Crime, Violence and Masculinity - 1541 Words

Can the nation-state and culture combine forces to reduce interpersonal violence in the West? Violence is a difficult term to define, but for the purposes of this assignment violence can be defined as a crime or the threat to commit a crime by one person upon another person, and that usually that has negative physical or emotional effects upon the victim. Violence in Western society has been increasing steadily and has become a major concern for many nations. Increasingly, much of the violence is committed by male children and teenagers. Crimes by young people are no longer just misdemeanors, but they now include the major felonies of rape, robbery and homicide. The rise in violent crime in the last few decades has been accompanied†¦show more content†¦By the age of 18, the average American television viewer has witnessed over 32,000 murders and 40,000 attempted murders on television alone (American Psychological Association). These statistics do not include such violence seen in movies or heard in music. To witness such an amount of violence is clearly unreal istic and exploitative. Violence is being used by television programs as a superficial way of grabbing and holding an audiences attention. Producers of television programs that show violence must take the responsibility of showing a realistic amount of violence on their shows. That is, they must not use gratuitous violence to appeal to male viewers, or else the violent crime rate in the United States will rise. The federal government in the US has taken the initiative to curb not only the amount of violence that can be shown by one program, but also the level of violence that can be shown and to what audiences. By limiting the amount of violence shown on television before 10pm, the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, is trying to make sure that children are not exposed to the levels of gratuitous violence intended for more mature audiences. As early as the 1960s, studies reported that watching television can make children more aggressive. In fact, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the National Institute of Mental Health have all linkedShow MoreRelated Crime, Violence and Masculinity Essay1519 Words   |  7 Pagesreduce interpersonal violence in the West? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Violence is a difficult term to define, but for the purposes of this assignment violence can be defined as a crime or the threat to commit a crime by one person upon another person, and that usually that has negative physical or emotional effects upon the victim. Violence in Western society has been increasing steadily and has become a major concern for many nations. Increasingly, much of the violence is committed by male childrenRead MoreIntroduction In this paper, I argue that while sexual violence is arguably the monopoly of men, it1000 Words   |  4 Pagesargue that while sexual violence is arguably the monopoly of men, it is culturally cultivated rather than biologically determined. Consistent with the concept of Hegemonic Masculinity which theorises male domination of other males and subordination of females (Connell, 2005), I assert that rape is particularly rampant in societies where sexual violence is an effective means of attaining this status quo. Thus when rape is institutionalised in the context of war where masculinity is measured by the abilityRead MoreMasculinity in the Russian Mafia1677 Words   |  7 Pagesthe view of hegemonic masculinity as a a static, unified concept. By analyzing the behaviors of members of the Russian mafia, vory y zakone (thieves in law), particularly of Kirill and Nikolai, this paper will illustrate how masculinities are constructed, performed and reaffirmed in the context of the Russi an mafia vory y zakone. The paper will begin by describing the main tends of masculinities theory, proposing that vory y zakone are creating oppositional masculinity. Keeping this context inRead MoreNegative Effects Of Masculinity1478 Words   |  6 PagesBefore diving into the harmful effects of masculinity, we first must dissect and define masculinity. While many associate masculinity with being strong and rigid, that preconception of what men should like is harmful and reprehensible. However some may still ask: what is wrong with being a man? The answer lies within the definition of masculinity. American culture classifies masculinity as tough, egotistic, powerful, and collected. We use the phrase, â€Å"man up† to exercise power over others while remainingRead MoreEssay On Masculinity972 Words   |  4 PagesJackson Kats and Sut Jhally is about finding the cause of violence and relating it to students who dispense harm to society, as well as other students. There is a focus on masculinity, along with behavior and how that behavior is being influenced by the environment. The article focuses on factors such as peer exclusion, the prevalence of violence in the media and most importantly, violence in relation to gender. . In relation to gender, masculinity plays a crucial role in shaping ego and self-esteem.Read More`` Boys Don t Cry ``1621 Words   |  7 Pagesstrengthening of the destructive attributes related to hegemonic masculinity. In other words, structural ideals of gender among males solidify the position of male social dominance over women. These adverse features may directly be related to a rise in gendered violence and other aggressive acts committed by men. The Kimberly Pierce film â€Å"Boys Don’t Cry† identifies the undesirable influences that the societal dominance of masculinity has on the structure of sexual identities. The film is an adaptationRead MoreThe Hunting Ground : An Exploration Of The Issues, Discourses, And Institutional Responses Essay954 Words   |  4 Pagesdedicates itself to exploring the overrepresentation of university athletes in perpetuating crimes of rape, sexual violence, and sexual assault against female students. Furthermore, the film seeks to delineate the ways via which university athletes are accorded an equal disproportionate level of leigh way when it comes to institutional responses, and public discourse surrounding crimes of rape and sexual violence. These discourses and institutional non-responses will serve as the starting point for thisRead MoreToxic Masculinity as a Barrier to Mental Health Treatment in Prisons1320 Words   |  6 PagesResearch Article: Toxic Masculinity as a Barrier to Mental Health Treatment in Prisons This study emphasizes the fact that lives of prisoners are an understudied phenomenon in society. Researchers found that access into prisons for conducting personal interviews were difficult due to the increase of prison population over the past three decades. Researchers also realized that prisoners who were incarcerated or released preferred not to discuss their experiences behind bars for their personal safetyRead MoreMass Shooting At A Gay Night Club Essay1522 Words   |  7 Pagesbringing the total deaths of the event up to 50 (para. 4 7). The president of the United States of America, Barack Obama, described the event as both of act of terror and an act of hate (para. 10). According to his ex-wife, Mateen had a history of violence in relationships (para. 16). His mental stability was questioned and his religiouss affiliations were unclear, but on a call with 9-1-1 on the day of the shooting, Mateen declared allegiance to the leader of ISIS (para. 3, 13, 16). The shootingRead MoreMass Shootings And Its Effects On Society1523 Words   |  7 Pagesendured the horrific violence. Mass shootings are nothing new, however, they seem to be occurring more often and are becoming more and more violent. The three leading factors to mass shootings are problematic masculinity, mental illness, and gun control. Mass shootings in the U.S have many different causes as to why they occur. USA Today mentions that breakups, estrangements and family related problems make up the majority of mass killings. Although, many seem to blame gun violence and mental illnesses

Of Mice and Men - 961 Words

Dreams vs. Reality The world is a deadly, unforgiving and often ironic place where people become all consumed by their surroundings. There are many occasions around the world in which people only care about themselves; for example on Black Friday people get pushed, hurt or even trampled because someone is trying to get the best deals before they are all gone. People have a tendency to lose sight of their goals and dreams. Mentally, people struggle to maintain their sanity in this game of life that has no set of rules. In the book Of Mice and Men, this story portrays the inequality between people’s dreams and what can actually be accomplished. John Steinbeck, the author Of Mice and Men, utilizes his general themes of friendship and†¦show more content†¦He is bullying Lennie because he jealous of the companionship between George and Lennie. He tries to hurt Lennie with lies of George deserting him, trying to make him see what it feels like to be so alone. Crooks envies their friendship ; it shows when he says: â€Å"George can tell you screwy things, and it don’t matter. It’s just the talking. It’s just bein with another guy† (Steinbeck 67). Crooks is lonely, and he is trying to make himself feel better by putting Lennie in the same position as he is. Crooks’ American dream was not achieved nor moved back, he didn’t really have one. He just was living at the ranch and he would always get picked on because of his skin color and his disability. He wanted racial equality, but that was so unlikely to happen, Crooks refused to even hope for it. Because he had nothing to hope for, he is a grouchy, negative man with nothing to live for. In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses the themes of friendship and loneliness between characters to illustrate the â€Å"American Dream.† The characters: George and Lennie, Candy and the Old Dog, and Crooks are used to demonstrate how relationships work, and also the harsh differences between dreams and reality. In the end George decided to end Lennie’s life so that the other workers would not torture him and then kill him later. Finally, reality was stronger than all of theirShow MoreRelatedOf Mice and Men1242 Words   |  5 PagesOf Mice and Men Thomas Hobbes in his Leviathan states that, in the state of nature mans life is nasty, brutish and short. In depression era America, no greater truth could be said. There were millions unemployed, largely unskilled and living on the margins of society. The lowest of the low were the migrant labourers travelling from place to place trying to scratch a living. They often had to travel illegally by freight car with all its consequent dangers. Their life expectancy was low, crimeRead MoreOf Mice and Men1352 Words   |  6 PagesOf Mice and Men Essay - Fate or Choice? Choice is defined by the ‘Shorter Oxford Dictionary’ as; â€Å"The act of choosing; preferential determination between things proposed.† It also states the definition for fate; â€Å"The principle, power, or agency by which events are unalterably predetermined from eternity.† Is our life choice, can we determine our fate by choosing our path or is our destiny determined for us? John Steinbeck puts forward this question in his novella Of Mice and MenRead MoreMice and men1998 Words   |  8 PagesHey this essay is about me not having one and just wanting a free account.GCSE JOHN STEINBECK The first 200 words of this essay... à ¯Ã‚ »Ã‚ ¿Of Mice and Men Essay à ¢Of Mice and Menà ¢ is the fictional short novel written by John Steinbeck in 1937. Steinbeckà ¢s perspective when writing the novel could be based on the fact that he had once worked on a ranch and had a certain fascination about it. The novel is set in 1930s America and this can be seen as the cause of the very enduring culmination that takesRead MoreOf Mice and Men1006 Words   |  5 Pagesheart of every novel.† In your view, what are the distinctive ideas explored in Of Mice and Men? Explain how these ideas are developed throughout the novel. Themes are integral and fundamental aspects which render the literature valuable. They usually provide insight into the author’s perception and internalisations of the world in which they live. Set in California during the Great Depression, Of Mice and Men, by Steinbeck, illustrates the hardships experienced by individuals as they roamed theRead MoreOF MICE AND MEN1721 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿In the book Of Mice and Men, the single women that appeared in the book resented herself as an object. The statement Women today are more often treated by men as equals rather than objects can be true or false. A man that goes to Gentleman s Cubs every night is a different man that studies at Harvard Law School. A striper is going to be a different person than a CEO of a successful business. It’s all about how you present yourself. In Of Mice and Men, Curley s wife presents herself in a seductiveRead MoreOf Mice and Men1035 Words   |  5 PagesFriendship of George and Lenny The book Of Mice and Men focuses on the friendship of two migrant workers in California at a time when most of the work was done by people and not by machines.  Ã‚  George was a small man who acted worldly and wise.  Ã‚  Lennie was a huge man that had the mind of a child.  Ã‚  Together George and Lennie would bounce from job to job with no money in their pockets and only the dream of someday owning a place of their own to keep them going.  Ã‚  The two men were not able to stay in one placeRead MoreOf Mice and Men547 Words   |  2 PagesJohn Steinbeck’s landmark novel Of Mice and Men is perhaps best known for its revolutionary telling of two characters that are very different, but have come to rely on each other to survive during the Great Depression. The two characters are men named George and Lenny. George is somewhat of an average fellow who has no real special skills or attributes. Lenny is large and abnormally strong, but unfortunately has the mind of a child. Le nnie looks up to George as if he were a role model. This statementRead MoreMice and Men822 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Of Mice and Men† The Great Depression took place in the United States in the 1930s. Northern California, Salinas Valley was affected by the Great Depression. Many farmers lost their properties and were forced to find other work. Banks were forced to foreclose on mortgages’ and had to collect debts. Hundreds of thousands of farmers packed up their families and few belongings, and headed for California. The Great Depression left many people in poverty and caused them to face unpleasant eventsRead MoreOf Mice and Men1171 Words   |  5 PagesOf Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Q- â€Å"I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her† what is the reader supposed to think about Curley’s wife? * How is she described by the other characters? * How the author describes her * How she speaks/behaves * Her dreams * Is she the cause of all the trouble Written By Ruqayyah Draey Curley’s wife is not well described and respected by the other characters. She is often looked down upon and discriminatedRead MoreOf Mice and Men2269 Words   |  10 PagesOf Mice and Men John Steinbeck World Literature Mrs. Finke December 7, 2012 Of Mice and Men: A Classic for the Ages Thesis: Despite some impurity Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck should be considered as a classic due to its honesty, truth, loveliness, justice and of good report. I. Introduction II. Impurity A. Swearing B. Violence C. Economic poverty D. Psychological corruption III. Honesty A. Steinbeck’s

Case Study Solution about Astro Incorporated Financial Investments

Questions: Case I Astro Incorporated Financial Investments Astro Incorporated ("the Company" or "Astro"), incorporated in Delaware, is principally engaged in the manufacture and sale of clothing. The Company has three lines of business: (1) outerwear, (2) t-shirts, and (3) tank tops. Astro was extremely successful in its early years when it partnered with colleges and universities to create outerwear, t-shirts, and tank tops for athletes, students, and alumni. This partnership also enabled Astro to hire a group of college graduates with a proven track record and a passion for investing in the stock market. Together, Astro and these graduates created a new investment department in 2014. Astro management set aside a portion of the previous years' profits for the investment department to invest in equity and debt securities for the Company. Astro has six investments remaining in the department's portfolio as of December 31, 2014. Astro classified all equity and debt securities as either available for sale or held to maturity under the Company's investment policy. The accounting department is preparing financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and the auditors have asked Astro whether any of its investments are other-than-temporarily impaired. The CFO of Astro needs to present the investment department's financial results at the next operating committee meeting so the committee can decide whether to continue the investment program and if so, determine the amount of funds that should be allocated. In looking at the accounting records provided by the accounting department, the CFO is beginning to question the investment department's expertise because all investments have declined in value relative to each investment's original purchase price. The accounting manager compiled the following information about each of the investments in order to determine whether the investment is other-than-temporarily impaired as of December 31, 2014. 1. Astro purchased 11 shares of Happy New Year Co. stock on January 3, 2014, at $20 a share to celebrate the new year and classified its investment as available for sale. In March, the share price dropped to $15, and from April through November the price remained steady between $14.75 and $15.25 per share. On December 31, 2014, the price was $15. Astro management does not believe the decline in price to be permanent and has asserted that it does not intend to sell this investment in2. On November 11, 2014, Astro purchased notes of Beary Beary. As of December 31, 2014, the amortized cost of the debt security is $95 and the fair value is $88. Although Astro's investment committee established a policy requiring the sale of this security when the fair value declines below $90, Astro still held the investment on December 31, 2014.3. On September 20, 2014, Astro purchased bonds issued by Buy-A-Lot Company with an amortized cost of $100 and a fair value of $88 as of December 31, 2014. In D ecember, SP upgraded the credit rating of Buy-A-Lot Company from BBB to BBB+. Management has asserted it does not intend to sell this investment in the future.4. On March 25, 2014, Astro bought 50 shares of March Madness Incorporated stock at $100 a share, classifying its investment as available for sale. In August, the price of the stock decreased to $70, and from September through November, the stock price fluctuated between $65 and $75. As of December 31, 2014, the price of the stock was $72. On January 31, 2015, the date the Company's financial statements are issued, the price of the stock went up to $75.5. Astro purchased bonds issued by Tohoku Toys on February 9, 2014. The bonds have an amortized cost of $25 and a fair value of $5 as of December 31, 2014. Tohoku Toys is going through a restructuring because it was significantly affected by a severe earthquake in April 2014. Astro does not believe that the restructuring will ultimately be successful. 6. Astro holds a debt secur ity issued by Chatterbox with an amortized cost of $100 and a fair value of $90 as of December 31, 2014. The present value of the cash flows Astro expects to receive, taking into consideration the credit quality of Chatterbox, discounted at the security's original effective interest rate is $92 as of December 31, 2014. Astro intends to sell this security. Required: A For the following investments, determine if Astro should record an other-than- temporary impairment as of December 31, 2014, and if so, for what amount:a. Happy New Year Co.b. Beary Beary.c. Buy-A-Lot Company.B. Assuming Astro has determined its investment in March Madness Incorporated stock is other-than-temporarily impaired, how much should be recorded as an impairment charge as of December 31, 2014? (show calculation)C. Assume the same facts as in 2 above, but that Astro has not yet determined whether an impairment exists or the amount of any possible impairment. For March Madness Incorporated, would Astro still conclude that the investment is other-than-temporarily impaired, and would the impairment charge as of December 31, 2014, be different if the stock price at issuance of the financial statements (i.e., as of January 31, 2015) was $95 and not $75?D. For Tohoku Toys, determine if Astro should record an other-thantemporary impairment as of December 31, 2014.E. For Chatterbo x, what amount should be recorded as the other-than-temporary impairment as of December 31, 2014? Does the answer change if Astro does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security? Answers: A. Happy New Year Co. stock: as per the Accounting Standards Codification 320, when the decision of whether the equity security is temporarily impaired or not, the following has to be taken into account: Whether its fair value is below cost Whether this fall in the fair value has been in existence of a longer period of time The financial position of the issuer has deteriorate dover time and it has been experiencing problems The issuer is facing the issue of going concern and the same has been stated in the auditors report. The fall in the value is due to some of the specific reason The dividends have bene reduced or eliminated The changes in the tax laws, regulations or the other governmental policies have impacted the issuer Keeping in mind the above stated points, the shares of the company have a fair value that is lower than what they were purchased for and the fall has been in place for quite some time now. Also, there is no specific reason for the fall, therefore, the investment will be treated as to be other than temporarily impaired. Beary Bear debt security: as per the ASC 320, any debt security whose fair value is lesser than its amortized cost is said to have been impaired. For the entity to impair its investment, it has to consider whether it has the intention to sell the asset. For determine that, it has to consider all the available evidence such as the following: The entity or its agent has approved the sale of the security The entity directed it to sell the security The security is the part of the securities of the entity and has identified the same for sale The security is sold shortly after the date of the balance sheet. In case the intention of the entity to sell does not exist, then the factors like the requiring the entity to sell the security and the probability of the factors that occur during the anticipated recovery period will be taken into account. If the entity does not sell the security, then it is more likely that it will be required to sell an impaired debt security, then other than temporary impairment exists and the amortized to be impaired will be Fair value minus the amortized value of the debt security. Therefore the notes of Beary should have been sold but were not, therefore the fall in the value will be treated as the other than temporary impairment. (IAS 320, 2015) Buy a lot company: (FASB 325) Debt Security is defined as the security that represents the creditor relationship with the entity. And will include all the following: Preferred stock is expected to be redeemed by the issuer or at the option of the investor S. Treasury securities S. government agency securities Municipal securities Corporate bonds Convertible debt Commercial paper All securitized debt instruments, such as collateralized mortgage obligations and real estate mortgage investment conduits Interest-only and principal-only strips. (Law resource, 2015) As per the ASC 320, any debt security whose fair value is lesser than its amortized cost is said to have been impaired. For the entity to impair its investment, it has to consider whether it has the intention to sell the asset. For determine that, it has to consider all the available evidence such as the following: The entity or its agent has approved the sale of the security The entity directed it to sell the security The security is the part of the securities of the entity and has identified the same for sale The security is sold soon after the date of the balance sheet In case the intention of the entity to sell does not exist, then the factors like the requiring the entity to sell the security and the probability of the factors that occur during the anticipated recovery period will be taken into account. If the entity does not sell the security, then it is more likely that it will be required to sell an impaired debt security, then other than temporary impairment exists equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of the debt security. Therefore the bonds of Buy a lothave been asserted to as not being held for investment, therefore the fall in the value will be treated as the other than temporary impairment. B. The following is the calculation of the impairment charge: $(100-72)50 = $1,400 This is in light of the FASB 325, In case the intention of the entity to sell does not exist, then the factors like the requiring the entity to sell the security and the probability of the factors that occur during the anticipated recovery period will be taken into account. If the entity does not sell the security, then it is more likely that it will be required to sell an impaired debt security, then other than temporary impairment exists equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of the debt security. C. The revaluation is done as on the date of the balance sheet which is December 31 and even if the price of the stock has risen after it but fallen as on the next balance sheet date, there is an impairment loss. Hence, the calculation will be as under: $(100-72)50 = $1,400 D. As per the Accounting Standards Codification 320, when the decision of whether the equity security is temporarily impaired or not, the following has to be taken into account: Whether its fair value is below cost Whether this fall in the fair value has been in existence of a longer period of time The financial position of the issuer has deteriorate dover time and it has been experiencing problems The issuer is facing the issue of going concern and the same has been stated in the auditors report. The fall in the value is due to some of the specific reason The dividends have bene reduced or eliminated The changes in the tax laws, regulations or the other governmental policies have impacted the issuer Keeping in mind the above stated points, the price of bonds of Tohoku Toys fell due to the natural disaster that took place. Therefore, the investment will be treated as being temporarily impaired. E. The amount to be recorded must be $(100-90). In case, the business decides to sell the securityor it is more likely than not that it will be forced to do so before, then there will be a recovery of the amortized cost of the security and the loss of the earnings must be recognised. But in case, the business does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that it will not have to do so, then a separate impairment will have to be made for the credit loss. Once the impairment is done, the amount becomes the new amortized cost ($90) and then no upward recording in the price can be done. Hence, the security can in no case be recorded as impairment at $92. The amount of $(92-90) can only be treated as the interest income. (Accounting tools, 2015) References: Accountingtools.com, (2015). The other-than-temporary impairmentconcept - Questions Answers - Accounting Tools. [Online] Available at: https://www.accountingtools.com/questions-and-answers/the-other-than-temporary-impairment-concept.html [Accessed 2 Mar. 2015]. Law.resource.org, (2015). 325 Investments Other. [Online] Available at: https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code/bean/fasb.html/fasb.325.2011.html [Accessed 2 Mar. 2015]. www.iasplus.com, (2015). IAS 320. [Online] Available at: https://www.iasplus.com/en/publications/us/financial-reporting-alerts/2013/fra-13- [Accessed 2 Mar. 2015].

The Limits Of Globalization Essays - Cultural Geography,

The Limits Of Globalization THE LIMITS OF GLOBALIZATION Nowadays one of the most commonly used terms is globalization. But what does globalization mean? Does it mean dissappearing borders, a common trade unit, no tax in trade abroad, political awareness across the world, or, in extremes, even interfering with other countries' domestic affairs? In some ways globalization may be useful in creating a common sense of world citizenship, but useful to what extent? What are the possibilities, advantages and risks of such world citizenship? Are the United Nations and the European Union, stepping stones to globalization? Disappearing borders, in the economic meaning of the term can most clearly be seen today in Europe. The European Union restricts taxes on trade between members. Taking a step further the EU have decided on a common currency, the Euro , which became available at the beginning of 1999. This currency may economically be more functional but what aboutnational pride? All trade units display a country's well known heros or great personalities of them that the citizens respect for. How are the citizens going to respond to this kind of change time will show but nobody can say European countries are not nationalistic. There is a strong evidence on the contrary. One example is world war II, which started in the middle of Europe- -considered then the most civilized part of the world- because of Germany's belief in its national superiority. This unfortunate development took place just half a century ago.These European nation-states may seem to be getting along well for the time being because of fairly smilar economic levels but what will happen if one country's economic level drops or gets much better than the rest? Would the better ones pull up the worst to keep up with them or would those countries-having the best economy- want to carry the rest on their shoulders? Besides its economic ups and downs globalization has a tremendous effect on cultural values. World has a cultural diversity in itself. Every nation every country has its own traditions values practices of cultural activities. These create a diversity which every part of the world can be pointed out by their own characteristics. By the beginning 20th century with the effects of industrialization and common usage of communication devices and transpotation becoming faster and more comfortable economy started to play the most important role in a state's political policies. Trade became one of the main incomes of the countries and trade required close interaction between countries and decisions were started to be taken to ease traders by governments. This attitude of governments have led economic affairs to shape up cultural practices of states. As the cultures were revised by economy, stronger economies emposed their cultural practices to the weak ones. This if not stopped will continue until cultural erosion destroys cultural diversity over the world. The export of Western commodities, values, priorities, ways of life. In a process of unequal cultural encounter, 'foreign' populations have been compelled to be the subjects and subalterns of Western empire, while, no less significantly, the West has come to face with the 'alien' and exotic culture of its 'Other'. Globalization, as it dissolves the barriers of distance, makes the encounter of colonial center and colonized periphery immediate and intense (1995:108). The current century has seen a magnitude of rise and fall of political power and economical, political, social and structural changes, which without doubt have influenced any society's culture that was touched. From the imperial ages early this century, Europe in particular has seen the decline of the colonial power, the democratization and communization, the rise and fall of totalitarian, nationalistic and socialist regimes, and their decline. Europe has also experienced the fall from economic and political superpower, in a century that was for a long time been best characterized as the USSR-USA century. Equally Asia has been struck by fundamental changes: from the imperial China to the communist China, the rise of the Tiger Economies, the Vietnam war, the Korean war, the independence of India, the Iran Iraq war, the Gulf war,... to name just a few. Since economy plays the most important role or is the main criteria in a country's prestige and power; economically strong states started