Does Democracy Work for the Entire World Essay - 1413 Words

Does Democracy Work for the Entire World? Immanuel Kant—the father of Liberal Internationalism—envisioned a world not torn by hostilities and fraught with the horrors of war. Instead he aspired to a higher level of existence— an existence to be obtained through democracy and free market capitalism, to be regulated by a hierarchy, to maintain sovereignty. Kant’s vision of a league of peace—a treaty to end all wars forever, so to speak—has yet to be accomplished. These hopes for a perpetual peace taunt and mock those in the international field and will continue to do so forever, in light of the improbability that such a level will be attained. Though democratization and globalization have yielded many positive outcomes, it is†¦show more content†¦In less developed countries, democracy and capitalism help expand peace and justice in many ways. These systems promote equal opportunity and choice, which often result in growth in many of the interconnected sectors. However, simple growth in these nations is not enough, as growth does not require two of the most important attributes for expanding peace and justice; that is, the elements of sustainability and equality are not accounted for. Justice is defined by different people in various ways, but it is very commonly associated with fairness. Instating a free market economic structure in a nation may promote growth, but this growth does not usually occur across the board. In fact, it often results in an increase in income inequality. That the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer is a fact illustrated by the shrinking middle class around the world. A system in which wealth is concentrated in the hands of few is inherently unjust, and as long as such massive injustices occur, how can peace take hold? Even with the pretense of the United States as a paradigm of justice, one can see that the top 20% of income holders controls 45.8% of income in comparison to the 5.4% of income controlled by the lowest 20%. Though these numbers represent much more inequality than many would expect of the US,Show MoreRelatedIs Islam a Religion of Peace?1879 Words   |  7 Pagesof the current prevalent terrorism of today’s world, as the religion of peace. In saying so, it is implied that Islam, as a religion, is opposed to warfare, extremism and terrorist activities. On the contrary, in the realm of political science, democracy is the system of government that is set up on a high pedestal. Democracy is not only portrayed as inherently virtuous, but is also a system that ensures peace and harmony in any region. Both democracy and Islam thus claim the right to peace, howeverRead MoreEssay on Platos Ideas of an Inefficient Democracy997 Words   |  4 PagesPlatos Ideas of an Inefficient Democra cy Platos Republic describes precisely how he feels about society and what the true meaning of justice is within that society. Plato feels that a city can only function if each of pieces does its part and nothing else. He also thinks that a perfect society should run on a distinct social scale. This scale descends in the order from the philosopher kings to the guardians to the craftspeople. His ideal society would be run in the form of an aristocracyRead MoreEssay on Liberal Democracy1087 Words   |  5 PagesLiberal Democracy Liberal democracy, with a capitalist economy, is the only form of social organization that will work in this world. Socialism and Communism appear to be sound in theory, but would never come close to achieving what capitalism does. 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John Macy wrote, in The Spirit of American Literature, â€Å"Only one day in the century of American literatureRead MoreThomas Paine And The Undermining Of American Democracy1012 Words   |  5 PagesAmerican Democracy There has always been a relationship between religion and democracy. Religion provides the framework and moral boundaries for democracy. Democracy preaches freedom but not absolute freedom, religion decides what freedom is necessary for democracy to work. The question then becomes, what religion is the best fit for a thriving democracy. Thomas Paine, political activist, philosopher, political theorist, believes that a deistic religion is necessary for democracy to functionRead MoreThe Is The Body Of Governments Made Up Of Different Candidates1095 Words   |  5 PagesIn my opinion democracy is the body of governments made up of different candidates from all 50 states of equality, rights and privileges. The understanding of democracy is having knowledge of the rights and wrong of equality. Some decisions made by the government aren’t always pleasing. The government needs to make changes to accommodate not just partial communities, or three fourths of society but at least acco mmodate fifty- percent of society and then work up to making a worldwide changing lawRead MoreRousseaus Concept of Democracy Essay995 Words   |  4 PagesRousseau describes democracy as a form of government that â€Å"has never existed and never will† ; yet twenty-six countries in the world are considered to be full democracies. How can this be possible? Rousseau’s concept of democracy supports the most fundamental and basic premise of democracy – one in which all citizens directly participate. While his idea of democracy cannot be considered an effective indictment of what passes for democracy today, it is not Rousseau’s account which is flawed but thatRead More Democracy is NOT Right for All Nations Essay1117 Words   |  5 PagesIs Democracy the Right Thing For All Nations? No, Democracy is Not Right For All Nations. Merriam-Webster defines the word Democracy as a government by the people, rule of the majority, a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. It is a government designed for the peoples choice for their ruling of themselves and others within their communityRead MoreEssay about The Central American Free Trade Agreement1178 Words   |  5 Pagesparticipate in this treaty are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This proposed agreement stems primarily from the fact the United States relies on Central America as a primary export market. In fact, it is believed this area of world is Americas 18th largest export target. Another contributing factor to the proposed agreement comes from what is believed to be an unfair trade policy. During the presidency of Ronald Reagan, Central American countries had many tariffs sla shed underRead MoreThe Electoral Systems Used On The Middle East And North Africa1135 Words   |  5 Pagesposition that proportional representation (PR) is what would suit the areas most effectively with their emerging democracies. Timothy M. Meisburger opposes this in Getting Nahirtuabusn Right written in 2012. Meisburger believes that â€Å"their essay runs a vein of implicit or explicit support for the idea that electoral systems based on [PR] of political parties will be best for whatever democracies may emerge in the MENA region, while majoritarian systems are more conducive to authoritarianism. † (155) .