Bureaucracies and Interest Groups in a Democratic Society

Bureaucracies and Interest Groups in a Democratic Society Ever since our founding fathers first signed the Declaration of Independence and wrote up the Constitution, they had plans for the United States of America to be a representative democracy. That is, we elect public officials based on their platforms to serve as leaders and to make important decisions for our country. But, like most other democratic nations around the world, the elected officials such as congress are bogged down with so many problems that they cannot function without a little help. Because of the many problems Congress must face, they create agencies that are assigned specific jobs or missions and then are given certain powers to complete these jobs. These agencies are known as bureaucracies. Some people argue that these bureaucracies and high ranking elected officials, such as the president, are becoming far too powerful in their position. They say that there is nothing in place to slow down or stop some of the decisions they make.English: View of Capitol Hill from t he U.S. Suprem...Other people believe that they are limited in their actions by political and electoral pressures. I believe that there is an adequate system of checks and balances in place to limit these political positions and groups from becoming too powerful. I think that each level of government does not let the other one obtain too much power. Other factors such as interest groups, voter opinion, and internal conflicts among themselves, all seem to limit their power in government as well.A main source of limitation placed on all elected officials and bureaucracies are interest groups. An interest group can be defined as a private organization that tries to shape public policy. (p.184) They try to influence and pressure these public officials to get what they want. Many people believe that interest groups are usually out for themselves and are not concerned about...

Acclimate vs. Acclimatise

Acclimate vs. Acclimatise Acclimate vs. Acclimatise Acclimate vs. Acclimatise By Maeve Maddox In my line of work, I’m used to comments that blame American speakers for usage that British speakers find annoying. For example: How is it possible for Americans to create acclimate from acclimatise? The effect on me is far worse than hearing math or off of. I share the commenter’s feelings regarding the redundant and ugly â€Å"off of,† as in â€Å"He fell off of the wagon† but fail to understand why math should bother him. In the case of maths vs math, both are clippings of the â€Å"real† word mathematics. Unlike the ridiculous â€Å"open-mic,† which is presumably intended to be pronounced â€Å"open-mike,† both math and maths conform to English spelling conventions. As for acclimate, the form is not an American creation. The earliest citation of acclimate in the Oxford English Dictionary- from a British printed source- is dated 1792. The earliest OED citation for acclimatize (not acclimatise) is dated 1802. Although acclimate is now labeled â€Å"chiefly US usage,† both forms have a long history in British English. The Ngram Viewer set to â€Å"American English† indicates that acclimatize and acclimate were in about equal use until the 1970s, when acclimate began its rise. Set to â€Å"British English,† the Ngram Viewer shows the two forms in equal use until the period of the American Civil War (1860s), when acclimatize gains ascendancy in British printed books. Set to â€Å"English,† the Viewer shows acclimatize as the dominant form until the 1950s, when it begins to decline. The form acclimate overtakes acclimatize and surpasses it in frequency in the 1980s. Of the spellings acclimatize and acclimatise, the former is more frequent, no matter which Ngram setting- â€Å"English,† â€Å"British English† or â€Å"American English†- is used. The OED entry for the word is not treated like analyze, for example, with British analyse placed first and American analyze second. The only word in red for the entry in the OED is acclimatize. Oxford Dictionaries online acknowledges the s spelling with the note, â€Å"also acclimatise.† The Cambridge online dictionary headword is acclimatize, with a note in parentheses: (UK  usually  acclimatise). A Google search brings up the following results: â€Å"acclimate† 857,000 â€Å"acclimatize† 500,000 â€Å"acclimatise† 424,000 I am not advocating the use of acclimate over acclimatize. Although I am an American speaker, I rather think that acclimatize is the form I would use to talk about something or someone having to become accustomed to new conditions. My intention is simply to point out that this so-called â€Å"Americanism† isn’t one. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How to Format a US Business LetterWriting the CenturyOne "L" or Two?

Egypt Revolution of 1919 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Egypt Revolution of 1919 - Essay Example British promised to evacuate Egypt but it did not materialize. Therefore, big chapter in Egypt’s foreign occupation and Britain’s global empire (Daly, 1988). Saad Zaghul formed the Egyptian delegation party known as â€Å"wafd†. This party started pressing nationalist cause. Tactics of civil disobedience was used by people to begin a huge movement of independence. Zaghlul and Wafd had gathered massive public support. Petition for full independence of Egypt was lodged. British could sense the rising support for Wafd leaders. British arrested Zaghlul and other main leaders of movement and exiled them to Malta. The ultimate outcome of all this was revolution in Egypt (Daly, 1988). The Egyptian revolution of 1919 compelled British government to recognize Egypt as independent state in 1922 and then ultimately implementation to new constitution took place in 1923. Causes Egypt came under British rule on December 14 1914. People were agitated against the British rule an d they got united in their discontent. During the war about 1.5 million Egyptians were recruited in the labor corps by British army. Main infrastructure of the country was seized for the army. Saad Zaghlul was founder of the Wafd party during World War 1. The party got fame just after the war setting the goal of ending British occupation. 14 points of Woodrow got fame and inspired nationalists. On November 11 1918, Zaghlul requested high commissioner Sir Reginald Wingate to permit Wafd activists for presenting Egypt’s demand for independence in London. Wafd party members were not allowed to visit London (Bisgaard-Church, 2011). Party kept sending messages to House of Commons but no response shown by British government. In March 1919, Zaghlul was arrested by the British with two other part leaders and then exiled them to Malta. This resulted in countrywide protests incorporating people from all walks of life against the British Occupation. Cairo and Alexandria witnessed the ma in strikes against British held by men, women, shop owners and tradesmen. Milner mission was sent by British to access the real political and diplomatic situation in Egypt but his visit was boycotted (Bisgaard-Church, 2011). Zaghlul returned to Egypt from exile on April 4 1921. Allenby was clear in his mind that Zaghlul is a British puppet and wants to create new independent Egypt as per British desires. Zaghlul was again exiled to Seychelles in December. Exile was responded by Egyptians by countrywide strikes and protests (Bisgaard-Church, 2011). Events Egyptian nationalists demanded independence from British after the World War 1 ended. Wafd was formed which demanded independence at Paris conference. 13 November 1918 was celebrated as day of struggle. Wafd party was formed by Saad Zaghlul. This party wanted to visit London for demanding independence of Egypt but it was denied. Zaghlul and other party members were arrested on 8 March 1918 and further sent to Malta. This resulted in mobilizing people countrywide marking the beginning of revolution. Basic road and railways infrastructure was destroyed (Zunes, 1999). Zaghlul’s wife initiated women participation in movement by protesting against British occupation with 300 ladies. Demonstration held at Abdin palace of about 1000 civil servants and students was peak of the revolution. British took stern action to bring down demonstration by killing 800 Egyptians. British sent Lord Milner in May 1919 for giving self-governance to

Explain the main determinants of exchange rate behavior in the long Essay

Explain the main determinants of exchange rate behavior in the long run and in the short run. In the context of your analysis di - Essay Example The speculation concept in this market has made it hard for achievement of stability. Gains and losses can be made in the same breath in this market. This presents a challenge in both the macro and micro economics world. The factors that influence this behaviour in the foreign exchange market has been a topic of concern to many scholars and economists the world over. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the main determinants of exchange rate behaviour both in the short-run and long-run by illuminating a number of theories and explain why exchange rates tend to be volatile and notoriously hard to predict. To better understand the exchange rates, the paper will first discuss the foreign exchange market and then it will look at the exchange rate regimes. The The Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and the asset market approach through the Uncovered Interest Rate Parity (UIRP) will also be analyzed here.   Overview of the Foreign Exchange Market As the name suggests, a foreign exchange marke t is a market where currencies are traded. Foreign exchange market is also known as forex market. In this market, money is traded for other money. This is the basic definition of the foreign exchange market but in broader terms, the foreign exchange market is not restricted to the exchange of currencies. ... Gains are made in the same breath as losses in this market. This is so because the price of the currency in the market is determined by forces of demand and supply (Carbaugh, 2011). The financial market like goods market obeys the laws of demand and supply; the demand for currency varies inversely with price (Williamson, 2009). If demand for a currency increases its price increases (appreciates) making it unattractive in the market. Buyers thus switch to buying products where value of currency is low leading to depreciation of the currency until equilibrium is reached. For example, in a market involving dollars and pounds whereby the dollar is the domestic currency and the pound is the foreign currency, an increase in demand for foreign currency (pound) results in depreciation of the domestic currency (dollar) while an increase in supply of foreign currency leads to appreciation of the dollar until equilibrium is reached (Sercu and Uppal, 1995). The demand and supply concept As shown in figure 1, Do represents the demand curve for pounds while So represents the supply curve. Equilibrium exchange rate is obtained at the point where demand curve intersects with supply curve (point E). At this point, the exchange rate of dollars per pound is stable hence the market is efficient (Carbaugh, 2011 p. 399). The demand curve in this case represents the desire of the Americans to purchase British goods, services and assets and by observing the law of demand; the US demand for pound varies inversely with price. If price increases, the demand for pounds decreases and if price decreases the demand for pound increases. This means that if the dollar price of pound increases, exports from

Different Philosophies on Risk Assessment: Case Study of the United States and European Union :: Politics

Different Philosophies on Risk Assessment: Case Study of the United States and European Union Introduction â€Å"Science-based regulation should never be misunderstood to mean science converted, at its face value, into regulation.†[1] Hence, regulation based entirely on ‘sound’ science, as the United States urges its trading partners to adopt, is only theoretically possible. The values of a society will ultimately affect the outcome of science-based risk assessment. The origin of facts is contingent on what the society deems is most important for research, how it is researched, and which of the research matters in the final assessment. The interpretation of facts will be determined by regulatory institutions, official expertise, economic models, and assumptions on what constitutes a desirable society.[2] The risk assessment methodologies and risk management approaches of the United States and the European Union towards genetically modified foods demonstrate this truth, and this situation will be explored as a case study of science – based regula tion. In science lies the facts, but the origin and interpretation of the facts cannot be separated from political, social, and cultural influences. Background The European Union and the United States have different risk assessment and management policies which arise from political and socioeconomic differences within these two societies. From a political and cultural standpoint, the clout of strong consumer unions and farmers in the European Union and similar pull from the industrial sector in the United States cannot be separated from the decision-making process. Socially, we find that risk perception between the two societies is quite different. American society exhibits consumer acceptance and the European Union exhibits consumer recalcitrance towards GM-foods. More importantly, the differing philosophies in risk assessment are structured so that either entity can have their risk assessments arrive at their desired outcomes. The United States insists that risk assessment of genetically modified foods be based on ‘sound’ science and rules. Though the European Union does not directly counter this position, it did recently make clear in The EU Communiquà © on the Precautionary Principle[3] that it would reserve its sovereign right to exercise the precautionary principle when the known facts surrounding the risks of a particular GM-food were not enough to establish the food as safe for human consumption. Different Philosophies on Risk Assessment: Case Study of the United States and European Union :: Politics Different Philosophies on Risk Assessment: Case Study of the United States and European Union Introduction â€Å"Science-based regulation should never be misunderstood to mean science converted, at its face value, into regulation.†[1] Hence, regulation based entirely on ‘sound’ science, as the United States urges its trading partners to adopt, is only theoretically possible. The values of a society will ultimately affect the outcome of science-based risk assessment. The origin of facts is contingent on what the society deems is most important for research, how it is researched, and which of the research matters in the final assessment. The interpretation of facts will be determined by regulatory institutions, official expertise, economic models, and assumptions on what constitutes a desirable society.[2] The risk assessment methodologies and risk management approaches of the United States and the European Union towards genetically modified foods demonstrate this truth, and this situation will be explored as a case study of science – based regula tion. In science lies the facts, but the origin and interpretation of the facts cannot be separated from political, social, and cultural influences. Background The European Union and the United States have different risk assessment and management policies which arise from political and socioeconomic differences within these two societies. From a political and cultural standpoint, the clout of strong consumer unions and farmers in the European Union and similar pull from the industrial sector in the United States cannot be separated from the decision-making process. Socially, we find that risk perception between the two societies is quite different. American society exhibits consumer acceptance and the European Union exhibits consumer recalcitrance towards GM-foods. More importantly, the differing philosophies in risk assessment are structured so that either entity can have their risk assessments arrive at their desired outcomes. The United States insists that risk assessment of genetically modified foods be based on ‘sound’ science and rules. Though the European Union does not directly counter this position, it did recently make clear in The EU Communiquà © on the Precautionary Principle[3] that it would reserve its sovereign right to exercise the precautionary principle when the known facts surrounding the risks of a particular GM-food were not enough to establish the food as safe for human consumption.

Negative effects of video games Essay

The US video game market reached nearly $ 21 billion in sales in 2008. On an average an adolescent spends about 10-13 hours per week playing video games. The cause may be attributed to the fact that video games today have become a necessity more than a luxury. They are a unique form of entertainment because they encourage players to become a part of the game. However, video games have both positive and negative impacts on players. While some of them are fun and entertaining, others have drastic effects on children. On one hand, video games are a source of leisure. People play video games because they want to get away from their everyday stressful life since these games are fun and interesting way to spend time. Another major advantage of playing video games includes improving children’s computer literacy since most of the games nowadays require internet. Also research studies show that video games tend to increase one’s hand eye coordination as well as their ability to make quick and reasonable judgements. Educational games provide practice in problem solving and logic and are thus becoming more prevalent as teaching tools for youth in primary and secondary schools. However this is just one side of the coin. Video Games with violent content have far reaching effects on children. Research studies suggest that violent video games increase aggressive behavior among youth. Since violent acts are often rewarded and continually repeated in a game, it highly influences them. Children who see a lot of violence are more likely to view violence as an effective way of settling conflicts and are more likely to assume that violence is acceptable behavior. Also, if one buys an intriguing game, he may get addicted to it, which may lead to drastic consequences. An addiction may lead to physical problems like obesity, headaches, damage to eye, decline in schoolwork productivity, spending problems and confusion between real and unreal. Over dependence on video games could also foster social isolation, as they are often played alone.

A Brief History of the African Country of Kenya

Fossils found in East Africa suggest that protohumans roamed the area more than 20 million years ago. Recent finds near Kenyas Lake Turkana indicate that hominids lived in  the area  2.6 million years ago. Cushitic-speaking people from northern Africa moved into the area that is now Kenya beginning around 2000 BC. Arab traders began frequenting the Kenya coast around the first century AD. Kenyas proximity to the Arabian Peninsula invited colonization, and Arab and Persian settlements sprouted along the coast by the eighth century. During the first millennium AD, Nilotic and Bantu peoples moved into the region, and the latter now comprises three-quarters of Kenyas population. The Europeans Arrive The Swahili language, a mixture of Bantu and Arabic, developed as a lingua franca for trade between the different peoples. Arab dominance on the coast was eclipsed by the arrival in 1498 of the Portuguese, who gave way in turn to Islamic control under the Imam of Oman in the 1600s. The United Kingdom established its influence in the 19th century. The colonial history of Kenya dates from the Berlin Conference of 1885 when the European powers first partitioned East Africa into spheres of influence. In 1895, the U.K. Government established the East African Protectorate and, soon after, opened the fertile highlands to white settlers. The settlers were allowed a voice in government even before it was officially made a U.K. colony in 1920, but Africans were prohibited from direct political participation until 1944. The Mau Mau  Resist Colonialism From October 1952 to December 1959, Kenya was under a state of emergency arising from the Mau Mau rebellion against British colonial rule. During this period, African participation in the political process increased rapidly. Kenya Achieves Independence The first direct elections for Africans to the Legislative Council took place in 1957. Kenya became independent on December 12, 1963, and the next year joined the Commonwealth. Jomo Kenyatta, a member of the large Kikuyu ethnic group and head of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), became Kenyas first President. The minority party, Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU), representing a coalition of small ethnic groups, dissolved itself voluntarily in 1964 and joined KANU. The Road to Kenyattas One-Party State A small but significant leftist opposition party, the Kenya Peoples Union (KPU), was formed in 1966, led by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, a former Vice President, and Luo elder. The KPU was banned shortly after and its leader detained. No new opposition parties were formed after 1969, and KANU became the sole political party. At Kenyattas death in August 1978, Vice President Daniel Arap Moi became President. A New Democracy in Kenya In June 1982, the National Assembly amended the constitution, making Kenya officially a one-party state, and parliamentary elections were held in September 1983. The 1988 elections reinforced the one-party system. However, in December 1991, Parliament repealed the one-party section of the constitution. By early 1992, several new parties had formed, and multiparty elections were held in December 1992. Because of divisions in the opposition, however, Moi was reelected for another 5-year term, and his KANU party retained a majority of the legislature. Parliamentary reforms in November 1997 expanded political rights, and the number of political parties grew rapidly. Again because of a divided opposition, Moi won re-election as President in the December 1997 elections. KANU won 113 out of 222 parliamentary seats, but, because of defections, had to depend on the support of minor parties to forge a working majority.In October 2002, a coalition of opposition parties joined forces with a fact ion which broke away from KANU to form the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC). In December 2002, the NARC candidate, Mwai Kibaki, was elected the country’s third President. President Kibaki received 62% of the vote, and NARC also won 59% of the parliamentary seats. Source US Department of State Background Notes.