Abstract
This essay evaluates the development of the EMU; a system that only came into effect three years ago. Through the lack of recent literature most of the evidence are derived from articles of various sources.
The essay takes into consideration that the EMU is embedded in a generally declining world economy. It illustrates why the EMU did not reach their targeted goals immediately and points out shortcomings in the architecture of the EMU in the Maastricht Treaty that ought to be reformed. It takes the viewpoint that although since the introduction of the Euro there is an apparent recession in the Euro area countries, it is not entirely to be blamed on new currency and that the allegation that the EMU is a disaster is totally unfounded.
For over thirty years now a European Monetary Union has belonged to the articulated aims of the European Union. All previous attempt to establish a Monetary Union, such as the so-called “Werner- Plans” in 1979 through the European Monetary System (EMS), failed though. In 2002 the EMU finally was put into full effect. Now that the Euro- countries have experienced three years with the Euro, it is possible to make a preliminary assessment of the Euro.
In order to detect whether ‘EMU is a disaster’ one has first to establish the meaning and context in which the term ‘disaster’ is used in relation to this question. The Oxford Dictionary defines the term ‘disaster’ as a ‘complete failure’ . In accordance to this definition one would expect the European Monetary Union to have an utter negative impact on the Euro countries, this could include a weak currency and business activity, a high inflation rate, a refusal of acceptance of the new currency from the citizens and a counter effect on the aim towards deeper European integration. In order to fulfil the aims of this essay, it will try to analyse the impact of the introduction of the Euro with the following criteria: first, it will outline the intentions for the introduction of the Euro and the advantages economist and member states had hoped to gain from it. Next, the essay will look at the reaction the Euro has caused in the economic and business cycles of the euro-area states and assess the capability of the European Central Bank (ECB) to deal with economic fluctuation. The next step will be to analyse the reaction of the public to th...
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...bsp; European Central Bank
EMU European Monetary Union
GDP Gross Domestic Product
HCIP Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices
SGP Stability and Growth Pact
Bibliography
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www.bis.org/review/ r021122b.pdf
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Merriam Webster. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary of English. Ed. Frederick Mish. 11 th.
Throughout history, it seems that medicine and spirituality have been linked in many circumstances. In a study looking at the use of complementary and alternative therapies in cardiac patients, spiritual healing was one of many practices patient sought to utilize. In another study, 29% of participants chose to use prayer or premeditation as a way to cope with their chronic illness. In both studies, prayer or meditation was more likely to be used by individuals who had a large social network, as well as support from another person in the same health situation. Based on these studies, it seems that many individuals (not just cardiovascular patients) turn to their spirituality in times of health distress.
Today in America, less than half of young voters between the ages of 18 and 24 vote (TheBestColleges.org). What most of these new adults fail to realize, is that their government depends on them to vote and elect new leaders to represent their country. Many of them make excuses to avoid voting, when really, they benefit most from voting.
Historically, the concept of caring for the afflicted was founded on biblical principles, especially morality. On a personal level, an individual’s spirituality also influences how one copes with stressors in life, such as illness. When addressing an individual’s emotional and spiritual needs, health benefits such as decreased pain, decreased stress and anxiety, improved rates of insomnia, as well as decreased cardiac and respiratory rates have been realized (Puchalski, 2001). More broadly stated, “Spiritual practices have been shown to improve health outcomes” (Puchalski, 2001, p.
Religion and spirituality is a major essential part of one’s’ health. They have included things such as prayer in healing, counseling, and the use of meditation. Spiritual issues make a difference in an individual’s experience of illness and health. With spirituality, the health care providers can learn to support the values for the art of healing. The health care provider must have respect for their patient’s religion. (Larry Dossey. Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine. Harper Collins, San Francisco. 1993.)
Government officials have considered lowering the voting age to sixteen from its current standard of eighteen. This would not be a wise decision because people under the age of eighteen are referred to as children for a reason. The reason is that they have clearly not completed cognitive development. In humans, a muscle located at the front of the brain, called the frontal lobe, is responsible for the reasoning skills and maturity of one’s self. This muscle is not fully advanced until the age of twenty-one. “In calm situations, teenagers can rationalize almost as well as adults. But stress can hijack what physicians call, "hot cognition" and decision-making. The frontal lobes help put the brakes on a desire for thrills and taking risk -- a building block of adolescence; but, they're also one of the last areas of the brain to develop fully”. (Source A). This statement notifies that there is no shame in the lacking understanding of a teenage brain, but that they should be given the full extent of time to mature before being handed such responsibilities as voting. Research has indicated that throughout its lifetime, the human brain undergoes changes. “You may have noticed a paradox that exists among students today. Although there are exceptions to the rule, this generation of kids is advanced intellectually, but behind emotionally. They are missing many of the marks of maturity they should possess”. (Source B). Teens also normally remain in a more insecure phase, that they eventually grow out of. However, before progressing from this phase, teens are easily swayed by their pee...
Webster’s Desk Dictionary of the English Language. New York: Portland House. 1990. Dictionary. Page 602
Voting is an important civic duty that United States citizens earn when they become 18 years old. Some citizens in the United States wish to change this age to 16. Today’s society views 16 year olds as ignorant, care free, and reckless citizens who are definitely not capable of making an appropriate vote. Although some argue there is no such thing as an inappropriate vote, and that voting is not a test of knowledge, it definitely is. As school systems fail to give the required civic education youth needs, 16-year-olds will not be informed to produce quality votes. Imagine 16 year olds who have no preparation, voting for the President of the United States. There needs to be changes within the civics education before the voting age is even questioned. As well as education, 16 year olds also lack responsibility. They are growing up and are under the pressure of peers, family and media sources. With all the pressure and influences resting on their shoulders they should be able to wait two more years for their own opinions and views to develop. While waiting these 16 year olds can also develop a more concerned outlook on politics and become more engaged. Without youth interest in politics lowering the voting age would be useless. For how much work and time is put in to campaigning and engaging youth, the youth should start to show more concern for their government before the efforts are wasted.
The second argument of Kamenetz is that at the age of sixteen, most people have had enough education to understand what they want in their future; thus, having a credible political opinion. Kamenetz believes that the voting system should be flexible of
Pearsall J (1999) The Concise Oxford Dictionary Tenth Edition page 286 by Oxford University Press in Oxford New York, America
As a result of those huge economic and social issues resulting from Eurozone crisis, finding a solution to the currency problem become an urgent as well as a crucial task of the member countries. In order to fix this problem, there were many different proposals submitted by all parties concerned. Policy implementations taken by the European Central Bank have had some powerful impacts on the economy of the union, and therefore the idea concerning a separation within the union has almost disappeared. However, to be able to find an effective and permanent solution it is needed to focus on long term fiscal and monetary policies.[1]
Doctors, nurses and other providers are challenged on a daily basis in an attempt to consider and assimilate their patient’s different religious backgrounds and beliefs. The recent trends and strong indications of religious vitality and diversity present a pressing need to recognize various faith traditions in healthcare ethics (Reimer-Kirkham, Grypma, & Terblanche, 2013). Christianity and Buddhism, two of the most widely practiced religions today, bring their own viewpoints concerning healthcare. These religious beliefs may have similar ideas with regards to illness and healing. However, the differences in health practices and the approach to achieving optimal
Testerman, J. K. (1997, June). Spirituality vs religion: Implications for healthcare. Retrieved May 22, 2011, from http://www.aiias.edu/ict/vol_19.19cc_283-297.pdf
The participant in the study is a sixty-two-year-old female, of African descent. Her name is C.R. and she is a Christian who was born and raised in a Baptist church