Abstract This paper explains that, with the impressive economic performance and harmony of the European Union (EU), it seems to be an excellent time to finally establish a constitution for this organization. The author relates that, in 2004, the 25 heads of state of the member countries signed a treaty establishing an EU constitution; however, each member country needed to approve it independently by their own national means. The paper describes that France and the Netherlands rejected this treaty through a referendum vote. The author points out that the most controversial aspect of the constitution was the creation of a foreign minister and a common foreign and defense policy. The paper stresses that, with the many diverse national interests of each of the 27 member nations, it is almost impossible to form a common foreign policy decision as exemplified by the drastically different policies for the war in Iraq.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Major Points of the Constitution
Pro and Con Reasoning
Unpleasant Setbacks in France and the Netherlands
Future of the Constitution
Conclusion
From the Paper "Many of the arguments for the constitution are outlined in the previous section discussing the contents of the constitution. As one can see, the argument for the constitution was based largely on making the EU a more democratic organization. Many of the pro camp also saw this as an opportunity to strengthen the European institutions in order to take on the many new member countries that were added in 2004. Furthermore, many believe that the main reason behind the constitution was to propel European unification even further."
Abstract This paper examines several recent attempts at democratization in the 20th century. The paper suggests that in Japan and Germany in the years following World War II, Allied attempts to foster the creation of democratic societies were successful to varying degrees. The paper then concludes that consequently many have drawn a parallel between democratization in those nations and current attempts to create a democratic society in Iraq.
From the Paper "The Process of Democratization: How Does the Current Issue in Iraq Contrast with the Process in Post-World War II Germany and Japan? The process of democratization in a nation is not as simple and straightforward as many politicians would have us believe. This is evident when we examine several recent attempts at democratization in the 20th century. In Japan and Germany in the years following World War II, Allied attempts to foster the creation of democratic societies were successful to varying degrees."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the matter of democratization in Hong Kong. The writer looks at activism in favor of democratization. Further the writer examines forces against democratization in Hong Kong.
From the Paper "The issue of democratization in Hong Kong is one that has polarized the former British colony, now a part of the People's Republic of China. Since the handover proceedings in 1997 and in the years leading up to it, there has been a strong political activism in favor of democratization. And while it can be difficult in the West, sometimes, to imagine a people that would not be wholeheartedly in favor of increased democratization, there are equally strong forces in Hong Kong acting to resist democratization."
This in-depth paper analyzes the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and Federalist Papers while contending that these historical works of writing contain the basic principles which most democratic societies around the world are built upon.
Abstract This well-researched paper, written as a proposal intended for a fictitious remote island in the South Pacific, details the basic principles needed to create a viable and prosperous democratic society. This paper contains selected texts from the U.S. Constitution, Federalist Papers and the Bill of Rights which are all crucial building blocks when instituting a democratic government. This paper also lays out a plan for creating an expedient and profitable economy by making use of existing resources such as land and agriculture.
From the Paper "Given the fact that each state will have its own government for the conduct of its own internal affairs, Article IV is applicable since it contains provisions that pertain to the responsibility of the states to each other and of the central government to the states. This is an important part of the effort to conduct business in each region in such a way that the national interest will be upheld. I suggest that you adopt a similar set of measures to regulate internal affairs in the future as you become more involved in commerce with the rest of the world and with your neighbors in the Pacific."
Tags: democracy, government, history, democratic, society, united, states, bill, of, rights, constitution, plan
Abstract This paper presents an evaluation of the democratic peace theory. It contends that in modern times there is no unambiguous case of a war between democratic states, even in situations where great-power rivalry was to be expected.
From the Paper "Since the end of the Cold War a good deal of attention has been given to the so-called DPT or democratic peace theory. This theory proposes that states with democratic political ..."
Tags:democratic, peace, international, relations, war, realist, theory
Abstract This paper studies the democratization processes and outcomes in four countries: Kuwait, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. The paper employs a multi-unit comparison. The paper begins by looking at economic issues that shape the current geopolitical situation and process of democratization, examining, specifically the effect of oil wealth of the Middle East. Next the paper discusses several key variables such as national and religious culture, political structure and geographic location. The paper concludes by comparing and contrasting Muslim/Eastern and Western views.
From the Paper "The research problem to be addressed centers upon the relationship between democratization and the economic system of the so-called renter state, specifically focusing on those states..."
Tags:democratization, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela
Abstract The purpose of this study is to review some of the existing literature on the subject of democratization in Iran. The goal is not to draw any specific conclusions about this political process or its prospects for success or failure. These are questions that can be examined and answered elsewhere. Instead the paper examines what current theorists are saying about the possibility of democratization in Iran and points out some existing trends in the literature that will guide further research into this issue.
From the Paper "One of the most persistent discussions in the Western world, especially in political seats of power, in recent years has been the issue of Iran. Specifically, with Western and Islamic nations aligning themselves in direct conflict to one another, the possibility that Iran might develop nuclear weaponry is frightening for many Westerners. However, there is also increased discussion about the possibility of democratization in Iran. While this might seem a strange possibility given the general conception of Iran as an Islamic fundamentalist nation ruled with an authoritarian fist, the possibility is discussed seriously. Whereas recent U.S. efforts to democratize Iraq have been almost entirely imported, there is strong popular support for democratization in Iran. However, reconciling this popular demand with the authoritarian institutional structures in the nation is no easy task and should not be treated as such."
Abstract This paper looks into the practice of politics in the United States. The writer discusses the polarity in conservative/liberal political views, as represented by the two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans. The writer demonstrates that the significance of this study is to foster an understanding of how the pluralistic dimension of political discourse affects politics in the United States.
From the Paper "The prevalent political culture of the United States has shaped the way politics are practiced. Political culture is the inherited set of beliefs, attitudes and opinions Americans have about how their government ought to operate. We know that there is an overall shared culture through information derived from voting, polls, books, speeches and what we see on the media. The foundation of political culture is based on certain common values including the freedoms in the Bill of Rights, liberty, equality, individual responsibility, democracy ... "
Tags: ideologies, political parties, democrat, republican, pluralistic society, rights, political culture
Abstract This paper discusses how the democratic process in any nation, the United States notwithstanding, is highly dependent upon the political knowledge of individual citizens. After all, these are the people who vote for one party or another in the interest of enforcing or creating new policy decisions. The paper carries on to say that based on the previous sentences, it stands to reason that the decisions that voters make at the polls, based presumably upon political knowledge of the issues and policies at hand, are of paramount importance.
From the Paper "The standard assumption in all of this is that the public is inherently knowledgeable. Indeed, that assumption forms the basis of a significant proportion of research into the subject (Campbell et al, 1960). The larger question, however, is the degree to which that assumption can be demonstrated to be true. For the sake of this analysis, I will only be approaching the issue as it has manifested in the United States."
Abstract This literary review discusses democratic accountability in terms of governmental change and responsibility. The paper advocates the radical change of corporatism instead of simple reform.
From the Paper "The integrity of Canada's demographic institutions seems to have been declining in recent years. For example, in "Liberals on winning end of Gomery report" Don Martin states, 'Supervisors were blinded, whistleblowers fired, bids rigged, contracts fabricated, purposes circumvented and money diverted into Liberal accounts.' Using strong, at times harsh and judgmental wording, Gomery nailed the liars, dissed the forgetful and credited the trustworthy to recreate the worst parts of a sponsorship program exhaustively examined by his commission of inquiry (Martin 1). This statement lists some of the deceptive and illegal activities that were connected to or committed by the Liberal Party. "
Abstract This paper is an overview of sixteen common fallacies used in debate. The paper provides two examples of each in the hopes that students can better discern these fallacies when they emerge in debate and/or in academic literature. As a useful point, these examples can also be used to highlight the partisanship of leading politicians eager to spread their own agenda.
From the Paper "Ad Hominem: personal attacks of any kind are ad hominem attacks. Two examples would be Al Franken's loud denunciations of Bill O'Reilly and others while another would be someone dismissing George W. Bush's policies because he is (allegedly) "stupid". Ad Populum: Two examples of ad populum fallacies would be recent gall-up polls showing weak support for the war in Iraq and/or an argument that insists that "most people" do not want gay marriage or an end to abortion."
Abstract This paper examines the arguments for and against the use of the referendum as a political tool in Canada against the backdrop of the October 26, 1992 referendum on the Charlottetown Accord. After presenting a brief history of the use of referenda in Canada and the attitudes of various Canadian political leaders to this practice, the paper analyzes in depth the objections that have been raised by detractors, rebutting the objections with evidence from the October 26, 1992 referendum as well as from the experience of other countries that have used referenda successfully. The paper concludes that the referendum has a distinct role to play in the democratic system of government and can be used to good effect in ensuring that the people's voice is heard.
From the Paper "On October 26, 1992, Canada held an historic nation-wide referendum to determine if there was a public consensus on the Charlottetown Accord. It was historic for several reasons: it was the first all-Canada referendum in half a century since the plebiscite of 1942 (on the issue of conscription ); it was the first-ever direct vote on a constitutional matter; it showed that the Canadian public had a mind of its own-that is, Canadians could think and act independently of their government; and it led to the downfall of the Conservative Party. Most important of all, it sparked a renewed interest in and a lively discussion on the role of the referendum in the political process in Canada."
Abstract This paper explains that the state of Arizona is attempting to pass an "English First" referendum, which would require that only English is used on ballots. The author feels that the "English First" referendum represents a subversion of civil liberties guaranteed to all citizens of any creed or color under the Bill of Rights. This paper states that the purpose of this proposal is to establish a system of data collection that would penetrate the effects of such a referendum upon the psyche of Spanish-speaking voters. The paper seeks funding to complete this research and presents a brief technical outline of the project.
From the Paper "The "English First" referendum is essentially duplicitous by nature; in promoting English, it is demoting other languages to beyond a secondary status. In fact, many perceive it as a direct threat to all other spoken languages in Arizona- in relegating Spanish to merely a "home spoken" language, many Spanish speaking families contend that the "English First" referendum would serve only to remove Spanish speakers from the democratic process and the spheres of public life. Concerns also have been voiced regarding the threats to tolerance among the races that may be inherent in any referendum that seeks to denounce specific cultural attributes as not merely inappropriate, but unlawful."
Tags: questionnaire, proposal, spanish, vote, rights
Abstract This paper discusses the inherent flaws found in the American democratic system in regards to the formation of effective environmental policy. It talks about the tragedy of the commons, race to the bottom theory, spillover, and economies of scale. It advocates for the formation of a centralized governmental policy in regards to the environment. This paper supports its argument through the use of examples ranging from the struggle between Maine and the Midwest in regards to acid rain, as well as mentioning several of Nixon's environmental initiatives and what is necessary to make effective environmental policy on the federal level with the current form of American democracy.
From the Paper "The idea of a three branch system of government comes largely in part from the fear of factions. As do the two, four, and six year terms of service assigned to the senate, house, and presidency. These provisions help to keep a system of checks and balances in which no one group can gain too much power. However they do not only stave off factions, but make it hard for the federal government to come together and institute strong cohesive environmental policy. The constitution also dictates that any power not specifically given to the federal government goes to the states which is why the current system of decentralized environmental policy making is in place, however it is time for a change."
Abstract This paper takes a look at 'Common Sense', a document by Thomas Paine and compares it to the thinking and action of George Washington.
The paper argues that Paine's 'Common Sense' was not practical, whereas Washington's view of government was necessary to create a united nation that could do business with the world, and also keep popular forces under enough control so that true freedom of speech could be enjoyed by all, not simply the democratic majority.
From the Paper "Paine wrote his document in 1776, during the first flush of American enthusiasm over war against England, and during one of the most sustained periods of rage against the increasingly prohibitive British system of taxation upon the colonies. Washington, however, saw the American colonialists as potentially overmatched, especially as the war drew on in the years afterwards. Of his minutemen, in comparison to the more systematically trained British soldiers, Washington wrote: "Place them behind a parapet, a breastwork, stone wall, or anything that will afford them shelter, and, from their knowledge of a firelock, they will give a good account of the enemy, but I am as well convinced...they will not stand up at a plain." (Morgan, 1982, p.42) This is why Washington deployed guerrilla tactics when fighting the better-trained English army, who also outnumbered the colonists."
Tags: patriot, American, war, independant, Britain, France
