Abstract With the fervor over the ethics of sweat shop production increasing, it is becoming important to look at viable solutions which provide meaningful change. The best example of alternative trade is the fair trade movement, which has been gaining momentum all over the world. This paper looks at this movement as it seeks to provide producers and consumers with choices.
From the Paper "In recent years the media has been focusing more and more attention on the harm being done to people living in poor countries by multinational corporations. Whether it's a sportswear sweatshop in Southeast Asia or a logging company in the Amazon, consumers in the First World are becoming aware of the consequences their choices have. Unfortunately, very few news items talk about the positive alternatives to big business, paying more attention to the scandal which occurs when it is discovered that some celebrity's fashion line is manufactured using children in Burma. One important alternative which has become slightly more visible in recent years is the fair trade movement, which empowers producers and addresses issues of consumer responsibility."
Tags: consumers, empowerment, labourers, production, women
Abstract This paper discusses the expected changes to the population and various solutions and opinions proposed by current economists, writers and politicians to prevent a threatened funding disaster of the current social security system.
From the Paper "Social Security is a popular program; it has consistently pumped out millions of monthly checks for 44 million beneficiaries, has reduced poverty among seniors by two thirds over the last 40 years and has allowed people with disabilities to make ends meet (Consumer Reports, 2000). Social Security is a genuine contributor to the sturdiness of the economic system. It's a promise to pay, secured by Treasury securities, which in turn are secured by taxpayers. The government has to use the money currently pledged for whatever the citizens decide Social Security benefits should be (Quinn and Ehrenfeld, 2000). "
Abstract This paper shows how the study of the economics surrounding slavery can give a better understanding of the issues surrounding both slavery and the Civil War. Topics covered include the origins of slavery, opposing views on slavery, the and the economic effectiveness of slavery.
From the Paper "Slavery and the civil war are very complex economic and historical issues. Many prominent Economic Historians view the institution of slavery vastly different from one another. With the difference in views also comes opposing opinions on whether or not the Civil War was actually needed to end the practice of slavery. While it is impossible to truly know what would have happened had events been different surrounding the American Civil War, it is possible to learn about the differences in opinions. Examining the origins of slavery, the opposing views of slavery, and the economics of the civil war can lend a clearer picture of this time frame"
Tags: slavery, Civil, War, south, economics, emancipation, abolition, profit
Abstract This paper explain what e-commerce is and how it has developed. The author of the paper examines various aspects of e-commerce; its uses and advantages for aspects such as consumerism, research, information, communication and businesses of today. The paper also examines how e-commerce has changed manufacturing, production and consumption and the every day life of individuals.
From the Paper "Electronic commerce is a term used to describe transactions carried out through the use of computers and networks. At its most basic, it means electronic shopping, doing business online, or buying products and services through web storefronts. The terms have evolved to include all aspects of business and market processes facilitated by the use of computers, networks, the Internet and the World Wide Web. (NIACC). Advantages of electronic commerce include the ability to reach global markets, to facilitate fast transactions and settlement, achieving higher transaction volume at a lower cost due to automation, realizing time and personnel savings due to reduced "human" handling of transactions and the ability to integrate cross-functional systems. There are already $1 trillion USD in technical infrastructure in place, available for anyone to use at any time. (Hoffman, et al). "
Tags: commerce, computer, technology, programming, consumer, manufacture, consumption, production
Abstract This paper examines the world of international business by analyzing individual companies, nations, and other trade agreements including European Economic Community (EEC), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The author studies the implications and challenges of becoming an international company and at the same time, discusses the requirements a company must meet in order to survive international competition.
From the Paper "As this month's events have once again demonstrated, we are all linked together in a single world, one in which the idea of the modern nation-state itself is becoming increasingly less meaningful. Even as political alliances bind the world together, we also find ourselves powerfully reminded of the way in which the world is a single entity in terms of its economic systems as stock markets rocked throughout the world and talk was of how a recession in the United States would have international implications, even as U.S. markets themselves had been weakened in the past several years due to weakness. This economic interdependence is in part due to the importance of international trade. But it is also in large measure do to the ever-increasing importance of companies that do business internationally. This paper examines the current situation of international business, presenting a survey of the range of such businesses and outlining both the external contexts in which such companies conduct their business as well as the internal organization that is needed for a company to be able to function efficiently in an international context."
A look at how the creation of credit in the U.S. economy has been hugely compounded over time and why credit is the defining aspect of our financial system.
1,105 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 38.95
Abstract This paper explores the aspect of credit in America's financial system and traces the path of credit from its origins. The author examines how the creation of credit in America's economy has been greatly compounded over time and, now hugely prevalent, credit is the defining aspect of the national financial system.
From the Paper "Today credit is more prevalent then ever before. Over three quarters of the American adult population have and use at least one credit card. However, along with this heavy reliance on credit comes a definite risk. Even as early as 1791 this threat was realized, the bank made a large impression on the economy within months of opening its doors in late 1791. Initially it flooded the market with its notes and credits, and then, in February 1792, it sharply reversed course and curtailed credit."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth look at the history of the automobile. The author discusses the early era, and inventors such as Elwood Haynes and Henry Ford. The paper also discusses the Stanley Steamer, the Duryea Motor Company, and Ransom Olds. The paper includes other inventions related to the horseless carriage, and how cars have changed American society.
From the paper:
"The automobile is said to have been a menace and a blessing, it has been worshiped and reviled, celebrated and scorned. The automobile is an invention that has had tremendous impact on society. The automobile has taken diverse segments of the American population; farmers, small town residents and urban dwellers and given them access to the same opportunities and experiences. Automobiles have given us motels, shopping malls, drive-through, vacations, commuting, and of course, suburbia. The concept of the automobile is one of the most profound and important chapters in the development of American society."
Abstract This paper examines the debate over oil drilling in Alaska. It suggests that it is not necessary even given current and possibly future gas shortages in America. It gives various reasons to the adverse affect of using Alaskan oil reserves including the Exxon Valdez incident, the development of supplementary energy sources, and environmental issues.
From the paper:
"As gas prices have risen over the past year, the term "crisis" has been tossed around a great deal, suggesting a number of different possibilities. Among these: Americans may soon run out of gas, Americans may soon be paying five or ten dollars per gallon, and the American will stall utterly if there is not enough cheap gas available. In fact, of course, none of these speculations is true. What is true, and what will be discussed in this paper, is that these higher gas prices are indeed a wake-up call to Americans that something must be done to change our expectations about where our energy will be coming from in the next century."
Tags: environment, energy, Exxon-Valdez, fuel, oil, fuel, prices, energy
Abstract This paper discusses the U.S. government and Senate's approach to revive the economy. However the writer concludes that from their stimulus packages, it seems that there is great discrepancy in both ideas of stimulus.
From the paper:
?The House was of the proponent that the government should cut down taxes so that the country would open up doors to investments thereby increase jobs. While the Senate proposed to cut down expenditure in order compensate for the emergency spending of the Attack of $ 40 billions.?
Abstract This paper argues that the American school system would be of better quality if it were privatized. The author discusses why the education in private schools is superior to public schooling, looks at the war on drugs, sex education, censorship, and dress codes.
From the Paper "The reason censorship is such a huge issue in a public school system is that a school must strive to please everybody in the community. It must grapple with abiding by the rights of free speech, freedom of religion, and the right to privacy, while at the same time trying to appease the demands of a variety of parents, all with differing opinions on how their children (and everybody else's) should be educated. The problem is exponentially enlarged in a large school with students numbering in the thousands. With large public schools becoming more common as the population grows, the debating has intensified. Common sense dictates that it is impossible to satisfy everyone in the community. Disgruntled parents do have the option of sending their children to private schools or home-schooling them, but the short supply of private institutions and private tutors puts alternative education at a high price, which many parents are unwilling or unable to pay."
Abstract This paper explains that traditional financial thinking relies on assumptions of certainty, complete knowledge and market efficiency and in this context, financial decisions should be relatively straightforward. In the real world though, many times what is observed deviates greatly from what would be expected using traditional financial thinking. This paper therefore uses different game theory models to more accurately explain observed financial decisions dealing with capital structure, corporate acquisitions and initial public offerings (IPOs).
From the Paper "Game theory has made great strides in explaining many of the observed phenomena falling under corporate finance. One example is the capital structure decided upon by a firm's management. Capital structure deals with the firm's decision to raise funds through debt versus equity and what ratio of debt to equity should the firm maintain. Modigliani and Miller in 1958 showed that in perfect capital markets (i.e. no frictions and symmetric information) and no taxes a firm could not change its total value by altering its debt/equity ratio; thus capital structure is irrelevant. However in the real world, capital structure is carefully thought about by every company, and it is in fact not irrelevant because taxes do exist and capital markets are not perfect."
Abstract The paper discusses possible international relations involving the US, Europe, and third world countries in light of today's trends and events. The author speculates that Europe is set to eventually rise and outpace the U.S.
From the Paper "A look into the future of international relations, I believe, will reveal progression toward a true global community. This single-team approach will reach into such issues as protecting the environment, government, trade and civil right. But international relations will be multi-polar. We see evidence already of powerful government entities sprouting up alongside the United States, vying for a piece of the power pie. The bipolar international order came to a close with the end of the Cold War. At that point, the world began to move toward a multi-polar order. This, in turn, made way for the creation of a new, rational and fair international political and economic system - one that will foster international peace and security in the future."
Tags: politics, bipolar, emerging, nations, third, world, global, europe, united, states
Abstract This paper is an analysis of the economy in present day United States and several policies that can be carried out in order to help the economic situation. It examines the new administration (Greenspan) and its economic policies. It concludes that it is expected that capital realization and productivity will be sacrificed in order to better the economic situation in the United States.
From the Paper "The U.S. economy faced several downslides in the previous 15 or so quarters. Despite rosy prediction of the outcome of Year 2000 election, 2001 did not bring many changes. The following essay will show some significant part of the economy that is showing major decrease or deterioration in spite of new policies and structure. These are due to political and external environmental forces as well as international rejection of the new economy structure. "
Tags: United, States, economy, 2001, Greenspan, administration, policies, capitalism
Abstract This paper examines public opinion on President Bush's move to free trade. The writer shows that while people both enjoy the freedom of purchase that comes with the move, they are also concerned about the economic and social ramifications.
From the Paper "Advocates of free trade claim benefits to both individuals and society, while protectionists claim that people need protection from free trade. There is no doubt that business is becoming increasingly global and it seems free trade will mark the future of international business. By considering both sides of the argument, a balanced view of the issue can be obtained. It may even be possible to combine both sides of the argument to give a true account of the impact of free trade."
Abstract This paper presents arguments supporting a tax-free zone and the arguments in opposition to a tax-free zone. It also looks at the current status of the law and shows which steps are required to resolve the issue.
From the Paper "To begin the analysis of the situation, definition of some terms is necessary. When a transaction occurs between a seller and a buyer, the seller may be required to collect applicable state and local sales tax from the buyer. The requirement is based on whether or not the seller has a "physical presence", referred to as nexus, in the state where the sale occurred. Examples of nexus would be a retail store or a warehouse in the state. The companies with a number of physical locations are generally referred to as "brick-and-mortar" entities. If the seller does not have nexus in the state, they are not required to collect sales tax. The buyer may be required by the state to pay a use tax to the state. Most mail order sellers and Internet, e-commerce, sellers have nexus in few states and localities. In many case they have only one location."
Tags: growth, sales, government, legislation, industry, federal, taxes, tax-free, zone
