Analysis of Debating the Presidency by Ellis and Nelson - Book Report/Review Example

Debating the Presidency Introduction Ellis and Nelson have been inspiring in the study of the presidency their power and how they create power and institutions in order to survive and deliver good services to the citizens of America. The two authors bring on board top scholars with sufficient knowledge in the field of political analysis whom together gives a deep insight on how political arena is controlled. The two authors present the debate in a logical way and most of the audience is able to come into terms with the ways of reforming the political system and hence make the constitution to adopt compulsory voting. The authors target audience in this book is the students who always engage in debates[Ell12]. The author is quick to correct them since they always grapple with claims and evidences but fail to explore how institutions work. With this form of debating the authors intention is to make students to come up with good conclusions in reforming the political institutions in America. Review of the three Debates One of the five first chapters of this book is about political parties. In this chapter the author is able to bring out arguments about how political parties play a major role in determining the presidency. In this chapter the author brings out debates between the Republicans and Democrats. Some of the top political analyst was keen to express the nature of influencing voters to vote on their favor. Molly Andolina is one of the political analysts who puts down her debate regarding the voting systems and especially non-citizens. With much interest there is a debate about how president Obama managed to clinch his seat. President Obama identified 3 decision making systems that he followed properly to influence voters to vote for him. President Obama hired a company by the name Spotlight Analysis that was able to use political micro targeting to analyze over 175 million voters on the basis of 10 value tribes. President Obama noted that individuals tribe members do not share the same race, religion or even income but they share characters like community, responsibility, God, and opportunities. Through this Spotlight Analysis managed to identify Barn Raisers a tribe of 14 million voters who play a major role in elections due to their voting patterns. They are regarded as active participants in in community organizations and are ambivalent about government. Even though they are from different races, religion, and ethnicities and 40% voted for Democrats and 27% voted for the Republicans. President Obama also managed to identify behavioral grouping as a means of political targeting. He noted that most of the time people have failed in studying individual behaviors and influence their voting patterns. Through Spotlight Analysis he manages to do that by grouping individuals in terms of behavior, choice, names and even color. Obama also went ahead and used decision making system that did quite a sophisticated analysis of voters number of school going children, type of car, zip code, magazine subscriptions and mortgage balance as a way of determining the voting pattern of the voter. With such kind of analysis the chapter argues that political parties have been shifting in how they are analyzing and viewing their voters. In addition to this the author brings out the debate concerning restoring the right to vote in federal elections to people with criminal records according Erika Wood. It is argued that despite having the criminal records these people have to exercise their democratic rights of choosing their leaders and should not be condemned. With these kinds of arguments it becomes easy for the audience to conceptualize what is right and wrong and how political institutions in the US can be reformed. In relation to this, James Gattuso proposes that proposes that political parties should adopt the system of nominating their presidential candidates for the national primary. On the other hand Mark Siegel proposes that sates require open primaries. With this it is aimed at ensuring that the process of presidential election is fair and rigorous and should begin at lower stages so as to represent the people’s wish. The other interesting chapter is about Bureaucracy. In this chapter there is also of the arguments by the many scholars debating. For example, there is a proposal that Article V needs revision. The revision is aimed at ensuring that it is easier to amend the constitution and consequently calling the constitution a convention. This was according to Sanford Levinson. There are also arguments about the powers of the Supreme Court. For example, James Fell argues that the constitution should be amended to overturn the power over its ruling in Citizens United. With regard to matters of constitution, Roger Clegg proposes that the US should adopt a national initiative and referendum. This is aimed at changing and restricting the constitution of the US. Considering this issue Ellis one of the authors after listening to the debates resolves that the US should embrace compulsory voting. This will in turn take into consideration people in jails and with criminal records. This will allow them to practice their democratic rights. The author also resolves that this will also ensure that voting is not prejudiced. With the issues of bureaucracy it is argued that the senate is not supposed to be representing the states but should be representing the people. This argument is seconded by other political analysts. However, this argument is subjected to further intense arguments and it is resolved that since it is the citizens who are voting for the senators, the senator is representing both the people and the state. Moreover, Pitney Jr argues that the Rule XXII of the senate requires amendment so that the filibusters can be ended by a majority vote. His arguments are further seconded by Steven Smith who feels the same. Another argument is brought out by David Karol who proposes an 18 year term for the Supreme Court. This argument is put into consideration and allows the learners to think more about political institutions and their effect in power. There is also the need to have a balanced budget amendment. Another interesting chapter in this book is about the Interest Groups. In this chapter it is possible to see that the author does not use the pros and cons idea of debate but makes the debates so simple for anyone to think for themselves. In this chapter John McCadell argues that the congress is supposed to be restoring each state’s freedom and allowing them to set their own drinking age. From this kind of arguments the audience is bale to learn and think for them. As much as there is need for freedom it is not just to allow a younger generation to venture into drinking as this will eventually corrupt good morals. With regard to interest group, Jason Brennan proposes that the Congress should play a role in bringing back the fairness doctrine. His proposal is seconded by Randon Hershey who believes that the Congress should bring back the fairness doctrine to prevent bias and prejudice. In this chapter, the debate further continues regarding the abolishing of earmarks for special interest. With regard to equal representation in the Congress Scott Frisch proposes that proportional representation is necessary in the house of elections in the US. On the other hand Douglas Amy resolves that it is indeed important that the house of US is represented proportionally with all parties given equal representation. The question and answer technique with topics on federalism allows the audience to view the objective politics with an open mind. This book also tackles the day to day issues which affect the political system in the US. The different perspectives and the objections brought out by the different scholars allow the audience to choose over. The two author’s inclusion of many scholars in their books is also advantageous in the sense that it offers a wide base of resource in terms of political ideas and resolutions. The competing nature in terms of arguments is also captured in this argument and this allows the reader of this book to understand comprehensively what is debated upon and what has been concluded and resolved. Conclusion The two authors in this book have been impressive in the form in which they air their views. Writing in a debate manner this book brings into the mainstream so many scholars who discusses about political views. The authors have been able to choose key political areas which need reforms. There have been several views about political parties, target groups, and bureaucracy in the US. The first five chapters summarize these ideas and have been keen to bring out different thoughts and ideas about what is transpiring in the US political arena and what should be changed. Amongst the important points discussed is the need to end discrimination and prejudice and incorporate people with criminal record to vote. There is also the issue of the Supreme Court which many people suggest that its powers should be amended to allow for flexibility in terms of certain amendments. References Ell12: , (Ellis and Nelson), Read More