Important Concepts from Assigned Readings

by | Aug 12, 2024 | economics

 

Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 7
Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 7 https://ucumberlands.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_165646_1&content_id=_6389751_1
Assigned Readings:
Chapter 17. Business, Government, and Regulation
Chapter 18. Business Influence on Government and Public Policy
Initial Postings: Read and reflect on the assigned readings for the week. Then post what you thought was the most important concept(s), method(s), term(s), and/or any other thing that you felt was worthy of your understanding in each assigned textbook chapter.Your initial post should be based upon the assigned reading for the week, so the textbook should be a source listed in your reference section and cited within the body of the text. Other sources are not required but feel free to use them if they aid in your discussion.
Also, provide a graduate-level response to each of the following questions:
1. Select a corporation, labor union or other group that actively advertised for or against a federal candidate in the last election cycle. Prepare a written response that addresses the following questions: (1) Who did the group support? (2) Why did the group support this candidate? (3) What type of advertising did the group use? (4) What was the nature of the advertisement? (5) Was the advertisement consistent with the campaign strategy of the candidate? (6) What was the ultimate outcome of the election? (7) What impact will this spending have on a candidate’s future decisions?
2. What is a PAC? How is it different from a Super PAC? What are the major arguments in favor of PACs? What are the major types of PACs and how do they differ? In your opinion, are PACs a good way for business to influence the public policy process? What changes would you recommend for PACs?

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

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Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 7

Important Concepts from Assigned Readings

Chapter 17: Business, Government, and Regulation

In Chapter 17, one of the most critical concepts presented is the relationship between business and government regulation. The chapter discusses how businesses often seek to influence regulations that affect their operations. This influence can manifest through lobbying, campaign contributions, and even direct participation in the legislative process. The regulatory landscape is crucial for businesses as it dictates the operational environment, compliance costs, and competitive advantages.

Chapter 18: Business Influence on Government and Public Policy

Chapter 18 delves deeper into the mechanisms through which businesses exert influence on public policy. A vital term introduced is “lobbying,” defined as the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, often through professional lobbyists. This chapter highlights the ethical considerations and controversies surrounding lobbying, particularly regarding transparency and accountability. It emphasizes the power dynamics at play, where large corporations may have a disproportionate influence compared to smaller entities or individual citizens.

Graduate-Level Responses

Question 1: Corporate Influence in Elections

Selected Group: The National Association of Realtors (NAR)

1. Who did the group support?
The NAR actively supported candidates who aligned with their agenda in the 2022 election cycle, particularly focusing on those who advocated for homeownership and real estate market stability.

2. Why did the group support this candidate?
The NAR’s support was driven by a desire to promote policies beneficial to real estate professionals and homeowners, such as tax incentives for home purchases and opposition to regulatory measures that could hinder housing development.

3. What type of advertising did the group use?
The NAR utilized a combination of digital advertising, television commercials, and grassroots outreach campaigns to mobilize voters and support their favored candidates.

4. What was the nature of the advertisement?
The advertisements focused on highlighting the importance of homeownership to American families and businesses, framing their supported candidates as champions of these values. They featured testimonials from real estate professionals and homeowners.

5. Was the advertisement consistent with the campaign strategy of the candidate?
Yes, the advertisements were consistent with the candidates’ campaign strategies, which also emphasized economic recovery through real estate growth and community development.

6. What was the ultimate outcome of the election?
Many candidates supported by the NAR were successful in their elections, which allowed them to pursue pro-real estate policies.

7. What impact will this spending have on a candidate’s future decisions?
This spending can create a framework of expectations for future candidates. Those who received support from the NAR may feel obligated to align their legislative agendas with the interests of real estate professionals to secure future endorsements or funding.

Question 2: Understanding PACs

What is a PAC?
A Political Action Committee (PAC) is an organization that collects and distributes contributions to political campaigns. PACs are created to raise funds for candidates who align with their interests and issues.

How is it different from a Super PAC?
Super PACs differ primarily in their fundraising capabilities; they can raise unlimited amounts from individuals, corporations, and unions but cannot contribute directly to candidates or coordinate with their campaigns. Traditional PACs have contribution limits and must disclose their donors.

Major Arguments in Favor of PACs:

– Representation: PACs allow for organized representation of specific interests or causes in the political arena.
– Engagement: They encourage citizen engagement in politics by providing a structured way for individuals to contribute to campaigns that resonate with their beliefs.
– Transparency: Fundraising through PACs is regulated, potentially increasing transparency compared to unregulated funding channels.

Major Types of PACs:

1. Corporate PACs: Funded by a corporation’s employees and shareholders, supporting candidates favorable to corporate interests.
2. Labor Union PACs: Funded by union members, advocating for labor-friendly legislation.
3. Ideological PACs: Focused on specific ideologies or issues (e.g., environmentalism).

Opinion on PACs’ Influence on Public Policy:
In my opinion, PACs serve as both a necessary tool for representation in democracy and a potential avenue for disproportionate influence by wealthier entities. While they can enhance participation in the political process, they also raise concerns about equity and access to political power.

Recommendations for PACs:

– Increased Transparency: Mandate detailed disclosure of all contributors and expenditures.
– Limitations on Contributions: Introduce caps on contributions to mitigate undue influence from wealthy individuals or corporations.
– Public Financing Options: Create alternatives for candidates that rely less on PAC funding, promoting broader access for diverse voices in politics.

References

– Business, Government, and Regulation
– Business Influence on Government and Public Policy

 

 

 

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