Edward Hopper's paintings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Edward Hopper's paintings - Essay Example His paintings did not gain any recognition or income, as most of the people during his period were not interested in the realistic style paintings. He struggled to gain identification but was less successful in his attempts of exhibiting his artworks to the people. In 1923, he met Jo Nivison, who was an artist and later his wife, brought a breakthrough into his life. She modeled for nearly all of his paintings, and acted as a strong moral support to him in his career. Soon, he began his second gallery show at New York, a one-person exhibition, where he was far more prosperous and his works became more prominent, making it a commercial success. The reputation of his paintings soared in the coming years and in 1930, his painting, House by the Railroad, was placed among the permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art. In his lifetime, he created more than 800 paintings, watercolor prints as well as many drawings and illustrations. Most of his works presented New York City architec ture, with stark interpretations of American life. â€Å"Hopper sought and explored his chosen themes: the tensions between individuals (particularly men and women), the conflict between tradition and progress in both rural and urban settings, and the moods evoked by various times of day.† Even though most of Hopper’s works were done with oil painting, he also mastered the technique of etching, which brought him commercial success. His works embodied an eerie mood of stillness and a sense of estrangement.

Ethics of Stock Option Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethics of Stock Option - Case Study Example The stock option was based on the company shares thus resulted in an increased urge to the executives to raise the stock’s price. Some of the executives chose foul ways of raising the stock prices such manipulating of companies financial statements, firing of employees and closing of plants to increase the company income. The executives thus looked for ways through which they could engineer the stock prices for their own benefits. The grant date for the stock option was also chosen by the executives which meant they could do it in a way that favors them; for instance when the market share price was lowest to benefit the recipients. Stock price manipulation also resulted in increased salary gap between the highly paid employees and the lowly paid employee in the company. During market downturn due to stock price manipulation, investors suffered as a result greedy character of the executives while the executives were being awarded for the failures of the company. (Raiborn, et al ., 2007). All these ethical issues of stock option handling needed to be looked upon for a moral reason. Due to the many shortcomings of the old ways through which stock options were handled, new changes were made that could reduce the unethical issues that arose and enhancing of doing the right things for the right reasons. The changes included new laws of reporting stock option grants within two days of issue, â€Å"synthetic† re-pricing and the indexing stock options. The changes had a great impact on the ethical issues as they enforced rational stock option awarding. (Raiborn, et al., 2007) Manipulation of the stock prices reduced and the employee received what they deserved. Even so, new ethical issues arose from the changes as the adoption of the Spring- Loading and Bullet-Dodging by some companies which benefited some of the participants of the company which was unethical. Stock option handling in the past raised some ethical issues. These were reduced by the recent changes even though more ethical issues arose.

Bipolar Disorder Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Bipolar Disorder - Research Paper Example Also throwing tantrums, high level of restlessness and hyperactivity is seen but the worst part is that at times people facing Bipolar Disorder tend to do harmful things to themselves or others around them. This can be quite straining and affects their families too. Over 10 million people in America have bipolar disorder, and the illness affects men and women equally (Duckworth). The worst scenario is when the person goes through a mixed state. During a mixed state depressed mood accompanies manic activation(Ken Duckworth, MD, 2006).In this state a person might feel a rush to do different things. From driving rashly, smoking up, this eventually leads to Suicide. From using drugs to cutting themselves, they try to relieve the symptoms of stress, pain, anxiety etc. They also lose understanding of what is happening in their surroundings and stay confused a lot. Insecurity usually kicks in and they put themselves in isolation to protect themselves. Danielle Steel states in her writing re cognized as His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina, states a complete narrative regarding the way her son spends his life while he was experiencing bipolar disorder. In the narrative she informs that during the age of adolescence, her son suffered from ADD even recognized as Attention Deficit Disorder. She even states that when an individual suffer from this disorder, individual tends to loose control over his/her impulse and indulge in activities that have negative consequences. Her son was later during his life was diagnosed with the disorder of bipolar and the symptoms exhibited by him were recognized as Manic Depressive symptoms (Ryan). Bipolar disorder is usually found in people from the age group of 15-25 and it usually occurs in families who have a history of bipolar disorder. There are three different types of bipolar disorder. Type 1, (Major Depression), a state in which a person is sad, uneasy and angry. Type 2, in which people experience various periods of high energy which is not as extreme as mania (called hypomania). These periods alternate with episodes of depression. Lastly Type 3 (Cyclothymia) involves less severe mood swings. In this people’s behavior vary between hypomania and mild depression. (A.D.A.M, Medical Encyclopedia). The cause of Bipolar disorder varies from person to person. The major reason is that it might be due to the disorder already being in the genes of the families.But it is not necessary that someone born in a family, who has showed signs of this disease, would end up having it. Normally the case is due to being in an environment where there is a lot of negativity, problems or stress, would interact with the underlying genetic or biological vulnerability to produce the disorder. (Duckworth). But it’s not necessary that these might be the only things which might trigger the disorder. Smith and Segal have figured out that the episodes experienced by individuals suffering from bipolar disorder are triggered due to usage of antidepressants as a medication for depression, these trigger may even lead an individual to suffer from continuous changes in mood, lack of sleep and mania. The triggers can increase the level of symptoms that already exist or result in new sessions of mania. But it is not necessary that episodes experienced due to bipolar disorder are dependant on triggers (Smith&Segal). Though many people are diagnosed with this

Justice System In China Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Justice System In China - Research Paper Example These changes have mostly been in response to the changes in the political, social and economic conditions of the respective nations as well as the philosophies followed by them. The developments taking place in the cultural and political spheres have played a key role in shaping and influencing the legal systems worldwide, and are apparent from the introduction of new laws over time. This paper on criminal justice aims to understand, assess and examine the criminal justice system in China, its historical and philosophical origins and the impact and influence of political and cultural elements in shaping the contemporary law in the country. Historical origins: China is regarded to be one of the few nations which boast of one of the oldest legal traditions in the world. However, according to studies, the country has faced several setbacks with regard to establishing and implementing an effective criminal justice system. China has seen a series of powerful dynasties, spanning over 4000 years of rich history, and witnessing the implementation of diverse systems of bureaucratic controls (Dammer & Albanese, 2010). Each and every single dynasty in ancient China had their own set of rules and laws comprising of criminal codes and statutes which were binding on all citizens. Some of the most prominent of these statutes include the Yuxing criminal laws established and implemented during the Xia Dynasty; the Tandxing criminal laws established during the Shang dynasty; the Qinlu criminal laws implemented during the Qing dynasty; the Hanlu laws during the Han dynasty; the Jiuxing criminal laws of the Zhou dynasty; the Tandxing criminal laws of the Shang dynasty; the Tanglu criminal laws of the Tang dynasty; among others. The criminal laws implemented by all these dynasties were governed by the administrative officials (Nwankwo, 2011). However with the change in political powers and the formation of new governance, which began with the establishment of China as the Peopleâ €™s Republic of China, during the year 1949; brought an abrupt end to the criminal laws observed for over 5000 years. When the Communist party assumed power in China, it set out to abolish all the old laws enacted by the previous governments, and replace it with new ones which were in sync with the universal laws and which complimented the new socialist regime (Nwankwo, 2011). The administration of the concept of justice in imperial China was founded on the basis of a set of values and theories. The conceptions of justice was largely influenced by three major schools of thoughts which included Confucianism, Legalism and cosmological. All the three schools of thoughts had a completely different approach although in principle, the philosophical justifications offered were the same. Eventually, the three schools of thoughts were finally merged together to form a common law based on a common rationale, during the Han dynasty between the period of 206 B.C. and 220 A.D. These set of l aws continued to be put to practice till the twentieth century (Muhlhahn, 2009). Philosophical origins: â€Å"Lead the people with governmental measures and regulate them by law (fa) and punishment, and they will avoid wrongdoing but will have no sense of honor and shame. Lead them with virtue and regulate them by the roles of propriety (li), and they will have a sense of shame, and moreover, set themselves right.† Confucius, in Terrill (2009) pp. 556 During earlier times, the concept of equal

Contemporary management issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Contemporary management issues - Essay Example The project would be conducted through a critique of secondary sources on a wide range of topics that relate to the Greek financial crisis. To this end, various authoritative sources would be examined to provide important information about the topic under review. The Greek Financial Crisis Video images of demonstrations and other harsh economic conditions in Greece are not uncommon in the media. Greece has been at the forefront of a major financial situation that can be attributed to their inability to meet the requirements of the European Union (Sladek, 2010). Many debates and arguments have ensued about the appropriateness of the country continuously remaining as a member of the European Union (Sladek, 2010). However, the rules of the European Union requires that the country discharges its obligations to the European Union and works to meet all the requirements of the Common Market. On the other hand, many Greek citizens are very unhappy about the changes and adjustments that are r equired. The root of the Greek financial crises can be traced to the fact that the country has maintained a government that carries out uncontrolled spending which leads to high sovereign debts (Pasiouras, 2011). The European Union requires that member states' governments cut down on subsidies and excessive spending amongst other things (Levy, 2012). However, Greece has a history that goes back to years of running a welfare-state modelled on the principles of Communism (Grawitzky, 2012). This is because from the period before Greece joined the European Union, the nation maintained a system whereby the public sector was the primary engine of the economy. The public sector was the largest controller of resources and the public sector also employed the vast majority of workers in the country (Grawitzky, 2012). Impact of EU-membership on Greece Greece's membership of the European Union came with several requirements and expectations from the article of membership (Pettifer, 2012). This is because the European Union is built on the elements of supply-side economics which requires the private sector to be the main and primary engine of growth of the economy (Pettifer, 2012). This is connected to the fact that the European Union was formed by nations that were on the Capitalist side of the Cold War. These nations believe in allowing people to work to earn their expectations in life, rather than get the state or government to control resources. The clash between the European Union and the Greek economy meant that there was an inevitable conflict which would require Greece to dismantle its public-sector oriented economy in favour of a more privatized system. The European Union seeks to create a Single Market that would promote property owning democracy across member states with the hope of promoting efficiency through the principles of Capitalism. Greece joined the Union in 1981 but it has been slow in dismantling its welfare-structured system in favour of a Capitalist model of governance where competition was encouraged (Sladek, 2010). In spite of these realities, Greece has been repeatedly ruled by parties that are Socialist in outlook (Sladek, 2010). These parties have continued to uphold the welfare-oriented practices of the government and reforms and conformity with EU principles have come rather slowly. Around the year 2005, pressure from the European Union increased and the problems in the Greek public sector was uncovered (Pasiouras, 2011). The country was not able to pay its sovereign debts and the International

Realism In International Affairs Essay Example for Free

Realism In International Affairs Essay Realism in politics is a political philosophy, which tries to observe, shape and predict political relations. It is based upon assumption that power should be the primary goal of any political act, both in international or domestic sphere. As far as domestic affairs are concerned, this theory states that political figures are supposed to direct all efforts to maximizing their power. Accordingly, in the international sphere nation should aim at maximizing its power among other states. This theory can be regarded as a prescription to be followed by politicians and states or as a description of current affairs of the state or politician pursuing self-interest. Realism in politics is often defined as a principle of power supremacy, and it has a long history since the ancient times. It was reflected in Peloponnesian War by Thucydides. This theory was also touched by Machiavelli in his writing The Prince, as well as by other outstanding philosophers like Spinoza, Hobbes and Rousseau. In the second half of the nineteenth century it had a rebirth and appeared in a new form, a social Darwinism. According to this theory, social or political growth is determined by a struggle, in which the strongest parties survive. According to the theory of political realism, interests should be satisfied by means of power exercise, and the world is defined by competing powers. In this context, the adherents of Marxist theory refer to classes, while other political theorists to states. (Ahrensdorf) Political realism is explained in the following way: â€Å"Prior to the French Revolution in which nationalism as a political doctrine truly entered the worlds stage, political realism involved the political jurisdictions of ruling dynasties, whilst in the nineteenth century, nationalist sentiments focused realists attentions on the development of the nation-state, a policy that was later extended to include imperialist ambitions on the part of the major Western powers-Britain and France, and even Belgium, Germany and the United States were influenced by imperialism. † (Viotti, Kauppi). Important difference between social darwinism and other branches political realism is as follows: adherents of the former state that some nations are destined to rule over other nations, while other part of realists pays most attention to the need of ensuring that nation, culture or politician sets or secures own needs before needs or interests of others. Political realism in international affairs Political realism of an expressive kind stands for the suggestion that international commonwealth is distinguished by anarchy, since there is no absolute world government, that could rule with an all-purpose policy code. Since the anarchy does not need a chaotic nature, thus allowing member nations be involved into trading schemes or treaties, the theorists mostly agree that morality or law are not the dominating factors outside one particular state. In this particular characteristic this hypothesis agrees with the Hobb’s theory: Where there is no common Power, there is no Law: where no Law, no Injustice ? if there be no Power erected, or not great enough for our security; every man will and may lawfully rely on his own strength and art, for caution against all other men. (Hobbes, Leviathan , Part I, Ch. 13 Of Man, and Part II, Ch. 17, Of Commonwealth, cited in Griffiths, O’Callaghan). Respectively, without any supreme international force, nations treat each other with hostility or fear, and it damages the system. Another aspect of the theory is an assumption that a state can promote its interest against the needs and interests of other states, it proves that international surrounding is not stable. Any order is affected if states compete for the same need, and under such circumstances, as the realists state, the nation may rely on itself only. There are definite contradictions that can be found in the concept of political realism: descriptive realism may be regarded as a true theory or false concept. Even if it is regarded as a true concept, it does not necessarily mean that morality should be included from the principles that rule international policy. One of the strong forms if descriptive type of political realism states that states should be self-seeking, that they should build their policy basing upon desired gains of the nation and should not ignore their interests and demands. Simultaneously, â€Å"if descriptive realism is held, it is as a closed theory, which means that it can refute all counter-factual evidence on its own terms (for example, evidence of a nation offering support to a neighbor as an ostensible act of altruism, is refuted by pointing to some self-serving motive the giving nation presumably hasit would increase trade, it would gain an important ally, it would feel guilty if it didnt, and so on), then any attempt to introduce morality into international affairs would prove futile. † (Stern) The assessment of expressive kind of political realism power depends upon the chance of understanding political reasons, which requests understanding the causes of state diplomats and representatives. The pattern of officers’ relations, their motives and actions is complex. Waltz says that the closed nature of expressive realism includes a oppose scheme that nations does not serve any needs at all, or can serve the needs of others only. The logical value of the three theories resulting from this concept offers that preferring one condition to another is an optional decision, if an assumption is accepted, or not. (Waltz) The present international sphere of nations’ interaction is defined by the lack of supreme power. In the past, wars were a strong argument in support of political realism – there have been more than 200 wars since the middle of the 17th century. This condition seems to have a chaotic nature, and some thinkers are likely to compare it to domestic anarchy, when state government is not able to rule the state: ‘Without a world power, war, conflict, tension, and insecurity have been the regular state of affairs; just as a domestic government removes internal strife and punishes local crime, so too ought a world government control the activities of individual states-overseeing the legality of their affairs and punishing those nations that break the laws, and thereby calming the insecure atmosphere nations find themselves in†. (Kegley, Wittkopf) At the same time, such comparison leads to a conclusion that the relations between the state and the individuals are alike. Such argument includes the personification of the states and collectivization of individuals. Some theorists state that the relations between states and the citizens cannot be compared to the relations between the states and the relations of the individuals, and therefore should be differently judged. In addition to the propositions of descriptive realism, there are notions offered by prescriptive political realism, for instance, the statement that a certain nation should follow its own interests and needs independently of the relevant state of international relations. This theory can be divided into various aspects, depending upon proclaimed interest of the nation and the allowability of the tools that would be used to reach desired goals. As far as the national interest is concerned, there are distinct opinions of what it should be, but all of them agree that the state should be self-efficient in economical and political sphere, cutting dependency on other nations. (The Globalization of World Politics: an Introduction to International Relations) The statement supporting the supremacy of self-sufficiency of the state has appeared long time ago. Plato and Aristotle referred to this aspect as a ground necessary to provide security of the national power, they insisted that nation should import only insignificant commodities. This economic theory has been used for supporting political realism, especially in the 18th century the theorists of political sphere stated that the political power of the nation is reached and supported in the terms of reduced import and increased export only. Difference between neorealism and classical realism Conflict is regarded as a key element in politics, including international affairs, by all realists, however, there are two different sources of conflict, pointed out by different realist authors. For instance, classical realism theory starts with a pessimistic viewpoint on the human nature. As the adherents of this theory believe, selfish, competitive and striving for power behavior in inherent for the humans. Hans Morgenthau states that each individual is enforced to act uncaringly to protect himself, and this situation leads to the disagreement: â€Å"What the one wants for himself, the other already possesses or wants, too. Struggle and competition ensue. Man cannot [therefore] hope to be good, but must be content with not being too evil†. (Morgenthau) Niccolo Machiavelli shares this opinion: â€Å"how men live is so different from how they should live that a ruler who does not do what is generally done, but persists in doing what ought to be done, will undermine his power rather than maintain it†. (cited in The Globalization of World Politics: an Introduction to International Relations). These ideas performed specific approach to a strategy applied in international affairs: a careful statesman must avoid optimistic view on others’ aims and intentions and limits their initiatives to those that may help if the situation goes better. For instance, Henry Kissinger warned the leaders of the USA and Israeli against the intentions of Syria and Palestine, during the negotiations on Middle East conflict: â€Å"It is likely that agreements will be reached because the alternatives will, in the end, seem more dangerous. But when this happens, we must avoid euphoria. An agreement will represent a strategic interlude for the Syrians and most of the Palestinians, not a commitment to a new world order. † (Legro, Moravcsik) In other words, classical type of realism regards conflict and competition as essential element of international affairs, referring the origin of conflict to the human nature. Humans struggle with each other for resources they need and strive for power to rule over other people. This is a set pattern, which cannot be changed. Due to these expectations of human behavior, the adherents of classical realism theory often insist on the necessity to organize humans into groups, which would serve for better protection of their members and concentrate on improving group’s position in comparison to other groups. Another theory, neorealism or structural realism, refers the origin of conflict to interstate condition, the lack of legally restricting rules in particular, rather than to human nature. The adherents of neorealism state, that â€Å"the absence of a neutral authority that can enforce rules and agreements creates an insecure, self-help situation in which all policy makers are pressured to act competitively, regardless of their individual natures or personal preferences. † (Kegley, Wittkopf) This statement is not new, it appeared in the 17th century in the work of Thomas Hobbes. In his writing Leviathan he states that the in the world, which lacks supreme power that could provide security, people has a right to use any tools to protect themselves. Besides, he assumed that â€Å"all mankind [has] a per ¬petual and restless desire of power after power that ceases only in death. † (cited in The Globalization of World Politics: an Introduction to International Relations) Modern tradition in neorealist theory declines the assumption that individuals strive for power due to a natural inclination, and concentrates on the motives produced by a lack of a neutral power that can set rules for interstate relations. For instance, Kenneth Waltz says that â€Å"the main cause of war must lie in some regularity at the level of the interstate system, rather than within particular leaders or states, since war has been waged for all sorts of specific reasons and by good as well as bad leaders. † (Waltz) According to Waltz, this regularity is the pressure, produced by anarchy: â€Å"Without enforceable interstate rules, states must either resist possible domination by others through a policy of balancing against others power capabilities, or by bandwagoning-joining a coalition that supports an aggres ¬sive state, in hopes of turning its aggression elsewhere†. (Waltz) Waltz states that large states possess the capacity and desire to withstand the strength of other states. This results, as he sees it, in a tendency of competitiveness among states independently of the views of their leaders concerning domestic policy. Actually, the prediction of this statement is not much different from the assumption made by the adherents of classical realism. As soon as it is based on the assumptions concerning human nature, classic realists expect that the makers of policy also act competitively. The difference lies in the way this conclusion is reached. As Waltz sees it, this is the pressure of competitiveness, produced by anarchy, which significantly influences the human behavior. Those strategies that are oriented on power, appear because the leaders are forced to struggle for security, rather than because they desire just to obtain power. Realistic approach in modern international affairs Realism was a concept for analyzing world politics since remote times, because much of humankind history was characterized by wars. As soon as the states’ interests come across in conflict, it is expected that leaders pay much attention to their positions in power. â€Å"The classical realist worldview appealed to many statesmen during the period that states were evolving in Western Europe-an era rife with conflict, as medieval forms of rule broke down and rulers asserted new claims to authority against feudal lords or the Pope. It jumped to the United States when the experiences of World War II were followed by the onset of the Cold War. Neorealism later emerged when the bipolarity of the Cold War drew analysts attention to the effects of the structure of the interstate system†. (Lieven, Hulsman). At present, ethical realism is offered to the USA as a leading principle that should define the foreign policy of this state. As it is described by the supporters of this type of realism, it bases upon â€Å"prudence; a concentration on possible results rather than good intentions; a close study of the nature, views and interests of other states, and a willingness to accommodate them when these do not contradict Americas own truly vital interests; and a mixture of profound American patriotism with an equally profound awareness of the limits on both American power and on American goodness† (Lieven, Hulsman). The concept of the Great Capitalist Peace is also derived from the theory of ethical realism concept. It is based upon the ideas of Kennan and Morgenthau, including the concepts of diplomacy purposes and international order. It proclaims that a global order is needed to be agreed by the largest states, to provide the promotion of their interests and reduce the threat of terrorists. Accordingly, the USA power is treated as an element, vital for keeping the Great Capitalist Peace. At the same time, it is added that the limits should be put on the US power, in order to legitimate interests and needs of other states should be satisfied. Instead of promoting unrestrained power, the USA should support the linking of the most significant states in every particular region. For instance, in the Middle East region the USA should use its power and resources to support creation of a regional patter for the states, including Syria and Iran, and to make this pattern functional enough to regulate Iraq conflict after withdrawal of the US troops from this country. (Lieven, Hulsman) As far as the Far East is concerned, the USA should paid attention to the primary role, which should be played by China in this region, but not by the United States. China is treated as a state, ready to act in cooperation with other states and act responsibly, that’s why USA should allow China to occupy a leading position in finding resolutions to the actions of the regime in the North Korea, and other possible challenges in this region. (Lieven, Hulsman) Sources Waltz, K. N. Structural Realism after the Cold War. International Security. Summer. 2000 Morgenthau, H. J. Politics Among Nations: the Struggle for Power and Peace. McGraw Hill: NY, 1993. Stern, G. The Structure of International Society. London: Pinter Publishers, 2000. The Globalization of World Politics: an Introduction to International Relations. edited by Baylis, J. and S. Smith. Oxford University Press, 2004 Griffiths, M. , O’Callaghan, T. International Relations: The Key Concepts. London, Routledge, 2002 Kegley, C. Wittkopf, E. World Politics. Thomson/Wadsworth, 2005. Viotti, P. R. Kauppi, M. V. International Relations Theory: Realism, Pluralism, Globalism. Macmillan Pub Co, 1993. Legro, J. W. Moravcsik, A. Is Anybody Still a Realist? International Security. Fall 1999 Jervis, R. Realism, Neoliberalism, and Cooperation.. International Security. Summer 1999 Ahrensdorf, P. J. Thucydides realistic critique of realism. Polity Winter 1997 Lieven, A. Hulsman, J. Americas World Role Has to be Realistic and Moral. October 17, 2006, retrieved at http://www. realisticforeignpolicy. org/archives/2006/10/americas_world. php.

The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman

The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman, chronicles the influx of a large number of new players on the global economic stage that has created a strong force that is already starting to affect Americans. Friedman believes that these looming changes have the potential to produce both positive and negative results. An example that illustrates the range of Friedmans analysis is his argument about the impact of the dot-com bubble and its eventual bust. He suggests that although the bust was bad for some investors, it turned out to be good in opening up global markets. The overcapacity which produced the bust also produced very low prices for telecommunications, thereby enabling players from smaller economic regions to participate in a game usually reserved for bigger players. Friedman describes several examples of different firms in these regions that have emerged to provide technology services to American business. One example, involving an Indian firm that does basic tax-return work for an American accounting company, reflects his view that although cost advantages are important, the real significance are the competitive proportions and innovations made possible by this new technology. One of the most important acumens of his book is that Americans should get used to the fact that the United States will not long remain the strongest player on the field. From my point of view, the United States have badly needed a good dose of humility, and these global shifts Friedman identifies promise to move us that way. While many passages point toward the advent of a system of global cooperation where no one player claims dominance, many others assume a win-lose scenario, in which Americans will be dominated by the Indians and Chinese if they dont get their act together. Friedman starts one of his chapters with a brief recounting of what happened to Americas previous world dominance in basketball, describing it as a great metaphor for what is happening in the global economy. Instead of grasping the new flatness of the global economic system, he wishes for the glory days when the United States was still head honcho. He writes too often as if the only choice Americans have is to play and win, or to be losers. This propensity is particularly self-evident in his frequent references to the determination of high-stakes competition. There is no time to rest; we have to work harder; the Europeans are delinquent because they value having more holidays. Friedman writes as though this is not an option, but th ere are choices, or there ought to be. If the current system diminishes many of those choices, perhaps we should change the system. Globalization is about efficiency. But as Friedman admits, theres more to it than that. He considers the stresses and downsides in globalization in the chapter titled The Great Sorting Out, but he still seems reluctant to seriously explore the consequences. Friedman seems unwilling to acknowledge that the system is significantly affected by global political structures or the absence thereof. For example, he mentions the need for the United States to develop an energy-independence policy, especially to cope with the expected huge increases in the demand for energy by China and India. But most of this discussion occurs in a chapter on how to jump-start American science and technology education so we can stay competitive. Friedman does a pretty good job of acknowledging globalizations impact on workers. He recognizes that the world is not yet really flat yet because there are still millions of people who are not able to compete in the global market. But he is still reluctant to point at structural problems. Friedman offers an evaluation of how the non-democratic political structures of the Middle East do not include much of the population who live there from the benefits of expansion and improvement. I should think that we need more than hope; The United States needs to develop public policies that have global reach, that make certain that at least the key players are at the global dining table can cooperatively address some of the well-known problems. If the price of these policies produces a loss of efficiency, we should have an honest debate about this trade-off, rather than assuming that efficiency always wins.