Examine and discuss the role of bureaucracy in the political process.
Examine and discuss the role of bureaucracy in the political process. A bureaucracy is merely a means. It is a servant of government, a mean by which a monarchy, aristocracy, democracy or other forms of government rule. It involves impersonal official rules and a hierarchal arrangement of office or its positions. It is mostly associated with government administration and according to Max Weber, bureaucracy is increasingly dominant in modern societies because it is the most efficient form of administration yet demised. However, Weber argues that those subject to bureaucratic control can't beat a bureaucracy except with the aid of another one. Politics in general, is the way in which people gain, use and lose power or control. The essence of politics on the other hand is a struggle. To attain power, political leaders must be selected through the competitive struggle. This essay will examine and discuss the role of bureaucracy in the political process. This will take into account the politician / administration dichotomy, whereby the principles of administration are ensured regardless of who is in power, which maintains procedures. Principles are neutral and their purpose is to facilitate the implementation of policy of any government equally. Governments oversee the affairs of the nation assisted and advised by a number of individuals and groups. Also in modern democratic
ur Ruhe kam diese Streit nicht durch..
ur Ruhe kam diese Streit nicht durch.. Zur Ruhe kam diese Streit nicht durch wissenschaftliche Ueberzeugung des Gegners, sondern als die Zoelle des Jahres 1902 die Forderungen der Landwirtschaft erfuellten... Kehr here describes how the arguments between the aristocratic agrarian faction and the bourgeois industrial factions about the insufficiency of German food production in time of war and the problems of blockade were alleviated not by resolution of the problems, but by the tolls and tariffs of 1902 which made it possible to reform farming to some extent. The aristocratic-agrarian bloc at the War Ministry did not reckon on needing to deal with food blockades in the event of war with England as the interior ministry had anticipated a surplus in supply following the reforms. The tolls had no point but to silence the claims of those who saw the food crisis as a matter of national importance. The problem of the food problem was reraised in 1912, but again, it was "tackled" by an agency whose role was to allow people to forget it. This whole issue supports Kehr's theory about the importance of the domestic politics of Germany in her view on the outside. Ignoring Germany's geographical fatal flaw concerning the ease of blockading her, the interests of the East Elbians was placed at a higher level of importance than national security. The tolls were passed in order to
To what extent can one say that the Brezhnev Era was the 'Golden Age' of the Soviet System?
To what extent can one say that the Brezhnev Era was the 'Golden Age' of the Soviet System? 'For several years he proved a competent, benign and dull manager of affairs of the aging soviet ruling elite'1 Universally observed as the least interesting leader of the Soviet Union, Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev served Soviet Russia for over eighteen years until his death in the autumn of 1982. For such a considerable time in power as the head of the USSR, his conservative style of leadership and political representation, have attracted little critical evaluation from scholars worldwide. Political stratagem of the Brezhnev administration was continuity and stability, in which many scholars and observers interpret as conservative stagnation. The term 'golden age' infers a time of enlightenment and prosperity, whether improvements of this stature can be attributed to the Brezhnev era more outstandingly than any other period of soviet rule, an in-depth look at political and economical improvements, at this time, and unquestioningly, the socio-cultural aptitude of late sixties and early seventies. With the policy of 'détente' firmly in place, foreign businesses ventured forth to trade with the Soviet Union, providing a boosting injection of cash into the economy. Western business ventures included a major German investment in the construction of the Siberian pipeline, which was to
Welfare State
WELFARE STATE Outline the development of the Welfare State over the last 100 years and comment on how the course of this development has reflected changes in political ideology. Illustrate your answer with examples of social policies in relation to one of the following: education, housing or health. Introduction Welfare in Britain is a framework largely controlled and provided by the state, it support those that cannot help themselves adequately. Also, we can define welfare state as government-protected minimum standards of income, health, housing and education assured as a political right, not as charity. The recession had made the government in the capitalist countries to have second-look of this perception In 1598 and continuing till 1900s British social policy was dominated by the Poor Law. The Victorian time which is the worst period of English poverty. The poor law in 1601 provided a compulsory poor rate, and setting the poor on work. The parish was the basic unit of administration to take care of the poor as a voluntary grouping. The changes of the industrial revolution led to the development of the towns, and cities. The commissioning of poor law in 1834 is to emphasis that the position of the poor must be less and workhouse will be the only relief - no relief outside the workhouse. The able people are drive out to work, no state intervention, which was seen
In what ways might the separation of powers be necessary for effective Democracy?
In what ways might the separation of powers be necessary for effective Democracy? Krysto Nikolic In order to investigate and analyse the necessity of powers in an effective democracy, we will look mainly at the work of Madison in The Federalist Papers but also at previous thought regarding the separation of powers. In his subliminal work, Madison argues for the bending of the separation of powers in order to protect them. Rejecting the earlier notion of complete autonomy, he moves for some sort of linkage between the different bodies of government; a system of checks and balances that would stave off any attempts at tyranny. His work, pragmatically, is an attempt to ratify the introduction of the American Constitution in New York, but his discussion holds deeper meaning for us. According to some, the introduction of the American constitution weakened legislative power by strengthening magisterial power, and by dividing the unitary legislature into two braches. All of this was in the name of the abstract principle of the separation of powers, which for the framers of the constitution embodied a counter ideal of liberty. However, the seemingly rational division of government into three separate functions - the making, executing, and adjudicating of laws - carried with it historically in the British world and even theoretically in the writings of both Locke and
Explain the weaknesses of the Tsarist state inherited by Nicholas II
Q. Explain the weaknesses of the Tsarist state inherited by Nicholas II The Tsarist state inherited by Nicholas II consisted of many weaknesses. The deficiencies in the state he inherited in 1895 combined to mean that he was on his way to heading a weak state. The weaknesses and faults present at the time of Nicholas's inheritance consisted largely of political problems (autocracy, bureaucracy, military etc), social weaknesses and tensions, faults in the economy and other factors that all combined to make Russia a weak state. Pictured Above: Tsar Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra and their five children. A large and recurring problem in the state that Nicholas inherited was undoubtedly the fact that Russia was autocratic, which meant as Tsar he had unlimited powers and could virtually rule the nation as he saw fit. At the time of Nicholas's appointment he strived to maintain the country's autocratic nature and in fact this was his one fixed idea that autocracy should be preserved under his rule. He was utterly against the idea of reforming the Russian government and in any way limiting his powers as Tsar, despite opposition from reformists. Many reformist groups posed problems to Nicholas's Tsarist regime and wanted gradual change to the Tsarist system. There were many reformist groups inside Russia that opposed the Tsar and the government in general and they actively tried
Explain the main features of welfare reform from 1979 to the present day.
Explain the main features of welfare reform from 1979 to the present day. 60 marks. The welfare state is a system in which the state takes responsibility for providing at least the minimum conditions of social and economic security by providing public services such as housing, healthcare, sickness, unemployment benefits and pensions. The welfare state in Britain was largely a result of the Liberal reforms of 1906 and the Beveridge plan of 1944, which itself was accepted by the Labour government under Atlee in 1945. Beveridge saw a system of social insurance, paid for directly through insurance contributions and indirectly through taxation, as a means of abolishing the five evils 'want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness'. Beyond the safety net, Beveridge also saw the elimination of poverty requiring the provision of health, education, culture and labour policies providing full employment. In terms of social policy, the historical position of the main parties differ somewhat. The Lib Dems, favour a self-funding welfare state system, which is non-judgemental and open ended. The Labour party favour a welfare state system that ensures that those who need assistance should and could get it. There would therefore be some level of assessment as to need and eligibility. The Conservatives traditionally favour self-responsibility, they believe the state should not provide.
Organized Crime
Abstract: The presence of Mafia was felt ever since it originated in 9th century on the island of Sicily. Originally this secret society was targeting the wealthy in order to exhume money from them in return for "protection". With years passed Mafiosi activities evolved into drug trafficking, money laundering, and political influence to control governments; but the basic structure stayed the same including idea of family, strong hierarchical layout, and taking a sacred oath at the initiation. Organized crime posses a threat to international financial markets and can also be damaging to political structures especially in a newly formed governments. But at the same time law enforcement never could easily bring to justice offenders of these kinds of crime. Most people associate the word "mafia" with organized crime. They think right away about the famous Italian Mafia, or more recently about Sopranos. But in reality "mafia" means "refuge" in Arabic language, and has been present in some form since the 9th century. This kind of secret society originated in Sicily when Normans invaded the island, and native tribes were oppressed and forced into labor. To avoid this fate they were forced to move and hide in the hills of Sicily, but with every new invasion those refuges were sought out again. This secret society was at that time mostly intended to unify the natives against their
Account for the victory of the Bolsheviks in 1917.
Account for the victory of the Bolsheviks in 1917 Contrary to Soviet propaganda, the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 was not a popular and unified uprising by the Russian proletariat but instead a coup d'etat planned and carried out by an elite group of professional revolutionaries. As Pipes argues, the Bolshevik Revolution was not inevitable and was in fact a fluke of history. Before and even during 1917, a Bolshevik victory appeared to be most unlikely. The Bolsheviks only had a small support base amongst the working class, which in itself was a minority societal group in Russia, with the majority of the peasant masses placing their loyalty with the Socialist Revolutionaries. Lenin's tactical blunder during the July Days signalled the end of the Bolsheviks, yet only three months later they had successfully taken power. This essay shall examine the different factors in the Bolshevik victory looking specifically at the inherent weakness of the Provisional Government and its failure to deliver meaningful social and economic reforms, as well as its insistence to continue with the War; the importance of Lenin's April Theses in acting as an alternative to the Provisional Government; the significance of both the July Days and the Kornilov fiasco; the role of the Petrograd Soviet; the organisational skill of Trotsky and the charismatic and lucky leadership of Lenin. The only
What is Thatcherism? Did it Suceed?
What is Thatcherism? Did it Suceed? In 1979 Margaret Thatcher took over from James Callaghan as Prime Minister. On being appointed she appealled, in the words of Francis of Assisi for help in bringing harmony when there is discord. For the next eleven years Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister winning an incredible three general elections. During this time, though, her style was anything but harmonious. This style and the policies that came to be associated with them came to be known as Thatcherism. There are several identifiable aspects of Thatcherism which helped her and her government stay in power for so long and improve the United Kingdom so immeasurably. Throughout the 1970s Britain had been subjected to a series of damaging strikes and terrific inflation. The Tories 1979 manifesto pledged to encourage private enterprise, lower taxes and restore power to the individual. What Thatcherism was promising at the end of the Seventies was the formula for renewed economic success in Britain through reinvigoration of the supply side of the economy. The high inflation crisis in Britain's economy was gradually defeated under the Thatcher government. In 1978, domestic production in the U.K. only grew by 1% while consumer spending went up by 5%.An unacceptably high level of inflation resulted. In the early years, the Thatcher government committed itself to gradual reductions in
