Abstract This paper examines the landmark court case Marbury v. Madison, which established the constitution as "Supreme law" of the United States and developed the power of the Supreme Court, enhancing its independence and proving it a nonpartisan instrument. Elements of the case are discussed as well.
From the Paper "As the government was newly establishing its stronghold on the nation, forging its way to a powerful republic and instituting precedents for the future, a struggle to preserve the foundations of American Society instituted by Washington and John Adams existed as Thomas Jefferson took office. In an attempt to maintain the "edifice of the National Government" believing Jefferson would topple the prestigious nation with his atheist views, Adams appointed various Federalists to the judiciary. Thus, attributing to the single most significant case of the Supreme Court, Marbury V. Madison. A struggle between Republicans and Federalists that would end in a future altered by fate. This controversial landmark case established the constitution as "Supreme law" of the United States and developed the power of the Supreme Court, enhancing its independence and proving it a nonpartisan instrument. It established the precedent for the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of laws, through the principle of judicial review."
Tags: cases, landmark, presidents, states, trials, united
Abstract This paper focuses on Government to Citizen (G2C) transactions mainly in the US. These include citizens? services and digital democracy. The concept of electronic government is to provide services and information to citizens electronically, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As the demand for electronic services increases, governments are challenged to provide these services to citizens. Digital democracy may be defined as any electronic exchange of value in the democratic process. The spectrum includes Online Campaigns, Internet Voting, and Constituency Participation.
What is e-government?
Citizens Services
Digital Democracy
Political Online Campaigning
Disadvantages of Web advertising
Online Fund Raising
Internet Voting
On-line Voting Initiatives
Why Internet voting?
Requirements of an Internet voting system
Security Problems meeting requirements of an Internet voting system
Implementation Problems
Vision
The Impact of the Internet on Democracy
Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy
Digital Divide
Conclusion ? The year 2005
Abstract This paper was written at the end of 1999, basically at the early stages of MP3 compression technology. It was written as a persuasive research paper, arguing the side of record companies and legitimate music listeners (i.e. those who don?t use copyrighted music illegally).
From the Paper "In an age of rapid technological advancement, one can expect that most everything in the near future will take place through the use of a computer and an Internet connection. A large part of what the average person would call recreational enjoyment comes from music, and the Internet has become a major part of its advancement as of late. MP3, which officially means Motion Picture Expert Group-1/Audio Layer 3 (Burpee), is a method of audio compression that makes music files small enough to be downloaded to a personal computer. However, the music remains at digital quality. Two years ago, music files would consume anywhere from thirty to fifty megabytes of space. With the technology of the MP3 encoding format, these same files consume no more than ten megabytes (?The Artist Known as MP3?). These files have become so popular recently, that Internet searches for music clips have bypassed searches for "sex" (Croal and Murr)."
Explores the role of big business and Political Action Committee's in America's politics, concentrating on the influence wielded by the tobacco industry and trial lawyers.
1,385 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 6 sources, 2000, $ 46.95
Abstract This paper explores the ramifications of party funding by business and Political Action Committees through an investigation into the Supreme Court's revocation of the FDA's right to regulate the tobacco industry. It explores the historical involvement of the FDA with the industry, through to the stances taken by the Democratic and the Republican parties after revocation. It investigates the reasons behind Big Tobacco funding the Republican party, and the Trial Lawyers' PAC contributing so heavily to the Democratic coffers in the 2000 presidential campaign.
From the Paper "It is a sad fact that less than 50% of Americans vote. The reasons behind this non-participation are myriad, ranging from the view that traditional parties are out of touch with the needs of modern-day society, to the inconvenience of attending mid-week daytime voting stations. One common complaint is the effect of party funding by big business and by Political Action Committees, since the practice implies that money rather than votes wields political influence."
Abstract This paper covers the evolution of child labor laws from 19th Century England through the present. The author discusses harsh working conditions endured and injuries suffered by children. Cited are specific pieces of legislation and non-profit campaigns aimed at stopping the phenomenon.
From the Paper "Child labor in 19th century England was a shameful practice that many of us never look back on. The displaced working classes took it for granted that a family would not be able to support itself if the children were not employed. Therefore, children as young as five years old were working 12 hour shifts for less then 20 dollars a day. The conditions in which these children worked were below standards. It was a long and deadly fight to regulated child labor laws in England during the 19th century. Today many of us take for granted the regulations on child labor; we act as if this is how it has been since the beginning. What we do not realize is how much child labor has progressed since the 19th century. Three hundred years may sound like a long time but when you consider how life was for a child then and compare it to a child's life today, I think you?ll begin to come to a better understanding of exactly what we have gone through to get where we are today."
Abstract This paper examines the controversial legal and political issue of Affirmative Action. The paper provides an historical overview of Affirmative Action and discusses its effectiveness, causes of its reversal, and its myths.
From the Paper "From its beginnings, Taylor and Liss (1992) indicate that Affirmative Action has been highly controversial. Critics charge that Affirmative Action policies violate the constitutional principle that all individuals are equal under the law. Advocates of Affirmative Action respond that effective remedies must exist, likely for some unknown period, to aid groups that have suffered from adverse discrimination in the past. In recent years, Affirmative Action has been a highly controversial legal and political issue. With legislatures, courts, and the public divided over the issue, the actual effectiveness of Affirmative Action remains ambiguous (Taylor & Liss, 1992). "
Tags: african, americans, civil, discrimination, minorities, rights
Abstract This paper takes a look at Franklin D, Roosevelt and his governmental successes in 1936. The author examines Roosevelt's judicial revolution during the time that marked his steps for victory and support.
From the Paper ?I may give you an awful shock in about two weeks,? Franklin D. Roosevelt had confided to a close adviser on January 15, 1936.The Supreme Court had successively rejected his New Deal reforms meant to provide economic and social relief. Roosevelt resolved that the solution to the depression lay in the addition of new, liberal justices who would approve his programs. The next month, the president alarmed the nation with a proposal to reorganize the judiciary. The highly controversial "court packing" bill generated ripples of protest and debate. While critics accused Roosevelt of scheming to expand his personal power, many began to reexamine current conditions to determine what was needed to overcome the standstill of the recovery from the Great Depression. The deteriorating economic and social conditions and a series of unpopular Supreme Court decisions opened doors to criticism and analysis of the nine justices, and after the court packing bill, the pressure from the president, Congress, and the public reached its pinnacle. The proposal itself died out without much success, but its consequences were momentous. The threat of the bill, along with Roosevelt's awesome victory in 1936, drove the Supreme Court to abandon its mechanical interpretation of the Constitution and open its eyes to the ?plainest facts of our nation.? The bill played a key part in the judicial revolution process by acquiring the two swing votes that were the critical factors in the Court's decisions. Later its pressure pushed many justices to retirement, allowing Roosevelt to crowd the Supreme Court with his supporters, and truly concretize his victory."
Tags: court, packing, roosevelt, supreme, court, judiciary, constitution, government
Abstract This is an argumentative paper about the justification of capital punishment. The paper also examines the different views of capital punishment as well as the pros and cons of eliminating it from society.
From the Paper "In the past, people have invariably felt that if they had been wronged in some way, it was his or her right to take vengeance on the person that had wronged them. This mentality still exists, even today, but in a lesser form because the law has now outlined a person's rights and developed punishments that conform to those rights, yet allow for the retribution for their crime. However, some feel that those laws and punishments are too lax and criminals today take advantage of them knowing very well that the punishments for their crime, whether it be murder, theft, or any other number of criminal activities, will be so negligible that it may be well worth their risk.'
Abstract This considers some of the legal and moral issues of internet gampling. The paper takes a look at whether people have the right to gamble online and whether the government should step in and prohibit gambling on the Internet. The author also examines the moral and ethical concerns of Internet gambling.
From the Paper "Gambling on the Internet seems to be taking a life of its own. Last year, Internet Gambling alone brought in approximately $600 million. This number is expected to rise to about $955 million for 2001. By the year 2003, over $10 billion will have been gambled online. Internet gambling is a reality. An adult sits at his personal computer, accesses the Internet and engages in an on-line activity that hurts nobody. But the government disapproves of what he is doing and wants to charge him with a crime that carries a fine and a prison sentence. This is the scenario in the U.S. today."
Abstract This paper talks about how the role of corrections has changed since the 1960?s. The focus is mainly on community-based corrections.
From the Paper " The poverty programs of the 1960's which failed to win the war on poverty but made strong impressions on the Nation, are of particular importance for corrections. The ideology underlying those programs suggested that persons of minority origin and low socio-economic status systematically are denied access to higher status in American society. They are persistently over represented among those who experience mental and physical illness, educational failure, unemployment, and crime and delinquency. Programs that attacked such systematic exclusion from higher status used varied techniques. emphasis on cultural awareness attempted to promote dignity and pride among minority groups, inserted minority history into America's records, and resulted in new group cohesion, political clout, and often militant reactions with newly discovered strength."
Abstract In depth analysis of Proposition 34, which attempts to limit and disclose on campaign spending and contributions including. The author discusses how it was brought into the election, how long and why people have been fighting for it, as well as the pros and cons of the California proposition. Includes excellent examples with supportive quotes.
From the Paper "This year's election includes the controversial issue of Proposition 34, limits and disclosures on campaign spending and contributions. Currently, there is no limit on campaign contributions and spending in California. Proposition 208, initiating strict limits on campaign contributions and spending, was passed by voters in 1996, but was not put into effect because legal issues tied it up in court (the proposition was challenged on the grounds that its limits were unreasonably low compared to the cost of running for office in California). Proposition 34 attempts to accomplish what Proposition 208 of 1996 could not. As did Proposition 208, it intends to limit campaign contributions and loans to state candidates and political parties, but to higher levels than what Proposition 208 designated. It also attempts to provide voluntary spending limits, expand public disclosure requirements and increase penalties."
Tags: government, vote, law, campaign, contibution, spending, republican, democrat, party
Abstract An in-depth look at prison sentencing and allocation of parole. The author argues that life sentencing in the U.S. court system is unfair and that majority of life term prisoners are first time prisoners that receive life sentence due to their involvement with drugs. In effect prisons become full and more dangerous criminals are given parole as they don't sit for life sentences. The author further discusses the effects of this on tax-payers and on society in general.
From the Paper "Imagine receiving a 25-year prison sentence with no possible chance of parole. There is not even a way the sentence can be reduced from the start. For repeat offenders, this is becoming common in the American criminal justice system. Now imagine it is the first offence, and yet there is still a 25-year to life sentence imposed. This situation is quite common in many states, i.e. Michigan. The question must be asked: Are mandatory minimum sentences in drug offences truly just in today's society? Sentences like these are unfair to many of those convicted under them. Mandatory minimum sentences have been filling American prison systems with first-time, non-violent offenders, the majority of which are drug offenders. Since these sentences cannot be reduced, room has to be made for all of the incoming prisoners. In order for the room to be made, violent offenders are usually released early. Not only are these sentences unfair to the offenders, but also because of the extreme sentences, they are costly to the American taxpayer."
This paper provides a description of early American views regarding the legal and political rights of women, the growing discontented awareness of such women as to their legal status.
3,625 words (approx. 14.5 pages), 6 sources, 1998, $ 100.95
Abstract This paper examines the history of women's rights in Colonial America, and primarily, among Puritan women. The author discusses the inequality between the sexes, and the almost legal nonexistence and subordination females were subjected to. The paper looks at the different social classes, the differences between married women and single women's rights, especially property rights, under the law, and how females, in general, were expected to behave in a deeply religious society.
From the Paper "It has been argued that colonial women could not attain liberty because they were isolated from one another. They were not isolated in the physical sense, rather in the sense that they each had different needs and desires when it came to political rights. As they came from different walks of life, diversified social classes and different educational backgrounds, women may have found it difficult to come together on a common ground in order to speak out for their basic constitutional rights as citizens of the new republic. Whatever the true reasons may have been, it is apparent that with the changing social and economic conditions in colonial America came the change in the colonial woman's role. Gradually, as she became aware of her ability to act as an independent entity, own property or conduct businesses, whether she was a feme sole or covert, the colonial woman found herself understanding the need for education, and searching for a political as well as legal identity."
Abstract This paper describes censorship and the first amendment's right of freedom of speech. The author argues that not only book banning violates that right, but also students are denied the ability to develop critical thinking. In order to support this argument, the author uses an example "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck.
From the Paper "The whole concept of book writing is that the readers be able to develop the analytical abilities required to critically assess what they see and experience in life. Books are a form of media that allow the reader to develop imaginative powers and increase their comprehension and cognitive skills. Researchers have found that when exposed to Literature at an early age a child develops better critical powers later in life. So if literature has such a profound effect on people why censor it? The list of potential books to be banned include: "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, ""Of Mice and Men"" by John Steinbeck, Mark Twain's classic, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.?
To ban a book is taking from the students and the readers the right to determine on their own individual level whether what they are being exposed to in the book is right or wrong. Banning a book and censoring it is taking from readers their right to a decision and thus, compromising their fundamental right as depicted in the First Amendment."
Abstract This paper discusses the life and career of Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court Justice. The author looks briefly at his childhood, his education, then at his rise in the judiciary, and controversial nomination to the Court . The paper examines Justice Thomas' role as a conservative African-American and how his conservatism is shown through his decisions.
From the Paper "It is hard to imagine that few justices of the 20th century will remain as marked throughout their entire tenure by their confirmation process as Clarence Thomas, who was nominated by George Bush, Sr. for one of the associate justice positions on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991. Surviving the controversy of this nomination, in which he was accused of sexual harassment as well as of being of insufficient legal acumen and gravity- many liberals believed that his primary qualifications for office were his conservatism along with the fact that he was relatively young and healthy and therefore could serve on the court for many years. Thomas succeeded to the seat of the ultraliberal Thurgood Marshall, and in doing so gave to the court a decidedly conservative cast, undoing many of the measures that Marshall had dedicated his own life to achieving."
