The Harlem Renaissance is a convenient metaphor Essay Thesis Example For Students

The Harlem Renaissance is a convenient metaphor Essay Thesis The Harlem Renaissance is a convenient metaphor for the artistic and intellectual explosion that took place during the asses and asses. Discuss. By Tanya Monkish-Benefit Kerr The Harlem Renaissance remains one of the most momentous creative movements in American history, exceeding its original importance to one specific interest group and hence cannot be looked upon simply as a convenient metaphor. This essay will show that in addition to the eruption of creativity, the Harlem Renaissance should be acknowledged for its significant contribution to changing the self-perception of the We will write a custom essay on The Harlem Renaissance is a convenient metaphor Thesis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Negro in America in such a positive and significant way that eventually transformed the Harlem Renaissance into the Civil Rights Movement of the sasss and changed the identity of America forever. The renaissance served to create a perception of distinctiveness among African Americans, at the same time, compelling white America to acknowledge the significance of an ethnic group far too long seen as inferior. The Harlem Renaissance may be defined as an eruption of creativity overflowing from the gifted minds of African-Americans between the asses and asses; though in truth, it was the center of focus for the articulation and litigation of a marginalia populace as much as it was an artistic movement. Even though mostly considered an African-American literary movement, the Harlem Renaissance stretched far beyond books and poetry to embrace art, dance, and music. The creative minds of blacks behind the Harlem Renaissance used creative expression to make an important impact on all aspects of society, while at the same time providing African-Americans with their first sense of distinctiveness not defined by slavery. Embracing creative arts, individuals sought to re-conceptualize the Negro apart from the white stereotypes that had influenced black peoples allegations to their culture and to one another. They also sought to break free of Victorian ethical values and conformist shame about aspects of their lives that might strengthen racist opinions by whites. Never controlled by a specific school of thought but rather characterized by powerful debates, this movement laid the foundation for all later African American literature and had a huge influence on succeeding black literature and consciousness internationally. While the Harlem Renaissance was certainly not restricted to New York City, Harlem enticed a significant concentration of intellect and talent; therefore, it served as the symbolic capital of cultural development. During the 20th century, approximately six million African-Americans escaped the remunerative hardships and harsh segregationist laws of the South and migrated northward to metropolises in an effort to obtain Jobs and economic stability as well as searching for a more racially open-minded society. Winter estimated that 175,000 of these African-Americans settled in New York City. To attach an unambiguous commencement to the Harlem Renaissance by singling out one precise text can only serve to spark debates since black authors had been published since effortlessly definable as a defining moment was the range of issues that black writers covered as its onset. The true origin of this Renaissance is not in any single work that sparked a revolution, but in the various and multiple congregations of mutual interests by those yearning to showcase the remarkable surge of creativeness via the publication of literary magazines and books. Crucial to the movement were magazines such as the Crisis, published by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Opportunity, published by the National Urban League; and The Messenger, a socialist Journal eventually connected with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, a black labor union. These groups attracted many Negro intellectuals who were particularly upset with the rise in violence against blacks in the United States; therefore, theses organization became the driving force for changing the status quo of the Negro. This mutual need to help one another was a primeval component in changing the movement from a purely literary standpoint into one that incorporated all fine arts; it also played an important role in turning the Harlem Renaissance into a search for a new identity for an ethnic group previously defined by centuries of oppression. Although the artists created vivacious and lasting works of literature, art and music, the Harlem Renaissance quickly became Just as important for the way in which it gave African-Americans a real culture and a pride in acknowledging and embracing that culture. .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea , .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea .postImageUrl , .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea , .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea:hover , .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea:visited , .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea:active { border:0!important; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea:active , .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u33313720b771196ddf6eaa408ca9c1ea:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: High and Late Renaissance Period EssayPrior to this era, the representations of African-Americans in American literature were that of the illiterate and inferior peasant who made his or her living in the dirt of the cotton fields. The intellects contributed to the importance of the Harlem Renaissance by understanding and contributing to its purpose in creating positive role models for the Negro everywhere. One of the most important traits of the Harlem Renaissance is that teamwork was considered a better way to help individual works rather than to compete. An intuitive sense that any single artistic effort was going to define all others created an effort by everyone involved to create a cultural tapestry that served not Just other artists, but audiences as well. In reality, this cultural movement essentially created the idea of the black intellectual for both Americans and Europeans. Furthermore, the creation of the New Negro in Harlem represented the liberation of the last relics of chattel slavery, those of low esteem and even uncertainty and self-revulsion. Appraisers, however, query whether the Renaissance actually accomplished its goals of creating a new identity for the Negro separated from the history of slavery. One of the denunciations is that by trying to create a distinct culture detached from the past cruelties and even the influence of Anglo- European customs it succeeded only in alienation. A more powerful denunciation is that the Harlem Renaissance duplicated only the specific identity of the middle class, intelligent elites of an ethnic group trying to sway its background and views on a population still dominated by lower-class and illiterate people. Yet, another criticism is that the very goal of forging an identity for an entire ethnic group and socially enlightening them was utterly impractical because the vast numbers of African Americans were mostly oblivious of it or knew it only as history. The foundation of all criticisms of the Harlem Renaissance is that it encloses an inevitable element of two- fixedness in that it tried to produce a distinct identity that was centered primarily on white society and educational system. In fact, the central theme that can be concluded from all of the criticism is that it tried to accomplish little more than a lack representation of the white middle class establishment. What is not up for argument is the actual value of the artistic contributions of the era. James Weldon Johnson is an iconic figure in the initiation of the Harlem Renaissance both as writer and editor. He had written the contentious Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man and had also edited the book of American Negro Poetry. This collection showcased quite a few of the Renaissances most artistic poets, including Longboats Hughes, a man who became legendary in the literary world, Hughes possessed a passion for music and mentioned as a medium by showcasing the importance of traditional black folk music. Zorn Neal Hurst published a literary magazine that collapsed almost immediately because of funding issues, but was influential nevertheless. Hurst later achieved immortality with her book Their Eyes were Watching God. Literature was not the only art that defined the Harlem Renaissance. In fact, the music of the era may have been more significant in defining the uniqueness of the common Negro than the literary accomplishments. The music became a channel of communication, while providing inspiration to the literary achievements of writers and dramatists. Jazz surged into the arena of respectability and became symbolic as the essence of the urban way of life. The first Jazz performers were Bessie Smith, Duke Elongating, Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday. Added to this, Longboats Hughes specifically set out to bridge the gap between music and literature by adding the rhythms of Jazz into his poetry while Claude McKay used the ambiance of Jazz in his novel, Home to Harlem. Harlem Renaissance, therefore, epitomizes an attempt to combine artistic channels to construct an identity of artistic expression which is often views as the apex of human creation. It is from this view point that the Renaissance can be propelled to being much more than a metaphor which speaks to comparison, but rather this makes the Renaissance an exemplary worthy of imitation. The visual arts were also a vital component in stimulating the notion of a universality of individuality among blacks during the Harlem Renaissance. Aaron Douglas was head of the Department of Art at Fist University, where he exercised substantial influence over up and coming artists. He truly embraced the status of being the most important visual artist during the glory days of Harlem Renaissance, focusing on large murals hat brought to the fore the accomplishments of African-Americans all through history. .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 , .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 .postImageUrl , .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 , .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983:hover , .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983:visited , .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983:active { border:0!important; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983:active , .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983 .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u5da0abd6e25030c45332df024a760983:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Famous People in During the Harlem RenaissanceDouglas showed one of the undercurrents that drove the Harlem Renaissance, which was calling attention to value and contributions of blacks to the advancement of America. Implicit in that goal was the even greater goal of spurring future generations to even greater accomplishments and pride in their culture. Surely, the most long-lasting effect of the Harlem Renaissance may have been the one which entrenched upon the education of African Americans. The innovative endeavor of Negroes proved that stereotype of black inferiority was null and void. The enlightening legacy of the Harlem Renaissance was not simply one in which more blacks saw the significance of education but it was one which saw an intensification in the importance and availability of high education. After the renaissance, more African Americans than ever, enrolled in colleges and universities. However, it was education that African Americans obtained. Since the socio-political actualities of racism divided America either indirectly or openly in nearly every work of literature produced during this period, the Harlem Renaissance is acknowledged for generating militancy borne by that pursuit of knowledge. Anytime a people, who is exposed to an education system at a level they have been deprived of, it is only expected that certain quarters to identify the radical aspects of the denial of that education. Hence, there was a beginning of consciousness among African Americans across America that agreements made had not been kept from Reconstruction through World War I. The Renaissance essentially had the effect of deepening the sense of unfair discrimination by displaying how it could be achieved through much more indirect methods than chattel slavery or the Jim Crow Laws. A significant amount of the intellects of the movement urged that discrimination of this type be challenged and overcome. It could only be through education that the real issues African Americans met in a racially divided world could be dealt with, and as such the literature and art of this period forced black audiences to become to embrace education so that they could understand what they were reading or looking at. During the period of the Harlem Renaissance, African-Americans for the first time had an honest reason to experience pride and rejoice in their identity. Out of Harlem came works of literary, classical and fine arts that spoke of the contribution of their race and forced white supremacist groups to accept their contributions. In that moment in time, the entire world looked at Harlem as the future of artistic expression. The artistic works were grasped by scholars as a means of showcasing the idea that African-Americans no longer needed to classify themselves with a history of suppression and subsidiaries. The Harlem Renaissance produced novelists, poets, artists and musicians who are today considered some of the finest that America ever produced, regardless of the lour of ones skin. That, in fact, may be the ultimate achievement of the Harlem Renaissance. After the tremendous flood of artistic accomplishments that crossed every medium available, these Negro men and women and the works they created could no longer be treated with the grudging respect of great African-American art. Today the finest books, poems, music and artwork are universally recognized as simply great American art. Thus, in addition to the burst of creativity in the artistic and intellectual explosion, the Harlem Renaissance should be recognized for its nutrition to changing the self-image of the Negro; a rise in self-esteem that would eventually transform into the Civil Rights Movement of the asses and changed the identity of America forever. Indeed it was not a convenient metaphor but a celebration of African American heritage and cultural expression that continues to have positive effects on the social, intellectual and economic stature of African Americans and the Diaspora. 1. Bio True Story, Aaron Douglas Biography. 2. Houston Koala, Harlem. 3. Huggins Nathan, Harlem Renaissance (New York: Oxford University Press, 1971) . Kramer Victor and Robert Russ, Harlem Renaissance Re-Examined (New York: Whitish Publishing Company, 1997) 5.

Por vs. Para in Spanish

'Por' vs. 'Para' in Spanish Two Spanish prepositions, por and para, are usually used for the English word for. The differences between them sometimes are subtle, and thus por and para are a constant source of confusion for Spanish students. Key Takeaways: Por and Para Although both Spanish prepositions por and para can often be translated as for, they have separate meanings and can seldom be used as synonyms.Por is often used to indicate who performs an action or the reason for it being performed.Para is often used to indicate the result of an action being performed. Think of Meaning Rather than Translation If its any consolation, prepositions can be as difficult for people learning English. Why do we sometimes say something is under control, and sometimes say something is in control? Why are we in the house but at home? The rules sometimes escape logic. The key to understanding which preposition to use is to think of the meaning you want to convey. If I use a phrase such as three for a dollar in English, the for has a different meaning than it does in this book is for you. In the first case, for indicates an exchange or a rate, while in the second case it indicates an intention or direction. Thus the Spanish translation of the two phrases are different, tres por un dà ³lar and este libro es para ti. The following chart shows some of the major uses of these two prepositions, including ones not translated by for. Uses for Por Por is often used to indicate how something is done or ihe cause of an action. Although the distinction between cause and outcome isnt always clear, por generally isnt used to indicate the result of an action. Expressing movement along, through, around, by, or about: Anduve por las calles de Gijà ³n. (I walked through the streets of Gijà ³n.) Viajamos por Australia con un Land Rover. (We traveled around Australia with a Land Rover.)Denoting a time or duration when something occurs. Viajamos por tres semanas. (Were traveling for three weeks.) Debes pensar en otras personas por sà ³lo un momento. (You ought to think about other people for just a moment.)Expressing the cause (not the purpose) of an action: Me caà ­ por la nieve. (I fell down because of the snow.) Los conflictos originaron por las diferencias culturales e ideolà ³gicas. (The conflicts began because of the cultural and ideological differences.)  Hay diferencia entre comer por hambre y comer por placer. (There is a difference between eating out of hunger and eating for pleasure.)Meaning per: Dos por ciento. (Two percent.) Prefiero comer cuatro comidas por dà ­a. (I prefer eating four meals per day.) Por can also be trans lated as a when a is a preposition: Leo un libro por semana. (I read one book a week.) Meaning supporting or in favor of: Trabajamos por derechos humanos. (We work for human rights.) No puedo votar por el presidente. (I cant vote for the president.)Introducing the agent of an action after a passive verb:. For this reason, por is often used in stating the author of a book or other composition:  Fue escrito por Bob Woodward. (It was written by Bob Woodward.) Ser comido por las aves. (It will be eaten by the birds.)Indicating means of transportation: Viajarà © por avià ³n. (I will travel by plane.)  Quiero llegar a Venezuela por barco. (I want to arrive at Venezuela by ship.)Used in numerous expressions: Por ejemplo. (For example.) Por favor. (Please, literally as a favor.) Uses for Para Para is often used to indicate the outcome of an action or to indicate who or what is affected by an action. Meaning for the purpose of or in order to: Para bailar la bamba, necesita una poca de gracia. (In order to dance the bamba you need a little grace.) Los buses se usan para ir a la frontera. (The buses are used for going to the border.)With a noun or pronoun as object, meaning for the benefit of or directed to: Es para usted. Its for you. Necesitamos mucho dinero para el desarrollo del paà ­s. (We need a lot of money for the countrys development.)Meaning to or in the direction of when referring to a place: Voy para Europa. (Im heading to Europe.) Salimos para el almuerzo. (We are leaving for lunch.)Meaning by or for when referring to a specific time: Necesito el regalo para maà ±ana. (I need the gift for tomorrow.) Vamos a la casa de mi madre para el fin de semana. (Were going to my mothers for the weekend.)

A report for Real Coffee LTD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

A report for Real Coffee LTD - Essay Example Under such circumstances entrepreneurs face non-negligible challenges in controlling and executing the business functions in a smooth fashion, given the obstacles in the form of staff management, delegation of power and business opportunities identification as well as their subsequent achievements (Welter, 2010). Correspondingly, it has been viewed that Real Coffee Ltd., which is a small chain of coffee shops has been facing challenges to maintain a desired level of employee retention rate. The main objective of this paper is therefore, to provide a detailed analysis of the external and internal analysis of the business. Based on the analysis, the discussion further intends to provide rational suggestions that would help in understanding on how curtained changes in the business can help Real Coffee Ltd. to meet its organizational goal. Part 1: External Analysis Consumer Buying Behaviour UK is observed to be amongst the top ten countries that dealt in coffee around the globe as of 201 1. It is worth mentioning that coffee is also measured to be the third-favourite non-alcoholic drink in the country. Over the year, it has been viewed that in the UK, the chain of coffee shops had grown 5.6% and contributed almost 29.1% market share by 2005. However, it has been viewed that independent and local coffee shops only grew by 2% and faced considerable amount of challenges over the year. Economic disturbance in the UK is also assumed to have affected the customer’s behaviours of drinking coffee. For instance, it was viewed that the coffee market grew by 17% from 2005 to 2009, again out of which, 57% of the total consumers 47% of the customers preferred sitting in coffee shops and 8.3 preferred take away services (Business Case Studies LLP, 2013). Moreover, it has also been viewed that today’s teenagers and young adults frequently visit cafes, which replicates it to be a growing trend. A thorough understanding of the consumer buying behaviour also revealed th at about 37% of the coffee consumers prefer black coffee in the UK, while the remaining 63% like to add sweetener with it. 57% of the total consumers further stated to prefer having it at breakfast (Liang & Wu, n.d.). Increasing Competitors Globalization and the rapid technological aspect is not only considered to be a boon for every individual and business house, which aims at establishing themselves at the global market, but is also stated to be a course for small business houses with limited resources. Coffee market in the UK is considered to be one of the largest industries. With the increasing adaption of coffee by the people worldwide, whereby many multinational organizations are being established in the nation creating greater competiveness for smaller coffee shops, it has been viewed that although, small shops provide better quality products at lesser price, people prefer going to branded stores like Costa and Starbuck as a symbolisation of economic status in the society (Ho spitality & Catering News, 2013). According to a survey conducted by Euromonitior international (2012), it was viewed th

Addiction Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Addiction - Research Proposal Example The problem of gambling is bigger than the individual, social group or a community. Understanding and preventing it, is therefore important for the society as well as for the country. Before one can write about gambling, one must understand the nature of its addiction. Addiction according to Henderson is "a complicated condition, with biological, physiological, psychological, behavioral and spiritual aspects. For this reason it is best to think of...addiction as multifaceted disorders, only one of which is the compulsive use of the addicting substance." (3) Individuals who are addicted (whether to alcohol, drugs, gambling or sex etc.) demonstrate particular behavior such as loss of control over the behavior, and continue to engage in the addiction despite negative consequences (Henderson 4). From a behavioral perspective addiction according to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition) can be defined as an abuse or dependency which has negative consequences and interferes with important obligations, and causes noticeable distress or significant impairment in functioning. The criteria for dependence also include those that indicate physiological dependence as well as a loss of control as evidenced b repeated unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut down." (Henderson 6). Gambling, according to Collins, is a sequence of activities which involve two or more parties willing to place at risk something of value known as the stakes. They engage in this activity in the hope of wining some of greater value called the prize. The winner or loser is determined by the outcome of events that is known as the result. Gambling by definition does not make the gambler addict. This is because it is essentially a game in which the participants may undertake the activities commercially or in private situations (Collins 15). Gambling is an addiction for some people. Addicted gamblers tend to be

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census Essay Example for Free

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census Essay What do the terms race and ethnicity mean to you? Why are these concepts important to United States society? Race is usually defined by the color of a person’s skin such as black, or white. These words are used very frequently. Ethnicity is a more proper way to define us as people and usually refers to our cultural background/ancestry. For example: Africans, African Americans, Caucasians, and Hispanics. These concepts are important to the United States because of the diversity, and all walks of life, census plays a big role. Our ethnicity/race is what distinctively separates us from one another by groups. Also according to (Office Of Management and budget August 28,1995) In 1977, OMB issued the Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting that are set forth in Statistical Policy Directive No. 15. The standards in this Directive have been used for almost two decades throughout the Federal government for recordkeeping, collection, and presentation of data on race and Hispanic origin. The standards have been used in two decennial censuses and in surveys of the population, data collections necessary for meeting statutory requirements associated with civil rights monitoring and enforcement, and in other administrative program reporting. Data collection agencies have legislative authority to collect racial and ethnic data needed for Federal programs and in the case of the decennial census, for redistricting. They also use racial and ethnic data for analyses of social, economic, and health trends for population groups. Basically it is important for them to collect this info for federal, business, and statistical reasons. References: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg_race-ethnicity

Pakistans Relationship with IMF and World Bank Essay -- Pakistan Econ

Pakistan's Relationship with IMF and World Bank My topic deals with Pakistan, its relationship with the IMF and World Bank, and its internal problems that are causing unemployment, poverty, economic crisis and hunger. I shall be analyzing the situation using the neo-classical theory, as it is what the economists of the Pakistan government and the IMF are using to alleviate the economic instability of the country. Situated in the sub-continent, Pakistan is a low-income country, with great promise for growth. Unfortunately, it is held back from reaching middle-income status by chronic problems like a rapidly growing population, sizable government deficits, a heavy dependence on foreign aid, recurrent governmental instability and large military expenditures. It is to address these fundamental faults in Pakistan’s economy that the IMF has initiated the Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) in the country. This is discussed in further detail later in the paper. Like all developing countries, Pakistan’s population is largely employed in the agricultural sector, which accounts for about 48 percent of the labor force. In today’s world the Industrial and Service sectors are the largest growing areas of a developed county’s economy. Yet Pakistan only employs 39 percent of its population in Service, and a minute 13 percent in Industry. This is a paltry figure, compared to the employment statistics of a developed country. Pakistan is also heavily dependent on a single export crop, cotton. Hence the country’s fortunes rise and fall with the cotton market. It is no wonder that there are so many poverty stricken people in Pakistan. When almost half the population is involved in a very volatile market, a lot of the time, a lot of people will be burnt by price fluctuations. The country is also subject to the mercy of the weather. Focussing on a major cash crop means very little diversification. This translates to mass hunger and hard times for the agricultural sector whenever the agrarian lands are ravaged by floods, or conversely, by droughts. Even more importantly, Pakistan’s agricultural sector is marked by large landowners, controlling most of the production. Hence, only a minimal amount of the profit from exports goes to the poor people working for the large farmers. It is these people who constitute a large portion of P... ... what appears to be an inevitable crash of its economy. The situation of the poor and under privileged could also be alleviated eventually as long as the government decides to start spending money on developing an infrastructure that can help feed the hungry by providing them with jobs. Nevertheless, there are no easy options left. Only the painful ones remain. It is, however, important that the pain of reform be distributed equitably, and not born largely by the poorer classes, as is very often the case. There are tough times ahead. Unfortunately, there is little evidence that the Pakistani ruling elite is aware of the gravity of the situation; or that it has what it will take to steer the country out of its mess. Bibliography: Bibliography: Andleeb Abbas, ‘Pakistan: A Puppet on the IMF Chain’ M Sharif, ‘IMF tranche $280 mn: Prof. M Rashid, ‘Fracturing Social Change’ IMF online resources World Bank online resources Pakistan Budget Report, 98-99 Dialogue between IMF and Pakistan, ’99 Lappe, Collins, Rosset, Esparza, ‘World Hunger’ Prof. Dr. M.A. Hussein Mullick, ‘Pulling the country out of its present financial crisis: the challenge for the present regime’

Is the Panama Canal Sustainable?

The Panama Canal was completed in 1914 by the United States. The 51 mile long route cuts through Panama at the narrowest point between North and South America to connect the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Panama is in Central America between Columbia and Costa Rica. The Panama Canal The canal was built to and save ships from Europe and Africa going the entire way around the bottom tip of South America (the red route on the map), to reach western Asia. The canal cuts through Panama and allows most ships to pass through it so save on cost and time (the green route on the map). By building this canal, shipping has been given an enormous advantage, as ships no longer have to sail around the tip of South America to reach either ocean and sailing time is drastically reduced. Investigating the natural environment The climate in Panama is hot and humid, with a prolonged rainy season (May to January) and a short dry season (January to May). The region's normal daily temperature is 26 degrees Celsius and varies little throughout the year, perhaps 2-3 degrees. During the evening hours, however, the temperatures change more considerably, and can fluctuate as much as 6-10 degrees Celsius. There is a climate graph below showing the climatic conditions in Panama. Climate, rainfall and humidity graphs for Panama This graph shows that the rainy season does last from May to January and month with the highest rainfall in November with 569mm and the lowest rainfall in February with about 40mm of rain. This graph also shows that the average temperature throughout the year is around 26 degrees. There is very little seasonal variation in temperature but there are large seasonal fluctuations in rainfall. The humidity chart shows that the humidity is also high throughout the year, peaking between June and November, but only varying by 9% over the whole year. So between June and November, there is high humidity, high rainfall and on average, only 5 hours of sunshine a day as apposed to the 8 or 9 hours from January to April. A Sketch map of the panama region This map shows the rainforest and where the locks and the reservoirs are located. Man has had to create these reservoirs for the canal to function properly, meaning man has modified the drainage area. In order to make the reservoirs, much of the land has had to be flooded, rainforests and settlements also. This meant that many habitats were destroyed and many animals would have died as a result. Not only this, but substantial amounts of rainforest would have had to have been destroyed, that lay in the canal path and where the afore mentioned reservoirs are, again destroying habitats and killing animals. Along the route of the canal there is a series of 3 sets of locks that lower and raise the ships on their way to and from Atlantic and Pacific oceans. These locks are called the Gatun, Pedro Miguel and the Mira Flores locks. At Gatun there are 2 parallel sets of locks each consisting of 3 flights. This set of locks lift ships a total of 26 metres. The locks are constructed from concrete. More than 1.53 million cubic metres of concrete were used in the construction of the Gatun locks alone. The smallest set of locks along the Panama Canal are at Pedro Miguel and have one flight which raise or lower ships 10 metres. The Mira Flores locks have two flights with a combined lift or decent of 16.5 metres. Investigating the Social Environment Panama City is the largest city in panama. Its metropolitan area contains nearly one third of the nations inhabitants, about 1 million people. From 1980 to 1990 the city's population grew from 386,300 to 413,000. After 1990 the population again grew rapidly, increasing to 688,927. The city cannot cope with such rapid growth and there isn't enough accommodation for the whole population, so shantytowns start appearing, these are clusters of shacks, which the people build themselves. They make their ‘houses' out of anything they can find, corrugated iron, tyres and the like. These shantytowns accommodate only the poorest of the population as the richer citizens can afford the higher house prices in the city. This rapid urbanisation and the development of the shantytowns makes Panama City much more polluted. The shantytowns sprawl out from the City centre and start to intrude on the rainforests, then posing an ecological threat and threatening the sustainability of the Panama Canal. Urbanisation level This graph shows the percentage of urbanisation over the past 15 years and the predicted levels of the next 20 years. According to this graph urbanization is set to increase steadily over the next 25 years. The Panamanian government are moving people into the rainforest to give them a chance to rebuild lives and to escape the mass urbanisation and unhygienic conditions of the shantytowns. This relieves the congestion in the city and gives people new opportunities. Investigating the Economic Environment The Panama Canal is generating a lot of money for the people of Panama; it is not only a strong business and a power source, but a tourist attraction too. Many visitors come to visit the canal and bring a lot of revenue into the area, encouraging businesses to grow and prosper. The ships must pay over 15 hundred dollars to use the canal, so this brings a lot of revenue into the area. The Panama Canal can make the quality of life increase on one hand, but decrease on the other. The Canal brings a lot of revenue into the area although it can divide the social classes. The Canal creates a richer class, which are the people that profit from the canal, who continue to get richer as the canal brings in more and more money and a poorer class, as they have to move into the rainforest and live off the land with little or no money. It could also introduce crime into the area as the canal creates richer areas, with more valuable things in it, and with the poorer people living close by in the shantytowns, it is an open invitation for crime. If the Canal had to close, Panama would economically suffer immensely. Its main source of income would have dried up and the country's wealth would go down dramatically as a result. The shipping companies that use the canal would also suffer incalculably as their ships would have to sail around the tip of South America to reach the eastern world. Panama would have massive problems then with urbanisation, as people would flock to the city in hope of jobs, therefore the shantytowns will rapidly increase in size, posing new problems to the city. The Canal and it's reservoirs supply 700 000 people with fresh water. If the reservoirs cease to operate, then these people's water supply will be cut off. Evaluation If the Panamanian rainforest is cut down too much, the consequences will be dire. The canal will not be able to function properly as there will not be enough water in the reservoirs to sustain the canal. The tree's roots hold together the soil so if the trees are cut down during deforestation, then the soil becomes loose and with the huge amounts of rain that the area receives much of the soil will be washed away, into the reservoirs that feed the canal. If vast amounts of soil wash into the reservoirs then the soil occupies some of the volume of the reservoir, volume that could have been taken up by water. This means that the reservoirs cannot hold as much water as they were designed to hold. As the canal relies solely upon these reservoirs, depletion in the amount of water the reservoir could take would harm the canal's efficiency as every ship that travels through the canal takes with it an immense amount of water so there would not be the water available to work the canal, ultimately ensuring the closure of the waterway. Solutions The water in the lakes has been going down because of deforestation. The government have made a new â€Å"organic law† that allows the government to have the final say for any projects in the watershed zone. Three million dollars is being set aside to combat any environmental plans and satellite imaging is being set up so the government can view the area on a much larger scale and can see the real extent of the damage. This should enable the government to act quickly if they can see a potential threat. The Government must also regulate urbanisation as a spread of Panama City's unplanned, chaotic urbanization into the watershed would spell disaster for the canal, electricity supplies, and clean drinking water. However, the government are not perhaps taking the issue as seriously as they should be. In 1995, the government gave permission for a four-lane road to be built in the lower catchment of the watershed, ploughing straight through the national park. The Panama Canal can be sustainable if the correct precautions are taken to ensure that urbanisation and deforestation do not increase any more, otherwise, they will spiral out of control and the panama canal will have to close, ending many, many businesses in the local area and around the world.