Response to Students Posting - Assignment Example

As emphasized by Liverani (2009) that “democracies can be notoriously shortsighted when dealing with long term issues” (par. 4). The rationale for this could be that there are enumerable external factors that could influence diverse issues and so policymakers opt to decide on the most pressing issues given the resources and current macro-environmental status of the time.The post was also in response to Dinesh Sah’s Post where we both saw the issue of seeing democracies as recommending policies more on a short-term leash (Liverani, 2009).

Sandra’s contention, however, focused on the culture of "instant gratification"; which is also a valid point. According to Rivenburg (2004), “part of the problem is that technology and pop culture have trained people to expect instant gratification of their desires. So when temptation comes along, they're inclined to indulge it” (par. 12). There is so much focus on the immediate outcome and results with little foresight being accorded to long term vision of the effects of one’s course of action.

Therefore, to see policy-makers in a democratic society to manifest behaviors which exhibit the culture of instant gratification would also explain the lack of forbearance and foresight to resolve climate action on a more lasting and effective manner.De Yudice’s post was interesting in terms of illuminating the power of democracy at its best. Despite the apparent support from various policymakers and different stakeholders of the DREAM Act, the Senate reportedly made the firm decision of seeing it as a threat to being a precursor to invite more illegal aliens and encourage illegal immigration.

As policymakers, democratic forces encourage making responsible decisions that would benefit the people on a long-term basis. Through the temporary proposal noted by Napolitano (2012), young immigrants who are most affected by the DREAM Act could pursue further opportunities that would be seen as beneficial to the country in the long run. I therefore strongly agree that “free and fair elections and civil liberties are necessary conditions for democracy, but they are unlikely to be sufficient for a full and consolidated democracy if unaccompanied by transparent and at least minimally efficient government, sufficient political participation and a supportive democratic political culture” (Economic Intelligence Unit, 2010, p. 2).