Current Events Research Paper/ WEEK 5 AMERICAN GOV. PROJECT

POL2076 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT WEEK 5 LECTURE

Branches of the Government

The Constitution of the United States explicitly lays out the responsibilities and requirements of both houses of the Congress, the Presidency, and, to a lesser degree, the Supreme Court and the judicial branch. However, many people feel that there is an informal, unofficial fourth branch of government providing external influences on the policies and goals of our political system.

Some feel that the fourth branch is the media. Media representation of American society and politics strongly influences public opinion, as well as influencing policy makers by representing (or misrepresenting) the actual desires of the American public. The power of the press dictates what we, the American public, hear and often provides a spin on issues that in turn influences policy makers. The media can favor or criticize a candidate or official. Through the use of sound bites in the news, complex policy issues can be grossly oversimplified or under explained.

Others feel that interest groups are the fourth branch of government. Interest groups and their financial arms exert power by providing information, policy analyses and money. Their access to our governing officials is above and beyond that allowed to the average citizen, not to mention their financial contributions to political candidates and campaigns.

On the positive side, however, the power of the many represented by interest groups can influence any issue at any time.

Still, there are others that feel that the federal bureaucracy is the fourth branch of government. The saying goes "Presidents may come and go, but the bureaucracy goes on and on and on." The permanency of the bureaucracy adds stability to government. At the same time, however, it is insulated from the rigors of the election process. Any changes or reforms of the bureaucracy must come from either the legislative or executive branch and may only be effective as long as that administration is in power. However, bureaucracies are not necessarily the evil, inefficient entities that we imagine them to be. They provide structure and continuity to our political system. They, rather than the three branches themselves, affect our lives every day at every level. From the mattresses we sleep on, to the food we eat, to our access to telephone, television, information, and education, they are an unavoidable part of our lives. Their influence is powerful and all-encompassing.

The well-ordered, triangle image of our political system (Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches) is nice and neat in theory. But the reality of our government is more along the lines of a small child's scribble. The influences—whether you include the nebulous fourth branch of government or not—on our political system are many and varied. In turn, the actions and policies of our government, in regard to those influences, are just as many and varied, making the study of politics a dynamic and complicated one.

Government Issues

Throughout this term, we have discussed the concept of American democracy and examined the pieces and parts of the American federal system. It is time for us to look at what the government does. We now have an idea of how the different parts of the government work together, or at least how they are supposed to work together. Through your examination of current events you should have developed a picture of what is currently going on in the United States and the world. The next step for us is to look at policy making and public policy issues, the real job of the government.

From Social Security to foreign aid, the possibilities and responsibilities of our government are seemingly endless. The issues are complex and the solutions vague. The “politics of politics” oftentimes gets in the way of what could be done—and should be done. Yet for over two centuries our Constitution has provided our government structure and stability. For over two centuries our desire for democracy, equality, and freedom has allowed us to grow and adapt to the multitude of changes that have occurred both inside and outside the United States.

My vision for you at the end of this course is that you will be more aware of and considerably more active in the political process. I hope that during this term you have not only learned the ins and outs of the American political system, but also found your place within the system. We are the American government; we are the employers of our representatives, locally and nationally; and we have the privilege and responsibility to participate in the political process. It is indeed our responsibility to make certain that our American democracy is truly a "government by the people and for the people."

The 20th Century

Our country has survived war, disease, famine, drought, natural disaster, and human atrocities beyond imagination. Throughout our brief history, we have expressed ourselves through language, art, music, literature, and dance. We have extolled our virtues and wallowed in our failures. We have lived, loved, learned, and died.

As we have rushed through this term attempting to read, write, and learn about American society and politics, we have often forgotten about the "human element," the reflection of who we are, what we believe, and how we feel. This is what social scientists often call the national character.

America has grown and matured from an arrogant, yet often naive, new guy on the block at the turn of the century to a wily, often weary, veteran.

Through the:

· Naïve 1900s

· Uncertain "nineteen teens"

· Roaring 1920s

· Devastating 1930s

· Explosive 1940s

· Sedate 1950s

· Tumultuous 1960s

· Disillusioned 1970s

· Self-indulgent 1980s

· Prosperous 1990s

· And into the 21st century

American politics became the property of every man and every woman, every race, ethnic group, and socioeconomic class. The American political system has been an instrument of change, an instrument of growth, an instrument of hope, and an instrument of despair. It has reflected every issue, every anxiety, every moment of our tenuous history.