Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Effect of Income Inequality on Economic Development

Effect of Income Inequality on Economic Development Income Inequality and Financial Crises: The 2007-2008 financial crises has been considered as amongst the worst the world has faced. This is since the great depression of the year 1930s ((Shiller, 7). This crisis was characterized by the collapse of large financial institutions, a downward fall in stock markets, bailout of banks by government, and the laying off of workers by business organizations. There are a variety of reasons given as to why the 2008 financial crisis emerged. MacEwan and Miller argue that it was an increase of income inequality that led to the emergence of the financial crisis (MacEwan and John, 5). On the other hand, others believe that it is the failure of the banking mortgage system that led to the emergence of the financial crisis (Paulet, 22). This paper examines the reasons as to why McEwan and Miller link economic instability, to income inequality. It further examines their proposal on how to solve this problem. Furthermore, this paper gives an explanation on the reasons for the emergence of the 2008 economic crises. There is a varying argument on the effects of income inequality on the growth of the economies of rich and developed countries. One of the major arguments is that income inequality was the major reason for the emergence of the 2008 global economic crisis. This is an argument that McEwan and Miller believe in (MacEwan and John, 5). Proponents argue that there are three major ways in which income inequality has the capability of destroying the economic system of a state. The first argument is that due to income inequality, there is a sharp increase in the debt ratio to income ratio amongst middle and low income households. This ratio increases because of their bid to maintain their consumption level, while they fall behind in relation to income or revenue that they are able to acquire. For example, a growing demand for loans and mortgages was as a result of a rise in the costs of college and homes. There was also a relaxed standard for lending, and it was easy to acquire mortgages. The failure by these low income earners to pay these mortgages and loans led to the beginning of the financial crisis, and the collapse of major financial institutions such as Citigroup and Lehman Brothers (Paulet, 17). The second argument is that the creation and development of a large pool of idle wealth leads to an increase in the demands of investment assets, fueling financial innovation and increasing the size of the financial sector. This is dangerous for the economy, because it may lead to speculative buying of financial assets. It is this speculative buying of financial assets that contributed to the collapse of financial institutions such as Lehman brothers during the 2008 crisis (Schiek, 39). It is important to denote that the collapse of the Lehman brothers was the beginning of the financial crisis, and it was followed by the collapse of several financial institutions and business organization such as General Motors. To protect the economy, the American government had to bail out companies such as General Motors, Citigroup, Bank of America, etc (Shiller, 22). The third argument is that income inequality leads to the emergence of a disproportionate political power. The major intention of the development of this political power is to protect the financial interests of the elite, or the wealthy members of the society. This would lead to the enactment of policies that have a negative impact on the stability of an economic system within the state (Schiek, 52). For example, setters of accounting standards, and federal government regulators were able to allow banking organizations such as Citigroup to move large number of liabilities and assets from the balance sheet, to a complex legal structure referred to as structured investment vehicles. This strategy helped to mask the financial weaknesses of the banking organization to the share holders and investors. The regulation of financial institutions in America is always influenced by powerful and wealthy companies and people (Schiek, 13). This is because they normally finance the political activi ties of candidates who would advance their agendas. In as much as McEwan and Miller believe that income inequality led to the emergence of the 2008 economic crisis, there are other reasons that led to the this crisis (MacEwan and John,15). One of the reasons given is the growth of the housing market in America. This demand led to speculative buying, leading to an increase in the prices of houses. People took mortgages, which did not have good security. However, in 2008, there was a correction in the housing prices, leading to a downward fall of the housing prices (Schiek, 57). Most Americans were unable to pay their mortgages, and this made banking and financial institutions to suffer massive losses because they were unable to recover their loans. This in turn led to the collapse of these financial institutions, affecting the economies that were heavily dependent on the American economy. Furthermore, it is the federal government that made it easy for people to acquire loans. This is because they initiated low interest rate, by lowering the federal fund rate target to 1.0%, from a figure of 6.5% (Shiller, 41). This made experts to denote that it was the easy availability of credit that led to a demand of houses, hence f uelling their increase. It is therefore prudent to denote that there is a need of restructuring the American economic system and regulatory institutions for purposes of protecting the economy from future crises. In fact, the government of President Obama realized on the need of regulating American financial institutions, and in 2008, and 2009, he initiated a series of measures aimed at meeting this objective (Shiller, 29). For example, President Obama introduced the Volcker rule, which was aimed at limiting the ability of banking organizations to engage in proprietary trading (Shiller, 19). The European Union also realized the need of regulating financial institutions and came up with the Basel III rule, which raised the capital of starting a banking business in Europe, and placing a limit on the banking rates of the European banks. In conclusion, the statement by MacEwan and Miller that income inequality contributes to a slowdown in economic development has some truth in it. For instance, due to income inequality, the poor and the middle class were engaged in borrowing from banks, for purposes of buying properties leading to a sharp increase in property prices. This was a factor that contributed to the emergence of the 2008 crises, and it is always referred to as the subprime crises. In a bid to protect the financial interests of big financial companies, the federal government agencies did not effectively regulate their financial activities. This allowed them to manipulate their financial records, hiding their weaknesses to shareholders and investors. It is therefore prudent to denote that McEwan and Miller are right when they assert that income inequalities was the main factor leading to the 2008 crisis, and there is a need of restructuring the economy, and improving the ability of the federal regulatory insti tutions. Works Cited: MacEwan, Arthur, and John A. Miller. Economic collapse, economic change: getting to the roots  of the crisis. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 2011. Print. Paulet, Elisabeth. The subprime crisis and its impact on financial and managerial environments  an unequal repercussion at European level. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Pub., 2012. Print.   Schiek, Dagmar. The EU economic and social model in the global crisis: interdisciplinary  perspectives. Farnham (Surrey): Ashgate, 2013. Print. Shiller, Robert J. Subprime solution how todays global financial crisis happened, and what to do  about it.. Princeton: Princeton Univ Press, 2012. Print.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Essay --

The suffrage movement first emerged at the turn of the century and Civil War when African American slaves were denied the right to vote, a benefit that a majority agreed was associated with citizenship, and therefore should be applicable to all freed slaves. This set the grounds for a suffrage movement that later evolved into a larger issue centered on antislavery reform. Joining together to fight for benefits that were being withheld from American citizens, the role of women came into play during this time as the most active abolitionists who came together to organize petitions, conventions, and raise funds to help further the movement. Women played a vital role in being heard through protests and local publications of their thoughts. Novels such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Clotel, along with articles in popular news publications, shed much light and attention on anti-slavery reform, while also sparking the inspiration for women’s rights (Britton, 2006). As this movement was slowly developing, women continued to fight for anti-slavery reform. During this, opponents to women participation in the efforts came forth and voiced their own critical opinions. Around 1837, the General Association of Congregational Ministers of Massachusetts had issued their "Pastoral Letter," a response to the political activity of the Grimke’s, two sisters who were heavily active and public in their fight for anti-slavery reform. In this letter, the ministers urged women to reject stepping out of the â€Å"public sphere† and to instead embrace the private, encouraging "the cultivation of private Christian character, and private efforts for the spiritual good of individuals" (General Association, 2006). In response to these views, Susan Grimke challenged the le... ...of the electoral vote in critical swing states necessary for Obama’s reelection victory (Casserly, 2012). Candidates now address issues entirely centered on women’s needs and concerns, knowing any win is impossible without support of female voters. This validates the current power women hold in the political arena today, and the impact their voice has made to society since being granted the freedom to vote. Through the use of messages such as public conventions, speeches, literary pieces, published works, unions, groups, and memorabilia, the suffrage movement’s goal of achieving equal voting rights for women to be the same as men can be credited as providing the stomping grounds for women to seek a stronger hand in society and to the evolution of women’s rights to include equal freedoms to men in arenas such as education, the work force, and military involvement.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Summary of “Deep Intellect”

In â€Å"Deep Intellect† author Sy Montgomery makes his case in showing that octopuses are intellectual invertebrates. Scientists believed that octopuses were unintelligent brainless creatures. However new studies have amazingly revealed just the opposite. Studies now show that octopuses are intelligent, emotional and have individual personalities. Montgomery talks about his encounter with an octopus, Athena, at the Aquarium in New England and the different studies that prove that octopuses are intelligent. Octopuses are invertebrates that touch and taste with the thousands of suckers that are on their eight arms.A study by Alexa Warburton although problematic revealed that â€Å"California two-spots quickly learned which side of a T-maze offered a terra – cotta pot to hide in† (page 3). The octopuses appeared to intentionally not cooperate by jumping off the mesh while being scooped out of their tanks. Scientists measure intelligence by brain size and counting n eurons. Octopuses have about 130 million neurons in its walnut size brain and amazingly three-fifths of their neurons are in its arms. The intelligence of octopuses also includes the ability to change colors and shapes to hunt and to escape predators.Scientists believe that octopuses are colorblind but new evidence proposes that they may see with their skin. A study by Jennifer Mather shows that octopuses can employ foresight and even plan. Mather observed an octopus choosing rocks to place in front of its home to feel safe before going to sleep. Another study by Roland Anderson reports an octopus playing with a pill bottle as a toy. The octopus was blowing water to move the pill bottle from one end of her tank to the other. Anderson states that â€Å"Only intelligent animals play – animals like crows and chimps, dogs and humans† (page 5).In a study by Bill Murphy octopuses opened locks on boxes to get food and they used different strategies showing individuality. One octopus was so eager to get the food that he broke the outer box and then squeezed into the inner box. Roland Anderson also proved in a study that octopuses remember familiar humans. In this experiment one person would just feed the octopuses and another person would touch them with a briskly stick. After a few week, the octopuses would shoot water at the person that touched them with the briskly stick at first sight. However when the octopuses saw the person that fed them they would move toward that person.Scientists have noticed that octopuses and humans have eyes that are almost the same. Humans and octopuses eyes have transparent corneas, regulate light with diaphragms and focus lenses with a ring of muscle. Based on the research data octopuses are unsocial creatures that have a short life span. They have evolved into intelligent and emotional creatures that have individual personality. Scientists today still know very little about the intellect of octopuses. To understand the m ind of these eight arms wonders, scientists must rethink the way they examine the nature of the mind.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Khaled Hosseinis Special Techniques In The Kite Runner - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 879 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2019/06/14 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: The Kite Runner Essay Did you like this example? In Khaled Hosseinirs book The Kite Runner, we learn about a boy named Amir and get to know him as he grows up into an adult. Amir faces lots of conflict in his life and is a very complex character. The author leads us on a journey of Amirrs life from when he was very young up until he turns into an adult. Khaled Hosseini uses many different techniques in this book to help explain what Amir has been through. Still, 20 years later this novel is still relevant because of this powerful story. We quickly learn that Amir always tries to do what is right and believe in all the right things, but doesnt always follow through with making the right choice. Amir also gets jealous very easily. Amir was born into an above average family. His mom died while giving birth to Amir and so his father, Baba is the one who raised him. Amir adores his father and really tries to gain his love and affection in the book. Amir has a brother named Hassan who he envies because itrs almost like Baba prefers Hassan as a son rather than Amir. It is very clear that his jealousy is aimed towards Hassan because Amir has always wanted to show Baba that he is worthy of his love and affection but Hassan seems to always interfere which is what makes Amir so upset. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Khaled Hosseinis Special Techniques In The Kite Runner" essay for you Create order He often makes fun of Hassan for his own entertainment and calls him names like imbecile. He does this because it is Amirrs way of lashing out and putting all the upset feelings has has all towards Hassan which shows how Amircan be very jealous. Amir has a very very good moral compass and thats easy to see from the beginning of the book. Sometimes he lets his anger get the best of him and lashes out but then becomes filled with guilt. For example, when Amir feels guilty about when Assef raped Hassan he goes to the pomegranate tree to talk to him. Amir started picking up pomegranates and throwing them at Hassan then asks him to throw then back at him so they were even. Hassan didnt throw them back, instead he just walked away. This displays of on the main themes in the novel- guilt and redemption. Amirs search for redemption doesnt stop here, his search goes throughout the whole novel. In the very beginning of the book The Kite Runner, it is very apparent that Amir can tell there is something wrong with his relationship with Baba. Amir wants to fix his relationship with Baba more than anything. At the horse race, Baba gets mad at Amir for feeling sad about one of the players that dies from being stepped on by the horse. Amir overhears Baba telling his friend about how he is confused about how Amir is related to him because they are so different. This is where Amir starts searching for a way to make their relationship stronger. Another conflict Amir faces in the book is his conflict with Hassan. Amir isnt there for Hassan when Assef rapes him even though Amir couldve easily helped because he witnessed it. This creates lots of guilt and sadness Amir feels all throughout the book and never gets 100% over what happened. Amir is constantly searching for redemption in the book The Kite Runner. Amir tries to prove to Baba that he is a good person and a good son because he feels guilty because he believes that he is the one who killed his mother. Amir really works hard to win the kite race to redeem himself in Babars eyes. Baba says a boy that doesnt stand up for himself becomes a man who cant stand up for anything. Because of what Baba says Amir believes that since he didnt do anything about Hassan getting raped when he was a kid he feels that the only way he can redeem himself is when he is an adult which is why he went to Assef when he was older to confront him about the rape. Another theme in the book is how often the past comes up as Amir. The best example of this is Amir and Sohrab. Sohrab has had such a messy past which influences the person who he turns out to be. The slightest bit of affection Amir shows to Sohrab makes Sohrab really uncomfortable because of Sohrab abusive past. Amirs past cons tantly comes up in his life present-day life because of the first theme- his search for redemption. Because of the past events in Amirrs life from when he was younger still makes him guilty as he gets older. He especially feels this way because he doesnt only feel responsible for his mother death, but Hassanrs death too. On page one of The Kite Runner Amir explains how the past can never be left behind. Overall, The Kite Runner is an example of issues with relationships and learning how to make them right again once they become ruined. We see the evolution of characters all throughout the book. The use of the literary techniques the author uses helps emphasize each event Amir goes through which helps us better understand the journey Amir went through all throughout his life.