Book Review on Urban Poverty Essay

Urban poverty is the outcome of urban-bias development projects being predominantly financed by the external capital, either in the form of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) or Aid. The urban-bias industrialization strategy performed as a pull factor for the rural unemployed. This strategy contributed to the expanding of urban informal sectors where unskilled as well as highly unorganized day labours remain concentrated in the urban and semi-urban areas. It is also debated that the redistribution of capital investment towards the rural based agricultural activities including plantation sectors through the coordinated efforts of both public and private sectors such as civil and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can go a long way to break the growing negative effects of over urbanization on poverty, moral and social crimes as consequent of unequal economic growth. The author, Pramanik discusses urban poverty in Malaysia cases. He begins with the overview of the poverty scenario followed by research methods and research findings along with summarization & policy suggestions. This book contented five chapters including appendices, references and index. In the introductory chapter (pp. 1-5), Pramanik says poverty is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that is hard to come up with a universally acceptable definition of poverty. Most commonly argued issue on poverty is whether poverty should be looked at from absolute or relative perspective. Absolute poverty based on specific income level called poverty line income (PLI) that can be calculated either using the market value of a basket full of goods and services considered essential for reasonably acceptable standard of living. On the contrary, relative poverty arises when we talk about how good or bad one member is doing in relation to another member living in the same society. According to O’Boyle, poverty is a concept that is both absolute and relative because human beings are at the same time individual and social (O’Boyle E.  J, 1990). In chapter two (pp. 7-20), Pramanik talks about poverty scenario in Malaysia. He argues that the income poverty using official poverty line income seems near to the absolute poverty whereas the human poverty based on the degree of human deprivation resembles relative poverty, which is ensuing of unequal access to income earning opportunity. Because of this, the author focuses more on human aspect of poverty in terms of its long term implications of social factors. Micro level study (Pramanik, 2004) do suggest that family size either in urban or rural areas of the four concentrated states namely, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perak is quite above the family size used for the national level. Pramanik (1997 & 2000) examined that rural poverty in the four poverty-concentrated states on multi dimensional aspects of the problem such as, social, economic, demographic, psychological, political, moral, historical, attitudinal, and natural factors. In chapter three (pp. 5-20), the author discusses regarding research methodology. The study is based on the primary data as well as secondary information. The primary data collected through the administration of well-structured questionnaire in the middle of 2006. The sampling technique used is purposive as well as random and based on participatory observation method. Around 3112 households from 8 major cities living in poverty concentrated areas classified by squatters, low-cost buildings, longhouses etc. were selected for data collection. He defined â€Å"household† as an entity of those living under the same roof as well as eating from the same kitchen. In chapter four (pp. 21-97), he talks about the research findings. The author uses purposive and collecting sampling technique to identify the level of poverty suffered by those living in the squatters and in the area/blocks/buildings designed for the lower income groups in the major cities of Malaysia. This is because those who are living in these areas suffer different degrees and types of poverty measured by the level of deprivations. The household having less than RM 398(less than half of the poverty line) is called hardcore poor, household earning equal to RM 398 but less than 663 is called overall poor and more than RM 663 is called non-poor. The best performing state in terms of lowest incidence of overall poverty (0. 9) with no hardcore poor followed by KL (2. 6) and JB (8. 1) inclusive of hardcore and overall poor. While less developed states- KB, KT, and AS, KB experiences the highest incidence of poverty hardcore poor and overall poor of 33. 7 followed by KT (23. 4) and AS (14). On the other hand, Sabah and Sarawak are worst performing states reported in 9MP and his survey data. The author suggests that as far as poverty reduction is concerned Sabah and Sarawak are still the worst among all other regions states in Malaysia in 2007. The poverty is gender bias is a universal when hardcore poverty is concerned. In terms of hardcore and overall poverty, the female –headed households are more likely to be poorer by 50 percent compared the male-headed households. The higher dependency of more members on a few incomes of earners in the households also creates a constraint on resources allocation by the poor households. Approximately 60 percent of poor household’s more than two members depend on the income of one earner. The lower dependency has implication for the ability of the poor households to hold out poverty at times of economic recession or downturn since higher dependency manifest through the lower dependency ratio is positively related to higher unemployment. Pramanik found on the distribution of households based on the dependency ratio and cities seem to suggest that the relatively higher percentages of households (68. 8) from LDS are associated with higher dependency as emerged through the lower coefficients of DR (

California Schools and Teachers essays

California Schools and Teachers essays Are the California schools and teachers making the grade in regard to illiteracy' Illiteracy is a problem of hidden proportions. For example, the San Diego Business Journal recently quoted the San Diego's Council on Literacy and pointed out that 20% of the United States population is functionally illiterate and 26% in the San Diego County. So are the teachers missing the point or are there some other underlying problems' The entire educational system is being severely tested as administrators point out that smaller class sizes create a need for more classrooms and teachers. These demands for more teachers force the system to hire many unqualified individuals. "In terms of sheer statistics, the state is a national leader. State enrollment is adding about 100,000 students each year, meaning that California will be home to one-fifth of all US students in a few decades. As a result of this growth, an estimated 300,000 teachers will be needed here during the next decade - even as the nation is in the middle of a teacher shortage." (Unknown, "As California overhauls schools, America watches for lessons") With those statistics, I feel that qualified teachers for the most part will be doing an excellent job in the fight against illiteracy. However, I think that the school systems are not addressing the problem of illiteracy and the fact that so many new and unqualified teachers will be entering the process may cause irreparable damage. Unqualified teachers may not be able to distinguish if a child has Dyslexia or if that child is merely nearsighted for example. And with the system under such stress, even if a teacher discovers the problem, his or her hands may be tied with few options on getting the proper help with the illiteracy problem. Illiteracy is defined as a person having little to no education; or more specifically not being able to read or write. California d...

Julia Greenbergs Blog Intersex Issues

Julia Greenbergs Blog Intersex Issues The blog Sex matters: legal strategies and alliance building in the intersex community by Julia Greenberg reflects on the issue of intersex and the need for law to protect the rights of intersex groups.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Julia Greenbergs Blog: Intersex Issues specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It indicates that strong societal orientation towards normal sex condition and considerations of other sexualities like intersex as less normal is brought out as wrong and oppressive in the sense that it denies intersex individuals basic human rights requirements and reduces their overall contribution to societal development. Besides, the issue of intersex in many societies has been regarded as strange and has thus been shrouded with secrecy and immense shame witnessed among individuals with this condition who hide for fear of being rejected. However, as Greenberg posits, the conservative nature of a community stron gly conflicts with changes depicted by the modern society (Greenberg par. 1). She indicates that it is critical that a community and its legal system provide a holistic non-discriminatory structure where all members of the community have equal rights irrespective of their sexuality. The blog by Julia Greenberg majors on the problem of intersex which has over the years raised immense concerns related to gender and identity. Indeed, sexual identity has remained a key facet in dictating cultural orientations of most communities. As the blog notes, the condition that intersex individuals are brings about a sexual identity problem which in turn cause many of them in the society today to disclose their sexual status in the community for fear of discrimination and victimization (Greenberg par. 1). It is worth noting that with sexual identity being used as a key identifying factor in terms of determining the actual roles of an individual in a family and a relationship, intersex individuals experience a hard time fitting in the highly fixed social network of friends, workmates and families within a society.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As indicated in the blog, due to the rising awareness of the need to support intersex groups by the international community, more intersex individuals have come out in the open to declare their status in order to overcome current barriers and discrimination in society. Additionally, the blog indicates that discriminating intersex groups in a society provides a major platform towards their direct dependence on the government and/or their relatives for support. Greenberg (Par. 2) is categorical that although the federal government has taken time to enact laws against discrimination, the intervention ultimately narrows down to shouldering the burden of supporting them through a welfare system. The blog seeks to determine a viable solution that will address problems facing individuals with intersex condition. It notes that the need to address all members of a society equally regardless of their sex cannot be effective without support from communities at all levels and through enacting effective laws. Without a doubt, while it is generally agreeable that the government is indeed providing necessary support and seeking to reach out to all, communities should preach the need for harmonious coexistence and condemn stereotypes that depict intersex individuals negatively in the society. Greenberg (par. 5) indicates that following the negative stereotypes, intersex members of a society have been segregated and dissociated by other people. As a result, intersex individuals tend to be set aside and can only freely relate with members with same condition. Under this consideration, they are unable to participate and contribute to the normal activities of the society. This is highly traumatizing and culminates to majority of intersex members hiding their affiliation in the society. Alliances and justice movements are for that reason important in offering support to these individuals. However, the issue of intersex is shrouded with many mistaken beliefs related to homosexuality and whether or not the process of creating laws will protect and advance homosexuality. As such, the blog should clarify what intersex is all about to eliminate misconceptions on whether or not it is part of transgender or GLBT movement and whether the existing laws will protect homosexuals.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Julia Greenbergs Blog: Intersex Issues specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Greenberg, Julia. Sex matters: legal strategies and alliance building in the intersex community. 2012. Web. http://blogs.law.columbia.edu/genderandsexualitylawblog/.

International Business Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International Business - Dissertation Example This move has taken on new roles and forms in recent decades and has now come to feature in other sectors such as global politics. The conception and growth of large economic powerhouses such as Brazil, China, India and Far East Asia have come to dominate nearly all aspects of global interaction. In this sense, it can be said that international business has a large part to play in the development and growth of these economic powerhouses since they provide a number of goods and services required for economic development. The case of China is particularly mystifying since the Chinese models of doing business are far removed from how international businesses operate (Joshi, 2009). Even though significant differences are present, international businesses have still managed to penetrate and flourish in the Chinese economy. Research Objectives China has boasted around a 10% growth rate of the GDP for more than a decade which signifies tremendous economic development (Creedy et al., 2006). However, it needs to be seen how international businesses adopted to Chinese market regulations and business structures including the manipulation of the human resources structure. Chinese businesses have traditionally been based on the paternal structure with considerable official influences (Starr, 2001). This is altogether removed from the manner in which business is conducted internationally. Larger businesses that have the skills and capacity to wander into new territories for business development tend to utilise representative and dynamic methods for human resource management. The Chinese human resources management model is centred on a central figure whose instructions are unchallenged. Furthermore, the Chinese conception of business has a large amount of state interference and control being exerted. However, international business tend to operate independently from state control (Sato, 2006). These and several other significant differences require further investigation to el ucidate how international businesses adopted to the Chinese markets. SMART Objectives Specific: assessing the extent and impact of grey markets and illegal flights on business aviation in the Middle East Measureable: quantifying the entry of international businesses as per time in the Chinese markets to discern if entry is increasing or receding Attainable: research materials on the Chinese economy are abundant but would require meticulous screening to achieve the objectives Relevant: international business are expanding vehemently in international markets so factors required for expansion need to be looked into in detail Timed: the proposed research will constrain itself to the post 1990 period in order to deliver on time Research Questions What are the characteristics of Chinese businesses and economy that differentiate them from the truly open markets where international businesses are used to operating? How have international businesses adopted (through replacement, modification or addition to existing practices) to the Chinese economic models of doing business? Do these changes represent unique cultural values or are these findings applicable to other fast growing economies? Methodology The research will be split into primary and secondary research areas. The secondary research will be carried out through a review of the relevant literature while the primary research will focus on acquiring information from international businesses in China. The secondary re

Homeland Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Homeland Security - Essay Example This definition of the effectiveness of the US department of Homeland security constitutes of various facts such as: the security services cannot stop all the terrorist attacks from taking place, the services have to create a strategy for both the longer run and the shorter run and the services should counter terrorist activities while balancing citizens interests, minimizing financial cost and making sure that citizens freedom is never at stake. Security services should devise plans that are fool proof and can prevent most of the attacks from taking place, this does not means that their plans can stop hundred percent of the attacks that are being planned and implemented. Even if the Homeland Security department cannot stop all the attacks, their measures are not necessarily ineffective. If at any particular point in time, no attacks are taking place, this does not represent that the strategy implemented by the department has become successful and are of utmost effectiveness. The Security services should always have a short term and long term strategy in position to counter both short term and long term plans. If they have only short term plans, then they are overlooking the longer plans that terrorist activity conductors have prepared. The services should plan its measures in accordance to the way terrorist organizations behave, they set long-term goals, all individuals are committed to a common goal and they are ready to e xperience utmost difficulty for the achievement of their cause. Terrorists are ready are actively participating in a never ending war with the security forces all around the world including Homeland Security, thus it is this the duty of the security department to continue creating a long-term strategy. While developing a strategy to counter terrorist activities, policy developers and strategy developers should ensure that their strategies and tactics do not harm the liberty and

The Illusion of Similarity between Darnay and Carton in A Tale of Two Research Paper

The Illusion of Similarity between Darnay and Carton in A Tale of Two Cities - Research Paper Example Their stark similarities and interesting differences play important roles in the story plot (Cotsell 193). This brings the discussion to one of the striking themes of the novel --- the concept of doubles. The Concept of Doubles The novel opens with these lines: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. (Dickens 13) These opening lines immediately tells the readers the central plot of the story. It is about doubles, and all the similarities and differences of those doubles (Nardo 73). Even the title itself gives away the idea that the events in the story happens in two separate cities. While Dickens uses the theme of doubles to highlight several oppositions in the story, he also utilizes it to reveal similarities (Bloom 23), whether real or illusion. On a personal standpoint, one of the most interesting role of the technique of using doubles in the novel is the way the concept of how one thing could really be another is presented. One of the best examples here is the story surrounding Darnay and Carton. Darnay and Carton can easily be thought as one person due to their physical traits. Yet upon a closer look, one can see how Darnay is actually the embodiment of Carton's possibilities (Hutter 451). As the story progresses, it is easy to feel more positive towards Darnay, and just a bit sympathetic towards Carton. This style brings about what can be called a turning of tables in the end, which is the st ory's climax, when the good-for-nothing Carton surpasses the heroic image of Darnay (Nardo 74-5). This concept will be discussed further in the next paragraphs. Overview of the Two Characters During the trial in England, Carton brings up the idea that Darnay and he have very similar appearances. He says, â€Å"My lord being prayed to bid my learned friend lay aside his wig, and giving no very gracious consent, the likeness became much more remarkable† (Dickens 82). This strategy helps Carton in Darnay's acquittal from the treason charge, thus helping Darnay to wiggle out of a sticky situation. However, one striking fact here is how Dickens shows that no matter how similar they can seem to be, they can also physically look different at times. This is where the differences despite the similarities between the two protagonists start. Darnay is always well-groomed and neat, while Carton is almost always looking drunk and not very presentable (Page 121). This is just one similarit y and difference between the two men. Darnay and Carton also share similar beliefs. Both men try to make the most out of life by working for what they believe in and for what they want. Still, despite this another similarity, they have differences as well. While Darnay tries hard to be noble and to keep his dignity and honor clean, Carton sometimes uses misrepresentation and blackmail to get what he needs and wants (Page 124-5). While Darnay may

The Third ; Final Continent Themes Essay Example for Free

The Third ; Final Continent Themes Essay Everybody feels he must get to the top. Dont expect an English cup of tea. Car horns, shrill and prolonged, blared one after another. Flashing sirens heralded endless emergencies, and a fleet of buses rambled past their doors opening and closing with a powerful hiss, throughout the night. The noise was constantly distracting, at times suffocating. ) The Indian immigrants fear of losing his own culture. In 1969, when I was thirty- six years old, my own marriage was arranged. The fact that he had an arranged marriage proves he doesnt want to lose his culture and go the Western way. 3) The methods of steps of copying to a new culture and a new life in America. In a week I had adjusted, more or less. I ate cornflakes and milk morning and night, and bought some bananas for variety, slicing them into the bowl with the edge of my spoon. In addition I bought tea bags and a flask, which the salesman in Woolworths eferred to as a thermos (a flask, he informed me, was used to store whiskey, another thing I had never consumed). For the price of one cup of tea at a coffee shop, I filled the flask with boiling water on the way to work each morning, and brewed the four cups I drank in the course of the day. I bought a larger carton of milk, and learned to leave it on the shaded part of the windowsill, as I had seen other residents at the YMCA do. To pass the time in the evenings I read the Boston Globe downstairs, in a spacious room with stained-glass windows. I read every article and advertisement, so that I would grow familiar with things, and when my eyes grew tired I slept. Questions 1) Explain how the narrators last visit to Mrs. Croft is significant. Give two reasons. Support your answer with the phrases/words. The narrator and his wife, Mala, had visited Mrs. Croft one last time. During this visit, Mrs. Croft acted as an icebreaker. She broke the tension between Mala and the narrator. Ever since Mala arrived, the narrator saw her as a part of his life, a duty. At the visit, Mrs. Croft asked the narrator question, which led to him answering with, Splendid! This caused Mala to laugh and Mrs. Croft wondered who she was. After a slight introduction, Mrs. Croft replied with, She is a perfect lady! causing Mala and the narrator to look at each other and smile. The moment with Mrs. Croft, was described by the narrator as the moment when the distance between Mala and me began to lessen. 2) Explain the title of the short story. The title shows that the narrator could survive life on three continents, while adapting perfectly. This title means to show readers that feats can be accomplished f they are set out to be. If the narrator could survive on three continents, then people for the narrator to finally adapt in America. 3) Depict how the narrators relationship with Mala evolved. The writers relationship with Mala first started out as tense. He felt that his marriage was like a job, something he had to wake up to and live with for the rest of his day till he went to sleep, and the cycle continued for as long as they were married. There was no feeling or love, it was Just a step taken by Indians in order to feel secure in their lives. It was their sense of security in the world, and marriage was their way of dealing. When Mrs. Croft exclaimed that Mala was a perfect lady I think both the narrator and Mala realized that if Mrs. Croft could learn to accept something new so quickly, then they could learn to embrace a new relationship. And so, the eventually fell in love, gotten used to each other, and led a happy marriage with a son who lived up to his Bengali parents expectations which sticking to the Indian culture, even all the way at Harvard.