Friedman Family Assessment Essay

The Friedman Family Assessment assists the nurse in assessing a family and establishing family nursing interventions. This tool allows the community nurse to assess the family system as a whole, as part of the whole society, and as an interaction system (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). This paper will review a family that consists of a mother, stepfather, and adopted son. Identifying Data and Composition see more:welcome speech for annual function The family name, address, and phone number is not disclosed in this paper in-order to protect the family’s identity. The mother CD, who is 44, stepfather PD, who is 55 and her adopted son KD, who is 10 live in the home. The family form is a low middle-class income family of three and the son’s adopted father is still in the picture and has joint custody. CD and PD have been married only three years. They are Caucasian and speak the English language. CD is not aware of her ethnic background because she was adopted. PD has a French descent. KD has an Asian descent. CD was previously married for 22 years. CD and her x-husband adopted KD at birth. This is PD first marriage. The family religious affiliation is Baptists; they are members at a church two miles away from the home. CD is very involved in their church attending services every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. They live in a singlewide two bedrooms mobile approximately 25 years-of-age and station in a small c ommunity trailer park on the outskirts of town. The mobile home is completely paid for and solely owned by CD. CD makes a living as a unit clerk at a local nursing home and is the breadwinner of the household. She also sells jewelry on the side. PD makes a living at a manufacturer plant that makes engines for lawn mowers, approximately 20 miles from home. Their eating, dressing, and health views are typically of a low middle-class household. CD lives week-by-week on her  paycheck, and she pays for everything accepts the park rent. PD is only responsible to pay the park rent with his paycheck. The household income is not a combined income to help share the responsibility. CD states, she does not know what PD does with his money. The family eats together usually at breakfast and dinner only but in front of the television. They try to eat healthy but sometimes with their busy schedule, they eat out more than they eat in. Both CD and PD states, they do not drink or smoke and believe that they are in good health, but believes they ha ve a weight problem. CD currently weighs 250 lbs. and is 66 inches; she has a body mass index (BMI) of 30, which is obese according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (2010). PD currently weighs 230 lbs. and is 72 inches; he has a body mass index (BMI) of 32, which is obese according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (2010). KD currently weighs 95 lbs. and 65.0 inches; he has a body mass index (BMI) of 18.6, which is a healthy weight according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (2010). The family states, they have a good appetite and have been trying to lose weight but find it difficult because of the day-to-day stressors they encounter. They believe they need more exercise in the lifestyle but cannot find the time to fit it into the daily lives. They do get annual check-ups and follow-up with their physician as needed. CD and PD both have a high school degree and KD is in the fifth grade at the local elementary school. CD likes to hang out with her son and is involved with her community church. PD likes to watch television and hangout with his guy friends. KD likes to play video games and occasional play basketball with the neighborhood children and play with is pet dog, a miniature long hair Dotson name Jack. Developmental Stage and History of Family The CD is in her forties, and PD is in his fifties and according to the Erikson’s developmental stage, they are both in generativist versus stagnation. Harder (2009) â€Å"so when we’re in this stage we often fear inactivity and meaninglessness† (7). The son is 10 years-of-age and according to Erikson’s development stage, he is in industry versus inferiority. During this stage, the son is capable of learning, creating, and developing new skills. In addition, he should be very social but if  feelings of inadequacy among his peers he may have problems with competence and self-esteem (Harder, 2009). CD was born in America on August 11, 1965, was adopted by the age of eight. She recently has contacted with her biological father and keeps in-touch with him. Her biological fathers’ background is unknown because he was also adopted at birth. CD does not know anything about her biological mother and prefers to keep it that way. CD states, she was abandoned along with her two younger brothers at a young age. CD’s father was could not handle the children, both financial and emotional so he gave them up for adoption. CD and her younger brother were adopted together to an English-speaking American family in Colorado. A younger couple looking to adopt a baby adopted CD baby brother at the age of one. CD states, her adopted parents were both very loving parents to them, and they had good religious upbringing. CD first marriage failed after 22 years and through this marriage, they adopted CD’s niece infant son. KD who is 10, and he was born on March 5, 2001. CD’s husband PD, was born in the East Coast of New Hampshire in 1956, and he has lived here his entire life. CD and PD lives in a trailer park and just barely makes ends meet. They both work but their income is not pulled together and shared to pay the bills. CD states, she pays for everything, whereas, PD is only responsible for park rent, but there has been time that he neglected to pay and CD had to pay the rent. CD is concerned where he spends his money, and although she loves him, he is not a partner in this relationship. Environmental Data The family’s home was factory built-in 1986. As I drive up to their home, they have a paved driveway and storage shed adjacent to the trailer. There is no garage for their two vehicles they own. As you walk up to the home, they have a small deck at the front entrances. Once inside the front door you walk into an open concept kitchen, dining room, and living area. The bedrooms are at the end of the narrow hallway and with one full size bathroom and a laundry-room adjacent to the bathroom. The home is heated by propane force-hot-air. There are smokes and carbon monoxide detectors located at both end of the home are functioning properly. Their home is very well maintained and presents a welcome home like feeling. The neighborhood is somewhat a loner community not actively with  socializing. Everyone keeps to himself or herself unless they have kids. There are 25 other well-maintained trailers and good landscaping in the park. There are five families in the park that have children at the same age as KD, and the neighborhood children frequently get together to bike or play sports. There is a play park with basketball hoop, swings, and jungle bars for the neighborhood kids, so they can play and interact. Major grocery store is just one mile from the park, and the park is approximately five miles from downtown. CD states, she does not socialize with her neighbors but thinks that they are pleasant. The family believes that the neighborhood is safe and has a low crime rate. The family spends most of their time with community service through their church. Family Structure and Functions I found during my interview with the family that communication patterns were not shared but was dominated by CD who was more out spoken than PD and KD. CD answered most of the interview questions but PD charmed in from time-to-time if he wanted to add more in-site to the questions or if the question were more pertaining to his background. KD was somewhat shy and clinks to his mother most of the time especially, when he was not feeling well. KD is well behaved and communicates with his parent with respected. KD gets along well with his stepfather; there is no evidence of any behavioral issues in the relationship. KD sees his adopted father every other weekend, and he enjoys his visit with him. Both CD and PD do not believe in spanking as a form of punishment when KD needs discipline but believes in time-out and or grounding him when its’ needed. CD states, she is the sole decision maker in the family. They do not have a joint bank account, PD’s money is his, and CDâ€⠄¢s money is hers. CD manages and pays the bills, whereas PD is only responsible for the park rent. CD states, her employer has cut her hours from 40 to 32 hours, she is finding it difficult to keep up with the bills and being the main support of the family. She states, PD has not always paid the park rent so that leaves the burden on to her. When I asked PD why CD is managing the household financials by herself, he did not want to discuss the matter. PD and CD share the responsibility in cooking the meals, cleaning the house, and taking care of the laundry. KD helps with keeping his room cleaned and takes out the  trash. PD is also responsible for mowing the grass and taking care of the yard. The family demonstrates reserved affective and socialization functions. Their affection is demonstrated by helping each other with the household responsibility and taking care of KD. CD and PD shows affection with verbalization of I love you and a kiss. KD is close with his mother and hangs out with his step dad occasion. The family as hole respects each other and can express their concerns or issues to one another. The family takes their health care functions seriously. They receive routine health care check-up and believe in healthy eating but do not always practice it routinely. The family at present seems to be healthy and well developed they like to take frequent walks around the neighborhood as a form of exercise. CD is currently being treated for depression and for neck pain. She has a past medical history of asthma, arthritis, and hysterectomy at the age of 34 years-or-age, and she wears prescription glasses to drive. PD is currently being treated for GERD and hypertension. He is not always good about taking multivitamins and the last doctor visit was a year ago. Both CD and PD do not drink or smoke. CD and PD make sure that KD has regular health check-ups, along with keeping up his immunization shuts. Recently KD has developed constipation and stomach pain, he has been through testing, and his physician is not able to find anything medically wrong. KD’s physician believes it could be related to the new stressors in his life regarding his adopted father and his new girlfriend. Family Stress and Coping As talking to both CD and PD, they both demonstrate dealing with stressors in the household and at work. CD and PD are worried about KD and what is causing his feeling sick both emotional and physical at times. The family has seek both medical and psychological advice and getting KD the help, he needs dealing with his adopted father and his new girlfriend. CD is also dealing with several stressors at the present both at home and work. Her work-related stressor is that her hours have been cut back, and she does not know how she going to get all her work done in a short period. She believes her home-related stressor is she will not be able to financial support her family because of her decrease income and her x-husband has been laid-off so most likely will not get child support for a while. PD stressor at home is not providing more of the financial support that he should. They believe  most of the time they handle stressors well, by talking things through, but they admit there is some things they do not feel comfortable bring things up in-order to deal with them. Family Nursing Diagnosis As I looked at the information that I had gathered through Friedman Family Assessment, I found several opportunities that I could focus on for a priority nursing diagnosis. However, I felt that the one that I could contribute more energy to is improving the family nutritional intake and improve in the family activities to promote good health. The priority nursing diagnosis is imbalanced nutrition: more than body requirements related to food intake that exceeds body needs, psychosocial factors, and socioeconomic status. The evidence is noted by the lack of exercise, family activities, excessive intake in relation to metabolic need and BMI indicates obesity for both parents and eating out more often than cooking meals at home. The second nursing diagnosis is interrupted family processes: changes in mutual support related to modification in family finances. The evidence is noted by CD work hours decrease so she will be bring home less pay, PD not contributing to the household income, and x-husband lose job and no longer will be able to provide child support. The third diagnosis is impaired parenting: frequent illness related to KD coping with the stressor the potential of him feeling he is losing his adopted father who is in another relationship. The evidence is noted by KD complaining of stomach pain, nausea, and constipation. Community Health Nursing Interventions The interventions that the nurse will start with for this priority nursing diagnosis is ascertain previous dieting history. This will help the nurse and family determine, which diets and strategies used, results, and individuals frustrations, and factors interfering with his and her success. Another intervention is to implement and review a daily food diary. Both CD and PD are to keep a daily diet dairy for the next two weeks to help determine what time they eat, what they eat, how much the eat, where they eat and why they are eating or reflect on their feelings at the time. This will help the nurse understand CD and PD eating patterns with the when, what, how, and the why approach. The last nursing intervention is for the nurse to determine the CD and PD motivation for weight loss, by assessing  why both want to lose weight. Weight loss is depended on what type of motivates CD and PD. Is the motivation related to health concerns, own satisfaction, and gain approval from others or from each other. The community nurse will be able to help families like this one by using assessment tools such as Friedman Family Assessment model. The tool is important to assess the family in-order to provide valuable information about the family to help complete the nursing process. The information collect will help the community nurse to focus on the family needs. In addition, to help the family develops objectives, goals, and intervention on how to achieve and maintain the goals along with making sure that the family has a positive outcome. References Harder, A.F. (2009). Erik erikson stages of development. Retrieved from http://www.learningplaceonline.com/stages/organize/Erikson.htm Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2008). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community, (7th ed.). Retrieved from the University of Phoenix eBook collection database. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2010). Calculate your body mass index. Retrived from http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm

Distribution Of Childhood Obesity Health And Social Care Essay

Childhood fleshiness is distributed disproportionately in different parts. Socio-economic position, racial groups, ( lobstein et.al. , 2006 ) being more common in lower expectary and morbidity are common in lower. Socio-economic group in developed states like U.K ( Wilkison.R & A ; Marmot R ) sing these several factors. Sociological theoretical accounts strives to explicate wellness inequalities in society which contributes to childhood fleshiness. The 2nd back study ( exworthy 2003 ) identified inequalities in wellness and the ( Acheson 1988a ) concluded that socio-economic inequalities and this explore a manner with single life manners, socio-economic position ( Dahlgreen societal determiners & A ; whitehead 1991 ) with several theoretical account which explains the wellness inequalities includes- Individual behavior- life style & A ; civilization. In this single behaviour the nutrient wonts of the kids plays an of import function in kids from lower-income groups are more vulnerable to fleshiness due to high Calorie, high-fats in cheaper nutrients and limited physical activity ( Kumanjika 2008 ) . In Westernization or modern societal tendencies noshing, drinks, fast nutrients in eating houses and restricted physical activity by parents contributes for prevalence of childhood fleshiness in higher income groups ( ) . In support for this account about physical activity degree or sedentary activity degrees by kids have declined in U.K activity & A ; inaction acts as spheres to stand for the prevalence of fleshiness ( Gortmaker et. , Al ) This single behaviour is chosen to avoid unhealthy nutrient wonts, inaction in kids and to follow healthy wonts to get the better of ill-health. This single behaviour theoretical account provides account on life manner or civilization of the parentschildren and this avoids focal point social factors for childhood fleshiness. Mostly it is individualistic and alteration in behaviour should non itself wellness inequalities for adequate to explicate childhood fleshiness. Other societal factors are to be considered which contributes for another model- The materialist Structuralist: This theoretical account focuses on societal factors and poorness as the chief factors for sick wellness associating to child goon fleshiness aa‚ ¬ † In U.K kids from low socio economic groups have somewhat higher odds than kids from higher income groups ( Stamatkis et. Al. , 2005 ) .Statically grounds shows that kids from lower income groups histories for ( 31 % ) to the kid goon fleshiness ( Wardle et al.,2006 ) . This account supports poorness, as the chief cause for sick wellness in kids of the lower societal groups. The morbidity rates are stable from 19th century in low socio economic categories and even started out of the blue increasing from last old ages of twentieth century ( Mackenbach.P.J 2006 ) . The authorities stated no being of poorness in Britain as consumer lasting ownership is even high in low income groups ( Goodman et. al. , 1997 ) .This statement failed by Breadline Britain Surveys which evidenced 20 % families are below poorness line ( Gordon 1997 ) . This account contributes information to authorities to concentrate on low societal categories to better the life criterions to get the better of sick wellness in kids. This account is supported by: Marmot reexamine report- The societal gradient of wellness inequality groundss if lower socio economic position the poorer is the wellness with inter related factors like- unemployment, lodging etc. , ( Marmot Review Report 2010 ) . This account specifies that deficiency of resources, low rewards, poorness are responsible for sick wellness in kids and these factors are out of control by the person and to better rewards, resources to the working category accent on political relations i.e. , authorities is made which adopts a exemplary Neo-Materialist theoretical account and this theoretical account stress on societal, political, economic factors which affects the wellness and these are out of control of single and includes results from organisations like schools, fast nutrient ironss etc. , ( White.K 2010 ) . This laid to an attack by authorities in supplying low fat bites repasts in schools. This mercenary theoretical account account is important to explicate about the capitalist state like U.K. The authorities is with increasing inequalities in wellness and income degrees ( Mackenbach P.J. 2006 ) . This indicates that policy devising by the authorities should look after the wages axes of the on the job category. This account is supported by the fact that U.K poorness is reversed to 1930s from 1980s ( Gordon 1997 ) . And widened income degrees in U.K from 1980s ( Wilkinson R.G ) . This mercenary theoretical account has been expanded to life class attack model- as the childhood fleshiness is underlying hazard factor for chronic diseases like cardiac diseases, diabetes mellitus, hyper tenseness etc. , ( Gortmaker.S.L et al. , 1993 ) supported by childhood fleshiness uninterrupted to adult and is affected by socio economic fortunes ( Viner M.R, Cole.T 2005 ) . The mercenary theoretical account account indicates that single wellness or behaviour is strongly influenced by factors beyond the persons control and this adopts a socio economic theoretical account ( Acheson 1998a ) deficiency resources in the society like unemployment, higher monetary values, low rewards, deficiency of houses etc. , are the societal determiners which contributes to ill wellness ( Wang 2004 ) . This provides account on relationship between single and their surrounding surveies suggests that societal fortunes play an of import function in single behaviour. Children from low socio economic position are more vulnerable to fleshiness due to faulty, cheaper nutrient high Calorie diet and limited physical activity ( ) . This deficiency of resources by parents of low income category obstructs kids signifier healthy diet, physical activity and this support that the ailment wellness, fleshiness is influenced by societal fortunes instead than single. The material resources i s supported by: Marmot Review Report- The one-year estimated cost of wellness inequalities is between A?36 billion to A?40 billion and is with societal justness for get the better ofing wellness inequalities ( Marmot Review Report 2010 ) . This supports that justness in material resources to take down income category overcomes wellness inequalities in farther coevals of kids. The socio economic theoretical account explores in sing psychosocial factors for kid goon fleshiness which is supported by kids with corpulent female parents, lower cognitive stimulation, lower income degrees are with increased hazard for fleshiness. This psychological factors focus on low self-pride, kids with unhealthy behaviour. Social procedures that are involved in childhood fleshiness are concluded by explicating hypothesis aa‚ ¬ † Relative poorness effects on kids child goon fleshiness, Living criterions, household influence on childhood fleshiness, comparing of position by kids in society.

MVV-Mission, Vision, and Values Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

MVV-Mission, Vision, and Values - Essay Example On its corporate website, Starbucks Company clearly states its mission, â€Å"to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time† (‘Company Information,’ 2015). Concerning its values, company cares of creating specific culture, changing the world, being open to the external environment and offering its best products (‘Our Company’, 2015). Finally, vision of Starbucks to date is to â€Å"elevate our partners, customers, suppliers and neighbors to create positive change. To be innovators, leaders and contributors to an inclusive society and a healthy environment so that Starbucks and everyone we touch can endure and thrive† (‘Being a Responsible Company’, 2015). Secondly, Caribou Coffee is younger, because its story starts from 1990. The corporate website does not write a lot about the contribution of people but talks more about â€Å"breathtaking panoramic view† as the real founder of the company (‘Out story’, 2015). In addition, Caribou has different term for its vision as â€Å"aspiration† to be â€Å"The Community Place I love† and replaces mission with commitment â€Å"to sharing an Extraordinary Experience that Feeds the Soul† (‘Our Culture’, 2015). Finally, it describes its core values by referring to the guests, community, team members, and own uniqueness (‘Our Culture’, 2015). Thirdly, Canada-based popular Tim Hortons Company has the most long-term history among the analyzed coffee houses. Since 1964, Tim Horton and Ron Joyce became the co-owners and steadily turned Tim Hortons into franchise operating in both USA and Canada. Corporate website presents its mission statement as follows, â€Å"Our guiding mission is to deliver superior quality products and services for our guests and communities through leadership, innovation and partnerships† (‘Company facts’, 2015). Based on this, vision of the company is short, â€Å"to be the quality

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The U.S. Economy of Euro Falls Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

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Cyber Crime as opposed to Cyber warfare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Cyber Crime as opposed to Cyber warfare - Essay Example Nevertheless, new business and investment opportunities are created because of developments in infrastructure and modes of transportation that has enabled businesses to ensure utility of form, place and time. The use of intranet, extranets, internet and information systems across organisations have contributed significantly in growth and prosperity because it facilitates timely communication with business parties. However, the emergence of hackers and criminals that develop viruses and malwares have jeopardised the security of public and private business information and records in an organisation. The author, therefore, has decided to conduct extensive research over growing menace of cyber crimes and cyber warfare because the present 21st century is known as ‘information era’. Nonetheless, the organisations now consider greater focus on information and knowledge, which is viewed as most precious asset in today’s business environment. 1.2 – Cyber Crime and C yber Warfare: Cyber crimes refer to online frauds and internet-based crimes such as hacking email address, user accounts, stealing personal information (credit, visa and debit card pins, bio data, etc) from information systems of firms and from computers of end users, attacking computers through viruses in spam emails etc. Cyber Warfare is different from cyber crimes in a way it refers to online information war between two rival countries. Indeed, the hackers from Country A may attack government websites, information databases and networks of Country B through use of hacking tools in order to obtain clandestine information regarding foreign policy and agenda, military spending and power, diplomatic relationships and back channel diplomacy etc, economic and trade agreements etc. For instance, the main aim is to access implicit information and to destroy existing data warehouses and governmental networks to bring economic, technical and social losses to rival nation. 1.3 - Problem Sta tement Although systems and software developing IT organisations (such as Microsoft, Apple, IBM) have been striving to deal with the rising menace of cyber crime, there is dire need to develop strong anti-virus softwares to ensure information security. Nevertheless, cyber crimes (specifically viruses) do not only threaten security of software components, but also they may sabotage hardware resources, especially computer hard disks. In addition, the cyber warfare may disrupt a nation’s strategic functioning as it could damage mainframe and super computer systems used for keeping military and government records. 1.4 - Significance of Problem The issue of cyber crimes is not concerted to boundaries rather it could affect any end-user residing in any geographical region. The hackers do not target users in any specific area (or from any ethnicity, religion, cast, colour or language) but they may batter (virtually) any person for unidentified reasons. Still, the world has been seek ing appropriate solutions that could help improve their security in cyberspace. The researcher would like to argue that the probability that many nations worldwide may have Cyber Wars in future will increase, as more countries will enter cyberspace and send satellites in the orbit. 1.5 - Aims and Objectives The major aim of this research paper is to analyse the growing menace of cyber crimes from cyber terrorists and identify the weaknesses that should be overcome to avert cyber crimes. The objectives are as under: 1) To identify the

CANTON-MOVIE ARTWORK BY PAUL SAMPLE Research Paper

CANTON-MOVIE ARTWORK BY PAUL SAMPLE - Research Paper Example The artwork was painted by Paul Sample showing US troops in Canton Island in 1946. Canton Island was one of the largest and used by the US navy and air force soldiers as stop over. This found when the United States was just out of the Second World War and it acted as a symbolic feature to the US military troops and the civilians to remind them of the impact of the war. This will also remind them how their military army and combat soldiers defended the country from foreign attacks. The artwork is currently kept in the US military museum in Washington DC alongside other early arts. The artworks provide great encouragement to the troops reminding them of their ancient heroes (Henkes 2001). The physical appearance of the painting shows US military troops keeping surveillance of the enemies. One soldier is portrayed to be on top of the raised hill and one on top of the tree to enable him observes enemies from a far horizon and observes any enemy of aerial attacks. It is also important to note that there is a picture of a movie of a man and woman embracing one another. This can be taken to describe the happy moments in the United States before the second war erupted (Henkes 2001). Clearly looking at the picture, it is true to note that all the military soldiers are glued to the movie. This therefore shows that despite the soldiers being involved in the war, they had time for entrainments. There is a bright moonlight above in the blue sky clearly indicating that it is night hour. This shows that the Americans were ready to fight and defend their country despite all odds and that is why they are keeping vigil even at night. The portrait also clearly shows that the military officers are armed with firearms such as guns ready for any attack from their enemies (Henkes 2001). The ground color in the work is mostly brown and beige, it lacks vegetation, and there are scattered stones around the place. There is no sign of movement of the people in the picture but they are sta tioned at different points in the painting facing different directions. The location of the artwork is on a raised ground probably a hill (Henkes 2001). Interpretation of the Artwork. The visual outlook of the artwork has vividly been explained. From the above description, it is important to note the portrait acts a remembrance to the citizens of the important roles done by the US military and the combat soldiers in maintaining the security of their homeland during the period of Second World War. It also reminds and provides good background information for the new generations of America on the suffering and endurance that their ancient natives underwent during the war to protect the country from attacks (Henkes 2001). The portrait can also be interpreted to show the effects of the Second World War on American economy that deteriorated the economic status of the American citizens due to the mass destruction of property. This can be evident by the bare ground that is on the picture, t he lack of vegetation, and the scattered stones. These show the destruction that took place. It is also evident from the picture that the soldiers also only had simple war weapons, the guns. This can mean that during the Second World War, the US military did not have adequate war equipment and mainly depended on the simple guns for defense (Henkes 2001). The brown color in the painting portrays the endurance of the American citizens during the hard times of the war that also had great effect on their economy besides affecting their social lives. The brown color also indicates unity of the people. The Second World War erupted when there was a great racial discrimination in the United States. The blacks were discriminated against by the whites and they were not

Karl Marx and Capitalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Karl Marx and Capitalism - Essay Example The basic premise of Marx’s theory about the value of labor is the claim that the value of a commodity is defined by the average number of labor-hours that go into its production. Then, the profit a capitalist makes when such a commodity is sold is what forms the surplus value of the commodity, and is not his rightful share but what he makes by cheating the laborer. The capitalist buys labour-power in order to use it; and labour-power in use is labour itself. † (Kelso, 2005, n.p.) Here, if one were to take into account the scientific and technological developments the world has seen since the industrial revolution, we find that it’s the capital-provider who becomes the rightful recipient of the profits made by them by selling the product. Let me elaborate. With the advancement of technology, we have seen times, as much as we are seeing now, the production of machines that create more machines, automated ones too, which create a commodity that is sold. The machines themselves form a commodity too. Thus the profits that are brought home would be deserved by the ones that produced them: the machines which are owned by the capitalist, and hence the profit should go to him or her. Besides, if a product’s value were to be defined by the number of labor-hours that go into it’s making, then the fundamental paradox that is brought out is an interesting one: how can a product, say, an automated coffee-maker be of such a low value as the number of man-hours a labourer spends in operating the machine that makes it?

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS - Essay Example public to constantly keep hearing the same chorus ‘Secure the perimeter first, then discuss about migration reform.’ The indication appeals to civic sentiment and appears like a modest demand. However, it is not clear what pundits and politicians mean when they publicize their idea. Most of them suggest that a border is protect only when no person crosses illegitimately and on cases when illegal imports slips through. However, anyone with minimal information or appreciation about the approximately 2,000-mile band of land amid Mexico and the U.S. realizes that needing a secure border launches an incredible standard. Hence, the question that most politicians have been ignoring is the amount permeability acceptable through the border. In April 2010, the state of Arizona legislators passed two regulations addressing migration, SB 1070 as well as HB 2162. These regulations added new government requirements, wrongdoings, and penalties connected to enforcement of migration laws. They were to become active on July, the year 2010. Before the rules could go into influence, the American Justice Department filed a complaint asking for an order against these rules disagreeing that they are unlawful. The aim of this rhetorical analysis is to shade more light on the Arizona immigration laws that dispute the direct analogy or ideology held by politicians on how the border should be secured. The article will be centered on the SB 1070 as well as HB 2162 immigration act. The major audience of the paper are the legislators in the aim to give a proper comprehension of their voice in securing the border and their law placed in Arizona. On the 19th of April 2010 the SB 1070, â€Å"Maintain Our Law Implementation and Safe Neighbourhoods Act† was accepted by the Arizona Legislature, and subsequently four days later, it was retained into ruling by Governor Brewer. SB 1070 comprises of provisions that add state drawbacks relating to migration law enforcement comprising trespassing,

Jean Piaget Essay Example for Free

Jean Piaget Essay Jean Piaget is often quoted to have pioneered research in cognitive development (Hayes, 1998). The constructivist theory is a subset of the cognitivist theories. It is based on the learner –centred theories that emphases on the need to provide learners with responsibility for directing their own learning experiences. Schemata, assimilation and accommodation are some of the primary concepts in understanding the Constructivist theory of cognitive development. The other central features apart from three principles are the notions of equilibration and disequilibrium. This essay will briefly define the principles of schemata, assimilation and accommodation. It will also explain the importance of equilibration and disequilibrium in cognitive development. Schemata according to Dembo (1991) are cognitive structures that are formed through the obstruction of one’s earlier experience. It is stated that children are born with very f few innate schemata and that they keep on creating new ones as they interact with the environment. Hayes (1998) adds that schemata should be understood as â€Å"a theoretical construct which is generally understood as the being an internalized representation of the world, or at least some part of the world. † p. 473. Schemata therefore relate to specific bit of activity, and summarises the stored knowledge and experiences related to such an activity. All human thinking is centred on schemata that develop throughout an individual’s life through the process of adaptation. Adaptation involves organisms responding to the changes in their respective surroundings and situations. In essence, adaptation is achieved through assimilation and accommodation. The principle of assimilation refers to a process of making sense of the experiences and perceptions by fitting them into previously established cognitive structures. In other words, what is perceived by a person is altered so that it fits present cognitive schemata (Gage, 1998). Assimilation is said to have occurred when a person perceives a new event or object in terms of an n existing schemas. That is to say, person applies any mental structure that is available to assimilate a new object or event and actively seek to utilize this newly acquired mental structure. On the other hand, the theory of accommodation simply refers to the process of changing internal schemata to provide consistency with external reality. It happens when existing schemas are modified or new ones are created to account for a new experience. According to Borick and Tombari (1995) if a person succeeds in changing the existing schemata in order to understand a new event, object, information or experience is said to have undergone the process of accommodation. From it can therefore be inferred that accommodation influences assimilation in a certain way and vice versa. As a reality is assimilated, structures are accommodated. Cognitive development is a lifelong process that involves the creation and/or the development of schemata through the operation of principles explained above. The term that explains the operation of assimilation and accommodation, which can occur concurrently is called the process of Equilibration. Equilibration is defined as â€Å"the biological drive to produce an optimal state of equilibrium between people’s cognitive structures and their environment† (Duncan, 1995 as cited on http://www. coe. uga. edu/epiltt/pigeat. htm ) . It is an attempt to bring about a state of equilibrium between the other three factors and is very vital for cognitive development. It involves assimilation and accommodation (Russell, Jarvis Gorman, 2004). This process is very significant because it is through equilibration that people develop their cognitive structures. This occurs as people conduct themselves in logical internal mental structures that allow them to make sense of the various phenomena in their surrounding environment. When the external reality does not match with the logical internal schemas or say when disequilibrium occurs, equilibration is there to come forth so as an effort to bring balance between assimilation and accommodation. In this way, organisms develop sophisticated schemas. McLeod (2009) as cited on http://www. simplypsychology. org/piaget. html points out disequilibrium connotes an unpleasant state when new information cannot be fitted in the existing schemata. O’Donnel (2006) states that the theory of equilibration is important to the learning process. It suggests the need to stimulate conceptual change in someone by challenging students existing concepts in an effort to create cognitive disequilibrium. Students in turn strive to restore equilibrium there by acquiring new knowledge and skills for understanding the world or subject matter in a lesson. Teachers should be able to engage students into unfamiliar areas in order to for them to learn. It suggests that students do not require studying things that they already know but that they can also accommodate new information (Dembo, 1991). However teacher need not to let learners over assimilate because it turns out boring. They should also not over accommodate students beyond their cognitive growth. In this ca se, it can be understood that equilibration is vital to the development of a child’s cognition as well as to the teaching and learning process. Furthermore, the notion of equilibration is important because it indicates that learners are active thinkers who can understand the world on their own. Therefore teacher need to involve students in the learning processes and only act as facilitators in constructing knowledge. The understanding of the constructivist theory with the understanding of how equilibration works has led to emergence of teaching methods such as discovery methods. Teachers can create deliberate disequilibrium in students by asking questions about some illogical statements made by the Lerner. As the learner reconciles his or her disequilibrium, their cognitive capacity develops. In conclusion, this paper has defined schemata as cognitive or mental structures that relate s to specific bit of an activity such as schemata for an object like a tree or more abstract notion like democracy. Jean Piaget contended that all thinking is centred on schemata (Hayes, 1998) and the number of a person schema continues to be constructed throughout a person’s life through the principles of assimilation and accommodation. It has also been noted that the operation 0f these two principles constitutes the notion of equilibration. Equilibration is very important because it is the impetus for cognitive development that makes individuals acquires higher order thinking skills to adapt to the ever changing surrounding. It is through equilibration that people explore the environment and make mental representation of reality. This is so because equilibration improves the sophistication of schemas to create a mental representation of reality.

Class and Money in Jane Austens Persuasion

Class and Money in Jane Austens Persuasion CLASS AND MONEY IN PERSUASION In most of the novels written by Jane Austen one clear topic is the social class. This topic becomes relevant in her novels because, in that way, readers can know how society was structured in the later 18th and the early 19th centuries when Austen lived. In the studied book of the course, Persuasion, the topics of social class and money are important to understand the behaviour of the characters through the novel and how, as the story progresses, some of the main characters change their opinions adapting them to the circumstances. In this essay, I am going to make an analysis of the thoughts of two characters in relation to social class and money and how these thoughts change to others totally opposed throughout the book. The characters that I will analyze are Sir Walter Elliot and Mr Elliot who are the ones in which the change of mind is clearly. First of all, I will start talking about Sir Walter and his thoughts that class is superior to money by making reference to the novel. The book starts by saying that â€Å"Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who, for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed one;†¦ he could read his own history with an interest which never failed – this was the page at which the favourite volume always opened† (p. 3). It is clear that only by reading the beginning of the novel, readers can understand how important social class is to Sir Walter because the passage is saying that he can spend a lot of time reading his own status in society. Also, the first chapter shows the vanity in Sir Walter. This can be seen in the sentence â€Å"vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character† (p. 4) which explains itself how his personality is and how his principles are. Moreover, his family’s position and name is very important for Sir Walter and the beginning of the book is full of examples that can prove it. One of them is when he talks about his daughters as if they can add name to the status of the family by getting a good husband who belongs to a superior family and thus raise its own name. First of all, he makes reference to his little daughter, Mary, when he adds her to the Baronetage writing her marriage with Charles Musgrove. Sir Walter says that Mary only â€Å"acquired a little artificial importance, by becoming Mrs Charles Musgrove† (p. 5). Later, he talks about Elizabeth, his elder daughter, who still has the potential to marry well and, for that, is the more valued by her father. Finally, he makes reference to Anne who is treated badly by Sir Walter because he thoughts that Anne is a lost cause and for him â€Å"she was only Anne† (p. 5). So, with all this information, the conclusion is that the love and treatment Sir Walter gives to his daughters depends on what they add or could add to the social status of the family. Another example where Sir Walter favours class over money is in relation to his financial situation. Lady Russell presents a plan which consists on apply a more controlled strategy to solve Sir Walter’s debts, but he refuses and finally he decides to move to Bath and rent Kellynch Hall because, by doing this, he thinks that he can still maintain his image. In other words, if he remains in his house controlling the money he spends, everybody would notice that Sir Walter went through financial problems. Other issue concerning this financial problem is that, instead of selling the house, he prefers to rent it; that is, he prefers to mortgage the powers he has but he never would sell them. All this is a proof of how he considers money inferior to class because he thinks it is worst that people know his problems than having them. Arriving at this point, it is necessary to talk about who rent the house because, obviously, the person who rents it cannot be nobody but, at the same tim e, he cannot be better than Sir Walter in society as it is clearly defined in the following quotation â€Å"I have let my house to Admiral Croft, would sound extremely well; very much better than to any mere Mr An admiral speaks his own consequence, and, at the same time, can never make a baronet look small†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 21). In addition, readers can see in Sir Walter’s attitude towards the Navy that he prefers the traditional upper classes based on inherited titles to the new ones who work to get money and social status. Sir Walter uses the expression â€Å"persons of obscure birth into undue distinction† to refers to people who earn their money in the Navy and, also, he says that the Navy â€Å"raises men to honours which their fathers and grandfathers had never dreamt of† (p. 17). Furthermore, the importance of class is seen in the way Sir Walter talks about Bath when Anne arrives to Camden Place. He says about his house that is â€Å"undoubtedly the best in Camden Place† and that â€Å"their acquaintance was exceedingly sought after† (p. 119). In the two sentences above, it is clear that the only thing important to Sir Walter in Bath is what people thinks about him and his family and, obviously, to keep a social status, although he had to leave Kellynch Hall for his bad economy. Additionally, the cousins of Sir Walter arrive to Bath and that fact is other example of how important is the class for him because they are people of higher social status and the connections with them will be beneficial for his family. It happens another issue in relation to the arrival of his cousins when Anne decides to visit an old friend called Mrs Smith, who is a widow, instead of going with her father and Elizabeth to visit the Dalrymples. In relation to that, Sir Walter says â€Å"A Mrs Smith. A widow Mrs Smith; And who was her husband? One of the five thousand Mr Smiths whose names are to be met with everywhere?† (p. 136). With that speech, Sir Walter shows his displeasure for people of lower class than his own and, also, that he values more connections with upper class people than friendship because he tries to persuade Anne to cancel her meeting with Mrs Smith. Arriving at that point, it is time to talk about the change of thought that happens to Sir Walter in relation to social class and money. So far I have been spoken of the importance of social classes for him, but when he meets in a concert with his cousins and Captain Wentworth, who acquired his fortune by working hard, arrives Sir Walter and shows his recognition of him. At the beginning of the novel, Sir Walter dislikes Captain Wentworth because he get his money working and he has not inherited title, and in that way, Captain Wentworth becomes a new rich man, that is a person who does not deserve to be part of upper classes according to Sir Walter as it is mention when I talk about his opinion about Navy in page three. In the last chapter of the book is where readers can see the complete change of mind that Sir Walter has towards Captain Wentworth, where Sir Walter goes of thinking that marrying his daughter Anne, Captain Wentworth would be â€Å"a very degrading alliance† to consider him â€Å"very far from thinking it a bad match for her† (pp. 23-216). This could be considered as a turning point in Sir Walter because he leaves his prejudices and his consideration of classes. The second character that I am going to analyze is Mr Elliot, who considers money more important than a title in his youth but his attitude change when he arrives to Bath. When Mr Elliot is introduced, readers do not have much information about him and in the last chapters is when people know more about this character by the information that Mrs Smith provides to Anne. Mr Elliot,† replied Mrs Smith, â€Å"at that period of his life, had one object in view: to make his fortune, and by a rather quicker process than the law. He was determined to make it by marriage. He was determined, at least, not to mar it by an imprudent marriage; and I know it was his belief (whether justly or not, of course I cannot decide), that your father and sister, in their civilities and invitations, were designing a match between the heir and the young lady, and it was impossible that such a match should have answered his ideas of wealth and independence. That was his motive for drawing back, I can assure you. (p. 175) In the episode above, it is clear what the intentions of Mr Elliot are when he was young; he wanted to make money at any cost by marrying a suitable girl. He does not expect if the girl belonged to a high social class or if her family possessed a lot of titles, his only interest was money as it is shown in the following paragraph; Money, money, was all that he wanted. Her father was a grazier, her grandfather had been a butcher, but that was all nothing. She was a fine woman, had had a decent education, was brought forward by some cousins, thrown by chance into Mr Elliot’s company, and fell in love with him; and not a difficulty or a scruple was there on his side, with respect to her birth. All his caution was spent in being secured of the real amount of her fortune, before he committed himself. (p. 176) In addition, it is clear in the book that Mr Elliot is not interested in his future inheritance except from Kellynch Hall which can get money of it. Also, in a letter that he wrote to his friend, Mrs Smith’s late husband, expresses his displeasure for his surname and he claims that he wished he had any name instead of Elliot. But there are two clearly situations in which he changes his attitude towards social class. One of them is in the discussion with Anne about the Dalrymples and the other situation is when he takes Mrs Clay to London and installs her in a house there. In relation to the first situation, the conversation that Anne and her cousin maintain is: â€Å"My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.† â€Å"You are mistaken,† said he gently, â€Å"that is not good company; that is the best. Good company requires only birth, education, and manners, and with regard to education is not very nice. Birth and good manners are essential†¦ (p. 130) The idea of this passage is that Mr Elliot thinks that people should socialize with others who have an equal or superior status to them, but in contrast, he claims that the best company is clever people to have interesting conversations. The second situation is relevant to the fact that he takes away Mrs Clay to avoid a possible engagement with Sir Walter and the possibility that he does not inherit his fortune if they have an heir. In conclusion, with all the information given above, it is a clear fact that these two characters change their mind and their principles in relation to money and social class. Sir Walter, at the beginning of the novel, thought that social status is more important than money as people can see in the situations that I describe; for example, his attitude towards his daughters, his thoughts about the Navy or his interest of maintain his reputation when he discovers his financial problems. But, at the end, occurs a turning point when Sir Walter shows his recognition for Captain Wentworth and he approves the engagement with Anne. On the other side, Mr Elliot in his youth thought that money is more important than social class but with the two situations explained in page six, the discussion with Anne about the Dalrymples and the situation concerning Mrs Clay, he changes his attitude.

Point of view Tell-Tale Heart Essay -- essays research papers

Essay #1: â€Å"Tell Tale Heart†. Poe writes â€Å"The Tell Tale Heart† from the perspective of the murderer of the old man. When an author creates a situation where the central character tells his own account, the overall impact of the story is heightened. The narrator, in this story, adds to the overall effect of horror by continually stressing to the reader that he or she is not mad, and tries to convince us of that fact by how carefully this brutal crime was planned and executed. The point of view helps communicate that the theme is madness to the audience because from the beginning the narrator uses repetition, onomatopoeias, similes, hyperboles, metaphors and irony. "True!--nervous--very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses--not destroyed--not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heavens and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad?" "...Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me.† As you can see this man is clearly mad, because this story is told in the first person it helps you understand the character even better, because we are seeing what exactly is happening to him moment by moment. It helps us understand what is going on in his head because we are getting to know him through out the story. The repetition in this story is phenomenal. He uses is constantly adding to the... Point of view "Tell-Tale Heart" Essay -- essays research papers Essay #1: â€Å"Tell Tale Heart†. Poe writes â€Å"The Tell Tale Heart† from the perspective of the murderer of the old man. When an author creates a situation where the central character tells his own account, the overall impact of the story is heightened. The narrator, in this story, adds to the overall effect of horror by continually stressing to the reader that he or she is not mad, and tries to convince us of that fact by how carefully this brutal crime was planned and executed. The point of view helps communicate that the theme is madness to the audience because from the beginning the narrator uses repetition, onomatopoeias, similes, hyperboles, metaphors and irony. "True!--nervous--very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses--not destroyed--not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heavens and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad?" "...Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me.† As you can see this man is clearly mad, because this story is told in the first person it helps you understand the character even better, because we are seeing what exactly is happening to him moment by moment. It helps us understand what is going on in his head because we are getting to know him through out the story. The repetition in this story is phenomenal. He uses is constantly adding to the...

Insensitive Portrayal of Society and Cultuer in Disney Films Essay

The Not So Wonderful World of Disney The â€Å"Wonderful World of Disney† has been a part of America for as long as I can remember. With its movies, television shows, songs, theme parks, toys, and fictional characters, Disney is the epitome of children’s entertainment. Disney serves as one of the largest sources of entertainment to Americans, which is why it reigns as a commercial success and influence in our country. According to Henry Giroux, a popular critic of the Walt Disney Company, Disney’s immense success also represents â€Å"the power of the culture industries to mediate and influence almost every aspect of our lives† (19). However, does Disney stand for pure and innocent entertainment, or does it carry alternative motives that seem to be well-hidden from the public eye? Many critics argue that Disney productions have the ability to affect American children and families through their insensitive portrayal of certain aspects of society and culture. Critics mark the idea of negative social influences as one of Disney’s most ubiquitous problems. In a study done on the role of the Walt Disney Company, Vincent Faherty explains that Disney displays certain aspects of â€Å"social vulnerability which need to be raised to a level of public consciousness, given they do affect so many children and families â€Å"(17). For example, Disney emphasizes social vulnerability through the overwhelming male dominance displayed in their animated films. Faherty argues that even though there have been recent movies such as Mulan and Pocahontas, which portray strong female roles, â€Å"the quantitative disproportion of male characters in Disney animated films needs to be addressed if we expect children to be able to relate to appropriate role mo... ...Lives: Disney’s Cultivation, Co-Creation, and Control of America’s Cultural Objects.† Popular Communication. 12 Oct. 2004: 191-211. Byrne, Eleanor, and Martin McQuillan. Deconstructing Disney. London: Pluto Press, 1999. Faherty, Vincent E. â€Å"Is the Mouse Sensitive? A Study of Race, Gender, and Social Vulnerability in Disney Animated Films.† Similie: Studies in Media Information Literacy Education (2001): Academic Search Premier: MLA International Bibliography. EBSCOhost. U. Of Georgia Lib. GALILEO. 29 Oct. 2006 Giroux, Henry. The Mouse That Roared: Disney and the End of Innocence. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1999. 17-55. Pettit, Robert. Mickey Mouse Monopoly: Disney, Childhood, and Corporate Power: Study Guide. 28 Oct. 2006. tudyguide/html 4

child development :: essays research papers

Video Reflection Play v Importance v Indoors Play v Levels of Play v Social Skills v Intellectual Play q Importance: Growing up my mother encouraged her four children to play hard. We were allowed the space to work off or steam by playing dirty in the mud. Or being allowed to jump into a pile of leaves. Her basic motivates and comments to us were always; that the clothing could be washed, we could take a bath but enjoy be a child. In the video â€Å"Play†, it is discussed as a way for children to be allowed to let go of their emotions. In chapter 15, Enhancing Creativity, Play is described a crucial stage in the development of the child. It allows the child to develop their sensor motor skills. q Indoor Play When a child plays indoor, they are in the process of developing a greater since of their physical skills. They can learn hand eye coordination; also, problems solving skills will be enhanced. In chapter 15, Enhancing Creativity, it is important for the children have the ability and space to gain a deeper understand of who they are how they can function indoors. q Levels of Play To watch a child play is to watch a world being created before your eyes. Children have the ability to experience freedom and love at its best. Yet, even the nature has laws and different levels of interaction. There are different forms of play associated with how children will interact. Functional play is when children can explore using sense’s to figure out what they can do. Constructive play is used by children of all ages. In chapter 15, Enhancing Creativity, the different levels of play allow the child to develop a sense of there own personality. q Social Skills As children learn how to play and interact with each other, they learn social skills. They learn how to cooperate with each other, in order to accomplish what they need. Play allows them the ability to release a lot of so cial tension. In chapter 15, Enhancing Creativity, learned social skills are important in the development of the child. These are the first steps that the child will need to take to eventually take their place in the society.

Value Of Money

Today people value many different things. What people value too much today is money. It has been said that money is the root of all evil, and that seems to be true more and more so each year. Some money is necessary to live, and to live comfortably making $100,000 a year, there is no one that needs more money than that to live. Too many people place too much value on money. People go to work for 8 hours a day, come home, and have to feed their families and pay bills, and they always complain about the lack of money. This is true to some extent, but it is not necessarly what they make that is hurting them, it is hat they are spending. People in general make decent money but they blow it all on fancy cars, or eating out, or not investing properly. If they valued saving money, or didn t value what extra comes with money, people would be in a better place both mentally and in financial standing. Every advertisement and every media presentation has people in America thinking they are not good enough. They need to look better, need to buy better clothes, they need to eat at a nicer restaurant, they need to make more money, and spend it on what is being advertised. The media plays a role much too large in our everyday life. They show the extreme sides of life, and very little in between. Everyone seems to get what they want, and that takes money. Take for example all the ciggeratte advertisements. Something as simple as a ciggeratte advertisement says a lot about ourselves. We value looking good, feeling good, all the time. That is not what life is about, life is about working hard and achieving, even if it is for personal gain. Once we achieve something, then we should save it, not waste it, but the media and advertisements encourage us to do just the opposite. Money isn t always the most important thing in life. There are other things more mportant, like personal health and general welfare. Sometimes people will do dangerous things that could cause them to be hurt, maimed, jailed, or even killed, and they do them anyway in order to get the money. Theives break into houses, risking their personal freedom, just to get a couple of hundreds of dollars worth of things to sell. Some people even risk their safety to get paid, like the people who volunteer for experimental drugs. They don t know what effect the drugs could have on them, but they want to get paid, so they try the treatment anyways, neverminding the harmful effects that could even kill them. If only the people realized that there are things in life more important than a few hundred dollars. They sometimes don t take into account that they could die of some allergic reaction or a heart attack but by then it is too late, they traded their life for a few hundred dollars. Not worth it. Money is something that we value too much. The media puts too much pressure on us to make money, people see that, and then they think higher of someone if they are rich. They may not be loved, but at least they are rich. This is not the smartest thing. We should take a step back from all the hype, and look and see what is really important. Is it the money? or is it what we go through, all the trials and work that we must pass in order to achieve the money? Everyday people wish they were rich, but they never take the proper steps to achieving wealth. They see the nice car and the big house, but they never see the personal sacrifices the people made to get where they are, like saving for a rainy day, spending wisely, living below ones means, and investing for the purpose of making more money later in life, rather than instant gratification now. When people learn these lessons, they may have a better appriciation for money and even for life.

Critical Analysis of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of Nigeria 2007

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF NIGERIA 2007: AN OVERVIEW BEING ASSIGNMENT SUBMITTED ON PUBLIC FINANCE (BKF 624) (FIRST SEMESTER COURSE WORK) BY ALAJEKWU UDOKA BERNARD 2008 162 001 MSc PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND FINANCE FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES ANAMBRA STATE UNIVERSITY LECTURER: DR. EZEABASILI V. N. OCTOBER, 2009 Page 1 of 19 ABSTRACT Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 was designed to regulate and supervise the fiscal activities of public office holders in the country.This paper critically analyses the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of the Act; the machinery for implementation; the powers and tenor of the members of the Fiscal Responsibility Board; the appointment of members of the Board; Fiscal policy/activity uniformity in/among the various tiers of government; the fiscal control on borrowing; the key features of the Fiscal Responsibility Act; the consequences of the Fiscal Responsibility Act; the pr otection of officeholders, among others.The paper hoped that Nigeria’s Fiscal Responsibility Act will strengthen the nation’s financial reporting and ensue better management of its resources. The paper then concluded that the FRA provided the much needed deterrent to stop public officers dipping their hands in the states till and then made some recommendations for improvement. Page 2 of 19 Introduction Following the incessant misappropriation, mismanagement, and lack of stewardship and accountability in the nation’s public sector, the Fiscal Responsibility Bill was proposed for consideration by the President Obasanjo administration through the then Minister of Finance – Prof.Okonjo-Iwuala N. The Bill was passed into law in 2007 as the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007. The Fiscal Responsibility Act provides for a body known as the Fiscal Management Council that comprises the Fiscal Responsibility Council and the Governing Board. The Council is charged with the responsibility of monitoring and enforcing the provisions of the Act to ensure accountability, transparency and prudence in the management of the nation’s resources by all tiers of government, government corporations or companies and agencies. Therefore, the Fiscal Responsibility Council is the regulatory and supervisory body in the public sector.By this Act, it is expected that the Public Sector would have a definite regulatory structure to act as watch dog on the activities of the public office holders and as checks on financial encroachment between/among tiers of government. This is expected to bring sanity and responsiveness into the public sector and among the various tiers of government in Nigeria. The Fiscal Responsibility Act (2007) is a law to â€Å"redirect government at all levels to imbibe a fiscal behaviour that will promote prudence and sound financial management in the system† (http://www. udgetmonitoring. org/ Page 3 of 19 Spotlights/2007/02/26/News 11618/). The Fiscal Responsibility Act seeks to ensure that the Federal Government will never commit itself to spending money without ensuring that it has the necessary funds in place to begin with (Nwanma, Vincent, 2007). Afemikhe, (2005:6), fingered the poor performance of the public sector despite abundance of mineral resources in the country and blamed all on corruption and mismanagement.Posited thus: â€Å"how is it that a country with abundant human and natural resources, that held so much promise at independence and was trumpeted with significant economic achievements in the decade following the oil boom has so rapidly fallen from grace to grass and indeed appears to have completely lost its way and its focus? The answer lies in the twin evils of corruption and poor public expenditure management†. Afemikhe was not alone in accusing Nigeria of poor management, Africafront. om/news also decried our polity thus: â€Å"our fiscal policies have been largely characterised b y poor planning, massive waste and wrong priorities. We have rarely failed to match our fiscal responsibility acts with the right policies thereby making effective and efficient service delivery impossible†. The site maintained that the FRA is a fundamental action to attack fiscal inconsistency and indiscipline from the head to the root. It is noted that the Fiscal Responsibility Act (2007) â€Å"†¦ aims to ensure fiscal accountability, check corruption, monitor the budget processes and call Page 4 of 19 ublic officials to order†¦ ; it does not appear that there is one final act that should hopefully put the final nail on financial rascality in government (http://www. budgetmonitoring. org/Spotlights/2007/02/26/ News11618/). Nwanma, Vincent, (2007) was of similar view when he asserted that â€Å"no-one expects that it (FRA) will end high-level corruption at a stroke†. According to then Anambra State Commissioner for Finance (2007), Eze Echesie, â€Å"I donâ €™t think any single law can stem or stop fiscal rascality but we have tried to ensure the elements of consensus building in this bill†.Nath Nwabueze, a lecturer in finance at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri warned that the Fiscal Responsibility Act would not cure Nigeria’s problems of high-level corruption and poor budget planning unless it was properly enforced (Nwanma, Vincent, 2007). At worst, the Act will â€Å"commit chief executives at all tiers of government to a set of efficient rules for economic management by providing set standards for the planning and control of public expenditure instead of leaving it to the whim of either the president or state governors.The Act will also facilitate parliamentary and public scrutiny of economic and monetary information and plans; bring a long-term focus to budgeting and thereby minimise risk and fluctuations in government monetary operations and policy (www. africafront. com/news). Page 5 of 19 Statement s of the Problem Nigerian fiscal policies have been largely characterised by poor planning, massive waste and wrong priorities. This they claim spring from corruption and poor financial management.The Fiscal Responsibility Act was enacted with the aim of checking these anomalies in the system. The extent to which the law can do this is not known, therefore, it becomes imperative to analyse the content of the law to ascertain its workability within the Nigerian context. Objectives of the Study The paper aimed critically analyse the contents of the Act in order the pinpoints its possible strongpoint and defects. It will also identify and appraise the basic features of the Act to ascertain its workability in the country.Machinery for Implementation The Fiscal Responsibility Act (2007) has its focal point as the prudent management of the nations resources anchored in accountability and transparency with the establishment of a Fiscal Responsibility Commission to ensure the promotion, imp lementation and enforcement of the Act. One good feature of the Act is that it â€Å"†¦ also have a mechanism through which it can be adequately enforced because our greatest problem in this country is not making laws but enforcing them† (www. budgetmonitoring. org/Spotlights). Page 6 of 19The Fiscal Responsibility Act (2007) they said is â€Å"the first time in the history of Nigeria where an enactment is accompanied with a body to enforce/implement such policy†¦ † (www. africafront. com/news). Therefore, the problem of constitutional battle as to who is responsible for enforcement as may be witnessed in some aspects of financial corruption cases where the EFCC and ICPC may have to be involved in one and/or similar cases. This clash may mar efficiency and at worst, the purpose of such law. This problem was avoided in the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.Powers and Tenor of the Members of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission A body corporate with perpetual succ ession was established and known as the Fiscal Responsibility Council. This body can sue and be sued in its name and is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act as well as promote the economic objectives contained in S. 16 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; see S. 1(1-3). The Fiscal Responsibility Act gives the Council independence and immunity in the performance of its functions; see S. (2 & 3). The immunity might cause the members to indulge in ultravires acts and make them â€Å"untouchable† and â€Å"small gods† during their stay in office. Some officeholders may use them to witchhunt their enemies. Therefore, they will be more effective and fair in their judgements if they are answerable to their actions during their stay in office. Page 7 of 19 The Fiscal Responsibility Act gives the Council powers to establish and maintain a fund for the purpose of defraying its expenditures including amount pa yable to the members of the Board of the Council.The major sources of fund for the council include budgetary allocation from the Federal Government, grants from others sources. The funding of the council is a mandatory obligation of the Federal Government; see S. 4(2) . Being that the Commission gets its funds from mandatory Federation Account Allocation; the presidency will have minimal influence on their actions; though the presidency appoints the Chairman (see S. 5) The Act states that the Chairman and members of the Board shall hold office for a single term of four (4) years; see S. 5(5).This may mar continuity since all the board members have to vacate office at the same time. S. 10 of the Act mandate the Board to prepare and submit an annual report containing its activities including all cases of contravention investigated during the preceding financial year, and shall include in the report a copy of its audited report and account for the preceding financial year. This section of the Act makes the body to be â€Å"forcefully† accountable and transparent to the public. This implies that any corrupt fiscal activity not uncovered before the end of a certain financial year under which such ncidence occur might make the public to view the body as corrupt in themselves and be probed. Therefore, for the sake Page 8 of 19 of personal reputation, the members of the board might want to be transparent in their dealings. Also, the Act requires the Board to submit an audited annual financial report to the National Assembly. This checks the Board’s financial excesses and may put them on track of financial transparency. This Act builds up a regulatory framework for the fiscal affairs of public office holder with the Fiscal Responsibility Council (FRC) as the regulator; see S. 7(5). But the Act did not give express powers the FRC to demand financial returns and to do onsite financial supervision on the financial affairs of the Federal, State and Local Gove rnments and their agencies and corporations. The body will be more effective and efficient if they could check financial affairs of public office holders in the manner the CBN, the NDIC and the SEC do to banks and other financial institutions and firms whose securities are traded on the floor of the .Stock Exchange Market. Appointment of Members of the Council The Act states the each zone of the federation shall produce one representative for the Board of the Commission. It gives the State Governors of each zone the prerogative of nominating the representative; see S. 5(2e). This Act did not state the quantification and social standing of this member. This may cause the nomination to be based on political rather than academic and Page 9 of 19 social factors.This is capable bringing in politicking into the nomination as some political office holders may want to use the position as a spy and protection against his/her anomalies in office during his/her tenor. Fiscal Uniformity The Act states that the States and Local Governments shall plan the management of their fiscal affairs within the medium-term framework as prepare by the Commission for the Federal Government; see S. 17 (1). They may modify the provisions of sections 11,12,13, 14, 15 and 16 as appropriate for them. Virginia Major in www. budgetmonitoring. rg/Spotlights posited that it is important that the Act apply to all levels of government equitably. The Act sets out a general framework for budgetary planning, execution and reporting that is applicable to all levels of government. It was expected that through consultation with states and councils, the Act will set general targets and limits for selected fiscal indicators for the country with specific sanctions for non-compliance. Also it aims at high transparency and reporting standards for all the levels of government (www. budgetmonitoring. org/Spotlights).In view of that the President – Umaru Musa Yar Adua immediate after singing the bill int o law commented thus: Page 10 of 19 †¦ â€Å"I have assented to the Fiscal Responsibility Bill after due consultation with the State Governments whose support and concurrence is critical to the successful nationwide implementation of the provisions of the law (Nwanma, Vincent, 2007). The President – Umaru Musa Yar Adua further said that if the states governments in the federation pass equivalent laws it will tighten up their budgeting procedures at the state level.Therefore, for the Fiscal Responsibility Act to be effective, the reforms it introduces must also be adopted at state level. The Act religiously set out rules with the core objective of committing all tiers of government to a well-defined and structured economic regime which would ensure economic growth and maintain economic stability. Daily Independent (Lagos), (2009) reported that the apathy being displayed by many state government with respect to passing the Fiscal Responsibility and Public Procurement (FRP P) laws in their domains is both inexplicable and disgraceful.It said that for more than two years later – and despite the repeated urging of the Federal Government, civil society groups and well-meaning Nigerians – response by many states remains tepid and perfunctory. A report recently released by the Secretariat of the Governors’ Forum in Abuja indicates that only 11 states have so far passed the Fiscal Responsibility Page 11 of 19 Bill into law, while 12 have enacted the Public Procurement Law (Daily Independent, 2009).Both laws are designed to ensure prudent management of public resources and enthrone accountability and transparency in the conduct of government business by curbing corrupt behaviour. The states reported to have passed and signed both bills into law are Abia, Bauchi, Cross Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Ondo and Osun. Three states governors have not forwarded any of both bills to their houses of assembly for legislative work to c ommence on them. They are Akwa Ibom, Edo and Enugu states (Daily Independent, 2009).It may be noteworthy to state here that the Act will be more effective and efficient if all the tiers of governments could adopt and practice the contents of this Act. Fiscal Control on Borrowing S. 49 (1) states that any government in the Federation or its agencies and corporations desirous of borrowing shall, specify the purpose for which the borrowing is intended and present a cost-benefit analysis, detailing the economic and social benefits of the purpose to which the intended borrowing is to be applied.Nwanma, Vincent (2007) described this as â€Å"strict controls on government borrowing†. He said that this will make it more difficult for the Federal Government and the state government to borrow money at random in Page 12 of 19 order to plug unexpected gaps in funding. And it specifically bars government from borrowing money to fund routine items of recurrent expenditure such as staff sal aries. Henceforth, the federal and state governments will only be allowed to borrow money to fund new capital expenditure projects such as power stations and oil refineries and new human development projects.Furthermore, they will only be allowed to borrow on approved terms, laid down by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. These are designed to guarantee that all new government loans are contracted on competitive terms – at reasonable rates of interest and with excessive fees and commissions. The new law imposes conditions on new borrowing which are designed to ensure that any government agency contracting a loan will have the means to repay it. If all borrowings are tied to cost-benefit analysis, government projects will tend to be selected based on their contribution to economic development.This will aid the achievement of the (Vision 2020) of the President Yar Adua administration. Protection of Office Holders According to one time Anambra State Commissioner for Finance (in 2007 ), Eze Echesie, the Anambra state government opposes the bill (when it was proposed) on the grounds that it is against the principle of fiscal federalism Page 13 of 19 practiced in Nigeria. According to him, â€Å"the bill should be restricted to the national level, which is, planning and budgeting as they relate to the Federal Government. It should not cover the state†.He further added that the Association of Commissioners of Finance in Nigeria are opposed to the bill saying that: â€Å"We will end up sending commissioners of finance to jail – and we have said that we do not want to go to jail. He pointed out that a state governor makes all the financial decisions †¦ but while the governors enjoy immunity, the commissioners – who are the accounting officers and execute government policies – do not. † www. budgetmonitoring. org/Spotlights The Act gives the President, State Governors, Local Government Council Chairman and the Members of the Boa rd immunity during their stay in office.But, the Minister of Finance and Commissioners of Finance at the state level are (and the treasurer at the Council level) not given immunity during their tenor. This they see as a flaw since the Minister, Commissioners of Finance and treasurer of the Local Government are responsibility and accountable for public revenues and spending. The Nigerian fiscal policy allows the presidency and state Governors to most times, spend monies without the approval of the Minister or Commissioner of Finance. Www. budgetmonitoring. rg/Spotlights noted that correcting the fiscal responsibility of the commissioners of finance will affect the efficacy of the laws at the state level. Page 14 of 19 Consequences of the FRA 1. Firstly, it should avoid a fresh build up of external and internal debt to the point where the Nigeria government can no longer meet its repayment obligations. The president (or through the Minister of Finance) on the advice of the Debt Manage ment Office is expected by the Act to set limits on borrowings for Federal, State and Local Governments with three months to the commencement of this Act; see S. 7 (1). This set limit forms the basis for external and/or internal borrowing by all tiers of government. Any government that does not meet this requirement cannot borrow more fund internally or externally; see S. 47 (7). 2. Secondly, it should improve the chances of government projects being funded and completed on schedule. The Act makes case for planned projects. It requires that projects be properly planned and budgeted for. This includes the cost-benefit analysis and time frame for completion of the project, which have to incorporate due process.This means that the office holder who initiates a project must state in objective term its success before ever embarking in it. (All men are answerable to projects they started whether still in the office or not). Key Features of the Fiscal Responsibility Act The Act provides fo r a comprehensive budgetary planning process derived from Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). This is a tool for Page 15 of 19 linking policy, planning and budgeting over the medium-term – usually three years – at a government wide level.An MTEF takes account of government’s long and medium term strategies and the resources available to meet objectives over a three year time span. It also allocates resources to strategic priorities among and within sectors and it commences with the preparation of a macroeconomic framework and guidelines. It equally ensures that annual revenues and expenditures estimates are consistent with its provisions, which requires that rules on cost, cost control and evaluation of results of programmes financed are observed.The MTEF will be updated annually to reflect policy and macroeconomic changes. The principal components of the MTEF are as follows: medium-term revenue framework; medium-term expenditure framework; fiscal strategy paper spelling out the fiscal strategy for the planning term; medium term sector strategies with projects and programmes linked to long and medium term plans, which will, in turn, feed into the annual budget ad submission of a comprehensive Appropriation Bill ensuring all parameters are abided by.Already the MTEF is being implemented at the federal level. The Act seeks to codify this comprehensive planning framework (Minister of Finance – Nenadi Usman). Page 16 of 19 Conclusion The Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 has provided a yardstick for financial prudence, accountability and transparency that might engender continued economic growth and development. It is the first law in the country to be backed up with a body for implementation. It is also designed to harmonise and encouraged economic planning and control mechanism.Planning we know is sine qua non to success, therefore, we may say that the beginning of constitutional, conscious, objective and harmonised economic planni ng through the Medium Term Expenditure Framework is a step toward sustainable economic development for the nation. The Act has put a strategized stop to excessive, unarticulated and uneconomical borrowing that most times ends in accumulated debts that drag the nation backward. The Act touches crucial areas in our political and economic life that incite and nurture corrupt practices. We can say that the Act is capable of abating corruption in the country.All in all, it is hoped that Nigeria’s Fiscal Responsibility Act will strengthen the nation’s financial reporting and ensue better management of its resources. As such, it will provide the much needed deterrent to stop public officers dipping their hands in the states till. Page 17 of 19 Recommendations 1. The immunity given to the members of the Fiscal Responsibility Council should be removed. As a regulatory and supervisory body to the fiscal activities of public officeholders, they should operate as the CBN, NDIC and SEC who monitors the activities of banks and security markets respectively with office immunity. . There should be a permanent secretary for the Board who shall also be an employee of the Council. Since all the members of the Board are made to vacate office at the same time (capable of marring continuity), the secretary will act as a returning office as well as secretary of the Board. 3. The Act should make provision for express powers for offsite and onsite supervision of public officeholders. Page 18 of 19 References Afemikhe, S. O. (2005). Budget Implementation and Value for Money: The Due Process Experience. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd.Daily Independent(Lagos), (2009). Nigeria: The Fiscal Responsibility Disgrace. 15 September. http://allafrica. com/comments/list/aans/post/id/20090915 0578. html. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL: RISING HOPES IN THE HORIZON http://www. budgetmonitoring. org/Spotlights/2007/02/26/News11618/ http://www. africafront. com/news/136/group_urges_nigerain_gove rnment_to_en force_the_fra. html Nwanma, Vincent (2007). Fiscal Responsibility – Don’t Spend Money Unless You Have It. http://www. budgetmonitoring. org/Spotlights/2007/12/13/ News12271/ Page 19 of 19

Barley production in the United States Essay

Share of US in global barley production is decreasing and about 1% drop can be clearly seen from 2000 to 2005. Currently US produces about 3. 5% of the total global production. European Union, Russia, Canada and Australia lead the pack. In US the barley is produced mainly in North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Minnesota and South Dakota. These six states account for about 80% of the US barley production. The area under barley cultivation in these six states are 1. 05, 0. 80, 0. 56, 0. 21, 0. 12 and 0. 06 million acres for the states North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Minnesota and South Dakota respectively in 2006 (fapri. missouri 2006). In US the area under cultivation of barley and wheat is continuously decreasing while that under corn and soyabean is increasing. Total area under barley cultivation has decreased from 9 million acres in 1991 to about 3. 5 million acres in 2006 and accordingly the total production of barley has also decreased from about 9 million ton in 1991 to just 4. 4 million ton in 2005. US production averages 400 million bushels per year with an annual value of $923 million as a raw commodity (1988 – 1997). In USA production of the malt barley is mainly in the western states. Of the barley consumed domestically, approximately 55% of the barley crop is used for animal feed 39% for malt production 3. 5% as seed 1. 7% in food products Total value of the annual barley crop is $184 million for barley and milled products $48 million for malt and malt extracts $332 million for beer. US production represents 5-10% of the world production. Largest importers of US barley are Japan and Mexico. Malting and Brewing It is imperative to examine the malting, brewing and fermentation process in primarily to understand the quality requirements for the barley to be use for production of beer. Various unit processes in production of beer are – making malt, drying and milling of malt, producing wort, brewing, fermentation, maturation and bottling. We will examine each of the unit processes in somewhat detail. In the malt house, barley grain germination is initiated by the uptake of water in a steeping vessel. The grain imbibes water during controlled cycles of water spraying or water immersion followed by aeration, until the water content of the grain reaches 42 to 48%. Water enters the grain via the embryo, and after approximately 24 hours, the first visible sign of germination is the appearance of the root, as a white ‘chit’. The grains are then transferred to malting beds where germination is allowed to proceed over a period of around 5 days. The speed of germination is controlled by temperature and aeration of the malt bed, while moisture content is maintained by spraying. Further embryo growth, with the appearance of rootlets and acrospires, can lead to root entangling. The grain bed is regularly turned with a rotating screw to prevent grains matting together. Green malt, produced after five days of germination, is kiln dried and partly cooked in a forced flow of hot air. Hydrolases produced during malting are partially inactivated during this process. Malt color, enhanced by kilning at higher temperatures, may be desirable for production of darker beer, but it leads to further heat-inactivation of hydrolases. The brittle malt rootlets are separated from the malt and utilized in animal feeds. The kilned malt is stable for storage and has a friable texture suitable for the milling process which proceeds brewing. The brew house consists of brewery buildings housing machinery and equipment for the production of wort. Processes taking place here include milling of the kiln dried malt, mashing, filtration and wort boiling. The malt is milled into fine grits to ensure good access of water to grain particles in the subsequent phase of beer production. Milling energy is a good indication of malt quality, where homogeneously modified malt has a lower milling energy. Malt may be supplemented with solid adjunct, i. e. a sugar source such as flaked or roasted barley, in order to impart specific flavor or colour characteristics to the finished beer. Milled malt is mixed thoroughly with two to four volumes of water to yield mash, and subjected to a process – denoted mashing – that fundamentally is an extension of malting with the action of various enzymes. Boiled, gelatinized starch from maize or rice grains may be supplemented as adjunct during mashing to achieve a higher content of fermentable sugars. At the end of the mashing operation, soluble substances and residual solid particles are separated by filtration into sweet wort and spent grains, respectively. Factors influencing mash filtration are complex and range from physical effects, such as particle size, to high viscosity caused by gum and protein aggregates. In the next process in the brew house, hops are added to the wort as a source of bitter substances, which are solubilized during wort boiling (> 1 h) and give beer its characteristic taste and aroma. In addition, wort boiling serves to denature enzymes and other proteins, sterilizes the wort, and yields a darker liquid which is an excellent medium for subsequent fermentation with brewers yeast. During the primary fermentation, the fermentable sugars, mainly maltose and glucose are converted to ethanol and carbon dioxide. This action is performed by the brewing yeast, which during the brewing process also produces many of the characteristic aroma compounds found in beer. At the end of the primary fermentation, the yeast cells flocculate and sediment at the bottom of the fermenter and can be cropped and used for a new fermentation. Not all yeast cells sediment; some will remain in suspension, and these cells are responsible for maturation of the beer. During this process the off-flavor, diacetyl is degraded to below the taste threshold. The fermentation characteristics of brewer’s yeast are strain-dependent and are genetically inherited. Much of the genetics of Saccharomyces yeasts has been elucidated, and the knowledge gained, forms the basis for breeding of brewing yeast. Thus, new types of beer with altered aromas can be produced with yeast strains selected through breeding. After fermentation the temperature is lowered and the beer is maturated for a period during which the off-flavor component diacetyl is assimilated by yeast cells. Mature beer is then chilled to a temperature of -2 oC for a couple of days. By doing so the colloidal stability of the beer is greatly improved due to precipitation of protein-tannin complexes, which are only sparingly soluble at low temperature. The beer is now ready for final stabilization, which removes further amounts of proteinaceous matter and/or tannins, and subsequent filtration. The bright beer so obtained, and adjusted to the correct carbon dioxide content, is now ready for bottling. When the residual yeast cells have been removed it is of utmost importance that oxygen uptake is reduced as much as possible, since oxygen will damage the flavor stability of the beer and, despite intensive stabilisation, also impairs its colloidal stability. Finished beer is either bottled or canned or filled into kegs. It may be tunnel pasteurized, flash pasteurized or aseptically bottled. In either case the beer must appear fresh, bright and without faults to the customer and hence the quality is a matter of great concern. The beer must also be free from micro-organisms to ensure wholesomeness and biological stability. The ethanol content must obey fiscal rules but is also of major importance for the flavor of the beer. This is further influenced by a wide range of compounds that may be present in even very small amounts. Visually the finished beer must form nice foam on pouring; it must have an attractive colour. Despite use of the choicest raw materials and careful brewing performance the beer is a fragile liquid, especially when not stored cold. The fine balanced aroma of fresh beer is eventually replaced by a less attractive smell and likewise the taste deteriorates. The basis for this decay is a matter of intense research.