Abstract
This paper studies the evolution of the legal treatment of insolvent debtors in Britain and America. It focuses on the factors that sustained the practice of imprisoning insolvent debtors and relies principally on Britain, with American practices used as points of contrast. The paper argues that the debtor's prison was a primarily economic institution, necessary for a well-functioning petty credit market, as opposed to a primarily sociological institution, necessary to deal with insolvent individuals in an arbitrary "proper" manner. Section I reviews existing literature and outlines the "sociology of debt" argument, which is the primary lens through which scholars now understand debtor's prisons, to which this paper stands in contrast. It also summarizes the relevant economic literature on bankruptcy. Section II provides historical background on the evolution of the institution of debtor's prisons. Section III establishes the necessity of the debtor's prison for the credibility of debt contracts. Section IV concludes and discusses the importance of the "economic necessity" hypothesis in explaining the abolition of the debtor's prison.

Paper Outline
Introduction
Literature Review
Historical Background
Credibility and Commitment: Early Petty Borrowing
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography

From the Paper
"Imprisonment for debt is viewed as so bizarrely cruel and draconian that contemporary opponents of Republican bankruptcy reform legislation have tarred it as akin to restoring debtor's prison. Internet bloggers, too, have invoked the image of the debtor's prisons to impugn the Bush Administration's Social Security plan as lacking compassion for the poor (see Appendix A). The view of the debtor's prison as a barbaric relic from the past is not confined merely to popular expression, but may also be found in scholarship. For example, Margaret Hunt, professor of history at Amherst College concludes a book review stating:
'One also comes away from [The Character of Credit] with a palpable sense of relief that debtors' prisons are no more. Let us hope a certain Department of Justice does not get hold of this book, or someone might decide to bring them back.'"

Tags:bankruptcy, economic, insolvent

Abstract
This paper explores the relationship of debtor and creditor relationships through examining the various repercussions from a single scenario, depending on whether the debtor or the creditor is the party to file bankruptcy.

Abstract
This paper uses the ideas from the book "Getting to Yes" and applies them to a case in which a debtor owes money to a creditor company that it cannot pay,

From the Paper
"Amy Siegel is credit manager for Star Computer Components, a manufacturer of printed circuit boards. One of Amy's collectors told Amy that she has been unable to reach anyone at Odyssey Electronics Inc. to discuss a past due balance. Amy reviewed the credit file and found the following information about Odyssey: The debtor company is four years old. It employs eighteen people. A credit report shows Amy's company is one of Odyssey's two largest creditors."

Tags:Negotiation, debt collection, collection tools, getting to yes, negotiation strategies

From the Paper
"INTRODUCTION

The problem of international debt financing reached the crisis level in the late 1980s and the first two years of this young decade; however, efforts by the United States government and several international financial entities have proved effective in lessening the threat posed to international financial markets. The cooperation of major American banking institutions was essential for the success of the international strategies, since these American banks held much of the outstanding debt particularly debt issued to Latin American nations. This paper will first investigate the international debt problem, including examination of its effect on banks in the United States, then the focus will shift to analysis of the measures enacted to begin the process of solving the crisis ..."

From the Paper
"This research will examine the successes and failures of the expansion of the global economy at income distribution between creditor and debtor nations and between social classes in Latin America. The origins of the global economy" will be discussed and its eventual transformation from a purely liberal perspective to today s neoliberal perspective will be charted. Finally, the current impact of the neoliberal global economy on income distribution in Latin America will be assessed.

The expansion of the global economy--especially as guided by the neoliberal perspectives of the creditor countries and the International Monetary Fund--has had a dramatic, albeit less than successful, impact on economic growth in Latin American countries. The philosophy of creditor countries to promote economic growth in Latin America and elsewhere in the Third World..."

Abstract
The paper discusses the ratio of chapter seven to chapter eleven bankruptcy filings, timeframe requirements and the common reasons why individuals file for bankruptcy. The paper also looks at debts that can not be discharged through chapter seven filings and if payment modification is available for debtors that cannot pay under their current plans.

Outline:
The Ratio of Chapter Seven to Chapter Eleven Filings for Business
Typical Chapter Eleven Time Span for Filing, Confirmation, and Successful Completion
The Most Common Reasons that Force Individuals to File for Bankruptcy
Individual Debts That May Not be Discharged by Filing for a Chapter Eleven Bankruptcy
Can a Chapter Thirteen Payment Plan be Modified if the Debtor Cannot Make Payments

From the Paper
"Based on the statistics released in the December 3, 2004 News Release from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and as stated in Chapter 11, Title 11, of the United States Code (Wikipedia, 2003), the number of business bankruptcy filings for the twelve month period ending September 30, 2003 are 21,008 chapter 7 filings, and 9,185 chapter 11 filings. Therefore, based on this information, the ratio of chapter seven to chapter eleven business filings is approximately 2.287:1. This deduces that there are nearly two and one-third times more chapter 7 filings compared to chapter eleven filings for businesses alone."

Tags:debts, payments, chapter, eleven, seven, thirteen

Abstract
In this article, the writer analyses, compares and contrasts the financial performance and position of John Lewis Plc, and Marks & Spencer Plc, mainly through the process of the ratio analysis of the financial statements of the two companies. The writer provides a brief introduction of the two companies under discussion, such as their background information, similarities and differences and their core business. The writer deals with calculations of important financial ratios of the two companies and then analyses these figures. The writer compares and discusses the ratios in detail, discussing possible causes of changes and fluctuations and coming to various conclusions about the performance of the two companies. In addition, the writer looks at certain limitations of the exercise of ratio analysis, emphasising the fact, that even though ratio analysis is a great means of understanding the financial position of a company better, there are still many other factors which can impact those numbers but are difficult to quantify. The writer concludes by highlighting the main findings of the report and presenting a personal opinion on the attractiveness of two companies from an investor's viewpoint.

Outline:
Introduction
Analysis of the Ratios
Profitability Ratios
Gross Profit Ratio
Net Profit Ratio
Return on Capital Employed
Liquidity Ratios
Activity Ratios
Net Asset Turnover Ratio
Stock Holding Period
Debtor Days
Creditor Days
Gearing Ratios
The Limitations of the Exercise
General Limitations
Company Specific Limitations
Conclusions

From the Paper
"John Lewis, increased its net profit ratio from 4.31% to 4.49% which is an increase of 4.18%. In regard to turnover, JLP's turnover increased from L4169.1 in 2003 to L4499.5 in 2004, which is an increase of nearly 8%. This shows that in terms of volume, it did a good job, but in terms of efficiency it worsened, as even though there was a volume increase of 8%, the increase in net profit ratio was only 4.18%. Most probable reasons for this could be, there was in increase in administrative expenses, or other overhead expenses, which does reflect poor efficiency. However it is possible that the firm was looking to increase market share quickly and hence might have spent an above average expenditure on things like advertising, which helped increase volume, but affected the bottom line. In this case, the investment may not have shown immediate results, but may improve turnover, and margins in the longer run."

Tags:ratio, analysis, department, store, chain

Abstract
It is often true that in a bankruptcy case, creditors battle over control of the property of the debtor's estate. Creditors in certain industries have been the beneficiaries of state law in different states that have created special treatment for certain classes of creditors

From the Paper
"INTRODUCTION

It is often true that in a bankruptcy case, creditors battle over control of the property of the debtor's estate. Creditors in certain industries have been the beneficiaries of state law in different states that have created special treatment for certain classes of creditors. Industries with the strongest lobbies are usually the beneficiaries of such special protection, and the construction industry lobby has been particularly diligent in securing such benefits for suppliers of goods and services on construction projects for the improvement of real property. The traditional form of protection is the mechanics of materialmen liens granted under state law, but the procedure for the creation and perfection of mechanics and materialmen liens varies from state to state and can be very technical. Each state ..."

Abstract
This paper discusses the process of conviction through history, from martial and colonial law to the modern court system. It goes on to discuss methods of punishment from branding and flogging, through export to colonies, to modern prisons. It looks at various prison systems and philosophies from rotting squalor, to hard labor and chain gangs to the modern healing and rehabilitation. The paper also looks at the severity of punishments meted out over history for various crimes and discusses debtor?s prisons. It is well laid out in chronological historical periods.

From the paper:

?Crime is an issue of paramount social concern, one that directly and indirectly affects each and every member of society. The costs of crime are not merely financial; there are also emotional costs such as when a criminal murders an individual?s family member or close friend or when an offender is incarcerated, depriving his or her family of emotional and/or financial support. Public concern has increased over specific aspects of the crime problem, namely juvenile crime, prison reform, the role of television in producing violence, and urban gangs. This paper analyzes and examines prisons and how they have evolved over the centuries to match the attitudes and ideas of society. In Part II, the history surrounding prisons is analyzed. Finally, this paper concludes with recommendations for ways to improve how the criminal justice system handles punishment.?

Tags:judges, detention, rehabilitation

Abstract
This paper deals with the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. The author examines the historical relationship between West Germany and the former Soviet Union from the Cold War period. The paper discusses the opening of economic ties between West Germany and the rest of Western Europe.

From the paper:

"The war in Vietnam greatly increased US government spending on weapons and other supplies, the demand for which American industry could not fully meet. To fill the rest of the orders, the US turned to the other Western industrialized countries, in many cases West Germany and Japan. This increased spending helped jumpstart the economies of these countries, moving both West Germany and Japan from debtor to creditor nations as they achieved large trade surpluses. As it grew more powerful economically, West Germany took a more independent path politically."

Tags:cold, invasion, oestpolitik, states, union, united, war, west, industrialization, money, finance, reform, control