...Government Promote Positive Liberty? The idea of liberty, or freedom, varies between different theorists. One theorist, Isaiah Berlin, focused on the difference between two different ways of thinking about political liberty (Cherniss & Hardy, 2010). Berlin called these two different concepts negative and positive liberty. According to Berlin, negative freedom can be defined as ‘freedom from’, that is, freedom from constraint or interference of others. In contrast, positive freedom can be defined in two ways: ‘freedom to’, that is the ability to pursue and achieve willed goals; and also as autonomy or self-rule, as opposed to the dependence on others (Cherniss & Hardy, 2010). Keeping the idea of positive liberty at the forefront, this essay will focus on what positive liberty is and whether the government should promote it. As already mentioned, positive liberty can be defined as the ‘freedom to’ (Cherniss & Hardy, 2010). Smith (2008) adds that positive liberty is “the idea of self-government”. Under positive liberty, a person may decide how they wish to live, but they may unconsciously conform to the beliefs of society, religion or their parents (Smith, 2008). Positive liberty asks the question of “Who, or what, is the source of control or interference?” (Garner et al., 2012). Positive liberty therefore emphasizes the source of control, rather than the area of control associated with negative liberty (Garner, Ferdinand & Lawsom, 2012). Positive liberty is the...
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...American National Government Topic 1 American Government: An Introduction Assessment 1 Chapter 1 Directions: Answer the following questions after viewing the assigned Power Point presentation and reading related materials in the text. Be sure to use complete sentences. 1. Define government and politics. Compare these two terms and cite examples of each. Explain how the two terms are distinct but related to each other. · Government is the people who run the country. Politics is the process followed by the leaders of political groups who rule the country. Government implements the policies of the lands, such as with the judicial branch to enforce the laws, the legislative branch to create the laws, and the executive branch to perform national security duties. And politics are the tool utilized by the government. They both utilize political science which is the study of government and politics. While they both perform and aid the same basic function of running the country, politics is just the process while the government is the actual facility performing the tasks. 2. What is anarchy? Can anarchy ever a viable alternative to government, in your opinion? Why or why not? · Anarchy is living in a state of lawlessness. I believe it cannot, because humans do not function correctly without some type of structure. Without structure there will be total chaos. Murders and other unmentionable crimes will occur with no repercussions being put into place. 3. What...
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...Why is the concept of freedom so contested in political theory? (Word maximum: 1,500) Freedom is an important concept in Western politics, strongly entwined as it is with ideas of liberalism. Yet, as suggested by the question, the concept is one which is hotly debated. Indeed, political agents attempt to control the political agenda through promotion of their particular definition. This essay will look at the ways freedom has been defined by different theorists over the years. It will also look at how freedom is linked with and explained through different theo-ries and ideologies. It will then go on to look at how these different theories and ideologies may shape the conceptions of freedom we find in our daily lives. Different political theorists, writing in different times, often of political turmoil, have considered freedom in many different ways. Three influential writers who took a normative approach were Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. An important part of their arguments turned on their notions of a ‘state of nature’ – where natural law applied in absence of any organised political state. Hobbes (1651, cited in Brown, 2005), writing shortly after the English Civil War, argued that in a ‘state of nature’ individuals would be fearful for their own interests, resulting inevitably in war of all against all. To obviate this, Hobbes suggested that individuals should voluntarily accept restrictions – and invest their will in an absolute power...
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...Politics- Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow POLITICAL 110: US GOVERNMENT Feb. 14th, 2016 Professor Mark Stallo Politics- Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Civil Liberties and Social Responsibility in American Government Today Throughout our country’s history, civil liberties have influenced American social responsibility within the government. Civil liberties are fundamental rights and freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution. There are many examples of civil liberties mentioned in the Bill of Rights such as: freedom of speech, freedom of press, the right to a fair trial, the right to own property, and freedom of religion. (U.S. Department of Defense, 2016) The protection of these rights as guaranteed by the Constitution allows United States citizens to freely act in accordance with each civil liberty. For instance, on April 25th, 2015 local officials in Baltimore MD responded to citizens exercising their civil liberties including freedom of speech and right to protest. The events influenced the local officials and political leaders to react both negatively and positively. Although the people participating in the protest were able to exercise their right to protest and speak freely, this freedom was short lived. Eventually several protestors, civilians, and even news reporters were shot with rubber bullets, pepper-sprayed, arrested, or otherwise silenced during the demonstration. These events are very similar to another instance during 2014 in Ferguson...
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...nothing else but to sacrifice people’s right to pursue an alleged political equality and preventing corruption, thus, it raises an ethical problem that restriction on campaign finance is fail of right. When looking into literatures of campaign finance reform, the debate of rights often based on the free speech protected by the First Amendment. People neglected that the free express of political petition is also a basic right acknowledged by the Universal Declaration of Human rights. Thus, I will examine this argument in the article from a broad to narrow scope. This article will analyze the campaign finance regulation’s failure from a right perspective. The article will demonstrate that some moral theorists divide rights into positive and negative categories which create distinctive correlative duties. This article will argue that the present restriction is actually infringe people’s rights and goes against with Universal Declaration of Human rights and the First Amendment. Moreover, the compel disclosure of donor’s information violates people’ s right to privacy, thus, such an act by government may be over regulated. Part 1 of this article will introduce a brief history of how the United States campaign finance reform moves at several significant points and cases. Part 2 will introduce the definition of a right from various moral and legal perspectives. Part 3 will examine the failure of right from the universal basic right narrow down to the United States’ free speech...
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...Balance of Media Media is a huge part of politics. Without the mass communication systems we have in the US today, there would be an even bigger knowledge gap in our population. The percentage of people who are actually up to date on current politics and issues is astounding when you look at all the media coverage these areas have. The media serves as a politician’s biggest survivor tool and worst enemy; although some like to say any media is good media, when dealing with politics it can be a detriment, not only to a politician but to the entire political system. Having freedom of press leaves unlimited opportunities to convey whatever news there may be in whatever way best suits that source. How the media influence has changed people’s mind about politics can be seen as good and bad. With an already considerably low number of citizens active in their knowledge of politics, the media is a huge reliant. Without television broadcast, and radio stations there would be millions of more people clueless as to what is going on in our government. So for their general purpose of simply informing the public, the media overflow is a good thing and has positive influence on people. There are also media outlets that stand on either side of the spectrum, so people can see the difference and get the correct information for both sides. And even better there are some less popular channels that convey both sides equally without bias toward either party or view, making an excellent source...
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...all at a different time in life. They can be big or small and can have positive characteristics or negative characteristics. Being an American means being free and proud to live in our country. Freedom is letting the citizens have opportunities, giving the people the power, and to dream big. Opportunities are given to Americans in many different ways. Opportunities give us the chance to do what we want, without the feeling of being pushed into a corner. America allows opportunities to find us, create new opportunities, and we all look and strive for these opportunities. Immigrants came to our nation for a new start in life. The image of the Jewish children on the ship staring at the Statue of Liberty. America quit accepting immigrants because they needed to reduce the number coming into the country. The immigrants that were able to enter the country were given different job opportunities. The poem, I Hear America Singing,...
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...Part of a series on Liberalism Development[show] Ideas[show] Variants[show] People[show] Organizations[show] • Liberalism portal • Politics portal • v • t • e • 1. • • • • • • • • • • Words such as liberal, liberty, libertarian, and libertine all trace their history to the Latin liber, which means "free". One of the first recorded instances of the word liberal occurs in 1375, when it was used to describe the liberal arts in the context of an education desirable for a free-born man.[13] The word's early connection with the classical education of a medieval university soon gave way to a proliferation of different denotations and connotations. Liberal could refer to "free in bestowing" as early as 1387, "made without stint" in 1433, "freely permitted" in 1530, and "free from restraint"—often as a pejorative remark—in the 16th and the 17th centuries.In 16th century England, liberal could have positive or negative attributes in referring to someone's generosity or indiscretion.[13] In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare wrote of "a liberal villaine" who "hath...confest his vile encounters".[13] With the rise of the Enlightenment, the word acquired decisively more positive undertones, being defined as "free from narrow prejudice" in 1781 and "free from bigotry" in 1823.[13] In 1815, the first use of the word liberalism appeared in English.[14] In Spain, the Liberales, the first group to use the liberal label in a political...
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...works for their own gain, and/or financial development. Can lead to massive growth in middle classes. Political Philosophy is aimed at analysing how a society works and how they are governed by a ruling power. It seeks to evaluate the different ethical and political standpoints in different political parties, and analyse how they affect the citizens of the country/state. Some key ideologies include; Conservatism Tradition and custom is more important than change, unless change is desperately needed. Will tend to view human nature as innately selfish. It is government’s job to create legislation in order to provide a secure and supportive social context in which people can realise their full potential. Concentrates on maximising Positive Freedom. If Thomas Hobbes had lived in the modern era, he would probably have been conservative. Liberalism...
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...Saying the Unsayable (Rebuttal) In this paper the writer tries to demonstrate that freedom of speech can have many different affects on different cultures. This writer gives different views and arguments supporting this claim. As a writer, one tries to stay within the guidelines of freedom of speech, but still tries to keep the reader interested in the story. In one example the writer stated that, “since 9/11 the climate has changed in the UK’. I believe that since 9/11 the views of the world changed not just one particular area. The writer wrote many different articles around religion/family values and got different responses from these cultures both negative and positive. When one is writing on religion or family values you must be willing for the controversial rebuttal. One must chose topics that offend as well as promote the good. The writer began censoring herself after one theater play received threats, and she received unwanted obscenities. She then writes, “Some hate me but a lot more love me” (pg93 par 2), shows a response for the audience of these plays. When one begins creating plays it is for money not to see how love or hate the artist or creator of the play is. It is to tell a story of interest and highlight one thought by bringing it to life in front of an audience. This writer also placed a small bio of herself and family to the reasoning for the theater plays. In my opinion using her bio to show or depict how her religion culture background...
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...Political Science 201 June 7, 2012 Media’s Negative Effect in Politics The media plays a heavy negative role in American politics. During the past few years, society’s judgment has been based on what was given to it through the media. People rarely specifically research on candidates or propositions anymore. Much of the mass media is biased by trying to persuade viewers into believing what they want them to believe are true. Media is created for consumption by a large number of people watching it. The media has a remarkable impact on politics, which is not always good or beneficial. The data collected from the media can either be used for or against a politician. If a politician is favored by a certain network, such as CNN, NBC, or FOX, then the network can help his or her career reach new heights; however, if a politician is disliked then the network is capable of destroying the politician’s career. The media has the desire to make decisions for itself and in return try to convince people of its rightness and distort its viewers’ perspectives. There are many different types of media that can have a different influence on society’s political view. The four biggest forms of media are radio stations, newspapers, the internet, and television. People could tune into radio stations or talk radios to listen to political candidates being interviewed. An example would be in 1992 when "President George H. Bush interviewed with conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh" (Curl). Non-political...
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...Dan Enden’s genius behind Spinoza, claiming that Van Den Enden’s writing contain a political theory which is in fact the same as the one worked out by Spinoza. Whether or not this assessment is fair, it is clear that Spinoza’s thinking was nourished through his association with Van Den Enden and the larger radical Cartesian circle in Amsterdam. How can we verify the real possibility of a constitutive praises? Spinoza adversaries (both on the protest anti side and on the catholic side) maintain that the political problem in Spinoza is central and that it’s the substance of the religious problem. Naturally, they have a negative opinion of this inversion. “ you refer all things to public safety. Which is the something as reducing a detailed discussion that perhaps first time in the course of their extensive correspondence assumes polemical tones, sustains this negative judgment. I finally receive the theological–political treatise, he inform Spinoza in 1675, and I have written you about. Oldenburg is initially very perplexed by the...
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...The legislation proposed by the Conservative party has enormous significance: Canadians citizens would no longer have the ability to travel where they want on the globe. Subsequently, the freedom of people will be limited. The Islamic State is a controversial subject, yet it does not mean that all the people who travel to “terrorist hotspots” such as Syria or Iraq have the intent to join terrorist groups (Latraverse, 2015). In addition, this legislation if implemented, would violate the section 6, mobility rights, which allow every citizen to enter, remain, and leave Canada (Dyck, 2011, p. 272). However, despite this fact, it also gives benefits to the people. Indeed, even if criminalizing travels to certain regions has a negative impact on...
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...------------------------------------------------- American Dream We all know the great country of freedom and hopes, called America. America is the country where big dreams can become reality. Throughout the years many immigrants, have travelled to America, in the hope of making their dream come true. We have seen many big personalities’ getting their chance in America, and many has later on become big stars in the whole world. The world-known bodybuilder, actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger is no exception. In the text “Arnold Schwarzenegger Recalls Lessons from 25 years as a U.S. Citizen - Learn English, Participate in Politics, and Give back”, Arnold is describing how he came to America for his shot at the America dream. The America Dream is when immigrant’s travel to America, for the hope to live out their dream. Arnold came from Austria and he succeeded his American Dream. He became one of the most well known persons in America, and even in the rest of the world. Not only for his politician career, but also his title as “the greatest bodybuilder ever” and his career as an actor. His main point in the text is, that the immigrants who travel to America to live their dream, has a responsibility as well. They have to give something back. You have to be interested in American culture and history, to learn to speak English and participate in politics. This way you will give something back to America. Arnold himself is mentioning that he had the opportunity to give...
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...Imagine living in a Puritan society 330 years ago. Religious zeal and devotion are the basis of the community. Ministers and pastors promote male supremacy and women are looked down upon. The fundamental rule in society is to follow God’s law and obey His commandments. Harsh, remorseless punishment is inflicted on those who stray from God’s laws. Now compare the Puritan society to today’s society. The American culture is ruled by momentary yet popular trends. Colored skinny jeans, snap-backs, unnecessary fashion glasses and neon clothing can be seen almost anywhere on the street (Lutz). Also modern culture has astronomically altered social norms. Women used to be the ideal caretaker of innocence and purity, but now women dress in revealing clothing and are preyed on by the indecent society. Proper mannerisms have vanished and young people have become straightforward and sometimes even rude. Respect for elders and wisdom has dwindled (The Revolution in Manners and Morals). What is the cause of this cultural shift? In Boston during 1684, a group of strict Puritan religious leaders wrote a letter to the community addressing the issue of dancing. Men could dance together and women could dance together, which was viewed as a natural expression of joy. Also children could dance with their parents’ permission. However if a male and female danced together it was seen as an inexcusable sin before God (An Arrow Against Profane and Promiscuous Dancing). Puritan religious leaders warned...
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