An Analysis of Political Elitism Essay -- Elitism Democracy Sociology

An Analysis of Political Elitism It is easy to believe that the middle-class working individual, whether he or she be white collar or blue collar, wields little political power except for during an election. It is also easy to think that we don’t have true democracy; political representation elected by the people, for the people, and controlled by these people. This is an ideology that is often worn out. Instead, these elected representatives are controlled by political à ©lites: high-ranking political "gladiators", the media, lobbyists, and, though it may not seem evident, big business. It is, in essence, commonly believed by most. Some reasons why political à ©lites at times dominate government and who these groups are will be examined in this essay. Also, there will be an analysis of those who were political à ©lites in Canada over the past centuries. Also, some new discoveries may be turned up that help us have a better understanding of this elitism. Finally, we will discuss if interest groups and mino rities have real political power, or perhaps they are just given token compensation. Hopefully, by the end of this essay, there will be a better understanding of who really has political power in Canada. Though this paper is an analysis of elitism, we must also dissect the concept of democracy. Needless to say, without democracy in a political system, elitism would not exist. Democracy was a concept developed by the Greeks and the Romans during the classical period. It comes from the Greek word "demos", which means "the people"; and "kratien", which means "to rule". In essence, democracy is a nation’s people rule themselves through elected representatives. Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia reminds us of an important point though. Though the words "democracy" and "republic" are used together universally, they are definitely not the same thing. For instance, Canada is defined as a constitutional monarchy. It is not a republic, yet, we use a democratic system. Another is China, who’s official title is "The People’s Republic of China"; yet, China is far from democratic. Furthermore, democracy is seen as ambiguous. Democracy is not only a concept on which our great natio n is based, but it is also a source for which government can use its authority, and it is also a process. This is where elitism is spawned. Elitism can be seen, from a certain point of view, as ... ...oronto: Key Porter Books Ltd., 1994. Dunn, Christopher. Canadian Political Debates. 1st ed Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Inc., 1995. Filemyr, Anne. "Conflict and Mainstream Reporting." Canadian Business and Canadian Affairs. 28.3 (August, 1996): 97-101. Francis, Diane. Controlling Interest: Who Owns Canada? 2nd ed. Toronto: Scorpio Publishing Ltd., 1986. Funk & Wagnalls. "Democracy" Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. 4th ed. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, Inc., 1983. Guy, James John. How we are Governed: The Basics of Canadian Politics and Government. 1st ed. Toronto: Harcourt Brace & Company Canada, Ltd, 1995. Jackson, Robert J.; Jackson, Doreen. Politics in Canada. 4th ed. Scarborough, Ontario: Prentice-Hall Canada Inc., 1998. Letter to the CBC ombudsman from the Prime Minister’s Office. Dated October 16, 1998. (www.tv.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/extlnk.cgi?/national/pgminfo/apec/pmo2.html) Penguin Books. The Penguin Dictionary of Sociology. 2nd ed. London: Penguin Books Ltd., 1994. Van Loon, Richard J.; Whittington, Michael S. The Canadian Political System: Environment, Structure and Process. 3rd rd. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Publishing Ltd., 1981. An Analysis of Political Elitism Essay -- Elitism Democracy Sociology An Analysis of Political Elitism It is easy to believe that the middle-class working individual, whether he or she be white collar or blue collar, wields little political power except for during an election. It is also easy to think that we don’t have true democracy; political representation elected by the people, for the people, and controlled by these people. This is an ideology that is often worn out. Instead, these elected representatives are controlled by political à ©lites: high-ranking political "gladiators", the media, lobbyists, and, though it may not seem evident, big business. It is, in essence, commonly believed by most. Some reasons why political à ©lites at times dominate government and who these groups are will be examined in this essay. Also, there will be an analysis of those who were political à ©lites in Canada over the past centuries. Also, some new discoveries may be turned up that help us have a better understanding of this elitism. Finally, we will discuss if interest groups and mino rities have real political power, or perhaps they are just given token compensation. Hopefully, by the end of this essay, there will be a better understanding of who really has political power in Canada. Though this paper is an analysis of elitism, we must also dissect the concept of democracy. Needless to say, without democracy in a political system, elitism would not exist. Democracy was a concept developed by the Greeks and the Romans during the classical period. It comes from the Greek word "demos", which means "the people"; and "kratien", which means "to rule". In essence, democracy is a nation’s people rule themselves through elected representatives. Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia reminds us of an important point though. Though the words "democracy" and "republic" are used together universally, they are definitely not the same thing. For instance, Canada is defined as a constitutional monarchy. It is not a republic, yet, we use a democratic system. Another is China, who’s official title is "The People’s Republic of China"; yet, China is far from democratic. Furthermore, democracy is seen as ambiguous. Democracy is not only a concept on which our great natio n is based, but it is also a source for which government can use its authority, and it is also a process. This is where elitism is spawned. Elitism can be seen, from a certain point of view, as ... ...oronto: Key Porter Books Ltd., 1994. Dunn, Christopher. Canadian Political Debates. 1st ed Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Inc., 1995. Filemyr, Anne. "Conflict and Mainstream Reporting." Canadian Business and Canadian Affairs. 28.3 (August, 1996): 97-101. Francis, Diane. Controlling Interest: Who Owns Canada? 2nd ed. Toronto: Scorpio Publishing Ltd., 1986. Funk & Wagnalls. "Democracy" Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. 4th ed. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, Inc., 1983. Guy, James John. How we are Governed: The Basics of Canadian Politics and Government. 1st ed. Toronto: Harcourt Brace & Company Canada, Ltd, 1995. Jackson, Robert J.; Jackson, Doreen. Politics in Canada. 4th ed. Scarborough, Ontario: Prentice-Hall Canada Inc., 1998. Letter to the CBC ombudsman from the Prime Minister’s Office. Dated October 16, 1998. (www.tv.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/extlnk.cgi?/national/pgminfo/apec/pmo2.html) Penguin Books. The Penguin Dictionary of Sociology. 2nd ed. London: Penguin Books Ltd., 1994. Van Loon, Richard J.; Whittington, Michael S. The Canadian Political System: Environment, Structure and Process. 3rd rd. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Publishing Ltd., 1981.

Long distance trade across Afro-Eurasia

Long distance trade really increased in Afro-Eurasia from 500c. e. to 1500c. e. Some of the reasons for the increase included the introduction of camels, transportation with boats, and transportation on the silk roads. Some of these trade routes were easier to transport stuff more efficiently, but they all were used. Firstly, camels were introduced in about 300c. e.. This was a big upgrade from the donkeys because camels could go up to ten days without drinking water. This made trade easier since camels could make the trek across the Sahara and didn’t need much in return as far as water goes.At one point there were up to 5,000 camels used in the transportation of goods across the Sahara. The camels made it so the Sahara was no longer a barrier for trade from north and south of the Sahara. Transportation over water took a major role in transporting goods. People were no longer just trading valuable goods because it was worth the trip, with boats they could haul a lot of cargo s o they could haul items for the middle and lower class. With boats they could haul enough cargo for mass markets and a bunch of different items such as wood and heavier things that camels or donkeys couldn’t carry.Most of the wood could be taken places by the Sahara where they couldn’t get trees to grow to build houses. Lastly, the silk road was a major part of trading because it wasn’t all about just the goods, they got a lot more other things from the different people trading with them. With the silk roads increasing, it allowed little villages to turn into bigger city/states that were mainly based on trade. They could make a lot of money from taxes by charging people that came on the roads through there city for passing.The silk roads were first mainly based off of silk coming out of China, plus gold and spices getting traded for the silk. Most of the goods being traded were of high value, since it was difficult going so far on foot so it had to be worth it i n the end. These topics are why the trade really increased from 500c. e. to 1500c. e. Some of these reasons were due to transportation with camels, transportation with boats, and transportation on the silk road and how all of these helped spring the trading routes in action. These allowed traders to trade more freely and carry more goods efficiently Long distance trade across Afro-Eurasia Long distance trade really increased in Afro-Eurasia from 500c.e. to 1500c.e. Some of the reasons for the increase included the introduction of camels, transportation with boats, and transportation on the silk roads. Some of these trade routes were easier to transport stuff more efficiently, but they all were used.Firstly, camels were introduced in about 300c.e.. This was a big upgrade from the donkeys because camels could go up to ten days without drinking water. This made trade easier since camels could make the trek across the Sahara and didn’t need much in return as far as water goes. At one point there were up to 5,000 camels used in the transportation of goods across the Sahara. The camels made it so the Sahara was no longer a barrier for trade from north and south of the Sahara.Transportation over water took a major role in transporting goods. People were no longer just trading valuable goods because it was worth the trip, with boats they could haul a lot of cargo so th ey could haul items for the middle and lower class. With boats they could haul enough cargo for mass markets and a bunch of different items such as wood and heavier things that camels or donkeys couldn’t carry. Most of the wood could be taken places by the Sahara where they couldn’t get trees to grow to build houses.Lastly, the silk road was a major part of trading because it wasn’t all about just the goods, they got a lot more other things from the different people trading with them. With the silk roads increasing, it allowed little villages to turn into bigger city/states that were mainly based on trade. They could make a lot of money from taxes by charging people that came on the roads through there city for passing. The silk roads were first mainly based off of silk coming out of China, plus gold and spices getting traded for the silk. Most of the goods being traded were of high value, since it was difficult going so far on foot so it had to be worth it in t he end.These topics are why the trade really increased from 500c.e. to 1500c.e. Some of these reasons were due to transportation with camels, transportation with boats, and transportation on the silk road and how all of these helped spring the trading routes in action. These allowed traders to trade more freely and carry more goods efficiently

When Consumers Say Organic Foods Are The Best For You Because

When consumers say organic foods are the best for you because markets tell you that there are healthier for you, makes me wonder, do these people really formulate the process that goes into the organic food business. That is what Steven Shapin, author of â€Å"What Are You Buying When You Buy Organic?† debated in the book They Say, I Say. The purpose of his article is to inform people that are maybe interested in converting from non-organic foods to a healthier lifestyle, what the process is to acquire organic foods. Also he wanted to expose how much money it takes to keep foods legitimately fresh. He did this because he wants the readers to understand how much these organic companies emphasize to keeping through foods organic, which is not†¦show more content†¦I believe this is the most informative appeal because he provides the readers with multiple instances when he uses other credible people’s (scientists, geographers, farmers) findings and puts it in h is article. An example from the article was when Shapin was talking about geographer, Julie Gutman, who wrote Agrarian Dreams: The Paradox of Organic Farming in California. Her article was referring to the massive gold rush in California as a starting point for organic farmers to use that land as a starting point for their business (431). I would say she is a credible source because not only is she a geographer, but also because she went beyond her given title and wrote about how organic farming basically evolved in California. Also, I believe the Shapin is very much credible as well because he teaches at Harvard University and he has written even more articles about the genetics of foods and sciences. One of the many examples of ethos that Shapin used in his article happened to be when he was talking about the early stages of an â€Å"organic movement† (Shapin 433) and referred to Sir Albert Howard’s 1940 book â€Å"An Agricultural Testament†. â€Å"It w as thought that all plants really needed from the soil was the correct quantities and proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium† (433). This quote from Howard’s book can be proven as a credible source because was he agronomist, whom specialize inShow MoreRelatedSustainability Vs. Conventional Farming1299 Words   |  6 PagesStates Department of Agriculture (USDA), when you add the word sustainable to agriculture, it means an integrated system of plant and animal production having a site-specific application. (Gold) The sales of organics are at an all time high, but the concern is that consumers do not know the true facts behind organic farming. 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