Abstract The following paper examines the research provided on atmospheric depletion and its relationship to the survival of humanity. Issues like the greenhouse effect and ozone crisis are discussed. The writer feels strongly towards the serious danger from the pollution that is regularly released into the air and discusses, briefly, ways in which to halt the destructive process.
From the Paper "One way we are destroying our atmosphere is by releasing carbon dioxide gas. Carbon dioxide makes up part of a natural cycle of carbon involving the atmosphere, land, sea, and plant life (Neal 10). So what is the problem if CO2 is there naturally already? Carbon dioxide makes up a very tiny part of our atmosphere, representing approximately 0.035 percent (Neal 10). 0.035 percent seems insignificant, but consider that a rise of about 0.06 percent changes our atmosphere dramatically (Neal 10). Carbon dioxide is released into the air every time a fossil fuel is burned (Neal 11). Approximately two hundred years ago, the industrial revolution sparked an increase in the burning of the fuels (Neal 11). In fact, my grandparents reside in a small town in South Western Pennsylvania called Allison. This is one of a cluster of small towns in that region. I think that it is safe to say that about eighty percent of the homes in Allison rely on coal as the primary source of heat. Thank goodness for trees and other plants that takes in carbon dioxide and replaces it with oxygen. There lies another problem, though. See, there are not enough trees left on Earth to off set even a small increase in carbon dioxide because rain forests are rapidly disappearing."
This paper analyzes "The Theology of the Reformers" by Timothy George, which presents the lives and teachings of three great religious reformers: Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli and Menno Simons.
Abstract This paper explains that, in his book "The Theology of the Reformers", Timothy George does not avoid presenting difficulties to believers but assists the reader in gaining faith and knowledge of God through the reformers. The author presents in detail the lives and beliefs of Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwinglu, who is considered the most important reformer in the Swiss Protestant Reformation and the only major reformer of the 16th century whose movement did not evolve into a church, and Menno Simons, who is the founder of a loosely related group of Reformation believers known today as Mennonites. The paper states that all three reformers were presented in a sympathetic light; however, George does not stop from showing the reformers belligerently holding on to their divisive approaches to the sacraments, when compromise or at least temporary concession may have been better for the church at large.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Martin Luther
Huldrych Zwingli
Menno Simons
Conclusion
From the Paper "Martin Luther was a Christian theologian and Augustinian monk whose teachings inspired the Protestant Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines of Protestant and other Christian traditions. Martin Luther was born to Hans and Margaretha Luder on 10 November 1483 in Eisleben, Germany and was baptized the next day on the feast of St. Martin of Tours. Luther's call to the Church to return to the teachings of the Bible resulted in the formation of new traditions within Christianity and the Counter-Reformation in the Roman Catholic Church, culminating at the Council of Trent."
Abstract The following paper is a brief review of the religious schism that wracked Europe, principally France and Germany, during the Reformation and Counter-Reformation periods. The paper examines how the various leaders involved responded, and what the long-term consequences of their decisions were for their respective lands. The paper also notes how the period actually strengthened the French while weakening the Holy Roman Empire.
From the Paper "The history of modern Europe has seen its share of troubling religious divides and more than its share of religious violence. That being said, the French monarchy was initially repressive towards religious dissent but gradually assumed a more progressive approach as the sixteenth century drew to a close. In the early decades of the Sixteenth century, however, Francis I was notorious in his brutal crack-down of the emerging sixteenth century Protestantism; this persecution was ably pursued by his successor, Henri II who also took it upon himself to contest a variety of territorial holdings with the Holy Roman Empire, England and Spain. As the second half of the sixteenth century proceeded, French efforts to thwart the Protestant upheaval grew in conviction."
Abstract This paper explains that public administration, within the context of public sector governance, plays a key role in Philippine economic development. The author points out that major issues and factors vital to the attainment economic development of the Philippine are encompassed within the sphere of public administration and governance. This paper argues that crucial to better prospects for the Philippine economy are improvements in fiscal and administrative performance of public institutions and the public sector in general. The paper reviews some key macroeconomic issues affecting economic growth in the Philippines and attempts to give some insights into perplexing questions as to why the Philippine economy remain sluggish.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Public Administration Reform for Economic Development: A Conceptual Framework
Review of Related Literature: Economic Development and Role of Public Administration
Institutions and Economic Development
The Public Sector in Economic Development
Information Market Failure
Spillovers
Sunk Investment
Social Impacts
Political Pressure
Aspects of Public Finance and Growth
On Public Administration Reform and Economic Development
Fiscal Administration
Bureaucratic Efficiency and Innovation
Transparency and Accountability
Rule of Law and Judicial Reforms Review of the Philippine Situation: Administration
of Economic Development
On Fiscal Administration
On Bureaucratic Efficiency and Innovation: Rationalization Program of Government
On Transparency and Accountability
On Rule of Law and Judicial Reforms Implications to Prospects for Economic Development
Conclusion
From the Paper "Efforts on mainstreaming transparency and accountability principles practices in government operations and anti-corruption measures still remain such a formidable challenge and progress have been lacking. This is very important area for reform since it has been found out that perceptions of corruption and weakness in government to maintain and promote the rule of law has far-reaching negative economic implications. Hence sincere effort has to start somewhere."
Tags: accountability transparency, reform levers, distribution externalities
Abstract The following paper discusses the three major effects that land reform had on Guatemalan social culture. Questions such as: What groups, exactly, benefited from the reforms? What groups opposed them? What do the resulting conflicts over land reform reveal about the already existing character of Guatemalan society, and how that society partly transformed itself during the era before the "Liberation" by U.S. backed forces.\
From the paper:
"First, by redistributing land to, and encouraging greater political participation by, sectors of the Guatemalan population that had been harshly controlled and repressed for centuries, it awakened hope. Second, it brought to the fore many already simmering conflicts between different ethnic groups, classes and institutions in the countryside. Third, it invited a fanatical anti-Communist reaction by the landowners and the military that continues to shape Guatemala to the present day."
Tags: social, reform, revolution, classes, latin, american, south, america
Abstract This paper takes a look at the life and times of Martin Luther that led to a reform movement being swept across the world. It examines Luther's relationship with the Pope and Catholicism which eventually lead to the split.
From the Paper "It has seldom happened that the story of one man was essentially the history of a great movement in human progress. Martin Luther was often referred to as the monk whose words were "half-battles", was superior among the reformers, and in general stands for the Reformation itself. But recognition of Luther's dominating position and representation should not make us ignore the other factors in the religious revolution, which was the achievement not of one man, but of advancing generations with many leaders."
Abstract This essay argues that the IMF structural adjustment program implemented in Korea during its economic crisis has hindered Korea's sovereignty and domestic enterprises by promoting autonomy of the Bank of Korea and liberalization of labour market and foreign trade. Many economists argue that it is urban low-income households in Korea whose living conditions have been most hampered by the IMF structural reforms . This essay also investigates how lives of urban low-income households have been challenged as a consequence of the IMF structural reforms. Fortunately, the economy is recovering slowly. But the legacies of structural reforms still remain; state power over its central bank and legislative branch has not been restored, many of major domestic enterprises are largely owned by foreign investors and the urban poor people suffer from marginalizatoin.
From the Paper "The financial crisis that erupted in Asia in mid-1997 led to sharp decline in the currencies, stock markets, and other asset prices of a number of East and Southeast Asian countries . In an astonishingly short period of time, these along with horrendous social consequences have plagued South Korea, a nation that previously had an unparalleled record of economic development . In late November 1997, the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Lim announced that the Government has requested the IMF's support for an economic stabilization and reform program. Corresponding to this request, the IMF launched an economic stabilization and reform program, composed of three major componenets: exchange market stabilization, financial policies and structural reform."
Abstract This paper examines the topic of reform and re-organization in urban high schools. It looks at problems encountered by urban high schools and the difference between school reform and re-organization. The paper looks at the types of reform/re-organization efforts and barriers to such efforts. Lastly, it reviews relevant literature on the topic.
Abstract This paper examines reforms recently made in the Australian public sector. The basis of the changes was modeled after the private sector, and building customer satisfaction. This model is analyzed and the various parties identified and discussed. The public sector in Australia and its reform is seen as in process and by no means complete. However, the awareness of paradigm shifts, management perceptions, and the recognition of public needs form a large part of the achievement of the necessary reforms. The Australian public sector, like many other places of business, is changing according to the needs of its times and its public. This is achieved through all levels of management with the collaboration of all stakeholders as one team.
From the Paper "The managing out imperative, as seen above, has changed according to the changing needs of society and the public. Changing technological paradigms, as well as the increasing integration of the public sector with other service providers, has increased the complexity of public service provision (Mulgan 2004). This is why all managing roles have become vitally important to the success of the entire public sector. Middle managers play an especially important role, as they form the connection between top managers and the lower levels of the public sector on one level, and also between the public sector and its stakeholders and clients.
This is only one of the changes occurring during the last decades of the last century, and the first decade of this one. The very concept of leadership, as seen above, has changed from authoritarian to democratic and collaborative. The gab between public sector culture and public interest is a need that can be addressed by means of middle management."
Abstract This paper clearly interprets event and actions leading up the German and English reformations of the 16th century. It begins on the topic of Germany and its catalyst feudal systems and religious overlords, and goes on to study the works of martin Luther and his conniving methods and perseverance to proceed with his reformation through his 95-theses to eventually win the hearts of fed up peasants, merchants growing rich off the New World, greedy nobility, and challenge the authority of the Church and Pope. This paper also discusses the reformation of England started by King Henry VIII. It discusses in detail how Henry VIII invented his own hybrid religion, infused it into his own country to build national unity and to suit his own desires, and was excommunicated from the Catholic Church all while making himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This paper looks at societal cause and effects such as the printing press which allowed lower classes to become more educated, bible translations to common languages that allowed the lower classes to step past the clergy to speak freely with God, new merchant opportunities in the New World, and political gains of money and land.
From the Paper "In Sixteenth-century Europe, the material world was becoming increasingly distinct and spiritual ideals more confused, as the printing press spread information and humanist studies inspired ideas of doctrinal difference. The nations were becoming even more conscious of their nationalities, and the faithful were pained about the short comings of society and of the church. From the beginning the impulse to reform the Church had mingled with political currents. The spiritual impulse was dominated by dynastic intrigue, greed, and war, and in the end national politics determined the fate of the Reformation all over Europe. What began in a mood of spiritual piety had its triumph in the rearrangement of secular power."
Abstract The paper discusses how the second reform period in the United States was a response to the changes in the country following the Civil War and the manner in which groups were viewed within the social order. The paper explains that progressive reformers sought to change the manner in which African Americans, women and the poor were treated throughout society, creating many reform policies that altered American society to this day.
A review of David Tyack's "The One Best System" discussing school reform as it pertains to the centralized educational system from the beginning of the century.
Abstract The first part of the paper deals in depth with two of Tyack's arguments on school reform prior to the establishment of a centralized educational system in the United States: The social evolution argument and the balance-of-power argument. It goes through them in four distinct ways: by showing that educational policy is in turmoil, by questioning the need for reform, by concentrating on differentiating policy implications, and by examining varied policy outcomes. The second part of the paper follows the guidelines established by the first, but focuses on modern educational problems, rather than the problematics of the centralized educational system. The paper concludes that the educational crisis in the U.S. is not so much the result of bad public school education as it is the result of the inability to reach a compromise on the mode of education; that social and economic factors require diverse models of teaching; that societal value shifts bring about school policy changes.
From the Paper "In "The One Best System", David Tyack focuses on the origins of schooling in America and the emergence of mass education. He starts with an analysis of the problems of rural education during the 19th century and presents his readers with an explanation of how the changing nature of religious, moral, and secular institutions in urban areas affected the institutionalization of educational practices. From there on, he traces the development of the idea of "the one best system", and how differing political interests came together to form a consensus on future educational policies. The main questions he answers include: which were the forces that wanted to centralize the control of public schools and why, what were the arguments of the opposition, how school structure changed as the result of centralization, and why the system ultimately failed to address the needs of the masses."
Abstract This paper shows how Kenya has instituted a series of economic reforms in an attempt to raise the condition of the Kenyan people. They are an attempt to bring the Kenyan people out of a state of poverty and repression to one of stability and security about their ability to sustain themselves. Each reform has been better than the last, but they are still far from solving these issues in their country. This paper cites the reasons for this as being a need for the people to regain the feeling of nationalism echoed in the early years of independence.
From the Paper "Prior to1800 Kenya consisted of groups of small tribal governments. Kenya is grouped into more than 70 ethnic groups, Some of the ethnic tribes are large e.g. the Agikuyu who form a majority of the population within their homeland in the central province and can also be seen to be in large numbers in the other districts in Kenya. In the1800s the Christian missionaries and explorers come to Kenya in large numbers and established rule over the Kenyan people. [Africa Guide, 1997]. "
Abstract This paper reviews the laws passed in California regarding campaign finance reform, the intended purpose of those laws and the results they have had on campaign finance.
From the Paper "The current campaign finance system at the federal, state and local level undermines our democracy. Every day brings new revelations about wealthy contributors buying political access and favors. Voters are frustrated with a system in which their voices are drowned out by special interests. The governments of the United States - whether Washington, Sacramento at the state or, local city hall - must be accountable to the people as a whole."
