Annotation 4 (revised)

When mentioning the relationship between individuals and public, people may associate public with government. A method of government which influences public and individuals very much is public policy. It is created to achieve public interests. Meanwhile, it will bring great influence to individuals. Public policy is in the practical level. However, there are still many investigations about its theory. The following paragraphs will discuss the concept of public policy and the possible situation when it works.

From the word “public” policy, we can know that this conduct relates to common people in a society, not just specific people. Public policy is often considered to possess positive effect to public interest. However, here is a problem shows up. There are countless experts and scholars debate the so-called “public interest” from then till now. British scholar Bentham considered public interest is the maximal accumulation of individuals’ interests and happiness. However, this argument has been overthrown by later scholars. Because of different backgrounds, customs, and personal values, every person may have different way of looking at interest. For example, a person likes object A, but other person doesn’t like it. In fact, public interest is a blur concept and hard to define what it is exactly. It can be various for idea, culture, and time. Therefore, some people even think that public interest doesn’t exist (Wang, n.d.) However, most of people still believe its existence and it needs every person’s attention and care. Making every person in a society has a common consensus about ideal interest is an important way to keep the stability of a society. With this, people can work for a common public interest together. To achieve public interest, public policy is a direct and effective way. It is usually established and executed by lead-class, such as government. Every government in the world highly cares about the public policy issue. It can influence from individuals, society, and even to nation.

 When public policy is executed, some people may think it brings them inconvenience and even harm. They certainly think it’s the violation to their individual interest and try to resist the “public” force. The reason that people resist may be that people can’t adapt to it and feel different from their old custom (Tsai, C.C. & Huang, C.Y. 2002.) Actually, it is a common phenomenon when a new public policy is executed. However, there is no accomplishment without sacrifice. For the public interest, individuals must have to sacrifice and devote themselves to some degree. Because of the “public”, a person has to limit his or her freedom and gives up individual interest. The reason for this is the limitation of resource. It’s sometimes hard to take individuals and society into consideration at the same time. Besides, public policy is not just the issue of government. There is no completely perfect policy. Every people in a society should take participation into the operation of a policy. People can supervise the formulation and execution of it and help it work toward right direction. In conclusion, public interest is an important concept for present people. Maybe it relates to you or not. After all, people should care society not just themselves. Meanwhile, the society’s interest should develop with the base of maximal unharmed individual interest.

Reference:

1. Wang, Y.S. (n.d. ). The Theory of Environmental Scheme. Retrieved December 22, 2013, from http://140.134.4.2/~up/term%20paper/952/9666.pdf

2. Tsai, C.C. & Huang, C.Y. (2002). Agenda-Setting Research on Public Policy : A Cast     Study In Taipei. Retrieved December 22, 2013, from  http://ccs.nccu.edu.tw/UPLOA       D_FILES/HISTORY_PAPER_FILES/366_1.pdf

Annotation 3 (revised)

On Liberty is a book written by John S. Mill. The main idea of this book is to elaborate and approve the value of human freedom and rights. There is a chapter which called "Of the Limits to the Authority of Society over the Individual". In this chapter, the author talked about the relationship between individual and society. Actually, there is a connection between the former chapter and the chapter I will focus on. The former one argued the importance of individuality. However, the author foresaw that it would cause friction and even conflict with the public side. Therefore, he elaborated the ways which individuals and society should get along with each other.

First, he admitted that some parts of individual in life belong to society, and others belong to him or herself in this chapter. A person absolutely has individual rights and interests. As they don’t hurt the interests of other people, an individual’s rights and interests can have an inviolable space to work. Many people want to get maximal benefit. However, this sometimes may bring harm to other people. For example, a person wants to play karaoke at night. Unfortunately, this act breaks the silence of others. His or her neighbors won’t appreciate it and that is not correct. Before exercising right, a person has to make sure that people around him or she won’t suffer any inconvenience or harm.

  Even though the individual rights and interests are important for a person, it doesn't mean that people can be an egocentric who only cares about him or herself. The selfless contribution from individual is needed by society. Every public matter or development needs many individuals’ participation. In this way, the society can gain maximal interests. Besides, an individual who lives in society has the obligation to return the favor to it in any ways. Actually, everyone in society gets much benefit from it. A person may be protected by society or enjoy the use of the contribution from other people, such as public facilities. A person doesn’t have to pay and also can make use of them. Therefore, returning to the society is an individual’s obligation.

   In the modern world, there are many things that are different from those in the era which John S. Mill lived in. In the past, public interest is always superior to individual interest. However, as the raise of concept of human right, more and more people fight against the priority of public interest. This brings many conflicts. Therefore, solving the conflict between individual and society becomes a crucial issue in modern world. As I have said in the past paragraphs, like the victims in urban renewal, they wanted to maintain their living right, and this finally brings tragedy. Urban renewal is designed for the habitants’ good at beginning. However, it becomes the nightmare of Wang family. In short, as keeping pursuing interest, people must face this kind of problems because of the limitation of resource. Thus, sacrifice is existent certainly and necessarily. Without doubt, individuals’ interest can be considered a part of public interest. Therefore, how to gain public interest with the least loss of individuals’ interest is an important issue for people and leading class.

Reference:

Mill, J.S. (1869). Of the Limits to the Authority of Society over the Individual. On Liberty. Retrieved November 24, 2013, from http://www.utilitarianism.com/ol/four.html

Annotation 4

I have talked some conceptions about the conflict between society and individual. This time I want to talk about a concept which possesses close and direct relationship with two sides. It is public policy. Public policy is created to achieve public interests. Meanwhile, it will bring great influence to individuals. Public policy is in the practical level. However, there are still many investigations about its theory. The following paragraphs will discuss the concept of public policy and the possible situation when it works.

From the word “public” policy, we can know that this conduct relates to common people in a society, not just specific people. Public policy is often considered to possess positive effect to public interest. However, here is a problem shows up. There are countless experts and scholars debate the so-called “public interest” from then till now. British scholar Bentham considered public interest is the maximal accumulation of individuals’ interests and happiness. However, this argument has been overthrown by later scholars. Because of different backgrounds, customs, and personal values, every person may have different way of looking at interest. For example, a person likes object A, but other person doesn’t like it. In fact, public interest is a blur concept and hard to define what it is exactly. It can be various for idea, culture, and time. Therefore, some people even think that public interest doesn’t exist. However, most of people still believe its existence and it needs every person’s attention and care. Making every person in a society has a common consensus about ideal interest is an important way to keep the stability of a society. With this, people can work for a common public interest together. To achieve public interest, public policy is a direct and effective way. It is usually established and executed by lead-class, such as government. Every government in the world highly cares about the public policy issue. It can influence from individuals, society, and even to nation.

 When public policy is executed, some people may think it brings them inconvenience and even harm. They certainly think it’s the violation to their individual interest and try to resist the “public” force. The reason that people resist may be that people can’t adapt to it and feel different from their old custom. Actually, it is a common phenomenon when a new public policy is executed. However, there is no accomplishment without sacrifice. For the public interest, individuals must have to sacrifice and devote themselves to some degree. Because of the “publicity”, a person has to limit his or her freedom and gives up individual interest. However, public interest sometimes involves individual interest. The public interest with individuals’ sacrifice also can gain individuals’ interest. After all, there is a close connection between public interest and public policy. Let every individual understand the importance of public interest and adapt to public policy is the way to make policy succeed and raise the quality of human life.



Reference:

1. Wang, Y.S. (n.d. ). The Theory of Environmental Scheme. Retrieved        December 22, 2013, from http://140.134.4.2/~up/term%20paper/9
   52/9666.pdf
2. Tsai, C.C. & Huang, C.Y. (2002). Agenda-Setting Research on Public Policy : A Cast Study In Taipei. Retrieved December 22, 2013, from http://ccs.nccu.edu.tw/UPLOAD_FILES/HISTORY_PAPER_FILES/366_1.pdf

Annotation 3 Transcription

       Hi everyone I’m Tim today I want to present my topic is on relationship between society and individual. Now I want to introduce you a man and his name is John Stuart Mill. He is an Britain in 19^th century, He was a liberalism and utilitarianism this mean 功利主義. He wrote a famous book and it’s On Liberty. Today I want to focus on the chapter 4 “Of The Limits To The Authority Of Society Over The Individual”. Actually there is a connection between the last chapter and this chapter. In last chapter, he argued the importance of the individuality and he also knew there would be a potential conflict between individual and society. So, in this chapter, he wanted to explain the way how the two sides get along with each other. One principle is…he said everyone who receives the protection of society owes the return of benefit and it may means there is no such thing as a free lunch. In our daily life, we get many help from others. We can have good classroom and we have good roads to walk. Some people built them and they spend their time and energy and our responsibility is maintaining them and others can also use them. Next is…well, there are two conducts to constraint individual and one is doing not hurt the interests of other people. Well, it’s very important that…everyone wants maximal interest and freedom. But, they shouldn’t hurt others’ interests. For example, a person wants to play karaoke at night. However, other people don’t appreciate it because it will be annoying very much. So, it is banned. It is not right. Next is…everyone in society has to bear a part of labor and sacrifice for it or its members. Well, it’s just like mandatory education or the tax or a man has to be a soldier when reaching the appropriate age. Please tell me do you like them I just mention, mandatory education or paying the tax to the government…Well, I feel you don’t like them. But, it’s not just for self-it’s for the whole good. And if you are educated and you have knowledge, you can contribute to the society. If a man be a soldier, he can protect his nation. It is necessary. Although you may waste your time, your energy, and you can’t do what you really want to do. Hum…but if you don’t want to have any connection with the society and you may live like a hermit. You don’t have any responsibility to the society and you just take care of yourself. And next…although John Stuart Mill approves the value of human right and freedom. He also said that selfless individuals’ contribution is needed. It is like volunteer and a person shouldn’t be too selfish and just cares him or herself and don’t care other people. 

    In my conclusion, there is something that is not easy to solve because…in my annotation 1 and 2 I take Wen-Lin Yuan case for example, and it really shows the hurt on the basic right of inhabitation. It is a problem that what the real society interest is. Well, I know some private interests with cover of the pubic and we know it’s not right and we have to look clearly. But, in my opinion, the genuine matter relates to the public really needs individuals’ participation and devotion and those can make our world better.

Annotation 3: On relationship between society and individual

 On Liberty is a book written by John S. Mill. The main idea of this book is to elaborate and approve the value of human freedom and rights. There is a chapter which called "Of the Limits to the Authority of Society over the Individual". In this chapter, the author talked about the relationship between individual and society. First, he admitted that some parts of individual in life belong to society, and others belong to him or herself. A person absolutely has individual rights and interests. As they don’t hurt the interests of other people, an individual’s rights and interests can have an inviolable space to work. Many people want to get maximal benefit. However, this sometimes may bring harm to other people. For example, a person wants to play karaoke at night. Unfortunately, this act breaks the silence of others. His or her neighbors won’t appreciate it and that is not correct. Before exercising right, a person has to make sure that people around him or she won’t suffer any inconvenience or harm.

  Even though the individual rights and interests are important for a person, it doesn't mean that people can be an egocentric who only cares about him or herself. The selfless contribution from individual is needed by society. Every public matter or development needs many individuals’ participation. In this way, the society can gain maximal interests. Besides, an individual who lives in society has the obligation to return the favor to it in any ways. Actually, everyone in society gets much benefit from it. A person may be protected by society or enjoy the use of the contribution from other people, such as public facilities. A person doesn’t have to pay and also can make use of them. Therefore, returning to the society is an individual’s obligation. Unless a person can live without any connection with other people and can live totally by him or herself without other help, like a hermit. He or she doesn’t have any obligation to anyone but to self.

   The author of On Liberty not only argued the importance of individual freedom and rights but also revealed the principles about dealing on individual and society. Society should respect individuals. However, individuals also have responsibility to society. John Mill talked about this topic from moral angle. I think this relationship is not only about moral issue but also nature instinct. Humans are social species. Helping each other is the way that people solve their real-life problems. Self-sacrifice is a form of help; it includes spending individual time, energy, property, life, and …so on. Some people may question the necessity of individual sacrifice for the society. Indeed, there are some personal interests with public interests appearance. However, a matter relates to genuine society’s interests needs many individuals’ participation or devotion. If a person ignores the society’s trouble, it may finally come to him or her. Moreover, if a person furthers the public interests, he or she may get the return in some ways.

Source:
http://www.utilitarianism.com/ol/four.html

Annotation 1 (Revised)

    According to the author's opinion in the composition, individuals' rights should be protected. However, if the individuals violate the interests of society, the latter one should be concerned first. Every individual definitely has his or her rights and freedom. Nevertheless, there is a prerequisite that a person must not do harm to the well-being and safety of other people, or he or she will be considered giving up the rights that a normal person originally have. People shouldn't always take care of individuals' rights and ignore the whole.

    In present world, everyone lives in a big society. It is impossible to live without any connection among other people. In other words, everything a person does may bring about some influence to the people around him or her. Some influence may be nothing. However, some may cause serious problems among people. When the conflict between individual and society relates to fundamental rights or public interests, things will be more complicated. In the composition I mention, a boy committed a crime and his rights might be deprived. It seemed like the punishment or cost after his crime. But, if a person, or people, who didn't commit any crime, suffering the threat to basic rights from society, what's going on? In the case of Wen-Lin Yuan(文林苑), Wang family’s house was planned as urban renewal area. They refused that. They hoped their house could be removed from the renewal area. However, the construction company didn't agree with it. In addition, there were thirty six householders who were willing to cooperate with renewal plan and moved out. With the deadlock between Wang family and construction company, the whole plan fell into difficulty. Those thirty six householders waited for several years and had no houses. Later, Wang family's house was pulled down, and the urban renewal kept going. In fact, there was no one got benefited in this case. Every individual has right of habitation. Nevertheless, Wang family's and other householders' right were all violated.

    The Wen-Lin Yuan(文林苑) case proclaims that the dispute between society and individuals. Everyone just wanted to defend their rights and interests. Who was wrong? Who was right? Or the laws and policies had problems right from the word go? In normal condition, there is no free benefit. For the society's well-being and safety, individuals have to pay or sacrifice sometimes. This is inevitable. It is not only building new houses for inhabitants but also furthering public safety (fire prevention and renovation of public facilities). In my opinion, take the thirty six householders in Wen-Lin Yuan case for example, they gave up their habitation rights and remove out. However, they knew they would get new houses. There are some intersections between society's and individuals' interests. After all, under the common situation, individuals can't just live for his or herself and have to contribute for the society if necessary.

Source: Kozlov, J. (1997). Society's rights should often take priority over individuals'. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/1997/06/19/societys-rights-should-often-take-priority-over-individuals

Reflection 1

Group Reflections

1. Tony and 朱品晶 : 

    This group wanted to do about human flesh searching. They wanted to find out a point that the two members can fight each other. However, it was difficult to relate it to political issue. Their argumentative point was can human flesh searching be included in formal legal system. Professor asked every student in the classroom to give them some suggestions and thoughts. I brought up my thought that the police can do the things like human flesh searching nowadays, such as search IP. Actually, I was not sure what they really wanted to fight each other. They just couldn't find a key point to solve their problems. Later, my partner told them the innate character of human flesh searching by a case in reality. Professor also tried to guide them to a feasible way by giving some examples or theory, such as Mikhail Bakhtin's carnivalesque theory. After all, I wished they can clarify their ideas and topics and understand what they should do.

2. Knot and Robert:

   Your annotations 2 were focused on the influence of ECFA on Taiwanese economy and some industries. I think this is a discussible issue. In fact, I sometimes doubt of the efficacy of this policy. You can find more information about the standpoint of every trade nowadays. It can make your next presentation more persuasive.

3. Phoebe and Niki:

   You want to do some research about show girl and study some theses from college of communication. I think your topic is interesting. Both your annotations 2 have strong standpoints. I sometimes wondered which the main character is for the customers in an exhibition. Products? Show girls? You can quote the points of businessmen, show girls, customers, and the critics.

4. Vivian and Lisa:

   Both your annotations are persuasive and well organized. Your resources are very professional. I always can learn many things from your works. Your topic really draws my attention and arouses my reflection on corporate social responsibility. I look forward to your following works and presentations.

Self Reflection

5. Tim Cheng and Tim Kuo:

   My partner said that he would read some theses from a graduate institute of building and planning. He will still fight my opinion. As for my plan, I wanted to read John Stuart Mill's On Liberty. There is a chapter which is named "Of the Limits to the Authority of Society Over the Individual". I hope I can get something in this chapter. The title totally related to my topic. I focused on the examples of the conflicts between individual and society in my previous works. In the following works, I wanted to read some theoretical stuff. Actually, I tried to find out the crux which behind the conflicts.

Annotation 2 (Revised)

The conflicts between individuals' and society's interests are hard to solve. Individuals may claim that they have inviolable interests. The side of society may emphasize its priority. No one is willing to make concession easily. How to gain the most interests and lessen violation to both sides? The article points out that the solution to this kind of conflicts is communication and empathy and finding the balance between society and individuals. Basically, I think there is no one is willing to lose his or her interests. The best situation is everyone gets which his or her want and has no loss. Individuals have innate interests that no one can violate as the article says. People establish society and its norms to bind everyone together. Therefore, they will follow the norms which often relate to maintaining and gaining public interests.

Generally speaking, society's interests don't come into existent groundless. It must have some foundation to form it. This foundation just comes from individuals. For example, if people want to manage the garbage collection, they may establish the correlative rules that people can only throw out their garbage in fixed sites and time. Discarding garbage arbitrarily is inadmissible. The cost of this action is inconvenience to individuals. They have to go to specific sites in time instead of anywhere and any time. That is a restriction, and even a sacrifice of rights and convenience. On the other hand, this measure brings a clean public space. You won't see discarded garbage everywhere. It's not only for society's own good but also individuals'. Everyone shares the public spaces. Sometimes there are some people don't obey the rules. After communication and education, this insubordination disappears gradually.

    Of course the interests are desirable. However, they are not free. Sacrifice is usually necessary no matter what the type is. The problems are how much the cost of a society's policy decision and how much individuals can sacrifice. It can be nothing or a matter of life and death. Society's interests may mean many individuals' interests. When the majority and minority fail to meet each other and want to defend respective interests, the conflicts start. The minority may surrender to the majority. Also, the latter may give way to the former. After all, sacrifice is inevitable. Thus, finding out the extent that both sides can accept by negotiation and empathy is very important.

Reference:

Hsu, R.J. & Chen, A.C. (2012). 左右看: 如何解決個人與群體利益衝突。Retrieved November 4, 2013, from

http://www.lihpao.com/?action-viewnews-itemid-118390

Annotation 2 Transcription

I think individual have to sacrifice for the society if necessary. In the present world, most people live in groups, such as family, society, or nation. People know they can gain more strength when they get together. They can do more things that a single person can’t do. But, as the time goes on, the group will grow bigger and more complicated. To manage and solidify it well, a common goal and norms must be established to maintain the order and the public interest. That’s the typical form of a society. We must have the experience that our parents or teachers…they tell us that we have to be a useful person for the society or we have to contribute for other people. It sounds like we have the responsibility for the society not only for ourselves. In other aspect, such as garbage collection, we have to throw out our garbage at specific place and time. We can’t just throw out our garbage anywhere, such as road, and stairs. Or we will be fined. It may be inconvenience for individual, but it can bring clean environment. And this is not only for the whole good but for individuals’ good. But… because the public interest doesn’t come into existent groundlessly. There must be foundation for it. It comes from individual restriction. We can’t do anything we want to do. We… have to think about others.

     In my annotation 2, I cite a column from Taiwan 立報(Lihpao Daily). It talks about Wen-Lin Yuan (文林苑) case. Everybody knows that a Wang family’s house was dismantled. And they fought for their right of inhabitation. But there were thirty-six householders… they agreed with the urban renewal and they moved away and their old houses were dismantled. They wanted for the new houses. But, because of this case, they couldn’t come back their home. And they didn’t know when it would end. Actually, I think the public interest is composed of many individuals. And fighting for the interest is human’s nature. No one is willing to lose the rights or interests. So when the majority and the minority fail to meet each other. The conflict will start. But, I think the problems are why we sacrifice our rights and interests for the society. Because it will finally gain our individual interests, so we help the society and it will help ourselves.

Annotation 2

   The conflicts between individuals' and society's interests are hard to solve. Individuals may claim that they have inviolable interests. The side of society may emphasize its priority. No one is willing to make concession easily. How to gain the most interests and lessen violation to both sides? The article points out that the solution to this kind of conflicts is communication and empathy and finding the balance between society and individuals. Basically, I think there is no one is willing to lose his or her interests. The best situation is everyone gets which his or her want and has no loss. Individuals have innate interests that no one can violate. People establish society and its norms to bind everyone together. Therefore, they will follow the norms which often relate to maintaining and gaining public interests. However, society's interests don't come into existent groundless. It must have some foundation to form it. This foundation just comes from individuals. For example, if people want to manage the garbage collection, they may establish the correlative rules that people can only throw out their garbage in fixed sites and time. Discarding garbage arbitrarily is inadmissible. The cost of this action is inconvenience to individuals. They have to go to specific sites in time instead of anywhere and any time. Every individual shouldn't throw out garbage as his or her will. That is a restriction, and even a sacrifice of rights and convenience. On the other hand, this measure brings a clean public space. You won't see discarded garbage everywhere. It's not only for society's own good but also individuals'. Everyone shares the public spaces. Sometimes there are some people don't obey the rules. After communication and education, this insubordination disappears gradually.

    Of course the interests are desirable. However, they are not free. Sacrifice is usually necessary no matter what the type is. The problem are how much the cost of a society's policy decision and how much individuals can sacrifice. It can be nothing or a matter of life and death. Society's interests may mean many individuals' interests. When the majority and minority fail to meet each other and want to defend respective interests, the conflicts start. The minority may surrender to the majority. Also, the latter may give way to the former. After all, sacrifice is inevitable.

Reference:

Hsu, R.J. & Chen, A.C. (2012). 左右看: 如何解決個人與群體利益衝突。Retrieved from http://www.lihpao.com/?action-viewnews-itemid-118390

Annotation 1:Which is priority? Individuals' rights or society's?

   According to the author's opinion in the composition, individuals' rights should be protected. However, if the individuals violate the interests of society, the latter one should be concerned first. Every individual definitely has his or her rights and freedom. Nevertheless, there is a prerequisite that a person must not do harm to the well-being and safety of other people, or he or she will be considered giving up the rights that a normal person originally have. People shouldn't always take care of individuals' rights and ignore the whole.

   In present world, everyone lives in a big society. It is impossible to live without any connection among other people. In other words, everything a person does may bring about some influence to the people around him or her. Something is nothing. However, some may causes serious problems among people. When the conflict between individual and society relates to fundamental rights or public interests, things will be more complicated. In the composition I mention, a boy committed a crime and his rights might be deprived. It seemed like the punishment or cost after his crime. But, if a person, or people, who didn't commit any crime, suffering the threat to basic rights from society, what's going on? In the case of Wen-Lin Yuan(文林苑), Wang family lived in their old house. However, their house was planned as urban renewal area. Wang family refused that. They hoped their house could be removed from the renewal area. However, the construction company didn't agree with it. In addition, there were thirty six householders who were willing to cooperate with renewal plan and moved out. With the deadlock between Wang family and construction company, the whole plan fell into difficulty. Those thirty six householders waited for several years and had no houses. Later, Wang family's house was pulled down, and the urban renewal kept going. In fact, there was no one got benefited in this case. Every individual has right of habitation. Nevertheless, Wang family's and other householders' right were all violated.

   The Wen-Lin Yuan(文林苑) case proclaims that the dispute between society and individuals. Everyone just wanted to defend their rights and interests. Who was wrong? Who was right? Or the laws and policies had problems right from the word go? In normal condition, there is no free benefit. For the society's well-being and safety, individuals have to pay or sacrifice sometimes. This is inevitable. It is not only building new houses for inhabitants but also furthering public safety (fire prevention and renovation of public facilities) In my opinion, take the thirty six householders in Wen-Lin Yuan case for example, they gave up their habitation rights and remove out. However, they knew they would get new houses. There are some intersection between society's and individuals' interests. After all, under the common situation, individuals can't just live for his or herself and have to contribute for the society if necessary.

Source: Kozlov, J. (1997). Society's rights should often take priority over individuals'. Retrieved from http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/1997/06/19/societys-rights-should-often-take-priority-over-individuals

Issue Paper:Necessary Sacrifice? The conflict between the public and the private

In the present world, most people live in group, such as family, society, and nation. People know that they can get more power when getting together. They live and help each other. With gathering, people can do more things that they can’t do when they are alone. As time goes on, groups become bigger and more complicated. To manage it well, rules and norms are established to maintain the order and public interest. A person has to obey the common rules in group. However, rules mean limitation to private part. A person can’t always do anything he or she wants to do. People have to sacrifice their own interests or rights for public interest or order. In other words, public interest is built from individual sacrifice. In fact, there is a truth that some sacrifice is necessary. But sometimes, basic private right or interest are violated, and both sides defend their interest, There may be a serious conflict 
        Several years ago, Taipei City  launched urban renewal. During the activity, many people’s houses must be dismantled. The government promised to give the people who agree to dismantle new houses. However, a Wang family disagreed. They protested against the city government and the constructor continuously. On the other hand, some householders agreed with the urban renewal. They moved away from their old houses and waited for the new houses. Nevertheless, because of the disapproval of Wang family, the plan stagnated. Those householders didn’t know when they could go home. Finally, Wang family’s house was dismantled in 2012.

 The incident revealed a noticeable problem between public and private interest. Both sides simply wanted to defend their interests. However, if one of them doesn't make a concession, the other one can’t be achieved. As the rising of individual consciousness, the public power can’t violate personal freedom and right arbitrarily. From another angel, the society is composed of many individuals. The public interests may be considered many individuals' interests. People know to sacrifice their private interest for bigger interest. For instance, the householders who agreed gave up their original houses and removed out. However, they knew they could get new houses. It’s a hard issue to gain the most interest to public with least loss of private interest. Sometimes sacrifice is unavoidable. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. The problem is how serious it is. I think in present world a person can't just keep him or herself clean and pure. As living in the society, he or she has some responsibility to it. A person has freedom and rights. However, they shouldn't influence or even violate others'. This is an important principle in society that every individual should know. Regardless of agreement or opposition.

Source:　
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_interest

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_renewal
http://www.democracyweb.org/majority/principles.php  http://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%96%87%E6%9E%97%E8%8B%91%E9%96%8B%E5%B7%A5-%E7%8E%8B%E5%AE%B6%E5%90%8C%E6%84%8F%E6%88%B6%E5%85%A9%E6%A8%A3%E6%83%85-085721887.html