We have been blessed to grow up in a democracy that, at least on paper, ensures equal rights for all. We believe in this form of government so much that we want to share it with the world and believe it will benefit men and women everywhere. However, Chua claims that implementing a democracy will not immediately solve a country's problems.
Read one of the following articles or choose another article from the NY Times--Discuss it and incorporate ideas or claims from Chua.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/world/middleeast/31egypt.html
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/iraq/elections/index.html
Read one of the following articles or choose another article from the NY Times--Discuss it and incorporate ideas or claims from Chua.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/world/middleeast/31egypt.html
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/iraq/elections/index.html
13 comments:
Egypt is on the verge of elections this month. They are electing a new president for stability and development. They will also be amending their current constitution. They are doing this by adding eight new amendments, and limiting their president to two eight-year terms. Voters approved these changes in March, calling for a reform from their previous president. This democracy is up and coming in Egypt, after suspending the previous constitution of the overthrown previous president. Amy Chua says that democracy is the fairest form of a political system. This is what Egypt is striving for, a democracy by the people for the people.
In Egypt they are not trying to get past minorities ruling their economy. They are trying to make it a better place for their people. A democracy, in a perfect world and on paper ensures equal rights for everyone. This is the goal that they are trying to attain. They overthrew the previous president and suspended the current constitution for a reason. They want reform in their government. Holding regulated elections, where the people chose what is done and how it is handled. Rewriting the constitution with new amendments that the people choose, allows the people to decide how their country is run. Before the new constitution goes to the people, parliament will elect a team of highly qualified individuals. These individuals, legal experts, politicians, and other professionals will draft the new constitution.
The new constitution will then go to the people to be approved. Because of this new focus on democracy and involvement from the people, the people are more connected with their country. They want to get involved and help move their country to where they want it. Democracy is the fairest form of a political system because it involves fairly and equally everyone.
Egypt wants this democracy and reform because of this. Everyone should be equally involved and connected to their country. The reform and steps that Egypt is taking to move their country to a better sense of being are democratic.
Megan Campbell
Elections in Egypt by Fall, Leaders say
I think the idea of implementing a government into Egypt or anywhere for that matter was a great idea. As long as they write up a constitution that draws clear lines what a leader can do and not do, preventing a dictator. For Chua to reject this idea is ridiculous, I would think someone of her education and intelligence would know better. For example, Somalia has a dysfunctional government, making it extremely easy for someone or a group of people to terrorize others. How could no government be better than something like a parliamentary government? Chua has a proof at all that forming a government can be a bad thing, all she has is the positive effects we’ve seen through the years. And if Egypt can set up a healthy government where citizens can vote fairly, then it will just prove her wrong.
Establishing a government, especially a democracy, is anything but bad. Chua has no evidence to back up her theory, so why would people believe her opinion or take it seriously. The article only further develops the idea of how positive a government can be. 100 people of an educated field are going to get together and write the new constitution, what can be negative about that? That shows the dedication people have to fix their country, and it will make their constitution well rounded. This brings people together to talk about issues and get them resolved in a respectable manner. Unlike in countries with no government or a dictator type government where people riot to solve issues. I look forward to their new government working and helping to better their country. And Chua’s idea that democracy causes ethnic hatred seemed absolutely ridiculous, I don’t think it has anything to do with ethnicity at all.
The terrible event that took place in Egypt has finally ended with Egypt replacing the president and trying to turn their government into democracy. Amy Chua states that democracy is the fairest political system the world has ever known, and the one most respectful of individual liberty. The article says that the 18-member council would hand over legislative power after the parliamentary election in September (this article was dated back in March 30, 2011). Having too much power in one hand is what started the Egyptians to turn against their government. With this knowledge in mind, Egypt has taken the idea of democracy into consideration and changed the government around. For example, Egypt has created an additional of about eight amendments that includes the limit the president to two eight- years’ terms. It is time for the people to have their voices heard and know what their best interests are and not let the government decide for them. Plus, legal experts, academics, politicians and other professionals will be drafting a new constitution which is another step of improving Egypt’s government better for the people.
Having a government in Egypt is a great idea. This is because without government there would be pandemonium as you saw happened to Egypt. So if you can create a good government I do not really think it matters what type of government it should be. Amy Chua says that democracy is the fairest type of government and so she does not like the idea of creating any type of government in Egypt. This is stupid because if you can make that type of government work then I do not really think it matters what kind of government Egypt makes, but the constitution they make must be fair so that the people living there can vote fairly. Chua does not give evidence to say that democracy is the only way to go
Chua is definitely correct about believing that a county's problems won't be solved immediately by just implementing democracy. Egypt has been trying to implement democracy and till this day it hasn't shown to be effective. Egypt has tried to become a democracy but it just isn't happening. The revolution that happened this past February, that was lead by Egypt's young liberals, was however a very big step forward because it ended Mubarak's long-term presidency and in fact it was democracy at work because it gave what the majority wanted. Now that the president stepped down, the military was given power till elections can be held. These are all good steps taken to become a true democracy. At this time, Egyptian citizens are preparing for the election that is going to take place this month and hopefully it will produce the best candidate possible. Choosing this president will be very important because as the article states, he would be assigning people to come up with a new constitution. Electing a new president and writing a new constitution however is not enough, because Egypt elected the last president and helped create the past constitution, and equality and freedom were kind of nonexistent. Egypt needs to come together, both Christians and Muslims, and actually look to elect a president and build a new constitution based on what will be best for all of its people and not based on religion. If Egypt can come together and do this, it will be a great thing because the future of Egypt is based on it.
In "Elections in Egypt by the Fall, Leaders Say," Emam discusses the elections that are going to be taking place soon in Egypt, most likely by November. Egypt had been going through all the protests and violence for months and is now finally getting into place and handling their country trying to establish a government and get good leadership to guide their nation. They are starting afresh and getting new parliament members as well as assembly members and having a new start with new people to bring about stability and development as mentioned in the article. Chua emphasizes on democracy and that is what the people of Egypt are connecting to; they are trying to form a government that can lead them to a better nation with the opinions of the people to be voiced as well.
Arm Emam’s New York Times article “Elections in Egypt by the Fall, Leaders Say” goes on to discuss the hopes of what upcoming elections will bring to their country. In the past, they had to overthrow their former president, Hosni Mubarak who wrote up a constitution that “bans the formation of parties based on religious grounds” (Emam). As of now with this new election, they hope that a new president will bring “stability and development” to their country, and of course, fairness and justice. They plan to form a democracy that will help develop the qualities that they seek for a better government in the future. They even plan to take more time for this election to ensure that things will go right for all they have planned for their developing a true democracy.
Although Amy Chua discusses some down effects that result from developing democracy, I, in some ways, agree that it won’t come easy. It takes time to ensure that things will be stable and plans will be implemented and developed as best as possible. I believe that, in some ways, Egypt illustrate that they understand such changes won’t occur over night, especially how they are going about this situation, such as how they requested more time for the election. It’s all about patience and well-developed planning to get an actual fair government going.
As long as Egypt stays on the right track to getting what they desire for their country, then everything will fall into place for their democracy. Democracy is primarily, about fairness and about the people, that's what has to be in mind at all times in order to ensure for a fair and stable country.
Adrianna Boles
(Extra Option)
Implementing a new government into any country would take an extremely long time. Many Americans might not realize how long because we have been living in a democratic government for so long. Yes there have been a couple of changes to our government here and there, but nothing as massive as changing the entire basis on which our country stands on. So just imagine what the process is like in places like Egypt where a new constitution was recently implemented. Of course the changes are not going to occur over night. Government is too complex to be fixed in a matter days, like anything it is a process, especially when the new government is democracy. According to Chua in her article, “A World on the Edge,” , “democracy and markets—at least in the raw, unrestrained forms in which they are currently being promoted—can proceed only in deep tension with each other.” In the case of Egypt we see purely a government reform rather than a market reform, which is where Chua says the problems arise. Egypt implementing this new government doesn’t really go against what Chua points since she mentions that problems arise when you try to include both into a democracy. Egypt seems to be on the right path to implement this new government. But like Chua mentions it is a long process.
In her essay Chua talks a lot about the down effects which democracy comes with. Democracy stands for a government that is ran by the people and for the people. This means that everything the people want is usually what is done, it all depends on the way in which people vote. But even with establishing a new democracy in a country that has had a bad government doesn’t mean that that country will become successful overnight. In order to be successful a lot of things have to be changed and it takes a lot of getting used to. Everyone has tobe willing to accept the change and cooperate in order for it to work.
In the article “Elections in Egypt by the Fall, Leaders Say” written in the New York Times by Arm Emam we learn about the current government situation in Egypt. After their old leader being over thrown by the people they hope that the elections which are currently being extended create a better setting for the Egyptians. Egyptians are trying to find a medium between “stability and development” in order for their country to prosper. They are hoping that the decision to create a democratic government will give the people a better future.
I think that it is really good that the Egyptians are trying to change their government and make it democratic. The fact that they are taking their time in order to make the right decisions is good. They know that this process is not easy and will take a lot of time. The people just have to make the right decisions when choosing who to vote for.
Silvia Diaz
In spite of the points that Amy Chua argues in her article “A world on the Edge”, the implementation of a democracy in Egypt seems to have been well accepted. Chua argues against outside influence in fear of becoming economically and politically dominated. However, outside influence, in this case, may prove to be very productive, and although Chua argues against foreign influence, she also states that politically, democracy is the fairest form. The goal of a democracy is to attain equal rights for everyone. This is the case in Egypt. Their current constitution has been suspended and the holding of regulated elections that allow the people to choose and write their own amendments based around the people needs is in effect. Ultimately, when finished, Egypt will posses a political system similar to that of the United States. Chua may argue against the events occurring in Egypt today, but for now it seems as if her theory may lack specific examples of when all foreign influence helped a country to regress. The formation of a democracy in Egypt has truly helped its people. It’s brought about change that can only be matched by the contentment of the individuals who sought it out. The specifics of Egypt’s new political system, including the limiting of their president to two eight-year terms, and the addition of 8 new amendments may finally bring some balance and peace within the government and its people.
The idea of executing a government in Egypt is a great idea. The idea that people finally have control over their own government is better than being ruled over corrupt and unfair authorities. The chance to elect a new president under the people’s power, and the chance to create a constitution that will draw equality for its people, and the chance to make rules that will not lead rulers to dictatorship are principles that create a democracy. Democracy in Egypt is what the people have been fighting for. They have suffered through enough and they have wanted a change towards to something like democracy. The people of Egypt are struggling for a government in order to build themselves a better place to live in. According to Amy Chua, “democracy is the fairest form of a political system.” This statement gives the people in Egypt the ideas that striving for a government reform and better constitution. These are the things that make them be in control over how their lives should be ruled. For Chua to deny the principles of democracy is absurd. Democracy for the people in Egypt is the only thing that could save them from another leader that dictates how the lives of the people should be. Without a proper government, its people do not have the guidance towards a fair and equal nation. A change to democracy is the chance for the people in Egypt to come together and ask the freedom and equality they deserve. Even though implementing democracy might not solve all the problems and change things immediately, it is definitely a start towards a better future.
Egypt has been going through this civil with the government for a while now. It is time for some change to happen since the president was overthrown. The president was like a dictator which most of the citizens did not like. After overthrowing him, Egypt was without a president and elections were needed to happen quick so the country could have an official president. Amr Emam wrote in his article about how Egypt has finally started the elections. The elections were said to start in November. The citizens are hoping the president will bring "stability and development" according to Emam. They want to expand democracy throughout the country by electing a president fairly. However, Amy Chua declares in her article that giving the majority power can over throw peace and gives these people too many powers. Unfortunately, Egypt has no choice but to elect a president because they want to have democracy in their country. The citizens of Egypt are hoping that their country will soon be stable and be able to develop to become a better country. All Egypt has is hope. They are hoping that no tyrant president will be elected and everyone votes are considered fairly.
I think that it is important that Egypt is taking the necessary measures to stabilize its government system. Whether or not a democracy is the best political system for this group of people, as long as attempts are being made to create a reliable lasting form of government, the Egyptian government is taking the essential steps to forming the basis of a new government. Changing the framework for any political entity takes time and patience and will not work on the first try. Our own country’s political system failed the first time under the Articles of Confederation and even our current constitution hasn’t guaranteed lasting peace within the country. Chua believes that democracy serves as most of the basis of controversy and upheaval in non-Western countries and while I agree with her that in most cases where democracy has been introduced, struggles and aggression has followed, I do not believe that democracy is the source for all the strife she blames it for. I believe that going into any previously established country and changing the political system would cause chaos and turmoil. Not necessarily because of democracy but because disrupting customary rulings and ways of life would be confusing and frustrating for anyone. Adjusting to change is not easy even if the change is meant to bring about a better way of life. The evidence that Chua uses to support her claims don’t actually prove or help support that democracy is the root of the issue between ethnic minorities and majorities within specific countries. Yes, it suggests that there is a long history of tension between the two groups, but democratic ideas are not detrimental to the societies. I simply don’t understand why Chua blames democracy the large gap in income between ethnic minorities and majorities within countries. Its something that I just can’t fathom. A government doesn’t necessarily have to be democratic to be successful, but it has to provide more opportunities to achieve equality. The lack of monetary equality between ethnicities seems to be a major factor in Chua’s analysis of violent revolutions in non-Western countries. If democratic reform is not the answer, Chua fails to offer alternatives to alleviate the unrest and unhappiness of the people.
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