Paying for specialist education
Antonia Cordedda and Paul
Nowadays young people haven’t any consciousness of their future roles in the economy – only a minority of students choose a course with the jobs market in mind. Many of them think of university as a playground where someone else pays for them. In several countries this has become a significant issue, and has created a debate in the policy area involving all productive sectors of the economy. Another problem is that parents can push people to do courses that do not interest them, and the quality of the graduates is not very high. The consequence of all this is that we have millions of young students without any prospect of job opportunities.
In a technological era, recent research shows that the economy needs specialization and appropriate skills. It has become crucial to convert the natural aptitudes of the young into practical knowledge that is useful to society. If the government wants to reduce the level of unemployment and maintain competitiveness with other advanced economies, it needs to manage the education of the next generation in a rational way. In many countries the advice of the research has been followed, and institutions have been set up with new strategies. The approach is to have a partnership between academics and industry to involve society in education and make courses more relevant.
Furthermore, it is well-known that public education has fallen behind private education due to public funding being given regardless of quality. This has implications for equal opportunities, because private education is more competitive and is more tightly connected to industry.
In short, old-fashioned education doesn’t exist any more. Young people want to be updated with the latest skills and to continue with training all their life.
Monday, 11 January 2010
The European Union
The European Union
What Advantage as well as disadvantage?
Antonia Cordedda and Paul
With the decrease in power of the US, the EU is going to become the main actor in the world in many sectors. This tendency arises from the huge size of the EU and the high level of its economy. There are 27 Member States, 500 million people and 23 official languages at 1st January 2009. This growth is increasing every year due to other countries joining, and each country brings its own culture and traditions. This factor creates a giant power in the world.
With the introduction of the euro in 2002, there was one official currency for all members and one single market. The euro became the second reserve currency in the world. At the present time it seems to be the most reliable currency – many countries do business in euros instead of dollars.
The EU has many advantages. Citizens can move from country to country without any passport, and qualifications are recognized in all countries. Goods can be bought and sold without any barriers, thanks to the Maastricht and Schengen agreements. People can compare and enjoy different cultures. The quality of life is high, both in terms of culture, per capita income, and health and social benefits.
We must also analyze some negative factors. There is a lot of rhetoric in the debate about Europe: on the one hand the media and politicians use kind words about the European dream, while on the other everyone is looking after their own interests. This is hypocritical. As a matter of fact, nation states want to maintain control, while at the same time they have to devolve power to the EU. The consequence is that this giant economy lacks its own voice and this is a weakness. During the present economic crisis the EU shows again that it doesn’t have its own policies to solve the problems.
Enlargement is causing some serious problems. Large countries want to keep their power, while small countries want to steal the power of the large countries. The new entrants have a low level of economy, and there is a problem of the relocation of industry. Large countries welcome workers and foreign companies, but they become our competitors and there is competition for work with local people.
On balance, the positive aspects are more than the negative, and this pays off the dreams of the founding fathers of the EU: Spinelli, Schuman, Adenauer, Monnet and others.
What Advantage as well as disadvantage?
Antonia Cordedda and Paul
With the decrease in power of the US, the EU is going to become the main actor in the world in many sectors. This tendency arises from the huge size of the EU and the high level of its economy. There are 27 Member States, 500 million people and 23 official languages at 1st January 2009. This growth is increasing every year due to other countries joining, and each country brings its own culture and traditions. This factor creates a giant power in the world.
With the introduction of the euro in 2002, there was one official currency for all members and one single market. The euro became the second reserve currency in the world. At the present time it seems to be the most reliable currency – many countries do business in euros instead of dollars.
The EU has many advantages. Citizens can move from country to country without any passport, and qualifications are recognized in all countries. Goods can be bought and sold without any barriers, thanks to the Maastricht and Schengen agreements. People can compare and enjoy different cultures. The quality of life is high, both in terms of culture, per capita income, and health and social benefits.
We must also analyze some negative factors. There is a lot of rhetoric in the debate about Europe: on the one hand the media and politicians use kind words about the European dream, while on the other everyone is looking after their own interests. This is hypocritical. As a matter of fact, nation states want to maintain control, while at the same time they have to devolve power to the EU. The consequence is that this giant economy lacks its own voice and this is a weakness. During the present economic crisis the EU shows again that it doesn’t have its own policies to solve the problems.
Enlargement is causing some serious problems. Large countries want to keep their power, while small countries want to steal the power of the large countries. The new entrants have a low level of economy, and there is a problem of the relocation of industry. Large countries welcome workers and foreign companies, but they become our competitors and there is competition for work with local people.
On balance, the positive aspects are more than the negative, and this pays off the dreams of the founding fathers of the EU: Spinelli, Schuman, Adenauer, Monnet and others.
The geopolitical importance of India
The geopolitical importance of India
Antonia Cordedda
Over the next few days India is going to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of independence from the UK on 15th August 1947. This happened by a peaceful revolution led by Mahatma Gandhi against the British Empire. India is still influenced by British culture (and vice-versa), and still has very tight bilateral relations with the UK. The Indians play cricket and the British eat curry. India is a parliamentary democracy and is the 7th biggest country in the world with 1.2 billion people. It is a very complex country due to its multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-religious characteristics. There are eight official languages. It is easy to understand that this country is potentially very difficult to govern.
This great variety of ethnic groups caused the country to be divided in the 1950s and the Muslim part of India separated to become the state of Pakistan. The conflict between India and Pakistan is ongoing at the present moment. The two countries have tried to improve relations, but India always feels threatened by Pakistan’s nuclear potential and the fanaticism of its Muslim minority. One recent event confirmed this fear of the Indian authorities – a terrorist attack in Mumbai at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was blamed on the security services of Pakistan. This created high tension between the two countries and further negotiations will proceed on tiptoe.
India’s economy is growing fast, by roughly 8% a year. It is the twelfth largest economy in the world, but its per capita income is 128th. The economic strategy is to encourage investment from other countries, attract financial capital, and to try to sort out the problems of poverty and unemployment. But this positive outlook of the Indian authorities can be against Western interests. If a factory relocates to India or other emerging economies, it causes problems of unemployment in the developed countries. The growing trend of industrialization also comes into conflict with the American administration’s focus on global warming. From the Indian point of view, the campaign against global warming can be a pretext for keeping them down. However the problems of global warming cannot be denied, and it would be good if emerging countries could achieve growth in a more ecological way.
Antonia Cordedda
Over the next few days India is going to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of independence from the UK on 15th August 1947. This happened by a peaceful revolution led by Mahatma Gandhi against the British Empire. India is still influenced by British culture (and vice-versa), and still has very tight bilateral relations with the UK. The Indians play cricket and the British eat curry. India is a parliamentary democracy and is the 7th biggest country in the world with 1.2 billion people. It is a very complex country due to its multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-religious characteristics. There are eight official languages. It is easy to understand that this country is potentially very difficult to govern.
This great variety of ethnic groups caused the country to be divided in the 1950s and the Muslim part of India separated to become the state of Pakistan. The conflict between India and Pakistan is ongoing at the present moment. The two countries have tried to improve relations, but India always feels threatened by Pakistan’s nuclear potential and the fanaticism of its Muslim minority. One recent event confirmed this fear of the Indian authorities – a terrorist attack in Mumbai at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was blamed on the security services of Pakistan. This created high tension between the two countries and further negotiations will proceed on tiptoe.
India’s economy is growing fast, by roughly 8% a year. It is the twelfth largest economy in the world, but its per capita income is 128th. The economic strategy is to encourage investment from other countries, attract financial capital, and to try to sort out the problems of poverty and unemployment. But this positive outlook of the Indian authorities can be against Western interests. If a factory relocates to India or other emerging economies, it causes problems of unemployment in the developed countries. The growing trend of industrialization also comes into conflict with the American administration’s focus on global warming. From the Indian point of view, the campaign against global warming can be a pretext for keeping them down. However the problems of global warming cannot be denied, and it would be good if emerging countries could achieve growth in a more ecological way.
The future of North Korea
The future of North Korea
Antonia Cordedda
Since 1945 the history of this area was affected by two different ideological approaches. North Korea was affected by Marxism and South Korea was influenced by the liberal, Anglo-Saxon approach. On the one hand, North Korea has had a socialist economy with collective management of industry and every kind of freedom has been banned. Political power has been dominated since the Cold War by only one family that until now has maintained control of the state. On the other hand, South Korea developed its economy by opening markets to the world and becoming an important partner for the West. It became a leading country for advanced technology.
In the recent past North Korea became a country that the Bush administration considered a part of the ‘axis of devil’. This was due to North Korea starting nuclear tests and expressing the intention to have their own nuclear bomb. They justified this decision because they feel threatened by other countries.
Another factor here is connected with human rights. North Korea is considered by many international human rights associations such as Human Watch and Amnesty International to be one of the main countries violating elementary human rights. In their last report it shows that about 200,000 people are detained inside concentration camps. This figure demonstrates how the society is organized: by fear and psychological terrorism of the population.
How can the international community deal with this country? There are two different strategies, hard power and soft power. The previous American administration tried the first by threatening sanctions, and North Korea replied by launching a missile. The new administration has another political philosophy and is trying soft power. It is using informal channels of diplomacy such as the recent visit involving the former president Bill Clinton. The reason for this is that Clinton’s administration set up bilateral relations with North Korea when Madeline Albright visited Pyongyang in 2000.
We don’t know yet if these events will lead to a positive outcome, but surely it has created a new opening for negotiations. Supporters of soft power around the world hope that the worsening economic situation will push the North Korean leadership to open up both the society and the economy to new opportunities. The reunification of the North with the South remains imaginary for the time being because of the differences in economic level between the two countries. However the example of West and East Germany shows that at least it is possible.
Antonia Cordedda
Since 1945 the history of this area was affected by two different ideological approaches. North Korea was affected by Marxism and South Korea was influenced by the liberal, Anglo-Saxon approach. On the one hand, North Korea has had a socialist economy with collective management of industry and every kind of freedom has been banned. Political power has been dominated since the Cold War by only one family that until now has maintained control of the state. On the other hand, South Korea developed its economy by opening markets to the world and becoming an important partner for the West. It became a leading country for advanced technology.
In the recent past North Korea became a country that the Bush administration considered a part of the ‘axis of devil’. This was due to North Korea starting nuclear tests and expressing the intention to have their own nuclear bomb. They justified this decision because they feel threatened by other countries.
Another factor here is connected with human rights. North Korea is considered by many international human rights associations such as Human Watch and Amnesty International to be one of the main countries violating elementary human rights. In their last report it shows that about 200,000 people are detained inside concentration camps. This figure demonstrates how the society is organized: by fear and psychological terrorism of the population.
How can the international community deal with this country? There are two different strategies, hard power and soft power. The previous American administration tried the first by threatening sanctions, and North Korea replied by launching a missile. The new administration has another political philosophy and is trying soft power. It is using informal channels of diplomacy such as the recent visit involving the former president Bill Clinton. The reason for this is that Clinton’s administration set up bilateral relations with North Korea when Madeline Albright visited Pyongyang in 2000.
We don’t know yet if these events will lead to a positive outcome, but surely it has created a new opening for negotiations. Supporters of soft power around the world hope that the worsening economic situation will push the North Korean leadership to open up both the society and the economy to new opportunities. The reunification of the North with the South remains imaginary for the time being because of the differences in economic level between the two countries. However the example of West and East Germany shows that at least it is possible.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Are there any new solutions or only old recipes to the current economic crises?
Are there any new solutions or only old recipes to the current economic crises?
Home work
Antonia with David
Dr Pugh’s letter in The Guardian (15th April 2009)
expresses his opinion about a debate current among intellectuals in many countries. He discusses the traditional ideological approaches of free market liberalism versus socialism and solutions to the current economic crises and the social consequences of the recession, such as redundancy and unemployment. Apart from the economic crises there is also a crisis in traditional ideological approaches, which are considered redundant in liberal and conservative political and intellectual circles.
In my opinion they have to consider one other fundamental question: is it realistic to consider the traditional ideological approaches old fashioned? Perhaps the best solution would be to revive the ethical approach in all areas of society. In fact Prime Ministers and Presidents of many countries are trying to reconvert their economic energy and deal with the social impact created by redundancy and the consequent unemployment. Since the 1980s many states have lost a lot of their main social functions due to the illusion that the free market and the new economy could solve all of society’s problems. In the meanwhile, they have lost their ethical roles as the main priority has been the pursuit of profit. Now liberal intellectuals, who supported the free market and were critical of state involvement, are rediscovering the traditional functions of the state in dealing with the consequences of the global recession.
The banking and financial sectors have relied on public money to survive. The risk in this situation is that the state could become too powerful creating several new problems. In fact, in the liberal state the government have to promote and support the spirit of capitalism. In conclusion the roles of the government should be to use the media to improve the involvement of the general public in political debate and to support and promote democracy.
Home work
Antonia with David
Dr Pugh’s letter in The Guardian (15th April 2009)
expresses his opinion about a debate current among intellectuals in many countries. He discusses the traditional ideological approaches of free market liberalism versus socialism and solutions to the current economic crises and the social consequences of the recession, such as redundancy and unemployment. Apart from the economic crises there is also a crisis in traditional ideological approaches, which are considered redundant in liberal and conservative political and intellectual circles.
In my opinion they have to consider one other fundamental question: is it realistic to consider the traditional ideological approaches old fashioned? Perhaps the best solution would be to revive the ethical approach in all areas of society. In fact Prime Ministers and Presidents of many countries are trying to reconvert their economic energy and deal with the social impact created by redundancy and the consequent unemployment. Since the 1980s many states have lost a lot of their main social functions due to the illusion that the free market and the new economy could solve all of society’s problems. In the meanwhile, they have lost their ethical roles as the main priority has been the pursuit of profit. Now liberal intellectuals, who supported the free market and were critical of state involvement, are rediscovering the traditional functions of the state in dealing with the consequences of the global recession.
The banking and financial sectors have relied on public money to survive. The risk in this situation is that the state could become too powerful creating several new problems. In fact, in the liberal state the government have to promote and support the spirit of capitalism. In conclusion the roles of the government should be to use the media to improve the involvement of the general public in political debate and to support and promote democracy.
“Some people believe they should keep all the money they have earned and should not pay tax to the state”.
: 10/01/09
Essay Question:
“Some people believe they should keep all the money they have earned and should not pay tax to the state”.
Do you agree or disagree?
Introduction:
In an ideal world everybody would not be obligated to pay money to the state, I would like to have the same opinion with the view about that we do not pay tax, but my realistic approach is that only in an ideal world it would be likely and I do not consider it is reasonable
Tax Evasion and Self-Employment in a High-Tax is Evidence in many country.
The main conquest of the modern state, such as the civil rights connect with the development of the welfare state and social support and every area of public service is possible to be realised by the taxation of the citizens. We can consider the main social agreement between the citizen and the modern state.
This aspect in the modern state is managed by the Government’s Economic Department who make the plans to support the economy in the public sector such as: health, waste, national insurance transport, education to support the development of young people and protect the poorer members of the population and the retired to guarantee a better quality of life.
Conclusion:
In fact nowadays you can see how it is essential to protect and support the finances of the state. In the recent financial crises in all countries the state becomes again the fundamental protagonist to protect the economy and the interests of the citizens through the use of taxation.
Essay Question:
“Some people believe they should keep all the money they have earned and should not pay tax to the state”.
Do you agree or disagree?
Introduction:
In an ideal world everybody would not be obligated to pay money to the state, I would like to have the same opinion with the view about that we do not pay tax, but my realistic approach is that only in an ideal world it would be likely and I do not consider it is reasonable
Tax Evasion and Self-Employment in a High-Tax is Evidence in many country.
The main conquest of the modern state, such as the civil rights connect with the development of the welfare state and social support and every area of public service is possible to be realised by the taxation of the citizens. We can consider the main social agreement between the citizen and the modern state.
This aspect in the modern state is managed by the Government’s Economic Department who make the plans to support the economy in the public sector such as: health, waste, national insurance transport, education to support the development of young people and protect the poorer members of the population and the retired to guarantee a better quality of life.
Conclusion:
In fact nowadays you can see how it is essential to protect and support the finances of the state. In the recent financial crises in all countries the state becomes again the fundamental protagonist to protect the economy and the interests of the citizens through the use of taxation.
capital punishment
capital punishment
"Do you believe that societies ought to enforce capital punishment or are there alternative forms of punishment that would be better used?".
I don't believe the capital punishment of the state, I don't trust, in general in the violence, Because not and trying half deterrent in order to prevent criminal actions. Nevertheless, the capital punishment has been always the method from the state to prevent the crime and the meantime to give the fair punishment of the people who consider dangerous for the social order. However this is only rhetoric language to legitimate
the force from the state. in addition, the history show us this method was used in wrong way or interpreted in erroneous.
In particular I feel shocked when the state use the capital punishment
also with the people with the previously known mental problems.
Different case show us that this person was using to pay for the crime
of the other people. Because the investigation was conducted in
incorrect way or dishonest way or because the establishment need the
easy solution and give the convenient solution that persuede and make
sure the public opinion and the family of the victims. With force ask
the judge and the quiet the profound feeling.
In many countries, was banned many years ago. Because the
constitution to keep the principles of declaration of human rights
consider thid inhumane. But until now the majority of the country in
the capital punishment is practiced.
this aspect remind me how until now in the South
of the USA such as Texas and Alabama is still present the capital
punishment.
the media has become known many situations but in other countries such as China and in general in Asia the capital punishment is the main
solution for the state. But the people involved have not the same
attention from the media because the state avoid to give the publicity.
One solution could be to organize phscology and education therapy to
develop one other sensitivity or other point of view. And in the meantime promote one campaign by media to improve and promote in the people to furnish new
opportunity to consider they truthful citizen.
"Do you believe that societies ought to enforce capital punishment or are there alternative forms of punishment that would be better used?".
I don't believe the capital punishment of the state, I don't trust, in general in the violence, Because not and trying half deterrent in order to prevent criminal actions. Nevertheless, the capital punishment has been always the method from the state to prevent the crime and the meantime to give the fair punishment of the people who consider dangerous for the social order. However this is only rhetoric language to legitimate
the force from the state. in addition, the history show us this method was used in wrong way or interpreted in erroneous.
In particular I feel shocked when the state use the capital punishment
also with the people with the previously known mental problems.
Different case show us that this person was using to pay for the crime
of the other people. Because the investigation was conducted in
incorrect way or dishonest way or because the establishment need the
easy solution and give the convenient solution that persuede and make
sure the public opinion and the family of the victims. With force ask
the judge and the quiet the profound feeling.
In many countries, was banned many years ago. Because the
constitution to keep the principles of declaration of human rights
consider thid inhumane. But until now the majority of the country in
the capital punishment is practiced.
this aspect remind me how until now in the South
of the USA such as Texas and Alabama is still present the capital
punishment.
the media has become known many situations but in other countries such as China and in general in Asia the capital punishment is the main
solution for the state. But the people involved have not the same
attention from the media because the state avoid to give the publicity.
One solution could be to organize phscology and education therapy to
develop one other sensitivity or other point of view. And in the meantime promote one campaign by media to improve and promote in the people to furnish new
opportunity to consider they truthful citizen.
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