Part 1: Do American’s Need Government?
Which institutions make a difference and how do they make a difference?
Yes, American’s need government: the government is not only beneficial to the Americans in more ways than one, but also necessary. There are undertakings within the county’s setting that require the government’s oversight. The government is important as it ensures there is military control and protection of its citizens. Through the government, the country is provided with a defense system through which it can defend and or deter attacks within its boundaries. The government is also important as it ensures there is a means of representation for the citizens therein. Through the government, the citizens in a country are provided with a channel and the required tools through which they can air their views and have their opinions presented. Olson indicates in his book that, most of the action are taken by or on behalf of groups of individuals through organizations (2009, p. 5). These organizations or government institutions such as the House of Representatives, departments of defense, education, and health are responsible for taking action on behalf of the American citizens. The importance of a government in representing the views of the commons being governed transcends the national boundaries into the international and global boundaries. Without the government, the commons could be subjected to abandonment in food gathering, enclosing farmland and restricting pastures and hunting and fishing areas (Hardin, 1963: pg 1248). Apart from protecting its citizens through the armed forces, a government is also important in the establishment and development of law and order. Through the government, institutions are set up to ensure that there is order and that the law takes its effective course. The government is also important as it protects the rights of the citizens and ensures that the foundational freedoms are exercised effectively (Putnam, 1993: pg 36).
What is the impact of American Political institutions on public policy outcomes?
Government is important as it ensures the citizens therein are protected from other forms of worse or adverse power structures which have the ability to form in the midst of citizens and deprive them of their foundational and fundamental rights. An effective government is swift in providing service to its citizens and is founded on democratic principles. A government chosen by the people, which works to serve the people, and is made up of individuals from the greater population is an effective government. The American political institutions have a profound impact on the public policy outcomes. Political institutions not only have an impact on democracy, but also on the nature and level of economic growth. Public policy can be defined as the principled regulations and guides to the undertakings of the administrative executive branches shaping up the government. Political institutions ensure the governments public policy undertakings are kept on check and that the views of the public with regards to lawmaking processes is taken into consideration (Olson, 2009: pg 18).
Part 2: The constitution and institutional design
What were the founders most concerned about when they designed our political institutions?
The political institutions in America date back to over three centuries ago. The founding fathers of America had a number of concerns when they designed the political arena and the various institutions therein. This is not only evident in their undertakings, but also in their viewpoint of effective politics. According to the founding fathers, political parties were the least of their desires or anticipations. The founding fathers designed a political arena that was hostile to the formation of political parties. The founding fathers viewed the political parties as harmful to the public interest (Putnam, 1993: pg 38).
The founding fathers including the signers and the drafters of the American institutions were in the forefront of abolishing slave trade and empowering the slaves through institutions that protected the interests of the slaves. The core values embodied in the political institutions of the United States are celebrated as the fountain of democracy and imperialism. The political institutions were majorly established to unite the decision makers in the United States to form a consensus about the issues affecting the people of America. Putnam calls regional governments “civic communities” and argues that because people generally trust one another and social and political networks permeate groups horizontally rather than hierarchically, that democracy thrives best here (Putnam, 1993: pg 40).
What did they seek to prevent and what did they seek to promote?
The founding fathers sought to ensure that politics remained collaborative and rational at all times. Their ideas sought to form a political arena that was rational and provided tools through which the various factions therein would collaborate in the achievement of common goals (Roche, 1961, pp. 803 - 805). The founding fathers sought to prevent the element of competition in politics. The founding fathers wished for the political arena to unite the American citizens from all walks of life (Key, 1955: pg 16).
What were the most important tensions in the constitutional debate?
Abolition of slave trade is one of the most contentious issues that existed with regards to the constitutional debate. Most – if not all- of the states located in the south were dependent on agricultural products for the growth, development, and sustainability of their economy. Slaves were an integral element in the agricultural sector and the people from the south wanted to protect their economy. The nature and level of power provided to the president was also a source of great debate in the constitutional debate. The final draft of the constitution contained developments concerning the bill of rights and this caused a heated debate in discussions concerning the constitution.
What were the important compromises and what factors made compromise possible?
The compromise – commonly referred to as the Missouri Compromise – refers to the sum of efforts and undertakings by the House of Representatives and the United States Senate to maintain and enhance the balance of power between free states and those that refused to abolish slavery. The states which upheld slavery were afraid that their minimized representation in congress would lead to lack of protection for their trade, property, and interests. The application of statehood by Missouri and the slavery undertakings in the Northwest Territory are landmarks in the drawing out and establishment of the Missouri Compromise as law.
Part 3: Political parties
Why are parties important in American politics?
Parties are important in American politics for a number of reasons. Through multiple parties, the different ideologies that are presented in the general population are aired. Parties in American politics are also important as they ensure the government is kept on check. The government is kept under close watch by a number of institutions and authorities. The political parties represent some of the most vocal authorities through which the activities of the government are kept on check. In American politics, parties provide a platform for the minority and majority. The American political system has however slipped with little fanfare into an era of increasingly vibrant partisanship in the presidential and congressional elections (Bartels, 2000. P. 44).
What is the link between voter attitudes and parties, and between parties and policy change?
Different parties are established on different values. Political parties stand for a set of values and or opinions. The ideological foundation of any party is the main attraction with regards to voter attitudes. Before any voter casts a vote for a specified candidate, they have to analyze their ideological standpoint and the values they hold. The political arena is shaped up by different social issues. Political parties are presented with contentious issues within the social arena such as gay rights, abortion, public healthcare, and taxation. The manner in which political parties react to these issues determines the portion of the society they attract. The ideological foundation in any party is important with regards to policy change. Whether a political party is currently in power or not, it will employ its ideological concepts in instituting and fighting for policy change (Bartels, 2000. P. 44).References
Bartels L. M. (January 2000). Partisanship and Voting Behavior, 1952-1996. American Journal of Political Science, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 35-50
Hardin, G. The Tragedy of Commons. Science, New Series, Vol. 162, No. 3859. (Dec. 13, 1968) pp. 1243-1248.
Olson, M. (2009). The logic of collective action: Public goods and the theory of groups. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.
Putnam R. D. The Prosperous Community: Social Capital and Public Life. American Prospect 13, (1993): 35-42;
Roche J. P. (December 1961). The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action. The American Political Science Review, Vol. 55, No. 4. pp. 799-816.
Key V.O. A Theory of Critical Elections. Journal of Politics (1955), Volume 2, No. 17: 3-18
