Australian Federalism

This essay will outline the issues discussed during the ‘Policy Roundtable on Federalism’ hosted by the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) and the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) on the 17–18 May 2007 and will explore their impact on federalism and provide possible steps to overcome them. The Roundtable discussion made it apparent that Australian federalism is dysfunctional and needed shaping up. The reasons included a combination of external and internal factors and pressures. The pragmatic reform process could address these factors and pressures to improve Commonwealth-State relations. This could achieve enhanced policy outcomes for the Australian community and provide a system of government that â€Å"delivers the Australian people the opportunities they deserve† (Brumby 2008). David Black (1998) describes federalism as ‘the process by which the Commonwealth of Australia was formed on 1 January 1901, was unusual then, and still is†. The federal system has provided a relatively stable cooperative form of government, however, changing demographics, global pressures and fiscal situations within government have meant that the system is now seen as being in a malaise and in need of repair (Wanna 2007). The modernisation and globalisation of markets, media and communication has eroded regional identities in Australia. In the past the Australian states were protected from a centralised form of federalism but as modern technology reduced the physical distance institutional barriers were decreased. These global pressures mean that Australian states risk becoming agent providers for a central government (Wanna 2007: page). Increased activity has resulted in hyper-interaction involving all three levels of government. Additionally, lack of cultural regions in Australia unlike most other federations meant lack of regionally based governance system (Wanna 2007: 276). Australia retains a highly centralised fiscal system, holds a high amount of concurrent powers across all levels of government and lacks institutional barriers that prevent a centralised system. Fiscal imbalance between states and the Commonwealth impacts directly at a regional level even though policies are driven nationally. Concurrent Commonwealth-State powers also impact at regional level due to lack of adequate attention given to real impacts while decisions are made at federal level. The reduced effectiveness of federalism has contributed towards these issues and has failed to keep pace with modern times. It is now in need of repair to make it more efficient and capable of providing support to the modern Australian public. Current federal arrangements are holding back necessary micro-economic reform while there is a continuous struggle to respond to global economic forces. (Podger 2008). Although federalism can work it is not performing at the level expected. Participants at the Roundtable agreed that the process of reform can improve federalism but needs a different policy approach. Individual agreements on shared responsibilities will be needed to reshape policy areas. Increased cooperation and collaboration around national and state issues would need to be achieved. Participants started by looking at improving the generic architecture by enhancing the primary cooperation of levels of government through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). This could be the platform for any further detailed reform in order to avoid policy making failures around shared responsibility between governments. It is also important to note that the attendees agreed reform would need to start from the current position and not echoing any previous attempts. The Australian federal system is characterised by a significant level of vertical fiscal imbalance and this issue would need to be addressed to assist in reforming federalism. The Commonwealth holds the monopoly on tax revenue from income and GST and much of this is paid back to the states by way of Specific Purpose Payments (SPPs). These SPPs allow the Commonwealth to grant funds to states with conditions in areas that are constitutionally the states’ domain. As SPPs make up 40 % of Commonwealth grants the streamlining of these with a focus on outcomes would allow increased efficiency. In addition, guaranteed revenue would allow states to fund their responsibilities without central pressures. Whilst this imbalance could be reduced by assigning state expenditure responsibilities to the Commonwealth, it is an unrealistic expectation to reduce such a significant imbalance. (Carling, 2008: page/s) Clearly defined roles and responsibilities for the different levels of government is essential, as Carling (2008: page) states, â€Å"A federal system needs to be ?rmly anchored to a rational allocation of roles and responsibilities for the different levels of government† Lack of clearly defined roles can cause duplication of processes and conflict in policy making, giving states the opportunity to avoid accountability. A review of roles and responsibilities is a logical starting point, with the functional roles of Commonwealth and the state’ clearly defined. This may require that the Commonwealth takes a leadership role to ensure states are able to effectively deliver services. It is important to understand that the distribution of responsibilities between the levels Government has evolved aver time, and will presumably continue to change as policy and political imperatives require. (Podger 2008) Collaboration between governments to deliver long term sustainable national solutions is needed to face the significant social, economic and environmental challenges. Recently, all three levels of government have become receptive towards the idea of cooperative federalism. For effective federation architecture of cooperation consisting components such as principles to guide, supporting legal and institutional arrangements and appropriate cultural practices and attitudes are required. Focus could be on formalisation of COAG through intergovernmental agreement, clarification of COAG and ministerial council relation, ongoing review of federal financial relations and development of cultural practices to support the best of federalism. The change offers opportunities to make lasting improvements and Australian governments should seize the opportunity towards delivering effective national responses and generating substantial benefits for Australians. (Wanna, J. May 2009) Although the Australian federal system is perceived as declining and in need of reshaping, Australia is a prosperous nation. Federalism has seen Australia through times of significant stress including depression and war, and has led to the development of a welfare state. Rapid globalisation and modernisation demands that federalism adapt and adjust to meet competing demands. The options outlined in this essay provide the extending steps for already happening improvements by an ambitious government.

Jose Rizal and his Nationalism Essay

Jose Rizal was idealistic, who wants to free his countrymen from ignorance, exploitation and discrimination. With the use of his works and writings especially his novels – Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, he reveals to his people their experiences and sufferings, sufferings which he brought to light in an effort to awaken his countrymen to the truths that had long remained unspoken, although not totally unheard of. He showed to his people their sufferings friars and civil authorities, how the friars whom were guilty of bribery and corruption had made of the Catholic religion an instrument of domination and had prostituted it with exterior practices which foster the appearance of worship. The friars also enriched themselves not only by exhorting excessive fees for church services, but also by unjust acquisition of land estates. They made themselves feared by civil officials. They enjoy priorities over high government officials whose tenure of office they can control. The government itself sees nothing, hears nothing, and decides nothing except what the parish priests makes it see, hear, and decide. And the civil guards do not protect the citizens like they supposed to but protect the interests of the friars and the Spaniards only. The priests controlled also the acts of the ignorant natives and threatened the indios’ heads with excommunication for the slightest sign of disrespect and disobedience. Many Filipinos had become victims of human indignities. They were deprived of their right. They had no right to question authority – they were born only to serve. But Rizal did not put the blame entirely on the religious and civil authorities; he also honestly showed the weaknesses and defects of the Filipinos. The people themselves, by their timidity, fear, and cowardice had shackled their minds and debased their souls. Contaminated by the airs of superiority of the Spaniards, despise their own countrymen and make themselves ridiculous with their pretensions at false imitation. Rizal criticized this, the unspoken embarrassments of the natives for their own ancestry, and aspires to become a Spaniard to leave behind any trace of Filipino in them and then boasts to everyone. With that they gradually allowed the Spaniards to enslave them. As Rizal often said, â€Å"there are no tyrants where there are no slaves†. And that Rizal wanted to vindicate his race from the insults and prejudices upon the Filipinos, and that his people were not an anthropoid race, as the Spaniard asserted. Although Filipinos have some vices and defects, the same with other people in the world, they are not those which the Spanish writers attribute them – that there is no stimulus to worth or to merit. On the contrary, when Filipinos rise above heap they are ridiculed and made the object of mockery unless they serve the friars. Many Filipinos are persecuted in false conspiracies or exiled from their towns for standing up for their rights. Rizal wanted to bring back the pride in Filipino ancestors, a necessary component in the formation of national consciousness, and answer criticisms against Filipinos and their culture. He disproved the Spaniards and showed that the past of the Philippines already had a developed culture. Rizal in all effort tried to convince the Spanish government that there was an urgent need for reforms in the society in the government, and in the Catholic church of the Philippines. And that violence is not the preferred solution and it should come about peacefully and sensibly and that one great solution is education. He tried to show that there was no rebellion or revolution in the Philippines, but there would be, if the abuses and excesses of the friars and the administration push the Filipinos to their limit.

Networking Essays - The Pearl, John Steinbeck, Pearl, La Perla

Networking Essays - The Pearl, John Steinbeck, Pearl, La Perla Networking THE PEARL by John Steinbeck. Written in 1940 and published in 1947, The Pearl is another of Steinbecks novels, which tells the great American dream. The English he uses, as in most of his books, is fairly simple. The message that he attempts to put through to the reader, which makes this short and effortlessly understandable. Steinbecks protagonists comprise of Kino, a young Mexican fisherman, and his poverty-stricken family, consisting of Juana (his wife) and Coyotito (his baby boy). The story begins set in the bare darkness of the interior of Kinos mud hut, where the family awakens before the dawning of each day to perform their retual of preparing and eating corn cakes-the familys staple. Their living quarters is situated next to the Gulf of Mexico, where Kino would go out to dive for oysters and catch his familys next meal. Every single day he dreams of finding the great pearl, whom everybody believes, will make him rich. It is the incident of his sons illness that puts the fire and sense of urgency in his h eart to search for the prized object. The author drawn comparison to the American dream: To gain material wealth, obtain success. Ironically, when Kino does find the Pearl, it is to his great disappointment, too large and virtually worthless. Kino, as a character, is represented by Steinbeck, as the general American public of his day, where innocent victims compromise their moral values. His dream blinds him to greed and suspicions of his neighbors. Even Juana, is unable to temper his obsession and the events leading to tragedy. Kino eventually comes to realize that material wealth is nothing when you vision of good and evil. John Steinbeck was able to write The Pearl in the style of a folktale by keeping it short. By doing that, he made it is easier to keep in the memory, to pass it down to the next generation. Storys characters are common everyday people. They are not in the upper class, but they are hard working-class laborers, it makes the story closer to people. They are able to relate to the characters and how the characters feel. Also it provides a moral lesson which gives parents a reason to pass it down to their children. Steinbeck himself said that in The Pearl, ...perhaps everyone takes his own meaning from it and reads his own life into it. That means that it does not matter who hears the story, they will each get something out of it. Steinbeck made it exciting, which appeals to the listener and keeps them focussed on the story and wanting to hear more. By using these simple techniques, Steinbeck achieved his goal in writing a true folktale. In The Pearl, Steinbeck kept referring to songs. These were songs that Kino learned as a boy in the camp that they created for everything they saw, thought or did. There were songs for every aspect of his life: family, evil, the enemy, and eventually the pearl. They represented the good and the evil. But the Song of the Pearl was different. At the start of the story Kino said, but no new songs were added. However, the Song of the Pearl was added, and Kino placed in it whatever he could see in the pearl. At the start he saw in the pearl his family and all the things he could buy for them when he sold the pearl. So because of what he saw, the Song of the Pearl became the same as the Song of the Family. But soon the song changed. As Kino began to doubt and became afraid after he could not sell the pearl, the Song of Evil slowly took over and replaced the Song of the Family inside the pearl. Kino could not even see his own nice visions in the pearl, but all he saw was his own death. Evil was brought into the story very early on as the scorpion stung the baby. Good won over again as the swelling diminished with Juanas love and the seaweed remedy. After Kino found the pearl, evil began to take over. Greed, jealousy, arose in the town as everyone wanted the pearl and its money

10 Good Reasons to Keep Studying on Holidays

10 Good Reasons to Keep Studying on Holidays Holidays are the most perfect time of the year for a college student, and of course it is very tempting to start hanging out all the time and forget even about the existence of homework. Very often studies are associated with constant stress and deadlines, but with a right approach you can change things for the better and start to actually enjoy your homework! So why should you continue studying and how to make it more enjoyable? You can be your own boss Remember those papers with specific deadlines and the topics you dont actually like? Theres no need to follow these requirements anymore – you can do things you actually want to. Imagine that youre the professor who tells you what to do and what kind of assignments to complete. You dont have to rush anymore The hardest thing during the semester is the amount of work you receive and all the deadline which need to be followed. During the holidays you can create your own schedule – when and what to study. It will make things much easier and youll be free at nights to spend some time with your friends. You dont have to study in the classroom anymore The best way to concentrate on your studies is to change places where you study. Class rooms may be very boring, so you need to find another place. It is almost impossible to study at home, when you get distracted by your family. And it is tempting to start watching your favourite TV show instead of studying. Choose some other places where no one can disturb you – it can be a park, a coffee shop or a public library. You will be able not only to study, but also explore your city and find some new exciting places! You can have as many breaks as you want It is proven that its much easier to study with a lot of short breaks. It is very hard to concentrate on studying for more than 40 minutes. So try to change your activities – after studying, relax for about 10-15 minutes and do something fun, like playing Xbox. It will distract you for a while, and will be good motivation to keep on studying. You can set realistic goals There is no need to push limits and set unreasonable goals. You cannot possibly study more than 3 hours a day during holidays. Stick to the time you can actually handle! You should be results oriented, not on working hours. With proper motivation, you can complete much more in 1 hour, than usually. You can choose different types of on-line education There is no need to stick to old class books – since you have a lot of free time now, try to use websites that offer on-line education like Coursera! It is very interesting, it will take about 4 hours of work during the week. The assignments are usually creative. On discussion boards you can meet new people from all around the globe. You will be able to explore new topics If you chose to take some classes on-line, you can retake the courses youve already learned this year, like marketing or economics, or you can try something totally new – start programming, learn some music theory or basic cryptography. Such new topics may be super exciting to learn, and you can expend your horizons. You will be ready for the next semester Remember the time when you got back from the school break and you forgot everything youve learned so far? It is easy to get distracted from the studies at summer, especially with all that partying and having fun. So if you study at least couple of times a week, you will notice your progress after everybody start a new school year. You can stay active and study at the same time You have a lot of free time at summer, so if you chose to study, you shouldnt forget about being active. Go swimming or running, spend some time at the gym. It will make you more energetic and help you with the further studies, which may become boring if youre not active enough. Sports will make you more confident in completing complex tasks. You will have enough rest Since its summer now, you dont have to exhaust yourself with studying till 3 AM to meet the deadlines. It is very important to get enough sleep, at least 8 hours a day. It will keep your mind fresh, and ready for learning something new. You can try to read something interesting and useful before going to bed and your brain will process all the information, while youre sleeping. Studying may be a very hard thing during the semester and students start to dream about holidays to avoid it and have some fun. But if you think about the whole process from another angle, you will understand that studying and learning new things could become perfect activities. Especially during holidays! So dont think about studying as something painful and stressful. Make it fun! Any study tips to share? Well, at least tell us how do you spend your summer holidays!

Geography of the Country of Belize - World Atlas

Geography of the Country of Belize - World Atlas Population: 314,522 (July 2010 estimate)Capital: BelmopanBordering Countries: Guatemala and MexicoLand Area: 8,867 square miles (22,966 sq km)Coastline: 320 miles (516 km)Highest Point: Doyles Delight at 3,805 feet (1,160 m)Belize is a country located in Central America and it is bordered to the north by Mexico, to the south and west by Guatemala and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. It is a diverse country with various cultures and languages. Belize also has the lowest population density in Central America with 35 people per square mile or 14 people per square kilometer. Belize is also known for its extreme biodiversity and distinctive ecosystems.History of BelizeThe first people to develop Belize were the Maya around 1500 B.C.E. As shown in archeological records, they established a number of settlements there. These include Caracol, Lamanai and Lubaantun. The first European contact with Belize occurred in 1502 when Christopher Columbus reached the areas coast. In 1638, the first Eu ropean settlement was established by England and for 150 years, many more English settlements were set up. In 1840, Belize became a Colony of British Honduras and in 1862, it became a crown colony. For one hundred years after that, Belize was a representative government of England but in January 1964, full self government with a ministerial system was granted. In 1973, the regions name was changed from British Honduras to Belize and on September 21, 1981, full independence was achieved.Government of BelizeToday, Belize is a parliamentary democracy within the British Commonwealth. It has an executive branch filled by Queen Elizabeth II as chief of state and a local head of government. Belize also has a bicameral National Assembly that is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate members are selected by appointment while the members of the House of Representatives are elected by direct popular votes every five years. Belizes judicial branch is comprised of the Summary Jurisdiction Courts, District Courts, the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the Privy Council in the U.K. and the Caribbean Court of Justice. Belize is divided into six districts (Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek and Toledo) for local administration.Economics and Land Use in BelizeTourism is the largest international revenue generator in Belize as its economy is very small and consists mainly of small private enterprises. Belize does export some agricultural products though - the largest of these include bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar, fish, cultured shrimp and lumber. The main industries in Belize are garment production, food processing, tourism, construction and oil. Tourism is large in Belize because it is a tropical, mainly undeveloped area with abundant recreation and Mayan historical sites. In addition, ecotourism is increasing in the country today.Geography, Climate and Biodiversity of BelizeBelize is a relatively small country with mainly flat terrain. On the coast it has a swampy coastal plain that is dominated by mangrove swamps and in the south and the interior there are hills and low mountains. Most of Belize is undeveloped and is forested with hardwoods. Belize is a part if the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot and it has many jungles, wildlife reserves, a large variety of different species of flora and fauna and the largest cave system in Central America. Some species of Belize include the black orchid, the mahogany tree, the toucan and tapirs.The climate of Belize is tropical and is therefore very hot and humid. It has a rainy season which lasts from May to November and a dry season lasting from February to May.More Facts about Belize Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language Regional languages of Belize are Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna, Maya and Plautdietsch Belize has one of the lowest population densities in the world The main religions in Belize are Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Mennonite, other Protestant, Muslim, Hindu and BuddhistTo learn more about Belize, visit the Belize section in Geography and Maps on this websit e. ReferencesCentral Intelligence Agency. (27 May 2010). CIA - The World Factbook - Belize. Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bh.htmlInfoplease.com. (n.d.). Belize: History, Geography, Government, and Culture- Infoplease.com. Retrieved from: infoplease.com/ipa/A0107333.htmlUnited States Department of State. (9 April 2010). Belize. Retrieved from: state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1955.htmWikipedia.com. (30 June 2010). Belize - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize

Confuciuss Virtues and their tendencies to the modern American society Essay

Confuciuss Virtues and their tendencies to the modern American society - Essay Example When talking about Confucian ethics, it is central to analyze the five fundamental virtues which Confucius identified based on the fundamental relationships that people establish among each other, such as love, friendship, dedication, loyalty, respect and others. One of these fundamental virtues is Ren, the virtue of humaneness and goodness; it is based on compassion and understanding others and it represents the most important Confucian principle. â€Å"People cultivated by it are humane individuals who exhibit benevolence and care toward others. They are motivated by a deep empathy for others - what might be called human-heartedness† (Carroll). This particular virtue reflects the Confucian view upon the human nature, that is, the fact that all people are essentially born to be good and that they can automatically demonstrate care, respect and kindness one to another. However, when the human nature is not cultivated and educated in the right way and when it is exposed to outs ide detrimental influences, people can lose this basic quality and become mean, aggressive, irritated, hateful and undisciplined. Therefore, the virtue of Ren advises people to appeal to their good, kind, emphatic and well balanced self and by cultivating their mind and spirit in order to avoid a destructive and bad version of themselves.

A Tropical Paradise Called Bohol Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

A Tropical Paradise Called Bohol - Essay Example Visiting a foreign place always gets butterflies fluttering in one’s guts due to the excitement and anxiety of the unfamiliar environment he or she is about to experience.   The thought of a far-off tropical paradise usually arouses much thrill.   This is what I feel right now as I embark on a tour of a province in the Philippines called Bohol, situated in the Visayas, the second largest group of islands in this Asian country (Lonely Planet Travel Information).   I have heard much about the tourist spots in the Philippines, and Bohol is one place garnering much praise.   Perhaps that is why I am among a plane filled with foreigners from America and Europe and yes, also Asia, to visit this pristine place that promises one to forget his worries and indulge in the pleasures it offers weary bodies and souls. The Philippines is a small country in Asia rich in history and culture.   The brown-skinned people have survived centuries of subjugation from foreign invaders. Thre e hundred thirty years as a colony of Spain, forty years of the USA and three years of Japan right before the second World War. Before colonization, a variety of foreign traders and settlers such as the Malays, the Indonesians, Arabs, Chinese, etc. migrated to the Philippines and left their influences on the people (Lonely Planet Travel Information â€Å"History of Philippines†). At present, Philippine culture boasts of a cornucopia of languages and dialects from its people, such as Pampangueno from the province of Pampanga, Ilonggo from the province of Iloilo, Visayan from Cebu, Samar, Leyte and the other Visayan provinces.   The colloquial language is Tagalog, and this is mostly spoken in their national language which is called Filipino (Lonely Planet Travel Information). Food dishes from various provinces abound, tickling the palate with exotic tastes.   A common favorite is Adobo, a meat dish marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorns and garlic, and Pancit, a noodl e dish filled with meat and vegetables (Lonely Planet Travel Information).   During special celebrations and fiestas, roasted pig is the centerpiece of the dinner table where guests feast on the crunchy skin and succulent meat of the tenderized pork.   The country is also rich in art.   One of their earlier heroes, Juan Luna, painted the â€Å"Spoilarium†, a renowned masterpiece that has won many awards all over the world (Spoliarium Wikipedia).   Music and dance are likewise enjoyed immensely, as a host of native songs, instrumental music and dances are perennially present in programs showcasing the culture of the place the art originated from.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Philippines is home to several tourist destinations.   It has many natural wonders such as the Mayon Volcano, which has an almost-perfect cone shape (Mahalo.com).   It also has the eighth wonder of the world - a man-made rice terraces called Banaue Rice Terraces, which is a mountainous region built by hand and about 2,000 years ago by the Ifugaos, natives of Banaue in the highlands (Banaue Rice Terraces).It was for their rice supply, rice, being the staple food of Filipinos, the people of the Philippines.   The country surely has a variety of land and water forms with its rich natural resources.