Introduction to comparative politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Introduction to comparative politics - Essay Example The electoral process is the system used to nominate candidates, creating ballots, and polling the public. The electoral process is the mechanics and body of laws that govern the election. The electoral system is not the same as the electoral process. The electoral system is the "†¦means by which votes are translated into seats in the process of electing politicians into office" (Farrell 4). The United States has a two-party system, which is non-proportional and tends to provide continuity and stability at the cost of minority representation. This has tended to minimize any impact that minority opinions have on legislation. Ecuador has a multi-party system that has worked towards a proportional system where all viewpoints and parties are represented based on their ability to get votes. However, this is an oversimplification as Ecuador has made some major changes in their system in recent years and is actually a mixed system. The proportional system of Ecuador has insured minorit y representation, but has also complicated the legislative process. In both Ecuador and the United States, the highest elected position in the land is the presidency, but are elected by systems that are considerably different. In the United States, the president is elected by an electoral system where each state is given a number of votes based on their population. In each state it is a winner take all system and the candidate with the most votes gets the electoral votes of that state. This has had the effect of creating two parties, of relatively equal strength, that serve as a representative for ideas and change. It has virtually eliminated any opportunity of a third party or minority party candidates due to the expense and almost certain defeat. It has also created an electoral system where voting blocs and coalitions are of critical importance. In addition, the winner

Conventional and Evolutionary Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Conventional and Evolutionary Education - Essay Example Friere suggests that the current method of teaching is one where a teacher poses the authority and "narrates" the learning material to the children, who are passive, and whose only necessary function is to memorize the material they're being taught. There's no involvement of any critical thinking on their part, they don't truly understand what they are learning or comprehend its meaning. The "Banking" concept of education, as he dubs is, represents the idea that the students are being "filled" with knowledge, they are like a vessel or container that gain in substance. Teachers are, in a way," depositing" information to the account, and the students receive this deposit. However, this fails to achieve the goal, as without any thinking about the material and its implications and meanings, what occurs isn't really teaching and certainly not imparting wisdom, insights or critical methods of thinking- it is simply memorizing data, reaching a certain quota of material, nothing more. Friere says that this misses the point entirely, because there isn't really any learning when students are being taught like that. ... The teacher is to be perceived as the one who can give all the answers, the one that knows everything, and does not need to (nor will he ever) learn from his students. This hierarchy and relationship between teachers and students are highly detrimental to students, as they lack motivation, interest or a coherent sense of self as able to learn on their own and being autonomous and competent, not necessarily needing the assistance of the teacher. Contrary to this approach, there is another one called "Problem-posing" education or method. It comprises first of all of being aware or conscious to the consciousness of things, and specifically in the field of education- how education occurs, by what means, in which system and how the information is taught. It proposes a different way which involves more communication, the breaking down of the hierarchy between teachers and students, bringing them closer together. This way also allows teachers to learn from the dialog with their students, ra ther than it being only the students who learn from the teachers. Through this dialog, the teacher evokes students' imagination, reflection and critical thinking, making them very active partners in their learning. Both the teacher and his students are investigating together the material being discussed (learned). The educator along with the students creates conditions that allow the knowledge to be passed on in the highest form and in the best way possible, considering what they students think and then re-considering what he had previously thought. Problem-posing education entails the development of the ability to perceive how we exist in the world in which and with which we live. It regards the world as a reality that is always changing and transforming, rather