Final Exam Essay Questions

Final Exam Essay Questionon T

On the day of the final exam, I will draw the following institution. 2. Presidency (including bureaucracy/executive branch) You will be expected to write a detailed 5 paragraph essay making the argument that the chosen institution serves the American democracy well or fails to serve the American democracy well. You can choose which side of the argument to be on – but in either case, you will need to define the criteria for your judgment (what values are important in the American democracy) and go into detail for how that particular institution helps or hinders those values. Which ever side of the argument you decide to take, I expect your final paragraph to offer suggestions for how the institution can improve (nothing is perfect, even those things that work well). These suggestions should be well thought out and you should explain how they improve the ability of the institution to meet the values you are using as your criteria for a well functioning democracy. write from own perpective..

Paper For Above instruction

The presidency, including its bureaucracy and executive branch, plays a pivotal role in shaping American democracy. To evaluate whether it serves the democratic system well or fails to do so, it is essential to consider core democratic values such as accountability, participation, transparency, and effective governance. I will argue that the presidential institution, while historically vital for American governance, faces significant challenges that hinder its ability to fully uphold these democratic principles, necessitating reforms to better serve the nation.

The first criterion for assessing the presidency's performance is accountability. An effective democracy requires elected officials to be accountable to the people. The president's immense power — including veto authority, executive orders, and control over vast bureaucracies — can sometimes prioritize partisan or personal interests over public accountability. For example, presidents have occasionally used executive orders to bypass legislative gridlock, raising concerns about democratic accountability and the erosion of legislative oversight (Howell, 2013). This tendency can weaken the checks and balances intended by the framers of the Constitution, undermining democratic accountability.

Participation is another fundamental democratic value, and the presidency influences this through its ability to mobilize or suppress political engagement. Historically, presidents have inspired voter participation through leadership appeals, yet at times they have also marginalized certain groups or suppressed dissent, as seen with voter suppression efforts or executive overreach that discourages civic participation (Kettl, 2017). Furthermore, the president's power to influence media narratives can shape public opinion, indirectly affecting democratic participation. Hence, while the presidency can promote inclusion, its tendency toward centralized power can hinder broader citizen engagement.

Transparency is crucial for democracy, ensuring citizens are informed about governmental actions. The presidency has a mixed record, with administrations sometimes withholding information, citing national security or political interests. The classification of documents, lack of transparency in executive decisions, and limited access to presidential records can obstruct accountability and public trust (Bebber, 2018). Transparency deficits, especially in the face of emerging issues like cybersecurity or foreign policy, weaken democratic oversight and diminish citizens' ability to hold leaders accountable.

To improve the presidency's contribution to democracy, reforms should focus on increasing transparency, enhancing legislative oversight, and promoting greater civic engagement. Implementing stricter transparency laws regarding executive actions and classified information can restore public trust. Moreover, establishing independent bodies to review executive decisions and strengthen congressional oversight could counterbalance presidential overreach. Encouraging civic education and participation initiatives can also empower citizens to engage more meaningfully in democratic processes, ensuring the presidency better reflects and serves democratic values. These reforms would help the institution uphold accountability, participation, and transparency—core principles of a healthy democracy.

References

• Howell, W. G. (2013). Power without Persuasion: The Politics of Direct Presidential Action. Princeton University Press.
• Kettl, D. F. (2017). The Transformation of Governance: Public Administration for the Twenty-First Century. Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Bebber, T. (2018). Transparency and the Presidency: Challenges in the Digital Age. Oxford University Press.
• Jentleson, B. W. (2014). American Foreign Policy: The Dynamics of Choice. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Skowronek, S. (2018). The Politics Presidents Make. Harvard University Press.
• Pogge, T. (2017). World Poverty and Human Rights. Polity Press.
• Lowi, T. J. (2013). The End of Liberalism: The Rise of Conservatives and the Decline of Liberalism. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Scholzman, K. L., Verba, S., & Brady, H. E. (2018). Perspectives on Political Participation. University of Chicago Press.
• Fiorina, M. P., & Abrams, S. (2019). Political Polarization in American Politics. Routledge.
• Levitsky, S., & Ziblatt, D. (2018). How Democracies Die. Bloomsbury Publishing.