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Electoral Capture
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Electoral Capture
Introduction
Competition is an inherent aspect of politics and has far reaching implications on democracy and various institutions. In a society that is characterized by increased cultural, social religious and economic diversity, this competition tends to disadvantage certain parts of the opulation as they are not given utmost attention. Emergent research ascertains that the most affected individuals are usually the minority populations and especially those that are accorded a negative public perception by the entire society.
They suffer the double effect of being minority groups and at the same time being accorded a negative perception by the society that could have otherwise been instrumental in protecting them against the societal ills. It can not be disputed that party politics are heavily influenced by the racial attitudes that the society assumes. Thus is it is inevitable for the minority groups to suffer devastating effects especially considering the fact that political decisions made at different levels have various implications on their holistic wellbeing. It is against this background that this paper provides an explicit analysis of the concept of electoral capture of the African Americans as explored by Frymer.
Electoral capture is a concept that is applicable to a two party system within a country. It constitutes the political dilemma that a certain group of persons experiences when it is compelled to vote overwhelmingly for one political party while the other main party shows no concern of competing for their votes. Frymer implicates this system for being responsible for the inherent marginalization that the Black Americans are currently facing in America (32). It is because of the negative implications that it has on the respective political system. In his review, Mendelberg indicates that this is undesirable because it undermines democracy and makes it difficult for all individuals to actively participate in the given mode of governance and be treated in a just manner (45). Although political studies argue that the urge to win elections always makes the political leaders to treat all individuals equally, Frymer maintains that “this rarely happens in a society that is heavily influenced by racism” (34).
In his research, Frymer contends that African Americans are so far the only population that has been effectively captured and suffered the implication of the same. To begin with, it is argued that this population has suffered widespread social prejudice since historical times. The implications of slavery and especially the social discrimination have spilled over to the modern times and have disadvantaged this population in various ways. This has been evident in the political sphere as this population has been openly discriminated against. Mendelberg ascertains that Black votes have always been critical in national elections (57). Indeed, it is certain that the election successes of the Democratic Party since historical times have been greatly depended on the contribution of the Black votes. Without this, political analysts ascertain that it would have been difficult for the respective democratic parties to win the elections.
Black leaders have been frustrated over time by the indifferent attitude that the Democratic Party leaders accord them. In particular, it is indicated that despite citing the numerical contribution of the black votes to the success of this party, the leaders of the same have increasingly failed to appreciate the elemental role that this population plays. In other instances, Black voters and leaders have attempted to defect from this party and join the opposition because of the inherent frustrations. In such cases, the leaders of the opposition party have often expressed minimal interest in this and therefore made no appeals to this population to further its interest.
Electoral Capture of Christian Groups
Religion is an important aspect of social life and Christianity groups have played a critical role in politics since historical times. Religious values and ideals not only guide behavior, but they are also used to determine the morality of the society. Before the American society became secularized, Christian values dominated the social arena and were employed as a benchmark in choosing political leaders. Of great importance is the fact that they were mainstreamed in the national constitution. This implies that the values assume an elevated position in the society and are held in high regard by the same.
To date, these are still held in high regard and respective groups can be considered to be influential in politics. The participation of Christians in politics dates back to the early 1900s and was perpetuated by the need to support various social values. In particular, social changes with regard to immigration prompted these groups to take align themselves to specific political parties. Since the 1970s, Mendelberg indicates that Christians have increasingly supported the republicans because of their conservative nature (45). At this juncture, it is worth noting that the republicans supported most of the ideals that the then Christian groups advocated for. Emergent social concerns such as the rights and privileges of the gays also saw the Christian groups rally behind the republicans who maintained conservative positions in this respect.
In the recent past, the Christian populace has participated in elections and politics in different ways. Mitchel indicates that their support for the Republican Party as not ceased and in recent elections, the Christian groups were cited to have made telephone calls to more than three million voters in a bit to encourage them to vote for the republican faction (56). In addition, they participated actively in the distribution f voter information as well as congressional scorecards. Statistical evidence shows that the Christian groups have more than 1.6 million voter members who diligently vote for the Republican Party leaders. It is indicated that irrespective of the fact that the Republican Party has not owned its pledges of supporting the group financially, this group has religiously voted for the party.
The group advocates for various issues that differ considerably from those advocated by the public. In particular, it calls for restriction of pornography, privatization of arts, promotion of school choice, abolition of abortion and respect for human life. The issue of same sex marriages and abortion has been a bone of contention between the political factions, public and Christian groups. Most states have gone ahead to ingrain these in the legal sphere despite the oppositions from the Christian groups. Another public and political issue that has raised various concerns amongst the Christian groups but which over time has been reconciled includes the role of politics in public defense. This has long been considered fundamental for the spread of the gospel and therefore is currently acceptable by the group.
These concerns are contained in the contract with the Republican Party. Notably, they have been ignored by both parties as the society as continued to become more secularized than before. Despite not having them effected, this religious group has remained committed to the party. Political leaders that have enjoyed Christian support in the past include Senator John McCain and Governor Mitt Romney. Generally, Mendelberg asserts that most republican leaders have been supported by the Christian groups regardless of their competence (71).
Their position on social issues such as abortion and same sex marriages has been used to determine the support that these religious groups accord them. Nevertheless, despite having conflicting perspectives in this regard, Christians have continued to support the respective leaders. The Christian groups and communities can be considered to have been victims of electoral capture. Statistical evidence shows that Christian support for the republicans has increased in the recent past. However, it is notable that the Republican Party has in the past continued to distance itself with the prepositions put forth by this group. It can not be disputed that the have publicly disagreed to several social issues.
Obama’s Presidency
The participation of the Black population in politics has always been limited by various complexities that seem to stem from racism. It can not be disputed that since the 1960s, the Black population has been a great supporter of the Democratic Party, irrespective of the fact that it has continually been a victim of electoral capture. In his study, studies recount that the Black population supported the Democratic Party since the 1960s. The republicans in this regard have been implicated for perpetuating racial segregation and employing the same as a strategy to win elections since historical times. This according to studies explains why the Blacks have over time resented this political segment.
Being a democrat nominee, Obama’s won the elections because of the high numerical representation of Black American voters that turned up to vote during elections. Furthermore, it is posited that his grass root approach to campaigning played a critical role in enhancing his popularity (Mitchel 57). His employment of the internet in campaigning was equally instrumental in enhancing the participation of the youth in the elections. Of great importance is the fact that the democrat party made significant efforts in ensuring that there was a huge turn out during voting especially in the states that had a higher percentage of Black population.
It is contended that the interests of the African Americans were effectively addressed in the 2008 national elections (Mitchel 59). The Democrat placed its faith in the African American vote because of the support that it has enjoyed since historical times. The likelihood of its winning was further perpetuated by the selection of Obama as a sole nominee.
Through their representative, there publicans promised to address the issues of economic prosperity and education. McCain is cited to have appreciated the inherent inequalities between these populations and therefore promised to address the same accordingly. Further, the republicans promised to involve the Black population actively in governance through the principle of straight talk. Having won the confidence of the Black population, Obama on the other hand took an emotional approach and indicated that the interest of the Black population were at the heart of the Democratic Party.
Obama’s heroic win can be posited to contravene the hypothesis that was put forth by Frymer. In this, he indicated that political leaders of African origin have a negative implication not only on their political party but also on the holistic welfare of the coalition. He asserts that African American political leaders are prevented from participating in the national elections because of their adverse implications on the perceptions of the voters. However, it is certain that Obama’s win was necessitated by his ability to enhance a huge turn out on the Election Day. Notably, as much as the democrats made efforts to enhance the Black representation especially in States that have a higher percentage of this population, it is notable that Obama won in certain states that had a higher representation of the Whites. This implies that unlike the initial preposition that speculates that most Whites would have quit the party, they instead supported their candidate, regardless of his racial background.
Conclusion
From this analysis, it is certain that election competition has adverse effects on certain segments of the population. Coupled with racism, this undermines the ability of the minority groups to participate actively in governance. Moreover, it denies them justice because of their exclusion in formulation of vital decisions that have a direct impact on their welfare. The Black Americans had been victims of the electorate capture since historical times. This was occasioned by the negative racist perceptions that the society accorded them. Although they struggled to find an elevated niche within the Democratic Party, their efforts were frustrated by party leaders. More over, the opposition did not respond to their threats to quit the Democratic Party. However, the situation changed during the 2008 elections as Obama, besides being an African American scooped the top leadership seat.
Works Cited
Greg, Mitchel. Why Obama Won. USA: Booksurge Publishing, 2009.
Paul, Frymer. Uneasy Alliances. Princeton: University Press, 1999.
Tali, Mendelberg. The Race Card. Princeton: University Press, 2001.
E-learning Project Plan. Information and communication technology (ICT)
E-learning Project Plan
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Project Statement
Information and communication technology (ICT) provides broad opportunities in education especially schooling. It unravels the prior unknown avenues of teaching and study, reinforces the link of schools across the world and generates new opportunities in communications. In a short period of time, internet and computer technology have radicalized education, the methods of doing business and people’s lives. This has shaped and will continue to mold the school system in years to come. The Ministry of Education’s vision for posterity in Australia entails applying internet features as an information utility for schooling (Winston 2000). E-learning constitutes use of educational materials to purposefully impart and communicate between parents, teachers, students, school administrators, employers and all those associated with education (Abudi 2011). This vision entails that fundamental teaching practices build up into what may be termed as distributed education, with students undertaking studies in distributed learning schools.
Expansion of the Ministry’s policy on ICT involves efforts to reinforce the premises for utility of technology in schools (Morgen 2003). Currently, the educational gateway austagatt.is is being opened to comprise information on the focus points within ICT and education in which the education Ministry will be engaged on for the next two years. The guideline for this work is based on the premise that Australia continues to lead in providing benefits for students in the knowledge society of posterity and the use of new technology to schools in the form of e-learning.
A) Business case development
Project scope
The e-learning project scope describes its objectives, benefits, key performance indicators, strategies and rationale.
Objectives
1) To complement classroom training: The attention will be on changed practices on teaching of individual subjects with ongoing education subjects that consider the requirements of a range of professional areas.
2) To provide as an introduction to prospective clients: The link between ICT studies and the education fraternity emphasizes on the diversity in the supply of new studies and its expected increase in universities and secondary schools.
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
Educational gateway austagatt.is
Curriculum gateway guide
Recording of Metadata
Information utilities
Benefits
1. It offers a significant degree of flexibility for the trainees
2. It provides “just time in time” opportunity for learning
3. Trainees at their own pace can complete activities
4. Activities and resources can be accessed at anytime from anywhere
5. This is an opportunity that delivers activities simultaneously to an unlimited number of trainees
Rationale
E-learning project support will be based on the use of a variety of equipment in schooling, such as electronic books, portable computers, and mobile telephones.
Alterations to school buildings will guide experiments so as to reduce the need for new construction and support distributed education (Craig 2009). Universities, secondary schools, and continuing education institutions will be connected on a high-speed network.
Secondary schools and universities will have wireless networks installed. Access to the internet will be provided to all the classrooms in primary schools. There will be need to satisfy the expectations and requirements of the 2-way street e-learning courseware development project (Kleiman 2011). The client roles will be to provide clear objectives, and manage the project processes and internal stakeholders.
Purpose
The aim of the provider of e-learning is in listening to the customer, satisfying their desires, and worth addition to outcomes along the way and the project practice. Development of the course in e-learning is a multimedia, multi-discourse process. It relies on the value of outcomes coming prior like any other process (Manfred & Vries 2003). From the beginning to the end, provider of e-learning ought to obtain client sign-off, given the clear milestones. This ensures that all is correct prior to proceeding to the next part of the process. The client has a role in completing a comprehensive check prior to signing-off the milestone.
Strategies
Changed teaching practices will govern teacher education based on individual subjects with continuing education courses that considers the requirements of various professional disciplines (Stevens 2002).
Teleprocessing and distributed learning will be reinforced so that students can undertake diverse studies irrespective of their residents (Harrison & Dennis 2004).
Development and research in the areas of teleprocessing will be amplified
There should be increase in the supply of fully developed correspondence studies leading to university degrees.
Assumptions
The project receives funds from external sponsors to involve a collaborative and joint effort of partnering schools and the Australian Educational Services Division.
Funding will be consistent with the objectives and will be available till the end of the project (Gomez-Mejia 2008).
Constraints
Some of the stakeholders may take on passive roles
Current funding is only secured for 8 months.
The scope of the e-learning project may find it hard to obtain agreement from all members of Australian Educational Community.
Communication with staff in North Western Australia may be difficult owing to cultural preferences, technology, and timeframes.
The time human and financial costs are not precisely estimated during e-learning implementation
The organization may not be able to access or source organization-specific, educationally designed and engaging content
Resistance to change from those comfortable and familiar with traditional teaching and learning approaches
Specific deliverables
Number of Templates, Lesson Modules, and HTML Pages needed: The pages will be classified into categories that are based on their degree of complexity such as media content, graphics, and database queries
Media Content: There will be estimate of typical media elements such as interactive sequences, text, graphics, video, audio among others
Product Testing Scripts: This will establish the types of tests such as database queries, navigation, user volume, and external links
Navigation Rules: navigation is based on learner performance and also by clicking through lessons (HTML)
Milestones
1. Design brief: Details discussed to reflect details of the kick-off meeting and the RFQ inclusions. It outlines the design approach of lessons, graphic style, the assessment approach, animations, and interactivity (Frigenti & Comninos 2002). It also highlights on narration and video, authoring tool, navigation inclusions, and comprehension of the client’s standard operating environment (SOE). Presence of template mock-ups in the form of GUI graphic user interfaces. They are visual treatments reflecting on the corporate feel /look with the mindset of learners’ experience. The sign-off of GUI should be obtained from Group Communications. Design brief is signing-off.
2. Test course: provider of e-learning to develops a minor course test that reflects the assessment type, all navigation patterns agreed, and interactivity. Check functionality works and Testing of the LMS course. Assessment tracks Test and course completes. Signing-off.
3. Storyboard: Client and e-learning provider to agree on learner course content. E-learning provider to design engagement and learning experience. Scanning the first draft in person. Create several iterations of the storyboard. Production through multimedia. Review project variations.
4. Narration script: Signing off verbatim narrations prior to video or studio production. The script should be concise, compelling and culturally reflective.
5. Alpha course: A user acceptance test (UAT) is run internally. Course technical feature and content checked. Check for minor issues to be archived as a change request. Reviewing the alpha course (Young-Hoon 2005). Sending back to the provider of e-learning for review of quality assurance. Running and tracking alpha test in the LMS. Signing off the adjust request. Return to the provider of e-learning.
6. Beta course: Use change request data to check all actioned items. Re-check the LMS tracking. Making decisions of issues arising. The provider to publish the items. Document items in a change request. Reiterate the beta testing process (DeMars 2006).
Figure 1: e-learning project milestones
Project partners and stakeholders
Australian Flexible learning community
Australian Education Service Division
Research corporate VLE
Australia – Program Director Language Support
Australia – Learning Design Specialist
Project timeframe
The estimated duration of the project is 18 months (July 2013-November 2014)
The sponsor may delay the project timeframes through project endorsement and in selection of regions to be analyzed. An e-learning report to the Australian Educational Services Division is scheduled for September 2014.
Project costing
No Item Cost (AUD $)
1 Project staff remuneration 35,000
3 Administrative costs 12,000
4 Equipment and materials 65,000
5 Travel and reports 11,000
Total project budget 123,000
Note: This includes $367 for on-cost variance / salary from AUD$38,200).
Extra funding of $6,000 will be availed by AESD to meet travel expenses for a regional expert involved in evaluation exercise in selected states within Australia to local participation and enhanced communication.
Resource contribution from stakeholders: Staff time of AESD committee and Australian Flexible Learning Community.
Assistance where required from A-DLS staff.
Estimated error margin: +/- 3%
Cost implications post-project: These costs will not be counted as part of e-learning project.
B) Project Management
Project management tools
Product context diagram
Project context diagram
Priority matrix
Risk management assessment
Progress communication plan
Risk management
Overall project risk
The overall risk to the e-learning project is low-moderate.
Worksheet: risk prioritization and scoring
Risk Likelihood(Low, Medium, High) Impact (Low, Medium, High) Control Risk index(1-5)
1-Very High
5-very low
Delay in funds disbursement High High Consult with the sponsor on the project readiness 1
Low response from target communities Medium High Involve local communities at all stages 3
Delay in listing user requirements Low High Consult with all departments to ensure their needs are documented 5
E-learning project team roles
Responsibility Name Roles
Project Sponsor AESD and Australian Flexible Learning community providing funding for the project
Aiding in decisions pertaining risk activities and project scope
Project Manager Jack MacArthur Prioritizes available resources and assigns work
Keeps all stakeholders informed on the status of the project
Project Team Monroe, Steve, Cornwall, Henry, Stacy, Jackie, Welby, Freeman, Suzzane, Drake, Williams, Stone Individuals who perform the activities required to complete the project
Report all activities to the Project Manager
Educational clients Samson, Simpson, Arrati, Esposito To manage area that will benefit from the e-Learning product
Provides the schools and universities for the project team
Schools and universities Don Bosco, Brian Cook, Esther Muffins Help determine the learning goals
Advises as pertaining the appropriateness of the learning goals
Being participative and available
E-learning statement of work
Restate project Instructional Design
Context E-Learning Product Diagram
Establishes the system interaction and entities
IT Infrastructure Requirements
Performance Criteria
Web Browser Compatibility Requirements
Bookmarking, Scoring and Tracking Requirements
LMS Requirements
Project schedule
Item July –Sep 2013 Oct-Dec 2013 Jan-Mar 2014 Apr-June 2014 Jul-Sep 2014 Oct-Nov 2014
Design brief
a) Kick-off meeting
b) The GUI sign-off c) Signing-off the Design brief.
Listing project requirements Hiring and recruitment of the project team
Sourcing project requirements Test course
a) provider of e-learning to develop a small course test
b) Check functionality works and Testing of the course in the LMS.
c) Assessment tracks Test and course completes.
d) Signing-off.
Storyboard
a) Client and e-learning provider to agree on learner course content.
b) E-learning provider to design engagement and learning experience. c) Scanning the first draft in person
d) Create several iterations of the storyboard.
e) Production through multimedia.
f) Review project variations.
Narration script
a) Signing off verbatim narrations prior to video or studio production.
b) Checking the script if concise, compelling and culturally reflective.
Alpha course
a) user acceptance test (UAT) run internally
b) Technical features of the course and content are checked.
c) Check for minor issues to be archived as a change request. d) Reviewing the alpha course. Return to the provider of e-learning for review of quality assurance.
e) Running and tracking alpha test in the LMS.
f) Signing off the modify request.
g) Return to the provider of e-learning.
Beta course
a) Use change request data to check all actioned items.
b) Re-check the LMS tracking.
c) Making decisions of issues arising.
d) The provider to publish the items.
e) Document items in a change request.
f) Reiterate the beta testing process.
System go live Reviewing and evaluation of the e-learning project
The Project review will be done after every two months to provide documentation and closure to the e-Learning at the point of project delivery.
The best techniques for managing the e-Learning project will be advanced by organization knowledge (Cleland & Gareis 2006).
Project Team building will be done through a survey of the project team so as to establish opinion of issues from the team regarding the project to be reported
Re-evaluation of deliverables will be compared against the wish list identified during planning to the e-Learning product
Best Practices on e-Learning projects will be paramount as it will add to the bank of organizations knowledge.
The project will develop and maintain a Risk Database Records so as to mitigate e- Learning project’s identified risks (Kotter & Cohen 2002).
Contents of learning management systems (LMS)
LMS Function Responsibility Requirements
Server as a repository Monroe, Henry, Jackie For all e-Learning content, a centralized location should be established
Update procedures and distribution Implementation
Creating, sharing and reusing Steve, Cornwall, Welby Procedures on Check–in check-out
Common elements sharing such as style sheets, Templates
Provide security Suzzane Control distribution and updating of materials to process
Learning objects for reuse definition Drake Store content components modular
Ensures ease of updating and consistency
Generate metadata information Williams Document and tag all elements of e-learning
Provide files with ease of retrieval
Automate distribution and assembly Stone, Jackie Customization and creation of e-learning systems simplified as different versions
Updated e-learning schedules maintained Stone e-learning systems with limited shelf life have centralized calendar for expiration dates
Complies with the standards Jack Macarthur Established standards are applied with a simplified migration to other LCMSs systems (Lock 2007).
Overall project management considerations
Roles and responsibilities: The project manager will approve changes to specifications, products readiness, and contents of the status reports
Risk management: Risks requiring preventative action will be determined while developing steps to be taken should the risks occur
Relative priorities of triple constraints: the delivery cycles managed depending on the needs, cost constraints, and resource availability.
Number of delivery cycles: 6 to 8 months of delivery date from e-learning project launch 1 or 2 interim review cycles
Quality management
The quality benchmarks, standards and guidelines include;
Timely reporting of e-learning reports and information
Proper composition of the team with express teamwork
Excellent communication practices
Communication management
What Medium Audience Time/duration
Minutes of kick off meeting e-mail Project team, sponsor First week of project start up
Project advisory team meetings Visual presentation Beneficiaries Quarterly
Project progress reports e-mail, fax Sponsor, beneficiaries Monthly
E-learning Information management
Document name/type Electronic location Location of hard copy
e-learning project plan Archives/e-learning/ Australia Flexibility e-learning/Project admin/e-learning project plan File, Education director
e-learning project reports Archives/e-learning/ Australia Flexibility e-learning/Project admin/e-learning project plan File, Education director
Cost management
The procurement and costs will be managed by the project manager with the regard to baseline lines. The ongoing reports will provide schedule, cost and quality reports at a regular basis (every month). The team will ensure that time given to the project is restricted so that it does not accumulate indirect costs associated with extended time (Bjarne 2007). If the duration of the project is extended, it may mean crashing the project by increasing more workforce into the team. This will have a short term effect of increasing workmanship compensation costs but will eventually lower the direct and indirect costs in the long run. The quality of the e-learning project will not be compromised as long as the project manager understands the estimated duration and its permitted allowance (Dinsmore 2005). The project will be subject to evaluation into which the sponsor will be keen to check the spending and satisfaction of the team members (Uneja, Himanshu & Prachi 2011). The project manager will be tasked with greater roles of ensuring that leadership, direction, staffing, coordination and administration of the project is served.
Reference list
Abudi, G 2011, Project Managing Business Process Improvement Initiatives, Allan and Wayne.
Bjarne K 2007, Project Management – Theory and practice.Teknisk Forlag.
Craig, S 2009, Merrill Bonus Case Widens as Deal Struggles. Wall Street Journal.
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DeMars L 2006, Heavy Vetting: Boards of directors now want to talk to would-be CFOs-and vice versa. CFO Magazine.
Dinsmore P C 2005, The right projects done right! John Wiley and Sons.
Frigenti E & Comninos D, 2002, The Practice of Project Management-a guide to the business-focused approach, Kogan Page
Gomez-Mejia, L R, Balkin D B & Robert L C 2008, Management: People, Performance, Change, 3rd edition. New York, New York USA: McGraw-Hill. p. 20.
Harrison F L & Dennis L 2004, Advanced project management: a structured approach. Gower Publishing, Ltd.
Kleiman, L S 2011, Management and Executive Development. Reference for Business: Encyclopedia of Business.
Kotter, J P & Cohen D S 2002, The Heart of Change, Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing.
Lock D 2007, Project Management (9th ed.) Gower Publishing, Ltd.
Manfred F R & Vries K 2003, The Dark Side of Leadership, Business Strategy Review
Morgen W 2003, Fifty key figures in management. Routledge, 2003.
Stevens M 2002, Project Management Pathways. Association for Project Management. APM Publishing Limited.
Uneja, H J, Himanshu F, & Prachi J 2011, Management, Management Study Guide. WebCraft Pvt Ltd..
Young-Hoon K 2005, A brief History of Project Management. In: The story of managing projects. Elias G. Carayannis et al. (9eds), Greenwood Publishing Group.
Winston W R 2000, Managing the Development of Large Software systems in: Technical Papers of Western Electronic Show and Convention (WesCon) August 25–28, 1970, Los Angeles, USA.
I also take advantage of the opportunity that comes with it
which includes developing new skills