Basic Economics Definitions Essay

Colander (2010) stated, â€Å"Economics is the study of how human beings coordinate their wants and desires, given the decision-making mechanisms, social customs, and political realities of the society† (p. 4). The main word defining â€Å"economics† would be coordination, and in economics, refers to three central problems that face any economy and how they are solved. These central problems are 1. What and how much to produce. 2. How to produce it. 3. For whom to produce it (Colander, 2010). Individuals frequently assume that economics only concern is with business, money, and supply, and demand. However, economics began as a branch of philosophy, and Alfred Marshall, the 19th century economist describes economics as the study of individuals in the business of everyday life. * Scarcity Colander (2010) stated â€Å"scarcity has two elements: our wants and our means of fulfilling those wants. These can be interrelated since wants are changeable and partially determined by society† (p. 5). Scarcity is a basic problem of economics it has apparent limitless individual wants and needs when the world in fact has limited resources. We as a society have scarce creative resources to fulfill everyone’s wants and needs. * TANSTAAFL Colander (2010) states TANSTAAFL â€Å"economic knowledge in one sentence â€Å"There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch† (p. 7). This acronym is trying to illustrate the cost of spending and decision making, and expresses that there is always a cost whether hidden or indirect even if it may seem like it is free. * Opportunity Cost Colander (2010) states â€Å"Opportunity cost is the benefit that you might have gained from choosing the next-best alternative. To obtain the benefit of something, you must give up something else. TANSTAAFL theory embodies the opportunity cost concept because it tells us that there is a cost to everything; that cost is the next-best forgone alternative† (p. 9). In economics, the term â€Å"opportunity cost† refers to money or benefits lost or given up pursuing a particular path specific path of action instead of an alternative or something else. Almost every decision made in business has an opportunity cost attached to it. For example should a business continue using a particular piece of equipment, or should the business purchase new equipment with additional features, and pay a higher rate. * Production Possibilities Curve Colander (2010) states the definition as â€Å"The production possibility curve is a curve that measures the maximum combination of outputs that can be obtained with a given number of inputs† (p. 29). The â€Å"Production Possibility Curve† is a graph representing the difference in rate when two products are produced with only a specific quantity of resources. For example, Suzie will bake brownies and cookies, but she has only one oven. An area in the oven used for baking brownies is not necessarily used for the cookies; therefore, for each brownie baked there are fewer baked cookies. * Comparative Advantage Colander (2010) states the definition as â€Å"some resources have a comparative advantage over other resources— the ability to be better suited to the production of one good than to the production of another good† (p. 28-29). Comparative advantage is the capability to manufacture services or merchandise at an opportunity cost lower than other individuals or businesses giving the individuals or businesses the capability of selling their services or merchandise at lower pricing than their competitors price. * Business Cycle Colander (2010) states the definition, as â€Å"a business cycle is the upward or downward movement of economic activity that occurs around the growth trend† (p. 158). Business cycles refer to economic fluctuations in trade, production, and economic activity in over several months or years. Economic fluctuations take place throughout long-term growth trends, involving shifts over time showing fast economic growth, and periods of decline. * CPI Colander (2010) states the definition, as â€Å"the consumer price index (CPI) is an index of inflation measuring prices of a fixed basket of consumer goods, weighted according to each component’s share of an average consumer’s expenditures† (p. 171). The CPI or consumer price index is a measurement showing household purchases indicating the change in the price levels of services and consumer goods. The CPI calculates the price changes for each predetermined item in the â€Å"basket of goods† and averages them, and weighted by their importance with the price changes related to the cost of living. * Labor Force To define labor force or workforce, and this is the calculation of every adult whether employed or unemployed. Estimated by The Bureau of Labor Statistics labor is categorized by employed, unemployed or not in the labor force for individuals age 16 and over. Individuals not categorized into the labor force are students, retired, or institutionalized individuals. The labor force changes over periods because of social and demographic changes. * Transfer Payments Colander (2010) states the definition, as â€Å"payments to individuals that do not involve production by those individuals. Transfer payments include Social Security payments, and unemployment insurance† (p. 184). Transfer payments are monies from the government given to individuals such payments include unemployment, social security, disability, and other welfare payments. References * Business cycle. (2013). In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/business cycle Comparative advantage. (2013). In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comparative advantage Colander, D. C. (2010). Macroeconomics (8th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. (pg. 4, 5, 7, 9, 28-29, 158, 171, 184). Economics. (2013). In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economics Opportunity cost. (2013). In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunity cost Scarcity. (2013). In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarcity

Should Girls and Boys Be Given Exactly the Same Type of Education?

Should girls and boys be given exactly the same type of education? In Singapore, girls and boys are entitling the same type of education. Gender equality is ensure by our government. This was done so to make sure there wasn't any discrimination among each gender, and there was equal opportunities given to the citizens, to voice out their discontented. However, this was not implemented throughout the world. To begin with, girls should be entitled the equal right as boys to receive education. It is not a major problem in developed countries, but in less developed country like Saudi Arab, they do not pay much attention to girl’s education.In their views, girls are born to tend the house, and do the laborious chores. Therefore, religious views are the root towards the type of education given to both genders. In addition, whether to apply the same education for both genders also have a further impact on the development of the country. The development of country would determine whet her the same type of education should be given to both genders. For example, in Singapore, being a fast-tempo country and with small population, we need both genders to help to boost the economy.Whereas, slow-tempo country like Vietnam but with large population, there are limited job opportunities. Males are needed to work in the rice field, while the females stay home to do house chores. Therefore, girls and boys should be given the same education depends on the country’s quality of life. Lastly, school fees are not a small sum. Not all family are able to afford to send their children to school. And in the traditional views, females are married off to the males; they do not need much education.Whereas the males have to raise the family, thus education opportunities are given to them. Therefore, expenses are one of the factors that contribute to the entitlement of same type of education. However, when both genders are given exactly the same type of education, they are given t he same opportunities in the social world. Research also has proven that girls are more competence than the boys. Girls also tend to be perfectionist in their field of work and so, whatever work is given to them, and they will end up doing their best to complete it.With more girls in the working society, this will eventually help to boost the competency between companies and also the company profits as well. To sum up, girls and boys educations are given according to the circumstances such as area of development, religion beliefs and expenses. Gender discrimination will not be demolished within a short period of time. Therefore, policy against gender discrimination should be implemented to protect the rights of the ladies even though they do not have education.

Refugee Experience in Palestine, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan Assignment

Refugee Experience in Palestine, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan - Assignment Example There are several standards, codes, establishments and practices for ensuring human security. The edges for supporting human security concentrate on its protection as well as its empowerment. Protection necessitates combined efforts to create rules, actions and foundations that methodically defend people from any kind of risk towards violence. Similarly, empowerment allows people to improve their potentials and become significant contributors in decision-making practices which can have an inevitable impact on their regular life. Based on such rudiments, the initiatives taken by states, non-states and intergovernmental organisations for placing human security at foremost programmes can be identified as follows: Inhibiting conflict and encouraging human rights Defending and endowing people and societies Developing democratic philosophies and practices Shielding human security culture and structure2 The military also played a quite significant function in ensuring human security for any state or country. The humanitarian emergencies caused by battle or by natural calamities result in unparalleled waves of ‘long term displacement’ and people who are displaced inside borders are identified as ‘Internally Displaced Persons’ according to the UN Convention 1951 (IDP)4. However, the concept of ‘forced displacement’ can be identified as new inclusion in Palestine, one of the UN countries. In Palestine, refugees are displaced mainly due to restrictions of the native movements internationally, ‘revocation of residency rights’ owing to the military activities of Israel accumulated by the inaccessibility of necessary amenities. The displacement in Palestine is large scale in nature and cause relocation of thousand people at a time5. These ‘long term displacements’ have been noted to result in loss of housing, property and sources of employment. Besides, displacement in Palestine also tend to influence the access for refugees to es sential services and intimidates the stability of families, affecting them to become increasingly dependent on charitable supports.

Cash Flows of Multinational Corporations Assignment

Cash Flows of Multinational Corporations - Assignment Example Forward contracts are very helpful if a party is looking for hedging. A party can also make currency option contracts to protect itself from fluctuating rates. A country has the option to adopt an exchange rate system of its choice. It looks to adopt the system that works best in achieving current account equilibrium. Exchange rates also influence inflation and interest rates of a country which is why the central banks seek some involvement to control the exchange rates. Q2 In the context of international trade, absolute advantage is the ability of a country to use a similar amount of resources as other countries and produce more of a product. On the other hand, comparative advantage is a country’s ability to produce more of a product than other countries at a lower opportunity cost. (Findlay, 1987) Suppose that there are two countries A and B. Country A produces the amount of wheat in 10 hours which is produced by country B in 15 hours. Also, country A produces that much rice in 10 hours which is produced in 15 hours in country B.  Now it is supposed that country B can produce one bushel of wheat in 5 hours and 1kg of rice in 10 hours. On the other hand, country A produces 1 bushel of wheat in 3 hours and 1kg of rice in 1 hour. Once again, country A is more productive than country B. However, for country B, the cost of producing one bushel of wheat is half kg of rice. For country A, the cost of producing one bushel of wheat is 3kg of rice. It means that the opportunity cost of the production of wheat is lower for country B than country A in terms of the kilograms of rice that are to be given up. Therefore, country B has a comparative advantage in producing wheat. Similarly, for country B, the cost of producing 1kg of rice is two bushels of wheat. For country A, the cost of producing 1kg of rice is one-third of a bushel of wheat. Hence, country A has a comparative advantage in the production of rice. Now, if the two countries decide to trade one bushel of wheat with 1kg of rice, country B can specialize in the production of wheat, while trading some with country A, and country A can specialize in the production of rice trading some of it to country B. Now, country B can shift the hours of producing rice to wheat which would result in the production of 2 bushels of wheat which can be exchanged for 2kg of rice. Similarly, country A can reallocate the hours used in the production of wheat to the production of rice hence resulting in the production of 3kg of rice which can be exchanged for 3 bushels of wheat. Therefore, both countries gain from trade where there is a comparative advantage. (Ricardo, 1821)

Joint venture success factors in the petroleum industry (management Essay

Joint venture success factors in the petroleum industry (management side) - Essay Example On the other hand, there were thirteen failure factors that gas and oil managers pointed out. The failure factors include; i. Selecting a suitable business partner. ii. Managerial teams having mixed abilities. iii. The company’s power of negotiation. iv. Gain of foreign technology v. Compatibility of each partners objectives vi. Having a clear understanding of the petroleum sector future dynamics vii. Gaining managerial expertise from foreign partners viii. Cooperation between supply and reinforcement. ix. Export development. x. Sharing risks and profits. xi. International marketing cooperation. xii. Joint venture agreement transparency. xiii. Powers for independent decision making. The success factors that were pointed out by the managers include; i. Corporate cultures importance ii. Production cooperation. iii. Solving of conflicts iv. Export development v. Domestic marketing cooperation. vi. Taking an equal responsibility in management vii. The willingness of the partners f rom Algeria to retain their stake as majority shareholders in the Joint Ventures. viii. Involvement of domestic partners in R & D. ix. International leasing eligibility. The data gathered from all the participants in the form of filled questionnaires were then arranged as tables in the SPSS data files in order to be analyzed through the SPSS processor. In total, four SPPSS data files or tables were composed, out of which one represented the Algerian Managers failure factors, one included the Algerian Managers success factors, one comprised of Foreign Managers failure factors and one consisted of Foreign Managers success factors. Each one of the 4 SPSS data files was analyzed by executing the descriptive analysis, t-test analysis and chi-square analysis with the help of the SPSS software. Subsequent to which, the output data that were generated for each table have been presented in the respective tables in the following sections. The SPSS processor also generated the histogram showin g the distribution of each factor with respect to the normal-distribution-curve. The output data for each section will then be compared to develop the similarities and the differences in the perception of the Algerian managers to that of the foreign managers in relation to the success and failure factors of the international oil and gas joint ventures in Algeria both in the past and in the present. 11.1. Literature Review 11.1.1. Hypothesis Testing A hypothesis, in a research-study, can be defined as an expression that can be subjected to analysis. For answering a statistical question, the question is formulated in the form of a hypothesis. Then the hypothesis is accepted or rejected on the basis of the outcome of the analysis. The hypothesis that is being analyzed or tested is referred as the null hypothesis and is denoted by H0, which has to be a true or false statement. There is an alternative hypothesis denoted by HA for every null hypothesis. In this regard, the development and the assessment of the hypotheses is the most important task however the best way for the hypothesis-construction is not necessarily evident: Priority is given to the null hypothesis and it is accepted until some strong evidence is found or produced against it. If a hypothesis is simpler than the other one then it should be given priority in order to adopt a relatively 'simpler' theory unless adequate evidence is found

IT GOVERNANCE WITH RISK MANAGEMENT IMPACT ON THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR Essay

IT GOVERNANCE WITH RISK MANAGEMENT IMPACT ON THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR BUSINESS STRATEGY - Essay Example It has the capability of influencing how the company objectives are set and achieved, how risks are being monitored and assessed and how the performances are being optimized. Applying the concept of governance to IT, Rego and Wilson (2012) define IT governance as the setting up of structures, processes and relational mechanisms around the way an organization aligns its IT strategy with its business strategy. IT is a critical element of governance and usually entails the study and use of systems such as computers and telecommunication equipments for storing, sending and retrieving information (Rego & Wilson, 2012). Erkens, Hung and Matos, (2012) place the responsibility of IT governance on the board of directors and the executive management. From this perspective, IT governance is seen to be a crucial part of the enterprise management and entails leadership and organizational structures and processes that ensure that the company IT sustains and extends to the organization strategy and objectives. From this definition, IT management remains a main actor within the IT governance process. However, although IT management and IT governance are closely related, the two concepts are different since IT management is in charge of providing effective IT services, with supplying and management of IT services and products. On the other hand, IT governance focuses on the performance and service deliv ery aimed at achieving the demands of customers and shareholders. IT governance is surrounded with risks, which means that risk management is inevitably a component of IT governance as well as corporate governance. It follows, therefore, that the teams responsible for the governance of a governmental entity must consider IT and understand how critical the risks are to the organization and manage them according to their priority level. This becomes more important when it is considered that the government sector often struggles to deal with inadequate or

Fiscal and Monetary Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fiscal and Monetary Policy - Essay Example Therefore, it would be government who has to come forward and prepare a discretional fiscal and monetary policy in collaboration with the central bank to reduce the expansionary or contractionary gap. On the other hand, the pundits of passive policy assumes that the current position of economy is quite stable such that the market forces can better interact with each other to achieve the equilibrium in the economy due to the presence of automatic stabilizers in the economy. Active policy is quite famous among the policymakers due to the fact that by apply this approach the economy can be steered to a particular direction in quick times. The active policy is mainly utilized by the existing presidents just before the elections in order to gain some short term advantages so that their chances of being elected for the next tenure can be increased. Another important strength of this approach is that generally this approach is presented to the public in a very decent manner by the central bank and the government, but in reality, both these institutions heavily emphasize on the passive approach which is the core tool behind stabilizing the economy after recessions. This policy can provide its best of the results when some sheered expert policymakers are given the command to formulate a policy to come out of the recession. When those policymakers sit together and think, they can use active policy as their premier tactic which can bring stability to the economy . The weaknesses of this policy mostly wipe out the strengths of active policy because of considerable difficulties which arises when this policy is to be formulated. The biggest weakness of this policy is the difficulty in estimating the future output level of the economy and the unemployment rate. Both these factors are hard to foresee and identify under this approach. Another important weakness

Indoor Play Area for Children in Highcross Mall in Leicester in the UK Essay

Indoor Play Area for Children in Highcross Mall in Leicester in the UK - Essay Example The creative ideas and innovative designing of play centre are discussed in detail to land on a conclusion that an effectively designed play centre at Highcross Leicester would certainly attract more and more number of parents enclosed by their kids to the shopping mall, the sales graph of which has the chance of ever going up. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction†¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 4 Problem†¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 4 Aims and Objectives†¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 5 Methods†¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 5 Business Plan†¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 6 Time-frame†¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 11 Possible constraints†¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 12 Outcome/Discussion†¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 12 Conclusion†¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 16 Introduction: Customised childcare in UK was very poor two decades ago. When compared to other European countries and Western side of the Globe, UK’s child care systems were low in intensity. Mothers of UK found the period between childbirth and schooling too long to sustain especially when they happened to be employees. Lack of state and private initiatives to find out alternative childcare systems were ascribed to their opting part-time employment rather than full-time jobs. However, internal and external influences have paved way for emergence of a series of childcare legislations in the final decade of 20th Century. The years that followed Childcare Act 2006 saw a leap in childcare development. The Brighton and Hove City council has recently published in February 2010 an updated information sheet ‘Running a Crecheâ⠂¬â„¢ in which a clear definition of creches is envisaged. It reads: - facilities which provide occasional care for children under eight and which are provided on particular premises on more than five days a year. They need to be registered where they run for more than two hours a day, even when individual children attend for shorter periods. Some are in permanent premises and care for children while parents are engaged in particular activities, eg, shopping or sport. Others are established on a temporary basis to care for children while their parents are engaged in time-limited activities, eg, a conference or exhibition. Problem: Our aim of designing a play space inside the shopping Mall at Leicester, UK should never be considered as an easing knack for parents in their busy schedules of shopping and other activities so that they can lessen the burden of their childcare activities. Instead, the play area is to be designed in such a way it nourishes creativity among kids. Aim and Ob jectives: The purpose of this report is to investigate and analyse information in connection with formation of a creche in the busiest shopping centre in Leicester. Although a play zone in a shopping Mall in which the ‘play’ serves a subsidiary (Sarah and Valentine, 2009, p.89) and supporting function, our aim in this study is to evolve a method/ design of creche with creative elements so that parents’ responsibility of robust childcare is shouldered. The chief predictors in this endeavour are obtaining valid permission from authorities and ensuring a considerably greater natural environmental design. Methods: The method in gathering information to plan and implement this project included primary and secondary

Chocolate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chocolate - Essay Example One could moreover trace the map of the world as close to what we know today by starting from that time when Ferdinand Columbus, the son of Christopher saw the canoe loaded with cacao beans in 1502 - the first sighting by a European - to that time when the Maya nobles presented chocolate as a gift to the Spanish crown in 1544 - the beginning of the popularization of chocolate, first among the nobility, until they the colonial powers spread the practice of eating and producing chocolate as a beloved food concoction. Location is evidently a starting point for chocolate. It must be noted that for example coffee and chocolate originated only in certain parts of the world, and not in any other location. The same can be said of wine and cheese. And while the seeds or technologies in making them may have been transported to other parts of the world, they're cultivation and production are still limited in certain parts of the world, where they are said to have their origins. Chocolate comes from the cacao tree which has been described as a "difficult tree to grow, uncooperative and moody" (Wolf 4).

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Essay Example for Free

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Essay Lab 2.1 Exercise 2.1.1 All these elements are necessary because each allows the other to function and do its job. Without Media the signal cannot transmit. Without Interface the computer cannot access the Media. Without the signal the electricity or copper wires cannot transmit information. Without Pattern there would be no established format for the signals. And timing lets the devices know when the pattern starts and ends. Exercise 2.1.2 Almost all networks in use today are based in some fashion on the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) standard. The core of this standard is the OSI Reference Model, a set of seven layers that define the different stages that data must go through to travel from one device to another over a network. But the OSI is just a guideline. Exercise 2.1.3 The other networking services are: RIP Listener Simple TCP/IP Services UPnP User Interface Exercise 2.1.4 Wi-Fi wireless networks support ad hoc connections between devices. Ad hoc Wi-Fi networks are pure peer to peer compared to those utilizing wireless routers as an intermediate device. Exercise 2.1.5 Lab 2.1 Review 1) A peripheral device is an internal or external device that connects directly to a computer but does not contribute to the computers primary function. It helps access and use the functionalities of a computer. (ex. Mouse, flash drive, printer) Network devices are components used to connect computers or other electronic devices together so that they can share files or resources. (ex. Router, dsl filter, Ethernet cable) 2) The fewer amount of connections the fast the connection speed with the current connections. 3) A peer-to-peer (P2P) network is created when two or more PCs are connected and share resources without going through a separate server computer. Benefits: 1) It is easy to install and so is the configuration of computers on this network. 2) All the resources and contents are shared by all the peers, unlike server-client architecture where Server shares all the contents and resources. 3) P2P is more reliable as central dependency is eliminated. Failure of one peer doesn’t affect the functioning of other peers. In case of Client –Server network, if server goes down whole network gets affected. 4) There is no need for full-time System Administrator. Every user is the administrator of his machine. User can control their shared resources.

Transactionalism Analysis of Political Processes

Transactionalism Analysis of Political Processes Political Swat Barth Assess Barths Theory of Transactionalism In this book, such a paradigm of political experience not only tells us something important about the traditional political situation in Swat, it is also the basis of a trenchant criticism of views prevailing at the time when Barth wroteIt reveals that a quest for personal advantage could flourish in a traditional setting.† (Meeker 1980 : 684) It is important to distinguish, when discussing Political Leadership among Swat Pathans (1959), between its effectiveness as an ethnographic account, and its role as a work of theory. Barth’s later works were written when he had further developed his method with the support of the ‘Bergen school’, which included other Scandinavian ethnologists and continental authors such as Robert Paine. F. G. Bailey, in 1960, affirmed in his review for Man (p. 188), that â€Å"Barth’s book is a monograph and not a work of theory†. However, Barth’s 1959 article Segmentary Opposition and the Theory of Games: A Study of Pathan Organisation forms a â€Å"case study of unilineal descent and political organisation among Yusufzai Pathans [which] exemplifies a pattern, not previously described in the literature, of deriving corporate political groups from a ramifying unilineal descent charter.† (p. 19) Barth’s transactionalism, as a form of methodological individualism, developed in a general movement away from the dominant Durkheimian models of Radcliffe-Brown and Fortes. In a return to more Malinowskian traditions, authors including Bailey, Barth and Paine explored the ways in which cultural actors manipulate social rules so as to maximise their own profit. In addition, there was a growing need for anthropologists to account for change in societies which were increasingly exposed to a strongly Western, global political social model, rather than remaining static, as some theories would have had them. In his 1959 ethnography, Barth shows that the strategic choices of individuals significantly determine the political hierarchy, the latter which recognises the contractual right of individuals and thus demands that leaders consistently prove their status-worthiness. â€Å"In this respect the political life of Swat resembles that of Western societies† (Barth 1959a : 2). In moving away from the structural functionalist model, Barth took a decisive step in his proposition that the bases of the society were united by a solidarity based on â€Å"individual strategic choices†, rather than by the mechanical solidarity elaborated by Evans-Pritchard and Fortes in Africa. The authority systemis built up and maintained through the exercise of a continual series of individual choices. (Barth 1959a : 2) Criticism It is a saddening, but no doubt common, experience to see one’s analyses made banal and one’s points of view reduced to simple stereotypes. It is perhaps even more distressing to be attributed a web of trivial and fundamental errors and omissions which one has not committed. (Barth, correspondence in Dupree 1977 : 516) While much praised, Barth has had his fair share of able critics. In 1972, Talal Asad delivered a class-oriented polemic of Barth’s Pathans, insisting that the landlords exploited their tenants consistently, and that the author suffered from the â€Å"illusion of consent† in attributing free contractuality to their exchanges. Four years later, Akbar S. Ahmed wrote Millennium and Charisma among Pathans, arguing that Barth suffered from a â€Å"khan’s-eye view†, again proclaiming that the reality of Swat society involved far less ‘free choice’ than Barth would have us believe, people’s lives instead being shaped strongly by â€Å"a matrix of interacting and largely fixed social patterns† (cited in Dupree 1977 : 514). As did Asad, Dupree praises Barth as an â€Å"indefatigable fieldworker and imaginative theorist† (1977: 514); but Ahmed, he points out, was well qualified to document Barth’s ‘Norwegian entrepreneur bias’, not least since his wife is the grand daughter of the late Wali of Swat. â€Å"What Barth observes from the outside, Ahmed explores from the inside† (Charpenter, C. J. correspondence in ibid: 516). Louis Dupree’s 1976 article was republished in Current Anthropology in 1977, appended by correspondences from Barth and others interested in the debate. They address the issues raised by Dupree, especially that â€Å"there is a great distance between Barth’s model and the Swati ethnography as he (Ahmed) saw it in 1974† (Pettigrew J., correspondence in Dupree 1977). Pettigrew goes on to make an engaging point, to counter this, that â€Å"the issue is instead whether the models we use yield adequate information about societal processes† (ibid.). Somewhat later, in a review of Barth’s Selected Essays (1981), Ian Prattis is keen to point out Barth’s inability adequately to account for social change, and is of the belief that Barth is â€Å"opposed to grand conceptual schemes in general and to the direction taken by 1950s social anthropology in particular† (Prattis 1983: 103). Barthing Up the Wrong Tree shows that â€Å"Barth missed out crucial variables (power, intrinsic value) and claimed too much for the power of transactions to integrate social systems† (ibid. : 108). However, Prattis was concerned with the author’s output of two decades, while I am interested more specifically with his initial formulation of transactionalism, especially as exemplified in Political Leadership among Swat Pathans of 1959.