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When income inequality is compared across nations, one finds that the united states is
Economic inequality in the united states essay
Income inequality in the US
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Tony Judt’s Ill Fares The Land criticizes postwar western society, ultimately blaming younger peoples’ senses of political apathy for the vast changes that have occurred in our world during the past few decades. He explains that much of the younger population unwillingly accepts the practice of apoliticism, which is the idea that since politics are so degraded in our time, we should give up on it (163). This point specifically resonated with me, because as I reflect on many conversations I have had regarding politics with fellow peers, many of them hold careless attitudes concerning the matter. “I don’t understand politics” and “How does my vote even count?” are only some apathetic excerpts that come to memory. In a democratic system like my …show more content…
He began his arguments in Ill Fares the Land using charts, which demonstrated the gaps of inequality between different world powers, specifically the detrimental stance of the United States in terms of health, crime, illness, etc. He defines America through its low social stances, “broken highways, bankrupt cities, collapsing bridges, failed schools, the unemployed, the underpaid,” (50) creating a disparity between the power and other socially just nations. However, Judt fails to mention that the United States’ total government spending of 40 percent of G.D.P. is almost equal to those great liberal states he speaks of, such as Norway at 41 percent. I think that Judt’s narrow view towards capitalist democratic powers, such as the United States, creates conflict in his arguments. It is fair to criticize their practices, but to call for a completely social democratic nation is not tangible. Sometimes it is vital for the government to play a role in social circumstances, such as the stock market recession of 2008. Also, if all of the power is turned over to the states as Judt encourages, citizens may manipulate public power for their private gain. Judt also calls for social advocacy from young people to help better the western
claim that there is “something very wrong with the system” of Americas, he defines the
I am responding to Micheal Schudson’s essay titled “America’s Ignorant Voter”. He makes several arguments against whether America having relatively ignorant voters poses a problem to our society, and whether it’s becoming worse over the years. One of the arguments he poses as to why Americans seem so clueless about political matters is due to the complexities of our nation’s political institutions.
Melissa Ames and Chris Hedges address the similar theme of political apathy in America, but deviate starkly in their respective audiences, tones, subjects, and methods of delivery. Because the authors possess differing viewpoints about the future of the country, are shaped by distinctive backgrounds and experiences, and have explored various unique concepts, one can detect a great degree of dissimilarity between the works in question. Even so, a thoughtful reader can also grasp quite a few similarities between their articles, “American Psychosis” and “Engaging ‘Apolitical’ Adolescents.”
For instance, Luce saw means which Americans could help solve all of the US’s problems (Luce). Luce wanted to start off with the economy. Luce imagined “America as the principle guarantor of the freedom of the seas” and airways, and as the “leader of world trade” (Luce). While thinking outside of the box “United States” he thought that the US should send out some technical and cultural skills throughout the world (Luce). After thinking he envisioned foreign aid stating, “ It is the manifest duty of this country” (Luce). With all of Luce’s ideas the U.S’s influence did not have to remain inaccessible. Luce in the end analyzed the difference in the development between the rich and powerful societies. He considered the contacts and interchanges between states in capitalistic trade, cultural and western lifestyle, economic and technologic aid, as well as liberal democracy
Out of all Canadian age groups, the voter turnout for young voters is the most disappointing. In specific today’s youth are less likely to vote, less interested in politics, and know less about politics compared to all other Canadians. This brings about a great deal of concern, as young people are the future of this country, and are expected to uphold the expectations put on them by their older counterparts. Youth are still being affected by the consequences brought about by politics; they still go to school, get jobs, get sick, and so forth, so why is it that they feel indifferent?
The young as well as the older people of Canada seem to be in a deadlock. The question of if the federal government should or should not lower the voting age is a question debated surely around the dinner tables of families in Canada, as well as in the ranks of the government. Some people even suggest that the age needs to be raised. What would make people want the voting age to be lowered to an even lower age than the young adult age of 18? On the other hand how can the youth of Canada who have their own individual views be able to make a difference without being able to vote? Both sides provide for an intriguing look into the facts and resolutions for an appropriate way to either change the voting age or keep it the same. Throughout this paper I will look at and analyze the arguments of the youth who claim to be 'disenfranchised', as well as others who see the lowering of the voting age to be detrimental rather than an improvement to the Government of Canada's political process. In 1854, before Canada became a responsible government the only people allowed to vote were people who had a high value of land which they owned, and had a high income. Women and people with other ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs were also denied the right to vote. This did not mean that these people did not have their views and beliefs on who and what they wanted in their government but rather they were denied the right. These laws have changed since then drastically and Canada has become a democratic country (rule by the people). However, the frustration of not being able to vote and support their ideals and politicians does live on in the hearts and minds of thousands of young Canadians under the age of eighteen. The...
Chapter 6 of part I of The Stranger concluded with Meursault’s conscious decision to shoot an Arab because of the physical discomfort the Arab’s knife caused him. The significance of the ending of part I is that it was the first demonstration of Meursault’s awareness of the possible consequences of the act that he committed. This awareness continues into the second part of the novel as he is arrested and trialed. The reason for Meursault’s trial is the murder of the Arab. His insensitivity towards Maman’s death and lack of a social conscientious are factors that contributed to support further investigations, but are not reasons to trial him because they have not ‘harmed’ society on a way that he could be arrested for. For example, if Meursault
Intellectuals are philosophers, are writers, are artists. They are all those people who work with their minds by questioning the events that touch them and that are touched by them. To recall a Plato's famous allegory, we can say that intellectuals are those who are able to look beyond the shadows and never take concepts for granted. However, some questions as what their role is and, more specifically, whether they should be engaged in politics are still unanswerable. Over the years answers and behaviors towards the engaged culture have been various and we can assume that the intellectuals who cannot separate the two live their lives actively for they want to be part of the events that surround them and let awareness win over apathy. On the contrary, we can assume that those who let apathy win are the intellectuals that look at politics and culture as two different and specific concepts and live a solitary life far from society. However, this is not an appropriate judgment because it would be difficult to consider to which extent solitude can be regarded as cowardliness and to which extent action can be regarded as consciousness.
It is discussed how the indifference to politics by many citizens of western society and the fact that ideologies are now no longer needed by those in power to enforce their will are two key truths of western politics.
Uncle Tom’s Children is a book written by Richard Wright: This is Wright 's first out of twenty books. Wright uses this novel to provide clarification on African-Americans in the south. The book contains five short stories: Big Boy Leaves Home, Down by the Riverside, Long Black Song, Fire and Cloud, and Bright and Morning Star. The stories in this novel concern the lives of African-Americans and the African-Americans exploration of resistance to racism in America. Wright uses powerful diction, symbolism, and descriptive imagery to describe three major themes; racism fear, and resistance.
Theories of global distributive justice address the following sorts of questions. Should we feel morally concerned about the large gap between the developing countries and the developed countries? What duty do us citizens have to provide assistance to the global poor? And what scale should we take the duties to?
Senior citizens in the United States are increasingly active and influential in politics. They are concerned with politics and government, as they prove when they participate in politics through voting, working in political organizations, and holding office. They seek to remain informed in politics, particularly because they are the object of governmental programs. Old-age political organizations have expended tremendously in number, size, and influence during the last few decades. Older people seek to remain informed in polit...
However, through this course I have also come to recognize that due to the negative perception that is placed on our generation, the political objectives of young people will likely never be given adequate consideration by public officials should we continue to practice engaged citizenship while disregarding electoral participation. My personal definition of citizenship is recognizing the privileges we have as citizens of the United States and contributing to one’s community in whatever way they are able to do so. A responsible citizen is not simply an observer of the political process, but rather an informed
Wiltshire, Kenneth. "Sweet 16 and Too Immature to Vote." Australian (Canberra). 15 Oct. 2009: 12. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
All that can really be seen is what appears before ourselves. What we see on billboards, television, or radio show constantly the views of a new runner for politics whom proclaims what he or she wishes to accomplish. Listening to it, one can create a thought of why did they choose that topic for an argument? Today not all people vote so the ones who do are the people these “runners” focus on. Why would they fight to create increased pay to schools if all the voters are the elderly? Why not focus upon retirement benefits or healthcare? As citizens we have complaints on how the government manages our money and yet we do not do anything about it. Voting gives a chance. If certain groups grew in votes different ideas would be made for these “runners”. Say the young adults started to vote a lot more. We could have schooling benefits, less tuition fees, higher education levels, and possibly a large increase in jobs. One United Kingdom publisher explains, “If you vote, the campaigners urge, the politicians will have to listen to you and things will change.”(Kirkup, The Telegraph). Also youth have the longest time, and live what the country becomes. To conclude, voting doesn’t take long and doesn’t require almost any effort. All it requires just an open mind and yet people just do not realize this opportunity. Right now we could be living in the richest most opportunistic country if everyone could understand what can become of our views. Life could be looked forward not