Government 2 - Dissertation Example

Do different rules for each chamber, like the filibuster in the Senate, help to balance power?  Is it possible for a minority idea to prevent a majority idea from being enacted?  Although the problems have changed since 1789, have the basic ideas of representation changed? Yes, the rules are there to help provide a system of checks and balances by which there is equal representation and equal authority in both parts of the government. The filibuster in the senate can be used and misused, as it is a great tool of power by which a person can stall a decision within the senate.

It is possible for a minority idea to prevent a majority idea from being enacted. In this case, the minority party must be able to show a great opposition to the majority party, which does not usually occur. The basic ideas of representation have not changed, however the way in which the people of the branches conduct themselves has because there is far more lobbying and dealing with interest parties than there were in 1789. In addition, it seems that the leaders of both the house and the senate seem to have more power and influence than in previous years. 2. Discuss the process of how a Bill becomes a law in Texas.

In order for a bill to become a law according to the Texas Constitution, it must pass through a vote in both the House and the Senate, much like in the federal government. Once a bill is written up, it is first taken to the House to be voted on. Depending on what the bill is related to, it is assigned to a committee in the House where a hearing is held. The committee then votes and the bill needs a majority vote to pass. Then, it is brought to the floor of the House for debate, amendments and voting.

The senate follows the same process, which means sometimes there are two different copies of the bill. In this case, representatives from both chambers meet to discuss and compromise. That compromised bill is returned to both houses for voting without any amendments. If it passes, it moves on to the governor. The governor can choose to either veto the bill or sign the bill. If vetoed, the senate and house can overturn it in which case it becomes a law. 3 How necessary is bureaucracy? If we can agree that individuals need rules and regulations to live together, then there must also be a bureaucracy.

Rules and regulations are meaningless unless they are administered; the bureaucracy is necessary for the administration. Bureaucracy is necessary in order to keep society under control. These constraints are what keep the population from falling into a state of anarchy. The rules are also there to serve as protection, which the government is charged to do for the citizens. However, there are points in which laws are made only for the gain of one individual or a particular group of individuals.

In this case, bureaucracy is harming society because someone is using the system for his or her own gain. Too much bureaucracy can be a bad thing as well as with many laws and much emphasis placed on them, it starts to become more like a dictatorship that is controlled by the people of the bureaucracy. Therefore, it is important to find the appropriate balance between anarchy and no freedom at all. 4 Discuss the informal and formal powers of the Texas Governor. The Texas governor can make appointments, veto legislative motions, make changes to the budget and call for special sessions of Congress.

The governor also has the power stop executions as well as a wide range of legal authority that supersedes that of local districts. IN addition, the governor also has many informal powers at his disposal. Most of this power resides in being able to control the flow of information and the power the governor has over the media. He/she is able to effect party’s roles in the government and interest groups by either adding pressure or de-stressing a situation. He/she also has the power to use the media in order to accomplish a means to an end.