Yemen Developing A Country Essays - Republics, Western Asia, Yemen

Yemen: Developing A Country Yemen: A Focus on Development for the Oil and Tourism Industries Yemen, a third world country desperately trying to achieve 2nd or even 1st world status, is in the midst of turmoil and tribulation in trying to bail out their economy and increase their level of reform. Since 1995, the Yemeni government began to implement a large scale program of reform. The program was formulated in cooperation with the IMF and the World Bank and it is considered a liberal program aimed at making the market the dominant regulator of the economy (6. Mallakh, 241.) Unfortunately, the outcome of this reform is not encouraging even though 1995 and 1996 were nominally successful years for the program. Yemen's economy continues to operate under the auspices of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, with the government moving forward with the economic-reform package that was initiated in 1995 (6. Mallakh, 241.) In the conclusion of my first case study, I found that in order for Yemen to successfully reform economically, there was a definite need for for eign investment. Whereas this may prove to be true for a minute part of the economy, it fails to recognize the most blatant of truths: the Yemeni economy cannot survive without the counterbalance on the oil industry concerning the imports and exports. I. Yemeni oil production, Exploration and Foreign Investment 1. Oil Production Yemen's current oil output of about 350,000 bbl/d provides the country's main source of income. After a slight decline from 1995 to 1996, oil production is back on the increase. In 1996, output fell 5,000 bbl/d to 340,000 bbl/d, rebounding to 385,000 bbl/d in 1997. Yemen contains proven oil reserves of 4 billion barrels. Proven recoverable reserves of 1.7 billion barrels are concentrated in five areas: Marib-Jawf Block 18 (490 million barrels), Masila Block 14 (550 million barrels) in the south, the Jannab Block 5 (345 million barrels), and Iyad Block 4 (135 million barrels) in central Yemen. The Masila block is the country's most productive oil field at 200,000 bbl/d followed by Marib-Jawf at 140,000 bbl/d (4. USEIA) 2. Exploration and Bringing in Foreign Investment A. Exploration Exploration for additional reserves and new investments from foreign companies began to decline in 1994, due mainly to civil war between north and south Yemen, unattractive exploration and production contractual conditions, and the low success rate of hydrocarbon discoveries. However, exploration activity picked up again in 1997 after the civil war ended and the government started to offer more attractive contract terms. By mid 1997, approximately 20 exploration agreements were in force with foreign oil companies (4. USEIA) (5. E.I.U. p. 37-40.) B. Foreign Investment Projects In September 1997, Canada's TransGlobe Energy signed a MOU with Yemen's ministry of oil and mineral resources followed by a production sharing agreement (PSA) in December 1997 for the Dameis Block S1. Under the terms of the PSA, Transglobe will conduct a 3D seismic survey covering 60 square miles and drill three wells. This first exploration phase will take 22 years at a total cost of US$11 million. A second 22-year phase requires an additional 40 square miles of 3d seismic data and drilling three more wells. This second phase will cost another US$11 million. Block S1 was previously explored by Royal Dutch/Shell between 1990 and 1993. Meanwhile, another Canadian company, First Calgary Petroleum, signed a US$15 million deal for oil exploration in Yemen's southern province of Hadramaut. Two phases of exploration activities are expected, which will include drilling two wells as well as conducting 3D seismic surveys (2. Yemen Observer) 3. IMF Reform Package: Is it the answer? A.What is the IMF Reform package? The IMF program includes banking reform, privatization of state-run industries, major infrastructure investment, and reduction or elimination of government subsidies. Thus far, the economic situation has been improving in what is one of the world's poorest countries (3.IMF: Policy) B. Problems One of the main provisions in the IMF reform package calls for the government to reduce subsidies. The first two phases of reforms reduced subsidies on oil and electricity. Transportation fuel prices were doubled in March 1995, sparking violent protests especially in Aden. Prices for fuel, electricity, and water were increased again in January 1996; diesel prices increased between 40% and 60%.

10 Exploratory Essay Topics on Globalization and Minority American Communities

10 Exploratory Essay Topics on Globalization and Minority American Communities If you need a list of facts which you can use in your next exploratory essay on minority communities in America consider the 10 below. Minority traits include distinguishing physical or cultural characteristics such as skin color or language; unequal treatment and less power; involuntary inclusion in a group; an awareness of subordination. This can be seen in the labor union organization of Cesar Chavez who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, now the United Farm Workers. It can also be seen in the American Civil Rights Movement which was a massive undertaking that used many different groups to obtain voting rights, better education, and end segregation. There is also the example of the Women’s Suffrage Movement which spread out into the greater Women’s Rights movement that includes everything from anti-discrimination, birth control to social reform. A minority is a group whose members have significantly less power, control or authority over their lives (or some aspect of them) than other members of a larger or more dominant group. It is impossible to avoid having a minority of one kind or another. There is even a phrase that describes a â€Å"minority of one†. This means that the United States will always contain groups that qualify as minorities because they are significantly outnumbered by the larger population. Throughout the history of the country there have been many times when people have had to organize themselves into recognizable groups in order claim their political rights or to enjoy equal economic opportunities. These are groups that fall under several common headings or categories that include: Racial – in the United States the minority racial groups have included African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans among many others. Ethnic – In the United States the minority ethnic groups have included Latinos and Hispanics as well as such groups as Jews who can also fall under the Religious heading too. Religious – The United States have seen religious minorities such as the Amish, Mormons, Muslims, and even Roman Catholics. One major demographic trend occurred in the U.S. as a result of immigration. The United States has always been a country of immigrants. Almost all Americans living in the U.S. today are descended from immigrants, including Native Americans who are believed to have originally immigrated from Asia to North America. The volume of immigration to America began increasing during the 1950s. An average of 800,000 immigrants were legally admitted to the U.S. each year between 1992 and 1999. It has been estimated that another quarter of a million immigrants entered the U.S. illegally during this same time period. Between 1880 and 1914 there had been a major wave of immigration to the United States, primarily from northern and western Europe. Approximately 1.2 million immigrants were admitted to the United States in 1914. Among the immigrants who made their way to the United States legally in the 1990s, about half came from Latin America while another 30% came from Asia. In the same way that previous waves of immigration had molded the ethnic makeup of the United States, recent patterns of immigration have also contributed to the ethnic composition of the country as well. American history demonstrates that, even though the founding documents ensured that human dignity and many significant freedoms were protected, there were certain groups which would have to fight for them. Generally, it has been the minorities which have had to create a social disruption such as protesting and marching, or through the creation of organized movements, as means of facilitating change. Minority communities function today as insular groups which are referred to by a key identifying figure. Their race. There are different races, although all American are identified as different to the Anglo-Saxon majority. This minority status brings with it problems for many groups including racism, discrimination, and a lack of equality in terms of social and economic opportunity. Chicanos, for example. While many originated from the same geographic location, when the United States defeated Mexico during the 1850’s, those individuals who remained north of the new borderline became a minority of Americans, forming the backbone of the Chicano minority community known today. Minority communities can be studied in the way that people, ideas, and even organizations move and interact between different minority communities throughout America including groups like African Americans, Asian Americans, and Mexican Americans often referred to as Chicanos. With Asian Americans, many came during the times of economic need, such as the high number of nurses brought over to America during the 1980’s and 1990’s from Asian countries to fill the economic demand. While they migrated to America for jobs, they remained inside of the Asian American minority community, not receiving equal treatment and being exposed to racism and discrimination. African American minority communities have formed since the time of slavery being abolished. With the new freedoms, these groups continued to face oppression and discrimination, especially in the south. As means of survival, minority communities gathered together. It is this minority bonding which led to the growth of many popular African American communities like Harlem. From mentioned communities, many cultural influences emerged, such as authors of great literature, jazz music and blues, as well as great plays and artwork. American minorities have been extremely active in fighting for their rights from the country’s earliest days, and several key figures tend to stand out in the period since the end of the Civil War. These individuals come from all minority groups we see today including African American minority communities, Chicano minority communities, and Asian American minority communities. Prominent leaders from each minority community have all had significant social, political, and economic impact based on their life’s work. Some have used lectures and speaking as their means of communicating, others have created large and powerful organizations to forward their cause, and still others have used many different approaches to create widespread and long-lasting results. These facts should give a solid backbone for your exploratory essay on globalization and minority American communities. Be sure to also check our 20 subtopics and 1 sample essay on the subject as well as our instructions on academic essay writing one on your own. References: Almaguer, Tomas.  Racial Fault Lines: The Historical Origins of White Supremacy in California. Univ of California Press, 2008. Behiels, Michael D.  Canadas Francophone Minority Communities. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 2004. Print. Cheng, Wendy.  The Changs Next Door to the Diazes: Remapping Race in Suburban California.  2013. Gupta, Nilanjana, Sipra Mukherjee, and Himadri Banerjee.  Calcutta Mosaic. London: Anthem Press, 2009. Print. Hira, S. Questions and Answers about Reparations for Colonialism. (20). Jones-Brown, Delores D, and Karen J Terry.  Policing And Minority Communities. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2004. Print. Steger, Manfred B.  Globalization. Print.