...A constitution is a body of fundamental principles or established models according to which a state or is acknowledged to be governed. The UK’s constitution is part-written and uncodified. There is evidence the UK’s constitution is strong and successful, however there is evidence to also suggest that the UK needs constitutional reform. One huge advantage of the UK constitution is its ability to be flexible and change according to modern opinions or issues. An uncodified or unfixed constitution like the UK’s allows it to me able to keep updated with new social and political situations. It easier to create an Act of Parliament according to a new situation, than to amend a codified constitution. For example, in reaction to this idea of ‘new politics’ and the public’s desire to be able to influence the government between elections, lead to the introduction of referendums in 1997. The UKs democracy has withstood the tale of time and is seen as a huge strength of the UK’s constitution. The UK’s constitution is an example of the UK’s custom and tradition linking generations and has been tested in history to prove that it works. The constitution has adapted and developed over time: it is a ‘living’ constitution due to the idea that it is able to grow. In despite of parliamentary sovereignty, there are a number of ways in which the democratic character of the UK is maintained and the power of the government scrutinized and reduced where necessary. For instance, the House of Lords and...
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...Abstract The purpose of this paper is to focus on the objectives of the American involvement in the occupation of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Highlighted are the pretenses under which America began their involvement and the subsequent results of the invasion. The economic, political and social effects that the US had on the Haitian community had it’s successes in areas such as the rebuilind of the infrastructure, but were significantly countered with blatant violations in human rights laws and corruption within the government. These areas of failure reject the fundamental basis of what a successful counterinsurgency entails. Although there is much evidence of successes and failures in Haiti, to conclude, a realist argument will be presented in order to provide some answers as to why decisions were made to occupy Haiti under a COIN objective, but withdraw without meeting those objectives. Keywords: cacos, violence, attitudes, counterinsurgency “For our forebears, for our country, Oh God of the valiant! Take our rights and our life under your infinite protection, Oh God of the valiant! For our forebears, for our country.” –Haitian National Anthem Haiti, which is officially the Republic of Haiti, is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. The country's capital is Port-au-Prince. Haitian Creole and French are the...
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...opportunities exist for political participation. Judicial power also is enhanced by federalism. Federalism also decentralizes our policies. The history of federalism demonstrates the tension between the states and the national government over who should control policy. The overlapping powers of the two levels of government mean that most debates over policy become debates over federalism. States are responsible for most public policies dealing with social, family, and moral issues. These become national issues when brought to the national government by an aggrieved group. The American states are also policy innovators, being responsible for many reforms, new ideas, and new policies. II. The Constitutional Basis of Federalism (70-76) A. The Division of Power The powers of state and national governments are carefully defined in the Constitution. States are guaranteed equal representation in the Senate, are responsible for elections, and...
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...after events like Shay’s Rebellion and the necessity of slavery. Socially, new classes were created in support of the war and America becoming independent, known as the Patriots and the Loyalists....
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...The Systematic Obliteration of the Constitutional Republic The power of the US federal government, relative to the power of the states, has increased since the ratification of the Constitution in 1791. Describe how the provisions within the Constitution pertaining to the ‘power to tax and spend’ (Art.1, sec.8, pt.1) and the ‘commerce clause’ (Art.1, sec.8, pt.3) have been used over time to expand federal power and thus the power of the President. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence, n.d.). Taken adapted from the scholar John Locke’s “Life Liberty and Estate” in his text the ‘Second Treatise of Government’, (Locke, J. 2005) and incorporated into the United States declaration of independence. Much has been said on the influence of Locke, on Thomas Jefferson during the drafting of the United States declaration of independence, such as was argued by McKay, (2005 pp. 44) . However, where Locke emphasized the importance of procuring and maintaining a limited government, it appears his influences on the political foundation of the United States drew to a halt here. As we are now bearing witness, to one of the most rapidly expanding government institutions in western liberal democracy. In this essay, I intend to discuss how the expansion of federal government power has increased...
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...The U. S. Constitution first three articles order for the power of the federal government division into three separate branches. They are legislative, executive and the judiciary branch. The separation of power grants each branch independence along with separate functions. The branches do not have the power to seize the function of another branch although the branches are interrelated. The cooperation of each is key in the branches running efficiently because they prevent each other from having too much power. This is simply called checks and balances. This occurs when the functions of one branch serves to contain and modify the power of another. Separation of Power The separation of powers is a political doctrine originating from Montesquieu, a French philosopher, in The Spirit of the Laws. Montesquieu was an advocate of the separation of power. His writings influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution. The separation of power grants each branch a specific role. The lawmaking body, which is Congress, makes the laws. The executive branch, which is the president, actualizes the laws. The legal branch is the court framework that interprets the laws and decides lawful discussions. Checks and Balances Checks and balances provide restraints on the powers of the other two. The president has the power to sign the legislation, which makes it a law, or it can be vetoed. The president appoints judges but the Senate provides advice and consent. The courts have the power to interpret...
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...and only Congress consent is able to draw any single penny in national treasury. Besides, Congress was granted a coercive power upon the states. For example, if there was any threat or opposition toward the federal authority, the power of the federal army might seem helpful. There would not be any actual battle, but the fear of national power by states would keep them accountable. Unlike the wide power of modern Congress, the law enforcement ability of Congress under the Articles of Confederation was so tenuous that it had no chance to act directly upon people, only states did. Moreover, its influence upon the states was not significant either. There was no respect but contempt for the national government. For financial, logistic, recruiting issues, Congress could pass laws, but implementing them was the decision of the states, which either accepted or rejected the national government’s recommendations and requisitions. The Congressmen did not even trust the others;...
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...and finally what are some of the changes and challenges facing America today? The Discussion Topic will deal with you Introducing Yourself and your views toward politics. Chapter 1 Learning Objectives Module 1Learning Objectives Having read chapter 1, students should be able to do the following: Module 1 Learning Objectives Having read chapter 1 students should be able to do the following: 1. Identify ways government affects our lives every day. 2. List the ways that the Identity of Americans has changed over time. 3. List and define the three main values on how America was built on. 4. Compare the different forms of government shown in this chapter. Chapter 1 Outline EBOOK Note: The eBook will open in a new window. Close the window to return to the course. OUTLINE Government Affects Our Lives Every Day 1. Americans have been reluctant to grant government too much power, and they have often been suspicious of politicians. But Americans have also turned to government for assistance in times of need, and they have strongly supported the government in periods of war. 2. One important reason for citizens to pay attention to their government in good times is to make sure that the government does not make decisions that might result in unjustified wars, riots, or an economic downturn. 3. The key to understanding American government is to understand the relationship between the citizen and the government. Politics takes on a different character...
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...of the dangers of copying and adopting irresponsible behaviors from their elders which include drug use. Clearly, when the members of public or even activists conduct the public campaign against legalizing the use of marijuana, the children get a chance to learn the dangers of the drug usage in addition to realizing that, at that specific period, the use of marijuana is illegal and has serious unpleasant consequences. With the understanding, the children will be able to make informed or correct decisions in life and, therefore, keep off the drugs as the perfect way of avoiding getting into trouble with the authorities (MONETH, 2014). Additionally, the open campaign in the fight against marijuana legalization will help in realizing the government’s need to protect its citizen and, therefore, it is very crucial. All the countries in the world have set rules and regulations and even written down guiding principles which are usually well stated and...
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...individuals in the US have the right to health care and the extent to which they should be covered. In her article, Health Care: Constitutional rights and Legislative Powers, Swendiman (2012) discusses the fact that the constitution of the United States did not address the right to health, asserting there were not terms such health or medical care recorded in the...
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...Do You Hear People Sing? — A Brief Analysis of Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience Abstract: Civil disobedience is the valuable spiritual wealth of American spirits. From Henry David Thoreau to Martin Luther King, civil disobedience theory also had developed into a new stage. American people began to commonly accept and practice the civil disobedience theory, which pushed American Civil Rights Movement forward. This essay focuses on the origination of the civil disobedience and briefly introduces its development. Key Words: Civil disobedience Conscience Government 1、 Thoreau’s Imprisonment The Mexican-American war, which started from 1846, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico over the territorial dispute of Texas. Most abolitionists and transcendentalists were against this war, because they thought that this war was an act of a bullying government anxious to grab land from a weaker nation. Some even thought this war was a conspiracy of the southern slaveholders. Then Texas admitted slavery, while Mexico forbade slavery. They regarded this war as the expansion of slavery, which could strengthen the influence of the south in federation. Therefore the abolitionists and transcendentalists did their best to resist this war. Among them, Henry David Thoreau was a famous representative. Thoreau did not agree this aggressive war. To resist, he refused to pay the Massachusetts poll tax, which was a “per head” tax imposed on...
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...Constitutional Rights? Abstract The paper explores the United States Government’s efforts to put in place laws that guide the ethical behavior of its civil service employees. From the founding of the nation, ensuring ethical behavior by government employees has been a recurring theme, and legislation, laws, and executive orders have been implemented at each stage of our government’s growth to guide federal employees in the ethical administration of their duties. However, at what point do the laws become too restrictive on the very citizens who have sworn to uphold our nation’s democratic values? A history of legislation, laws and executive orders is given along with the eventual backlash of court cases and demands for reform based on constitutional rights. For purposed of brevity, this analysis will focus on federal employees. Are Ethics Laws in the Federal Government a Violation of Constitutional Rights? Over two hundred years ago, with regard to ethics in the federal government, Thomas Jefferson wrote the following words “The right of any officer to give his vote at elections as a qualified citizen is not meant to be restrained, nor, however given, shall it have any effect to his prejudice; but it is expected that he will not attempt to influence the votes of others, nor take any part in the business of electioneering, that being deemed inconsistent with the spirit of the Constitution and his duties to it.”1 (CSC v. Letter Carriers, 1973, para. 25) Ethical behavior...
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...delegates met for the Convention of 1836 to hastily draft a new constitution for the fledgling Republic of Texas. Faced with the threat of imminent Mexican attack, they incorporated large sections of the United States Constitution along with some Mexican law this constitution was put in place to survive the Mexican assault on Texas while still under Mexican control. This constitution was a compromise of the United States beliefs of freedom with Mexico’s ideals of having Texas land under its control instead of the United States’. The constitution was also a way to break away from Mexico while still technically under its government. Nine years later, Texas was able to take more care when drafting its first state constitution because of the Mexican defeat. Adopted just before annexation, the Constitution of 1845 set forth Texas law in a simple and straightforward manner. Constitutional scholars consider it to have been one of the best state constitutions in the country at the time of state constitutions being birthed. In 1861, when Texas seceded from the Union, this constitution was amended to transfer Texas statehood from the United States of America to the Confederacy. After many years and many rewrites of the Constitution, the Constitution of 1876 was created and is still in place. A convention was called in 1875 after a failed attempt in 1874. The farmers were the ones to come up with strong contributions of the constitution because they wanted strong popular control of the government...
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...and the imperial struggle over Persia. Persians were growing dissatisfied with the Qajar rule. Influenced by western-oriented reformers, merchants, and religious leaders, they took to the streets in 1905. These protests and demonstrations would continue to 1911. The sources of their unrest came from the excesses of Qajar rulers, the weaknesses of the government, and foreign control over their economy. Also, the general consensus was that the Qajar rulers, especially Mozaffar ad-Din, were totally incompetent. These protests led to the Shah’s concession and Persia’s first constitutional monarchy. Because of the government’s reliance on foreign loans and concessions, the first Fundamental Law was that the legislature approve all loans (Aksan, 2016). The d’Arcy concession represents a tipping point for the Persian people. They had clearly grown uneasy with the government’s spending and poor representation of their interests. It is important to note that the Qajar dynasty gave large religious freedom to their...
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...In the United States, the First Amendment of the constitution guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. The First Amendment was created because citizens demanded a guarantee of their basic freedoms. Without the First Amendment, religious minorities could be persecuted, the government might well establish a national religion, protesters could be silenced, the press could not criticize government, and citizens could not mobilize for social change. When the U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, it did not contain the essential freedoms now outlined in the Bill of Rights, because many of the Framers viewed their inclusion as unnecessary, but after a huge debate, the Bill of Rights was...
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