Robert Dahl and Charles Lindbolm suggest a pluralist view of democracy suggesting that pressure groups are beneficial to democracy. They enable political participation in national and local politics providing a role for individuals in the system. The work of pressure groups monitors the government and holds it to account and as a result can leak and expose information. As pressure groups aim to influence public policies either by direct action or lobbying and raising awareness of an issue as groups compete to influence policies and the government may take advice from them. Furthermore pressures groups are essential to democracy as they give the opportunity for minorities such as ethnic groups and genders to express distinctive points of view, encouraging people to become involved with decision making and public life forming a link between the government and the people.
The Lingering Problems of Direct Democracy: Potential for Abuse in a Time of Technological Change In considering the possibility of implementing a form of web and computer-based direct democracy in American society, the benefits, as they pertain to transparency and responsiveness, appear to be significant. Problematically, however, and in spite of the technological growth which has made large-scale direct democracy foreseeable in a federal republic, several elements of human nature and of American life alike preclude the possibility of its real emergence. For one, the problem of the factions, discussed at length in the Federalist Papers, might create a context in which direct democracy would become oppressive to America’s minorities. Additionally,
This model has two main concepts, socialization, the influences placed on a voter during his formative years, and immunization, the allegiance to a particular party or ideology being almost cemented in the voter. The process of socialization is a mechanism by which the voter acquires certain norms and values from his surroundings and becomes aligned to a certain political orientation. A voter’s socialization can be influenced by a host of different factors, religion, class, education to name a few, and if these influences are all similar in nature then it is believed that partisanship is almost a certainty (Evans, 2004, p. 46). The Columbia School studies of voting behaviour in the 1940’s showed the importance of ‘transmission’, the handing down of social and political values from parent to child, and ‘contact’, spending time with people who hold a similar set of beliefs and values, in this process (Bartels, 2008, p. 3). Immunization follows on from socialization, and comes in the form of a voter positively affirming their identification with a party.
Many sociologists have given alternate views about the main function of education. Functionalists argue that the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus – agreed social values – whereas Marxists argue that education transmits values that benefit the ruling class. Durkheim (1903), a functionalist, argues that society needs a sense of social solidarity because without it, social life and cooperation would be impossible as individuals would pursue their own selfish desires. The education system helps create social solidarity by transmitting society’s culture from one generation to the next so the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus in society. However, Marxists criticise this and argue that education in capitalist society only transmits the ideology of the ruling class and not the shared values of society.
We need diversity because it brings different point of views and judgment to the table, it also could shape things such as the government, and cultural aspects like food, clothing, and tactics to build and create things. https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070127115908AAXGuA8 2. What is ethnocentrism? In what ways can ethnocentrism be detrimental to a society? Ethnocentrism is the way an individual look at the world from his/her own beliefs in their culture.
The decisions that affect welfare reform such as health care, defense, environment and taxes - is not merely a conversation between politicians, the public and "special interests". It is also the product of the many foundations - the "think tanks" - dedicated to discovering what is best for all, or at least for some of us. What they bring to the process is not only honest research, but also heart-felt ideology and what is often a dedication to differing priorities and outcomes. I believe there is many important factors that are considered in political reform decision-making process that is not favorable, justified and quantified. Citizens of industrialized democratic nations like the United States, often hold there elected and appointed leaders
The massive study determines four dimensions: ³(1) power distance, (2) uncertaintyavoidance, (3) individualism, and (4) masculinity´ (Hodgetts, Luthans, & Doh, 2005, p. 102).The study provides information on different cultures behavior (Hodgetts, Luthans, & Doh, 2005).An example is individualism versus collectivism.In the United States, Americans are individualistic concerned about the welfare of self and family (Hodgetts, Luthans, & Doh, 2005). Many of the foreign workers from Pakistan, India,and Korea are in collectivist societies and are concerned about protecting group members andfamily to obtain loyalty (Hodgetts, Luthans, & Doh, 2005). The difference could
The only problem with this idea is that other countries began to feel threatened not only by America but by other countries also. It was not a complete shock when Spain and America went to war. Since the idea of imperialism was being tossed around by countries, Spain had control over Cuba and other countries, the goods that were being exported from these countries to America and surrounding areas were being threatened to be cut off. American ended up going to war with Spain to prevent these things from happening. Just think if Spain still had control over Cuba and Hawaii, we would have to spend more money as a country to import sugar and pineapples.
* President McKinsley claimed to be motivated not by greed but by a ‘civilising mission’ to raise aid the development of less advanced peoples. Over view judgement What were the driving factors in American foreign policy? * Imperialism/ideology * Economic reasons * Role of individuals * Public opinion * External factors Which factor was most important in the different spheres? * Latin America * Empire building * The Far East * The world stage What were the turning points? * Conflicts?
In Chapter 11 “Young People in a Globalizing World” in the World Youth Report, 2003, the United Nation (UN) examines the relationship between young people and globalization bases on economic and culture aspects. The UN argues that the global youth culture is contradictive, insecurity, and may lead to economic division. However, The UN claims that in the process of globalization, young people combine the local and global impacts and generate their own culture. The UN affirms that because of economic and social division, the extents of young people who are influenced by global culture are various. Thus, The UN assert that young people integrate the local and global cultures in different levels.