Write a research paper in a narrative essay or composition format about party in the electorate
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
Party in the Electorate: Understanding Political Affiliation and Behavior
In the realm of American politics, the concept of party in the electorate plays a crucial role in shaping voter behavior, attitudes, and decision-making processes. Political parties serve as key vehicles for organizing and mobilizing citizens around shared ideologies, values, and policy preferences. In this research paper, we will explore the significance of party identification in the electorate, its impact on voting behavior, the factors influencing party affiliation, and the implications for democratic governance.
Party Identification and Its Significance
Party identification refers to an individual’s emotional attachment or loyalty to a particular political party. It serves as a fundamental aspect of political identity for many voters, shaping their perceptions of candidates, issues, and the political system at large. Party identification can influence voting decisions by providing a heuristic or shortcut for evaluating candidates based on their party affiliation rather than individual policy positions.
Studies have shown that party identification is a stable and enduring aspect of political identity for many Americans, with individuals often remaining loyal to their party over time. This partisan loyalty can influence a wide range of political behaviors, including candidate evaluations, policy preferences, and voter turnout.
Impact of Party Affiliation on Voting Behavior
Party identification plays a significant role in shaping voting behavior and electoral outcomes. In a two-party system like that of the United States, voters often rely on their party affiliation as a guide when making choices at the ballot box. Partisan cues provided by political parties can simplify the decision-making process for voters by aligning candidates with broader ideological frameworks and policy positions.
Research has shown that party identification can predict voting behavior with a high degree of accuracy, as individuals tend to vote consistently for candidates from their preferred party. This phenomenon, known as party-line voting, underscores the influence of partisan loyalties on electoral outcomes and the stability of party coalitions over time.
Factors Influencing Party Affiliation
Several factors contribute to the development of party identification among voters. Socialization processes, such as family background, upbringing, and community influences, play a significant role in shaping individuals’ partisan loyalties from an early age. Political events, economic conditions, and policy developments can also influence party affiliation by affecting voters’ perceptions of party performance and leadership.
In addition to these social and contextual factors, individual characteristics, such as education, income, race, and ideology, can influence party identification by shaping voters’ values, beliefs, and policy preferences. Demographic shifts and generational changes may also impact party affiliation patterns over time, leading to realignments or transformations within the electorate.
Implications for Democratic Governance
The role of party identification in the electorate has far-reaching implications for democratic governance and political stability. Strong partisan attachments can foster political engagement, mobilization, and participation among citizens, contributing to a vibrant and competitive party system. However, excessive partisanship and polarization may also hinder cooperation, compromise, and consensus-building in government.
As political parties continue to play a central role in American politics, understanding the dynamics of party identification in the electorate is essential for promoting informed citizenship, effective governance, and democratic accountability. By recognizing the factors that shape party affiliation and its impact on voter behavior, policymakers, candidates, and citizens can work towards fostering a more inclusive, responsive, and representative political system.
In conclusion, party identification serves as a cornerstone of political identity for many Americans, influencing their attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making processes in the electoral arena. By examining the significance of party in the electorate, we gain valuable insights into the complexities of political participation, representation, and governance in a democratic society. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by partisan loyalties, understanding the role of party affiliation in shaping our political landscape is essential for building a more informed, engaged, and responsive democracy.
