Augmentation of our natural abilities using technology Case Study

Augmentation of our natural abilities using technology - Case Study Example Jumping stilts were invented and patented by a German aerospace engineer known as Alexander Boeck, who came up with the invention after studying the movement and structure of the kangaroo. The question that we seek to answer is whether jumping stilts are the ideal bionics that will enhance the historical wish of man to lift him from the ground, to some it can be said to be a craze but the possibilities that this bionic holds, is deemed to be phenomenon . It should be noted that stilts have been in existence in various human societies for a couple of centuries including African, Aboriginal and Chinese societies. The good thing is that using technology current generation can use jumping stilts in a way their ancestors never deemed possible. The feats that can be achieved using jumping stilts are taunted to be unimaginable in various aspects of human life. The device uses the concept of enhancing mans Achilles tendons by reducing friction at the knee joint and promoting balance on the f eet. Jumping stilts open possibilities of what augmented human beings can be able to do including jumping and running. The many uses at the moment of jumping stilts are not limited to the following artistic expression, form of exercise which tones the whole body unlike conventional exercise routines and also is a sport to enthusiasts. The fields that will greatly benefit from stilts are athletics and exercise; this is because it takes training of performers to the next level. It is deemed to be the next big thing in the fitness industry because it provides full body workout once, something not possible with traditional exercise regimes. Robotics which is a craze in the science community will benefit from this device because they can enhance human legs to make them look like robotic animals. The phenomenal recognition of this wearable human enhancement has lead to increased recognition in the international arena such that it was used during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Ol ympic in China. Man is essentially using the feat which can be achieved by the fastest animals on the planet such as ostriches and kangaroos. The main obstacle facing its distribution is perception and also coming up with a common name. This laboratory report will work on the above considerations to prove the hypothesis and assumptions which are stated below. The adrenalin of putting the stilts on, and running or jumping with them is reported by users to be like no other, which enhances locomotion greatly. The hypothesis and assumptions will rely on the observations and experiment to persuade the scientific community that they are true. 1) Hypothesis. This is the main wearable enhancement that enables people to jump very high and run very fast, compared to when they do that on foot. Theses should however not be confused with the prosthetics worn by disabled people who participate in the Paralympics. The questions which we seek to answer is whether these bionic enhancement can enable man to get off the ground and be the fastest mammal on the earth and whether this would open possibilities for man in various fields which otherwise not be possible if we only used our natural limbs without augmentation. Already such possibilities are being tested to be used by the military, an aspect who knows which could change warfare. The ultimate aim is for this argument to be proved to be a theory by other experimenters. This

Ethics in a free market economic system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Ethics in a free market economic system - Essay Example This is partly the concept of a free market is inextricably tied to capitalism which is an equally if not more abrasive topic. Essentially, â€Å"natural† market forces, and individual innovation as well as the underlying notion that hard work and ingenuity are rewarded by success drive a free market economy. The reason for the existence of businesses is to make a profit, ergo, successful business in the free market is bound to make the most profits irrespective of what they are dealing with or its effect on the community or even other business. The free market promoted competition which in turn provides the best possible products to customers at the most affordable price. Ideally, when a new product is launched, it starts off at a high price and then as competitors copy it the cost eventually reduces.While this paper does not offer an answer to the age-old question of the ethics of the free market economy; it will examine the various arguments that have been put forward suppo rting or disproving the assertion that the free market is an ethical and moral paradigm. A market can only be as ethical as the participants that ran it, ultimately it cannot exist in a vacuum and it is in most cases a reflection of a specific cultural environment. Far too little attention has been afforded to the connection between the free market and the totality of culture, in the most discourse on the subject, the fact that the market economy is depended on a framework of ethical presupposition is rarely ever addressed.

Moral Autobiography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Moral Autobiography - Essay Example Genetics made me possess certain innate qualities that I find difficult to erase. However, it seems to me that socialization had a larger role in deciding my outward behavior (Text). For example, my present skills, knowledge, values, emotions and my role are all decided by the society. Admittedly, the very beginning of my socialization was from family followed by peers, school and the wider society. Thus, the beginning of my ethics was from my family, especially my parents. As my father is a Jew and mother has no affiliation with any religion, I grew up with no influence of any religion on me. However, the values of ethics that developed in me were mainly imported from the values I observed in my parents. In the early stages of my life, that is play, I imitated the surroundings I saw. I played doctor, police, father and teacher. At this stage, even without my knowing, the basic values of ethics were getting inculcated. Evidently, in the beginning, my ethics was entirely normative in nature. Admittedly, it was somewhat in the kind of the Golden Rule that one should do to others what one wants others to do to one. I learnt the fact that I should respect my parents, teachers and all elders. In addition, certain fundamentals like killing or harming is bad, it is good to help others were also incorporated into my ethical repertoire. Here, the tenets of Role Theory seem useful. According to the theory, the observable social behavior of people is like carrying out ones role in the society. For example, as a child I was made to obey my parents and all other elders I met. In addition, as the Symbolic Interaction Theory suggests, I started developing the concept of self. As I was defining myself, I found myself taking the role of a son and a student. As a child, I used to observe and play the roles of various people. As I imitated my father, I observed how my father has been with me, and thus I got the ideas of ethics. Admittedly, at this stage, I got no influence of rel igion, and the only ethical aspects of my life came from my parents' advice and observation I made. As a result of the normative nature of my ethics, I can say it was virtue ethics that I upheld in the beginning. It was inculcated not as my duty, but as a virtue I should develop. If I try to mention them, the very first thing is that one is supposed to respect all elders, especially parents and teachers. In addition, I found that unnecessarily harming anyone is morally wrong as Symbolic Interaction Theory claims. As I found that others do not engage in such activities that are harmful to others, I realized that harming others is immoral. However, as I reached adolescence and started mingling with may people, I reached what is called utilitarian concept. I found the fat that if I behave well with others, there is the feeling of wellbeing in the group I live. In addition, there was the development of deontological idea that I can expect in return, the kind of virtue I produce. In addi tion, I rightly followed the principles of virtue ethics by trying to develop a eudaimon life that gives satisfaction. Admittedly, this took place mainly because my parents, especially my mother taught me that if one has virtue in life, or if one always does good things in life, one will have peace and thus will be a good human being. However, reaching adolescence and reaching the Christian school, my concepts of ethics developed and altered a lot. Admittedly, Christian ethics varies from ethics in general. While Christian ethics stress on what

What is the problem with immigration, and how do we solve it Essay

What is the problem with immigration, and how do we solve it - Essay Example Economists and sociologists concur and disagree with this remark. This essay will look at what analysts have established and will attempt to work out the consequence that immigration has posed on the standards of livelihood of the workers in the U.S. Immigration is a diverse topic, although it could be assorted into two incredibly different components, lawful and unlawful immigration which will be mutually tackled in this report. The US has been portrayed as a melting pot due to the multiplicity that is found in the nation. Conversely, in instances when resources are scarce and the economy is stressed, immigration emerges as a debate of main concern (Brooks, 34). Being such extremely significant topic immigration has followers and opponents mutually having legitimate positions and concerns. To put into perception the manner in which the US has diversified is the fact that few data extend a long way. Presently, 12 percent of US’ inhabitants are overseas born and this guide has risen from 8 percent in 1990. Every year adding up together to the present inhabitants, which some might dispute is in fact overpopulation; somewhere from 700,000 to 900,000 citizens immigrate lawfully per year. In addition, it is probable that 500,0 00 additional people immigrate unlawfully annually. Individuals immigrate to the US from every place around the globe but the heavy bulk of immigrants in current years emerge from Latin America. Numerous economists have completed quantitative investigations to settle on the impact that immigration raise to put it on the natives’ level of comfort. Economists on either side of the coin or issue have not agreed on whether the effect on natives is optimistic or unenthusiastic even when they employ the identical information to support their position. Settlers can be perceived as â€Å"harmonizers† or â€Å"substitutes† to the actual citizens. As â€Å"harmonizers† to every other, citizens and immigrants do not fight for the identical jobs.

Equity law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Equity law - Essay Example Practically, Hudson (2009) avers that modern equity is limited by both procedural and substantive rules, with legal writers tending to focus on prevailing technicalities. From these are drawn the twelve ‘vague’ ethical statements, referred to as the maxims of equity. The ethical statements further guide in the application of equity according to civil law (Hudson, 2009:24). The concept elicits criticisms that are traceable to historical conceptualization, during its development. This is mainly based upon its lack of fixed rules, further augmented by the fact that it later on lost a majority of its flexibility. The law on perfectly constituted trusts and perfect gifts has been ‘tolerably clear’ since 1862 (Halliwell, 2003:192). This is traceable to the authoritative statement by Turner during the Milroy v Lord case (4 De G.F. & J. 264; 45 E.R. 1185; [1861-1973] All E.R. Rep. 783). Use of the term ‘tolerably clear’ is necessitated by the presence of exceptions, which were previously articulated by courts previously. Influential in this regard is interpretation of the Privy Council’s advice, during the Court of Appeal’s hearing of the Pennington v *Conv. 193 Waine case (Halliwell, 2003:192). Subsequent interpretation of the court’s ruling was viewed as providing courts of equity the unfettered discretion, concerning whether voluntary trusts or gifts should take effect. This is with regard to the role of ‘un-conscionability in Equity’, which requires principled reasoning. Pundits are thus of the view that courts of law need to utilize principled approaches, as opposed to the exercising of unfettered discretion that is based on individual notions of judges pertaining to what is fair or not (Halliwell, 2003:194). The presence of ‘unfettered discretion’ potentially has far reaching consequences, with regard to voluntary property dispositions. Thus, the presence of voluntary settlement can occur by way of

What is the problem with immigration, and how do we solve it Essay

What is the problem with immigration, and how do we solve it - Essay Example Economists and sociologists concur and disagree with this remark. This essay will look at what analysts have established and will attempt to work out the consequence that immigration has posed on the standards of livelihood of the workers in the U.S. Immigration is a diverse topic, although it could be assorted into two incredibly different components, lawful and unlawful immigration which will be mutually tackled in this report. The US has been portrayed as a melting pot due to the multiplicity that is found in the nation. Conversely, in instances when resources are scarce and the economy is stressed, immigration emerges as a debate of main concern (Brooks, 34). Being such extremely significant topic immigration has followers and opponents mutually having legitimate positions and concerns. To put into perception the manner in which the US has diversified is the fact that few data extend a long way. Presently, 12 percent of US’ inhabitants are overseas born and this guide has risen from 8 percent in 1990. Every year adding up together to the present inhabitants, which some might dispute is in fact overpopulation; somewhere from 700,000 to 900,000 citizens immigrate lawfully per year. In addition, it is probable that 500,0 00 additional people immigrate unlawfully annually. Individuals immigrate to the US from every place around the globe but the heavy bulk of immigrants in current years emerge from Latin America. Numerous economists have completed quantitative investigations to settle on the impact that immigration raise to put it on the natives’ level of comfort. Economists on either side of the coin or issue have not agreed on whether the effect on natives is optimistic or unenthusiastic even when they employ the identical information to support their position. Settlers can be perceived as â€Å"harmonizers† or â€Å"substitutes† to the actual citizens. As â€Å"harmonizers† to every other, citizens and immigrants do not fight for the identical jobs.

Tuition Fees in British Universities Essay Example for Free

Tuition Fees in British Universities Essay Review   all   the   arguments   for   and   against   the   introduction   of   Tuition   Fees   for   entry   into   British   Universities   as   reported   in   the   media. Introduction British   higher   education   enjoyed   the   golden   days   of   70s   –   80s   when   the   generous   support   of   taxpayer   was   even   protected   from   the   intrusion   of   the   Government   by   the   autonomous   University   Grants   Committee.   During   this   period,   not   only   there   were   no   tuition   fees   but   there   was   also   a   generous   means-tested   mandatory   grants   enjoyed   by   most   of   the   students. However,   these   generous   facilities   could   not   be   maintained   since   the   beginnings   of   1980s   and   the   gradual   abolition   of   support   started   with   eliminating   the   overseas   students’   subsidies,   limitations   in   the   eligibility   for   general   social   welfare   grants   and   the   freezing   of   mandatory   grants.    Eventually   grants   were   totally   abolished   in   1997   and   were   replaced   by   loans.   (Johnstone,   2004)   The   Labour   party   represented   by   Mr   Charles   Clarke,   Secretary   of   State   for   Education,   proposed   legislation   for   top-up   fees   which   became   law   in   the   Higher   Education   Act   2004,   though   it   will   be   implemented   in   the   2006   –   2007   academic   year. Previously   the   undergraduate   fees   in   most   universities   were    £1,050.   However,   by   the   implementation   of   differential   fees   or   top-up   the   universities   will   be   able   to   charge   much   more.   According   to   the   Guardian   (2002)   â€Å"The   new   proposals   would   mean   that   universities   could   charge   nearer   the   real   cost   of   studying,   thought   to   be   an   average   of    £5,000   in   the   UK.   But   depending   on   the   institution,   department   and   course,   it   could   be   much   more.   More   loans   would   be   available   to   allow   students   to   pay   fees   up   front.† This   issue   has   been   debated   by   different   parties   and   is   still   facing   a   lot   of   opposition   despite   the   fact   that   it   is   meant   to   be   implemented   in   the   academic   year   2006   –   2007.   In   this   paper   I   am   going   to   study   the   arguments   for   and   against   under   the   following   headings: The Political   Debate Universities and   Students’   Point   of   View Conclusions The   Political   Debate The   Government’s   debate   for   top-up   tuition   fees   originates   from   describing   the   role   and   mission   of   universities   and   the   challenges   they   face   to   accomplish   their   goals.   Mr   Clarke   summarises   the   ambitions   that   the   Government   is   planning   to   achieve   by   the   proposal   in   his   white   paper   as: â€Å"First,   our   universities   have   to   make   better   progress   in   harnessing   our   knowledge   to   the   process   of   creating   wealth. And,   second,   they   have   to   extend   the   opportunities   of   higher   education   to   all   of   our   population,   irrespective   of   their   personal   and   economic   background†Ã‚   (Clark’s   White   Paper   Speech) Then   he   further   states   the   role   of   universities   nationally   in   adapting   to   the   changing   world   and   effecting   change   rather   than   being   affected   by   it. â€Å"In   short,   in   a   world   of   accelerating   change,   we   all   need   to   understand   that   our   societys   principal   weapon   in   ensuring   that   we   master   change,   rather   than   surrendering   to   it,   is   our   education   system,   and   principally   our   universities† Then   he   identifies   the   missions   of   the   universities:   â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã‚   are   research,   knowledge   transfer   and,   perhaps   most   important   of   all,   teaching†Ã‚   (Clarke,   White   Paper   Speech)   Then   he   describes   the   challenges   universities   face   to   achieve   these   missions   and   argues   for   an   ‘endowment’   device   as   the   best   solution   for   creating   ‘a   financial   regime’.   However,   this   will   take   a   long   time   before   it   becomes   a   reliable   resource.   Therefore   he   argues   for   the   short   term   funding   and   concludes: â€Å"As   countries   throughout   the   world   have   discovered,   requiring   students   to   contribute   to   the   cost   of   their   education   is   the   only   realistic   alternative.† The   Government’s   justification   is   that   this   is   only   fair   since   graduates   earn   double   the   earnings   of   non-graduates   and   therefore   should   contribute   to   the   system   producing   the   considerable   economic   benefits   they   will   enjoy   as   graduates.   It   is   also   pointed   out   that   the   taxpayer   will   rightly   make   a   comparison   and   ask   what   they   benefit   from   their   support   of   the   system. The   Secretary   of   State   for   Education   announced   the   details   of   the   Government’s   proposal,   which   can   be   summarised   in   the   following   points: Universities will   be   able   to   vary   fees   from    £0   to    £3,000      but   fees   can   vary   between   courses,   not   just   between Disadvantaged students   will   get   financial   support   to   study   what   they   want   when   they All students   will   also   protect   by   abolishing   up-front      This   means   no   student      or   their   family      has   to   find   tuition   fees   before   they   start   their   course. Students will   be   helped   further   by   increasing   the   student   loan   in   line   with   living      Students   shouldnt   have   to   rely   on   credit   cards   and   commercial   debt. The bursary   system   will   also   be   fair   on   both   students   and   the   universities,   who   will   use   some   of   their   extra   income   to   provide The   immediate   criticism   made   was   that   the   Labour   Party   effected   the   legislation   though   their   manifesto   promise   regarding   tuition   fees   reads:   â€Å"We   have   no   plans   to   introduce   University   top-up   fees,   and   have   legislated   to   prevent   their   introduction.   The   defensive   rebuttal   made   by   the   Labour   Party   is   that   the   legislation   will   not   take   effect   during   2001   –   2005   Parliament   which   angered   even   the   supporters   of   the   Labour   Party   who   did   not   like   this   mechanism   of   defence. On   the   other   hand,   the   Liberal   Democrats   Party   has   a   strong   counter   debate   based   on   a   number   of   points.   Firstly   they   think   that   top-up   fees   are   unfair   for   a   number   of   reasons: They claim   that   tuition   fees   widened   the   gap   between   social   classes   the   evidence   for   which   is   provided   by   the   independent   National   Audit   Office,   which   belongs   to   the      In   their   research   report   in   the   Student   Income   and   Expenditure   Survey   2002-2003   they   conclude   that   â€Å"The   social   class   gap   among   those   entering   higher   education   is   unacceptably   wide   and   has   widened. Tuition fees   have   been   a   strong   disincentive   for   access   to   higher   education;   and   now   with   the   top-up   fees   this   situation   will      In   fact,   this   is   the   conclusion   of   Professor   Claire   Callender   of   South   Bank   University   who   conducted   a   research   for   the   Government.   He   concludes:   Top-up   fees   of    £3000   will   put   even   more   poor   students   off   university. The poorest   students   are   affected   most   of   all   by   the   debt      This   is   evidential   in   the   Student   Income   and   Expenditure   Survey   which   reports   that   in   2002-2003,   the   poorest   students   affected   by   the   burden   of   debt   were   43%   more   than   the   rich   students.   More   evidences   were   provided   by   Barclay   in   a   survey   conducted   in   2004   (Annual   Survey   of   Expected   Student   Debt)   which   revealed   that   the   projected   average   debt   on   graduation   is    £12,069   (up   10%   on   the   previous   year).   Barclays   surveys   also   predicted   that   debt   on   graduation   will   triple   by   2010,   to    £33,708. Another point   indicating   social   classes   gap   is   the   fact   that   poor   students   take   longer   hours   of   paid      Statistics   of   Students   Income   and   Expenditure   Survey   of   2002-2003   report   that   58%   of   students   took   paid   work   during   term   time   while   this   was   47%   in   the   survey   of   1998-1999.   This   situation   is   particularly   bad   for   students   on   longer   courses,   e.g.   medical   students According to   their   ‘Sign   the   Petition’   article   titled   â€Å"Scrap   Tuition   Fees   and   Top-up   Fees†Ã‚   the   repayment   system   is   also      In   their   own   words: â€Å"The   post-graduation   repayment   system   will   impose   what   amounts   to   a   very   high   marginal   rate   of   income   tax   (higher   than   the   rate   paid   by   a   millionaire)   on   those   least   able   to   pay      young   graduates   just   out   of   college   and   those   working   in   lower   paid   jobs   in   the   public   services   and   voluntary   sector   (disproportionately   women   and   from   the   ethnic   minorities).   The   House   of   Commons   Library   concludes   that   graduates   earning   as   low   as    £35,115   are   already   paying   a   marginal   tax   rate   of   50%,   as   they   pay   off   their   student   loans.   They   will   be   doing   so   for   a   great   deal   longer   to   pay   off   much   greater   debts   if   top-up   fees   are   introduced   as   the   Government   proposes.   The   Library   figures   also   reveal   that   graduates   earning   as   little   as    £15,000   will   pay   a   marginal   tax   rate   of   42%,   more   than   the   current   marginal   rate   for   the   very   highest   earners.† Secondly,   the   Liberal   Democrats   claim   that   top-up   fees   will   not   solve   the   funding   problem.   While   there   is   no   question   that   universities   need   money,   the   important   question   is   where   this   money   should   come   from.   The   Government’s   argument   in   support   of   top-up   fees   is   that   it   will   create   â€Å"a   more   sustainable   funding   regime†,   the   same   justification   of   for   tuition   fees   which   did   not   sort   out   the   funding   problem   for   universities.   Similar   results   are   expected   with   top-up   fees. Top-up   fees   will   not   solve   the   funding   problem:   Everybody   agrees   that   universities   need   more   money.   The   question   is,   where   should   the   money   come   from?   The   Government   says   that   top-up   fees   are   needed   in   order   to   create   a   more   sustainable   funding   regime.   But   exactly   the   same   argument   was   used   to   justify   tuition   fees.   Instead,   funding   per   student   by   the   taxpayer   was   cut   during   Labours   first   term   in   office   and   tuition   fees   merely   plugged   the   gap,   leaving   universities   no   better   off.   The   same   is   likely   to   happen   with   top-up   fees. Thirdly   the   Liberal   Democrats   believe   that   the   Government’s   scheme   is   inefficient. â€Å"The   Government   is   switching   from   up-front   fees   to   post-graduation   repayment   via   the   student   loan   system.   The   cost   to   the   taxpayer   of   financing   this   debt   will   be   substantial.   The   Explanatory   Notes   published   alongside   the   Higher   Education   Bill   indicate   that,   in   order   to   raise    £1   billion   for   universities   in   top-up   fees   income,   the   cost   to   the   taxpayer   will   be   in   the   region   of    £445   million†Ã‚   (Scrap   the   Tuition   Fees   article). Finally   the   liberal   Democrats   are   of   the   opinion   that   education   should   be   free   and   nobody   should   be   denied   access   to   learning   because   of   their   financial   abilities.   This   cannot   be   achieved   unless   tuition   is   free. The   Liberal   Democrats   are   challenged   by   a   valid   question:   What   would   you   do?   They   promise   that   they   would   abolish   all   tuition   fees.   In   other   words   they   would   cancel   the   present    £1125   and   make   sure   that   no   other   charge   will   be   considered. In   addition   they   would   assist   the   low-income   students   by   reintroducing   maintenance   grants   to   meet   living   costs   and   restore   the   students’   right   to   housing   and   unemployment   benefits   during   summer.   The   assistance   will   not   be   limited   to   students   it   will   also   be   extended   to   universities   by   providing   more   resources   that   will   enable   them   to   recruit   and   retain   good   staff   and   improve   the   quality   of   services   in   terms   of   buildings   and   libraries   etc.   A   more   ambitious   resolution   is   the   following: â€Å"Develop   a   21st   century   higher   education   system   which   would   bring   together   universities,   further   education   and   e-learning,   open   up   routes   to   technical   and   vocational   as   well   as   academic   qualifications   and   make   it   easier   for   those   who   wish   to   study   part-time†Ã‚   (Scrap   Tuition   Fees   article† However,   how   is   this   going   to   be   achieved?   The   Liberal   Democrats   say   that   these   commitments   can   be   funded   by   their   proposed   50%   income   tax   for   those   who   earn   more   than    £100,000.   Whether   this   would   be   sufficient   or   not   is   another   question   to   be   answered. Universities   and   Students’   Point   of   View Universities   UK,   a   body   representing   vice-chancellors,   is   of   the   opinion   that   the   Education   Bill   (which   is   now   a   law)   is   necessary   and   fair.   (Brown,   2003)   Brown   emphasises   the   need   for   increased   funding   for   university   teaching,   which   had   been   reduced   over   the   last   two   decades   resulting   in   universities   facing   difficulties   to   achieve   their   main   goals.   He   asserts   that   â€Å"we   risk   losing   our   international   reputation   for   the   quality   and   effectiveness   of   our   higher   education   system.† Another   Universities   UK   authority   asked   to   comment   by   the   BBC   News   commented   as   follows: â€Å"Lets   look   at   what   is   actually   being   proposed   in   the   UK.   The   package   here   offers   students   no   up-front   fees,   loan   forgiveness   at   25   years,   no   real   rate   of   interest,   a   generous   grant   and   bursary   system   and   a   cap   on   the   fee   itself.   By   these   means,   the   UK   scheme   seeks   to   avoid   the   problems   which   others   have   found   elsewhere.   What   is   being   proposed   in   the   UK   will   ensure   that   the   poorest   students   will   be   better   off   while   studying   under   these   arrangements   than   they   are   now      and   they   are   also   effectively   indemnified   against   low   earnings   after   graduation.† Therefore,   we   can   conclude   that   universities   support   the   Government’s   proposal   and   see   it   as   the   most   appropriate   solution.   Brown   in   his   articles   dismissed   the   counter   argument   of   the   Conservatives   and   concluded   that   the   Government’s   proposal   is   fair   and   offers   a   sustainable   solution: â€Å"Universities   are   asking   for   a   major   increase   in   funding,   partly   from   public   funds   and   partly   from   individuals.   Given   the   scale   of   the   funding   gap,   Universities   UK   thinks   it’s   fair   to   ask   those   who   benefit   most   from   higher   education   –   graduates   –   to   contribute   proportionally   more   to   its   costs.   While   the   higher   earnings   of   graduates   mean   that   the   majority   of   UK   taxpayers   who   earn   over    £100,000   have   benefited   from   higher   education,   a   significant   proportion   of   this   group   have   not.   We   therefore   consider   this   solution   to   be   a   relatively   poorly   targeted   way   of   raising   the   necessary   money,   compared   with   the   form   of   progressive   taxation   offered   by   the   Government   proposals   which   targets   only   those   who   have   been   to   university.† On   the   other   hand,   students   represented   by   National   Union   of   Students,   seem   to   be   against   the   to-up   fees   scheme   and   are   pointing   out   the   fall   in   applications   for   universities   which   they   describe   as   â€Å"extremely   worrying†.   In   the   words   of   NUS   president   Kat   Fletcher,   â€Å"The   drop   in   applications   is   extremely   worrying,   and   suggests   that   top-up   fees   and   the   debt   they   represent   are   deterring   potential   students. According   to   Mandy   Telford,   National   Union   of   Students   president: â€Å"If   top-up   fees   come   in,   then   more   and   more   students   will   be   forced   to   choose   their   course   based   on   its   cost   and   therefore   put   themselves   at   a   disadvantage   before   they   even   graduate.   Increased   fees   will   mean   some   employers   will   look   at   the   cost   of   a   course   rather   than   a   graduates   ability.   Furthermore,   if   the   Government   does   not   provide   a   decent   student   funding   package,   then   those   students   forced   to   work   long   hours   in   paid   work   will   be   unable   to   get   involved   in   CV-enhancing   extra-curricular   activities.   This   will   further   widen   the   gulf   between   the   haves   and   have-nots   on   campus   and   after   grad uation.† It   is   obvious   that   the   students   are   against   the   scheme   and   are   worried   about   consequences   they   portrait   whether   they   are   actual   or   assumed   ones. Conclusions It   is   definite   that   the   scheme   proposed   by   the   Government   is   facing   a   lot   of   opposition   mainly   from   obviously   the   Liberal   Democrats,   the   UK’s   well   organized   National   Student   Unions,   the   Labour   Party’s   vocal   political   left.   This   is   so   despite   the   fact   that   some   parts   of   the   Government’s   proposal   seem   fair   and   plausible. It   would   have   been   in   the   interest   of   all   parties   concerned   to   remove   the   issue   from   the   political   agenda   and   refer   it   to   professionals   to   study   and   recommend   feasible   solutions. References Johnstone, D. Bruce (2004) – Fear and Loathing of Tuition Fees: An American Perspective on Higher Education Finance in the UK – downloaded on 12 December from: http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/org/inthigheredfinance/Publications/Fear%20and%20Loathing%20of%20Tuition%20Fees%20PDF.pdf Liberal Democrats (scraptuitionfees.com) – Why do the Liberal Democrats oppose tuition fees and to-up fees? – downloaded on 11 December 2006 from: http://www.scraptuitionfees.com/pages/Why.phtml Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia – Top-up fees – downloaded on 11 December 2006 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-up_fees Curtis, Polly – Clarke comes out fighting over fees -Guardian Unlimited (November 26 2003) – downloaded on 11 December 2006 from: http://politics.guardian.co.uk/queensspeech2003/story/0,13994,1093724,00.html Newspaper Article Students Want Top-Up Fees Looked at as Applications Fall The Birmingham Post February 16, 2006. Newspaper Article – Charles Clarke’s statement to the Commons – Guardian Unlimited (January 22 2003) – downloaded on 11 December 2006 from: http://education.guardian.co.uk/specialreports/tuitionfees/story/0,,880051,00.html Nigel Brown (2003) – What’s it worth? The case for variable graduate contributions: A report for Universities UK – Universities UK BBC News Viewpoints: Tuition fees – downloaded on 11 December 2006 from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3583401.stm Webb, Steve –Liberal Democrat MP (11 August 2003) – Current Features: Top-up Fees Cause Universal Concern – downloaded on 11 December 2006 from: http://www.libdems.org.uk/parliament/feature.html?id=5133navPage=features.html Guardian Unlimited (November 26 2003) – Paying the price in education – downloaded on 11 December 2006 from: http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/tuitionfees/story/0,12757,1093673,00.html Sing Gill, Parmjit MP (25 January 2005) – Adjournment Debate: University top-up and tuition fees – downloaded on 11 December 2006 fro: http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/parliament/showBriefing.asp?id=20