Analysis On The Bank Performance Of Nigerian Banks - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 15 Words: 4387 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? The provisional title of this research project work is: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Consolidation and bank performance; an analysis of Nigerian banksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. The choice of this topic emanates from the fact that the magnitude of banksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ inability to meet up their obligation in the nationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s banking industry has became an issue of concern to both the government, regulatory authorities, the banks as well as the general public. There is therefore need to ensure that the withdrawal need of customers, the shareholders smooth return objective as well as the banking need for the nationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s economic growth is met. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Analysis On The Bank Performance Of Nigerian Banks" essay for you Create order It is against this background that this research project work is being proposed. The provisional title of this research project is: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Consolidation and bank performance; analysis of Nigerian Banks 2004 to 2006à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. The choice of this topic emanates from the fact that the current credit crisis and the transatlantic mortgage financial turmoil have questioned the effectiveness of bank consolidation programme as a remedy for financial stability and monetary policy in correcting the defects in the financial sector for sustainable development. Many banks consolidation had taken place in Europe, America and Asia in the last two decades without any solutions in sight to bank failures and crisis. The paper attempts to examine the performances of government induced banks consolidation and macro-economic performance in Nigeria in pre-consolidation and post-consolidation period. The paper analyses published audited accounts of two (2) out of twenty-five (25) banks that emerged from the consolidation exercise and data from the Central Banks of Nigeria (CBN). We denote year 2004 as the pre-consolidation and 2005 and 2006 as post-consolidation periods for our analysis. In doing this, efforts would be made to examine empirically how bank consolidation through recapitalization has affected the performance of Nigerian banks during the period covered by the research. The data for the work are from secondary sources and would be obtained exclusively from the Central Bank of Nigeria and bank publications, both electronic and paper form. CAMEL analysis will be employed to analyse the financial data so as to ascertain the relationship between consolidation and bank performance. The CAMEL analysis is chosen because of its optimal properties, simple computational procedures and is suitable for an empirical work such as the present research project work. Against the findings that would emerge from the intended empirical investigation of this work, appropriate recommendations that are likely to better enhance the effectiveness of banking sector reforms in Nigeria thereby restoring confidence in the system. CHAPTER 1 1.1 Introduction The Nigerian banking sector over the past 20 to 25 years has experienced boom and bust in a cyclical pattern. After the implementation of the structural adjustment program (SAP) in 1986 and the deregulation of the financial sector, new banks proliferated, mainly driven by attractive arbitrage opportunities in the foreign exchange market (Heiko 2007). Prior to the deregulated period, financial intermediation never took off and even declined in 1980s and 1990s (Capirio and Kligbiel 2003). The sector was highly oligopolistic with remarkable features of market concentration and leadership. Lemo (2005) noted that there are ten Nigerian banks that control more than 50% of the aggregate assets of the banking sector; more than 51% of the aggregate deposit liabilities and more than 45% of the aggregate credits. The sector was characterized by small sized banks with high overheads; low capital base averaging less than $10million; heavy reliance on government patronage and loss making. Nigeriaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s banking sector was still characterized by a high degree of fragmentation and low levels of financial intermediation up until 2004. In the light of the foregoing, banks are compelled by the Central Bank of Nigeria to raise their capital base from N2 billion to 25 billion on or before 31st December, 2005. Most banks resorted to mergers and acquisition as a survival strategy, which saw a reduction in the number of banks from 89 to 25. This study contributes to the concept of bank recapitalization by critically examining the impact of bank consolidation on the performance of banks using a sample of randomly selected Nigerian banks. It is the intention of the researcher to give more validity to empirical evidence that have been obtained by previous researchers on the subject matter. Relevance of the study The earliest set of studies evaluates the effects of bank consolidation through mergers and acquisitions comparing pre- and post- merger performance by measuring performance using either accounting or productive efficiency indicators.The results from both indicators have varied and at sometimes been contradictory. This can be explained by performance-influencing variables like size, brand name, diversification and cost reduction, there is still no reconciliation between these indicators. I intend to contribute to the determinants of bank performance by evaluating the possible performance impact of bank consolidation on banks. Consolidation is the key to improving the performance of banks with low capital base, without which they are bound to fail. 1.3 Background of study Aside being the highest contributor to the market capitalization of the Nigerian stock exchange and smooth and stable income provision to money and capital market, banking industry is capable of attracting potential investor which is a source of every economic development. Financial institutions generally, and banking sector in particular play a crucial role in the development process of mobilizing fund from the surplus sector of the economy to the deficit sectors of the economy. Banks help in increasing the quantum of national savings and investment. Consequently, the volume of goods and services produced in the economy increases overtime through the multiplier effect. Banks enhance stable and smooth income to attract potential investors in line with Modigliani and Miller (1958) theory that investors generally have preference for smooth and stable income. According to sloan and Arlond (1970) consolidation is a fusion of the assets and liabilities, in whole or in part of two or more business establishment. Consolidation represents the idea of investment and the coming together of firms; it can also mean larger sizes, larger shareholder bases and larger number of depositors. According to Adamu (2005) bank or corporate consolidation could be achieved by way of mergers/acquisition and recapitalization. It is more than mere shrinking of number of banks in any banking industry. According to Hall (1999) consolidation is a global phenomenon, which started in the advanced economies of the world. For example, the enactment of Riegle-Neal Act, which allows interstate branch banking beginning from 1997 this led to increase in bank mergers in the USA (Akhavin et al and kwan 2004). Consolidation allow a mega bank to enjoy higher profit, increase revenue and low problem loans. Japanese banking industry also experienced consolidation in the 1990s which resulted to economies of scale (Fukuyama, 1993; Mckillop et al 1996). When banks go bust, their capital base is called to question. Cases of bank failures have motivated researchers to investigate the activities of banks in relation to performance in terms of returns. A view is that consolidation has increased the capital base and size of Nigerian banks but does not necessarily bring about higher performance. Criteria Selecting Nigeria Study Consolidation is a term used by the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) to describe the coming together of some banks within the country to become one bank and be able to meet CBNà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s requirement for capitalization to a minimum of N25billion. When this happens, it is expected to improve services rendered by the banks. In July 6, 2004, a day now referred to as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“black Tuesday in banking sector of the economy, the CBN Governor, professor Charles Soludo made an obviously unexpected policy pronouncement. The highlight was the increment of the earlier N2billion to N25 billion, with full compliance deadline fixed for the end of the year 2005. In a bid for banks to meet up with the new requirement, some Banks are exploring the option of inviting foreign investors to buy into Banks. Others are looking at the possibility of getting investors to shore up their capital, and some are looking at the capital market option, while others are considering mergers and acquisition. If the process of consolidation is properly implemented the ongoing consolidation of banks in the country will surely improve the banking sector in Nigeria and translate to better banking services and cheap funds.   More importantly, the public will not have fear of distress in any bank, since the consolidated bank will have enough funds. The need to understand the impact of bank consolidation on Nigerian banks either negative or positive necessitated the use of Nigerian banks as sample for this study. 1.5 Aim To analyze the effect of consolidation on the performance of Nigerian Banks 1.6 Objectives To examine the consolidation process of Nigerian banks. To Asses the performance of Nigerian banks before and after consolidation. To evaluate the impact of consolidation on Nigerian banks. CHAPTER 2: Literature Review 2.1 Introduction This chapter attempts to gain an in-depth view into what is already known in connection with the research topic being studied. It therefore brings to light the different theoretical and methodological approach to the research area, helps develop a practical analytical framework, considers inclusion of variables that may not have been thought about from the inception of the research work and in the long run learning can be gained from mistakes of previous researchers and avoidance of such mistakes would be achieved (Bryman Bell, 2003). The scope of the research is narrowed down through successful study of literature review that was continuous all through the research process. Further, the review of literature will incorporate a wide range of materials sourced from journal articles, corporate websites, government websites, multilateral organisations, text books and online databases which include: Wiley, Science Direct, Emerald and Business Source Premier. Reforms are predicated upon the need for reorientation and repositioning of an existing status quo in order to attain an effective and efficient state. There could be fundamental bottle-neck that may inhibit the functioning of the institutions for growth and the achievement of core objectives in the drive towards enhancing and sustaining the economic and social imperatives of human endeavor. Carried out through either government institutions or private enterprises, reform becomes inevitable in the light of the global dynamic exigencies and emerging landscape. Consequently, the banking sector, as an important sector in the financial landscape, needs to be reformed in order to enhance its competitiveness and capacity to play a fundamental role of financing investment. Many literature indicates that banking sector reforms are propelled by the need to deepen the financial sector and reposition for growth, to become integrated into the global financial architecture; and involve a banking sector that is consulting with regional integration requirements and international best practices. The nexus between consolidation and financial sector stability and growth is explained by two polar views. Proponents of consolidation opined that increase size could potentially increase bank returns, through revenue and cost efficiency gains. It may also, reduce industry risks through the eliminations of weak banks and create better diversification opportunities. On the other hand, it is argued that consolidation could increase banksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ propensity towards risk taking through increases in leverage and off-balance sheet operations. Advocates Furlong (1994) stated that an early view of consolidation in banking was that it makes banking more cost efficient because larger banks can eliminate excess capacity in areas like data processing, marketing, or overlapping branch networks. Cost efficiency also could increase if more efficient banks acquired less efficient ones. Though studies on efficiency in banking raised doubts about the extent of overcapacity, they did point to considerable potential for improvement in cost efficiency through mergers. Banking reforms involves several elements that are unique to each country based on historical economic and institutional imperatives, for example, in Hungary. Evidence show that the reform in the banking sector was due to high under-capitalization of state owned banks, weakness in the regulation and supervision and deficiencies in corporate governance behavior of banks. Craig and Hardee (2004) conducted investigation on bank consolidation and concluded that as the banking consolidation continues, relationship lending is becoming increasingly rare. As credit scoring and formal, formulaic methods are used more and more, specifically by the large banks, many small businesses may find out that they do not fit the model, especially those enterprises with negative equity. Thus, small businesses may be filling the financing void that is being created by the bank consolidation with non-bank sources of funds. Hughes and Mester (1997) provide evidence to suggest that there are scale economics in banking, bank managers are risk averse, and banks use the level of their financial capital to signal the level of risk. This is an area of interest in Nigerian banking, especially when the return on equity is calculated in another two to three years and then compared with the historical industry average. Rhoades(1996) reported that American banks consolidated in response to the removal of restriction on bank branching across states, while Hughes, J.P; W. Lang; L.J. Mester; C.G. Moon(1998) concluded that the economic benefits of consolidation are strongest for those banks that engaged in interested expansion, and in particular the expansion that diversifies macroeconomic risk. From the literature, it has been observed that well-spaced and implemented financial reforms have the ability to boost financial development indicators. Detractors Hughes J.P; Mester, L.J; and Moon, C.G (2000) also provide evidence that scale economies exist in banking but they fail to account for risk. Thus, scale economies that result from consolidation and diversification do not produce better performance in banking, unless choice makes the bankà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s management more conscious risk and moderates its decisions and actions appropriate larger scale of operation that leads to diversification only reduce liquidity and credit risk under the ceteris bus assumption, and they argued that this is not always the case. The examination of merger and acquisition in European banking and found that industry consolidation was beneficial (by providing social benefits) in the first economic integration stages, but could damage welfare in the more advanced stages as the few big banks safeguard price agreements to forestall foreign competition. The other side to European mergers and acquisitions was because of the possibility of failure. This, of course, ignores the fact that no bank can ever be too big to fail. All it takes for a bank to fail is for à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“bad newsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? about a bank to get to its stakeholders (especially depositors) and they all walk in at the same time to take their funds! For such bank to survive, it must have sufficient liquid assets to meet all maturing and long-dated obligations (Igangiya, 2006). 2.2 Role of banks In the Economy Banks have an important role to play in an economy, as they are intermediaries between people with shortages and surpluses of capital. The products they offer will include savings, lending, investment, mediation and advice, payments, ownership, guarantee and, trust of real estate. (Bouma et al, 2001). This aspect is critical to this research study as the role of banks in any economy cannot be undermined therefore, the need to explore the effectiveness of their actions and how this ultimately affects the economy. The macroeconomic environment within which firms exist and, operate has an impact upon their activities and governments and other agencies operating at different spatial levels and it can shape behavior and their environment. (Worthington et al, 2001). According to Bouma et al, (2001), as a financial intermediary between market players, a bank has four important functions: First it transforms money by scale. The money surpluses of one person are mostly not the same as the shortages of another person. Banks transform money by duration. Creditors may have short-term surpluses of money, while debtors mostly have a long-term need for money. Banks transform money by spatial location (place). Finally, banks act as assessors of risk. As a rule, banks are better equipped to value the risks of various investments than individual investors who have surpluses available. Also, through their larger scale, banks are more able to spread risks. The major objectives of the banking system are to ensure price stability and facilitate rapid economic development; regrettably, these objectives are still yet to be realised in Nigeria as a result of some infrastructural deficiencies such as basic power, energy, and transportation. Also, the lack of a workable contingency planning framework which provides detailed policy actions to limit crises. The reforms of the banking industry will have an influence on the functions, as it ultimately shapes the way they handle their operations. The reform of recapitalisation and consolidation could mean a larger platform for banks to better carry out their tasks. This literature review takes a look at commercial banks in Nigeria when faced with the reformation of the banking industry, core competences needed by the banks to be successful and the effect on the macroeconomic indicators of the country. 2.3 The concept of capital base The recent call for recapitalization in the banking industry has raised much argument among the bank regulators, promoters and depositors as if shoring up of banks capital base is a new phenomenon in Nigeria. Historically, the failure of pioneer 1930s and 1940s brought about the enactment of banking ordinance of 1952. Banking ordinance of 1952 prescribed an operating license and emphasized on minimum equity capital for all banks (Omoh, 2007). Since then, raising of bank capital has become the hallmark response policy of the Nigerian monetary authorities. Capitalization is an important component of reforms in the banking industry, owing to the fact that a bank with a strong capital base has the ability to absorb losses arising from non-performing liabilities (NPL). Attaining capitalization requirement is achieved through consolidation, convergence as well as the capital market. Thus, banking reforms are primarily driven by the need to achieve the objectives of consolidation, competition and convergence. (Deccan Herald,2004), in the financial architecture. 2.4 The Concept of Bank Consolidation Consolidation is viewed as the reduction in the number of banks and other deposit taking institution with a simultaneous increase in the size and concentration of the consolidation entities in the sector (BIS, 2001:2). It is mostly motivated by technology innovation, deregulation of financial services, enhancing intermediation and increased emphasis on shareholder value, privatization and international competition (Berger et al, 1991). The process of consolidation has been argued to enhance bank efficiency through cost reduction and revenue in the long run. It also reduces industrys risk by eliminating weaker banks and acquiring the smaller ones by bigger and stronger banks as well as creates opportunities for greater diversification and financial intermediation. The pattern of banking system consolidation could be viewed in two different perspectives, namely; market-driven and government-led consolidation. The market-driven consolidation which is more pronounced in the developed countries sees consolidation as a way of broadening competitiveness with added comparative advantage in the global context and eliminating excess capacity more efficiently than bankruptcy or other means of exit. On the other hand, government-led consolidation stems from the need to resolve problem of financial distress in order to avoid systematic crises as well as to restrict inefficient banks (Ajayi, 2005). One of the general effects of consolidation is to the reduction in the number of players, moving the industry more toward an oligopolistic market (Adedipe, 2007). 2.5 Prospect of Bank consolidation In Nigeria The initial public offering by banks through the capital market when completed is likely to increase the level of financial deepening as evidenced in the upsurge in the volume and value of trading in stock market. The reform in the banking industry has been able to attract more foreign investment inflow, especially in the area of portfolio investment; this development if sustained will boost the level of economic activity especially toward non oil sector. The consolidation of banks is likely to attract a significant level of foreign banks entrance into Nigeria which will become a feature in the industry over time. This will bring about more confidence by the international community of the banking sector thereby attracting more foreign investment into the country. As the level of financial intermediation increase, interest rate is likely to fall and increase lending to the real sector that will generate employment and booster growth. 2.6 The Process of Bank consolidation In Nigeria Before any bank can be said to consolidate through merger and acquisition in the Nigeria industry, it must first seek and obtain the approval of the following regulatory and supervisory authorities in the industry. They include the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) (CBN, 2004). Chapter 3: Research Methodology Introduction This chapter sets out the method employed in conducting the research. The choice of method was made based on the nature of the research problem. The purpose of this research is to discover, if any, the impact of bank consolidation on bank performance. Effort would be made to ensure that the methodology and conceptual framework adopted in the research are as relevant to the findings as the concepts and theories of the study. This is because the validity and reliability of conclusions are largely influenced by the research process itself. 3.2 Research Design This study is a causal or explanatory analysis since it seeks answers to questions related to the causes and determinants of bank performance. The research adopts a deductive approach. It outlines theories of director relationship to firm performance and draws hypothesis from them. These hypotheses are then tested using empirical social data to either confirm or reject the contentions. 3.3 Quantitative Versus Qualitative Data A clear distinction must be emphasized between quantitative and qualitative data. The former is concerned with the compilation of the results of research in a standardised mathematical form with the analysis conducted by means of statistics. (Saunders et al, 2003, p.378). Here variables are measured on a selection of scales and can then be arranged in order of arithmetical rigour. Conversely qualitative research is subjective in its approach of examining and reflecting on perceptions of understanding social and human activities (Hussey and Hussey, 1997). Qualitative research is inductive and researchers rarely know the specifics of data analysis when they begin a project (Neuman, 2006). It is concerned with the assemblage of data in a non-standardised, descriptive form, with the examination conducted through the use of theoretical models. 3.4 Data Type Raw or summarized data which has already been collected and stored for other purposes aside from that of the research in question is referred to as secondary data (Saunders et al, 2007). This research will make use of multiple-source secondary data collected from bank financial reports and CBN statistical publications available on the CBN, Guaranty trust and zenith banks websites, some paper source of data will also be used. The data/study will be restricted between the period of 2004 and 2006. The year 2004 is the pre-consolidation, 2005 consolidation while 2006 is the post-consolidation periods. The choice of data type is based on accessibility, cost saving and authenticity factors. Sample Selection The representative sample of the Nigerian banking sector to be used as a sample of the population under study is Guaranty Trust Bank PLC and Zenith Bank PLC. CAMEL ANALYSIS CAMEL is derived from the five components of a bankà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s condition which include Capital adequacy, Asset quality, Management, Earnings, and Liquidity. Ratings are assigned for each component, and a composite rating is assigned for the overall condition and performance of the bank. These component and composite ratings are assigned on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 representing the highest rating (strongest performance) and 5 representing the lowest (weakest performance) (Hirtle and Lopez, 1999). The camel analysis will be used to analyse the performance of banks during the pre-consolidation (2004) and the post-consolidation (2006) periods. Limitation The major difficulty that is likely to be encountered during the course of carrying out this research is the dearth of information, which is usually associated with emerging economies (including the Nigerian economy). Deliberate efforts would therefore be made to obtain information necessary to enhance the quality of the present research. 4.0 CONCLUSION In summary, the research tries to establish that bank consolidation helps in shoring up investment capital, enhances shareholder value, and protects creditors and depositors as well as strengthening banks capacities to attract funds at lower costs enhancing their liquidity positions. An efficient banking system tends to be one of the greatest focuses of the Central Bank of Nigeria since its establishment in 1959. Thus, sufficient capital base has largely constituted the Bankà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s reform policy focus over the years. Hence, it may not be out of place to conclude at this material time that the ongoing reform policy is essential for the attainment of overall macroeconomic stability on a sustainable basis. Accordingly, the Central Bank of Nigeria is admonished to intensify its present efforts geared towards restoration of confidence in the banking system. The research work analyses published audited accounts of two (2) out of twenty-five (25) banks that emerged from the consolidation exercise and data from the Central Banks of Nigeria (CBN). We denote year 2004 as the pre-consolidation and 2005 and 2006 as post-consolidation periods for our analysis. In doing this, efforts would be made to examine empirically how bank consolidation through recapitalization has affected the performance of Nigerian banks during the period covered by the research. The data for the work are from secondary sources and would be obtained exclusively from the Central Bank of Nigeria and bank publications, both electronic and paper form. CAMEL analysis will be employed to analyse the financial data so as to ascertain the relationship between consolidation and bank performance BIBLIOGRAPHY Bernerd, B.P., (2006), The effect of recent changes in the financial sector development in Nigerian, Paper presented at the 15th General Assembly of the African rural and agricultural credit association (AFRACA), Bukina Faso. CBN., (2004), Guidelines and Incentive on Consolidation in consolidating Banking Industry. Charles, C.S. (2004) Consolidating the Nigerian Banking Industry to Meet the Developmental challenges of the 21st century. Paper presented at a meeting of bankers committee Abuja 6 July 2004. Larry, U; et al., (2004) Issues in Financial Institutions Surveillance in Nigeria. A seminar paper by CBN training centre Lagos. Eshodaghor, D.V., (2006), Impact of distressed banks in depressed Economy, Prospects for survival and growth. Bank failure in Nigeria, causes and dimension pp. 17 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 22. Ezeudusi, F. U., (2002) Marcus, G., (2003), An approach to the consolidation of Banks Merger Issues by regulators., A south African case business paper (4), NDIC Annual Report and Statement of Account . Oviemuno, A.O., (2006) Banking Consolidation in Nigeria and the strategies for Generating better returns. Ogunleye G.A. (2003) The regulatory imperatives of the Universal Banking concept in Nigerian NDIC quarterly, (11) No. (2), pp.20-30 Ochojele, D. I., (2003) The Nigerian banking industry, a review seminar paper. Osaije, E., (1992), Structural adjustment programme in Nigerian economy Victor, Ezeaku., (2003), Consolidation of Nigerian Banking Sector, CBN publication.

Physical Change Definition in Chemistry

A physical change is a type of change in which the form of matter is altered but one substance is not transformed into another. The size or shape of matter may be changed, but no chemical reaction occurs. Physical changes are usually reversible. Note that whether a process is reversible or not is not truly a criterion for being a physical change. For example, smashing a rock or shredding paper are physical changes that cannot be undone. Contrast this with a chemical change, in which chemical bonds are broken or formed so that the starting and ending materials are chemically different. Most chemical changes are irreversible. On the other hand, melting water into ice (and other phase changes) can be reversed. Physical Change Examples Examples of physical changes include: Crumpling a sheet or paper (a good example of a reversible physical change)Breaking a pane of glass (the chemical composition of the glass remains the same)Freezing water into ice  (the chemical formula is not changed)Chopping vegetables (cutting separates molecules, but does not alter them)Dissolving sugar in water (sugar mixes with water, but the molecules are not changed and may be recovered by boiling off the water)Tempering steel (hammering the steel does not change its composition, but does alter its properties, including hardness and flexibility) Categories of Physical Changes Its not always easy to tell chemical and physical changes apart. Here are some types of physical changes that may help: Phase Changes - Altering the temperature and/or pressure can change the phase of a material, yet its composition is unchanged,Magnetism - If you hold a magnet up to iron, youll temporarily magnetize it. This is a physical change because its not permanent and no chemical reaction occurs.Mixtures - Mixing together materials where one is not soluble in the other is a physical change. Note the properties of a mixture may be different from its components. For example, if you mix together sand and water, you can pack the sand into a shape. Yet, you can separate the components of the mixture by allowing them to settle or by using a sieve.Crystallization - Crystallizing a solid does not produce a new molecule, even though the crystal will have different properties from other solids. Turning graphite into a diamond doesnt produce a chemical reaction.Alloys - Mixing together two or more metals is a physical change that is not reversible. The reason alloying is not a chemical change is that the components retain their original identities.Solutions - Solutions are tricky because it may be hard to tell whether or not a chemical reaction has occurred when you mix together the materials. Usually, if there is no color change, temperature change, precipitate formation, or gas production, the solution is a physical change. Otherwise, a chemical reaction has occurred and a chemical change is indicated.

The invasion in Afghanistan was consistent with the Brezhnev doctrine Free Essays

The invasion in Afghanistan was consistent with the Brezhnev doctrine that relied on the concept of socialist internationalism that involved help to states that have already joined the bloc of Communist states. The campaign was most probably enabled by a change in the doctrine that involved extra-bloc interventions and more expansionist policies. Although this explanation sounded weak with respect to Afghanistan that never had so much as a mutual assistance treaty with the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union barged in to take control of the area that seemed ‘nobody’s territory. We will write a custom essay sample on The invasion in Afghanistan was consistent with the Brezhnev doctrine or any similar topic only for you Order Now Most probably, the basic reason behind the invasion was to set up a military zone in Southwest Afghanistan that would yield control of the Persian Gulf area. The geostrategic position of Afghanistan was also convenient for reaching India, Burma, and Pakistan with Soviet missiles. Besides, the regime in Afghanistan was to certain extent pro-Soviet, and it was imperative to show that revolutionary gains were irreversible. Besides, the prospects of an Islamic state established in the area seemed undesirable to the Soviets, because the Soviet Central Asian republics could become influenced by radical Muslim ideas. At the time of the invasion, the USSR could have feared antisocialist encirclement that would include Pakistan, China, and now, Afghanistan. The departure was difficult because the Soviet leaders probably felt the need to bring the war to a victory because of the enormous time and costs that already been committed to the enterprise. They felt that they needed the victory to buttress the pro-Socialist government in this Eastern nation in order to provide support for their nation in this area. The international prestige of the Soviet Union would have been ruined by the loss in the war against a Third-World nation. 2. The West reacted with strong disapproval of the Afghan campaign and tough measures including boycott of the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980, economic sanctions, and delay in the ratification of the SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty) II. The negative reaction in the Third World triggered the disapproving resolution from the UN General Assembly. The Carter Doctrine emerged that warned against any attempt to take control of the Persian Gulf. The reaction from Socialist nations was mixed. Nations like Romania, China, Yugoslavia, and Albania were opposed to the idea, whereas East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Bulgaria were enthusiastic. Others like North Korea and Cuba were undecided on the issue. 3. The war started with a surprise attack as 200 military transports arrived in Kabul, occupying the land with 90,000 troops. The attack proved successful as it allowed the Soviets to kill Amin, establish the government led by Babrak Karmal and effectively seize control of a large territory. However, the later tactics were not that successful. Discovering large guerrilla operations, the army tried to wipe out whole areas, trying to weaken the local population. This further set the local people on edge, perpetuating support of guerrillas. The split of the army into 20% of counterinsurgency units and 80% of occupational forces led to decrease in morale of the occupational forces. The scorched earth policy in particularly hostile areas and provision of incentives for peasants to support the Soviets did not work very effectively either. The low popularity of the puppet Afghan government and its inability to reduce factionalism were other reasons of failure 4. The decision to withdraw was made largely because of coming certainty that the war could not be won effectively. An 8-year campaign had failed to establish effective control of the whole territory and damaged the reputation of the Soviet military. At home, the support for the war dropped to dramatic levels, and it was causing deterioration of the morale of the military because of psychological stress and substance abuse. Financial costs also weighed in, as the Afghan campaign competed for a share of the Soviet budget with other conflicts in Ethiopia, Angola, Nicaragua, and Vietnam. The international relations were expected to improve in case the war ended. The removal of Soviet troops reduced pressure on NATO to ward off the Soviet threat and could improve relations with the West, accelerating dà ©tente. Improvement was also expected in the relations with China and Muslim nations. How to cite The invasion in Afghanistan was consistent with the Brezhnev doctrine, Papers

Pascal Laugiers Martyrs Film Review Essay Example

Pascal Laugiers Martyrs: Film Review Paper Just, let yourself go. Give in. In Martyrs, Pascal Laugier integrates science and thriller to make the audience grimis in terror through taboo experimentation and scattered scenes until the final conclusion at the end of the film. Laugier opens the film with a young girl screaming as she runs through an abandoned street, beaten and bloody. He continues to switch scenes to the screaming girl, Lucie, 15 years later, as a woman who suffers hallucinations of a woman who tortures and abuses her. She is visited by this hallucination after she massacres a family whom she believes to be the people who tortured her as a young girl, hence, the opening scene. The transition between scenes and topics are scattered through out the film until the very end, when they all tie together and come with the final conclusion as to why she, and many others, had been tortured. EDIT During the first half of the film, Laugier makes the scenes quick and sudden during the massacre of the family and when Lucie hallucinates. The lights are very bright and character movement is erratic. (? ) The central characters in the film are Lucie (Mylene Jampanoi) and Anna (Morjana Alaoui). Martyrs starts off with a young Lucie, screaming as she runs through an abandoned street, beaten and bloody from over a year of torture at a warehouse. Laugier then switches to Lucie making a friend, Anna, at an orphanage where Lucie begins to show signs of posttraumatic stress; such as, seeing hallucinations. The hallucination Lucie sees is of a woman whom she saw as a child during her torture. We will write a custom essay sample on Pascal Laugiers Martyrs: Film Review specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Pascal Laugiers Martyrs: Film Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Pascal Laugiers Martyrs: Film Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer When Lucie escaped, she heard a woman screaming for someone to save her, but Lucie did not in fear of getting caught again. She must have been so guilt ridden that she began to hallucinate her as she got older. I believe that Laugier made this a point to show that posttraumatic stress can truly take over a person’s life. When she massacred the people, as well as their children, who tortured her as a child, she did this so the woman would no longer hurt her. Lucie thought she would go away because she avenged her. She didn’t. When I had realized the hallucination wouldn’t leave her once she â€Å"avenged† her death, I believe that Lucie would never truly get over the fact that she had left the woman for death. That is why I feel that the hallucination wouldn’t leave until the hallucination (Lucie) killed her. When Anna found out Lucie has killed this family to make her hallucination go away, she no longer believed that she was tortured. I believe she felt that she was mentally ill and made the whole thing up. It turns out that once Lucie killed herself and Anna had to clean up Lucie’s â€Å"mess†, she found a secret passage in the house that led to a basement that contained a woman who was held captive. This scene will keep you on the edge of your seat because its very graphic and extremely hard to watch as Anna sets the woman free, only to find that she has hallucinations that cockroaches are crawling all over her. When Anna can no longer calm the woman down, she is suddenly shot in the head. This is where Laugier introduces the people who are in charge of the experimentations. Soon, Anna finds herself to be the third victim of torture to find the secrets of the â€Å"after-life†. The film does not hold back on the disturbing visuals. In the end, Anna is skinned alive and eventually reaches â€Å"martyrdom† which is what the crazed-torturers where aiming for. Anna is believed to have seen the other world, the after-life, and shares this with the woman who is in charge of the whole operation. When the woman is supposed to share this with the â€Å"others†, she tells them to â€Å"keep wondering (? look at film again)† and, in turn, shoots herself in the head. The conclusion to the film can either make you feel unsatisfied with the ending or make you keep guessing as to what the after-life holds and makes you question and want more. Either way, you do not get the answer and are left to sit in front of your television, starring wide-eyed, because you are shocked at the gore and disturbing visuals you had seen previously. Laugier swi tches from one disturbing scene to the next. This thriller will

Warren court essays

Warren court essays The Warren Court and the Pursuit for Justice The Warren Court and the Pursuit for Justice written by Morton J. Horwitz is a description of the many Supreme Court cases that Chief Justice Earl Warren, along with other Justices presided on during this critical time period in American History. The author begins the book by explaining who the different Justices that served on the Court were and when they were appointed to it. Horwitz explained the different backgrounds that the Justices came from and whether they were conservative or more liberal on the court. The authors thesis was to prove that the Warren Court helped to give people their own personal rights, through many different court cases. The Warren court ruled on cases from Brown v. Board of Education, which dealt with the segregation issue, to Roth v. United States, which dealt with pornography. Through trying to support his thesis, the author broke the book down into five separate chapters that dealt with the Warren Court. The first chapter that Horwitz dealt with court cases was in chapter two. In this chapter the author supported his thesis by explaining how the Court ruled on court cases that dealt with Civil Rights. One of the biggest court cases that the Warren Court presided over was Brown v. Board of Education 1953; this court case overturned the separate but equal doctrine. Which stated that the races could be legally segregated. In this case the Justices overturned the Plessy decision and ruled that the segregation of public facilities was illegal. This supported the authors thesis because it gave all people no matter what race equal facilities. Of course it would be many years before this was enforced throughout the country. Most of the cases decided on by the Warren Court in this section of the book dealt with the Civil Rights movement. Which gave all races equal righ ...

Add your spirits of choice and stir Writing across genres Reedsy

Add your spirits of choice and stir Writing across genres Reedsy "Add your spirits of choice and stir": Jessica Bell, Independent Author Jessica Bell  has written her way across a variety of genres: in fiction, a variety of thriller and drama novels; in non-fiction, writing guides including the ’†¦in a Nutsell’; poetry; and the vignette, a form she’s resurrected with the Vine Leaves Literary Journal. So where to start? With our interview below!We talked to Jessica about being an indie author, how she works creatively, her style, and the benefits of being part of great indie associations like the ALLi! Enjoy!Jessica Bell  is Australian novelist, poet, and singer/songwriter/guitarist who lives in Athens, Greece. In addition to her novels, her poetry collections (including  Fabric, which was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards in 2012), and her bestselling pocket writing guides (Writing in a Nutshell Series), she has published a variety of works in online and print literary journals and anthologies, including Australia’s Cordite Review. Additionally, she is the Publishing Edit or of  Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and the Coordinator of the  Writing Day Workshops  which take place throughout the United States on a rolling basis.  REEDSYWhen did you found Vine Leaves?JESSICA BELLIn late 2011, with Co-Founder Dawn Ius.REEDSYWhy vignettes? What’s attractive about them?JESSICA BELLLess rules, more freedom! â€Å"Vignette† is a word  that originally meant â€Å"something that may be written on a vine leaf.† It’s a snapshot in words. It differs from flash fiction or a short story in that its aim doesn’t lie within the traditional realms of structure or plot. Instead, the vignette focuses on one element, mood, character, setting or object. It’s descriptive, excellent for character or theme exploration and wordplay. Through a vignette, you create an atmosphere.REEDSYThrough Vine Leaves Press, it seems like you’re able to use your skills as an indie to help others release their work. What motivated you to s tart doing this?JESSICA BELLActually, I don’t really help others release their work, though I am open to answering questions if people want to reach out. As well as using it as a publishing platform for my own work, Vine Leaves Literary Journal run an annual vignette collection award. Through that we choose single-author vignette collections to publish. At the moment, that’s the extent of what the press offers. So if you want to be published by us, you need to write a vignette collection, and you need to submit it to the award. What motivated this? I want the vignette to be more recognized as a â€Å"form† rather than what some people like to call â€Å"stream of consciousness.† A vignette is so much more than a stream of consciousness and deserves some of the limelight.Oh gosh †¦ how do I answer this without sounding completely up myself? Ha! I’ve had many fabulous comments that I cherish and keep in a file on my computer for those horrible d ays that I doubt myself. One that was especially exciting was in a recent review of muted by the current Poet Laureate of Florida nominee! He said: â€Å"This utterly brilliant short work is not merely dystopian; that is too easy a label. It is a wholly organic, poetic warning of a future where a master may ‘dress his staff in false expression’ and other, more dire, imaginings. There are too many gifted turns of phrase and images for this to not be regarded as an extraordinary outpouring of poetic narrative.†REEDSYThank you for your time Jessica.

Journals 578 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Journals 578 - Essay Example It was especially interesting to find that the military established a brotherhood for soldiers, where each person was to protect the other. Many soldiers express joy when killing their enemies, yet the author indicated that these emotions are far from joy because when killing the enemy most soldiers have no fear and feel like they cannot be harmed. The author also stated that many soldiers face a psychological condition where they feel that they have changed. This can be seen through their actions, yet they feel unconnected to their bodies and minds; this makes it hard for them to find a rational explanation to their behavior. The author also pointed out another fact that was interesting to me, which was that most people killed in conflict with the USA are referred to collateral damage, yet when American soldiers are killed they are referred to as innocents who lost their lives. Not only that, many policies created by the leaders come from using the religion and culture of other nati ons as a threat to the USA. This is done to reshape the image of these countries to the public toward a negative perception so that people will start viewing them as enemies. Chapter (1-8) The author of the book indicated that it is important to include women in the field of politics, yet many women who are involved in the political sphere do not have their opinions taken into consideration by their male peers. This can be connected to the idea that men are viewed as stronger than women, who are considered to be weaker and more peaceful. I believe that it is important to respect the opinions of women because this will not only help people to view politics from a different perspective but it will also help to understand and recognize crimes committed against women in conflicts. Indeed, the author indicated that many women do not report that they were are sexually assaulted or raped. As a result, it is hard for human rights organizations and the United Nations to recognize acts of rap e as a serious issue. I believe that if women are more involved in making policies then more victims of rape and war will be encouraged to talk about their issues. Moreover, the author pointed out that Laura Bush focused on liberating the women of Afghanistan. However, in my opinion, and similar to what I pointed in my QIP, Laura Bush focused more on liberating women from wearing Burqa instead of focusing on their freedom. Indeed, many movements and policies are made to benefit women, yet they mostly fail. I believe that organizations and policymakers tend to view these issues from their own perspectives and not from the perspectives of the affected women. As a result, they end up making policies that do not suit the needs of those women. In addition, this leads to an emphasis on the importance of negotiation between two parties, as it helps each party to understand each side's opinion and then respect that opinion. In addition, I was also impressed with the veracity of non-violent movements that women have led all over the world. This takes me back to the film we watched in class, â€Å"Pray the Devil to Hell.† The film shows that when women start to protest the motive was to get rid of violence in their countries. They were able to satisfy their goals by using religious and faith communities to gather as many women as they could find. What was really interesting to me was