Who Is To Blame For Low Voter Turnout Politics Essay

Who Is To Blame For Low Voter Turnout Politics Essay Democracy is the most favorable form of government in todays world. Its being said that we all should work hand in hand in order to make decisions on certain political matters and that can only be made possible through participation which is voting. Our right to vote is guaranteed in Canada under section 3 of Charter of Rights and freedoms  [2]  but many people dont exercise this right. But if they had not been granted this right, they probably will feel offended and divested. Regardless of Section 3, Canadian voter turnout in recent years has been disappointing and not very reassuring. In past few decades, there has been a gradual decrease in voter turnout in Canada. Turnout has dropped significantly since 1988. In 2000, the turnout reached lowest mark ever but the record was further broken in 2008 federal elections  [3]  which raised eyebrows of all political parties and further raised questions and concerns whether Canadian democracy and the electoral system are effective enough. A number of scholars and political scientists argue that we need to bring in a new effective electoral system in order to increase voter turnout and government and policy makers have also commenced ways to improve Canadian democracy. This paper examines the voter turnout in past few decades, reasons for decrease in voter turnout, including cynicism and apathy of voters and various possible reforms in order to make Canadian democracy more effective. Voter turnout can be described as when registered voters vote and when registered voters marked a ballot during elections. It is calculated by dividing number of valid votes by registered electoral districts  [4]  . It doesnt count rejected ballots or spoiled ballots. Voter turnout is really important in determining peoples confidence and satisfaction with the government, political parties, and their policies. It is also a good sign of healthy democracy. High voter turnout legitimizes the governments authority over people. Voter turnout also reflects peoples interest in politics and decisions being made by political members on their behalf. It also shows civic literacy among people in regards to political issues. Increase in turnout will decrease inequality among social groups  [5]  . But the big story in news from past two decades is decrease in voter turnout. From 1945 to 1988 Canada has enjoyed high level of voter turnout  [6]  . Since 1988 it has decreased significant ly, with the lowest mark in 2008 federal elections. It was 75 % in 1988 compared to 64.7% in 2006 and 58 % in 2008  [7]  . Canada has enjoyed very high voter turnout until 1988. Voter turnout in Canada is low compared to other countries such as Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand and United Kingdom  [8]  . The questions that arises is why do some people vote and others dont enjoy this privilege. Why is it so low in Canada? This question has been a hot topic and central to many political scientists and political research  [9]  . Possible Causes This can be due to cynicism and apathy of people. People are very pessimistic about what government does and there is an absence of enthusiasm in people. Recent studies argue that voters felt cynical, disappointed, dissatisfied and there was a sense of disempowerment. People think that government wastes a lot of time and money rather than making right choices for common good. Its bureaucracy and decisions are made by bureaucrats. They make decisions based on their own interests. Politicians are dishonest, self-centered, unaccountable, lack integrity and accomplish very little  [10]  . Lots of research has been done on this particular topic by various authors, political scientists and agencies but no specific or static reasons were explained or they are yet to be revealed. Each study revealed different aspects, different reasons and circumstances for low voter turnout. Lots of those studies revealed variables independent of cynicism and apathy of voters. There are lots of other possible causes for lower voter turnouts. These factors range from personal reasons to age and gender. Voters lack of involvement because of disinterest in elections is one of the main causes of low voter turnout  [11]  . They usually think that their votes are meaningless and hence will not make any difference if they dont vote. But people seem to have forgotten that every vote counts and every vote makes a difference. That being said, one of the reasons behind this thinking is that government usually proposes referendums during elections and these referendums reflects a change or propo ses a particular constitutional measure. A good example would be Charlottetown Accord, 1992  [12]  . People who are not involved in voting are unaware of these referendums and hence delay all the changes that would have otherwise been considered as positive changes. Also people are less likely to find the parties, their policies, candidates and appealing leaders  [13]  . Every party proposes few legislations and policies that they will implement after they have been choosen. Reason why people dont find these policies appealing is because those policies dont meet their expectations and totally meaningless to them. People also dont find their leaders charismatic. If we look at the census, Liberal party has made majority government most of the times. Liberals had some exceptional leaders such as Sir Wilfrid Laurier, William Lyon Mackenzie King, Lester B. Pearson, Pierre Trudeau, Jean Chretien and these leaders have had charisma. They attracted people towards them because the po licies they discussed before elections, implemented most of them  [14]  . Current government has been criticized by everyone for not coming up with strategies to fight economic deficit and fighting recession. Action plan was developed but it did not have much impact  [15]  . Another reason that can be considered responsible for low voter turnout is personal or administrative components of voters life  [16]  . Voting usually takes place during daytime and weekdays. Most people go to work or school or are unable to vote due to various personal problems. Sometimes, their electoral district is too far from work and they are unable to vote. A lot of people are also preoccupied with their families, kids and other family responsibilities after hours and are unable to go down to their constituency and vote. In conclusion, these reasons could be the few basic reasons that led to decline in voter turnout. There are few other controversial reasons which affects voter turnout. Timing is considered one of them. It has been said that people are usually away during summer time on vacation and winter weather conditions can deter participation. It also explains cross sectional variations. Weather conditions do have an effect on voter turnout  [17]  whereas statistics Canada doesnt provide any such evidence. Also none of the other studies provide any evidence for this argument with further research. Elections have been conducted at various days, various months  [18]  . Television and turnout is another controversial reason but there hasnt been much debate on this particular topic. It has been said that TV is a revolution in democracy and it gives people clear understanding of trends and issues but it has reduced voter turnout. TV has reduced radios efficiency which is really effective in rural areas  [19]  .People use their leisure time in watching TV rather than listening to poli tical agendas on radio. They spend more time in entertainment as opposed to focusing on informative aspects  [20]  . No other studies provide such evidence. Socio-economic characteristics also affect voter turnout. Turnout is high in advanced countries. Advanced countries are more likely to participate in their countries matter and decisions  [21]  . Other factors include changing times and values, religion, long authority of one political party, political disaffection, gender, education, origin etc  [22]  23. Lower Youth Participation and Enhancement Even though these factors play significant role in voter turnout but not all political scientists and scholars agree on them. They all seem to agree on two main reasons that have a huge impact on voter turnout in past as well as in recent elections and these reasons are youth electoral engagement and Canadian Electoral System. Less participation of youth or apathy among youth can be a possible reason as discussed by many political scientists  [24]  . Politicians and government are concerned about why young people dont participate in elections or if they do, why their turnout is so low as compared to other age groups. The turnout between age group of 18 to 24 is still relatively small. Knowing that fact that it has been decreasing, actual reasons behind this are still foggy and poorly understood. In 2008 federal elections total turnout was 58.8% and lowest turnout was among age group of 18-24 with 37.4%  [25]  . Youth in Canada dont involve themselves in Canadian Politics. Mor e research needs to be done to find out what motivates young people. Centre for Information and Research on Canada, at one instance mentioned: Many young adults are highly mobile, and so less rooted in their communities and less aware of community needs and issues. For these reasons, they are likely to be less interested in elections. But as they grow old, it generally assumed that they will become more likely to vote  [26]   But politicians and government arent that optimistic as young voters are moving away from politics. This can be determined by looking at enrollment of student in Political Science courses at University level. It has been gradually declining  [27]  . Youth must be encouraged to participate in elections. Young voters tendency to vote needs to be understood. Also Canadian leaders or parties should directly address Canadian youth during elections  [28]  . Seminars or multimedia campaigns should be conducted for young people to educate them and make them more aware of Canadian political system and how to participate in it. Round table discussions in colleges and universities would be an effective step in civic literacy of youth and parents must discuss politics with their children at home and it will definitely enhance their politics skills. Also students must stay in school and schools should offer political science courses or make them mandatory or compulsory  [29]  . New experiments and tests needs to be designed to increase voter turnout not just among youth but overall population  [30]  . We need to give profound consideration to Canadian youth and their needs. Much needs be done in order to over come this matter. Electoral System and Possible Reforms Although electoral system is not the sole problem for low voter turnout, it has been blamed primarily for citizens apathy and cynicism. Canadas current electoral system is based on single member plurality or most commonly known as First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) at federal, provincial and municipal level. In this system, a single individual is elected from a riding to represent citizens of that electoral district. Member who receives most votes becomes Member of Parliament. There has been an ongoing debate on whether Canadian electoral system should be changed. Advocates of this system argue that it produces stable majority government  [31]  whereas other political scientists argue that we need new system as it is outdated. There have been lots of problems with current Canadian electoral system including: regional polarization, fairness, under-representation of women, democratic alteration  [32]  . Once again, advocates replied by saying that there is no solution to regionalism as population is sparsely divided in provinces. There is not much that government or political parties can do in order to overcome that unequal distribution of population. Arguments were also made on proportional representation electoral system by saying that it can create unsought results such as political fragmentation, coalition or minority governments, cabinet instability etc. They further mentioned that theres no guarantee that voter turnout will go up if Canada introduces new electoral system and also its not going to have any effect on representation  [33]  . Survey was conducted by Elections Canada to find out whether people are satisfied with current electoral system. There werent too many variations in the results i.e. on one hand people want to give up current electoral system and at the same time try proportional representation system  [34]  . In recent years, electoral reform proponents are willing to introduce Proportional Representation in Canada. It is a primary substitute to Single Member Plurality  [35]  . According to this system, each member will get his/her share or a seat based on shares of votes they get, regardless of whether they get highest number of votes or lowest number of votes. This will give a fair and equal chance to all the members who are riding for that constituency. Also voters wouldnt think that their votes are meaningless. They get to choose member of their choice. Proportional Representation has two categories: List System and Single Transferrable Vote  [36]  . Buy as usual; Proportional Representation has its critics. Critics argue that this will create many small new parties within the legislature, will produce unstable government by giving an opportunity to radical parties to represent themselves and not all constituencies will be covered  [37]  . Most democracies in world today use Proportional Representation. Voter turnout level is beyond exception in countries that are practicing proportional representation. It has been widely considered that Proportional Representation will have a huge impact on Canadian political system which includes more representative parliament, reduction of regional polarization, no single party majority governments; equal representation of all members from various constituencies, Prime Minister will have less power, federal and provincial balance  [38]  . Research has also demonstrated that Proportional Representation will lead to high turnout  [39]  . Provinces such as British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick have considered this option and have taken appropriate steps to introduce this system among community members. Ontario also introduced Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) System which can also be as another alternative to our current electoral system. Mixed Member Proportionality is mixtur e of local elected districts member and members elected on provincial level from party list. It gives options to people to choose two members at same time, one from party and second a local candidate. It will create stable parties, equal representation, fair election results, accountability; stronger voter participation etc  [40]  .Alternative vote can also go hand in hand with Proportional Representation. Under alternative vote people have to rank the candidates based on their preference and candidate much receive 50% vote and candidates will lower number of votes are automatically dropped out. Hence number of votes goes up and number of candidates goes down  [41]  . Electronic Voting is another big alternative that can replace our current electoral system. Surveys conducted have demonstrated that Canadians favor internet voting, especially youth. All provinces have high approval rate. It has been considered the best method to increase voter turnout, even better than Proportional Representation  [42]  . Another surveys conducted by Toronto Star have revealed high approval rate  [43]  . It will be a lot easier for people to vote online and very reliable. It will solve the problem of those people who cant make it to their electoral districts on voting day. People can regularly provide feedback through surveys about government policies at federal, provincial and municipal levels. Critics argue that internet voting will create legal concerns. Research issues can also lead to failure of this internet voting. In addition, security issues can come into play and resolving these security issues can put extra burden on the budget as it will cost lo st of money  [44]  .Another concern with this is people who are computer illiterate, or people who doesnt have access to computers but the Government is planning to test this system by 2013. Compulsory Voting or Mandatory Voting could be another alternative. In this system, all voters must register and obliged show up on voting day. They still have the choice of not to vote. Fines or other sanctions will be imposed if they dont show up. Many advanced democracies are using mandatory voting such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil. Voter turnout is very high in these countries. Proponents of this system argue that this will increase voter turnout, election campaigns can focus more on issue rather than teaching people about electoral system. This can also enhance peoples participation in political process other than voting  [45]  . Compulsory voting critics argue that people will vote just for the sake of voting. This will not express their opinions. It is an undemocratic way to vote and it infringes their charter rights under section 3. Majority of Canadians are against this voting system. Penalties can be expensive for people who cannot afford to pay. It also doesnt add ress questions of low voter turnout and civic literacy among citizens  [46]  . Lots of different proposals have been discussed by various political scientists which includes civic literacy among people. People should be taught about politics. It can be done through media. Countries with high civic literacy have high voter turnout  [47]  . Other proposals say that Permanent Residents should be allowed to vote as they make good amount of Canadian population. Being Permanent Resident, they cannot do certain things and voting is one of them. Critics argue that this infringe section 3 or charter of rights and freedoms and keeps valuable and experienced people away from participation which further declines their interest in politics  [48]  . More opportunities for peoples participation in politics should be developed. Diversity should be increased i.e. women and visible minorities. Government should also keep citizens demands in mind and should work on them. Public opinion surveys should be conducted each year to find out satisfaction in government. Public op inion and overall good should be preferred while making diplomatic decisions. Conclusion Voter turnout has been decreasing. Efforts are being to find out the reasons behind it. Different authors, scholars, political scientists use different opinions and views to explain this trend. We must change low voter turnout trend and electoral reform could be a revolutionary idea. Canadian democracy must be improved by putting more emphasis on citizens needs. People should be encouraged to engage in politics through civic literacy. Reforms are not yet being implemented but theres a good chance that they will be looked upon and tested in future. As Canadians, its upto us whether we want to see a change. Research is yet being conducted to reveal what underlies beneath, offer practical solutions and overcome this problem.

Deforestation Essay -- Environment Pollution

Deforestation in China Deforestation has been a big problem in China to this day. Throughout its long history, China has gone through several cycles, from mild recovery to severe deforestation. When the Communists took over China in 1949, they introduced many new policies and programs to bring about economic and political changes; however, shifts in policies have led to program shifts in every field of China’s economy, including deforestation. Deforestation exercises a significant influence on the ecosystem, stimulating natural disasters, introducing negative environmental and climatic changes, and threatening biodiversity. Floods are among the most common consequences of deforestation. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), deforestation caused floods to occur every decade, and once every six years between 1921 and 1949, but once every two years in the 1980s. The situation has dramatically worsened since 1994, with the Yangtze flooding every year. Growing silting of rivers and lakes from the def orested lands in the Yangtze basin and encroachment on river beds by Chinese farmers resulted in record levels of floods in the summer of 1998. The building of The Three Gorges Dam is said to stop flooding greatly. As early as the 1950s deforestation in China attracted attention, but it was not until the 1960s that it assumed alarming proportions. The Land Reform of 1950 authorized state ownership of large forests and other types of land. The Cultural Revolution, which turned China upside down, also unfavorably affected its forests. The Ministry of Forestry, like most Chinese institutions and organizations almost ceased to exist during the Cultural Revolution. Decades of neglect resulted in excessive deforestation, impacti... ...is decreasing. In Tibet is has fallen from 9-5 percent, between the years 1950-1985; Yunnan 55-30 percent, 1950-1975; and in Sichuan, 30-65 percent, 1950-1998. Despite all the afforestation measures, heavy deforestation continues to plague China due to mismanagement, unclear policies, bureaucratic corruption, and ineffectiveness. Although recently, China has afforested a total area of 1.4 million hectares over the past two years, with another 13 million hectares of land reclaimed from desertification. The achievements come from a large afforestation project covering northern, northeastern and northwestern China. The project aims to form a shelter forest covering ten provinces, municipalities and self-governing regions. Finally, China plans to invest another 400 million Yuan, or more than 48 million US dollars in afforestation in these areas this year.

Sigmund Freuds The Interpretation of Dreams Essay -- Papers

Sigmund Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams Sigmund Freud’s The Interpretation of Dreams was originally published in 1900. The era was one of prudish Victorians. It was also the age of the continued Enlightenment. The New Formula of science, along with the legacy of Comte’s Positivism, had a firm hold on the burgeoning discipline of psychology. Freud was groomed as both scientist and Romantic, but his life’s work reflected conflict of the two backgrounds and a reaction against each one. It is my opinion that The Interpretation of Dreams was not simply written as a methodology of deconstructing dreams and assigning them meaning, but its latent content (as it were) was a critique of science’s New Formula, and was designed to question, and even undermine, the possibility of objective methodology in psychology, and indeed in the sciences as a whole. The importance of his innovations were wholly unappreciated; Freud was an anomaly. Many of his contemporaries rejected his work on the grounds of invalid methodology and inconsistency. Neurologists and psychiatrists today still continue to discount his theories. The point of Freud’s subversion of contemporary mental science, was, however, quite missed, and many critics and reviewers continue to systemically assail his work, utterly oblivious to the inclusive meaning of his theories, rather than the meanings of his words themselves. Clinical studies convinced Freud that hysterical symptoms could be analyzed and deconstructed to understandable statements expressive of some underlying and utterly logical thought. From this interest, Freud embarked on a comprehensive study of dreams, and in the process, created a theory that drew meaningful attention to the unconscious, a previousl... ...ertain concepts, such as depth of mind, latent meanings, wish-fulfilments, etc.,--all of which remain valuable in themselves, in spite of Freud’s parallel objective of crushing positivistic natural science. Freud’s work has provided a paradigm through historical findings and future investigations, leaving him as pioneer of the unconscious through his unmasking of dreams. And lastly, in spite of science and philosophy’s tendencies to exploit the theory’s weaknesses instead of strengths, the deeper aim of the text, as unmasker of Positivism’s weaknesses, can no longer be ignored in its hermeneutic exploration. Bibliography: Reference List Freud, Sigmund. (1971). The Interpretation of Dreams, Volume IV,1900. London: The Hogarth Press. Freud, Sigmund. (1968). The Interpretation of Dreams, Volume V. 1900-01. London: The Hogarth Press.

Essay on Black Readers of Their Eyes Were Watching God :: Their Eyes Were Watching God Essays

The Enraged Black Readers of Their Eyes Were Watching God         Although Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God is a widely read novel today, that wasn't always the case. When her novel was first published, many black readers were enraged. It wasn't until the early seventies when Hurston's novel was rediscovered. What aspects of the novel enraged the readers so that it would be forgotten for more than thirty years?    One of the most important aspects of the novel that enraged the black readers was Hurston's portrayal of the white people. Readers complained that Hurston wasn't harsh enough in her critique of the white people's treatment towards the black people. Rather than portraying whites as the stereotypical "Simon Legree" of Uncle Tom's Cabin-the ideal poor, racist "white trash"-most whites that take part in the novel are contrarily very helpful towards the blacks and show great compassion towards them as well. For example, when Janie begins her story we meet the Washburns. These are the white folks for whom Nanny worked for and they are very helpful towards both Nanny and Janie by treating them as if they are part of the family. Contrary to a lot of whites at the time who treated blacks as if they were still slaves, the Washburns treat both Nanny and Janie as human beings rather than slaves, showing great respect and love. In a way they are portrayed as "angels" who truly believe in human eq uality and don't have one bit of prejudice in them. "Mah grandma raised me. Mah grandma and de white folks she worked wid...They was quality white folks up dere in West Florida. Named Washburn. She had four gran'chillun on de place and all of us played together..." (8).    Furthermore, by reading Hurston's novel, one can clearly see that all blacks place the whites on a pedestal of knowledge. According to the blacks of the novel, whites know everything and are always right; they are superior and since blacks are supposed to be ignorant and stupid, they should believe and do everything the whites say. For example, Mrs. Turner states that she trusts only white doctors because black doctors aren't as educated and skilled as the white doctors. "Don't bring me no nigger doctor tuh hang over mah sick-bed...White doctors always gits mah money" (135-136). Another example is when the Indians are evacuating the muck because they foresee a big hurricane coming and the blacks don't evacuate stating that since the whites aren't evacuating there's no reason to.

Educating Rita and the Allegory of the Cave Essay

The film â€Å"Educating Rita† and the essay â€Å"the Allegory of the Cave† are based on philosophical ideas and problems connected with personal development, education and understanding of the good life. ‘Educating Rita† and the essay â€Å"the Allegory of the Cave’ portray personal development of people and importance of education, persistence and hard work crucial for success and self-determination. Thesis Both works portrays that only self-improvements and education combined with personal values will create a unique personality able to obtain social status and understand the world. Educating Rita’ and ‘the Allegory of the Cave’ discuss the role of persistence and hard work in education and learning. In the film, the main heroin would not be able to achieve success and change her personality without diligence and great desire to archive this success. Similar to the film, Plato portrays that persistence and desire to learn something new drive the personality. Thus, both works show that learning differences arise from different motives and personal traits, different goals and life expectations of the characters. Socrates questions: â€Å"And when he remembered his old habitation, and the wisdom of the cave and his fellow-prisoners, do you not suppose that he would felicitate himself on the change, and pity them? (Plato). In this case, thinking and analysis are the main tools which help the student to learn and develop new knowledge. For learners, one of the first and most basic steps to master new knowledge is to develop strong skills through practice and cramming. The works portray that a unique personality is coined by education and learning, knowledge sharing and continuous practice. ‘Educating Rita’ portrays that learning ensures that the knowledge is generated and perceived currently. ‘Educating Rita’ portrays that every person can improve her knowledge and receives good education in spite of her class location and background. Similar to the film’s theme, Plato says: â€Å"Whereas our argument shows that the power and capacity of learning exists in the soul already† (Plato). It is important to note that in contrast to many other students who work hard for many years but fail to achieve their dream, the film and Plato’s essay describe that learning can shape any personality in a short period of time, but he/she needs long-life learning and education in order to to keep abreast of time and expend his/her knowledge. Both works, â€Å"Educating Rita† and â€Å"the Allegory of the Cave† discuss the important role of teacher and mentor in education and self-development. The role of the teacher is to motivate and inspire his pupil. In general terms, motivation in the pupil can be described as the direction and persistence of action. It is concerned with why people choose a particular course of action in preference to others, and why they continue with a chosen action, often over a long period, and in the face of difficulties and problems. The process of learning is closely connected with self-regulated learning. Plato comments: â€Å"He will then proceed to argue that this is he who gives the season and the years, and is the guardian of all that is in the visible world, and in a certain way the cause of all things which he and his fellows have been accustomed to behold? (Plato). In the film, this process is supported by strong personal commitment to work, life goals and hopes which have not come true. In contrast to ‘the Allegory of the Cave’ in the film motivation is concerned, basically, with why Rita behaves in a certain way. Personal motivation and life goals have a direct and positive impact on her self-direct learning. Her motivation can be describes as urges, aspirations, drives and needs of human beings direct or control or explain their behavior. Symbolically, for prisoners ‘light’ symbolizes ‘truth’ while for Rita ‘education’ becomes the light in her life. In sum, both works describe that our world views depend upon education, learning, and a teacher who supports and guides his pupil. Education is the first major step that increases personal values of everyone and creates new opportunities to succeed on the workplace. Learning is typical for people, because they see persistence and diligence as important qualities of a character and personal traits. Character Sketches Rita (Susan) Rita is a young (about twenty) working class girl (hairdresser) who wants to improve her life and continue education. She is marriage but her husband is constantly against her education. From the start it is clear from her bad grammar that she has a less polished education than the other students. At the start she is simply the instrument of Frank. Later she seems to have some pity for him. One sign of Rita’s development is her growing realization of how Frank cares about her. She is smart, brave and courageous to start a new life. To be so clear about one’s upbringing is a step in overcoming it. At the end of the film she becomes persistent, diligent and hard-working students. A diligent attitude to learning is the best way to prove that hard work and persistence can result in social recognition and high social status. Dr Frank Bryant Frank is a middle aged academician who achieved nothing in his life. He lack money and decides to teach working class students to earn for living. Frank combines the moral and social qualities of a gentleman. He is patient, sympathetic and kind. He inherits honesty; he is a reliable and sensitive, clumsy and inaccurate person. In his love for Rita, he shows that he has none of snobbery or egoism. His tact is evident in his treatment of Rita and in the delicate way he corrects her manners. Frank is, above all, a loyal friend who actively helps Rita in her attempt to change herself. Knowing how to work and motivate his pupils is one of the marks of a true teacher. Frank conforms to this ideal. His fine manners show that he is a gentleman at heart.

Ethnic and Religious Conflict in Nigeria Essay

Basic all(prenominal)y, Nigeria is a plural guild and heterogeneous in most all the facet of life. The custom and impost of Nigerians is so diverse to the extent that Nigeria as a realm is instantly confronted with the fuss of credence and hea thuslyity towarfargonf ards their semi regimeal stability. The origin and muniment of heathenish interlocking (societal wars and violence) tummy be t washablesd from eternal (internal) state rivalry to discloseside(a) (physical). And its root cause is non really far from power competition and termi body politic making everywhere economic re root schemas and lay downer(a) important human detailor, like position.The instruction execution process has unendingly involved more(prenominal) than adept or two persons. In gen epochl concept, the author of this consummation traces bout bet on to the first and primaeval elderly of human account and ever since then, on that microscope stage has been an increase (in va rious dimensions) of Conflict in the face of human realness. Some argon personal (internal) impinge, family, community, and congregation, intellectual, state, show window and inter interior(a) in nature, to mention but few. In conform to this idea, Badawi (2006) in his statement titled public A mathematical function stated thus, indeed the sterling(prenominal) discord today is among the descendants of Abraham.These atomic number 18 the battalion of the book, the followers of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, who had in fact shargond a super C inauguration in the worship of Abraham. In remove more light in the in a higher place statement, Badawi statement goes far beyond pietism, rather, he was tracing single of the earliest source of infringe which Badawi mentioned the off-springs of the give tongue to Abraham. Even in the lead Abraham, thither had been action, so it is as quondam(a) as human history waste to the Abrahamic check, to ancient kingdoms, Dukes, an d Kings. In intimately 88 B. C. , King Mithria equipment casualty VI of Pontus invaded Roman stain in Asian Minor.He informed Asian debtors to kill their Roman creditors. quick to reduce their credit card bills, the Asians massacred 80,000 Romans. Ethno- policy-making conflicts let greatly shaped our present human race and of course garb out its structural phenomenon, (William Easterly, 2001). For instances, the conflict we now call Israeli and Palestinian war, has been an ever-lengthening sort. The Assyrian, Babylonian war, by King Nebuchadnezzar of the suspension formation Garden in history, the Persia war, Alexander the capacious (the Macedonian mad man in history), the German war of Adolfs.Hitler, the Roman wars, confining all these down, we came to the horn of African spotless(prenominal) which mindm to be an epidemic orbit of conflicts of diverse kinds bank date. The giant-lion of African continent, unspoiled like the origin of conflict is tell to take over stated very aging in human history, withal so in the study of Nigeria, which can be traced to the colonial period of history. Conflict takes diametric sizes and shapes with diverse causalitys and purposes.Majority of the conflicts takes time onward their escalation and at such(prenominal), could consent been transformed recompense at their respective early stages. The history of ethnicity and ethnic conflicts in Nigeria is overly traced back to the colonial transgressions that cartd the ethnic mathematical groups of the Federal and southern provinces to become an entity called Nigeria in 1914. In the case of Nigeria situation, disturbing history of colonialism, this generated shame and conflict among diametric ethnic groups. The assign of addressing this seed of conflict planted by the British has been a complex one. replacesequently weakening the occasion diverse kingdoms, Emperors, etc.now called Nigeria and reordering the groups governance, the colonial powe rs failed in nation building and providing for the pecks basic needs. Hence, unemployment, poverty increase, and due to these, conflict over scarce imaginations ensue. The Southern and blue protectorates were also being amalgamated into a nation. Thereafter, the encounter of different colonies into one country called Nigeria was forcefully done without the heaps consent. This was a major(ip) seed of conflict that is hush troubling Nigeria today.This article is focused on the historical incidents of ethnic conflicts in at heart Nigeria societies, the cause of the conflicts and perhaps, the government actions towards ethnic conflict in the country. In conclusion, this paper volition explore into decision-making (by the elites and those in authority) process has contributed immensely in generating the syndromes of conflict in the said state. The Nigerian governmental situation has witnessed more breaking of matters, than counting them. In fact, rase when it has been conveni ent for heads to be counted, the outcome has always been the breaking of heads instead.Conflict in Nigeria is so intense because of lack of republican behaviour. The head of the individual in the democratic mount signifies citizenship. So when heads are broken in the Nigerian semi semi governmental community, the issue in respect of broken heads is citizenship. If conflict in Nigeria means the absence of democratic behaviour, it follows, therefore, that conflict in Nigeria is interwoven with the absence of democratic governance. Gurr (2000) has also shown that the incidence of conflicts at the spherical level declined in late days with the deepening of democratization.Nation-states where conflicts persist are those where what obtains is the democratization of disempowerment (Ake 1996). Beyond the veneer of elections, the state rest ambushed, privatised, re shrinkive and unpopular. The people who were tantalised by the first moment of a democratic revolution that would ign ore decades of alienation and pauperisation have been ill-judged changed and given a choice less commonwealth (Mkandawire 1999). The credibility gap which fostered the De-linkage of the people from the state, and ignited social forces to struggle for democracy, is non being bridged (Rothchild 1995 58).African peoples out of make up rational calculations sans atavistic attachments have saturnine their backs on the state and given their consignment to sub- interior(a) social formations such as the community, the sub nationality or ethnic groups (Ake 2000 114). It is against this backdrop that the proliferation and aggravation of uncultivated ethno- apparitional conflicts in Nigeria in the post-transition period can be appreciated. This article adopts an uninflected frame utilisation that holds that The interface between ethnicity and democratisation is found in absence of potent citizenship and good governance in post-transition societies.In the circumstance that democracy do es not go beyond the conduct of multi break downy elections to include receipts in the quality of life of the people, there is frustration, and people who already feel anomic from the state are vulnerable and credibly to be mobilised around counter-elites who exploit living popular alienation from the state by whipping up sectarian sentiments. This has been the case in Nigeria and several multi-ethnic states of Africa (Osaghae 1994).Although the precedent theoretical discussion has focused on ethnicity, the term ethno- unearthly is adopted because or so of the recent violent conflicts to be examined were triggered by religious issues. The relevance of righteousness is also underlined by the fact that in Nigeria ethnic boundaries lead to coincide with religious teaching, with the exception of the Yoruba ethnic group (Ibrahim 1999). The Nigeria state was amalgamated in the division 1914 by lord lugard. The various geographic areas or territory which was amalgamated to form Nigeria by the colonialist comprises of various cleavages, clans, towns blush out there were kingdoms and chiefdoms with diverse culture, language, organized theology, norms set, customs and semipolitical structures etc.The focus of the research monogram is to examine the fibre of religion and ethnicity in Nigeria nascent democracy. In Nigeria especially, religion plays a very resilient and influential piece in the society that has manifested itself as a potent force in the political development of the Nigerian state from pre-independence to post-independence. Hardly can the Nigerian state be talked about without recognition to religion (Kukah, 1994 Falola, 1990 Kenny, 2006 International IDEA, 2000 Suberu, 2009).However, religion in Nigeria, at different levels, is mostly mentioned in negative terms. Or rather, historical events cogitate to religion tilts more towards its negative than its constructive contribution to the Nigerian state. The Jihad, the civil war propagand a, the Sharia law controversy, the tensions provoked by the Nigerian accession to the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and the incessant religious crises that have engulfed the Northern part in the first place indicate that religion cannot be ignored or wished external in the Nigerian political development. roughly(prenominal) religious crises have occurred in Nigeria.They have been documented as academic dissertations for some of them. This piece of work does not circumstanceise to start the discourse on religious violence anew but save recognizes the fact that as a continual phenomenon it is worth being explored further. Thus Boko Haram hazard which gained global recognition and even press support ranging from July 2009 till date is a the primordial focus of this study in concert with different riots which has engulfed the Nigeria state from 1999 till date which most Nigeria educated elite acceptd that religion and ethnicity were the basic causes.The educated e lite have conducted series of research on what the causes of this violent riots maybe. Most have concluded that it can be traced and linked to the failure of governance in Nigeria. 1. 2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS The faulting of 1914 has polarised the Nigeria society together with its citizens in which subjection to the State is a mirage instead people pay loyalty to their various families and ethnic groups the effect of this can be traced to 1967 civil-war which disintegrate the country or in the political system which intimately lead to climb-down of the country with the easterner believed to be the aggrieved ethnic in the war.Similarly Nigeria has a tenacious history of religious crisis which has affected the political instability of Nigeria. The maintasine riot of 1980 can be said to be the first major religious riot in Nigerian history, cl commenceing about 800 lives. The Boko Haram insurgence in the northern part of the country which has been directed mainly against the Chr istians, they have suffered a lot two physically, psychologically, economically, spiritually and even politically in the far North which has led political writers and pundits to affirm that Boko Haram conflict has its roots in faith.The thrust of this work pull up stakesing be to examine the underlying reasons behind political instability in Nigeria using religion and ethnicity as a paradigm. 1. 3 ambit OF THE hire. The study give cover the furbish ups of religion and ethnicity towards the stabilization or in- stabilization of the Nigeria political system it will cover how religion and ethnicity have impacted on the political stability of Nigeria. Furthermore the study will emphasize more on the role the government is playing in stabilize the un-stabilized country. 1. 4OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The following can be regarded as the aims and objective of the study 1.To fuck the sum of religion, ethnicity, political stability, and political instability 2. To know how religion a nd ethnicity have negatively impacted on Nigerian political development 3. To develop come-at-able solutions and panaceas to the problems of religions and ethnicity to Nigerian political in-stability 1. 5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1 What meaning does religion, ethnicity and political instability carries 2 How has religion and ethnicity impacted on the political stability of Nigeria 3 what are the possible solutions to the problem of religion and ethnicity in Nigeria political system 1.6 JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY Many a develop countries of the existence are currently experiencing the problems which ethnicity and religion have caused. The ethnic problem which led to the apartheid era in South Africa is also the selfsame(prenominal) ethnicity and religion problem which has almost disintegrated the Nigerian State. Recalling back to what happen during the civil war in the late sixties and early seventies which led to the introduction of the national youth service corp. by the then military pr esident General Yakubu Gowon which aim at integrating back the almost disintegrated country.Books, Journals, Magazines, Pamphlets, and lot of researches have been written and carried out respectively on the issue of ethnicity and religion, and its impact on the Nigeria political stability. This research work will serve as an surplus material to the issue on ethnicity and religion to political instability in Nigeria, this work will focus more on ethnicity and religion and its impact on Nigerian politics 1. 7RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The research methodology will be based on secondary coil data collections ranging from books, Journals Newspapers, News Magazines, Pamphlets and even the Internet.In conducting any research essentially there are two methodologies active by researchers which are the primary and the secondary methods. This research work will be basically conducted using the secondary methodology as earlier mentioned. 1. 8DEFINITION OF TERMS Ethnicity consort to the oxford advance learners dictionary ethnicity can simply mean the fact of belonging to a particular race from the dictionary meaning we can deduced the fact that Humans believed in race and they have passion for race which leads to humans ethnocentrism i. e. highly ethnocentric in nature.Ethnicity has a strategic interaction of persons and other actors, who have different mental pictures, attitudes, values and goals as they decide particular conflict the distribution of resources and habitual issues of political rules within a context of norms, expectations and institutions. Any of the rule, expectation and institutions may be reversed, maintained or inverted by the individual who win the right to regard them, in the course of those political negotiations that are sometimes called cooperation, and sometimes called war, and are unremarkably somewhere between the two.In some other aesthesis, ethnic identity are political resources just like money or vote. Instrumentalist like Micheal Banton and Micheal Hecthtar, argue that ethnic identity are not ingrained in group or socio-formation of people. They see ethnic identity as socio-capital brought to abide on the political negotiation panel by different groups and at different times. Hutchinson and Smith also argue that ethnic identity are an important resource that political Elite employ in securing the support of the masses as a strategy for gaining a desired good.These goods and or goals are measured in terms of wealth, power, and status and joining or national communities helps to secure these ends either by influencing the state, or in certain situations, through secession. Religion religion on its own part can be regarded as the belief in the universe of God or gods and the activity that are connected in the worship of them. Religion can also be stress further by meaning one of the system of faith that are based on the belief in the existence of a particular God or gods.For standard the Jewish religion, C hristianity Islam and other world religion. Furthermore in the classical and ancient ages religion has achieved a lot in their politics for exemplar the doctrine of Islam was used in many a(prenominal) Arab nations has their constitution even up till the present age. The Ancient Romans, also, during the time of Constantine current Christianity as a religion and a mode of life which also affected their political terrain.Religion in the 21 century is now used narrowly towards Christianity and Islam even though other religion still exist but the former two religion have majestic to prominence that other religion are now beneath them. For instance about Political stability can take in the mean of a system of politics in which the government of that State is experiencing a stable government and peaceful existence in the State or in otherworlds a legitimately true government by the people. Democratically governed States are believed to be stable.In the global sense every political e ntity must(prenominal) be ruled democratically without internal conquest or external aggression. Any country of the world that is free from the aforementioned point are regarded as stable political system in other language internal oppression has cause a lot of havoc to many democracies of the world which has infringed on their stability as mention by Ojo 2002. Descent Rule These covers a larger set of cases that we commonly deduct to be ethnic than the rules that ethnic groups must have a myth of common ancestry or common origin. save it excludes several cases in which individuals routinely trade themselves, and are considered as members, of a group that we classify as ethnic even when their parents were not coded as members of this group. Take for example the category Yoruba when it was invented in Nigeria in the ordinal century. At this time period, the parents of those who were classified as Yoruba were not themselves classified as Yoruba for the reason that this category did not exist during their lifetimes. gibe to Descent Rule, then, the category Yoruba in the nineteenth century would not be coded as ethnic. But the category Yoruba is universally coded as an ethnic category by all comparative political scientists, without making a distinction between time periods. As another example, consider the category retroflexed Caste in India, which included as members individuals who possessed a given set of last names and/or inheritable occupations. The category was introduced by the Indian important Government in 1990.Within a few years, 52% of the Indian world classified itself and was classified as backward. all the same the parents of those who termed themselves regressive Caste were not coded by themselves or by others as Backward Caste because, as in the case of the first generation of Yorubas, this category did not exist during their lifetimes Democracy According to Abraham capital of Nebraska he defines democracy as the government of the peo ple by the people and for the people.In this wise democracy connotes a system of government in which all the people in a country will have the outright say on the government of their country although in a representative manner meaning that they will elect representatives that will represent their concern in the government. march on countries if the world where democracy is practiced completely they have national identity as opposed to the developing world where they have ethnic identity.Advanced democracies always believe in secularism in which every religion is accepted and embraced not a system in which part will have cognisance to a religion and the other will believe in other religion make serious tension in such states like Nigeria. Federalism Elasar (cited in Akande, 19961) the formation of European essence (EU) which simply begun as a trading partnership for coal and steel is now moving towards a more integrated political union founded upon national principle of govern ance.The African union (AU) which is the federation of African counties where a central government intended to be created with overlap or division of power among the federating unit, even the world highest organization body get together Nation have in some little degree, evolved the principle of federalism. Federalism is a system of government which embraces unity in diversity. Federalism as a system of government is one in which there will be central and regional governments each one autonomous of each other.

The Evolution of Racial Inequality

Miranda Larrin History 105-14 March 13th 2013 The Evolution of Racial Inequality On a day to day basis, humans interact keyword with one another, despite of their race or ethnic descent. However, that is not the way it has always been. Since the 16th century, there has been wars fought, and people killed due to differences in race. Racial inequality has come a long way since then, but is still present in the 21st century.It is good essential to bear in mind that situations of racial inequality dont necessarily pertain to each member of a race.The important question of the matter is what does it matter? The term â€Å"race† came from racism itself. Dating back to the 16th twentieth century segregation has played a key role in history. Not only for the United States, but worldwide.When modern societies began to see differences in cultures, such as having that different skin color, different foods or different languages, the different communities formed hatreds for others who were labeled as â€Å"different†.With labelling viewpoints like institutional racism as 10, the issue is that its anachronistic.

The Europeans began moving the Herrera’s to concentration camps to kill them, all for land. In the 1940’s Hitler wanted to form a new order of pro Nazi Germany. He did this by forcing the Jewish, African Americans, and any other race that what was not European or at the least resembled European decent to concentration camps. Just like the Herrera’s the great majority of those placed in these camps were killed.Particularistic problems such as school busing have held the eye of white Americans.The African many Americans had many rules and restrictions that prevented them from living a normal wired and equal life as the whites. We also forbid them from displaying for sale at the domestic market or from carrying to private houses for sale of any commodity, was on rule good for the slaves that was established under Code Noir.Slavery was made illegal after the American Civil war in the 1860’s. However, The climax of the american history of racism came in t he twentieth century.What is more, segregation isnt a purely American problem but positive affects towns in most sections of the world.

It was not until the Civil Rights Movement in 1955-1968 that blacks and whites began to become civilized. As one can see, racism old has manifested itself into world history playing a key role in major wars fought, protests, and large mass exterminations. Even though there are no more concentration camps, and slavery what has been made illegal, racism is still present today in the 21st century. Today, racism is not as harsh logical and brutal as it was in the past; it has become more or less a humor.Nobody nobody knows just what to do about racial inequality.A common form of humor is a meme. A meme is a typographic joke. Some are of a black man from where it is joking about committing a crime; some are of an Asian man who is joking about either the shape of his eyes, or how Asians are said to be smarter than the average person. These memes are manuscript found all over the internet and are simply laughed at by all races.Historical racial inequality is complicated to counteract.

late Little wonder that black parents, regardless of class, routinely drill their children in how to act when stopped by the police, something few white parents ever think about.Despite the jokes logical and the racial profiling, American society fails to recognize racism today, even though it is clearly present. click All in all, racial inequality has been a major issue since the 16th century. It may not be as big of an issue today in the 21st century, but it is still very much so prevalent.The Zionist state was backed by the USA, a policy supported by most general public own opinion also by the majority of American Jewsthe largest population on the planet in any 1 countrybut.(Princeton University Press) Peabody, Sue. † Slavery, Freedom, and Law in The Atlantic World†. (Boston: Bedfords/St. Martins) Rosenburg, Paul.Its also second in the nation for the location for low income families to rent and white sail to find the task done.

Martins) [ 2 ]. George Fredrickson, Racism, A Short History. (Princeton University Press) [ 3 ]. Paul Rosenburg, Birth Certificates and Unconscious Racism.Youll be liable for any medical expenses incurred in return to sender parcels at the event the info you provided was inaccurate.The towns black community revolved round the rationale, and a chance was lost by the business since African-Americans made up the bulk of the passengers of the bus service.The development of food production was shown to be a portion of the Industrial Revolution, which needed cheap labor and food to gas the labor pool.

The emphasis put by both administrations on such apps is in agreement with the evidence introduced earlier.Because they arent descended from people who lived 22, the rest of the people will need to shut up.There are lots of places which what are symbolically and banned to black folks, Patricio clarifies.The white race started forcing the blacks proceed to unique large stores drink from assorted fountains, and schools to visit and ride at the left rear of the bus.