...bills has aimed to limit these injustices, the recent election showcases the inequalities still present within our society. With the current political alignment of the national government, I am concerned that minorities, who tend to vote democratic, will be unfairly targeted in new voter laws as the Republicans try to continue to hold office. New voter ID laws, polling times, and investigations on voter fraud are all potential issues being discussed by the federal government. If stricter laws go into effect, our nation will erase much of the progress it has made towards equality and will decrease the amount of...
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...Can the Integrity of Voting be Raised by Requiring ID? Election Day is an exciting time for our country. Whether it is a presidential election or a state election, Election Day allows a normal citizen to feel like he or she can help how our country or state moves forward. Voting is a fundamental part of our democratic process. Voter fraud claims are not new to the election process. However, in the last decade, the outcry of fraud and unfair voting practices has spread like wildfire. Voter ID laws should be put into effect to help eliminate fraud and protect the integrity of our democracy. By requiring voters to have ID, it will preserve voting rights that have been fought over for years. Women finally won the right to vote nationwide in 1920. Although people of color were granted the right to vote in the Constitution in 1869, they were seldom allowed to vote. This right was finally put into effect with the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. The right to vote is not a privilege that can be given and taken at will. However, there are legal stipulations to this right. Certain convicted felons lose their right to vote based on their crimes. People who are living in American that are not born or naturalized do not have the right to vote. But, how do we ensure this right to vote is upheld in an ethical and legal way? Requiring all voters to show a valid ID when registering to vote and voting would help ensure this process. Requiring ID to vote will also help prevent, and...
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...They have both used corruption in order to obtain money or power. For example, in the book, Gatsby tells us Meyer Wolfsheim fixed the 1919 World Series game(Fitzgerald, 73). This shows how in order to obtain what he wanted to Mr. Wolfsheim had to cheat his way to get the most profit. In the same way PRI had to rig some of the elections they were in, in order to make sure they won. After that part in the book and as other events happen Mr. Wolfsheim’s personality shows out more. During this same time period prohibition was going on, so many people took advantage of this and started to sell alcohol illegally, wealth. We are told in the book that that is how Wolfsheim and Gatsby know each other, and why they are also so wealthy. Later in book, more specifically after Gatsby’s death, Nick Carroway had to plan a funeral for him, which unfortunately, no one showed up to. While Nick was planning, he called people, that claimed to have been Gatsby’s friends. For this, Nick called Mr. Wolfsheim and he said “When a man gets killed I never like to get mixed up in it in any way. I keep...
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...Uddin as Prime Minister. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 1972–75: The first parliamentary elections held under the 1972 constitution were in March 1973, with the Awami League winning a massive majority. No other political party in Bangladesh's early years was able to duplicate or challenge the League's broad-based appeal, membership, or organizational strength. Mujib and his cabinet having no experience in governance nor administration, relied heavily on experienced civil servants and political factions of the Awami League, the new Bangladesh Government focused on relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the economy and society. Mujib nationalised the entire economy, banking and industrial sector. Economic conditions took a serious downturn. On top of that heavy corruption among his own party members, factions and senior leadership also added to the devastation and famine. The then U.S. Secretary of State termed Bangladesh a Bottomless Basket. In December 1974, Mujib decided that continuing economic deterioration and mounting civil disorder required strong measures. After proclaiming a state of emergency, Mujib used his parliamentary majority to win a constitutional amendment limiting the powers of the legislative and judicial branches, establishing an executive presidency, and instituting a one-party system, the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL), which all members of Parliament were obliged to join. Despite promises, no sign of improvement in the economic situation...
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...the year 2009, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC) sent out the released its final report. It was recorded that the root causes of the today reconciliation process in Liberia and the civil war that devastated Liberia between 1989 and 2003 were poverty, corruption, and inequality, Schmid E. (2010). Despite this diagnosis, the Commission’s legal analysis of past abuses was center around violations of economic, social, and cultural rights. Likewise, many transitional justice processes around the world sideline considerations of ESCR. This thesis, is based on The role of the students and youth community in the National Reconciliation Process of Liberia, A case study with the Liberian National Student Union. This thesis outlines why reconciliation is paramount at this time in the nation Liberia History and the factors involved. 1.0 Background to the study The Role of the Student and Youth in National Reconciliation and Peace building in Liberia. A case study report from IPI's Civil Society Project recounting the efforts of Youth and students actors especially Linsu and FLY, and student groups to foster peace, reconciliation, and democracy in Liberia show that the holding of democratic elections in July 1997 marked the end of Liberia's brutal seven-year civil war. The end of the war, it was thought, had settled Liberia's leadership question and it was hoped that cessation of hostilities would usher in a new era of democratic order, political stability...
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...1 Violence Free Elections: Perspectives on the Peace Initiatives on the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria Warisu O. Alli Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution Plot 496 Abogo Largema Street, CBD, Abuja Email: alliwo@yahoo.co.uk; Mobile: 08035991377 ABSTRACT Elections are essential in a democracy and are fundamental features of representative democracy.. When free, fair and transparent, they confer credibility and legitimacy on the outcome. However, Nigeria's electoral history has always been marred by various levels of violence with grave implications for the polity. Since return of democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria, has conducted elections in 2003, 2007, 2011 but with an ever increasing rise in electoral violence. The April 2011 elections, which benefitted from the electoral reform efforts of President Yar ‗Adua, and was considered the most credible since the return to democracy also turned out to be the most violent as the country witnessed an orgy of bloodshed after the elections. The 2015 elections were to be held against the background of a prediction about the disintegration of Nigeria against the background of several socio-economic, political and security challenges, including insurgency in the nation‘s North East. The emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a formidable opposition to the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) fifteen year rule also added more tension to the charged atmosphere of the elections. The Peace Initiatives which started immediately...
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...20030 Comments | inShare Causes of Corruption The causes of corruption are myriad, and they have political and cultural variables. Some studies point to a link between ‘corruption and social diversity, ethno-linguistic fractionalization, and the proportions of country’s population adhering to different religious traditions’ (Lipset and Lenz, 2000). Yet, other studies note that corruption is widespread in most non-democratic countries and particularly in countries that have been branded ‘neo-patrimonial,’ ‘kleptocratic’ and ‘prebendal’ (Hope, et. al (eds.) 2000; Lewis, 1996; also see NORAD 2000). Thus the political system and the culture of a society could make the citizens more prone to corrupt activities. Recently, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had to relieve some of its officials of their posts recently because they were corrupt. And it was not too long ago that all the commissioners of the European Union (EU) resigned because they, too, were found to be corrupt beyond acceptable limits. And quite recently, the Enron Corporation (energy giant) and World-Com (a telecommunication company) in the United States were perceived corrupt because they ‘manipulated their balanced sheets, profit and loss account and tax liabilities.’ And Arthur Andersen (Enron’s accountant) collapsed for greed and fraud, as it was charged with obstruction of justice in connection with the Enron probe (Reuters: June 27, 2002; The Observer (UK), June 9, 2002). These developments could...
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...Senate voted against Versailles (due to isolationism) and did not join. Summer 1919 John Maynard Keynes published ‘The Economic Consequences of the Peace’ – said that the Treaty of Versailles was ‘economic insanity’ and an example of a ‘Carthaginian Peace’. It sold 60,000 copies in the first 2 months, 100,000 copies in the first 6 months and was translated into 14 languages. Aug 1919 – 1934 ‘Ten Year Rule’ – British spending was only £102 million on defence in 1932, compared to £760 million in 1919 – 1920. March 1921 Anglo-Soviet trade agreement – stopped the blockade of Soviet Russia to resume trade with its people. In the 1920s Germany had 50% greater population than France and 4 times France’s heavy industry Between 1920 and 1922 there were no fewer 23 summit conferences held to discuss the reparations problem. March 1921 – 1922 Washington Disarmament Conference – set Capital ships to the ratio: USA 5; Britain...
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...1 National Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2014 introduced in Lok Sabha It is also called Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill It seeks to introduce Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime Inserts article Articles 246A, 269A and 279A in the Constitution Provides for Union Finance Minister headed GST Council Sets in a uniform and integrated indirect tax regime in India 14th Finance Commission submitted its report to President It covers the period between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2020 The Commission headed by former RBI Governor Y V Reddy Provides for devolution of tax receipts from the Centre to the States Article 280 of Constitution provides for appointment of Finance Commission First and 13th Finance Commission was headed by K C Neogy & Dr Vijay Kelkar resp. Union government decriminalized Attempt to Suicide For this purpose Section 309 of Indian Penal Code removed 20th Law Commission headed by Justice A P Shah recommended in its 210 Report 210th Report on Humanization and Decriminalization of Attempt to Suicide France was the first country to decriminalize this offence Lok Sabha passed the Repealing and Amending (Second) Bill, 2014 Introduced as a periodic measure for updating the list of laws in force Seeks to repeal 90 laws and pass amendment to two laws Proposes to amend the two laws to rectify typographical errors The laws are Railways...
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...Electoral reform is change in electoral systems to improve how public desires are expressed in election results. That can include reforms of: * Voting systems, such as proportional representation, a two-round system (runoff voting), instant-runoff voting, Instant Round Robin Voting called Condorcet Voting, approval voting, citizen initiatives and referendums and recall elections. * Vote-counting procedures * Rules about political parties, typically changes to election laws * Eligibility to vote * How candidates and political parties are able to stand (nomination rules) and how they are able to get their names onto ballots (ballot access) * Electoral constituencies and election district borders * Ballot design and voting equipment * Scrutineering (election monitoring by candidates, political parties, etc.) * Safety of voters and election workers * Measures against bribery, coercion, and conflicts of interest * Financing of candidates' and referendum campaigns * Factors which affect the rate of voter participation (voter turnout) Electoral Reforms in India: Issues and Challenges before theElection Commission INTRODUCTION “An election is a moral horror, as bad as a battle except for the blood; a mud bath for every soul concerned in it.” - George Bernard Shaw Electoral reform means introducing fair electoral systems for conducting fair elections. It alsoincludes recuperation of the existing systems to enhance and increase the efficiency...
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...ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the study Structured election process is one of the indicators of stability in Nigeria’s democracy. Elections in Nigeria continue to elicit more than casual interest by Nigerian scholars due to the fact that despite the appreciation that only credible election can consolidate and sustain the country’s nascent democracy, over the years, Nigeria continues to witness with growing disappointments and apprehension inability to conduct peaceful, free and fair, open elections whose results are widely accepted and respected across the country (Ekweremadu, 2011). All the elections that have ever been conducted in Nigeria since independence have generated increasingly bitter controversies and grievances on a national scale because of the twin problems of mass violence and fraud that have become central elements of the history of elections and of the electoral process in the country (Gberie, 2011). Despite the marked improvement in the conduct of the 2011 elections, the process was not free from malpractices and violence (National Democratic Institute, 2012). Thus over the years, electoral processes in the history of Nigeria’s democratic governance have continued to be marred by extraordinary display of rigging, dodgy, “do or die” affair, ballot snatching at gun points, violence and acrimony, thuggery, boycotts, threats and criminal manipulations of voters' list, brazen falsification of election results, the use of security agencies against political...
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...Social Media and Political Revolution Project 3: Research Paper Steve Gubenia Professor: Robert Zornes CMST 301 Outline I. Introduction a. Rise of digital media in political upheaval II. Body b. Social Media i. Development 1. Facebook 2. Twitter 3. YouTube 4. Others but these are “big three” ii. Attraction to sites 5. Ease of use 6. Socio-economic barriers 7. Demographics of users c. Revolution before social media iii. Regime control of media iv. Medium used to get message out 8. Slow distribution took longer to organize v. Fall of Soviet Union d. History of social media in political revolution vi. 2001 Philippines vii. Ukraine 2004 to 2014 9. Original Orange Revolution 10. Oksana Makar incident 11. President Yanukovych being ousted viii. 2009 Moldova ix. 2009 Iran “Twitter Uprising” x. 2010 Tunisia xi. 2011 Egypt “Facebook Revolution” xii. Lebanon, Syria, Libya lack of internet e. Critics of social media revolution xiii. Arguments against social media making a difference 12. Social media platforms built around weak ties making ineffective 13. Twitter’s limitations xiv. Examples of activists failing 14. 2006 Belarus ...
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...Crime, Transitory Poverty, and Isolation: Evidence from Madagascar Marcel Fafchamps University of Oxford y Bart Minten Cornell Universityz June 2005 Abstract This paper investigates the relationship between poverty and crime. Following a disputed presidential election, fuel supply to the highlands of Madagascar was severely curtailed in early 2002, resulting in a massive increase in poverty and transport costs. Using original survey data collected in June 2002 at the height of the crisis, we …nd that crop theft increases with transitory poverty. Theft thus appears to be used by some of the rural poor as a risk coping strategy. Increased transport costs led to a rise in cattle and crop theft, con…rming earlier …ndings that, in Madagascar, geographical isolation is associated with certain forms of crime. We also …nd that an increase in law enforcement personnel locally reduces cattle theft which, in Madagascar, is a form of organized crime. JEL classi…cation code: K14, I39 We thank Eliane Ralison and Lalaina Randrianarison for their assistance in collecting and cleaning the data. Funding for this project was provided by USAID and Cornell University. y Department of Economics, University of Oxford, Manor Road, Oxford OX1 3UQ. Email: . Fax: +44(0)1865-281447. Tel: +44(0)1865-281446. z Cornell Food and Nutrition Policy Program, Cornell University, Ithaca NY. Email: 1. Introduction There has long been a suspicion that poverty favors criminal activity, but hard evidence...
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...PERSONALITY FACTOR IN THE CONDUCT OF NIGERIA’S DIPLOMACY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE OLUSEGUN OBASANJO AND MUSA YAR’ADUA ADMINISTRATIONS, 1999-2000 Proposal submitted by Oluwatoyin Alabi to DR. David Aworawo, of the Post Graduate School, University of Lagos. In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the award of the Degree: Masters of International Relations and Strategic Studies. (MISS) AUGUST 2012 PROPOSAL This work, adopting a multidisciplinary approach, seeks to analyse aspects of Nigeria’s diplomacy, specifically the effect of the leader’s personality on the conduct of Nigeria’s external relations. To effectively do this, the work shall comparatively assess Nigeria’s diplomacy under Presidents Obasanjo and Yar'Adua from 1999-2010. Seeking to see the effect their personality type had on the manner, trends and approach to Nigeria’s diplomacy during the period. On record President Obasanjo undertook a shuttle diplomatic effort across the globe especially between 1999 and 2002, this is said to have reintegrated Nigeria into the comity of Nations, where she was previously a pariah. How did his personality affect these efforts? Was his personality added value or reduced value? At the point of his death President Yar’Adua was ECOWAS chairman, previously in 2009 he attended the G20 meeting in Germany, visited President George Bush at the start of his term and other diplomatic engagements. How did his personality affect all these? On the whole how did the respective...
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...Vlad Shtyrts Mr. Caruso H Mod Literature 1 May 2014 Analysis of corruption in Russia “They steal,” said Nikolai Karamzin, Russian poet, historian, and philosopher, to sum up Russia. His statement is quite accurate, because that is exactly what has been happening in Russia for the past half a millennia. Corruption is one of the main causes of all the problems in Russia. It has spread from the central government into the economy, education, health care, and national defense. Corruption directly impacts the lives of Russian citizens and the relationship with foreign nations. Russia is known to have a long history of corruption, every year it is becoming an increasing problem because it brings an overall instability to the country and affects all of its citizens. The money intended for the social systems is being routed into the pockets of rapacious politicians and criminals. What is corruption? According to the Oxford dictionary corruption is “dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery,” this is exactly what it means, but in Russia it is much more complex. There are many categories, types, and tier of corruption in Russia, each dealing with different aspects of the practice. Two main types exist, the grand and petty corruption. Grand corruption deals with the government branches, and has a greater monetary value. This type involves corruption in politics, lawmaking, and government contracts. Petty corruption is are the insignificant bribes...
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