Homosexuality and Morality Click Now To Get Solution

Question: 1. What makes an activity, desire or pleasure sexual? Can we give a non-circular definition here? 2. Critically assess the different definitions of perversion that have been offered. Are any of these definitions correct or helpful? (Answer with reference to two or more of Nagel, Solomon, Goldman and Scruton) 3. Is sex without love somehow morally deficient? 4. What is sexual objectification? Under what circumstances (if any) might it be morally permissible? 5. Is prostitution morally permissible? Answer with reference to at least two competing moral viewpoints (e.g. liberal, Marxist, radical feminist, consequentialist, virtue ethicist, Kantian) on the topic. 6. Is masturbation morally permissible? Answer with reference to at least two competing moral viewpoints (e.g. Natural Law, consequentialist, virtue ethicist, Kantian) on the topic. 7. Is pornography morally permissible? Answer with reference to at least two competing moral viewpoints (e.g. liberal, Marxist, radical feminist, consequentialist, virtue ethicist, Kantian) on the topic. 8. Is homosexuality morally permissible? An swer with reference to at least two competing moral viewpoints (e.g. Natural Law, consequentialist, virtue ethicist, Kantian) on the topic. 9. Should same-sex marriage be legalized? Explain your answer with reference to arguments that have been offered for and against by philosophers. Answer: Homosexuality is the state of sexual desire or conduct towards a person or persons of the same sex. Homosexuality is something which is romantic and has attracted sexually to the same sex discrimination of he/she looks, with the feeling that there is nothing in the world more important than the one the person is enjoying his/her movements with. Homosexuality is somehow recorded as a controversial topic and as a different theorists have given their different viewpoints. However, a judgement on the immorality by the divine sources is flawed; it runs contrary to building modern intellectual structure and makes it difficult to predict what actions are wrong and what are right. On medical basis homosexuality is a neurotic disease which has a high tendency to overwhelm the whole personality. It is caused because of psychological disease. The immorality of homosexuality is decided on the grounds of consequentiality, where evaluation is based on general happiness and the amount of suffering it causes (Haiderl, 1999). Rationally, every that act which increase the level of personal happiness should be morally permissible and acts which bring suffering should not be morally permissible. Homosexuality is the persist pattern of romance, emotions and sexual attraction in terms of compatibility with the people of the same sex. The most common terminology used in homosexual people is gay for males and lesbian for females. The major factors used for defining homosexuality include sexual behavior, attraction and sameness. So all these factors work together in harmony There are chances that a life partner who is first attracted towards opposite sex may may later on be attracted towards a person of the same sex. So applying labels is not an accurate way to describe one sexual ability (George, 1997). Nicholas Tonti Filippini, one of the Australias leading voices in the debate on same sex marriage, claims that in some countries, the law doesnt make any discrimination among people with same sex marriages. As per such laws, everyone is free to make their choices. Children are a production of heterosexual relationships and such marriage creates children's rights. The hard fact wi th homosexual holders is that they cannot produce their own children and the children either comes from a previous relationship or by some surrogacy or technical measures. Therefore a complex array of parental relationship is set up of the birth mother, genetic, gestational (Nicholas Tonti, 2011). There are many arguments made by controversial assumptions of mixed feelings of homosexuality about the facts, that it is good or bad for the society. But decisions are made for the average person's satisfaction of discrimination and not necessarily on the basis of laws (A Schopenhauer, 1966) The Ruse is a philosopher of science who made contributions to the history and analysis of philosophical with biological science and contributed to give epistemological causes of homosexuality. Just like him, the viewers of same sex marriage have different views of union between two women and two men. Thus, this proposal denies the truth of physiological, psychological and biological differences between women and men. Human race, growth and development of the child are affected by this kind of relationship. Such types of relationships are less strong, less stable and less valuable as viewed by their friends and family. So this has an adverse effect on their health and well beings and society, including level of high mental disturbance in such couples. (Michael Ruse, 1990). Violates morality of Natural Law Aristotle the father of natural law classified the act of homosexuality as existence of both forms made up of male and female. The relationship between human beings is not just a marriage. It is the bonding which relies on human nature and thus ruled by natural law. The fundamental rule of law is to the strive for good done and elude the evil, as the law is immutable and universal it is applied to the entire race of human, equally (Hinton, 2003). Therefore sexual activity which violates the natural law should be properly governed. If homosexuality is morally permissible, it will end the humanity of preserving the genetics or species. This disturbs the natural law. This fact cannot be denied that for normal growth of a child, it should have mother and father both, but with homosexuality, child always faces difficulties in his bringing up by homosexual couples. This leads to the weakening of the overall personality development of the youth (Robin, 2006). Morality on virtue ethics Virtues are acquired qualities which are potential for the state of character and mind on the basis of moral and intellectual values. The question arises, is homosexuality immoral according to virtual ethics? According to the theorists of virtue ethics, if anything is wrongly considered as immoral, then the only result is the guilt. As per this theory, if there are reasons for considering anything as the right, at the same time there are reasons for considering it as wrong. People who dont wear their helmets may cause serious harm to themselves, but it cant be said that their action is immoral (Aranzadi, 2013). Virtually and ethically, living in a free city and in a free nation, there should be no restriction on the people and their thoughts. Major ethical theories are not philosophically wrong and are as follows (Simson, 1997): Utilarianism states that morality is achieved and guided on ground of actions. If such action brings happiness its best it should be maximized, but if it brings sadness, then it should be minimized on the benefit of cost analysis. Homosexuality does not cause any major harm to the person's sadness, but its true that it causes unprotected sex (Lewis, 2005). Utilitarianism doesnt make a difference on emotions or encourage egoism. As per this theory, it is wrong to punish or harm others to benefit yourself. To have a moral decision acceptable there is a need to take the right decision procedure to produce good results at higher level without any bad results (Mucciaroni, 2011). Categorical Imperative directs that an act of an individual should be logical and rational, so that rationality can be practiced with others also. Homosexual behavior comes up with this law by just having a sex on personal enjoyment without disrespecting or hurting anyone. If the sexual act between men and women is accepted, then it should also be be permissible for the same sex with the same reasons of enjoyment. To have an action morally permissible on the basis of the categorical imperative is that the action in the same situation should be rationally appropriate for each and everyone. If they get the satisfactory actions, then that action is morally permissible (Kriz, 1997). Aristoelian ethics, virtue has two parts, which states that an individuals personhood flourishing is the only goal that they promote and second that make habits in a way to achieve personal happiness. For action to be morally permissible in this ethics consideration is given only to the sensitivity of the situation for personal happiness. Like fighting or harming is something bad and immoral, but if its in a self defense than its satisfactory (Mooney, 2008). Stoic ethics, virtue agreed that our character, thoughts are important element for our reasons and beliefs. An irrational thought gives a wrong emotion and a rational thought gives a right emotions. Hence, any kind of sexual behavior can cause appropriate or inappropriate beliefs. As sex is a beautiful thing in the world and allow ourselves to be pleasured. Stoic theory gives the thought of all types of sufferings by judging irrational values. There is belief that homosexual behavior is perfectly virtuous in all senses. Stoic ethics, virtue is an ethics on true moral thoughts which brings an appropriate emotions and actions (OBrien, 2005) Conclusion By the argument, views, laws and virtues it is concluded that according to the ethical theories homosexuality is morally permissible. To accept it as something like a slippery slope argument which relies on the fact that one occurrence may lead to another. To achieve homosexual morally, just make strong ethical standards through which they govern our society and lives with it without any discrimination. Changes to the natural law and ethics if necessary, will make decision difficult to accept for possibilities. This may be rewarding for someone and hard for others to accept. Such homosexual people may insist for their rights more openly by feeling less shame about their sexual attractions and their lives. What is needed is the family of love and acceptance to avoid their physical and mental health problems. According to Utilitarianism this act is morally permissible if its results are more beneficial with less harm. Many philosophers found ethical virtues useful as they help to make decisions about right and wrong for various actions. It is generalized that its harm to not consider personal happiness of others if they are rational to avoid their mental and physical illness. These theories help a lot to strengthen the rational behaviors and evaluated the beliefs to make strong bonding of human life and emotional response to motivate us to promote the values for good life Biblography Eskridge, William N.,, Jr 1997, "A jurisprudence of "coming out": Religion, homosexuality, and collisions of liberty and equality in American public law", The Yale law journal, vol. 106, no. 8, pp. 2411-2474. George, R.P. 1997, "Public reason and political conflict: Abortion and homosexuality", The Yale law journal, vol. 106, no. 8, pp. 2475-2504. Haider-Markel, D. 1999, "Morality policy and individual-level political behavior: The case of legislative voting on lesbian and gay issues", Policy Studies Journal, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 735-749 Same-sex Marriage | Marriage Laws - Nicholas Tonti-Filippini2011-09-06 The metaphysics of sexual love - A Schopenhauer, EFJ Payne1966 Haider-Markel, D. Joslyn, M.R. 2008, "BELIEFS ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF HOMOSEXUALITY AND SUPPORT FOR GAY RIGHTS: AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF ATTRIBUTION THEORY", Public opinion quarterly, vol. 72, no. 2, pp. 291-310. Homosexuality: a philosophical inquiry - Michael Ruse1990 Heinze, J.E. Horn, S.S. 2009, "Intergroup Contact and Beliefs about Homosexuality in Adolescence", Journal of Youth and Adolescence, vol. 38, no. 7, pp. 937-51. Kriz, L. 1997, "Sex and the Church: Gender, Homosexuality, and the Transformation of Christian Ethics", Library Journal, vol. 122, no. 11, pp. 76. Lewis, G.B. Brooks, A.C. 2005, "A Question of Morality: Artists' Values and Public Funding for the Arts", Public administration review, vol. 65, no. 1, pp. 8-17. Mooney, C.Z. Schuldt, R.G. 2008, "Does Morality Policy Exist? Testing a Basic Assumption", Policy Studies Journal, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 199-218. Mucciaroni, G. 2011, "Are Debates about "Morality Policy"' Really about Morality? Framing Opposition to Gay and Lesbian Rights", Policy Studies Journal, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 187-216. Murphey, D.D. 1994, "Homosexuality and the principles of a free society", The Journal of Social, Political, and Economic Studies, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 105. O'Brien, J. 2005, "A Sociology of Religion and Homosexuality", Contemporary Sociology, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 462-465. Robin, B.K. 2006, "The Deep Structure of Law and Morality", Texas Law Review, vol. 84, no. 4, pp. 877-942 Simson, M., Stuttaford, G. Zaleski, J. 1997, "One Nation, After All: What Middle-Class Americans Really Think About God, Country, Family, Poverty, Racism, Welfare, Homosexuality, Immigration, The Left, The Right, and Each Other", Publishers Weekly, vol. 244, no. 52, pp. 44. Tijsseling, A. 2010, "Lost Intimacies. Rethinking Homosexuality under National Socialism. Gender, Sexuality, Culture, Vol. 4.]", International Review of Social History, vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 532-534. Aranzadi, J. 2013, "The Natural Link Between Virtue Ethics and Political Virtue: The Morality of the Market", Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 118, no. 3, pp. 487-496. Crossan, M., Mazutis, D. Seijts, G. 2013, "In Search of Virtue: The Role of Virtues, Values and Character Strengths in Ethical Decision Making", Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 113, no. 4, pp. 567-581. Dierksmeier, C. 2011, Thomas Aquinas on Justice as a Global Virtue, Social Science Research Network, Rochester. Hinton, B. 2003, "A Critical Look at Finnis's Natural Law Ethics and the Role of Human Choice", Journal of Value Inquiry, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 69. VanDrunen, D. 2008, "Review of "A Shared Morality: A Narrative Defense of Natural-Law Ethics" by Craig A. Boyd", Journal of Markets and Morality, vol. 11, no. 2.

My Deepest Fear Essay Essay Example

My Deepest Fear Essay Essay One of the biggest lies of all time told is that slumber is the best speculation. For as I lie down to rest each dark. I toss and turn for hours on terminal. troubled by the happenings of each twenty-four hours. overwhelmed by the errors I’ve undeniably made. and haunted by the errors I will doubtless do tomorrow. The restlessness caused by my insecurities neer ceases to get the better of me. And in an effort to get away the experiential panics of being. I write. Until my diary is filled to the end†¦until my eyes easy descend. I write†¦ I have been reading since I was two old ages old. Because it is by and large non in the nature of yearlings to grok modest literary plants. I did non read books. Alternatively. I read my milieus. analysing both periods of pleasance and pieces of disparity. subconsciously retaining non the former but the latter. And as books come to life in the head. mirroring gesture images. I remember my childhood as such. Watching my female parent. so immature. being beaten by legion â€Å"boyfriends† proved damaging to my guiltless mind. Not merely were these work forces crushing her. they were crushing this thought of normality into my caput that I’d sum to nil greater. We will write a custom essay sample on My Deepest Fear Essay specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on My Deepest Fear Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on My Deepest Fear Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer I’d achieve nil more than what my female parent had. holding had two kids at 18 with no high school sheepskin to decrease unforgiving fortunes. And I sit in school feeling as if my dreams. at the really root of them. hold dried up like raisins in the sun†¦I sit in my categories penetrating my fate so intently that I am simply feigning to understand what is being taught. Therefore. despite the words of the august Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. my deepest fright is. in fact. that I am unequal. I fear that I am non good plenty and the undertaking of confuting this apprehension has been backbreaking. cognizing that every twenty-four hours. something has tried to destruct me and has merely fallen short. And I am diffident if this item is worthy of jubilation. And I wonder†¦has my tegument colour betrayed me? Has my inkiness. this skin color which I was taught to happen so beautiful. stricken me with the imprecation of holding to turn up in a poorness consumed vicinity. dependent upon the authorities to house and feed me ; the same vicinity that gunned my male parent down and took the lives of several of my equals. It can’t be†¦that my skin color has become so obvious that I am invariably holding to alter my frock. and adjust my tone to suit the demands of a disapproving bulk. Some position my sable race with contemptuous oculus. My colour is a devilish dye†¦to those who don’t see. that I am human first before I am black. Or is my sex the perpetrator? Has my being a adult female determined my destiny? Because as a member of an intersectional community it is known all excessively good that I am stricken by these procedures of sexism. and subjugation ; non working independently of one another. but interconnected. organizing a kind of junction. or intersection. of mul tiple signifiers of favoritism. But this can’t be†¦because harmonizing to female parent Maya Angelou. I am a adult female phenomenally†¦ And I know all excessively good that the caged bird sings for freedom. I have been so long stricken by the rough worlds of my upbringing†¦and I have been so long weltering in self-pity that I have forgotten my heritage and it shames me. Kings and Queens of Africa inhabit me. Affonso and Amina. Idris and Makeda. who are my ascendants. would certainly be affronted to cognize that I have non realized what it has been in my nature to make: get the better of. defy. and amaze. And it is here that my African roots assert themselves. coercing me to mount the foothills of my uncertainty. the mountains of my false lower status. and extremums least traveled by. And as I stand at the precipice of life’s enigmas. this Pennsylvania State University precipice. I am all of a sudden intertwined with a household consummated non merely of the people of my fatherland. Africa. but of the woods of Asia. the Waterss of the Caribbean. the jungles of South America. and the mountains of Europe†¦these people of changing colourss. sexes. and civilizations who have defied quandaries much different than my ain. And we stand. hushed. equal. en masse. And it is here that I hear Mr. Mandela speak to me. â€Å"As we are liberated from our ain fright. our presence automatically liberates others. † †¦whether it be those of our ain lineages†¦or those of line of descents wholly dissimilar.

Solute Definition and Examples in Chemistry

Solute Definition and Examples in Chemistry A solute is defined as the substance that is dissolved in a solution. For solutions of fluids, the solvent is present in greater amount than the solute. Concentration is a measurement of the amount of solute present in a chemical solution, with respect to the amount of solvent. Examples of Solutes Usually, a solute is a solid that is dissolved into a liquid. An everyday example of a solute is  salt in water. Salt is the solute that dissolves in water, the solvent, to form a saline solution. On the other hand, water vapor is considered a solute in air, because nitrogen and oxygen are present in much larger concentration levels in the gas. Different Types of Solutes When two liquids are mixed to form a solution, the solute is the species present in the smaller ratio. For example, in a 1 M sulfuric acid solution, sulfuric acid is the solute while water is the solvent. The terms solute and solvent can also be applied to alloys and solid solutions. Carbon may be considered a solute in steel, for example.

Bronsted-Lowry Acid Definition

Bronsted-Lowry Acid Definition In 1923, chemists Johannes Nicolaus Brà ¸nsted and Thomas Martin Lowry independently described acids and bases based on whether they donate or accept hydrogen ions (H). The groups of acids and bases defined in this manner came to be known as either Bronsted, Lowry-Bronsted, or  Bronsted-Lowry acids and bases. A Bronsted-Lowry acid is defined as a substance that gives up or donates hydrogen ions during a chemical reaction. In contrast, a Bronsted-Lowry base accepts hydrogen ions. Another way of looking at it is that a Bronsted-Lowry acid donates protons, while the base accepts protons. Species that can either donate or accept protons, depending on the situation, are considered to be amphoteric. The Bronsted-Lowry theory differs from the Arrhenius theory in allowing acids and bases that dont necessarily contain hydrogen cations and hydroxide anions. Key Takeaways: Bronsted-Lowry Acid The Bronsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases was proposed independently in 1923 by Johannes Nicolaus Brà ¸nsted and Thomas Martin Lowry.A Bronsted-Lowry acid is a chemical species that donates one or more hydrogen ions in a reaction. In contrast, a Bronsted-Lowry base accepts hydrogen ions. When it donates its proton, the acid becomes its conjugate base.A more general look at the theory is as an acid as a proton donor and a base as a proton acceptor. Conjugate Acids and Bases in Bronsted-Lowry Theory Every Bronsted-Lowry acid donates its proton to a species which is its conjugate base. Every Bronsted-Lowry base similarly accepts a proton from its conjugate acid. For example, in the reaction: HCl (aq) NH3 (aq)→ NH4 (aq) Cl- (aq) Hydrochloric acid (HCl)  donates a proton to ammonia (NH3) to form the ammonium cation (NH4) and the chloride anion (Cl-). Hydrochloric acid is a Bronsted-Lowry acid; the chloride ion is its conjugate base. Ammonia is a Bronsted-Lowry base; its conjugate acid is the ammonium ion. Sources Brà ¶nsted, J. N. (1923). Einige Bemerkungen à ¼ber den Begriff der Suren und Basen [Some observations about the concept of acids and bases]. Recueil des Travaux Chimiques des Pays-Bas. 42 (8): 718–728. doi:10.1002/recl.19230420815Lowry, T. M. (1923). The uniqueness of hydrogen. Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry. 42 (3): 43–47. doi:10.1002/jctb.5000420302

Marketing Planning and Communications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing Planning and Communications - Essay Example On the shore on the other hand, were millions of inhabitants who had barely recovered from the rampage of Hurricane Katrina and the like. The Gulf of Mexico was also polluted with 5 million barrels of crude oil and methane gas, surpassing the Exxon disaster within four days (Sachs, 2012). Biggest Corporate Fine in US History British Petroleum has so far put aside $42 billion payable as fines, compensation to the victims and well as restoration costs (the economist, 2013). In other words, the company has paid 14 billion for restoration and clean up of the site, 17.5 billion as compensation to individuals and small businesses, $4 billion in the form of criminal charges to the Department of Justice as well and $3.5 billion as penalties for oil leak under the America’s Clean Water Act (the Economist, 2013, p.66). Integrated Marketing Communications According to Percy (2008) integrated marketing communications is about planning, it aims at delivering a consistent and effective mess age. IMC applies to all forms of communications, be it consumer, business-to-business or corporate. Furthermore, by consistent message we mean that the message must have the same visual feel throughout media so as to form a distinct image that can be linked to the brand. Ensuring the proper implementation of IMC requires a strategic plan, the process begins by identifying the target audience and understanding their purchase decisions and behaviours. Strategic IMC for the BP Brand In 1997, the then CEO of BP John Browne was determined to make BP the world’s largest oil company through exploration, acquisition and marketing. Browne was of the impression that the consumers could be taught to identify with a brand of gasoline. But making the consumer identify with an oil brand was exceedingly hard as people hated oil companies and perceived them as villains following the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. With increasing awareness about climate change, oil companies were the worst perfo rming product category in terms of brand affinity (Sachs, 2012). Browne made significant changes to the approach of the company, including investments in solar energy research and withdrawal from oil- interest group Global Climate Coalition. These efforts were perceived positively by the consumers as British Petroleum was no longer resisting the fight against climate change with was now an active participant. By 2000, the company’s name was changed to BP with the tagline â€Å"Beyond Petroleum†, furthermore the company shield was replaced by helios. This new look was received positively by the masses, so the company further invested in advertising to supplement their green stance on the environment. Over the next few years the company built extensive brand equity, and John Browne one of the most popular CEOs in the world was granted knighthood. The truth in fact was very different from the facade created by green advertising because in reality the company was not makin g any significant progress in alternative energy. In 2010, BP’s operations comprised of drilling the world’

Soft Systems Thinking vs. Hard Systems Thinking Essay

Soft Systems Thinking vs. Hard Systems Thinking - Essay Example Both have specific applications and uses for us humans who constantly learn from using these systems thinking. Systems thinking is a rather new concept and one that analyzes a given specific question relating to human systems or systems that involves humans in some other way. This study explores the various quirks and advantages of using these ways of thinking. It also explores how systems can be applied anywhere from everyday, mundane things to the most complicated problems ever. Systems thinking can be though of as a train of ideas and procedures that can help lessen our burden in problem solving if properly executed. Thus with this knowledge, a firm understanding is needed on how these systems work and function to the arrival of a solution. Given today's global problems, our world leaders have utilized time and again that systems thinking does work and the benefits outweighs the negative feedback from these. This study was. To compare and contrast the two different types of thinki ng systems and the way they influence our lives. This paper also manages to determine the details behind these concepts and also to have a better understanding of what systems thinking is all about and it's relevance to our modern society where problems are as common as anything else under thee sun. With this, all that if for you dear reader to go on and find out how these ways of thinking works. The term system is der... Also, one or more components may or may or may not have independent or alternate functions, but they are still part of the same system. Examples of systems are committees within a civic group, the various body organ systems, the ecosystem, socio-economic systems etc. Systems can either be natural such as the ecosystem and the body organ systems or they may be artificial such as electronic systems and farms ("What is system thinking" 2004). For a system to work, each of its components must work together in order to produce something. Its elements must complement each other and must have a certain synergy between them. Elements in a system may have direct or indirect relationships with each other. There are also system types that can be considered as open or closed. An open system's production and function can be influenced by the external environment or it can have an influence on the environment. A closed environment on the other hand is independent and may not be influenced by the external environment or it does not have an influence on the environment. Another classification of systems is physical and conceptual systems. Physical systems are systems are systems that exists materially that it, it has form, mass and is generally tangible. Conceptual systems exist theoretically and do not have form, mass or any other physical characteristic. Conceptual systems are often used for the visualization of certain ideas ("Sys tem", 2006). Another classification of systems is living or biological systems which are composed of living elements or organisms themselves, interacting or performing various functions as a whole. Non-living systems composed of the environment and

Theories of International Trade and Investment Essay Example for Free

Theories of International Trade and Investment Essay Objectives: 1. Theories of international trade and investment 2. why do nations trade? 3. How can nations enhance competitive advantage? 4. Why and how do firms internationalize? 5. How can internationalizing firms gain and sustain competitive advantage? Mercantillism: belief popular in 16th century National prosperity results from maximizing exports and minimizing imports Nonmercantillism: today some argue nation should run a trade surplus labot unions protect domestic jobs farmers keep crop prices high manufacturers some rely on exports Free Trade: absense of restrictions to the flow of goods/services among nations ** Best because it leads to: more/beter choices for consumers/firms lower prices of goods for consumers/firms higher profits/better worker wages imported input goods usually cheaper higher living standards for consumers costs are lower greater prosperity in poor countries Competitive Advantage: foundation concept of international trade. Answers how nations can achieve and sustain economic success/prosperity Superior features of a country that provide it with unique benefits in global competition comparitive advantages are derived either from natural endowments/deliberate national policies **In a firm: Distinctive Assets/competencies/capabilities that are developed or acuired Ex: Saudi Arabia has a natural abundance of oil petroleum products Ex: France climate/soil for producing wine Absolute Advantage: country should produce only those products in which it has absolute advantage or can produce using fewer resources that another country Comparative Advantage: Beneficial for two countries to trade even if one has absolute advantage in the production of all products. **Efficiancy in which it can product the product is the most important Ratio of production costs is key This pplies to all goods shows how countried use scarce resources more efficiently Limitations of Early Trade Theories: Fail to account for international transportation costs Govts distort normal trade / selectively imposing protectionism (tarrifs) or (subsidies) Services some cant be traded. Others can be traded freely over internet Factor Proportions Theory: Factor Endowments Theory each country should produce and export products that need high production Import goods that and don’t need production ** Leontief Paradox revealed that countries can export products that use less resources and be successful International Product Life Cycle Theory Each product and its associated manufacturing go through 3 stages of evolution: introduction inventor country enjoys a monopoly in manufacturing/exports. Ex: TV Set maturity Products manufacturing becomes standardized other countries start producing and exporting the product standardization manufacturing ceases in innovator country becomes net importor of the product. Totally under globalization cycle occurs quickly New Trade Theory economies of scale are an important factor in some industries for superior international performance. Even in absense of superior comparative advantage some succeed best as their volume increases Ex: commercial aircraft industry has very high fixed costs need high volume sales to achieve profit Critical Role of  Innovation in National Economic Success Innovation is KEY source of competitive advantage Firms innovate in 4 major ways: 1. new product/improve an existing product 2. new manufacturing 3. new marketing 4. new ways of organizing Many innovative firms in a nation leads to national competitive advantage Critical Role of Productivity in National Economic Success productivity is the value of the output produced by a unit of labor or capital it is a key source of competitive advantage for firms the greater the productivity of the firm, the more efficiently it uses its resources aggregate productivity is a key determinate of the nations standard of living Michael Porters Diamond Model: Sources of National Competitive Advantage Diamond Model Factor Conditions: quality and quantity of labor, natural resources, capital, tech, know-how, entrepreneurship, other production Ex: an abundance of cost-effective and well educated workers give china a competitive advantage in the production of laptops Related Supporting Industries: presence of suppliers, competitors, complementary firms that excel within a given industry Demand Conditions at home: strengths and sophistication of customer demand firm strategy, structure, and rivalry: the nature of domestic rivalry, and conditions that determine how a nations firms are created, organized, and managed Industiral Cluster suppliers/supporting firms from the same industry located within the same geographic area strong cluster can be sxport platform for a nation Proactive economic development plan employed by the govt. nurture/support promising industry sectors with potential for regional or global dominance Tax Incentives Monetary fiscal policies Rigorous educational syst em Investment in national infrastructure strong legal regulatory systems