Effects Of Web On Business Essays - E-commerce,

Effects Of Web On Business Effects of the Web on Business The Internet will greatly alter the structure and operation of all industries. For the management of any existing business the central question is not whether the Internet will be relevant to your business, but rather what will we need to do to profit from that change ( ?The Internet? ). The Internet is evolving many aspects of business and it creates many new business opportunities. It is developing what is called the ?New Business Environment?, because it changes the way products are developed, distributed, marketed, sold, and serviced ( ?Business on the? ). In theory, doing business over the Internet with consumers should be ideal however, many people are not comfortable with it yet. It will take a little while before most people are completely at ease and order products. First off, the Internet will provide many capabilities that will be very beneficial to a business. Some of the benefits include E-mail, Mailing Lists, UseNet, Telnet, FTP, Gopher, and of course the World Wide Web. All of these are a way to keep you informed and in touch with business associates and customers anywhere in the world ( ?What can the? ). With an Intranet in place you've got an infrastructure for group applications, you don't need to install software on everyone's PC, they can just use their Web browser and while the main costs are in employee time, the cost of software has dropped significantly ( ?Put Your Own? ). The effects of the Internet will take a decade or more to generally replace existing patterns of business. The Internet and its strategic impact are not technological issues, they are business ones ( ?The Internet? ). Executives are likely to carry responsibility for whether their organization ultimately prospers or perishes in an Internet impacted world. The particular impact will differ between industries, so you need to identify the likely form of impact it will have on your industry and adopt appropriate strategies. A few threats are when using the Internet, competitors become relatively more effective, e.g. reducing costs, improving service and increasing sales impact. Also, some important customers or suppliers may have migrated exclusively to the Internet and are inaccessible in any other way. Some firms redefine the industry in a very fundamental way that threatens all existing competitors ( ?The Internet? ). With the advent of the Internet, it has dramatically improved operational and sales effectiveness in numerous different applications. A few such areas are, on-line stockbrokers: such as E*Trade and Ceres, on-line travel agents, banks and other financial services: such as on-line banking systems, and insurance and fund management. Right now, there are many companies whose outreach is global such as Amazon.com and CD Now, soon all of the above areas will be global ( Daring ). Another area of the business environment that will be significantly changed due to the Internet are small firms, especially ones who wish to export. The Internet can relatively easily give small firms access to international markets, and engage in electric commerce ( Cragg ). However, not much is known about the use of the Internet by small firms, mainly because it is such a new method. An example of such an idea was taken advantage of by Elizabeth Botham & Sons Bakery. The bakery is located in a small town called Whitby in North Yorkshire and business is tough because it is geographically restricting and it is based in a very seasonable town. In order to do business and keep their staff hired year around the manager, Mike Jarman turned to the Internet. He found a company called Octagon Ltd., which helped him get started. Since going on the Web in 1995, the company has had over 25,000 potential customers visit the site and receives a dozen hefty orders a week ( ?Yorkshire Bakery? ). The Web is a great distribution tool, the information you place on your Web site can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Web can save you time and money in information distribution over traditional mail and printing methods ( Daring ). Rather than reading a static advertisement, your customers can go directly to

A Critique of For Gay Marriage, by Andrew Sullivan

A Critique of For Gay Marriage, by Andrew Sullivan In Andrew Sullivan's article, "For Gay Marriage", he is a man on a mission. He appears to be so fully committed to democratic values that he seeks to extend equal rights in marriage to homosexuals. And he makes an admirable case for equality and dignity for all people, including homosexuals. However, he could make an even stronger case by citing more studies and expert opinions.Although Sullivan's meaning is well taken by sympathetic readers, the fact is that he could overcome much of the ambiguity of his presentation by citing more concrete studies, including long-term studies, which support his key points. For example, when he makes the assertion that "in some ways the marriage issue is exactly parallel to the military" (283), it is unclear exactly what he means. Is he referring to prejudice against gay soldiers? On the other hand, is he referring to a common requirement of self-sacrifice? The answer is simply not clear because Sullivan never cites any studies of the problem he has in mind.English: This protester was on his own and letting...An even more important point for Sullivan concerns child-rearing. He asserts, one may say correctly if he already shares Sullivan's opinion, that children raised by homosexual partners are as well adjusted as children raised by traditional, heterosexual parents. This would be a perfect opportunity for Sullivan to cite several well-conducted, long-term studies which bear out his view. But does he take the opportunity? Does he cite any studies? No, not one.Another key point for Sullivan concerns the relative importance of legalizing gay marriage. He asserts that "if nothing else were done at all, and gay marriage were legalized, 90% of the political work necessary to achieve gay and lesbian equality would have been achieved" (285). But, Sullivan never explains where he gets the figure 90%. He could explain if...

The Concept of Audience Impact Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Concept of Audience Impact - Assignment Example Sayles responded by stating that: â€Å"what I tend to do is to make these guys a little bit more appealing than they really were so that people would believe them† (Foner and Sayles 138). This was clearly corroborated by Fischoff who asserted that talk shows exist to satisfy the demands of the audience. As content, â€Å"the audience provides tribal impact, people provoking people to say and do things they would never say or do† (Fischoff: The Jeering Crowd par. 1). Thus, these authors have similarly affirmed the relevance of the audience in the creation of a film or a talk show, for that matter. Another concept that emerged from the essays is the relevant facet of catering to a particular gender. In â€Å"Movies and History†, Foner openly disclosed that â€Å"not many historical films are really that interested in women† (Foner and Sayles 149); of which, Sayles responded that â€Å"about ninety-five percent of them were directed by men. The decision-mak ers who finance the big films are also ninety to ninety-five percent of men. So part of it is just a lack of interest in women’s stories† (Foner and Sayles 149). On the contrary, in Fischoff’s essay, it was revealed that â€Å"like the soaps, shopping networks, and endless women-in-jeopardy movies of the week, talk shows owe their popularity primarily to women. They constitute over 70 percent of the viewing audiences†. These authors have disclosed that gender influences the creation of a film or talk show. Although it was taking the perspectives of the creators for the creation of historical movies, who were identified to be predominantly male, it was interesting that the gender of the audiences was not taken into consideration. On the other hand, in talk shows, it was clearly identified that since the composition of the audiences were predominantly women, therefore, the subject should actually cater to the demands of these women. There has been some revel ation regarding the concept of taking diverse perspectives or points of view when creating or viewing a film or a talk show. It was therefore insinuated that â€Å"talk shows occupy two realities.

Time Series Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Time Series Analysis - Essay Example This presentation can be used to model many time series procedures and as an identifying tool of a model in the auto- covariance function. ARIMA (1, 1, 1) vs. ARIMA (0, 1, 2) The ARIMA models as observed help in fitting provided data with the condition that the data is not stationary. There are many models of the ARIMA but in our case we will discuss ARIMA (1, 1, 1) and ARIMA (0, 1, 2) looking at the trees presented with relevant discussion about them. ARIMA (1, 1, 1) is also referred to as the mixed model, this is due to the fact that as depicted from the graphs by the 9 trees, we see he features of both the autoregressive and moving average models brought together to form a single model. ARIMA (1, 1, 1) which is non-linear in nature can be used to define the data set that shows unpredictable bursts, outliers and extremely flat stretches at quite irregular time intervals (Cromwell, 1994). The data may have been collected from the economic unit variables like those for the pricing of items like onion\ns and their variations in the market. The research may have also been conducted in conjunction of other extreme models like the Gaussian Mixture Transition (GMTD), Mixed Autoregressive (MAR) as well as MAR-Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic (MAR-ARCH), the differences are determined and graphs depicting differences depicted as in the Trees 1-9 ARIMA (1, 1, 1). The graphs represented by the numbers and the progress show an eliminating trend with quite seasonal fluctuations as shown from the fittings in the Box-Jenkins hence residual series (Vandaele, 1983). The figures and graphs from the trees 1-9 are employed in testing for non-seasonality or seasonality in the respective stochastic trends with the appropriate filters being used through the Box-Jenkins model examining the same. Trees 1-9 show us that the Lagrange multiplier (LM) is used to define ARCH while the value parameters are quantified using Expectation maximization (EM) (Cromwell, 1994). The figur es, graphs and diagrams show a case where out of sample forecasting the first and the second steps and there after a naive approach devised in forming a conclusion. With ARIMA (0, 1, 2) on the other hand, we ask ourselves how the data would look like, and the pattern that would exist. As shown by the trees 1-9, the data is non-stationery as show by the linear filters and transfer functions indicating smoothing potentials. From the tools, that is the plots of data and both the PACF and ACF, the evidence for the claims above are vividly observable by the graphical trends and the trends by ACF of residuals, standardized residuals and p values for Ljung box (Cromwell, 1994). The models of ARIMA (0, 1, 2) as opposed to that of the ARIMA (1, 1, 1) has its parameters estimated using a statistical software with the outputs indicated on the representation showing outputs for parameter estimates, test statistics, goodness of fits, diagnostics and residuals. All the above parameters are highly non-stationery as well (Vandaele, 1983). In both the models, it is to be determined whether they fit data by correctly extracting all information and ensuring that residuals as shown are a white noise. The key measures in both the models are the ACF, standardized

American Popular Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American Popular Culture - Essay Example 2. How have popular culture trends and electronic media formulated your views regarding the following topics: social responsibility and civility; family obligations; the human body; justice, law, and order; sexual identity; friendship and love Popular (pop) culture is literally defined as the vernacular culture that prevails on any given society. â€Å"The content of popular culture is determined by the daily interactions, needs and desires, and cultural ‘moments’ that make up the everyday lives of the mainstream.† (â€Å"Wikipedia†, 2006). Culture is a way of defining oneself, and is accepted or regarded by each person in their own way, and yet mass media and mass culture also lets people define themselves in relation to everyone else in mass society. How Have Popular Culture Trends and Electronic Media Formulated Your Views Regarding the Following Topics: Social Responsibility and Civility; Family Obligations; The Human Body; Justice, law and Order; Sexual Identity; Friendship and Love? Popular culture trends are a significant part of all of our lives, and greatly affect the way we feel about ourselves, and about each other, on a daily basis. Whether or regardless of if we recognize it or not, popular culture reflects on us all in way or another. In regards to social responsibility and civility, I believe that due to the heightened propaganda status, or in other words the fact that the media is such a huge part of all of our day to day lives, our assumption and beliefs of what our personal social responsibilities should be have dropped somewhat. In the past, there was a certain aura of politeness and classiness if you will; characteristics which do not seem to be as evident in today’s world. When discussing how pop culture trends have formulated my views regarding family obligations; this is another subject that I would say relates highly to social responsibility and civility in a way. If we take

Strategic Relations Between China and Pakistan

Strategic Relations Between China and Pakistan STRATEGIC RELATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND PAKISTAN AND ITS IMPACT ON INDO PAK RELATIONS If your environment is changing, you must change with it. If you dont, you perish. Curtis E. Sahakian CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1. China is a modern developing country with good economic and political condition. It is the biggest ancient society with flair towards modern culture and values. China has very good relations with its neighbours like Pakistan. Pakistan was one of the first countries of the world to recognise China, and since then they have very good relations with each other. 2. Pakistan and China entered into a trade agreement in January 1963 which granted reciprocal Most Favoured Nation status in matters of commerce, trade and shipping. Trade between the border regions of China and Pakistan started in 1969 after the first protocol of trade was signed. This border trade has continued to grow with the patronage of both the countries. Further trade protocols have been signed over the years. The construction of the Karakoram Highway has helped to further trade and communication. Pakistan is an important country for China in trade. A lot of projects of economic development in Pakistan are in process with the co-operation of China which are creating lot ofjobs opportunityfor both Pakistan and China. METHODOLOGY STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 4. This dissertation proposes to study and analyse the growing economic relations between Pakistan China, its impact on the security of India and to recommend measures to negate the same by India. HYPOTHESIS 5. Is the growing economic relations between Pakistan China having an adverse impact on the security of India? If yes, what actions should India take to negate them? JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY SCOPE 7. This study concentrates on analysing only the Economic relationship between Pakistan and China and the impact of the same on Indo Pak relations with special emphasis on Indias security. 8. The study is not looking into the military, diplomatic and nuclear relationship between the two countries and the impact these relations are having on Indias security and Indo Pak relations. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS ORGANISATION OF THE DISSERTATION 11. It is proposed to study the subject in the following manner:- (a) Chapter II. Strategic Relationship and it scope. (b) Chapter III. Historical Perspective of strategic relations between Pakistan and China. (c) Chapter IV. Chinas â€Å"String of Pearls Policy† Pakistans place in it. (d) Chapter V. Growing economic ties between Pakistan and China. (e) Chapter VI. Security Issues for India. (f) Chapter VII. Recommendations to negate this strategic relationship by India. CHAPTER II STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP AND ITS SCOPE Interest does not tie nations together; it sometimes separates them. But sympathy and understanding does unite them. -Woodrow T. Wilson No nation is an island. Because domestic policies are constantly affected by developments outside, nations are compelled to enter into dialogue with other nations or initiating entities or form alliance(s) for the purpose of enhancing their status internationally, or increasing their power or prestige and survival in the international system[1]. History The concept of strategic relations is quite old. Humans have been establishing governments and communicating with each other for thousands of years. However, it is generally agreed to that international relations truly began to emerge around the 15th century, when people started exploring the world and interacting with other governments and cultures. Organisations like the Dutch East India Company were among the first multinational corporations[2], while representatives of various European governments met with foreign governments to establish trade agreements and to discuss issues of mutual concern. The formal history of strategic relations is often traced back to the Peace of Westphalia of 1648, where the modern state system was developed. Westphalia instituted the legal concept of sovereignty. Westphalia encouraged the rise of the independent nation-state(s), the institutionalisation of diplomacy and armies[3]. This European system was then exported to the Americas, Africa, and Asia via colonisation and the standards of civilisation. The contemporary international system was eventually established through decolonisation after the Cold War. Definition There are many definitions of Strategic Relations written by numerous authors on the web world. Some relevant ones are as given below. Agreement between two or more entities to conduct specified activities or processes, to achieve specified objectives such as product development or distribution[4]. Strategic Relations refers to the collective interactions of the international community, which includes individual nations and states, inter-governmental organisations such as the United Nations, non-governmental organisations, multinational corporations, and so forth. The term is also used to refer to a branch of political science which focuses on the study of these interactions[5]. Strategic Relations is the study of the relations of states with each other and with international organisations and certain sub-national entities (e.g., bureaucracies and political parties). It is related to a number of other academic disciplines, including political science, geography, history, economics, law, sociology, psychology, and philosophy[6]. Strategic Relations is the study of the relations among states and other political and economic units in the international system. Particular areas of study within the field of international relations include diplomacy and diplomatic history, international law, body of rules considered legally binding in the relations between national states, also known as the law of nations[7]. Strategic Relations is the interaction between and among states, and more broadly, the workings of the international system as a whole. It can be conceived of either as a multidisciplinary field, gathering together the international aspects of politics, economics, history, law, and sociology, or as a meta-discipline, focusing on the systemic structures and patterns of interaction of the human species taken as a whole. Barry Buzan Strategic Relations is an area of knowledge based on political science, law, economy, sociology, philosophy, and other social sciences. Traditionally, it not only treats the relations between nation states, but also, International Organisations and non-state actors in the international arena, like non-governmental organisations, and multinational corporations[8]. What do Strategic Relations Mean Strategic Relationship represents the study of foreign affairs and global issues among states within the international system, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organisations (IGOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), and multinational corporations (MNCs). It is both an academic and public policy field, and seeks to analyse as well as formulate the foreign policy of a particular state[9]. Apart from political science, Strategic Relations draws upon such diverse fields as economics, history, international law, philosophy, geography, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and cultural studies. It involves a diverse range of issues including globalisation, state sovereignty, ecological sustainability, nuclear proliferation, nationalism, economic development, global finance, terrorism, organised crime, human security, foreign interventionism and human rights. There are two main approaches to the field of International Relations. The first is the Realist or Pragmatist approach. This claims that conflict is inevitable and the best way to approach international relations is to be prepared to engage in conflicts and win. The second approach is the Structuralist approach and is symbolised by diplomacy, according to which conflict is not inevitable, focusing on the causes of conflict, stressing on the costs of conflict vis a vis possible gains. This school of thought has been heavily influenced by Galtungs theory of structural violence[10]. Broadly speaking, the two approaches to International Relations can be attributed to either side of the Atlantic: Realism is seen as a primarily American worldview while Structuralism is seen as typically European. Conclusion Considering the vast spectrum of the subject, Strategic Relations can become incredibly complex. The subject is also sometimes known as â€Å"foreign relations†. Specialists in this field staff diplomatic agencies abroad, provide consultation to businesses which are considering to establish branches overseas, and assist charitable non-governmental organisations with their missions. CHAPTER III HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF STRATEGIC RELATIONS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND CHINA The opinions we hold of one another, our relations with friends and kinfolk are in no sense permanent, save in appearance, but are as eternally fluid as the sea itself. Marcel Proust Why Pakistan Chose to Align with China Pakistans attitude towards China is determined by its geography, economic constraints, domestic compulsions and the regional and international situation. The erstwhile fragmented shape of Pakistan, i.e. East and West Pakistan, had greatly contributed to the establishment of Pakistans close relations with China. Geographic constraints on account of Pakistans location, topography and the nature of its frontiers, gave rise to security problems for Pakistan. With the construction of highways connecting China and Pakistan, through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, China acquired an easy approach to Pakistan. This turned out as a mixed blessing for Pakistan. So long as relations with China are friendly, there is no threat from the North. But in case of strained Sino Pak relations, there would be a grave threat from China[11]. Pakistani policy makers were conscious of this constraint and did express their fears in an unambiguous manner. President Ayub Khan wrote in his political autobiography:- West Pakistan is wedged in between three enormous powers with the Soviet Union at the top, the Peoples Republic of China in the North East, and India in the South and East. I know of no other small country which has the somewhat dubious distinction of having three such mighty neighbours[12]. A number of considerations prompted Pakistan to strengthen its economic and trade ties with China. Firstly, like China, Pakistan was a developing country and the two countries faced common problems in the field of agriculture and industrialisation. China had successfully solved the problem of water logging, salinity and floods, which Pakistan could benefit from. Secondly, the aid offered by China was very attractive as it carried rock-bottom low rate of interest or no interest at all. Thirdly, China showed interest in setting up heavy industries in Pakistan Taxila Industrial Complex, assisted by China is an example. Fourthly, trade with China was beneficial to Pakistan as the balance of the trade generally went in favour of Pakistan and rarely in favour of China[13]. Fifthly, 1962 Sino India war turned Pakistan towards China to counter India. Sixthly, US support to India increased after the Sino India war to counter China, this was resented by Pakistan, which China exploited to w ean the influence of US from Pakistan and get a foothold in the Indian subcontinent. And finally, the Kashmir issue. Pakistan adjudged its relations with other countries in terms of their attitude towards the Kashmir issue. Pakistan regarded China as a friend since its hostility towards India in 1962 and its involvement in the Kashmir issue thereafter[14]. The location of Tibet and Xinjiang on the north of the Indian subcontinent places China in a position to intervene militarily in a confrontation between India and Pakistan. The Karakoram Highway can be used by China for sending arms and ammunition and even the forces. In 1971, Indo Pakistan war, it was used for this purpose[15]. With a view to combating India, Pakistan has been seeking a political counterweight against it. Finding that China was interested in undermining Indias political influence in the Afro Asian world, Pakistani leaders thought that China could serve as a counterweight against India. It was, therefore, a Pakistani objective to seek Chinas political support against India[16]. Karakoram Highway[17] History of Sino Pak Relations After Pakistans creation in 1947, Pakistans relations with China were in a dormant state. In 1950, Pakistan officially recognised the Peoples Republic of China, and broke off ties with Taiwan. Bilateral relations were further strengthened at the Bandung Conference in 1955[18], when talks between the two heads of state played an important role in promoting, understanding and paving way for friendly relations and mutual assistance between the two countries. In 1961, Pakistan furthered its relations with China when it voted in favour of Chinas restoration rights in the UN. Sino-Pak relations got a shot in the arm, with deteriorating Sino-Indian relations which resulted in a war in 1962. China and Pakistan consequently met and agreed on the border between them, in 1963[19], and the Karakoram Highway was consequently built, connecting Chinas Sinkiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region with the Northern Areas of Pakistan. In 1963 itself, a historic trade agreement between China and Pakistan was signed. Following this, diplomatic meetings were fairly frequent. Their strategic cooperation started out due to a mutual need to counter the Soviet Union and India, but later gave birth to Economic cooperation as well. China supported Pakistan in the two wars against India, in 1965 and 1971, with military as well as economic help. These foundations further led to the creation of a Joint Committee for Economy, Trade and Technology in 1982. By the late 1980s, China started discussing possible sales of military equipment and related technology to Pakistan. In the year 1996, Jiang Zemin, the then Chinese President, made a state visit to Pakistan. During the visit, the decision to establish comprehensive friendship and cooperation between the two nations was taken. Relations, since then have continued to move smoothly along the same path. In 2005, China and Pakistan signed a landmark ‘Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation, whereby they committed that â€Å"Neither party will join any alliance or bloc which infringes upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity† of either nation. Also reiterated was the agreement that both parties â€Å"would not conclude treaties of this nature with any third party†[20]. Conclusion Hence, during the post Cold War era, China turned out to be Pakistans most significant strategic guarantor as far as India was concerned. It was also the source of initial design information for Pakistans nuclear arsenal and also assisted with building of the nuclear technology complex[21]. Since the late 1990s, economic concerns have gained prominence alongside the military-strategic aspect of the relationship; specifically, trade and energy have taken precedence. Over the years, frequent exchanges of high-level visits and contacts between the two countries have resulted in a number of bilateral trade agreements and investment commitments. A comprehensive free trade agreement was signed in 2008, giving each country unprecedented market access to the other. Trade between Islamabad and Beijing now hovers around $7 billion a year and both sides are set on raising the to $15 billion by 2010[22]. CHAPTER IV CHINAS â€Å"STRING OF PEARLS STRATEGY† PAKISTANS PLACE IN IT. Apart from their other characteristics, the outstanding thing about Chinas 600 million people is that they are â€Å"poor and blank.† This may seem a bad thing, but in reality it is a good thing. Poverty gives rise to the desire for change, the desire for action and the desire for revolution. On a blank sheet of paper free from any mark, the freshest and most beautiful pictures can be painted. Zedong Mao What is String of Pearls Strategy A string of pearls strategy is a strategic move which involves establishing a series of nodes of military and economic power throughout a region. Each node is a â€Å"pearl† in the string, enhancing the overall power of the parent nation S.E. Smith The â€Å"String of Pearls Strategy† is an excellent way to enfold a greater area of territory, thereby gaining more influence on the global stage, but it often evokes comment from other nations, who may be concerned that the string of pearls strategy is the first step in a serious takeover or military threat. Several things are included in a ‘String of Pearls Strategy. The first is increased access to airfields and ports. This may be accomplished by building new facilities or through establishing cordial relations with other nations to ensure access to their ports. In some cases, the strategy involves heavily subsidising construction of new ports and airfield facilities in other countries, with the understanding that these facilities will be made readily available as needed. Developing better diplomatic relations is also a crucial step in a ‘String of Pearls Strategy. Partly, this is undertaken to ensure that shipping lanes and airspace remain free and clear for that particular nation. It may also be used to soothe concerns about a rapidly expanding string of pearls, and to establish solid trade and export agreements which may ultimately benefit both nations. Since a string of pearls strategy may rely on linking a series of pearls, it is important to ensure that each pearl is also safe, and that it will not be threatened by neighbouring nations. Modernising military forces is the third component. A modern military can more effectively maintain and hold individual pearls, and it will also be prepared for various actions and exercises on the part of the parent nation. The modernised military also supports a countrys rise as a global power, and as a nation which commands respect. For nations which are slowly encircled in a string of said pearls, a string of pearls strategy can be upsetting. A country may also slowly take over shipping lanes, which is an issue of concern to nations which are not closely allied with it.[23] Chinas String of Pearl Strategy Chinas String of Pearl Strategy is driven by Chinas need to secure foreign oil and trade routes critical to its development. This has meant establishing an increased level of influence along sea routes through investment, port development and diplomacy. Chinas investments presently extend from Hainan Island in the South China Sea, through the littorals of the Straits of Malacca, including port developments in Chittagong in Bangladesh, Sittwe, Coco, Hianggyi, Khaukphyu, Mergui and Zadetkyi Kyun in Myanmar; Laem Chabang in Thailand; and Sihanoukville in Cambodia. They extend across the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistans Gwadar Port, and in islands within the Arabian Sea and into the Persian Gulf. Chinas Interests in the Indian Ocean Region Its String of Pearls[24] Thus, part of these developments includes the upgrading of airstrips, many supported with military facilities, such as the facility on Woody Island, close to Vietnam. These developments may be directed at shifting the balance of power within the Indian and Arabian Gulf, away from the traditional Indian government management to China. However, it needs to be backed up with regional diplomatic ties, which China must look at to dispense with the need to engage with India. The strategy has been developed partially in response to a lack of progress on the Kra Canal project in Thailand, which would directly link the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea. Isthumus of Kra Its Strategic Location for Chinas Shipping Lanes[25] The â€Å"string of pearls† strategy however provides a forward presence for China along the sea lines of communication that now anchor China directly to the Middle East. The question is, whether this strategy is intended purely to ensure secure supply lines and trade routes, or whether China will later use these in a bid to enforce regional supremacy. As long as Chinese interests remain benign, the â€Å"string of pearls† strategy remains the strongest pointer that China is strengthening its energy supply lines with the Middle East and embarking on a level of Southeast Asian trade. This would definitely result in the development of regional prosperity, that will come with Chinas these actions. If the strategy continues without the development of regional conflicts, the ASEAN trading bloc, with China at its heart, and the massive emerging markets of India and the other Southeast Asian nations close by, will develop and begin to rival that of the EU and the United States, and lessen Chinas dependence on these traditional export markets[26]. Why China Chose Pakistan as a Pearl The Peoples Republic of China is believed to be an ideological state wedded to the Communist ideology based on Marxism Leninism[27]. Chinas relations with other countries can be explained on the basis of two conceptual frameworks based on â€Å"Alliance Model† and on â€Å"United Front Model†[28]. However, with Pakistan, Chinas relations appear to be on the â€Å"Alliance Model†. This model sees Chinas foreign policy as â€Å"concerned with short problems, externally determined and reactive. It sees Chinas concern for security as the dominant theme of Chinas foreign policy†[29]. There is an immense desire in China to achieve the status of a Super Power. The first step towards that direction is to achieve a dominant position in Asia. The Indian sub-continent is one of the important areas in this region. In order to be a dominant power, China needs to have an effective dominance in the sub-continent. To this effect, India poses a challenge to China in the region. China is therefore keen to weaken India and who better than Pakistan can be utilised for this purpose by China[30]. USSR, which used to be a friend, guide and protector for China during the initial years of their formation in 1950, began to be considered as a rival and an unreliable ally by the end of the 1950s. Subsequent closeness of USSR with India and her attempts to befriend Pakistan in the 1960s, especially after the 1965 Indo Pak war, led to increased differences between the two countries. China was interested in preventing the Soviet Union from spreading its influence in Pakistan. Knowing that USSR could not befriend Pakistan at the cost of India, China decided to make friends with Pakistan with the aim of preventing the USSR from spreading its influence in South Asia using a powerful India[31]. Chinas strategic objectives in Pakistan stem from the fact that Xinjiang and Tibet are contiguous to the Indian sub-continent and China is still consolidating itself in these regions. Pakistan occupies certain areas of Kashmir which have immense strategic value in view of this. Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) is located in a region where China, India and Afghanistan meet together. The religious affinity between the people of Xinjiang and Pakistan along with the history of repeated revolts by the Xinjiang people against the Chinese government forced China to sign a boundary agreement with Pakistan in 1963 to acquire strategically important areas to keep the influence of the Pakistani fundamentalism away from the people of Xinjiang[32]. Proximity of Chinas Xinjiang Province Tibet Autonomous Region to POK[33] Pakistans geography was helpful in supporting Chinese positions in the North-East in the Chumby Valley (prior to formation of Bangladesh) and in the Ladakh region in the rear of Indian positions. Thus Pakistan d and still s decisively in the defence of Chinas southern flank resulting in close ties between the two countries. The proximity of the Indian sub-continent to Xinjiang and Tibet, Pakistans location in the sub continent and the affinity existing between the Muslims of Xinjiang and Pakistan are matters of great importance for China in its geo political calculations[34]. It could also be Chinas objective to keep things simmering in South Asia by exploiting the Indo Pakistan disputes so that they may weaken each other by confrontation, leaving adequate space for China to be effective in the region. All the above reasons have led to an increased proximity of the Chinese policies towards Pakistan. Conclusion Chinas bond with Pakistan allowed the former a greater sphere of influence in to South Asia, as well provided a bridge between the Muslim world and Beijing. Though, traditionally, the driving factor for China was a hedge against India and getting strategic leverage against India, relations with China gave Pakistan access to civilian and military resources also. To this day, the relationship between the two countries is of high strategic importance, the military relationship with China being the corner stone of Pakistans foreign policy. And in return, Pakistan is helpful in realising Chinas dream of establishing her influence over the globe. CHAPTER V GROWING ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND CHINA. To attract good fortune, spend a new penny on an old friend. an old Chinese proverb Though political relations hold the maximum importance between countries, the economic relations are also noteworthy and infact, in recent times, have become one of the most significant factors in determining a nations foreign relations policy. Broadly, the economic relations can be divided into two forms trade and aid. Historical Perspective of Economic Ties During the Han Dynasty, trade existed between Ancient China and Ancient India on camels and yaks along the silk route for almost 3,000 years[35]. Infact, the silk route connecting China and Pakistan was closed down in 1949 and was re-opened in 1967 between the two countries. After partition, trade with India came to a standstill for Pakistan. Hence, Pakistans search for a trading partner to sell jute and cotton in return of coal, iron, cement etc prompted Pakistan to establish economic relations with China[36]. Silk Route[37] Economic and cultural interaction between Pakistan and China began in the 1950s. In April 1955, the late Premier Zhou Enlai held talks with the then Pakistan Prime Minister, M. Ali, during the Bandung Conference, and both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral ties. In January 1963, China and Pakistan signed their fist trade agreement[38]. This was followed up with the â€Å"Cultural Agreement† between the two countries in 1965[39]. The bonding established between the two states has continued ever since, with both countries looking at closer ties with each other for respective benefits. The relations between Pakistan and China were restricted to trade relations till 1964, however, it was in 1965, for the first time, that Pakistan started receiving Chinese aid[40]. In 1978, the Karakoram Highway was officially opened to trade between both countries. In 1986, China and Pakistan reached a comprehensive nuclear cooperation agreement which resulted in a 300-megawatt nuclear power pla nt built with Chinese help in Punjab province, which was completed in 1999[41]. Chinas Recent Economic Involvement in Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf took over power of Pakistan in October 1999 and since then the economic aspect became a major factor in Pakistan-China relations. During his visit to China in January 2000, he laid a great deal of emphasis on economic cooperation and hence the economic relations between the two countries slowly began to improve, both in trade and investments. The Chinese side too reciprocated positively by enhancing economic activity between the two countries[42]. The Chinese Premier at that time, Zhu Rongji, while visiting Pakistan in May 2001, urged the two sides to â€Å"boost cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, information technology and other fields under the principle of reciprocity and mutual benefit for achieving common prosperity†[43].During this visit, Pakistan and China signed six Agreements and one MoU (Memorandum of Understanding). The Chinese financial assistance to Pakistan at that time was roughly over one billion dollars. The six agreements included Economic and Technical Cooperation, Tourism Cooperation, Lease Agreement on Saindak Copper-Gold Project, Supply of Locomotives to Pakistan Railways, Supply of Passenger Coaches to Pakistan Railways, White Oil Pipeline and MoU between Chinas ZTE and Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd. Besides, the most important aspect of increasing economic cooperation was that the Chinese Premier reiterated his support for the Gwadar deep sea port and the Mekran coastal highway pro jects[44]. Mekran Coastal Highway[45] During his visit to China in November 2003, President Musharrafs signed a â€Å"Joint Declaration on Direction of Bilateral Relations.† It was a road-map to determine the direction and scope of overall Pakistan-China bilateral relations in the future. It laid additional emphasis on increasing the economic cooperation between the two countries and institutionalising mechanisms for consolidating an all-round relationship[46]. In December 2004, the two countries signed seven agreements in the sectors of trade, communication and energy. They also formulated a framework for enhanced cooperation between them. These agreements revolved around enhancing the bilateral trade, further progress on preferential trade agreement, setting up of joint agro-based industries and increasing of Chinese investments in Pakistan[47]. In April 2005, as many as 21 agreements and MoUs were signed between the two countries. These included cooperation in economy, defence, energy, infrastructure, social sector, health, education, higher education, housing and various other areas. The two countries also signed a â€Å"Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good Neighbourly Relations†[48]. In January 2006, the Early Harvest Programme was launched to encourage bilateral trade, under which China extended zero-rated tariffs on 767 items while Pakistan reciprocated by extending the facility on 464 items[49]. In November 2006, China and Pakistan signed a FTA (free trade agreement). As per the agreement, China and Pakistan would reduce the tariffs on all goods in two phases. The aim of the agreement is to eliminate tariffs on no less than 90 percent of products, both in terms of tariff lines and trade volume, within a reasonably short period of time and on the basis of taking care of the concerns of both sides[50]. The Early Harvest Programme, which had commenced in January 2006, was merged into the FTA[51]. Also, China vowed to help Pakistan in civil nuclear technology by building and helping in the Khusab Nuclear Programme providing technology to Pakistan for better maintenance of civil nuclear plants[52]. In 2009, Pakistan and China signed a number of agreements and MoUs. These included construction of Bunji Dam in the Northern Areas with a capacity of 7,000 Megawatts[53], provision of soft loans for space, space technology and alternate energy including an amount of U.S. $ 190 million to supply Pakistani satellite PAKSAT-1R, which will replace the present satellite PAKSAT-1 that has a useful life until 2011. This loan will cover 85 percent of project Strategic Relations Between China and Pakistan Strategic Relations Between China and Pakistan STRATEGIC RELATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND PAKISTAN AND ITS IMPACT ON INDO PAK RELATIONS If your environment is changing, you must change with it. If you dont, you perish. Curtis E. Sahakian CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1. China is a modern developing country with good economic and political condition. It is the biggest ancient society with flair towards modern culture and values. China has very good relations with its neighbours like Pakistan. Pakistan was one of the first countries of the world to recognise China, and since then they have very good relations with each other. 2. Pakistan and China entered into a trade agreement in January 1963 which granted reciprocal Most Favoured Nation status in matters of commerce, trade and shipping. Trade between the border regions of China and Pakistan started in 1969 after the first protocol of trade was signed. This border trade has continued to grow with the patronage of both the countries. Further trade protocols have been signed over the years. The construction of the Karakoram Highway has helped to further trade and communication. Pakistan is an important country for China in trade. A lot of projects of economic development in Pakistan are in process with the co-operation of China which are creating lot ofjobs opportunityfor both Pakistan and China. METHODOLOGY STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 4. This dissertation proposes to study and analyse the growing economic relations between Pakistan China, its impact on the security of India and to recommend measures to negate the same by India. HYPOTHESIS 5. Is the growing economic relations between Pakistan China having an adverse impact on the security of India? If yes, what actions should India take to negate them? JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY SCOPE 7. This study concentrates on analysing only the Economic relationship between Pakistan and China and the impact of the same on Indo Pak relations with special emphasis on Indias security. 8. The study is not looking into the military, diplomatic and nuclear relationship between the two countries and the impact these relations are having on Indias security and Indo Pak relations. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS ORGANISATION OF THE DISSERTATION 11. It is proposed to study the subject in the following manner:- (a) Chapter II. Strategic Relationship and it scope. (b) Chapter III. Historical Perspective of strategic relations between Pakistan and China. (c) Chapter IV. Chinas â€Å"String of Pearls Policy† Pakistans place in it. (d) Chapter V. Growing economic ties between Pakistan and China. (e) Chapter VI. Security Issues for India. (f) Chapter VII. Recommendations to negate this strategic relationship by India. CHAPTER II STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP AND ITS SCOPE Interest does not tie nations together; it sometimes separates them. But sympathy and understanding does unite them. -Woodrow T. Wilson No nation is an island. Because domestic policies are constantly affected by developments outside, nations are compelled to enter into dialogue with other nations or initiating entities or form alliance(s) for the purpose of enhancing their status internationally, or increasing their power or prestige and survival in the international system[1]. History The concept of strategic relations is quite old. Humans have been establishing governments and communicating with each other for thousands of years. However, it is generally agreed to that international relations truly began to emerge around the 15th century, when people started exploring the world and interacting with other governments and cultures. Organisations like the Dutch East India Company were among the first multinational corporations[2], while representatives of various European governments met with foreign governments to establish trade agreements and to discuss issues of mutual concern. The formal history of strategic relations is often traced back to the Peace of Westphalia of 1648, where the modern state system was developed. Westphalia instituted the legal concept of sovereignty. Westphalia encouraged the rise of the independent nation-state(s), the institutionalisation of diplomacy and armies[3]. This European system was then exported to the Americas, Africa, and Asia via colonisation and the standards of civilisation. The contemporary international system was eventually established through decolonisation after the Cold War. Definition There are many definitions of Strategic Relations written by numerous authors on the web world. Some relevant ones are as given below. Agreement between two or more entities to conduct specified activities or processes, to achieve specified objectives such as product development or distribution[4]. Strategic Relations refers to the collective interactions of the international community, which includes individual nations and states, inter-governmental organisations such as the United Nations, non-governmental organisations, multinational corporations, and so forth. The term is also used to refer to a branch of political science which focuses on the study of these interactions[5]. Strategic Relations is the study of the relations of states with each other and with international organisations and certain sub-national entities (e.g., bureaucracies and political parties). It is related to a number of other academic disciplines, including political science, geography, history, economics, law, sociology, psychology, and philosophy[6]. Strategic Relations is the study of the relations among states and other political and economic units in the international system. Particular areas of study within the field of international relations include diplomacy and diplomatic history, international law, body of rules considered legally binding in the relations between national states, also known as the law of nations[7]. Strategic Relations is the interaction between and among states, and more broadly, the workings of the international system as a whole. It can be conceived of either as a multidisciplinary field, gathering together the international aspects of politics, economics, history, law, and sociology, or as a meta-discipline, focusing on the systemic structures and patterns of interaction of the human species taken as a whole. Barry Buzan Strategic Relations is an area of knowledge based on political science, law, economy, sociology, philosophy, and other social sciences. Traditionally, it not only treats the relations between nation states, but also, International Organisations and non-state actors in the international arena, like non-governmental organisations, and multinational corporations[8]. What do Strategic Relations Mean Strategic Relationship represents the study of foreign affairs and global issues among states within the international system, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organisations (IGOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), and multinational corporations (MNCs). It is both an academic and public policy field, and seeks to analyse as well as formulate the foreign policy of a particular state[9]. Apart from political science, Strategic Relations draws upon such diverse fields as economics, history, international law, philosophy, geography, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and cultural studies. It involves a diverse range of issues including globalisation, state sovereignty, ecological sustainability, nuclear proliferation, nationalism, economic development, global finance, terrorism, organised crime, human security, foreign interventionism and human rights. There are two main approaches to the field of International Relations. The first is the Realist or Pragmatist approach. This claims that conflict is inevitable and the best way to approach international relations is to be prepared to engage in conflicts and win. The second approach is the Structuralist approach and is symbolised by diplomacy, according to which conflict is not inevitable, focusing on the causes of conflict, stressing on the costs of conflict vis a vis possible gains. This school of thought has been heavily influenced by Galtungs theory of structural violence[10]. Broadly speaking, the two approaches to International Relations can be attributed to either side of the Atlantic: Realism is seen as a primarily American worldview while Structuralism is seen as typically European. Conclusion Considering the vast spectrum of the subject, Strategic Relations can become incredibly complex. The subject is also sometimes known as â€Å"foreign relations†. Specialists in this field staff diplomatic agencies abroad, provide consultation to businesses which are considering to establish branches overseas, and assist charitable non-governmental organisations with their missions. CHAPTER III HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF STRATEGIC RELATIONS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND CHINA The opinions we hold of one another, our relations with friends and kinfolk are in no sense permanent, save in appearance, but are as eternally fluid as the sea itself. Marcel Proust Why Pakistan Chose to Align with China Pakistans attitude towards China is determined by its geography, economic constraints, domestic compulsions and the regional and international situation. The erstwhile fragmented shape of Pakistan, i.e. East and West Pakistan, had greatly contributed to the establishment of Pakistans close relations with China. Geographic constraints on account of Pakistans location, topography and the nature of its frontiers, gave rise to security problems for Pakistan. With the construction of highways connecting China and Pakistan, through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, China acquired an easy approach to Pakistan. This turned out as a mixed blessing for Pakistan. So long as relations with China are friendly, there is no threat from the North. But in case of strained Sino Pak relations, there would be a grave threat from China[11]. Pakistani policy makers were conscious of this constraint and did express their fears in an unambiguous manner. President Ayub Khan wrote in his political autobiography:- West Pakistan is wedged in between three enormous powers with the Soviet Union at the top, the Peoples Republic of China in the North East, and India in the South and East. I know of no other small country which has the somewhat dubious distinction of having three such mighty neighbours[12]. A number of considerations prompted Pakistan to strengthen its economic and trade ties with China. Firstly, like China, Pakistan was a developing country and the two countries faced common problems in the field of agriculture and industrialisation. China had successfully solved the problem of water logging, salinity and floods, which Pakistan could benefit from. Secondly, the aid offered by China was very attractive as it carried rock-bottom low rate of interest or no interest at all. Thirdly, China showed interest in setting up heavy industries in Pakistan Taxila Industrial Complex, assisted by China is an example. Fourthly, trade with China was beneficial to Pakistan as the balance of the trade generally went in favour of Pakistan and rarely in favour of China[13]. Fifthly, 1962 Sino India war turned Pakistan towards China to counter India. Sixthly, US support to India increased after the Sino India war to counter China, this was resented by Pakistan, which China exploited to w ean the influence of US from Pakistan and get a foothold in the Indian subcontinent. And finally, the Kashmir issue. Pakistan adjudged its relations with other countries in terms of their attitude towards the Kashmir issue. Pakistan regarded China as a friend since its hostility towards India in 1962 and its involvement in the Kashmir issue thereafter[14]. The location of Tibet and Xinjiang on the north of the Indian subcontinent places China in a position to intervene militarily in a confrontation between India and Pakistan. The Karakoram Highway can be used by China for sending arms and ammunition and even the forces. In 1971, Indo Pakistan war, it was used for this purpose[15]. With a view to combating India, Pakistan has been seeking a political counterweight against it. Finding that China was interested in undermining Indias political influence in the Afro Asian world, Pakistani leaders thought that China could serve as a counterweight against India. It was, therefore, a Pakistani objective to seek Chinas political support against India[16]. Karakoram Highway[17] History of Sino Pak Relations After Pakistans creation in 1947, Pakistans relations with China were in a dormant state. In 1950, Pakistan officially recognised the Peoples Republic of China, and broke off ties with Taiwan. Bilateral relations were further strengthened at the Bandung Conference in 1955[18], when talks between the two heads of state played an important role in promoting, understanding and paving way for friendly relations and mutual assistance between the two countries. In 1961, Pakistan furthered its relations with China when it voted in favour of Chinas restoration rights in the UN. Sino-Pak relations got a shot in the arm, with deteriorating Sino-Indian relations which resulted in a war in 1962. China and Pakistan consequently met and agreed on the border between them, in 1963[19], and the Karakoram Highway was consequently built, connecting Chinas Sinkiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region with the Northern Areas of Pakistan. In 1963 itself, a historic trade agreement between China and Pakistan was signed. Following this, diplomatic meetings were fairly frequent. Their strategic cooperation started out due to a mutual need to counter the Soviet Union and India, but later gave birth to Economic cooperation as well. China supported Pakistan in the two wars against India, in 1965 and 1971, with military as well as economic help. These foundations further led to the creation of a Joint Committee for Economy, Trade and Technology in 1982. By the late 1980s, China started discussing possible sales of military equipment and related technology to Pakistan. In the year 1996, Jiang Zemin, the then Chinese President, made a state visit to Pakistan. During the visit, the decision to establish comprehensive friendship and cooperation between the two nations was taken. Relations, since then have continued to move smoothly along the same path. In 2005, China and Pakistan signed a landmark ‘Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation, whereby they committed that â€Å"Neither party will join any alliance or bloc which infringes upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity† of either nation. Also reiterated was the agreement that both parties â€Å"would not conclude treaties of this nature with any third party†[20]. Conclusion Hence, during the post Cold War era, China turned out to be Pakistans most significant strategic guarantor as far as India was concerned. It was also the source of initial design information for Pakistans nuclear arsenal and also assisted with building of the nuclear technology complex[21]. Since the late 1990s, economic concerns have gained prominence alongside the military-strategic aspect of the relationship; specifically, trade and energy have taken precedence. Over the years, frequent exchanges of high-level visits and contacts between the two countries have resulted in a number of bilateral trade agreements and investment commitments. A comprehensive free trade agreement was signed in 2008, giving each country unprecedented market access to the other. Trade between Islamabad and Beijing now hovers around $7 billion a year and both sides are set on raising the to $15 billion by 2010[22]. CHAPTER IV CHINAS â€Å"STRING OF PEARLS STRATEGY† PAKISTANS PLACE IN IT. Apart from their other characteristics, the outstanding thing about Chinas 600 million people is that they are â€Å"poor and blank.† This may seem a bad thing, but in reality it is a good thing. Poverty gives rise to the desire for change, the desire for action and the desire for revolution. On a blank sheet of paper free from any mark, the freshest and most beautiful pictures can be painted. Zedong Mao What is String of Pearls Strategy A string of pearls strategy is a strategic move which involves establishing a series of nodes of military and economic power throughout a region. Each node is a â€Å"pearl† in the string, enhancing the overall power of the parent nation S.E. Smith The â€Å"String of Pearls Strategy† is an excellent way to enfold a greater area of territory, thereby gaining more influence on the global stage, but it often evokes comment from other nations, who may be concerned that the string of pearls strategy is the first step in a serious takeover or military threat. Several things are included in a ‘String of Pearls Strategy. The first is increased access to airfields and ports. This may be accomplished by building new facilities or through establishing cordial relations with other nations to ensure access to their ports. In some cases, the strategy involves heavily subsidising construction of new ports and airfield facilities in other countries, with the understanding that these facilities will be made readily available as needed. Developing better diplomatic relations is also a crucial step in a ‘String of Pearls Strategy. Partly, this is undertaken to ensure that shipping lanes and airspace remain free and clear for that particular nation. It may also be used to soothe concerns about a rapidly expanding string of pearls, and to establish solid trade and export agreements which may ultimately benefit both nations. Since a string of pearls strategy may rely on linking a series of pearls, it is important to ensure that each pearl is also safe, and that it will not be threatened by neighbouring nations. Modernising military forces is the third component. A modern military can more effectively maintain and hold individual pearls, and it will also be prepared for various actions and exercises on the part of the parent nation. The modernised military also supports a countrys rise as a global power, and as a nation which commands respect. For nations which are slowly encircled in a string of said pearls, a string of pearls strategy can be upsetting. A country may also slowly take over shipping lanes, which is an issue of concern to nations which are not closely allied with it.[23] Chinas String of Pearl Strategy Chinas String of Pearl Strategy is driven by Chinas need to secure foreign oil and trade routes critical to its development. This has meant establishing an increased level of influence along sea routes through investment, port development and diplomacy. Chinas investments presently extend from Hainan Island in the South China Sea, through the littorals of the Straits of Malacca, including port developments in Chittagong in Bangladesh, Sittwe, Coco, Hianggyi, Khaukphyu, Mergui and Zadetkyi Kyun in Myanmar; Laem Chabang in Thailand; and Sihanoukville in Cambodia. They extend across the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistans Gwadar Port, and in islands within the Arabian Sea and into the Persian Gulf. Chinas Interests in the Indian Ocean Region Its String of Pearls[24] Thus, part of these developments includes the upgrading of airstrips, many supported with military facilities, such as the facility on Woody Island, close to Vietnam. These developments may be directed at shifting the balance of power within the Indian and Arabian Gulf, away from the traditional Indian government management to China. However, it needs to be backed up with regional diplomatic ties, which China must look at to dispense with the need to engage with India. The strategy has been developed partially in response to a lack of progress on the Kra Canal project in Thailand, which would directly link the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea. Isthumus of Kra Its Strategic Location for Chinas Shipping Lanes[25] The â€Å"string of pearls† strategy however provides a forward presence for China along the sea lines of communication that now anchor China directly to the Middle East. The question is, whether this strategy is intended purely to ensure secure supply lines and trade routes, or whether China will later use these in a bid to enforce regional supremacy. As long as Chinese interests remain benign, the â€Å"string of pearls† strategy remains the strongest pointer that China is strengthening its energy supply lines with the Middle East and embarking on a level of Southeast Asian trade. This would definitely result in the development of regional prosperity, that will come with Chinas these actions. If the strategy continues without the development of regional conflicts, the ASEAN trading bloc, with China at its heart, and the massive emerging markets of India and the other Southeast Asian nations close by, will develop and begin to rival that of the EU and the United States, and lessen Chinas dependence on these traditional export markets[26]. Why China Chose Pakistan as a Pearl The Peoples Republic of China is believed to be an ideological state wedded to the Communist ideology based on Marxism Leninism[27]. Chinas relations with other countries can be explained on the basis of two conceptual frameworks based on â€Å"Alliance Model† and on â€Å"United Front Model†[28]. However, with Pakistan, Chinas relations appear to be on the â€Å"Alliance Model†. This model sees Chinas foreign policy as â€Å"concerned with short problems, externally determined and reactive. It sees Chinas concern for security as the dominant theme of Chinas foreign policy†[29]. There is an immense desire in China to achieve the status of a Super Power. The first step towards that direction is to achieve a dominant position in Asia. The Indian sub-continent is one of the important areas in this region. In order to be a dominant power, China needs to have an effective dominance in the sub-continent. To this effect, India poses a challenge to China in the region. China is therefore keen to weaken India and who better than Pakistan can be utilised for this purpose by China[30]. USSR, which used to be a friend, guide and protector for China during the initial years of their formation in 1950, began to be considered as a rival and an unreliable ally by the end of the 1950s. Subsequent closeness of USSR with India and her attempts to befriend Pakistan in the 1960s, especially after the 1965 Indo Pak war, led to increased differences between the two countries. China was interested in preventing the Soviet Union from spreading its influence in Pakistan. Knowing that USSR could not befriend Pakistan at the cost of India, China decided to make friends with Pakistan with the aim of preventing the USSR from spreading its influence in South Asia using a powerful India[31]. Chinas strategic objectives in Pakistan stem from the fact that Xinjiang and Tibet are contiguous to the Indian sub-continent and China is still consolidating itself in these regions. Pakistan occupies certain areas of Kashmir which have immense strategic value in view of this. Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) is located in a region where China, India and Afghanistan meet together. The religious affinity between the people of Xinjiang and Pakistan along with the history of repeated revolts by the Xinjiang people against the Chinese government forced China to sign a boundary agreement with Pakistan in 1963 to acquire strategically important areas to keep the influence of the Pakistani fundamentalism away from the people of Xinjiang[32]. Proximity of Chinas Xinjiang Province Tibet Autonomous Region to POK[33] Pakistans geography was helpful in supporting Chinese positions in the North-East in the Chumby Valley (prior to formation of Bangladesh) and in the Ladakh region in the rear of Indian positions. Thus Pakistan d and still s decisively in the defence of Chinas southern flank resulting in close ties between the two countries. The proximity of the Indian sub-continent to Xinjiang and Tibet, Pakistans location in the sub continent and the affinity existing between the Muslims of Xinjiang and Pakistan are matters of great importance for China in its geo political calculations[34]. It could also be Chinas objective to keep things simmering in South Asia by exploiting the Indo Pakistan disputes so that they may weaken each other by confrontation, leaving adequate space for China to be effective in the region. All the above reasons have led to an increased proximity of the Chinese policies towards Pakistan. Conclusion Chinas bond with Pakistan allowed the former a greater sphere of influence in to South Asia, as well provided a bridge between the Muslim world and Beijing. Though, traditionally, the driving factor for China was a hedge against India and getting strategic leverage against India, relations with China gave Pakistan access to civilian and military resources also. To this day, the relationship between the two countries is of high strategic importance, the military relationship with China being the corner stone of Pakistans foreign policy. And in return, Pakistan is helpful in realising Chinas dream of establishing her influence over the globe. CHAPTER V GROWING ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND CHINA. To attract good fortune, spend a new penny on an old friend. an old Chinese proverb Though political relations hold the maximum importance between countries, the economic relations are also noteworthy and infact, in recent times, have become one of the most significant factors in determining a nations foreign relations policy. Broadly, the economic relations can be divided into two forms trade and aid. Historical Perspective of Economic Ties During the Han Dynasty, trade existed between Ancient China and Ancient India on camels and yaks along the silk route for almost 3,000 years[35]. Infact, the silk route connecting China and Pakistan was closed down in 1949 and was re-opened in 1967 between the two countries. After partition, trade with India came to a standstill for Pakistan. Hence, Pakistans search for a trading partner to sell jute and cotton in return of coal, iron, cement etc prompted Pakistan to establish economic relations with China[36]. Silk Route[37] Economic and cultural interaction between Pakistan and China began in the 1950s. In April 1955, the late Premier Zhou Enlai held talks with the then Pakistan Prime Minister, M. Ali, during the Bandung Conference, and both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral ties. In January 1963, China and Pakistan signed their fist trade agreement[38]. This was followed up with the â€Å"Cultural Agreement† between the two countries in 1965[39]. The bonding established between the two states has continued ever since, with both countries looking at closer ties with each other for respective benefits. The relations between Pakistan and China were restricted to trade relations till 1964, however, it was in 1965, for the first time, that Pakistan started receiving Chinese aid[40]. In 1978, the Karakoram Highway was officially opened to trade between both countries. In 1986, China and Pakistan reached a comprehensive nuclear cooperation agreement which resulted in a 300-megawatt nuclear power pla nt built with Chinese help in Punjab province, which was completed in 1999[41]. Chinas Recent Economic Involvement in Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf took over power of Pakistan in October 1999 and since then the economic aspect became a major factor in Pakistan-China relations. During his visit to China in January 2000, he laid a great deal of emphasis on economic cooperation and hence the economic relations between the two countries slowly began to improve, both in trade and investments. The Chinese side too reciprocated positively by enhancing economic activity between the two countries[42]. The Chinese Premier at that time, Zhu Rongji, while visiting Pakistan in May 2001, urged the two sides to â€Å"boost cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, information technology and other fields under the principle of reciprocity and mutual benefit for achieving common prosperity†[43].During this visit, Pakistan and China signed six Agreements and one MoU (Memorandum of Understanding). The Chinese financial assistance to Pakistan at that time was roughly over one billion dollars. The six agreements included Economic and Technical Cooperation, Tourism Cooperation, Lease Agreement on Saindak Copper-Gold Project, Supply of Locomotives to Pakistan Railways, Supply of Passenger Coaches to Pakistan Railways, White Oil Pipeline and MoU between Chinas ZTE and Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd. Besides, the most important aspect of increasing economic cooperation was that the Chinese Premier reiterated his support for the Gwadar deep sea port and the Mekran coastal highway pro jects[44]. Mekran Coastal Highway[45] During his visit to China in November 2003, President Musharrafs signed a â€Å"Joint Declaration on Direction of Bilateral Relations.† It was a road-map to determine the direction and scope of overall Pakistan-China bilateral relations in the future. It laid additional emphasis on increasing the economic cooperation between the two countries and institutionalising mechanisms for consolidating an all-round relationship[46]. In December 2004, the two countries signed seven agreements in the sectors of trade, communication and energy. They also formulated a framework for enhanced cooperation between them. These agreements revolved around enhancing the bilateral trade, further progress on preferential trade agreement, setting up of joint agro-based industries and increasing of Chinese investments in Pakistan[47]. In April 2005, as many as 21 agreements and MoUs were signed between the two countries. These included cooperation in economy, defence, energy, infrastructure, social sector, health, education, higher education, housing and various other areas. The two countries also signed a â€Å"Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good Neighbourly Relations†[48]. In January 2006, the Early Harvest Programme was launched to encourage bilateral trade, under which China extended zero-rated tariffs on 767 items while Pakistan reciprocated by extending the facility on 464 items[49]. In November 2006, China and Pakistan signed a FTA (free trade agreement). As per the agreement, China and Pakistan would reduce the tariffs on all goods in two phases. The aim of the agreement is to eliminate tariffs on no less than 90 percent of products, both in terms of tariff lines and trade volume, within a reasonably short period of time and on the basis of taking care of the concerns of both sides[50]. The Early Harvest Programme, which had commenced in January 2006, was merged into the FTA[51]. Also, China vowed to help Pakistan in civil nuclear technology by building and helping in the Khusab Nuclear Programme providing technology to Pakistan for better maintenance of civil nuclear plants[52]. In 2009, Pakistan and China signed a number of agreements and MoUs. These included construction of Bunji Dam in the Northern Areas with a capacity of 7,000 Megawatts[53], provision of soft loans for space, space technology and alternate energy including an amount of U.S. $ 190 million to supply Pakistani satellite PAKSAT-1R, which will replace the present satellite PAKSAT-1 that has a useful life until 2011. This loan will cover 85 percent of project

Salvador Dali Essay -- Biographies Painter Artist Essays

Salvador Dali Salvador Dali, was born Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dali i Domenech at 8:45 a.m., Monday, 11 May 1904, in the small town, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, of Figueres, Spain, approximately sixteen miles from the French border in the principality of Catalonia. His parents supported his talent and built him his first studio, while he was still a child, in their summer home. Dali went on to attend the San Fernando Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain, was married to Gala Eluard in 1934 and died on 23 January 1989 in a hospital in the town he born. Dali did not limit himself to one particular style or medium. Beginning with his early impressionistic work going into his surrealistic works, for which he is best known, and ending in what is known as his classic period, it becomes apparent just how varied his styles and mediums are. He worked with oils, watercolors, drawings, sculptures, graphics and even movies. Dali held his first one-man show in Barcelona in 1925 where his talents were fir st recognized. He became internationally known when some of his paintings were shown in the Carnegie International Exhibition in Pittsburgh in 1928. The next year he joined the Paris Surrealist Group and began his love affair with Gala who became more than just his lover, she was his business manager, muse and greatest inspiration. Surrealism emerged from what was left of Dada in the early 1920’s and unlike Dada, a nihilistic movement, Surrealism held a promising and more positive view of art and because of this won many converts. It began as a literary movement in a Paris magazine. What they held in common was their belief in the importance of the unconscious mind and its manifestations, as was stressed by Freud. They believed that through the unconscious mind a plethora of artistic imagery would be unveiled. Both of these movements were also anti-establishment and they rejected the traditional Western Judeo-Christian beliefs and moral values and believed that reason and log ic had failed man’s quest for self-knowledge. The Surrealists differed from Dada in one other, ideological aspect. The Surrealists believed that man could indeed improve the human condition, the major difference between the two movements. A few years before his marriage to Gala in 1934, Dali emerged as a leader of the Surrealist Movement. Although Dali was intrigued with the Surrealist tech... ...n his childhood. This particular work is officially considered a work of surrealism but Dali’s shift from Surrealism through the very means that got him into surrealism, paranoiac-critical method, are apparent. Around the time Dali was working on his eighteen large canvases, he returned to his Catholic upbringing and renewed his vows with Gala in Spain. In 1974 Dali opened the Teatro Museo Dali in the town in which he grew up, Figueres. Gala died in 1982 and Dali’s health began to fail. There was later a fire in Gala’s castle in which Dali was severely and consequently his health deteriorated further. Two years later he had a pacemaker implanted and spent his life almost in total seclusion. On 23 January 1989, Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dali i Domenech died in a hospital in Figueres because of heart failure and respiratory complications. Works Cited Dali, Salvador. English translation by Haakon M. Chevalier. The Secret Life of Salvador Dali. New York, NY: 1942. De La Croix, Horst, Richard G. Tansey, Diane Kirkpatrick. Art Through The Ages. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers; New York, NY: 1991. Moorhouse, Paul. Dali. Brompton Books Corporation; New York, NY: 1993.

Current Rights of Women in India Essay

In America women have the right to work, vote, and own just about anything that they can afford. The only thing limiting them is their credit score, or the limit that the bank determines. These may seem like rights that are universal because the reality of America is not the dismays that other countries have to deal with. In other countries this luxury of Equal Rights is not common, and is actually rejected and avoided by all costs. Some countries do not believe in these rights because of their religion, and what they’ve been taught. How can a fundamental value not be learned? Other countries just do not know any different than the man as the hunter or provider, and the woman as the caregiver or housekeeper. These roles in America only recently began to be shared amongst the genders, and to this day these roles are not confirmed by any means. Other countries are beginning to open their mind to other policies mostly because of influences of other cultures, and it is about time this happens. Some of the horrifying conditions that women in India have to deal with are issues that no women would ever want to fathom, and is very unfortunate. Not always being granted the ability to gain an education, being married at a youthful age without any say in the choice of a partner, and unwanted abortion of female fetuses are just a few that surface news channels. Those disturbing issues listed above are what these women have to deal with regularly and have no hope of these problems ever changing because of what some people in some cultures call beliefs. Media has placed great emphasis on the stories that depict that the women’s rights in India have been improving over the past few decades. Improvement can be misinterpreted when a third world country is involved, because any change that is not for the worst can be considered an improvement. What has really improved? Is it going to be up to the women to determine at which point they feel like they are an equal gender in this country? Until this point, there is no telling how long this can take. Cultural Belief of Equality The problem lies in the internal practices of the country. India is a country which mainly operates from the religious inclinations of the population. Be that as it may, how can anyone question their beliefs, and furthermore, who is to say that these practices do or don’t work? Shouldn’t the answer of whether or not their current policies are effective come from the source – the women in this country? In 1926 Sarojini Naidu, the first female president of the Indian National Congress party, had helped achieve the right for women to vote along with the men. It had taken, like most political victories in India for women, a great deal of time and patience (Roy, 2012, para. 15). Indian society is also one of the world’s most culturally diverse, with innumerable linguistic, cultural, and religious groups. Due to the diversity of the Indian populace, Indian policy makers have faced a tough challenge in ensuring that the individual rights of its citizens, including women, are protected (â€Å"Balancing Minority Rights and Gender Justice: The Impact of Protecting Multiculturalism on Women’s Rights in India,† 2005, p. 05). This is a country where religion has always ruled their judicial and ethical structure, and because of this it will need to be a common agreement that there needs to be a change from within. The Butalia (1998) website describes a poor woman Rojammas who took a literacy class. She read a story about a woman who had to endure physical abuse from her husband due to his drinking habit. The woman in the story went through the village speaking with the other women to see who had the same problem as her. She determined that the reason for most of the abuse is that their husbands would go to work, and come home and spend all of their money on alcohol. The husbands would get upset when the women weren’t able to feed them because all of their money was spent at the liquor stores. The women rallied and protested at the liquor stores and eventually, in Andhra Pradesh liquor was banned. As a result, families were able to save, violence rates dropped, and life seemed to improve for these people. Unfortunately women are no longer able to be seen in the streets protesting. These brave women were able to make a difference, and had the strength and tools to do so. Since then, their power of protest and voice has been taken. Is this an improvement, and if so, what is next? The nineteenth century was to be considered â€Å"the age of the women†, because all over the world women’s rights and wrongs were the main topic of heated discussion amongst the world. Different countries such and France, Russia, England and Germany began spreading women consciousness, and more towards the mid nineteenth century, Russia began having issues with reformers and anarchist because of the question that was being widely spread across the nations; should women have rights? Although these issues were now arising throughout most countries, in India, the men still see it as men have all power and women obey as they are told. This now brings us with today’s issue that is still being fought in India and even in some other countries. Women now come across broken promises and the â€Å"possibility† of women rights when those rights were already being fought for and stated in the Indian Constitution. In the Constitution it states that â€Å"every single woman’s and girl’s well-being and safety paramount; that their liberties and rights are not to be challenged on the basis of attire or profession; that they are treated equally. † (Women’s Rights in India, 2009) With that being said, this is not the case of what is going on with the women in India; one in particular that was being socially, economically, and politically deprived. This is what is being said about this situation. â€Å"The police commissioner on the other hand has referred to the recent attacks on women as mere incidents of â€Å"eve teasing. † While eve-teasing is itself a term specific to the South Asian region, associated with unsolicited verbal harassment like catcalls, whistles and/or remarks directed towards women, the incidents that he so casually referred to were actual assaults on women for being dressed in western attire. More importantly, even eve teasing calls for action against the perpetrators† (Women’s Rights in India, 2009). It is not ethical for any one person to use their stature for their own personal gain. Although, different countries do have different ethics/cultural ethics, morals and religious beliefs they choose to abide by, does not mean it is not right to degrade women as sexual objects, â€Å"different† because of their personal beliefs, or even their own sense of style. How can one be punished because of the attire they chose to wear? Women have come so far from being just a â€Å"house wife†, to working while World War 1 was taking place, to joining the army to help our fellow soldiers fight for this country, to running as a presidential candidate. Women bleed, breath, think, feel emotion and get hurt physically just like men do, so why do we treat women any differently than a male? If you look back into Egyptian history, Greek Mythology and even some of the â€Å"Gods† that were â€Å"Political† figures to us at one point in time were women: Aphrodite, Artemis, Isis and etc. Women should be granted the exact same rights as the men in this world because they contribute to a lot of the findings we discover, cures we find, the birth our children, some of the things we study and so forth. Will we ever be able to look passed all of the things that we say and do about/towards women? Is it possible to give the rights that we promised for so many years to the women of our country and the other countries that have promised the exact same thing? Discrimination is such a huge discussion amongst our community today because it continues to thrive off of those that are not subjective to change. Change is exactly what we need to bring out the different opinions between cultures, and religious beliefs. Although it is a belief, that does not mean that it is morally right to believe it is ok to treat women in a certain fashion that we see as correct. The mixed bag of laws, bills, commitments, broken promises, new pledges and fresh possibilities for women’s rights comes with its share of anticipation and disappointments. Will promises be converted into laws and will prejudices make way for a little more tolerance and a little less chauvinism? Will social perceptions of women and their traditionally assigned roles in society witness a change under the collective pressure of government laws and social campaigns? And will society eventually look at girls through the same lens that they see boys? And yet hope survives†¦

Complete Guide on the Geography Research Paper Writing

Complete Guide on the Geography Research Paper Writing The General Concepts of a Geography Research Paper In general, Geography is quite a fascinating subject which covers plenty of fields and describes everything about the Earth and its composition. Therefore, you will be required to conduct in-depth research. While writing the Geography research paper, you will find some exciting and even sometimes fun information about the planet we are living in. All research papers, including geographic ones, demonstrate a certain issue to describe it or even find the solution. Besides, you have to take into consideration the fact that the research paper should be not too general, and as a result, it is better to select specific issue. It becomes evident that writing the Geography research paper is not an easy task, and consequently, you should apply only valid information from reliable sources. You should be very careful while using the ideas from other researches to avoid plagiarism since as you may know all academic papers should be original and unique. However, you are obliged to support your ar guments with different studies. Apart from that, you have to select the most recent sources and choose a relevant issue to make your Geography research paper useful for yourself and other people. It has to be mentioned that you will be able to utilize your paper for your further studies, and therefore, you have to make your research paper detailed and accurate. Hence, to write a thorough Geography research paper, you should use not only scientific researches but also national statistics and reports. Therefore, it can be claimed that this type of research paper requires a significant amount of literature review and background research data. Most Popular Types of Research Papers The well-known fact is that there are two major types of research papers, namely argumentative and analytical, and each of them has special requirements for content and structure. Therefore, you have to select one of them and strictly follow its requirements to receive a high mark. Besides, it should be mentioned that sometimes the type of essay depends on the topic of a research paper. Consequently, two types of research papers mentioned before are going to be presented below to assist you in choosing the most appropriate one. Argumentative Research Papers. For this type of research paper, you should select relevant debatable or controversial issue to be able to present some arguments. Those arguments have to be supported by evidence from diverse primary sources to persuade the reader. Therefore, it can be claimed that the most significant goals of the argumentative research paper are relevant arguments and persuasion. If you choose this type for your Geography research paper, you may research different relevant issues, such as how people can prevent coastal erosion, flooding, or desertification. As it becomes evident, there are plenty of issues that can be analyzed and researched. Analytical Research Papers. Due to the name of this type of research paper, many students become confused, but there is nothing to worry about if you understand its central features. First of all, unlike the argumentative research paper, it requires a research question that should be answered at the end of the paper. Second of all, just like in case of the argumentative paper, you should select a relevant debatable or controversial issue. However, unlike an argumentative research paper, you should not persuade the reader but explore and evaluate the selected issue. Moreover, to write a good research paper, you have to apply strong arguments and critical thinking. For this type of research paper, you can describe deforestation and propose some solutions on how to combat this problem. However, you should be very careful with such topics since they are too general, and as a consequence, it is better to choose a more specific area which will be discussed. As you may notice, this type of research paper is not so difficult as it may appear at first sight. How to Choose a Topic and Take a Stance? Usually, the instructor provides you with the list of appropriate topics for your research paper, but if you do not have it, create it by yourself. For most students, it seems to be effective to select the topic on their own because they can discuss the issue of their interest. However, some students prefer to choose the topic from the instructor’s list since it is much easier. When you create the topic on your own, you should be very careful since not all topics are appropriate for Geography research paper. You have to remember that the research paper is detailed academic writing which requires in-depth research, and therefore, you should avoid selecting too broad topics. Therefore, the topics presented below can be considered for your Geography research paper: How Does China Contribute to Climate Change? The Role of Geographical Information System; How to Prevent Coastal Erosion? What are the Consequences of Hurricane Katrina? The Effects of Landslide; Geographical Peculiarities of Gujarat. The selected topic should be relevant because modern issues are easier to explore as plenty of studies, statistics, and researches can be found on the Internet. On the contrary, you may propose some new solutions or perspectives on the issues of the last decades to show how it might be prevented or solved. In addition, while you are creating your topic, you may think of some key terms and phrases that will help you to search sources. For example, if you choose â€Å"How Does China Contribute to Climate Change?† for your Geography research paper, the particular words and phrases, such as factories, smog, nuclear power plant, emissions, Fukushima, Nagasaki, and greenhouse gas, may help you to find appropriate sources. Hence, when you have chosen the topic for your research paper, you may proceed to search for reliable sources. The Importance of Appropriate Sources Due to the fact that Geography is not a simple subject, you should start as soon as possible to allocate a sufficient amount of time searching for information. Usually, students try to find the necessary sources on the Internet since not all of them have enough time or ability to go to the library. This part of writing is significant since it will help you to find sources that will support your arguments. In general, there are three types of sources, namely primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary sources are direct evidence or firsthand testimony which were created with the help of investigation. Those sources were created during the period when the issue happened or by a person who was directly involved in the event. There are particular subtypes of primary sources, such as research data, interviews, novels, and speeches. Hence, if you decide to discuss the consequences of hurricane Katrina, you may apply the interviews of witnesses and victims. Furthermore, secondary sources can be applied as well since they interpret and analyze primary sources. This type of sources contains various textbooks, journal articles, encyclopedias, and maps. The last type of sources is the tertiary one, which is also known as access tools; its central goal is to locate both primary and secondary sources. Different databases, search engines, and online catalogs are examples of tertiary sources that can be utilized in academic writing. Moreover, when you find an up-to-date article or book on your topic, you may scan the bibliography to gather some additional sources. The following tertiary sources suit your Geography research paper: The Geographical Journal (Royal Geographical Society); Applied Geography; European Journal of Geography; GEOBASE (a multidisciplinary database); Web of Science; GeoSearch. Therefore, when you have found all the necessary information, you should proceed to the pre-writing activities to collect the ideas and organize your research paper. The Pre-Writing Activities as a Solid Basis for Your Piece Before you start writing your Geography research paper, you have to generate some ideas to understand what you desire to describe. The pre-writing activities are considered to be the first stage of the writing process. There are many types of those that are likely to help you to collect some ideas. However, only the most popular ones will be described. The first activity is called â€Å"Brainstorming.† It will help you to write all the ideas that come to your mind. When you finished completing the list of ideas, you should group similar ideas. Furthermore, you can apply the next activity which is called â€Å"Freewriting.† The central concept of this pre-writing activity is to write nonstop for some period of time to create the first draft. If you complete the previous activity, it will be easier for you to perform this one. When you finish writing, you have to review the text and highlight the most useful points. Furthermore, you can utilize â€Å"Mind mapping† for your research paper to expand your ideas. For this pre-writing activity, you have to choose at least two major ideas and put them in circles. Then, you should draw some lines to write some arguments to support your main ideas. The last activity is called â€Å"Questioning.† The central aim of it is to ask different questions to yourself, such as â€Å"Who?†, What?† , â€Å"Why?† , â€Å"When?† , â€Å"Where?† , and â€Å"How?† to extend your topic and make it as detailed as possible. Besides, you may outline your research paper to organize your future paper properly. If you complete at least one of the pre-writing activities mentioned before, it will be easier and faster to perform this one. As you can see, this stage of writing is quite important because it helps you to organize your research paper and accumulate some ideas. The Structure of a Geography Research Paper This part of the writing process is of high significance since it helps the reader not to be confused and perceive the information properly. The structure of the Geography research paper is quite similar to any other types of academic writings because most of them consist of Introduction, Main Body paragraphs, and Conclusion. Therefore, if you structure your paper accurately, it will be easier to support your argument, and consequently, the readers will be able to understand your ideas properly. Geographical peculiarities of Gujarat will be taken as an example to show you the approximate structure of your Geography research paper. Introduction Just like the research paper as a whole, its paragraphs have their structure. The introduction should contain background information, some arguments, and the thesis statement that should be supported throughout the main body paragraphs. Generally, you have to present the topic of your research paper. In this section, you are not allowed to use any in-text citations and quotations. Hence, it can be stated that you should present general information about the selected topic. Since â€Å"Geographical Peculiarities of Gujarat† is selected as the topic for the Geographic research paper, the following thesis statement can fit: â€Å"Thanks to Gujarat’s location, it is one of the most developed industrialized states of India.† Main Body This part of the research paper should contain more than two paragraphs since you should provide at least two arguments that will support your thesis statement. Furthermore, to support your arguments, you should apply some in-text citations and quotations. With the help of those two elements, your paper will seem credible. Therefore, to apply both in-text citations and quotations, you should follow the specific referencing style. For example, you may choose either MLA or APA. For MLA referencing style, you have to mention the last name of the author and the number of the page where you found the selected information. Thus, the reference should look like this â€Å"(James 123).† On the other hand, if you are asked to apply APA referencing style, you have to mention the last name of the author and the year when the source was published, and then, separate them with a comma – â€Å"(James, 2018)†. The more detailed information you can find on the website which is c alled â€Å"Purdue OWL.† Apart from the citations, you may apply some digital charts to demonstrate the necessary figures. A well-known fact is that it is better to see figures in the table than written in the sentence. What is more, with the help of different charts, readers will be able to analyze and compare data on their own. However, if you find the suitable chart on the Internet, you must mention the source. Moreover, if you have chosen the topic similar to â€Å"Geographical Peculiarities of Gujarat,† you may insert some maps to show the location of the selected area and demonstrate its geographical peculiarities. Hence, it can be stated that the application of various digital sources may help you to present your topic better. To make your paper smooth, you have to utilize various linking words, such as moreover, apart from that, on the contrary, etc. However, you should remember that the selected linking words should correspond to the context in order not to confuse the readers. As a result, it can be stated that this part of the research paper should have compelling content and a well-organized structure to get you the best grades. Conclusion The conclusion part is the last part of the research paper. However, it is as important as the previous ones. In this section, you should restate the thesis statement and support it with the help of the points mentioned in the main body paragraphs. In other words, it is your last chance to convince the reader. You should remember that just like in the introduction paragraph you are not allowed to apply any in-text citations and quotations here. Moreover, in this section, you cannot present any information that is not mentioned in the main body paragraphs. Thus, the concluding part of the research paper should look like the brief version of the entire research paper. Proofreading When you finished writing your Geography research paper, you should reread it several times. The best way to do it is through reading it again in a few days. In this case, you will be able to look at your paper from the fresh perspective. While proofreading the text, you should pay attention to grammar, punctuation, style, and content. If you want to check whether your paper is coherent and cohesive, ask someone to read it. However, you should remember that the selected person should have strong writing skills and be able to find any mistake and explain it. Furthermore, you may ask the person to tell what can be changed to improve the quality of the paper. What is more, that person may give some interesting ideas that will help you to expand your research paper. As a result, one can state that the outside help may essentially enhance your paper. Moreover, there are some general features of a good research paper, and if your Geography research paper corresponds to most of the points presented below, you will receive a high mark: Relevant (you selected the issue which is of high importance nowadays); Credible (you supported your arguments with various statistics, studies, and other researches); Logical (you structured your paper properly and applied linking words to make it smooth); Informative (you presented some new ideas or solutions to the selected issue). References Australian Geography Teachers Association. â€Å"Contemporary Geographical Issues.† GeogSpace, Education Services Australia Ltd., 2013, www.geogspace.edu.au/verve/_resources/2.2.2.3_1_contem_issues_media_pdf.pdf â€Å"Department of Geography, Environment Society Writing and Research Guide.† University of Minnesota, 2018, cla.umn.edu/sites/cla.umn.edu/files/geographywritingandresearchguide.pdf. â€Å"Genre and the Research Paper.† Purdue Online Writing Lab, 2018, owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/02/. â€Å"Prewriting Strategies.† KU Writing Center, 25 July 2017, writing.ku.edu/prewriting-strategies. â€Å"Types of Sources.† Widener University, 2018, www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/wolfgram_library/documents/1_4_Types of Sources.pdf. â€Å"10 Great Topics for Your Geography Research Paper.† Motive Art, 2018, www.motive-art.org/10-great-topics-for-an-a-research-paper-in-geography.