Discussion Questions Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Discussion Questions - Term Paper Example Those doing public opinion are guided by questions depending on the issue they are studying. Some of the questions that they may use when focusing n a study can be how strongly is a given opinion by the public held? In which geographical area, age group, religion, society and sector of the economy are the opinion intense? Or even what other relating opinions does the public has? Measurement of quantitative opinion has helped in generalization of opinions and cementing of public opinion is a good thing. Secondly is a thorough investigation of individual and small group opinion that when gathered make up public opinion. This is an important element since individual opinions relate in a way, and individual aggregated judgments are inseparable. It is through individual opinions that an opinion that will be later referred as the public is conceived after studying multiple individuals and analyzing and grouping their responses and drawing up a relationship between them. Lastly a good analy sis of public’s responsibility of the opinion is another very important element. The public has an imperative role to play on public opinions simply because most of the issues to be addressed through the opinion affect them. An analysis is very important to check the public commitment in the process, and through this, the success of the process will be determined. The media as we know it is the most influential tool in the creation and enhancement of public opinion in modern days. It takes the form of print media (magazines, reports, newspapers among others), the radio, television and the internet. Speaking of media is like referring to a way of shaping and influencing people perceptions and opinions. The media are so powerful that it has helped shrink the entire world into a small society where people from a great distance can access, influence and hear other people opinions despite them being very far from them. One of the biggest roles of media is to enhance participation in a public opinion; this can be possible through advertising and opinions posted directly to media house. With its power, media can influence individual judgment by focusing on the issues that they feel will greatly affect public view on an issue. The role that the media have played is without doubt positive, the much influence it has brought, and the much it has helped change the world are phenomenon. Thanks to the media influence on public opinion we have seen democracy find a way in dictatorial nations, refugees get international help and sympathy, witnessed social economic growth in the world among other many good things. 2 Presidents Washington, Polk, Lincoln, FDR, Kennedy and Reagan i would refer to them as good politicians who knew a thing or two about politics, played good politics and had a dream for the American people. They are some of the greatest presidents that the united States have had. It is through their commitment and zeal that saw U.S.A â€Å"grow† to be the most powerful nation in the entire universe. President George Washington was the first president of the United States who acted consciously yet so carefully since he knew the importance a well build nation with a well established executive arm of Government that could be house future presidents. He is celebrated for setting many precedents that are still applicable and use in the office of the president. For his entire time, he is celebrated for

Zapatista Social Netwar Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Zapatista Social Netwar - Research Paper Example II. Introduction – background   The insurgency that was initiated in Chiapas, Mexico can be said to different from its old Sandinista-Castroite-Marxist-Leninist rebellion due to the transformation of its engagement from the traditional arm confrontation to the information-technology driven perspective of bringing societal change. It can also be said that this marked the era of post communism revolution that was also used as a revolutionary template in the recent uprisings in the Middle East (Armond, _____). This recent phenomena of using technology, media and NGOs in insurgency can be traced back to the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) in Mexico in the early 1990s. Chiapas, once an isolated backwater on Mexico’s southern border became the birthplace of the new template in insurgency due to the political and economic factors that made the new type of insurgency ripe. The disparity between the rich and the poor was pervasive which is typical of a feudal state, coupled with the presence of transnational NGOs and discontented indigenas (local indigenous people) who wanted better economic condition and cultural recognition set the stage for the rise of Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN). III. ... This proved to be tactically disastrous for EZLN who was less than capable to engage in conflict than the Mexican government. This â€Å"war of the fleas† model of warfare was transformed when the transnational NGOs came and changed the methods of the insurgency from the traditional armed conflict engagement to an informational warfare which is dubbed as Netwar. Should NTS "watch, fear, or be leery" of social movement networks? Its impact on NTS business. Based on the nature, characteristic and manifested action of the players of the insurgency, NTS should be leery of the social movement network. The appropriate behavior would be to be careful but not to be fearful to disengage in business. Being fearful of the social movement network or adopting the plain watch and see attitude will not benefit NTS in the immediate or in the long-term. This assessment is grounded on several reasons. First, the nature, leadership and manifested action of EZLN’s both as an organization a nd a political body is not the Marxist-Lenninist type that disdains business and foreign company. Its leadership was also composed of intellectuals and educated middle class and not the Jihadist type that has penchant to extremism. In short, EZLN’s leadership is reasonable for a business such as NTS to operate and thrive. Second, there is a strong presence of transnational NGOs composed of Mexicans, Americans and Canadian players that provide the Zapatista movement an information age perspective and reassuringly pro-business. Basically, this second component reinforces the political assessment that EZTN is reasonable for it readily shifted its engagement from