My Power of Prayer :: Autobiography Essay, Personal Narrative

The power of prayer is an amazing thing. In sports it is not uncommon to see someone pointing to the sky after a touchdown, or a team prayer before a big game. While I was running cross-country in high school I came across many obstacles. I had to ignore people telling me, â€Å"cross-country’s not a real sport,† or â€Å"why don’t you do a real sport like football?† I did not have much experience in cross-country running; therefore, I experienced doubt and lack of self-confidence at some points. I started running when I was a senior in high school. I made it through the first couple of races all right, but began to get angry at myself because I was not improving at the rate I had wanted to. I was very excited for the season and often found myself distraught when I did not do well and I could not understand what the problem was. I always assumed that if a person runs fast one day, he/she should run faster the next day. In addition to the internal pressure I put on myself during my tenure as an athlete, I felt a lot of outside pressure. My uncles, who are currently high school coaches near me, were high school standouts in the sport and ran extremely well in college. I always thought that if I did not perform at the level that was expected, I would be looked down upon. Of course that was not the case, but I always wanted to impress them. I remember running in one invitational which both of them attended. I put such a tremendous amount of pressure on myself to perform that I ended up getting a cramp in my side, causing me to run one of the worst races of my life. I found myself asking why this would happen. Therefore, I decided to start training very hard for my next race, even though it was only a small race against a weaker team. I found myself very relaxed and ran a comfortable race. I finished with amazement, because I had dropped my best time by about twenty seconds. For the first time, I had broken the seventeen-minute mark for a five kilometer race. I immediately thought of my uncles; how great would it be to tell them about the race?

Kate in all my sons Essay

?How does Miller use representations of speech and other dramatic techniques to present the character of Kate in this extract and in one other extract in the play? Section from the start of act 3 to the stage direction – â€Å"Jim exits to driveway† To beginact 3, Arthur Miller uses dramatic stage directions to set the scene. These stage directions present the character of Kate in a deranged way. It says that she is rocking â€Å"ceaselessly† in a chair. The use of the adverb â€Å"ceaselessly† suggests that her temperament is somewhat unstable. Following these stage directions, Miller begins the dialogue of the extract with an interrogative utterance from Jim – â€Å"any news? †, it is interesting that Jim comes straight in with a question and doesn’t form a phatic utterance to begin conversation with Kate. It makes the atmosphere feel more formal and dull. Kate’s response is extremely short which means she isn’t open to any other sort of conversation with Jim â€Å"no news†. This adjacency pair makes it clear that kate is not one for phatic conversation, this is known by Jim who doesn’t attempt any ‘chit chat’ with her. when Jim says –â€Å" you cant sit up all night, dear, why don’t you go back to bed? †, in brackets, it says that he speaks gently. This has the connotation that Kate is fragile and requires to be spoken to in a gentler manner. The character of Kate is displayed at depressed. Miller does this by the short and limited replies she gives Jim. An example to show this is when Jim says – â€Å"don’t be afraid, Kate, I know, I’ve always known† and all she says back is â€Å"how? †. This one – worded interrogative utterance tells us that she is disinterested in what Jim has to say and also that she has other burning issues on her mind. Also when Jim explains and describes to Kate in detail how chris is going to come back and he makes an effort to convince her and put her mind at ease. Regardless of his effort, kate still replies coldly with a short â€Å"just as long as he comes back†. It is almost as if she doesn’t recognise that Chris is trying to be kind to her. this shows the character of kate in a unfriendly light. the second extract is in act one when kate gives a speech which explains the dream she had about Larry.

Consumer Preference of Brighton & Hove Teenagers on Organic Food Essay

There have been many studies investigating the influences on consumer purchasing and consumption of organic foods. It has a Journal of the Human Environment that argues that parts of researches have frequently taken the form of asking consumers directly about their reasons for purchase or nonpurchase of organic foods rather than seeking which types of beliefs and attitudes are actually related to purchase or consumption. (Shepherd, Magnusson, & Sjoden, 2005) In recent year, other researchers have examined what beliefs and attitudes predict consumption. (Shepherd, Government office for Science, 2011) In several studies, a majority of the customers have a preference for and an interest in organic food. However, â€Å"the proportion of regular purchasers of organic food is low†. (Shepherd, Magnusson, & Sjoden, 2005) So, this phenomenon showed a discrepancy between consumers’ attitudes and behavior, which is most of Consumers’ attitude are positively for organic foods, but not often to buy them. It seems the consumers not have a concerned the organic foods become an important purchase criterion. Since the 1920’s, the organic food has first appeared in Europe. (Baourakis, 2004) Until now, even the organic foods not take big market share, but in recent years, according to the British Food Standards Agency said ‘identifies the role that organic food plays in providing choice for customer. ’ (Food Standards Agency, 2011) Lampkin & Padel (1994, cited in Baourakis, 2004) researched that consumer demand for organic food increased rapidly, thus, the number of famers increased reasonably, this phenomenon is not only in Europe, but also is in the United States. Problem Statement The problem to be explored is the purchase behavior of teenagers toward organic food in Brighton & Hove. As mentioned before, the sales of organic food are increasing in UK. Nevertheless, Non-organic food still dominates in the food market. In addition, while there has some consumers who are already familiar and know with the organic food. It still has many consumers who are not yet know about them. Because of organic food produced without using any artificial chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers, which is better and fresher taste than other nonorganic foods. (Georgiou, 2002) There are different reasons why consumers tend to prefer to buy organic food. To discover the teenagers of Brighton & Hove behavior on organic food, these are some of the variables that will be taken into account when do the research, which can separate to extrinsic factors and internal factors. External factors are environment influence, like education level influence, cultural influence, and family influence. Internal factors are product attributes, which are benefits of organic food, like environmentally friendliness, good for animal welfare, taste good and personal health. These may influence consumer buying decision. Research aims and objectives This research aims to explore teenagers’ behavior of Brighton & Hove on organic food consumption in their daily life. This research will provide richer and deeper understanding of teenagers’ preference on organic foods and work to specific ages, thus the levels of education and collect the information about why they care about organic food. These research questions to be answered are: †¢Do the teenagers like to buy organic food in Brighton & Hove? †¢Do the teenagers choose organic food influenced by environment (i.e. education level, cultural influence or family influence) in Brighton & Hove? †¢What causes the teenagers care about organic food (i. e. the environment concern, animal welfare, personal health, taste) in Brighton & Hove? In this particular case, it becomes more interesting to be more the teenager maybe will be influence by place cultural. Because Brighton & Hove are famous resort which near the sea. Brighton and Hove is the UK’s healthiest city that reason is its residents’ lifestyles, such as cycling to work, do yoga practice, and eating green food according to a study for Sky Travel. (University of sussex, 2010) The intention explore is the future development of organic food in Brighton & Hove by asking questions and interview. This paper will propose use deductive way for research on specific consumer behavior on organic foods in Brighton & Hove. Anticipated contributions Organic food is green food, these benefits lead to the market share of food were influenced, so, this academic research discuss about purchase behavior of teenagers on organic food consumption in Brighton & Hove. Because teenager is our future, from their behavior, we can see the organic food development of Brighton & Hove in next 50 years. Until now, it has some research about customer behavior on organic food, however, since there is lack of data for specific group people, like teenager. In this case, Kardes, Cronley, & Cline argued that one of the contributions for study consumer behavior is that educate consumers and help them to make a better decision, also can understand make products for consumers actually needed and wanted. This becomes a marketing strategy, this research proposal discovers and satisfies customer needs and wants effectively and beneficial manner, while profiting the long-term interests for business. (Kardes, Cronley, & Cline, 2011) Also this research proposal will investigate customer behavior information by primary research and secondary information, analysis the consumer’s performance, which showed the market tendency and understand the rival. It can help companies can get the market share of organic food in the future. Brief Review of Literature Wright & Crea (2007) pointed that the UK organic food market rise approximately 10% annually with a value of 2 billion dollars, already become third largest in the world. According government statistics, the multiple supermarket retailers accounted for the major marketing share to the consumer with approximately 73 % of sales. The independent retailers and parts of farmers accounted for consumer 27 % of sales. The box schemes and internet order made up 8 percent. (dardni, 2010) Base on data, organic food is preferred by all age groups because of its health friendly benefits. These contained old people, adults and children. According to statistics, 70 % of the costumers are women, while 30 % are men. 57. 3 % of organic food consumers have job, while 23. 2 % do not have job. (Damin, 2011) Food standards Agency demonstrates that to eat â€Å"organic food is a way to decrease consumption of pesticide residues and additives. † (Food Standards Agency, 2011) Organic procurement reflects consumers are not only care about economic, but also concern with food production link to personal, social and environmental effect. (The Open University, 2006) Lockie argues that no artificial chemicals is one of the key point cause the sale growth of organic product around the world, which reflects people are more interested in personal health and family health, also care about the animal welfare, tradition, environmental protection, food traceability and sustainability. (Lockie, 2006) Food Standards Agency, â€Å"if they think they’re buying food with extra nutritional quality or extra safety. † (Food Standards Agency, 2011)) Stringer and Dennis argued that in UK recent research showed 21 percent of housewives ranked taste over other facts in what they ate in 1998s, while 14 percent of housewives because of health concern for their family and themselves in 1998s. (Stringer & Dennis, 2000) According to ACNielsen research, the consumption of organic baby food jumped about 16 percent over the year before in 2005, it nearly double increasing of total organic food consumption. (Working Mother, 2006) In 2008, the Ferrell and Pride searched the mother behavior and investigate the age range from 25 to 40, are more prefer to buy organic food or clothing for their children no matter what their income. (Pride & Ferrell, 2008) Mamatha & Sarada revealed that child rights attitudes and participation in activities were influenced by their mother. (Mamatha & Sarada, 2009) Brozina argued that culture can influence the consumers’ motives for organic food consumption. (Brozina, 2009) Samli argued that consumer behavior was influenced by social class, which related to not only economic well-being, but also other factors, such as education, family background and occupation. Secondly, it influenced by hierarchy of needs, which is more likely to be observed as different degrees of economic development, culture, and social psychology. Thirdly, it influenced by interpersonal influences from group member, like social consumption phenomenon and consumer want to buy luxury make a good impression on others. Fourthly, it depends on affective influences, like emotion. At last, cognitive will be influence the consumers choice, which is how much they know about that product. (Samli, 1995) While consumer express positive perspective on organic food, but it is not likely to expand beyond this niche market in the future, the major reason is premium prices, unless low-input can be made recognisable to consumers. . (Oppapers, 2011) Handlechner argued that organic producers are still only occupying a niche market now. Nevertheless, organic food may be having a larger potential in the future. (Handlechner, 2008) Hypotheses Hypothesis1. I expect that the teenagers in Brighton & Hove may be having positive perspective on organic food due to Brighton & Hove is a healthiest city. Hypothesis 2: I expect that the teenagers in Brighton & Hove might concern about environment issue, animal welfare, and personal health, so they choose the organic food. Hypothesis 3: It is also my prediction that teenagers in Brighton & Hove may not interested in organic food due to they do not possess economic income. Hypothesis 4: Maybe they like to buy the organic foods, but for teenager are too expensive that they do not possess enough money to pay for them. Methodology This research adopted the deductive way because the aim proved by separate several research questions that mentioned earlier before. This research design is exploratory due to this research proposal intends to explore the teenagers’ behaviour on organic food through survey in Brighton & Hove. This study will consider descriptive because this proposal focus on survey the characteristic of certain group, teenagers. Accordingly, some writers in a journal demonstrated that descriptive study is the researchers are interested to survey a group such as education level, income, age or gender in some situations. (Kumar, Deb, Sinha, & Sinha, 2001) The research is also adopt cross sectional because of this study will study in a particular phenomenon and particular time. It has time limited. (Scribd, 2011) Research method Primary research This research can either be qualitative or quantitative. Nevertheless, quantitative research may cover a larger number of populations, which will give generalized statistics results by questionnaire. This qualitative research intends to collect an in-depth understanding of teenagers’ behaviour and the reasons why they have that behaviour. This qualitative research is a non-numerical data collection by interview. Moreover, the qualitative and quantities research method inquires the how and why of decision making by teenagers, not only where, when, what. So, this easy chooses these methods on this particular case studied in order to seek empirical support for this research hypothesis. This research proposal will base on quantitative research due to it will give statistical evidence of data, which can be summarize teenagers behaviour specifically. Questionnaire is my first choice. Concerning the print cost, the questionnaires will be surveyed through email in the internet. The questionnaires will include an introduction that gives clearly explanation of purpose of this study. Furthermore, the questionnaires also will include clearly instructions that give a well-guided to the teenagers. Moreover, it will give clearly question which is easy to teenagers. More specifically, writing the letter to school headmaster get the permission in Brighton & Hove. This questionnaire will be taken in the Junior high school and high school in 11th July 2011. This study will be randomly survey 1000 students in junior high school, 500 boys and 500 girls respectively. Other parts are 1000 students in high school, 500 boys and 500 girls. This will be more easily and faster when make analysis the data based on different education level and gender. Also, it will adopt anonymity, in order to keep the private information for teenager. This research proposal also will accord to qualitative research due to it will be get more detail with deeper conversational interview. It will not have predetermined questions are asked, because it can remain more open and adaptable get useful information due to nature and priorities of interview. It can directly get the exactly information for this research. More specifically, the interview will be taking at the school supermarket in Brighton & Hove in 19th July 2011. More closely interview the staffs in supermarket in order to understand teenagers’ behaviour by real consumption. Moreover, the interview will be doing at teenagers’ home in 30th July 2011 and in order to have chance to understand their behaviour by face to face talking. It wills choice 10 families in high school, 10 families in junior high school. It could be though this interview can prove whether the teenager preference on organic foods influenced by their family background and mother. Secondary research â€Å"The value of using the secondary data for market research has been substantial throughout history, continues today, and promises to grow in the future. † (Patzer, 1995) Secondary research contains the collation, brief and synthesis of existing research that data is already done by government, company, organization or personal. When this research proposal chooses the secondary data source, it would be have a critical thinking and concern the academic source. Government research data is the good choice for this research. Moreover, Base on the books and journals, summarize others studies and result. It will filter information and get the clearly results. Another research approach would be reputation organization and news website. What is more, May be I can get record data form staff in school supermarket, for instance, it could be get the sales of every year or month in the school. Using the other cities’ secondary data compare with the primary data in Brighton & Hove in order to know whether the Brighton & Hove culture will influence the teenager behaviour on organic foods. Data Analysis â€Å"Thematic analysis focuses on identifiable themes and patterns of living or behaviour. † (Aronson, 1994) So in this case, the thematic analysis will be used to gather data and analyze them in interview. Moreover, another analysis is the content analysis, which will use in the interview, too. The questionnaire will be collect data by software for statistics, like Excel. Do the diagrams would be use the software, like word. Time chart JuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovember Research for Literature review Formulate research strategy, design and select methods Questionnaire Interviews Field Work/ Data collection Data Analysis Write up Conclusion. This research expects to explore the teenagers’ preference on organic food in Brighton & Hove, which can get exactly information to answer the research question. I hope the teenagers will more concern their health and environment and animal in order to develop a sustainable society. The organic food company may take this kind research forward, which will bring long-term benefit if they grasp customer behavior and attitude. Maybe they will not only survey the teenager, but also research the householder behavior and psychology due to they have economic power. Bibliography Aronson, J. (1994). Nova. Retrieved 6 8, 2011, from A Pragmatic View of Thematic Analysis: http://www. nova. edu/ssss/QR/BackIssues/QR2-1/aronson. html Baourakis, G. (2004). Marketing trends for organic food in 21st century. World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. Brozina, S. (2009). EuroMed Journal of Business. Cultural influences on motives for organic food consumption , p. 185. Damin. (2011). dissertation. Retrieved 6 5, 2011, from Consumer behavior and organic food dessertation: http://www. dissertation-helper. co. uk/consumer-behavior-organic-food-dissertation/ dardni. (2010). Agriculture and Rural Development. Retrieved 6 5, 2011, from The market for organic products: http://www. dardni. gov. uk/ruralni/index/bussys/organic_production/organic_business_management/marketing. htm Food Standards Agency. (2011). Safe food,better business. Retrieved 5 28, 2011, from Organic food: http://www. food. gov. uk/foodindustry/farmingfood/organicfood/ GeorgiouDunnElisha. (2002). Everything you need to know about organic foods. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. Handlechner, M. (2008). Grin. Retrieved 6 7, 2011, from Organic Food: http://www. grin. com/ Kardes, R. F. , Cronley, L. M. , & Cline, W. T. (2011). Consumer Behavior. Cengage Learning. Inc. Kumar, R. , Deb, K. J. , Sinha, B. N. , & Sinha, V. K. (2001). Lithium Toxicity. A descriptive study , pp. 52-57. Lockie, S. (2006). Going Oorganic: mobilizing networks for environmentally responsible food production. London. Mamatha, T. , & Sarada, D. (2009). Child rights: ICDS programme. Discovery Publishing House PVT. LTD. Oppapers. (2011). Oppapers. Retrieved 6 6, 2011, from Consumer Attitudes and purchase intentions in relation to organic food: http://www. oppapers. com/essays/Consumer-Attitudes-And-Purchase-Intentions-In/307542 PatzerL. Gordon. (1995). Using secondary data in marketing research: United States and worldwide. An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group,Inc. Pride, W. M. , & Ferrell, O. C. (2008). Marketing. Yaga Mamas: Today’s Choosy Mothers , p. 134. Samli, A. C. (1995). International consumer behavior: its impact on marketing strategy development. An imprint pf Greenwood Publishing Groups,Inc. Scribd. (2011). Scribd. Retrieved 6 7, 2011, from Research Proposal on â€Å"TheConsumer Behavior On MP3Players†: http://www. scribd. com/doc/54718736/Research-Proposal-on-the-Consumer-Behaviour-of-MP3-s Shepherd, R. (2011). Government office for Science. Retrieved 6 8, 2011, from Societal attitudes to different food production models: http://www. bis. gov. uk/Foresight Shepherd, R. , Magnusson, M. , & Sjoden, P. -O. (2005). AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment. Determinants of Consumer Behavior Related to Organic Foods , pp. 352-359. Sheth, N. J. (1985). Historical Perspective in Consumer Research: National and International Perspectives. HISTORY OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOR: A MARKETING PERSPECTIVE , pp. 5-7. StringerMichael, & DennisC. (2000). Chilled foods: a comprehensive guide. Woodhead Publishing Limited. The Open University. (2006). Language of Food Politics. Retrieved 5 29, 2011, from Research Report: The Discourse of Organic Food Promotion: language, intentions: http://creet. open. ac. uk/projects/language-of-food-politics/documents/4_organic_food_report. pdf University of sussex. (2010). Sussexsport. Retrieved 6 3, 2011, from Healthy Articles: http://www. sussex. ac. uk/sport/1-4-9. html Working Mother. (2006). Is Organic Food Worth it? Working Mother , 88. Wright, S. , & Crea, M. D. (2007). The International Market for Organic and Fair Trade Food and Drink. Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Online School vs. Public School Essay

Sloan Consortium stated that, â€Å"More than one million students attended classes via the Internet in 2008. Of those million, around 200,000 were enrolled in full-time virtual schools, meaning they attend all of their classes online.† I have been doing Online Schooling for two years but before that I went to public school. Online schooling is a better choice than public schooling because you have more control, there is no drama, and you have more free time. I prefer online homeschooling because I can control my pace. I get to decide when I want to work and I don’t have to study all day, everyday like I normally would. The course schedule is also up to me; courses can be done one at a time or in groups. During my first year at an online school I did five courses at one time. It’s now my second year and I am doing one course at a time, which I definitely prefer. At Public schools, course schedules are picked for me and I would have no control. You also can’t control what is going on in your school environment. One of the best things about online school is that there is never any drama. I really hate gossiping, which is a big problem at public schools. Because I only interact with other kids from my school by way of the internet there is no pettiness between us. Kids my age fight over friends and boyfriends or girlfriends. There’s nothing to fight about when you live as far away from each other as we do. At normal schools though, you see everyone everyday. When your constantly with the same group of people, someone’s feelings are always getting hurt and there is constant arguments. Many of situations involve your â€Å"friends†. If your friends with someone you can’t be friends with anyone they don’t like, which can get very complicated. 3 When doing school online, you have much more free time. If I stay caught up, I’m able to do things after school and on the weekends. When I was in public school, I had far too much homework to do anything. Now I’m able to take a few days off for vacation or because I’m sick and not have to worry about falling far behind. While at public school all of my time was filled by homework, but now I’m able to spend hours after school with my horse or just relaxing. Some of my family has expressed concern about me not  interacting with children my age because I don’t go to public school. Because of online schooling, I’m able to hang out with my friends at our barn. Before I switched I never saw any of my friends outside of school because I never had the time. Online schooling is a much better choice than public schooling. The benefits of online school far outweigh those of public schooling. With Online schooling you have so many more choices, everything is up to you! There are many different schooling choices but online schooling has made my life easier and stress free. I definitely suggest that you look into online schooling as an alternative to public school. It may not be right for everyone, but it might be right for you.

Terry Fox Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Terry Fox - Research Paper Example Also right from the starting, he have a dream –- to run through over Canada to raise cash for cancer research. This is what Terrys story of hope was all about. Through a smart blend of visual components and a simple to-read, ordered story, Maxin Trottier shows Terrys progresses from a conventional Canadian kid with hopeful inclinations to became resolved a successfully adolescent sportsperson who influence millions to do their part for cancer research. Memorabilia, quotes and photographs give a scrapbook-style presentation of the story support the content strongly as well as successfully hold the reader’s interest. Leslie Scriveners book, Terry Fox - His Story, is initially distributed in 1981, on the other hand in 1983 and 2000 by The Terry Fox Foundation. The first version is composed while Terry is still alive. The new release, recognized the twentieth year of the Marathon of Hope, giving upgrades on how Terrys legacy exist. The book is composed in ordered request and incorporates numerous eminent pictures and extracts from Terrys diary. It is a book worth perusing for such a large number of explanations. If you find the opportun ity, I trust you appreciate and are roused. This moving document on a man whose bravery raised $20,000,000 for an admirable motivation is additionally a valid look at the account of determination. When Fox choose to run in the cross-country marathon (5,150 miles) to raise cash for cancer research, his guardians, his physician, and his companions contradicted the idea however he persevered, persuading a companion with a camper to support him. The noteworthy contributions of Terry Fox got to be especially obvious in the year 1976, after he started treatment for cancer and saw the enduring of other cancer patients. Trottier incorporates actualities about the astonishing chain of occasions that roused him to make this

Feature Writing and Journalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Feature Writing and Journalism - Essay Example At one home, she was even denied the right to study. She had early realized that education is very important to earn money. After she had run away from her second foster home at thirteen years of age, she had ensured that till sixteen years she would remain at the orphanage and study. Thereafter, she would move to a new place and pursue higher study while working. She had left Dakota when she was sixteen. She is a very determined young lady who is not only smart but also very intelligent and focused. She does part time cleaning job at the IT firm and works late night shift at the local bar as waitress. As jobs are scarce, she believes that any work would do so far as it is able to pay her college fee. Her black belt in Judo has helped her to ward off the attention of street Romeos and drunkards while working later night shifts or attending night classes of management. She shares her accommodation with two other girls who have now become her best friends and family. While this may not give her the requisite privacy, it nevertheless has helped her to survive in new place Her short term goal is to get management degree and later do apprenticeship in some established company. She has already talked to her supervisor at the IT firm who has assured her that once she gets the management degree, she would be considered. The firm employs young talents and gives them huge opportunities for growth. She had also made friends with many people at the firm who also help her in gaining computer skills. She also believes that campus interview would also help her in getting a job. She therefore has kept her options open. I really liked her focused approach to dealing things and issues. She has her priority well defined and works towards it with utmost seriousness. She tells me that she has already passed three semesters and after fourth one, she would be eligible to apply for junior management position. This is a great achievement, especially considering her

The Impact of NAFTA and ASEAN on Globalization Research Paper

The Impact of NAFTA and ASEAN on Globalization - Research Paper Example This paper discusses the impact of two of the known trading blocs, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on globalization. NAFTA and Globalization NAFTA includes Mexico, Canada, and the United States. It is the biggest free trade zone in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). In 1992, Mexican President Salinas, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and U.S President George Bush ratified the treaty. It was immediately implemented on the 1st of January 1994 (Hing, 2010). The idea of NAFTA is to encourage economic progress by facilitating the flow of products and services between the member countries. Trade relations among the member countries have widened significantly since the completion of NAFTA (Lederman, Maloney & Serven, 2005), although scholars differ over the level to which this growth is an immediate outcome of the agreement. As shown in the report of the U.S Trade Representative (USTR), the primary re presentative of the United States in foreign trade and an important motivator of free trade agreements, the general trade value within North America has substantially increased since the initiation of the accord. Regional business investment in the United States, still according to USTR, increased 117% in 15 years, from 1993 to 2007, in comparison to a 45% increase in the previous 14 years (Teslik, 2009, para 2). Trade with the associates of NAFTA currently comprises at least 80% of Mexican and Canadian trade, as well as of U.S trade. As stated by Gary Clyde Hufbauer and Jeffrey Schott (Teslik, 2009, para 3), â€Å"It has worked. North American firms are now more efficient and productive. They have restructured to take advantage of economies of scale in production and intra-industry specialization.† C. Parr Rosson III and associates emphasize that the notion of trade blocs is quite fresh in North America, yet claims that comparable agreements in other parts of the world have demonstrated steady gains when analyzed from a long-term point of view. The authors identify various types of ‘preferential trading arrangements’ (Teslik, 2009, para 4), from restricted economic and customs unions to more free trade agreements such as NAFTA, which have been thriving in Europe. The paper, mentioned in the article of Teslik (2009), stresses that preferential trading agreements can in fact make trade temporary and can bring about disorders in the labor market that are quite unfavorable to a number of laborers, yet can be assumed to have important enduring gains as well. Representatives of the three members of NAFTA have suggested an eagerness and/or plan to broaden NAFTA. This move would be both logical economics and wise foreign policy. The broadening of NAFTA membership into a free trade bloc in the Western hemisphere would prevent the detrimental repercussions of NAFTA and improve the ability of trade growth to encourage economic progress in the region (Caulfield, 2009). At present, there are four settings for enlarging NAFTA (Bernal, 1994, 30): (1) complete accession of other nations through a section in the current NAFTA accord; (2) employing a ‘hub and spoke’ system to add more trading allies to the United States; (3) Mexico or Canada separately, integrating several lesser regional trading unions into NAFTA; or (4) slowly expanding the trading rights of NAFTA to lesser nations without