Abstract This paper discusses Brett Pulley's book, "The Billion Dollar BET," a rags-to-riches biographical story of Robert Louis Johnson. The paper takes the reader on a journey along with Robert Johnson from Mississippi and the little that he had to 'Black Entertainment Television' and the success that came about with it, along with the controversies that made Johnson a billionaire.
From the Paper "Brett Pulley is a Senior Editor at Forbes magazine and has written the book titled The Billion Dollar BET: Robert Johnson and the Inside Story of Black Entertainment Television. The Billion Dollar BET is an unauthorized biography of the founder of Black Entertainment Television, Robert Louis Johnson. The author traces the blazing path of Robert Johnson through social and economic barriers with his charm and intelligence to firmly ensconce himself into the politics of Washington and the media business. This rag to riches story should have been inspiring, but then the author has painted the methods employed by Robert Johnson as anything but noble. The sale of Black Entertainment Television to Viacom in 1999 made Robert Johnson a billionaire and many consider him the first black billionaire. (Editorial Review: The Billion Dollar BET: Robert Johnson and the Inside Story of Black Entertainment Television)"
Abstract This paper explains that in his book, "Three Billion New Capitalists", Prestowitz relates how India transformed its image from a backwater economy into Asia's service-sector "tiger", just as China has become Asia's manufacturing giant. The author points out that Prestowitz attributes the origin of service outsourcing to Ross Perot, who had the idea of offering specialized IT services and to Mark Shepherd, who extended the locus of outsourcing to East Asia. The paper describes that the Indian government policies are supporting its information technology, biotech, medical tourism, hardware, financial analysis and pharmaceutical industries, which in turn, are fueling the aggressive Indian economy.
From the Paper "When IBM refused to share trade secrets with the domestic Indian electronics industry at the request of Prime Minister Desai, Indian techies delved into the budding world of Unix, propelling India into the future of software development and systems management. Software was heralded as having major export potential and the next few decades witnessed a blossoming of Indian software development firms including Bombay-based Infosys, founded by Narayana Murthy and Nandan M. Nilekani. India's success in IT and in the service sector can at least in part be attributed to its human resources pool."
This paper presents a discussion on the ineffectiveness of classroom computers. Billions of dollars are being spent each year nationwide on computers in the classroom and our national test scores are still declining.
2,150 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 8 sources, 2002, $ 80.95
Abstract This paper presents a discussion on the ineffectiveness of classroom computers. Billions of dollars are being spent each year nationwide on computers in the classroom and our national test scores are still declining. As long as the machines serve as dust collectors in the back of the classroom, we need to divert what we are spending to better uses. Lack of training, fast paced advances, and teacher apathy are all discussed.
Tags: EDUCATION / TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION, computers classrooms effective
This paper focuses on the telecommunications industry, which has seen an accelerating wave of corporate mergers and acquisitions that have resulted in the creation of multi-billion-dollar media conglomerates.
Abstract This paper discusses the government's continuous deregulation of the telecommunications industry, which was intended to result in increased competition, however the exact opposite was in fact achieved. The writer of this paper discusses the growing trend by large media conglomerates that are continuously consuming their competition. As a result, the mega-media companies cited in this paper, produce and/or distribute the majority of television shows, radio programs, movies and print publications. This paper examines the makeup of several large media conglomerates such as AOL-Time Warner, which was formed in 2000 for $160 billion and the Walt Disney Company, which includes several television production companies and cable networks and more than 100 million subscribers. The writer of this paper detail the impact and control these companies have on today's media. The writer contends and explains how these particular monopolies control the traditional ideas of the free press. This paper also delves into the FCC's recently relaxed media ownership rules that allows large media conglomerates to grow even larger, resulting in a great deal of protest.
From the Paper "The FCC recently relaxed media ownership rules that allowed large media conglomerates to grow even larger. Thus, they set off a great deal of protest. Americans did not appreciate the fact that a small group of powerful corporations are given more control of the most important element of our democracy: our access to information. They are right to feel this way. The media monopoly allows a small amount of companies power over media outlets (independent and corporate alike, including on the Web). This is far too much power for them to possess, but this is the future face of media consolidation."
Abstract The paper relates that because globalization affects everyone, Clyde Prestowitz' book, "Three Billion New Capitalists: The Great Shift of Wealth and Power to the East", becomes relevant for all modern readers. The paper examines the heart of Prestowitz's focus; the United States and its economic policies. The paper shows how the economic policies guiding emerging economic superpowers like China are more forward-thinking than the outmoded ones that prevail in the United States. The paper discusses Prestowitz's ideas that a revision of American economic philosophy, spending more on education, health care and sound infrastructure, is vital in order to "ride the third wave" of globalization.
From the Paper "Clyde Prestowitz could have easily titled his 2006 book Three Billion New Capitalists Can't Be Wrong. The author does not judge the ethics of globalization itself, for Prestowitz is a realist who understands that globalization began in the 15th century and has only recently entered what the author calls a "third wave." Three billion new capitalists can't be wrong because the economic policies guiding emerging economic superpowers like China are more forward-thinking than the outmoded ones that prevail in the United States. Part history lesson, part appeal for changes to American foreign and domestic economic policy, Three Billion New Capitalists: The Great Shift of Wealth And Power to the East is a must-read for anyone remotely interested in the implications of globalization. Because globalization is affecting every citizen of the world, Prestowitz' book becomes relevant for all modern readers and could even become required material in public schools."
Tags: education, healthcare, infrastructure, currency, technology, India, China
Abstract The paper argues against Prakash and Conko's belief in "Technology Will Save Billions from Starvation" that the technology of genetically modified foods and the attendant agricultural practices is an ecological boon and a nutritional miracle. The paper asserts that the purported nutritional benefits of genetically modified food can be found naturally in organic produce. The paper then dispels the myth that there is a need for more food and reveals that technologies which allow the production of more food still have not solved the problem of growing hunger. The paper notes the concerns regarding genetically modified foods and contends that the 'green revolution' is of great potential harm, not just to Africa, but to the entire world's future food supply.
From the Paper "One of the benefits of biotechnology, according to Prakash and Conko, are that plants can be engineered to hold greater nutritional benefits, such as "higher quality protein, lower levels of saturated fat, increased vitamins and minerals, and many others" (426). Of course, there is already a type of farming which provides extensive nutritional farming, and that is organic. Unlike genetically modified foods, which have these nutritional benefits by virtue of scientific interference, organic farming allows foods to retain their natural nutritional character. The Organic Trade Association website discusses these enhanced (or rather unhampered) nutritional qualities of organic foods in detail, citing a number of scientific and academic studies as conclusive evidence. One study, conducted by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, found that rats fed on organic foods "were slimmer, slept better, and had stronger immune systems than those fed conventionally grown produce" (http://www.ota.com/organic/benefits/nutrition.html)."
Abstract This paper looks at the problems faced by New York once the huge Fresh Kills' landfill site is closed. Private contractors will take the garbage out of the state by river barge, but in the mean time transfer stations have been set up in poorer areas of the city. The paper discusses the political arguments that have occurred concerning these problems and the huge profits to be made by the companies involved. Waste Management Inc. has a $6 billion 20-year contract for New York. It goes on to discuss environmental pollution from these dumps, industrial pollution in the Hudson River and the problems of carcinogens and clean-ups.
From the paper:
?In the garbage industry, Waste Management, Inc. remains king of garbage hauling after gaining a 20-year $6 billion contract in New York City. Waste Management Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is the largest waste collection and disposal company in the United States and has annual sales in excess of $12 billion. The New York City contract calls for the waste hauler to dispose of its 13,000 tons of garbage a day. This residential, commercial, and industrial garbage will be sent out of state once the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island is closed on Jan. 1, 2002. Covering more than 2,100 acres, the Fresh Kills landfill is so large it can be seen with the naked eye from space. (McCrory) It first opened in 1947 and is now considered the largest landfill in the world. The site is unlined and leaches thousands of pounds of toxins into nearby streams. Its odors reach into neighborhoods on both sides of the Arthur Kill, which separates Staten Island from New Jersey.?
Abstract This paper discusses the life of Bill Gates, founder and chairman of Microsoft. It details his young adult life and how he came to create a new computer operating system. Further, how he built the Microsoft empire and changed technology, business, and society. It also briefly examines a few of the legal cases against Microsoft.
From the paper:
"William or "Bill" H. Gates III is chief executive and co-founder of the largest software company in the world, the Microsoft Corporation. Last year, Microsoft made a $953 million dollar profit on sales of $3.75 billion dollars. As Microsoft's largest stockholder, Bill Gates is worth nearly $6.1 billion, making him this country's second wealthiest man. He is at thirty-eight years old, America's youngest self-made billionaire. Microsoft's $25 billion market value tops that of Ford, General Motors, 3M, Boeing, RJR Nabisco, General Mills, Anheuser-Busch or Eastman Kodak. (Resin "The Bill Gates Interview") This paper will attempt to analyze the character of Bill Gates, explain the nature of the corporation he created, and explicate some of the difficulties he and his corporation have faced economically and personally. It will suggest that although Gates has done many controversial things throughout his life as both a man and as chief executive of Microsoft, the overall effects he has had upon the country and upon the computer industry have been positive ones."
Abstract This paper explains that, in the world, soccer is played by nearly one billion people and generates almost $260 billion every year; the World Cup gets an audience of nearly 36 billion people. The author points out that the recent marked increase in player salary is harming the game in the smaller markets in terms of club revenues and their inability to retain their good players. The paper concludes that the U.S. has all the basic ingredients for the development of soccer, including players, stadiums, and professional teams; what it now requires is for crowds to fill up the stadiums and for the rewards to be made attractive for the players. Tables.
Table of Contents
Background
Industry Landscape
Marketing Developments
Soccer in the U.S.
From the Paper "The world has changed to a situation where entertainment is now the largest industry in terms of the volume of business and the people employed. Among the areas of entertainment, sports are the second biggest area after tourism. This has resulted in a situation where the American sports economic complex got sales worth 2 percent of the gross domestic product or $ 152 billion in 1995. This figure is based on the calculation of the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Economic Development Institute. This is expected to go up further to 3.5 percent. Among all the games in the world, soccer was the first to become international and also have a distribution wide enough to be called a global game. The efforts started first after 1974 World Cup through FIFA. There was a joint effort from the international marketing firms, companies making sporting goods, and the major network television units. This made FIFA the largest organizer of sports in the world, and a rival of the International Olympic Committee."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that $122.9 billion is the estimated annual cost of obesity in America. Directly related costs account for $64.1 billion, and indirect costs cover the remaining $58.8 billion. The writer points out that direct costs are associated with prevention, diagnostic, and treatment expenses. Indirect costs are attributed to lost wages, sick pay, and earnings lost due to premature death. The writer further notes that obesity is expected to soon surpass the number of deaths caused by tobacco and take the lead position as the number one preventable cause of death in the U.S. The writer maintains that it is time for the Federal government to take action and educate the public about the effects of obesity and to tax those that are obese. The writer concludes that the solution to obesity is education and prevention of excessive weight gain, and for funds that would be generated from a tax on obesity to be put towards preventative education programs and the national healthcare budget.
From the Paper "The idea of a tax on fast food has recently been in the news. This ideal of taxing fast food if enacted, would have minimal effects on obesity and would be devastating to our economy. Fast food companies would be hit hard, plummeting sales would force them to close stores and layoff many people. The deep-pocketed fast food industry would also fight tooth and nail against any tax of this kind. Although this tax would slow down America's junk food purchases, this would only be short-term solution. Eventually people would get accustomed to paying the higher price for the food they desire and consumption rates would rise again. A tax on fast food also punishes those who are not obese. Almost everyone has stopped at a fast food restaurant at some point in their lives, including those that are not obese. People that are not obese should not have to pay for those that are. Many people will also blame fast food for solely causing obesity, but this is wrong. Anything in excess will cause health problems. For example, taking too many vitamins can cause health issues like poisoning and organ failure. A fast food tax is a misplaced solution to America's obesity, and the U.S. government should shift their attention towards prevention and education."
Tags: fat, overweight, costs, motivate, will, power
An analysis at the global, state, and local levels of the US decision to move forward with a ballistic missile defense system, with background, reactions of other countries, ideologies, and policies.
2,835 words (approx. 11.3 pages), 12 sources, 2001, $ 84.95
Abstract This paper examines the US decision to move forward with a ballistic missile defense system. The author gives a background on the history and technology of ballistic missile defense and then examines the reactions of other countries to the American missile defense decision. Also discussed are the ideological and moral support for missile defense at the state level. Finally, missile defense is analyzed as a political issue in relation to the 2000 elections and as an economic issue for defense contractors and certain parts of the country that stand to gain business from an expanded missile defense.?
From the Paper:
"On March 23, 1983, President Ronald Reagan began one of the most important legacies of the last stage of the Cold War with a speech outlining his Strategic Defense Initiative. The Star Wars program, as it came to be known, immediately created tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as between the US and its allies, and sparked debate over the feasibility, cost, benefits, and consequences of ballistic missile defense (BMD). This debate may not have mattered much when missile defense technology was too immature to make deployment practical or even possible. However, seventeen years later, technology has advanced to the point where the US must decide now whether it wants missile defense in the future. A decision of this magnitude, involving billions of dollars and potentially billions of lives, must be examined closely at all levels of analysis."?
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Examines causes and effects, research and development, testing, impact on the health care system, generics and brand names, profit and managed care. Uses charts.
2,925 words (approx. 11.7 pages), 16 sources, 1999, $ 103.95
Abstract There are a number of factors which seem to be driving drug spending to record-high levels. Of late there has been revolution in pharmaceutical research, a billion-dollar marketing blitz, and Americans voracious appetite for Viagra, Claritin and a host of other pricey pills.
Retail pharmacies will rack up an estimated $102.5 billion in sales of prescription drugs by year end, up 85% in just half a decade.
From the Paper "Rising Pharmaceutical Spending: Causes and Consequences
Introduction: Assessing the Marketplace
There are a number of factors which seem to be driving drug spending to record-high levels. Of late there has been revolution in pharmaceutical research, a billion-dollar marketing blitz, and Americans voracious appetite for Viagra, Claritin and a host of other pricey pills.
Retail pharmacies will rack up an estimated $102.5 billion in sales of prescription drugs by year end, up 85% in just half a decade. Drug sales in the U.S. are rising 16.6% this year, more than four times the increase in health-care spending overall. And at a time when prices of other manufactured goods have declined by 1%, some generic drug makers have raised the price ..."
This paper is a detailed, well-written account of the Charles Keating / Lincoln Savings and Loan scandal that rocked the U.S. in the 80's and led to the S&L downfall.
Abstract This paper discusses the Savings and Loan crisis of the 80's that was an economic and bureaucratic disaster; wherein, one case alone, Charles Keating, cheated over seventeen thousand of investors and cost the American taxpayers more than $3.4 billion. The author explains how the S&L, traditionally one of the slowest sectors of the American economy, became involved in this scandal. The paper details the role of Keating, his legal battle and the bailout that cost taxpayers $2.5 billion.
From the Paper "This narrow opportunity for profits was a result of the extremely little latitude they were given in the scope of their investment portfolio. Whereas investment banks could hold securities that were on average riskier but more profitable, S&L's could hold nothing but the safest securities (government-backed). Federal laws and regulations prevented S&L's from doing much else. As a result, they did not pay their customers high interest at all and were hard pressed to compete with even the well-regulated commercial banking industry."
Tags: bureaucratic, disaster, investors, bailout, mortgage, state
Eurotunnel PLC is the most expensive investor-financed project in financial history -- $12.9 billion in debts and $1+ billion per year in interest. There is no telling what the tunnel will earn, or if it will even survive; this paper examines how this cou
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 7 sources, 1995, $ 55.95
From the Paper "Introduction
Eurotunnel PLC is a privately owned Anglo-French consortium which raised its first equity capital in 1986 and 1987. By mid-1990 the company had approximately 560,000 individual shareholders and 208 bank lenders, with Japanese banks accounting for the largest single share of bank loans. At that time the company projected all-in costs for the tunnel of less than 5 billion British pounds. That estimate was subsequently raised to 7.6 billion pounds. When the tunnel was finally completed in 1994, it was more than 18 months late and 4 billion pounds over the initial budget (Economist, 1994).
In early April of this year, the operating company of the tunnel announced that it lost more than $600 million in..."
Abstract This paper provides a brief overview of South African imports and exports. It looks at how South Africa exports in the year 2001 were $32.3 billion f.o.b, while; imports $28.1 billion f.o.b. It shows how the major commodities included in the 2001 exports were gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment and how the commodities for imports comprised of machinery, foodstuffs and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products and scientific instruments.
Outline
Import and Export
South Africa Trade Restrictions, Tariffs and Duties
Re-Exports
Southern African Customs Union (SACU)
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Trade Agreement with United States
Trade Agreement with Europe
From the Paper "In recent years South Africa has decreased the number of restricted goods that required import permits. However, list of restricted goods still includes fish and dairy products due to health concerns, petroleum products for strategic concerns, Montreal Protocol chemicals restricted because of international obligations, pneumatic tyres for quality specifications, footwear in terms and respect of monitoring of WTO quotas, and finally firearms and ammunition for the purpose of safety measures (TDC Trade, 2002). However, import permits are available from the Director of Import and Export and failure to produce a required permit results in the imposition of penalties (TDC Trade, 2002)."
