...Joan Didion: What is Home? In Joan Didion’s essay “On Going Home” she writes about leading a double life. She feels like one person when she’s with her husband and daughter in Los Angeles, and a completely different person when back “home” surrounded by her childhood family in the Central Valley of California. During this particular trip, she begins to reflect on her life in Los Angeles. Didion contemplates the fact that she often feels uneasy around her husband, just like he feels uneasy being around her family. At a crossroad, she must decide not only who she is, and the life she wants, but also the kind of life she wants for her daughter. Her life in Los Angeles has cleansed her from her youth—one that was dusty and full of useless trinkets. She ponders the time her husband wrote the word “D-U-S-T” on those useless trinkets and she remembers her feelings of sadness and indignation. She says, “We live in dusty houses…filled with mementos quite without value to him” (139-40). The dust-covered trinkets signify what is important to her, or what needs to be addressed in her marriage. Yet, these objects just lay there waiting for someone to see them—for someone to dust them off and care for them—not unlike how Didion wishes her husband would see her and nurture her in their marriage. Didion wonders which of her two homes is normal or if they are both flawed. When she and her husband are with her family, he becomes apprehensive about her behavior, “…because once there I fall...
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...Defining Democracy I define democracy as a system of government that involves freedoms, liberties, fairness, and competition. I believe that these four aspects of political life and participation are essential to forming a democracy. Pluralism is an important aspect of democracy. A true democracy expects competition because there is not one political party or actor that practices monopoly. Therefore, a multiplicity of actors has to be present. Democracy means observing multiple aspects, perspectives and choices in the political realm. There should never be one single actor that far exceeds all others. Politics is inevitably varied in terms of how it is practiced, who practices it, and what ideals it encompasses. Thus, plurality is a very important aspect that creates competition, which is needed for a true democracy. Democracy is a very difficult concept to define. There still is no concrete definition of democracy, but many people have attempted to provide a comprehensive, yet precise and concise, definition of it. This has resulted in both conceptual stretching and conceptual differentiation (too vague or too specific). I acknowledge the difficulty of making an accurate definition of democracy – so I have provided a statement on what democracy is. These four concepts (freedom, liberty, fairness, and competition) are essential to establishing a true democracy. American democracy means to as an individual: A democracy values each individual in society, because a democratic...
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...Gunesekara Economics and Change/EG XX March 2012 China vs. India Although no two dictionaries agree on the definition of democracy, for our purposes, modern democracy can be defined as “government by the people in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system" (Cincotta 2) In the phrase of Abraham Lincoln, democracy is a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." However, even if freedom, defined as individual rights, is guaranteed, democracy does not necessarily lead to freedom. This can be seen by examining the “democracies” of India and China. The Indian Constitution offers all the Indian citizens, individually and collectively, these basic freedoms and rights. They are guaranteed in the Constitution in the form of six broad categories of Fundamental Rights and are justifiable. It means that each and every Indian citizen has the right to Constitutional remedies for the enforcement of these rights. There is a free, independent and separate judiciary to see that these rights are not violated and tampered with. All are equal before law, right from the Prime Minister to a peon. This is the very spirit and essence of our democracy. An independent, strong and incorruptible judiciary is one of the main pillars of democracy. According to Henry S, Rowen, China is “a Leninist state in which the Communist Party has combined economic liberalizing with...
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...Definition Essay: Democracy Read the following quotations: “There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult – to begin a war and to end it.” Alexis de Tocqueville (French Historian and Political Scientist, 1805-1859) “Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either [aristocracy or monarchy]. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.” John Adams (Second President of the United States) “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.” Abraham Lincoln (Sixteenth President of the United States) “Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.” George Bernard Shaw (Irish Playwright and Essayist, 1856-1950) Write an essay in which you define the word Democracy. Basic Requirements: o Introduction paragraph with thesis statement (HINT: This thesis statement will propose your definition of the word Democracy.) o 2-3 body paragraphs that correlate with your thesis statement and support your definition o A concluding paragraph that reminds me of your key points and effectively argues your definition As you write your essay, you must: o Focus on defining the concept of Democracy. o Effectively organize your ideas using the provided graphic organizer. (A five-paragraph essay is not necessary; however, you do need a definite introduction, body and conclusion.) o Include supporting...
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...POLITICAL JUSTICE, AND DEMOCRACY: Understanding Plato's Criticism Fall 2015 Mahlou Ryme Dr. Jacques Carlos Flores Philosophical Thought School of Humanities and Social Sciences Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane Essay Question 3: ------------------------------------------------- Plato’s defines political justice as each social class doing what it is supposed to do according to its nature and function within society. This definition then serves as the basis for his criticism of democracy. Critically evaluate Plato’s criticism of democracy. Throughout the course of history, every nation has struggled at some point in choosing the correct form of government that is most adequate to its functioning. Depending on many variables such as human and natural resources, geography, and diplomacy, each state has selected a political system that ranges from totalitarian regimes to mass democracies. Centuries before that, philosophers were debating about the significance of each form of government. Although modern political studies assert that democracy is the best form of government as it gives the power to people, some historic thinkers had their criticisms about the democratic approach and its incompatibility with the factual meaning of political justice. Plato was one of the most pivotal figures of philosophical thoughts that still have an impact on modern thinking. He was one of the philosophers who criticized the pure democracy pledging that it is governed by mass...
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...Converting Afghanistan into a democracy should be a major priority of the United States for many reason, one being, it would open up trade with the country. Democratic states tend to be more open to trade, trade to a greater extent, and have less trade barriers. This is because democratically elected leaders open up trade as it benefits the people they govern, which boosts their popularity1. Afghanistan is one of the wealthiest countries when natural resources are considered. Recently, large veins of valuable minerals such as copper, iron, and gold have been discovered across the country. It is estimated that Afghanistan also sits on nearly 5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves2. Afghanistan also supplies the world with nearly 90 percent of all opium supplies which is used to create painkillers and heroin for medical purposes3. The wealth of Afghanistan is important to the United States as 12 percent of US natural gas reserves are imported and consumption of natural gas in the US is expected to increase by 11 percent by the year 20304. The United States imports 100 percent of 18 select minerals such as aluminum and magnesium, and imports 50 percent of 41 other minerals such as cobalt and copper5. If the United States managed to convert Afghanistan into a democracy, it would allow them to reap the benefits of their abundance of resources6. The attacks on US soil on 9/11 were conducted by a terror group known as al Qaeda. Al Qaeda is one of the more dominant terrorist...
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...Although the idea that all men are created equal and possess certain inviolable rights was not a novel thought, the American Founders and the Declaration of Independence reinvigorated in the minds of the American colonists that tyrannical and unjust government that encroached on one’s unalienable rights was worthy to be cast out. In that sense, the Declaration of Independence generates two fundamental arguments: that all men are equally born with a set of unalienable rights, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” and that government essentially serves as the fences instituted by its people to protect these rights. However, compared to the sheer gravity of these statements, the Founders do not employ words of great magnitude to convince their audience; rather, they simply state that their arguments of equality and just governance to be simply “self-evident.” Consequently, the underlying principle of the Declaration remains the Founders’ recognition of the unbreakable relationship between the natural rights of man and the functions and requirements of a just government. The Declaration defines a just government as one that prioritizes the protection of its people and their rights. Additionally, a just government only exists through the subsequent earning of trust and consent of its citizens through becoming the reliable protector of their rights to Life, Liberty, and pursuit of Happiness. Although all men are “by nature, all free, and independent” (Second Treatise Chapter...
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...INTRODUCTION Democracy as we all are aware of is a concept though which some people believe is inherent in the African culture and others believe that it is an ideology of the west which actually got it root from the old Greece. Either or not the idea or from the west of Africa is not the bone of contention here but, if this idea of democracy has actually done well in helping the development of the African person or society or it has done otherwise. Francis Offor idea in this article is to explain to us how democracy is an issue in African philosophy for the reason of improper practice of the ideology which has cost Africa much in terms of development of its people and society at large because it is applied in a manner that does not tally with the African way of democratization. Here he(Francis) also mentioned that such would have been better for all if it is applied in conformity with the cultural setting of the African and not in the westernized sense, because the idea of democracy and it effectiveness depends on the culture of one place or the other. He explained how democracy instead of building the African society has brought it down because of it improper application. But before we move to full details on how Francis explain this in his article let us take a look at the general meaning of the word democracy. WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? Democracy according to Wikipedia is a form of government in which eligible citizens may participate equally- either directly by voting for the...
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...Alexis De Tocqueville, a young French explorer sets sale to the New World to study the American prison system. However, this is only simply a story to mislead others from his real objective. Alexis De Tocqueville is traveling to the New World to secretly study the great American Democracy. The purpose of this you might ask? The French must better understand American behaviors in how they feel and act, upon the essential nature of their freedoms. The French must take these learning and place them into their own practices to ensure they have a long last Democracy. In the Introduction chapter of “Democracy in America” by Alexis De Tocqueville and Richard D. Heffner, Heffner goes into length to describe all of the extravagant and detailed descriptions Tocqueville gives about the way Americans feel and act, due to the essential nature of freedoms from their Democracy. I have organized this paper into six different paragraphs that will be described in the following: First, an opening paragraph will let you know what literature I am referencing to when discussing this topic....
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...On one hand, we see rising apathy towards politics in general amongst youth and on the other hand, more and more governments want to increase public participation to bring in transparency and accountability in governance; to build the desired, strong democracy. Public participation can be said to be an inchoate term and many a times can be ruled wrongly by mob psychology and behaviour. Responsible public participation calls for the deeper understanding of civic responsibility and citizenship. The terms 'civic responsibility' is considered as the backbone of democracy and yet its nebulous nature is what makes this goal of transparent governance appear...
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...Michael Novak’s view on the History of Corporations This section of the paper discusses the history of the corporation, its origins and development as well as the various and definitions of the term stakeholder. This section also discusses the differences between various management philosophies and how each philosophy views the term stakeholders; a) the traditional American view of stakeholders as owners, b) the social democratic view where stakeholders have claim or stake in the firm. The American view is the foundation of freedom and liberty while the socialist view refers to the slavery and despotism. The Existence of Corporations The answer to the existence of corporations doesn’t refer to certain date or time. The actual existence of corporations refers to what one means by the term as the corporations have existed for several centuries. Surviving in the corporate world generated from the founding generations of farmers and fishermen, owners of land, churchman, etc (Jennings, 2012, p.105). Michael Novak viewed the corporation as a calling (Murphy, 2008) that generated from the business men who have ethical standards on what they were introducing to society. These ethical standards can be of good or evil. The society has great impact over big corporations. Society can make or break a business depending on the products introduced and how successful it can climb in the market (Jennings, 2012, p. 106). Many businesses grow based on their ethical views and how the market will...
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...Democracy is a form of government or accord by society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges. Canada exhibits a democratic government that protects the interests and demands of minority groups, who are free from discrimination and their rights and privileges are valued equally to those of the majority. Through political, human and cilvil rights, social well-fare systems, and international relations, Canada has formed a strong governmental institution that fosters an inclusive democracy. Between 1945-2014, the Canadian identity transitioned to an inclusive democratic society defined by domestic social reforms and international commitments to the global community In the last seventy years, Canada developed lawful political, human and civil rights within the nation and in the global community. In May of 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organizations, to draw up the United Nations Charter. Canada participated in the San Francisco conferences as a founding member of the Unite Nations. The Charter strived for collective security to avoid war, to develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international co-operation in solving international problems and promoting and encouraging respect for human and civil rights. Canada’s participation in the United Nations was instrumental in a global reputation of humanitarian contributions. Canada’s dedication to fundamental human rights internationally...
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...ways through which justice, forms of government and theory of universals can be explained. It is primarily on the basis of these themes using which Plato has been able to publish and base his one of the most prominent works written in the field of philosophy and social justice. In addition to this it is also important to mention here that the Republic is basically a Socratic dialogue based on the conversations that Socrates had with his ideologues which have been narrated by Plato. During the course of this discussion we will be looking at some of the fundamental themes that have been discussed in this work and the nature of message and idea that they intend to deliver to us through them. Definition of Justice This particular theme of defining justice has been provided in the first book in which Socrates provides two definitions of justice but both are deemed as inadequate and irrelevant. Some of the generic definitions that are provided regarding justice are the fact that must return the debts he owned from somebody and he must help his friends in time of need while trying to harm his enemies. Towards the end of the first book Socrates in his dialogue does agree with the notion presented by Polemarchus that justice includes helping friends, however, Socrates was of the opinion that a man of justice would not think of harming anyone in the first place (Blackburn, 2007). From the second till the fourth book Socrates along with his interlocutors are on the search to come up...
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...Defining Democracy The word democracy is from the Greek word Demos. The meaning is “the people”. In democracy the people vote on the legislation. The property owners (men) were the ones that were allowed to vote. on legislation. This meant the women and children were not allowed to vote. I really do not understand why a woman was not allowed to vote on legislation. Were women not citizens too? Unless a person has a criminal record or mentally unfit then he or she should be able to vote on the legislation as long as they are citizens. Why are the guidelines so strong. If a person is of sound mind and an American citizen he or she should be able to vote on anything. The ones that are voting on everything from gay rights to congressional raises are where they are today because we put them there and they need to remember this. It seems like when they get up on the pedestal where they have placed themselves they forget about us the little person. I think that everything should be voted on by the people and not just a hand full that seem to have their best interest at heart and not ours. The people should be allowed to vote on things like health care reform, pay freezes and cuts, and pay raises for congress etc. The trouble with things in the past and today is everyone is looking out for themselves and does not give a thought to others. I especially think the next time our government gives millions of dollars to big businesses we should have a vote in it, after all that is our...
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...French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Essay By: Danny Buck October 31, 2014 Mr. Murphy French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Essay In this essay I am going to attempt to explain how certain ideas and ideals affected the French Revolution and its participants. The world had already under gone political changes by the time that the French Revolution came along. The United States had declared its independence from Great Britain and had fought a war of independence. Great Britain has been governed mostly by parliament since the 1700’s. As I understand it, parliament has grown stronger over the years and the monarchy has grown weaker. It was now France’s turn at independence and democracy. However that did not happen for a while. Their first step was getting rid of the monarchy. Liberty Liberty means being free and not being bound by the old ways and the old ideas. By the time of the French Revolution, the people were ready for liberty. Many philosophers for years had written about liberty and other ideas that rejected the feudal system and keeping people in bondage. The Age of Enlightenment had come to Europe and the old systems of power and faith were changing. Since the 1650’s philosophers had been writing about new ideas and new ways of thinking and the people of France finally embraced those ideas near the end of the eighteenth century. The French people were suffering in poverty and they realized the power of the monarchy was keeping them that way and that...
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