Introduction
This essay discusses the issues of democracy in Australia and the United States. In this case, the essay specifically compares the similarities and differences between the two countries. In addition, the essay also discusses matters related to governance, social changes, and public policies.
Democracy in Australia
The chosen country in this case is the Commonwealth of Australia, commonly referred to as Australia. Australia can be described as a representative democracy. This implies that eligible citizens are allowed and encouraged to vote for their preferred candidates to perform the business of governing the nation on their behalf (Aroney, 2008). The democracy in Australia has core democratic principles, which include responsible governance and the rule of law among others (Aroney, 2008).
Democracy: A comparison between Australia and the United States
It is important to note that there are both similarities and differences between Australia and the United States in terms of democracy. Concerning similarities, it is worth pointing out that both countries can be described as representative democracies; this is because their citizens do not exercise direct powers of governance (Alexander, 2007). Leaders are elected and mandated by citizens to run the affairs of the states on behalf of everybody (Alexander, 2007; Hoffe, 2007). In addition, both countries emphasize respect for human rights (Stubb, 2008; Smith, 2013). Moreover, both countries have also applied the democratic principle of the separation of powers; the principle ensures that every branch of government exercises distinct powers (Fabbrini, 2007). The two countries are also federated, which means that they are divided into federal units of governance. The federal units allow citizens to effectively participate in the policy decisions of the countries (Fabbrini, 2007).
In terms of differences, one of the things that can be observed is that the United States is a republic while Australia is a constitutional monarchy (Hirst, 2011). In this case, the overall structures of the governments and the references to the heads of the states are quite different (Hirst, 2011). The political system in Australia can be considered as a hybrid of the governance systems of the United States and the British (Baier, 2011). It is noted that the executive and parliamentary aspects of the political system of Australia originate from England, whilst the federal system is mainly derived from that of the United States (Baier, 2011). Despite the differences in the structures of governance, both states still ensure that the democratic principle of participation still applies within their territories. For instance, citizens are still allowed and empowered to participate in the governance process through their democratically elected representatives (Baier, 2011).
Insights from the Comparisons
Several insights emanate from the comparisons in the previous section. One of the insights is that the application of democratic principles is not uniform in all countries. This implies that the approaches to democracy in different countries are dynamic in terms of governance and policy-making processes. The other insight is that democracy forms the core value of both the United States and Australia.
The Selected Public Policy Area
The selected policy area relates to immigration innovations. Immigration is one of the most salient issues in the United States public domain (Grigorenko, 2012). This is explained by the fact that the citizens and government officials have been concerned about border security, especially since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 (Grigorenko, 2012). The next section discusses how technology has impacted immigration as a policy area.
The Impact of Technology on Immigration Policy Issues
Technology has had significant impacts on immigration policy issues in the United States (West, 2010). The government of the United States increasingly relies on the use of electronic technologies to track and analyze data on immigration. It also uses the technologies to administer its immigration systems (Siskin, 2011). Through this, the government can trace most of the immigrants within the country. The government is also able to use the information gathered to come up with immigration policies to deal with illegal immigrants (Siskin, 2011). The current immigration policies are based on data obtained through various technologies, like biometric gadgets (LeMay, 2012). Besides, for the legal immigrants, technology has specifically been applied concerning Green Card lotteries, which constitute a system in which the government randomly chooses individuals from different countries to permanently live and work in the United States (Bray, 2013). Further, the government can use different technologies to enlist public participation during policy formulation processes (Bray, 2013). It is still anticipated that as the number of immigrants continues to increase, the technology will have more impacts on the way immigration policies are formulated and implemented.
A Public Policy as an Instrument of Social Changes
It is important to note that there are many ways through which social changes can take place. Specifically, the government has a limited number of options through which it can affect social changes in ways that are agreeable to everybody (Porter, 2013). Of all the options available, a public policy is the most appropriate instrument through which the government can peacefully and accountably affect specific social changes within the country (Anleu, 2009). In this case, it is through public policy that both the government and the public can collaborate to achieve certain social changes (Anleu, 2009). For instance, climate change is a global problem that has had numerous negative impacts on society (Wheeler, 2012). Concerning this, the government has come up with different public policies to change the way people conduct their activities to ensure sustainable development (Ralm, 2010). This entails a social change that is meant to alter the way individuals, groups, and corporations conduct their operations about issues of climate change (Ralm, 2010).
The Legitimacy of a Public Policy as an Instrument of Social Changes
Democratic governance requires that the public members are allowed to participate in any process that either directly or indirectly affects them (Bevir, 2009). In this case, it is important to note that the only sure way the government can involve the public members in the process of making decisions is through policymaking and implementation initiatives (Bevir, 2009). A public policy is always a product of a process in which both the public members and government officials participate; based on this fact, it is right to consider it as a legitimate instrument of achieving social changes (Bevir, 2009). A public policy process is the most effective participative approach to running the affairs of the state; public participation ensures that all stakeholders are adequately represented during a policy-making practice. This makes a social change to be smooth and acceptable to every stakeholder (Bevir, 2009).
Conclusion
The democratic governance in both Australia and the United States has specific similarities and differences. Besides, it is also important to remember that technology impacts different policy and governance areas. A public policy can be used as an instrument of social changes within the society, which can be considered as a legitimate approach to effecting social changes as it allows the participation of all stakeholders.
References
Alexander, D. (2007). Selecting Leaders in Democracies (Indirectly). Social Alternatives, 26(4), 20-30.
Anleu, S. (2009). Law and Social Changes. London, UK: SAGE.
Aroney, N. (2008). Democracy, Community, and Federalism in Electoral Apportionment Cases: The United States, Canada, and Australia in Comparative Perspective. Nicholas. University of Toronto Law Journal, 58(4), 420-490.
Baier, G. (2011). Courts and Federalism: Judicial Doctrine in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Vancouver, BC: UBC Press.
Bray, I. (2013). U.S. Immigration Made Easy. New York, NY: Nolo.
Fabbrini, S. (2007). Compound Democracies: Why the United States and Europe Are Becoming Similar. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Grigorenko, E. L. (2012). U.S. Immigration and Education: Cultural and Policy Issues Across the Lifespan. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Hirst, J. (2011). The Australians. Collingwood, Australia: Black Inc.
Hoffe, O. (2007). Democracy in an Age of Globalization. New York, NY: Springer.
LeMay, C. (2012). Transforming America: Perspectives on U.S. Immigration. Ann Arbor, MI: ABC-CLIO.
Porter, S. (2013). Tidy’s Physiotherapy. Winchester, Hampshire: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Ralm, D. (2010). Climate Change Policy in the United States: The Science, the Politics, and the Prospects for Change. Boone, NC: McFarland.
Siskin, A. (2011). Immigration Enforcement within the United States. New York, NY: DIANE Publishing.
Smith, J. M. (2013). The U.S. Democracy Project. National Interest, 1(125), 25-40.
Stubb, R. (2008). Freedom of Information and Democracy in Australia and Beyond. Australian Journal of Political Science, 43(4), 660-690.
West, D. (2010). Brain Gain: Rethinking U.S. Immigration Policy. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press.
Wheeler, S. (2012). Climate Change and Social Ecology: A New Perspective on the Climate Challenge. New York, NY: Routledge.
A Leader Of Character In The Army
A leader is a person with remarkable leading skills, and other people trust them and tend to consider their opinion. Some people have leadership inclinations by default, and some build their character to become effective leaders. Character is a combination of naturally given skills with acquired attitudes and moral values. Leaders of character work on the improvement of leading qualities and beliefs. To be a leader of character in the army is to have moral and ethical attributes that consider the values of soldiers and affect the behavior of others. A leader proves their character through the right actions, smart decisions, and empathy to their subordinates. Moreover, the leader of character must be a splendid example of good attitudes and inspire others to improve themselves.
To be a leader of character requires to respect and demonstrate critical values, such as loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Thus, a leader must firmly believe in the Army’s constitutions, always do their best, treat people respectfully, put the nation and the Army before themselves, and make morally right decisions. The leader of character builds their habits to correspond with these critical attributes. Army leader must hold themselves and their subordinates to the highest standards possible.
World War II GEN Jonathan Wainwright is an example of a leader of character. He encouraged and directed the defenses of wounded and injured soldiers despite the lack of resources. He demonstrated a fearless attitude, put his subordinates before his own needs, and even surrendered to the enemy for the sake of the nation’s victory.
Although words servant and leadership are usually perceived as different, and even unrelated, terms, servant leadership is a vital part of the army’s managing practices. Servant leadership is the attitude that is based on ethical and respectful values, and it aims to build a better relationship between soldiers. It creates a caring environment and considers the interests of all members to improve their life. It is not the same as the usual leadership concept as its central point is to care and serve subordinates instead of only ruling them. Apart from possessing skills to encourage people, a servant leader must have a high level of empathy and patience for others. Servant leadership does not practice strict rules or a high level of discipline to reach goals. It moves to success by listening to all of the organization’s members and values their well-being before the general purpose.
A leader must have qualities and characteristics to manage subordinates according to the values of servant leadership. There are ten principles for such a leader: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to growth, and community building. Servant leadership is a useful approach in military forces as it aims to improve the quality of soldiers’ lives, who, in turn, will perform with the highest effectiveness possible to reach all of the goals the army sets for them.
The example of servant leadership is the story of Sgt. Andre Lobban of “Palehorse” Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, whose skills dedicated to creating a caring environment inside the community inspired his subordinates to improve themselves, fight their fear, and live according to the Army Values. Replacing the usual leadership patterns with the servant model increases the willingness among citizens to join the Army.
Quality Improvement Programs Impact In The Health Care Sector
Article Comprehension
The Main Concepts
The health care sector is essential for the Unites States public; thus, it had to implement quality improvement (QI) to advance medical practices and outcomes. The article mentions three main concepts introduced to strengthen public health care on various levels (AcademyHealth, 2009). The first initiative is the creation of the Public Health Quality Forum (PHQF), which assists in creating a set of goals, developing a standardized framework, and establishing quality indicators. The next concept is the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) that is aimed at developing an accreditation system. Lastly, the Multi-State Learning Collaborative (MLC) is the initiative that performs various functions, such as preparation for accreditation and implementation of QI practices. Finally, it assists in the improvement of cooperation between healthcare actors and researches essential medical topics.
The Positive Outcomes
The article presents two case studies, where the second and third phases of MLC were implemented. The first example is the successful incorporation of the QI into Minnesota’s public health care (AcademyHealth, 2009). The project was conducted on a local level and had various positive outcomes, as the majority of participants found QI important for their departments. Moreover, the program’s collaborative nature allowed specialists to learn more about QI, which motivated them to implement it in their future practices. Lastly, individuals agreed that the management was supportive, causing 250 professionals to improve their knowledge and skills in QI and its methods (AcademyHealth, 2009). The second case study describes the efforts of the South Carolina health care department to implement the MLC phase with a focus on tobacco use and the effects of second-hand smoke. The project’s outcomes were positive, as the department’s large size did not prevent them from successfully monitoring the progress. Overall, this MLC helped to match the model’s standards, assisted with the gap between data and practical application, and improved the overall performance.
Quality Improvements in Public Health
The Systematic Usage of QI
Various members of public health care should systematically use QI. The process involves the regular assessment of public health plans, methods, and procedures (AcademyHealth, 2009). Moreover, each member of the system should critically evaluate the system and determine aspects that have to be developed to improve general outcomes. QI is vital for organizations that want to improve their performance and introduce long-term changes. Thus, the application of a planning framework that focuses on the departments’ mission and performance quality and enables regular monitoring is recommended as the most efficient planning framework (Sadeghi et al., 2013). Therefore, public health institutions can systematically use QI by introducing various monitoring measures and evaluating quality-improving strategies.
Reflection on Goals, Values, and Vision
Goals and values are crucial for an organization’s identification and success. These aspects are considered particularly valuable because they guide members of institutions towards achievable objectives. Moreover, they help develop a strong foundation for a company’s vision, which also plays a vital role in effective communication (Sadeghi et al., 2013). All of the principles mentioned above give organizations clear guidelines. Thus, an institution can be exceptionally efficient after connecting values, goals, and vision statements with its current status and future intentions. Therefore, the most effective QI should reflect all three aspects of each institution, which will provide essential directions to workers and improve the quality of the project.
Future Development
Findings’ Implementation
One of the primary reforms of the healthcare system helped contemporary medical specialists develop a solution that ensures QI implementation. Patients’ satisfaction and exceptional quality assistance are vital for public healthcare. Therefore, the idea of a national health information system was suggested, helping policymakers and administrators fully comprehend the situation within the public healthcare sphere (Sadeghi et al., 2013). Thus, public health information can help to establish necessary quality standards or revise contemporary projects. Therefore, cooperation is essential to ensure the implementation of findings discovered with the use of QI.
Public Health Improvements
Various reforms in the past, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), contain different fundamental components that promote excellent healthcare quality. For instance, one of the essential initiatives was creating the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and a National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care (Sadeghi et al., 2013). Therefore, through innovative reforms, public health actors support the creation of strategic plans, which have a positive impact on the future development of QI programs. Collaboration between various healthcare actors can be improved in the future through technological innovation, which will positively influence the quality of QI as a whole.
National and Local Development
Many initiatives and reforms are aimed at introducing future quality improvement development on both national and local levels. For instance, the PHAB is focused on generating a voluntary national framework for the national, local, and regional actors of public health care (AcademyHealth, 2009). Therefore, providing a platform for cooperation between national and local specialists and other stakeholders through shared experience and unique research has produced many efficient practices. Thus, future development will only increase the level of cooperation between both stages.
Development for Various Stakeholders
The future of QI is a shift from the stage of individual projects to a well-integrated program with centralized leadership. This step can positively contribute to coherent supervision aiming at integrating policies and procedures. This approach is useful for various stakeholders because individual public health personnel’s work can affect the creation of a national medical framework (Riley & Love, 2016). Thus, the centralized structure can combine the public sector’s logistical resources with medical professionals’ experience and private investors’ finances to benefit healthcare consumers by improving their quality of life.
References
AcademyHealth. (2013). Quality improvement in public health: Lessons learned from the multi-state learning Collaborative. Web.
Riley, W., J., & Love, K. (2016). Quality improvement in public health: Current status and future prospects. Frontiers in Public Health Services and Systems Research, 5(4), 1–4. Web.
Sadeghi, M., Barzi, A., Mikhail O., & Shabot, M., M. (2013). Integrating quality and strategy in health care organizations. Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.