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Problems of modern democracy
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Problems of modern democracy
The fundamental problem of all countries in the universe is maintaining of legitimacy and sovereignty in the underlying face of the internal and external pressures and constraints. Modern democratic states possess an especial problem since they mainly function within the underlying constraint of general approval. Nevertheless, there are no governments that operates within the constraint of general approval hence most are faced with barrage of public criticism and ever present threat of being dismissed from office either via a majority in a dissatisfied legislature or via an election by a discontented public. Therefore, democratic politicians are normally extremely sensitive to public opinion and representative democracy does not need them to put in place specific policy to the electorate (Swanson, 99-154). Democracy is a massive evolution in regard to the form of the societal power as it advances the underlying norm through the human history of feudalism with the rights for numerous citizens. This paper seeks to explore the problems that are associated with modern democracy form of administration.
According to political theory, Democracy mainly describes an insignificant number of associated systems of government and political philosophy. It is purely based on the philosophical principle of equivalent rights, a common feature of democracy presently practiced in competitive elections (Eagles, 89-145). Democracy has actual limitation for the existing global power since it demands unreasonably elevated levels of concern by the underlying masses in regard to populace with massive interest in society exploration and conquering but results to little effects to most of the prevailing citizens. Democratic systems mainly follow majority regulation even though numerous democratic systems do no observe sternly to representative democracy. This is because direct democracy coupled with minority rights are frequently safeguarded from dictatorship of the popular. A fixation on unity normally diverts attention from the prevailing knowledge of problems of democracy (Swanson, 99-154). Fixation is defined as a status of intellectuals in modernity that makes it cumbersome to comprehend the creation, negotiation and utilizes public knowledge to divert attention from the behaviors of experts and corresponding expert fields within public life.
Democracy enhances mediocre leadership since leaders within a democracy constantly court the favor of the prevailing populace to stay in power. Within democratic systems the premium for successful leadership put on popularity with underlying masses rather than on the wisdom and training, and most popular leaders are like ordinary citizens thus not outstanding. Moreover, in democracy leaders pander to the underlying wishes of the electorate rather than doing what is right. Thus, democratic leaders mainly focus on the short-term objectives rather than long-term requirements of society. It is extremely cumbersome to get any leader within a democratic system who can deal forthrightly with long-term policies. Moreover, democracies have an inbuilt tendency of spending more than they earn by giving populace what they want in the present and letting the underlying cost be paid by future generations.
Democratic political debates are more superficial and mainly focus less on the substantive issues hence known as image politics. These image politics normally dominate electoral process and mainly concentrate on the appearance of a leader rather than a gender. Society that focus mostly on the images at the expense of real issues are easy prey to manipulation by those politicians that are interested in winning arguments via manipulation of the underlying beliefs. Modern democracies are susceptible to unrestrained development and a factionalism of the corresponding competing special interests mainly seeking to influence leaders in order to fulfill individual desires rather than the desires of the people. Democracy does not regard total majority rule since the right of the underlying majority is mainly controlled by either the existing constitution or corresponding pattern that is decided by the earlier generations. Moreover, real power in the democracy is held by comparatively lesser representative body (Pinterič & Lea, 67-112). Therefore, liberty democracy is simply a decoration over the corresponding oligarchy. Unmoderated majority rule that is normally fostered by democracy result to an oppression of minorities.
Democracy is seen as unproductive form of government commonly called as an irrational dogma because it solely flourishes on nepotism. For instance, utmost catastrophe of democracy is seen in after World War when there was upsurge and development of robust totalitarianism in Nazism and Fascism (Eagles, 89-145). Democracy party system within the states was extremely strong within a democracy that consequently resulted to endless unprofitable scuffle amidst political parties criticizing each party on fundamental topics and bad speaking each other within the media to try and mobilize public judgment. This also led to unnecessary intrusion with the underlying smooth operation of the government (Braun, 145-234). Moreover, democracy makes parties to focus more on the vote gathering perceptions at the expense of real content within the campaigns.
Democracy is also depicted as an affluent form of government as election campaigns in the modern world scenarios accrue to millions thereby resulting to lofty cost of administration. According to Marxists, socialists and corresponding left-wing anarchists, liberal democracy is mainly an integral section of the underlying capitalist system that is class-based and is neither self-governing nor participatory. Thus, democracy is merely a bourgeois democracy where politicians struggle for their individual rights hence making it essentially autocratic as it facilitates economic corruption (Eagles, 99-156). Moreover, the underlying cost of political campaigning in regard to representative democracies favors the prevailing affluent a form of plutocracy where an extremely small minority takes part.
Modern democracy is also seen as a deceitful circus utilized to keep the underlying masses from comprehending that their prevailing is extraneous within the political process. This is because there are always conspiracies in the process of developing twitchy for the political agenda. Candidates normally make deals with the corresponding wealthy followers by offering auspicious legislation in case they win thereby continuing conspiracies for domination of fundamental locations (Pinterič & Lea, 67-112). Thus, campaign finance restructuring is seen as the main attempt to correct the underlying recognize problem of democracy.
Democracy is always marred by low over turnout that occurs due to the disenchantment, indifference and contentment with the underlying status quo particularly if there are disproportionate segments of the population (Braun, 145-234). Even though low turnout levels normally vary massively among the prevailing modern democratic states within different kind and levels of the elections, low turnout might prompt to questions as to whether the results of elections depicts the will of the citizens (Kane, 89-123). Democracy is normally faced by an issue of bureaucracy since it enhance the elected representatives to alter the law without taking into consideration necessity thus enacting new laws, which is malicious in numerous ways. New laws normally constrict the scope of the earlier liberty thus making it cumbersome for an eager non-specialist to continue being law abiding. This might consequently leads to invitation for law implementation agencies that may misuse power, which is contrary to the simple and eternal natural law. Moreover, multifaceted bureaucracy and guidelines leads to dictatorships due to the sluggishness and difficulty of decision making.
Liberal democracy designates non concentration of power, which is a disadvantage for any country during wartime that requires fast and combined response. Prevailing legislature must grant consent prior to the commencement of any offensive military operation even though executives can carry out then inform the legislature (Pinterič & Lea, 118-167). In case democracy is attacked then there is no consent that is normally demanded for the defensive operation since populace can vote against the underlying conscription army. This might led to enforcement of monarchy and dictatorships which is bad for any government.
There is a complex problem in disentangling the association amidst democracy and economy as democracy mainly inclined toward peace. This normally makes it cumbersome to foster economic development via securing well-defined property rights, decreasing social endogenous improbability, hindrance of wars unless they correspond to the underlying will of populace and offering economic protection for the worst off. Democracy also possesses higher cost that is the cost of democracy comes with the cost of modern and efficient welfare state. Relative low level of participation possesses low cost of democracy whilst the corresponding disunity of populace in regard to violence and social disorder is high. Increased political participation escalates cost of democracy and benefits lower disunity to people with social disorder.
Modern democracy results to problem in regard to the government rise which is normally viewed as a fundamental paradox. Technological developments normally results in ecological retreats that consequently results to uncertain social change and economic advancement. Thus, future generation night suffer from the policies that mainly benefits the current generations. Moreover, it is also cumbersome to make viable examinations since results of diverse policies in modern democracies are not apparently concurrent. The resultant effect of environmental change is dangerous.
The fundamental problem modern democracies in the universe entail maintaining of legitimacy and sovereignty in the underlying face of the internal and external pressures and constraints. Modern democratic states possess an especial problem since they mainly function within the underlying constraint of general approval. Democracy possesses numerous drawbacks that hamper its effectiveness (Braun, 145-234). The glaring problems of democracy are operation on tyranny of numbers, corruption, bureaucracy and dictatorship. Liberal democracy foster for non-concentration of power, which is a disadvantage for any country during wartime that requires fast and combined response. Nevertheless, democracy offers the institutional background that aids in settling of nonviolently conflicts. It also aid in solving concentration of undependable power by intentionally preventing from becoming treacherous. Government ought to either reconstruct viable societies along the underlying democratic lines in order to receive active support of the prevailing majority (Eagles, 89-145). This will aid in preventing the problems of democracy such as corruption, bureaucracy and dictatorship. Nevertheless, majority of countries within the universe presently use the democratic form of government.
Work Cited
Eagles, Munroe. Politics: An Introduction to Democratic Government. Peterborough, Ont: Broadview Press, 2008.
Pinterič, Uroš, & Lea Prijon. Selected Issues of Modern Democracy. Ljubljana: Vega, 2012.
Braun, Jerome. To Break Our Chains: Social Cohesiveness and Modern Democracy. Leiden: Brill, 2011.
Kane, Robert. Through the Moral Maze: Searching for Absolute Values in a Pluralistic World. Armonk, N.Y: North Castle Books, 1996.
Swanson, David L. Politics, Media and Modern Democracy: An International Study of Innovations in Electoral Campaigning and Their Consequences. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Praeger, 1996.
The following is a case of the Top Slice Company that deals with making golf balls and producing oversized drivers
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Top Slice Case
Introduction
The following is a case of the Top Slice Company that deals with making golf balls and producing oversized drivers. The company makes three golf models namely the Bombers, the Hool King, and the Sir Slice-A-Lot.
The problem:
The production manager Jacob Lee faces a big challenge because of the low production level experienced in the company. The company did not achieve the expected production of 2,700 drivers. In order to determine the best strategy that can make the company manage producing 2,700 drivers each month, Lee seeks advice through sales forecast models. Organizations use many forecasting models to suit their different business needs.
Relevant information to the problem
The Top Slice Case chooses between four forecasting models. These are the moving average model, the weighted moving average model, trend analysis model, and the seasonal model. Selecting the best forecasting model to use is a big challenge especially for Top Slice Company that has a large product line. The following discussion will help Lee select the best modeling technique and show the best time for the company to use the expanded work cell.
Solution
Question one
Which models technique best suits Jacob Lee?
The case made use of four modeling techniques. The mean absolute deviation for each model was calculated and used to determine the best out of the four models used. The mean absolute deviation (MD) forms the best statistical tool for determining most effective forecasting modeling technique. The MAD shows the mean differences between the predicted values and the actual values in a given time series. A low MAD shows that the model fits the time-series data being analyzed while a high MAD shows a poor forecast for a given model. Table 1 shows the MAD values for the four models used in analyzing Top Slice Company for a period of two years.
MEAN ABSOLUTE DEVIATION
Forecast model Bomber Hook king Slice-A-Lot
3-point moving average 76.08 29.68 13.86
5-point moving average 69.03 27.18 13.23
3-point weighted moving average 62.23 23.74 12.69
5-point weighted moving average 65.3 5.94 18.19
Trend analysis 97.81 35.4 14.09
4-season model 0.08 0.002 0.106
8-season model 0.07 4.475 0.086
Table 1: Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) values for four modeling techniques used in the Top Slice Company case analysis
The yellow highlighted sections indicate show the models with the lowest MAD values. From the table, the season model recorded the lowest MAD values and was selected as the best modeling technique. Both the 4-season model and the 8-season model recorded lower values compared to the other three models. The three company models, Bomber, Hook King, and Slice-A-Lot recorded MAD of 0.07, 0.002, and 0.086 respectively.
Why was the season model selected?
In statistics, error measurements play an essential role in benchmarking a forecasting process, tracking forecast accuracy, and monitoring any exceptions. The MAD is an error measurement tool used in statistics that measures the size of the error using units. Forecast accuracy is 100%, which is the accuracy is ranging from 0-1. From the results obtained, the season model formed the only modeling technique that recorded accuracies of between 0 and 1, hence, selected as the best modeling technique for Jacob Lee to adopt.
The assumption behind the model
The biggest assumption made behind this model is that the future can be forecasted to some degree of accuracy based on the past because the future environment and market are similar to what was available in the past.
Question two
When will Top-Slice need to have expanded work cell up and running?
From question one, the best modeling technique that suits the company is the seasonal model. The model will be used to forecast sales for the three categories until their production total reaches 2,700 drivers. Table 2 shows the sales forecast working.
Month Bomber Hook king Slice-A-Lot Total
Mar-06 1720 490 399 2609
April 1840 491 433 2765
May 1969 492 471 2932
June 2107 493 511 3111
July 2255 494 555 3303
August 2412 495 603 3510
September 2581 496 655 3732
Table 2: Sales forecast for the coming six months of 2006
From table 2, Top-Slice Company would be ready work cell up and running in April 2006. Jacob Lee claimed that the available manufacturing work cell in the company was capable of producing 2,700 drivers in one month. The sales forecast calculated from the seasonal index shown in table 1 has seen the company approaching the value of 2,700 drivers in April that exceeds the targeted value by 765 pieces.
What are the implications for when Jacob should start the expansion effort?
The Top-Slice case clearly indicates that it takes at least three months to strategize and implement an expanded work cell. The results show that Jacob needs to expand the work cell in April. Jacob should start the implementation process in January 2006.
Conclusion
The availability of an experienced professional in business statistics helps an organization determine its sales forecast in an efficient manner. Different methods of business forecasting are available today, but each organization chooses a method that suits its needs. Quantitative methods of business forecasting like the ones used in this case are the best because they involve calculations using actual sales figures. The above analysis play a critical role in helping Jacob plan and implement the company’s cell expansion plan. Out of the four modeling techniques used, the Seasonal model worked out to be the best for forecasting sales at Top-Slice Company. In addition, it was realized that the company would expand the work cell up in April 2006, and Jacob would start planning and implementing the expansion program in January 2006.
The following essay emphasizes on how things like the internet, government, and family affect peoples belief and make life be
Propaganda-transformative
Presented by
Institution
Introduction
The following essay emphasizes on how things like the internet, government, and family affect people’s belief and make life become more of what people believe. In order to present this argument and give it a full meaning, the essay uses the transformative character of the propaganda demonstrated from the reading on chapter 8 to 12. The key concept that will be discussed shows that all propaganda provides a critical analysis of one’s identity on a superficial level, and bringing it back to the simplistic level.
Thesis statement:
The objectives, traits, and people’s personality are all organized by propaganda, which later puts them into a system and molds them accordingly
The main arguments seen on the discussion include:
How the internet shapes an individual’s life
The government involvement in old style propaganda through the internet
The effect of the internet on family life
The discussion clearly highlighted how all propaganda criticizes people’s identity and forces people to embrace different cultures, that eventfully interferes with their daily-life activities. The three most affected areas are the internet, the family, and the government. The conclusion of the paper provides advice to individuals on how to undertake transformation while maintaining their identity, and promoting the wellbeing of their nation.
Discussion of transformative
The internet
Since its existence, world has really transformed from the traditional ways of conduction operations to the modern environment. There is no doubt that the world will keep on changing into newer things as more generations emerge. The many changes that are common in the world are because of the introduction of the modern methods of operations. The internet has played a significant role in changing the way people used to believe and make them become more like what they see. Many operations today are done through computers. In addition, the introduction of technology through such means as the internet has proved the transformative nature of the world (Marlin, 2002; p. 306-308).
In chapter 8, Marlin focuses more on propaganda, democracy and the internet. According to the author, propaganda has a way of eliminating the complexity nature of people and make them belief propaganda can easily manipulate people. However, the author’s argument on the effects of propaganda shows that it only transforms people into what they want to be, but with no significant reason. Transformation is presence in many forms in the world and many arguments tend to make people more aware of the positives and negatives following propaganda. According to Roxburgh and Manyika (2011), the internet has changed the way people work, socialize, and organize their selves in terms of sharing ideas. The world has not yet discovered the magnitude of transformation of the internet to date. For instance, the internet accounts for more than 21 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in developed countries. Most people rely on the internet in their day-to-day activities (The Daily Star, 2013).
For instance, the mass media uses the internet in almost all their operations. People rely more of information from the media because they provide us with the necessary news about the world happenings. There is always a belief that people in this era of mass media are filled with a lot of information coming from global media network. The critical nature of propaganda tries to identify one’s identity on a superficial level, and reduces it to the simplistic level. The internet was introduced as a way of making the modern world more advanced and global, but with the current propaganda, people will find challenges when it comes to transforming. Moreover, the internet presence creates a direct challenge to the mass media, and offers a broad spectrum of new capabilities such as effective user control, customization, and on-demand access (Hewitt, 2012).
The internet favors a global reach and high speed of interpersonal communication that attracts many researchers. The argument is the internet provides a platform for more improvements in learning and encourages discoveries. Scholars claim that the internet has the capability of transforming groups and assist them in coordinating their work in an effective and efficient manner. In addition, it offers the masses the ability to empower oneself to achieve their dreams. With the help of the modern connectivity, researchers are able to engage with each other and share ideas that are of benefit to their readers. Approach to good and reliable internet creates a room for more innovations and advancements especially in developed countries. The new ICT applications are seen as carriers of social change, hence improving democracy. Propaganda like this one shows high level of transformation demonstrated by the writer by speaking about the impact of the internet to the society (West, 2013).
The family
From the reading in chapter 8, the author has expressed many issues that have affected the family in the modern society. Influence on the political, economical, and social status of the people is based on propaganda. There is propaganda that the internet plays a major role in establishing the version of effects in the mass media. This argument has a lot of truth in it because; presently every mass media company has a website where readers, listeners, and viewers can access information. The institution of marriage today has transformed because of the presence of many forms of propaganda that tend to push people apart. The family affects people believe and make them figure out some things introducing major changes to the society.
Unlike in the past where information was delivered using many ways, and it used to take several days, today’s world transformations have improved communication processes. The modern technology has provided effective and fast means of communication where people can exchange information with each other regardless of distance at a very low cost. Data collected from a study by Faulkner (2012) showed that the most common mode of communication used by people today is the social media. A large number of people were recorded using the internet to communicate. All the propagandas regarding the internet have been on its transformative nature. In terms of communication, the internet has played a vital role in ensuring people exchange information and ideas in a convenient and polite manner. Moreover, the mass media has also established itself in various social sites for convenience of its customers.
The family also has been affected by propaganda when it comes to religion. People have reduced their faith in God and started believing in earthly belongings. Most individuals are more afraid of what they fellow friends can do to them, forgetting God has power over every creature on earth. Traditionally, such transformative character of propaganda never existed because people were less diversified. People who fail to match the core identity the propagandist desires to promote ends up becoming rejects in the society. Such people maintain their identity in a society and cannot be frozen into a mold as Marlin claims.
The government
Another argument concerning propaganda on the issue of transformative is its ability to develop a nation. Governments are more affected by propaganda because they influence the political, economical, and social status of citizens. Marlin talks about governments having challenges as they try to engage in old-style propaganda. Developing countries have the greatest opportunity to grow and transform their people technologically because they have a room for expansion. They have greater opportunities to leap from using locally available materials and turn them into opportunities, which later attract foreign investors. The argument provided shows that most governments are not in a position to transform because they believe in propaganda that never bring any beneficial effect. A government that embraces modern technology and uses to the letter has the ability to withstand the following:
Competition: A country achieves greater productivity if they make their market more competitive and open. A competitive ensures innovative and productive firms come up with products and services that are more attractive in order to gain market share. With the help of the internet, such transformations are much possible. Most countries that have benefited from internet contribution in their growth and development always have highly competitive internet ecosystems.Promote innovation: Internet related growth easily takes place in an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation. Some arguments on the ability of the internet to promote innovation have made most countries lag on their economies because they are reluctant to undertake the modern technology. Iraq is one of the countries that have achieved a tremendous growth in innovation through high-class equipments of war. The country makes use of the internet knowledge to fight their enemies using technological explosives that are more advanced.
Develop human capital: Most developed countries such as the United States uses their technological skills, risk tolerance, and excellent resources to develop human capital. Such a movement serves as a means of attracting new industries and attracts talents globally. Areas that attract and nature such talents are the universities, development centers, corporate research, and innovative companies. The above statements show that most arguments about the impact of technology in developing human capital are true. Developed countries will continue to compete for such talents, as other countries try emulating some features in order for them to also succeed.
Finally, the threat of increasing government intrusion into private communications has affected the use of the internet by most users (Marlin, 2002: p. 333). The high rate of terrorism crimes experienced in many countries has forced many government restrict communications between individuals. For example, Canada has introduced government legislations that prevent any threat messages sent to users from circulating through the internet. Such propaganda is very effective because governments are trying to protect their people from evil-minded terrorists. In addition, such regulations are important in improving the democracy of a country through strict legislations that tend to unite all the citizens.
Conclusion
Any propaganda aims at criticizing an individual’s identity and makes them belief in things that never exist. From the discussion, it was realized that individual’s traits, personality, are affected by propaganda. For instance, the internet has made people change their beliefs, especially those who trusted in God before. The only recommendation that people should take from this discussion is to embrace God in all their operations, believe in God, place their hope in Him, and love Him forever.
References
Faulkner. B. (2012). Technology and Non-Verbal Communication. Retrieved from:
http://www.ehow.com/about_7221499_technology-_amp_-nonverbal-communication.htmlHewitt, H. (2012), Blog: Understanding the Information Reformation That’s Changing Your
World , Nelson Business (Accessed on April 21, 2013)
Marlin, R. (2002). Propaganda and the ethics of persuasion. Peterborough, Ont.: Broadview Press.
Roxburgh, C. and Manyika, J. (2011). The great transformer: The impact of the internet on
economic growth and prosperity. McKinsey Global Institute. Retrieved from:
file:///C:/Users/Leon/Downloads/MGI_Impact_of_Internet_on_economic_growth.pdfThe Daily Star (2014, March 13). Innovation Contributes Less to Long-Term Growth Than We Imagine. The Daily Star (Beirut, Lebanon), p. 22.
West, M. D. (2013). “Is the Internet an Emergent Public Sphere?” Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 28(3), 155-159.