Abstract Juvenile crime has become one of America's most prominent issues, even as the overall crime rate has declined to the lowest point in decades. Several celebrated cases have helped create an image of teenagers run amok and younger and younger kids committing major felonies. Once apprehended, these children enter a juvenile justice system that many claim utilizes an outdated approach. In some cases, murderers have gone free at age 25 simply because that is the incarceration limit for the juvenile justice system. The paper shows that, in response, an advocacy group placed a get-tough measure (called Proposition 21) on the California ballot. This initiative, which passed overwhelmingly (62 percent to 38 percent), calls for dramatic changes in the juvenile justice system. This paper examines Proposition 21, highlighting the arguments for and against the initiative and submits that the initiative ultimately is a fatally flawed attempt to correct a problem that has been greatly overstated.
From the Paper "The solution to these problems, according to the authors, lies in junking the current juvenile justice system and making it more like the adult courts. The juvenile court philosophy of rehabilitation and treatment of juvenile offenders was adopted at a time when most juvenile crime consisted of petty offenses. That philosophy is woefully out of date at a time when juveniles are increasingly committing violent crimes, and it leaves the public at risk (California Secretary of State)."
An examination of the economic effect of government intervention in the health care industry and ways in which policy decisions may affect Americans in the future.
Abstract This paper discusses how the government regulates much of the health care industry through agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and how government subsidies (including Medicare) are an integral part of the health care delivery system in the United States. It examines how the government has chosen to outsource the processing of claims generated through Medicare to outside agencies in order to increase service levels and decrease costs to the government. It looks at how direct costs increase as the amount of regulation and reporting requirements increase and how competition decreases as providers move out of the market as their profit margins are eroded by the increased costs associated with supporting government regulation.
From the Paper "When President Clinton proposed prescription drug coverage under Medicare in mid-1999, the health care industry moved to combat the proposal, which it considered amounted to price controls on the industry (Stone, 1999, p. 2082). From an economic perspective, the increased lobbying effort will likely lead to an increase in the cost of doing business for drug companies, and consumers are likely to see an increase in prices as a result. Prescription drugs have a relatively inelastic demand schedule (even generic drugs can vary significantly from their ethical counterparts), and some conditions can only be treated effectively with a single product. Lacking widespread substitute goods, suppliers in this industry are able to pass along any increased costs (such as might be associated with lobbying to protect the industry's interests) to consumers."
Abstract This paper argues against the general historic consensus that Franklin D. Roosevelt was an advocate for the American people and that his New Deal organizations had the charitable agenda to redistribute wealth and power in the U.S. The paper shows that those historians who believe this idea fail to recognize the social and economic realities of the 1930s. During this decade the majority of the American people were starved, poor and unemployed. The author of the paper argues that Franklin D. Roosevelt's seemingly liberal reforms imposed by the New Deal did not effectively draw upon the wealthy to provide assistance to the needy, but were proposed in a manner that helped FDR maintain his position as president. As chief executive, Roosevelt enacted measures to preserve capitalism in order to increase government power.
From the Paper "Roosevelt was a shrewd politician who used empty promises to appeal to the average citizen and gain initial public support for his presidency during the depression. Thus, people were easily misled to believe that Roosevelt's actions as president equally benefited labor and industry. During the early 1930's millions had lost their jobs and ?men, women, and children were perishing because of plain lack of food and undernourishment.? This caused Americans to lose faith in the capitalistic system and turn towards the government for help. Entering office in 1932, Roosevelt was expected to solve the "serious [economic] problems" in America, which had caused men to lose their ?sense of security for the present and future necessary to the peace and contentment of the individual and his family.?"
Abstract Philosophers have held different ideas about the nature of freedom and human beings' responsibility for their own liberty. A review of three conceptions of freedom in this paper, held by John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Dewey, demonstrates how such ideas were often developed in direct relationship to the writers' own times and circumstances. The paper shows that Locke was an Englishman living in a nation where certain rights were guaranteed but a balance had to be maintained between the rights of individuals and the power of the crown. Rousseau wrote in the shadow of the despotism inherent in the absolute monarchy of France. It shows that Dewey lived in the world's first representative democracy, where freedom had long been guaranteed and its exercise was the responsibility of the individual.
From the Paper "Each of these three conceptions opposes its idea of freedom to the oppressiveness of tyranny and each places responsibility for securing freedom on human beings themselves. But where Locke saw this as an occasional matter that arose when tyrants gained control of government, Rousseau believed that individuals, having imposed their corrupt institutions on themselves by giving up too much of their freedom, needed to rid themselves of these limiting conditions and replace them with new institutions that worked in accordance with the natural liberty that had been forfeited by civilized humanity. Dewey, who lived, after all, in a representative democracy, disregarded such concerns and saw it as each individual's responsibility to expand her/his sphere of action by making intelligent choices--regardless of whether such choices involved action within one's family, one's profession, or one's society."
Abstract Joseph Stalin was not a theorist, but he was a consummate politician. In the 1920s, Marxist-Leninist theoretical grounding was a primary mode of legitimation for those who aspired to leadership of the Russian Communist Party. The paper shows that Stalin was, therefore, always able to elucidate an appropriate theoretical pedigree for whatever he believed was the best course for the new nation or, not incidentally, for his own political ends. The paper shows that Stalin's first Five Year Plan -- adopted, modified and approved between September 1928 and April 1929 -- was just such a course of action. It explains how he changed his previously stated intentions and ideologies in order to develop the Five Year Plan and remain in power as the leader of Communist Russia.
From the Paper "From his earliest study of Marxist theory Stalin was attracted to dialectical materialism as a world view that provided "a coherent overall philosophical image of the world" and conceived of society past and present "as a great battleground whereon two hostile forces -- bourgeoisie and proletariat -- are locked in mortal combat" (Tucker 118, 119). Socialism flowed inevitably, logically from Marx's systematic thought and justified the revolutionary extremism that had a special appeal for Stalin. In his early political incarnation Stalin sided with the so-called "hards" who were opposed to the moderation of the left. He became a leading proponent of Lenin's militant interpretation of Marx and, as a leading advocate of Bolshevism, Stalin "found himself in his spiritual element" (121)."
Abstract The writer discusses the thesis that the United Nations is nothing but a reflection of the whole world and is a collective repository of our own ambitions, failures and deceit. The paper uses sources from recent conflicts to prove that nations should stop blaming the UN and start putting their own governments in order.
From the Paper "The role of peace keeping and peace building that the UN was entrusted with is enshrined in its Charter. The United Nations Charter states that the main objective of the United Nations is to spare future generations from the scourge of war, ?to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace. The rising number of armed conflicts is sending a strong message to the United Nations that if it were to continue to respond to international crises in an effective manner, it must maintain the process of review and reform its peacekeeping missions."
Abstract This paper begins by describing the strong influence white supremacist groups used to have in the United States, while questioning whether this influence still exists. In the years following the defeat of the Confederacy by the Union, resistance to Reconstruction and changes in the status of former African slaves was to emerge throughout the American South. Supremacist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and Knights of the White Camellia were formed in part by southern leaders in the 1860s to destroy the voting power of newly freed slaves and to do damage to carpetbag misrule. According to the paper, such organizations are restructuring themselves into survivalist groups that are calling for increased cultural separatism. The author further contends that such groups do exist and do exert an influence over American political and social systems, but their actual presence and influence in American life is most probably less than one might suspect.
From the Paper "It was, however, the formal resistance to the policies of Reconstruction in the form of the Klan that most troubled race relations in the South during an long after Reconstruction. Martin and Roberts (1989, pp. 501 -502) quote a historian of the Klan who asserted that it "whipped, shot, hanged, robbed, raped and otherwise outraged Negroes and Republicans across the South in the name of preserving white civilization." A major goal of the Klan was to intimidate Republican voters and electoral candidates (including those Blacks who were affiliated with the Party) and to restore Democrats to office."
Abstract This paper examines the philosopher John Locke's Locke's theory of empiricism, that everything learned through previous experience, is accurate and relevant in today's society. In particular it shows how although Locke's proposal of empiricism is over 300 years old, all aspects are still applicable and how Locke's rejection of innate ideas, his suggestion that all ideas are a result of reflection and sensation and that observations are either simple or complex, are precise and cannot be disproved in today's society.
From the Paper "Individuals often wonder why humans are able to think abstract thoughts and why animals are incapable of this. Locke proposed that in order for a thought to occur, the two foundations of knowledge must be present. These foundations are: observations of sensation and observations of reflection. External observation such as loud, red and cold are observations of sensation; they come to us through our senses. Internal observations such as thinking, remembering, and perceiving are observations of reflection. Locke states "the senses at first let in particular ideas, and furnish the yet empty cabinet: and the mind by degrees growing familiar with some of them, they are logged in the memory, and names go to them" (Locke, 65). "
Abstract This paper explores the issue of campaign finance reform in the United States. The paper looks at both sides of the issue, the first being the continuing quest for money versus complaints about how money taints the process. The paper looks at all other issues related to this topic including whether money is a corrupting influence, the constitutionality of campaign finance reform. The paper concludes that the issues which divide public and political opinion in the U.S. may not be able to be resolved.
From the Paper "It may be impossible to bring the two sides together. The Supreme Court has ruled that donating money to political parties or candidates is a form of free speech, but this does not mean the practice cannot be better controlled--even speech is not completely unfettered from legal restrictions. For that matter, while donations may be free speech, how candidates spend those donations may not be. Public funding of elections, though, would not undercut the need for these vast amounts of money unless restrictions on spending were also imposed."
Abstract This paper presents a review of the life and career of American President Andrew Johnson. As little is known about this man, the writer provides a background and history of his life and a review of the highlights of his presidency. The writer points out that Johnson was the first president to ever be impeached. The paper compares his presidency to other, possibly more well known presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln. The paper includes a review of the major issues which were present at the time of Johnson's reign, including slavery and the reconstruction of the country after the civil war.
From the Paper "As a matter of fact, neither author really tells us much about Johnson, or even how he was nominated as Lincoln's vice-president. In 1864, as the Republicans re-nominated Lincoln, they nominated Johnson, who was perhaps the most militant Unionist serving in the South, as vice president. It was, in a way, a reward for helping to pass a law in Tennessee which abolished slavery in perpetuity. Thus, a Jacksonian Democrat became the running mate for the Republican President, Lincoln."
Abstract This research paper discusses what has been done in recent years and what can be done in the future to make long term care better for the elderly who are no longer able to care for themselves. It looks at the impact of cost, quality and access of Medicare, Medicaid and new technology in nursing homes. The paper defines what nursing homes are, and how they operate.
From the Paper "The number of elderly who are living longer is on the rise because of new methods of treatments, new medications and use of medical technology to improve their life span. On any given day, nursing homes, or as many are now called, "long-term care facilities", are caring for about one in twenty Americans over the age of 65. Almost half of all Americans turning 65 this year will be admitted into a nursing home at least once. It is projected that in 2020, 40 percent of Americans will die in nursing homes. As the numbers increase in utilization of nursing homes, there is increasing concern about cost, quality and access- concerns that need to get attention."
Abstract This paper begins by describing current statistics relating to poverty in American households. It states that the statistics indicate that poverty is disproportionately higher in single parent families than nuclear families. It looks at the social affect of this phenomena - ranging from abuse, high-school drop out rates, pregnancy and drug usage. It also discusses how poverty affects different ethnic groups in America, with the focus on African-American families.
From the Paper "If current trends continue, especially in metropolitan areas like New York, Aless than half of all children born today will live continuously with their father and mother throughout childhood@ (Whitehead 11). Statistics now reveal that there are more than 11.5 million single-parent families in the U.S. According to the U.S., census bureau, about one-third of these families are poor. Poverty does not come merely from a single parent heading a family, but that the majority of these families are headed by women, who have few job skills, and little time to even work, in order to care for their children. Child support received nationwide in recent years totaled more than $28 billion. And there are few signs of this sort of economic cost of single-parent families, the majority black, of being reduced. Why is family structure a major cause of poverty? One answer is the failing family structure of the urban ghettos: AChanges in the family structure resulting in a decline of husband-wife families@ (Wilson 87)."
Abstract The philosophies of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau encompass a spectrum of thought on how a state should be governed. This paper discusses how at one end is the cynicism of Machiavelli and, to some extent, Hobbes. Their ideas are countered by the democratic optimism of Locke and Rousseau. It shows how, at the heart of each of these essays is each philosopher's assessment of the fundamental character of people and how much they can be trusted to govern themselves.
From the Paper "Throughout The Prince moral codes seem irrelevant to the business of running a state. The survival of the sovereign is the highest priority. At times Machiavelli seems to be writing guidelines for tyrants. According to him, a prince is safer if he is feared rather than loved. It is easier, Machiavelli maintains, for people to offend, or betray, someone they love than someone they fear. How is that fear instilled? ?Fear is maintained by a dread of punishment which never fails.? ( Santoni 120 ).
In Leviathan , Hobbes, like Machiavelli, stresses the importance of a powerful sovereign, however his philosophy of government seems less tyrannical than that of Machiavelli. ?During the time when men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war, and such a war as is of every man against every man.? (Santoni 143)."
Abstract The paper discusses the different forms of political humor available and the range of media now available, from newspaper cartoons to digital clips sent by e-mail. The paper examines how political humor has become an increasingly influential force in the American political scene, with high profile politicians, such as the President, often becoming the main target of jokes. The paper portrays such humor as a useful tool in keeping citizens lighthearted in tense situations.
From the Paper "In the United States, political humor has become a very popular entertaining form of entertainment, and is used as a way to make light of political situations and poke fun at the politicians that have been elected and are in the national spotlight. Political humor has been in newspapers and other forms of mass media since the elections of some of the first politicians. However, unlike the comedians of the French Revolution Era, political humorists today will not be beheaded for making jokes about the president."
Abstract This paper discusses how the attacks on September 11th took the American population by surprise and how they thought they were immune from domestic terror. It demonstrates many of the primary causes of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the resulting effects of such a broad-spectrum attack on the American people. It shows that the perceived false sense of safety and security exhibited by the American people resulted in a complacent attitude within the American government, which affected the effectiveness of the law enforcement agency to prevent the 9/11 attacks. It examines how law enforcement officials overlooked warning signs that may have prevented the attack on the World Trade Center.
From the Paper "What were the causes of the 9/11 tragedies? The effects of the attacks are obvious; the American people find themselves? plunged into a war against a foe unseen. The U.S. government finds itself engaged in conflict unknown. No forewarning existed from our enemy, no warning from our multi-billion dollar defense systems, no prior intent of aggression. How are the American people to know of future impending attacks? What will prevent further terrorist activity and violence from our unforeseen enemy? One can only draw the conclusion that government complacency resulted in overlooking and dismissal of critical intelligence reports and information that might have prevented the World Trade Center attacks, and information that may prevent future attacks."
