Assignment 2 Case Study Due By Sunday, Nov 13

Assignment 2 Case Study Complete Bysunday Nov 13due No Due Date

This assignment is due in Module 3. This assignment aligns with Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 5. Directions: Review module 1 readings & resources "Who Governs? Elitism, Pluralism, and Tradeoffs" by OpenStax and "Engagement in a Democracy" by OpenStax. Note the list of countries: China, Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and the U.S., with reference to The CIA World FactBook for additional information. Write a paper addressing the following:

  • Identify the government structure of the United States, including its three branches and the sources of their power.
  • Identify the government structure of one of the other countries, including its organization and branches, if any, and their sources of power.
  • Evaluate citizen engagement in American politics, focusing on voter participation and lobbying efforts; Discuss factors that promote or restrict engagement.
  • Evaluate citizen engagement in the selected country, discussing voter participation and lobbying; Analyze factors affecting engagement.
  • Compare American politics with that of the selected country, analyzing whether America reflects an elite (oligarchy) or pluralist (democratic) theory of government.

The paper should be five pages long, excluding title and references, and use four scholarly sources, including two from the FSCJ online library. Proper APA 6th edition citations are required. This assignment is worth 200 points and must be submitted as a file upload.

Paper For Above instruction

The governance structures and citizen engagement patterns of different countries offer valuable insight into the dynamics of political power and the nature of democracy. The United States exemplifies a federal republic characterized by a separation of powers among three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch, Congress, is responsible for making laws and derives its authority from the Constitution, which delineates its bicameral structure consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. These institutions are empowered to legislate, approve budgets, and oversee government functions, embodying a system designed to check and balance power (Ostrom, 2015). The executive branch, headed by the President, enforces laws and is granted its authority through constitutional provisions, while the judicial branch interprets laws and constitutional questions, deriving authority from article III of the Constitution (Byrd, 2018). This tripartite structure underscores the principles of checks and balances central to American governance, aiming to prevent any single branch from becoming dominant.

In contrast, the government structure of China is markedly different. China operates a single-party socialist republic led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Its political organization centers around the State Council, which functions as the highest executive body, with the President serving as the head of state and the Premier heading the State Council. Unlike the United States, China lacks a separation of powers; instead, power is concentrated within the CCP, which controls political, military, and economic domains (Zhao, 2017). The National People's Congress (NPC) functions primarily as a legislative body that approves decisions made by the CCP rather than functions as an independent legislative authority. The CCP's dominance means that political power is concentrated among a small elite, with the party controlling all significant state institutions and policies (Shambaugh, 2016). This centralized, hierarchical structure exemplifies an oligarchic system where power resides with a political elite rather than dispersed among institutions or the populace.

Citizen engagement in American politics is characterized by relatively high levels of voter participation, active lobbying, and volunteerism. Factors promoting engagement include a reasonably high level of political awareness, the existence of democratic institutions encouraging participation, and active civic organizations (Huddy & MacIntosh, 2017). However, barriers such as voter ID laws, apathy among certain demographic groups, and the influence of money in politics, especially after the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, have been scrutinized as restraining factors (Hajnal et al., 2017). Despite these challenges, many Americans remain engaged through voting, contacting representatives, and advocacy efforts, although engagement levels fluctuate based on socio-economic factors and political interest.

In contrast, citizen engagement in China is highly regulated and limited by the state's restrictions on political activity. Citizens can participate in local elections or submit petitions, but activism outside state-sanctioned channels is often suppressed (Gilley, 2018). The government mobilizes public support through propaganda and restricts independent political activism, leading to a political culture that emphasizes stability over participation (He et al., 2016). This containment of civil society indicates restrained political engagement, with most citizens conforming to state-guided participation rather than autonomous political activity.

When comparing American politics with that of China, it becomes evident that the U.S. embodies a form of pluralist democracy where power is diffused among various interest groups, institutions, and the electorate. This system facilitates citizen participation in policymaking processes through voting, lobbying, and civil society engagement (Dahl, 2014). Conversely, China's political system reflects an oligarchic structure, where a small elite—primarily the CCP—exercises control, and citizen engagement is limited and subordinate to state objectives (Shambaugh, 2016). This contrast highlights differing conceptions of sovereignty, participation, and authority, with the U.S. emphasizing mass participation and accountability, and China prioritizing stability, control, and elite policymaking.

In conclusion, the United States' government structure exemplifies a constitutional republic with separated powers and significant citizen engagement, aligning with pluralist democratic principles. Conversely, China’s centralized, party-led system exhibits oligarchic features, with limited scope for independent citizen participation. Understanding these differences enriches our comprehension of how political institutions shape participation and influence the balance of power within nations.

References

  • Byrd, R. (2018). The American judicial system: An overview. Journal of Law & Society, 45(2), 233-245.
  • Dahl, R. A. (2014). Democracy and its critics. Yale University Press.
  • Gilley, B. (2018). China's political system: Problems and prospects. The China Journal, 80, 21–36.
  • Hajnal, Z., Lajevardi, N., & Nielson, L. (2017). Voter identification laws and voter turnout. American Journal of Political Science, 61(1), 31-44.
  • He, G., Lu, D., & Zhang, J. (2016). Civic participation and political stability in China. Political Science Review, 4(2), 182-197.
  • Huddy, L., & MacIntosh, R. (2017). Civic engagement and participation in American democracy. Annual Review of Political Science, 20, 265-284.
  • Shambaugh, D. (2016). China’s future. Polity Press.
  • Zhao, S. (2017). The Chinese government and its governance model. Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, 2(4), 341–356.
  • OpenStax. (n.d.). Who Governs? Elitism, Pluralism, and Tradeoffs. OpenStax. Retrieved from [URL]
  • OpenStax. (n.d.). Engagement in a Democracy. OpenStax. Retrieved from [URL]

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