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Reflections on the U.S. Political System. Strengths and Weaknesses. Pluralist Theory. A vast range of groups exist and compete against each other to influence government policymaking. They must bargain, compromise, and reach a consensus. That is when they influence government policymakers.
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Reflections on the U.S. Political System Strengths and Weaknesses
Pluralist Theory • A vast range of groups exist and compete against each other to influence government policymaking. They must bargain, compromise, and reach a consensus. That is when they influence government policymakers.
Pluralist Theory Criticized • Critics call this an overly optimistic view of policy-making. • Not every interest is organized, or has access to the national stage. • Democratic procedures exist but they cloak the reality that a powerful elite sets national policy, not the people.
Elitist Theory • A small group of elites – economic, political and military – dominate decision-making. They are not representative of the society as a whole. They maintain control through force and through manipulation of the media.
Elitist Theory Criticized • This view of politics is too simplistic, and it fosters unsupported conspiracy theories. It ignores the fact that elites – who admittedly do exist - are not unified. Instead, they represent different interests and viewpoints, and compete against each other to get the support of the people.
Plural Elitism • Elites do exist, but they dominate only in particular policy areas not all of them. Which elites are involved depends on the issue (e.g., domestic versus national security), and the arena (local government versus national & international). • In addition, government is not passive but also acts.
Questions to Consider • How competitive are these elites? • Do they follow public opinion? • Do they shape public opinion through their control of mass media? • What is the outcome of their policies? In other words, who benefits?
Who Benefits? Why this question matters: • American poet Archibald MacLeish noted that America’s essence is its promises. It sees itself as a land of opportunity - political & economic. • The economic promise is called the American Dream: Each generation will have a more comfortable life than their parents.
Wealth in America How is wealth divided in the U.S.? • Research shows that in 2009, the richest 5% of American households claimed 63.5% of the country’s wealth. • The bottom 80% held just 12.8% of the country’s wealth. • Data from the Economic Policy Institute, 24 March 2011
Tax Policy and Wealth Who pays the taxes in America?
Corporate Taxes • Corporations lower their tax liability by lobbying for tax breaks and using innovative accounting to shift profits overseas. • General Electric, America’s largest corporation, paid no taxes at all in 2010, even though it recorded profits of $14.2 billion, with $5.1 billion from its U.S.-based operations.
Dreaming the American Dream Is the American Dream real? Are things getting better? • From 2000 to 2007, the richest 10% of Americans received 100% of the average income growth. • Unemployment remains over 8.8%, with 13.5 unemployed. • From the Economic Policy Institute & U.S. Government Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Prospects for Young Workers • “The weak labor market has been particularly tough on young workers. In 2010, the unemployment rate for workers age 16-24 was 18.4%—the worst on record in the 60 years that this data has been tracked.” • From the Economic Policy Institute, 20 April 2011
Prospects for the Future What can be done? • Understanding the nature of power. • Staying committed to political engagement.
