Pestle analysis for hybrid cars in US Coursework

Pestle analysis for hybrid cars in US - Coursework Example Politicians, in as early as 1990, have put emphasis on better environment; and thy showed concern for environmental pollution. The Clean Air Act was revised in 1990 and became tougher on emission norms (Wilson and Dilulio, 2008 p.561). Today, fuel is not only related to environmental issues, but also a concern for national security. In 2007 president Bush showed concern on America’s dependence on foreign petroleum. The present president, President Obama too is concerned. He wants to reduce the America’s ‘Addiction to foreign oil’. In 2009 Obama revised climatic policies and forced car makers to build more fuel efficient and pollution free cars (Tan et al, 2012, p.3). Presently the government provides tax benefits to the buyers of hybrid cars (Boone and Kurtz, 2013, p 75). From the above facts it is clear that political opinions and activities in the USA are very favourable for Hybrid cars. Tougher policy on vehicle emission means increased opportunities for zero or minimum emitting vehicles like hybrid cars. Economic Factors: There are some economic factors that can influence the hybrid car industry in the USA. America is largely dependent upon other countries for petroleum. If domestic fuel consumption is reduced US’s oil import will reduce. This will surely lessen US’s trade deficit (Tan et al, 2012, p.4). ... As hybrid cars are more fuel efficient people can save money on fuel (Miller and Stafford, 2020, p.38). However, a hybrid car costs more than a conventional car. Therefore, the initial high purchasing cost might discourage potential buyers of hybrid cars (Miller and Stafford, 2020, p.38). The government has made special budgetary allocations for new generation vehicles. This money is being spent on development of fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles. This fact is an excellent encouragement for hybrid car industry (Tan et al, 2012, p.4). Therefore, it is clear that most of the economic factors can positively influence the US hybrid car industry. However, high price of hybrid cars might be a deterrent. Social Factors: The hybrid car industry could be influenced by several social factors. The environmental pollution is linked with social issues like health. Conventional cars that emit more harmful gases cause more damage to human health. Hybrid cars emit a negligible amount of these gases. Therefore they are seen as more human health-friendly. Moreover, hybrid cars are silent. Noise has negative impact on health. In this aspect too, hybrid cars promote better health (Tan et al, 2012, pp.4-5). Hybrid cars are now linked with social status. Reports show that US consumers buy greener products to improve social status. Consumers are even ready to ‘sacrifice luxury and performance to benefit from the perceived social status that comes from buying a product with a reduced environmental impact’ (Vaughan, 29 March, 2010). As hybrid cars are greener, owning a hybrid car will improve the owner’s social status (Vaughan, 29 March, 2010). Another social fact worth mentioning here is: women prefer electric cars.

A Critical Review of Socrates Stances Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A Critical Review of Socrates Stances - Essay Example Socrates stance is that the role of a philosopher in the society is parallel to that of a gadfly in stimulating a horse. As gadflies, philosophers have the responsibility of challenging the society to think clearly about things which may otherwise be taken for granted. Philosophers question the inconsistencies and fallacies that are acceptable to the rest of the society (8). Upham (71) supports this view of the Socratic gadfly, stating that philosophy involves uncovering assumptions, asking pertinent and unwelcome questions alongside mocking self seriousness. The analogy is immensely strong, as the gadfly is deemed irritating in a similar fashion by which philosophy in this approach may be quite unwelcome. The gadfly metaphor is of significant value in the academic and intellectual pursuit of philosophy since it spells out philosophers’ roles. This helps in defining practice of philosophy; without it, philosophy may be solely constrained to knowledge seeking and having no role s in society (72). ‘†¦the unexamined life is not worth living.’: In Socrates proposal for his sentence, he ponders the question of whether he should stop practicing philosophy and go into exile. To this, Socrates observes that the greatest good a man can do is to converse about virtues. He highlights the value of philosophy (examining self and others), arguing that an unexamined life is not worth living (Colaiaco 147). The context of this statement involves the issue of silencing Socrates from engaging in philosophy. As he explains in earlier passages, Socrates had been undertaking conversations with the â€Å"wise men† of Athens in a bid to determine their wisdom. Socrates believed in this as a divine calling, and in the process found out that much of the said wisdom was indeed self gratification and absent. The young people of Athens attended Socrates enquiries. Exposing the lack of wisdom among his respondents won Socrates many enemies, who then plotted h is downfall based on unfounded issues.