AIDS Epidemic Increase And African Countries Economies Essay Example for Free

AIDS Epidemic Increase And African Countries Economies Essay The countries of the developing world most seriously affected by AIDS thus far are in sub-Saharan Africa. Accordingly, much of the social research on AIDS in the developing world is concerned with Africa, as is much of the research reviewed in this chapter. But many of the behavior patterns described and the conclusions reached apply elsewhere. AIDS is primarily a sexually transmitted disease, and the escalating epidemics in the developing world are principally the result of sexual encounters with an infected partner. In all countries AIDS is also transmitted by the use of contaminated needles in intravenous drug injections, by blood transfusions of infected blood, and perinatally from infected mothers to their unborn children. But sexual transmission is everywhere the predominant mode, and, internationally, heterosexual transmission accounts for some 70 percent of all new AIDS cases (Mann et al. 1992:33). In the regions of Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa, one of three different modes of sexual transmission of the AIDS virus predominatesalthough all modes occur with some frequency in all three regions. In Asia, prostitution plays the key role; in Latin America, homosexual and bisexual behavior; and in Africa, heterosexual transmission. The majority of African countries are experiencing a serious economic crisis. That crisis, though showing signs of moderation in some countries, has resulted in development eluding most of the others, with far-reaching negative consequences on their populaces. When there is no development, there is hopelessness; and where there is hopelessness, there is no effort to work toward development. The circle becomes complete and reinforcing. Unfortunately, in most of Africa, the economic crisis has made life an endless series of vicious circles that are now spreading economic suffering in a concentrated fashion. The economic crisis in Africa represents a historical tragedy, and the historical evidence now suggests that such a crisis need not have occurred. Despite some views to the contrary, the overwhelming opinion is that this economic crisis is primarily the inevitable outcome of the failure of postindependence development policy formulation and implementation in the majority of the African countries. In most of Africa, postindependence development policy was formulated through a statist ideological framework, which was then implemented by experimentation. Moreover, some, if not all, of the countries had to contend with an adverse international economic environment. That combination produced disastrous results. Among other things, poverty and socioeconomic inequalities increased, the external debt burden became heavier, the brain drain intensified, capital flight deepened, the balance of payments weakened, the physical infrastructure deteriorated, unemployment and crime escalated, famine and malnutrition became more pronounced, budget deficits soared, agricultural productivity declined, urbanization burgeoned, environmental degradation expanded, political and civil strife worsened, and corruption became more rampant. These disastrous development results were, in turn, the catalyst behind the deepening economic crisis in Africa, and consequently provided the imperative for policy reform in those countries. Policy reform can be defined as changes in government policy, institutional structure, or administrative procedures that are designed to alter economic activity and improve performance (Roemer and Radelet 1991). Put more succinctly, it is policy change, across the board, to effect sustained economic progress that will lead to a more desirable economic outcome than current practice permits.

National Debt Growth :: Argumentative Economy Economics Papers

National Debt Growth I believe that the growth of the national debt creates a problem that is great to be of little concern. I believe that todays social programs are in big trouble, and just are not going to work in the future. For example, it seems to me the social security is a dream program especially for the baby boomers who can not expect a small population of younger people to pay the bills. I also believe that that a lot of government services waste money in obvious and obsurd ways. For example, the F-117 stealth fighters that cost five hundred million dollars and don't live up to the performance capabilities that were oringinally proposed. The government should reduce spending and do what everyone else does on a slim budget and spend only what is neccesary to survive and grow. I also think that we can no longer roll over debt since the national debt is growing faster than the economy. As a country I think that we need to look at the possible and impossible commitments that we can make, and take a look at where we are going to get the money. The Treasury is all ready considering borrowing money from social programs like the G-Fund and the Civil Service Retirement and Disablility Fund so the federal government won't default on its loan obligations. Although I don't think that it is good to cut from social programs, I do think that we need to decide if we want a national debt that can't be sustained and is bad for investment or a social security system that might not be around anyway. I also think that social programs in the government needs to be simplified, and operate in a more efficient manner. It seems to me that collecting taxes, and handing out expenditures to many different programs, a lot of which I probably don't know what they are. It takes a lot of clerical work to run these programs though, and the money seems to get filtered

Disabled Monologue

Disabled Monologue Setting: [Fruit Man walks to the center of the stage] Fruit Man:I remember the day he left and the day he returned. Crowds cheered him off but only a few welcomed him home. The fact was that nobody had cared enough to go out of their way to see the negative aspects of the war they once had encouraged. I saw them return, one by one, leaving the ships, almost all of them broken in a way, physically or mentally. They deserved thanks, so I gave them fruits, an action that would mean little when they left, but means the world to them now.This soldier, I was there as he went and came, and I have seen everything. Today, unlike a year ago, no big welcome home for them. They were not welcomed home as they had expected they would be. Thousands came to send them off and cheer them on. Soldiers happily marching down the streets, waving to cheering crowds, accepting flowers from pretty girls. Some cheeky soldiers may even steal a kiss here and there. It was so joyous, proud and honourable. Everything was rosy and good. Everyone thought it would be a short war and a happy one and of course we will win.No one gave a thought about anyone getting hurt or killed. He had once been so young and virile. Now he is crippled, unattractive. He had been foolish when he was young; the media persuaded him that the war was glorious, fun and glamorous. It was cool wearing an army uniform and carrying a rifle. It was exciting, an adventure and maybe returning a hero with a medal. AAH, the pretty girls and the kisses, the good things to come. The young soldier isn’t thinking about getting hurt or killed. Then, the reality! It is wrong that society does not appreciate the hardships and sacrifices that were made on their behalf.Almost none of the soldiers’ work was grand, glorious or fun. Their work was necessary. Most of this work goes against what we cherish in our society. We were taught that ‘life is valuable’ and ‘violence is bad’. This war, a war nobody wants. He was such a handsome man, a ladies man before he joined the army. Now, broken, haggard and older than his real age. No women will look twice at him. They much prefer healthy ones. Heroes are strong and big. Heroes do not get injured. Girls do not want to be with cripples. How he must hate this.He used to get so much attention from the girls. What a hopeless life. He does not want pity or disgust. He wants admiration and love. Memories can be so cruel. It is quite depressing to see that he will be sent to an army hospital. I am sure experiments after experiments will be done trying to fix him until they decide that they are nothing they can do for him. He will be discharged and live alone on government handouts. What a terrible life lies ahead. He will be alone, helpless and he will never experience the love of a woman or have a family. The poor man, how much he has LOST.

Frederick Douglass Slavery - 1132 Words

The Mental and Physical Impact of Slavery Through the Words of Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglasss â€Å"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave† analyzes the mental and physical hardships that African-Americans faced in the 1800s during slavery. Douglass exposes his life in a way that makes a constraining argument against slavery by presenting the details of the graphic beatings and barbaric cruelty of the slave owners. However, another compelling argument is how the slaveholders contained their slaves through mindgames speaks, which had an effect on both slave and slaveholder. Although slaveholders used their superiority to manipulate the slaves intellects through violence, factors such as illiteracy and mental†¦show more content†¦Their ability to read and write was denied by their slave owners in order hypnotize the slaves that they are meant to only work the fields. The slaves were expected to endure hard labor all day and remain unaware of the freedom around them from birth. Douglass states the setbacks he faced in trying to enhance his knowledge by writing, ...We were trying to learn how to read the will of God; for they had much rather see us engaged in those degrading sports, than to see us behaving like intellectual, moral, and accountable beings (89). The slaveholders would rather have the slaves be involved in inhumane activities than read the bible which was their own faith. The slaves were not only in captivity physically, but also mentally through the lack of knowledge learned because the only freedom they experienced was occasional revelry. As Douglass himself learned to read, he became aware of how he no longer had the mindset he once retained as a slave, which enabled him to recognize the injustices of the American government. Douglass’s insight was what the slave owners did not want to occur amongst their slaves because it would lead to a massive rebellion. Slave owners were able to manipulate and mesmerize slaves that their system of slavery was the only way of living . From the time slave children were able to handle labor they were required to work. They grew used to a life of small rations while working long hours and living uncomfortably. Douglass says ofShow MoreRelatedFrederick Douglass And Slavery.1438 Words   |  6 PagesFrederick Douglass and Slavery Frederick Douglass the most successful abolitionist who changed America’s views of slavery through his writings and actions. Frederick Douglass had many achievements throughout his life. His Life as a slave had a great impact on his writings. His great oratory skills left the largest impact on Civil War time period literature. All in all he was the best black speaker and writer ever. Douglass was born a slave in 1817, in Maryland. He educatedRead MoreEssay Frederick Douglass and Slavery1448 Words   |  6 PagesFrederick Douglass and Slavery Frederick Douglass the most successful abolitionist who changed America’s views of slavery through his writings and actions. Frederick Douglass had many achievements throughout his life. His Life as a slave had a great impact on his writings. His great oratory skills left the largest impact on Civil War time period literature. All in all he was the best black speaker and writer ever. Douglass was born a slave in 1817, in Maryland. He educatedRead MoreFrederick Douglass Impact On Slavery811 Words   |  4 PagesFrederick Douglass is from the autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Douglass was born in Tuckahoe, Maryland, in February 1818 as a slave. His mother was Harriet Bailey and his father was rumored to be Aaron Anthony, a white plantation manager. He learns how to read and write when at Master Hugh Auld’s plantation. Frederick Douglass learned how to read not knowing that slavery was bad, but he started to read newspapers and would see all the effects slaveryRead MoreFrederick Douglass And The Abolition Of Slavery1713 Words   |  7 Pagesor resistance, against the institution of slavery. They rebelled against their positions in a variety of ways--sometimes small, subtle acts; other times very obvious and direct implications. Frederick Douglass resisted slavery by understanding the fundamentals of it, standing up for himself, and formulating an escape. James Oakes argues the direct resistance displayed by slaves, like running away, was significant and necessary to the abolition of slavery as a whole. Oakes understood slave resistanceRead MoreFrederick Douglass and the Abolition of Slavery600 Words   |  3 PagesFrederick Douglass and the Abolition of Slavery There were many influential people who fought for the abolition of slavery in the 1800s. Among these people are Harriet Tubman, William Lloyd Garrison, and our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln. Frederick Douglass is one of these people. As a former slave, Frederick Douglass believed he could not enjoy his freedom while the rest of his people suffered under the burden of slavery. Therefore, he spent much of his adult life working to abolishRead MoreFrederick Douglass s Life Of Slavery999 Words   |  4 Pagesbeing born into slavery, where you re forced to work, barely fed, and whipped a couple times of day. Rumble! That is the sound you hear in your stomach. Each night after working in the field for an hour a time. Pain that s what you feel after being whipped, for not moving fast enough as you should, mainly because you are tired. You live this life of a slave. Your name is Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass once said, â€Å"Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave. Fr ederick Douglass did not have anRead MoreSlavery within the Eyes of Frederick Douglass Essay1026 Words   |  5 PagesWhat would it be like if we were a part of the slave years? To get an inside look of slavery we look through the eyes of a former slave Frederick Douglass. Through his experience of being grown into slavery in the south made him re-evaluate his life knowing he was worth more than being treated as someone else’s property. Not only was Douglass a part of the plantation system, city life, and brutal whipping but he was put into history as a great role model defining the true meaning of life. All peopleRead MoreFrederick Douglass Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818. His time in captivity molded900 Words   |  4 PagesFrederick Douglass Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818. His time in captivity molded him into one of the most influential people during the nineteenth century. This paper will discuss his life and experiences as a slave and how they compare to other slaves. Douglass’s traveling and education are what makes him very similar, but also very different from most slaves. Frederick Douglass spent his first 7 years of life on Captain Anthony’s farm, working in the house. Here, he had a muchRead MoreFrederick Douglass And Harriet Jacobs : Two Humans Born Into Slavery1282 Words   |  6 PagesFrederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs: two humans born into slavery. These characters had twistedly abusive masters, forcing them to live in the upmost inhumane way that none, of any era, deserve to endure. Douglass and Jacobs both had an intense passion to be free in a time when freedom depended on the mere color of skin. Their vision was to break the shackles of slavery, to be free, and live free. The vision did not only concern their freedom, but rather, the vision encompassed all fellow slavesRead MoreEssay about Frederick Douglass Influence on the Anti-Slavery Movement3542 Words   |  15 PagesFrederick Douglass Influence on the Anti-Slavery Movement Frederick Douglass was one of the most influential men of the anti-slavery movement. He stood up for what he believed in, fought hard to get where he got and never let someone tell him he could not do something. Frederick Douglass made a change in this country that will always be remembered. Born Frederick Baily, Frederick Douglass was a slave, his birthday is not pin pointed but known to be in February of 1818. He was born on