Problems of Comparative Politics and Post Communism

Problems of Comparative Politics and Post Communism Julia Downs There are many interrelated problems in the study of comparative politics. In a world full of regimes, rulers and governments, everything is intermingled and distinguishing individual issues from one another is very convoluted and difficult. However, the scientific method of hypothesizing, testing, then theorizing, is the way that political scientists pull facts and events from the complicated mess of the world’s varying governmental systems. Looking at three different areas of discussion, state building, democracies, and economies, one can see that, through the ‘science’ aspect of studying politics, clear facts can be gleaned and then built on. The first issue that requires hypothesizing, testing, and finally the creation of a theory is the concept of state building. The Bellecist Model of origins of the Modern State shows this process very clearly. First, the question, how do states form, is asked. The hypothesis is that it all begins with certain actors deciding to unify a state, the first step of which is subduing all rivals. To do this, the actors must have resources such as money, humans as citizens or soldiers, and natural resources. This expands into the eventual need for a monopoly on violence, finances and administration in order to control these accrued resources. The hypothesis is made and then the tests begin. This must be done historically, since a state is not an organism that can be observed through a petri dish, and it is seen that the early tribes of Europe followed this path to the modern state that exists today. Based on this, a theory forms: war made the state and the state makes war. This statement is a building block for many other theories, including democracy and economics. The second topic that very clearly uses the scientific method is the question of democracy. Though there are many different definitions for democracy, the underlying agreement between all political scientists is that there is a certain level of political inclusion needed, there must be some form of elections, and the system should be at least semi institutionalized. The question remains, why is it that some countries are strong democracies while others, even those who have tried democracies in the past, remain burdened by dictatorial rule. One attempt to answer this question in the Modernization Theory, which says that every state goes through essentially the same process of government and the only difference is the timeline. This theory has been scrutinized and studied using recent history and the support for the claim is strong. The reason why this is a scientific debate, aside from the obvious hypothesis and theory, is that many political scientists dispute this topic using other hypotheses and tests on history and current events alike. Though it is difficult to tell which events come first, it is the process of proof and disproof which classifies this discipline as a science. The third and final subject is the question of economics. Why are some states in good economic condition while other suffer in horrible trenches of economic recession? In Latin America, for example, the empirical evidence shows that the top five percent hold one fourth of the entire national incomes. Though these countries were settled similarly to the way the United States was settled, and governed similarly to the way the United States was governed, the economies are the complete opposites of each other. Many theories are presented on this matter, one being the fact that the colonizers were completely different in South America than in North America. For instance, education in North America was more inclusive and better from the start, which nurtured a society better suited for inclusive governments and more able to combat authoritarian or coup d’etat attempts. Similarly, the land was divided up evenly from the start in North America, while in South America, the few and luck y wealthy owned most of the land and others only worked for these rich minorities. Also, the United States in particular had much more land to absorb any conflict than did South American countries. While these ideas are disputed among scholars, the fact remains that these are valid historical facts which do apply to modern issues and questions. Looking back at these three topics, it does not seem like any science has been proved, only many detailed theories and many more subsequent detailed theories which attempt to disprove them. However, this is no different than in hard science. For instance, look at Charles Darwin and his revolutionary findings in the Galapagos Islands of the pacific. These were much disputed and caused much conflict in society. The claim that there were no causal links and that his ideas were too intermingled, could have been made about Darwin’s arguments too. The same goes for scientific findings even further back in history when early scientists claimed the earth was round and revolved around the sun, not flat and the center of the universe. The entire world disagreed with this. The main point is that science is all about different ideas that all try and answer the same question. The state or the conflict? Does democracy cause wealth or does wealth cause democracy? Does the global north oppres s the global south into having poor economies, or does the global south have poor economies because of authoritarian rule? The name of the game is differing ideas about answers and this is why comparative politics is very much a science. Essay 2 Post-communist states have become very familiar to the world in the post-cold war era. The fall of the USSR produced many fledgling democracies left scrambling to catch up with the rest of the world. While there are many changes that must take place within a country fresh, or not so fresh, out of communism, there is one main policy change that should be the top priority of any leader. Economic changes, chiefly in trade, privatization and investment, are the main areas that need improvement in post-communist economies, and can actually be helped along by globalization. The first facet of the economy that post-communist countries need to improve is trade. Liberalization, that is, the opening of markets and lifting of tariffs, is an imperative policy change for these countries. Empirical proof that this is a necessary step toward catching up with the rest of the developed world comes from China’s gradual, but sure, liberalizations in their economies and the subsequent strength of its system. Internal structures mean nothing and will not prosper if there is not an external market of trade that is not controlled completely by the government. Other examples of trade liberalization are seen in the western states in Europe and North America. Different trade agreements litter this part of the hemisphere and it is not coincidental that these are also the world’s healthiest economies. The second aspect of economics that must be instituted is the privatization of formerly publicly held industries. Since communism is all about collectively held means of production, one of the first steps toward a successful communist state is the elimination of anything privately owned. This diminishes the ability to specialize and the will to be excellent in a trade, and thus, decreases the value of goods and workers. To initiate jobs, success, and global competition, governments in post-communist countries need to sell the manufacturing power of big trades, such as auto industry, power (electricity, gas etc.), and banking, back into the private market so they again become competitive. The third policy change post-communist counties need to make is the increase of foreign direct investment. This is more an incremental process than one big change, in that the attractiveness of a country to investors relies on many sides of the economy. First, businesses must be allowed to prosper freely, so that investors can buy stocks and invest in other ways. Second, education must be good enough so that investors see a future in the country’s next generation of business people. Whether this takes the form of primary and secondary education, higher education, or trade school, there must be an increase in reliable education within these changing counties. Third, the state must increase its legitimacy to the external eye. Legitimacy changes go all the way down to diplomatic ties and governing structure. Investors will not participate in an unstable regime. All of this goes to support the fact that a good international perception is very necessary in order to have a good econ omy. It also goes along with the policy change. The traumatized people of these post-communist regimes must be empowered and rebuilt well enough that the world notices. This is where globalization comes into play. More than just off shoring and outsourcing, globalization is the spread of norms and prosperity. Globalization makes this process of altering the economy easier for fledgling countries in three ways. The first, and arguably the most obvious, is jobs. Apple Incorporated’s factories in China provide ways for the impoverished and traumatized worker to find himself again through earning wages and rediscovering the ability and motivation to move up in the company. There are many other international companies that provide the same outlet for development that would not be in place without globalization. Along with international corporations, trade schools reach out to gain new, cheap labor from these burgeoning economies. This makes empowering citizens that will privatize formerly government held industries much easier. The second way globalization helps economic development is through providing the international market for goods produced in the counties. Having the world as a trade partner certainly helps out any post-communist country trying to adjust their economy to keep up with the rest of the world. Third, globalization provides support for these hard economic changes taking place within possibly weak regimes through offering examples and norms to follow. The European Union, for example, is always eager to help a blossoming free market economy. Though there are countless policy changes post-communist regimes must go through to pick themselves back up, the economic policies are the most important and the most challenging. Arranging a complete overhaul of all government held positions and industries is a daunting task for even the most competent economic planner. Similarly, trade liberalization is not something that can be done overnight and making the country attractive for investors is a process that will take years. Though these are all formidable tasks, globalization is present in the world to lend a helping hand.

IGC Nebosh

Suitable PEP and breathing equipment provided Emergency escue arrangement Monitoring systemsupervision with adequate communication. C) outline the emergency arrangements that might be required for entry Into a confined space. First Aid must be available Emergency telephone numbers must be available. A helping hand or supervisor must be present. A rescue plan must be available. Extra breathing apparatuses must be available. Safe and quick asses to the entrance and exit areas. Section 2 1. Identify documentation that is likely to be inspected in a health and safety audit. Health and safety policy Risk assessments Training recordsMaintenance records Inspections and audit reports Complaints from employees Accident and investigation reports Safe systems of work and procedures. 2. A) Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of an employer. Provide a safe work place Provide safe plant and equipment Provide safe systems of work Provide adequate training and supervision Provide com petent fellow employees Set up emergency plans and prevent or Identify risks B) Identify actions an enforcement authority might take if it finds that an employer is not fulfilling their responsibilities. Time. Prosecution, fines and prison sentences can result due to non compliance. Outline reasons why an organization should review its health and safety performance. To deter main if the health and safety plans are appropriate. To deter main if the objectives and targets are met and practical. To check if adequate risk control is in place and to revise it. To provide information on the progress and current status of the strategies, processes and activities used to control risks. 4. A manager is required to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment on a work activity. A) Identify possible sources of information that might help the manager carry out the risk assessment.He could get information from external health and safety consultants, occupational hygienist or ergonomics, a health and safety practitioner, workers and a safety representative. B) Outline what is required in order for a risk assessment to be suitable and sufficient. Identify the significant risks, allow the employer to identify and prioritize control measures, identify those who might be affected by the risks and identify a time period during which it is likely to remain valid. 5. Identify possible costs to an organization following an accident in the workplace. Lost Production time Additional labor recruitmentLoss of morale and reputation Loss of experience Investigation time Fines Legal costs Increased insurance 6. A) Injury: Injury is the outcome of an incident that resulted in harm. Example: A worker cut his hand on re-bar while busy pouring concrete in an abutment. B) Ill Health: This is an illness that has developed due to exposure of something in the workplace. Example: Asbestosis, a disease that developed due to inhalation of asbestos fibers. C) Dangerous Occurrence: Also known as a near miss, is an unplanned event, which under slightly different circumstances, could have resulted in harm to a person or damage to property.Example: A brick falling from a scaffold, missing everyone beneath and hitting the floor. D) Damage Only: This event is when there is no one injured, but there is damage to a building, plant, equipment or materials. Example: Crane truck lifting a concrete slab, it sways in the wind and hits the side off building. 7. Identify key areas that should be addressed in the arrangements section of a health and safety policy. Risk assessment Health and safety training Contractor selection and management Communication and consultation with employees Safe systems of work and permits to work Disciplinary procedures for non-conformance.Emergency procedures Accident reporting and investigation First aid 8. A) Outline the health and safety duties of designers, manufacturers and suppliers of articles and substances. Any articles or substances must be des igned and constructed to be safe and without risk as far as reasonably practical, include testing and examination. There must be sufficient information supplied to the end user to ensure that the nature of the substance or article can be understood and that any conditions for safe use can be described. B) If those in the supply chain fail to carry out their duties, outline health and safety consequences in the workplace.Los in production due to the difficult nature of understanding the article or substance. Increased risk factor on site, if using unsafe articles or substances. Increase in injuries or accident on site, due to increase of risk. 9. A) Give the meaning of the term â€Å"Safe system of work† It is a formal procedure, which results from a systematic examination of a task, in order to identify all the hazards. It defines safe methods, to ensure that all hazards are eliminated or risks minimized. B) Outline what is meant by the following types of controls within a sa fe system of work and give a practical example of each: I.Technical: This focuses on what mechanical intervention can be brought up in the workplace to minimize the risk. Example: Replacing an old machine with a new one, or placing guards on machinery to reduce the risk. It. ) Behavioral: This focuses on the operatives and how the human failure might affect expected outcomes of hazards or risks. Example: Selecting skilled personnel for the Job or supervision. Iii. ) Procedural: It uses instructions, information and training to reduce risks. Example: Permits to work and safe system of work. 1 1 . ) An employer is setting up a health and safety training program.A) Identify the infinite to†¦ I) The employer: Fewer injuries would occur in the workplace, and there would be an increase in morale and safety awareness. More competent workforce. It) The worker: Better understanding of the different risks on site and how to avoid them. Workers made aware of the importance of PEP will wea r it more often and look after their equipment. B) Identify when health and safety training would be provided to workers. This would be done preferably at the beginning of the project or activity so that workers are done as soon as possible with workers before commencement of any activities where possible.

Information for Soap Notes Essay

Associate Level Material Case Study Information for SOAP Notes Read the following three patient visits. Rewrite the information using correct medical terminology. The visits below are written in layman’s terms and do not use the correct medical terminology. Re-write the information in medical terms for the charts. You must determine where the information is to be placed in the SOAP note. Patient One – Chapter Six 22-year-old African American female 140/60 BP 99 F Pulse is 38 Breathing is 22 per minute Patient states she is not on any medicine at the time Patient states her reason for the visit is she is having severe back pain for 5 days now Past has been told she has sickle cell anemia Physician tells patient they are going to draw blood and give her IV with fluids. Physician states the IV will contain something for the pain Blood work showed white blood cells 4300, hemoglobin 13. 1 g/dL, hematocrit 39. 9%, platelets 162,000, segs 65. 9, lymphs 27, monos 3. 4 Physician observes patient is alert Physician finds that head, ears, eyes, nose, and throat are okay Physician determines the patient is having a sickle cell crisis Physician finds that the patient has numbness in hands and feet Patient states she just has not been feeling well lately She reports â€Å"I do not test my levels daily with that machine it hurts so I just base my levels on how well I feel† Physician observes that the patient has some discoloration of her skin Physician sees that the head, eyes, ears, nose and throat are okay Physician hears that the heart sounds good, nothing sounds off Physician wants patient to come to the office in 1 month Physician tells patient to start using the machine to test her blood and record the results and bring with her to next visit

JEFFERSON Surname Meaning and Origin

Jefferson is a patronymic surname meaning son of Jeffrey, Jeffers, or Jeff. Jeffrey is a variant of Geoffrey, meaning peaceful place, from gawia, meaning territory and frid, meaning peace.  Geoffrey is also a possible variant of the Norman personal name  Godfrey, meaning Gods peace or peaceful ruler. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: JEFFERS, JEFFERIES, JEFFRYS Where in the World is the JEFFERSON Surname Found? The Jefferson  surname is most prevalent in the United States, where it ranks as the 662nd most common surname in the nation, according to surname distribution data from Forebears. It is most common in the Cayman Islands, where it ranks 133rd, and is also fairly common in England, Haiti, Brazil, Northern Ireland, Jamaica, Grenada, Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands. According to  WorldNames PublicProfiler, the Jefferson surname is most popular in the United States, especially in the District of Columbia, followed by the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Delaware, South Carolina, Virginia and Arkansas. Within the United Kingdom, Jefferson is found primarily in Northern England and the southern border regions of Scotland, with the greatest numbers living in the Redcar and Cleveland district where the surname originated, and in surrounding counties such as North Yorkshire, Durham, Cumbria, and Northumberland in England, and Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Famous People with the Last Name JEFFERSON Thomas Jefferson - 3rd president of the United States and author of the Declaration of IndependenceBlind Lemon Jefferson -  American blues guitarist,  singer and songwriterGeoffrey Jefferson -  British neurologist and pioneering neurosurgeonArthur Stanley Jefferson - English comic actorEddie Jefferson -  celebrated American jazz  vocalist and lyricistFrancis Arthur Jefferson -  English recipient of the Victoria Cross Genealogy Resources for the Surname JEFFERSON Jefferson DNA ProjectA group of people whove tested their Y-DNA through Family Tree DNA in an effort to use DNA plus traditional genealogical research to match up various Jefferson lineages. Ancestry of Thomas JeffersonA discussion of the ancestry of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, from the website of his family home, Monticello. Jeffersons BloodA discussion of the DNA evidence that supports the theory that  Thomas Jefferson fathered at least one of Sally Hemingss children, and quite probably all six.   Jefferson Family Crest - Its Not What You ThinkContrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Jefferson  family crest or coat of arms for the Jefferson surname.  Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted. JEFFERSON Genealogy ForumSearch the archives for posts about Jefferson  ancestors, or post your own Jefferson query. FamilySearch - JEFFERSON GenealogyExplore over 600,000 historical records and lineage-linked family trees posted for the Jefferson  surname and its variations on the free FamilySearch website, hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. JEFFERSON  Surname Family Mailing ListsRootsWeb hosts several free mailing lists for researchers of the Jefferson surname.----------------------- References: Surname Meanings Origins Cottle, Basil.  Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967. Dorward, David.  Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998. Fucilla, Joseph.  Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003. Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges.  A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989. Hanks, Patrick.  Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003. Reaney, P.H.  A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997. Smith, Elsdon C.  American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.    Back to  Glossary of Surname Meanings Origins