The High Cost of Genetic Engineering Essay -- Persuasive Argumentativ

The High Cost of Genetic Engineering    Genetic research on human embryos, in correlation with the human genome, is the key to gene therapy, genetic diagnosis, and even to genetically engineered human beings.   Knowing which gene controls what trait and causes what genetic disease will arm doctors with a powerful tool to treat their patients at the molecular level.   On the other hand, this allows people to possibly manipulate genes to enhance specific traits or create the perfect baby.   Genetic research on human embryos has two implications.   A practical one in therapeutic research (to detect, and hopefully correct gene flaws), and then the potentiality of allowing parents to decide how their child should look (or in an extreme word, eugenics).   The former, which at the present is wishful thinking, will be a reality in the future if the technology becomes feasible.   Assuming that we did genetically engineer for positive, medicinal purposes, it would require germ-line therapy, eliminating the necessity of constant somatic cell therapy.   Germ-line therapy is the process of replacing genes, whereas somatic cell therapy is adding genes and hoping that they replicate at a higher rate than others.   Possible targets for genetic engineering would be genetic diseases, such as Huntington (The Benefits of Genetic Engineering) and Parkinson, those proven to be linked to genetic predisposition, such as cancer (Ao, 140), psychological disorders like schizophrenia (Bernstein, 518), and major birth defects (Resta).   There are however drawbacks to these treatments.   Examples include undue suffering to the subjects due to botched engineering of the genes (Wolfson), also known as the Frankenstein factor, psychological trauma associated with... ....edu/hdsa/huntingtonsdisease.nclk Resta, Robert G.   Genetic Counseling:   Coping with the Human Impact of Genetic Disease:   Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.gene.com/ae/AE/AEC/CC/counseling_background.html Saetz, Stephen. 1985.   "Eugenics and The Third Reich."   The Eugenics Bulletin.   Winter.   Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.ziplink.net/~bright/papers/3rdreich.html What's Morally Wrong with   Eugenics:   Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.med.upenn.edu/~bioethic/library/papers/art/EugenicsNotreDame.html Wolfson, Richard.   Cloning, Marketing Life, and Playing God (Part II): http://www.natural-law.ca/genetic/BiotechNov97.html Magazine Articles: Dickman, Steven.   "Human Embryos Carrying Altered Genes." New Scientist July, 1997. Henig, Robin M. "Tempting: If you could dictate the content of your kid's genes, wouldn't you?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shouldn't you?"   Discover May, 1998.   Pp. 58-64.

Math and Music

There are some obvious similarities between music and math. A musician might not think about them consciously, but knows innately. Scales and intervals are essentially expressions of mathematical relationships. Grasping the importance of math to music means going beyond the conception that math is more than just numbers. Musicians at the highest level know that math is, in fact, fundamental to music. Musicians and mathematicians don’t often think of themselves in the same terms, but they are actually practitioners of the same art. Music can be studied, created and expressed through the principles of physics and geometry. Origins The language of music is heavily laden with numerical jargon. Every young player learns to assign numbers to scale notes and intervals. A musician asked to play a minor seventh interval can visualize this in mathematical form. They think of the scale, then determine its’ relationship to what they were asked to play. For most musicians, this kind of math is an unconscious process. It becomes second nature. Math should not be thought of as a static set of lifeless numbers. In reality, math is a dynamic and creative process of discovering relationships and evaluating their meanings. Music shares the same elements of the problem solving process. The ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras was fascinated with music and its expression of mathematical relationships. The beauty of music, for him, was the same as that a mathematician experiences in the process of discovery (Loy, 2006). He saw the differences in notes in terms of ratios. For example, if C is the tonic D would be 9/8 of C. The ratio is describing the difference in the number of vibrations. Each note has its own ratio, relative to tonic. The ratio is multiplied for notes in higher octaves, and divided for notes in lower octaves. Generally speaking, the frequency of a note within a scale can be calculated by multiplying the frequency of the tonic note times the frequency ratio for the selected interval (Reid, 2007). The concept of the octave was described by ancient mathematicians. They discovered that some notes, although different, could be almost imperceptible to the human ear. Correspondingly, they found that there is a mathematical relationship between the same notes in different octaves. The relationships Pythagoras and others illustrated between math and music are fundamental to the development of both fields. In an age when music can be created with computers, the mathematical elements of music have become even more important. Foundations Math and music both use symbols and employ conceptual frameworks. As in math, some elements of music are undefined or vague. Yet, the influence of math is apparent in ways musicians may not even consciously realize. Harvey Reid cites one such example: The frets of a guitar are actually placed according to the 12th root of 2, and 12 frets go halfway up the neck, to the octave, which is halfway between the ends of the strings. (2007) A note is the most basic element of music. What is a note? In technical terms, a note is a specific frequency of vibrations. A good example of this can be seen on an electronic tuning meter. The meter does not â€Å"hear† notes, per se. It counts the number of vibrations the player is creating and matches it to the appropriate frequency for the note being tuned. The actions the player takes to come into compliance with the tuner are essentially part of a mathematical problem-solving process. This illustrates the â€Å"physics† of music. The time signature itself is a mathematical formula related to number theory. The formula is n/2m, where n and m are positive whole numbers (Benson, 2006). More complex time signatures lead to more complicated mathematical relationships. This complexity can be heard, and felt, by the listener. Scales are expressions of mathematical ratios. Broadly classified, scales may be practice-based, just intoned or tempered (Reid, 2007). All are based on mathematical theories. The intervals present in the scales are expressions of mathematical ratios. The process of writing music is mathematical at its heart. It consists of constructing many mathematical relationships that, in some way, still relate to each other. We know what intervals to avoid or, in other words, what frequencies clash in an unpleasing way. Some music takes on geometric properties. A piece in which a theme is repeated and overlapped continually can be described geometrically. The theme is often stretched, overlapped, changed slightly and moved to different keys. All of these are mathematical actions that could be visualized graphically. Technology, the future and Conclusion In the computer age, musicians have a vast array of tools to create new and interesting music. Computers themselves are mathematical machines. Each command is a mathematical problem for the computer to solve. In machines that have vast mathematical capabilities, musicians can explore notational relationships in ways they never thought possible before. There are limitations to the human ear, but technology can use mathematic principles to explore those limitations. The longer a person studies music, the more they become aware of its mathematical roots. Similarly, the longer a person studies mathematics, the more aware they become music is an expression of mathematical concepts. As technology advances, the potential exists for the each field to increase the knowledge of the other. Most musicians innately sense the connection with math. The connections go far beyond the obvious, however. It is a linkage that can be traced all the way back to common origins. Sources Benson, David L. (2006). Music: a Mathematical Offering. New York: Cambridge University Press. Loy, Gareth. (2006). Musimathics: The Mathematical Foundations of Music Vol. 1. Boston: The MIT Press. Reid, Harvey. (2007). â€Å"Of Mathematics and Music†. Accessed 3/22/2007 from: http://www.woodpecker.com/writing/essays/math+music.html

Renaissance Music European Classical Music - 905 Words

Renaissance Music Renaissance music is European classical music written approximately 1400 to 1600. The Renaissance followed on from the Middle Ages the name means ‘rebirth’. This time was also the time of Humanism because it focused on human life and accomplishments (Tripod). Support for the arts led to a surge of interest in music (Grendler). New musical forms emerged in France and the Netherlands in the 1400s and gradually spread to Italy and the rest of Europe. Musicians adopted these new forms and combined them with their local traditions to create distinctive regional styles (Grendler). Three factors contributed to the growth of music during the renaissance; wealthy patrons, advances in printing and Catholic an Protestant†¦show more content†¦Some of the important composers are listed below: †¢ Josquin des Pres, Netherlands, worked in Italy France (1440-1521) †¢ Guillaume Dufay, Netherlands, worked in France, Italy Burgundy †¢ Jean de Ockeghem, Netherlands †¢ Orlando di Lasso, Netherlands / Germany, (1532-1594) †¢ Heinrich Schà ¼tz, Germany, (1585-1672) †¢ Michael Praetorius, Germany, (1571-1621) †¢ William Byrd, England,Show MoreRelatedImpact Of The Renaissance751 Words   |  4 PagesWhenever I think about the renaissance, I think of the of the dark ages. The Renaissance was a period in European history, that took place during the 14th through the 17th century. Accordant Leonardo da Vinci he describes the culture of the Renaissance as â€Å"the cultural bridge between the Middle Ages†. Renaissance started in Italy during the period of medieval, then it slowly spread throughout Europe. The term Renaissance over the years, has become synonymous with ideas of expanding, rebirth and culturalRead MoreAnalysis Of Claude Debussy s Musical Time Periods1519 Words   |  7 Pagesunleashed complete freedom across present dimensions, including melody, rhythm, and chord progression. Some of the new music has been rejected, but some of it has been integrated creating new styles of music. Suzie Berndt states in her â€Å"Musical Time Periods: The Modern Period† that the technology and industry of the modern time period facilitated much of the music invented. New styles of music are being created every single day. Diverse genres give different groups of people a sense of identity. As newRead MoreIslams Influences on the Modern World1422 Words   |  6 Pages The modern world is a mixing pot of different cultures and influences intertwining and overlapping. The impact of one culture on another can be seen clearly in contemporary Europe, which lays adjacent to Asia. Over time, European culture has evolved and assimilated with the incorporation of surrounding influences. Western civilisation has taken inspiration in the innovations and discoveries of great eastern empires such as the Greek, Roman and Byzantine. Arguably one of the most influential andRead MoreEras of Time1339 Words   |  6 PagesThere have existed several eras of music throughout time, some ha ve lasted more than others, but only a few are most remembered. Whether you’re sitting through an elementary or high school lecture about the past you are mostly likely to encounter the Medieval and Renaissance Era periods. Both of these Eras have become the standards of the past. Although, the Medieval and Renaissance Era represent two distinct cultures and worldviews of life, neither period lacks significant features or events thatRead MoreMusic s Influence On Western Music1347 Words   |  6 PagesI’m concerned, music has magical power, as the saying goes, music makes a qualities of race higher and expensive, where have music, where enjoy to melt . I think western music is the most fashionable music in the world.Even in classical western music, it was also very modern.Western music has very long history, experienced lots of difficulties and changes. Until now, there are still many researchers studying western music’s history. As I know, early western music m ostly were light music which didn’tRead MoreEssay on Renaissance vs Neoclassicism1295 Words   |  6 PagesTrefren, D Renaissance VS Neoclassicism How could two periods such as the Neoclassicism and the Renaissance be so successful and be focused on very different things? Neoclassicism and the Renaissance are two major periods in the history of art during which different forms of art including architecture, painting, music and visual arts, significantly advanced. It was during these periods, different artists became very famous as a result of the masterpieces reflecting how the ideologies and artisticRead MoreMy Point Of View 20th Century1110 Words   |  5 Pagesstandards with materialistic society? The USA, UK, France are examples of western countries. Western culture is also a music type and lifestyle that come from the western countries. Best it boosted the economy, increase technology, creates a foundation for future. Negative increase change to lose their roots and values. The major historical events in the 20th century are first The European Imperialism in Africa and Asia. Second World War 1 it was directly triggered by the assassination of Austrian archdukeRead MoreThe Origins Of The Percussion Family1310 Words   |  6 Pagesto the Turkish military band music and instruments. Many of the militarily effective instruments were carried into Western armies, such as the Cavalry Kettledrums, or Timpani. Figure 1: Mounted Trumpeters and a Kettledrummer (Persian, 1237 CE) Timpani were the first majorly used percussion instrument in Western music. It evolved from of the Medieval instrument the Nakers, which were smaller same sized drums normally used in pairs. The Nakers proliferated into European society in the Middle Ages.Read MoreThe Harlem Renaissance s Influence And Impact1262 Words   |  6 PagesThe Harlem Renaissance s Influence and Impact The Harlem Renaissance era is known for its rich culture and being the source for many African American breakthrough artists such as Alain Locke,W.E.B DuBois, and Ethel Waters. . Whether it be the diversity of music, drama, art, or literature, it’s surely present during that period of time and still is today. Many questions about this time period include â€Å"How was Harlem life like back then?† â€Å"What is the Harlem Renaissance?†, and â€Å"How did itRead More Art of the Ages Essay736 Words   |  3 Pagesnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The main focus of art from the Early Middle Ages to the Renaissance period involved fundamental changes in the way individuals viewed their world. A central element of the Renaissance was the rediscovery of ancient world of Greece and Rome. The ancient classics of philosophy, literature, and science inspired the development of empirical methods to pursue studies in these fields. As Europeans became increasingly aware of clas sical knowledge some like Galileo began to build on that knowledge actual

Resisting Violence and Suffering Concealed by Corruption...

Humans are social creatures, which impinge and get affected by others. All our norms, values and attitudes are born and developed through direct and indirect communications that continuously connect people together. Throughout the history of human’s discrimination, hatred, manipulation and injustice on the basis of class, status and ethnicity has been a part of our society but we should never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when people around us treat a person according to his or her race and origin, when facing a fate that cannot be changed, than what matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human capacity to deal with these kind of people , which is to transform a personal tragedy into joy, to turn ones predicament†¦show more content†¦Hakim Almasmari posted in Yemen post that medicines and drugs imported for public hospitals and health centers are sold in private pharmacies and hospitals (Yemen post). Due to this corruption for money people who cannot afford to buy medicines or pay fees suffer diseases and pain which is caused by them and people who are related to officials or upper class people get immediate attention (Yemen post) which leaves poor people discouraged and isolated from the society. Isolation causes many affects like problem in interacting with people, trusting people, despair and hallucinations. As isolation comes in many forms, the effect varies from person to person. Forced isolation is the isolation that is involuntary, or against the will. Isolation in which an individual alienates himself or herself is considered self-inflicted. Both of these types have similar effects on anShow MoreRelatedWilliam Blake And The French Revolution2017 Words   |  9 Pagesabandoned and orphaned children of religious charity schools would be marched by â€Å"Grey-headed beadles† (Duncan, Pg. 192) through the London streets in a display of gratitude to the Church. When in reality this public display of religious charity concealed the reality of the cruelty they endured by the hands of the Church and the poverty that they lived in; â€Å"Babes reduced to misery, fed with cold and unsorous (sic) hand? / And so many children poor? It is a land of poverty!† (Duncan, Pg. 198). BlakeRead MoreProject Mgmt296381 Words   |  1186 Pagesaccordingly. Scenario planning gets organization stakeholders thinking of the big picture and longer run survivability of the organization—as opposed to maximizing their individual silos. Scenario planning improves the organization’s ability to foresee concealed weaknesses and inflexibilities and to adapt to uncertainty and change. It positions the organization to respond to changing forces in the environment by anticipating the kinds of projects that will need to be implemented. For example, since 1974Read MoreMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 Pagesin an Organization Should Not Be Tolerated We dealt with this first in the Google case. Now we have it again in a mature organization, but one that has had its moments of greatness. Arrogance is a symptom of conceit, but one that is not easily concealed. In at least two instances it was visible enough to be commented on. When Harry Stonecipher, CEO of McDonnell Douglas, came to Boeing, he saw this as the mindset behind Boeing’s problems in the 1990s. And it may have been a major factor in quashing

Literary Analysis Of The Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin

Saroj K C Professor Bobby Jones English 1302 11 November 2017 Literary Analysis of â€Å"The Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin The Story of an Hour is a short story written by Kate Chopin which was published in 1894 as â€Å"The Dream of an Hour† in Vogue. When the word marriage hits our mind, we think it as a lasting relationship. Marriage is a commitment between two individuals bonded by holy ceremony. The story of an hour presents the side of marriage which is usually unheard. The main character of the story is Mrs. Louise Mallard. She came to know about her husband’s death from her sister at first, she wept in her sister’s arms but when she was alone in her room she experiences the happiness of freedom rather than being upset. Later, Mrs.†¦show more content†¦Then, in a crushing blow, everything she has just realized and begun to look forward to is stolen from her grasp. Upon learning of her husbands death, Mrs. Mallard realizes that she is now free. She repeats the words Free, free, free! (paragraph 11) and feels her body come alive. Her pulse beats faster; her blood runs warmer; her eyes brighten (paragraph 11). Mrs. Mallard knows that from now on she can live for herself and no one else, that all sort of days†¦would be her own (paragraph 19). Mrs. Mallard sees the chance to live out the rest of her days for herself; she sees the opportunity to be her own person. Mrs. Mallard now looks forward to a long life. She had previously dreaded the years ahead spent under the thumb of her husband (paragraph 19). Now, though, Mrs. Mallard is someone who has much to look forward to and many joys to appreciate. This opportunity is taken from her just as her chance of freedom is taken from her when she learns that Brently still lives. When Mrs. Mallard sees Brently walk through the front door, the disappointment and the devastation of loss that she suffers cause her heart to fail. When Mrs. Mallard walks down the stairs with her sister, she has triumph in her eyes (paragraph 20). The fro nt door opens, however, and Brently walks in. What effect does this have on Mrs. Mallard? It kills her. Mrs. MallardShow MoreRelatedThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin Literary Analysis1432 Words   |  6 PagesMaking a literary analysis involves writing an argumentative analysis about a particular literature. The analyst is supposed to carefully read the literature and better understand the contents so as to come up with legal analysis. It requires some summary, but it is not a report about the book or the story. It is important in making the reader to understand the message in the book as well as the improvements necessary the literature. It is also important in understanding how a particular author articulatesRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of Kate Chopin s The Story Of An Hour 1274 Words   |  6 PagesHaley Morrow Mrs. Crook AP English 25 Sept. 2015 Feminist Literary Theory in The Story of an Hour Women are no stranger to a socially constrained lifestyle and society, especially in the late 1800’s. Women were believed to live a certain way, fulfill certain roles and duties in the household, and to be extremely fragile and weak. This type of culture still exists today but not to the extreme that it once was. Kate Chopin, however, not afraid speak out against the implications of society breaks freeRead MoreKate Chopin s An Hour1323 Words   |  6 Pagestheir need for â€Å"protection† under an onerous marriage. In The Story of an Hour, through peculiar sentence structure, feministic themes, and irony, Kate Chopin portrays the resentment of women towards the oppressive institution of marriage through Mrs. Mallard’s joviality for her newly discovered freedom- a product of her husband’s assumed passing. Body Paragraph #1- Literary Device: Sentence Structure Kate Chopin commences the short story with â€Å"Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heartRead MoreThe Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin Essay1528 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin â€Å"The Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin is very intriguing, not only because of the emotional change Louise Mallard goes through the hour after her husband’s tragic death but also the way Chopin uses irony in the story. During this analysis of â€Å"The Story of an Hour† we will discuss the summary, plot, setting, tone, theme, point of view, emotions of Louise Mallard and other characters involved in the story. Chopin’s story uses the feelings of a married womanRead MoreEssay The Story of an Hour1105 Words   |  5 PagesKate Chopin’s impressive literary piece, The Story of an Hour, encompasses the story of an hour of life, an hour of freedom. We must seize the day and live our lives to the fullest without any constraints. This very rich and complete short story carries a lot of meaning and touches a readers feelings as well as mind. Throughout this piece much symbolism is brought about, which only helps us to understand the meaning and succe ss of Kate Chopin’s work. Kate allows her reader to think and allowsRead MoreThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin862 Words   |  4 PagesFiction Analysis: The Story of an Hour Kate Chopin’s short story, â€Å"The Story of an Hour†, is about one married woman’s true hidden feelings of being married in the 19th century. The story was published in 1894, a time where it was unacceptable for women to express their wants and needs as a woman. Women were not seen equal to men and did not have the same privileges as men such as voting. Therefore, some of her literary works were considered controversial. It wasn’t soon until the late 20 centuryRead MoreAn Examination Of How Kate Chopin s Work1298 Words   |  6 PagesENGL 1102 – Comp/Lit Essay 2 (Mulry) Sellers, James R – 920022413 Due Date: April 20, 2015 An Examination of How Kate Chopin’s Works Taken Together Contribute to our Understanding of Her Time and the Place of Women in Society Looking at themes present in his short stories and novels, Kate Chopin presents examples of female strength and an assertive rebellion to the social norms during the late 1800s. By seeking to transparently and boldly portray the risquà © behavior of her lead characters, whichRead MoreThe Story of a Widow in Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour Essay840 Words   |  4 Pagespersistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature.† Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The Story of an Hour† is the story of a woman’s reaction to the news of her husband’s passing. Mrs. Louise Mallard is a young woman most would conclude to be saddened by the passing of her husband. Yet it is in that very moment we find her true feelings. Kate Chopin was born Katherine O’Flaherty on February 8, 1850 in St. Louis Missouri. She was the only child born to her parentsRead MoreKate Chopin s An Hour, And Tillie Olsen s `` The Yellow Wallpaper ``1150 Words   |  5 Pagespolitically, culturally, and several more ways. This essay will highlight and analyze the cultural aspects of feminism from the texts of Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening, Donald Hall’s â€Å"Feminist Analysis† from Literary and Cultural Theory, Charlotte Gilman’s short story †The Yellow Wallpaper†, Kate Chopin’s short story â€Å"The Story of an Hour†, and Tillie Olsen’s short story â€Å"Tell Me A Riddle.† Cultural feminism, the ideology of the roles and stereotypical characteristics of women. Therefore, women are unableRead More Critical Analysis of Mrs. Mallards Emotions in The Story of an Hour679 Words   |  3 PagesWrite a critical analysis of any aspect of The Story of an Ho ur which you found of interest and significance. Kate Chopins `The Story of an Hour is a short yet complex piece describing the feelings of Mrs Mallard. This story is overflowing with symbolism and imagery. The most prominent theme here is the longing for freedom. Chopin focuses on unfolding the emotional state of Mrs Mallard which can be separated into three stages: quickly moving to grief, through a sense of newfound freedom, and

Issues in Hospitality Sector for Employees - myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theIssues in Hospitality Sector for Employees and Technology. Answer: Low wages for employees and technology Technology and low wages for employees in the hospitality sector play an important role. These two factors have turned out to be an issue in the specific sector. The low wages of the employees have become an issue because the employees are aware of the wages in the other sectors and they have become furious about it. The inequality in the wages in the specific sector is due to the fact that the employees have lower educational level and they are employed in low- skill occupations. Moreover, imbalance in the pay in this sector is not because of the comparative characteristics of the employees or the jobs (AlBattat and Som 2013). As per LinkedIn, the trends in the hospitality sector are changing with their rapid increase. But, the new applications and software provided to the hotels and in the hospitality sector becomes an issue as the employees lack the knowledge and skill to use those. The hospitality sector takes time to adapt to those new systems which hampers their service towards the guests. It will also have a direct strategic impact on the operational activities of the hospitality industry. Operational costs The International Society of Hospitality Consultants has related labor and skill shortages with that of construction costs and technology. The hospitality industry also has to come across a number of fixed costs such as wages of the employees and payment of bills. These costs are related to the sustenance of the hospitality activities and they are also coming up with new strategies which can reduce these fixed costs but that should not bring any effect on the quality of services provided to the guests (Jones et al. 2016). Reference AlBattat, A.R.S. and Som, A.P.M., 2013. Employee dissatisfaction and turnover crises in the Malaysian hospitality industry.International Journal of Business and Management,8(5), p.62. Jones, P., Jones, P., Hillier, D., Hillier, D., Comfort, D. and Comfort, D., 2016. Sustainability in the hospitality industry: some personal reflections on corporate challenges and research agendas.International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management,28(1), pp.36-67.

Spain and Devolution Research Paper Example

Spain and Devolution Paper Of the three states Spain has by far the most difficult regional problem; it has also in place the the most radical of the regionalising projects. Spains regional problem has two interrrelated dimensions: that of persuading the two principal unassimilated peripheries Catalonia and the Basque region to accept the state, and then drawing on the resources of these regions to support development in the other regions. These goals are contradictory and it has been a difficult balancing act. Insofar as it has been successful and its ultimate success is still in uestion it is been due in considerable part to the commitment of the Spanish centre and the principal regions to ever wider European and international contacts (Gibbons, 1999, 35). The case of Catalonia is instructive. In the past thirty years, Catalan economic development has gone hand in hand with cultural nationalism, increasing linkages with the EU and with the wider world. The Catalan language has achieved predominance in public life in the region, in education, and in the communications media. The regions economic success and Barcelonas restige as a major European city give the Catalan government a prominence on the European stage and extra clout in negotiations with the centre. Catalonias increased external orientation is welcomed, not simply for the economic and cultural benefits it brings, but because it lessens the linkages with the Castillian centre. We will write a custom essay sample on Spain and Devolution specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Spain and Devolution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Spain and Devolution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The extent to which Catalan nationalism is now content with its status as a nation-without-a-state (Keating, 1996) or the extent to which it is moving towards greater independence perhaps, at least initially, within a federal structure s a matter of some debate among scholars. What is clear, however, is that the increasing political freedom of the region, its increased prosperity and the reinforcement of Catalan identity has not overcome its ambivalence about being part of the Spanish state. One expression of this is resentment of the level of Catalan financial transfers to the central exchequer. This resentment is all the greater when it compares its fiscal powers with those of the Basque country. The challenge which such a high level of regionalisation has posed to the Spanish state, and deolgically to those strands of political opinion which believe in the essential unity of Spain, is considerable. In Catalonia the central state has effectively lost the cultural initiative and the re-establishment of Catalan as the first language has deepened the extent to which it is a place apart. At the same time autonomisation has not brought an end to violent Basque separatism. There are conflicts between centre and region about the extent of the regional powers the Spanish state, for example, has repeatedly challenged Basque industrial policy in he European Court of Justice (Loyer, 1999). There is tension around matters of protocol, for example welcoming of international statesmen, visits abroad, which have seemed to the state to be taking over the proper role of the sovereign state (Basset, 1998). Finally, there is competition between the regions around the extent of their powers which produces a dynamic towards ever greater autonomisation Catalonia looks for equivalent financial autonomy to the Basque country, and Andalucia will accept no less autonomy than Catalonia, and so on. At the same time the pace of development in the other regions remains slow. Further evidence that devolution becomes more popular with the passage of time is provided by the Spanish experience. As in Britain in the 1990s, the strong demands for autonomy in some Spanish regions in the late 1970s were not paralleled in the rest of the country, where there was no clear support for devolution. Yet, by 1996, opinion polls suggested that three-quarters of Spaniards felt either that the existing degree of autonomy granted to the regions should be maintained or enhanced. Furthermore, these responses appear to be underpinned by a strong degree of identification with the respective autonomous communities. In the same opinion poll just over two-thirds of respondents reported either that they identified only with their autonomous community or as much with their autonomous community as they did with Spain. In Spain, a complex sharing of functions between the national, regional and local levels of government has evolved since the late 1970s. Figure 3 shows that central government in Spain has exclusive powers over areas such as defence and macro-economic management but that it shares responsibility for many functions with the autonomous communities, including housing, social welfare and economic development. Similarly, local government is charged with functions such as land-use planning and community safety while also sharing responsibility with the autonomous communities in a number of areas, such as local transport and sports and leisure facilities. European experience therefore suggests that any decision regarding the powers to be devolved to regions is not simply a one-off re-allocation of functions between tiers of government. Rather, devolution triggers a dynamic process of bargaining between regional and national government over responsibilities and resources. Aside from the tendency for this to result in regions acquiring more functions, the other clear message to emerge is regional authorities, once established, will push strongly for greater autonomy, particularly in the management of their financial affairs. In Italy the regions lobbied strongly for tax-raising powers from 1983, eventually securing limited powers in this area in 1990. Similarly, the Spanish autonomous communities have claimed a rising share of income tax revenues, with some regions securing a greater degree of financial autonomy from the centre than others: in Catalonia 32 per cent of public expenditure is now controlled by the regional government, compared to an average of 25 per cent in Spain as a whole. Indeed, of the cases considered at the conference, only the Spanish regions could make any reasonable claim to being significant contributors to regional economic performance since they do at least share significant responsibility for economic development with central government. However, time-series data on economic performance in Spain suggest that regional economic disparities have only narrowed marginally over the past 15-20 years. Whether this modest decrease in regional disparity can be attributed specifically to the activities of regional governments, rather than, say, to national economic policy or the beneficial impact of Spanish membership of the EU, remains an open question. The staggered emergence of regionalism in the UK does have something of a parallel in the Spanish case. Following the transition to a democratic regime in the late 1970s, the new Spanish constitution provided for twin-track devolution. Under this framework, regions with strong nationalist claims for devolution were allowed to move quickly towards such arrangements. Thus, Catalonia and the Basque Country introduced regional government in 1979, followed in 1981 by Galicia and, largely on political grounds, Andalusia. The remaining 13 autonomous communities were then introduced in 1982-83. The principle of a two-speed process of devolution has since been maintained, with subsequent bargaining between central government and individual autonomous communities enabling regional governments in areas such as Catalonia and the Basque Country to take greater control over their own affairs. While the Spanish case suggests that asymmetric devolution is an option for the UK, it leaves open the question of what might happen if the English regions fail to embrace regional government. Asymmetric devolution would seem to be an appropriate response to the problem that there are different levels of aspiration to self-government. However, experience in Spain also implies that a staggered process of devolution will need to be supported by national co-ordination mechanisms which ensure that regions slow to move towards regional autonomy are not disadvantaged and are encouraged to be part of a consensus on how devolution should proceed.