Abstract
This paper explains that United States and Colombia share a hemisphere, a legacy of European colonization, rough equivalents in terms of life expectancy and literacy, and both appear to be waging two wars at the same time; however, the comparison largely ends there. The author points out that Colombia is treading a very thin line as it seeks to balance the need to continue to pursue its aggressive economic reforms while prosecuting untenable wars against the drug traffickers and insurgents who continue to represent a major threat to the political stability of the nation. The paper stresses that, if stabilized, Colombia could become one of the leading industrialized nations of the world, based on its hard-working and highly literate population.

Table of Content
Introduction
Review and Analysis
Table 1. Comparison of Colombia and United States
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Today, Colombia still strongly reflects its legacy as a colony of Spain, and is frequently referred to as the most Roman Catholic of the South American countries; the majority of the Colombian people are proud of the relative purity of their Spanish language. The country's population is heavily mestizo, a term which describes those of European and Indian descent; there are also significant minorities of European and African ancestry. The country's economy is traditionally agricultural based, especially its world-famous coffee as well as fruit production; however, industries and services are assuming increasing importance. Colombia has the most population of any of the Spanish-speaking nations in South America; more than one-third of its inhabitants live in the six biggest metropolitan areas, of which Bogot is the largest. Despite the advantages of climate and an abundance of natural resources, Colombia's political instability has been historically linked with the inequitable distribution of wealth, and the illicit trade in drugs (primarily cocaine) continues to represent a major challenges to the stability of life in Colombian life."

Tags:population, literate, drugs, wars, catholic

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)"

Tags:sanchez, de, lozada, paz, estenssoro

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."

Tags:duty-free, commonwealth, state, copper, tourism

Abstract
This paper explains that Goffman's "The Presentation of the Gendered Self in Everyday Life" sets up a model of human interaction, which takes most of its metaphors from the realm of theatrical performance. The author points out that, as a Muslim woman, taking into account Goffman's framework, the 'front' of her performance in everyday life is wearing the veil, which lie beneath significant connotation and hence presenting herself on stage by her appearance and manner. The paper relates that Bourdieu argues that physical capital (in the form of body shape, walk and posture) is socially produced through activities such as sport, food, and etiquette.

From the Paper
"Goffman in his framework uses a metaphor (a drama) to explain how social meaning is attributed to a person in ordinary, everyday interaction. We see how the persona, on and off a stage and with various audiences, is manifested through performance and roles. Through the drama, actors give meaning to themselves, to others and their situation. Interactions, which are seen to be performances before observers, deliver impressions to others according to the actor's goals. Information is exchanged to confirm identity and the significance of behavior."

Tags:metaphor, performance, physical, dress, roles

Abstract
This report deals with how the gaming and entertainment industry affects Las Vegas in terms of structure. The report looks at issues of urban structure, consumption, culture, and economy to look at the ways in which this city operates and has operated in the past, in terms of changes that have been taking place in Las Vegas, the role of the worker, the target of tourism, and other attendant issues. The report
also explores the relationship between consumption and cities in post-war and contemporary America, because these are the two main epochs of the growth of Las Vegas' structure via the gaming and entertainment industry.

From the Paper
"Aside from showing how this industry contributes to Las Vegas' structure, this report will also look at elements of the commodity city and the landscape as it is organized around consumer desires, particularly in terms of the recent Wynn developments in the city being commodity spectacles. The report will also look at Las Vegas as a place of consumption, focusing on economic factors which again link the
gaming and entertainment industry to Las Vegas as a city in terms of its essential structure. "

Tags:structure, tourism

Abstract
This paper explains how the Colombian culture would affect healthcare given by aides. The author discusses the impact of traditions, values and practices. The paper provides background information on Columbia such as location, climate, population and industry.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to provide an overview of the country of Colombia and an analysis of how the culture of its prevalent traditions values and practices might affect the provision of health care in the country. Colombia is the northern..."

Tags:Colombia, Health, Care

Abstract
This paper explains that one of the greatest factors, involved in the changes or manipulations of an environment, lies in the geographic distribution religion and the way each specific religion spreads and interacts with the surrounding divergent cultures and religions. The author points out that the famous Chinese characters Yin and Yang signify both the shadowy and sunny sides of the same mountain: Yang represents the sunshine, and Yin the darkness. The paper relates that another critical geographic feature of Asian culture especially Chinese is the Yangtze River; the stones from its riverbed are called "Fengshui" or "Geomancy" and are believed to have special powers.

From the Paper
"Another example of how the physical landscape of Asia affected Asian religion and culture is apparent in Taiwan. Located in the Shangdong province, Mt. Tai, referred to as "Taishan", is the Sacred Mountain of the East. "Chinese people believe that Mt. Tai is itself a deity or 'Buddha', a powerful deity as well." Mt. Tai illustrates the impact and importance physical geography can have on a culture. Buddhism has incorporated the physical landmark, Mt. Tai, as an integral part of their spiritual belief system."

Tags:dragon, tiger, yangtze, taishan, divergent

Abstract
This paper explains that the community influences the public sector, re-emphasizing the importance of the collaboration between community, citizens and government agencies toward creating a solid, driven and contemporary organizational system. The author points out that contemporary agencies now understand that government agencies have a responsibility to be focused on citizens and customer service oriented instead of being process and procedure driven. The paper stresses that the role and responsibilities of middle managers have changed and will likely continue to change as organizational structures within public service organizations become less bureaucratic and monopolistic in upcoming years.

Table of Contents
Key Factors That Have Produced Greater Emphasis on Relationships
Key Differences in Analysts Views of Public Sector Agencies
Managing Out Imperative and Changing Managers Roles

From the Paper
"Multiple agencies have also expressed an interest in delivering processes which uphold more ethical standards, ones that can be easily identified and institutionalized; for this reason many agencies are working together to be more informed than they would be without communicating, and to improve not only the construction of but also the implementation of such regimes or policies. There has been great interest of late within the public sector for improving among other things ethics education, a sentiment expressed at the 5th International Ethics in Public Sector Conference held in Brisbane."

Tags:personnel, policies, philosophy, service-oriented, collaboration

Abstract
This paper explains that the importance of foreign direct investments (FDI) in developing economies cannot be overstated. The author presents Malaysia as a single case example. The paper relates that Malaysia is a nation, which has been troubled by currency and image problems but continues to compete for FDI that signify the potential for economic growth.

From the Paper
"The importance of foreign direct investments (FDI) in developing economies cannot be overstated. FDI has the incredible power to affect the national economy of a developing (and even of developed) nation either for domestic good or ill. In recent years, this has been shown to be particularly true within the context of Southeast Asia, where quite a lot of FDI has flowed since the early 1990s. In some cases, this has been a positive force for economic growth, contributing to the long-term stability of the host nation."

Tags:malaysia, fdi, economy

Abstract
This paper explains Jared Diamond's theme in his book that geography determines all of the differences between the world's societies. The author points out that, according to Diamond, geographic factors have been responsible for all historical developments. The paper describes such geographic factors as population size, the transfer of knowledge between continents, the availability of potential crops and domesticated animals and the orientation of continental axis to facilitate the spread of agriculture.

From the Paper
"In the epilogue of "Guns, Germs and Steel", Yali asks Jared Diamond, "Why is it that you white people developed so much cargo and brought it to New Guinea, but we black people had little cargo of our own?" This question is answered by Diamond through the theme of his book, for according to Diamond, geography determines all of the differences between the world's societies. Population size in civilizations and diffusion between continents have been determining factors, as the geography of Yali's homeland demonstrates, for it imposed isolation from the rest of civilization and kept the population low, which resulted in a primitive culture in which material progress was not valued or pursued."

Tags:guns, germs, steel