The Role Of Democracy In American Politics
“Americans believe democracy should be a procedure to make political decisions, to choose political leaders, and to select policies for a nation…Democracy is valued primarily for the decisions it produces” (Barbour and Wright 45). The foundation of democracy is built upon the input of citizens and outcomes reflecting the collective interests of the majority, not those of the decision makers and minority groups. However, American politics doesn’t necessarily exemplify these ideals, “In the absence of a clear majority, the outcome is decided by those who make the rules” (Schiffer). In reality, outcomes are heavily influenced by the decision makers and trump the preferences of the majority and disregard the democratic essences. Party leaders and
democratic institutions influence and overall select policy outcomes, with the public vote carrying little weight in the decision making process. This premise has been exemplified throughout the history of American politics and remains an inconvenient actuality that is still relevant in our current administration. Disregarding strong public opposition, the passing of legislature allowing internet service providers to sell consumers’ web browsing history exemplifies the institutions dominance in determine outcomes regardless of public opinion. “In a party-line 215 to 205 vote, the House of Representatives has approved legislation to allow internet service providers to sell information about their customers’ web browsing history to advertisers and other third parties” (Lee). The US Congress Senate Joint Resolution Bill, SJR34, utilized the, “Congressional Review Act that allows Congress and the President to overturn recently passed agency regulations. A successful CRA bill also prevents the agency from implementing similar rules in the future” (Neidig). Specifically, overturning policies passed by the Federal Communications Commission during the Obama presidency that required internet service providers to obtain consent from customers before selling their browsing information to third parties. “Reversing those protections is a dream for cable and telephone companies, which
democratic institutions influence and overall select policy outcomes, with the public vote carrying little weight in the decision making process. This premise has been exemplified throughout the history of American politics and remains an inconvenient actuality that is still relevant in our current administration. Disregarding strong public opposition, the passing of legislature allowing internet service providers to sell consumers’ web browsing history exemplifies the institutions dominance in determine outcomes regardless of public opinion. “In a party-line 215 to 205 vote, the House of Representatives has approved legislation to allow internet service providers to sell information about their customers’ web browsing history to advertisers and other third parties” (Lee). The US Congress Senate Joint Resolution Bill, SJR34, utilized the, “Congressional Review Act that allows Congress and the President to overturn recently passed agency regulations. A successful CRA bill also prevents the agency from implementing similar rules in the future” (Neidig). Specifically, overturning policies passed by the Federal Communications Commission during the Obama presidency that required internet service providers to obtain consent from customers before selling their browsing information to third parties. “Reversing those protections is a dream for cable and telephone companies, which