Power Struggles in Capitalist Democracies and the Fate of American Labo

Power Struggles in Capitalist Democracies and the Fate of American Labor Unions To some, "capitalistic democracy" conjures up the picture of a utopia where the free market is accompanied by individual liberty and social justice. To others, however, the term is more like a paradox—despite tremendous economic power, the advanced industrial nations are not immune from the evils of socio-political inequality as well as economical disparity. Amongst the capitalist democracies of the world, it is an established and well-known fact that when compared with the advanced industrial countries in Europe, the United States has the worst condition of economical-political inequality and social injustice. Its government is the least progressive, and its social inequalities the most deplorable. To explain the condition in the U.S. today, both the universality of capitalistic democracies and the peculiarities the American system employs—as well as this system's political and historical development—must be examined and explored. As Joshua Cohen and Joel Rogers articulated in On Democracy, a capitalist democracy is one that "if [it] is not just capitalism, still less is it just democracy" (Cohen 50). Indeed, despite the apparent political equality in a system that nowadays guarantees universal suffrage, the dominate socio-political structure in the United States and most western European countries does not allow—neither by intention nor in practice—free and equal competition between the capital and labor. Cohen and Rogers theorize that at the heart of this disparity lies what they call "the demand constraint" and "the resource constraint". In summation, the demand constraint states that because of the fact that the entire capitalistic econom... ...rlett, Donald L and James B. Steele. "Fantasy Islands". Time. November 16, 1998. Ideas & Institutions in American Society Course Reader, New York University. Spring 2001. Clawson, Dan and Alan Neustadtl, Denise Scott. Money Talks: Corporate PACs and Political Influence. 1992. Cohen, Joshua and Joel Rogers. "Structure". On Democracy. New York: Penguin, 1983. "Government." Encyclopedia Britannica. Web ed. http://www.britannica.com Indiana Historical Society. "Eugene V. Debs". 22 April 2001. http://www.indianahistory.org/heritage/evdebs.html Judis, John. The Paradox of American Democracy. New York: Pantheon, 2000. Lane, Charles. "Kohl Train". The New Republican Online. 18 February 2001. 20 April 2001. http://www.thenewrepublic.com/021400/lane021400.html Piven, Frances Fox and Richard A. Cloward. Why Americans Don't Vote. New York: Pantheon, 1989.

Strategic finance issues

This analysis will financially compare Santos Limiter's financial performance for the year ending 31st December 2013 with the previous year's results, by way of ratio analysis. It will also benchmark the latest result with that of Woodside Petroleum for the same period using the same ratio analysis of the 2013 financial statements of each company.A copy of these ratio analysis are attached to this report as appendix 1, which contains a through time comparison for the last two years for Santos Limited ND the across time comparison with Woodside Petroleum for the most recent year. As Basely and Hancock (2013 p. 358) depict there are certain factors relevant to selecting an appropriate benchmark.Woodside Petroleum has been selected as the benchmarking company as Woodside also operates in oil and gas production, focusing operations within the Australian area. While Woodside operations are larger than that of Santos, the relative size of these companies is comparable and both follow the a ccounting policies required by the Corporations Act 2001 , Australian Accounting Standards and other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting standards board.Both companies are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASS) which provides comparative data for the ratios analyzed and presented in Appendix 1 with the following tables; Table 1 – Profitability ratios Table 2 – Efficiency ratios Table 3 – Short-term solvency ratios Table 4 – Long-term solvency ratios and Table 5 – Market-based ratios A copy of Santos Limiter's 2013, 2012 and Woodside petroleum ‘s 2013 Annual reports are attached to this report as Appendix 2, Appendix 3 and Appendix 4 especially, for reference to the findings and suggestions outlined in this review.One limitation of the comparison is that Santos Limited reports their financial data in Australian (ALL'S) dollars, while Woodside Petroleum report their financial data in American (US) dollars. This is o vercome by using ratios for a majority of comparisons and converting the US dollar amounts into ASS dollars when required. 2. 0 Ratio Analysis To look at the relationship between figures presented in the financial statements, this report uses a ratio analysis technique. To fully understand the ratios developed e will look at them in context of other information provided in various reports and the overall goals of the company.From these ratios the report will then compare these against the benchmark and ultimately identify areas for improvement and, if necessary, change. 2. 1 Profitability. As we can see from Table 1 – Profitability ratios, the net profit margin and the gross profit margin fell 1 . 74% and 4. 26% respectively in 2013. While sales increased 1 1 . 76% for the year, the gross profit margin decreased as previously stated which, was the main driver for the decrease in net profit margin for the year as the interest expense o sales remained consistent.There was a sli ght drop in return on assets, however asset turnover remained fairly constant, highlighting that the drop in net profit margin is due to the drop in gross profit margin and not a lower turnover of assets. The reduction in gross profit margin is due to the increase in financing costs like depreciation and depletion (up 1. 5% of sales for 2013) and third party product purchases (up 5. 6% of sales). The reduction in financing income also played a major part in pushing down profits. In comparison Woodside has a higher return on assets Han Santos due to the 16. 8% higher profit margin and they turnover assets more efficiently. Also, Santos' continuing capital growth strategies in projects such as the Papua New Guiana Liquefied Natural Gas (PING LONG) and the Gladstone Liquid Natural Gas (GLEN) transformational projects which are outlined in the 2013 Annual report, are still in the developing phase, therefore not producing to generate sales until the following years. Woodside had a low co mmitment to capital expenditure for the same financial year and after selling off major capital in 2012 their use of debt as far less (shown as the leverage ratio in Table 4).The return on ordinary shareholder's equity (ROE) ratio shows the return for the shareholders who supply equity to the business. The ROE is higher for Woodside due to their higher profit margins however, the higher financial leverage ratio in Table 4 will benefit Santos' shareholders when the return on assets increases compared to the financing costs. This will happen when the above mentioned projects begin production. This is congruent with the statement in a press release by Managing Director (M. D) and Chief Executive Officer (C.E. O) Mr. David Knox on 21st of February 2014. â€Å"In particular, our natural gas reserve and resource base in eastern Australia, combined with our leading infrastructure position, leaves Santos strategically well placed to meet growing market demand,†. 2. 2 Efficiency ratio s For the 2013 fiscal year the sales and also the number of debtors increased. The use of efficiency ratios helps determine whether the increase in debtors is due to the increase in sales alone or that it is caused by the debtors taking longer to pay.These ratios show this by providing statistical relations on how effectively Santos Limited is electing its outstanding owing money and converting the inventory into sales. From Table 2 we see that comparing the last two fiscal years for Santos Limited has made improvements in their debt collection practices. The number of days taken to collect debtors accounts has reduce from 78. 71 to 65. 53 days but is still outside Santos Limiter's standard 30 days for settlement of accounts. The closing balance is showing more debtors accounts being past the 65. 3 day average for 2013 fiscal year. Comparing these figures to Santos' competitor Woodside, whose debtor recovery is loser to the standard 30 days terms at 31. 63 days. An article in the Sy dney Morning Herald depicts that the question has been asked whether there is a gas reservation policy by shareholders, of which Santos Chairman Mr. Board denies. The ratio analysis of days taken to turn inventory into sales shows a possible reason for this question arising as the number of days taken to convert inventory into sales has risen in 2013 from 52. 19 to 53. 62 days.This is only a slight increase and with an expected increase in demand, this slight rise in inventory would be expected to cover n increase in demand. However, when comparing this level to the benchmark, Woodside inventory turnover is far less at 30. 46 days for a higher sales volume. 2. 3 Short-term solvency ratios While the previous ratios focus on performance of the company solvency ratios focus on assisting the company with decisions, short term and long term. Table 3 shows the short-term solvency ratios which assist in the short term decision making.The current ratio is the most basic test as to how liqui d a company is. It expresses a company's ability to meet its short-term liabilities with its short-term assets. A current ratio greater than or equal to one indicates that current assets should be able to satisfy short-term obligations. A ratio less than one indicated an inability to meet short term requirements. The quick ratio calculated for 2013 compared to 2012 shows the company's ability to pay is has reduced to below the 1:1 ratio, expressing that should the company be required to pay all current debts immediately, they could not do so.Due in part to the reduction in cash levels reducing the current assets from 34. 6% to 20. 3% of net assets. Also increases in the amount of short term interest bearing borrowings increases the current liabilities from 13. 6% of net assets to 16. 9%. With the less cover to pay the increase in short-term liabilities, there is a higher financial risk. When comparing these ratios to that of Woodside, Canton's short term debt paying ability is carry ing greater risks, but comparable with this benchmark. While the quick ratio decline to . 3:1 is cause for concern, the Cash flow from operations to current liabilities ratio shows that 94% of current liabilities can be covered with operational cash flow. Compare this to Woodside, which can easily cover rent liabilities with 141% of its current liabilities covered with operational cash flow. 2. 4 Long-term solvency ratios As the short-term financial risk has previously been expressed, the long term decisions can be assisted by the long-term solvency ratios expressed in Table 4. The debt to equity ratio compares the total liabilities of Santos Limited and compares it to the each dollar of shareholder's equity.During 2013 Santos' reliance has risen due to the increased borrowings and interest bearing loans, so for every $1 of shareholder's equity there is $1. 02 worth of debt obligations. This level of debt is double than that of our benchmark, Woodside Petroleum however, the debt to total asset ratio suggests there is enough assets to cover the debt long term. This might put the company under financial risk and indicate high use of debt compared to shareholder's equity and a greater financial risk long term. This increases the cost of interest in operation, effecting negatively on profitability.The interest coverage while currently is below the industry benchmark, there is sufficient coverage to ensure interest payment obligations will be met. The amount contributed to the long term room each $1 of operating cash flow has also been significantly reduced, moving further away from the benchmark company. This will increase interest costs long term however, also effecting profit margins. 2. 5 Market-based ratios The price per earnings ratio shown in Table 5 show how much the market would pay for shares of stock of the company per dollar of reported profit.About. Coma's business finance reporter Rosemary Palaver suggests that the average price to earnings ratio is a round 19 with Santos' ratio higher at 27. 68 and the benchmark, Woodside, ratio marginally lower at 17. 49. Reasons for Santos' higher than average price per earnings ratio would be due to the potential for Santos increase earnings per share in the foreseeable future and investors are trading accordingly. Other reasons for a high ratio are when companies are in a growth phase, which Santos' financial statements suggest it currently is not.A high ratio also suggests that the company has financial risk which was expressed in the short-term and long-term solvency ratios. While the market is willing to pay a higher price for investment in shares per dollar Santos reports as profit, the earnings yield assists in evaluating whether returns on investment compensates the risk adequately. The yield of 3. 61% for 2013 is down on sass's 4. 53% and short of Woodside 5. 72%, which is at a lower risk. Thus, Santos' shares did not perform to the industry benchmark and shareholders are not getting the yield expected for their investments.Dividends are also low, reflecting the company's growth positioning for the coming few years. 3. 0 Recommendations The increase in growing demand as expected by Mr. David Knox in a release and the move into production phase of the PING project will generate extra operating ash, primarily with already obtained assets. Therefore the focus moving forward should be reducing the financing costs involved in the cost of goods sold. This will in turn increase profit margins, giving a greater return on assets due to lower interest costs, moving margins closer to that of the benchmark Woodside Petroleum.The rate at which inventory is used to generate sales should be reviewed as it is slightly behind the benchmark. One suggestion to come from these ratio findings is that debtor control needs to be tightened which in turn will improve operations cash flow. Steps have been taken during the last fiscal year to reduce the number of days to collect outstandi ng debtor accounts, further improvement will also increase operating cash flow which will reduce the financial risk of the company to pay its current liabilities.The inventory level should be reduced to be more comparable to Woodside and increasing the quick assets level used to repay current liabilities. Further to assist in reducing the risk associated with the company's short-term solvency would be a focus on reducing the current interest-bearing loans and borrowings. 4. Conclusion. Through the usage of ratio analysis this report has analyses Santos Limiter's financial performance over the last two years and benchmark it against Australia's largest oil and natural gas producer.There are several other factors influencing position and performance like international economies, competition and major long term growth projects etc. These play a decisive role in the changes in profits, earnings yield and dividend yield. The last two years have seen Santos' profits and stock performances below industry averages but this is large in part to the investment in growth opportunities, which will begin production in the near future. Some findings and recommendations have been made to improve the financial position of the company so the entity and the shareholders that have invested in it can prosper.Although the companies are in the same field, factors like subsidiary companies or having some different end product can create problem in comparing the companies. The economic condition in the different region and the accounting techniques adopted by these companies while computing ratios and financial tenement also decreases the credibility of the calculation (Charles and Patricia, 1983) 5. 0 References Charles H. Gibson & Patricia A. Brush-off. 1983. Z ND Edition. Kent Publishing Company.

Face-Name Recall and Associative Memory - 670 Words

Furthermore, while numerous studies have investigated the effect of either mnemonic cues and level of processing on associative memory, few have analyzed the additive/combined effect these memory strategies might have on face-name memory performance. A study by Yesavage, Rose, and Bower (1983), comparing elderly participant’s performance across memory strategies proven to enhance face-name associations both replicates and extends McCarty’s earlier research on strategies to improve face- name associations. This experiment both replicates and extends McCarty’s earlier findings of on strategies to improve face-name associations. This study evaluates the efficacy of recalling name-face associations in conditions requiring semantic judgments of the name face association and in condition not requiring affective judgment. Three groups of participants were tested. The image group was provided the prominent feature of the face, a name transformation, and an image association of the face-name pair. The image + judgment group was provided identical information, but they were asked to judge the pleasantness of the image association, and the no image group was given the prominent feature of the face, and the name transformation, but was not taught to form an image associating the prominent facial feature with the name transformation. In the no image condition participants encoded faces and names as separate units. For the image condition subjects formed visual image associationsShow MoreRelatedThe Use Of Ecstasy And Its Effects On Society1657 Words   |  7 Pagesdefinition of ecstasy, as defined by Google, is an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement. It is no coincidence that a drug that releases copious amounts of serotonin and dopamine is commonly referred to as ecstasy. With a scientific name of 3,4-Methylenedioxy-Methamphetamine (MDMA), ecstasy is an illicit substance that is commonly used at some parties and dance clubs all around the globe. The immediate effects of the drug cause one’s blood pressure and heart rate to rise to extremelyRead MoreCelebrity Endorsement: Creating Cognitive Dissonance Among Consumers Celebrity Endorsement: Creating Cognitive Dissonance Among Consumers Celebrity Endorsement: Creating Cognitive Dissonance Among Consumers Celebrity Endorsement3057 Wor ds   |  13 Pagesamusing. It also revealed that celebrity associated with brand for a long time becomes the face of the brand and people link the brand with celebrity and vice versa, even after celebrity changes the brand. It was also established that consumers are more likely to be loyal to the brand as compared to celebrity-brand combination. The study also analyses the importance of various parameters like Price, Quality, Brand Name, Brand Experience and Celebrity while choosing a particular product. INTRODUCTION Read MoreThe Effects Of Eye Movement Reprocessing And Desensitization1596 Words   |  7 Pagesindividual is faced with their traumatic experience they can begin to experience symptoms that coincide with PTSD. Symptoms such as: fragmented memories, depression, anxiety, fatigue, lethargy, lack of coping mechanisms, tendencies to avoid thoughts and feelings, and the use of substances to avoid reality (Irwin 175-176). These are all challenges that PTSD victims face everyday after their traumatic experience, leading many victims to feel alone and isolated in their suffering. Some of the negative copingRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )1570 Words   |  7 Pagesindividual is faced with their traumatic experience they can begin to experience symptoms that coincide with PTSD. Symptoms such as: fragmented memories, depression, anxiety, fatigue, lethargy, lack of coping mechanisms, tendencies to avoid thoughts and feelings, and the use of substances to avoid reality (Irwin 175-176). These are all challenges that PTSD victims face everyday after their traumatic experience, leading many victims to feel alone and isolated in their suffering. Some of the negative copingRead MoreMiller Shettleworth Essay21273 Words   |  86 PagesJournal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes 2007, Vol. 33, No. 3, 191–212 Copyright 2007 by the American Psychological Association 0097-7403/07/$12.00 DOI: 10.1037/0097-7403.33.3.191 Learning About Environmental Geometry: An Associative Model Noam Y. Miller and Sara J. Shettleworth University of Toronto K. Cheng (1986) suggested that learning the geometry of enclosing surfaces takes place in a geometric module blind to other spatial information. Failures to find blocking orRead MoreSport Science13852 Words   |  56 Pageshung on a string; the ball’s height is predictable, but it is moving at different speeds, allowing the batter to practise timing. Once each part of the skill has been learned, the skill can be made more open. Eventually, the batter can conï ¬ dently face a pitcher. Which sports drills have you performed that have increased the predictability of your performance? 1007 Discrete, continuous and serial motor skills Skills can also be classiï ¬ ed into three groups—discrete, continuous and serial— Read MoreCelebrity Endorsement8369 Words   |  34 PagesSYNOPSIS It is a known fact that the best endorsements achieve an eclectic balance between the product (brand) and the celebrity. Giving a brand a face is more than just a marketing strategy to increase sales or gain market share, it is a decision that can change the future of the brand forever. Choice of the celebrity, hence, is of utmost importance and is usually done based on many different parameters - appeal, looks, popularity or even just a fantasy figure to endorse a brand. In todaysRead MoreThe Theories Of Maslow s Theory5216 Words   |  21 Pagescognitive functions of the brain have advanced the field of neuroscience to a realm that not just merely anatomically maps the brain with its different lobes, and dendrites, and neural pathways, but also has found the deeper â€Å"mind.† A thought, an idea, a memory, or an answer were previously intangible concepts. However, the brain can also create data or a fictional thought and subsequently transmit it into the world. The question is how is it possible - and why? The ability to imagine, to create, and toRead MoreBrand Equity and Country of Origin Relationship9856 Words   |  40 Pagesequity of certain brands (e.g. Thakor and Katsanis, 1997). For example, Aaker (1991) and Keller (1993) both argued that country of origin could affect a brand s equity by generating secondary associations for the brand. Indeed, even a foreign-sounding name is known to affect a brand s equity (Leclerc et al., 1994). Increasingly, and for a variety of reasons, brands from one country are being made available to consumers in other countries (Shocker et al., 1994). In such instances, international marketersRead MoreCustomer Based Brand Equity Model10906 Words   |  44 Pagesfunds for a global rollout), geographical balance (certain level of awareness, recognition and sales all over the world), addressing similar consumer needs worldwide, consistent positioning, country of origin, product category focus, and corporate name. From consumers’ perspective, consumers’ perception is important that the brand is marketed in multiple countries and is generally recognized as global in these countries. According to Steenkamp, Batra, and Alden (2003), the appeal of global brands