Thursday, October 31, 2019

Logistics and Operations Management - The World Trade Organization Assignment

Logistics and Operations Management - The World Trade Organization - Assignment Example These negotiations were held under GATT or General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. In the present times, there are new negotiations that the WTO is involved into under the ‘Doha Development Agenda’ instigated in the year 2001 (Understanding the WTO - Who we are, 2012). Countries, in general, encounter several challenges and problems while performing activities of trade across different countries. Thus negotiations and effective rules are required that are maintained by the WTO. Also, trade barriers are maintained by the rules that are set by the WTO, helping to protect consumers of such trade activities (Understanding the WTO - Who we are, 2012). The present study focuses on the work of the WTO and to analyze the impact that it has on world trade. Thus the study would analyze the outcomes of the various summits that have taken place since the end of the Second World War and consider the impact they have had on world trade. For this particular study, interpretivism research philosophy has been found to be applicable for this particular research study as it combines diverse approaches together and tries to understand the world as it is experienced (Collins, 2010, pp.38-39). The study has been based on qualitative research technique that involves the description of the types and qualities of people or events without expressing them in the form of numerical figures (Thomas, 2003, pp.1-2). The collection of data for the study has been dependent on secondary sources, thus involving sources that present studies and findings of earlier researchers and information that are already available concerning the topic of study (Malhotra, 2008, p.106). Thus books and authenticated internet articles, the website of WTO have been included in this study to learn about the works of the WTO, and their effects on world trade. While including such study materials, ethical factors have also been kept significantly under focus and the credibility of the sources have also been checked.  Ã‚  

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

The Dispositional and Learning Theories Essay Example for Free

The Dispositional and Learning Theories Essay An individual’s personality is his/her distinctive pattern behavioral tendencies or psychological process that defines how he/she reacts with the environment. Personality manifests itself in one’s behavior towards others people and situations in the surrounding. While some aspects of personality are genetically inherited, others are picked from one’s environment. Personality that is influenced by the environment is developed by the context of the family or culture of the close society (Carver et al, 2000). Psychologists who study personality characterize personality traits and scrutinize their influence on and prediction of one’s behaviors. In addition to comparing and contrasting dispositional and learning theories of personality, this paper discusses the role of personality in influencing one’s behavior. The personality theories of disposition and learning and the resultant characteristics are used to explain interpersonal relations in individual. The Dispositional and Learning Theories Psychologists have developed many approaches to human personalities such as existential, humanistic, biological, or genetic, descriptive, and psychodynamic theories. The dispositional theory that regards personality to be composed of behavioral tendencies, traces its roots to ancient Greek Philosopher, medicine guru, and psychologist Hypocrites. The dispositional theory explains that psychological characteristics remain stable in an individual over a long period of exposure to a given situation. Learning theories stresses the concept that behaviors are a consequence of one’s encounters with the environment and his/her reactions to different life experiences. An individual’s experiences shape his/her behavior in different situations. The classical conditioning and punishment one receives while growing up tend to shape the way they react to similar or related scenarios in future. The learning theory may be divided into a sub-class called the Cognitive social learning that expounds on the role of cultural values and related ways of facing situations borrowed from the society. The traits are learned and internalized without any pressure applied to an individual. Personality Characteristics and Interpersonal Relationship The theories discussed above explain the origin of certain traits or characteristics upon which one’s personality is based. These traits are vital in dictating the interpersonal relationships of a person. The main characteristics include emotional stability, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extroversion, and openness or intellect. Extraversion entails being assertive, excitement seeking and state of seeking high levels of activity. The individual is always filled with positive emotions and warmth. Agreeable persons are always straightforward in their actions and are generally trustworthy. They also profess to altruism, carrying out acts that are beneficial to others while the actor forgoes comfort and happiness. These individuals are not only yielding but are also more likely to agree to other’s desire and demands. In addition, they are modest in their actions towards others and different situations. Conscientiousness on the other hand refers to positive traits such as self-discipline and dutifulness in an individual. This trait is mainly explained by the learning theory where discipline is instilled in a person by a learning process. Such people are in most cases orderly in their handling of different situations, making them develop healthy interpersonal relationships. Those with this trait tend to deliberate a lot when faced with new situations and they always strive for achievements (Carver et al, 2000). In addition to these features, such individuals are in most cases competent in their actions. Neuroticism is another characteristic attributed to the personality theories. Neuroticism refers to impulsiveness in actions, anxiety, and vulnerability of an individual. Besides being generally hostile, the person is always prone to depression when faced with unfamiliar situations. Exposure to environments of depression or cruelty enhances one’s risks of adopting such traits. Neuroticism is thus attributed to dispositional theory of personality. Openness refers to being welcoming and accommodative to new ideas, feelings and values. Such an individual easily welcomes new types of experience in his/her life. Their personality traits allow them to adjust and effectively manage unfamiliar situations. These individuals learn pick up new modes of action necessitated by interaction with new environments. Openness, which fosters good interpersonal relations, is attributed to dispositional theory of personality. Personality and Situational Behavior Debate rages on whether one’s behavior towards certain situations is controlled by the personality or the situation itself. The debate has however been productive, as an approach that is more dynamic has been adopted regarding the role of personality in facing different situations. The two approaches widely contrasted are the personality view and the situational circumstance. While the personality approach argues that one’s personality styles dictate the behavior, the situational theory stresses that behavior depends on the immediate situation. Are there situations where one’s personality surpasses the immediate situation so that he/she make rational judgment on the situation? Individuals should apply their personality to control situations and not the other way round. A person’s conduct towards a situation should not be controlled by the situation at hand. The main psychological variables upon which one’s behavior in different situations hinges are personality traits. An individual’s behavior in face of a situation is predicted by his/her personality (Carver et al, 2000). One’s behavior is influenced by the interaction between his/her personality traits and the immediate situations. However simplistic this view seems, there is always a mutual existence between the situation, and one’s personality in developing a behavioral inclination. Different situations may affect an individual in different ways. While some situations make an individual to express his/her personality traits, others limit their choices or behavior in relating with the situation. People also vary in how they allow their personality to react to different situations. While others have a high tendency to adapt to the situation, others have a consistent personality-situation relationship. This dependency on their personality is due to their inability to adapt to different situations. Personality also most often show up in situation where they are needed to help solve a problem. People also tend choose situations depending on their personalities. Personality however does not predict how one will react to a specific situation that lasts for a short/specific time. Personality therefore only predicts one’s general or overall behavioral trend towards general situations. Some individuals show behavior that is more consistent and their personality traits only emerge in some situations. Research has also shown that the influence of personality on handling of situations wanes with time. Whatever people do in life and the situations they are comfortable with are dictated largely by their traits. These choices may be in relation to careers, relationships, and lifestyle in general. Conclusion Personality, which refers to the psychological classification of people results from the different traits/characteristics inherent in individual. Among the theories that explain personality are the dispositional and the learning theories. These theories explain how individuals interact with different situations in their environment. While some people use judgment to interact with the environment, others use the approach of perception in developing a behavior towards situations. There are various characteristics attributed to these personality theories, namely emotional stability, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extroversion, and openness or intellect. Reference Carver, C. S. , Scheier, M. F. (2000). Perspectives on personality. Needham Heights

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Causes fast economic development in India and China

Causes fast economic development in India and China Since 21st century, Chinas national economy has maintained a growth rate of about 10%, which is called a miracle in the history of the world economy (Cai, 2007). Indias economy has also made remarkable progress. During 2002 to 2006, the economic growth rate reached 7.8%. Since the year 2003 2004, the Indian economy has shown continuous rapid growth: from 2003 to 2007, Indias average annual economic growth rate reached 7.5%, 8.5%, 9.4% and 9.6% (Mohan, 2008). In order to analysis the causes of such fast economic development in the two countries, this essay will firstly introduce the basic framework of open system proposed by Daniel Katz and Robert L. Kahn and how understanding of this theory can instruct the development of economic development. Subsequently, this essay will analyze the key factors that spelling the increasingly rise of economy in China and India, such as the population change, the investment on fixed assets, the technology development and the institutional improvement , based on the open system theory. Finally, the essay will give a conclusion of the overall analysis. The open system theory Daniel Katz and Robert L. Kahn (1978) proposed a theory structure of open-systems theory including: inputs, transformation, outputs and recycling. Inputs contain capital, raw materials, and employees. Also, some intangible influences, such as personal rewards, satisfaction, recognition, or status. Products or services are created through the transformation process using employee, raw materials by facilities such as machine and computer. These products or services are delivered to customers. Through the recycling, the profit obtained becomes the input again to buy raw materials or pay employees. There are also some subsystems which is critical to the development of organization. Understand the organization is an open system other than a closed system can be a great help for any organization to develop through change the external environment such as improvement of the education level, technology, facilities or structure systems. Key factors for the economic development in China and India Rarick, A. C., Nickerson, I. and Olan, M. (2007, pp. 19-22) thought that the emergence of economic in China and India is because the low labor cost, however, there are some key factors spelling the economic booming of China and India. Over the past decade, China and Indias economy has undergone tremendous change, which is mainly determined by enhancement of input and transformation of an open system such as the growth of human capital (labor), basic production capacity (noted as the amount of fixed asset investment) as well as technical and institutional factors. 1. The reduction of the population. Personnel are the most important input of the open system. Wealth of population resources ensures the economic growth of China and Indias huge demand for labor. However, over-population also will burden the economic and social development. To ensure the economic development of China, early in 1978, family planning was taken as a basic national policy of China. Over the past decade, Chinas economic growth has been enjoying the dividends of the population, but population growth continues to decline (Zhang, 2008). India has the same concerns in the treatment of population problem, the family planning made population growth rate of India downward. 2. The increased investment in fixed assets. Transformation in the open system plays transfer input to output, through all kinds of tools and equipment. Hence, the fixed assets as the tools and equipment should be placed on a lot emphasis to ensure the normal operation of an organization. Understating this point, China and India increased the investments in fixed asset. Fixed asset investment is the primary means of reproduction of social fixed assets. Through the construction and purchase of fixed assets, the national economy continue to adopt advanced technology and equipment, establish new departments, and further adjust the regional distribution of economic structure and productivity to enhance the economic strength (Chen, 2009). Investment in fixed assets reflects the production capacity progress of a country in large extent, so the investment changes in fixed assets can reflect in the relationship of productivity and economic growth. Over the past decade, total investment in fi xed assets in China were 10% increase per year to maintain the state of positive growth, and GDP also showed a positive correlation, about 10% increase per year. Indias economy has maintained a 10% annual growth trend, the changes in total fixed asset investment kept positive growth of about 10% per year. 3. The development of technology. As an important input, technology is a critical factor which decides the competitiveness of an organization. Over the past decade, under the guidance of science and technology are productive forces, by taking the introduction idea of combining absorption and independent research and development, technological innovation capability of Chinas culture and practical results obtained significant improvement. Popularization of Chinas IT technology and products in some aspects and some areas have caught up and even more than developed countries. Technology development strategy transferred from the early introduction of technology to the main goal of the original innovation. Adhering to the ideas of integrated innovation and secondary innovation, many domestic enterprises have taken great progress in innovation, and some companies changed the business model from low-cost, low value-added Made in China to the high prices, high value-added global manufacturing strategy, and achieved good economic results. As can be seen, technical progress provided a great deal of power for Chinas sustained economic growth. For India, each government of India have attached great importance to the technological development, the government has developed a series of policies to promote scientific and technological progress and established comprehensive technology management system. Over the past decade, advances in science and technology achievements in India have attracted worldwide attention. The degree of internationalization of Indias cutting-edge personnel training, software development, international service outsourcing and bio-medicine has improved; the national resources investments focus on in space, nuclear energy and remote sensing. Information technology and biotechnology has become Indias two knowledge-based industries. For example, Indian Central Government formulated a national drug policy, and these drugs policy played an important role in p romoting the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Currently, the Indian pharmaceutical industry accounts for 8% share of global production, and the output value of share is 1.8%. Indias economic development in the past decade shows the development of Indias technology strength has played a significant role in promoting economic growth (Pradhan, 2006). 4. Institutional improvement. Institutions, laws and regulations are proponents in the open system, which possess great impact on the development of an organization. In other words, improving or reforming these items can develop the economic development. In the new century, China put forward the scientific development concept to guide economic development, and took a series of new Institutional innovation around scientific development. Chinas economic system, the changing approach to the ongoing adjustment of the world economy and domestic economic situation, successfully promoted the emancipation and development of productive forces. Chinas economic system reform is one of the fundamental driving forces of economic growth. India launched a liberalization, marketization, globalization and privatization as the characteristics of the new economic policy, that is, relaxing the restrictions on private economic development, accelerating the reform of state-owned economy, changing from a p lanned to market, implementing market economic development model. India has started a comprehensive economic reform, reform involved foreign trade system, industrial policy, and finance fields. The series of institutional change caused by the implementation of this line became the important promoter to advance Indias economy continues to change for the better. Conclusion A good understanding and application of open system can be greatly helpful for the development of economy. Considering the external environment influences and each sector of the open system can markedly affect the whole open system and further exert an impact on the economic development, China and India improved a lot in the input and transformation sectors of an open system. Aside from the labor source, that is, the low cost labor forces mentioned in Rarick, A. C., Nickerson, I. and Olan, M. (2007, pp. 19-22), as supplement of the Raricks research, the key factors that make the astonishing economic development of China and India are analyzed and proposed, containing: the reduction of population, the increased investment in fixed assets, the great development of technology and the institutional improvement and reformation. The abovementioned factors as well as the labor source are all critical to ensure the economic development in China and India, making them on the top list of count ries with most fast economic growth rate.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Type II Diabetes :: Health, Diseases

Introduction Type II diabetes is a heterogeneous syndrome results from the progressive defects of impairment of ß- cell insulin secretion and insulin resistant of the target tissues. It also increases due to the rising rate of obesity which involves the deficiency of insulin to compensate for insulin resistance by increasing insulin secretion [1]. However it is increasingly clear that reductions in insulin sensitivity and ß- cell functions leads to the rise of type II diabetes [2]. The normal pancreatic ß- cells displaying the remarkable response to nutrients and obesity – associated insulin resistance by the hyper secretion of insulin to maintain fuel homeostasis. But the cellular resistance unable to sustain the ß– cells compensatory response in type II diabetes [3]. Although the cause of the metabolic deterioration is unknown, but several hypothesis have been proposed including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, ER stress, and gluco-lip otoxicity [4, 5]. Recent studies with intensive investigations suggesting that elevated glucose along with circulating free fatty acids distributed especially from the intra abdominal fat are the major culprits of insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction [6, 7]. But the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of gluco-lipotoxicity contribute to ß- cell dysfunction and loss in type II diabetes remains debated. A recent observation from experimental, clinical and genetic evidence suggests endoplasmic reticulum was responsible for molecular mechanism of gluco-lipotoxicity which may contribute to ß - cell dysfunction in type II diabetes [8, 9]. In this review, we discussed about the involvement of ER in gluco-lipotoxicity induced ß- cell dysfunction along with the brief involvement of mitochondria. ER stress response Adaptation to metabolic changes requires the high regulation and co-ordination of many homeostatic systems, since the quality and quantity of available nutrients does not temporally match their needs. Pancreatic ß - cells displaying remarkable response to nutrients by the balance between the anabolic hormone insulin and the catabolic hormone glucagon in order to maintain fuel homeostasis. For an appropriate response, the cells require the development of suitable sensors and signaling molecules, which integrates all these signals into an appropriate insulin secretory rate in order to maintain homeostasis.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Beginning and Ending Your Speech

Beginning and Ending Your Speech Since the introduction will be your audience's first impression of your presentation and your conclusion will be the final impression you leave your audience with, it is important to spend time writing and practicing both the introduction and conclusion. If you successfully get through the introduction of your speech, it improves the chances you will have a successful speech overall. First, because it will set the tone for the rest of your speech and second, because it will be a boost to your confidence.For both the informative and persuasive speech, you will have your Central Idea Statement at the end of the introduction and at the beginning of the conclusion (with a change in verb tense in the conclusion). For each speech, both the introduction and conclusion should be about a minute to a minute and a half long. If yours is longer or shorter in practice, work on adjusting it. You should not start your informative or persuasive speech with â€Å"Hel lo, my name is†¦.. † instead, start right into the professional introduction as you have created it.Your introduction for both the informative and persuasive needs to have all five elements: 1. It should get the audience's attention and interest You could do this using any of the following techniques (you might use more than one but not all seven). a. State the Importance of Your Topic Explain to your audience how important your topic is to them or the seriousness of your topic. This might include statistics or reports concerning your topic. b. Startle the Audience You might choose something that startles them, such as popping a balloon to talk about air noise.But you should not scare or terrify them. c. Arouse the Curiosity of the Audience You might start with a riddle of some sort to reveal the topic or talk about the topic in a way that leaves the topic a mystery at first. d. Question the Audience You might start by asking your audience rhetorical questions (questions you are not expecting them to answer verbal, but instead, in their own mind). e. Begin with a Quotation You might start with a quotation that somehow leads to the topic. f. Tell a StoryTell the audience a story (either actual or composite) that reveals the nature of your topic. g. Relate the Topic to Current Events You might explain how your topic is related to something that has recently happened in the news. 2. Relate the Topic to the Audience Tell your audience why they should listen to your speech; why this particular topic should be of interest to your audience. If you can't relate your topic to your audience, then why are you having them listen to it? 3. Reveal the Topic Make sure your audience is clear exactly what topic you will be discussing.It may seem obvious to you by the story you have told or the quotation you have shared, but it might not be to them. 4. Establish Credibility and Goodwill This can be difficult for a new speaker or a speaker that is unknown to the audie nce and consequently doesn't have a reputation with the audience. One of the main ways to start off establishing credibility with an audience is through professional dress (referred to as initial credibility). This way at the start, your audience has a good impression of you.In regard to the spoken introduction, explaining to your audience any association you have to your topic will help with credibility (â€Å"for the past four years I've been involved with Civil War reenactments†). If you decided on the topic simply because it was of interest to you, stating that is a good way to establish credibility (â€Å"when I first started doing research for this speech, I didn't think much about the dollar bill, but through my research I was amazed how much history there is behind this piece of paper we all use every day†).Establishing goodwill is establishing that you want to help your audience understand your topic; you have concern for their learning. You might do this by a ddressing their concerns about the topic (â€Å"I know many of you might be oppose to school vouchers but I hope you will keep an open mind about the issues I would like to discuss with you today† or â€Å"I know you might have struggled through a math class but I hope to show you how math can be a form of artwork†). 5. Preview the Body of the Speech For the most part your Central Idea Statement will fulfill this function.However, you may decide your topic needs even more of a preview than the CIS and want to add additional set up for your topic. Your conclusion for both the informative and persuasive needs to have all four elements: 1. Review the Body of the Speech For the most part your Central Idea Statement will fulfill this function. However, you may decide your topic needs even more of a review than the CIS and want to add additional conclusion for the topic. 2. It Should Relate to the Introduction Have your speech come full circle by relating to something you di scussed in the introduction.You can go back to any of the ways you got your audience's attention and interest. For example, you could finish a story you told in the introduction or go back to the questions you posed to your audience and answer them. 3. Call for Future Action in Regard to Your Topic While this seems more natural for a persuasive speech (â€Å"please go out and vote†), it can work for an informative also. You might ask them to learn more about your topic, or try the subject of your speech the next time they get a chance. â€Å"So the next time you go to see a movie, consider all the work that goes into editing a movie† or â€Å"Today I've told you some about The House on the Rock, if you'd like to learn even more, please check out the following books†¦. † or â€Å"The next time you find a spider, instead of running for the can of Raid, consider what an amazing architect you have in front of you†). 4. Give the Speech a Feeling of Conclu sion Your audience shouldn't be confused if your speech is concluding or not. You want to be sure to bring the speech to a clear and smooth ending.People are often so relieved to be finished with the speech (or they haven't spent time writing the ending) that they ruin a great speech with a terrible ending. Remember this is the final impression your audience will have of you and your speech. You should not end the speech with â€Å"thank you† since that implies that the audience was somehow doing you a favor by listening to your speech instead of listening because it was a good speech. Also, you shouldn't end with statements like, â€Å"that's it! or â€Å"that's all I have† since that just throws away the ending of the speech. Additionally, you shouldn't end with â€Å"are there any questions? † since there isn't a time set up for questions ; answers after your speech (so it is just another throw away ending). Another mistake to avoid is to start packing up or walking toward your seat during your conclusion. There is time for that after you speech. You should end your speech, in place, centered in front of your audience. You want to end your speech as strong as you started it. *** The End ****

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Targeting Bilateral Aid For The Poor

The debate over foreign aid has been raging for quite a while now. Some critics have argued that aid does precious little to the poor countries it reaches. Others arguing against this pessimism have stated that aid brings in investment, which then fosters growth. However what is indeed a matter of concern is that most countries do not have the capability of absorbing aid.This is often a function of poor administrative processes, but could also arise out of poor governance structures that allow the siphoning away of funds due to the lack of accountability in these countries. There are a number of instances that are cited by skeptics to argue against foreign aid as it encourages corruption and leakage.De Soto (1989) gives some extremely clear examples of how corruption in developing countries has left the poor miserable and vulnerable. Boone(1994) shows how aid gives rise to varying outcomes in various countries.Weisskopf (1972) had pointed out how domestic savings and therefore domest ic investment gets affected by various kinds of foreign aid and foreign investment. This kind of intervention is not always in the best interest of the developing country.The debateThe issues are several. Donor countries often give aid for specific purposes. However, what might happen at the recipient’s end is that the aid gets diverted. For example, aid for expenditure of health might get diverted to spending on education.This often depends on what constituencies are more powerful in the country receiving aid. The same is true at the donor end, where more powerful lobbies ensure that it is the sector that gets the benefit of aid.Pharmaceutical sectors in developed countries have very often been blamed for diverting most aid into the health sector while the problems afflicting poor nations might be more acute in terms of starvation and malnutrition.Another reason for disgruntlement against foreign aid is that it tends to distort the domestic development agenda and takes it aw ay towards issues that might not be priority areas. Pfaff (2004) demonstrates how the environment debate in the developed world got transferred to the developing countries riding on massive amounts of aid.In the entire environmental revolution that came about in the seventies and the eighties, the industrialized and developed world ties most of its concern over the environment with aid packages. Additionally, what happens is that aid comes in for sectors, which are highly underdeveloped, and therefore the resources required to handle this aid might not be locally available.These resources are usually both human and material resources. With the non-availability of trained personnel in host countries, the modalities of aid therefore ensure that expatriates are then responsible for the distribution and utilization of such aid. Foreign experts are, to say the least, expensive.What adds to the problem is the bias this builds into the entire process. There is already enough suspicion that exists against foreigners. In addition, there is the entire issue of the lack of familiarity with local issues and local priorities.This gives rise to a disgruntlement with the management of aid and with locals feeling left out and the managers feeling uncomfortable; the efficacy of such aid reduces significantly.The foreigner manager has different sets of priorities and an alien understanding of conditions under which the local population understands the need for assistance and this duality of purpose could lead to tension and misunderstanding. How Aid helps bad governments survive By far the most stringent criticism of foreign aid has been by way of the evidence that poorly governments in developing countries have managed to survive because of the aid they are able to attract.These governments have used the aid to push policies in their countries that have been detrimental to the development of markets due to the poor economic and industrial policy environment that has been put i n place. Aid has lead to complacency as some constituencies receive enough sops and therefore do not exert pressure on their governments.Aid gives rise to protectionist measures and the competitive environment that must exist and evolve in developing economies just does not come through.Therefore poor governance continues to thrive and the dependence on foreign aid becomes perpetual. Krueger (1974) shows how this situation helps rent seekers in developing societies thrive on the poor state of political processes, especially in times of economic distress.What has also been observed that aid that comes tied to certain conditions, forces structural adjustment programs on countries that are unable to protest.However unwillingly, these countries must undergo painful reforms to satisfy the conditions laid by donors. This has often resulted in large reductions in public investments and in subsidies to the targeted poor. The famous examples where such pressure has caused domestic damage are in the structural adjustments that were forced upon Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.With pressure on them to reduce fiscal deficits, these countries went in for stringent reform measures leading to high inflation and acute stagnation. Locke (2001) shows the extent to which governments can pressurize other nations to manage policies to restructure economies in a particular fashion.However it must be pointed out that this debate is not one sided. There are countries like Zambia that have been at the receiving end. With aid increasing annually over the seventies and the eighties, the economic situation in Zambia went form bad to worse. On the other hand is Ghana in the same region.Here aid helped foster a friendly environment for the domestic policy to correct itself and help the local economy grow. In Zambia, increased aid coincided with poor policy, while in Ghana as aid levels went up, there were marked improvements seen in the fiscal and monetary sectors as also in the external secto r with trade policy improving considerably.Levinsohn and McMillan (2005) argue that aid to Ethiopia actually was pro poor and enabled the country move towards food sufficiency and food security by ensuring that the poor were given access to food supplies. Â  The authors show how households, especially the very poor, benefited when aid went into the provision of wheat in Ethiopia. The paper further argues that the very poor actually benefited the most in this process.