...Define government and politics. Compare these two terms and cite examples of each. Explain how the two terms are distinct but related to each other. · Government is the people who run the country. Politics is the process followed by the leaders of political groups who rule the country. Government implements the policies of the lands, such as with the judicial branch to enforce the laws, the legislative branch to create the laws, and the executive branch to perform national security duties. And politics are the tool utilized by the government. They both utilize political science which is the study of government and politics. While they both perform and aid the same basic function of running the country, politics is just the process while the government is the actual facility performing the tasks. 2. What is anarchy? Can anarchy ever a viable alternative to government, in your opinion? Why or why not? · Anarchy is living in a state of lawlessness. I believe it cannot, because humans do not function correctly without some type of structure. Without structure there will be total chaos. Murders and other unmentionable crimes will occur with no repercussions being put into place. 3. What are the three main levels of government in the U.S.? Which level is the most powerful? Which level is the most important, in your opinion? Defend your answer. · Federal is the level that runs the whole country, they have three branches: Judicial, legislative, and executive. · State is each...
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...Elitism in American Politics Elitism is the belief or philosophy that a particular group of persons with exceptional abilities, specialized training or experience, wealth, or other unique characteristics, are the people whose interpretations on different matters are to be taken most seriously. More simply, some believe these people are best fit to administer or whose understandings or actions are mostly likely to be beneficial and profitable. Otherwise, the term elitism could be used to pronounce a condition in which power is in fact focused in the hands of an elite, whether rightly or wrong. Pluralism, in a rather general sense, is the acceptance and approval of diversity. The concept is used in a wide variety of issues and sometimes in many different ways. In politics, the support of diversity in the benefits and beliefs of the community is one of the most imperative aspects of today’s democracy. In science, this idea defines many different philosophies, approaches and points of view that can be deemed legitimate and/or credible. This outlook may perhaps be the central element to major scientific advancements. It is believed that elitism best describes modern American politics. American politics can best be agreed that a large amount of political power is held by a relatively small, yet wealthy group of people that share similar interests and views, and more than likely coming from fairly comparable fortunate families and upbringings. Most of this country’s top leaders in...
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...In 2011, Georgia’s population reached approximately 9,800,000 citizens with a 19.8% increase from 2000-2011. In addition to population, in 2002, Georgia elected the first Republican to the Governor’s office since the Reconstruction. Two years later, the Republican party takes majority control over the Georgia House which lead to a united government in Georgia’s politics. In 2010, the Republican party sweeps the state in election and takes complete control in both the House and Senate offices. Just four years ago, Democrats show success nationally causing Republicans to strengthen their power in both chambers. During the last 18 years that I have been living in this world, many advances, both industrially and politically have occurred. In future years, I predict there will be more changes, some that citizens will look forward to and some that communities may...
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...sense of power and relevance to the legislative and executive branches, they assert that it brings a check of stability in government as a whole. “The Executive not only dispenses the honors, but holds the sword of the community. The legislature not only commands the purse, but prescribes the rules by which the duties and rights of every citizen are to be regulated. The judiciary, on the contrary, has no influence over either the sword or the purse; no direction either of the strength or of the wealth of the society; and can take no active resolution whatever” (Publius, No.78, p.402). This assertion places a resilient weakness on the judicial branch because it lacks the authority of the executive...
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...PO 201 – American Constitution Oct 15, 2012 1. The most general definition of politics would be the process by which values are authoritatively allocated for a particular society. More specifically that allocation speaks to the process where it is decided when, what, who, and how resources are distributed. Many would say that politics is no more than the art of governing humanity through deception, and some would even go as far as to say it is nothing more than conducting public affairs for private gain. Government has numerous roles but four of the major areas are paramount. Manage the national economy. It is the responsibility of the government to place checks and balances within the system to make sure the economy remains viable. The government also has the responsibility to enforce laws and contracts. This could be as simple as managing disputes between private citizens (civil or criminal) or as major as the Supreme Court hearing arguments between the states. Another major area where government is involved are issues of public safety and infrastructure. The upkeep of roads and bridges, regulation of utilities and public services, and public health standard guidelines are roles of the government. One of the most obvious and expensive roles of the government is national defense. The Constitution speaks to the issue of raising an army and navy (doesn’t say exactly how) and it is the expectation of the people that the government will provide for them an...
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...The main element to the executive branch of government is structure. Officials are placed in a hierarchy that determines what roles they get to play in contributing to the government. There are many different parts and areas that must work together, since one particular area cannot control every single aspect of a problem. They strive for coordination though that is much more difficult than it sounds. The government’s structure brings about many issues when analyzed. The government’s foundation is set on four main functions that are managing money, maintaining internal law and order, keeping the country safe, and managing foreign affairs. After these were developed, many more functions came about for services such as police and education....
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...Before taking PLSC 112 this summer, my knowledge and views of the American government and politics were very limited. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I have always been a little ignorant when it came to knowledge about the government or political issues, but have always wished that I knew more, especially with the economic problems we are facing today. I never really did form many political opinions, one way or the other. I vote every election, but never really understand the bigger picture at hand. Such as, all the issues that a candidate stands for or the impact of proposals on the government. When people around me have conversations about American politics, I am embarrassed that I either do not understand what they are saying, or cannot add to the conversation because I don’t know what to say. I guess you could say that I have always been a little cynical when it came to politics. Part of this reason is because I have always felt that the political game played in American politics was just a bunch of people talking baloney, making empty promises, trash talking their opponents, and trying to persuade people to think their way. And whoever does this the best wins, end of story. I’ve always known that there was more to American politics that this, but never really tried to find out more. So, when I signed up for this class, I wanted to shed my ignorance and learn more about my government and how it operated. I am proud to say that my knowledge of our government has been expanded...
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...Never Forget the Founding Fathers The nature of all human beings makes it a necessity that there is some form of government to lead the people and to make rules and laws. Mapped out by the Constitution, the United States’ government consists of many different groups and branches that work together to run as smooth as possible, keeping order and keeping the people relatively safe and happy. “The legislative and executive branches of government have a voice… so should the courts” (Fiss 2-3). Each of the branches work together to achieve the correct governmental structure based on the Constitution. The Supreme Court contains valuable members who help make important decisions for the citizens and for the country as a whole. Without the judicial...
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...the average citizen instead of being cherished and utilized. U.S. citizens have rights thanks to the original Bill of Rights, for example the right to free speech and the right to bear arms. The framers of the U.S. Constitution which is the basic structure of the American system of government. The U.S. Constitution is a written constitution, "it is the world's oldest written constitution still in force, drawn up in 1787, ratified in 1788 and inaugurated in 1789" (Powell, 2015, p. 687). Our constitution was developed to be a working document, meaning the framers created a document that can be edited and corrected through the political processes put in place that merit changing or amending by using our three branches of government, the executive, legislative and judicial. The Constitution The U.S. Constitution has several strengths and weaknesses that definitely make for it to be the keystone of our political system and the pillar for democracies throughout the world. A major strength to our Constitution is that it makes for a strong Central government with checks and balances. The system of checks and balances and separation of powers, I firmly believe this is the most important aspect of our government. The making of the American Constitution, was indeed necessary because the Articles of Confederation, were found not to be a workable solution by the Thirteen original colonies, they had no unity amongst them and the central government had no...
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...constitution, only thirty- nine delegates approved the constitution and forty-two who remained. Others disapproved but signed anyway to put the finishing touches on the document and then the ratification process began. 3 Structure and Background of Executive The United State Government Structure is divided into three branches. They are the Legislative, Executive, and the judicial branches. The Head of the government is the Executive Branch, which includes the President of the United States, The Cabinet and the Vice President. As the President, also known as Commander and Chief, and Head of State. " The President is responsible for applying and enforcing the laws written by congress and , appoint the heads of the cabinet. The Vice Presidents’ role is to, take the role of the president when he is unable to do so. The Cabinet, are advisors for the president and since the beginning of time, the Executive branch, was not equal to or more powerful than the Legislative Branch. Actually it was the other way around. "Congress Had more power over the Executive Branch in the eighteen hundreds...
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...used the term trias politica or separation of powers (Erickson). For the division of government duties, it is separated into three separate but equal branches. The characterizations of each are; the legislative branch in which it is in charge of enacting laws of the state and distributing money to operate the government efficiently, the executive branch that executes and oversees public policy that the legislative branch has authorized or financed, and the judicial branch that is in charge of interpreting the Constitution and laws with then taking the understandings to disagreements brought before it (Erickson). The separation of powers is a pillar of the United States government with all state and federal governments center around the standard of it. Although federal separation of power is not the same as state, as one instance state courts have acknowledged fundamental...
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...American politics in different media An essay written by Emil Holte. As the headline articulates this essay would be about American politics in different medias. This essay will discuss the representation of American politics in three different medias. The media consists of books, TV-series and Cartoons. To be more specific it is, America – A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction (chapter 6), House of Cards and a cartoon with Obama and Romney. These three medias do all somehow have a common representation of American politics or American politicians. What do they have in common and where do they differentiate from each other? The common thing all three different medias are representing is the overall opinion of the American politician and American politics in general. The book, America – A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction (chapter 6), is deeper in the “theoretical” aspect than the other two. But you should not be fooled by the word theoretical. The book does describe the American politics and the politicians, but it is in a very informal and sarcastic approach. The sixth chapter describes campaigns and elections and therefore also how the American politician acts. It tells basic facts about American politics but with a twist of a subjective and sarcastically opinion. As an example “Initially, the process of conducting campaigns and holding elections was conceived as a means to an end – the peaceful transfer of power.”. Later on in the same passage “Today, running for...
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...Democracy Many states exercise a direct democracy through initiative-twenty-four states; the referendum-thirty-three states; and the recall-fifteen states. Judges All states have trial courts, three-quarters of the states have intermediate appellate courts, and thirty-eight states elect their judges. Municipal Government 1. Commission Plan – This form of government combines the legislature and the executive branch of state governments into a single body. There are around three to nine elected officials who are responsible for running the municipality, and each of these members have a specific duty. This type of government was founded in 1901 by Galveston, Texas. 2. Council-Manager Plan – This form of government is mostly used in larger cities. Under this type of government the municipality’s residents elect council members and the council members hire a city manager. The city manager is usually skilled in the administrative process of running a city. There is still a mayor, and he or she serves as the head of the legislative branch instead of the executive branch. 3. Mayor-Council Plan – This type of government is very close to the federal government. It has an...
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...Final Exam Review POLI 2051 Dr. Kenny Ch 11: Congress • Approval of Congress relative to the president. o Congress tends to be less popular than the president. • Basic info. on Congress o Why is it bicameral (why are there two chambers?) 1. Practical Reasons ▪ Came from the Great Compromise 2. Philosophical Reasons ▪ To keep power spread out and dispersed • House of Representatives o Representation based on population o 435 Total o 2 year terms o Seats are reapportioned every ten years because we get the census back every ten years. o Entire membership elected in November of even number years. • Senate o 2 Per state o 100 total o 6 year terms that are staggered ▪ Staggered means that only 1/3 of the seats are up for election in each two year election cycle. This is so that it does not change radically in one election. o This means one third elected in November of even numbered years. • Congressional organization: o Leadership – the political parties work through the leadership structure of congress because the leaders of the majority political party are, at the same time, the leaders of the House and the Senate. ▪ Leaders (know the top posts) • Leadership in the House o...
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...where the governor cannot reorganize government without approval of the legislature. Executive power is divided among a number of separately elected officials...
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