How do individuals and groups of people influence the political process?

How do individuals and groups of people influence the political process?

I find that my answer to this question is undeniably closely related to my answer to last week's question. I think that it is unavoidable to realize that the things that influence the political process also influence the formation of a democracy.

I believe that individuals who exercise their right to vote influence the political process in a great way. Voting is one of the truest forms of direct participation in our political process. When one casts their vote they are conveying who they would like to be represented by and what laws, etc. they would like to govern their community. Additionally, when groups of people organize for a common goal and  a common cause they can have a great influence on the political process. I think that the current situation in Wisconsin is a great example of a group of people influencing the political process. After weeks of protesting " proposals to limit the power of public-employee unions" fourteen Democratic state senators have left the area and "are refusing to allow a vote on a budget-repair bill. " (Fund) This would appear to be democracy working to its full extent, I believe that these representatives are working for what is in their citizens best interests and is an excellent example of how a group of people can influence the political process.

In contrast, I also believe that dwindling voter turnout in our country also has a great impact on our political process. "One study found that the United States ranked fourth lowest in turnout among over thirty-four democratic countries" (Draper 104) When the wealthy and advantaged have easier access to voting then their influence is going to be heard louder than those who can't or chose not to vote.

Lastly, I think that political donations also have a huge influence on the political process. People and corporations donate millions and millions of dollars to political campaigns each year in hopes that they will be able to influence public opinion. This influx ensures that the wealthiest beliefs and candidate choices are placed at the fore front of our consciousness. "One major effect of political money is to vastly increase the chances that the race goes not necessarily to the best but to the wealthiest." (Draper 109)

Additionally, media outlets are fueled by advertisements that also aim to influence public opinion. With political contributions at an all time high it is impossible to see how your vote is not being influenced by those groups and/or individuals who are soliciting for your vote. "America political campaigns last longer, cost more, are less regulated, and are financed by a higher proportion of private (as opposed to public) funds than in any other Western democracy." (Draper 108)

This makes me wonder the critical question: what do you think an amicable solution to the issues going on is Wisconsin could be? If you were a representative in Wisconsin how would you work to solve this situation?

Draper, Alan. The Politics of Power a Critical Introduction to American Government. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011.

Fund, John. "Wisconsin's Newest Progressive; The Republican governor wants a new social contract." The Wall Street Journal. February 26, 2011. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704150604576166034245532792.html.

In what ways does public opinion influence the formation of a democratic society?

Public opinion has so many influences on the formation of a democratic society. I think that the most important ways that public opinion can influence the formation of a democratic society are through:  monetary donations, social movements, media and voting.

People and corporations donate millions and millions of dollars to political campaigns each year in hopes that they will be able to influence public opinion. In turn, media outlets are fueled by advertisements who also hope to influence public opinion. President Obama, in the 2008 election raised "$742 million - contributed by 4 million contributors - exceeded the combined amounts raised by Bush and Kerry in 2004." (Draper 107) All of these political donations and media sources are produced for one reason: to get your vote. When they influence your vote they are influencing how are government is formed and functions. And while, "money does not guarantee victory in politics or happiness in life, but financial security sure helps." (Draper 109)

Voting is the epitome of what forms a democracy and when you cast your vote you have a direct role in our government. And what is a bit frightening is the fact that it would appear as though the American public is disintrested in voting. "One study found that the United States ranked fourth lowest in turnout among over thity-four democratic countries." (Draper 104)

I also think that social movements can have a huge public influence that contributes to the formation of  a democratic society. For example, in the past, the civil rights movement was a strong movement amongst the public that later influenced the way a person is defined by our government and their right to vote. Even today I think that an excellent example of social movements influencing a democratic society is the recent social movement in Egypt. In Egypt a social movement unilaterally formed a democratic society in a country that has been ruled fear and political injustice for years.  I really like the way that Gary Anderson of the Huffington Post described the impactful power of social movements. He said "people have no power as individuals. We can march, riot, or advocate for our pet issues, but unless people are organized, they have no power." (Anderson)

All of this makes me wonder, this critical question: do you believe that the United States should incorporate  a multiple party system? Do  you believe that our political system as it stands embodies a altruist democracy? 

Draper, Alan. The Politics of Power a Critical Introduction to American Government. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011.

Anderson, Gary. "Egypt and Wisconsin: Democracy is Alive and Well." The Huffington Post. February 21, 2011, 12:21 PM. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-anderson/egypt-and-wisconsin-democ_b_825600.html.

How Do the Government and the Private Sector Intersect? How Should They?

How Do the Government and the Private Sector Intersect? How Should They?

At the onset of the lesson I did think that the government and the private sector intersected in some minimal ways but after participating in this week's readings I realize that they intersect in more ways that I knew.

The government and the private sector intersect in many ways but the ones that I found most interesting were firstly, the bank bailout. When private companies lent out money that they shouldn't have and made bets against the very loans that they had given out and then their companies were in dire financial trouble, they called our government and asked for a bail out. Faced with the probability of these banks the government "bailed " them out. As the authors of our text point out, the government "passed a $787 billion stimulus bill to ward off recession, guaranteed loans to restore confidence, and oversaw the reorganization and partial nationalization of the auto industry." (Draper 84) I personally don't think that this bail out was necessary or good on the large scale it was conducted. And, it would appear that the authors of our text agree. They point out that "the era of extreme market capitalism had led to an  embarrassing and inglorious crisis that forced the government to rescue the ailing company from its effects." (Draper 84) But, I do think that this is a prime example of the government and the private sector intersecting. Lastly, I do think that it is important to point out that the bank bailouts did not have the long-lasting positive effects that the government had hoped they would. The Denver Post recently reported that" The government's restrictions on pay at bailed-out banks had little lasting impact because officials soft-pedaled some issues and did much of their work out of the public's view. (Wagner)

Secondly, I also found the example of government and the private sector intersecting during World War I for the purpose of economic mobilization fascinating. "The federal government formed tripartite committees, composed of representatives from business, labor, and the government, to develop policy that would coordinate production for the war effort." (Draper 70) Although this intervention did not last long. "Although highly successful, the tripartite committees were disbanded at business's insistence when the war ended." (Draper 70) I believe that this is an excellent example of how the intersection of the government and private sector can accomplish something for the greater good of our country. It is for the same reason that I do not support the new health care bill. I don't believe that we should be required by the government to participate and pay for health care.

I like to think of myself as a purist of sorts, therefore, I do not believe in the intersection between the government and the private sector unless it is absolutely necessary. I think that this type of government interference can only lead to the government having more control over our lives than I am comfortable with. I think that we should keep government interference in our lives to a minimum if at all possible.

All of this makes me wonder the critical question: should banks be privatized? What are the pros and cons with regard to privatization?

Draper, Alan. The Politics of Power a Critical Introduction to American Government. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011.

Wagner, Daniel. "Bailout pay curbs at banks short-lived, federal report says." The Denver Post, The Associated Press. February 11, 2011, 01:00:00 AM MST. http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_17356529. 

Kurtzman, Daniel. "Bailout Money"About.com Guide. 2009 Universal Press Syndicate. http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/economy/ig/Bailout-Cartoons/Bailout-Money.04hd.htm.

What Role Does Power Play in Government, Economy and Politics?

Undoubtedly power plays a huge role in not only our economy but also within our economy and politics. I particularly liked one quote from the authors of chapter 2 wherein the authors astutely pointed out that "capitalism does not simply distribute money and wealth unequally. It also distributes economic power unequally." (Draper 59) I think that while all of these facets of our government are important the three aforementioned ones are perhaps the most influential and telling.

Whilst striving to become a very important economic power in the world other things may have fallen to the wayside. And while I do think that it is important to have a strong and powerful economy I think that if you don't have a balanced economy that you will suffer. "As one Wall Street executive explained, "In our system of free enterprise, the capitalist system, industry is owned by the American public." However the notion of share-holder democracy is highly misleading."  (Draper 43) It is entirely possible that while trying to become a global economic power that we actually made the rich richer and the poor poorer. "Business professor Jefferey E. Garton has warned that corporate concentration has produced a "growing imbalance between public and private power in our society."  (Draper 42)

This imbalance in power has carried over into our political system as well. "Capitalists decide whether to invest, where to invest, and what to invest in based on what will yield the greatest profit, not the greatest good. Moreover, their economic wealth and power enable them to wield great political influence that produces a mobilization of bias in their favor." (Draper 59) I think that this division of power can be very dangerous because sometimes it seems as though we are agreeing to certain policies simply to keep political peace meet economic pressures and not because the people being represented actually agree. I also think that the pressures to make everyone happy can be very detrimental to our overall system. One example of power in politics would be amongst the two main parties; when one party controls the power they have the ability to bully the other side into compromising.

Power in government is also very important. If you are not willing to be a decision maker on the global stage then I don't believe that you can truly be a powerful force. I think that being powerful can be a good thing in that then you can be influential and make things happen that are good for your country. In the alternative being a powerful country can also be detrimental to your popularity. Most recently the crisis that is ongoing in Egypt has opened my eyes to the fact that many people want to have a system like we do,they want democracy and they want fair treatment by their government. Although, I rarely agree with Glenn Beck's viewpoints I do really like his point of view on the Egypt crisis. "This is the one thing I think everybody gets wrong about the United States. They always say, 'Why do they hate United States?'  Bush used to say, 'They hate our freedom.' No they don't... They envy our freedom and they wish we stood for freedom." (Loeb)

Most importantly I think it is important to point out that our goal to be all powerful in all areas in a county has not only fell short for the most part but it has also created many problems. Most recently, much anger has been expressed over the unequal share of power in our country. "One household in ten - owned four-fifths of the value of all stocks in the United States. This left the remaining  fifth of stocks to be shared among 90 percent of Americans. The answer to the question of who owns America's private government is thus quite simple: one-tenth of the population."  (Draper 43) The disparity in income that is ongoing in our country has caused some deep seated resentment amongst our fellow citizens. I think that in the long run this could end up being very detrimental.

All this talk of America's power makes me wonder: do we need to do a better public relations job? Is there a better way of imposing checks and balances on our own practices to somehow avoid the aggressive increase in disparaging incomes?

Draper, Alan. The Politics of Power a Critical Introduction to American Government. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011.

Loeb, Steven. "Glenn Beck: Egypt Doesn't Hate Our Freedom, They Wish America Stood For Freedom." Business Insider, The Wire. Feb. 1, 2011, 11:38 AM. http://www.businessinsider.com/glenn-beck-wants-the-us-to-be-more-like-switzerland-2011-1#ixzz1DEvDCdkL