Brazil economic overview and solar power in Brazil Essay

Brazil economic overview and solar power in Brazil - Essay Example In 2008, Brazil became a net external creditor and two ratings agencies awarded investment grade status to its debt (Brazil Economy – overview, 2012). Along with India, China, Russia and South Africa; Brazil is one of the prominent members of BRICS countries. BRICS countries are the most rapidly developing regions in this world at present. While majority of the Latin American countries and America like wealthy countries struggling to develop properly, Brazil is developing rapidly. The injuries of 2007-2008 recessions have not affected Brazil very much. â€Å"In 2010, consumer and investor confidence revived and GDP growth reached 7.5%, the highest growth rate in the past 25 years† (Brazil Economy – overview, 2012). Even though the economic growth in Brazil has been slowed down a bit in 2011, the forecasts for 2012 and coming years are bright. â€Å"Despite slower growth in 2011, Brazil overtook the United Kingdom as the world's seventh largest economy in terms o f GDP. Urban unemployment is at the historic low of 4.7% (December 2011)† (Brazil Economy – overview, 2012). Social â€Å"The richest 10% of people in Brazil have access to over 40% of the country’s income. On the other hand, the poorest 10% receive about 1% of the income† (Brazilian Social Issues, 2011). The gap between the rich and poor in Brazilian society is extremely huge compared to that in many other countries. One of the most challenging problems facing by Brazil at present is the reduction of this gap. The living conditions of the rich people are advancing rapidly whereas poor people are still struggling to attain the benefit of economic growth in Brazil. Poverty, unemployment and other problems are still prominent in Brazil despite the huge economic growth. It is evident...This paper is the best example of PESTEL analysis of Brazil. There is also a strong analysis of current state of solar power industry development in Brazil provided in the pape r. Brazil is a federal presidential representative democratic republic, in which the president holds supreme power of the country as well as the government just like America. Even though multiparty system exists in Brazil, its democracy is different from other democratic systems Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries, and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets The gap between the rich and poor in Brazilian society is huge compared to that in many other countries. One of the most challenging problems faced by Brazil is the reduction of this gap. The technological developments in Brazil are not so much attractive. Indigenously developed technologies are less in Brazil compared to other emerging countries The rapid development of a country often brings many environmental challenges Deforestation, acid rain, endangered species, air pollution, waste disposal, etc are some of the major environmental problems facing by Brazil. Brazil is a federative republic, constituting an indissoluble union of States, Municipalities, and the Federal District. The Brazilian legal system is codified. In 2012, the Brazilian National Agency of Electrical Energy approved the most important piece of new legislation for the solar industry in the country to date. Net metering for solar systems up to 1MW was introduced and utilities were granted an 80% reduction in distribution taxes for power generated by solar plants up to 30MW in size

How did African American and Native Americans shape Colonial America Essay

How did African American and Native Americans shape Colonial America and how were they shaped by Colonial America - Essay Example At the same time, with their divergent social and cultural beliefs, the colonial America also contributed immensely in shaping the practises of both the two races. The twenty first century American culture can be highly attributed to the struggle and input of the black and Native Americans. The black Americans received a very hostile reception in which they were treated more like underdogs. They were barred from participating in societal activities, nor even serving in a position of authority above a white American. Random killing by racial groups became an order of the day for the black Americans. However, despite the bleak future that faced them, the African Americans changed the course of their history and that of the continent for good. The fight that the African American embraced enabled them to change from being the American slaves and workers to being the American citizens, this became the basis of democratic struggle in colonial America. Despite of the weaknesses that nature presented them with, the African Americans embody the true struggle of democratic freedom and equality for all Americans (Breen and Innes 74). According to Breen and Innes 77, the eastern shores of Virginia developed during the colonial America because of the black presence. ... son, known mostly as ‘Antony the Negro’ is used by the authors to illustrate the spirit of hard work and struggle that the black Americans cultivated. He had a great ability to interact with other whites setting the pace for cross-cultural relations and friendships (Breen and Innes 74). The notion of more property equals more freedom and power among the American people was also built by these interactions by Antony the Negro. The Native Indian population were subjected to the aggressive rule of the European colonisers. The arrival of the guest from the west meant a complete change of lifestyle and freedom within their society. The Indians were the original farmers in the American continent and this encouraged the Europeans to create agricultural settlements in the continent. As a result, the growth of farming and huge crop plantations in the continent was borrowed from the practises of the native Indians (Richter 84). The development of the slave trade and immigration of the blacks into the American continents traces its roots to the activities and cultures of the Native Americans. As the need for more raw agricultural materials grew, the need for more strong and hardy workers developed. Africans became the only alternative due to their vulnerability and the European invasion at the time. The Indian Americans were also considered weak as compared to the blacks, this is how the native Indians shaped the history of the colonial America (Richter 90). Colonial America was characterised by a number of activities that defined the behaviours of the native and African Americans way of life. The mass movements of the population from the African continent into a new land and life marked transition in the lives of the black Africans. From a completely different cultural

Discuss the history (literature), art, sculpture, architecture, other Essay

Discuss the history (literature), art, sculpture, architecture, other archaeological nds, inscriptions, coins, and so forth abou ROMAN VILLAS - Essay Example o sectors in the Britain, those who were known as the well-off only had to occupy the villas and the poor who were the majority occupied the Celtic houses. The villas have paints on the tops which were different and the changing artistic styles. The walls were not or never plastered, this different information in the artist’s works was mostly borrowed from the Greeks art. The arts found in the Romans are presumed to be borrowed from the Greek hence most of the art work of the Roman villas and the Greek villas are same and closely related (Elaine K. Gazda). The presences of the Romans villas in other provinces show Romanization and the acceptance of the architectural forms and practices by the local elite. The proliferation of the villas in the Italy is a drastic transformation of the economy, it is regarded as capitalism in the empire and it was a clear indication of division in the social class. The villas are considered in two forms; the social and the economic way in which the intensity of change between different empires are considered (Grant). The roman art is considered in two ways; the public work and the private work. The public work is more pronounce than the private because as it’s per the public monument will always continue to provide a chronological armature in the field of the roman art with abroad view of the history. The public work of the roman art is more commemorate major historical events, religious rites and imperial policies through public monuments which express the collective ideas and achievements of the roman people. For the work of the private sphere it is upon them to turn forms and images that express the personal belief, taste and self-perceptions of the Romans. This art work helps to know the place and the position of individuals (Kemp). The private work art poses certain problem in that the scant documentation is available to student of art but the student is outside the purview of the official Rome. Also the meaning of the

Analyzing Crime Trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Analyzing Crime Trends - Essay Example Lastly, the overall crime rate in Kent, Washington was 606.9 in 2005, and it systematically reduced to 518.8 in 2008 (Kent City Police Department n.p). It is evident from the data above that Rochester City, New York had the highest number of crime rate and Santa Clarita, California had the least number of crime rate. Additionally, there was a general reduction in crime rates for all the five cities. One of the key reasons for the reduction, in crime rates in these five cities, is the implementation of a more decentralized community policing strategy that is characterized by openness to try out new techniques of protecting the cities and statistical analysis (Boba-Santos 87). Additionally, most States have ensured that majority of hard core criminals and offenders have been prosecuted and placed in jail. Incarceration has ensured that majority of crime offenders have been placed out of streets thus the reduction in crime rate (Boba-Santos 91). Demographics have also contributed in reducing crime rates in these cities. Statistics indicates that young people commit criminal offense more than the elderly (Clark 67). Therefore, the State governments have created a number of social activities that target youths thus keeping them busy. This has also reduced crime rate drastically. Local policy in these cities has also improved surveillance (Siegel 104). Cameras are everywhere in the streets thus making it difficult to commit a crime (Clark 73). In summary, crime rates have reduced in the United States, and this is evident in the data provided for the five cities. This is particularly attributed to a the change of local policy in different cities and

A Critical Review in the Contemporary Themes in Youth Work Practice, Essay - 2

A Critical Review in the Contemporary Themes in Youth Work Practice, Thematic Area Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing - Essay Example Mental health and emotional well-being is a journal because it is possible to incorporate videos and supplementary materials. Presentation of the journal is via a modified PDF version of full text and presented in full digital version of science. There is a modified abstract in the print version. The journal is illustrates findings of scientific research with supporting evidence. This makes it different from other articles that generally describe a topic with an introduction. The journal is has findings for enlightening the scientific community. Mental health journal presents facts as opposed to articles that give opinion and are summary for existing articles (Brendtro, 2009 Pg7). The authors believe that developing children are complex since they undergo many dynamic processes both internal and external (Brendtro, 2009 Pg7). These processes must work together to shape and create a child. It is the understanding of the author that each individual is unique through strength and vulnerability. There are situations where vulnerabilities are deep to an extent where an individual does not engage with others or appreciate the fullness of life. Most scholars believe that the extent of full potential of a human being is determined by the opportunities and challenges he encounters. The author believes that extreme cases such as maltreatment, violence and chaos might result to emotional, behavior and psychological troubles. These problems have affected individual and the society thus millions of dollars are used in succumbing these problems. A lot of time is wasted in taking care of maltreated children because they are fragile. The authors acknowledge that policies and programs are ineffective even though lots of money and time has been invented. Many children fear childhood trauma and this makes only a fraction of their full potential to be identified (Dobson, & Perry, 2010 Pg 25). Problems that children experience during their childhood

See inside Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

See inside - Assignment Example A company will come up with a strategy to achieving a particular goal or a set of goals set out as planned. Then a means or a tactic by which the strategy will be carried out. A sound strategy will succeed by using facts and assumptions, analysis, previous conclusions, and previous recommendations. However, a strategic outline plan begins with a vision that should be futuristic, specific, and promises a better outlook than the current state of affairs. To achieve a vision, a company should have a mission statement that is in line with its objectives. A mission statement should identify core competencies and philosophies while explaining why it is possible to achieve a vision. SWOT analysis is a crucial part when a company is laying out a strategic plan. SWOT analysis simply means identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that a company possesses and faces. It is through SWOT analysis that a company gets to learn about its competitive advantages and disadvantages. From the article, it is clear that Duke Energy Company has an ambitious vision that it wants to achieve by the year 2050. The vision that Duke Energy Company has is to modernize its grid and make its communities the most energy efficient communities in the world. This vision is in line with our current text since it is both futuristic, and it promises a bright future. However, according to the President and CEO of Duke Energy Company, this vision can be achieved without factoring in facts and data analyses since he believes numbers do not necessarily connect to the vision. According to our current text, it is tactically crucial to use facts and analysis in-order to be able to achieve a vision that has been set out. Using SWOT analysis on Duke Energy Company, it is easy to identify its competitive advantage. According to the CEO, the fact that they have already experimented with different technologies gives them an

Consider the theme in Of mice and men Essay Example for Free

Consider the theme in Of mice and men Essay * The book Of Mice and Men was set in the time of the great depression of the 1930s in California in a place called Soledad. Men travelled around looking for any work they could find, they had to leave families and homes just to make money. Even firms and companies went bankrupt, these were depressing and desperate times, no hope and no future. * During this period of time there was a depression in America. Unemployment was high, so men moved from ranch to ranch looking for work, never staying in one place long enough to firm any real relationships, so this was a very lonely existence. * John Steinbecks inspiration from came from him at an earlier age working as a migrant farm worker and so he understood completely about the conditions and life around him so he could really create an atmospheric story. * It is based on two men, George and Lennie, who travelled from ranch to ranch. George is a small and fairly intelligent man while Lennie is a large man of very little intelligence. They had travelled together for a long time. * In my opinion, the most obvious point made throughout the book about the world of migrant workers is that it is lonely. George tells that guys like usare the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They dont belong no place. This is also shown when Slim comments that he hardly never seen two guys travel together Most migrant workers travel on their own and this is why George and Lennie face some fairly intrusive questions from their new boss when they first arrive at the ranch. This boss even finds it so unusual that he asks George, referring to Lennie, what stake you got in this guy?. He also again refers to this being unusual by saying I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. * They are many characters in the novel that are also lonely and this is due to sexism, ageism, but mainly racism. One perfect example is CrooksCrooks, the black stable buck is forever being picked on by the other men at the ranch, mostly because of his colour. In the time in which the book was set, black people in America were thought of as lower than white people. At the ranch, Crooks cannot live in the bunk house with all the other men, but he has to sleep in the harness room, at the back of the barn. Crooks is given no privacy, and gets quite cross because he is not allowed to enter the bunk-house but the other men can just walk into his room. In the book he says to Lennie, Youve no right to come into my room, nobody got any right in here but me. * Another reason is because of your age. Candy is lonely because he is old, and is different from the other hands. His only comfort is his old dog, which keeps him company and reminds him of days when he was young and whole.He has no relatives, and once his dog is killed is totally alone. He eagerly clutches at the idea of buying a farm with George and Lennie, but of course this all comes to nothing.Candys disappointment is expressed in the bitter words he utters to the body of Curleys wife, whom he blames for spoiling his dream. Paragraph 1 * George is a kind man. He travels with Lennie and helps him to survive although Lennie is more of a burden than a help, and creates many problems for him. He is also friendly, and almost immediately makes friends with Candy, Carlson, Slim, and the other ranch hands.He has matured a lot since the incident he relates to Slim where he made Lennie jump into a river just for fun. He realises that Lennie depends on him, and needs him to survive.George often insults Lennie and gives him hell, but he doesnt really mean it. Although he often talks about how well off he could be without Lennie he secretly doesnt want Lennie to leave, and when Lennie offers to do so in the first chapter, George virtually pleads with him to stay, Ive got you an youve got me. This is because George also depends on Lennie to a certain extent for his unconditional friendship. George is intelligent, as Slim points out in chapter three, but also modest in denying being smart. He expresses his desire to be different from other ranch hands who merely work for a month and then spend all of their money, but also realistically realises that his dream of owning a house with Lennie (or anyone else) is unlikely to ever come true. Overall, George is an intelligent and kind character. He is thoughtful enough to realise that the best thing for Lennie is to shoot him, for the alternatives are even worse, and compassionate enough to kill Lennie himself. * Lennie is a massive, extremely strong man, who has no living relatives. He travels about the country searching for work with his companion, George. Lennies Aunt Clara had asked George to take care of Lennie if she ever died. The most obvious feature of Lennies character is that he seems retarded. He is a man who has the mind of a child. Slim is one of the first characters to notice this, remarking that Lennie is Jes like a kid and Curleys wife also comments on how he is Jus like a big baby. Lennie doesnt know his own strength, and this is one of the things which lead to his eventual downfall. He realises that he is, strong as a bull, but he cant judge how much force to use for certain actions. That is why he kills his pets, when he only intends to pet them and play with them. It is this inability to judge his strength, combined with his desire to pet things and Curleys wifes desire to be petted and admired which leads to Lennies inevitable death. The ability to judge ones own strength is one of the first signs of maturity, and it is important that Lennie doesnt have this ability. Despite the major flaws in his character he is amiable and friendly , and doesnt do any of the bad things he does on purpose.He has a poor memory, and has to repeat things to himself many times to remember them. Even then, he still forgets them. He has a blind faith in George, trusting in him to protect and look after his welfare. For example, remember the incident George describes to Slim when he told Lennie to jump in the river and Lennie obeyed, without a thought to his own well being. This illustrates Lennies trust in George, and also his immaturity.However, it must be noted that Lennie can still be quite crafty, as when he cunningly persuades George to tell him the story about the rabbits by threatening to leave him. Paragraph 2 * Because of Lennies handicap George has established a personality around his companion to make it easier to live around him. George has found a way of coping with Lennie which is to shout at him. God a mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. He supports him in the way he needs although when he is angry he does criticize him As dum as a horse. * George thinks of Lennie as a companion as he doesnt have any family. On the other hand he finds him as a pain. Lennie feel the same way to a certain extent but also fears George as he is in control and orders and protects Lennie. They travel together searching for work on ranches and so never settle, and so dont establish true friendships with others, but since they have each other they seem secure, but Lennie gets into a lot of trouble and so needs George so really George doesnt have time for himself, which is why they do almost everything together. * Others see this relationship as different:- Slim comments Aint many guys travel around toghther.Maybe everbody in the whole damn world is scared of each other. George and Lennie are different as Lennie says I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you * Dreams are significant when considering how these men as one of the ways in which the characters combat the loneliness and hopelessness of their existence. For example the dream farm, a dream shared at first only by George and Lennie, later spreads to include Candy and Crooks, as they are all desperate to escape their lonely lives Crooks reveals that it is the favourite dream of the itinerant ranch hands: Seems like ever guy got land in his head. It is a powerful dream, however, and even Crooks falls for this, for a short time.To Lennie, the dream is a cure for disappointment and loneliness, and he often asks George to recite the description of the farm to him. Paragraph 4 * Crooks is an even lonelier character than Candy, because not only is he old and a cripple, like Candy, but he is also black. Most of the men have a lot of prejudice against Crooks, referring to him with derogatory terms such as nigger. (Prejudice around slavery wasnt rare) * He lives in the shed at the other end of the ranch, isolated from the rest of the workers there. * Crooks is a victim. We are told by Candy that the Boss takes his anger out on Crooks, though Crooks does nothing wrong. * Crooks spends his time alone reading and is a fairly knowledgeable person, as he owns a copy of the California civil code for 1905 He also plays horseshoes until dark. This shows us that Crooks is interested in reading as is most likely one of the smartest of the crowd. This also suggests that he has found reading as an escape route from the terrible world around him. * Crooks reveals that it is the favourite dream of the itinerant ranch hands: * As a result of the discrimination against him, Crooks has become bitter and cynical. This is why when Lennie and Candy tell him about their plan to buy a house he reacts with scorn and disbelief. Seems like ever guy got land in his head. It is a powerful dream, however, and even the cynical Crooks falls under its spell for a short time. Paragraph 5 * Curleys wife is described as having full rouged lips and wide spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails painted and her hair hung in little rolled clusters. * Most of the ranch hands except for Slim brand Curleys wife as tart. In fact, she is portrayed as such whenever she appears, obviously playing up to and teasing the men. We can definitely say that she is lonely. John Steinbeck illustrates how lonely Curleys wife is when she says I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely She says so several times, and that is to be expected since she is stuck on a ranch with men who dislike her and rarely talk to her, as they fear getting into any sort of trouble with her husband Curley, stay away from her. However, she attempts to overcome her loneliness in the wrong way. George immediately realises that she means trouble when she first turns up in the bunkhouse, and it is hardly surprising that her actions lead her new husband to be fiercely jealous. She is so cruel because of her unhappiness, her isolation and the failure of her dreams. She dreamt of being in the movies or even in a show. She is disappointed and marries Curley to spite her mother only to find out he aint a nice fella. She wishes she could have made something of her life. She walks around the ranch, dressed inappropriately and seductively. and she has only been married a couple of weeks. She admits to Lennie that she doesnt like her husband and regrets marrying him. She seems to be of limited intelligence, as this shows her how desperate she is to escape. It is partly her desire to be petted and admired which leads her to allow Lennie to stroke her hair, which in turn leads to her death at Lennies hands. She is only ever known as Curleys wife which indicates that the author viewed her as a possession of Curleys rather than a human being. I pity her as she made a mistake into leading herself into these problems with Curley and this is making her bored ill. Paragraph 6 * The next afternoon, Lennie is in the barn. All of the other men are outside playing a game of horseshoes, and Lennies only company is his dead puppy. Lennie had accidentally killed it. He fears that George will not let him tend and feed the rabbits if George knows that he killed the puppy. While Lennie wonders what to do, Curleys wife appears. She tries to get Lennie to talk to her, but Lennie is reluctant, since George had threatened to forbid him from tending his rabbits if Lennie ever did so. When she directs Lennies attention to his puppy, though, Lennie forgets about not talking to her. He explains everything to her. Curleys wife listens sympathetically, and she tells Lennie about her aspirations of being an actress, and how she believes her mother deliberately thwarted her plans. She becomes angered by Lennies continual references to rabbits, and asks him what his attraction to them is. Lennie explains that he likes to touch and pet soft things, like rabbit fur. * Curleys wife allows Lennie to stroke her hair, but panics when he wont let go. She begins to struggle and scream, and Lennie, also in a state of panic, shakes her to make her stop saying, I dont want you to yell. You gonna get me in trouble jus like George says you will, and he covered her rouged lipped mouth with his large palms. She continued to scream and struggle and now the fully nervous Lennie shouted angrily at her, Dont you go yellin , and shook her; and her body flopped like a fish he shakes her so violently that her neck broke and she died instantly. Lennie knows that he has done another bad thing and remembers that George told him to go and hide in the brush down by the river, so he quickly runs there. Sometime later, Candy enters the barn and discovers the body of Curleys wife. He runs and fetches George. George realises what has happened, and says that he has to tell the others. Candy protests, rightly pointing out that Curley would deliver no mercy to anyone who had killed his wife. Candy is in favour of letting Lennie escape. He asks George if it is still possible to buy the house, but his dreams are shattered when George says it isnt. When George tells the labourers the news, they all go into a frenzy, and seem affected by blood lust. Curley is furious and vows to kill Lennie. Carlson rushes off to get his gun, and even Whit wants to join in the hunt. Carlson reports that his gun has been stolen, and everyone thinks that Lennie is responsible. George begs Curley to have mercy on his companion, but Curley says he cant because Lennie has a gun. All of the men run off except for Candy, who lies down in despair. * The relationship between George, Lennie and Candy was now destroyed. * This relates to the theme of dreams as they couldnt get their own place and so their dream had crumbled as well. Paragraph 7 * Loneliness affects many of the characters, and Steinbeck seems to show that it is a natural and inevitable result of the kind of life they are forced to lead. The itinerant workers are caught in a trap of loneliness they never stay in one place long enough to form permanent relationships. Even if such relationships existed, they would probably be destroyed by the demands of the itinerant life. Candy is lonely because he is old, and is different from the other hands. His only comfort is his old dog, which keeps him company and reminds him of days when he was young and whole. He has no relatives, and once his dog is killed is totally alone. He eagerly clutches at the idea of buying a farm with George and Lennie, but of course this all comes to nothing. Candys disappointment is expressed in the bitter words he utters to the body of Curleys wife, whom he blames for spoiling his dream. George is also caught in the trap of loneliness. Just as Candy has his dog for company, George has Lennie (who is often described in animal-like terms). Continuing the parallel, George too is left completely alone when Lennie is killed. The dream farm is his idea, and he says Wed belong there no more runnin around the country. Another lonely character is Curleys wife. Newly married and in a strange place, she is forbidden by Curley to talk to anyone but him. To counter this, she constantly approaches the ranch hands on the excuse of looking for Curley. The only result is that the men regard her as a slut, and Curley becomes even more intensely jealous. Finally, her loneliness leads to her death as she makes the serious error of trying to overcome it by playing the tease with Lennie. Curley himself is lonely. His new wife hates him as do all the ranch hands who despise him for his cowardice. He has married in an attempt to overcome his loneliness, but has blindly chosen a wife totally inappropriate for the kind of life he leads. His feelings are all channelled into aggressive behaviour which further isolates his wife and leads to the incident with Lennie where his hand is crushed. Crooks is another who is isolated because he is different. He copes with it by keeping a distance between himself and the other hands. When he does allow himself to be drawn into the dream of working on George and Lennies dream farm, he is immediately shut out by Georges anger. * The conclusion, in my opinion is that people are brought together though loneliness and separated as they grow hostile (Crooks). It is like an endless game which has to be played by someone before someone gets eager and makes it worse by instigating. This is fatewhat will happen will happen. Just like a game .. someone always wins..and someone always loses..!