A detailed look at economicsclassic "An Inquiry Into The Nature and Causes of The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith- the division of labor, the mercantile system etc.
20,000 words (approx. 80 pages), 1 source, 2000, $ 249.95
Abstract This paper begins with a review of the division of labour as presented in Adam Smith's economicclassic. The paper considers the causes and how it is beneficial to society. Next, the paper looks at the topic of price and value of commodities and it expounds further on labour and its recompense, i.e. wages, and on the profits of stock and the rent of land. This review is followed by a review of the nature, accumulation and employment of stock and a short description of the towns-country interdependency in the industry of countries. The paper concludes with an examination of the mercantile system, the colonies and the colony trade of the world's greatest nations, that followed the great discoveries at the end of the fourteenth century and fifteenth century.
From the Paper "The wealth of a particular people consists in the necessaries and conveniences that their annual produce supplies or provides them with the means to exchange for. The extent of that welfare depends on two basic circumstances: in the first place, it depends on the skill, dexterity, and judgement with which this produce is worked out, and secondly, it depends on the proportion between the number of those that are employed in useful labour and those who are not employed. The first circumstance is proved to be of more consequence; but the second, if it is proxied instead by capital, the stock of which has direct implications on the number of people employed in productive labour, is of no less interest and comes to the accumulation of wealth and growth of industry. Different theories have been put forward in the policies of the countries through the centuries in their strive to accumulation of wealth, but the mercantile, or commercial, has long been the favourite and its flavour is sensed in these days? economic policies too. To expose its inherent fallacies has been one major goal of the author of this book. "
Abstract Schumpeter's economic theories as they are outlined in "Capitalism, Democracy and Socialism" differ significantly from the neo-classical view of economics. The neo-classical view is outlined-with reference to Adam Smith as a representative neo-classical economist--and contrasted with Schumpeter's theories. Schumpeter's absorption of Marxism, his views on markets and monopolies, and his ruminations on the future of capitalism are highlighted and contrasted with the neo-classical paradigm.
Abstract This paper uses the example of the increasing monopolization of the telecommunications industry to demonstrate the need for economic models that can help resolve issues of monopolization. The paper describes the purpose of economic models, the different types of models, and some of the factors and data that the models consider.
Outline
An Agent-Based Economic Model
Telecommunications market structure, development, and impact studies
Demand analysis and forecasting studies, modeling
Service and Network Cost Studies and Models
Comparative tariff, policy, and market analyses
Tariff Model -- International Comparisons
OECD Basket Comparisons of Telephone Services Charges - August 1997
Multivariable Regression
The Classical Model
The Classical Model of Production and Employment
Labor Demand
Labor Supply
Equilibrium
Aggregate Supply and Demand
Loanable Funds
Taxes on Labor Income
Animal Spirits
The Keynesian IS/LM Model
Tax Model (The Simple Keynesian Model)
Paradox of Thrift
The Mundell-Fleming Model
Real Business Cycles
The IS/MP Model
From the Paper "With the agressive deregulation in the telecommunications industry in the United States and Europe during the early to mid-1990?s, it seemed that the local monopolies would be forced to unbundle their networks. However, MCI WorldCom, the second largest US long distance telecommunications company, announced in October 1999, that it would acquire Sprint, the third largest US long distance company, in the biggest corporate takeover in history. The merger is valued at $129 billion in cash, stock and debt. The resulting firm will be second only to AT&T in the US telecommunications industry, a company with, as of 1999, $65 billion in annual revenue, 142,000 workers and 40 million business and residential customers (McGaughlin, 1999)."
Abstract This paper looks at how conclusions of the neo classical model of prices and markets are undermined by the existence of market failure and by the implied assumption that economic agents do not learn from experience.
Abstract Discusses the major differences between Athenian democracy and modern democracy. Differences include voting and citizenship rights, gender and background bias in the Athenian social and economic system, the type of representation that each society offered and the 'participation factor' in Athens.
From the Paper "There are several significant differences between modern constitutional democracies and the democracy of classical Athens. Even though the classical Athenian democracy was a major step forward in political thought, at its height there were still many areas in which it was decidedly unlike any democracy existing today. These differences fall into three major categories: differences in who could vote, in the type of representation, and in the overall participation factor.
One major and clearly recognizable difference is that in the Athenian democracy there was only a certain selected element of the population that was allowed to vote. This difference in voting behavior stems from the fact that the Athenian social and economic system was supportive of the suppression of groups of people according to gender and background in ways that are not acceptable in today's western cultures.
For example, women were not given full rights of citizenship. They were also socially and economically kept in a subservient role to men. Women's function was seen as primarily that of propagation and managing a household. Women were not allowed access to the marketplace of ideas that was so important to the Athenians.
These conditions set up an interactive cycle between the social and political institutions; since women were regarded as inferior and not deserving of full citizenship, they were not allowed to vote. However, without the ability to vote, it was very unlikely that any of these restrictions would be modified or lifted. The role of women in Greek society was too firmly entrenched to be easily changed."
Tags: Difference, rights, social, economic, society
Abstract This paper discusses how neoclassical economics provides an evaluation of current economic situations as they relate to elements within society. Neoclassical economics is a form of macroeconomics that allows for an evaluation of these elements that may include pricing employment spending consumption and the value of money. The paper further discusses how neoclassical economists as more capable of realizing the shift in the economy over time they can then produce resolutions to issues that may be affecting the problems that are related to the current economic condition. Neoclassical economics also focuses on the individual and his or her relationship to the economy.
Abstract This paper discusses the question of including thermodynamics in the study of economics. It is very important to include it when studying neo-classicaleconomics and free-market activity because it alone seems capable of introducing consumption pattern analysis into the study of economics. Thermodynamics is important within ecological economics and within economics in general because the environment within which all economies function is anchored in a finite system that is constrained by its very nature and character.
From the Paper "Resources are limited and many are not reproducible in any type of practical natural sense that would allow even sustainable growth models to be applicable. Petroleum will eventually be completely depleted and the natural process of producing it is simply not a practical option that would result in sustainable consumption patterns. "
Abstract The paper examines the meaning of economic benefit as it has evolved over time and has been interpreted by various economists throughout the years. Like the market, the notion of economic benefit, and where it is derived from, seems to fluctuate according to circumstance, as well as perception and interpretation. This paper traces the origin of the concept of economic benefit and maps its evolution toward it's current understanding in relation to management research and competitive advantage.
From the Paper "Globalization, new forms of economic crises, and an unusually rapid change in the daily facts of economic life are compelling economists once again to put to themselves the question of how a grasp of the real economic world can be obtained. The modern economic world is continually facing the economist with new claims. Yet in spite of all the changes which economic development brings, a certain constancy of form is observable."
Abstract The questions answered are: Why did Weber regard bureaucratization as an irreversible trend in modern society? Is there any point in continuing to study the classical theorists in order to understand modern society? To what extent do the demands of academic achievement conflict with the demands of femininity? With reference to at least two theoretical perspectives, outline and discuss why motherhood continues to be problematic for feminists. What methodological issues are raised by feminist and anti-racist research? Discuss with reference to examples. Distinguish between random and non-random sampling techniques in sociological research. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each with reference to examples of research studies. What important factors influence the choice of quantitative and qualitative techniques?
Abstract Classical conditioning is a form of learning in which the subject begins to associate a behavior with a certain stimuli. This paper discusses classical and operant conditioning, rephrasing what they are, and explaining them with real-life examples.
From the Paper "In classical conditioning, an unconditioned stimulus (something that will always lead to a reaction of some type) leads to an unconditioned response (a natural reaction to the UCS). A neutral stimulus (NS) becomes paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS). This is also called the Pavlovian conditioning because Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning in an experiment involving dogs. Eventually, the pairing of the NS and the UCS leads to an UCR. The conditioned stimulus (CS), which used to be the NS, will be associated with a response (CR). The CS really has no connection to the response but through the conditioning, the subject learns to associate their conditioned response with the CS."
Abstract The following discussion provides an analysis of the Classical Era, which represents much of the work of Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn. The writer points out that these composers have withstood the test of time due to their valuable and significant contributions to the classical music genre, and their unique works continue to be enjoyed by individuals of all ages and cultures.
From the Paper "The role of classical music as a bona fide art form is of critical importance to the development of music as a means of true artistic expression. During one of the most formidable periods of classical music, which took place during the 1700s and 1800s, there was a reintroduction of traditional forms to the music genre, which provided a means of structure and symmetry that was not evident for some time. This period in music history provided a greater emphasis on simplicity, and it removed some of the emotional context that Baroque music was known for. This era is perhaps best known for the development of the following musical forms: symphonies, sonatas, and concertos, all of which provided enormous contributions to the period as a whole."
Abstract This essay critiques an experiment testing the use of classical music to improve the test scores of a number of spatial tasks. The paper describes the methodology of the experiment and discusses the findings, particularly that exposure to complexly-structured classical music leads to an improvement in abstract reasoning ability.
From the Paper "In the experiment studying music and spatial task performance, the purpose was to "demonstrate the correlation between music cognition and cognitions pertaining to abstract operations such as mathematical or spatial reasoning." The experimenter's findings were that: exposure to complexly-structured classical music leads to an improvement in abstract reasoning ability. According to the statistics, this hypothesis seems correct, but there are a number of aspects of the study which are in need of improvement. One weak area of the study is length of time the music was played for. In the study, the students listened to ten minutes of classical music, ten minutes of a relaxation tape, and ten minutes of silence, prior to performing standard IQ spatial reasoning tasks."
Abstract This paper looks at the details which characterize the musical romantic and classical periods. It begins with a look at the classical styles and its composers, and then moves to address the romantic style and its composers. It concludes that distinct differences in purpose, emotion, form, function and fusion of musical genres are apparent in the two.
From the Paper "Classical music ranged from about 1750 to 1820, at which point Romantic music became the current style, which itself lasted until around the year 1900. As one inevitably lead into the other, their characteristics perhaps can be best described when they are fully compared to one another. The classical style, as exemplified by its composers, was more fixated on form, design, balance and grace, while romantic style instead aimed at fusing together musical genres to capture the true, expressive spirit of the work, as likewise captured by the composers of this era. The classical period aimed backwards in history, attempting to recreate the classical period of the past in Grecian and Roman terms. Classical music, like many other periods, had variations of its styles. Beginning as a courtly style, which most likely was a remnant of the previous baroque period, it was intended to please the ..."
Abstract This paper examines the Christian Church from the medieval times to the classical period. It explores the European society formed by the Church beginning in the year 1100 A.D. The paper describes that the Church enabled social mobility, participation in government, the growth of literature, and territorial expansion through warfare. The paper demonstrates that the Church held centralized religious power in contrast to religion's role in the Greek and Roman society, where the state and its citizens ruled.
From the Paper "Religion has always been present in civilizations; however, its position and influence on societies has greatly differed. This difference is exemplified by contrasting the religious institutions of the classical world with the medieval period. By and large, the Greeks and Romans had no structured places of worship, leaving their mode of praise to the confines of their homes. By not having a centralized institution of worship, their religion did not have an organized power structure. As time progressed, the beliefs of the classical period faded and a new religion emerged, Christianity. The proliferation of Christianity throughout Europe in the waning of the classical world and the onset of the Middle Ages brought about the establishment of the Church. With the strong worldview of Christianity, the Church became a central entity and greatly contributed to the shaping of a new civilization that was very different from the classical period. The Church gave definition and direction to this era by providing social mobility, participation and perpetuation of government, the preservation and growth of literature, and espoused and justified expansion through warfare."
Tags: civilization, classical, middle, ages, period, western
