Abstract The paper examines the effectiveness of Canada's aggressive regulatory regime in controlling pollution emissions by the Canadian petroleum industry. The paper places particular emphasis on information asymmetries between government and industry. The paper shows the flaws of government regulation and concludes that were the government to instead invest in systematically promoting environmental awareness among the public, it would clearly have a significant impact upon the petroleum industry through market forces.
Outline:
Introduction
The Canadian Petroleum Industry
Information Asymmetries and the Pigouvian Tax
Regulation and its Discontents
Conclusion
From the Paper "The question of the effectiveness of aggressive regulatory intervention in the marketplace is a complex one given how it balances economic theory and legal principles within the context of political realities. The complexity of this is due to the extremely high level of variables that must be incorporated into an analysis in order to fully understand the problem at hand. In this regard, the Canadian regulatory regime of pollution controls on the country's petroleum industry represents an excellent example through which we may understand the complexity of analysis of government practices in this regard."
Examines the right brain/left brain dichotomy in humans. Discusses the new concept of fluctuating asymmetry, in which hemispheric dominance is influenced by environmental factors.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 3 sources, 1994, $ 55.95
From the Paper "INTRODUCTION
Research has suggested that the brain, which has a symmetrical structure, may have different functions on different sides of that structure, with the degree of development of one hemisphere over the other indicating differences in cognitive ability, behavior patterns, and other dimensions of mental functioning. Scientists believe that nature "intends" for certain structures and behaviors to be symmetrical, and the issue then arises as to why they do not develop in precisely that fashion. The structures of the brain are symmetrical in appearance, but they are asymmetrical in functioning. A recent article in the British magazine The Economist analyzes this issue, the issue of what is called fluctuating asymmetry, in an attempt to show how these fluctuations may be related to broader.."
This paper discusses the matter of E-money, looking at the article titled "The Global Economy: Financial, Monetary, Trade and Knowledge Asymmetries" by Bernd Kempa.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, 2005, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper discusses Bernd Kempa's article titled "The Global Economy: Financial, Monetary, Trade and Knowledge Asymmetries". The writer studies questions over what regulation should apply to e-money systems, particularly of small-scale transaction services). Various e-money application systems are examined in this article, including both card-based and network-based systems, Mondex and Geldkarte.
From the Paper "The purpose of this paper is to discuss and analyze Bern Kempa's essay on "The Global Economy: financial, Monetary, Trade and Knowledge Asymmetries". Kempa's thesis is based on the assumption that the emergence of electronic money will impact destabilize money markets and weaken monetary policies. He suggests that e-money poses as a potential threat to central bank money and to the existence of money itself. Kempa discusses how e-money first came about, as a result from advancement in cryptography and smart card technology."
Abstract The paper discusses Thomas Nagel's understanding of the significance of death as being bad in contrast to Epicurus who does not consider death as bad. The paper argues that Nagel's argument is the more sound of the two as he recognizes the fundamental asymmetry in our valuations of life and death. The paper attempts to show how Epicurus' argument is invalid in its basic premise given its limited conception of the meaning of death.
From the Paper "Nagel's argument that death is bad is rendered particularly strong by his willingness to address opposing views from the outset, and thus carefully establish the boundaries of his argument. For example, Nagel decides to leave aside the complex debate over whether we are "immortal" in some fashion - immortality implying continuation of consciousness in one form or another - and define death as being the absence of any "conscious survival" (Nagel 31). Similarly, he is equally careful to restrict the valuation of life to one's subjectivity instead of viewing it in an objective sense. This removes complications that may come from an "objective" viewing of the valuation of life from the perspective of others (Nagel 31). Having thus carefully framed the boundaries of his argument, Nagel presents his key contention with regard to the "asymmetry" in our understanding of the significance of death versus life."
Abstract This paper compares engraver Albrecht Durer's 16th-century visual representation of Adam and Eve as an example of of gender roles in the Bible with the text of the creation story as told in Genesis.
From the Paper "Through its dual account of the creation of Eve, the Bible reflects the conflicting nature of society's perception of woman. On one hand, she is man's equal partner, his wife and the mother of his children. On the other, she is secondary to him, inferior in both mind and body. In addition to its occurrence in Biblical literature, evidence of this dual nature of womanhood can be found in our culture's visual history. By studying various artists? renditions of scenes from Genesis, it is apparent that there are two perceptions of Eve that correspond to the double nature of women: equal and non-equal. D"rer's Adam and Eve is rife with these examples of dichotomy. In his engraving, D"rer depicts the couple in the Garden of Eden the moment before Eve accepts the apple from the serpent. Whereas certain aspects of the composition point out the physical similarities between Adam and Eve, there are also hints at an implicit hierarchy between the genders. This mixture of equality and inequality underlines the conflict in Genesis: while the likeness between Adam and Eve is reminiscent of the first, simultaneous creation story, their differences reflect the gender asymmetry that characterizes the second creation myth."
Abstract This paper considers the origins of the 18th century Rococo style of art. It also considers the similarities and the differences in French and Italian Rococo styles, the changes that occurred as the style spread to Germany and Austria, and the end of the Rococo form of artwork.
From the Paper "As is true of so much of artistic enterprise, Rococo art began as a reaction to what had come before it, and so it is impossible either to appreciate or to understand Rococo art without understanding at least in some measure the Baroque aesthetics that Rococo artists set themselves up against. While the Baroque covers a range of different sub-styles and competing schools, Baroque art (especially painting and sculpture) as well as architecture was distinguished by a general sense of vitality and an emphasis on creating the illusion of movement."
Abstract This paper discusses the life and work of Louis Pasteur. It chronicles his discoveries of crystal asymmetry, the germ theory, vaccination, sepsis and pasteurization. The paper also discusses his work with fermentation, anthrax and rabies.
From the Paper "Louis Pasteur was born in Dole in the region of Dura France and grew up in the town of Arbois. He was not an outstanding student in elementary school and took an early interest in drawing. However the headmaster of the local college recognized his potential and had him enrolled in the prestigious French University Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris, founded to train outstanding students for University careers in science and letters. Pasteur became a chemist studying..."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the history of Pilates, an exercise that was developed at the turn of the 20th century. Pilates has become a very popular form of exercise, especially in knee and hip injury rehabilitation or for sufferers of repetitive strain injuries, and for anyone wanting to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
Contents:
Principles of Pilates
Cruciate Ligament
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Miniscal Damage
Knee Replacement
Hip Replacement
Pilates Mat work Exercises
Exercises Using the Swiss Ball
Case Studies
From the Paper "This is not "mindless exercise" but rather requires someone--in the case of rehabilitation, the therapist--to put some thought into the proper exercises and the proper order of exercises to accomplish the rehabilitation sought. Importantly, Pilates recognizes, in several of its principles, the fact that the torso ultimately controls actions of the extremities; therefore, the Pilates concentration on torso control and improvement cannot help but improve the use and function of muscles of the hip and knee in rehabilitation.
In addition, while most people think of hard, fast movements as being needed for building strength, Pilates movements are slow and methodical but through them, Robinson and Thomson note, strength is regained (2002, Positive Health Web site), a prime intention in almost any rehabilitation program."
Abstract The paper reviews asymmetric information and discusses how the failure of Canadian policy makers to appreciate it as a symptom of market failure, made it all too easy for them to later overlook it as a fundamental cause of the decline of a major Canadian airline subsidized by Transport Canada. Beyond that, the paper also examines how this malaise affected Transport Canada's curious inability to find the information it needed in both security matters and when it came time to privatize some of its holdings.
From the Paper "The relationship between asymmetric information (which is essentially one party in free market transactions knowing more than the other party) and market failure has arguably been under-acknowledged by policy makers throughout the history of the modern bureaucratic state - at least in matters pertaining to the state's involvement in the dispensation of "merit goods" to a public that may, for a host of reasons, be unreceptive to whatever it is that the state considers "meritorious"."
Abstract This paper discusses Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio, entitled "Taliesin West," as seen through the eyes and artistic principles of the Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. The paper describes the building and then discusses how Wright's use of asymmetry and rough-hewn materials would not appeal to Palladio's architectural principles.
From the Paper "It might be objected that Palladio was not entirely anti-natural in his material and design and thus may have objected less strenuously to Wright's work than might be alleged. It is true gardens were important to Palladio's works, and the outdoors and the space of the composition are integrated into many of Palladio's designs. However, in balancing the relationship between the exterior and the interior, proportionality was always key, as was to make the Roman designs seem spacious and airy. His most famous work, the Palazzo Godi at Lonedo (1540) above all makes use of a balanced composition of mass, is dignified in detail, and uses the light and the space in a way that draws attention to the architect's fundamental design, not causes the gazer to look differently at the natural world. To gaze upon Wright's "Taliesin West" changes not simply one's view of what architecture should accomplish--one never looks at nature the same way again, either. One sees human dwellings at one with nature, rather than resisting its effects, as was common in classical and Renaissance works of architecture."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that unlike the food market, the healthcare market is incapable of self-regulating. The writere explains that for a market to completely self-regulate five ideal conditions must be present. The writer notes that, firstly, the consumer must be in a position of certainty in relation to what is needed, when it is needed and where it can be obtained. Secondly, there must be an absence of externalities produced as an unintended consequence of production or consumption. Thirdly, the writer points out that consumers must possess perfect knowledge with respect to what options are available in terms of competing products, the relative quality of those products and what those products will contribute to their self-interest. Fourthly, the consumer must be able to act free of self-interested advice of producers. Finally, the writer states that producers should be able to compete primarily in terms of price alone. The writer then explains that,
whereas the market for food meets each of those conditions to varying degrees, the market for healthcare fails across the board. The writer concludes that there are good economic and not merely ideological reasons why the UK has a National Health Service and not a National Food Service.
Outline:
Risk and Uncertainty
Externalities
Asymmetry of knowledge between service users and providers
The purpose and necessity of governmental intervention in healthcare
(b) Efficiency and equity as the measures of evidence-based medicine
Social bias in the production of EBM
Social bias and the application of EBM
Conclusion
From the Paper "Moral hazard refers to the change in attitude that occurs on the part of both service users and service providers when responsibility for the cost of healthcare is born by a third party in return for a premium. On the demand side this can lead to over-use since consumers have no need to worry about costs once premiums have been paid. On the supply side there is little incentive for keeping costs low since insurance companies are responsible for the costs of healthcare and not the end user. The result is one of increased cost and decreased efficiency."
"A second problem arising from the role of private insurance is that of 'diseconomies of small scale'. Instead of one central body dealing with the administration of healthcare costs, lots of small competing insurance companies shoulder the burden of administrative costs individually. This in turn decreases efficiency and increases the costs of insurance premiums."
Abstract This paper argues that, most of the time, Canada was a loyal ally of the U.S. during the first three decades of the Cold War. The paper also argues, however that, in the period from 1968 to 1975, Canada deviated from America in substantial ways because of a more belligerent form of nationalism and because of the desire of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to carve for himself a distinctive path in Canadian political history. The paper concludes that Canada may have failed to "tow the line" on occasion, but its record as an ally of Washington's is a strong one, especially during the late 1940s, 1950s and most of the 1960s.
From the Paper "In the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Canada's contribution to continental air security extended beyond simply being a welcome cushion for America in the event of an all-out war. Firstly, Canada erected, maintained and operated the Mid-Canada or McGill Radar Warning Line - an installation that paralleled the complex US Pine Tree System. The existence of the Mid-Canada Radar Warning Line says a couple things about Canada during this period: firstly, it says that Canada was willing to expend large sums of money on a defense project that would benefit America as well as the Dominion."
Abstract The paper discusses how the Enron debacle that occurred in late 2001 illustrated how an ethically unsound business can have devastating and widespread effects on the international business community. The paper continues and reiterates that the reason for the collapse of Enron was an absence of ideation and practice of ethical values. Market failure occurred due to information asymmetries, in which unfairness of the imbalance exceeded simple competitive advantage, while compromising the rights of others. The paper states that six ethical decision-making steps can be applied to the organizational ethics issue of Enron in order to further understand the process involved in solving ethical issues.
From the Paper "The collapse of Enron at the end of 2001 resulted in the second largest corporate bankruptcy in American history to date. The fraudulent practices of Enron executives resulted in stakeholder betrayals (Petrick & Scherer, 2003). Stakeholders were deceived by Enron executives, betrayals which contravene any ethical code. This choice among Enron executives to betray stakeholders in order to promote short term financial gain resulted in the destruction of their own personal and business reputations, exposure to the possibility of criminal and civil prosecution, as well as bankruptcy. Stakeholders, including institutional and individual investors, were misinformed regarding the financial stability of Enron due to fraudulent accounting practices, and this resulted in a loss of millions of dollars. Secondary and tertiary stakeholders were also negatively affected by the Enron scandal. For example, Enron executives placed pressure on accounting and law firms to partake in unethical practices in order to accrue short term, temporary gain."
