Chapter 5 ( second half ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chapter 5 ( second half ) - Essay Example In such a way, this brief analysis will mention and seek to quickly note why these questions are of importance as well as seek to underscore the key components of the chapter that were the most interesting with regards to this particular student. Firstly, the authors raise the question of what degree consciousness plays into an understanding of self. It can of course be understood that without a base line level of consciousness that any self actualization whatsoever would be impossible. However, this is not specifically what the authors are referencing. Rather, they seek to raise the question and present information with regards to the degree that individual consciousness helps to define and differentiate understandings and representations of self within broader psychology and society. Tangentially, a further question is raised alongside this with regards to the universality of this consciousness and whether or not it varies, and to what degree, among individuals. Naturally, it can be assumed that consciousness varies precipitously; however, when acquiescing to this, the stakeholder must realize that giving too broad a range to human consciousness weakens to the level and extent to which the interpretation of the â€Å"self † can be universally verified and defined. Yet, by the same token, too weak an understanding of the role that this consciousness plays lends the stakeholder to de-emphasize its overall importance. Furthermore, the chapter references the means by which the â€Å"self† is an ever growing and expansive reality. Ultimately, memory and the psychological interpretation of self is in an ever evolving metamorphosis. As a means of drawing a further level of understanding to this question, the authors present a variety of different psychological scholars that have performed studies and presented theories with regards to the ways in which different stages of human development and memory retention

Economic Policy and The Global Environment

Economic Policy and The Global Environment 1 Introduction SMEs are seen as one of the critical handmaidens to huge relationship like change into one of their suppliers and sub-foremen to them. Hence, SMEs are key in the economy as giving a simple work business, structure gatherings of progress by presenting specific changes in the affiliations and close by SMEs utilizing high advancement based and give an adaptable and open to client. 1.1 Characteristic of SMEs Attributes of SMEs are dead set by factors like size of association or free proprietorship: 1.1.1 Impact of Age to the Business Study revelations help considered age of a relationship as a variable that may affect firm survival and improvement and/or definitive decline and passing the commitment of inventiveness that makes new SMEs face an a greater number of genuine threat of survival than more settled firms is that new firms dont have the experience, access, associations, reputation or the validness of the more settled firms, provoking limited access to external resources. 1.1.2 Impact of Location to the Business Geographic area has its suggestions for access to business sectors and different assets like finance, talented work, subcontractors, base, appropriation and transport logistics and other 10 offices. SME achievement additionally relies on upon neighborhood appearance and proceeded with or kept up future business operation in that area 1.2 Whatdo SMEs meanto the Singapore Economy? SMEs is just an imperative piece of the Singapore economy. They contain 92% of aggregate foundations, clichà ©s 51% of the workforce and produce 34% of the aggregate worth included. Nonetheless, their benefit is virtually a large portion of the non-SME foundations. The huge number of low-profit SMEs exists together with a few numbers of more gainful extensive, neighborhood undertakings and remote Mncs. 2 Contribution of SMEs in Singapore The vast majority of the nations saw SMEs as one of the significant that helps to generate a large share of new jobs, promote economic growth, increase competitiveness process and productivity and benefit together with wealth creation. 2.1 Generate a large share of new jobs. More vital than holding the dominant part of occupations in low wage and developing economies, SMEs make a key commitment to the net production of employments, particularly littler and adolescent firms.Work development originates from existing organizations as well as from recently made firms, particularly those that become quickly in the first years of action. These new businesses add up to a generally negligible impact of all organizations. Yet it is assessed that they represent very much a substantial offer of the aggregate employment creation. 2.2 Promote economy growth. Recently reported Singapore is blasting and the Southeast Asian monetary powerhouse extended its general 2013 gauge, expecting a last count of 3.5-4 for every penny GDP development for the year. Anyway the financial news out of Singapore isnt simply a story of colossal progress. Rather, Singapore is experiencing a monetary insurgency, the kind that places small and medium-sized undertakings (SMEs) at the cutting edge of the economy. 2.3 Increase competitive process and productivity. More than 5,600 SMEs were consistent with productivity improvements, capability upgrading and innovation. This was 19% more than 2011. Of these, 72% of the SMEs who had benefitted were small and micro SMEs. Sectoral productivity drives in the retail, food services, food manufacturing and furniture sectors continued to gain traction since its launch in 2011. More than 600 SMEs in these sectors have adopted technologies, redesigned workflows, invested in automation, upgraded capabilities and pursued innovations to improve productivity. 2.4 Wealth Creation â€Å" According to the latest Barclays Wealth Insights report, Singapore is the most fertile environment for millionaires, with 51% of High Net Worth Indiciduals(HNWIs) having accrued their wealth here in less that a decade.† (Lim 2014, P.3) 3 Constrain of SMEs in Singapore SMEs in Singapore got a few shortcomings, for example, low productivity, absence of financing, marketing and promotion and difficulties in lack in managerial capabilities. 3.1 Low Productivity Productivity was negative for six quarters from the final quarter of 2011, and improved marginally in the second and third quarters of a year ago. In a different study directed by the Relationship of Little and Medium Ventures (ASME), 61 for every penny of organizations surveyed demonstrated that they might want to see more activities to build profit. Singapore SMEs likewise need the legislature to expand the PIC plan past the 2014 budgetary year so more organizations can advantage from it. 3.2 Absence of Financing SMEs in the development and extension arrange regularly require a support in financing to accomplish sufficient scale and have to be internationally aggressive. In 2010, the Co-Speculation Program (CIP) was issued to catalyze persistent advance capital for Singapore-based endeavors, through co-contributing with the private segment. The administration put aside $250 million for the first period of the system, of which give or take $160 million has been shipped. This has been effectively catalyzed over $500 million of speculations from private part players, or in excess of three times of the governments cost. In perspective of the critical take-exceptional, we will dispatch the second stage not long from now with the Legislature giving an extra $150 million to match private division speculations. 3.3 Marketing and Promotion In cooperations with different nearby undertakings, we find that SME holders have a tendency to see advertising as a need just for huge companies or consumption that are reasonable just when the organization is doing admirably. These are combined up convictions. Showcasing, both as a solid capacity and as a consumption thing, is fundamental for all organizations substantial, medium or little and adroit advertising is discriminating particularly when the organization is not doing admirably. Sometimes, we will run over a couple of enthusiastic SMEs that are eager to cause uses on showcasing. Sadly, they are frequently restless with the results and they expect prompt money related profits for the consumptions. 3.4 Lack of Managerial Capabilities Managerial issues incorporate those identifying with human assets administration. Help businesses and SMEs in all phases of improvement face the regular issue of drawing in, creating, and holding gifted staff, whether specialists, managers, officials or directors. While MNCs have the ability to enlist and hold the best, supporting commercial enterprises and SMEs cant on account of their constrained money related assets and authoritative practices. The tight work market circumstance in Singapore additionally helps the circumstances, bringing about the cream of the work business sector streaming to the MNCs that offer higher pay, a superior nature of working life, and thoroughly preparing projects. 4 Steps to Strengthen SMEs in Singapore These days, Smes is confronting a considerable measure of issue, such as, absence of managerial value, low productivity, engineering imperative and high cost of creation. So with the goal Smes should fortify their shortcoming this is the few ways that ready to help, such as: 4.1 Priorty Sector Lending The need to hold more and better quality value capital against credits will crush banks ability to loan to SMEs, especially since SME giving accompanies higher expected misfortunes than corporate loaning. Banks will probably move a portion of the expense to SMEs through higher premium rates, along these lines decreasing interest for credit. 4.2 Price Perferences Previously, 15% value inclination was achieved out of SSI units for supplies to Psus/Government bodies. Presently it is adjusted at 20% and in the meantime the prohibition rundown will go. The value inclination is supposed to be settled on exact information which will go about as a measure of help to SSI units for using their ability enough. 4.3 Reformation of Labour Law Multitude of work laws has the potential to a vast degree for moderate development of industry in our nation. Work laws offer a lot of security to work compel by the procurement of least wages, PF, reward, tip and ESI and so on. Then again, the head honchos are forced to look for an earlier authorization actually for getting additional time work from work, on installment and despite common assent. More effective and diligent employees may be suitably compensated, and there ought to be a procurement to deduct wages for evading and sluggishness. Steady work laws are a paramount essential for Indian industry to confront the worldwide rivalry. 4.4 The Opportunity Globalization and liberalization would have made gainful open doors also. Numerous effective and fare arranged a few firms would have picked up out of this improvement. Such open doors ought to go about as a motivating force to abundant a little firm in India to improve their aggressiveness to infiltrate the worldwide business. This could likewise be accomplished by little firms getting to be sellers or subcontractors to remote expansive scale businesses. The pattern is outsourcing of supplies by Tncs and they are constantly vigilant for firms that could supply dependable and quality items. 4.5 Networking – Increase Competitiveness The advancement of between firm linkages is an alternate issue meriting more distinguishing. The expanding vicinity of transnational companies (Tncs) in the nation would open up new open doors for subcontracting/ outsourcing. This is on account of FDI has streamed into commercial ventures, for example, information transfers, transportation, electrical, metallurgical businesses and autos, among others, where opportunities for acquiring subcontracting/ outsourcing are distinguished for little industry. 5 Conclusion Based on the research, later on for SMEs ought to improve social flourishing obliges a need of women asserted SMES, youthful business person, adjust to the future globalization and in conclusion making more legitimacy and unwavering quality items. Firstly, In owning business grants for women following future pioneers who will see their organizations into the following period of development, to contend on the worldwide stage. Besides, Young business person swaying SMEs to be more progress and guaranteeing the budgetary issue too. Ultimately, adjust to globalization and making more unwavering quality and legitimacy items helps SME to be additionally adjusting in the worldwide advance by utilizing advance innovation to deliver a top notch items for society. 6 Reference: AsiaOne Business, (2014). More SMEs seek assistance to increase productivity. [online] Available at: http://business.asiaone.com/sme-central/news/more-smes-seek-assistance-increase-productivity [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014]. Chang, R. (2014). Budget 2014: More support for Singapore companies to raise funds See more at: http://business.asiaone.com/news/budget-2014-more-support-singapore-companies-raise-funds#sthash.SPRx0H0S.dpuf. AsiaOne Business. [online] Available at: http://business.asiaone.com/news/budget-2014-more-support-singapore-companies-raise-funds [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014]. Ho, D. and Lim, L. (2014). SPRING -Marketing is vital for all even for small companies. [online] Spring.gov.sg. Available at: http://www.spring.gov.sg/NewsEvents/ITN/2012/Pages/Marketing-is-vital-for-alleven-for-small-companies-20121123.aspx?skw=smes marketing and promotion [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014]. Ilo.org, (2013). Is small still beautiful?. [online] Available at: http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/comment-analysis/WCMS_218252/langen/index.htm [Accessed 6 Nov. 2014]. Lim, C. (2014). The Strategy Issue. Volume2 Issue 7. Singapore, p.3. Mediabuzz.com.sg, (2014). Singapore SMEs usher in new era of business productivity. [online] Available at: http://www.mediabuzz.com.sg/asian-emarketing/brand-n-ingameadvertising/2149-singapore-smes-usher-in-new-era-of-business-productivity [Accessed 6 Nov. 2014]. Meti.go.jp, (2014). APEC Internationalization of industrial Science and Technology. [online] Available at: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/apec/apec-isti/ISTI/abridge/sgz/sgzsme05.htm [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014]. Rbi.org.in, (2014). Reserve Bank of India. [online] Available at: http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/FAQView.aspx?Id=87 [Accessed 10 Nov. 2014]. Sgemployers.com, (2014). www.sgemployers.com | snef. [online] Available at: http://www.sgemployers.com/public/industry/sme21.jsp [Accessed 6 Nov. 2014]. Singapore Business Federation, (2014). SINGAPORE SMEs NEED TO GET THEIR MOJO BACK. [online] Available at: http://www.sbf.org.sg/public/newsroom/details/20131121pr.jsp [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014]. Spring.gov.sg, (2014). SPRING Performance Indicators. [online] Available at: http://www.spring.gov.sg/aboutus/pi/pages/performance-indicators.aspx [Accessed 6 Nov. 2014]. Spring.gov.sg, (2014). SPRING New SME Definition and Launch of New Online Tools and E-Services. [online] Available at: http://www.spring.gov.sg/NewsEvents/PR/2011/Pages/New-SME-Definition-and-Launch-of-New-Online-Tools-and-E-Services-20110322.aspx [Accessed 6 Nov. 2014]. Spring.gov.sg, (2014). SPRING More SMEs Raised Productivity, Innovated and Upgraded Capabilities in 2012. [online] Available at: http://www.spring.gov.sg/NewsEvents/PR/2013/Pages/More-SMEs-Raised-Productivity-Innovated-and-Upgraded-Capabilities-in-2012-20130219.aspx [Accessed 6 Nov. 2014]. Spring.gov.sg, (2014). SPRING SPRING Scholars to Champion SME Growth. [online] Available at: http://www.spring.gov.sg/NewsEvents/PR/Pages/SPRING-Scholars-to-Champion-SME-Growth-20140718.aspx [Accessed 11 Nov. 2014]. U-Wen, L. (2014). BIGGER PRODUCTIVITY PUSH NEEDED FROM SMES. asme. [online] Available at: http://www.asme.org.sg/index.php/news/new/bigger-productivity-push-needed-from-smes [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014]. 6.1 Report: Chane Wube, M. (2010). FACTORS AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES. p.22. Lim, C. (2014). The Strategy Issue. Volume2 Issue 7. Singapore, p.3. Nyangori, R. (2014). Factors influencing performance of micro and small enterprises: a case of Kisumu City Bus Park-Kenya. pp.10-11. Oliver Wyman and Fung Global Institute, (2013). Asia Finance 2020 Framing A New Asian Financial Architecture. p.8. Raju, K. (2014). Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Past, Present and Future in India KD Raju. pp.19-20. The Importance of SMEs in the Economy. (2014). p.1. 6.2 Newspaper: Chang, R. (2014). Budget 2014: More support for Singapore companies to raise funds See more at: http://business.asiaone.com/news/budget-2014-more-support-singapore-companies-raise-funds#sthash.SPRx0H0S.dpuf. AsiaOne Business. [online] Available at: http://business.asiaone.com/news/budget-2014-more-support-singapore-companies-raise-funds [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014]. Singapore Business Federation, (2014). SINGAPORE SMEs NEED TO GET THEIR MOJO BACK. [online] Available at: http://www.sbf.org.sg/public/newsroom/details/20131121pr.jsp [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014]. U-Wen, L. (2014). BIGGER PRODUCTIVITY PUSH NEEDED FROM SMES. asme. [online] Available at: http://www.asme.org.sg/index.php/news/new/bigger-productivity-push-needed-from-smes [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014]. 1

cuban women :: essays research papers

As research on women has progressed, we have learned that there is no uniform relationship between level of economic development and women's labor force participation. We have also discovered that women have not been and are not as passive and subservient to men as cultural constructs, literature, and discourse convey. Although women in the 19th century worked, like 20th century women in most of the world, they earned less than men. The feminization of poverty is not new. It also proves to be persistent, even when women produce for the global economy and even when men's work evolves around their wives. Women's active role in the economy is not rooted in feminism. Nor is it the result or basis of "liberation." Rather, it typically is grounded in social, economic, and political necessity. By becoming more involved in the public sphere, by becoming more active in civil society and the communities where they live, women throughout Latin America are helping to bring about chang e. For the revolutionaries in Cuba, â€Å"the revolution accomplished many of their goals: capitalism was abolished and socialism was installed, eroding class distinctions and eliminating private property, the working conditions improved, women’s rights improved, labor unions were recognized, the military became more modern and advanced, political order was restored, and the status of the country improved from dependent to independent†(Alexander, 76). For the people of Cuba, therefore, the revolution can be viewed as a success, but for America, the result was a failure. Latin America is one of the poorest and underdeveloped sections of the world. Because of this fact, it is difficult for its nations to compete and thrive in the world market with modern nations as they struggle to industrialize and improve their status. Cuba's progress towards equality for women â€Å"can be summed up in a few eloquent statistics. In 1953 Cuban women made up only 19.2% of the workforce, but by 1999 this figure had increased to an impressive 43.2%. Today 60% of university graduates are women and of these 49% are science graduates. As for medicine, traditionally a bastion of male domination, no less than 74% of the graduates are women†(Berbeo, 24). Women in pre-Revolutionary Cuba had â€Å"achieved a more respectable status vis-à  -vis men than women in any other Latin American country, with the possible exceptions of Argentina and Uruguay†(Alexander, 82). With regard to political rights, Cuban women received the vote in 1934.

Lets Put Pornography Back in the Closet by Susan Brownmiller

Chad Cummins English 122Y Mr. Fiorenza Analysis Paper The first essay I chose is â€Å"Let’s put pornography back in the closet,† by Susan Brownmiller. I chose this one because I figured analyzing it would not be too difficult after writing about â€Å"First Amendment Junkie,† in a previous assignment. Susan Brownmiller's essay voices her feminist view towards pornographic material. Her claim is that without restriction, the first amendment has allowed women to be publicly perceived as objects. The first amendment gives American citizens the right to free speech, and in Brownmiller's opinion the nation abuses that right.Obscenity laws have been in place since the early seventies, but according to Brownmiller, the Court has ruled sexually explicit content not obscene many times throughout history. By her bringing up the Hollywood ten makes readers think that the directors of pornography should also go to jail. Her feminist view is that graphic pornographic content is obscene when it degrades women. Sexual material with educational or objective purpose is fine, as long as there is no dehumanizing or demeaning of women.Brownmiller's opinion is that porn turns women into objects, and is advertised in such a way that the public perception of women is that they are just material objects. She thinks material that humiliates women in this way should be restricted, shut away from the public eye. Instead it gets flaunted as it's been in the past. One example she chooses to fight her case is that if the public perception of women is that they are objects, a rapist might safely think he's done nothing wrong. She says it makes a rapist feel like he is merely giving into normal urges.Brownmiller implicitly anticipates many angles for argument in her essay. She goes after the argument one might make that pornography is a form of art. Her opinion is that the porn industry is an unethical professional business using high standards of visual technology. They get away with it now because it is skillfully filmed and edited, to have a good design of artful grace. Another argument she predicts is the opposition made by the Court saying that no one is â€Å"compelled to look†. Her opinion is that with porn having the ability to flaunt tself openly to the general public without the filtering of degrading explicit content, it just throws itself in the face of the public. Brownmiller has said one possible solution at least to her would be to get the stuff out of sight. She wants to leave it up to the legislators. Let them be the judge if pornography should be kept out in the public eye. In conclusion, Brownmiller laid out the main points to a big problem in America. The issue of freedom of speech, and if there are any limitations. Using pornography as an example made a very good argument for this topic.The second essay I chose to analyze is â€Å"protecting Freedom of Expression on Campus,† by Derek Bok. I chose this as my second essay because; I assumed it would relate to m more closely due to the fact that I am a college student. In â€Å"Protecting Freedom of Expression on the Campus†, the author, Derek Bok shows how expressing yourself falls under the First Amendment, whether it is on a private college campus or public college campus. He further explains that just because it is protected by law does not mean that it is â€Å"right, proper, or civil.Bok goes on to show how censoring freedom of speech would cause people to â€Å"test the limits† to gain more attention than is needed and if dealt with in the proper manner. The author starts off with a strong example of Harvard students displaying a confederate flag and swastika. Freedom of expression is a right and should not be used inappropriately. The First Amendment rights have caused much controversy because it allows people to say, act, or feel how they see fit; for example, hanging of a Confederate flag or displaying a swastika in pub lic view.It is a very hard and intense act; although it is their right to do so. According to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the displaying of these symbols is protected under the First Amendment. Regretfully, people act and react because they are offended by things like this, but it is one of our many freedoms as Americans. Although it cannot be prohibited it should be responded to in such a way they do not feel put down or that they are wrong in expressing themselves, but rather suggest to them that it is hurtful and offensive to others.We have the right to be offended as others have the right to display or express their own interests. Diverse communities in the United States set certain laws to protect their properties from being vandalized with graffiti and protect them from loud noise; rules of this kind should be evenly upheld in order to not discriminate for or against anybody’s opinions or ideas. If the governing authorities see fit to change the laws to prohibit such expressions, they should be cautious.Bok says we are faced with the main example of, the conflict between our commitment to free speech and our desire to have a community founded on mutual respect. Bok shows that power of censorship is very dangerous because declaring certain things offensive will create a lot of attention. The stance Bok sticks with throughout the article is clear. He thinks appropriate officials and faculty members should take the lead on education students on what these actions do to others.He also thinks ignoring the displays would work because students would not have such an urge to put them on. It would be safer than prohibiting them, because all that does is give the violators more of a reason to act out. In conclusion, bringing up the example of the Harvard students displaying confederate flags was a good way to show his main point. The main idea is trying to bring out the difference between free speech and offensive material. This was a good way to bri ng up a huge problem that our nation is facing in the world today.

Pax Americana: The Importance of Soft Power Essay

There are two main ways through which a country can lose its ascendancy. First, it can be defeated militarily by a stronger, rising power. Second, it can rot from within, its culture and institutions progressively becoming weaker while its economy stagnates. Joseph Nye Jr. , in his book The Paradox of American Power, argues early on that America is in no immediate danger of â€Å"rotting from within†, as was the case with ancient Rome. Citing statistics to buttress his point, Nye shows that the negative media (both local and international) coverage received by the United States have little factual basis. While the country is not exactly where it wants to be in terms of morality and culture, it is certainly far from being the social Sodom and Gomorrah that it is portrayed to be. While the country lags some countries (notably those in the European Union) in many social metrics, it is nevertheless substantially better-off than the rest of the world in such terms. Neither is the U. S economy undergoing major problems. Despite the many doomsday predictions, the U. S. economy is growing at a respectable rate and continues to maintain the high standard of living that Americans have enjoyed for the past twenty to thirty years. While the trade challenges posed by China and the European Union may prove problematic in the years to come, they are nevertheless still manageable at present. Thus, it appears that that the United States is not going to collapse on itself in the near future. What Might Cannot Accomplish: The Case for Soft Power With regards to military power, no one can argue that the United States is in any danger of losing its hegemonic position. However, Nye posits the argument that the United States must learn not to rely on this aspect of its national power alone. One of his key contentions is that military power is not enough to maintain the ascendancy of the United States in the coming century. Also known as hard power, military power is an important part of the country’s overall strength – but it should not be the only fount of influence from which the country draws. In a rapidly globalizing world, soft power, e. g. , economic and cultural strength, must be seen as being as important as its military capabilities. Power not only consists of brute force, but also of influence and persuasiveness. The author agrees that if the United States is to achieve its foreign policy objectives, then it must learn not only to use its soft power, but to widen its scope in the years to come. Other than terrorism, a number of issues can only be resolved by acknowledging that we live in a deeply interconnected world. Issues such as pollution and global warming, the spread of AIDS, drug trafficking, and human slavery cannot be addressed by any one country in isolation – even if that country is a superpower. Because the relationships between state and non-state actors are increasingly intertwined in a mesh of common interests, then global multilateral cooperation is the only viable alternative that the world – the United States included – can choose. Current events would seem to prove this point. While the United States remains the world’s predominant military power, it is becoming increasingly clear that it cannot achieve its goals through unilateral military action. Indeed, the present war in Iraq is a clear indication of the United States’ limitations, especially when battling non-conventional organizations such as terrorist cells. Military might is an important tool in battling terrorism on a global scale, but the help of other countries – especially when it comes to intelligence gathering – will be increasingly required. In other words, only a multilateral approach will have an appreciable effect on a global hydra such as terrorism. Similarly, only by using such an approach will the U. S. e able to make progress on a variety of global issues. Recognizing the Times: Forming a Sound Foreign Policy Nye believes that American foreign policy is too dependent on its military power, pointing out that the military receives sixteen times the funding that the diplomatic service does. As he points out, the military corps is important – but not sixteen times as important as diplomatic corps. As we enter the new millennium, the latter must gain more importance if the U. S. is to maintain its power. The era during which the U.  S. could promote its national self-interest through military power alone is fast fading, if not already gone. The United States must learn to adapt to a new international political environment, one wherein it must strive to be looked up to as much as feared. Transnational problems cannot be solved in isolation, and America will need friends and allies if it is to make any lasting progress. However, it is also clear that the United States must not simply begin to act multilaterally on a sweeping number of issues. Rationality must be pursued at all times. There are situations in which the privilege to act unilaterally must be exercised by the United States, especially when it comes to issues of national defense and survival. Neither should the U. S. allow itself to be bound to international pacts that will restrict it excessively, or will allow other countries undue leverage over it. The key here is balance: finding the right mix between protecting America’s current national interests, as well as its future credibility and influence with the world community. A corollary to the preceding statement is that the United States must continue to provide global leadership by providing global public goods, such as international order and a free market system. While some may argue that such a policy inevitably spawns free riders, the U. S. must nevertheless push through with ensuring the availability of such public goods, not only because they benefit the country directly, but also because they make America indispensable to the world, in effect legitimizing its power. The author agrees with Nye on such counts. America stands at a crossroads today; the path it chooses to take will determine its future position in the world. If it decides to play the tyrant, it will suffer the usual fate of tyrants. However, if it chooses to adapt itself to the changed international political environment, it will ensure not only its survival but also its eminence. When Theodore Roosevelt said that he would â€Å"speak softly but carry a big stick,† he was formulating sound foreign policy. What American leaders should notice is that he mentioned â€Å"speaking softly† before the â€Å"big stick. †