"Conventional wisdom holds that governments that deliver economic prosperity tend to secure re-election whereas those associated with economic failure tend to lose office." Discussed in respect to the 2001 general election.

"Conventional wisdom holds that governments that deliver economic prosperity tend to secure re-election whereas those associated with economic failure tend to lose office." (Sanders and Brynin). Given that the 1997 General Election was held after a prolonged period of economic recovery in Britain, how can one explain the outcome? What does it tell us about the value of perspectives that link economic prosperity or failure with election outcomes? Briefly consider your findings in the light of the 2001 general election. (You will be given credit for discussing the methodological problems that arise in this type of analysis.) "It's the economy stupid" is the famous response (ever since Bill Clinton coined it in his 1992 election campaign) to people who ask what matters in an election. It is certainly true to say that there is a lot of evidence from electoral research that voters' choices are conditioned heavily by economic conditions and by their view of the ability of competing parties to manage those conditions. However, as this essay will show it is people's perception of the economy and how the parties can manage it, rather than the actual economic prosperity of the country, that affects how people vote. It can also be argued how far other factors affect voting choice, especially in the post 1997 election period. Ever since the explanatory power of social class

  • Word count: 2929
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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"Convictions are more dangerous enemies than truths than lies" (Nietzsche). If this is true, why is it that man has an insatiable thirst for truth?

"Convictions are more dangerous enemies than truths than lies" (Nietzsche). If this is true, why is it that man has an insatiable thirst for truth? Could it be that perhaps out own perceptions and opinions are casting shadows on the real validities , or simply that because everyone has a different way of interpreting things, there are an infinite amount of truths to be found.? The real question here is whether personal points of view hinder the search for raw truth or are assets in gaining the most complete forms of deeper understanding. It is our personal perspectives that motivate our innate thirst for knowledge in the first place. Without this disposition to quench out starving opinions, such passionate searches for knowledge and wisdom would never occur. Through examining three types of knowledge: factual knowledge that is considered to be ultimate truth (mathematics and science are often considered part of this group), religion or faith knowledge, and philosophical or contemplative knowledge, one can see the importance of perception as an asset and a creator for the specific knowledge pursuit. Personal perspectives create a never-ending search for truth because it gives every subject an infinite amount of truths; therefore, personal points of view are not only assets in the pursuit of knowledge, but the cause of it itself. Factually, people can perceive things

  • Word count: 1474
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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"Corporate governance is neither regional nor parochial in nature. It is of global provenance. Comment on these statements."

Student Number: 011072605 Module: EC32810 Lecturer: Dr Lynn Lim Deadline: Monday, 18th April, 2005 Handed In: Monday, 18th April, 2005 Word Limit: 1,500 Word Count: 1458 excluding Bibliography Title "Corporate governance is neither regional nor parochial in nature. It is of global provenance. Comment on these statements." Executive Summary Firstly, I will take a look into the situation of corporate governance, and to then see its effect on a global scale to justify, or falsify, the statement that "corporate governance is neither regional nor parochial in nature. It is of global provenance." To do this I will use various resources, including lecture notes, textbooks, Internet websites, and online journals, not to mention case studies, to define what corporate governance is and to then analyse its placing on a global or national scale. Only then will I be in a position to fully discuss the topic, and title, raised. Main Content and Discussion Corporate governance is indeed a world-wide phenomenon, not simply a national or regional idea. It dictates the way in which companies are run throughout the world, having says in the control of companies. It is the way in which Corporate Boards and officers decided to handle the affairs of their corporations, being defined by Sir Adrian Cadbury in 1992 as "the system by which organisations are directed and controlled"1.

  • Word count: 1686
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Business and Administrative studies
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"Corporate Japan Says Consumers Will Drive Economic Recovery," - discuss

The article which I have chosen "Corporate Japan Says Consumers Will Drive Economic Recovery," manifests an improvement in consumer spending levels in Japan. In my analysis, I will make an attempt to identify the causes for a boost in consumer confidence levels, and how it affects the national income of Japan, thus revealing an overall effect on the economy. Corporations in Japan have started to breathe easier due to a higher demand for their products by Japanese consumers. In this view, economists and corporate executives are reckoning that this is an indication of economic recovery, also doubling their forecasts to 3.5%. Bigger pay bonuses and improved capital spending is spurring demand for air conditioners, beer, flat panel televisions sets, and many other consumer electronics. Capital spending is the non-residential fixed investment in the Gross National Product (GNP); consists of business outlays on fixed assets like office buildings, as well as purchase of long lived items as trucks, office and farm equipment. Capital spending is one of the major components of economics growth, the other being consumer spending. An economic model of the flow of money in the economy becomes significant when such a situation is being analyzed. A simplified version of the flow of money is shown below: From the above mentioned situation we can tell that as households start to spend

  • Word count: 970
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Business Studies
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"Criminal Law and morality are inherently connected. It would not be possible to separate the two even if this were thought to be a good idea in principle."

"Criminal Law and morality are inherently connected. It would not be possible to separate the two even if this were thought to be a good idea in principle." Before approaching the argument as to whether or not criminal law and morality are inherently connected, I believe that it is essential for us to understand the two terms clearly. Criminal law is by definition a set of rules, which embody community values of what is wrong and harmful. Ideally it seeks to protect society and individual's rights although it must me said that in a situation wherein there is a clash between the two the former is often given more preference than the latter. Morality is basically a set of principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior. If we assume that a crime is an immoral act one can easily conclude that criminal rules and moral rules are one and the same. But the crucial question that we are posed with is this: Are all crimes immoral? I for one believe that there are some immoral acts, which are not crimes and vice versa. I will discuss this aspect as I proceed with the remainder of my essay. A brief look at the origin of the law or the application of the law in ancient times will makes its inherent connection with morality very evident. In ancient times, morality and religion were synonymous. Both the lawmakers and the laws they dictated were

  • Word count: 1548
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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"Critic Raymond Williams has said that there can be no one definition of tragedy: tragic experiences are dependant on period and context. Examine the presentation of tragic experiences in your text in the light of this comment."

English Essay "Critic Raymond Williams has said that there can be no one definition of tragedy: tragic experiences are dependant on period and context. Examine the presentation of tragic experiences in your text in the light of this comment." Tragedy has evolved over time from the original concept produced by the Greeks, through Shakespearean Tragedy to Modern Tragedy as used by playwrights such as Arthur Miller. Tragedy is defined as a play dealing with tragic events and ending unhappily with the downfall of the protagonist. More specifically, tragedy has evolved into a specific form, typically with a prologue, two or three acts and an epilogue which tell the story of how the natural order is distorted and then restored after the downfall of the protagonist. Their downfall comes as a result of their fatal flaw, or hamartia. Examples of this include Macbeth and ambition, Hamlet and indecision and Eddie Carbone and pride. Wuthering Heights contains a variety of tragic experiences, many of which involve Heathcliff in both himself and his dealings with other characters. Heathcliff can be portrayed as the tragic hero in Wuthering Heights. If his social position is taken at face value - in that he is nothing more than a homeless orphan who is taken in by the altruistic Mr Earnshaw - then his meteoric rise in social position after initial degradation, ending with his death and

  • Word count: 1269
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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"Critically analyse the construction of 'race'/ethnicity in the context of a particular sporting subculture: What's the difference between black and white, or is it white and black? A critical analysis on the perceptions of racism in English soccer.

"Critically analyse the construction of 'race'/ethnicity the context of a particular sporting subculture: What's the difference between black and white, or is it white and black? A critical analysis on the perceptions of racism in English soccer from fans, players and the media." Although sport has long been associated with a myth that it offers an avenue of social mobility for socio-economically deprived groups (Maguire, in Jarive 1991; Jones, 2002), racism continues to be a problem in football across Europe. Racism in football (since the first black players emerged) has always been a problem, many perceive that it will always remain a problem, however most are hopeful that in time the problem will be eradicated. But what actually constitutes racism? Does it have to be overt; from white Right-Wing Neo-Nazi's and/or football hooligans protesting against the presence of coloured individuals in the game, can it be covert institutional racism where black players have to try harder to impress (and therefore succeed) in comparison to white players to prove their worth in the game, or is it yet another form of racism from the unsuspecting, i.e. football commentators complimenting white players of 'intelligent' passing or runs off the ball, and the constant referral to black players for their strength and speed? Either way, the examples given here are all racist, and they are only

  • Word count: 1302
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Gatsby is said to be not quite credible for Gatsby, divided between power and dream, comes to inevitability to stand for America itself." This statement is true, but only from the viewpoint that its basic premise is correct.

"Gatsby is said to be not quite credible for Gatsby, divided between power and dream, comes to inevitability to stand for America itself." This statement is true, but only from the viewpoint that its basic premise is correct. Gatsby isn't credible as a character if he comes to stand "for America itself", true, but I believe that Gatsby represents the American Dream. James Gatz is America. Jay Gatsby is the reincarnation of the idealism of the early pioneers. This is because Gatsby, like the Dream, stems from an idealist's 'platonic self-conception'. When the Dutch pioneers first saw America, they saw "a fresh green breast of the new world ... face to face ... with something commensurate to [their] capacity for wonder.". This New World was huge and full of possibilities for the pioneers - this is the same way James Gatz sees the world through his 17-year old eyes. This New World, however, was so full of possibilities that their path must be cautiously plotted to achieve maximum fulfilment from the new Continent. And so, the American Dream is born. Success and pleasure in a classless society are its primary components. History repeats itself with James Gatz (as history is wont to do) as he meticulously carves his life out of the edifice of endless possibility his young mind perceives ahead of him. The carving takes the shape of Jay Gatsby, and Gatz is well pleased. The carving,

  • Word count: 908
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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"Gender Roles are culturally rather than biologically produced" - Discuss and give examples from sociological studies.

Neville Borg Sociology A-level "Gender Roles are culturally rather than biologically produced" Discuss and give examples from sociological studies Societies have always placed great importance on differences between males and females, both in positive, as well as in negative manners. Some societies have used them as a justification to ostracize members of the other sex, whilst other societies have tried to exalt the both sexes. These differences are both biological and psychological. This is reflected in the difference between the terms 'Gender' and 'Sex'. 'Sex' refers to the biological, anatomical differences between males and females, whilst 'Gender' refers to the psychological, social and cultural differences between them. This is why sex is a biological construct and gender is a social construct. A person's sex is an innate quality, but a person acquires his/her gender through a process called gender socialization. This is the learning of a particular social role according to one's sex. Through this process, a person learns what is masculine and feminine and learns to act accordingly. The period in a person's life when this process begins and ends is debatable. In fact, some sociologists argue that it begins at infancy, whilst others state that it takes place later in a child's life. Amongst the various theories of gender learning, Sigmund Freud's stands out as

  • Word count: 1469
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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"Gendering of domestic work? Divisions of domestic work between brothers and sisters."

"GENDERING OF DOMESTIC WORK? DIVISIONS OF DOMESTIC WORK BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS" JANELE SHILLINGFORD AS SOCIOLOGY COURSWORK Sociology Coursework. Title "Gendering of domestic work? Divisions of domestic work between brothers and sisters." Aim The aim is to demonstrate whether there are divisions of domestic work between brothers and sister's. Using Feminist theory in a local study, I will explore Oakley's theory that "femininity is domesticity" and the concept of parental gender stereotypes. I have decided to emulate this aim because, although I have a brother of similar age and in my household domestic chores are shared, I tend to do more than my brother does. This influenced me as I chose this topic, to research for similarities in other households. (87 words) Context and Concepts Ann Oakley's research on "conjugal" roles conducted in the early 1970's, investigated women's attitudes towards housework, this was the influence for my piece. Although it may be considered timelocked, nevertheless, I believe that her findings are justified as they illustrate a researched feminist explanation of stereotypical gender roles. The study focuses on female's opinions on the divisions between husband and wife domesticity, this influenced me to research her concept that "femininity is domesticity" but concerning divisions between brothers and sister domesticity.

  • Word count: 1299
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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