Political Concepts Essay

1) Mass Media as the Fifth Branch of organisationDefinition Mass Media is the fifth branch of government because it shadower do public opinion and check the national agenda.Importance It is important because todays media is so assertive and liable to such adversarial, negative report that they can be downright obstructive of government policy2) agendum SettingDefinition On a national level, this is a character reference usually reserved for the chairperson, such as when he makes his State of the sum total Address.Importance As the leader of the nation it is his duty to set the agendum for the coming year. Without a clear vision the nation ordain louse up aimlessly.3) Electoral College (how does it work?)Definitions A vote that will be counted purposes of electing a president each state has a set number of electoral colleges. The term refers to a collegium or assembly of 538 President Electors who meet subsequently the popular vote and cast their votes for President and Vice-President.Importance A presidential candidate may have technically won by acquiring to a greater extent of the popular vote overall but if he loses in too many some other(prenominal) States with a heights number of Electors, he can still lose the elections.4) Who votes (what kind of person is MOST likely to vote)? why has voter turnout in America declined since 1960?A person who is come to in the campaign of some adept running for election is well-nigh likely to vote. A charter member of the Republicans or the Democrats because they owe it to their group. Those at the extremes of semipolitical opinion, who feel strongly for or against the candidates in question.Importance of voting Voting is an essential political right, a chance to speak and be counted and an opportunity to affirm or reject state policy. It is often the except political exercise that the average person will have a say in.5) sexual relationWhat do they do? The relative makes laws for the President to planetary house as well as attend to the needs of their constituency.Importance of what they do sexual relation also provides an important check-and-balance to the power of the Executive, the President and the line departments because the framers of our organisation did not wish the President to act arbitrarily without enabling laws from congress. For example, he cannot wage war on Iraq without going to intercourse to ask for appropriations that will cover soldiers salaries, aid to civilians, ammunition, fuel and support services.6) CongressWhat argon Standing, Joint, and assemblage Committees? A standing perpetration is an ordinary permanent committee. By U.S. Congress rules, a conference committee is A temporary, ad hoc panel be of House and Senate conferees which is formed for the purpose of reconciling differences in legislation that has passed twain chambers. Conference committees are usually convened to resolve bicameral differences on major and controversial legisl ation.This means differences between the Senate and House pas seuls of a lodge. A common committee refers to all former(a) bicameral committees convened for some special wait on or other except reporting legislation. Examples of the latter are articulate committee hearings on controversial matters or on impeaching the President.Importance of committee work Laws are not made arbitrarily, often there is a need to consult with others before a charge up is proposed in the floor. At the same time it is too chaotic present a gaga handbill to the general assembly of congress without refining it first. This is the work of committees.7) CongressHow does a bill become a law? A bill moldiness be authored, be deliberated on in committee then pass three readings in both houses of Congress. The President then signs the bill to make it law.Importance On paper a bill must first pass through one house before it is forwarded to the other house for its own three readings there. But in practic e a bill is often authored and filed simultaneously in both houses with each version differing little from the other.8) Presidential PowersThe president is the commander-in-chief of the army. He can mobilize the arm forces even without a formal declaration of war for up to 60 days. Domestically, he has the power to make or break a bill with the stroke of a pen. He can also propose precedency legislation to Congress.9) PresidencyTo be a successful leader of Congress, the President must be able to read the pulse of congress well. He must know when to act and push for his agenda. He is important because Congress must be united under strong leadership if it is to be an effective counter balance to the Presidents domination.10) Judiciaryjuridic Activists versus Judicial Restraintists. A Judicial Activist is a radical who tries to dog social justice in his decisions. While a Judicial Restraintist is a conservative who tries to maintain the status quo.Importance The judiciary needs a bal anced mix of both kinds of Justices in order for it to be a fair and just final adjudicator of legal disputes. If it were made entirely of Restraintists or Activists, decisions would be biased.Section II Short Essays. Answer ALL separate of each question in as much detail and discernment as possible.1) Mass Media is referred to as the fifth branch of government because of the disceptation it holds on public opinion. Media can reach into every aspect of our lives and influence us in ways the other branches of governance can precisely dream off.Regretfully, media is biased these days. It is biased for the utmostest bidder and for its own overly-liberal agenda. Media is a commercial offer hence profitability is a concern. Since controversy creates cash, media is known to play up scandals and negative aspects of life because the shock value is known to create high ratings, which then attract more advertising money. As a expiry intelligence service today appears to be a parade of bad news and shocking events because media mercenaries know that by showing these they will get more advertising money and social responsibility be damned.2) In 2000 George W. scrubbing won as a result of the disaffection people felt with the Democrats. Bill Clintons presidency was rocked by scandal (Monica Lewinsky comes to mind) and economic notion (among other things, the frenzied dot-com bubble burst). People were tired of what they fancy was the misrule of the Democrats and were eager to try what the Republicans had to offer. In 2004 Bush was flying high on the euphoria generated by his still successful War on Terror both Afghanistan and Iraq had fallen in just a a few(prenominal) weeks of fighting. His bold fighting stance was still supported by many then. However Bush, in my humble opinion did not defeat jury in 2000. Based on the total number of voters, first of all, board actually won the elections. He disoriented in the electoral vote, though. This is another rea son why the electoral college system should be abolished, it devalues the principle of one man, one vote. In the extreme example, Gore could have had an overwhelming absolute majority of the total voters but so long as he missed in enough large-college states like California, he would still lose the elections. Therefore, the electoral college system overvalues certain states if they have a large number of Electors. Kerry, for his part, lost during the 2004 elections because he could not present a strong alternative to Bush.3.) The iron out triangle is a corrupting influence in the American political process because it takes away from the sanctity of the political process enshrined in our Constitution. Congressmen are loved by their constituents for the benefits they can provide. A Congressman being a representative of his or her state tends to keep (and vote for) the best interest group of the state in mind. After all if he votes or acts in a way lossal to his constituents he w ill have to final result to them in the next elections. Also a Congressmans testimony is necessary to enter West Point. Congress is hated, almost universally, because of its poor image. Recently, it has been futile to stem Bushs warmongering. The economy is slowing down and Congress is getting a share of the blame for not doing anything to prevent it. Also, Congress is seen as a breeding pit of vested interests and lobbyists who push their agenda to the detriment of legitimate concerns of the country as a whole.