded to ask contract representatives to sell increasingly more of these home loans. The market before long broadened particularly as the private area drastically extended its job in the home loan security showcase that was recently overwhelmed by government-supported organizations like Freddie Mac. Costs turned out to be so high to an expand that if the blast needed to proceed, numerous US populaces would have been ousted from their homes since the US loan fees also were curiously high. The fall in lodging costs influenced the more extensive economies. The Standard and Poorââ¬â¢s/Case-Schiller record in March 2008 demonstrated that lodging costs in the US had fell by 11,4% in January and 8,2% in February 2008.2 In a piece to pad the US economy from the most noticeably awful impacts of the credit crunch and lodging droop because of the sub prime advances, the Fed in January 2008 needed to chop down financing costs from 3.5% to 3% for the fifth time since September 18 2007 and today at 2.25%. This was in a piece to support utilization among Americans. The monetary development rate had eased back to a yearly pace of 0.6% among October and December, a large portion of the rate figure and contrasted and an energetic 4.9% development rate in the past a quarter of a year because of the credit droop and may additionally be sliced to 1,5%.3 To avoid the weight of more slow financial development, the Bush Administration and Congress pushed forward to concur on a transitory
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Effects of Financial Liberalization on the UK Essay
Effects of Financial Liberalization on the UK Essay INTRODUCTION TO THE LITERATURE The McKinnon and Shaw publication of what was dubbed ââ¬Å"Financial Repressionâ⬠in 1973, triggered off a global scholarly debate over financial liberalization and the widespread policy implications among governments in the developed world, and perhaps even most crucially for the developed countries. The lifting of restrictions on the global capital transactions did result into multiple growth and efficiency opportunities for the United Kingdom, opportunities that however, been tempered by the widespread financial instabilities that have destabilized global economies, with a growing magnitude. These difficulties are perhaps best evidenced by the recent global financial crisis that emanated from the USââ¬â¢s subprime mortgage market, as well as the 1997 Asian Financial crisis that had equally far-reaching financial and economic effects across the globe, Barrell Davies (2009). It is not readily possible to determine whether the changes have had a positive impact on the United Kingdom economy, without a closer examination of the impacts on the different sources of growth, as well as the destabilizing effects of the frequent crises on the financial sector and the economy. This paper reviews the existent literature in a bid to determine the varied effects of financial liberalization on the UK economy, and a limited extend on the economies of the Kingdomââ¬â¢s close trading partners, that has an effect on the bilateral and multilateral trade as well as on other sectors of the economy. EFFECTS OF FINANCIAL REBERALIZATION Financial Liberalization Growth Growing scholarly attention has been paid to identification of the financial liberalization on the expansion of the UKââ¬â¢s GDP. According to Arestis (2005), this increased scrutiny has largely been driven by the theoretical ambiguities surrounding the subject, with some literatures pointing to resultant effect of promoting risk diversification in the UK as well as across the world, coupled with increased economic specialization, which must necessarily spur growth and economic stability. In addition, economic liberalization is theoretically expected and has been empirically proven to boost efficiency in the allocation of capital, while at once promoting more efficient domestic financial systems that have increased the capacity of the UK economy, to better mobilize savings for investments. These benefits can however only be realized, without the economic distortions that are characteristic absence of financial restrictions. Empirical literature has equally not resolved the theoret ical ambiguity. A number of studies have established that effect on growth is limited if any at all, while Arestis Caner (2009), determined that the effect could well be detrimental. There is however, a convergence in the literature showing heterogeneous effects on the UK economy depending on the different times of the economy and the policies implemented by successive governments, as indeed across the world, depending on every countryââ¬â¢s individual state of development, coupled with the policy and the institutional arrangements, Acemoglu, Aghion, Zillibotti (2010). As such, the effects of liberalization on the UK has been mixed, depending on the countryââ¬â¢s fiscal and monetary policies at different times since financial liberalization, with the deepest reaching effects (whether negative or positive) being dependent on the governmentââ¬â¢s ability to effectively deal with the external pressures on the economy, Barrell Davies (2009). Most recent literatures that point to this possibility, have highlighted the recent financial crisis and the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies undertaken by the UK government, such as Bank of Englandââ¬â¢s b ase interest rate cuts among others, as perhaps the best examples of how the UK can make good or worse, the opportunities presented by liberalization. These ambiguities have effectively been addressed by various scholars separately, leading to the existence of different strands of literatures and bodies of knowledge, that address specific effects on not only the UK economy, but multiple other economies as well, Acemoglu, Aghion, Zillibotti (2010). Cobham (2004) sets out five different results of liberalization on the UKââ¬â¢s Total Factor Productivity (TFP) included the assertion that the effect is positive and pronounced on the TFP, but has a weaker effect on the total on the countryââ¬â¢s investments, Barrell Davies (2009); Turne (2010). This is not least because it increases the ease and efficiency of financial intermediation in the UK, but perhaps most crucially, reduces the returns on local investmtns due to global competition, trade fluctuations as well as general economic instabilities. Secondly, the book asserts that finacial liberalization affects growth levels, implying a possible positive effect of the UK GDP, occassioned by liberalization both in the short run, and perhaps most crucially in the long term. The long term positive effect on the economy is perhaps the strongest recommendation for liberalization, which serves to militate against the limited number of economic stabilities that can be prevented, al beit with some difficulty, and if not, its effects can be comfortably be contained by the use of fiscal and monetary policies, Acemoglu, Aghion, Zillibotti (2010). The ease and importance of controlling the financial sector instabilities is emphasized by the lessons learnt from both the Asian and the subprime mortgage crises. An understanding of the nature of these crises, reveal that better management would have, will in the future, help avert the negative effects of financial liberalization, Turne (2010). Financial Liberalization The Banking Crisis The UK has experienced continued positive growth rates, close to the countryââ¬â¢s historical average of 5.5% (since 1955) since the emergence of financial liberalization, coupled by minor instabilioties stemming from the banking crises. Arestis (2005) asserts that the increased regulation of the financial sector in Britain, complete with the projects that these industries engage into has the capacity to limit the effects of financial industry instabilities on the economy. This, according to Kentikelenis (2009), is in line with Gordon Brownââ¬â¢s nationalization of Northern Rock, coupled with even more stringent Bank of Englandââ¬â¢s controls of over the countryââ¬â¢s financial sector, that have seen increased efficacy of both the monetary and fiscal policy initiatives by the UK governemnt, that have been instrumental in mitigating against the worst effects of the global economic crisis that stemmed from financial liberalization. Kentikelenis (2009) reviewed the literatur es on the subject, and assessed them against the empirical findings on the same, with the view of ascertaining the conclusions arrived at by Mckinnon Shaw. To establish this, the paper explored the link between savings and financial liberalization. The investigations revealed that the effects of deregulation were largely as predicted by theory i.e. (a) the link between the savings in the UK and financial liberation remains unclear, not least because far too many variables paly a crucial part depending on the political, social and economic circumstances in the country (b) liberation boost credit vailability, that eats into the UK domestic savings, but without a significant effect on the overall savings while (c) there is need for the UK to careful manage the implications of financial liberation, in order to minimize its effects and maximeze the gains attained as well as the potential, Turne (2010). The banking difficulties hurt the countryââ¬â¢s productivity and capital accumulation, which can be minimized by economic diversification. It is the effect of, or through the banking crises that has drawn the firce opposition to financial liberalization from a section of scholars. The banking crisies and its effects on the economy in the UK have long been the subject of empirical and theoretical investigation, that have in turn yield a great majority of academic literature. These go as far back as Keynesââ¬â¢ Treatise on Money, which effectively asserted that the banking industry is a channel to fuel investments in an economy, that ultimately leads to the expansion of the economty, both in the short term as well as in the long run, Turne (2010). Keynesian economists believe in the role of the bakning sector in financing growth, despite their scepticism of the role of monetary policy as an engine for growth. The emergence of the endogenous growth literature and the assertion th at financial intermediation has a necessarily ositive impact on the economyââ¬â¢s expansion, in line with the assertions that run as far back as 1958, When Modigliani Miller, that while the ease of availability of financing helps economic growth, the finance industry is independent from the other industries in the UK and thus the difficulties with the finance industry, may only affect the finance industry. Acemoglu, Aghion, Zillibotti (2010), this view downplay the negative efffects of banking crises on the economy, instead blaming ill information and panic as the actual causes of the negative effects on growth. This view has been widely criticized. Acemoglu, Aghion, Zillibotti (2010) established that financial liberation and the effciecny implications have effectively relieved the risky innovations from the traditional constarants to accessing capital and financing, which effectively boosts both innovation, technological change and development. In addition, the article argues that deregulation fosters growth through it effect on increasign economic participation of the population, coupled with increased risk pooling. The analysis of the effects of banking crises and financial liberalization on the varied growth sources is associated with the literatures on the banking sector fragility. Some scholars have pointed to models that have multiple equilibria, with financial liberalization boosting the prices of assets, incomes and investments in countries, which serves to create income and wealth disparities, that are detrimental to growth. In Smith Searle (2007), attributes banking difficulties to excessive growth in countries that exibit many imperfections in the credit market, as perhaps best exemplified by the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. Liberalization according to this strand of the literature, promotes credit accessibility, whiile at once increaseing the fragility of the industry. A study of more than nine countries indicated that liberation has had predictable, effects on the finacial markets of any individual country, but further asserts that the negative effects only last for a few years following the adoption of financial liberalization, while positive impacts follow in the later years. This view has been multiply been disproved by the negative effects that have been continually been suffered by countries in the successive global financial crashes. Finacial Liberalization Consumption Changes in consumption attracts greater investments in the economy, which combine through the multiplier mechanism to boost economic growth, which results into long term development. The ease of credit availability as pointed out in the review, have a positive impact on the economy. Barrell Davies (2009) reviews multiple empirical works in seven OECD countries, according to the life cycle theory, that makes planned consumption a function of non human as well as human capital stock in the economy, that in turn gives a helpful indication as to whether income and wealth changes affect the consumption expenditure. This relationship was used by Barrell Davies (2009) to formulate hypotheses that facilitated the study of the effects of financial liberalization on the economy. Other scholars did use the quarterly long-run consumption in different countnries, that established statistically considerable income and wealth effects on the levels of consumption. Barrell Davies (2009) adopted relationships founded on the cointegration vector that contained non stationary variablesââ¬â¢ logs (income, net wealth measures and consumption), to obtain Log approximations to identify and measures the effects of the variables on one another. There are other branches of literature that are founded on the Euler Equation, that aggregate the maximum attainanb;le intertemporal consumption decisions of sampled consumers, who are assumed to exercise rational expectations. As such consumption decisions are made randon, albeit with discounting factors that serve as driving variables. These studies established that consumption can be easily be forecast, with the help of additional lagged variables, as a function of waelth and economic expansion, Smith Searle (2007). Given the positive impact on the economic expansion, it can be safely concluded that increased consumption and investments lead into further multiplier effects, that emphasize the effects of f inancial deregulation. An investigation by Barrell Davies (2009) revealed that real interest rate, wealth and income have an aggreagte negative effect on the United States, the United Knigdom, Canada, Sweden as well as Japan, effectively implying that financial liberalization leads to a decline in thr income and wealth gaps in the economy. On the other hand, according to the OECD, increased liquidity of assets and wealth, cpoupled with the reduction of multiple liquidity constraints results in increased, and amplified effects of short term asset values as well as increased exposure to the effects of real rates of interest, OECD (2009). There is a convergence in the literature, in line with the theoretical prediction that financial liberation, increased availability of credit and the ease with which assets may be liquidized, lead to an upward shift of the consumer spending behavior. Typically, this does involve fast adjustment in consumption to fit the expected long run levels consumption, Smith Searle (2007). As such, the economyââ¬â¢s marginal propensity of consuption will increase, beyond the ratio expected at the current level of growth and incomes, which will spur greater growth. Keynesian Neoclassical Economic Theories Neoclassical growth literatures welcome increased liquidity and availability of credit in economies, which accelerate growth and development, by making markets more efficient and complete; not least because these literatures are themselves founded on the assumption of perfectly competitive markets, which are devoid of government controls. The assumption provides that freely competitive markets neocessarily result into increased efficiency, provided that the markets have all the elements to render them complete, Smith Searle (2007). Complete markets are attained when, among others, markets are able make and complete contracts that relate the present and the future, while at once keeping the labor, commodity and services markets in tandem. It therefore follows that increased efficiency of the finacial markets, due to financial liberation,will effectively lead to an more efficient economic system, Arestis (2005). This is not lease because liquid and efficient futures markets for commodities allow producers and consumers to efficiently hedge the production risks, which allow then to more stably increase their output and consumption, Arestis (2005). In addition, efficient financial systems permit corporate debt issuers and investors continuosly attain and adapt to the optimal risk profiles. There are further benefits that did emerge in the ninties as a result of increased financioal liberalization across the world. These according to Turne (2010) and Arestis (2005) included (a) the possibility of investors selecting the cominations of liquidity, returns and risks that best suit their varied preferences, (b) increased options of intermediation between the demand and supply for financing, which allows investors and the market to more efficiently allocate capital resources and (c) increased financial innovation leads to a better attainment of more complete, thus efficient financial markets. The lo wer the level of regulations the more pronounced these benefits would be, which are made even more efficient by opennong up cross country, financial movements. Neoclassical literatures do however require regulation in order to minimize market imperfections, in order to attain perfect markets in all markets. Keynesian economic literatures on the other hand, recognize the need for regulation of not only the financial markets, but the entire economy, coupled with regular government interventions in order to kinimize market imperfections caused by the free operation of the market, as envisaged by the Neoclassical literatures. Turne (2010) asserts that liquidity of finacial markets is not necessarily a guarantee for allocative efficiency, led by rational expectations anticipated by Neoclasicals, but are limited by oother self reinforcing effects. Market speculation and uncertainity are on their own, able to create instabilities in the market, which would distort prices and lead to innefficiencies, Arestis (2005). As such, the effects of financial liberalization are acknowledged by both Keynesian and Neoclassical economic literature, but with the former schoolof thought being more sceptical about the benefits. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY There methodology adopted will seek to asses the effects of financial liberalization on the UK economy, by providing a measure fo the overall effect on the economy, but perhaps most crucially providing methodologies to assess the effects of financial liberation, on the channels through which it acts. These include its effects on (i) productivity, (ii) banking industry instabilities, (iii) capital accumulation and (v) consumption, as a selection of the major variables that in turn have far reaching effects on the UK economy, OECD (2009). There are multiple other variables that will not, and have not been covered in this literature, review, that have varied effects on the economy as a consequence of financial liberalization, that have not however, been included in this methodology section, due to wide variations. In addition, literature review has widely been used by many scholars, and it will as w ell provide an important research tool in the bid to establish the effects of financial liberalization on the UK economy. A review of the literature on the various aspects higlited in the above literature, with an emphasis on the banking industry, economic productivity and consumption among others will offer a great indication of the overall effects. However, the first measure will adopt the IMF method (0-1 indicator) to assess the existence and scale of economic liberalization in the United Kingdom, by reference to the IMF reports as a basis for further analysis of the effects of liberalization on the countryââ¬â¢s economy, World Bank (2007). Financial Liberalization The research will employ two, 0-1 financial liberalization indicators thata are based on the de-iure criteria. One of the indicators will serve as a dummy, which will assume the value of 0 in the case the United Kingdom does have capital account restrictions on the transactions, during any year in the past decade. If not there were no restrictyions, then the indicator will assume the value of 1. This methodologyu is widely adopted by the Interneational Monetary Fund, which classifies countries on the 0-1 base, in its annual report on exchange arrangements and restrictions (AREAER). These annual reports are available for upwards of 212 IMF member nations, for the time period ranging from 1967 to 1996, effectively offering a common, and relaible liberalization measures, World Bank (2007). The initial indicator is coupled by a further measure that uses the liberalization of equity markets (Equity Market Liberalization), provided in multiple finacial liberalizationn literatures. The indi cator assumes the value of zero (0), if there are global equity trading in the United Kingdom and the value of one, if there are no global equity trading. The Equity market liberalization indicator, changes as soon as a country opts for financial market liberaliztion, and once it changes, it may not be reversed, as against the first measure, (Arestis Caner, Financial Liberalization and the Geography of Poverty, 2009). UK Capital Accummulation as a Result of Finacial Liberaization The study will come up with several measures of the countryââ¬â¢s stocks of capital, by firstly estimating the UKââ¬â¢s initial capital stock K(i), by using the formula I(i)/(g+d), where the initial stock is estimated at the time when the country adopted liberalization. In the formula, I represents the level of investments during the initial period (the base period), while g represents the geometric rate of growth of investments in the UK, in the initial ten years, after the base period. The base period will be selceted at any time when the (0-1) indicators were both had the value of 0, while the final period shall be selected be 10 years after the initial period. The d is the rate of depreciation of various depreciable investments made in the UK, Barrell Davies (2009). Once the initial capital stock has been computed, it will be possiblt to compute the United Kingdomââ¬â¢s capital accumulation as a result of liberalization, it will be necessary to compute the level of capi tal stock in the UK by using the formula K(f)= (1-d)K(f) +I(f). For comparison purposes, and in order to minimize the effects of other factors on capital accumulation from clouding the results, the capital stock in the period of ten years from the initial period backwards will as well be computed. The rates of capital accumulation in the two separate ten year periods will then be assessed against each other. Effects on the UK Economic Productivity The research will seek to detetminer the TFP by using the Cobb Douglas function of production i.e. Y= AKJ(HL)1-j. K represents the United Kingdomââ¬â¢s total stock of capital, while the L represents the countryââ¬â¢s stock of both human capital and labor. The function does as well have the efficiency factor, providing a an indicator of the countryââ¬â¢s efficiency in the use of its productive factors. The differences in the efficiency coefficient (A) offers a great measure of measure of the level of efficiency in different economies, OECD (2009). The variable j is equal to 1/3, and is generally considered constant across all the economies. The research will seek to identify the average productivity of a worker in the UK and the ration o labor and capital. Once these are d etermined, the initial level of productivity will be computed by the use of the formula, where the initial period is given be the period (i) used in the computation of capital stock. The final period (f) is the time period, ten years following the initial period. Once again for comparison purposes, the time period, ten years befor the initial period of the study (i) will as well be computed. These will then be coupled with an assessment of the two rates of growth in the productvity of production factors, following the introduction of financial liberalization measures. Consumption Changes as a Result of Financial Deregulation Consumption spending is an important influence on the UK economyââ¬â¢s health and growth, which points to the increases incomes, ease of credit availability as well as multiple other factors. To determine the effects of finacial deregulation on the consumption behavior and levels in the United Kingdom. The method adopted for estimating these effects is derived from Barrell Davies (2009), which presumes that planned consumption is not by default not equal to the actual level of consumption. It then becomes possible to assess the long term relationship between between actual and desired levels of consumption in the future, followed by a computation of the correctionary factor betweent the actual and planned consumption. The UK economyââ¬â¢s consumption income may be distinguished from from the countryââ¬â¢s real wealth in the future, by treating them differently, World Bank (2007). This may be attained by differently treating the tangible wealth changes from the changes in financial wealth. The Euler appraoch does as well enable the testing of the effects to the consumption behavior and the overall economy. Banking Crisis The classifications of different crises varies from economy and time period to another, but also according to the cause and magnitude, However, for the purposes of the study, the data in Caprio Klingebiel (2003), of non systemic and systemic banking difficulties for several decades beginning in the early seventies. In the absense of a banking crisis, the banking crisis indicator assumes the value of zero, while it assumes the value of 1 or 2, in the event of borderline or systemic difficulties in the countryââ¬â¢s banking sector respectively. The indicators are taken every given year. Systemic banking problems occur when the countryââ¬â¢s banking sector suffers the exhaustion of the entire capital (run on banks), as against much more mild, effects on the industry, such as the difficulties experieced by the industry, following the dry up of credit, at the onset of the 2007 global economic crisis, OECD (2009). The harsher the effects of banking the crises, the more difficult the negative impacts on the countryââ¬â¢s economy are expected to be. Estimation of the Effects of Liberalization As indicated priorly, the effects of financial liberalization are complex, and affected by a multiplicity of factors. However, for the purposes of this study, the measures obtained from the consumption, capital stock accumulation, increased productivity and banking sector shocks will be assessed for correlations with not only the values prior to liberalization, but perhps must tellingly, with the economic perfomance growth figures over the same duration. Theoretically, the positive consumption growth, should be accompanied by increased productivity and output, with an inverse expansion of the banking crisis indicator. References List Acemoglu, D., Aghion, P., Zillibotti, F., 2010, Distance to Frontier Selection Economic Growth. Journal of European Economic Association. Arestis, P., June, 2005, Financial Liberalization and the Relationship between FInance and Growth. CEPP Working Paper Series No 5/05. Arestis, P., Caner, A., 2009, FInancial Liberalization and the Geography of Poverty. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Barrell, R., Davies, P., 2009, FInancial Liberalization, COnsumption and Wealth Effects in 7 OECD COuntries. NIESR DIscussion paper No 257. Caprio, G., Klingebiel, D., 2003, Episodes of Systemic Borderline Financial Crisis. Mimeo. Cobham, D. P., 2004, The making of monetary policy in the UK, 1975-2000. London: John Wiley Sons. Kentikelenis, A. E., 2009, Assessing the Link between Financial Liberalization and Saving. ESDS International Case Study. OECD., 2009, Main Economic Indicators . Manchester: ESDS International, University of Manchester. Smith, S. J., Searle, B., 2007, The Blackwell Companion to the Economics of Housing: The Housing Wealth of Nations. London: John Wiley Sons. Turne, A., 2010, Feb 12, After the crises: assessing the costs and benefits of financial liberalisation. Retrieved November 24, 2011, from FSA: http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/Communication/Speeches/2010/0215_at.shtml World Bank., 2007, August 18, FInance for All? The Pitfalls of Expanding Access. World Bank Policy Research Report.
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Childhood Obesity The United States - 916 Words
In the recent years, the issue of childhood obesity has gained major attention in the United States especially in the 21st century. The percentage of obesity has raised tremendously within the last decade. In a recent news article, American Obesity Rates Are on the Rise, Maggie Fox states ââ¬Å"about 28 percent of the people in America admits that they are obese.â⬠The United States has become the country with the highest rate of obesity in the world. Besides adults who are obese, obesity is also a common issue to children and teenagers. Childhood is an important period when parents help their child avoid being obese. Eating habits during childhood can have an impact on a person as they age. Children in the U.S who are obese, will most likely develop a higher risk of having medical issue. According to the website, letsmove.gov, children who are obese, could cause to wide range of health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, high gluc ose levels, and more. Also, children who are obese at a young age, are likely to remain obese in adulthood. The establishment of the bill, H.R. 2627 Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act, could reduce the percentage of obese children by providing salad bars during lunch times. This exposure to healthy eating habits can help children to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to avoid future health issues. In the bill H.R. 2627 Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act, a congressman named Tim Ryan of Ohio, introduced toShow MoreRelatedChildhood Obesity And The United States1286 Words à |à 6 PagesChildhood Obesity in America Since 1980 the rates of child obesity have more than tripled which has caused a growing pandemic of childhood obesity in the United States. Out of all the young children and adolescents within the age group of two through nineteen about 12.7 million are obese. That is the equivalent of about 17% of Americaââ¬â¢s population that is suffering from childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is too prevalent in all American households. Childhood obesity is detrimental on a nationalRead MoreChildhood Obesity : The United States1202 Words à |à 5 PagesChildhood obesity is becoming one of the top public health concerns in the United States. ââ¬Å"Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates have tripled in the U.S., and today, the country has some of the highest obesity rates in the world: one out of six children is obese, and one out of three children is overweight or obeseâ⬠(World Health Organization, 2015). With the drastic increase in obese children over the last 30 ye ars and the huge healthcare associated costs many programs and incentivesRead MoreChildhood Obesity And The United States Essay1868 Words à |à 8 Pagesoccurred called childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is defined as a child having his/her BMI (Body Mass Index) higher than 94% among children in the same age and gender group. One third of American children are overweight and over 15% are obese (Lanham, 2009). Research and documentation is without dispute, our children are not just overweight, but physically and mentally becoming ill. Specialists are seeing specific life-threatening medical conditions, all associated with childhood weight issuesRead MoreChildhood Obesity And The United States Essay1782 Words à |à 8 PagesChildhood Obesity In todayââ¬â¢s society, there has been a plethora of achievements in technology, medical advancement, and educational platforms. However, with these new, exciting gateways has come several issues, some of which have become very serious. One of the most important hot button issues is childhood obesity. In fact, statistics show that since the 1970ââ¬â¢s, the obesity rate in childrenââ¬â¢s ages range two to five in the United States, has increased over five percent alone, as well as over tenRead MoreChildhood Obesity : The United States1792 Words à |à 8 Pagesââ¬Å"President Obama established a Task Force on Childhood Obesity clearly stating his goal to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generationâ⬠(Eschmeyer). Therefore, he launched the Letââ¬â¢s Move campaign where Michelle Obama was the leading spokesperson for. Furthermore, she played an important role in helping to improve the food nutrition policy. As nearly everyone knows the issue of childhoo d obesity has been on the rise in the United States. In fact, children ages 6-19 have a one out ofRead MoreChildhood Obesity: An Epidemic in the United States826 Words à |à 3 Pages ââ¬Å"Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obeseâ⬠states (Children and Teens, 1). Yes, one fourth of all children in the United States are obese, and inevitably this number will continue to rise. Obesity is one of the most obvious conditions to recognize, yet one of the most difficult to treat for quite a few reasons (Children and Teens, 1). Childhood obesity has been an epidemic in the United States for many years, but has recently skyrocketed, due to lack of exercise and unhealthyRead MoreChildhood Obesity : An Epidemic With The United States Essay804 Words à |à 4 PagesReducing Childhood Obesity â⬠¢ Introduction o Childhood obesity has become an epidemic with the United States o The Healthy People 2020 Topic â⬠¢ Reduce the proportion of children and adolescents who are considered obese (Healthy People 2020, 2016). o Definition of Childhood Obesity: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015), a child with a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex are consideredRead MoreChildhood Obesity : The United States For Children1263 Words à |à 6 PagesAshley Phillips English 100-17 Ms. Taylor 25 November 2014 Childhood Obesity Obesity in school-age children is a problem in North Carolina. ââ¬Å"North Carolina is the 23rd most obese state in the United States for children www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/Data/Texts/Quick%20Facts.pdf ââ¬â 31.4% of youth in North Carolina are overweight or obeseâ⬠https://www.healthiergeneration.org/...childhood_obesity/.../north_caroli... (Child Obesity Rate). There is a mandated physical education requirement for school-ageRead MoreEssay on Childhood Obesity in the United States2861 Words à |à 12 PagesReview Description of Obesity Problem Childhood obesity is an increasing problem here in the United States. According to Schuab and Marian (2011) ââ¬Å"Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportionsâ⬠(P.553). The prevalence of child obesity and overweight has increased over the last 30 years all over the United States, becoming one of the biggest public health challenges (Moreno, Johnson-Shelton, Boles, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to give a background of the obesity epidemic, a review ofRead MoreChildhood Obesity And Its Effects On The United States Today1479 Words à |à 6 Pagespediatric obesity now represents one of the most pressing nutritional problems facing children in the United States today. International population studies report comparable rates of increase, so that if current trends remain unchecked, childhood obesity is likely to challenge worldwide public health. Substantial consequences to physical and mental health, both short and long term, must be anticipated. Unfortunately, there is no uniform definition of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has been
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald - 1646 Words
Fitzgeraldââ¬â¢s novel, ââ¬ËThe Great Gatsbyââ¬â¢, centres on the society of ââ¬Å"mothsâ⬠and the post war generation of the 1920s. Fitzgerald explores how the immorality of his characters during this period leads to the sorrow that is present in their lives, influenced by this new and exciting Jazz Age. In addition, Waugh uses his novel ââ¬ËVile Bodiesââ¬â¢, to explore the same immoral generation of the ââ¬Å"Bright Young Thingsâ⬠and links their lifestyle, like Fitzgerald, to the cause of sorrow and human frailty that is at the heart of both narratives. Facades are a central element of ââ¬ËThe Great Gatsbyââ¬â¢ as they are used by a number of characters as a weapon to conceal their sorrow. Arguably, one may say that Gatsbyââ¬â¢s entire life is a facade. It can be argued that ââ¬Å"He chose to become someone new, someone unfettered by his past...â⬠(The Daily Beacon). Gatsbyââ¬â¢s facade is used as a form of escapism from reality ââ¬â a reality which causes him sorrow which he wants to forget. Through describing Gatsbyââ¬â¢s parents as ââ¬Å"shiftlessâ⬠and ââ¬Å"unsuccessfulâ⬠, Fitzgerald suggests to the reader that Gatsby was hoping for a life that was distant and beyond the reality of poverty his parents may have faced in the world, signifying why Gatsby may have been drawn to his ââ¬Å"green lightâ⬠. Moreover, Fitzgerald tells us that ââ¬Å"his heart was in a constant, turbulent riot,â⬠which suggests an internal conflict and unhappiness existing inside of him. The noun ââ¬Å"riot â⬠conflicts with the ââ¬Å"majestic handâ⬠of Gatsby that we see throughShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1393 Words à |à 6 PagesF. Scott Fitzgerald was the model of the American image in the nineteen twenties. He had wealth, fame, a beautiful wife, and an adorable daughter; all seemed perfect. Beneath the gilded faà §ade, however, was an author who struggled with domestic and physical difficulties that plagued his personal life and career throughout its short span. This author helped to launch the theme that is so prevalent in his work; the human instinct to yearn for more, into the forefront of American literature, where itRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1343 Words à |à 6 PagesHonors English 10 Shugart 18 Decemeber 2014 The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life. The Great Gatsby is about the lives of four wealthy characters observed by the narrator, Nick Carroway. Throughout the novel a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby throws immaculate parties every Saturday night in hope to impress his lost lover, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby lives in a mansion on West Egg across from DaisyRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1155 Words à |à 5 PagesThe Great Gatsby The Jazz Age was an era where everything and anything seemed possible. It started with the beginning of a new age with America coming out of World War I as the most powerful nation in the world (Novel reflections on, 2007). As a result, the nation soon faced a culture-shock of material prosperity during the 1920ââ¬â¢s. Also known as the ââ¬Å"roaring twentiesâ⬠, it was a time where life consisted of prodigality and extravagant parties. Writing based on his personal experiences, author F. ScottRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1166 Words à |à 5 Pagesin the Haze F. Scott Fitzgerald lived in a time that was characterized by an unbelievable lack of substance. After the tragedy and horrors of WWI, people were focused on anything that they could that would distract from the emptiness that had swallowed them. Tangible greed tied with extreme materialism left many, by the end of this time period, disenchanted. The usage of the literary theories of both Biographical and Historical lenses provide a unique interpretation of the Great Gatsby centered aroundRead MoreThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald845 Words à |à 3 PagesIn F. Scott Fitzgeraldââ¬â¢s novel, The Great Gatsby, colors represent a variety of symbols that relate back to the American Dream. The dream of being pure, innocent and perfect is frequently associated with the reality of corruption, violence, and affairs. Gatsbyââ¬â¢s desire for achieving the American Dream is sought for through corruption (Schneider). The American Dream in the 1920s was perceived as a desire of w ealth and social standings. Social class is represented through the East Egg, the WestRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay970 Words à |à 4 Pagesrespecting and valuing Fitzgerald work in the twenty-first century? Fitzgerald had a hard time to profiting from his writing, but he was not successful after his first novel. There are three major point of this essay are: the background history of Fitzgerald life, the comparisons between Fitzgerald and the Gatsby from his number one book in America The Great Gatsby, and the Fitzgerald got influences of behind the writing and being a writer. From childhood to adulthood, Fitzgerald faced many good andRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald2099 Words à |à 9 Pagesauthor to mirror his life in his book. In his previous novels F. Scott Fitzgerald drew from his life experiences. He said that his next novel, The Great Gatsby, would be different. He said, ââ¬Å"In my new novel Iââ¬â¢m thrown directly on purely creative workâ⬠(F. Scott Fitzgerald). He did not realize or did not want it to appear that he was taking his own story and intertwining it within his new novel. In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he imitates his lifestyle through the Buchanan family to demonstrateRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1607 Words à |à 7 Pages The Great Gatsby is an American novel written in 1925 by F. Scott Fitzgerald. One of the themes of the book is the American Dream. The American Dream is an idea in which Americans believe through hard work they can achieve success and prosperity in the free world. In F. Scott Fitzgerald s novel, The Great Gatsby, the American Dream leads to popularity, extreme jealousy and false happiness. Jay Gatsbyââ¬â¢s recent fortune and wealthiness helped him earn a high social position and become one of the mostRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1592 Words à |à 7 PagesMcGowan English 11A, Period 4 9 January 2014 The Great Gatsby Individuals who approach life with an optimistic mindset generally have their goals established as their main priority. Driven by ambition, they are determined to fulfill their desires; without reluctance. These strong-minded individuals refuse to be influenced by negative reinforcements, and rely on hope in order to achieve their dreams. As a man of persistence, the wealthy Jay Gatsby continuously strives to reclaim the love of hisRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1646 Words à |à 7 PagesThe 1920s witnessed the death of the American Dream, a message immortalized in F. Scott Fitzgeraldââ¬â¢s The Great Gatsby. Initially, the American Dream represented the outcome of American ideals, that everyone has the freedom and opportunity to achieve their dreams provided they perform honest hard work. During the 1920s, the United States experienced massive economic prosperity making the American Dream seem alive and strong. However, in Fitzgeraldââ¬â¢s eyes, the new Am erican culture build around that
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Character Analysis of Alexander the Great free essay sample
History has asked us to study and interpret past events and from that research we should learn from the mistakes of man or use the knowledge to improve our current lives. Throughout the study of history we have hard evidence and we also get folklore, or tales of events that represent that of a game of telephone. The ultimate goal of a historian is to accurately depict events and translate them as they occurred. With modern news and technology our future descendents of this planet will have no problem gaining a vast understanding of how we lived and the historic events that took place. This however is not true of past and present historianââ¬â¢s analysis of one of the greatest leaders in the history of the ancient world. Alexander, son of Philip the II, king of Macedon is brought to light with many different opinions. Was this man the ruthless ruler that brought down empires and siege cities while killing innocent in droves? Was he a gracious man of honor that sought to unite the ancient world? Perhaps he was a mad man who thought of himself as a God and his conquest was sought in vein. These are some of the questions that I asked myself while researching this one manââ¬â¢s life. There is a plethora of hard evidence that all historians and journalist agree on about his conquest and his life, but when it comes to his character the discrepancies are remarkable. ââ¬Å"To some, he is perceived as a blood-thirsty megalomaniac who should be ranked in the annals of history with Stalin and Hitler, while to others he is a visionary devoted to harmony among races and a united world. Many see him as a man motivated by a need to explore the world while others are convinced that he was only out to plunder the riches of the eastâ⬠(Borgia 1). To know a man is to know where he came from, who he was surrounded by and what influenced him the most. At a young age he possessed the skills of greatness. ââ¬Å"From the time Alexander was a boy he was fearless. When no one else could tame the giant horse Buchephalus, Alexander succeededâ⬠(Brown 1). His father saw the warrior in the young boy and told him that he should seek out a larger empire as Macedonia was too small for him. Alexanderââ¬â¢s parents, Philip the II and Opympias wanted the best education for their son and so they sought out three of Macedoniaââ¬â¢s greatest teachers to educate the young boy. His first teacher was the harsh Leonidasâ⬠¦ Leonidas was a strict disciplinarian who instilled in Alexander his Spartan nature which became famous during his Persian Indian expeditionsâ⬠(Nosotro 2). We know that Leonidas was so strict that he would check his belongings to make sure that he did not have any luxuries, because of this he was not a favorite of Alexander. On the other side of it, because of Leonidas background and his Sparta past, Alexander learned skillful war tactics that would help him later in life. The second teacher in his life was Lysimachus, ââ¬Å"Lysimachus taught Alexander to play the lyre, and taught him an appreciation for the fine arts of music, poetry, and dramaâ⬠(Nosotro2). This is where we begin to see the impression the stories of Homer had on Alexanderââ¬â¢s life. He reveled in the life of Achilles and it is well know that he later went on his long conquer with the idea that he himself was an extension of Achilles leading his men. This perception of the great Achilles also came from his mother, ââ¬Å"She claimed to be a descendent of Achilles, the warrior hero of Homerââ¬â¢s Iliadâ⬠(Brown 1). Perhaps the most important figure in his early development was that of Aristotle. As his parents wished for him to have the greatest education they hired Aristotle to mentor the young Alexander. ââ¬Å"Under Aristotle, Alexander learned philosophy, ethics, politics, and healing, all of which became the utmost importance for Alexander in his later lifeâ⬠(Nosotro 2). It is important to know that these teachings of ethics and politics were essential for how he created a respectful nature to his defeated enemies after battles. The relationship between Alexander and Aristotle was broken when differences in opinions concerning foreigners was present. Aristotle saw them as barbarians, while Alexander sought to unite the Macedonians and foreignersâ⬠(Nosotro 2). Alexander also had many friends that he held for his life, the most important of which was Hephaestion. They became friends in childhood and remained that way until Hephaestionââ¬â¢s death shortly before Alexanderââ¬â ¢s own fate. ââ¬Å"During life the two had portrayed themselves as Achilles (Alexander) and Patrochus (Hephaestion), and it was generally accepted that this was a genuine and deeply-felt friendshipâ⬠(Borgia 2). We know of this as after the death of Hephaestion, Alexander became depressed and mad with grief for months. To get a better idea of how Alexander matured at a young age into one of the historyââ¬â¢s greatest conquerors we must also look at his parents. ââ¬Å"Philip was ruthless and tough and extremely successful in his undertakings. Some suggest that his great success left Alexander with a need to do even greater things just to prove his self worthâ⬠(Borgia 2). There seemed to be a distance between father and son and it is documented that Alexander had a better relationship with his mother, Olympias. The blame for this could be that Philip had more than six wives but the biggest issue he took with his father was the marrying of Cleopatra. ââ¬Å"At the age of 19â⬠¦Taking his motherââ¬â¢s side, Alexander fell into a heated quarrel with his father and ran away to another section of the kingdomâ⬠(Nosotro 2). It is not proven but shortly after Philip is assassinated at the wedding of Alexanderââ¬â¢s sister, and it may have been Olympias who had a hand in the planning. Now at the age of twenty, Alexander is heir to Macedon and is proclaimed King. Before all of that, Alexander got his first taste of warfare at the young age of 16. Alexander was appointed Regent while his father was waging war in Thrace. Alexander took the opportunity to subdue a rebilling people called Maedi and founded a small colony which he named Alexandropolisâ⬠(Borgia 3). At such a young age he had all the makings of following in his fatherââ¬â¢s footsteps. He was soon made a general in Ph ilips army and played a huge part in defeats of enemies that were never conquered before. This started the conquest of Alexander as King of Macedon after the assignation of his father a few years later. The history of his conquest is regarded as a thirteen year successful campaign that not only showed advanced war tactics but the use of his background in philosophy to conquer great empires. ââ¬Å"In the spring of 334 B. C. , Alexander left Macedonia with an army of 30,000 foot soldiers and 5,000 cavalry. Stopping at Troy, Alexander vowed to carry on the legacy of his hero, Achilles. His lifeââ¬â¢s great crusade had begun. He would never see home againâ⬠(Brown 2). One of the wars waged against Thebes is taken by some historians as proof that Alexander was ruthless and barbarian like. The Macedonians stormed the city, killing almost everyone in sight, women and children included. They Plundered, sacked, burned and razed Thebes, as an example to the rest of Greeceâ⬠(Nosotro 3). The flip side of the history is that Athens and Thebes wanted to rebel against Macedonia and it was Alexander who needed to remind them that he was king of all Macedon. After the siege of Thebes, he made a packed with Athens to maintain stability. An interesting event happened when he went to Athens. He wanted to meet with the Oracle at Delphi. ââ¬Å"Alexander visited the oracle at Delphi, despite it being a day when giving prophecy was forbidden. In his attempts to drag the priestess to the place where she gave her oracles, she screamed, ââ¬Å"My son, you are invincible! â⬠That was all that Alexander wanted to hearâ⬠(Nosotro 3). This is very interesting and can be interpreted in a few ways. First, he was the King and ruler, so was it right for him to seek the oracle on a forbidden day? Most would say it was Alexander seeing himself above all, even the gods and his actions were wrong. The other point is that Alexander pressed and got what he wanted, proof that he was more than just a mere mortal king. We see Alexander begin to think of himself as a God. Another important battle waged against the Persian King Darius III, shows another side to Alexander. ââ¬Å"He faced the 600,000 men of Persiaââ¬â¢s Kingâ⬠¦ Alexanderââ¬â¢s great daring as a battlefield genius won the day. Darius fled, stranding his mother, wife, and daughters. Alexander treated the women kindlyâ⬠(Brown 2). This showed the wisdom of the young conqueror as rather than taking the women hostage to show animosity towards Darius, he showed respect to him and mercy towards the people of Persia. Alexander did catch up with Darius later defeating him at the battle of Gaugamela. He captured Dariusââ¬â¢ capital city and proclaimed himself ââ¬Å"lord of Asiaâ⬠. His conquests lead him to places that welcomed him, ââ¬Å"He proclaimed himself liberator, not conqueror. But cities that resisted were shown no mercy. Defeating the Phoenician city of Tyreâ⬠¦Alexander sold the women and children into slavery. In Egypt, he was crowned Pharaoh. There he founded Alexandriaâ⬠(Brown 2). Just looking at this evidence shows a lot about the man. It almost seems that he believed that after all that he had done, that all cities should wave the white flag and not resist, because if they did he was sure to win and show no mercy. This may be the reason why Egypt crowned him, either out of respect or fear, either of which are great attributes to carry as a leader. Although after many battles his soldiers were inspired and worshipped him, they wondered when the battles would end. ââ¬Å"The Macedonian soldiers were also offended when Alexander adopted Persian ways, wearing ââ¬Å"barbarianâ⬠clothes. He even married an Asian Princess, Roxanna of Bactriaâ⬠(Brown 2). Some point to this as a political move to unite Asia, and doubted that the marriage was out of love. If it was political it shows that his wisdom was far beyond his years and his teachings early in life were well used. The soldiers at this point had it with the conquest and wanted to go home. It was not in Alexanderââ¬â¢s nature to stop at any point, he seemed destined to continue until all was conquered. This eventually led to the killing of one of his generals. ââ¬Å"In time he declared himself Godâ⬠(Brown 2). We see now that Alexander is starting to become unraveled as a person. To actually believe that he is God himself is a strike against his sanity. In 326 B. C. ââ¬Å"his soldiers refused to go any farther. Alexander took to his tent to pout. Legends say that he wept because there were no more worlds for him to conquerâ⬠(Brown 2). Alexander finally agreed to go home, but what life would come of him when he got there? This is a man who believed so much in his unity of the world and with nothing else to fight for, his destiny was uncertain. On his return home and a stop in Babylon his body had given out on him and he died via fever at the age of thirty-two. So was this man a ruthless ruler, based on my research I donââ¬â¢t see a man who was out to dominate the world and rule in as a dictator. I see a man who was bread to be a warrior, leader and uniter who is one of the most brilliant military generals of all time. He accomplished so much in such a short period of time and when possible was very merciful in his conquest. He, as all men do, had his character flaws. He was obsessed with Achilles to the point of emulating him. He believed he was above all and God like. The simple fact that he wept when there were no more wars to fight sayââ¬â¢s that he was self indulged in a life of war. It is indeed terribly frustrating that almost every aspect (no matter how seemingly insignificant) of Alexanderââ¬â¢s life is subject to such widely varying interpretations with very different conclusionsâ⬠(Borgia 3). History will undoubtedly continue to try and find the definitive person that is ââ¬Å"Alexanderâ⬠, but it will always c ome down to the ideas of the individual historian researching him. Sometimes we have to just process what we read and interpret it in our own way. Perhaps the enigma of Alexanderââ¬â¢s character will always lead to many different interpretations.
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