Abstract This paper presents a frank account of the current tourism market in Thailand. The paper discusses the diverse attractions that the country offers. The public health crisis surrounding the bird flu epidemic is outlined in the paper, and suggestions are made to rectify the situation. The paper explains Thailand's economic dependence on the tourism industry.
From the Paper "The Bird flu epidemic is thus both a public health crisis of real impact, and a potential economic crisis for a nation dependant upon tourism, and improving its public image as a safe, family-friendly destination. Thai authorities should be commended for their openness regarding the epidemic's spread, as secrecy could only lead to more rumors and innuendos. But the difficulty in stemming the tide is troubling. Only last week, Thai public health officials were forced to announce that the avian influenza had spread to poultry in four more provinces, ?meaning that the disease has infected flocks of chickens and other birds in 35 of Thailand's 76 provinces since it re-emerged in July,? and the most recent outbreaks of avian influenza indicate that the new strain can pass from human to human, "the first such instance documented" in Thailand. (Bradsher, 2004)"
Abstract This paper begins with a brief look at the history and varieties of coffee and then takes a deeper look at how important coffee is to the economies of the countries in which it is grown. The paper lists the main countries where coffee is grown and then looks at the coffee industry in each of those countries from an economic perspective. The paper also describes the types of processing and supply chain management typically used in the coffee industry, as well as how coffee is marketed in both domestic and international markets.
Introduction
Importance of Coffee
Brazil
The Ecuadorian/Amazon Region
Other Countries
Process/Supply Chain
Marketing and World Trade
From the Paper "According to legend the origins of the coffee industry began when an Arabian goatherd named Kaldi found that his goats reacted strangely around a certain green-leafed bush with red cherries. He ascertained that the excitement exhibited by the goats was due to the effects from eating these cherries. He also consumed some of the fruit and felt "invigorated"; later monks were said to have benefited from the plants qualities to help them stay awake during their long hours of prayer. Whether this story has any basis in fact is unknown but what has been determined is that Coffea Arabica originates from Ethiopia. The plant was cultivated by the Oromom people in the Kafa Province of the country. Arab traders are said to have transported seeds and grew plantations in about 1000 A.D. (Coffee, FAO)"
Abstract This paper presents a statistical background of Afghanistan's economy and describes Afghanistan's prospects for economic growth in the past decade and today. The paper explains that realistic expectations for future economic growth in Afghanistan are based upon both the influx of foreign aid and the ability of the country to meet prerequisites for economic growth, which include political stability, infrastructure, health and education, good governance, and effective monetary policy.
From the Paper "There a number of important prerequisites for economic growth in any developing country (Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe). These include the creation of a modern infrastructure, political stability, tax incentives that attract foreign businesses, and adequate workforce education and training. In a report entitled Improving the Prospects of Developing Countries, the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development of the Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe "emphasizes the need to ensure better governance in the developing countries themselves, accompanied by more democracy and rule of law, a greater respect for human rights, as well as regional and internal peace and stability.""
Abstract This paper describes the geography, climate, wildlife, vegetation, cultural development, ethnic groups, and internal ethnic conflicts of both Australia and Canada and draws comparisons and contrasts of these between the two countries.
From the Paper "Their specious, surface images in the international public eye could not be more diverse. Canada is often schematically depicted as a friendly land of stoic Mounties, clear views of mountaintops and uncluttered city streets, crisp air-and the home of Anne of Green Gables. Australia travel advertisements show a land of sunny beaches, strange wildlife, and strange English expressions such as to throw another shrimp upon the Barbie, and feature upside down seasons of blistering heat-and the home of the rustic Crocodile Dundee. Yet both of these nations do speak the Queen's English language, and both were once a part of the British crown. Both have experienced profound internal conflicts with their indigenous populations. Both embrace a wide diversity of cultures within their respective folds, partly due to geographic circumstances of great territorial and climatic diversity."
This paper discusses the geography and political history of Lithuania, which changed from being a part of the Soviet Union to being a member of the European Union and NATO.
Abstract This paper explains that, because of its geographical position between East and West, Lithuania has been destroyed many times by being caught between the Swedes, the French, and the Germans on the one side, and the Russians on the other side. The author points out that, in the 1990s, Lithuania went through a dynamic transition from a centralized economy into a market-driven economy. The goal was to orient the economy towards trade with Western Europe and North America. The paper relates that, in relations with Western Europe and the United States, Lithuania has two main objectives: economic cooperation and attracting Western capital and security guarantees against any threat from Russia.
Table of Contents
Geopolitical Position
General Statistics
Political Culture
Political System
Domestic Policy
Economy
Foreign Relations
From the Paper "Lithuania is an independent republic. It is a multi-party, parliamentary democracy. The president, who is the head of the state, is elected directly for 5 years. He is also commander in chief overseeing foreign and security policy. The president nominates the prime minister and his cabinet and a number of other top civil servants. The Lithuanian parliament (Seimas) has 141 members that are elected for a 4-year term. 71 of the members are elected in single constituencies, and the other half (70) are elected in the nationwide vote by party lists. To be represented in the Seimas a party must receive at least 5% of the national vote."
Abstract This paper discusses trade liberalisation and its alternatives in relation to global development, particularly in the third world. It deals with both the theoretical nature of the free market, as well as its failings in the real world.
Outline
Development and Dependency
Modern Anti-Liberalism
Alternatives to Trade Liberalisation
Conclusions
From the Paper "To fully understand the concept of trade liberalisation, it is first necessary to understand its alternatives - protectionism and interventionism. Protectionism is defined as 'the actions of a government to help its country's trade or industry by taxing goods bought from other countries' (Cambridge Dictionary, 2004). The theories behind this concept are ancient and allow for domestic industries to thrive where foreign products act as a threat. It also allows for taxes to be raised and the importation of undesirable goods to be restricted. Interventionism, as well as including the use of protection tariffs, is the more complex system of intervening in industry - for example, setting quotas, and import and export restrictions."
Tags: bank, bretton, economics, fair, free, imf, liberalisation, liberalization, third, trade, woods, world
Abstract This paper analyzes and evaluates the foreign policies of Australia, a major member of the international community. The paper forms part of the overall effort by research analysts under the National Interests and Foreign Policies group in advising member countries of the international community on how a new international system is developing. It covers Australia's foreign policy in the last ten years, its projected direction in the next five years, and the reactions of other major member countries and the international community to its foreign policy.
From the Paper "Australia is the smallest continent in the world, isolated from the other continents and has a wide variety of landscapes. It was founded by the British in 1788 and first named it as Sydney. Its original inhabitants, called the Aborigines, were only a few hundred thousands before large groups of Europeans began arriving and settling there, particularly after the discovery of gold in the mid-19th century. After two centuries of discrimination and expropriation, the Aborigines were reduced as few as 60,000. Today, 99% of Australia's population is European or Asian, while the descendants of the indigenous Australians must contend with high unemployment rates, imprisonment and drug abuse charges."
Abstract This paper discusses the political and economic background of Bolivia. The paper describes Bolivia's long-standing economic dependency on America and the realization that this is an obstacle to the betterment of the future of the country. The neo-liberal path to capitalism is examined in the paper through an overview of the social, economic, and political problems of Bolivia.
From the Paper "Bolivia is located in Central South America, to the South West of Brazil. (Bolivia, Geography) Bolivia will always continue to remain in a place where it is dependent on cocoa, on Washington, and under severe economic pressure from all sources, including the very shape of its political and its economic institutions. Even its new liberal model has come under pressure, and it is generally believed that this model would serve the purpose of a testing ground for the way in which it would cope with the ongoing problems of not only social but also political exclusion. Al Gore has categorically stated that Bolivia would be a perfect example of improvement and also that the 'entire world is marching on the Bolivian road', but the reality is that Bolivia is one of the poorest country in entire South America, and is faced with the very real problems of economic dependence, impoverishment and economic underdevelopment. Sanchez de Lozada remains loyal and faithful to Washington, but the fact is that this could in fact prove to be his undoing, as more and more Bolivians are coming to the realization that the United States of America has become an impediment to the betterment of their futures. (Nicholls, 2003)"
Abstract This paper analyzes the culture and history of Madagascar in order to explain its social status today. The main points examined in the paper are European and Indonesia influence, how Malagasies govern themselves, how they live, and how they interact with other countries. The paper concludes that Madagascar is unique among African nations because of its strong Indonesian and South Asian influence.
From the Paper "Just off the coast of East Africa, Madagascar is unlike any other country in Africa, or the rest of the world. Different countries have left scars on Madagascar, which have influenced how Madagascar plays a role in the world today. The culture of Madagascar has been greatly influenced over the years by newcomers to the island, such as rafters from Indonesia and colonizers from France, who have changed the way Malagasies live, how they govern themselves, and how they interact with other countries."
Abstract This paper explains that Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of the U.S., is located in the Caribbean Sea, one of over 7,000 tropical islands called the West Indies, is a high tourist area because of its breath-taking beauty. The author points out there is an argument about Puerto Rico becoming a state, which would lead to assimilation into the United States' culture, or remaining a commonwealth, a nation separate from the United States; however, the United States has a strong argument when it says that either Puerto Rico joins in on all the responsibilities of being a state or receive none of the benefits, if it does not become a state. The paper relates that the economy of Puerto Rico has had the benefit of a duty-free status, which has brought American owned companies; but, even though there is a minimum wage, there are not enough jobs and therefore there is a marked migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States.
From the Paper "Ignorance about Puerto Rico on behalf of Americans has existed for many years. Most Americans do not know that Puerto Ricans use American currency, that one cannot drive to Puerto Rico, and that every person born on the island is an American citizen. Many Americans are angry that Puerto Ricans receive welfare benefits and citizenship and yet they do not pay into the U.S. Treasury. However, these beliefs about Puerto Ricans are un-educated because in fact, "Against their will, Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917" (Cueto, Fernandez, Mendez ix). In order to fully understand why this is, it is important to study the history of the Puerto Rican people and then to utilize this knowledge to educate other Americans."
Abstract This paper describes the continental drift and plate tectonic theories and traces their history, discusses the key players who were involved in developing the theories and examines the current state of scientific knowledge about Earth's geology and paleontology.
From the Paper "The idea that the earth's continents have drifted has a long history. As long ago as 1596 the Dutch map maker Abraham Ortelius in his work Thesaurus Geographicus Ortelius suggested that the Americas were "torn away from Europe and Africa . . . by earthquakes and floods." He had been the first (and certainly not the last) to notice the apparent "jig-saw" fit of the bulge of eastern South America into the bight of Africa. (Kious and Tilling, 1999) In around 1850 A.D., a French scientist Antonio Snider-Pellegrini, while researching the similarity of the fossil plants and coal deposits in North American and European and concluded that the phenomenon could only be explained if the two continents had once been connected. In 1908 Frank B. Taylor of the United States invoked the notion of continental collision to explain the formation of some of the world's mountain ranges."
Abstract This paper explains that, because the forests of central America's western Pacific plains were cleared long ago for export crops and subsistence agriculture, the deforestation which has taken place in the last 50 years has been most severe in the lowland tropical moist forests of the Atlantic, or the Caribbean side of central America. The author points out that Panama has a wide range of environmental protection policies in place which are designed to address the impact of human habitation and land-use techniques and to emphasize environmental education and extension programs. The paper concludes that, because of the competition from multi-national businesses, which are not concerned about the environment, "green" businesses must develop effective business models to survive the rigors of the marketplace as well as the extremes of nature, which effect commercial forestation businesses. Many tables and charts. Annotated bibliography.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Deforestation and Agricultural Expansion
Background and Overview
Distribution of Panama's Forest Lands and Rates of Deforestation
Land Use Changes
Causes of Deforestation
Consequences of Deforestation
Impact on Agriculture and Supply
Climate Changes
Human Health
Forest Management in Panama
Signs of Progress
The Economic Value of Forest Benefits and Services
Deforestation and Property Rights
Findings and Discussion
Panama's Environment and the Components of its Eco-System
Economical and Social Consequences of Deforestation in Panama
The Climate Affected by the Loss of Forests
Forest Policies and the Existing Instruments to Conserve the Forest Areas
Ecological Viability of a Business in the Production Process, Beneficiary and Commercialization
Business Contribution
From the Paper "As a result of the enactment of a land tenure system in 1962, some small farmers in Panama have managed to acquire some land; nevertheless, by late in the 20th century fewer than one-third of all farms were owned by the people working them. The most common agricultural products include sugarcane, bananas, rice, plantains, corn (maize), and oranges, and the commercial cultivation of these and other crops increased considerably during the 20th century. Livestock raising (cattle, pigs, and poultry) is an important and long-established economic activity, and beef and hides are exported. The country's largest cattle-raising farms are in the southwestern savannas-in Chiriqui, Los Santos, and Veraguas provinces. The provinces of Panama, Los Santos, Chiriqui, and Veraguas raise the most pigs, whereas Panama, Cocle, and Colon are the largest centres for poultry and egg production."
Tags: biodiversity, vanilla, climate, health, rights
Abstract This paper presents a general overview of the history, geography and peoples of Nigeria and then takes a more detailed look at the country's economy. The economic overview includes a look at the country's gross domestic product, agricultural sector, manufacturing sector and services sector.
From the Paper "Although the country of Nigeria makes up a good portion of the continent of Africa, it is considered by most geographers and economists as a peripheral country, due to several reasons. First, Nigeria, a federal republic in West Africa, was a British dependency in the early years of the 20th century, meaning that every aspect of the country was controlled by Great Britain. Thus, the modern history of Nigeria is symbolized by gradual and pervading changes related to its economic, industrial and political systems and is without an organized past based on its own subsistence. "
Abstract This paper provides a brief overview of Spain and looks at how the country's history is rich with the rise and fall of power and internal conflict and how its culture is one which incorporates thousands of years of tradition. It also discusses how politically, religiously and culturally diverse, Spain is a thriving nation, whose populations have adapted to the changing political situations of our current society.
From the Paper "Spain again lost economic and political power. By 1898, Spain had lost the last of her possessions in the America's, following the Spanish-American war. Again, Spain fought to control her populations, but increasing political strife and vast episodes of violence sparked the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The centuries of war and internal conflict had taken its toll, and the country was left in political and economic exhaustion. It was not until the 1960's that Spain began to regain some of her previous power through the introduction of tourism and through the manufacturing sector (Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, 2005). By 1978, a democratic constitution was in place, proving the country had finally won her democracy."
Abstract This paper explains that, although it could be easily assumed that globalization is apt to benefit the poor developing countries in a positive manner, the facts state differently because of the negative impact upon these regions. The author points out that the economic exploitation of poorer countries by the world's industrialized nations underlines much of the over-exploitation of tropical ecosystems by populations left without land or employment. The paper relates that the five countries of the largest rainforest areas are among the most heavily indebted countries in the world, putting them under extreme pressure to harvest their rainforests for debt repayment.
Table of Contents
Statement of Thesis
Introduction
Customs, Economies, Political Policy, Trade Interactions and Other Factors
Outcomes Discussed
From the Paper "Child labor, forced labor and discrimination are those needing elimination. Barriers to the individuals of developing countries are factors of low educational attainment and low level of skills. The wage differentials between workers who are skilled and/or educated and workers who are not skilled and/or educated are growing larger. The overall lack of technical skills and information technology skills is specifically noted as a factor in developing countries. Trade liberalization and other economic reform programmes tend to be sensitive to their likely social impact. Specifically mentioned were the price changes on the poor, of the possible destruction of markets important to poor producers."
