To what extent does political participation reflect a bias in favor of Essay

To what extent does political participation reflect a bias in favor of the privileged - Essay Example This is particularly reflected in political participation. Inherent Inequality Ideally, political exercise is open to all. The constitution and the collective laws of any democratic government ensure this. Here, most people are eligible to seek public office or be involved in electing people to public positions. For some communities, even those who do not know how to read and right are not excluded to participate. Unfortunately, the electoral process in democracies today is characterized by competition, wherein political participation is â€Å"circumscribed by unequal access to both resources and the decision-making process.†1 Equality would have been easier to practice in the brand of direct democracy adopted in Greece, wherein all citizens are entitled a voice in policymaking. But the circumstance today – one about political participation through representation – is radically different. The rules and dynamics of choosing representatives are no longer as straigh tforward as those in the past. Resources are needed in order to get represented and this aspect tilts the balance to those who have more than others. This is highlighted by the predomination of individuals and private enterprises in political exercises with their capability to influence all policy networks. Elitism In the United States, political representation is especially biased towards the elite. The manner in which individuals are elected, demonstrates a process wherein the privileged enjoy extreme advantage. For example, there are no laws that regulate private expenditures for partisan political purposes. The system currently treats private funding in the American elections as part of the egalitarian value of freedom to support the candidate of one’s choice. The argument is that when one restricts the use of money, it is tantamount to restricting the rights to liberty and free speech. This is demonstrated in the way candidates in the US can buy advertising airtime in th e media. Private money in this instance is translated into a very important political resource, severely disadvantaging those individuals and parties that do not have the means or cannot raise them in time. Chapman classified the privileged between the socio-economic elite and the political elite. She explained that the latter tend be dominated by the former and that in most likelihood property, income, occupation and education are those that would render people from this class more likely to enter politics.2 Another variable that underscore the bias of the current democratic political participation in the US is the conservative view on politics. This is manifested best by the American Electoral College system, wherein popular vote is disregarded in favor of certain groups and individuals. The Founding Fathers of the American Constitution were known to have noted the fickleness and selfishness of the masses and, hence, entrusted the power to elect the American President in the hands of the learned and the capable. This is rationalized, wrote Sullivan, Piereson and Marcus, by the idea that universal transformation of human nature is too much to expect and that political representation should be given only to the virtuous or the â€Å"more highly educated and more responsible segments of the public.†3 And so when Al Gore won the popular election, George W. Bush was elected

Manage budgets and financial plans Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Manage budgets and financial plans - Essay Example At present it is not unusual to have the budget function report to levels of management on top of the controller. Even though it is still accommodating for the budget director to report to the corporate controller, the approach toward reporting to a higher level is acknowledgment of the necessity to have the budget function commonly based in all operating areas of the business. Budget committee of Swann Communication is composed of representatives from most operating areas. This composition promotes synchronization. If correctly administered, the budget committee can achieve the exceptionally useful role of encompassing and reconciling the numerous diverse interests that make up a modern business. An effective budgeting system assists control. The budgeting system must fit the Swann Communication's operational control needs. The budget is considered as management's quantitative expression of plans for a forthcoming period. Budgets are prepared at different levels of the business. The Master budget is defined as the general financial plan for the period, which suggests the company's goals and objectives (Kemp, and Dunbar, 2003). Master budget of Swann Communication composes operating and financial budgets. The Operating budgets demonstrate the business' planned sales and operating expenses. The Financial budgets mirror financing plans such as borrowing, leasing, and cash management. Budgeting, when done correctly, can serve as a planning and controlling system. Swann Communication's goals and performance objectives are documented in financial terms. Once formulated, these plans are used all through the year. The monthly performance reports compare budgeted results with actual results. Management can inspect the performance reports and take required corrective actions to control operations. The role that successful budgeting plays in the management of Swann Communication is best understood when it is associated to the essentials of management. Numerous existing d efinitions of Swann Communication management can be expressed in terms of five key functions: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. Planning and budgeting present a basis for assigning financial resources established on operational plans and objectives. For the reason of the intensifying complexity of business for the reason that of the movement in the direction of decentralization in big endeavors, augmented attention is being given to superior planning and control procedures. The management of Swann Communication must first plan. Plan is carried out by organizing, staffing, and directing operations. To control operations, management must institute proper techniques of observation and reporting to establish how actual results compare to plans. The budgeting is concerned mainly with the planning and controlling functions of management. Looking at how a budget is fabricated in the company will provide several insights into the fundamental aspects of budgeting. Primarily, the controller receives the operating plans of the line managers and other department heads and explains these plans into a comprehensive projection of financial condition and operating results. Final judgment should not be made until the outcome of the plans can be estimated by the CEO in terms of the impact on company resources and profits. Planning is considered to be future-oriented. The plan identifies