Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Positive Effects of Balancing Government Budget Free Essay Example, 750 words

Lecturer: presented: Introduction Prudent budgeting of our personal incomes ensures that we are able to comfortably pay our bills, meet our daily expenses and set aside savings for future investments. This ensures that we are able to live within our means thereby avoiding living in perpetual debts. Spending more than your income is irresponsible and it particularly burdens your dependants and the economy of a country. Balancing our personal budgets is therefore very important because it reflects our real financial expenditure and our total revenues. This makes it possible to control our expenses in order to ensure that areas of priority are not overlooked (Daniel, 2005, p 21). Similarly, governments should balance their budget to ensure that it operates comfortably on its revenues, within its means. Balancing Government Budget Government obtains revenue from three major sources. These are through direct taxes, borrowing, and printing money. When the government imposes taxes, funds from entrepreneurs, businessmen, personal incomes and capitalists are collected. These funds are channeled to the treasury, where politicians and policy makers control on how to spend in a given particular financial year. We will write a custom essay sample on Positive Effects of Balancing Government Budget or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The funds are allocated to ministries, from which each department is required to utilize the funds to meet its operations. This exposes the funds to manipulation, bureaucracy and misuse, resulting in recurring budgetary deficits (Spear, 2007, pp 45-50). Borrowing is the other method which government uses to meet its financial obligations. In this regard, most governments resort to external lenders, while others borrow domestically by floating government bonds to the public and domestic investors. These sources of revenue call for making sound economic judgments, in order to check inflation and subsequent increase in the cost of living. Finally, printing money is the other source of funds whereby the government injects additional currencies in the market. When the market is flooded with money, the purchasing power of the currency reduces. This overtaxes the citizens by drastically reducing the value of their incomes (White, 2006, pp 79-80). In view of these monetary dynamics, government should balance its budget to ensure that it meets its financial obligations, without overburdening the tax payers. Balancing budget enables the government to set and make realist financial judgments, which are not at the expense of the taxpayers. The current global recession has drastically reduced the level of income both at individual and national levels, as a result of job losses and shrinking of major markets. Consequently, the total revenue which the government collects has drastically reduced, while the total expenditure remains high. As a result, most economies are recording negative growth, due to decreasing revenues and the people are experiencing a host of financial challenges. In this regard, balancing government budget would be beneficial in a number of ways. Firstly, it would enable the government to control and critically analyze its spending. This will enable it to prioritize on the most important sectors, for example health, education, housing, security and welfare of workers. This would cushion these key areas from incurring budgetary deficits during periods of financial crises. This would ensure that vital public services are improved and protected at all times (Broch, 2000, pp 51-52). Secondly, balancing budget would enable the government to live within its means. This would be achieved by limiting spending through cost cutting measures on unnecessary expenditure. Savings accrued from these measures could be used in investments, such as creating jobs and improving the infrastructure. In addition, balancing budget would save tax payers substantial amounts of money. When government incurs budgetary deficit, it normally resort to borrowing in order to sustain its operations. In addition, it can increase the money in circulation by printing more currencies. This increases the levels of inflation, which raises the cost of living and doing business (Daniel, 2005, p35). Balancing the budget could ensure that the government builds on its strategic cash reserves, by encouraging fiscal policies which minimize spending and enhance savings. Simply put, balancing budgets ensures that government ministries do not overspend their allocations. Any surplus could be used to settle operating debts and hence reduce dependency on borrowing. In this regard, taxpayers are spared the agony of skyrocketing expenses and the cost of doing business decreases. This encourages savings at personal level, which increase purchasing power of consumers. Conducive investment environment is also established, which in turn create more job opportunities. In conclusion, balancing government budget just as in personal budgets encourages utilization of resources more wisely. The government owes the taxpayers an obligation to use their money on provision of goods and services, which add value to their lives. This improves the quality of life. In addition, should the unexpected happen such as the current economic crisis, well run governments would be able to provide sufficient cover to both businesses and individuals from incurring heavy loses. Personally, I think that if financial budgets and expenditure are not politicized and exposed to bureaucracy, balancing budgets would guarantee quality service delivery to the taxpayers. Bibliography 1. Broch, Schroeder. Business in Perspective: Principles of Budgeting. New York: Russell, Sage Foundation, 2000. 2. Daniel, Wilkinson. Personal Finances: How to get the Most out of Your Paycheck. London: Oxford University Press, 2005. 3. Spear, Waller. Applied Business Continuity Systems: What Does Government taxes mean to your Enterprise? South Africa Business Journal, vol 43, (2007): 45-50. 4. White, Percival. Market Analysis: Its Principles and Methods. London: McGraw- Hill Book Company Inc, 2006.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

The End Of The Cold War - 1069 Words

At the end of the Cold War, a more widespread interest in post conflict reconstruction was becoming more prevalent. The main components of this interest during the post reconciliation period were accountability and reconciliation. To facilitate this in two different post conflict environments, two respective tribunals were established. These tribunals were known as the ICTY (The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, est.1993) and ICTR (International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, est.1994) . The ICTY was formed to address the conflict in former Yugoslavia. The situation started when two of the six republics of Yugoslavia, Slovenia and Croatia, declared their independence after the fall of the Berlin Wall. This sparked a lengthy and lethal conflict within the territory. The atrocities that allegedly had been committed included but were not limited to, genocide, rape, and enslavement. Many of the victims were civilians. Because of this the ICTY was created during th e war as an international criminal court that applied humanitarian law. It’s purpose was to gather information, create an account of events, and prosecute those responsible for committing crimes . The ICTY is considered the first international court. Since it was the first of it’s kind, the court was not without controversy. From the beginning, the method of establishing the tribunal was up for debate. The ICTY did not have the legal authority to establish itself. Some states wanted a treaty toShow MoreRelatedThe End Of Cold War2804 Words   |  12 PagesThe End of Cold War: An Analysis Cold War should be considered as one of the most important events that stirred the global political world and it should be considered as an event the end of which reshaped the socio-economic and political structure of myriads of nations across the globe. The end of the Cold War ensured the demise of the Soviet instigated communism and the rise of democracy once again. But it should be noted that just like the emergence of the Cold War the end of the Cold War was notRead MoreThe End Of The Cold War1694 Words   |  7 PagesThe end of the cold war, is often considered as marking the dawn of a fundamentally different political environment. This change in environment, has brought about new salient questions by scholars and policy makers about the relevance of nuclear weapons in the world. In his article, ‘learning to love the bomb’ Jonathan Tepperman calls president Obama’s plan to rid the world off nuclear weapons wrong, dreamy, unrealistic and a big mistake. I foun d this article interesting as it seems rather paradoxicalRead MoreThe End Of The Cold War930 Words   |  4 PagesThe end of the Cold War marks more than just the end of the arms race, between the Soviet Union and the United States, it also marks the weakening of communism. Communism, the greatest enemy to the west during the Cold War had to be put down at any cost, this meant supporting militaristic dictatorships that were against communism. The weakening of communism, however, ignited Global Democratic Revolutions in which the people sought to gain the power back from the government. These revolutions wereRead MoreThe End Of The Cold War Essay1740 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The most important turning point in contemporary history was propitiated by the end of the Cold War, when one of the fields of the bipolar era disappeared, opening the way for a unipolar world under American imperial hegemony. The United States immediately began to use its unquestionable superiority, seeking to transfer the conflicts to the military confrontation. The apex of this policy of militarization of conflicts was in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya (Missiroli, 2015). Although inRead MoreThe End Of The Cold War Essay4338 Words   |  18 PagesAbstract: This article discusses the end of the Cold War, covering the period from Reagan?s inauguration to the reunification of Germany, which marked the end of the last remnant in Europe of the Cold War. It looks at several factors that brought the conflict to a close: arms control, human rights issues, and ongoing conflicts in Latin America between the Soviet Union and the United States. The most important meetings and summits between the United States and the Soviet Union are discussed, includingRead MoreThe End Of The Cold War1435 Words   |  6 PagesDespite the hope for democracy and political stability in the last two decades, crises and armed conflicts remain a serious impediment to development in many countries. Moreover, if some specialists say that the end of the Cold War at the beginning of the 1990s spelled the end of conflicts created through the East-West confrontation, the following years have shown the predominance of intra-state crises, thus forcing the United Nations (UN) to review its strategies for peace and security. In extremelyRead MoreThe End Of The Cold War2747 Words   |  11 PagesThe United Nations was handed the sacred duty of, in its own words, â€Å"to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.† While the UN was able to prevent another great war, and to an extent other large regional wars, it has still not met its key tenet of saving generations from the scourge of wa r. I believe that the UN has failed to promote peace successfully in the world, and its job as facilitator of peace hasn’t been met when countless conflicts have continued all over the globe. I believeRead MoreThe End Of The Cold War928 Words   |  4 Pages The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union were heralded by many as the end of history. Economic and political liberalism, it was argued, had triumphed over all other political and economic systems and was thus going to usher the world into an era of endless freedom and stability. This new global system, bounded by the principles of democracy and free market capitalism, was promoted as being the panacea for the liberation of the individual from the ills and control of old bureaucraciesRead MoreThe End Of The Cold War Essay2178 Words   |  9 PagesThe end of the Cold War created new dimensions for bilateral and multilateral international relations, including the U.S.-Vietnam relations. From the demand of normalizing the bilateral diplomatic ties, the U.S. detailed a four-phase roadmap in April 1991, which associated closely with resolving the Vietnam’s military involvement in the Cambodian conflict, and the U.S. prisoners of war/missing in action (POW/M IA) issue during the war in Vietnam. In 1995, the U.S. and Vietnam officially announcedRead MoreThe Wars At The End Of The Cold War1617 Words   |  7 PagesThe wars at the end of the Cold War and the beginning of the new century are entirely different from the other ones, mainly since September 11th, 2011. The nature of the strategic environment of the warfare has undergone a series of transformations because of the globalization, technology, economic relationships, and cultural changes. They influence the war and create an environment characterized as volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA). This new environment has shifted the conventional

Monday, December 9, 2019

Determine Leadership Style free essay sample

One of the most important tasks any business leader must undertake is a personal assessment. An honest inventory of skills, strengths and weaknesses of a business leader can give insight into those areas that need improvement as well as those that can be accepted and learned to work around. A personal inventory also give the business leader the power of information, which a business leader can then use to create situations that emphasize strengths for more consistently positive outcomes. As a business leader, it s important to adopt a positive attitude throughout the task of skill, strength, and weakness inventory. The inventory will need to be recorded without any personal judgments. In this essay, we will identify strengths and weaknesses of a leadership style via leadership assessments, then we will compare and contrast leadership theories and apply relevant theories to leadership approach. In reality, people and businesses want results. As a leader, we have to influence and move others to produce results. When we lead, others follow. It does not matter what title is on the business card, the uestion is whether you can lead (Coutts, 2000). With so much at stake, it is unaffordable for a business leader to fail in his or her leadership. Leadership of a leader must be continually and diligently worked on. As a business leader, he or she must identify his or her skills, strengths and weaknesses so that leadership can be used to its potential. First, business leader has to think about what attracts him or her. What often attract him or her are strengths. Strengths are often more difficult to identify than weaknesses (eHow, 2010). Things that one likes to do is often be trengths simply because one spends more time focusing on practicing them. One must also test his or her abilities by trying different activities, and giving the best effort put forward at each time. Activities reveal personality types. Personality graphing test can give insight into positive and negative abilities of a leader. The broader the spectrum of new activities attempted, the more data gained. One can gain conclusion on his or her ability based on the information gained from this personality test. When graphing personality test, one must do it honestly without any propensity of biases. After graphing, one needs to write down what he or she enjoys doing. While these strengths are recorded, weaknesses must also be noted. Personal experience associated with the strengths and weaknesses may be drawn to reinforce recommended that one should review personal accomplishment often to reinforce the strengths (eHow, 2010). The next step in identifying strengths and weaknesses is analyzing them. One should ask specific questions regarding which tasks will yield more information about strength and weaknesses. Then one can categorize, group them and think of how to make a leap of improvement in a short eriod of time. If putting in consistent efforts and not much improvement is seen, then this is the area of weaknesses. Ask the boss or supervisor on how you can excel and improve in these areas. When strengths and weaknesses have been identified, how does one apply these strengths and weaknesses into business setting to gain maximal output of leaderships? There are many leadership styles that have been analyzed and theorized from LPC Contingency model, to Path-Goal theory of leadership to Situational and Multiple Linkage theory of leadership. Among these heories, the one that I identify with the most is the Multiple Linkage theory of leadership. The multiple-linkage model (Yulk, 2006) builds upon models of leadership and group effectiveness. The model includes four types of variables: managerial behaviors, intervening variables, criterion variables, and situational variables. This model describes in a general way the interacting effects of managerial behaviors and situational variables on the intervening variables that determine the performance of a work unit. First, let us explore what intervening variables are. Yulk notes that the Intervening variables on how the leader can nfluence the performance of a group or organization units is based on the following six variables: task commitment, ability and role clarity, organization of the work, corporation and mutual trust, resource and support, and finally external coordination. These intervening variables interact with each other to determine the effectiveness of a group or organizational units. They also have a serious deficiency in a way that it may lower the group effectiveness. Yulk also adds that the situational variables that influence on intervening variables is dependent upon the effects of ormal reward system and the intrinsically motivating properties of the work itself. Member commitment to perform the task effectively will be greater if the organization has a reward system that provides attractive rewards contingent on performance; and intrinsic motivation is the motivation of subordinates on interesting and challenging works that requires highly varied skills and provides automatic feedback about the performance. A basic idea of this theory is that actions of leadership to correct any deficiencies in the intervening variables will improve performance. A leader who fails to recognize opportunities to correct deficiencies will be less effective. Although the Multiple-Linkage model is more complex and comprehensive than any other models, it has several conceptual weaknesses. It does not specify how different types of leader behaviors interact with each other in their effects on intervening variables. Leadership and management are commonly mistaken to be the same. Leaders and managers in an organization both leadership; and leadership activities can contribute to managing. Often leadership is also misunderstood to mean directing and instructing people and making important ecisions on behalf of any organization. Effective leadership is much more than these. Good leadership requires attitudes and behaviors (Chapman, A. , 2010). It requires human qualities beyond conventional notions of authority whereas management relies heavily on tangibles measurable capabilities such as effective planning. The followings are some differences between leader and manager. Manager administers, and leader innovates. Manager maintains and leader develops. Manager focuses on systems and structures, and leader focuses on people. Manager imitates and leader originates. Manager accepts the status quo and leader challenges it. Manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line and leader has his or her eye on the horizon. We now have assessed our strengths and weaknesses and have explored many leadership styles, how do we go about applying theories to approach leadership. Many methodologies have been developed and applied by leadership researchers. All can be summarized as follows: Leader must plan and be proactive rather than reactive. Leader must involve in identifying potential problems and solving them before they reach crisis. Leader must have a vision because vision embodies dreams and passions of a leader. Leader must also share vision with others. If vision is shared with others, it helps the leader develop and strengthen visions, which in turn can turn the vision into reality. Leader must also take charge in leadership and inspire other of good and sound leadership. Leadership is defined through action, therefore leader must involve in carrying out actions that fit the leadership vision, and integrity that gives these actions meanings. In conclusion, becoming a leader is not easy ecause it takes a conscious commitment and consistent effort to develop leadership skills. Good leader knows how to use situations and circumstances around him or her. Good leader motivates followers and changes unfavorable conditions around to become favorable. Being a good leader is critical to the business and good leadership can reap reward greatly when carried out effectively.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

The Value of Physical Education to the Ancient Gre Essay Example For Students

The Value of Physical Education to the Ancient Gre Essay eks and Romans The Value of Physical Education to the Ancient Gre Essayeks and Romans Throughout history, society has placed a different value on physical education and sport. The purpose of physical education has changed over different time periods and as a result of ever-changing socio-cultural events. Some civilizations use the practice of physical education to prepare for war, some for profit, and some for a general all-around development. Three ancient cultures are of particular importance to development of physical education. The Athenian Greeks, the Spartan Greeks, and the Romans each had their own beliefs about the mind, body, and spirit. We will write a custom essay on The Value of Physical Education to the Ancient Gre specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now While these early civilizations valued physical development to varying degrees, they are all worthy of examination within a sport and physical education context. In ancient Athens, the all-around citizen was valued. To the Athenians, physical education was necessary to achieve all-around mental, moral, and physical excellence. The Greek gods personified this idea, known as arte. The 12 main gods of the Olympic Council possessed superior intellectual and physical capabilities, such as strength, endurance, agility, and bravery. They personified the Greek Ideal, which emphasized the unity of the man of action with the man of wisdom (Lumpkin, 1990, p. 167). The Greek Ideal became the Athenian Ideal as this city-state sought to provide an educational system that encouraged boys to develop their physical and mental abilities (Lumpkin, 1990, p.168). Boys improved their physical prowess in order to prepare for war and also to depict the aesthetic beauty of the body. In Athenian society, the idyllic body was harmoniously proportioned, alert, and physically fit for both civil and military duties (Mechikoff Estes, 1993, p. 45). The Athenians main reason for physical competition was in honor of respected soldiers killed in battle and in honor of the gods. A famous Greek epic, the Iliad, described the funeral games held in honor of Patroclus, Achilles friend who had been killed in the Trojan War (Lumpkin, 1990, p. 167). The men participated in a chariot race, boxing, wrestling, a footrace, a duel with spears, a discus throw, archery, and a javelin throw. Women had a very different role in Athenian society. The girls remained at home with their mothers and received little or no education. They were secluded to the home after marriage (Lumpkin, 1990, p. 168). In contrast, the purpose of education in ancient Sparta was to produce a well-drilled, well-disciplined marching army (Donn Donn, 2000). Sparta was known for conquering other lands and everything carried out in the Spartan society was done for the purpose of achieving this goal. To become a superior Spartan soldier, boys had to endure unbelievable pain and hardship. The boys were taken away from their parents at age 7, and lived a harsh and brutal life in the soldiers barracks. The older children started fights with the younger children to make them tough and strong (Donn Donn, 2000). Spartan boys utilized running and jumping as a means of conditioning. They also participated in swimming, hunting, wrestling, boxing, playing ball, riding horses bareback, throwing the discus and the javelin, and competing in the pancratium. A strict code of discipline was placed on its people. As boys prepared themselves for military duty, girls learned of their duty to bear strong and healthy children. The purpose of physical education for the Spartan girls was to prepare them physically for this duty. The Spartan state required girls to participate in gymnastics as well as wrestling, swimming, and horseback riding. Dancing was important to both boys and girls to improve their physical abilities and to honor the gods (Lumpkin, 1990, 167). Both the Athenians and the Spartans competed in festivals to honor the gods. The most prestigious and well-known festival in which the Greeks battled was the ancient Olympic games. The Romans differed greatly from the Athenian Greeks in their emphasis on the all-around citizen. With the possible exception of Greek music, most Romans were not comfortable with the all-around development of man that emphasized the aesthetic and educated aspects of Greek culture (Mechikoff Estes, 1993, p. .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 , .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 .postImageUrl , .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 , .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688:hover , .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688:visited , .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688:active { border:0!important; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688:active , .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688 .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u8975593ee02aff583373078424bc2688:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Hate Crimes Essay37). The purpose of physical training for Roman citizens was solely to make them obedient, disciplined, and ready to be a warrior (Mechikoff .