The constitution of the United States provides for two levels of government including the federal and the state governments. The constitution is based on values and principles that enhance the rule of law and the common interest of the people and as such, divides the federal government into several branches ensuring that no single branch gains too much power and control. Fine and Levin-Waldman (2016) asserted that through a system of checks and balances, the legislative, executive, and judicial arms control each other to ensure that the rights of the citizens are respected and upheld. The United States is a democracy, and hence political leaders such as the President, members of the Congress, and governors ascend to office through a college voting system. When discussing matters politics in the US, it is imperative to take a keen interest in the role of the media and special interest groups that function to shape opinion.
Thesis statement
Understanding policies, governance and the political landscape of the US requires a keen analysis of the historical and constitutional basis for America's government's structure, the system of checks and balances, the voting system, and how the media and special interest groups influence opinion.
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Historical and Constitutional Basis of the American Government
Decentralization of Power
The US constitution is a historical symbol that led to the creation of the government and its various bodies. It serves as a contract between the federal and state government. Historically, the first constitution was the Article of Confederation which advocated for both the formation of a central government and the decentralization of power to the states (Fine & Levin-Waldman, 2016). Such a move was meant to enhance democracy and bring power close to the people. As such, this influences policies because there are those which are formulated by the national government and are therefore binding while there those which apply only to specific states depending on the state government.
Branches of the Government
The constitution defines the three arms of government including the executive, legislature, and the judiciary. The legislative branch is the Congress and makes laws. The executive comprises of the president, vice president, and the cabinet and is mandated to carry out the laws. The judiciary is mandated with the evaluation of the laws and consists of the Supreme Court and other courts. Whereas the executive can formulate policies, they must be passed by the legislative arm, and anyone wishing to challenge their legality can use the courts to seek redress.
How Policy Is Involved In Checks and Balances
Prevention of Excessive Power
The checks and balances is a system that ensures that each branch of government has a certain degree of control over the other. An example includes a situation where the president can veto bills from the Congress, and the Congress has the power to override the veto. As such, the likelihood of a tyrannical rule is preventing, and hence no adverse or draconian policies can be suggested by any one government ( Vile, 2012).
Protection of the Liberties of Citizens
The system of checks and balances does not allow anyone government body to possess excessive powers. When different entities perform the creation, implementation, and evaluation of laws, there is a likelihood that all policies will take a keen consideration of the interest of the people (Campbell, 2012). Particularly, the judiciary protects the constitution and has the power to term unconstitutional any policy that violates the principles and values of the constitution.
How the Policy Relates To Public Policy and Elections and Media Portrayal
The Every Students Succeeds Act Is Important For Public Policy
Mathis and Trujillo (2016) asserted that the new education law touches on the public law in that it touches on the nation’s education. It attempts to ensure that every student gets an equal opportunity.
Interest Groups and Media Portrayal
Some of the key stakeholders include the educators, parents, communities, and students across the country. The media has positively portrayed the act due to its weight and the fact that it looks into the welfare of the students.
Voting and Electoral Process
The College System
Bates (2004) asserted that the US system applies the Electoral College system where a vote in the Congress backs the popular vote. Colomer (2016) illustrated that the system divides opinion with opponents saying that it jeopardizes democracy.
Election Process
The political landscape determines the election process in the country. Cohen (2012) asserted that whereas the election process is predominantly Electoral College, the two dominant political parties including Democrats and Republicans influence how people vote. Desilver (2017) pointed out that US records among the lowest voter turnouts among the developed countries.
The government structure, the system of checks and balances, and media all influence public policies in America. Through formulation, implementation, and evaluation, the three branches of government affect policies such as the Every Student Succeeds Act. The media on its part shapes policies by influencing opinion.
References
Bates, N. (2004, October 26). What are the arguments made in favour-and against-the Electoral College? History News Network https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/8163
Campbell, A. L. (2012). America the under-taxed: U.S. fiscal policy in perspective. Foreign Affairs, 91(5), 99-112 https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2012-09-01/america-undertaxed
Cohen, A. (2012, March 16). How voter ID laws are being used to disenfranchise minorities and the poor. The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/03/how-voter-id-laws-are-being-used-to-disenfranchise-minorities-and-the-poor/254572/
Colomer, J. (Ed.). (2016). The handbook of electoral system choice . Springer.
Desilver, D. (2017, May 15). The U.S trails most developed countries in voter turnout. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/05/15/u-s-voter-turnout-trails-most-developed-countries/
Fine, T.S & Levin-Waldman, O. M. (2016). American Government (2 nd Ed.)
Mathis, W. J., & Trujillo, T. M. (2016). Every Student Succeeds Act.
Vile, M. J. C. (2012). Constitutionalism and the Separation of Powers . Liberty Fund.
