The most notable aspect of this film is how each candidate acts outside the teacher’s structure. How they campaigned. Xu Xiaofei showed no efforts to campaign as she was most concerned with how she would perform in front of the class. Xu did not persuade anyone nor work outside of the class to convince anyone of her candidacy.  On the other hand, the methods of both Cheng Cheng and Lou Lei outside of the class structure reminded me of some of Machiavelli’s tips on how to be a prince. For instance, Cheng Cheng bribes his “mercenaries” with the promises of authority once he is elected. He then makes them insult Lou Lei and Xu Xiaofei. Just as Machiavelli argues, Cheng Cheng’s supposed allies did not help him because they believed in him but because of their own selfish interest. Cheng Cheng’s support is evident but not strong and that showed in the votes. Just as Machiavelli prescribes, Lou Lei earns the love and support of his classmates by gifting them and taking them on trips, he is generous. However, he is not too generous because he is notoriously strict and physical. Lou Lei understands the same importance of balancing needed violence and generosity that Machiavelli argues and consequentially wins by a large margin.

The dirty actions and Bribery by Cheng Cheng Lou Lei show some of the moral pitfalls that come with democratic elections. On the other hand, the fact that another election will be held a year later is a great example of the checks and balances that make democracy successful. Luo Lei’s victory does not mean that he can continue to be as violent as he has in the past. As he promised in his last speech, he can change and if he does not the the democratic process will serve as a check on his violence. The election caused a lot of misbehavior and dirty tricks amongst the class, however, it will change the role of class monitor forever.

While reading Zakaria’s views on the importance of civic associations in liberal democracies, I sought to understand the roots of the cultural erosion which has propagated illiberalism. Zakaria claims that these social buffers which regulate society have eroded due to the weakness of political parties. As argued, a transparent, individualistic Congress gives these intermediary associations no use, allowing politicians to run free in an entrepreneurial system. Tocqueville’s “informal mechanisms” which lead to a civil society that fosters and supports the institutions of democracy have now failed to set a professional, political standard, leading to a loss of the culture of democracy within our country.

With these modes of buffering now deteriorated, Americans have promoted populist regimes, dangerously pairing both popular passions and public policy. As Zakaria argues, even though it is integral that a democratic society adheres to popular sentiments, without the consideration of liberal values our country is tending towards a tragic devolve. These civic associations are the liberal filters which allow the U.S to foster and promote the same institutions of Democracy which aided in the founding of America. Without them, U.S politics is like a child without their parents, left without a figure to mediate its actions in order to protect the long term interests of the country.

A big distinction between the grocer and the Chief as explained by Lerner is their desires. The Chief was content with his role in society saying, “What could be asked more.” (23) On the other hand, the Grocer lived in an “expansive world” with imaginings. Because of their differing environments, they both lived within different ethos. As Lerner describes it, “Where the Chief contented, the Grocer is restless.” (23) Whereas the Grocer’s struggle was opening the village to modernity, the Chief’s struggle was centered around keeping the village closed off by preaching traditional, conservative values. The Grocer’s skeptical mindset shook the established orders of the village. The modernization of Balgat is dependent on the Grocer and his ideal. Without his unsettling of the village’s cultural norms the community would still be static and unenlightened. Although the Grocer was a marginalized figure in the community, the eventual fulfillment of his expansive imaginings turned him into a prophet. Even the Chief’s sons set out to be grocers in accordance with his legacy. This story helped reinforce Max Weber’s idea of legitimizing charismatic authority. The Grocer has no title or throne, he is beloved due to his beliefs and values. The people of Balgat went to him regarding their issues and now perceive him as a prophet because of his differences. He was able to see the world around him with a new perspective that enlightened his people and eventually brought them a brighter future. He is their hero and therefore holds the highest type of charismatic authority amongst Balgat.

In “The Dying Russians”, Masha Gessen sets out to piece together the puzzle of unusual death rates in Russia following the downfall of the Soviet Union. Gessen’s ability to understand Russia’s mortality crisis is an example of the enlightening nature that the relationship between “good journalism” and social science can create. Whereas others studying this Russian phenomenon had taken a quantitative approach, Gessen utilized the thick description of the situation in looking more qualitatively at the issue.  The article looks to understand this crisis by analyzing explicit patterns of cultural and social relationships and putting them in the context of the situation. Gessen studies the way in which certain political structures alter and shape a society’s culture. As explained in the article, within the communist nature of the Soviet Union, Russians felt a sense of belonging and meaning. Using the third dimensional method of power, the Soviet Union successfully manipulated it’s people into a mindset of equality even though behind closed doors and tall fences it was quite the opposite. This surprised me when I first read it. When learning about manipulation in political systems, I initially perceived these methods as crippling and oppressive, however, after reading this article it gave me new perspective on how the third dimensional approach can actually foster a sense of community and purpose amongst despair. Gessen uses both empirical and cultural approaches to understand why Russians are dying off at a higher rate. Whereas this approach may not have been as accurate or exact as the statistical approaches mentioned in the article, it does provide a more contextual basis of analysis that is helpful in understanding the issue an its roots. However, I believe it is important to consider analyzing complex cultural and political problems in a well rounded view rather that in an absolute fashion because figures are important to understand patterns yet context is equally important in explaining these patterns.

As I read this piece it was hard to not compare with my own educational experience. Gatto argue that schools are mere laboratories where the incompetence of the teacher is trickled down to the student. However, this argument is merely situational. The teacher makes the student. In Gatto’s case, the boring, conforming methods in which he was taught in school makes his case valid. Yet In a case such as mine in high school I had teachers who had written books, taught in college, and genuinely cared about my understanding of the material. I had office hours, review sessions, after class questions and discussions that prepared me for the exact kind of education I would “receive” here at Williams.

Although, Gatto makes a good point about individuality within the confines of education. He says, “We could encourage the best qualities of youthfulness-curiosity, adventure, resilience, the capacity for surprising insight simply by being more flexible about time, texts, and tests, by introducing kids to truly competent adults, and by giving each student what autonomy he or she needs in order to take a risk every now and then.” (Page 34) It is certainly smart to promote curiosity and adventure while in school. These children are beginning to take interest in certain subjects and aspects of life that will evolve into passions and maybe even careers. Therefore, for the educational system to promote the ability to explore these things through risk and adventure only fosters good. However at the same time I think it is crucial to understand discipline and order. Gatto fails to understand that flexible test times and homework will only create laziness. Where there should be flexibility is in texts, as he mentions, within readings and their interpretation, leaving kids with the free will to believe whats in their mind and heart rather than whats written on the chalk board.

Lastly, Gatto questions whether or not the bureaucratic educational system is needed. He exclaims that the five day schedule is obsolete, arguing the difference between unschooled and uneducated. In my opinion, the schooling system may be far too constant, grueling and often unneeded but the community serves as a microcosm of real life. Friends deceiving friends, teachers picking favorites, and all in all the social testing that occurs in high school is pretty crucial to the maturity of individuals. School isn’t about learning the formulas or memorizing the historic dates, but about learning how to listen, how to take notes, and how to swim in the social deep end that is high school.