I have to write an essay for college about it, i need ideas! its a five page essay.
2007-01-02 05:07:49 · 13 answers · asked by cshteevrend 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
The current American system is a bad one as power goes to the one with the most money. This means that politicians are dependent on multi-nationals and millionaires for their funding, and will represent their interests over that of the people. This is why things like Health and Safety laws, workers rights and environmental protections are amongst the weakest in the western work in the US.
It has the potential to be good, with checks and balances that we in the UK can only dream of. Where steps have been taken to reduce dependence on corporate donations through "clean election" initiative such as in Maine, Arizona, North Carolina and New Mexico, the system has shown that it can deliver what is closest to the will and voice of the people than many comparable systems.
2007-01-02 05:27:24 · answer #1 · answered by Cardinal Fang 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To whoever wrote that America has the longest standing political system in the world ... have you heard of Europe?! Britain?
Anyway, for your essay you could look at things compared to other countries such as having a President who is elected, rather than a party system where whoever is currently leader holds the Prime Minister post. Or the voting system whereby each state has to be just one party, rather than counting overall votes for each party across the country. If you wanted to get on to more social stuff then how about American history being full of immigration but the general system is more anti-immigration, the idea of freedom of speech versus censorship, particularly on TV.
Hope that helps.
2007-01-02 05:19:16 · answer #2 · answered by AB 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are three political systems in America, the Federal nations like the United States of America, The United States of Mexico and The United States of Venezuela and the United States of Brazil use. The Unitary State that the rest of America uses were a nation-State is governed constitutionally as a single unit. And, within them we have the case of Cuba that is also a dictatorship.
It would be inaccurate to say that any of them is good or bad or one better than the other, they serve the purpose for which they were designed.
2007-01-02 05:14:33 · answer #3 · answered by r1b1c* 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the best governmental system because it is a "representative democracy" where the people get to elect people to make decisions for them. If the people don't like the decisions that the people whom they elect make, they have the absolute power to vote them out of office at the next election. This ensures that the people, in the end, have a government that is responsive to their values and needs.
Another great thing about the United States is that the Constitution is a limited document that only provides certain basic rights and that the majority of issues are left to the people to decide through their elected representatives. This is often referred to as "Federalism".
Finally, at each level of government, power is separated between the legislative (law makers), executive (President, Governor, Mayor etc) and judicial. This is called the "Separation of Powers" principle and "Checks and Balances." This guarantees that power is not concentrated in any one branch of government.
Focus on those angles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representative_democracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers
2007-01-02 05:18:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a New Zealander living in England and I would say the US system is awesome.
Some things to talk about:
1. Executive
2. Legislature
3. Judiciary
4. Parties
5. Pressure groups
6. Federal
7. Written constitution
2007-01-02 05:15:00 · answer #5 · answered by almankiwi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The system is one of the best, however....
As with any system, the people make the difference. When people become complacent, the government has to work harder and more of your rights are taken away. Rights that you willingly give up.
Look at what has been litigated and not legislated. There are things in our country that you haven't been able to vote on because we have allowed the Supreme Court to decide for us.
The system works, but like the rest of the US, it needs to be exercised.....
"People should not fear its government. The government should fear its people."
"V"
2007-01-02 05:16:53 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Checks and balances. Three branches of government, Executive, Legislative and Judicial keep any one branch from getting too strong. Over 200 years of bloodless power changes every four years. Presidential and Legislative positions and ideologies change every few years without bloodshed, without rioting militias, without genocidal attacks, without bombings. Gotta be something good about a system like that.
2007-01-02 05:30:41 · answer #7 · answered by sparkletina 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that our system of government is remarkably sturdy. When JFK was assassinated, LBJ was able to make a smooth swearing into office despite all of the panic. An assassination would have crippled a dictatorship.
2007-01-02 05:27:16 · answer #8 · answered by animefan95 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say it is the best, for the citizens of America. However since you indicate this is for a college paper, then you probably have a prof. who is a liberal, republican hater, who feels the worlds wealth or Americas wealth should be re-distributed to the masses -------------- as long as he gets his share first.
2007-01-02 05:16:02 · answer #9 · answered by goodforwho 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, it has the longest standing constitution in the history of the world. thats a start. millions of illegals are trying to get in. no one is trying to get out. people can say anything they want and get away with it. its not ideal, but its the best the world's got to offer.
2007-01-02 05:12:49 · answer #10 · answered by alex l 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋