POL 200 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

POL 200 - Assignment Example he American democratic system is backed by several features such as freedom of press, freedom of speech, transparency of government through media coverage, and open hearings and town hall meetings. However, in the practical implementation, there is a lack of political participation which can be judged through three ways; voting, lobbying, and review. Voting participation in elections is one of the main features of a participatory democracy and in America; only about half of the people exercise their duty of voting. Secondly, lobbying means participating in the decision making of the government, sharing ideas, and views etc. But there are professional lobbyists working in this regard and special interest groups that influence the individual agendas. Thirdly, electoral review is the accountability of the representatives to their constituencies but most of the representatives are ignorant to these preferences and the population is ill equipped to exercise their duty of review. Kim Irish-Bramble wrote the detailed structure and reality of the American democracy which included the theory and practical implications. The article was concluded with the actual democratic system in America which is still wanting. There have been certain attempts made to export democracy in order to improve the political problems but this isn’t the way. The best way to sort out the current political problems is to participate under the features of the democracy and carry out the democratic system efficiently and honestly. In democracies, often there have been conflicts between the national securities of the people with their individual rights. Many groups have started fearing that such measures are eroding the democratic society. One example of such conflict is wartime measures. At the time of war, there are several restrictions that need to be imposed on the civil liberties which are considered to be infringing the individual rights. There are restrictions on freedom of speech, freedom

Public participation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Public participation - Essay Example All members of the committee nominated the chair and his deputy through voting. Free and fair elections were held with willing members of the committee being among the nominees. Free elections mean that citizens can go to polls without terror of reprisal, and for elections to be fair; they must be count with equality (Dahl 89). All the votes were counted as equal in front of the members to assure that their judgements were counted without biasness. The chair and his deputy were then announced to the members and residents immediately after the counting. One of the residents offered a suggestion on poor lighting of the streets. He advised on the installation of LED street lights. The resident also asked whether the poor drainage conditions are solved. Weaste ward councilor answered the question that the drainage and plumbing company was informed. The health improvement officer asked for suggestions on the re-housing of the rehabilitation center. It was advised that the center was to be moved from the current location. Citizens must be active in forming the actual agenda. They should be permitted to suggest on both specific and general matters that are to be discussed and finally decided on (Dahl 123). A resident suggested on a cleanup day, the individual suggested Saturday. The city council was to provide the gloves, in bags, and litter pickers. Citizens must be knowledgeable and should be given a chance to express themselves (Dahl 216). Notes on any disabled individual who wanted to participate in the meeting was to call the any of the ward’s clerk for accommodation. A disabled resident on a wheel chair suggested on building of ramps in public places like the city halls to make the movement for the less privileged easier and efficient. Everyone in the society should be given a chance to have the freedom of speech. Democracy is important in a community and country. Elections help hold a government responsible and let the people