Politics as a Greater Area of Interest - Essay Example

National Government Paper Overview Politics is a greater area of interest. Political leaders have vast powers to influence the day to day running of a nation. Their decisions hence affect different sectors of the economy ranging from economic policies, information technology, foreign policy, environmental issues, and taxation structure among others. This paper seeks to analyze the political influence of the United States government in different aspects of the economy. It also studies the current events in the political arena. Government-Business Relations The governments interest in regulating enterprises began at an early stage in the United States history. The Constitution as the supreme law of the land empowers the government to the legal rights to control the operation of the businesses. There has been a rise in government regulation with time. Still, the business community has considerate freedom of action. Understanding the US Government business relations requires acquaintance with the characteristics of the economy itself. The United States has a well-diversified economy with an industrial base. It is a capitalist type of economy with bantam public enterprises and lots of privately owned corporations. The success of the economy is due to control rather than the ownership by the government. These corporations are far-reaching in search for markets, operating in openness, and judicial processes take a center stage in conflict resolution. Great respect is however owed to the existing legal and economic structures (Porter, 3) The government regulation is licensing and permission. Enterprises are required to be registered to start operations. The US also has a large number of corporations who, as a prerequisite, require a charter to commence operations. The same is required for the partnerships and limited liability companies. The policy makers, therefore, monitor the operation of these enterprises. The US economy experienced a total economic change in last three decades. In the 1974 Summit Conference on Inflation, thirty prominent economists made a report to the then President Ford together with the congressmen. The report gave strong recommendations to enhance the economy. These included restructuring pricing and doing away with obsolete legislations that resulted in inefficiency. These policies helped develop and strengthen the banking, transportation, telecommunications and insurance sectors (Porter, 10). US Politics and the Foreign Policy In 1789, George Washingtons farewell speech had one important message concerning US foreign policy, "avoid entangling alliances". To some, these words were wise, and the United States should vanish from the world concerns. The fact is that this is far from being fulfilled as the nation has been at the center of controversy regarding the world politics and issues in general. Over time, the US foreign policy has been a constantly changing phenomenon. During World War II, United States was advocating for the suppression of the spread of communism and promotion of "the free world.” Today, it is advocating for the disarmament of the hazardous nuclear weapons in Iran as well as countering the growing Asian Monster economies. The US, in the 1890s, had diplomacy with London and Paris. To this day, the United States maintains diplomatic relations with 180 countries in the world and 250 diplomatic posts. These range from peacekeeping missions, commercial transactions, humanitarian aid among others (Clark, 4). Regions engaged with US diplomatic ties include Africa, East Asian and Pacific, Europe, Near East, South and Central Asia and the Western Hemisphere. They are headed by the Secretaries to the State. On the onset of the 21st century, the United States has engaged in a new kind of diplomacy, called the "Transformational diplomacy." The objective is to foster democracy and well-functioning nations that meet the needs of its people and those of the international community. Nations including India, Indonesia, South Africa and the Peoples Republic of China have done pretty well. Engagement of diplomatic relations has borne both greater opportunities and setbacks for the United States. Terrorism in the Horn of Africa, as well as West Africa, the war against HIV/AIDS and recent Ebola outbreak are an example on the worlds fastest growing continent. Provision of education opportunities to the Afghanistan girl-child, peacekeeping for the Balkans, helping Pakistan quake victims, humanitarian relief to Tsunami-hit Asian region and North Atlantic Treaty Organization reorganization are among other key examples. All these are coined in the words of the US former political leaders purporting that America is a "chosen nation", "last best hope of earth" and that it has a "mission" or a "calling" to transform the world (Judis, 1) The above illustration gives an overview of the US engagement in foreign policy over time "The Chosen Nation: The Influence of Religion on U.S. Foreign Policy" Judis J.B. page no 3 US Politics and Information Technology The beginning of the 21st century saw a radical transformation in the economy and the birth of the digital economy. The internet became a vital tool and hence Information Technology (IT) redefined the modern day politics, also called, "digital politics." IT resulted in critical and new issues and almost every week the Congress discuss broad scope of issues relating to cybersecurity, copyright fortification, online taxation, e-procurement, electronic voting, internet governance, internet censorship among many others. These have heightened the shrill and thrill of political debates. For instance, the 2008 presidential candidates including the current president Barrack Obama, asserted their internet techno-savvy (Atkinson, 2). Modern day Political decision makers recognize new challenges and opportunities in the IT environment in designing of the IT policies to enable conflict resolution and design of most suitable solutions. A number of players are involved in the American digital politics. They include the cyberlibertarians who believe in internet revolution and "free information". They believe in the user-governed internet and are uncomfortable with spying and other privacy violation issues. Social engineers mistrust the government and think that the corporations are in control of digital content. Free marketers advocate for innovation and recognize diminishing role of government as the people are empowered by the internet as a vehicle of commercial freedom. Other groups include moderates, moral conservatives (who advocate for government regulation in pornographers, terrorists, and child molesters). All these groups of people are ideologically-driven and have different viewpoints on the political influence (Atkinson, 4). Despite that a lot of political information is majorly provided by mainstream media such as television, radio, and newspapers, times are changing and newer forms of communication such as through YouTube, Facebook, blogs and Twitter have rapidly developed. Event political development in the public domain is keenly followed and in great numbers in the 21st century than ever before. In fact, will lots of channels some pieces of information get to the public before they have been officially confirmed and, therefore, significantly shaped the political scene (Saylor, 3). US Government and Taxation In the words of Albert Einstein, "The hardest thing in the world to understand is income tax!" Just like many others, the US federal tax system is quite complex. In fact, the tax code is a 6000 page document! Yearly changes make it far more complicated. Political leaders yearn to achieve simplicity in understanding of the tax legislations for easier implementation, but that is yet to be fully realized. All in all, the monetary policy is essential to the economic wellbeing of a nation. Suitable tax policies should be formulated and properly implemented (Markus, 110). The US tax system is more regressive, contrary to the traditional notion, targeting low-income individuals than the higher-income households. Progressive tax implies that households with higher income pay higher rates of taxes. Proportional tax system means individuals pay the same rate of tax irrespective of the level of incomes. The regressive system indicates that those households with lower incomes pay a higher rate than those higher income counterparts. Regressive taxes are not healthy to the economic wellbeing. The United States adopts progressive tax because the higher income individuals have better ability to pay without dire sacrifices, which is the amount of money foregone on the purchase of goods and services. The progressive taxes as well counter the inequalities in the economy (Roach, 5). Most often these policies are designed to support the growth of the economy. They can, however, create room for incentives or disincentives. Taxes are primary means for resource distribution in a nation as well as the provision of revenue necessary for public expenditure on education, social security, health and national defense. In a political perspective, the issue of taxation is of significant concern. Political leaders have been able to utilize tax policies in the propagation of own selfish agenda. Devious means can be employed including adjusting tax rates or formation of a new tax on some goods and services. Some individuals harness the power of political will to reduce tax burdens. Hence, taxation is a reflection of political power (Roach, 3). The US Government and the Wage Bill Workers are at the center stage in the economic development. They provide the required labor skills and manpower for the running of the economy. The US minimum wage bill debate has been vibrant in the recent times. The legislators make laws, laws favorable to the progress of the economy. That is where politics meets the labor relations. A well-remunerated labor force is very productive for the economy. The opposite is also true. The provisions of the federal minimal wage are outlined in the Fair Labor Standards Act. According to the provisions, the minimum hourly wage is placed at $7.25 which took effect on the 24th day of July in 2009. However, this is not uniformly applied since different states have their minimum wage provisions (Markus,116). There has been an emergent concern over income inequalities and hence the wage debate. The argument is that for a long time, the rates have been relatively low only with a mild upsurge. In another perceptive it is seen that the minimum wage does not fully address the greater than before wealth inequalities witnessed in the United States unless combined with sound tax policies. Legislators in the American Legislative Exchange Council should fight for improved workplace ideals and protect the low-income earners through such effective policies (NELP, 1). This however has not been always the case, and some legislators have been running parallel programs to counter this and propagate for reduced wages to the advantage of low-paid employees. From January 2011, 105 bills were introduced by lawmakers from 31 states that seek to suppress the sustained efforts to heighten the wage rates and dwindling overtime compensation policies. Otherwise, bold steps have been observed to boost the minimum wage to the fast-food and retail employees in New York and other cities as a result of collective action. New proposals have also been launched that favor the low-income earner in as far as the minimum wage is a concern (NELP, 2). The contention on the wage bill is centered on a cost-benefit analysis and its long term effect. In this century, radical economic changes are real, and the minimum wage provides "the floor" by which every household falls to. Amendments of the wage bill in favor of low-income earners could significantly boost the morale of the nations workforce and result in more productivity than before. US Government and Fiscal Policy The Government ensures the provision of basic services to the citizens. The US federal budget are prepared and approved by the members of Congress. It shows the budgetary allocation of funds to different economic sectors such as defense, research and development, education among others. Only in 1998 did the US government attain a budget surplus, the first time in a period of 30 years. A budget surplus is where the revenues collected exceeded the expenditure. It was labeled as a breakthrough as financing of the outstanding debt could be relatively easily done. The US projects to have a budget surplus by 2014 of $13 billion. The budget also outlines the sources of financing for the required funds. Taxes are a significant form of budget financing. The government could reduce spending or increasing revenue collected from taxation so as to fulfill the national goals and objectives. The congressmen and women are major players in the budgetary process. In many occasions, the specific political ambitions have influenced the budgetary allocation processes to facilitate funding of some sectors or regions more for political advantage (Markus,118) . The federal investments facilitate the provision of public goods as well as the economic growth and sustainability in the long run. Non-defense investments include highway construction and educational centers (Campbell & Tawil, 5). This resource allocation process is usually accompanied by conflicts. In a period of budget deficit, the conflict lies on where the revenue shall be collected and who should be funded. In surplus, the question is about reimbursement of the "temporary losers" because of the temporal availability of resources. Lawmakers, as well as other policy makers, should come up with sound economic policies that relate to productive and less costly tax collection. This should be carefully done with an increase in tax rates could trigger inflation tendencies. Political leaders should also outline where best to place the deferral investments and spending in general with just and fairness to facilitate economic development (Campbell & Tawil, 5). Conclusion Political power is at a center stage in the broad national issues such as economic development, wage bill, foreign policy, health and safety, regulation of commerce industry, the fiscal and monetary policies, information and technologies among other factors. Political leaders have responsibility to improve the lives of their electorates in all spheres of the economy. Works cited Porter, R.B. Government-Business Relations in the United States: Harvard University Press: April 2002 Atkinson,R.D ."Whos Who in Internet Politics: A Taxonomy of Information Technology Policy." www.itif.ord.a October 2010 National Employment Law Project (NELP)., 2: The Politics of Wage Suppression: Inside ALECs Legislative Campaign Against Low--‐Paid Workers: February 2013: New York Markus, P. Media and Political Polarization: Princeton University Press, Princeton. 2013 Judis, J.B. The Chosen Nation: The Influence of Religion on US Foreign Policy: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: March 2005: Carnegie Roach, B. Taxes in the United States: History, Fairness, and Current Political Issues: http://ase.tufts.edu/gdae: 2010: Medford Clack, G.R. E-journal: US Foreign Policy in the 21st Century: September 2006 Campbell,S., & Tawil,N. Congress Budget Office: Federal Investment: www.cbo.gov/publications/44974 : December 2013 Read More