The Oil Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Oil Industry - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the oil industry is not a modern development. It traces back its history to ancient ages. The only problem that has necessitated changes pertains to refinery and exploitation of oil. The modern oil industry emanated from an invention by Colonel Edwin Drake. It involved a steam-driven rig for drilling. This set up an expensive machine that most individuals could not be acquired. The only strategy was to harness resources for acquiring such machines. The machines became more expensive to acquire as time progressed since the demand for oil necessitated very quality product. The first companies progressed to attain revenues that offset their high costs. In this sense, they became monopolies. The main reason of monopoly pertained to the fact that it was becoming difficult to attain the minimum efficient scale.   The established companies were experiencing economies of scale. However, this trend stalled on the formation of unions such as o ligopoly.   The OPEC was composed of Middle East Asia countries and Venezuela. They emerged to form a substantial influence on the market. In spite of the fact, oil was a unique product, it could be refined to several products. These products helped create companies such as shell and BP who later influenced entry of other companies. In spite of the domineering presence of unions such as OPEC, prices usually shift in response to notable factors... There are notable factors that affect the demand of oil. To begin with, there is the concept of the cyclical demand of oil. This pertains to demand of oil that swings according to growth of economies. As economy grows, the demand of oil rises to the same. This is because oil is an essential input of many industries. It is vital to note that oil forms a core part of the production chain. The growth of economies is proportionate to growth of industries. In turn, the industries are triggered to increase production in order that the same meets the increasing demand out of surging income. A relevant example concerns with the case of China. Its demand of oil has substantially increased because of the growth in its economy. In addition, the price of substitutes is a core determination of oil’s demands. This pertains to produc5ts such as gas and coal. In the long-term strategies of many countries, they seek possible alternatives for oil. In this sense, the demand of oil would reduce. For instance, there was a demand of oil in 2004 to 2006 that led to substantial research into its possible alternatives. Additionally, change of climate serves to affect the demand of oil in the countries that experience the four seasons. This is eminent in European countries, USA and Russia. In this sense, there is high demand of oil during winter. This is because individuals require substantial energy in heating systems. For instance, there is increased demand of oil, for heating houses and work places, during fierce winters. In addition, speculative forces influences demand in distinct ways. Due to its imitable qualities, there are always speculations of rise in prices of oil. In one of the most recent instances, individuals rushed to attain

Empire of Capitalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Empire of Capitalism - Essay Example French and German capitalism developed in a different way to the (more advanced) British form. When industrialization occurred in Britain it was driven by the need for technology to support farming. In France and Germany, however, it developed because they had a number of rivalries with other countries and so needed armies to support their place in the world. It was only after the defeat of Napoleon, and the loss of the protection guaranteed by having a large empire, that the economic competition from Britain began to be felt in France. France did not respond by copying the way Britain had developed, nor did they challenge Britain's better economic position in the world. Military needs continued to be the main reason why there was more industrialization in the nineteenth century, and the technological advances this brought gave France a head start in technological industries. The tradition of the government running industries in France also helped encourage industrial development, as well as laying the foundations of the quality of France's current public services - health, welfare, etc. State-led and military based economic development was even more marked in Germany. Before the nineteenth century Germany was many different countries. ... late nineteenth century there was a rapid period of economic development under Bismark (who was the German chancellor), and this quick growth was due in the main to military requirements (Bismark needed to fight wars). This is in sharp contrast to Britain's economic development, they made things for the non-military market. Germany's economy developed due to the government spending money on military goods. The Classic Age of Imperialism British capitalism meant that other countries had to become capitalist to compete with them. But this did not stop wars; the nineteenth century was the age at which colonial imperialism (the taking of other countries by force) was at its height. Marxist colonial theories of the time reflected this fact: Marx himself was interested in most mature system of capitalism - Britain. He saw Britain as a capitalist country in a world of largely non-captialist countries. Proceeding Marxist theorists of the twentieth century ("from Lenin to Mao"2) worked within systems that were either only partly capitalist or not capitalist at all. Marxist theories of imperialism likewise shifted their focus from the internal operations within capitalist countries to their exterior relations with the non-capitalist world. They thought that capitalism would end because capitalist countries would destroy themselves in wars over colonies. But such rivalries required a non-capitalistic world (i.e. Countries that could become colonies) to fight over. Rosa Luxemburg explicitly states that capitalism, despite wanting to take oer the world, requires "other economic systems as a medium and soil."3 In these theories, then, capitalism needs non-capitalism. The world of 'classical imperialism' (in which Europe and Northern American were made up of competing armies

Liberalism remains hugely influential in British Politics Essay Example for Free

Liberalism remains hugely influential in British Politics Essay Liberalism remains hugely influential in British Politics, moulding the value systems and policies of all the mainstream political parties.’ Discuss. The prime focus of Liberalism is freedom and liberty; the type of liberty they strive for depends, however, on which of the two types of Liberalism is being referred to. Firstly; classical Liberalism, believing in negative freedom and progressive Liberalism leaning more towards positive freedom. I would argue that Liberalism does still have an influence in British politics; however I would not go as far as to say that it is ‘hugely’ influential. Firstly, I would outline that the Labour Party is possibly the least liberal in their political approach. Their manifesto does not set out many liberal policies due to their economical stance. The fact that Labour is traditionally a moderately socialist party, concentrating on equality within society and for this reason, they would steer away from the free-market and limited government intervention approaches that liberals may take to politics. The limited government that Classical liberals see as ideal would not appeal to the Labour party as they strive for the equality of their citizens and would feel that they need to impose policies, such as their policy on housing set out in their 2010 manifesto ‘No stamp duty for first-time buyers on all house purchases below  £250,000 for two years, paid for by a five per cent rate on homes worth more than  £1 million.’ This policy shows a socialist side to New Labour, highlighting a ‘from each according to his ability, to each according to his need’ ideology within Labour politics. However, progressive liberalism may be seen to have had more of an influence on Labour Party politics. The fact that the Labour party believes in imposing policies of equality on society implies that they value positive freedom. Policies put forward such as the Equality Bill; which has been justified as a consolidation measure bringing different strands of anti-discrimination law together while implementing EU directives; highlight the controlled aspect of the Labour party’s equality regime. It could be argued that in the past, aspects of Liberalism, although neither truly Classical or Progressive, such as Neo-Liberalism have had a significant influence on British politics as well as the policies and value systems of the Conservative party in particular. During Thatcher’s time in office, she highlighted an ideal of a pragmatic means to progress. The Thatcherite Conservative party saw Neo-Liberalism as an obvious way to adapt to the constantly changing nature of modern political thought. Tony Blair’s New Labour could also be seen as a Neo-Liberal third way government, on both a social and economic scale. The current Conservative party however, seem to be significantly less affected by Liberalism. Arguably, the free-market ideals that Cameron appears to hold are seen as Neo-Liberal; however, it is apparent that in the current coalition government that Britain is currently led by, this free-market and Neo-Liberal philosophy has been limited to the catch-all demands of mainstream politics. This is apparent in Conservative economic policies such as that put forward in their 2010 pre-general election manifest: ‘A five per cent pay cut for Ministers followed by a five-year freeze, and a 10 per cent reduction in the number of MPs.’ This policy in itself shows how Cameron’s Conservative party are trying to appeal to the masses in controlling the pay of ministers. This does not necessarily denote a free-market approach to the economy and does not play into the meritocratic values that have been seen in the Conservative party in the past. It could also be argued however, that more prominent economic policies put forward in the Conservative manifesto pre-2010 have shown that Cameron’s Conservatives are moving toward the Neo-Liberal, Thatcherite ideology that the Conservative party once had. Although this may not have been the case when Cameron first became the leader of the Conservative party in 2005, aspects of his party’s general election manifesto in 2010, such as: ‘Reduce welfare dependency’ and ‘Stopping tax credits to families with incomes over  £50,000’ have proven to have shown the party’s shift back towards Thatcherite economic politics. These policies show a move back towards meritocratic society and a distinct step away from the ‘something for nothing’ culture that has emerged in modern Britain. Finally, the Liberal Democrats; both by name and by nature; are arguably more influenced by Liberalism than any other mainstream political party. Progressive Liberalism can be seen clearly in certain aspects of their recent policies, on education for example: ‘Cutting class sizes to ensure children get the individual attention they need.’ This is a fine example of how the Liberal Democrats would like to impose positive liberty and freedom on its citizens; cutting class sizes would increase individual attention and therefore arguably create more freedom and liberty for pupils in the long-term. It could also be argued however, that the Liberal Democrats are no longer such a liberal party, but more of a third way political party; much like the Conservative and Labour parties who have shifted towards the centre of political ideals and values in order to also become more ‘catch-all’ and appeal to the masses. In conclusion, I would argue that broadly Liberalism is not hugely influential in British politics as a whole and does not necessarily mould the value systems and policies of all the mainstream political parties. However, I would argue that liberalism still remains influential in certain specific parts of each party’s policies and value systems; therefore remaining an influential force, to an extent, in British politics.

Foreign Direct Investment On Host Country Economies

Foreign Direct Investment On Host Country Economies Globalization has changed companies international activities over the year all over the world for well developed and developing countries (Stefanini2006). Globalization; countries worldwide dissemination of the material and spiritual values are considered as beyond national borders, among countries in the economic, political and cultural values, variable gain, resolution of ideological distinctions based on the polarization of different cultural values, beliefs and expectations and better recognition of the intensification of these relations, as well as homogeneity of the differences reached a development that would be correct. Another way, globalization of economic, political, social and cultural fields, some common values beyond the local and national boundaries are defined as the spread around the world. Globalization has been seen important improvement around the world countries and economies, creating greater unity in international business and finance and rapidly accelerating the integration of developing countries into the global economy. Wit and Meyer(2005) suggested that in analysis of globalization has crucial importance which are Globalization of companies, businesses and economies. However, these trends have not in any sense been universally positive for all the countries. There are many reasons that globalization has negative impacts to different countries well developed countries have seen benefit of globalization while poor and developing countries and economies have been faced negative effect of globalization. The globalization is not just expand to investment to other countries because it is effected the host countries economical social existing and future condition such as employment rate, GDP, increase technological skills and integration and cross border cooperation. Emerging and developing countries try to attract to invest foreign investment with such as new regulations, law, reduce to borders to have global competitive advantage to attract business firms because one of the most crucial issue of development is the investment for the countries. It is not always to possible to cover all needed investment by internal resources. The process of globalization, particularly foreign capital flows to developing countries is of great importance for the development and to attract and growth foreign investment is a great change to host countries especially in the developing countries. The multinational companies have reached significant transnational trade helping by improvement of services, technologies. Foreign direct investment (FDI) decision of the firms is one of the crucial issues in term of the host country such as the market and political situation and certainty, benefits and alternatives shapes the entre strategies. Foreign Direct Investment Definition of Foreign Direct Investment FDI can be descried that activities of a business of beyond the borders of the home country and the manufacturing plant to establish of existing production facilities by increasing its capital to a subsidiary of a FDI in the different country. In the worldwide perception, foreign direct investment (FDI) is delicate to economic situation of the countries. Allen and Edward (2008) mentioned that the inadequacy of data for surveillance remains an issue in many countries. FDI growth factors demand less of the monitoring and compliances to lure the investment leading to more exposure. It was reported by The World Bank (Investing Across Borders 2010) that in 1970 global FDI total $13.3 billion and in 2007 it was $1.9 trillion however in 2009 the economic rescission affected all type business trade and FDI in developed countries dropped 41% contrast in developing countries it was 35%. There is many benefits and disadvantages of FDI in the host countries. Business firms has facilitated many new jobs, develop the skills, new technologies on the other hand impact of FDI is not always positive for example competition with local business, environmental labour right issues, undermining local government(Navaretti and Venables 2004) Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) influences the economic performance and is given various advantages to firm thus reach cheap raw materials and natural resources in different geographies, cheap cost of manufacturing process, weak labour and health safety regulations, less taxing. FDI decision is one of the most important issues companies need to carefully reviews the conditions of the host country, in line with the market situation in which competing firms choose the way of investment. There is factors directly affecting foreign direct investment (FDI) desions such as political balance, low rates, indused policies. According to Sun(2009) linkages between domestic and foreign firms can also affect the export performance of domestic firms, which provides yet another explanation for increased competition for FDI among host country governments. There are two basic understanding of the effect of FDI, one of them is considered that this effect is positive and other second believe refused it however spillover effect is still important matter for these two sides. (Aitken and Harrison 1999) Navaretti and Venables (2006) mentioned the FDI effect host and home countries in variety of ways and it can be structured in three way firstly product market effects these are the quantity and quality of home and host country and also competitive conditions of multinational and local companies. Secondly factors market effects can be expand as capital and labour and thirdly spillover which is effects of technological improvement in host country. FDI Theories Vernon (1966) as cited by Bora (2002) examined Product life cycle model seeks to bridge international trade theory and individual firm`s perspective of investment in product development and mentioned that there different level in the product life cycle in different multinational companies. The theory basically concerned that foreign direct investment (FDI) is major way to transfer new innovations and technology and assume three level of product life cycles. Caves(1971) as cited by Jones and Wren(2006) studied Hymer`s theory and linked Hymer`s theory of international production to the then current theories of industrial organization on horizontal which is firm`s product in foreign market and vertical integration which is different stage of production. Dunning (1997) developed OLI(ownership, location initials of internationalization) theory also known as eclectic theory. According to the eclectic theory multinational companies invest and acts to advantages of ownership advantages, location advantages, and internationalization advantages. Domestic and foreign companies can achieve competitive advantage in markets that are closely related to benefits. Foreign direct investment (FDI) studies regarded to positive effect of employment in host countries and emerge of economy. Chen (2000) mentioned that foreign direct investment(FDI) helps to improve knowledge skills and assistance to progress new technologies and adaptation to new ideas marketing and business strategies and also make attractive to other investors in host country. Foreign Direct Investment in China China`s historical changes is an important example to progression communism and imperialism systems. Chinese communists have transformed their socialist ideology into a new national project that de ¬Ã‚ nes modernisation in globalist terms.(Harris 2005) Zhilong(2002) mentioned that China began to implement the opening-up policy and actively utilise foreign direct investment (FDI) after Deng Xiaoping had come into power, which means that China did not open its domestic market until the early eighties. During the three decades from 1949 to 1979, China absolutely forbade foreign investments and hardly took foreign loans. Since agreement to the WTO in 2001 FDI growth dramatically and China has become biggest FDI share comparing in developing countries according to WTO(2008) China has become the world`s third largest trader and manufacturer. WTO(2009), export of Chinese goods has determined that the first order and export of commercial services ranked Fifth in the world also China has become one of the largest importer in the world. One of the most well developed country Germany has ranked second in export of merchandise and export of commercial services was third. This report shows that Brazil and India other most emerging countries in FDI. Euromonitor (2010) indicates that China`s export were valued Chinas exports were esteemed at US$119.9 billion in April 2010, up by 30.5% year-on-year and increase 24% than last year. The reason of increase of export was mainly growing machinery and electronics sales to USA, the EU and Japan. In addition in April 2010, imports went up 49.7% year-on-year to US$118.2 billion however The annual expansion in imports slowed compared to March 2010, when imports increased by a robust rate of 66.2% year-on-year to US$119.4 billion. In April 2010, China, open 7.2 billion U.S. dollars recorded in the previous month, according to the first time since 2004, recorded a trade surplus of $ 1,700,000,000. However, compared with a year ago, Chinas trade surplus shrank 87.0% in April of 2010. Muyuan(2011) argued that after earthquake in Japan there will be negative impact of FDI in China because Japan is the second foreign direct investment(FDI) country in China after Hong Kong. Japan FDI was $4.1 billion in 2010 and this figure corresponds to 3.9% of FDI in China. However China`s economic growth is not just depend on FDI there is significant foreign exchange reserves and surplus even though it was believed that there will be long term impact of Japan FDI rise of economic growth in China. The massive expansion of the Chinese economy growth can be described as a miracle comparing the improvement global export and has become an economic power in the world. Chinese companies ranked top list of leading global business firm over the years. Since economic development people lifestyle, consumer behaviour has changed in China. There is huge movement to rural area to big cities even though largest population still remains in the rural areas. There is different studies have defined FDI in different ways for instance according to Chen(2000) foreign direct investment defined as investment in which a firm acquires a substantial controlling interest in a foreign firm or sets up a subsidiary in a foreign firm or sets up subsidiary in a foreign country and also is one of the strategy to getting multinational. There is different ways to invest other countries such as licensing, franchising, joint venture, exporting, greenfield investment, merger and acquisitions. Foreign Direct Investment in Brazil FDI has crucial role in progress and improvement of Brazil economy and being attracted by many multinational firms. Over these progresses Government policies has been changed to make suitable to invest by firms. Euromonitor(2010) confirmed that Brazil has second foreign direct investment(FDI) inflow in the world. According to the central bank foreign direct investment in Brazil (2009) totalled $25.9 billon. The impact of FDI on Brazilian economy has been helped a number of ways for instance improvement policies, economical situation, political stability and increasing the countries reputation over the years. The growth of FDI has changed and increased productivity level, competitiveness and become more ease up since 1990s in Brazil. The spillover effect influence existing market and productivity of other firms also and it is more likely that products becomes cheaper The foreign investors create outflow of personnel, management styles from the foreign firms to host companies. Moran(2004) mentioned that Citibank`s training program influend the financial sector and become a leading example to train their own employees in Brazil. FDI is not effect employment level also it may affect technological improvements which is called spillover effect which is transferred by firms and effect productivity, effiency and econimal growth.(Jones and Wren 2006) The growth of FDI has changed and increased productivity level, competitiveness and become more ease up since 1990s in Brazil. Conclusion This essay aims to give an overview of foreign direct investment with main theories and examples from variety of countries. Activities of multinational companies effect in both home and host countries in the global world and also these activities have some advantages impact in short and long term prospects and significant effects on both sides. Over the past decades emerging countries have changed and improved existing economical and political situations to attract by and become very attractive for FDI and gain competitive advantages especially such countries China, India and Brazil become major host countries for international companies. Foreign direct investment has been effected economy, investment trade ,structure, envoriment and labour in host countries.

Standardizing The Mind :: essays research papers

Standardizing the Mind Is it safe to assume that all people are capable of learning the same things? Should the educational system be allowed to say what is useful information and what is not for human learning and development? These questions deserve attention since the answers can determine so much about someone's future. One standard set for students is the SAT test. Most Colleges use this single test score along with GPA to determine whether or not a potential student will be allowed enrollment to their school. An SAT test is based in two subjects, mathematics and English. By placing such heavy emphasis on these areas of learning, do we plan to grant the best higher education to those who are gifted writers and mathematicians? Perhaps we don't intend to do this, but an underlying social bias affects the way we value knowledge or what we think smart people know how to do. Students are encouraged to be doctors, lawyers, mathematicians, or engineers; they are encouraged to shoot for a high status occupation that will generate wealth. In America we like money, we like jobs that make us money, not jobs that make us good people. Our society values scientists. The scope of Western thought is based on reason and logic, everything that we produce is supposed to have a direct purpose and function, production for the sake of consumption. What happened to creating something for thought? Where did our artists go? When was the last time the US won a Nobel Prize in Philosophy or any field other than Science? We don't think about things unless we get paid for it. Why is an artist not as important to us as a brain surgeon? I think both can show us great and interesting things, but for now I think that an artist can tell us more about human thought. From as early as grade school we are taught the 'Scientific Method', when maybe we should spend more time with finger paints and cooperative learning. In my mind the two most important traits an individual can develop are appreciation for individual creativity and understanding the benefits of sharing that inner individualism with others. No two people are the same, but sharing what we do is best for everyone. People can learn about themselves, their goals and what makes them happy by seeing what other people are capable of producing and realizing that they are also endowed to create.

Carmen :: essays research papers

Carmen is a story about a girl who is only fourteen years old and she deals with moving to a new neighborhood and her abusive, alcoholic father. As she deals with her father’s problems and her mother’s denial she quickly falls into a life of drugs and despair, which will follow her throughout most of her life. It all starts with Carmen and her family moving from Brooklyn to New Jersey they find a bigger house and buy lavish furniture that they cannot afford.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Her dad has always been an alcoholic, but lately he has become aggressive and lashes out at Carmen and her mother. After he tries to strangle Carmen she tries to run away and finally succeeds on her second attempt. Carmen then lives with her friend Lulu for awhile and she becomes addicted to heroin. Carmen meets two people through Lulu: Nancy and Bud. Bud grows fond of Carmen and she decides to live with Bud who is a drug dealer, but after she repeatedly steals drugs from him, he kicks Carmen out. Carmen who has no place to go, walks around the subway for hours and Nancy recognizes her and offers Carmen a place to stay by introducing her to Hugh and Gene, they are two men that protect her and they are known as pimps. Carmen turns to prostitution because it is the only way to pay for the drugs she uses. One day Hugh is caught and charged with operating a business illegally and Carmen becomes bored quickly and moves to the Bronx to find more work. Carmen then meets Vinnie, a man who enjoys her company and sometimes gives her money out of pity for her situation. Vinnie starts to use heroin while Carmen is away and he too becomes addicted to the drug. Vinnie’s personality changes and he is desperate for money and a way to get high, so he and Carmen plan to burglarize a home of a recently deceased person. They break into the house while the funeral takes place and as they attempt to leave, the police arrest both Carmen and Vinnie. They are put in jail and enter a drug abuse program. Carmen and Vinnie are released after ninety days and they both turn to drugs again. One day Carmen walks down an avenue and Nancy recognizes her and stops to talk. Carmen is asked by Nancy to baby sit her son Tommy and she agrees to watch him for a little while so Nancy can run some errands. Carmen :: essays research papers Carmen is a story about a girl who is only fourteen years old and she deals with moving to a new neighborhood and her abusive, alcoholic father. As she deals with her father’s problems and her mother’s denial she quickly falls into a life of drugs and despair, which will follow her throughout most of her life. It all starts with Carmen and her family moving from Brooklyn to New Jersey they find a bigger house and buy lavish furniture that they cannot afford.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Her dad has always been an alcoholic, but lately he has become aggressive and lashes out at Carmen and her mother. After he tries to strangle Carmen she tries to run away and finally succeeds on her second attempt. Carmen then lives with her friend Lulu for awhile and she becomes addicted to heroin. Carmen meets two people through Lulu: Nancy and Bud. Bud grows fond of Carmen and she decides to live with Bud who is a drug dealer, but after she repeatedly steals drugs from him, he kicks Carmen out. Carmen who has no place to go, walks around the subway for hours and Nancy recognizes her and offers Carmen a place to stay by introducing her to Hugh and Gene, they are two men that protect her and they are known as pimps. Carmen turns to prostitution because it is the only way to pay for the drugs she uses. One day Hugh is caught and charged with operating a business illegally and Carmen becomes bored quickly and moves to the Bronx to find more work. Carmen then meets Vinnie, a man who enjoys her company and sometimes gives her money out of pity for her situation. Vinnie starts to use heroin while Carmen is away and he too becomes addicted to the drug. Vinnie’s personality changes and he is desperate for money and a way to get high, so he and Carmen plan to burglarize a home of a recently deceased person. They break into the house while the funeral takes place and as they attempt to leave, the police arrest both Carmen and Vinnie. They are put in jail and enter a drug abuse program. Carmen and Vinnie are released after ninety days and they both turn to drugs again. One day Carmen walks down an avenue and Nancy recognizes her and stops to talk. Carmen is asked by Nancy to baby sit her son Tommy and she agrees to watch him for a little while so Nancy can run some errands.

Ordinary People

Ordinary people 1. What is dialectic? Dialectic is like treat people with  borderline personality disorder. It explains relational life as full of pus-pull tensions resulting from the desire for polar opposites. Autonomy and Connection It desire to be independent or dependence while simultaneously wanting to feel connection with the partner EX: Beth and Calvin have the connection dialectic when they decide to go on a vacation together. Conrad has autonomy dialectic after he argued with his mom down stair and went to his room, he want to be alone.Novelty and Predictability They manifest in our simultaneous desires for excitement or stability in our relationship,—- Novelty is excitement, new. Predictability is stable, same routine. EX: in the film, Conrad has Novelty dialectic when he met his friend, Jen. The mother, Beth, has Predictability dialectic because she always keeps thinking about Buck’s dead was not happened; she always thought nothing was happened. Public an d Private It is the tension between how much of a friendship is demonstrated in public and private.EX: in the movie, when Conrad when to the restaurant with Jen, he has the public dialectic, he is openness at the beginning at the restaurant. But when Jeannie’s friends came in the restaurant, Conrad changed his dialectic into Private and does not like to talk at all. 2. System theory Wholeness: a principle that states that we can not understand a system by simply picking it apart. An undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting Interdependence: dependence  between  two  or  more  people,  groups,  or  thingsEX: Conrad’s dependence between his parents, friends. Hierarchy: the organization of people at different ranks in an administrative body * In the film, it does not show any rank in the family, every one look like in the same rank. Boundaries or Openness: a line determining the limits of an area, creating a boundary around each s eparate system. EX: in the movie, Conrad tell Dr. Berger how he feel about his family and his sadness. Calibration or feedback: the process of system setting their parameters, checking on themselves and self-correcting. Conrad quit his swimming team because he can not handle his stress while swimming. Equifinality: the ability to achieve the same goals by variety of means. 3. Mark knapp’s model of relationship. a). Conrad and Jeannie Pratts’ relationship in the Initiating Stage, they notice each other when they just meet in school. They are also in Experimenting Stage, Conrad called her and want to date her, she accepted it. This mean they understand what they want. b) Ordinary People Family cooperation is one of the most important things that keep the family running smooth and keeping the family happy. In the novel Ordinary People written by Judith Guest, she showed that a family cannot function properly without communications and caring of each other. Lack of these things would usually results in family separation. In the novel’s case, it didn’t turn out to be a disaster but it turn out to be another happy thing for this family. At some point of the novel, the relationship between Beth and Calvin began to fall apart because of their different personalities. This situation happen after Conrad committed suicide. This problem seems to hinder Beth because she doesn’t want to be reminded of the incident and Calvin always wants to talk about this problem. Whenever Calvin asks Beth to talk about their problems, Beth always asks Calvin to forget about it. Beth is a person who always wants things turn out the way she wanted and if things doesn’t turn out the way she wanted she will get mad. On the other hand, Calvin is a person that tries to do his best for his kids because he doesn’t have a father when he was little and the most he could do is ask Conrad â€Å"how are your day? † Conrad is Beth and Calvin’s son. They had another son but he got killed accidently on a boat. Conrad thinks Beth hates him because he committed suicide. In the book, Beth and Conrad rarely talks and their mother and son relationship doesn’t seem to exist. When Conrad once tried to tell Beth about his swimming meets, Beth just slammed the door and this made Conrad feels sad. Conrad and Calvin’s relationship wasn’t in terms of son and father wasn’t that bad. At least Calvin cares about Conrad more than Beth does. I have a problem similar to Conrad where whenever I want to tell something to my parents, they listen but they don’t understand the things that I’m talking about then when I ask for their opinions they always say do whatever things that you think its right. The reason that I tell my parents something is because I don’t understand what do to and they seem to not care and want me to figure out my self. Then I ask my parents individually, I talked to my father first, he seems interested enough to listen to what I was talking about then when I was done and ask him for his opinion he started to tell me about his childhood and that he always have to make decisions on his own without anyone’s help. After that I talked to my mother, she is a careful person and she seems to know what do to on everything. I told her my problem and she listened carefully then when I was done talking and ask her for opinions, she gave me her opinions and advices to my problem. It seems to me that not everyone in the family will know what to do but there always will be at least one person that tries to help you like Calvin helps Conrad and my mother helps me. Communication is the key in family. When family communicate, they don’t hide things, they let people know what they feel and how someone could help them. It also makes the family closer. If people don’t communicate, they can’t get things over like Beth does.