Reform And Its Meaning In The Society - Essay Example

Reform Introduction To my own definition of the Matter ‘Reform’ meaning to embark on a certain movement primarily with an aim of bringing newdimension to an already deteriorated affairs. These include removing abuse and injustice and many other vices coming across many affairs. It is a campaigns which is aim to break the jinx of corrupt malpractices and social abuse. The Political movement Reform has been for a long in history. One of the Examples ought to be cited is the Women Suffrage movement in the United States of America, 1848. “The first American womens rights convention was held in 1848 at Seneca Falls, New York. At that convention, the delegates adopted a platform that called for a broad range of social, economic, legal, and political reforms that would dramatically raise the status of women in American life. To the surprise of most of us today, the demand for womens right to vote (called woman suffrage) was the most controversial reform proposed at the convention. From the time it was first formally proposed in 1848, gaining the right to vote took the womens movement 72 years of struggle to achieve. This exhibit examines the development of a distinct female political culture and imagery that evolved to promote voting rights for women”. (Political Culture and Imagery of American Women Suffrage) However, Why there were Political Reforms movement, now and then and before? Meanwhile, “Political science and theory have evolved on the understanding that national boundaries demarcate the basis on which individuals are included and excluded from participation in decisions affecting their lives. There is a growing perception that democracy has failed to deliver both economic and social development. This perception has often been used to explain the rise in nationalism and ethnic tensions due to unmet expectations. It raises the question whether democracy should be pursued as an intrinsic or instrumental good and whether political justice seeks substantive equality or equality of opportunity? Is it appropriate to expect democracy to deliver human development?” (Political Power and Development). What about the Political Justice? On this note, it is incumbent by those holding the mantle of leadership, (steering the government), and other stakeholders to adapt to the Political Justice. Without Political Justice, no meaningful changes will occur in making reform on the sector. As “political justice connotes the notion of fair and equitable exercise of political power a discussion of a political system that has the capacity to deliver political justice becomes imperative. A closer look at political arrangements that will promote and protect equal opportunities and equitable sharing of resources is therefore warranted. Before going much further in this discussion the question needs to be asked whether the aspiration for political justice is realistic or it is simply a utopian ideal. The notion of justice is relative and value laden. I will therefore restrict my discussion to an exploration of how democracy can be made more effective as a way of giving control and equality to the citizen. If one proceeds on the premise that political justice can be attained by a system of governance that incorporates accountability, transparency and participation, one can convincingly put the proposition forward that democracy is the most legitimate form of governance”. (Democracy and Political Justice) How to Improve the Political Justice for All: The reform concentration also looking to ways through which citizens will be given their right on political issues in their own country, without any form of manipulation by the Government as it is happening. The Electoral and Electoral Process are also key areas of concentration on this aspect. “If political justice is about citizens having effective control over political decision making then the area of elections and electoral processes is a key candidate for attention. The concern about preoccupation with elections as if that is all there is to democracy is understandable. However if there is agreement that elections and electoral processes are the vehicle through which citizens give up their power, then credible and legitimate electoral processes become central to political justice. A major challenge for electoral processes is lack of trust and confidence by the citizens. Political systems that do not foster genuine political competition, political structures that do not accommodate diversity, weak electoral management capacity of electoral bodies, ill adapted electoral systems design and a partisan media that does not play an effective role of allowing citizens access to information, are some of the factors that engender mistrust and lack of confidence. Civil society organizations need to explore initiatives that can be undertaken to address these problems”. (Election and Electoral Process) Persuading Citizen to Participate in Political Issues and Vote: While Reforms on Political aspect is really aiming to achieve the desire goal, it is incumbent to adapt to certain measures by which to confident citizens that their rights are appropriately given to them, and that no manipulation, malpractice and any acts of violation of political acts is adapt. And thus, the following must be adapted as strategies for through which Political Reform could be achieved. “Participation – rights to participate, capacities and resources to participate, agencies for participation and a participatory culture •Authorization – through free and fair elections, referenda, choice of office bearers and programs, control of elected over non-elected executive personnel • Representation – legislature’s representative of main currents of popular opinion, public institutions representative of social composition of the electorate • Accountability – clear lines of accountability, legal, financial, political, and to ensure effective and honest performance, civil service and judiciary integrity • Transparency – government open to legislative and public scrutiny • Responsiveness – accessibility of government to electors and different sections of public opinion in policy formation, implementation and service delivery • Solidarity – tolerance of diversity at home, support for democratic governments and popular democratic struggles abroad” (Democracy and Political Justice). CONCLUSION In conclusion, with the assessments made so far, it is observed that, reforms is refers to any movement with aim to change from wrongdoing, abuses, malpractices and many others, being Political, Social, and Economic. It might also be in any aspect of human endeavor. It is also observed that no meaningful political achievements will be recorded in any part of the world as long as Justice is not intensified. References Political Culture and Imagery of American Women Suffrage, Motherhood Social Service and Political Reforms, http://www.nwhm.org/exhibits/intro.html Democracy and Political Justice, Political Justice, Ozias Tungwarara, March 21 – 25, 2004, Gaborone Botswana, Democratizing power: civic engagement in decision-making, http://archive.idea.int/newsletters/2004/Mar-Apr04/CIVICUS_Paper.pdf Political Power and Development, Political Justice, Ozias Tungwarara, March 21 – 25, 2004, Gaborone Botswana, Democratizing power: civic engagement in decision-making, http://archive.idea.int/newsletters/2004/Mar-Apr04/CIVICUS_Paper.pdf Election and Electoral Process, Political Justice, Ozias Tungwarara, March 21 – 25, 2004, Gaborone Botswana, Democratizing power: civic engagement in decision-making, http://archive.idea.int/newsletters/2004/Mar-Apr04/CIVICUS_Paper.pdf   Read More