From the Paper "March 7, 2000 was what we call "Super Tuesday". More than fifteen presidential primaries took place that day. Most of Americans were interested in whether who would win those primaries. However, some of Americans were also concerned that Americans do not seem to care about politics. It is because they are well aware of the fact that the participation rate of Americans in national elections is very low. According to G. Bingham Powell, Jr, only 59 percent of Americans voted in presidential elections from 1960 to 1978 and a much smaller percentage vote in congressional contests. Based on this information some might wonder why Americans do not show their political interest by voting more. Is it because of political apathy or something more than that? A lot of scholars have studied on this particular issue and they have concluded that having a large number of elections, hassle of voter registration, more chances to participate in politics other than voting, and decline in political party with strong ideology that differs from others have contributed to this trend."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the history of professional police forces in Britain, the US, and Australia, starting in the 18th century. Includes an analysis of the how the general population regards police.
From the Paper "The modern day police force is often taken for granted. People assume that the police will always be there whenever needed and probably always have been. A second thought is rarely ever entered into of the origins of the police force. But it was not until the nineteenth century that a police force remotely similar to what we have come to know in the present time emerged. In times of rapid social change and widespread disorder, a force of individuals became necessary to uphold and enforce the public law."
Abstract This paper discusses the problems with the electoral college system of voting and proposes a change in the system which would prevent such aberrations as the 2000 presidential election in America from reoccurring The paper looks at the original intent of the framers of the Constitution and how the system has changed over time, as well as the way it works today.
From the Paper "?One man, one vote" may be a familiar democratic motto, but it hardly applies to American Presidential elections. The Electoral College system makes it possible for a candidate receiving fewer popular votes to triumph and actually win the presidency. It was originally designed to provide protection to less populous states in the union whose tallies in the popular vote would always be proportionally small. To many modern Americans, though, this system, however well intended, seems to have produced some bizarre distortions. The claustrophobically close 2000 Presidential election between Al Gore and George W. Bush has revived the intermittent, long-running dispute over the validity of the Electoral College, refueling the debate about whether or not to maintain it. Valid or not, a change in the way the electoral count is conducted would resolve problems such as the ones which arose in the 2000 presidential election. My own position, which is neither for nor against the Electoral College as such, proposes a change in the system, which can resolve anomalies such as the 2000 presidential election."
Tags: vote, polls, constitution, candidate, congress, government, president
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the political ideologies of Aristotle and Machiavelli. The paper focuses on the concept of human rights of both philosophers, and how they were influenced by the politics of their eras. The essay also compares their theories to our modern American political philosophies.
From the Paper "There are, perhaps, no two more disparate political philosophies than those of Aristotle and Machiavelli. In these two systematic views we see a total separation between Aristotle's idealistic politics in which people and the state cooperate for the good of the whole, and Machievelli's visceral "survival of the fittest" acquirement of power. The argument that presents itself is that although both political theories contain some elements of validity, neither of them are not realistic in light of the kind of politics as we know them in the 1990s."
From the Paper "The legal system in Britain is predicated on common law. Common law is a system of laws originated and developed in England and based on court decisions, on the doctrines implicit in those decisions, and on customs and usage rather than on codified laws. In contrast, most European legal systems are based on civil law."
Abstract This paper looks at the issue of campaign finance. The common argument is that people who can?t afford to pledge money to a political campaign are being left out of the political process, thus restricting their voice on issues.As most of the "big money" in political campaigns is coming from the increasingly elite, the paper questions how much power this group gains above other groups in society. The issues surrounding this are discussed.
From the Paper "Another problem with the status quo that people are trying to change is the fact that people from districts other than the candidate's are contributing to a candidate's campaign. Theoretically, someone can only contribute to a political campaign to help a candidate for his or her cause. One must ask why someone would want to fund a political candidate if he/she is not even in his or her voting district. Somewhat of a paradox exists in this gray area. Congress at one point banned campaign contributions from outside the country because the argument was that ?"they cannot vote in our elections so why should we allow them to finance our elections"?? (PIRG) This argument extends to special interest groups who allegedly, "buy" votes of senators and representatives by funding a campaign that they cannot vote in."
Abstract In this essay, the character of Claudius from Hamlet is shown as a quintessential Machiavellian character. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote the book entitled The Prince, and is known by some for making the guidelines on how to become the best prince through lies, corruption, evil, and murder. This essay examines how Claudius, the King of Denmark fulfills these guidelines. Claudius' Machavellian character is shown through the way he deceives others about his virtue, his development of schemes, and his belief that rules can easily be broken.
From the Paper " A Machiavellian character is not hard to come by, and ample exist around us today. A person of this characteristic will break rules, pretend to be virtuous, plan schemes, and do anything they must, in order to receive what they strive for. In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, a perfect example of such a character is displayed in Claudius, the New King of Denmark. Claudius performs many deceptive, and horrifying acts, which make him the quintessential Machiavellian character. Developing schemes, pretending to be virtuous, and proving his belief, through his actions, that rules may be broken, are the deeds he executes, which prove his true character."
Abstract This essay includes a brief description of the founding of the United Nations and then argues in its defense that it is a necessary global force.
From the Paper "The United Nations began during World War II as a loosely organized confederation of states that had come together in alliance against the threat of German and Japanese imperial power, and as a successor to the failed League of Nations. However, it became a formal organization in 1945, when 46 member states attended the San Francisco Conference, and 51 member states signed the Charter of the United Nations. The principal organs of the Charter are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat. The cardinal objective of the Charter is the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security. Through the principal and subsidiary organs, the United Nations is dedicated to carry out and promote ?human rights, justice, social progress and better standards of life" all of which lead to a peaceful and healthy international community."
Tags: global, political, armed, forces, war, world, coalition
Abstract On August 9, 2001 President George W. Bush made a decision to allow limited research on existing stem cells. He made this decision to cater to the wants and needs of as many different people as he could. This paper looks at the moral divide in America, and how difficult it can be for a leader to please the general public.
From the Paper "Stem cells are cells that come from human embryos, which is why this whole issue has become a moral dilemma. The human embryos are often times "spare" ones from fertility clinics. These embryos would be discarded because the would-be mother no longer needs them (Stem Cell 06). The idea of human embryos being used for any sort of medical research, even for a good cause, angers many people ? especially pro-life ones. But this will be discussed later."
Tags: biology, ethical, ethics, moral, science, george
Abstract This is a study of the elements of President Kennedy's assassination and the conspiracy theories that correlate. The author examines the evidence available on Kennedy's assassination and lists possible conclusions.
From the Paper "One of the most controversial topics in America for the 20th century was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. The 35th American President was pronounced dead due to a gunshot wound at approximately 1pm Dallas time on November 22, 1963. As shocked as the nation was at the sudden loss of their beloved President, rumors on the uncertainty of his death were even more appalling. A country already under the scare of the Cold War was faced with doubts on the reliability of their government. After the assassination, officials arrested Lee Harvey Oswald and charge him as the sole gunman responsible for the shot to the back of President John F. Kennedy's head, as well as the shot that wounded Governor Connally of Texas, who was a passenger in front of the President. In the days following the event, many would doubt all the facts listed in the previous sentence."
Abstract This is a comparative analysis essay on Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" and Martin Luther King JR.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail". The author describes both the writer's use of rational appeal in their arguments.
From the Paper "In Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail, he argues, in a ?patiently reasoned (490)? essay, supporting his nonviolent resistance. King accomplishes in presenting his ideas with a plethora of ethical and emotional appeals in combination with rational support. In his essay, Thoreau deals with the evils of slavery and the Mexican War by establishing his already apparent credibility, playing with the reader's emotions, and especially using rational appeals to make the reader think and drawing his own conclusions."
Abstract This paper looks at the World Trade Organization, or WTO and debates whether or not the WTO has a positive effect on the world. The author takes the position that one needs a place to take disputes and set regulations for the international economy.
From the Paper "The World Trade Organization, which was created in 1995, was the biggest reform of international trade since 1948. During the previous years, international commerce had been organized under GATT, which established a multilateral trading system. However, by the 1980s major restructuring was needed. The Uruguay Round brought about that overhaul. It was the largest trade negotiation ever."
Abstract This paper discusses the expected changes to the population and various solutions and opinions proposed by current economists, writers and politicians to prevent a threatened funding disaster of the current social security system.
From the Paper "Social Security is a popular program; it has consistently pumped out millions of monthly checks for 44 million beneficiaries, has reduced poverty among seniors by two thirds over the last 40 years and has allowed people with disabilities to make ends meet (Consumer Reports, 2000). Social Security is a genuine contributor to the sturdiness of the economic system. It's a promise to pay, secured by Treasury securities, which in turn are secured by taxpayers. The government has to use the money currently pledged for whatever the citizens decide Social Security benefits should be (Quinn and Ehrenfeld, 2000). "
Abstract This paper traces the role of the vice president and how it has changed over the years. It discusses how a vice president is chosen, how his role has grown over the years and how he is just a "heartbeat" away from the president.
From the Paper "The Vice President of the United States has to be ready at any time to take over the country in case of an emergency. The vice president must be ready to become president or acting president in a moments notice if the president becomes seriously ill, dies, resigns, or is removed from office. Out of the fourteen vice presidents that have become president, eight have become president because of death, and one because of a president's resignation. None of the vice presidents expected to become president on such a short notice, but due to death and a resignation they fulfilled their job as acting president very well. The other vice presidents who became President of the U.S. were not as lucky to have their president die or removed from office (World Book # 1)."
Abstract This is a descriptive paper on the life of Fidel Castro up until he came into power in Cuba. The author examines the way that fidel castro came into power, the changes that he made once in power and his stance today. The author argues that Fidel Castro originally gave hope and promise to his nation, yet today he stands for oppression.
From the Paper "Castro took Cuba on January 1st 1959 and is currently holding it. He is one of the few leaders whose country is still communist. Castro has put the country through some difficult times such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Castro was an idealist who believed that the way things were need to be changed but he ended up leaving things the same as they were if not making them worse. He started off wanting to help the people, but now he's oppressing his people."
