The Battle for the World Economy, June 1 | Full Version – YouTube
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It is a long standing theory that patience is a virtue, but it is also one which is not readily available in our contemporary culture. As technological advancement has improved the speed and ease with which everyday tasks can be performed, so too an entire generation has become accustomed to being achieving instant gratification and satisfaction. This impatience and demand for swift resolution has influenced our feelings concerning less relevant aspects of our lives, such as relationships, career advancement and also the governments approach to social issues.
Subsequently we live in an age where we expect to see any issue resolved both swiftly and efficiently, regardless of its complexity or significance. Whether we address social problems such as obesity or look to improve the level of diversity within a range of professional or academic fields, society is fairly impatient with regards to the amount of time it is prepared to afford those who seek to effect change and improvement. This not only does a disservice to a nations problem solvers, but also serves to increase social tension and discontentment.
The Current US and Desires for Growth
The current economic and social circumstances that afflict the US undoubtedly need resolving, but these changes must be effected gradually and with a view to long term prosperity. While it is healthy for a nations citizens to desire both local and national growth and advancement, these feelings cannot be allowed to manifest themselves in short term solutions and an over eagerness to ensure a speed rather than a quality of resolution. For any social change to reap benefits, it must be implemented and cultivated over a significant period of time.
With gas prices set to rise beyond the $4 mark across the US, citizens are finding themselves trapped within a vicious cycle of economic hardship. The current price, which is based on the inflated cost of oil, has already risen to its highest point since July 2008, and economists are predicting that that $4 price for gas may take hold nationwide throughout July and August. This, in line with high unemployment and increased cuts in public expenditure, is creating the likely prospect of the nations economy grinding to a shuddering halt.
The Factors in Economic Growth
There are two significant factors which drive capitalist economic growth. The first of these is enterprise, and the investment in businesses that to allows them to expand their operations and hire new staff. This then follows in to the second factor, which is consumer activity and the revenue that citizens reinvest into the economy. By itself, this is the single most important influence on the financial growth of the US, but it is in part reliant on an environment where people are able to work and earn a regular salary.
In an environment where both independent enterprise and consumer spending is hindered, it creates a distinct cycle of economic hardship. This is debilitating for both the federal government and private sector growth, but also has a deep and perpetual impact on the day to day existence of citizens. As is typical with these types of circumstance, one factor often influences the other, so as long as citizens are unable to find employment and earn any semblence of disposable income, so too they are forced to reduce their levels of expenditure and tighten their financial belts.
As the US and other western economies struggle with the continuing cycle of recession and growth, there is an increasing desire to create a more stable economic environment. This is not only an aspiration of the federal government, but also of the voters and individual members of society, who are more determined than ever to maintain responsible spending and saving trends throughout 2011. This is a promising portent for the year ahead, and suggests that societies are finally heeding the harsh lessons of financial hardship.
However, this particular type of resolution has become a typical reaction to periods of recession, but is often not supported by consistent action once the economy experiences renewed growth. As job creation soars and unemployment falls, financial stability is temporarily stored, encouraging a relaxed comfort amongst individuals who develop a more casual ethos towards saving and spending. There are many potential reasons for this, but an inherent lack of fiscal awareness and training may well be the most pertinent.
The Foundations of Education
The key to any successful teaching is to begin it early enough to influence behavioural trends. This is the accepted logic for all core curriculum subjects, including English, Mathematics and Science, which are all taught to youngsters from the age of 5 and continued as standard throughout the duration of high school. What this practice suggests is that governments and teaching bodies understand that their children are most susceptible to learning during this time, and therefore how important this period is in developing a desired level of conducts.