Question 26 of 30 Identify the strength and weaknesses, in general, of Essay

Question 26 of 30 Identify the strength and weaknesses, in general, of survey research - Essay Example A weakness of survey research is that the results of the research are primarily depicted by the quality of survey conducted by the researchers. Some of the biases of survey research are interviewer bias, non-response bias, sample bias, and questionnaire bias (jou.ufl.edu, n.d., p. 1). In survey research, information is collected by asking questions in written or oral form. There is hardly any objective measure to judge the reliability of questions. What is perceived by one respondent one way might be perceived by another respondent in another way. The data becomes even less reliable when the respondents are asked to respond to written questions because there is no one to explain their meanings. In addition to that, the respondents are necessarily required to choose from among a set of responses, and the respondent has to select only from them whether or not any of them actually reflects his/her thoughts. Retrieving only the correct and the required information from people is a skill that is not mastered by many researchers. Accordingly, the results of their studies obtained from survey research are not very

Causes of EU Integration with America

Causes of EU Integration with America Farid Muttaqi Question: Which is the relationship between internal European and external (American) motives for the start of European integration? Outline: Internal motives of EU integration Peace and Stability after WW Second The Global Influence Economical factor High Standards for a better life External motives (US) The factor of Economy and politics The Marshal Plan The Security factor and the US End Note The United States has strongly supported the European integration project since its inception as a means to foster democratic states and robust trading partners. The United States and the EU have a dynamic political partnership and share a huge trade and investment relationship. Internal Motives of Internal Integration Peace and Stability after WW Second: A second profit that Europeans coveted was peace and internal strength. This seems to have been particularly significant to the French, and various littler nations as they acknowledged their German neighbours. The French tried to bait Germany into close participation in the years promptly after the war while Germany was still generally feeble; it was suspected that Germany though had completely recuperated the country couldnt withdraw from these exchange contracts without significant expenses. Germany at this point seeking acknowledgement from its neighbours willingly went along. This yearning for territorial security could be seen in the advancement of forms, for example, the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952 it was discerned that supranational control, and international integration of these industries might make it unrealistic for any part country to ambush an alternate. Further due to the imagined monetary ties, hostility against an individual part state might be rendered adverse to the aggressor’s own economy. So, a second unanticipated rationale was maintaining peace, presumably with specific accentuation on discouraging Germany against hostility.[1] Due to the development of up to date military technology in the XX century, the urgency of this difficulty has developed spectacularly. The huge boost in the number of casualties, the amount of human pain, and financial decimation has reinforced calls for organisations adept of protecting calm, particularly during and after the catastrophes of the two world conflicts. Then, the danger of atomic decimation and self-decimation and the emergence of new nationalisms after the end of the East-West Bloc structure have accentuated this difficulty in new ways.[2] The Global Influence: Another important key component is a decline in international leverage. After WWII was over, the countries, particularly Britain and France which were the foremost world powers in the past started to comprehend that they are no longer having sufficient influence in the world if operating alone. The development of the USA and USSR, with their massive populations and geographical domination, had the financial and military power to absolutely engulf Europe in a ‘Cold war’ with force exerted from both sides. It became clear-cut that European governments could just want to control the activities of these key players in Europe provided that they jointly raise their voice.[3] Both the first atomic tests Soviet Union conducted in 1949 and the Soviet Coup in Czechoslovakia of 1948 has resulted in the atmosphere of urgency. Western and Central Europeans were dreaded by the Soviet take over; Western Germany was perceived as the most vulnerable to Soviet invasions. However, Germany’s friends were not snug with a remilitarised Germany, except for the situation when this would appear in the context of supranational collaboration. This yearn for defence commanded to military alliances, namely the North Atlantic Treaty administration which was put together firstly to keep the Russians out of Western Europe, but furthermore in order to make sure that to Germany does not get too militant inside the borders of the continent.[4] Economical factor: The original document which has established the process the of European integration is the Schumann declaration of May 9, 1950. This document was entitled after the France’s foreign minister and motivated by Jean Monnet, a professional and municipal domestic who performed a crucial function in setting up European institutions in the following years. The affirmation proposed that â€Å"Franco-German output of coal and steel as an entire has to be put under the joint roof. The later was implied to be the common High Authority, inside the framework of an association open to the participation of the other countries of Europe.† The design was inspired by security, as a way â€Å"to make it simple that any conflict between France and Germany becomes not only unthinkable, but materially impossible.† The coal and iron steel output start was characterised as â€Å"a first step in the federation of Europe.† [5] The Schumann declaration has resulted in creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) with participation of the six nations (France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg) in 1951. After that the ECSC was used as the institutional template for two suggested groups: the European Defence Community (EDC) and the European Political Community (EPC), which encompassed the formation of a widespread army, a widespread budget, and common organisations with important legislative and executive branches. The later would have fundamentally amounted to a European federation. This treaty underwent signing by the six nations in 1952 but failed to obtain ratification in the French assembly, and therefore the defence and political groups were not established in the end.[6] Local integration is routinely examined as one of the leading processes shaping the development of the European finances since World War II. Suppliers to the publications generally take one of the two advances to recognising its effects. The supporters of the idea of the narrative approach issue to influential persons (Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, Jacques Delors), key events (the conclusion to pattern the European Coal and Steel Community or ECSC, sign the Treaty of Rome, set up the Singe Market) and fundamental forces (the fondness of trade goods and banking concerns for trade and economic liberalization, the acquiescence and even support of the joined States for European integration), implying that things would have turned out rather differently if they would not exist. [7] At the end of World War II, the promoters of European integration accepted that at the roots of the continent’s political and financial ills was its fragmentation in unaligned and unconstrained territory states. The nationwide borders in the beginning of the XX century had been very exorbitant, as authorities raised obstacles to trade and pursued â€Å"beggar-thy-neighbour† principles throughout the Great Depression, and chased hard-hitting nationalistic policies leading to conflicts of unprecedented manner. [8] Europe’s great achievement following the Treaty of Rome was to entire its Common Market which entailed eliminating tariff obstacles to intra-Community trade. However, quantitative restrictions were still utilized to limit trade in perceptive sectors (e.g., farming products made by powerful ranch lobbies, or chosen developed items whose household production was glimpsed as absolutely vital to national security). Obstacles beyond the borders (product standards and guidelines) were furthermore sustained initially.[9] Economics in a narrower sense can be characterized as one of the purposeful shortfalls: it has become progressively clear that the national markets in Europe were too little for reasonable production methods. Their mutual walling-off was only shrewd on a provisional basis and counting on the specific output part; in the long period, this threatened to outcome in a decrease of productivity and consequently furthermore a loss of the legitimacy of the country.[10] High Standards for a better life: The last impetus in the direction of unity, one more relevant in recent years has been the achievement of European integration. The constituent nations of the European Union relish high measures of dwelling, economic significance, steadiness and security. Numerous nations bordering the amalgamation find the benefits of members appealing; in preceding years it has been documented how the countries of south Europe came to enjoy measures of living comparable to those of the formerly more affluent North. No question that this wealth and steadiness is the aim of numerous east European countries that used to be communist have lately searched European Union membership.[11] External motives (US) The factor of Economy and politics: In the timeframe of 6-8 decades the US has played a supportive role in the monetary and political integration of Europe, while people in the USA simultaneously kept ambivalent thought patterns towards the European Union and has preserved specific interaction with distinct nations around the world. People in the USA throughout their history, perhaps inside the colonial time along with the early stages of the republic, already been tightly connected to continental Europe. They have got likewise looked at American integration from the viewpoint in their personal history associated with monetary and political integration and for that reason one may say that they fundamentally looked at the European integration indulgently.[12] In the beginning several years after the World War II Americans discovered that EU integration if seen as a specific necessity of time can and will lead to make sure that peace is established, as well as stability and democracy are established. Effective US organizations prompted EU economic integration by means of alike policies as the Marshall strategic Plan so as to support and generate the actual orders for prosperity that may assist to be a defensive wall against communism. US enterprise leaders in addition considered the chance of a substantial, wide open EU current market depending on liberal economic guidelines to be a promising and also worthwhile of purchasing. US policymakers thought to be that the materials well-being connected with the United States was significantly connected to the actual prosperity connected with Europe, equally the actual safety connected with the United States was known as intimately connected to EU safety. Generally speaking, EU monetary and also p olitical integration has become great for the United States, mainly because it has additionally been great for Europe.[13] The actual causes regarding United States help were in reality very difficult in addition to its blurry character. America constantly supported EU integration regarding five motives the earlier had. In rising order, the reasons regarding USA help integrated the following: any desire to put into action federalist United states product within European countries; the trust that a built-in European countries will be better in addition to just rational; the expectation that EU co-operation inside the reams of security in addition to economical spheres would certainly minimize the Germany’s strength; the fact a solid European countries would certainly aid retaining the Soviet Union power. These kinds of causes were characteristic from the 1945-1950 intervals at time America took the lead to promote EU integration, largely within the Marshall Strategy. America seemed to be eventually left behind having minor choice, considering that the United Kingdom in addition to France the well- known alternatives in order to lead European countries -were of minor aid. Facing that issue, it turned out nearly left to America to supervise the EU post-war reconstruction upon quite a few levels. [14] The Marshall Plan: The particular Marshall Plan is usually viewed at the most productive episode in the record from the Cold War containment from the Soviet Partnership as well as communism inside European countries. The particular help to European countries used this economical as well as personal strength involving America to show rear ideological as well as politics menace, so that it was meant since over an endeavour to compliment this economic reconstruction involving European countries. National officials wished to refashion European countries in to a different model from the bundled single-market as well as blended capitalist overall economy of which currently was around in America. Therefore, this Marshall Plan was an expansion involving National household characteristics as well as foreign-policy targets stretching back to National record. Inside the fast ram from the plan’s coverage manufacturers were being this establishments from the Brand new Offer plus the policies from the time be tween the 2 globe competitions. Since Michael J. Hogan (1987) indicates, the item was to involve European countries into the almost generally overall economy of which shape which existed in America. Together with creating business multilateral, creating stock markets convertible, as well as permitting free-market causes in order to combine economic climates, national policymakers advised their transatlantic counterparts to prepare Western business revenue, financial panels, along with other devices involving capitalist economical setting up as well as regulation which were recognizable for them in America. National help was helpful to expose Western leaders for you to Keynesian tactics involving taxation as well as financial issues. In addition, it aimed for you to Americanize Western creation, promoting as well the engineering techniques. It was wished that this kind of parts as well as sites might make it easy for Europeans to sustain their restoration as well as result in high lo cated expectations. It was wished that a substantial, inner current market, similar to the one which was around in America, might generate economic climates involving range of well as well as increased costs involving production, combining in to a start multilateral program that might likewise always be best for the national organization. Hogan argues that by the means of these kind of as well as linked endeavours, the national leaders tried out for forging some sort of EU local community in which politics concerns might cave in for technocratic alternatives, downplaying redistributive politics battles for some sort of hunt for contributed great quantity – most by having an increased exposure of public-private strength sharing.[15] The Security factor and the US: It must not be disregarded that the European countries had been incorporated militarily, along with economic integration. After a couple of world wars have happened, the US was drawn into protection regarding liberal democracy with the European countries. National management had been more certain previously how the safety measures regarding the European countries had been intimately connected to their own safety measures and also well-being. The building blocks regarding armed forces safety measures had been constructed with the particular transatlantic connections. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for example. National management discovered that EU fiscal and also protection integration included in a compacted internet regarding transatlantic corporations remaking post-World War II European countries. Following disappointment from the EU Defence community (EDC) in the 1950s, people in America made a decision to join the duty regarding protection on their own, even thoug h taking fiscal integration and resultant success just as one alternate route to safety measures. Stanley Sloan offered famous particular battling dynamics from the fundamental transatlantic agreement: along with the US promising continued guidance with EU safety measures in return for a EU motivation to be able to assimilate alone pertaining to equally outside protection and also interior stability. Evolving and also deepening the particular two-centuries-old fiscal connection would likely furthermore provide safety measures by simply leading to politics and also societal hyperlinks that would help to make conflict in between Germany and friends unbearable completely. Consequently, people in America supported EU integration since US people’s representatives presumed that process would likely bind jointly previous predators which will help prevent a different â€Å"civil conflict† in Europe. Naturally, one may find those that view the national mind-set in the direction of the European countries in the post-World war II time while a mixture of equally benevolence and also hegemony (according to Brimmer).[16] Conclusion: At last, there have been a number of components which have made integration appealing to the peoples of Europe. In the beginning, there were anxieties over the threat of Soviet attack, and worry of a re-armed Germany. Unity was glimpsed as a means of stopping both interior volatility and external aggression. In supplement, from the end of the Second World War right through to the present there has been a desire for financial prosperity, and financial implication on the world view. Finally, it can be seen that harmony has been thriving, the constituent states of the European Union are amidst the world’s most evolved countries, and this is a powerful draw for outsiders to search members. So while the Soviet risk is no longer truth integration is still an appealing prospect for many of Europe’s nations.[17] Bibliography: Ben Bradley 2012, Post-war European Integration: How We Got Here, e- International Relations. Available at: http://www.e-ir.info/2012/02/15/post-war-european-integration-how-we-got-here/. Enrico Spolaore 2013, What Is European Integration Really About? A Political Guide for Economists, Tufts University and NBER (First Draft for the Journal of Economic Perspectives) p 5, available at: http://crem.univ-rennes1.fr/Documents/Docs_workshops_2013/2013-05-30_4_SpolaoreEuro-1.pdf. Barry Eichengreen and Andrea Boltho 2007. The Economic Impact of European Integration. Available at: http://dev3.cepr.org/meets/wkcn/1/1679/papers/Boltho-Eichengreen-Chapter.pdf. John Taylor 2007, Motives for European Integration since 1945, world issues 360. available at: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/motives-for-european-integration-since-1945-74142/. Wilfried Loth. Explaining European Integration: The contribution from Historians, available at: http://euij-kansai.jp/layouts/eu_sub/documents/publication/100508Loth_paper.pdf. Steven Ekovich 2009. American Views of European Integration: A brief history. The American University of Paris, Department of International and Comparative Politics, Paris, France, available at: http://oliver.efri.hr/~euconf/2009/docs/Session4/4%20Ekovich.pdf. Todd Alan Good 2001, Book review, H-Net: Humanities Social Sciences Online, available at: http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=5009. [1]John Taylor 2007, Motives for European Integration since 1945, world issues 360. available at: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/motives-for-european-integration-since-1945-74142/. Accessed on 28.12.2013 [2] Wilfried Loth. Explaining European Integration: The contribution from Historians, available at: http://euij-kansai.jp/layouts/eu_sub/documents/publication/100508Loth_paper.pdf. Accessed on: 28.12.2013, p 5 [3] Ben Bradley 2012, Post-war European Integration: How We Got Here, e- International Relations. Available at: http://www.e-ir.info/2012/02/15/post-war-european-integration-how-we-got-here/. Accessed on: 28.12.2013 [4] John Taylor 2007, Motives for European Integration since 1945, world issues 360. available at: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/motives-for-european-integration-since-1945-74142/. Accessed on 28.12.2013 [5] Enrico Spolaore 2013, What Is European Integration Really About? A Political Guide for Economists, Tufts University and NBER (First Draft for the Journal of Economic Perspectives) p 5, available at: http://crem.univ-rennes1.fr/Documents/Docs_workshops_2013/2013-05-30_4_SpolaoreEuro-1.pdf. Accessed on: 30.12.2013 [6] Ibid. p 5 [7] Barry Eichengreen and Andrea Boltho 2007. The Economic Impact of European Integration. Available at: http://dev3.cepr.org/meets/wkcn/1/1679/papers/Boltho-Eichengreen-Chapter.pdf. Accessed 30.12.2013, P 2 [8] Enrico Spolaore 2013, What Is European Integration Really About? A Political Guide for Economists, Tufts University and NBER (First Draft for the Journal of Economic Perspectives) p 2, available at: http://crem.univ-rennes1.fr/Documents/Docs_workshops_2013/2013-05-30_4_SpolaoreEuro-1.pdf. Accessed on: 30.12.2013 [9] Barry Eichengreen and Andrea Boltho 2007. The Economic Impact of European Integration. Available at: http://dev3.cepr.org/meets/wkcn/1/1679/papers/Boltho-Eichengreen-Chapter.pdf. Accessed 30.12.2013, P 15 [10] Wilfried Loth. Explaining European Integration: The contribution from Historians, available at: http://euij-kansai.jp/layouts/eu_sub/documents/publication/100508Loth_paper.pdf. Accessed on: 28.12.2013, p 6 [11] John Taylor 2007, Motives for European Integration since 1945, world issues 360. available at: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/motives-for-european-integration-since-1945-74142/. Accessed on 28.12.2013 [12] Steven Ekovich 2009. American Views of European Integration: A brief history. The American University of Paris, Department of International and Comparative Politics, Paris, France, available at: http://oliver.efri.hr/~euconf/2009/docs/Session4/4%20Ekovich.pdf. Accessed on: 31.12.2013, p 1 [13] Ibid [14] Todd Alan Good 2001, Book review, H-Net: Humanities Social Sciences Online, available at: http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=5009. Accessed on: 29.12.2013 [15] Ibid. p 6 [16] Steven Ekovich 2009. American Views of European Integration: A brief history. The American University of Paris, Department of International and Comparative Politics, Paris, France, available at: http://oliver.efri.hr/~euconf/2009/docs/Session4/4%20Ekovich.pdf. Accessed on: 31.12.2013, p 9 [17]John Taylor 2007, Motives for European Integration since 1945, world issues 360. available at: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/motives-for-european-integration-since-1945-74142/. Accessed on 28.12.2013

Free College Essays - The Prejudice in Pride and Prejudice :: Pride and Prejudice

The Brutality of Prejudice in Pride and Prejudice The passage which best relates the theme of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austin, is on page 125, in the middle of the page. This is where Mr. Darcy is proposing to Elizabeth, and is informing her of the inferiority of her family and connections. This passage is significant because it is one of the few times where the characters openly acknowledge that the sole purpose of a person's life is to achieve a high salary and a high social position. It is evident from every point of the story that all people care about is marrying into a higher social rank. And even for those who are comfortable with their current status, it is imperative that they only marry someone of at least equivalent rank. This idea possesses every character in the story and seems to motivate every action that is taken. The superficiality of this idea goes so far as to break the bonds of love. Darcy is willing to insult a girl as he is proposing to her, just to inform her of what he has to go through in order to stoop to someone of her level. Regardless of what Darcy thought his chances were at acceptance, he was still addressing a girl that barely knows him, and actually dislikes him. That is not a situation where insults are likely to bring results. This point is compounded because Elizabeth only gets slightly insulted by this comment. Her initial refusal of Darcy was based almost totally on his actions towards Jane and Bingley's relationship, and his treatment of Mr. Wickham. However, she is barely perturbed by this comment of Darcy regarding her family. This is so strange because one would expect Elizabeth to at least be equally mad for personal insults as well as for what was done to others. Pride and Prejudice ends with Elizabeth and Darcy each overcoming their anger against each other, and falling in love. However, this touching scene is ruined because of the appearance of Lady Catherine. She demands Elizabeth to marry Darcy, and tells Darcy that it would reflect negatively on his family if he were to marry someone as "low class" as Elizabeth. Free College Essays - The Prejudice in Pride and Prejudice :: Pride and Prejudice The Brutality of Prejudice in Pride and Prejudice The passage which best relates the theme of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austin, is on page 125, in the middle of the page. This is where Mr. Darcy is proposing to Elizabeth, and is informing her of the inferiority of her family and connections. This passage is significant because it is one of the few times where the characters openly acknowledge that the sole purpose of a person's life is to achieve a high salary and a high social position. It is evident from every point of the story that all people care about is marrying into a higher social rank. And even for those who are comfortable with their current status, it is imperative that they only marry someone of at least equivalent rank. This idea possesses every character in the story and seems to motivate every action that is taken. The superficiality of this idea goes so far as to break the bonds of love. Darcy is willing to insult a girl as he is proposing to her, just to inform her of what he has to go through in order to stoop to someone of her level. Regardless of what Darcy thought his chances were at acceptance, he was still addressing a girl that barely knows him, and actually dislikes him. That is not a situation where insults are likely to bring results. This point is compounded because Elizabeth only gets slightly insulted by this comment. Her initial refusal of Darcy was based almost totally on his actions towards Jane and Bingley's relationship, and his treatment of Mr. Wickham. However, she is barely perturbed by this comment of Darcy regarding her family. This is so strange because one would expect Elizabeth to at least be equally mad for personal insults as well as for what was done to others. Pride and Prejudice ends with Elizabeth and Darcy each overcoming their anger against each other, and falling in love. However, this touching scene is ruined because of the appearance of Lady Catherine. She demands Elizabeth to marry Darcy, and tells Darcy that it would reflect negatively on his family if he were to marry someone as "low class" as Elizabeth.

Behaviour Contract

I have always loved to watch movies and television shows but I guess it was an addiction already for the past couple of months. I can say that I am very much hooked in watching the television for the past seven months. I love the thrill, happiness, suspense I feel whenever I watch something on television. Whenever I am at home, my whole day would be spent in front of the television. I sometimes skip meals just to watch my favourite movie or a certain talk show.Sometimes I even do not take a bath just to keep track of what I am watching. I love watching those shows that exposes the current fashion, recent social issues, and television magazines, shows that tells Hollywood celebrities’ lives and most of all, movies like suspense thriller, horror, love stories and fairy tales. For me it is the source of my enjoyment, I sometimes forget to study and read books. I think too much watching the television causes great effects in my being. I think being bored triggers my addiction to t elevision.I want something to entertain me so that I do not get too alone. Sometimes I get bored just studying and doing other things, but when it comes to television, I really can’t feel ennui at all. I really feel entertain by the television. I should control my being hooked on television and might as well eliminate it. I should discipline myself and have self control. Within 2 weeks I should minimize my television viewing and by the end of month I must have eliminated this behaviour already.If I spend too much of my time in front of the television then I will ask my mother to deduct my allowance by 50%, I will not be able to go on a night out during Fridays, I will not be allowed to wake up late during weekends, lastly I will not be able to go out with my friends during week ends.If I will not comply with the contract then my punishment for myself will be destroy all my shoes and sandals and I will come to school on slippers for one day. While if I will be able to follow a ll the terms in the contract and comply with it then I my reward will be, spending the whole weekend in my favourite beach resort and hotel.

Baseball: Then and Now Essay

â€Å"The game of baseball has now become beyond question the leading feature of the outdoor sports of the United States†¦It is a game which is peculiarly suited to the American temperament and disposition:†¦ in short, the pastime suits the people, and the people suit the pastime†(Charles Peverelly, 1866). Although baseball is still America’s favorite pastime, the way it is played has changed greatly since it’s founding in the 1800’s. Baseball was originally created so there would be something the boys could do to keep busy during the summer months. Now, baseball has changed greatly because of technological and technique advancements, rule alterations, and the commercialization of the game. Since its origination in the mid 1800’s, baseball has undergone many changes and advancements in technology and technique. When it was first played, there was no such thing as a glove used to help catch the ball. The fielders would play bare-handed, making line drives automatic hits and ground balls even harder to handle. The bat has undergone many changes as well. Batters used to hit the ball with a bat that had a flat side. This was comparable to a cricket paddle except slightly longer and slimmer. Now, players of any age or level use bats that are cylinder shaped with a slightly wider section on the end. In the 1800’s, the general public was not as safety oriented as is today’s society. This is shown by the complete lack of helmets worn by players in the mid 1800’s. Now, helmets are required by rule to be worn by the batter when he is hitting. Helmets are made of a highly durable, shock absorbent outer shell with soft interior padding for comfort. Other advances were demonstrated by the change in pitching style and technique. The first pitchers threw two kinds of pitches: a high pitch and a low pitch. Then, they added outside and inside pitches. After that, change ups and fastballs were developed. Now, sliders, sinkers, curveballs, forkballs, screwballs, and knuckleballs are routine pitches. As a result of today’s pitchers like Pedro Martinez and Greg Maddux – who throw less hittable pitches – hitting techniques have been worked on, and players have become better hitters. For  example, the first great hitters such as Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle would not be able to compete with Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds – the best batters of today. The advancements in technology and style have completely changed the way baseball is played, as have the many changes that were made to the rulebook. Since its early beginning in the mid 1800’s through 1975, baseball has developed and modified many old rules into new rules that keep the game flowing. In 1889, a rule was introduced that if four balls were thrown during the span of one player’s at-bat, the player was allowed to â€Å"walk† to first base. This was an immense change from the old rule, which stated that if nine pitches total were thrown during the at-bat, the hitter would â€Å"walk† to first base. Also that year, the batter could be thrown only three strikes before he was called out. In 1969, a standard strike zone was added that included the area from the batter’s armpits to the top of his knees. These three rules eliminated the lengthy at bats that slowed down the game, standardized play, and made less room for controversial called strikes or balls. Not only were changes made in the playing rules, there were also many changes in the equipment rules. In 1889, the catcher was allowed to wear a padded leather mitt and a chest protector. This rule made being the catcher more bearable. By 1893, bat size and shape was enforced, and in 1975, the last change was made; the baseball could be covered with cowhide because of the shortage of horses. Because of the plethora of changes that were made to the rulebook, baseball today contrasts baseball in the 1800’s. The most explicit cause of the changes in baseball is the amount of commercialization that occurs today. The professional baseball players of today are shown on TV and in newspapers; their replica jerseys are sold at around $70 per item; and the players make an average of $600,000 per year. Compared to the absence of salary until the 1920’s, this is a major difference. In 1922, Babe Ruth made $50,000 in 1989, Kirby Puckett made $3,000,000 and in 2000, Alex Rodriguez made $27,000,000. Many players of today play for money, not for their love of the game like they used to. This shows that baseball is no longer a game, but a job. Another change is the publicity baseball receives. Stadiums today can hold as many as 62,409 people (Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia). The first ball parks did not even have a place for spectators to watch. Not only do professional stadiums attract viewers, but they attract salesmen and the media. For example, Hormel ® does not provide 7th inning stretch entertainment to show their support for baseball; they do it simply to advertise to a very large crowd for a very small price. Baseball today has grown rapidly into a target for cheap advertising and money-making. With the emphasis and importance of baseball on Americans’ lives today, it has rapidly grown into America’s favorite pastime. Through technological and technique advancements, rule alterations, and the commercialization of the game, baseball has changed greatly from the unorganized backyard game into America’s favorite pastime. â€Å"I think Little League Baseball is wonderful. It keeps the kids out of the house.† (Yogi Berra, 1954)