The Concept of Efficiency Essay -- Efficiency Philosophy Essays

The Concept of Efficiency This article aims to give an analysis of the concept of efficiency. The importance of such an analysis lies in the fact that the role which efficiency plays in different sectors of our society leads to opposite evaluations resulting in a clash of opinions concerning this role. In order to clarify this situation, I first trace the historical roots of the concept. This brief historical reconnaissance shows that ‘efficiency’ is not a unitary concept. Moreover, I also argue that our use of the concept of efficiency presupposes the decisions which we make with regard to the kinds of costs we recognize. Such decisions do not come out of the blue; they relate to the opposite evaluations of efficiency mentioned above. The decisions concerning what we consider to be costly determine in part the actual content of the concept of efficiency. I argue that this content must be in harmony with the meaning of the different practices in which we are engaged, otherwise this concept can ea sily lead us astray. Therefore, a proper use of the concept of efficiency demands a clear and reliable view of these meanings. 1. Introduction Efficiency is a concept widely used by economists, engineers, organization theorists, consultants, politicians, managers and others. It figures large in the many vocabularies that abound in the world today and it seems that 'efficiency' is one of the focuses of Western culture. Efficiency has met with enthousiasm as well as critique. An early advocate of efficiency is Frederick Taylor (1911). (1) Shortly after, John Dewey made critical remarks on scientific management but considered efficiency to be a "servant of freedom" (Middle Works, Vol. 10, p. 119). Kotarbinsky (1968) defended e... ...8 R.Heilbroner An Inquiry into the Human Prospect. New York 1974. ———Business Civilization in Decline. New York 1977. ———Behind the Veil of Economics. New York 1988. T.Hobbes The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, Vol.3. Aalen 1962, repr.London 1839-1845. F.Klemm A History of Western Technology. New York 1959. T.Kotarbinsky Praxiology. An Introduction to the Sciences of Efficient Action. Oxford 1968. G.W.Leibniz SÃ ¤mtliche Schriften und Briefe. Erste Reihe. Berlin 1950. J.St.Mill Complete Works, Vol. II, III. London 1968. H.Mintzberg Mintzberg on Management. New York 1990. H.Simon Administrative Behavior. New York 19763. Reason in Human Affairs. New York 1983. R.C.Solomon Ethics and Excellence. Oxford 1993. F.W. Taylor The Principles of Scientific Management.19111, New York 1967. Xenophon Memorabilia and Oeconomicus. London 1923.

Essay about Mandates and Federalism Essay

Over the last twenty-five years, federalism has transformed due to the increase in federal mandates on state and local governments. Federalism refers to a political system in which there are local units of government, as well as a national government, that can make final decisions with respect to at least some governmental activities, and whose existence is protected. When the Framers devised this political system their goal was to protect personal liberty and create a separation of powers. Over the years, federalism’s goal of decentralization evolved giving states more leeway. Mandates, however, have in a way, increased federal power, imposing requirements and/or conditions for obtaining federal grants. These mandates provided federal restrictions on states’ economic actions and have served the former purpose of protecting personal liberties because they usually concern civil rights and environmental protection. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, for example, shows how federalism has changed and how mandates have augmented the regulation of state and local governments’ actions. Mandates created a new form of a â€Å"check† on state governmental activities. Mandates increased federal supremacy because they were mandatory. They take the form of regulatory statutes. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, for instance, required that businesses and state and local governments provide the disabled with equal access to services, transportation systems, employment, and buildings. In enacting this mandate, the federal government’s objective was to create equality and regulate what the states did with federal funds by imposing costs. State or local governments may not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. All government facilities, services, and communications must be accessible consistent with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Individuals may file complaints with federal agencies to be designated by the U.S. Attorney General or bring private lawsuits. The ADA helped to change federalism because it had a great impact on state and local government budget priorities. Because the Americans with Disabilities Act did not specify what it’s definition of equal access was, the states had no idea as to what this mandate would cost. It provided no outline for how the mandate was to be administered, nor did it provide dependable estimates on  how much it could possibly cost to employ. The mandates provided the disabled with equality, preventing discrimination, at a fairly high cost. Since the states were not certain about the definition of equal access, they had to facilitate services, building equipment on buses, ramps in buildings etc. There’s no doubt that mandates have an impact on state and local budget priorities. By trying to meet the terms of the ADA, states had to shift their attention from other projects, which were perhaps more important (maybe because of the low number of disabled in the area). State governments had to make mandates a priority because they were federal â€Å"commands† that had to be obeyed. Thus, mandates not only increased involvement between the states and the federal government (federal-state relations), but they also nationalized the government more. Mandates allowed the states to spend with respect to important matters. States obey the mandates and by doing so they create legislation that benefits the people. By having mandates, the federal government prevents the states from misspending federal money. The potential consequences of removing the Americans with Disabilities Act would have great effects on federalism. If the mandate were removed, the federal government wouldn’t have as much power to control how federal money was spent. States wouldn’t be pressured into passing legislation that benefit a certain group. In addition, those who benefited from the mandate, the disabled, would not be treated equally since there would no longer be handicap access in public places. The removal of mandates affects the federal-state relations in that it decentralizes the government more and diminishes whatever authority the federal government has over the state government. Federalism has in fact changed over the past twenty-five years. It has become more complex, creating things like mandates, which control state actions. Mandates changed federalism, perhaps for the better. Because of the federal demands, states and federal government had to work together in order to protect certain rights and meet the needs of the people. Public policies became more nationalized as a result of mandates. They had an impact on the devolution revolution, which for some time had shifted responsibilities to the states , giving them more power and involvement in policies. However,  with mandates, the power was shifted back the federal government, the supreme. Bibliography Wilson American Government http://www.icanonline.net/news/fullpage.cfm/articleid/6CAEB15E-3A1A-4743-8BCCD55D82731B98/cx/issues.stay_informed/article.cfm

In the course of child development, a multitude of factors...

In the course of child development, a multitude of factors have severe ramifications on the child’s future. These factors are either categorized as risk or protective, based on the positive or negative benefits that are derived from each. Risk factors exist as potentially mal-adaptive behavior profile variables that influence or interfere with a child’s competency to thrive in their environment. Protective factors, on the other hand, create positive influences on development by negating effects of various risk factors. Both risk and protective factors exist in a variety of forms. Genetic, biological, psychological, familial, and social-cultural influences can be seen on each side. Not only do they exist in a variety of forms, but their†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Extensive literature and studies strongly indicate that offspring of alcoholics are at elevated risk for alcoholism.† Not only is the prevalence of the original disease strongly associated, but à ¢â‚¬Å" children of alcoholics are more likely to be hyperactive, engage in antisocial behaviors, have lower academic achievement, have lesser cognitive abilities, and have more negative alcohol consequences.† Inherited genetic disorders, like substance abuse problems, create a multidimensional risk factor. The precursory disorder not only affects the child in the fact that they inherit it, but they also obtain various new undesirable behaviors. A genetic link is strongly associated with psychopathology due to the description of the mechanisms involved in the nature vs. nurture association. Genetic and biological factors are generally observed as natural occurrences, where environmental factors are seen through a nurturing lens. The genetic component of this relationship is permanent and key in understanding all psychodynamic processes. The limitations that do exist when looking at genetic risk factors are related to this idea of nature vs nurture. Genetic reasoning alone for a claim in favor of alcoholic tendencies is impossible; environmental risk factors are too prevalent. â€Å"As indicated from the direct path from behavioral undercontrol to alcohol involvement, alcohol expectancy alone appears incapable of completely explain the relation and other processes must beShow MoreRelatedHsm 542 Week 12 Discussion Essay45410 Words   |  182 Pages------------------------------------------------- Top of Form Week 1: Introductions/Overview: An Ethical and Legal Framework - Discussion This weeks graded topics relate to the following Terminal Course Objectives (TCOs): A | Given a situation related to reproductive genetics, genetic research, or the human genome project, develop a set of legal and ethical guidelines, which can be applied to genetic issues for the conduct of medical practice and/or research. | B | Given the contentiousRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pagescomprehensive and reliable guide to organisational theory currently available. What is needed is a text that will give a good idea of the breadth and complexity of this important subject, and this is precisely what McAuley, Duberley and Johnson have provided. They have done some sterling service in bringing together the very diverse strands of work that today qualify as constituting the subject of organisational theory. Whilst their writing is accessible and engaging, their approach is scholarly and seriousRead MoreBhopal Gas Disaster84210 Words   |  337 Pagesleaked from Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL s) pesticide plant in Bhopal. The gas leak triggered a disaster that is now widely recognized as the world worst industrial catastrophe. Thousands of people were killed instantly and more than 25,000 people have died of gas-related illnesses, several thousands more maimed for life since. Union Carbide negotiated a settlement with the Indian Government in 1989 for $470 million - a total of only $370 to $533 per victim - a sum too small to pay for most medical