The Limey, and how these work to produce meaning and establish themes Essay Example

The Limey, and how these work to produce meaning and establish themes Paper The Limey1 demonstrated through 40 quite fragmented shots lasting 4 minutes and 15 seconds, that the auteur Steven Soderberghs use of unconventional discontinuous editing was developed from his blockbuster film thriller Out of Sight2/3. Soderberghs narrative establishes that Wilson, the protagonist of the plot is trying to find how Jenny snuffed it4. The focus demonstrates that this extract illustrates four specific interlinked techniques to engage the audience in ideological meanings and themes to establish the screenwriters narrative. This, includes Mise-en-scene, dealing with the elements placed in front of the camera5, cinematography displaying how film footage is shot and filmed, editing relating shots to shots and the relationship of sound to visual images6. Instantly the film begins the audience notices that this will not be conventional. The first frame is a black screen with a male voice over, saying, Tell me? Tell me. Tell me about Jenny7 in a very harsh, aggressive tone. The repetition and coldness in his voice suggests the idea of desperation, as if this character will do anything to Know about Jenny. However, this leaves a question hanging over the audience with no visual clues, possibly the director will illustrate answers further on, as the audience are left climaxing on why this was said and to whom? The sequence begins with an extremely blurred image, with the words, Terrance Stamp (actor) superimposed over it suggesting that this film will have an unfocused or unconventional narrative. We will write a custom essay sample on The Limey, and how these work to produce meaning and establish themes specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Limey, and how these work to produce meaning and establish themes specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Limey, and how these work to produce meaning and establish themes specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer However, Soderbergh uses balanced composition, as the character walks towards the camera and comes into focus placing Wilson on the left and THE LIMEY superimposed on the right, establishing that although elements within the plot shall be blurred it will be understandable and focused by the end. The denoted text may also connote that the character could have characteristics of a limey8. The word Limey is established through history to mean a British person or ship9, as the British navy enforced consumption of lime juice to combat scurvy on long sea journeys 10. Thus, illustrating that just as the lime combats scurvy Wilson has something to scourge11. The nondiegetic soundtrack at the beginning works as an introduction to the film, as Wilson comes into focus so does the music and the ideology behind it. The quick rhythmic tempo of a marching drumbeat links to the pace the character walks, displaying conventions of an action movies mood music, while connoting an emotional journey for the protagonist. The mise-en-scene demonstrates the protagonist leaving an airport, showing the audience flight attendants in uniform behind him. Soderbergh uses an eyeline match with subjective point of view cutting, while panning, to establish what Wilson is seeing. The spectator is shown trolleys, people with tickets and bags rushing around. Ideologically, this may suggest he could be new to the area, established later by his cockney accent when he says snuffed it. While the camera pans the spectator is also shown a medium 2 shot of police men; no zoom, just a direct shot, leading to a medium close up of Wilson loosening his tie. The figures behaviour and the sharpness of Soderberghs shot reflects the idea that he could be tense or stressed by noticing the police quickly, possibly because of criminal involvement in the past. The lighting throughout insinuates duplicitous nature towards the character, as he is constantly half shadowed, and wears dark clothes. Establishing mystery, the truth being hidden through shadow or there being contrasting sides of good and evil. Once Wilson is in the taxi, the audience sees a side ways shot with him looking forward rather than into the camera and then his head slowly turns from left to right and vice-versa. This could conceivably establish, as the sound track suggests that he is searching for someone. The next shot begins with a plane juxtaposed to the character being at the airport previously. The director follows the movement of the craft from left to right. He tilts the camera slightly downwards denoting Wilson to be coming towards one of many rooms illustrating hes at a hotel, which is established once he enters, by looking around and putting clothes away. At this point Soderbergh has still not shown Wilson speak to anyone, again connoting a mission. This is clarified by the nondiegetic mood music stating, They call me the seeker Searching low and high12, interlinking between the ideas that he is trying to find Jenny and the different camera angles, Soderbergh uses. The view that the protagonist seeks someone is clarified when his back faces the camera. The audience sees him remove the prop of an envelope with a news article from his jacket stating, Women Dies On Mulholland13, on the back of the envelope there is an address. Resulting in the audience and character being given clues suggesting Jenny is dead and answers to his questions lie at that address. The over shoulder shot connotes that the audience wants to seek the truth just as the protagonist does. At this point the article is juxtaposed to the nondiegetic music stating People tend to hate me cause I never smile Im a seeker, Im a really desperate man finishing instantly. This demonstrates not only his character, as constantly he gazes towards nothingness but connotes a sense of revenge as the sudden end to the song demonstrates elements of aggression, by wanting to know who caused Jennys death. Soderbergh now displays discontinuity editing, whilst using fragmented shots, but giving the spectator a fluid sense of time, forwards and backwards, allowing the audience to see where the character is emotionally. This is firstly demonstrated when Soderbergh denotes a close up on Wilson, as he looks at the envelope stating Ed Roe and juxtaposes that with a medium shot of Edward. This could connote the genre to be a crime thriller where the protagonist constantly reflects on clues. The interesting part of these fragmentations occurs when the little girl is introduced. The spectator goes from seeing Wilson sitting in a hotel room smoking and the room looking lived in with nondiegetic chimes and diegetic humming. This is juxtaposed with an image of a little girl standing on the beach with light beaming in her eyes. Thus reflecting a mirror in the characters eyes, establishing a link between Wilsons constant reflection and the little girl possibly portraying Jenny, his daughter when younger. The overlapping humming could be part of this memory; maybe a nursery rhyme he sang when she was younger and he reflects on that, just as something reflects in the girls eyes. Another fragmented point is Wilson reflecting on Jenny in the car with Edward. This through a form of superimposed editing is filmed in a blue tint which clouds the footage just like the girl at the beach, making the audience look closer. However in the car shot there are vertical lighting strips, representing the image of shutters and connoting ideas of hiding the truth. At the same time establishing an ideological voyeuristic nature that wants the audience to find the truth just as Wilson does. This is then juxtaposed to a shot of Wilson looking at a photograph of his daughter, through a motif of light, which follows the whole extract, half is covered with shadow, linking her to Wilson, but also establishing her to have something to hide. The concluding footage is less fragmented establishing continuity, as Wilson tries to follow the clues the spectators and himself have been given linking them to Edward. This begins with Wilson in a taxi, heading somewhere in a big city denoted by background city lights. This leads the director to an objective point of view shot where the audience notice a car drive past speedily making them think Wilson is in there. However, the background denotes a person getting out of a car who spectators realise is the protagonist heading up to the house, shown to be Edwards. This is an interesting use of cinematography as the film illustrates the character from different points of view through both subjective and objective omniscient shots, making the audience feel they are actually seeking out his daughter, while ideologically demonstrating that nothing within this film is settled and everything is disrupted just like the fragmented shots. Soderbergh uses another sharp edit with no zoom, to have Edward open the door connoting the idea that he has one true mission and nothing will stop the protagonist. Through reversal shot techniques it is determined that characters have a conversation about Wilsons daughter, at the same time in the background of the medium close up with Edward we ironically see his children running round, thus allowing the audience to feel sympathy towards Wilson and his need for the truth. Finally the audience are invited into Edwards back garden where the truth appears, who done it then. Snuffed her establishing, she is definitely dead while connoting his mission for revenge to the spectator. This extract has used a varied amount of both conventional and unconventional techniques such as the amount of fragmentation used. However, through these techniques of mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing and sound, the spectator is able to identify with themes established by Soderbergh. Firstly, there is revenge, as Wilson is seeking the true answers to why his daughter died, resolving a sense of injustice, as through reflections of a little girls innocence is represented. Secondly, there is the theme of nostalgia established through the protagonist being around 50s and reflecting on his past through Soderberghs fragmented shots. Finally, another theme is that of Father and Daughter as through the fragments of his reflective memory we see both a little girl and a women but also by his facial expressions as a character the nature of pain, which he feels over her death, is very clear. Through all the techniques and ideological meanings illustrated Soderbergh is suggesting through the music that the genre is an action movie, representing a crime drama through the protagonist constantly reflecting on truths and clues.

American Civil War - Battle of Hampton Roads

American Civil War - Battle of Hampton Roads The Battle of Hampton Roads was fought March 8-9, 1862, and was part of the American Civil War. Fleets Commanders Union Flag Officer Louis M. GoldsboroughLieutenant John L. Worden1 ironclad, 2 screw frigates, 2 frigates, 1 sloop of war Confederate Flag Officer Franklin Buchanan1 ironclad, 3 gunboats, 2 tenders Background Following the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1860, Confederate forces seized the Norfolk Navy Yard from the US Navy. Prior to evacuating, the Navy burned several ships in the yard including the relatively new steam frigate USS Merrimack. Commissioned in 1856, Merrimack only burned to the waterline and most of its machinery remained intact. With the Union blockade of the Confederacy tightening, Confederate Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory began searching for ways in which his small force could challenge the enemy. Ironclads One avenue that Mallory elected to follow was the development of ironclad, armored warships. The first of these, the French La Gloire and British HMS Warrior, had appeared in the last year. Consulting John M. Brooke, John L. Porter, and William P. Williamson, Mallory began pushing the ironclad program forward but found that the South lacked the industrial capacity to build the needed steam engines in a timely manner. Upon learning this, Williamson suggested using the engines and remains of the former Merrimack. Porter soon submitted revised plans to Mallory that based the new ship around Merrimacks powerplant. Approved on July 11, 1861, work soon began at Norfolk on the casemate ironclad CSS Virginia. The interest in ironclad technology was also shared by the Union Navy which placed orders for three experimental ironclads in mid-1861. Key among these was inventor John Ericssons USS Monitor which mounted two guns in a revolving turret. Launched January 30, 1862, Monitor was commissioned in late February with Lieutenant John L. Worden in command. Aware of Confederate ironclad efforts at Norfolk, the new ship departed New York Navy Yard on March 6. CSS Virginia Strikes At Norfolk, work on Virginia continued and the ship was commissioned on February 17, 1862, with Flag Officer Franklin Buchanan in command. Armed with ten heavy guns, Virginia also featured a heavy iron ram on its bow. This was incorporated due to the designers belief that ironclads would be unable to harm each other with gunfire. A distinguished veteran of the US Navy, Buchanan was eager to test the ship and sailed on March 8 to attack Union warships in Hampton Roads despite the fact that workmen were still on board. The tenders CSS Raleigh and Beaufort accompanied Buchanan. Steaming down the Elizabeth River, Virginia found five warships of Flag Officer Louis Goldsboroughs North Atlantic Blockading Squadron anchored in Hampton Roads near the protective guns of Fortress Monroe. Joined by three gunboats from the James River Squadron, Buchanan singled out the sloop of war USS Cumberland (24 guns) and charged forward. Though initially unsure what to make of the strange new ship, Union sailors aboard the frigate USS Congress (44) opened fire as Virginia passed. Returning fire, Buchanans guns inflicted significant damage on Congress. Engaging Cumberland, Virginia pounded the wooden ship as the Union shells bounced off its armor. After crossing Cumberlands bow and raking it with fire, Buchanan rammed it in an effort to save gunpowder. Piercing the Union ships side, part of Virginias ram detached as it was withdrawn. Sinking, Cumberlands crew gallantly fought the ship until the end. Next, Virginia turned its attention to Congress which had grounded in an attempt to close with the Confederate ironclad. Joined by his gunboats, Buchanan engaged the frigate from a distance and compelled it to strike its colors after an hour of fighting. Ordering his tenders forward to receive the ships surrender, Buchanan was angered when Union troops ashore, not understanding the situation, opened fire. Returning fire from Virginias deck with a carbine, he was wounded in the thigh by a Union bullet. In retaliation, Buchanan ordered Congress be shelled with incendiary hot shot. Catching on fire, Congress burned throughout the rest of the day exploded that night. Pressing his attack, Buchanan attempted to move against the steam frigate USS Minnesota (50), but was unable to inflict any damage as the Union ship fled into shallow water and ran aground. Withdrawing due to darkness, Virginia had won a stunning victory, but had taken damage amounting to two guns disabled, its ram lost, several armored plates damaged, and its smoke stack riddled. As temporary repairs were made during the night, command devolved to Lieutenant Catesby ap Roger Jones. In Hampton Roads, the situation of the Union fleet improved dramatically that night with the arrival of Monitor from New York. Taking a defensive position to protect Minnesota and the frigate USS St. Lawrence (44), the ironclad awaited Virginias return. Clash of the Ironclads Returning to Hampton Roads in the morning, Jones anticipated an easy victory and initially ignored the strange-looking Monitor. Moving to engage, the two ships soon opened the first battle between ironclad warships. Pounding each other for over four hours, neither was able to inflict significant damage on the other. Though Monitors heavier guns were able to crack Virginias armor, the Confederates scored a hit on their adversarys pilot house temporarily blinding Worden. Taking command, Lieutenant Samuel D. Greene drew the ship away, leading Jones to believe that he had won. Unable to reach Minnesota, and with his ship damaged, Jones began moving towards Norfolk. At this time, Monitor returned to the fight. Seeing Virginia retreating and with orders to protect Minnesota, Greene elected not to pursue. Aftermath The fighting at Hampton Roads cost the Union navy the loss of USS Cumberland and Congress, as well as 261 killed and 108 wounded. Confederate casualties were 7 killed and 17 wounded. Despite the heavier losses, Hampton Roads proved a strategic victory for the Union as the blockade remained intact. The battle itself signaled the demise of wooden warships and the rise of armored vessels built of iron and steel. Over the next several weeks a standoff ensued as Virginia attempted to engage Monitor on several occasions but was refused as Monitor was under presidential orders to avoid battle unless absolutely required. This was due to President Abraham Lincolns fear that the ship would be lost allowing Virginia to take control of the Chesapeake Bay. On May 11, after Union troops captured Norfolk, the Confederates burned Virginia to prevent its capture. Monitor was lost in a storm off Cape Hatteras on December 31, 1862.

What Companies Can Learn From The Enron Case and The Impact of the Essay

What Companies Can Learn From The Enron Case and The Impact of the Enron Case - Essay Example The corporation was formed with the merger between two natural gas pipeline corporations, namely Houstan Natural Gas and Internorth Inc. After the merger, the position and corporate image of Enron Corporation improved by a large extent thereby enhancing its productivity and profitability among others in the market of the US. In the year 1989, Enron Corporation became one of the largest gas suppliers of the United States and United Kingdom (UK) with approximately sixty thousand kilometers of gas pipelines (American-Business, 2011). The prime objective of Enron Corporation was to position itself as an inventive as well as a prominent leader in the sector of natural gas of the US. Apart from these, Enron also extended its services in other sectors namely water, fiber optics, newsprint and telecommunications among others. Enron Corporation was quite succesful in its business operations, as its revenue enhanced approximately from US$ 9 billion in the year of 1995 to about US$ 101 billion in 2000 (Dharan & Bufkins, n.d.). It was as a result of enormous international and domestic expansions but the entire amount was cloaked from the shareholders through affiliations with other concerns (Drennan, 2008). Unfortunately, the brand image of Enron Corporation declined due to planned book-keeping fraud known as ‘Enron scandal’and illegal loans. ... It may include prevarication or alterations of accounting records in order to attain an illegal financial benefit. Thus, it can be clearly revealed that it is an example of corporate internal fraud as the board members and management of the organisation were entirely involved in this case of conspiracy (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, 2009). This type of fraud not only hampers organisational distinctiveness but also its culture, employees, ‘corporate social responsibilities’ and ethics. Hence, it can be affirmed that if the pillars of the busuiness are affected then it can not sustain in the long run among others in the market. Thus, it proved rather detrimental for Enron Corporation thereby fading its name from the market of the US. Fraud Conducted in Enron Enron Corporation was regarded as one of the fastest emerging and best controlled business organisations in the market of the US, but it could not retain its corporate image for the long run. The prime reason was due to the accounting scandal which resulted at the end of the year 2001. It was finally revealed that the fraud resulted in deterioration of its financial situations bringing about downfall of position and reliability among others in the market of the US. As a result, customer loyalty as well as market share was also affected to a large extent (IWS, 2002). Due to varied financial discrepancies, Enron Corporation finally filed a bankruptcy case on 2nd December in the year 2001. The prime suspects of Enron’s internal fraud were namely Kenneth Lay, Andrew Faston, Michael Kopper, Jeffrey Skilling, J. Clifford Baxter and Arthur Andersen, among which most of them were the directors of the organisation (Drennan, 2008). The fraud resulted due to the

Michael Focault's The Order of Things Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Michael Focault's The Order of Things - Essay Example It was translated into English and published under the title The Order of Things: An Archaeology of the Human Sciences in 1970. The Order of Things brought Foucault to prominence as an intellectual figure in France. Foucault's critique of Renaissance values in 'Les mots et les choses' has been very influential to cultural history. The book opens with an extended discussion of Diego Velzquez's painting Las Meninas and its complex arrangement of sight-lines, hidden subject and appearance. Then it develops its central claim: that all periods of history have possessed certain underlying conditions of truth that constituted what was acceptable as, for example, scientific discourse. Foucault argues that these conditions of discourse have changed over time, in major and relatively sudden shifts, from one period to another. The first chapter 'Las Meninas' from The Order of Things: An Archaeology of Human Sciences has been dedicated to critical analysis on Diego Velazquez's painting Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor) is a 1656 painting by Diego Velzquez, the leading artist of the Spanish Golden Age. The work's complex and enigmatic composition raises questions about reality and illusion, and creates an uncertain relationship between the viewer and the figures depicted. In the 19th century Sir Thomas Lawrence called the work "the philosophy of art". Las Meninas shows a large room in the Madrid palace of King Philip IV of Spain, and presents several figures, most identifiable from the Spanish court, captured, in a particular moment. Some figures look out of the canvas towards the viewer, while others interact among themselves. "Rather than pursue to infinity a language inevitably inadequate to the visible fact, it would be better to say that Velazquez composed a picture; that in this picture he represented himself, in his studio or in a room of the Escurial, in the act of painting two figures whom the Infanta Margarita has come there to watch, together with an entourage of duennas, maids of honour, courtiers, and dwarfs; that we can attribute names to this group of people with great precision: tradition recognizes that here we have Dona Maria Agustina Sarmiente, over there Nieto, in the foreground Nicolaso Pertusato, an Italian jester. We could then add that the two personages serving as models to the painter are not visible, at least directly; but that we can see them in a mirror; and that they are, without any doubt, King Philip IV and his wife, Mariana."(Focault, p 4, 5) The young 'Infanta Margarita' is surrounded by her maids of honor, chaperone, bodyguard, two dwarfs and a dog. Just behind them, Velzquez portrays himself working at a large canvas. Velzquez looks outwards, beyond the pictorial space to where a viewer of the painting would stand. A mirror hangs in the background and reflects the upper bodies of the king and queen. The royal couple appears to be placed outside the picture space in a position similar to that of the viewer. A few critiques even suggested that they were being painted by the painter. Las Meninas is a pure manifestation of critical thinking, an important trait of modern philosophy. Although, Focault is considered a post modernist critic but his work echoes modern philosophy characteristics. 'The value of Valasquez's painting for Foucault lies in the fact that it introduces uncertainties in visual

Legal Environment for Global Organizations Essay

Legal Environment for Global Organizations - Essay Example Global organizations like WTO, IMF, World Bank, UN, and WHO which must not be treated as 'insignificant actors' in the global arena due mainly to the functions they are embodied with. An understanding of the link between global organizations and global governance would push one to see this importance. As the world turns into a globalized competitive market in which nations interact according to the principles of economic liberalism, a requirement for more order is ensued. The importance of understanding the legal environment for global organizations is seen in their roles as instrument, arena, and actor in the global interaction (Archer, 2001). An example of this is the WTO, which was established by sovereign states whose power limits independent action by international organizations. Global organizations are actually used as instruments in order for states to use their ends, particularly on the areas of trade liberalism which profits first world states primarily. They serve as means for the policies of individual governments as well as instruments for diplomacy among states. The United Nations is seen to function as an instrument of US diplomacy which undertakes policies according in the global sphere. It is the rule of unanimity which is apparently carried out by global organizations, in which certain states are able to influence other states over certain decisions. As arenas within which actions take place, global organizations provide meeting places in which member states can discuss certain matters diplomatically. The term itself - arena - signifies neutrality even for nations in disagreement. Hence, international organizations serve not only as mere forums for these activities, but also as a diplomatic reinforcement for their policies (Hoffman, 1970 in Archer, 2001: 74). Even the third world states are given their own venues for discussing international economic events, through the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as well as the Group of 77 (G77) participated in by states in Southern continents of non-aligned countries (Archer, 2001). Legal environment is a necessity for global organizations since it gives them the venue and the power to govern the world politically and economically, surged by the very nations that represent them. The World Bank for example, is represented by first world nations particularly by the United States, whose legal policies govern the financial activities of poorer nations that have incurred financial debts with them. DISCUSS other legal influences which can affect business in a specified country. CONSIDER other cultural, religious, and political influences - how might these influence the business environment Legal influences which can affect business in a specified country include the policies on trade liberalization and non-tariffication which can affect the level of balance of trade and the domestic sales of goods. With a liberal importation allowed by the policies of WTO, which almost defeat the level of exports in a certain country, a probability of trade deficit is imminently seen, which may cause fiscal crisis for that particular country (Pereira, et al., 1993: 6). Non-tariffication of goods for importation, which is also embodied in the WTO, causes bankruptcy of the sale of domestic products, which have higher prices than the imported ones. In countries in which colonial mentality

Overview Of Foreign Direct Investment In China Economics Essay

Overview Of Foreign Direct Investment In China Economics Essay Over the last decades, for the Chinese growth the FDI has been an important engine. Even though, across the Chinese region there is a big diversity in FDI patterns. For example, the 80 percent of total FDI distributed in the five special economic zones. While the collective five provinces accounts for only 10 percent in the North-West. Furthermore, there are different regions attract different type of FDI. For example the market seeking FDI are increasingly attracted by urban growth centre, on the other hand other regions are the industrial unit of the world. Undoubtedly, an internal discrepancy in economic growth is explained by the foreign direct investment throughout the regions. The economy of china is ten times larger than it was in 1978 and growing at the rate of 10 percent per year. The results of which there are two important dimension of this growth, one is rising of income gap and emergence of large middle class. The gaps between the coastal areas and the inland that have i ncreased in the reform period of the last few decades. The coastal areas have done extremely well because of the growing importance of  foreign trade; most foreign trade involves production and workers along a narrow strip along the coast, particularly Pearl River Delta  and the Yangtze Delta, the area from Shanghai up the Yangtze River and a little bit in the northeast. Normally these areas are the  major participant in international trade, through a big demand for labour, and incomes in these areas have gone up speedily. The most important, even in the urban sector is the rising gap among skilled and unskilled workers. In addition during the Maoist era, there was a strict wage structure. The diversity between highly paid and relatively low-paid workers was humble. But during the development period, this wages configuration has become marketized, and for the people with skills, whether managerial or engineering, the price has been tender up dramatically. For the unskilled lab our the entry-level wage, has been remain relatively flat. From the beginning of the reform period Chinas dissimilarity was significantly less than most countries for example compare to India or the East and Southeast Asian countries. But nowadays its degree of income dissimilarity is approximately the same as that in India and certain Latin American countries which are famous for a high degree of income inequality. 2.2 FDI policies in China One of the most important key elements of Chinas economic reform process has been the support of foreign direct investment. From the late 1970s, for foreign businesses china has progressively opened its economy and in this way attracted large amount of direct foreign investment. Mean while, the policies of china toward FDI as well experienced a variety of changes on their policy priorities. While in late 1970s and early 1980s, government policies are categorized by surroundings new rules to permit joint ventures using foreign capital and setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Open Cities. During the second conference of the Fifth National Peoples Congress in July 1979, The Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Joint-Ventures using Chinese and Foreign Investment was adopted, yielding foreign investment a official status in China. The State Council also awarded privileges of autonomy in foreign deal to Guangdong and Fujian Provinces and in 1980 set up four unique Economic Zones (SEZs) in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, and Xiamen. In December 1982, the assessment to open up China to the world economy was officially incorporated in the 1982 state foundation adopted by the Sixth National Peoples Congress. In the late 1983, policy for the carrying out the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Joint Ventures using Chinese and Foreign Investment was formulated in 1983 to promote relax domestic market and to simplify the business environment for foreign joint ventures. Since 1984, China has also motivated to additional open up the country to FDI. In 1984, the idea of SEZs was comprehensive to an additional fourteen coastal cities and Hainan Island (became a province and the fifth, the largest SEZ in 1988). Twelve of the fourteen cities were chosen Technology Promotion Zones in 1985 to speed up transmit of technology. In 1985, growth triangles the Yangtze River delta, the Pearl River delta in Guangdong, and the Min Nan region in Fujian, Liaodong and Shandong Peninsulas, and the Bohai Sea Coastal Region were as well opened to foreign investors. In 1990, the Pudong District of Shanghai was nominated as a new advance zone to lead improvement alongside Yangtze River. In 1986, more encouraging policy and provisions are used to promote FDI inflow, particularly export-oriented joint ventures and joint ventures using highly developed technologies. On October 11, 1986, the State Council promulgated the requirements of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China for the support of Foreign Investment. These so-called 22 Article requirements provided foreign joint ventures with favoured tax treatment, the liberty to import inputs such as materials and equipment, the right to retain and swap foreign exchange with each other, and simpler licensing actions. Extra tax profit was open to export-oriented joint ventures and those employing sophisticated technology. The government also attempted to guarantee additional the independence of joint ventures from external interfering interference, to remove many unreasonable local costs, and to provide another tradition for joint ventures to balance foreign exchange. Restricted admittance was provided to suppl ies of water, electricity and transportation (paying the same price as state-owned enterprises) and to interest-free RMB loans. The significance of the 1986 requirements is that it provided incentives for FDI intead of simply permitting it, and this more happy approach was furthered by the approval on April 12, 1986 of the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Enterprises Operated Exclusively with Foreign Capital at the fourth Session of the Sixth National Peoples Congress. This clearly linked the enterprise of completely foreign-owned enterprises to the development of Chinas national economy, and requisite such enterprises either to be exported-oriented or to use sophisticated technology and equipment. The more moderate approach was furthered by the April 1990 Amendments to the 1979 Joint Venture Law. These amendments officially recognized non-Chinese to act as Chairman of the Board of Directors, authorized extensions to the terms of function of joint ventures, and isolated the upper limit to the percentage of the registered funds (minimum not less than 25%) contributed by the foreign partner. Chinas practical policies toward FDI resulted in rising inflow of foreign capital in the late 1980s and especially in early 1990s. From the mid 1990s, although maintaining constructive environment for foreign businesses, government policies began to focus extra on linking FDI encouragement to domestic industrial objectives. In April 1994, the State Council outlines new proposals to draw FDI into the agriculture, hydropower, communications, energy and raw material sectors through encouraging tax policies and discriminatory financial support. In November 3, 1994, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Ministry for Foreign deal and financial collaboration issued a Circular on Issues relating to reinforcement the Examination and authorization of Foreign-funded Enterprises. This tightened the measures concerning the approval of contracts and the registration of foreign enterprises, and improved the penalties if agreements were not fulfilled. The temporary Guidelines for Foreign Investment Projects took cause on June 27, 1995. Main concern was given to foreign direct investment in the agriculture, energy, transportation, telecommunications, basic raw materials, and high-technology industries, and FDI projects which could take benefit of the rich natural resources and moderately low labour costs in the central and northwest regions were to be strongly encouraged. The Guidelines fixed that the Guiding Catalogue of Foreign Investment Projects was to supply the source for the examination and approval of FDI projects, which were to be classified to one of four categories: encouraged, Restricted, Prohibited, and Permitted. Incorporated in the encouraged projects were those in infrastructure or underdeveloped agriculture; those with new/advanced technology which could upgrade product function, save energy and raw materials, develop economic efficiency, or manufacture under-supplied new equipment/materials to persuade market demand; those which were export-oriented; those which involved new technology/equipment which made use of natural/regenerative resources and prevented/controlled pollution and so on. Some projects were classified as confidential such as those whose technologies had been developed or transferred, and those where construction exceeded domestic requirement; and those under testing by the State, and those occupied in the investigation of rare and valuable mineral resources. The third type is the so-called forbidden projects. These are projects that jeopardized national security or damage the public interest; spoilt the environment, natural resources or human health; those which used subs tantial amounts of arable land or were unfavourable to the protection and improvement of land resources, or endangered the security and implementation of military services; and so on. Projects that are not in any of the above groups are known as permitted. Inward FDI: From the time when it launched the economic reforms and called for foreign investment membership in its economy in 1979, China has received a large part of worldwide direct venture flows. China has become the second biggest FDI beneficiary in the world, after the United States, and the leading host country along with developing countries. Chinas situation as a host to FDI is in fact moreover far separated from any other developing country and generally developed countries to be equalled. In support of twenty years (1979-1999), authentic FDI inflows addicted to China from 1979 to 1999 amounted to US$306 billion, which is comparable to 10 percent of universal direct investment and regarding 30 percent of the venture quantity for every developing country locate collectively. The Chinese FDI trends can be illustrated depends on changes in policy guidelines first phase is from 1979-83, second phase is from 1984-91, and third phase is from 1992-99. First phase: In this phase Chinese government recognized four singular Economic Zones (SEZs) in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, and presented particular encouragement policies for FDI in these SEZs. Whereas FDI inflows addicted to China were very much intense in these SEZs, the quantity was fairly restricted. The overall inflows of realised FDI throughout these 5 years amounted to only US$1.8 bn, which is averaging a US$360 million per annum. Second phase: While 1984, when Hainan Island and fourteen coastal cities crosswise ten provinces were opened, in the past recorded reserved FDI levels started to take off. Whole FDI inflows amounted to US$10.3 in the 1984-88 periods; by means of yearly standard of US two billion. The expansion tariff of FDI inflows into China goes down at insufficient 6.2 percent intensity in 1989. Although FDI started to continue its development path in 1991, the yearly expansion rate for this whole stage was lowered to 11.0 per cent, which paled in association to 38.1 percent throughout 1984 to 1988. Third phase: this phase started in the mechanism of 1992, while Deng Xiaoping circuited Chinas southern coastal areas and SEZs. After his trip, this intended principally to drive Chinas generally economic development method forward and to underline Chinas assurance to the open door policy and market-oriented financial transformation, proved to be a accomplishment in garnering the buoyancy of foreign investors in China. China adopted innovative approach, which turned missing from extraordinary regimes toward additional nation-wide operation of open policies for foreign direct investment. The grades were significant: while 1992 the inflows of FDI addicted to China have accelerated and reached the height stage of US$45463 million in 1998. In 1999, chiefly because of the collision of the Asian financial crisis and the grow of achievement transactions in mutually OECD and non-OECD countries, FDI inflows addicted to China dropped to US$40 398 million. The information on FDI outflows vary. In accordance with Chinas BOP data, the collective total during 1990 to 1997 was US$18.9 billion, consisting entirely of equity capital. From the 1980s, China has been quick acquiring resources from abroad. Researchers approximate that the total Chinese FDI in Hong Kong was US$20-30 billion by the end of 1993 or 1994. Actually the net capital of Chinese affiliates overseas can be calculated in hundreds of billion dollars. Legitimately, the Chinese SOEs had as many as 5,666 affiliates overseas at the end of 1998 by means of a collective FDI of US$6 billion. Source countries As the size of FDI source countries in China is moderately huge, a handful countries account intended for the sums invested. As a single investor Hong Kong comes first and the recently industrialised economies have been the chief investors as a group. Four ASEAN countries (Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia) have significantly increased their existence in China from the early 1990s. Along with the developed countries, Japan and the United States have been the main investors in China. The other urbanized countries have made moderately small amounts of venture in China, although they have exposed an growing interest in China in current years. The target of outward FDI is Hong Kong which is the chief objective of Chinese external FDI. Comprehensive and consistent data are not available for an prolonged investigation of this matter. 2.3.4 The geographical and Sectoral distribution of FDI in china The geographical distribution: The patterns of FDI in China illustrate a vast inequality between regions. During the period from 1983 to 1998, FDI in the eastern section took up 87.8 percent whereas the middle section attracted 8.9 per cent and the western section attracted only approximately 3 percent. This disproportion stems from the FDI policies taken by the Chinese rights. The open door has started with the establishment of exceptional economic zones (SEZs) and there is a special regimes for fourteen coastal cities. This has resulted in disturbing absorption of FDI in the east. By means of the approval of new broadly-based economic reforms and especially in the 1990s open door policies for FDI, FDI inflows into China have taking place to spread to other provinces. Amongst the eastern section provinces, the performance of Guangdongs in attracting FDI has been exceptionally remarkable. The share of accumulated FDI of the national total stock was 29.4 percent from 1983 to 1998, hig her than all other provinces with Jiangsu and Fujian, each of which possessed roughly 10 percent of the nationalized total, and ranked 2nd and 3rd among Chinas 30 provinces. On the other hand, if we examine this province group one stage more, we discover that the shares of every region have progressively changed. In the 1990s the share of Guangdong has dropped from 46.13 percent in the 1980s to 27.98 percent. But contrast to this, the other coastal provinces shares, such as Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Tianjin, Shandong, and Hubei, have increased gradually. The share of the middle provinces in the national sum accumulated FDI stocks has augmented steadily from 5.3 percent throughout the 1980s to 9.2 percent throughout the 1990s. The most important contributors are Henan, Hubei, and Hunan regions, and their shares of accumulated FDI in the nationalized sum twice from the 1980s to the 1990s. These data recommend that the provincial allocation of FDI inflows has spread fairly since the o pened coastal provinces into the central provinces. The very small amount of FDI inflows are received by western less developed provinces. Their share in the national accumulated FDI stocks has been declining from 4.7 percent in the 1980s to 3.2 per cent in the 1990s. On the other hand, Sichuan and Shaanxi fascinated reasonably more FDI inflows than the other provinces in this group. In final analysis, FDI inflows in the 1990s have diffused from the originally concentrated southern coastal region towards the south-eastern and eastern coastal region in addition to central region. The three regional groups of the eastern, central and western regions experienced altered patterns in FDI inflows. FDI inflows have been increased steadily for the eastern region provinces with a surprisingly high growth rate, mainly from 1992 to 1998. But the other two regional groups, the inflows of FDI have been much less, particularly for the western area provinces. The result of which, the gap among the eastern section and the central and western sections in terms of the complete extent of yearly FDI inflows has essentially broadened since 1992. Examiner has shown that the provinces with larger GDP, high per capita income, higher intensity of accumulated FDI stock, more rigorous transport infrastructure and top level of telecommunications have paying attention fairly more FDI inflows , whereas upper labour costs have truly deterred FDI inflows. The prospect of central and western sections in provisions of FDI will be more promising as the improvement of infrastructure and additional honesty of the market attracts more FDI into these areas. Their relative returns lie in plentiful natural assets, additional opening up and development of the market. If the state-owned enterprises (SOEs), several of which are in the central and western regions, are open to overseas investors, a huge deal of FDI could flow into these section. The market-oriented FDI aims to set up ventures to supply goods and services to the local market. This kind of FDI may be undertaken to exploit new markets. Apart from the traditional reason for circumventing tariff barriers, the market size, prospects for market growth, and the degree of development of host countries are very important location factors for market-oriented FDI. The general implication is that host countries with larger market size, faster economic growth and higher degree of economic development will provide more and better opportunities for these industries to exploit their ownership advantages and, therefore, will attract more market-oriented FDI. Even for export-oriented FDI, the market size of host countries is important because larger economies can provide larger economies of scale and spill-over effects. Over the past decades or more, the scale of Chinas economic reconstruction has been expanding increasingly, with the purchasing power of the people strengtheni ng rapidly and markets becoming increasingly brisk. Although Chinas per capita GDP is still very low, its rapid economic growth and continuously increased purchasing power has made China attractive to market oriented FDI, such as in the fields of basic chemicals, drinks, household electrical appliances, automobiles, electronics, and pharmaceutical industries. The economic growth rate in China has slowed down from 1996 because of the modification of overall growth at the beginning of the 90s. In current years, the economic growth rate still remains at about 7 per cent. Taking such important factors into account, the level of economic development, the potential for technology development and the effect of reorganization, it is quite possible for China to keep economic growth at a rate of 6 to 7 per cent in the coming 10 years. If this is the case, China will stay on a fast growing huge market for overseas and domestic investors. However there is existence of a downside factor like the quick increase in the production capability and the slow growth of per capita income and consumption has resulted in periodical dispersion in China. The occurrence of supply beyond demand exists in the majority industries but in China it has been harsh in certain sectors or activities. Natural, Sectoral and geographical distribution of FDI in China Sectoral Distribution: so far the key percentage of FDI is drawn for the manufacturing field, which takes up approximately 60 percent of the total contracted FDI by 1998. Next follows real estate with the share of 24.4 %. The segment of the allocation industry together with transport, wholesale and retailing is 6.0 %. Construction comes after that with 3.1 %. The major industry such as agriculture, forestry and fishing takes 1.8 %. Soon, service trade, such as finances, wholesale, telecommunications and resale business, will take up a larger share on account of Chinese agreement to WTO and additional liberalisation. Additional deal liberalisation should also take place in conventional industries. Particularly, the extension of FDI in agriculture will rely on the level of opening up to the market flow of agricultural products and the industrialised process of production operations. human resource endowments cost and productivity of labour One of the most important factors to attract FDI in China is the advantage in competitive production factors labour force, land and natural resources. The degree of development of host countries is often considered one of the most important determinants of FDI flows because it is positively related to domestic entrepreneurship, education level, and local infrastructure. With the worlds largest population, China has rich resources of labour, with average salaries of workers remaining at a relatively low level. China has paid great attention to the education of its people such as nine-year universal compulsory education. Therefore, Chinese labourers are of relatively high quality and there are comparatively numerous technical personnel. Some fields, however, are in short supply skilled managers, engineers and technicians. It is often argued that the labour cost in determining FDI flows should be the efficiency wage rate, which is adjusted in line with productivity rather than the absolute wage, especially if FDI is export-orie nted. In terms of the efficiency wage rate, China still has good advantages as confirmed by empirical research. China is as well extremely rich in energy reserve. Chinese production of oil, its predominant fuel, is among the highest in the world (Saudi Arabia being the main producer) in spite of the fact that China imports it owing to high consumption. China is the largest producer of coal, roughly one third of the worlds total production and its coal industry has been troubled by a serious oversupply problem. As with coal, Chinas electric power supply is also experiencing an oversupply problem. Other major natural resources such as land, iron and other minerals are economically available. With the globalisation of the world economy and the liberalisation of international trade and the giant strides in technological innovation, the advantage of a cheap labour force has become less important for foreign investors. Chinas disadvantages in terms of technology gaps and lack of labour qu alification in some areas will also take some time to improve. Physical, financial and technological infrastructure It can be supposed that the ease of use of physical infrastructure affects the decision of selecting the investment place. The additional highways, railways and interior transport waterways are adjusted in accordance with the size of host province, the more FDI inflows. An additional important variable is the level of telecommunication services. Advanced levels of telecommunications services will save time and reduce the costs of communication and information gathering, as a result facilitating business activities. Research confirms the supposition supported by other experimental studies that the provinces with more developed infrastructure are likely to be successful in attracting FDI. The same conclusion can be made for the technological infrastructure. In latest years, pressed by the market competition, the improvement speed of Chinas industrial structure has been accelerated. Mainly, the progress of high-tech has been greatly speeded up. At present, China and its provinces have e laborated a variety of five-year plans and the development of high-tech industry has been a top main concern. The current level of the technology of China and its provinces functions in order to attract FDI and induce the technology transfer. Openness to international trade and access to international markets China has adopted the so-called export promotion development strategy which was confirmed to be a outstanding success in the Asian NIEs. Mutually with export promotion policy, China has implemented economic reforms and open door policies and made efforts to encourage trade by concluding several joint trade arrangements and adopted independent actions. There has been considerable progress in reducing tariff barriers in the 1990s, the average tariff rate on imports declined from 42.9 per cent in 1992 to 23.6 per cent in 1996 and to 17.0 percent in 1997. China has also formulated and implemented a series of preferential policies to encourage international trade. Duty exemptions for intermediate products used in the production of exports have been particularly important in boosting Chinas foreign trade. However, there remain several barriers to free trade including administrative enforcement and non-tariff measures. The local content requirement and the export proportion requirement may inversely act to promote FDI. The import substitution policy may function to promote FDI in the short term but further competition, which can be created from the increase in import, may positively act to promote new additive investment in current investors for introducing high-technology production. Also, Chinese further acceptance of multilateral investment arrangement is necessary to promote FDI into China. For example, China still does not allow wholly foreign-owned companies to trade in many areas even though it has started to liberalise it. Chinas admission into the WTO will be favourable to the settlement of the problems. In provisions of ease of access to international markets, China has also some merit. Export-oriented FDI aims to use particular and specific resources at a lower real cost in foreign countries and then to export the output produced to the home country or to third countries. Even though the most important location factors for export-oriented FDI are resource e ndowments, research found that China has a relatively attractive and strategic geographic position in that its territory is huge and offers access to other Asian countries and the Americas. Development of the regulatory framework and economic policy coherence Regulatory structure China has endeavoured to launch a more transparent legal framework and business environment. It has been reorganization its legal system concerning FDI. China has amended a series of laws, regulations and provisions such as Equity Joint-venture Law and Contract Law just to name but a few. Also China has been relaxing some restraints and liberalising further on the area of restricted investment while it still keeps great emphasis on FDI in the encouraged fields and regions. Furthermore, since the mid-nineties, China has launched a programme to restructure and reduce the State-owned sector. It has made known that foreign participation would be welcome in the restructuring process, which will bring advanced managerial skill and enhance internal efficiency and international competitiveness. Given the need to reform Chinese SOEs, but bearing in mind the weaknesses of the domestic capital markets and the lack of managerial capacity, the Chinese policy to allow FDI in the areas of SOEs seems to be on the right track. It remains to be seen, though, how authentic participation of foreign investors will be allowed. Besides, as soaring unemployment seems inevitable in the process of the restructuring of SOEs, constructing a social security net is likely to be very onerous. Even after taking into account all recent Chinese measures, significant work still lies ahead to further improve the legal system for the market economy. The existing legal basis, legislation procedure and operating mechanism have not yet fully shifted to the needs of market economy. Various types of FDI recipients should come out in front. Privately owned enterprises have arriving inadequate share of FDI. Further efforts are expected to bring FDI inflows into these enterprises in line with the efforts of SOEs to further co-operate with potential foreign investors. Employment figures show that foreign direct investments in enterprises in villages and small towns have been considera ble. Chinese efforts to comply with the international standards in its preparation for accession to the WTO will certainly expedite the reform policy. Economic policy coherence China is most likely to maintain its economic growth policy. In the year 2000, China is expected to record 7.3 to 8.5 per cent subsequent to 7.1 per cent growth rate in 1999. According to the Chinese governments tenth Five-Year plan (2001-2005), Chinese economic growth will be kept above 7 per cent and Chinas GDP will be around US$1 300 billion in 2003 and US$1 500 billion in 2005.

The Lack of Nutrition In Africa Essay -- Nutrition

In Africa there are about 276 million individuals who are affected by lack of nutrition. Moreover, 399 million individuals live on one dollar a day in Africa. Developing countries carries 90% of the disease burden, yet benefit from only 10% of the resources allocated to health (Kinabo, 2001), even though the majority of the population is located in these countries. Approximately â€Å"43% of the children in the developing countries experience stunted growth due to malnutrition, and 36% of the children are underweight† (Bone and France, 2003). There are many organizations trying to improve the overall lack of nutrition in Africa. Despite the great number of organizations minor changes in the affected population has changed. A few deficiencies have even seen an increase. Malnutrition is increasing â€Å"due to HIV/AIDS epidemic and the changing global environment in socio, politico and economic relations† (Kinabo, 2001, p. 114). Therefore, good nutrition needs to be empha sized due to it links directly with the economic issues within the country. Additionally, the ability to increase the budgets for governments to address health, education and nutrition on account of education is great device to help the population understand the importance of nutrition within their daily lives. The great lack of sufficient nutrition in Africa is outrageous. Malnutrition â€Å"in various forms exist and persists in all countries of Africa† (Kinabo, 2001, p. 103). There is a different problem issue within different countries that is directly linked to the development of the country. For instance, â€Å"the type of malnutrition that exists in Seychelles and Mauritius is that of obesity and associated diseases† (Kinabo, 2001, p. 103). The most common nutritional problems... ...ese deficiencies. Although the main step that should be taken is that of withdrawing individuals who are particularly skilled for another countries benefit, which would reduce the â€Å"brain drain† and allow the individuals to help develop their country within Africa. Works Cited Bone, P. and France, K. (2003). International harmonization of food and nutrition regulation: the good and the bad. Journal of Public Policy and Marketing 22(1): 102-110. Retrieved from JSTOR database. World hunger and poverty facts and statistics (WHPFS). (2011). Hunger Notes. Retrieved from http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm#What_are_the_causes_of_hunger Kinabo, J. (2001). Nutrition in africa in a global economy: perspectives challenges and opportunities. African Study Monographs, 22(3): 103-122. Retrieved from ProQuest Database. The Lack of Nutrition In Africa Essay -- Nutrition In Africa there are about 276 million individuals who are affected by lack of nutrition. Moreover, 399 million individuals live on one dollar a day in Africa. Developing countries carries 90% of the disease burden, yet benefit from only 10% of the resources allocated to health (Kinabo, 2001), even though the majority of the population is located in these countries. Approximately â€Å"43% of the children in the developing countries experience stunted growth due to malnutrition, and 36% of the children are underweight† (Bone and France, 2003). There are many organizations trying to improve the overall lack of nutrition in Africa. Despite the great number of organizations minor changes in the affected population has changed. A few deficiencies have even seen an increase. Malnutrition is increasing â€Å"due to HIV/AIDS epidemic and the changing global environment in socio, politico and economic relations† (Kinabo, 2001, p. 114). Therefore, good nutrition needs to be empha sized due to it links directly with the economic issues within the country. Additionally, the ability to increase the budgets for governments to address health, education and nutrition on account of education is great device to help the population understand the importance of nutrition within their daily lives. The great lack of sufficient nutrition in Africa is outrageous. Malnutrition â€Å"in various forms exist and persists in all countries of Africa† (Kinabo, 2001, p. 103). There is a different problem issue within different countries that is directly linked to the development of the country. For instance, â€Å"the type of malnutrition that exists in Seychelles and Mauritius is that of obesity and associated diseases† (Kinabo, 2001, p. 103). The most common nutritional problems... ...ese deficiencies. Although the main step that should be taken is that of withdrawing individuals who are particularly skilled for another countries benefit, which would reduce the â€Å"brain drain† and allow the individuals to help develop their country within Africa. Works Cited Bone, P. and France, K. (2003). International harmonization of food and nutrition regulation: the good and the bad. Journal of Public Policy and Marketing 22(1): 102-110. Retrieved from JSTOR database. World hunger and poverty facts and statistics (WHPFS). (2011). Hunger Notes. Retrieved from http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm#What_are_the_causes_of_hunger Kinabo, J. (2001). Nutrition in africa in a global economy: perspectives challenges and opportunities. African Study Monographs, 22(3): 103-122. Retrieved from ProQuest Database.