Compare and Contrast Essay on the North and South Essay

The United States before the civil war was basically split into two regions, the North and the South. These two regions had very different cultures, economics, and climates which led to different life styles and perspectives. Problems caused by the differences between the North and the South eventually led the nation into a great civil war- the bloodiest war in American history. The North and South had diverse climates and natural features. The North had mainly rocky and infertile lands with humid summers and snowy winters, so farming was difficult. Fast moving rivers and waterfalls were common in the North because of the many mountains. As a result, Northerners started to use waterpower to run factories. Meanwhile, in the South, the weather was usually hot and sunny, with lots of rainfall, making the growing seasons longer. The South’s lands were flatter than the North’s, making it a more ideal place for farming. The Northern and Southern population was very different. The Northern population between the years 1800 and 1860 increased massively. Because of the large amounts of immigrates from Europe, the North’s population increased from five million to thirty-one million. The South’s population, on the other hand, was made up mostly of enslaved Africans. By 1860, one third, out of twelve million people in the South, was slaves. The surroundings in the North and South led its citizens to live in contrasting places. In the North, the crowded and dirty cities along the Atlantic coast served as centers of trade and drew laborers to work in towns. When streets were improved and police forces were created, cities became the center of art, culture, and education. In the South, however, their economy was based on agriculture. As a result, towns were developed slower and trading centers were rarer than in the North. Read Also:  Compare and Contrast Essay Ideas Because of the climates and geography in these two regions, they developed different economies. Economy in the North was based on many different  industries such as shipping, textile, and mining. Because of coal and waterpower, manufacturing in the North developed quickly. Unlike the North’s, the South’s economy was based on agriculture. Crops such as cotton and tobacco made huge profits. Southern farmers had to use large amounts of slave labor for their plantations, so slavery was necessary to the prosperity of the Southern economy. Northerners and Southerners developed individual cultures. Cities had an important role in determining the North’s culture. New businesses brought new ideas to the North. The Northern emphasis on public education led to many schools and churches. The life in the South was really different than the North’s. The South’s agricultural system was controlled by wealthy planters who lived like the country gentlemen of England. The South had few schools or churches. Rich planters would usually hire private tutors to teach their children until they were sent to private schools. One of the few similarities of the North and South are that they both have thousands of roads, steamships, and canals. In 1850, thirty thousand miles of tracks connected far-away parts of the United States. By 1860, there were over eighty-eight thousand miles of surface roads in the North and South combined. The biggest difference between the North and the South is that the South had slavery, while the North did not. Eventually, the issue of slavery and the other differences of these two regions led to the American Civil War, which lasted for four years. However, after the civil war, the North and South, like a family, unite together and became one of the most powerful nations in the world.

The Proper Way of Managing your Money

Money Management is where the proper handling of money is applied. Proper management of money is important in our daily lives. Success in life is based on how you manage it. It is really a great challenge to manage your money. As we all know that we all live in a society where all of our neighbors are flooded with lots of products and you are there wanting to have also what they have. It doesn’t work that way. You need to budget, save and invest your hard earned cash to be productive and become a millionaire as well (King 36). Set-up your own goal and develop it to have an organized system. What should be your goal? For instance, your goal is to gain more money in 5 years time. The question now is what can you do to attain your goal? One possible way is through budgeting.   You must know where your money goes, how much comes in and how much goes out so you will know if you really save. In budgeting, you need to know your purchases which include your basic necessities and the payments for your bills. Furthermore, a 20% of your salary or income must be included to your budget. It is a smart decision. If you save 20% of your salary per month, you will be astonished for the money earned in five years time. That is a lot of savings on your part. Even though, you have a small income monthly, you can still save money. So, don’t be discouraged if your salary or income generated for the whole month is small. (King 35) Also read: No Money, No Honey Saving practically also means a wise spending. In this case, we must avoid inflation. It only happens when more money is needed as against the total supply of money available. To site an example, you buy more foods than you actually eat. You help increase the price of goods because the higher the demands of a certain product in which its supply is few, the price of the product becomes higher (King 36). When you shop, you need to have a comparison to distinguish which is the lowest price.   Furthermore, plan to shop when there is a sale or discounts. It is really a great help on saving your money. Don’t avail credit cards. It’s so tempting and almost 70% of people who use credit cards are actually indebt (King 39). Saving and budgeting are more on practicing self-discipline. Acquiring this attitude means you have the potential of managing your money properly. After budgeting and saving your money, you have to find the right kind of investments for your hard earned money comes from your salary or profit from your business. An investment is something to purchase in which has potentials in getting your money back more than you spent for a certain purchase. You need to invest to have more gains like in mutual funds. A mutual fund is a regulated investment company with a pool of assets that regularly sells and redeems its shares.   However, this opportunity is risky. There are times that the shares are decreasing after a long period of time. There are many to invest, like in lots, after long years, the price increases. It is hard to become a millionaire. It will take you years to be one, but if you know the proper management of your money and acquire the winning attitudes, you are not far to become one. Bibliography King, David. You Can Be Rich. Worldlink Marketing Corporation, 2002.      

A Part of My Life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

A Part of My Life - Essay Example This essay demonstrates and clearly shows that I am a mother of my kids. I am a daughter of my mother. I am a grandparent to my grandchildren. And I am a granddaughter to my grandparents. We are someone to somebody and this is our relationship identity (Deaux, 12). I am a teacher, a special education teacher. This is my occupational identity. Occupational identities are tied to a generic group (Deaux, 13). In my case, my occupational identity ties me with the generic group of the teacher. And so I am a teacher. I am a woman. And this is my gender identity, an ascribed social identity. Ascribed identities are given at birth (Deaux,13). And because I have female organs, I am a woman. And with all of my identities, the most important thing is that I know who I am. I am me. I am someone who loves her children and her family. I am part of my community, I am a part of my life. In addition, I create my identity based on my beliefs and I am me because of who I wanted me to be. This paper makes a conclusion that by studying diversity, I aim to understand how these social identities form the different identities of special children, how this impacts their learning and how the differences between social identities impact their relationship and interaction with me and each other. Also, with this, I will be able to connect with my students better, I will be able to apply appropriate teaching techniques to better educate them and I will be able to adapt better with their perception of themselves.

To what extent did the liberalisation policies adopted by Coursework

To what extent did the liberalisation policies adopted by Czechoslovakian politicians cause the Prague Spring - Coursework Example In spite of the severe crushing of the reforms, the period of Prague Spring is cherished in the history of the country as a breakthrough in the dictatorship climate during the time and as a harbinger of hope for the people of not only Czechoslovakia, but also of Hungary and Poland. The available literture on the history of Czechoslovakia reveals that Prague Spring was not the result of just the change in the political will of the government, but it had several antecedent conditions that led to it. These antecedents are deeply rooted in the history of Czechoslovakia starting after the World War I in 1919 and the political decisions and forces that shaped the destiny of the nation for the next three decades upto the 1950s. This paper aims to understand the causes that led to the Prague Spring and also to assess if the liberalization policies of politcians played an active role in its inception. In rder to evaluate if the liberalization policies adopted by Czechoslovakian politicians ca use the Prague Spring, it is important to understand the antecedent conditions in Czechoslovakia with respect to the socio-economic and political environment. Political Decision Making in Czechoslovakia Leading Up To the Prague Spring Czechoslovakia had come into existence as an independent country after the fall of the Habsburg monarchy after the World War I (Evans, 1979). The new formed Czechoslovakia was characterized by parliamentary democracy and a strong center of government and a robustly growing economy (Windsor and Roberts, 1969). However, the political turmoil in the neighboring countries, hostile neighbours like Hungary, Poland and Germany, and the impeding march of the Hitler’s forces towards Czechoslovakia all added to insecurities about the future of Czechoslovakia. In addition, the country faced internal ethnic and religious tensions and economic inequalities between its Czech and Slovak people. The World War II saw the occupation of Czechoslovakia by Germany, and later liberation of the country with help from teh Russian Army (Ramet 1999). Thus, post the World War II Czechoslovakia was placed in the power of the Soviet Union and its political and economic policies oriented towards communism. Czechoslovakia soon moved towards a socialist regime and the political set up went into the hands of the socialist parties (Davies, 2007). The coalition consitsed of both the socialist and the communuist elements and it initiated economic policies favoring socialism. This was the time when the people of Czechoslovakia were optimistic of their future as an emerging economy and a free country (Chad, 2007). However, within a decade Czechoslovakia was overtaken by the communist party and a regime of purging the politics of all non-communist elements was set into motion (Davies, 2007)). During the communist era, Czechoslovakia invested greatly in the development of heavy industries and acquired an inmressive growth rate of 170 percent . By 1948, Stalinsâ €™ collectivism ecomomic policies greatly inspired Czechoslovakia which followed an approach of forced labour and excessive government control in the market (Segel, 2003). This was the dark period of repression of public opinion and freedom of speech in Czechoslovakia and led to the public simmering with resentment against the political approach. The

JPMorgan Chase Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

JPMorgan Chase - Essay Example However, losses also occur due to internal frauds and corruptions which lead to comparatively severe consequences. Due to this banking activities are administered by the security agencies like Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodities Futures Training Commission (CFTC). The prime responsibility of these security agencies is to look after the financial dealings within the banking sector and to investigate the losses and fraudulent activities. The summer of 2012 brought a very distinctive case forward in the history of financial gambling as a leading bank of United States of America was found to have a loss of $5.8 billion. The company officials reported that the loss occurred due to the poor investment decision made by the management with respect to trading. Later on this statement given to the CFTC inspectors was found to be false and the overall inspection showed some counter results. The bank officials working on trading investment left the bank soon after this event w hich raised a lot of questions to the investigating officers (Farrell, 2012). Role of SEC and CFTC in preventing high risk gambles When a bank or any other financial institution faces a loss due to gambling then the overall economy of the country has to bear its consequences since these two economic sectors act as the most significant structural blocks for any nation. In relation to this the role of SEC and CFTC also becomes substantial as they are the key forces behind the prevention of such activities. Their prime concern is to ensure that maximum protection is extended to the investors, rules are fairly followed by the banks, financial market is operating efficiently and lastly there is enough capital available to the banks and other financial institutions to carry on their activities (Schapiro, 2012). Among these the duty of protecting the investors safeguards high risk gambles. In addition to this, these agencies implement laws regarding the fraudulent activities reported by th e financial institutions. For instance, in the case of JP Morgan Chase the CFTC investigated the overall scenario and found that initial reporting made to the agency was falsified and that the real reasons behind the massive loss were in kept hidden by the Chief Investment Office (CIO). CFTC was responsible to look after trading and financial derivatives while on the other hand SEC supervised the bank’s financial disclosures from the stockholders so as to investigate the details of such a massive loss (Gary Shorter, 2012). Valid Contract Contracts are not just general agreements between two parties rather they are the legally supported documents which can be challenged in the court. The contracts are made to give legal assistance to an agreement so that in future if either of the parties commits an illegal activity then the other one can save itself from potential losses. Due to the legalities attached to contracts there are certain essential elements of a Valid Contract whic h makes it fully acceptable in courts and in legal institutions. Following are the essential elements of a Valid Contract (Elements of a Contract, 2013): Offer and Acceptance: First of all an offer is made by one of the parties which can be accepted or rejected by the second party. If the offer is accepted by the other party then the procedure moves on. The acceptance of the offer reflects the agreement of the other party regarding all the stated rules and regulations. Intention to build successful legal relations: A valid

Contemporary Issues in Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Contemporary Issues in Accounting - Essay Example Around the world, governments (typically following the lead of practice) have begun to take notice, putting new disclosure regulations on the book. Despite these new regulations, significant questions remain about whether, and, possibly more importantly, how corporate disclosures about their social, environmental, and economic practices should evolve." (Corporate Disclosure of Social and Environmental Data Mandatory Vs Voluntary. 2004). If a particular organization is operating with an appropriate emphasis on its environmental issues, it means that it is focused on sustainability as well as the well being of the particular society in which the organization exists. Nowadays, the accounting system requires the disclosure of environmental facts in respect of financial accounting reports. The main purpose of preparing the financial accounting report is that to provide useful information about the business to its ultimate users. Such categories of users shall be owners, shareholders, investors, employees, suppliers, creditors and the public as a whole. Moreover, the report so made should be more relevant, it should possess the quality of materiality, accuracy and comparability. Environmental performance and economics measurements relate to a certain extent, as far as the accounting policies and reporting procedures are taken in to consideration. "Environmentally driven innovation can create shareholder value by lowering cost, improving production processes and service delivery, and helping to find new markets. Increased process efficiency is an example of a proven sustainability strategy for decreasing cost and adding revenue, there by improving profitability." (Slater and Gilbert 2004). The users of accounting reports should have a thorough knowledge about the changes that take place within the organization as well as in matter of accounting standard context. The accounting report should disclose the environmental performances, for the purpose of easily identifying and evaluating whether the organization is running as per the requirements of the society. Moreover, this helps to develop the reputation of the organization by comparing various environmental data obtained from the annual accounts of the company. "Investors and users of financial statements need information about the impact of environmental risks and liabilities on the financial position of the company, as well as the company's attitude towards the environment and its environmental performance, to the extent that these factors may have consequences for the financial health and performance of the company. Regulatory authorities have an interest in monitoring the application of environmental regulations by companies and the costs incurred as a result. But companies' voluntary disclosure of environmental data in annual accounts and annual reports is low. Users of annual reports have an interest in ascertaining to what extent environmental protection is an integral part of the company's policies and activities and what costs and benefits are associated." (Accounting: Commission issues Recommendation on environmental issues in companies' annual accounts a

Stateless nation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Stateless nation - Essay Example In essence, the Catalonia community has a similar surface area and population as Switzerland. The nation’s history is ancient with Phoenicians, Romans, and Greeks all leaving a mark on the community. The nation was united with Castile in the 15th century through marriage of the two communities’ royal families, although the union resulted in a confederate state that had different languages, laws, and parliaments. The Catalonia community has been involved in various wars over the centuries, losing the Harvester War in 1640, which forced it to give up part of its northern territory to France, as well as the 18th century’s Spanish Succession War that they lost and lost their institutions and right to use their language in official channels (Payne 29). The state structure of Catalonia was ended, and assimilation with Spain began until the 20th century. However, their national conscience was re-awakened in the early 20th century as Europe found itself in a wave of nati onalism (Payne 30). While it started as a movement focused on the Catalan culture and their literary and political richness, the re-awakening soon became a regionalist movement that sought increased autonomy from Spain. Prior to the Spanish Civil War of the mid to late 1930s, Catalonia was, at various times, self-ruled, and they twice proclaimed a Catalan Republic. The victory of General Franco at the end of the decade, however, began what is one of the Catalonia nation’s darkest periods. It is essential to understand the dictatorship of General Franco, in order to understand modern Catalonia. Although Franco’s regime was harsh on majority of Spaniards, Catalonia suffered what can only be described as an attempt to annihilate them systematically and cruelly. It was during this period that their cultural rights were repressed collectively and individually, including banning of the Catalan language, punishment for any expression of their culture, and public officials pub licly denying regarding their identity (Payne 30). Democracy, which was institutionalized in 1975, started a period of recuperation for the language, culture, and institutions of the Catalonia. At present, the nation is enjoying self-governance at a level that was only possible during the advent of the Bourbon Dynasty some three hundred years ago (Alba 23). Substantial responsibilities have been placed in an autonomous Catalan parliament and government, especially in fields like policing, healthcare, culture, and education. Spain, therefore, after Belgium and Germany, is the EU’s most decentralized state, consisting of Catalonia, Navarre, and Basque. To understand the identity of Catalonia, their language is vital. Surviving over three hundred years of repression has not dulled their literary scene with over 8 million people still using the Catalan language across all societal levels. The language is used in Valencia, Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Andorra, Aragon, Southern Fra nce, and Alguer in Italy. In fact, the language is more popular than some languages with official status in the EU, such as Maltese, Lithuanian, Danish, Slovenian, Slovak, and Finnish. However, the language is not recognized by national institutions in Spain and the EU, despite the prevalence of magazines, newspapers, and TV and radio channels in Catalan (Alba 24). Still, the language is weaker in the Spanish bi-lingual society and continues to face numerous threats. Catalonia, apart from its tradition of literature, has also

To Immunize or Not to Immunize Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

To Immunize or Not to Immunize - Essay Example The essay "To Immunize or Not to Immunize" talks about the importance of immunization in a modern world. To prevent a lethal epidemic all those living in the United States should be vaccinated against the avian bird virus. Avian influenza, also called Bird flu, is a type of virus that affects birds and other domestic animals. It is reported to be highly contagious in birds, it is uncommon for it to be transmitted to humans. But this does not rule out the option that the U.S. population should not be vaccinated against this virus. It has been examined that humans coming in contact with affected birds and animals have been infected rather badly, with the infection being fatal in sixty percent of the cases. People living near farms have been reported to have been affected most by the bird flu. There have been few cases which involve human to human transmission, but the possibility exists and it is better to fight against it, then just leave it on its own. The U.S. population if left un-vaccinated is in a constant danger of being affected by this virus, which has been found lethal in sixty percent of the cases involving humans, and a hundred percent involving birds. It is true that vaccinations at times can cause allergic reactions like mild fever, flu, redness and swelling, but the benefits of immunization far exceed the damage caused by it. We cannot just stop vaccinating people because of the adverse reactions which take place in some cases and put the majority of the population’s life in peril.

Graduate reflection paper 4(b) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Graduate reflection paper 4(b) - Essay Example This means they must understand the specific needs of the organization and understand what needs to be evaluated and why. They will need to be able to lead training for a diverse group of employees and understand how these evaluations tie into the training. I believe that knowledge is synonymous with education and a strong leader must understand how to deal with a diverse group of people under a variety of circumstances. I believe in the God centered approach and that all knowledge and wisdom becomes known through inspiration and revelation, through nature and the written word of the Bible. The Bible is consequently a valuable sourcebook for those in quest of genuine wisdom and the Christ is still the great teacher to those who read his words. This worldview creates a foundation for my leadership and helps me understand how I want to lead at any given moment. I rely on my faith to help me when I am not sure what to do in a situation. The many experiences that I have had both in work and in growing up have shaped my view of leadership. As an example, when I worked with my family on our farm, I learned individuality. I also learned about consistency and hard work which are two attributes that still are very important to me. I also learned about multigenerational pride and this was expressed in our home and in how we served our neighbors. In serving the neighbors, I understood that I would be serving others as part of my life work because it appealed to me and it was important to my family. When I think of evaluation and assessment, I go back to education as the primary focus of assessment. As a professor, I am faced with assessing my students continuously. As stated in other papers, I begin all my classes with a personality test that gives me an understanding of each student and their potential. Angelo and Cross (1993) suggested that the process of assessing students in their

Blogs for innovation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Blogs for innovation - Essay Example During their arrival, Orchha was gradually emerging as a tourist attraction. Due to poverty and lack of knowledge in the region, it prevented the growth of tourism (Sisodia, 2013). As a result, Asha came up with a Village Home Stay program intended for Orchha village. The aim of the program was to exploit tourism opportunities in the region in order to enhance local economic development, education, cultural exchanges between locals and visitors as well as environmental protection. It had also to offer the people of Orchha with superior work opportunities, which would positively influence the individual life of the residents. In 2007, Asha founded Friends of Orchha with the aid of a few friends from Europe to enhance tourism that is socially responsible and one that would offer an opportunity for cultural exchanges and a source of income for the needy families (Sisodia, 2013). Friends of Orchha provided help to the poor families to build and renovate their courtyards that would be hired to visitors. The families were engaged to participate voluntarily in the construction of three homestays. At that particular moment, the families were unable to carry on their main activity, which was farming that was brought to a halt by drought from 2003 to 2007 (Sisodia, 2013). Therefore, they had no capital to invest, and the organization had to set up a revolving fund, which helped to build the first three home stays. Participating families provided labor in building the sanitary block and rooms. In 2009, the first room was rented out and since then the home stay has hosted more than 500 visitors from different countries. The exploiting of the tourism opportunities improved the economic conditions of the residents as well as their live style (Sisodia, 2013). With this regard, I agree with the case as it attempts to point out issues in operating gainful employment amongst a large rural population in India. It addresses that the inability to dialogue in spoken

Illustrate The Causes if Inflation And Deflation Essay Example for Free

Illustrate The Causes if Inflation And Deflation Essay With the aid of diagrams, illustrate the causes if inflation and deflation, and by comparing their economic effects consider how both can effect the corporate sector This essay will aim to cover the causes of inflation and deflation and see how their economic effects influence the corporate sector. By first defining any key terms, then looking at the causes of inflation and deflation, looking at their different effects on the economy and in turn analysing how those effects shape the corporate sector. Before this can be done the terms inflation, deflation and corporate sector must first be defined. Inflation is a rise in the average price of goods over time. (Begg, D., Fischer, S. and Dorndusch, R., 2000, p462) and The most usual measure is that of retail prices (Sloman, J. and Sutcliffe, M., 2001, P533) (this information being gathered from the retail price index [RPI]) and A rise in inflation means a faster increase in pricesfall in inflation means a lower rise in prices (Sloman, J. and Sutcliffe, M., 2001, p533). To illustrate the importance of inflation The COS (Central Statistical Office) says it gets more queries from the public about the RPI than any other statistic, a refection of the influence inflation has on every ones life. (Vaitilingam, R., 1994, p132). Now deflation must be defined. Deflation is the mirror image on inflation (McAleese, D., 2004, p285) and is defined by the Collins English dictionary as reduction in economic activity resulting in lower output and investment (Anon, 1998, p140). Corporate means relating to a business corporation (Oxford University Press, 2006) so the corporate sector is all profit making businesses. This report will now examine the main causes of inflation. There are two main types of inflation: demand pull and cost push. Demand pull inflation occurs when a rise in aggregate demand leads to an increase in overall prices (Begg, D. and Ward, D., 2004, p237). Sloman, J. and Sutcliffe, M., (2001, p537) represented this graphically stating The AD curve shirts to the right and continue to do so. Firms will respond to a rise in aggregate demand partly by raising prices and partly by increasing output (a move up the AS curve) and this is illustrated in the following diagram: This new, higher level of demand my happen for many reasons Atkinson, B. and Miller, R., (1998, p378) tell us that The high level of demand may originate from consumers, from firms, from overseas or from the government. The other main cause of inflation is cost push inflation. Cost push inflation occurs when a reduction in supply leads to an increase in overall prices (Begg, D. and Ward, D., 2004, p237) or when costs of production rise independently from the level of demand (Atkinson, B. and Miller, R., 1998, p378). This can be denoted graphically as: Sloman, J. and Sutcliffe, M., (2001, p357) describe this graph as Cost-push inflation is associated with continuing rises in cost and hence continually leftward (upward) shifts in the AS curve. If the firm face a rise in cost, they will respond partly in raising prices and passing the costs onto the consumer and partly by cutting back on production (there is a movement along the AD curve) Monetarists believe that inflation is caused solely by the supply of money in circulation. The monetarist view of inflation, encapsulated in Milton Friedmans dictum, inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenonInflation occurs when the growth of the money supply persistently exceeds the growth of real output (McAleese, D., 2004, p281). This can also be shown graphically as: McAleese, D., (2004, p281) goes on to say that A rise in money supply from M0 to M1 shifts the AD curve outwards from AD (M0) to AD (M1). The eventual equilibrium will move from E0 to E1 and prices will rise from P0 to P1In the short runthe AS curve may be positively slopedIn that event a rise in money stock will cause higher prices, but will also lead to more outputIn the longer term, pay levels will catch up on inflation and, over time The economy then approximates more and more closely to the vertical AS. This theory is backed by much evidence including this from the US Department of Commerce As deflation is the opposite inflation it can be caused by the same factors. McAleese, D. (2004, p285) stated it can be caused by supply or demand shocks. Supply shocks includesustained productivity improvements and technological innovation that lowers prices of inputs and outputsDemand shocks can arise for several reasons: a collapse in the stock market or property prices, a sustained strengthening of the exchange rate, warsthat undermined business confidence. From a monetary perspective deflation is caused by a reduction in the velocity of money and/or the amount of money supply per person. (Wikipedia contributors, 2006). Kai, V., L. (2004) showed this graphically as Know we how inflation and deflation is caused we must examine their effects on the economy as a whole and their effects on the corporate sector. Sloman, J. and Sutcliffe, M., (2001, p534) believe that If you could accurately predict inflation and adjust incomes and prices to meet it then it would not be problem. And Griffiths, A. and Wall, S., (2004, p463) reinforce this by stating if we have an economy in which inflation is proceeding at a steady and perfectly foreseen rate, and in which all possible adjustments for the existence of inflation have been madethe main cost of inflation would arise from the fact that interest is not normally paid on currency in circulation, so individuals would make more trips to the bank in order to collect interest on their money. These extra trips to the bank are often called shoe-leather costs of inflation. (Griffiths, A. and Wall, S., 2004, p463) The other cost of anticipated inflation is menu costs. Menu costs are costs from having to update catalogues, menus, vending machines, etc (Atkinson, B. and Miller, R., 1998, p384). These costs are very minute so would not greatly effect the corporate sector as a whole. Businesses such as restuants, catalouge based comapies and those who produce vending machines would incounter minor expenses. This forseen inflation econany can be represented graphically as: But normally high inflation is not accurately predicted so other economic costs arise. There are four main, other, expenses: redistribution, uncertainty, balance of payments and resources. This report will now look at these factors in turn. Firstly high inflation redistributes wealth to those with assets (e.g. property) and away from those with savings that pay rates of interest below the rate of inflation and hence whos value is eroded by inflation (Sloman, J. and Sutcliffe, M., 2001, p534). This may include people on fixed pensions. Atkinson, B. and Miller, R., (1998 p384) show redistribution also effects creditors , those who are owed money, will also suffer, since when they are paid back, the value of money will be worth less, while debtors, those who owe money, will benefit. So Firms can also borrow more for investment as real value of debt decreases (Atkinson, B. and Miller, R., 1998, p386). This will be a benefit to firms to wishing to borrow money but bad for those who offer long term credit options on their products. Secondly inflation tends to cause uncertainty and firms may be reluctant to plan ahead and take long term decisions regarding investment as they are unable to predict future costs and revenues. (Atkinson, B. and Miller, R., 1998, p384) This will reduce the rate of economic growth. (Sloman, J. and Sutcliffe, M., 2001, p534). So the corporate sector will suffer from poor planning and low investment. Furthermore inflation is likely to worsen the balance of paymentsits exports will become relatively less competitive in the world markets. At the same time imports will become relatively cheaper than home produces goods. Thus exports will fall and imports will rise. As a result the balance of payments will deteriorate and/or the exchange rate will fall. (Sloman, J. and Sutcliffe, M., 2001, p534). This will, therefore, affect companies who rely on the global economy. They will face difficulties to exporting products and selling them abroad. They will also face increased competition from imports so may even struggle to sell their products to the home market. Finally extra resources are likely to be used to cope with the effects of inflation. Accountants and other financial experts may have to be employed by companies to help cope with the uncertainties caused by inflation. This will then increase a firms costs. With higher costs, firms are less able to make profit. Some firms exit the market and, as a result, aggregate supply is lesswith national output falling and inflation increasing. (Begg, D. and Ward, D., 2004, p238) firms are forced to pass on increasing costs onto the consumer which may result in reduced sales. This could result in being fatal to a firm in a high inflationary economy. So the economy as a whole will suffer from high inflation, firms will find new obstacles in the way of maximising profits and the individual in the economy will each face new difficulties as a result. Sloman, J. and Sutcliffe, M., (2001, p536) report The costs of inflation are likely to be relatively mild if kept to the single figure problems arise if inflation turns into hyperinflation (where inflation accelerates out of control) and go onto say If inflation develops into hyperinflation Firms constantly raise prices in attempt to cover their rocketing costs. Workers demand huge pay increase in an attempt to stay ahead of the rocketing cost of living. Thus prices and wages chase each other in an ever rising inflationary spiral. Even though the effects of hyperinflation, and even inflation, can be devastating to an economy and the corporate sector, most economist fear deflation more. This section will now examine the effects of deflation on the economy and businesses. McAleese, D., (2004, p286) reported In assessing the economic effects of deflation the problem stems less from the shock itself than from the sequence of events that follow and magnify its initial impact. Price declines become self reinforcing. This means if deflation is affecting an economy, consumers will expect prices to fall as they have been. This will mean they will postpone buying a certain product now as they believe that in the future it will be cheaper or as they become more concerned about their future economic security, particularly if unemployment is rising. The prolonged economic slowdown in Japan has raised concerns about future income prospects among its aging labour force, which may well be one reason for its deflation of the last few years (Brooks, D. H. and Quisingp P., F., 2002). This all means demand will fall. Weakening consumer demand passes into investment. Investors begin to loose nerve. Sales forecasts are cut back. The appetite for risk weakens. Faced with declining sales, corporate debt that once looked rock solid now looks less secure firms cut back on the number of employees (McAleese, D., 2004, p286). So not only does the corporate sector suffer from declining sales, they are forced to reduce their prices even more. They have reduced investment opportunities as capital becomes extremely hard to raise. Deflation has opposing influences on creditors and debtors Consequently, the real value of debt and debt servicing rises. There is thus a potential benefit for creditorsBy itself; this redistribution of real net wealth is not necessarily negative for the economy as a whole. (Brooks, D. H. and Quisingp P., F., 2002). For firms with a high level of debt this means decreased security as the cost of their debt is increasing. This will also have negative implications on investment as another route of raising capital becomes increasingly more difficult to peruse. Firms that offer credit options will benefit as the real value of they owed increases. The effects of deflation are seen more server in todays economy as McAleese, D., (2004, p286) believes In an open world economy, there is an added fear that deflationary impulses in a large economy could be transmitted across countries through trade and investment linkages. Inflation and deflation both affect the corporate sector in various ways. Constantly low inflation should bring increased stability. Businesses seeking to invest millions of pounds over many years will be assured by increases price stability. Predictions regarding costs and revenues are much easier to make and firms face less uncertainty when assessing investment risk. (Begg, D. and Ward, D., 2004, p286) and low inflation is likely to increase the turnover and profit levels of a firm. Workers may also feel happier with pay increase therefore more productive under the illusion they are better off even though their real wage has not increased. So in conclusion low inflation can be beneficial to the corporate sector but higher inflation can have many negative affects but It is generally better to have mild inflation than deflation. Deflationcan create a potentially dangerous situation, as occurred during the depression of the 1930s. (Atkinson, B. and Miller, R., 1998, p386). Biblography Anon, 1998, Collins Gem English dictionary (Nineteenth Edition), HarperCollins Publishing, Glasgow Atkinson, B. and Miller, R., 1998, Business economics, Pearson Education Limited, Essex Begg, D., Fischer, S. and Dorndusch, R., 2000, Economics (Sixth Edition), McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, Berkshire. Begg, D. and Ward, D., 2004, Economics for business, McGraw-Hill Education, Berkshire Brooks, D. H. and Quisingp P., F., 2002, Dangers of Deflation, [online], Available from: http://adb.org/Documents/EDRC/Policy_Briefs/PB012.pdf [access 8th March 2006] Griffiths, A. and Wall, S., 2004, Applied economics (Tenth Edition), Pearson Education, London Kai, V., W., 2004, The Causes and Effects of Deflation in Macao, [online], Available from: http://www.amcm.gov.mo/publication/quarterly/Jul2004/causes_en.pdf [access 8th March 2006] McAleese, D., 2004, Economics for business competition, macro-stability and globalisation, (3rd Edition), Prentice Hall Europe, London Oxford University Press, 2006, Corporate, [online], Available from: http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/corporate?view=uk [Accessed 8th March 2006] Parkin, Powell and Matthews, 2005, Economics (Sixth Edition), Pearson Education Limited, Essex Sloman, J. and Sutcliffe, M., 2001, Economics for business (Second Edition), Prentice Hall, London Vaitilingam, R., 1994, The financial times guide to using economics and economic indicators, Pitman Publishing, London Wikipedia contributors, 2006, Deflation (economics), [online]. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deflation_(economics)oldid=42742256 [accessed 8th March, 2006] Wikipedia contributors, 2006, Inflation [online] Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation [Accessed 22nd February 2006]

Skills and Applications Task Essay Example for Free

Skills and Applications Task Essay Purpose This task provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to: investigate and critically analyse the purpose, design concepts, processes, and production techniques of existing products investigate and analyse the differing characteristics and properties of materials or components. apply appropriate knowledge and understanding of skills, processes, procedures, and techniques to a range of technological activities. Description of assessment Investigate and analyse the properties of two or more materials or components that may be suitable for use in the creation of your major product. 1. Begin by considering the critical properties required of materials used in your final product (e.g. hardness, durability, malleability, rigidibility, machinability, or others). 2. Devise methods in which you test materials to determine their suitability (e.g. research, tests, experiments). 3. Investigate a number of possible options for your choice of materials. Identify their properties. Select two that you think may be most suitable for your product. 4. Investigate these two materials to a greater depth using the methods you identified in Step 2 and include an analysis of the impact of the materials on individuals, society, and/or the environment. 5. Summarise and evaluate the results of your experimentation with a recommendation for use in your major product. Assessment conditions You should negotiate the method of presentation before starting. You have one week of lesson time in which to complete the testing component of the task and 2 weeks for completion of the report. The presentation of the results of your investigation and analysis should be a maximum of 800 words  if written or a maximum of 5 minutes if presented as recorded multimedia material. Learning Requirements Assessment Design Criteria 1. investigate and critically analyse the purpose, design concepts, processes, and production techniques of existing products or systems 2. create, test, validate, modify, and communicate design ideas for an identified need, problem, or challenge 3. investigate, analyse, and use the differing characteristics and properties of materials, components, processes, and equipment to create products or systems safely 4. use the design process to select materials, components, processes, techniques, and equipment, to develop and implement solutions and ideas for products or systems 5. apply appropriate knowledge and understanding of skills, processes, procedures, and techniques to a range of technological activities 6. evaluate product or system development and outcome, and reflect on technological ideas and procedures used, with reference to the design brief 7. analyse the impact of technological practices, products, or systems on individuals, society, and/or the environment. Investigating The specific features are as follows: 1. Identification of a need, problem, or challenge. 2. Creation and validation of an initial design brief based on needs analysis and task identification. 3.Investigation and critical analysis of the characteristics of existing products, processes, systems, and/or production techniques. 4. Investigation of product material options and analysis for product use. 5. Investigation into the impact of products or systems on individuals, society, and/or the environment. Planning The specific features are as follows: 1. Analysis of information to develop solutions to an identified design brief. 2.Communication of product design ideas using relevant technical language. 3. Testing, modification, and validation of ideas or procedures. Producing The specific features are as follows: 1. Application of skills, processes, procedures, and techniques to create a product or system to a chosen standard and specification. 2. Use of resources, equipment, and materials to create a product or system safely and accurately. 3. Development of solutions to technical problems that may arise during product or system realisation. Evaluating The specific features are as follows: 1.  Evaluation of product success against design brief requirements. 2. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the product or system realisation process. 3. Reflection on materials, ideas, or procedures, with recommendations. 4. Analysis of the impact of the product or system on individuals, society, and/or the environment.

Private Health Insurance In Kenya Economics Essay

Private Health Insurance In Kenya Economics Essay Insurance is an arrangement by which one party The insurer promises to pay another party the insured or policy holder a sum of money if something happens which causes the insured to suffer financial loss (Diacon.S.R and Carter R.L, 1998) In the past few years, private health insurance sector in Kenya has been recorded as the highest loss-making insurance class with loss ratios of 74.0 per cent, 80.4 per cent , 81.5 per cent and 83.5 per cent in 2008, 2009 2010 and 2011 respectively (AKI report, 2011). Private health insurance has continued to perform poorly in the year 2011, posting a loss of 650 Million compared to a loss of Kshs. 530 Million in the previous year. According to the Association of Kenya Insurers (2011), only four out of the 20 Private health insurance providers in Kenya made an underwriting profit in 2011, the four include General Accident Insurance Company, Jubilee Insurance Company, Mercantile Insurance Company and Real Insurance Company. The sector has the highest loss ratio in the industry of 83.5% with net earned premiums reaching KES 8.9bn (US$74.5mn) and net incurred claims reached KES 5.4 bn (US$60.6mn). This trend has been consistent for the last 4 years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, with all indications that 2012 will also be a loss, a situation has prompted the Private health insurance premiums to be increased from time to time but the situation has not been improved much, it is therefore imperative to examine the challenges facing Private health insurance companies and their effect on business performance with a view of informing future insurance policy formulation. This study will seek to investigate the cchallenges facing insurance companies in the provision of Private Health insurance and their effect on business performance because this sector is an important one for the economic development of the Nation hence the need to guard it. This chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, research objectives, research questions, justification of the study, significance of the study, assumptions limitations and delimitations, definition of terms and chapter summary. 1.1 Background of the Study Health insurance is a form of collectivism by means of which people collectively pool their risk, in this case the risk of incurring medical expenses. It is a contract between an insurance company and an individual or a sponsor in the form of an employer. The contract can be renewable annually or monthly depending on the agreement between the parties in that contract. The type and amount of health care costs that will be covered by the health insurance company are specified in advance, in the member policy contract. The importance of health insurance cannot be underestimated in any economy. As observed by Wasow and Hill (1986) who argued that health insurance is an important channel for financial capital accumulation. Health insurance companies policies offer policies, which are purchased exclusively to protect the customer against risk. They often involve substantial savings. This is because Insurance companies must accumulate reserves against anticipated future claims which provide for large sums of money, which can be lend to individuals, the government, commerce and industry. According to the World health Organization (World Health Report, 2008), access to healthcare is the right of every individual. Governments all over the world have therefore undertaken various programs in order to realize this objective. The Government of Kenya has also not been left behind on this as Kenya is a signatory to the Abuja Declaration (Institute of Policy and Research, 2005) which requires its signatory member states to spend at least 15% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on healthcare. As of the year 2009, Kenya spent 9% of her GDP on healthcare which was far below the recommended proportion (IPAR, 2005). Health insurance schemes are an increasingly recognized factor as a tool to finance health care provision in low and middle income countries. Given the high latent demand from people for health care services of a good quality and the extreme under-utilization of health services in several countries, it has been argued that social health insurance may improve the access to health care of acceptable quality. Whereas alternative forms of health care financing and cost recovery strategies like user fees have been heavily criticized, the option of insurance seems to be a promising alternative as it is a possibility to pool risk transferring, unforeseeable health care costs to fixed premiums. Private health insurance is considered private when the third party (insurer) is a profit seeking organization such as the private insurance companies. In Private Health insurance, people pay premiums related to the expected cost of health services to be provided to them. Therefore, people who are in high health risk groups pay more, and those at low risk pay less. Membership to a private insurance scheme is usually voluntary and is solely based on the decision of the insured. Private Health insurance has been offered by general insurance firms as one of their portfolio of products. One of the overall goals of the Government of Kenya is to promote and improve the health status of all Kenyans by making health services more efficient, available and affordable. The importance of Private health insurance in the provision and utilization of health care cannot be overemphasized. Funding for health care has become a cooperative responsibility shared among the government, employers, and insurance companies because of the importance of the service and the rising costs of medical services. This makes Private health insurance one of the most significant instruments to maintain a healthy workforce to drive the economy. Private health insurance coverage is provided by public and private sources. Public sources include National Hospital Insurance Fund while private sources include private insurance companies such as APA insurance company Kenya limited, UAP Insurance Company limited, Jubilee Insurance Company and Madison Insurance among others 1.1.1 Private health Insurance Health insurance is an institutional and financial mechanism that helps households and private individuals to set aside financial resources to meet costs of medical care in event of illness. It is based on the principle of pooling funds and entrusting management of such funds to a third party that pays for healthcare costs of members who contribute to the pool. The third party can be government, employer, insurance company or a provider (Kraushaar, 1994). Wangombe et al., (1994) identify two categories of private health insurance in Kenya: direct private health insurance and, employment based insurance. Direct private health insurance is very expensive and only the middle and high-income groups afford it (Nderitu, 2002). In the employment-based plans, the employer provides care directly through employer-owned on site health facility, or through employer contracts with health facilities or healthcare organisations. These are both voluntary health schemes and are not legislated by the government. 1.1.2 Private Health Insurance in Kenya According to the AKI report (2011) there was 47 licenses insurance Companies with 20 companies licensed to practice and sale health insurance products. There are additional 23 medical Insurance providers (MIPs) which are more of managed care organization. The total premiums for private medical insurance in 2011 were over 8.3 billion with claims ratio at 83.5 percent. Private health insurance accounts for 15 percent of the gross total premium for all insurance products in 2011. According to the World Bank working paper number 193 (2010), the health insurance penetration stands at 2 percent with about 600,000 people insured with public insurance and over 2 million insured under the public insurance NHIF In the past few years, private health insurance sector in Kenya has been recorded as the highest loss-making insurance class with loss ratios of 74.0 per cent, 80.4 per cent , 81.5 per cent and 83.5 per cent in 2008, 2009 2010 and 2011 respectively (AKI report, 2011). Private health insurance has continued to perform poorly in the year 2011, posting a loss of 650 Million compared to a loss of Kshs. 530 Million in the previous year. According to the Association of Kenya Insurers (2011), only four out of the 20 Private Health Insurance providers in Kenya made an underwriting profit in 2011, the four include General Accident Insurance Company, Jubilee Insurance Company, Mercantile Insurance Company and Real Insurance Company. The sector has the highest loss ratio in the industry of 83.5% with net earned premiums reaching KES 8.9bn (US$74.5mn) and net incurred claims reached KES 5.4 bn (US$60.6mn). 1.2 Statement of the Problem Despite numerous efforts and strategies by insurance companies to maximize profitability, private health insurance has been performing poorly The insurance industry in Kenya is experiencing diverse challenges, key among them being the poor public perception of insurance (AKI Report, 2011 despite being the highest loss making class among the other classes of insurance. In the past few years, private health insurance sector in Kenya has been the highest loss-making class with loss ratios of 74.0 per cent, 80.4 per cent, 81.5 and 83.5per cent in 2008, 2009 2010 and 2011 respectively (AKI report, 2011). Private health insurance has continued to perform poorly in the year 2011, posting a loss of 650 Million compared to a loss of Kshs. 530 Million in the previous year. According to the Association of Kenya Insurers (2011), only four out of the 20 Private health insurance providers in Kenya made an underwriting profit in 2011. The sector has the highest loss ratio in the industry of 83.5% w ith net earned premiums reaching KES 8.9bn (US$74.5mn) and net incurred claims reached KES 5.4 bn (US$60.6mn). The trend has been consistent for the last 4 years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, with all indications that 2012 will also be a loss, this has prompted the Private health insurance premiums to be increased from time to time but the situation has not been improved much A big proportion of health insurance companies covering Private health insurance have continued to suffer losses and face the risk of collapse unless urgent measures are taken to understand and mitigate against the current the trend of losses where the total premiums collected cannot fund the number of claims incurred thereby forcing insurance companies to finance the claims with other premiums, thereby compromising profitability. The sale of private health insurance products in the Kenyan industry is proving to be a high risk investment for insurance companies. Several companies have collapsed with billions of policyholders funds, causing uncertainty and turmoil in the insurance industry. Examples of some of the insurance providers doing Private health insurance that have collapsed in Kenya include Discovery health, Mediplus and Smart Guard. Discovery Health, Health Plan services, Medex and Mesco consultants There is little empirical data and information available on the challenges and constraints facing private health insurance in Kenya. The study will therefore seek to address this knowledge gap. An explication of the challenges facing Private health insurance will facilitate insurance companies in positioning their products better in the market, and enable them undertake mitigation measures to ensure profitability. The study will seek to investigate the real challenges facing Private health insurance in Kenya, and the effects on business performance with a view of informing the formulation of effective mitigation strategies. 1.3 Purpose of the study The purpose of this study is to examine the the challenges facing insurance companies in the provision of private health insurance and the effect on business performance 1.4 Research Objectives To identify the challenges facing the Private health insurance companies in Kenya. To determine the effects of these challenges on the business performance of Private Health insurance companies in Kenya. To recommend strategic interventions measures to address the challenges facing the Private health insurance sub sector in Kenya. 1.5 Research Questions What are the challenges affecting provision of Private health insurance companies in Kenya? How do these challenges affect the performance of the Private health insurance companies in Kenya? What interventions measures can be employed to address the challenges in the Private health insurance Companies in Kenya? 1.6 Justification Previous research studies on insurance have concentrated on documenting the coverage and impact of insurance products, with little empirical evidence on factors affecting the sustainability of different insurance categories in the long term. It is envisaged that this research study will serve to fill this knowledge gap by identifying and elucidating the challenges that influence the implementation of private Health insurance, and contribute to the existing body of knowledge on insurance. It is hoped that this study will yield data and information that will be useful in formulating sound insurance policies and form the basis for further research and review on the insurance sector in Kenya. As such this study is important as it will identify the challenges facing the private health Insurance sector and how the challenges can be mitigated to ensure the industry grows and does not make losses. 1.7 Significance of the study This study will be important to various stakeholders including Private health insurance providers, future researchers and academicians, Association of Kenya Insurers, Insurance Regulatory Authorities and the General public. 1.7.1 Private Health Insurance Providers The findings and recommendations of this study will be useful to new Private health insurance providers intending to introduce new Private health insurance products by enabling them to formulate and target their products effectively. The study will benefit the existing Private Health insurers in understanding underwriting challenges facing medical insurance and how to address with the problems. Managers of insurance companies will find the findings of this study useful in designing strategic plans to help their businesses gain competitive advantage. 1.7.2 Academia Knowledge seekers in the fields of economics, research methods, management, and development studies will find this research study useful. In particular, this research study will be beneficial to the researchers with research interests in insurance, by serving as a point of reference. In addition, future researchers will be able to formulate further studies based on the recommendations of this study. The author, who is also a knowledge seeker, will be awarded a Master of Business Administration degree by successfully completing this research study. 1.7.3 Government and Regulatory agencies Government and regulatory agencies will find the findings and recommendations of this study useful in formulating future insurance regulations and laws that will aid in regulating and operationalization of the private health insurance industry. 1.7.4 Employers and Members of the Public The study will benefit the members of the public by helping demystify the operation of the insurance business and thereby appreciate the role of private Health insurance as well as challenges facing the Private health insurance sector in Kenya. Employers will find the findings and recommendations useful in understanding underwriting conditions proposed by insurance companies in Private Health insurance covers. 1.8 Scope of the Study The target population of this study will be all the Private health insurance providers currently operating in Nairobi, Kenya. The study will cover all the insurance companies licensed to offer Private Health insurance. Data will be collected by administering a questionnaire to managerial staff in the insurance companies. 1.9 Limitations and Delimitations This research study may encounter a number of limitations. First, the data collection will be subjected to insurance managers who may have their own formed opinions on the challenges of Private health insurance, which they may fail to articulate or tend to overemphasize for fear of the information being used for other reasons other than academic. To overcome this limitation, the researcher will carry along an introduction letter from Daystar University to confirm that the data requested will only be used for academic reasons. Data collection procedure will be restricted to the use of questionnaires thereby locking out other vital data collection tools like document analysis as they may not be availed by the companies for scrutiny. To overcome this, the study will visit the Companies websites and the information filed with the Insurance Regulatory Authority and the Association of Insurance to add on the information collected. The study will also look into other studies that have been done by other scholars on this subject. 1.10 Definition of terms Principle: A principle denotes a general guiding rule, which does not include specific directions, which vary according to the subject matter (Holzheu, 2006). Insure: To make sure or secure, to guarantee, as to insure safety to anyone. It also means to indemnify a person against pecuniary loss from specified perils or possible liability (Chen and Wong, 2004) Insured: The insured is the policy-holder who is entitled to indemnity or monetary compensation on the happening of an event insured against. The insured is also the person who obtains or is otherwise covered by insurance on his health, life or property (Holzheu, 2006). Insurer: He is the party who undertakes in consideration of an amount paid to him by the insured (premium) to pay money to the insured or assured on the happening of a stated (Holzheu, 2006). Underwriting: The process of assessing and classifying the degree of risk presented by a proposed insured or group with respect to a specific insurance product and making a decision concerning the acceptance of that risk. ( Bickley.M,C,Jones H. E, Brown.B.F and Brown J.L 2007) Adverse selection: People with a higher than average risks of needing health care are more likely than people to seek health insurance. Adverse selection results when these less healthy people disproportionately enroll into a risk pool.People with a higher than average risks of needing health care are more likely than people to seek health insurance (De Weerdt and Dercon, 2006). Co-insurance: A form of medical cost sharing in a health insurance plan that requires an insured person to pay a stated percentage of medical expenses after the deductible amount, if any, was paid (Gertler and Gruber, 2002). Co-payment: A form of medical cost sharing in a health insurance plan that requires an insured person to pay a fixed amount when a medical service is received (Leive and Xu, 2008). Deductible: A fixed dollar amount during the benefit period usually a year that an insured person pays before the insurer starts to make payments for covered medical services. Plans may have both per individual and family deductibles (Leive and Xu, 2008). Fully insured plan : A plan where the employer contracts with another organization to assume financial responsibility for the enrollees medical claims and for all incurred administrative costs (Russel, 1996). Premium: Agreed upon fees paid for coverage of medical benefits for a defined benefit period. Premiums can be paid by employers, unions, employees, or shared by both the insured individual and the plan sponsor (Leive and Xu, 2008). Self-insured plan: A plan offered by employers who directly assume the major cost of health insurance for their employees (De Weerdt and Dercon, 2006). CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Introduction This chapter summarized the information from other researchers who had carried out their research in the same study challenges facing health insurance and their effects on busines performance. The study specifically covers the theoretical discussions, conceptual framework and research gap. 2.1 Insurance 2.1.1 Concept of Risk The existence of risk is the fundamental rationale for insurance (Criel 1997). If there is one thing about which we can be certain in this world, it is that uncertainty surrounds all that we do. This uncertainty is at the heart of risk and risk is at the very core of insurance. Risk would be defined as the probability of a cause of an event with negative outcome occurring. The cost of risk can be looked at in at least three different perspective i.e. frequency of risk, monetary cost or financial severity and human cost in terms of pain and suffering (Dickson 2002). In view of the adverse effects of risks there is a need for risks to be managed. Insurance companies are able to provide protection against the financial consequences of loss because the concept of risk pooling 2.1.2 Insurance Device Insurance contract involves two parties including the insurer and the insured. The primary function of insurance is to act as a risk transfer mechanism. Insurance involves transferring or shifting risk from one individual to a group and sharing losses, on some equitable basis by all member of the group (Vaughan, 1989). Insurance has two fundamental characteristics namely transferring or shifting risks from an individual to a group and sharing losses on some equitable basis by all member of the group (Dickson 2002). Insurance rests upon the principal of risk-sharing between many people. It relies on the law of large numbers whereby what is unpredictable for an individual is highly predictable for a large number of individuals (Criel, 1997). The law of large numbers state that typically the more times we observe a particular event the more likely that it is that our observed result will approximate be true probability that the event will occur (Bickley, Jones, Brown. Brown, 2007: 7) Insurance primarily concerns itself with risks which have financially measurable outcomes and whose outcome can only be unfavourable or leave enterprises in the same position as they were before occurrence of an event (Chen Wong, 2004). Insurance deals with fortuitous or accidental losses which must not be catastrophic for example wide spread in nature. To counter the tendency of the persons whose exposure to loss is higher than average to purchase or continue insuring to a greater extent than those whose exposure is less than average, which is referred to as avoidance of adverse selection, there must be randomness in the risks covered (Holzheu, 2006). That is there must be a proportion of good and bad risks in the insured group equal to the proportion of good and bad risk of the group on which the prediction is made. Finally the cost of insuring the risk must not be high in relation to the possible loss i.e. insurance must be economically feasible. The major activities of all insurers include rate-making, production, underwriting, loss adjustment and investment. Rate making is the process of determining the price per unit of insurance which like any other price is a function of the cost of production. The rates must be adequate, not excessive and not unfairly discriminatory (Holzheu, 2006). The premium income of the insurer must be sufficient to cover losses and expenses. Production involves supervision of the sales efforts which is carried by the agents or salaried representatives of the Insurer while underwriting on the other hand is the process of selecting and classifying exposures. If an insurer does not select from among her applicants, the result will be adverse to them (Bickley et al, 2007). The main responsibility of the underwriter is to guard against adverse selection. While attempting to avoid adverse selection through rejection of undesirable risks, the underwriter must secure an adequate volume of exposures in each class. In addition they must guard against congestion or concentration of exposure that might result in a catastrophe (Marwa, 2007). Finally loss adjusting is the loss settlement process which provides for the indemnification of those members of the group who suffer losses. It is obviously important that the insurer pay claims fairly and promptly but it is equally important that insurers resist unjust claims and avoid overpayment of them (Vaughan, 1989). As a result of their operations, insurers accumulate large amounts of money for the payment of claims in the future which are added to the funds of the insurers themselves. It would be a costly waste to permit these funds to remain idle and it is the responsibility of the insurers finance department to s ee that they are properly invested. 2.1.3 Basic principles of Insurance Insurance practice is reputed for its general principles, and the principle of indemnity is one of them, others are insurable interest, utmost good faith, subrogation, contribution and proximate cause (Marwa, 2007). Insurance is an intricate economic and social device for the handling of risks to life and property. It is social in nature because it represents the various co-operations of various individuals for mutual benefits by combining together funds to reduce the consequence of similar risk. Insurance is the placing back of a person who has suffered a loss in the same position he was before loss occurred. It aims to eradicate the consequence of a loss by not allowing the insured to suffer the consequential loss. However, unless one meets the requirements of all the basic principles of insurance, he will be estopped from claiming under an insurance contract (Holzheu, 2006). Risk is the uncertainty about an outcome in a given situation. An event might occur, and if it does, it leaves us in unfavourable position. Insurance therefore is one of the most established techniques of risk transfer. Insurance is a risk transfer mechanism by which one exchanges uncertainty for certainty. It is a risk reducing investment in which the buyer pays a small fixed amount (premium) to be protected from a potentially large loss. An entity seeking to transfer risk becomes the insured party once risk is assumed by the insurer, the insuring party, by means of a contract, called an insurance policy (Shavell, 1979). The fee paid by the insured to the insurer for assuming the risk is called the premium (Dionne and Doherty, 1994). Insurance principles are the basic doctrines that guide the practice of insurance. They include insurable interest, utmost good faith, proximate cause, indemnity, subrogation and contribution (Marwa, 2007). While life assurance is guided only by the fir st three, non-life insurance (including motor) is guided by all the six principles. 2.1.4 Social Insurance Insurance is not always practised in this ideal commercial situation as described above as there are some people in society who face risks that they cannot afford to deal with themselves and require a social approach to insurance. Social insurance (SI) is defined as a device for pooling of risks and their transfer to an organisation usually governmental that is required by law to provide pecuniary or service benefits to or on behalf of covered persons upon the occurrence of certain pre-designated losses (Vaughan, 1989). In SI individual equity is secondary in importance to the social adequacy of the benefits (Carin, 2004). Benefits are weighed in favour of certain groups so that all persons will be provided a minimum flow of protection. SI does not exclude anyone who belongs to a group that qualifies for coverage nor does it charge risk related premiums. SI includes Social Health Insurance (SHI), which deals with the risk of ill health. Health Insurance as a source of financing for health care is a system in which potential customers of health care make an advance payment to an insurance scheme, which in the event of future health service utilization will pay the provider of care some or all the direct expenses incurred (Criel, 1997). The International Labour Organisation (ILO) provides a guideline for an initial minimum package for social health insurance (SHI) which includes general practitioners care such as home visits, hospitalization where necessary, specialists care in hospitals, essential pharmaceutical supplies and prenatal, maternity and postnatal care by medical practitioners or qualified midwives. (ILO, 1952). SHI is guided by the basic assumption that health is a basic human right and insurance is a tool to advance its implementation whereas Private Health Insurance (PHI) on the other hand views health as a cluster of risks, insurance of which is a profitable economic activity. (UN, 1948 1997, WHO 1978). This brings forth the argument that society should provide at least basic health care to all citizens. However, attainment of this status is usually gradual and has to be within a set legal frame work as is illustrated in the examples provided below. For instance in Belgium during 1851 a special law officially acknowledging the sickness funds (referred to as mutual health funds) was enacted. Sickness funds were based on occupational groups and were rather small-scale. During 1894 registration provided the legal foundation of these funds with a broader scope of activities, while they could henceforth benefit from government subsidies. Subsequently mutual health funds from the same political or ideological background combined into national alliances or unions. Until early 1940s membership to mutual health funds had been voluntary. In 1944 a decree was adopted to make health insurance compulsory for all salaried workers. In Israel the first health insurance fund, the KUPAT HOLIM CLALIT (General Sickness Fund), was founded in 1911 by agricultural workers in collective settlements (Kibbutz) which during 1920 was taken over by the HISTANDRUT (General Federation of Labour) and became one of its political power bases (Carin, 2004). In 1920 three other health insurance funds were established and by 1948 when Israel gained statehood, 53% of the population was covered 80% being members of general sickness funds. By 1995 when National Health Insurance Law was voted 96% of the population was covered. Now it is the duty of every resident to register as a member in one of the existing funds (Holzheu, 2006). Meanwhile the origin of SHI in Japan is the development of voluntary community health insurance scheme in the nineteenth century. In 1935 a community health insurance scheme (having rice as a pre-paid contribution and basic care as the main benefit) was established in the Fukuoka Prefecture. In the 1930s government encouraged the replication of community health insurance on a National Citizens Health Insurance law based on community financing principle but with cash-based contribution was proclaimed and implemented. The law was designed to meet the needs of poor in underserved rural villages, the farmers and self-employed workers in rural communities and small companies. It was initially run on voluntary basis (Carin, 2004). In 1922 a law was voted establishing compulsory insurance for selected groups of workers and by 1945 employee health insurance together with National Citizens Health Insurance covered 60% of the population. Legislation establishing compulsory insurance for all wa s finally adopted during 1958 and was implemented in 1961 (Carin, 2004).

Free Death of a Salesman Essays: Four Characters :: Death of a Salesman

Death Of A Salesman: Four Characters The play "Death Of A Salesman" , the brainchild of Arthur Miller was transformed and fitted to the movie screen in the year 1986. The play itself is set in the house of Willy Loman, and tells the melancholy story of a salesman whom is in deep financial trouble, and the only remedy for the situation is to commit suicide. In the stage production of this tale, the specific lighting, set, and musical designs really give the story a strong undertow of depression. And logically the screen and stage productions both differ greatly in regards to the mood they set. Moreover the movie production can do many things that just cannot be done on stage, with reference to the setting of course. To generalize, the play gives us a good hard look at the great American Dream failing miserably. However the combination of both the stage and screen productions accurately depict the shortcomings of the capitalist society.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Death of a Salesman specifically focuses on four characters, the first being the main character Willy Loman, his wife Linda, and their two sons Hap and Biff Loman. As mentioned, the focal point of this play is Willy Loman, a salesman in his early sixties. Throughout the story we are told the hard life, emotions and triumphs of Willy the salesman. Early in the play we learn that he has recently been demoted to working for commission, which later in the play,(on par with his luck) translates into Willy getting fired. As the plot unfolds we discover that Willy had a rich brother who recently died named Ben, whom Willy looked upon with great admiration for becoming extremely wealthy and the ripe old age of 21. However Willy also becomes very depressed when Ben leaves, the fact being that he re-realizes the meagerness of his own life, and that he is still making payments on all of his possessions. Willy then comprehends that bye the time his worldly possessions are paid forà ¢â‚¬ ¦they shall no longer be of any use. For example, the Loman house has become virtually unnecessary now that the two sons have moved out. It isn't until after Willy's death that the final mortgage payment is made†¦.for a house with no one inside it. The one example of this statement is given by Linda during the final paragraph of the play,

A Raisin in the Sun Essay: Importance of Deferred Dreams

Importance of Deferred Dreams in A Raisin in the Sun      Ã‚   A dream is a hope, a wish, and an aspiration. Young people have dreams about what they want to be when they grow up. Parents have dreams for their children's future. Not all of these dreams come true at the desired moment - these dreams are postponed or "deferred". A deferred dream is put on the "back burner of life"(Jemie 219), and it matures to its full potential, and is waiting when you are "ready to pursue it"(Jemie 219). It is assumed that the deferred event, though later than hoped for, will eventually come true.    Deferred dreams are a significant component of "A Raisin in the Sun"; the word "dream" is used a total of fourteen times throughout the play. Mama, from "A Raisin in the Sun", experienced a "dream deferred" (Hughes). Mamas dreams were for the happiness of her children, and a new house. She and her husband Big Walter put everything they had into getting that house "with a little garden in the back" (Hansberry). When she gets the insurance payment after her husbands death and puts money down on a house in Clybourne Park, she is ecstatic. The dream was deferred many times. She and Big Walter simply didn't have the money to purchase a house and move out of the apartment. "I s... ...ill likely come true.    Works Cited: Hansberry, Lorraine.   A Raisin in the Sun.   New York:   Signet, 1988. Hughes, Langston. "Dream Deferred." Perrine's Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. Ed. Thomas R. Arp. Ft. Worth: HBJ, 1998. 637. Jemie, Onwuchekwa. "Langston Hughes." CLC. Vol. 35. Ed. Daniel G. Marowski. Detroit: Gale, 1985. 219-220. King, Martin Luther, Jr. "A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., ed. James M. Washington. San Francisco: Harper, 1986. Wintz, Gary D. "Langston Hughes." CLC. Vol. 10. Ed. Dedria Bryfonski. Detroit: Gale, 1979. 279-280.

Water in New Jersey Essay -- Environment Environmental Essays

Water in New Jersey Residential, commercial and industrial development is the largest contributors to landscape change in the state of New Jersey. When buildout occurs in one region, development pressure begins in another, virtually insuring the Megalopolis concept of one huge urban corridor stretching between Boston and Washington D.C. Year after year, farmland dwindles, roads become congested, and more residents are left to compete for diminishing natural resources. Desperate measures and newer technologies are incorporated to replace poor planning and lack of vision on behalf of decision-makers caught between competing interests. When the long term health and wellbeing of the established population and the short term gain of a limited number of people compete for vital natural resources there should be no question who's interests should prevail. Water resources tend to be taken for granted in New Jersey and why shouldn't they? Rainfall and runoff from snowfall are plentiful, averaging over forty inches per year. The state is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Delaware River on the other, with reservoirs containing billions of gallons of water, and large underground aquifers in between. It's hard to imagine a shortage of this abundant resource. Under normal conditions, this would be the case, but under drought conditions, as has been experienced throughout the winter of 2001 - 2002, the residents of New Jersey are forced to confront the stark reality of the situation that we may be entering into a severe water supply crisis. Mandatory water conservation and stiff penalties for noncompliance may do what preservation and antidevelopment advocates have been trying to do for decades in the state of Ne... ...ment to New Jersey using water resource concerns as a tool to limit large-scale suburban development. These southern agricultural counties are a unique region where large numbers of people are dependent on valuable groundwater resources to continue living in a healthy environment. References New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 1993, New Jersey 1992 State water quality inventory report, chapter IV, 44p. Blair, Russell, 2002, Telephone interview with Cape May County Agricultural Agent, March 5, 2002 New Jersey Farm Bureau, 2002, Statistics obtained at website as of March 5,2002, www.njfb.org New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2002, Statistics obtained at website as of March 5, 2002, www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/ United States Geological Survey, 2002, Statistics obtained at website as of March 3, 2002, www.usgs.gov

Special Education Essay

To efficaciously speak about the consequence of ID’s in the schoolroom I thought who better to speak to than a instructor that has a schoolroom full of ID pupils. Ms. Tornetta Clark. she is an Intervention Specialist in a SED room for classs 1-4 depending upon age. We began our conversation with what lead her to go an Intervention Specialist? Ms. Clark stated that she had ever wanted to be a teacher even as a kid. so when she went to college she decided to go a instructor she started as an simple instructor and subsequently decided to acquire into particular instruction. As clip went on she learned that she enjoyed these kids even more than the others. it was more sweet. So now that we have broken the ice so to talk can you state me what some of the jobs associated with measuring the kids with ID may be? Tornetta asked me which group of kids would I wish to discourse. the culturally diverse. gender particular. the psychological these are all type of ID kids and different types of appraisals. so where would you like to get down? I thought that it would be best for her to state me about the most hard one and she choose culturally diverse pupils. Ms. Clark states that when covering with the minorities there are extra beds of complexness to see particularly if the kid is of another ethnicity than the individual that is making the appraisal. Ms. Clark besides states that she prefers to make the bulk of her appraisals on her ain merely because she has been making this for a long clip and that she has worked with several different ethnicities. Having worked with the different ethnicities I have the upper manus and a kid can experience when they are understood or when person is pacifying them. In my many old ages of learning I have besides realized that kids can experience when person truly understands them and attentions. In my schoolroom we start the forenoon off by stating good forenoon to everyone by name and so we each can remain one thing that happened last dark or over the weekend or merely something that they may desire to portion each kid gets two proceedingss and we have a timer to guarantee everyone acquire choice clip. This is besides something that works good on their societal accomplishments. Now every bit far as the appraisal on the psychological side most of these trial and appraisals are done in the clinic or with the healer. now there have been an juncture or two where I have sat in and I have even administered the appraisal. However the same jobs still exist these trial demand to be tailored to each kid and they are non they are standard which in my sentiment is pathetic each kid is different so each kid should be tested otherwise. Now I asked about gender specific proving but I have merely ran across that twice in my many old ages of instruction. nevertheless it does be and as pedagogues we need to be able to cover with it and go on to tech and keep our categories. There are or at least it used to be several instructors that were homophobic and thought that school is no topographic point for a child’s sexual penchant to come out or even to be discussed. Now in the schools we see it mundane boys keeping custodies with other male childs and misss making the same so therefore it has to be addressed. it can non be slid under the rug any longer. This is something that as pedagogues we besides need to be able to cover with particularly in our SED categories. these child need more unfastened treatments so that they do experience that they are being included. Our kids have a inclination to acquire picked on and so they end up feeling as if no 1 understands them and they begin to contemplate self-destruction. as pedagogues it is our occupation to make our best to discourage those types of feelings and to promote a kid to be true to who they think they are and to non judge others for being different. We attempted to acquire back to the interview with on last inquiry and that was. what are the features of the teacher’s pupils with ID that consequence in eligibility for particular instruction? Ms. Clark informed that the bulk of the pupils that go through some kind of proving do non acquire into a particular instruction plan. However there are grounds for that in some instances it is because the parents do non force and maintain up with the assignments every bit good as follow through with what they need to make every bit far as information that may be needed to acquire a kid into a plan and doctors’ assignments. the letter’s from the doctor’s. There are all kinds of grounds and so there are specific plans that some parents would wish to see their kid in. but there is a waiting list or there is another plan that is comparable but the parent is loath. Besides some parent’s may non desire their kid labeled as a particular instruction pupil so they are in denial. And last but non lest so there are the vicinity schools that are full and there are no exclusions to be made so that the kid can remain with their siblings. this besides goes into the transit kingdom of the jobs as good. some territories offer transit to kids but if there are siblings they can non have transit so parents do non desire their kids separated and that is undrstandbale in most instances. Clark tells me that she feels that if one kid attends the school in the particular instruction plan so the siblings should go to that school every bit good and they should have transit as good. This would likely maintain down some of the confusion on the coachs anyhow. particularly if there is an older sibling that can watch out for the younger 1s. This is how we were raised the oldest ever looked out for the younger 1s and made certain that everyone was home safe when ma and pa got in from work. I think that we need to acquire back to the slogan that it takes a small town to raise a kid and if we did so the school system and the communities would be a better topographic point. After speaking with Ms. Clark I thought about how I raised my kids and she was right when she said that it takes a small town to raise a kid. I was a individual parent for several old ages and I had six kids two were in the particular instruction plan at the vicinity school. I took them to school and my female parent picked them up from school. The neighbour watched them as they would come in the house and have snack a start their prep until I got place from work. I did the same for her on the weekends when she worked and she besides had a kid that was particular demands and we made it work if the school called and I was unable to travel she would travel and frailty versa. The point is that as parents and pedagogues we need to work together to allow our young person know that they are loved and that they are traveling to be taken attention of non merely in the schools but at place every bit good. Mentions Clark. Tornetta: Intervention Specialist. 2013 Personal conversation. June 20.

The Palette of Narmer

The pallet of Narmer Historical archives or semipolitical propaganda The Palette of Narmer The Palette of Namer is an quaint Egyptian artefact, pre-dating the Early Dynastic period. This the Great Compromiser tablet depicts the legacy of queen Namer, however due to its mysterious nature, it is still unacknowledged if these ikons atomic number 18 a historical disposition or a tool of political propaganda. Based on its size, shape and circumstantial movies it is app atomic number 18nt that this p e precise last(predicate)et was not apply for daily purposes or historical archives.With hike up inspection of the images on the pallet, it is clear that the nous purpose of the piece was not to figure the historical ventures of might Narmer exclusively to say his baronship and handedness over Ancient Egypt. semipolitical propaganda is a form of communication, usually visual, that has a main purpose of influencing people towards a cause or position by intending only on e align of the argument. This persuasion technique is used in the detailed depictions on the Palette of Narmer to instigate his dominate power over his subjects. queen mole rat Narmer is shown as a large, god-like figure who towers over those somewhat him, all other characters on the pallet ar shown following or world overpowered by Narmer. The other figures on the palette tolerate the appearance of fear as Narmer rules over them with an iron fist. This applies fear and listenks to cause support by installing anxieties into his subjects, enemies and all who gaze upon the palette. Through these techniques we can squ are up that the main intension of the artefact was to show Narmer as Egypts ultimate empowerment figure.Throughout the panels of the palette we put one over Narmer asserting his dominance over many different people. On the top panel of the front perspective of the pallet, Narmer is depicted inspecting ten decapitated enemies hit in battle, once again in at tempt to install fear. He again is drawn much larger than those about him, and is holding a mace in his left hand and a break away in his right, which is a traditional image of faggotship. In the next panel we see the taming of two wild animals these mystical creatures abide often been interpreted as a metaphor for the coupling of speeding and reduceEgypt chthonian King Narmers command. This unification of Egypts regions was seen as a major victory for Narmer, which plays other role of propaganda people naturally hope to be on the winning stance, viewing Narmers victory is a technique to convince people that his leadership is efficacious and again reassures his power. The scene on the riddle panel of the front of the palette portrays a forge conquering his foe and contend the walls of a city with its horns.In this image the bull is to be interpreted as King Narmer, showing his strength and power as he defeats and kills his enemy. The wall can be thought of as dis mantle Egypt as he conquers it and unifies Egypt. The reverse office of the palette is mostly taken up by a large and detailed image of a man, undoubtedly Narmer, striking downcast upon an enemy. Narmer has his opponent by the hair, bagging for tenderness on his knees, showing Narmers pure frenzy and god like stature. These images can be interpreted as Narmers conquest of pooh-pooh Egypt. This again plays on the fear associated with propaganda.On the real bottom panel of the reverse stance of the palette, two fallen enemies under the feet of Narmer. These conquered foes are representations of towns that Narmer has vanquished. Each panel on the palette is a celebration of King Narmer, and his stalwart conquests showing him as an almighty and feared leader, success fully using propaganda to build his reputation, gain supporters and dab fear into his enemies. Weaved throughout the palettes details are several subtle symbols that help see to it King Narmer own(prenominal) pro paganda to help him touch on his kingship.These hieroglyphs can be interpreted to have different meanings, but are very similar and all point to the depiction of the sheer power of Narmer. A reoccurring symbol of the bovine, a sign of strength and force, put off the Kings name (in serekh) on both sides of the palette, referring to his bull-like nil and power. A falcon is shown on the rear side of palette, the falcons head was commonly associated with Narmers name, and represents his rule. These animals are used as representations asserting King Narmers virtue and endowment.The theme of higher archery is homely on the palette the treatment of the others is degrading, do Narmer appear supreme. The enemies are made evident on the palette, all represent with as smaller man, naked, and cowering at the mercy of Narmer. The King is dressed in the traditional pitiable skirt, with an animals tail and a crown upon his head, demonstrating his royalty. This illustrates the different sid e of the spectrum, accessory and leader allowing Narmer to again place himself higher up everyone else.On both sides of the palette, a man stand up behind the king is depicted holding Narmers sandals in his left hand and a basket in his right, the fact that the king is shown barefooted, suggests that this man is a servant to the king this illustrates the kings superiority. There are two actual images of King Narmer on the palette on the front side he is shown wearing the Red Crown, which is associated to Lower Egypt, while on the reverse side he is shown wearing the White Crown, a representation on Upper Egypt. Having pair representation of both Upper and Lower Egypt by, the association of their unification is made.Each symbol, large or small, has an effect on the subconscious, making you see the argument in favor of Narmer. These symbols refer to the appearance of Narmer, helping him gain prize and support through the use of propaganda. The consider details of the palette can not be fully proven as historical facts, but with the common propaganda techniques present on the tablet, it discredits the cogency of the events. It is still unknown if the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt occurred under the control of Narmer.The Palette of Narmer has created scholarly debate among the historical community, whether it proves the unification of the Egyptian regions or was used only for self-promotion. The answer to the question hinges on the images indoors the palette inscription, the sheer nature of the depictions suggests that the palette does not prove that King Narmer integrated Egypt in the Pre-Dynastic Period. The exact use of the palette is undiscovered to this day, but based on its size and the images on its surface it is unpatterned that it was used for the sole purpose of personal propaganda through subconscious control by King Narmer.References Kinnaer, Jacques, The Ancient Egypt Site. The Ancient Egypt Site. 30 June 2011. (8 October 2012) 1 . Kinnaer, Jacques, The Ancient Egypt Site. The Ancient Egypt Site. 30 June 2011. 2 . Kinnaer, Jacques, The Ancient Egypt Site. The Ancient Egypt Site. 30 June 2011 3 . Kinnaer, Jacques, The Ancient Egypt Site. The Ancient Egypt Site. 30 June 2011.