U.S Government Essay, Research Paper
In any system which claims to be democratic, a question of its legitimacy remains. A truly democratic political system has certain characteristics which prove its legitimacy with their existence. One essential characteristic of a legitimate democracy is that it allows people to freely make choices without government intervention. Anothernecessary characteristic which legitimates government is that every vote must count equally: one vote for every person. For this equality to occur, all people must be subject to the same laws, have equal civil rights, and be allowed to freely express their ideas. Minority rights are also crucial in a legitimate democracy. No matter how unpopular their views, all people should enjoy the freedoms of speech, press and assembly. Public policy should be made publicly, not secretly, and regularly scheduled elections should be held. Since “legitimacy” may be defined as “the feeling or opinion the people have that government is based upon morally defensible principles and that they should therefore obey it,” then there must necessarily be a connection between what the people want and what the government is doing if legitimacy is to occur. The U.S. government may be considered legitimate in some aspects, and illegitimate in others. Because voting is class-biased, it may not be classified as a completely legitimate process. Although in theory the American system calls for one vote per person, the low rate of turnout results in the upper and middle classes ultimately choosing candidates for the entire nation. Class is determined by income and education, and differing levels of these two factors can help explain why class bias occurs. For example, because educated people tend to understand politics more, they are more likely to vote. People with high income and education also have more resources, and poor people tend to have low political efficacy (feelings of low self-worth). Turnout, therefore, is low and, since the early 1960s, has been declining overall. The “winner-take-all” system in elections which may be criticized for being undemocratic because the proportion of people agreeing with a particular candidate on a certain issue may not be adequately represented under this system. For example, “a candidate who gets 40 percent of the vote, as long as he gets more votes than any other candidate, can be elected-even though sixty percent of the voters voted against him”(Lind, 314). Political parties in America are weak due to the anti-party, anti-organization, and anti-politics cultural prejudices of the Classical Liberals. Because in the U.S. there is no national discipline to force citizens into identifying with a political party, partisan identification tends to be an informal psychological commitment to a party. This informality allows people to be apathetic if they wish, willingly giving up their input into the political process. Though this apathy is the result of greater freedom in America than in other countries, it ultimately decreases citizens’ incentive to express their opinions about issues, therefore making democracy less legitimate. Private interests distort public policy making because, when making decisions, politicians must take account of campaign contributors. An “interest” may be defined as “any involvement in anything that affects the economic, social, or emotional well-being of a person.” When interests become organized into groups, then politicians may become biased due to their influences. “Special interests buy favors from congressmen and presidents through political action committees (PACs), devices by which groups like corporations, professional associations, trade unions, investment banking groups-can pool their money and give up to $10,000 per election to each House and Senate candidate”(Lind, 157). Consequently, those people who do not become organized into interest groups are likely to be underrepresented financially. This leads to further inequality and, therefore, greater illegitimacy in the democratic system. The method in which we elect the President is fairly legitimate. The electoral college consists of representatives who we elect, who then elect the President. Because this fills the requirement of regularly scheduled elections, it is a legitimate process. The President is extremely powerful in foreign policy making; so powerful that scholars now speak of the “Imperial Presidency,” implying that the President runs foreign policy as an emperor. The President is the chief diplomat, negotiator of treaties, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. There has been a steady growth of the President’s power since World War II. This abundance of foreign Presidential power may cause one to believe that our democratic system is not legitimate. However, Presidential power, in domestic affairs are, limited. Therefore, though the President is very powerful in certain areas, the term “Imperial Presidency” is not applicable in all areas.
The election process of Congress is legitimate because Senators and Representatives are elected directly by the people. Power in Congress is usually determined by the seniority system. In the majority party (the party which controls Congress), the person who has served the longest has the most power. The problem with the seniority system is that power is not based on elections or on who is most qualified to be in a position of authority. Congress is also paradoxical because, while it is good at serving particular individual interests, it is bad at serving the general interest (due to its fragmented structure of committees and sub-committees).The manner in which Supreme Court Justices are elected is not democratic because they are appointed by the President for life long terms, rather than in regularly scheduled elections. There is a “non-political myth” that the only thing that Judges do is apply rules neutrally. In actuality, they interpret laws and the Constitution using their power of judicial review, the power explicitly given to them in Marbury v. Madison. Though it has been termed the “imperial judiciary” by some, the courts are the weakest branch of government because they depend upon the compliance of the other branches for enforcement of the laws. The bureaucracy is not democratic for many reasons. The key features of a bureaucracy are that they are large, specialized, run by official and fixed rules, relatively free from outside control, run on a hierarchy, and they must keep written records of everything they do. Bureaucracies focus on rules, but their members are unhappy when the rules are exposed to the public. Bureaucracies violate the requirementof a legitimate democracy that public policy must be made publicly, not secretly. To be hired in a bureaucracy, a person must take a civil service exam. People working in bureaucracies may also only be fired under extreme circumstances. This usually leads to the “Peter Principle;” that people who are competent at their jobs are promoteduntil they are in jobs in which they are no longer competent. Policy making may be considered democratic to an extent. The public tends to get its way about 60% of the time. Because one of the key legitimating factors of government is a connection between what it does and what the public wants, policy making can be considered 60% legitimate. Furthermore, most of what the federal government does never reaches the public. Public opinion polls represent the small percentage of issues that people have heard about. Though the individual workings of the American government may not be particularly democratic, it must be somewhat legitimate overall because without legitimacy, government fails. However, “the people who run for and win public office are not necessarily the most intelligent, best informed, wealthiest, or most successful business or professional people. At all levels of the political system, it is the most politically ambitious people who are willing to sacrifice time, family and private life, and energy and effort for the power and celebrity that comes with public office”(Dye, 58-59). The legitimacy of the United States government is limited, but in a system of government which was designed not to work, complete democracy is most likely impossible.
324
Другие работы по теме:
Jefferson Essay Research Paper I feel that
Jefferson Essay, Research Paper I feel that I would be considered a Jeffertonian because I think the common man should run the federal government, like Jefferson thought. I think the federal government
The Alamo Essay Research Paper I shall
The Alamo Essay, Research Paper I shall never surrender or retreat … I Am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what it is due to his honor and that of his country-VICTORY OR DEATH.” This was a letter sent by William Barret Travis during the siege of the Alamo on February 24, 1836.
Haiti Essay Research Paper Globalization is not
Haiti Essay, Research Paper Globalization is not in the favor of poor countries like Haiti and only works to benefits the rich countries. I believe if they really wanted to help the Haitian people, they would help the peasants to get assistance from the government and other international organization that would give them appropriate technology such as fertilizers, tractors so they can increase productivity.
Democracy Essay Research Paper DemocracyThesis Is democracy
Democracy Essay, Research Paper Democracy Thesis: Is democracy a possible form of government? With out it the world would be full of chaos and injustice. Democracy is the form of government that America has today. We are able to vote on whom we want to run our government. We have a say in what goes on in our lives and our future.
Socrates And Thoreau Essay Research Paper The
Socrates And Thoreau Essay, Research Paper The main difference between Socrates and Thoreau was the their views on the relationship between people and government. Socrates believed that the people are work for the government. They are supposed to obey the orders of the government and serve the government to the best of their abilities.
Freedom Essay Research Paper As with any
Freedom Essay, Research Paper As with any government, there is the necessity of an economy, or else the government would fail because economy is one of the basic necessities of a government. With a democracy like we have in a country of our size, managing this economy becomes a big problem. One important factor is; In a country based on freedom, how much are we willing to give up to keep the economy stable? None? A little bit? All of it? The answer is not as simple as any of those.
Germany
’s Government: Chancellor Democracy Essay, Research Paper Germany’s Government: Chancellor Democracy Steve Rice Political Science 90 Computer Project
Stealing Our Rights Essay Research Paper Stealing
Stealing Our Rights Essay, Research Paper Stealing Our Rights From the dawn of the first organized communities, to the powerful United States of America today, there have always been power hungry people who
Capitalism And Communism Essay Research Paper Capitalism
Capitalism And Communism Essay, Research Paper Capitalism and Communism are two totally different economic systems. Capitalism is a much better economic system than Communism. Capitalism is an economic system characterized by freedom of the market and is the economic system where you do not have freedom because the government will make most of your decisions for you.
Prison Overpopulation Essay Research Paper The rising
Prison Overpopulation Essay, Research Paper The rising prison population in America is becoming a very serious problem. Too many American citizens are being locked up for crimes that just should not be against the law. The majority of people being convicted and sent to prison is due to the excessively strict drug laws, or the so-called, War on Drugs .
War Of 1812 Essay Research Paper Our
War Of 1812 Essay, Research Paper Our government has gone through many changes. Our founding fathers had different ideas of how or government should be. Alexander Hamilton wanted a strong centralized government while Thomas Jefferson wanted a Democratic form of government. Today the government is a blend of both ideas.
Changes In Life Essay Research Paper Today
Changes In Life Essay, Research Paper Today we live in a society that is always changing. This is because of technology. New technology allows us to work faster and better than before. Unfortunately, people have not learned to live together in peace. If I ruled the world, I would try to bring all people together.
Greece Government Essay Research Paper Government in
Greece Government Essay, Research Paper Government in Greece Our next stop on our journey through ancient Greece will describe the government of Greece to you. Ask yourself the following questions and read the answers to learn more about how ancient Greece was ruled and who made the laws that you would have followed.
American Fed Essay Research Paper American federalism
American Fed Essay, Research Paper American federalism is a form of government in which the constitution distributes governmental powers between the national government and the subsidiary governments of the states. Article I, Section 8, and the Tenth Amendment are good examples of this definition. In Article I, Section 8, the Constitution defines the powers delegated to the national government, such as the power to regulate commerce and to enact laws necessary and proper for the execution of its powers.
Stalin Essay Research Paper Rule Under StalinIn
Stalin Essay, Research Paper Rule Under Stalin In one point in Russia a man with the name John Stalin ruled. He was supposed to be a great ruler. He had many ideas for the country, which before his rule was run in the worst of ways.
Natural Laws Essay Research Paper Natural LawsJohn
Natural Laws Essay, Research Paper Natural Laws John Locke?s piece called Second Treatise Government, was written to express his beliefs on how a government should be established. John Locke was born in 1632 and died in 1704. He was a statesman as well as a philosopher, a political theorist and a main contributor to the Enlightenment period.
Federalism Essay Research Paper Due to the
Federalism Essay, Research Paper Due to the immense power of our federal government, people often argue that it is too powerful and should be lessened. Since the 1990?s there has been an effort to shift power
War Measures Act Essay Research Paper War
War Measures Act Essay, Research Paper War Measures Act: 1942 As the Wong s were lead away from their house the general in charge was promising the family that they were only doing this as a precaution and that their house would be there awaiting there return when the government thought it to be appropriate. But Mr.
French Government Essay Research Paper The modern
French Government Essay, Research Paper The modern French government is run very much like the government of the United States. France is a democratic republic that is divided into three branches,
Bureaucracy Essay Research Paper Bureaucracy has many
Bureaucracy Essay, Research Paper Bureaucracy has many components and characteristics to it that both help and hurt it. The most obvious characteristic is the size of bureaucracy. The size of this organization both helps and hurts in the effectiveness of government.
Our Government 2 Essay Research Paper Our
Our Government 2 Essay, Research Paper Our Government Government today is a lot different then the government that was created by our founding fathers. When they sat down to sign the declaration of independence, I wonder what they would have thought of our country as it exists today. The government has become an uncontrollable beast much like the government those heroes gave their lives to escape.
Thoreau Essay Research Paper Thoreau
Thoreau Essay, Research Paper Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience emphasizes the need to prioritize one’s conscience over the dictates of laws. It criticizes American social institutions and policies, mostly slavery and the Mexican American war.
Boris Pasternak Essay Research Paper Boris Pasternak
Boris Pasternak Essay, Research Paper Boris Pasternak was born in 1890 in Russia. He would alwayes stand up for what he believed in. Boris was a wise man that did not stand up for the issues the communists pushed on him during his day. This made him a target of the Russian government. The government was arresting people like him quite often but still he did not bend to write their propaganda.
Fiscal Policy Essay Research Paper Policy that
Fiscal Policy Essay, Research Paper Policy that uses taxation and government spending to steer the economy. Fiscal policy describes two governmental actions by the government. The first is taxation. By levying taxes the government receives revenue from the populace. Taxes come in many varieties and serve different specific purposes, but the key concept is that taxation is a transfer of assets from the people to the government.
Federal Government Essay Research Paper How does
Federal Government Essay, Research Paper How does the constitution divide power between the national government and the states? The constitution did not give the national government or the states total supremacy. Instead, power was distributed. The national government was given certain express powers, while some powers were reserved to the states.
THings Fall Apart Essay Research Paper No
THings Fall Apart Essay, Research Paper ?No Government Could Long Subsist without the Compliance of the People? Government now days if you look at it is run by the people. Senators and House of Reps. play off what people want to get elected, then after they get into office some get right to work, while others go into offices and procrastinate.
Government 2 Essay Research Paper In order
Government 2 Essay, Research Paper In order to have a good government, the people are the most important part. It is ultimately the people who have to live with what they choose. The government has to protect the people’s natural rights and beliefs. It has to do whatever is necessary to look out for the peoples best interests.
Government Essay Research Paper 2 We know
Government Essay, Research Paper 2. We know that the fundamental difference between ancient political science and modern political science has to do with the relationship of the individual to the state. For Aristotle, a person was an inherently political animal. For modern political philosophers (social contract theorists), individual rights existed prior to the formation of government.
Canadian Senate Essay Research Paper The Canadian
Canadian Senate Essay, Research Paper The Canadian SenateToday the Canadian Senate does not do all that much for the Canadian government. It no longer does the job that it was created to do. It barely stops any bills that go through. They re paid a lot of money to just sit and do nothing. The Canadian Government could work fine without the Senate.
The Canadian Senate Essay Research Paper The
The Canadian Senate Essay, Research Paper The Canadian Senate By Andrew Donogh Today the Canadian Senate does not do all that much for the Canadian government. It no longer does the job that it was created to do. It barely
Aldirch Ames Essay Research Paper Aldrich Rick
Aldirch Ames Essay, Research Paper Aldrich ?Rick? Ames Aldrich Ames ?52? was a spy for the U.S. goverment who turned on the U.S. and started working for the Russian Government. He was arrested for checking to see if his ?dead drop? (his droping point for another agent) had been checked. The FBI checked his trash and put together top secret documents that were sent to him and put him in jail.