The relationship between democracy and performance Essay

The relationship between democracy and performance - Essay Example To some governments, democracy helps improve performance, allowing for the free exchange of commerce and greater transparency in the administrative processes. However, for others, there is a strong belief that other forms of government would be better options in securing improved performance. This paper shall now discuss the relationship between relationship and performance using concepts relating to economic performance, political stability, and other elements of governance. Body A realistic assessment of the workings of democracy indicates that the impact of civil liberties in a country is significant in relation to the performance of a government and its investment activities (Pritchett and Kaufmann, 1998). Such finding supports the idea that the extent to which citizen are able to express their opinions in the public sphere has a crucial impact on how accountability would apply in relation to government and its efficacy. To some analysts, there is no clear association between the elements of electoral governance or democracy and the performance of government activities (Isham, 1996).... Indicators for success in projects include the economic rate of return which is based on the accomplishment of the project, and the rating on whether the project was able to fulfil its project goals. Data on success of bank-supported activities are considered determinants of borrower countries and their efficacy (Isham, 1996). This is because the projects supported by the World Bank are carried out by the borrowing country and its government which then implements the project. As such, there may sometimes be comparisons on ex post success in relation to how well governments undertake projects they opt for, rather than evaluating what projects they actually select. Data on bank-supported projects also provide a specific classification on project success based on comparative elements for different countries (Pritchett and Kaufmann, 1998). Most countries do not often assess their own projects, and most of them do not allow their own assessments to be evaluated based on the determinations made by other countries. Although there may be inaccuracy in terms of project evaluation, the evaluations gained are generally reliable elements in indicating success or failure. As the World Bank is a global institution with specific rules and consistent policies which all apply to borrowers, it is not likely for differences between countries in relation to Bank-supported activities to be primarily the result of inconsistent decisions from the WB (Pritchett and Kaufmann, 1998). The measures of democracy in this essay focused on different cross-national determinants. One of these determinants is based on rankings made by Freedom House where the firm ranks countries yearly using a checklist which includes the lack of media censorship, open discussions in public,

Modern Political Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Modern Political Theory - Essay Example The understanding of natural law is that it necessarily distinguishes between laws of nature and those that have been artificially created by society, with the latter referring to the positive law. Locke understood that one of the main differentiating features between these is that natural law exists throughout all cultures, while a positive law is experienced only through specific social or governmental designations (Dunn). Another prominent consideration Locke made in regards to natural law was in relation to theological elements. Locke distinguished between religious law and natural law, as natural law is the law that emerges solely through the process of human reason and rationality. One recognizes that whereas natural law reveals itself to the individual through rationality, the religious law implies a divine revelation as the primary substantiation. For instance, while there are elements of the Ten Commandments that are recognized elements of the natural law, there are also ele ments that are not applicable to all humanity. In these regards, Locke’s understanding of natural law in relation to theology was the recognition that while there may be a divine entity that establishes laws that overlap with natural law, they are only considered natural law if they can be determined through human reason (Forde). Notably, Locke believed that when the Bible or religious principles went beyond or conflicted with the natural law they were improperly formulated; as such, Locke chose to interpret the Bible in accord with natural law. To a large extent, Locke’s perspective on natural law in relation to religious law is formulated within the voluntarism and intellectualism debate. While Locke highly emphasizes the importance of rational understanding to the establishment of natural law, he also makes a number of prominent statements that seemingly supports theological perspectives on social obligations. For instance, in the Essay Concerning Human Understandin g Locke argues that laws need have an individual lawgiver. In the Essays on the Law of Nature, Locke argues that individuals have an obligation to abide by their creator (Forde). It seems that for Locke the question of natural law then becomes a voluntarist in regards to the reasons humans should follow natural law, but remains highly rationalistic in the means by which a perspective establishes what constitutes natural law. One must also consider Locke’s understanding of natural law as to whether he believed the predominant elements were rights or duties the individual must follow. It seems to a great degree most theorists believe that Locke’s notion of natural law is that it generally refers to aspects of human rights. In these regards, Locke is believed to have adopted a view of human nature that as motivated by hedonistic impulses. As humans are predominantly motivated by such self-interest the natural need for human self-preservation supersedes any types of duties by which humans might be restricted. Still, other theorists believe that Locke was also concerned with natural law as prescribing moral duties to humanity. To a degree, such a different appear semantic. Consider that argued that some of the core elements of the natural law were life, liberty, and property.