Democracy in America

Final Project: Democracy in America

K******* *****

POS 110

June 9, 2013

Final Project: Democracy in America

According to Edwards, Wattenberg, & Lineberry (2008), democracy is a system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the publics’ preferences (Chapter 1). There are several challenges in regard to a democracy. One that has changed over the years is that citizens had the good sense to “reach political judgments and that government has the capacity to act on those judgments,” (Edwards, Wattenberg, & Lineberry, 2008, Chapter 1). When today that is not necessarily the case, the average citizen is not knowledgeable on all the different aspects of the government. Some examples in the readings were welfare and foreign competition. Instead, we look to the experts in this area since it is harder and harder for average citizens to be informed in so many technical areas. Another challenge is that citizens do not take their citizenship seriously. More and more do not know much about our leaders and the fact that fewer vote. An additional challenge is the diverse political interests. There is such a large diversity of interests that when there is a conflict, no one group may be strong enough to form a majority and establish policy (Edwards, Wattenberg, & Lineberry, Chapter 1, 2008). An important challenge and one that could pose a threat to the current system of government is the relationship between money and politics. Those running for office have become dependent upon Political Action Committees. These committees often represent certain interests and critics worry that voting may be affected on certain policies when members of Congress need their money for reelection.

Today’s American civic values help citizens to appreciate democracy. The values that becomes apparent when helping others when a disaster happens. For example, when a severe storm, hurricane, or terrorist attack has taken place...