Advantages and Disadvantages of Homeschooling

Table of Contents Introduction Why Home School? Challenges of Home Schooling Conclusion Works Cited Introduction Homeschooling refers to the form of education that takes place in a home setup and usually without the restrictions that are found in a traditional education system (Cogan 1). The parent or guardian of the child plays the major role of being a teacher.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Advantages and Disadvantages of Homeschooling specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Lyman (1) defines home schooling as the art of educating children of school going age at home instead of having to take them to some school. Approaches to homeschooling are as varied as the number of people who opt for it (Lyman 1). Although it may appear as a new concept, Cogan (1) explains that the concept of homeschooling has been with us for a very long time. In the past, it was regarded as the only option available for a majority of peo ple unable to afford the cost of hiring teachers for their children (Cogan 1). For many parents wishing to start homeschooling, the main concern is whether or not they can effectively be able to teach (Jones 1). With the advent of formal education, homeschooling lost popularity at some point. This saw a tremendous decline in the number of children under the homeschooling program. This trend has now been reversed leading to an increased number of people changing to homeschooling (Cogan 1). According to Lyman, the continuous rise in the number of home schooled students is a clear indication of the amount of dissatisfaction with the quality of education delivered at schools (1). According to Ray (1), the concept of home schooling is nothing really new. Ray argues that most people who advocate for this kind of education are very much aware of the fact that it is not in any way, a new idea (Ray 1). The recent past has seen a notable growth in the area of home schooling with a good number of parents gaining confidence in the system. This advancement in homeschooling is attributed to the fact that the traditional education system is dogged with some serious issues; poor discipline and decreased quality of education among others. Why Home School? According to Jones (1), every family including those who send their children to school is in one way or another homeschooling with others putting in more time than others.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Lyman (1) observed that there are a number of reasons that make people opt for home schooling. Some parents are very much concerned about the increasing crimes at school as well as indiscipline. Others are dismayed by the diminishing education standard. The bureaucratic setup at schools is also blamed for the mass exodus of parents and their children from a school based learning environment (Lyman 1). There has also been a subs tantial reduction in the cost of education and most families are able to establish stronger family ties (Lyman 1). Supporters of homeschooling have strongly argued that it makes it possible to develop an education plan that directly meets the needs of an individual rather than a whole class (Mead 2). A common thought shared by most students who have undergone homeschooling is the fact that the program enables one to think for themselves and this to them is quite valuable (Mead 3). Jones (1) sees this as a very a key objective and therefore, a major motivation for those choosing homeschooling. People may also choose homeschooling for reasons that may be religious, academic and at times, for their own personal needs (Jones 1). Challenges of Home Schooling Even though the idea of homeschooling is becoming very popular, it has various challenges. One of the major concerns raised has to do with the socialization of the homeschooled children. These children may grow up in a setup that com pletely denies them a chance to meet and interact with other people. Later, they get shocked when they join college only to discover that they were not well socialized. They begin to face problems dealing with other people who were not brought up like they were (Lyman 2). Fitting in a controlled setup later in life may also become a challenge for the homeschooled students (Lyman 3). A similar argument is presented by Mead (2) who made similar observations. From an environment that is to some extent closed these students have to now learn how to deal with the outside world (Mead 2). Although proponents of homeschooling claim that there are numerous avenues such as the church or events for homeschooling students available for purposes of socialization, exposing the students to a comprehensive educational experience is just next to impossible (Cogan 1).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Advantages and Disadvantages of Homeschooling specifically for you fo r only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Testimonies by some who have gone through homeschooling show that despite the many advantages of homeschooling, the traditional education system presents children with a thorough preparation for what is ahead in life (Mead 3). Conclusion Although there are a number of challenges with the homeschooling system, there is a very high likelihood that if implemented in a well thought out manner, there are distinct advantages. Parents who are afraid of subjecting their children to the traditional schooling system where there is increased indiscipline and decline in the quality of education, and are considering homeschooling for their children will need to more creative. They should endeavor to provide their children with opportunities to interact with the outside world. This will ensure that as they instill discipline in the children, they are also able to prepare them to face the future in a world that is full of hostility. Works Cited Coga n, Michael F. Exploring Academic Outcomes of Homeschooled Students. Journal of College Admission, summer 2010, pp. 1-10., 2010. Jones, Lillian. Introduction to Homeschooling. California: HomeSchool Association of California. 2009. Web. Lyman, Isabel. Homeschooling: Back to the Future? Washington, DC: Cato Institute. 1998. Web. Mead, Tyra L. Singing the Praises of Home – Schooling. New York: Hearst Communications Inc. 1999. Web.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Ray, Brian D. Homeschoolers on to College: What Research Shows Us. Journal of College Admission, Fall 2004, pp. 1- 10., 2004. This essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Homeschooling was written and submitted by user Liana G. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Derivation Principle of Revenue Allocation in Nigeria The WritePass Journal

Derivation Principle of Revenue Allocation in Nigeria 1. CHAPTER ONE Derivation Principle of Revenue Allocation in Nigeria 1. CHAPTER ONEINTRODUCTION2. CHAPTER TWO2.1.   INTRODUCTION2.2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Brief History About the Principle of Derivation in Nigeria2.3. What is Expected3. CHAPTER THREE3.1.   Current Percentage Derivation3.2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Problems and Dissatisfaction with the Current System4. CHAPTER FOUR4.1.   Advantages and Challenges4.2.   Advantages4.2.1.  Ã‚   Economic Diversification4.2.2.  Ã‚   Human Capacity Development4.2.3.  Ã‚   Investment and Job Creation4.2.4.  Ã‚   Proper Development4.2.5.   Reduction of Hostility4.3.   Challenges4.3.1. Political and Capacity Problems4.3.2.  Ã‚   High Dependence on Oil Proceeds  Ã‚      4.3.3.  Ã‚   Legal Regimes4.3.4.    The Game with Fiscal Federalism in Nigeria5. CHAPTER FIVE5.1.   CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATIONSBIBLIOGRAPHYRelated 1. CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Revenue allocation in Nigeria has been one of the most intractable and controversial issues. Particularly, the `principle of derivation’ has been highly contentious in the country’s fiscal federalism since oil discovery in 1958. The derivation principle seeks to allocate natural resource (say oil and gas) revenues accruable to the federation’s account[1] on the basis that is perceived to be equitable, given particular consideration to the resource-producing states and regions. Since the introduction of the principle by the then colonial administration, the formula underlying it has undergone numerous retrogressive alterations, following a pattern that has concentrated revenues with the central (federal) government. The percentage revenue due to producing states has declined from the initial 50% share to 1% in the 1990’s, and subsequently was increased again to a currently 13% share which does not reflect full offshore derived revenues. This has been considered unfair and unacceptable by the producing states especially Akwa-Ibom and Ondo states whose oil is virtually 100% offshore, which technically limits their benefits from the principle of derivation. This has resulted to the continuously seen agitations by these states for equitable share of her God given natural endowment for its effective development. The equitability proposed by the derivation principle in its original sense is of great importance because it is an instrument that can promote diversification of revenue generation streams for the country and support economic development as well as reduce the hostility in the Niger Delta and any other resource rich region in the future. States and regions with natural resource endowments other than oil and gas will now be compelled to develop these natural resource(s) and hence, benefit from the principle. Unfortunately, the principle has been highly compromised by various political and ethnocentric factors, leaving the producing states (minority) with very low percentage derivation. This paper seeks to explore this interesting subject as it analysis the derivation principle with respect to the actual expectations from it, and then present the advantages and challenges. . Chapter two defines and explains the derivation principle and the expectations that are associated with it; Chapter three presents the problems and dissatisfaction of the current derivation percentage; Chapter four presents the advantages and challenges (including the Peruvian example) of the actual principle, and Chapter five concludes. 2. CHAPTER TWO 2.1.   INTRODUCTION The principle of derivation is a component of fiscal federalism and ensures that a region or state retains a certain percentage from oil tax revenues derived from the exploitation and extraction of natural resources (like oil and gas) in its territory. This revenue is calculated based on the direct contributions from a natural resource state. As it was originally practiced, after deduction of the percentage derivation, the remainder is sent to the federation’s account for onward sharing among all states. Unfortunately, today the case is different. 2.2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Brief History About the Principle of Derivation in Nigeria The principle was first open to discussion in 1946 by the Phillipson commission who regarded it as a way of making regions with natural resources benefit from their God given endowment based on contribution to the central revenue pot (Adebayo, 1988). The principle of derivation became the major basis of revenue allocation between 1954 and 1957 due to the dominance of Nigerian’s export market by the three main ethnic groups[2] especially with cocoa from the West (Anugwom, 2001). From the period of oil discovery in 1958, the percentage derivation due for mineral producing states began to decline. This trend called for concern when recommendations made by the Binns commission of 1964 rejected the principle as part of the revenue allocation formula. When the military took over power in 1966, it set up an interim committee (Dina committee) that again recommended the derivation principle due to its relevance. The committee argued that the rent from the onshore oil exploration be fully given to the state from which the extraction was made, while 10% of the royalties be shared on derivation (Ekpo, 2004). However, the military government rejected the committee’s recommendations and then enacted Decree 13 of 1970, which adopted a revenue allocation formula on the basis of 50% on equality of states and 50% on population, retaining derivation only on onshore exploration. This favoured the non-oil producing states (majority) than the producing minority. By this t ime oil contributed about 70% of the total revenue accruing to the federation’s account. The principle has continued to undergo retrogressive changes as different administrations took over power. 2.3. What is Expected Considering the evolution of the principle of derivation and the rationale behind its applicability prior to the discovery of oil in Nigeria, it is expected in a fair sense, and in the absence of true federalism in Nigeria that the principle bequeathed to us by the founding fathers be maintained. Different bodies and groups have continued to call for the original 50% derivation used in the era when groundnut from the North and cocoa from the West dominated the country’s export market. For Example, The Kaiama declaration[3] of 1998 lamented the declining trend of the percentage derivation since the discovery of oil in the Niger Delta, and called for a reverse of the principle. This is what the oil rich Niger Delta region continues to ask for, since federalism in Nigeria has become a politically manipulated practice by the power dominant majority, creating a serious barrier to the resource control agitators. The expected percentage derivation should be able to reflect positively on the citizenry under normal circumstances (checks and balances). 3. CHAPTER THREE 3.1.   Current Percentage Derivation Fiscal federalism in Nigeria is a system that is practically shallow compared to the actuality of the system. When juxtaposed with practices in some federal states like Canada, Australia, USA etc, it can be rightly said that the Nigerian Practice is far from rigorous. In the above mentioned states, constituent tiers of government have exclusive (full) control over natural resources in their respective territories, but pay necessary taxes to their central (federal) governments. However, Nigeria has adopted a system many now refer to as fiscal centralism (where revenue allocation and fiscal policies are left to the central government) and not the fiscal federalism (decentralised and devolved revenue allocation and fiscal policies) it so claims to practice. Despite Nigeria’s developing state, it would have been possible to maintain the expected principle, especially now that the local work force has improved. However, political sentiments have been applied in administering the percentage derivation due to natural resource producing states. This practice has indeed fall short of its expectation due to this political manoeuvring of reaping revenues to the central government; where the ethnic majority and non-oil producing states have higher control of power, and in return providing the minority and oil rich states with a token of compensation for playing host to the central government’s joint ventures with oil companies. This has become possible b ecause the 1976 constitution vest all mineral rights exclusively to the control of the federal government. The application of the principle since the country’s independence has failed to encourage and attract the development of other abundant natural resources other than oil and natural gas, as percentage derivation due to mineral producing states continue to decline. Currently, it is set at 13%, which is still insignificant, unfair and unacceptable to the agitators of resource control (Niger Delta). Although, there is an increase compared to the immediate past 1% derivation. 3.2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Problems and Dissatisfaction with the Current System A vital problem with the present percentage derivation is the lack of sound technical basis or traceable mathematical derivation formula. Rather, it is a politically imposed type of compromise between ethnocentric parties. For Example, the current 13% derivation is a mean agreed value of a political negotiation in a constitutional conference held in 1995 between propositions by dominant 8% and opposing 18% parties (Ikpatt and Ibanga, 2003). Another problem with the current percentage derivation is a constitutional one, and can be traced back to the Supreme Court ruling in 2002, where the federal government filed a suit against the littoral states at the Court requesting a resolution of the seaward margin of a littoral state within the federal republic of Nigeria for the purpose of calculating the amount of revenue accruing to the federal account directly from any natural resource obtained from that state in pursuant to Section 162(2)[4] of the 1999 constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria. In its ruling, the apex court did sustain the plaintiff’s submission, declaring that for the purpose of calculating revenue accruing to the federal account directly from any natural resource obtained from a littoral state pursuant to section 162(2) of the 1999 constitution, the seaward margin will be the low-water mark of the land surface thereof or in specific cases (like in Cross River State) with archipelago of Island s, the seaward margin will be that of the inland waters within the state. This judgement created a total dissatisfaction to the littoral states of the Niger Delta region especially Akwa-Ibom and Ondo states whose oil resources are virtually 100% offshore (probably beyond the low-water margin and inland waters within the state), thereby tactically sidelining them from offshore derivation benefits accruable to the federation’s account. However, a Bill abolishing the offshore/onshore dichotomy ruling of the Supreme Court was signed into law by then President Obasanjo in 2004 after approval from the National Assembly. As this controversial magnanimity created applauses to the president from many Niger Delta political elites, some activists and professionals raised possible concerns about the new law (still in place). For Example, Ledum Mitee, president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni people (MOSOP), considers the law as a scratch on the surface of the numerous problems facing the oil-rich region, as core issues like environmental degradation, marginalization and the right of self determination and natural resource control has failed to be addressed by the new law. Furthermore, the Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Action (ERA), Mr Douglas Oronto called for clarification on the meaning of the 200 meters depth Isobaths provided by the law as the new seaward margin for a littoral state. In the sam e vein, a onetime president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr O. C. J. okocha (SAN) questioned the ambiguity of the new margin and in his view; it may likely make no difference from the earlier judgment of the Supreme Court in 2002 as it concerns offshore derivation to littoral states.   Finally, Professor Ben Nwabueze, one of the country’s leading authority in constitutional law faulted the new law, saying what was (and is still) needed was (and is) a constitutional amendment, not an Act of parliament (Ojameruave, 2004). Another salient dissatisfaction is the too much concentration of revenues at the central level with no positive impacts on the citizenry. Since the country gained independence in 1960, revenue allocation has continued to skew in favour of the federal tier of government, which has benefited as high as about 60% and as low as 40% of oil dominated revenue shared among the three tiers of government. This high concentration has promoted wasteful spending and encouraged corruption by the politically privileged elites at the central level. In Nigeria, the federal government has hijacked responsibilities traditionally should have been under the state control, all with the aim of concentrating greater revenues at its control. Examples include responsibilities like the police, public transport, etc. Unlike Nigeria, in the Australian federation, responsibilities are well shared with the federal level responsible for taxation, defence, foreign affairs, postal and communication and the powers to make laws over states/territories. It remains a fact that the federal government of Nigeria lacks basic plans for transforming resources into meaningful developments. This explains the reasons for its political system being classified as a â€Å"do or die affair† (Awolaja, 2011). The gap between the federal government and the citizens is a major barrier on citizen’s demands for concrete development. In addition the weak and corrupt representation both in national and state levels exacerbate the condition. Increasing state derivation may help reduce dependence on the federal government’s monthly allocation; an exercise now considered a ritual that must be done. This change could likely increase the chances of accountability as government will be closer to the people, who in turn will stop at nothing to ensure their resources are rightfully channelled for equitable and meaningful development.    4. CHAPTER FOUR 4.1.   Advantages and Challenges    4.2.   Advantages There exist numerous benefits both to the federal and state tiers of government as well as local governments when the principle of derivation is implemented in its original sense. In the previous chapters, I have been able to highlight on some of the advantages. However, the expected principle may lead to: 4.2.1.  Ã‚   Economic Diversification It is an obvious fact that the principle of derivation will encourage diversification of the country’s economic activities and increase revenue generation as well as reduce the prevailing revenue sharing ritual that has eating deep into the fabrics of the Nigerian system. This will only be possible when percentage derivation to mineral producing states become attractive. This could also compel non-oil producing states that are now highly dependent on the Niger Delta wealth for sustenance to develop the natural resources within its territory. 4.2.2.  Ã‚   Human Capacity Development The cornerstone of a country’s economic success depends on how developed is the human wherewithal and competence. An economic diversification powered by the expected principle of derivation can fuel the development of human capacity of a nation, as the training and exposure of skilled professionals in the various industries which are technology driven and highly challenging, will become a necessity. 4.2.3.  Ã‚   Investment and Job Creation Also, rapid diversification will undoubtedly lead to investment opportunities and the creation of jobs for the increasingly high rate of unemployed Nigerian youths and possibly reduce crime level in the society. 4.2.4.  Ã‚   Proper Development The present percentage derivation has failed to reflect the needs of the local people and its governance. State and local governments should be able to handle development according to their felt needs and priorities, and not being constrained by lack of finances. Applying the derivation principle in its original sense may increase the chances of implementing programmes according to the needs and priorities of the people. For example, the Niger Delta region has continued to call for the remediation of its polluted environment whose damage came as a result of oil exploration; rather, the federal government has invested in what is not considered top priority. 4.2.5.   Reduction of Hostility Despite the fact that the oil producing Niger Delta region has long been agitating for resource control, a fair percentage derivation will reduce the agitation turned hostility especially on oil installations in the region and any other region in the future. 4.3.   Challenges Despite these numerous advantages, there exist various challenges to the actualization of a favourable percentage derivation. Some are: 4.3.1. Political and Capacity Problems The highly competitive but fragmented political system in Nigerian (like in Peru) coupled with the lack of checks and balances pose a major challenge to the implementation of the expected derivation principle. In terms of capacity, we believe Nigeria has come of age, but the influence of the former tends to weaken the latter. Today, we have seen some sub-national governments performing well above average in Nigeria. This is possible because these governments decided to invest in human capacity development in order to strengthen their local labour force. Unlike Nigeria, the Peruvian fiscal decentralization policy based on the system of automatic transfers to mineral producing areas failed because it never took into consideration the strength of its human capacity at the local level before implementing the policy.   Despite its longer period in the mining business, conflicts with neighbouring countries on territorial issues and political interests at the local level, and short-term p olicies contributed to the failure of this fiscal policy. 4.3.2.  Ã‚   High Dependence on Oil Proceeds  Ã‚      It is a well known fact that oil contributes over 90% of Nigeria’s foreign earnings, and also its national budgets are predicated on the basis of yearly crude oil production and price. These dependences continues to sustain its importance and attract high political actors and interests, and also explains why oil is considered now in the country as a natural resource for all unlike the periods when groundnuts and cocoa dominated the export market. In other words, upholding the expected percentage derivation may be perceived as unleashing financial threats on the federal government and the non-oil producing states. 4.3.3.  Ã‚   Legal Regimes The challenge posed by the country’s legal regime which is under the federal government’s control is indeed worrisome. For instance, the 1976 constitution vests mineral rights exclusively to the federal government’s control, the land use Act of 1978 and 1993, and the petroleum Act of 1969 are also legal regimes in favour of the federal government as it concerns natural resources. Repealing these repugnant laws has been faced with political manipulations from the federal government. This has always given the federal government the greater powers when it comes to the percentage derivation issue. Correcting these anomalies is highly necessary. This could explain why violence and hostility seems to be a favourable option. 4.3.4.    The Game with Fiscal Federalism in Nigeria If true federalism that reflects on fiscal policies is allowed to thrive in the Nigerian polity, the problem of unfair or too much derivation as conceived by both the dominant and opposing parties will be a thing of history. This is a major challenge facing the country at this stage of its development, and correcting this will mean reducing developmental barriers and increasing the chances of attaining sustainable economic stability. 5. CHAPTER FIVE 5.1.   CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATIONS    The research has been able to establish the derivation principle currently in operation, and that which existed during the periods when groundnut from the North and cocoa from the West were the main sources of foreign earnings for Nigeria. It was found that the principle has been under the influence of political and ethnocentric factors, creating the much seen problems and dissatisfactions in the system. Also, analysis of various revenue allocation commissions’ recommendations prior to oil discovery in the Niger Delta indicated 50% as percentage derivation to natural resource producing regions and states. Unfortunately, this declined to a languishing 1% in the early 90’s, and currently stands at 13%. The major problem with the current system is the lack of technical base or any form of mathematical calculation. The paper has also been able to present some of the advantages and challenges of the expected percentage using Peru as an example. Finally, I consider the expected derivation principle (as opposed to resource control) as not presenting the best option for Nigeria’s economic success, but however, provides an opportunity or a pathway to getting there, especially as it can support developments in non-oil producing states and not turning them into a dependent variable as can be seen today. In order to reduce this dependence, the government should apply for a start (say 3 to 5 year term) a derivation of not less than 25% of direct revenues gotten from the exploration and the exploitation of natural resources of a producing state, with no first line charge of any kind from the federal government. At the expiration of the proposed term, a review can be made to ascertain the level of success achieved before further steps are taking. However, the country’s main focus should be on establishing a true federalism that reflects fiscal autonomy and independence of the constituent tiers of government, while the federal government concentrates more on its tax functions. This I believe will open the doors for rapid economic development in Nigeria.    BIBLIOGRAPHY PRIMARY SOURCES 1976 and 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria SECONDARY SOURCES BOOKS Adebayo, A. G; (1988) â€Å"Revenue allocation: A Historical Analysis of the Nigerian Experience† In: Olaniyan, R. O; (ed) Federalism in a Changing World (Nigeria). (Lagos, Nigeria: The Presidency)    INTERNET SOURCES Aluko, M. E; (2002) â€Å"Revenue Allocation and the Nigerian State: Of Derivation, Dichotomy and Debt Issues† at dawodu.com/aluko16.htm (last Visited on 28th June, 2011) Anugwom, E. E; (2001) â€Å"Federalism, Fiscal Centralism and the Realities of Democratisation in Nigeria: The Case of the Niger Delta† at unesco.org/most/crossroadsedl.htm (last visited on 28th June, 2011) Arellano-Yanguas, J; (2008) â€Å"A Thorough Modern Resource Curse? The New Natural Resource Policy Agenda and the Mining Revival in Peru at ids.ac.uk/files/Wp300.pdf (last visited on 25th July, 2011) Arowolo, D; (2011) â€Å"Fiscal Federalism in [emailprotected] Theory and Dimension† at http://onlineresearchjournals.com/aajoss/art/64.pdf (last visited on 28th June, 2011) Awolaja, A; (2011) â€Å"Nigeria and Challenges of Fiscal Federalism, In: Nigerian Tribune of 19th May, 2011† at http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/22172-nigeria-and-challenges-of-fiscal-federalism (last visited on 28th June, 2011) Centre for the Future State; â€Å"How do Natural Resource Revenues Affect the Quality of Public Spending in Developing Countries? at dfid.gov.uk/r4d/PDF/Outputs/FutureState/CFS_resource_revenues_and_fiscal_governance.pdf (last visited on 24th July, 2011) Ejobowah, J. B; (2000) â€Å"Who Owns the Oil? The Politics of Ethnicity in the Niger Delta of Nigeria† at jstor.org/pss/4187306 (last visited 27th June, 2011) Ekpo, A. H; (2004) â€Å"Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations: The Nigerian Experience† at ffc.co.za/conf/papers/nigeria-igfr.pdf (last visited on 29th June, 2011) Ikpatt, C; and Ibanga, N. H; (2003) â€Å"Nigeria’s Mineral Resources: A Case for Resource Control†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   at nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_mineral_resources_a_case.htm (last visited on 1st July, 2011)    Ojameruaye, E; (2004) â€Å"The Offshore/Onshore Oil Dichotomy Abolition Act- Matters Arising† at nigerdeltacongress.com/oarticles/offshoreonshore_oil_dichotomy_ab.htm (last visited on 27th June, 2011) Ojo, E. O; (2010) ‘The Politics of Revenue Allocation and Resource Control in Nigeria: Implications for Federal Stability’ at http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:fVOo0BDFwDMJ:scholar.google.com/+The+Politics+of+Revenue+Allocation+and+Resource+Control+in+Nigeria:+Implications+for+Federal+Stability%E2%80%99hl=enas_sdt=0,5as_vis=1 (last visited on 29th June, 2011) Tuodolo, F; and Kaiser-Wilhelm, T. O; (1998) â€Å"The Kaiama Declaration† at unitedijawstates.com/kaiama.html (last visited on 14th July, 2011) Uche, C. U; and Uche, O. C; (2004) â€Å"Oil and the Politics of Revenue Allocation in Nigeria† at http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=vq=cache:6XmkQeNCqdEJ:citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi%3D10.1.1.135.3436%26rep%3Drep1%26type%3Dpdf+oil+and+the+politics+of+revenue+allocation+in+nigeriahl=engl=ukpid=blsrcid=ADGEESi2zBl_n5yX0t76JotakM73xR4TWkn1y5k9adXeo7u2gLWBwjb6xtE_ZB63ZlnYRdd79rvvorofWlQB8PU_B-2piuX1eiJOt3ge6WFJZ5h9B2TzNs0SnMi06erq9LLBm8xPd1h4sig=AHIEtbQ30QoHjmLsMe4wf05fVfKwDTVcFw (last visited on 30th June, 2011) World Bank; (2001) State and Local Governance in Nigeria at http://info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/library/5783/State_and_Governance_Nigeria.htm (last visited on 27th July, 2011)

An extended definition of belief Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

An extended definition of belief - Essay Example Langston Hughes mentioned that he was asked to declare his belief publicly as a Christian at the age of 12 by his church. According to Hughes, 12 years is not a matured age for a person to declare his belief publicly (Hughes, p.224). Even adults or old people are sometimes confused while talking about their beliefs. A person’s belief is normally strengthened by what he has been taught during his childhood by others. For example, a Christian child may get education about Jesus from churches during his childhood. Same way, a Muslim child may get more knowledge about Prophet Mohammad during his childhood. It should be noted that the Muslim child may not get proper education about Jesus or the Christian child may not get proper education about Mohammad during their childhood. Thus, a particular belief is cultivated in the minds of people during their childhood. Another interesting fact about belief is that it is highly subjective. Different communities exist in most of the religio ns because of the subjectivity of belief. These communities are interpreting the same information in different ways. For example, the beliefs of Pentecostal communities in Christian religion are different than the beliefs of Catholics even though both relying Holy Bible and Jesus for shaping their beliefs. Same way, Shias and Sunnis in Muslim religion have different beliefs even though both believe in Holy Quran and Prophet Mohammad. In short, belief is highly subjective and it depends on the intellectual abilities and wisdom of the believers. Joel Engardio, belief is all about tolerance. In his opinion, â€Å"people we don’t understand become less scary when we get to know them as real people. We don’t have to be each other’s cup of tea, but tolerance lets a variety of kettles peacefully share the stove† (Engardio, p.229). Nobody can claim that his belief is superior to the belief of others. Neither the Christians, nor the Muslims or Jews claim that what they are teaching is the truth. As mentioned earlier, different people interpret Bible and Quran in different manner and hence different types of beliefs are prevailing in this word even among the same religions. According to Albert Einstein, Nothing is absolute and everything is relative in this world. Even that principle may not be true in the case of religious beliefs. In other words, nobody can claim that their belief is better than the beliefs of others. Under such circumstances, it is better to respect the beliefs of others rather than ridiculing it. Belief is just like how two blind people explain the shape of an elephant after touching different parts of the elephant’s body. The blind person who touches the ear of the elephant may describe the shape of elephant as flat whereas the blind person who touches the tail of the elephant may describe its shape as thin rod. Even though both are right, the ultimate truth is entirely different from the explanations of these two people. Belief is also just like that. The definitions of God by the Muslims and Christians would be right. However, none of these definitions may be perfect. Under such circumstances it is better to respect these definitions or beliefs rather than ridiculing it. John Allen Paulos mentioned that people believe in God even if they are aware of the illogic and gaping holes in the arguments for God. He has mentioned that even though he don’t believe in God, he believes in love (Paulos p.237). Paulos’s arguments seem to be little bit contradictory. All religions

Chinese Coolie Labor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Chinese Coolie Labor - Essay Example es between the Chinese coolie trade and African slave trade was that the coolies were either deceived or kidnaped and then kept in detention centers that were as dangerous as the once used in the slave trade. The difference between the trades was that the Chinese government kept tabs on what was happening to the coolies that had been contracted in the Latin American region, USA, Canada. The coolies were also paid as per the contract agreement as opposed to African slaves (1). According to Hu-Dehart (1994), The coolies that went to Cuba most of them died due to mistreatment or the poor working conditions. Most of them did not out leave their contract that was mostly for around six years. The other difference between the Chinese Coolies and African slave trade is that whereas the African slaves got captured, the Chinese coolie went to work voluntarily due to factors like poverty and famine. The coolie trade is very different from the slave trade and cannot be considered as slave trade. This is because the two are very different. Below are some of the reasons that make the coolie trade different from the slave trade. They included: The coolie workers had a contract: according to According to Hu-Dehart (1994), the coolie workers had a contract of five years under the British and eight years in Cuba and Peru. The contract was between a free employee and an employer. The contract also spelled out the duties and obligations of the employees. It also included the wages and the other kind payment that the employer could receive like food clothing and housing (39). The coolies also had the right to buy out their contract at the end of their contract or when they reached the age of twenty-six years so long as they had the funds to buy out their contraction. In case of a slave, one remained so their whole life that is why it sis unfair to say that coolie trade was slavery since coolies had the right to regain their freedom at the end of the contract (44). The coolies

Aging worksheet Essay Example for Free

Aging worksheet Essay Part I Identify 2 or 3 issues faced by the aging population. 1.Older adults experience unequal treatment in employment and may face prejudice and discrimination. (Racial and Ethnic Groups, Ch.17, pg.364.) 2.Membership in this disadvantaged group is involuntary. (Racial and Ethnic Groups, Ch.17, pg.395.) 3.Older adults share physical characteristics that distinguish them from younger people, and their cultural preferences and leisure-time activities often differ from those of the rest of society. (Racial and Ethnic Groups, Ch.17, pg.395.) Aging and Disability Worksheet Part I Identify 2 or 3 issues faced by the aging population. 1.Older adults experience unequal treatment in employment and may face prejudice and discrimination. (Racial and Ethnic Groups, Ch.17, pg.364.) 2.Membership in this disadvantaged group is involuntary. (Racial and Ethnic Groups, Ch.17, pg.395.) 3.Older adults share physical characteristics that distinguish them from younger people, and their cultural preferences and leisure-time activities often differ from those of the rest of society. (Racial and Ethnic Groups, Ch.17, pg.395.) Answer the following questions in 100 to 200 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use. †¢What is ageism? How does ageism influence the presence of diversity in society? In my readings this week I learned the meaning of ageism in our society. Ageism is the â€Å"prejudice and discrimination against older adults. (Racial and Ethnic Groups, Ch.13, pg.395.) Ageism influences the presence of diversity in society by restricting the elderly of what they are capable of, or presumed incapable of. Some may not hire an older individual because  he/she assumes the individual will not be able to perform well in the work environment with others. The elderly are viewed as ill, fragile, and may have physical restrictions. Another way ageism influences society is the youth have a fear of aging because of the negative concepts of the elderly.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Woman in White :: Compare Contrast Lee Woman White Essays

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (post 1914) and The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (pre 1914) I chose the book "To Kill a Mockingbird" as I had read it a while ago and had enjoyed it a great deal, I was also interested in the themes and subjects covered in it, such as: Prejudice, innocence, how a mind set affects peoples opinions etc My only problem was I had no idea what to compare it to as I am not a huge fan of classical literature, and do not know many books of this style. My teacher suggested I try either "Jane Eyre" or "The Woman in White", as they both covered the themes and subjects of "To Kill a Mockingbird". First I tried "Jane Eyre", after a few chapters I decided to try "The Woman in White", as I found "Jane Eyre" quite monotonous and dull. The first few chapters in "The Woman in White" were also quite dull but at about chapter 8/9 it starts getting really interesting soon after I couldn't put it down. It is now one of my favourite books The "Woman in White" is a story about the horrific acts a man of high status could commit in the 1800's and get away with (Sir Percival Glyde). The story begins by introducing us to Walter Hartright, who is the primary narrator, through him we have our first encounter with the woman in white (Anne Catherick), who hints that she had been terribly wronged by an evil baronet (who we soon discover to be Sir Percival Glyde). Sir Percival is engaged to Laura Fairlie, the beautiful art student of Mr Hartright. But Laura and Mr Hartright are in love, the triangle ends with Laura and Sir Percival marrying and Mr Hartright going to Central America to try to forget Laura. It turns out that Sir Percival has a terrible secret, which Mrs Catherick (Anne's mother) knows it is that he is not really a baronet he becomes paranoid of Anne discovering it so he sends her to an asylum. In addition, he is in great debt, which is why he marries Laura as she is set to inherit a great fortune. This is the base of which a terrible conspiracy takes place, which robs Laura of her identity and money then locks her up in an asylum. The rest of the story concerns her revenge, and how it was possible for such a thing to take place. "To Kill a Mocking Bird" is also based around how an innocent who is wronged simply to suit a person's personal needs.

A Commentary on Plath’s The Surgeon at 2am

Fraught with the stress of depression combined with the pain of a recent miscarriage, Plath was preoccupied with the concept of hospitalisation when writing ‘The Surgeon at 2am'. Taking on the persona of a male surgeon, the controlling role to her more passive role as patient, she explores the concept as the surgeon as master and alludes to a higher power in explaining the apparent magic and complexity of the human body. The title of this poem introduces us to its major subject matter, as is typical of Plath's poetry. The first two lines of the first stanza appear subjective and clinical, introducing us to the idea of the surgeon being a man of science. The line ‘hygienic as heaven' also alludes to death, a commonplace occurrence in any hospital. This is followed through by the reference to the death of the microbes. This also gives an air of control to the poem and allows the reader to understand the controlling role of the surgeon as he performs his work. This stanza also introduces the idea of the surgeon operating as a higher power behind the scenes; ‘a snowfield, frozen and peaceful' explains that he is all alone in his work and that, with the patient being under anaesthetic, he has total control. The metaphor ‘a lump of Chinese white' for the mask of the patient dehumanises him somewhat; the surgeon is left with a body to play with as opposed to a human being. This idea is furthered with the line ‘The soul is another light. : the surgeon deals exclusively with the material and, by the humanisation caused by the mask, hygiene and silence, does not come into contact with the ethereal or profound. As such, this causes contradiction with the previous theme of his higher power, and calls into question the role in which he truly plays within his field of the human body. Is he higher power or merely Santa's proverbial little helper? This first stanza seems, most importantly, to introduce the message that, though the sur geon may be able to perfect the body, he is incapable of coming across the soul. The second stanza further bathetically reduces the surgeon to a craftsman: more specifically a gardener, doing God's dirty work in a human garden. Plath compares organs to ‘tubers and fruit' and their blood to ‘jammy substances', while veins are ‘a mat of roots'. The unnamed ‘assistants' seem to be undergardeners while the narrator does the finest pruning and operating. Although, evidently, the surgeon is familiar with the body, from the line ‘Stenches and colours assail me', he exalts in the beauty of the body and the flawlessness of the organs that he must trim and clip. The last three lines of the stanza complete the sentiment of dirty work as opposed to higher interference. The surgeon is acutely aware of his own incompetence (‘I am so small') and, when faced with the perfection and complexity of the human body, finds his own actions to be clumsy and boorish: ‘I worm and hack' The body with which the surgeon occupies himself becomes not simply a task to be completed, but rather an all-consuming landscape. In the second stanza we are introduced to the garden, perhaps a reference to Eden, while in the third, the surgeon notes sunsets and hot springs. These metaphors also demonstrate the dehumanisation of the body on which he operates. The idea of an all-consuming task also comes through in the line ‘I am up to my elbows in it': this gives the blood and body a more active role and gives almost the impression of it taking control of the surgeon, particularly in the line ‘Still it seeps me up'. The surgeon appears almost reluctant to ‘seal off' the mass of veins and leave the garden, perhaps insinuating that he feels more comfortable in his ‘garden' than in the real world, where people are not merely bodies under a mask of ‘white clay. In the second part of the stanza, the surgeon rhapsodises about the skill of the Romans, showing his respect for logic and discipline. Proclaiming the body to be a ‘Roman thing', he places it on the same pedestal as ‘Aqueducts' and ‘the Baths of Caracella', extolling its capacity for sensible routine (for example, in the pumping of the heart), while, cur iously, paying little attention to its capacity for human emotion. We may perhaps infer from this that Plath felt dehumanised by her surgeons when hospitalised. The enigmatic last line ‘It has shut its mouth on the stone pill of repose' refers perhaps to the body being in an anaesthetised state. The surgeon appears to find this more noble than the real unreposed people he might encounter outside of the theatre. This anaesthetised body, ‘statue'-like, is wheeled off in the fourth stanza, while the surgeon sits back and veritably rubs his hands together with glee. His operating leaves him with the trimmings of the body, perhaps unwanted cuttings and prunings of the aforementioned garden. After the high praise of the Roman body, the ‘set of teeth [†¦ to rattle in a bottle and take home' seem somewhat desacrelised, indicating that the surgeon considers his work to be in removing the bad to leave only the flawless, hence leaving him only with the unnecessary and crude. This furthers our understanding of the surgeon as a man of science who sees things in black and white terms; he deals merely with the necessary and unnecessa ry. Cannibalism is generally seen as high taboo in most societies, and the phrase ‘a pathological salami' seems intent on making the reader wince. This also shows the surgeon's disregard for everything not involved in his making of perfection. The phrase ‘they will swim in vinegar like saints' relics' seems also somewhat tongue in cheek, as the surgeon embraces science over religion. By comparing a salami to relics, he demonstrates the importance he considers them to have. By preferring a body to a person and condemning both religion and the soul, we are left with the impression that the surgeon is indeed a highly clinical and somewhat cold individual. The last line, ‘[†¦ ] clean, pink plastic limb' seems totally without feeling, as the surgeon's job is done and the ‘patient' is finished, as far as he is concerned. The last stanza of the poem reintroduces the underappreciated soul, as the surgeon walks alone through the wards in the middle of the night. By using the words ‘a new soul', we are given the idea that the surgeon has saved them and hence given them a fresh shot at life. Perhaps through the pain that induced surgery, they have undergone a sort of purgatory and hence their soul has been cleansed. Morphia makes reference both to morphine, as in the drug, and Morpheus, the Roman god of sleep and dreams, yet another reference to the Roman age. The surgeon seems puzzled by the after-effects of surgery; that under the ‘gauze sarcophagi' lie individuals, floating on a morphine high. The ‘dawn drafts' which Plath refers to further allow the reader to understand that the patients are, under the effect of morphine, floating inches from the ceiling. Making reference once again to an ancient society, the ‘gauze sarcophagi' give the impression that the patients are, in their present state, neither dead or alive, in this ward where even the ‘night lights' reminds the surgeon of human gore. The poem finishes much as it started, with the surgeon, having played the role of gardener, Historian and scientist, resuming his role of control as a higher being. ‘I am the sun' indicates that the surgeon is the life-giving force in the hospital, most important for the continuation of the patients' lives. This too may refer to deities in ancient societies such as the Aztecs. The last line further cements everything we believe about the surgeon: safe in his position of power and control, he is happy only when the people around him are being bodies, in a ‘shuttered' state, and acknowledging listlessly the power and magic of his work.