Mauritius PESTLE Analysis: Tourism and Economy

Mauritius PESTLE Analysis: Tourism and Economy Mauritius Republic of Mauritius Republic Moris Rà ©publique de Maurice Country Name   Mauritius Area 2040km2 (179th) Population   12,88,000   Density   631.4/km2 Capital City   Port Louis Currency   Muritiunrupee (Mur) Languages  -Mauritian creole, French, English, Bhojpuri. Mauritian government parliamentary Republic President President Sir Anerood Jugnauth Primeminister NavinRamgoolam Independence from U.K in 12 March 1968 Republic Day 12 March, 1992. Pestle Analysis of Mauritius In PESTLE analysis of Mauritius, I analysis the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental structure of Mauritius Uses of Country Analysis Report: Understanding gained from country profiles can be used to plan business investment or market entry in a particular country. The insights provide idea key business opportunities. The profiles also provide an overview of the legal and regulatory framework to start and operate a business in the country. Typical uses of each PESTLE segment are: Typical uses of each PESTLE SEGMENT:- Political section provides understanding about the political system and key figures relevant to business in the country and governance indicators. Economic section deals with the economic theory of a country that provides a balanced assessment of significant macro-economic issues. Social section enables understanding of customer demographics through income distribution, Rural-urban segmentation and centers of affluence, healthcare and educational scenario. Technological section provides strategic information on technology and telecom, technological laws and policies, technological gaps, patents and opportunity sectors in the country. Legal section provides information about the legal structure, corporate laws, laws to start a new business and tax regime. Environmental section provides information on countrys performance on environmental indicators and polices. (E)conomic condition of Mauritius As far as we consider the country, this is not a very big county, the total area of the country is 2040 square k.m. The present economic condition of the country very good and growing with the good pace in every sector like: If talk about the GDP of the country the it grows by $9.156 billion from 2009 to 2010 and real growth rate is of 2.1% from last year. The per capita income in 2010 is $12,400 which is far more than India i.e. $1007(Rs.44345/year) The avg. inflation rate is 3.4% in 2010 which also less than the India i.e. 8% approx. The agriculture sector has grown by 4.5 % of the GDP: Products in which they have grown: Sugar, Sugar derivatives, Tea, Tobacco, vegetables, fruits, flowers, cattle and and fishing. The manufacturing sector, including export processing zone of the country has grown by 19.4% that shows that it has grown in good pace in comparison to other sectors like agriculture, tourism. The reason for growing in such a pace is: Mauritius was in labor intensive growth for export, including textiles, and clothing, watches, and clocks, jewelry, optical goods, toys and games and cut flowers. Tourism sector in Mauritius has grown by 8.7% of GDP: The tourism of the country is grow due to its good climatic, weather condition, covered by Indian ocean (sea shore)i.e. beach and all tourist come and enjoy the natural environment of the Mauritius. They attract so many countries like India, France, U.S, South Africa, and other European countries. The export is increased by $2.55 billion, in textiles and clothing, watches ,and clocks ,jewelry ,optical goods ,toys and games travel goods and hand bags. The major market for this export: European countries and U.S. The import of the country is $3.552 billion. The country mainly import manufactured goods, capital equipment, food stuffs, petroleum products,chemicals,dairy products,fish,wheat,rice,iron and steel,cenment,fertilizers,and other industrial raw materials. They mainly import from India, France, South Africa, China, Japan, Spain, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, and Thailand. (P)olitical Factors In the present time political environment play a very important role to overcome country from every problem and make the country perfect in every section like economical, social, environmental and and technological and the same thing happened with Mauritius. Since from 2002 economy started to face some serious challenges as result of globalization, involving the erosion of trade preferences for both Textiles and sugar, two pillars of the economy. Economic growth declined by 3%-4%, while unemployment, Budget deficit and public debt increased steadily. So for overcome from these problems government took so many action. These actions are as follows: In July 2005, they concentrated on a bold economic reform so that it handle and easily face all the global competitive challenges of global market. This reform or changes was not only to improve or remedy to fiscal weakness but also increase business, improve the investment condition in the country, and also increased the FDI investment. The government promoting the restructuring and modernization of textile and sugar industry. They are also promoting ICT (information communication technology) sector, made sea food hub, Freeport (free trade zone at the port and airport). Government also focuses on the various issues like: The land based oceanic industry, Hospitality and property development. Healthcare and biomedical industry. Agro-processing and biotechnology. The knowledge industry and renewable energy. (S)ocial factor Social section enables understanding of customer demographics through income distribution, Rural-urban segmentation and centers of affluence, healthcare and educational scenario. In the country, there are governmental as well as non governmental org.work for the social development of the country. The government offers so many projects for the private and other organization. The Amssadors Special self help programme (SSH) is the development programme. The above programme is to promote and assist small scale project and improving the socioeconomic condition of the country at grassroot level. The basic aim of SSH funds projects are as follows: Addressing global issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention and drug use. Women empowerment. Childrens education. Environmental protection. Mauritius Health and Welfare The Mauritius govt. funded for health services for all the public(easily accessible) Government funded health services and facilities are widespread and accessible to most of the population although facilities are concentrated in urban areas. Ministry of Economic Planning and Development provide more facilities to public So for that government allocated 7.7% of the GDP to healthcare (US$57.9 million) The government has given more emphasis on the healthcare and addressed more doctors and more beds in the hospitals for the easy convenience of the public. Now a days govt. give more emphasis to some important issues like: Easy access to drinking water Nutritional value increased by 2680 to 124% per capita caloric intake. In the present time govt. provides family welfare allowances to the poor. Government provides support to the economically weak students: They provide wheelchairs to the physically weak (handicap) for use at the university of Mauritius and university of technology Mauritius. Government refunds the taxi fares who is physically unfit. They provide discount in the examination fee. (T)echnological Mauritius govt. has been increased upto Rs.24billion in which 11 billion has been invested by the Mauritius govt. The govt has been invested on various project like: Road construction: 11 road projects. Many bi directional lanes. Phase 1 of the ring road The Bus rapid transit system Airport: To meeting more vessel and container at the port govt. expand the port and for that it invested Rs.3.5 billion. Agriculture Government opened agricultural research and extension unit to provide information to planters and breeders regarding price and production level. It provide technical assistance for the development of high tech. sheltered level. It provide consultancy charge up to 75% and application fee Rs.150000 for promoting sugar business to gaining the fair trade from the EU. (E)nvironmental Factor Government for protection and enhancement of the country environment they take 3 major steps Energy efficienct Encouraging public, industry, private for using energy efficient light bulbs for that they provide additional subsidy. They also frame a regulatory institution Energy efficiency management office. They encourage by providing economic incentives for not to purchase polluting vehicles and bio fuels. Green buildings: For reducing the green house gas emission they transform and construt more energy efficient building. Create awareness regarding new energy efficient parameters for building. Measures existing buildings energy efficiency. Construct building with such materials which do not affect the environment. Solar Energy For utilizing solar energy ministry of renewable energies grant a new subsidy of 5000 of each of the 50000 household to purchases the solar water heaters. Other improvement in local environment To protect the environment from unforeseen condition they take various measures like The drainage flood prone areas Enhance awareness about waste management and biodiversity. Made a disaster management unit. (Le)gal factors Tax policy -decreased the tax at source on royalties to non residents from 10% to 15%. They provide tax benefits to the big companies till 31 December. The individual liable to national residency property tax has been increases from Rs.385000 to 400000. Government removed the custom duties on rice, milk, oats milk, almond milk, street light lamps. Removed the duties on T.Vs up to 32 inches and up to 15% on T.V sets above 32 inches. They charged higher tax on energy inefficient electrical and electronic appliances. Ministry of renewable energy will decide the tax on car which emits CO2. Country using Porters diamonds model Porters Diamond The Determinants of National Advantage In the there is demand of two main sector: 1. Tourism 2. Sugar industry. The country is surround by the Indian ocean (island),so it takes the advantage tourism. The country was in cane production very well developed before the independence, and still now. There are so many sugar industries has been established in the Mauritius, and they export sugar to his neighboring country at in large amount. With the development of technology country witnessed constant evolution in this sector. The country in the begning produced sugar in the large amount and increases its production by increasing by the mills at every decade. But due to competition in the globalised market so many rivalry are present like Cuba,India,etc.and cost of sugar increases due to increasing the inflation as well as factor of production of sugar. For the making the sugar industry prospers govt. made a future plan from 2005 to 2015. In which they showed various cost which is incurred in producing sugar. By considering all factors (competition, cost of production, inflation) govt. has decide to reduced the production of sugar. Usually country produces 600000 tonnes sugar annually in which they exported 530000 tonnes exported to the Europian union .While domestic consumption of sugar is 40000 tonnes per annum.The success of sugar industry has good agreement between U.K and other europian union. The upliftment of sugar production in country due availability of water and avg. rain fall is 2500mm per year So from the above facts it appears that the demand of the sugar is present in the country and outside the country. But due to the inflation factors of production cost become high. The cost of the skilled labor is very high. Supporting industry for the Mauritius to increase the GDP in 2010 are industrial growth and tourism, which participate 19.4% and 8.7 %. Mauritius is like a heaven for the tourists and for promoting this sector govt. play a very important role For promoting this sector govt. advertise the country in all over the world like: TOURIST ARE DRAWN TO THE UNSPOILED NATURAL BEAUTY OF MAURITIUS WITHOUT ENVIRONMENT WE WONT ANY TOURISM Mauritius take economic advantage from tourism, with this sector so many hotels industry at the peak seasons generate revenue in good amount and from hotels govt. collect the tax in large amount. Every year in Mauritius approx. 9 lakh visitors come to the country. The Mauritius now becomes the investment hub due to tourism. In the present times many rivalry are emerges out of Mauritius in tourism sector like South Africa, U.S.A etc. Mauritius infrastural development Mauritius govt. has been increased up to Rs.24billion in which 11 billion has been invested by the Mauritius govt. The govt. has been invested on various project like: Road construction: 11 road projects. Many bi directional lanes. Phase 1 of the ring road The Bus rapid transit system Airport: To meeting more vessel and container at the port govt. expand the port and for that it invested Rs.3.5 billion. Agriculture Government opened agricultural research and extension unit to provide information to planters and breeders regarding price and production level. It provide technical assistance for the development of high tech. sheltered level. It provide consultancy charge up to 75% and application fee Rs.150000 for promoting sugar business to gaining the fair trade from the EU. Facilities to the economically weak students: They provide wheelchairs to the physically weak (handicap) for use at the university of Mauritius and university of technology Mauritius. Government refunds the taxi fares who is physically unfit. They provide discount in the examination fee. Case Study: Severe Malaria Case Study: Severe Malaria The case A 22 year old male whom had just returned from the malarial endemic region of Nigeria from a visit to friends was admitted to A/E at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Nottingham presenting with symptoms of cerebral malaria (severe malaria) Diagnosis: The five protozoa plasmodium endo-parasite species that result in malaria disease in human hosts are: Falciparum, Vivax, Malariae, Ovale and Knowlesi a particular cause of 70% of malarial cases in Southeast Asia. These species all belong to the Plasmodium genus with Falciparum being the most virulent- accounting for 80% of all cases and 90% of all deaths (Moore, Knight, and Blann, 2010) along with being the only plasmodium species causing severe malaria where cerebral malaria (a multi system disease) is a known complication. Transmission of Falciparum is through bites from female anopheles mosquitoes, of which the anopheles gambiae is best for known, during their blood meals to nourish their eggs (Moore, Knight, and Blann, 2010) Falciparum infection in relation to this case was the likely diagnosis due to observed clinical manifestation of cerebral malaria in the patient. Cerebral malaria is considered a pediatric disease from the endemic region (Nigeria) where patient was returning from, however Falciparum has been shown to have a wide epidemiological reach. The endo parasite is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions (non-arid climate optimal survival conditions for vector) such as aforementioned many parts of sub Saharan Africa with Nigeria having the highest morbidity and mortality in regards to malaria in the world.class=table table-bordered America (central and northern half of south America mainly) and Asia (south east Asia particularly, where main body of information on the clinical features, course and prognosis of infection with Falciparum, leading to cerebral malaria, in particularly young adults such as the patient is derived) are also regions of high transmission. (Idro et al., 2005) Clinical Features/Symptoms: Table 1: Clinical features of Falciparum infection Early clinical features/ symptoms Falciparum infection Later symptoms and Neurological manifestations of infection Other Neurological signs/ Major complications (worsening of symptoms) After a few days infected patients typically present with-any combo of: Profuse fever, chills, sweating (tertian due to synchronized release of each new generation of mature merozoites in exoerythrocytic cycle and Erythrocyte schizogony into the bloodstream) Malaise Headache Joint and body/muscle aches Delirium Vomiting Abdominal cramps Diarrhoea (all due to inflammatory response/immune response Haemolysis (due to intraerythrocytic parasites- occurs when mature hepatic schizont/ merozoites of Falciparum burst out of liver, reenter bloodstream where they invade erythrocytes (initiating Erythrocyte schizogony- grow and divide and destroy the cells within a 48hr period) high parasitemiaclass=table table-bordered (hyperparasitemia) coincides with more severe haemolysis and leads to hemoglobinuria Without treatment of Falciparum infection these early features can manifest into cerebral malaria with common features of: Occasional Psychotic behavior/ confusion (1st manifestation of cerebral involvement) Seizures (Falciparum is epileptogenic; risk of seizures increases with increase with parasitemia) less common in adults (15% of cases southeast Asian) compared with the 50% prevalence in pediatric cases (Idro et al., 2005) Unarousable Coma due to Hypercoagulable state, consequence of cytoadherence of infected RBC and rosetting of both infected and non-infected RBC (erythrocytes) to endothelium of cerebral blood vessels and capillaries restricting blood flow.class=table table-bordered (diffuse encephalopathy- level of consciousness may fluctuate over a period of hours) Hypoxia due to blood flow constriction leading to Tissue necrosis Spontaneous bleeding and severe hemolytic anemia (due to significant haemolysis of both infected and non-infected RBC- contributes to renal failure Coagulation disorders (i.e thrombocytopenia) due to activation of the coagulation cascade (could account for low platelet count in patient in this case study as patient likely suffering from condition) Other symptoms: Severe Jaundice Kussmal breathing (occurring with acute renal failure and severe lactic acidosis) Shock (with possible presence of septicemia) Patients typically have symmetrical upper neuron signs/brainstem signs such as: Disconjugate movement of the eyes (due To CNS involvement) Abnormal posturing/ opisthotonos Retinal abnormalities (less common in adults. i.e retinal hemorrhages associated with increased mortality) Mutli-organ failure (Falciparum is a multisystem disease)- circulatory, hepatic, coagulation, pulmonary failure Pulmonary edema (possibly due to abnormalities of the pulmonary microcirculation caused by RBC restricting blood flow. (Brooks et al.,1968) Severe Hypoglycemia (only present in 8% of cases ref science direct) In a few patients- abnormalities such as cerebral infarcts (stroke)can manifest (due to thrombophilia in cerebral capillaries). Table 2: Outcomes/ Prognosis of cerebral malaria in adults with treatment Recovery of consciousness Slower in Adults occurs within 48 hours Mortality Around 20% (50% of mortality cases occur within 24hrs without treatment) Neurological/ neurocognitive sequelae Very rare in adults range from

How Successful Were The Nazi Party In Carrying Out Their Aims Essay

During the 13 years they were in power, the Nazi party put forward a lot of opportunities and propaganda that would encourage children to be inspired and take part in the National Socialist movement. These were also aimed to turn young boys in to selfless, strong soldiers and young women in to the soldiers of the household and childbearing front. One of the first policies that the Nazi’s brought out was to instigate a Nazi cadet force. These young men that were aged from 13 – 18 would arrive and spend time learning a plethora of soldier making skills including, trench digging, grenade throwing, uses of dugouts and bayonet drill. Although having these skills was incredibly useful to them when it came to the upcoming war but the membership in 1938 were actually only 25% of students attended the meetings regularly. Despite this it can be argued that especially after it became compulsory in 1939, many students became fanatical over the idea of being a part of the German Reich, suggesting that when it really did matter, during the Second World War, the Nazi policies backing up the Hitler Youth were incredibly effective. Another aim of the Nazi party was to turn children in to anti-Semitics from the moment that they learn to think. They did this primarily through changing the education system. This entailed re-naming biology as race studies. This was a subject where the class would analyse the problems with the Jewish faith and what they have done wrong throughout the history of their religion. Largely speaking this was incredibly successful; this was because, in most children, it was easily to shape their minds. This ended up with a lot of them, snubbing their original Jewish friends, a lot of the time without having any good reason other than the fact that it was the anti-Semitic ideology that had been ingrained in to them. Fitness was an incredibly important of the Nazi society in all aspects of society and not just children. Despite this, children, especially males did have an incredibly hard regime to follow. These kinds of activities revolved around the centre point of a Nazi boy’s upbringing which was being ready for war. Throughout the future war, Hitler knew that a fit army was an efficient one and starting this mindset from an early age was an incredibly effective way of making sure this happened. Although this did turn them in to war ready, fit young men, some of the regimes were slightly excessive when you consider the range of ages. Especially when children were being evacuated in to the â€Å"countryside† they were actually being taken to Nazi camps, were generals would test out fitness programs for some of the elite regiments. This could lead to the suggestion that a lot of children were alienated by this and so was not entirely successful. When looking at Nazi policies towards young women, we can see that although they have a very different structure and content, the final result is the same. The Nazi’s wanted to create women that followed the Nazi ideology. The main way that they did this was to introduce their own kind of youth club. Despite being similar to the Hitler youth, the itinerary of the Jugmadelbund (the name of the organisation), was much more focused on improving skills to do with mother hood, cooking and other household jobs. This had mixed result as many of them only cam to the meetings to see friends and were not really interested in the propaganda message. On the other hand it can be argued that they were successful due to the fact that a lot more girls went to them than boys did to the Hitler Youth pre 1939. This resulted in a lot of becoming part of the Nazi ideal almost through accident. Adolf Hitler knew that children were the future of the German race, for this reason he spent a lot of time, money and effort in to securing this ideological legacy through numerous policies and organisations. Overall these were largely successful in getting across his message. The evidence for this is most prominent, towards the end of the war where children as young as 12 and 13 were taking part in the fighting. Even when the Soviet Red Army was knocking on the door of Berlin, children fought, almost fanatically to defend the Nazi ideal to their last breath, their minds shrouded by the fact that they had never really been apart of anything else but the German Third Reich.

Classical Empires Dbq

DOCUMENT-BASED QUESTION: Daoism-Buddhism Directions The following question is based on the accompanying documents. (The documents have been edited for the purpose of this exercise). The question is designed to test your ability to work with and understand historical documents. Write an essay that: †¢ Has relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence from the documents. †¢ Uses all or all but one of the documents. †¢ Analyzes the documents by grouping them in as many appropriate ways as possible and does not simply summarize the documents individually. Takes into account both the sources of the documents and the authors’ points of view. Essay Prompt Analyze the similarities and differences between the two religions, and what makes these religions unique. Based on the following documents, discuss classical empires. What types of additional documentation would help determine the benefits and difficulties of running classical empires? Historical Background Buddhism and Taoism are both mainly centered in eastern China, and many people are confused between the two. Not very many people understand whatBuddhists stand for, but many people only know they live to find meaning, and to reach nirvana. Taoists look to end the sufferings in life. Document 1 Document 2 Document 3 Document 4 Document 5 Document 6 Document 7 Document 7 Document 8 Citations http://www. sacred-texts. com/bud/btg/btg03. htm http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Taijitu http://www. wadsworth. com/religion_d/special_features/popups/maps/matthews_world/content/map_91. html http://www. diffen. com/difference/Buddhism_vs_Taoism http://www. accesstoinsight. org/lib/authors/bogoda/wheel397. html http://www. chebucto. ns. ca/Philosophy/Taichi/taoism. tml http://www. chebucto. ns. ca/Philosophy/Taichi/taoism. html http://www. buzzle. com/articles/taoism-beliefs. html & http://buddhismbeliefs. org/ ———————– Robert Bogoda, A Simpl e Guide to Life, 1994 To make the best use of our human potential, we need not only a practical aim in life, but a life plan for achieving that aim. The preceding two sections of this essay show the groundwork for developing a proper sense of values, the values essential for gaining happiness, success, and security within the mundane life and for progressing towards the ultimate goal of the Buddhist path, Nibbana.While we walk along the path to liberation, as laypeople we have to live in the world, and our immediate objective will be to make our life in the world both a means to worldly success and a stepping-stone to final liberation. [pic] Lama Surya Das, Buddhism Plain and Simple This picture depicts the god of Buddhism, Buddha. In this picture he can be seen as a calm, wise, and intelligent man. He seems like he just might be meditating. This is the way of Buddha, being wise, kind, and finding meaning in life. This is the way many Buddhists believe they should be.Tai Chi Chuan, Taoism and the Philosophy The religious current of Taoism evolved its own pantheon of deities that were worshipped in temples by the various sects. These Taoist deities, like the Buddhist or Hindu pantheon, represented different qualities and attributes and various ceremonies, depending on circumstances were conducted to appeal to them. Unlike most religions, Taoism has more than one religious figure. In fact, they have about 27 deities, which all stand for different individual things, such as pure ones, immortals, the 3 officials, and many more.Tai Chi Chuan, Taoism and the Philosophy A Taijitu, the main symbol of the Taoist spirituality. Please note however, that the true Taijitu symbol shows the white (or red) spiral on the top, so that the dividing line creates a backwards S shape. Yin and yang are not opposing forces (dualities), but complementary forces, unseen (hidden, feminine) and seen (manifest, masculine), that interact to form a greater whole, as part of a dynamic system . Everything has both yin and yang aspects as light could not be understood if darkness didn't exist, and shadow cannot exist without light. pic] Paul Carus, Buddha, the Gospel, 1909 All compound things shall be dissolved again, worlds will break to pieces and our individualities will be scattered; but the words of Buddha will remain for ever. The extinction of self is salvation; the annihilation of self is the condition of enlightenment; the blotting out of self is Nirvana. Major beliefs of Taoism Major beliefs of Buddhism Taoism has the same worldview as Confucianism or ancient Chinese folk religion. Its philosophy operates within the same paradigms. It celebrates man's association and interdependency with nature.Moving on to a wider plane, the relationship between religion and the universe takes the form of veneration, which lies beyond the confines of time and space, ancestor worship and belief in the sovereign. The principles on which the system thrives even today include Ch'i, Feng Shui, interdependency between life and death, the Eight Immortals and the Ultimate Reality. Life exists in itself – there is no inherent meaning attached to life. However – as all human beings (and animals) wish for happiness and not to suffer – the purpose of life may be said to end that suffering.Buddhism teaches that in an interconnected world, all actions have consequences (karma). The consequences of acts undertaken in this and earlier lifetimes will be felt in a next one, in a process known as reincarnation. It is a Buddhist aim to educate oneself and meditate in order to escape from this cycle of rebirth, to enter Nirvana. | |Buddhism |Taoism | |Geographical predominance: |Tibet, Sri Lanka, North America. |Asia, North America. |Goal of religion: |To gain enlightenment and nirvana. |To gain balance in life. | |Place of origin: |Nepal, India. |China | |Principle: |Desire leads to suffering. |Taoists believe that life is good. Taoism | | | |lays emphas is on the body. | |Status of Adam: |N/A. |N/A. | |Place of worship: |Pagodas, Temples. Temple, shrine | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Warren Matthews, World Religions, [pic] In this map, Daoism, or Taoism, along with Buddhism, are mainly in the eastern portion of China. Most likely, location doesn’t have anything to due with your religion, but what is either forced on you, or which you would like to choose.

The Ontological Argument Made By Anselm - 1365 Words

The ontological argument made by Anselm was criticized by one of his contemporaries, a monk named Gaunilo, who said, that by Anselm s reasoning, one could imagine a certain island, more perfect than any other island, tf this island can exist in the mind, then according to Anselm, it would necessarily exist in reality, for a perfect island would have this quality. But this is obviously false; we cannot make things exist merely by imagining them. Anselm replied, upholding his argument by saying that Guanilo is essentially comparing apples and oranges. An island is something that can be thought of not to exist, whereas the non-existence of that than which a greater cannot be conceived is inconceivable, Only for God is it inconceivable†¦show more content†¦This argument states that everything in this world has certain potentials for change. It also states that, for these potentials to be met, another object, that already exists, must set off said potential. That object, in tur n, would have to have been put in flux by something else, and so on and so forth. All of this ultimately leads to one object which started all this change, that one object being God. Aquinas second argument is that there are many things that happen in this world, and that these occurrences are effects derived from a cause. The effects in turn can be the cause of something else and so on and so on. Nothing, however, can be the cause of itself, so there must be a first efficient cause that sets off other intermediate causes, in hopes of reaching an ultimate goal. Therefore, according to Aquinas, the first of all the efficient causes would be God. The third argument Aquinas makes is that of possibility and necessity. This argument holds that everything in this world has possibility to be and not to be. If there is the possibility that everything at one time or another cannot be, then at one time there was nothing, because everything that could have been, wasn t^(et if there was nothing at one time, then there was nothing that could be^and so there would still be nothing. Therefore, there had to be something that existed to cause all the possibilities