DQ 2-2

1.

Bovaid and Loffleur speak to e-democracy as a horizontal relationship that allows professionals to change their ways of doing things as a response to what is occurring online (Bovaird & Loefler, 2016). It also speaks to e-democracy “promoting informality, equality and expertise” (Bovaird & Loefler, 2016, p.231). It strengthens the quality of how things are deliberated and decided democratically.

Those who may be afraid to speak up, can now have a voice. The internet has made it possible for this type of relationship to exist. The Economist (2008) reported “technology can amplify and aggregate voices that used to be faint and muffled”. I really like that saying, but also leads me to wonder about those “voices”. We do see many people carrying smart phones, tables and computers so they are able to participate in this technology and “voice”, but what of those people who do not have access to the internet? I would like to think we still use personal interactions, as well as old fashioned snail mail to get things accomplished.

This articles talks about using personal emails for government officials allowing for others to feel that they are heard and the official will take notice and make them more accessible. They go on to say that this may not be the case because you may get computer generated responses and does not make them more likely to read it in the first place.

I definitely think e-democracy is a great in that it allows many citizens other avenues to be involved in governmental issues and be a part of the decision making, but we need to trust the sources and be able to speak openly and honestly. My concern if for those who may bully twitter feeds, attempt to sway others with fake news or get what I like to call “anonymity muscles” and use this as a way to bully others or bombast the officials with biased nonsense. I would like to think the good in all people make the decisions they do based on facts, personal values and morals. Using e-democracy allows people to take in the information that is out there and make a informed decision.

Bovaird, T., & Loefler, E. (2016). Public Management and Governance. New York: Routledge.

The Economist. (2008, Februrary 14). The road to e-democracy. Retrieved from The Economist: https://www.economist.com/node/10638222

2.

Horizontal policy-making exists when departments of similar rank within the organizational hierarchy work collaboratively towards a common outcome. Many parties get involved in policy formation (enotes.com, 2018).

The United States Government is comprised of three branches of government.  The Executive Branch is comprised of the President and roughly 5,000,000 workers. The Legislative Branch is made up of the Senate and House of Representatives (Congress) and the Judicial Branch is made up of the Supreme Court and lower Courts. The President oversees our government’s Executive Branch, while enforcing the laws that the Legislative Branch makes. Congress makes our laws. Representatives meet together to discuss ideas and decide if these bills should become laws. The Judicial part of our federal government includes the Supreme Court and 9 Justices. They are special judges who interpret laws according to the Constitution. These justices only hear cases that pertain to issues related to the Constitution. The federal judicial system also has lower courts located in each state to hear cases involving federal issues (Truman.org).

The Executive Branch may veto Congressional legislation. This branch also nominates judges. The Legislative Branch can pass laws over a presidential veto, and can impeach the president and presidentially appointed judges. The Judicial Branch can declare presidential acts unconstitutional, as well as, laws (legaldictionary.net). The President is the Commander in Chief, though the Supreme Court has made a definitive point the President is not Commander in Chief of the country. Congress has power to declare war on any nation or entity. Presidential power in declarations of war is a prime example of how checks and balances work in limiting presidential authority (legaldictionary.net). In 2003, President G. W. Bush followed the protocol of having Congress declare war on Iraq. In 2011, post 9/11, Bush applied the term “enemy combatant,”

He did this as part of the “war on terror,” because it stripped the prisoners (or “detainees”) of any rights as prisoners-of-war under the Geneva Convention (legaldictionary.net).

The checks and balances system benefits the public in knowing one rogue elected President cannot simply make decisions without accountability. We are represented in this country by many nationalities and we elect officials we feel will represent our best interests. Congress holds the President accountable for his or her actions. Each branch of government has some way to hold the other branch accountable.