Answer the following questions:
1. What are some similarities and differences between Georgia’s state court system and the federal court system?
2. Where does the idea of Judicial Review come from and why is it so important to how the courts operate?
3. Why do we need the bureaucracy?
4. Discuss the many controls on the bureaucracy.
5. Why has the appointment of judges to the federal court system become so contentious? Do you think Georgia’s system for supreme court judges is better than the US system (explain both systems)? Why?
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.
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
Sample Answer
Answers to the Questions:
1. Similarities and Differences between Georgia’s State Court System and the Federal Court System:
– Similarities:
– Both systems have a hierarchical structure with trial courts, appellate courts, and a highest court.
– They handle civil and criminal cases based on the jurisdiction.
– Both adhere to legal principles established by the Constitution.
– Differences:
– Georgia’s state court system operates at the state level, handling cases under state laws, while the federal court system operates at the national level, interpreting federal laws and the U.S. Constitution.
– Georgia’s state court judges are often elected, whereas federal judges are appointed for life.
– Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters, such as bankruptcy and patent cases.
2. Origin and Importance of Judicial Review:
– Origin: The idea of Judicial Review originated from the landmark case Marbury v. Madison in 1803, where Chief Justice John Marshall established the Supreme Court’s power to interpret the Constitution and declare laws unconstitutional.
– Importance: Judicial Review is crucial as it serves as a fundamental check on the other branches of government by ensuring that laws and actions comply with the Constitution. It upholds the principle of the rule of law and prevents overreach by the legislative or executive branches.
3. Need for Bureaucracy:
– Bureaucracy is essential for efficient governance and administration as it helps in implementing laws and policies effectively.
– It ensures continuity in government operations despite changes in political leadership.
– Bureaucratic agencies provide expertise in specific areas, such as healthcare, education, and defense, to address complex societal issues.
4. Controls on the Bureaucracy:
– Congressional Oversight: Congress has the power to monitor bureaucratic activities through hearings, investigations, and budgetary control.
– Executive Oversight: The President appoints agency heads and can influence bureaucratic decision-making through executive orders and directives.
– Judicial Review: Courts can review bureaucratic actions to ensure they are within the bounds of the law and the Constitution.
– Public Accountability: Bureaucracies are accountable to the public through transparency, feedback mechanisms, and media scrutiny.
5. Contention over Appointment of Judges in Federal Court System and Comparison with Georgia’s System:
– The appointment of federal judges has become contentious due to ideological differences, partisan politics, and the long-lasting impact of judicial decisions on society.
– In Georgia, Supreme Court judges are elected rather than appointed. This system allows for more direct accountability to the public but may introduce political influences into judicial decision-making.
– The U.S. system of appointing federal judges aims to ensure judicial independence and expertise but can lead to prolonged confirmation battles and potential biases based on political affiliations.
These answers aim to provide a comprehensive overview of each question. Please let me know if you need further elaboration on any topic.
