Democratic Reform and the Collapse of the Soviet Union - Essay Example

Assignment Democracy for all? Many academics and theorists argue that democracy is a viable option for all nations today, because it is the best political and economic option for “improving the welfare of the poor” (Ross, 2006, p.860). The rationale for this argument is that democracies, as opposed to non-democracies focus greater attention on producing public goods and the fair distribution and redistribution of the county’s wealth (Ross, 2006). It therefore follows that since poverty affects all states, democracy must certainly be a viable option for all states. However, this assumption is not true as democracy is not always a viable option for all states. Evidence suggests that while it may be true that democracies do tend to inject greater public funds into the provision of services to the public, these contributions do not always result in funds directly benefiting the poor. The injection of larger sums into public services by democracies also does not correspond with desired social results in terms of “longer, healthier, or more productive lives” (Ross, 2006, p. 860). As Ross (2006) points out: If democracy produces better outcomes for low-income families, then countries that transit from autocratic to democratic rule should see improvements in their infant and child mortality rates. In general, they do not (p. 860). It would therefore appear that for the purposes of reducing poverty and improving the lives and the wellbeing of the poor, democracy is not a viable option. Democracy is not a viable option because the evidence suggests that democracy has not been successful in reducing poverty and improving the lives of the poor any better than non-democracies. Mandelbaum (2007) also argues that democracy is not always a viable option for all nations. In particular Mandelbaum (2007) specifically points out that countries with socialist economies are incompatible with democracies. This is because a primary element of democratic states is that it imposes restrictions on government authority. In this regard, the greater the level of socialism, the more difficult it will be in “establishing a functioning democracy” (Mandelbaum, 2007, p. 95). Countries with free and open market economies will be compatible with democracy (Mandelbaum, 2007). On the other hand, countries with “economic organization” and/or socialist economies are incompatible with democratic political systems that recognize and enforce individual freedoms and open and free government elections (Mandelbaum, 2007). Even so, it is conceivable that not all open and free market economies are compatible with democracy and thus further advances the argument that democracy is not always a viable option for all countries. In more recent times the compatibility of free and open market economies with democracy has become more tenuous. In particular, the reputation of democracy and free market economies have taken different paths in today’s world. Democracy has always been a “valued” and “honored” political system (Mandelbaum, 2007, p. 96). Free market economies have on the other hand become particularly dishonered in today’s world. For much of the 21st century, free market economy systems are “distrusted and sometimes vilified” (Mandelbaum, 2007, p. 96). In other words, since free market economies are associated with democracies and free market economies are not viable options, it also follows that for socialist economies free market economies and democracy are not viable options for all countries. Assignment 2: Democratic Reform and the Collapse of the Soviet Union The Russian Revolution 1917 Timeline: 23 February 1917: The International Women’s Day Festival held at St. Petersburg quickly transformed into a large-scale demonstration when women laborers left their jobs at factories in protest of shortages in food. Men soon followed (St. Petersburg 1917 Russian Revolution, 2012). Images of the Demonstration in St. Petersburg on February 23, 2012 (Anti-Communism, n.d.). 24 February 1917: The demonstration that began the previous day swelled to epic proportions with the result that almost all of Russia’s industry came to a halt as virtually all workers were on strike. Although troops were eventually called in, it only added to the fray as many soldiers either defected or joined in the demonstration. Chaos ensued setting off the 1917 Revolution (St. Petersburg 1917 Russian Revolution, 2012). Image of the growing demonstration in St. Petersburg February 1917 (Anti-Communism, n.d.). April 1917: Self-exiled Bolshevik leader Valdimir Ilich Lenin returned to Russia following the Czar’s arrest and was greeted warmly by the population. Lenin criticised the government’s policies and encouraged the crowds not to cooperate (St. Petersburg 1917 Russian Revolution, 2012). Lenin during the 1917 Russian Revolution (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.). Summer 1917: Lenin attempted to facilitate a second demonstration similar to the one that occurred in February. However, his attempts were thwarted by the military and Lenin promptly left for Finland. Demonstration in St. Petersburg in the Summer of 1917 (The Russian Revolution: A Gallery of Photos, n.d.). October 1917: In October 1917, Lenin finally persuaded the Bolsheviks to conduct a coup in which they successfully occupied the main government buildings and ousted the Russian regime. The Communist Party took over and Lenin was succeeded by Joseph Stalin in 1923 (St. Petersburg 1917 Russian Revolution, 2012). A re-enactment of the Bolshevik’s coup in October 1917 (The Russian Revolution: A Gallery of Photos, n.d.). Revolutionary Events 1985-1991 1980: MiKhail Gorbachev promoted as a member of the Politburo (Chronology of Russian History, n.d.). Gorbachev (Digital Track, n.d.). 1985: Gorbachev is promoted to Secretary General and immediately advocates for economic reforms (Chronology of Russian History, n.d.). 1986: Gorbachev commences an anti-corruption campaign (Chronology of Russian History, n.d.). 1987: Gorbachev establishes 1991 as the deadline for economic reforms (Chronology of Russian History, n.d.). 1988: Ethnic unrest ensues in the Baltic states. On June 28 Gorbachev becomes president and immediately announces cuts in Soviet military spending. Open door policy and privatization commences under Gorbachev. 1989: Georgia demand independence and Soviet troops intervene. Meanwhile a first multi-party election is held and Yeltsin and Sakharov win the majority of seats in the Congress of People’s Deputies. Chaos erupts as coal miner’s strike are conducted in Vorkutka, Karaganda, Siberia and the Ukraine. Azerbaijani Popular Front blacks most of the freight headed for Armenia. Armenia and Azerbaijani were engaged in civil war. By November, the Berlin Wall came down and the Congress of People’s Deputies began to introduce political reform (Chronology of Russian History). An image of the Berlin Wall’s demise (Social Creature, 2010). 1990: Significant reforms took shape. The first McDonald’s opened in the Soviet Union. Censorship of the press was lifted and Lithuania declared its independence. Law on Peasant Farms permitted the private ownership of farms. Finally on June 12, 190, Congress of the People’s Deputies passed the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia which established the collapse of communist Soviet Union and the establishing of the Russian Federation (Chronology of Russian History, n.d.). With a multi-party system geared toward democratic reforms no doubt there is a Communist Party, but it is no longer the ruling party. Assignment 3: The Global Individual The global economy has resulted in a lot of uncertainty for the global individual. With corporations networking and outsourcing, individuals are always in danger of having loved ones lose jobs or being transferred abroad or simply leaving jobs to take on jobs abroad. The reality is, with companies becoming more mobile as a result of globalization, families are constantly facing disruptions as companies employing their loved ones relocate to more appealing destinations (Elliot & Lemert, 2006). The global economy has also impacted the global individual as a consumer. Not only are individuals able to purchase goods imported from all over the world, they are also able to engage in cyber consumerism. Cyber consumerism permits consumers to shop abroad without having to leave home. This practice permits the global individual to choose from a number of goods and to purchase better quality at competitive prices. However, this practice can also have a drawback. When consumers purchase foreign goods from foreign markets, the domestic market takes a hit. As a result, the global individual contributes to his or her own economic difficulties by spending money abroad rather than at home. Therefore the global individual is stimulating foreign economies rather than the economy that he or she is directly impacted by (Elliot & Lemert, 2006). Another important impact of the global economy is manifested by the recent global financial crisis. The crisis began in the US and as a result of the interconnectedness of national economies in this era of globalization the crisis quickly spread impacting most, if not all other countries. Thus from the individual perspective, there is no control over an individual’s economic security and even less certainty over economic planning and projection (Wijen, Zoeteman, Pieters & Seters, 2012). The environment is also changing and impacted by globalization which in turn compromises the global individual’s quality of life. With increased efforts globally to sustain economic growth and development particularly in new emerging markets, there has been a steady growth in demands globally for “natural resources” (Wiejen, et.al., 2012, p. 3). The result has been pollution particularly in “production epicentres and large cities” in many of these emerging markets (Wiejen, et.al., 2012). While pollution may be particularly problematic in emerging markets the problem is not confined to the polluted area. Pollution and environmental damages in general are not immobile. Pollution and environmental damages cross borders and impacts other states (Wiejen, et.al., 2012). Therefore the global individual may not be in the city or the state in which pollution and environmental damages are created, but will still be in danger of suffering from the effects of pollution and environmental damages abroad. Not only is there a danger that the environmental damages or pollution will spread abroad, but there is also the risk that goods contaminated by environmental damages or pollution can be transported and purchased abroad (Wiejin, et.a., 2012). In the final analysis, while the global individual currently enjoys instant communication which facilitates the ability to shop abroad without having to leave home, there is a dark side to the global economy. The dark side is manifested in economic and environmental damages, both of which threatens the quality of life and creates a large degree of uncertainty about the individual’s economic and environmental safety. Assignment 4: Advances in Science and Technology/Press Release The new Siri feature of the IPhone has introduced an innovative and efficient method for improving communications and for improving the quality of life generally. Siri acts as a personal assistant in that users can ask it for advice in terms of locating a restaurant or asking about the weather and Siri can understand and process the question and will reply. Siri also responds to voice commands for sending messages, scheduling meetings, making telephone calls and recording and communicating reminders (Apple IPhones, 2012). Thus Siri facilitates fast and efficient communication in an increasingly complex global world and also improves the quality of one’s life by helping with directions and organizing a hectic lifestyle. Bluetooth Wireless technology is also improving the ability of individuals to communicate with others when face to face or ordinary telephone conversations are difficult. The technology allows hands-free communication and the ability to switch to music and telephone conversations without having to use the hands. This technology is entirely important for communicating with others when the Bluetooth user is using the hands and breaking away may be inconvenient (Bluetooth, 2012). Wi Fi is also another important advancement in communications technology. Wi Fi is one of the most important advances in terms of facilitating interactions and communications between individuals who are separated from one another and need to communicate. It also permits individuals to keep track of their email and to browse the Internet from remote locations and thus simultaneously improves the quality of life. Essentially Wi Fi permits mobile users to work from remote locations, use internet telephones, print from wireless printers and download and exchange files. Another important invention or idea for facilitating interactions and improving the quality of life is online banking. Online banking permits individuals to access their bank accounts without the necessity of having to join bank queues or having to find an ATM. Moreover, online banking permits individuals to access their bank accounts at anytime and anywhere in the world. Another similar invention is Paypal which facilitates cyber commerce and other methods of instantaneous payment all over the world. Individuals in one location may purchase or sell a product to another at a remote location and can use any currency desired without having to go through foreign exchange protocols. In the final analysis there are exhaustive methods for improving the ability to communicate and interact across borders and with anyone anywhere in the world at any time. Time and space are no longer barriers to communication and to keeping up with work or with other commitments. Science and technology have contributed to the removal of borders, time and space so that we now live in borderless world. Bibliography Anti-Communism. Beginnings of the Russian Revolution –St. Petersburg. (n.d.). http://anti-communist-net.blogspot.com/2012/05/beginnings-of-russian-revolution-st.html (Retrieved 20 July, 2012). Apple IPhones. 2012. http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/siri.html (Retrieved 20 July, 2012). Bluetooth. 2012. http://www.bluetooth.com/Pages/Cool-and-Clever.aspx (Retrieved 20 July, 2012). Chronology of Russian History. The Soviet Period 1917-1991. (n.d.). http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/russian/Site-prior-to-Easyweb-migration/chrono3.html (Retrieved 20 July, 2012). Digital Track. Gorbachev. (n.d.). http://41standhome.bandcamp.com/track/gorbachev-free-download (Retrieved 20 July, 2012). Elliot, A. and Lemert, C.C. The New Individualism: The Emotional Costs of Globalization. Oxon, UK: Routledge, 2006. Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/121015/Lenin-during-the-Russian-Revolution-1917 (Retrieved 20 July, 2012). Mandelbaum, M. Democracy’s Good Name: The Rise and Risks of the World’s Most Popular Form of Government. New York, NY: Public Affairs, 2007. Ross, M. “Is Democracy Good for the Poor?” American Journal of Political Science, Vol. 50(4), 2006: 860-874. Social Creature. 2010. The Berlin Wall Coming Down. http://social-creature.com/how-to-stand-in-the-face-of-powerlessness-for-a-new-generation (Retrieved 20 July, 2012). St. Petersburg 1917 Russian Revolution. 2012. http://www.st-petersburg-life.com/st-petersburg/1917-russian-revolution (Retrieved 19 July, 2012). The Russian Revolution: A Gallery of Photos. (n.d.). http://www.nevsky88.com/saintpetersburg/revolution/ (Retrieved 20 July, 2012). Wijen, F.; Zoeteman, K.; Pieters, J. and P. Seters. A Handbook of Globalization and Environmental Policy. Glos. UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, 2012. Read More