Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:
- Provide an appropriate title and an interesting opening paragraph to appeal to your stated audience
(appeal with logic, ethics, or emotion). - Include a defensible, relevant thesis statement in the first paragraph. (Revised from Assignment 2)
- Describe the history and status of the issue and provide an overview of the problem(s) that need to be
addressed. This should be one or two (1-2) paragraphs. - Explain the first problem (economic, social, political, environmental, complexity, inequity, ethical/moral,
etc.) and provide support for your claims. This should be one or two (1-2) paragraphs. - Explain the second problem (economic, social, political, environmental, complexity, inequity,
ethical/moral, etc.). and provide support for your claims. This should be one or two (1-2) paragraphs. - Explain the third problem (economic, social, political, environmental, complexity, inequity, ethical/moral,
etc.) and provide support for your claims. This should be one or two (1-2) paragraphs. - Provide a concluding paragraph that summarizes the stated problems and promises a solution.
- Develop a coherently structured paper with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Use effective transitional words, phrases, and sentences throughout the paper.
- Support claims with at least three (3) quality, relevant references. Use credible, academic sources
available through Strayer University�s Resource Center. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not
qualify as academic resources.
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Politics and Leadership in Today’s Society
Politics and Leadership in Today’s Society
Introduction
When the name politician is mentioned, we tend to think immediately of a person who
holds some honor. On several occasions, we may think they are people who may hold a criminal
record. It is common for many politicians to be surrounded by many controversies. When
election time comes, they are seen begging for votes among people and trying to change the
general public opinion about them. They also give many promises that often give false hopes to
the citizens. However, after the election, citizens end up being disappointed with their hopes
shattered. The politicians go back to their offices until the next elections (Wald & Calhoun-
Brown, 2011). The citizens realize they were right about the political leader. They also realize,
however, that political views and socialization can be altered, as it is not permanent. This paper
aims to study the problems associated with politics and politicians. The paper also critically
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evaluates the challenges that are brought about by the political environment. It specifically
concentrates on the social, economic and psychological effects of elections and politics in the
society.
The thinking process of politicians is no different from ours as they have come from
among us. This statement provides the first major problem associated with politics. Citizens tend
to think that politicians have a special way of thinking. They are questioned by quotes from a
thinker like Tom Stoppard, who said that democracy is not in the voting but rather in the
counting (Brownlee, 2012). Alexis de Tocqueville once said that the health of democracy in a
society is measurable by the constitutional functions performed by individual citizens. This way
we shall have realized that corruption is not in the leadership hierarchy but is within us (García,
2009). Politicians have played a big role in making citizens believe that they have a different
thinking process than themselves. This challenge is psychological and is the hardest to eliminate
in the society.
Political correctness usually fails the freedom of speech granted by the first amendment
to the constitution. The main problem with this stand is that people often overlook their position
to be politically correct. It is impossible to speak our minds openly if we are not willing to offend
others. People usually think of ways that may end up hurting or offending others even if they
don’t intend to cause any harm. It may seem like people today think of various ways in a manner
that nitpick offensive things to others. These offensive ways may be in terms of pictures, speech
or even billboards that may be termed by people as offensive. Citizens should have the ability to
speak freely without any discrimination. They should also be able to think in a free manner
without the concern of being politically correct. There is a very large disparity between being a
good, fair, caring person, and being what others call being politically correct. It is a common
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belief that people are caring and, therefore, cannot intentionally want to hurt each other.
However even, the most caring person will at some point end up offending someone from their
point of view. The result of people being so frightened of being politically incorrect is them not
being able to think or speak freely. The questions of what will happen to democracy and political
openness will then arise (Rosati & Scott, 2011).
Several questions and thoughts people have been whether they are trying to offend others
or if their belief in something is strong. The answers to these questions are targeted on whether
or not to hold their tongue in political and democratic debates. The thoughts and speech may be
hindered if it will offend someone else or be in vain. This situation, however, falls for people
rather than their leaders who in most cases do not care about the repercussions their words will
have. A correct form of political correctness is not generalizing an individual as people
regardless of their religion, race or even gender. The younger generation today is outspoken and
very intelligent. They are more aware of their rights and are less afraid to offend others who may
care less. They make all proud as the future of today’s politics has a bright light of hope. Political
leaders that will emerge from this generation will be less in control as the electorate will be more
aware and outspoken on what they want and require from their leaders (Storey, 2010).
The second major challenge is the existence and influence of political parties. From the
very beginning of political affiliations, political parties have been a controversial factor in the
society. Political parties have in equal measure strengthened and weakened many countries and
their political framework. They have taken part in many negative purposes as they are aimed at
shifting political focus in countries (Rosati & Scott, 2011).By taking an example of the American
political landscape, there was a huge debate on the first couple of political parties, the
Federalists, and the Anti-Federalists. After the ratification of the Constitution and under the
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leadership of Thomas Jefferson, the Anti-Federalist changed their name to Democratic-
Republicans. However, the Federalist Party ended soon after the 1812 war. The Democratic-
Republicans began to argue over policies. These arguments led to the defection of Andrew
Jackson and his sympathizers forming the Democrats. Those against Andrew Jackson and his
policies formed the Whigs. Policies on slavery ended the Whig party, and the Republican Party
was formed. Republicans were anti-slavery whereas the Democrats were pro-slavery. The two
parties had people with different ideologies and objectives and have battled since then in
American elections. Both have had an equal share in the leadership of the country through
Congress representation and the presidency (Brownlee, 2012).
Corruption is an endemic issue in developing countries around the world. Incidences of
social unrest that have been fuelled by recent protests have resulted for the calls to end impunity.
Many social and public officers have been linked to being the main perpetrators of incidences of
corruption. The fight against corruption led by the government has been limited to a rhetorical
approach has proved to be a little lukewarm and has only managed to control specific social
groups. When talking about tackling corruption in developing countries, the issue is often limited
to words. It has involved the design and implementation of institutions that have increased
bureaucracy has resulted in solved nothing (Rosati & Scott, 2011). During Mexico’s presidential
transition, Enrique Peña, and his team put forward a reform initiative that had in mind creating a
National Anti-Corruption Commission. However, this institution has not been implemented.
While the initiative remains inactive in Congress since last February, it has not been supported
by the presidency. Instead, President Peña seems to have the idea that corruption is a cultural
issue, as he stated a few weeks something that would perhaps explain his lack of enthusiasm for
implementing his proposal. The truth is that the present situation requires not only the three
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branches of government to act, but to do so in a blunt and convincing way. Given the current
credibility of institutions, this will be a massive challenge (Storey, 2010).
Conclusion
It can be stated that political leadership and representation is centered in democracy.
Based on political leadership, most citizens have their opinions towards politicians and political
parties. The influence of political parties is a major challenge, as people tend to affiliate
themselves with them rather than the leaders the society needs to represent their needs.
Corruption is the biggest challenge that comes with politics. The thinking process and political
correctness of the citizens influence the type of leaders in the society. Solutions for these
challenges have been found and are being advanced in some of the most affected areas.
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References
Brownlee, J. (2012). Democracy prevention: The politics of the U.S.-Egyptian alliance.
Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press.
Garcia, B. L. (2009). Latino politics.Cambridge: Polity.
Rosati, J. A., & Scott, J. M. (2011). The politics of United States foreign policy.Boston, MA:
Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Storey, W. (2010). US government and politics. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
