Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Western Europe

2008-11-19T23:18:56Z

LennyR:

'''Western Europe''' is that part of the continent of [[Europe]] that did not come under [[Communist]] rule at the end of the [[Second World War]], and is therefore massively more advanced, wealthy and stable that its counterpart, [[Eastern Europe]]. So wealthy had it become, indeed, that upon the fall of Communism it was able to absorb most of Eastern Europe into its economy - as part of an expanded [[European Union]] - rescuing it from economic and social collapse. Western Europe is also the home of ''two'' of the world's most important currencies, the [[euro]] and the British [[pound]]. Some of the world's greatest cities - [[Rome]], [[Paris]], [[London]] etc. are situated in Western Europe, and it is the home of the [[English language]], the [[French language]], and the [[Spanish language]]. Western European culture can be traced back to that of [[Ancient Rome]], and it is also the birthplace of both the [[Catholic Church]] and [[Protestantism]] - in addition to the [[Enlightenment]] and the [[Industrial Revolution]]. Colonists from Western Europe have settled the entire length and breadth of [[North America]], [[South America]], and [[Australia]], taking their languages and culture with them.

The economies of many former communist European nations are expanding rapidly. The difference between Western Europe and [[Eastern Europe]] is becoming less clear cut.

[[Category:Geography]]

International Monetary Fund

2008-11-19T23:15:51Z

LennyR: /* History */

The '''International Monetary Fund''' ('''IMF''') is the international organization entrusted with overseeing the global financial system by monitoring foreign exchange rates and [[balance of payments]], as well as offering technical and financial assistance when asked.

The IMF keeps account of international [[balance of payments]] accounts of member states, and for members in financial distress can acts as a lender of last resort, e.g. currency crisis, problems meeting balance of payment when in deficit and [[Default|debt default]]. Membership is based on quotas, or the amount of money a country provides to the fund relative to the size of its role in the international trading system.

== Organization and Purpose ==

The IMF describes itself as: "an organization of 184 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty". Of all UN member states only [[North Korea]], [[Cuba]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Andorra]], [[Monaco]], [[Tuvalu]] and [[Nauru]] are either integrated and represented by other member states or choose not to participate.

== History ==
Agreement for its creation came at the [[United Nations]]-sponsored [[Bretton Woods Conference|Monetary and Financial Conference]] in [[Bretton Woods]], New Hampshire on July 22, 1944. The principle architects of the IMF at the Bretton Woods Conference were [[John Maynard Keynes]] and the Assistant Secretary of the [[United States Treasury]], [[Harry Dexter White]]. The [http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/aa/index.htm Articles of Agreement] came into force on December 27, 1945, the organization came into existence in May 1946, as part of a post-[[World War II|WWII]] reconstruction plan, and it began financial operations on March 1, 1947.

It is sometimes referred to as "a Bretton Woods institution", along with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the World Bank. Together, these three institutions define the monetary policy shared by almost all countries with market economies.

The IMF was instituted in and operated as a short-term credit fund for exchange rate stabilization throughout the Keynesian Welfare State era of 1945 - 1971. With the removal of the fixed exchange rate system in the early 70s - the original role for the IMF has changed. As neo-liberalism took hold in the US and [[Western Europe]] through the 70s and 80s, the IMF has assisted debtor nations with problems meeting balance of payment deficits on condition they insitute reforms in line with neo-liberal and classical economic theory. Arguably there has been a qualification of this stance with the recent HIPC initiatives, but it is safe to conclude that the IMF remains a neo-liberal institution, arguably much removed from its original mandate.

== Membership Qualifications ==

A country may apply for membership status within the IMF. The application will be considered, first, by the IMF's Executive Board. After its consideration, the Executive Board will submit a report to the Board of Governors of the IMF with recommendations in the form of a "Membership Resolution." These recommendations cover the amount of [[quota]] in the IMF, the form of payment of the [http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/aa/aa03.htm#1 subscription], and other customary terms and conditions of membership. After the Board of Governors has adopted the "Membership Resolution," the applicant state needs to take the legal steps required under its own law to enable it to sign the IMF's Articles of Agreement and to fulfill the obligations of IMF membership.

A member's quota in the IMF determines the amount of its subscription, its voting weight, its access to IMF financing, and its allocation of [[Special Drawing Rights|SDR]]s.

== Assistance and Reforms ==

Part of its mission has become to provide assistance to countries that experience serious economic difficulties. Member states with [[balance of payments]] problems may request assistance in the form of loans and/or organizational management of their national economies. In return, the countries are obliged to launch certain [[structural adjustment program|reforms]], an example of which is the "[[Washington Consensus]]".

== External links ==
* [http://www.imf.org International Monetary Fund website]
* How the IMF Props Up the Dollar System [http://www.serendipity.li/hr/imf_and_dollar_system.htm]

== References ==
* ''[[The Best Democracy Money Can Buy]]'' by [[Greg Palast]] (2002)
* The IMF and The World Bank: How do they differ?[http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/exrp/differ/differ.htm] by David D. Driscoll

[[Category:International Organizations]]
[[category:economics]]

Homosexual unions

2008-11-19T23:11:51Z

LennyR:

Homosexual unions are not built around lifetime commitments, nor are they good environments in which to raise children. [http://www.familyresearchinst.org/Default.aspx?tabid=80]

According to the Family Research Institute [http://www.familyresearchinst.org/LinkClick.aspx?link=80&tabid=36&mid=425]:
{{cquote|Adding together the various studies of children of homosexuals published through 1999, at least 19% of 115 daughters and 16% of 120 sons said that they themselves engaged in homosexuality; that is, 17% of 235 offspring. In the comparison groups that were employed in these studies, only 2% of 66 children of heterosexuals said they practiced homosexuality.}}

*Children from heterosexual families may be less inclined to be gay.
*Alternatively children from heterosexual families may be less inclined to admit that they are gay.

Dink

2008-11-19T23:08:37Z

LennyR:

A '''dink''' is a small [[boat]] used to travel from a boat to shore, carrying people or supplies.

See also [[ship]].

==External links==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dink Dink]

Missing

2008-11-19T22:49:14Z

LennyR:

'''Missing''' is to be lacking, absent, or not found.
#A missing person report is filed with the [[police]] when someone has disappeared; it is often the case that the person has [[runaway|run away]], been [[kidnap]]ped or [[murder]]ed.
#Things can be missing as well, if they have been lost or misplaced.
[[Category:Dictionary]][[Category:Crime]]