Monday, July 7, 2008

Democracy

Does democracy creates stability in a society?

A democratic society is one where freedom of choice and speech is practiced. The people also have power to choose their leaders and make decisions directly or indirectly by voting a representative.

Democracy creates stability socially in a society. People in a democratic society have freedom of speech, and in times of conflict over matters, people will have a say over the decisions of matters. Not only that, people will also have to respect one another and treat each other equally. This will lead to lesser conflicts and riots as most conflicts can be solved through peaceful means such as feedback and voting. An example is Singapore, a partly democratic society; Singapore is a multi-racial society where social stability is hard to maintain. Yet handling most social issues democratically solves most of the problem. Singaporeans complain to greater authority in conflicts instead of resulting to rioting and violence means, also they respect those from different races leading to no conflicts among races.

A democratic society will also be more peaceful. The leaders only run the country but do not own it, as such they will less likely decide to go to war as it has no benefit to them, also, there will be lesser struggles for power among the leaders as it is the people who decide who would run the country. Most of the developed countries in the world today are using a democratic system, and that may be the reason why our world has been relatively peaceful compared to the past, such as the period of World War 2, where Japan and Germany were ruled by dictators. Therefore democracy can create a peaceful and as such stable society.

However democratic societies are not stable economically. As it is a free market, the government does not interfere with prices of goods, it is left entirely to supply and demand. Merchants may then deal with prices of goods and charge people on their liking. This may have disastrous results. Furthermore, a democratic society is not a welfare state; the government provides little or none services to the people’s welfare. In the case of America before the Great Depression, as the government did not interfere, with the sudden inflation and control the stock market’s rise, the inflation eventually caused a world wide depression. As such, in some times, the government has to interfere with economic issues, which is does not happen in democratic societies.

I agree to a large extent as democracy does create stability in a society. A form of governance must be able to achieve political stability before all else as if not, it may be overthrown by both external and internal threats and may not even be able to implement its policies. Then they will have to achieve social stability which will gain the support of the people and the society and government will be mostly stable. Economic stability comes last as it does not directly affect the stability of the government nor does it affect everyone.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Democracy Creates Stability in a Society

To what extent do you agree with the above motion? Please Comment.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Cyberwarriors and Atheletes

Since Singapore recognized cybergaming as a national sport, the number of teams and individuals participating in international cybergaming competitions has increased. A particular team, the Singapore Swords Cybergaming team even managed to make it into the last eight of a US$1 Million Championship Gaming Series. They fought against the best in the world.

Variety in Cybergaming


Last year in the concluded South-East Asia (SEA) Games in Thailand, Singapore sportsmen and women obtained an excellent result compared with the past games, making it a great year for Singapore athletes. They managed to clinch 43 gold, 43 silver and 41 bronze medals in the games. They fought against the best in South-East Asia.

As such the SEA gold medallists were awarded S$500,000 under the Singapore National Olympics Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP) to encourage local sportsmen and women to do their best in the sporting fields.

But what about the Singapore Swords? For getting into the top eight of the Championship Gaming Series, they will receive a US$30,000 reward for their achievements. The MAP did not award them for they only provide awards to winners of the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and SEA games, but not to the Cybergames.

Individuals like Mr Wilson Chia, who is a member of the Singapore Swords, obtained the price award and a US$5000 bonus for his individual achievements in the fields of cybergaming. Whereas, national bowler Remy Ong who won gold in the men's championship two years ago, who did not receive anything from the MAP as well received a $10,000 bonus reward from the Singapore Bowling Federation.



A typical Cybergamer


So despite the cybergamers having trained just as hard, and spent just as much time as the athletes, their pay off is a lot lower. They have no salary, no bonuses, no support from the country as well as the public, and yet they have made it to the near top of the world. Compared with the athletes, who have best equipment, the best facilities as trainers, the cyberwarriors should be commented for their efforts and achievements. Yet, there is no sign of appreciation, or a change in attitude towards the cybergamers. The public still has the traditional and conservative thinking that cybergaming is a complete waste of time and excessive playing is harmful to their overall health and will turn them into addicts. Although the thinking does have its reasons, for the only way for cybergamers to survive in the real world is through tournament winnings since they have no salary, as such many who tried also gave up.

However today, cybergaming is a part of life of teenagers, just like music, and movies. Nearly every teenager in Singapore is exposed and has participated in Cybergaming although not to the extent of competitions and tournaments. The world has changed, cybergaming has taken over the world of teenagers nowadays, it has become part and parcel of our everyday life, Prime Minister Lee said that we should move forward with the times and accept new things and ideas.

But yet why is cybergaming not yet accepted by our society?

Cybergaming now a national sport
Section: News
Publication: The New Paper 24/04/2006
Page: 17