Are Police Officers Above the Laws They are Sworn to Uphold Essay

Are Police Officers Above the Laws They are Sworn to Uphold - Essay Example A better spotlight on police activities and education on human rights principles is much needed to re-align the interests of the American police force with those of the American public and at the same time, a system of public oversight needs to be established to make the police more accountable for their actions (Cohen 1975). Police corruption and violence take a huge toll on a society. The feelings of injustice and an increased marginalization of the less privileged are only amplified when a person is unlawfully targeted by the police. The increased police violence also brings with it the disappointment that nothing can be done to curb this tyranny undertaken by the police. This attitude is quite pervasive in the society, leading many people to view the law enforcement agencies as the enemy which seriously undermines their authority by giving people a reason to not cooperate with them if need be (Sherman 1978). It is true that many police officers remain conscientious and honest but still, there are others who use their authority to serve their own interests. Unfortunately, this attitude is a source of fear and harassment for their victim’ families and the related communities. ... This is a serious allegation as it means that sometimes more than one police officer is involved in the incidence. Police violence is usually a way of imparting justice which clearly is not a part of their job description. It is commonly accepted in the American legal system that a person is innocent until proven guilty. But the American police have acquired the reputation of being a law unto themselves. Many incidences are reported every year, where it is evident the a police man acted without any respect for people’s rights and imparted violence even though the situation could have been handled without the use of guns or batons (Sherman 1978). The profession of a policeman requires a lot of accountability, perhaps even more than a doctor’s. After all, only police officers have the authority to take away a person’s freedom and even life and no questions may be asked in certain situations. This power over people’s lives is also very visible which is why ev ery police officer must hold himself to the greatest standard of honesty, integrity, equality and professionalism. Unfortunately, this does not always happen and instead many police officers are blinded into thinking that their authority over people’s lives is immortal and invincible (United Nations Office on Drug and Crime 2011). Law enforcement agencies must create procedures that subjugate police officers to public scrutiny in case of any violent or corrupt behavior. They must take responsibility for policemen demonstrating proper public behavior. (COPS 2009) Police force needs to build a sustainable relationship with the public by demonstrating honor and integrity. Police officers who are found guilty of race discrimination or use of excessive force must

System analysis

System analysis 4.1 Introduction System analysis is a major activity which takes place when we are structure a latest system or changing one. Analysis will help us to understand about the existing system and also will know the requirements necessary for the latest system. And if there is no accessible system then system analysis will defines only the necessity. In system analysis the most important factor is to identify and rectify problems in system. A well understanding of the system will enables designer to understand and rectify the system problems. Existing Software The software is implemented in the system hard disc to the server. The server program runs constantly and waits for a connection to be recognized to it and will make available on line system to automate different operations completed in the network. 2.1.1 Existing System In past the company staff uses the legacy system of carrying interoffice mails by the messengers from one user to other user of the company or they can also use the intercoms for call conference or even in some cases emails are used for transmit of messages between the group community There are some disadvantages in existing system * Tedious message broadcasting system. * Communication is not instant. * Message transfer is done through insecure communication media. * Communication delays. * Maintaining the identities of all the members is not efficient. Like using manual books, diaries, etc., for storing of users information. 2.1.2 Proposed System To overcome the shortcomings of the conventional systems, the project aims at developing a multithreaded public messaging system for broadcasting messages to every member in the channel; that allows multiple people (users) to interact with each other in a shared environment. The proposed system aims to fulfill the following: Ã ¾ Sharing of data in a real time environment, i.e., the data broadcasted can be edited online and viewed simultaneously. Ã ¾ Providing fast, secure, reliable and cost effective broadcasting communication medium between community members. Ã ¾ Support for public and private channels of communication. Ã ¾ Multiple media transmission support; like voice, text, images, etc. Ã ¾ Personal peer messaging service. Ã ¾ A user-friendly interface 2.2 Requirement Analysis Requirement analysis provides software designer with a model of: Ø System information Ø Function Ø Behaviour Model can be translated to data, architectural, and component-level designs. 2.2.1 Analysis Objectives Ø Identification of the customers needs. Ø Evaluation of the system for feasibility. Ø Perform technical analysis. Ø Establish constraints. Ø Create system definitions 2.3 Software Requirements Analysis Phases Problem recognition: The existing system provides the information about products in the form of Local Advertisements media and paper advertisements. This is not sufficient to reach the end user properly. So, the company management is willing to maintain a web site which one accomplished all firm in detailed. Evaluation and synthesis: After getting the clear problem definition we focused on what to do but not how to do. Ways to solve the problem and among the different ways we found and we selected the best way to solve the problem. Modeling: We made a rough diagram of the proposed system and showed it to the clients to verify whether their specifications are completely mentioned in that or not. Specifications: The software and hardware requirements and complete specifications are known. The functional and non functional requirements are known. Constraint: The constraints are known and a clear definition of the system is given. Review: A review of the whole process what we did and the result are shown to the clients. 2.4. Feasibility Study Feasibility study is conducted once the problem is clearly understood. It is a high level capsule version of the entire System Analysis and Design process. The main objective is to determine how to solve a problem quickly, at a minimum expense and to check if the problem is worth solving. This system has been tested for feasibility in the following points: Ø Operational Feasibility Ø Technical Feasibility Ø Economical Feasibility 2.4.1 Economic Feasibility Economic feasibility is the most frequently used method for evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed system. During study costs are considered like costs of hardware, minimum configuration, system compatibility of H/W, etc., the proposed system minimizes the time effort of the data collection, answering queries and generating reports which results in significant saving. Thus, the proposed system is economically feasible. 2.4.2 Operational Feasibility Proposed projects are beneficial only if they can be turned into information systems that will meet the requirements. As current business methods are not acceptable to the users in terms of speed, timely and accurate results, users welcomed a change that will bring about a more operational and useful system. With the rarely involvement it reduced the chances of resistance to the system and change in general and increased the likelihood of the project successfully. 2.4.3 Technical Feasibility It centers on the existing computer system and to what extent it can support the proposed system. The system can be expanded as the need arises. With the obtained technology there is guaranteed of accuracy, reliability, ease of access and security. Thus, it is technically feasible to design and develop the proposed system. 3. SOFTWARE REQUIREMENT SPECIFICATION 3.1 Software Requirements Operating System : Windows XP,LINUX Languages : Java Java compiler : J2sdk1.4 3.2 Hardware Requirements Processor : Pentium III above RAM : 256MB Hard Disk : 20GB

Portrayal of Women in Homers Odyssey Essay -- Homer Odyssey womody

The Portrayal of Women in  Homer's Odyssey In the first section of Odyssey, mortal women are presented to us as controlled by the stereotypes and expectations of the culture of the day, and it is only within that context that we can consider the examples Homer provides of women to be admired or despised. He provides us with clear contrasts, between Penelope and Eurycleia on the one hand, and Helen and Clytemnaestra on the other. In Penelope’s case, it is made clear that her freedom of action is strictly controlled. Antinous feels free to advise Telemachus that as Odysseus is assumed dead, it is expected that Helen will choose another husband, or her father should do so for her. Telemachus does not challenge the logic of this, merely attacks the suitors’ behaviour and questions whether Odysseus is dead. And so Penelope is reduced to using the passive and ‘feminine’ defences of keeping the suitors waiting for a decision, and resorting to the subterfuge of weaving and unweaving her loom daily. We also witness Penelope being ‘put in her place’ by Telemachus when she comes do...

India Asean Free Trade Agreement

INDIAN-ASEAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT A TERM PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (HONOURS SCHOOL) Supervisor :Submitted by: Dr. Rajesh KumarKumar Ranjan M. S. Sc. (Hons. ) 2nd Semester Roll No. 12 [pic] SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES GURU NANAK DEV UNIVERSITY AMRITSAR 2009 INTRODUCTION India and the association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have concluded negotiations for a free trade Agreement (FTA) after years of difficult negotiations. This agreement will be signed into a treaty at India-ASEAN summit to be held in Bangkok on February 26,2009 (Economic times, January 27, 2009) if every thing goes as planned. Expectation from India ASEAN FTA are high. Joint Media statement of Sixth ASEAM Economic Minister (AEM)-India consultations states that â€Å"the AIFTA (ASEAN-India free trade agreement) could be major avenue in harnessing the region’s vast economic potentials towards sustained progress and improved welfare not only for ASEAN and India but for greater East Asian regions as well†. The India-ASEAN FTA is the result of many international and domestic factors on one hand, the trend of international regionalization and the proliferation of FTA’s and the failure of the Doha round of Multilateral talks to yield concrete results led both India and the ASEAN countries to consider alternative solution towards free trade. On the other hand the adoption policies by India and ASEAN to develop better cooperation with their immediate neighbours in recent years has helped accelerate this negotiation. (www. e_pao. net) INDIA AND ASEAN: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Although India and ASEAN countries have shared cultural and historical ties, India’s interaction with ASEAN countries was quite limited during the cold war as the two pursued policies which were not very conducive to deep rooted interaction. Soon after the end of second world war, India championed the process of decolonization and drew recognition and appreciation from different parts of the world. It become one of the founding members of Non-aligned Movement (NAM). Even though Indonesia was also a member of NAM alongside India, this relationship did not extend beyond that (Sinha, 2007 pg. 357) The arrival of bipolar politics in southeast Asia, the Vietnam crisis and India’s close ties with the Soviet union led to the adoption of divergent policies by both India and ASEAN. ASEAN was formed in 1967 during the Vietnam war primarily to diffuse regional conflict and to promote better relations between members. Communists victory in Vietnam, Laos and combodia soon worsened the already fragile security situation of southeast Asia. Thus by 1976, ASEAN was forced to contemplate to become an association with security as its main concern. The reunification of veitnam and the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia created another security dilemma. Sinha, 2007 pg. 350). While ASEAN chastised Vietnam, India supported Vietnam. ASEAN’s suspicions of the soviet union and the paronoia it had with anything communist led many including India, to regard ASEAN as allies of the capitalists and pro-American bloc. Suspicions was so high during this time that refused to hold dialogues with A SEAN twice in 1975 and 1980. But with end of the cold war, interactions between India and ASEAN became more frequent: and relations between the two began to improve at very fast pace. Following the end of cold war and collapse of soviet union, India began to adopt liberalization policies. Mean while, ASEAN has also emerged as an important regional organization with great potential and opportunities for growth. The transformation of the international system and new outlook led to the adoption of the Look East policy in 1991, it marked a strategic shift in its foreign policy and perceptions towards its eastern neighbours. ASEAN’s strategic importance in the larger Asia-Pacific region and the potentials it has in becoming India’s major partner in trade and investment also added an impetus to India to develop closer ties with it. In addition, considering the proposed South Asian Free Tade Area (SAFTA) is unlikely to produce any solid outcome, this policy shift and agreement on the part of India is a strategic s it is important. In continuance of India’s Look East policy, the process of interregional cooperation was institutionalized with India becoming a sectoral Dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992; a full dialogue partner in 1995 and member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996. India because a summit level partner of ASEAN in 2002 and concluded the ASEAN-India partnership for peace, progress and shared prosperity in 2004. India also became enganged in regional initiatives such as Mekong-guga cooperation (MGC) and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic cooperation (BIMSTEC). India has also became member of EAST Asia Summit (EAS) in December, 2005, (Chakraborti, World Focus, 2008, 436). INDIA’S LOOK BEST, ASEAN LOOK WEST POLICIES The real turning point in India-ASEAN relations came with economic liberalization in 1991, the end of the cold war and enunciation of India’s â€Å"Look East† policy by Prime Minister PV Narsimha Rao. As publication of Indian ministry of external affairs observed. â€Å"There was confluence of nterests. A new world order, the economic Reforms in India along with its â€Å"Look East† policy, coincided with ASEAN’s â€Å"Look West† and regionalization drive. (Baru, February 2001 pg. 13. ) Under the â€Å"Look East† policy pursued increased trade and investment cooperation with South Korea and Singapore. Apart from extending India’s enduring relation with Vietnam, the policy also pursued greater economic relations with Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. India became a ‘Sectoral Dialogue Partner’ of ASEAN at the ASEAN’s Singapore, summit in 1992, and a ‘Full Dialogue partner’ of ASEAN at the Bangkok Summit in 1995. In February 1995 the ASEAN-Indian Business council was set up. India was invited to the meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in July, 1996. At this it was decided that ARF would only admit as participants countries that have a direct influence on the peace and security of East Asia and pacific region. (Baru, 2001; pg 13). A key objective of India and ASEAN to move from derivative to direct relationship so that there are no distortions, no misperception, no ignorance and no intermediation. There has been doubling of trade between India and ASEAN countries in 1990s and a marked increased in joint ventures and foreign direct investment between the two. Section VI and VII provide a comprehensive account of India-ASEAN trade and investment relation. Suffice it to say that ASEAN has emerged as the third largest foreign investor in India’s after US and EU. There are two dimensions of India’s new relationship with ASEAN. First, the trade and investment dimensions; second, the foreign policy and strategic dimension. Neither of these relations has equal value to all the ASEAN countries clearly, India’s economic relations with some are more developed than with others. Similarly India’s political and strategic relation with some are more developed than with others. Suffice it to say that in no case is the relationship purely undimensional (Baru, 2001, pg 14) DEEPENING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIA AND ASEAN The deepening of relationship between India and ASEAN is reflected in the buoyancy of trade figures between the two. During April-September 2007-2008, trade grew from US$ 15. 06 billion to US$ 17. 2 billion that is trade grew by 13 percent. India foreign trade with ASEAN, according to directorate General of commercial intelligence and statistics (DGCIS), is also on the rise. During the period 2005-06 to 2006-07 India’s export to ASEAN registered a growth rate of 20. 67 percent. Similarly India’s imports from ASEAN during the same period registered a growth rate of 66% In dia ASEAN trade stoo at US$ 38. 37 billion in 2007-08 and is projected to reach US$ 48 billion during 2008-09 (Economics times, Jan 10). At the first India-ASEAN summit held at Phnom Penh on November 5, 2001. India called for an India-ASEAN within a 10 year time frame. In this context the second India-ASEAN summit held at Bali on October 8, 2003 was significant landmark in India-ASEAN relations. The summit saw the signing of the framework agreement for comprehensive economic cooperation between India and ASEAN. This agreement envisaged the establishment of an FTA within a period of ten years. In March 2004, an ASEAN-India Trade Negotiation committee (Al-TNC) was established to Negotiate the implementation of the provisions of the framework agreement. India, since than entered into numerous agreement with ASEAN. (Sharma, Third concept vol 21, pg 9,10) At the Sixth India- ASEAN summit held at Singapore on November last year, India proposed to increase its bilateral trade with ASEAN to the time of US$ 50 billion by the year 2010. The latest agreement is therefore the result of many years of tactfull policies that led to the thawing of the ice between these two important emerging power in Asia. In addition to these agreements with ASEAN, India has also made consistent efforts to develop bilateral ties with ASEAN members. With Thailand, India has 61 years of diplomatic relation. India also has free trade agreement with Thailand that was signed in 2004. The framework agreement on bilaterals FTA of 2003 was the basis of this FTA with Thailand. Trade b/w the two increased from a mere US $ 606 million to US$ 3. 14 billion in 2006-07. With the CLV countries Cambodia, Laso and Vietnam, India entered into a number of bilateral agreements for cooperation in the fields of trade, science and technology, agriculture, defence, visa exemption, tourism, IT and culture. India has major projects I in the projects in the field of education entrepreneurship development and IT in these three countries. In 2004, India extended a credit line of US$ 27 million to Vietnam. Malaysia is a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for India, particularly in the areas of LPG, power plant and highway construction. Trade between the two rose from US$ 2. 2 billion in 2002-03 to US$ 6. 6 billion in 2006-07. India public sector undertaking such as BHEL and IRCON have also undertaken and completed a number of projects in Malaysia (www. _pao. net). Presently after India-ASEAN FTA negotiations, it is reported that about 150 Indian Engineering firms are eying to diversify their export base in ASEAN markets and are planning to make Malaysia the Regional hub to penetrate the region. Many of these companies are exploring the possibilities of joint ventures, technology transfer and investment opportunities. It was mainly because of the insistence of Indonesia that Ind ia became a part of the East Asia summit in 2005. Relations between the two had been very good for many years. Bilateral trade between the two increased by 44% from 2005-06 to 2006-07. India has a comprehensive Economic cooperation agreement (CECA) with Singapore since 2005. This agreement include bilateral investment promotion treaty. Double taxation avoidance agreement, an air service agreement and an FTA. Singapore, along with Indonesia had been an important factor for India’s inclusion into the East Asian summit. In addition, it was Singapore’s role that paved the way for India’s association with the ARF. Singapore is the biggest source of FDI for India among ASEAN countries. During the period 2000to 2008, the cumulative FDI of Singapore into India was worth a whooping US $ 4. 35 billion. Concurrently, over two thousand Indian companies were based in Singapore (www. e_pao. net) India also has plans for a free trade area with Brunie, Indonesia and Malaysia by 2011 and with the remaining ASEAN countries by 2016. Since 1995, India have actively engaged Myanmar in Trade. It has singed several agreements and MOU’s including Tripartite Maritime Agreement with Myanmar and Thailand, border trade Agreement and for cooperation between civilian uthorities between India and Myanmar. Since 2000, a number of high level visits have taken place. During these visits, several agreements and MOU’s have been signed in areas ranging from hydroelectric projects on the Chindwin River and IT cooperation to cultural exchange programs. In year 2003 alone, Seven Agreements/ MOU’s were signed to promote trade and communication facilities. By 2006-07 bilateral tr ade between India and Myanmar reached US$ 650 Million as compared to US$ 341. 40 million in 2004-05 (www. e_pao. net). RECENTLY CONCLUDED FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND ASEAN India is in process of signing a free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN. On 28 August 2008, India ASEAN concluded a trade in goods agreement which will operationalize the FTA in merchandize trade. They will formally signing this TIG agreement in ASEAN-Indian Summit now to be held on 26 Feb 2009. (Economic times, 27 Jan 2009). When India and ASEAN Kicked off Negotiation on the bilateral FTA in 2002, they were supposed to finalise a comprehensive agreement that covers goods, service and investment. However, regional grouping prevailed in India to conclude talks on goods, first and than move on to service and Investment. However signing of TIG Agreement was delayed as the negotiation got stuck a few times due to difference between parties on the coverage of the negative list. In free trade agreement countries are allowed to keep a small number of products out of coverage of the agreement. The issue of the negative list or the list of items that would be excluded from proposed FTA agreement had at one stage brought negotiations to a stands till. The items on the list would have limited or no tariff concession. Indian negotiaters were cautious as there were apprehensions that the ASEAN countries are more competitive in sectors like agriculture, textile, auto and auto components and electronics. India would face negative consequence unless sensitive items in these sectors are protected India submitted a list of aground 1414 products as a negative list. These products counted for 42% of total exports of ASEAN to India. But as the Negotiations from ASEAN insisted that the products include in the FTA, should cover at least 90% of exports to India, a pruning of negative list was done by Rao, Inderjit Singh, (India’s Deputy Minister for Defence). He reduced the number of items to be placed on a negative list from 1414 to 850 on 27 July 2006. In August 2006 These items were further reduced to 560 items. At the end it was decided that each signatory country of INDO-ASEAN FTA can have at most 489 products in its negative list provided that these products do not exceed more than 5% of total bilateral imports. India’s negative list includes 302 agriculture items, 81 items from textile and clothing, 52 items from machinery and auto and 32 items from chemicals and fertilizer plastics. There are 22 other items from various other sectors which are also part of negative list (Thakurta, South Asian Journal, 2007, 107-108). It has been decided in Negotiation that for products which are not in negative list duties will be reduced in phased manger starting from 2009 and the duty cut will be completed by 2018. Under the pact, India and ASEAN will eliminate import duties on 71% products by December 31, 2012 and another 9% by 2015. Duties on 8-10% products that have been kept in the sensitive list will also be brought down to 5%. For all product in non negative list duty will be reduced to zero by 2018. India has also identified 611 products, which will only get a partial duty cut. Among these products India has put five products on highly sensitive list. They are Tea, Coffee, pepper, palm oil and refined palm oil (The Economic Challenger, 2008). India stances during the negotiations indicates some what defensive position in goods sector. This is not surprising because India runs a fairly large trade deficits vis-a-vis ASEAN. Acc to data of Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) published by IMF, India had a trade deficit of $ 14,562 million in 2007 with ASEAN. This is around 15% of India’s total trade deficits. Fore individual ASEAN members, India Trade Pattern show that for the last 10 years (1998-2007) it has a trade deficit each year with Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar. India runs a trade surplus with other ASEAN member including Vietnam and Philippines (TABLE 1). Table 1: India’s Trade surplus/Deficits with ASEAN Member countries (in million $) |1998 |1999 |2000 |2001 |2002 |2003 |2004 |2005 |2006 |2007 | |Brunei Daressalam |3. 05 |1. 73 |2. 63 |2. 90 |3. 72 |4. 22 |4. 31 |32. 64 |40. 34 |50. 07 | |Cambodia |2. 85 |6. 60 |6. 88 |2. 48 |16. 97 |18. 55 |17. 10 |21. 68 |24. 43 |30. 32 |Indonesia |-556. 28 |-635. 64 |-536. 55 |-717. 28 |-541. 06 |-883. 68 |-1160. 84 |-1492. 88 |-2450. 39 |-3975. 02 | |Laos |0. 98 |1. 35 |5. 00 |5. 52 |1. 84 |0. 59 |2. 00 |1. 59 |5. 68 |7. 05 | |Malaysia |-1137. 28 |-1504. 35 |-820. 68 |-1032. 57 |-627. 00 |-1044. 68 |-1206. 95 |-1231. 50 |-4429. 51 |-4599. 52 | |Myanmar |-151. 45 |-139. 05 |-131. 31 |-144. 76 |-274. 11 |-304. 77 |-295. 35 |-383. 30 |-473. 73 |-587. 90 | |Philippines |113. 80 |85. 83 |126. 53 |147. 41 |299. 41 |236. 62 |208. 86 |272. 87 |233. 00 |176. 98 | |Singapore |-754. 57 |-862. 95 |-655. 53 |-2001. 17 |-92. 87 |26. 29 |919. 87 |209. 5 |-4000. 42 |-5664. 81 | |Thailand |63. 60 |103. 33 |174. 60 |81. 65 |301. 66 |250. 02 |72. 60 |95. 74 |-513. 20 |-1035. 06 | |Vietnam |116. 70 |136. 25 |195. 85 |157. 36 |280. 97 |356. 22 |427. 08 |534. 92 |648. 69 |1035. 88 | |Overall trade deficits |-2298. 61 |-2806. 93 |-1632. 41 |-3498. 46 |-630. 45 |-1340. 29 |-1011. 32 |-244. 77 |-10915. 11 |-14562. 02 | | Source: – (EPW, 15 Nov 2008) However, overall trade balance is significantly negative. The concern is that if India has already such a huge trade deficit, reduction of tariff rates may worsen the situation unless there is a significant export boost. Among ASEAN members, India already has preferential trade agreement with Thailand Myanmar and Singapore. India, Myanmar and Thailand are part of the Bay of Bengal Institute for multi sectoral technical and economic cooperation (BIMSTEC) which is now knows as Bangladehs, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand economic cooperation (BIMSTEC) (Thakurata, South Asian Journal No. 16, pg 108). India also has a seprate FTA with Thailand. India and Singapore have signed a comprehensive Economic cooperation agreement (CECA) few years back. Though the terms and tariff reduction conditions of these agreements may be different from the present agreement but still it can be assumed that the marginal impact of Indo-ASEAN FTA will be less for these three ASEAN countries (i. e. Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore). Among other ASEAN members, India has significant trade with Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. Though the current volume of trade with Vietnam is low, Vietnam is one of the fastest growing countries in the world and trade potential between India and Vietnam is considered to be significant. Nityanand Deva, India’s look-East policy, www. indianmba. com/occasional_papers/ OP104/ OP104html. HOW TARIFF PROFILE EFFECTS FTA? Tariff reduction, especially of custom duties on imports of Agricultural commodities, is an extremely sensitive issue in India. Till India initiated economic reforms in 1991, the peak custom duty rate used to be as high as 150 percent. (Thakurata, South Asian Journal, pg 110). One assumed that In dia will have some advantage in the ASEAN market because of tariff margin given TIG agreement. The India-Asean pact on goods trade will result in the signatory countries abolishing customs tariffs on 80% of goods including key raw material like Iron ore and aluminum, plastic goods and certain kinds of machinery. The deal is likely to be operational from January 2009 when the signatories to the pact will begin cutting import tariff in phased manner, import duties on normal goods will be reduced to zero over a period of six years and on items in the sensitive list will have a partial tariff reduction over longer period of time. (The Economic challenger, pg 18). It look six long years for the two sides to conclude the negotiation of ROO’s (Rules of origin). ROO means that goods exported from certain destination must have a minimum value addition in the country of origin of proportion specified. India has reportedly agreed to have 35 percent value addition and changes in tariff at level of sub heading whereas in case of bilateral arrangements with individual countries like Thailand and Singapore, the rules specify 40% value addition and tariff changes at the level of headings. ROO’s are major reason why negotiations between India and Thailand over expansion of items in FTA list are stalled. New Delhi fears that further relaxation of ROO’s could lead to imports for third world via Thailand that would, in turn, antagonize Indian industry. (www. bilaterals. org/article. php3? id_artilce=13650) India lowered its duties on crude palm oil (CPO) and refined palm oil to 37. 5 and 45% (against 80%) respectively. It has also agreed to lower duties on coffee and tea to 45% and pepper to 50% (against 100%). Under the pact India-ASEAN will eliminate import duties on 71% products by December 31, 2012 and another 9% by 2015. Duties on 8-10% products that have been kept in the sensitive list will also be brought down to 5%. India will keep 489 items in negative list of products to be excluded from tariff reduction commitments. Tariff rates in manufacturing goods in India is high whereas in major ASEAN countries are quite low. Therefore India is unlikely to get too much advantage because of tariff preference (The Economic Challenger, vol41, pg 18). On the other hand, the FTA is likely to allow the ASEAN countries to take advantage of the large gap between high Indian applied tariff rates and the preferential rates. It is expected that agreement will open up considerable market for ASEAN countries in Agriculture, electronics, motor car equipment and other light manufacturing goods in India. This way negatively affect domestic farmer in agriculture and small and medium enterprises in light manufacturing including textile in India. There are reports that Asian development bank to contribute to a fund to help compensate industries that likely to be hit by Indo-Asean free trade agreement (Dasgupta and PAL, EPW Nov, 15, 2008). WHAT ARE EFFECTS OF SERVICE TRADE ON FTA The crux of welfare gains from India ASEAN market integration does not rest on free trade in goods, but on free flow of service and investment. That is India’s service industries-IT services, design services and call operators-have long been a hub or source of outsourcing and off shoring from develop economies especially United States and the European Union. The India-ASEAN FTA that successfully liberalises trade in service and investment will therefore provide economic opportunities companies in ASEAN countries to strengthen their competitiveness in global market by fragmenting their production and establishing industrial clusters. www. bilaterals. org/article/phg3? id_article=13650). A treaty which involves services will be extremely important for India also because India sees a big market for its services export in ASEAN. India presently is one of top exporters of services and according to WTO data it is ranked 10th in the world ahead of ASEAN countries like Singapore (rank ed 16th), Thailand (ranked 27th) and Malaysia (ranked 20th). In 2006 reports of services from India were around $74 billion. India is particularly strong in Information technology enables services (ITES), professional services, telecommunication services, health care, financial services and distribution services. ASEAN is also big market for service imports. It is not importer of services and according to WTO (2007), total imports of service by ASEAN members was close to $ 150 billion in 2006. To put this figure in perspective, US imports of services was around $ 300 billion in the same year. ASEAN also has a major export interest in some services sector. Tourism in one of the most important services trade for ASEAN countries. Apart from that they are major exporter of air transport, construction, logistics insurance and financial services. (Dasgupta and PAL, EPW Nov 15, 2008). When India and ASEAN kicked off negotiations on the bilateral FTA in 2002, they were supposed to finalize a comprehensive agreement that covers good, service and investment. However, regional grouping prevailed on India to conclude talks on goods first and then move on to services and investment. India’s trade with the ASEAN, its fourth largest trading partner after the EU, US and China has been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 27%. Bilateral trade stood at 38. 37 billion in 2007-08 and is project to reach $ 48 billion in 2008-09. The agreement on services allow Indian service providers to access the ASEAN Market and set up operation there. The investment agreement in expected to work both ways in terms of attracting FDI from ASEAN member, especially Singapore and Malaysia, and providing opportunity to Indian companies in sectors like pharmaceuticals, coal mining and automobiles to invest in ASEAN region (Economic times, Jan 10, 2008). For a major region which has liberal policies for merchandise trade, services trade in ASEAN in highly regulated. As Karmakar (2005) points out, services trade in ASEAN in highly regulated for foreign suppliers but the restrictions are also there for intra ASEAN, trade. Efforts are being made to gradually integrate service trade among ASEAN members. The ASEAN Framework agreement on services (AFAS) provide broad framework to achieve this. The target is to make ASEAN a single market and production base through free flow of goods, services, investment, skilled labour and free flow of capital by 2015 (Dasgupta and Pal, EPW Nov 15, 2008). HOW ENERGY SECURITY HELPFUL TO FTA? Apart from other items, closer economic and political ties with ASEAN are likely to held India’s quest for energy security. Indian position on global civilian nuclear cooperation received a boost as the 16 leader’s of ASEAN and its dialogue partner signed what was described as landmark declaration on Energy security at the second East-Asia summit. The Cebu Declaration on Energy security was signed by leaders of East Asia summit-an evolving regional forum that includes the ASEAN and six dialogue partners (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand). The declaration calls for reducing dependence on hydrocarbons and fossil fuel in the context of surging global crube oil prices and seeks to intensify the search for new and renewable energy resources and technologies with focus on civil nuclear power and biofuels (Thakurata, South Asian Journal No 16, pg 107). India is heavily dependent on west Asia for oil imports, which is geopolitically tense part of the world. India is currently the world’s sixth largest energy consumer, and third largest oil and gas consumer in Asia after China and Japan. For India oil imports account for about 72% of total oil consumption of which 67% is being sourced from west Asia. Hence on external front India is pursuing diversification of supply sources and trying to significantly increase exploration of oil and gas. Among the ASEAN countries, India at present import crude oil from Malaysia and Brunei, which contributes 5. % of its total oil from Malaysia which comprises just 3. 5% of its total LPG import on the other hand, among the ASEAN countries, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam have about 1% of total world’s proven oil reserves and 3% of the world’s proven gas reserves (Dasgupta and Pal, EPW Nov 15, 2008). CONCLUSION To conclude it can be said that the Indo ASEAN trade in goods agreement may not be beneficial for trade in short run but it can be thought of as a part of long runs strategy to improve India’s economic, and strategic presence in the neighbourhood. Though India shares a land border with Myanmar and maritime border with Indonesia and Thailand, the ASEAN countries has never been economically very close to India. In fact India and the ASEAN countries are not considered natural trading partners. This is indirect contrast to China which was established a distributed regional network of production and trade in this region. The Indo-ASEAN FTA can be perceived as an intial step towards increased economic integration of India with South east Asia. From a broader perspective, the Indo-ASEAN FTA can also be viewed as other cog in the wheel of increasing South-south cooperation. This is important because the world economic system is presently going through some significant changes. On the one hand there is severe economic showdown and major financial problem in the developed world. On the other hand there is talk of developing countries like China and India emerging as driver of southern economic growth. Though the impact of China on other developing countries is much stronger. India can play a complementary role. While China provides a big market for exports, via a manufacturing supply chain for other Asian countries, India can potentially become a hub of services-led growth. If India aspires to play a prominent role in global economy and Governance, increased cooperation with ASEAN make a sense as a strategic move. BIBLIOGRAPHY Baru, Sanjay, â€Å"India and ASEAN: The Emerging States Relationship Towards a Bay of Bengal community†. Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relation, February, 2001. Chakraboti, Tribdib, â€Å"India and Indo China states in the 21st century; Challenges and opportunities† World Focus Vol 347-348; Nov-Dec 2008. Dasgupta and Pal, â€Å"Does a Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN make sense† Economic and Political weekly. Nov 15, 2008, Economic Times, January 27, 2009. Joseph and Parayil, â€Å"India-ASEAN cooperation in Information and Communication Technology: Issues and Prospects: RIS Discussion paper (www. ries. org. in) Sharma, Madan Lal, â€Å"India ASEAN Relation†; Third Concept Dec 2007, Vol 21. No 250. Sinha, Prabha Chandra, Handbook of ASEAN and Regional Cooperation. 2th Summit and beyond 2007. Takhurata, â€Å"India’s free Trade Agreement with ASEAN† South Asian Journal, April June 2007, NO. 16. â€Å"The Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN†. The Economic Challenger 2008, No 11, issue 11. WEBSITES www. aseansec. org/4920. htm. www. artilcebase. com/politics_articles www. bilateral. org/rubrique. php3? id_r ubriqu+159,13650,12959 www. econoimctimes. com www. e_pao. net/epsubpageextracts. asp? src=education. scientificpapersIndia-ASEANFTA. www. heindia_au. org/pr_072. html. www. indianmba. com/occasional_papers/OP104. op104. html

Politics and Film: Role of the President in Films Compared to Reality Essay

Concept of the American Presidency in Law 2   We start with a quote from Clinton Rossiter in his book The American Presidency   (1987).   What he said about the American President then remains true today. He remains today, as he has always been, the ceremonial head of the government of the United States, and he must take part with real or apparent enthusiasm in a range of activities that would keep him running and posing from sunrise to bedtime if he were not protected by a cold-blooded staff.   Some of these activities are solemn or even priestly in nature; others, through no fault of his own, are flirtations with vulgarity. The long catalogue of public duties that the Queen discharges in England, the President of the Republic in France, and the Governor-General in Canada, is the President’s responsibility in this country, and the catalogue is even longer because he is not a king, or even the agent of one, and is therefore expected to go through some rather undignified paces by a people who think of him as a combination of scoutmaster, Delphic oracle, hero of the silver screen, and father of the multitudes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The United States Constitution provides for the powers and duties of the Chief Executive in Article 2. (US Constitution)   It is in that document where the term, qualifications and primary duties of the American President is primarily written.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Notably, the Article presents the American President as the Commander in Chief, the Chief Appointing Officer, the Chief Foreign Minister and the Chief Executive as a whole.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the Commander in Chief, he can call citizens into actual service of the United States. As the Chief Appointing Officer, he has the power to appoint public ministers and consuls, Ambassadors, Judges of the Supreme Court and all other officers of the United States subject to qualifications also written in the Constitution. As the Chief Foreign Minister, he also has the power to enter into treaties.  Ã‚   This power to enter into treaties is limited by the Constitution through the requirement that Advice and Consent be given by the Senate.   This consent is manifested by the required two-thirds concurrence needed in order to pass the treaty.   In the exercise of this function, the President receives Ambassadors and Public Ministers.   This is commonly seen in State Dinners and Parades that are hosted by the White House for visiting foreign heads of state. Lastly, as the Chief Executive he has the power to grant reprieves and pardons. He also has the duty from time to time to give Congress the Information as to the State of the Union.   This is the more popular address by the President to the Congress known as the State of the Union Address.   This enumeration is in no way exclusive.   The power of the chief executive is further elucidated in the study of Constitutional Law.   These powers are limited by the Constitution but continually defined by the statues, executive orders and by jurisprudential law. Concept of the American Presidency in Movies Our concept of the American Presidency is very much molded by the movies we see in Modern Cinema.   Whether it is Michael Douglas playing opposite Annete Benning in the American President or Harrison Ford in his role in Air Force One, the persona of the Presidency is much understood by the laymen using these actor’s works. The American President mentioned above was a movie shown in 1995.   It was a romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner and written by Aaron Sorkin. It stars Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen and Michael J. Fox. In the film, Democratic President Andrew Shepherd (Douglas) is a widower who pursues a relationship with a political lobbyist by the name of Sydney Ellen Wade (Benning).   At the same time, Sydney had just moved to Washington to win passage of an environmental bill she is lobbying for. Shepherd is portrayed as an extremely popular president who is seeking to run for re-election with a 63% approval rating.  Ã‚   The President’s men led by his Chief of Staff Aj McInnerny (Martin Sheen) is seeking to make use of this very high approval rating in order to pass a moderate crime bill.   The bill is problematic.   It has little support from both Democratic and Republican Senators.   Republicans and Conservatives do not want the bill while Democratic allies think the bill is too weak to pass.   However, if the administration can pass the bill, the President is almost a sure-win for re-election.   It would show the strength of Shepherd’s popularity. The President of France is featured in the plot when it arrives for a state visit.   The President is placed at an awkward situation when he has to find a date for the event.   His cousin who was supposedly accompanying him suddenly fell ill.   Shepherd was already a widow from the start of the movie. The President’s attention soon focuses on the attractive Sydney Ellen Wade (Bening), who has just moved to Washington, D.C. to work for an environmental lobby in the attempt to persuade the President to pass legislation committing his Administration to substantially reduce carbon dioxide emissions.   The President is intrigued by Wade and a curious and innocent exchange sparks a romantic air between the two.   This is the scene in the Oval Office where Sydney cannot seem to find the right door to leave the office. At the same meeting, Shepherd strikes a deal with Wade: if she can secure a certain number of votes for the environmental bill, he will deliver the rest. He believes Wade will not be able to get enough votes to meet her obligation, thus releasing Shepherd who will be seen to have tried, without being blamed for failing. During the state dinner, as well as subsequent occasions (during which Shepherd acts as pursuer), the couple fell in love. The relationship, as well as Shepherd’s politicking down the middle, results in a decline in his popularity. The President’s precarious situation is exacerbated by the impending failure of his crime bill. Eventually Wade does manage to get enough votes to meet her part of the deal. Before she can tell Shepherd, he discovers that three Congressmen from Michigan are willing to deliver their votes if he shelves the environmental bill. As he is exactly three votes short, with no other apparent options to acquire them, he agrees, betraying Wade, who breaks up with him. The film builds to a climax timed to coincide with the State of the Union, planned as a conciliatory, non-partisan event. However, ruminating on Wade leaving him and his sacrifice of a bill he believes in for the sake of a bill he doesn’t really believe will have much effect, Shepherd has a change of heart. He makes a surprise appearance in the White House press room to rebut the Republican attacks on his values and character, and then sends the controversial environmental bill to Congress, promising that he will write a stronger crime bill in due time, and fight for that as well. His passionate defence of what he believes, in contrast with his earlier moderate conciliation, galvanizes the press room and his staff. His speech writer Rothschild has only half an hour to re-write the State of the Union speech to reflect the new, confrontational tone of the administration – yet seems happy about the challenge. Wade comes back to him, arriving in the Oval Office just before he leaves for the Hill leading to a reconciliation. The movie ends with Shepherd entering the House to rapturous applause.   (Wikipedia, The American President) On the other had, Air Force One is a 1997 action film starring Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman. Ford plays President James Marshall.   In a speech in Moscow, he announces in a speech that the United States will not negotiate with terrorists, after an operation by U.S. and Russian Federation special forces captured the tyrannical leader of Kazakhstan, General Ivan Radek (Jà ¼rgen Prochnow). On his way back to the US, Soviet neo-nationalists posing as a news crew have infiltrated the plane. The terrorists storm the plane and take hostages. Several others are killed during the shootout, including the military officer charged with carrying and protecting the nuclear launch codes of the United States Strategic Command (carried in a briefcase known as the football). The flight crew declares an emergency and prepare to land at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Secret Service agents evacuate the President to an escape pod. At the last moment, Marshall flees the escape pod and retreats to the baggage deck. The terrorists kill the pilots and take control of the plane, which takes off again, to the surprise of standby Ramstein crew. In Washington, D.C, Vice President Kathryn Bennett (Glenn Close) arrives at the White House, assessing the situation alongside the Secretary of Defense Walter Dean (Dean Stockwell) and other officials; they soon learn that Marshall did not board the escape pod. The terrorists call the Vice President, demand the release of General Radek, and threaten to begin executing hostages. Meanwhile, Marshall is still on the plane.   While attempting to call the White House, a second terrorist finds Marshall and detains him; nevertheless, the call reaches the Situation Room. Marshall manages to covertly order an attack on Air Force One so he can subdue the terrorist. The plan works, and Marshall attempts a fuel dump to land the plane. Recognizing the presence of someone on the baggage deck, Korshunov executes Deputy Press Secretary Melanie Mitchell in an effort to force Marshall’s surrender. While two of the terrorists attempt to restore the fuel controls, Marshall slips by and takes another terrorist hostage, using his keys to free the hostages. Korshunov forces the President to call Petrov to secure Radek’s release. In Washington, Dean persuades the Cabinet to sign a Presidential Incapacitation Document, but Bennett refuses to sign it. As Radek’s release is prepared, Marshall and the hostages free themselves and kill the remaining terrorists, but Korshunov captures Grace and also shoots Chief of Staff Shepard and flees to the parachute ramp. In a vicious fight, Marshall manages to eject Korshunov from the aircraft by deploying the latter’s parachute while it is wound around his neck. Marshall calls Petrov before Radek’s release, and prison guards kill the former general as he flees. Kazakh MiG fighter jets loyal to Radek reach Air Force One and inflict serious damage on its engines and maneuvering mechanisms. U.S. fighters intercept and fend off the hostile aircraft just in time to save the President’s plane. With Air Force One unable to land, an air-to-air ropeline rescue is arranged. Before the evacuation can be completed, the plane begins a rapid descent with Marshall, Gibbs, Major Caldwell, and a rescuer. Marshall insists on rescuing his family and then a wounded staff member before he evacuates the plane. Once it is the President’s turn to leave, Gibbs drops all pretense, killing two of the others. Marshall fights with Gibbs, and escapes on the ropeline, leaving Gibbs aboard the 747, which crashes into the sea. The C-130 rescue aircraft announces that it is now â€Å"Air Force One†, and the film ends with the plane flying toward safety with the F-15s flying and the First Family aboard. (Wikipedia, Air Force One (film)) Discrepancy between the Two Concepts   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The difference between the concept of the American President we seen on Film and in Reality is surprisingly little.   Moviemakers do not depart a whole lot from the concept of the American President we see in reality in order to create a semblance of such a reality with the viewer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Our discussion on the broad roles of the American President is seen in both movies summarized.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The role of the American President as the Commander in Chief is seen in both movies.   In the American President, Shepherd ultimately orders an attack interrupting his date with Sydney Ellen Wade.   Upon advise of his military generals, Shepherd makes a tough decision of ordering such an attack.   He does this after taking into account the casualties in the lives of innocent civilians working at the military base.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Air Force One, the power is highlighted from the fact that controls to the US military arsenal are with the President.   One of the guards holding the computer to access such controls is killed in one of the shootouts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The role of the American President as the Chief Foreign Minister is seen in the American President.   The visit by the President of France plays a central role in the movie.   This is the pivotal moment when President Shepherd asks Sydney to go out with him.   This part of the movie exhibits the role of the President in receiving heads of states.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The role of the American President as the Chief Executive Officer is seen in both movies.   In the American President, President Shepherd ends the movie in thunderous applause by addressing Congress in his State of the Union Address.   In Air Force One, we seen this aspect of the Presidency when the Joint Chiefs of Staff asks the vice president to take over the duties of the Presidency.   This exhibits the limits of the presidency and situation of vacancy upon death, resignation, or incapacity of the President. Conclusion Our concept of the American Presidency is very much molded by the movies we see in Modern Cinema.   Whether it is Michael Douglas playing opposite Annete Benning in the American President or Harrison Ford in his role in Air Force One, the persona of the Presidency is much understood by the laymen using these actor’s works. The difference between the concept of the American President we seen on Film and in Reality is surprisingly little.   Moviemakers do not depart a whole lot from the concept of the American President we see in reality in order to create a semblance of such a reality with the viewer. References: Rossiter, C. (1987).   The American Presidency. USA: The John Hopkins University Press. The United States Constitution Wikipedia (8 November 2007). The American President. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_President. Wikipedia (11 November 2007). Air Force One (Film). Retrieved November 12, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_One_%28film%29.