Abstract This paper discusses how one of the most favorite and interesting political books of all time is "Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: A Series of Very Plain Talks on Very Practical Politics" by William L. Riordan. This book offers an insight into the New York politics of the Democratic Party during the time of 1850 until 1893. It examines how George Washington Plunkitt was a renowned Tammany ward boss, an image of New York politics and very well-liked by the common people. It shows how the author allows the reader to gain a fuller appreciation of the politics of Tammany Hall and the patronage system.
From the Paper "The character of Plunkitt embraces the reader to his vices and almost makes one forget that his antics might be unacceptable where his character not so likeable. The philosophy of Plunkitt is one that is easy to follow. He believes that the game of politics can make one rich. He sums up his fortune by stating, "I seen my opportunities and I took 'em." One of the opportunities that he took was in the area of real estate. He would buy up property, and then when the city needed to make improvements or buy property, Plunkitt had plenty to offer for sell. He attributed his honest scheme to investment and foresight. That was his example of honest graft."
Tags: new, york, patronage, system, democratic, party
Abstract Even before the adoption of the Constitution, political parties were beginning to form in American. The paper shows that those who favored the Constitution were called Federalists and were led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. Another group, led by Thomas Jefferson, opposed the adoption of the Constitution and was known as Anti-federalists. The paper describes how the Anti-federalists broke up after the Constitution was ratified, but they set the stage for the development of other political parties, resulting in the two party system that we have today.
Table of Contents:
I. Introduction
II. The Development of Political Parties
III. The Constitution and Political Parties
IV. The Changing Ideology of Political Parties
V. Conclusion
From the Paper "Political parties realign their ideologies to meet changing times and sentiments. For example, the Antifederalists and their successors favored an agrarian economy and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. But, once Jefferson became President, he had to change his philosophy because the Louisiana Purchase could only be justified by a broad interpretation of the Constitution. He also saw that the future of the country was tied to manufacturing and trade, so he dropped his opposition to these activities. Today, Democrats, who started out as states rights advocates and who preferred limited federal power now generally favor bigger government, federal involvement, and social intervention."
Abstract The United States is a country founded on the notion of protected civil liberties. After all, the pioneers who came to the country in the 18th century were themselves fleeing from persecution and seeking the freedom to practice their religious beliefs and the right to discuss their diverging views in public. Today, these freedoms are protected by law under the Bill of Rights. They serve to protect individual freedoms from encroachment by the government. It is largely through the Bill of Rights that the Constitution limits the government's powers over the rights of individuals. This paper examines the dual role the government takes in approaching such freedoms. First is the passive role, where the law prescribes that the government limit its role in matters of individual civil liberties. This includes the hands-off policy the government is supposed to take in matters such as freedom of the press and privacy rights. The second part of the paper then examines the government's more active role in enabling people to practice their civil liberties. This includes affirmative action policies that help address the historic inequality in the treatment of minorities and women.
From the Paper "In cases of freedom of speech, for example, many government bodies and private citizens have raised concerns regarding the effects of violent media on viewers, particularly children. Most proponents of media regulations are also interested in protecting free speech and the free circulation of ideas. However, critics like Roger Kimball and his followers maintain that brutal and violent images in media generate violence within their viewers, by corrupting individual morals. Because of this, Kimball maintains that the government "also has an interest in protecting the moral sensibility of its citizens, especially the young" (21)."
Abstract This paper explores the history of feminism and the feminist movement in America. The writer believes that while definite progress has been made, especially in terms of women participating in the workforce, there is still room for discussion and debate in the future. The paper begins with a review of the period 1848 - 1860, essentially the first rumblings of the feminist movement. The paper then explores the official introduction of the women's suffrage movement, through to the 1960's and 1970's when the women's rights movement really began to show force.
From the Paper "The way to feminism has certainly been a long a winding road. We"ve been through periods that have embraced wide-ranging issues, limited discourse to appease conservatives, ignored the rights of women completely, and that have recognized the importance of working women and their rights. But, throughout all these twisted paths, we haven"t seen the passage on an Equal Rights Amendment that would finally say equal rights under the law cannot be denied because of sex. But, perhaps there's still hope. In the 107th Congress (2001 -2002), the Equal Rights Amendment has been introduced by Senator Edward Kennedy and Representative Carolyn Maloney. Hopefully, this is the next chapter in the evolution of feminism."
Abstract A brief description of the homeless situation in the United States. This paper includes demographic data and statistics as well as future prospective trends. This writer also discusses public policy and suggestions for solving the problem.
From the Paper "Homelessness is inextricably linked to poverty. The poor are not able to afford housing, health care, education, food and often child care (National pg). Because housing constitutes such a large portion of income, many are forced to drop that expense in order to simply supply the necessities of existence, such a food, clothing, and health care. Unfortunately, homelessness is simply a paycheck or illness away for the many of the population (National pg)".
Abstract This paper argues that the document "The Declaration of Man and Citizen" accurately represents Rousseau concept of the social contract and that it had a foremost influence on the intellectual development of the French Revolution. The paper concludes that Rousseau would have agreed to most of the articles in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, as it ensures both liberty and equality among men, two of the most fundamental concept in Rousseau's political philosophy.
From the Paper "In his masterpiece "The Social Contract" Rousseau proposes solutions of the problems he diagnosed in his "Origins of Civil Society" and ?Discourse on Inequality". With the famous phrase "man is born free, but he is everyone in chains," Rousseau states that the modern nations in which royal entities repress the freedom of the ordinary people are in actuality suppressing their natural rights and thus forsake their civil rights. According to Rousseau the only solution to the problems is to form a social contract, which is agreed upon by all the members of the society, whether rich or poor."
Abstract This paper discusses the issues surrounding direct democracy on the local and state levels, in an effort to determine whether or not wealthy interest groups influence referendums, ballot initiatives, and other forms of direct legislation at the expense of the broader public interest. The paper looks at the issue from both viewpoints, citing that many people believe that direct legislation has been taken over by the very same wealthy interests whose power it was created to decrease, while many counter that big spending does not necessarily mean big influence.
From the Paper "The referendum refers to the power of the people to approve or reject acts of the legislature (Knutsen, 2002). Referendum comes in several forms depending on the nature of the legislation to which it applies. The referendum can be broken down into four dimensions: form of legislation (including constitutional amendments, ordinary statutes, and fiscal issues), initiator (including citizens, legislature, the president and the states), advisory or binding, and voluntary or compulsory."
Abstract This paper examines the one child policy in countries such as China and Tibet including the reasons for the establishment of the law and a discussion as to whether or not the outcome of the law is what the government intended. It also looks at the different activist groups in the United States who wish to make this policy U.S. law and debates the pros and cons of such a policy for the government.
From the Paper "A California group known as KZPG, (Western TV and Radio Braodcasters for Zero Population Growth) has organized a campaign to instill the One Child Policy in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, the group believes that the earth's natural resources are being destroyed by man's increasing need for housing and development. They estimate that in the near future the majority of the earth's natural resources will be contaminated because of overpopulation. Therefore, the organization invites families to pledge their commitment to having only one child. To date the organization has received 192 pledges."
Tags: abortion, activist, china, population, tibet
Abstract This paper will discuss the philosophy of Hobbes and Locke, and seek to compare their ideas on modern political philosophy. By understanding human nature, origin of the state, the nature of government, and the right of revolution, we can see how they influence ach other through history.
Abstract This paper examines the issue of campaign finance reform, where the issues involved are reported to be heralded by politicians yet the record of legislation does not verify their public support. In addition, the bills do not fully address the problems involved in campaign finance reform and tend to detract attention from more important areas. The McCain- Feingold bill will be used as an example in support of this particular argument.
Abstract At the outset, it is important to note that although the Prime Minister of Canada has a number of great powers, s/he may be reluctant to use them to the full. Each Prime Minister has their own style: some rely more on the direction of their cabinet, while others may choose to pave Canada's political road without considering the views of colleagues. For this reason, the accurate response to the question of whether or not the Prime Minister is too powerful depends almost solely on the Prime Minister in question. For the purposes of this paper, the avenues of power available to any Prime Minister will be considered.
Abstract Consider the broadest negative results that corrupt police officers have on urban communities. When police are abusive, it undermines legitimate attempts at curbing urban crime, such as "community policing." What community wants an alliance with corrupt police officers? Police corruption also prompts honest citizens to question the truism that more police officers on the street will result in actual reductions in crime. Unlike police brutality, police corruption is often viewed as a victimless crime because the victim is a neighborhood rather than an individual. This paper examines these points from the context of the Rampart Scandal.
Abstract How to promote leadership in government agencies; differences between public-sector and private-sector motivators for leaders; dealing with bureaucracy as a leadership skill; developing mentoring leaders in order to pass on key leadership skills.
Abstract Michael S. Sherry is a professor of history at Northwestern University. His research and writing focuses on the role played by military force and strategy in American foreign policy. His book, "The Rise of American Air Power: The Creation of Armageddon" won the 1988 Bancroft Prize in American history.
Examines the period of U.S. History during the Presidency of Richard Nixon and the enduring consequences of his presidency, especially with regard to the Watergate Scandal.
2,150 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 11 sources, 2002, $ 80.95
Abstract Nixon resigned from his office nearly thirty years ago, and his legacy continues to be shrouded in controversy. He was a complex, inconsistent, and highly contradictory personality whose presidency was an extremely mixed bag of successes, failures, and confusion. Nixon once made the prediction that by the turn of the century, he would begin to be viewed in a more favorable light. Marked by solid achievements both at home and abroad, Nixon's work while in office ended the Imperial Presidency, reopened Western communication with China and Russia, helped see the country through its first round of serious welfare reform; in short, Nixon did have a significantly positive impact upon the nation. But, it was Watergate that opened the doors to the seedier and frightening side of the Nixon Presidency. Secret tapings, brutal escalations in Vietnam, conspiracies to harm other politicians, and his involvement in the thefts at Watergate all cast a deep shadow over what Nixon had been able to accomplish. The most egregious abuses of executive privilege occurred under President Nixon who invoked that doctrine to shield embarrassing and incriminating information (Rozell, 762). It is the purpose of this paper to examine the Presidency of Richard M. Nixon, and to pay special attention to the implications of Watergate both during and after his term.
