Political Philosophy Essay

Barber (1999) refers to strong democracy as one of the democratic responses to contemporary political condition. The author clearly distinguishes the strong democratic type from unitary democracy, pluralist democracy, authoritative, and juridical democracy. All these types of democracy are idealistic, and are never applied to real political conditions in their pure forms, but they represent the five different visions of the democratic order which deserve attention and should be objectively reviewed. Barber (1999) defines authoritative democracy in centralized executive terms. Authoritative democracy exercises the principles of differential citizenry; although authoritative democracy is fully accountable to the democratic community which elects it, this type of democratic order relies on the excellence of elites (Barber, 1999). The two major deficiencies are characteristic of authoritative democracy: first, it tends towards hegemony; second, it tends to camouflage its political representation under the cover of political wisdom. As a result, individuals risk confusing the political virtue with the political excellence (Barber, 1999). Juridical democracy is based on the principles of protecting human rights. Arbitration and adjudication are the necessary preconditions of juridical democracy (Barber, 1999). In juridical democracy, the principle of differential citizenry is expressed through excessive reliance on courts, which resolve and mediate political issues and substantially limit the power of the democratic government. Barber (1999) writes that â€Å"juridical democracy is deficient because it subverts the legislative process†. The author is confident that juridical democracy initially distorts the notions of the natural right and the higher law, using them as the disguise for political reintroduction and representation (Barber, 1999). Pluralist democracy is the most ideal democratic form of all Barber describes in his work. Pluralist democracy is based on the principle of the social contract which free political markets use in the process of political exchange (Barber, 1999). In distinction from the two previous forms of democracy, the pluralist form relies on active (not differential) citizenry. All conflicts and issues are arbitrated with the help of bargaining in which free equal individuals are involved. The pluralist democracy is deficient because the power of the social contract and bargaining is very weak. In Barber’s (1999) view, pluralist democracy is too innocent, and cannot lead to formation of any public thinking. Unitary democracy could initially become the political representation of certain norm as the central element of democratic order. Although unitary democracy promotes the unanimous character of political decisions, it tends to undermine the principles of individual autonomy. The role of citizenry in unitary democracy is vague (Barber, 1999). The problem is in that the unity of political deliberation requires that individuals merge with the rest of the political community. As a result, they risk losing their political individuality, and promote collective political thinking. Unitary democracy cannot foster self-realization; in massive forms, unitary democracy borders on coercion and malevolence (Barber, 1999). In many aspects, unitary democracy is synonymous to â€Å"conformist† type of political order, which mixes tyranny with terror and views community consensus through the prism of collectivity and collective political interests. Barber (1999) is confident that strong democracy is the political order of the future. The author views this type of democratic order as a community which will never be collectivistic, and which is the most compatible with the contemporary society. The core of strong democracy is the self-government, in which citizens govern themselves (Barber, 1999). The conflict resolution is based on self-legislation, and the creation of the political community. The mentioned political community is the key element of strong democracy, and it is the necessary condition for transforming the political conflicts into the useful epistemological tools of public thinking (Barber, 1999). Simultaneously, Barber fails to define the criteria for the creation and existence of the already mentioned political community. If strong democratic community exists to transform political conflicts or implement political decisions (Barber, 1999), it is unclear whether this community will keep its previous form as soon as it achieves its political goals. One can’t but agree with Barber (1999) in that in strong democracy community is invariably linked to the notion of citizenship, but there are striking disparities between the notions of community and participation. Although strong democracy claims striking the misbalance between participation and community, it does not offer any reliable criteria for achieving the democratic world of the common ends, in which conflict serves the dialectical means of turning the masses into the democratic citizenship. Conclusion Strong democracy is viewed by Barber (1999) as the best and the most realistic type of democratic order. Barber (1999) emphasizes the deficiencies which authoritative, juridical, unitary, and pluralist democracies display. Simultaneously, Barber (1999) fails to provide the criteria for creating and supporting the strong democratic community and participation. The relation between community and participation remains misbalanced, and strong democracy will hardly strike it.

Financial Markets & institutions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Financial Markets & institutions - Assignment Example They have low interest rates in terms of a constant fixed rate or settled upon maturity and are short term. The Aljazira capital Document 2014 document covers issues that appertain to: calendar anomalies, the effect of valuation on the performance of a company in the market and technical pointers in a trending market among others. Some of the anomalies include the best performance of the index upon trading on the first day of the week with a strategy of selling the holdings on Sunday and avoiding to buy them on the same day. The other anomaly includes the monthly returns differentiated across that necessitates investing in a short-term gain before the Ramadhan period. Shadow banking is an interconnection of specific financial institutions that have no banking permits like Money markets and Special Purpose Entity Conduits (Brycce, 2000) meant to inspect and ensure secure funding from the savers to investors of finances. Shadow banks transform home mortgages into securities through mortgages being regarded as a pack of loans to back up a security sold by investors. On the other hand, Conventional banks raise funds through the depositors who have surplus and through lending to other individuals who have limited funds. Brycce, H. (2000). Financial and strategic management for non-profit organizations: a comprehensive reference to legal, financial, management, and operations rules and guidelines for non-profits. Jossey-Bass Publishers, 3rd Edition,

Advancing Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Advancing Practice - Essay Example In a study it has been revealed that the percent of smoking among adults has considerably decreases in the late seventies and eighties but was leveled in the nineties. Though in late nineties the percentage of smokers had dropped a bit it was estimated that the situation wouldn’t improve further. If the effects of smoking can be quantified, then we will be talking of one of the most expensive pastimes in our time. It is approximated that in United Kingdom alone, the government spends close to a million Euros in intervention measures aimed at smoking cessation. This cost does not reflect the amount spent by other interest groups such as Non governmental organizations, research firms and private charity organizations. Speaking qualitatively, smoking causes more deaths all over the world than HIV/Aids. Of all smokers, a considerable percentage is drawn from adolescents but past smoking cessation programs have not targeted this age group but concentrated in other groups such as adults. This has contributed to a significant drop in the number of adult population smokers but of significance to this essay is the fact that, the prevalence of smoking amongst the adolescents has remained high or plummeted altogether. Substances which adolescents often abuse are referred to as psychoactive substances meaning that when taken, they have the capability to change an individual’s consciousness, mood or thinking process. They suppress a part of the brain whose usual function is normally to regulate the functions of the mood, thoughts and motivations. Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of deaths in the world. But sadly enough, those are deaths which are very preventable if smoking cessation is fully appreciated by the governments and other stake holders like education sector, religious organizations and charities. Studies indicate that in the United States of America alone, cigarette smoking cause up to around

How can the University help to achieve the dream Personal Statement

How can the University help to achieve the dream - Personal Statement Example The researcher will begin with the statement that he is extremely interested in becoming a part of the Syracuse University alumni. Syracuse University has a rich history of over 140 years of existence. The researcher wants to become a part of this school since he knows an education from Syracuse University will change his life. The major the author wants to pursue is bachelor’s degree in international affairs and relations. This paper illustrates that a good education will ensure that the researcher is able to succeed in life by having a career that can help him support himself and his family. The researcher tells that hs analytic and communication ability will be greatly enhanced by completing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Syracuse. The author will attempt to be involved in student organizations in order to develop his leadership skills. One of the researcher’s long-term goals is to contribute to making changes in our society. The author states that h e would like to work for a recognized international organization such as the United Nations. As a diplomat, he can directly contribute towards making changes that can affect the lives of millions of people. The present research has identified that currently, our world suffers from great economic inequality. Â  The author of this essay tells that an education at the University of Syracuse will open his mind to need possibilities.

Reflection assignment #3 on Nature Religion in America by Catherine Essay

Reflection assignment #3 on Nature Religion in America by Catherine Albanese on Pages 153-163; 171-185; 196-198 (ALL REQUIRED READING MATERIAL IS UPLOADED) - Essay Example On the basis of the data presented by Albanese, the nature religion is a manner of practice of belief that is based on being one with nature. Starting from the earliest trace of human civilization, such beliefs had been present and regardless of the modernity of times or the consciousness of the people, the nature’s religions keep on developing and diversifying. Although the literal objective of the author is to provide data regarding the presence and essence of the nature religion, the transcending meaning to the said practice is a fundamental message of the paper. One of the points presented in the paper is the fact that the most renowned religions, which are based on the presence of a godly entity above nature and humans, are questioned on the basis of sustainability in future times (p.175). This can be attributed to the fact that religion although set on faith, is one of the basis of society, culture and way of life of communities. For that matter, a look on the present state of nature can be considered that there is a dogma in the society and in the beliefs which is amiss. Based on the idea presented by the author, the main issue is that people needs to modify the belief that nature is meant for the human beings to consume and rule over. It can be considered that by recapitulating the religion of the ancestors, e.g. the native Americans, nature can be saved and people can respect and take care of the environment. This is based on the fact that the religion founded on nature states that human is not above nature but a part of it. Thus, as a part of himself nature is needed to be taken good care of. But if the said religion which is based on nature is that of the ancestors, then the hope of saving nature can be considered hopeless. To answer this, the author presented the succession of the development of the nature religion towards the present era. For that matter, human being can still have the change to attempt and endeavor the process of

Barriers to Business Communications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Barriers to Business Communications - Essay Example Because the lack of feedback is exist between the call centre agents and the customers due to the cultural customs. In our society the status symbol does exist and this problem is heading upwards in the organizational structure when the manager is on the executive post and he/she cannot transform his/her policies or the programs properly to the lower management the reason behind are the status or designation that creates a hurdle in an effective communication. Moreover, individual personal behavior is essential and an effective role in communication (L. Erven, 2008). If the distortion is exist between the sender and receiver due to any reason like technical jargon, social, racial, educational background, and ethnic etc background also creates a lack of communication (L. Erven, 2008). Organizational culture and norms in which the employee is working also the prime element behind effective communication. Like ignoring the employees in a few prickly matters, completely ignoring, embarrass every time when the employee is eager to share his/her ideas, inputs or thoughts etc. The factors of reluctance, refusal etc also the lack behind effective communication (L. Erven, 2008).

Technical communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Technical communication - Essay Example Therefore, the statement about the ease of operation should be changed, along with the drawing, so that the two agree in the assumption of this reasonable â€Å"fitness for a particular purpose† (Product, 2009). Ethical Case: In this case, the DMX-450 ® is advertised as a product that â€Å"makes downloading large email files almost instant. You’ll no longer have to wait for large file scans.† The ethical breach that has occurred here is that the content violates the reader’s assumptions of fact based and rational explanation of the product. Instead, the DMX is being advertised as operating at a speed that is impossible, or approaching impossible; it is not an objective or fact-based description of what the software is capable of (such as a specific baud rate or downloading speed). I would tell the co-worker that s/he should trust their consumer more, and stop trying to talk down to them with lofty exaggerations; I would advise them to simply tell the consumer about the product, rather than boasting, to make a better ethical impression. This way, the consumer will feel more secure and trusting about the company’s