Abstract This essay analyses the economic reforms carried out during the 1980's and 1990's in Australia. The essay looks at the reasons for the changes as well as the impacts of such reforms. Finally, the essay questions whether such reforms worked to benefit the Australian economy and people. During the 1980's and 1990?s, the institutions of economic governance changed in response to poor economic performance, globalisation, and technological developments. The major change was a shift from Keynesian economic policy to microeconomic policy. The purpose of this essay is to examine the impacts of liberal reforms and to address any continuing questions.
From the Paper "During the 1980's and 1990?s, there were various changes carried out. One such change was a decline in tariff protection. In 1974, the Whitlam Government announced a 25% across the board tariff cut (Quiggin, 1996), followed by the Hawke labour government further reducing tariffs to 5% over a period ending in 1992 (Quiggin, 1996). In 1993, Paul Keating effectively enacted a zero tariff campaign. Apart from several troubled sectors such as textiles and car manufacturing, the zero tariff result was achieved under the Howard government in the last years of the century (Brennan & Pincus, 2002). Following the recommendations of the Campbell and Martin Committees of Inquiry, another microeconomic reform occurred in October 1983, with the floating of the Australian dollar."
Abstract Since the horrific events of September 11, 2001, there has been a great deal of debate on whether or not airline pilots should be armed in the cockpit. With the U.S. waging a global war on terrorism, it may be possible that terrorists will retaliate against the U.S., and they may use airliners again. This paper argues in favor of allowing airline pilots to be armed in the cockpit. This paper covers both sides of the argument and presents unbiased views, as well. Quotes from U.S. Congressmen also included in the paper.
From the Paper "Another argument in favor of arming pilots is that they are, psychologically, among the most highly trained and level-headed professionals in the world. They are accustomed to making critical ? and sometimes life-saving ? decisions in a split second, so arming them would make sense, according to the APSA. In addition, Senator Zell Miller (D-Ga.) strongly supports passing an amendment in favor of pilots carrying guns. Senator Miller believes it is logical to allow pilots to be armed. Senator Miller stated, "Will someone please explain to me the logic that says we can trust someone with a Boeing 747 in bad weather, but not with a Glock 9 millimeter"? (Sen. Miller, Chicago Tribune)"
Abstract This paper examines how Socrates, born in 470 or 469 BC and executed at the age of 70, presents how one can act solely on the grounds of his belief and dedicate the life for the ultimate values. It discusses whether his refusal to obey the city's orders were contradictory to his idea of obedience to the laws. Contrary to the view that sees Socrates as a defender of civil disobedience, it also argues that Socrates is a true defender of the laws who has dedicated the life for the active practice of the citizenship, using his acute reason and knowledge. It also shows how Socrates is different from conventional civil disobedients, such as Ghandi, and Martin Luther King Jr.
From the Paper "Socrates? refusals to participate in the trial of the ten generals, and the arrest of Leon the Salaminian are in fact clear examples of Socrates? use of reason in political decision. During the time when Socrates served as a member of the Council because it was his tribe's turn, the city ordered the presiding committee to form the body of the ten generals to rescue Athenian survivors in the naval battle (Apology 32a-b). Socrates reasoned that the city's order was illegal, so voted against it (Apology 32b). The orators were ready to prosecute him, but he argued that he would risk the death, rather than follow the city's order (Apology 32c). He also refused to obey the city's order to bring Leon from Salamis in order to prosecute him. He reasoned that prosecuting Leon is illegal because his guilt was manipulated by the city. Some people might think that it is ironical to disobey the city's order for the sake of the laws."
Abstract This paper discusses how social class plays a role in terms of, not birth, but of money earned, educational level, type of employment, public prominence, and similar elements, any or all of which also can be seen as helping individuals build and maintain a personal identity. It evaluates how social class continues to have a strong influence on society and serves as a means for the individual to gain a social identity and a personal one, as well. Through a literature review, it draws on the theories of the likes of Karl Marx and Max Weber on the social divide and democracy.
From the Paper "Weber found that a social class is a group with a similar market situation and thus similar life chances. This fits with the idea that a social class is marked by economic level, employment, educational level, and the like. Weber makes this point when he identifies a market situation as something like flute players or stained glass window maker. Unions and professional associations are also organizations the members of which are identified so as to be members of the same class by at probably at least three dimensions, those being educational level, type of employment, and economic level to an extent. We gain our identity through these different dimensions, so while we may believe that we are above social class, we actually accept and acquiesce in the idea of social class when it is considered in this manner."
Abstract This paper explores the political culture of the various ethnic and socio-economic groups in the U.S. and how participative they are in local and state governments. The writer believes that the social and economic status of a person or group of people has a bearing on their political power within the current American political system.
Contents:
The Factors of Political Culture
General Difference in Political Culture Between Native-Born and Immigrant Americans
Political Culture by Ethnic Background
Political Culture by Socio-Economic Background
Political Access: A Case Study: California
Conclusion
From the Paper "The culture of the politics of the United States of America is as diverse as the composition of its population. With a wide range of citizens from virtually every nation and culture around the world as well as myriads of citizens in different economic situations, one is likely to envision different viewpoints of politics from each of these groups. There are many reasons for the different viewpoints of politics. Firstly, the nature of the United States is for political freedom for all. People come to America from around the world to experience the freedoms granted by the Constitution to all citizens. Many arrive with certain premonitions of the nation that play a role in their political viewpoints and stances. Often, these viewpoints about the United States and its politics are widespread among the group and often specifically taught to the young."
Abstract This paper evaluates both the positive and negative effects of affirmative action policies today, with a particular focus on racial minorities, such as African-Americans and Latinos, in higher education. The paper defines affirmative action, traces the policies? history, examines their goals, and looks at the various legal challenges that have been mounted against these policies. Finally, the paper includes a critical examination of the arguments both for and against the continued use of affirmative action policies and concludes by taking the position that affirmative action policies are ineffective and actually harm the parties they are intended to benefit.
From the Paper "Jackson further argues that many affluent white students have access to SAT preparation scores and have the time and resources to participate in extracurricular activities and honor courses. This places many minority students from lower-income families who need to work after school and do not have resources for SAT preparation tests at a distinct disadvantage (Jackson 290). For proponents like Jackson, affirmative action is a way to address these discrepancies and ensure that disadvantaged youth receive an equal opportunity towards higher education."
Abstract The paper deals with the issues of globalization and its impact on the world economics. The paper also examines the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO), with regards to the liberation of the domestic economy of a country.
Contents:
Introduction
World Trade Organization
The pressures of globalization
International Political Economy
From the Paper "Total world trade in commodities, services, as well as intellectual assets stood at US $5 trillion in 1995, of which services and intellectual assets accounted for over $1 trillion. The WTO's regulations and ideology institute a set of regulations on the subject of the regulatory structure in which this substitute takes place. The WTO constructs upon the managerial formation that subsists under GATT backing as of the early 1990s. Subsequent to its formation in 1947, the GATT increasingly developed into a structure of great complication. Its contact extended progressively in reply to growths in the world economy and the well being of its participants."
Abstract This paper examines how, in "Understanding Administrative Evil", authors Guy B. Adams and Danny L. Balfour explore the idea and evolution of the concept of evil. It looks at how, over time, historical evil has evolved into administrative evil, a form of evil that is unique to modernity, and how the main differences between historical and administrative evil lie in the perpetrator's motivation. It analyzes how, to illustrate their arguments, Adams and Balfour cite numerous and varied cases of administrative evil, including the Jewish Holocaust, welfare reform, immigration, and the destructive organizational culture at NASA that spawned the Challenger tragedy.
From the Paper "To support their argument, Adams and Balfour apply their theory to a number of modern historical events. In their first study, the authors analyze the Holocaust, first by summarizing the debate between intentionalist and functionalist scholars. However, to fully understand the German society's complicity in the Holocaust, Adams and Balfour argue for a synthesis ? that the Holocaust grew out of a "confluence of historical and political forces, racist ideology and anti-Semitism, organizational competition and the bureaucratic processes of a highly developed modern society" (59)."
This paper discusses three political theories, liberalism, realism, and historical structuralism, as systematic approaches to the analysis of decision making, economics, and policy.
Abstract This paper explains that Liberalism, which has its origins in the classical economics of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, sees the world in economic terms and seeks to pacify the political environment through trade. The author points out that Realists, formalized in the 19th century, instead seek to address political matters as they stand in terms of perceived national interest. Historical Structuralism, an anthropological approach that first became popular in France in the 1960s, holds that the very social context in which decisions are made dictates their nature, as a society's "deep structure" dictates the nature with which it sees the world.
Table of Contents
Liberalism
Realism
Historical Structuralism
From the Paper "Realism isn?t always dictated by the self-interest of individuals; leaders may also act in the strategic interest of their country. This is seen as the justification for policies dictating the American "containment" of communist influences following the establishment of the communist government in China. It is easy to see most spot political decisions, which have little or no bearing upon the lives of policy makers, as being the result of strategic thinking designed to reach an optimal outcome."
Abstract Discusses the views and political activism of both men, their shared view of injustices in society, the nature and power of civil disobedience, the nonviolent approach and resistance to injustice, and the differences between the two.
From the Paper "Although Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was more politically active, both he and Henry David Thoreau strongly supported the idea of civil disobedience. Thoreau and King shared the view that there was much injustice in society, that it had to be confronted ..."
Abstract The recent concerns regarding bioterrorism have given rise to calls for a mass vaccination program against smallpox. The Bush Administration has floated plans to administer the smallpox vaccine to health care and military workers to protect against a smallpox outbreak in the United States. This paper examines the symptoms and morbidity rates of smallpox and studies the arguments both for and against a mass smallpox vaccination campaign.
From the Paper "Gilmore (2003) further notes that past statistics show that the smallpox vaccine poses a much higher level of risk compared to other vaccinations. For every million people vaccinated in the past, 14 to 52 persons experienced severe reactions. Furthermore, 1-2 people out of every 1 million who received the smallpox vaccine died. Authorities in the United States are further studying the possibility of a causal relationship between smallpox vaccination and subsequent deaths due to previously undiagnosed cardiac disease."
This paper reviews Nelson Mandela's autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom", in which he explains why he resisted the apartheid government and the methods of resistance he employed.
Abstract This paper discusses that Nelson Mandela, as the leader of the ANC, led the opposition against the government through nonviolent tactics such as boycotts, strikes, and non-cooperation. The author believes that his principles of peaceful resistance are the key to his success. The paper states that if Mandela had taken a different approach, he would not have been as successful because the ruthless apartheid government, which ruled South Africa, would have punished him much more harshly than just imprisoning him.
From the Paper "Nelson Mandela chooses to resist peacefully the Apartheid government through the ANC. He and his supports incorporate strikes, protests, boycotts and non-co-operation into their peaceful resistance. Mandela starts a movement based on his beliefs and those of the ANC. He ?creates a powerful national liberation movement based on under the banner of African national is and lead by ?African's themselves.?? (Mandela 112) The key idea that that makes Mandel success is Africans lead by Africans. This radical proposed change is the exact government the African people desire. Mandela and the ANC ?advocate the redivision of land on an equitable basis; the abolition of color bars prohibiting Africans from doing skilled work; and the need for free and compulsory education.? "
Tags: boycott, nonviolent, liberation, africa, color
Abstract This paper discusses how lawyers and politicians have a notorious reputation for their unethical characteristics and how politicizing the judiciary compromises the integrity of judges and the judicial system, in general. It examines the concept an independent judiciary, the status quo of obtaining a bench seat in California and on the federal level, the cons of the California system, and a plan for ensuring the independence of the judiciary in order to understand why change is needed in the current system.
From the Paper "The federal system for appointing judges differs from the state system. At the federal level judges are appointed by the president. Before they take the bench the senate must then approve the president's appointments. Federal judges are appointed for life, but federal judges can be removed from the bench by the process of impeachment if they are considered to be corrupt. By having these judges serve life terms they can make impartial decisions without fear of being voted off the bench in a retention election. This allows them to make judicial decisions by interrupting the letter of the law, rather than popular public opinion it allows the judiciary to remain independent from politics and current issues."
Abstract This paper begins by providing a history of the Federal Reserve System in the United States. It then details some background information and discusses its purpose in the economy. It assesses the Federal Reserve System's effectiveness and looks at its potential outcomes.
From the Paper "The Federal Reserve serves as the central bank of the United States. It was founded by the Congress in 1913 to serve the function of provide the nation with a secure and committed monetary and financial system.
Today the Federal Reserve holds the responsibilities in four areas: (1) conducting the nation's monetary policy; (2) supervising and regulating banking institutions and protecting the credit rights of consumers; (3) maintaining the stability of the financial system; and (4) providing certain financial services to the U.S. government, the public, financial institutions, and foreign official institutions."
Abstract This paper takes the position that, in light of the aftermath of the post-September 11 war with Iraq, Bush's justifications for going to war were questionable. The paper examines those justifications, as well as the facts and issues surrounding Bush, and the way they were reported by major-market journalists.
From the Paper "The justifications for the American attack on Iraq in March, 2003, was largely based on the political decisions of President George W. Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and others in his administration, that: a) Saddam Hussein was in the process of developing "weapons of mass destruction" and the United Nations inspectors should not be given more time to search suspected sites in Iraq for them; b) Saddam Hussein was linked to bin Laden's group of Islamic extremists, or terrorists, and was giving support and/or sanctuary to al Queda; c) Saddam Hussein was in the process of building nuclear weapons; c) attacking Saddam was part of the administration's ongoing ?war on terrorism.? But those justifications have not stood up well to the test of truth, and the test of time."
Tags: coalition, forces, occupation, rumsfeld, saddam, hussein, united, nations, inspectors
