American Government Unit VI Assessment Question 11: What Is ✓ Solved

American Government Unit Vi Assesmentquestion 11 What Legal And Polit

Describe the assignment question or prompt: Explain the legal and political influences that can affect judges’ decisions and how the judiciary participates in policymaking. Additionally, detail how the federal bureaucracy implements policy, where it derives its power, how it expanded from a small entity in 1800 to its current size, its organizational structure, and the hiring process for government employees. Finally, outline the structure and responsibilities of the federal judicial system, discuss the increasing influence of partisan considerations in judicial appointments, reflect on the role of politics versus merit in these appointments, and share personal insights on how to structure body paragraphs in academic writing, including reflections on the research process and resource types.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The role of the judiciary in American government is profoundly influenced by various legal and political factors. Judges’ decisions are not solely based on legal statutes but are also shaped by political ideologies, public opinion, and the appointment process. Legal influences include constitutional provisions, statutes, precedents, and judicial philosophies. Political influences often involve partisan pressures, executive branch preferences, and interest group activism (Ginsburg & Scheppele, 2016). The judiciary also participates in policymaking through judicial review, where courts interpret laws and strike down policies deemed unconstitutional, thus shaping public policy (O'Brien & Shapid, 2013). For example, Landmark Supreme Court rulings like Brown v. Board of Education demonstrate the judiciary's influential role in effecting societal change beyond legislative actions. """

The federal bureaucracy operates as the implementing arm of government policy, translating laws passed by Congress into actionable programs. It manages a wide range of functions from social welfare to defense. For instance, the Department of Health and Human Services administers Medicaid and Medicare, directly impacting healthcare policy (Miller & Whitford, 2020). Bureaucratic power originates from statutory authorizations, executive orders, and the expertise of civil servants. Over time, the bureaucracy has grown significantly—from a small operation in 1800 with just a few thousand employees to a vast and complex institution with millions of personnel today (Kettl, 2015). Its organization involves various agencies, departments, and commissions, each specializing in specific policy areas. Civil service employment, established by the Pendleton Act of 1883, standardized hiring procedures based on merit rather than political patronage, ensuring professional competency within the bureaucracy (Peters & Pierre, 2021).

The federal judicial system is structured hierarchically into three main levels: the district courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court. District courts serve as trial courts handling federal cases at the first level, with responsibilities including criminal cases, civil disputes, and cases involving federal laws (Fisher, 2018). Appellate courts hear appeals from district courts, reviewing the application of law, not facts, and ensure consistency in legal interpretations. The Supreme Court occupies the highest position, adjudicating cases of constitutional significance and resolving conflicts among lower courts (Baum, 2017). Each part of this system has distinct responsibilities—district courts conduct trials, appellate courts review legal decisions, and the Supreme Court provides final judicial authority. The structure ensures judicial oversight across all levels, shaping federal law and policy comprehensively.

In recent years, partisan considerations have increasingly influenced the appointment of federal judges. Interest groups and political actors seek nominees aligning with their ideological preferences, impacting judicial independence (Canon, 2019). Presidents and Congress often consider political leanings and potential rulings when nominating judges, raising concerns about politicization of the judiciary. Some argue that political influence brings necessary accountability and reflects electoral mandates, while others emphasize the importance of merit-based appointments founded on legal expertise and impartiality (Lindquist & Nelson, 2022). Critics contend that a merit-based system may favor wealthy or well-connected candidates, perpetuating inequality. Personally, I believe that a balanced approach—favoring merit while considering ideological compatibility—may help preserve judicial integrity and public trust.

When constructing body paragraphs for a research paper, clarity, coherence, and logical flow are essential. My strongest point is my ability to organize information systematically, ensuring each paragraph develops a specific aspect of my thesis. Conversely, my weakest area is maintaining concise sentences, as I tend to include unnecessary details that may distract from my main argument. Reflecting on the scope of my project, I believe I have narrowed my focus effectively, concentrating on key issues such as judicial influence and bureaucratic growth. The structure of my body paragraphs follows a pattern—topic sentence, evidence, analysis, and transition—adhering to academic standards. I find that this structure guides my writing process without being overly restrictive. Comparing academic sources with popular media, I notice scholarly articles employ more rigorous citations, formal language, and comprehensive analysis, which enhances credibility and depth (Baker et al., 2019). Overall, my experience has highlighted the importance of thorough research, clear writing, and balanced argumentation, which are crucial for effective academic writing.

References

• Baum, L. (2017). The Supreme Court. CQ Press.
• Baker, P., Jones, R., & Smith, T. (2019). Academic writing and research. Oxford University Press.
• Canon, D. T. (2019). Political influence on judicial decisions. Journal of Law & Politics, 34(2), 145–170.
• Fisher, L. (2018). Federal courts: A Practical Perspective. Westview Press.
• Kettl, D. F. (2015). The state of American bureaucracy. CQ Press.
• Lindquist, E. E., & Nelson, P. (2022). The politics of judicial appointments. Harvard Law Review, 135(4), 1020–1045.
• Miller, R. C., & Whitford, A. B. (2020). Public policy analysis. Routledge.
• O'Brien, D. M., & Shapid, M. (2013). The judiciary and policymaking. Congressional Quarterly Press.
• Peters, B. G., & Pierre, J. (2021). The politics of bureaucracy. Routledge.
• Ginsburg, R. B., & Scheppele, K. L. (2016). Legal influence on political decisions. Harvard Law Review, 129(7), 1891–1926.