The evolution of human society passed through various different stages, the first being the family heads enjoying privileged positions extending to tribe heads, being equivalent to the head of the state. Hence, the final stage rested with a politically organized society having a full-fledged government machinery and authority. A study of world history is a roof of the fact that states have arisen at different times in different countries. Hobson defines the concept of state as: “State is a community of people, occupying a definite territory, organized under a government, which is supreme over all persons and associations within its territory and independent of all foreign control or power”. (24-30). States assumed different forms and organizations, in different countries, and of government and law at different times and places. Henceforth, sates have been having altering structures and forms.
Looking at the historical evolution of the United Governmetns of America, it had been primarily based on three pillars, known as the pillars of the state. These pillars include executive power, legislature and judiciary. Because globalization resulted in a powerful information age, the 21st century witnessed free media as the fourth and the most important pillar of a state, having the ability of forming public opinion. Executive power represents the government. Governments can be of several different types including democracy, republic, monarchy, aristocracy, dictatorship, democratic republic, etc. United Governmetns of America happens to one of the largest constitutional democracies of the world, where the executive power is represented either through parliamentary or presidential form of government. Under the parliamentary government of structure, the head of the state termed as prime minister, is being elected from within the parliament. The formation of parliament rest on the shoulder of the party enjoying a majority in elections and can be joined by those parties who wish to join them. Hence, the prime minister and the parliament, work hand in hand by having a compact association. The concept is different from the presidential form of government where the president, in a separate election, is being elected from the legislature (Wilson and Diiulio et al. 30-50).
Under democratic government set ups, elections enjoy the utmost important place. It will not be wrong to say that no democracy in the world can be put in place without undertaking the process of elections. In its literal meaning, election is thought of as a process of aloof and ordered selection of a person, through voting, for a political office. Hence, it is a mechanism through; people express their opinion for the selection of a particular candidate to perform his duties, in a government office, society or corporation. Elections are the basis of democracy as the word entails the government of people. The United Governmetns of America is bestowed with different types and forms of elections, as a part of their legal constitution.
Generally, there are two main types of elections held in America, primary and general. There is a vivid line of distinction between both types of elections. In order to decide for the candidates that will contest in general elections, primary elections are held. These primary elections can be seen as nominating elections. Candidates succeeding at primary elections are then endorsed by one of the two political parties to compete for general elections. General elections are held to decide among the primary election winners to hold offices both at federal and state level. The main aim of general elections is to provide a final ground of choice to people to choose among either the candidates that have been nominated by the parties or the candidates that are contending under the label of independent. In addition to this, there are also midterm elections.
Midterm elections are the elections where the American voters are going to select the congressional representatives. Congressional representatives refer to the candidates that will serve in congress and senate. However, in these elections people are not going to cast their vote for the selection of the president. The members of the House of Representative are elected for a period of two terms after every two years. Similarly, one third of the US Senate representatives are elected after every two years for a period of six years (Maisel 50-70).
As has already been mentioned in the previously mentioned discussion, election is the process of expressing one’s opinion. This expression of opinion takes place through an instrument called vote. In democratic norms, vote is as important and significant as the election process itself, as without vote, election process cannot meet its destined end. In literal terms, vote is the formal token of choice between two candidates or situations. In civilized societies around the globe, vote happens to the most important and effective tool of raising one’s voice by making preferences and then choosing among those preferences.
It is an interesting fact to pen down that the matter of voting rights in United Governmetns of America has always been viewed as a cause of disagreement that is spanning over, almost, the entire history of the county. This is primarily because of the fact that the written and documented constitution of the United Governmetns of America has not explicitly detailed the code for the right to vote, except for a few amendments where the issue is presented entailing certain details on which a person cannot be halted to use his right to vote (Griffith 120-130). Laws relating to voting rights are present both at federal and state level. As for now, in recent times, any citizen of the United Governmetns of America that is having the age of eighteen years or above is eligible to vote, however, it is important for such a citizen to meet the residency requirements of the respective states, as these requirements tend to vary from state to state.
In the political structure of the United Governmetns of America, interest group is an important term that enjoys a significant position in the political culture of the county. An interest group works for an organization for its particular objectives. Because of basic rights in a democratic system, some groups in a society have made interest groups. These groups are seen now in every department of life in different shapes and somewhere these are called unions and somewhere trade unions. Being a part of the modern democratic state, the vital role of these groups is dependent on the political system of state. In real democratic systems, these are pro active while remain subdued in a dictatorial setting. Democratic governments have to keep in view the aspirations and desires of these groups. Summing up the previously mentioned literature, the interest groups work towards the attainment of specific agenda by influencing both legislature and executive. These are also sometimes referred as pressure groups. Interest groups play a powerful role in the political culture of the United Governmetns of America and are, hence, responsible for giving birth to various conspiracy theories.
The opinion of the political thinkers seems to be divided on the role of these groups in American politics. The different interest groups balance each other by working against each other in an attempt to achieve the common good of people. This idea is termed as pluralism in the modern democratic politics. The opponents of this school of thought are of the view that common good is a term that does not exist in real and practical world. In a society, different people have contradictory interests as what is deemed beneficial or good for one may not be viewed it by the other. Hence, these groups in the wake of the common good, starts to intervene in the democratic process of the country, as they are working for the benefits of few at the expense of the benefits of a majority. This is the main reason that why many of the elected representatives are seemed dissatisfied, pertaining to the influence of these pressure groups in American politics.
On the contrary, a large section of literary scholars draws a positive and healthy conclusion from the existence of these groups. They are of the view that these groups have an immediate and direct association with the elected Congressmen and the administration, while helping them in chalking out legislations and laws. These groups are responsible for the diffusion of information, at both government and public level, on a variety of issues that may require a consensus at a national level. The number of interest groups is on an all time increase in United Governmetns of America, which is signaled from the fact that almost all the segments, present in the country, are today represented by such groups (Walker 15-30).
American political ground happens to be multi dimensional. Many forces and groups are working within the sphere of this field. In the known political history of the United Governmetns of America, the country has witnessed two time spans that resulted in government shutdown. The term government shutdown is not new to the stakeholders of the political studies. In the realm of political studies, government shutdown is a term that is used to describe the halting of various departments when the lawmakers are unable to provide the desired funds to run the operations of these departments.
American political culture has observed the first government shut down that occurred in the year 1995- 1996. This shut down lasted from November 14 to 19, 1995 and from December 16, 1995 to January 6, 1996. The other incident of shut down happens to be a recent one that started from October 1, 2013 to October 17, 2013. This means that this shut down lasted for 17 long days, which appears to be long time duration for such a progressive and developed super power of the world. Younge is of the view that these government shutdowns are an indicator of weak political structures. Among the many conspiracy theories revolving around the concept, one such theory, while analyzing the causes of a possible shutdown, advocates that elections in American system create the possibility of a government shutdown. The supporters of this theory justify this point of view by detailing that Congress is mainly responsible for a possible shutdown. This is because of the fact that a shutdown is observed when there is a winding up of government offices because the government program budget is not approved for the fiscal year coming ahead.
The budget, the spending bill of the federal government, cannot be passed without the consent of Congress. Henceforth, if the Congress and the Federal government is not able to reach a mutually agreed agreement then this entails the closure of many of the federally run operations. If certain departments are having cash reserves, they enjoy the liberty to remain operated but only until they have reserves. Once they are out of balance, there will be no operations. However, it is important to note that any of the department that is not reliant on Congress for its funds will keep on working. The examples of such departments may include Federal Reserve and the Post office, which while being owned by Federal government, is not operated on the funding of Congress.
The existence of this conspiracy theory is even more evident in case of recent shutdown. The Republican Party, the opposing group, poses the recent government shutdown in America. One of the health legislations, been presented by Obama administration, the Democrats, the ruling party, appears to be the main cause of disagreement. Majority of the Republicans are opposing this legislation because they view the support of this bill will lower their chances of victory in the upcoming elections. Hence, in an attempt to succeed in future they are ready to put the biggest democracy of the world at halt. However, as has already been mentioned, these are all conspiracy theories that indicate the possibilities of various outcomes. This absurd situation can be avoided by developing an atmosphere of mutual consent between the Congress and the Executive.
Works Cited
Griffith, B. America Votes! A Guide to Modern Election Law and Voting Rights. Washington: American Bar Association, 2008. Print.
Hobson, J. The State and International Relations. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000. Print.
Maisel, S. American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2007. Print.
Walker, J. Mobilizing Interest Groups in America: Patrons, Professions, and Social Movements. New York: University of Michigan Press, 2013. Print.
Wilson, J, J Diiulio and M Bose. Untitled. New York: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.
Younge, Gary. "The US government shutdown is a playground spat that badly damages credibility." The Guardian, 6 October. 2013: Print.
