Ideals of Civil Liberty and Rebuilding American Democracy - Term Paper Example

This paper tells that “Gridlock” as it is experienced in Washington D.C. today represents a system of government that the Anti-Federalists specifically warned against in the founding of the United States through the Constitutional Convention, “Bill of Rights” negotiation, and state ratification process. In understanding how Jeffersonian ideals relate to “Athenian” democracy, and also how populism and progressivism present a historical framework for reform of the political system, the goal is to continue in the tradition of innovation in social institutions so as to make them more open, transparent, participatory, and non-violent as a basis of civil society.

This essay discusses possibilities to increase multi-party political representation through the use of information technology and other forms of innovation in a democratic organization to implement fundamental ideas through progress. One example commonly cited as “gridlock” is the prevention of legislation from passing by one party through control of one branch of government, such as a Republican party majority in the Senate refusing to support Democratic legislation, or a Republican president unable to build legislative support for his/her agenda in the House of Representatives.

A larger aspect of “gridlock” is the actual two-party monopoly that prohibits a wider representation of views and discussion of issues in the Federal system. This can be compared to systems of government internationally that encourage wider multi-party frameworks and coalitions, as well as an ideal of direct, participatory democracy that would be supported through a more diverse representation of views than found in two-party politics. While the Constitution does not mandate a two-party system, “winner take all” representation does discourage third-party candidates from attaining office, as do the discriminatory ballot measures that restrict ballot access to third parties.