Abstract In this article, the writer maintains that one of the most difficult issues involved with prosecuting the ongoing war on global terrorism has been identifying and eliminating the funding sources for terrorist groups. The paper then attempts to determine how the diamond trade in the nations of West Africa is being used to help finance terrorist organizations in general and Hezbollah in particular. The writer points out that while the diamond trade in West Africa has been legitimized and careful controls implemented over the years, analysts believe that as much as 20 percent of the world's diamond supply continues to be of an illicit nature. Furthermore, the writer notes that analysts also believe that some terrorist groups, including Hezbollah, are receiving at least some of their funding through the illicit trading in diamonds among the nations of West Africa, particularly Sierra Leone.
Outline:
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Approach
Background
Statement of the Problem
Preview Statement
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Diamond Trade in West Africa
Emergence of Hezbollah Ties to West Africa
Current and Future Trends
Methodology
Conclusion
From the Paper "An international certification process for rough diamonds, known as the Kimberley Process, was initiated by the Government of South Africa in May 2000; since that time, there has been more and more participation among the regional stakeholders and to date, more than 35 nations have been meeting on a regular basis to develop the system, which was established in 2003. In Sierra Leone, the diamond certification system was instituted in October 2000, four months after the UN Security Council passed a resolution that banned diamond exports until a certification system was established; during the year that followed after the system was introduced, legal exports increased from $1.3 million to $25.9 million worth of diamonds; nevertheless, authorities continue to believe that many of the better quality diamonds are still being smuggled and are not going through the official certification system."
Abstract This paper offers a personal discussion on obtaining a degree and a career in finance. It explores the career options, the pitfalls and the areas in which specific tasks are performed in the industry.
From the Paper "I am currently working on my AA degree. Once I have received my AA degree, I plan to transfer immediately to a four year college to earn a bachelor's degree in finance. I have already done research on finance as a major to make certain that I have taken both the required and the recommended classes as a part of my AA degree program. I learned that the School of Business at the college I want to attend is currently impacted ..."
Tags:finance, accounting, career, finance major, job options, controller, treasurer, college degree, earning potential, career path, CFO, Vice President of Finance
Abstract This paper explains campaign financing and the federal and state levels of campaigning funds. The paper discusses the finance reform laws that prohibit "soft money" and place restrictions on contributions. The paper relates that if the current trend continues, eventually congressional financing will be so regulated that even an ordinary citizen will be able to run for a seat in congress.
From the Paper "It is said "Campaign financing in Congress has become so scandalous that is gives the wealthy in Congress inordinate influence, while ordinary citizens are virtually excluded from a meaningful role." It is true that Congress relies heavily on finances in order to maintain/achieve incumbency, however there are many financial restriction regarding campaign finances. Finance reform laws now prohibit the use of "soft money" (money obtain outside the restrictions of federal law). This soft money restriction came about with the passage of the Shay's- Meehan Campaign Finance Reform Law. However, there are restrictions on individual contributions, as established in the out come of the Buckley v. Valeo case. These restrictions have limited the effect of campaign spending on voters, and created little negative impact (aside from a lack of money) on the Congress as a whole."
Abstract This work is a detailed analysis of the automobile financing schemes for Chrysler. It lists all the various controlled and uncontrolled variables as well as explains the demands for automobile financing. Among those are prices and special deals, money spent on advertising, average income of consumers, consumer taste and the expectation of services at Chrysler Financial.
From the Paper "With the slowing of the economy, Chrysler is forced to give incentives such as special interest rates, factory rebates, and free equipment group upgrades to maintain sales levels that stay competitive. During the time of economic slowdown, there is less money flowing in and out of consumer's hands, which means fewer business transactions taking place. This has an impact of all aspects of the economy, including car sales. In order to entice people to purchase cars during periods such as these, it is necessary to offer lowered rates and added incentives to interest the would-be buyer. This buyer power gives the consumer a financial advantage, thus leading to more demand for vehicles."
Abstract The paper looks at the 1994 "The New World of Microenterprise Finance", which discusses the issue of building healthy financial institutions for the poor throughout the developing world. It examines each article and analyzes the various strategies suggested to finance these microbusinesses. The innovative ideas presented are discussed.
From the Paper " The New World of Microenterprise Finance, edited by Maria Otero and Elisabeth Rhyne, is a collection of critical articles on the subject of microenterprise development, with a particular focus on various strategies to finance these microbusinesses in a range of contexts throughout the developing world. Beginning with a general description and analysis of the microenterprise concept in theory and practice, this review will proceed to examine in critical detail the range of contributions in this collection."
Abstract This paper considers the different means available to hospitals for financing capital construction projects. The focus is on mortgages and bond issues. The paper touches on the general outlines of these methods of financing and discusses the characteristics of success funding arte in an effort to define the way hospitals can increase their likelihood of successfully raising funds.
From the Paper "The financing of hospital construction projects has become an important public health issue in the past several decades. As the population has burgeoned through an influx of immigrants and a newly-expanding birth rate, and as the large "baby boom" population moves through middle age into retirement years, the demand for services that hospitals provide has grown. Concurrently, the sources of financing for hospital construction have shifted from public and philanthropic contributions to incursion of long-term debt (Washington State Department of Health, n.d.)."
Abstract This paper reviews the requirements for health care finance and accounting. The paper describes the financial environment within which healthcare financial administrators perform their functions, such as accounting, financial planning, budgeting and financial control. The paper also examines the effect of growth of the managed care sector.
Tags: Accounting, health care, managed care, finance
Abstract This paper looks at sources of money for financing a film. It touches on pre-sale agreements, independent film distributors and investors. The paper examines SEC Regulations, non-profit organizations and personal debt. Taxation is also discussed.
From the Paper "Studio filmmaking is an insider's game, and not many independent filmmakers can play, or they choose not to play. Studios are in the business of producing hits. The filmmaker loses a lot of creative control in this method. That's why these alternative methods of raising funds are needed. As difficult and complex as they may seem, they have worked to produce funds for many filmmakers, and allowed them to keep most of the creative control."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses Hezbollah, a militant-terrorist organization. According to the paper, Hezbollah is the driving force behind marches and organizing people in Lebanon and in Palestine in its never ending quest to make war on Israel. The paper further reports that the problem is that Hezbollah seems much better at social agendas than at political ones.
Outline:
Introduction
Social Agenda
Economically
The Murder of Rafik Hariri
2006 Showdown Between Hezbollah, Syria, Iran and Israel
From the Paper "This could perhaps be perceived as Hezbollah's attempt to take a giant leap forward in its political representation of Lebanon, and to firmly establish itself in that country in a way that would be the precursor to installing a theocratic Islamic state. There is the possibility, too, that Tehran was running short of patience with the slow progress in that direction, and wanted immediately to create a recognized and forceful extension of itself in Lebanon, and thusly be well positioned geographically to confront the issues of Israel and the American presence in Iraq. This is speculation, since there is no way of knowing exactly what was said and done between Hezbollah and Tehran at that time. What is undeniably clear is the destruction and death that followed."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the history and continuous tension and conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The paper reports that both sides dislike each other vehemently and the borders between Israel and Lebanon have seen near-constant incidents of violence over the years.
Outline:
Introduction: Key historical issues between Israel and their Arab Neighbors Living in Palestine and Lebanon
Key Issues: Identification of key issues or disputes
Recent and Current Policy
National Interests and Goals
Conclusion
From the Paper "The bitterness between the two sides notwithstanding, Pascual writes that Lebanon must address three "enormous challenges." Those three are, to first "mitigate the immediate impacts of war so those returning to destroyed homes and livelihoods can begin to rebuild their lives." That is going to be an unbelievable task, since the Brookings Institute (a nonprofit organization that has international influence on policy decisions) reports that the recent war "displaced 1 million people, a quarter of Lebanon's population," and it destroyed 30,000 housing units. It also destroyed "crops and tourism" in the southern part of Lebanon, taking away two "main sources of income" for Lebanese citizens. The second major challenge is to build "critical social, economic and physical infrastructure," Pascual asserted. To do this, around $3.5 billion will be needed, and the focus should be on "putting to work Lebanon's strongest asset: the private sector. "
Abstract The paper examines Israeli/Arab enmity in the Middle East and the problem of religious extremism. The paper discusses the need for true democratization to emerge in Muslim states and for the replacement of current corrupt political systems controlled by leaders who manipulate their people in order to demonize Israel and maintain their power. The paper maintains that American and Israeli policies have been counterproductive, for they have radicalized millions of Muslims, who have responded with unprecedented support for extremist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
From the Paper "Examining the history and ideology of Hezbollah indicates that there is much merit to the accusations of the American and Israeli governments that it is a terrorist organization led by religious fanatics intent upon the destruction of Israel. In response, the leaders of Hezbollah and its supporters and sympathizers reject accusations that they are terrorists and religious fanatics, and insist that Hezbollah and similar groups such as Hamas are simply defending the rights of Muslims against American and Israeli aggression."
"As is the case with most controversies, the truth is somewhere in the middle, for the philosophical observation that one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter certainly applies in the context of current Middle East unrest. According to Military.com (2006) Hezbollah's emergence in the aftermath of the Israeli occupation of Beirut and southern Lebanon in 1982 reflects these diametrically opposed perceptions, for it was due to the determination of Shi'ite Muslims to resist the Israeli presence and support Palestinians in their fight for statehood."
Abstract This paper explains that the bedrock of Islamic finance is that all forms of interest are considered forbidden known as haram and its financial model works on the basis of risk sharing. The paper further explains that, under Islamic banking, the customer and the bank agree to share the risk of any investment and divide the profits between them. The paper then describes the primary categories within the Islamic finance: ijara, ijaa-va-iqtina, mudraba, murabaha and mushraka. The paper also explains how Islamic finance differs from regular finance and explains how Islamic finance works.
Table of Contents:
What is Islamic Finance How Is Islamic Finance Different from Regular Finance and Why
How Does Islamic Finance Work: The Types Of Investments Available And How They Work
Working Principles of Islamic Finance Types of Investment Available and How They Work
Institutions Offering Islamic Finance Products
International Wholesale Islamic Banking and Insurance Providers
Exhibit: Islamic Financing Form
Exhibit: Name of the Institution
From the Paper "It is a fact that finance is considered as a huge restraint on development in major regions of the Third World. Sometimes there is lack of sufficient money available to fund important projects and the price of loanable funds is normally high, showing the paucity of savings. In low-income economies, it is hardly a surprise that savings rates are small, as most disposable income is needed to be used for making purchases of necessities of daily living, and a lot of families just cannot bear to make financial provisioning for the future, although this makes them insecure and helpless."
Tags: risk participation interest, bank credit limits, equities
Abstract This paper examines how choosing which financing vehicle is best for a company is very important and how equity and debt financing are financial mechanisms by which a firm can raise financial capital. It looks at how the characteristics of each of these two groups depend on three variables: investors' claims on future cash flow, their right to participate in company decisions and their claims on company assets in liquidation. The paper examines the benefits and disadvantages of both.
Outline
Introduction
Characteristics of Equity Financing Advantages of Equity Financing Disadvantages of Equity Financing Characteristics of Debt Financing Advantages of Debt Financing Disadvantages of Debt Financing Contrast Between Equity and Debt Financing The Capital Structure Decision
The Irrelevance Proposition
Conclusion
References
Appendix
From the Paper "Equity financing is the act of raising money for company activities by selling common or preferred stock to individual or institutional investors. In return for the money paid, shareholders receive ownership interests in the corporation. Equity (or common stock) offers residual claims. On a balance sheet, equity equals total assets less all liabilities. Equity financing is generally recommended for a business that's experiencing very high growth with high investment risk. The major sources of equity financing include individuals starting the business, friends and family, angel investors, venture capitalists, and public equity markets. Equity can take several forms including preferred stock, common stock, limited partnership interest, and project equity."
Abstract The author of this paper discusses the US power company, American Superconductor, and its financing strategy. In particular, the paper examines two forms of financing structures used by the company - debt financing and equity financing and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each system.
Outline:
Introduction
Advantages of Debt Financing Disadvantages of Debt Financing Advantages of Equity Financing Disadvantages of Equity Financing References
From the Paper "In terms of payments distribution, equity financing has the advantage that the shareholders are generally paid only once a year. And this occurs at the end of a fiscal year, when the company has counted and established the distribution of their profits. Even more, unlike the monthly payments that have to be made with the debt financing, equity financing allows American Superconductor to use the money that would have constituted the bank reimbursement to further develop their business.
"The advantage of this payment system also materializes in that the company does not have to make any payments until the end of the fiscal year; in other words, they get free money that can help them start their business or finance a new project that is expected to retrieve positive financial results (Advani, 2006). Foremost, at the end of the year, the company can even reach an understanding with the shareholders to minimize or even eliminate dividend payments and invest the money into further developing American Superconductor."
After taking a battering from spectacular failures due to the Asian economic crisis impact on emerging nations and markets worldwide, project finance is making a cautious, conservative rebound. Private and institutional investors are taking an increasing part in financing domestic and international major infrastructure, power and utility projects through innovative funding structures.
From the paper:
"Limited recourse loans are a well-defined form of borrowing; any transaction that does not include elements unique to this structure does not strictly qualify as project finance. Limited recourse loans were invented in the late 1920s and early 1930s to provide US wildcatters with longer-term production finance. During the 1930s, drilling became deeper and resultant cost higher; more extended financing terms were needed. The improved engineering techniques of the early 1940s provided the ability to forecast the future recovery of oil reserves, and some banks applied these new techniques to justify production loans in excess of the three years? limited term previously applied. Since the project itself was deemed able to support a level of production that would provide for repayment from the project's cash flow, the creditworthiness of the borrower was irrelevant."
