Abstract A discussion about governmentpolicies over retirement protection. The author examines the issues such as retirement funding, schemes, individual savings, investment and social welfare. The author focuses on retirement plan developments in Hong Kong.
From the Paper "In Hong Kong, discussions about government policies over retirement protection have spanned a lengthy period of about 30 years. It was only until recently that the decision has been made to institute the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF). However, in other countries, various schemes of retirement protection have been practiced over the past decades, with all kinds of experience that Hong Kong could beneficially refer to. Since retirement funds could be either fall into two categories 1. Pays-as-you-go/ 2. Fully-funded. They could either be managed by the government or the private sector. Yet, this is crucial to understand the pros and cons of these different kinds of schemes, and determine which is the most appropriate for Hong Kong. Furthermore, retirement protection is closely related to the issues of individual savings, investment, and social welfare. It affects the economic well being of all members of society, and also the performance of the economy as a whole. In this research paper, several comprehensive views and findings would be addressed, and some discussions on the impacts of MPF after the Asian Financial Crisis would also be stated for conclusion. "
Abstract This paper examines the economic effect of three specific areas of governmentpolicy. It looks at the policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the policies incorporated into the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and environmental protection policies. Some of the issues discussed include the effect of the Federal Reserve on the level of interest rates, the effect of ADA on the welfare of both insurance companies and people afflicted with AIDS and the health costs for persons residing in regions with severe air pollution.
From the Paper "The use of the reserve bank discount window is a secondary activity to the Federal Reserve System's open market operations. The reserve bank discount window provides a source of temporary (overnight in most instances) funds to member banks (Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System, 1996). Of far greater significance is the discount rate?the interest rate the Federal Reserve System charges to member banks when they borrow from the Federal Reserve banks. The influence of the discount rate is felt far beyond the realm of member bank borrowings from the Federal Reserve System, as changes in this rate tends to be reflected in changes in other interest rates throughout the economy (Marshall, 1998)."
Tags: federal, reserve, environment, disabilities, aids
Abstract The paper examines the way in which governmentpolicy relates to the productivity of a business. The paper analyzes the government's role in establishing and maintaining productivity. It also discusses the issues of common market, health and safety issues and technological advances, all integral methods of increasing productivity. The paper also looks at the ways productivity can be measured.
From the Paper "Business managers also in turn recognize greater output when they adhere to the guidelines of government policy and move to encourage policies that favor increased R&D and technological advances. Business managers also realize increased personal and corporate wealth by taking into consideration the health and well being of their workers. Productivity can't continue without consideration of these two factors, business management and government policy. Each has a directly positive or negative impact on the other."
Abstract This paper examines past and present Australian Governmentpolicies which have impacted and been implemented to address the issue of Aboriginal Health. The author also examines issues such health issues, substance abuse and the high rate of youth suicide.
From the Paper 'The status of Aboriginal health in Australia is currently at critical levels ? much money needs to be injected and considerable work needs to be done to tackle such important health issues as diabetes, mental disorders, substance abuse and the high rate of youth suicide. Along with this, many other related issues need to be addressed, such as the stolen generation, native title, preservation of cultural identity and the topic of reconciliation. The outlook for the future is improving however, in that the government and Aboriginal groups are working together towards a positive outcome through the implementation of innovative government policies aimed at tacking the core issues affecting Aboriginal communities around Australia."
Abstract This paper responds to a quotation in an article about a charity tax credit and how this affects governmentpolicy as well as how it affects charitable contributions. The paper further discusses why tax credits should not be used to encourage charitable giving because this links private giving and government moneys in an effort to shift certain governmental responsibilities to the private sector.
From the Paper "Neil Brooks in his essay on charitable contributions and tax policy notes how a newspaper reporter was told about a college official who "was seen as a great fundraiser rather than a brilliant thinker . . . [who was able to turn] his political, business and social connections into big dollars for the university" (67). This reference is part of the author's discussion of why tax credits should not be used to encourage charitable giving because this links private giving and government moneys in an effort to shift certain governmental responsibilities to the private sector. "
Abstract This paper is an in-depth analysis of the affects of September 11th on the Japanese economy. Several different factors contributing to the deepening recession in Japan are examined in detail, including unemployment statistics, the findings of the Bank of Japan's Tanken survey, suicide figures and corporate restructuring. The changes in people's behavior, including expense accounts, dress and spending habits as a result of this recession and the change in Japan's credit rating and its affect on how governmentpolicy is affected by this change are also discussed in detail. The author also presents some of the government's policy attempts at dealing with this problem including new economicpolicies, tax reform, privatization schemes and the restructuring of the banking system. The effects that this has had on Japan's relations with China, especially in its trade relations are also discussed in detail.
Extensive bibliography but no footnotes, or endnotes.
From the Paper "According to a recent article in Bloomberg News entitled "Think Japan's Economy is Bad Now" Just Wait,? the situation will only get worse.' ? ?It's here where things get ugly,? ? the article states. ? ?As unemployment rises beyond today's record 5 percent, consumers may spend less. If already frugal households buy less, corporate profits fall further and so do asset values. Banks, then, may be forced to let more companies fail, boosting unemployment and reducing corporate profits. And so on and so on.? ? This is the very cycle Japan's policy makers have been dreading for years. To date, Tokyo has held things together with ultra-low interest rates and aggressive fiscal spending. Now that borrowing costs are at zero percent and Tokyo has papered markets with more bonds than investors can use, that's no longer possible. Credit rating agencies are sniffing around Japan's finances, wondering if it's time for another downgrade."
A look at China's policy on population control and various other Chinese governmentpolicies that impinge on human rights and therefore impede greater economic ties between China and the West.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 4 sources, 2006, $ 89.95
Abstract This paper discusses population policy in China over the last fifty years with an emphasis on the one child policy instituted in the 1970s that has greatly reduced the growth rate in the population. As China seeks more and more economic ties to the West the policy of reduced family size and at times forced abortions is a public relations problem, much like child labor, prison labor and similar centrally controlled policies that run afoul of human rights.
From the Paper "Population policies in the People's Republic of China reflect a real concern about population growth and the huge size of the population but are, at the same time, bound with issues of ideology and social control. Certain highly restrictive policies began in the 1970s and were deemed successful at reducing the size of the population, and especially the rural population. As China seeks more and more economic ties to the West, the policy of reduced family size and at times forced abortions is a public relations problem, much like child labor, prison labor, and similar centrally-controlled policies that run afoul of human rights."
Abstract The writer examines the history of the development of economic sanctions. It defines this tactic as a type of coercive diplomacy, a strategic political tactic by which a demand to one's adversary is backed up with a threat of punishment for non-compliance that is estimated to be severe enough to be persuasive. The paper traces the policy back to the bible, differentiating between economic sanctions and blackmail.
From the Paper "Coercive diplomacy consists of four possible tactics: a demand, the means used to create a sense of urgency, threatened punishment for noncompliance and possible incentives. Differences and combinations of these tactics provide five type basic types of coercive diplomacy, identified as the ultimatum, the tacit ultimatum, the "try-and-see" approach the "gradual turning of the screw", and the carrot and stick approach. (3)"
Abstract This paper reviews the ongoing debate over the question of privatization of the Canadian public health care system. This issue is of importance to policymakers given the Canadian public's intense interest in the issue, together with the fact that the current system appears radically flawed. The paper further discusses economic issues that are at the core of this debate are the high costs of a public system to the Canadian government, and the possibility of reducing costs through allowing privatization of some or all services.
Abstract In this essay, the writer discusses the policy of the BC Government regarding gambling. The writer notes that in some countries gambling is not permitted and that the BC Government has however allowed the gambling pursuit. In this paper the writer examines the policies of the current liberal BC Government and discusses that gambling practices have in fact expanded, in spite of government promises to the contrary.
From the Paper "Many people object to gambling on the basis that it is immoral, or that it encourages people to develop problem gambling behaviors. Due to this fact, some governments permit gambling and some do not. The BC Government does permit it, but under regulated conditions. The current Liberal BC Government promised not to allow gambling to expand, but as one can see from an examination of its policies, it has allowed gambling to expand, contrary to its promises. The current Liberal BC government campaigned on the issue of gambling, vowing to stop it from expanding further."
Abstract Economic growth is not a universally accepted goal of economicpolicy. This paper examines the issue of "no-growth" policies and argues that while urban sprawl is destroying the American landscape and decreasing the economic viability of American communities, no-growth policies are not the answer. The effects of these policies, such as a decrease of affordable housing, are outlined. Recommendations for "smart growth" are explored.
From the Paper "Economic Growth is not a universally accepted goal of economic policy. Many individuals, corporation and agencies criticize continued growth as undesirable and unsustainable. Others see it as a necessary means of civilization.
"It is true that urban sprawl is destroying the American landscape and decreasing the economic viability of American communities, but no-growth policies are not the answer. The idea behind no-growth policies is to force new residential and commercial building activity and the subsequent economic development that follows into bedroom communities, when an area is ridden with urban sprawl."
A study of the preconditions and policies required for economic growth and why some Asia-Pacific countries have failed to achieve sustainable long-term growth.
Abstract A study into why certain Asia-Pacific countries such as Cambodia fail to reach long-term economic growth and an explanation of the conditions and policies needed in an economic climate to achieve this growth.
The paper covers the following topics:
Preconditions for faster economic growth
Policies for faster economic growth
Asia Pacific LDCs (Least Developed Countries) & Cambodia
The paper is filled with examples and recent statistics of countries including USA, Australia, Taiwan, Europe, Japan, Cambodia, and Asia-Pacific LDCs in general.
From the Paper "According to McTaggart et al, there are several pre-conditions for economic growth. One of which is the existence of an institutional framework that is crucial to the creation of incentives. This institutional framework included markets (supply and demand), property rights, facilities for monetary exchange, as well as simple and transparent regulatory systems (1999: 32.7). Market prices send signals to buys and sellers that create incentives to increase or decrease the quantities demanded and supplied. Markets also enable people to specialise and trade and to save and invest. Property rights are the social arrangements that govern the ownership, use and disposal of factors of production and goods and services (McTaggart et al, 1999:32.17). They include the rights to physical property, to financial property and to intellectual property. The existence of property rights and their enforcement by the law provide people with certainty in their business dealings and hence they help provide macroeconomic stability and a pre-condition for growth."
Abstract The paper relates the background to Fidel Castro's rise to power and describes the present situation with respect to governmentpolicy and the resultant stagnant relationship with the United States. The paper criticizes the United States with lack of leadership in not changing its policy towards Cuba and quotes various proposals that have been suggested. The paper concludes that the time for change is now, as the present leader is aging and we have no idea what will be the policy of his successor.
Outline:
Current status and historical context
Short term policy changes
Long term policy changes
Conclusion
From the Paper "Fidel Castro rose to power on the Island of Cuba in the early 1960's by means of a military coup, and following his trade agreements with the Soviet Union and nationalization of private industries he publicly embraced Marxist-Leninist affiliation in 1960, thrusting the island nation into the center of the Cold War . A forty year plus progression of increasing sanctions and restrictions via both Congressional and Executive actions ensued. In addition, Cuban expatriates have become a powerful voting block in the crucial Presidential state of Florida enticing additional hard-line policies towards the Cuban Communist regime. This complex commingling of foreign policy and domestic politics has created a muddled policy that is unique and inconsistent with United States policies concerning similar hostile governments."
Abstract The paper explains the concept of E-Government as a strategy used by governments in and around developing countries to use new technologies to provide people with more convenient access to government information and services. These are for the improvement of the quality of services and to provide greater opportunities to participate in the democratic institutions and processes.
The paper provides an in-depth, critical appraisal of the opportunities and threats ushered in by the new concept and practice of E-Government as transferred to developing countries. Ways in which developing countries may cope with the phenomenon of E-government as well as advances in information technology and governance, are discussed. In addition, it also examines the strategies and tools that policymakers use to preserve the benefits as well as to avoid or lessen the costs involved.
From the Paper "The issue of Electronic Government (E. Government) , with particular regards to the advantages and disadvantages of its implementation and use, has been the subject of considerable debate and numerous studies in both the developed and the developing worlds. This paper seeks to explore the capacity of the developing world to fully utilize the opportunities E-government presents. However, to obtain maximum effect it is also necessary to determine what negative impacts might be and how best to approach them. In the discussion, an attempt will be made to explain why many of these negatives may not be totally eliminated as some are intrinsically intertwined with the benefits to be gained, while others derive from social conditions such as cultural differences, lack of resources, training and education. Consequently, development managers and policy makers in the developing world have come under severe pressure as it is their duty to find ways to sustain the opportunities presented by E-government while at the same time reducing the harmful effects. The paper postulates that this can only be achieved through technical changes such as trained personnel, increased availability of technology and conditional changes such as rules and regulations, social capital, capacity building etc."
Abstract War and the industries that support the apparatuses that wage war have long been known to be economic stimulants in one regard or another. In antiquity the rapacity of war itself tended to boost economic activity not because of the industry it spurred but because of the wealth and plunder accrued through its act. This paper discusses the conclusion drawn by many researches in the modern era that the the relationship of war and its related industries is uniquely integrated into economic activity and not simply at the national level but, in fact, at the global level.
