"Democracy creates stability in a society"
Before I proceed on answering the question. I would like to clarify on a few things. Firstly democracy. To me democracy is a system of government where the political power is retained by the people and they are exercised either by them or a representative. Next stability. There are three types of stability that exist and they are namely, political, social and economics stability. Economic stability refers to a society that is in a good financial state. Social stability is the peace that is constantly maintained among the people themselves in the society and lastly, political stability means that there is minimum conflict and no corruption in the government. Hence, in my opinion democracy does create stability but does not guarantee it.
The first benefit of democracy in a society is its freedom. When there is freedom, the people are able to voice out their opinion and dissatisfaction. For example, if a minority ethnic group is being discriminated, they will still be able to have a say and voice out their dissatisfaction to a representative who will then convey it to the government. In the instance of Sri Lanka, the Tamils will be more satisfied as their needs are received by the government and this will prevent violence in the society. This will result in both political and social stability as the citizens will be satisfied with their government and there are lesser people feeling neglected.
The next benefit of democracy is that it is time consuming but makes lesser mistakes. This benefit can apply in the election process. In the democratic society, the election process is a very tedious process as the candidates have to go through long rounds of debate and speeches to showcase their talents. However, this will allow the citizens to have a better judgement on their ideal party as based on their performance. This will create political stability in the future as there is a higher probability that the newly elected party is better suited for the people.
However, democracy has its weaknesses too. As said earlier, freedom is an example of a benefit of democracy. This benefit can remain as it is if no one abuses it. However, if the barrier is breeched, it can cause much trouble and instability. For example, recently there was a man who drew racist cartoons insulting Muslims. Their defence is that they have the freedom of speech. It upset many Muslims and cause riots to take place. Thus when someone abuses the freedom given to them, it can cause a lot of mistrust between ethnic group and this would cause much social instability.
Next, citizens from different countries define democracy differently. Some may think of it as a political system or a method of selecting the government. Hence, the problem of democracy is that it can elect dictators during the election process. For example China, they are using democracy as a method of selecting the candidates for their only party which is the communist party of China and this will cause the essence of true democracy to be lost. For some cases, it can cause lost of confidence in the government and may lead to political instability.
As we can see from here, democracy has both its pros and cons. Its results will depend on how the people see democracy as and how it is being applied. It can both bring about stability and prosperity or chaos and instability. In conclusion, democracy can promote stability but whether stability is experienced is largely dependent on how it is used.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Evolution of goodness
In this world, there are many reasons why people do good to each other, however for me, the main reasons would be blood kinship, reciprocity and good faith.
Nonetheless, one reason why humans do good is due to reciprocity. In my perception, the main reason behind it would be the competitiveness of the society. In this fast paced world and where competition thrives, no one wants to lose out in the race. Hence people are getting more stingy when it comes to helping someone out if they got nothing to gain from it. It is just like I scratch your back you scratch mine. People are just looking for the prize they will get in turn for helping. I remember once when I asked my friend to lend me his cellphone but to my surprised he told me that he will do so only if I pay him a dollar. This proves my earlier statement that people are now eyeing only for the prize.
My next reason would be rather contrasting to reciprocity and it is good faith. I personally feel that this is clearly the best way to help someone because it is from the bottom of your heart and it is much more sincere. As I have said earlier, people are getting more stingy when it comes to rendering help when they will get no benefit, hence it is more difficult to find people who would help someone without asking for anything in turn.
One possible reason on why people help each other through good faith is due to the sense of pity. When a person feel pitiful towards someone, he would tend to be more generous in his act and not ask for anything in return. For example, would you have a heart to ask a disabled person for something in return just for donating a dollar.
The second reason would be understanding. One example would be when a someone saw a person in need, he would be able to feel the pain that the other party and he puts himself in his shoes and he would help without hesitation.
Sometimes a person can display both the reasons when helping someone. I remember an incident when I was walking home from Junction 8, while walking home, I saw a disabled old folk selling tissue paper. Upon realising that no one bought tissue paper for him, I felt pitiful for him as he has to stay at the same spot for the whole day, having to sell tissue paper for almost everyday of the year.
My last reason on why people do good to each other is probably the most interesting of them all. This reasons almost put a stop in one of the most important theory ever created, landed many famous scientists in deep heated argument and it would be blood kinship. Like what Darwin has said, our family is not just anyone but are copies of our DNA. Hence when we save our family, we are saving copies of our DNA. However, I do not feel that this is the main reason on why we would save our blood kinship before anyone else. To me the main reason is the connection and bonding between the family members. After being with your blood kinship for a while, you would feel a sense of connection and bonding which is absent in absent even between best of friends. With this connection, the blood kin would be placed in a higher priority.
How can something seeming simple be so complicated? These are just a few of the many reasons why people do good. There are still many more reasons that man have not thought about. The next time when you help someone, please take note on the reason why you are helping, is it for something in return or good faith.
Nonetheless, one reason why humans do good is due to reciprocity. In my perception, the main reason behind it would be the competitiveness of the society. In this fast paced world and where competition thrives, no one wants to lose out in the race. Hence people are getting more stingy when it comes to helping someone out if they got nothing to gain from it. It is just like I scratch your back you scratch mine. People are just looking for the prize they will get in turn for helping. I remember once when I asked my friend to lend me his cellphone but to my surprised he told me that he will do so only if I pay him a dollar. This proves my earlier statement that people are now eyeing only for the prize.
My next reason would be rather contrasting to reciprocity and it is good faith. I personally feel that this is clearly the best way to help someone because it is from the bottom of your heart and it is much more sincere. As I have said earlier, people are getting more stingy when it comes to rendering help when they will get no benefit, hence it is more difficult to find people who would help someone without asking for anything in turn.
One possible reason on why people help each other through good faith is due to the sense of pity. When a person feel pitiful towards someone, he would tend to be more generous in his act and not ask for anything in return. For example, would you have a heart to ask a disabled person for something in return just for donating a dollar.
The second reason would be understanding. One example would be when a someone saw a person in need, he would be able to feel the pain that the other party and he puts himself in his shoes and he would help without hesitation.
Sometimes a person can display both the reasons when helping someone. I remember an incident when I was walking home from Junction 8, while walking home, I saw a disabled old folk selling tissue paper. Upon realising that no one bought tissue paper for him, I felt pitiful for him as he has to stay at the same spot for the whole day, having to sell tissue paper for almost everyday of the year.
My last reason on why people do good to each other is probably the most interesting of them all. This reasons almost put a stop in one of the most important theory ever created, landed many famous scientists in deep heated argument and it would be blood kinship. Like what Darwin has said, our family is not just anyone but are copies of our DNA. Hence when we save our family, we are saving copies of our DNA. However, I do not feel that this is the main reason on why we would save our blood kinship before anyone else. To me the main reason is the connection and bonding between the family members. After being with your blood kinship for a while, you would feel a sense of connection and bonding which is absent in absent even between best of friends. With this connection, the blood kin would be placed in a higher priority.
How can something seeming simple be so complicated? These are just a few of the many reasons why people do good. There are still many more reasons that man have not thought about. The next time when you help someone, please take note on the reason why you are helping, is it for something in return or good faith.
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