Abstract In this article, the writer examines the issue of democracy. The writer maintains that the variances in democracy, political stability and human rights in Pakistan, Russia and the United Kingdom, are the direct result of a commitment to the democratic form of government. The writer points out that the evidence to support this contention is demonstrated through elements of the nation that are greatly affected by the structure of the nation.
From the Paper "In Russia and Pakistan the leaders have chosen to implement their own forms of democracy, without ensuring that the voice of the people plays a significant role in governmental operations. By contrast, the United Kingdom presents a nation that functions with the people firmly involved in the nation's future. Institutions are directly related to political stability in Pakistan, The United Kingdom and Russia because of the reliance that the public has on their functions within society."
Abstract This paper argues that democracy is the most just organization of society because the people have the right to determine who governs them. It contends that despite weaknesses that are associated with democratic government, democracies are better able to ensure that a just civil society will prevail than other forms of government.
From the Paper "Democracy is based upon the idea that the people have the right to determine who governs them and on the belief that legal limits should be imposed upon governmental authority by guaranteeing certain rights and freedoms..."
This paper presents an overview of Irish political structure, taking into consideration the historical factors that have produced the Irish state as it is currently structured and looking at what the future might bring to Ireland.
Abstract The following paper discusses the complex story of the political history of Ireland. The writer examines the complexities in this particular tale that arise primarily from the intricacies of colonization, and the particular kind of colonization inflicted on the Irish by the English. In addition the way in which the volatile religious climate of the land affected Irish history is also be explored.
Introduction
Making of the Modern Irish State
Implications for Comparative Politics,State, Society, and Economy
Governance and Policy-making
The Executive
Other Organizations of the State
Representation and Participation
The Legislature
Political Parties
Political Culture
Conclusion
From the Paper "Humans have inhabited Ireland for millennia, but an examination of the current political structure in Ireland does not have to go back quite so far. Where exactly to begin, however, remains a good question, for every historical event can be seen to have a precedent in what came before. But one of the most obvious places to begin is with the Irish Revolution.
Growing tension and resentment in Ireland over British rule at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries and the question of Irish independence set in motion a chain of events that came to be known as the Irish Revolution. Conflicts between nationalists, who wanted a completely independent Irish republic, and unionists, who wished to remain under British control, led to the establishment of armed paramilitary groups in both areas of the island."
This paper reviews and critiques the issue of morality and ethics in politics as depicted in Louis C. Gawthrop's book "Public Service and Democracy: Ethical Imperatives for the Twenty-First Century."
Abstract This paper focuses on the lack of morals and ethics in the political arena. The writer of this paper views morality as not something bad or improper, but rather as a decisive force in how one behaves. In his book "Public Service and Democracy: Ethical Imperatives for the Twenty-First Century," Louis C. Gawthrop argues for a government whose workers adhere to ethics and morals for the good of the country. This paper details each chapter in Gawthrop's book, including Chapter Two, in which Gawthrop is concerned with hypocrisy and pretense in the government. In Chapter Four, the author proposes his vision for a moral bureaucracy. Chapter Five consists of a specific example of how a part of the government bureaucracy can successfully employ the three virtues of faith, hope and love.
From the Paper "The development of public administration is the topic of chapter three. In particular, Gawthrop views the development of bureaucracy as exemplified by the development of the bureaucracy in the executive branch of the government. There is little detailed provision for bureaucracy in the Constitution, but there is an awareness in it that a bureaucracy will be needed. Gawthrop argues that with the development of bureaucracy comes demands for both "administrative responsibility and accountability." In chapter four, Gawthrop proposes his vision for a moral bureaucracy. A sense of public service has existed for thousand of years. Service should be for the greater good, and not for one's own purposes. awthrop argues that the values that should motivate bureaucracy are less responsibility and accountability than "faith, hope, and love."
Abstract This paper looks at the religion of Islam and the concept of democracy within the religion. The author first defines Islam and democracy and explains that, although the concept of democracy in pre-Islamic tribes in Arabia historically was not identical to present-day democracy, they share the same fundamental principles. The author goes on to explain how verse 4:59 from the Quran is very often misconstrued by dictators and monarchs to justify their undemocratic ways of ruling. The paper then lists and studies the key fundamentals of the Islamic political order and states that through proper interpretation, democracy does indeed exists in Islam.
Outline:
Defining Islam
Defining Democracy Misunderstanding the Concept of Democracy The Political System of Islam
Present Situation
Conclusion
From the Paper "This verse cannot be used to justify unlawfully comprised authority, as that would mean taking the Quranic verses out of context and changing their actual meaning. Looking at verse 4:59 in conjunction with verses 42:38 and 3:159, one can clearly deduct that the Quran means for Muslims to obey their democratically elected leaders. Therefore the formation of a legitimate, democratically elected authority is of fundamental significance. The idea of shura can be reinterpreted to confirm the modern view of democracy, including the creation of diverse democratic associations in which democratic appointment is obligatory."
Abstract This paper provides an American-centered look at the issue of democracy and how the United States has influenced other democracies in the world. It compares the United States to other "pure" and "impure" democracies" and draws on the recent September 11th attacks to show how America epitomises this political state.
From the paper:
"Democracy is defined as the "free and equal representation of people: the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government, often practiced by electing representatives of the people by the people" . Ever since King George tried to tax the colonies without allowing them a voice in the English political scene, Americans have fought mightily for their freedom, and for the ability to govern themselves. In doing so, they have also become a "beacon for democracy" around the world. Why? Because America's democratic system, although flawed, still works."
Tags: history, freedom, political, liberty, example, vote, terrorism, patriotism
Abstract This paper examines the freeze hypothesis of Lipset and Rokkam regarding the emergence of political parties. The paper looks at political parties in Western Europe and England that emerged in the sixties and seventies, contrary to the predictions of the freeze hypothesis. The paper suggests that the emergence of these parties is evidence that the freeze hypothesis and how it applies to Western democracies needs to be reconsidered.
From the Paper "Lipset and Rokkam's freezing hypothesis, published in the 1967, approached the political spectrum from their experiential paradigm. The party system in Europe, and indeed most of the western world, had evolved through a homogeneous process which had experienced little in the way of social upheaval. The economies of the West were based on societal evolutions form agriculture to industry which had smoothly transitioned, and formed the basis for social prosperity and order."
Abstract This paper examines the views of various researchers that contend that Islam has an inclination for authoritarianism and that Muslim nations have lower a chance of embracing democracy, regardless of economic developments. This paper also presents the views of academics who declare that Islam is a belief system which espouses an ideology of equality, tolerance and righteousness and cannot be branded as against democracy. The writer of this paper explores the correlation between Islam and democracy while discussing the fact that most Muslims think that democracy is an alien theory thrust upon them by the western world. This brief yet concise paper examines the political climate in several Muslim countries, including Iran and Turkey.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Objectives
Research Methodology
Tentative Chapters
Summary
Bibliography
From the Paper "In Iran, winning the election by President Mohammad Khatami and his reformist partners motivated a new generation but has not yet destabilized the clerical organization's power. On the other hand, in Turkey a party with Islamic moorings is shifting a dishonored system away from decades of disagreement and immobility, after a major election triumph in the year 2002. Turkey's practice underlies the vital role of political Islam as a force for transformation. The experience with Turkey shows the fact that several Muslims, regardless of their habitation in officially secular or officially Islamic countries, witness democracy as their foremost expectation and means of efficient political involvement. Expanding on current research, this doctoral study seeks to examine the whether democracy is compatible in the Islamic world."
A study on democracy in Iraq, looking at how much progress the country has made towards establishing democracy, the quality of its democracy and how well its institutions are functioning.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 5 sources, 2006, $ 71.95
Abstract This paper takes three of the fourteen topics provided on the Democratic Audit web site and apply them to a study of democracy in Iran. Specifically, the paper assesses the country's progress towards democracy, the quality of its democracy, and the functioning of its institutions - all by using the following three topics as a "measuring stick". These topics are a) civil and political rights, b) economic and social rights, and c) the extent of participation in the political process by various Iranian citizens.
A discussion regarding to what extent the functioning of political parties can explain the crisis of representation of the 'people' in modern democracies.
Abstract This paper takes an in-depth look at political parties and issues that surround representation of the people in modern democracies. According to the paper, political parties, in their organization and their functioning, display numerous problems in terms of representation. The paper focuses particularly on two of these problems, the modes of government and the modes of funding. The paper also analyzes the aftermaths of the logic of electoral competition for the representation of the membership and the electorate.
From the Paper "Political representation is quite a hard concept to grasp. It was rejected by the French during the Revolution as an impediment to the self-government of the people. Nonetheless, I will try to show that political representation is necessary for ensuring freedom in our modern democracies.
But first let us turn back to our French Revolution and the establishment of what could be considered as a quasi-totalitarian regime. In France, traditional feudal aristocratic society was undermined by an absolutist and centralist state. When the French Revolution broke out, the remaining feudal instances were destroyed even further (loi Le Chapelier), so that in fact only the individuals and the state remained without the traditional feudal corporations to mediate between them. The question then is how a society can be held together when it has been dismembered and robbed of the intermediary associations that had given it its concrete form and reality. Most revolutionaries followed republicans like Rousseau or Sieyes. The only way for them to bring about a post-feudal democratic order was by converting particular interests to the common good. Individuals were now called upon to set aside their particular preferences and to identify fully with the common will of the people in order to establish real popular sovereignty and equality. The Jacobin revolutionaries thus assumed that a true democracy could only be established if abstract democratic principles like formal equality, popular sovereignty or the unitary will of the people were indeed completely "turned into reality" (i.e. "actualized" or "materialized"), rather than merely respected (Weymans: 263-282). This is characteristic of totalitarian regimes. More so, to Claude Lefort totalitarianism represents a society's attempt to fully "materialize" or "actualize" democratic principles by making the people really one, equal, free or sovereign. That is also what distinguishes them from democratic regimes. While the totalitarian state tries to realize the principles (by embodying them), a democratic state prevents a society from realizing these (through representation), thus remaining distinct from and dependent on society. This distinction or alienation of the state from society is indeed necessary."
Abstract This paper discusses the most influential of Plato's works, "The Republic". The author analyzes Plato's anti-democratic concept of the philosopher king, or the hypothetical ruler - that he should rule wisely and dispassionately, without a desire for personal gain like an autocrat. The paper also discusses Plato's ideal form of society, which is a carefully structured caste system and membership in each social stratum based upon each individual's capabilities. While agreeing with Plato's notions of the ideal republic, the author argues that the ideal selection of the philosopher king most often than not results from a shadowy and undemocratic process. The author also advocates that although democracy may sometimes be seen as a failure, it is a failure of choice.
From the Paper "According to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, the true philosopher-king is an individual who, though once imprisoned like his fellow dwellers on earth, justifies his leadership of a society because of his liberation from the intellectual constraints created by the superficial nature of material, mundane human existence. Plato's concept of the nature of reality, the ability of human beings to apprehend knowledge within their cognitive limits, and his view of how society should be reconstructed are all tied to his fundamentally anti-democratic notion of the ideal 'philosopher king.' The ideal king rules wisely and dispassionately, without a desire for personal gain like an autocrat, or with an easily-swayed will like that of a demos, or democratic body of citizens ruling a polis by consensus"
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 discusses how the United States is a nation that has been an active advocate for a democratic form of government. It examines how the author Edward Greenberg provides his readers with some ideas about the contemporary outlook of the democratic political system existing in the society today. It looks at how he believes that the United States does not fulfill the expectations of the three important models of democracy that have been conceived by social and political scientists in their study of democracy-- the Participatory, Liberal- Representative and Pluralist models of democracy. It analyzes whether Greenberg's beliefs are true in the U.S.'s status at present as a democratic nation, or if one of these models actually applies to the form of government the U.S. is currently practicing.
From the Paper "The Participatory Model of Democracy is considered a direct from of democracy, wherein people actively and directly participate in the control and governance of a nation. The Participatory Model of Democracy is characterized as a form of democracy wherein "citizens play an active role in the government through" assemblies and? councils? (American Democracy Online 2003). Further, the Participatory model is best described as the democracy model wherein citizen involvement plays a major role in the control and governance of a nation. The Liberal-Representative Model, meanwhile, is the exercise of democracy by its citizens in an indirect manner. In this model, the citizens play a "passive" role in controlling and governing the nation. Instead, a representative is assigned by the citizenry to serve as the "voice" of the people. This model gives the citizenry the option to oust or vote a representative out of office if the representative proved to be inadequate in representing the citizenry's interest and implementing the form of control and governance the citizens wanted to have."
Abstract This paper examines how the existence of the Cold War had many effects on liberal democratic states and also affected to a degree the way in which democracy was, and continues to be, understood in these states. The paper explains that this includes the United States, which in some ways has come to see democracy as a given that more and more people have been willing to give up aspects of a democratic state in the face of a threat, as has been seen in the acquiescence of the people to a variety of intrusions on their democratic rights since 9-11. The paper also discusses how the success of democracy in the Cold War should have solidified that political ideology as to be preferred, but its very success seems to have opened it to new threats from within. In conclusion, the paper shows that more and more, liberal democracies are defining themselves in terms of collective security over individual preference, and this signals a profound shift in thought that only makes the future more uncertain.
From the Paper "Schlesinger says that America in the past has stood as an example of a federal, multi-ethnic society that worked, but he seems to believe that this is no longer the case. The U.S. has worked because it has been able to offer answers to the question of what reasons are there for different ethnic groups to see themselves as part of the same nation. Schlesinger now sees an eruption of ethnicity in America, which may have many good consequences, but which he also believes has many bad consequences."
Tags: autonomy, terrorism, politics, America, security, Cold, War
Abstract This paper profiles a typical Latin American revolution and examines why these countries are so susceptible to these uprisings. It addresses the historical, social & cultural variables of a revolution and the possible moves to democracy. It also examines a few of the successful Latin American democracies and asks what makes them prosper.
From the Paper "Revolution is a sudden, forcible change of the political and social order often accompanied by violence, in which a significant section (not always a majority) of the population participates. Revolution usually occurs when a general climate of discontent exists in a society. A modern historian, Craine Brinton, has analyzed the conditions in a society ripe for revolution and saw a pre-Revolutionary society as ?having a combination of social and political tensions, caused by a gradual breakdown of the values of a society.?"
