Throughout the course, we have seen many challenges to democracy in the U.S. & California political systems. We have also seen that in the past such challenges have been overcome by the workings of our institutions and processes. From the topics below, choose 2 topics and discuss how they have either helped or hindered democracy. Do you think that your evidence shows that the U.S. and California now fulfill the ideals of democracy or do there need to be reforms of these political systems in order to achieve democracy? Submit a copy on Canvas & bring a copy to the final exam time. Word limit: 1,500.
Throughout the course, we have seen many challenges to democracy in the U.S. & California political systems. We have also seen that in the past such challenges have been overcome by the workings of our institutions and processes. From the topics below, choose 2 topics and discuss how they have either helped or hindered democracy. Do you think that your evidence shows that the U.S. and California now fulfill the ideals of democracy or do there need to be reforms of these political systems in order to achieve democracy? Submit a copy on Canvas & bring a copy to the final exam time. Word limit: 1,500. Do not use outside materials! Outline The courts Helped Democracy: Evidence: Interest group - want to influence the government’s political action. Helped Democracy: · Evidence: · Looking at the interest group and the courts in U.S. and California, they have been tried to make laws to suit for the people in term of political liberty and equality. A way to look at the interest group is helpful for the democracy is called pluralism - the best view of political position to understand the interaction, conflict, and bargaining of groups in American politics and government (G & P). The pluralism have four ways that help the democracy in U.S. First, interest groups are easy to create; people in the United States are free to join or to organize groups that reflect their interests. Usually, the public interests are the organizations or associations try to gain protections or benefits for people beyond their own members. For example, Environmental Defense Fund, National Abortion Right Action League, American Red Cross, etc. are the public interest groups that gain for society as a whole. On another hand, organizations like Boeing, Google, Microsoft, etc. are the private interests groups that gain protection or material advantages from government for their own members. In addition, the interest groups are very diverse. In United States, there are myriad interests such as racial, religious, ethnic, and occupational. They have varied views about abortion, property rights, prayer in the schools, and environmental protection. Second, in the free election, interest groups are more accurately, consistently, and frequently conveyed to political leaders what they interests; People more likely to elect the political leader who promoted the ideas that bring about the interests of individual interest groups. Third, interest groups have chance to influence what the government does. It means that the government does not leave the interest groups along the side rather they open to the entreaties of the many and diverse groups that in society to benefit the people. Forth, everyone can have their own political view and their views can taken into account by some public official. People speak what they think and because of this the system is highly democratic and responsive.