Barriers and solutions to international trade

Barriers and solutions to international trade INTRODUCION This essay provides an overview of the barriers to international trade faced by economies today with examples of barriers faced in various countries, and their solutions. International trade promotes high standard of living for trading nations and hence, despite its various ill effects, it is best to practice international trade as it provides economic and social benefits to economies bringing about an upturn in global economy. This essay attempts to bring to light, the general barriers international trade faces presently and its solutions with recent examples. INTERNATIONAL TRADE: AN INTRODUCTION Trade among countries has existed for a long period now. The trade between Asia and Europe marks this fact as Morrison (2006, pp.314-315) examines that these two continents have engaged in Trade since a long period. He also suggests that with time, international trade has come a long way as far as volume and patterns of trade between nations is concerned. Morrison (2006) has re ferred to figures by the World Trade Organisation (2004, cited in International Trade Statistics 2003, World Trade Developments 2002) from the official website of the WTO that Asia’s share of global merchandise exports has gradually increased, Northern America’s share has slightly decreased and Western Europe’s share has recovered from a downfall in 2001, but not as much as it did in 1990. Morrison further suggests, from 2000 to 2002, China’s exports and imports rose by 30 per cent and today, China is one of the world’s largest traders. Therefore, we may note that International trade plays a very essential role in globalization trends in the world economy. UNDERSTANDING ‘TRADE PROTECTIONISM’ Protectionism is †The deliberate use or encouragement of restrictions on imports to enable relatively inefficient domestic producers to compete successfully with foreign producers, or to protect and preserve those industries and producers con sidered of critical national interest.† (McCracken, 2005) Coughlin et al (1988) state that Protectionist Trade Policies are meant to improve the position of domestic products as compared to its foreign equivalents, and that this may be done through various policies – by increment of the market price of the foreign product or by barring access of foreign products to the domestic market. They explain that protectionist trade policies aim to expand domestic production in the protected industries for the benefit of the owners, suppliers and workers of the protected industry. However this may lead to a downturn in the consumption of protected goods due to either associated rise in its price or consumers start using less of other goods as a result of the decline in outputs and increase in prices. Coughlin et al hence, argue that domestic consumers are said to be impaired as the price of the protected goods keep increasing. Hence, imposing of tariffs lead to domestic producers ’ and the government’s gain, while domestic consumers’ and other domestic producers’ loss. These trade policies also affect foreign interests. ‘FREE TRADE’ & ITS THEORIES Free Trade is †trade between nations that is unhampered by Government constraints such as tariffs, restrictions, and other barriers.† (Financial Times Limited, 2009) Theory of Absolute Advantage

Pros and Cons of Embedded Journalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pros and Cons of Embedded Journalism - Essay Example Before acceptance to join the military, reporters sign contracts that give a standard or guidelines of when and what they can report on. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of embedded journalism. Pros First, embedded journalism improves the relationship between the government and the armed forces media. After journalists embedment they become part of the military troop that travels around with them recording their activity in accordance to the agreement. Reporters depend on the military for food, shelter, and protection from the enemy. The regular contacts between the two build trust and reduce the common suspicion that normally exists between the two parties. Both informal and formal settings that develop during the embedment period can result in great transparency because the government and the armed forces will find it easy to pass information freely. Secondly, embedment of journalists allows them to travel with the military watching their every move. They are l ike watchdogs that make the military responsible of their every activity. According to Komarow as quoted in college of journalism and mass communication, US media helped in making sure that the US armed forces were held accountable for bombing an Afghan wedding party. This is after the initial investigators went to the scene together with the journalists for investigations and they unearthed a hidden agenda that in bombing, US armed forces wanted to erase evidence. Pressure from the media caused them to take responsibility (Berens, 2004, p.1). Thirdly, since the embedded journalists can access the battle scenes, they get more information and faster than those removed from the battle zones. Hannah and Baylor concur with this and argue, â€Å"Reporters travelled by aircrafts to and from the battle zones and were free to observe the combat operations† (Hannah, 2007, p.8). With the modern technology then this accessible information can be passed on instantly to other destinations . Fourthly, embedded journalists receive information from different perspectives. Their physical presence allows them to talk to the soldiers, commanders, and talk to the people around the battle filed. Multiple sources of information make interesting stories. Cons Embedding of journalists has so many disadvantages. First, the contract that journalist’s sign with the military hinder them in their reporting. According to Lehrer, â€Å"Before joining their  battalions, the embedded journalists had to sign a contract restricting when and what they can report† (Lehrer, 2012, P.1). Embedding is the driving force behind coverage and embedded journalists can only describe military actions in general terms and they are restricted from reporting on future missions.  Those who opt to stay outside the embedment are not left free since the government to comply at times harasses them. According to Rajan, â€Å"the distinction between patriotism and fair reporting becomes fuzzy in such circumstances† (Rajan, 2005, p.13). Secondly, embedded journalists work hand in hand with the soldiers and depend on them for protection, food and other social amenities. This closeness may hinder proper scrutiny and reporting of foul actions. Fortner and Fackler argues that, â€Å"

Friendship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Friendship - Essay Example This seems to be contradictory to authors who seem to have the idea that friends who are equal tend to bond more closely than those that are unequal. From a critical examination, friendship should be complementary as the parties people are unique beings with different capacities and potentials. The author seems to hold the idea that friendship is crucial in eliminating loneliness among individuals who are isolated from their families. Those who have little contact with their relatives and families benefit by entering into strong friendships with those who they associate with every day. In chapter one, Steinbeck states, "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They dont belong no place....With us it aint like that. We got a future† (13-14). The implication of this statement is that the purpose of friendship is to eliminate loneliness that one may suffer from after isolation from their family members. Steinbeck holds the idea that friendship is an important perspective of life for many people. Another idea that the author puts across is that friends are meant to look after each other for the sake of their own good. On this note, friendship is meant to be a two way relationship in which all parties benefit symbiotical ly. One of the characters, Lennie, in chapter one says that â€Å"because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and thats why†, a statement that shows the nature of their friendship (14). This is the foundation of the relationship between the two friends. In this light, the story provides that friendship is crucial as it provides members of the society with an opportunity to benefit from social relationships. There is a great controversy on whether friendship is based on the inequality of the partners or on their similar attitudes. From the beginning of the novel, we note that the two friends, Lennie and George, are