Should Democracy Be Adopted by All Nations

Should Democracy Be Adopted by All Nations Introduction Democracy refers to a system of government in which citizens participate in decision-making and decide how they want to be governed (Cheibu Dahl 2003). It gives citizens an opportunity to contribute in maters that determine the course of their lives. Democracy allows citizens to participate in the process of making laws either directly or indirectly through elected representatives (Burns et al 2001).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Should Democracy Be Adopted by All Nations? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Political self-determination is one of the most vital aspects of democracy. This is because democracy encompasses economic, social, and cultural aspects of people’s lives. Other forms of government include monarchy, aristocracy, or oligarchy. In a monarchy, power is held by one individual while in an oligarchy, power is in the hands of a few people who make all decisions (Burns et al 2001). De mocracy should be adopted in all nations because it promotes equality, freedom, and peace. Freedom Aristotle described democracy as a form of freedom that allows citizens to live, as they resolve because the will of the majority prevails (Cheibu Dahl 2003). In a democracy, there is a government and a constitution that guides citizens in order to promote peace and tranquility. However, they should not pose as obstacles to liberty and freedom. Even though democracy exists, its execution in some nations applies partially (Burns et al 2001). As such, there is widespread violation of human rights and denial of freedom. Freedom is one of the main objectives of adopting democracy in a nation (Cheibu Dahl 2003). A nation should adopt democracy because it promotes freedom, as well as giving citizens power and authority to make laws that govern them (Christiano, 2004). During the process of making laws, the needs and preferences of citizens are considered and incorporated in to the laws. Th is is in contrast to other forms of government in which a few individuals make laws on behalf of citizens. Equality All nations should adopt democracy because it builds on the principle of equality (Christiano, 2004). All citizens are equal and are supposed to enjoy similar social, economic, and political rights. This implies that the government should not discriminate against any citizen or group of citizens because of their religion, ethnicity, or gender (Geer Schiller 2011).Advertising Looking for essay on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Democracy promotes equality because every citizen is equal before the law. One of the main components of a democracy is a constitution. A constitution ensures that every citizen enjoys similar rights as everyone else, as well as equal treatment despite their race, religion, gender, or socio-economic class (Lijphart 2012). Historians have argued whether tr ue attainment of democracy is possible. In many countries, several aspects that include level of education, gender, ethnical affiliation, and economic status hinder democracy. Greed for money by the elite, who oppress the poor despite existence of democracy, has greatly hindered its adoption (Lijphart 2012). Freedom to make laws and participate in governance gives citizens a sense of belonging (Geer Schiller 2011). It bestows upon them the feeling that they are responsible for their own welfare and should therefore participate in creating laws. In other government forms, the leader possesses power to make laws according to his/her wishes. This has led to grave misuse of power as witnessed in countries such as Iraq, Egypt, and Cuba where democracy is not recognized (Mill, 2009). By participating in elections, citizens get an opportunity to elect leaders that they feel possess the best qualities for leadership. In a democracy, people chose their own leaders, unlike in other forms of government. Democracy creates a feeling of obligation and responsibility in citizens (Ross 2006). They have a responsibility to elect good leaders to lead their nation, and an obligation to participate in elections. This gives them a feeling of belonging because they decide the government that governs their nation. This applies through elections and referendums. Democracy gives all citizens the opportunity assume leadership positions (Mill, 2009). Any citizen can vie for an elective post and represent other citizens in the government. This encourages fair competition and responsibility, which are necessary for promotion of democracy. Responsible and stable administration One of the main benefits of democracy is that its statutes promote and advocate for a stable and responsible government (Ross 2006). A study of major democracies in the world revels that stability, efficiency, growth, and firmness are the main characteristics of democracy. Democracy forms a firm and responsible gove rnment because it is based on the wishes of citizens.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Should Democracy Be Adopted by All Nations? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition, leaders are accountable to citizens who elect them into office. In representative democracy, elected leaders make informed decisions based on ideas and opinions of the people (Ross 2006). Elected representatives are responsible because if they fail to fulfill the wishes of their electorate, they remove them from power when they participate in elections after a certain period. A stable administration means that there is little chance of revolution. Democracy is primarily based on the will of the people. Therefore, there is low possibility that people might revolt against the government except in cases of violation of the democratic rights of citizens. Democracy has been shown to be the most stable and effective form of government because it fun ctions on consensus (Shapiro Corsdn 1999). Any critical decision undergoes the scrutiny of the public before implementation. The benefits of democracy are evident from observation of democracies such as the United States. The US has grown tremendously over the last few decades because it upholds democratic ideals (Shapiro Corsdn 1999). This has enabled it to become the most powerful nation in the world. A similar case applies with countries in the Europe that have embraced democracy. Their rule was characterized by abuse of power, corruption, wars, and violation of human rights. However, this changed when they turned to democracy. Russia has been through many forms of government than any other European country. Anarchy resulted in communism, and monarchy ended in violence (Shapiro Corsdn 1999). The formation of a communism government had adverse effects on countries of the USSR. The economy deteriorated and many countries experienced extended periods of abject poverty. However, a fter they embraced democracy, they were able to rebuild Russia and regain stability and economic prosperity. Better governance Another reason why all nations should adopt democracy is the profundity of corruption of power (Schumpeter 2003). In essence, power is not corrupting, but when an individual assumes power, there is high possibility that they will misuse it. This observation applies in monarchies where one individual possess all the power.Advertising Looking for essay on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In case the individual results to misuse of power, this results in adverse effects such as deterioration of the economy, wars, famine, and corruption. This affects the whole government. This is in contrast to a democratic form of government. Abuse of power by an individual does not crumble a governance system due to even distribution of duties and responsibilities (Schumpeter 2003). Power is in the hands of many people. Therefore, it is difficult for an individual to corrupt the system with power. The advantage of democracy is that people form the government. Therefore, it is not possible for the will of the government to conflict with the will of the people (Schumpeter 2003). In other forms of government, the will of the people always conflicts with the will of the leaders. This is because citizens do not get an opportunity to give their opinions or to voice their concerns. Counterargument Despite being the best form of government, democracy has flaws too. These include misappropri ation of public funds, promotion of dictatorship of the majority, lowering of moral standards, disinterest by voters in elections, and capitalism (Smith 1996). Despite these flaws, democracy is the best form of government. Advantages of democracy outweigh the disadvantages. Conclusion Democracy has been labeled the best system of government that any nation can embrace. It has certain weaknesses but it is more stable, efficient, and stronger than other systems such as monarchies and oligarchies. All nations should adopt democracy because of several reasons. These include stability and efficient administration, promotion of freedom, equality of all citizens, equal opportunity to power, and responsible administration. Benefits of democracy are evident for observing democracies such as the US and European countries. Through democracy, they have been able to achieve growth and prosperity that has placed them among the most prosperous and powerful nations in the world. References Burns, J , Pelatson, J., Cronin, T Magleby, B 2001, Government by the People, Prentice Hall, New York. Cheibu, A Dahl, R 2003, The Democracy Sourcebook, MIT Press, London. Christiano, T 2004, The Authority of Democracy, Journal of Political Philosophy, vol.12 no.3, pp. 266-290. Geer, J Schiller, W 2011, Gateways to Democracy: Introduction to American Government, Cengage Learning, New York. Lijphart, A 2012, Patterns of Democracy: Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-Six Countries, Yale University Press, New York. Mill, J 2009, Representative Government, GRIN Verlag, New York. Ross, M 2006, Is Democracy Good for the Poor, American Journal of Political Science, vol.50 no.4, pp. 860-874. Schumpeter, J 2003, Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, Taylor Francis, New York. Shapiro, I Corsdn, C 1999, Democracy’s Values, Cambridge University Press, London. Smith, b 1996, Sustainable Local Democracy, Public Administration and Development, vol. 16 no.2, pp. 163-178.

Definition and Examples of Conditional Sentences

Definition and Examples of Conditional Sentences In English grammar, a conditional sentence is a type of sentence that expresses one situation (the condition,  antecedent, or protasis in a dependent clause) as a condition for the occurrence of another situation (the result, consequent, or apodosis in the main clause). Put simply, the basic structure underlying most conditional sentences can be expressed as, If this, then that. Also called a conditional construction  or a conditional. In the field of logic, a conditional sentence is sometimes referred to as an implication. A conditional sentence contains a conditional clause, which is a type of adverbial clause  usually (but not always) introduced by the subordinating conjunction if, as in, If I pass this course, I will graduate on time. The main clause in a conditional sentence often includes the modal  will, would, can, or could. A subjunctive conditional is a conditional sentence in the subjunctive mood, such as, If he were to show up here right now, Id tell him the truth. Examples and Observations In each of the following examples, the italicized word group is a conditional clause. The sentence as a whole is a conditional sentence. If I ruled the world,Every man would be as free as a bird,Every voice would be a voice to be heard,Take my word, we would treasure each day that occurred.(Leslie Bricusse  and  Cyril Ornadel, If I Ruled the World. Pickwick, 1963)If I ruled the world, was king on the throne,Id make peace in every culture, build the homeless a home.(Nasir Jones et al., If I Ruled the World (Imagine That), 1995)Now, if I had  been that young woman, I would have planted my feet, looked those men straight in the eye, and dared them to try to put me on board a ship when I didnt want to go, but times were different then.(Jennifer Chiaverini,  The Quilters Apprentice, 1999)Even  if she were to  confide in them all her suspicions, even  if she were to  tell them about the pills, even  if she were to  lead them to her locker at the Greyhound Bus Terminal and actually present them with her bloodied dress and the stacks of hundred-dollar bills, she would be regarded with skepticism and outrig ht disbelief.(Joy Fielding, See Jane Run. William Morrow, 1991) All this can be a dreadfully boring business, unless you think you have a future.(Bernard Malamud, The German Refugee, 1964)Conditional Clauses That Are Not Introduced by a Conjunction- It is possible to construct conditional clauses that do not begin with if or unless. The commonest way of doing this is to begin the clause with one of these words: were, should, had. For example: Were I to own a new BMW car, another ten microcomputers would be at my command, so their advertisements claim.Should you succeed in becoming a planner, you would be helping to create these parameters.Had I ignored my fitness, I could never have played international cricket for twenty years. (John Seely, Oxford A-Z of Grammar and Punctuation, rev. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 2013)-  Were I to take a turn into the country,  the trees would present a leafless, wintry appearance.(Thomas Paine, winter 1792)- Let Domingo be my heir  should I fail to return, I said to the House that surrounded me.(Jane L indskold, Child of a Rainless Year. Tor Books, 2005)- Yet this strangest of all things that ever came to earth from outer space must have fallen while I was sitting there, visible to me  had I only  looked up as it passed.(H.G. Wells,  The War of the Worlds, 1897) Using the Past Perfect in ConditionalsIf the situations are set in the past, the past perfect is used in the conditional clause and a past perfect modal, usually would have, in the main clause. - If we had been there yesterday, we would have seen them. (But we were not there yesterday.)- If he had been given a good mark, he would have told me. (But it seems that he was not given a good mark.) If the auxiliary in the conditional clause is were, had, or should, we can omit if and front the auxiliary: - Were she here now, there would be no problem.- Had we stayed at home, we would have met them.- Should you see him, give him my best wishes. (Sidney Greenbaum and Gerald Nelson, An Introduction to English Grammar, 2nd ed. Pearson, 2002)Direct and Indirect ConditionsConditional clauses generally express a direct condition, indicating that the truth of the host clause (or apodosis) is dependent on the fulfillment of the condition in the conditional clause (or protasis). However, some condit ional clauses may express an indirect condition that is related to the speech act: [18]   And if I remember rightly you had jaundice didnt you (if I remember rightly it would be true to say)[19]   I mean if I told you honestly things can be really interesting [...][20]   [. . .] I did need to have a need to say , that I was doing something because uhm , otherwise I wouldnt be anybody if you see what I mean Direct conditions may be either open (or real) or hypothetical (or closed or unreal). Open conditions leave completely open whether the condition will be fulfilled: [21] Youre going to have huge trouble , if youve infected me. In [21] the speaker does not give any indication whether he or she believes that the conditionthe infection by the person addressedhas been fulfilled.(Sidney Greenbaum, Oxford English Grammar. Oxford University Press, 1996) Material Conditionals in LogicA material conditional expresses  another type of connection, neither causal nor logical yet similar to other types of conditionals in that it cannot be true if it has a false consequent and a true antecedent. An example of a material conditional is If humans live on Jupiter, then my great-grandmother was an astronaut. Although no natural link connects the antecedent and  consequent in this conditional, its meaning is clear. The point of this sentence, and others like it in English, is to emphasize that the antecedent is false. It is a way of expressing No way is there human life on Jupiter.Although material conditionals are often just  humorous ways of stating that something is false, we can draw from them a logically useful principle about interpreting sentential connectives. In a material conditional, the if... then... that connects the component sentences is a  truth-functional connective. This means that the truth of the conditional sentence is determined completely by (is a  function of) the truth of its component sentences. The only circumstance under which a material is false is when it has a true antecedent and a false consequent. That is why the compound sentence If theres human life on Jupiter then my great-grandmother was an astronaut can be used to state the falsity of there is human life on Jupiter. The consequent of the conditional (my great-grandmother was an astronaut) is obviously false. Yet the sentence as a whole is understood as true. But if the antecedent were true, then the conditional would be false, for it would have a true antecedent and a false consequent. Thus, a material conditional  of the form If (antecedent), then (consequent) is true unless the antecedent is true and the consequent is false. (Merrilee H. Salmon,  Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking, 6th ed. Wadsworth, Cengage, 2013)