Write a public finance (taxes and government expenditure) research paper on The disporportionate effect Terrorism and Counterterrorism measures have impacted taxpayers and affected public services.
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
Title: The Disproportionate Effect of Terrorism and Counterterrorism Measures on Taxpayers and Public Services
Abstract
Terrorism and the subsequent counterterrorism measures implemented by governments have had far-reaching impacts on societies worldwide. While these measures aim to ensure public safety, they often come at a significant cost to taxpayers and public services. This research paper examines the disproportionate effects of terrorism and counterterrorism measures on taxpayers and their influence on the provision of public services. It explores the economic implications, the allocation of resources, and the potential trade-offs between security needs and public welfare. By analyzing case studies and utilizing empirical data, this paper highlights the need for a balanced approach that both addresses security concerns and mitigates the adverse effects on taxpayers and public services.
1. Introduction
The threat of terrorism has led governments to adopt various counterterrorism measures, including increased surveillance, law enforcement activities, and intelligence gathering. While these efforts are crucial for maintaining national security, they often come at a substantial cost to taxpayers and can have unintended consequences for public services. This paper aims to analyze the disproportionate effects of terrorism and counterterrorism measures on taxpayers and their implications for public services.
2. Economic Implications
2.1 Direct Costs: Increased Expenditure on Security Measures
Counterterrorism measures require significant financial resources, including investments in surveillance technology, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement personnel. These expenses place a burden on taxpayers as governments allocate a substantial portion of their budgets to combat terrorism, often at the expense of other public services.
2.2 Indirect Costs: Economic Disruptions and Losses
Terrorist attacks can lead to economic disruptions, such as reduced tourism, decreased foreign investment, and disruptions in supply chains. These indirect costs affect taxpayers as the overall economic growth and stability are compromised. Furthermore, counterterrorism measures can also have unintended consequences, such as long wait times at airports or increased security screenings, which can negatively impact business activities and productivity.
3. Allocation of Resources
3.1 Diversion of Public Funds
The allocation of resources towards counterterrorism measures may divert funds from essential public services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and social welfare programs. The reallocation of budgets to address security concerns can lead to underfunding in critical areas that directly impact taxpayers’ quality of life.
3.2 Opportunity Costs
The substantial financial resources devoted to counterterrorism efforts could have been utilized for alternative purposes that would benefit taxpayers directly. This opportunity cost raises questions about the trade-offs between security needs and other pressing societal needs.
4. Trade-offs between Security and Public Welfare
4.1 Strained Public Services
The disproportionate focus on counterterrorism can strain public services by reducing their capacity to meet citizens’ needs effectively. Insufficient funding for healthcare, education, and social welfare programs can have long-term consequences for individuals and communities, exacerbating social inequalities.
4.2 Impact on Vulnerable Populations
Counterterrorism measures may disproportionately affect certain populations, leading to increased social tensions and marginalization. Minority communities can face heightened surveillance or discriminatory practices, eroding trust in public institutions and exacerbating social divisions.
5. Case Studies
5.1 United States: The Impact of Increased Defense Spending
This case study examines the impact of increased defense spending on taxpayers and public services in the United States following the September 11th attacks. It analyzes the allocation of resources towards defense and its effects on education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
5.2 European Union: Balancing Security and Social Welfare
This case study explores how European Union member states manage the balance between security measures and maintaining robust social welfare systems. It examines the impact on taxpayers and public services in countries heavily affected by terrorism incidents.
6. Mitigating Disproportionate Effects
6.1 Efficient Resource Allocation
Governments should prioritize efficient resource allocation, ensuring that counterterrorism measures do not excessively burden taxpayers or compromise essential public services.
6.2 Evidence-Based Policies
Policymakers should adopt evidence-based approaches when implementing counterterrorism measures to minimize unintended consequences. Regular evaluations should be conducted to assess the impact on taxpayers and public services.
7. Conclusion
Terrorism and counterterrorism measures have had a disproportionate effect on taxpayers, diverting resources away from public services and impacting public welfare. It is crucial for policymakers to strike a balance between ensuring security and maintaining robust public services. By implementing efficient resource allocation strategies and evidence-based policies, governments can mitigate the adverse effects on taxpayers while effectively addressing security concerns in a manner that upholds societal well-being.
