Globalization and Its Effects on Mexico Essay Example for Free

Globalization and Its Effects on Mexico Essay Mexico has the size and assets which could contribute to wealth and prosperity within their borders. The nation has the second longest border with the United States, significant oil resources, and the 11th largest population in the world. Mexico underwent all the necessary free market changes to help support globalization despite initial resistance, but they are yet to complete the interior microeconomic makeover they drastically need. Mexico has many things working for them but continue to underperform when it comes to global power and economy, China out performs Mexico for low-cost manufactured goods and India is often the target for outsourcing jobs and services over Mexico (Biggs, Shiess). After sustained pressure from the United States and the International Monetary Fund, Mexico decided to change their global economic stance to one that supports the free market. They changed their economy to one based upon exports, they eliminated most tariffs while lowering others, attracted foreign direct investment and private state assets, and finally reduced government spending. These steps were taken at an effort for Mexico to join in on the economic benefits of globalization, but Mexico only finished half of the necessary adjustments necessary for economic prosperity. (Biggs, Shiess) Many residents of Mexico may blame their problems on issues such as the drug cartels, the lack of quality jobs, or lack of foreign investment. Although these ideas may contribute to the problems that control Mexico, they are not the true reason. After Mexico completed their globalization efforts by using the ideas of macroeconomics, they had only completed half the necessary adjustments to truly co mpete as an economic superpower in the world today.(BBC News) Mexico has failed in great part due to their stubbornness and interior corruption to evolve their nation from that of an above average Latin American Economic power, to that of one on par with most European nations, China, India, and the United States. The second half of the puzzle that Mexico is missing relies heavily on the ideas of microeconomics. Mexico never created the level playing field for companies within their country and is greatly powered by monopolies which ruins an economy due to lack of competition and innovation. For Mexico to begin to succeed in the free market needs to put resources into banks, education(specifically on technology), mechanisms which will support collaboration between competing companies, and most importantly new laws to disallow the monopolies which control Mexico’s economy. (Biggs, Shiess) Until these steps are taken Mexico remains a country which can be overwhelmingly difficult to do business in, which turns away the majority of investors, and people looking to expand companies into different countries. It is not a good sign when according to the International Finance Corporation Mexico ranks 75 out of 183 countries in the world for â€Å"ease of starting a business†. (IFC) Around the year 2000 when the globalization movement was fully set in motion, Mexico was going through an extreme change in their political stance as well. This was a major problem for Mexico, even though the economic changes which were drastically needed were happening outside Mexico’s borders it is a very difficult task of changing their political institutions at the same time of changing economic institutions. Mexico continues to stand where they are rather than take a step back to allow for future gains, for example Mexico continues to rely on their state owned oil giant Pemex instead of bringing in new companies and investors for an attempt at innovation and competition in their oil industry. (Biggs, Shiess) Until Mexico decides to take a small hit and clean house in regards to their current internal economic stance companies will continue to avoid Mexico at all costs. Startup companies need stability in a political and economic system, and until Mexico is willing to offe r that and put in place fair trade laws, better tax laws, and economic regulations they will continue down the same road. Mexico is greatly reliant on their petroleum exports; this has been called the Resource Curse by many experts. The problem lies in that when they started to nationalize their oil resources, they needed foreign investment to refine petroleum into oil as they lacked the local funds to do so themselves. This results in some economic benefits due to other countries purchasing crude oil for themselves, but the process remains to be quite draining on what could be the road to economic prosperity. Mexico needs to mine the crude oil, export it to outside nations where they can refine it and then re-import it as gasoline. (Biggs, Shiess) The biggest problem that their fossil fuel dependence will bring upon Mexico is that the country is relying on the industry, and because demand and prices are high Mexico has no reason to start new industries. Oil is a fossil fuel and resources are diminishing, and when they are gone Mexico will not be in even rougher shape than they are currently. Mexico is at the crossroads when it comes to their economy and what direction those in power want to take the country in. As of right now the globalization efforts have helped the Mexican economy but due to lack of funds and a change in political scenery at the same time Mexico was unable to fully capitalize on the free market. They may have helped their trading relationships with outside countries, but not enough was done within their own borders to disallow corruption and monopolies. Mexico is stuck in place until they take the necessary short term economic downfall to get the full rewards from globalization. With the constant changing of political motives, problems with drug cartels, and corruption the chances of new businesses starting up is slim. Without new businesses to inspire competition the economy will continue to rely upon oil to sustain the country’s economy, but eventually the oil resources they have will run out and lead to ultimate turmoil within Mexico. Works Cited Biggs, Cate, Ami Shiess, Kelly Korenak, Linda Chang, and Laura Neumeister. World Savvy Monitor. World Savvy Monitor. Ed. Anita Trachte. The World Savvy Board, Aug. 2009. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. . Mexico Country Profile. BBC News. BBC, 09 Apr. 2012. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. . Doing Business in Mexico World Bank Group. Doing Business in Mexico World Bank Group. International Finance Corporation, 2012. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. .

The Effects of Environmental Policy on the Italian Economy, and Population :: Environment Italy Ecology Essays Papers

The Effects of Environmental Policy on the Italian Economy, and Population Introduction. The history of Italy is storied with rich traditions of emperors conquering land and building great empires. The culture of this great time period can still be enjoyed in the many infamous artworks and architectural masterpieces to this day. The pride of the Italian people can be seen in the many expert craftsmanship works in addition to boasting the sixth largest economy in the world. The balance of preserving the many priceless artworks of ages gone by with the byproduct of current economic expansion bodes a challenge to the environmental policies agreed upon by the Italian people. In my paper I will talk about the many aspects of how environmental policies impacts the population, economy and Italy’s natural resources. First I will provide background knowledge of the Italian people then I relate environmental topics such as air pollution, population trends and water management to one another. These topics are relevant to this course because they relate population and economics to the environment. Italy is a nation of 56, 735,130 million people strong www.expage.com/page/rozitaly2. One aspect of the new global Italian economy is driven by the artisanship and entrepreneurship of its people. The craftsmanship is renowned worldwide and one specific example of that was when the New York Financial Center was built, Italian marble and its stonemasons were explicitly used. Italians also are generally more business minded with the household savings rate of Italians shown to 3 average 18.3%; almost three times higher than of Americans. Also over 85% of Italians own two or more homes. Although differences are apparent between the north and south regions as many Italians live significantly better in the north region. Italy like many other nations is driven by capitalistic efforts to maximize profits and capital. www.floriapublications. com/italy/life One of the interesting differences about Italy compared to other various countries is the way government and its people perceive one another. As money is a main component in global markets, Italy crisis over tax obligations remain high. Up to recently higher taxes top the income rate of 51% and the public debt amounts to 124% of the GNP. Higher employment rates around 11% are misleading due to the large amount of so-called black market and under the table paid by cash only workers. Social security taxes are seldom reported and pension problems do exist. The lack of reporting or no reporting can supposedly add 19% of the value –added taxes go uncollected and unnoticed. The police largely look the other way and known black markets go on. The role of money is the fuel that drives the goods and services being bought and sold in the

Reimbursement and Pay-for-Performance Essay

Introduction There is a growing trend in the United States called pay-for-performance. Pay-for-performance is a system that is used where providers are compensated by payers for meeting certain pre-established measures for quality and efficiency (What is Pay-for-Performance, n.a.). We are going to be discussing what pay-for-performance is. There are different aspects of pay-for-performance which include; the effects of reimbursement by this approach, the impact cost reductions has on quality and efficiency of health care, the affects to the providers and patients, and the effects on the future of health care. Pay-for-Performance Pay-for-performance (P4P) and value-based purchasing are terms that can be heard within the health care industry which, describes payment systems that reward physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers for their quality and efficiency. The objective of pay-for-performance (P4P) initiatives is to link reimbursement to quality of health care as well as reduce systemwide costs (Shi & Singh, 2012). Government agencies as well as private health plans are in the process of establishing programs in hopes to encourage hospitals, doctors, and other providers so that they will start to meet the quality of standards and achieve the ideal outcome for patients. The overall goal for pay-for-performance is to increase the quality of health care, while reducing the medical costs by implementing programs that will focus on things such as preventative care which would include services such as annual exams and vaccinations. Measurements and Incentives When it comes to quality of care measurements there are different categories one of which being structure. The structure measures patients access to health care, the use of electronic systems and the patients experience of the care that they received. Incentives can be either financial incentives or non-financial incentives. Pay-for-performance has quite a few pros  because it helps increase the motivation of the physician or health care facility which in return will how the company that the individual care for their job and wants to be rewarded based on their good behavior and quality of care that they provide the patient with. There can be a con when it comes to pay-for-performance which would be that if the physician or staff does not have the proper knowledge, training, and experience then they might not be able to reach or exceed the goals that have been set. When the proper knowledge, training, and experience is an issue than this can cause the company to have to invest money into getting that individual the training and resources that they need to obtain the set goals. How Reimbursement is Affected When it comes to the pay-for-performance programs they have been introduced to the health care system to offer incentives to physicians, hospitals, and other medical facilities however the underlying structure of the payment system already generates a lot of incentives on its own. Currently in the United States a majority of physicians are paid on a fee-for-service basis, which in returns encourages a high volume of services, without regard to the value of the service to the patient. In the health care industry there are services that after they are performed the reimbursement is more generous on the payout than others. The pay-for-performance can alter the current incentives that physicians, hospitals, and other medical providers already receive. Reimbursement has affected the pay-for-performance in a positive way because health care providers are able to financially gain from it for providing their patients with quality health care services. Reimbursements are reinventing the way that health care is going to be delivered because health care providers are going to be able to amplify their profit through improving their quality of care, instead of it being the fee-for-service quantity. Pros of Pay-for-Performance for Patients When patients see physicians who are part of the pay-for-performance program this can be beneficial for them. The reason that patients see benefits is because the physician will work with the patients individually to get better health care results for the patient. If a patient has high blood pressure then the physician will focus on that issue and will work with the patient  to get it back to normal which in return the physician will see an incentive for this and the patient wins as well because they are getting the treatment that they need and their overall health is going to increase as a result of the services provided. System Cost Reductions The system costs reductions will have a positive impact on the quality and efficiency of health care. A lot of analyst have worried that the Affordable Care Act will weaken the quality and efficiency in health care because there will be way more patients and not enough quality health care providers. According to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (n.d.): In 2000, health care spending rose to $1.3 trillion dollars, or an average of $4,637 per person. As a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it grew from 13.1 percent in 1999 to 13.2 percent in 2000. National health expenditures are expected to reach $2.8 trillion in 2011, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3 percent from 2001 to 2011. By growing 2.5 percent faster that then the GPD, expenditures will consume approximately 17 percent of the GDP in 2011(para. 6). Affects on providers and Customers Pay-for-performance affects health care providers and their customers in a positive aspect because it improves the quality of health care that they receive from their physician which in return increases value. The pay-for-performance program will take health care from basic health care delivery to high-quality health care delivery. The way that this is going to affect the patient â€Å"customer† is because they are going to have an overall better experience with more attention to their overall health. The patient will also see benefits because there are incentives for patients when they live a healthy lifestyle. One of the incentives that the patient will see is in cost savings in the immediate future. Pay-for-performance is positive for all stakeholders involved within the program because it delivers on the main goal which is to increase the quality of care to patients while reducing the costs. The pay-for-performance will also help health care providers to establish more rapport and generate a good feedback within the community because when their patient receives quality health care services then the patient is going to go back and tell their family and friends about their positive experience and recommend that health care provider to their loved  ones. Effects on Future Health Care Pay-for-performance programs are expected to expand across the United States health care in the near future, especially with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The pay-for-performance is going to continue to increase the quality of health care that the patient receives from their health care provider. Pay-for-performance is eventually going to be all across the United States and more medical professionals are going to be participating within this incentive program which is going to start making health care affordable for many Americans who cannot afford health care coverage and or services. In the future we are going to start seeing healthier Americans because they are going to get health care services that are tailored solely on their health care needs. Doctors are going to start working to provide quality care in order to get their patients healthier whether it be getting their weight under control, blood pressure, and various other illnesses. Conclusion Pay-for-performance and reimbursement is changing the health care delivery system into a more cost efficient health care system that before. This is going to improve the quality of care that one receives because it steers away from the fee-for-service and gives physicians motivation to provide their patients with a better quality of car because of the incentives that they will receive. There are going to be many baby boomers that are going to start requiring more health care services and with this pay-for-performance implementation it is going to give them a better quality of care than in previous years. With the pay-for-performance incentives this is going to motivate doctors to get their patients in overall better health which in the future we will probably start seeing a decrease in chronic illnesses as patients will be working towards a better and healthier lifestyle. References Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (n.d.) http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/factsheets/costs/costria/index.html Rosenthal, M.B. (2006). How Will Paying for Performance Affect Patient Care?. Retrieved from http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/2006/03/pfor1-0603.html Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2012). Delivering health care in America: Health Policy (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.

Gun Control Laws Will Save Lives Essay - 2493 Words

Research Paper Rough Draft The history of guns has long been embedded in our society and culture. Back in the old days, people used guns for the hunting of food. Most people in those days also would use guns as their main source of income as wells as for the protection of themselves from Indians, wild animals, and other enemies. There had less rules concerning the purchasing of guns and the handling of it. However, the times are really changing and the intents of civilians to do things are sometimes not for the better. According to the viewpoint essay â€Å"Stronger Gun Control Laws Will Save Lives† by Christine Watkins, Watkins states that there are â€Å"400,000 crimes committed every year,† and â€Å"the United States has the highest rate of firearm deaths (more than 30,000 each year) among twenty-five high-income nations.† Firearms are very dangerous, and having guns does not necessarily mean that it will protect a person from enemies. It is the governmentâ⠂¬â„¢s responsibility to protect its citizens, not the citizens themselves. There would be a reduction of gun-related deaths and incidents by having stricter gun regulations and performing more thorough background checks or gun owners. Firearms provide a significant increase in gun-related deaths. According to Matthew Miller and David Hemenway, directors of the Harvard Injury Control Research Center at the Harvard School of Public Health in their essay called â€Å"The Availability of Guns Increase the Risk of Suicide,† they said thatShow MoreRelatedGun Control And Its Effect On The Country1310 Words   |  6 Pagesbut guns are the instrument of death. Gun control is necessary, and delay means more death and horror† (BrainyQuote, n.d.). Many people say that gun control will not affect violence rates in a country. Also, they say that if everyone has a gun, then that will stop mass massacres. The people who believe that gun control is not needed are wrong. This is becaus e gun control has been proven to improve the safety of a country. For example, In Australia and Britain reduced violence caused by guns by puttingRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1424 Words   |  6 Pagesin the 9th century which lead to the creation of guns. A repeating firearm is a firearm that holds more that one cartridge and can be fired more than once between chargings. Gun control should be enforced more because it will help prevent violence, it can help stop crime, and although some people may argue that gun control should not be enforced because guns can help save people’s lives but they are wrong because people misuse guns. Gun control should be enforced more because it will preventRead MoreEssay on Gun Law Reforms869 Words   |  4 Pages Would you rather have people own a gun, especially your neighbors? Firearms are tools intended for harm against others. However, it is also common for people to misuse firearms for their own purpose. People at war use guns to harm others, totaling in millions of death due to guns. Additionally, most crimes in the world involve the use of guns. There are even arms dealers out there illegally selling weapons to the wrong people. Banning specific weapons in general won’t change the fact that peopleRead MoreBennett Dorton. English 11. 1-26-17.Gun Control In America.1270 Words   |  6 PagesBennett Dorton English 11 1-26-17 Gun Control In America Every time a gun injures or kills in self defense it is used seven times in a criminal assault or homicide; furthermore the main argument against stricter gun laws is the fact that they are needed for self defense. Gun control is a very controversial and debatable topic, and many people have different opinions. In the Constitution, The Second Amendment gives the right to bear arms, but there have been restrictionsRead MoreGun Control Is Needed1472 Words   |  6 PagesGun Control Is Needed Regulation of guns is a necessary action that needs to be taken in order to save lives. A good definition of gun control is needed to understand the sides and issues. Gun control is an effort to stop the rise in violent crime by strengthening laws on the ownership of firearms. Persons in the group against gun control believe that gun control is wrong, and that it is a violation of constitutional rights. Those in favor of gun control believe that gun control is goodRead MoreThe Issue Of Gun Control1119 Words   |  5 PagesGun control is something that the country is strongly divided on. The some on the right wing wants so few restrictions they can go to Walmart and buy an AK-47. At the same time certain members on the left wing want to take away anything bigger than an airsoft gun. There is a fine line between the two, but that is where the country needs to be. Like a clown on a unicycle, edging across a tight rope, this country needs to find balance between the two. That being said, at this point the country needsRead MorePros And Cons Of Stricter Gun Control1357 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Guns are designed to kill. They have no other function† (Bowman and Newton). Today, there is a major debate whether or not guns should be legalized. Gun control is a firearm regulation which sets laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, or possession of firearms. The Second Amendment was ratified in on December 15, 1791 that a llowed people the right to bear arms, but many people disagree with that and to express their opinions, both sides protest. Guns have a long history in the UnitedRead MoreSay Yes to Gun Control1144 Words   |  5 PagesYes to Gun Control What would make you feel safer? Walking down the streets knowing that people can carry guns around willingly or knowing that people cannot carry guns willingly and that there are strict rules and regulations for having a gun? I would go with the second option. America has some of the highest rated gun related crimes and homicides. If you erase the option people being able to own guns, maybe there will be less gun related incidents. Yes you can still be able to get guns from placesRead MoreDon t Pull The Trigger On Gun Control1029 Words   |  5 Pages Don’t Pull the Trigger on Gun control Have you ever wondered why the United States always seems to have mass shootings in the news? Well, this is why gun control should be mandated in the America. Gun control is a debate fueled by the recent shootings of Colombine, Sandy Hook, Marysville Pilchuck, and the recent shooting at a social center. Gun control is a proposal to ban or further restrict gun laws, gun control has been put in place in many other countries such as Canada, The United Kingdom,Read MoreThe Streets Of Chicago, A Young People Of The United States1410 Words   |  6 Pagesmistreated, abused, and degraded. First, the government taking away guns is resulting in an increased potential of governmental tyranny and oppression. The people need to keep the government in check to prevent tyranny which is only through the people’s main source of power over the government, guns. Without guns the government has ultimate power over the people leading to suffering, death, and hardships. In the article, â€Å"Gun Control and Genocide† the Mercy Seat Christian Church claims â€Å"In 1975 ­1979