Abstract
In this paper, the author explains what is meant by comparative advantage and underlines its importance. The paper also discusses how the concept differs from the related concept of absolute advantage and describes, with the help of an example, why comparative advantage may prove beneficial for individuals, as well as countries. In the end, the author briefly reviews how the Ricardian model of comparative advantage applies to the real world situation.

From the Paper
"Comparative advantage is an economics theory which explains why it can be beneficial for two individuals or countries to trade, despite the fact that one of them may be able to produce each item more cheaply than the other. In other words, what is of critical importance in the viability of trade is not the absolute cost of production, but rather the ratio between how easily the two individuals (or countries) can produce different kinds of things. According to the theory of comparative advantage, the total output will be increased if people and nations engage in those activities for which their advantages over others are the largest or their disadvantages are the smallest."

Tags:economist, paul, samuelson, adam, smith, wealth, of, nations, produce, lower, cost

Abstract
The paper discusses advantages and disadvantages of international trade, and the basic model of international trade structured around the concept of comparative advantage. The paper addresses trade patterns, relative and absolute prices and barriers to trade such as tariffs and quotas.

From the Paper
"The basic model of international trade is structured around the concept of comparative advantage. The theory of comparative advantage holds that mutually advantageous trade between countries will always be available, because trade patterns will be based on relative prices as opposed to absolute prices, which is based on the theory of absolute advantage wherein mutually advantageous trade between countries might not always be possible. The reasoning behind the theory of comparative advantage is that no single country can have comparative advantage in..."

Tags:trade, international, prices, barriers, tariff, comparative advantage

Abstract
Adam Smith envisioned the idea of free trade with his "invisible hand doctrine". But, it was David Ricardo, working in the early part of the nineteenth century who provided the proof for this doctrine in his theory of "Comparative Advantage". The paper shows that Ricardo realized that absolute advantage was a limited case of a more general theory. It examines how Ricardo argued that trade is based on comparative advantage, and not absolute advantage. The paper examines how this theory can be applied to modern day economics.

From the Paper
"If China, for one, is to be considered the major market opportunity for nearly every global conglomerate or corporation, what can China provide that they can produce more cheaply than Western nations? The answer is obvious: labor and the real estate to build new plants at a lower cost than in a Western Nation. What are the difficulties? China's immense and dense bureaucracy, a mountain of permits and documents to be signed by dozens of functionaries large and small, most wanting a capitalist portion of the eventual pie."

Tags:Nigeria, European, Union, IBM, China, NAFTA

Abstract
This paper explains Fichte's three fundamental principles. The author states that the ethical idealism of Fichte's theory of knowledge and reality appears more clearly in his moral philosophy. The author concludes that, according to Fichte, even white lies are taboo since with these we exchange a right principle for expediency and seeming advantage.

From the Paper
"Fichte traced reality from the self-affirmation of the absolute Ego to the subject-object integration achieved by the moral will. The will, by striving and pursuing unendingly the ideal, expresses both its limited character as an empirical ego and, through moral activity, its oneness with the infinite Ego. Our essential life does not lie in the blind drive of empirical impulses but in the higher self-insight and self-commitment to a moral life. "Divinity itself enters again into thee, in its first and original form, as life, as thine own life that thou shouldn't live and wilt live.""

Tags:reality, principles, ego, ideal, activity

Abstract
This paper examines PowerPoint, a communication mode that blends visuals with the spoken and written word in a succinct and visually appealing manner. The paper looks at Ian Parker's article "Absolute PowerPoint," where he maintains that PowerPoint presentations sometimes cause the ideas presented to go unexamined and just consumed un-refuted by observers. The paper discusses the advantages of PowerPoint such as its multimedia abilities that allows for maximum information transfer. The paper argues, however, that PowerPoint's multimedia nature ultimately distracts the audience from the central ideas, The paper concludes that PowerPoint is effective only when it is used as a visual aid that enhances whatever ideas the presenter is putting forth, instead of merely packaging and glossing over those ideas.

From the Paper
"The room goes dark and the projector hums to life. The presenter reads from his slides, his PowerPoint presentation clicking from one visual to the next, while the audience sits silently. When the presentation ends, there is sparse applause and the presenter looks pleased as he ushers himself off stage."
"As the Western culture has drifted more towards the visual and technological as its prime modes of communication, so has the forms of information presentation; the opening descriptive scene is a typical one: PowerPoint has emerged as a mode to blend visuals with the spoken and written word in a succinct and visually appealing manner. As such, the program is used in a variety of settings, prominently in classrooms and business transactions."

Tags:multimedia, information, transfer, visuals, written, word, ideas

Abstract
This paper summarizes and analyzes the contributions of Adam Smith to the study of economics. The paper gives particular attention to the concepts of comparative and absolute advantage.

From the Paper
"According to an essay published on Wikipedia online Adam Smith's book 'An Inquiry into the Nature and the Causes of the Wealth of Nations' is considered the starting point for most discussions, defenses and critiques of capitalism. Smith explained that the invisible hand results in the right products being produced in the correct quantities. For example, if a product shortage occurs its price rises. This creates an incentive to increase production, eventually eliminating the shortage. If a labor shortage occurs..."

Tags:biography, adam smith, capitalism, the wealth of nations, comparative advantage, absolute advantage

Abstract
This paper addresses the question of whether free trade with countries with low wages harms American workers. It offers different perspectives, as well as an economic perspective relating to comparative and absolute advantage.

From the Paper
"The globalization of manufacturing has led to a massive re distribution of work around the world. One question being asked repeatedly is this: Does international trade with low-wage countries such as China and India steal American jobs and cost American workers higher wages and a higher standard of living? Most economists think international trade is not guilty of forcing wages down, citing concepts such as comparative and absolute advantage and differences in productivity to explain why trade..."

Tags:International trade, free trade, low wages, comparative advantage, absolute advantage, job loss, displacement, government intervention, protectionism, outline.

Abstract
This paper explores and discusses issues faced by Anheuser-Busch as it attempts to compete in the South African beer market. These include the company's approach to absolute advantage, comparative advantage, and competitive advantage. These approaches are defined and examined at length.

From the Paper
"The basic model of international trade is structured around the concept of comparative advantage. The theory of comparative advantage holds that mutually advantageous trade between countries will always be available because trade patterns will be based on relative prices as opposed to absolute prices which is based on the theory of absolute advantage wherein mutually advantageous trade between countries might not always be possible. The reasoning behind the theory of comparative advantage..."

Tags:market, beer, Anheuser-Busch, South Africa, trade, pricing

From the Paper
"Introduction
David Ricardo was a self-made millionaire landowner who argued vehemently against the interests of landowners. He published only one book, Principles of Political Economy and Taxation, but is recognized for putting forth an economic theory based on business interests. In putting forth economic theories that contradicted the interest of landowners, Ricardo incurred the criticism and anger of others in his class. Nonetheless, Ricardo continued to be a vociferous critic of laws which favored landowners, most notably the so-called "Corn Laws" and argued in favor of free trade as a way of better distributing goods across international borders. This research examines Ricardo's arguments and positions, and evaluates his contribution to modern economic and political discussions regarding free trade and distribution of wealth..."

Abstract
This essay discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the scientific method. It begins with an overview of what the scientific method is or entails. It explains what induction is and why it is democratic in nature, i.e. it allows knowledge to be open to the public domain where theories can be refuted and improved on. It explains how scientific theories follow the rules of parsimony (Ockham's razor), and why this provides an edge to scientific theories over other forms of knowledge as far as practical application is concerned. The main drawback of scientific knowledge is said to be the lure of objectivity, where scientists regularly mistake their theories to be representing absolute truth. It is further argued that this attitude gives rise to dogmatism, resulting in the suppression of other forms of knowledge, and that this is a severe loss. The arguments of Popper and Feyerabend are presented in this regard.

From the Paper
"The fruits of the scientific revolution are all around us, therefore there is much to be said about the benefits of the scientific method upon which it is based. But the scientific method is also a lure, so that scientists frequently mistake their theories to represent absolute truth. An examination of the philosophy of science points out that the scientists claim regarding truth in scientific statements is untenable. Even so, scientific enquiry is distinct from other forms of enquiry, and it is helpful to spell out this distinction with the help of the philosophy of science.
"The scientific method relies on induction. This is where the empirical observation of the physical world leads towards the construction of theories. This means that a semantic relationship is found between physical entities, and such a relationship is said to explain the physical phenomenon. The explanation does not derive logically from the observation. Though the scientist uses mathematics and deductive logic at various stages of the process, the initial step of induction is rather the result of inspiration."

Tags:empiricism, objectivity, theory, hypothesis, experiment, deduction, Francis Bacon, mathematical rigor