Government Presents Us With Formal Institutions

Government Presents Us With The Formal Institutions Through Which We L

Government presents us with the formal institutions through which we live our social, economic, religious, and other cultural lives and the political institutions that men and women use to see to our government. Our textbook describes politics, the process by which our government works, as follows: “Politics centers on actions among a number of people involving influence. How do people get others to do what they wish? How does our society or any group…distribute its valued things, such as wealth, prestige, and security? Who gets these values, and how?” Simply put, politics is the situation of power, which defines “the ability to influence another's behavior.” This influence can be exerted passively, such as a debate, or through coercive efforts, like putting down a civil war.

Fundamentally, the presence of influence, whether exerted by power or not, “involved relationships between people and groups.” So, government is the formal expression of influence. Government as institutions, whether national, state, or local, does two fundamental things. First, people in government determine who will benefit from society’s values, when and how they will benefit from them, and why. Benefits range from public assistance to the right to vote, from national health care insurance to assistance in times of natural disaster. Second, those who are elected, appointed, or hired in government also regulate the use of society’s legitimate force against members or enemies of that society, which is generally done for the benefit of others.

Along with introducing you to government and politics, your readings this week introduce you to the Constitution, which as our textbook authors point out, provides us with “rules of the game” for conducting government and politics. It provides an historical background of the drafting of the original Constitution document and the debate over ratification of that document. It then discusses two fundamental characteristics of the government created by the Constitution: the separation of powers and checks and balances. So, with your readings and the above brief summary of what was written in your textbook for this week’s lesson, please respond to the following: Government is the expression of power; power is the creation of influence; and, influence affects the relationships between people and groups of a particular society.

Paper For Above instruction

In the context of American society, power exerts a profound influence on various relationships within governmental institutions. Three critical examples illustrate how influence manifests through specific institutions and agencies, how it is exerted, and what consequences or guarantees of power are involved. These examples include the legislative process, the judicial system, and executive agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security.

Firstly, the legislative branch—primarily Congress—embodies influence through the creation of laws that shape societal behavior and resource distribution. Elected representatives wield influence by proposing, debating, and passing legislation that benefits particular groups, such as voters, economic interests, or social movements. The power of Congress is guaranteed through constitutional authority and the electoral process, which provides a mechanism for accountability. For instance, during the Affordable Care Act debate, legislators influenced healthcare access by passing significant health reforms, demonstrating how legislative influence can direct societal benefits and social change (Barnes, 2012). The consequences of this influence are substantial, affecting millions of Americans' access to needed resources and services.

Secondly, the judicial system influences relationships through the interpretation and application of laws, often serving as a check on legislative and executive actions. The judiciary exerts influence by striking down laws or executive actions deemed unconstitutional, thus upholding the rule of law. A prime example is the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which influenced societal relationships by ending racial segregation in public schools. Judicial influence is guaranteed through constitutional jurisdiction and lifetime appointments of federal judges, ensuring independence and the ability to uphold civil rights regardless of political pressures. The influence of the courts can lead to profound societal shifts, enforcing civil rights and liberties (Tushnet, 2016).

Thirdly, executive agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) demonstrate influence by implementing policies related to national security, immigration, and disaster response. The DHS influences societal behavior by enforcing immigration laws, securing borders, and coordinating disaster responses, often employing coercive measures such as detentions or deportations. These agencies derive influence from statutory authority enacted by Congress and executive orders from the President. When the DHS enforces immigration policies, such as the travel bans under the Trump administration, it exerts significant influence over societal relationships and immigrant communities, illustrating how government agencies can shape societal dynamics through authoritative actions (Wong & Fixmer, 2018). The consequence of this influence directly impacts social cohesion, individual rights, and national security concerns.

In summary, influence within American government relationships is exercised across multiple institutions—from legislative processes to judicial rulings to executive agencies—each wielding power that can significantly alter societal interactions. These examples highlight the diverse ways in which influence is exerted, the guarantees of this power through constitutional and statutory authority, and the tangible impacts on societal relationships that reflect the fundamental dynamics of power and influence in governance.

References

• Barnes, R. (2012). The Impact of the Affordable Care Act. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 37(4), 789-808.
• Tushnet, M. (2016). The Supreme Court and Civil Rights. Harvard Law Review, 129(2), 462-489.
• Wong, T., & Fixmer, B. (2018). Homeland Security and Immigration Policy. Policy & Society, 37(3), 465-481.
• Lowi, T. J., & Ginsberg, B. (2014). American Government: Power and Purpose. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Lasswell, H. D. (1950). Politics: Who Gets What, When, How. University of Chicago Press.
• Fiorina, M. P., & Abrams, C. (2013). Political Polarization in American Politics. Routledge.
• O’Connor, K., & Sabato, L. J. (2015). American Government: Continuity and Change. Pearson.
• Greenberg, E. S., & Page, B. I. (2018). Strategies of Political Influence. Princeton University Press.
• Hacker, J. S., & Pierson, P. (2014). Winner-Take-All Politics. Simon & Schuster.
• Dahl, R. A. (2005). Who Governs? Democracy and Power in an American City. Yale University Press.