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Does Democracy Promotion Also Promote Peace - 2222 Words

Does Democracy Promotion Also Promote Peace? Introduction: That democratic nations are more peaceful than any other regime type has been a topic of debate for many years. From Kant to Clinton, political thinkers and statesmen have hailed democracy as a weapon of peace. In this essay, I will discuss the definitions of democracy and peace, the democratic peace theory, and the reasons why democracies are more peaceful and thus how promoting democracy is a means to promoting peace. What is Democracy? There are multiple definitions of democracy, yet some of the common aspects of democracy are considered to be universal adult franchise, right to personal freedoms and liberties, and leaders of the executive competing against each other in an†¦show more content†¦Russett (1996) defines democracy for modern states ‘democracy is usually identified with voting franchise for a substantial fraction of citizens, a government brought to power in contested elections, an executive either popularly elected or responsible to an elected legislature, often with civil liberties such as free speech. Democracy has its roots in liberalism and these two words often go together. Most democracies are to some degree, liberal. In a liberal democracy, the public have individual rights and freedoms, everyone is viewed as equal and has equal opportunities for growth and development. Individual freedom and equality of all people are the basic foundations on which a democracy is built Freedom of speech and the ability to elect popular leaders keep the state healthy. A liberal democracy, with central characteristics of individual freedom, universal adult franchise and involvement in decision making through representatives needs to be encouraged to promote peace. How do you define Peace? To start with, two compatible definitions of peace: †¢ Peace is absence /reduction of violence of all kinds †¢ Peace is non-violent and creative conflict transformation For both

To Toll or Not To Toll Free Essays

Various public facilities have important uses aside from revenue generation of the government. Like the tollgates, these facilities serve for the conduct of checkpoints, safety for the commuting public and substantially generate government revenues. On the contrary, tollgates are also criticized as the bottlenecks of traffic as vehicles lined up at the maximum or minimum performance of the tollkeepers. We will write a custom essay sample on To Toll or Not To Toll or any similar topic only for you Order Now In the State of Connecticut, the Federal state and local governments plans reinstalling tolls on its highways. Several perceptions insinuate that causes of road accidents were due the absence of tollgates. It could be for the reasons that tollgates would slow down the speed of approaching vehicles as tollkeepers manning the traffic congestion from entry and exit lanes. This position paper will discuss and examine several points of considerations relating the reinstallation of tollgates in the State of Connecticut. Discussions It has been earlier reported in the 1980s that the removal of toll booths in the State of Connecticut have subsequently attributed to several road accidents that accounted about seven people who crashed and died at the Stratford tolls. In brief, Connecticut had more than 100 private turnpikes which were built from the period 1790 to 1850. The popularization of automobiles in the mid-20th century resulted to renew toll-backed financing to finance highways. In the 1990s to early 2000, technology plays a vital aspect in toll innovations through the introduction of electronic toll collection machines. Based on the May 10th 2009 news item ‘Toll proposals to be discussed at Thursday hearing’ by Martin B. Cassidy from the electronic publication of The Advocate, the Chairman of the Transportation Strategy Board Kevin Kelleher stated that â€Å"all the tolling concepts would use an EZ-Pass system†, referring to the system that would collect or tabulate fees from cars traveling at a speed of 55 miles per hour and up (1). Corey Sipe (2006) in his article at Associated Content electronic publishing has discussed the analysis of James J. Fazzalaro of the office of Legislative research which cited that one-way gateway toll fees at $1. 00 could generate $58 million in revenues (1). Meanwhile, the web site of BethelRepublicans. Org (2009) has published ‘Opposed to Tolls on I-84 in Danbury’, implying that toll should not only be implemented to generate revenues but also to promote efficiency. Further, it reported that Connecticut Republican Senator Michael McLachlan pointed out on the issue of traffic congestion during a forum held at Western Connecticut State University on March 26th 2009. As cited from the article of BethelRepublicans. Org (2009), it quoted Senator McLachlan who said that â€Å"drivers are trying to avoid the I-84 tolls by rerouting in community areas† (2). In which case, rerouting in the residential community areas congest the traffic of small roads in Danbury and residents could be prone to accidents. It may be acknowledged that Senator McLachlan has raised a considerable point not only on the issue of traffic situation but as well the public safety, in which could pave the way in the implementation of the tolling system. Despite the concern of Senator McLachlan, it was also pointed out that travel time, gas consumption and toll fees could be an added expense to reconsider (2). Indeed, many motorists tend to shorten their travel time and avoid the additional expenses for gas and toll fees. Moreover as previously covered in the article of Martin B. Cassidy (2009), the implementation of congestion pricing addresses the issue of efficiency. According to Cassidy (2009), the South Western Regional Planning Agency Executive Director Floyd Lapp commented that the state should use congestion pricing (1). It can be explained that â€Å"congestion pricing† is the process of charging distinctly separate toll rates on â€Å"peak or off-peak† travel time schedules. Also, the toll rates can be implemented in two ways, namely â€Å"static pricing† is attained in periodic intervals on a monthly or quarterly basis with published toll rates adjustments, while â€Å"dynamic pricing† can be implemented by using â€Å"electronic traffic sensor system† to monitor the volume of traffic and automatically adjust the toll rates. Early this year, the Associated Press in its electronic news has published ‘Report Pending on Highway Tolls in Connecticut’ with reference to the $1 Million research contract which was engaged by Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board (CTSB) with Cambridge Systematics, Inc. (CSI). The Associated Press has implied the result of the research-study could be the turning point to realize the seemingly idyllic yet pending developments on the tolling project implementation. However, the Associated Press quoted that â€Å"it is still doubtful whether the CTSB would be supportive of CSI’s findings and propositions† (1). On the following month after the comments of Associated Press, the year 2009 report of the Cambridge Systematics, Inc. (CSI) was then submitted to Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board (CTSB). The report which entitled: ‘Connecticut Electronic Tolling and Congestion Pricing Study’ was an independent technical study that formulated the strategic and feasible options in the implementation of the toll project. To generally describe the report, it contained variable conceptual framework on how the toll project can be effectively implemented and efficiently perform for public good, together with financial indicators that indicates the cost benefits of the state. Overall, the report has extensively presented the financial viabilities that comprised the operational components. As cited, the CSI report has highlighted the following findings (2): †¢ The New Toll Express Lanes require construction of new lanes and tolling, such as express lanes: A-1: Interstate 95 (Branford to Rhode Island State Line), and A-2: Interstate 84 (Waterbury to New York State Line); †¢ Conceptually, every users pay toll in spite of the occupancy levels and types of vehicles; †¢ Neither access strip would produce traffic congestion, estimating from 6. 2 to 13. 8 percents decline of vehicles for every hour of delay, which shall be implemented at â€Å"I-95 and I-84† toll projects within one year period exclusive of new lanes. CSI (2009) has further presented the estimated revenue generation within a 30-year target, as shown in the illustration below: How to cite To Toll or Not To Toll, Papers

Critical Review of Global Issues

Question: Discuss about theCritical Review of Global Issues. Answer: Introduction Two events on a global scale have taken place which will have implications on the businesses in Australia. The first event is the slowdown which has taken place in China along with the crisis that has occurred in the confidence of the Chinese investors. As per a new report of the IMF, it is expected that a crackdown that has taken place on cheap credit in China will cause a reduction in the Chinas real GDP growth rate to 6.8% in the current year from the 7.4% which was there last year. This is expected to weaken the demand for the commodities of Australia, thus impacting its business (IMF, 2016). The second event is the relationship that Australia has with Indonesia which very recently had an impact on the import quota of live cattle. Indonesia has cut its import quota in relation to the live cattle from Australia. This quota was reduced to only 50,000 head of cattle and instead of the expected figure of 500,000-600,000 cattle it is expected that the figure will be 200,000 less in th e coming year (Owens, 2015). This paper will be assessing the impact of the two events on Australian businesses to figure out the one which has the greatest importance. Chinese Economic Situation The economy of China with low economic growth is undergoing a tough phase of transition. In 2015, the Chinese economy at 7% registered its lowest growth in 24 years. The slowing down of the potential economic growth of China is in line with the economic law. The economic growth of the country has turned from a high rate of approximately 10% to approximately 7% which can be considered a moderate rate. If the structure pertaining to the essential factors is analysed, it indicates that changes have taken place in the demographic population with the decrease the total population in the working age, contributing negatively to the economic growth. This results in lower saving rates and the contribution of capital accumulation to the countrys economic growth starts to decline. This weakens the comparative advantage with respect to labour that is enjoyed by the country for producing goods, causing substantial slowdown of export trade (Li, 2015). As per the comparative advantage theory, it is sensible for a nation to produce the goods which it has the ability of producing most efficiently and buy from the other nations, the goods which it produces less ef ficiently (Hill et al., 2015). The progress technologically and labour capital have remained stable in the short-term causing the total factor productivity to become slow. The contribution of the Chinese service industry to the GDP has increased, making it a leader in case of economic growth. As the labour productivity is less in it in comparison to the secondary industry, the rate of economic growth decreases. The stock markets of China have fallen as the overall economic growth has slowed down and both the economy as well as the stock market cannot remain disparate for long (Jericho, 2015). The Impact of Chinese Situation on Australian Businesses and Trade The economic downturn of China and the prospect of weak growth worldwide related to it are posing a threat to stall the global progress (Harlan, 2016). China is the biggest trading partner of Australia and thus the economic fortunes of Australia are linked to China very intrinsically particularly after the free trade agreement which was signed between the two nations in the latter part of the previous year (Ma, 2015) . China happens to be Australias top export destination with exports worth $82.9 billion in 2014 (OEC, 2015). Although the plunge in the stocks of China is expected to have smaller direct impacts but the slump in the economy and the demand for the Australian goods and services will have greater effects on Australias economy (Jericho, 2015). It will also have an adverse affect on the prices of commodities especially the ones significant for Australia (McKenna, 2016). Among the primary reasons for the economic slowdown in China is the restructuring occurring within the economy. The economy of China is changing from being export-oriented wherein it was producing for being consumed by other nations to an economy of domestic consumption. The Government is trying to end inequality of wealth by shifting it to the middle class resulting in high disposal incomes of the middle class. The Australian businesses can take advantages of such a scenario. Even though the traditional focus of the trade relationships of Australia have been on commodities like iron ore, the new situation brings in more opportunities for the companies of Australia. Growth opportunities are large in a number of other industries like retail, real estate, services and tourism that match restructuring and growth of the Chinese economy (Ma, 2015). Australia-Indonesia Relationship In 2014-2015, the cattle exports from Australia to Indonesia amounted to A$1.35 billion (ALEC, 2016). However, the export industry was surprised when Indonesia slashed the quota for the Australian cattle. As per the Australian Livestock Exporters Council, the quota was done by 250,000 in comparison to the previous quarter. One of the reasons for this is thought to be the frosty relationship between the two nations which had suffered recently due to execution of two drug smugglers from Australia by Jakarta and allegations paid by Canberra in turning the asylum-seekers to Indonesia again mostly a result of the close geographical proximity of the two nations. Another reason is the attempt of Indonesia to develop self sufficiency. However, currently, this is likely lead to cattle shortage in Indonesia, reduction in number of slaughters and rise in beef prices (Owens, 2015). The comparative advantage theory can explain this trade relationship between Australia and Indonesia also. Australia produces cattle more efficiently and in surplus amounts which it can export to Indonesia while Indonesia is not self sufficient and efficient in the production of cattle which it can therefore import form its neighbour Australia. Importing it from other nations like Brazil which have surplus production would involve high costs of transportation. This is in accordance to the Heckscher and Ohlin theory as per which it is argued that comparative advantage is a result of differences that exist in the endowment of national factors. Countries will thus be exporting those goods which can make intensive utilisation of the factors that are present in abundance locally and import the goods which make intensive utilisation of the locally scarce factors (Hill et al., 2015). Impact of the Australia-Indonesia Relationship on Australian Businesses and Trade Till recently, Indonesia was the biggest market for live cattle export from Australia and this industry provided employment to thousands of Australians. Of all the imports from Australia, a mere 6% was amounted by live cattle as well as meat which are about one-fourth of imports of Indonesia from Australia. 40-65% of the live cattle are exported to Indonesia which is approximately 20-30% of the beef consumption of Indonesia. These exports are equal to 0.2% of the total exports of Australia related to goods and services. Even though the exports are very small in respect to the entire Australian economy, it has regional significance particularly in Western Australia and the Northern territory which account for 35% and 40% respectively of the live cattle market share and Indonesia has a heavy reliance on Australia in this category (The Conversation, 2013). Additionally, the cattle export industry provides support to almost 11,000 jobs which will be affected by the ban (Alford Franklin, 2011). This scenario can be viewed as a positive one also for Australia. The reduction in the exports of live cattle will mean that more of it will be available for domestic consumption and at lower prices. Besides this, Australia can think in terms of exporting live cattle to other nations in the region such as Vietnam. Australia can also adopt certain more labour intensive aspects for processing the beef and then exporting it which would free the resources for food production of other types in which other Asian nations might be having a competitive advantage. The beef producing market could make additional contributions of $204m to the economy of the regional. This would also create additional jobs (ACIl Talsman, 2012). Conclusion An analysis of the implications of both the global events on the Australian businesses and trade show that the slowdown in China is likely to have greatest importance for the businesses and trade of Australia as in terms of volume China is the leading trading partner of Australia. Australia has also signed a free trade agreement with China recently. Australia will have to look to make investments in the sectors of China that are undergoing restructuring and have potential of growth rather than the energy sector which is currently the main one. As far as the quota cut for cattle export to Indonesia is concerned, Australia can always make efforts to find new nations for its products or increase the domestic supply or even start processing the beef and exporting it. This way the people of this industry will be able to retain their jobs. References ACIl Talsman, 2012. An economic analysis of the live exportation of cattle from Northern Australia. [Online] Available at: https://www.rspca.org.au/sites/default/files/website/Campaigns/Live-export/Live-exports-vs-the-meat-trade/ACIL%20Tasman%202012%20-%20Economic%20analysis%20of%20live%20cattle%20exports.pdf [Accessed 5 September 2016]. ALEC, 2016. Livestock Export Statistics. [Online] Available at: https://auslivestockexport.com/trade-statistics/ [Accessed 6 September 2016]. Alford, P. Franklin, M., 2011. Jakarta fights live Cattle export ban. The Australian, 9 June. Available at:. [Accessed 5 September 2016]. Harlan, C., 2016. Chinas economic downturn is threatening one of the worlds greatest success stories. The Washington Post, 1 February. Hill, C.W.L., Cronk. Wickramasekera, 2015. Global Business Today. McGraw Hill Education. IMF, 2016. Proactive Reforms Critical to Chinas Medium-Term Growth Prospects. USA: IMF. Jericho, G., 2015. Chinas slumping economy a bigger threat to Australia than its plunging stock market. The Guardian, 27 August. Li, N., 2015. How to view China's Cureewnt Economic Situation. [Online] Available at: https://www.chinausfocus.com/finance-economy/how-to-view-chinas-current-economic-situation/ [Accessed 5 September 2016]. Ma, W., 2015. What the Chinese economic slowdown means for Australia. [Online] Available at: https://www.news.com.au/finance/executive-lounge/what-the-chinese-economic-slowdown-means-for-australia/news-story/655a8cf4f052e34032ca34d7564c8aa0 [Accessed 5 September 2016]. McKenna, G., 2016. Here's a great summary of where China's economy is at, and why it matters for Australia. Business Insider, 13 Feb. OEC, 2015. Australia. OEC. Owens, J., 2015. Indonesia dramatically cuts live cattle imports to only 50,000. The Australian, 14 July. The Conversation, 2013. Australian trade with Indonesia: whats really at stake? The Conversation, 28 November.