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Challenges to Democracy in America
Challenges to Democracy in America
2008 Speech UMA Frank F. Federation Islam
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to welcome you all to this hand and thank my team for giving me the opportunity to address you today on the theme of "Challenges of American democracy."
A 30 000 feet, American democracy seems to be working well. We had over 225 years to develop this bold concept of government, and, undoubtedly, democracy is a valuable form of government, as it recognizes the self-determining rights of individuals to create their own path in life.
However, Democracy in America any form of government is not perfect. It is a constant evolution, the organic model is based on proven principles, but periodically encounters challenges development impacts. Its evolution is a direct result of barriers meeting, which brings the momentum for change. Today, American democracy seems to be facing many challenges, which will determine the way the government in the future.
In short, America in the twenty-first century faces questions about how a democratic government should work. These include the recurring debates about the excessive influence of "special interests" and inequality of power and political influence, which have challenged the pluralist democratic orientation theory in the United States. Recent events and circumstances Questions have been raised about the meaning of democracy increasingly urgent. The 2000 election, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the 2004 elections have raised the issues central to regulatory requirements of democracy in America.
Democracy requires more than institutions Effective leaders accountable and prevent them from abusing their powers. It is also essential that the rights and freedoms of individuals be protected from abusive actions possible government, its leaders, or the majority of the citizenry. These protections are provided in the Constitution and its amendments, and American democracy requires that such rights and freedoms to be defended and upheld.
Today, American democracy faces many challenges (1) radical influences by those seeking of directing the government away from the people's will, (2) population growth – when you have many voices, multiple ethnicities, races, cultures, it is difficult reach a consensus, and (3) the growing gap between rich and poor. Whenever you have these gaps, it is difficult to find common ground is necessary for governance democratic.
I would like to discuss each of these issues in more detail:
(1) Radical Influences:
Certainly there are extreme positions on most major issues we face today. As an example, there are those who believe in no government authority and those who believe that government can solve everything. The correct answer is almost always found in the middle. Most people tend to be pragmatic and centrist on many things. But because our society has outlets so many voices are heard, those who are outside issues can often raise their voices above others simply taking advantage all of these outlets. For example, podcasting, blogs, and hundreds of TV channels offered by these radical with plenty of opportunities to harness the issues. In addition, passion is almost always with the radicals, so they tend to really exploitation.
Of course, the very purpose of democracy is to allow people to have their voices heard – so this is consistent with the good things about democracy. However, if policy makers only hear voices strong, then the true will of the people is lost. This is a real tension in democracy – not to raise barriers against free speech, however, trying to ensure that the majority opinion rises to the surface. Thus, the nature of democracy itself creates challenges.
This problem is compounded by the fact individuality that is so deeply ingrained in our culture today – in the sacrifice of a deep sense of civic duty. In other words, people tend to attach greater importance their own concerns of the majority. This is what motivates people to try to force their will on the majority, even though most clearly disagrees. If While democracy is designed to allow the expression of individualism, civic responsibility can sometimes be forgotten and the will of the majority may be lost.
(2) Population Growth:
As I said before, democracy in America is a form of representative government. To be effective, elected representatives should be able to meet the needs of his people and then go public policy accordingly. However, as we all know, the voices that spoken, the harder it is to reach a consensus. On the one hand, a flourishing democracy always attracts people and America has traditionally welcomed people with open arms. But as more and more people make up the fabric of America, the more difficult to discern clear patterns of the fabric. As our population grows, so does our diversity – which is itself a good thing. However, the benefits of diversity comes the challenge of finding consensus.
democracy U.S. is now challenged by the very nature of their success. We are achieving our goal of being the proverbial melting pot. Now we have raging debates about whether to have a language common – English – Or not. We have expressions of concern about whether people of a particular religion or race can be effective for the majority of representatives, as campaigns show Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. We have racially motivated acts of terror in our country – as evidenced by the Jenna 6 and the recent slaughter of a Mexican immigrant in Pennsylvania. And of course, we have ongoing debates about religion in government and whether the U.S. should be a Christian nation tour. Thus we have our problems, but it is only because our experiment to create a different country has been successful.
(3) widening gap between rich and poor:
American democracy is based on the principle that there should be equal opportunities for all. Without that, democracy begins to fail because you can not allow their participants to reach its objectives. There has been much discussion about the current enlargement of the gap between the richest Americans and most of the working class. John Edwards called this famous the existence of "two Americas" in his populist speeches. The truth is that the richest ten percent of Americans are more distanced of the poorest ten percent than ever before in our history. This creates a lack of interaction between various economic segments of the population and resulting to a divergence of interests and lack of understanding. The disenfranchised are beginning to lose faith in the effectiveness of government and democracy begins to break down. As an extension Breakthrough the challenge is to close the gap in understanding and to ensure that government mandates are respected. Moreover, as the poor get poorer, the effectiveness of law becomes diminished when people are forced to choose between support and enforcement. Thus the unusual success of American democracy has also allowed has created new challenges to be overcome.
The new millennium finds that American democracy in trouble. Symptoms include excessive corporate power, power excessive Presidency, the narrowing of eligibility issues and options for the public, contested elections, the erosion of civil liberties, corruption in high places, problems with domestic and foreign programs, and widespread public dissatisfaction and separation. Why has stopped responding the system to open the debate? What has thrown the relationship between the centers of power out of balance? What has reduced the limits of acceptable debate? Given that elections are where everything begins and from the United States claim to a government by the people rests on fair and meaningful elections, because the origins of the problems reasonably can be found.
The fund named in the policy process is that American democracy is exhausted and the risk of drifting into a deeper crisis in which the possible abuse power could frustrate the hopes of the American people. The main question asks how can this situation be turned around. Many have used "Decks public interest "as a common cause and the Environmental Defense Fund, but in general, have no significant influence on the elections or public policy.
Certainly, the challenges of American democracy are important for any democratic nation to consider. United States is the world's oldest democracy and continues to be the great laboratory of democratic experimentation. We have enjoyed great success and many obstacles along the way too. How have we managed these obstacles and our success has been saying – from the passage of civil rights laws of our role in helping develop our United Nations exercise of authority as a superpower.
In many ways, India is facing the same challenges that the United States, with its own form of democracy. The left radical right in India are equally extreme, the population growth and diversity is much greater than in the United States, the gap between rich and poor increasingly large, more established party politics and corruption widespread and extreme. However, India also seems to have a stronger tradition of public interest of democracy, which seems to be the way that America is headed. Thus, the way American democracy manages the challenges will be discussed direct relevance to India. This presents another opportunity for information exchange and knowledge transfer between these two great democracies, even when the roads finally chosen by the two great nations diverge.
Now I want to talk to you about why we should participate in the political process? When I say "we" I refer to as American Indians and as a Muslim. However, before I continue I would like to stress the importance of the upcoming elections. Election 2008 is very important because we are concerned about the sad state of our economy, high gas prices, stagnant wages, the rising costs of care health, job insecurity, the credit crisis and the war in Iraq. As we have all been affected by these problems in one way or another, I think if we stand together to be able to help elect a government that will be able to solve these problems.
I'd like to share with you some questions and answers raised by the community about why they must participate in the political process:
Q: Why should anyone contribute money to candidates? What important is giving money?
R: contribute because we believe it is part of our civic duty. This is a democracy and we are fortunate to have our voices heard. And one of the best ways to ensure that our voices are heard is to provide candidates with the necessary funding to run their campaigns, reaching out to citizens and then take their message to Washington.
Q: Do you get anything in return?
A: Yes, the knowledge that we participate in this democracy and exercised our right to express our opinion. Again, it is our civic duty as citizens to participate in democracy.
Q: How strong and active the indigenous community in the presidential election and what role they are playing?
A; The Indian community has recently become more active in the elections presidential. There are questions how much we impact, we must be involved. Immigration, taxes, global warming, and healthcare, to name few. But American Indians are still participating much less than other communities. For example, the Jewish community is much stronger politically proportion. We have a good start, but there is much work to do. At first, very few American Indians participated. Now, with the emergence of the second generation, the global importance of India, and the incredible economic success of the Indian community, there are some positive changes: greater participation, more activism, more contributions, and even the American Indians to be elected.
Q: Indian Americans play a role in shaping Indo-US relations?
A; Yes We are increasingly involved in this process. American Indians are helping to understand the political dynamics of both countries and find common ground common. situation of American Indians bicultural places them in a unique position to broaden understanding between countries. Proof of this is progress in trade internationally and within the 123 nuclear agreement.
Now I would like to talk to you about why it is important for the Muslim community remained employed and participate in the political process.
As I said before, civic engagement is one of the fundamental ways of taking ownership of our future as controlled by U.S. policy. Various laws and ordinances that are passed on to local, state and national level impact our lives directly and regularly. Define the scope of our possibilities and limits of our rights and freedoms in all aspects of civic life. Given our low level of political commitment before the 911 terrorist attacks, there are very few friends in the government in the wake of 911, the legacy of which is still felt today. Apart from the practical reasons, not mandatory religious for us too.
First, it is the duty of American Muslims to participate constructively in the political process, but only either to protect their rights and support the views and causes they favor. Their participation can also improve the quality of information disseminated about Islam. We call to this the involvement of a "duty" because they consider it simply a "right" that can be abandoned or a "permit" that can be ignored. It falls into the category of protection needs and ensure the improvement of the Muslim community in this country.
Secondly, all legitimate means or tool that helps to achieve these noble goals is equally judged. This includes:
1. The designation of an American Muslim responsible for election to any position where their presence can guarantee either bringing benefits to American Muslims and other citizens or to avoid harm to them. These range from the posts of mayor, state governor, and members of municipal councils and education, all the way to accession in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
2. Auto-bid by an American Muslim, whether the initiative for appointment is not carried out by the community, or whether election laws require this type of application.
3. The adoption of a non-Muslim candidate if he / she be more beneficial and less harmful to the Muslim community American and the rest of the country.
4. Providing financial support to a non-Muslim candidate.
5. Obtaining U.S. citizenship. that citizenship highlights the true diversity of this country and is a necessary condition for participation in the political process.
6. Both register to vote and participation in elections and voting are means to an end.
7. Protection of Muslim civil rights in this country and enjoy the positive interaction with other Americans require Muslims of America to participate in acts of deliberation to reach a consensus on principles tolerate and general disagreement about the issues in dispute.
8. The Muslim minority should have a fair opportunity to practice their faith (as guaranteed by the United States Constitution).
9. Both the art of persuasion and the science of public relations have an important role should not be passed overlooked.
Every credible American Muslim organization needs to step up to the plate in order to empower our community in the field of its legal framework. Community empowerment is successful only when the whole community is involved. Take, for example, the civil rights movement. It was a success because all African-Americans were united in their demand for constitutional rights.
Most of the issues directly affect us are, in effect decided in local levels. However, we must also note the importance of policy issues as domestic and foreign Muslim Americans – which is largely an immigrant community – and the issues fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government and national politics.
If we do not participate in the policy scenarios, we deprive ourselves of having a voice on issues like U.S. foreign policy toward Muslim countries, policies, laws affecting immigrants and immigration, which governing civil liberties and profiles, judicial appointments, etc. So we have in mind that if it is important to focus on local politics, just can not neglect the national policy.
There are many more compelling reasons you can get to make a defense of the importance of political commitment local. However, as we move forward, let's not forget the possibility of developing Muslim candidates. Like the development of any candidate, you must start at local. As they mature, they must also be mobilized to support their aspiration for national offices.
We must establish a network of active state PACs and coordinate them with a federal PAC, we can indeed have a very powerful engine politician with a far-reaching impact on the defense of constitutional rights and promoting the interests fairness of the American Muslim community.
I know I have taxed your patience. Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to speak with you today. I wish all of them continued success in the future and hope our paths cross again.
Thanks for your time.
God bless.
About the Author
