Role of Parliament in the British Government Essay

Role of Parliament in the British Government - Essay Example Therefore, it is paramount to determine the extent of this influence in the present day context in order to draw relevant conclusions. Most members of the cabinet of Britain sit in the House of Commons (Campbell & Peters 1988, p. 168). This house has been previously criticized for its compositions with a large number of sitting representatives hailing from a single party. This means that the decisions that may be arrived at in many cases may not be representative of the professional opinion of those undertaking the decision but may be reflective of a stance taken by the party rather than the individual representatives. The majority of those in the House of Commons who may be hailing from the same party are also bound to be supportive of the executive’s decisions which may not be in the best interest of democracy. This kind of trend that is reflective of a majority of representatives following the same course and having the same characteristics and backgrounds reflects a very u nhealthy trend in the course of representatives who are in the legislature providing checks and balances to the executive. Discussion In the recent past, there has been an increase in the attempts by the executive to increase controls of measures of parliament. The effects have been that parliament has been compelled to support the decisions that the executive makes. The result has been a dominance of parliament by the executive that has seen the latter’s power wane the executive has become the decision maker in parliament.... 168). This house has been previously criticized for its compositions with a large number of sitting representatives hailing from a single party. This means that the decisions that may be arrived at in many cases may not be representative of the professional opinion of those undertaking the decision but may be reflective of a stance taken by the party rather than the individual representatives. The majority of those in the House of Commons who may be hailing from the same party are also bound to be supportive of the executive’s decisions which may not be in the best interest of democracy. This kind of trend that is reflective of a majority of representatives following the same course and having the same characteristics and backgrounds reflects a very unhealthy trend in the course of representatives who are in the legislature providing checks and balances to the executive. Discussion In the recent past, there has been an increase in the attempts by the executive to increase cont rols of measures of parliament. The effects have been that parliament has been compelled to support the decisions that the executive makes. The result has been a dominance of parliament by the executive that has seen the latter’s power wane. The perception among policy makers, other experts and the public in general has been that the executive has become the decision maker in parliament. Already, this depicts that something is wrong since parliament cannot effectively put checks and controls on the executive while the executive is dominating decision making (Knight 2010, p. 331). Recognition is given to the fact that parliament in Britain does not consist of a single house. Rather, it is constituent of two with the House of Commons

Intercontinental Hotels Group plc Finance report Assignment

Intercontinental Hotels Group plc Finance report - Assignment Example Increase in cost of sales has made no large effect on the gross profit in 2013 because the turnover has increased with a greater proportion than the cost of sales. The revenue in 2013 has increased by 3.79% while the increase in cost of sales is just as low as 0.13%. This has caused the gross profit of the company to increase by 6.62% in 2013. Other operating income of $57 million in 2012 has disappeared in 2013 causing an expense of $3 million in 2013, and the administrative expenses have decreased from $381 million in 2012 to $379 million in 2013. This has contributed towards the favourable effect on the operating profit in 2013. The finance cost of the company has decreased from $64 million in 2012 to $57 million in 2013. This is due to the decreased proportion of noncurrent liability causing a decrease in the interest liability of the company. However, the finance income has increased from $2 million in 2012 to $3 million in 2013. This is probably due to the increase in long term investments in noncurrent assets. (Kline, 2007) The current ratio measures ability of a company to pay its debts over the next 12 months or over its business cycle by comparing company’s current assets to its current liabilities. The current ratio of IHG has increased from 0.672 times in 2011 to 0.846 times in 2012. Higher the current ratio, the higher is the ability of the company to pay off its obligations. An increase in current ratio of IHG indicates more efficiency compared to previous period and safe liquidity. This ratio tells about how efficient is the company’s operating cycle and its capability to convert its products into cash. Quick ratio is also known as the acid test ratio. It takes into account the ability of a company to pay its short term debts. It is a more reliable test of short term solvency than current ratio as it shows the ability of any company to pay its short term debts immediately. Quick assets

Relevance Of The Maxim Certainty Philosophy Essay

Relevance Of The Maxim Certainty Philosophy Essay The maxim: Certainty is not overruled by doubt is one of the universal maxims in Islamic law. It applies to three-quarter of fiqh. Some positions maintain that the maxim does not have significant effect on commercial transactions. The work started by discussing the legal basis of the maxim. It also discussed the detailed meaning of certainty and doubt in Islamic law and jurisprudence and the principles with which they are applied to the particulars of law. Relevant particulars of commercial matters related to it were cited as examples after analysis of the general meaning of each maxim. These examples reveal the significance of the maxim in providing basic principles for dispute resolution as well as the responsibility of proving allegations between parties to commercial transactions. It also laid out in detail the party upon whom the onus of proof lies in litigations to counter what is presumed by law. Keywords: Certainty (yaqÄ ©n), Conjecture (Zann), Doubt (shakk), Illusion (Waham), Commercial Transactions, Dispute resolutions, presumption of law, onus of proof. * Higher Sharia Court Judge, Kala Balge Sharia Court and overseeing Rann Sharia Court, Borno State Judicial Service Commission, Borno State, Nigeria. E-mail: [emailprotected] * Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Department of Sharia, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. E.-mail: [emailprotected] ** Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Department of Sharia, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. E.-mail: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ 1. INTRODUCTION: Legal maxims (Al-Qawà £id Al-Fiqhiyyah) are imperative in Islamic jurisprudence as they encapsulate perceptions and precepts that can abet to figure out the factual essence of the Islamic Law in details. Reflective of a consolidated reading of fiqh by great jurists, it is a handy tool for researchers who need to expand their grasp and understanding of content and objective of the law. More importantly, they ease to arrive at the appropriate ruling where is no direct text is available a particular matter. The word al-Qawaid is a plural qà £idah, a derivative of qaada and literally has the meanings of fixation, consistency, and being well established. Qaida on the other hand means base, and Qawaid means a foundation of a building, as Allah, the Most High says: And remember Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundations (Qawà £id) of the House  [1]   Technically, it is a general rule applicable to all its related particulars. Sadrush SharÄ ©ah (d. 747) defined Qawà £id as general propositions  [2]  . Examples are Qaida Nahwiyyah (Rule of Grammar), Qà £idah Mantiqiyya (Rule of Logic), Qaida UsÃ…Â ©liyya (Rule of Jurisprudence), etc. Fiqhiyya (lit. of law) is the adjective of Qà £ida (maxim); a derivative of fiqh (law) which literally means understanding. Fiqh is a term that came to denote Muslim jurists detailed study of practical aspect of the Devine ordainments. Imam Shafii (d. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) defined it as the knowledge of the practical injunctions of Sharia acquired from its detailed evidences  [3]  . The two words, i.e. Al-Qawà £id al-Fiqhiyya, referred herein as Legal Maxims has several definitions which basically revolves around two positions. The often quoted definition of legal maxims is that it is a general rule which applies to all of its related particulars  [4]  . As this is an extension of the technical meaning of term Qà £ida in other discipline to the Qà £ida in law (fiqh), this definition has failed to encapsulate the concept of legal maxims and thus not reflective of its essence. Al-Hamawi (d. 1098H=1687AD) has stated that Qà £ida of legists (fuqahà £) is different from Qà £ida in other disciplines such as Grammar (Nahwu), Logic (Mantiq) and even Jurisprudence (UsÃ…Â ©lul Fiqh). In these disciplines, it is a rule applicable to all its related particulars.  [5]   From the foregoing we can say that a legal maxim is a general proposition of law that applies to most of its related particulars  [6]  . The reason for opting to this definition is that maxims do not apply to all particulars that seem related to it. The particulars that do not apply to a general principle are known as exceptions (mustathnayà £t). These exceptions often represent independent or auxiliary maxims in themselves. The exceptions do not however negate the general application of maxims, as the principles of the maxim still represent application to majority; and exceptions are but of minority in all maxims  [7]  . Another characteristic of a legal maxim worth noting is that a maxim applies to most of its related particulars, which are scattered in various themes or chapters of fiqh. But a principle that only applies on one particular theme or chapter of fiqh is referred to as a Regulator (Dà £bit). In other words, a Regulator (Dà £bit) is limited to one chapter and provides a legal principle on injunctions of a particular chapter of Fiqh. According to Al-SuyÃ…Â ©ti (d. 911H) says a maxim collects branches from different chapters while Dà £bit collects branches of the same chapter  [8]  . An example of Dà £bit is: injunction of sale of a nonexistent is same as that of risky-taking (gharar) sales (hukmu baiil madÃ…Â ©mi yatbaul gharar)  [9]  . This Dà £bit is applicable to the chapter of buying and selling. Importance of Legal Maxims (Al-Qawà £id Al-Fiqhiyyah): The great Maliki Jurist of Egypt, Imam Shihà £buddÄ ©n Al-Qarà £fi (d. 676H) described it as embodying secrets and wisdoms of Sharia  [10]  . Legal maxim brings together widely scattered branches of fiqh into a single abstract rule making it easy for jurists, researchers and students of the Islamic law. It also saves time in researching injunctions for several matters that are otherwise scattered in different chapters of books of fiqh. That is why, according Al-SuyÃ…Â ©ti, some jurists refer to fiqh as knowledge of similitudes. Legal maxims therefore make it easy to diagnose juristic injunctions, comprehend and memorise auxiliaries and particulars of the law  [11]  . The four schools of Islamic Jurisprudence are in agreement over the five of the Universal Maxims that they clasp within themselves the entire quintessence of the Islamic Shariah. They are depicted to be universal maxims for being all-inclusive and applicable to the entire range of fiqh without any specification  [12]  ; whereas the rest of the maxims are just elucidations of these five: Matters are (judged) by their intents (Al-UmÃ…Â ©ru bi-maqà £sidihà £)  [13]  ; Hardship begets facility (Al-Mashaqqatu tajlibu Al-TaisÄ ©r)  [14]  ; No harming and no counter-harming (Là £ darara wa là £ dirara)  [15]  ; Custom is Authoritative (Al-ÃÆ'datu Muhakkamah)  [16]  . Certainty is not be overruled by doubt (Al-YaqÄ ©nu la yazÃ…Â ©lu bish-shakki). Beside its general application to three-quarter of Fiqh chapters, Certainty is not overruled by Doubt provides basic guidelines for disputes resolution in contracts including commercial and financial transactions. The paper will discuss in detail the general meaning of the universal maxim Certainty is not overruled by Doubts, its importance and relevance to commercial transactions. This universal maxim is one of the earliest maxims to appear in the discipline of maxims derivation (Al-TaqÄ ©d Al-Fiqhi)  [17]  . The earliest reference to it was made by Imam ShafiÄ © (d. 204H º819C.E.) while discussing admission/ confession. He said: the basis of what I say is that I will always hold people by what is certain, drop the doubtful and use that which is most probable  [18]  . Al-Karkhi (d. 340H) too in his UsÃ…Â ©l has stated that the basis (in law) is that what was confirmed with certainty cannot be overruled by doubt and say it is one of the principles the Hanafi School was based on  [19]  . Over time, it was abridged into its current form: Certainty is not overruled by doubt (Al-YaqÄ ©nu là £ yazÃ…Â ©lu bish-Shakk)  [20]  . 2. CERTAINTY IS NOT OVERRULED BY DOUBT  [21]   (Al-YaqÄ ©nu là £ yazÃ…Â ©lu bish-Shakk) Generally, any matter confirmed to have existed with certainty remains certain until proven with evidence to be otherwise. It is not invalidated by mere doubt or supposition. The same is also said regarding a matter whose non-existence is confirmed continues in that state until also proven otherwise. This is because doubt is weaker than certainty. It will not, therefore, nullify certainty whether or not the later is positive or negative  [22]  . In other words, whenever the existence or non-existence of a matter is established through legally accepted means, a subsequent doubt over the continuance of this state will not affect the legal regard given to the confirmed certainty. Legally, certainty (yaqÄ ©n) is defined as the knowledge that a fact has either definitely occurred or not. Doubt (shakk), which is the opposite of certainty (yaqÄ ©n)  [23]  , is a vacillation over the occurrence and non-occurrence of a fact. Meaning none between the two possibilities is of higher probability. But if either has greater probability, the doubt seizes and it is thus certain (yaqÄ ©n) in the usage of legists (fuqahà £). This form of yaqÄ ©n is often interchangeably used with the term à ¡Ã‚ ºÃ¢â‚¬Å"ann. The term à ¡Ã‚ ºÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ann which literally means conjecture is less than certainty in the language of Jurists and Logicians. To them, Certainty (YaqÄ ©n) is belief that a particular matter is so-and-so and cannot be but so-and-so in manner consistent with its reality and essence. In other words, it is the perfect knowledge free from error. Because injunctions of Sharia are applied on what evident or conspicuous (zà £hir) and not abso lute certainty, the jurists definition is not as encompassing as that of legists (Fuqahà £) which includes the most probable event  [24]  . This is because there are issues which the Sharia may have considered them as certain though they can logically be incorrect. Example is an accepted testimony by witnesses before a Court is a legal certainty for its truthfulness, but is possible that they are telling lies. Al-Qarà £fi says that necessity is the reason why conjecture (à ¡Ã‚ ºÃ¢â‚¬Å"ann) is regarded as certain in Sharia for absolute certainty may not be achieved. Possibility of erring in such à ¡Ã‚ ºÃ¢â‚¬Å"ann is however lesser. But the doubtful cannot be a basis for a judgement  [25]  . This is the reason why scholars of Malikiyya school of thought did not refer to this maxim in the above phrase, that is Certainty is not overruled by doubt, rather their preferred phrase is: The Norm of Sharia is that Injunctions are but based on knowledge and that which is in doubt is not considered  [26]  . 2.1 BASIS OF THE MAXIM: In the Quran, the saying of Allah, the Most High: But most of them follow nothing but Conjecture (Zann): truly Conjecture can be of no avail against truth. Verily Allah is well aware of all that they do  [27]  . One of the meanings of Zann (lit. conjecture) is illusion, i.e. where the fact thought to apply to a particular matter does not in reality apply to it. In such a situation, such conjecture will not overrule what was known for certain  [28]  . Also from Sunnah, the Hadith narrated by Abbà £d bin TamÄ ©m from his uncle from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in which a man complained to the Prophet, peace be upon him of feeling something (departing) his body. The Prophet, peace be upon him, told him not leave (his prayers) until he hears a sound or smells (the gas)  [29]  . The hadith means that one should not ignore the certain, which is the state purity before prayer, in favour of that which is uncertain, i.e. the feeling that something has departed his body. Therefore, such doubt will not overrule the original certainty. In another version of the Hadith related by Abu Huraira, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and if one of you feels something in his belly, and doubts whether something has left his body or not, he should not leave the mosque until he hears a sound or feels a gas  [30]  . 2.2 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MAXIM: On the significance of the above Hadith, Al-Nawawi (d. 676H) asserts that: this Hadith is a basic source and a great principle  [31]  among the principles of fiqh. The principle is that things are judged to remain on their original forms until the certainty of the contrary is established, a subsequent doubt will thus not harm it  [32]  . Jurists have unanimously agreed on the usage of this maxim. Imam Al-Qarafi states that: this is an agreed upon maxim, the only disagreement among scholars is in some of its applications  [33]  . Ibn DaqÄ ©q al-Eid (d. 702H) also said: The Hadith is a basic principle in the usage and/or tossing of doubts; and scholars appear to be in agreement on this maxim, even though they differ in some of its applications  [34]  . 2.3 RELEVANCE TO COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION: By Commercial Transactions we are referring all Contracts in Sharia relating to the exchange of goods and services. Examples include: transactions like bay (sales contract), ijà £rah (lease), muzà £raah (farm leasing) partnership (muqà £radah), wakà £lah (agency) juala (promise of reward for a particular action), kafà £lah (surety), hawà £la (transfer of debt), rahn (mortgaging), etc. In fact, all contracts with the exception of marriage contract which is not under the scope of this paper. As we have indicated above, certainty in law refers to the most probable assumption. Example of such probable assumption is seeing a man with reasonable wealth possessing a reasonably priced car for several years; one can confidently testify that it belongs to him  [35]  . It is upon this kind of certainty that many legal injunctions apply  [36]  . Other examples of its relevance to commercial transactions include: Where there is a contract between two parties and a doubt is raised on whether or not there was dissolution of the contract. The contract is presumed to be subsisting as this is the certainty  [37]  . Also where it is confirmed that A owes B certain amount of money. But after As death, a doubt is raised on whether or not he has paid, lack of payment will be presumed as it is the certainty  [38]  which cannot be overruled by doubt. Certainty is not overruled by Doubt is supplemented with many Auxiliary Maxims (qawà £id fariyyah) and Regulators (Dawà £bit) which together elaborate its legal implication and significance. These will be classified under three categories, namely: Auxiliary Maxims giving weight to certainty, Auxiliary Maxims emphasising on overlooking of doubt and Maxims indirectly related to the Certainty is not overruled by Doubt. Related maxims to each category will be discussed in the following order: Auxiliary Maxims giving weight to certainty: The norm is that the status quo remains as it was before (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu Baqà £u mà £ kà £na ala mà £ kà £na); Let the Ancient rest on its age (Al-QadÄ ©mu yutraku alà £ qidamih) The norm (in Sharia) is freedom from liability (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu barà £at Al-Dhimmah); The norm (of Shariah) is that acquired attributes do not exist (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu fis-Sifà £til Aridah Al-Adam) The norm in Law is that things are faultless or fit (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu As-Salama) The Norm (of Sharia) regarding things is permissibility (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu fil Ashyà £i al-Ibà £hah) The Basis in Law Regarding Contracts is that they permissible and binding (on its parties) (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu fil UqÃ…Â ©di As-Sihhah wal-LuzÃ…Â ©m) The Norm of law regarding terms and conditions is validity (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu fish-ShurÃ…Â ©ti as-Sihhah) The basic principle is to ascribe the event to the nearest time of occurrence (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu Idà £fatul Hadithi ilà £ aqrabi auqà £tih) Auxiliary Maxims emphasising on overlooking of doubt: No attention shall be paid to inferences (implication) in the face of an explicit statement (Là £ ibrata lid-Dalà £lati fÄ © Muqà £balatit TasrÄ ©h) No weight is attached to Illusion (Là £ ibrata littawahhumi) No argument is admitted against supposition based upon evidence (laa hujata maal ihtimaalin naashii an daleel) The apparently erroneous supposition is not to be taken into consideration (laa Ibrata biz Zannil bayyni khatauhu) Maxims indirectly related to the Certainty is not overruled by Doubt: No statement is imputed by to a person who keeps silence, but silence is tantamount to a statement where there is a necessity for speech (Là £ yunsabu ilà £ sà £kitin qaulun, wa là £kinnas sukÃ…Â ©tu fÄ © maradil hà £jati ilà £l bayà £ni bayà £nu) The original state of words is the literal sense (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu fil Kalà £mi Al-HaqÄ ©qah) No room for ijtihà £d where there is a decisive text (Là £ masà £gha lilijitihà £di fÄ © mauridin nass) 3. AUXILIARY MAXIMS GIVING WEIGHT TO CERTAINTY 3.1 The norm is that the status quo remains as it was before  [39]  : (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu Baqà £u mà £ kà £na ala mà £ kà £na) It is a basic provision in Sharia is that the status quo remains as it was before unless it is proven to have changed. To explain further, we can say that a fact whose existence or non-existence is said to be certain in the past is regarded to be as it was and does not change, until evidence is available to change such status. Such proof is mostly based on evidence, confession, admission, and refusal to take oath  [40]  . This principle of law is referred to as Istishà £b in Islamic jurisprudence  [41]  . Considered to be one of the secondary sources of law, Istishà £b has been defined as the presumption of continuity of a matter base on its previously established state. The previously confirmed state may either be legal or rational. This maxim represents a form of Istishà £b which is: accompanying what the law has confirmed to have existed in the past into the present; such as a person who bought a piece of land will be presumed to still owe it until anything that may change that presumption is proved  [42]  . This type of Istishà £b applies in cases such as presumption of continuation ownership after execution of a contract; the liability of a person who damages anothers property remains until repayment and the existence of a liability on an indebted person where the taking up of the loan is attested to  [43]  . An example of the application of the maxim in commercial transaction is where a lender claims paying his debtor; or a buyer claims paying the price to the seller; or a lessee claims paying the lessor; but the debtor, the seller and the lessor denied any payment. The statements of the party denying will be accepted. As the norm is the continuance of what has existed, these claims will not be accepted until legally proved  [44]  . Another application is when a buyer claims that the condition of a commodity he previously saw has diminished during delivery; according to Ibn Qà £sim (d. 918H), the statement of the seller will command credibility base on this maxim. Ash-hab (d. 204H) on the other hand also states that the claim of the buyer will have legal backing because the legal norm is that the buyer is free from liability (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu barà £at al-Dhimmah)  [45]  . Hanafis have distinguished between the two by asserting that if much time has lapsed from the time of inspection of the commodity and the time of delivery, the statement of the buyer will be backed by the law  [46]  until the contrary is proved by the seller. 3.2 Let the Ancient rest on its age  [47]   (Al-QadÄ ©mu yutraku alà £ qidamih) Provided it does not violate the right of another, a thing that has existed since time immemorial will enjoy legal protection. The law presumes that something that has remained for a very long time has a legal precedence  [48]  . This is also regarded as Istishab as it is an accompanying of the past condition, whether it is a proof of ownership through evidence or the admission of a respondent. Such istishab can be relied upon provided it has not been lawfully changed which should be through evidence, admission or refusal to take oath  [49]  . This maxim is also closely related the norm is that the status quo remains as it was before  [50]  . Example of its application is that whenever ownership of a property is confirmed by either admission of respondent or conclusive evidence, it shall be presumed to continue in Sharia law  [51]  . Also where two persons claim the ownership of a property, and both provided evidence of their ownership with date. The presumption of the ownership will be in favour of the person who provides earliest date, because he claims to own the property during a time when the plaintiff does not challenge his ownership. This will remain until the plaintiff can prove the contrary  [52]  . 3.3 The norm (in Sharia) is freedom from liability: (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu barà £at Al-Dhimmah) A person is born free from anything; and being liable of anything is contrary to the original norm (asl) of law  [53]  . Literally, the word asl means root or source, and in the context of this maxim it means the most probable (al-rà £jih  [54]  ) evidence upon which the law relies and bases its rulings. This maxim applies to both fact and law. Regarding its application to fact, the general rule is that a person is certainly free from any obligation or liability and making him liable for something is both doubtful and a contradiction of the original state of man; being born free from any liability. Claims of liabilities such as debt, obligation that was the result of later cause will only be accepted if proved through means provided by the law. In the absence of any such proof, the Sharia regards a person to have no liability, thus making onus of proof upon the person who alleges a fact or claims it. The maxim is inspired by the Prophets Hadith, peace be upon him, in which he said: the onus of proof is on the claimant, and taking of an oath is incumbent upon him who denies.  [55]  The hadith provides that the party insisting to disprove the status quo and wants to establish a recently acquired attribute is the claimant and the onus of proof is upon him; while the party that clings on the original (asl) attribute is the defendant/respondent and upon him is the oath because he is denying the allegation.  [56]   This maxim is an equivalent to what is generally known as the presumption of innocence, though this principle is more general. The expression presumption of innocence implies that it relates principally to criminal procedure, whereas the non-liability maxim extends to civil litigation and to religious matters generally. The normative state, or the state of certainty for that matter, is that people are not liable, unless it is proven that they are, and until this proof is forthcoming, to attribute guilt to anyone is treated as doubtful. Certainty can, in other words, only be overruled by certainty, not by doubt  [57]  . The maxim provides practical solutions in cases of disputes or disagreements between parties to commercial transactions. Where, or instance, there is a disagreement between the owner and a borrower, a victim and an assailant, the statement of the accused will be accepted because the legal norm is that he is free from an excess liability  [58]  . Another example is where there is disagreement on the amount of loan between the lender and the indebted; the statement of the indebted will be presumed  [59]  . Also, the statement of an agent regarding damage to a property will be accepted, likewise regarding denial of infringement and negligence, with oath  [60]  . In law however, this maxim is often referred to as: The norm (of law) is non-existent (Al-Aà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £lu Al-Adamu). To majority of jurists, both these principles refer to the same thing, as lack of an injunction means one is not obliged to carry it out. In other words is not liable for not doing it. A second aspect of this principle also closely related to the notion of original non-existent, is original permissibility (al-ibà £ha al-asliyyah). In this concept, everything is legal ab initio, and one will not be sanctioned for either doing or omission. Jurists refer to it as permission of the reason (Al-Ibà £h al-Aqliyyah). This implies that it is a presumption of continuation of the original non-existent of injunction base on reason (aql) rather than the words of the Law-giver. This position can as well be deduced from many verses of holy Quran according to many scholars  [61]  . An example of such verses is the saying of Allah, the Most High: Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness. That is because they say: Trade is like usury, but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past  [62]  . When taking usury was prohibited, the companions of the Prophet feared the consequence of t

The Sacrifice Essay -- essays research papers

Aspects of Killing in The Sacrifice   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To kill does not only mean to take ones life, but instead it also carries the meaning of ending an important factor in ones life. Killing also has a lot of other meanings, but the main factor of killing leads to death there are many more the author Adele Wiseman displays the many different aspects to kill in the novel The Sacrifice, by dealing with a lot of situations that would kill an individuals heart. (I.e. Loss of a loved one, etc.) The ways to kill an individual portrayed in the novel are removal from religious beliefs, Racism to the two brothers, and the death of Laiah. Two of these points deal with death itself, but the other results in the killing of the families beliefs and way of living.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The family way forced to give up their religious beliefs and convert to another faith. This had a strong effect on how the family was to function, because they already had rules, regulations, and guidelines to follow that dealt with the religion they were with. When they were forced to change, everything was forced to change with it, like what they ate, what they did, how they acted, etc. This played a big role in the killing of the family, because what it eventually did was break up the family so that it was sort of dysfunctional. The family suffered severely from the change in religion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Racism, another important factor in the novel, which lead to the ac...

Low Fertility Rate

Written Report: Low Fertility Rates Written Report Justin Koh Zhi-ren MGMT003 B Jothi Rai & S ,G Tang Li 6Ying G9 G Jamie Lee Yaling Prepared For: Professor Er Jwee Ping Genevive Chan Keng Ling Prepared By: Yong Yi Wee ChiaDaryl Linus Lee Zhi Siong Jian Song, Eric Darren Teng Tze Shang USINESS OVERNMENT OCIETY ROUP Tackling The Problem Of Low Fertility Rates In Singapore Author(s): Lim Tze-En, Jamien Oh Wei Liang, Peter Wang Xiao Group: Team 3991 1 G13 Word Count (excluding content page and references): 3947 Report for Approval by: Written Report: Low Fertility Rates Table of Contents 1. 0 Introduction †¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 3    2. 1 Overview †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚ ¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 3    2. 2 Definitions †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3    2. 2. 1 Total fertility rate †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 3    2. 2. 2 Population aging †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3    2. 3 Reasons for falling fertility rates †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 3 2. 3. 1 Lack of economic means to raise a child †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 3 2. 3. 2 Lack of social means to raise a child †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦4 2. 3. 3 Environmental factors †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 4 2. 4 Impact of falling fertility rates †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 2. 4. 1 Economic consequences †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 5 2. 4. 2 Social consequences †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 . 0 Issue Analysis †¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 3 3. 0 4. 0 Stakeholder analysis †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6    Analysis and evaluation of govern ment actions †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 7 4. 1 4. 2 4. 3 Parent- ­? targeted initiatives †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7 Immigration initiatives †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 10    Promoting Marriage †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 10    Economic measures †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦12    Social measures †¦. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦13    Environmental measures †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦13 5. 0 Recommendations †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 12    5. 1 5. 2 5. 3 6. 0 8. 0 9. 0 Limitations †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 13    Appendix †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 15    References †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢ € ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 16 2 7. 0 Conclusion †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 14 Written Report: Low Fertility Rates 1. 0 Introduction The aim of this report is to analyze the existing problem of Singapore’s low fertility rate. By delving into its root causes and potential consequences, we hope to effectively evaluate the measures that the Singapore government has taken to tackle this critical issue, while proposing some practical recommendations. However, as no panacea is without side effects, we will also highlight the limitations to our proposals. 2. 0Issue Analysis 2. 1 Overview According to The Straits Times on 18 January 2011, â€Å"Singapore’s baby shortfall worsened last year when the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) sank to a historic low of 1. 16. That is down from 1. 22 in 2009, and way below the repla cement level of 2. 1 (Li, 2011). Declining fertility rates is one of Singapore greatest challenges, bringing with it both economic and social impact. In addition, it is also a key- ­? contributing factor towards Singapore’s inescapable ageing population. 2. 2 Definitions 2. 2. 1 Total Fertility Rate A population’s total fertility rate refers to the average number of hildren that would be born per female, if all females live through their childbearing years of 15- ­? 49 and bear children according to a given set of age- ­? specific fertility rates. (Ministry Of Community Development, Youth & Sports, 2010) 2. 2. 2 Ageing Population Ageing population refers to a situation where an increase in number of elderly, and a decrease in number of newborn babies lead to a shift in the median age distribution of a population. 2. 3 Reasons for falling fertility rates 2. 3. 1 Lack of economic means to raise a child High direct cost of raising a child 3 Written Report: Low Ferti lity Rates The asic costs of raising a child in Singapore include the costs of pregnancy and delivery, infant care, childcare and education. Besides, there are other additional living allowances as well as the possible extra holiday trips that need to be considered. A report by The Sunday Times (2010, as cited in â€Å"1 Million to†, 2010) estimated that the cost of raising 2 children in Singapore is about $1 million. These high costs act as a deterrent for couples to have children in Singapore, resulting in low fertility rates. Late entry into work force due to national service The mandatory two- ­? year national service delays theSingaporean male’s entry into the work force, delaying his ability to support a family till a later age. Since couples usually seek financial stability before they start a family, this has caused couples to delay their plans to have children, thereby contributing to lower fertility rates. Other economic commitments The high costs of living in Singapore currently take up a large portion of the monthly income of Singaporeans. Coupled with the rising property prices and costs of owning a car, there is less incentive for couples to start a family, since having children would only add to their financial burden. 2. 3. Lack of social means to raise a child Long working hours The high stress levels and long working hours in Singapore have been proven by many studies. According to an article â€Å"Don’t blame lack† by the International Labor Organization (2010), workers in Singapore clocked the most number of working hours per week among twelve nations in the survey. Such a phenomenon lowers fertility rates since couples might feel that they would not be able to care for their children due to long working hours. Both parties in work force The common phenomenon that both husbands and wives hold full- ­? time jobs also directly affects ouples’ willingness to raise children. Work stress endured by both par ties leaves little time and energy for childcare and couples might be more hesitant when making a decision to have children. 2. 3. 3 Environmental factors Large influx of immigrants In order to cope with the declining population, Singapore has developed a sound immigration policy to attract the work force necessary to grow our economy. As of 2010, approximately 35 of every 100 people living in Singapore are PRs, or foreigners 4 Written Report: Low Fertility Rates on work permits or study visas (Department Of Statistics Singapore, 2011). Many f these non- ­? citizens can be viewed as transient residents with no intention of settling down permanently in Singapore. While no official studies have been carried out, it is postulated that the fertility rate of these non- ­? citizens is much lower than that of Singapore citizens, pulling down our national fertility rate as a whole (Chong Lee Ming, 2009). Influence from western culture As a cosmopolitan city, Singaporeans have also been greatly influenced by western culture. The westernized new age culture of cohabitation in place of marriage has taken root with the younger generation of Singaporeans. Hence, ithout the bond of marriage, the traditional view of having children in a family is gradually watered down. Increasing focus on hedonism With increasing emphasis placed on consumerism, the younger generation of Singaporeans has become more interested in pursuing material goods and pleasures for oneself instead of spending efforts on fostering relationships. As a result, children, in their opinion, are more likely to be a chore than a gift, as was in traditional cultures. 2. 4 Impacts 2. 4. 1 Economic consequences Tapering of economic growth While a low fertility rate does not have a direct impact on the economy, ts impact can be felt over the long term. Children are the work force for tomorrow, and given the situation of a declining fertility rate over the past 2 decades, there has been a shrinking citizen labo ur force, as more citizens are reaching retirement age without corresponding new entrants, stifling economic growth. Dwindling supply of local workforce The low fertility rate will lead to a lack of young talent in the future, and result in a huge imbalance in the human resource market. The average age of the workforce in Singapore will also consequently increase, and the older generation might be encouraged to elay their retirement. Moreover, the lack of employees may force companies to increase staff workload, thereby increasing their burden. High dependency on foreign talent 5 Written Report: Low Fertility Rates Due to the lack of young local talent, businesses would need to rely on immigrants to ensure that the economic system functions smoothly. These companies may be forced to increase employee salaries and improve perks, in order to attract foreign job applicants, leading to an increase in staffing costs. 2. 4. 2 Social consequences Increased financial burden With a smaller y ounger generation supporting the ncreasing number of elderly dependents, there will be a greater strain on government welfare schemes and taxpayers resources. The increased demand for healthcare facilities might inevitably result in rising healthcare costs. More stress and longer working hours Due to the possible shortfall in employees, companies might need to increase employee workload and extend working hours to sustain productivity. This might then create another social problem, where a higher level of stress and longer working hours lead to a weakening of family ties or bonding between married couples. This might act as a deterrent for ouples to have children, and further exacerbate the issue of low fertility rates. Dilution of local culture due to immigration As we place a greater reliance on immigration to sustain the population in Singapore, there’s a possibility that the huge proportion of immigrants will greatly alter Singapore culture, and gradually dilute the tradi tional values of our society. 3. 0 Stakeholder analysis The stakeholders in this issue can be defined in the following diagram: th Source: Bucholtz , Carroll: Business and Society 7 edition, Chapter 3, pg85 6 Written Report: Low Fertility Rates Potential childbearing Singaporean ouples (Dominant Stakeholder) This group has legitimacy and power. Only they have the power to alter the fertility rate in Singapore. They have legitimacy, as they will form part of the ageing population in the future. However, they would not have urgency as they might feel that other priorities should take precedence instead of procreation. The current Singaporean work force (Dependent Stakeholder) Some elderly might be encouraged to extend their retirement due to the slow turnover rate of younger people succeeding their jobs. Such consequences will bring both economic and social problems to Singapore. Therefore, hey hold legitimacy and urgency but not power. Potential Immigrants (Dormant Stakeholder) Immig rants could be a possible solution in solving the low fertility rate problem (Cheow Xin Yi, 2011). The potential immigrants have the power to decide whether to immigrate to Singapore and therefore contribute to the solution for the low birthrate or not, however they have no urgency and legitimacy as this problem is not of concern to them. Government (Definitive Stakeholder) The government has legitimacy, urgency and power. Low fertility rate is an issue faced by the state, and it is their job to solve such matters.

Leadership Skills To Support Strategic Direction Education Essay

Todaies fast altering and much composite concern universe requires much more from a director than it used to a decennary ago, it requires about a perfect person. Some of the most of import accomplishments for a director could be ; clip direction, prioritising the undertakings, puting SMART aims, and good communicating accomplishments. 1: Time Management: Since concern agencies value, so there is nil valuable so clip for concern forces. The astonishing thing of Time Management is that the balance can be decided objectively and could be self-imposed through the usage of the journal. A director might merely make up one's mind that one hr a hebdomad should be devoted to forces issues and would so apportion a regular block of clip to that activity. If the mill is on blazing, or World War III is declared, the director may hold to re-allocate this clip in a same, designated intent. In same manner clip may be allocated for staff preparation. The entire clip spent in pull offing such long term aim is little, but without that proper be aftering it can non be achieved. Once the Personal Time Management is implemented, it is deserving utilizing some of that control to augment your ain calling. Some quiet weekend, you should be after out your ain long term aims and program a path to them. As you set any long term aim, allocate clip to the sub-tasks and supervise your advancement. If you do non be after your fate, you are improbable to acquire at that place. 2: Prioritizing undertakings: To me once the clip direction accomplishment is good developed this accomplishment comes with it, it ‘s merely to cognize how much clip a undertaking demand. Decidedly a director should be capable of prioritising the undertakings for non to lose any valuable chance. 3: Communication accomplishments: To be a good successful director, you have to wish people and be good at pass oning both written and verbal. This is difficult to deny, If you do n't wish interacting with people, it ‘ll be difficult or even impossible to pull off them good. You must hold good personal contacts in your administration. You need relationships that does non intend needfully personal friendly relationships with a just figure of people, that include your ain employees. You must promote and actuate these people to state you what ‘s traveling on and give you feedback about what people are believing about the company and your function in it as a director. 4: Smart obejectives: This means specific, mensurable, accomplishable, relevant, clip edge. This is what a sound minde director must hold. This is some kind of realistic attack evey director should develop. Leadership skills to back up strategic way of org: 1: A good leader has an model character. It is of most importance that a leader is trusty single to take others. A leader must to be trusted by subsidiaries and be known to populate their life with honestness and unity. Real authorization is evolved from regard for the good character and trustiness of the individual who leads. A 2: A good leader is enthusiastic about their responsiblity and besides about their function as leader. People respond more openly warmy to a individual of passion and dedication. Leaderships must be able to be a good beginning of inspiration, a incentive towards the accomplishments. The duties and functions of a leader could be different, the leader needs to be seen to be major portion of the squad working towards the end accomplishment. This sort of leader will non be chilling to turn over up their arms and acquire dirty. A 3: A good leader must be confident. To take and put way a leader needs to look confident as a personality and in the leading function. Such type of individual inspires others and draws out the trust and best attempts of the squad to finish the undertaking good. A leader who give message of assurance towards the proposed aim inspires the best attempt from squad members. A 4: A leader besides needs to work in an orderly and prooerlyl mode in state of affairss of uncertainness. Peoples look to the leader for counsel during times of uncertainness and strangeness and happen reassurance and security when the leader portrays assurance and a positive demeanour. A 5: Good leaders are tolerant of apresure and stay unagitated, composed and steadfast to the chief intent. Storms, emotions, and all these crises come and go and a good leader takes these as portion of the journey and keeps a cool caput. A 6: A good leader allways maintain the chief end in focal point is able to believe analytically. Not merely does a good leader position a state of affairs as a whole, but is able to interrupt it down into sub parts for closer review. Not merely is the end in position but a good leader can interrupt it down into manageable stairss and do advancement towards it. A 7: A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does non take to success. The good leader non merely maintains high criterions, but besides is proactive in raising the saloon in order to accomplish excellence in all countries PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS: 1 ) STREANGTHS: I can pass on really good, this truly helped me a batch during my work at M.C.B and my clients admired me due to this quality at bank. I can work as a leader this quality proved to be helpful in group treatments at work and survey every bit good peculiarly in group undertakings assignments and presentations. I know the mind of my clients, this truly polished me during my occupation at M.C.B and it besides enhanced my professionalism, which is must in practical life. I can follow the guidelines purely of foremans, this helps to stay close to foremans and one who is occupation holder can truly understand that how of import it is. I have good ego control, during occupation this helps a batch when steering the clients this quality keeps me in bounds of any state of affairs. I can work long hours continuously. I ever plan my work efficaciously before get downing even a individual action towards it. During work I met with different people from different backgrounds and civilization, this enhanced my understanding about civilizations. 2 ) Failing: I am a spot weak at mathematical use and I truly felt this during my occupation because I was working with an organisation covering with money, so I remain to much cautious during my occupation. I am sometime a slow worker so it became a hurdle to run into the deadlines and this besides brings some unfavorable judgment organize other co-workers. I take some clip to follow new things this is because I ever like to cognize deep about anything coming new in my manner. I am a spot low tempered individual so erstwhile others may experience that I ‘m non acting in proper manner. I can non digest any sort of ill-mannered behaviour from any one. 3 ) OPPURTUNITIES: During work at M.C.B I truly learned a batch from my seniors from professionalism point of position. Working in fiscal organisation helped me to the regulations purely and expeditiously. With so many clients to cover with it besides brought me the assurance to undertake the different sorts of state of affairss geting with every new client. Working underpresure besides grabbed some staying power to my personality and helped to better my low temper wont. As a new alumnus and with good cognition of new appliances used in modern banking I helped my seniors to do them understand new engineering this besides created regard for me from my seniors 4 ) Menace: Political intervention in organisations is making some jobs for gifted employees. Due to political attack some un qualified individuals are going portion of concern which creates a low quality and criterion of work. Largely these occupations are contract based this brings limited clip to stay in organisation with fright of occupation loss. Technological factor sometime besides brings job for employees because of less staff in physical visual aspect. Personal accomplishments audit: It is a simple work one merely has to do a list of what one is good at and so merely what one demand to better them more. SKILLS AREA I CAN Make THIS WELL OK, BUT I NEED MORE Practices I CA N'T Make THIS PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SKILL 1 = really of import, 2 = rather of import, 3 = non of import ORGANIZATION OF LEARNING I have schemes to assist me to be after and pull off my clip 1 I am able to efficaciously prioritize my undertakings and activities 1 I am able to work to deadlines 2 I am cognizant of what makes my larning more effectual ( e.g. topographic point to analyze, clip to analyze etc ) 2 Information SEEKING Skill I am able to happen a specific book or diary in the library utilizing the online catalogue ( Talisprism ) 2 I am able to utilize a assortment of different beginnings to happen information ( e.g. diaries. books, electronic resources ) 1 I am able to entree and hunt electronic resources ( online databases, electronic diaries CD-ROMs ) 2 I am able to utilize hunt gateways on the Internet to happen information 3 I am able to measure the information I find 1 Reading AND NOTEMAKING I can make up one's mind which parts of a book I need to read 1 I have a system for entering where I find information ( e.g. book, writer, day of the month ) 3 I can choose and utilize different reading schemes ( e.g. skim, scan, in-depth ) 1 I can do effectual notes when reading 1 I can do effectual notes when hearing ( e.g. during talks ) 2 I have a system for entering and hive awaying my notes 1 Skills Area I Can Make This Well Ok, But I Need More Practice I Ca n't Make This Priority Development Of This Skill 1 = Very Important, 2 = Quite Important, 3 = Not Important Writing Skill I can analyze assignment ( essay, describe etc ) inquiries to find what is expected 1 I understand the difference between an essay and study 2 I can bring forth a written program to reply an assignment inquiry 1 I can mark, utilize grammar and spelling right 1 I am confident I can show my thoughts clearly in written signifier 1 I am able to accommodate my composing manners to accommodate the appropriate media/audience 1 I understand the demand to cite my work to avoid plagiarism 2 SPOKEN COMMUNICATION I am able to show my positions verbally 1 I am confident speech production in forepart of a group of people 1 I can fix, program and present a presentation 2 I can utilize ocular AIDSs to back up a presentation 2 I work good as a member of a group or squad 1 I am able to listen to and appreciate the positions of others 1 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY I am able to utilize a word processing package bundle to bring forth my assignments 1 I can utilize a assortment of different computing machine package ( e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access ) 3 Working WITH NUMBERS I am competent in doing simple computations 1 I can show numerical information accurately 2 I can aptly utilize a assortment of numerical techniques ( e.g. per centums, fractions, decimals ) 3 I can construe and present information in graphs and illustrations 2 REVISION AND EXAM TECHNIQUES I am able to be after my alteration clip 1 I am able to put myself ends 1 I am able to utilize a assortment of different alteration techniques ( e.g. practising inquiries, head function etc ) 2 I can choose and utilize techniques to assist me retain and remember information 1 I use schemes to assist me in the test room ( e.g. planning clip, get bying with anxiousness ) 1 STRESS MANAGEMENT I know what causes emphasis 1 I am cognizant of my personal symptoms of emphasis 2 I can utilize schemes to assist me get by with my emphasis 1 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Planning I am able to place my personal ends 1 I am a good justice of what my strengths and countries for development are 1 I am able to place chances for larning outside my class, e.g. nines, societies, employment 2 I am able to be after for my personal development 1 Positive results of PDP: Some positive results of taking a personal development attack to your surveies are: A It helps in deriving a clearer focal point to your acquisition. Helps to maintain yourself motivated towrds ends. Provises better apprehension of how you learn and how to better your public presentation. More enjoyment and less emphasis and confusion from your acquisition as you become consciously skilled. More consciousness of how to use your larning to practical life and work outing new jobs and contexts. Professional thought accomplishments that can beef up academic public presentation. Benefits of PDP to professional life Brands thoughts more clear about the sort of life and work you want. Brings greater assurance degree in the picks you make. Greater assurance in the accomplishments developed, brings qualities and attributes to the calling of your pick. Bing in a better place to vie for occupations. It helps you to be able to discourse your accomplishments, personal qualities and competencies with employers. Better problem-solving and planning accomplishments. It develops the positive attitudes and attacks in personality associated with successful professional life. Benefits of PDP to personal life A better apprehension of yourself and how you ‘tick. ‘ Bing in a better place to do appropriate picks to run into your aspirations. Greater consciousness of your demands and how to run into these. Greater consciousness of the alone part you can do. Developing a positive, advanced attack. REFRENCES: Wiziq instruction online ( 2008 ) . Study skills Audit [ online ] . Available from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.wiziq.com/tutorial/93902-Study-Skills-Audit Nasir, M. Saeed ( 2004 ) . Introduction to concern. Imtiaz Book Depot. Nasir, M. Saeed ( 2002 ) . Skills to thrive. Imtiaz Book Depot. Decenzo, A. David & A ; Robbins, P. Stephen ( 2007 ) . Fundamentalss of HRM. Wiley India.