Does democracy create stability in a society?
Every country in the world hopes to achieve stability in society, many tries to do so by adopting a democratic government system. In this essay, I would discuss if democracy really creates stability in a society.
Stability can be classified into mainly three areas, social, economic and political. Democracy is an internal factor determining stability in a society.
Socially, stability can be achieved through a democratic government as rights of minority are being protected in a democratic government; where social stability would be achieved when minority rights are being preserved. From the case of Singapore we can see that social stability is largely being present as democracy happens in Singapore, each ethnic group has its own representative in the parliament which would speak for their own ethnic group. Also, we can see from the present United States, social conflicts are infrequently spotted as US has a democratic government, the African American’s rights are also being protected, as can be seen from Obama’s case, a black also has the potential to become a president in a democratic society like US.
Economically, stability can be achieved through democracy as people have the rights to vote for the policies which would benefit them best economically. Economic stability can be achieved with democracy because there is freedom to change for the better, where people can choose for what benefit them best. For example, US has maintained economic stability by making US of less value recently for the oil crisis, this policy made has helped US maintained economic stability without being damaged hard by the crisis. This is possible because of the democratic society in US, where the parliament representing the people can vote for policies which would benefit them best.
Politically, stability can be achieved through democracy as people vote for their
political leaders, where the leaders would definitely be of high values and people would respect them. Since the leaders are being voted, there would be minimum cases of political instability as people respect their leaders. From the case of England we can see that political stability is being maintained ever since democracy was being introduced into England, there are no signs of political instability such as rioting or a weak party being the government.
There are also grounds to disagree with the statement. From the cases of many countries, we have seen the failure of democracy creating stability in societies.
An economic instability case has happened in the US before, which is the Great Depression. US was also under a democratic rule, but this great blow in economy still happened despite being a democratic country. This shows failure in democracy to prevent and resolve economic crisis.
Politically, Thailand suffered from political instability despite being a democratic government. The Armed government took over from Thaksin, which lead to a long period of political instability in Thailand. This was caused by a sudden change of stand from the Thai, where the people originally supported him were against him because of many factors.
Socially, in Sri Lanka, social instability was suffered for a very long period of time. The Sinhalese and the Tamils’ conflict was not resolved despite being a democratic government.
In conclusion, I agree with this statement. As can be seen from many countries, political, economic and social instabilities were maintained for a long period of time, such as US, Singapore, the European countries, were all able to maintain stability with the help of democracy. Where the instabilities happening in various countries are very short-termed and can be resolved shortly. Comparing democracy with other forms of government such as communist and socialist, democracy definitely gives more choice for people to vote for what they want. When the people are happy with their government, stability is naturally achieved in any country.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
homework
Article on Student pressure and how to release it
Recently, several students at a university in Guangdong province committed suicide in succession. This again draws people’s attention to a special group of people---university students. Because of the high suicide rate among university students, they have become members of a highly suicide-prone group, which is composed of peasants, bankrupts, laid-off workers and superstars. As a result, the psychological condition of university students has inevitably become a hot social issue.
Xu Guobin, expert of the Psychology Consultation Committee of Guangdong Higher Education as well as CPC Deputy Secretary of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS), accepted our interview to talk about the tragedies. He believes the reasons for the suicides have a lot to do with the fact that those university students got to deal with too many complicated things during their studies. They suffered from a great deal of pressure concerning employment, relationships, emotional problems, etc., which led some of them to psychological collapse.
Xu indicated that the primary factor responsible for university students' psychological problems results from pressures like employment, economy, studies, etc. Poor relationships rank second and emotional problems dropped from the # 1 spot to the current # 3. Psychological problems are hard to discover but easy to accumulate. Therefore, tragedies, which could have been prevented, occur.
There are always more solutions than problems
Through interviews, our journalists found that all fellow students felt sad about the tragedies but some considered those students who committed suicide to be too irrational and insensitive. They thought only the weak would see death as a solution while there are better ways to work things out. It was generally acknowledged among students that if the suicidal students could have released the pressure in time, they would not have killed themselves. The establishment of a Psychological Room at the university in question failed to solve the problem effectively. Therefore, students are looking forward to better ways of pressure release.
On March 6, Xu Guobin, Zhong Luoqun, teacher of the Students' Department, and representatives from every faculty held a symposium about students' psychological problems at GDUFS. Student representatives agreed that there were no major fluctuations in the students' psychology. The main pressure comes from the CET-4 and CET-6 exams, from problems concerning choosing majors and moving back to the north campus.
With regard to the problems arising from students' studies and emotional life, Xu showed his concern and extended his encouragement. Poverty is not a thing to feel guilty about and wealth does not solve everything. Life is full of difficulties. Therefore, we should always look at the bright side and take difficulties and sufferings as a kind of practice. If we have strong will and determination, we can be successful in life.
Xu emphasized that psychological health, which relates closely to a student’s political ideology and morality, is an important part of higher education. In order to ensure that students develop mentally, physically and emotionally, the school must provide a sound atmosphere for study and a good living environment. Besides, students should care about one another and give a helping hand to those in need.
Zhong Luoqun pointed out that GDUFS is well equipped for this matter. There is a psychological emergency team in every department, and a psychological commissioner in every class. Even the instructor is trained to deal with psychological problems. “In the course of life, we will come across defeat and frustration, which are inevitable. However, the very same factors may also lead to enhanced wisdom," said Zhong. “Always believe that there is a solution, and we will become more mature in the process of solving the problem."
Li Xiaoli of the Psychology Consultation Room and instructor at the School of International Trade and Economics told us the following ways of releasing pressure:
1. Exercise, for example: jogging, riding a bicycle, dancing, etc.
2. Communicate more with parents, friends and teachers.
3. Solve your problems actively, instead of trying to avoid them.
4. Get help from the Psychology Consultation Room.
Releasing pressure is important
Every one of us should have a correct understanding of ourselves, our society, the problems we face, the difficulties we encounter, even life and death.
I end this report with the comment somebody made about these tragedies on the Internet: “I'm sorry to hear that! I hope everyone knows your life does not only belong to you, but also to your family and your friends, and to everyone who shows loving care for you!"
by wang xiao hua
adapted from
http://english.gdufs.edu.cn/Article_Show.asp?ArticleID=847
Commentary
During growing up and maturing, there are always problems and expectations teenagers are going to face, these includes emotional problems, high expectation in academic and sporting. These expectations often cause too much pressure within the teenager. Some cope well with them and use them as stepping stones to success, but some are unable to manage them, and they tend to escape these problems through various means, and the most fatal one is by suicide.
As can be seen from this article, several student in Guang Dong university was unable to manage their stress and turned to suicide for a relieve. This cases not only happen in China, it happens in everywhere around the world. As i have heard from my mathematics teacher, an ACS boy just committed suicide recently because he was unable to withstand the various stress exerting on him from his peers, teachers and parents. Indeed, this is very sad for a teenager with bright future to die at such a young age.
As a student myself, i can also feel this stress coming from all around me. From my buddies, from my classmates, from my teachers, parents and even myself. Sometimes, i work very hard to achieve something but i failed in doing so, it makes me really pessimistic. But i think we should look at the bright side of life and think more optimistically. There is always tomorrow, although we might fail now, there are always other means and other chances where we can get what we want.
When i visited my friend's house last holiday, i saw loads and loads of assessment on his table, he is having his O'levels this year and i can see how dilligent he became since the previous time i saw him. At a corner, he revealed to me that he was forced by his parents to do so. His parents had high expectation of him. It was not wrong for his parents, but they are overdoing it. I can emphatise with my friend on his situation and I wish that all the parents could spare a thought for their children too. But most importantly, we have to change our pessimistic mindset and look at the bright side of life.
Recently, several students at a university in Guangdong province committed suicide in succession. This again draws people’s attention to a special group of people---university students. Because of the high suicide rate among university students, they have become members of a highly suicide-prone group, which is composed of peasants, bankrupts, laid-off workers and superstars. As a result, the psychological condition of university students has inevitably become a hot social issue.
Xu Guobin, expert of the Psychology Consultation Committee of Guangdong Higher Education as well as CPC Deputy Secretary of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS), accepted our interview to talk about the tragedies. He believes the reasons for the suicides have a lot to do with the fact that those university students got to deal with too many complicated things during their studies. They suffered from a great deal of pressure concerning employment, relationships, emotional problems, etc., which led some of them to psychological collapse.
Xu indicated that the primary factor responsible for university students' psychological problems results from pressures like employment, economy, studies, etc. Poor relationships rank second and emotional problems dropped from the # 1 spot to the current # 3. Psychological problems are hard to discover but easy to accumulate. Therefore, tragedies, which could have been prevented, occur.
There are always more solutions than problems
Through interviews, our journalists found that all fellow students felt sad about the tragedies but some considered those students who committed suicide to be too irrational and insensitive. They thought only the weak would see death as a solution while there are better ways to work things out. It was generally acknowledged among students that if the suicidal students could have released the pressure in time, they would not have killed themselves. The establishment of a Psychological Room at the university in question failed to solve the problem effectively. Therefore, students are looking forward to better ways of pressure release.
On March 6, Xu Guobin, Zhong Luoqun, teacher of the Students' Department, and representatives from every faculty held a symposium about students' psychological problems at GDUFS. Student representatives agreed that there were no major fluctuations in the students' psychology. The main pressure comes from the CET-4 and CET-6 exams, from problems concerning choosing majors and moving back to the north campus.
With regard to the problems arising from students' studies and emotional life, Xu showed his concern and extended his encouragement. Poverty is not a thing to feel guilty about and wealth does not solve everything. Life is full of difficulties. Therefore, we should always look at the bright side and take difficulties and sufferings as a kind of practice. If we have strong will and determination, we can be successful in life.
Xu emphasized that psychological health, which relates closely to a student’s political ideology and morality, is an important part of higher education. In order to ensure that students develop mentally, physically and emotionally, the school must provide a sound atmosphere for study and a good living environment. Besides, students should care about one another and give a helping hand to those in need.
Zhong Luoqun pointed out that GDUFS is well equipped for this matter. There is a psychological emergency team in every department, and a psychological commissioner in every class. Even the instructor is trained to deal with psychological problems. “In the course of life, we will come across defeat and frustration, which are inevitable. However, the very same factors may also lead to enhanced wisdom," said Zhong. “Always believe that there is a solution, and we will become more mature in the process of solving the problem."
Li Xiaoli of the Psychology Consultation Room and instructor at the School of International Trade and Economics told us the following ways of releasing pressure:
1. Exercise, for example: jogging, riding a bicycle, dancing, etc.
2. Communicate more with parents, friends and teachers.
3. Solve your problems actively, instead of trying to avoid them.
4. Get help from the Psychology Consultation Room.
Releasing pressure is important
Every one of us should have a correct understanding of ourselves, our society, the problems we face, the difficulties we encounter, even life and death.
I end this report with the comment somebody made about these tragedies on the Internet: “I'm sorry to hear that! I hope everyone knows your life does not only belong to you, but also to your family and your friends, and to everyone who shows loving care for you!"
by wang xiao hua
adapted from
http://english.gdufs.edu.cn/Article_Show.asp?ArticleID=847
Commentary
During growing up and maturing, there are always problems and expectations teenagers are going to face, these includes emotional problems, high expectation in academic and sporting. These expectations often cause too much pressure within the teenager. Some cope well with them and use them as stepping stones to success, but some are unable to manage them, and they tend to escape these problems through various means, and the most fatal one is by suicide.
As can be seen from this article, several student in Guang Dong university was unable to manage their stress and turned to suicide for a relieve. This cases not only happen in China, it happens in everywhere around the world. As i have heard from my mathematics teacher, an ACS boy just committed suicide recently because he was unable to withstand the various stress exerting on him from his peers, teachers and parents. Indeed, this is very sad for a teenager with bright future to die at such a young age.
As a student myself, i can also feel this stress coming from all around me. From my buddies, from my classmates, from my teachers, parents and even myself. Sometimes, i work very hard to achieve something but i failed in doing so, it makes me really pessimistic. But i think we should look at the bright side of life and think more optimistically. There is always tomorrow, although we might fail now, there are always other means and other chances where we can get what we want.
When i visited my friend's house last holiday, i saw loads and loads of assessment on his table, he is having his O'levels this year and i can see how dilligent he became since the previous time i saw him. At a corner, he revealed to me that he was forced by his parents to do so. His parents had high expectation of him. It was not wrong for his parents, but they are overdoing it. I can emphatise with my friend on his situation and I wish that all the parents could spare a thought for their children too. But most importantly, we have to change our pessimistic mindset and look at the bright side of life.
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