Influences On Government
Our governmental system is influenced by a number of "inputs"
and
factors that shape the outcome of political movements and decisions.
These
"inputs" include public pinions, political parties, interest
groups,
and the influence of mass media. They influence our government
directly as well
as indirectly. Not to mention, that our government also uses
these
"inputs" for its own benefit. The main issue that forms
governmental
decisions in a democracy is of course the public opinion. In
order to be
eligible to run for an office in our governmental system, one
must be elected by
the people or a representative thereof, and to achieve
this task one must listen
to and obey the public's opinion. Therefore, the
theory of democracy is most
purely applied through election on behalf of the
public opinion. Another
important factor in our system of government are of
course our political
parties. Parties enable the citizen living in a
democratic society to establish
a connection to governmental action and lead
policy-making to his benefit or
liking. Furthermore, a citizen can
participate in society quite easily, since 2
party platforms which clearly
indicate a parties goals and preferences. However,
this democratic ideal does
not always prevail. Parties can be influenced or even
manipulated by people
who contribute great amounts of funds to the party to have
their own personal
political wishes fulfilled which do not necessarily have to
benefit society
as a whole (power elite theory). Interest groups account for an
additional
'mover' in Washington. This political devise provides a supplement to
our
citizens broad area of interests. Since the American People can only
choose
between two main parties. Therefore, certain issues might not come to
political
debate. Interest groups fill this gap and thus withhold the theory
of democracy.
Yet, 'Big Business' has also found this devise to help
fulfill its political
needs. Once again politics is influenced by a small
amount of citizens, that own
about two thirds of our nations worth. Interest
groups have grown more
influential over the years and created a pluralistic
society, in which people's
everyday issues and interests are brought to the
attention of our governmental
system. However, since there is a rapid growth
in interest groups and political
action committees, the competition among
groups might become so extensive that
demands on politicians might be to high
and hence, our system would come to a
halt or gridlock and nothing would be
achieved anymore. Last but not least mass
media provide another 'input' to
our system of government. The media provide the
people with information they
need to be able 3 to make sensible political
decisions. In formation on
election debates current poles help the public to
stay in touch with the
policy-makers in Washington.