Discussion #2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Discussion #2 - Essay Example While operating a business, you won’t be surprised learning that in places like Mexico, the presence of religious images such as the Guadalupe Virgin is the fundamental motivation in work areas. Similarly in Brazil, accomplishing a task is not a priority as people rely on â€Å"Jogo de cintura.† People here believe in last minute rush and therefore, having plans does not work with them. Truly indicating how culture influences the practices & styles of work in the Latin America. Corporate training is essential for the general success of a business and so is its conduct in Latin American countries. Training here is not based on professionalism but rather on traditions, and when done contrary, it draws significant internal conflicts. When the employees here realize, that management techniques do not fit well with their local tradition, some practices are rejected. Traditionally, Latin companies devote little part of the budget for training. The result is a shortage of the technical workforce and skilled personnel in the Latin region. Human resource operations in the Latin America, especially recruitment and personnel management are defined from a cultural perspective and embraces nepotism widely. In the recruitment of new employees, priority is given to family members and close relatives of the current employees. Similarly for promotion, family ties play a central role and workers put the well-being of their families ahead of Professionalism. Nepotism is influential in these regions, for instance, in Chilean corporate, selection of executives and promotions focuses mainly on age, contacts, appearance, birth-place among other factors. To establish stable and solid labor relations, personal contacts as well as friendship and social interaction are major considerations. Following the study by professor Anabella, Latin Americans have their way of confrontation during conflicts. For instance, Argentines prefer mediation

Arguments For and Against Compulsory Voting

Arguments For and Against Compulsory Voting Graham McGuire Introduction The position adopted in this essay is that voting in elections should not be compulsory. Australia is one of at least twenty countries which compel their citizens to vote in Federal, State and most Local government elections. Australia forced its compulsory voting (CV) laws on its citizens in government elections was quite early in its history. It started with making enrolment for federal elections compulsory this was introduced in 1912. Then Queensland was the first state to force their citizens to vote in state elections compulsory in 1915 with all other states following at a later dates. With the Federal government introducing CV laws for their citizens in 1924 (Australian Electoral Commission 2011). . Arguments used for or against compulsory voting Arguments in favour: It is a civic duty to vote similar to other citizens duties e.g. taxation, jury duty Demonstrates the values of political participation Parliament should reflect the entire electorate in policy management and formulation Political candidates can manage their electioneering resources on other issues rather than having to persuading voters to be present at the poll The voter is not required to vote for anybody as voting is using secret ballot. Arguments against: It is not democratic to compel people to vote it’s an infringement of liberty The uninformed and individuals with no interest in politics are compelled to vote It increases the amount of informal votes and donkey votes It increases the amount of safe, single member electorates so as political parties can concentrate on more marginal electorates Resources have to be allocated to ascertain who failed to vote or who have valid reason not to vote (AEC 2011). The AEC didn’t include ‘Turn Out’ in its arguments, yet the main reason given on most of the reading on this subject of CV is that Governments are worried about poor turnout of voters. There are other reasons for and against CV but the AEC arguments are a fair representation of the pros and cons. Turn Out Supporters of CV say that it improves turnout, so it helps to legitimise governments in Australia. They claim that in countries where voting is voluntary, a lot of political party activity in elections is assigned to getting citizens out to vote (Parliament of Australia 2005, 3). CV can’t be defended by claiming that the government’s legitimacy was formed with a low turn-out is very questionable, for the amount of numbers doesn’t add any credibility in this regard. Making citizens vote doesn’t improve the quality of democracy, it’s the enabling of the citizens in how rules of a community should be determined. The misunderstanding is that democracy doesn’t permit citizens to do everything, along with entitlements also comes responsibilities. Citizens that are not concerned about politics shouldn’t vote (Moraro 2012). Which is preferable: a high turnout, where voters decide on bad or good looks of the leader of the party or flipping a co in, or low turnout where voters decide on issues or performance of the political party? Arguably it’s the latter. Voters who are less interested and less informed are the first to not vote. Consequently, if turnout is low the quantity of political sophistication is high. From the viewpoint of elections as implements of democracy, nonparticipation of these voters would be contemplated as desirable. Therefore low turnout obtains a more informed outcome (Rosema M 2007, 612-622). Low voter turnout suggests we aren’t taking democracy as earnestly as certain people would like to, but this does not require that we must substitute democracy with something else (Brennan J 2009, pp. 535-549). The candidates no need to encourage voters to vote with CV Both major political parties have supported CV as it relieves them of the task encouraging their supporters to vote. It is generally accepted that without CV that voters of a lower socioeconomic status would be less likely to vote. This would disadvantage the ALP? This would force the major parties to also pitch their messages to the young and those in the lower socioeconomic strata that there is a definite need to vote (Woodward 2010, 198-199). But would this not be a good thing to force political parties to prepare policies to vie for the votes of the underprivileged, the feeble or the marginalized. A voluntary voting system persuades political parties to focus policies at the underprivileged in order to persuade them to turn out and vote (idebate.org 2012). Compulsory voting worldwide There are only five democracies which Australia is one of in the world, where voting in elections is compulsory. A Federal backbencher proposed the Bill, there was very little debate before it was passed by both Houses of Parliament (AEC 2010). Australia is now only one of about twenty nations which force their citizens to vote at elections. Five countries are in Europe (they are moderately minor countries of Cyprus, Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece and Liechtenstein), ten in South and Central America, two in Oceania, and one in Africa. Yet, Australia continues to be the only main advanced industrialised democracy that voting is still compulsory. The Netherlands, had CV from 1917 and 1971 and then decided to become voluntary, their average turnout went from 94.6 to 81.5 per cent. If Australia was to change to a voluntary voting system a comparable drop would most likely to occur here (Quadrant Magazine 2013). Our leaders should inspire and motivate citizens to vote with ideas not with thr eats of fines. Voluntary voting in the long term will improve voter participation. Presently we have 81% voter turnouts but this would be lower if not for the blind guesses and donkey votes (Hirst J 2009). Australia is a liberal democracy that values individual rights, it may have a lower turn out with voluntary voting but it would make it right rather than a duty. Making Citizens Vote When They Shouldn’t Vote A western democratic citizen has a political entitlement to vote, which is established on justice and must be legally protected. But the right to vote doesn’t mean they should vote. Under the right of free speech they can advocate slavery, but it would be morally wrong to do so. When CV makes citizens vote there is a moral obligation not to vote shoddily and without any regard to the outcome. Voters shouldn’t be obliged vote but if they do, they owe it to themselves and others to vote rationally, just, unbiased and informed concerning their political beliefs. Correspondingly, we aren’t obligated to be parents, but if we do, we ought to be conscientious, good parents. If we aren’t then we ought not to be parents likewise not vote. A good liberal democracy makes citizens safe in their position as equal and free citizens that they could freely choose to avoid politics. Liberal democracy is a significant public good and everyone should do their part to maintai n it. A person can do their part by bowing out. A good vote is cancelled by a bad vote. A good vote is a contribution to society, and then evading a bad vote would also be a contribution to society (Brennan J 2009, pp. 535-549). Voting not required with CV as voting is using secret ballot The argument against CV is that casting your vote can be an onerous burden placed on citizens. Against this Mr Christopher Bayliss stated, in a proposal to JSCEM[1], that: All our voting system requires is for a voter to attend a polling booth and mark some papers as they wish, approximately once every three years. This does not seem to be an insurmountable burden to be part of a democracy(Australian Electoral Commission 2006). Many other people have said that you don’t have to vote all you have to do is go to a polling booth and have your name crossed of the roll and you don’t have to cast a vote and will not have to pay the fine. If you wish to break the law this most likely would work. It is your duty as a citizen and especially as a professional with professional responsibility not to break the law. The Commonwealth Electoral Act, states It shall be the duty of every elector to VOTE at each election. The actual duty of the elector is to attend a polling place, have their name marked off the certified list, receive a ballot paper and take it to an individual voting booth, mark it, fold the ballot paper and place it in the ballot box†(Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) s 245(1)). Strict liability applies to this offence (Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) s 245(15) (A)). Undemocratic to Force Citizens to Vote The case for democratic freedom would imply that CV is essentially undemocratic as the freedom of choice must certainly incorporate the democratic freedom not to choose as democracy extremely values individual freedom (Lever, A. 2009, 66-67). It is fundamental to liberal-democratic tradition. Ciccone contends that it is a guarantee of a free democratic society that its citizens are unrestricted to formulate their own selections including if to vote or not to vote in any election. Ciccone maintains that the rational inverse of the entitlement to vote, is an entitlement not to vote and because it is just as essential as the entitlement to vote, it should be given the equivalent respect and draw the same aims of strict legal scrutiny when its threatened (Ciccone, 2001-2, pp. 347-8). CV is accused with violating fundamental human rights, namely the freedom of religion, conscience and thought[2]. However, in the case of X v Austria[3] the court found that CV didn’t violate fundamen tal freedoms, as Austria’s legislation only required attendance at a polling booth and not having to vote was not compulsory (Malkopoulou A 2011 p 247). In Australia the legislation states it is the duty of each elector to vote not just get your name crossed off[4]. Justice Blackburn stated that casting an invalid vote was a violation of the Act (Australian Electoral Commission 2013). â€Å"The claim that compulsion violates the liberal-democratic principles of choice and freedom is without doubt a valid one† (Hill, L. 2007, 5). Kevin Borick QC stated the Australian constitution maintains that all Australians have a right to vote, yet the electoral act maintains that it is a duty. The constitution over rides the electoral act the CV structure is an undemocratic violation of personal freedom and of free will (News. Com. Au. 2011). Conclusion There are no issues that the electoral procedure is a very important function of democratic culture. There is also no issue that voting is a moral responsibility of every voter in a democracy. The issue is if a person can be forced to vote in contradiction of their own conviction in the interest of democracy. There is no argument that there are advantages of compulsory voting as experienced in Australia and how this has influenced higher voter turnouts. Yet, the evaluation of democracy mustn’t be diminished to the point of only electoral participation. Voting, regardless of its importance is only one part of democratic participation, as experience has shown, but not an exceptionally convincing one. Governments have been ousted; leaders have been replaced despite claims of legitimacy. Electoral participation is important because it allows citizens to select from amongst candidates that are deemed the finest to lead the country. Democratic societies value individual freedom, inc luding the freedom of not having to vote. Voting is a realistic choice that a voter resolves to exercise when it is in their best interest to do so. Compelling them to do so is undemocratic. The greater turnout rates in countries with CV might not be necessarily good. It has been shown that countries with CV also have high protest or invalid votes. Democracy can’t be enriched when citizens have to vote because they are compelled to in order to avoid penalties. It is only when citizens freely choose to participate in the electoral procedure can their votes be truly and authentic thoughtful of their inclination. Liberal democratic government is a complicated system that respects not only electoral involvement but provides opportunities for citizens to express their equality, freedom, choice and reasoned judgment. Bibliography Australian Electoral Commission 2006, Compulsory voting in Australia, prepared by Tim Evans, viewed 18 April 2014, http://aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/voting/index.htm>. Australian Electoral Commission 2011, Compulsory Voting, viewed 8 April 2014, http://www.aec.gov.au/voting/Compulsory_Voting.htm >. Australian Electoral Commission 2013, Understanding Australian electoral legislation, viewed 4 April 2014, http://www.aec.gov.au/voting/Compulsory_Voting.htm>. Australian Electoral Commission 2014, Should voting be voluntary, viewed 4 April 2014, http://www.aec.gov.au/faqs/voting_australia.htm>. Brennan J 2009, Polluting the Polls: When Citizens Should Not Vote, Australasian Journal of Philosophy Volume 87, Issue 4, December 2009, pp. 535-549, viewed 16 April 2014, online at: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/. Ciccone, A, 2001-2. ‘The Constitutional Right to Vote is Not a Duty’, Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy, 325, 325-357, viewed 23 April 2014. Electoral Act 1918 (Cth). Hill, L. 2007, Compulsory Voting in Australia: History, Public Acceptance and Justifiability, Paper presented to the ECPR Joint Sessions Workshop on â€Å"Compulsory Voting: Principles and Practice†, May 7 – 12, Helsinki, Finland. Hirst J 2009, Why Australia Should Abolish Compulsory Voting, viewed 12 April 2014, http://www.thoughtbroker.com.au/why-australia-should-abolish-compulsory-voting-with-john-hirst/ >. idebate.org 2012, This house would make voting compulsory, viewed 13 April 2014,http://wwww.idebate.org/debatabase/debates/politics/house-would-make-voting-compulsory>. Lever, A. 2009, Is Compulsory Voting Justified? Journal of Political and Moral Philosophy, Public Reason 1 (1): 57-74, viewed 23 April 2014. Malkopoulou A 2011, The History of Political Debates on Compulsory Voting, viewed 24 April 2014, https://jyx.jyu.fi/dspace/bitstream/handle/123456789/37907/978-951-39-4759-0.pdf?sequence=1>. Moraro, P 2012, Why Compulsory Voting Undermines Democracy, Living Ehtics, Issue 88 viewed 9 April 2014, http://www.ethics.org.au/articles/why-compulsory-voting-undermines-democracy>. News. Com. Au. 2011, Fight for Right to Not Vote, viewed 24 April 2014, http://www.news.com.au/national/fight-for-right-not-to-vote/story-e6frfkvr-1226317057696>. Parliament of Australia 2005, Compulsory voting in Australian national elections, viewed 8 April 2014, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fprspub%2F06SH6%22 >. Quadrant Magazine 2013, How Compulsory Voting Subverts Democracy, viewed 12 April 2014, http://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2013/09/how-compulsory-voting-subverts-democracy/ >. Rosema, M 2007, Low turnout: Threat to democracy or blessing in disguise, Department of Political Science, University of Twente, viewed 11 April 2014, http://www.utwente.nl/mb/pa/staff/rosema/publications/key_publications/article_rosema_electoral_studi.pdf >. Woodward, D, Parkin, A Summers, J (eds.) 2010, Government, Politics, Power and Policy in Australia, 9th edn, Pearson, Frenchs Forest NSW. 1 [1] Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters. [2] Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. [3] Application No. 4982/71) in 1971, the European Court of Human Rights. [4] Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) s 245(1).

Cloudstreet by Tim Winton :: essays research papers

Cloudstreet by Tim Winton "A texts setting and structure will normally be used by writers to develop and convey its themes." The novel Cloudstreet, by Western Australian born novelist Tim Winton is essentially a story revolving around how two rural families have come to live together at number one Cloudstreet. This novel’s themes are about finding one’s place in the world and the search for the meaning of life. As in this instance, Winton has successfully used setting and structure, crucial factors in any prosperous novel to help create a feeling of a real-life type atmosphere and perspective. This essay will demonstrate how Winton has used setting and structure to help develop and convey his themes. The story follows the lives of the Pickle family and the Lamb family and how they have come to grow, develop, love and change over a period of twenty years, while living with each other. Unfortunately, both moves coincided with different family disaster’s. For the Lamb’s, the unfortunate event takes place in the form of the near drowning of Samson, or as he is better known as Fish. While for the Pickles, it occurs with the loss of Sam’s (the father’s) fingers in a fishing accident. The reader can relate these events it to the biblical story of ‘Samson,’ and how he gained his strength through his hair. Meaning that by losing some of their strengths, (like Samson’s hair cut,) both Sam’s where able to gain new insights and opportunities. For Sam Pickles, this meant the move into the city from the outback, brought him his own home and a steady job at the mint. A rather large irony, as Sam is a compulsive gambler, more often than not short of cash. Although for Fish, losing his mental faculties and the ability to communicate to others, in his near drowning experience, gave way for his unimaginable bond with water and his abilities as a visionary. As Oriel Lamb said after Fish was rescued, "To the child who had hovered on the brink of drowning and who returned to life, though not all of Fish Lamb had come back," (found on Page 32) that other part of Fish Lamb it seems is the omniscient narrator of the novel. Spirituality is also important in Cloudstreet as it relates to the meaning of life and the exploration of community. We can see this in the opening lines of the novel "Shall we gather at the river Where bright angels feet have trod†¦.

B.tech Essay

Unemployment means lack of work for those persons who are willing to work. There are two categories of unemployed persons-uneducated persons and educated persons. Unemployment among the educated people is increasing. Besides, unemployment, there is under employment also. Under employment means insufficient employment. For example, a farmer is under employed because he does not have work for the whole year. Unemployment is one of the major problems of the Indian economy. We know India is an underdeveloped economy and therefore the nature of unemployment here differs from the one that prevails in a developed economy. In India there is chronic under-employment or disguised unemployment in the rural sector and unemployment among the educated classes in the urban areas. The main cause of unemployment among the educated lot is the slow rate growth of the economy in relation to increase in the number of educated persons. Several factors are responsible for the problem of unemployment. Our defective system of education which lays too much emphasis on literary training is perhaps the main cause of unemployment. Our government’s faculty planning is also responsible of this problem to a great extent. It fails to create suitable job opportunities for all. Population explosion is a big reason to bring this problem into existence. Population of our country is increasing at fast rate but job opportunities are not increasing accordingly. Engineering and Medical profession have a great attraction for many. But even those professions do not present a very bright picture. First of all it is very difficult to get admission in a Medical or an Engineering College. The education in professional colleges is so expensive that only the rich can afford it. Thus young men and women are facing very tough time. Sometimes it has been seen that they choose a career for which they possess neither the capability nor the attitude. This is the root cause of many young men’s failure in life. It is therefore necessary to provide young men and women with educational as well as vocational guidance. This will help them choose a profession in accordance with their capability and aptitude. Our government has taken several important measures to solve this growing problem. With a view to increase employment government has made sincere efforts to adopt and encourage labour intensive investment and production programmes. In this connection attention was paid on agriculture, agro-based industries, and cottage industries. Since 1976 a weekly Journal-â€Å"Employment  News† is being published both in English and Hindi. Education is also being planned in such a way that educated youths should be free from employment problem. Vocational education with the needs and requirements of the country is being arranged. A new education policy, 1986 has been launched. With the primary objective of generating additional employment, especially in backward regions and weaker sections, a nu mber of employment programmes have been started by the Govt, of India. These are IROP, The Desert Development Programme, tne National Rural Employment Programme, The Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme, the National Scheme of Training of Rural Youth for Self Employment increase in employment has been one of the major objectives in all Five-year Plans of India. Technical and Vocational education is being given in schools. Family planning is encouraged among the young men and women to control population. Different technical and professional colleges are being established in every state. This is a good sign that government is trying its best to uproot this problem.

Indian Monsoon Essay

Remember the ‘Famine 1975!’ (?) – A bestseller by William and Paul Paddock which had created ripples throughout the world by their comments on the underdeveloped countries especially India. Their message was loud and clear â€Å"Let the (hopeless) Indians starve to death†. Humiliated by the inefficiency due to lack of advanced technology and inability to be self-dependent to feed the population drastic changes were implemented by then policy makers of Democratic Republican of India. Mr Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan led the crusade to make India self-sufficient by spreading the green revolution throughout India. Since then India has never looked back despite weak monsoons frequently. Impact of green revolution – So what led to the doomsday being averted? The modern practices in agriculture were implemented with newer technology. But the turning point was the introduction of high yielding variety of seeds which made the dependence on monsoon much less. The genetically modified seeds increased India’s production from 120 tonnes to 170 tonnes in a span of just one year. India also invested in agricultural universities to promote research in drought resistant seeds. Land reforms in that era resulted in the consolidation of small holdings which resulted in implementation of technology optimally. MS Swaminathan was instrumental in spreading the awareness rapidly regarding the ill effects of fertilizers and pesticides which eroded the quality of soil. New policies were implemented to make the credit supply for farmers easy and convenient. The cumulative effects of all these changes made sure India would not have to be completely dependent on monsoons in future. Initially the food grain production did increase with the implementation of green revolution but after ten years it reached its saturation. The food grain available per person reached its peak at 480 gms per person. The consumption of protein rich foods which were not dependent on agriculture increased simultaneously with growth of India’s economy. Although the penetration of superior foods among the lower strata of population was still insignificant but the consumption among the higher end of the society increased considerably. Implementation of PDS – The game changer however was the improved public distribution system. Monsoon in India is peculiar in the sense that the rainfall may be deficient in some areas whereas abundant in other. So the production also follows the same pattern being under target in the monsoon deficient areas whereas bumper production in the abundant monsoon areas. But the irony was that he food grain in the bumper production region were left to rot despite of the people starving in other regions. The rapid development of roads led to a better connectivity which ensures that the food grain output can be equitably distributed across India. So even if the monsoon being deficient in some areas the excessive output from other regions could be sent across to compensate or the low production. Improved irrigation – The dependence of agriculture on monsoon has declined over the years. Compared to 1965, when 67% of the agriculture was dependent on monsoon, only 40 % of the agriculture is dependent on rainfall today. The irrigation earlier was due to canals which were indirectly dependent on rainfall but now the irrigation is mostly by tube wells which are not dependent on monsoons. So a decline in monsoon won’t affect the production output drastically. India traditionally produces two crops, kharif and rabi. Kharif crops are cultivated in the monsoons and rabi crops are cultivated in the winters. So kharif crops are dependent on, whereas rabi crops are unaffected by, monsoons. Earlier the kharif crops accounted for three fourths of the total output but in the contemporary scenario the output of kharif and rabi crops are almost equal. So a deficient monsoon may change the output of kharif crops slightly but the rabi output won’t be affected. Inflation rendered ineffective – Weak monsoon will fuel inflation due to the supply and demand mismatch. The increase in level of prices will have some effect on other commodities as well. Having said that, as per the the PDS scheme the population under the BPL gets 35 kg of food grain every month. So the poor won’t be affected much by increase in the food inflation Effect on GDP – India’s agriculture contributed to around 52% of the total GDP in 1950. The investments in the manufacturing sector as well as the rise of Indian services sector led to decrease in the share of the agriculture in India’s GDP. Presently agriculture contributes only 14% to the GDP. So even if the production decreases due to weak monsoon its effect on the GDP will be negligible. Even 7% drop in the output, though very unlikely would decrease the GDP by only 1 %. Forex sufficiency – Earlier India received foodgrains on charity – primarily from USA, Australia and Canada. But dependencies have been worked upon. Scenarios have been mitigated. Today, India has $300 billion as foreign reserves and has earned enough forex reserves to buy food grains in times of emergency. The current reserves of the food grain stands at 80 million tonnes, so a situation of import is highly improbable. These all contribute as the major reasons which have ceased Indian-draughts & fickle monsoon conditions from being calamities anymore. Foodgrain availability remains as low as in the 1960s, despite the green revolution. But rapid GDP growth, by hugely boosting the share of services and industry in GDP, has made agriculture a relative pygmy, greatly reducing the economy’s monsoon dependence. Yet when everything is said and read, things aren’t as rosy as we have depicted above. There remains a catch : a drought may no longer mean mass starvation, but it still means food inflation!