Preview

The Purpose Of Democracy

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1527 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Purpose Of Democracy
“I’m very highly educated. I know words, I have the best words…”(Trump). Phrases like these, are exactly the ones causing controversy in social media and national television over the 2016 presidential candidates nominees. For the 2016’s presidential candidate election, there’s Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders for the Democrats; and Ted Cruz, John Kasich, and Donald Trump on the Republican side. Inappropriate comments during debates, major differences in political experience among the candidates, feminism, and gender differences are some of the issues discussed by the general public in social media and late night shows on television. Although politics exists to improve the government, the 2016 political campaigns have shifted their focus from …show more content…
The government was created to maintain peace and order among citizens. By giving people the ability to choose their leaders is what differentiates a democracy from other kinds of government. According to congressman Clyburn, “The Constitution establishes a federal democratic republic form of government… It is a democracy because people govern themselves. It is representative because people choose elected officials by free and secret ballot. It is a republic because the government derives its power from the people.” ("Our American Government."). In order to avoid dissatisfaction from the people, the United States government is set up to give power to the people. Political parties unify groups of citizens to develop policies that are favorable to that specific group, they support those policy makers and persuade other voters to vote for them; in order to achieve control of the government from the citizens perspective ("The Functions of Political Parties."). Political parties are part of our government system in order to give power to the people who they will potentially lead, which is why voters must be well informed in order to make a choice that is truly convenient for them as individuals and their country in general. In an ideal government, political parties aid in achieving democracy in the united states by giving them the power of …show more content…
While politicians are busy trying to gain supporters with irrelevant comments, real problems are left unattended. “There are more black men that are in prison today than were enslaved in 1850 and more total people in prison than there were in Stalin’s gulags at their largest. - on the drug war” (Beauchamp). The comparison to past issues that drawed attention make the drug war more relevant since many are being affected and politicians are not doing anything to change it. Clinton was the only candidate that promises to do something about sexual assault, a popular issue in college campuses (Bialik). The fact that sexual assault as a widespread problem and only one candidate mentioned it in their platform, demonstrates how politicians prefer to focus on irrelevant issues to attract uneducated voters attention, rather than focus on the real purpose of politics. While most candidates focus on drawing attention instead of solving real problems, the real purpose of politics is distorted, putting problems on hold and citizens at

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Politically smart people watch shows attuned to a higher understanding of politics and the involved players. The average person does not watch shows such as “Meet the Press” or “Face the Nation”. A higher percentage are instead undereducated, unsure or lacking in opinion when it comes to submitting their vote. As such, programs starring Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert are making up the difference in supplying current political information (Kolbert, 71). Political comedy programs discuss current events, encouraging politicians to make appearances to discuss their recent decisions, actions or mistakes.…

    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In 1860, the public were eager to listen to Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas debate for several hours; however, since television is centered around entertainment, most of today’s public focus on the presidential nominees criticizing each other, attending talk shows, and posting pictures on social media. For example, after an hour-long democratic debate, the media and social media erupted about Bernie Sander’s “burn” against Hillary Clinton. Most people do not even know what the debate was about. Also, “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “Saturday Night Live” often make fun of the presidential nominees. Americans love these talk shows, catchy news headlines, and blowups in social media, but, simultaneously, television is mitigating the seriousness of the presidential election. Television forces Americans to think lightly of the presidential election, which ultimately affects the way citizens vote. In today’s society, citizens are more likely to vote for a presidential candidate based on their looks or humorousness than in the 1800’s. Altogether, television has blinded Americans about the seriousness of the presidential…

    • 674 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Term paper

    • 1329 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Have you thought about installing a home security system, but put it off because you don't think you really need one? Well, before you put it off any longer, you may want to consider these facts: In 2010, there were more than two million home burglaries in the United States, over 70 percent of which took place in residential homes, reports the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Victims of these burglaries claimed an estimated $4.6 billion in lost property, and the average dollar loss per burglary was $2,119. With these startling statistics, investing in a home security system doesn't seem like such a bad idea. The number one reason to invest in a home security system is to protect your family and many other things. In this report we will show the steps as well as the design of home security system.…

    • 1329 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Federalist 51

    • 378 Words
    • 2 Pages

    People come into a government for their rights to be secured. That is why they originally came to America, to have their own religion. People are somewhat selfish in that way because as we talked about in class, property is a right that encompasses all right and the people want their property. People are ambitious and there just needs to be a way to keep that under control. Powers divided among three branches helps to keep the people from making groups that overpower each other. The branches have constitutional means to check each other. For example Congress can impeach the president, president can veto laws from congress and the Supreme Court can reject laws from the president and congress.…

    • 378 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    We finally realize many of our own insecurities have been mirrored by our projection of the need for a strong, powerful woman in the White House. However, we cannot longer accept the scheming, conniving, and cut throat desire for Hilary to win at all costs. We honor the fact that inadvertent harm has entered at stage three. “We don’t live wholly at any moment in the fourth stage or the fifth stage or any stage; we are in all five stages simultaneously, as we send out or receive back various rejected qualities, projected substance, abandoned powers, each absent in different degrees, or retrievable with different schedules. (Bly 1988, 38)…

    • 461 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To this day, in our election, we have political parties. Political parties are a group of like-minded people, working together to try and win their election. Not all people would say that political parties are important, but I disagree. Some people would agree with me because without them then our elections would be very hard to keep track of. They would be difficult to track because then it would be everyone for themselves so they can’t group the votes. Most people don’t really say much much about political parties but when they do they usually ask. “Why did political parties develop?” and “Did political parties have any problems?”. These questions could easily be answered with some research.…

    • 818 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Donald Trump's Rhetoric

    • 294 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The tensions and distrust of Republican officials by the disenfranchised party members has provided the backdrop to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. In the current presidential election Republican candidate Donald Trump has been covered more extensively than any other candidate. Much of Donald Trump’s rhetoric are centered around shock value statements that make perfect controversial sound bites that are then repeatedly played on news channels, television shows, and posted online. According to an estimate by the New York Times the air time Donald Trump has received is worth over two billion dollars. Regardless of the fact that much of the coverage Trump has received the main value of all of that television coverage has been name recognition.…

    • 294 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    One of the most divisive topics in today’s society is politics. Our political system consists of two major parties; Republicans and Democrats. There are similarities between the parties, but they are often eclipsed by vast ideological differences. The most obvious differences lie in social issues; such as same-sex marriage, gun control, and immigration reform. According to a Pew Research Center poll conducted in 2014, 36% of Republicans and 27% of Democrats see the opposing party as a threat to the nation’s well-being (Sherman, D. and Van Boven, L. 9/24/14). Media outlets focus on the differences between the two parties, but people may be surprised at how much Republicans and Democrats have…

    • 626 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Presidential Ad Essay

    • 494 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Presidential candidates tweak their political formats and focuses depending on a scientific study of American’s interests in different demographics. This scientific process is studied by one company called Spectrum who specializes in electoral demographics. During the study this company examines “voting patterns of people based on their similarities and differences” (Spectrum). The information this company provides includes ways to look at the voter profiles, demographic poll maps, and ad targets. These resources are utilized by the candidates to take the concerns and interests for desired areas and make them their focus when targeting the specific audience. Spectrum states: “Understanding the electoral demographics can help you [candidates] target your [candidates] time and resources most effectively.” To candidates this means no wasting time or money placing ads in demographics that will not get them votes according to the data provided.…

    • 494 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    During this time in the presidential election, we see many common concerns of people rising to the surface, jobs, women's rights, education, taxes and healthcare. With voting trends beginning change and a new generation of voters taking charge, there seems to be a bit more depth than in the previous years. New concerns…

    • 901 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Originally political parties served to represent the two opposing viewpoints of the american people, concerning the future of their new country. However, with the progression of time, political parties grew to become large all encompassing enterprises, representative only of a minority. Few americans fall solely Democratic or Republican due to the vast array of beliefs held by each party. With the obvious disregard to people's representation, one is left to wonder: What purpose do parties serve today? Why do political parties play such an active role in the American government? Could it be…

    • 798 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Hillary Clinton has become a big role model for women in politics. She served as the first lady during Bill Clinton’s presidency, served as a senator from New York, was the Secretary of State, and is now embarking as a candidate for President of the United States once again. McGinley explains that Clinton was initially unpopular and being very feminine. Clinton gained popularity through her husband’s public infidelity and thus “Clinton downplayed her femininity and emphasized her toughness in order to compensate for being a woman, and to earn respect for her competence and experience” (717). Clinton displays masculinity by wearing varied colored pantsuits to stand out amongst her rivals. In this way, Clinton received respect from her colleagues and become a more public figure. She used “a gender strategy of gender denial and avoidance…downplaying her role as wife and mother and her sexuality,” McGinley describes (720). Clinton signifies a faithful politician fighting for a women’s right to…

    • 1375 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Democracy is a famous form of government that is practiced in many parts of the globe. This form of government vests the highest power on the citizens of the country. It is for this reason that democracy is referred to as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Citizens exercise and practice their democratic rights via various means: electing leaders of their choice and the representative or rather the candidate that acquires the highest votes gets elected for that particular position. Democracy however is not just about elections, it entails other perspectives such freedoms of the media and the human rights extent to the citizens of the country under consideration. The word democracy has not been mentioned anywhere…

    • 1428 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    This bring us to the present-day situation with immigration. While immigration has been a hot topic since our founding years, it the present day use of social media that is getting the most attention. With the growing world of technology, the media influence of the radio and cable television are now joined with the Internet. The debates regarding immigration compared from 2007 to today are effected differently because of the difference in media source. In 2007, conservatives used the radio and television to voice their opposition of an amnesty program for immigrants. The conservatives were successful in striking down the policy with very little opposition from the liberal side. Liberals “paid relatively little attention to the issue” which…

    • 641 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As Americans, we have as many responsibilities to our country and our fellow citizens as our country has to us. Because America follows a strong democratic system of government, our governors and presidential candidates are always trying to make themselves seem appealing to us. In the case of presidential candidates, a campaign consists of a series of rallies where the candidate tries their best to appeal to the U.S. citizens in that state. Thus, focus is shifted from our duties as U.S. citizens and magnifies the responsibilities that our leaders have to improve our standards of living. It is important to choose leaders that…

    • 733 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays