Citizen Participation An Individual Choice - 956 Words

In a democratic government, citizen participation is essential and beneficial in order to ensure everyone’s opinions will be heard and represented. With a wide range of morals, socioeconomic statuses, personalities, and knowledge existing among the American population, citizens’ participation in the democratic system range from dedicated, involved, and uninvolved. The upbringing and life situation of individuals directly affects their governmental decisions including their stances on issues the country faces. Citizens can also make the decision to not contribute to the democratic process. Either way, the engagement or disengagement of citizens is considered an individual choice, and both decisions affect the way in which the government is run. From the time an American is born, his or her attitude towards the government is shaped and formed. If a child is born to a family who shares a political ideology, then the likelihood the family encourages and raises the child under their same beliefs is greater than not. For example, if a child’s parents hold more liberal views, then the way the child is raised reflects and encourages his or her parents’ liberal views. On the other hand, if a child is brought up in a household where his or her parents do not vote or participate in voicing their opinions, then that encouragement of political engagement is not available. The likelihood of the child engaging in political activity when he or she is an adult is slim. Another factorShow MoreRelatedThe United States Of America875 Words   |  4 PagesThe United States of America continues to confront a lack of electorate participation in political elections, which has seen the number decline to around 58 percent in the 2012 presidential election. In the state that has been seen by many as the template for a liberal democracy what explains the absence of participation by its citizen in one of the most fundamental exercises in democracy. With each attempt to included marginalized sectors of society – the 19th Amendment passed in 1920 giving womenRead MoreCompulsory Voting: Moral Issues and Necessities in A Democratic Nation1686 Words   |  7 Pagesbeen good, and reduces the threat of low voter turnout, while increasing the legitimacy of the government. Annabelle Lever, a research fellow at the Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation at the Manchester University School of Law, states participation in elections is declining in most adv anced industrial countries; this lower turnout has begun to make democratic voting systems that can threaten the legitimacy of a country’s government and electoral system, because it significantly increasesRead MoreA Report On The Department Of Transportation Essay1744 Words   |  7 Pagesefficient and satisfy all of the citizens who have concerns with transportation topics. Underlying Cause For The Citizen Participation Component Not Being A Success. Steve Anderson who is the manager of the Department of Transportation has done an outstanding job solving problems that have affected the agency. However, there are a few problems that continue affecting the well-functioning of the agency that have not been solved. Such is the case of the of the citizen participation component. According toRead MoreAmerica Is Known For Its Freedom Of Speech1682 Words   |  7 Pagesgives the American people a voice in what goes on in the government. The right to vote gives all citizens the opportunity to vote on various positions in the government and local areas. Political parties perform a number of functions for the American political system. The functions and components of political parties, interest group activity, electoral politics, public opinion, political participation, and political socialization, all are essential factors towards the influences of the AmericanRead MoreGoals Of Utopia1297 Words   |  6 PagesUtopia I. Goals values Each citizen of Utopia should value total and complete equality above all else. Total and complete equality encompasses social matters and governmental matters; no individual is above another in any capacity. This also applies to dealings with the structure of government: the needs of the individual are equal to the needs of the government because the government is the people. This is achieved through the elimination of social hierarchy. Man cannot think of himself asRead MoreThe Government Should Public Participation1554 Words   |  7 Pages THE US GOVERNMENT SHOULD INSCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING PROCESS IN ORDER TO PASS PARTICULAR POLICIES RESULTING TO A DECREASE IN CORRUPTION CAUSED BY CAPITALISM. Siddharth Phadke FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY Abstract Capitalism is must for a country’s development, as it helps to grow the economy of a country. Also the political parties governing the country need some capital in order to survive the election environment for campaigning. So the main sourceRead MoreThe Democratic Ideal And The Modern Challenges916 Words   |  4 Pagescomprises equality, participation, minority protection, inclusion, voting rights, human rights and civil liberties (Edwards, Wattenberg Lineberry, 12-13). However, the modern reality shows, that the ideal is far from reality and faces the numerous challenges. The research shows the widening of the gap between the democratic ideals and practice owing to the following factors: the polarizing of the political life, lowered tolerance towards political mistakes and the lowered participation of the peopleRead MoreVoting Is A Central Right992 Words   |  4 PagesVoting is a central right to each American citizen. Your vote is your chance to be listened, to hold cho sen elected officials responsible for their actions and to have a say in vital issues that influences your community. You can t have an effectively run democratic government without the backing and votes of the citizens. Voting gives the capacity for individuals to express their opinions about the administration. Each vote consoles our majority rule government and makes it stronger; we can tRead MoreFederalists Vs. Anti Federalists1518 Words   |  7 Pagesvote on Constitutional ratification. Two models of democracy were contested: the Anti-Federalists argued in favor of mass participation in the form of a state referendum, and the Federalists argued in favor of elite representation in the form of a state convention. On the whole, while the state referendum model used in the debates in Rhode Island allows for greater participation and an opportunity for equal representation, it also leaves policy decisions vulnerable to public ignorance. At the sameRead MoreThe Political Culture Of Politics1506 Words   |  7 Pagesculture could be how to play hopscotch in a playground or following the rules to a game of tennis or badminton. To address the question, this essay will firstly assess how any capable individual is able to participate in politics and secondly if the growth of political culture has increased or decreased participation. A question that is frequently asked is how can one be involved in politics? There are many options. One option can be by joining a political party which interests them and that has

How Do Humans Acquire Language - 1332 Words

How Do Humans Acquire Language? Humans live in a world full of communication. Humans possess a native language that separates them from other animals. Language is developed within the first few years of a person s life. By the time one is a child; he can speak and understand almost as well as an adult. Children world-wide exhibit similar patterns of language acquisition even though they may be learning different languages. How humans learn even the most complicated languages has perplexed the minds of many scientists. Two of the most popular beliefs on language acquisition today are held by Skinner and Chomsky. Their opposing belief on how humans acquire language has become the two standard views on this complicated issue;†¦show more content†¦Also, the language acquisition device provided infants with the ability to fix or deduce a theory for their native language. This is called the parameter setting, and is one of Chomsky s most well known ideas (374). Chomsky bel ieves that the structure of language is not fully learned by experience but is in part at least embedded in the network of connections of the human brain (Fromkin 3). This idea confirms how children have the ability to acquire language on even slight exposure and without specific training. Pinker explains Chomsky s theory very clearly by summarizing that: Virtually every sentence that a person utters or understands is a brand-new combination of words, appearing for the first time in the history of the universe. Therefore a language cannot be a repertoire of responses; the brain must contain a recipe or program that can build an unlimited set of sentences out of a finite list of words. The second fundamental fact us that children develop these complex grammars rapidly and without formal instruction and grow up to give consistent interpretations to novel sentence constructions that they have never before encountered. Therefore [Â…] children must innately be equipped with a plan common to the grammars of all languages, a Universal Grammar, that tells them how to distill synaptic patterns out of the speech of their parents. (9) His summary of Chomsky s fundamental facts about language explainsShow MoreRelatedEssay about How Do Humans Acquire Language?1294 Words   |  6 Pages How Do Humans Acquire Language? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Humans live in a world full of communication. Humans possess a native language that separates them from other animals. Language is developed within the first few years of a person’s life. By the time one is a child; he can speak and understand almost as well as an adult. Children world-wide exhibit similar patterns of language acquisition even though they may be learning different languages. How humans learn even the most complicatedRead MoreLinguistic Nativism: There’s Something Between the Ears Language is something that humans use and1300 Words   |  6 PagesLinguistic Nativism: There’s Something Between the Ears Language is something that humans use and encounter every day. Whether it be writing a paper, reading an email, talking to your best friend on the phone, or asking someone for directions, the use of language is broad and heavily intertwined with experiencing the world in the human condition. But the question of how humans come from being silent babies to speaking children is still unanswered. Linguistic nativism is one theory that addressesRead MoreLanguage Acquisition : Study Of How Humans Acquire A Set Of Semantic, Syntactic And Phonological Categories Essay1625 Words   |  7 PagesLanguage Acquisition Language acquisition is the study of how humans acquire a set of semantic, syntactic, morphological and phonological categories and rules that underlie their ability to speak and understand the language to which they are exposed. (Parker and Riley, 2005) Language is an understanding that truly makes us human. Yes, other species do communicate with an innate ability to produce a limited number of meaningful words, but there is no other species that can express sentences withRead MoreA Pragmatic Philosophy Of Second Language Acquisition1256 Words   |  6 PagesA Pragmatic Philosophy of Second Language Acquisition Learning a second language is an issue of immense importance in our contemporary world. Knowledge of a second language enhances a person’s economic potential in the globalized marketplace. The ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend another language empowers an individual to exchange ideas across cultural and linguistic barriers. At the center of contemporary second language acquisition is the learning and teaching of English. Due to theRead MoreDifferent Stages Of Language Acquisition Essay1384 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction: Although, there is no agreed definition of language among linguists, but we can say that language is the most sophisticated way of communication between any two human beings and far more complex than any other system of communication. The ability of acquiring and using languages is one of the properties that differs us as human beings from other species. Acquiring the first language is much easier than acquiring any second language as it comes â€Å"naturally† after birth. The child passesRead MoreGrammar is divided in Two Sub-Categories: English Syntax and Morphology905 Words   |  4 PagesMoprhology is the study of morphemes – smallest units of language that carry meaning – and how they are formed into words. Syntax is the study of the processes by which sentences are formed. Hereinafter, we shall take a look at the approach to grammar developed by Noam Chomsky. According to Chomsky, the goal of the linguist is to determine what it is that native speakers know about their native language which enables them to speak and understand the language fluently. Chomsky contrasts two approaches to grammarRead MoreLanguage and the Brain1634 Words   |  7 PagesLanguage and the brain   Ã‚  Ã‚   Many people assume the physical basis of language lies in the lips, the tongue, or the ear.   But deaf and mute people can also possess language fully.   People who have no capacity to use their vocal cords may still be able to comprehend language and use its written forms.   And human sign language, which is based on visible gesture rather than the creation of sound waves, is an infinitely creative system just like spoken forms of language.   But the basis of sign languageRead MoreWhy Language Can Influence Thought And Vice- Versa1357 Words   |  6 Pagesdiscussing whether language can influence thought and vice- versa. The main argument will rely on whether the language ones speaks affects ones thinking or the way they think affects their language. Traditionally, it has been understood that language is used to express thoughts;convey ideas individuals hold in minds via a transmissible form, for instance: sounds, body language, expressions or written symbols.H owever, we are introduced to multiculturalism in our time which conveys many languages are spokenRead MoreLanguage and the Brain1642 Words   |  7 PagesLanguage and the brain   Ã‚  Ã‚   Many people assume the physical basis of language lies in the lips, the tongue, or the ear.   But deaf and mute people can also possess language fully.   People who have no capacity to use their vocal cords may still be able to comprehend language and use its written forms.   And human sign language, which is based on visible gesture rather than the creation of sound waves, is an infinitely creative system just like spoken forms of language.   But the basis of sign languageRead MoreCharacteristics Of A First And Second Language : Behaviorism, Innatism And Social Interactionist Essay1641 Words   |  7 Pagesof approaches have been proposed to explain the phenomenon of language acquisition. These models were influenced by variety of disciplines and research directions, such as cognitive psychology, linguistics, etc.; therefore, the models relate to linguistic development in various ways. One of the most striking differences between the approaches is the perceptio n of the place of heredity and environment in the process of acquiring language, but as we shall see each approach gives them a different weight

Depiction of African Americans in American media free essay sample

Some people argue that African Americans are still invisible in most media outlets. One such author is Professor Rudolph Alexander of the University of Ohio. In his book â€Å"Racism, African Americans and Social Justice†, the latter author argues that in most movies, films and novels, African American are almost never depicted as heroes even when they played an important part in the story.Alexander (2005) points to the fact that there are cases of racism in the media. For instance, in the news, white persons normally take centre stage with little attention going to the black race. For instance media coverage of the Iraq war brought this out very clearly. When a female US soldier (Jessica Lynch) had been captured in Iraq and then rescued, she was given the status of a heroine. On the other hand, another US black female soldier had (Shoshana Johnson) been captured and rescued too, media outlets paid very little attention to her story yet both these women had acted valiantly on behalf of their nation. We will write a custom essay sample on Depiction of African Americans in American media or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Consequently, one can assert that there are certain biases in these media outlets.Alexander (2005) also discusses a number of entertainment media outlets that have furthered this principle. For instance, he criticizes the Movie â€Å"Boys do not cry† in which the white characters in the movie were made heroes while a black man who had been killed in the movie was completely cut out. The latter movie was a true story that had failed to really show what the African American had achieved in his life.This black actor was just a side show in the movie yet in real life the story was about him. The latter author claims that in most films highlighting true stories. Hollywood producers tend to dissuade the audience’s attention to the white actors in the movie even when black people ought to be centre point of the movie. This author ends his book by asserting that informative and entertaining media outlets actually reflect what happens in reality. He believes that African Americans are victims of social justice and that inequality in courts, schools and the military all reflect this harsh reality in the media.Entman and Rojecki (2000) in their book â€Å"the Black Imagein the White Mind† assert that the attitudes held by Whites about African Americans are shaped by the media. In their book, the authors assert that many whites may not get a chance to interact with blacks or get to know what their lifestyles are really like.Consequently, large numbers of them rely on the images depicted in the media. Entman and Rojecki (2000) bring out the idea that most media forms depict a racial hierarchy. In these patterns, whites take the highest position while blacks are placed below. Additionally, media forms create a sense of racial differences between various groups.The latter writers also claim that American media tends to exaggerate the effects of poverty in the lives of African Americans. Additionally, they highlight the fact that most of the discussions made by experts in these forums are usually related to dialogues about certain themes in the outlets.These researchers claim that the issue of participation is not a problem because televisions, newspapers, the internet and so many media outlets have tried to represent African Americans. However, their problem is with actual portrayal. They claim that through the media, most other races end up having a negative image of African Americans thus reinforcing racial differences. Some of the statistics quoted in the book include;

Concussions in Football free essay sample

Injuries in professional sports are always occurring, but in football the risk of injury is much higher considering it is a contact sport. Although One of Americas most precious pastimes; American Football is the most dangerous sport because of the risk of concussions. Concussions in football have been a major concern though the years especially in recent years and the seriousness of this particular injury must be bought to the attention of not only the players, but to the media and professional leagues . Advancements in technology and health protocols have brought attention to the actual severity of concussions in football. Many NFL players that have had a concussion, or multiple concussions, not only struggle when they return to the field, but also struggle with normal aspects of their lives. The relevance of concussions has risen so far as of late, that former NFL players who previously suffered from concussions have gotten together to sue the NFL for improper information and protocol when they suffered their concussions. The concern of concussions has risen to a point where people have debated whether football should be banned altogether. The risk of concussions in football is very high compared to other sports. The constant contact and trauma that the head takes from being hit can sometimes lead to a concussion, but they are usually sustained through one powerful hit to the head. The impact of one player running into another has almost twice the strength then one person running into a standing, or placed individual (Onion). This would prove noteworthy for the kickoff or punt return aspect of football. During these situations the opposing teams are running full speed toward each other, and the ball carrier is usually the one who is at the most risk for concussion. The discussion of removing ickoffs and punts has been a major topic of discussion because of these facts. There are also different levels of concussions. A minor concussion or grade one concussion may involve being dazed, head ringing, a minor headache, and a very brief loss of consciousness. A more severe concussion such as a grade 2 concussion may cause being blacked out, confusion, a pounding headache, and blurred vision. The most server concussion or grade 3 concussion may cause being blacked out, nausea or vomiting, loss of short term memory, and saying the same thing over and over(Swierzewski). The most dangerous symptoms occur when a player is cleared to lay before he has fully recovered from their concussion. When an athlete is cleared to play before he has fully recovered that is when death can occur. Retired players that have played professional football at some time in their life who sustained concussions have also had many problems in their retirement. One of these many retired players include former defensive lineman George Visger who frequently has memory loss or severe headaches. Visger said that he believes that he accumulated close to hundreds if not thousands of concussions throughout his football playing career, some documented, some not (Smith). Some problems that ccur from concussions could end up being more life threatening then Visgers symptoms. The suicides of former Chicago Bears Defensive end Dave Duerson and Owen Thomas, a University of Pennsylvania defensive end, have shown that the symptoms that Visger, Duerson, and Thomas have or had experienced have happened to many other retired football players as well, which shows that this is very common among concussion recipients. Visger was also one of more than four thousand former NFL players who filed a seven hundre d and seventy five million dollar lawsuit against the NFL for lack of information of concussions, and neglecting f the severity of concussions (Farrar). This settlement was reached and the money was granted to the players, but the fact is that these men must live with consequences that they received when they played the game of football. Not only is everyday life a struggle for these gentlemen, but the risks that they took can sometimes lead to their untimely death. Although most athletes are aware of concussions, not everyone is aware of the long lasting effects of them which are up to coaches and staff to explain. The obligation of an employer to provide its employees with a safe workplace free from ecognized hazards is well established. In the absence of specific standards for an industry, an employer is required under OSHAs general duty clause to provide its employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards which cause or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm(Holmquist). In this case the employee is the athlete and the employers would be the football teams staff and coaches. It is up to them to explain the long term consequences to these players, and enforce the safety protocol that must happen if they ever obtain a concussion. By doing this, the player s more informed of the risks of injury and the steps they have to take to either change the way they play, or simply dont play the game at all. Equipment is also a major factor in dealing with concussions. The regulation helmet used in the NFL has gone through rigorous changes to keep concussions to a limit, but there is only so much you can do to prevent a concussion. What helmets do not do well is significantly slow down the contents of the skull when the head is struck and moved suddenly (Compton). The design of a helmet is made to prevent skull fractures not to prevent the fast impact of a hit to the head.