The Democracy in America - Essay Example

Running Head: DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA Democracy in America Name Course Institution Date Week One There are various challenges that affect American democracy which include impacts of the market economy and its effects on democratic governance for instance market economies have effects on the level of equality among citizens especially for instance during periods of global recession as we currently experience .It is important to note that economic inequality undermines the process of democracy. The dilemma brought about by this factor is that the ways of capitalizing and maintaining the benefits attained from economic growth without compromising the democratic governments accountability become a challenge for the democratic process. Another of challenge of democracy in America is the role played money in the political process. This particular challenge has grasped the electoral system in America. Capital has dominated the electoral process were it is evidently impossible for any individual who is not a millionaire or has a slight capability to fundraising like the millionaires do, to seriously even consider running for any particular key office . This particular trend of money being considered as a ticket for attaining political power, can be depicted as a threat to our current system of government, this is due to the fact that such a system leads to failure of efforts of electoral reforms that are meaningful. Furthermore the system has resulted into undercutting collective participation in the electoral process and more greatly is that the idea of existing representation structures are only compatible to only a limited individuals who posses financial power, and are to be elected as representatives of democracy. The threat of money politics to the establishment of the government is that, individuals elected to act as government representatives may not actually possesses good leadership qualities. The American civic values enable the citizens to have awareness that in despite of the challenges of democracy that the state may be facing. Citizens equally learn that our government was developed to advance the general welfare of citizens, provide defense on common basis and enhance justice for all people. Within the midst of debates that exist nationally on the challenges of democracy that face our nation we share civic values such as those of equality, which is an essential aspect of democracy. An efficient democracy enhances equality for all men therefore the American civic values such as that of equality can be used in rebuilding the image of democracy despite of the challenges faced by the Nation. Week Two The American constitution version of separation of powers makes me appreciate or like the constitution. This is due to the fact that the aspect of separation of powers is actually useful for the purpose of preventing tyranny and ascertaining the rule of law by avoiding power concentration in only one branch or within one individual. The positive aspect of separation of powers is that if powers were in the hands of a single individual or body, there would be threats of capricious and arbitrary. A merger of the executive powers enhances that balances and checks are applied in essential decisions concerning the nation. Furthermore the doctrine of separation of powers requires that all departments would indirectly or directly be ultimately answerable to the electorate. The growth and emergence of political parties is an indication that the presidency is a branch of government that is predominant, which represents everyone, this is because the candidate chosen from either parties acts as a delegate of the democratic process of electing a leader from various contending parties. This kind of aspects indicates that the constitution upholds democracy. The frame that I would prefer least in our constitution is the aspect that presidential powers have enormously increased over the years, frequently at the congress expense. Greater concentration of authority on presidential powers may lead to situations whereby conflict arises due to the ideologies of war within the west, which has been a contentious issue in the Nation over the recent years. If I were one of the original framers, what I would advocate changing the aspect of presidential powers whereby major state decisions should not only be within the hands of the president but rather the decisions should be subjected to consultation by both the congress and the general public. For example issues such as the criteria of handling the war against terrorism or the aspect of our military presence in Afghanistan is a grave issue that affects each and every individual in our country, it is therefore essential that introspective consultations are made in order to come up with solutions that work both for the present generation and the future generation. Week Three. The civil liberty or right that I value most revolves around the freedom of speech which I think is a basic aspect that has been a tool of reform in our nation. Over the years America freedom of speech has enabled attaining of different reforms such as equal treatment based on aspects such as gender, disability and race. The articulation of doctrines of freedom of speech is a value that is entrenched solidly in the American constitution. Over the years many historians, philosophers and legal scholars have provided justifications that are theatrical for the protection of freedom of speech. This is due to the fact that free speech is an essential facilitator of majority rule. Free speech can be perceived as an essential instrument of democratic governance .It is by talking that consensus is encouraged through collective will .Whether our view point’s may be foolish or wise , free speech enhances the fact the view point of each person is articulated. Freedom of speech is in addition a necessary contributor to the belief in American government whereby the mechanism of checks and balances can be used as a tool of restraining corruption, tyranny and ineptitude. Freedom of speech therefore implies that citizens have power. It is argued that the aspect of protecting freedom of speech acts in favor of stable states by increasing the countries ability of maintaining law and order. The path to safety is held within the framework of encouraging people to talk freely , were people can discuss the social grievances freely and try to find ways of solving the grievances. The connection between democracy and speech certainly gives explanations for the veneration of free speech in America. The culture of adoption of free speech in America is adopted in the constitution .Many Americans embrace the aspect of freedom of speech for the reason of features of individualism. Freedom of speech is actually the right of a person to speak out their mind, therefore it acts as a special bond that enhances the capacity of humans to think. Great orators such as Martin Luther King spear headed great reforms in American History. Freedom of speech is linked to the central capacity to hope, believe, wonder and reason, this aspects largely define humanity. If the a variety of elements within our culture are not combined in order to bring out freedom of speech as an element that is essential and dominant in the American cultural and legal landscape. The civil liberty that I value least is the right to marry this is due to the fact that in despite the fact that this particular right is provided for in the American constitution , the institution of marriage is facing a lot of challenges one of the greatest being divorce. The rate of divorce in America has over the years greatly increased therefore the institution is actually losing its meaning. The recommendation that should be instituted in the constitution is that the right to marry should only be given to individuals willing to face up to the challenges of marriage and not finding a solution in divorce. The civic liberty that we currently do not enjoy and should actually be introduced in the constitution is the aspect of freedom of discrimination based on gender. The aspect gender discrimination is actually present in our society for instance a female employee may face challenges when it comes to aspects of seeking for a promotion at her work place, therefore the constitution should ensure that deals with such aspects. Week Four: Consequences of using the electoral college in American electoral process. Arguments have been put forward on the aspect of using an electoral collage in the electoral process in America, proponents of the system usually defend the concept basing on grounds that are philosophical. One of the positive aspect associated to the procedure is that it adds to a countries cohesiveness by enhancing the popular support distribution to the president that is elected, with lack of such a mechanism, proponents argue that the president could be elected either by the popular domination or through huge metropolitan domination over the people who occupy the rural areas. By using the electoral collage such domination will not exist due to the nominees for presidency is not selected from one specific region. As a result, there is an enticement for candidates for the presidential to come up with coalitions of regions and states rather they would exacerbate differences that are regional. Such combined mechanism seems principally prudent in the outlook of severe regional setbacks that have characteristically plagued large geographically nations. The second positive consequence of using the electoral collage is that it develops the status of the interests of the minority. Proponents trust that the realistic value that requires allocation of popular support overshadowing whatever value that is sentimental may lead to attaining a bare accepted of popular support. Certainly, the system of the Electoral College is intended to work out a series of defaults: for instance if, in the initial instance, a candidate gets a substantial mass of the majority vote, that candidate is nearly certain to be triumphant in terms of electoral votes thus be elected president. The electoral collage is therefore a suitable for solving defaults in the electoral process. The electoral collage is also essential in maintaining of political stability due to the fact that it encourages a system of two parties. Proponents further argue that the Electoral College contributes to the political stability of the nation by backing a two party system. There is no uncertainty that the Electoral College has helped and encouraged maintaining of a two party structure in the United States. This is factual simply as it is exceptionally difficult for minor or new party to be successful enough to win majority votes in sufficient States in order to get opportunity of capturing the presidency. Still if one of the won adequate electoral votes to spearhead the verdict the House of Representatives, they would have to have a popularity of more than half the State delegations for the purpose of choosing their candidate, therefore they would barely be viewed as a minor party. The electoral collage also helps in maintaining a federal system of representation and government. In the U.S for instance the House of Representatives was established to represent the state in accordance to the population size. The abolition of the electoral collage in support of popular nation wide elections, an impact would be felt on the exceptional heart of the federal structure outlined in the constitution. The unintended consequence of the Electoral College is that there is a probable role in depression of the turn out of voters since every state is permitted to an equal number of votes in despite of the turnout of voters .The electoral collage discourages participation of citizens in the democratic process trough voting. The use of the electoral collage implies that a minority is used in making a decision on the vote of entire state. The use of the electoral collage is definitely the best way of electing the presidential candidate due to the fact that democracy is not properly up held, it is essential that every citizen participates in the electoral process, however the use of the electoral collage does not basically uphold this fact. How political participation affects elections. A case study of minority groups can be useful in the analysis of how political participation affects elections. Political participation may affect the electoral process in circumstances were the minority groups may be under presented politically in the political process. A minority group can be attributed to a non –dominant community that can be in terms of religion, race or even ethnic grounds. This minority groups may lack ability to participate in the electoral process due to setbacks such as lack of political power access, abuses of human rights, lack of adequate social services and inadequate development. By recognizing minority groups in participation in politics, a state will in term be maintaining and establishing a democratic, just and a society that is peaceful. The inclusion of groups that are minority increases democratic development, which advances the civic capacity of a state. It is therefore essential to take note of the fact that if political participation of minority groups of minority groups is minimal, the elections will definitely be affected. How to enhance political participation In order to enhance political participation, the essential factor is to ensure the inclusion of minority groups into the political process the course of action that is suitable is informing and educating minority groups about their rights, it is also essential to encourage them to use those rights. Most importantly perhaps is that trough a combination of efforts between these groups and organizations such as the civil society such ends can be effectively meet. Week Five: Strengths and weaknesses of the congressional structure. The American congressional structure has strengths such as those of the creation of the DHS which comprises of programs and agencies that enhance national effort to enhance the enterprise of homeland security. For instant the agency implements strategies of dealing with national emergency situations of agency. For instance the hurricane Katrina. The Congress also works proactively with particular agencies to guarantee effective and faultless policy implementation. A vast example of this particular work is a sequence of investigation by the Governmental Affairs Committee and Senate Homeland Security (SHSGAC) in the 2007 summer that addressed the preparedness private-sector. These hearings became proactive, and a component of a generally strategy to advance the long-term defense of significant infrastructure. One weakness of the congressional structure is that historically abuses of power have been monitored against the congress. For instance the congress was to blame for exposing tribulations in the operations of IRS in the 1990s. The authority of the congress is based on the voluntary consents provided by various states therefore abuse of power by the congress should not be an outcome of the actions taken by the congress. Another weakness is that the congress has to some extent failed in the implementation of foreign policies that are strong, this has led to a collapse of policies that may help in improvement of international relations. Week Six: The most important presidential role is that of state control in terms of policy formulation. This is because it is essential that any elected president should have a manifesto that can solve the challenges that face the state presently. The least role of the president is that of ensuring that political opponent political parties are in concurrent with the policies implemented by the ruling party. The most important presidential power is the president’s power to declaimer war during war. This particular power is the greatest because the countries most essential security unit, which is the army, is involved. The least presidential power to my consideration is the aspect of the president being the chief commander of the armed forces. Although the president has the mandate to declare war in the state , I believe the role of the president as commander in Chief of the armed forces should not be just be used as a title but there should be significance in terms of the president being military trained. If I could subtract one of the powers of the president that would be the power to elect officials of the federal government such as the judges of the Supreme Court. The supreme judges should be chosen from diverse view points but not from the choice one individual in order to avoid a situation whereby, the decisions made can be manipulated by the president in his or her favor. Week Seven There should be more bureaucratic influence on Americans due to the fact that one of the significant advantage of bureaucratic influence is that bureaucracies promote order and stability. Bureaucracies normally assume that environments that are external don’t change; and as a result, organizational structures that are internal do not have to transform either. For instance, the bureaucratic scene of Washington government has continued to be pretty much the similar from 1950 to the formation of the 2003 Homeland Security. This means that order amd stability is maintained within such institutions because managment of the organization is not always changed , this results to well cordinated performance thus good outcome in terms of maintainance of order and stability.Therfore more or less bureaucratic influence on Americans. Week Eight: When evaluating the aspect of democracy when it comes to supporting unelected judiciary, it can be stated that such kind of support is an indication of democracy which is depicted by freedom of the citizens to express their opinion in state issues. How ever this can not be the fairest way due to the fact that the constitutional powers of the president allow him or her to elect judges and as we know the rule of law should be upheld even in a democratic state, unless amends are made on the law. Week Nine: The state of American democracy today according to the Capstone CheckPoint is that American democracy is adversly transformed as compared to historical periods were race was an esssential determinate of who rules.However such determinates have been overthrown, thus making American democracy to be significantly transformed. References Peter Bachrach's . (1995).The Theory of Democratic Elitism .Washington D.C.: University Press. Read More