Dystopian Social Contract

Abortion the Pope and Peter Singer essays

Abortion the Pope and Peter Singer essays Abortion is one of the most controversial issues today. It has become a question of not only ethics, but morals. In the 1973 case of Roe v Wade the Supreme Court ruled that a woman has the right to terminate a pregnancy by abortion within the first six months of the pregnancy. However, conservative Presidents have changed the legislation enough to allow states to restrict abortion in various ways (Practical Ethics, Peter Singer). In the following paper, I will summarize the views on abortion of Pope John Paul II and philosopher, Peter Singer. These two men have very conflicting opinions This argument is very adamantly against abortion. It is also a religiously based argument. He uses exerts from the Bible and other religious documents and quotes many different clergymen and priests to help defend his position. He starts by explaining how you must follow the ten commandments to live a good life and have eternal life. Jesus replied, If you would enter life, keep the commandments (Mt 19:17). The first of these ten commandments is You shall not kill. On the contrary, you should love respect and promote life (The Gospel of Life, Paul II). In order to do this, one must carry out Gods plan of procreation with love and intentions to multiply. By having an abortion, one is doing the exact opposite. Not only are they killing an innocent human being, but they are killing a child of God. Also, man is not the final judge in matters such as life and death, he is only a minister of Gods plan (Humanae Vitae, Paul VI). Paul II goes on to explain how human life is sacred and inviolable. Life is sacred because it is a gift from God and man was created in the image of God. God overlooks our lives from birth to death, and no one else has the right to destroy an innocent human being, especially one as inno...

HEALTH CARE POLICY Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

HEALTH CARE POLICY - Research Paper Example It was amended by the Health Care Education Reconciliation Act of 2001 that became a law on 30th of March, 2010. The bill was propositioned by the President Obama during the US presidential elections in 2008. He stressed upon the need of making some major reforms into the American healthcare system so that every citizen could get due healthcare facilities (Trumbull, 2010). The House of Representative and Senate of United States passed the health care reform bill in 2010. The core purpose of the bill is to provide policy lines to the private healthcare companies and to find out the ways through which it would be possible to provide all the residents of America with quality healthcare services in exchange for affordable expenses (Grier, 2010). The passage of this law has been widely regarded as an importance victory of Obama government that is expected to make healthcare facilities affordable for all the Americans as it expands the health coverage (http://whitehouse.gov). The essay aims to concisely describe the history of healthcare policy making in United Stated by identifying major bills and acts implemented so far and discuss in detail the Healthcare reform bill 2010 to explain the major issues and areas associated with the bill. The early steps in the area of healthcare reforms include the passage of Bill for the Benefit of the Indigent Insane in 1854 at federal level. The bill established asylum for the indigent insane and for the disable people like blinds, deaf and dumb with the help of the federal land grants given to the states. Dorothea Dix, a social activist proposed this bill that was passed by both the Houses of Congress but the President Franklin Pierce vetoed the bill and argues that state is responsible for social welfare and not the federal government has the responsibility to provide fund for this

Access and Poverty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Access and Poverty - Essay Example e has access to such a tool is of course the fact that not everyone has been fortunate enough to have a good credit score so that they can apply for such an instrument. Whether buying food, buying gasoline, or personal items, the credit card was something that I saw as indispensible and something that allowed a great ease of purchase and security due to the fact that I was not required to carry around a large amount of cash on a daily basis (Michaelson 1). The second item that I took for granted and allowed a great deal of personal comfort and ease of life is that of my vehicle. Although living without a vehicle is becoming more and more of something that environmentalists push us towards, the fact remains that without one, we are somewhat stranded and unable to meet the many obligations that our model life engenders. Naturally, the fact of the matter is that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a vehicle and even many that do life day to day not knowing whether or not their vehicle will work when they turn the key. Due to the new ways in which I have viewed both of these amenities, they have made me aware of the fact of just how fortunate I am as well as the level of poverty and non-opportunity which affects so many different individual within my community. Michaelson, Jared. "Hitting The Century (X – Distressed) | Wexboy." Stockopedia PRO - Stock Research Reports, Stock Screening, Stock Valuation and Research Tools. N.p., 15  Jan.  2013. Web. 15  Feb.  2013.

The Impact Of Globalisation On Chile

The Impact Of Globalisation On Chile Chiles economy is ranked as an upper middle income developing economy by the World Bank, and is one of South Americas most stable and successful nations, leading Latin American nations in human development, income per capita, competitiveness, economic freedom, globalisation, and low perception of corruption (ranked 21 CPI). However, it has high economic inequality, as measured by the Gini index. Chile has a population of approximately 17.1 million people and has a total land area of 756,950km2(38th). Chile has high living standards (ranking 39th in the world) and a solid foundation for growth, despite employment shortages, with a Gross National Income per capita of $US 9,470 in 2010 (in purchasing parity terms, which accounts for exchange rate effects). Chile has been one of the fastest growing economies since the mid-1980s. During the past 20 years -the period following the return of democracy in 1990- the economy has averaged almost 4.1% annual per capita growth, raising per capita income for the 17 million Chileans to more than $7,000, making them among the most well-off people in South America, and creating a flourishing middle class. Per capita income has doubled in real terms and the comparative income gap between Chile and high-income OECD countries has decreased substantially. Today, only 18.7% of the population lives below the poverty line, compared, for example, with 38.7% in Brazil and 62.4% in Bolivia. At this pace, Chile will become Latin Americas most prosperous nation. The government of Chile is a structure of a democratic republic, where the President of Chile is both head of state and head of government. Chiles legal system is civil law based. Chiles current Constitution was approved in a national referendum in September 1980, under the military government of Dictator Augusto Pinochet. For the duration of the Pinochet government, Chile moved out of economic statism to adopt a free market economy, which encouraged an increase in foreign and domestic investment. Following Pinochets power in the 1988, the country was ready to continue with a referendum; and as a result the Constitution was amended to ease requirements for future amendments to the Constitution. From the time of the return of democracy in 1990, Chile has been committed to proceeding economic reforms, a transparent public administration, proactive social investments, and a stable, consensus-based government. In March 2010, Coalition for Change candidate HE Mr Sebastian Pià ±era was elected president, putting an ending to twenty years of rule by the Consertacià ³n political movement. The current president attained office after the worst tidal wave and earthquake in Chiles history. In response to the emergency, the governments plan prioritised reconstruction during the first part of Pià ±eras term. Chiles economy is based on the export of minerals, which account for more than one-fourth of GDP, with commodities making up approximately three-quarters of total exports. Copper is the nations most valuable resource providing alone one-third of government revenue. Chile is the worlds largest producer of copper. The major mining company based in Chile is BHP-Billiton, holding a 57.5 per cent stake of the worlds largest copper mine, Escondida, located in northern Chile. Additionally agriculture is the main employment industry of about 15% of the population; accounting for about 6% of Chiles national wealth, and producing less than half of household wants. The Coastal valleys of Chile are the countrys primary agricultural area; its vineyards are the basis of Chiles wine industry *(Chile is the worlds fifth largest exporter of wine and the eighth largest producer). Grapes, apples, pears, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, onions, beans, and asparagus are the most grown and harvested crops. Livestock production includes poultry and beef. Sheep farming is the leading pastoral occupation, providing meat and wool for domestic use and for export. Lumbering and fishing are also important economic activities. Chiles industries largely process its raw materials and manufacture a range of consumer goods. The main products are copper and other minerals, iron and steel, fish, processed food, transportation equipment, textiles, and wood and wood products. The dependence of the Chilean economy on copper prices and the production of an adequate food supply are two of Chiles major economic problems. Chiles main imports are petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas, and electrical and telecommunications equipment. The primary trading partners of Chile are the United States, China, Brazil, Argentina, and South Korea. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeSource: Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeAustralian Government: Department of foreign affairs and trade: Chile Country brief 2011 Factors that may inhibit ongoing development in Chile While Chilean salmon and cabernet (red wine grapes) have achieved global success, copper alone still accounts for 46% of all exports; and this is one main challenge Chile faces, there is a need to diversify its copper-dependent economy, for commodities have never been able to absorb the entire workforce, and service industries have not developed satisfactorily to make up the gap. As a result, Chile, the worlds leading producer of copper, felt the impact of the global economic crisis as export markets contracted. Low external demand had weakened industrial production, raising unemployment and reducing investment. It is evident, even with growth of 6% to 6.5% GDP in 2011, due to the vast demand from China for Chilean copper, unemployment is wedged at 8.6%. Amongst people under the age of 24, the rate is virtually three times higher, in part because of firm labour laws that make part-time jobs scarce. But employers also mention a skills deficit. Spending on education, at 4.2% of gross domestic product, lags behind the 8.1% Malaysia spends, for example, or the 6.4% Finland budgets. Currently, the level of education of Chiles labour force is consistent with the countrys level of income. However, there is evidence that the quality of education is not as good as the countrys high enrolment rates would suggest. Furthermore the curriculum also must be modernized to include more science, math and reasoning skills (speaking English) needed in the workplace. In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook, compiled by the International Institute for Management Development, Chile ranked low at 41st among 60 nations on the quality of its science education. In summary, it is clear that the quality of education in Chile is low, but this may be the result either of inefficient education expenditure, or of high income inequality, or both. More research needs to be done to separate these effects. Estimates suggest that increasing the quality of education can offer quite a large boost to economic growth. Lastly, it is important to point out that the payoffs of improving quality of education take time to deliver significant results. The children that today could receive good education will be a large proportion of the labour force in about 20 more years. For this reason is important to also look for improving abilities of people already in the labour force through training programs. However, despite these lags on the effects of education, improving its quality is a powerful tool for equalizing opportunities, and for integrating poor families to the benefits of economic progress. Although Chile has keenly invested in social protection programs, middle- and low-income households remain susceptible to crises. Despite the significant improvement recorded over the past 20 years, public services and infrastructure are still out of reach for many Chileans. Furthermore, Inequality remains high in Chile. Despite considerable improvements in living standards in 2009, 15.1 percent of Chileans live below the poverty line while many millions survive unsteadily just above it. The annual income for the most of Chileans remains low. Income distribution is one of the most uneven in the world and there are few favourable circumstances for growing social mobility. Also little progress has been made in ensuring the equal distribution of wealth and the closure of income gaps. Despite strong economic growth and specific policies such as Chile solidarity, the income ratio among the highest and lowest incomes remained mostly unchanged between 1990 and 2009. The 20/20 ratio shows that the average income of the wealthiest 20 percent of Chileans was 12 times larger than that of the poorest 20 percent in 2009. The Gini Coefficient continued to be persistently high in 2009, at approximately 0.53, where the 10 percent of households with the highest income re ceived 46 percent of total income while the 20 percent with the lowest income received just 3.7 percent. Over all, although Chile does have a high level of inequality, Chile has largely avoided the distortions that often hamper growth in countries with similar levels of inequality. However, other understanding shows that the trade-off between efficiency and inequality is ever-present in public policy and cannot be avoided. An example is the minimum wage. Finally, growth itself helps in the implementation of good policies. Inequality is only one aspect of a countrys living conditions, and in a country with a fairly unchanged income distribution from 1998 to 2008, a period of doubling income per capita is also a period of doubling of the incomes of the poor. Indeed, the poverty rate in Chile declined over this period, from 45 percent of the population to 19 percent. This has allowed public policy to focus on easing poverty without creating significant distortions in economic growth. Although a countrys income distribution changes slowly, and no recipe for dramatic change in the distribution is available, growth can reduce the distortions that inequality imposes on policies and institutions. Additionally Chile must also redouble efforts to acquire foreign investment, which lately has been floating around $3 billion a year. The current governments efforts to lure cutting-edge industries, such as biotechnology and software, have tumbled, somewhat because the government refuses to offer the types of generous tax incentives that lured Intel Corporation (INTC ) to Argentina and Costa Rica. Chile has had more success with companies such as Eastman Kodak (EK ), Delta Air Lines (DAL ), and Unilever, which have established regional back-office operations and call centres in Santiago, tapping its modern, low-cost telecommunications infrastructure. More over for inspiration and ideas, Chile is looking to the efficient economies of New Zealand, Finland, Ireland, and Malaysia. Chiles congress recently permitted a special tax on mining profits earned as a result of current record-high prices and will feed the proceeds (around $US175 million) to researchers and companies developing and innovating technologies or processes that will diversify exports and boost productivity and efficiency. A public-private committee will select only projects that could be commercially profitable. The problem being that Chile has always had a low level of RD expenditure, and the increase since 2001 has been small compared with the East Asian countries, and even compared with the world average. The most recent data from the OECD show that Chile, with RD expenditure of 0.6 percent of GDP, spends less on RD than the average of a sample of developing countries (0.7 percent of GDP). Also the composition of RD in Chile is very different from what one typically finds in the rest of the world, which raises the question of whether that composition is efficient. In 2005 about 55 percent of Chilean RD expenditure was in basic science, as opposed to applied research. In the industrialized countries and in the East Asian countries, this share is generally between 10 and 20 percent. Nevertheless, Chile should try to increase its RD expenditure, and the additional spending should be devoted mainly to applied RD. Increased spending on RD would surely help the country grow faster. Finally the first trading partners a country should have are its neighbours. Distance, language, and culture should be the basis for integration into the world economy. Even when neighbouring Economies have similar structures; intra-industry trade can help to increase the basis for trade. Unfortunately, intraregional trade in Chile and Latin America is low and although it has increased in recent years, it remains comparatively low. Recent trade disputes such as the problems over natural gas with Argentina and Bolivia, have affected the Chilean economy. http://www.algor.com/news_pub/cust_app/marco/Truck%2021.jpghttp://www.flavourofwines.com/Grapes.jpghttp://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/326047/326047,1232551720,5/stock-photo-specific-architecture-where-poor-people-live-in-th-chile-mountains-in-valparaiso-23672302.jpg Q 3 Examine the impact and responses of this Economy undertaken by the government or specific industries to the challengers and/or opportunities presented by globalisation https://worldgeopost07.wikispaces.com/file/view/chile2.gif/31650489/chile2.gif Describe Provide characteristics and features Analyse Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications Examine Inquire into http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:nLiQ3vcW5CgJ:web.worldbank.org http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/chile.html#ixzz1KOclJ2In Chile: Economy Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0857288.html#ixzz1JwAjQkzx

Adolecsent Depression Essay -- Suicide Teenagers Depressed Disorder Es

Adolecsent Depression The suicide rate for adolescents has increased more than 200% over the last decade. Recent studies have shown that greater than 20% of adolescents in the general population have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatric clinics suffer from depression. The majority of teenage depressions can be managed successfully by the primary care physician with the support of the family, says Maurice Blackman MB, FRCPC. Depression has been considered to be the major psychiatric disease of the 20th century, affecting approximately eight million people in North America. Adults with psychiatric illness are 20 times more likely to die from accidents or suicide than adults without psychiatric disorder.[1] Major depression, including bipolar affective disorder, often appears for the first time during the teenage years, and early recognition of these conditions will have profound effects on later morbidity and mortality. Is depression in adolescents a significant problem? The suicide rate for adolescents has increased more than 200% over the last decade.[2] Adolescent suicide is now responsible for more deaths in youths aged 15 to 19 than cardiovascular disease or cancer. Recent studies have shown that greater than 20% of adolescents in the general population have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatric clinics suffer from depression.[3] Despite this, depression in this age group is greatly underdiagnosed, leading to serious difficulties in school, work and personal adjustment which often continue into adulthood. Why is depression in this age group often missed? Adolescence is a time of emotional turmoil, mood lability, gloomy introspection, great drama and heightened sensitivity. It is a time of rebellion and behavioral experimentation. The physician's challenge is to identify depressive symptomatology which may be superimposed on the backdrop of a more transient, but expected, developmental storm. Diagnosis, therefore, must rely not only on a formal clinical interview but on information provided by collaterals, including parents, teachers and community advisors. The patient's premorbid personality must be taken into account, as well as any obvious or subtle stress or trauma that may have preceded the clinical state. The therapeutic alliance is very important since the ad... ... should the patient be referred to a psychiatrist specializing in adolescents? Referral should be considered under a number of circumstances. If the physician cannot engage in conversation with the teenager because of the patient's resistance or the physician's own insecurity about dealing with this age group, then referral is suggested. This is particularly important if the depression is judged to be severe or if there have been some suicidal concerns. Referral should also be considered if the patient's condition does not improve in the expected time or if there is any deterioration or worsening of the depression despite adequate treatment. It should be stressed that the majority of teenage depressions can be managed successfully by the primary care physician with the support of the family. Works Cited: 1. Murphy, JM, Monson, RR, Olivier, DC, et al: Affective disorders and mortality: A general population study. Arch Gen Psychiatry 44:470, 1987. 2. Hodgma, CH, McAnarny, ER: Adolescent depression and suicide: Rising problems. Hosp Pract 127(4):73,1992. 3. Kovaks, M: Affective disorders in children and adolescents. Am J Psychol 44(2):209,1989

A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science

Pricilla Shontz has been known for her understanding of the major issues of library developments during the current systems of referencing and research that are involved in making library procedures more organized. Her idealisms of library management has actually increased the knowledge of librarians in assisting the development of book and literature arrangements that naturally suits the needs of the students and researchers at present. Her implicative suggestions in the matter actually increases the competency of the library systems in making an impact on the increased need of researchers today for referencing approach in libraries. The book of Shontz actually intends to show the matter of concern that is supposed to be understood at present with regards modern library systems including that of involving information technology within the arrangement of references readings in libraries. Obviously, this reading increases the capability of the library professionals in getting along with the modern flow of technology and referencing systems. This reading then introduces the new systems of understanding with regards library arrangements and organization that would be most suitable for the modern students and researchers of the modern society. As noted by the author herself, she described the life of the librarians today much more different than that of the lives of the librarians before (19). Likely, she wants to show how much technology changed not only their job but also their lives as major custodians of the different mediums of references and study that would be most helpful to the current generation as they face further challenges in the said field of social life. A librarian is naturally expected to spend at least 60 percent of her or his whole day inside the library trying to accurately arrange reading materials and other mediums for research that are to be used for further progress of the society. With the implication of the modern technology, however, the said 60 percent of a day-time of a librarian could now be divided into different tasks that they could complete for a whole day for the betterment not only of the references but of the whole library establishments as well. (Career Profiles, Internet) The book consisted of chapters that introduced different essays from different authors who are likely able to present the principles of library professions that Shontz herself appreciate and aim to apply. The summary of the said essays particularly want to integrate the old system of library organization with the modern systems of computing. Today, the use of OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) is already appreciated among libraries around the world (Career Profiles, Internet). This particular innovative design for cataloging has naturally increased the accuracy of referencing in the libraries (Shontz, 19).   The referencing system likely increased the matters of accuracy among furthering studies in the different sections of understanding such as medicine and psychology as well as mathematical studies that increases the understanding of the different theories connected with furthering technology (Shontz, 21). Suddenly being electronic in the system has caused considerable insecurities to old librarians in the field, although practicing the said profession through following the said innovations in technology makes all the sense in the changes being adapted within the system (Shontz, 24). Likely, the matter of development increases the capability of library professionals in handling the needs of their clients [mainly the students and the researchers as well] in a more effective matter.   As noted from the reading, the modern process of Information Technology could be utilized to increase the competencies of the librarians in handling the needs of their clients in a more efficient time. This is primarily because of the fact that e-technology makes a more organized library that would help well in referencing and literary organizing systems. Moreover, the possible integration of the old and new systems of library handling actually gives a higher level of competency in the said system thus making the process more effective for the sake of social progress as well. It could be observed that most people are now concerned with technological systems. In terms of library professional approach, it could be noted that the application of information technology also increases the competency of the said profession. The presentation of the author with regards this truth actually makes the matter more understandable and clear for others to comprehend with and thus make use of the information for actual application within the said profession. Overall, the discussion held by the writer of this book is considerably excellent in presenting the cons and pros of the said system of library approach. Reference: Priscilla K. Shontz. (2007). A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science. Libraries Unlimited . Career Profiles. The Princeton Review. A Day in the Life. http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/profiles/dayInLife.asp?careerID=87. February 25, 2008. librarian.net: putting the rarin back in librarian since 1999. A Day in the Life. http://www.librarian.net/stax/1511/a-day-in-the-life/. (February 25, 2008).