Democracy in India - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1358 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2019/02/15 Category Politics Essay Level High school Tags: Democracy Essay Did you like this example? The Republic of India was created in 1950 and held its first elections in 1951. Universal suffrage (for adults) was adopted from the beginning, with contestation between 14 political parties. India is a parliamentary system with a bicameral legislature, the Rajya Sabha (upper house) consists of members appointed by the president and state legislatures. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Democracy in India" essay for you Create order The Lok Sabha is the lower house, elected by the people. Until the end of the 1977, a single party, Congress, dominated parliament. Starting from 1967, the Congress party headed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi attempted to make amendments to the Constitution in order to nullify Supreme Court judgements. The end of a war with Pakistan as well as the 1973 oil crisis caused economic problems in India, leading to a rise in political opposition to the Congress party. In 1975, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared a state of emergency, upon PM Gandhi’s advice. All civil liberties were suspended as Gandhi descended with a series of political crackdowns arresting protestors, banning political parties, and arresting political opponents within and outside of her party. This state of emergency was approved every six months (as required by the Constitution) until 1977, when elections were held again and Congress faced its first electoral defeat. Since then, the strength of this hegemon ic party has weakened, with other national and regional based parties gaining significant favor in years since. In this paper, we will look at India’s democratic system since 1977, and compare it conceptualizations of democracy by Dahl and Prezowski as well as the Polity IV rating of Indian democracy. I will also talk about how well democracy in India has worked for its citizens by looking at persisting problems in the system. In the 2014 elections, there were 35 parties that won at least one seat in the Indian Parliament. Around 730 political parties are recognized by the election commission. These small parties often represent the interests of members of a particular region, religion, or caste. Public contestation is surely present in India, along with universal suffrage, India would fall into Dahl’s description of a Polyarchy, characterized by high levels of liberalization and inclusiveness. Of his Eight Institutional Guarantees, the first four: freedom to form and join organizations, freedom of expression, right to vote, and eligibility for public office are present in Indian democracy. The Polity IV Country Report for India (2010) scores political participation at a 9, however writes about the complexity of this participation and the many problems it has caused. The Congress Party was able to represent various interests of Indian society and brought it into a centralized institutional framework . The report writes â€Å"While the institutions of Indian democracy remain strong†¦ in recent years they have been increasingly challenged by the centrifugal nature of Indian society and the institutional decay of the post-Congress party system.† (Polity IV) The strength of national parties has given way to the rise of smaller regional parties that put national interest second to their own. In addition the parties have been characterized with rampant corruption, â€Å"vehicles for individual ambition† (Polity IV), and factionalism. The presence of many parties creates the need for a coalition system, and India is moving toward a two-coalition system. However, the political leaders frequently go from one party to another, and parties themselves regularly change coalitions. This leads to the conclusion that while inclusiveness and liberalization are present at high levels in India, the system itself is so damaged by tensions in the fractious coalitions as well as t he lack of benevolent leaders in these democratically elected parties that democratic stability is not present in India. Both general and political illiteracy and a middle class of apathetic voters leads to the persistence of these problematic leaders and parties despite their clear track record of doing harm. Dahl’s 6th Institutional Guarantee, the presence of alternative sources of information is necessary for citizens to be able to signify their presence. Unfortunately, India has consistently scored poorly in press freedom. Freedom House categorizes press freedom status as only â€Å"partly free.† In 2005, the Right to Information Act was passed, giving any citizen the right to request information from any public authority which must respond within 30 days. However, due to the broad restrictions in this act, the majority of the requests have been blocked. Additionally, the 6 national political parties have simply refused to provide information despite the law applying to them as well, according to a 2013 ruling by the Central Information Commission. Journalists who have called out Hindu nationalist groups for crimes as heinous as sex trafficking, and others who wrote about how the government ministry has discriminated against Muslims have had charges filed against them. Wh ile the majority of these do not end in convictions, the use of authority to silence journalists is very powerful and can cause others to withhold information in the future due to the risk of criminal charges. In the militarized zone of Jammu and Kashmir, authorities have shut down many newspapers and limited the access to internet services. Hindi news channel NDTV had been told to cease broadcasting for 24 hours after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting found a problem with their reporting during an attack on an Indian Air Force Base by militants. PM Modi has encouraged senior government officials to follow his steps and give very limited access to press, he himself has only done a few interviews during his time as Prime Minister. Additionally, a handful of journalists have even been killed by Hindu nationalist groups and others during times of great political violence. I use Dahl’s conceptualization of democracy in relation to India because it offers a comprehensive selection of criteria that highlight different aspects of true democracy. If I were to use Przeworski’s conceptualization, India’s democracy would seem relatively strong. This conceptualization is mainly to distinguish between democracy and dictatorship, and therefore uses a minimalistic conceptualization of democracy. Contestation (determined by ex-ante uncertainty, ex-post irreversibility and repeatability) to fill government offices is what defines a democracy. As long as the chief executive and the legislature are elected, and there is more than one party, the regime is considered democratic. India is easily considered democratic by these measures, as it is according to Dahl’s rules except for the emphasis on freedom of press. Polity IV’s measures are a complement to this as well. They write in their 2010 report that while the elections in India ar e extremely free and fair, â€Å"political violence continues to be a common feature of electoral politics in India.† Additionally, while the president is formally listed as the executive power, in reality the role of the executive lands with the Prime Minister. Due to the presence of coalitions in Parliament, India’s prime ministers have had to let go of the values of their parties in order to maintain a majority faction in parliament. This acts as a strong accountability system, as the power of a majority is more beneficial to a party than strongly pursuing ideological goals. While India is without doubt a democracy, the largest in the world, in fact, the lack of development, rise and persistence of inequality and illiteracy, and the divisive nature of the communalism in its politics has shown that democracy does not necessarily lead to economic development, nor make the country better off. There are serious foundational problems within the country that need fixed, mainly the apathy to corruption and emphasis on religious or caste identity rather than a single strong national identity has allowed many problems to persist and worsen. The lack of literacy allows the â€Å"bad† politicians to continue to be reelected, since people will simply vote based on who is more sympathetic to their religion or ethnicity. I would add conditions to Dahl’s conceptualization of democracy, such as the decrease of political violence after a democratic transition, and decrease of inequality, since if the people are being represented fairly, they should become b etter off. Until this starts to occur in India, I would say democracy is hurting the citizens, allowing political elites to play games with the citizens to maintain power, as they divide and conquer on superficial terms making the rest of the country continuously shed violence on one another.

What Is Cubism in Art History

Cubism began as an idea and then it became a style. Based on Paul Cà ©zannes three main ingredients - geometricity, simultaneity (multiple views) and passage - Cubism tried to describe, in visual terms, the concept of the Fourth Dimension. Cubism is a kind of Realism. It is a conceptual approach to realism in art, which aims to depict the world as it is and not as it seems. This was the idea. For example, pick up any ordinary cup. Chances are the mouth of the cup is round. Close your eyes and imagine the cup. The mouth is round. It is always round - whether you are looking at the cup or remembering the cup. To depict the mouth as an oval is a falsehood, a mere device to create an optical illusion. The mouth of a glass is not an oval; it is a circle. This circular form is its truth, its reality. The representation of a cup as a circle attached to the outline of its profile view communicates its concrete reality. In this respect, Cubism can be considered realism, in a conceptual, rather than perceptional way. A good example can be found in Pablo Picassos Still Life with Compote and Glass (1914-15), where we see the circular mouth of the glass attached to its distinctive fluted goblet shape. The area that connects two different planes (top and side) to one another is passage. The simultaneous views of the glass (top and side) is simultaneity. The emphasis on clear outlines and geometric forms is geometricity. To know an object from different points of view takes time, because you move the object around in space or you move around the object in space. Therefore, to depict multiple views (simultaneity) implies the Fourth Dimension (time). Two Groups of Cubists There were two groups of Cubists during the height of the movement, 1909 to 1914. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) and Georges Braque (1882-1963) are known as the Gallery Cubists because they exhibited under contract with Daniel-Henri Kahnweilers gallery. Henri Le Fauconnier (1881-1946), Jean Metzinger (1883-1956), Albert Gleizes (181-1953), Fernand Là ©ger (1881-1955), Robert Delaunay (1885-1941), Juan Gris (1887-1927), Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968), Raymond Duchamp-Villon (1876-1918), Jacques Villon (1875-1963) and Robert de la Fresnaye (1885-1925) are know as the Salon Cubists because they exhibited in exhibitions supported by public funds (salons) Whose Painting Started Cubism? Textbooks often cite Picassos Les Demoiselles dAvignon (1907) as the first Cubist painting.This belief may be true, because the work displays the three essential ingredients in Cubism: geometricity, simultaneity and passage. But Les Demoiselles dAvignon was not shown publicly until 1916. Therefore, its influence was limited. Other art historians argue that Georges Braques series of LEstaque landscapes executed in 1908 were the first Cubist paintings. The art critic Louis Vauxcelles called these pictures nothing but little cubes. Legend has it that Vauxcelles parroted Henri Matisse (1869-1954), who presided over the jury of1908 Salon dAutomne, where Braque first submitted his LEstaque paintings. Vauxcelles assessment stuck and went viral, just like his critical swipe at Matisse and his fellow Fauves. Therefore, we might say that Braques work inspired the word Cubism in terms of a recognizable style, but Picassos Demoiselles dAvignon launched the principles of Cubism through its ideas. How Long Has Cubism Been a Movement? There are four periods of Cubism: Early Cubism or Cà ©zannisme (1908-1910)Analytic Cubism (1910-12)Synthetic Cubism (1912-1914)Late Cubism (1915-present) Although the height of the Cubism period occurred before World War I, several artists continued the Synthetic Cubists style or adopted a personal variation of it. Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) demonstrates the influence of Synthetic Cubism in his painting (a.k.a. Dressing Room), 1952. What Are the Key Characteristics of Cubism? Geometricity, a simplication of figures and objects into geometrical components and planes that may or may not add up to the whole figure or object known in the natural world.Approximation of the Fourth Dimension.Conceptual, instead of perceptual, reality.Distortion and deformation of known figures and forms in the natural world., the overlapping and interpenetration of planes.Simultaneity or multiple views, different points of view made visible on one plane. Suggested Reading: Antiff, Mark and Patricia Leighten. The Cubism Reader.Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2008. Antliff, Mark and Patricia Leighten. Cubism and Culture.New York and London: Thames and Hudson, 2001. Cottington, David. Cubism in the Shadow of War: The Avant-Garde and Politics in France 1905-1914.New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1998. Cottington, David. Cubism.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Cottington, David. Cubism and its Histories.Manchester and New York: Manchester University Press, 2004 Cox, Neil. Cubism.London: Phaidon, 2000. Golding, John. Cubism: A History and an Analysis, 1907-1914.Cambridge, MA: Belknap/Harvard University Press, 1959; rev. 1988. Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art.Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1983. Karmel, Pepe. Picasso and the Invention of Cubism.New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2003. Rosenblum, Robert. Cubism and the Twentieth Century.New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1976; original 1959. Rubin, William. Picasso and Braque: Pioneers of Cubism.New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1989. Salmon, Andrà ©. La Jeune Peinture franà §aise, in Andrà © Salmon on Modern Art.Translated by Beth S. Gersh-Nesic.New York: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Staller, Natasha. A Sum of Destructions: Picassos Culture and the Creation of Cubism.New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2001.

Analysis of AP by John Updike - 533 Words

â€Å"AP† (supermarket) is a short story written by the hardworking and highly productive John Updike and narrated in first person by a 19-year-old protagonist and cashier named Sammy. It was published in 1961 and is about Sammy’s change of character and coming of age. Updike uses the various shifts in tone, great attention to detail, and a great deal of symbolism to portray the significant change. The opening sentence â€Å" In walks three girls in nothing but bathing suits† (par.1) sets up the colloquial tone; it’s as if Sammy was talking to a friend. As the story goes on, the tone shifts from being informal to a little comical. He refers to the people in the checkout lane as â€Å"sheep† and â€Å"scared pigs in a chute.† However, by the end the tone shifts yet again and becomes heroic. The act of quitting a job (climax) in defiance of Lengel’s (manager and antagonist) unfair treatment of the girls is a strong indication of chan ge in character. Sammy hoped the girls would notice his act of heroism. Ironically, the girls do not hear him. Instead, they head out forever disappearing from his life. Sammy’s description of AP (setting) gives a dull and conventional illustration. On the contrary, the description of the girls was sharp and bright, characterizing him as a typical hormone- driven teenager. He describes the first girl, Plaid (nickname), as a â€Å"chunky kid, with a good tan† dressed in a bright green plaid two-piece bathing suit (par. 1). The second girl, Big TallShow MoreRelatedJohn Updike aP Analysis1508 Words   |  7 PagesHanks Aamp;P- In John Updikes Aamp;P, choices and consequences are portrayed as a fundamental and recurring theme throughout the story. Many can understand the idea of repercussions for specific decisions and actions, which makes this story very relatable to most audiences. The story encompasses numerous ideologies paramount to human development and philosophy. Dismantling the story can help depict underlain meanings and asses the ambiguous nature of humanity. The construct of Aamp;P portraysRead MoreAnalysis Of A P By John Updike731 Words   |  3 PagesIn â€Å"AP†, John Updike uses compelling diction, language, and description to enhance the perspective of Sammy within the story and his final decision to quit his job. The use of imagery within the supermarket develops the environment Sammy worked in to a greater extent and painted diverse pictures of the customers. The derogatory descriptions of Lengel and some customers was also significant in terms of revealing Sammy’s emotio ns about his job at AP. The nature of the situation with the girls andRead MoreAnalysis Of A P By John Updike1324 Words   |  6 PagesNovember 2015 2015 Unavoidable Conflict Sammy is a local cashier in a grocery store called AP who resents the local town and disagrees with the local populous. A strong willed teenager who is more than aware of himself tries to get a firm footing in the town. When this backfires Sammy becomes drastic and hastily makes a decision to try to fix all of the issues. To capture this idea in AP by John Updike, it illustrates the struggles of a young teenage male, where his beliefs are against that ofRead MoreAnalysis Of A P By John Updike845 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The sheep pushing against the carts down the aisle - the girls were walking against the traffic - were pretty hilarious† (Updike AP). The title of this story is AP, written by John Updike. The main characters shown in this story are Sammy, The Three Girls, Lengel, and Stokesie. Here’s a brief summary, â€Å"Three girls walk into AP wearing bikinis. Sammy’s constantly looks at â€Å"Queenie†, the group leader. Stokesie joins in as Sammy watches the girls go aisle after aisle. As the girls reach to theRead MoreAnalysis Of A P By John Updike1560 Words   |  7 PagesJalen Johnson Ms. Mahaffey Eng 102 10/15/17 Feminism in AP In the story â€Å"AP† by John Updike he tries to portray the conventional lifestyle and tendency of his community. The story â€Å"AP† proves how feminism was a large part of the conservative lifestyle and is still present today. AP helps you visualize how sexism could be happening right under our noses. The story is told through the main character Sammy, who is an ordinary teenager in the small town. Sammy makes a courageous effort to fight feminismRead MoreAnalysis Of A P By John Updike895 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"In walks these three girls in nothing but bathing suits† (Updike 1). With the previous quote, would one believe that the storyline is set in a grocery store? In John Updike’s â€Å"AP,† Sammy is the main character. The entire narrative happens through his eyes. Having three out of the ordinary girls walk into the A P mystified Sammy as well as the other men in the store. The tale follows the girls around while they shop and until t hey leave. It carefully describes what aisles the girls pass throughRead MoreAnalysis Of John Updike s A P 1804 Words   |  8 Pagesit’s seemingly infallibility. Most young people feel invincible, but really it is their naivety and inability to understand the harsh concept of reality that enables this behavior. While a common theme in literature, John Updike gives the tale of youth a consumerist spin in â€Å"AP†. Updike tells the story of Sammy the cashier, who see’s himself as superior to those around him and believes he will turn out nothing like the adults he’s surrounded with. He seems to get his chance to be great when some beautifulRead MoreAnalysis Of John Updike s A P1293 Words   |  6 PagesJohn Updike is viewed by his readers as a progressive voice in his work that promotes feminist issues. He makes these issues stand out more evidently, rather than hidden, in order for the reader to realize how women are viewed in society. From reading Updike’s AP, the story sends the message to readers of genders working together to strive for equality. If readers do not carefully and actively read AP they may miss key messages about the power men hold over women, not just in society but in literatureRead MoreAnalysis Of John Updike s A P2577 Words   |  11 Pagescome together and declare allegiance to a similar core of beliefs. And, when they do, they ask a particular set of question about a literary work. Each different way of analyzing a literary work elicits a different set of questions. AP, a short story by John Updike, would best be analyzed by using the school of New Criticism and analyzing the journey Sammy, the narrator, experiences throughout the story. The school of New Criticism believes that the work’s overall meaning depends solely on the textRead MoreAnalysis Of John Updike s A P2084 Words   |  9 Pagesallegiance to a similar core of beliefs. Once they do, they ask a particular set of questions about the literary work. Each different way of analyzing brings up different sets of questions. There are a total of seven different schools. John Updike’s short story A P, would be analyzed best using the school of New Criticism and analyzing Sammy’s experience throughout the day. New Criticism is the work’s overall meaning depending on the text in front of the reader. In high school or in freshman college

Emmeline Pankhurst Brief Essay free essay sample

Emmeline Pankhurst and the Suffragettes James McHale At the beginning of the 20th century, women did not have the right to vote in Britain, one of the world’s leading democracies of the time. This desire for suffrage led to a bitter and often violent struggle between Britain’s government and its women. Arguably the most recognisable women’s activist group was The Suffragettes, led by Emmeline Pankhurst. Pankhurst was an effective leader of the often violent and militant group. She employed a number of different tactics in stages, and she herself led by example in many situations. The Suffragette movement are best known for their violent tactics; however, Emmeline Pankhurst led them through three distinct stages of their campaign. The first (1903-05) was a stage of peaceful protest. The second (1905-14) was known as the violent phase. The final stage (1914-18) was a period of active and dedicated support to the British government in fighting the war. We will write a custom essay sample on Emmeline Pankhurst Brief Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page These changes in tactics were an example of exceptional leadership as Pankhurst went to every extent possible to make her cause known and force the government to do something about it. Pankhurst was also an active member of the suffragettes. She led by example in many situations. â€Å"Emmeline Pankhurst, fragile in appearance but stronger than any of them, was ever in the forefront of the action. † ‘Sunday Telegraph, August 8, 1993. ’ On March 1, 1911 Mrs Pankhurst threw four stones through the window of 10 Downing Street and was arrested. Whilst in jail, Pankhurst demanded that all other Suffragettes arrested would also be treated as political prisoners, she was told no and thus went on a hunger strike until they were. Many other women followed Pankhurst’s example and refused to eat. Many people are divided as to whether Emmeline Pankhurst was or was not an effective leader. Though it goes without saying Mrs Pankhurst put her life on the line for her cause. Her willingness to do whatever it took was clear and her hard work and determination paid out in the end. Word count: 331