These Web Assignment Writing Samples are for
reference purposes only and are all good examples of a web assignment response.
They may or may not be the best submitted but in an effort to present some ideas
and different approaches to the web topics, I thought they might be useful.
Unit 1 - Craft
Sample 1
Partisan, policy, and system politics are interrelated and all of them work together to make all levels of government work more efficiently. Partisan politics involves and is interested in which party attains office. Policy politics deals with deciding which policies to adopt. System politics examines how administrative systems are set up.
Partisan politics is illustrated in the way that our political system is set up with different parties. Although there are several the largest are the Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, and Independent parties. Every time a person registers to vote they must choose a party affiliation. We have elections and primaries, some states have open primaries, which allow them to vote for any party, in Oklahoma we have closed primaries that allow us to vote only in our registered party. Another illustration of partisan politics is the recent Democratic National Convention in which Democrats are able to have their candidates, representatives, and supporters speak on the issues they deem relevant to their party winning the next election. The Republican Convention is currently happening and offers the same situation for this party.
Policy politics can be illustrated in such vast ways and one could write a very full book on the policies that have been implemented over the years that we have been a nation. One way that policies are implemented is through our electing officials for city government, state government, federal government, and the president. These elected officials pass rules, regulations, and laws that become our policies. The United States Constitution and state constitutions dictate and give boundaries to our policies. A few examples of these policies are the initial amendments to the Constitution we call the Bill of Rights that dictate our policy on individual freedoms. As times have progressed we have added several more amendments the 16th amendment allowed for income taxes. The nation went through the Great Depression and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt implemented several policies in his New Deal such as The Social Security Act and FDIC. We saw the Civil Rights Movement and the 1964 Civil Rights Act that outlawed discrimination in public arenas and then in 1965 the Voting Rights Act that did away with all Jim Crow laws preventing Blacks from voting were implemented. In the 1970's the Women's Movement occurred and Roe vs. Wade was a landmark Supreme Court decision making abortion legal having to do with our rights to privacy that are indirectly referred to in the United States Constitution. Some newer policies in federal government have been implemented since 9/11 that many question such as the USA PATRIOT ACT that many believe infringes on our civil liberties. We have a national policy that allows all U.S. children to be educated and we offer a public education system. The guidelines for teacher pay and benefits are set up by the individual states. Oklahoma's policies are on the worst list. Cities have their own rules and regulations set up for how they run their cities.
System politics is related to policy politics. Once a policy is accepted or voted in then there must be a system available to implement it and follow through. In our city government we have the police departments and fire department systems set up for our well-being and protection. On the state level we have the Parks and Recreational Departments that patrol and protect our state parks. We have the Highway Patrol that protects our highways and sees to it we are safer on the roads. We have the Department of Human Services that implements and follows through for our welfare system. On the federal level we have the EEOC that makes sure regulations are followed that guarantee equality in the workplace and public arenas. We have the Internal Revenue Service that works as a collection agency for the federal government to aid them in collecting our income taxes. A more recent system that has been implemented since 9/11 is Homeland Security who follows the policies set up in the PATRIOT ACT to help fight terrorism and American foreign policy is in great need of an overhaul since we no longer have any concrete policy since the Cold War ended. There are too many systems to name them all but these are a few examples.
As we can see partisan, policy, and system politics are intertwined. We elect officials to help us run our government from the city level to the president and their party affiliation directly affects the way they will view and direct their policies. When policies are implemented they have the Constitutions of the United States and the individual states to guide them. They then must have a system that can implement and uphold the policies set forth. It is a very involved process and a challenging one since we are a democratic society that has many freedoms. Everyone working together for a common good seems to be the challenge in today's world.
Sample 2
Considering that purpose is goal oriented toward specific tasks, the new Homeland Security task force falls under this heading. Homeland Security is only interest in everything we do! Seriously, Homeland Security’s main goal is to keep terrorism out of the United States. However simple this task sounded when the deal was made to embark on something so monumental yet obscure is beyond me. I know that restrictions have been placed on travel, internet access and nuclear power plants just to name a few. Domestic exercises have been executed in order to prepare for widespread outbreaks of disease or chemical warfare. These exercises are supported by local, state and national government agencies. Background checks on foreigners are scrutinized more closely, so entering the United States may not be as simple as it once was. State run government entities that serve as a place organization include the National Guard and State Parks departments. The National Guard is linked to the federal government but also serves state (local) purposes.
Medicare and Medicaid were formed by the Social Security Administration and are clientele oriented. These two organizations are responsible for the health care coverage for any person older than sixty-five years of age or younger persons that are eligible and meet certain criteria for coverage. The Social Security Administration is purpose oriented due to the fact that it serves a few basic tasks. The services of the Social Security Administration are available to every citizen of the United States but cater to the disabled and retired persons. But in a way it is client oriented in that it covers the health care and pension funds for the sixty-five and over population (I’ll refrain from saying elderly). The Social Security Administration also legalizes immigrants but there is a host of specific tasks for a specialize group of people that are performed by this government agency.
The Department of Justice is a process organization. If you want legal procedures this is it. This department oversees courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, and various organizations that have been formed to benefit victims and survivors of crime, disabled, civil rights and civil liberties, and dispute resolutions among others. The effects of the major organization trickles down envelope a certain population of people. For instance, the Department of Justice also sponsors the much smaller, project safe neighborhoods that helps neighborhoods keep crime and vandalism out of their neighborhood. The Bureau of Justice Statistics also falls under the Department of Justice heading, which relates crime victim statistics, categorizing the information to include racial, gender, age, and geographical background. Even though these government agencies are categorized as either, purpose, process, place, or clientele, they all have agencies within agencies that benefit a particular group of people, or place, or perform a particular task or process.
The City Treasurers Office is an example of an organization grounded in place. It is local and serves a local clientele. Other examples of place oriented organizations are the Sheriff’s Office and Police Department. Even these local place oriented organizations have subcategories of beneficial groups that serve specific clientele and purposes such as; neighborhood watch or safe watch programs. State and local law enforcement agencies also have inducted drug watch programs in several states, including Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. The intended purpose of this program is to control the manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine but it sure does make it difficult for the average citizen to buy common household products.
Sample 3
Organizations are run on certain ideas. Some of these ideas that government is
based upon is purpose, process, place, and clientele. The purpose of this essay is to
define each of these principles and how the would effect a not for profit organization.
The first category is purpose. Our text book, The Craft of Public Administration,
by George Berkley and John Rouse defines purpose as the accomplishments of the task.
In short, what does the group do. Why should we support this group? We must understand what the group or organization is going to do or what
they will support. We as a society are not going to give money to something just because. We will
support what we believe in. For example, if the organization support the rights of women, and
we believe that women should be given the same rights as a man, then we would be
likely to become a member of this group or find ways to support the organization.
The second area of an organization that is important, is the process. Our textbook
defines this as how certain functions will be performed. How will the organization
accomplish whatever it is that they believe in. This also involves the rules and
regulations of the organization. Will the group set up protest in front of a building or will
they write letter of objections to people who are in charge of running organization that go
against the principle of the certain group? These are examples of processes. This also
involves how the group will support it self. Will it have fund raiser within the people in
the group or will it rely on donations from other people and organizations? This is also,
part of the organizational process.
The third area that affect an organization, is place. Where will the organization
be located? Where will the meetings of the group take place? This is an important area
of discussion because where the organization is located will determine the number and
types of people that will join the group. The location should be semi central for the
member of the group. It is also important to realize that location will determine who will
join and be part of the organization. If the organization is locate is a poor neighborhood,
then it is likely the members will come from that neighborhood. It is also possible that if
it is held in a poor neighborhood that wealthy people may tend to stray away from the
organization. The reverse would possibly hold true if the group meats within a wealth
neighborhood. The people who live around where the organization is located with most
likely become the members of the group. The last group that the textbook discusses is the idea of clientele. This means
basically, who will the group choose to serve. The book list different areas of clientele.
Defense is one area that the book discusses. This is our countries military force. The
Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines are obviously part of this group. It also involves
smaller groups such as the people who are in charge of support areas. Veterans Affairs is
also involved in the defense area. This area take care of veterans and their families. It
help give these people aid when they need it. It takes care of the veterans hospital and
the military cemeteries. The next area that the textbook discusses is the treasury
department. This group is in charge of banks and areas such as counterfeiting. The book
gives many examples of areas that fall under this category of different clientele. Others
areas, that the book discusses are the justice department, agriculture, interior,
transportation, health and human services, commerce, energy, labor, state, housing and
urban development, and education.
Unit 2 - Ecology
Sample 1
The equal rights clause of the constitution is extended to every United States citizen. The voting process generally takes care of specific issues with the majority ruling, which means that someone is going to win the battle and someone is going to lose. Generally speaking I believe that issues are very rarely black and white but I also believe that economic status does play a part in the political process of democracy. Educated citizens typically have higher annual incomes and vote more often than citizens that are less educated. Does everyone benefit from the democratic process? The greater good always wins.
Election year or not, taxes quickly become one of the most widely discussed and heated topics in government. I am not saying that I want higher taxes but I would like to see my money spent in a more efficient manor and if I knew that the new tax would directly affect me, I might be persuaded to vote for it. I do not remember voting on the Patriot Act tax. I know that a portion of my taxes supposedly goes to the emergency preparedness fund and I know that one emergency preparedness drill was executed last April in my surrounding area. As a preschool director I was asked to have teachers, space and food available for the children of the individuals participating in the emergency exercise. I would not have been monetarily reimbursed for expenses but I was expected to go along with the plan. I found a way around participating in the drill and although I think it was a great idea in theory, I did not see it as completely vital.
Bartlesville recently had a water supply shortage, which has been temporarily resolved. Yet in the midst of the water supply dilemma, the movement for a new water treatment plant was voted on and passed by raising the tax on my monthly water bill. Does Bartlesville need a new water treatment plant? I’m sure that we do, however I would hope that we have water available for treatment in this new facility. Of course this water treatment plant is not surveyed for or planned on the “right side of the tracks”. It is being constructed on the economically challenged side of town. I do not personally live on that side of town but my sympathy toward the residents there is genuine. No one wants a water treatment plant in their backyard, but somehow the city managed to pass that particular plan into action. I know that the citizens of that particular neighborhood had mixed feelings about the water treatment plant. Some residents thought it was a good idea and others were worried about property values declining and the unsightliness of having the plant in their backyard.
The budget cuts to education will cause undue harm to the children of Oklahoma. I would be in favor of a tax that would replenish the programs and resources that are no longer available to educators if I thought my money would stay locally. I have a vested interest in the public education system in Bartlesville; my son. I feel like he and the rest of Oklahoma’s children are being shortchanged when it comes to their education.
The Conoco-Phillips merger was an economically hard hit to Bartlesville. The executive positions within the company were transferred to Houston, Texas, which has greatly affected several areas of capitalism in our little city. The public democratic process was not part of the decision to move these jobs but its impact has been no less traumatic. The housing market and tax revenue are just two areas in which this merger has depleted funds that are causing an economic shortage. The trickling down effect is evident when looking at available jobs; housing starts are not as high, construction jobs are scarce and lending institutions are suffering as well. So in order to replenish the capitalistic gain that has been lost, city government has bid for and received tax relief for new businesses. Bartlesville, Ramona and Ochelata have benefited and hopefully will continue to benefit from construction of the new Walmart Distribution Center. Those benefits include; construction crews staying at local motels, the creation of five-hundred new jobs and restaurant establishments are seeing an increase in customers (construction crews) just to name a few.
Sample 2
The Constitution spells out that “…. All men are created equal…and endowed by the creator with certain rights.” However, what of economic status? Throughout history there have always been the ‘haves and the have nots’. If all men are created equal, all men most certainly do not take advantage of that equality. Some make different life choices that lead to disaster down the road. Some men are lazy—all men were not created with the same work ethic. If we are not equal in economic status are we truly an equal society?
“In the democratic vision, the freedom achieved by a democratic order is above all the freedom of self-determination in making collective and binding decisions…” (Democracy and its Critics, Dahl, 326) In other words, democratic order is the freedom to make laws that we can collectively live under as citizens. Freedom of decisions and freedom of economic decisions go hand-in-hand. As some have pointed out, democracy cannot exist without a free-market economy. If one cannot sell his goods as he or she sees fit are we truly free?
“In the standard economic view, the freedom achieved by the economic order is above all the primary freedom of choice in the market place: the freedom of consumers to choose among goods and services, of businessmen to compete with others in offering commodities and services and in acquiring the resources to produce them…” (Dahl, 326)
All members of the economy have the ‘equal right’ to accept or reject goods at certain market prices, yet ‘equally free’ is not truly specified. Citizens as consumers are free do buy what they wish as long as they can afford it—since incomes are not distributed equally, goods are distributed equally either.
I believe the framers of the Constitution recognized the benefits of the free market economy—the very fabric of the American being is based in capitalism. The very system is efficient, because if one wants to survive in the world, they are forced to provide for themselves. In the early days of America there were no government welfare programs. Citizens were expected to provide for themselves, even in to old age. Family played a large role, and Americans lived together with several generations in the same household.
“America promotes equality by allocating social and political rights equally and distancing these rights from the marketplace of supply and demand.” (Craft of Public Administration, Berkley, 33) What I believe this means is that the Constitution provides an equal foundation for all its citizens, from which they can build on in the economic system. What an individual chooses to do with that equality is up to them. Some people invest money, others squander it—it is the same principle. The Constitution never said that “all men shall have an equal home, or an equal pay.”
“The values of equality and efficiency are always in conflict. The pursuit of efficiency necessarily creates inequalities.” (Berkley, 33) Communism sought to rid the world of the inequalities that existed in their social and economic structure. Their basic ideals were appealing to the poor masses—yet, distributing wealth equally to those who do not contribute equally is inherently inefficient. Americans and capitalists believe that supply and demand is the ultimate Holy Grail in economics. We believe that ultimate efficiency will be reached when people work in their own selfish interests; that is when individuals work the hardest. No amount of social welfare, wealth distribution, or any other government-contrive program will ever change that. Life is tough, but to survive one has to work hard.
Efficiency is the hallmark of American ingenuity, and the systems we have put in place are there precisely because they are efficient. There will probably always be inequalities and conflicts between capitalism and democracy, but it is a symbiotic relationship.
Unit 3 - Anatomy
Sample 1
All government agencies or non-profit organizations are guided by their particular reason for being. Some are more specifically guided by purpose, process, place, or clientele. Many are guided by more than one of these areas.
Purpose driven government agencies or non-profit organizations are oriented more toward the accomplishment of certain distinct tasks. The public school system for instance is an example of a purpose driven agency. The government regulates the schools and they are dedicated to the purpose of educating our nations children. There are certain requirements the teachers must meet to be able to work within the school system. In President Bush's time in office he has attempted to implement The No Child Left Behind Act that is supposed to create a better learning environment for children. This is the sole purpose of the school system. Fire Departments are also purpose driven. Their sole purpose is to protect us in cases of emergency and fires. The military is a government agency that has the purpose of protecting our country and its citizens. There are a myriad of non-profit organizations that have particular purposes.
Process driven government agencies are oriented toward performing certain functions. They focus on procedural aspects of administration. The legal departments and areas of justice administration would have to do with process and procedures. The court systems have laws and procedures and certain processes that dictate what is allowed to happen in the courtroom. When you look at the City Counsel they are more of a process agency. They have to follow certain guidelines and procedures in the way that they hold meetings both private and public. When people are arrested there is ascertain process they go through.
Place government agencies or non-profit organizations serve certain specific areas, services are provided to people in particular neighborhoods, cities, county, or other regions. The fire departments and police are examples of place-oriented services they each are over certain areas of the state. We have city police and fire available.
Clientele government agencies and non-profit organizations serve different groups of people. There are some that specifically aid senior citizens and the disabled, Baptist Home Care that was my previous employer were a non-profit organization that served this clientele. Then we have places such as child advocacy centers that aid abused children and their families. There is DVIS for those who are victims of domestic abuse. The NAACP that serves the Black community. Another example would be NOW that serves and informs women. There are many government agencies that aid specific clientele and have specific purposes. Some examples are the Department of labor that enforces laws regarding fairness in the workplace. The Department of State oversees the nation's embassies and consulates, as well as, representing the United States before international organizations such as the U.N. and NATO. The Department of Agriculture also known as the USDA manages our food sources and labeling.
Many government agencies and non-profit organizations cross over one or more of the areas of purpose, process, place, or clientele. They each offer services that we need to conduct our lives in the fashion that we do.
Sample 2
I’d like to illustrate the Department of Defense, in particular the branches of the military. Under the department of Defense, currently headed by Donald Rumsfeld, all organization has a purpose. The military is divided into branches, each with its own functions. The Five branches are the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is unique, in that in times of peace it operates under the authority of Homeland security, but in wartime acts under the Department of the Navy. Each branch has its own mission requirements (purpose), their area of operations (place); and the clientele, in my opinion, is serving the American people. The defense department has the obligation to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies foreign or domestic. This includes protecting the American people, and their interests.
Each branch of the military retains highly specialized, yet seemingly redundant capabilities. So, speaking in general terms, the main mission of the armed services is as follows: The main purpose of the Army is to fight the enemy on land. The Air Force’s main mission is to maintain control of the sky—win the air war. The mission of the Navy is to maintain supremacy at sea, which helps America project power around the globe. A strong navy has been important to every global empire that has ever existed. The Mission of the Marine Corps is somewhat redundant—to fight on land, sea, and air, as a combat arm of the Navy. Marines are the Navy’s shock troops, capable of fighting and sustaining themselves anywhere in the world. Referred to as the “first to fight”, Marines usually are because they are forwardly deployed around the globe—light, mobile, and ready. The Coast Guard is responsible for maintaining and defending the US coastline in peacetime and in wartime, as well as US controlled areas overseas, such as the port of Umm Quasar in Iraq. They closely work with, and are associated with the US Navy.
If the branches of the military have a defined purpose, why do they retain redundancy? Even the Air Force has special operations ground troops. Each branch of the military is extremely good at what it does. They are full of dedicated individuals who do not do it for the money but who believe in the principles this country were founded on, and are willing to die to protect them. Every branch of the military retains flight capabilities, so why the redundancy? It seems to interfere with the purpose of the Air Force does it not? This is one of many examples—the main reason is efficiency. Each branch of the military has its own culture, lingo, and way of thinking. I believe that ultimately it is a matter of efficiency. When units are deployed around the world, it is easy for intra-service problems arise, mainly of supply. It is easier for one service to allocate resources within its own service than to rely on another service to do it. To some that may not sound efficient, but it is more efficient in the fog of war.
There is also redundancy in the area of operations (organizational purpose)—why does the Marine Corps sometimes perform a role traditionally reserved for the Army, such as sustained ground combat? This is an old debate, one that almost terminated the Marine Corps after World War II. Sometimes the only explanation as to why things are the way they are is because the American people want it that way.
As far as the Marine Corps are concerned, other branches could perform every aspect of the Marine Corps land, sea, and air. Yet, when the Marine Corps enters the fight, the American people breathe a sigh of relief. Why? Because when the Marine Corps enters the fray, our enemies scatter. The Marine Corps distinguishes themselves through their honor, courage, and commitment in all battles it fights in—Marines have something to prove. In fact, all of our armed servicemen distinguish themselves with honor for protecting our freedoms. The changing geo-political world of small regional conflicts is a recipe designed for the Marine Corps. Organizational redundancy can provide a fail-safe method of accomplishing the mission.
Unit 4 - Physiology
Sample 1
Democracy may be a word familiar to most, but it is a concept still misunderstood and misused in a time when totalitarian regimes and military dictatorships have attempted to claim popular support by pinning democratic labels upon themselves. In the dictionary definition, democracy "is 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." In the phrase of Abraham Lincoln, democracy is a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people."
Freedom and democracy are often used interchangeably, but the two are not synonymous. Democracy is a set of ideas and principles about freedom, but it also consists of a set of practices and procedures that have been molded through a long history. In short, democracy is the institutionalization of freedom. For this reason, it is possible to identify the time-tested fundamentals of constitutional government, human rights, and equality before the law that any society must possess to be properly called democratic.
Democracies fall into two basic categories, direct and representative. In a direct democracy, all citizens, without the intermediary of elected or appointed officials, can participate in making public decisions. Such a system is clearly only practical with relatively small numbers of people--in a community organization or tribal council, for example, or the local unit of a labor union, where members can meet in a single room to discuss issues and arrive at decisions by consensus or majority vote. Ancient Athens, the world's first democracy, managed to practice direct democracy with an assembly that may have numbered as many as 5,000 to 6,000 persons--perhaps the maximum number that can physically gather in one place and practice direct democracy.
Modern society, with its size and complexity, offers few opportunities for direct democracy. Even in the northeastern United States, where the New England town meeting is a hallowed tradition, most communities have grown too large for all the residents to gather in a single location and vote directly on issues that affect their lives.
Today, the most common form of democracy, whether for a town of 50,000 or nations of 50 million, is representative democracy, in which citizens elect officials to make political decisions, formulate laws, and administer programs for the public good. In the name of the people, such officials can deliberate on complex public issues in a thoughtful and systematic manner that requires an investment of time and energy that is often impractical for the vast majority of private citizens.
How such officials are elected can vary enormously. On the national level, for example, legislators can be chosen from districts that each elect a single representative. Alternatively, under a system of proportional representation, each political party is represented in the legislature according to its percentage of the total vote nationwide. Provincial and local elections can mirror these national models, or choose their representatives more informally through group consensus instead of elections. Whatever the method used, public officials in a representative democracy hold office in the name of the people and remain accountable to the people for their actions.
All democracies are systems in which citizens freely make political decisions by majority rule. But rule by the majority is not necessarily democratic: No one, for example, would call a system fair or just that permitted 51 percent of the population to oppress the remaining 49 percent in the name of the majority. In a democratic society, majority rule must be coupled with guarantees of individual human rights that, in turn, serve to protect the rights of minorities--whether ethnic, religious, or political, or simply the losers in the debate over a piece of controversial legislation. The rights of minorities do not depend upon the goodwill of the majority and cannot be eliminated by majority vote. The rights of minorities are protected because democratic laws and institutions protect the rights of all citizens.
Democracy is more than a set of constitutional rules and procedures that determine how a government functions. In a democracy, government is only one element coexisting in a social fabric of many and varied institutions, political parties, organizations, and associations. This diversity is called pluralism, and it assumes that the many organized groups and institutions in a democratic society do not depend upon government for their existence, legitimacy, or authority.
But what is a republican government? The government of Rome was called a republican government. The Founders read that republican government was one in which: the power of government is held by the people. The people give power to leaders they elect to represent them and serve their interests. The representatives are responsible for helping all the people in the country, not just a few people.
What are the advantages of republican government? The Founders thought a republican government was the best kind of government they could choose for themselves. They believed that the advantages of republican government were fairness, common welfare, and freedom and prosperity. They believed that laws made by the representatives they elected would be fair. If their representatives did not make fair laws, they could elect others who would. The laws would help everyone instead of one person or a few favored people. People would have greater freedom and be able to live well. Common welfare is when a government tries to help everyone in a country, we say it is serving the common welfare. The common welfare is what is good for everyone in the country, not just a few people.
At the core of the republican government appears to be the principle that the many should rule, and that the body politic "should move that way whither the greater force carries it, which is the consent of the majority". Which way that greater force moved was for the people to determine, consulting their interests and their better second thoughts. In that sense a variety of forms of institutional arrangements might all deserve the name "republican," with the greater fitness of one or the other form turning on the particular, even peculiar, circumstances of people, time, and place. What was critical, John Adams insisted, was that the government be "bound by fixed laws, which the people have a voice in making, and a right to defend."
Sample 2
Democracy and Republican Government
Power in the national government is dispersed, divided, and decentralized; it is also limited, directly and indirectly, by the Constitution. To protect certain individual rights and political liberties, this charter places explicit restrictions on the national government, principally through the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment. The 1st Amendment, for instance, mandates that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The Constitution also establishes checks and balances among the three branches of government - the executive, judiciary, and legislature - each of which has its own independent institutional base and its own enumerated and implied powers. The branches, moreover, share responsibility for policy making at the national level. As a consequence of these characteristics, the Constitution issues an "invitation to struggle" over the direction of American public policy, while at the same time serving as the cornerstone upon which all of American freedom and success lies.
For authoritarians and other critics, a common misapprehension is that democracies, lacking the power to oppress, also lack the authority to govern. This view is fundamentally wrong: Democracies require that their governments be limited, not that they be weak. Viewed over the long course of history, democracies do indeed appear fragile and few, even from the vantage point of a decade of democratic resurgence. Democracies have by no means been immune to the tides of history; they have collapsed from political failure, succumbed to internal division, or been destroyed by foreign invasion. But democracies have also demonstrated remarkable resiliency over time and have shown that, with the commitment and informed dedication of their citizens, they can overcome severe economic hardship, reconcile social and ethnic division, and, when necessary, prevail in time of war.
It is the very aspects of democracy cited most frequently by its critics that give it resiliency. The processes of debate, dissent, and compromise that some point to as weaknesses are, in fact, democracy's underlying strength. Certainly, no one has ever accused democracies of being particularly efficient in their deliberations: Democratic decision-making in a large, complex society can be a messy, grueling, and time-consuming process. But in the end, a government resting upon the consent of the governed can speak and act with a confidence and authority lacking in a regime whose power is perched uneasily on the narrow ledge of military force or an unelected party apparatus.
One of the most important contributions to democratic practice has been the development of a system of checks and balances to ensure that political power is dispersed and decentralized. It is a system founded on the deeply held belief that government is best when its potential for abuse is curbed and when it is held as close to the people as possible.
Republican government is a form of commonwealth; that form of government in which the administration of affairs is open to all the citizens. In another sense, it signifies the state, independently of its form of government. In this sense, it is used by Ben Johnson. Those that, by their deeds make it known, whose dignity they do sustain; And life, state, glory, all they gain, Count the Republic's, not their own. It is a government in the republican form; a government of the people; it is usually put in opposition to a monarchical or aristocratic government. The fourth section of the fourth article of the constitution, directs that "the United States shall guaranty to every state in the Union a republican form of government." The form of government is to be guaranteed, which supposes a form already established, and this is the republican form of government the United States have undertaken to protect.
Unit 5 - People
Sample 1
Equal opportunity means exactly that. Every person should be afforded an equal chance for employment, enrollment in a certain school or a chance for promotion. The purpose of equal opportunity is to give each person an equal chance. Everyone should have the right to be evaluated as an individual on his or her qualifications without discrimination based on preconceived conceptions of what members of minority groups or any other class are like. Race, age, ethnic background, political affiliation, or physical condition should have no bearing. People should be judged and hired or accepted, as well as promoted for their merits
and accomplishments. They should be hired for their knowledge of the position, and promoted for the same reasons. Although equal opportunity is put in place it does not change the past, the past of discrimination. This is when affirmative action comes into play.
Affirmative Action means positive steps taken to increase the representation of women and minorities in areas of employment, education, and business from which they have been historically excluded. Affirmative action in employment or education is a commitment to actively seek out individuals from groups that have previously been overlooked or excluded. It affirms that organizations and individuals in organizations will seek to overcome the effects of past discrimination against groups such as women and minorities, disabled persons, and veterans by making a positive and continuous effort in their recruitment, employment, retention, and promotion. Affirmative action also means that organizations must actively seek to remove any barriers that artificially limit the professional and personal development of individuals who are members of minority classes. Affirmative steps should be taken to attract those qualified women and minorities in the field.
Affirmative action differs from equal opportunity in a way that it requires overt action and special effort to overcome the historic exclusion of women and minorities from full participation in American society. The history of exclusion has not only deprived many of their rights and opportunities; it has also systematically suppressed talent. Affirmative action can expand the range of talent available to society and to students. It can lead to greater diversity of people and programs, and that can help us all learn more about the varied society we live in. Women can bring in new ideas that a man may not have thought of. African Americans may see things in a completely different light than either a woman or a man. Diversity in the workplace and in school is essential in order to achieve the highest level of productivity and gain.
Take for instance professional football and basketball teams – equal opportunity is allowing each individual who wishes to try out for the team to do so. Those with the most skill, talent and height should be hired. When recruiters go out and look for the top players, more than likely they are looking at African Americans. We all know that blacks are the top recruited professional football players, and we all know that “white men can’t jump.” This is affirmative action.
Affirmative action, in my opinion, discriminates against those who are not of the minority group but who may be the best qualified for a job, college or promotion. Affirmative action forces employers to hire a “qualified” person, but maybe not the “most qualified.” A policy of hiring people who are not the “best qualified” is an insult to those people. It says to an individual, you're not good enough to get this position on your own merit. You're second class, but we'll give it to you anyway, because we feel like we have to. The minority person starts with a sense of inferiority. This may destroy their sense of self-esteem, because they realize that the job or promotion was not based on real merit or accomplishment, but on a kind of institutionalized favoritism. This attitude is detrimental to any true advancement of the individual, and will most like prevent that person from ever overcoming the effects of past discrimination, since the emphasis is on favoritism instead of merit. There is no real incentive to develop the abilities that would make them excel in the job since they already hold it without having the best qualifications. If success in life is based on false values, the development of their character is undermined. Who, after all, will work hard toward self-improvement if they can get the rewards of hard work without exerting the effort?
Affirmative action is based on quotas and when those quotas need to be obtained, hiring and promoting minorities takes place, even if they may not be the most qualified. Although equal opportunity is available to all involved, affirmative action requires the employer to hire the minority or face huge consequences. This is not fair. What has happened in the past is history. We cannot change what took place during the years of segregation, we can only look into the future. Yes, racial discrimination was and is wrong, but minorities today have every chance to obtain the same goals, education and wealth that any other person does. There are women and African American who have worked hard and achieved wealth, prestige and power. It can be done without affirmative action. Therefore, I do feel that affirmative action is on the decline. If it is not, it should be.
The recent court cases involving affirmative action have not been decided on a landslide. They are decided by a close vote. This too says that affirmative action may be declining. Our Supreme Court judges are having a difficult time deciding these cases.
Sample 2
The passive concept of equal employment opportunity was an idea that “no person should be denied the opportunity for employment because of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin or physical disability.” Affirmative action is an active concept that is meant to ensure the equal opportunities for women and minorities. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 10925 which created the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity to ensure that hiring and employment practices are free of racial bias. During a time of radical and racial change in the United States history, the civil rights movement allowed for challenges to the constitution in order to provide minorities and women with rights that had previously been biased. Just because laws were passed and the constitution challenged, did not necessarily guarantee that change in policy and practice would happen over night. President Lyndon Johnson stated “you do not wipe away the scars of centuries by saying: you are free to go where you want, do as you desire, and choose the leaders you please. You do not take a man who for years has been hobbled by chains, liberate him, bring him to the starting line of a race, saying, you are free to compete with all the others, and still justly believe that you have been completely fair…this is the next and more profound stage of the battle for civil rights. We seek not just freedom but opportunity- not just legal equity but human ability-not just equality as a right and a theory, but equality as a fact and as a result.”
(http://banners.pennyweb.com/E7/C17356/ifrcr_E7_C17356-1/er_TVenue1multitvlogos720x300mw.htm) Johnson spoke very profound words for the people of 1965 to adjust to. The civil rights movement was not just about changing policy but more importantly about changing attitudes and beliefs. Forty-some years after the civil rights movement the mind set of the general public is still evolving, trying to accept that women and minorities can and have performed the same tasks as the white guy. Equal pay for women and minorities was supposed to be enforced in the 1963, Equal Pay Act. However, as a woman I am aware of the inequality in wages between the sexes and I’m sure that being a minority and a woman would be even worse.
Affirmative action is seen as reverse discrimination because it invokes and promotes a quota system. Affirmative action in the beginning stages was meant to allow more opportunity for woman and minorities to obtain employment but along the way, it actually hurt some individual rights. The Bakke case proved that reverse discrimination did and does exist, however it may have been abused more in the beginning stages of the concept more so than in the present day. The thinking of the mid 1960’s was to try and undue years of abuse in equal opportunity, yet nothing can be undone; it can be changed but it can never be undone. So, having the mindset that the nation needed to make up for lost time was ridiculous. It wouldn’t work and because affirmative action created quotas, reverse discrimination was born. In a perfect (but boring) world everyone would agree on every issue and there wouldn’t be discrimination but since the real world involves differences of opinions, ideas and values, affirmative action was thought of as an alternative to helping to dissolve racial bias.
The book states that support for affirmative action is declining and on a personal level I would have to say that it has been my experience that it is declining. How often do political candidates bring up affirmative action? It’s a thing of the past. There might be a need for some level of affirmative action but really the push for its policy just isn’t there. Although forty some odd years may seem like a long time for an executive order to be mandated, it really isn’t. But the plus side of affirmative action did and does prove that minorities and women are completely capable of employment that was traditionally reserved for white males. Affirmative action and equal employment opportunity programs cannot and will not completely erase discrimination. Their use is still needed to some extent but organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union seems to be using just about every excuse imaginable in order to slap the race discrimination label on something. The race card is played too often and I have to give at least some of the credit to affirmative action.
Unit 6 - Labor
Sample 1
Government unions as interest groups sometimes influence the decisions made by the public. These groups or unions are created to represent the thoughts, ideals, and aspirations of the people in which the represent. A union of aircraft mechanics would not give as much consideration and care to legislation that does not affect them personally (i.e. lower wages in the construction field). However when the issue at hand does concern a union the entire process is changed because these large groups of people can have negative affects on the outcome for the rest of the community. Let’s say that there is a large corporation and it’s headquarters’ is located in a small rural community whose citizens make less money than that of the plant worker’s, with over 50% of those workers living outside of that community. For some reason the worker are not happy about the environment and structural safety of the building that they are in. They want to build a new plant that is larger, creates far more noise pollution than the current one, and could put out some harmful chemical “trash or burn off” into the atmosphere. However, the local citizens are not happy because of all of the extra noise, the sight of this monstrosity of a building, and they fear negative health effects from the pollution (even after repeated promises of that not occurring). Remember, this plant brings in millions and millions of dollars to the state each year with its contracts and revenues. The Governor and several other politicians are all for it because it will create new jobs which will bring more money to the state; even though the thousands of local residents are totally against the idea. The debate over the new facility is getting very heated; the citizens are furious that their concerns are seemingly meaningless, and the administrators of the plant are mad because the representatives are not moving ahead with immediate construction. Oh yeah, I forgot that the employees of this place are all members of a union organization that has almost a million members across the country, and is contracted with the Federal Government in multi-million dollar operations. The government does not want to anger the company because it could be disastrous to them if they go on strike (especially a union wide-nation wide strike). So end the end the plant gets built, the people are shat upon, and the government, the state, and all of the employees are gleeful with the raises they are to get when production triples with the new plant. However, what about the thousands of citizens whose concerns were not met, their fears not calmed, and their questions not answered? Well when it comes to unions acting as interest groups they will usually get their way because of the muscle and influence they may have. Private citizens and communities are the ones who pay the price for the collective bargainers. They bargain together as one, whereas, each citizen is looked at as an individual complaint not reflecting the overall picture. It happens everyday and has been going on for years. I’m sure it is a good thing when say, worker’s are not getting paid enough they strike until they are listened to. I just think it has greater negative affects on the community at large.
Sample 2
Just exactly what is it that believes some people to believe that the public sector infringes upon the sovereign powers? The public sector employees were not even allowed to form or even join a union until 1967. This is where some believe that the sovereignty doctrine was discarded by the courts when they allowed the public sector to join unions. The act that allowed this was called the Civil Service Reform Act and Postal Reorganization Act. Most public sector unions have more members than that of the private sector, and most public members do not join the union. At least one difference between the two unions is the way that they are regulated. The public or government employees union is governed by the federal law which all employees in the government are subjected to. On the other hand the members of unions in the private sector are controlled either by state or local laws. There is no one organization or statute that is organizing all of these members under one controlling body. With so many state and local regulations and ordnances the unions are subject to differing laws depending upon where their union is located. There also those that feel public unions are more successful than private unions is because, private unions have to think of the consumer when they are bargaining for a wage increase from the employer. If they get an increase in wages then they have to increase the price of the product that they are selling, plus stay competitive within the industry, they have to be careful not to negotiate themselves out of business. When they compare that to the public sector they do not have to be as concerned with the products or services that they offer to the public. Reason being, if taxes are raised it is for the good of the overall majority user. Customers of government services do not usually have a choice to use another vendor. This is the complete opposite to the private sector, if the customer does not like one vendor they can just as easily go to another to get what they need. They also feel that claims to improve terms and conditions of employment have more credibility because they are the federal government and more organized than that of the private sector. Also improvements to the federal sector is seen as an improvement for everyone not just the employees of the company or of a single union. In addition to being perceived as having the upper hand the public sector can have an effect on the public’s decision. They have the upper hand because of the mere size of the organization, plus they can influence changes to elected officials through special interest groups. They can use their influence to make any topic into a political subject and basically manipulate the system until they get what they want. The private sector works on a much smaller scale but does have some influence but usually closer to home and the area that they are in. The public sector has an almost unlimited amount of money supplied to them and new acquisitions are based on tax rates and how large the budget is for a year. The private sector is at the mercy of the consumer to supply them with more profits to make improvements in the organization.
Unit 7 - Leadership
Sample 1
Leadership qualities differ according to whom you ask. Republicans have different thoughts than do Democrats on every issue debatable. Who is right? Who is wrong? It is all a matter of opinion. Leadership is basically determined by the needs of the situation. Governmental employees and leaders who excel in their positions are those who are open to new ideas and are willing to continually learn. These individuals can admit when they are wrong and stand tall when they have made a great decision. Leaders who excel in their position possess optimism, energy and enterprise. They know their decisions, ideas and policymaking will make a difference in our country, in their district or department. Leadership skills require optimism to look into the future and know the plans you actually have for the people you represent. Our elected leaders and those non-elected officials who work in governmental offices cannot successfully do their jobs without optimism for what they do. They have to believe that what they do will make a difference. Leadership skills that go along with optimism are energy and enterprise. Ideas to get the ball rolling for change, and the initiative to make the change.
Intelligence is another important character trait for leadership. Many of our US presidents attended college and most went to law school. The majority of our countries leaders and governmental employees are college educated, which would lead one to believe they are somewhat intelligent. Not all have basic common sense, but they have to be somewhat intelligent in order to become our leaders. We tend to elect our officials based on personal reasons and decisions. Virtues, empathy, warmth and emotional control play on our decisions for the leaders we choose. Many of us tend to move towards and vote for individuals who believe in the same ways we do and have the same thoughts and ideas. Someone who can play on our emotions and feelings as far as our families and loved ones are concerned. We tend to choose leaders who we believe will stand by us and fight for every right we are allowed according to our Constitution.
With the issues we as Americans deal with daily, as far as terrorism and the war, we need to have an official in charge who is able to effectively communicate with foreigners and portray our country as the best there ever will be. We need a leader who can effectively think for him or herself, and successfully get the point across with excellent communication and verbal skills.
A leader in our history who fit many of these qualities was Ronald Reagan. He projected optimism, conviction, empathy, enterprise, intelligence and basic overall effective leadership skills. President Reagan served our country for eight years and endured several major issues while he held the office. He was involved in an attempted assassination, but fully and quickly recovered in order to continue serving our country. He began his career in theater, and the entertainment business. For this business all types of leadership qualities are required. From the acting career he moved into the position of Governor of California where he held office before moving into the Presidency. While Governor he displayed empathy, warmth and intelligence by pardoning Merle Haggard from San Quinten Prison.
During his presidency term he led the country with four “pillars of freedom” - individual liberty, economic opportunity, global democracy and national pride. During the Reagan era, income increased, tax cuts provided women the opportunity to excel in the workplace and jobs were added to our economy. The middle class was said to have gotten smaller due to those in the middle class moving up, not down. One of the strongest features of the Reagan expansion was the job creation numbers. Almost 20 million jobs were created in just seven years. And contrary to popular mythology, most of those jobs paid at least $10/hour. Part of that myth is that service sector jobs equal low paying jobs. In fact, the overall job statistics show the Reagan expansion to be one of the best ever. This movement towards the positive took all of the leadership qualities needed in order to excel. The job creation during the Reagan expansion was broad-based, spanning all sectors and providing good wages throughout the expansion. This shows the leadership qualities of optimism, energy, creativity and empathy for the American citizens, which provided for a strong economy provided by President Reagan.
President Reagan was a common man who supported the American people. Following is a quote from a speech he gave in 1984. “The difference between the path toward greater freedom or bigger government is the difference between success and failure; between opportunity and coercion; between faith in a glorious future and fear of mediocrity and despair; between respecting people as adults, each with a spark of greatness, and treating them as helpless children to be forever dependent; between a drab, materialistic world where Big Brother rules by promises to special interest groups, and a world of adventure where everyday people set their sights on impossible dreams, distant stars, and the Kingdom of God. We have the true message of hope for America.” This just goes to show that he did have many of the qualities needed in order to successfully lead a country.
Reagan looked for way to better the American citizens, and the country in general. He was involved in the Iran Contra issues and negotiations and was able to intelligently communicate with leaders of other countries in order to come to a somewhat peaceful resolution to bring our soldiers home.
Mr. Reagan was a common man who was a successful leader or our country. He possessed optimism for the growth of the country, for the international conflicts and for peaceful resolutions. There were some questionable judgments during Reagan’s terms as president, but he successfully overcame those issues with intelligence, creativity and objectivity.
Sample 2
Optimism, energy, enterprise, intelligence, verbal ability, creativity, judgment, objectivity, warmth, empathy, and emotional control are leadership qualities. In a two to three page essay explain and illustrate these characteristics by describing government employees/leaders who demonstrate these qualities.
Qualities such as optimism, energy, enterprise, intelligence, verbal ability, creativity, judgment, objectivity, warmth, empathy, and emotional control are important qualities to look for in effective leaders. The manifestation of these qualities is critical to the success of a leader, as these characteristics make a leader someone that stands out among others.
Optimism is an essential quality in the formula for successful leadership. When a leader is able to believe that his or her leadership will make a difference and is able to see positive results, the outcome of success becomes more prominent. “To exercise leadership, one must believe in the possibilities.” Ronald Reagan was an optimistic leader who stove to lead the nation through a complex era. Optimism can also bee seen the leadership of the military.
Energy and enterprise are also important leadership qualities, as “one cannot hope to meet leadership obligations without some deliberate and diligent application of one’s talents.” These qualities can often bee seen in the leadership of the branches of military, as they strive for energetic accomplishments and to apply each man’s talents to achieve great results.
Intelligence is also an essential quality of a good leader. Intelligence is a fundamental quality, such as that found in George Washington. Washington was a great leader because he was intelligent in his decisions and swift in his actions. With these qualities he was able to lead this country from England’s grasp and help set the foundation of what we refer to as freedom today. Intelligence is a must in almost all fields of leadership.
Verbal ability is also a crucial quality that must be found in good leaders, as communication mends bridges between people. Communication is critical for all leaders, such as John F. Kennedy, who used his great orator skills to win the hearts of millions. Lincoln also was a great orator, using verbal ability to master the art of political rhetoric.
Objectivity is also a good quality for a leader to possess. This quality allows leaders to more effectively assess the needs of a situation. By remaining disinterested and detached, they are able to achieve the desired results and are not as easily distracted. This brings to mind Donald Trump, who is a leading businessman who remains objectively focused on his mission at hand. This also relates to the President and his cabinet of leaders, who must remain objective in their multi-faceted decisions.
Creativity and judgment are also impressive qualities to be found in leaders. Creativity is a virtue that gives potential to good ideas and innovative solutions to problems. Effective judgment is the means to which ideas materialize, as reasoned judgment guides leaders in their wise decisions. Creativity can be seen in leaders such as Einstein, who lead the science world to great successes. Creativity can also be seen in governmental departments that must come up with creative means for problem solving.
Empathy and warmth are also helpful qualities for a leader to possess as these help leaders to better understand situations and the people involved. This allows them to see the situation from other’s perspectives in order to make effective decisions. They assess situations from various viewpoints to find the best solution. This can be seen in government agencies such as DHS and FEMA who help to aid people in need. They are often better able to understand those they help based on their empathic qualities.
Emotional control is also important, as this means that the leader is able to stay level-headed in times of turmoil or upheaval. This brings to mind President Bush’s emotional control after the September 11 terrorist attacks. He was able to remain calm and focused in a highly emotional time in our country’s history.
All of these qualities come together to form the basis of a great leader, which can be seen throughout our country’s history, molded and created by successful leaders of the past and present.
Unit 8 - Communications
Unit 9 - Taxing
Unit 10 - Productivity
Unit 11 - Law
Unit 12 - Regulations