For this assignment, you will write a two-page essay discussing a social problem connected to health or health care. Examples of paper topics are as follows: unequal access to health care, universal health care, work-life balance, smoking, substance abuse, obesity, COVID-19, mental health, veteran’s health care, affordability of health care, planned parenthood, and eldercare. Your essay should address the prompts below.
Provide some background on the social problem. Discuss how socioeconomic inequality connects to the problem. Discuss how one of the sociological perspectives (conflict, interactionist, or symbolic interactionism) applies to the issue. Apply the concept of sociological imagination to the problem.
Discuss at least one solution to help alleviate the problem.
Discuss how the social problem you discussed impacts you. What steps can you take to help address the social problem discussed in your paper?
APA formatting and in-text citations and references are required. The title page and references page are not counted in the two-page requirement. It is required that students cite their textbook and at least one additional scholarly source from the CSU Online Library. It is recommended that students use additional scholarly sources found online or in the library to support their analysis
Film Analysis Paper: 8 pages in length. This paper will count for 30% of your grade. Late papers will be penalized 2/3 of a letter grade per day.
For this paper, choose one of the following five films and write an essay about how it represents issues related to this class: race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and ability. Your essay should consider intersectionality: how do these various “categories” of social identity relate to one another in your chosen film?
Also keep in mind the social and industrial contexts of your chosen film while writing your essay. For example, is your film a Hollywood social problem film from the 1940s, or an independent film from the 1980s? As such, you should consider questions of authorship, genre, and/or other aesthetic concerns. Draw on your textbook and classroom experience to help situate your film; if you don’t know anything about it, you should do a little research (imdb.com is a quick reference site).
These essays are thus analytical essays that place the given film text within some of its various contexts. Your analysis will need to be organized around a thesis of your own devising, which might be something as simple as “Film X is a good example of [Film Type Y] because it embodies formal elements that represent diversity issues in [These] ways.”
Close textual reading of you chosen film will produce a better paper.
Choose one of the following films to analyze:
1. Fried Green Tomatoes (1991, dir. Jon Avnet)
2. Judas and the Black Messiah (2021, dir. Shaka King)
3. Minari (2020, dir. Lee Isaac Chun)
4. Three Billboard Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017, dir. Martin McDonagh)
5. Hustlers (2019, dir. Lorene Scafaria)
Papers will be uploaded to www.turnitin.com before or during Week 15, due date May 3.
Caveats and Helpful Hints
This assignment is NOT about summarizing the story, NOR is it about describing the film in a shot by shot manner. You should assume your reader is familiar with the film in question and any story synopsis should brief.
BEFORE YOU WRITE
*Make sure you have seen the film you are going to write about. Consider watching it twice and taking notes on its form and style.
*Make sure you understand the assignment. If you have any questions or doubts, contact the teaching assistants or the professor.
*You may want to prepare an outline before you start to write.
FORMAT
*Use one-inch margins on all sides of each page. DOUBLE SPACE your lines.
*Underline, italicize or CAPITALIZE the titles of the films you discuss. Do not place them in quotation marks. Note that underlining the titles is the preferred method since it allows you to use italics for emphasis.
*Number the pages in the top right corner, and place your last name on the word file.
*An original title is not an absolute requirement. However, try to provide one if you can.
*Put your name, the instructor’s name, the course title, and the date on the title page.
GRAMMAR AND STYLE
*Do not use regionalisms, slang, or colloquial language (“kind of,” “sort of,” “like,” etc.)
*Structure your sentences clearly and precisely. Any claim you make has to be supported with convincing evidence.
*If a sentence becomes too long, split it into two before it gets out of control.
*Avoid sentence fragments. Every sentence needs a subject and a verb.
*Do not overuse pronouns (he, she, they, etc.). When you do use pronouns, make sure it is clear to what or whom they refer.
*Avoid repetition. Don’t make the same point over and over.
*Avoid contracted forms (use “it is” not “it’s,” “they are” not “they’re,” etc.).
STRUCTURE
*Make sure your opening paragraph contains a specific and precisely formulated thesis that anticipates the main points of the argument of the essay.
*Your paragraphs should reflect a logical development of the thesis.
*Make sure your argument flows smoothly, with clear transitions between paragraphs and sentences.
*Support general observations with concrete examples.
CONTENT
*We are not interested in your personal opinions about the quality of the film you are analyzing. Whether you enjoyed the film or not is irrelevant to the assignment. Try to be as objective as possible.
Everything that social workers do is an intervention; therefore, social workers develop treatment plans so that they can outline the purpose of treatment, assist in giving the client direction in the treatment process, allow the social worker to collaborate with the client, and help social workers and clients mark progress toward goals. Depending on where you work as a social worker, your funding source may be dependent upon your treatment plan.
In this Assignment, you develop a treatment plan for a client. In real practice, you should never create a treatment plan without conducting a more thorough assessment and then collaborating with the client to mutually agree on goals and steps to implement the plan. For the purpose of this Assignment, however, you explain how you might go about this process.
To Prepare
Watch the video case study found in the Learning Resources.
Then, consult the Learning Resources and/or go to the Walden Library to find information related to interventions for this type of client or problem.
Use this information to help develop an individual or family treatment plan for the identified client (Amy, Mrs. Bargas, or Bargas family) with whom you have chosen to work from the case study.
For help with this assignment, refer back to the Library recommendations in Week 3.
Helpful tip: Try other keywords including:
treatment programs
intervention
Try using the AND and OR connectors. For example:
drug addiction OR drug abuse OR substance abuse OR drug use
senior citizen OR older people OR elderly OR aging
intervention AND alcoholism
Learn more about AND, OR, and NOT (Boolean operators) in the guide below.
Guide: Keyword Searching: Boolean
By Day 7
Write a generalist treatment plan that includes all of the following:
Identify the client.
Describe the problems that need to be addressed.
Explain how you would work with the client to identify and prioritize problems.
Identify the related needs based on the identified problems.
Describe how you would utilize client strengths when selecting a strategy for intervention.
Identify at least two treatment plan goals.
Create at least one measurable objective to meet each goal.
Explain the specific action steps to achieve objectives.
Describe what information is important to document in a treatment plan, and explain why.
Southside Community Services: Mrs. Bargas Case History
Program Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING]
LINDA FORTE: Hi, Mrs. Bargas, I’m Linda Forte, the social worker assigned to
your case. It’s nice to meet you. So what brings you in, today?
MRS. BARGAS: Well– I’ve been out of work about 3 months. And 2 weeks ago,
my husband had a stroke. He’s still in the hospital. So it’s been– a lot, all at once.
And the money– I don’t know how going to pay the bills, or the rent. We cannot
lose our home. We have five children.
LINDA FORTE: Has this been hard on them? It sounds like you’ve been going
through a lot since losing your job and your husband being in the hospital. I can
understand how you can feel stressed and concerned.
MRS. BARGAS: My daughter Amy– she’s my oldest– she’s been having the
hardest time. She’s cutting classes at school and she’s failing two of her courses.
LINDA FORTE: So how did you hear about our agency and how can I help?
MRS. BARGAS: Well, my pastor said that you could help me find a job and
maybe help with the rent money. And maybe Amy could– speak to somebody.
LINDA FORTE: OK. Has your daughter, Amy, has she ever expressed any
interest in hoping to speak to somebody about her problems?
MRS. BARGAS: Maybe. I don’t know. I haven’t really mentioned it to her. But my
pastor thinks it’s a good idea.
LINDA FORTE: Has Amy ever spoken to the social worker at her school, before?
MRS. BARGAS: No, I don’t think so.
LINDA FORTE: OK. That’s fine. We can definitely talk about getting Amy some
help. But first, why don’t we talk a little bit about work experience. What kind of
job are you hoping to find?
MRS. BARGAS: Well, before I married my husband, I worked as a nanny.
LINDA FORTE: OK. So why don’t we talk a little bit more about that, about who
you worked for, and what kind of job duties you had.
MRS. BARGAS: Well, I was much younger when I was a nanny. Let me see, it
was– more than 12 years ago. But I don’t think I could do that work, now. Maybe
Southside Community Services: Mrs. Bargas Case History
Critically evaluate Andrew et al.’s (2021) analysis of the Australian Government’s implementation of budgetary measures to manage the social and economic impacts of COVID-19. In your discussion explain the authors’ argument that Australia’s history of inequality has shaped these actions and the effect inequality may have on outcomes.
Notes: 400 words.
Accounting, inequality and COVID-19 in Australia Jane Andrew and Max Baker The University of Sydney Business School, Sydney, Australia, and James Guthrie Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Australia Abstract Purpose–The authors explore the Australian Government’s implementation of budgetary measures to manage the social and economic impacts of COVID-19, paying particular attention to how the country’s history of inequality has shaped these actions, and the effect inequality may have on outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach–In this qualitative case study of public budgeting, the authors draw on the latest research into inequality to consider the implications of policy responses to COVID-19 in Australia. In particular, we examine the short-term introduction of what we term“people-focused”budgetary measures.
These appeared contrary to the dominant neoliberalist approach to Australian welfare policymaking.
Findings–This paper foregrounds the relationship between budgeting, public policy and inequality and explores how decades of increasingly regressive tax systems and stagnating living wages have made both people, and the state, vulnerable to crises like COVID.
Social implications–There is still much to learn about the role of accounting in the shaping of growing economic inequality. In focusing on public budgeting within the context of COVID, the authors suggest ways accounting researchers can contribute to our understanding of economic inequality, both in terms of drivers and consequences. The authors hope to contribute to a growing body of accounting research that can influence social movements, political debates and policymaking, while also raising awareness of the consequences of wealth and income inequality.
Originality/value–The authors explore ways accounting scholars might help articulate a post-COVID future that avoids recreating the inequalities of the past and present.
KeywordsInequality, COVID-19, Public budgeting, Social accounting, Neoliberalism, Public policy, Piketty Paper typeResearch paper We do not always respond to shocks with regression. Sometimes, in the face of crisis, we grow up—fast (Klein, 2007). 1. Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed systemic challenges that need to be addressed by both society and scholarship. Implicated in those challenges is capitalism itself, as well as disciplines closely aligned to its ends like accounting.Guthrie and Parker (2017, p. 8) argue that accounting“has responsibilities that affect the living conditions of billions of people globally”, and they urge researchers“to rediscover contemporary relevance”for the field and to“enter into dialogue with potential audiences beyond themselves”(p. 11).
Along with climate change, economic inequality is one of the most pressing issues of our time. As accounting scholars, we have much to contribute to a collective understanding of the impact of inequality on society and the crafting of strategies to redress social and economic imbalances.Tweedie and Hazelton (2019)argued that the accounting and accountability research agenda should engage more actively with economic inequality, which aligns with AAAJ’s remit to reflect the severe issues associated with allocative, distributive, behavioural, social and ecological problems of the modern world.
Many countries have adopted neoliberal ideas and policies, imposing new public management (NPM) aligned with“quasi competition”and“business-like”management models in the public sector. NPM is a logic steeped in the management structures of the Accounting, inequality and COVID-19 1471 The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
In studying inequality, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought public budgeting approaches into even sharper focus. Given the effects of COVID have intensified pre-existing racial, gender and class inequalities (Lehman, 2012;Lehmanet al., 2018), we explore whether the Australian Government’s response to COVID temporarily addresses several forms of inequality, via three specific questions.
(1) How has the pandemic challenged existing public sector budgetary rules and institutional design?
(2) What are the key political, economic and social factors influencing pandemic related policy responses and budgetary measures?
(3) Will there be permanent changes and unintended consequences to extant fiscal institutions as a result of the pandemic?
2. Background In November 2020, many economic indicators pointed to an emerging major global recession.
To insulate businesses and individuals from the financial consequences of COVID-19 public health interventions, governments across the globe have engaged in a wave of public spending. On the surface, the expenditure patterns appear to have deviated temporarily from neoliberal policy norms (Andrewet al., 2020), such as regressive taxation (Cooperet al., 2010), deregulation (Merinoet al., 2010), privatisation and the general dismantling of the welfare state and labour organisations (Andrew and Cahill, 2017;Uddin and Hopper 2003). We will argue that COVID-19, in particular, has highlighted our shared dependence on well-resourced governments in times of crisis and questioned the future of government spending and revenue-raising. Yet the unfolding crisis and the various government responses also have animated debates about economic and social inequalities (seeGrossiet al., 2020for a discussion of international reactions). In our paper, we focus on the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19. Still, we are speaking to a broader set of concerns that are of international interest, particularly as they relate to the effects of crises on public budgeting.
Australia is somewhat novel as a context as a conservative government have introduced these interventions in a temporary break from their preference for budget surpluses, austere social safety nets and business-focused stimulus measures.
The facts regarding economic inequality in Australia are bleak. Before the COVID-19 crisis, there were 3.24 million people (13.6% of the population) living below the poverty line, including 700,000 children under the age of 15 (ACOSS, 2019,2020). Women, particularly those who are single parents, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be over-represented in measures of poverty (Commonwealth Government of Australia, 2009– 2014). There is little doubt the pandemic has increased both the number of people in poverty and the degree of their economic strain. For example, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2020) estimates that at the peak of the employment crisis in June 2020, more than 1.6 million people were receiving unemployment benefits (known asJobSeeker) with 835,100 jobs lost since March. Even those people who have jobs are less secure: at the time of writing more AAAJ 34,6 1472 than 6 million people across 860,000 businesses were receiving wage supplements from the Government (known asJobKeeper) and in June 2020 over 50% of the Australian workforce was supported in part by the Government’sJobSeekerandJobKeeperpackages. Yet the pandemic has increased the wealth of the uber-rich, with the combined worth of Australia’s 200 wealthiest individuals rising by 25% in 2020 (Wade, 2020). While Australian policy responses to the pandemic have included a (temporary) focus on vulnerable people, as we will discuss, these same policies have generated wealth for businesses and their owners.
With this in mind, we agree withBerger (2017)that accounting academics can offer insights into the conditions of the present to help shape a more equitable and sustainable future (Bebbington and Unerman, 2018). Our paper discusses the relationship between accounting, public policy and inequality to articulate alternative pathways that might avoid recreating inequalities in a post-COVID future (Tweedie and Hazelton, 2015,2019).Section 3discusses the relationship between accounting, crises and inequality, andSection 4outlines our case study of pre-pandemic inequality in Australia.Section 5follows with an analysis of the shape of inequality in Australia after the pandemic where we discuss three specific“people-focused” budgetary measures enacted by the Australian Government during the crisis:JobKeeper, JobSeekerand theearly release superannuation scheme.InSection 6, we explore alternatives to the neoliberal approach to social welfare and inequality. We end with a consideration of the future beyond these temporary social welfare interventions, asking whether the crisis will provide the impetus to rethink neoliberal welfare policy solutions over the longer term.
3. Accounting, crises and inequality Accounting technologies have long been intertwined with capitalism (Andrew and Baker, 2020;Bryer, 2000a,b;Chiapello, 2007,2017;Cooper, 2015), withChiapello (2007, p. 268) referring to accounting as the“institution par excellence, whose progress is an indicator and sign…of the advance of capitalism”. Within capitalism, accounting has helped ensure the ideological and political potency of financial information masquerading (albeit imperfectly) as“truth”(Lapsley and Miller, 2019;Roberts and Wang, 2019;Tweedie and Hazelton, 2019).
With an emphasis on surplus accumulation and exploitation in the pursuit of profit, accounting practices have played a significant role in the production and maintenance of inequalities. The joint efforts of the accounting profession, standard setters and the Big Four global accounting firms have normalised the notion that the interests of capital and business are aligned with those of the public to such a degree that it has become almost impossible to imagine alternatives (Brooks, 2018).
Critically, this suggests that “inequality does not existas such”(Piketty, 2020, p. 7) but is instead, the outcome of neoliberal policy choices. According to Piketty, inequality ismade through the“legal, physical, educational, and political systems that people choose to adopt and the conceptual definitions they choose to work with”and that these are recruited to generate dominant narratives that can“bolster the existing inequality regime”(Piketty, 2020, p. 1). In Australia, neoliberal policy choices have led to unemployment, underemployment, suppressed wage growth and allowed forthe ballooning of household debt and intensification of inequality. In viewing the state as a business entity, neoliberals fear public debt and associated budget deficits (Andrewet al., 2020).
Accounting researchers have been concerned with the effects of neoliberalism on regulation, public budgeting and public service provision (Andrew, 2007;Merinoet al., 2010; Lapsley and Miller, 2019;Munzer, 2019;Peda and Vinnari, 2019). Many argue that by privileging capital, the legitimacy of surplus accumulation and the affirmation of cost minimisation on people and the planet, accounting has valorised exploitative practices that underpin the trajectory of rising economic inequality (Tweedie and Hazelton, 2015,2019).
However, crises like the current pandemic both expose already existing inequalities and (if left unchecked) intensify their effects (Spinney, 2020). Without both temporary and longer- Accounting, inequality and COVID-19 1473 term budgetary intervention, much of the burden of COVID-19 will fall on those already vulnerable, potentially exacerbating“deeply rooted social, racial, and economic health disparities”(Dornet al., 2020).
While the poor suffer disproportionally during crises under neoliberalism, the rich are well placed to get richer. In the past, crises have allowed for the rapid mobilisation and unquestioning adoption of neoliberal ideas within policymaking circles (e.g. the effectiveness of free markets and business, the benefits of privatisation and the inefficiency of public service delivery). They also present opportunities for significant transformation. Crises unsettle norms, rendering vulnerabilities, injustices and inequalities visible in ways that introduce the possibility of change. The pandemic provides an opportunity to rethink the relationship between governments, markets and citizens. Through strong advocacy and good policy alternatives, inequality can be addressed by a deepening of democratic ideals and the“rational pursuit of collectively defined and approved ends”(Bourdieu, 1998, p. 104, emphasis in original). But achieving transformation requires a radical rethinking of the role and purpose of accounting beyond that forged under neoliberalism, developing new approaches to public budgeting that address the intensifying inequalities produced by the pandemic (Andrewet al., 2020).
4. Pre-pandemic inequality in Australia While experiences across the world have varied, Australia provides a useful case study of pre-pandemic inequality. According to the OECD’s global economic outlook, Australia has done well compared to the rest of the developed world in handling the pandemic and emerging from the recession (Wright, 2020). Not only has the public health response been effective, attributed mainly to geography and closed borders, science-based policy response and community-oriented compliance culture (Wright, 2020), but the Government’s approach has been based on stimulus rather than austerity (theIMF Policy Tracker (2020)suggests that at 11.6% of GDP, Australia’s direct fiscal response is amongst the highest in the world).
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, both income and wealth inequality had been rising in Australia. In 2015–2016, an individual in the highest 1% of income earners took home more in a fortnight than the yearly salary of someone in the lowest 5% of income earners (ACOSS, 2018). According to data obtained from the Inequality Lab[1]income inequality in Australia has increased consistently since the 1980s.Figure 1demonstrates the increasing share of national pre-tax income earned by the highest income earners[2]. The top 10% income earners increased their proportion of the country’s total income from 23% to 33%. However, the real change was that the top 1% of earners now take home 13% of total national income, more than double what it was in the 1980s (5%). Figure 1.
Percentage share of pre-tax national income amongst high income earners AAAJ 34,6 1474 An Australian Bureau of Statistics report released mid-2019 shows that the wealthiest 200 people in Australia increased their net worth by an estimated 20% in 2018 (Long and Janda, 2019). Conversely, changes to the labour market, household debt and the size of the average mortgage mean that 10% of working households in Australia have less than $90 of savings in the bank (Power, 2020). The World Inequality Report neatly sums up the root cause:“economic inequality is largely driven by the unequal ownership of capital” (Alvaredoet al., 2018, p. 10). In Australia, inequality in capital stems from marked differences in homeownership and superannuation (private retirement savings) (Coates and Chivers, 2019).
Inequality is a global issue, with The World Inequality Report (Alvaredoet al., 2018,p.5) revealing that inequality levels differ widely between countries with similar levels of development. This highlights the critical role that national policies and public budgeting play in the shaping of inequality. Given this, it seems clear that Australia can address not only pre-existing inequalities through budgetary measures, but, if these are attuned to the needs of vulnerable people, some of the adverse social and economic effects of COVID can also be mitigated.
5.“People-focused”budget responses to COVID in Australia In response to the pandemic, the Australian Government mobilised a raft of stimulus measures for both businesses and individuals. A recent OECD report said that Australia’s economic improvement has been due to an avalanche of government financial support, such as theJobKeeperwage subsidy, and the Reserve Bank’s support in cutting interest rates and buying government bonds (OECD, 2020). We consider three of what we refer to as“people- focused”budgetary responses enacted by the Government. On the face of it, these appear to deviate significantly from the discourse on welfare and the market-based solutions that have dominated Australian public budgeting for decades (Andrewet al., 2020). Yet on closer inspection, these temporary relief measures also implicitly or explicitly reinforce neoliberal ideology.
5.1 JobSeeker Since 1945 the Australian Government has provided an unemployment payment to citizens who find themselves without work, but in the early 1980s social welfare provisions started to change as unemployment began to be conceptualised less as a collective problem for governments and more as an individual responsibility. This shift is a consequence of the embrace of the neoliberal philosophy of personal responsibility for social well-being accompanied by the withdrawal or reduction of state support (cost-saving). Over time, payments to the unemployed have reduced in size (relatively), and access has become more prohibitive.
At the beginning of 2020, the Government’s low unemployment payments came under scrutiny, and a parliamentary committee issued a report warning that people were being forced into poverty, food insecurity, homelessness and compromised mental health because of lack of income support. With the onset of the pandemic and widescale job losses, on 24 March 2020, the Government announced temporary changes to theJobSeekerpayment that included a supplement to the unemployment benefit of $550 a fortnight, along with a lifting of wait times, changes to the assets and income test, removal of the“mutual obligation” requirements and a streamlining of the application process. The changes initially projected to cost $14 billion over six months, were designed to“supercharge the safety net”and“support the most vulnerable”(Henriques-Gomes, 2020 ). The program has since been extended at a lower rate of supplementation (to $250 in September and then to $100 in December 2020) Accounting, inequality and COVID-19 1475 and with tighter eligibility requirements until March 2021. In October 2020, when the Government released its budget (six months late) it became clear that the phased reduction in people-focused support would be replaced by a growing emphasis on a business-driven recovery.
This shift in focus symbolically signals that people receivingJobSeekerbefore the pandemic was“responsible”for their unemployment, unlike those who found themselves unemployed through no“fault”of their own as a result of the public health interventions (e.g.
shutdowns). Drawing such a distinction is a by-product of neoliberal restructuring that has eroded previous welfare provisions to create a“flexible”labour market (i.e. casualisation), leaving the majority of Australian workers with few protections and vulnerable to unemployment (ABC News, 2018).
According to the ABS, the unemployment rate rose from 5.2% in early 2020 to 7.1% by September (ABS, 2020). The October data shows 747,600 Australians worked between one and nine hours per week, which is 5.8% of all workers with jobs. If all of these workers were classified as unemployed–which many effectively are, given they would work only a handful of hours a week–the unemployment rate increases from 7.00% to 12.44%. None of these workers would qualify forJobSeekerpayments (Austin, 2020).
Approximately 1.7 million people receivedJobSeekerpayments in September (Henriques- Gomes and Karp, 2020). There is little doubt that this scheme provided critical relief from the immediate consequences of public health-related unemployment. Also considered that JobSeekerpayments to the unemployed have ensured those people have resources to pay for essentials such as housing, food and clothing. Despite this, the Government is winding back its welfare provisions to pre-COVID levels. The OECD has warned the Government against withdrawing support too quickly, and it also should consider increasing payments to the unemployed on a long-term basis (Wright, 2020).
5.2 JobKeeper The potential value of a universal basic income has been widely debated (see, e.g.Lawhon and McCreary, 2020), in terms of both social and environmental benefits. However, most governments have resisted undertaking policy experiments to assess the viability of a universal wage[3]. Despite government wage subsidies being inconsistent with neoliberal principles, on 30 March 2020, the Australian Prime Minister announced a $130 billion package focused on sustaining employment during the economic downturn caused by the pandemic through a wage subsidy package to employers. With similar features to a universal basic income, theJobKeeper package provided initial temporary payments of $1500 a fortnight to eligible businesses to subsidise the wages of employees who might otherwise have been made redundant. It has since been revised downwards to $1200 from September to $1000 in January 2021 and will end in March 2021. The program has sought to maintain the employer-employee relationship through a wage subsidy, thereby helping to support employment and ensure money continues to flow within the economy. However, the failure ofJobKeeperto include certain groups of employees has been controversial. In particular, the 2.17 million people on temporary visas in Australia (such as students, working holidaymakers, temporary skilled workers) and citizens and permanent residents not in their role for at least 12 months are not included[4].
Both the extension ofJobSeekerand the introduction ofJobKeepersaw the Government mobilise budgetary measures that put money directly into the hands of individuals whose livelihoods were compromised as a result of the lockdown restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19. Given the schemes will be funded by taxpaying Australians, to a large extent, the welfare responsibility of the crisis has been collectivised. This is a significant, albeit temporary, shift from the neoliberal norms of previous government administrations that AAAJ 34,6 1476 rejected direct welfare payments for the social safety net, preferring instead to stimulate business as a means to keep jobs. The temporary nature of these programs does not present a wholesale change in thinking, but it does signal the importance of the state as the insurer of last resort during a crisis[5].
Unfortunately, for many, theJobKeepersubsidy only delays their eventual unemployment and the need forJobSeekerwhen the program ends in March 2021. Given this, the Reserve Bank has been urging the Government to consider a more robust counter-cyclical employment creation scheme that focuses on public infrastructure projects (Associated Australian Press, 2019). In effect, this would shift resources from a wage subsidy into new forms of government employment that targets the construction of new public assets, securing the nation’s longer-term collective wealth. Instead, the Federal Budget 2020 has sent strong signals that the Government is keen to revert to budgetary measures that stimulate (and subsidise) the private sector, capital and a business-led recovery (Commonwealth of Australia, 2020).
5.3 Early release superannuation scheme In a further attempt to get cash into the hands of the Australian people, the Government initiated anearly release superannuation scheme[6].From 20 April 2020, eligible individuals were permitted to access up to $20,000 of their retirement savings without being subject to tax or a means tests for other forms of welfare support. By November 2020, over 50,000 people have withdrawn over $33 billion. In effect, the scheme made it possible for individuals to act as their own welfare provider. Still, the decision to withdraw from superannuation comes with a significant impact on retirement savings in the future.
The funds have been used to pay down debt, pay rent and buy food in the present. At the same time, these same Australians will see their future fiscally constrained in new ways, as they pay for the current stimulus spending through a combination of increased personal taxes, goods and services taxes and additional austerity measures. Indeed, unlikeJobKeeper andJobSeeker, over time the scheme is likely to increase inequality and require additional budgetary spending later when these citizens approach retirement (in the form of pensions and other social infrastructure related to housing and health care). The scheme is in keeping with the logic of neoliberalism wherein“responsible individuals are required to provide for themselves in the context of powers and contingencies radically limiting their ability to do so” (Brown, 2015, p. 134).
6. Budgeting, accountability and tackling inequality Andrewet al.(2020, p. 766) argue that within the straitjacket of neoliberalism, Australia’s national budgets have created: consistent winners and losers, where the winners are large corporations and owners of capital and the losers are the self-employed, contract and casual workers, minorities and society as a whole because there is less money for essential services and infrastructures such as hospitals, schools, welfare payments, science and innovation and public transport. While it seems the ideological frame within which public budgeting takes place has become somewhat impenetrable, the current crisis has shone a light on the realities of neoliberal budgeting.
Given that the health and financial consequences of this pandemic will continue to be unevenly distributed without a fundamentally different approach to public budgeting, including changes to the“education system, health system, tax and industrial relations framework”, Australia will continue to produce“virulent inequality”(Charlton, 2020). Public budgeting within the context of neoliberalism, even when faced with a crisis of the scale we are currently experiencing, has failed to engage with the structural drivers of inequality. Accounting, inequality and COVID-19 1477 Indeed, despite the temporary“people-focused”budgetary interventions outlined above, the sustained bias towards business-led recoveries are set to reproduce remedies that“fail to grasp the root cause of the problem”(Olsonet al., 2001, p. 506).
Indeed, it is increasingly apparent that the Australian Government will not reconceive our essential public services beyond the logics of new public management. Instead of pursuing employment through public infrastructure projects, its focus is on providing subsidies to business to keep employees“on the books”and working. While Australian policy responses to the pandemic have included a (temporary) focus on vulnerable people, these same policies have also been recruited to generate cash for businesses and capital to intensify the worth of the wealthy. When finishing this article in February 2021, the government announced an increase in normal unemployment benefits of $3.57 a day extra. This places Australian at the bottom of the OECD concerning social security payments for the unemployed[7]. The government JobKeeper $100 billion scheme, mainly paid to big corporations, has resulted in Australian billionaires becoming richer and the corporate sector announcing profits and dividends. For instance, Crown Resorts took $255 million in JobKeeper payments in 2020, allowing it to pay $203 million in dividends. Crown made a $120 million loss for the six months to December[8].
Yet alternatives to neoliberalism exist. Piketty’sCapital and Ideology(2020) outlines concrete possibilities for a more equitable future, emphasising public welfare and living wages to flatten the inequality curve–in essence, budgetary measures likeJobKeeperand JobSeekerthat have been mobilised permanently in response to inequality. Alongside these, Piketty (2020, p. 981) makes a case for a“universal capital endowment”funded by a “progressive tax triptych”that focuses on poverty, inheritance and income tax reform to help “diffuse wealth at the base while limiting concentration at the summit”. This proposal tackles inequality by supporting vulnerable workers who are reliant on selling their labour-power in an increasingly unregulated market that puts“constant downward pressure”on wages or has been left without work entirely (and therefore have no real means to build capital) (Andrew and Baker, 2020, p. 647).
It is evident that alternatives to neoliberal forms of revenue-raising and expenditure within the routines of public budgeting (seeMarriott and Sim, 2019;Sikka, 2015;Veldman, 2019) have proven essential during the initial phases of this crisis and can no longer be dismissed as unrealistic. In the space of months, the government have changed their approach to public policy and public budgeting to enable the suspension of rents and mortgages, the outlawing of evictions, the provision of a living wage, free childcare, the freeing of prisoners and the channelling of funds into public goods and services like healthcare and cleaning. Policies that seemed previouslyimpossiblehave proven temporarily possible (if not essential) in the face of the pandemic. That said, the suite of“people-focused” budgetary measures will produce uneven outcomes as the responsibility for some welfare payments to vulnerable Australians has been collectivised (JobSeekerandJobKeeper) while others remain individualised. In encouraging vulnerable people to draw down their retirement savings (with obvious long-term implications for their retirement savings), the early superannuation access schemeis a profoundly inequitable approach to social welfare, relying both on neoliberal ideas about personal responsibility as well as underlying belief structures about individualism and retirement funding.
In what seems like further evidence of the sustained appeal of neoliberal forms of governance, when the Australian budget was finally released in October 2020 (six months later than expected), it included $1.4 billion in cuts to the funding of eleven critical bodies created to improve government transparency and public accountability. These included the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), the Office of Information Commissioner, and the Australian Human Rights Commission. Starving a watchdog meant to investigate government misconduct undermines the independence of that organisation. It can only be AAAJ 34,6 1478 viewed cynically, given that the ANAO has uncovered some of the biggest government corruption scandals in 2020, including the possible use of community funding to secure votes in marginal electorates and an allegedly corrupt property deal that has been referred to the police for investigation (Wilkins, 2020). Under the spectre of crisis, it appears the 2020 Budget has eroded the very bodies that ensure Australia’s democratic institutions can meet the challenges posed by this pandemic[9].
7. Conclusions If inequality is created and maintained through discourse and ideology (Piketty, 2020), then accounting has an essential role to play in the production of more equitable futures. Across the spectrum of work undertaken by accountants–from tax and audit accounting to management accounting and financial reporting–all could be more attuned to inequality if underpinned by appropriate regulation, public policy and budgetary measures (Merinoet al., 2010;Sikka, 2009,2015). The pandemic has also prompted a discussion about our rights to basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, education and secure work, which has implications for the field of accounting practice that prioritises shareholder value and capital markets.
Given that we know there is a relationship between accounting and inequality, there is a pressing need for accounting researchers to contribute to public debates about greater equality and the well-being of people in society. These discussions should include analysis of the living wage debate with empirically rich insights from individuals who have received these kinds of benefits during the pandemic (Skilling and Tregidga, 2019), and a critique of the implications of shareholder value on the real economy and its impact on wealth distribution (Clarkeet al., 2019;Veldman, 2019). Also, there is an urgent need for research that maps the way accounting normalises those business structures and internal management practices that reproduce structural and discursive forms of economic inequality (Tweedie and Hazelton, 2015,2019). We call for accounting researchers to play their part in shaping a post-COVID future that avoids recreating the inequalities of the present.
Notes 1. The World Inequality Lab is associated with the Inequality Report ofAlvaredoet al.(2018), see https://wid.world/world-inequality-lab 2. While the Gini index is often used as a measures of inequality,Alvaredoet al.(2018, p. 27) advises the use of the“share of national income captured by each group”as they argue this is a more meaningful and accurate measure.
3. Finland is a notable exception, but there are other small-scale experiments, some funded by the private sector, taking place in Canada, Scotland, Spain, India, Kenya and the US.
4. Controversially,JobKeeperhas been paid to some large, listed companies, triggering concerns that the program may have artificially inflated profits, dividend payments and executive bonuses.
5. Governments around the world played a similar role in response to the global financial crisis of 2008–2009.
6. Superannuation in Australia is a type of employment-funded pension, partly compulsory and further encouraged by tax benefits.
8.https://www.crikey.com.au/2021/02/25/jobkeeper-2021-wage-supplement / 9. The 2020–21 Budget includes $98 billion in response and recovery support, including $25 billion under the COVID-19 Response Package and $74 billion under the JobMaker Plan. The underlying Accounting, inequality and COVID-19 1479 cash deficit in 2020–21 is expected to be $213.7 billion (11.0 per cent of GDP) (Commonwealth of Australia, 2020).
References ABC News (2018),“Insecure work the‘new norm’as full-time job rate hits record low: report”,ABC News, Vol. 7 June, available at:https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-07/full-time-job-rate-hits- new-low-as-casual-work-takes-over-report/9840064.
Alvaredo, F., Chancel, L., Piketty, T., Saez, E. and Zucman, G. (2018),World Inequality Report 2018, World Inequality Lab, available at:https://wir2018.wid.world/files/download/wir2018- summary-english.pdf.
Andrew, J. (2007),“Prisons, the profit motive and other challenges to accountability”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 18 No. 8, pp. 877-904.
Andrew, J. and Baker, M. (2020),“For emancipation: a Marxist critique of structure within critical realism”,Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 641-653.
Andrew, J. and Cahill, D. (2017),“Rationalising and resisting neoliberalism: the uneven geography of costs”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 45, pp. 12-28.
Andrew, J., Baker, M., Guthrie, J. and Martin-Sardesai, A. (2020),“Australia’s COVID-19 public budgeting response: the straitjacket of neoliberalism”,Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management, Vol. 32 No. 5, pp. 759-770.
Associated Australian Press (2019),“Reserve Bank governor calls for more federal spending to boost economy”,The Guardian, Vol. 2 July, available at:http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/ 2019/jul/02/reserve-bank-governor-calls-for-more-federal-spending-to-boost-economy.
Austin, A. (2020),“Reality underemployed: time for truth in jobless figures”, Vol. 1 December 2020, available at:https://www.michaelwest.com.au/reality-underemployed-time-for-truth-in-jobless- figures/.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2020),“Labour force commentary may 2020”, available at:https:// www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/7d12b0f6763c78caca257061001cc588/a8e6e58c3550090ec a2582ce00152250!OpenDocument.
Australian Council of Social Service (2018),“Inequality in Australia”, available at:https://www.acoss.
org.au/inequality-in-australia-2018-html/ .
Australian Council of Social Service (2019),“Poverty & inequality makes us sick”, available at:http:// povertyandinequality.visualise.today/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ACOSS_Cohealth_health- inequality-infographic.pdf.
Australian Council of Social Service (2020),“PovertyinAustralia”, available at:http:// povertyandinequality.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Poverty-in-Australia-2020_ Part-1_Overview.pdf.
Bebbington, J. and Unerman, J. (2018),“Achieving the united nations sustainable development goals:
an enabling role for accounting research”,Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 2-24.
Berger, E. (2017),Uncertain Futures: An Assessment of the Conditions of the Present, Zero Books, Alresford, Hants.
Bourdieu, P. (1998),Acts of Resistance: Against the Tyranny of the Market, The New Press, New York, NY.
Brooks, R. (2018),Bean Counters: The Triumph of the Accountants and How They Broke Capitalism, Atlantic, London.
Brown, W. (2015),Undoing the Demos, The MIT Press, Boston.
Bryer, R.A. (2000a),“The history of accounting and the transition to capitalism in England. Part one:
theory”,Accounting, Organisations and Society, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 131-162. AAAJ 34,6 1480 Bryer, R.A. (2000b),“The history of accounting and the transition to capitalism in England. Part two:
evidence”,Accounting, Organisations and Society, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 327-381.
Charlton, A. (2020),“Virus to broaden financial inequality”,Sydney Morning Herald, Vol. 27 April, available at:https://www.smh.com.au/national/virus-to-broaden-financial-inequality-20200426- p54nay.html.
Chiapello, E. (2007),“Accounting and the birth of the notion of capitalism”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 263-296.
Chiapello, E. (2017),“Critical accounting research and neoliberalism”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, No. 43, pp. 47-64.
Clarke, T., Jarvis, W. and Gholamshahi, S. (2019),“The impact of corporate governance on compounding inequality: maximising shareholder value and inflating executive pay”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 63, 102049, doi:10.1016/j.cpa.2018.06.002.
Coates, B. and Chivers, C. (2019),“Rising inequality in Australia isn’t about incomes: it’s almost all about housing”,The Conversation, Vol. 19 September, available at:http://theconversation.com/ rising-inequality-in-australia-isnt-about-incomes-its-almost-all-about-housing-119872.
Commonwealth Government of Australia (2009–2014),Closing the Gap Reports, Commonwealth Government, Canberra.
Commonwealth of Australia (2020),Budget Strategy and Outlook, Budget Paper No. 1, Canberra, available at:www.budget.gov.au.
Cooper, C. (2015),“Accounting for the fictitious: a Marxist contribution to understanding accounting’s roles in the financial crisis”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 30, pp. 63-82.
Cooper, C., Danson, M., Whittam, G. and Sheridan, T. (2010),“The neoliberal project—local taxation intervention in Scotland”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 195-210.
Dorn, A., van Cooney, R.E. and Sabin, M.L. (2020),“COVID-19 exacerbating inequalities in the US”, The Lancet, Vol. 395 No. 10232, pp. 1243-1244.
Grossi, G., Ho, A.T. and Joyce, P.G. (2020), “Budgetary responses to a global pandemic: international experiences and lessons for a sustainable future”,Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management, Vol. 32 No. 5, pp. 737-744.
Guthrie, J. and Parker, L. (2017),“Reflections and projections: 30 years of the interdisciplinary accounting, auditing and accountability search for a fairer society”,Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Vol. 30 No. 1, pp. 1-17.
Guthrie, J., Humphrey, C., Olson, O. and Jones, L. (2005),International Public Financial Management Reform: Progress, Contradictions and Challenges, Information Age Press, Greenwich CT.
Henriques-Gomes, L. (2020),“Australian jobseekers to get $550 payment increase as part of huge coronavirus welfare package”,The Guardian, Vol. 22 March, available at:http://www.
Henriques-Gomes, L. and Karp, P. (2020),“More than 1.3 million Australians on jobseeker as Senate inquiry calls for permanent increase to rate”,The Guardian, Vol. 30 April, available at:http:// www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/30/australians-on-jobseeker-payment-up- 450000-in-less-than-a-month.
IMF Policy Tracker (2020),“Policy responses to covid-19”, available at:https://www.imf.org/en/ Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19.
Klein, N. (2007),The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, Allen Lane, New York, NY.
Lapsley, I. and Miller, P. (2019),“Transforming the public sector: 1998–2018”,Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Vol. 32 No. 8, pp. 2211-2252.
Lawhon, M. and McCreary, T. (2020),“Beyond jobs vs environment: on the potential of universal basic income to reconfigure environmental politics”,Antipode, Vol. 52 No. 2, pp. 452-474. Accounting, inequality and COVID-19 1481 Lehman, C. (2012),“We’ve come a long way! Maybe! Re-Imagining gender and accounting”, Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 256-294.
Lehman, C.R., Hammond, T. and Agyemang, G. (2018),“Accounting for crime in the US: race, class and the spectacle of fear”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 56, pp. 63-75.
Long, S. and Janda, M. (2019),“The rich get richer as wages stagnate and the poor get left in their wake”, available at:https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-12/household-income-and-wealth-abs- data-shows-rich-are-richer/11302696.
Marriott, L. and Sim, D. (2019),“Social inequity, taxes and welfare in Australasia”,Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Vol. 32 No. 7, pp. 2004-2030.
Martin-Sardesai, A. and Guthrie, J. (2020),Outcomes-based Metrics and Research in the Australian Higher Education Sector: A Fast Changing Landscape, Routledge, Oxford.
Merino, B., Mayper, A. and Tolleson, T. (2010),“Neoliberalism, deregulation and Sarbanes-Oxley: the legitimation of a failed corporate governance model”,Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Vol. 23 No. 6, pp. 774-792.
Munzer, M. (2019),“Justifying the logic of regulatory post-crisis decision-making–the case of the French structural banking reform”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 60, pp. 44-64, doi:10.1016/j.cpa.2018.08.001.
Olson, O., Humphrey, C. and Guthrie, J. (2001),“Caught in an evaluatory trap: the dilemma of public services under NPFM”,European Accounting Review, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 505-522.
Peda, P. and Vinnari, E. (2019),“The discursive legitimation of profit in public-private service delivery”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 69, 102088.
Piketty, T. (2020),Capital and Ideology, Harvard University Press, Cambridge.
Power, J. (2020),“Cash-strapped households most vulnerable to virus-related job losses”,Sydney Morning Herald, Vol. 22 March, available at:https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/ cash-strapped-households-most-vulnerable-to-virus-related-job-losses-20200321-p54chf.html.
Roberts, J. and Wang, T. (2019),“Faithful representation as an‘objective mirage ’: a Saussurean analysis of accounting and its participation in the financial crisis”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 65, 102078.
Sikka, P. (2009),“Financial crisis and the silence of the auditors”,Accounting, Organizations and Society, Vol. 34 Nos 6-7, pp. 868-873.
Sikka, P. (2015),“The hand of accounting and accountancy firms in deepening income and wealth inequalities and the economic crisis: some evidence”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 30, pp. 46-62.
Skilling, P. and Tregidga, H. (2019),“Accounting for the‘working poor’: analysing the living wage debate in Aotearoa New Zealand”,Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Vol. 32 No. 7, pp. 2031-2061.
Spinney, L. (2020),“Will coronavirus lead to fairer societies? Thomas Piketty explores the prospect”, The Guardian, available at:http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/12/will-coronavirus- lead-to-fairer-societies-thomas-piketty-explores-the-prospect.
Steccolini, I., Salitere, I. and Guthrie, J. (2020),“The role(s) of accounting and performance measurement systems in contemporary public administration”,Public Administration, Vol. 98 No. 1, pp. 3-13.
Tweedie, D. and Hazelton, J. (2015),“Social accounting for inequality: applying Piketty’s capital in the twenty-first century”,Social and Environmental Accountability Journal, Vol. 35 No. 2, pp. 113-122. AAAJ 34,6 1482 Tweedie, D. and Hazelton, J. (2019),“Economic inequality: problems and perspectives for interdisciplinary accounting research”,Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Vol. 32 No. 7, pp. 1982-2003.
Uddin, S. and Hopper, T. (2003),“Accounting for privatisation in Bangladesh: testing world bank claims”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 14 No. 7, pp. 739-774.
Veldman, J. (2019),“Inequality, inc”,Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Vol. 63, 102039.
Wade, M. (2020),“It’s been a fabulous pandemic for the super-rich, but will it make our economy less equal?”,Sydney Morning Herald, Vol. 25 November, available at:https://www.smh.com.au/ business/the-economy/it-s-been-a-fabulous-pandemic-for-the-super-rich-but-will-it-make-our- economy-less-equal-20201124-p56hjz.html.
Wilkins, G. (2020),“Governments starve watchdogs of funding as the war of accountability rages on”, Crikey, Vol. 3 December, available at:https://www.crikey.com.au/2020/12/03/starving- watchdogs-funding-war-on-accountability/.
Wright, S. (2020),“China dispute threatens the economy”,Sydney Morning Herald, Vol. 2 December, available at:https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/china-dispute-threatens-australia-s- economic-recovery-oecd-20201201-p56jih.html.
Corresponding author Max Baker can be contacted at:max.baker@sydney.edu.au For instructions on how to order reprints of this article, please visit our website:
www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/licensing/reprints.htm Or contact us for further details:permissions@emeraldinsight.com Accounting, inequality and COVID-19 1483
Research Report. Topic: Social economic impact of (M-pesa) mobile banking in small scale Retail shops in Down Town Nairobi Kenya. Aim. To evaluate different opportunities that came as a result of Adoption of mobile money banking in small scale Retail businesses in kenyan rural area. Format of Report ? Table of Contents ? Literature Review ? References APA 7 ? 6 Annotated bibliography with explanations why its important or how its relevant to this Report. ( each Annotated bibliography 200 words) Total words (3000).
ASSESSMENT BRIEF Subject Code and Title MGT605 Business Capstone Project Assessment Assignment 2. Part A: Final Project Report Individual/Group Individual – Group Length 3000 words Subject Learning Outcomes SLO a. Develop and articulate a theoretical or practical perspective on management issues through a substantial applied project SLO b. Demonstrate collaborative leadership and ownership in the preparation of a significant original body of practical or theoretical work SLO c. Use specialist research skills to analyse a complex management problem and then synthesise the research, communicating it effectively to both specialist and lay audiences SLO d. Synthesise concepts from a broad range of previous subjects studied (e.g. finance, marketing, operations), simplifying into an holistic big picture Submission By 11:55pm AEST/AEDT Sunday of Week 10 Weighting 40% Total Marks 40 marks Context: In Assessment 1, you proposed to tackle a problem or to explore an opportunity of your choice. In Assessment 2A you must produce a final report of the outcomes of the work you have done as per the proposal you made in Assessment 1. Instructions: Based on the proposal you made in Assessment 1, you are required to produce a final report. This is the culmination of your study. It contains the outcome of your study and a summary of how (method) you did it. This final report should be in the appropriate format required for your context and workplace. If your report is a Marketing Plan, a Business Report or New Venture Proposal it should be in the appropriate format and if your report is an academic paper then you will use the commonly accepted format. It should be presented as part of an overall package consisting of a form of presentation and supporting documentation. The supporting documentation may follow a report format, or it may be a set of supporting appendices that are referred to in your presentation MGT605 Assessment 2A Brief Page 1 of 7 submission. The two will be reviewed together and need to relate to each other and fit together. The submission must include a reference list with a minimum of 6 academic sources presented in APA format. You must make sure that all factual statements are referenced. You may have up to 20 data source references (newspaper article, trade publications, websites, company documents, government reports, online databases, social media, etc.). Your reference list must be in the format of an Annotated Bibliography detailing why and where you have used each reference. The APA 7th Edition referencing guide can be located in the Academic Writing Guide at http://library.think.edu.au/ld.php?content_id=1882254 Unless it is a seminal author, use recent literature sources preferably less than 10 years old. Appendices – if necessary, include appendices for additional information. This is where you provide supporting material which is unsuitable for inclusion in the body of the report, but still has some value to contribute to the report. Note that the reader has no obligation to read the appendices. Therefore, do not place here any information needed to make your point. Ensure that the body of the report is able to make the point you want without referring to the appendices. Appendices do not contribute to the word count of the report. Diagrams, tables and figures – you may use diagrams, tables and figures in the body of your report. However, keep in mind the academic writing rules for using them. While diagrams, tables and figures do not contribute to the word count, they should not be used to extend the word count. You should not use diagrams, tables and figures as a means of adding new information or replacing narrative paragraphs, but as a way of concisely presenting and summarising information. Information presented in diagrams, tables and figures still needs to be referred to and commented on in the narrative paragraphs. Also remember to use captions to identify your diagrams, tables and figures. If the diagrams, tables and figures are not your own work, the sources need to be acknowledged. Submission Instructions: Use Assessment 2A link in Blackboard to submit your capstone project proposal. Give your file a name of this format – Your name_Subject and code_Assessment number. The submission must be in Word document format and contain a signed cover sheet
Module 4 – Case ELECTRONIC COMMERCE AND THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Assignment Overview
The focus of this Case is on e-business. Here are some background materials on e-business that you should review.
Case Assignment
In your teams, use the Internet to plan a trip to a location outside the United States. Have each individual, working independently, use the services of a different online travel site such as orbitz.com, Travelocity.com, kayak.com, Concierge.com, expedia.com, etc. (search “online travel sites” for additional options). Pull together to share the findings of the group.
Find the lowest airfare.
Examine a few hotels by class.
Get suggestions about what to see.
Find out about local currency, and convert $1,500 to that currency with an online currency converter.
Compile travel tips.
The above analysis was done with traditional Web resources. Now after reading the Blockchain material in the Module Reading propose how this approach to travel planning could be changed or re-invented with Blockchain.
Prepare a report comparing how each site performed in terms of its ease of use, helpfulness, and best overall deal. Also provide a comparison with the Blockchain approach the group proposed. Each member of the team posts the results of the analysis and a discussion of the team processes. (If a team member cannot for location reasons work in a team, then that person can do the project on his/her own.)
Assignment Expectations
Produce a 3- to 4-page paper analyzing and comparing online travel sites. Use of Excel and tables is highly recommended along with a description of your analysis. The final report should include the report findings combined in one Word doc. Your paper must be double-spaced and include a cover page
Positive Social Influence of Deceased Rapper XXXTentacion
On June 18, 2018, American rapper XXXTentacion was fatally shot in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He was 20 years old. XXXTentacion (born January 23, 1998), whose real name was Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, was a rising star in the rap world. His debut album, 17, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and his second album released earlier this month, debuted at No. 1 (Hitt). He was also known for his controversial lyrics and history of domestic violence. Onfroy’s death sent shockwaves through the music world and sparked a debate about his legacy (Hitt). Some fans mourned him as a young talent taken too soon, while others celebrated him as a controversial figure who pushed the boundaries of music. XXXTentacion’s death is a devastating loss for the music community and for young people everywhere who looked up to him. His short life was full of both incredible talent and great tragedy. This paper aims at discussing the positive social influence of deceased rapper XXXTentacion.
It’s no secret that XXXTentacion had a rough life. He was born into a broken home, dealt with mental health issues, and was involved in gangs and violence. Despite all of this, he found solace and healing in music. His music has helped countless other people who are struggling with similar issues. XXXTentacion’s music is raw and honest (Sisario). He did not shy away from discussing the darkest parts of his life, and this vulnerability resonates with many people who are struggling. His openness about his mental health issues has helped destigmatize these topics and start important conversations. His willingness to talk about the pain he’s experienced has helped others feel less alone.
Additionally, XXXTentacion’s music is incredibly catchy and powerful. His songs are filled with emotion, and they have the ability to get stuck in one’s head for days. But more importantly, they make one feel something. They can make one feel happy, sad, angry, or motivated, and that’s part of what makes them so special. Moreover, XXXTentacion’s music has had a huge impact on the hip hop community (Sisario). He was one of the first artists to blend different genres like rock and metal with hip hop, and his unique sound has inspired other artists to push the boundaries of what hip hop can be.
When XXXTentacion first came onto the music scene, he was immediately an outsider. His music was different from anything else that was out there, and it showed that it was okay to be different. He gave a voice to those who felt like they didn’t fit in, and his music helped to change society’s perspective on what was considered “normal” (Sisario). XXXTentacion showed that it’s okay to be yourself and that one can still be successful even if they are not like everyone else. He is a true inspiration to those who feel like they don’t belong, and his music will continue to inspire people for years to come.
XXXTentacion was a highly influential rapper who impacted the music industry in a positive way. His unique style of music often pushed the boundaries and challenged the status quo, which is something that many artists admired. For example, his song “Look at Me” was extremely controversial due to its graphic and violent content, but it also sparked important conversations about mental health and suicide (Bennett). This is just one example of how XXXTentacion used his platform to make a difference. Furthermore, the rapper gave hope and a reason to live for many of his fans who were struggling with mental health issues. His music was often very personal and honest, which served as a form of therapy for many people.
The late rapper XXXTentacion was known for his philanthropic work, which often went unnoticed by the public. For example, he regularly donated to charities, including one that provided free lunch for children in need (Bennett). He also worked with an organization that helped domestic violence victims. His work has had a positive impact on society, and he will be remembered for his generosity. Some of the organizations that XXXTentacion worked with include:
The XXXTentacion Foundation – The XXXTentacion Foundation was created in memory of the late rapper XXXTentacion, who passed away tragically in June 2018. The foundation’s mission is to “provide financial assistance and support to mental health charities, suicide prevention organisations, and homeless shelters”. In the short time since its inception, the foundation has already made a significant impact, donating over $1 million to various charities (Guerrero). One of the foundation’s major achievements has been partnering with the United Way to create a statewide crisis text line in Florida. The text line provides 24/7 support for people in crisis and has already helped countless individuals in need (Guerrero). The foundation has also donated to multiple suicide prevention and mental health organisations, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) (Guerrero). In addition to its charitable work, the XXXTentacion Foundation also provides scholarships to students who have been affected by gun violence (Guerrero). The foundation has awarded over $40,000 in scholarships to date and continues to support students who are striving to better their lives despite significant challenges. The XXXTentacion Foundation is making a difference in the lives of many people and is helping to create a more compassionate and supportive world. If you are interested in supporting the foundation’s work, please consider making a donation.
The GiveBack Campaign – The Give Back Campaign is an organization that provides free lunch for children in need. XXXTentacion partnered with this organization to help make a difference in the lives of children who may not have access to healthy meals (Guerrero). Some of the children that have benefited from this campaign include those who have been affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline – This organization provides support to victims of domestic violence. XXXTentacion worked with them to raise awareness about the issue and to help those who are affected by domestic violence (Guerrero). The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) is a 24-hour confidential service that provides crisis counseling and support to victims of domestic violence. The Hotline also offers information about shelters, legal services, and other resources in the caller’s area. Founded in 1996, The Hotline is the only national 24-hour domestic violence hotline in the United States (Richards et al.). Since its inception, The Hotline has answered more than 4 million calls from victims of domestic violence. The Hotline has also helped connect victims with more than 10,000 local shelters and resource centres across the country (Richards et al.). In addition to providing crisis counselling and support, The Hotline also provides educational resources on topics such as safety planning, financial abuse, and healthy relationships. The Hotline has been recognized as one of the most effective crisis counselling services in the United States. In 2009, The Hotline was ranked by Forbes magazine as one of the top 10 hotlines in the country (Richards et al.). In 2012, The Hotline received the National Domestic Violence Crisis Center Award from the National Association of Social Workers.
XXXTentacion’s philanthropic work has positively affected society, and he will be remembered for his generosity. His work has shown that even though he came from a difficult background, he was able to make a difference in the world. Many people have benefited from his work, and his legacy will continue to live on.
XXXTentacion was known for helping out other up-and-coming artists, and he was an important mentor to many. He would often invite them to his house and have talks with them about their music or simply just life in general. This led to better social lives for many of these artists, as they had someone to look up to who could relate to them (MacAdams). XXXTentacion also helped with their careers, giving them advice on how to make it in the industry. He was a big help to many aspiring artists, and his death is a big loss to the music community.
XXXTentacion was known for his activism, often using his platform to speak out against social injustice. He was an active supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and frequently spoke out against discrimination. The rapper was against social injustice and he displayed this through his music and actions. For example, in 2017 he helped to raise money for an elderly couple who were struggling to pay their rent (MacAdams). The couple had been living in their car before XXXTentacion stepped in to help them. He also donated money to various charities, including a children’s hospital in Florida. In 2018, XXXTentacion posthumously won the BET Humanitarian Award for his charitable work. As a member of Black Lives Matter, he was an active voice in the movement, using his platform to raise awareness about the importance of racial equality (MacAdams). He also frequently spoke out against police brutality and violence against black people. XXXTentacion’s commitment to social justice helped to inspire others to stand up against injustice and make a difference in the world.
XXXTentacion’s death sent shockwaves through the music world and beyond. The young rapper had amassed a large and devoted following despite a troubled past that included multiple felony convictions, stints in jail and accusations of domestic abuse. Despite his legal troubles, XXXTentacion’s music resonated with many fans who could relate to his struggles. His songs often tackled dark subject matter, such as mental health, suicide and depression. In the wake of XXXTentacion’s death, fans and fellow musicians paid tribute to the late rapper, lauding his impact on the music world. XXXTentacion’s short but impactful career has left a lasting legacy. XXXTentacion’s music has inspired many young people to open up about their own struggles with mental health. In a society that often stigmatizes mental illness, XXXTentacion’s willingness to discuss his own battles with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts was incredibly powerful. Fans have also praised XXXTentacion for breaking down barriers between genres. The young rapper’s unique blend of rap, rock, emo and trap was unlike anything that had been heard before. His music appealed to fans of all genres, uniting people from all walks of life. Finally, XXXTentacion gave a voice to the voiceless. His music often tackled social and political issues that are often ignored by the mainstream media. He was unafraid to speak out against injustice, and his words continue to inspire people around the world. XXXTentacion’s death was a tragic loss for the music world. But his short but impactful career has left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire people for years to come. He will be remembered as a talented musician who was taken too soon.
Work Cited
Bennett, Ryan. “Rappers’ Rhymes Are Not Admissions To Crimes: Eliminating The Unlawful Use Of Rap Lyrics Against Rappers In Criminal Proceedings”. SSRN Electronic Journal, 2021. Elsevier BV, https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3783360.
(Add two paragraphs for each of these sources, 1 on credibility, 1 on info from source)
Guerrero, Jose. “Book Review Essay Of Zach Schonfeld’s Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth And Jarett Kobek’s Do Every Thing Wrong! Xxxtentacion against the World”. The International Journal of Information, Diversity, &Amp; Inclusion (IJIDI), vol 6, no. 1/2, 2022, pp. 85-93. University Of Toronto Libraries – UOTL, https://doi.org/10.33137/ijidi.v6i1.37848.
Hitt, Tarpley. “The Real Story of South Florida Rapper Xxxtentacion”. Miami New Times, 2018, https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/the-real-story-of-rapper-xxxtentacion- 10410980.
MacAdams, Torii. “The Cult Of Xxxtentacion: How Fans Pay Tribute To An Abusive Rapper”. The Guardian, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/30/xxtentacion-cult-how-fans-pay-tribute- to-an-abusive-rapper.
Richards, Tara N. et al. “Comparing 911 And Emergency Hotline Calls For Domestic Violence In Seven Cities: What Happened When People Started Staying Home Due To COVID- 19?”. Crimrxiv, 2021. Pubpub, https://doi.org/10.21428/cb6ab371.cdec20ab.
Sisario, Ben. “Hero Or Villain? Death Of Rapper Xxxtentacion Divides The Internet (Published 2018)”. Nytimes.Com, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/19/arts/music/xxxtentacion-death-reaction.html.
(with the addition of the counterargument source, there will be 8 sources, please find 2 more and cite them along with the two paragraphs for each source)
answer this question and maximum 550 words per concept and there will be two concept
first concept is 19/90 gap and second one is globalization and course master objectives are
• accurately define the term “social development” and the role of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in shaping social development in a globalized world;
• critically examine the role of human rights in constraining, or advancing, social development;
• research the key social development issues confronting individuals, families, and communities in contemporary societies;
• explore the role of social advertisement and education in promoting social development in Canada and around the world; and
so how does the concept are important to master
• draw from and apply one’s own knowledge and experience in class activities
A) Definition of the concept
its relation to social development
B) The key reason why the concept is important to master course learning objective
C) One academic publication (outside of course textbook) where the concept is used and significance of the concept in the selected publication
D) One non-academic publication where the concept is used and significance of the concept in the selected publication
E) One video where the concept is used and significance of the concept in the selected video
F) One image where the concept is used and significance of the concept in the selected image
G) Personal quote that demonstrate the significance of the concept in practicing social development
H) Borrowed quote that demonstrate the significance of the concept in practicing social development
Refer back to the interview and evaluation you conducted in the Topic 2 Family Health Assessment assignment. Identify the social determinates of health (SDOH) contributing to the family’s health status. In a 750-1,000 word paper, create a plan of action to incorporate health promotion strategies for this family. Include the following:
Describe the SDOH that affect the family health status. What is the impact of these SDOH on the family? Discuss why these factors are prevalent for this family.
Based on the information gathered through the family health assessment, recommend age-appropriate screenings for each family member. Provide support and rationale for your suggestions.
Choose a health model to assist in creating a plan of action. Describe the model selected. Discuss the reasons why this health model is the best choice for this family. Provide rationale for your reasoning.
Using the model, outline the steps for a family-centered health promotion. Include strategies for communication.
Cite at least three peer-reviewed or scholarly sources to complete this assignment. Sources should be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria
