Carpenter and Spiegel as the Most Celebrated History Writers - Essay Example

SMART POWER By Ted Carpenter and WORLD POLITICS by Steven Spiegel A READING COMPARISON Introduction Carpenter and Spiegel are among the most celebrated history writers and social critics at present. It could be observed through these particular readings, it could be observed that through their authored reading pieces, understanding the American society in a much politically assessed situation. Carpenter naturally focuses on the international connections of the United States in the world today. May it being connection to international trade or political relations, Carpenter points out in his book that his POWER is an essential part of the said process of American connection to the international society. Understandably though, Spiegel’s approach in the process of discussing the international relationship status of the US is focused upon the major issues that primarily involve the foreign policy of the country in terms of making a great impact on the field of worldwide systems accepted by the human society today. With the different collection of essays about the importance and influence of the country’s political status in the entirety of the human society, Spiegel was actually able to clearly depict the different issues that make the said situation much implicative in the kind of political culture that the other countries around the world are naturally dealing with at present. In the paragraphs that follow, an understanding on how these readings actually make a great implication on the different situations that afflict the American politics which in turn also affects the entire political system of the human society as well. The said issues are further subdivided to naturally give the readers a fine understanding as to how the authors of the book naturally considers POWER as an essential element that characterizes the capability of political systems to work for the best values of the human society at present. Power Used in Political Activities American politics is known to prime during the election period where the most common activities of the politicians become significantly visible to the public. To gain the support and votes of the American citizens, politicians resort to any form of media approach to effectively communicate their political agenda and prospected projects when they are in position. In aspect, it is historically and prevalently true that money and other financial mediums play an important part. Every campaign process that is known to the contemporary society needs funding in monetary basis thus the wealth of the politician commensurate that of his electoral campaign. This prevalent political principle can be viewed as a neutral concept when it comes to its effect. All knows that the power of money in politics has its own advantage and disadvantage especially with the electoral campaign. In its good side, money indeed is a helpful campaign ally since it can push the objective into the media and other effective means thus promoting better communication between the politician and the public. However, on the other hand, money in terms of politics indeed favors the wealthy politicians thus gaining them more advantage to the lesser ones regardless of the validity of the politician’s motive. Thus, with the right amount of money, corrupt and demoralized candidates can win the election by employing the proper expensive tactics. To intervene with the monetary influence in the aspect of politics, the government of the United States of America established the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1974 that in legislative and constitution power, implemented a monetary limit to the electoral campaigns of the candidates. In addition, the said act also requires candidates to submit an accounting report of their campaign so that the government can critically monitor there expenses and financial resources to prevent any demoralized resort and actions. The Connection of US To other Countries THERE is an old saying that goes something like this: “It makes a difference whose ox is being gored.” The point of this saying is that the same event can look different to different people. It depends upon each one’s background and interest in the matter. It is usually easier for a person to be generous and unprejudiced about a problem as long as he is not too closely involved. But what happens if the problem moves into his own backyard, as it were? Then he may be prone to view it in a different light. Nations are like people in this respect, except that their attitudes affect millions of persons and the course of world history. As long as a problem does not touch a nation directly, it can be very noble and generous in its outlook. But as soon as the national interest is directly involved, it may quickly change its stance. So it is that two countries can take completely opposite views of the same problem or point of history. However, this does not mean that one (or both) is deliberately lying, though that could be the case. Indeed, they may not even be aware that they are presenting almost totally different interpretations of the same events. A look at a few historical situations will reveal that this is true. It will help readers to appreciate that misunderstandings between nations are almost unavoidable under today’s political systems. It also emphasizes how badly all mankind needs a better system of government. The average citizen of the United States is aware of certain “facts” about Canada, the vast country that lies to his north. But his information may not go much beyond knowing that there are descendants of the British, French and Americans living there, that they see the northern lights, and that the Mounted Police ‘always get their man.’ If he is old enough he may have heard about the Dionne quintuplets. One of such “facts” the average American assumes is that for the past two centuries Canadians as a whole have loved Americans. Indeed, he may feel that Canadians would no doubt have been willing to become a part of the United States if the British or Canadian governments would have permitted it. Beyond this knowledge, there are many other things that the US government doesn’t know about Canada. However, with the existing relationship within Canada and the US today, it is pretty obvious how the two countries have tried a lot in mending the shortcomings of both governments to each other. Through the International trade, there has been competition between the two, but amidst the economic struggling that happens in the International trade; both countries try to connect the differences they have against each other. Politically, there are still some existing misunderstandings between Canada and the United States. Although this is true, many analysts believe that both governments would be able to make amends with all these issues because of diplomacy and the application of human rights law and other international relationship principles. Indeed it is still undeniable that Political conflicts usually occur between neighboring countries especially with regards to economic struggles. However, if diplomacy is considered, these conflicts could be given way and set aside for some time, for the sake of the bigger public. US On Global Affairs TODAY, many Third World countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are impoverished and hindered in countless ways. People in many of these lands accuse their existing governments and local religious leaders of oppression. Others blame their current problems on foreign debt. Today, aside from all the oppression and government’s ‘authority abuse as claimed by some Latinos, it is quite sure that the government of Latin America and the society living around it is alarmed in living less democratic lives in the near future. Among the reasons behind this is the Political situation within the territories of the said country. Among the main reasons referred to by political analysts is the justice development of Latin America. With the development of the judicial processes and contents of the laws of the Latin American governments, it is quite obvious how the enhanced status of the Latin American laws have directly affected the democracy of the society of the said social section. Certainly, anything that is too much is not good. Even laws, which are supposed to secure the human community, begin to have less effective ways of protecting the society once it is abused. Indeed, everything should remain in a balanced way especially with regards to social acceptance. The Issue on Effective Use of Leadership Power The world, through history has seen the best leaders of all time. Certainly, these people who lead great crowds to believe in the principles they ought to impart to the world have entirely affected the human history. Yes, the said leaders came from all sorts of race and origin. However, their way of living and the fact that they wanted to change the present system of their times led the whole human society to where it is right now. The question then is, what does it really take to be called a great leader? Does culture and origin count in creating a person who would likely become a great leader? How do people accept a person who is considered a great leader? Among the great leaders known to the world are Mohandas K. Gandhi, who believes in political system reformation and Nelson Mandela who on the other hand pursues equality among every race in the human society especially concerning the level of respect received by each person regardless of their color in the American communities. Yes, both leaders came from different countries and different culture. However, their idealisms towards social transformation have been the topic of many writers through the years and their thoughts have been noted to among the pillars of the human civilization today. Apparently, it is not the way a ‘leader’ looks like or acts like, it is his capability to address to what the majority of the society needs that makes him a great leader. His courage to attest to what is right and to pursue his belief of the truth is what drives the people in his society love him and respect his ideals. Certainly, the acceptance of the majority of the righteous implications of the said leaders towards a fair and utopian society identifies the outstanding personalities in the society to becoming a great leader for the entire human generation. Yes, adhering to what is right and good for all is the key for one person to become a great leader. The certainty of a person with the fulfillment of his idealisms towards the betterment of his society leads him to the possibility of being known as a common individual with exceptional leadership that brings change to his community. Conclusion “A good leader gives clear direction and helps people under his care to gain personal strength and resources so that they can solve problems successfully”. ‘This is a requisite for the successful 21st century leader,’ says the book 21st Century Leadership: Dialogues With 100 Top Leaders. The present world is beset with problems that defy solution. What leader, for example, has proved himself so wise and powerful that he can eradicate crime and war? Who among today’s leaders has the resources and compassion to provide every human with food, clean water, and health care? Who has the knowledge and determination to protect and restore the environment? Who is competent and powerful enough to ensure that all humanity enjoy a long and happy life? The questions above determine the needs of the society for having a leader that would provide them with the necessary things that they want to have for satisfaction. This is the reason why being a leader requires so much effort. So as to be able to meet the challenges of becoming a fine leader for the majority, this paper then requires personal adjustments on a hopeful leader. Yes, changing the society is a large responsibility. Providing the people of what they need is a vital part of the responsibilities of being a leader. A hopeful leader could not attain the said goals and complete the said responsibilities without working on his personality first. Not unless he is able to reach his best potential as a person would he be able to bring out the best potential on others that could help them attain their dreams as well. Yes, personal development is essential for creating a leader within one’s self. Realizing one’s personal capabilities and limitations would help one recognize that others too have their own limitations and capabilities. People who have the capability of seeing people as persons who are capable of improving and developing are the ones who become successful leaders of the society. Certainly, the written books of noted herein primarily tries to asses the kind of elemental factors that leaders of the present society utilize to be able to get the right kind of understanding that they need to with regards the responsibilities that they have towards the society that they are supposed to serve. Understandably, Spiegel and Carpenter’s written works have naturally described the real sense of politics in the field of human society’s development. Power is just one elemental factor that describes the essence of social leadership. It should be noted that along with it comes the need to refurnish leaders’ characteristics towards the responsibilities that they have towards the people. References: Ted Galen Carpenter. (2008). Smart Power: Toward a Prudent Foreign Policy for America. Cato Institute. Steven L. Spiegel. (2004). Readings in World Politics. Wadsworth Publishing; 1 edition. Read More