American Government - Essay Example

American Government Question Ways in which the Supreme Court can influence the balance of power between the national government and the states in the federal system. The Supreme Court is the tribunal in the country for all case and controversies that may arise regarding the constitution and the laws of the state. The court promises the American people of equal justice under the law. The court performs the role of an interpreter and as the guardian of the constitution. The state’s position to get involved in matters of central decision-making, this position has been revoked by Jurists who tend to argue that the court should not play umpire between federal and state governments, congress does not threaten any state power; however, it helps in protecting the state. The senate serves as an environment for the states to protect and express their interests. The court has infinite institutional capital and is usually not an elected body. The court thus has limited advantage, and it is best to leave and reserve whatever power the court has. The powers of the court should not in anyway be affected by the taking away some of the powers (Heineman et al 45). Question # 2 Circumstances that could make the United States change to a multiparty system. The American people are tired of a system, which seams ever constant with conflicts between the republicans and democrats. People say that the system is broken, and Washington does not represent the interest of the common American. These sentiments have left many citizens exasperated, and they want change. They desire a system that does not force them to select between two fixed options, which do not represent their individual beliefs as citizens. The multiparty system is favored because it allows the participation of minor parties. The American people love systems, which represent all the citizens. Such a system can only be found in a multiparty democracy. The American people may put pressure on the senate, and the government as a whole to make amendments in the constitution that allows for a multiparty system. Other people prefer the two-party form of democracy. Since while, a multiparty system gives voters many choices; it gives small fringe groups a chance to attain power because they can be highly cohesive. This can lead to the allowance of small groups with radical theology and ideas to gain power because the majority of the votes are divided among rational mainstream candidates. The two-party system has become dominant because it provides a disparity in the percentage of votes that are received by a third party, and the number of the legislative seats it gets as the result. The party with the largest percentage of the voters in a single district is awarded representation. The two-party system also gives preferential treatment to the pluralists winners, and does not give any regard to the runner’s up when the percentage of votes is being translated to legislative seats (Heineman et al 45). Question # 3 Pros and cons of the Electoral College system The Electoral College has been in existence for 200 years. There are individuals who are critics, and they are opposed the Electoral College system. The critics have tried to propose reforms that will eliminate the college system. There are also other supporters who are less vocal when compared to the critics, but they offer powerful arguments in its favor. Those who object the college system argue and provide the following cons of the Electoral College system; i. The possibility exists of the election of a minority president- this is where there are three or even more presidential candidates such that the votes are distributed among the candidates resulting to a situation where the winning candidate did not have the majority of the votes ii. There exist the risks of citizens who have been dubbed “faithless” electors- this are people who make the promise of voting for a certain candidate but at the poles votes instead for another candidate. iii. The Electoral College depresses voter turnover- all state are guaranteed a similar number of electoral votes this is regardless of the voter turnout there are no incentives in the state that encourage voter turnout; thus a minority of the citizens are left to decide on the electoral vote of the state. iv. The Electoral College may fail to reflect the will of the nation. - distribution of the electoral votes seems to over-represent people from the rural areas the number of electors found in each state is currently determined by the total number of member that it has in the house added to the number of the senate. The supporters of the Two-party system offer the following arguments; i. The two-party system offers, cohesiveness of the country- this is by the distribution of popular support to the president to be elected. ii. A two-party system improves the status of interests in the minority. iii. The two-party system promoted political stability of America. iv. The two party systems help in maintaining the federal system of representation and government (Heineman et al 45). The two systems defer greatly in the way they operate, and when it comes to support each system gets from the citizens of America. The citizens are crying foul and need change in the system of governance. Through this change, the people will be allowed to choose the leader who meets their expectations. Works cited Heineman A, Steven P and Thomas R. American government. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005. Print. Read More