Robert A. Dahls book

‘How Democratic Is the American Constitution’ is a book written by Robert A. Dahl that raises many provocative questions and doubts about the U.S. constitutional document. Dahl, the book’s author, is a former president of the Political Science Association of the United States and Yale’s University Sterling Professor Emeritus. To introduce the thesis of the book’s main subject matter, the author sarcastically poses the question ‘How democratic is the American Constitution?’ which also serve as the book’s title.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Robert A. Dahl’s book – â€Å"How Democratic is the American Constitution† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to Dahl’s perceptions and opinions, as presented in the text, many American citizens have always held their country’s Constitutional document and the principle this has to embody into their lives, with much honor and esteem. However, majority of the American citizens have always been worried that their esteemed Constitutional draft fails short in addressing some of the crucial aspects affecting the general humanity such as women rights, racial integration, and economic equality (Robert 16). In this text, Dahl explicitly explores the big tension existing between the people’s faith in the credibility of the laws governing their country and their stand on the principles of democracy presented by these laws. In this book, Dahl reminds the American society of the missing link in their constitution; a flaw that makes the sacred draft unqualified as a basis for the country’s democratic system. The book presents the writer’s viewpoint about the Constitution as just a representation of the history that surrounded its creation and implementation. This actually makes him to believe that, most the current Constitutional does not addres s the present day issues affecting the humanity. According to Dahl, the framers of this constitution had failed completely in some respects such as establishment of a strong democratic system of government. Some of the approaches used by the writer to achieve his purpose on the book include the power of transparency, outright critique of American political institutions, and use of reliable evidence and examples to support his claims. More importantly, the writer also applies a gentle but a persistent approach to express his critics on the subject matter. Dahl has widely applied historical evidence throughout the text to reveal the imperfection of the American democracy, as stipulated by the constitution. There is also a wide application of contemporary aspects such as real-life events and other people’s observations by the writer, to provide substantial evidence as to why he thought the American Constitution was indeed undemocratic. A good example of how evidence applies in t he book is observed in various episodes where he compares the American Constitutional system with that of other countries of the same status. Dahl observes that, the most reasonable revisions on the constitution were done more than a century ago and no significant changes have been applied on the document since then.Advertising Looking for book review on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More I personally tend to agree with Dahl’s point of view on the American secret document, if I may call it so. We cannot just rise up and start condemning Dahl, simply for his attempts to highlight some of the most unusual elements of the constitution that needs to be revised and amended, to fit the standards of democracy. Despite what many of his critics may tend to observe, Dahl is part of the many brilliant personalities who have openly come out to condemn the many loopholes in the U.S. Constitution. Dahl’s main agenda h ere is to encourage critique of both the American political institutions and the Constitutional system, in a manner that will call for significant amendments on the constitution, thus making it more democratic. Dahl may not have had any big hopes that his claims will succeed in making significant democratic changes in the American Constitution in the immediate future, but his outright observations of the document’s shortcomings have always raised debate and discussions on the matter. This gives him the hope that maybe; with time, this may lead to something more beneficial to the future American generations. One reason why I would agree with Dahl is the issue of the various questionable aspects presently surrounding the American Constitution, as far as democratic representation is concerned. Lieven observes that, â€Å"there is often the issue of unequal senate representation in the U.S. whereby some states continue to receive larger representation compared to others† ( 17). There is really no good reason as to why the Constitution should continue to permit such unequal representation. Another questionable aspect of the Constitution is the system of the Electoral College, normally applied in the selection of American presidents. According to Levinson, â€Å"this system has serious democratic defects† and a good example here is the failure of the person receiving the majority of votes to become the holder of the highest office, in most cases, owing to some confusing elements of the constitution (353). This system raises more questions than answers, especially to the voters who may never get to understand the real sense of democracy as expressed in the constitution. As a matter of fact, this deprives the American residents of their rights of citizenship and democracy. These are some of the parts that need to be amended, so as to make the U.S. Constitution more acceptable as a democratic system of governance. Just as Dahl observes, the U.S. Con stitution has been eluded by other recent developments observed in other democracies in the world.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Robert A. Dahl’s book – â€Å"How Democratic is the American Constitution† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As witnessed from this useful text, Dahl has succeeded at raising informed questions that every patriotic American citizen should be informed about, regarding the nature of the constitution. As a matter of fact, by pointing out some of the many imperfections in the U.S. Constitution and calling for the necessary reforms and amendments, Dahl has fully achieved his purpose on the book. His overview on this crucial matter deserves universal recommendation, for it reminds the Americans of the need to revise their constitution and consider the chances for coming up with a more democratic society, which can only be achieved through a well-drafted constituti on. Dahl’s agenda here is not to condemn or to criticize the U.S. Constitution system, but to offer some light to some of the elements that make the system appear imperfect. By incorporating a number of provocative questions and assertions throughout the text, Dahl challenges all of us to utilize the opportunities we have, to help our country achieve the democratic systems befitting its outstanding status as a Superpower and a global economy leader. Instead of wasting time criticizing Dahl’s indictment of the constitutional structure, it is time for the government to push for immediate reforms on the highlighted sectors and establish a governance system that guarantees the citizens all the rights, opportunities, and liberties which could be found in a more democratic society. Works Cited Levinson, Sanford. â€Å"Looking Abroad When Interpreting the US Constitution: Some Reflections.† Tex. Int’l LJ 39. 17 (2003): 353. Print. Lieven, Anaton. America right o r wrong: an anatomy of American nationalism. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print. Robert, Dahl. How Democratic is the American Constitution? United Kingdom: Yale University Press, 2003. Print.Advertising Looking for book review on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This book review on Robert A. Dahl’s book – â€Å"How Democratic is the American Constitution† was written and submitted by user Alayna Bishop to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Alexander Pope and the Scientific Revolution Essays

Alexander Pope and the Scientific Revolution Essays Alexander Pope and the Scientific Revolution Essay Alexander Pope and the Scientific Revolution Essay In the seventeenth century many scientists and philosophers strayed away from the church’s way of thinking and began to seek out their own explanations of the world around them. Scientists questioned, even opposed theories the church had been teaching for centuries. Alexander Pope, a philosophical poet, wrote a very controversial poem that changed a lot of people’s views on God’s divine role in human kind, as well as inspired people to think for themselves. What made Pope’s ideas so unique? How did Pope incorporate the belief of God with the new scientific discoveries of his time? Exploring these questions gives a better understanding of the conflict between science and religion in the seventeenth century, and insight on a man who believed everyone should accept the world as they find it. The scientific revolution was a time of dramatic change. People began asking questions of the world around them, and instead of looking to the church for answers as they had for many years, started coming up with their own theories. Alexander Pope was very interested in the scientific discoveries of his time, particularly those of Sir Isaac Newton, and tried to incorporate them into his faith. This was dangerous however, because the Church opposed all of the new ideas being brought forth, as they felt it was challenging their beliefs. Pope’s main intent was not to oppose the Church; instead, he sought to build a bridge between religion and the new scientific discoveries as a way to glorify God. By writing â€Å"An Essay on Man†, Pope wished to present a God that was different from those in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The faith that he presents in his poem is similar in that it is monotheistic; however, the new ideas he offers on humanity’s role in the universe was incomparable to any other religion at the time. This was just one of many examples of the critical thinking that was beginning to be used in the scientific revolution, and encouraged others to seek out their own explanations of the world around them. For centuries it had been common belief that the earth was the center of the universe and humans were God’s greatest creation; therefore, new discoveries in nature and the universe generally contradicted the Church’s teachings and beliefs. In Pope’s poem â€Å"An Essay on Man†, he explains God’s relationship to the world in a Newtonian way. Pope tried to use the new scientific discoveries in nature and the universe as a way to glorify God, showing that He was everywhere and a part of everything. The poem states that no matter how complex or evil the world seems to humans, it follows the natural order of God, and therefore should be accepted. Pope believes that the ignorance of people to the world around them inhibits their relationship with God. It was this kind of thinking outside of the norm that was present among many philosophers during the scientific revolution. The most important aspect of the scientific revolution is people began to ask questions of the world around them, and sought the answers for themselves. Instead of looking to the church for answers, they began to observe, examine and explore for themselves. Alexander Pope was one of many , who instead of accepting the Church’s beliefs, interpreted the universe and God’s place in it all in his own perspective and encouraged others to do the same.

How to be successful in life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

How to be successful in life - Essay Example However, there are certain principles towards attainment of a successful living that are leading a healthy life, keeping ambitions and struggling towards attainment of these ambitions and planning, all these should be adopted by everyone in order to live a life that is accomplishing. Firstly, one must be healthy, secondly proper actions should be taken towards accomplishment of set goals and thirdly, planning should be there to be successful in life. All these lead to be successful in life. To lead a successful life requires one to be healthy first of all. In my consideration, healthy living is a successful living, which is the first principle to be successful in life. One should have healthy habits if he wants to be successful in life. From our childhood, we have listened to a quote by Benjamin Franklin narrated by our parents that is â€Å"Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.† Being healthy requires one to take proper sleep, take meals on proper time, have a balanced diet, do exercises and adopt everything that is healthy in life. Such a person will have good health and will not be troubled with health issues and will have a healthy mind to think over issues of life. Such a person will make good decisions and will have ample time to think over problems. Time is more precious than anything else and healthy living allows us to utilize all the available time without wasting it (Babson 78). The other principle to get closer to successful living is to do something towards fulfillment of ambitions. It means that we have to act in order to get (Watson 2004). Ben Franklin gives a quote, â€Å"God helps those who help themselves†. To be successful requires one to be sincere with himself. When a person is sincere with himself, he will keep aspirations and will work towards fulfillment of his set aspirations. Our actions speak about our set ambitions and our actions are informative as what we