The Internet And The Democratic Process Essay Example for Free

The Internet And The Democratic Process Essay The Internet has literally revolutionized the way we live, radically changing the way we receive and disseminate information. It has had dramatic effects on business, education, and society in general, but the focus of this paper will be on how the Internet has affected the democratic process of election. In recent years, the way campaigns have been run by candidates has changed dramatically, as they have had to shift a large percentage of their resources and attention to the Internet and its many venues for reaching potential voters. Beyond campaigning, however, the Internet has also affected the way people vote. Just as how the Internet helps consumers decide on product choice, it has also aided political aspirants to market their credentials, and at the same time, help the voters know more about the candidates. During the 1994 mid-term elections, thousands of voters preferred the electronic mail as the vehicle for asking questions from candidates than television appearances which were often dependent on sound bites, and did not comprehensively present the positions of the candidates on important issues. Special interest groups have also joined the campaign by providing online information about candidates such as the League of Women Voters and the California Online Voter Guide (Tapscott, 1999). In 2000, the role of the Internet in politics was elevated to a higher and more serious level when it was used in the democratic presidential primary in Arizona. During this primary, almost half of the voters cast their votes through the Internet (Weare, 2002). They were the first state in our country (and this was 8 years ago now) to implement what is called â€Å"e-voting,† which was intended to simplify the voting process, making it easier for votes to be cast from anywhere where there is an Internet connection. The implications are staggering, as e-voting would result in many votes being cast that previously would not have been, simply because so many people did not take the time to actually make their way to the polls. Apart from increasing participation in the most important democratic process, which is the elections, the Internet may also decrease the cost of political transaction not only on the part of the voters but also on the part of the politicians. Specifically, election campaign through the Internet can prove to be less costly in a state-wide or nation-wide campaign, and even more effective in terms of getting the politician’s message across to the voting public since discussions are open and there are no constraints in providing campaign information through e-mails. True enough, the Internet also allows for more simplified communication between the people and their representatives. According to the Center for Governmental Studies, an organization that researches ways to improve government, â€Å"the Internet can revitalize American democracy by encouraging two-way communications: from candidate to candidate, from voter to candidate, and from voter to voter† (Shane, 2004).   It is also interesting to note that Internet can also be used in generating campaign funds. For instance, Howard Dean became a frontrunner during the 2004 Democratic primaries due to the millions he was able to raise through an e-mail campaign (Wheeler, 2004). Equally important in a meaningful democracy is the freedom of the people to articulate their interests and opinions, that is made possible by the social forums on the Internet that provide places for political discussions and debates. There are literally millions of sites, discussion boards, and forums that are mediated by the people themselves for the purpose of disseminating information and contributing to the discussion of political issues (Saco, 2002). Because there is no guidance or control, like there is with the media, we see a wider range of opinions being expressed. Yes, there is more ignorance, but there is also more opportunity to be heard, and there is less fear that an underlying bias is behind the source of every message. Essentially, the Internet has become a place of extremely open communication where millions of people are now going to get their information about politics and the election process. This â€Å"openness† has become the new driving force behind our democracy, and today’s presidential hopefuls have certainly taken notice of this, using the Internet to their advantage as often as they can. In a YouGov America Survey of 3,500 internet users a week before the 2004 presidential elections, it was noted that â€Å"about 12% of Americans who had internet access sent an e-mail on the elections, voters under the age of 24 trusted online media than the television, and even senior voters actively visited political websites† or weblogs by politicians (Wheeler, 2004). Interestingly, there are many who are more conservative and skeptical about the impact of the Internet on democratic processess. For example, there is supposedly a cultural divide between the people who use the Internet and those who do not, as some can afford it and some cannot. Essentially, it is argued that there is an Internet class, and a non-Internet class of U.S. citizens – so what happens on the Internet is not a true representation of the country’s collective opinions and people (Shane, 2004). However in an advanced economy wherein the Internet becomes a public good, this argument may no longer be tenable. There is also a question about the authenticity of the communication process because we can never be sure if we are dealing with genuine people or with those who are only taking advantage of the anonymity in the Internet. Users should also be cautious about the authenticity of the information that is also found in the Internet, because, being too â€Å"open†, it had also been used to propagate lies, unhealthy propaganda and misinformation. Poll surveys have also become an instant and daily occurrence in the internet which was supposed to â€Å"represent† opinions on certain issues, even though there are not enough checks on the authenticity of the voter. Still, these polls are being used to shape public opinion. Though it is true that the Internet can be easily be subjected to abuse, what is important is that through this media, more political preferences are being articulated by the people and the people have access to the political information that they need it is only up to their political wisdom how to make this technology more beneficial to them. References Saco, D. (2002). Cybering Democracy: Public Space and the Internet. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Shane, P. M. (Ed.). (2004). Democracy Online: The Prospects for Political Renewal through the Internet. New York: Routledge. Tapscott, Don. (1999). The Digital Economy: Promise and Peril in the Age of Networked Intelligence. The Industrial Age Democracy by the Alliance for Converging Technologies. Accessed at http://www.virtualitaet.de/stadt/internet/indage_bureaucracy on 03/03/2008. Weare, C. (2002). The Internet and Democracy: The Causal Links between Technology and Politics. International Journal of Public Administration, 25(5), 659+. Wheeler, Bryan. (2004, August 12). The Internet and Elections. BBC News Online. Accessed at http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk on 03/03/2008.

Vladimir Nabokovs Lolita - The Shocking Lolita Essay examples -- Nabo

The Shocking Lolita      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Vladimir Nabokov wrote Lolita not only to create controversy and shock the public, but also for money and fame. Nabokov wrote Lolita to get attention. This novel engages moral dilemmas that are sensitive to its readers. The sensitive subject matter created such a controversy that it perpetuated sales and made it a bestseller, and he knew that if he wrote a book shocking and personal enough he would become wealthy. The novel speaks as though it were a lived event which adds to the intensity of Humbert's actions and to the shock of the reader. The delivery and depth of his thoughts make one think this is a true story, and the effect can be that the reader finds the action even more appalling.    Simon Karlinsky once declared that the publication of Lolita in America and England signaled the final "collapse of the Victorian moralistic censorship that had persisted in Western countries till the end of the 1950's"(Iannone 54). Alternatively, Nabokov states, "Lolita has no moral in tow. For me a work of fiction exists only insofar as it affords me what I shall bluntly call aesthetic bliss, that is a sense of being somehow, somewhere, connected with other states of being where art (curiosity, tenderness, kindness, ecstacy) is the norm"(314). This statement is taken from the epilogue that he wrote after the novel to state his intentions. The work has no other meaning than to shock the reader. None. Why would Nabokov bother taking the time to write a three hundred page novel just for the sake of "aesthetic bliss"(314)? Although he dismisses it entirely, moral issues arise quickly in this novel. The first moral is that by the age of twelve, one American girl has already been "hop... .... With the new release Nabokov will get more of what he wanted. On the INTERNET if one searches for the key word "Lolita", the reader will find several thousand locations in which the word "Lolita" is synonymous with pornography. Whether or not this is how Nabokov wanted to be remembered, Lolita has its place on the INTERNET. Though we may never know what drove Nabokov to write Lolita, it is still a great novel though immoral.    Works Cited Boyd, Brian. "The Year of Lolita'." The New York Times Book Review 8 Sept. 1991: 1-33. Iannone, Carol. "From Lolita' to Piss Christ'." Commentary Vol. 89, n. 1, Jan. 1990: 52-54. "Lolita and the Critics." New Republic Vol. 139, 27 Oct. 1958: 3. Nabokov, Vladimir. The Annotated Lolita. New York: Vintage Books, 1991. Schuman, Samuel. Vladimir Nabokov, a Reference Guide. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1979.   

Leadership in Context

The â€Å"Ah Hal† moment is distributed leadership actually did happened in my past appointment as the Course Commander in the Engineer Training Institute (ET). Being selected in the appointment and the most senior in rank, I naturally assumed the position of the leader with my subordinates taking Instructions from me. However, for certain events such as organizing of unit's Chinese New Year event, managing of officer cadets' cohesion activities, and specific training packages, I delegated the planning to my team.Through the process, it was encouraging to see some of my instructors took the initiative to emerge as the assume leader to organize and successfully completed the task with minimum supervision. Despite being successful, I had also observed that my instructors' Kim-Yin Chain et al. , Military Leadership in the 21st Century Science and Practice, 1st edition (Singapore: Coinage Learning Asia, 2011). Peg 148 2 Leonard Wong, Paul Bellies, and Dennis McGuire, â€Å"Milita ry Leadership: A Context Specific Review,† US Army Research, January 1, 2003, http://adolescents. Nil. Due/ chrysanthemum/1 6. Peg 657-692. Reiterative in organizing the event could have been limited by my supervision at some point of time. Hence, It Is of my view that It Is Indeed possible that distributed leadership can be Implemented quite successfully In certain areas In SAFE. My post-action review Len- relation to the concept of Orpheus are being summarized in three points. Firstly, application of distributed leadership can be applied in military context particularly for a small group who had attained a certain level of military competencies.It provides opportunities for a rotational leadership role, allowing any individual to merge as leader and to realize the rich potential as a group. Secondly, the empowerment given to the Individual must be respected and trusted to reduce their authority and leadership through a shared vision, mission and purpose. The concept will all ow the group to generate greater passion and motivation to reach the desired outcome. Lastly, distributed leadership need to be carefully calibrated in a traditionally hierarchical organization to prevent the wrong impression of a laissez- fairer or no leadership approach.By planning forward, distributed leadership can be seed to enhanced specific core competencies skills 3 such as creative thinking, communicating to influence, decision making, develop people and team, developing the individual for success. Task 2: State the appointment that you are likely to be posted to after SC. Being a Combat Engineer by vocation, my next possible appointment might be taking over command in one of the battalion of Singapore Combat Engineer (SEE).I shall 3 SAFE-OLD Doctrine Directive 2/2004. SAFE Leadership Framework. 26 July 04. Provide my assessment and direction in accordance to â€Å"Circle† of the SAFE Leadership 417 Frameworks; mission and purpose, operating environment and desired o utcome, to strive forward and achieve a collective vision for my unit. Mission and Purpose. From the theory of core ideology by Jim Collins and Jerry Operas, the core values and core purpose of great organization does not change. The unit's mission and purpose in line with SAFE, in peacetime, is to safeguard our nation's security, thereby ensuring Singapore survival ultimately. I will work to ensure that the unit perform the function of raise, train and sustain, and continues to be ready to play its role in arrangement Singapore security during my tour and for the foreseeable future. I would consider adopting the leadership in Battle and Garrisons that was taught in LLC lesson 8 in achieving the mission under differing situational requirements.Understanding the flexibility of the competing values and behaviors will first allow me to place emphasis in maintaining relevant in fulfilling the â€Å"swift and decisive victory' part of the MINDED/SAFE mission and renewed the focus on the unit's hotter capability, so as to set in place the building blocks for our evolving role in the future operating environment. 4 SAFE-OLD Doctrine Directive 2/2004. SAFE Leadership Framework. 26 July 04. Jim Collins and Jerry I. Operas, Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies 6 Reuben Gal and A.David Manageresses, Handbook of Military Psychology, 1 edition (Chester ; New York: Wiley, 1991). Peg. 411-429. 5 Operating Environment From LLC lesson 7 that organizational culture is important to the influence of leadership and vice versa. Edgar H. Scheme said † group growth and culture formation can be seen as two sides of the same coin, and both are the result of leadership activities and shared experiences†. 7 The operating environment of the unit is not Just being ready to handle any contingency but also being operationally proficient to carry out our security operations on a daily basis.Thus the unit needs to be operationally ready to face the continuous co mplex VI-CA environment. The unit will need to train the men to attain an approved level of technical competence on operating combat engineers' equipments and honing the analytical functions of the commanders to operating in the various operating conditions. The unit culture will be â€Å"a pattern of hared, basic taken-for-granted assumptions, the culture will manifest itself at the level of observable artifacts and shared espoused beliefs and values†. To meet the demand and influencing the culture, I will take on the leadership by example to be the source of beliefs and values to gradually build a shared assumptions among the commanders and men in the unit. Desired Outcome My desired outcome is to develop an operational, cohesive and discipline unit, which is capable of maintaining safety and achieving mission success in a wide spectrum of operations. The unit should comprises of committed soldiers who are highly proficient in their tasks and proud of their identity as Comb at Engineer soldiers.A few key factors to focus on to maintain high level of performance and competency are: (1) To display 7 Edgar H. Scheme, Organizational Culture and Leadership, 3rd Edition edition (San Francisco: Josses Bass, 2004). Peg 87-88 8 Ibid. Leadership by example. Leaders who â€Å"walks the talk† will enable his men and commanders to sense and be inspired by the actions and commitment. (2) To build quality relationships. I am also a firm believer of the Core Theory of Success 9, where laity results. (3) To instill a sense of purpose.Never â€Å"go through motion† and make clear of the purpose in the tasking so as to enable strong sense of ownership and foster a stronger commitment to the unit. Task 3: Identify and explain the key leadership requirements for my appointment. Values Figure 1 . SAFE 24-7 Leadership Frameworks Based on the SAFE 24-7 Leadership Framework (refer to Figure 1), a SAFE leader will need the four factors provided within the triangul ar block for effective leadership. First key requirement is values which is the basic foundation of the triangle.A strong set of 9 John Steersman, Organizational Learning at Work: Embracing the Challenges of the New Work place (Waltham, Mass: Pegasus Communications, 1998). 10 Adapted from SAFE-OLD Doctrine Directive 2/2004, â€Å"SAFE Leadership Framework†, dated 26 July 2004. Peg values that SAFE leaders derive their moral strength for influencing their soldiers. 11. The importance of values cannot be overstated and hence my values need to be aligned with the SAFE core values to remain firm in my convictions and actions. Leadership is the process of influencing people. 2 1 will lead by example and exemplify the SAFE core values to positively influence my commanders and men. With the consistent inculcation of values, it will be a guide for everyone to do the right things regardless whether one is being watched or not. Full-Range Leadership – Balancing between Transacti onal and Transformational Figure 2: Relationship of ELM in the Military Context The next key requirement is leadership styles. There is no single leadership style good enough for all situations and picking up three particular styles of leadership (I. E. Situational Leadership, Path-goal theory and Full Range model) from LLC lesson 5, it 11SEA-OLD Doctrine Directive 2/2004, â€Å"SAFE Leadership Framework†, dated 26 July 2004. Peg 3 13 Adapted from APP Chain, K. Y. , LACE-02-Slides_Overview_Concepts_Appropriateness DARPA-22 – for STUDENTS APP. Slide 49. Was understood that the styles of leadership were often dependent of the leader, the follower and situations. I believe the full range leadership model is best suited for my next appointment and I need to balance the range of styles between transactional and transformational so that I can effectively communicate and lead as a Officer Commanding (CO) of a Battalion.Reaching for transformational leadership Tyler will likel y to yield a positive and longer-lasting effects. Leadership, Management and Command Figure 2: Relationship of ELM in the Military Context Other than SAFE 24-7 Leadership Framework, I will want to look at the concept of Leadership, Management and Command (ELM) (refer to Figure 2) from LLC lesson 2 to be one of the key requirement. ELM are three distinct concepts but inseparable and intertwined†1 5. Taking over a command appointment makes me dwell deeper into the LLC 14 Adapted from APP Chain, K. Y. , LOCO 15 Chain et al. Military Leadership in the 21st Century Science and Practice. Peg 8-14 concept. Looking beyond peacetime tasking and operations, although the application of all three concept are equally important, I will focus more on leadership role to influence soldiers by providing the purpose, direction and motivation that required to achieved mission success. 16 Task 4: My leadership strengths and weaknesses? According to my MYSELF report and matching the result with the SAFE 24-7 Leadership Framework, I had clearly exhibited a value-based leadership and my strength in the core competency were mission, social and developmental.The results resonated well urine my appointment as Course Commander, with extremely tight training the end-of-course survey, highlighting areas like our instructors' role modeling, value inculcation, individual development and mission focus. The positive feedbacks were good indications that my instructors understood their roles well and they were given opportunities to develop and lead with my guidance. Socially, I had displayed good interpersonal effectiveness and able to communicate to influence my team well. With strengths, there is also weakness. One of my weakest factor reported was inflexibility of my leadership style.Previously as Course Commander, I was not deeply exposed to the various leadership styles as compared to now in GAS SC. Then, I adopted a more consistent leadership style towards my trainees and my team th inking that a more homogeneous outcome in the inculcation of the SAFE core values was better. 16 Ibid However, I realized this might not be the most effective method to motivate and lead the team. An effective leaders are those who can shift between transactional and transformational leadership styles as required by circumstances and the characteristics of followers†17.

The Domestic Violence And The Addictive Behavior - 1802 Words

This essay is to describe my life, as the aspects that are built into my history, present and future are due to the domestic violence and the addictive behavior that occurred in my home as a child. The norms that occur in the life of children were different than the experiences that I held, and further, addictive and abusive behavior is not acceptable under any circumstance. The future is dependent upon the past, and when problematic issues are realized, this assists in resolving such in one owns life. More often than not however, that does not occur. The processes and procedures that now occur assist with this, and help children as well as other victims get through this. Roles of parents The traditional roles that parents play are†¦show more content†¦Addiction to alcohol along with other diseases creates tension and most times leads to other abuse. Counseling and Court Today In domestic violence counseling, and through the courts, this is acknowledged as one, or a combination of these three factors: †¢ Situational Couple Violence (reciprocal violence, some injuries, no consistency of control and fear); †¢ Split-Instigated Violence (1-2 incidents at disunion, no past of violence); †¢ Aggressive Resistance (by a victim to stop the violence, but greater risk of getting hurt). The approach that is provided in current counseling and prosecution is usually a combination of the above, and currently, the examinations are taken more into the psychological perspective than ever before. The remaining effects of domestic violence are studied more than ever and both physical and verbal abuse falls into this classification (Eddy, 2015). Now the technique is considered in a few aspects, first, there is individual family counseling (Eddy, 2015). When this occurs, each person(s) will meet with their own professional counselor for six sessions, this usually takes about six weeks or so; this is a safe haven for victims to discuss the reality of their situation without being blamed for the act (Eddy, 2015). During this process, power is gained and an educational plan is built, to live and form a healthier and safer life. The plan is built to help the victim gain courage and self-steam and to explain to the court what has