...understand what they are saying, or cannot add to the conversation because I don’t know what to say. I guess you could say that I have always been a little cynical when it came to politics. Part of this reason is because I have always felt that the political game played in American politics was just a bunch of people talking baloney, making empty promises, trash talking their opponents, and trying to persuade people to think their way. And whoever does this the best wins, end of story. I’ve always known that there was more to American politics that this, but never really tried to find out more. So, when I signed up for this class, I wanted to shed my ignorance and learn more about my government and how it operated. I am proud to say that my knowledge of our government has been expanded to the point where I am fully capable of understanding the full context of our government its political system and understand why our government operates the way it does. I now feel that when speaking on American politics, I can now understand what is being said and now I can add something to the conversation. In PLSC 112 this summer, we learned about the policy making process within...
Words: 2201 - Pages: 9
...first President since 1889 to assume the presidency under such circumstances. He appeared to have no mandate to govern, and faced a divided Congress and nation with weak legitimacy. To make matters worse, early administration actions on environmental and social issues were controversial, his bumbling style as a speaker became the target for jokes, the Senate switched hands to the Democrats when moderate Republican Sen. James Jeffords quit his party, the economy slipped into recession, and Bush's popularity began to fall. All this changed dramatically after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S.A. With great skill and determination, Bush rallied the nation together, taking swift action against perceived terrorist threats, building an international coalition against terrorism, and taking the war to the perpetrators of the acts in Afghanistan. His job approval ratings soared to record levels, and he gained new respect from leaders and the public. The opening vignette thus illustrates how external events influence the presidential office. Especially during times of war and national crisis, the natural capacities of the institution are enhanced, as the public looks to the President during emergencies, and the person holding it has their power increased, more easily overcoming the constraints placed upon it by the Constitution and other structural and political factors. In wartime, presidents generally have their way with Congress on defense and foreign policy matters...
Words: 2712 - Pages: 11
...Public opinion & Political socialization The democratic process encourages citizens to form opinions on a number of issues. They call upon voters to choose candidates in elections, to consider constitutional amendments, and to approve or reject municipal taxes and other legislative proposals. Almost any matter on which the executive or legislature has to decide may become a public issue if a significant number of people wish to make it one. In a democracy, the right of people to freely express their opinions is fundamental. Elected officials should consider public opinion when making decisions. The ways Americans express their opinions vary. They can write letters to newspapers, express, their ideas in online forums on Facebook, blogs and tweets. They vote and organize politically. In July 2011 during the debt crisis President Barak Obama and the republicans in the U.S. House Of Representatives realized how important public opinion was. Public opinion is the aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs shared by some portion of adult population without public opinion on certain issues, how would we know the wants and needs the public want? Political scientists have not been as concerned with what part the public opinion should play in a democratic polity and have given more attention to establishing what part it does play in actuality. With the examination of many histories of policy formation, it’s been said that no sweeping generalization can be made that will hold...
Words: 561 - Pages: 3
...common philosophies and common approaches with the aim of getting candidates elected in order to develop and implement public policy. It is characterized by an organization that is responsible to the electorate and has a role in government. 2. What are the characteristics of politics? -who gets what, when, how, and why. Politics deal with individuals and their needs, values, and attitudes will band together to form political parties. 3. What are linkage institutions? -the means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy. Some examples: political parties, special interest groups, and the media. 4. Political parties looked like? -can be viewed as an organization, the relationship with the electorate, and a role in government. 5.What is party realignment? -the shift of party loyalty, occurred in 1932 after the country experienced the Great Depression. 6. What are the basic characteristics of political parties since 1990? -era of divided government. ? 7. How do most Americans participate in the political process? - discussing politics, registering to vote, voting in local/state/national elections, joining a specific political party, making contact with politicians, attending political meetings, contributing to political campaigns, working in a campaign, soliciting funds, and running for office. 8. What does someone running for office seek from a political party? -they seek for their aid in getting elected. Political parties...
Words: 1362 - Pages: 6
...Interest Group is an organization of people or a letterhead organization sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy. (Wilson J. Q. (2008) American Government) The term 'interest group' describes the nature of association this work is concerned with. According to Truman, interest groups can be defined as groups that based on one or more shared attitudes, engage in influencing political decision-making, in order to successfully implement certain political goals or values (Truman, 33). They usually, but not always, are formally organized. The relation between interest groups and government and society is an affirmative one, although groups may at times employ destructive methods in order to accomplish their goals. The existing social order is accepted by interest groups, and governmental power and its institutions are utilized to attain advantages, protect members, and to fight political opponents. As you see they all relate to political decision making, political goals, and organization of people. In Washington DC there are nearly seven thousand organizations that are represented by politics. These interest groups are also referred to as Lobby’s or Lobbyists. The textbook we use gives the opinion that interest groups are a group of people with shared ideas and attitudes who attempt to influence public policy. The Economic Interest Group is Certainly the largest category, economic interest groups include organizations that represent...
Words: 1998 - Pages: 8
...organized group that is determined to encourage or prevent changes in public policy without any interest or attempts to be elected. Such groups are formed among individuals who share common ideas, views, beliefs, and commands; where they work hard in trying to influence government officials' decision making by presenting their ideas and beliefs directly to them (Wilson, 2009). There are countless interest groups that exist in the United States today, and there are several reasons behind their rapid growth and existence. One is the diversity of our nation and large amounts of immigrants from all over the world; having different cultures and backgrounds which lead to different views and expectations of the government. Another factor playing a role in the ability for interest groups to form is the nature of our decentralized political system and the manner in which the Constitution was written; giving citizens the freedom and many rights that other countries do not have. Since the Constitution gives people the power to choose who and how the nation should be governed, it gives them access to politicians and those holding seats in office, to demand and have the freedom to speak up about their expectations of their leaders. And lastly, the weakness of our political parties help set the stage for more and more interest groups to arise; using both areas of strength and weakness of each political party to influence policy makers. An interest group works directly with a strong political...
Words: 2008 - Pages: 9
...will summarize only three that I found fascinating to me. The first is a theory by Richard Neustadt who believes that Presidents have the power to persuade. The next, a theory by Samuel Kernell, theorizes the presidential powers in terms of “going pubic.” The last theory I will summarize, a theory by Stephen Skowronek, theorizes the president’s implied powers in terms of political time. Richard Neustadt’s theory of power to persuade is an interesting one. His theory serves as one of the most documented well-known theories of presidential power. As well as being a political scientist, he also served as an advisor for many United States Presidents. In his theory, he states that presidents cannot lead directly. If they really want something done, they cannot do it by themselves the power of the United States government is vastly dispersed and the president cannot, by himself, command and receive. Its much more complicated than that. Other levels of government have different constituencies and different sources of power and interest. The president is one individual and needs others to get things done. Neustadt states that presidential power is a “function of his or her ability to persuade relevant Washington actors that it is in their interest to cooperate.” The theory assumes that in the small “Washington community” with identifiable leaders that the president can negotiate with, both directly and indirectly. The leaders of said community can order their followers in support of...
Words: 1639 - Pages: 7
...are crucial institutions when it comes to organizing competition when it comes to elections, structuring the thinking of the society. If they help us distinguish various political sides, we can start identifying with them (liberal, conservative) * Ad-hoc coalitions – built in order to pass a specific bill. Party functions: * Organize the competition * Unify the electorate * Inspire and inform voters * Translate preferences into policy * Provide loyal opposition * Organize Government * Help Govern * Act as Watchdogs * Nominate Candidates * Ensure Candidate Quality * Winner takes all election system – if you have to be big to win, it makes no sense for small parties to function. * Party systems – Multiparty and Two Party System. * Minor parties: Persistence and Frustration * American parties are fairly loose coalitions of people who think that together, they share broad world views (ideology). * American society is very religious, but they share a conviction that public space should be free of religious symbols (wall of separation between Church and State). Conservatives think this wall should not be too thick. * Social security plan was introduced by the Government during...
Words: 1802 - Pages: 8
... lobbyist and several other titles. Through there are many names they essentially are all the same meaning; “An organization of people or a “letterhead” organization, sharing a common goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy” (Wilson, 2009, pp. 141). There is a lot of debate as to the negative and practical aspects of interest groups. Interest groups come in forms of Unions, Economic groups, Ideology groups, Social Policy groups or Public interest groups. They exclusively are engaged to influence the president and congress by promoting what values enforced by the government. Interest groups play a vital role in shaping public policies. They are one of four linkage groups which also include the media, elections and campaigns as well as political parties. These groups keep the citizens connected to the government. James Madison explains in Federalist #10 that public views are refined and enhanced "by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may discern the true interest of their country..." (Independance Hall, 2008). This was written in the essence of how to mitigate the effects of particular interest groups. It is hard to know what he would think of this design today. Impact on Government in the Creation of Public Policy Special interest groups can have negative affiliations, such as imputed interest groups; they utilize government programs to suit their own business as they are developed from as a result of a government...
Words: 2034 - Pages: 9
...tolerance, freedom of speech and association, and the rule of law. Although the Australian Political system shares many similarities with The British Westminster Political system, there are number of subtle differences at the same time. Australian politics operates as a multi-party system; there are two major parties, as a result of the coalition between the Liberal Party and National Party, and the Australian Labor Party. The leader of the elected party becomes the Prime Minister, and for the party to be in power it needs to have a majority in the House of Representatives in order to make and enact policies on behalf of their party and the country. Since the advancement of technology and the availability of television and radio, the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader have been identified by the public as the leader of their parties due to fact that they are the person that the public sees the most. As a result they have been key representatives of their party in order to get their message across in the shortest possible amount of time. Due to the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader being identified as the leader the achievements and failures of their political party fall heavily upon them. Thus many political spectators are seeing the “presidentialisation” of Australian politics. According to R.A.W. Rhodes, John Wanna & Patrick Weller, ‘Presidentialism occurs when there is a shift of political power resources and autonomy to the benefit of individual leaders...corresponding...
Words: 2651 - Pages: 11
...Interests Groups and Their influence in Policy Implementation and why it’s Important. In order for the reader to gather a complete understanding of the actual role of powerful interests groups and their influence in policy implementation you first have to understand what and interest group does and how the group works internally. Interest groups are individuals who share the same common purpose and goal. These individuals share the same common interest for their causes; there are many examples present in society and your workplace many examples range from labor unions, religious groups and professional athletic associations. Many economists believe that the interest groups are motivated by two things political power and economic rent. In my opinion I believe that interest groups are formed from the people’s view of a major group representing an individual’s point of view of what’s right and what’s wrong; these organizations are made up of individuals who share the same interest and of individuals who wants to accomplish a political agenda, social agenda, or to celebrate a common heritage within the group. The history of interest groups and their roles in policy making stem back as far as President James Madison and the other framer’s of the Constitution when “they developed a constitutional system of republican government that takes organized interests as a given, and thus allows interests to weigh in on policy-making in various ways. In making the case for the Constitution's...
Words: 981 - Pages: 4
...democracy is the “national security state”. Hudson starts the chapter off talking about Ronald Reagan's administration and their involvement in Central America. He talks CIA director William Casey involvement in the conflicted and how he created the contra to prevent the Saninistas from supplying the rebels in El Salvador. Hudson also talks about Oliver North and John Poindexter and the Iran-contra and how they, with the support of Casey, created a hidden government inside the government that used government resources to achieve their own political agenda as Hudson puts it. In the end, North and Poindexter claimed they did what they did for national security. As indicated to Hudson "national security state" from the Iran-contra. Hudson believes "national security state" is harmful to democracy. This essay will investigate the four practices and dispositions associated with "national security...
Words: 1491 - Pages: 6
...politics and possessing the power to control currency. If one holds a respective position in politics, he or she has the power to control people by using the law and special influences through mutual favors. If one has the power in influence the states currency, he or she has the power to control the economy and the entire well-being of the nation (Greider 23). If one single individual or entity possessed both of the influences, they would be in one-hundred percent control of the nation. The same situation is an ever-looming problem here in the United States. For years, politicians have tried to get an inside edge on the nonpartisan Federal Reserve System. As B.E. Roberts, a well-respected economist proclaims, “Congress has attempted, particularly in the mid-1970’s, to use such devices to exert influence. The question is whether or not such attempts have been effective” (Mayer 92). One of the biggest threats is the Executive Branch and the Federal Reserve working together (Lockhart). A President with no checks or balances on the monetary policy, the American democracy that we now know and love would turn into a purely tyrannical dictatorship. As Plosser clearly states in his speech, “such an attempt to politicize monetary policy is wrongheaded — it would ultimately result in less effective monetary policy for the American people” (Plosser). Many studies have been done, speeches have been delivered, and books have been written about this relationship of Politics and the Federal...
Words: 2075 - Pages: 9
...Three lifelines of the American tree The political scenario in America consists of three institutions- the Congress (legislative), President (executive) and the Supreme Court (judiciary) which acts as safeguards to counterbalance each other. The appearance of the congress has changed significantly since Independence. At its beginning it consisted of a party of Federalists who believed in maintaining a strong central government while it now consists of the Republican and Democratic parties served by self-serving “career” politicians guided by the interest of their districts over the country. “Government created because of the passion of men does not conform to dictates of reason and justice”. (Hamilton) Alexander Hamilton was a staunch believer in the power of the federal government in a time when states had large debts, the military was weak and the influence of foreign powers threatened the thirteen colonies. In this timeframe it was widely believed that an aristocratic minority could take care of the interests of the majority. In the interest of a stronger federal government the framers even had to tolerate the southern slave owning states to maintain a robust alliance of a united thirteen states (Dahl). The power of the government to some extent was reduced in a few years due to growing demand of individualism and non-interference from government. This led to the complete decline of the Federalists and the emergence of the Republicans who stood for individual...
Words: 945 - Pages: 4
...Informed decision-making is an important aspect for working in the government. According to Milakovich and Gordon, provide some examples of how information technology can be used to assist bureaucrats in decision-making? The depth and quality of knowledge used by policy makers can influence the effectiveness of policies. According to Milakovich and Gordon, competitive political forces constantly push elected representatives to focus on immediate political decisions, rather than on long term professional-administrative values such as efficient use of resources and increased productivity (p.431). During President Bush’ election he used certain failures of the past administration to enhance his win to presidency as the public trust in the government was at a low. The use of performance data to make budgetary and programmatic decisions became the foundation of Bush’s Presidents Management Agenda (PMA). The PMA is the Bush administration’s effort to better manage federal agencies. Under the PMA, these agencies were required to show how public programs achieve results more efficiently than other methods. However, during the Obama campaign pledged to use information communication technology tools to include social media to make government less beholden to special interest groups and promote citizen involvement in decision-making (p.434). Another high tech approach includes the development of the technology, innovation and government reform (TIGR) working group which is a team...
Words: 1037 - Pages: 5
