Art Exhibition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Art Exhibition - Essay Example Michael Criton located Johns â€Å"between Duchamp and Pollack, between the found object and the created abstraction† (Lanchner and Johns, 2009, p. 19). The second work of art is a collection of prints by Johns in which the numbers 0-9 have been created through the methodology of lithography. Lithography is a process where a smooth surface is treated in some areas so that it will retain ink, but leaving others so that the ink will not be retained. The surface is then used as a printing object from which to press an image onto another surface, most often a paper. The works were created between 1960 and 1963 and are simply titled â€Å"0-9†. The two pieces can be compared from a number of elemental concepts in order to further explore the nature of Jasper John’s work. The painting â€Å"Map† was created in the earlier part of his career when the exploration of the ideologies of America were being combined with the explorations of their meanings through the use of ‘readymade’ objects. The blurring of borders speaks of unity while the bursts of color are in motion, commenting on the wide diversity of the nation. The lines of the distinct object of the map are muddled by the use of the paint overtop of them. The colors are vibrant and primary, using red, yellow, and blue in bursts across the work, the colors blending at some points, distinctive at others. The oil paints are thick with the texture of the work dense and mountainous on top of the map. There is a repetition that creates balance within the chaos and while there is no use of perspective, there is a sense of density that is felt that about the object of the map as the colors burst forth across the entirety of the work. Although there seems to be no design to the work, there is a definite balance to the way in which the colors are utilized. They erupt across the painting in light and darkness, yellow splicing through the red and darker blue to

The Odyssey Essay Example for Free

The Odyssey Essay Hunger, whether a literal hunger or a hunger for power has always been a downfall for humankind. In the Odyssey hunger destroys the lives of many men. Even though the Odyssey is just an epic it reflects in many ways how hunger can ruin and sometimes even destroy someone’s life. In history, hunger has shown itself in many different and unique ways. For example Hitler’s hunger for power destroyed millions of lives. It forced millions of people to move their homes and change their lives or to even lose their lives. Hunger has caused people and even entire nations to be decimated. If people could control there hunger the world and its people would be a safer and happier place. In this epic hunger rules all. In the Odyssey Odysseus shows several types of hunger. One that stands out above others is Odysseus hunger for knowledge. Odysseus is always on a quest for knowledge. To him knowledge is more powerful than anything else. No other weapon can stand up to knowledge. This has put Odysseus and even his crew in much danger and trouble in â€Å"The Odyssey†. Odysseus shows his hunger for knowledge in the â€Å"Lotus Eaters† when he sends his men to scout the land when they get to the land of the Lotus Eaters. If he would have never done that he would not have lost two of his men to the mind numbing effects of the Lotus plans. One of Odysseus’s other crazy acts to learn knowledge was in the â€Å"Cyclops†. In the epic Odysseus led himself and his men into a Cyclops cave. This caused several of his men to be eaten by the Cyclops. Many of Odysseus’s men have died because of his hunger for knowledge. Odysseus shows his hunger again when he ventures into the land of the dead! The man is so crazy to even try to go to the Underworld. Odysseus lives for wisdom and something that shows knowledge is everything to him is that the Goddess f Wisdom, Athena has taken Odysseus under her protection. But even with Athena as his protector Odysseus will face many troubles because of his hunger. Many of his men will suffer for his many mistakes. Odysseus also has a hunger for self glorification. He is always trying to make himself be in the spotlight. Odysseus tries to make himself a figure of the perfect hero that everybody should bow down to. An example of this is in the beginning of the story that Odysseus is so self-glorified is he even tempts Poseidon by saying that he does not need the gods and that he only needs himself. If Odysseus never did this he would have gotten home without having to make the long journey which is told in â€Å"The Odyssey†. But since Odysseus thinks he does not need the gods it forced him to face many dangers and to lose his crew. His wife has been forced to wait several years because of Odysseus’s insolence. Another example is when Odysseus goes back to Ithaca disguised as a beggar he tells his swineherd that he has seen â€Å"Odysseus† and that Odysseus is strong, perfect, and amazing. He is always trying to make himself seem like the most amazing person. Odysseus is a lustful man. He is a man that is not faithful to his wife. But if his wife would so much as dare think about another man it would be the end of the world. In Odysseus’s mind everything is about Odysseus. In the story Odysseus first becomes unfaithful with Circe and then later with Calypso. He is the perfect example of someone that says one thing and does another (a hypocrite). But because of his lust many problems have been unearthed and left unchecked for many years in the Odyssey. It has caused that his wife Penelope has to wait several extra years for Odysseus. It has also brought the problem of the suitors upon Ithaca. The reason being is that if Odysseus would have arrived home earlier the suitors would not have tried to make a move on Odysseus’s throne. Odysseus also has a hunger for power. He always wants to be the leader. He wants to be the person that everyone is looking up to. This caused him to go through great grief and sorrow many times throughout the Odyssey. The first of these incidents was when the Cyclops took away several of his men and ate and killed them. Also when Scylla and Charybdis took away more of his men Odysseus felt responsible for their deaths and went through a depression like state. In the â€Å"Lotus Eaters† Odysseus lost some his men to the Lotus plant. This hurt him as well. But the one that affected him the most was when Zeus cast his lightning at their ship and killed everyone except Odysseus himself. Odysseus is not the only one with a hunger for knowledge in this story. His crew also has the same hunger. They have taken after Odysseus in many ways but this one above all has shown itself. There are several examples showing where there hunger has gotten them into trouble or placed into the face of danger. One time above all where this has affected them was when the crew opened the bag of winds that Odysseus would not let them open. This caused the ship to come into view of Ithaca but then be pushed far out to sea away from their home and ultimately to their own deaths. The crew always wants to know what’s going on. If they come across a new land they automatically want to explore it. An example of this is in the â€Å"Lotus Eaters†. The crew wanted to know about this new land and because of this curiosity they lost two men. The crew also has a great hunger for the taste of food and drink. They indulge themselves whenever they can. One example of this is in Circes hall. The crew ate her food and drank her wine which ultimately had them turned into pigs. If they had never taken the food right away and had thought about their situation they would have never been turned into pigs. But the men’s hunger for drink and food overpowered their other thoughts. The crews mind is always on the thoughts of food and drink. If food and drink weren’t in the world the crew would no longer love life as they do. They are always indulging themselves. Another instance of where the crews hunger for food overpowers all other thoughts is on the island of Helios, The Sun God. The crew was shipwrecked on this island with no food or water but there are a lot of cattle there so the crew wonders why. Odysseus specifically tells them they can’t eat the cattle, but Odysseus makes the mistake of not telling the crew why they cannot eat the cattle. The crew not knowing why they cannot eat the cattle and dying from starvation takes a chance by eating the cattle. They believed they would rather die by drowning then by starvation. This angers the Sun God Helios. Helios makes Zeus kill every one of the crew except Odysseus. The suitors also have a great hunger for many things. They have a hunger for Odysseus wealth and all his lands. They want to be the king of the land. They want to be the ones in control the ones with the power. They want this so bad that they try to take his wife. This hunger did them no good when Odysseus returned home to find them eating his food and drinking his wine. This brought the wrath of Odysseus down upon them all. This led to the suitors deaths. But that wasn’t the own thing that brought Odysseus’s wrath. The suitors want to be king of Ithaca. The reason being is because Ithaca is a wealthy and powerful nation. They want to have all the power and all the wealth. These men let their or hunger for power rules their lives. Since they let this hunger rule their deaths came a lot earlier than it would have if they wouldn’t have let that same hunger rule. The thing that angered Odysseus the most was that they were trying to take Odysseus’s wife Penelope as their own. This angered Odysseus so much that he killed them all for the men’s insolence. If the men would have just stayed in their own land they would have never faced their own demise and would have lived to be old and happy. But the suitor’s greed drove the men to their own demise. The suitors are another perfect example of mans greed. Man is a species that always wants more. Nothing can ever stop man from wanting. â€Å"The Odyssey† shows perfectly how hunger in a man or in several men can ruin someone’s life. In The Odyssey a man and his crews hunger ruin the lives of themselves and many others. It forces the men to go on a journey that could have been easily avoided. This hunger causes their own lives and the lives they meet to experience the men’s hunger. These men are a perfect example of the hunger men can have in the real world. Even though Odyssey is just an epic it shows perfectly how hunger can destroy someone’s life. Hunger, whether a literal hunger or a hunger for power has always and will always rule people’s thoughts. If you don’t control your hunger it will destroy you and everything you love.

Proof For The Existence Of God Philosophy Essay

Proof For The Existence Of God Philosophy Essay Opinions relating  in favor of and in opposition to the  existence of God  have been controversial from many years as anticipated by philosophers, theologians, scientists, and others. The discussion with reference to the existence of God is very traditional and most argued debates in  human history. The existence of God is a matter of debate in philosophy,  the  philosophy of religion, and  popular culture. This report presents the different sides and opinions of philosophers that at different time periods argued about the existence of God and its need as well as the analysis of different views to present the controversial topic in detail. Definition of God In contemporary Western culture, the perception of God normally relates to a  monotheistic, superlative, eventual, and personal being. This view is mostly originated from Christian and Hebrew traditions.  Traditional view  portrayed God as having perfection in almost everything. Many religions and different societies believe that God is a body that cannot be defined. They alleged that this act can deny the magnificent nature of God. Some traditional philosophical approaches defined God as the prime mover or the uncaused cause, the ultimate creator, or a being that than which nothing greater can be conceived. (Steve Rudd, 2012) Arguments for the existence of God Aquinas Five Ways argued that the God exists and its necessary to prove this controversy. The summarized points from that literature are discussed below: The  argument relating unmoved mover  emphasized that, we experience motion in the universe from where we assume that there exists an initial mover. Aquinas predicted that the motion is created because of an unmoved object; therefore there must be an unmoved mover. Aquinas  another view discussed that from first cause  foundation it is impracticable for an organism to create itself. Therefore, it predicts that there must be a first cause that is itself uncaused. The argument from  necessary being  declares that all organisms are  conditional which means that they also have choice of non existence. Aquinas therefore sets his point that if everything chooses not to exist, then we may not have anything in the universe. But as things exist now, there must exist a being regarded as God with  necessary existence. Aquinas  argued from degree of goodness that there are always things that are good or bed from others. He believed that there must be a maximum goodness which causes all goodness. The  teleological argument  asserts the view that unintelligent things are ordered to be in position. Aquinas concentrates on the view that unintelligent objects can only be ordered by an intelligent being, which proves that there must be an intelligent being God to move objects to specific purpose. (Theodore Gracyk, 2004) The ontological argument was presented by philosophers including  St. Anselm  and  Renà © Descartes. The argument puts forward that the existence of God is obvious and self-evident. The formulation of logic they proposed is presented below: God is the greatest conceivable being. It is greater to exist than not to exist. Therefore, God exists. (Oppy and Graham, 1996 revised in 2011) Different philosophers argued that the existence of God in not necessary because there is no proof that if something is predictive or superlative it also exists. The debate was controversial and is also in modern time builds up the arguments to conclude that either God exist or not and if its existence is necessary. Arguments from historical events or personages Christianity  and  Judaism  believe that God interfered and shows his existence in almost every specific event and situations in history. Those events and the interference proved that there is empirical evidence that God exists. For example the event of Exodus  and the giving of the  Ten Commandments  in front of all the tribes of Israel. The Resurrection of Jesus argues that there is adequate historical confirmation for resurrection of Jesus to support his asserts to be the son of God which proved the Gods existence.  This argument stem from the  Christological argument. Islam  argued that the revelation of its holy book, the  Quran, justifies its heavenly authorship, and thus the existence of God. The bible that is Holy book of Christians argued that there is one mighty and strong being in the universe, which declares the existence of God. (Dr. Andrew Corbett, 2009) Hindu arguments Most schools of Hinduism believe that there is existence of God but some of them dont believe that. Law of karma provide basis of the existence of God. They believe that the actions of karma are not performed by humans and one own self so there must be an existence of God to control and monitor all karmatic actions. They also believe that fruits of karma are transferred and dispensed through a body that is known as God and thus proved the existence. (Siyam, 2012) Arguments from testimony Arguments from testimony are based on experience of witnesses, possibly exemplifying the intentions of a specific  revealed  religion.  It is the fundamental of rationality that one should accept testimony except there are powerful motives for not doing so. Arguments against the existence of God Each of the following arguments aims at showing either that a particular subset of gods does not exist through contradictions in arguments or that there is insufficient reason to believe in them. Some arguments are discussed below that present the opposite and contradictory views relating existence of God. Empirical arguments Empirical arguments depend on  empirical data  in order to prove their conclusions. The major arguments can be derived from the traditional and religious  scriptures like the Jewish  Tanakh, the  Christian  Bible, the  Muslim  Quran,  Hindu  Vedas. The understanding of scripture provide basis to the knowledge of Gods existence. The theist arguments relating existence of God and its fundamentals are called  theodicies. The  argument from nonbelievers  contests the existence of an omnipotent God who wants humans to believe in him by arguing that such a god would do a better job of gathering believers. (Lawrence Croker, 2011) Deductive arguments Deductive arguments attempt to prove their conclusions by  deductive reasoning  from true premises. The  Ultimate Boeing 747 gambit  is a counter-argument to the  argument from design. The argument rests on the view that there is a designer that creates complex structures and design. So the God, we are talking about, should be as complicated as all things He has created in the universe. This situation also requires a designer. And its designer would also require a designer, ad infinitum. Therefore the views create infinite contradiction that there is a need of another designer to create a complex being. The  omnipotence paradox  recommends that the perception of an  omnipotent  being is rationally conflicting, for instance, for this purpose, questions like is GOD have all the authority? or can a mountain be created by God, so big that it cannot be moved by Himself. The Omniscience paradox demonstrates a different angle of the omnipotence paradox. Omnipotent and omniscience disagree with with concept of existence of God. The  problem of hell  is the idea that everlasting damnation for actions committed in a finite existence contradicts Gods  omnibenevolence  or  omnipresence. A contradictory argument against the  Cosmological argument  i.e. chicken or egg is based on supposition that things cannot subsist without creators therefore should also apply to God creation and existence. This also lays foundation that existence of universe as a second cause. Theological noncognitivism also contradict the god-concept by showing that scientific test cannot verify it. This argument says that if God is morally perfect, omniscient and omnipotent, than instead of imperfect human beings, He would have created other morally perfect beings. (John Shook, 2011) Inductive arguments Inductive arguments predict existence of God based on  inductive reasoning. The  atheist-existentialist  argument that it is impossible to present existence of a perfect sentient being. It also argued that if  existence comes before spirit, it  follows from  the connotation of the expression  sentient that a sentient being cannot be inclusive or perfect. No reason argument attempts to reveal that an omniscient or omnipotent probably have no reason to do it in this way, especially the creation of universe, as it may likely to have no wants, needs, or desires etc. as these concepts are strictly relevant to human beings. so omnipotent god cannot exist until the universe exists. Since the universe exists, there is a contradiction, and therefore, an The other argument known as historical induction concludes that since most theistic religions all the way through narration and their gods ultimately come to be considered as fictitious or mistaken, all theistic religions, including contemporary ones, are therefore most likely untrue and incorrect by induction. (John Shook, 2011) Subjective arguments Similar to the  subjective  arguments for the existence of God are contradictory with the supernatural that chiefly based on the testimony or experience of witnesses, or the suggestions of a  revealed  religion  in common. The spectator argument provides trustworthiness to personal witnesses, contemporary and from the past, who disbelieve or strongly doubt the existence of God. The disappointment argument claims that if, when asked for, there is no visible help from God, there is any reason to believe that there is a God. (John Shook, 2011) Conclusions Conclusions on the existence of God can be categorized along abundant axes, producing a variety of vies about the existence and non existence of God.  Theism  and atheism  are positions of belief (or lack of it), while  Gnosticism  and  agnosticism  are positions of knowledge (or the lack of it)  is concerns belief regarding Gods conceptual coherence.  Apatheism  concerns belief on the subject of the practical importance of whether God exists or not. The above discussion presents both views of the different philosophers and testimonies relating God existence. The views presented above are justified and contradicted based on different arguments and discussions based on several philosophical authors and religions therefore clearing the views of both sides that either God exist or not exist. The topic is still controversial and several philosophers are still arguing and practice their specific opinions relating this fact.

Pistol Poets :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Title: The Pistol Poets Author: Victor Gischler Date Published: February 2004 Number of Pages: 340 1. Most Significant Characters   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this story there were not many characters other than the main characters who had much importance on the outcome of the story. The most significant characters in the story were two characters by the names of Jay Morgan and Harold Jenks. Jay Morgan- Professor Jay Morgan was a man who very stressed who was forced to switch schools to teach each year. Switching schools caused many problems for Morgan. Some of the problems included were financial troubles and social troubles. Jay Morgan did not have a steady paycheck because of all his switching. Morgan had very little time to make many friends because he was never at one school for more than 6-8 months.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Professor Jay Morgan was a man who was not a very loyal person whatsoever. Morgan was very untrustworthy and often made decisions that were deemed irresponsible and irrational. Aside from Morgan’s lack of good judgment he was overall a very nice person and he was a good friend to many. Harold Jenks- Harold Jenks also known as Jenks was a hardcore gangster who in his teenage years thought about nobody other than himself. As Jenks grew older he also grew wiser and realized that he could not keep up his gangster ways. Harold Jenks was feared in his neighborhood but in all actuality he was a man with a very kind heart, and someone who had intentions in all the right places. Harold Jenks’ slip up was most definitely hanging out with the wrong types of people. 2. Minor Characters   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There were many characters who had minor impacts on the outcome of the story, some of these characters include a girl by the name of Ginny Conrad and a man by the name of professor Greg Valentine. Ginny Conrad- Ginny was a girl who loved to be spontaneous and wild. Ginny was a student at Eastern Oklahoma University and was a very hard working student. She was a person who got along with many people and was also very easy-going. Greg Valentine- Professor Greg Valentine was a man who very much like Jay Morgan was not very trustworthy at all. All though Professor Valentine was not trustworthy many people would often seek him for advice because of his very caring personality. Professor Valentine was a man who was easy to talk to and often gave very good advice on complex situations.

A Manifesto on Been the Senior Prefect of Your School Essay

Give unto me that wisdom that is constantly around Thy throne, and cast me not out from among Thy children. For I am Thy servant, and the son of Thy hand-maiden, a weak creature of a short existence, and too weak in understanding, in right, and in the law. Send it down from Thy high heaven and from the throne of Thy glory that it may abide with me and labor with me, that I may know and do the things that are pleasing unto Thee. For Thy wisdom knoweth and understandeth all things, and let it lead me in my works and protect me in its glory, and my labors will be acceptable unto Thee. When I was yet in my youth I sought wisdom without fear in my prayer. I prayed for it in the temple, and will seek it to my end. My heart rejoiceth over it as when the young grapes ripen. Thou art my Father, my God, and my Shepherd, who helpest me. Thy hand created and prepared me; teach me that I may learn Thy com-mandments; open my eyes that I may behold the wonders of Thy law. Remember, Lord, Thy covenant, and teach me what to say and think. Instruct me and so shall I live. Lord, show me Thy ways, lead me in Thy truth, and teach me. I am Thy servant, teach me that I may un-derstand Thy evidence. Console me again with Thy help and let the happy spirit sustain me. Thou lover of life, Thy immortal spirit is in all things. Teach me to work in a manner that is well pleasing unto Thee, for Thou art my God. Let Thy good spirit lead me in pleasant paths. With Thee is the living fountain and in Thy light we see the light. Let my goings be established, and let no unrighteousness rule over me. Teach me wholesome manners and enlighten me, for I believe Thy com-mandments. Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art the God who helps me, and I wait daily before Thee. Let Thy countenance shine upon Thy servant and teach me to know Thy justice. Let me behold Thy glory, for Thou, Lord, art my light, and Thou wilt turn my darkness into day. Wilt Thou join Thyself with me in eternity, and trust me in right-eousness and in judgment, in grace and mercy, yea, wilt Thou join me in faith that I may know Thee, the Lord. Lord, let my complaints come before Thee. Instruct me according to Thy word. Let my prayers come before Thee, rescue me according to Thy word. Show me Thy ways, oh, Lord, that I may walk in Thy truth. Keep my heart in singleness that I may fear Thy name. I will remember Thy name from childhood, therefore, all people will thank Thee forever and ever. Amen.

Foreign Direct Investment Advantages and Disadvantages

Foreign Direct Investment Advantages and Disadvantages Executive summary Foreign Direct investment has both positive and negative effects on the economy of a country. The effects, however, differ from one country to another. When a country embraces FDI, it has an opportunity to gain a significant foothold in the world’s economy since it is accessible to a wider global market.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Foreign Direct Investment Advantages and Disadvantages specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It also introduces the host country to top level technology. Because of the competition it creates; FDI stirs local companies to adopt quality as a requisite to stay in the market. It can, therefore, be concluded that FDI improves the quality of products. Because of exposing and training workers, FDI enhances the value of human resources in a host country. Moreover, other benefits connected with FDI include; creation of employment, sources of valuable technology and knowhow, physical capital and labor, among others. There is, however, some negative effect connected to FDI. It has been argued that foreign investors are not genuinely interested in growing the economy of the host country (Balasubramanayam, 1996). Rather, they are interested in accumulating profits and investing in their own countries. This is especially when there is political instability or any signs of a collapsing economy in a host country. Similarly, some governments look at Foreign Direct Investments as a form of modern day economic colonialism. Hence, they are skeptical about any foreigners who want to make investments in their countries. Local firms in the host countries face competition unfairly from the foreign investors. This puts a strain on the private sector and displaces its investments Introduction Foreign direct investment can simply be defined as a company making a physical investment in a country other than its own, which then goes into building a factory or investment i n that country (Aitken and Harrison, 1999). The direct investment could be in the form of buildings, equipment and machinery, mines and land, which is acquired through mergers acquisitions. It can also be defined as a measure of foreign ownership of domestic productive assets (Agarwal, 1996). Foreign direct investment is different from making a portfolio, which is defined as an indirect investment (Aitken and Harrison, 1999). Foreign direct investment benefits the company that is making the investment with means of marketing, new products and technologies and cheaper facilities for use in production. The host country may also be a beneficiary of information, expertise, and job opportunities among others. For a long time, Foreign Direct Investment has been directed at developing nations. Statistics indicate that the stock and flow of FDI is increasing and shifting towards these developing nations. Developed countries, however, still account for the biggest share of FDI inflows (Agar wal, 1996).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Various forms of FDI exist. Horizontal FDI comes to being when a firm or a company exports its activities or services to another country at the same value chain. A good example is â€Å"Toyota building an auto manufacturing plant in Kenya†. Horizontal FDI helps a country to save on transport costs and tariffs (Borensztein, 1998). Vertical FDI occurs when an investor expands the activities of an industry. The expansion can be geared towards marketing the finished product or investing in the raw materials that make the product. Vertical FDI is advantageous in that it allows firms to exploit cross country differences in factor prices. FDI can also be classified into inward FDI and outward FDI. This paper defines the term Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). It also explores the advantages and disadvantages brought about b y the term in a host country. It is argued that FDI creates a series of opportunities for the host country through activities such as creating employment, advancing technology, investing in human capital and encouraging fair competition with local investors. Despite the benefits it brings, FDI can negatively impact the economy of a nation. These effects are illustrated in biases and skewed investment, exploitation of cheap labor, environmental pollution and political interference. Positive Effects of FDI on host country economies FDI provides valuable benefits on host country development efforts. Balasubramanayam et al (1996) argues the benefits connected to FDI assist the host country towards achieving higher per capita growth, hence improving the economy. In addition to creating employment in a host country, FDI provides the host country with technological know-how, promotes physical capital and labor, builds human capital and enhances Greenfield and brown-field effect among other benefits. Employment FDI contributes to the economic growth of a host country by creating direct and indirect job opportunities. This is achieved through introducing new industries and establishing new firms in a host country. Besides, foreign firms may purchase inputs of goods and services from local firms, thus supporting local people. According to Agarwal (1996), FDI introduces new and efficient quality inputs to be used in production of upstream local firms, making them more competitive and enable them to expand production and employment. Additionally, the inflows accruing from FDI increases the competitiveness of a host country.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Foreign Direct Investment Advantages and Disadvantages specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is achieved by combing firm and country-specific assets. The combinations make a host country access foreign markets and embrace new technology, whereas utilizin g cheap labor. Such a combination of firm and country specific assets with the product and labor market ultimately improves and expands existing industries, introduces production in new industries and creates more job opportunities. Source of valuable technology and know-how Appropriable technology can be defined as any tangible or intangible resource that can produce economic rent in the host country. This is in terms of improving total factor productivity. Borensztein et al states that traditional appropriable technology can be termed as the personalized or disembodied knowledge about production and distribution (1998). Foreign direct investments help the host countrys economy directly by injecting direct capital, giving advanced/ valuable technology and know-how and establishing linkages with the local firms. If the parent countries have a better or advanced technology, they influence the technologies in the host countries and make them better. Balasubramanayam et al (1996) alleg es that contagion can be in two ways namely replication of processes and increased competition. These can drive other firms to take up new technologies and modernize their systems. However, in recent surveys Borensztein (1998) argue that evidence that FDI generates positive results for host countries is weak. Haddad and Harrison (1993), after a review of micro data spill-over’s from both foreign and domestically owned firms, conclude that the effects are mostly negative. Physical capital and labor Borensztein (1998) cite that FDI is known to generate an inflow of human and physical capital to the host country. The rate of increase of physical capital stock of the host country is directly proportional to the capacity of production. Physical capital and labor can, however, not be used as a perennial determinant of per capita growth. Accumulation of physical capital cannot act as a permanent source of growth in the long-run. Its growth enhancing effect of growing stocks of physi cal capital eventually ends. Physical capital thus, becomes a short term effect of FDI as the economy of the host country transit towards a steady state.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Haddad and Harrison (1993) after using a growth accounting framework, came to the conclusion that investing in physical capital is in a way not decisive in explaining long run economic growth. This was because technological progress gives an account for most of the cross-country disparity in growth. Aitken (1999), however, does not seem to agree with Xu (2000). He argues that their modeling framework is excessively restrictive and hence their conclusion is not true. He says that an inflow from FDI is not likely to produce a large labor inflow into the country in which foreign investments are made (Xu, 2000). From this argument, an inflow from FDI is unlikely to alter the economic growth of a country by changes in the size of labour. Greenfield and brown-field FDI Greenfield FDI means that the Multinational Enterprise, MNE, builds new production facilities, distribution facilities or research facilities in the host country. This leads to a substantial growth of physical stock (Haddad and Harrison, 1993). In brown-field investment, investors are interested in existing business that has potential to grow. This leads only to a small or limited growth of stock of physical capital. The mode of FDI is, therefore, significantly beneficial for the effects on economic growth in the host country. Investments in Human Capital Technology is personified not only in equipment, machinery, technicians, expatriates and patent rights, but also in the human capital of the affiliate’s local employees. Employers facilitate this acquisition of human capital by training, either directly or indirectly, the employees (Haddad and Harrison, 1993). The employees end up paying for this through the low wages they receive. According to Balasubramanayam et al (1996), the diverse skills gained while working for foreign-owned affiliates may, in turn, generate spill over benefits for the host countrys economy. This is because trained employees transfer to local owned firms. In other cases , they form their own businesses using the skills and knowledge gained to improve their productivity in other organizations. For example, China, in an effort to increase the quality of their workers has taken an interest in training their workers to increase their quality. This is important because the status of human resources in a country is a critical factor in FDI in overseas countries. Negative Effects of FDI on host country economies Although FDI has provided a window for growth and development in host countries, many authors argue that it has created more negative effects. Balasubramanayam et al (1996) provides some effects such as environmental degradation as a significant negative effect of FDI. The FDI has contributed to environmental pollution, especially where they are involved in resource extraction. Other negative effects of FDI cited include; biases and skewed investment of their activities, exploitation of labor force and disparity in wages. Environmental Pollution A s investors look around the globe for the highest possible returns, they are often attracted to places endowed with many natural resources but do not have strong environmental laws to control their explorations (Xu, 2000). Foreign investors may engage in economic activities that harm the surrounding communities. For example, timber companies may clear forests to pave the way for constructions. Given that vegetative cover is important for the hydrological cycle; such activities affect the environment negatively. Similarly, FDI promotes western-style consumerism, boosting car ownership and paper use. This negatively affects the natural world, the stable nature of the earth’s climate, and food security (Xu, 2000). Biases and Skewed Investment It is not entirely true that FDI benefits the host country. Many foreign investors are not keen to invest in countries without a success story. They invest in countries that are either growing or showing a significant potential for growth, have a sizeable purchasing power and are politically stable. If there is any sign of the political instability of unrest in some countries, foreign investors are quick to withdraw to their own countries with their savings. This makes FDI unreliable, just like portfolio investments. This has been termed by critics as dependent, or restricted, development enhancing bias and skewed investment. The most influential determinants of foreign direct investment are the size and the ability of the economy to grow in the host country. It is, in most cases, assumed that if the host country has a vast market, it will have higher chances of quickly growing economy and hence investors would be able to make the most of their investments in the country of investment. Host countries with large dimensions provide opportunities for bigger economies of scale and spillover effects, and this is particularly helpful when the FDI is based on export. On the other hand, if the host country has less market and dimensions, investors have a tendency of avoiding it. Hence, FDI, in this case is anchored on discrimination. This is a critical challenge to countries which face political instability and unrest. Besides, the population of a country plays a vital and undeniable role in attracting foreign investors to a country. Here, the investors are attracted by the hope of a vast customer base (UNCTAD, 2001). If the country has a high per capita income or has citizens belonging to either upper or middle class, then it would give foreign investors a high prospect of success. Therefore, a country with a low population growth is disadvantaged in attracting FDI because it has low per capita income, a small labor force and fewer spenders. Wage differences Most foreign owned companies focus their investments on machinery and intellectual property but not on wages. They source their workers from across continents. This move prevents the local people from enjoying the benefits of FDI. According to Bala subramanayam et al (1996), only skilled laborers get a decent pay. Short-term and unskilled workers are exploited because of the poor wages they receive. This is a negative picture of FDIs in host economies. In order to maximize their profits, just like any other investment entity (UNCTAD, 2001). FDIs may enter the host country for different and unique reasons, but, the ultimate goal is to generate returns on investments. Although foreign investors pay a premium on top of local wages, the premium does not benefit the host economy (Caves, 1974). Premiums slightly increase the earnings of workers but on the other side, it disrupts the local employment or labor market. This disruption easily leads to unemployment because other local jobs no longer match with the created jobs. Unfair Competition with Local firms It has been argued that FDI does not by design translate to net foreign exchange inflows. Some investors do not self-finance their investments but instead they get loans from th e local governments at local rates, which are more favorable, to fund their investments. This puts a lot of pressure to the domestic sectors because of the unfair competition. According to Agarwal (1996), local firms in most countries lack the expertise in terms of technology, capital and other resources needed for growth and expansion. Hence, because foreign firms have all the needed resources to jump-start and expand their business interests, it establishes unhealthy competition. Conclusion Different countries experience different effects of FDI on their economic growths. Attitudes and policies towards FDI have changed drastically over time. Some countries started with being skeptical of the whole foreign domestic investors. Upon observing other nations some confidence was developed that FDI was a positive course towards building their economies. Before making an FDI, an investor needs to assess the viability of the venture in order to have a competitive standpoint. One needs to f actor in the company’s competitors, availability of internal resources in the host country, market analysis and market expectations. Agarwal (1996) alleges that most investors have utilized this information and have contributed to the growth and development of host countries economies. This has been achieved through the creation of employment opportunities, investing in technologies and improving human capital through trainings among others. However, though these positive contributions are evident in a host country, FDI has established other undesirable effects on a host country. Clear evidence is seen through the exploitation of the labor force, biases and skewed investment, environmental pollution, and wage differences among other undesirable effects. References Agarwal, J P 1996, Impact of â€Å"Europe agreements† on FDI in developing countries, International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 23, no. 10/11, pp. 150 163 Aitken, B J and Harrison, A 1999, â€Å"Do Do mestic Firms Benefit from Direct Foreign Investment? Evidence from Venezuela.† American Economic Review, Vol. 89, pp. 605- 618. Balasubramanayam, V N Salisu, M and Spasford, D 1996, â€Å"Foreign Direct investment and Growth in EP and IS Countries.† Economic Journal , Vol.106, pp. 92-105. Borensztein, E, De Gregorio, J and Lee J-W 1998, â€Å"How Does Foreign Direct Investment Affect Economic Growth?† Journal of International Economics, Vol. 45, pp. 115-35. Caves, R 1974, â€Å"Multinational Firms, Competition and Productivity in the Host Country.† Economics, Vol. 41, pp. 176-193. Haddad, M and Harrison, A 1993, â€Å"Are There Positive Spillovers from Direct Foreign Investment?† Journal of Development Economics, Vol. 42, pp. 51-74. UNCTAD, 2001, Trade and Investment Report. New York: The United Nations Xu, B 200, â€Å"Multinational Enterprises, Technology Diffusion, and Host Country Productivity Growth.† Journal of Development Economics, Vo l. 62, pp. 477- 493